Sunday Refresh-February Week 3

Some people dread their birthday, but absolutely love birthdays! It's equivalent to New Year's Day in how I like to think about it. I spend a good bit of time reflecting over what all has transpired over the last year. Then in turn, what I would like to accomplish over the next year.  reminding myself that there is so much to be grateful for. God has truly blessed me in so many ways. 

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

I had so much fun designing this layout. I don't know what it is right now about stripes but I love them. I would wear stripes everyday if I could. So of course I love the black and white striped paper that was in the La Vie En Rose paper. And since it is my birthday this week I decided to use my favorite paper out of the pack to decorate my birthday week. I used a lot of the acetate ephemera this week. I love that it is clear because you can use it on the darker papers and it stands out beautifully. I used the Bonding Memories glue to adhere the clear pieces because it goes on blue but dries clear! If I had to do over I would've put the black cardstock completely behind the "HAPPY" pennant just so it would've contrasted better.

I have been attempting to learn hand-lettering. I actually used an old CTMH alcohol marker in Blush to do everything in pink.  I didn't really expect it to come out since alcohol markers bleed so bad but I really liked it. 

X7201 C-La Vie En Rose Complements

All supplies used:

             

                     Z3198-Limeade Washi                        D1683-Woodland Romance                

          X7201B-La Vie En Rose                    Simon Says Stamp-Plan On It



Bonding Memories Glue

Catching Up

I'm not really sure what happened to December 2015? We all had a turn at being sick at our house. And then it was catching everyone up with work and school from being sick. Then it was Christmas, which is always a whirlwind. And now it is the end of the first full week of 2016 and I am still behind. Anyone else feel that way? So much for the fresh start, right? Anyway, I still have high hopes for this blog so I hope you can stick with me even through all of my inconsistency.

I love January because it is usually cold, which forces me inside, and I am most of the time in between sports with my children so I have a little free time. Well, not so much this year, but that is okay too. But what all of that usually does is allow me to get in my craft space and create for me. In other words scrapbook!!!And lucky for me I love all of the new paper and stamps in Seasonal Expression I catalog and I hope you will too.

When writing out my goals for this year, one of them was to finish the first year scrapbook for my youngest. It was my goal for last year too (and the previous seven years) so hopefully I will get to scratch it off the list this year. I am also wanting to spend a bit more time with you on my blog. Taking a photography class also made the list and finish the Christmas scarves for possible presents for next year since they didn't get done in time this year either. What can I say, life just doesn't go like I think it should, or how I would imagine everyone else's life (with houses that stay 100% clean all the time and scrapbooks that are full of everyone's precious moments). But I say, " just don't give up or it truly won't ever happen." So what are some of your crafting goals for 2016?

There are hopefully a few specials going on at Croppin On Cloud 9 that will help you with your paper crafting goals for 2016.

First off if you purchased one of the Planner Bundles in December I hope you are enjoying it and are staying a bit more organized because of it. If you are using your Planner to also act as a journal or scrapbook you will want to get the first special which is available only in January for $8.95/us. Live Your Day integrates seamlessly with the Everyday Life Planner pages, Project Life, or My Crush pages.

If you are like me and behind on your scrapbooking or maybe you like to scrapbook after the event then you want to head over to the Clearance section on my website because they have items from the recently retired Holiday catalog on sale!!

Lastly don't forget about the Stamp of the Month for January-Beloved Bouquet which is $5 when you spend $50. The multi stamped images that provide beautiful shading is very popular right now, so I love that CTMH was on point with this stamp that is more toward the romantic side of Valentine's Day. Speaking of Valentine's Day, I hope to have some cards to show you soon that maybe will inspire you on your Valentine card crafting.