USA Cornflake - Fancy Pants

Cornflake collection is a big thing at our house.  You have to head to Fancy Pants blog to see this layout in its entirety.  I tell you the Cornflake story!  Also, you can see my super cool layout.  This is only my second design for Fancy Pants, so head over, tell them you love me but don't tell them your my family:o)

Smile

I had fun creating this boy layout for The Cut Shoppe.  

I hope you will stop over to see the details and where you can SHOP for your own cut files.  

Happy Easter - Paper Issues

Paper Issues is having a introduction to the new Current Link Party today.  The theme is sponsored by 17turtles! 

Eggs-cellent Add-ventures.  You can do anything from Easter, egg hunts, Passover, adventures of all kinds (travel, museum, baseball park, etc.), chickens/birds, eggs, spring, candy, math symbols (plus signs, number paper, etc.), baseball, April Fool's Day (practical jokes, etc.), use cut files, 17turtles products, die cuts.  You choose.  

I was able to incorporate two different cut files from 17turtles - Easter Chicks and Eggscellent Adventure.

I chose a couple photos from last year.  Cut several chicks from different colored papers in different sizes and clumped it altogether.

So here is what you do.  

Link up anything new or old that falls under any of these categories.  

You could win a $20 gift certificate to the 17turtles store.  

Also, if that wasn't enough, from March 30-April 12 they are offering 

25% off any order during that time.  

If you want to get your hands on this Doodlebug product, go HERE to the Paper Issues store and grab some.  Use Code: Mary-Ann to receive 20% off anything you order from them too with this code.

We Go Together - Paper Issues

Over at Paper Issues today, we are trying to explain to you just how super fun it is to receive a SWAG BAG and/or use the FREE PRINTABLES that Paper Issues has to offer every single month.  So I have created a layout of a photo I printed over a year ago.  My boy and I were on a trip to Maine by ourselves, stopped at rest stop and grabbed a selfie.  I love his blue eyes.  

I used the February Swag Bag.  The only thing that I added was a piece of cardstock as my background.  All of may papers, layered under my photo, are PL cards that were included in the bag.  The black "Surround Yourself" card is a free printable.  Look at all that is included in this bag;  The banners, wood veneers, glitter hearts, paper hearts, cork heart, wood veneer people, milk & cookies sticker, tag and much much more.  I used thin pieces from the PL cards to create my strip at the top of my layout and the bottom.  Oh, I guess I did add black paint splatters too!  

It was so much fun.  I need another.  SOON!  

Thank you for stopping by today.  Head over to the PI blog to get more inspiration using the Swag Bags and the Free Printables. See you soon.

I Am La-Roy - Paper Camellia

Here he is.... the most beautiful, slinky, mischievous cat in the world!  

He is crazy but we love him.  

I am sharing this layout of Leroy aka: La-Roy over on the Paper Camellia Blog today.  

Go check him out.

Have a great day.

LOVE - A Flair for Buttons

A Flair for Buttons is featuring my LOVE layout today.  

It is a pretty simple design leaving the flair and the photo to be the highlight.  

I hope you will head over their to check out the details - click HERE.

Thank you for stopping by.

To Be Happy - Fancy Pants

Today is my first ever blog post over at Fancy Pants Designs.  

I have been a fan of this manufacturer for a very long time and have had tons of fun playing with their products over the years.  Recently I was lucky enough to be asked to be on their DT. 

Of course!!!  Next, a box came in the mail and I was giddy with delight.  I created my  first layout using the brand spankin new collection - Flutter.  Sounds girly but nope - it can be used in so many ways.  You MUST go to the Fancy Pants blog to see this layout in its entirety.  I love real photos and real, super real journaling!

Boots - The Rubber Cafe

Are you in need of some sunshine to help you get through the winter blues?  The Rubber Cafe may have just what you need.   Head over HERE to see how you can get in on this fabulous Creative Cafe monthly subscription.  This month will bring a smile to your face with all of these pretty papers from Echo Park and cute custom stamps by The Rubber Cafe.

Boy - Paper Issues

I have finally found a new released collection that does not have pink or gold in it.  

It is by Echo Park and it is called Jack & Jill Boy Collection.  

Of course they have a girl collection too but that has pink.    You can find this collection over at Paper Issues using code: Mary-Ann and save yourself 20% off everything that you desperately need.  I just placed an order.  It may or may not have pink or gold.  

Anyway, my non-pink layout is over at Paper Issues today.  I would love it if you stopped by.

I Am a Reader - Paper Camellia

Sharing another layout over at Paper Camellia today.  

The gold in this months kit was hard not to focus on.  Only thing is, it is very hard to photograph.  This layout captures my boy, doing something that he adores.  

Please head over to the Paper Camellia blog and check out what the other 

DT members are working on.

Spring Is Here - The Rubber Cafe

I am desperately wishing for spring and the opening of the pool.  It is going to have to warm up a lot more before you see me diving in head first.  

Today, I am sharing this cute card, Spring is Here, over at The Rubber Cafe.  It features the Creative Cafe KOTM that includes custom stamps and beautiful embellishments.  This month, the paper pad is Sunny Days Ahead by Echo Park.  

Have a great day,

Happy Easter - The Rubber Cafe

Good Morning - 

It is creeping up on Easter really fast.  I thought we were going to be able to quit our jobs yesterday after trapping the Leprechaun but that didn't work out as planned.  Our trap was a good one, we were able to capture the little guys hat, so we know that he was here.  With just creating this fun trap, it is hard for me to move on to Easter already.  

Over on The Rubber Cafe blog, I am sharing this bunny card using March's Creative Cafe KOTM.  It is called Spring is Here featuring beautiful spring and Easter stamps along with papers from Echo Park.  Here is my first card of the month.

Now that I see it, it is a little dark.  It is really pretty in person, I swear!  I used an old old old bottle of  liquid appliqué to make my bunny puffy.  

Don't forget to my your candy early so your now scrounging like me.

Meal Planning - mambi

Have you all seen The Happy Planner™from me & my BIG ideas?  

Well, I have to tell you I was given the choice between 5 different books (go HERE to see the options).  I chose this one with lots of color.  When I received my box of goodness, I was slightly intimidated.  I divided my calendar from all of the "home" sections.  I used the black rings for the planner part and the pink rings for meal planning, budging, shopping and more.  I decided that I was going to use it practically.  I realize some people are decorating and creating with more substance but I plan to use mine on an everyday basis and discard all of my other lists and calendars that I have on my desk.  This will be what I refer to.  I must say, I have lots of friends that meal plan.  I semi-meal plan.  I jumped on and decide I am going to give it a hard go.  I think I did pretty well.  I have already grocery shopped for the week and have everything that I need for all of the meals listed.  

I am pretty excited about St. Patricks day.  Those Green Rice Crispy treats are going to be my favorite.  

I love this old receipt pick as a washi tape collector, I may need a few more:o)   I purchased some really pretty felt pens too.  Now, to keep my kid away from them.  He loves colored pens and pencils.

You will see different ways of using this planner in the upcoming months.  I hope once April comes, you will participate with me.  

We Are Lucky - The Cut Shoppe

Head over to The Cut Shoppe to read why I am hesitant to share this layout.  

When things don't go your way, do you give up?  Not when you have a deadline:o)  

Check it out the story HERE.  Plus, you will wanna head there anyway to get the most recent cut files.  They are pretty awesome.  So, secret is, as a DT member for TCS, we get to see a preview of what is to come.  I can not wait for the next set of files, think they just might be my favorite!  

 But here is the layout.

No, your eyes are not playing tricks, this is a crazy app that distorts your face.  My phone was inundated with crazy photos like this.  I narrowed it down for your pleasure:o)

Crazy kid.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

The Good Life - A Flair for Buttons

I am sharing a layout over at A Flair for Buttons today.  

Hope you will stop over for close ups and details of my layout.  

I used several different Flair and my Studio Calico kit.  

Memories - mambi

With my husband retired from the Military and having been a part of it with him for many years, we have been away from family.  We would spend many holidays and life events with friends instead of our real family.  Now we are stationary now and not far from family.  We still have the habit, if you will, to make our friends like our family.  If we can not get together with the real thing, or even when we do, we still try and hang with our friends.  We are grateful for these two and their children.  This photo was taken at this past years, USMC ball.

This layout is made up of all things mambi with a little additions for decor.  Like I have said before, I try any chance I get to add pink to a layout.   These new papers from me & my BIG ideas are truly rich and beautiful.  

I LOVE these glittery mambiCHIPS.  Wish they were mass produced!  I also need to point out the little tin flair that is in this photo.  It comes from a kit club by Felicity Jane.  It is stunning.  They little glittery gems you will see on the layout are from this too.

This Small Talk title from mambi was the inspiration for this layout.  I love what it says and created the perfect jumping off point.

Have a great day.

I Am Strong - Paper Camellia

This layout is a mental note for me.  To remember that  I am strong.  I can do this.  Sometimes, I wonder if I am taking on too much.  I look at what others create and wonder if what I create is worthy.  Listing out my accomplishments, gives me a brief reminder.

It is important for me to document things in my life,

 real things not abstract things that have no meaning.  

I am trying to remember that.

This layout is live over at Paper Camellia today.  I share closeups and a a very important tip.

Go.  NOW!  

Shrine Circus - mambi

Good morning.  

Today my Shrine Circus layout is being featured over at the me & my BIG ideas blog.  

The layout is from last years Shrine Circus event.  It was so much fun.  I have to tell you, we were seated in the front row, on the floor because I had walked in with crutches and all of the Shriners took care of us.  Amazing what kind of attention you get with metal legs!  I had just had my knee replacement, barely could walk but itching to get out of the house!  When we went to the food line (for the best greasy food ever) they let cut through the ropes, helped us hold our food and really were amazing.  I had dealt with Shriners a ton throughout my life and am never disappointed when around them now.  My uncle used to be a Shrine clown. Herbie the Love Bug was his name.  

Back to paper, here is my layout I created using the Brand New "Color Pop" papers, mambiSTICKS and mambiCHIPS.

Sitting in the front row was great until the elephants came out.  I can not tell you how close we were to them.  The pictures do not do any justice.  All I could think of was watching the show where the elephants went wild at a circus and ran through the crowd.  I was certain that you were going to see me on the news.