Baby it's cold outside

Oh yes cold it is and believe me when I tell you I am not a fan of this weather. I DON'T like winter not in the least. However I do like this beautiful digital kit Winter's Blush a wonderful collaboration by Veronica Spriggs and Laitha's Designs available at Scrapbookgraphics. You will find the soft pastels and shimmering elements perfect for winter layouts as well as wedding, anniversary or for that special girl. Gina from Peahead Prints was kind enough to let me use photos of her precious Lindsey for this layout just look at those eyes!!! She is just gorgeous

Winter's Blush by Veronica Spriggs Studio Vivarant and Laitha's Designs I Hear A Symphony overlay by Veronica Spriggs Photos courtesy Gina Vullo Neary of Peahead Prints

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed the day with friends and family. Dom and I had dinner with Paula, Adam, Mary, Tommy, and my nephew Christopher. Everything was as Rachel Ray would say "delish". This is our tradition we have Thanksgiving dinner together every year. Of course some things do change Dominick spent the day with Kristin's family but did come to visit after dinner. Lisa, Brian, and Pilgrim Jamie celebrated with Brian's family. She did mention that Mom bought her a pilgrim outfit but I completely forgot about it you could imagine my surprise when I came home tonight and was greeted by a pilgrim!

I am thankful for many things but most of all for this little girl!

Digital Kit by Studio Bears Garten available at Scrapbookgraphics Paper Tear Katie Pertiet available at Designer Digitals Word Art by Bethany

Yay another Creative Team!

I am very happy to be chosen for another creative team and on this team I get to work with not one but two great designers! Jaya from Jaya's Prem Hangout and Tiffany from Inspired by Dominic. One of the requirements to be considered for the creative team was to create a layout with Tiffany and Jaya's designs. I created a whimsical fun layout a bit different from my usual style but I really enjoyed working with papers and elements that challenged my creativity.

Hop Right to it Inspired by Dominic Designs Crumpled Paper Swirls Jaya's Prem Hangout font Rhonna Farrer

font Rhonna Farrer

Veronica Spriggs is having a contest!

Yes that's right Veronica Spriggs is having a contest you can win a $25.00 gift certificate to spend in her store at Scrapbookgraphics and a copy of 365 Days of Scrapbooking Ideas. Just click here to get the details


Good Luck!

Halloween Countdown

I am looking forward to celebrating Halloween next week and have lots to do before the big day. I still have to put the finishing touches on the fall/halloween decorations, and since it is a Saturday this year I am sure I will need plenty of treats for the children in the neighborhood. Shopping for candy is on the "to do" list for this week. What better way to get into the festivities then to scrap a Halloween layout.

Jamie -Halloween 2008

Premiere Kit at Scrappers Guide for October Happy Harvest by Susan Bartolini

Last Train to Paris

Last Train to Paris a new kit from Project B Designs and Veronica Sriggs -Studio Vivarant. The papers and elements are so gorgeous and are very versatile. The kit is sold exculusively at Scrapbookgraphics.

Here are 2 pages I created with this kit. The first page is a picture of who else? You guessed it Jamie Girl this is a photo I took of her this summer in the backyard.

The second layout is of my Mom when she was 17 isn't she beautiful? This kit is also perfect for heritage layouts!

Sweet Angel

Layout made with Rejuvenation and Jewel of Denial from Studio Vivarant available at Scrapbookgraphics . The sweet angel is Lindsay- photo courtesy of Gina Vullo-Neary of Peahead Prints

The grand finale of the birthday celebration weekend was a birthday party at the American Girl Store. What a wonderful time we had shopping and then having a birthday luncheon for Jamie with her Jr. BFF's. If you have not visited the store next time you are in NYC stop in. The store is filled with everything you could imagine for your doll and your little girl! Just a few pictures of the girls and their dolls enjoying the party and Jamie with birthday cake #3!

Digital paper- Ellie Nash Impressions of Change @ Scrapbookgraphics

Still celebrating

Birthday Cake with the family and cake number 2 for Miss September!

Dinner at Outback

"Let's go Outback tonight" she sang it all day now I know why companies pay marketing firms big bucks for commercials and slogans they work! Not sure if Jamie really likes the Outback or the song. Or if you know my Jamie it is probably the kangaroo and the koalas. Dinner was pretty good I haven't been to the Outback in quite some time. Jamie was so surprised and happy when our waitress brought her a birthday cake and the staff sang Happy Birthday. This was birthday cake #1 remember I told you this is a birthday weekend we had birthday cake #2 tonight with the family and tomorrow is the final day of the celebration. More pictures are coming keep checking for updates!

Birthday Weekend

My Jamie Girl is 7 today!
We have planned a great weekend and I will be updating the blog each day so you can keep up with the birthday celebration.

Summer in the Hamptons

I know you are thinking when did I summer in the Hamptons ? This is not about my summer in the Hamptons I was not even there this summer! Summer in the Hamptons is a fantastic kit from Veronica Spriggs with 15 gorgeous papers and plenty of fantastic elements in soft beautiful colors available at the Digiscrap Boutique

Just look at this layout! I must say creating a layout is really a joy when you have super photos to begin with. Gina from Peahead Prints was kind enough to let me use some of her photos for my scrapbook layouts. I love all of her photos but the ones of babies and children are my favorites. Stop by her blog and check out her galleries.

Credits Papers and Elements "Summer in the Hamptons" Veronica Spriggs Photos courtesy of Gina Vullo-Neary of Peahead Prints

Impressions of Change

Two layouts from the new collaboration kit Impressions of Change from the Studio Girls at Scrapbookgraphics

First one is of my cousin Rick on the beach at Montecito and the second is some pictures of Jamie and Alexa.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Goodbye Summer

I hate saying goodbye to summer because it is my absolute favorite season. I know we still have plenty of beautiful fall days ahead but the shorter days are a reminder that before you know it winter will be here and I hate the winter. Cold weather and I do not get along! OK enough of my complaining, I can assure you I didn't start this blog to complain. Complaining is not allowed! As promised here are some photos from our annual family picnic at Belmont Park and our weekend in Montecito.

This year we had our 17th annual family picnic. Notice the card game only my family would bring a card table and poker chips to a picnic! Always a great day lots of food, games and fun. That cute little baby with my cousin Dawn is Priyanka the youngest and newest family member isn't she adorable?

Montecito at last! My cousins Mike and Donna have a fabulous beach house in Montecito. We finally went to visit them and spent the weekend with the family. Relaxing at the beach, delicous meals, enjoying the Fiesta, and most importantly each moment we had together. We are a bi-coastal family some of us live the East coast and some on the West coast so we don't get to spend much time together. Keeping that in mind you can imagine this weekend was very special for me. Hopefully next year we can get the whole family there wouldn't that be wonderful. Thanks again Mike and Donna for a wonderful weekend!

Background paper- Veronica Spriggs -Rejuvenation
Brush-House of 3

Cousins

One of my favorite pictures of Lisa, Dominick, and Kimberly went way back for this one it is from Christmas 1998

Credits Rejuvenation by Veronica Spriggs available at Digiscrap Boutique

New Blog Design

New look for the blog tell me do you like it?
leave comments!

Jewel of Denial

Wow this is one great kit by Veronica Spriggs and Armina Designs!

Kit includes over 20 papers and 40 gorgeous elements. For a freebie and a chance to win a gift certificate to the store visit Veronica here!

As you know my friend Claudia got married this past May. She had a wonderful destination wedding on the beach in Turks and Caicos. We had such a great time at the wedding it was one of the best weekends I have had. Claudia and George were the most gracious hosts, they planned such a great weekend from the rehearsal dinner to the brunch the morning after the wedding. Here are two more layouts from the wedding. Check out these cuties Claudia's nephew and niece were the ring bearer and flower girl for the wedding. Don't you love the bare feet!

And here is Claudia changing shoes from the ceremony for the reception. She couldn't wear the beautiful shoes she picked to wear with her wedding gown in the sand on the beach for the ceremony my friend Claudia would need 2 pairs of shoes for her wedding!

credits-papers and elements Jewel of Denial by Veroncia Spriggs and Armina Designs

Rejuvenation

Wow can you believe it? Here we are halfway through August, and I can't begin to tell you what a busy month this has been. The first weekend in August we had our annual family picnic at Belmont Park. The next weekend my husband and I went to California for another family get together in Montecito at my cousin's beach house. (pictures and layouts will be coming soon!)

Yes, I have been very busy. Weekends have been packed with get togethers and parties, and lets not forget I must work for a living. Most importantly I did manage to find some time this week to scrapbook and work on a layout from this fabulous kit called Rejuvenation designed by Veronica Spriggs. The kit is packed with 16 papers in wonderful colors and over 40 beautiful elements plus a great set of alphas. I am so happy to be a member of her creative team!!


Here is my first layout from the kit featuring who else but my Jamie girl. This kit is amazing and the layout came together quickly. I love her dreamy look in the picture and I love experimenting in photoshop elements. To achieve this look I layered two of the papers from the kit used the overlay blending mode and lowered the opacity.

Creative Team Member for Veronica Spriggs!

WOW! I am so excited to let you know that I was chosen to be part of the creative team for digital designer Veronica Spriggs. I first became acquainted with her designs in June of this year when she was the guest designer for Scrapper's Guide and designed the kit "In His World" exclusively for Premiere Members. I love her style and can't wait to start creating layouts with her awesome digital creations and sharing them with you!

Be glad you had the moment

Many of my family members celebrate a birthday in July and I think of each of them fondly on their special day. I also think of those that are no longer with us especially my Aunt Anne. It will be two years this September that she has passed away and I still can't believe that she is gone. Hard to imagine that someone so full of life is no longer living. My sisters and I would tell "Aunt Anne" stories and laugh for hours at her antics. Tell me who brushes their teeth with BenGay? You guessed it, Aunt Anne. I laughed so much at this story my sides hurt.
She was a character to say the least and there was never a dull moment when she was around. Her family was her greatest joy and although she never had any children of her own she adored her nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews and I am happy to say my Jamie her great-great niece. She lived for them and loved every swim meet, basketball game, baseball game, and cheer leading practice she attended and was the #1 fan. The little ones really loved her. I think it was because she was such a kid at heart that they could really relate to her.
While browsing through a magazine one day I came across this quote "be glad you had the moment" I am not sure who the author is so I will assume it is anonymous. There are many moments in my life that I am grateful for and happy that I have had the joy and privilege to experience. Aunt Anne for all the good times, the bad times, the crazy times we had together and the glasses of red wine at Ceasar's Palace I am so glad we had the moment!

Some pictures from the family picnic August 2006 and 2007

July 4th

Yes, I am a bit behind in posting considering today is July 15th and I am finally getting to post my layouts from the 4th. I really had a great day, lots of food, fireworks and of course spending time with my wonderful friends and family. Our first stop of the day was to Colleen and Jack's house for their annual 4th of July bash. While we were there Jack and Rachel announced they were expecting their first baby in January, this will be Colleen and Jack's 2nd grandchild (the first being my darling Jamie). More good news Brendan and Colleen got engaged and are planning to be married next November! 2010 will be a very exciting year for the Farrell Family a new baby and a wedding I can't wait.

I made a scrapbook for Colleen last year for Christmas she asked if I could add some pages to the book. The answer is yes of course I can do that. Here is the first addition to your book Colleen- your sons and their wives (and wife to be-Colleen) and our darling granddaughter Jamie!

Credits-Scrappers Guide July Premier Kit by Michelle Coleman- In the Pursuit of Liberty Digital Photo Frames- Katie Pertiet Designer Digitals

Next stop is to my sister's house for her annual July 4th festivities. Deda and Bob have had the party at their house for years and we always have the best time with the family. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Joe come just about every year, and you can always count on a few cousins and their children to be there. Just a few pictures of the family from the 4th at Deda and Bob's. Special guest of honor this year is Frankie's daughter Adrianna (swimming in the stars and stripes tube) visiting all the way from Arizona!

Credits- Cardstock- Bazzil Paper- Making Memories Stars-Glossy Paper Ranger Letters- Tim Holtz Grungeboard Alcohol Ink- Red Pepper, Cloudy Blue, Silver -Ranger Crackle Paint Antique Linen-Ranger Digital Photo Frame-Jessica Sprague Digital Photo Template-ETD

I usually get a few photos of the little ones every year on the swing set and I absolutely love this picture of Brandon. I just love the smile and had to make a layout just for him! He is growing up so fast and getting more handsome by the day.

Credits- Scrappers Guide July Premier Kit by Michelle Coleman -In Pursuit of Liberty

Dominick 30?

Dominick turned 30 on July 2nd and didn't want us to celebrate his birthday this year. We did not have a birthday cake, a party, or even a special dinner we did nothing. I am sad to say the day came and went like any other day. But it was his day and this is what he wanted. Needless to say, this has bothered me for the past week and then it occurred to me if Dominick doesn't want to celebrate his birthday that is ok, I will celebrate giving birth to a beautiful baby boy 30 years ago! (I just can't let this special event pass by without a bit of a shout out)

This picture was taken in the hospital, don't you just love the hospital pictures no posing just take the photo! But I think he is adorable.

Dominick-Hospital July 2, 1979

Here is a picture of Dominick with Grandma at his first birthday hmmm he doesn't look too happy could this be the start of not wanting birthday cake I wonder.......

Dominick and Grandma at his first birthday-July 2, 1980

Nope that is not it he likes the cake here he is at about 18 months as you can see he really likes the cake!


My sister's baby shower -Feb 1981

All grown up with Jamie blowing out the candles on his birthday cake last year at my sister's house on July 4th. By the way the pretty girl on the left is Kristin, Dominick's girlfriend.

Credits Scrapbook page -Jessica Sprague "DID"

I know one thing for sure it seems like from the day he was born in 1979 I blinked and here I am writing this in 2009! I can't believe how quickly time passes as I was looking at pictures of him from the time he was born until now I could actually recall each moment and how special they were. Again another reason why I SCRAPBOOK! Make sure you preserve your memories and now that our photos are digital get those pictures off the hard drive or your memory card, printed and into albums.

Oh and Dominick - Happy Birthday
I love you,
Mom

Room for Rent

As we got closer to the end of the school year Jamie decided she was moving in with Grandma and Grandpa for the summer. All of us including her Mom and Dad laughed a bit and said OK that is fine. Honestly we didn't think she was serious and would forget about it as most six year olds do but little did we know she meant it! About a week later Lisa can't find any pajamas and is thinking how can they just disappear well they didn't disappear my darling granddaughter has packed her bags to move in with us as soon as school closes! It seems she is quite serious about this so I tell Lisa OK let her stay for a few nights she will get it out of her system. Now school has ended and naturally Jamie is staying with us for a few nights and her Mother goes into her bedroom to put her laundry away and she finds two notes written by Jamie one on the bed and the other on her brand new dresser and the notes say are you ready for this?

FOR RENT UNTIL FALL!


If you know anyone looking to rent a room for the summer give Lisa a call.

Beach Wedding

My dear friend Claudia married George, the love her of life in Turks and Caicos last month and my husband and I had the pleasure of attending the wedding. We had a wonderful weekend everything was just perfect. I wish I was still there! Here are two layouts from the wedding.

Credits- Template-Linda Roos In the Making Paper- Jessica Sprague- Thank ya kindly Brush- Maryann Wise Beach days

credits Veronica Spriggs - In His World Kit

Happy Birthday Lisa

Yesterday was Lisa's Birthday hard to believe how quickly time passes, I can still remember the day she was born and the day I brought her home from the hospital!

Naturally I would have to design a page for her birthday and the inspiration for the layout was a daily challenge for the month of June posted each day at Jessica Sprague's website. The challenge for June 14th was to to give tribute to someone special by creating a layout that celebrates them. A perfect challenge for my daughter on her birthday.I would like to say that I have participated in all of the challenges but work and life is a bit demanding and I am a bit behind in the Challenge A Day!

Credits: Papers and Flowers Shabby Princess- Happy go Lucky Kit; Grungy Edge Frame - Jessica Sprague; Overlay Beautiful Evidence- J Crowley; Stapled Pair, Stick Pin, Stitched Journaling Tags- Kate Pertiet

Playing tunes to fit your rhyme........

I love Carly Simon and her song "Legend in your own time" reminds me of my son Dominick. He is an aspiring singer songwriter and his songs are amazing. I am in awe of his writing ability especially since I am always struggling for the right words when writing just about anything including my blog posts! He performed an acoustic set this week at the Vibe Lounge in Rockville Center just him, his guitar, and his songs. He has not had a live show for quite some time and it was truly a joy to watch him and listen to all of my favorites by him and a few cover songs. If you want to see him at any upcoming shows in the future just let me know and I will send the info!

Credits- Scrappers Guide June Premiere Kit
In His World Kit by Veronica Spriggs

I carry this in my heart.....

Hi
Been a bit busy the past two weeks and have not had a chance to post. This picture is the last one taken of my Mom and Dad before he passed away and it captures a very special moment in his life. We always celebrated Easter in Las Vegas when my parents lived there and this Easter we also celebrated my Dad's 70th Birthday with a surprise birthday party. Who knew this would be his last birthday and life as we knew it would never be the same....Memories and photos are so precious. They are all we have to remember our family and the special times in our lives... this is why I scrapbook

Credits: all papers and elements Vera Lim Memories I love this kit!

Lisa and Brian's Wedding Anniversary

May 24th is Lisa and Brian's wedding anniversary and I can't believe that they have been married 7 years! I was not a scrapper back then and since I started scrapbooking I have not created any layouts from their wedding. In honor of their anniversary I decided to do a layout of their wedding for them. Looking through the photos from the wedding I am sure this layout will be the first of many!

Credits-Jessica Sprague- Thank You Kindly Paper light teal: Kate Pertiet- Winged Clusters, Defining Words 2, Stapled Words: Rhonna Farrer-Circle Frame

Hello World

My first blog! I have been setting this up for the past week and I am excited to share my life, thoughts, and most importantly my memories. I am very much a "newbie" in this world of gadgets, widgets, and HTML so bear with me as I take the plunge.
Finally I have bragging rights and I am going to shout it out to everyone! One of my scrapbook layouts "Flowers for Grandma" was chosen as the "Top Pick Page" for April 2009 by Scrappers Guide. I am a subscriber to the newsletter -Digital Scrapper. This is a FREE newsletter published weekly by Scrappers Guide with tips and tutorials for digital scrapbooking using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Elements. If you are new to digital scrapbooking or would like to learn some new techniques Scrappers Guide is a great resource. Here is the link to sign up for the weekly newsletter- Learn Digital Scrapbooking With Fast and Easy Video Tutorials

Here is the layout that I created with the April kit "Memories" designed by Vera Lim for premier members. I love the vintage shabby chic look of the papers and elements in this kit, this is my favorite style so it was so much fun designing this layout!