"We are the Crazy Ones"

I love the song, "We are the Crazy Ones" by Stellar Revival and I finally had the right picture to use the title and lyrics for. Do you know the song, if not here is a link to the video for it from You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8MwGCA15gg

Pretty awesome song, and hey if Steve Jobs could market for Apple using the slogan "Here's to the Crazy Ones, " I figure I am covered either way. ;-)

This layout was fairly simple to put together and a lot of fun too!

For the left side of the layout, print a photo to 8.5 x 11 inches, add journaling to it in Photoshop Elements and print it out.

For the title page, stamp the title using black Memento Ink and let it dry for a few minutes. Watercolor in the letters and let dry again for thirty minutes or so. Sprinkle various embellishments throughout the page until you find an arrangement you like. Adhere embellishments using glue dots.

I hope you liked this layout. What have you been creating lately. Anyone else having fun using watercolors or making layouts using rainbow colors? I would love to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

It's Good to Be Home Scrapbook Layout

Who loves making similar kinds of layouts again and again? I do (she says waving both hands in the air like a crazy person.) I have thing for bits of patterned paper, always have, always will. Patterned paper was and will always be my first love (at least when it comes to scrapbooking supplies.)

I have another layout to share today. This one was created using bits of patterned papers from the Studio Calico Far Far Away Kit. I think I may have actually incorporated fourteen different papers for this layout--a new record!

This layout was super simple to create, which basically sums up all of my scrapbooking these days. If it takes longer than an hour to finish the bulk of it, it's just not going to happen.

I love grid designs, and simple clean lines on my layouts. Every layout I create is about the story and what I want to remember from the photographs I choose, the embellishing is the icing on the story-telling cake. I also have a thing for stars and wood veneer, so yeah most of my projects incorporated most (if not all) of those things and I am perfectly okay with that. I don't have to re-invent the wheel to have fun, I just have to be me to enjoy the memory-keeping process. A few strategically placed embellishments, some stitching, some white space, and BAM.....completed layout!

Do you have any repeated techniques or supplies that you love to use again and again? Are you a story teller as well? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back soon with another layout to share. Have a fabulous weekend!

xoxox

Toni

Paper Issues: You Are Love

Happy Wednesday! I have a layout to share with y'all today and am playing along with the current issue over at Paper Issues, "Tell Me Dies, Tell Me Sweet Little Dies." Remember that Stevie Nicks song? Here is a video of it, if you feel like being nostalgic with me.

This layout has a very special place in my heart because I am directly talking to Elliot (my son) in my journaling. I don't talk about this a lot here on my blog, but he has Asperger's Syndrome. For a long time, I worried constantly about where his place would be in this world as an adult. We had some really difficult moments from the ages of two through ten or so, but now that he is getting older, he is really managing very well, and in such a great place. That is not to say that we had many more wonderful moments, but when you have a child with special needs some of those not as fun moments really tend to escalate.

Elliot is fourteen now, and I do not have the same concerns. He is thriving here in North Carolina in every sense of the word (all 5' 11" of him.) He is quirky and kind and such a loving boy. He always, ALWAYS wants to do the right thing, and is just such a joy to have in my life. He is a great kid and so gosh darn smart, and I just love him to pieces!

Here is the layout I created for the challenge. I used new collections by Studio Calico, Pebbles, Shimelle, and Crate Paper. All of the items used and many more are available in the Paper Issues shop as well.

Don't forget to check out some of the new shop items we have in the Paper Issues shop. While your there, make sure to use the code "TONI" and you can save 20% off your entire order!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Eighth Grade Dance

Today is the first day back at school for our children. Our oldest will be starting high school (9th grade) and our youngest is starting her last day of elementary school (5th grade.) I know everyone always says this, but really, where did the time go? How can our oldest be 5' 11" and starting high school? How can girls already be noticing him? How can his voice be so deep already? How...did...that...happen?

As I sit here at my desk, reminiscing about dropping off Elliot at high school vert early tis morning, I realized I have a layout that I still have not shared with all of you. I love this layout, it features a favorite photo from Elliot's 8th grade dance this past May. I figure I need to get this one on the blog before the inevitable back to school layouts. ;-)

For this layout, I printed my photo to approximately 8.25" x  8.25." Next I adhered this photo on a piece of light blue patterned paper sized 8.5" x 11." I added in two strips of patterned paper to the bottom as well as a handout banner, a couple of Studio Calico Roller Rink printables, some Thickers, a #8 brad by Basic Grey, a few enamel dots, some stars, and a few staples for fun. Then I added my title using Thickers in the top lefthand section of my photo. I added a few more enamel dots and star wood veneer. My last step was to draw journaling lines using a ruler and to complete my journaling. A fairly simple layout, but it has a big impact nonetheless.

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Roller Rink Scrapbook KIt Octover 2012
• Studio Calico wood veneer stars
• Basic Grey brad
• Tim Holtz tiny attacher
• American Crafts precision pen .03 nib
• American Crafts dot roller adhesive
• Ruler

I have linked this layout over at the Paper Issues blog. The current issue is Admit One." Since the dance required tickets for admittance I feel this layout goes quite well with that theme. If you have any layouts that might fit this theme, I encourage you to link them and you just might wins  price pack from Fancy Pants Designs. You can link your layouts HERE.

Also don't forget if you need to do some scrappy shopping to use my link over at Paper Issues and save your self 20% off your entire order by using the code "TONI." Lots of new goodies in the shop including; Basic Grey Second City, Crate Paper Notes and Things, Shimelle, and Solstice by Pink Paislee.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow with some Project Life pages to share. I sure hope to see you back then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

A Pocket Layout using Crate Paper's Boys Rule Collection

Earlier this month we had kind of a big thing happen in our family. Our oldest turned fourteen and we went out and celebrated a few days before his party. We went to an Entertainment Park and had all kinds of fun with three, yes three, teenage boys. I think Go Carts were my personal favorite, and the boys liked Laser Tag the most!

I love Crate Paper's Boys Rule line and truth be told I have been kind of hoarding it, and waiting for just the right pictures. I pulled it out earlier this week and told myself that I was not allowed to hoard it any longer. I made a 9 x 12 inch pocket page insert for our Project Life album by trimming down one of my page protectors. I plan on adding some more photos of Elliot later this month on the opposite side. He is getting ready to go to his first semi-formal dance, the Eighth Grade Dance to be specific. Only a few more weeks and he will officially be a high school student. Sigh.

This layout is full of my favorite things: Journaling cards, wood veneer, small embellishments, stickers, pretty patterned paper, and some great photos. My favorite combination.  I added in a see through pocket and hand-stitched it closed, since my sewing machine has been put to rest. It finally stopped working. :-(  I also used a piece of vellum for a sorta see-through element with the blue star vellum from the Crate Paper collection. I bought three pieces of this, because even though I only use vellum in smaller amounts, I would be so sad if I ever ran out. I am a huge star fan (if you could not tell already.)

Let's talk paper collections today. Anyone else hoarding a paper collection? Are you planning on using it soon? Or are you someone that can just use it up right away? I am getting much better at that, but still find about 10% off my stash I have a really hard time using. Anyone else loving Boys Rule or any other collections? What about stars? I mean seriously, can you ever get tired of stars???

I have linked this layout over at Paper Issues for their current "Mix Tape" challenge. You can find that HERE.

I will be back later this week with a layout to share. I hope to see you back here then. Until next time....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Happy Memory

It's Wednesday already, and this month is just flying by. I cannot believe that in a little under a month the kids will be out of school and summer will officially be here. It is already very hot here (it hit 92 degrees yesterday) so I think everyone here in North Carolina already has the summer mentality. I know our kids sure do anyways, and are wanting to stay up later and later every evening. Regardless of the time of year, or the temperature, I did manage to get some more scrapping in since the last time I blogged.

I have another layout to share with you today. This time I used the May Studio Calico Camelot Kit and Guinevere Scrapbook Add-On. I was really drawn to the awesome Basic Grey blue and pink floral paper, and based my entire layout on this color scheme (with accents of gold of course. ;-) This layout was based on Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook Class over at Studio Calico as well.

Thanks for stopping by again today. I appreciate you being here. Let's talk color schemes today. I would love to hear your thoughts? Anyone trying out a new scheme that they really like? I am really loving the soft pink and blue in today's layout. I wouldn't normally choose two "baby colors" for a baby layout necessarily, but that floral paper just had me at hello. What can I say, I love pretty paper. Anyone else still obsessed with gold as much as I am? What about floral prints and spring colors? Swoon right?

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

2 Layouts using Studio Calico's Bluegrass Farms Scrapbook Kit.

Happy Monday! I hope y'all had a great weekend and Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you moms out there. I had a great weekend with my family and that even included breakfast in bed yesterday and a movie marathon.

I have two layouts to share with you today using the April Bluegrass Farms Scrapbook Kit by Studio Calico. This is going down as one of my favorite main kits ever. I love all of the bright primary colors, and I have found this kit super versatile for all kinds of topics.

Be Wild:

I think this Maya Road Ampersand paper clip, just might go down as my favorite embellishment 

of the year, it was in an older Studio Calico Project Life kit, and I finally stopped hoarding it.

A23:

I enjoyed stamping and using all kinds of gold touches on this layout. I am especially loving the 

new American Crafts colored staples, they fit perfectly in my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.

If you are curious, I made another layout using this Scrapbook Kit, you can find that post HERE.

Let's talk scrapbooking products today. What are some of your favorites from 2014? What about old favorites? Anything you are loving that surprised you? Are you loving some things so much and using them on just about everything? For me that would be anything gold, any kind of clip (paper clips, flag clips, etc...,) and stars. I still love stars, I think I always will. 

I will be back soon with another week of Project Life to share. I sure hope to see you back then.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Egg Hunt

Happy Monday. I am checking in a little later today. Spring is here and I don't know about you, but life seems to get crazy busy this time of year. Softball, spring planting, projects, and family obligations are keeping us super busy, but I am still loving crafting in every bit of free time I can find.

I have a layout to share with you today using items largely from the Studio Calico Bluegrass Farms Scrapbook Kit. I love the primary color, but spring-like feel to this kit. It is one of my favorites that's for sure. I am really loving 8.5 x 11 layouts lately, sewing with my machine, and combining lots of different small scale patterned papers, and that is exactly what I did with this layout.

I will be back tomorrow sharing Project Life week 16 and I hope to see you then.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Diving Into Summer and Other Summer Inspiration

Happy Monday blog readers! I hope y'all had a great and relaxing weekend. Today I have a layout to share with you from last summer. I never shared this particular layout on the blog, but it is one of my favorites. I don't know about you, but I sure love the sun and being outside. My family and I spent a lot of this past weekend working in the yard, playing outside, and going to softball games and practices. It was a really great weekend, and now I am just anxiously waiting for our community pool to open. Bring on the beach towels, sunscreen, and big hats!

Diving into Summer

 My daughter Isabelle loves the pool and was perfecting her dive last summer. I also included some journaling in the vellum bag at the top of the layout.

I also am posting two other pool-themed layouts from last spring. If you click on the layout title you can go to the original posting of the layout for more detailed pictures. :-)

Thirteen

A Laugh Is a Smile That Bursts

Thank you so much for stopping by life, scrapbook, repeat today. I appreciate you being here. If you are not already a follower I strongly encourage you to do so. I have a new blog schedule (below) that includes all kinds of crafty goodness, and I would hate for you to miss anything.

Blog Schedule: Posts are up by 8am daily

• Monday:  Scrapbook Layout
• Tuesday:   Project Life
• Wednesday:  Crafty Project (cards, layouts, pocket pages, home decor...this will vary)
• Thursday:  Crafty Organization Thursdays alternating with Scrapbooking Spaces
• One monthly giveaway for followers
• Extra posts popping in from time to time on bonus days

Let's talk summer weather today and crafting related to warmer days. What do you look forward to this time of year? What types of crafting do you love to work on in the spring/ summer? Any other pool lovers out there? Any paper projects I must work on this summer? What kinds of layouts are your favorite subjects in warm weather? What about you card peeps or mixed media? I would love to hear from you.

I will be back tomorrow with Week 14 of Project Life to share. I would love to see you back here at life, scrapbook, repeat and until then,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Let's Jumprope

Happy Monday! Today I have a layout to share with you today based on using one of my favorite ways to start a layout: Color! I am obsessed with color schemes and finding inspiration for layouts in colors around me. Today I am using a triadic color scheme. I have been learning a bunch of fun new things over at Studio Calico in their Color Theory class, and I thought I would share something I learned with you.

According to tiger color.com, a triadic color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. These color schemes tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale or unsaturated versions of your hues. *This link will give you all kinds of great information about many different color schemes, including; primary, secondary, tertiary, triadic, complementary, analogous, square, rectangle, and split-complementary.

Example of a Triadic Color Scheme

Two things I noticed when researching this type of color scheme. 

1. I use the red, blue, yellow color scheme frequently, especially with boy pages.
2. I don't use many other combos of triadic, so I pushed myself to try one that is really out of my "wheelhouse" so to speak. Here is what I came up with.

Let's Jumprope

This was a very fun layout to make. I enjoy trying new things, and this color scheme (purple, aqua, and orange/yellow) are definitely not a typical color scheme for me, but I really like the result.

Let's talk stepping outside of our comfort zone today. What kinds of crafty projects have you worked on lately that were out of the norm for you? Anyone else branching out of their wheelhouse lately? Is there anything new that you would love to try? Let' talk crafting, any kind of crafting will do, I would love to hear all about it.

I will be back tomorrow with some more Project Life to share. I hope to see you back then.

Until then,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Hybrid Layout Share: Rad Dude

Happy Monday! Today I have a fun hybrid layout to share with all of you. I wanted to make a scrapbook page about my son and how proud we are of him. He just registered for High School classes, which of course naturally lead right into a bunch of how did he grow up so fast conversations between my husband and I. Looking through older photographs of Elliot, I knew that for this layout I wanted to use a large variety of photos and quite a few circle embellishments. I decided to go digital (this seems to be the best way for me to get a lot of photos on one page, while still telling a story, and playing with some fun embellishments. I also really love the juxtaposition of a grid layout with lots of circles thrown in there.

For this layout, I used a Just Jaimee digital template from the February Storyteller Pocket Page. This template comes with two layouts that can be used a variety of ways and can be purchased at The Lilypad HERE. Below is what the digital layout looked like when I initially designed it and added in my photos and other digital elements. I used some of the brand new digital cardstock from the Studio Calico Office Hours Kit. I typed my journaling directly into Photoshop Elements, and also included a digital/printable journaling card element "epic" designed by Marcy Penner for Studio Calico.

Next I sized this square layout to 8 x 8 inches, placed it onto an 8.5 x 11 canvas in Photoshop Elements, and printed it out. I adhered this layout to an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of American Crafts Kraft cardstock and then I embellished using various circular elements, puffy stickers, stamping, enamel dots, punches, a corner rounder, embroidery floss, and die-cut letters.

I really like how this layout turned out. I think it might be one of my favorites and I love how it captures Elliot exactly as he is right now: Adorable, studious, lovable, and funny.

Let' talk digital templates today. Have you ever used a digital template? What are some of your favorites? Who are your favorite digital template designers? I have digital templates by Ali Edwards, Cathy Zielske, Catherine Davis, Shanna Noel, Studio Calico, and Just Jaimee. I have enjoyed using all of them. I probably only have a dozen or so templates at the moment, but I love that each template can be used a variety of ways. Take the template above that I used today. This digital template can be rotated four different ways to get completely contrasting looks. I really like that this template pack came with two square grid templates (so essentially 8 different possible layout arrangements, and I can make them any size I want and re-use them indefinitely.)

I am loving digital products lately, but fear not, I will not be giving up my love of pretty paper, or three-dimensional embellishments anytime soon. I guess you could call me the occasional hybrid scrapbooker, but I see myself doing much more of this in the future.

I linked this layout over at Paper Issues. Their latest issue is "Count Your Lucky Stars, " and I interpreted this challenge by using lots of star embellishments. I always love their challenges. Thanks for another great one Cassie Box and Paper Issues.

Thank you so much for stopping by life, scrapbook, repeat today, I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with two weeks of Project Life to share with you. I would love to see you back here.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2014: Week 8

Happy Tuesday and it's time for another week of Project Life. I had planned on sharing week 9 today (along with week 8, ) but my printer decided to randomly stop connecting to the Internet yesterday and of course I forgot the wifi password again. It drives me crazy that I can remember every other password, but never can seem to recall this one. I am sharing week 8 with you today and yes, I still love this project. Next week I will share weeks 9 and 10.

This is my fourth year doing Project Life, and sometimes I feel like mixing it up; for that reason, I tried a two different things this week. The first change I made was I decided to focus this week on just one individual in my family: Our thirteen-year old Elliot. He is an eighth-grade boy and just registered for his Freshman High School classes last Friday. I seriously do not know how all of that time went by. I am so thankful I documented so much of it, but man oh man, do I wish I had a smart phone and good digital camera when he was a baby.

The second difference is that I am using a full page photo again, but this time it is in a traditional 12 x 12 inch page protector. I use the We R Memory Keeper albums and page protectors (in case you were curious.) I am very happy with the craftsmanship of the albums and page protectors. I have purchased over 40 albums, and only had problems with one of them. I don't think I have ever received a bad batch of page protectors. I highly recommend their products for the quality alone! Onto some pages...

Week 8:

Let's talk pocket page scrapbooking today or Project Life...are you enjoying the process? Any questions for me? What kind and style of page protectors do you use? Any favorite tools or recent purchases that you are just dying to share? I would drove to hear any and all scrappy news.

I am linking up these pages over at The Mom Creative. Jessica has switched from having a weekly Project Life share, to a monthly format. If you want to see all kinds of Project Life inspiration, you can find the March linkup HERE.

Have a great Wednesday. I will be back tomorrow with another layout to share

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Eighth

Happy Monday. I am back and ready for some serious crafting this week. I had some internet issues last week and some family stuff going on, but I sure missed you guys. I did manage to get some things accomplished last week, and I can't wait to share some of this goodness with y'all.

I have a layout to share today that uses some photos from August of 2013. I was going through my oldest child's Middle School years album a few weeks ago, and realized that I never scrapbooked his first day of eighth grade. I do not feel that you have to scrapbook everything, and in general I scrapbook more of the everyday photos, but I love back to school pictures. Just adore them. This was a fun layout to put together.

I used items from Simple Stories, October Afternoon, and this awesome striped 

Studio Calico paper from the Copper Mountain Scrapbook Kit. 

I will be back tomorrow with two weeks of Project Life to share. I sure hope to see you then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: "Love This Moment"

I have a layout to share with you today based on some silly photos of my son. I mean if you happen to see a Christmas tree fully decorated in October, it deserves a photo shoot right? My son Elliot and I found this super funny and so he started posing in front of it. A piece of advice for mothers of boys, anytime a teenage boy is willing to have his photograph taken, you must stop what you are doing immediately and start taking photos. It only lasts for a minute, so you must begin quickly.

I created this layout using items from the Studio Calico Antiquary Scrapbook Kit, the Studio Calico Magical Candy Stripe Vellum and Atlantic glittered stars, and the new Crate Paper Bundled Up Collection. I really enjoyed pairing these scrappy supplies together and am super happy with the end result.

I hope y' all have a Happy, happy Tuesday. I will be back later this week with some ideas for December Daily Organization. I sure hope to see you then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Using Old and New Supplies to Create a Cohesive Layout

I was very inspired by the recent Glitter Girl episode "The Retro Revival" which discusses using old and new products together. I just loved this idea, and decided it was time to peruse my scrap basket to find some hidden treasures. After digging through papers for awhile, I decided to purge some I knew I would not use again (despite best intentions,) and I began pulling out papers I loved. It was very interesting to find that so many different companies have papers in the exact same colors, specifically a nice aqua blue, a golden yellow, and a true red color.  I am really enjoying this color combination together, and kept a bunch of the extra scraps I did not use in a Ziploc bag, so that I can use them again for another layout. These colors are a good transitional summer to fall palette for me and I encourage you to try them on a future project!

Supplies Used:

• My Mind's Eye-blue felt banner from Kraft Day, enamel dots
• Studio Calico-sun mask, yellow star paper, red/white striped paper, and "You are Here" stamp
• American Crafts Amy Tangerine Cut and Paste-red dot paper and shipping tag
• Glitz-arrow roller stamp
• Freckled Fawn-Weather wood veneer set, red woodgrain washi tape
• Heidi Swapp-Color Shine in Sweet Cherry and Mustard
• Pebbles-Hello clothespin
• Faber-Castell-blue gelatos
• Hero Arts-Shadow Ink in Butter Bar, Wet Cement, and Cup O' Joe

Let's talk combining older and newer products...is this something you do on a regular basis? Are there any tips or tricks you would like to share. What about color combinations, are there any that you are especially loving right now? 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with some more progress on my Project Life pages. I would love to see you again.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Splash

Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day for all of my fellow American friends! Today is a day for relaxation and some family fun. My labor day will include some studio organization, some Pride and Prejudice movie watching, and some family game time. A pretty perfect day in my book!

Today I have a layout to share with you made from the Studio Calico Marks and Company Scrapbook Kit. There are still some available as of September 2nd, so if you are interested I highly recommend this awesome kit full of a really cool exclusive stitching plate designed by Amy Tangerine, exclusive stamp set, and all kinds of goodies from the new CHA releases. I have really enjoyed working with this kit.

This layout really showcases my style right now, and techniques I am still loving; some mist, journaling around the perimeter of the layout, neutral background, some stamping, layers, and clusters of embellishments. I also love to include lots of different types of texture, in this case there is shiny and smooth enamel dots, rough wood veneer, hard acetate, and shiny and bumpy puffy arrow stickers. I also think that mists and stamping adds some fun texture, by adding some base layering to you pages.

Products Used:

• Studio Calico Marks and Co Scrapbook Kit
• Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Teal and Mustard
• Studio Calico Mister Huey in Pretty Pink
• Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party Heart Acetate Paper 
• Stamping Ink: Versafine in Onyx Black, Prima Chalk Fluid Edger in Vintage Pink

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Let's talk about finding your scrapbook style? How do you know what your style is? An even better question might be to ask, how do you define your scrapbook style? I was able to pinpoint my style by just searching through my last 50 or so layouts, and it soon became fairly obvious that there are some techniques I use again and again. My favorite layouts all follow the techniques I used in this layout, and they feel the most authentically me (I hope that makes sense.) I would love to hear your answers and thoughts on these questions.

I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with a new Project Life week to share. Up later this week, I will be posting cards, organization, and some of my lists from the awesome 30 Days of Lists group. I hope to see you back here.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: At 5 Guys

Today I have a layout to share with you. My oldest child, Elliot, is so hilarious. He had his first bacon burger at "5 Guys Burgers" a couple weeks ago, and in true Elliot form, exclaimed, "I can die now and be happy." Where does he come up with this stuff? Love you E-man, thanks for making me laugh.

This layout was made using the May "Country Lane" kit by Paper Bakery. I have loved using this kit.

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni