Paper for another purpose

On my desk today:

I'm crafting a shadowbox to keep mementos of our beach trips. Each year we come home with shells - or bits of shells - and tuck them safely away. This year, my kids inspired me to do something with them. This project was born.

I used the Display Tray, Seaside Paper Packet and Seaside Complements. Bonding Memories glue was perfect to adhere the paper to the tray.

All in all, a quick project that will help me - and my family - remember our beach trips!

A summer challenge for you

As the school year was winding down and my family was thinking about summer plans, I made a summer bucket list. It wasn't long. It didn't include everything I hoped I'd do this summer, but it did include the things that were really important to me. (I did add one more item after this photo).

I made the list in June when I started making my summer plans. As we do all of our adventuring this summer, I’m recording memories and taking photos, and then in the fall, I’ll create a layout or three or maybe a mini-album!

Here's a photo of me and my cute nephew Henry - one item on the bucket list accomplished! 

I challenge you to do the same. Create a bucket list - even now partway through your summer - and then make your summer memories! When you’ve made your memories and printed your photos, create a layout about one of your summer adventures or your whole bucket list!

Share your list, your photos or your layouts on my Facebook page. There will be prizes this fall!

Beach Baby

We have just returned from a week at the beach. This trip has been our family tradition for seven years - more summers than my youngest has been alive. This year we reminisced about his first trip, and he didn't remember the stories. When we got home, I dug out some photos from that year and put together a layout to capture these memories for him.

I found the photos with a whole stash of old beach products. I don't always organize by theme, but it sure made this layout quick and easy!

To fit with the beach photos I used three different types of distressing as you can see below:

• on the kraft paper I used the ink pad directly on the paper
• on the blue pattern paper, I applied the ink with a sponge
• on the Bamboo cardstock I sanded the edge to reveal the white core.

The journaling isn't fancy, but it captures the highlights of his first beach trip.

He was excited when I showed it to him this morning. Memory captured (six years later), story preserved. Scrapbook win!

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for ice cream!

CTMH's June stamp of the month, Ice Cream Dream, celebrates one of my favorite treats.

I couldn't wait to use it!

Here's the first layout I created:

I used the ice cream cone to random stamp on Pacifica cardstock and the ice cream sundae to random stamp on Honey cardstock.

I love this sentiment, and I really think it says it all!


Remember, this stamp is only available during the month of June. Regular price $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 order! Check it out!