3*2*5 - Jaime Warren

Some Technique Tuesday Goodness!

I can't believe June is almost over with...I mean, seriously, wasn't I just counting down the days until we left for our vacation?  And now?  Now it's almost July?!  June has seriously flown by and gotten away from me. So much so that I just realized I haven't posted my last two Technique Tuesday layouts!  Eeep! 

I seriously loved playing with this brand new Studio AE Stamp Set - it was perfect for our vacation photos!  I have huge plans for a mini album documenting our trip using this gorgeous set.  But for now I have two layouts to share:

 

Lots of October Afternoon (including the amazing Sprinklers!) and some Studio Calico!  Those are two of my favorite waterfall photos that I took during our trip :)

 
For this layout I used different Studio Calico Kits in combination with some Crate Goodies and more October Afternoon.  I really love the color combo - red and yellow are just so much fun!!

I also have another Shimmerz Layout to share as well:

 
Seriously, how is this girl of mine already eleven?! 

Alright everyone, that's all from me today - I have lots of packing and things to check off of my to-do list.  We'll be out of town for the 4th - can't wait!!!!  Have a great one!!

♥♥♥

 

Peeking Back In...

Yeah, it's been a few days again, sorry!  Coming back from vacation meant tons of work to catch up on and lots of laundry lol!  We also had Hailey's 11th birthday party - 7 girls at the movies and then spending the night - whew!  Needless to say I was exhausted for a good two days after the party!  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this girl:

 
is a mere two years away from  being a teenager!!!  She's such an awesome kid though - I can't complain.  She is always the first to jump in and help me.  I just love her to pieces!!  While it's bittersweet, I really am looking forward to watching her change and grow. 

This little girl:

 
Had dental work done yesterday - they had to give her Valium to relax her enough.  I was a nervous wreck before we took her - like sick to my stomach nervous.  She did great though - she passed out within 30 minutes of taking the medication and slept through most of the work.  She unfortunately woke up and started putting up a fight so, we have to go back again next month. 

And of course I can't share a photo of two of my girls and not share one of this girl:

 
Isn't her hair insanely long?!  She won't let us cut it - and so we're trying to let her bangs grow out long enough to where she can just tuck them behind her ears.  She hates having bangs!  I hate the in between lengths stage - it drives me batty lol!

I also wanted to share a few layouts that I have created!  The first one is for the Crate Blog:

 

This next one I made for my very first Shimmerz Blog post:

 
If you have never used Shimmerz you are missing out - high shine, gorgeous colors and they are bold and bright on the paper.  Seriously my new favorite mist ever!!!

And this last one I created for the October Afternoon blog:

 
I'll have more to share later in the week - thanks for stopping by!!

♥♥♥

 

We're Home....

It was super hard leaving the mountains, yet again.  We had a wonderful time, despite some mild catastrophes.  I'm serious - someone put the bad juju on us lol!!  We kept smiling through it all though and had so much fun.  We even hiked our longest hike yet - 7 miles round trip.  It was during that trip that we got caught in a severe thunderstorm - another first for us.  The weather was supposed to be completely clear, all day.  When we were heading back out - we heard the first rolls of thunder.  We picked up our pace and I really thought we'd beat it.  But, we were only a mile into the hike with 2.5 more to go. 

After about 10 minutes of jogging and really pushing through the hike the rain started...and then the hail.  Golf ball size hail people.  And it hurts.  We got under a dense crop of trees and hunkered over the girls.  Our rucksack held my camera and phone and we were having to use it to keep the girls from getting pelted.  That's when the flash flood started...within minutes we had water on the trail up to our knees. We decided it would be safer to brave the hail and get out of there.  The wind was strong enough to tear some trees out of the ground - so, we had to crawl over and under trees.  The water was like ice water.  It was insane.  When we got back to the car we were all slightly hysterical I believe lol!  The girls were champs.  They were frightened and they cried, but, they did it.  They stayed strong. They were troopers, I was so proud of them.  So, lesson learned, never trust the weather reports and always, always bring your survival gear.  We had decided to leave Mac's huge rucksack in the car and take mine because we didn't think we needed it.  Dumb.

We visited several waterfalls, a couple of which were brand new to us.  The best part was honestly just being together.  We ate dinner together on the deck overlooking the gorgeous greenery and mountains.  We all hopped in the hot tub together and played.  We watched movies together.  And, just as I promised, I didn't do any work or take any phone calls.  It was bliss.

I haven't edited all of our photos...I took a lot with my camera (which survived the rain!!) and a lot with my iphone. 

 

If anyone is interested in the tech details:  this one was f/32, 1/3s, ISO 400 and I used my 24-70 2.8.

 

Details: f/29, 1/3s, ISO 100, used my 24-70 2.8.

 

These girls had such a fabulous time....none of them  wanted to leave :(

Now it's back to work - and I have lots to catch up on and lots to do.  I hope everyone had a wonderful week - and I hope that today is a beautiful one!! ♥ 

June Studio AE from Technique Tuesday Blog Hop!!

Welcome another Studio AE Blog Hop!

Today, the Studio AE team is joining up with Ali Edwards to show some projects we made with June’s Studio AE stamp set.

The new stamp set from Ali and Technique Tuesday is called, “The Observant Traveler by Ali Edwards.”

http://www.techniquetuesday.com/category/Studio-AE-Membership.html

The set consists of 24 clear stamps. The set works great for scrapbook pages, cards and mini books.

The set ships to Studio AE members between the 10th and the 15th. Non-Studio AE members can also purchase the set for a limited time through the Technique Tuesday Web site. Some retailers are also now offering the Studio AE stamp sets for purchase. Check with your favorite retailer for more details about that.

Here’s a project I worked up with the stamp set:

 
I'm pretty sure I squealed when I received this stamp set in the mail - it's SO perfect for this time of year!  I know I'll get a TON of use out of it - our vacation, our planned camping trips - see!  Perfect!  I had so much fun with this set.  Again, I LOVE the handwriting stamps - and I love cutting them out and scattering them on the page. 

Please check out the blogs of Ali and all of Technique Tuesday’s Studio AE team members taking part in today’s blog hop to see more ways to use the new set.

 Ali

 http://aliedwards.com/

 Kelly Purkey (June's Studio AE Guest!)

http://kellypurkey.typepad.com/

 Nichol

http://www.nicholmagouirk.typepad.com/

 Laura

http://itsallrosie.blogspot.com/

 Sharyn

http://www.sharyntormanen.typepad.com/

 Teri

http://terisplace.wordpress.com/

 Leave a comment on one or all of their blogs by Midnight PST on June 12th. We’ll pick two people from comments received on all seven of the blogs to receive the So Sorry by Ali Edwards stamp set from Technique Tuesday.

http://www.techniquetuesday.com/Winter-2011/SoSor.html

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Here’s a link to a small picture of the stamp set if you want to embed it in your post, as well:

http://www.techniquetuesday.com/Product-Images/Technique-Tuesday-AE-So-Sorry-Clear-Stamps-Small.gif

The more comments you leave, the better chance you have to win!  The winners will be announced on the Technique Tuesday blog on June 13th so be sure to check it out.

Have a fabulous day everyone!!! ♥♥♥

 

A Quick Post!

Hey everyone!  I am , as we speak, getting ready to head out on our vacation to the mountains - yahoooooooooo!!!  I'm more than a little excited!  I wanted to pop on here real quick though and share some information about a special event coming up on the Crate Paper Blog!!!

 

 

 

 

 

We've a very special week ahead that we're formally inviting our blog readers to take part in and admire starting next Monday! Crate Paper has lined up five whole days of "I thee wed" handmade creations suitable for the soon-to-be bride and groom that'll help to make the year'(s) long journey a one-of-a-kind display of memorable moments and experiences. Our designers are going to share with you both traditional & non-traditional designs using Crate's Collections that'll apply across the entire spectrum of the wedding affair - from start to finish, the team will have for you ideas in creating invitations to thank-you notes, as well as thoughtful favor gifts and ceremonial decor. In supplement of the display of inspiring projects, Crate Paper is giving away four prize packs that'll well-suite and bid all of you to join in on the "tie-the-knot" festivities - details will be fully disclosed on Monday!

Wedding Week begins Monday, June 6th and will conclude Monday, June 13th. Add it to your calendar and inform those planning for the big day as well! We look forward to you accompanying us at Crate's first ever, "Wedding Week"! 

Be sure to stop by for some amazing projects (I had a blast working on mine and I can't wait to see everyone's work!!) 

Alright...I'm off!!!  Everyone have a fabulous week!!! ♥♥♥

It's That Time!! Freehand Scraps June Kit Reveal!

I love this time of the month - when I get to share the fabulous kits from Freehand Scraps!  Elaine has, yet again, put together a gorgeous kit full of beautiful papers, and one of a kind embellishments.  I also love that she includes two alphas - makes it SO much easier to work with!  I just loved the color combinations that she put together this month - very fresh and fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't those cupcakes adorable??  It took everything I had not to hoard those suckers lol!!

Hope everyone has a fabulous day!! ♥