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~

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~

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~

Colorful PL Fun

On this PL spread, I used a bunch of cute items from the Curtsey Boutique, and LOTS of color!

You can see more from the Curtsey Boutique HERE.  :)

TFL!

~Alyssa~ 

Smile and Nod

Today I have a Crate Paper layout to share- and I couldn’t resist sneaking in a glassine envelope from the Curtsey Boutique too.  I’ve been saving this line for a long time, and as a reward to myself for successfully seeing my family through a move and a 75% reduction in our belongings, I decided it was time to break it out.  This, therefore, is my first project with the On Trend Collection.

Nothing like a big sister “helping” you pose for a photo!  :)  The glassine bag is from the Curtsey Boutique.  Everything else is from Crate Paper (Need color?  Crate Paper is my fave for bright cheery papers).

Thanks for stopping by!

~Alyssa~

Game Time!

I love a good monochromatic page!  This one was made with the Crate Paper Color Challenge in mind, and it was fun to return to something I haven’t done in a while.  There’s a little bit of blue in nearly every Crate line, and many of them are on this page.  Represented are Party Day, Maggie Holmes, Story Teller, Farmhouse, and probably one other line I am forgetting about.  The photos are Instagram shots of my son and his favorite activity these days: Computer time!

Thanks for the fun challenge, Crate Paper!

~Alyssa~

Pout, Eat, Repeat

 

My son (age 5) has mastered the art of avoiding school work.  In this series of photos, the snack he begged for provided a full 15 minutes of stalling.  I dug out some much loved Crate Paper for this layout.  :)

Thanks for taking a peek,

~Alyssa~

2012 Top Ten List

Time for my favorite layouts of 2012!  I struggled with Mojo for much of the year, it seems, but managed to still create quite a few things I live.  Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

I notice a few trends here.  First, I really love single-photo layouts, but in most cases I use a fairly large photo (4x6 or greater).  Second, I used Mit/Paint/Ink on each of these.  Third, I like bright, bold colors.  Fourth, my fussy cutting habit is alive and well!  It’s interested to look at a collection of your work and see what defines it, isn’t it?

Thanks so much to all of the companies and design teams that sent my products and creatively supported me this year: Want2Scrap, Little Black Dress Kits, Pretty Little Studio, and The Curtsey Boutique.  I’m looking forward to what 2013 will bring!

~Alyssa~

A Swanky Notion

The newest Little Black Dress kit has arrived!  A Swanky Notion is now available, and let me just tell you: it’s awesome!

Here is my first project using this kit:

Thanks for taking a peek!  Check out the Little Black Dress blog for more about this kit and some awe inspiring DT Projects!

~Alyssa~

The Tree & Me

It’s that time again!  The annual photo of the tree & the kids has been taken.  This tree joined out “family” when Elijah was only a few months old.  Now, they’re both 5. 

Those little leaves and acorns are just the cutest, aren’t they?  Designed by Joe Rotella, they are now available from Want2Scrap.  Betcha can’t wait to get your hands on them!  (I couldn’t!).

You can see all the Want2Scrap™ products HERE.

Thanks for peeking!

~Alyssa~

Want2Scrap Products Used:

Acorns and Leaves by Joe Rotella

Beautiful Bling Borders by Nina Brackett

Nestaboard Petite Scalloped Circles

The Skirt That Started It All

I’ve been on a huge Crate Paper kick recently (just in case you hadn’t noticed!) and working right alongside the Crate has been my Want2Scrap goodies.  One of the products that the Want2Scrap DT is using is the Crystal Lacquer and Pearl Powders from Sakura.   I covered the Chubba Bubba letters on this page with the lacquer, which I mixed with the Pearl Powders.  The way the lacquer works with the powders and forms this metallic sheen is really amazing. 



I know it’s hard to see in the photos, but there is a lovely metallic luster on those chipboard letters.  So much fun!

On a side note, the skirt was a gift to my daughter from her best friend, and the two girls have been matching their outfits, and swimsuits, and everything else, ever since.  They LOVE anything that matches the other.

Thanks for coming by!  You can find the products I used HERE.
~Alyssa~

Ten Tries

I love this layout!  It came together in 20 minutes (odd for me) and it actually looks as it did in my head.  This photo was taken of my son about 3 weeks ago.  It took 10 blurry photos to get this one clear one- hence the title. 

I used mostly Crate Paper’s portrait collection here.

Thanks for coming by and taking a peek!

~Alyssa~

The Unforgettable Adventures

Time for another Crate Paper Color Challenge!  I love these challenges because Tara picks the most amazing color challenges.  I always end up sorting through my ginormous Crate Paper Collection and falling in love again (I can’t wait for the new releases!).  This month’s inspiration board looks like this:

My layout looks like this:



I finally feel like I have some MOJO!  It’s pretty nice, actually. Thanks, CP for this inspiration!
~Alyssa~

It Happened One Day

Many of you probably know of the lovely Ronda Palazarri.  Well, interestingly enough, being Facebook Friends recently led us to playing the “Scamble with friends” app for the iPhone.  When we first started playing, it was obvious to me that she had much more experience with the game then I did, and she beat me soundly over and over.  It became my goal to someday beat her… and then scrapbook about it.  While getting beaten over and over, I learned how to take a screen shot with my phone in preparation for the event that I hoped would eventually come. 

Ronda is a very kind and encouraging person, and she often pointed out when I did well, or when I was gaining on her, and if it hadn’t been for her pointing it out, I probably would have missed this photograph-able moment. 

I used Crate Paper for this layout, mostly from the Random Collection.  Thanks for the fun, Ronda!

Thanks for taking a peek!

~Alyssa~