Halloween is here.

This is last year's Halloween. Eli was a scarecrow. This page was made using My Mind Eye's collection Lost & Found Halloween. A collection I had to have, but really have never made anything fantastic with. Mainly, because I am crazy about kraft paper. The above layout is just that. But I'll rave about the costume for days. I cut up grass skirts and sewed them into the overalls at the wrist and ankles. I added a few patches and even a hanky for his back pocket. I also attached the black crow onto his hat. It turned out super cute. I only wish I had someone to hand it down to. He sure was the cutest scarecrow.

My lil' lion.

This was Eli's 3rd Halloween, but the first I ever scrapbooked. I had this idea that I didn't want to be "one of those" scrappers that was crazy about Halloween paper. So, I went with a non-traditional Halloween page. I liked this paper with his cream and tan color costume. The pumpkins were cut with the Silhouette Cameo and backed with a piece of burlap. The banners and letters were also cut the same way. Note: the bows made with brads. Which is a super easy way to make a great bow.
I am scared to death of the day my boy ask for a big box store costume. That might be my Halloween nightmare come true. Luckily, the power of suggestion still works well with him. And I am smart enough to suggest something that is within my creative reach. The above costume was fun and simple, but still super cute. The lion hat was a gift from a relative that visited a zoo. He had the tan pants and I bought the cream shirt. I added a felt tail with some yarn tassels to the pants. I always like to add a coordinating trick or treat basket. The steak was a dog toy that I hot glued onto a box. I love my lil' lion.

Apple Cider.

Not only is this one of my favorite Fall pages, it's one of my favorite Fall days. It was an apple cider making, 4-wheel, tractor riding kind of day. And there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather do it. My boy had a blast! When I bought the Tim Holtz tickets I loved them. I tried to fit them in many projects. Finally, they worked on this page. With my Cameo I created a similar looking ticket as a check list of all the wonder thing we did that day. I also cut the apple and apple cider jug out with my Cameo. Both of them were downloaded from the Silhouette Store. What a great day for our family.

I heart Fall.

I am sharing another old Fall page today. Yet another page created using Harvest Lane by Simple Stories. Hey, the previous post about my love for this paper company was no lie. I really use this stuff. This page is also one of my better, first attempts at layering. Which isn't too difficult when you so many options of paper you love. This was also the first time I dared to scrap professionally taken photos. Before this I just didn't feel like I was ready. Note: The "family" tag was a price tag on an item I bought at a craft fair. No, it's probably not acid-free. But I am not an acid-free Nazi. Frankly, any yellowing of paper would just make this page look even better.

Simple Stories.

When I first discovered Simple Stories I felt the same way as I did the first time I discovered Echo Park. I loved everything about it! For me it opened up a window of endless possibilities. The colors and designs fit in line with the type of pages I like to create. Since I mainly scrap our son and the things he does with our family, so many of their collections fit into what we enjoy doing together. Harvest Lane and Summer Fresh are two of my favorite collections. I have created many pages with those collection, but the best part is that I continue to go back to them and use up all the little elements. The alphas, big and small are seen on many of my pages. I just purchased the Smarty Pants collection for out first day of school pics and can't wait to get my hands on it. And I already know Urban Traveler is next in line. The colors are great for any and all boy pages not just vacation pages. I salute you Simple Stories! Thank you for making my sometimes complicated life story so simple to tell.

Hello Fall.

Fall is my favorite and we've had a beautiful one this year! I've decided to dig out some old fall pages to share this week. On this page I used Harvest Lane by Simple Stories. One of my all time favorite collections. I've used almost every piece in this collection. Pulling out old pages gives you a chance to re-evaluate your work. On this one, the horrible hand written journaling sticks out to me like a sore thumb. I am never pleased with the results when I journal this way. So, I've learned and just don't do it very often. Happy Fall, Everyone. Come back soon for more leaf crunching pages.

Cards by Bridgett.

After stepping away from card making for awhile, Washi Tape was exactly what I needed to get me interested again. These two cards show two different ways Washi Tape can be used to make cards. One is very simple. Which works well with the bird tape design. While the bike tape demands a little busier design. I placed the tape in a chevron like pattern. That card states "here to give you a lift" inside. At a later date I might add "get well soon" depending on who I decide to send it to. These cards are easy and fun to make. When sending these cards I'll seal the envelop with a little piece of coordinating washi tape for the finishing touches.

Cards by Eli.

The other day I snuck upstairs to finish a washi card I had started. It wasn't long before I had a little boy pulling up a seat beside me. I think washi tape is excellent for small crafters. It requires no glue, but isn't very sticky. Plus, little hands can tear it easily. I set him up for success by only giving him coordinating options. Which is a favorite trick of mine. We decided it was a "happy fall" card. Inside I let him stamp "BOO", "happy", and "Happy Halloween." Although I helped, this card was truly made by him. It's a great card for a grandparent. So proud of my little boy.

Sketch Challenge.

I entered my very first sketch challenge. It was a Becky Fleck sketch through A Cherry on Top. I did not win the challenge, but I did receive rewards points just for submitting a page into their online gallery. I heart Becky Fleck and that is what pushed me to give the above sketch a chance. Page Maps and Page Maps 2 were the beginning of my scrapbook hobby. I high recommend these books to any beginner or if you find yourself in a slump. As you can see I didn't stray too far from the sketch. I did omit the journaling which I have been in a bad habit of lately. I have added one little thing to the page since the photo was taken. I was rushing for the deadline and could not for the life of me find these John Deere epoxy stickers I knew I had. With the recent move I am having trouble figuring out where these random little things are. Since the challenge I found them and added one John Deere logo sticker just left of the flower. Although I do not do it often, don't be afraid to go back to your pages to add or remove something if you want to. Sketch On, Ladies.

Hexagons.

Just wanted to share this bright cheery page to wake up your eyes this morning. Hexagons are pretty popular in the scrap book world right now and I was ready to give one a shot. Most are using smaller hexagons to create a background or using them on cards. I needed a way to crop out the unpleasant parts of the above photos and thought hexagons just might work. I paired the white page, with bright rainbow paper and black letters. I used 6 different styles of black alphas to mix them up and keep it fun. I think it worked!