You With Us

Keeping with my depressing themed layouts (well it was a sad reason we were all together, but I don't think that my layouts are depressing.  I was really really happy to have the support of my new hubby during all of the visitation/funeral stuff. It meant so much to me, and I wanted him to know.

I kind of fell in love with the Bella Blvd recent releases, if you can't tell. Those colors were really just speaking to me, and I've used almost every little piece on these two layouts. I also ordered some chipboard elements from Bella Blvd and was LOVING using those. The Bella Blvd goodies I got from Paper Issues, and I have to suggest if you are looking for something and she has it, their shipping is super quick! This is another one of those layouts where I'm saving a memory that is kind of bittersweet, it's not a particularly happy time, but it speaks to the theraputic part of scrapping for me. Do you ever scrap difficult subject matter? 

Close Family

My father died on May the first. I have a lot of stories to tell. And I've been telling them and I will keep telling them. I keep making more for myself and thinking of more... I placed my first order with Paper Issues right before I left town because my Daddy was in the hospital. When I came home, the stuff I had ordered was perfect for some of the photos I had when I came home from that trip.

I'm really happy that I am not afraid to journal on my layouts, I'm not worried about how imperfect my handwriting is, or if I misspell a word, or if my feelings are right there on the page. I loved working with these papers from Bella Blvd, they were exactly what I needed and I think I'm now addicted to those bows, I just got some more... some red ones... swoon! The photo on this page came from Persnickity Prints and I can't tell you how awesome they are!

Sending Prayers & Love & Hugs

I was really inspired by the Monday Challenge this week over at the Simon Says Stamp blog. I LOVE my Ugly Sweater stamp set that I got around Christmas this past year and I love that wearing a cardigan sweater feels just like giving yourself a hug. I altered the stamped sweater image using a Faber Castell Artist Pen to make it into a cardigan, then watercolored the sweater with worn lipstick distress marker and stamped hearts from the Sending Happy Thoughts stamp set. I did use both hearts from this set. The Greeting is also from Sending Happy Thoughts. I used a sticker from Bella Blvd and some October Afternoon Alphas and a strip of Washi, a watercolored doily and a tag over background paper from Amy Tangerine to complete my card. It turned out Just right!