Home from a great LONG weekend of RV-ing!

We had so much fun at the Lake (Branson, MO) this weekend! We are so happy we bought our 5th wheel last year! In one year we have traveled to 11 states and I was thinking we didn't use it as much as I thought we would.... I think we did pretty good! 

Here are some pics from our 4 day weekend trip...

We stayed at Compton Ridge Campground and it was so cute...

This dessert was insane! Funnel cake with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar and a cherry on top for good measure! I ate like a fourth of it before I was stuffed! 

It was so yummy! 

(Cakes & Creams, Branson MO)

Wet dogs from swimming in the lake!

I think Bella is worn out after her lake swim!

Umm.... excuse me you are in my seat!

Sunday was National Ice Cream Day so....

Cards, energy drinks and tired pup! 

Loved this pic of my 4-legged babies!

Headed home! 

Nico loves the wind in his face!

We have a new edition to the family...

my mom and dad got a new little Yorkie!

 Tess, is her name.

She's a one year old rescue, 4 lbs and ADORABLE! 

I couldn't hardly put her down to go home!

Welcome to the family Tess! 

I hope you all had a great weekend too! 

Happy Monday and have a great weekend! 

Melanie is our Friday girl today!

Melanie Jarocki is here on this fabulous Friday with a couple of card and a couple of layouts to share.  

Oh Snap Card

The camera cut-up from the Exit Here collection was perfect for this sentiment with belated birthday wishes. In addition to the Exit Here papers and die cuts, I used the red mini letters from Nikki's collection, twine from The Twinery, and an SRM sticker sentiment. 

#1 Fan Layout

My little guy gets toted around to his older siblings sports events all year. So I thought it would be fitting to make a layout documenting that he is their #1 fan. The Noah Collection provided the perfect game-day colors and images for the layout. I love all the die-cuts and cut-outs in Nikki's collections. They make for the perfect page embellishments. I also used my Slice to cut out the #1 and then used a white gel pen to fill it in. I added in some more pen outlines in red, white stitching, and edge-inking to finish off the page.

Celebrate Card

My daughter was attending a friend's birthday party and asked me to make a card for her. Her friend, Cora, loves ballet and bright colors. So, I turned to the Audrey collection for it's colors and feminine patterns. The ballerina image was cut with my Slice machine. I added some yellow tulle and beading with Beacon's 3-in-1 adhesive to make the dancer's tutu. (BTW, I saw Cora and her dad the next day. Cora told me how much she loved the card, and even her dad mentioned that it was really neat. LOL).

Always Layout

I broke from my traditional 12x12 format and made an 8-1/2x11 layout for this photo of my son. I used the Messages collection to match the photo's outdoor, masculine image. But because of the message I wanted to convey, I added in the heart images to form a visual triangle around the page. 

Well that was a lot of goodness to share right there!  Thanks Melanie for taking the "holiday" spot on the blog!  

Be sure to visit Melanie's blog also to see what she has been up to.

A fun tutorial from Deana!!

Hi everyone!

So happy to be sharing Deana's creations today! She is so inspiring!

First, Deana has a tutorial to share with us!

I made pinwheels for my cards.  They are very simple to 

make.  Cut a square… any size.   I’ve even used a full 12x12 sheet of paper to make a large pinwheel.  Then cut diagonal lines from each corner, almost to the center of your square, leaving about ½ inch space in the middle…  

Try to ignore the fact that a manicure might be a good idea.  Ahem.

Put a sticky dot in the middle of your square.  Take every other corner & fold it in to the center, without actually a creasing your fold (unless you want that look)… so you still have some dimension. ...

Then add a pop dot to the center of your pinwheel and embellish it.  Or… you could even add a brad or a button to the center.  The options are limitless!

 

Pinwheels can make fun centerpieces, too, when put on wooden skewers and grouped in a bunch and in a vase!  Could be a fun idea for 4^th of July décor?!   And the Noah collection has lots of red, white & blue if you want to try it out! 

~~And Deana also has two gorgeous lo's to share with us today!

"Dear Bryn"

I used the Exit Here collection for this page & added journaling cards from the Messages collection.  Every year I write a letter to my daughter to include as the last page of that year's scrapbook.  Usually it's a hand-written letter, but this time I thought I'd make a whole page... thus the title "Dear Bryn."  I used my Beacon 3-in-1 Craft Glue over lightly drawn pencil lines & then put my Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery on top to create my title. 

"TWO SWEET MAY BIRTHDAYS"

Did you catch Katrina Hunt's projects on the blog the other day?  I was inspired by her pages that used multiple letter stickers for her titles when I made this page using the Exit Here collection.  Both of my pages that I created with this "travel-themed" collection, were NOT travel-themed pages which shows just how versatile this collection is!  In fact, it's one of my favorite Nikki Sivils' collections EVER!    

Thanks for stopping by!

Jodi on Wednesday.

Jodi Wilton is here today with a couple of layouts and a card.  She used the Summer collection also.  I can say the Divas are having fun with it!  Let's hear from Jodi.......

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer! Nikki's Summer collection is PERFECT for all of your summer photos! I can't  get enough of it! For my first layout I created a layout of my kids having their first summer ice cream! I think this was my youngest daughter's very first full ice cream cone!  I love all the cut up's in this collection, and of course with all the ice creams, it was perfect for these photos! Here is the layout I created with some close ups:

For my second layout, I decided to cut up the die-cut sheet to create a fun border.  I love the doubled up scalloped edge!  I created the flower with with a a heart punch, and used the burlap button as the flower center. I love the little stickers in this collection too! I made a small cluster of embellishments to go with the journalling sticker.  Finally I added a cute Baker's Twine bow!  Here is the layout:

The card I created came together easily because I loved the little sticker with the birdie on it! I cut out one of the two birdies, to make it my focal point of the card! I also used some bakers twine to finish off the card.

Fun projects from Jodi today, don't you think?!  Be sure to visit Jodi's blog also! 

Melissa is having some Summer fun...

Our Divas were sent some of the previous collections to spin their magic with and Melissa Pablo is one of the first ones to post on the blog with some of her projects!

I Love Summer

I love, love the colors of Summer collection and I wanted to do a super simple and fast layout, so with just a few snips here and there, pop dots everywhere and it's done.

Altered $1 Wall Clock- Enjoy Summer

I wanted to create something different again and I truly enjoy going to $1 store and find a good bargain. This was a wall clock and i just simply took out the clock hands and used the Summer collection again to create a multi layered project. I might have to do this again, one for each season.

You Are My Sunshine Card & Happy Birthday Card

A simple card using Summer collection cut-ups with hand stitching and foam adhesive for dimensions.

Thanks Melissa for getting us ready for the Summer season!  Be sure to visit Melissa's blog.

July's Monthly Kit Is Here!

July Kits Are Here!!

"My Boy's" 

Mini Album Kit!

You won't want to miss out on this month's kit for only $20 (retail value is $30)!

For $20 you'll have everything you need to complete this mini album in one box!

Including:

*Full detailed instructions with color pictures of each page of the mini album!

*The complete Collection kit of "Noah" which retails for $16!

*Tag Chipboard Album with 2 metal rings!

*Burlap Buttons

*Bread(less) Tabs

*Twine from the Twinery

All for $20 (plus shipping) Just click the "BUY NOW" button below to get yours while supplies last! 

Here are a few sample pages from the mini album:

This is a great "boy" kit for all the men and boys in your life! 

(Only available while supplies last.)

Happy July!

Laurel having fun with the Noah collection!

Hi everyone!

Laurel has some fun projects to share with us today using the Noah collection!

"Hi Laurel here with an altered art project and some cards all of which use my Cricut in one way or another.  I started out with a small canvas that I picked up at a garage sale.  I decided to alter it and make a home decor piece for a baby's room.  The Noah collection was perfect for the little boy feel that I was going for.  I cut out the various pieces using my Cricut and I used the Beacon Zip Dry to adhere them before sewing.  The airplane and pennants are mounted on foam squares.  I then embellished with some of Nikki's canvas buttons and some twine."


OUT FOR PUBLICATION

"I then decided to make a baby card to go with this and I thought the die cut with the saying Thank Heaven for Little boys was perfect.  The pennant and stars were cut with my Cricut."

"While working with the Noah paper I thought that it would make cute boy overalls so I once again went to my Cricut to create a shaped card."

 

Thanks for sharing your AWESOME creations with us today Laurel! You are amazing!

Showcase on YOU!

Hi everyone!

It's my fave time of the month again, when I get to share projects using Nikki's products made by YOU! 

First I want to share a GORGEOUS frame from Erica Marshall! Erica used the Audrey collection!

Next we have a BEAUTIFUL layout from Irit Shalom!! She used We are Family and Beatrice on her layout!

And lastly today, I have a gorgeous layout to share from Nicolle Kramer!! She used Will he B the 1? and Sugar Cookie!

I just love all of these! Thank you ladies for sharing your creations with us!!! If you would ever like to be showcased on Nikki's blog, send me (Julie) an email at bmwgirl@cox.net -- please include an image of your Nikki Sivils project and your blog address! 

Thanks for stopping by!