It's the Small Things

Mad for Books

We had family pictures taken last summer and our photographer, Michelle Riddle, suggested we bring my oldest son's favorite book. We're good friends and I had mentioned that he is in love with reading and that I have a hard time getting his nose out of books. This is a good problem, to be sure. I love that she asked us to bring his favorite book, Harry Potter, because I simply adore these photos of him. I'm excited to put this layout in his school album.

I decided on this layout it would be fun to mix black and white with color photos and journal around them. I, also, like to leave a white border around my photos and then trace around the border with a black sharpie. It makes the photos stand out a bit more. And since I can't draw straight for anything, makes it a bit more messy and me.

I used the gorgeous Lily Bee Design Domestic Bliss collection for this layout. For those interested, I posted directions on their blog.

Have a wonderful day!

Lori

 

Some Catching Up Time.

I want to thank those of you who continue to visit my blog, despite my infrequent updates. I am always surprised when I see my stats to see that you keep coming back. I know I get frustrated when the bloggers I frequent rarely update, so I really do appreciate that you still drop in to check on me.

This summer threw me off my game. I had a life changing event happen. I had a community event I planned for the Fall that turned into a huge part time job. When I was finally able to breath and reflect, I realized that I'm way out of balance with things. I love to create. LOVE IT. I cannot stop thinking about the things I want to create, the classes I want to take and teach, the videos I've been meaning to make, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.

The problem is that I've turned into that scrapper who isn't making new memories anymore, rather is spending too much time capturing the past. Balance, see. There is none. And, while my creative spirit was being fed over and over, my family time was being sacrificed. SO. NOT. COOL. All of this is not leading up to me telling you that I'm quitting scrapbooking. I'm not. I can't. I love it too much. What I am doing is making changes and putting my priorities back where they belong. It's not surprising that spending more time with my family and less time in my scrapbook room has made me feel even more creative and renewed, so that when I do take the time to be creative, it's so much more enjoyable. I will most likely continue to post infrequently, but I will post and that's really what I wanted to say.

I do have a few layouts to update 'cause I can't post without pictures.

 

There is a tutorial for this layout on the Crate Paper blog. Last year at the pumpkin patch my youngest went a little crazy whenever he saw a pumpkin he wanted. He would run over and get his dance moves on, so I created this layout to capture that. The layout is Crate Paper (a mix of all three new collections) and the new Petaloo Fall release flowers and glitter leaves/brads.

This layout is a Fallish layout about my husband and me. I don't scrap us enough and I'm trying to change that. On the Lily Bee blog I gave some tips about color using this layout as the example. This layout was created using the new Catching Fall Collection and a bunch of the new Petaloo Fall release flowers.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lori

Ribbon Flower Bows

I am in a holiday kind of mood these days. I always want to do a bunch of home made items for the holidays. I always run out of time because it becomes a low priority. This year, I am changing that. I am making one project a week from now until mid-November. I started off making the bows to decorate my neighbor cookie boxes. I have a tutorial up on the Lily Bee blog for how to make these classic (they have been around for a long time) ribbon flowers embellished with the gorgeous new Lily Bee Collections coming to stores very, very soon! 

I'm super excited to check this one off the list! Go me! I can't wait until it's time to bake the cookies, package them up and deliver them to our neighbors. So fun! 

Have a lovely day!

Lori

Lily Bee Design

Lily Bee released three wonderful new collections at the show. I love each one because of it's versatility. I love the deep, rich colors in the Fall and Christmas collections and the vintage whimsy in the Domestic Bliss collection. It's going to be really fun getting to work with these over the next several months.

 

 

Have a wonderful day!

Lori

Lily Bee and A Million Little Things

Lily Bee Design has teamed up with A Million Little Things for a fun giveaway.

Lily Bee wants to get to 1600 friends who LIKE Lily Bee Design on Facebook.

Simply have your friends who LIKE Lily Bee leave your name over on the Lily Bee Facebook Page and you will automatically be entered to win. The more friends you send over the more chances you have to win. The prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to A Million Little Things.

Father's Day Tiny Book

I made this fun little tiny book for Father's Day after being inspired by Julie Collings and her Artful Thursday post. 

I have to say, these are really addicting. I already have plans for many, many more of these. I adore them to pieces. 

They are quick and easy to put together and they make a BIG impression. I know my husband will love his on Father's Day. 

Each tiny book has a cover, six pages and a back cover. Hop over to the Lily Bee Blog to see a tutorial on how to make one of your own. 

I used Lily Bee's Hello Sunshine Collection to create my book. It's bright and cheery and makes me happy! Have a great week!   

Signs of Spring

It's nearly summer and I find myself looking forward to my son being out of school. We have a very mellow summer planned and that is just want we need this year. When the signs of Spring started cropping up everywhere, I started to get that giddy feeling. I love how fresh things feel when Spring comes around. I've decided to make a layout for each season documenting my favorite signs both nature and family tradition. I think it will be a great thing to look back upon.

 

I used the Lovely Collection from Lily Bee Design for this page, along with some Webster's Pages bloomers, trim and sparklers. I used Helmar ZapDots to pop up my photos and give them some dimension and I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry for the bloomers and lace trim. It dries clear, so you cannot see it through the delicate ribbon.

If you care to answer a question, I'd love to hear what you like to see on crafty blogs. What types of posts draw you back to a blog time and time again?