{discovering} life

It's that time again...CHA Summer Show!

I always love it when it's time for the trade shows! The unveiling of new products is so exciting and gets my mind spinning every single time! I wanted to share some cool things that I'm looking forward to, as well as some links to sites that have show pictures/updates/etc.

First, here are some sites that you can check for photos, updates, preorders and more. If you have any others, please post in the comments section so we can all check them out! The more...the better!

TwoPeasinaBucket.com: CHA Message Board

MellyPea's Blog: lots of videos of new product releases...lots of favorite products shown here. Love all those brads, buttons, everything shown on Part 3 of the American Crafts Video! Fun stuff from them this show - and always.

Lifetime Moments MB: Posts about new products by company

Stop & Scrap Blog: lots of pictures of new products and links to preorders on their site

Jillibean Soup Blog: Amazing release! I'll take one of everything...seriously!

Label Tulip Blog: posted a few pictures

Scrapbook Oasis Blog: they usually post fun photos from the show

Making Memories Blog: Lots of product photos and fun giveaways

Scrapyland: Great place for Quickutz new releases

Video: Donna Downey products for Prima: Cute new Vinyl Blue album!

edited to add a few more links:

Balzer Designs Blog: photos of products from the show floor

The Scrap Review Blog: Some photos of the show/products/ideas

ShoppingDiva Flickr Photos: I think there is a photo of every single product here! Wow! Thank you for posting these - I can't image how much time this took! Wonderful!

ScrapLovers Flickr Photos: lots of more photos from the show

Please share links to blogs/photos/etc. in the comments section and I'll update the list!

Here are some photos of things that I'm super excited about (this is just the beginning):

7Gypsies Printers Tray: I cannot wait to get this, decorate and add to my house! Awesome!

Fabric Brads from Basic Grey: gorgeous!!

Nook and Cranny Line from Basic Grey: Love many of the patterns in this collection! Beautiful!

Jenni Bowlin Notebooks: I love everything that Jenni comes out with and will get it all! These...amazing!

 

Polka-Dot Papers from Jillibean Soup: I'll take 5 of each! Love!

There are some fun finds for you - so much more to come! Hope you like these too! Let me know what you are most excited about!

Also...for those of you that asked questions about my 'July' Month layout below...I have responded in the comments section so check there! Thanks for your kind comments - I hope that you'll play along! I always love seeing how you are inspired! :)

Have a great Wednesday! I'll be back with more CHA photos very soon...as well as a post about my most favorite find from the show! :)

July 'A Year of You' Layout

Hi everyone!

For the rest of the year, I want to try to continue doing a 'Year of You' layout here on my blog so that I can finish my 2008 album and hopefully inspire you in finishing your's as well. I had already finished my layout when I left Two Peas earlier this month and I got to say...it's one of my favorites!

It all started with this fun kraft photo template from Erica Hernandez at Two Peas - and I love that it was only $0.99 and can be used over and over again. It was a fun way to add multiple photos to my page! I simply added the photos to the template (see this tutorial on how to use these templates) and printed it out on white textured canvas cardstock. 

I then added multiple strips of ribbon to the left side of the photo and one to the right...then I had fun embellishing the ribbons and adding embellishments, rubons, sewing, flowers and more. I printed my journaling on white cardstock and cut it into strips - I simply typed up the various highlights and events of our month to keep it simple, clean and to the point.

Here are some closer, detail shots:

 

This was a real fun layout to create! Little details always make all the difference for me! :)

If you are inspired by this layout and create your July layout using this design, please post a link and let me know. I'd love to put everyone's names in a hat and pull out a winner for a goodie surprise package from me! So get creating!

If you have any questions about the layout, ask me in the comments section and I'll reply to you there so that everyone can follow if you want additional details or instruction. And don't forget, that the fabulous Jen Gallacher has taken over my 'A Year of You' class at Two Peas and has a great layout done for July. You can check it out by going here.

Hope you feel inspired! Have a great day!

Already?

 

This sweet little boy is 18 months old today! Where has the time gone? I feel like ever since he turned one and we moved early this year...that it has just flown by. I just love this little dude so so much!

At the beach last week, Jaxon was in love with the water and sand...you could not keep him away. That kid has no fear! He would run right into the waves and just keep on going - we had to build our own little gate with people to keep him safe. He had a blast! I have so many fun photos of this little guy playing in the water, in the sand, playing with sea shells and so much more. He was a blast!

Right now, Jaxon loves to play with his brother and sister. He is quite aggressive and loves to tackle and run around with them. When he gets super excited, he wants to pinch and bite...working on that one with him. He loves his two soft blankets (Dwell from Target) and carries them around just about everywhere. On each blanket...he loves to hold the top two corners and put them up by his eyes, nose, and stuff them in his mouth whenever he can. And he knows when it's the bottom two corners of the blanket - they just won't do. So weird! He loves his binkie - love it! Especially with all those big molars coming in right now - he wants his binkie for comfort.

He takes one nap - usually from 12:30 to 2:30 or so. He takes a bottle before nap and bedtime in his crib and then I give him his blankies and binkies and he goes to sleep on his own...definetly our best sleeper ever! He's starting to get more independent and doesn't want to cuddle with me very much (he used to be my biggest cuddle-bug - I miss it!). He wants to run and play and be all boy!! :)

We just love this little guy and we are so glad that he is a part of our family...a very special part! We love you JackJack! :)

***

On another note, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you for your kind comments here and for your emails about my last post! You are all the best! Thank you for your kind words and for your support! I am so excited to start some new things here very soon - I'm just wrapping up some more details and then we'll get it all started here. I'm so excited! I hope that you will all enjoy it too! Thanks again!!

Tomorrow, Sunday, I will be posting my July layout that I had previously created for my 'A Year of You' class at Twopeasinabucket.com. It's one of my favorite layouts - I really love it. So come back tomorrow for that layout.

***

This week has been super tough - we had to get a new car this week as my hubby's car had about seen it's last day. As we were working out the details on the car, I took off with the kids cause they were being a little impatient (I would of been too!). So, we ran to a nearby scrapbook store and I still don't get how it happened...but the sharp corner of a heavy wood cabinet door fell right on my right big toe and smashed it...seriously...that's what it felt like. It hurt sooo bad! It cut my toe across the top and broke my bone - I have been struggling to walk ever since and now it is a very ugly black and blue. So not fun!

Then, we leave and as we are driving, Jaxon throws up everywhere in the car....and all the way home...and for the next 2 days. Daddy leaves for his work trip and mommy gets sick - it's just been a crappy week! Lots of sickies going on!

So, I'm feeling better today and hoping that we will all be better now...I just hate it when we are sick!

I haven't been able to respond to many emails so I'll get to those asap. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! Check back tomorrow for a fun layout! :)

Change = Growth

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.  ~Anatole France

Sometimes change is inevitable. It often requires risk, faith, a desire for something new, a desire for something that currently does not exist. But if the change is right, it can bring growth, happiness, knowledge and a renewed desire for life.

This week, I made a change that I am hoping will bring me just that...growth and happiness. But like the quote says above, I feel like I'm leaving a part of myself behind...and that is hard. I resigned from the Garden Girl Team at Two Peas in a Bucket this week. I had a wonderful time being on the team...I love those girls like crazy and I'm going to miss them all so much (you all better keep in touch with me ok?!?!). I loved being inspired by the 'themes' each month and creating such fun projects that I will always love. Thank you, Two Peas, for such a wonderful opportunity. I had a fabulous time and wish that it didn't have to end. Thank you for all your support and love over there - I will continue to go there all time! I love that place!

Times have changed though and I'm ready for something new. My mind is a crazy thing...I've dreamt up new goals, new things to discover & learn and by leaving Two Peas, I now have the time to persue them. Yes, I'm still scrapbooking! There will be lots and lots of scrapbooking, cardmaking, stamping, sewing, crafting and lots more! I'm so excited!

So, I hope that you'll stick around with me. I've got some big changes coming to the blog soon - with lots of fun things! I'm so excited to get it all rolling!

One of the hardest things about leaving the Two Peas team, was leaving my 'A Year of You' year-long class...that about killed me. I'm so sorry to all of you that have been participating and enjoying the class. It looks like Jen Gallacher will be teaching the 2nd half of the year...she is amazing and I'm sure the class will be awesome!

I do have a layout for July that I will post here on my blog within the next week. If any of you are interested in me continuing with the same idea for the rest of the year, here on my blog, please let me know. I would love to do it if anyone is interested in continuing it with me here.

For the 15th of July, the seasonal 'summer' layouts went up in the Garden and my last seed as a Garden Girl. I used some yummy new 'June Bug' papers from Basic Grey, their new journaling cards, and a beautiful background design from Quickutz that I cut with white cardstock on my Silhouette machine. You can read more details about the layout and see the supplies used by going here.

  
c. twopeasinabucket.com

We are stuck here in California for the day - my hubby woke up sick and has been out of it all day...the poor guy. Hopefully we can head back tomorrow on our long drive - yuckers! But, it was worth it! We've had a fabulous time! There is nothing like the beach! Love it!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Hugs!

**A note to any manufacturers, kit clubs, etc.: In the past year, I have received many emails requesting me to be a 'Guest Designer' on your site/blog and I had to decline due to my commitment to Two Peas. If you are interested in having me as a Guest Designer on your site, please email me at the 'contact me' link under my photo on the left or leave a comment and we can get in touch. Thank you! :)

Enjoying the Beach!

We are here in California having a blast at the beach! I have no idea how this photo will turn out here on the blog - I'm on my hubbys laptop with no photo editing software - so it is what it is. The kids are obsessed with the beach and the pool in the back - the best of both worlds! We've hit Legoland and today, we are off to SeaWorld. So fun!

I just wanted to pop on quickly to remind you all to be sure to check out the fabulous new Hero Arts blog and website! They have great contests and giveaways going on and tons of inspirational shares on their blog this week. I've been checking in and it's been so fun! They have an amazing crew over there! So be sure to check it out!

Also, I made some big changes this week which I will talk about in more details here on Monday. Changes are scary for me. But, I am also super excited about some things - I'll share more details on Monday! :)

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm gonna soak up the sun, enjoy the time to reflect on life and go back ready to start some exciting, new things! :) Hugs!

Exciting Changes!

Are coming to Hero Arts all of next week! They are having a huge celebration all week long on their fabulous blog and the new WEBSITE going live on Wednesday! Yahooo! I have to say, that it is a huge honor to be able to work with the team at Hero Arts! They are amazing people and an amazing company...everything is made in the USA and they are a 'green' company, amazingly talented and treat their employees like gold. They are one of a kind! I hope that you will join the fun on their site and help support them - I'm sure it's going to be a way fun week with lots of great giveaways too! :) :)

On another note, tomorrow we are taking the long drive to southern California to the Beach House for the week. I'm beyond stressed with my to-do list before I leave...but I love going there! So so much! Time to get away, reflect, make plans and goals, plan....lots to think about right now. And I'm excited to have some time away to do that! We will be hitting Disneyland and Legoland and the kids will love that! I'll love sitting at the Beach House and watching the kids play in the sand...and taking lots and lots of photos. I'm always excited about that! :)

 
Photo taken last time at Beach House: December 2007. Kids with their Pa, while very prego Mama sat at house and watched!

So, check out the Hero Arts Blog each day next week for lots of fun - I'll definitely be loggin' in to enjoy the fun! Hugs!

Fashion Inspired

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! I was a bit lonely - so glad that Ryan, Madisyn and Hudson came home last night. They were missed by Jaxon and me - he was soooo excited to see them! It was precious! I think that is the longest period of time that I've been away from them - that I can remember at least! Glad they are all home safe!

I haven't had a chance to post my layouts for the Two Peas garden that went up on July 1. The theme for this month is 'Fashion Inspired'...which made me very happy! I was checking out jcrew.com and came across some beautiful shirts that inspired me to create some 'petal' shaped ruffles on my layout. I was also inspired by the mustard and hot pink color combination.

Inspiration:
 

Layout:

(c) Twopeasinabucket.com

Lots of fun ruffle petals, stamping with Dazzle Versamark ink & silver pigment ink, ribbon, swiss embossed cardstock from Bazzill, and a beautiful bird accent that I cut from my Quickutz Silhouette machine (which is on sale here - get one - you'll love it!!!). I was excited to use the new colors, Melon Mambo (dark, hot pink) and Crushed Curry (dark mustard yellow) on this page. I used the new textured cardstocks, dye ink pads and the polka-dot ribbons all from Stampin' Up! These colors are part of the new In Color family - I love them!! So so much! Soft Suede (a light brown) is right up there with these two! Be sure to check out the new Stampin' Up! catalog, new colors, new vinyl decor (definitely decorative catalog) and more by going to my SU! site here. You can click on Shop Now to shop online - so easy! Lots of yummy new products...I'll have some samples up soon - playing with stuff right now and I love it!

To see more about the products used and additional details about my fashion inspired layout, please visit this layout at twopeasinabucket.com. And be sure to check out all the fashion inspired layouts in the themed garden...go here to view all the awesome work from the Garden Girl team! Love all the different views on this theme - so awesome!

I also had a New Product layout up on the 1st, you can see the products used and additional details by going here at twopeasinabucket.com. I used a lot of new October Afternoon goodies - their products make me so happy! I was thrilled to grab tons of their new stuff from Two Peas - I **heart** them big time! :) Here is my layout using their products:

Gotta get back to enjoying some time with the kiddos and finishing up some assignments! Have a great Monday!

Happy 4th of July!

This layout was up on the Hero Arts Blog yesterday as well as a card with photos of the kids that I made as a 'thank you' card for my Mom. I hope that you all have a wonderful 4th of July today!!

Ryan, Madisyn and Hudson have been at Lake Powell all week with my family - the kids are having the best time swimming and playing with their cousins 24/7! Madisyn even tried a quesadilla and a chicken nugget - so proud of her! She is really growing up and being more receptive to trying new foods - so great! They have been little fish in the water and I'm proud to hear that they went on the 'banana boat' behind the wave runners a few times - they are being so brave! Way to go kiddos! I wish I could of been there with them, but I stayed behind with Jaxon and also to help my Mom, who has hurt her back very badly and has been going to therapy each day - it's the last thing she needs right now and I hate seeing her like that. I'm hoping that she gets better soon!

So, a chill day for us here! Me and Jaxon are going to my Mom's to spend the day with her - Ryan and the kids will be home tomorrow - I've missed them so much!

Do you get the daily project emails from Martha Stewart? I got this in my Inbox today and thought it was soooo cute! I'd love to make one like this for the kids playroom - I'm trying to get that room decorated - so many ideas, so little time! Check out this cute idea!

I hope that you all have a wonderful 4th! Hugs!