Sometimes you gotta believe

I loved the Wizard of Oz when I was younger.  Well, not so much around the time I was in 3rd to 5th grades but in Jr. High I realized there were things that were a lot scarier and watched it all the way through. 

Scraps of Ellay has  a great kit called Goodbye Yellow Brick Road that was inspired by the movie.  I had fun playing with it this weekend.  Take a look.

I had been waiting for weeks to scrap a photo from the set this one came from!  Rachel was sitting on Mischief and he was being so patient letting her love on him.

I used Scraps of Ellay’s new kit coming out Wednesday July 1st, and a Template from Skribbles Nibbles from her Template Set #5.  You can find both at STS.

Here’s a look at the full kit.

Scraps of Ellay still has a freebie for you on her blog.  You know she can’t go without giving you something!  She has a mini-kit for the 4th of July called Stars and Stripes that is so cute!  Cheri also has a mini-kit called Stars and Stripes that matched so well that they decided to offer them together.  Pick up both for an awesome freebie kit!  Click on the preview to go to Ellay’s blog to pick up hers and there is a link to Cheri’s there too.

Enjoy!

Are you ready for some speed?

Speed Scrapping that is.  I know of a good one being hosted by Every Ever After Moments @ STS this Tuesday. 

Clicking on the flier will take you straight to the login for the forum.  Not signed up yet?  Do it today and you’ll be 1/2 ready for tomorrow.  Set up your gallery and you’ll be 100% ready for the Speed Scrap!  Not only will you end with a great layout but look what you’ll get for participating!

WOW!  Hope to see you there!

Wanna great gift from SuzyQ?

How easy is that?!!  So go ahead, scrap and send in your layout!  Got more than one?  Even better!

Just a reminder about QP freebies

Most of the QP freebies I have are only available for 1 week.  I try to go back into the posts and mark that the link has expired.  I’m sorry if I’ve missed any and you’ve tried to download only to find out that the QP is gone.  Most of the designers that I CT for only want the QP’s to be available for one week.  So if you see something you like you need to grab it then or within a week of the post. 

Now if there is a freebie that you absolutely can’t live without contact me and I’ll see what I can do. 

Basically look to see if above the freebie it says ***LINK EXPIRED***  If it does then that freebie is not available from here.  If you don’t see that, give it a try.  If you find one that isn’t marked and the link is broken please let me know.  Thanks!

A Sale to beat All Sales

SuzyQScraps is closing up her shop at ESS and is having a major sale.  Take a look.

You won’t see a sale like this for a long long time and some of her kits won’t be going into her new store.  So if you’ve had your eye on one why don’t you pick it up?  You’ll be glad you did. 

She’ll be opening up her new store in July so keep checking back for more details. 

What a Deal!

Stuff to Scrap is doing $2 Tuesdays! 

Scraps of Ellay has two of my favorite kits on sale today.  Butterflies Are Free and Bears Eat Beets.  I designed my blog using Butterflies are Free so if you like what you see and you don’t have this kit now would be the perfect time to pick it up!

I also finished a layout last night with A+ Designs awesome new kit called Come Boldly.  This is another one of those all time favorite kits.  I hope you like it…

Have a terrific scrappin’ Tuesday!

Summer Sale @ STS

Mark your calendar, make your wish list, and then shop!!!  Stuff to Scrap is having a great sale and I know some fabulous kits have been added to the store in the past few weeks.

Blog Award

My first ever!  Jamie of Every EverAfter Designs gave me this award.  Thanks Jamie!

 

Here are the rules:

1. Put the award on your blog

2. Include a link to the person who gave you the award

3. Nominate 7 or more blogs

4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know they have an award on your blog

I nominate:

Click on their name to visit their blog.

SuzyQ

Ellay

Cheri

Mel of A+ Designs

Ellie

Joy

TMI Tara

Home at last

Vacations are great but it sure is nice to be back home.  The drive there and back was the hardest part.  By the time we were 1/2 way home little Rachel was letting us know she was definitely tired of her car seat (and I can’t blame her).  This year’s vacation doesn’t have the mishap stories of last year’s trip.  Matter of fact compared to last year’s this year went VERY smooth.  We had a blast and made some great memories.  I’m sure some of the photos I took will be showing up around here very soon.

I didn’t get any scrapping done while we were gone but I’ve been busy since we got home so I do have some layouts to share with you.

Three of the designers I CT for were busy busy busy while I was on vacation.  SuzyQ Scraps teamed up with JZ Designs and created an adorable pirate kit called Swashbucklers.  You can pick it up at Suzy’s ESS store until the end of the month.

Here are a couple of layouts I did with this kit.

She also has up Carefree and Out of This World so if  you missed them as freebies (hanging my head in shame – I have to admit I missed Out of This World) you can pick them up in her store.

A+ Desgins has several new things in her store at ESS.  I haven’t had a chance to work with Come Boldly or When You Wish but I can’t wait.  They both look beautiful.  I did finish up a layout with Berry Pickin’ that I thought you might like to see.  I think I’ll be visiting this kit again in a week or so.  There are two berry farms close by and we’re in the midst of berry season so I want to get the kids out and get some fresh berries.

Today Scraps of Ellay is releasing a new freebie kit on her blog called Summer Lovin.’  I love the colors in this kit.

Here’s  a layout I finished up with this kit and the first photos from our trip.  We were riding on a train that goes from Branson down across the Arkansas line and then back.  Rachel needed to be distracted at times because she’s not one to sit still.  So at one point my DH took our son’s hat and this is what happened next.

There were some breathtaking views!  I got some neat photos and so did my oldest DD so I’m sure you’ll see more from the train ride.

I think that about catches me up.  I can’t wait to see what all of you have been up to while I’ve been gone.  Missed ya!

Sara Smile QP Freebie

Even though I’m going to be gone I couldn’t go a whole week without offering a freebie to all of you that swing by my blog.  I hope you can use this QP to either do a fast page for your album or as a spring board to a layout.  Sara Smile kit is still available on Scraps of Ellay’s blog for free until the end of this week.

***LINK EXPIRED***

I promise if you leave a comment I’ll respond when I get back.  Until next time have a blast scrapping!

STS Template Challenge

This month at Stuff to Scrap Nibbles Skribbles has an awesome template challenge.  It’s all about journaling this month.  Now, that’s something that I really haven’t done a lot with on my layouts.  But while I was getting Monday’s post ready I was inspired to actually do a layout for this challenge.  Once I got started I realized I had a lot to say!  LOL.  I told you that if I got the layout done before we went on vacation I would post it.  I figure most of you won’t be able to read the story in the journaling so I’ll post it below the layout.  Last year’s vacation was a true testament to Murphy’s Law.  I’m praying this year’s vacation will be much less eventful. 

Journaling reads:

We had looked forward to this vacation all summer. The reservations had been made since March. We were finally going to get away as a family and relax! It took all day to drive from Texas to Hot Springs, Arkansas. We had traveled in two vehicles because one wasn’t big enough to hold all 6 of us and everything we had to take for a week away. Come on, Rachel’s stuff alone filled most of the back of the minivan.

When we arrived at the resort we were all tired and hungry. Soon we discovered that we had a problem . . . a BIG problem. Daddy had accidently put August on our request instead of July! We didn’t check the confirmation very carefully now did we? Thank goodness RCI stepped in to help us find another place. But, there was another problem. This was Friday and the room wouldn’t be ready until Sunday. There was a huge convention in town for the weekend so all the hotels were full too.

We finally found a motel to stay at for a couple of nights but now we were all dead tired.

We ate and got settled in for the night. We all went swimming the next day and were making the best of things. Family came to visit. Can we say CROWDED into one tiny little room? We went to a science museum which the kids enjoyed, then we swam some more. Great! Making the best of things right?

That night Nana woke us up around 3:00 a.m. because there was water pouring through the ceiling! WHAT!? Management moved us but it was a mess. Apparently the room above destroyed the shower and took off as water went everywhere. NICE.

We felt very lucky to get to check out the next morning and move to the resort.

Nope, that didn’t go smoothly either. They double booked our condo. But when they heard the story behind this trip so far they put us up in the “emergency condo.” It was nice! We had room to spread out, a kitchen to cook in, nice showers, a beautiful view of the lake. Awesome! We relaxed and finally felt like we were on vacation. However...

One day later in the week we went to Magic Springs. We were having lots of fun when I decided to let Daddy go ride some “big rides” while we played in the water park area. After about an hour I got a little worried that he wasn’t back yet. So we started back to look for Daddy. Two not so happy to have to leave the water kids and a worried Mommy. When we found Daddy I knew something was not right. Just one look at his face told me that. He had lost all the keys (as in vehicle, house, etc) and his cell phone. He went back to the ride but they weren’t there. He filled out a form so if they were located and turned in we would be contacted.

By this time we were all pretty tired and Daddy was stressed out. We had no way to get back to the condo because I hadn’t brought my set of keys. Thank goodness I had brought my cell phone! We called Nana to bring my set of keys. Daddy’s keys and cell phone were never returned but we figured the cell phone was shattered into tiny little fragments after falling from the top of the roller coaster. It was time for Daddy to get a new phone anyway. The keys were another story. We only had one copy of the car key - MINE. I worried for the rest of the trip about having the key in our hands every time we locked the car door. Despite all this we had a great vacation.

We made it back home without any other problems. The keys were replaceable (though the car key was expensive), the cell phone was replaced, and we learned a lot of valuable travel lessons. NEVER let Daddy keep his cell phone and keys while on roller coasters and double check our reservations!

I wonder what this year’s vacation will hold?

New Kit Monday

Happy Monday!  I’m praying that all goes well this week.  I’ve set up several posts to go automatically because I’ll be out of touch for this week.  Hopefully I’ll have tons of photos to scrap and share from our vacation when I get back.  At least that’s part of my plan. :)  Let’s just hope this year my DH doesn’t loose his keys and cell phone like he did last year.  Umm, you all don’t know that story do you?  Ooo I just had a light bulb moment for a layout.  There’s a template challenge over at Stuff to Scrap where it is suppose to be mostly journaling – something I pretty much stink at.  But this story would be worth journaling about and I have a lot to say.  Great!  If I get that layout done before heading off I may just come back in here and post it.  If I don’t get it finished I’ll post it when I get back – you’ll just have to check for the “rest of the story” as the saying goes.

Sorry, I got a little side tracked.  Here’s what you stopped by for.

Scraps of Ellay has a freebie kit on her blog this week called Sara’s Smile.  It’s a great kit full of beautiful papers and some neat crafty embellishments.  As a fiber craft enthusiast myself I love the embellies but when I got started working with this kit I was taken in a different direction.  Couldn’t help it.  Anyway don’t forget to swing by Ellay’s blog to pick up the pieces of this kit this week.

Here is a layout I did with this kit.  I know I’ll be revisiting this kit when I get back from vacation. If you missed Kathy’s Klown last week you can pick it up in Ellay's store at Stuff to Scrap.

That’s all I have at the moment.  Please check back later in the week for a Freebie I have for you.  I think it should post by Thursday morning.  If something goes haywire with the post while I’m gone I’ll repost it when I get back.  Have a great scrappin’ week!

UPDATE! I finished the layout I was talking about.  I have it set to post tomorrow morning so if you would like to hear the “rest of the story” drop by tomorrow.

Friday’s News

I scheduled this to post because by the time most of you will be reading this I will be in a vehicle driving toward Branson, MO.  Hopefully I’ll get some great photos while we’re on this trip so I’ll have a lot to scrap about.  So say a prayer for my family that we arrive and then return safely and that we’ll create some wonderful family memories of this trip.

Mel of A+ Designs has been a very busy designer.  She’s got two fabulous kits being released today at her store @ Enchanted Studio Scraps where she has just gone EXCLUSIVE!  That’s right you’ll only find her kits at ESS. 

I only had time to work with one of these kits before we left but I can’t wait to work with the other one too.  The first one is Fresh Country. Here’s a layout I did with this kit: Her other new kit is called Berry Pickin’ and I love it!  I am looking forward to working with it!

In other CT news SuzyQ Scraps has 3 of her Crumple-bets on sale for $1 each through midnight tonight.  I don’t have the previews but you can find them in the Fairy Finds section of ESS.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  I have at least 3 blog posts scheduled to go up during next week.  Please stop by and check out my blog.  I know one day there will be a freebie for you!

Freebie Kathy’s Klown QP

How have you all been liking Ellay’s Kathy’s Klown kit? Isn’t it fun? Make sure you’re checking Scraps of Ellay’s blog each day because she has another part up as a freebie. I have a QP made for you using her kit. Enjoy!

***LINK EXPIRED***

Download FREEBIE here

Need a SS fix?

Then I have just the thing for you!

And to sweeten the deal here’s the participation prize you’ll get (besides the thrill of a SS, a great layout when you’re done, and all the great fun trying to keep up with the chatter at STS!):

Gotta love that!  So whatcha waiting for?  Click on the flyer and get registered at the STS forum (and gallery too) so you can join in the fun!

New kits and a FREEBIE

Happy Monday!  I’ve been working with some new kits that I think you’ll enjoy. 

Scraps of Ellay has a new kit called Kathy’s Klown that is full of bright colors and fun elements.  To pick up this kit you can click on the preview to be taken to her blog.

Here’s a layout that I finished up to share with you.  I did a similar one for a speed scrap challenge at ESS but felt the need to make some changes. PSST . . . check back later and you might see this one as a QP.

Summer has finally arrived and Jamie of Every EverAfter Moment Designs and De of Flower Scraps Designs have a collab kit that is just right for those who have a sweet tooth for ice cream.  It’s called I Scream for Ice Cream and is available as a freebie this week on their blogs, clicking on their names above will take you right there.  The papers are available today, elements tomorrow, and alpha on Wednesday.  Take a look at Jamie’s part:

My son loves ice cream as you can tell from this layout I did with this kit.

I turned this layout into a QP for all of you.  I hope you like it . . . I would love to see any variations you come up with.  If you post a comment with a link to your layout I’ll be sure to take a look and leave a comment.

***LINK EXPIRED***Download FREEBIE Here 

Bye for now!

Susan aka IvoryKeys

Freebie QP just for you

Welcome back! Today I have a QP freebie for you from a layout I showed you earlier this week using Scraps of Ellay’s new kit Forever Romance.

***LINK EXPIRED***

Download FREEBIE QP Here

Some of my fellow CT’s have QP’s for you too. Check out SOE’s blog to find their links! If you haven’t bought this kit hurry to the store to get it and don’t forget that Ellay has a freebie add-on to this kit on her blog until Sunday.

New this week

Scraps of Ellay has a kit that is only available in her store at Stuff to Scrap.  It is called Forever Romance.  Here is a preview of this beautiful elegant kit.  Clicking on the preview will take you to her store.I love the romantic feel to this kit.  I got to work with this kit last week and here is a layout I came up with.

Rumor has it that you might see this as a freebie sometime this week.  Check out Ellay’s blog for more inspiration from her CT as well as a freebie add-on to Forever Romance.

But wait!  There’s a little bit more for you today!  All the Stuff to Scrap designers have put together a Mega Kit that is outstanding called On the Go.  

I am loving this kit.  As much as my son is into playing with cars this kit is on my short list of needed kits.  Take a look at all it has in it!  91 paper, 204 Embellishments, 5 BB templates and more!  Here is a closer look at the papers.

You can pick up this awesome Mega terrific kit at Stuff to Scrap for only $6.99  The papers alone are worth that.

That’s all I have for right this moment.  Come back and watch for a freebie later in the week.

My newest journey and a FREEBIE QP

Every Ever After Moment from Stuff to Scrap has put together her first CT and I feel honored that I’m a part of it. She has a new kit coming out today called Monster Cute that has some of the most adorable little monsters in it. I didn’t use the monsters in this layout but I’m sure I will as soon as I find the right photo of my son, but here is a layout I did with this kit.

The journaling says: You love to climb on anything and everything. You got caught in the act trying to climb to the top of the swing set. You absolutely have . . . NO FEAR.

My son was actually telling me as I took this picture all about climbing to the top of the swing set and how his big sister did it. I was thinking, “Now I know how my parents felt when I kept climbing those trees in the backyard.” Did them telling me I could fall and break my arm, leg, or neck stop me? Nope. Did it do me any good to relay the same wisdom to my son? Nope. Did either of us fall? Nope. But I think there must be a league of angels holding their wings tight around us so we don’t.

Here’s a preview of the Monster Cute kit:

Check out her store at Stuff to Scrap here.

See there’s all the cute monsters! Who can resist those adorable faces?

I made my Monster Cute layout into a Freebie QP for you.

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I hope you enjoy your freebie. Thanks for stopping by!