A Little Life Update...

Hello, crafty friends! 

I just wanted to jump on here and give you a little update about a new adventure I'm about to embark on. Six weeks ago I took a big leap and signed up to be a LuLaRoe Fashion Consultant. If you've never heard of LuLaRoe, here's a little bit of info about the company...

If you have heard of it then you know exactly how amazing and how big of a deal this is. I'm very excited about this new adventure and I still have a few weeks left in the queue. I've been really busy getting everything ready to receive my initial inventory, but I'm still going to continue paper crafting and blogging, just not quite as much ;)

I promise I won't flood this blog with LuLaRoe happenings and events, but I will have a link to my VIP Facebook group on the sidebar of this blog if you're interested in shopping with me. Right now, I have my first giveaway up on my Facebook business page so here's a link if you're interested... 

https://www.facebook.com/lularoeadriennealvis/

You can also find me on -  

Instagram - @lularoeadriennealvis

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lularoeadriennealvis/pins/

                                      

Periscope - @lularoeadriennealvis

Thank you for your support and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me! I hope you have a fabulous day! 

                                       

Change is Good and a Giveaway

Happy Thursday, my friends!  Believe it or not this is my 300th post!

As you can see, I've changed up my blog a bit.  I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, concerns, or questions about the new look and the new name which is Adrienne Alvis Designs Paper Fab.  (Ahhh! I think I'm going through a blog-gy identity crisis here!!!) I've been thinking about doing this for quite some time now, but I need some feedback :)

I like change and I think it's good to progress and change in certain ways throughout life, but I'm also prone to the whole idea of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" mantra.  Let me know how you feel about the blog changes and to show you my sincere appreciation for you help, I will be giving away three goodie bags of Studio Calico stamps that I've purged recently.  Some are gently used, but a lot are still in the packaging :)  Just leave me a comment saying what you think about the blog changes and anything you'd like to see on here in the future.  I'll randomly draw three names on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Thanks so much!  I love you all and I'm looking forward to the future and even bigger changes coming soon!

Have a great day!

Valentine Decor Frame

Happy Thursday, friends!

Today was filled with cleaning, laundry, and re-grouping.  And I've been really focusing on the kids lately.  The little ones are having trouble getting back into the swing of their school routine since the winter break, so I've been making sure they get a little extra attention from me.  It seems to be helping, but hopefully next week will be a little smoother :)

I have a little Valentine decor project I made this week to share with you...

I ordered a couple of these cute Advent frames from the Silhouette Online store using a coupon code and I knew they would be great to display some Valentine decor!

I used random bits and pieces of items I had in my craft room.  Mostly Studio Calico products and cuts with my Cameo using black card stock.  The heart with the word love inside of it is a sneak peek of one of the cuts you can receive when you sign up for the Bright Ideas class at Studio Calico.  Registration ends 1.31.13 and class starts on 2.1.13.

The sequined heart and arrow in the above photo are from Heidi Swapp.  Love those!

The best part about the decorations that I created is that I can take each piece off and re-use them in my layouts.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great evening!  TFL!

Cheers!

Happy New Year's to all!  

2012 was a fabulous year for me and my family and I know that 2013 is going to be even better!  I have made a few resolutions (not quite as many as last year!), but my #1 resolution is completing a full year of Project Life!  I'm so excited to tackle this amazing project again and I even have my title page completed...

I'm also taking the Studio Calico PL class, Day by Day, and it starts tomorrow so hurry and get signed up before it's too late!

I hope that you have a fabulous New Year and cheers to new beginnings and a fresh start!  TFL!

It All Started With A Tree

Happy Friday, friends!  We're gearing up for the big holiday weekend leading up to Christmas around here today.  The kids are out for winter break, we're headed to the city (STL) tomorrow, and I have a to-do-list a mile long (and not all of it is holiday-related)!  I know everything will get done, but I am a bit overwhelmed today :)

I'm particularly proud of myself for really putting some effort into decorating our house this year.  It was hard to decorate the way I really wanted to the past couple of years due to little ones wanting to upset everything that I set out or hung up!  This year is also extra special because it's officially "our" house (long story) and I was really inspired by this year's line-up of holiday decor from Target.

Here's a few shots of some holiday decor that I whipped up and set out that I really adore...

I was getting groceries the other day at Wal-Mart when I found this adorable little European tree with big glitter sparkles all over it!  I couldn't leave the store without it, but when I got home I realized I didn't have a container big enough to set it in.  So I went back the next day and found this white ceramic trash can on clearance (and covered in about six inches of dust!) and brought it home to set my little tree inside.

I used my Silhouette Cameo and turned a .png file (from Kelly Purkey's December Daily kit) into a cut file and cut that darling deer silhouette out using some chalkboard vinyl.  I added an enamel dot from My Mind's Eye for the red nose.  Then I added a red-striped ribbon around the top of the trash can and set my felt pinecones from Target around it.

I ordered the red cabinet (also from Target) about a week before and knew it would be the perfect spot to display my sparkly tree.  Since we don't have a fireplace or mantel, this serves as my compromise!

I also purchased the mercury glass bowl with antler stand from Target and the adorable white owl vase is from Ruche.

I added some felt acorns to the bowl for it's filler and Avery added a real one to the bunch just for fun!

I scored the super cute reindeer names sign from a friend of mine that makes amazing crafts and home decor goodies.  You can check out her Facebook page here.

I hope you enjoyed my little holiday decor rant ;)  I hope to have some more of my December Daily posted on here before Christmas, but I'm not making any promises, ha!  Have a great weekend and thanks for looking!

12 on 12...Better Late Then Never

Happy Sunday, friends!  

I did take photos on 12.12.12....I just haven't had a spare moment to upload, edit, and post them!  Last week was all about school holiday events, Christmas shopping, and getting over my horrible head and chest cold.  

Here's my Daily Dozen for December...

Fixing Avery's hair in the morning....she usually has it pulled down within 20 minutes of completion! 

Driving Avery to school.

Waiting outside of the school with her before they open the door.

At 12:12 I was getting ready to go on a run.

 Garrison working on his homework after school.

I received my first Christmas card today! 

Avery fell asleep while looking at her favorite books in her room before supper.

 Soup for supper.

Garrison and Jubal enjoying a little TV time before bed.

 Daddy and Avery snuggling before bed in front of the TV upstairs.

 Brush, brush, brush your teeth!

Goodnight kisses from Daddy :)

Just another normal day, despite the abnormal date :)  I converted my photos to black and white just to mix it up a bit....How did you mark/document 12.12.12?

TFL!

Through the Lens - What I'm Thankful For

I am thankful for so many obvious things, like my family, my friends, my health, and my kiddos, but this year I'm also thankful for "firsts".  We've had a lot of "firsts" around here lately and with the kids growing up and getting older that doesn't happen as often as it used to! 

My oldest son, Garrison, went to his first school dance last weekend (and yes, I did cry a little).  Before he left for the dance I just had to do a "first dance mini photo shoot" with him before he left.  No way was I going to wait until we got to the very dimly lit auditorium and rely on my camera phone only to take a few grainy photos.  When he got dressed up and looked about three years older than he really is I said, "get outside before all the good light is gone!"  Ha! 

I'm so thankful for this guy because he was my first baby and he taught me how to be a mommy...we've been through a lot together.

I used my Canon Rebel T3i with my new 50mm 1.4 lens and I edited these photos using some Totally Rad Actions.

My youngest son, Jubal, lost his first tooth just a few nights ago...

It's been almost five years since we've had a "first tooth" experience!  He was pretty freaked out, but was cool with it once the tooth fairy rewarded his efforts, lol!  I'm thankful I get to be the tooth fairy.  I love that parenting perk!

My daughter, Avery, got her hair cut for the first time!  (She's almost four, so this was a BIG deal!).  

I did it myself, just a blunt cut across the back...can you believe it was all the way down to her waist!  She loved it and asks me all the time when we can do it again.

She also went on her first school field trip the other day...

It was a trip to our local university to see their new football stadium and upgraded basketball arena...don't let this pic fool you, she was pretty grouchy the entire time!  I'm thankful I get to spend these moments with her because I don't work outside of the home.  I'm thankful for my husband because he works so hard so I am able to stay at home with my kids.

Another big first around here was my niece's first birthday party...

It was such a special day and I'm so thankful I got to be a part of it.  It's such a special milestone!

I'm also thankful for all of you who take time out of your busy day/lives to read my blog.  I truly enjoy sending out inspiration to you and receiving feedback and comments...they really do make my day :)  I'm also thankful for the connections and friendships I've made through this little blogging journey of mine...I truly cherish each and every one of them!  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who is celebrating today!  I hope your day is filled with lots of great food, family, & friends!  TFL!!!

Just Do It

Please, please, please, do NOT forget to vote today!  The future of our country is literally in our hands and your vote DOES make a difference!

And when you're done, head on over to www.iamdoe.blogspot.com for a different kind of voting!  It's super fun, super easy and you'll get a chance to win a $30.00 Freckled Fawn Gift Card!

Good luck and thanks for voting!!!

Happy Halloween

Just a quick post to say Happy Halloween to everyone....be safe and have a spooky day :)  I'm off to parties galore at my kids' schools!  

I did break out the super awesome glitter tape washi for this one!  TFL!!!

Washi Pumpkins

Happy Sunday, friends!  I'm sitting here with my little ones watching Spookley the Square Pumpkin on the Disney Channel and it reminded me that I have some super cute photos to share with you today!

I decorated this pumpkin using...you guessed it...washi tape!  Be sure to check out the Freckled Fawn blog for even MORE washi pumpkin inspiration :)

I also added a few bits from the Autumn ohDEERme Kit, which I believe is still available, and a doily.

My youngest son got in on the action, too!  He even had the idea for the tag!  

This was a super easy and fun way to decorate a no-carve pumpkin...I hope you give it a try!  TFL!!!

The Cat's Out of the Bag!

Well, the cat's out of the bag...I've been invited to be on Freckled Fawn's Design Team!!!  I was introduced yesterday on their blog.  I still can't believe it, but it's true.  I've been walking on cloud 9 and this is truly a dream of mine coming true!

I hope you get a chance to check out their blog and say hello to ALL the new DT members!  There will be new ones announced ALL WEEK :)  I'm so excited to be getting the chance to rub shoulders and create with all of these amazing ladies!  There will be lots of fun things in store!

Happy Tuesday!  XOXO

Wow!

So much is going on right now...so many crafty surprises and things to come in the next week!  I.Cannot.Wait!!!  It's gonna be good, so stay tuned...

OAN - My Anchor's Away layout I posted early last week is this week's Layout of the Week over at Studio Calico!  I am so honored to be chosen...Studio Calico members are truly the best of the best and they are all so inspiring and fabulous.  Every layout I see in the member gallery is so great and there's so much talent out there...so much inspiration that helps me create my own layouts.  A huge thank you to everyone who put my page into their faves :)

I hope you have a great holiday weekend! TFL!!!

Legendary (good) Morning

It's Monday...where did the weekend go?  I was busy and the busier you are the faster time just seems to disappear.

Here's a quick peek at the highlight of my weekend...

My sister, Melissa, and I had such an awesome time at The Color Run in St. Louis this past Satruday!  I think we're going to have to make this a yearly tradition :)

Here's a layout I made last week for the Studio Calico Trendspotting class I'm taking...

For this assignment, we had to incorporate starbursts into our project.  I went big and bold with this one!  I used the cut file that came with the class and my Cameo to make the huge starburst design on my page.  I stitched each piece down and then carefully bent the paper upwards to give it more dimension.

This is a shot of my boys running to catch the bus on their first full day of school.  It was a beautiful morning and they were so excited!  The sun flare in the photo was pure luck so I just went with it and I didn't add a filter of any sort to the shot.

I used SC's August kit +Add-ons for this page.  The "Legendary" tag and "Good Morning" banner are from Ormolu.

Today I have to take Avery to meet her Pre-K teachers...she's very excited and I can't wait to enjoy that special moment with her!  Have a great day and thanks for looking!

We arrived home safe and sound from our Florida trip late Saturday night.  I spent all of yesterday unpacking, doing laundry, sucking sand out of the car with the vacuum, and re-stocking the fridge.  While we were gone I received my August kit from Studio Calico in the mail so I was very excited to dig into that as well.

Today, I plan on spending all day in my craft room so I'll be back to posting layouts and hopefully the beginnings of a vacation mini album this week :)

I'm also participating in August's Photo-A-Day, so here are my photos of the first five days of prompts...

OUTSIDE...

ONE...last bite...

COIN...

SOMEWHERE I SAT...in our car for twelve hours traveling home from Florida...

LOGO...I didn't take this photo (obviously) but I thought it was quite fitting ;)

I hope your week is off to a great start.  My kids go back to school next Monday so we're trying to resume a normal schedule and finish off a few last minute preparations.  I can't believe it's that time again!  TFL!