Echo Park

Hello:

I've just updated the website, http://www.scrapntime.com/, and added Sweet Summertime and A Walk in the Park, 2 collections from a great new company, Echo Park. It's been a while since I've been this excited about a new scrapbook company. I love their bright colors and fun patterns. They also have great element and alphabet stickers sheets along with a sheet of journal cards.

Here are a couple layouts I created with the Sweet Summertime kit:

I love mixing patterns, but tend to have a problem with the page getting loud with too many patterns. Here's a simple tip to keep the patterns in check and the photos the center of attention ~ start with a neutral base. Both of these layouts start with Bazzill's Kraft cardstock as the base. Here's a bonus for you - with each A Walk in the Park or Sweet Summertime collection you purchase at http://www.scrapntime.com/, you'll receive 2 FREE sheets of 12x12 Bazzill's Kraft cardstock. Offer good through next Friday, July 16.

Here's another tip for capturing your summer memories - do a recap page. Take one or two pictures from each event and put them on one layout to showcase your summer at a glance.

Happy Scrapping!

Happy Belated 4th

I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th. We spent the evening at a potluck BBQ with some neighbors and friends. It's become a tradition and each year, our fireworks show gets better and better. Here are a couple pics:

Ryan was so proud to be sitting with the big boys. He's too young to hang out with them, but he does idolize their skateboarding ability. The boys did great making Ryan feel like he was part of the gang.

I didn't get any great fireworks shots, but I love this one of Erin with a sparkler.

Hope you had a great 4th!

What happened to June?

What have you been up to this summer?

Now that summer's in full swing, and 1/3 over, I thought I'd share a few things we did in June. From most to least recent - here it is:

Ryan finished the spring soccer season and received a trophy. OK, everyone received a trophy, but not everyone was this proud of it. Ryan's record for the season - 1 almost goal. He was standing close to the net, someone kicked the ball toward him and it bounced off his leg.

Erin's smile before ...

and after braces.

We went to the North Shore for a long weekend. We hiked a 1/2 mile in the rain to High Falls - the highest falls in Minnesota, or so we were told. We later heard that High Falls is actually in Canada - or maybe the trail goes into Canada. Either way, it starts at the Minnesota Welcome Center and although we intended to stay in the US, I don't believe it actually turned out that way.

We spent some time at Grand Portage, an 1800s trading post.

Of course, we had smores by a bonfire every night.

And feeding the birds. This was probably the highlight of the trip for the kids. As soon as they started tossing the bread, the birds came swarming in. They even fed a couple geese and goselings.

Last day of school. Can't believe it - Erin will be a 4th grader in the fall and Ryan will start kindergarten!

Kindergarten Olympics. This is a great tradition that St. Mike's has. The kindergarteners and pre-kindergarteners get together for a morning of games at the park. The games include gunny sack races, frisbee golf, a soccer shoot out and tug of war. At the end, everyone receives a gold medal. It's a great way to end their kindergarten, and pre-kindergarten (as in Ryan's case) year.

Yep - that pretty much sums up our June. I think the rest of the summer will be much quieter - at least I hope so!

Hope you're having a happy and safe summer!