Happy Easter!

I hope that all who celebrate Easter had a happy one. It was a busy weekend here and I just got to the computer maybe an hour and a half ago. Friday our future son-in-law, Denny, came over in the afternoon to cut the grass, trim the yard, and start pulling up the old garden. It looked like a jungle out there because of all the recent rain and Denny being delayed coming over to cut the grass. Hubby just can't do it anymore because of swelling in his feet and lower legs. And because of nerve damage from bad discs in my neck and fibro, I don't have the upper body strength to do it either. I managed to get my potato salad for today made in advance but that was about it. Thought I'd finish the rest of the cooking except for the ham and rolls on Saturday. Boy was I wrong! BIL came over to complete the patch work on the living room ceiling and put up the blinds in the bay window. Hurrah! finally no more paper in the windows! What I didn't expect is that he's be ready to start the next project which is creating a huge built in bookcase for me. So while he and hubby went to buy wood and whatever else, I had to unload and love two short bookcase plus all the nick-knacks sitting on them and my standing shelves for Precious Moments figures and other stuff. Wore me out! (Okay, doesn't take much lol) Next thing I knew they were back and Denny was coming in to do tilling in the garden and all three guys wanted to know when I was getting lunch. So I cheated and called Pizza Hut. I seriously needed a nap. But when hubby and Denny went out to till our garden and do our friend's, BIL decided he should discuss the bookcases with me. So there I was listening to his suggestions while he checked the walls for straightness and sized everything up. Of course the walls aren't straight nor corners squared but he assured me this happens all the time. Unfortunately, since he considered me intelligent, he went into detail about how contractors and cabinetmakers make adjustments. I could barely keep my eyes open. And really, in the end, I'm going to trust his judgment on everything because it's his specialty, not mine, ya know?

Hubby got back from working with Denny and wanted to know what was for supper. I was so tired, I could have cried. I told him I needed to put my head down - just for a few minutes - which he knew wouldn't be the case, but he just shrugged and let me walk down the hall as fast as my feet would carry me. I crashed and woke up about 5 hours later. I managed to bake and frost the birthday cake for my father then went back to bed. So I hustled today to get everything ready for our Easter & belated birthday dinner. So what the potato salad wasn't as good as usual and Dad thought the glaze made the ham too sweet? So what I'm too exhausted to do much more than play on the computer before bed. Dad enjoyed his cake and I enjoyed having him and June here. He was 81 on 4/2 and although he's in fine health overall, who knows how much longer I'll have him? I had a nice evening with Dad and can see real progress in the living room so I'm calling it a good weekend.

Grand Opening for Sunflower Scraps Boutique

This is where Echo (Echo's Scraps) & I (D'Ambrosio Arts) moved our shops after Digital Designer Den closed. Also the Vintage Vixen line which we collaborate on. Please stop by and check out the awesome sales everyone is having.

BTW there's a free Easter QP for you in the store.

Icicles by Wacky Winnie Designz

Here's a cute kit that's good for wintery layouts but also perfect for other occassions.
http://sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_93&products_id=58

Here are some children playing in the snow scrapped with Icicles:



And look how perfect Icicles is for scrapping this photo of me and my newborn son (he was born in Decemeber so the icy blue is perfect!):

Fun with Pixies Dream by Heartfelt Perfections

Looking for a spring scrapbook kit that's a little different? something lighthearted and whimsical? You should try Pixies Dream by Heartfelt Perfections at Sunflower Scraps Boutique:
http://sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_11&products_id=205

I'm going to make a few spring ATCs to pop into note cards I'm sending to friends. Here is the first, made with Pixies Dream:


Created a couple of layouts too. This one goes way back to when I lived in Alabama and we were driving through the mountains.

And this one shows my son at around age 2, Easter time. I love these photos of him with his duck fluff hair.


Pixies Dream is a fun kit containing 16 full size papers in soft spring hues and 82 elements. All sorts of goodies to create your own Pixie garden. Of course, the little pixies steal the show but there are lovely flowers and great greenery.

Playing with Sweet Baby Love by Felice Originalsa

We have a new grandchild due the end of May, first part of June so naturally my mind is on babies. I jumped at the chance to make some layouts with Felices' darling baby kit, Sweet Baby Love. The colors and textures are baby soft and inviting. I first scrapped a layout with a photo of Londyn, a little girl I baby sat for awhile. I don't think this could be any sweeter:

Next I created this boyish layout:

Then I tried a birth announcement:


Do go take a look at this darling kit here if you need to scarp any photos of babies:
http://sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_115&products_id=304
It's a full sized kit with 20 papers and 34 elements.

LOs made with Yesterdays Love by JTs Designs

A new digitial scrapbook boutique is preparing to open on April 1st. Called SunflowersScrapBoutique, it's a gathering of very talented designers. Although I'll be selling my designs there too, I elected to become a Creative Team member so I could play with and be inspired by the designs of the others.

Below you'll see some results from the first kit I selected, Yesterdays Love by JTsDesigns. Jane is a new discovery for me so I was excited to be able to sample her work. This kit is full sized with a romantic theme in colors of vintage reds and greens with the addition of some cream/neutral tones. It includes 25 papers (12x12 300 dpi), 85 elements and 4 poser dolls! What more could you ask for? See it all here:
http://sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_119&products_id=247
Below is a layout featuring a photo of our step-grand-daughter, Inara, who was a premie.


This one shows off a photo of my friend, author Dot Ryan, ad her husband, Sam Schwartz. I cut the dark paper with a border template by Dragon's Lair Designs and recolored it towards blue to pick up the color of Dot's dress.


And here is the first of a series of ATCs I know I'll make with this kit (ideasa are swirling in my head lol):

I call her Belle of the Ball

You really must go see the full kit. It's wonderful and a real steal at the price of $4
Tried my hand at making a tag for Jane with her kit. Here is Jane Belle:

Today is my birthday

It's been some time since I've blogged. Our store, Digital Designers Den closed an there were things to be done. I'm moving into a new store being opened by my friend, Lynne aka BabyCakes Scraps. The store, Sunflowers Scrap Boutique, will open on April 1st and Lynne has gathered a lot of talent, so watch for it.
Have also been busy with family matters, home remodeling, visual journaling groups, annual quilt show excursion, and getting back into aqua therapy.

Today was my birthday. Great weather with spring like temperatures. I received birthday cards from my father, my son, Ashalee Wall, and my friend Jenny in Australia. My son, my brother, step-daughter, and Miss June called with good wishes. My dear husband bought me a laptop, took me to OutBack for dinner (what yummy steak and coconut shrimp!) and had a cake for me at home. My sweet son surprised me by having a beautiful flower arrangement delivered this afternoon: blue irises, white carnations, yellow roses, pink stargazer lilies in a cobalt blue vase. Have to take a photo in morning.

Went to pool eaqrlier to do aqua therapy exercises and am so worn out. Lovely day though.