Bloom Where You're Planted!

Okay! Here's my Sketchy Thursday layout! Check out Diana's awesome sketch HERE. This was fun to do...and went quickly! I used an old K & Company paper pack!

My daughter's Kindergarten class had a Teddy Bear Picnic and basically they got to play and picnic all day. Parent's and siblings were invited so the kids had lots of fun....so did all the parents!

This layout is about my little girl and all the special things about her! She's growing fast and she's done well in Kindergarten! I'm very excited to see how First Grade goes!

Happy Thursday Everyone!

The Measure of a Woman

That's the title of my layout! I stamped the title right on to this awesome Sassafrass paper!

This layout expresses how lucky I feel to be able to share my life with such beautiful souls! It's about how even though I don't measure up to the woman I want to be, I realize I must be good enough because here they are...smiling and happy...at least in a couple of these photos!



Let my start off by saying....this layout is crazy! I incorporated 4 challenges in this layout! Oh, by the way, I know there is a challenge blog out there that does this but I CANNOT remember the name of the site! If you know, please tell me!

Here's the challenges incorporated here:
1) Sketchy Thursdays: click here to see the sketch
2) Dream Girls: use "measure" in your layout, use the distressing technique, and use measuring tape
3) Vintage Plum weekly challenge: use vintage items or photos.
4) These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things (their FIRST challenge) COLOR. Well, as I've said many times, I LOVE turquoise! I also love the combination of turquoise and hot pink!

And this layout was EXTREMELY entertaining to do!! I had LOTS of fun fun fun!

Here's the journaling:


I'm suprised I was able to combine some Sassafras items with that damask pp by My Mind's Eye and that VP paper with the turquoise diamond patterns. I love the look of different things coming together.

That crepe paper was way too fun to work with!


And I made this prettiful butterfly! I used 2 different sized butterflies cut out of 2 different vintage books and stacked them on each other. I added some pearls and viola! I think my little butterfly is way too cute! I just added a couple sets to my Etsy Shop, if you wanna peek at the different sizes!

You can't see it in the photo, but my butterfly has some major bling! I used Dazzling Diamonds by Stampin' Up! Seriously, this stuff is NOT YOUR ORDINARY GLITTER...it's this high powered glittery fairy dust. It's a SUPER ultrafine iridescent glitter and I think THAT'S what makes it different from other brands! Everytime I run out of my Dazzling Diamonds, I HAVE to get another! CLICK HERE for more info and how to use it! HERE is my SU website if you JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT TOO!

Well, thanks everyone for stopping by! Have a great rest of the week!

Wanted.....Dead or Alive!

I'm so glad you could join the SNR Card Universe Blog Hop! If you came from (http://www.capturingamomentintime.com/) you are on the right track! If you didn't you may want to hop to (the SNR Card Universe blog hop order: http://snrcardiverse.ning.com/profiles/blogs/welcome-to-our-hop
and start at the beginning).

If link above doesn't work, CLICK HERE for a separate post on my blog which lists the Blog Hop order!

First, I want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July!!!!! If you don't celebrate the holiday, then HAPPY DAY and enjoy the fun blog hopping! I'd also like to give a warm thank you to all of our Armed Forces as well as their families who have made MANY sacrifices.

And a special thank you to my father who is featured in the layout below who served over 25 years in the US Navy! Thanks Dad, although there were many tears shed each time you deployed, I'm very thankful for your sacrifices and wouldn't change a thing. I Love You!!!!

My layout BELOW was inspired by the sketch above created by my friend Diana. She has this totally cute blog called Design by Diana and posts a sketch challenge every Thursday on "Sketchy Thursdays"! This layout was actually my submission for her last sketch challenge.

Planning on scrapping some July 4th photos????? Well, this sketch is PERFECT! AND there's actually a NEW one up today! That girl can SKETCH! She also gives a cool prize to the weekly winner! So, come and play with her and maybe you'll win!

Thanks Diana for the inspiration for this page!

Now lemme talk about my layout!

This photo of my son Gabe and my father was taken on my son's Cowboy-themed birthday party. The colors of red, white and blue were perfect to use on this layout. The item on the top left corner is actually one of the paper napkins from the party which I treated with a special spray in order to use on my layout. I'm so glad I kept a few of those napkins! I had this cool red plaid packing tape and used it on the large star. The other stars were heat embossed and the little blue star was stamped. I also stamped the title "Wanted" using the stamp set below:

Image above is copyright Stampin' Up! "Wanted" stamp set. CLICK HERE for details on this set.

Gabe's first birthday in 2007 actually fell on Thanksgiving! So, we threw a huge par-tay! We had wanted posters posted all around the house and everybody wore cowboy outfits! It was the best Thanksgiving ever!

To create the title, I stamped the word Wanted in VersaMark ink, then used a sponge dauber in red chalk and rubbed it lightly on the first half of the word. Then you take a separate sponge dauber and use blue chalk to color in the second half of the word. (Tip: dedicate each dauber to a different color). Stampin' Up! makes an awesome set of chalks called Stampin' Pastels and the quality of these chalks are exceptional! CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE.

Since it's July, Stampin' Up! has a new catalog that just came out! DOWNLOAD CATALOGS FROM MY STAMPIN' UP WEBSITE HERE.

*******WANT A FREE IDEA BOOK? Here's what you need to do. 1) Purchase a minimum of $25 from me through my Stampin' Up! website (before tax and shipping): http://maureenkao.stampinup.net/ AND 2) Subscribe to my newsletter by clicking at the top right hand corner "request my newsletter" on that website (you must not already have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator). Fulfill both requirements, and I will send you a FREE IDEA BOOK AND CATALOG (shipped separately).*******This special is only available through me, Maureen Esquillo-Kao. This special offer applies through the month of July 2009 ONLY!

Want a chance to win something totally cute?????? How bout this cute chicky baby!

She's got a name!!!! It's Lady Bird! Learn more about her here on my Etsy site (momostamper.etsy.com). Give her a new home by leaving a comment below! Be sure to leave your email address unless it is already linked to your user name or blog so I can contact you. Comments posted by end of day July 5th, will be eligible (1 entry per person). I will announce the winner on July 8th right here! Good luck!

Okay, let's wrap it up! Next on the hop is Tami's blog, A Walk on the Mild Side. You have got to check out all the awesome cards there!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Come back again and say hello! Be a Follower so you won't forget me! He he!

Together

Yay! I got some time to do the Sketchy Thursday Challenge over at Design By Diana. I used some of my nummy Bella Blvd. stuff!

I thought this ribbon gathering technique was perfect here with the trees! I love that printed paper with the trees! So darn cute!

This great photo was taken at the University of Washington Campus in Seattle. My brother-in-law and hubby took the kids there to shoot some really cool photos! If ya wanna see more pics from that day, CLICK HERE! Unfortunately I was at work, but they took some great photos that day! There are photos of my kids, my nephew Samual who is in the photo used for this layout, and my totally cute cousins! Yes! My cousins are the same age as my kids...he he. There are 3 of them and they are such great boys!

I thought the circles needed something....so I glued some twine around the edges. I used some clear drying glue (Tombo) I believe. It stayed put...I had no problems with it sliding around so I was super happy. I cut the circles with my Circle Scissor Plus

This tool is awesome and soooo easy to use. I LOVE IT! CLICK HERE for product info! If you do decide you wanna scoop up one of these bad boys and don't already have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I would love for you to PICK ME!!!

Wanna see all the FANTABULOUS Bella Blvd line called Family Tree which I used in this project! CLICK HERE

Welp! Hope you had fun peeking!

Sketchy Thursday Entry.....3 days late!

What a busy week! I'm late! I'm late!...on this post! I managed to get some scrappy time in while participating in Design by Diana's Sketchy Thursdays! Last week was my first time....and I won the random drawing! Yay! I never win anything!

I got these totally cute Anna Griffin rub ons!!! Woohooo! Thanks Diana! BTW, I always start singing that Michael Jackson "Dirty Diana" song when I think of you....I hope that doesn't offend...I just love that song!

So check out her bloggeriffic blog!

And I used another one of my Krafty Kate's canvas embellishments!!!!! Yay Jess! And now I'm eyeing these puppies....but will have to wait!

Yes! I went Etsy window shopping! Here are more goodies I want!

Whitefluffdesigns has these birdies! I'm lovin' these colors!

THE MOMOSTAMPER BLOGOVERSARY WINNER!

Remember these goodies?????? It's time to announce the winner!!!!!

Below I've copied the comments and numbered them. I gave a second number to each person who also did a blog post. I first went down and numbered them 1 thru 15 then back up the list to give a second number to those who did a blog post as well (for their second entry). I spaced the numbers out so you don't get 2 consecutive numbers (I honestly don't know if it even mattered.....anyone that knows the answer to that, please enlighten me...math and statistics were never my favorite subjects. Ugh!

Here are the numbers:

1) Teena in Toronto said...
Happy blogoversary! May 7, 2009 4:05 PM

2 & 16) Jocelyn said...
I just love the new scrapbooking papers that they have!!!! I have to share a pic with you of my addiction for SU!!!! Happy Blogversary and I adding the information to my Blog!!! Happy Mother's Day! May 8, 2009 11:47 AM

3) Sheila said...
Mo, Happy Blogoversary! Thanks for adding me as a "FRIEND" to your BLOG! Hope you have a "BLESSED DAY!"Sheila :) May 31, 2009 5:44 PM

4) connie said...
I love Stampin' Ups paper. Happy Blogoversary. I don't have a Blog to post on. June 3, 200912:06 PM

5) Diana Fisher said...
Happy blogoversary! Check my blog in a bit, I'll put ya on the sidebar! (If the yellow birds are still in your Etsy shop I may have to go snag them now!) June 4, 2009 12:09 PM

17) Diana Fisher said...
oh, forgot to tell you that Stampin up stamp sets are the best! June 4, 2009 12:13 PM

6) Beate said...
Happy blogoversary! I love my Stampin Up heat gun! June 4, 2009 12:19 PM

7) Heidi said...
Happy blogoversary to you! Happy blogoversary to you! Happy blogoversary to Mo! Happy blogoversary to you!!!! That is awesome!! My favorite SU! product is their background stamps (several of them, can't pick just one!). I love how stinkin' huge they are. I was a SU! demo for a couple years, so I, too, have a TON of retired stamp sets! Maybe I should do a giveaway. Anyhoo, congrats! I'm off to make a post on my blog about this giveaway, too! Ta! June 4, 2009 3:01 PM

18) Heidi said...
OK, done! Chatted and linked you up on my blog http://notbusyenuf.blogspot.com/. Happy blogoversary again!!Heidi June 4, 2009 3:14 PM

8) Greta said...
Very cool! SU has awesome stuff, but I rarely buy any. My favorite product (that I want to get) is the diecut label shape punch...although I don't know what it's really called. The cards are gorgeous!Happy Blogoversary! :) June 4, 2009 4:08 PM

9) thescrapmaster said...
Pick me! Pick me!! LOLRight now, my favorite SU product is Melon Mambo!!! I am loving this new color. I am a pink gal all the way, baby :O) June 4, 2009 6:02 PM

10 & 19) JessiW said...
Mo, beautiful cards...I just put a blog post onto my blog here: http://jessiscorner.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway.html

And I have never really bought any Stampin Up products if you can believe that but I am gonna check it out and see what strikes my fancy. I'm goin back over to your Etsy site now to browse. See ya later girlie... June 4, 2009 6:33 PM

11) Stace said...
Happy blogoversary!!! And what an adorable giveaway! :) June 4, 2009 9:27 PM

12) Lizzy said...
Happy Blogversary Maureen! I honestly don't own anything stampin up yet. I'm new to paper crafting and will be placing an order soon. I love the stamp set in the giveaway..good luck to anl! June 5, 2009 1:52 PM

20) Lizzy said...
I also posted this on my blog Maureen.http://dizzylizzyscreations.blogspot.com/ June 5, 2009 2:05 PM

13) in company with sparkles said...
Ooh, right now I love my little corner stamper! I adore rounded corners, so I use it on photos all the time.Congrats on one year! June 6, 2009 1:15 AM

14) Janis said...
Happy Blogoversary! How fun!! June 6, 2009 5:35 PM

21) Janis said...
My favorite Stampin' Up! Product... it's actual the catalog / idea book! I know that sounds kind wierd, but I save all my books and continue to look through them years later!Here's my link to your blogoversary! Happy blogoversary again!!http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/2009/06/stamping-with-mos-blogoversary.html
June 6, 2009 5:42 PM

15) Ginger's Camo Page said...
Here's my link to your Blogoversary!! Congrats!http://grissomcamopage.blogspot.com/2009_05_31_archive.html#6380466361401892311
June 8, 2009 8:09 AM

22) Ginger's Camo Page said...
My favorite Stampin Up product is their white gel pen - - works better than any other I have found! June 8, 2009 8:10 AM

I used Random.org and used the Integer Generator. I have no idea how to get that page to copy over....but here is what pasted on.....DRUM ROLL......AND THE WINNER IS.............................

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 19
Timestamp: 2009-06-11 05:54:06 UTC

Wooohooooo! Looks like JessiW! Girrrrrrl! You won! Email me the addy you want the goods sent to!

Thanks everyone for playing! I've got some more giveaways up my sleeve! I will have to figure a better way of generating these numbers (without paying...haha). If you have any suggestions, please let me know where to go for a number generator that will make me an html code to past the result box to my blog post!

Another Sketch Challenge...Kenner Road

So, a couple of days ago I asked if anyone had any challenge blog I could visit! Wooohooo! I found a few!

I was told about Kenner Road Blog Sketch Challenge. It's still going on. The last day to link up would be June 7th! Um......LOVE THIS PLACE! Thanks Beth for helping me find another place to play! It's also Sam's doing......I now LOVE SKETCHES!

Currently they've got this suuuuuuper cool mini album tutorial/class! I'm dyin'! Check it out guys!!!!!! Oh! Oh! Oh! (hand on my forehead)! I can't wait till tomorrow...but poo I work in the evening! Cough! Cough......just kidding!

I used lots of scrappity scraps! Yay!

I love my Making Memories flowers! These are from my Noteworthy embellishment jar! I know...I keep on using them! It's the turquoise!

This girl cannot stop posing for the camera! Her uncle came over to snap a bunch of photos of us on Halloween...he's such a great uncle. Thanks uncle Nan! *He does photography for the greater Seattle area!* My kids have 4 uncles.....they're all awesome and love to spend time with their niece and nephew!

Quick. Create something and LINK IT UP!

Mom....My Home

Since my last post, I've been able to participate in a couple more challenges! Yay! This layout was created using a sketch challenge on Diana's Blog called "Design by Diana Sketchy Thursdays". So stop by her bloggy blog thursdays for some inspiration! I know I'll be visiting again!

I loved how this turned out. Thanks for telling me about this fun challenge Diana!

This layout is about a woman I hold most dear. Mom.

I love my mommy! She's the best. Lately I've been really looking at my life and redirecting myself. I've been losing focus. I need to do better...as a wife and a mother. Maybe I sell myself short because I've got such a high standard to follow....maybe I'm afraid that if I really try, I will disappoint. There's so much pressure to be perfect and it takes such a toll on me. I just have to do my best and realize that HAS to be enough.

Where else can I get the love and support that I need right now? All I needed to do was call mom. We had a little talk, and although things aren't fixed, I see some light ahead. I think I hesitate to turn to her because I don't want to look like a failure in her eyes. And she has NEVER made me feel this way. She's so sweet and supportive. I do it to myself.

Well, this is the beginning of my realization. There are some broken things that need to be fixed. Now is the tough part....the fixing. Luckily, I'm a bit of a "handy woman"...I just wish I had manual to direct me with this job. Oh, right....I just need to CALL mom, the expert. Okay, I feel better. Why does it take a blog post to realize this?

Sorry about the extra baggage here. But I got to get this out somehow.

On to something more fun than listening to my personal struggles! How bout this layout?!

The journaling reads:

My childhood was so sweet and happy. It was all because of mom. She took such good care of us. She cooked nearly every day while keeping the house clean...all the while working full-time. I don't know how she did it. She was...and still is a big part of my happiness, my life....My Home.

Here's what I used:

Packaging Brown Wrap card stock by Prism

"Dainty Doilies" by Artifacts Inc.

rub ons - "There's the Rub" by Luxe Designs

Pigma Micron 03 Archival Ink pen by Sakura

yellow and turquoise felt flower by Making Memories

all other flowers - "Got Flowers?" by Prima

yellow printed paper ribbon by Anna Griffin

black lace paper ribbon "Que Sera Sera" by K & Co.

black brads by Making Memories

I've got more stuff to share....but you'll have to wait!

My New Scooter.....a Sketch Challenge

This next project was inspired by Sam's Sketch Challenge during the Vintage Plum Crop! I may have done one or two other sketches before, but not one for a scapbooking page. I never thought I'd enjoy it so much! I think it's because I'm a very visual person and I just assumed that visual things like color, texture, shapes, and dimension is what inspires me. But I tried the sketch challenge and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was able to pull this layout together!


Thanks Sam! Take a trip over to Sam's Blog called Scrapmaster's Paradise. She's got so many goodies hidden there! Tutorials, gorgeous projects, and lots of inspiration!

I decided to bring the purple in with the different shades of purple brads. I looped the twine along the bottom of the photo. I think this is my favorite element of this layout!

Just a reminder to enter my Blogoversary Giveaway if you haven't already! It's for a stamp set and a pack of cards!!! Find the photo at the top right hand of this blog to get details!