SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY: Get creative!

Welcome to Scrapbook Sunday! Today I am showing off some "unique" things I add to my albums. I admit... I am a "sticker-a-holic"! I want to find stickers to go with every theme of my scrapbook pages:) But this time, I didn't have a "Bomber popsicle" sticker, soooooo.... I made my own Bomber out of cardstock! I think it came out so cute! I even had the right colored papers to match it ♥ I believe these pics were from the first time Gage had a popsicle and he was so funny because
he kept putting the stick in his mouth:)

I also punched out some circles from the aqua and red "bomber" colored paper too.
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These pics were from when Gage was having a snack of some goldfish crackers; he decided to grab the snack tray that big brother uses to sit at and snack!! It was one of those "Awwwwwwww!!!" moments in a mommy's life!

So for this layout, I didn't have any goldfish stickers so I made my own lil' "goldfish" out of orange cardstock, then made blue waves
using my Decorative Trimmer from Creative Memories.
I was thinking of Chik-Fil-A's saying of "Eat More Chicken" so I added "Eat More Fish" to the title, haha!!

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I also like to add bits and pieces of the boys artwork and some schoolwork to the albums too. Gavin had made this Give Thanks poem in Kindergarten so I added it in for November; because I NEVER remember to take any pics on Thanksgiving!

Gavin colored this placemat for Santa's cookies one Christmas and it came out soooo cute! So I cut it down the middle and got a 2 page layout out of it!

I also add the kids Valentine cards to their scrapbooks every year too. I think when they get older, it will be fun to look back at all the cards they received and who their "bff's" were for that year too:)

Hope you enjoying seeing what I have to share this week! Will you please join us? If so, leave a comment and I will add your name to this post.

What sort of "creative and unique" things to you do in your albums?

Check out these other gals to see what they have posted for SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY!

Holly at Girls at Heart

...and...

Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Noelle ♥

Gardening Galore ♥

This weather is amazing right now! We hit almost 80 degrees yesterday:) I took the boys on a walk and was gazing at all the pretty tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom around here and... I was JEALOUS! I want to plant so bad!! Since I can't do it yet, I thought I'd find some pretty things to make gardening even more fun, like this adorable watering can above ♥ Love the sage green with the pink; I know my mom would go bonkers for this!

I have already put in a request for one of these giant tea cup flower pots, for me for Mother's Day!! Aren't they cute?? I've seen them at Wal-Mart too, I think they sell for about $20 there!

A pretty pair of gardening gloves to keep your hands clean and worm free- ewww!

Hahaha! How about this? Its called "REDNECK FLOWER POTS" Too funny!

Look at these pretties and the white picket fence!! I have begged Brian for us to put up a white picket fence and he told me NO! Someday, you just wait buddy... I'll have that fence!! LOL

Look how adorable!! Flower pot people!! I am SOOOOO gonna make one of these when my classes/work are done!!

I just love these white pots and want one for each side of my porch!

Pretty bright colors and...
what a PRETTY backyard! It looks so cozy and quiet!

Well, today I am off to have the last 3 girls get fitted for their bridesmaid dresses then we are going to lunch! I am SO looking forward to some girl time!

P.S. I "kinda" got me a white picket fence... what do you think of my new page??

Hugs,
Noelle ☻

Seeking advice...

I went to the gyno doctor yesterday because of my many female issues lately. I have had a lot of pain down below my belly button, lower back pain, nausea, swelling and an 8 pound weight gain in the past 2 weeks. My belly is SO huge and bloated! The dr. found out that I have a cyst on my right ovary, which is draining; she says this is what is causing my pain. I also have a small fibroid in my uterus which she said is "nothing to worry about". If neither of these two issues are "nothing of concern" at this point, then why do I have so much pain and feel so sick?

I am really irritated with this dr. for numerous reasons and have chosen to seek out a new gyno; who I am seeing on May 13th. I am considering calling the office on Monday to see if I can get in sooner because I feel so bad! My current doctor offered no help/alternative as to why I am experiencing this bloating, water retension and weight gain... other than "It may be due to the cyst." It MAY be??? What is that? I feel like she doesn't take me seriously. I know how I feel right now and I feel terrible!! It hurts me to sit upright!! I don't want to feel this way.

This dr. makes me feel like all my problems would go away if I would "just lose weight"! I'm sure it would help a lot of things but she doesn't understand that I have been overweight since 2001 and its NOT easy to all of a sudden change your eating habits over night and exercise daily! Its going to be a process and the weight probably won't fly off "just like that"!!

If anyone has dealt with cysts or any of these issues, please offer up any advice that you can!! I'd appreciate it so much:)

Noelle ♥

White and Green Swap!

What can I say... I am addicted to SWAPS! I thought this "Crisp and Clean White and Green Swap" would be a lot of fun! We are supposed to put together a modest, green and white themed swap package for our partner. I am SOOO excited about my partner: Heidi from Foxglovesfabricandfolly.blogspot.com!

She loves the farmhouse country look, as do I! So it will be so much fun finding things for her:) Here are some of the things she likes....

Heidi loves to sew and also does quilting.

She likes old white dishes that are not so perfect. Aren't these dishes pretty?

Watering cans...

Fresh and clean scented candles, or ones that "smell like you are baking something"!

Her fave clothing store is Anthropologie;
she also loves to sew tops that look like ones from this store.

Heidi loves to wear chandelier style earrings with beat up jeans; my kinda girl!

She also likes monogrammed linens! Pretty ♥

I cannot wait to begin looking for things for her swap package!! I have so many ideas running through my head; can't wait to show you all what I do come up with!!

I'm off to the dr. here in a bit, wish me luck!!

Hugs,
Noelle ♥

Earth Friendly Recycled Craft!

Happy Earth Day! I thought this craft project made from recycled milk cartons was too cute and would be appealing to may of you, especially those who love anything vintage! You could honestly use any sort of images on here, or pretty papers... would make a very cute gift too:) I love the idea of using the blocks to spell out words... maybe LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS... etc. Enjoy!!

Hugs,
Noelle ♥

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Create these decorative antique blocks from recycled milk cartons!

We love recycled crafts, and this is one of the best. These vintage-look antique blocks are gilded with aged, cracked varnish (craquelure) and glazed to highlight the cracks. This traditional technique has several variations. You can buy the craquelure finish in a kit, or make it yourself - and we explain how.

You can download images here for three distinctive antique blocks: An "Ice" Cube, comic Louis Wain Dogs, and Stars & Stripes!

Materials for Antique Blocks

1. Six vintage images, printed on lightweight, matte photo paper.
2. Half-gallon cardboard milk cartons (two for each block).
3. Newspaper, ripped in 1" squares.
4. Decoupage medium (like Mod Podge - Matte).
5. Liquid starch (like Sta-Flow).
6. Spray paint (we used black, white and dark red for the Dogs, Ice, and Stars & Stripes, respectively).
7. Craquelure varnish kit (see Tips).
8. Artist oil paint in a tube (we used burnt umber and white) or gold leaf wax.
9. Matte or semi-gloss polyurethane.
10. Masking tape.
11. Fine sand paper.
12. Decorative-edge scissors.
13. Craft knife.

Instructions (for one block)

1. Measure the width of the milk cartons. Measure the same distance up from the bottom and draw a line around the carton (Ours was 3.75" high). Cut both cartons apart along the line. Save the bottoms and throw away the tops - unless you can think of another craft idea...
   
   
2. Push the bottom of one carton into the other, to form a square cube (see Tips). Tape them together securely around the cut edges with masking tape.
   
   
3. Dip the squares of newspaper in the liquid starch and cover the cube with a layer of paper mache (see Tips). Smooth it all down and let it dry for a day. Lightly sand the block and add another layer of paper mache. Let it dry.
4. Spray paint the cube, two coats. Let it dry.
   
5. Trim your images into 3.25" squares, using decorative scissors. We used a tiny scalloped edge. You could also tear the image along a straight edge.
   
   
6. Using the decoupage medium, affix an image to each side of the cube. First apply the medium with a flat brush to the face of the cube, then to the back of the image. Press the images onto the cube with a slightly damp soft rag and smooth them carefully. Cover all six sides. Apply a coat of decoupage medium over all. Let it dry.
   
   
7. Apply the craquelure varnish according to the manufacturer's instructions (see Tips). Let it dry thoroughly.
   
   
8. Using a soft rag (terry cloth is good), rub a little artist oil paint onto the surface of each side. Use a contrasting color to your antique block background color - we used white for the black cube, burnt umber for the white cube and gold leaf wax for the red cube. Rub it into the cracks, and wipe it off, especially on the images. If the antiqued cracks start to obscure an image, gently remove some paint with a dab of paint thinner on a clean, soft rag. Continue to rub and polish until you have the look you want. Let it dry for a day.
9. Apply two coats of polyurethane.
   
   
   
   

Tips

• You can make smaller antique blocks by using 1-quart milk cartons.
• Before you nest the carton bottoms together, you may want to add some weight to your block by filling the bottom with Plaster of Paris. Or, you might add some aural interest by putting some jingle bells in a Christmas antique block, or a handful of raw rice.
• Lightly sand the surface of the milk carton before you apply the paper mache, to help it adhere to the wax.
• Applying wet paper mache and finishes to all sides of a cube is tricky. We made a temporary drying rack out of a block of Styrofoam and some bamboo skewers. Push three pieces of skewer into the Styrofoam in a 3" triangle to create a cradle for the block to rest on, so only the tips of the skewers touch the sides of the block. By resting the block diagonally on the triangle of skewers, we could work on three sides at a time, turning it over when just tacky. While a block is drying, rotate it a few times to keep it from sticking to the skewer tips.
• We used a purchased craquelure varnish kit, which included two coatings. The first was applied and left to dry overnight. The second varnish was applied, dried overnight, and magically - tiny cracks appeared over the entire surface. You can get this effect using our craquelure recipe, too.
• The possibilities for your antique blocks are endless: Create alphabet blocks by including a large antique letter as one of your images. Make enough to spell out Noel, Joy, Peace, Antidisestablishmentarianism, or whatever you wish. Use them as bases for pillar candles. Nestle small cubes in pine greenery for a centerpiece. String them on garland up your staircase. Ooo, here's a good one: make small blocks (1-qt cartons) and insert a twisted loop of wire in one corner to make block ornaments.

Return from Antique Blocks Craft to the Main Craft Page

Ahhhhh... Spring!

Hey girls! Today is a cold, rainy day here so I thought I'd blog about the nice warm spring week we had here last week! This little "gate" is in my main flower garden area, which is under our big living room window. This is the area that I really plant the most flowers in; then I add some flower pots to the porch and the shaded area on the opposite side of the porch where my tiger lilies and hosta's are. Brian hung hooks for me last year so I made up some of my own hanging baskets and had those in the front too. This year I am planning to do more landscaping to the grassy area in front of our porch and I hope to get some new things planted in the back. I am just EAGER to plant in general!!

Here is my bright and cheery garden flag that I have out right now :) The butterfly is supposed to spin in the wind too.

We actually had a day last week when it was warm enough to wear shorts!!
Gage took his tractor out for a spin!!

Now that is either a look of determination in his eyes, or pure mischief!! What do you think?

The pic above is of the large maple tree in our front yard... with buds!!! YAY!

My tiger lilies have grown over a foot already! I can't wait for them to bloom ♥

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So one week from today is my Math final, which I so need to get NO lower than a B on to pass this class. My other class ends on May 7th. I will be done collecting data for my job next Wednesday too:) I am trying to focus and get through the next couple weeks then I will have a couple weeks of doing nothing more than the ordinary- housework, being a mommy, etc. Then summer classes will start up and Gavin will be on summer vacation. I look forward to my "BREAK" so much! I need to find time to relax and "craft" a little ♥

Thanks so much to all you gals who have lended an ear to me lately:) Its nice to know that I have so many people that care; both here at home and as far away as Canada!! Your kinds words brighten each one of my days!!

Love ya,
Noelle ♥

Birthday Party Pics!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow Hi girls, I hope you don't mind that I put all these pics in a slideshow? I am pressed for time but wanted to share pictures from Gage's 2nd birthday party on Saturday with you! He was such a doll and had such a fun time! He got lots of fun new toys and clothes too:) I'll be back later to chat more... its another hectic day around here!! Hugs, Noelle ♥