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

Challenge YOUrself #17 - "Around here I Am..."

It's time for April's Challenge over at the 
Challenge YOUrself Blog!
Last month we went back in the past, now we are sticking to the present.

Challenge YOUrself #17: Around Here

Record some of your daily blessings (snippets of your normal day)

Remember to include YOU in the photo :)

♥♥♥

This month, I am sharing a few little "snippets" of my daily routine with you, and also preserving them to look back on years from now, to see how my daily life has (or has not) changed!That is one of the GREAT things about these "YOU" Challenges! We as scrapbookers tend to fill our albums with photos that we take of others.  The Challenge YOUrself Blog "allows" usto document ourselves, and tell OUR story,along with that of our family and friends!The title of my layout is: "Around Here... I am Blessed" and I truly and gratefully feel that "I Am!"Here is my layout for your inspirations - and I hope you will play along with us over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog this month!

Around here - I am BLESSED with,
 and enjoy my simple everyday routines:

1. Mornings with Maggie and Tino ( our 2 Portuguese Waterdogs)
2. Dinner Prep, and my 1st Cup of Coffee 
(Starbucks in a Disney Cruiseline Tervis Cup of course!)
3. Work, Computer and 2nd Cup of Coffee
4. Feed us please! - Maggie and Tino want to eat dinner!
5. Family Dinner around the table - my favorite time of the day!
6. My Scrappy Time - if I'm lucky
7. Red Wine Time - after a busy day at work!


Here are a few close ups for you:

Love the gold accents and the feathers!

The little chipboard frames and the bicycle are super sweet!

I am just LOVING everything about this new Simple Stories "I Am" Collection! The colors, the embellishments, the patterns on the papers, the stickers....ALL OF IT! 

Here are the items that I used:
Simple Stories "I Am" Collection:
12x12 Basic Kit
12x12 Collection Kit
Enamel Dots
Chipboard Stickers
Chipboard Frames
Bits and Pieces
Self Adhesive Brads
Photo Stickers
Sentiment Stickers

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you will come play with us at The Challenge YOUrself Blog, and let us know what your daily blessing are - we can't wait to see what you come up with!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri