think fast

technique tuesday layout

Just squeaking this layout in before the new Studio AE stamps are released. Waaah- I'm not ready to let go of summer, are you?

Here's a reminder of what the July stamp set looks like:

And here is the layout I created:

I loved what some of the other artists did when they layered the sentiments to make a block, so I added my own twist - stamping on patterned paper (something I rarely do). It was fun to try something new, and I love how it turned out.

How about those photos of Harrison -almost eight year ago! Love getting some older photos into my albums.

Are you excited for the new Technique Tuesday release? HERE is a sneak from my pal, Torm.

Later.

reunion photos

Photo heavy post today. Of course, I wish I would have taken more (isn't that always the case?), but between everyone I think we'll be good. Be sure to click over on Meghan's blog, she has well documented her road trip along with the reunion HERE.

Here are the responsible pair: Keith's adorable parents, Ken and Edna.

The oldest son (hee, hee), Keith, Kim and their family, minus one. Tristam had to stay home and participate in the job force. (He finally gained employment in the architectural field after looking for two years).

Enjoyed Stony Lake every day.

Not sure if these three were life guarding, or just sun bathing (Clara, Meghan and cousin Monika).

A little crafting time.

Whitney is very intrigued with pop tops and ribbon being turned into bracelets.

Some friendly family competition, Swedish style. Everyone had to find items in weird units like centimeters and kilograms. (Christopher, Clara, Ethan and Harrison)

Two more competitors, Sophie and Meghan. Pretty sure Eloise had fallen asleep at this point. All the cousins wiped her out.

Relay races - involved running to lake for water and navigating it down a long path into a pop can. Fun! (We won, but may have bent the rules just a bit). 

The requisite family shot. Yep, the Kesti's are quite a crew. And very blessed to have each other and the opportunity to enjoy a few days together. Much thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting such a special event. We love you!

Later.

family reunion t-shirts

Some of you might not know that the main reason we headed to Minnesota this summer was to attend the Kesti family reunion. Keith is the oldest of ten children, all of whom are happily married and living in various parts of the world. I say world since his brother Daniel resides in Sweden with his darling wife and family. And, yes. They traveled all the way from Sweden to join us. So much fun!

I have just finished editing photos from the reunion, but I thought I would share some behind the scenes, first.

Each sibling volunteered to "handle" a part of the reunion planning. The three sisters pretty much took card of planning all the food; the brothers worked on entertainment, games, etc. Keith and I took on the task of the all important family reunion t-shirt.

So, we thought and thought...and very much involved two of our graphically talented children: Tristam and Clara. Tristam (the oldest grandson, btw) insisted that the shirt be something that a young adult would like, and Clara agreed.

The Kesti family is currently holding strong at: Ken and Edna (celebrating 50 years of courtship and marriage), ten adult children, and eighty-four grands. Yep, eight four. Amazing. We visualized a personalized shirt, but couldn't wrap our brains around printing 96 names on a shirt...hmmmm.

This is what we came up with:

We are so thrilled with how it turned out. Ken and Edna are quite appropriately at the top of the chart, next is the oldest son and wife (Keith and Kim), then each sibling and spouse appears. The grandkids are next in birth order -all the way down to Miles, the newest grandson.

Everyone had a blast trying to identify each letter, and every kid knew exactly where he or she appeared on the chart. It was quite the challenge to name every granchild, in order. Oy!

So, pretty cool, right? 

Be back with more reunion photos tomorrow!
Later. 

pebbles news

Gasp. Maybe, possibly, hopefully catching up. It's literally taken me all week to sort out this house. Of course, having two extra teenagers in the house tends to keep a person busy, too. Hee.

But, I wanted to share this exciting Pebbles news: I was chosen to remain on the design team! Yay! It's what I call "my indulgence", just a really fun thing to do, somthing I do for myself, not work related. It probably helps that Pebbles products are exactly my style; makes creating pretty effortless. HERE is a list of the new team.

And, here is a Pebbles layout that was posted on their blog while I was on vacation. Loved using these photos from last summer. Check out that red and white chevron. Love.

Okay, better go get my bed sheets on the line. One thing I love about AZ - dry sheets in about 15 minutes! Hee, I think our towels that traveled from campground bathroom to Minnesota lake and back never did dry completely for two weeks. Gotta love the midwest humidity. Not.

Chore for this weekend: sort and edit vacation photos. Watch for those next week!
Later. 

crafty month winner

Thanks for being so patient as I conquered Mt. Laundry (good one, Sue). Random generator has chosen Emily Keaton as winner of the crafty month challenge!

Here is the card she created using her new DeNami stamp and some really old Basic Grey (just kidding, Emily - 2008 is not that old. Hee, hee). Congrats to Emily - be sure to check out her blog HERE. Tons of adorable cards!

Thanks to EVERYONE who participated. I'm still leaving comments and really, really enjoying all the great creations. You are all winners.

Happy Tuesday, all!
Later. 

there and back again

Well, this was the picture of the day at the end of last week -- 1,845 miles to get home. Sigh. Why is the drive GOING someplace so fun and exciting while the drive home is just the opposite?

Needless to say, we made it home (and even brought an extra cousin for a few weeks visit). I will sit down tonight between unpacking, washing and cleaning the trailer to pull a winner for my June contest. I have lots of stories and photos to share...stay tuned!

Later.

july studio AE from Technique Tuesday

Hello, friends!

Just finishing up the Minnesota vacation (everything is going really well) and excited to be popping in today to participate in the July Technique Tuesday blog hop! Whoo -hoo!

In case you haven't seen this month's set from Studio AE, here is Summer Rocks:

Okay, seriously. How fun is that? I right away knew that I was going to use this set for the cover of a mini album. I have already taken a ton of summer photos on our trip and I plan on printing them in a wallet size format. So, I created this 6X6 mini album.

I stamped the sentiments in Versamark, sprinkled them with White Zing embossing powder, and heat embossed them. After punching my circles and adhering them to the album, I wanted to add a little extra punch. So, I spritzed the whole album cover with Mr.Huey's Calico White. I wanted that sun drenched, slightly misty look. (Okay, maybe I went a little crazy with the mist - but I love it!) Hee.

You will want to hop over to the other fabulous gals on this blog - just start below:

Linda Barber

Ali Edwards

Daniela Dobson

Nichol Magouirk

Laura O'Donnell

Sharyn Tormanen

Teri Anderson

Super fun, right? And, you definitely want a chance to win this month's prize - a $25.00 gift certificate to Technique Tuesday. Sweet. Just leave a comment here, and on all of the blogs above to win. (Check the Technique Tuesday blog on July 13th to see if you have won).

So, what has been your favorite summer activity so far? Leave a comment to be entered to win the gift certificate!

Later.

happy fourth of july

Wanting to wish a happy one!

I'm posting over at Paper Crafts Connection today - so check it out between the grillin' and the fireworks, k?

Later.

trailer reveal

I know, I've been putting you off for while. I feel bad that I don't have an elaborate "before and after", but I just ran out time before we took her out on the road.

But, here are some fun peeks. We will work the kinks out and I promise to post a bunch more when we get home. Okay?

SO, you remember this, right?

Feast your eyes on this. (I'm such a dork). Super excited to reveal the newly upholstered cushions, the backsplash, new countertops, new blinds and new curtains. Whew.

Lovely blinds - fake wood. Hee. May have to reconsider these as one slat already warped a bit in our Arizona heat. Boo.

Lovely cushion-iness and cute curtains I stitched with some classic 70's inspired fabric. This window was way too wide for blinds. But, I love the curtains just as much.

Little dining nook; Keith made a new table top complete with laminate and stainless steel trim. Love how the corners are so cute and rounded.

So, there's a taste. I'm sure I will have lots of photos (and stories) to share after the Fourth. You all have a GREAT holiday week!

Later.

technique tuesday release

Yay! It's July! Do you know what that means? I'm the guest artist for my fabulous friends over at Technique Tuesday. I get the delight of playing along with them for the whole month!

Most of the party will revolve around the new Studio AE stamps designed by Ali Edwards. I have been a huge fan of Ali since, oh I'd say, 2004. Yep, we go way back. Hee, hee. Actually, we have met several times and even spent a day with a few others shopping and scrapping. I can attest that this gal has both a huge talent and a huge capacity for good humor and good friendships.

So, how about a peek at the new AE set?

Being that it IS July - Ali has done up a wonderful set for summer. Super cute sentiments all about sunshine and good times. I love it. I used this stamp in a simple way to compliment the background of the card (which I misted in stripes - go me!). Ail's handwriting is so cute, you don't need much else.

So, what do you think? Has summer arrived in your corner of the world? Tell me about it!

Later.