New Blog!

After taking a break from blogging and then getting blocked from this blog by Google for a LONG time, I started a new blog!  I have a fresh new look and I'm posting new designs regularly.  :)

I hope you will come visit me at Becoming Memories!

He’s a Rule Challenger!

I have a new layout up on the Curtsey Boutique Blog today.  Here’s a peek, but you can see the whole layout and the products used HERE.

Curtsey Boutique Giveaway!

The Curtsey Boutique is celebrating 400 blog posts!  You can check it out, get a coupon code, and enter to win HERE.

Our Last Visa Trip!

As a family, we recently celebrated a milestone.  We all received our long-term visas for our stay in Bulgaria.  Since photos aren’t permitted at the Embassy, I created this layout with photos from the amazing hotel breakfast the morning we picked them up.

You can find more photos, a complete description, and product details at The Curtsey Boutique HERE.

Jump Onto Acorn Avenue

I finally used Acorn Avenue from Crate Paper!  I’ve been hoarding this collection- maybe because it was the last untouched Crate Paper Collection I have in my stash… or maybe it was because I was waiting for the perfect photo.  Either way, I finally did it, and I love this collection!  It’s so very versatile.  I can see girly layouts and family layouts in this collection in addition to the fall themed ones.

I have a Project Life side to this page as well, and I’ll be sharing that soon.  Everything on this page is from Crate Paper except the envelope.  :)

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

Climbing the Walls

A few months ago we visited an ancient castle, with some friends.  The castle is partially restored, but there are many parts of the ruins that are available for touching, feeling, and really experiencing.  There’s less of a museum feeling and more hands-on exploration.  This photo was taken of my son that day, and it’s so appropriate to his personality that he was caught on film literally climbing the walls!

The papers I used are from Fancy Pants Swagger Collection, while the stars, tag, and cork car (I love these!) are from the Curtsey Boutique. 

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

Paper Peppermints

I have a new project up on the Curtsey Boutique blog!  Here’s a sneak peek:

You can check out the entire post, and find the instructions HERE.

Thanks for taking a peek,

~Alyssa~

Point and Shoot!

My brother took this adorable photo of my nephew recently.  It’s so fun that I couldn’t resist scrapping it.  :)  I used one of my favorite collections from Echo Park, as well as some tags and a super fun glassine circus-star embossed envelope from the Curtsey Boutique.

There aren’t a lot of specific techniques here, I just added layer upon layer and found the look I wanted.  The Curtsey Boutique items are the best for this kind of layering!  At the end of the project, I added a bit of washi tape to add some contrast and bring the whole page together.

Thanks for looking!

~Alyssa~

Scooter Saturday

**I have been having some trouble adjusting to a new monitor and making my layout photos look right when editing the colors.  I’m working on fixing some of them, but I appreciate your patience with my wonky photos.**

This layout features one of my favorite photos of my kids.  Probably ever.  We had just returned home from buying them new scooters.  When I saw this photo, my first thought was “They are city kids now!”  And they are.  Moving from a town of 3,000 to a city of 2 million is a huge adjustment. They are doing great!

I tried to make this layout work with the graffiti in the photo by using masks and mists, as well as some bold black. 

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

Fun In a Tree

We recently visited a ropes course, and I got lots of great shots of my family up in the trees, swinging, jumping, and moving from here to there.  I started this layout with a series of tags from The Curtsey Boutique.  Then I built my page on top of them.  I love the movement and detail of this page.

The divided side of this PL page used 6x6 layouts, and I used another Curtsey Boutique tag on this side too.  I LOVE the chevron embossed tags!

You can see all the amazing items available from The Curtsey Boutique HERE.

~Alyssa~

Still

I don’t often take photos of empty hallways, but in this case… the light was perfect, it was quiet, and this photo was calling to me. 

This layout was made with the On Trend Collection from Crate Paper.  A little doodling and misting with a Crafter’s Workshop Template brings it all together.  Thanks for looking!

~Alyssa~

She’s Turning 8!

I have mixed feelings about birthday layouts.  I hate themed layouts, but I really want to have special pages of my kids special days.  When I saw this collaboration from Glitz and Echo Park, I was delighted that there was a birthday collection that wasn’t too “little kid” for my 8 year old.  I love how this page turned out too!

The masks are from Crafter’s Workshop, and the mists are from Tattered Angels. Thanks for taking a peek.

~Alyssa~

Gracefully Aging

There is one beautiful old building in Sofia that I especially love.  It’s had a recent facelift, and it is more striking then ever.  There is something so very timeless about it.  I used Glitz papers to create this fun layered layout.

Thanks for looking.  I hope you feel inspired today!

~Alyssa~

Sick 3 Days…

Shortly after we moved, Elijah got an double ear infection.  It was a challenge trying to get him to the doctor and navigate an unfamiliar medical system, but we made it, and he recovered after a week on antibiotics. 

Poor kid was pretty miserable.  I was thankful it was not a contagious illness.  Lesson for mom: no swimming right before airline travel!

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

A Little Nervous

A few months ago, we boarded a plane to move to Europe.  It was my son’s first flight, and for the most part he was filled with bluster and bravado.  There were moments, however, when the inner uncertainty showed through.  This was one of those moments, while we were waiting to check in for our flight. 

That amazing burlap star is from The Curtsey Boutique, the rest of the items are older items form Basic Grey (Wander) and Simple Stories.

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

Day 1 of 7

I haven’t said a whole lot here on this blog, but our family moved to Eastern Europe over the summer.  In order to get everything processed correctly for our visas, we will be making several trips to Greece.  When all is said and done, we will have spent roughly a week in the beautiful city of Thessaloniki.  This layout uses some of the photos from that amazing first day.

The doily and butterfly are from The Curtsey Boutique, and the rest of the supplies are from my scrap drawer.  TFL!

~Alyssa~

Ice Cream

Playing with paint and templates, and this resulted.  Love the fun and colors and the fact that I just played with this one.  Mojo returns!

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

The Curtsey Boutique Design Team

Congrats to the new The Curtsey Boutique Design Team!  This is a really fun team to be part of, and I’m thrilled to welcome these new ladies to the team.

Design Team Leader

Alyssa Scraps

Returning Designer

I'm Living on Scraps

Returning Designer

Scrapbooking-N-More

New Designer

Crafty Goodies

New Designer

Midnite Lullabies
New Designer

Just a Slice Please


New Designer

Happy Like Yellow

Love These Two

Finally, a layout created in my new city!  It’s been a long time coming. :)  I’m still trying to regain my equilibrium and creativity here… moving killed my mojo and living on a new continent is reshaping my style.  This layout feels a little like me, and a little not.  Anyone else ever been there?  LOL!

More to come soon… hopefully I’ll be getting my new rhythm soon.  Thanks for taking a peek.

~Alyssa~