1,2,3, Scrap and the Middle of the Month!

It's the middle of July already and time for the 1,2,3, Scrap mini hop with Betsy and Tracey.  Tracey challenged us with a 6"X6" card from Originals (Close to My Heart How-To Card Confidence book) called Button Trio.  I used the July Stamp of the Month, Sweet Life and colored pencils.  Isn't it sweet?  Who will be the lucky one to find this in their mailbox?

All Supplies are from Close to My Heart

Champagne Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack

Claire Paper Pack

Universal Backgrounds Stamp Set

Hemp - Natural

Watercolor Pencils

Distressing Inks - Chocolate

Cocoa Stamp Pad

Archival Black Stamp Pad

July Stamp of the Month: Sweet Life

La Belle Vie along the Paper Trail Blog Hop

The lovely "Frechie" La Belle Vie paper is featured this month for the Paper Trail Blog Hop.  If you are hopping along from Lynne, you are already familiar with the two lovely shades of mauve, brown, and black featured in this French inspired paper.  The paper lends itself to wonderful romantic image of strolls down Paris sidewalks.  I'm still working on my heritage photos so saw these papers as wonderful compliments to a layout of one of my great grandfathers.  Luckily, my wonderful stamping buddy Tracey took time to come over for a day of scrapping and stamping.  What wonder inspiration she is and if you continue along this hop, you'll run into her great blog, too!

I added lots of little details to suggest the passage of time and I even added hidden journaling through a slit in the protector so you can read about my great grandfather without taking the page from the protector.  

All Supplies are Close to My Heart

La Belle Vie Paper Packet

Key Moments Stamp Set

Vintage Type Stamp Set

Urban Alphabet Stamp Set

Black Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

Posh Journaling Spots 

Pewter Badge Buttons

Black Hemp

Sparkles: Black and Grey Assortment

Sparkles Black Fourishes

Michael and I celebrate six years together on 12/28.  Since I had the La Belle Vie papers and stamp sets out, I strolled through Pinterest and came up with these two cards.  I couldn't decide which one to give him so I ended up giving him both.  After six years, deserves both for sticking with me!

He favorite color is purple so I really tried to include that in the cards.  First one just didn't say "purple" and the second might be too feminine but the sentiment is still the same:  I love him.  Happy anniversary, Sweetie!

All Supplies are Close to My Heart

La Belle Vie Paper Pack

Smoky Plum Paper Pack

Archival Black Stamp Pad

Smoky Plum Stamp Pad

Chocolate Stamp Pad

Cocoa  Stamp Pad

VersaMark Clear Embossing Stamp Pad

Opaques Adhesive Gems Mocha

Hemp Natural

Clear Embossing Powder

Jardin Stamp Set

Bonjour Stamp Set

Universal Background Stamp Set

Love Life Stamp Set

Cricut Art Philsophy Cartridge

If you want more inspiration, continue hopping down the trail to Linda's blog!

Lavender!

Last summer set more than one record for cold and rain in Western Washington.  We're known for rain so it didn't stop us!  Michael and I spent a day at the Lavender Festival in Sequim, WA, smelling lavender, viewing craft booths, visiting the quaint town, and picnicing between raindrops.  It was fun, the sun came out just as we were leaving but more importantly, we spent the day together. 

Absence Ended :)

I know, it's been two months since I posted anything here.  I've had the usual distractions:  work, new Kindle Fire, work, family, work, new computer, work, new printer, work, and life.  How about you?  I bet you sat around waiting for me, right?  Yeah, I know, you were kind of busy, too! 

I did create during those two months, just didn't photo and post so, now that it's spring break, I'm taking the chance to post what's been piling up on my camera. 

First up is a nice two page I did of our 4th year anniversary when we spent three wonderful days at Long Beach, WA (on the Pacific Coast about an hour north of Portland, OR).  I loved these pictures and I used up all kinds of stash, applying all kinds of techniques.  I loved how it turned out.  I do which I'd taking a photo of the two pages together but I did do close-ups of some of the details.  I hope you liked it, too: