Ready, set...

It's almost that time again...time for our new kit "Flutter!" It will be up for sale on July 1st at 8:00 am CST. And it's a cute one, so you are for sure going to want to check it out!! There are lots of new products that are brand new from KI Memories, Glitz Design, and October Afternoon. It's such a fun color scheme, filled with bright happy summer hues, and lots of charm. I put some extra love into this kit...I hand-painted some of the butterflies in everyones kit, with what else...polka dots! So cute, but I left the rest of the package plain so that you can do what you like with them. So we'll see you back here tomorrow! Have a great night!

Pages...

I got quite a bit accomplished last night. And I liked what I made, which is always a huge bonus! The first 2 page spread is full of Hambly products, (did I mention that I love them?) and since one side is so busy (it's a clear overlay with black flourishes, I just photographed it on white cardstock so that you could see it better.) I used just plain black cardstock for the background on the other page. I have been wanting to use those Cosmo Cricket letters forever! But the thing I got the most excited about was the Making Memories flock and foil kit that I hadn't played too much with. It is basically run-ons that you either stick flocking or foil to. Does anyone else have this? It isn't that new, and I have had it a while, but I used the foil and flocking on the flourishes that are next to and under the title. I literally squealed with delight, because it was so much fun! The orange flocking didn't show up too well on the black cardstock, but it looked great on white when I was testing it out.
The look on Tanner's face is priceless!! He did NOT want to pose for this picture!

In the picture the scroll looks purple, but really it's pink.


See that little pink heart? I am telling you...it was so much fun to work with the foil!

The next page is full of fun things, that I have been wanting to play with. Those Basic Grey dinosaurs are just the cutest things ever...and what made me buy them was the fact that this might be the only time in my life that I can make pages with dinosaurs on them, I doubt Tanner will appreciate that when he's a little older.

I have had those twill letters in my stash FOR-EV-ER so it was about time that I pulled them out. I thought they looked rugged, which was the look I was going for. The paper is Making Memories and the lace cardstock is KI Memories.

Hope you are having a great weekend! And don't forget that to check out Freehand Scraps for the big reveal Tuesday morning!!

Pieces of Friday...

Tonight my good friend Christy is coming over to scrapbook and for dinner. Life doesn't get much better than that. It's the little things that I look forward to, and when I focus on those everyday small things, it seems I always have something to look forward to that way. (Obviously it doesn't take much to make me happy.) I will have new pages to share in my post tomorrow! Yeah! I have some products I have been dying to use, and you know how that goes. I just want to create something to use some of the new stash! LOL. I guess I better go fold the laundry that's laying on the table that we scrap on. That might be helpful!


I thought I would share a little sample from my gallery too. Since I am in such a good mood. (I have had a headache for almost this entire week and it finally went away!! I am thinking the humidity could possibly be the cause.? )


I love the look of the buttons on the tree trunks...and that woodgrain paper by Love, Elsie is a favorite of mine also! Off to play! Hope you have a great night!

At last...

My internet is finally back to normal working condition today...and I cannot tell you how much more productive this makes me! So here is another little peek into our July kit "Flutter."

The kids had swimming lessons again today and Tanner has another t-ball game tonight, so I am officially feeling like all I do is run the kids around. But it keeps them busy and it helps to break up the day a little. Most of the time, we are just happy to be outdoors. I like this next picture with all of the grass in the foreground. I think I am going to enlarge it and put my journaling in that space! I even like the slight blurriness it has. And yes, this is typically what Tanner looks like standing out in right field. He is his own entertainment!
I had to share this little picture, just because...isn't he the cutest ever? He is sitting in my studio just looking sweet. (Reading this back is making me laugh because I am of course talking about the dog...but Tanner is looking pretty cute too!) He is my latest $5 antique store purchase. Totally worth it in my opinion. I now have two of these, but this one looks like Macintosh (our dog) so he's my new favorite.
Oh and I promised my sister that I would post a photo of my new IKEA storage wall (also in my studio.) It looks so orderly and clean right now, but I'm sure in a few weeks it will be over-flowing with scrapbook stuff. Right now I have my collection of "H" and "S" letters on display, with a vintage camera hanging down from one of the hooks. I think this kind of storage will really come in handy for me because I have found that I use what I see. And if it's all tucked away where I can't see it, then it sits and I don't use it.
I love organization and am always trying to come up with creative ways to keep things easy to access while still looking orderly. And the best thing about these units was the price, they were so inexpensive! Hope you have a great day!

I need to...

I need to remind myself to remember this. I love it how Tanner calls a fly swatter a "fly water" and how when he talks about possums he calls them "pawstums." I love it how he calls drink coasters "oller coasters" and a kleenex a "bless you." I love it how he thinks that Mountain Dew is really called "Mountain Dude." I love it how he calls me Mama and always asks for one more hug and kiss before bed. I love it how he calls my computer an "uh-puter" and calls the dog "Maci-doodle." I love it when he prays before he eats any meal that he thanks Jesus for his "dinner" (even if he's eating breakfast.) I love it how he wants me to tell him that he's special everyday...this is a really big deal to him right now. I love it, that if and when I have to discipline him, he tells me that he "understands and is really, really sorry." I love it that he is so protective of his little sister and that they are best buds. I love who he is becoming and am so proud of him!

I just wanted to write this down...it is definitely a part of Tanner's "story" that I have been wanting to tell!

I am working today on kitting the last pieces of July's kit that will be up for sale on the first! It's called "Flutter" and I bet you know why, if you've seen the sneak peeks.

One more thing also...Amanda Smith has the cutest video of her little guy singing posted on her blog. I think he has a great voice for a 3-year-old! The link to her blog is on my sidebar. So check it out!

More...

Sneak peeks. Always a good thing...aLwAyS!!

Each kit comes with a package of Heidi Swapp acrylic butterflies...but I have hand-painted 2 of them with polka dots!! Cute!

I worked this weekend on my gallery projects, and was completely in the "zone." I stayed up way too late, I just didn't want to stop. I made 4 layouts and two cards and one home decor item, and I still have a few other ideas bouncing around in my head. This kit was so much fun to play with! I really loved creating with it! Two of the layouts I made are my first ever 6x12 inch pages. I recently converted my scrapbooks to the American Crafts albums that you can use any sized page protector in. One of which is the 6x12 size. They were so much fun to make...especially if your tired of the same old format and size like me.

In other BIG news I finally got my Flip: wheee! I have had fun playing with it and plan on doing some video's for the blog. It seems pretty straight forward, but I haven't tried to upload any videos yet. So we shall see. If anyone has tips for me, I would love them!

Sorry for my short absence from blogging, but my internet has been down. Such a pain! Ya'll know how much I love technology...lol. Hope you are having a great night!

They've got talent!

Well I have heard that some of you weren't able to view the pictures of the new designers work in the newsletter I sent out last night, and I wouldn't want any of you to miss out on it...so I thought I had better post them again here. You've gotta love technology!

This is from Jamie Warren. I love how she uses the little prints on her pages! Too cute! And that heart layout is a-ma-zing!


This is Molly Peckham's work. She is amazing with distressing, stitching and texture!!

This is Celeste Smith's work. I loved her altered item so much, so creative!

This is Katie Haddox's art. All I can say is "wow" I am inspired!

We are so excited to have these talented ladies on the Freehand Scraps "team." Welcome! And I apologize again if you weren't able to view the pictures the first time around on the newsletter!

Hope you have an excellent weekend!

And the winners are...

I am so happy to announce the winners of our first design team call here at Freehand Scraps!! Let me tell you it was NOT an easy task...there was so much talent to choose from! I want to thank you so much for all of your entries, it was a joy to see all of your work. Congratulations to all of you!! Our first winner is Jamie Warren from Georgia, I can't wait for you to see her amazing work, I was so inspired by her layouts. I especially loved how she uses different sized photos on her projects. Our second winner is Katie Haddox, from Arizona. She is super creative and has a darling daughter, and I love, love, love her handwriting! Our third winner is Celeste Smith from CT. She is well-known in the industry and I loved the clean lines her pages have and she made the cutest altered item I have about ever seen. Our fourth winner is Molly Peckham from the Aloha state (I am soooo jealous that she gets to live there!) She is an amazing photographer and the texture on her pages is incredible! Each of the designers will begin designing with our August kit...so get ready to be blown away! Congratulations girls- you all should have an email from me in your inbox with some details! Thanks again to all who entered! I will be sending out the June newsletter later today with the good news, so be looking for that too!

Don't you just love the check-out aisle at Walmart? My kids could play in that aisle forever! Look what they found the other day...the princess one has a recording that tells you that you look "just like a princess." I had to pose for a LoT of pictures for these two!


I guess fair is fair...I make them pose for a LoT of pictures so it's payback time! Hope you have an excellent day!

Wednesday...

Well we have started swimming lessons this week and that has been fun! Chloe is loving it, and just smiles the entire time. She is so comfortable and relaxed in the water. Tanner was having fun, until that is they made him jump off the diving board in the deep end. He told me afterwards that he "never wanted to go back again!" Claiming it was "not fun!" But this is a good stretch for him. He needs to explore his limits and find out just how much he can do, if he puts his mind to it! I guarantee that by the end of his lessons he'll be begging to jump more than once.
I spent the afternoon cleaning up after the storm that knocked our power out this weekend. There were so many branches down, and sad to say that it split one of my cherry trees in half. The only good news is that my peach tree has lots of little peaches growing on it, when there was NoNe last year. Peaches could quite possibly be my favorite fruit! Yum...

I am working on getting my gallery work done with the July kit, and also gearing up for CHA mid-July. I am getting lots of ideas for upcoming kits, and you are going to love the new products that are going to be released at the show. I already have a list of things that are must-haves.

I am planning to announce the design team winners tomorrow. So get ready for that! I was waiting to get my new flip in the mail to announce them with a video, but it looks like I won't be getting it until the 22nd, and I didn't think you would like to wait for the results that long! I am very excited to be working with new designers!

Here are the last pictures of the album that I made for my dad...I guess blogger finally felt like uploading them today!

I got those funky cards with the car, dog, bus, train, "curve" sign, etc. at the local thrift shop. I knew I wanted to do something fun with them. I loved the scrolling edges on them.

Hope you have a wonderful night!!

The Powers ON!

Well we had been without power since Sunday afternoon and they just got it back on last night around 10:00 pm. Hallelujah! I was going crazy, not being able to do business, check email, get my shipping done, and just work in general! (We were also without water...which was just wrong on so many levels! Much worse not having water, than not having electricity!) So we had a funny couple of days...between my 3 candles and 2 flashlights to help us find our way around. Of course after the first night, we could only find one of the flashlights because the kids had misplaced it. We played a lot of games and did a lot of puzzles, and read a gazillion books, and really that was the silver lining in all of it. We spent some great quality time together. I have read on some other blogs about taking a day and just unplugging. Meaning I guess trying to use no electricity, and not having all of the distraction of emails, and TV, and music, etc. But my kids just cried that they didn't have nightlights!! We went to bed early last night and when the power company called to say it was finally back on, I went and turned on the kids nightlights and fans and then did a little dance to celebrate. I will NEVER take the electricity for granted again. NEVER.

So because of the powerlessness around here I may need to announce the design team winners a little later in the week. I am just about ready to burst! I don't like keeping secrets. So get ready for the big news a little later this week! I did go back through each and every entry again today and looked at everyones work one more time just to review and I think we have it pretty much settled...so that's coming soon!

Since I didn't get to post on Father's Day (which I really had my heart set on doing) I wanted to just tell my padre that he is the BeSt! I am one of the luckiest girls in the world to have the dad I have! I love you so much dad, and want to thank you for all that you have done for me, and for loving me unconditionally! I think that there should be more than one day a year to honor you! Because you certainly deserve it! (Here are some more pictures of his little book I made him.)






Okay I have tried 3 times to upload the rest of the pictures and it isn't working for me for some reason, so I'll have to try again tomorrow! Hope you had a wonderful Father's Day and have a great night!

It's complete!

Just wanted to let you know that the maintenance on the website is done, yeah! I also wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the last day we will be accepting design team submissions. I think I will be announcing the winners by mid-week, once we've had a chance to review them all! You really are all so talented...and I'm so impressed that you are telling your story and documenting your journey! You're the most qualified to do so...right?

Hope you have some time to relax this weekend! And maybe wear your sunglasses right-side-up? Celebrate the dad's in your life!

Website...

Just a quick post to let you know that my web guy is doing maintenance on the site today...so if you aren't able to access it...like me...don't worry it shouldn't be much longer and it will be back up! He thinks by mid-day tomorrow at the latest. (This is why the title and pictures on my sidebar aren't being shown.) So thank you for your patience regarding all of this.

In other news today I test drove a car...not just any car...but pretty much my dream car!! It was so much fun, but I think if I got one of these my mom would be upset, because she has had her heart set on one for a loooong time. I am really taking my time, shopping around, looking for good deals, and not at really any car in particular. I love cars...ask my family...I like so many of them, that that's the problem. I can't make up my mind what I want. The little Mini Cooper I test drove had checkered side mirrors (have you seen them?), and 2 sunroofs! Biggest downfall: it has the smallest trunk I have about ever seen! Maybe not the most practical car...but the kids fit just fine, and it did get great gas mileage!

I also have to share a little story about the Chloe girl. She got up this morning and dressed herself (of course) she came downstairs and informed me that this was her "married dress" and that she would be marrying Tanner today. My mission: she was demanding "married hair" and she is particular about it! So I finally got it just the way she had envisioned it, and she tells me..."I'm sorry that you can't get married today, but it's just MY day! Maybe you could get married tomorrow, when you have a chance."
Doesn't this look just exactly like a wedding dress? Maybe it's the ruffles...I don't know! I think I'm more concerned that she wants to marry her brother!

Have a great Friday!

Sneak Peek...

I did promise a little look into what July has in store...so much fun! If you don't know by now, I am in LOVE with KI Memories, and this kit is full of the brand new "bloom" product line. I have some really great antique and vintage extras in with this kit, along with some October Afternoon and Glitz Designs...all brand new from CHA in February. (I know Feb. doesn't seem brand new, but these lines are just now shipping, even though we placed orders all the way back then.)

Here is the painting project I have been working on today that I mentioned yesterday, but they aren't finished just yet!!

And a peek at some of the papers. I think it's the extra's or embellishments that make this kit so great!! Oh but I do *love* that paper, so I can't decide what my favorite piece is, it just all "works" together so well. I can picture 4th of July pages, or camping pages, or swimming pages, and the list could go on! There is a lot of versatility with this color scheme!

I also promised to announce our guest designer for the month of July...drumroll please...it is none other than my super-talented friend Maria Grace Abuzman. I think most of you know who she is and how great she is. You can check out her blog here: http://www.mometarybliss.com/.

Remember...there's only a few days left to enter the design call! I am super excited to announce winners. Hope you have a wonderful day!

It's barely June...

...and July is the priority in my mind. I have July's kit all ready, but I am altering a few items that go along with it. It is full of some really great products. I of course mixed a few of my old favorites with some of the brand new CHA products that just shipped. I will have to share a little sneak peek of what is to come very soon. Tomorrow I have a lot of spray painting scheduled!! Does that give you any clues?? I like to paint and get messy, so this is something I am looking forward to. (I think I get this from my mom. She was always working on painting something when I was a child.)


I have some very exciting news to share with you tomorrow...it has to do with a certain garden girl who is our guest designer for July!!


Okay and one more thing...the final count down has begun! The design team call is open until the 15th of June and then we will be announcing winners!! I am so excited about this. It has been so hard to narrow it down, so if you are interested, get your pages over to us quick!

Had to share a quick picture of Tanner at his last t-ball game. He was giving himself a thumbs up! He could have cared less who was looking, and wasn't paying attention to anyone around him. Don't you think we should all give ourselves a little thumbs up, or pat on the back? (That totally reminds me of grade school.) But it's so true...after all, no one can appreciate you, until you appreciate yourself. (Love yourself.) Tanner does, just look at that smile on his face. I love it!
So I am giving all of you a thumbs up tonight! Now it's off to bed for me! Good night!

Thanks!!

First I have to say thanks so much to everyone who commented on the new look of the blog! You all made my day, and I must give the credit to Today's Creative Blog (the link is on my sidebar) where I found this cute template! I didn't mind the old look, it just wasn't "me" if you know what I mean. A little bland, and not very bright and cheery. This one is just perfect!

I am always looking for inspiration everywhere I go. Wether I'm driving and I see the perfect old brick wall to use as a backdrop for a photo shoot, or I'm at a junk store sifting through notions to find the perfect old zipper for a mini book, or I see an ad that inspires journaling for my pages, I can be inspired almost anywhere. The last time my mom came to visit we had to stop at our favorite antique stores, of course. As I was walking around looking at the mix of old and new I saw some painted signs, and I loved what they said. I don't know who these words of wisdom came from, or I would credit the author, but I thought they were worth sharing. I jotted them down in my small notebook I carry in my purse.

"Life is a promise...fulfill it.

Life is a song...sing it.

Life is a challenge...meet it.

Life is a dream...live it."

Quotes like this always remind me to dream big. It's good to see life from this perspective. We get so caught up in the daily details of life that we rarely spend time thinking about the whole picture. I am happy to say that I have my dream job right now. And I totally agree that life is a promise, that I wasn't just put on this earth to take up space...but that I have a purpose that is only for me. No one else can accomplish what God has for me...but ME!

The second quote that I loved said:

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

Isn't this the truth?? So many people want to have it the other way around. But secretly I think if it wasn't a lot of "work" it wouldn't be savored as something so sweet. It means so much more when you have invested yourself into something, and then to see it succeed makes it that much more valuable. I have several books filled with quotes, and when I can't think of something to say on a page, they always come in handy. I also love to use song lyrics also on my pages.

So next time your running around, busy with life, take a minute to look around you on purpose...and try to see all of the inspiration that surrounds us everyday. Then use it to document your memories! My life is definitley a "challenge" like the quote says...but I am up for it, and ready to meet it! Hope you have a great day!

I'm in LoVe!

With the new look of my blog..I mean. When I saw that bird...and those green polka dots...and it was free...well that was all it took! I was determined to figure out how to change it! And don't "they" say that you learn something new everyday? (I always wonder who "they" exactly are?) Anywhoo- today I learned a LOT! I have been playing with it all day: adding this and switching things around. I must say I feel like I made leaps and bounds of progress in computer literacy! I am just beaming with pride that I did it, and I didn't have to call in the experts! LOL.

Weekend Project...

Yesterday afternoon I sat down and got busy making a little acrylic album for my dear old (YOUNG) dad. I was inspired to just use what I had sitting around to make a sentimental book of memories or "gifts" that he's given me. (I think memories = gifts!) I didn't use a single picture. So the book is ALL about the story of little things and big things alike, that make him the best dad in the whole world. I will share just a peek of what I did, but I can't post the rest until he's gotten it!

(I also had to make one more card for the kids dad. So this is from them...)

And while I was at it I made one more for my sister using some of my scraps from the May kit.
Also in Freehand Scraps news...don't forget that this is the last week to enter our design team contest!! I am still receiving entries and I have really enjoyed looking at all of your wonderful work! It's going to be such an exciting month around here. Can't hardly wait!

Have a great Monday!

Project and the zoo...

Today we had a fun outing with Tanner's best bud Marcus and my friend Karen to the zoo. Much to my dismay...I forgot my camera!! How is that possible.?? I usually have it with me almost always! When I asked the kids what their favorite part was Tanner of course said the toy store...meaning the gift shop. Although he really seemed to be excited about the animals too! Chloe's favorite part was riding on the carousel. She rode on a giraffe...and it was a really cute giraffe. (WHY did I forget my camera...kicking myself right now!) She also made me go back a second time for her to groom the goats. They have brushes out for you to comb their fur and she sat with one of the babies for a good 15 minutes just talking softly to him and brushing his back very gently. They also had the cutest ugly pig in the pen with the goats. I have always wanted a pig...I don't know why, because I am sure that they are really messy and that would bother me. Both of the kids said as we left "Mom, isn't this the best day all summer?!" We all agreed we had fun!

I finished up this layout yesterday that I had started, using the May kit "the Thicket." (By the way I have ONE more kit that I can sell...so let me know if any of you are interested? Email me at heidi@freehandscraps.com.) The only thing I used that wasn't in the kit were the Prima gigham flower petals, and the tab at the top is by Pink Paislee.

Finally, Tanner had a great hit at his t-ball game last night. He was up to bat the second time and knocked it past the pitcher almost to the outfield. He looked over at me...surprised that it had gone that far...and then took off running. He batted clean up and had a hard time remembering to run around all of the bases instead of stopping at each one. LOL. He collapsed (his idea of sliding) at home plate for fun. T-ball is really funny to watch!!

Hope you are having a great start to your weekend!