Countdown to Graduation Continues...

Four days and counting...

I am almost ready for this HUGE moment.  ALMOST.  And I am not just talking about the party.  Actually, I am not sure a mom can possibly EVER be ready for her firstborn to graduate from high school!  I'm slowing things down a bit here to revisit almost 18 years of pictures in my Artbooking mini-album made with the beautiful papers in the Ariana Paper Packet.

Up today are the first three years of high school.  She might not like these first two school pics, but I love to see the progression from year to year, so I didn't leave any out!  It's totally my prerogative as the mom.  :)

I love the way this page came together.  The name of each school year is stamped from the School Years My Acrylix in White Daisy pigment ink onto vellum flags.  If you love vellum like I do, then check out the sweet Free to Be Me paper packet available this month from Close to My Heart!  It comes with two different vellum prints--gold polka-dots and feathers!  I swoon just thinking about it!  ;)  Back to the mini...

This awesome title element is taken from the Overlay key on the Artbooking cartridge.  Here is what it looked like before I trimmed it up...

I accented each of the fishtails with the Sparkles Chevron Shapes.  I admit I was a bit scissors happy with these embellishments.  A real cut-up.  Should I stop now?  ;)

LOVE the Junior year picture sooooo much!  :)

 Glitter paper, CHECK!  :)  Oh, and let me tell you...texting is BIG-time around here, lol.

I cut part of a Sparkles Flourish for this one--shocking, eh?  This is absolutely the perfect Complement to use,"Be who you are and no one else."  Words she has definitely embodied over the years.  *sniff*  Oh man, here we go again with the tears...see you tomorrow!   

Close to My Heart Artbooking Layout with Ariana and Happy Place

Happy Washi Wednesday! 

I have a two-page scrapbook layout for you today that I have been working on for a few days.  I used the Ariana Paper Packet and the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge available exclusively from Close to My Heart.  This cartridge is truly a scrapper's dream come true!

I really adore this overlay.  I cut it at 11 inches so it would fit perfectly on my 12x12 layout.  I just trimmed it down the middle to use it on both sides of the layout.  You can find MANY ideas like this to use on my Artbooking Made Easy Gallery on my website.

I just adore this little cluster in the top corner.  I used several elements here including the Gold Polka- Dot Washi Tape, Ariana Assortment, Sparkle Chevron Shapes, Sparkles Assortment Brown and Tan, Ariana Complements.

Here, as well as up in the cluster, I featured the March 2014 Stamp of the Month, Happy Place!  These little Russian Nesting Dolls are so cute!  You can get it for regular price OR for just $5 with a $50 purchase on my website in March only.  I used my retiring Alcohol Ink Markers to add a splash of complementary colors.  If you like these markers, I want you to know that they are only around for a limited time.

Another cluster of elements rounds out the second page.  I love using the negative cuts from the Artbooking overlays.  These were especially perfect for me since they seem to resemble a "sparkle" of light!  ;)  I altered the "giggles & grins" title by replacing the ampersand with one from the Ariana Complements.  The two photo frames are popped up with our 3D foam tape. 

Here is your washi tip for this Washi Wednesday!  I used some to hold my pis in place as I prepped them for putting on my layout...I used a really bright tape so you could see it well.  ;)

I am linking up my layout today with the Heart 2 Heart March Scrapbooking Challenge! And, before I forget why I started this one with the three Russian Nesting Dolls to begin with, I am linking up to the H2H March Challenge, Triple Play!

Last Call for Color Dare Featuring Skylark

Well, I managed to squeak out another Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge this week.  This was definitely an easy one since I adore the colors in the Skylark Paper Packet.

Aren't these colors just gorgeous together?  I knew EXACTLY what to do with them, too...I found this great sketch over at Operation Write Home this week!

I love how my card turned out using the Close to My Heart Skylark Papers...

I even found a way to use my Picture My Life cards ON a card!  This sentiment is cut from one of the smaller cards in the kit.  I stamped one of the chevron images from the Charming Chevrons My Acrylix in Desert Sand on a new MCT stitched die cut chevron.  Then a added one of the awesome Sparkles Chevron Shapes to highlight it.

I thought this one definitely called for some inside flair...so I added a strip of the Picture My Life card and another blinged-up, die cut chevron on the inside...

Thanks for stopping in and taking a peek today!  You can find all the items I used in this card on my website: mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com.  Don't miss the new specials for March, too!  :)