Boys Rule projects :)

Hey! :) Today I'm sharing some Boys Rule projects that I created with the July kit. This was a great kit, it screamed summer! I loved it so much, it's now nearly gone. I love when I can use up almost every bit of a kit :)

Julie Bonner was July's special guest and she offered this beautiful sketch!

Here's my take...

Isn't he just the cutest lil fisherboy!?! :)

I also created these two cards....

 And lastly, this layout followed the July 20th sketch challenge. There's still plenty of time to enter here!

And my take...

This page was a bit out of my comfort zone. I usually like to add many patterned papers and layers. But I didn't have much left of my kit, so I had to make do. I really like the result, though. Sometimes less is more :)

I can't wait to show you the August Boys Rule kit! Wow! 

Boys Rule Sketch Challenge

It's sketch challenge time at Boys Rule! Yay! 

Jenny creates some great sketches and this one is no exception..

I love this month's kit, full of Fancy Pants "Wave Searcher" and lots of other fun yummies. Perfect for any summer photos, really :) Here's my take on the sketch..

Visit Boys Rule today to see other layouts the design team made for this challenge.. then try it out for yourself! You could win some Boys Rule goodies :)

On a side note..

I've started to share random thoughts on my facebook page. Some of them are silly, some odd, some to make you go "hmm" etc. I just thought it was about time to give my facebook page some personality, it's been pretty boring there for a couple years. And I decided to occasionally share those thoughts here as well. No rhyme or reason to them.. just to maybe give someone a smile or a chuckle. 

Have a great weekend!!

A Splashin' Good Time - Boys Rule & Artful Delight

Have you see the July Boys Rule kit? I'm lovin' it! All those bright colors and fun designs and so many cute embellies! Yes, please!!!
This kit is sold out.

Today I'm sharing a layout I created that features my son and nephew enjoying their mini waterslide :)

I had a lot of fun with this page! Plenty of fussy cuts and a bunch of white pen doodles. I also used the green, orange and red Momento markers from a Boys Rule kit a couple months ago. I really like the Smooch Spritz splatter on the cardstock frame, too. 

I used this sketch from Artful Delight, designed by yours truly.. and linked up to the sketch challenge :)

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Artful Delight (Win kits!!)

Sharing with you 3 cards I created using the June Artful Delight kit :)

Isn't it a pretty kit!?? Guess what!? You can win it!!! Woot! Just click here to follow and leave a comment at Artful Delight! Hurry though! Giveaway ends Sunday night!

My June kit is almost gone :( Just a few pieces left here and there. It's been a nice month making more feminine layouts and cards. Most of the time, it's all boys boys boys - but I love to play with flowers, birds and butterflies, too! :)

I'll be back with the boys in July though! :) I'm so excited about the new July Artful Delight kit!! Have you seen it??Ohhhh.. I cannot wait to get this kit in my hands! GORGEOUS, isn't it!? All those My Mind's Eye colors, kites, balloons, clouds.. and American Crafts papers, too! And Maya Road chipboard shapes.. and Thickers.. and buttons.. and Maya Mist.. and Precocious Paper's stars.. and twine.. and.. and... Ahhhhhh!! I have so many crafty ideas goin all at once! I'm literally stalking my mailman this week! The poor guy!

If you LOVE this kit as much as I do - you should head over to Artful Delight and reserve yours! I'm sure it's going to sell out quickly! But guess what - you can have a chance to win the July kit, too!! How fab would that be? Yesterday began the new weekly challenge at The Paper Variety and Leeanne from Artful Delight has most generously donated this July kit to the challenge winner! Woohoo! :) Click here for all the challenge details!! :)

Two great kits to giveaway! Fabo!

Thanks for stopping by!

Abby

Happy Birthday, Jodi Marie!

Today I celebrate the birthday of my older sister, Jodi. Jodi is my best friend and I thank the heavens every day for her in my life. I have 2 much younger sisters whom I LOVE and are extremely close to also- but Jodi and I are closer in age and have something much deeper, we've been through alot together.

When we were kids, it was really tough for us to get along. She was always good in school and I.. well.. my grades weren't anything to be proud of. I often had to wear her hand-me-downs and our mother would make her take me along to her friends' houses. She was pretty, popular and had lots of friends while I was ditching classes and smoking behind the school with the wild crowd. We would physically fight alot- she packed a hard punch and I always had long sharp nails (scratch! lol).

But throughout our childhood and teen years, despite the fights and the glaring eyes, she always took care of me. She was the oldest sister and really took on a "mothering" role. We both were subjected to our mother's physical abuse that began at young ages and Jodi would often shield me and take mom's blow herself. She'd never let anyone hurt me or treat me wrongly.

As we got older and moved away from home during our late teens, we grew even more closer. A few years later.. we became roommates, worked together at 2 businesses and she was also at my side in my wedding. The past 20+ years, Jodi has been the one person I always turn to when I need advice, or comfort or just an understanding ear to cry to. That's a pretty big job for her but she does it, and she never gripes. She's always been there for me. Always.

We've never lived very far from each other, she's always been in the same home or just a short drive away. But two years ago she moved to Pittsburgh (I'm in Illinois) and it's been really hard to cope with not seeing her whenever I want to. We still talk often on the phone or internet, but... I miss her so much.

I just want to say thanks.. to her.. for everything she's given me. The very best sisterhood, friendship and unconditional acceptance and love.

From the time that we were little, I knew you'd always be

Not just a loving sister, but a caring friend to me.

We have a special bond, I knew it from the start

You'll have my love forever - we're sisters, heart to heart.

The way you take care of me, you're my shining star

And though it's so incredible, that's just the way you are.

As long as we are living, no matter when are where

If you ever need me, just call and I'll be there.

I'll climb a thousand mountains and swim a thousand seas

Anything to be there, 'cause you've been there for me.

Happy Birthday, Jodi Marie!
(her name is Jodi Lynn but I've always called her Jodi Marie,
just to be a pain - I have NO clue how it started lol)
And remember, you'll always be older than me! Ha! :P

I created this card for Jodi using the June monthly kit from Artful Delight. I love that lil bird, so cute and whimsical :)

Thanks for visiting :)

Abby

Sisters - Artful Delight

Just wanted to share another layout I created with the June kit from Artful Delight! I used the Fancy Pants "It's the Little Things" portion of the kit, these colors and designs are so simple to coordinate.

This page features my mother and my 2 Aunts in 1950. I love this photo of them in their pretty little dresses and shoes, so precious.

There are still a few June monthly kits left, click here if you'd like to purchase one.

Thanks for visiting! :)

Abby

Redhead - Artful Delight :)

Just a super quick post today. We have a filled day planned and we're eager to get started :)

I created this layout about myself and my choice of hair color lol. Most of the supplies I used are from the Fancy Pants "Its the Little Things" portion of Artful Delight June kit :) Beautiful collection! Please excuse the photo quality - the colors are actually much brighter, but it's been raining most of the week and the sun is on vacation. Boo! :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Abby

New challenge at The Paper Variety!

The Paper Variety weekly challenges are back!

We're so very excited about this new year with a new
Design Team, new challenges and some great new sponsors!

This week's challenge is all about Snowflakes!
And with this time of year, it should be an easy challenge for most of us :)
Our sponsor this week is Your Scrapbook Stash!!
Just check out what they've generously donated..Wow! Isn't that fantastic!? I love this Basic Grey Wander kit
and all this could all be yours if you're the lucky winner! :)

This is my snowflakes project..My cute lil nephew at the Christmas parade. It was cold
that night but he stayed warm and cozy in his stroller with
blankets. I used Fancy Pants Hot Chocolate,
Looooooove this kit!
Lots of distressing and outlining too to make
areas pop- I love all the colors.

I also created a video of how I put this layout together.
You'll have to excuse the lighting and my tired mumbling
though please, this was recorded at around 3:00 AM lol
You'll have to first turn off my music player at the bottom of my blog :)

Head on over to The Paper Variety to see all the
beautiful snowflake projects by our fabulous design team!
Lots of inspiration to get you started!
Hope you'll join us! :)

-Abby

Cards 18-20

Hi! I've been so preoccupied with other things, I totally forgot about posting my holiday cards here! Get with it, Abby! ;)

The past few days I've been trying new things. Not sure I'm happy with the first two, but it feels good to step out of my norm every so often.

Wednesday I made a card that was all stamping...

Thursday I went for a vintage/distressed look. I used the Fancy Pants "Magic Christmas" collection...

And Friday I made a gift card holder for my son's stocking :) I used Crate Paper's "Seasons" collection ...

I also made a video for this card to display for our Paper Variety friends!




Don't forget, there's still time to enter the giveaway for Sassafras Lass "Indie Girl"! See here for details!

AND after the "Indie Girl" winner is announced, I'll have another giveaway for a fabulous new 12x12 paper collection! Be sure to come back then for details!

-Abby

Card 12

Here is my day 12 of this 30 day card challenge. I'm almost to the half way mark! Woot!

Today I mixed some KaiserCraft with Fancy Pants and came up with these rich colors. I'm a huge fan of red/maroon paired with beige. Altho this was one of the simplest cards I've made this month, it's also one of my faves so far.


See you tomoorow! :)

-Abby

Echo Park and Fancy Pants

I made a few layouts this week, I had planned to do several more but it didn't turn out that way. I still have the weekend though so hope isn't lost yet!

This layout was actually made with intentions of entering it into Papercraft Star's circle challenge, but I was too late and didn't upload it by the deadline. Shucks! It also meets the fuzzy embellishment challenge on Scrappin-n-Chattin. The little monster sticker is from a packet of Sassafras Lass felties :)

This one was made with the new Echo Park "A walk in the park" collection. I LOVE these colors! I followed this weeks sketch challenge on Sketch Inspiration. It also meets the close-up photo challenge on Scrappin-n-Chattin! Both layouts feature my nephew, Drake- such a cutie!


I'm finishing up a 3rd layout today and also hope to add a few more this weekend. :) TFL!

Hangin Out

Wasn't feeling too crafty today. I really had to push
myself to create something. This isn't my best, but it's
done and I can breathe a sigh of relief that I'm still in the
Every Day Layout Challenge at Scrappin-n-Chattin.

This little guy is my nephew, Drake. I love this picture
of him on the park slide, too cute!

Layout Supplies: Fancy Pants "Rough & Tough" papers
and accessory stickers, foam alphas, green cardstock.

Tomorrow will be a fun day on my blog.
Party Time Tuesdays is kicking off their 3rd card
challenge, I'm announcing 2 giveaway winners AND there
will be another giveaway! Woot! Don't miss it :)

Happy June!

This girl knows style

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Just a lazy
day for me, this evening will be chaotic though as my
little nephew will be here for the evening. Fun!

Todays layout features my younger sister, Sarah. Isn't
she lovely? She's a fabulous woman- smart, gorgeous,
stylish- a beautiful person inside and out.

I used a few papers from the new Fancy Pants
"Road Show" collection. I really love how it all came
together. Can't take credit for the sketch, it was lifted-
but I didn't get the designers name, sorry. It's a cloudy
rainy day here in Illinois so the picture quality
isn't all that great.

Layout Supplies: Fancy Pants "Road Show" sheets, Martha Stewart
circle cutter, Fancy Pants cut-outs, Basic Grey Basic labels, Martha
Stewart butterfly clear stamps, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Thickers,
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Alphas

Don't miss visiting my blog tomorrow! I'll be hosting a
challenge where you can win items from a fabulous
new Spring collection! Hope you'll join me!

Happy June!