The Tree of Life

A few years back, and apart from any planned Disney vacation, I picked up a book about the making of Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World Florida. It was a fascinating account, describing in detail how the park came together, along with its iconic symbol, the Tree of Life. Did you know that there are almost 400 animals carved into its cement exterior?! The animals seem to be born from the branches and trunk, taking life from the tree. And I guess that's how it got its name.

Looking back at this picture, I wish I had taken the time to zoom in on a few of the carvings, or photograph it from different angles. I kept thinking I'd have another opportunity to slow down and take more detailed photos. But it didn't happen. By the time we were heading back out the park, and past the towering tree, I was too tired to even look up. I'm glad I got this one nice shot!



Supplies: Patterned paper-Fancy Pants Design, Chipboard Tree and paper bird-Maya Road, Cardstock border stickers and journaling card-My Mind's Eye, Chipboard circles-Bazzill, and Chipboard letters-Basic Grey.

A Magical Time

When the realty company called to tell us that the beach condo we had booked was being taken off the rental market, we were disappointed...for all of two minutes. I immediately set to work, trying to figure out if we could "do Disney". Could we manage it logistically and economically? The older kids were psyched and ready to chip up for their airfare. Kevin was ecstatic. Chris was planning a trip with some of his classmates, leaving a couple of days after graduation...for WDW! His trip would overlap ours. We were able to book a family suite at the All Star Music resort. It all came together...and we had a magical time.

When we returned, I checked in with the group at Disney Scrappers just in time for some challenges, the perfect incentive to get busy and get scrapping. Below are the first two pages documenting our trip.

The proprietor's warning sign at Kali River Rapids had me laughing...and convinced dh to stay behind (with my camera)! But I did manage to snap this photo of scenery before getting into the queue for our wet ride. Supplies: Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, Chipboard letters-Basic Grey, calendar card-My Mind's Eye, Cardstock stickers-Little Yellow Bicycle, Sassafras, corrugated cardstock, twine, bottlecap, rubber stamps, and tag.



Hands down our favorite WDW show was Finding Nemo, the musical. There was such an amazing multi-tasking crew of performers. They played the role of actor, singer, and puppeteer...and did so beautifully. It's not to be missed! Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey (Lauderdale), Cardstock letter stickers, Foam fish-American Crafts, tag-KI Memories, rub-on letters, sequin trim, fiber, lace, brads, flower punch, and heart pin.

Inspiration in a Box

...a priority box. After digging deep into my stash these last few months, I've rewarded myself with a few new supplies, just in time for summer scrapping. First up, the Margarita collection by American Crafts, perfect accompaniment for my vivid pictures from Bermuda. Love these brightly colored and shimmery accented double sided papers. The page is embellished with all sorts of things from my stash-American Crafts foam accents, felt flowers, an MME deco brad, a KI Memories acrylic tile, and metal letters from Making Memories. The flip-flops were rescued from a cake top!

Vacation Get-Away

Finally, I scrapped a couple of photos from LAST year's beach vacation and they are two of my favorites! It was fun mixing patterns and colors on my page, Pit Stop. Along with a photo from inside the restaurant, I included another one of the sign out front. Its colors inspired papers that I chose. An old technique fave was revisited: painting, sanding, and antiquing chipboard. Pen-stitching gives everything a bit more dimension. Fun stuff! Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey, October Afternoon, and Bella Boulevard, Letter stickers-Basic Grey, Chipboard letters-American Crafts, Chipboard accent-Jenni Bowlin, Postcard journaling card-October Afternoon, chipboard-Maya Road and more, bottlecap, label.



My son...and his quirky ideas! Kevin explained to us one day why certain birthdays are more special than others (in his mind). And it's mostly about being old enough for certain privileges. I've had the journaling on my desk for a couple of years and am finally getting it documented! LOVE how this number paper works here. It's also a good use for this random beach picture without going beachy. And, if you haven't noticed, bottlecaps are becoming my trademark accent. Love them! Supplies: Patterned paper and cardstock stickers-Cosmo Cricket, ticket-Jenni Bowlin, tags, and rubber stamps.

Catching Up

School's out for summer! (Can't you hear the Alice Cooper anthem?!) A little more than 9 months ago, Kevin was heading off to his first day of 5th grade. I snapped these photos of his smiling face and scrapped them recently. Supplies: Patterned paper, cardstock stickers-October Afternoon, chipboard-Maya Road, chipboard letters-American Crafts, acrylic accent-KI Memories, and buttons.



A couple of years ago, we evacuated for a hurricane, spent an interminable two days in a hotel and couldn't wait to get home, even though our house had no electricity. Home sweet home! Supplies: Patterned paper-, acrylic shape-Maya Road.



Now that Kevin is a Boy Scout, I'm missing the twice yearly family-centered Cub Scout campouts. Sniff-sniff. These pictures are from our last campout before his "graduation". Supplies: Patterned paper-Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon, Ribbon-KI Memories.



Our little Super Hero shows off his web-throwing skills as Spiderman. Supplies: Patterned paper and journal block-October Afternoon, Bingo card, month card, and letter stickers-Jenni Bowlin, cardstock sticker-Sassafras, chipboard letters-American Crafts, brads and ribbon.



Whew...still going strong and scrapping from the stash.

Four More

I've been wanting to do this FOREVER...take leftover letter stickers and collage them on a page. I love how it turned out and can't wait to try it again...maybe in a shape next time! Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey, Bingo card, chipboard button-Jenni Bowlin, Cardstock stickers-Sassafras, letter stickers-Basic Grey and more.



Boy pages can be pretty too! Especially when the pictures include rainbow colored bubbles! Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Transparency frame-My Mind's Eye, Foam and chipboard letters-American Craft, Acrylic sticker-KI Memories, Flowers-Prima, ribbon, and heart pins.



Easter morning and it's all about the candy! Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey and The Girls' Paperie, Cardstock letters-Basic Grey, Flowers-Prima, Chipboard "K" accent-Sassafras, Acrylic sticker-KI Memories, ticket stub-Jenni Bowlin, metal egg accents, buttons, ribbon, and flower pin.

Weddings!

So many weddings! Life's come full circle as nieces, nephews, and friend's children are all getting married, all at the same time...it seems. Already this year, we have been to three wedding ceremonies, have one this weekend, and another two this summer! A few weeks ago, we went to a gorgeous affair at Holy Name of Jesus, complete with a small orchestra providing the church music. But the absolute best idea for fun and memories was a photobooth at the reception. How cool! Guests took turns donning hats and masks and other props, then having their photos taken in the booth. One strip of pictures went into the couple's book and the other the guests took home for themselves. Here's what I did with ours:



Supplies: Patterned paper-Basic Grey, KI Memories, Sassafras, October Afternoon. Letter stickers-Basic Grey, Jenni Bowlin. Chipboard elements-Cosmo Cricket, KI Memories. Label stickers-October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin, Sassafras. Card-Sassafras.