What an honor!!!

Imagine my surprise when I opened my email & saw that lovely Melissa bestowed upon me the Liebster award!

Thank you Melissa.

You made my entire week!

You can see all of this sweet gal's work here:

Peace, Love, Joy & Paper

Melissa is quite talented & everything she creates is just beautiful!

Liebster is German and means 'dearest' or 'beloved' but it can also mean 'favorite'.

 The idea of the Liebster award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers. So, in the spirit of good fun I am passing this award on to five other bloggers.

 Please stop by and visit them!

The Rules are:
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your five picks for the award and let them know.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogshare-other bloggers.
5. Finally and the best rule of all . . . . have fun and spread the love!

Here are the 5 blogs that I would like to share with you :

Katie @ Kiss & Tell Scrapbooking

Shelley Ann @ Basement Crafts

Krista @ Confessions of a Twenty Something Artist

Arlene @ I just Wanna Say

Patricia @ Je t'aime

So go check them out. They all inspire me. I bet they will inspire you too!

Enjoy!!

Quirky layout

Here is another layout I did for the challenge over on C.S.I. Color, Stories & Inspiration

I used journaling on tags & 2nd person point of view as my testimony. I used tags, doily's & circular elements for my evidence.

This is a layout of my daughter Sophia. She is quite a character around here! She always has one of us laughing or just simply shaking our heads in awe. LOL

Supplies used:

- Basic Grey out of print pattern paper

-Prima flowers

-7 gypsies pocket (for journaling tag)

-Basic Grey glazed brads

- Lily Bee Designs ABC stickers

-Cricut accent essentials cartridge (Hearts)

-Making Memories sheer frame

-AC Thickers (Elf)

-White doily from dollar store

-Maya Road kraft doily's 

-White paint homemade mist spray

I used http://pixlr.com/o-matic/ on photo. Using layers Harry & Scan. Which also gave it a slight purple/pink hue to go along with the color scheme.

I also used the doily's as masks & sprayed the white mist over them. (had to do this twice, I made a boo boo on first sheet of card stock. You live & learn LOL)

I carried out the circular elements not only in the obvious buttons & brads. I chose the frame & thickers with dots on them.

Thanks so much for looking & Enjoy your weekend!

Fa La La layout

Here's another Christmas layout for ya. I'm trying to get at least some of this past Christmas done. Then I think I'll have a Christmas in July. I have many past Christmas photos that need to get in a album. For now I'll just keep it current. This layout is of my kids in their traditional Christmas jammies. Every Christmas eve the kids get to open their gift of jammies. It's a fun tradition that they really enjoy.

Supplies used:
-Mambi title
-GCD Stuidios pattern papers (Home for the holiday collection)

Thanks for looking....Enjoy!

~Jenn

Inspiration Push # 9 + Revenge of the Tree layout

So for this weeks inspiration push I'm thinking trees. I know lot's of us still have Christmas layouts to do. So use an embellishment of a tree. But don't just stop at Christmas. You can also use a tree to make a family tree. I also especially like silhouettes of trees on heritage layouts. 

As for the quote I've been getting a lot of enjoyment lately watching my children laugh with one another so..."A child's smile is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day" 

Stash: A tree embellishment 

Quote: "A child's smile is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day" 

So here's my layout using a tree embellishment. This day we had quite a laugh! 

The journaling reads:

So I get the tree decorated finally & I’m feeling quite accomplished. Then I hear, Ahhhhhh! Boom! I run to the living room to find the tree smack dab on top of Sophia! I start to scream first from panic & fear, then from frustration. Didn’t need to worry if Fi was ok because I could tell from the hysterical laughter coming from under the tree. LOL Turns out she was in front of it petting Bugsy (our bunny) & it just toppled over from the weight of the ornaments being placed mainly on the front branches. So we get the tree picked up & Tony secures the darn thing to the wall. I decide to check on my ornaments when ZAP! One of the lights broke & I unknowingly grabbed it. My entire body stiffened up! OUCH! I think this tree wasn’t all that happy about being chopped down & exacted it’s REVENGE. The tree is possessed for sure! All ornaments were thankfully intact. Except for apparently the bulb that broke & then tried to electrocute me.This was the year “FiFi got run over by the Christmas tree, while petting Bugsy the Bunny Christmas night” Tony sang this song for the few days following & we all got quite a laugh!

{Oh, And yes....I asked my daughter to pose for these pictures. I was too busy screaming to get my camera at the time}


I used some of my products from my Birds of a Feather December monthly kit club.

Supplies used:

-3 Bugs in a Rug deck the halls pattern paper & die cut shapes

-Fancy Pants St. Nick pattern paper & glitter cuts

-Jolee's christmas lights strand

-AC Thickers (Sunrise)

-Lily Bee Designs ABC stickers

-Making Memories brads

-Twine 

Thanks so much for looking. Be inspired & use up your stash!

~Jenn

Believe layout + a tip

This is a layout I did for the challenge over on CSI Color, Stories, Inspiration.

I used Advice for my testimony & flowers, architectural elements, swirls & something stone like for the evidence.

This is a layout of my daughter Alyssa. She loves to paint. She has painted since she was a little girl. She is quite talented. I hope she always remembers how talented she is.

The journaling reads:

Believe that all things are possible.

Believe that you can do it.

Believe in your talent.

Believe in yourself….even if others don’t.

Supplies used:

-Bazzill cardstock

-AC cardstock

-Echo Park country drive (pink paper)

-Provo Craft basic checks (yellow paper)

-Attic Treasures bags & tags

-TH adornments (bird)

-Cosmo Cricket tiny text

-Prima flowers

-Melissa Frances embellishments (key hole)

-Prima shabby chic treasures (corner moldings)

-Vintage lily of the valley floral pick

-Zva Creations bling swirls

-Jolees (easel & paint supplies)

-TH vintage photo distress ink

My background paper has tiny specks in it & reminded me of a granite countertop. That is how I interpreted the stone like evidence.

Now here's a tip on one of the many ways I distress the edges of my paper.

1. Take a makeup applicator or Q-tip dipped in water & run along edge. ( I used an imaginisce jewel setter stick)

2. Next run run fingernail along wet edge & rough up edges. Bending paper the way you like as you go.

3. Ink edges with distress ink using a distress ink applicator.

For the purple paper I wet the paper, inked first & then ran my fingernail along edge. I did this because I wanted the purple to show without being fully distressed. It gives it a little more oomph & it's not so blended in this way. I wanted that layer to pop a little more than the others.

Thanks for looking. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

~Jenn

Organizational tip ~ Smash book storage

I have a new found love for my Smash book. I mainly love it so much because I noticed alll that lil memorabilia  piling up & going no where near my scrapbook layouts. I also have been wanting to do a book about me but find it very overwhelming right now. So Smash it is. I can get all of that in there. I don't have to worry about how neat & pretty it looks or who sees it. It's mine alllll mine!

I write all my likes, dislikes, memories, journaling,  glue down ticket stubs....you name it & it's there! 

To make it even faster & easier I decided it needed to go into something that I can just grab & go. Tada..a makeup case I had. (It's actually a LeSportSac travel mate) This case fit's it all. There are pockets for my supplies & even a detachable clear one for my ink pad & stamp. If it gets messy I can just take it off & wash it. The front pocket is perfect for putting the memorabilia in until I can get it smashed in there. The book fits perfectly too. Now I have this right by my bed ready to go. If I wanna take it somewhere, all I need to do is grab it & go! It's so bright & cheery too! 

Love it! 

Hope you enjoy. You should try something like this. It's very liberating! 

~Jenn

Hello Sunshine layout

Here's another layout I did in my new scrap space. This is my youngest daughter when she was 2....almost 10 years ago now. The journaling reads:

Uh huh, yeah hmm mmnn yeah ok...hmm mmn ok buh bye...wuv you! Then proceed to kiss the phone like mad. Funny thing is, Sophia wasn't actually having a conversation. I guess from watching Mommy, this is how Fia thought talking on the phone was done. Bopping her head & talking with her hands. Normally Nanny would just be on the other end hysterical laughing.  Adorabley funny as heck to watch. 

Sophia 2 years old "Summer 2002"

Love how the birdies are sitting on a telephone line. I love when the paper matches with the photo's in a quirky little way!

Supplies used:

-Echo Park country drive papers & stickers

-Crate paper neighborhood collection layered chipboard 

-Twine

Thanks for looking!

~Jenn

Inspiration Push # 8 + M is for Michael layout

So today's inspiration push was inspired by all the old items I found in my stash while moving my scrap space. Get them out of the corner of your drawer & use it up!
 I used magic mesh & fiber.

So we have:

Stash: Something old
Quote: "Moments worth remembering"

Here is the layout I made...Enjoy!

M is for Michael

OK so TH stands for Tim Holtz........his great product is all over this layout! I'm a self confessed Tim Holtz junkie.


Supplies used:
-Magic mesh
-Black fiber
-American Crafts cardstock
-TH vintage photo distress ink
-TH clear embossing ink
-Inkadinkadoo gem stone clear stamps
-TH black soot & old paper distress embossing powders
-TH word keys
-TH tissue tape (3 styles)
-TH tiny attacher
-M rub on
-White pearl acrylic paint
-Glossy accents (to hold key down)

Used http://pixlr.com/o-matic/ to enhance photo of my son. Devine & grunge layers.
Mixed the 2 distress powders on stamped images. (Love that stuff especially for boy layouts)
I inked the background card stock to grunge up the layout. Also flicked white pearl paint on it.

Thanks for looking & if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

~Jenn

Snister layout

Nope your not misreading...That says snister. That is what we call  each other. 

This is my snister Gigi & I. xoxo

So as you can see I've been having fun in my new scrap space. 

Enjoy!

Supplies used:

-Bo Bunny Gabrielle papers & embellishments

-Cricut Art philosophy cartridge (love it!)

-Stickles tiara

-Recollections pearls

-Prima essentials No.11 flowers

Thanks for looking!

I have a few more layouts to share tomorrow when the sun is shining again & I can take pics. It's a dreary rainy day here in Brooklyn. (My favorite kind of days to scrap)

~Jenn

In action....

Totally making a mess & loving it!

My Scrap Space!

Tada... after all that work, my new scrap space is done! 

As some of you may know I was sharing an office with my fiance up until now. Well he had enough of me overtaking the space & I had enough of dragging alllll that stuff in & out of the office. 

So here is the solution.... 

A beautiful (HUGE) bookcase in my living room. It's over 6 feet tall. I had to disguise my supplies as best I could. I think I did a nice job. I was actually hugging it before.LOL

Ok so here's whats in it.

The 3 smaller baskets hold my punches, border punches & coloring supplies. (Mists, chalks, stickles, etc.each type in zippered clear bags)

The long basket contains my most used tools.

Oh I forgot...behind the long basket are 4 tackle boxes full of ribbon scraps, twine & most of all fibers!

The glass jars have flowers & ribbon/tape spools.

The Cricut is out & plugged in & ready to go for the first time. I always had to lug it in & out of the room. So I didn't use it as much as I should. I'm so excited to have it right there!

The boxes on top contain extra adhesive & unfinished mini albums.

PS the door knobs are even. It was just open slightly when picture was taken.

  

Here's my 12x12  paper I like the most along with some paper stacks & journaling cards.

To the right of the bookcase is some more hidden storage.

The red boxes contain my sizzix dies, spellbinders & odds & ends.

The trunk contains extra paper & again some weird shaped odds & ends.

That little black & white basket contains my monthly kits I belong to before they get sorted.

So of course it couldn't all fit pretty in my living room so my wonderful fiance doesn't mind me keeping a few things in the office. It's pretty much self explanatory except for that beige basket on top left. That is my secret to staying organized. That is my incoming box. We all bring tons of new product in our houses as scrapbookers, right? Well what happens next? I'll tell ya....it sits in a bag waiting to be put away. And how quickly does that ever happen?? So my stuff sits neatly in this box until I can sort it or use it.

The clip it up doesn't stay on top of bookshelf I just put it there for picture. It's in a corner along with my carousel tool caddy & Cricut expression.

Ok last but not least.... STILL some stuff in foyer closet. 

The 4 binders are embellishment odds & ends, printed cricut library, stamps & my old 8 1/2 x 11 pattern paper. (No I can't let go of it LOL)

Then there's my adhesive tool caddy which is actually a diaper caddy. Also my Big shot, dream kuts, bind it all & a few more odds & ends. 

Oh & my thickers are in here.

 Sorry it's so long. Thanks for looking. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

As for me I'm happy as a pig in mud right now!

Guess what I'm doing all day tomorrow? Making a mess out of it all & scrapping my heart away. I've felt deprived while in this process!

~Jenn

I just wanted to say a special thanks to Tony for helping me & being the major muscle in this & for always supporting me & my passion! xo

Phew.......

My new scrap space is just about done! I'm so glad. I will post pics tomorrow. Right now I'm beat but feeling very accomplished! Yay! So I'll be back tomorrow with detailed pictures!

Please don't forget to enter my giveaway. Will be announcing on Friday!
Click here to enter giveaway

So sleep well....

Zzzzzzzzz

~Jenn

Inspiration Push # 7

For this weeks inspiration push I'm thinking scraps. Use some of them up. Make an embellishment or a card or anything. It doesn't have to even be for immediate use. Try a new technique or design. Make a flower or journaling cards or anything. Just try to use some up. By scraps I mean anything. Leftover stickers, or those last 2 pieces of chipboard, or that little corner left from a rub-on or obviously paper. Scraps add-up! 

So we have: 

Stash: Your scraps 

Quote: "Everything is better with a friend" 

I made this using up my scraps.

This is in honor of all my Frozen Pea friends!

Be inspired & use up your stash

~Jenn

My love & I mini album

So as I'm reorganizing & moving my scrap space I came across this mini album I made. I had taken pictures of it  & put it in my gallery a while back but I wasn't happy with the photos. Since then I learned to take photos of my projects in natural daylight. I've been meaning to take the pictures again for a while & I thought today is a good day to do so. 

So I thought I'd share. I used tons & tons of product. I also tried lots of techniques. Took a while to get it done but I am so in love with it. I'm in love with the guy in the pictures a little more tho. LOL Less than 6 months to the wedding. If you notice I reserved the last page for just that! Can't wait to finish the album completely because that means I'll be his wife. Ok ok I'm gushing.....here it is. 

Enjoy!

There's more....Please click continue reading.

Inspiration Push # 6

Hoping everyone had a Happy & safe New Years! Wishing you all the best for 2012!

Ok so this weeks inspiration push was inspired by New Years of course. Actually it was inspired by all the fireworks I saw going off around NY on New Years Eve. They reminded me of my stickles. Crazy how I relate so many things to scrapbooking LOL 

Ok so.. 

Inspiration Push # 6

Stash: Something glittery 

Quote: "A new year, like a new snow, seems to hold it's breath waiting for footprints" 

Hope everyone plans on using up your stash in the New Year. 

I'm glad it's here. I have lots planned for 2012!

Be inspired!

~Jenn