creating is good!

So I had in mind to be outside more this weekend, but yesterday's pouring rain allowed me time to do some creating and today has been kind of touch and go - sun then clouds, mixed in with a few sprinkles, but a nice breezy day. I have been sitting out off and on today reading The Shack. Been wanting to read it, but not a big reader. I've been sucked in though and look forward to reading more.

I did more layouts with my May Crazy Daisy Kit Co. goodies and believe it or not, I still have tons more to work with! I'm amazed at how far these kits have gone! I even utilized some of my March kit into some of these LO's. Check out the Crazy Daisy blog for some great inspiration from the new design team members. Trace is being highlighted so go check her out and leave her some love on her blog.

I am so loving all the bright colors in the May kit. I think I pretty much used them all on this layout with pictures from Alex's birthday/New Year's Eve. =)
(that awesome blue Swiss dot gathered ribbon is from the March kit! I love that stuff!)
The next two layouts utilize one piece of scalloped cardstock. I took my metal ruler and ripped the scallops off leaving a center square of just less than 8 inches. I like the nice smooth torn edges it left. I mounted the square onto a piece of black cardstock to use for a layout in my 8x8 album. I love finding ways to stretch my papers out to more than one layout!

this is another one for Molly's album, someday I'll give them up Brandi! ;)I took a piece of shaped chipboard from my March Crazy Daisy kit and spraypainted with red to give me a background for this little layout that also utilizes some little scraps from the other papers in my May kit. Just cut out some little thumbnails of summery images added some of the letter stickers (with the bottoms cut off) and voila!
I may have to do one of these for each season.Love the Creative Type challenges and decided to give this one a go!
The numbers game.
I have been such a Hambly hoarder, I just thought it was too pretty to be hiding in my paper stash any longer!
Decided to pick some random numbers from my life right now and put this together.
Yes, that is 1485 Twitter updates....I am addicted!
Follow me if ya wanna.

So, I have to return to work tomorrow. UGH!
But it's okay, I am feeling good about some projects that I am finally getting done. YAY!
We have a cookout over at Cody & Amy's this evening.
It's been a good long weekend - doing a variety of things I love. Could have used a little more sun on my transparent legs though! (remember my to-do list?)

Happy Memorial Day and be sure to remember those who have given their lives so that we can live, speak and worship freely.

Gotta update and get back on track

I know there have been friends and family and friends and family of friends and family checking out the storm pictures, so I have not been posting new art stuff on here for the past week and a half.

I think it's time to update now.

Neighbors, friends and others in my community are cleaning, piling, and rebuilding. Spirits are good and this whole tragedy has once again validated to me why I do love living where I live. People are just willing to lend a hand, pitch in, give money and time to help their community. It is so awesome and makes me so proud and feel so fortunate and blessed to live in the rural South.

A couple of positive updates on the storm...Highland's KFC/Taco Bell has windows! Wooo-hooo. The Highland Hills Baptist Chuch (the one that lost the steeple and still had the crystal chandelier hanging) already has a new front. I suppose their church members are working like mad to rebuild. Thumbs up and kudos for that! One family I know already has started to rebuild. Seriously, it is amazing how quickly most people are getting back to rebuilding their lives. Keep praying people!

I'll be putting my daily blessing up this weekend, but for now, I wanted to post a layout i did last weekend from a SIStv challenge to use this Target ad for inspo. I actually like the way it turned out! Note the sweet Hambly overlay...I seriously love this stuff and hope to get my hands on some of the new stuff just released. If anyone has a Hambly connection...hook a sister up, would ya!?

To all of those who have checked out my blog for storm pics, I say thanks and feel free to keep checking out my other stuff from time-to-time.

5/52 Elsie's 52 week challenge

The challenge this week: bet you can find a place for a flower accent in your design. But take it up a notch. Embellish the center of your flower with a mini clock, a tiny thread tied button or patterned paper. And don't be afraid to turn a large flower shape into a photo frame.

I had to use this pic of Alex at some point. This is like her favorite picture ever! I took it while we were taking our family Christmas pictures back, end of of Nov - first of Dec. Anyway, I think it is a very good one too. I used some vintage gold notary seals and these great little owls that keep showing up on some of my favorite lo's! I also finally cut into another piece of my treasured Hambly. It always hurts to make that first cut. I don't know why! Maybe cause I'm a fREAK! Anyway the stems are pieces of a book page. This is not at all what I had pictured in my mind to do at first, but I really like the way it turned out. These challenges have been great for the creative.mojo.juices.

Speaking of Hambly...They have put up a sneak peek of their new brocade line on their blog. It is completely awesome looking and I cannot wait to see what else they do. I love working with their papers/overlays and need to try the rub-ons.