What I've Been Up To This Past Week...

Commence paper overload.

The contest I am hosting over at Scrapbook.com this month is a School themed contest. You need: at least 2 school-ish pictures, shaped paper for your background and hand stitching somewhere on your layout. You can do that, right???

There is a new challenge up at Mix It Up! I love this picture of the zinnias that I bought at the Farmer's Market. Zinnias are my absolute favorite summer flower. Tulips are my favorite spring flower and mums are my favorite autumn flower, in case anyone is keeping track. :)

The patterned papers on this layout are from the new Plastino and Flirty lines from Bella Blvd.

I finally made Story Stones for my little monsters. They have been carrying them around everywhere. Maddux likes to make up little stories as we wait in the endless pick-up line after school. Per his request I made food for his people, a car and a frog. I'm not sure why the frog was necessary, but it makes him happy.

Along with the layout that I created for the Scrapbook.com contest and the Story Stones, this is another GCD Studios layout from August. I just love those polka dots.

Now I just need to finish up about a gazillion new projects and I will be all caught up - ha!

What are you up to this week?

Mix It Up - A Monochromatic Layout!

It's time for a new Mixer over at Mix It Up! This is a color challenge: create a monochromatic layout using white. I know it sounds overwhelming, but I promise, this will get your creativity going!

I had a lot of fun digging out white embellishments from my stash. I used a white vinyl thicker for the title, that I covered in Pink Paislee Pixee Stix glitter. I just love the pop of turquoise against the white.

I have had these Heidi Swapp flowers for ages. A little embroidery floss, a button and a few Basic Grey Bling it On dots makes it an updated perfect embellishment for this layout.

My favorite part of creating this layout was sorting through all of Nan's old buttons. I love finding a special purpose for her collection of buttons.

You have until August 4th to create a layout for this challenge! One winner will receive a $40.00 gift certificate to NoelMignon.com. I hope that you will play along!

Mix It Up + GCD + The Jonas Brothers

I absolutely could not think of a title for today's blog, can you tell?

Mix It Up!! has the new Mixer up on the blog this morning! The challenge this month is to use a picture that is at least 20 years old. I was excited about this challenge because I never ever scrap older pictures. The picture that I used is from my 5th birthday. I just love my crazy long pigtails!

This is the amazing sketch that Juliana created for us. I loved the scalloped edge and just knew that I wanted to use that in my layout.

You need to try this challenge!!! You have until July 21 at 9:00PM EST to create a layout using this sketch and a picture that is at least 20 years old. One winner will be chosen to win a $40.00 gift card to Noel Mignon! You know you want to play along!!!

Over at GCD Studios you can see the BRAND NEW summer collections! I love the grungy look of the Vintage Boy collection. There are the cutest patterns ever in this line! I am envisioning lots of fun layouts for Maddux!

Another new collection is Sunny Days which is full of summery colors. This is such a beautiful collection. GCD Studios will be unveiling the other two brand new collections over the next two days, so be sure to check back!

And now I am off to download new music to my iPod for the loooooooong road trip! Brad says that he is instilling a strict No Jonas Brothers rule. Sigh.

Mix It Up!!

I am super excited to have been asked to join the Mix It Up!! Design Team. Melanie Blackburn creates some awesome bi-weekly Mixers and the uber-talented Juliana Michaels creates the amazing sketches. It is fun.

For the DT Call Melanie posted this tide pool image for inspiration along with...

this sketch. It would have been impossible to not find inspiration here.

I had fun with the bright colors and I have been dying to use the Bungle Jungle line from Sassafras Lass. You should check out the blog! Mixer 23 is up and you have until July 7th to create a layout and be entered into the drawing!

I am off to tackle the laundry! What are you up to this week?