{Life as we live it}

Lily Bee projects...

wow, it's already May & i've not shared anything creative on my blog since March 27th, to be exact. funny thing is, i've also not scrapbooked since the 2nd week of April...i think the last layout i did was right before Easter weekend & worked on a project for friend, which i need to get done like, super fast! upgrading our kitchen is taking up a lot of out our time & my creative energy. but honestly, it's been nice to take a little break from my studio's work table.

i finally did sit down & create a layout for Lily Bee on Sunday night...talk about last minute, haha. but i'm very pleased w/ the outcome.

i had brainstormed this design idea in my head for days...i've been wanting to do this for a long while now & glad i did. makes me love my Cameo more & more. the possibilities are just endless i tell ya. there are definitely more words to describe my daughter, but instead, i went the easy way & used her name as a guide in describing her wonderful qualities. you can read more about the layout here...

these are two projects i've not shared that have since been on the Lily Bee blog last month & thought i'd share them here...

this bracelet was probably the most easiest & simplest piece of jewelry i've ever made...i only had to add the paper & glue. LOVE IT! you can read more about the tutorial here...

one of Lily Bee's focus on weeks was all about chevrons. they are HOT right now & boy are they fun!! i used my Cameo Silhouette to cutout the background for this layout.

lastly, my layout layering lots & lots of Lily Bee's index cards...blog post here...

now that my creative juices are flowing, it's time for me to spend a little more quality time at my worktable making a complete mess...i have missed getting my hands sticky w/ glue, paper cuts from pattern paper & the smell of un-do....

xo!

Everyday Storyteller Blog Hop Launch Party!!!

Hi there! Welcome to the Everyday Storyteller blog hop. As a contributor, I invite you to join me at the VIP Launch Party, which starts Friday, May 4th at 8:30pm CDT (9:30pm EST). There will be more than $700 in prizes given away from our amazing sponsors and we also have party favors ready for you to download here.

Are you an Everyday Storyteller? I scrapbook because I want to remember those everyday moments I capture through the lens. One way I like to document my memories creatively is finding a relationship between a variety of elements and my photos to tell the story. It's a fun way in building a foundation to your design.

I also have one copy of the Everyday Storyteller idea book to giveaway. Leave a comment here between now and 11:59pm CDT (12:59am EST) for a chance to win a copy of the e-book in advance! You have 33 chances to win. Don't forget to join me at the VIP Launch Party. Enjoy the rest of the blog hop & look forward to seeing you at the launch party. XO!

1. Cheryl Ashcraft
2. Anna Aspnes
3. Katie Clemons
4. Elise Blaha
5. Paula Gilarde
6. Sara Gleason
7. Michelle Hernandez
8. Debbie Hodge
9. Katrina Kennedy
10. Amy Kingsford
11. Cindy Liebel   << YOU ARE HERE
12. Crystal Livesay
13. Robyn Meierotto
14. CD Muckosky
15. Nancy Nally
16. Christine Newman
17. Ashli Oliver
18. Amanda Padgett
19. Renee Pearson
20. Lynnette Penacho
21. Elle Price
22. Heather Prins
23. Traci Reed
24. Lauren Reid
25. Amber Ries
26. Kristin Rutten
27. Betsy Sammarco
28. Jenn Smith-Sloane
29. Jessica Sprague
30. Melissa Stinson
31. Amy Tan
32. Tiffany Tillman
33. Jennifer Wilson

what's going on...

b/c i haven't blogged since last week. i'm tired w/ a lot to do. hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel, SOON! pics sums up what we've been up to the past week...

my last day at boot camp/personal training was this just two days ago. i am SO missing it. but the end result has been achieved & rewarding. i couldn't be any happier. check it, my muscles & i'm leaner ;) ha! i'll share more on that later...

worked on this layout earlier this week...i can never get enough of pink & green w/ a splash of grey. even played w/ my Cricut.

my new mug i bought a Target two weeks ago. i want to go back & buy more of their white mugs. i just LOVE them, which also inspired this necklace...

need to get more photos & list it along w/ many other pieces i have sitting, awaiting to be photographed.

my goal is to update the kids bedrooms before Summer. Tyler's first. we removed the ginormous desk & hutch 4 weeks ago. we replaced it w/ a smaller, simpler desk. earlier this week, i've added shelving, new curtains, etc. will share pictures soon...

i've also had this wire w/ clips since last November, LOL. yeah, i am famous for buying stuff & not using them right away. was on our "must DO" list this earlier this week. i finally got Tim to help me install it in the hall so i can hang the kids artwork.

Ty is all about football. he can't stop talking about it nor playing. he missed his chance to play flag football. so, we can't wait til the summer session starts up...

the girl had her Easter party & egg hunt this week before Spring break...

here she is, she grabbed one egg from the bottom of the rock climber & left the rest on the wall...not sure what she was thinking, LOL. but she did that a lot, but scored a nice bag full of sweetness :)

we also celebrated Tim's birthday w/ red velvet cake, dinner out to Longhorn, as per his request, and lovely visit...

from his parents :) they were on their way up from 3 months spent in Myrtle Beach & "semi" surprised Tim on this birthday. so glad they came to visit us!

it's Spring break & i am looking forward to fun adventures w/ the kids. hoping we fulfill our plans along with a few days of relaxing in our jammies & sleeping in. we are hoping to visit w/ my parents this weekend for Easter, but the looks of it w/ Corinne sick (2 days so far), we may be staying in the 'burg. fingers crossed she gets better. i don't like when she is feeling herself.

 happy Friday, xo!

scrappy news...

this excites me...

sneak peeks have started over at The Simple Scrapper and in today's sneak peek, i am accompanied with two wonderful contributors, Amy Kingsford & Katrina Kennedy.

be sure to sign up to get on the VIP list of Everyday Storyteller & enjoy the launch party here...

today i have a layout share over at the Creative Memories blog...all about using your own photo enlargement as your background. i LOVE the look of the bowling shows so much. i think i am going to print a smaller print & hang on the wall. you can see the original photo on the CM blog here...

happy Tuesday!

xo...

it's a 3 day CM virtual crop...

Happy Friday!

if you're seeking a creative weekend filled with inspiration, then you need to check out Creative Memories Virtual Crop.

there will be LOTS of challenges, inspiration from the Creative Memories Design Team and lots more to get your creative juices flowing!

here are two layouts i am sharing with you today using both the Enchanted & Reflections Power Palettes...

Perfect Photo Op

Memories with Grandparents

enjoy & happy created this weekend...XO!

(not so) wordless wednesday: happenings...

here are a couple of Creative Memories projects to share w/ you today...

100% Girl

Carefree as a Bird

also, i am a guest contributor over at Modern June's blog this week. like many of us, if not all, we all have our flaws and i'm was happy to be asked by Kathy to share a flaw of mine that i have lived with for years. you can read more about it here. stop by & leave a comment for your chance to win birds nest necklace.

lastly,i'm sure most of you have already heard & seen the AMAZINGLY AWESOME new design team over at Lily Bee...YAY! so glad to be continuing another year. LOVE Lily Bee products & looking forward to creating w/ all the new goodies!!!

xo

12on12 + Lily Bee...

Lily Bee is focusing on the new, yummy BUTTERCUP collection :) LOVE LOVE. a favorite. with the warm weather we've been having around here, i was inspired to create this layout of my kids in Myrtle Beach last Spring...around this time to be exact, March 18th. it was wonderful! i can't wait to sit at the beach with the sand between my toes while the kids play. see blog post here...

of course, i used my trusty Cameo to create the title & hibiscus flowers.

i have also been admiring a few bloggers, like Rebecca,  sharing 12 photos on the 12 day each month, that i had to jump on the band wagon...hehehe. i'm a few months behind, but that's ok...it's all outta fun. here are our pictures from today, in no particular order (click image to view larger)...

today was an unexpected & unplanned kinda day & i am ok w/ it...that's life. i'm happy my kids had FUN being w/ their friends & we had beautiful weather!

hope you had a good start of the day this week...the time change doesn't help much. i just wish i could get more sleep & i don't see that happening anytime soon.

later

Creative Memories Blog Hop!

Happy Friday!

I am super excited to be participating in Creative Memories first ever blog hop. We are featuring two brand new March power palettes, Enchanted & Divine Wedding. The best part, Creative Memories has four full Enchanted & Divine Wedding Power Palettes as prize give aways.

In order to be entered for a chance to win, you'll have to enter a code from each blog. The code for my blog is the letter E. Make sure you write that down before heading to the next blog.

Today I am sharing with you a layout I created using the Enchanted Power Palette! The colors in this collection are absolutely wonderful. With this collection, you will get to create with colorful embossed cardstock, die-cut paper ribbons and BLING! yes, you read that right...Creative Memories now has BLING!

I also added the leftover die-cut letter 'C' as a monogram accent.

The title was cut out using the Cricut Expression 2 & This & That Cartridge. I used the negative space to show the printed paper through the background using foam squares for added dimension.

The new Enchanted Paper Ribbons are to die for. I love them. They are the perfect accent on a page. To add movement to the page, I added a variety of sized circles using the Circle Cutting System & the embossed cardstock. I like how the texture of the embossed cardstock compliments the striped background on the page.

The layout didn't take long to create, which I love when that happens. The fun part was mixing the patterns with embossed cardstock and adding dimension.

Are you ready for more inspiration? Be sure to stop by the next designer blog, Nicole Martel.

Also, the blog hop will end at the Creative Memories Traditional 411 Blog, http://blogs.creativememories.com/product_solutions/ and here is where Creative Memories will be giving away some of the full new Power Palettes offered as of March 1^st! Don't forget to write down my code, the letter E and on the entry form, let them know Cindy sent you :)

1. To find out more about becoming a Creative Memories Consultant here 
   
2. To find a Consultant in your area here
3. New March Products here

 

Elle's Studio projects + giveaway...

happy Monday!

i was completely excited when Elle asked me to be a guest designer. i have loved her products since the beginning & i couldn't wait to get the chance to create using all the yummy goodness she sent me.

here are the layouts i created using Elle's Studio products, as guest designer this month...went up in the inspiration gallery last week.

'complete serenity ... i just LOVE LOVE this photo of Corinne. she looks so peaceful & free as a bird. lots & lots of layering, tags, journaling cards & embellishments to complete this page. very simple. i loved mixing it all up.

'silly face' ... instead of cutting out all the number tags up, i just used the entire sheet as my background. punched out stars & backed with kraft cardstock. i even cut up the super duper tiny tags off the packaging to embellish the page a bit. LOVE doing that. i used Jenni Bowlins blue ribbon punch by Fiskars to punch out the sports banners.

'dance dance' ... i couldn't go w/out doing a page using hears for this month. not much of a love page, but of my girl dancing her heart out...something she LOVES to do. mixed in some banner tags as accents & to journal on.

'7 days a week' ... i'm not a card maker, but the little tiny day cards were screaming to be cut from the packaging & used on a project.

if you haven't heard, there is a give away of my favorite three (Layered Number Cut Outs, One and Only Strips, and Pink Pennants) Elle's Studio products. all you have to do is leave a comment HERE to be entered & a winner will be randomly selected on Wednesday, February 29th!!

good luck & thanks for stopping by :)

Elle's Studio sneak peeks...

i'm guesting this month for Elle's Studio & here are some sneak peeks...

will share photo a day pics tomorrow...happy Tuesday :)