What a crazy week!

I have been meaning to post, but my life has been crazy this past week and a half. I won't bore you with all the details, but suffice it to say that the following incidents have taken place...

• I got bronchitis
• iTunes wiped out the operating system on my iPhone and everything on my phone (after much freaking out, I somehow got it all back a day later)
• I was called back for "further evaluation" after my mammogram and went through quite a scare; after much prayer and freaking out, I was told I was fine (I've only had two done in my life, but I started early since my Mom had breast cancer)
• I accidentally deleted my "Vanessa" folder from my work computer and managed to erase 9+ years of files
• My work computer was taken to IT and stayed there for 3 days where they managed to totally kill it; then they reconfigured a new computer for me and restored it (still trying to see which files have been lost!)
• I got a migraine
• And so on... I think you get the picture!

Thankfully, things are looking up now. I am healthy and my vacation is coming up pretty soon. We also won 11 national awards for best editorial, design and photography. Not bad, eh?

A couple weekends ago, I got to hang out with my scrappy friends, which is always a treat! Here are photos from when we got together for Ady and Lou's birthday.




And these are photos from my weekend celebrations with Ady.




Finally, I'll leave you with two layouts that I worked on last month based on Stephanie Howell's creations (using some BG June Bug papers from my stash).




Be back soon!

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

7Gypsies Letterblock Tray

I am so happy that I finished my 7Gypsies printer's tray! Whoohoo! It was lots of fun to create. I was inspired by Ali Edwards' tray and I added my own touches, such as the white flower, the yellow Jenni Bowlin butterflies and some cute pop-up phrases. I used photos from our recent trip to Lake Tahoe, but I love that it's generic enough to hang year round and I can update the photos later on as I please...




LOVE THIS!!!

Now, where to put it? :) Oh, the details!

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

My SC sketch layout | Debby Schuh

I am SO EXCITED!!!! I posted a layout based on Stephanie Howell's Sunday sketch on the Studio Calico blog and I was one of two winners selected to win a SC gift certificate. WHOOOHOOO! I am over the moon happy, especially after seeing all the beautiful layouts everyone posted. Here's my layout:



Thank you to my BFF, Ady, and my friend, Damaris, who called this morning to tell me I won. Ady called me screaming with joy. Too cute. And thanks to my friend, Caryl, who emailed me letting me know I won. That was so sweet! :) I am so glad they can all share in my joy!

On a separate note, I've had the good fortune of meeting the wonderfully sweet and talented Debby Schuh and taking a class with her. The class is called Tiny Tales and we created the cutest little Pink Paislee mini album using October Afternoon, American Crafts and more. I love the album and the best part is that we actually FINISHED it all in class (no more unfinished projects to bring home!).

Here are a few photos of my album:




I haven't added the title ("Tiny Tales") to the front yet because I wasn't sure what to use it for... I went to the class with one idea and then I changed my mind. Debby explained that her thinking was to document her own childhood and add some of her baby pictures. Well, I like that idea! And since I have many baby pics that my Mom saved (my step dad gave me the album after my Mom passed away!) that would be perfect -- and it would be a treasured keepsake for sure.





I'll be back in the next day or two with layouts to share and some pics of my scrappy friends! Yippee!!!

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

CHA Favorites

Hi my friends!

I've been sick this week :( No fun! Turns out I have bronchitis. Yuck! Why is everyone getting sick in the middle of summer? Anyway, I started my antibiotics today so I am resting now and hoping to be better soon...

In the meantime, I've been checking out all the new releases that are coming out at the CHA Summer event later this month and I'm actually surprised that I really don't like most of the releases this time around. But there are some that I LOVE and here are the ones that really stand out for me... Now for the eye candy (click on the links to view the entire collections):

My fave release is probably Studio Calico's Elementary line (avail in September). LOVE this entire release! The bright papers and cool designs make me so happy and the quality of their products is top-notch. Although it's a "Back to School" theme, it's very versatile and can be used for just about anything. (I promise, I am NOT getting paid for this! LOL!)



I also really like Seaside from October Afternoon because I can see myself using this line with some weekend beach photos. Plus, the patterns are way cool!








Jenni Bowlin is always on my top list and this time around she has a line called Family Tree. I love most of the papers and all the NEW embellies! Those new vellum and pearl butterflies and the chipboard butterflies that coordinate with the banner stickers. SWOON! I love all her butterflies!!! And more vintage buttons in YELLOW!








Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness line is absolutely adorable! Too freakin' cute!







Sassafras has a new line called Indie Girl and I like most of the papers and embellies. I think it would complement other collections very well.






And finally, Crate Paper's Restoration line is full of vintage patterns that really appeal to me.






I don't have the time or patience (and I don't feel well!) to post all the photos so check out the links. I'm sure that I haven't seen everything yet, but so far this is what I like from all the new releases. And I definitely must have the first 3 on this list!

If you are interested, both The Scrap Review and Scrapbook Update have links to all the CHA releases...

So, what do you like most so far??? Please share!

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

Inspired by...

Lately I am inspired by the bright happy colors of summer. I am enjoying the sunny days, less traffic and the lasting daylight. I love ice cream cones and walking along Key Biscayne. Driving to the Keys and seeing the beauty that surrounds us here in South Florida. (Although I am not particularly fond of the humidity — eeek!) My June Studio Calico kit, Partly Sunny, is perfect for my summer photos. It provides plenty of inspiration... I am thinking I need to do a mini album with this kit! Hmm...



(By the way, there are still some of these kits available if you want one!)

I have so many beautiful images from my weekend trip to The Moorings Village in Islamorada. It was such a peaceful, relaxing place to be. (Wish I was there right now!) I also have photos from our trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe in May that I haven't scrapped. And now I am gearing up to go on an awesome summer road trip that will take us from Las Vegas, NV to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, AZ. Then to Zion National Park in Utah, up past Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park, WY. After that, we'll head to Seattle, WA via Montana and Idaho. 16 days of adventure, no work and pure enjoyment. I can't wait!!! :)

I splurged on a little gift for myself (it's okay to do that sometimes, right?) This is something that I know I will be using a lot on our summer vacation... I bought a new camera bag from Epiphanie and I love it! It's so soft and roomy and beautiful. It's not your typical ugly manly bag; this one is actually stylish and easy to carry. This is the bag on the left of this photo; it's brown leather and the style is called Ginger.



Lastly, here's a layout that I did last week for the Studio Calico sketch challenge using the Anthology papers. This is me at the Bon Jovi concert earlier this year!!!



I have lots more layouts to share, but I'll be back soon with photos of those. Tomorrow, I'll be hanging with my lovely girlfriends at Barb's house, scrapbooking and celebrating Lou's birthday. How fun! I am really looking forward to the weekend...

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

Anyone up for a PLAY DATE? :)

I am! I got the June kit from Jenni Bowlin Studio, featuring the new Play Date release, and I created seven layouts with it. And I still have some goodies leftover! I used some of my own cardstock and a couple of other extras, but it is mostly what came in my lovely kit. I love the fun patterns and bright primary colors in this collection... I've been dying to share these layouts because they make me happy :)

I hope you LOVE them as much as I do. Most are scrap lifts from the Jenni Bowlin gallery and a couple are my own designs. Enjoy!

These are photos from my mother-in-law's birthday...

Inspired by Wilna Furstenberg



Here's Richard in the Keys at our favorite beach, Bahia Honda...

Inspired by Lisa Dickinson



This is a self-portrait I took while in the Keys in early June...

Inspired by Jennifer Johner



A random photo of my honey -- I first considered doing a layout with this bulls eye paper on Target (the store), but then it hit me! This would be perfect to say how we hit the "bulls eye" when we found each other. Cute, huh? LOL!



My BFF, Ady, and me at Jungle Island...

Inspired by Stephanie Howell



Silly self-portraits at Jungle Island...

Inspired by Lisa Dickinson



More fun times at Jungle Island...



Thanks for stopping by! I really appreciate my friends and I look forward to your comments. Be back soon.

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa