This

So I completed a few more layouts yesterday, using Gossamer Blue July and August kits.  Funny enough, every title on the three layouts starts with the word THIS.  :)  So here's this:

This is 40

Made with July Gossamer Blue kits

This Girl Going Places

my BFF Winif's gorgeous daughter, who will be absolutely amazing at anything and everything

Made with July Gossamer Blue kits

This is Everything

photo taken in rural Stockton, KS

Made with August Gossamer Blue kits

Thanks for looking!  I'm still hard at it working on 40for40 cards....more pics soon.

Another "Practice" Video

I made a SUPER Quick & Easy Card just to work on basic editing and learn to do the voiceover.  Well, I can honestly say I'm not a natural editor and I do not believe movie making is in my future, haha!  Here's the video:

Try not to laugh too loudly while watching, you wouldn't want to wake the neighbors ;)  Thanks for stopping by!

A Video Test

We figured out a way to rig up my DSLR for less than $7.00!  Gotta love the Crafty Blog Stalker's genius idea here.  So we were just trying it out with a few Gossamer Blue August Bits & Pieces kit items.  I plan to shoot in my craft room with much better lighting.  And editing.  And actually making something.  But you can see Miss Q's sweet little hands and hear her voice in this video!

40for40

Back in June, while thinking about turning 40 and what that means to me, I decided to write a Facebook post about doing 40 things for 40 people to celebrate.  I have worked in social services for all of my professional career (minus a few part-time gigs), so the idea of giving isn't one I take lightly.  I wanted a way to bring a smile to whomever I was doing the 40 things for.  So after thinking about what 40 things I could do, I decided I would create handmade cards, writing down special thoughts or encouraging words.  I also decided to include a little card for the 40 to then pass along and do the same I did for them.  This is taking a lot longer than I anticipated, but I can say with a smile that I'm loving every minute of it.  I work on the cards while Q is asleep, stealing away a few minutes to really sit and think about the person who is receiving the card and what my heart wants them to know.  I sent my first round of cards last week, and it truly made me feel SO GOOD.  I only took quick iPhone pics, so I apologize for the bad photos.

You'll see that some of the cards are the same...it's so much easier to make two of the same once you get going!  So while I want them to be individualized, for the sake of my sanity I am making duplicates, haha!  But the message inside is all that matters, and there's nothing but love in the form of words, paper and glue going in each envelope.

This photo shows four of the next round to go out at the end of this week.  My initial goal was to have this completed by the end of the summer, but I have a feeling it might take a tiny bit longer.  And that's ok.  The fact is this:  I said I would do this, so I am doing it.  And it's one of the best ideas that I have come up with and acted on so far.  40for40

Gossamer Blue July Kits

The kits from Gossamer Blue for July were just so lovely.  Lots of soft, dreamy colors, fantastic embellishments and so easy to work with.  I've made many layouts so far, but have only photographed a few.  Here's a look (click on photos to see larger):

You Are My Greatest Adventure

A fairly simple layout using a few of the many embellishments in the July kits.  Love this photo of C and Q taken last November.  Their relationship is just incredibly special, and C is definitely a spectacular daddy.

Lunch Date

Pics of my dear friend B and her gorgeous girly.

Sneaky Selfies

My nephew Carson, fast asleep during our Parker Christmas.  The other pic is of Lacey, who is like a niece to this family.  She woke up mid-selfie. 

I know not everyone who reads this blog is a scrapper like I am, but if you've ever considered getting into the hobby, all you need is a paper trimmer and adhesive, along with a subscription to Gossamer Blue.  All the guess-work is taken out of it, as everything coordinates so beautifully.

A Dream Come True

I can finally announce that I am on the Gossamer Blue Design Team!  Yay!  I feel so fortunate to be creating for a kit company and product manufacturer that I completely and totally believe in.  Lori, the owner of GB, is one of the kindest women ever to walk this earth, and she has assembled a group of amazing, talented gals who blow me away with their creativity.  Please take a look at the GB Blog and click on the links below the photos to read about each of these fantastic ladies.  Here's the link to my designer profile here.  Thanks to my BFF Winif for her awesome photo-taking skills!

For those who don't dabble in the scrapping, being asked to be on a design team is like, the top of the line, cherry on top, bestest most awesome thing that could happen to a scrapper!  So this is absolutely one of the best things that has happened to me!!!!  Ever!!!  Feel free to send virtual pats on the back ;-)

Get Happy

I am blown away.  Gossamer Blue has created a Christmas line that seems to offer every little thing I would want in a Christmas collection.  Get Happy by Allison Pennington offers traditional Christmas greens and reds with pops of fun colors, bright white and adorable images.  I have already started planning my December Daily album in my head!  Take a look:

Double-sided papers, where both sides are AH-MAY-ZING

Plaid puffy stickers?  Be still my heart.  Gold rub-ons?  Get outta here.  Fun stickers?  Yes please.

Lovely stamps and enamel dots for days!  Did you know enamel dots are one of my FAVORITE embellishments ever?

Wood veneer numbers that are 1 3/4 in. tall!  Shut up already!

You can totally win this fun collection by liking the Get Happy post on Instagram (gossamerblue) or on Facebook (click here).