enjoying summer treats

I'll admit it - when we were kids we had rhubarb out our eyeballs it grew in such an abundance. In fact, I wouldn't normally list it as a fave, even though I really enjoyed it! Now that I'm grown and have moved away from that area, it's actually a rare thing to find it. About two weeks ago, I stumbled upon a small basket piled up at a farmer's market and had to be sure to grab some! This was what I made - and everyone loved it. There's something about the fruits popular in the more northern areas that has a lovely tartness to it we just don't get here...

And this might actually be my very last layout for Noel Mignon! She's downsizing her team a bit, and since my term is up, I left it open for some of the other girls... I have loved being a part of her community for the last 6 months!

noel mignon kits and pencil lines sketch 243

and a little challenge! I think I'm in love with Noel's latest kit, The Bee's Knees! It definitely includes some of the hottest stuff out there right now from Cosmo, Sassafras, Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye and Glitz Designs. Whoa.

Anyway, it's also my turn to offer up a little challenge for the boards at Noel Mignon - and I thought I'd challenge you to put down a simple goal. Right around June is when I start thinking about what goals I've set for the year and how I'm doing on them. Sometimes I'm ahead, other times I'm behind. It's just a little personal eval to see where I'm at. Anyway - one of the things I've been thinking about lately is how the details start to get fuzzy on things - or certain stuff tends to get lost in the shuffle of everyday life... and I want to start writing more. Whether that means keeping a simple journal, or just journaling more on my scrapbook layouts... I don't think I have the time at the moment to commit to art journaling more than just for fun. :) I'll let you know what I come up with when I settle on a solution.

last minute father's day ideas

I admit it. As much as I really try - there are still a quite a few things that end up last minute. I'm a great planner, but when you fill your days with more than is humanly possible to accomplish, it happens! lol

So today I wanted to share some fun ideas I've come across for Father's Day giftwrap + cards. 

{bow tie giftwrap}

genius. And totally cute. But not too girly {that's essential}They suggest using a new or thrifted bow tie - but you can also get directions to make your own here. They also have fun tips for tying a bow tie if you're like me and don't have a clue...

If your man's just not the bow tie wearing type, here's a fun set of direction to make neckties! I've actually made these before, and it's really fun. I love the look of a high quality cotton fabric - just like they suggest in this post. Anyway. Fun twist on the classic - give-dad-a-necktie-it's-father's-day thing.

{pattern and directions}

Sweet and simple bag idea. This person used these for party favors, but I think it'd be fun however you choose to use it. She actually has a bunch of fun stuff that you could adapt to father's day in this post - like the necktie bunting banner and and chocolate mustache lollies! Mmmm...

{little man party ideas}

Love this lapel card. Classy a sweet. I was thinking there might be a fun way to slide a giftcard in there somehow...

{pocket lapel card}

I thought this off the cuff card was a nice little twist as well. Simple and classic

{shirt cuff card}

And here's one I made using Noel's Mary Ellen kit:

This post was fun! I totally reminded me of the "inspire me monday" posts I used to do. I think I need to make the time to do those more often again. :)

stand by your man...

I don't know why the words to that old song were running through my head as I posted this, but, they are. So there. Maybe it's because this is about hubby's work, and things have been a bit tough lately - like they have been for so many people...

So I do my very, very best to support him as much as possible every, every day. These are a couple of shots I took of him designing blueprints at work a few years ago. Noel had a great little challenge up on the message boards of noel mignon.com to "scrap your man" - so I took the opportunity to write down a few thoughts... All supplies are from the fun Jump and Jive kit.

Have a lovely Tuesday!!

just be

there are times in life when we have to just take the plunge and do what we're meant to do... the last few months have been that way for me...

Happy Friday!

it's your birth day

Oh yeah, it's your birthday... Honestly, my birthday last year was a bit of a bummer. There was a major local event planned that day, so we had no childcare! Booo... At least my hubby did his best to make it special! And I did enjoy the red velvet cake we had here with family! :) Pop over to the Noel Mignon Challenge blog to participate in the birthday challenge!

timeless

Just popping in quickly! I had all of this wonderful, wordy post in progress catching up a bit on what I've been up to, and wouldn't ya know it? Blogger decides to malfunction. The blogsphere was in a bit of an uproar for the last day+  over it all, but I've learned to just let things roll. Hey, nobody got hurt, right? :) Maybe it's a mom thing.

Here's layout for Noel Mignon for this week! It's using the Mary Ellen kit.

There's still time to enter the giveaway below! I know comments haven't been working because of blogger issues, so now's the time! :) Have a wonderful Friday!

love it

Noel Mignon has a new challenge up over on the challenge blog!

Scrapbook the things you love. Mine are: top left to right: the beach, our boys, yummy food. Middle left to right: cute shoes, US, photography. Bottom left to right: fantasy fiction, making things, homemade sweets.

I love doing a layout like this every once in a while. It's such a great way to grab a little snapshot of your life.

stamping challenge

We have a stamping challenge up on the Noel Mignon challenge blog! She wanted us to create something using a stamp included in one of the kits. I choose the most recent - Jump and Jive. Pop over here to see what the other girls made and for a chance to play along to win a set of the brand new Hambly Washi tapes!

pencil lines and noel mignon

I had so much fun using my Jump and Jive kit for my take on Pencil Lines Sketch 233!

a new challenge

up over at Noel Mignon Challenge blog! This was seriously fun... We were supposed to pick a member at scraplift them.

I chose to scraplift the talented Kim's layout:

Which I decided to flip one turn to the right:

I'm in the process of planning for an "official" senior photoshoot. I'm not sure where that's going to take me, but I'm really, really excited about it. So fun.

a gentle reminder

to myself. My days are filled with the silliness {and fighting} of our boys. Sometimes it's hard not to get frustrated by that. I needed this reminder today. And everyday. I think I'll keep it sitting out where I can see it for a while. {eye roll}

Happy Friday!

domestic routine challenge

A new challenge is up over on the Noel Mignon challenge blog. The challenge is to scrap your everyday routine. I'd have to say that mine's not all that exciting... and I'll admit that sometimes I feel myself getting lost in it all. That's when I take a break and find something fun to do with the boys. Whether it's leaving the laundry for the beach, or going for a walk. It totally works, too!

giveaway winner and grab a kit fast

I did mucho random running yesterday and happened to accomplish menu planning {with the boys' help}, grocery shopping, homeschooling {still haven't dug into the big guy's question, "What causes earthquakes, mom?" - need to run by the library for that one, in order to have a few pictures, charts, and elemenetary level explanations.}, AWANA, post office run, bill paying, dinner, and a bit of clean up. Hey, you never know - I might actually get some time to scrapbook in the evening.... {I'm writing this post before I've had the chance to decide if I'm just too tired, and plain wanna veg...} Not to mention the fact that hubby shook me out of some crazy dreams Sunday night that involved earthquakes, nuclear holocaust, and bombed out buildings. Oy. Anyway, on to nicer things!

I did take a brief moment to hit random.org for a number for the American Crafts Blog Hop drawing for those lovely stamps:

Who just happens to be:

 Viki said...

like your page. thanks for sharing.

March 17, 2011 9:53 PM

If you can email your info to me {chicscrapper at gmail dot com}, I'll send out your stamps as soon as possible! {If you're in the US, it'll be a lot sooner, since the boys had to wait in line to send something international today and I can send domestic via the automated machine! lol}

Also, please stop by and take a peek at this lovely April kit from Noel Mignon!

Filled with yumminess - mine is set to arrive today, I think!

Here's a full photo as well:

It features a lot of fun stuff from the Crate Paper Portrait collection {yes, I've been wanting that one!!}, Some of my favorite thickers, fun stuff from lily bee, Cosmo Cricket, Hambly, My Mind's Eye, Elle's Studio... Yeah.  I'm happy already. ^_^

Here's to a lovely Tuesday, everyone!

dance blur

One of our brilliant sons {I know, I'm biased}, happened to snap these photos over the holidays of my niece with my iphone. Perfect sequence. And a perfect example of how she loves to dance!

happy sunshine

stop by the American Crafts blog today to see my latest projects!

And stay tuned this weekend for a blog hop to reveal Noel Mignon's latest kit for April!!

Have a lovely Friday! I'm finishing a project and crawling to bed with a migraine. WooHoo!

it takes two challenge

Um. I'll admit it - this was a tough one for me! I normally do just the opposite and throw in an odd number of things, so to have to use even numbers really threw me for a loop.

Oh well! It's good to try different things! LOL Have a lovely Friday!

love notes - chalkboard diy

I put together a tutorial over on the Noel Mignon Message Boards as a part of the Valentine Day crop that we've been hosting all week! If you haven't stopped over, please do - the other ladies have posted some FABULOUS ideas to jump start your Valentine holiday! It's not too late to join in for a chance at some awesome prizes {yeah - she's got goodies from the recent show! Eeeks!}and just get inspired!

love notes

My hubby is not the sentimental type. Or is he? :)

Happy Saturday! This month is super busy, starting off with a bridal shower today! Gotta grab a gift, and, um, something to wear. Eee!

truly scrumptious in action

I finally had a chance to dig into my February kit, Truly Scrumptious, from Noel Mignon! Wow. That's all I've got to say! Lots of fun, tons of stuff to play with... and it all fits together really seamlessly. She's got me using stuff from manufacturers that I don't usually touch...

{of course, I added the paper doily in there... just one from the wilton aisle at M's!}

Here's a few closer peeks:

Happy Friday everyone! Hope your week is ending well... We're busy here this am - baking chewy granola bars from a recipe from a friend, and banana bread is in the oven, yum! Almost done with school, and lots of things planned for the weekend!

I'll be back with more CHA projects to share tomorrow! I've gotten the go-ahead to share my Nikki Sivils projects, yay! ^_^