A crop-a-rrific Weekend

is that a word? Probably not but us scrappers like to make up our own words so I think that will work. Serendipity Scrapbooks had it's crop this weekend and a few of us got together and scrapped. It was fun! We all had our laptops out at our desks and were working away, checking challenges, chatting, eating, drinking wine coolers :) Yeah, baby....that's the way I like to work, LOL!

Here is a layout I did for Susan's Chicken challenge. She gave us a template to print and use on a layout. How cuuuute is this little guy?

So City Chicken? what is it? Well, it's not chicken, lmbo! It's a mixture of pork and veal, cubed, on a stick and then breaded and baked. It is quite good, actually. I like mine with hot sauce b/c I am saucey like that. So for this layout, Uncle Dave {who lives in Arkansas} came home for Easter and requested this family favorite so that is what we had last year for Easter dinner. I had to grab photos of it since people don't believe me when I tell them about it! I never had it until we moved here and was just as shocked as you might be right now. BUT if you are adventurous and like meat, this is right up your alley.

How cute is that little chicken on there?

Hope everyone has a great week this week!

Ribbon Wave and Serendipity Crop

Ribbon Rave Week # 2! Check it out here.

This is my layout for this week's challenge based on this sketch. Our challenge was to use the sketch as inspiration and make ribbon flowers....here is my take:

Papers are Websters's Pages Lullaby lane. I gathered my lace and trim with a string and then adhered them in the Tattered Angels Chipboard frames...then I finished each one off with a button.

Next Up is my layout for my Challenge over at Serendipity Scrapbooks!!! The crop is the Sweet Taste of Serendipity {YUM!} so my challenge is based on Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade show. I call it Ellen Marie's Semi-Homemade Layout challenge. {that is my middle name and it just happens to rhyme!} For this challenge., you need to have have 85% of your layout homemade which means homemade embellishments {the paper flowers, leaves, scraps at the top of the page, I cut out a journal spot, lots of hand cutting and I sanded my Core'dinations embossed cardstock...OH and the little die-cut shapes behind the photos are hand cut, too } So basically....just take what you have, make it your own and incorporate it into a layout.

Papers are Webster's Pages Seaside Retreat and Core'dinations Cosmo Cricket Core Impressions.

Be Inspired #77

Today is Be Inspired Wednesday @ the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog and this week we focused on

Easter! It is so crazy to think that Easter is right around the corner. I did spy some daffodils popping up in the front yard so that makes me happy! And I got to run outside again yesterday, too. This week is 4 miles, then 3 miles, than 5 on Saturday. ACK!

On a Quick note...make sure you check out the give-a-way here at myStampBOX!

So here is my card for the Cuttlebug Challenge. I cut out an Easter Egg shape from cardstock and then punched circles with my CM circle punch (that thing is the first scrappy thing i bought so I get sentimental when I use it) using Webster's Pages NEW Lullaby Lane papers. Once I punched the circles, I embossed them using different folders with my Cuttlebug. Next, I made a tag, stamped the sentiment with a myStampBOX stamp, added lace and a pin. Oh and I can't forget some SavvyNSassy lace on here, too!

Hope to see you over at the Cuttlebug Challenge blog this week! GREAT prizes to give away this week!

Great Ribbon Rave

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We had our St Patty's day parade and it was GORGEOUS! I am glad I put sunscreen on the boys b/c owen missed a spot on his arm and it was bright red...and so was my nose, LOL

but it was really worth it...good friends...good food and bagpipes!!!

Check out this guy....LOVE it!



And these guys were cute with their Shamrocks. We don't live far from where they brew Yuengling:

Next up is the Great Ribbon Rave over at SavvyNSassy. This was the first place I ever joined when I found scrapping on the internet AND it was my first Guest Spot, too! They have awesome ribbon, I know you have heard me talk about it before...

So I joined the contest this time. It is different not judging and being on the other end for sure!

I used some of the new Cosmo Cricket papers and Core'dinations Core Impressions. We got these Cosmo goodies in a product trade with Core, love how generous they are!

We had to use Four Ribbons on our layout and here is my interpretation...


And here are some layered chipboard flowers. I love how sticky these cb pieces are! I know, it's the little things, LOL! And don't forget the SRM stickers!!! I am LOVING these.

Happy Friday

Hope everyone has had a great week and even better weekend! Our St Patty's Day parade is this weekend and we cannot wait! We always have a great time and the kids just love it. Owen made TWO leprechaun traps this week to try and catch himself a leprechaun. It is so funny, I just have to hold back the laughs b/c he is so darn intense! I am surprised he didn't wake us up at 3 am to go have a look. The one good think about catchin' leprechauns is that I get to eat the candy and leave the wrappers in the trap. You should see his face! His eyes get all bright and then he gets excited that he was there...last year Brian wrote him a note, LOL! I can't wait to tell him these stories when he gets older...priceless.

Serendipity Scrapbooks is having a crop next weekend {March 26-28} so that means.... PRE-CROP challenges today! the theme of the crop is The Sweet Taste of Serendipity and it is centered around the Food Network...we have some DELICIOUS challenges lined up for you ;)

I did a pre-crop challenge and made a food journal. I made this for a friend so that means I get to use PINK! wooooooooot! I used my NEW Cosmo Cricket goodies and the Core'dinations cardstock that goes with it...this stuff is AWESOME! Oh and don't forget to check out the back...I put a SRM sticker on there that we got with our Core'dinations product trade. These are so FUN! Easy and cute, I think....

I just love how Core can stand on it's own!

Happy St Patty's Day!

Wahoo! AND it is GORGEOUS here this week. So exciting to see some tulips and daffodils popping up! Owen and I were checking them out while waiting for the bus...can you believe he finally doesn't need gloves to be out there? Geesh....

WELL, Wednesdays mean Be Inspired over at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog! We are up to no. 75 and we did spring projects this week so I made a shadow box with some new Jillbean Soup papers and Core'dinations and, of course, my Cuttlebug.

That cute little cloud is a myStampBOX stamp...I just stamped on the back of the pp and cut it out.

The Cuttlebug gives altered projects that perfect added touch of texture...And don't be afraid to put your patterned paper through there, too!

And can you see the sparklies? I used some PK Glitz Glitter on the letters and Glimmer Mist on the flowers.

WOOOT! it's friday

I have some AWESOME news to share!!! Terri and Brandin from Webster's Pages asked me to stay on for the rest of the year! I am soooo excited. What a great way to start of my weekend.

It is going to get even better when we head to Atlantic City. WOOT! Can't wait to finish up work this weekend and head out there. We love to gamble {sigh}. I know some people frown on it but it's not like we re-mortgage the house for it. I mean, hello!? I do it so I can buy more scrappy stuff. No, seriously. We have fun, don't go crazy and I think we are getting reservations at Bobby Flay's restaurant.

So I have a layout to share featuring some NEW Webster's Pages and a favorite stamp of mine from myStampBOX (colorful companions set). I embossed it with some PK Glitz glitter {two thumbs up on that glitter). I also used Helmar Adhesives on this layout, too. Loving their products and we got some in a product trade with Core'dinations and myStampBOX...thank you!

Some Glimmer Mist on here too....

Be Inspired #74

Wahoo! Today is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog Be Inspired Challenge. We are up to number 74! and our challenge this week was to alter/embellish envelopes. I ran my Maya Road envelopes right through my cuttlebug! So, easy. Then I embellished them with some Jillibean Soup products following a Mother's Day theme. I thought these would work great as seed packets.


Here is a close up of the Card. I embossed the flowers and use myStampBOX sentiment stamp and some Glossy Accents to enhance those fun polkas on the flower.


Some Glimmer Mist {Wheatfields--love this color!}

I used some glossy accents to highlight May 9th, Mother's day...

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Good Afternoon!

Now I know why I schedule my posts b/c I am always running late ;) I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend....we did. The sun was out! YEAH! And it is gorgeous again today. It was great taking one of the kids I work with to the park, he just ran and ran and was so happy to be outside.

Here are a few more goodies from the Serendipity Scrapbooks March kit. The main kit is sold out but there are some mini kits available! AND the exclusive Rooftop Garden collection is still available, too {not to many though}

Have you ever heard of the story of the turtle and hippo that became best friends? owen and mzee? it is such a cute story and my good friend got us this book when owen was little and he loooved it. Well, i spelled mazee's name wrong in the layout, LOL! it is supposed to be mzee but that is okay...we pronounce it "may-zee" here b/c that was easy for owen to say....anyway...henry got this cute little wooden hippo for his birthday this year and we named it mazee and this is the layout of him and my mom walking him around and around and around and around the house! do you see Grover getting a ride on there? ;)

the background paper is from the Rooftop Garden collection {gorgeous!}

some Shimmerz [comes in kit] on the letters...

and these FUN mosaic tiles came in the kit, too! And some Core'dinations ;)

And here is a layout of brain! isn't he cute? he is soooo skinny! 40 lbs and he looks smokin' ;) I used Core'dinations chocolate box on here..sand it and the green comes through! love it.

Again, some Shimmerz on the edges of the canvas tag...

Hello Friday

and I am headed out early today {tomorrow since i am scheduling this thursday night, shhhh}. waking up at 6 to work out {okay 6:30 who am I kidding?} and then b/w brain and i get owen on the bus, showered, both hit the elliptical {anyone else have trouble spelling that}, get henry ready for daycare, meet some friends coming in from NC for breakfast and then get to my scrappy play date....yeah!

i can' t wait to see beth...she is coming in to try on wedding dresses so we are meeting for breakfast with her and her marcus then i get to play all day! i am packed and ready to go...ShOcKer for sure that i can be this prepared but i guess when it is scrapping related and going out for breakfast i got it together ;)

just wanted to share a wishing well i altered with some Basic Grey Origins and Serendipity Scrapbooks Rooftop Garden papers {exclusive to SS} from the March Kit. Check my post here for more info.

I got this cute for 25 cEnTs at a local thrift store. I feel guilty now and should have given them more ;) AND, YES, you get this CUTE little bird's nest and eggs with the kit! total. cuteness.

This makes me soooooooooooooooooooo happy for spring!!!

Be Inspired #73

Who doesn't love Wednesdays??? We do at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog! This week's challenge was to use the embossing/cracked technique on your project. I incorporated my Serendipity Scrapbooks March kit. It is sooooooooooo amaZing AND it includes EXCLUSIVE papers that coordinate with the BG Origins LINE! Kristen designed this Rooftop Garden Collection. I think she did it for me, since it is my dream to have a loft in the city with a HUGE rooftop garden. They are double sided and gorgeous!!

I cut out the flower from the doilie paper, layered it on some off white cardstock and then painted it with Shimmerz {from the kit}. And I cut this frame and emo

bossed with the Morocaan folder. LOVE that folder...I use it almost every time I scrap.


I embossed on some Core'dinations Cardstock on here, I love howyou can see the texture through the embossing...then I cracked {after putting it in the freezer} for an aged look. I thought that would be perfect for the pot base.

and on another fabulous note..............


PRIMA,PRIMA, PRIMA!


WHO LOVES A FAB GIVE-A-WAY!?!!?!?!?!?!
run...now...faster...faster....

Webster's Pages New Collections

If you haven't begged and pleaded your local LSS or fave online store for some new Webster's Pages...you better!

This month I got to post the challenge over at inspireME! it was so fun. I use the Lullaby Lane papers and some Webster's Trim. The Petite Paper pads are so perfect for smaller scale projects b/c the print is the perfect size.

So click here for more details!





AND...the fabulous Toni Crane is the GDT this month! Every month we use a layout to inspire us. this is my friend, Misty...we were at the wine festival we go to every year and i noticed that she left the sticker on her glasses. LOL! We love to party with our wine ;)

this is my layout featuring Garden Gala: