Monday, August 20, 2012

echo park design team: august blog hop…

August-DT-Blog-Hop-Graphic

Welcome to the Echo Park Paper Design Team Blog Hop! Today the Echo Park Paper Design Team is showcasing projects from our latest collections. 

SW2005_Enjoy_The_Right_Kit_FSince we’ll be heading back to school later this week, I wanted to share a layout I created using the School Days Mini Kit.

school_days_layout

I snapped a couple of quick pictures of Josh one day before he took his state report and display board to school.  I thought this collection was perfect to showcase those photos. :)

school_days_layout_detail1

(Isn’t it crazy to look at a photo of your kids that seems like you JUST snapped, and you see how much they have changed in just over a year?  That was my first thought when I looked at this picture of my cute guy!)

school_days_layout_detail2

There’s a free project PDF featuring this layout on the Echo Park Website.  You can download HERE if you’re interested too!

Be sure to follow the blog hop list below as you hop from one blog to the next. Return to the Echo Park Paper blog at any time for the next blogger on the list in case you get lost or confused! ONE winner will be selected from each blog to receive an Echo Park Paper collection kit of their choosing.

To be entered in my drawing, just leave a comment telling me one reason you’re looking forward (or not looking forward) to school starting again.  Leave your comment by midnight EST, Sunday, August 26th to qualify for the drawing. The winner will be announced Monday, August 27th so be sure to check back to see if you've won.

Blog hop list:

Echo Park Paper

Wendy Sue Anderson {you are here now!}

Susan Stringfellow

Lowri McNabb

Davinie Fiero

Linda Auclair

Tamara Tripodi

Have fun hopping – and good luck!! :)

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

a peaceful place…

Do you remember last month when I blogged about a book I enjoyed while I was on vacation?  It was this book:

sweethaven_summer

I read it while we were on a relaxing little weekend getaway and I loved it.  loved it.  loved it.

Well, just last week the sequel to it was released! 

ASweethavenHomecoming-web

I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it’s somewhere enroute between an amazon warehouse and my front porch right this moment, so I’ll be reading it soon – I can’t wait!

I mentioned before that the author of this series is Courtney Walsh, who, in addition to being an incredible writer, is also an amazing scrapbooker.  I was so thrilled when Courtney invited me to join her, and a handful of her friends, for this:

sweethaven_challenge

Courtney wanted to show some Sweethaven-inspired layouts...and then give you a chance to show off your talents by creating your own Sweethaven inspired layout.  She has put together some great prizes too!

She sent us a list of topics to choose from – all topics that are addressed in her book - here’s the list:

  • reconciled friendships
  • motherhood
  • weight loss
  • being transparent
  • distractions
  • forgiveness
  • old friends
  • best friends
  • getting away
  • the place where you can most be yourself
  • the place where the peace is
  • the cover of the book
  • a verse or quote that really means something to you
  • second chances

I chose “the place where the peace is” and created this layout:

wendysueanderson_peaceful_place_layout

This was actually the second version of this layout.  The first one was okay, but it had a lot more “stuff” on it, and just didn’t feel “peaceful” enough, so this one is much more simple…but much more peaceful as well. :)

wendysueanderson_peaceful_place_layout_detail1

I’ve shared photos, and my feelings about this location before…but I haven’t scrapbooked about how peaceful it is.  So my layout is all about this peaceful little place where I love to go. My parents bought property in the mountains above our little valley - I'm sure when they bought it they had no idea what a special place it would become. It's close enough to home that we can drive up there any time and when we get there we feel like we're a world away.

wendysueanderson_peaceful_place_layout_detail2

The pond is gorgeous, the surrounding mountains are nothing short of majestic, and the wildlife that often visits reminds us that we're only a little piece of such an amazing and beautiful world! I love visiting the pond, even if it's only for a short amount of time, I always leave with a feeling of peace and renewal in my heart. :)

Courtney shared my layout today on her blog (here) and I was really struck by the words she used to end her post: 

“My hope for you today is that you get a moment to stop and pause. To take in the peacefulness around you, even in the midst of chaos. To reevaluate priorities...because your to-do list will still be there tomorrow...but that child will be one day older.

How will you love them today?”

I know it’s always good to be reminded about keeping our priorities where they need to be – and I appreciated the reminder from Courtney today.

Now, be sure to visit Courtney’s blog and her author page on facebook (here) for more inspiration and opportunities to win some great prizes!

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

A “lift” and a giveaway…

Hi there!  It’s been a while, huh?  I wish I could say I haven’t been around because of some big, fun adventure…but I can’t.  Just life – that’s all.  But I had to pop in today to share this layout that went up on the Doodlebug blog today. 

wendysue_summer_layout

It was my turn to share a tutorial and I wrote about finding inspiration from the covers of scrapbook magazines!  I know, it seems like an obvious place to find inspiration – but the best thing is that the companies have all of their covers featured right on their websites, so you can take a peek when you’re looking for inspiration! 

You likely know I’m a bit partial to all of the Northridge Media publications these days, so it should come as no surprise that I went to their website looking for inspiration first thing!  Here’s a look at the cover I used for my inspiration:  The current (August) cover of Scrapbook Trends magazine, featuring a layout by Amy Heller:

st_august_cover

You can find a step-by-step tutorial for creating this layout today on the Doodlebug blog!

And now, for the EXTRA fun part – a giveaway!  All you need to do to be entered in a random drawing for a fun prize package including these three issues from Scrapbook Trends magazine :

cardssewingst_august_cover

Simply leave a comment on this post (and become a follower of my blog for an extra entry)– be sure to leave a way for me to contact you!  I’ll draw a random winner Friday (8/17), so be sure to check back!

 

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boutique brads:

wendysue_summer_layout_supplies_brads

paper frills:

wendysue_summer_layout_supplies_frills

letter stickers:

wendysue_summer_layout_supplies_letters

patterned papers:

wendysue_summer_layout_supplies_petite_prints_papers

doodle pops:

wendysue_summer_layout_supplies_stickers

All of the Doodlebug Products available at Two Peas