Playing with some Cosmo

In case you haven't been by the Cosmo Cricket blog lately, they have a new mid-season release that I'm in LOVE with called DeLovely. One way to win some is to complete a layout with this week's sketch. So, that's exactly what I did. (and am crossing my fingers tightly that I win that paper! hee!)

Here's the sketch that Gudrun came up with:


And my take on it, using scraps of their "Snorkel" line.

"She (hearts) boat rides"

Journaling: "Even at the age of 2 Caroline loves boat rides so much, it's the first thing she asks to do."

Lily Bee and ballet

Those two go together, right? Of course they do! I'd love to share one of my latest favorite layouts, created with Lily Bee's "Lovely" line. And if you'll allow me to share just a wee bit more about ballet, this proud mama has to brag.

First up is this layout using a sheet of Lily Bee's "Lovely" that sweet Virginia gave to me as a "happy" for NSD. Also I used some flowers, metal buttons, and a tag that Katie gave me. (Why did I not realize that it's good etiquette to bring happy's to crops?! Next time, girls. Next time.) So anyway, I used my NSD goodies to make a layout about my sister and our kids.

"Now we're mommies"

This photo made me realize how "old" my sister and I are. Now we're both mommies. BUT it's strengthened our bond and given us more to talk about (like we needed MORE). It's been a fun experience to share with her.

And then, if you'll allow me to brag just a weee bit more about my little ballerina, she did SUCH a great job in her recital. Mom tells a story that when I was 4 I just stood on the stage and waved. Nothing else. But Caroline followed all her teacher's moves, made sure she stood in the correct spot, and really did an outstanding job! SHE loved that she got flowers afterwards! (And has been pretending she's a bride ever since. Ha!)



Okay I'm done gushing now. Thanks for listening!

Oh, and can you believe that I've blogged 3 times in the last 3 days! Yay me! Think I can go 5 for 5? We'll see.

Happy "hump" day! And Happy Cinco de Mayo! :D

Recital night!

We're all excited that tonight's Caroline's first ballet recital. And among the craziness that May and recitals bring, I was able to capture a few photos of a very excited (read not too cooperative) little girl in her costume.






And of course I got a little scrappy with it too! ;)



Hope you're enjoying your week!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Inspiration from The Color Room

In case you didn't know, there's a new ning.com community called The Color Room. Every 2 (?) weeks the girls on the sight choose a "room" inspired by interior design complete with a color scheme and a sketch to get you going.

Last week The Color Room chose to "the sun room" as their inspiration, and this was the design board they came up with.


So I took the inspiration of "the sun room" and created my LO with a lot of Prima goodies I'd been hoarding! ;)



Color Palette #4 is now posted, and is "the family room". It has a very Fall-ish feel to it with burnt oranges, rusty reds, and chocolate browns. I'm hoping to get going on this one soon!

Until then...I'm trying to survive this first Monday in May. It's ballet recital dress rehearsal tonight for us, with family coming in town tomorrow (read I desperately need to clean this house). So my May has started off with a bang! BUT be sure to check back tomorrow. Caroline sure is a cute little ballerina if I do say so myself! ;)

***Happy Dance***

Woooohooo! I just received an email requesting a Halloween layout from Creating Keepsakes for their October issue! Hip hip hooray!!! I'm doing a little happy dance (as best a pregnant woman can) on this rainy yucky Saturday!

The little old woman in me

is so excited that it's Spring. I see buds and blooms in the yard, and am anticipating more to come. And since it's Earth Day I thought I'd share.

These were in bloom a week or two ago.




These are blooming right now! And I planted more tonight! :D
I have both purple (from a friend) and also white (from my grandmother). *note to self: take pics of the white

I also have miniature Dutch irises from my other grandmother, but don't have pics of them either. Shame on me!

And I can't WAIT for these to come up! Peonies are my absolute favorite! I have four bushes already, and am trying to root a couple more.

These are especially sentimental to me because they're 4 generations old. They were in my great great grandmother's garden in Booneville, Mississippi. (Probably around the turn of the century.) How cool is that?! I love it!

So. Can you see a mini-album in the making? I can. I've been meaning to do a Garden Journal too. Of course I'd alter the front of it, but I want to keep a record of what plants are where and the stories behind them. Maybe I should get to work on those two projects. But right now I'd rather "play" in the yard. It's the little old lady coming out in me! (big grin)

Heaven sent!

I hope you're not getting tired of me posting pictures of the girls in their Easter dresses. I've actually got a lot more! But THIS picture is one I'll cherish for a long long time. We finally got a picture of my girls with my sister's twin boys! They're only 9 mo. old, barely sitting up on their own, and just so adorable.

Heaven Sent




Of course I used more October Afternoon here, this time from their "Thrift Shop" line. The journaling, which is hidden on the craft tag behind the photo, reads, "All 4 of you are little miracles, blesings from God. Two have been in the NICU, 3 of you twins. And we didn't think we could have Caroline at all. Miracles...Blessings from Above (subtitle)"

And now I'm struggling with how to finish this post. I love it when my family gets together. But then it's bittersweet because we have to leave each other. I miss my sister, I miss the boys. But soon enough we'll all be back together again. (And I'll have MORE cousin photos and layouts to share! THAT makes me smile!)