Christmas Train Mother and Son Scrapbook Layout

Hey guys!  Can you believe I have a post two weeks in a row!!??  I know I can’t.  This week I have a Christmas train mother and son scrapbook layout to share with you.  I have lots of help with inspiration on this one.

I started with the monthly challenge over at the Challenge YOUrself blog.  This month they wanted you to use the prompt about working together.  They gave several thoughts to use the prompt, but I took it kind of literally.  The photo I’m using was a selfie my son and I took while waiting for the Christmas train ride.  We literally were working together to keep the line fun for our five year old  since the line was rather long.

Paper issues sketch

I also used the above sketch from Paper issues to help get my design going.  I stuck pretty closely to the sketch, except for the title portion.  I used a doily for the triangles to give the same round feeling, but I just couldn’t get my title to feel correct in the round.

The paper are I used are from a very old My Mind’s Eye collection called Winter Wonderland.  I believe this collection was released in 2012.  I’m trying to use this collection up since it’s been in my stash for so long.  I’m hoping to get two more layouts out of what I have left.

Christmas Train Mother and Son Scrapbook Layout

Oh before I forget,  I’m on the hunt for a new photo editing website.  The one I have used for years now charges a hefty yearly fee.  What do you all use?

Well, that’s it for now.  I’m so happy to be creating again more regularly.  Until next time…stay crafty.

***THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.  PLEASE SEE SIDEBAR FOR COMPLETE DISCLOSURE***

CHRISTMAS TRAIN MOTHER AND SON SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT SUPPLY LIST

Awesome Summer Hair Boy Scrapbook Layout

Hey crafty friends!  I actually had some time to scrapbook recently and used sketch nine from the She’s Crafty Mini Paper Pad class that I started so very long ago.  I ended up creating this Awesome Summer Hair boy themed scrapbook layout.

The sketch that was used this go around came from A Cherry On Top.  I’m not sure it’s one that would have called my name since it has both hexagons and long strips. I changed it up enough that I was comfortable using it, but it was still a bit of a challenge.

A cherry on top sketch

The first thing I did was change the photo orientation to work with the orientation of the photos I wanted to use.  I moved the 2.5 x 1.5 from long and on the bottom to right next to the other two photos.  The  photos I used are of our sons temporary blue hair from this summer.  He loved it!

When I started putting the sketch together I actually did the hexagons as my first thing, and then fit the rest of the pieces around those.  I thought if I started in the middle I’d make my square pieces to large and then not be able to fit the hexagons in.

Awesome Summer Hair Boy Scrapbook Layout

As I was working on this I wasn’t so sure I was loving it, but in the end I really do.  Now I need to go an do some more creating, or at least cleaning up of my space so I feel inspired.  I really need to use this kit up too.  I’m down to very few embellishments that aren’t words. Until next time….stay crafty!

***THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.  PLEASE SEE SIDEBAR FOR COMPLETE DISCLOSURE***

AWESOME SUMMER HAIR BOY SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT SUPPLY LIST

2022 Crafty Goals

Hey crafty friends!  As promised I am back this week to fill you in on my 2022 crafty goals, and to ask you to help keep me accountable.  Feel free to call me out any time!

2022 crafty goals

Scrapbooking 2022 Goals

I didn’t do so well last year getting my layouts scrapped and using the products I have.  This year I want to be on a spending freeze of sorts.  I want to buy no new patterned paper collections. The only exception would be if a company releases a swimming based collection since we don’t see them very often.  Otherwise base cardstock and adhesive are okay purchases.

I also would like to finish a layout a week.  It’s really ambitious considering I haven’t scrapped in how many months…I can’t even count.  I need to get back to being creative.

I also have a goal to pair down my scrap space.  I currently use two Lallax units (one made into my desk), two Raskog carts, two of the large Alex drawers and pictures shelves/towel bars on the walls.  By the end of the year I want to be down to the two Kallax units and the two Alex drawers.  Do you think that’s doable?

Cross Stitch Goals

If you read my previous blog post I have picked up my cross stitch again after a many year hiatus.  For the coming year my goals are rather simple.  I want to have visible progress each month that can by shown via a photo blog post.  I imagine these blog posts will be photo heavy, but whatever keeps one motivated!

Like my scrapbooking I also want to buy no new charts this year.  I have enough charts to last a lifetime!  I also have MANY projects already started and/or kitted.  I have decided if I feel like stitching something different I need to look to those first before kitting something new.  If I kit something new I have to try to find a piece of fabric from my stash to work it on before buying a new piece.  Sounds simple, but we shall see.

If you’ve gotten this far thank you for sticking with and reading through my 2022 crafty goals!  Please feel free to leave me your goals for the year so we can help keep each other on track.  Until next time…stay crafty!

 

Cross Stitch Update December 2021

Hey crafty friends!  I hope that this holiday season finds you well, and that your new year starts off amazing.  I’m not sure I’ve ever shared that before I ever scrapbooked, or made cups, that I was a cross stitcher.

I have been stitching since I was six years old, but when the kiddos were smaller it just wasn’t practical with sticky hands around.  Since they are a bit older now and can understand not touching I have pulled my projects back out.

Without further ado I give you my blog cross stitch update.  I started back with pieces I already had started, and fair warning…this is a photo heavy post.

Here is where I started with this small from PostStitches

Cross Stitch Updated December 2021

and….it is finished!

Post Stitch Flurries

I then moved on to an ornament from SamSarah Design Studio called Winter Love.  This pattern was part of the Just Cross Stitch ornament edition in 2007. Here’s the starting point

Cross Stitch Updated December 2021

and I finished it!  Now I have to learn what to do with the small pieces when they are done.  Since I don’t sew, even though I own a machine, I need to find some ways to finish these.

SamSarah Design Studio Winter Love

Next up is Tall Seasons by The Sunflower Seed.  This one I started YEARS ago and I still really love it.  I’m stitching it with the recommended thread and I believe this was fabric I had on hand.  Here is where I started in December

Cross Stitch Updated December 2021

And then where I ended.  I didn’t feel like I got much done until I saw these photos.

Last but not least I have a German santa that I started as part of a stitch a long in 2009.  This was right before I got pregnant with our first child so it got put up for a rather long time.  I’m not sure I love the pattern anymore, but it’s so close to done that I can’t put it aside any longer.  I started here

Cross Stitch Updated December 2021

I ended the month with a bit done.  My goal for this is just to have visible progress every month hoping it will be close to done by the end of the year.  The spots are no fabric issues – they are the lights from our Christmas tree showing through.

If you’ve gotten this far…thanks for sticking with me and my first cross stitch update.  I hope to be back with you every month this year with a stitching update.  Stay tuned this week as I’ll be making posts with my stitching, and scrapbook, goals for the year.  Until next time….stay crafty!