DoodleBug's New Hello Spring Line

Anxious for those warmer days, green grass and sun?? Check out Hello Spring!

http://www.doodlebugblog.com/2012/01/cha-winter-2012-release-hello-spring.html

Blog Hop

Today I am helping Michelle with her one year blog hop anniversary!!
http://scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-1-year-blog-anniversary-hop-snowmen.html

I have the perfect layout for the snowman theme. Last year my two older kids got out in the snow and played just like kids!

Here is a list of those participating

1. Michelle O'Driscoll (Me)  - ScrapbookingSOS.blogspot.com

2. Darlene - ScrappyGoLucky.blogspot.com

3. Divinity - Scrap-N-Patch.blogspot.com

4. Mary Eisen - MeStamp2.blogspot.com

5. Lori Apgar - ScrappinMyStressAway.blogspot.com

6. Pattie Beach - Paperplates-PJBeach.blogspot.com

7. Heather - HousesBuiltOfCards.blogspot.com

8. Sue in CT - SueInCT.blogspot.com

9. Cindy deRosier - CindydeRosier.com

10. Jean - PagesInTime.blogspot.com --YOU ARE HERE

11. Marianne - MyLifeInCraft.blogspot.com

12. Joyce (with a great sketch and challenge) - 1ashjoy.blogspot.com
13. Emily Kincke - Emily.Kincke.com (Stay Tuned Having Some Snow Issues)

14. Back to Me (Michelle) - ScrapbookingSOS.blogspot.com

Make sure to hop back to Michelle's for a chance at a prize. 

Page Maps --

I decided to tackle this month's Page Maps challenge. I always love these sketches!!

 Mine morphed into something different. For a change I did not follow the sketch verbatum! But I love how it turned out! These Bo Bunny Papers are amazing too!

Some of you Might Say How could You

My daughter came down with a vicious flu the night before she was to fly back to grad school. She literally spent the night in the bathroom next to the toilet. I have never seen or heard a kid that sick. Being the good mom I am, I took photos - of course. I did not use a flash because she really wasn't feeling well. We ended up changing her flight twice! Poor kid!

Good Monday Morning!

It is January in Michigan and yet a thunderstorm rolled through at 2 am. Would not have been so bad except for the 80 pound golden retriever who got in the middle of our bed so I could pet him. He is not a fan of storms.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who sopped by the If It's Groovy Blog Hop! I know I had fun looking at all the projects!

The winner of my RAK is Marianne Fiskateer #6701. I will be getting in touch with you!

I have been working on an album of the holidays. Here is one of fave layouts -

The journaling is actually folded but includes the story of this year's tree hunt. Despite having children 23 and 28, I try to maintain all of our traditions. One of those is cutting our tree down together! This year life got in the way. The 28 year old did not get home from grad school until the 20th, the 23 year old could not get out as planned, it was raining and muddy and time was running out. So I decided just three of us would buy a pre cut tree. DH was not quite ready to give up on cutting our own tree. He walks around our 3 1/2 acres because he remembers seeing some evergreens. We follow him to the woods and there was this lovely tree. It was 10 feet tall, straight as could be and though the branches were far apart, it was great for the ornaments. So we cut it and took it inside. We did not decorate until the 23rd when the 23 year old could join us.

I used glittery paint and dusted the branches with embossing powder.

Blog Hop - If It's Groovy!

Happy Birthday to If It's Groovy! Yeah it is their  3rd year!!!   Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive during that time! . We have a little blog hop to celebrate today and which we hope you will enjoy as you make your way through each of The Groovy Chick's blogs showing projects made using the letters out of the word Birthday. I am  proud to be a new member of the DT at If It's Groovy! I hope you hop along with us! 

Here are a list of the blogs that you will be hopping to! I hope you take time to comment and become a follower. 

B-Deborah  -- http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com
I-Michelle  --http://scrapbookingsos.blogspot.com
R-Tammy  --http://alwaystheapprenticehandicrafter.blogspot.com
T-Heather   --http://www.scrappingtheguys.blogspot.com
H-Sheena  --http://www.sheenasadventuresinscrapbooking.blogspot.com
D-Jean       YOU ARE HERE
AY-Viji        --http://snippitysnap.blogspot.com/

My letter is D which stands for  Doodling - of course! Actually - those of you know me, know I am not a fan of doodling. I am always afraid I will make a mistake!  But I forced myself to doodle on this layout which was part of a vacation album. I followed the scallopped edge with dots and lines. I also drew on the photo mats and flowers. I encourage you to get out those pens and give it a try!

Now hop on over to Viji's blog http://snippitysnap.blogspot.com and see what wonderful projects she has!!

Everyone who becomes a follower and leaves a comment will be entered to win a small RAK from me!

Sketches galore

Memorables Seasons - http://www.memorableseasons.com/ and
Scrap Friendzy  -http://www.scrap-friendzy.com/index.html
are both having Sketch a Thons this month! I am trying to do an album of this year's Christmas so I am putting these sketches to work.

Each year I give the kids a dated ornamented. I was not happy with the selection this year so chose a Daughter and Son theme.

I love this photo of the kids together. Flowers are ones I won from Petaloo.

I am Pleased to Announce

I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to be on the Design Team of  If  It's Groovy!!!

I will be one of the Groovy Chicks putting my spin on the monthly challenges. I hope you will stop by and  visit with us!!!

http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com/2012/01/pieces-parts-designer-jean.html

In fact we are having a Blog Hop this weekend!! So come back on Saturday for a visit!

Head on over to If its Groovy

I had the privilege of being the Bits and Pieces Designer over at If Its Groovy! Deb sends you an envelope filled with "bits and pieces' - scraps of papers,  punched shapes, stickers, etc. Your job is to turn them into wonderful projects! I made cards, layouts and even an altered frame. It was fun and what a great way to use scraps!

http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com/2012/01/pieces-parts-designer-jean.html

Here are two of my fave projects! Thanks so much Deb!!

Moxie Fab - Map Challenge

There is a wonderful challenge over at MoxieFabWorld
http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/map-to-your-heart-challenge.html

I used a map to create this card

Moxie Fab World - Die Cutter Challenge

I tend to ignore my baby cricut but today I used if for the swirly pieces on this layout. I cut them out of a Christmas card!

With the kids being 23 and 28, I prefer not to complete a December daily. They don't get home until later in the month, plans go awry, etc. Instead i go through my photos after the holidays and make a list of pages for an album. I am starting my layouts now. Here is one of my fave pics of the kids.

IT's Official

We went to graduation, saw his name in the program, heard them call his name on stage.... BUT it was not official until we had that piece of paper!

Check out Manor House Creations -

Gorgeous flowers and inspirations!

http://manorhousecreationsblog.com

Sketchy Thursdays

Love this sketch

Here is my take

One of my Faves

It was a big year for our son-

In May he graduated from college

In June he got a job in his field

In July he got an apartment in the city about 1 mile from work!

I created this layout in honor of this very good year!!

New Year's Eve - Grand Rapids style

Even though I have this horrible cold we partied with friends of our at the Amway Grand Hotel. It is so elegant and pretty! Since the temps were in the 40s downtown was teaming with people!

 Our room and the lobby.

We walked around outside and found this sign.

 The ballroom, our friends and his daughter.

Downtown GR