Getting back into a groove

Ok, I have been so out of it lately. I was exhausted by the rush of family & friends. Then I was sad...I don't like not seeing my grandsons & friends. But THEN I discovered a secret. Ok not a secret. It was something that was there for everyone, including me, to see. I don't know why I didn't see it before. It wasn't hidden at all.
Oh, sorry. Want to know what "it" is? We have been here almost 6 months! Only 2 1/2 years to go! So, with that realization, I got busy cropping. Cause I'll be so busy with grands when I move home, that there won't be time to catch up!

So, I did a layout at crop Friday night for Slick's 1st birthday. I know she is 25! But it's never too late to start. And now that I'm confessing, I have to confess that I'm afraid of the big circles so many people are using. I never feel I "do them" correctly. But I stepped out of the zone and did it anyway. I like it.

I used part of a kit that I got from Memory Works. It is from a company called Collage Press. (Sweet Shoppe Collection) It had enough papers, embellishments and stickers to make 4 layouts...and I only paid $19.99! (Shameless plug, but check out my Memory Works site,[click here] they are clearancing everything to get ready for new catalogue...great bargains) It will have a journal block, but I try not to put my journaling out on the web. The pink is not really that vivid, in real life. Almost a little salmon colored.

The chipboard "1st" was from a Basic Grey numbers kit. I covered it in a scrap leftover from another layout. The circle was a punchout from the kit, as was the circle in lower right. I inked the edges of both to make them not wash out into the background paper.

Never quite satisfied, I dug through my bling and added pale pink & white bling to the dots on the circle. Really girly!

The second page was fun to play with. I covered the Grungeboard alphabets with paper from the kit. They were a bit small for that and it was a challenge not to rip them. Regular chipboard would have ripped, but the Grungeboard is very sturdy. Thanks Tim Holtz!
I cut the cupcake circles out of one of the paper and mounted them on a double mat of brown & then pink, as are the photos.

Then I added paper to the chipboard "cupcake" and glued to layout. The frosting was in the same brown as the mats and I popped it up with dots. I plan to put some bugle beads on it, to make it look like candy confetti. But I have to buy some first!

THEN, as if this wasn't all enough...I flocked my cherry and stem! I wish you could feel it! I used Crushed Velvet Flock by doodlebug designs. (Also purchased from Memory Works). They make a "Stick With It" adhesive, but it says on the back you can use your favorite glue pen or double sided tape. I used ZipDry that I rubbed around with my finger to cover it entirely. I've learnd you have to press the flock firmly to get a good bond. I think it turned out great. Can't wait to use the flock on Christmas cards.I know this was long. I don't write often enough, but when I do, I just get carried away! Hope to be seeing some of your work in the Dream Talkin' Forum. And until then...

Keep Dreamin'