Friday, February 18, 2011

Add-on week @sketchsupport!

This week is add-on week over at sketchsupport and this is my take on it.
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Stamps: Close To My Heart, Stampin Up, and unknown; Rub-ons: Close To my Heart, Basic Grey, and Stampin Up!; Watercolor crayons: Stampin Up!; Ink: StazOn; Paint: Making Memories; Other: Stampin Up! die, Glimmer Mist, 

For the February add-on sketch, I decided to build my whole page around it. It started out as a frame for my picture and grew from there!

I started by first taking my 5" x 7" picture and some water and rubbed/sanded away part of the photograph to leave a distressed white space around Mason. This is a great way to use photos that have something distracting in them that may otherwise cause you to not use them or even toss them! 
 

I then stamped a sentiment and stamped off the edge of the picture to add a few vines creeping onto the blank area. 
I didn't stick the photo down until the layout was almost completely finished, I just tacked it down in the general area so I would know where to place the words as I went. I also stamped the vine and butterflies up the edge of the page to create a border. Next, I stamped phrases in random areas and built on that with rub-on words and more stamps. 
I made sure to use StazOn ink so that none of it would bleed or run on the next step.

I punched holes for his name, a few flowers and a heart so that I could stitch them after the background was finished.

Because everything was done in the same colors I knew I wanted to do a "whitewash" effect over the word background to add a little more color. I mixed some paint to match his eyes and then watered it down and then brushed it across the layout. I had to let this dry overnight.

Next I used watercolors and traced the vines with green and blended it with my fingers. 

After this was done I stitched all the previously punched areas in purple for another pop of color. Then, I began cutting out around the vines up the outer edge. I tore all the edges of the paper and then added it to another purple background and tore those edges as well. 
 I did this one more time with a black cardstock that I also spritzed with silver Glimmer Mist to add a light sparkle. Finally I placed all the previous layers together on the original colored cardstock and painted the edges with purple paint.

Last but not least, I used a die to punch out lots of little butterflies and added them throughout the page on top of many of the stamped butterflies along with rhinestones in the center of each stitched flower. I also added one larger mesh butterfly just under the picture.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I hardly ever do 1 page layout unless I have a challenge or sketch deadline but this one I did for me and I really like how it turned out..I love layers lately!






This one is Cadens' first snow..he didn't care for it much!  Love those faces.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

We're home and well

The surgery went well and they took tonsils and adenoids after they saw how big they were.  It didn't take long.  He was rather upset after waking..blaming us and saying that "you told me it wouldn't hurt!"  Which we never said..he was warned numerous times it would be sore and uncomfortable :-)  But he went in brave like a champ!  Didn't cry or get worried before and now that we're home, I think it's going to be hard to enforce the no playing or rough housing for 2 weeks...all in all things have been fairly easy so far, 2 weeks to go : )

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tomorrow is the big day...

Well we are scheduled to have Caden's tonsils removed at 8:00am tomorrow. I don't know which one of us is more nervous! I ask for prayers that it all goes well..I will update sometime afterward to let you know how it all went.

Friday, February 11, 2011

2 page sketch

This week on sketchsupport we have a 2 page sketch that I did these layouts with.  The second one is a special challenge layout using only Jillibean Soup products.  You can see them all by going here!


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Scrap-a-palooza pages

These are the pages I made at scrapapalooza..using sketches of course!

The first one is of me getting my 1st professional pictures taken.



The next one is of me, my Mom, and friend Chris.



Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Goodbye tonsils...hello ice cream!

Well we managed to clear out enough snow to get Caden to the Dr. Monday and we are now scheduled to do surgery to remove his tonsils next Wed!  He is nervous but can't stop talking about ice cream.  LOL  I think it will be good, but I'm a little nervous myself.  He's such a talker..it will kill him to have to be quiet for that long! 

I can't believe it used to just be the two of us all day..he's gotten so big on me! This was 5 years ago.  But he still has that same attitude..he hasn't outgrown that yet!

We are getting ready for another round of snow coming our way.  I don't think it'll be bad but I am sick of the cold- little or not...so here's a summer layout in winter!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Jillibean Soup Challenge

This month over at Sketchsupport we were challenged to use only the Jillibean Soup supplies we were given and create a project from a sketch.  This week was the card sketch and here's my card. If you want to check out the sketch used and see everyone else's awesome examples..head on over to sketchsupport !

Kitty Tattoos anyone?



This is what the boys call a Kitty Tatoo...I couldn't help but giggle a little before getting on to them for putting stickers on the furry kitty cat!  I don't think she was to impressed with their handy work.  I knew it would take off a lot of hair so I just left it hoping the sticky would wear off soon...I have been finding little clumps of hair and sticker wads everywhere as she bites bits and pieces off!   They are little boys through and through!


This is a layout about the first time I got to hold and feed Mason..something I have never taken for granted again!  Hold them while you can...they grow up so fast.


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Winter anyone??

Well it is kind of nice being snowed in right now..getting lots of things done.  Most of what I'm working on now I can't show anyone till it's up on the site first. so...here's a layout I did from one of Debbie's sketches.  I changed it up a little.  We had blast that day...bumper boats, go karts, sky coaster, and much more!  I miss that warm weather right now.  We are buried under LOTs of ice and snow in what is being called the BLIZZARD of 2011 in our part of the world. 

Sunday, January 30, 2011

They finally got me...

Well I have managed to avoid all the sickness everyone else has had all winter but can say that no longer!  I haven't felt very good all week and haven't posted much, so bear with me. : )  We did finally get a ENT Dr. set up for Caden so maybe they will take out his tonsils and we won't be sick every week.  Wish us luck...

Aside from that, here's a new layout for you!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Card & Add-on Sketch

This is my card I made using Allison's card and add-on sketches from Sketchsupport.  To see the actual sketches and other projects using them, go to sketchsupport and use the quick guide on the right or any of the categories listed at the top of each page.
This is the actual add-on embellishment I made.  It Spins!!

The Best Christmas Gift...


Mason finally got to come home on Christmas day after 8 days in the NICU.  It was the best Christmas present that year!

This tree took FOREVER to punch all those leaves!  But I think it was worth it. :- )

This is a page I made from one of Allison's sketches.

Sunday, January 16, 2011


I Love how you make me smile...I never know what I'm going to find with these two.  Weather it's shoes, hats, glasses or whatever else you fashion into your wardrobe, you always seem to get a smile or giggle out of me.  Even when your suppose to be in trouble. ;- )



Thursday, January 13, 2011

Useless Info..

Just in case anyone is wondering...I LOVE music.  I added a playlist to this page just because I like to listen while I browse..If that's not the case for you, feel free to turn it off/down or click a different song. : )  (it's toward the bottom right)  I listen to anything and everything as you will see by the songs.  Here's a little useless info about my choices:

The Call..Regina Spector
This one is from the Narnia movies, which I Love too!  I just love the message and emotion behind it.

If I Die Young..by The Band Perry
This one is just catchy and reminds me to live for today, I have several friends that have died to young.

I Had The Time Of My Life..Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing, need I say more??  it's so corny but I still enjoy this movie. Nobody puts Baby in a corner! Soo wish I could dance...


New Again..Brad Paisley and Sara Evans
If you've listened to this, enough said.  The video on you tube makes me sob every time. Jesus gave so much for us and we should never lose sight of that so here's a great reminder every day.

Love Like Woe..Ready Set
This song just makes me smile..it has a great tune and I have to turn it up and sing along.

Right Here Waiting..Richard Marx
An oldie but a goodie...we used to sing this when I was younger and is one of the best love songs ever!! I and a lot of others know it by heart.
I hope to add more soon, but that's it for now...and a bonus layout to view!

They are my reason for smiling....

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

2 page Sketch

This is my take on a sketch by Allison Davis from Sketchsupport.  Be sure to go on over to see the sketch used and check out all the other interpretations of it.  There are some great posts there! 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

New layout pics and a winner

First off today I am going to share a few of my pages and then I will announce the giveaway winner at the end.  These are a few of my layouts I wanted to share and as you can see, I don't scrap in order anymore.  I used to but find I enjoy it much more to go with what I feel at that time..and work with pics/papers that I have at that time that work good together.  The first one is of my oldest son...I know, I know, it's pink and girly but when you have all boys, you get creative on ways to use pink,flowers,bling etc! Thankfully my hospital gown was pink and he just had that fresh newborn pink glow...oh how time flies.

Some of these pages look crooked, but trust me..if you know me you know they aren't.  It just the way I had to take some of the pics!  I am known for needing things "straight with the world" as my father says.  : )





I absolutely LOVE these little hat brads..I added them to the squirrel and title block


Last but not least, here's the giveaway winner....Christine Rantz
(Winner randomly picked by outside source)

Contact me by email..kroller@centurytel.net to set up prize info!
Be sure to check back in for more inspiration and giveaways...there may be a blog hop in the distant future and I am already putting together my next giveaway box!!( Yes, I did say box!)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

How about a Good Morning Giveaway??

Good Morning all!  I myself, not being a "morning person" often needs that little extra something to get me ready for the day.  So...I think I will do a giveaway!  Starting today through this Saturday, anyone who comments here will have a chance to win Scrapbook Generations Sketches For Scrapbooking Vol 7!!!  It was just released yesterday and I think your gonna love it.  If you aren't familiar with Sketch books, go over to Sketchsupport and have a look at them there or at scrapbookgeneration.com.  There is also a sketch book for cards available as well, which is fitting since this weeks sketches are all about cards!  So Good morning and good luck to you!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Adventures

I had the chance to go check out Scrapbook Generations new store today and it is awesome!  I think we were there for hours, checking it all out, shopping and visiting.  They had a bunch of new things and I can't wait to see the finished project.  I also received my challenge kit today for next month and I'm nervous and excited about it.  We will just have to wait and see..  I have so many layouts to post pics of but just have to find time to take all the pics  = )  Maybe tomorrow (wink wink...there may also be a giveaway this week to so watch for that!)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT New Year and what a better way than to kick it off than to go check out Sketchsupport!

Aside from several new opportunities ahead of me, I am excited to start a new year because I have been blessed with a great, supportive family and two beautiful children that keep me grounded.  I pray we can all make ourselves healthier and really enjoy this year together!  Have a good one!