Desperately trying to forget I'm 43!

I guess if you can't forget it, you might as well announce it.  

I am divulging too much information about myself over at eclectic Paperie today.  Ugh, can you believe it?  I often feel 43, if not older.  I have just recently started seeing things in the mirror that didn't used to be there.  I could list them but you probably don't care:o)  

So instead, I will share a layout with you using Fancy Pants Me-ology line.  

I don't often scrapbook about myself, so this is new.

Head over to eP and see more closeups of his layout.  But please,  do not wish me a happy birthday.  It was last month and I refuse to celebrate.  Until next year of course!

Life is Good

Today I am sharing this super cute layout of my super cute dog over at A Flair for Buttons. 

 I used a cut file from Silhouette America, flair, my KOTM from eclectic Paperie,  a Fancy Pants title, Freckled Fawn Oh Deer Me KOTM and clouds from Maya Road!

It all started with the circle sun cut file that could house no other face than Flo's!!  I added machine stitching for added embellishment, paint splotches for color and tons of doodling that really makes this layout complete.  The clouds and flair take it to the next level.  I just love adding little bits and pieces of different kits to complete a project.  All of these papers come from American Crafts that were included in my monthly kit from eclectic Paperie.  See above for link.  

I hope to see you all again soon.

Touring Salem, MA

Isn't it funny how you never tour the areas that you live near?  

I think there is this little train museum in my home town deep in Maine that I swear I have never stepped foot in.  Well, maybe one of those school tours, but I certainly don't remember.  For the last 20+ years my husband and I have moved too many times to count.  I really know the count!  We moved 13 in 16 years in the Marine Corps then twice after.  So, that makes 15 moves together!  I am a pro and yes, we are still married!  Oh, and that is not counting childhood moves.  While moving around with the military, we toured some areas but still not like we should have.  History was not top on my list of things to hear about!  However, since I have gotten a tad bit older, I wish we would have spent more time checking things out in ALL of the different places we lived.  

With that said, we are determined to see things and force fun upon my child!  My cousin got married last year in Salem, MA.  Yup, where they hung witches, so we decided to stay over night and tour the area the next day.  Not sure I would do it again, but am glad that we did it.  

Of course, I created a layout of all the fun things we did while there in witches country.  

I must say that I am pretty proud of myself, this is the first double page spread I have done is awhile.

Here  the boys are plotting our adventure over breakfast.  Then they decided to pose in this cheesy tourist attraction.  I remember clearly, what Roman said after he walked away from this creepy guy trying to suck his neck!!  He was not impressed.  I remember walking by him smoking, he put his cigarette down, grabbed Roman as smoke was still billowing out of his face holes!  Impressive I must say.  Then he wanted a dollar for the picture!  

I can only imagine  how moldy this witch must get in rainy season.  I had no idea what to wear that day touring the area, so I thought a bikini top would be appropriate. hehe.  Roman caught this photo of the two of us strolling the neighborhood.

As you can see in the detail shots, I used several different paper layers.  This layout was created using Studio Calico's Hello Hello scrapbook kit as the starting point.  I think you can still get it:o)  The cityscape sheet was my fave.  Since it is a doodled scape, I decided I would doodle throughout my layout.  (as shown in close ups)  The pen I use is a must have for any journaler, doodler or checkbook balancer!  I got it, and two others from Eclectic Paperie.  It is called Fude Ball 1.5 MM black pen!  You won't be mad at me if you get one cause I told ya too.  I promise!  I also threw in some Glitz Design 6x6 Dapper Dan paper pack and Rhinestones.  Iguana Thickers, Freckled Fawn July 2014 and past kit embellishments and Studio Calico's green tag.  

Hope you enjoyed the trip through Salem.  It's a fun place, if your into witches:o)

Silly Boy

So, I was sitting in a car, thinking I was gonna get a great selfie......WRONG!  I ended up with these crazy photos instead.  I have no idea where this boy came from, maybe the looney bin?  

Products used:  

Flair from A Flair for Buttons

Papers, enamels, banners, PL cards from Studio Calico May 2014 Camelot Kit and Project Life Kit

Embellishments from Freckled Fawn Oh Deer Me Kits (camera, hearts, stickers)

Floatable Lego

Summer is flying by this year.  We have had a commitment every day since school let out. I have had very little time to scrapbook amongst all the company and traveling we have been doing.  Plus, each available sunny moment MUST be spent out by the pool.  With that said, I quickly created this page, just a couple days after taking the pictures.  This Lego is SOOOOOO  cool, it floats!  Of course the base of the Lego is one piece to allow for floating but the rest had to be built!

I created this layout starting with the triangle cutting on my Silhouette Cameo.  It was tricky but I recently took a class with Studio Calico that seriously walks you through step by step instructions.  It is very cool.  Even for people like me, with no extra time to spare!  Check it out HERE!

The papers come from my recent kit of the month with eclectic Paperie.  I may be biased because I select all the papers and embellishments but it really is a fun kit to be a apart of.  My friend from PA recently signed up and she is scrapping like crazy!  You can sign up HERE!

So, the other embellies that you see come  from Freckled Fawn - Oh Deer Me Kit of the Month.  I just am a buyer and hoarder of their kits!  The just provide you with little bits and pieces that help embellish you scrapbooking pages.  You can get that HERE!  I seriously should get paid for all of these commercials!

See those red and white candy buttons?  Those were part of the eP kit but they are produced by Queen & Company.  

"These Moments" was a printable that came with the class I am taking over at Studio Calico.

This was really fun to put together and really fun to share.  Hope you like it, come back again soon.

A Flair for Buttons blog post - pool

It is my turn over at A Flair for Buttons.  I am thinking summer!  Not sure how long it is going to be before it gets here but the snow is clearing off of the pool and I can actually 75% of the cover.  We are ready for some warmth.  It has been a cold snowy winter here in New England.  Opps, got off on a tangent there for a second!  All this warm weather thinking made me dig out my Swim flair Shelley sent me and some warm photos.  This was a fun layout because Roman had his own party after school got out last year and planned his own menu for it.  Here is what I created.

I used Studio Calico, Chic Tags, Freckled Fawn (Oh Deer Me kit), a free printable from Anna-Marie Wolniak.

Thanks for taking a look.

Mary-Ann

Gamer & Ouch! Get Up!

I am featured over at A Flair for Buttons blog today with two layouts!   The Etsy store may be on vacation for a couple days but creating with flair never stops!  I recently asked for two specific flair.  Epic Fail and a pair of headphones.  Both, perfect for what I had in mind for my next layouts.  

My first is Gamer.  He is too cool for school wearing a skull bandana, a Wreck-it Ralph t-shirt and kid sized headphones, which aid in his selective hearing.  I created this layout using Studio Calico's Sugar Rush kit, OhDeerMeKit by Feckled Fawn and the perfect flair!

My second layout for today is Ouch! Get up!  

Told you the flair I requested was perfect!  Disclaimer:  my son was not hurt during this event.  Matter of fact, I said wait, let me get my camera!  He got up saying, "Mom, I am glad you made me wear my helmet!"  This was the perfect opportunity to throw out there that I DO know everything!

gulp!  Look at those wooden dots by MME.

Since my layout was greens and blues, I used some of the Fresh Cut tape strips by Basic Grey and layered them and added embelishments to the top.  I think it helps pop my arrow flair!  Sometimes with older chipboard letters, they tend to loose their stick.  I reinforce mine with stitching.  The random pieces that do not fit under the stitching get a dab of glue.  For the vellum, what better way to attach than an extended reach stapler from Staples or Tim's Tiny Attacher if is close enough to the edge.  Hope you are inspired to create with some flair on your next layout.  

You & Me & Him

Traditionally, I would do a "lovey dovey " layout about my main squeeze, but since I have two main squeezes,  this is what I came up with.

I love incorporating pink into a page with guys on it!  I included, Studio Calico's Blue Note kit, Heidi Swapp, Chic Tags, Oh Deer Me kit by Freckled Fawn (November & January), October Afternoon Sprinkles, and a few other surprises.  It is jammed packed with goodness.  I love the cork! The hearts! The tags,  and the goofy kid photo bombing our picture!

Take Care,

MA

Thankful

There are so many reasons to be thankful.  I just wanted to focus on the "food" in this layout.  To give you a run-down, my favorite part of any holiday meal is the Pinapple Orange Salad.  It is my step-grandmother's (Avis) recipe.  Before she passed, she gave me the crystal dish that she used to serve it in.  To this day, for every holiday, I make this salad and only use this dish.  

Something else you may not know about me, or maybe you do, I am a dish horder.  See the red depression dishes in the picture, they come from a lady down the street that was trashing them.  Trashing them!!!  The beautiful blue dish holding the smashed taters, that comes from Spain.  So peeps, I am thankful for food, dishes, a house to hoard it all in, a husband who doesn't care, family, friends and a hobby that allows me to express my graditude any way I want!

What are you thankful for?  Be sure to scrap about it!  

Mary-Ann

Flair used in this layout:  

December 2013 Kraft Flair

Woodgrain 3