A little Sunshine

Scrapbooking has made me love the color yellow . The bright and warm tones just makes me smile. I used Lily Bee's Buttercup collection from my June Scrap-room kit. I embossed the tag with a fiskars stamp and versmark ink and pure white embossing powder. I added a strip of yellow washi tape and I got the kite paper piecing from a scrapbooks etc. article by Valerie Salmon . The stamp is from the Pink Paislee Prarie Hill Collection, I think the flower ribbon is by American crafts and I thought I came up with the idea of the fabric sun using some material from a quarter stack that I purchased at Walmart, but then I saw it on Rochelle Spears blog and she said she got it from a magazine and I probably did too, lol. But the corner punch sun rays are my idea, I am certain of it, lol.

Oh and didn't I tell you that my daughter went on her Senior Prom on Friday. She was radiant! Here are a few photos -

WIP Monday

Uggh! I hate when I get stuck on a layout. This is what I am working on this lovely WIP Monday. I Like the Heidi Swapp Sugar Chic line and it fits all of my nieces personalities, they are very spunky, fashion forward young ladies so I will be using it on quite a few layouts. This is my youngest niece last year during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She is wild just like this paper, lol. I may just add a few more embellies and journaling and call it a day, lol.

Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend

HAPPY BEST FRIENDS DAY! I was so excited to see this on the calendar for this month because I have the bestest Best Friend in the world and that is Mika aka Tamika aka Jojorenee. I can remember the first time we contacted each other on scrapbook.com. I was so excited that our names were the same and she spelled it exactly like I do. She has been with me through some serious ups and downs over the years and I am thankful to have her in my life.I hope she knows she can count on me anytime, I am just a train ride away. Mika has a smile that is like sunshine, it warms you and makes you whole. It gives you the energy to keep going on and it is contagious, even through texts, email and the phone. Mika knows me better than anyone else and just like twins we share the same the same thoughts and parallel experiences. We met through scrapbooking so I wanted to share with you some of my favorite work of hers -

When I saw this picture of her Mom I felt like we could be related, she reminds me of my family members.

We finally got to meet at a crop in CT and she is soo silly, I had a blast!

This layout is just a snippet of her talent, this should be on the cover of a magazine.

This is Mika, all smiles able to make magic with a sketch and a pair of scissors.

Her mini-Mika has that same smile and this layout shows her attention to details.

And her mini-Man, he is so adorable and Mika captures his personality on film and through fantastic layouts

And this is my best friend! Simply one of the sweetest, most giving and thought people that I know.

Make sure that you find a way to celebrate your best friend today and everyday!

So Versatile!

One of the things that I love about Basic Grey is that their collections are pretty eclectic. The zig zag patterned paper {Basic Grey's what's up collection} is from my May Simon Says Card Kit . It does not really look like the other papers but it does coordinate with the others or can stand alone.

Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Papetrey Ink Sentiment Stamp

Zing Embossing Powder

Making Memories Butterfly die cut

I love tape Washi tape - chevron

Too Many Meetings

Sorry this has to be quick, I have a lot of meetings here today at work but I wanted to share another card using my May Simon Says card kit. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for July. Have a great day!

After the Rain

We had a great weekend visiting with our grandson. I forgot how amazing it is to watch a child grow and come into their own personality, he had me laughing all day. I did find time to make a few cards and I still have some other projects to catch up on. I was so excited to crack into my first Simon Says Card kit. This card came together virtually by itself and my card making mojo was in ful force so watch out der' now, lol!

Mini Haul and Holidays

I was possessed! I saw this post by my girl Tiffany and then without any control, I ran to Michaels on my lunch break and picked up a few things, lol. Here is my mini-haul:

Last year Oriental Trading sent me a fun calendar that noted those obscure yet important holidays that get little mention in the press. Unfortunately I did not get another calendar this year but I when I found my calendar from last year in my desk drawer I thought it would be fun to share with my friends in blogland the dates for June and kick start your creativity for the month. Maybe one of these "holidays" will inspire you to create a card, layout or just get a chuckle that someone even thought of this, lol.

June 1 - Donut Day
June 2 - National Rocky Road Day
June 3 - Repeat Day, Repeat Day
June 4 - Hug your Cat Day
June 5 - World Environment Day
June 6 - D-Day
June 7 - National Chocolate Day
June 8 - Best Friend's Day
June 10 - Children's Day
June 11 - Hug Day
June 12 - Red Rose Day
June 13 - Worldwide Knit in Public Day
June 14 - Flag Day
June 17 - Father's Day
June 18 - World Juggling Day
June 20 - First Day of Summer
June 22 - National Chocolate Eclair Day
June 24 - National Take your Dog to Work Day
June 25 - Log Cabin Day
June 27 - Sunglasses Day
June 29 - Camera Day

Have a Great Weekend!

Good Golly Getting Glitzed

Well if you weren't able to figure it out from the title today's Scrapping the Alphabets letter is G. I started out with a stack of GCD Studio papers that have been on the shelf for a while. They are not my most favorite so I was not really motivated to use them. So I sat down and went through my "Misc. Stack" of papers just knowing there had to be some Glitz in there and low and behold there was (this collection is called Dozer)! I was so excited to find these papers and even though they are from 2008 you can see what is old is new again because the chevron design is currently trending . Almost everything on this layout is at least three years old including the Jenni Bowlin apothecary stickers, the Bazzill cardstock title "enjoy life" and the Miss Elizabeth's white letter stickers. Boy o' boy do I love my stash!

Scrapping the Alphabet - The Letter F

Stands for Fancy Pants. Of course I have older Fancy Pants collections that I could have used but when I received the new Be You collection in my Scrap Room kit I knew what pictures I wanted to use immediately. This is my baby niece at her make-up party she had earlier this year for her fifth birthday. She is a very girly girl and loves to change her clothes and put on makeup. She polishes her toes at least five times when she comes to visit me and always offers to do mine, lol. Sorry this is not the best photo, I had techinical difficulties this morning, lol.

You Can get with this or you can get with That

Or have a little This and That. Today is my reveal day at Platinumscraps using this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. 

Since I am not a two pager fan, I turned my layout into a one page sketch using three photos. I used the Echo Park This and That Charming, which is turning out to be one of my favorite collections. It can stand alone and I didn't use any other products on my layout. I did make pleats with two strips of pattern paper for a nice effect. For a full reveal please come visit me on the Platinumscraps site!

Slowly Making Progress

I can't believe it is almost time for a new scrap-room kit! Mika always tells me that it seems like they come very fast and it is a little hard keeping up with them. I use to disagree - until now. Here is a layout I did with Cosmo Cricket 23. So that's one down and only 50 million more to go, lol.

What the Scrap Happened!!!!!!!

I can't believe that I have not produced a single thing this week which gave me Nothing to post! The week started off extra dreary but I am happy today because the sun is shining and I feel great. There were a few highlights this week to report-

I received red roses from my Mother-in-law for Mother's day. I almost missed out on the delivery because the UPS man left the box behind my recycling bins without a note, Everyone walked by it thinking it was a part of the recycling but I knew better :)

My daughter's prom dress arrived this week. (Okay, this is not a picture of my daughter but of the dress lol) We have to take it in for a few minor alterations but other than that it fts well.

I received my June Simon Says card kit this week. These kits are really going to be a problem for me because they are so nice that I don't want to use them, lol. I know that is anti-productive so i am trying to get past it.

I watched "The Vow" this week. It was pretty good. The movie was a little slow in places but when I found out that it is based on a true story, it made it more heartwarming for me. I can't imagine losing a special part of my memory, can you ? I made a few happy purchases. Do you have a Slice machine? Well Making Memories Online Shop has design cards for as low as ten dollars. The drawback is that they are no longer offering free shipping but you should really head over to the site, there are some great deals over there. You can get a precision trimmer for $8 - that's a good deal! I also treated myself to a couple of stamps from Simon Says Stamps. They have been on my wishlist for a while -


So here's a toast to the freakin' weekend, like Rhianna says! I hope everyone has a fun and productive weekend, I plan to!

Believe - Echo Paper

Echo Park has such fun paper lines. Yours Truly is a favorite of mine. You are going to see this picture of me scrapped again because I really look my mother here. I even texted it too my sister and said who does this look like, and she immediately responded "my mother", lol. Our mother died in 1988, a month after I graduated high school but she still lives everyday through me and my sisters. Some Mother's days are easier than others. This one isn't so bad so far because I really feel her spirit is helping me get over a rough patch and to focus on being the "Best of Me". This is what I try to instill in my own daughters and so far I think that I am doing a pretty good job.

The Change Up

I was so excited last night when I went into the scraproom. The Sixers were playing game 5 in the playoff series, it was the final vote on the Voice and I was rooting for my girl Juliet Simms and I was going to make a plethora of Mother's day cards. Well...........................................The Sixers lost and the Bulls won, on the Voice Juliet Simms lost and Jermaine Paul won and I made one Congratulations card instead of Mother's day cards, lol! Go figure!

Authentique Gathering Collection

Papertrey Ink Stamps

Just a Few Words

Sometimes when I am scrapping I find a photo that really speaks for its self and doesn't need much journaling. When I saw this photo of my Stepson holding his son I knew there was little for me to say, the expression on his face says it all.

Designing with DCWV

I really like Die Cut with a View paper pads but I rarely use them for layouts, instead I use them for paper crafting but the Lemon Stack has changed my outlook. This was a gift from my good friend Barb, she doesn't have a blog but she stops by here often (Hey Girl!), I am more than halfway through the entire pad - a first for me! The colors were perfect for these photos of my niece and her daughter. I tried to add a felt flower roly but in the photo it looks like a blob, I wish I could just show it to y'all in person, lol.

Wednesday Ramblings - What's in My Cart?

It is rainy and cloudy here in Philly so I don't have a layout to share but here are some of my favorite things, just like Oprah!

Before we get scrap happy, if you get the chance please stop by and visit my post on Platinumscraps for my Tissue Paper Wreath tutorial.

Now back to the goodies! After debating it over and over again in my head I think that I will be adding the new heidi swapp to my stash, love the bright colors!


And I am head over heels in love with Indie Chic fom MME, this is just a sampling - the entire collection is huge!






And finally I can't wait to get the new Scraproom kit. Even though I haven't started using last month's kit yet, the May kit has several collections that I have been drooling over so I am really looking forward to getting it in my hands.

Crate Paper Farmhouse

It is cloudy here so I tried my best to get a clear photo, but I am still not happy with the results. Being a true city girl I wondered what could I do with a line called farmhouse but I have to tell you that I love this collection. The colors are rich and fun to work with and look I even included a pinwheel. I couldn't think of any journaling right now but I may add it in the future.

Scrapping Alphabetically - the letter B

So I am a little behind schedule, okay maybe a lot being schedule with my layouts that I am suppose to be doing once a week but the good news is I have been doing them - getting them posted has been a challenge, lol. So I am going to attempt to catch up over the next three days.

This is my Basic Grey layout using the new Plumeria line. The colors went well with my daughter's prom pictures from last year. And even though I tried to fight it, I am addicted to washi tape!!! Just a little strip adds the right touch.

Who doesn't need $100?

What a great giveaway!!! Kristen Wilson is having a giveway to celebrate her new blog, and when I say huge I mean huge! She is giving away a $100.00 Gift Certificate to Scrapbook.com Superstore to one lucky winner!!

Visit her blog here for the details on how to win and then keep your fingers and toes crossed. Good Luck!

Wednesday Ramblings

Just a few thoughts, I promise to get back to scrapbooking tomorrow, lol.

• Even though I feel like there is not enough time in the day, would I really want more added?




• I have several layouts done just need to take photos.




• Pilar and Deion Sanders divorce is messy, who is really thinking about the kids?




• Why would anyone eat a "Heart Attack" burger, the name says it all.




• Reality check - Sixers vs the Heat in the playoffs -ummm I love you philly but not a chance!




• Disclaimer - just because something is made in your size does not make it fit to wear - enough said!




• How is it possible to have over 400 channels and the only thing good to watch is King of Queens reruns?




• Found a great fish market in Upper Darby, the Rainbow Trout was awesome!!!!




• I never miss an episode of Cupcake Wars, even if I have to DVR it.




• Why are my dogs so noisy when they are cleaning themselves, yuck!




• In a good mood today - I pity the fool who ruins it, lol.




• It is nice to still have men open the doors for you, a favorite perk at my job.




• Today is National Walk at lunch day - get to steppin!!!!




• True friends are forever, glad to have you back!




• I heard Think like a Man is a good movie, maybe the girls and I will have a date night Friday?




• Time to cut the strings, not as easy as I thought.




• 4 sisters+5 different personalities = my family, I love them a lot.

What the WIP!!!

My WIPs (Works in Progress) are running amuck!!! I think that I have a pile of almost 15 layouts that I have started and for some reason or another I just can't say that they are finished. I drive Mika crazy with it because she says most of them are done, what more do I want to add? To be honest I can't answer that, lol. I just don't have that feeling of completion. Case in point this layout - I want it to be done, I thought it was done, I even said it was done at one time but now looking at it I feel like it is missing something. so I am going to channel my WIP muse tonight to guide me as I attempt to finish this layout, lol.

This is the Voice

So who is keeping up with The Voice? Even though I am trying to ween myself off of reality shows I have to admit that I am hooked. My favorite artist so far is ...........................................Juliet Simms. I love 80s rock - The Bangles, Duran Duran, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Boy George, George Michaels, 

The GoGos, Phil Collins, and of course Sting. I have played her version of "Roxanne" 10 times this week alone. Her voice is gritty and powerful, go Juliet!!!!!!

I Couldn't Resist

Once I saw the May card kit being offered over at Simon Says Stamps I knew I just had to have it! This kit looks like a ton of fun and it features the brand new Basic Grey collection. I am sure since it is jam-packed with supplies there will be enough for my layouts too. I did resist making other purchases at the same time so now I will be stalking my mail carrier when this is shipped, lol. Since it is a May kit I am not counting it as a part of my April spending freeze, how is that for rationalizing, lol.

Scrapping Alphabetically

Have you seen this post from my sister Mika? She is so awesome and she keeps me on my toes. We are always trying to think of ways of using our supplies. Not just because we love to scrap but also that way we can buy even more supplies, lol. So right now we have challenged each other to scrap using manufacturers alphabetically. The crazy part is that I think between the two of us we definitely have products that span the alphabet ............... hmmmmm is that a good thing or the sign of a serious problem, lol. Here is my American crafts layout using the Margarita collection.

Platinum Scrap Reveal

Hi Scrappers! This week's design team sketch stretched my creativity brain cells. This week we were given a two page layout and boy oh boy was it a challenge for me. My layout has been revealed on the site today but here are a few little sneek peeks for you. Be sure to visit me on the Platinumscraps blog to see the entire layout.

Got to keep moving!

Let me introduce you to the twins. My husband and I have matching bikes and we have been going on Saturday morning bike rides. Why is that noteworthy, well because it has been many, many, many years since I have been on a bicycle. I am trying to boost my confidence (even though I am still afraid to ride in the street). We follow a bike trail through our section of the city, which is pretty cool but it is a long ride. I do have one tip for the ladies though that I learned the hard way - maxipads and bicycle seats do not work well together, lol.

I haven't posted pictures in a while but my hubby has stepped up his flower game. He has gone from every other week to every week, lucky me! It is nice having fresh flowers in the house all of the time. I really, really love my orchids. They last a long time and are sooo beautiful.

And finally look what my daughter bought for me! We were in Michaels getting ribbon for my next diaper cake and we saw this. I am on a self-inflicted spending freeze so I couldn't buy it (even though it was 40% off with an extra 20% off coupon) so she offered to buy it for me. I have been looking for a server for my dining room and I can display this holder on top of it. This will be a good way to share some of my favorite layouts with my family.