Girlie Grunge Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Girlie Grunge Blog Hop! We have 3 days of projects and inspiration all featuring Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L products, and 4 fabulous prizes to give away! Join us August 6-8! Each day six of our talented designers will dazzle and amaze you with ideas for cards, scrapbook pages and mixed media projects, for crafters of all skill levels. Daily prizes will be awarded, enter to win by commenting on the participating blog posts through the Rafflecopter app. We have three $30 value prizes, one will be awarded each day. Those that comment through the Rafflecopter app on each designer blog, each day, will be eligible for the Grand Prize, a $100 value, which includes the entire Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® product line, an E-Z Runner® Grand, and a selection of Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® adhesives. Remember to use the same

email address for each comment so that we can verify eligible entries. My Rafflecopter comments will be open until August 7th, 11:59pm Central Time

This contest is sponsored by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®. Product was
supplied to me in return for blog posts and promotion.

My daughter just had her prom this past May and I wanted to create a scrapbook for her.  Donna's denim art journal was perfect! I added lots of lace and texture ribbon for a feminine look. I also scattered stars across the album using Donna's E-Z Stars Runner tape.  I sprinkled a bit of silver embossing powder on them.  My flowers and butterflies were adhered using DODZ™ - Small

I continued the theme of the butterflies, stars, lace, and sequins.  I used the star runner here and there and rubbed Donna's pink pigment powder on them.  The lace is so pretty, I couldn't help but use it again.

And my trusty DODZ™ - Medium were put to good use when adhering my embellishments.  :)  I used the E-Z Squares® Refillable Dispenser

  to adhere the photos, tag, and strips of stars. 

Be sure to be inspired by these talented ladies!!

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Donna Salazar 

Laurel Seabrook 

Margie Higuchi 

Michele Kovack 

Tracey Sabella 

AJ Otto

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Density-Will it Float or Sink?

Awhile back, when I was still creating for Northridge Publishing, I was asked to design a page about an everyday event.  What is more "everyday" than homework? 

Cort had to conduct a science experiment about denisty.

She was given a list of objects and asked to make a prediction on whether or not each one would float or sink.

Cortney predicted pretty accurately and really enjoyed doing this experiment. 

I used quite an assortment of Cricut images from different cartridges.  I used From my Kitchen, Cricut Font and Basic Shapes, Mother's Day Bouquet, Tablescapes Winter and Fall, and Teresa Collins Easter Basket.  That's why I love CCR, it makes finding what you are looking for a breeze!

It is another busy, busy week!

I will be heading back to school tonight for my 5th grader's Christmas concert.

It is always fun seeing the kiddos dressed in their prettiest clothes!

We have a couple of Christmas parties this week too....

Have a great day!

I truly appreciate you taking a few moments to pay me a visit!

I know everyone's time is limited at this time of year.

:)

Guest Designer for 3 Birds Studio!

I am up on the 3 Birds Studio Blog today sharing a layout of Cortney using their new Midday Medley Collection.  For all of the details, please be sure to pop by their blog! ;)

2 more days of school to go!  There is light at the end of the tunnel! 

Beauty...

I feel blessed everyday that I get to share my girl (and occasionally my boy, when he lets me) with all of you.

When Cort was first born there were so many mixed emotions.

Sadness

Anger

Fear

Confusion

Our journey with her has been at times, very difficult.

It has brought me to my knees many, many times.

But somehow through the darkness light appears.

You start looking at things with a different lens.

Happiness

Joy

Faith

Clarity

She is all of those things bundled up in one little person. 

She has taught us so many things and touched so many lives....

She is beauty within.

And this girl is going places.

She will not be defined by her wheelchair.

She will not be defined by her limitations.

She is my daughter.

She belongs.

She deserves to be seen.

The winds of change are blowing wild and free

I could make her happy, make her dreams come true

There is nothing I wouldn't do

I'd go to the ends of the Earth for you

to make you feel my love......

----Adele

Girly Girl and Advice Needed!

TGIF!

Although really, I shouldn't complain seeing as how I only had a 3 day work week. ;)

 But weekends are good too. 

Especially when we will celebrating a certain someone's 17th birthday.

So tomorrow we take Kyle out for his birthday a few days early.  Just the 3 of us.  It is the one day a year we leave Cort behind with a babysitter. 

In the meantime I have a scrappy page that was published last year in Cricut Magazine.  It is my super cute niece, Katie. And yes, the title says it all.

She is a girly girl!

I used my Cricut Expression and cut the background using the Cindy Loo cartridge.  I love the tone on tone background.  It gives it a bit of interest without overpowering the photos. 

I used Make up Party for the nail polish, crown, and mirror. I swiped the edges with a bit of white ink. 

I used Kate's ABC's to cut the title.  When I first adhered it to the LO it seemed to be getting lost, so I took a pen and outlined it.  It made it pop a bit more and was easier to see!

As many of you know this crazy mama has been trying to get Cortney into some type of modeling.  It is a hard industry normally, much less trying to get a child with special needs in. 

I am thinking of starting a Facebook page just for her. 

But then I worry about creepy people....but then I think she also could use the exposure. 

I am still contacting companies frequently......

I am still acting as her "agent," but I need help.

So what do you think......should I start a Facebook page just for her? 

Here is her latest photo.......

If you know an Etsy shop owner, or if you have any outside connections to a modeling agency,  clothing company, or make up company, and would be willing to pull a few strings for this gal...her and I would be so grateful! ( I know I am reaching a bit....but desperation will do that to a mom!) ;)

The world is a small place and maybe just maybe the "right" person will 

see her cute face and take a chance on her!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Next week is going to be a busy one! All new JustRite stamps being released and Crafty Secret's Linky Party!

My How She Has Grown!

Good morning! Happy New Year's Eve to you! I have had a lovely weekend away with my little family. It was an unexpected Christmas gift from my in-laws.  We stayed at a hotel in downtown Chicago, shopped, ate like kings, saw a Christmas musical, ate some more, and swam! With the kids getting older, it seems we fly in 800 different directions....so it was nice to reconnect once more. I took a few pics of our day together....

I have a love for photography and I am striving to get better at it.  I have been taking the camera off of auto and trying my hand at the manual settings. It has been a learning curve for sure, and sometimes frustrating.  But once in awhile the stars align and you get a shot like this one.  And especially when it is a shot of Cortney......

I am sure you didn't come here to see pics of my kids, so I will get on to business......scrapbooking! 

I created this layout over a year ago for the Cricut Circle of my little gal, Myla.  She was rescued from a mill and was 3 pounds of mischievous love! I used my Cricut, Kate's ABC's, Pretty Pennants, and the Cricut Font and Basic Shapes cartridges. 

I used a few stickers (SRM), some rub-ons, burlap, and rhinestones....

I love the Pretty Pennants Cartridge....such fun cuts!

Here's the little gal all grown up and a whopping 23 pounds! She has been a wonderful addition to our family, and I am so glad we were able to rescue her. 

I have one last thing to share with you!  I received an e-mail yesterday telling me that my card, Elegant Tiled Greeting Card, that was featured on All Free Papercrafts, was voted one of the most popular papercrafts in 2013. 

I was pretty excited! :)

May you and your family have a happy, healthy, blessed New Year!!

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy......

Okay admit it, you said it in your best Ricky Ricardo voice didn't ya?

I loved this show growing up! The situations Lucy and Ethel got themselves into cracked me up!

But then again I was easily amused. ;)

2 years ago, I decided to be Lucy for Halloween.  I had the "Lucy" wig and everything.

My students got a huge kick out of it!

I used my Cricut and the Suburbia cartridge to cut the retro lady and title. For my circular elements, I used Cricut Fonts and Basic Shapes. It was published in the February issue of Cricut Magazine. :)

See the old fashioned vacuum cleaner?  It's not just a cool prop for my picture it is the school's actual working vacuum cleaner......yep, still works.  (Maybe it's time to get a new one?) ;)

I used some vintage inspired papers to add to the retro feel of this page. 

I can not begin to tell you how happy I am it is Friday! I have a 3 day weekend to look forward to and Cortney has a modeling photo shoot on Sunday!

Life is good! I am blessed!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Lucky...

Today is my husband's 45th birthday.  It is hard to believe we met at the Burger King Drive Thru when I was just 16 years old.  We dated through high school and college before finally tying the knot 20 years ago.  I am truly blessed to have this man in my life. 

I created this LO for the February issue of Cricut Magazine. I used several cartridges including, Kate's ABC's, Flower Shoppe, and Cricut Font and Basic Shapes. I did a bit of painting, and used rhinestones.  (Which has become a fairly new obsession of mine)

I love adding depth to my projects with the dimensional foam circles.  I was able to incorporate the ruffled ribbon and allowing enough room for it using these handy little buggers!

I have always enjoyed photography, ever since my kids were little.  But lately, I have been taking my camera off the auto mode and learning to use it in manual.  I have a lot to learn and all I can say is thank goodness for digital!  After 25 or so shots, I finally get one or two that I like! ;)

So here is my attempt once again at being a real "photographer!"

I pulled my son outside trying to find those catch lights photographers talk about all the time.  He is a pretty good sport with his crazy, camera toting mother!

And when all else fails, I torture my dogs.  They don't seem to mind too much the camera in their sweet furry faces. ;) 

Can you say "groomers?"  I like to say he is extraordinarily fluffy.  

And of course there is always Cortney.  She is always pretty easy going.  My challenge with her is to get those baby blues open and straight.  She has severe visual impairment, nystagmus, and a lazy eye.  Many photos get trashed because I am simply not happy with how her eyes look.  But every now and then, I get that "money shot!"  (Think prom photos!) ;)

Thanks for letting me share a bit!  I am off to run some errands and get ready for hubby's birthday weekend!

Have a great one my friends!

That's How I Roll.....

Since starting this little blog of mine in 2007, I have met some pretty amazing people.  Fellow bloggers who are artsy, who have shared their stories, listened to mine, and in doing so we have forged friendships.  I believe we all cross paths for a reason.  Every person plays a role in your life......some how....some way. Nothing is an accident.  I have been blessed.  I met a fellow artsy mom, Paula, who just happened to have a special needs daughter around Cortney's age.  We've e-mailed many times and bonded instantly.  Maybe it was having something in common, or the fact that she is just a funny, kind hearted woman who has taken what life has given her and turned it into lemonade. She does amazing work with vinyl and came up with the cutest T-shirts that celebrate our kids.  She made one just for Cortney.   Cortney loves her T-shirt.....and I love her T-shirt.!  So thank you dear Paula for this special gift to Cortney!

I used lots of Spellbinder's dies here.....from the Poloroid frame to the camera...to the flowers and leaves. (Spellbinder's Snapshot, and Foliage Two.) The sentiments are part of JustRite's Samantha Walker stamp set called, Ooh La La French Frills.....

I did a bit of masking with a Hambly screen and white paint.  I added a spattering of sequins too.  ; )

And since I am on a Cortney post today, I thought I'd share my girl doing her homework.  She is learning about density and had to do an experiment on whether objects would sink or float.  She is often a girl who is not very patient.  But for this, she stuck with it for nearly an hour and a half.  She was excited to make her predication and see if she was correct.  I couldn't have been more proud of her.  We are blessed that she goes to a school that expects her to learn.  She learns things in all academic areas.....and they push her to keep striving for her potential.  

So with that said, I have to share an exciting piece of news....Cort has her first photo shoot on Friday with a modeling agency.  I am, she is....super excited! I am also extremely nervous. I hope it goes well.......and she smiles her face off that day! : D