Good Times - A Flair for Buttons

I am sharing a layout over at A Flair for Buttons, featuring three amazing flair pieces that you can find HERE.  I used flair  from Best Friends Flair and Script Words in Color.  Both pretty amazing sets.  

Head over and take a closer look!

Wall Re-do - mambi

Ok, my entry from the garage from the kitchen is narrow and tight.  

It was in desperate need of a re-do.  When I received the Special Edition DIY Gallery Art Pads from mambi,  

I headed out to make some changes.  

BEFORE

As a family, over coffee one weekend morning, we collectively picked what we wanted on the wall.

AFTER

I used vintage frames to house the art.  I used wash tape to secure the papers to the back of the frames since there was no glass.  This way, I can remove the tape, switch out the art without harming anything.  I also added a few smaller pieces to the metal board with washi as well.  

This area needed to remain practical because this is where we keep our schedules and chore charts.  Having a collection of colorful pens nearby, makes it easy to color code activities.

I hope you have enjoyed my very small makeover.  It is fun to change things. 

Problem is, it starts a dominos effect and it is hard to stop once you get going.

Best of 2014

I wanted to reflect back on the year and share with you 14 of my favorite projects that I had created throughout the year.  When looking back, it was hard to narrow it down to just 14.
 I was able to get it down to 16!
One of which is not really a project but a super exciting time for me.
 I was featured in the Creative Spaces Vol. 3 magazine!
  That HAD to be included here.  This is what I came I came up with.

I can see here that I have managed to incorporate more cut files with my Silhouette machine.  More flair and brighter colors.  Of course, there are lots of project about my boy and his dog.  I am happy to have memories to share.  Thank you all for taking a quick look back with me.

Here is to 2015!

USMC 239th Birthday Ball Pictures

Happy 239th Birthday Marine Corps!  I feel so honored to have been a part of such an elite group of men and women for over 21 years now.  I can not remember how many balls I have attended, I was trying to think back the other night about the different dresses I have worn.  I believe I have only repeated a dress once!  The rest, hang in my closet.  Sad, I know.  The older we get, the less "prommy" my dress gets.  I guess that is an indication that we are old.  

We feel honored to have been invited to the same ball for the last 3 years with our friends, the Jennings who, three years ago, moved back to this area.  

Next year will be sad, it is almost time for them to move on.  

They also invited another set of friend's (our neighbors) the Gannons. 

Here, we get a group shot before things get crazy and the ceremony begins!

The Jennings during the ceremony.

A quick selfie during the talk!

The Gannons!

This is my chum Stacy!  Her husband is also a Marine and they live in our neighborhood too!  During the ceremony, I received many a text, telling me how hungry she was:o)

The guys. Yes, that is a Navy uniform!  

He is the corpsman for the Marine Corps and pals with Randy.  

They were stationed together in Londonderry a few years back.

As you can see above, the lighting in the hall was not great for iPhones, so off to the bathroom we go, for a well-lite groupie!  We give the phone to Linda, because she has the longest arms!

This may have been well into the night.  Instead of duck lips, it looks like we all are sniffing our runny noses!  We took tons of photos here in the bathroom, Ill just share these two!

At this point, the ball is winding down and we decide it is time for us old folks to hit the town!  

Off, by cab, to The Greatest Bar.  

Do you have any idea how cold it was outside?  

Or how hard it is for 6 people to get a cab and head to one location? 

On a Saturday night in Boston!

I knew by the bouncers outside that this was the bar for me!  What kind of music you ask?  Rap, rock and pop.  I just LOVE it!  Crowded, loud and FUN!  So, the trick is, show up with a guy in uniform and you just walk right in, kinda like the cool kids cutting line in all the movies!

Randy and Tate with a couple creepers in back!  ha

Off we go to another bar, about 17,000 miles away.  

Yes, we walked!  Yes, we closed it down!  

You can see here that we, or some of us, still got it!  

He is all mine folks!  Back off.

Tommy  and Linda knew the owner of this bar, 

so we got to hang a bit after the young peeps went off to sleep!  

As we are leaving the bar, the owner gets us sausages from the street vendor outside.  

We all THINK we are hungry.  They were delicious!  I think.

What a grand night with great friends.  

We are blessed that the Marine Corps has brought so many wonderful people into our lives.

Lebron's

If you have a child anywhere between the ages of 7-20, specifically boy, you all know about over-priced sneakers.  Well, in this house, we have had several conversations that revolve around Lebron's.  At the end of the last school year, it was a daily topic. More like begging.  My boy would request a pair of "Lebron's".  For those of you who have sheltered children, or don't live near the hood, or don't watch TV, Lebron's are the ugliest, most expensive, highly sought after sneaker out there.  After many, many chores (that had to be without resistance) we broke down.  Well, my husband broke down and got my kid a pair of sneaks that I am embarrassed of:o)  You just can't buy them anywhere, that's if they even have the ones your looking for, and in the size you need.  Nothing matches except the really expensive t-shirt that he had to have too.  Then, when you get the sneakers, you have to have the really ugly, over-priced socks too.  You just can't wear what you already have.  Anyway, he sported them at times throughout the summer (selectively).  When school started, we waited to see if others had them, then a few days into the school year, he broke them out.  Bam.  Just like that.  The cat is out of the bag!

This picture is from this summer when we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.  He matched there just fine with all the colorful chairs and decor!  I sat at a different table:o)

I used MAMBI (Me and My Bid Ideas) product for this layout and some Thicker letters.  The star cut file is from an amazing Etsy store, The Cut Shoppe!

Click on this pic to read the journaling.

If anyone is looking to hire, let me know!  We are broke!!!  Oh wait, HE should start sending out fliers to the neighbors about odd jobs he is willing to do like I did when I was a kid!  Maybe, walk the dog? pick weeds? Mow the grass?  All at least worth a buck or two!  Then maybe, we can eat again:o)

You Make Me Happy

It is not often enough that I get to see my sister.  She is probably one of the most important people in my life, and I don't spend enough time with her.  Thank God for Alexander Graham Bell and the nerds who invented the smart phone.  We talk and text but I'd rather see her.  Over the 4th of July this past year, she came down to visit.  We were busy prepping for a BBQ, but took time out to snap a quick pic.  I was worried about the scar on my knee showing, so she covered it with her legs.  Both of them:o)  That is what sisters do!

Dear Lord, did you see this Foxy flair?  Isn't it just the best thing you have ever seen?  

For this layout, I used the True Friends collection from Fancy Pants.  I even utilized the packaging.  The color pallet of this line is stunning.  I think this may be my third layout, all completely different, with this same collection.

Hug your sister if you can.  If you happen to see mine, hug her or me too:o)

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)