It's me...Mario

I am so excited about this layout.  I saw the file by Kristi W. and Marjorie Ann Designs made it into a cutting file, you can find it here http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=204&products_id=1465  I knew right away what I wanted to do with it!  My sons were trying to tell me which one was Mario and which was Luigi...and then he wanted me to add a little talk bubble that said it's me...Ezekiel (instead of Mario)  I left the mustaches off of the boys and changed the hair color to match my boys as well as the initials on the hats!
I still haven't figured out how to display a 2 page layout next to each other...some sort of picture collage site I am sure but for now this is what works.

I knew right away that I would make the mystery boxes be the photo mats (I added the question marks for the display and will move them and add the pictures later.)  I made them 3x3 Then when I was working on the bottom trying to figure out how to size the pipes, I decided to use them as a photo mat as well.  They are roughly 4x6!

I had originally planned to make a one page layout and was going to say my super guy but decided to do a 2 page spread of both of them, to use some of the pictures I have of them playing together.  I went from my super guys, my super little guys, my 2 super brothers but what looked the best was the 2 super bros.  I found the font on dafont.com and it worked perfectly!  

If you have read my posts, you know I don't like tiny pieces so with the turtle, bricks, and the flower, I copied them and subtracted the little pieces out and put the outline on top, instead of placing each tiny piece.  I like the ability to choose, if I ever sell stuff I will probably need to do it the original way, but for now, I usually subtract it.  Marjorie Ann files are good because most of them the small pieces are in a group, still clustered in the correct position, so I can just move them all at once.  

For the bottom part, I used the same bricks as the top, I just sliced one of the rows off the top!  I made the one up guy and the star a little too big, so they didn't fit anywhere, but I ended up adding the mushroom after the title to help balance it out.  I really like the way it all turned out!  

Oh and when I got the Scrappy Dew facial stamp set 2, I thought the eyes looked like turtle eyes, so when I did this page, I knew right away that I had to try the stamp on the turtle...I think it worked nicely. 

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Just like Daddy

Little Scraps of Heaven is having another sketch challenge.  I really didn't have time to do the challenge this time, but I felt bad because only the DT members had participated.  The layout was a good one and I had a pattern I was waiting to use for these really cute pictures I have, so I told my hubby I needed to take some extra time to craft ;-)  He is so good to me.  By the time I posted my layout, someone else had joined as well...at least I got another page done!
I used a file called push mower.  I have these pictures of my son who was copying dad mowing the lawn.  He took the play lawn mower and pushed right along side of him.  Then after a few laps it got hard for him, so he stood in front of dad and helped push the real mower.  It was very cute!  The toy lawn mower got thrown away in the fall, and the next spring when my husband got the lawn mower out again my little guy started crying...because he didn't have his own lawn mower to help dad again.  It was cute and sad...but he got to help dad push the real one again.  These are the moments I cherish!

I hear of people stealing pictures off the internet.  So I gave myself a little stamp...though this would not be hard to cut out...at least it's a little deterrent.  Thanks for stopping by!

Dr. Seuss

I love Dr. Seuss, you can find a book to fit pretty much any subject.  I was on a mission to collect all of his books, and I got about 30 of them...apparently the less common ones.  Life got in the way and I haven't really been looking, but it would still be nice to have them all!
My son loves Dr. Seuss day at school.  It was especially fun this year, he told me.  They gave out train tickets and the kids traveled around the world (school) to different Seuss locations.  Each location had a different character, book, and activity.
The file Imagination from Marjorie Ann Designs http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=204&products_id=1462 (Original Artwork by Kristi W) was perfect for a page I wanted to do.  I need to find his ticket and add a couple of pictures to it.  May end up doing the other page with some pictures of him reading!

I love the way this turned out.  The paper and ribbons that I added were from Boomergirl Designs.  When I did this page I was looking for a Dr. Seuss font and couldn't find one so afterward I decided I needed more fonts.  I did actually already have one called Grinched, and I didn't find an actual Dr. Seuss font, but I did download about 100 other fonts!  That should give me a good variety.  I made sure to pick some good ones for cutting, and some for digital work.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Drive

Good evening everyone!  Summer is here but unfortunately our air conditioner is not working.  The repair guy has re-scheduled on us 3 days in a row.  It is currently 86 inside my house but it feels like 105!  So I thought I would cool off by coming in my basement and cheer myself up with some crafts.  Today I would like to share with you a card I made for my sweet sister.  She has had the worst luck for years and I feel like it is wearing on her usually happy self.  Marjorie Ann Designs has a lot of very cute shaped cards, I chose If Friends were flowers, I'd pick you http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=243&products_id=1416 (Original Artwork by Kristi W)

The blue paper and pink flower paper are just for display and not part of the card.  I still can't figure out how to trace the image and get the perforated lines correctly, I need to either figure out my machine or finally decide to do the upgrade on it.  I think this card turned out so very cute...these elephants are adorable.  I found a background that wasn't too distracting, it has the white and blue flowers on it, so I made the flower to match the paper.  The best thing about these cards, is that they are easy to put together!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Camping

One of our favorite things to do is camping!  I think for my boys, it's because there aren't too many rules to follow and they get to just play, explore, and be kids.  For me, it seems to be the only place I can relax.  When I am at home, even if my hubby gives me time...there is always something I need to be doing, so I just stay busy, and stressed....when we are camping...there is not too much I can do so I get to just sit, forget about everything, enjoy nature, and relax.  I wish we were able to camp more often!
Scrappy Dew has a couple of camping files in their vault that I like, but the new one they have in the store, Happy Campers, is perfect!  http://www.scrappydew.com/products/happy-campers?variant=1107322765/?aff=4 That is the one I used for this layout!

I did a 2 page layout...but I still don't know how to display 2 pages together, digitally.  I use my digital software to add the watermark, because I don't really know how else to do that either.  but since this is really 2 pages on one page, it's hard to see, so here are the pages separately. 

Does anyone know an easier way to add a water mark, or a way to show 2 pages together?

I did alter the tree pieces slightly to my liking and I left the vest off of this boy...though I think he would be perfect for a fishing page I need to do as well.  

For this sign I decided to subtract the letters from the top, instead of placing every letter seperately...I'm not a huge fan of tiny pieces, so I usually cut them where I can.  The faces on the boys are from the Facial expression from Scrappy Dew.  The blonde is from set 2 and the one with the hat is in set 3!  http://www.scrappydew.com/collections/dew-drops-stamps

This post for me is a little bitter sweet.  I signed up to do 3 months as a guest DT for Scrappy Dew, and although I have been doing this for almost five months now :-D  My time has come to an end.  I was having a hard time with this because they are some of the nicest people to work with.  They actually said I could stay on if I wanted so I was excited...but then I had to face reality and accept my limitations....since it has been one crazy thing after another here ever since summer break.  I am very grateful that Michelle took a chance on me even though I had no experience.  She has been very helpful and generous to get me started.  So I will go, take some much needed time for the summer....hopefully get some pictures, files, and supplies organized....and hopefully I will be back with all these amazing Scrappy Dew people and files in the fall!  Thanks for stopping by! 

First Birthday with Elmo and Cookie Monster

For my son's first birthday, I chose the theme of Elmo and Cookie Monster.  We ended up doing a cake smash with just our little family, but then some of the extended family said they wanted to come see, so he got to have another little cake!  As usual with the treats, I just find a picture I like on the internet and change it up to meet my needs.  He was a little timid getting into the cake at first, but by the end he was eating fistfulls!

For this layout, I used cutting files from Marjorie Ann Designs (Original artwork by Kristi W)  I combined Baby's First Birthday http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197&products_id=1319 and Monster Street http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=204&products_id=1363

I put the one with elmo instead of the fish tank...I only used one candle on the cake...and I put the baby and cookie monster (who I flipped) by the cake, I couldn't decide if I wanted cookie monster to be all blue, but ended up going with the child face because it is so cute!  Now the baby with the present is originally bald, but my babies all had a lot of hair, so I gave him some hair...but I must have sized it wrong because it ended up making him look like kind of a fat head!  For the 2 baby faces, I used Dew Drop stamps from Scrappy Dew and Just baby stamps from Peachy Keen.

I don't know why this picture is sideways...it is correct everywhere but this page?  These are the cakes and cupcakes I made for his party!  

I was so surprised at how hesitant he was. 

I don't think he likes having messy fingers...he is trying to wipe the frosting off!  

This is more like it...he is older now, and quite the goody freak!

Sometimes our errors can bring a smile to others.

I know for me sometimes I feel overwhelmed by everyone else's perfect, flawless creations....sometimes it is refreshing to hear about their trial and error process....maybe behind closed doors we all struggle on occasion.  Hopefully it can provide tips and tricks, and smiles for others.  

I forgot to post about my mat experience.  My mat had certain spots that weren't sticking anymore...most of the mat was still fairly sticky but the spots that got used the most and had some wear, the paper was coming loose.  I read several posts about scrubbing them good in warm water and dawn dish soap and they would be sticky again....so I tried it.  Well, I think it must have meant rub them lightly in soapy water...and not scrub them.  I scrubbed every bit of sticky off the mat.  Maybe this would be a good idea when the mat is all the way done, but my attempt was preemptive.  So first mistake, check.  Also I don't think that my mat was loosing it's stick because of small bits of paper but rather the grooves the blade cuts into the mat.  Okay so the mat is not sticky anymore there are several posts about what to do...I decided to tape off the edges and spray it with a repositional spray adhesive.  This is a great idea....in theory.  Ha ha maybe I went a little over board.  I sprayed the whole thing then doubled up on a few spots that looked like they had got missed...my mat is so ridiculously sticky!  If I put my hand on the mat, I can't even get it off.  I decided I needed to unsticky it somehow anyway so I might as well try a cut.  The paper didn't come off and the mat got everything else sticky, my rollers and the machine.  What a mess.  I tossed the mat aside about a month ago and haven't bothered with it since.  I just pulled it out to see if a picture would do any good.  It seems less out of control, but I gently put a paper on it, and still had a hard time getting the paper off.  What a mess I have made....it reminds me of the first time I used the x xyron...it had some sticky parts around it so I tried to de-sticky it by putting it on my sweater....my sweater was very frilly.  So then I had a hard time getting the pieces off, but they were so covered in fuzzies that they were useless!  

Since this mat experience I have found other methods that seem to work better.  The first one is painters tape.  I just tape around the edges of the paper to hold the paper in place and it works wonders.  Even when my mat was sticky it seemed like the paper would slip when I cut letters or eyeballs, so I would have to keep re-cutting them...the tape holds it well enough that it doesn't slide.

I have a sillhouette and I read that some people use the cricut mat with it.  So I tried this also...I like the cricut mats much better...besides the fact that they are much cheaper (you can get a 2 pack for less than one sillhouette mat, plus I happened to find mine at 50% off) they are also more durable.  I have used the cricut mat for more cuts than my sillhouette mat, and it is still going strong.  I have on occasion used some tape when doing small cuts, just to make sure...but the cuts don't seem to distract from the hold of the mat as well.  Some people have talked about cutting their mats down, but I don't see a need to do that.  I do have to adjust the paper into the recommended cutting area though as it seems to cut about a quarter inch higher and to the left.  So, much like my testing of glues...I have now tried a few different methods for the mats.  If you have any questions...or suggestions, I would love to hear them.  I will let you know if I decide to try my original mat again. Thanks for stopping by. 

Boys will be boys

I have four boys...I have seen a lot of crazy things!  They are definitely destructive and full of energy.  My boys haven't been too obsessed with bugs and critters thank goodness, but they have made plenty of messes.  We did have a frog end up in our window sill once and the boys enjoyed watching it...from inside.  They also enjoyed digging for worms (they also like rolley polley bugs and lady bugs).  I found the file boys will be boys from Marjorie Ann Designs here http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_192&products_id=1399 (Original artwork by Kristi W)
I decided this would be a great file to work with!

I decided to try print then cut again with this file...I tried the svg, png, seperated png and I still got the black lines around the edges so I had to trim everything, ink it, or make it purposefully black.  I decided I would not try print then cut anymore after this....except then I went back in and found out how to change the line color!  That is what I needed...there are some pieces that would have more than one line color but most of the accent pieces would be one color and it would work perfectly!  I love learning new things.  Even a slow progression is still progression!  So again it is hard to tell in the picture, but I printed extra pieces and popped them up for dimension.  I also added chalk to the dirt to make it look dirtier.  Next thing I need to work on is doing a border around the edge of my pages so they don't look as plain....one day!  I do like the way this page turned out it does bring a lot of memories with it!  Thanks for stopping by. 

Slip and Slide

I saw this slip and slide kids file http://www.scrappydew.com/products/slip-and-slide-kids?variant=1105824957/?aff=4 and I thought it was cute but decided I didn't have a use for it since my boys were too nervous to try the slip and slide...they walked across it one time and they were done.  Wait, then I remembered last year we tried another one and they went down it...even though it was colder this time!  Then, my husband reminded me about the time that we went with a group down a GIANT slip and slide!!!  Yes that was perfect...so now I have a use for it...actually a few uses for it!  It was so cute on the giant slip and slide my son went down by himself and I stood on the side...he saw me and gave me the I Love you sign as he passed....what a sweetie!

I got my new facial stamps from Scrappy Dew and I had to use them.  I need a little practice with the stamps....and a better ink pad as mine comes out pretty faded looking....and I need some markers to color in the middle of the eye.  But I do love the stamps, they work wonderfully and save so much time.  This was the first layout I decided to work with, I decided to use a shocked face because the water was so cold...his brother of course is behind him laughing at him!

Here are some pieces I made for the other layouts, On the giant slip and slide there were groups of 10-20 people going down at the same time, so I knew I had to make a set of them sitting together...for these pieces and the other boy standing behind the slip and slide I used the file Water Balloon Fight. http://www.scrappydew.com/products/water-balloon-fight?variant=1105830313/?aff=4 I also tried out a few of the other facial expressions...I tried the eyes closed one since the water is hitting him in the face...at first it looked girly, but now I think it worked out great!  I also used a stamp on the sun! (I love this sun!)  Oh both of the files are from Scrappy Dew ;-) 

These are the stamps I got!  It is set 2 and set 3!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fishing

My boys were so excited when Daddy decided they were old enough for fishing trips.  At least one of them was still excited after going on said fishing trip :-P  I made this fishing page using the fishing with dad file from Marjorie Ann Designs (Original Artwork by Kristi W) You can find it here http://marjorieanndesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_192&products_id=1405

For this page I used the clipart that is included in the file.  I tried to use the baby from the family group but I am still figuring out my software and how to do different things with it.  So I watched a few more videos and learned a few more things.  I moved different sets around and tried several papers until I found this one that was perfect from Snackpak guru for the background.  The mats were made with paper from Dream4Ever Designs.  I have to say, this page makes me smile, I love seeing progress in my work!  Thanks for stopping by!

Sandbox Play

We decided to get a sandbox in the backyard.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I love the feel of it on my toes, and the entertainment it gives my boys....I hate that it doesn't stay in the sandbox, it's in the grass, and the plants, and the house...oh the house...my bed!
We do have a lot of fun times and cute pictures from the sandbox though which is why I chose this file.  I know I say this a lot, but this set is just adorable!  It is sandbox play from Scrappy Dew http://www.scrappydew.com/products/sandbox-boy?aff=4  this set came together pretty easily and it turned out just awesome.

I had to do the turtle sandbox because it is just too cute and adds the right amount of color.  We have a square wooden sandbox so I also made a couple of brown rectangles and added the sand to them and all the other pieces accent it perfectly.  I forgot to take a picture of those since it is for a different layout that I haven't gotten to yet.  I did take a picture of the extra pieces that go with this set that I didn't end up using for this layout.  

As always, thanks for looking!