JAMSquared

Here is a layout I completed for two challenges. The first challenge was the Scrapbookbytes.com October Quote Challenge to use a quote about relationships. I really liked this quote by Desmond Tutu: “You don’t choose your family.  They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” The second challenge was the Scraps-N-Pieces October recipe challenge that required me to use journaling, a fastener (staple, brad, etc), a frame, at least 6 papers, and stitching. The hardest part of this challenge was the use of 6 papers. The pictures are from the Dzubinski family trip this past summer, both are thanks to my sister.

Family Layout

Digikit: Connie Prince – Backyard BBQ, Chugga Choo Choo (staple); Meryl Bartho – Walk on the Wild Side (stitching)
Fonts Used: WillyWonka (title), Undercurrent BTN (quote and date)

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.

I’ve been steadily working on the scrapbook album that I am putting together for my parent’s trip to the Canadian Rockies. My goal is to be finished by Jessica’s birthday, which is 2 months from tomorrow, when my parents will next be in town. That way they can proof the album before I order the bound album. So far, I’ve put in 14.25 hours. I think I’m at least a third of the way done.

Here is what I intend to be the cover page (not necessarily the outside of the album). I used a screen shot of a Google map. I had seen a similar idea somewhere and thought it was really neat. The layout was scraplifted from here.

Canadian Rockies Cover Layout

Digikits Used: Connie Prince – Just Imagine
Fonts Used: my font isn’t funky enough

This next page will follow the layout in this blog post. Journaling reads: The largest North American ground squirrel, the Hoary Marmot is a 17 to 22 pound grizzled ball of fur that sleeps 7-8 months of the year. Not shy, we were able to observe one near the tree line.

View from the Top 2 Layout

Digikits Used: Connie Prince – Just Imagine
Fonts Used: Catherine’s College Days

These next three layouts are from our recent Dzubinski family trip. They wrap up the portion of the trip spent on a boat in the lake (see the first three here). So I put 2.5-3 hours of family fun into 6 layouts. Do you think that is reasonable?

Journaling reads: James was the only one of the Moores who choose to take a ride. Being pregnant, the tube was not a wise idea for Jennifer and she had no interest in the jet ski. Jessica wasn’t interested in riding the jet ski with her Daddy and it wasn’t forced.

Lake LBJ 4

First section of journaling reads: “Neither Papa or Nanny tried out the tube, but they did get behind the wheel of the jet ski and zoomed around the lake.” Second section of journaling reads: “After Sarah took a turn on the jet ski, she asked Cameron if he wanted to come join her.  He wasn’t liking that idea at all so she asked Trevor.  He nodded immediately and “jumped” right on.  He liked holding the steering panel and really enjoyed his ride. The rental time was nearly up, and Cameron still hadn’t taken a ride.  We knew that once he got on it, he would love it so Sarah sat him in front of Brian with a little resistance.  We’re so glad we “made” him get on because he had a blast.” If you read my sister’s blog, you might recognize the journaling, because it is almost verbatim from her blog. I just changed it up so it would not be pronoun specific. I’m making the layouts so that if I print these pages out for everyone, it is not family specific.

Lake LBJ 5

Lake LBJ 6

Digikits Used: Connie Prince – Whale of a Good Time
Fonts Used: my font isn’t funky enough

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.

Almost two weeks ago, we had the annual Dzubinski family trip. This year we went to Kingsland and stayed at the Antlers Inn, right on Lake LBJ. I’m a slacker when it comes to blogging about trips, because I take so many pictures and I have a hard time choosing which ones to blog. My sister Sarah already blogged days 1, 2, and 3 and my sister-in-law Julia did a single blog post. I’m going to go a bit untraditional in terms of blogging about the trip. I’m going to share a few layouts I’ve made of day 3 today. We’ll see when/if/how I blog about the rest of the trip.

The first layout uses the current Sketchy Thursdays sketch. Journaling reads: Sunday morning, we loaded up on a rented pontoon boat to kick back and relax. July 31, 2011

Lake LBJ Layout 1

Digikits Used: Dani Moy Designs – Sail With Me
Fonts Used: Smarty Pants BTN, Weathered SF

This next layout is purely of the action on the boat. I thought I was doing great to get at least one photo of everyone on the boat, but then I realized I didn’t include a picture of my brother Jason. I looked through mine and my sister’s photos and apparently no pictures of my brother were taken when he was on the boat.

Lake LBJ Layout 2

Digikits Used: Dani Moy Designs – Sail With Me
Fonts Used: my font isn’t funky enough

It was almost as if he was never on the boat, which brings us to the third layout. Journaling reads: Jason and then Jason and Julia were the first to try out the jet ski. Of course Jason was also the first to try out the tube pulled behind the boat. It was almost as if Jason was never on the boat.

Lake LBJ Layout 3

Digikits Used: Connie Prince – Whale of a Good Time
Fonts Used: my font isn’t funky enough

I have plans to do a similar page for each section of the family. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.

Friday was my sweet niece Aspen’s second birthday. Yesterday, she had a party at her house. My brother grilled burgers and dogs. They had their inflatable pool set up for all the kiddos to play in. Everyone had a great time.

The Birthday Girl

Trevor, Cameron and Jessica Playing in the Pool

Jessica and Trevor

I didn’t take very many pictures of adults, but I did get this great shot of the proud parents.

Proud Parents, Julia and Jason

Aspen was not sure about what she was supposed to do with the candle sitting atop her brownie. Julia and Jason tried to explain that you blow on it like it is hot.

"What am I supposed to do here?"

But alas, Aspen still just kinda looked at it weird. Jason ended up “helping” her blow it out.

"I still don't get it"

Dessert consisted of peanut butter chip brownies, homemade vanilla ice cream and an assortment of ice cream toppings. I think Jessica was more excited about the toppings she picked out (marshmallows, sprinkles and Oreos) than she was about the ice cream, but I thought it was delicious.

Jennifer and Jessica

Afterward, a number of the kiddos hopped back in the pool. I think Jessica spent more time in the pool than anyone. She really enjoyed herself.

Trevor Excited About a Big Ball

Aspen Lounging on the Side of the Pool

I think Jessica was a little confused about why Aspen’s bathtime doll was “peeing” in the pool.

Jessica Inspecting Aspen's Doll

Apparently, it is now uncouth to open gifts at the actual party. I find this sad, but I guess I will need to keep this in mind for Jessica’s party. So the party crowd had thinned to just family by the time Aspen started opening her gifts. We had a really hard time preventing Jessica from helping Aspen open her gifts. She really wanted to pull out tissue paper and tear wrapping paper.

Jessica Helping Aspen Open Presents

Cameron provided some ambiance music.

Cameron Beating a Drum

We got Aspen a portable/collapsible crib for her dolls, some doll clothes and a book. As much as she loves her dolls, I’m sure she she will enjoy putting her dolls in the crib for a nap.

Aspen Opening the Present From Us

Back in April, we traveled to Keller for my nephew Cameron’s 3rd birthday. I never got around to blogging about his birthday party or the trip the Keller Crawfish Krawl that evening, but here’s four scrappy layouts about the Keller Crawfish Krawl for your enjoyment.

Train Ride Layout 1

Train Ride Layout 2

Digikits Used: Chugga Choo Choo – Connie Prince

This next layout was made using the Scrapbookbytes.com July Sketch. I flipped the sketch.

Scrapbookbytes.com July Sketch Challenge

Ice Cream Treats Layout

Digikits Used: Backyard BBQ  – Connie Prince; Backyard BBQ Alpha Freebie – Designs by Shari; All Seasons Summer (ESS) – Starry Eyed Designs

The last layout was made using the Scrapbookbytes.com July Topsy Turvy Template. Basically, this means you have to use all the given components (in this case 6 circles, etc.), but you can move and resize plus add additional components. I’ve never done a challenge like this before, but it was a lot of fun.

Topsy Turvy Template Challenge

Turtle Layout

Digikits Used: Cherry Lemonade – Ali Sarah digiscraps (ribbon); Cherry Lemonade – Charm City Scraps (black button); Cherry Lemonade – Teri’s Thing-O-My-Jigs (rect. frame); March of the Animals – B2N2 Scraps (black paper); All Seasons-Summer (ESS) – Circle of Life (red paper); All Seasons-Summer (ESS) – Missy’s Bits (blue paper)

Don’t forget, you can click on the photos to view the layouts bigger.

And the great thing about digital scrapbooking? I can make one time, but print out twice so my sister can have a copy for her scrapbook.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day.