In Case You Missed it the First Time!

This month we had the opportunity to create a layout for our 2Peas "Memory Keeping Monday" video based on patterned paper. One of my favorite ways to use patterned paper is through 6" X 6" PAPER PADS. I collect these like forbidden chocolate and use them in cards, to die cut, to create the foundation for my layouts, etc. I love the smaller print size, getting an entire collection in one pad, and the reasonable prices.

Here is the layout I made for my "Memory Keeping Monday" video:


Here is the video again:



And below are some of my favorite 6X6 paper pads and products that could be used to recreate this or a similar project.

Supplies: (click the photos for links to the products)


Happy Memorial Day & Blog Hop Winners!

I hope you have a beautiful Memorial Day. Here in America, we visit the graves of those who have passed honoring men and women who have served in our military, as well as, visit those loved ones who are no longer with us. If I can get up the courage, I will be visiting my son and my little brother's graves today. They are not my favorite places to be as no place seems more of a separation than the cemetery. We will see how it goes. Sometimes going on a non-designated day makes the trip a little easier. I appreciate my husband who makes a special effort to decorate our son's grave each year. I don't know where he finds the strength or courage.

In addition I promised to share the winners for both the Amy Heller 2Peas class and the EP Blog Hop. The winner of Amy's class is . . .



You will be awarded the class through 2Peas. Watch your account for the class access to be granted.

And the winner of a collection kit of their choosing from Echo Park is . . .



Please contact me at jen@echoparkpaper.com with the subject line "Echo Park Paper Blog Hop WINNER!" Please include your shipping information and the collection kit you would like to receive. Please select a collection that is currently available.

Thank you all for joining me during the blog hops! It's so fun to meet new faces each time.

Have a lovely holiday!


Major Milestones

It has been a busy month here at the Gallacher household. In April we celebrated Joey's 18th birthday. We also mourned five years of his passing. In May my husband ran his fourth marathon, and he and I celebrated 19 years of marriage. It gets a little crazy around here in the later part of spring.

Last weekend when Brett ran the marathon, I was as worried as ever. We have a good friend who became VERY ill while running an Iron Man and took months to recover, and I typically worry any way. So I was thrilled and surprised when he called me so quickly after starting the race to say that he was doing well and on track to finish more quickly than he planned. He ended up crossing the finish line in just over five hours. I could not be more proud of him. There is something very sweet about watching your husband or kids accomplish something. I tend to get a little teary eyed each time. Here he is watching for me:



Just a few short days later, Brett and I celebrated our 19th Anniversary. In some ways it seems like we've only been married a short while. He and I met on a blind date, and we seriously hit it off from there. We met in July, married the following May, took a four week old on our first anniversary, had our second child just two and half years later, moved into our first home a short while after that, moved to Georgia four years after that, had our third child, moved back to Utah, lost Joey to cancer, moved into our current home, and life just keeps on moving.

We've had horribly rough patches. We don't always get along. Sometimes we hurt one another emotionally. Sometimes we can't seem to get it right. Then other times it is sweet and beautiful and everything you dream about when you think of being married. It's just wonderful enough at those times that we dream of a long and bright future together. I know we're willing to make the effort to make that happen.

I feel blessed to have someone that is my best friend despite being my polar opposite. He drives me, challenges me, loves me. I still have so much to learn and want to improve upon on marriage and our relationship as much as possible. I adore, love, and pretty much can't live without him.

Happy Anniversary, Brett!

I Have a Thing for Period Pieces!

I do. It's true. I LOVE a good, clean movie from England. I think it's the romantic in me that loves watching the subtlety of love unfold. I thought it would be fun to share my favorite movies that I've collected and watch OVER and OVER again. I've tried to recommend ones that are clean as I don't care for a lot of junk in my movies. Here are my favorites:

No. This is NOT the American Civil War epic. Instead it is a lovely tale about the north part of England during the industrial revolution. Wonderful acting and insight into England's working class. I promise you'll love "North & South":

This is one of my favorite Jane Austen movies and probably a lesser known work. Persuasion is one woman's decision to finally follow her heart (plus the leading man is very easy on the eyes):


"Cranford" and the sequel "Return to Cranford" are both smart, bright insights into women and the types of personalities we have. Watch it to see which woman you most resemble:



Another "Elizabeth Gaskell" book made into a movie is "Wives & Daughters." This is a sweeping love story and tragedy, and the main love story is enchanting:


"Lark Rise to Candleford" is a series, but it is one of the most intelligent, lovely series I have ever seen. Every single episode will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters of Lark Rise. It is clean and endearing and one of my most favorites in my collection. Even my husband and children were drawn in each time I turned on an episode. Watch all FOUR seasons for the complete story (and yes, they do wrap it up nicely):



If you're a Jane Austen fan, then you've faithfully watched every version of her amazing literature. Be sure to watch this version of "Emma," as it gives a lovely view into Emma's nature and her background, which I don't think was captured as well in other versions:


And just in case you missed this version of "Sense & Sensibility," I just have to recommend it. Again, beautiful and new insight into the characters you already know and love:


As you can see, I'm a sucker for BBC retellings. I haven't quite crossed over into "Downtown Abbey" yet as I'm worried it might not be as sweet as these other movies. But perhaps you have a recommendation for me on a movie such as these that you loved? These are movies I watch over and over again and love adding to my collection.

2Peas Project: Epic!

Getting my daughter's braces off should have felt like an EPIC EVENT; however, it seemed just like another day in her teenage life. How does one get to be so grounded? I remember when I was a teenager back in the late 80's how devastated anyone was that had to have braces. I mean remember these?

I didn't ever get braces so I have no idea what it feels like to have your lip rub up against metal every day, or how you have to check for food particles before you smile, or how your diet is restricted from things like popcorn and gum. She weathered it perfectly. She actually loved them and never hid her darling "brace face" smile. I actually loved them on her too. Look how cute she looked with them on:

On the day they took them off, she was literally skipping into the orthodontist's office (I told you she was a confident child). They even laughed at her enthusiasm. I thought we would be there for hours, but they came off in a matter of minutes. She couldn't stop smiling. She kept rubbing her tongue along the smooth surfaces of the teeth. But as much as I thought she would continue to dance throughout the day, she stayed relatively calm. She's like that--taking life in stride.

So here is my tribute 2Peas Garden Girl page to her "Epic" day:

Here is a closeup of the project (you can find additional photos HERE at 2Peas):

And below are products (or similar products) I used to create this page. Note that I removed the backing from each of the pinwheels to make them work for my page theme (some of the colors didn't match to I removed that part).

Supplies (click photos for links):


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