Christmas in July...well this is Summer in December

Just finished a couple layouts with my son, Carlton as my subject. He LOVES the water, just like me. We had such a busy summer with softball and traveling for that, we really didn't have much relaxation time. One picture is when we took the kids to Rehoboth Beach. It's just a 40 min. drive away. He didn't come out of the water once until we left! The other picture was taken during the 4th of July in NY visiting my in-laws. He borrowed his cousin's goggles and I had to giggle at how the ends just stuck out...of course I had to get a picture of that! Working on some other beach pages, so I'll post them once they're done!


Enjoy,

Same Picture but two different looks

Have you ever had two different ideas for the same picture? Is it okay to do two layouts using the same pic? Of course you can! Infact, they look so different, many may not even know you used the same picture. This is my oldest child, Rachel. She's almost 16 and it's getting harder for her to humor her mother and stop for a picture. She used to love it, what ever happened?! Well, this was the first day of school, and she let me get this pic. I think she looks amazing! She's such a great kid...very quiet, creative with her photography and crafting, type A personality, awesome student, loyal friend/sister/daughter and believe it or not...she eats me out of house and home!



Hard to tell in these pictures, so click on them and a larger view should come up, but I used Stickles on the letters and accents in "Crystal". They're like a glitter glue. They also offer a "Distressed Stickles" in different colors that aren't so glittery...perfect for masculine pages or ones that you want a little something but not so "bling". Check them out...they're great!
Enjoy!

Cropmainia Get-A-Way Layouts

I'm trusting everyones Thanksgiving was wonderful! Mine was...but as always, time off goes by too fast! A few weeks ago, I went to Rocky Gap Lodge and Resort in Cumberland, MD for a scrapbooking getaway with my mother-in-law and my husband's cousin, Connie. The retreat was sponsored by Cropmania and we had a fabulous time! While there, we took some pictures of the resort. Here's the interactive layout I made using a file folder for the title page...flip it up and the rest is inside.

Next is the layout of us goofing around in our room with our wine and such. We have been known to have a good time wherever we go...I'm posting the proof.
Last is the layout of us creating our pages while there. I didn't do as many as I had wanted, but I was happy with they quality of what I made. The talking, looking at everyone else's pages and shopping couldn't have had anything to do with it, could it?

Tomorrow, I'll add some of the layout pages I created while there. Ok, maybe I'll start with just one today. This was the very first one I made. My middle child, Shelby can always be found with her phone in her hand; it's a part of her I believe. When she gets a new text, I can tell by her response if it's from a girl or boy....hence the title I chose, "He texts me, he texts me not." From the "He loves me, he loves me not"...I'm sure you all got it, but I had to explain it to my hubby. lol


Enjoy!

Happy 96th Birthday Grammy!

A couple of days late getting this on here, but I'd like to say Happy 96th Birthday to my beautiful grandmother, Jennetta Albee! I scrapbooked a one of my favorite pictures of her when she was just 18 years old...such a bombshell. The other picture is one my Aunt Michelle sent of her on her birthday which was Nov. 5th. Enjoy!

What a DEAL from Close To My Heart!

WHETHER YOU’RE A LONG-TIME FAN OF STAMPS OR ARE
just venturing into this fun hobby, now is the perfect time to
grab some My Acrylix® decorative stamp sets! From November
3–30, 2009, when you purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A,
B, C, D, and/or E only) at full retail price you will receive a
third stamp set of your choice FREE (of equal or lesser value)—
a savings of up to $22.95! Choose from any stamp set offered
in any 2009 Idea Book or the current Product Review.
Take advantage of this month’s great offer to add to your
assortment of these innovative stamps. What a fabulous way to buy
stamps for your holiday gift giving!

Email me at scrapbookwithrobin@comcast.net to order, or order directly from my website at http://robinvoak.myctmh.com. Fast and easy!

Ok, now this is HILARIOUS!

While surfing blogs, I found this and thought it was so funny...laughter is such a great thing! I hope you all enjoy as much as I did! I think we all can relate some...yes?


Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a slowdown in the overall performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, but installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 and NBA 3.0. And now Conversation 8.0 no longer runs and House Cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,
Desperate




Dear Desperate:

First keep in mind; Boyfriend 5.0 is an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try entering the command

C:// I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME

and download Tears 6.2 to install Guilt 3.0. If all works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create Snoring Loudly.wav files.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider additional software to improve memory and
performance. I personally recommend Hot Food 3.0 and Lingerie 6.9.

Good Luck,
Joyce at Tech Support

Honoring Megan

Shelby said before every game, she's going to look to heaven and send ya a wink...she'll be playing for you baby girl.

In Loving Memory of Megan McNeal

A teammate and friend of Shelby's died Friday, Oct.16,2009 at 5:25 a.m., after losing her 10 month battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a cancer that started in her upper inner thigh. Her name was Megan McNeal and she was the sweetest girl and one hell of a ball player. There was no drama with this teenager who just turned 14 last month, but always a bright smile. The Wednesday prior to her passing, she told her parents, Patti and Tim that she was ready for her angel wings so that she could go to heaven. It all happened so fast, it's heartbreaking. She handled her battle with grace and dignity...her true spirit. She will be forever missed. Please keep Megan and her family in your prayers. (Megan is in the center of this team picture...pretty fitting I think).

From Tom-Boy to Girlie-Girl

Ok, can I just say that this has been the busiest summer ever?! Wow! I aplologize for the long break here. Anyway, this is my 13 year old Shelby, and she's the reason my summer has been jam packed, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Her fast-pitch softball team made it to Nationals, so we went to Carey, NC for a week for that. It was hot, intense and fun. Not sure how the girls play 3 games a day in 99 degree weather. She also made her Little League All-Star team...busy girl. People see her mostly like the picture on the left. I tell her it looks like she has a birds nest on top of her head, she has so much hair! Very rarely do we see her all dressed up. Probably because she never has anywhere to go that doesn't involve cleats! lol I had to get her all dressed up looking gorgeous. She's a great kid and is she funny! I wanted to do something different, so instead of a journaling block, I wrote on the circle cut out instead. The colors fit her personality so well! Enjoy!

A Sentimental Project

This is something I've wanted to do for sometime. Wasn't easy, but I found great individual pictures of our grandparents (mine and Eric's). I wanted pictures of them in their younger days and was successful except for Mildred, who is my husband's grandmother....could only find one of her older, but it'll do until I find another. If you're like me, you more than likely have pictures all over your house, but mainly of the kids and your parents. I have a couple of our grandparents, but they're in individual frames and set here and there. This project says "Wow" being put together like that...it's a powerful tribute to them I think. Becky Higgins posted one she had done in her home, and I thought what a wonderful presentation, having them all together in one large photo frame! The center was left for a quote that I found and it reads: "The measure of one's character is not what they get from their ancestors, but what they leave their descendants." Looking at it in person is very powerful and sentimental for me. I adored my grandparents, and my grandmother, Jenetta (center on the right) is 95 and still living in Oregon with my Aunt Michelle. Unfortunately, my husband didn't know his grandparents with exception of his mother's mother, Mildred Thompson (center left). This will be a way for him to see and appreciate them on a daily basis like I know he does. From Top Left: My dad's parents Cosie & Alice Vignal, and my mom's dad, Marvin Albee, then center right: is my grandmother Jennetta Albee. Bottom row from right: is Frank Voak, then Ada Voak, my father-in-law's parents, then bottome left: Claude Thompson, and center left: his wife Mildren Thompson, my mother-in-law's parents. Let me know what you think and if you've done something similar. If not, then I hope I've insprired you!

Mojo Monday, but on Wednesday! =)

Like I always say, better late than never! Here's my card from the Mojo Monday #94 sketch challenge. The weather here in Delaware has been so, so until just a few days ago. We've had gorgeous hot summer weather the last few days, FINALLY! So I broke out my Close To My Heart stampset called Daydream. There are 14 stamps in this fun set. I used our coordinating summer chalks and cardstock to brighten it up. The colors I used are Ocean, Watermelon, Citrus Green, Summy Yellow and Desert Sand. Hard to tell here, but to add some fun summer sparkle, I went over the card here and there with Shimmerz, in "Pixie Dust". Goes on clear, but has fun sparkle to add dimension. Makes you want to go out and play the day away, doesn't it? Enjoy!

Congratulations Diamonds!

My middle child and my mini me, Shelby Wray (Top row, second player from left) plays on a few softball teams, but her year-round competitive fastpitch team, The Delaware Diamonds 12U, just won the State Championships for 2009 this weekend! It was tough and intense, but they beat the 2008 State Champions, The Swoop, in not only one, but two international tie breaker innings! The final score was 6-5 over The Swoop. Both teams played well and should be very proud of their efforts! Next is a local tournament in Dover, De in a couple of weeks, then we're off to Carey, NC for the National World Series...go Diamonds!

I watch her while she plays and I can't believe how fast she's grown up. I still see my little red-head running around driving me crazy. She has a strong will and is stubborn just like me, but I think that's what I love most about her. She's definitely an individual and a leader...not a follower. I scrapbooked a page of her the other day. It was just a random picutre my husband took of her while she was eating spaghetti. She was 12 months old and we were stationed in the Azores at the time (islands off of Portugal). Were did the time go? I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Your children growing up is bitter-sweet to say the least.

Mojo Monday Design Challenge #92

This is my card for the Mojo Monday #92 challenge. This is a fun 17 piece stamp set from Close to My Heart called Out West, and I just love it! The ink colors I used are Cranberry, Desert Sand and a deep dark brown called Cocoa...no black. The papers are scraps from my scrap bin, and I added a little twine for that rugged look instead of ribbon. Hope you enjoy it and get a little inspired! If you'd like to order online just go to my website and order from there. http://robinvoak.myctmh.com

Hugs!

Free Personal signatures - cool!

Mojo Monday Design Challenge #91

Ok, so I'm a couple days late with this weeks challenge, but better late than never. I was thinking of my DH, Eric when I made this card, so hunny, this one's for you...MUAH!

All products are from Close To My Heart. I used our Silhouette Level 2 paper pack, and a piece of Tulip Cardstock...LOVE that red! I also used a couple of stamps from our fabulous stampset "Priceless Love", and of course our coordinating ink pads in Black and Tulip.

You can shop online on my website at http://robinvoak.myctmh.com/. We also have a great deal for June called "Deal-a-day". There's a different deal offered everyday with an order made online on my website! Fabulous...go check it out!

Going back to my scrapbooking room to create more before Shelby's pitching lesson and game tonight. Never a dull moment around here. *wink*

Not Your Everyday Memo Board!

I've seen an example or two of these fabulous dry erase memo boards, and this is my spin on it. This is so much more stylish than that white dry erase board or old fashioned cork. I used our Close To My Heart papers to match the color scheme in my kitchen. Paper was used from That's Amore, Life Delights and Notebook paper packs (1 piece from each).

This is just a regular 11 x 17 frame I got at AC Moore for 1/2 off. Instead of putting a picture inside, I "scrapbooked" the inside of it, and viola...done! Buy a dry erase marker, use ribbon or fibers like I did, tie it to the hanger on the back and when you're ready, write directly on the glass. When you want to erase it, just use a tissue or paper towel. Easy, inexpensive and decorative! Who wouldn't love one?

What a wonderful wedding or housewarming gift. Make one for that special college freshman going off on their own this fall. They'll think of you everytime they go to use it. Guaranteed their friends won't have one! :) If you make one, please share it with me. I'd love to see it.

WHOO-HOO!

I'm very excited to say that I'm published in this months edition of Scrapbooking.com! http://scrapbooking.com/article/73288 They're a wonderful go green online scrapbooking company where you can always find fresh, fun ideas and inspiration. Sign up for their free newsletter and let them know I sent you (Robin Voak). This particular page I did is of our dog, Daytona. He's been the best pet ever and it's a layout I'll always cherish. It's a perfect layout for a beginner to start with, or for a seasoned scrapbooker to get back in touch with the basics of scrapbooking. I hope you'll go take a look. There are also more wonderful pages done by this month's design team, so go check us out! Thank you to Jami Petersen for this wonderful opportunity. Keep an eye out for me, hopefully there will be lots more to come!

Mojo Monday Design Challenge #88

Here's my interpretation of the challenge. All products are from Close To My Heart. If you'd like to know how to get them, just comment below this picture. Enjoy!

In Honor of Memorial Day...The Wall

When I saw this scetch (#21) from Insprired Blue Prints, I knew exactly what picture I wanted to use. I've been wanting to scrapbook this picture of my son on his visit to Washington DC. We came to the Vietnam Memorial Wall and I turned back to talk to him to explain something and this is the vision I saw. Of course I took a picutre of almost a private moment I felt, but I was compelled to. I wanted this to be a "WOW" page because the picture is so powerful to me. I want it to speak to others as it did to me. Honor those past and present who have fought for our country. Thank them for their service...without it where would we be? From one military family to another, thank you!

Our Dads

Father's Day is a few weeks away and I wanted to share a page I did of our dads and the words of wisdom we heard on a daily basis...well...maybe not daily, but it sure seemed like it at times. :) I found a picture of our dads together and decided to use it instead of two separate pictures like I had origianlly intended. I also alternated the "father-isms" from Eric's dad and mine. To help distinquish between them, besides having every-other-one his dads then my dads, I used different brad colors. Note that the brads aren't really brads, but colored pieces of paper I punched out to look like brads! This helps to save money when you have a lot to do! I also used our liquid glass on top of each to make them stand out like brads would and also used the liquid glass on the belt buckle to set it apart.

All items used are from Close To My Heart. The paper is from our Level 2 Sasparilla Paper Pack and the buckle set is from our Lovely Buckles stamp set and don't forget the liquid glass! Contact me for more details!

Hope you enjoy and I'd love to hear what you think. Celebrate your fathers, grandfathers, uncles or that special man in your life who gave you great advice or comforting words while you were growing up.

Best Friend Visit

When Rachel is able to get to Virginia to visit her best friend Hannah, they never let a photo opportunity to have a photo shoot go by! Though they don't get to see each other as often as they like, you could never tell that by watching them together...they pick up where they left off.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope this finds everyone excited about this opportunity for new beginnings. If 2008 was a good year for you, then I hope it continues for 2009. If 2008 wasn't so wonderful, then brush it off and look forward to this new beginning.

I'm very blessed to have a wonderful husband and three great children who all keep me busy. I realize that I get so busy, I no longer devote much time to myself. Well, that's changing in 2009! I'm setting time aside for myself each week so I can do what I love most...scrapbook. I truly love it that much. It's relaxing for me and I feel so good and happy when I create something for our family and future generations to cherish. It also feels good when I hear and see my kids talk about my albums. Their friends come over and out come the books. They love to see what I've done lately. Makes my day.

I'd like to thank you all who have helped me get started with my new business venture with Close To My Heart as an Independant Consultant. I'm excited about upcoming crops and classes and hope to see this grow into something special not just for me, but for you as well. I hear people say "I just don't have the time." Well, I promise you won't be sorry investing in your future this way. This is something that will stay in your family for generations to come and will mean the world to your children to look back on someday and know that you did it for them. Our products truly do make things Faster. Simpler. Easier. We have scrapbooking kits in different levels, so know matter if you're a beginner or just don't have a lot of time to "layer and embellish", no problem, our Level 1 paper packs are for you! If you do have the time and prefer to do things yourself and play, then our Level 2 Paper Packs and Stickease are what you're looking for. Want to jazz things up a little more with ease? Then use our stamps and embellishments that go along with each themed paper pack. That simple. Card kits are also available. Let me show you how.

Looking forward to spending the New Year with you all creating!