Shoes and PB & J...

So the $8 shoes have inspired a PB & J layout. For some reason these photos look so washed out, it really is much cuter in person!
I tried my best to stick to the color scheme...but this one wasn't easy for me...I had to leave it sitting out for 2 days because it wasn't turning out like what I had envisioned. I also have to admit that it isn't my favorite thing I've ever made. But I did like the challenge and I did like the color scheme...and I really like this photo of the kids.

Hope you're having a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Perfectly perfect!

This is just...awesome. This must be why I have a collection of old suitcases growing. And that cake? Perfect!

*source*

By the way the layout inspired by my shoes is coming along nicely. I plan to share it here tomorrow. There is just so much going on right now! Can't wait to share details soon!

$8 of totally impractical footwear...

So I was at the consignment store...not for shopping but actually for consigning some clothes. Now I had only been into this store once previously and I saw these shoes, I thought they were so cute! They are J Crew and are completely impractical and were still $16 (which in 2nd hand terms seems like kind of a fortune...especially when you have a pretty good idea that someone else had their feet in them.) So I said a sweet goodbye to them and moved on. Honestly they never really crossed my mind after that.
So as I was leaving the store on this particular day, I saw the shoes again...only with a bright red line through the price tag that meant half off. SCORE! $8 of totally impractical footwear. Now I am of course going to see how I can translate this color scheme and design into a scrapbook page!
They are kind of a coral colored silk with tiny off-white polka dots and yellow leather straps with a gold shoe liner. I like how the raw, natural looking wedge balances the girlishness of them. I don't think they had ever been worn, the soles and everything about them looked brand new. I'm thinking that they may be harder to translate to a scrapbook page than my last challenge...but I'm going to give it a shot! Anyone else inspired by fashion? You should join me and try it out...you just might find it stretches your creativity. And of course you have to share your links!! And I would like to just say...I thought it was pretty hard to take a photo of the back of my head when I showed my little "summer hair" post...but it was pretty hard to get a good shot of my feet too. I don't think I have a very good chance of becoming a foot model anytime soon. :)

Fruition...

Here it is! This is the layout I finished last night that was inspired by Design Star on HGTV. (If you have NO idea what I'm talking about go back and read my last post:) I tried all kinds of backgrounds for this project and finally decided on this paper I have been hoarding that kind of looks like I actually painted and layered and decopaged the entire background, but I didn't. It came like that...hence the hoarding of this entire line by daisy d's. It's from the Wonderland collection. I chose the vibrant green to play on the green sofa she added to the room, the waves patterned paper behind the photo block is by Sassafrass and it was the best choice I had on hand to play off of her floral fabric behind the green couch.
I added the woodgrain alpha to bring out the wooden floors she chose for the room and the other elements in her room that were wood. The paper with the quote on it that is black and white was added to incorporate the animal skin rug she chose for the floor.





Now is the part in the post where I explain that if you are laughing at these photobooth pictures of us...then you are laughing WITH us and not at us! We were having a blast and I love how "imperfect" they are. You see this was the day I got the kids back from their summer visitation with their dad and we were all GIDDY! :) Just sooo happy to be together again!
I added lots of bits of this and that because her room was full of finishing details that added the warmth and funkiness that I loved so much about her room. So why not throw on there a coin from my last visit to Malaysia? Done! That sweet feathery daisy is Martha Stewart.

The sweet little doilies were added so the entire project looked more layered because I really liked how she overlapped the rugs in her room one was rectangular and plain and the other was organic and irregular. A perfect mix if you ask me. (Except I would never have an animal skin on my floor...because it's just sad...unless it was fake!)

And speaking of fruition (which to me means when a plan comes together) that is one of the names I considered using when I was dreaming up Freehand Scraps. I hope you had an inspired weekend! If you joined me in creating a layout inspired by an outfit you must link us to your blog so we can see! I may start having to do a prize when I post a challenge...anyone interested?

Inspired!

I love how so many things can bring you inspiration! Have any of you been watching Design Star on HGTV? It is down to the final 2 contestants, and they are competing for their own show on HGTV. My favorite designer is Emily and she has made it to the end. Her concept for her show is to use your wardrobe as your inspiration...or more particularly using a outfit that represents you as your rooms decor inspiration. Let's face it we all wear colors and textures that are our favorites. Your clothes represent your personality...and so should the rooms in your house! So Emily shows a few examples (posted below) on her BLOG. So fun!

And this is the "glass room" challenge from last weeks episode that is inspired by the outfit she is wearing. Love it! It's my favorite room from the entire season for sure!
Now since I am a scrapbooker, you know I am thinking about how I can translate this to a scrapbook page....anyone else up for the challenge? I think I may try it tomorrow
...the color scheme is just perfect. And can I just say how much I love that green couch? Eeek!

Cool enough for school!

So we made it through the day...and it went as smooth as possible...and I didn't shed one tear. BUT, we were allowed to stay with our kindergartners since it was only a half day today. I had promised her that I would and so even though she didn't "need" me there, I stayed. (Don't worry I have the Kleenex on hand for tomorrow if it's needed.) Here are a few photos from the day!
Chloe was beyond thrilled! She got up twice in the middle of the night and then was up at the crack of dawn giggling..."Mommy is it still my first day of kindergarten?" We picked out 2 outfits the night before one for warmer weather and this one just in case it was cooler outside. She said to me after we prayed before bed "I hope it's colder tomorrow! I hope it's colder tomorrow!" She really wanted to wear this black skirt that Nana bought her. It was so cute!

I love this shot, just because her backpack looks almost as big as she does!

She was ready to get down to business! :)

Her self portrait of her holding her puppies "Sprinkles" and "Cupcake" and the three of them in matching pink crowns is priceless!

After school we met friends for a picnic/park play date. When we got home Tanner was curled up next to me and I was talking with him about his day...or more like listening to him. He got really quiet for a minute and said "I love us together." It was one of those moments that I don't think I'm likely to forget as a parent. Have I mentioned how much I love that kid? He gets me every time!

Twas the night before...

...the first day of school. I have some very mixed emotions. Tonight I went to kindergarten orientation and met Chloe's teacher and was SO impressed! She is going to have an awesome year, and that makes saying goodbye to her tomorrow a little easier. She is in very capable hands. AND her teacher has a blog...are you kidding me? I already love her a little just for that! So I thought I would share this layout I just finished about Chloe. I waited my whole life to have a daughter to get manicures and pedicures with....she looked so tiny sitting there in that chair so I whipped out my phone and got this shot.
The little frame in the bottom left corner says "you and me" in Girls Paper sticker letters...which are also lined up next to my photo. I'm loving them!

Tanner is starting first grade and is completely fascinated with the solar system right now (which works well with his love of robots.) So I used some stamps and made a few tags for his school supplies. Everything had to be labeled! Down to each and every crayon and marker and pencil. It took me forever! :)

When I showed him this robot in his colored pencil packet...he started beaming. I can't help but think that every time he pulls out supplies, he'll be reminded again that he has a Mom who thinks he's the greatest! And that's what it's all about! :)

I'm off to check that the camera and my flip video camera have lots of batteries for the big day tomorrow...and that my purse is stocked with Kleenex. Wish us luck!

Scrap sessions...

I have had some extra scrap sessions as of late and haven't had a chance to get them all photographed to share here until today. So I thought I would share a few! You know the people who get all stressed out about scrapbooking chronologically? Well, I am not one of them. This layout is of Tanner's 5th birthday...he is 7 now. Holidays and birthdays are sometimes my least favorite pages to scrapbook, I think it's because it's always hard to come up with something new for them. This particular birthday party theme was a zebra party, but instead of breaking out the zebra stickers and patterned paper I used the Joyride line by Cosmo Cricket and embellished with a metal #5 accent. The sweet little bee die cuts are by October Afternoon.
I still have to add some fun journaling and a list of the party guests.

This was my first attempt at scrapbooking a page all about my love for IKEA. :)

This page was just all about fun. Which is what IKEA is all about to me. Fun! Anyone else a fan? Hope you've had some scrap sessions lately. It's good for the soul! I'll be back tomorrow with a few more projects to share. Have a great night!

Night owl...

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm a night owl. (Just look at the time on my blog posts!)I thought my little thrifted necklace was fitting. I don't know a lot of people who would wear this little guy...but I sure like him. Thank you Plato's Closet.
I was thinking while writing this about how I have some of my Mom's jewelry from when she was my age that I have been wearing for years. I would love to have photos of her wearing it! How fun would that be?

Which then led me to think about how almost every item from my outfit is thrifted. Go me! I scored this striped J Crew tissue tee last week for half off...half off at a thrift store means cheap! And last but definitely not least, I got to go to a crop with friends tonight and so I'll be back with lots of scrappiness to share tomorrow! For now...good night! :)

And my heart smiled...

Tonight during Tanner's football practice...wait a minute I think I need to rewind. This week has been one of really HOT humid weather. The heat index was about 110 degrees during this particular football practice. I can't imagine running around in it...I was only sitting there and I was sweltering. At least the coaches were giving the boys a lot of water breaks. So Tanner ran over and I told him he was doing a great job and he said "I'm actually having a lot of fun out there!" So after the very hot practice his coach walked over to me and I was fully expecting him to tell me what we should be working on at home. (They take their football very seriously here!) I haven't a clue really how to teach Tanner the basics of football. I just tell him to have fun out there and try his best. But instead the coach says "I just wanted to tell you that your son has such a pure heart. What a good kid." This is the 2nd practice of the season. For him to already see Tanner's character just makes my heart smile. Because after all folks, our actions speak so much louder than our words. I am learning lessons from him every single day.

Where I've been...

Um...I don't think it's a good sign that I've started my last 2 posts with "update" titles. What a bad blogger I've been. There has just been SO much going on around here lately.

I just need to say how nice it is to have the kids back, I don't know what my life would be like without them. I can tell you it wouldn't be much fun! They save me everyday. They make me laugh everyday. They bring an unbelievable amount of joy to my world. They are just about the best thing that I was ever blessed with! Oh my goodness,I just need to go squeeze them. Sorry for the mushy "Momness" of that, but I always get the blues when school starts again.

I have been going through another phase of reflecting. Realizing that my youngest is getting ready to spread her wings in a week and start kindergarten. The challenge of getting organized and into the swing of things is always such a big adjustment after a long, relaxed summer. We are getting excited...but we are also trying to enjoy every last minute we still have left together.

I also said goodbye to my sweet Mom and took her to the airport on Tuesday. Traffic was craaazy...adding more than an hour and a half each way to the journey. It is always so hard to see her off. I love her so much...we weren't 5 minutes away from the airport when the kids were saying "we miss Nana!!!" She has such a way with them. She had prepared a whole vacation Bible school session with them. She called it "Camp Hallelujah" and even made us all t-shirts. She told awesome Bible stories that the kids were absolutely enthralled by. (And that I am kicking myself for not getting photos of!!) She had really fun arts and crafts projects...one was a scavenger hunt through the yard that afterwards I renamed the "snakey scavenger hunt" as I can't seem to navigate the yard without seeing one lately. Eeek! We all came running up the hill screaming...when we finally reached the door, my Mom thought we were all laughing and having a great time. Little did she know I was running for my life! LOL!

We also took on the major task of having a garage sale while she was here. We had a great sale, and I love that garage sales make me rethink every purchase I make. For example as you eye those shoes that are $6 and you know you don't need, don't have anything to wear with, and figure you might wear once...I just say "NO!" LOL! You will be selling them at your next garage sale! I still have piles of things to take to the donation center!

And Tanner started flag football! The temperature was 95 degrees but the heat index put us at a whopping 110 degrees...but it was so fun to watch him get his first coaching in a sport that I really like to watch.

Am I the only Mom who is ready for school to start and yet not ready at all!? I'm cherishing this week!

The latest...

Wanted to check in and give you all the latest of what is going on around here. My Mom and Aunt are here visiting and we are having round the clock fun. I am also so VERY happy to report that my kids are finally back home! 2 weeks apart is just too long.

In other news...you might have noticed that we don't have an August kit this month at Freehand Scraps. For a lot of reasons, I am taking a small break from selling monthly kits. I am planning some terrific projects that I will be sharing here on my blog and will also be selling on our website this fall. I will for sure be sending out a newsletter letting everyone know when I have projects for sale, so I won't be keeping you in the dark. And we have a lot of kits for sale on the website currently. I hardly know what to do with myself not having to visit the post office every day! I am excited to do something a little different and come up with some inspiring project kits!

And since I can't seem to post anything without some pictures...here are a few from our trip to Chicago. Emily Spahn recommended the boat ride through downtown, which I am so glad that we did. It was perfect weather and a perfect day for it! Best views of the city I think.

I think this is the only year I got a shot of us outside the convention center!

This was from the My Minds Eye booth...they get the "best candy at the show award" vote by Lexi and me. The last day of the show they loaded us up with a big bag to take home. My hips are not thankful! LOL...but they sure were delicious!

And no trip to Chicago would be complete without a trip to see the "bean" at Millennium Park.

Hope you are all having a great week!