Trying some new things.....

To counteract my boring self these last few weeks, I decided to try some new to me techniques with my scrapping ;)  

I hosted a little class over at the Nook for this one......doing a pie chart for the first time and also, a look that I've looooooved but never tried, the paint spreading.    I'm so happy with how this one turned out, so soft and pretty.  Using the August kit at the NOok, Carta Bella Beautiful Moments.

 

I don't know about you girls, but when I have 2 photos that go together but are situated differently.  One horizontal, the other vertical.  It's SUCH  a challenge for me to scrap them!  Is it just me?????

But I've had these photos of Kristen like, forever and I really wanted to use them.  The only design I could come up with was to separate them completely.   I cut the dew drop petals out of one of the pattern papers and tried a scattered look.  It didn't quite come together the way it did in my mind ;)  But it's sweet.

Speaking of the Nook.....if you haven't heard the sad sad news yet......here it is.  My Scrapbook Nook is closing it's doors.  I've been designing for them for 2 years this Sept.  I'm so sad.  They have been an amazing kit club and a super fun place to work.  I've made so many friends and have learned so much as a scrapper through this community.  It's going to be weird not having this little home anymore.  I'll still be scrapping......for sure!!!! But it won't be for the Nook anymore.  September is our last kit ;(  Here's the official announcement if you'd like to read it.

Boring.

It's gonna be a rough end to the summer around here.

School is right around the corner....it seems.

I mean, we have a few weeks to go, but you know......I feel like the routine needs to get back in order.

Yuck.

All our brains have turned to mush.

All the great things I thought we'd do....we didn't.

Well, we played and vacayed and slept in.

But the productive things,  they didn't happen.

Maybe some cleaning and organizing, but that's a never ending battle.

Never really feels quite like an accomplishment ;)

I feel boring.

Oh, I did teach Samantha how to cook mac & cheese.

Does that count?

as anything??????????????

Happy Monday ya'll.

blah.

 

August Kit at the Nook

We just got the latest kit from My Scrapbook Nook.  We are trying a brand new company called Carta Bella.  This is their Beautiful line.

It turned out to be perfect for all those fun pictures I took of the girls.  Lots of thick papers and really fun stickers and alphas.

Thanks for looking, I've got a few more layouts already in the works.  

This kit seems to scrapping itself ;)

Pretty Little Ladies

I did a fun little photo shoot with my girls and their best friend a few weeks ago.

Their friend Kathryn has been like a sister for over 5 years....she has spent lots of time at our house over the years, and a friendship that started with Kristen soon moved into one with Samantha as well.

Our little Kathryn moved ;(

My girls are so sad and I think it's safe to say that she is as well.

But they had quite the time before she took off.

 Samantha was cracking me up with these pictures, the big girls are being all big and sassy and she is back there putting on her own little show......hahahahaahaaaaa!!!

Of course we took a few individual portraits as well.

It kinda blows my mind how Kristen has changed.  

It has felt overnight with her.  Seems like she was a little girl justyesterday!

Now look at her....I don't know where this came from!

 She has her father's eyes

& Samantha has mine.

I'm glad I still see the little girl in Samantha...though I know it won't be long.  

It's an amazing thing watching these girls grow I gotta tell ya.

They are SO different......and I love that.

When I found out I was having a second girl that was my greatest wish.....that they would be different.  That they would have their own uniqueness.   I didn't want my second to always feel compared to the first.  Or for them to feel like they had to compete with each other in what ever way.  I even prayed that they would look different.  

I'm pretty sure my prayers were answered.  

I absolutely adore them both for so many different reasons.

Kristen has always been our sweet and shy little angel, always wanting to please.  Such a little girly girl.  Carefree and a little flighty ;)

Samantha.....she had spunk and fire before she even entered this world.  She is a firecracker and life of the party.  Serious opinions and a temperament to boot!  But her spirit is SO deep.  I've always felt she is old beyond her years.

I am a lucky mama.

And they are lucky to have each other!

The girls are making little books with all these pictures and with this picture Samantha put the quote "I smile because you are my sister, 

I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!"  

Ha!!! Truer words were never spoken ;)

I've been slowly digging through my July kit......it's hard to scrap in the summer when I've got kids all up in my space thinking they need to be entertained by me ;)  Sheesh...where do they get these ideas!!!

I dug through some old pictures and found some gems let me tell you!
These pictures of Kristen slay me!
She was such a crazy girl......totally sweet and shy but you know, she had her moments.
Like this one......quite the get up eh!
Oh and she's been famous pretty much from day one....for NOT letting me do anything to her hair.
I look back at all kinds of pictures and her hair is just hanging in her face, all crazy like.  Sadly, it looks like that a lot ;(
Here she is givin' it ALLLLLL she's got.....hahahaaaa!
Footy pj's, princess shoes over footies, a little skin and bright pink shades.
Rock it girl!!!

Then we have our little mama ;)
Samantha has always had a nurturing heart.
She was such a good helper when Jack was a baby, the ONLY kid in the family who has EVER changed a diaper.  And she is only 3 1/2 yrs. older than him.

Here she is feeding her baby cousin when she was almost 4.
It's such a sweet picture.

I've got a few more I'll share another time.
Hope you're having a great Monday!!!

Celebrate Summer

I've got a summer challenge over at the Nook today.......

I love taking pictures with sun flare and here in Vegas that's not hard to come by!

So it was an obvious choice to focus on a sun based challenge.

I created a new layout using October Afternoon 9 to 5 and a picture of Samantha from last winter playing in the leaves.

Here are a few other layouts I've made in the past that fit my theme: 

Be sure to check out the full challenge over at the NOok and find out how to win a RAK from me at the end of the summer ;)

My Mama

My mom came into town a few weeks ago.......she wanted to do pictures together.  Just me and her.  I am her only daughter and we are super close.  We weren't sure what exactly we would do, as far as poses and stuff....we had a few good laughs over the possibilities.

But my good friend Heather......she made it happen.  

This first one is my fave by far.  It is a perfect example of our relationship.

We make each other laugh....a lot.

It's the part where she decided it was time to tell me about the birds and the bees!

Hmmm....

 

And then she expected me to be serious after that.

Believe you me.....this face took some major composure on my part!!!!

I feel really stupid in front of a camera which usually results in some really stupid faces and the giggles ;)   I am outta control.

We did some frolicking in the meadow as well......and laughed some more.

It was so fun!!!

Thanks again Heather, these are priceless!!!