:LAYOUT: 6 Candles

THIS birthday seems like it was just yesterday!!

I LOVED this close-up photo of my daughter (at 6) blowing out her candles on her birthday cake.

It's highlighted by leaving it full-size and matting it. I cropped the two supporting photos a bit and put them on an angle on each side.

The title is divided (the ‘6’ on the top left and ‘candles’ on the bottom) and I outlined the title letters to help them stand out a bit more against the bright background paper.

The little flower and chipboard grouping creates a visual triangle with the title elements.

Supplies:
Adhesive: Duck
Patterned Paper, Die Cut Alpha: Basic Grey
Chipboard: My Mind’s Eye, Little Yellow Bicycle
Flower Stickers: Me & My Big Ideas
Ink: Colorbox
Paint: Apple Barrel
Marker: Sharpie
Scallop Punch: Fiskars

:FIVE FAVES: Bring on the cake...

In honor of Kaitlin's birthday this week, this is going to be "Birthday Week" on my blog. Each post will be related to birthdays in some way.

Today I'm going to share a few of my favorite birthday-themed scrapbooking products currently available...and they might just help me scrap all the pictures I'll be taking soon!

Birthday Sentiment Stickers from SRM Press Inc.
Here's some great classic sentiments for all your crafting needs. They would be great for cards and layouts!

Designer Present from the Bling It Collection by Basic Grey
What little girl wouldn't like a little sparkle on her birthday. Carry the bling over onto your layouts with this great gem present!

Glitter Cardstock Stickers with Gem Accents from the Birthday Bliss Collection by Creative Imaginations
This bling'd out stickers are just one great piece of a wonderful collection by CI. View the rest of the collection here.

Balloon Punch by EK Success
A birthday party (or layout) wouldn't be complete without a few balloons! With this great punch from EK Success you can create them in any color or pattern your heart desires!

Sweet Cupcakes Paper by Hambly Studios
Cupcakes are the perfect serving size of cake and frosting! And this sweet patterned paper would make an excellent background or accent paper for your next birthday layout! It comes in several other colors and in overlays, too!!

(NOTE: The JUNE FREE SHIPPING CODE for Two Peas is DDSDAY.)

:LAYOUT: play ball

Kaitlin decided not to play softball and we jointly decided to take a break from dance class for the summer.

For the last couple of months, her part in the Yankton Children's Theatre Company production of Henry & Ramona has kept her busy, but after tonight and tomorrow's shows, she'll be done with that also.

We are BOTH looking forward to having a summer free of 'scheduled' activities and going for walks, bike rides, and to the pool in the evenings and on the weekends. Basically, just some good old-fashioned quality time.

I figure I'd better take advantage of the opportunity while she still thinks spending time with mom is actually a good thing!

Anyway, I wanted to share a layout with you today.

She may not be playing softball this summer, but she gave it a whirl last summer and had a lot of fun. I wouldn't be a a good scrapbooking mom if I didn't document her season, would I?!

Although this collection of patterned papers was meant for boys, I thought it was perfect for this layout.

The round shape and puffy texture of the letter stickers add to the softball theme as do the line of circles that span the layout and hide the seam between the blue and kraft-colored papers.

(Click for a larger view.)

Journaling:
Summer 2009 ~ Kaitlin’s first season of softball was most definitely a hit!! No home runs, but she had a ball.

Supplies:
Adhesive: Duck
Kraft: Unknown
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny
Letter Stickers: American Crafts
Circle Punch: Marvy
Ink: Colorbox
Pen: American Crafts

:GIVEAWAY WINNER: Design Workshop by Lisa Dickinson (Ella Publishing Co.)

Lots of self-proclaimed novices and amateurs out there...so, Design Workshop by Lisa Dickinson would be a wonderful new Ella Publishing Co. eBook edition to add to your scrapbooking inspirational/instructional bookshelf!!

It will have you feeling and creating like a PRO in no time flat with her wonderful (and surprisingly easy) design tips!

If you missed my detailed review, you can check it out here.

However, one lucky AMOM reader is going to be able to add this eBook to their collection for FREE!!

(insert drum roll here)

Random.org picked lucky commenter #14 today...

So, congratulations, Brianna T.! Watch your inbox for further details on how to claim your prize!

Remember, if you'd like your own copy of Design Workshop you can pick it up at Ella for only $5.99!! Not too shabby!

Don't miss out on more great giveaways coming soon! If you haven't already, sign up for updates to the AMOM blog by email subscription or your favorite blog reader through the links in the left sidebar.

:MEMORYWORKS EXPRESS: June 2010 Kit - "Debonair"

Dashing and debonair - this month's kit is a perfect blend of carefree patterns, spirited designs and sophisticated charm. You'll love creating with the cool blues, greens and deep chocolate browns. Add the complementary, trend setting fasteners and findings from Tim Holtz for a layout or project any man would be proud of...

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Botanical Blue - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Spontaneous Floral - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Pleasant Stripe - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Floral Swirl - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Helpful Houndstooth - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Sweet Circles Die Cut - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Collectors Item - Thrift Shop (October Afternoon)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 White (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Spring Willow Medium (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Birchtone Dark (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} 3x6 Calendar Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 3x6 ½ Lined Journaling Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 4x6 Transparency Frame - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{2} 2x2 ½ Die Cut Journaling Cards - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 3x4 Library Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1}¾" Roll Lime Artisan Tape (Pink Paislee)
{1}6x12 Sheet Chocolate Whimsies Alphabet Stickers (Pink Paislee)
{5} Daisy or Dahlia Flowers plus 2 Gem Centers- Assorted Styles & Sizes (Petaloo)
{2} Metal Trinket Pins (Tim Holtz)
{6} Metal Mini Paper Clips (Tim Holtz)
{10}Metal Mini Brads (Tim Holtz)
{1} 6x6 Sheet Chipboard Button Shapes (Scenic Route)
{3} ¾" Vintage Mini Circle Tags (Making Memories)
{1} Yard 3/8" Green Grosgrain Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard 5/8" Turquoise & Brown Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard Natural Burlap Twine (May Arts)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 White (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Spring Willow Medium (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Brichtone Dark (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Intense Teal (Bazzill)
{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

ALL FOR ONLY $29.95!! (plus $6.50 S&H)

Check out some of the beautiful projects that the MemoryWorks Design Team has created with this wonderful kit and find more details in the June 2010 Idea Express download including four exclusive PageMaps layout sketches!

If you are interested in subscribing to the MemoryWorks Express Kit Program, please contact me today for further details!

:SPONSORS: June 2010 AMOM Sponsors

FEATURED SPONSORS:

NICOLE LOMBARDO
Nicole is an amazing artist and every month she's got some great new custom designed die-cuts in her etsy shop. She is always adding new designs and colors just perfect for the season and/or holidays ahead.

Here's one that caught my eye this month.

It's called Peacock Feather Swirl (in black). It would add a beautiful touch to any layout...check out the link for additional views.

In addition to her wonderful scrapbooking items, she has also started offering a few pieces of handmade jewelry that are also quite stunning!

ELLA PUBLISHING CO.
As they've been publishing about one eBook per month since their start last year, Ella Publishing Co. is a great source for scrapbooking inspiration and learning.

Their newest release is called Design Workshop by Lisa Dickinson and contains the details on how to use 10 great design principles to create stunning scrapbook pages. Dickinson is a graphic designer by trade.

In case you missed it, I just posted a complete review and giveaway for a free copy a couple days again. Check it out!

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WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A SPONSOR OF THE AMOM BLOG? If so, please contact me and I would be happy to provide you with further details.

:BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts - June 2010

Here's the June 2010 edition of :BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts. I hope you enjoy them!!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

PLEASE SHARE:

If you like the free monthly :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts download, please share it with others. That's all the thanks I need.

I have created a :Be Inspired: Creativity Prompts button that you can use, too! Just copy the code underneath it in the right sidebar and paste it into your own blog, website or forum signature. I greatly appreciate you helping to spread the inspiration!

Also, I encourage you to share any layouts you create which are inspired by these prompts in the :BE INSPIRED: Creativity Prompts Flickr group pool. I'd love to see your work!

Don't miss out on more great scrapbooking inspiration! Sign up for updates to the AMOM blog by email subscription or your favorite blog reader through the links in the left sidebar.