Today...

I have two layouts to share with you.  Kraft It Up's challenge this month is to use no patterned paper on your page.  I like these challenges because they really make me think outside of my patterned paper box.  :)  For this page I misted the background with my favorite chicken wire wooden screen and then used a bunch of tags from the Making Memories Just chillin' line.  Even the orange strip with white stars on the left side was a ( ) tag.

The boy's favorite part of getting their hair cut is the color spray the hairdresser puts in when she is done.  Aden looked so awesome with his orange and white and mowhawk.  Sweet as....

This next layout I made for a color challenge over at Design Dollies but didn't get it finished in time.  I was pretty happy with the way it turned out though.

Aden just cracks me up.  He is "mr. Personality".  I hope he keeps this humor for the rest of his life.

And just like that 3 weeks is gone.  My paretns are on a plane starting their journey back home.  I miss them so much already.  Love you so much!  So thankful we have the memories we've made.  I'll be scrapping them soon.

Scrapbook night and Pencil Lines...

Last night was girl's scrapbook night here at my house.  I was so happy when 6 of my friends turned up, so 8 all together counting my mom and myself.  We had such a fun time.  I was glad for the time to get a couple layouts finished up.

This one is for Pencil Lines weekly sketch challenge.  I had been hanging onto these pictures of Aden and Aron for just the right layout.  I love the way it turned out.

Aron and Aden have this bond that is so precious.  I know I've scrapbooked about it before but it just amazes me to see it over and over again in my pictures.  Simple and sweet.  That's my boys.

I can't believe its almost been 3 weeks since my parents arrived.  Tomorrow is our last day with them.  :( We have seen some amazing things and shared many memories.  Memories which I will be scrapping, when my emotions allow.

Back with a couple more layouts soon!

Frosted Designs...

Happy Friday Everyone!  Frosted Designs has a new challenge up for you today.  This time around its ribbons and twine.  I have a simple and easy to make card for you.  I have never claimed to be a card maker so believe me when I say this was easy.  It took me about 15 minutes to put it together too.  That is after I found my ribbon!  :)

White cardstock, ribbon, glue dots, butterflies, and a stamped sentiment.  See?  I told you it was simple and easy!  I hope you'll join us at Frosted Designs for this challege.  I'll be watching to see what you come up with!  :)  Have a great weekend!

Sketchy Thursdays...

This morning my mom and I have spent time in my scrapbook room.  Its been nice to have her here with me.  I've been able to finish up a couple layouts including this one for Sketchy Thursdays.  Just getting it submitted in time!  :)

I love these pictures of Aron at the skate park.  It occured to me when it was all done that he was on his scooter and not skatboard!  Well, I like skater boy better than scooter boy anyway.  :)

Another week gone by...shown in pictures...

Wow......I can hardly believe that another week has gone by.  Anybody else feel like time has sped up???  In just 4 short days my parents will be heading back to the States.  Well, let's not think about that right now....Instead I'll show you some of what we've been up to.

Seeing sea lions on the beach.  I did not dare to get quite so close.  My Dad thought it was a great birthday present.

One of our stops at Nugget point in the Catlins....NZ's Southern Scenic Route.

A true New Zealand road block.  Loved seeing this and capturing it!

 Yellow eyed penguins....the world's rarest.  We saw four on this beach.  Soooo cool!!!

Playing around with our self timer at this beautiful waterfall.

We stayed in this house after a long day of seeing wildlife, scenery, and driving.  It was nice to celebrate my Dad's birthday with him here.

Bluff, NZ....end of the road.  Literally!  

Player of the day and a super muddy field!!  Aron was quite proud of this dirty uniform.  And I was quite proud that my bleach job made his shorts white again.  Seriously....who chooses white for boy's soccer????  (it may seem random to have soccer pictures in the middle of trip pictures but we were gone for a few days and then back home for a day of school, Weight Watchers for me, and soccer/rugby for the boys.  Then back on the road!)

Moeraki Boulders....so cool.  Just looks like big marbles on the beach.

Earthquake damage in Christchurch...our first NZ home.

But it was a beautiful, warm day there.  This is the pier and kites on the beach.

 Brown fur seals in Kaikoura.....2 hours north of where we lived in Christchurch.  6 hours north of Dunedin.  There is a waterfall 20 mins north of Kaikoura where seal pups play while their mothers hunt at sea.  We saw well over 100 there!  It was SO cool!!

The batch....holiday home....we stayed in.  Cozy and close to the beach!  We saw some really cool starfish in the tide pools.  Which the people that we borrowed the batch from said they've never seen before.  We felt quite lucky to see them.

Well, this has been our week in pictures.  We have a few things left on our list of "want to do's".  Including some scrapbooking with my mom.  :)  Its been so good to have them here!  Back soon with some layouts!

Sketchy Thursdays...

I can't believe its been almost a week since my parents arrived.  We've kept busy with some sight seeing around town and a some of our normal daily/weekly routines like grocery shopping and school for the boys.  We are leaving tomorrow for a 2 day trip on the Southern Scenic Route.  It should be a great trip.  We are just hoping it doesn't rain too much since it seems to have settled back in.

I had a chance to finish up this layout the other day while my mom was scrapbooking with me.  Its nice to have her sitting across from me.  Sketchy Thursdays had a great sketch this week and I was excited to get this layout together.  I took these photos a few months ago on our picnic tea at Tunnel Beach.  As I was watching the sun set and my boys enjoying it and it struck me I live here.  New Zealand is so beautiful and we are so blessed to be able to live here and enjoy it as we work.  I hope I never get used to living here.  

I'll be back soon with more pages and of some of our trip.  Happy Today!  :)

Scrapbookers Anonymous...

Hi Everyone!  This is my first post for Scrapbookers Anonymous!  This month's challenge is to dig out your stamps and use them to make at least one patterned paper and 3 embellishments.  Well, I've never claimed to be a stamper so this one was a good one for me!

You've seen this layout before as my submission for the design team call.  With my parents visiting, I was thankful that they allowed us to use our submissions as this month's challenge project.  I am planning on challenging myself to make another layout with my stamps this month as well.

Not only are they challenging you to pull out your stamps, the girls at Scrapbookers Anonymous have a new challenge to add each month.  Make a card with your leftovers!  Boy, do they know how to challege me.  First stamps and now cards!  I'm even less of a card maker but I'm going to give it my best shot each month.  Before too long, I should have a pile of cards and maybe improve my card making skills.  :)  So here is my stamping card for this challenge.  Just a real simple one but one that could be used for a birthday, anniversary, or just an encouragement.

I'm super excited to be designing for Scrapbookers Anonymous!  Head on over to their site, pull out your stamps, and link up your creation.  I can't wait to see it!  Oh, and did I mention they are going to start picking 3 favorites each month to get a special recognition???  What are you waiting for??  Get stamping!  :)
 Happy May Everyone!