The Memory Nest's "MIM" #40 - "We are Family!"

Hello Everyone!
I'm back with our 2nd challenge for May from over at The Memory Nest Blog - this was another FUN one and can be interpreted in so many ways!  We can't wait to see what YOU come up with!

Here is Sketch #40 for the 2nd Make it Monday Challenge for May!

I am just LOVING all the goodies available in the

Simple Stories "I Am" Collection!  

I have to be honest and tell you that I think I purchased every bit of the line!  I don't think I have done that in a long time!  Something about the color combination and the whole positive message the collection has throughout just makes me smile.

This is a photo of my Mom, Dad, Brother and me,

celebrating my Dad's Birthday. 

I am so blessed that we live close to each other, and that we always make sure we get together to celebrate all of our birthdays!

I'll let you in on a little secret - I had first hand-written "Pop's Birthday" right on the layout - but wasn't happy with the way it looked. So I covered it with a little banner embellishment that I made, using a scrap of paper, letter stickers from the collection, and 2 brads from my stash!  I FIRMLY believe in the saying - "There are NO mistakes in Scrapbooking, only opportunities to embellish!"  I also LOVE that I was able to use some of my VERY Blingy American Crafts Gold "Story" Thickers! 

Don't you just LOVE how they *Sparkle!*

To prove to you that I am a "True Scrapper" - The 2 Lace "Doilies" on the left side of the page were "scraps" cut from a wedding invitation that we received earlier this year from friends.  

I just LOVED the intricacies of the paper cuts - and how they have a little "shimmer."  I even inked the edges of them with 

Gold Distress Stain too!   You can also see lots of the other "REAL" embellishments that I used in this photo too!

Here is a close up of some of those embellishments and the doilie. By adding the 3 of the Enamel Dots to the Chipboard Heart, I think that I successfully "Embellished an Embellishment!"

One last photo of the arrows and banners that I used to draw your eye towards the photo and "balance" the layout by added to the upper right corner - and I really loved the chipboard banner from the collection - so I had to use it!

Items used in this layout:
Simple Stories "I Am" Collection:
#4517 - Brave
#4506 - Thankful
#4505 - Courageous
Bits and Pieces
Decorative Clips
Self Adhesive Brads
Sentiment Stickers
Chipboard Stickers
Enamel Dots
American Crafts Thickers - Story / Gold
Distress Stains : Abandon Coral / Peacock Feathers / Picket Fence / Tarnished Brass

As always,  THANKS for stopping by!  I'd LOVE to hear from you - and REALLY LOVE it if you PLAYED along with us at

The Memory Nest Blog!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri