Scrapbook tools are one of my favorite purchases for scrapbooking on a budget. They usually save time and money, overall allowing for more options then their pre-made counterparts. Enter the Photo Sleeve Fuse by We R Memory Keepers.

When I first saw this tool, I thought it was kind of a gimmick until I was putting away some of Zoe's school projects. I generally shove all the projects she makes in the school year into a 12x12 page protector. At the end of the year, I go through, pick my favorites and then slide them into their own page protector.


This year as I've been going through her projects, I found oddly shaped papers that require a custom page protector. If I use a 12x12 it's too big and an 8.5x11 is too small. That's when I really had a desire to try the Fuse tool.

The best parts: You can make custom size page protectors, perfect for odd size memorabilia (like the pressed penny and souvenir photo). I love that I don't have to buy pocket pages anymore. It's compact and easy to store. I like the permanency of it - I hate things falling out of page protectors.

The worst parts: It can be temperamental.  There is a learning curve on how to get good line and not accidentally press too hard. There is no temperature control either.

Overall Feeling: Worth it for what I need it for. I don't think this is a must have, but it helped me achieve my desired effect. I'm glad I purchased it.


Have you tried it?

XOXO,

 To showcase this amazing bundle, I made two projects with the bundle. One of my favorite parts of working at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, was helping brainstorm ideas for bundle names. I decided to keep with the theme name and make some items for a lemonade stand. A party banner and a coin purse.


 Today, I have the tutorial for the party banner. It is also perfect for decorating a girl's room or a birthday party. I still have some leftover fabric to blend into my stash or make something else, maybe a table runner.


Supplies:

• Pink Lemonade Fat Quarter Bundle
• Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Pinking Shears (optional)

 Make bias tape from strips by sewing diagonally along matched up corners of each strip. I use a bias tape maker to fold the fabric while I iron it. You can also fold and iron by hand.

 You should have 32 triangles. Match the triangles with the same fabric, place wrong sides together. Stitch along two sides. Repeat until you have 16 completed triangles. (Discard one triangle, you only need 15 for this project.)

 Use pinking shears to trim the sewn edges of the triangles.

 Open the bias tape and insert the triangle, matching the markings.{All unfinished edges of the triangle and bias tape should be tucked inside the fold.}Place clover clip on top of all layers, along the center point.

We were able to snap some pictures of Zoe in the bluebonnets in between rain showers last weekend. They are intermittently spread out all over the sides of the roads and really inconvenient picture taking areas. Thankfully, we found a small field tucked behind the golf course with a nice sized patch of them.

Lately, I've been almost nostalgic about Texas. We have been here almost 2 years and I'm growing to love it. This spring has been full of amazing thunderstorms, beautiful scenery and warm, breezy nights. It will get hot soon, at which time I will remain sequestered in my air conditioned home, or parked at the pool...but for now I'm loving it here.



XOXO,

I am extremely proud of the buttons. I have tried multiple times to make button holes on my machine and it never quite works out, but I managed to finally conquer that skill with this dress.

One of my favorite things about smart phones, is being able to snap decent pictures at any moment. But it does leave me with a lot of photos that don't necessary mark an event or mean something significant. This page is a collection of those every day moments.

I recently just got a bunch of phone pictures printed through Shutterfly. They have tons of monthly promotions on 4x6 photos, and I just get my 4x4 photos printed on 4x6 and trim them when they get here.


Most of the products I used are from Bloom, Maggie Holmes' new line with Crate Paper. This line is full of petite flowers, gingham and beautiful spring colors. Just perfect for pictures of little girls.

This bright and bold pile of loveliness, is finally done! I've had it ready to quilt since September, its been sitting all basted and folded just waiting for me to have a free weekend. LDS General Conference, gave me the perfect excuse to spend all weekend at my sewing machine.

The fabric is Mustang by Melody Miller for Cotton + Steel. I bought a layer cake (10" squares) for cheap from Craftsy, during a major clearance sale. The pattern is Crackle by Aneela Hoey. I added a wider border than the pattern calls for. The finised measurements are about 67"x 75".


This quilt it already boxed up and off to a secret recipient. It is actually one of my most favorite quilts. I love the mustangs and the metallic accents, but my pile of personal quilts is good for now, and I have plenty more in the works. I'm ready to pass this one on.

Ryan was gracious in helping me get one last picture before we wrapped it up, as you can see. It's the perfect snuggle quilt. I hope it will get many hours of use and be washed, snuggled, and loved many times over.

Besides the new Dear Lizzy papers, I discovered a perfect shade of Prima Chalk Ink from several years ago, Studio Calico kit pieces from the last time I bought some old kits on sale, and Basic Grey tiny alphas from when I was doing Project Life.

For years I've longed to have a perfectly organized craft room. I would love to have all my stamps in a binder and all my patterned papers in slotted shelves, but I'm learning the process of discovery, actually adds to my scrapbooking and crafting experience.

Zoe has been getting more and more into scrapbooking as well. Having a stash is great for crafting with kids. I usually have a leftovers or giveaway box always in place, and she can go through that and pick out whatever she wants. She gets to pick out what she wants, and I don't have to share my brand new goodies, Win/Win!


XOXO,
       

The weather this week has been reminiscent of our summer vacation and the day we spent at Carmel Beach. The part of the beach we were on had a big hill. We ate a lovely picnic at the top of the hill, then headed down for a dip in the ocean.

Reluctantly, I took my iPhone to get some quick pics of Zoe playing in the ocean. The last time I brought a camera to a beach, I ended up getting sand in the lens and ruined it, so I left my big camera at home. I spent 5 or 10 minutes taking her picture and then I put my phone down and we played in the ocean.


The water was cold but the delight on her face with every wave that came was worth it. Zoe couldn't remember the last time we were at the beach, so this trip was like the first time all over again.


I love Instagram for captioning these moments right as they happen. It's so helpful to be able to go back through my feed and read exactly what I wrote about that moment 6 months ago.