Layout: Another Year Older

This is Abigail's layout for her 10th birthday - hard to believe! I used a brand new digital kit by Shanmomto4 Designs called (what else?) - "Another Year Older"!

Layout: Easter Fun (Gabriel)

Here's another layout I did "scraplifting" the layout I used for Abigail's Easter page (below). I just changed out the paper and elements and then I had a totally new look - more funky and boyish! I used a digital collab kit called "Hello Easter" by Scrappy Cocoa, Nibble Scribbles and Digi Designs by Nicole. The bright non-traditional colors are great since I have several little men to do pages for!

Layout: "Monkey Boy"

This is Thurman's 21 month layout for his album. He is definitely a clown and love attention! I used a brand new kit by Un_Leash_ed Scraps called "Monkeying Around". I love the colors and the embellishments - especially the adorable ornery looking monkeys!

NOTE: All of the digital layouts on this blog that were posted prior to this layout - and including this layout - were produced using FotoFusion scrapbooking software by LumaPix. While this software is super easy to learn and use and while it has the capability of creating fantastic layouts, most digital scrappers will find themselves becoming frustrated with its lack of features after a short time (it took me 4 months). I would recommend this software only if you are brand new at digital scrapbooking and you want a software program this is simple and that you can jump right into. Otherwise, I would recommend Digital Scrapbook Artist by Serif (which all of my layouts starting with the next one are made with). It takes a bit more effort to learn, but has a TON of great features! And it's still a lot easier than PhotoShop (which I tried on several occasions, but it's over my head - and I don't have the time or patience to learn it). DSA also has a great, active forum where you can post questions (and get REAL answers promptly)! And I even found a trick for creating 2-page spreads with this program (e-mail me if you want to know)!

Layout: "This Moment"

This is something completely different for me. I "always" do 2-page layouts with lots of pictures and journaling. But I've been seeing all these layouts being done with just one photo, lots of embellishing and little to no journaling. They may not tell a story (which is why I do scrapbooking), but they are beautiful. I love this photo of my mom and Thurman so I wanted to do something special with it. I think the page turned out nicely if I do say so myself. I doubt I'll be making many pages like this (too many photos I want to use and too much to say - LOL), but it was fun and different!

I used a kit called "My Mother's Garden" by Shanmomto4 Designs. The colors are gorgeous!

Layout: "A Day with Duane"

Abigail had a field trip to go on and she invited Duane to go with her. It was nice that they had some "bonding" time together and Abigail was thrilled with the extra attention. For this layout, I used a brand new kit by Un_Leash_ed Scraps called "Uplifting". I love the colors - pinks, blues and greens with a hint of black.

Layout: "Fun"

We entered the new century and finally got a Wii! Surprisingly all of us love it (including Duane - who HATED the very idea of it). I had to do a layout to commemorate something we can finally all enjoy together. Of course, there are no pics of me as usual. Although I don't like having my picture taken and usually hate my pictures, I often feel left out because I am virtually nonexistant in my scrapbooks.

Okay, now that I've had my little whine for the day, I'll let you know about the gorgeous kit I used for this layout. It's called "Girlfriend" and it's by Shanmomto4 Designs. The colors are so unique together which is what I love about it. I also love the fabulous wordart and element selection.

Layout: "Beach Boy"

This is a layout of Christian's trip to Ocean City this past summer. The adorable beach-themed kit is by Shanmomto4 Designs and is called "A Day at the Beach". The font for the title is CK Cute. And did you notice I "scraplifted" my own layout from yesterday? I loved the look so much that I copied it, tweaking it here and there and using a different kit and different colors. I think they both turned out great!

PS - My ex has an issue with me scrapbooking photos of OUR kids taken on "HIS family vacation". I'm not petty enough to think my kids shouldn't be allowed to have memories of their father, no matter how pathetic he is. And there are only TWO layouts out of well over 100 with "MY family vacations" and activities. So since he obviously has nothing better to do than to "cyberstalk" me, here's a message for him: Get over it and grow up already...

Layout: "Beach Cutie"

This is a layout I did of Caleb's trip to the beach this past summer. I adore this kit and hope we go somewhere so I can take pics to use it again and again! The colors are so pretty and cheerful. And the elements are just plain adorable. The digital kit is called "Sea Breeze" and it's by Un_Leash_ed Scraps. The font for the title is CK Cute.

Layout: "A Very Hoppy Birthday"

This is Gabriel's layout for his tenth birthday. Hard to believe the twins are a decade old already! I used a kit called "Hopping Along" by Un_Leash_ed Scraps. I love the boyish colors - theya re perfect. And the froggy elements are just plain adorable! The font I used for the title is called CK Cute.

Layout: It's a Jungle in There!

My daughter's room is usually a disaster zone. So I thought the least I could do was to have evidence of this for when she is someday complaining about her kids' messy rooms! This fun digital kit is by Un_Leash_Ed Scraps and it's called Jungle Party. The alphabet is by Shabby Princess. The font is Banty S.

Layout: "You & Beanie"

Abigail has grown very attached to this beanbag-type pillow she named (what else?) - Beanie. She requested that I make a layout of them together so she will always remember her pal. I love love love everything about this kit - from the fun, bright colors to the adorable froggy elements! It's by Un_Leash_ed Scraps ("Hoppy Together"). The font I used for the title is called Christie.

Layout: "My Sweet Chef"

Abigail loves helping me cook. Her favorite - salmon cakes! I love the sweet colors in this kit. It's called "Secret Garden" and it's by Un_Leash_ed Scraps. The alphabet is by Designs by Vicki. The font is Brush Script MT.

Layout: "Miracle"

Here is Logan's nine month layout for his album. He is growing way too fast! For this layout, I used the "My Sweet Baby" digital kit by Shanmomto4 Designs. I loved the colors for this one! Babyish, yet boyish - just like Logan. The wordart is from Kati.

Layout: "Sweet Holiday"

Abigail requested the gingerbread girls for her 2008 Christmas layout. She thinks they are absolutely adorable - and I agree. The flower and gingerbread girl elements were designed by Paci. The papers and alphabet are from the "All I Want" kit by the Sweet Shoppe Designers. Fonts are "Banty S" (holiday) and "Baltimore" (journaling).

Layout: "Wild"

Thurman has some wacky hair-dos when he wakes up! I had to scrapbook some of them. I used a kit called "Wild Angel" by Scraps by Jenn. I love the bright, fun colors!