doodlebug design : make shift trampoline

The K-girl enrolled in gymnastics at the beginning of this year.  Since then, everything in our home has because a jungle gym or sort.  Everything.

All the time.

Here, she was trying to do a flip on my bed, from one side to the other.   She did it and was quite pleased.  I was, too, and pleasantly surprised that it didn't mess up the bed too badly. 

Love watching her do flips!  

[ ABOUT THE LAYOUT ]   I used Doodlebug patterned paper for the background then layered washi tape behind the single photo of my daughter.  I love that it is transparent, but packs a punch.  The little speech/thought bubbles were cut from patterned paper, too.  

my fave.

By far, this is my favorite photo of the K-kiddos.  It happened on a whim three years ago while walking the campus of Baylor University.  

My favorite photo of my favorite little people.

And, I was doing my favorite job --- being mom.  

doodlebug design : sew much love

In the midst of holiday giftmaking chaos, the K-girl wanted to learn to sew.  I tried to teach her, but I was much too slow for her eagerness to sit at the machine.   She cut fabric into strips and started stitching them together once I showed her how to set the stitch type and how to backstitch on my handy sewing machine.  

She quickly stitched together this sweet little doll blanket.  I love the patchwork style and wanted to replicate it on this layout.

I paired Kiwi Lane Designs hexagon template with a mix of Doodlebug patterned papers for this quilted layout.  I love how it turned out and especially love the mix of old and new products.   To add more of a quilted look, I added some machine stitching to the top of the paper geometrics. 

I tied it together with a faux ribbon made of washi tape.  

The final touch was using a spool brad.  It was not the color I wanted, so I wrapped some bubblegum doodletwine over the red floss that was already there.   Then, I looped the twine to make a heart to go with the love theme.  

How do you change embellishments to make them fit your creative needs?  

a blast from the past

This week, while looking for other things on a CD, I found a list I made about the kiddos.  It was dated March 7, 2005.   Eight years ago.  

The K-boy just turned 11 a week ago.  

I enjoyed looking at the list of things they were enjoying and doing and how life was back then.  So many things are still the same and some I had forgotten about.  


K-boyalmost 3 years old

• hates to have socks on and will pull them off of his and Keona's feet
• loves his sandals --- has even worn them all winter long with socks
• likes to play the guitar like Murray of the Wiggles
• loves to watch Barney and the Wiggles videos
• loves the new Hi-5 DVD and learned the secret fort club handshake in one night
• can do all the moves to the songs on the Hi-5 video
• has discovered shadows
• is too cute when he says "oh no, what to do?"
• called his cousin's name out while gathering firewood for the campfire --- "chance"
• can use the pedals on his tricycle
• can scream louder than a freight train
• loves to "bake" and help mommy in the kitchen, even if only eating the batter and frosting
• takes off his shirt about mid-evening and insists on sleeping shirtless
• puts socks on his hands to make a puppet
• can eat three eggs topped with cheese for any [and every] meal
• is expanding his vocabulary and talking in some sentences
• loves taking a bath
• loves watching out the window or door for the next train coming --- still
• loves to play outside
• loves to crawl into bed with his parents in the middle of the night

K-girl almost 11 months old

• loves to dig in the trash can
• loves to eat the food Kai drops off his plate and onto the floor
• eats baby snacks from the tray of her walker, much like a dog eats his food from a bowl
• has a radiant smile
• got her first black eye on March 2 while climbing on the ottoman
• runs quickly when she hears the dishwasher open and "helps" with the silverware
• plays with socks
• loves to eat off of mommy's plate
• likes cheese puffs
• loves to play peek-a-boo and dance
• learned to walk at nine months old
• digs in the dirt of TutuBabe's plants ---- fertilizer/dirt, medicine/aloe vera, salad/ivy
• loves taking a bath in the big tub
• hates being in the carseat, thus making her a horrible traveler
• can pry lids off of sippy cups
• chews boxes like a mouse --- Uncle Cliff calls her 'ratso'
• loves to cuddle, mostly when she wants to do so
• loves to be comforted by her mom when she's hurt
• says "hi" and can wave bye-bye

I will be working on a new list of their likes, dislikes and just things I notice about them each day.   It will be fun to look back on like this list.  

Such good memories.

doodlebug design : i love my kiddos

We all try to make the most of and get the most out of our scrapbooking products.   Here are a few simple ways to do that, all wrapped up in one layout.

• Use stamps with versamark ink to add a bit of texture and subtle color to the background.
• Don't waste the scrap paper around punched shapes. Trim the negative space and use in your project.

• Make a paper clip embellishment. Add a strip of washi tape around the clip and ribbon cut the end. Add a banner alpha sticker and tie on some doodle twine. Cute, easy embellishment.
• Use black ink and label stamp to make your own labels. Stamp on white cardstock and trim.
• Handcut a trendy shape [or use a digital die cutter].

 

I love that Doodlebug products are so very easy to mix and match from different collections.    In this layout, I have used product form the following collections: feeling groovy, haunted manor, sweet cakes and lovebirds. 

I mixed trendy dot and chevron patterns with this cutesy little car to capture the photos my daughter took along our road trip.

A banner sticker was perfect to add onto the stickpin used as the antennae of the car.  Trailing along the back of the car is doodle twine and hearts. 

I also mixed alphabet stickers -- colors, sizes and styles.   

Try mixing some older products with the new -- create a new embellishment.   

[ layouts featured on Doodlebug Design blog ]

The bestest Christmas gift this year happened last night.

The K-girl called us all into the living room and asked us to sit or kneel around the Christmas tree.  As we did, she began a prayer, wishing those that didn't have anything could get something and those without family would have someone to spend the holidays with.  And, then the K-boy joined in wishing everyone a good Christmas. 

Absolutely beautiful.  

Next time, though, I shall transcribe the conversation as soon as it is over so I don't forget their exact words.  The spoke them so very innocently and so very sweetly.  

Wishing you all a merry Christmas!  May you be blessed with family time, loved ones, sweet memories and lots of love. 

Peace, love and joy.

We took a trip to the beach for Thanksgiving and it was absolutely lovely.  We needed that little breather from reality and just needed some relaxation.  

There was a day or two that it was chilly, but that did not ruin our fun.  

It has been difficult getting into the Christmas spirit this year, mostly because the weather is so very warm.  It was springlike today when we put up the tree and strung the lights.  

But, these two cute K-kiddos brought me out of the funk and into the holiday mood.  

Such joy.

Boo from the Doodlebug crew!

... and from our crew!

This card, designed and made my eight-year-old daughter, brings lots of smiles to my heart.  She is so very creative and I am thankful to have her as my creative sidekick.  

Have a bright, rainbow kind of day!

Kids say the funniest and cutest and sweetest things, don't they?!

Heard from the K-kiddos in the last week or so:

On the first day of school, the kiddos decided I didn't need to walk them into school.  I was expecting it from the ultra-cool boy, but not my mini me.  When I voiced I was sad, she said, "Mom, I didn't want you to walk me into class because I didn't want to you to have to deal with the crowded hallways. They were really crowded." 

The K-boy and girl were discussing the weight difference between them on our drive home.  In a hurry, he said to his sister, "your fat's butter!"  We all giggled, then K-girl had a major meltdown.

Yesterday, as the K-girl bounced on her bed and bebopped around her bedroom, she was belting out the tunes for Everybody Talks.  They sing "it started with a whisper" and she sang "it started with a whipsteak!"   Loudly. 

I really should come here and jot down the funny things the kiddos say, as they say them, so that I can remember them all.  

The kiddos are busy taking in the last of summertime.  

just because

     

I love that my little K-girl loves to scrapbook and craft with me.  I have a constant creative sidekick.  While it can be frustrating when moving about a small craft area or tyring to find misplaced supplies or just trying to have some me time, it is absolutely wondramous to have my daughter crafting alongside me.  

While I was using some Doodlebug stamps one day, she wanted to create something, too.  So, we set up the area and decided which set to use.  We chose the home set with a few houses and trees and the cutest sun and clouds.  

Above is the results of our few moments together.  

It makes me happy.   Just becuase.

bring back the spunk

My little K-girl has not been her usually sassy and spunky self these past few days.  She has been sick with stomach virus-like symptoms.  But after a few days of trying to use my magical supermom [and superdad] powers, it was time to let a professional take over.   

And last night we did.  We spent a few moments in urgent care and came out with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection.   Yikes!

So, she's resting up with some antibiotics and anti-nausea meds, kicking back with her daddy and anxiously awaiting playtime with her big brother.  

I may complain from time to time about her being piss and vinegar spunky, but I sure miss her personality when she's down and out.

 It breaks this momma's hear to have a sick kiddo.  My sweet little love will be back at it soon and I can't wait.

a trip down memory lane

The hubs worked on the K-boy's computer yesterday.  Though he was unsuccessful in the fix, he dug up some old photos that were saved on disc.  While I looked through the handful of photos he sent, my heart was taken back to that moment in time.

The above photo was taken on a hot summer day about five years ago.   Five years.  That is a lot of days of change and growth from that photo to today and my kiddos have done just that.  But, I'd like to take a trip down memory lane, staring at and studying this photo of them.  

• The K-boy still loves red and plaid shirts.   When I was telling him of this photo and the red crocs he wore back then, he said he remembered them and wanted another pair.  
• That pursed up look of the K-girl is one I miss.  She puckers her lips now, but it is often followed by some foot-stomping off to her bedroom. 
• The son was wearing a wooden bead watchband that had a frog face on it.  He wore that thing out and still has it stashed away in his toy box.   And, to this day, he still loves wearing "bracelets" and watches.   
• K-girl had the cuuuuuuuuuuuutest pigtails.  She is beyond them at this point, but loves to put her hair up in a ponytail and messy bun.   
• These kiddos sit side-by-side still, in the car and on the couch.  I hope they are this close for many, many years -- though it does involve some bickering as of late.
• While we enjoyed the parade, these kiddos also enjoyed day dreaming and lots of strawberries.  The rest of us just enjoyed the summer heat.  Ha.

I intend to print this photo out and scrapbook it once again, reflecting on that moment in time.   I want to get lost in the memory that this photos brought back.  

he & she

I love these two cute K-kiddos to the moon and back, every single moment of every single day.

But geez! This sibling rivalry, bickering, fighting, whatever you wanna call it between him and her is just enough to send their momma through the roof and to that very same moon.

They look sweet enough, but beyond their beautiful skin is some major dosage of sass.

He and she.  They are so much alike, yet they are so different.

• He loves his sister and tries to direct her in the right way. She does not listen to her brother because she wants her way.
• She wants him to play a game with her right now. He doesn't want to play, but would rather relax.
• He loses his temper quickly, especially when his sister whines. She whines alot just to get at her brother.
• She wants use the computer, but he's been relaxing at it for awhile. He screams "noooooooooooo!" because she is screaming "yeeeeeeeeeeees!"
• He likes to joke around and play practical jokes. She does, too, but wants the jokes to go her way.
• She likes to be loud, very loud. He likes to have peace and quiet.
• He wants to play in his own world of pretend karate-choppin' kickin' swirlin' around. She wants to stop his world from spinnin' so she can play, too.
• She wants to hug on her brother. He does not want anything to do with that lovey dovey stuff.

I, their dear mother, wish for ear plugs while I call them front and center to reconcile their differences. To hush the bickering. To referee.

Then, I make them face each other, nose to nose ---- they laugh together and hug one another.

And just a few moments later, it starts again.

I know, though, that one day they will grow very grateful for one another and for the lovely childhood they're sharing. Even though it is full of this thing called sibling rivalry at the moment, it is still very full of a deep bond between those two.

So alike, so different.

He and she -- so full of love.

cowgirl

You may have seen this layout posted over at the Doodlebug blog, along with other cute projects made by design team members using the new snips & snails collection.    The collection is filled with such sweet colors and so many patterns, some basic and some more baby-themed.  

What I love about this collection, and the others in Doodlebug's catalog, are that they mix and match well and they are all so very, very versatile.   I used this assumingly boyish grouping of papers and embellishments for a layout of my very own cowgirl.  

To frill it up a bit, I made a twine fringe, the loopy fancy frills border sticker and glitter.   I also cut a circle from one of the papers to use as a flower.   Girly. 

The fringe was very easy to make.   I used a strip of masking tape, sticking it to the underside of a cutting mat so that only a portion sticking out.  Then, I placed the strands of twine onto the sticky surface and trimmed to desired length.   I did that until it was completely covered and then put masking tape over the top of the other piece of tape, sandwiching the twine in between. 

I had a small length of fringe left and used it on a card: 

 



I love how the looped border sticker mimics twirled rope in my layout and card.  But, imagine how you could use other border stickers with the alphabets in the Doodlebug collection.   

Keep checking back on this blog and that of Doodlebug --- there are some fun projects in the works!

egg hunt

The K-girl and her classmates are having an egg hunt at school today.  But, it is not ordinary hunt as you search for eggs marked with your name, not just any egg.  

Fair is fair.

Anyhow, the K-girl worked hard on prepping these cute little Easter goodness for her friends at school.  She used a sheet of Karen Foster Design paper with bunnies, sheep and lilies to make name labels, carefully writing each name so that it was between either a bunny/sheep and the lily.   She cut them out and, with some help from momma, the labels were taped to the center of the egg.   

I love my creative sidekick.  

i love my garden.

Last spring break, we spent the week prepping our garden plots. We tilled, weeded, shoveled, picked and did it all over again. And again. It was hard, muscle-aching work for a few days before we were finally able to plant seeds and starter plants in the four beds we had prepared.

i love my garden detail : Doodlebug Design : click to see image larger

The rows included tomatoes, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, green beans, cilantro, basil, mint, rosemary, jalopenos and sunflowers.

Those rows were made by lots of hard work and love. Those rows were beautiful in their blossoming glory. Those rows offered family time. Those rows played their part in the occasional obstacle course and ball game. Those rows were scrumptious at harvest time.

Those rows are missed.

When I'm repeating the above steps of sweatin' hard work, I must remember that tending the earth was and is so very therapuetic. And rewarding.

During the latter part of the spring semester of school, the K-girl brought home a completed worksheet in a heap of other papers and projects in her backpack. I sorted through them like I did on a daily basis, only to find this worksheet. The journaling prompt was "What do you like best about your home?" And with her fine-tuned writing skills, the then first-grader wrote, "I love my garden. My mom and I go to the garden every day and I pick the vegetables in the garden. My brother loves the tv and his ds."


i love my garden : Doodlebug Design : click to see image larger  

So very true.   I love that she included her brother into the equation.  And her statement was so very true --- he did not love the garden as much as she.  

So very heartwarming.

My scrapbook layout above is featured on the Doodlebug blog today, along with the work of talented Tiffany Hood.  Go check it out!  

happy scrappy

Literally.

After a couple of Doodlebug Design assignments, my desk was covered in a rainbow of happiness.   The pattern, the colors, the texture -- just the bits and pieces left me smiling.  

Then, Saturday morning as I waited for the hubs to return home and before I headed out to the doctor, the K-girl and I used the tiniest bits of those scrap papers to make cards.   She glued hers onto cardstock with a heap of glue that is probably still trying to dry. 

This cute little card, made from the portion I cut off a 12x12 cardstock when making an 8.5x11 layout, makes me happy and ready to celebrate.   It is sprinkled with a colorful banner on a white base and completed with confetti ink splatters.   

The card may have only taken five minutes, but that if five minutes spent with my creative sidekick, exploring our love of paper and glue.  

And that is worth celebration.