Tutu's&GlueDots

My first dress...

I have been quite obsessed with my sewing machine lately.  My mom laughs because everytime she calls I am sewing --- it is an obsession I tell you!

Well today I made a dress for alyson -- this os not like the simple one I told you about earlier this week -- but I actually followed a pattern (sort of) - I downloaded the directions and followed using pictures - I LOVE that!  This is what I came up with (pardon Alysons' messy hair and 'over it " attitude! LOL!  I MADE her take a picture!

it is a bit big -- but I can alter the next one - because yes, I do have more material!!

I also 'fixed' a top that I ordered to match her adorable skirt.  I just was not happy with what it looked like --- so I decided to make it up as I went and added a little care bear applique onto the tank and some ruffles (and yes I know they are not perfect) but hey I just started using the machine last week! LOL!

ok all week we were waiting for the party supplies to arrive and especially the lollipops I ordered.  I ordered the big rainbow ones - and when I opened the box I saw blue -- blue lollipops -- I was miffed --I emailed the company and of course it is too late to send out others -- but they are trying to figure something out.

But I made the best of it and Alyson and I made these.(Oh and she didn't mind that they were blue - she was just more concerned what they tasted like - LOL)

alrighty --- here is a bit more of what I have made with the New My Little Shoebox 'Little Ladies' line ----

okie dokie -- I will be back with birthday pictures - and some cards I made using Shimmerz!!

Michelle

The diving board, new MLS, and summer reads

I am finally getting around to posting the "diving board" shots of alyson.  she gets so excited to jump off and asks her teacher everyday if they will be going:)

Here she is waiting for her turn -- isn't she tan?  We get comments all the time (from those who know her).

She has had the most fun with these lessons and is looking forward to the next session!

okie - doke -- I have been working on some cha stuff and I got to work with the My Little Shoebox line called "Little Ladies"  it is ADORABLE!  I had so much fun with it...here is a layout I made using the line.

And since we started going to the library once a week I have been checkin gout books for me and so far I have had two good reads --

Holly's Inbox was in the New Book section and it caught my attention because it is written entirely in emails.  I couldn't put it down(it is 650 pages and I read it in a couple days) A fun read - and defintely reminded me of Bridget Jones.  They even have a site called Holly's Inbox where you can check her newest emails.

and this one I just finished last night

This was a good book about how life changes after marriage and kids - a definte easy read!

I just thought I would share!

Back to party planning!

Michelle

Tuesday already....

This week we are off for swim lessons.  So Alyson started back up with gymnastics and we have been running tons of errands for her birthday party!  I am crossing my fingers that everything I ordered gets here on time!  This year we have a bunch of her school friends (she didn't want to invite the boys) and I am waiting for their party favors sso I can get started on them -- nothing too fancy but I think it is a bit different!  We will see how it goes over.

  I have also been scrapping a BUNCH!  I have been getting assignments done for CHA -- and it is so fun working with new product - but with all the mommy things I need to do it hardly leaves time for the computer -- gasp I know!  I try to hop on while I am waiting for photos to print.

 

I must admit that I have also been doing some sewing - yep!!  On my sewing machine!  I bought it right before we moved in and just opened the box last week(?).  I have been making things right and left.  I am sewing on my layouts (which is so easy and fun), and then I took Alyson to JoAnn's and had her pick out fabric so I could make her a little dance bag --- well I did it and I must say that it came out pretty darned good!  I even "boxed" it out (whatever that means).  Here is a peek...

I even made her a dress today (an easy one) but I made it!  I will post a pic soon!

So while I get those 4th pictures edited -- here is a layout I did for the newest Noel Mignon challenge which is to scrap a summer tradition.  Mine is simple...we go to the same city fair each year and Alyson loves it and always remembers it! So this layout contains photos from the past 3 years that we have gone.

I used the 5 foot 2 and eyes of blue kit -- see all the stitching??? Go here for the challenge.

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Thanks to those that have already signed up for my Photo Editing Cheats class -- I will be sending out the confirmations shortly.  For those that aren't too sure -- believe me if you have Elements & Photos you are set!  I will help with the rest.  And you don't need to be a scrapbooker to take the class - it will be worth your while! 

Go here to read all the details and you can click on the top right corner to purchase it!  Thanks!(and if you have any questions please ask!)

Michelle

Red, White and Cute!

Well the 4th came and went -- we have been on the go since Friday and we have one more get together to go to today after church --- it has been fun!  Alyson finally stayed up long enough to watch the fireworks and she thought they were "so beautiful"  She then proceded to talk to me about why they are called fireworks, and why they have to be far away, and about a million more questions - hehe  so fun!

Here is one picture I took yesterday (didn't get very many shots this weekend) before we left to the city celebration.

She is wanting to grow her bangs out at the moment and we will see how long that lasts. :)

Before I am off to get ready I have a FUN announcement...people have many times about my photos and how I process them -- and I have finally organized a class that I will be teaching over at Noel Mignon!  Yay!  I even have a fun technique that you can use to make those photos of layouts "pop."  Clickhere to see.

Now I don't claim to be a professional or actually do things the way that you are supposed to when editing - but I have figured out some shotcuts to help me fix my photos and quickly as possible!  That is why I am calling my class 'Photo editing 'Cheats' class!  Here are the details...

I hope to "see" you there!

Michelle

Page Maps

I still remember the first time I completed a layout for Ms. Becky Fleck -- so exciting!  I just was nervous that she wouldn't like what I did and say thanks, but no thanks.  Thankfully that was not the case.  Since then I have done 1 other layout for her newsletter and this month I was able to do another!  The entire newsletter layout examples were made by the My Little Shoebox Design Team!  Isn't that cool? 

Well this is the layout I made using Becky's sketch as well as little bits here and there of different MLS lines.

The border seems to be my thing right now - just circles punched out of pattern paper and then cut in half and adhered to the layout.

And these pictures crack me up - Alsyon was on a rock wall at the park and she was so serious but had to wear those glasses - hehe!

Click here to read Becky's Newsletter

AND

here for the Page Maps.

And the MLS Blog has been updated as well - take a peek over there for some definite inspiration. 

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So in other home news I got my hair cut!! Woohoo!  I also decided I needed my nails done and a pedicure -- ahhh....it was so relaxing.  I did know that I would have to take Alyson back to get her nails done (we do it every summer) but this time I let her get her nails painted too!  Red with white polka dots - so cute!  She stayed so still she didn't want to mess a  thing up!

I told her she could go with me next time but I think it will just be the toenails -- she already know that she wants the pink glitter polish! :)

okie doke - off for now:)

Michelle

Swim Lessons

Well last summer was the first time that Alyson took swim lessons.  She loved it!  Since we have moved, we decided to go to another facility that was closer to home.  And I am so glasd we changed -- this place is awesome!  It is for 2 weeks straight a half hour each lesson - but she can already swimm underwater and is learning the back stroke ---- now I know why some parents camped out the night before (seriously!)  She has even taken to jumping off the diving board - I never thought she would do it!  And the day that she did -- I didn't take my camera -- but I will be ready this week!

I have quite a few pics but I haven't had time to upload them -- so these are some that are ready!

This picture was the first day.  She was listening to her teacher's instructions.

And although she looks tan there you should see her today --geesh!  She definitely has my skin and not her dads (which is good - because he burns easily).

And putting her head under waer which is HUGE for her - she is so not a fan of getting water in her eyes and face (makes bathtime FUN).  But we did get her goggles and she is swimming like a fish now!

And this year we had to stock up on swimsuits -- her other ones were finally too small.  And yes she gets more than one -- she basically is in them year round so I try to get her a few.  And this one was too cute to pass up -- I love Old Navy!  I don't know about you but I have a hard time finding swim suits that are age appropriate.  At Target in the girls section there were tons of suits that were cute but not for an almost 5 year old.  I think this one is perfect!

Oh and I did scrap those invites (thanks for the compliments on the picture)  - and let me tell you it  turned out to be a process that I wasn't expecting.  But thanks to my scrappy friends it FINALLY came out and here it is (sorry for the poor photo)

I know you were probably expecting something more but this is it!  All the birthday infor will go on the back.  Getting these out ASAP!

I will have more for you tomorrow!

BYE!

Michelle

My baby is turning 5!

I just printed out the pictures that will go on the cards that I plan on making tonight at a crop.  And geez time flies and she is a big girl of 5!  Sniff..sniff!  I took this picture last weekend when we were at the beach for a retirement party.  I will show you the finished invite when it is complete but here is the picture of my pretty girl.

And I will leave you with my first layout with Nokki Sivils "My Sweet Cherry Pie" line. 

The title was made by using my silhouette (love that thing)

That is all I got!  Have a great night!

Michelle