A Few Scrapbooking Shares!

One is that I hope you'll join me in this week's 2Peas Challenge, which is to use "Older Product." Who doesn't have older product they can use on a layout? This was a "just play around" type of layout for me. I grabbed a bunch of stuff that I love and made this layout. You can find the supplies for this project here.





I also played with some "Cupcake Love" from Little Yellow Bicycle. With the Christmas holiday over with, I'm thinking ahead to making Valentines for my son's school party. This line is darling with the conversation hearts, lollipops, and cupcakes. It pratically drips with sugary goodness.


I created these two little treat boxes. I was super excited when I found the Valentine candy already available at the stores. Bring it on. I'm ready. :) These boxes were cut with my Silhouette machine and then I dressed them up with the LYB "Cupcake Love" line. Super easy, but really fun! You can find the line here at 2Peas.

I also wanted to share two American Crafts projects. I love the graphic feel of AC. Always fun to play with!


First, I really needed to create a summery layout. All this snow is depressing me. So I used some of the "City Park" and "Dear Lizzy" lines to make this layout. You can find the supplies here.


Secondly, I wanted something bright so I used the colors in the "Dear Lizzy" patterned paper to make this layout. You can find the supplies here.



And now I am off to nurse this sore throat and try to get some rest. Have a SAFE and Happy New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year's Eve!

It has been a less than stellar after the holidays break for us here at the Gallacher household. The husband had to work long hours. I had to work a bit. And then the little man came down with a cold, followed by me getting a stomach thing and now his cold. My throat is so raw this morning.


Our Christmas was lovely, but felt much like this (I was going to delete this photo, but I felt like it communicated the day perfectly):

I think everyone received what they most wanted, including me which was being surrounded by my family in my own home. I love hosting Christmas dinner rather than venturing out. It was a nice day.
We have been practically snowed and iced in the entire week. Another reason I'm not super happy with this "holiday" week. What yucky weather! And it appears that it's yucky nearly everywhere in some way or another. If it's 80 degrees right now for you. I don't want to hear about it. ;)

I have some scrappy projects that I will share later today, but I did want to check in with my readers earlier this morning as it's been a week since I last posted.

What are your hot plans for this evening? Us. Probably cough drops, cold syrup, and a movie or two. Yes. We're such exciting people.
Happy Holidays and One More Share!

I think this might be my last post until after Christmas. The house is halfway clean. I've got to finish up the laundry. I'm running into the office for some photography this morning, and then at least a partial work day at home today. And then I'm taking some days off to enjoy the holiday. So I'm wishing all my blog friends a very HAPPY HOLIDAY!


Before I go, be sure to check out this week's "Work It Out Wednesday" which shows you how to shrink a 12X12" template to an 8 1/2 X 11" size (or other sizes as well). You can find the instructions, photos, and complete supply list here:



Also, have you seen the new sneak peek of Echo Park's "Little Girl" line? I love it!



Also, I noticed that Little Yellow Bicycle's new 2011 releases were highlighted in the new Better Homes and Garden's scrapbook magazine. My fav's? "Twig" and "Elizabeth Park" and "Sweet Summertime". Ok, truly I love them all because wait 'til you see the dinosaurs with the little boy line and the dragons and princesses with the "Tiny Princess" line. Lovely!!
This Touched Me Today

So We Got a Snow Day!!
Yep. Woke my daughter up and told her there was NO WAY I was driving her to school in the snow and she'd better make the bus. She left and came back 2-3 minutes later. "Mom, Summer texted me that the buses are cancelled." I checked the school website and sure enough they weren't running. Seriously?!


So I opened up the garage and realized we had about 12" of snow, and I would need to shovel before I could get out of the driveway. But we had MORE than 12" and it was piling up very quickly. I got about a 1.5' wide swath cleared and my neighbor pulled out in her four-wheel drive SUV and GOT STUCK. It dawned on me that even if I got my driveway cleared that I would get stuck in the road as it was about 18" deep. I told my daughter that we might have to call the school and tell them we couldn't get her there. She was really concerned after missing so many days with our trip.





The school line was busy. Not surprised there as I'm sure every parent was calling with likely the same issues. My other neighbor told me that school had been cancelled. I couldn't find anything on the school website, but I did track down the announcement on the local news' website. Suh-weet! I stopped shoveling and went back inside. I mean, "What's the point?" As soon as the kids realized that they wouldn't be going to school, they settled in for a nice snow day full of snowmen, snowforts, and sledding. I, on the other hand, tried to corral all the wet clothes, the "I'm freezing" drama and didn't get anything done. But what a perfect way to start the holidays as it was supposed to be their last day of school before the break.


It warmed a little in the afternoon, and our street was finally plowed at around noon so we can actually get out of our street now. And I think it rained a little in the night, helping to melt some of the snow. What a crazy, beautiful day! Now if I can reclaim the house and get the work done I was supposed to yesterday.

Talk about a white Christmas! Wow!
Winter Storm Warning


It's been snowing for 24 hours now, and I can't even tell how much snow we have on the ground already. I do know that when coming home from a work party last night, we could barely get up the driveway. And now's there's even more snow. I'm glad today is the last day of school. Makes me wonder if they would cancel it otherwise. I don't know how they are keeping up with keeping the roads clear. I guess my kids are getting a VERY white and VERY deep Christmas snow this year.

I have a few things to share with you today. The first is a layout with a Thanksgiving/Fall theme. You can find additional photos and the complete supply list for this layout here:
Also, my last "Mini Album a Month" class installment went live yesterday. You can find the helpful video, downloadable pdf, and additional photos and supplies here at 2Peas. Look for my new sketch class to start on January 20th.

Now everyone that has to drive today in yucky weather, stay safe, everyone, K?!!
Guess what?

Here's the announcements regarding classes at 2Peas this next year. I hope you'll join us! They are FREE!! Here's some more sneak peeks on the 2Peas blog.




Create: WOW #72 "Digital Page Masks"

Join me today on the create blog for a tutorial on working with Page Masks. You will receive instructions on how to use a page mask to create a layout similar to this one here:


For additional instructions, a complete supply list, and photos you can check out the entire post here!
Back in the Thick of Things

I couldn't sleep last night. I found myself staring at my curtains with my mind revving over things I need to accomplish this week and thoughts on my mind. Some of them heavy. Some of them not. Life never slows down does it? I'm beginning to realize that I may never have a time in my life without some kind of stress. That doesn't make me all that thrilled. I either need to let go of some things or learn to relax while I'm busy. It will most likely be the later of the two.


Are you enjoying your holidays? It looks like the Midwest here in the States got wholloped with a doozy of a storm. Brrrr!! Stay warm and stay safe. I thought we might come home to some snow, but the roads and grass are bone dry. Winter typically gets really under way here in January.


To celebrate the holidays, won't you join me for a quick and easy challenge at 2Peas? Two Peas is hosting a "Holiday Sharing" event. Each week a Garden Girl shares a project. You can enter any (and all) of the challenges for a chance to win a gift certificate from 2Peas. This week it's my turn. I'm hosting a "Gift Boxes, Treat Boxes, and Tags" class. You have until January 2nd to enter so there's plenty of time to play along. You can find additional photos, a downloadable pdf, and a helpful video here.





In addition, I have a 2Peas layout to share with you today. I love having a little niece to photograph. It's been so long since my girl was this little. You can find additional photos and the supplies to complete this project here.

And now I'm off to get some of my housework and catch up duties completed!

Home Again, Home Again!
It's good to get away, but it's GREAT to come home especially after a crazy, fun-filled vacation. We snuck away for a week to California to visit Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Legoland. We were blessed with great weather and short lines. And although I have a raging headache from being thrown around on all the rides; and I keep dreaming that I'm standing in a line, I'm very happy that we went.


Working backwards (since my photos are on the hubby's computer), we went to Legoland on Friday. Misty and foggy weather prevailed all day, which was both good because it was cool and bad because it was cool! Still we walked onto every ride without any waiting. This boy is fairly excited to get on the helicopter of his choosing.



One of our favorite parts of this day? Collecting the mini figures. Lego has released bags of one figure for about $2. You don't know what you're going to get. There are about 12 new figures every few months. So we bought a bunch of bags and the kids opened them and put them together. Unfortunately we did get doubles of some of them. So here's the fun part! The workers in the park have Lego name plates with mini figures on them and you can TRADE with them for a different figure. The kids skipped to every ride and venue looking to trade. This took our day from fun to fabulous! It was like a special, private treasure hunt. Totally worth the $2 a bag.

And apparently even lunch is an adventure on vacation. (It had better be at those park food prices. YIKES!!)We really had a lovely time, but it's back to work and real life now. I'll try to share some of our photos from Disney and Universal (which was a complete and utter disappointment) later. Hugs!

Hero Arts Blog Hop




Welcome to the 2011 Hero Arts Catalog Blog Hop, where we're showcasing some of the fabulous new stamps being released by Hero Arts. You may have just arrived from Shari Carroll's blog. I was thrilled to receive a box of beautiful new stamps with which I got to play.



I chose to play with a few of the new sets. Here they are:



I love combining stamp sets to create a page. The colors in the October Afternoon dotted patterned paper inspired the color theme. From there I used the flower stamp to create my own background paper. I repeatedly stamped "BEST WISHES" to create a text paper. I centered my photo on the "Thank You Definition" stamp. I stamped one of the "Congrats" labels twice (once in teal and once in yellow) and then cut out the inside of the yellow frame and mounted it on the teal frame. I added a sentiment from the "Find Joy" set. And then I used my Copic markers to color in the smaller flower and leaves.




Here is my completed layout:





And here is a close up photo of the top of the layout:




And the Copic Coloring for the flowers:




Supplies:


* Cardstock: Die Cuts with a View, Prism, Bazzill, Provo Craft


* Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (dot), Bo Bunny (cream dot), KI Memories (teal dot)


* Photo Corners: Canson


* Stamping ink: Stampin' Up!, Memento


* Clear heart: Heidi Swapp


* Paper Lace Border Sticker: Little Yellow Bicycle


* Stickpins: Little Yellow Bicycle


* Twine: craft supply


* Staples: office supply


* Corrugated flowers: Jillibean Soup


* Markers: Copic


* Ribbon: American Crafts


* Corner Rounder Punch: McGill


* Font: 2Peas Tasklist (www.twopeasinabucket.com)

Hopefully you've been inspired to use stamps in your scrapbooking. There is nothing more versatile than a fabulous stamp to create art.




Now that you've had a chance to play along with me, be sure and visit Kandis Smith's blog to continue on the hop. Remember if a link doesn't work you may always hop back to the Hero Arts blog for a list of direct links to all the blogs in the hop!
Taking a Break for a Bit

Just to let you know that I will be "offline" for about a week. But I will be back on Friday the 10th full of words of wisdom. Ok, let's be realistic--it is just me after all.

Thought I'd give you a glimpse into my day today. Woke up around 6 a.m. (late for me) and worked on some Northridge Media blog posts. Worked on a new article for an upcoming idea book--this one's a little out of my comfort zone, which makes me TOTALLY excited. And I played with some new product that I will share with you next Friday (stay tuned).

Barely made it out the door to drop my son off at school as I realized I have emptied my fridge of all viable lunch options. Does string cheese count as a vegetable?

From there I ran into the American Crafts warehouse sale. Don't miss it!! Cardstock packs for $7, people. I was really quite good. I even impressed myself. (Of course I've already loaded up on nearly everything they create so I couldn't truly justify much more products.)

I ran into Northridge Publishing offices only to come face-to-face with a filming crew. Did you know that we share offices with a film company? Yeah. We truly lead glamorous lives. Well, we live vicariously through those who do anyway. Looks like they were filming an office scene of some kind and using the conference room to do it. Pretty cool, right?!

Ran back to the boy's school to volunteer. Whoops! I'm an hour early. Thankfully Jim has an understanding teacher because I had already scheduled an appointment at my "real" time. The little man begged me to stay and have lunch. So I did! Of course I chatted it up with all the munchkins. They say the funniest things like "I like two boys. One of them is my Dad." I giggled and giggled. Jimmy says I know everyone at his school. Wouldn't that be cool?

Back in the car for a meeting with some very creative people and a possible new venture in the works. Can I just say that I love the creative industry? Very blessed!!

And then back to the school to get the boy.

I'm exhausted and have a huge headache. If you live in a blue sky, wintery state you know about "glare headaches." OUCH!! I rarely take headache medicine, but I did tonight.

So it was a good day. Still got gobs to do before I can take a week off, but it's all good.

And here is a gratuitous photos because without one, well, this post would be more boring than it already is. This is from October 2010's Scrapbook Trends:
Baby, It's Cold Outside!!

And that is why I'm huddled in my office this early morning with warm socks and a fleece jacket on. Although, my fingers are super cold. I should probably put on some gloves. Once my temperature drops, it's hard for me to raise it back up again.

Just a couple of things today. Today is the last day to create entries for this event at 2Peas:


Are you working on a "December Daily?" I did something different this year and created an advent album. I created cards which I placed on the page and then will take photos of the events and mount them on the facing page. You can find the class, a downloadable pdf, and a video here.


Have you tried "Glossy Accents" yet? Be sure to check out the "Work It Out Wednesday" tutorial on the Create blog here. I used the glossy accents on my chipboard letters below.


Remember that cute little bunny? He has disappeared. And I'm hoping it's to warmer parts as we got 6" of snow the day after we discovered him. We did put out a box with a warm towel and some veggies so hopefully he took a nap before he headed off. We've had some people leaving their pets when they move. I REALLY hope that wasn't the case with this little rabbit. It breaks my heart that people would do that to an animal. We're not pet people--too much work and too many allergies; but I do appreciate a pet owner who cares for and loves their pets. Good for you, people!

And now I'm off to warm my fingers and toes! Stay warm and cozy. :)
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