The One with August 2013 American Crafts Layouts

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Barely sneaking this in on time! Here are my monthly American Crafts layouts - using product from the AC-owned company, Studio Calico.

EYES EARS MOUTH & NOSE

Journaling says: When we first brought Jane home from the hospital Fox's favorite thing to do was point out her facial features. Eyes. Ears,. Mouth. Nose. We had to pay close attention though to make sure he didn't poke her eye out or squeeze her nose too hard! I hope they become the best of friends!

How to: Trim a 1 x 2" rectangle from each of the patterned papers and specialty papers in the Atlantic collection by Studio Calico. Adhere the papers in a chevron pattern across the top half of a light blue cardstock background. Stitch lines over the chevrons. Add similar colors of embellishments over the paper rectangles like brads, ribbon bows, and sequins. Create the title using cork Thickers. Place a piece of doily at the bottom of the layout and top it with two black & white photos and a cork ampersand in between. Journal under the photos with a white pen and stamp the date below. Place three clusterings of glitter chipboard stars and star stickers around the layout and drop dark blue spray mist over the stars.

Supplies: Cardstock, date stamp, ink, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper, epoxy brads, ribbon bows, sequins, stickers (ampersand, letters, stars), spray mist: Studio Calico; Doily: Wilton; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Pen: Uniball Signo

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LOVING THIS

Journaling says: We went to the beach for the annual Academy of LDS Dentists and Jane was being so super cute and affectionate.

How to: Adhere three doilies across the top of a seafoam green cardstock background and trim the excess. Punch a bunch of shapes from patterned papers then sew them together into garlands. Place the garlands across the top half of the layout. Stamp a sentiment and date on the top doily as well as an epoxy brad then place a flair badge on the left and right doilies. Journal above and below the badge on the right doily. Create a title using ombre Thickers between the two bottom garlands. Add two photos under the title and place two arrow stickers on either side.

Supplies: Cardstock, stamps (date, sentiment), pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper, epoxy brad, badges: Studio Calico; Stickers: American Crafts (letters), Studio Calico (arrows); Doilies: Wilton; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

Hoping that we get a little more settled so I can resume scrapbooking to my heart's content after the kiddos go to bed every night!

The One with "Jane, How Old Are You?"

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Since day one Jane has been Fox's biggest fan.

Wherever Fox is, Jane is sure to be close by.

I've never had an older sibling, so I'll never know what it's like to look up to someone so fiercely, but I can feel through Jane's love just how awesome and intense it is.

Boy she could stare at him all the live long day when she couldn't do anything else besides stare!

Then once she started getting more mobile, wherever Fox went, Jane went.

Most of the time they get along great.

I can even coax a kiss or hug or two out of Fox for Jane.

But, ya know, what are big brothers for if not to pester?

If Fox has a toy, Jane wants that toy. And vice versa.

When Fox is still napping and Jane wakes up she is BORED to TEARS! Literally! She misses him like crazy and can't wait to follow him around some more.

What am I going to do when he starts school and she's home by herself? Maybe we'll have more kids by then to keep her entertained...

Blank stares...

Bug bug bug.

Jane wanting to do what Fox is doing, all day, every day!

I even try to coordinate their outfits :) Gray and neon yellow!

If Fox is crawling, Jane is crawling!

Jane likes cars and trucks and dinosaurs and helicopters because that's what Fox likes!

I can't wait for her to start walking and to see the new interactions they'll be able to have.

My kids.

Today Fox figured out how to climb this fence dividing our yard from our neighbor's. You can betcha Jane tried climbing the fence too!

So I guess it's no surprise, with all of this love and affection and admiration Jane has for Fox, that she's starting to pick up on some of his favorite phrases like "No" and "Yes" and "Thank you." Constantly throughout the day we ask Fox, "Hey Fox, how old are you?" "TWO!" (We're still working on getting him to respond with "two and a half" even though in a couple months he'll be three!") So now when we ask Jane how old she is, this is what happens:

"Jane, how old are you?"
"Two! Hahaha!"
She's so proud of herself :) At least she has the right number of fingers up!
What a cutie patootie.

The One with Playroom Inspiration

Monday, August 26, 2013

The "playroom" (downstairs in the deep, dark, and scary basement!) is a blank canvas and I'm in need of some ideas and inspiration! Where else to turn to than handy, dandy, trusty Pinterest?
I'm envisioning light and bright colors with lots of Fox's artwork displayed, paper chains, banners, pennants, baskets of toys housed in none other than IKEA expedit shelves :)

We have one of these exact expedit units, but in birch. We need to get one more. But IKEA only takes cash, Euros to be exact, so we're working on that dilemma.

I've never put up wallpaper before, but I think it'd be a fun on a focal wall.

Cardstock + patterned paper = I could totally do this!

Every Sunday Fox comes home with artwork he made in nursery and I've been saving them all. Hanging them on a corkboard is a fun idea!

I love the ginormous ruler and primary color scheme of this room. Plus, the walls are white, as our walls are, which I would love to leave because painting is my arch-nemesis :)

More white walls, more bright colored elements, and displayed artwork. I'm seeing a theme here!

Chalkboard wall? Now THAT would be cool.

How fun is this clock? Totally do-able with cardstock and then get a cheap clock mechanism from Amazon or someplace.

Loving the artwork banners and tassels.

Banners hanging from the ceiling?? Cool!

Where can I find a large map wall decal like this? And then we could like start marking everywhere we go!

Lots of ideas in the works, stay tuned!

The One with Regensburg, Germany

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Today was a Regensburg kind of day!
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at one of the northernmost points of the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate. The large medieval centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We went under this cool tower with a tunnel to get into the city.

We found a parking garage and Fox was a happy boy because he got to press the elevator button. I'm glad he's so enthusiastic about the small things in life.

We started making our way towards the iconic St. Peter's Cathedral and stopped to enjoy the scenery and architecture along the way.

Mustard yellow building | Madonna and Child statue

Reminds me of Leavenworth. Or does Leavenworth remind me of Germany?

St. Peter's Cathedral!

This cathedral is considered the most significant Gothic work in southern Germany and the most important church and landmark of the city of Regensburg - pretty impressive!

Dedicated to St. Peter, this cathedral it is the seat of the Catholic diocese of Regensburg. The church is the prime example of Gothic architecture in Bavaria.

Chris and Fox | Paige and Jane (who I decided looks NOTHING like me!) sitting on the steps of the cathedral.

We went inside - I always feel so small and insignificant inside cathedrals because they are SO TALL.

We admired the stained glass windows. Most of the valuable stained glass windows were installed between 1220-1230 and 1320-1370. The windows of the west facade were only completed in the 19th century.

On the side of the cathedral are sun dials | Mint green building with a pretty statue fountain in front.

Walking along the streets and taking in the pretty sights and flowers.

Next we walked across the old Stone Bridge.

It goes over the Danube river which is also the river that goes through Budapest. Fox threw a stick in the river and we told him to look for it next week when we're in Budapest!

Wow could this BE any prettier?!?

I mean, really. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words here!

Chilling on the banks of the Danube.

Walking back over the bridge into Regensburg and checking out the Danube River boat cruises.

There are gelato stores on every corner. We finally gave in to Fox's pleas and got him a scoop. He devoured it within one block, silly boy.

We didn't have a guide or places to go in mind, so we just strolled around. Moseyed, if you will.

Haidplatz.

Thon-Dittmer Palace. Located on the north side of the Haidplatz square, this elegant building adds a touch of courtly elegance and sophistication to Regensburg's predominantly medieval backdrop. The stylish, modern rooms are ideal for conferences or private gatherings.

A stage inside the Thon-Dittmer Palace.

Fun views of the city.

Of course we had to eat some bratwurst!

I got adventurous and tried currywurst - sooooooo good.

Then we walked back to the car and drove to the Thurn and Taxis Palace. The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century and is well known as owners of breweries and builders of many castles. We went inside the basilica.