How 'bout a mini?

So I don't really consider myself a "mini gal" in that I rarely (read as never lol!) make mini albums. I think this is the second of third mini album I've made and probably the first that wasn't from a class kit. I don't know why. I guess I feel kinda intimidated by them. But the dt gals from Black River Designs decided that one of our projects this month should be a mini album so I took the plunge and here it is!


What is a "brandonism" you ask? Well let me tell you! My little guy Brandon comes up with the craziest, wackiest, silliest things some times. I love his "kid logic" and how things just make sense to him even though they are so off the wall to me. I had been sharing these "brandonisms" on my facebook page for the last month and decided it was the perfect subject for my mini album.


A quick look at the inside pages. I know you can't read the journaling but if you click on the image it should show bigger and you'll be able to get a glimpse of some of the silly things my boy says. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
Black River Designs Midnight Blooms
Black River Designs Pink Wildflowers
Black River Designs Ribbon Stripes
Black River Designs Spiro Art
Jillibean Soup Really Red Alphabeans
Jillibean Soup Kraft/Red Circle Journaling Sprouts
American Crafts Spinach Nutmeg Glossy Chipboard Thickers
Scenic Route White Blue Grid Background Paper
Jenni Bowlin Reverse Black Tiny Circle Alpha Cardstock Stickers
Sassafras Green In A Stitch Buttons

Black River Designs Projects ...

Just thought I'd share a few of my Black River Designs projects for this month. I'm in love with this color combo of the green, blue, yellow and brown. I used it on some of my projects last month and, well, I used it here again. I can't help it! I think it is a perfect color combo for those little boy pages.


I don't get too many photos of these two together and both looking at the camera so of course I had to scrapbook this one immediately. The journaling is about my experience of being a mama two these two boys ... and how much I love it and them!


And just a sweet card with a cute little owl to say hello. Thanks for stopping by! :)

Black River Designs Projects ...

Hi Everyone! Can you believe it's Friday already?!? I swear this week has just flown by and my poor blog has been neglected as a result. Well I have a few fun projects to share that I created with some of my Black River Designs goodies so here ya go ...


My little cutie Brandon just last summer - I can't believe how YOUNG he looks in these pictures! He still has a baby face but he has definitely changed so much in just a year. *sniff, sniff*


And here's a fun little card I put together with the scraps I had out on my craft table. Notice I used a lot of the same basic design principles on this card that I used on my layout. Makes it super easy to put a card together quickly - I've already got all the materials out that I need and my mind is already working in a certain direction.



Thanks for stopping by! :)

Christmas in July ?!?

Yep! We had a little "Christmas in July" theme going over at Black River Designs this month. I wanted to share one of the projects I created using their fabulous papers while you're all waiting for some new stuff (which I promise is coming next week). :)


I've probably said it before but I'll say it again - I just LOVE all of the fun patterns and bright colors in these papers. They are fabulous!

Christmas will be here before you know it! Here's a little clock to tell just how soon Santa will be visiting ...

Countdown Clocks, Christmas Countdowns at WishAFriend.com

Family - a photo and a layout ...

My mom snapped this photo the other day before we left for Darian's graduation ceremony. I know it's not the "perfect" family photo because Darian (the little stinker) refused to sit still and look at the camera, but honestly I absolutely love it! It shows US - who we are every day. Silly and happy and together. Us.


And here's a layout I created with this photo using some yummy papers from Black River Designs about our family.


These papers are from the Kelly's Garden collection and I just love how they all work so well together so I created a bit of a patchwork background with them and laid my photo and journaling center stage right in the middle of my layout.



I added some fun details with chipboard letters and shapes, word stamps from Unity Stamp Company, and felt flowers and pearls from Zva Creative.

Black River Designs ...

I was lucky enough to be asked to join the first ever design team for Black River Designs a Canadian based scrapbook company. I fell in love with the bright colors and bold patterns of these papers immediately and was so excited to receive a big box of BRD goodies the other day. I got to work yesterday and this is one of the projects I came up with. LOVE these papers so much! Pure heaven!


I took these fun pictures of Brandon with his "shark shooter" over Memorial Day weekend while we were swimming at my mom's house. He's so funny because as much as he didn't want to go in the water (he's kinda scared of it!) he was VERY serious about his "shark shooter" and wouldn't put that thing down the entire day! LOL


I totally played with the fun curves in the paper for my titlework since it reminded me of the waves in the ocean. We were given some Core'dinations cardstock in addition to our BRD goodies and I used my Cricut Expression to cut the "shark" in my title. Can you believe I have never owned or touched a piece of Core'dinations before now? And can I just say how COOL this stuff is?!? I sanded the edges of my letters a bit for a roughed up look and love that you can see the lighter blue core underneath. Fun stuff!


I played a bit with the fun design in this patterned paper and punched out some circles, added brads, and adhered with dimensional adhesive for some POP!

I also created a quick and easy Father's Day card with my scraps but I think I'll save that for another post! Hee hee! :)

Woo Hoo!

I am so excited to share that I have been asked to join the very first design team for an amazing Canadian-based company Black River Designs. I immediately fell in love with this company when I saw their amazing array of patterned papers. Such fresh colors and fun patterns - totally my cup of tea! I am joined by a stellar group of ladies - you can check out the "official" announcement here!