042713 - Happy Birthday, Blog!

 

Wow! It's been a year already!

I have had SO much fun.

Thanks for joining me on the ride :~)

 

CKC Challenge - Inspiration Sets the Stage

 

How does this inspire YOU? 

That was the question this month over at the CKC blog for our first challenge of April 2013.

At first glance it didn't strike me at all (yikes!) but when I tried to analyze why not, I discovered that it felt 

like an empty stage. Aha moment! This would be my inspired direction for my page for the challenge.

First off I had to think about what kind of photos I might want to scrap. 

I knew I had a great photo of my niece dressed up for a part in a play...

 

...but did I want to be that literal about it?
This began as a pretty abstract inspiration and I thought I would like to continue in that vein.
Our second grandson had just arrived & it seemed like a perfect time to document his grand entrance.

Now let's dive into the Magic Blue Box & see what will work!

First, it was tough to narrow down the photo. I chose this one because it shows off his gorgeous dimples!
He looks like he is smiling, and you can really see that whole beautiful newborn baby bod.
The only thing missing is his full head of hair, but that will show up on another page this month.

Next I decided to go fishing in my kit for elements to add to the page.

The hello elements volunteered, as well as some of  the baby stamps.  I really had intended to use this counterfeited heart paper but chose a more subtle cream & white chevron to allow the photo to stand alone.

And a late addition to my kit (thanks to the CKC April Kit Tutorial links post) is the FREE Printable -
Viewing Reels from U printables by Rebecca ,

which made a great focal point to anchor the photo.
The little yellow car button (shank removed) is a nod to his name - Cooper!
And yes - he is named for the car - a tradition on my son-in-law's side of the family :~D

I added the number 3 chipboard accent for grandbaby #3!
We are truly blessed.

And I have to apologize for my splatters - I love this embellishing technique but am rarely happy with the results.
This time the black paint looked way to stark, so I took a white pen & colored them in to tone them down. Someday I will remember to add these BEFORE I have my page glued down!

Now HOP ON!

DON'T MISS ==> Lisa H

U R HERE==> Leslie

GO HERE NEXT! Lesley

 Rebecca 

Lisa E  

Candace 

Julie 

Jennifer 

Jemma 

042113 Get a Clue!!! LOAD 513

Wow! It's almost time again for a crazy creative month of scrapbooking a layout every day!

My first inclination was to buy a trenchcoat & a hat with a large brim. (hehe)

My second was to pop out & get a 3-pack of adhesive refills! (done)

Then I did some serious thinking about how I would prepare this time, especially what photos & stories I can have at the ready.

Here is the shortlist:

No brainer - new grandbaby!  :~D

My childhood pics - the shoebox isn't empty yet...

 Continue with my menopause album.

The funny thing is that LOAD leads me into places I never expected...

 ...into stories that I hadn't planned to tell.

It helps me recommit to daily scrapping time.

  LOAD helps me put "PLAY" on the daily To Do list.

 

I will also:
Use some new product - yum

Print as I go

Follow prompts

Oh, and probably a good idea to tidy up the happy scrappy place...

Here are a few of my past pre-LOAD blog posts:
 http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/2013/01/013113-load-of-inspiration.html
http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/2012/09/092612-october-load-blog-hop.html

040613 CKC April Kit - Basically Grayt!

Oh, how I love to play at the Counterfeit Kit Club! 

And this month's inspiration kit, the Gossamer Blue March kit, was so very inspiring :~)

I tackled the papers first.

Loved the Glitz hearts...

...& braided stripes.

This took me a lot longer to figure out how to do it than to actually do it, lol.

I only had one piece of the paper so I copied it letter size, which dictated how long of a stretch I could braid.

Shall we peek at what else is in the Magic Blue Box?

 There was an extra black add-on kit which I thought would be terrific.

BG Aged & Confused Raspberry Blue
& Lemonade
Authentique Blissful collection
Heidi Swapp Traditional

*CF* Hearts
*CF* Braided Stripes

BG Hello Luscioius Succulent
Bella Blvd Baby Boy sticker sheet

MME Bramble Rose creamy chevron
The Paper Studio Wood Fence Lime Green

MME Mischievous What a Hoot (B side)
BG Nook & Pantry Tea Cakes

*CF* Washi Border with Title Block (oops - forgot to include this one)
The Girls' Paperie by Margie On Holiday
 

BG Konnichiwa Mt Fuji
Fancy Pants Lilac House Chamomile
(random) stars
Crate Paper Little Bo Peep Charlotte

Lots of Basic Gray paper in my kit (hence the name) & some papers chosen with my grandbabies in mind.

Meet Cooper Lewis, born April Fool's Day (no kidding!) - 7 lbs 4 oz, 20 in long.

And yes, he has gorgeous dimples & a really sweet smile *sigh*

We are truly, abundantly blessed, praise the Lord.

(Lincoln says, shhh, the baby's sleeping)

Happy scrapping!