All {3} of you Scrappers~ This one's for you.

I realize that there are a few scrap-fans out there who maybe didn't even realize that I wasn't a "real" scrapper until about three weeks ago when I started creating traditional scrap layouts. This is a layout that I finished last night titled "Ordinary You". I snap so many pictures of my kids that it's actually hard to get them to look at me anymore. The top photo in this layout was taken while Bella lounged on the floor watching a video. I imagined her thinking, "Why is my mom interupting my show for a stupid picture? I'm not even doing anything!" I imagined my response back to her. I'd say, "Why would I want to forget even the most ordinary moment with you? I wouldn't."
That's the inspiration behind this layout. Using everyday snapshots of Bella to tell her how special she really is in my life. The black and white photo in the corner reads, "Ordinary? You? Never." The ledger paper journaling adds, "That's why I take so many seemingly, unimportant pictures of you, Bella. To me there is no such thing as ordinary or unimportant when you are concerned. You make my life extraordinary just by being you- no matter the moment."
Now if I keep scrapping and growing this hobby of mine, in the future, some of you will be able to tell you friends, "I knew her way back when she posted her first layout online." Your friends will say, "No way! You've been following this Nitty.Gritty. thing that long?!"
Okay, since I know a little bit how crazy some of you are about "I just have to know this- or I have to find out where she got that- or how did you do that?"...here's a few technical details.
First, that awesome, funky flowered paper is Junkitz Shabby Chic multi-flowers. I love it! And the sad part is I only bought one sheet of it at the time. I must get me some more of that! Next, the title is alpha-chipboard letters from JoAnn Etc. I got 'em on clearance so they probably don't carry them anymore. I distressed them and used my corner rounder punch on them too. I'm telling you guys, I'm REALLY scrapping! Although I used a nail file from my bathroom to rough these letters up because I'm all about using what I have around the house and making it work for scrapbooking.
Next, the polka dot frame was made my yours truly. Can't buy it. Sorry. I used the chipboard from a puzzle my girls ripped up this week. I was practically happy that they ruined their puzzle because I got a free scrap out of the deal! I [freehand] cut it out with an exacto knife and glued some Colorbok blue dot paper to it and then used that old emory board on it and Voila! Cutie, patootie frame! You can make one too! Tied a bunch of miscellaneous ribbons on the side and smiled to myself with each knot I tied. Man- if I had only known how much fun this was years ago!!!!
Now I'm getting a little excited myself. If you are reading this and you're not a scrapper, I cannot explain to you how this stuff causes an adrenaline rush- just trust me- it does. Somehow. Most of the other little goodies are Heidi Swapp products. You do know who SHE is, don't you? For the one person who answered, "No", go here: www.heidiswapp.typepad.com and see for yourself. I used her photo corner, pink polkadot tape and tissue flower and puffy dot center. The font on the small photo is Elsie's CK Bohemian font. I think that about does it.
And if you didn't take my advice yesterday, you're missing out. NittyGrittysNanny posted some real "dirt" about me. So, if you just can't get enough Nitty.Gritty. go there now. www.nittygrittysnanny.blogspot.com She's a trooper for putting up with me and my family- I can't say enough about her! I think I better start sketching a layout for her soon. Goodness knows she deserves a 12x12 page of her own. =)