:: hulk mad ::

I've recently started receiving "Swag Bags" from Paper Issues.  I love them.  They have all kinds of fun little goodies in them each month.  Sometimes I use them in my Project Life Book, and sometimes I use them on layouts.  Today I have a traditional LO to share.

Those are the perfect alphas!  I love them -- Simple Stories DIY and Typeset alphas (also available at Paper Issues).  

And wow!  I knocked this layout out in about 30 minutes.  When I saw this awesome "orange is the new black" layout over at Paper Issues, I knew I had to scrap lift it! Thanks Cassie Box for the inspiration! I used the May Swag Bag from Paper Issues for all of the little bits of paper and most of the embellishments.  I added flair from Amy Tangerine's Plus One collection, the paint splatters and the background patterned paper -- but most everything else is from that Swag Bag.  Awesome!

I'm linking this one up over at Paper Issues.  The Current Issue is "It's Raining Cats and Dogs".  I'm linking up because I used Simple Stories products, and this was taken during one of our first nice days this spring!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: layout a day ::

In this post I mentioned that I was going to attempt LOAD513 (layout a day May 2013). Well, I'm two thirds of the way in, and I've only missed one layout. Sunday we had a bad storm, lost power, and even some siding off our house! I did not complete a layout that day. I started one, but didn't finish. However, in twenty one days, I have completed and uploaded at least 20 layouts (I think there was a day or two that I actually completed two)!

What I have learned so far:

I can stay awake.
My scraps are my friend.
Read the prompt before bed, think about it all day.
Follow the prompt, stretch the prompt, don't follow the prompt, just do it.
Making that list of stuff that I want to scrap before LOAD began has been helpful.

But the most important thing I've learned is that I can scrap a page in a day or less! Prior to LOAD, it was a challenge for me to create a page a week. With a full time job and a family that I love, it seemed nearly impossible especially at my slow pace. I shared on my blog over and over that I was pretty sure I would "fail" LOAD, especially in May! Mostly, or at least in part due to my inability to scrap quickly enough to actually do a layout a day. But guess what?? I have TOTALLY gotten faster at documenting our lives. Even if I quit LOAD tomorrow (not planning on it), it was totally worth it for just that one thing. Besides which, I have 20 LOs, and only one of them is...something that I'll probably redo. :-) To be clear, I haven't found a way to do this without feeling like I am neglecting my family...so I'm not sure I will do it again...but it's rather addictive, so we'll see. ;-)

Here are a few of my favorites that I haven't shared on the blog until now:

All of my LOAD513 layouts (some with closeups or other details) can be found here.

:: strawberries ::

I'm having a great time participating in LOAD 513. I really don't plan on posting each layout that I do -- I just don't have that kind of time -- but I'm awake, so I might as well.  :-)

I took this photo -- and then I stamped the date on!  You can see that below

If you recall, our theme for the month is "Get a Clue" (from the Clue game). So each day our prompt has something to do with the game. Day two's prompt was "the knife".  So we were to "take a stab at" something, and/or interpret as we wish.  :-)  I used machine stitching, some distressing, and then in the close-ups you will see that I pierced the paper in three locations, 2 brads, and then a stick pin.  I thought the stick pin met the prompt!

These photos were from nearly two years ago -- she was so little!  Her hair was so much shorter!  Wow!

No time for listing supplies this time! Please just ask in the comments if you want to know where something came from! Thanks!

:: our pink princess ::

I am participating in LOAD513. What is that you ask??  LOAD = LayOut A Day, more info here.   What am I thinking??  I'm thinking that it will be fun. I'm thinking that I will probably NOT actually do a layout a day -- but I will likely get more layouts done this month than I ever would without it. Also, a friend of mine is doing it too, which makes it more awesome!

Each day in the month of May participants get a prompt to use or not use. I love that flexibility! I've made a list of stories that I would like to document -- some old, some new. Although I doubt I will post each and every layout, I will update you with progress throughout the month.

Here is my layout for day one! All of our prompts have something to do with the game of Clue, and this first one was all about Miss White. I chose a white background as my starter from the prompt, and then I decided to just add one color (pink).  FUN!  I may end up changing the title (I wasn't feeling very inspired), and I will definitely add some stitching -- the needle on my sewing machine broke mid-layout and I don't seem to have a spare!

Hidden journaling reads :: Sunday, April 28, 9:38AM. B. has to go out on the deck in her PJ's.  It's been such a cool spring, and the last few days have been warmer.  She needs to be outside. She was only out there a few minutes and then she was back inside. But only to get her tutu and crown. You see, when things are extra good and exciting -- a princess needs her tutu and tiara -- even if it's just over the top of her PJ's. 

Here are a couple of close ups:

pink + white

embossed wood veneers, tulle, and {a flair for buttons} flair

hidden journaling

And tomorrow is Friday! So here is your sneaky sneak sneak for the new challenge at Scrap Your Story!

I'm looking forward to Friday and Saturday. I will be celebrating National (International) Scrapbooking Day with a friend tomorrow (I took a personal day off from work) and with my daughter on Saturday! Fun times!