Hello Summer | July 2017

Happy summer, friends! I The kids and I made it to Washington for our annual trip and we are enjoying the gorgeous weather here, family, friends, and cool summer nights! I can't say I miss the humidity of Florida at all... we are loving the milder temperatures and cooler evenings. 
 

My mom planted beautiful flowers again in her yard this year and I look forward to photographing them every summer. The flowers she can plant in Washington are so different than what I can plant in Florida and I love all the bright colors and textures.

I have some crafty news! I created a new Instagram account strictly for my scrapbooking and card photos and projects. My new account is @erintaylor_papercrafting . I hope you will check it out!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! I plan to be back soon with some cards or layouts... my blog has been sadly neglected the past couple of years. Hooray for blogging!

Trip to Seattle | Holidays 2015

Yesterday I mentioned posting this week's Retro Sketches card, then the Seahawks played this afteroon (and lost!) and I completely forgot to photograph my card! Of course it's dark now and I don't have a good setup for photographing projects at night. So... I swapped a couple of posts around and today I'm sharing some photos from our day trip to Seattle, Washington. The boys and I spent two weeks with my parents (they joined their father for a few days around Christmas) over the holidays.

A couple of days before we flew home my parents treated us to brunch at the top of the Space Needle. If you haven't done this before I highly recommend it. The food is amazing and you can't beat the view!

We had 10am reservations and I was told we could arrive 30 minutes early and check out the observation deck. I'm guessing the receptionist didn't realize the 10am reservation was right at opening because they were not expecting us at 9:30. We were told to hang out in the gift shop until 10am, which worked out great because it was freezing outside. Of course Jack wanted to buy everything in the gift shop and he managed to hit Grandma up for a Seattle snow globe before we left. Even she can't turn down those big blue eyes. 

I admire bloggers who can take fantastic food photos, and I had every intention of taking photos of my amazing meal but I was too busy eating it! The best part about eating at the top of the Space Needle (besides the food, of course) is the incredible 360 degree view. The restaurant rotates while you eat, making one revolution every 45 minutes, and you end up seeing something new every time you look out the big windows. It's pretty incredible. 

After brunch we moved to the observation deck. This is always the boys' favorite part of visiting Seattle, although it was super busy at the top by the time we finished brunch. 

There was a ton of fog on our drive into Seattle and I was concerned about visibility but once we got into the city the fog dissipated and the view was spectacular! 

 

Jack spotted a park while we were at the top of the Space Needle and we decided to check it out when we got back to ground level. It was an awesome playground with a large rope climbing gym, swings, and interactive musical instruments. The boys had a blast and I got some great pictures of them and my parents. 

After about an hour at the park we were all freezing and ready to head home. The kids and I are planning to visit Washington again this summer and we will spend a few days in Seattle checking out some of the other attractions... the Pacific Science Center, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, EMP, and possibly a Harbor City Cruise. Until then this day trip will have to hold us over. 

I used my Canon 70D camera and 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8, and 24mm 2.8 lenses for these photos. The 24mm 2.8 was great for capturing all of the Space Needle in the frame and for photos with sun flare. It was such a crisp, cool, clear day and I'm extremely pleased with how these photos turned out. Now I need to decide which photos to frame for around the house! 

I have my Retro Sketches card on my desk, ready to be photographed in the morning. Hopefully nothing will come up and I will have a blog post up in a timely manner. We can always hope!

A Few Thoughts on Blogging | January 2016

Photo taken in my parent's backyard | January 2016

Hello friends! It's been awhile since I've posted here. Two and a half months, to be exact. There are so many reasons why a break from posting was needed, and to be honest, most of those reasons will sound like lame excuses (included the dreaded phrase "I'm busy"). Just know that I needed some time to live off the grid, so to speak. A couple of my design team positions ended (Paper Smooches Sparks ended its run and I stepped down from Gossamer Blue), and it was time to step back and analyze why I blog, if I want to continue, and what exactly I want to blog about.

All important questions. 

I spent two months thinking, writing in my journals and notebooks, and searching my mind and heart for answers. My life has changed dramatically over the past year and many of those changes have affected my creativity. Long gone are the endless free days to create in my studio. Now my crafting time is crammed between soccer practice and studying for an English exam. 

I want it to be known that I am not complaining about this new life I've created for myself.

The kids and I are in a good place right now. I am figuring out what works for us, one day at a time. So far most of my craft time comes on the weekends and a couple of evenings per week when I don't have school or sporting events to attend. As much as I crave more "down time", being busy is also good for me. 

The one thing that I keep coming back to, when I think about this blog, is what changes I want to make going forward. The past two or three years have been dedicated to design team contributions and submitting cards for challenges. Not much else. While those posts have their place, I feel like I've lost my voice along the way. I stopped sharing personal stories or those photos and events that are meaningful to me. I also stopped sharing layouts and other scrapbooking related projects. I know the reason for not sharing layouts is due to not have consistent results photographing scrapbook layouts. The lighting in this house, and my previous two houses, made photographing larger projects difficult. While I live in the sunshine state, the houses here don't have a lot of windows! I assume that is due to having to cover those windows during a hurricane (this is pure conjecture on my part), but it is awfully annoying when I want good, bright light to photograph my projects. 

What does all this mean going foward? 

Well, it means several things. First, I don't expect to post every day; at least not right away. Ultimately that is the goal, but I want to try a few things first and see how it goes. I also will be sharing a wider variety of projects and possibly a review or two of my favorite products and services. No, these won't be affiliated in any way, but as a blog reader I like reading what other bloggers and crafters are using (and loving!). I've also been thinking about adding favorite recipes, a few home decor projects, and some digital projects as well.

I want this blog to be a reflection of who I am. Not simply a place to share assignments. 

I have a few posts planned for this week, including my return to Retro Sketches tomorrow!

Thank you for coming back and reading my long winded post. I know it's frustrating when a blogger takes an unexpected and/or unexplained absence and I appreciate your willingness to return and see what I have planned. Check back tomorrow for my Retro Sketches post and have a wonderful Saturday!

Right Now | June 2015

He:

Has been a joy to be around this summer. Silly, funny, enthusiastic. Qualities I don't always get from him, and I'm soaking it up. 

Got the biggest grin on his face when I told him about the baseball camp he is going to next month. He is already looking forward to it. 

Is acting more and more like a "tween" and less like a little boy. So mature and articulate at times, but hello eye rolling. Oh how I hate the eye rolling.

Made the A/B honor roll for the fourth quarter, despite four teacher changes this year and our divorce. I am so proud of him.

Is still a healthy eater, when I'm on top of it. He loves cheese sticks, yogurt, carrot sticks, cantaloupe, watermelon, broccoli, and corn.

Is not excited about going to a new school next year.

Totally rocks his new, short hair cut. I love that he's not constantly pushing hair out of his eyes.

Rarely gives me a genuine smile when I ask for a photograph. I'm not sure how I got this photo of him, but this smile? Melts my heart.

Wants to stay up late and watch America's Funniest Home Videos and American Ninja Warrior.

He: 

Totally rocked his "faux hawk" during the last week of school. Complete with green wash out hair dye. He loved it.

Is still into music, and his favorite song right now is All About the Bass by Meghan Trainor. Animals by Maroon 5 is a close second.

Is a master at playing: art projects, imaginative play, Kiwi Crate boxes, Playmobil, digging in the dirt, swimming, coloring, xBox, puzzles. This kid loves to play.

Tasted watermelon for the first time and liked it. For those of you who know Jack, and his struggles with trying new foods, this was huge.

Will still hold my hand, give me hugs and kisses, and loves to snuggle.

Loves the pool and could spend all day swimming. He hated the pool as a baby/toddler, but that changed last year and now I can't keep him out of the water.

Is very excited about going to a new school next year.

Can't wait to go on an airplane next month. Flying to Washington is one of his favorite things, and he is a wonderful traveler.

Is all about play dates these days, and went on his first sleepover a few weeks ago. I received a text from his friend's mother the next day, and she said that Jack announced at 8:45pm that he was going to bed, and he was asleep a few minutes later.

We:

 Have already gone to the aquatic center twice, Pump it Up, Fired Up Pottery, the neighborhood pool, the park, and a Manatees baseball game this summer. It's going to be a great summer vacation.

Are settling into a routine as a family of three.

Need to start eating dinner together again. Our dinner time hasn't been consistent, and I haven't been cooking as much as I should be. That needs to change.

Are counting down the days until we fly to Washington. 

Plan on having an amazing summer together.

Right Now | Evan

Right now you are playing both soccer and baseball. This is the first time you are tackling two sports during the same season, and it's been a crazy way to start the school year. Unfortunately your first three baseball games were cancelled due to inclement weather, but you are hoping the play your scheduled games this week. 

Right now you love cold pizza, yogurt (without chunks), cheese sticks, granola bars, whole apples that you proudly eat to the core, ham and cheese sandwiches (no condiments), anything sweet, and cereal for breakfast. You are growing, growing, growing and eating a lot throughout the day. You also love cooked green vegetables (peas, green beans, celery, broccoli) and eat those first at dinner time. 

Right now you are excelling at school and brought home your first letter-grade report card. Gone are the "o's" and "s's" and "n's". You are getting all A's and one B... and very proud of your academic accomplishments. Unlike your mama, you are a very good speller. You are reading well above grade level, are fantastic at math, and your teacher noted that you almost always give the correct answer when you raise your hand. You go to ACE once per week, and I love hearing about your adventures with other exceptional students. 

Right now you are taking on more responsibility at home. You help unload the dishwasher, take Bailey for walks, clean your room, put your laundry away, do your homework without complaint, and take out the recycling. You are learning how to be a productive member of our family, and this year you have grown a lot in that department. You still leave your wet towel on your bedroom floor, forget to flush the toilet regularly, and leave your shoes all over the house, but you are navigating age 8 beautifully.

Right now you are 70 pounds and wear size medium pants/shorts, and (mostly) medium shirts. You wear a large shirt at Children's Place. Your shoes are a size 3.5.

Right now you want to play sports inside the house all. the. time. Throwing and diving for the football, playing catch with a baseball, dribbling a soccer ball. It's all sports, all the time with you. 

Right now your best friends are Brayden and Ethan.

Right now you are into Minecraft. You and your brother play the video game, have plush toys, and want to be Minecraft characters for Halloween (you are going to be a creeper). I was sure this obsession would pass, but it hasn't diminished at all. 

Right now you are so very eight. Full of funny jokes (that are guaranteed to be body-part related), sensitivity, love, compassion, curiosity, and purpose. You are shy and quiet at times, but love adventure and special trips and home time. You are so special, Evan, and I love you very much.

Scotty Girl Designs | New Release

Scotty Girl Designs has a fabulous new release this week: Tangram Templates. I have always loved using templates, and these are so much fun because of the triangles! A few weeks ago I posted some pictures of a typical Saturday, and I used a couple of those photos for my layout:

I also created a layout using Scotty Girl's Layered Template No. 5:

I plan on printing both (sized to 8x8 inches) and inserting them directly in my Project Life album. I seem to fall w-a-y behind with PL when I have family visit (and this year was no exception!), but I worked on my album last night and finished up three weeks of layouts. Only three weeks to go until I'm completely caught up! I have learned to slip papers + notes in the album, even if I don't have time to work on full spreads. I don't feel too far behind when I know several of the slots are already filled.

I picked up the Seafoam addition back when it was released, and while I love the overall design and the graphic feel to it, I don't like how repetitive it is (the 3x4 cards especially). I haven't counted, but I don't need 25-30 of the same design. I really wish I had more variety to work with! I subscribe to the Studio Calico project life kit, which has definitely helped add variety to my layouts... but the new Midnight addition (coming in May, I think) is on my radar. Truthfully, the Kraft, Honey, Jade, and Cinnamon additions are all beautiful! But I think the Midnight addition will work well with the Seafoam kit I already own.

Sorry for the Project Life tangent... I am trying to get back on track so I can fully enjoy this project again. Falling behind is never fun.

Have a great week! We will be enjoying spring break + Evan's 7th birthday. :)

Our Day in Photos | Saturday

A perfect way to end the day: strawberry short cake. Yum. :)

Traditional Layout | A E I {Heart} U Challenge

Hi! We are still in "vacation mode" around here... at least for a few more days. Evan doesn't go back to school until Tuesday, and Jack is off for another week. We have been playing, watching way too much TV,  reading new books, playing Blokus and Trouble, making paper airplanes, cleaning, napping... and mostly doing nothing. It's been great! The kids have been wonderfully well behaved the past week. Exceptionally so. They have been so busy playing with their new toys that bickering hasn't occurred to them. I hate to tempt fate, but I am thoroughly enjoying our vacation together.

After the boys are in bed I usually head to my office to watch episodes of the West Wing and work on cards or layouts or my (not-so-finished) December Daily... and I have been extra productive this week. I am feeling rather proud of myself. :-)

I pulled out a few Studio Calico kits for this layout (and I used one of my favorite pictures):

I also finished another card for Avery Elle's A E I {Heart} U challenge:

(Supplies - Stamps: (Avery Elle) Lots of Love, Picture It. Cardstock: (Avery Elle) Cherry, Mimosa, (PTI) White). Patterned Paper: BasicGrey. Ink: (PTI) Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Harvest Gold. Other: Gems, DMC floss, twine).

Make sure to check back on the 6th for my Great Impressions Stamps challenge card... it's a beauty! Thanks for stopping by!

2012 Holiday Party | Digital Layout

Hey there! I hope everyone is having a good week. I have a layout to share today with one of the pictures my mom took before Mark's company's holiday party on Saturday. I fiddled with this layout in Photoshop for hours before deciding to rotating the whole thing on an angle. And I'm so happy with how it turned out! I think this is my first "angled" layout, and I will definitely do it again.

(Supplies (all supplies are Karla Dudley Designs) - Staples: Digi Essentials. Washi tape: Jubilee. Stitching: Digi Essentials. Alphabet brushes: Tall Man Alphabet. Wish sticker: Winter Frost. Brush: Bokeh Luv. White frame: Framed | One. Patterned Paper: Winter Frost.)

My mom and I went shopping for a dress on Friday (yes... one day before the party!), but I love the dress we found. White House Black Market is where we ended up & they are so helpful & friendly. My favorite part of the dress is definitely the feather/flower black belt. Oh! And my sparkle shoes. I need to take a picture of those. I purchased them for last year's party, and they are awesome. Too bad they have no support (or cushion) and kill my poor little feet!

If you get a chance, pick up the new Scrapbooking Babies and Toddlers idea book by Creating Keepsakes. I have a layout in there all about Jack. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

December Daily - Day Two

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I can't believe how little time I've had to post the past two weeks... we have had company for the past 15 days, plus I came down with a cold/flu that hung around for way too long. I spent all day last Tuesday in bed while my parents took care of Jack. I am so thankful they were in town to take over the household duties... I don't know how else we would have survived! 

I am working diligently on my December Daily album, but nothing is going as planned! My photo printer is out of ink, so I am uploading to Walgreens until I can get to Wal-Mart and buy replacement ink. I tried to print my journaling card with my other printer and the colors are coming out funny... maybe that one is out of ink, too? Mark is going to look at it when he gets home. I also pulled out my red StazOn ink pad to stamp on the cream album, but the ink pad has turned gloppy and chunky... definitely not what I was expecting! So I guess I need to make a trip to Michaels in the morning for a new red ink pad. 

Despite a few setbacks, the project has been a lot of fun to work on. I am using Studio Calico's December Daily kit & album, 4x6 overlays by Ali Edwards, silver super fine embossing powder by Ranger, snowflake dies (which match the stamp set Snowflake Medley), natural wafer board (awesome product!), and last month's Studio AE stamp set. 

I don't have full spreads ready yet (due to printer issues), but I can share my photo page from yesterday:

The "Merry & Bright" brush was added in Photoshop using an exclusive Ali Edwards brush from Studio Calico's 25 Days of Christmas class. The journaling font is Georgia (my go-to font for just about all my journaling). And the beautiful lazy susan the flowers are sitting on was hand made by a dear friend (hi Ray!) for Mark's college graduation. 

And a big thank you to all of you who participated in the Great Impressions + Ribbon Carousel Blog hop. Please visit the Ribbon Carousel Blog and the Great Impressions Blog to see if you are a winner! 

(Hopefully) I will be back tomorrow with completed pages and a card or two. Goodnight!

A Very Merry Snowman

Hello, friends! Back in September I submitted several cards for publication that didn't get picked up, which means I can share them here. The first card I'm going to share uses Papertrey Ink's Shape Up Snowman die and mini stamp set. When this set was first released I completely fell in love with it! The snowman is beyond adorable, and I like the "mix and match" feel of the mini stamp set. 

I stamped the eyes, nose, and mouth onto the snowman, then ran him through my Big Shot using the Peace Be Still impression plate. The polka dot background paper is from Echo Park, which I accented with a small snowflake stamp inked with PTI's Pure Poppy. The "merry" die cut uses another piece of paper from the same Echo Park paper pack. His scarf was created by trimming a piece of PTI felt (it's about 1/4" wide x 6"), then wrapping it around the snowman and adhering in place. I snipped the ends of each side of the scarf to give it a more realistic look.

 (Supplies - Stamps: (PTI) Shape Up Snowman Accessories, Christmas Labels. Ink: (PTI) Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, True Black. Dies: (PTI) Shape Up Snowman, Double Ended Banners, Wonderful Words: Holiday. Cardstock: (PTI) Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, White. Twine: (Stampin' Up!) Cherry Cobbler. Gems: Hero Arts. Felt: PTI. Other: thread, buttons, glitter.)

I can't believe Thanksgiving week is here... we have 4 Thanksgiving celebrations planned (two on Thursday, one Saturday, and one Sunday). Luckily I am only responsible for cooking one of them! I am thrilled to spend time with friends and my parents, who arrive on Saturday. It is going to be an amazing week!

Karla Dudley Designs | Damselle

Happy Thursday, Friends! I hope everyone is having a good week. Ours has been a little disjointed... Evan was home sick Monday, fine yesterday, then spiked a fever last night and stayed home again today. I'm not sure what is going on with him! But he seemed fine tonight & doesn't have a fever, so he will probably go to school in the morning. Having him home two days this week has thrown me off... my schedule is all out of sorts! Hopefully the next two days we will be back to normal as we get ready for a party for Mark on Friday, soccer Saturday morning, and Evan's end of the season soccer party Saturday night. 

When Evan was home on Monday I tackled the playroom... cleaning out the toy box, organizing the loose and random cars, trucks, airplanes, balls, Angry Birds, etc. that had piled up over the past 12+ months. Jack was super helpful putting toys away and finding the right bin or box for them, and Evan helped me sort Angry Birds into their proper box (and he claims 5 boxes of Angry Birds is not enough). I took some before, during, and after photos to place in our Project Life album, but Karla e-mailed me her newest kit, Damselle, and I knew these photos are a perfect match to her kit.

(Supplies - "mess" and "clean": Damselle . Staples: Digi Essentials. Stickers: Damselle. Stitching: Digi Essentials. Journaling card: Damselle. Washi tape: Damselle. Label: Edge Labels. Cardstock: Cardstock Essentials No.1. Patterned Paper: Damselle)

Rather than reprinting these photos for my Project Life album, I think I am going to print the layout on photo paper and slip it directly into the corresponding week.

I will be back Friday morning with a fun card for this month's Cloud9 blog hop. I am the guest designer over there this month! You can check out this month's inspiration picture here, and the hop officially starts Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Erin.