Happy National Scrapbook Day

That's right!! It's a holiday!! Did you take the day off? Did you set aside some creative time? I did because it is National Scrapbook Day (NSD)- the biggest holiday of the year you know!! Heehee!! But, seriously, I love this holiday. It is a day that I get to set aside time with my BFF scrappin buddy, Samantha. We spend our whole day creating, watching blogs and sites for challenges, eating and of course partaking in a fun adult beverage. It's just plain fun!

To get my creative juices flowing and yours too, here is a couple pages I made recently.

That's my darling dear Mackenzie on her birthday in February. LOVE her!! I used the Front Porch Blend add on kit from Studio Calico to make this page. I love the circle overlay and played off of the circles with my patterned paper choice and the embellishments I chose. I am looking desperately through the Silhouette store to find the shape of that overlay for my cameo. I need more!

Next little bit of inspiration: Carter's leg surgery.

I love that I was able to get the before and after pictures. Carter did not want me to take the before picture but I snuck and did anyway. Look at that crooked leg! I had to have a picture of it! Well, here comes the funny part... the doctor caught me taking a picture of his leg with the soft cast finally off while we were waiting for the hard cast to be put on. The doctor says, "Wait, you are doing it all wrong!" He takes my camera and gets on his knees and takes the lovely 'after' photo! I love it!! I would have done that too, but Carter was throwing a fit about the picture taking and so I was just trying to get one! Thank you Dr. Ballock for getting the picture that I wanted. And of course, Carter was happy to oblige the doctor!

I used paint with my stamps to create the background and layered some washi tape with it. I used the Popcorn add on kit for this page.

Okay, one more inspiration for NSD: My Little Monkeys.

This next page is from our trip to Kalahari over Spring Break. I love that I got a picture of all three kiddos together.... that's no easy task. I love this one, mainly because of the picture. 

I used lots of paper layering, paint and mists for this one. I also used the Daily Grind add on kit from Studio Calico. 

Now, I'm off to create some more on this wonderful holiday. Happy National Scrapbook Day and may you create many wonderful memories for your families.

College Visits

It's about time I update on some of the college visits Carter went on during the winter. Going in the winter gives you a real feel of what it is like during the school year. We made some summer visits with Alexa and Mackenzie and that tells you nothing about what it is like to hike across campus in the wind, sleet and snow. Well, Carter got a taste of the real deal.

Up first: O-H  I-O

That's right OSU! 

Of course, Ohio State holds a special place in my heart. I walked the halls of those buildings, slept in the dorms there, learned a lot about teaching and life and met the love of my life. So, it is a special place. But, this is Carter's decision, not mine, not Steve's. But, right now, it is his number 1 choice. Go Bucks!!

The block letters are Quickutz (now called Lifestyle Crafts) University font... perfect for high school and college pages. I used the papers and embellishments from the Front Row kit at Studio Calico.

We did tour the Mansfield campus for Ohio State also as this is a likely place he would be his freshman year. That is the one drawback for him in choosing Ohio State.

It's still Buckeye Country just on a much smaller scale!

Next, we toured Ohio University.

Carter called it "OLD."

"Civil War Era Old."

I thought it was pretty.

He also felt it was really just too far from home- yay- knock that off the list! Don't get me wrong I like OU and will be furthering my education there with an online program.... but it is too far away for my baby to go!

Next up, Kent State University:

He loved that it was Akron's rival- it's always good when there is some sibling rivalry right?

He thought it was a little smaller than he would like. 

He loved that the game Halo was created here!

It is something to consider.

So, the first 3 tours I put in my Project Life album.

I used the Block Party Project Life Kit from Studio Calico for that page.

And, last but not least, our tours brought us to The University of Toledo.

He LOVED that there was 2 Carter halls and a Carter bus stop.

Now there's a reason to pick a college!

Carter thinks that Toledo may be #2 on his list. We shall see how this all pans out in the near future as he starts his Senior year :(

And, once again, I added the tour to my Project Life album. This one uses the Popcorn add-on kit and the Front Row kit from Studio Calico.

A Little Stitch Fix Project

So, I've been looking at the little style cards that come with each of my Stitch Fixes and trying to think of a creative way to keep them. (If you are not sure what Stitch Fix is... you need to know, so check out my post here and here.) Anyway, the little style cards are so cute and helpful in teaching you how to pair your piece of clothing with other pieces and accessories. I love how they show you a way to wear something casually as well as dressed up for a special occasion and of course, what to put with it. 

(If you aren't sure what I am talking about, here's a picture of a style card from Stitch Fix.)

Isn't that just so cute! Now I know 2 ways to wear that dress. So, anyway, back to the project.

The nice thing about the style cards is that they come with the cutout at the top in a plastic sleeve. This way, they can all be kept together. I made a little flip book out of chipboard covered with patterned paper and then tied with a ribbon. This way, I can untie it and add new style cards as they come with my fixes. 

For the cover, after adhering the chevron patterned paper to chipboard, I cut the quote out of another patterned paper and adhered it. I added the sticker letters "Style" and the thumbs up transparency, star die cut, and sequin with a floss knot. I attached all of my style cards and tied it shut with ribbon. I called it done and am happy with it.

 I love how I can add more cards as they come by untying the ribbon. It is small enough to just keep in my makeup drawer and pull it out when choosing an outfit. And, it's a great way to keep those cards from getting unruly in my tight drawer space.

If you are interested in getting your own Stitch Fix, follow my referral link. (I am not affiliated with Stitch Fix, I just love getting my own Fixes.)

Stitch Fix Review

My Stitch Fix box arrived on Saturday and I'm finally taking the time to show you my goodies. First, those of you that are not familiar with Stitch Fix, it's like having your own personal stylist. I did a complete blog post about the ins and outs of Stitch Fix here. I am truly loving this service.

For $20 they pick clothes for you based on your style profile you fill out. That $20 goes towards your purchase and I have not had a problem using that $20. (Hint... be specific on your style profile. I even made a fashion Pinterest board that I referred the stylist to.)

If you want to try out Stitch Fix and use my referral link here, I get a credit for that. No pressure (and I do not work for Stitch Fix). I am just loving it and am happy to share a good thing!

So, here goes my Fix...

First item up, a 3/4 Sleeve Jersey Tunic Dress by 41Hawthorn. 

Can I say LOVE!!! This is totally ME!! I love me a dress and some leggings. So, this is a definite yes!!! And, I may have just worn it on a girls night out this week! The leggings were from my last fix and the shoes are from DSW. 

I love the style card that comes with the fix. It gives you great ideas on ways to wear your new piece along with accessories to pair with it. It's like a little bonus!

Next up a bracelet/bangle.

Okay, I will admit it, it took some help from Alexa for me to figure out how to get it on. I could not get the 'clasp' open on the underside.... well that's because it doesn't have a clasp. The center separated on the top and you put your wrist in... doink! It's cute! I do need some accessories! I'll think about keeping this one!

The jacket is by Mystree and this one is a little out of the Julie style. I normally don't layer... I like the look of layering, but I'm not very good at matching stuff up with layering... I'm layering challenged! It's a good thing the card is there if I keep this one. The jacket does have a hook to close it and it looks much better that way.

 Next, is a cowl neck shirt by 41Hawthorn. It is cute! I really like this brand... I got an item by them with my last fix and love it and I love dress by them above and this shirt is so soft, just like the other items.

Now, the best is saved for last (at least in my mind)!

A chevron blouse by Everly. I pinned several items on pinterest that were chevron print and Jacqi, the stylist, noticed and said she picked this based on my pinterest board. Yay Jacqi! It is so lovely!!!

So, what do you think? I can't wait for the next fix! I am going to be one hip lady... oh yeah, hip is out... I'm going to be one stylin' gal! If you want a fix too, check them out... Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix Guessing Game

I got my confirmation email that my 2nd Stitch Fix is on it's way to me! Yay!!! If this is the first time hearing about Stitch Fix, you can visit an earlier post I have about all the details. I love this concept of having a personal stylist and shipped to my doorstep. Anyway, back to this post. I got so excited about the shipping email, that I went to their website to check the blog. But, I was still logged in from last time and it has my receipt ready for my checkout. So, there it is... the items coming in my box are listed. There are no pictures of course, but I know that my box contains a tunic dress, a bangle, a sleeveless jersey top, a color block sweater and v-neck zigzag blouse.

I was a little sad when I saw this... not because of the items in the box, but because I saw it prior to my box arriving. It's like snooping before Christmas... that can spoil the surprise. So, to turn this around, I decided to see if I can take a guess at what my items look like. We'll see if I'm right!

FIRST ITEM UP IS A LYRA 3/4 SLEEVE JERSEY TUNIC DRESS. Could it be this?

Second item... DELLORA V-NECK ZIG-ZAG BLOUSE... I would love this for sure!! We'll see if I'm right!

THIRD ITEM....OUTLINE HINGED BANGLE... This one is a tough one, could it be this? So many choices. So pretty

Fourth item up...ISADORA COWL SLEEVELESS JERSEY TOP... this one is cute!

And the final guess...ROCIO COLORBLOCK COTTON KNIT SWEATER... What about this one?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

I am in no way an advertisement for Stitch Fix, but I do love getting my styling package in the mail. If you want to sign up for a Stitch Fix, go here! If you do sign up under my link, I do get a credit for that to use on my next styling :)

I do have to say that I learned not to look at my account until after the package arrives at the house. I like the element of surprise.

Is It Spring?

Finally, a day to open the windows again and 'air out the house' as my mom always said! It was such a beautiful Sunday with a touch of Spring in the air!

And a perfect day to do clean out the salt ridden car!!

It was a perfect Sunday!!

April Fools

I just had to have a little fun today with the April Fools Day jokes. Nothing too big, but playing a little trick on the kids is a tad bit fun. 

First Victim: Carter

I used my cell phone and called our home phone and answered it. I then called up to Carter to let him know the phone was for him. He comes running like anytime the phone is for him. He asks me "Who is it?" I tell him, "It's Arby's!" He immediately gets excited because he is thinking they must not need him at work! He answers the phone "Hello.... Hello..." At this point I contemplate... should I tell him to call them back, that they must have hung up... or end the joke there with "April Fools!" I go for the latter... I don't want to push the joke to far and have WW3 on my hands..

Second Victim: Mackenzie

I use my cell phone again and call her. I say, "Hey sweetie! Are you home?" She says, "Yes." I say, "Well, I've been knocking and you aren't answering the door. Do you want to let me in?' She says, "OH, You're here!! Yay!!" She hangs up and goes to the door.. I presume. I call her back immediately. She says, "Where are you?" I say, "April Fools!" She says, "You are a horrible person! I thought I was getting a good surprise!" Awe, sorry honey... I promise I will surprise you for real someday soon!!

Watch out Alexa.... you could be the third victim!!!