Two Kids & A Card

Oh it's a HAPPY Friday, isn't it?

I'm so excited to share my first post with Simple Stories today!

I created three different projects for this week's post...

two layouts of two different kids and lastly, a card.

Each one using three different collections from Simple Stories.

First up, first kid.  It goes without saying that I have lots more photos  of my daughter than
I do of my two boys combined.   Probably because she's always happy to share a grin
and get in front of the camera.
The boys either run, turn their head, or give me the "you-are-so-annoying-me-right-now"
look.This is especially true of the 18 year-old (can I get a "I hear ya sister?).
But in usual fashion, I digress.
I love this picture of my daughter and our beloved Bear
 (our school mascot, hence the name).
  This was taken in late February when the daffodils were in their fullest bloom. 
I've incorporated the winsome FAB{U}LOUS Collection into this layout entitled
 "There Blooms a Flower"

**This layout was FEATURED at 2Peas TODAY...whoop**

I am a paper frugal, especially when it comes to papers that I almost can't bring myself to use!
  I wanted to save as much of the Sassy patterned paper as possible, so I cut
 four 1/2" strips to use for the border.  To do so, I just took a plain sheet of
cardstock and layered my patterned papers on top and then machine stitched into place.
After determining my photo placement, I sponged on a bit of acrylic paint using a
 mini tile template as my guide.  This helped to re- enforce my photo as the focal point.

I simply had to use the adorable overlay...it added just the right amount of pop to
 the B&W picture.  And of course, not too many sticker letters get by me without
 being machine stitched into place ;)  A couple of punched butterflies, a few buttons
 and stickers complete my page.

  Next up, middle boy.  The middle boy comes closer to letting me snap his
picture than the oldest.  He actually begged me to take these at our last
Varsity football game of 2011...the smiles before the heartache!  AWESO{ME} 
 of course is an awesome palette for those boys' pages and projects.

When I spotted the Verticle Journaling Card Element stating

 "take your place, make your mark, live your life" 

I knew I had to use it somewhere,  somehow on this layout.  

I think it ties in nicely to the boys doing their 'tebowing' :) 

 Really, no title was needed, but I went ahead and added a few naked chipboard

 letters to the mix.

I stamped on the 'splatter' to give a little grunge and to help define the visual triangle.
  I used a 1" circle punch and several hand-sewn buttons to boast a verticle element that
 was much needed after I completed the basic design.  Lots of hand-cutting...the stars,
journal strips and the 'keeping it real' banner, which I just HAD to have!

Finally, card.  To think, just two years ago I was only making the occasional birthday card.
  Now I LOVE cardmaking!  I wanted classic, vintage romance for this particular card,
so I utilized the DOCUMENTED Collection.

Combined with a couple of ingredients from my stash, this was  quick and easy!  

I love the Odds & Ends Memorabilia Pockets...perfect for cardmaking.

  I handcut the butterfly from one of the 'blocks' in the 6x6 paper pad and then

 embellished it with a smaller, punched butterfly.

Check out today's Simple Stories blog post to see a list of my project ingredients :)

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Thanks so much for dropping by!  

Just a head's up...I'll be changing up my blog in the next week or so and to
 CELEBRATE the fresh coat of paint, I'll be having a Give-A-Way!
 A few handmade items and assorted packs of fun, scrappy stuff.

I'll keep you in the loop :)
Have a fabulous weekend, friends!
Shellye