wish-i washi

I spend altogether too much time on Instagram.  Probably, if I could tear myself away from all the inspiration over there, I would have a whole chunk of time to create some stuff.  

Sometimes it's just easier to look at what everyone else is creating.

When Sherri Funk's washi tape layout appeared in my feed, I dusted off the ol' scrapbooking supplies and created this:

So fun to be inspired to create, and even more fun to have something to show for it!

The challenge comes from Chic Tags.  They post a new challenge every Sunday.  Check them out!

hello, my little blog

March 15th?  

Is that seriously the last time I've posted here?

Sad.

Well, let's catch up.  

I went back to teaching after about 14 years.

I love it, but it was a bit of an adjustment.
Planning, reading, relearning, creating and organizing new materials, early mornings, no more sweats.

But hardest of all, is my lack of time to be creative.

Some days all I can muster is a quick stroll through Pinterest

Or a few stitches of crochet:

Throw into the mix our crazy over-lapping winter and spring sport's seasons:

But that hasn't stopped me from picking up a few supplies:

And trying to keep up with project life (post coming soon, I hope!)

Thank goodness for Instagram, for letting me quickly and easily document our lives through pictures (and have a little visual content to be able to include in this blog post).

I can't make any promises, but I hope it's not another 2 1/2 months before I can stop by here again!

insta scrap challenge #1

Happy Friday!

I have a little scrapbook page to share with you today.

The sketch inspiration for this page is from Artful Delight:

They have adorable kits for sale, so do check them out!

I used some of the Hey Girl! Basic Grey line that JoAnn's stores is now carrying.

This page is also the first challenge for a new little Instagram fun I decided to start.  

So, if you are on Instagram {and if you're not, what the heck are you waiting for??!}, create a page and post your creation with the hashtag #instascrapcrop1  I'm thinking I'll post a new challenge on the 15th and 30th of the month.  And maybe, just maybe, there will be some prizes someday...we'll see!

super why invitations

Calling all Super Readers!  It's party time!

I had to do a little research on PBS's hit show Super Why in order to create these invitations.  

Luckily, watching YouTube videos of preschooler television shows is pretty fun research.

Since the show is based on reading, it only made sense to create little books:

In each show, there is a problem that Whyatt and the rest of the Super Why gang need to solve, and they, of course, "need your help!"

So they head to the Book Club house and Princess Presto sings a little chant:

And finally, when the problem is solved they burst into a "Hip Hip Hooray" song.

It really is quite cute!

These were created with the help of my Silhouette Cameo using an adaptation and enlargement of these cut files:

book cover and belly band: 2 page book card by Samantha Walker

pinked circle: ribbon by Echo Park

ikea haul

A couple of weeks ago I made my maiden voyage to 

Oh. My. Word.  If I didn't have children's buses to come home for (and a husband who would miss me terribly), I would have moved into one of their rooms.  Maybe this rad orange and pink one:

Or this cool contemporary one:

Or definitely this one decked out in my favorite colors and that light.  Oh, that light.

Is it not the coolest light ever?  It took all my will power not to bring it home with me.

 But I did come home with quite the IKEA haul and a few IKEA shopping tips.

Number one: go prepared!  This place is huge.  I mean ginormously, Texas-sized huge.  Me with no concept of IKEA casually asked my brother, "Like, is it wholesale club huge?"  He laughed at me.

I made a shopping list on their website with the definite, on-a-mission things I needed.  Then I scoped their inventory tracker for days before to make sure they would have my necessities in stock before I made the hour-long trek.

Number two: get your necessities first.  If there are things that you absolutely must go home with, load those up first, even if it means making two trips through the check-out.

One of my main goals was to pick up two table tops to make desks for the boys:

I knew the stock on these was low and that we would probably have to go with an alternate color.  After shopping for an hour, I panicked and bee-lined off the show room floor and down to the warehouse.  Good move--these were the last two table tops and they were out of their #2 choice.  Whew!

from IKEA: Vika Amon table top in high gloss red, Adils legs in black, Snille swivel chair in red,  Alrik swivel chair in blue, Bygel wire hanging basket, Bygel containers in black, Tertial work lamp, Algot wire basket, Kassett magazine file in white, Trofast storage box with lid in white

Another item that I was definitely going home with was this cutie:

From IKEA: Raskog utility cart in turquoise, Antonius basket insert

So I threw that on the flatbed with the desks and chairs and made trip number one to the car.

With those items checked off my list, I could relax and casually stroll through the showroom and marketplace.

Number three: don't use their carriages if you can at all avoid it.  The IKEA carriages are CRAZY!  All four wheels swivel.  At first I thought it was just me, or that I got a bum carriage.  But then I saw everyone making really wide turns with their whole body tilting out to the side.  If you must use a carriage take this tip passed onto me by one of the salespeople: walk alongside with one hand on the front and one on the back of the carriage. 

from IKEA: Vitaminer Vimpel panels with tiebacks

Number four: take measurements.  I went with a list of measurements of the boys' closets and the existing shelving in them.  It would also be helpful to have someone at home to call on for some speedy measurements of things.

This is my college dorm loft bed turned cozy nook/ "treehouse" for the boys--lots of fun!

Not from Ikea, but a little close-up of the blanket my nana made decades ago:

Number five: give yourself plenty of time.  I was warned by lots of friends to not expect to get in and out of there in two hours.  I spent four hours shopping and did not stop to eat (though the food did smell yummy).  It is definitely a store you want to take your time in to get the full experience.  Oh, and if you find yourself in a rush, look up for the shortcut signs--very handy, trust me!

from IKEA: Akerkulla cushion

from IKEA: Ung Drill mirror

This summer we will head back to IKEA as a family.  I think the boys will love the room vignettes on the showroom floor, and somehow I completely missed the fabric section.  Besides, I think that light needs to come home with me.