Living My Dream

Dear Lizzy Neapolitan

I received an amazing box of products last week from American Crafts. My favorite new line of theirs is the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line. The colors and soft flowy feel of it make me very happy! I created two layouts using this line.

American Crafts Neapolitan Products Used: Cheerful Notes Paper (35626), Twinkling Lights Paper (35629), Sea Breeze Paper (35643), Splendid White (53296) - Thickers, Fabric and Epoxy Brads (78074), Remarks Books (42232), Parakeet Remarks Letter Stickers (42234), Printed Chipboard Shapes (78070), Minimarks Rub On Transfers (43395), 6x6 Paper Pad (35658), Happy Chance Pennant (35648), Premium Ribbon (58805)

This first layout is called Pretty in Pink because my sweet daughter Sophie rarely if ever wears pink, which is my favorite color. I was quite excited when she asked for this pink shirt! And of course it led to a girly pink layout! The soft colors of this line were perfect for the photos. I used a digital frame around them to add some "grit" before printing in 4x4.

The ribbon in this collection is so beautiful. I love the pink fringe one, so I used it as an "easel" for my bottom photo and journaling. I always back stickers with cardstock and cut out before using so they are more dimensional (can use pop dots behind them) and I can decide where I want to place them before committing. The journaling sticker is from the Remarks sticker book.

I cut this circle design using my Cameo (purchased it in the Silhoette shop). I used pieces from the 6x6 paper pad behind the circles. I filled others with brads and other dimensional items from the line.

Neapolitan Products Used: Cheerful Notes paper (35626), Silly Skedaddle Paper (35628), Twinkling Lights Paper (35629), Fresh Blooms Paper (35630), First Date Paper (35632), Hazy Horizon Paper (35639), At First Sight Paper (35641), Dream Days Paper (35641), Fabric and Epoxy Brads (78074), Remarks Sticker Book (42232), Remarks Border Stickers (42235), Minimarks Rub-Ons (43395), Mini Fair Ribbons (78066), 6x6 Paper Pad (35658)

For this second layout, I cut the title out using my Cameo again (yes, I adore that thing!). I covered the title with cut pieces from the rub-ons. I outlined the words with a brown fine-tip marker. I used mist spatters on the back and paper edges along the sides. I don't usually make one photo, one page layouts, but it was really fun to do a trendy page.

Visit the American Crafts blog tomorrow to see tons of inspiration from their amazing Design Team! Thanks for visiting! Suzy

It's a Neapolitan Birthday PARTY!!!

My American Crafts blog assignment for February was to use their Knock Out punches on a project. My dearly loved Kim Watson was here the week it was due, so she helped me with the idea AND the execution (ok, maybe she even did all of it - I can't really remember!). haha

It was my birthday weekend, so we wanted to create a little birthday decor centered around the beautiful coconut cake my husband buys me each year. It is the best thing I have ever eaten in my life. I drool just looking at these pictures. We then went and bought a few cupcakes and some candy before starting. Our plan was to devour it all as soon as the photographs were taken. Here we are in the candy store enjoying the "prep" work (please forgive the quality of phone photos in bad lighting!):

Next, we started building the little party. We used the new Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line which is about as delicious as all these treats are! There are detailed instructions with photos on the AC blog - just scroll down a couple of posts to find them. And here are some more delicious photos of our edible decor!

Have a great day my blog friends! Thanks for visiting! Suzy

CK Guest Blogger Today

Hop on over to the Creating Keepsakes Blog today - I have started a monthly post called Creativity Heals and this is my first one... Happy weekend!!! xoxo

Quotes, Quotes and More Quotes!

I can't believe I have ignored my blog for two full weeks!!! It was a crazy couple of weeks though with CHA, the delightful Kim Watson visiting for 10 days, my birthday, and getting really sick. So please forgive me for my long absense.

During that time, I spent a lot of time doodling which I so love to do. So I wanted to share some of my recent ones. I will be sharing scrapbook layouts next time - I have tons of those to put up too. I also have to give you a big CHA update - ahhhh, so much to write on that topic!

So with that, here are some doodles:

I believe this quote was by Spencer W. Kimball. I just love it!!!

I found this quote on Pinterest recently. And it spoke to me. Because it finally described WHY I act the way I do much of the time. Or at least it gave me an excuse for my crazy behavior!

(The song actually says when skies are gray...but I messed up on this one!)

I drew this quote as I was watching the Grammy's on Sunday night. Whitney Houston's death made me think about these words of wisdom from James Dean. She was one of my favorite singers of all time!

I really LOVE this quote by Martha Washington. I so agree with her. It is right on as I have talked about before. Being happy is a decision and finding joy in our lives is up to us.

Another cute quote I found on Pinterest. True it is!

I tried using stamps (new ones by My Minds Eye) instead of doodles on this one.

So her face is a little weird shaped - she has been through a lot in life, so don't mock her!

This one cracks me up. I was trying to draw a girl that appeared to be imperfect (note large round nose and one eye being higher than the other) to demonstrate the point in the quote. But she just got funnier and funnier looking as I went along. I so agree with this quote as well. And when it comes to creating, it is important to embrace the "imperfections".

This last quote so makes me laugh. Because it also is SO true. I always tell my husband I wish he knew how to love me the way my dog does. She worships me. She mopes and lays on the couch or under my desk chair in my office when I am not home. The other day, Tom put a frosted mini wheat in front of her nose while she was laying on my couch waiting for me to return. She just ignored it. After I got home, she jumped back on the couch and ate her treat. Hahahaha. Gotta love that much devotion, huh? I'm going to conclude that i must be all kinds of wonderful to have this affect on her though....

And with ALL that, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Kiss those you love (and maybe some you don't!). Suzy