21 Things Mini Album

Recently I received a text from my niece from Florida, asking if I would make a list of 21 things that I loved about her sister.  Katie would be turning 21 this year.  Felicia wanted to collect a list of 21 things you love from 21 different people.  Very clever idea.  

She mentioned she wanted to do a scrapbook for her.  She was going to be in Maine traveling around for a few days so the list was  needed pretty quickly.  

A few days later, I got a call that her and her mom, they wanted to come visit me for a few days.  Would I mind helping with the scrapbook?  

Ummm, YES!  Right up my alley.  I think she knew that too:o)  

We gathered the best "mature" paper I had, for an elegant but fun mini scrapbook.  

Crate Paper's DIY collection was our choice.  We kept the inside of the album very simple.  We did not want to distract from the 21 lists. 

 The cover, however, we went all out.  

We wanted it to be something that would attract you to pick it up from the coffee table.  

You can see above how chunky the album got even with keeping it simple inside.  

We covered each raw chipboard page with a patterned paper.  She wanted either a photo of you with Katie or a photo of your family.  So, each person had a list, a photo, a doily, and a banner with their name.

These are just of few of the page included in the super fun, super thoughtful book.  I am amazed at how big Felicia's heart is.  Wanting to do something so creative, thoughtful,  and timeless for her sister.  Katie is one lucky lady.  

Can you imagine hearing from 21 people, 21 things they love about you?  

Peace,

Cinco de Mayo

Still on crutches, we decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the local Mexican Restaurant.  It is probably the most authentic in the area.  We walk in to a table just for us.  We were a tad on the early side, as we were leaving there was a huge line.  We sat, I immediately ordered a banana margarita for the first time.  (see pic below)  YUMMO.  So I ordered another.  Ever seen a staggering lady on crutches?  It was a sight.  I had no idea they were that good!  Note to self, take a wheelchair next time!  The pics are not great cause the lighting in this place is just plain awful.  Who cares though when the food is that good.  

Here is a layout I created for A Flair for Buttons.  I used American Crafts paper, Bits, Delights, Remarks and Thickers.  Added some random brads and paint drops.  This layout was a bit bright for my normal taste but I do like it.  

See the yummy drink?

Thanks for stopping by.  See you soon.

Always Together

Well, maybe the title isn't quite accurate but we sure do a ton of stuff together, especially in the summer time.  Randy travels a bit and has to get a ride to the airport often because his flights are at ridonculous hours.  He has become quite friendly with the  driver.  You should hear some of his stories:o)  Anyway, he often tells Randy of events in the area.  One, because he likes him and two, because his wife runs a travel agency!  Good friend to have:o)  

So, he told him of this fireworks thing that was happening in Newburyport last month. 

 OMG, was it spectacular!  We ate at one of the most expensive Mexican restaurants I have ever  been to but it was magnifico!  Sorry, wrong accent.  

We parked our butts along the river and listened to a live band, ate a little street food and the best part, people watched.  I am soooo glad I am not a teenager today.  It seems like a lot of work.  

We took a selfie like we often do, and this is what I scrapped.

My layout was based on the sketch below.  Loosely based, I should say.  I find sketches a great jumping off point.  For inspiration only and you can do what every you want!  This one is from Creative Scrappers.  I used Fancy Pants True Friends paper Collection.  A sweet friend just recently gave it to me:o)  I added some stitching and triangles just like the sketch!  Oh and ink drops:o)

Remember the LEROY layout from a couple days ago?  That was the same paper line.  Completely different looks, don't you think?  

I am still mad at him for chewing my handsfree earphones.  Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you are interested in a crazy cat:o)

Weeping as I type

I am sitting here, alone, on the first day of school.  I can hear the dog snoring.  Loudly.  My heart is aching a bit as I miss both my boy and his daddy.  They have all returned to their normal routine and I feel a sense of being left behind.  Don't get me wrong.  I have plenty to do.  But with this heaviness, it is hard to accomplish anything today.  I have started dinner.  Did a load of laundry and plan to do some scrapbooking today.  I was feeling a bit of guilt, wishing that school would start,  but as it got closer and closer, I kept thinking how fast the summer has gone and wished that the time would slow down.  Speaking of time slowing down, my boy is in 4th grade.  

4th  grade people!!!  He is no longer a baby.  boo hoo.  

Here are a few photos of his first day of school.  

First picture I took gives you a sense of how this whole photo shoot thing went down.  

Driving to bus stop.  Trying to get all his accessories put on.  You know, a survival bracelet and a watch!  He say that 7 hrs is too long for a school day and you just NEVER know when you'll need a cord.

The two handsomest men ever!

6-8 more inches and he will be taller than me.  That is NOT acceptable.  

His buddy Cody.  They have a plan to walk home together this year.  Not sure I am ready for this.  I am not sure I am ready for 4th grade.  Next thing you know, he will be moving out and getting married;o(  This is too much for me to handle.  Just too much!

Off he goes.  It is the same bus driver this year, thank you Jesus.  

Now, off I go to bury my head in a pillow and wallow in pity.

Two camping trips and no bears

I must warn you folks that this here blog post is going to be photo heavy.  I could show you all the pictures from our two, deep in the woods camping trips, but I think that my computer would crash and you would ever return to my blog.  So I will just share a few of my faves.  Or ones that are important and don't show how terribly dirty my hair is.  

Our first Camping trip of the summer was to Baxter State Park, deep in Maine.  Yes Maine is beautiful country.  I grew up there, not appreciating what it offers.  I DO appreciate Maine, just not the deep in the woods parts of it!  Anyway, you are not interested in my whining so I will continue.

Here we are happy.  We always take a selfie entering the park on the dirt road.  Our bodies are clean and my hair looks decent.

We still like each other here.  Must be the first night!  I can see that we are set up behind us, I am surprised that we are willing to smile in a photo together after erecting the tarps.

The boys are off on a hike.  Can't remember where.  Wonder if I have a memory disfunction.

Roman and Tyler on a hike to the falls.  Oh!!!  That is where all the  boys hiked to in the previous picture!

Diggin in to MRE's cause that's how they roll.  We are at Little and Big Niagra.  My second hike of the trip.  Pretty impressive since I am still recovering from knee replacement! (you can clap now!)

Cheesy selfie on one of the boys hikes.

That's my boy, catching fish like he's in a derby.  He came back 20 pounds lighter after all the mosquitos sucked out half his blood!

Here we are, still smiling.  I think it is because we are on our way out of the park after 6 nights.  I KNOW that is why I am smiling!  This is the rock that gets painted by a local guy.  It's a tourist thing!

Yup, happy we are outta there and dirty!

Our next trip was with some chums to another section of Maine.  Deep deep in the woods. Deep deep down Richardson Lake, 100 miles by boat to a camp site called Black Point that can not be reached by car.  Did you hear me???  No civilization.  At all.  Period.   This is our third year (not consecutively) attending this extremely dirty event!

My boy driving in!   (only for a few seconds while Ang takes a potty break!)  The luxuries of boating with a toilet!

Please don't fret peeps, these are air soft guns with adult supervision.  

My pals.  This is before the excitement!  We had a mean game of chicken foot happening on this here table not long after this photo was taken.  

Seriously, have you evan cooked lobster for 17 people in the middle of no where?  Without running water?  Well, you have not lived!  They threatened to set the trash bags of guts right outside my tent.  

This would NOT be my husband fishing without a license, cause that would be illegal amongst one state trooper and one police chief!!  He is fixing the pole for one of the kids.

This is only half the bunch!  There are many many more kids and many many dogs.  Yes, that boy has his face deep in his plate of Maine maple syrup.  None can go to waste!

Getting outta dodge!  Just in time for severe thunderstorms!   

 This is the end of my journey.  I survived.  No bear sightings.  Thank you Jesus.  

Til next time.....

Family

It is my turn to post over at eclectic Paperie today and this is what I shared.....

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving last year, my mom, my sister and I were together.  It wasn't until last minute, when the sun had already gone down that we decide to capture a picture.  With the wrong lens (cause the right one was 4 hrs way!) I had my friend snap a few.  Even dark and dimly lit, you can tell that we were happy to be together.  I thank God daily for blessing me with two of my best friends.  

I created this layout with the amazingly beautiful Botanical Tea by Graphic 45.  You can probably tell by now, that something like Graphic 45 most often intimidates me.  This line, however, has got to be the best they have ever made.  It is stunning.  You have to see it to believe it.  Of course it is for sale in the shop!!

You can see here where I added a little gelato with water to create a small pink watercolor effect.  I also colored my Maya Road Butterfly with green gelato and water.  The stamps that you cut from the paper, are just delicious, back with foam tape for embellishment.

I added a few leftover Fancy Pants Resin Flowers and metal trinkets from Farmhouse Paper Company that I had in my stash.  A few drops of paint and my layout was complete.  

Thanks for looking.

Mary-Ann