Good-bye July & Willow Traders' Blog Hop

I created this layout today for Leo#13 (challenge to use something old). Well, in the "scrapping world", I think an intact/untouched kit from 2006 classifies as "old", lol. I loved opening Stacy's Zany Zinnia kit "Keeping Warm" and finding that it has a really timeless feel. I cut out the circle and sewed it on, spray inked the background cardstock, and used the fabric strip to make a ruffle behind the precut embellie (things I would not have done had I used the kit 3 years ago). Thanks for stopping by this weekend! Come back Saturday for another creation!

Oh, and good-bye July! Wow, the summer is flyin'...

Life is good.

This past weekend I was privledged to have a ladies' weekend away with my prayer group friends (almost 16 years and going strong). We went to Blowing Rock, NC. Lots of laughter, Rummikub, and relaxing (including rocking on the deck, watching the sunset, and then the bats came out... many of them, I'm afraid... enough to send us in the house to resume our Rummikub marathon, lol). Here are a few photos and the layout I did to capture this wonderful weekend away:

I'm very blessed to have such special friends and a dear hubby who let me enjoy this much-needed weekend away from home!

Sis, this is for you!

Just loved this photo of Tessa & Emma checking out the outhouse, lol! So here's a little layout I did to showcase it:Am having so much fun doing a layout every other day over at Willow Traders this month (LEO challenge). Might have to join the "Construction Challenge" in August too (it'll be to create anything every other day, not just layouts) - we'll see - with back to school, August can get busy!

Summertime... ah...

Here's a little layout I did yesterday that shows one of the reasons I enjoy summer... who doesn't love a visit from the Ice Cream Truck (even if it does mean chasing it down)?

We also enjoyed our annual visit to Mississippi to see Grandma and family! This week, Seth's enjoyed Flag Football camp and today, Tessa and I explored the Children's Museum. I'm having fun playing under the willow tree in the "LEO" (layout every other day) challenge at Willow Traders. Hope you are enjoying your summer... or if you live elsewhere in the world, your winter :-).

Hello, July... happy birthday, America!

Wow, June flew by! It was a blast being a guest designer for Unity Stamp Co. and I've still got a few more projects I am working on to post in July. The next big project on my list is to learn how to use my new digital SLR camera, so hopefully I'll also be posting some "new & improved" photos soon as well.

Here are a few close ups of my "Liberty" banner, inspired by Trish at Work In Progress, and her Banners & Garlands class, as well as a few items from her July Project kit. Also used my Maya Road Mist, Unity stamps, cupcake liners from Target, and assorted craft goodies.

Happy Independence Day!