Gettin' By

My album garage sale.

Remember how I said I've recently switched my whole layout storage to the AC Modern Albums?  And it's only taken me ten years of testing various album types to reach this pivotal point. (Let's just say I take my album selection very seriously, okay?  It's just like selecting patio furniture - these critical, life-altering decisions are not to be made hastily.)  So yeah, I've accumulated a whole lotta albums that are now empty and looking for new homes. And now's your chance to take advantage of my inability to commit to any long-term album relationship, and grab one of my cast-offs for a discount price!

Oh, and all of them are in great shape and have been lovingly cared for :)

2 - American Crafts 12 x 12 D-ring albums in Green
     (no page protectors included)
     $8.00 each (includes shipping)  SOLD!!

4 - American Crafts 12 x 12 D-ring albums in Red
     (no page protectors included)
     $8.00 each (includes shipping) SOLD!!

1 - Linen Post-Bound album (12. 5 x 12)  with satin flower heart on cover
     includes 9 white scrapbook pages
     $6.00 (includes shipping) SOLD!!

2 - Bazzill Basics 12 x 12 post-bound albums in light blue
1 - Bazzill Basics 12 x 12 post-bound album in orangeSOLD!!

2 - Bazzill Basics 12 x 12 post-bound albums in medium blue
     They each include 12 page protectors and removable plastic album cover.
     (The plastic is wrinkled and/or scratched in places, but if you remove it,
     the albums are in perfect condition!)
     3.25 x 3.25 photo window on front cover.
     $7.00 each (includes shipping)

3 - American Crafts 12 x 12 D-ring albums in Pink
     (no page protectors included)
     $8.00 each (includes shipping) SOLD!!

1 - Kodak 8.5 x 11 Landscape post-bound album in black
     (no page protectors included)
     $4.00 (includes shipping)

1 - Bazzill Basics 6 x 12 post-bound album in Carmine Red
     (12 page protectors included - brand new, never been used)
     $6.00 (includes shipping)  SOLD!!

If you're interested in any of these, shoot me an email or leave a comment here.  I'll accept PayPal payments to lisa@bsdgraphics.com and will mail your albums out asap!  Happy Thursday!

Glimpses of May.

Our weekend weather of rain, rain, and more rain made me very efficient in the spring cleaning department.  As in, I got the whole house spic-n-span, sorted & organized lots of closets and, oh yeah - purged a whole heck of a lot of scrap supplies!  It all got thrown into a couple big boxes and I'm now sorting through it all deciding what needs to be trashed and what can be passed on. But I already feel so much lighter and refreshed.  Which is saying something, since I haven't even had a shower yet today.

At any rate, stop back by later this week for some giveaways and garage-sale type postings, alrighty?

I also got mostly all of my stray layouts put into new album homes (a process that really shouldn't take so long, but I love to revisit the memories on each page and always take my time putting them away!)  I am now officially an All-American Crafts Modern Album girl. The (large) part of me that is completely OCD loves the way look all matchy-matchy lined up on my bookshelves.  It's the simple things, right?

So before I head back to my organizing, thought I share a few more glimpses of my pages from the Jenni Bowlin kit for May.  It has some of the most amazing paper from the Pebbles Treehouse line- I am in love with the saturated tones of red, yellow, green and brown.  And here you go:

Back to the grind - enjoy your Tuesday!

Five on Friday.

1.  Going through some photo cds from my early digital days.  Finding lots of pics I haven't scrapped yet, like this little gem:

Also realizing that my photography skills have, indeed, gotten better over the years. But there's still plenty of room for improvement.

2.  Having lunch in Boulder with a friend I haven't seen in more than year.  Looking forward to catching up.

3.  Finally making some strides to get the piles of layouts on our dining room table into albums. I was helped along by this fabulous deal on AC Modern Albums and ordered six of them.  Only paid $4.95 for shipping - score!

4.  Feeling like I probably need to do something domestically-inclined today, like maybe laundry or vacuuming. Finding it surprisingly easy, however, to talk myself out of it.

5.  Finished a two-page layout with the Jenni Bowlin kit for May (LOVE!).  Here's a couple sneaks:
 

And that's all I've got!  Happy Friday!

Is it really Thursday already? (Or is it Thrusday?)

Hmmmmm.....judging from the fact that it just took me five minutes to correctly type this post title with no typos, I think I need more coffee. It took approximately eight attempts to get my fingers to spell out T-H-U-R-S-D-A-Y instead of Thrusday.  Bah.

So it's probably apparent I've been slacking on the blog front this week.  That's just to keep in sync with my slacking on the exercise and housekeeping front.  I have not, however, been slacking on the scrapping.  So I thought I'd share a few of my projects today:

Supplies:  Cardstock, patterned paper; rub-on, journal card, buttons, labels (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + chipboard letters (K&Company) + stamps (Michaels) + stick pin (Making Memories)

You can see more details on this project at the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog.

Supplies:  patterned paper; chipboard butterfly, crepe paper, stick pins, tickets, (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + white album pages (Creative Imaginations) + chipboard letters (American Crafts) + buttons

Check out the JBS Inspiration blog for more info on this page (and links to products used!)

Supplies:  patterned paper (Studio Calico, Basic Grey) + letters (American Crafts) +chipboard (Scenic Route) + stamp (Studio Calico) + fonts, (Myriad, Bohemian Typewriter) + brads

I copied & pasted some of my recent tweets for the white background block. I love the snapshot of time they capture. :)  You can read more about this project right here.

Today I'll be diving into the May Jenni Bowlin Kit and will continue to take countless photos for A Week In The Life project. I don't have an album planned yet, but I will definitely have plenty of photos when I decide to tackle this! 

And since I apparently slept rather awkwardly, waking up with horribly stiff lower back muscles, I will be attempting to make it feel better by bending myself into the letter "O" and going on Sesame Street today.  Good times. 

Happy Thrusday, ya'll! (I'm too lazy to go back and correct that one. Going to get more coffee instead.)

Monday Marathon Update.

Well hello Monday!  After a weekend packed with family visits, a trip to the circus, and a half marathon, I'm enjoying a much welcome slower pace today. Unlike my friend, Alison, who happens to be running the Boston Marathon as I type this. I've been getting regular text message updates on her progress, and she reached the half-way point about 30 minutes ago.  GO ALISON!

Speaking of races, I ran my first half-marathon of the season on Sunday, the Horsetooth Half Marathon, and ended up finishing with a personal best of 1:55:49, which landed me in 16th place in my age group (I don't think I've ever been higher than 35!)  I had hoped to run it under 1:57, but the thought of cold micro-brews at the finish must have pushed me to run a bit faster. :) And I must admit, even though I gripe and complain about all those miles logged I've in the past few months, they were, in fact, worth it!  Now I get to enjoy about six weeks off (I will still run, but not the amount of miles I've done recently) before I start up a new training program for my full marathon in October.

And for those of you who stop by to see for my scrapping stuff and not my running babble, you can hop over to the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog where I have a challenge posted, and the Jenni Bowlin inspiration blog, where another of my pages is featured.

Happy Monday everyone!

The typical "morning-after-race-view" of my bathroom vanity. :)

Five on Friday.

1. Giving my iMac desktop a fresh look for spring with some of the new wallpapers from Veer. My current fave is this one, entitled "Ribbons":
   
   
   
2. Trying not to get nervous for the first race of the season that I'll be running on Sunday: The Horsetooth Half Marathon in Ft. Collins.  The best part of the race? It ends at New Belgium Brewing Company and everyone gets free beer!



3. Speaking of alcohol, I'm stocking up on what will be the perfect summer wine:  Tamas Estates Pinot Grigio.  I first discovered it at PF Chang's (it's fabulous with spicy Asian food!) and it's now my beverage of choice for warmer months. 



4. Feeling the need for fresh fonts in my collection.  Downloading some new inspiration right here.




5. Quote of the week (courtesy of Hayden):  "Hey Mom!  Did you know that Dad can fart through his armpit??"

Happy Friday!

Some scrapiness.

The past few months I haven't had a lot of time to scrap just "for me" - I've been busy doing layouts for the book, design team assignments, etc. Not that I am complaining (I still wonder how it is possible to get paid to do something I love so much!) but when I found myself with an afternoon of free time recently, I pulled out some neglected Studio Kits and put these two pages together.  It was wonderful to scrap with no limitations on product, topic, photo count, etc. Just telling the story I want to tell.  It reminded me of why I love this hobby so much.  And here's the two pages that resulted (click on each for larger view):

She Blooms • kit (Studio Calico Baker's Dozen) + patterned paper (Studio Calico, Sassafras Lass) + flowers (Martha Stewart) + letters (American Crafts, Basic Grey) + stamp (Studio Calico) + spray ink (Maya Road) + pearls (Prima)

Each month, the teachers at Riely's preschool send us lots of photos of the kids busy in the classroom. I love these glimpses into their school day.  It also makes documenting this element of Riely's childhood that much easier.

On this super simple page, I sprayed Cream Metallic Maya Mist on the background for a very subtle softness.  I clustered the Martha Stewart flowers on each side and used the lined stamp to create a place for my journaling.  The banner across the top was cut from the Studio Calico Doily paper and stitched into place.

Comforts • kit (Studio Calico WhoDunIt) + patterned paper (My Mind's Eye, Studio Calico) + flowers (Sassafras Lass) + letters (American Crafts) + font (Bohemian Typewriter)

Another super simple page - I'm finding that's just what results when I'm left to my own devices. It might seem silly to document a sick day, but I'm betting when Riely's older she'll get a kick out of seeing that photo of the DVDs that she loved to watch.  And how she always had to drink her Life Water from a decorated plastic straw. And that mama put a big old "barf bowl" next to her on the couch. :)

The circles were cut from one of my favorite Studio Calico papers, Emporium.  And I put the My Mind's Eye kraft graph paper on there upside down just  because I know it will annoy my friend, Summer.  But seriously, I loved the name of the paper - "Life Stories" and thought it apropos to leave it on there.  It's upside down just to be quirky. :)

Here's hoping you have some time today to create something that makes you smile.  Have a wonderful Thursday my friends!

Confessions.

Following in the footsteps of my fellow scrapbookers and friends Steph and Cathy, I was inspired to share this post. Enjoy!

1. Back in 1998, when I was first introduced to scrapbooking at a Creative Memories party, I could never have imagined the opportunities, the joy, and the amazing people it would bring into my life.

2. I am currently reading the Harry Potter books with Hayden (we're almost finished with book #5!) and I am shocked at how much I love them. And now I really, really want to go here.

3. Even though I was only 16 when I started dating Mike, my heart knew he was the one for me.  It took ten more years of off-and-on dating to convince my head of that fact.  Nowadays, I put a lot more faith in (and tend to listen to) what my heart says.

4.  I know the lyrics to every single song on the Grease soundtrack. Even the obscure (and obnoxious?) Sha Na Na ones.

5. I was born in Ankara, Turkey while my dad was serving in the Air Force but as a child I never told anyone that fact.  In fact, I even made up another birthplace altogether.  Why?  Um, I was afraid if people knew, they would call me a turkey.  And to my 10-year-old self, that was just about the worst insult EVER. 

6.  If you dig deep enough into our refrigerator, you just might find a tub of Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge frosting I stash for emergency occasions.  (The definition of emergency is open to interpretation.)

7.  When I was young, I wanted to be a lawyer.  I kept that ambition until my second year of college, when I spent a year interning at a law office.  The next fall, I changed my major.

8.  I hate making phone calls.  Whenever I have to make "official" calls to doctor offices, school, etc. I have to "practice" the conversation out loud before I make the call.  Sometimes I even write down a script of what I should say.  It's probably a good thing I never followed that lawyer career path.

9.  My heart truly belongs in Colorado.  I can't hear the lyrics to Rocky Mountain High or Colorado Christmas without tearing up.

10.  One of the proudest moments of my life was successfully giving birth to Riely via VBAC after several doctors told me I'd never deliver a baby without a c-section.

11.  I grew six inches in between my sophomore and junior year of high school and I never really got comfortable with my height of 5'10".  As a result, I have bad posture but it's something I really want to work to improve.

12.  I am hopelessly clumsy and often trip over imaginary objects. Or air.  I attribute this trait to #11.

13.  For the most part, I am navigating my way through motherhood on sheer gut feelings.  And for the most part, my kids are turning out pretty darn good.

14.  I think Peeps are delicious.  But only the yellow chicks.  All the other ones are just gross.

15.  Most days, I feel very, very lucky.

And there you have it.  Ahhh, I feel much better now. And I have the journaling for what could be a fantastic scrapbook page.  Of course, I'll have to omit the one about the frosting.  Can't have my kids uncovering my secret stash! ;)

Five on Friday.

1. Thinking I just may have to break down and order this adorable tank for summer because (1) it would look great under my cropped blue cardi, (2) it's only $38.99 and (3) mother's day is just around the corner. (hint, hint dear husband!!)
   
   
   
   

2. So, so happy that this family member's health seems to be improving and hasn't had any more seizures this week. --------->
   
   
   
   

3. Just finished reading over the final text edits for my Ella book and am so.stinking.excited to share it with y'all! Release is set for May 18.
   
4. Found a new favorite recipe that definitely going in the keeper pile:  Chicken & Asparagus Skillet Supper.  The kids loved it, it uses fresh asparagus that's in season right now, and IT HAS BACON IN IT.  Need I say more??
   
5. Realizing that some days it is just extremely hard to be a good mom. My patience, my energy, my tolerance and my creativity get zapped.  Then I find something like this sweet note on my desk, and I am gently reminded that it is all worth it:
   
   
   
   
   Happy Friday!  Enjoy it!

Welcome to the Mud Room.

{If you happen to be a child of the 80s like myself, feel free to sing the title of this post loudly while dancing around playing air guitar in your hot pink leggings and oversized sweatshirt with your badly teased, hairsprayed and feathered hair.  Oh yeeeeeeah, baby!  It's, like totally, AWESOME!}

Awhile back, I think I mentioned something about the one room in our house that is actually fully, completely decorated. With stuff hanging on the walls and everything.  And then I may have said something about posting photos of that room, which I promptly forgot to do. So today I thought I'd correct that little oversight. By posting photos of my mudroom.  Oh yes.  These are the thrilling things you get to experience when you are a reader of my blog. Feeling pretty lucky, aren't you? ;)

So back when we were house hunting, one of my top five requirements for a new house was a mudroom.  A room that exists solely for the purpose of holding coats, boots, shoes, and the many, many winter accessories that Colorado living requires. I wanted a specified "drop-spot" for backpacks, purses, keys, and mail. And if it was big enough to accommodate dog beds, bonus!

Well this house had a room just like that.  And when we moved in, we got to work making it functional. In other words, I bossed my husband around and told him what needed to be done. First order of business was to install wainscoting, which required Mike to (1) make lots of trip to the lumber yard;  and (2) use power saws.  I volunteered to stay out of the way and drink his beer. 

With white beadboard wainscoting installed, we needed a storage bench and coat rack.  Naturally, I found exactly what I needed at Pottery Barn. And I almost convinced myself that spending $400 on a fake wood bench would assure me a more organized, effortless, and peaceful life. (Seriously, how does a catalog affect me this way?)  Mike quickly brought me to my senses, insisting that he could make the bench and rack, and not only would it be cheaper, it would be real wood. Plus he'd get to use his beloved power tools.  So once again, I agreed to stay out of the way and, um, drink beer.

In between beers, I got to work restoring some old lockers that my friend Brandy had retrieved from the trash-pick up in her neighborhood.  When I got them, they were painted a hideous flesh-tone and had quite a few rust spots, but HELLO - they were free!  A bit of sanding, and many cans of matte black spray paint, and the look pretty darn good.  I put them right next to the door from the garage and they are the perfect place to stash purses, mail, grocery bags, sunglasses, etc.:

Mike's bench and coat rack turned out amazing. Way better than the Pottery Barn ones.  And totally worth the case of beer he required for payment.  We put the bench and coat rack on the opposite wall as the lockers, adjacent to the coat closet. The large drawers in the bench hold mittens, hats, and scarves and since they are easily accessible, the kids can grab their things and also put them away.  (Or at least, I can hope.)

 

The galvanized bins (from IKEA) hold extra keys, sunscreen, sidewalk chalk, dog treats, and lot of little things that need a home.  I love that the clutter is hidden.  I grouped some random items (old books, spool candle sticks, a wooden train, plus the gold "D" and Detour sign, both from Hobby Lobby) on top of the shelf.

 

The pillows came from Cost Plus and the bench cushion was made by Oma. I selected the striped fabric based on the colors of this print that is hanging near it:

It was a birthday gift from my mum-in-law, Linda.  The bright colors and the old-time skis make me happy.  And the French title?  Well that just makes it fancy. (It translates to The Land of Sunshine - which is exactly my kind of skiing weather!)

So that about wraps up the tour.  And I know you are just dying to get on over to iTunes and download some Guns N' Roses now.  And if you need another dose of 80s Hair Bands for this Thursday, you'll need to check out this link.

As for me, I'm just staying out of the way.  And possibly drinking beer. :)