Aarcade Games

Creating the background for my layout, Arcade Games, was incredibly fun, and it all began with Gelatos. I chose a variety of colors to coordinate with the vellum Pac-Man-like "ghosts" and Space-Invader-like "aliens" from Scraptastic's Centerfield kit. They were blended with water, layered and splattered, until I had the background sheet below:

Topping it with the cardstock that I had cut with the Scraptastic's Centerfield cut file was hard to do, as I hated covering up so much of that beautiful color! But it sure did make a pretty background for my page:

Here are a couple of closeups:

Now I'm on a mission to use those Gelatos again...and maybe not cover up so much of the fun. ;)

Supplies: Scraptastic Centerfield kit and stamp set, white cardstock, Gelatos.

So Brave

Believe it or not, my oldest son's recruit class had hundreds of photos taken during their several month's long training to become firefighters! What a treasure...especially for this scrapbooking mom. After a day of tower drills, the guys posed for a couple of class photos-one serious and one silly. Of course I had to scrap them both:

The Centerfield kit from Scraptastic sports colors that worked well to compliment my photos. Strips of the various patterned papers were arranged along the top with a trio of chipboard frames whose only function is to decorate the page. The "Ready For Action" flair couldn't be more appropriate! I also borrowed a look I've seen before, punching stars from each of the papers and popping them up over the page.

The bottom holds all the details: two photos, title, and a tiny bit of journaling. If you saw some of the other pictures taken during training (hose drills, ventilation, fire tower drills, auto fires, flammable liquids, etc.), you'd know the reason for this page's title. Yes, they are brave!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler-Pinterest Inspired

It's Scraptastic's Pinterest Monday, and Nathalie and I have chosen to work with the following pin:

:Source:

I love the scattered circles, sequin clusters, and central display area. My page, created with Scraptastic's Centerfield kit, makes use of these three concepts, adjusting them slightly. Large circles are cut and punched from patterned paper. Tiny hole-punch circles take the place of sequins. 

The small center area is packed with fun details: die-cuts, wood stars, enamel dots and a chipboard frame. Plaid figures prominently as my son was a plaid aficionado in his late teens. ;)

Since this photo was taken at Mardi Gras, I used a French phrase popular during this celebratory season. Translated, my title means "let the good times roll"! Indeed.

Good Times

The page I'm sharing today features a photo taken at our favorite "beach or bust" restaurant. Lunch at Felix's has been a delicious on-the-way-to-Destin tradition, but one that may go the way of the dinosaur after this year. Taking so much time out of our drive for a sit down meal at a busy, busy restaurant just isn't working, especially when it has us in the thick of traffic 2-3  hours later. 

Anyway, this year I happened to capture a picture of my parents after our meal, ready to head back out to the car, and on to our destination. 

I layered papers and a photo on the left side of the page, then journaled about our week at the beach on the right. The gold accents are awesome...but it creates havoc when trying to capture a decent photo. Everything is from Scraptastic's Elastic Heart kit from August. Catching up! ;)

To complement the picture of my parents, I took particular care to note events in which they participated...although I don't think any of us will forget the day my Dad rode out a frightening thunderstorm under a tarp on the beach. Yikes.

Several embellishments from the kit were tucked into my paper layers above: chalkboard flags and tabs, transparency tags and banners, a pretty pink tag, and flair that coordinates with one of the patterned papers. So fun!

Thanks for stopping by today. :)

The Scientist-An Oversized Element Challenge

A few years ago my son participated in his school's Science Fair for the first time, and was thrilled to learn his project had been awarded an Honorable Mention ribbon! I used a few stars on this page to highlight his success.

This layout was also created as an example for the Scraptastic Thursday challenge-to use an oversized element. The oversized element on this page is the star-bordered journaling block cut file from Scraptastic's This Life Noted kit for September. I enlarged the cut file to act as a photo mat for the photo trio of my scientist at work. 

Here are a couple of closeups: 

I enjoyed having the opportunity to use the eyeglasses diecut, since he still had glasses at the time these photos were taken. Two years later and he's replaced them with contacts!

Patterned papers and die-cuts are all from the Scraptastic Club Centerfield kit. Fun stuff!

Right Here, Right Now

Hello again! Another of my layouts was shared on The Cut Shoppe blog yesterday, and I thought I'd share it here as well. It features one of my favorite photos from the beach and brings back the best memories...sitting under the shade canopy just steps from the gulf, sipping cold drinks, reading and/or talking with the fam. It's SO relaxing, with my feet in the warm sand and a cool breeze on my face, I sometimes fall asleep! Nothing can beat those carefree days.

Here's Kevin taking a little time out from riding the waves:

The web chair in the photo above gave me the idea to use the I Heart Plaid cut file from The Cut Shoppe:

After cutting three,

I layered them, one on top the other, strategically placed so that each layer remained visible:

The Tall Type alphabet begins my title:

I journaled a bit and brought back a few of the papers from elsewhere on the page for a little sideways banner:

Yes, i could live like this forever! Wish I could afford it. ;)

Supplies: Patterned Paper-American Crafts, Studio Calico, Pink Paislee, Fancy Pants, Doodlebug Designs. Tag-Pink Paislee. Chipboard-Pink Paislee. Brad-My Mind's Eye. Baker's twine-American Crafts.

Lifeguard

I know, I know...it's been a while. But I'm back to blogging and can finally share my first project for The Cut Shoppe! Isn't that lifeguard stand the best?! I serendipitously captured this photo a couple of summers ago, when Chris was on the pool deck, working ONE of his summer jobs. (He also drove delivery for Jimmy John's Sandwich Shop, fitting one schedule around the other.)

I had to use this cute quote I found: "Don't make me use my lifeguard voice!" Hahaha.

That awesome lifeguard stand is from this cut file:

 

After cutting the stand from white, wood-look paper, I added another dimension by piecing a life preserver from red and white cardstock. It's the perfect touch!

The Make A Splash cut file, provided my page with a whimsical sun:

By adhering only the center of the sun to my page, its "rays" are left to curl up slightly. And finally, a banner, fashioned out of polka dot kraft tape and embellished with red crosses. 

Supplies: Patterned paper-American Crafts, Carta Bella, Crate Paper; Stickers-Crate Paper; Ephemera-Crate Paper; Envelope-Fancy Pants; Flair-Scraptastic; Chipboard letters-Jillibean Soup; Chipboard word-American Crafts; Kraft paper tape-Jillibean Soup.

Fun stuff, huh?! Now if only I could sneak a photo of Kevin as he works. I've got to be stealthy. ;)