READ

I have always believed that reading to my boy is very important.    Since Roman was young, we would cuddle in his bed, he would twirl my hair and I would read.  Now that he is 8, he is reading to me.  I must admit that I miss the hair twirling!  Reading is definitely his strengthYou would know that if you were ever in our house during math homework!  Except this summer, time has snuck by, summer reading homework is not complete, and getting him to read in our time crunch is like pulling teeth.  So, on a long trip to the grandparents in Maine last weekend, we rented a couple audio books from the local library and voila, the problem is solved!  He was bored in the car, so listening and flipping pages filled the time gap! (You know if you have ever had an 8 yr old, this was still a struggle.)

For this layout, I knew which photo I wanted and needed a background color to anchor my "302" 6x6 papers from Farmhouse Paper Company.  I layered my papers, metals, tags, stickers, chipboards until I developed a collage that I liked.  Once my papers were glued down, I decided to add scattered stars using the Stars layering Stencil by Tim Holtz.  This stencil allowed me to place different size stars exactly where I wanted them.  I threw on some yellow punched stars (Studio Calico) I had on hand and some sequins (Michael's).  I stapled the sequins, to help bring in more metal for balance.  They were attached with Tim's Tiny Attacher and a long reach stapler from Staples.  I added stitching, foam tape behind items that needed dimension and a title cut from my Silhouette.  

Thank you for taking a peek at my layout.  Hope you are inspired to fill some more pages of your albums!

Mary-Ann
For Farmhouse Paper Company's"302" items shop HERE!

All other items used are from Eclectic Paperie:  

Farmhouse Paper Company - 302 6x6 Paper Pad	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Stars	Idea-ology - Tim Holtz - Remant Rubs - Numbers	Archival Ink - Jet Black Jumbo Ink Pad	Distress Ink Pad - Weathered Wood
Ranger Felt Applicator Tool	Idea-ology Tiny Attacher	Idea-ology Tiny Attacher Refills	Scotch Foam Mounting Tape	Mono Adhesive Tape Runner - Permanent
Beacon - Zip Dry

Hero Factory

I love when I come across older photos that I never did anything with.  The every day photos of my boy playing with things that he loves.  I love his sense of organization and the ability to play with the same item for hours without a playmate.  I guess "only" children adapt. 

This layout was created using Studio Calico's Valley High Main kit, Project Life kit and the Matthew add-on.  LOVED LOVED LOVED these papers and the super cute green embellies that matched the green flair and the green in the dies!  Wasn't sure about the random hole punches but have decided I NEED more!

Thanks for stopping in.

MA

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!

The winner of the {a flair for buttons} Blog Hop is...........

justasiam

Yay!  Send me a quick email (maldonadomas@hotmail.com) with your name, email address,and  mailing address and which set of 8 flair you have had your eye on and we will get that out to you this week!

Congratulations:o)

Mary-Ann

Oklahoma 7*13

Hi guys, I wanted to share another layout using some "mixed media" and Flair on a traditional scrapbooking layout that I have up over at the Eclectic Paperie blog and A Flair for Buttons blog.  WARNING:  horrible photo ahead!!!  The base of my layout started with a pale blue cardstock with October Afternoon Travel Girl collection papers and stickers at the top and bottom of my page for balance.  I then grabbed my Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 Polka Dotty Stencil and added white paint.  I sprayed the colors that would enhance my layout.  In this HORRIBLE photo, you can see the colors to the left, I later added some to the right as well.  

After layering multiple papers and photos, I added some machine stitching, and additional stickers backed with foam tape for dimension.

Brads, flair from A Flair for Buttons and thread helped enhance the page.

See the white circles?

This layout was really fun to create.  I tried to include as many photos as I could from our trip on a one page layout that includes a variety of embellishments throughout.  I hope that you have been inspired and I appreciate the opportunity to share with you my little take on "mixed media" on a traditional layout.

Mary-Ann

The items below can be purchased over at Eclectic Paperie:

October Afternoon - Travel Girl 8x8 Paper Pad	Wendy Vecchi - Studio 490 - Polka Dotty Stencil	Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray CHERRY PIE	Dylusions Ink Spray In White Linen	Dylusions Ink Spray - Calypso Teal
Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Snow Cap

Summer Blog Hop with {a flair for buttons}

Welcome to the summer blog hop with A Flair for Buttons!  Stop by each blog and make a comment for your chance to win some of the hottest embellishments out there!  Unlike some blog hops, this one is going to last three whole days!  From Friday 7am to Sunday at midnight.  I will be selecting my winner on Monday and announcing on Tuesday.  So be sure to check back to see if you are the winner of a set of 8 flair of your choice!

When I heard that this was going to be a Summer blog hop, I knew exactly which paper line would go with my new shiny summer flair!  My layout today consists of Crate Paper's Pier Collection.  Paper, accent stickers, standouts, chipboard and Studio Calico's vellum shapes.  Any color paper collection would match these fun in sun flair.

I started with my base paper and decided I would chop up the paper with all of the beach umbrellas.  Because I have a paper addiction, I had also bought the 6x6 paper pad and decided to chop up those umbrellas too.  I think this layout needed the smaller ones.  Some I placed flat and some I raised with a thin layer of foam tape for added dimension.  After carefully selecting my flair, I decided to back some with stickers, some with a clump of chipboard and stickers and my favorite, the sun, just needed to stand alone.  Of course it needed to be at the top of my page shinning down on my fun summer activities.  

How do you attach vellum?  It is tricky so I attached mine with Idea-ology's Tiny Attacher.

Now, head over to each of these design team members personal blogs to increase your chances of winning, but don't forget to leave a comment.

Diane Payne

Michelle Hernandez

Mary Ann Maldonado (you are here)

Leslie Ashe

Ashley Harris

Ashli Oliver

Erica Weinstock

Thank you for stopping in for the Hop.

Mary-Ann

BLOG HOP {a flair for buttons}

Oh my, there is a fabulous blog hop happening over at A Flair For Buttons starting tomorrow.  Be sure to stop by each blog, make a comment for a chance to win some flair.  There is also a coupon for those who want to place an order.  Grab a pencil and paper and head HERE to start your wish list.

Here is a peek at the layout I have been working on:o)

See you tomorrow!

Mary-Ann