Project 365- Day 12/Wintertime Snow Layout

With the brisk winter we have had...a record cold December for Florida residents, I decided to scrap some photos from last winter’s trip to Philly where the girls, us and Bella got to enjoy the snow.

Wintertime Snow Layout - Day 12 Challenge

Supplies from these manufacturers:

Echo Park Paper Co., Scenic Route, The Paper Co., Glue Arts,

Fiskars, Cosmo Cricket, Maya Road, Prima & Recollections.

I really love this Echo Partk Wintertime Collection by Bella Road. I used many elements to create this fun layout of Ashley with Bella. But since Bella had on her pink winter coat, I selectively chose the papers and paired with a pink (Tinted Dawn) CS background from The Paper Co.

Wild Winter Roadtrip Recap

Just had to share some fun photos from our holiday trip to Philly, right as the big 23" snow storm hit the northeast. We looked liked the Grizwald's with a trunk that looked like a Jenga game, but Dan insisted on taking his all wheel drive car even though my trunk is bigger. Dare you pull anything out, it might fall on your head. {you will see in the pictures} Try not to laugh too hard at these Floridians who tried to pack lightly while knowing that we were about to enter the frozen zone, which by our standards is anything over 50 degrees! LOL!!!

{the snow photos are from our Dunkin Donuts detour in Virginia after driving 16 straight hours and hitting unplowed roads in Fredericksburg- and yes, Dan was smart to insist on us taking his car. We passed many 2 wheel drive SUVs stuck on the side of the road. Fortunately from Washington to Philly the roads were plowed.}

Did I forget to mention that we brought the dog along? This was Bella's first long road trip and she aced it with the help of Kai's chenille pillow spanning the leg area in the back seat! Princess Bella lounged across the back seat dining on Chic-fil-A wraps, waffle fries and ice chips (of course she grubbed my dinner!) There was no avoiding it, and once you see some of the photos you will understand how I couldn't resist her begging. I have some more hilarious shots from this adventure, but I am saving some of those for scrapbook layouts!

{You know what happens when you are cooped up in a car too long...you get a little loopy! The girls gave Bella hairdos and dressed her in the hat Kylie wore most of the roadtrip. I think Bella arrived the only one well rested. Dan drove the whole way with no sleep! He is a true road warrior.}

Nineteen hours after leaving home, we arrived at our destination, my sister’s house in Ardmore, PA to a blanket of white snow and a huge family welcome from my sister, brother-in-law, niece and parents. We only slept a few hours that day, but I think it took me until Christmas Day to truly wake up!

It only took 17 hours driving straight through to make it home, and I could barely keep my eyes open, but as we were just a few exits from home, the sun rose...what a welcome sight and a perfect ending to an awesome trip!

{For about 3 days following our trip, my DH was experiencing caffeine detox from all the coffee he drank to stay awake. Just another tale from the adventures of our life. Belate Happy New Year wishes to all!}

Who Says Dogs Aren't Manipulative?

I beg to differ with those dog trainers who say that dogs don't know spite and don't feel emotions like we do. And our Wheaton Terrier proves my point daily. Bella is as high strung and emotional as any of my teen girls. She whines when I am taking too long to get ready for a walk, pitches a fit when we are getting ready to leave, smiles when she knows a treat is coming her way and plays the funniest game of I love mommy best with my daughter Ashley, who loves Bella dearly.

It starts like this...Ashley wants Bella to come snuggle with her on the couch or wants to snatch her up to bring her in her bedroom. Only Bella has always been a dog to give affection on her terms, and watching the game is quite amusing. Ashley will call her over and Bella will leap over three people and sit practically on top of me, as if to say "protect me mommy — don't make her take me!" This often becomes a cat and mouse game with the two of them and Bella being held against her will with a look on her face of resentment. All in all, when Ashley isn't around she sometimes goes in her room and lies on her bed or looks for her. She is always ready with kisses, but no matter how hard Ashley tries, Bella wants control of the relationship and her affection. Ashley gets frustrated at times, but I have to find it humorous that they act more like siblings than a dog and a girl.

Layout notes: I cut up parts of a predesigned layout by Bisou Bzoo to create my own layout. For adhesive I used Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro with High Tac adhesive, Stampin' Up dimensionals and 2-way glue. The tiny flower and star punches were from Michaels dollar bins, purchased a while ago. The dog chipboard tags are Marcella K found at Target and I also used K& Company Carolyn Gavin Grand Adhesions stickers for the adorable You & Me heart. To personalize the journaling I added some hand doodling that I colored in with markers. Also included were some assorted ribbons in coordinating colors. Thanks for viewing!

Curious About How Much I LOVE Cosmo Cricket?

Curious to see what Cosmo Cricket™ inspires me to create? I am going to share with you some projects, published and otherwise (layouts, paper crafts and cards) inspired by Cosmo Cricket’s amazing products. You will then see why I love their products so much.

Their papers are so fun and never cease to inspire me. That is why I would love to be a member of their design team. This layout, above use the Get Happy Collection along with some stamps from Inque Boutique/Darice and some Curious George stamps. I had so much fun using these lively, fun papers...who wouldn't “be happy” working with bold colors and patterns like these?

And it never ceases to amaze me how I can use this same Cosmo Cricket™ collection for various times of year and come away with very different results. Here is a a no sew, “Sweet Treats” pocket holder created with the Get Happy Collection, perfect for Holiday Gift Giving or as an appreciative thank you gift.

Remember what I said about how Cosmo Cricket’s products inspire me to create? Here is a very different 2 page spread layout that shows the Get Happy collection in a different, funky way. To view larger images, check out my project gallery for a more detailed view...

With each new release, there is always one collection that grabs and inspires me to create things immediately. In the past, I have been inspired by the Gretel and Get Happy collections. I have shared with you a few Get Happy Collection creations. Here are a few layouts from the Gretel collection. Unlike the Get Happy collection, the colors aren't ones that I am normally drawn too, but one thing is always consistent...ever paper collection has been well thought out and always has cool alphabets or embellishments that coordinate and inspire great project ideas. I also love the mix and the variety in the scale of the patterns and designs. These features make for great layering, as shown on the “Bella” and “Angel Eyes” layouts below...

Most recently, the Snorkel collection has rocked my socks off! I was blown away by the bold bright colors and made it the focus of my Dive into Birthday Party Planning article I wrote for the September 2009 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts featuring original project ideas, photos, instructions and my project templates. Here are some sneak previews of those projects you will find coming to print very soon!

Here is a fun summertime LO of my niece and daughters inspired by the fabulous and fun-loving Snorkel collection kit featuring coordinating ribbons, colored die-cut chipboard and more! The title of this layout is “Smile, It’s Summertime”. And, if I am lucky enough to get chosen for Cosmo Cricket’s DT, I know that I will have just as big a smile on my face, too! ;D