#lovethesesmiles -- Choose Happy

here is my July layout for the Urban Scrapbook Design Team.

i totally love the pastel brights {never thought i would combine those two words to describe something!} of the new Heidi Swapp {Dreamy} papers. we were also given some new coloured burlap, letter stickers, a roll of MME washi tape, a Double Scoop Gelato crayon and a Memory Box Stencil {modern Pop Dots}.



i cut out several of the diamonds from the pink paper and layered the circle paper underneath.

i got it into my head that i wanted to use some molding paste. looking back i wished i had taken a few of my coordinating gelatos and made more colours to layer. i did a thin layer with the stencil, let it dry slightly, then scraped it off and spread it out further. then i added my final layer with my silver tinted paste.

i loved the tag at the bottom of one of the papers. "choose happy" with the geometric pattern added.

i loved the burlap, but it was a bit too strong for my photo. i could have used the gesso/paste to lighten it...but i didn't think of it at the time! instead i pulled long threads and made them into a few loops.

the last step was to turn the gelato into a spray. scrape off a piece, and mush it into a paste. add it to a mini-mister with water and shake. then spritz.

my layout was a late comer. i knew June would be crazy busy, but i was taken by surprise at how busy it actually was! it will be on the wall this week. phew! i'm already starting the one for August....life is back to a slower pace....but i can't handle being late twice in a row. ha!!


i have enjoyed returning to my first career of being an Elementary Educator. the one fact i had not taken into consideration when i stepped away....would be the work involved in the steps to getting a permanent contract.

my contract next year will be full-time and there will not be enough hours left in the week to plan a class and then teach it. {i typically spent close to 40 hours to design a layout, pick up the materials, kit the class, then teach it. the design process was usually the longest and slowest! i loved that part, but i was a turtle when it came to it!!}

it was a very difficult decision. i think it was awesome that i had some options and that i was stressed about which direction to go! it is rare when you are happy and passionate about either job. in the meantime, i still have oodles of photos to scrapbook. and lots of design ideas that i have not tried yet. we won't mention the collection of papers and goodies either. wink!

thanks for your support and encouragement. many thanks to the ladies who faithfully took my classes...you gave me some of my favourite memories! i miss our monthly classes and gab sessions in between techniques. it was a blast!