for the love of lattes and decorating...

Happy Monday all! I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today sharing some new pocket pages. I've been working through my December Documented album, one memory at a time. I decided to take a very loose approach with my album this year, getting in the details of our first Christmas season in our new house and as a family of five but, NO daily photo pressure.

We hosted Christmas this year and had a lengthy project list. With a couple of late nights, we crossed off the powder room update and that needed its own page!

I added the paint sample cut to 3x4, accented with an Elle's Studio tab and a Simple Stories clear sticker and border. 

Ah, the love of red cups. It may be a cliche to scrap one's fancy latte but, since we finally have a Starbucks local and with a drive through (oh yeah!!!), my coffee ritual while running errands was a part of this month that deserved a nod. And, come on, the latte card just had to be used!

I layered a Simple Stories 3x4 card over one from Fancy Pant Oh Deer line and embellished with more Oh Deer bits and a big sequin from the Merry Memories Swag Bag.

The Paper Issues shop has holiday lines in stock and ready for you to document your own December memories and you can save 20% off your order with code JENBOOM

Thank you for stopping by and have a fantastic week!

Jen

an iconic winter: toni from designs flair...

The day before Thanksgiving brought a major snow storm to our area. My husband was thrilled because he was able to use his brand new snow blower for the first time. The kids were thrilled because, well, they are kids. I was thrilled for perfect scrap material! I created the two pages here for my December album using a bunch of on-hand supplies and Toni From Designs Christmas Icons flair.

I love the wood grain background of this flair set, paired with white silhouettes:

Here's a closer look at my pages and the flair details.

You can find this flair and so many other great sets in Toni's Etsy Shop! Use code JENBOUMIS for 10% off any order of $10 or more.

handmade christmas: ornament from scraps...

Every year I make handmade gifts and decor for the holidays. Some for us and some to give. This year has been no exception. The little die cut snowman in this ornament came in my special edition Merry Swag Bag from Paper Issues. As soon as I saw his cute little face, I knew that I couldn't just use him on a scrapbook page that would live in an album. He needed to be displayed!

Earlier this month I had picked up a few clear, fillable plastic ornaments at the craft store for $1 each. I had no clue what to do with them at the time but, this idea struck this morning and within minutes it was done. Glitter paper circle, die cut snowman and candy cane and a teeny bottle brush tree on a bed of cotton ball. The backside holds one of our family photos taken this fall.

I'm linking this up to Monday's Pinspire Me at Paper Issues. We want you to show us what you've created! You can link up to this Pinspire Me in our Facebook Group...Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} You have until January 11th to add your creation to the Pinspire Me post/picture on our Facebook Group for a chance to win one of 2 awesome prizes!

Use code JENBOOM to take 20% off of your entire Paper Issues order...swag bags included! 

documenting december...

Happy Friday! My focus has shifted to a seasonal album this month. I really had no intentions of making a December album this year but, well, all of the pretty supplies kept calling to me. And, it is both our first Christmas in our house AND our baby girl's first! The events of the month begged to be captured. Rather than taking a daily approach, I'm instead creating pages based on events and seasonal happenings. This first set of pages documents our first big snowfall of the season here in NY.  The first several pages in my album were created with the Citrus Twist Kits December Pocket Life and Pocket Life Embellishment Kits, as well as the lovely CTK Christmas Stamp set. 

Our visit to Santa was a mixed bag. G LOVED him, immediately climbed on his lap and started rattling off his long wish list. J was terrified and wouldn't even look at poor Santa. A was more than skeptical but, we finally got a few half decent shots while holding her tight.

And  my last two shares capture our North Pole Breakfast. Our elf Dizzy returned atop a tissue paper pom bearing a fun, seasonal breakfast. The kids were thrilled!

These are some of my favorite details...

More to come very soon! I'm in the process now of printing more around snowfalls, birthdays and decorations. So fun!

get your sketch on with pagemaps and paper issues...

The Paper Issues Creative Team had the opportunity to partner with PageMaps using their December 2014 Sketches. I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic two photo, 12x12" layout sketch. As soon as I saw the suggestion of a large snow flake on the sketch, I knew exactly which photos I wanted to use and ran with it!

I used the wood grain paper from Ruby Rock-it's Country Cookin' collection to play up the wood deck in my photos and the multi-colored herringbone from Fancy Pants Oh Deer for a pop of color. The title, scallop border and snowflake are Silhouette files.

Please stop by the Paper Issues blog today to check out the other Creative Team members' layouts!

Looking for some fun scrappy goods? Use code JENBOOM for 20% off your Paper Issues order!

birds of a feather flock together: a new issue!

Hello friends and Happy Thanksgiving week to those of you in the US!

Today starts a brand new Issue over on the Paper Issues blog and I am thrilled to be a Creative Team contributor. Here are the details! Have fun with this and be sure to link up your own project (you can even link up directly from Instagram!) on today's PI Link Party for the chance to WIN the awesome Ruby Rock-it Country Cookin' collection:

ISSUE | Birds of a Feather Flock Together: ideas would be pictures of your Thanksgiving turkey, bird watching, having a bird as a pet, having a bird (as in things that drive you crazy), use flocking, use feathers, friendships, who do you spend Thanksgiving with, do you tweet/Twitter, family, what's on your Thanksgiving menu, traditional menu items, recipes, use Ruby Rock-It products.

Here is my take on the Issue - a photo of the boys making one of our standard Thanksgiving sides, Pumpkin Bread! We have so much to be grateful for this year and just a couple of things on that long list are food aplenty and that my boys are both interested in helping out in the kitchen...even if they almost never don't always eat the result.

Most products I used in this layout are from the Ruby Rock-it Country Cookin' collection (how awesome is that b/w text paper???) along with a piece or two from a Paper Issues Swag Bag. One of my very favorite layouts to date! I loved working with this collection.

Need a little scrappy something? Use code JENBOOM for 20% off your entire Paper Issues order, even Swag Bags...woot!

pocket scrapbooking: back to basics...

Just wrapping up my 4th year of weekly pocket albums, I'm finding myself drawn back to the basics more and more. My favorite pages are less embellished, uncomplicated and are full of photos and stories. I do enjoy adding bits and pieces to kit cards to make them pop but, in a more understated, manageable way. With very limited, after the kids are in bed scrapping time this is what is working best for me now.

Here are the must have supplies that I use over and over when creating my weekly layouts:

My Basic Supply List:

• 3x4 Grid Cards, plain white cards, kit cards 
• Pigma Micron Pens - .02 is my favorite size
• Pencil - I always write out my journaling in pencil for spacing, then write over in pen and remove the guide lines/letters with a white eraser
• Corner rounder
• 6x6 patterned paper - scrapbook paper designs are scaled down in these pads and are perfect for pocket pages
• Alphabet stickers 
• Labels - all colors and shapes. There are many free printables online!
• Hearts - stickers, enamel, chipboard. I love adding hearts here and there.
• Clear Stamps and an acrylic block + a black Staz-On ink pad
• Paper Issues Swag Bags - a fantastic little bag of mixed embellishments and cards each month. Perfect to get a great variety of current supplies without breaking the bank!

A white base card and a few little bits go a long way!

Thank you for popping in today! I'd love to hear your own must have supplies.

my favorite: featuring toni from designs flair...

I am thrilled to share my first Creative Team project for Toni From Designs Flair!

If you are new to my blog, welcome! I am an at home mom to three wonderful children (all under five!) and wife to my talented, engineer husband. We reside in New York's Hudson Valley. A long time memory keeper, I started scrapbooking in 1996 straight out of college. Since that time I have been blessed with many opportunities in the industry including years of teaching scrapbooking and rubber stamping at local craft stores, designing patterned paper and lettering templates, demonstrating at CHA and designing for scrapbooking websites, kit clubs and manufacturers.

As soon as I saw the Sweater Weather flair set in Toni's shop, I knew exactly how I wanted to put it to use. Fall is my favorite, I've made no secret of that fact. I took this photo during a quiet moment on our front steps, coffee in hand, surrounded by colorful leaves. Bliss!

Here is a close up of the #COZY flair from the Sweater Weather set. Perfect match to my navy sweater in the photo and the orange pops in the leaves and the layout border. I love that Toni's flair is super thin and lightweight, adding dimension to project without a lot of bulk.

Need some flair for your own creative projects? I can help with that! Use code JENBOUMIS for 10% off any order of $10 or more when checking out of the Toni From Designs shop.

i've got flair!

I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined the inaugural Creative Team for Toni From Designs! Toni makes amazing flair perfect for memory keeping, card making and decor projects.

I love the variety and versatility of Toni From Design flair. There are sets for everyone and every project from seasonal to favorite beverages to sports teams. Want something specific? Toni takes custom orders too! Here are just the three latest sets to hit the shop, brand new today!

Tea Lover:

Let it Snow:

Oh Christmas Tree:

Need to add a little flair to your own projects? Use code JENBOOM for 10% off orders of $10 or more from Toni From Designs shop.

Visit Toni's blog for inspiration from the whole Creative Team!

cut file saturday: link and win!

Happy Saturday! Today on the Paper Issues blog the first monthly cut file is available as a free download. Each month a new cut file will be posted, and with it, a chance to win free product for using the cut in your own creative project. This month, play along, link up on the "Cut It Out" blog post link up and you'll be entered for a chance to win the November Paper Issues Swag Bag!

Here is my 12x12 layout using the cut file:

To create the layout I cut the full size Silhouette file from kraft paper then, chose several patterned Home + Made papers and cut those so that the circle would match up and pop right in the open spaces. Next, I printed several photos from our recent trip to the apple orchard at approximately 2" square. Using a 2" circle punch, I punched out each photo and added them in behind the cut file. The title is also a Silhouette cut created using a brush script font. The embellishments are a mix from my stash and the September PI Swag Bag, along with a piece of flair by Toni From Designs.

I hope this inspires you to scrap your own creation! Be sure to link back on the "Cut It Out" post for a chance to win.

woodn't you know, it's fall? :: an issue...

Hello all! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of projects, fall activities, lovely autumn weather (my favorite) and family time. I have not shared here as I'd hoped but, have a line up of projects ready to post starting...now! Paper Issues started a brand new Issue and link party this Monday, themed for fall, using wood items, wood grain - any or all! You can read more about the issue here.

I'm linking up today with a pocket layout documenting our family trip to the pumpkin patch. This gorgeous place is just minutes from our home and provided such a fun afternoon. I have more photos and details that I'll be scrapping but, wanted to get to these few right away. I've used mostly Fancy Pants True Friend papers and MME Jubilee embellishments to create this page.

I hope you'll create a project of your own to join the Issue linky party! Need some new fall scrappy goodies? Use my code for 20% off your entire Paper Issue order...

it's official, i have issues!

Happy October! Always my favorite month, this year is starting off amazing on day one. I am thrilled to announce that I have joined the Paper Issues Creative Team! Having been a customer, follower and champion of the shop and blog for years, it is a complete honor to now be part of the team. I hope you'll stop by the PI blog today to say hello!

And every good celebration deserves a bit of shopping, right? Use code JENBOOM in the shop for 20% off your order. Sweet!

wreath gone batty :: introducing toni from designs flair...

Last month, I shared a tutorial for just about the easiest possible DIY autumn wreath. As October is quickly approaching, Halloween decor and celebrations have been on my mind. When I saw the new Toni From Designs Trick or Treat flair, I knew that using them for a wreath banner would be the perfect addition to our entry decor! This project is also featured on Toni's blog today. I hope you'll pop over and check it out...

I wanted to make something with dimension so found a bat cut file in the Silhouette online store and cut ten shapes: five one size and five slightly smaller to layer on top. First, I strung all of the larger bats together using orange and white baker's twine to create the base of my banner.

Second, I used a bone folder to add creases to the front of each of the smaller bats. Lining up the tops of the heads, I attached the two sizes together with double sided adhesive and bent the wings of the front shapes up to add a three dimensional effect.

Selecting five of the Trick or Treat flair, I added each to the centers of the bats using double sided foam tape. The flair are flat back and super lightweight. Perfect for this project! I accented three of the bats with silver glitter stars for a bit of sparkle.

I love how this project came together! Our front door will welcome the trick or treaters in our new neighborhood in style!

Toni will be releasing a new awesome flair design in her Etsy shop every Monday and will reveal the designs on her blog, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

week 34: at home musings...

Week 34 is one of my favorite PL spreads ever for mainly one reason...that black and white photo of my three kids. Getting all three in the frame and looking at the camera is a feat of epic proportion. While it is simply an iPhone photo and Amalia looks just a bit, well, squished, they are all accounted for and looking at the camera. Winning! These pages were made using the beautiful September Citrus Twist Pocket Life Kits.

Simple, at home summer memories recorded here. My favorite journaling card on this page is "Jack-isms". I love have an outlet for these little right now glimpses.

Backyard fun, bathtime and a favorite refreshment...

I'll be posting again this week using the same kits to scrap G's first day of Pre-K (!!!), pocket style.

reflections on my 30s :: on cherry street 'reflections' kit

I'm sharing another page in my 30s album today, this time celebrating the role of wife. The On Cherry Street kit: Reflections had some perfect elements for this page. My husband and I met on a blind date in July of 2006 and have been together every day since. Since we were married in 2009, it's been a wonderful whirlwind of job changes, growing our family, travel and buying our forever home. There is no one else I could imagine at my side. He's my lobster.

I used two cards from the kit for this page. The top right "follow your heart" and then cut out part of another for the bottom left "right music" quote. John Legend's All of Me is a ballad that I've fallen in love with recently and is beautifully fitting. I stamped the "In love with" prompt to accent my journaling on the top right. Here is a close up of the music card:

Supplies: On Cherry Street kit, Reflections // Hedgehog Kiss stamps, Sweet Stamp Shop // Shimelle patterned papers, American Crafts // watercolor crayons // water pen // Twinkle Sweet Dots, V's Sweet Ideas

fun at the county fair...

I recall going to fairs as a child, seeing the farm animals and taking a few rides. Attending the county fair near our new home made our summer bucket list. As the date approached, George began to spot the television commercials and flyers and asked to make the trip. We started a countdown to the fair and talked about some of the things we might see. Admittedly, when I happened upon Jill's blog post about the potential for disaster in taking three young children to such an event, I nearly ditched the idea. Instead, we saw the fantastic weather forecast, caught George's excitement, packed up a million snacks (and just slightly less than a million dollars) and off we went.

I learned a few things that day:

1. Arrive early. As in, 30 minutes or more before the gates open. We planned it this way, hoping it would pay off and were spot on. Even though we went on a Saturday, the second to last fair day, getting to the lots prior to the gate opening meant we were able to park in the closest lot and had a very short wait once the Star Spangled Banner was finished and the gates flung wide.
2. Advance order your tickets, if available. We did not do this simply because we weren't aware of the option. For our fair early bird tickets, for both admission and rides, can be purchased the week before the opening day at a discounted rate.
3. Wear comfortable shoes. While our county fairgrounds were meticulously maintained and very clean, we covered a LOT of ground that day. Sneakers were a must. The people sitting on benches rubbing their tired feet from $1 flip flops or high heels (why???) would have been wise to think of this ahead of time.
4. Pack snacks for the kids. Lots of snacks. And maybe lunches. If your kids are picky eaters, bring your own food. Fair food is expensive and you do not want to waste $8 on a mini hot dog that will get a mere lick before being discarded. Save that $8 for more rides or fried cheescake on a stick for yourself.
5. Bring your patience. Fairs are large, loud and crowded. Kids can get easily overwhelmed and overstimulated by large spaces, noise and crowds. Remember this. Take deep breaths, regroup, think about what it all looks like from the perspective of your littles.

We ended up having an excellent family day with few very minor, and very normal, kid behaviors. The boys loved pretty much everything about the day. Amalia sat back and just took it all in then passed out for a long nap in the stroller. We cannot wait to go back next year. With our advance tickets, of course!