Jedi Training

The boys created some awesome memories when they participated in Jedi Training at Disney's Hollywood Studios! That was all they wanted to do when they found out that we would be going to Disney. To make this happen, I rushed the boys and Nana and Papa that morning to get to the park right when they opened, then ran / dragged them to the kiosk where we could sign them up. Once I got them into the 1:20 pm Jedi Training session, this Mommy relaxed!

At the appointed time, we came back and the boys put on Jedi robes with all the other Jedi's-in-training. When it was time, they paraded to the stage outside of the Star Tours ride while the Star Wars theme played in the background. I'm not embarrassed to admit I got goosebumps when I saw the boys so excited and happy.

I'm also not embarrassed to admit that on the way back to Give Kids the World Village, I cried. It had been 15 months since Dave had died, and grief still crept up on me at the worst times. The boys had just had the experience of a lifetime! They were 6 and 7 years old and had successfully battled Darth Vader, and I felt incredibly sad because their Daddy should have been cheering them on and he wasn't there. Thankfully, the boys were too happy, tired and sweaty that they did not see my tears. But my parents noticed and I know they were thinking the same thing I was. 

Scrapbooking Tip:

Here is the first Jedi Training layout in our vacation album. I took one of my favorite photos of each boys and adhered them to a specialty paper from Scrapyourtrip.com. The Jedi Knight Die Cut was all I needed to make this simple layout. 

In all honesty, I was planning on adding more to this page. I started off with white photo mats under each photo, but they didn't look "right". I also tried various other die cuts, but I felt like it made the page look too cluttered. One rule of thumb I follow while scrapbooking is, "When it doubt, leave it off." More times than not, I'm happier with the finished layout when I went simple.

Star Wars . . . May the Force be with You

Unless you are Star Wars fan, you may not recognize the significance of this week. This coming Saturday is May 4th, which to Caleb, is a big deal. This day, according to Wikipedia, is Star Wars Day. Why May 4th? Because May 4th sounds like, "May the force," as in the famous line spoken by Jedi's, "May the Force be with you."

So in honor of this unofficial "holiday" of sorts, I've decided to showcase some of my (many) Star Wars layouts, and to make my son smile.

These layouts are all from our Baking Memories 4 Kids dream trip to Give Kids the World Village and Disney World.

When the staff at Give Kids the World Village found out that Caleb was a Star Wars fan, they staged a fun surprise meet and greet for the boys. They called in Star Wars fans, who came in costume to play with the kids. A staff person came out to greet the boys and said, "There are some people here that would like to meet you." When they opened the doors the boys went crazy! There was a moving R2D2, a Storm Trooper, a Tuscan Raider, and Jedi students. They lightsaber battled with the boys for over a hour!

Scrapbooking Tips:

I had so many photos, but I forced myself to one layout - with a creative twist.

The layout you see above contains 13 photos. I used black cardstock for the base and laid out 12 of the photos in a grid formation. I then cut down a piece of specialty "Star Wars" paper to fill in the left page. I adhered my 5x7 group shot and added a Star Wars die cut that I order from a specialty scrapbooking company called Scrap Your Trip. I added a top and bottom red border to compliment the red light saber in the die cut title.

When I put this layout in the album, I added a half page insert with additional 4x6 photos that could not be cropped down, and my journaling. By doing this, I kept this event to one layout, but was able to add some extra (adorable!) photos.

For amazing die cuts and specialty paper, especially if you're working on a Disney album, visit Scrapyourtrip.com. It's an amazing website where I purchase unique and creative papers and embellishments. I also find them to be reasonably priced in comparison to other companies offering comparable products. This is the first place I go when I start scrapping a vacation album!

Easter Bunny Card

This Easter card was relatively simple in design, but a lot of attention went into the small details. I colored and shaded the belly and ears with pink alcohol markers, as well as the die cut basket. I chose to leave the bunny white even though my son thought I should color it blue!

I die cut the Easter eggs from pattern paper and added them to the basket. I placed one larger size egg in the back of the basket and three smaller eggs in the front. Inside of the card I stamped "Wishing you a very Happy Easter".

The Stamps of Life Supplies Used:

bunnyfriend4bear

Blessings Collection Patterned Paper Pad

Chocolate Bunny Easter Card

I admit it - I am a chocoholic - even when paper crafting! This stamp was too cute. I used my spectrum noir alcohol markers to color and shade the chocolate bunny that is front and center on this card. I added coordinating pattern paper and a few die cut Easter eggs to complete the card front. It looks good enough to eat!

The Stamps of Life Supplies Used:

chocolatebunny2stamp

Chocolate Bunny & Bow Dies

Blessings Collection Paper Pad

Smile Card

I used to think that I needed to spend a lot of time creating elaborate cards, but I find that my favorite cards tend to be my more simple creations - like this one.

With a few stamped smiley faces, a cute sentiment stamp and chevron pattern paper I have a card that took less than five minutes from start to finish!

The Stamps of Life Supplies Used:

faces4stamps

Rectangle dies

Quote dies, and sentiment from November 2018 Card Kit (Incredible Collection)

Sunshine Card - Part 3

I loved the sentiment on one of my Stamps of Life Card Kit stamp set - it says "You are Pure Sunshine." I was inspired to create another sunny card. Initially I had planned to use just the sky color palette but it didn't look right with the two toned sunshine. I grabbed a scrap of floral paper that coordinated with the blue, yellow and peach color palette. It added just enough a pop of color and really brightened up the card!

The Stamps of Life Supplies Used:

Sizzix Triplits Hello Sunshine

Rectangle Dies

Incredible Collection Paper Pad

Sunshine Cards - Part 2

I love the Sun Triplit dies - lately I can't get enough sunshine on my cards and layouts!

Here is another simple card that I put together completely from paper in my scraps stash. I picked the grey and yellow color scheme because of the song, "You Are My Sunshine." When I saw the yellow scrap paper all I could think about was the line, "You make me happy when skies are grey," and knew I wanted a grey card base.

One suggestion in working with any of the Sizzix triplits is to use adhesive sheets. It makes layering and putting the pieces together so easy!

Supplies Used:

Friend Collection Paper Pad

Sizzix Triplits Hello Sunshine

Card Kit Club stamps

Sunshine Cards - Part 1

According to the calendar, Spring has arrived in Upstate NY, but as I write I'm listening to the blustery wind outside. So in my attempt to reassure myself that spring really is on the way, I'll pulled out my sunshine stamps and dies, and created some spring themed cards!

Here I had fun using the Hello Sunshine Sizzix Triplits. I grabbed paper scraps in my color scheme and created this fun, simple card. Layering the sun and clouds added so much fun detail and dimension.

Supplies Used:
Sizzix Triplits Hello Sunshine dies
Adhesive Sheets
Sunshine Collection Pattern Paper

Baptism Cards

Alyssia's friend was baptized this past Sunday and we were invited to help Morgan celebrate this major decision in her life. Alyssia asked me if we could make a baptism card. She knew exactly what she wanted. She pulled out my Stamps of Life Step Up card dies, and she picked her favorite colored cardstock, and then we found some coordinating pattern paper. She wanted to put a cross on it somehow so I suggested we adhere it to back step and add some die cut grass. 

We both were pleased with the results. I enjoyed having the opportunity to create with my step-daughter and share my passion of paper crafting.

This is the card the rest of the family gave to Morgan. I used the new Stamps of Life Elegant Edge Die - which is probably my new favorite card die.

The Stamps of Life Products Used:

Elegant Edge Die (HSN exclusive)

Basic Step-ups Card Die

Script Alphabet Dies

Cross Dies

Grass Die