AWE-SUN Summer

My sweet grand-twins got to experience a swimming pool for the first time.  Just look at those cuties!  <3  How stinkin' adorable are they?  

You can see the process video here:

Do it afraid!

For the longest time, I have felt the nudge to begin creating process videos.  I have had many people request them and many friends and family encourage me to begin making them.  Although I had the desire to inspire and teach people the art of scrapbooking and story telling, I lacked the confidence.  

During this pandemic/quarantine I have felt God nudging me more and more to stop being a consumer and to become a producer.  I love watching other people create! It is relaxing and inspiring.  However, it was not fulfilling me. I knew God wanted me to help others, not just watch others.

While studying my Bible one moring, I came across the parable of the talents given to the servants. (Matthew 25:14–30) The master expected the servants to use the talents he had given them to increase.  In short, the servant who was afraid to use the talent given to him, the master took it away and gave it to the servant with the most talents.  He even called the servant wicked and lazy.  The servants excuse that he was afraid, didn't impress or change the masters mind.  I decided right then and there, I don't want to be that servant.  God has a purpose for each of us and has given each of us gifts and talents.  He expects us to use them.  Fear is no excuse for a child of God. 

Long story short, this layout and process video is an act of obedience.  I was nervous.  I was scared to put myself out there.  I don't like the way my voice sounds.  I could go on and on with all the lies the enemy tried to feed me, before I hit that submit button.  However, I did it anyway.  I know God is proud of me and expects me to keep on going.  So, I will.  

I hope that this encourages you and inspires you to use your talents.  Do it even when you are afraid.  God is for you and has a purpose for you.  <3  

Hugs and Love! 

Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.  --Leo Buscaglia

Once Upon a Sketch Challenge

I haven't participated in a sketch challenge in a long time!  I love the current sketch/journaling challenge issued by Once Upon a Sketch challenge blog, so I had to enter! This sketch is great and so open to interpretation!  The journaling is hidden behind the photo. It's all about how much I love this little girl and how happy she makes my life.

Here is my layout for the challenge:

Here is the beautiful sketch:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

A little bit rusty...

I got struck by the Scrapbooking bug again.  I think it has something to do with my Grandbaby moving to the same town as me!  So many new memories to document, on the horizon!  Plus, I have a ton of pictures from all my summer adventures that I suddenly feel the need to get in albums!  I am inspired, but also feeling a little rusty.  I am not allowing myself to purchase anymore supplies for the time being.  I have lots of old supplies that should work just fine.  It is very tempting to shop for the latest and greatest, but I am really trying to pay off those credit cards... from all my summer adventures.  LOL!  I also feel like using up my stash will force me to be a little more creative.  I kind of got in a rut, which is why the scrapbook bug left me in the first place.  I  was bored.  I have tons of mixed media supplies and plenty of scrapbook products.  I am going to combine those two loves more and see what happens.  Here are my latest layouts:

I was inspired to try out pocket pages to scrap our trip to New Mexico and Colorado in August.  I have so many pictures of our trip, I thought this would be the best way to get them in albums.  I have to say, after doing these pages, pocket pages are not my favorite.  I feel a bit confined using them and they are so structured.  Too much structure doesn't jive with my creative side.  As an elementary teacher, I am soooo structured in my job.  I need an escape now and then.  :)

This is my favorite picture I took all summer.  This little girl makes my wonderful, blessed life, all the more sweeter!  

If you read this far.... you are awesome!  Thanks for taking the time out of your day to get to know me a little better!  I would love to get to know you too!  Leave me a comment, so I can follow your blog!  Have a WONDERFUL day!  

Hugs,

Kelly

Lots of layouts to share!

Here are several layouts I have completed over the last couple of weeks.  This first layout was inspired by a Sketch challenge from Shimelle's blog. 

  I used some new product from Studio Calico and some old product from Sassafrass Lass.  I have officialy hit the bottom of my stash of Sassafrass Foldie Florals!  Eeekkk!  I love these flowers, but I guess all good things must come to an end. :(

Thanks for stopping by! :)

They see me rollin'... and a free valentine hearts cut file.

Emery recently graduated from a passenger to the driver of the Barbie Jeep.  Her mom (Ericka) taught her how to push the gas pedal and steer... somewhat.  The steering is a little iffy still. :)  The real trick is to get her out of the Jeep when it is time to go inside.  Talk about a set of lungs... WOW!  :)   

Every time I looked at this picture these lyrics from a rap song "They see me rollin'"  came to mind.   I don't know why, but apparently that is how my mind works!  LOL!  Hence, the title. 

I have had this little glassine bag in my stash for EVER.  I decided to finally make use of it.  Then as I was moving stuff around the page, I ended up tearing it right in the middle. No problem-o. I  patched it with some handy-dandy washi tape.  Good as new.  I also added some sequins inside the bag for a little extra detail and then the tag with journaling.

This next layout was a blast to make!  I was inspired by this layout created by Erin Stewart.  I couldn't find the cut file she used for the heart background anywhere.  I decided to make my own in Silhouette studio.  You can download it HERE. Enjoy! :)

Last Tuesday, Wilna from Two Peas did a  tutorial video using the same layout by Erin Stewart for inspiration.  Watch the video when you have time!  Her style is so inspiring and love the squooshed paint technique!

I love how this turned out.  It has lots of dimension, texture, layered-y goodness and THE sweetest little girl in the whole world!  My kind of layout. :)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

UPDATED:  Added another download link.  Hopefully, this one won't give you troubles. :)

http://www.4shared.com/file/FnRsFfvM/kellyshults_heartoverlay.html

If neither link works for you, feel free to email me : kellyshults @ live . com and I will send it to you via email.  Sometimes these free file hosting places just don't cooperate! :)

Lots of Layouts!

Hi there! Long time no see. ;) I  had such good intentions of posting during my two-week Christmas vacation, but it just didn't happen.  I am not going to lie and say I have been too busy.  I just haven't taken the time to sit down and edit photos or write.  I have been taking lots of naps, working out, SCRAPBOOKING (Lots of it!), reading, watching movies, and just generally hanging out.  It's been AWESOME! 

Christmas was wonderful and I loved every minute of it... but, I have to say, I am glad it is only once a year!  Phewww... all that preparation wore me smooth out.  I needed the R&R for sure!  Tomorrow is back to reality and back to work.  So before my life gets crazy busy again, I decided to share some of what I worked on during my break.

Warning!  This post is very picture "heavy"!  

 Me and my sweetie on Christmas day.  I used the new Studio Calico, Dear collection.  LOVE it!

 I got the best Christmas present ever!  A Silhouette Cameo... which is how I made this "lovely" title! :)

 Getting really jiggy with the twine.

 Using up some of my scraps and came up with this.  Most of this is Studio Calico Yearbook collection.

 I love my sewing machine! :)

 This is my favorite layout of the bunch.  Mainly because the photo makes me laugh every time I see it.  I scraplifted this layout idea from the outrageously talented Maggie Holmes.  I adore her style.   I used products from Crate Paper, October Afternoon and American Crafts.

 Last up is my handsome son, Tristan.  Again, I used Studio Calico yearbook collection.  Do you see a pattern here?  :)

That's all folks!  Well, almost.  Miss Ashli of purplemailbox has the monthly Layout Linky going on, which I am participating in.  You should too!  It's awesome!

West Texas Wildflowers

Many people say that West Texas isn't beautiful... some, in fact, say it is ugly.  Well, I disagree.  It may be a little harder to find beauty in this desert landscape, but there is beauty here.  I went on a photo walk around our neighborhood searching for beauty.  This is what I found:

For this layout, I had more photos that I wanted to add, but really only one good spot for a photo.  I had to get creative here and decided to make a simple little flip book.

When I put this in my album, I am going to cut an opening  in the page protector for the photo book to be on the outside. So, I added a transparency to the first photo to give it a little protection from wear and tear.

I like that I was able to include all the photos I wanted to!  I am definitely going to use this mini book concept again!  How do you include lots of pictures on your layouts?  Two-pagers?  Divided page protectors?  I would love to see your ideas!  Link me up, scottie!  :)

Starting Point Layout +

A new Shimelle's Starting Point challenge was posted earlier this week.  I LOVE these challenges and look forward to them every week.  Just saying. :)   

This is my take on the SP.   I used October Afternoon's 9 to 5 collection (mostly).  I have had these wood veneer typewriters in my stash and finally found a way to use them and the OA 9 to 5 collection!  I like that I was able to use an unexpected motif (typewriters) for a baby page.  Although a little cheesy, they go well with my title.  The title was inspired by said  typewriters.  LOL!

Some more layouts:
Another 2-Pager of our mini-vacation.  So proud of myself for using so many pictures!  :)   This layout is going in our Life 2012 album.

This layout of my son and his friend on our mini vacation is going into his 2012 album.

My sweetie-pie, Emery.  She turns 1 year old next month!  OMGosh!  Where has the time gone?  By the way, this little stinker already has 2 & 3/4 albums... and she isn't even a year old yet!  :)

Sable and Emery

A 6X12 Layout, of me and my sweetie, using up some scraps.  I use to create at this size frequently.  It was fun and I like the way the different size pages look together in a 3-ring album.  To me, a little differentiation in page size adds interest to an album and makes the viewer interact a little more with the pages.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I have been up to!  I  have "met" so many sweet bloggey-scrappey friends who are so talented and creative and inspiring.   I love to visit your blogs... you know who you are!  I appreciate so much the comments and support you offer.  Thank you!  Okay... gush over.  :)

Lots of Layouts!

This is a layout I created using Shimelle's starting point.  This was a fun challenge! I adore this picture of my daughter, Ericka kissing my grand-baby, Emery on the cheek.  I used papers from Prima's Second Wind collection.

I found these pictures on my camera when I was uploading Christmas pictures.  What a fun surprise!  I love the silly faces and happy smiles.  December 25, 2011  I used Basic Grey & Lily Bee papers, and Making Memories alphabet.

This is one of my favorite pictures taken at Christmas.  One of my student's mom hand-crocheted this girly santa hat for Emery.  She looks precious!  I used some old papers from my Nature's Poetry collection back when Dream Street Papers was still around.  

This layout is of my Pepaw and Emery.  Pepaw is Emery's great, great, grandfather.  It is rare that children get to know their great, great, grandparents!  I feel so blessed to still have him in my life and how cool for Emery to have the opportunity to spend time with him! I used Basic Grey's Sweet Threads collection.

Me and Emery on Christmas.  I used Basic Grey's Sweet Threads collection.

Tristan's 13th Birthday Party.  I think this is Crate Paper.  I can't remember for sure.  I have had it awhile.

These pictures are from this past July.  It was Keith's 51st Birthday/July 4th Barbeque/Pool Party Celebration. I love these pictures of Keith with his nieces, Alyssa and Madison.

Last but not least is a Christmas layout of Emery.  I used Fancy Pants papers/overlay.