Hi everyone.  My blog has moved.  Yes, I took the plunge and moved to Blogspot.  It seems that all my scrapping friends use Blogspot, so I thought I would too - besides it's free!

Please visit me at www.valerieserfozo.blogspot.com.

 

~~~Valerie

 

This month's kit at C'est Magnifique was so easy to work with.  The soft muted colors were perfect for pink, blue, and neutral color layouts.  Here's a look at the kit:

Here are a couple of my layouts using the October kit:

This is my sweet granddaughter, Eryn, and my niece, Macy.  I love those sweet smiles!

Love the attitude in the expressions of my niece and nephew, Makenzie and Trevor, in this photo.  I really wanted to play with the neutral paper in this kit and added lots of mist to add more depth. 

Have a great week!

~~~Valerie

 

 

 

I have really been neglecting my blog lately.  You know how it is, life just gets in the way.  I've read that you should never apologize for not writing on your blog (because after all, it's yours!), but I do feel bad that I haven't been updating it.

But I must say, I have found something that I LOVE and wanted to share it with you.  It's called Oh Life, and it's a wonderful way to document your life.  It's so very easy to set up.  They send you an e-mail each day (you set up the time of day you'd like it to land in your in-box) and you simply reply to the e-mail.  It's that easy!  To see what you've written in previous days, just go to the website, log in, and see what you've written.  If you forgot something from yesterday (or it happened after you responded to the e-mail), you can edit it.  I think this is perfect if you're doing Project Life or just want to keep a diary, of sorts.  And don't worry......it's private.  It works great for me!  If you document your daily life, or use something like Oh Life, leave me a comment and let me know.

 

A new month means a new kit from C'est Magnifique and I've loved working with this kit!  I'll be back in a few days to show off the entire kit, but for now, here's one of the layouts I created.  This is my precious niece, Callie and this photo marks her one year birthday. 

~~~Valerie

It's finally time to reveal the September kit from C'est Magnifique.  This kit was so easy to work with! 

"Fly Away" Setpember Kit

I used this kit to create two layouts of my darling niece and nephew, who just happen to be brother and sister. 

 

Makenzie just started kindergarten, but I have always loved this baby photo of her!

 

And this is her baby brother, Keegan, who will soon be a year old.

Gosh, I sure love these two! 

Always have.  Always will.

~Valerie

 

 

 

 

 

I've been having so much fun creating with the September Kit.  The paper and flowers (my favorite!) just seem to come together so well that it made creating layouts a breeze.  I created this one, titled "Sweet & Sassy", using a photo of my niece, Macy. 

Isn't this paper awesome?  Love everything from Riddersholm Designs!

~~~Valerie

It's mid August but I'm ready to give you a look at what I've been working with - the September Kit from C'est Magnifique.  Okay, I can't show you the entire kit yet, but I can show you the paper and add-ons.  First up is the beautiful paper from Riddersholm Design, their Huntington Garden collection. I have loved working with these colors....peach, brown, black, and a misty shade of purple.  So very beautiful!

The C'est Magnifique kits are packed with beautiful embellishments and flowers, but if you like to pile it on like I do, take a look at the Flower and Embellishment Add-ons.  Both are available in the Store. 

I'll be back later to share one of my layouts with you!  In the meantime, you can check the C'est Magnifique blog for layouts from other designers.

 

~~~Valerie

Leslie is giving away her "Bits & Pieces" from the August Kit.  Head over to the C'est Magnifique Kits Blog for all the details.  Here's a photo of what is up for grabs.        

The store is filled with newly released Prima flowers, paper collections, and   embellishments.  Here's a sampling of what's available.  Get your shopping done early, because these beauties are going fast.

And don't forget you can get free/reduced shipping in the C'est Magnifique Store, but the offer ends today, August 6th.

~~~Valerie

Thanks to Creative Scrappers for asking the C'est Magnifique Kits design team to create a layout using their sketch.  They featured our layouts on their blog today, so I wanted to show you what I did with their sketch.

Here's my layout using the sketch and the August kit from C'est Magnifique.  I love the softness of the Maja paper and knew that it would be perfect with a photo of my tiniest nephew, Keegan. He is such a sweetie and I think his little fist in this photo is so sweet.

Why don't you head over to Creative Scrappers and participate in their sketch challenge for a chance to win a prize from C'est Magnifique kits!

 

~~~Valerie

 

I received a box in the mail today from C'est Magnifique and couldn't wait to get inside.  I had ordered some new things from the store.  Having new paper and/or embellishmens always inspires me.  I wanted to use this sheet of paper from the new Glitz collection, Cashmere Dame - isn't that a cool name?  There were also some of the new Manor House flowers in the box.

Since the paper has a fun look (made even more fun with some splats of ink added), I grabbed a photo that was fun!  This is my sweet niece and nephew, hamming it up during a photo shoot last autumn.  I don't think Trevor ever seriously poses for a photo.  He always has to add his personal touch!  I can just hear Makenzie giggling when I look at this photo.

~~~Valerie

 

I'm excited to let you know that there is a new challenge (with some awesome prizes!) posted at the C'est Magnifique Blog.  It's a "Word Challenge".  All you have to do is create a layout using the word of the month.  This month, the word is "Grow".  Head over the BLOG for all the details.  You have until Aug. 15th to complete the challenge, so I hope you will get busy scrapping!

Here is my layout for the challenge.  This is my granddaughter, Eryn who is growing up way too fast!  It seems the older they get, the busier they get.  I miss seeing her as much as I used to.  I used the upcoming August kit from C'est Magnifique to create this layout.

 

~~~Valerie

 

I've been busy creating layouts using the upcoming August Kit from C'est Magnifique.  This kit is beautiful with paper from Maja Designs, a Swedish company.  Here's a look at the paper:

The Flower Add-on (with flowers from several manufacturers) is perfect with this paper.

And the Embellishment Add-on:

This kit is amazing!  The colors are so soft and the paper has so much detail that doesn't show in the photo.  I'll be able to show you one of my layouts tomorrow, so check back. 

If you're looking for a beautiful kit (that features International paper every month!), I sure hope you'll join.  All the details can be found on the C'est Magnifique Kits site.  For now you can head over to fellow design team member, Erin Blegen's blog to see how she has used the kit.  She's awesome! 

~~~Valerie

I have so many sweet boys and girls in my life and I love every one of them!  Today, though, I'm going to share layouts of a couple of the sweet girls that I'm proud to call my nieces. 

Both layouts were created with the beautiful July Kit from C'est Magnifique Kits (Sweet Summer Days). 

 

Follow Your Heart  (Amanda)

 

You Make Me So Very Happy (Makenzie)

Have a great weekend everyone!  I'm hoping to have some time to play in my art journal.  ~~~Valerie

 

I love winning free stuff, and I'm sure you do, too!  There's an awesome give-away on the C'est Magnifique Kits Blog.  Leslie is giving away the Bits & Pieces from her July kit.  So head over to the blog for a chance to win this:

That's a LOT of scrapping goodies!  You have until July 12th to enter. 

~~~Valerie

The July Sketch Challenge has been posted on the C'est Magnifique Kits Blog.  You have all month to play along, so I hope you'll give it try.  There are two wonderful prizes.  Here's a look at the sketch:

Hope to see your layout this month!

 

~~~Valerie

Beverly Sams, my friend and fellow design team member at C'est Magnifique Kits is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. So what are you waiting for?........head over there and enter so you're in the drawing for chance to win this great collection of goodies! 

~~~Valerie

We sure had a nasty storm pass through Ohio over the weekend!  Most of my family was without power for a couple of days, some are still without power, and a few lucky ones are vacationing in Florida.  To make things worse, temperatures are in the mid-90's and the humidity is just awful.

If we had lost power I think we would have packed the dog in the car and started driving (after throwing out the food in the refrigerator and freezer).  I would have used it as an opportunity to get away for the weekend.  Hey, it's just me, making lemonade out of lemons.  Some near us are estimated to be without power until July 8th!  Sorry, but I've just got to have a shower every day, especially if it's hot.  Okay, enough about that - I'm beginning to sound like a princess. 

We didn't escape the storm damage, though.  Our 80 ft. maple tree in the back yard split in half and one section fell.  The winds were 75-80 miles/hour, and it was too much for the tree. 

This photo shows where it split apart.  We were in the front of the house when it split, and didn't even hear it! 

We are so fortunate that the tree fell away from the house!  We hate to lose this tree because it provided so much shade in our back yard.  The other half of the tree is not stable and will need to come down, as well.

Here you can see it stretched across our back yard, resting on the swing set we have kept for our nieces and nephews, and the back fence.

 

The tree was so tall that the top of it extended into the neighbor's yard behind us.  Mark spent all day Saturday cleaning up the mess in their yard.  Thankfully we have a chain saw!

 

There are so many trees down that we will need to wait for estimates.  There are people who have trees on their houses, so we will be patient.  We'll also have to get estimates to repair the fence and the swing set.  Thankfully our homeowners insurance will pay for everything less our deductible. 

This tree is right outside my scrap room, and it's so difficult to look at, but it could be so much worse.  My prayers go out to those who have lost their entire home and all their belongings to the fire in Colorado.  

“The closest to being in control we’ll ever be is in that moment when we realize we’re not.” ~Brian Kessler  

 

This too shall pass.~~~ Valerie

 

Wow, it's going to be hot one here for the next week or so.  I really can't stand to be outside when it's near 100 degrees and humid.  To me, that's the perfect time to stay inside and scrap, make cards, and edit photos.

Today I wanted to share a couple of layouts I created using the July kit from C'est Magnifique.  On both of these layouts I have used photos of the cutest one-year-old niece in the world (well, at least in my world) - Callie.  This photo was taken when she was much younger.  I think she looks so sweet here.

"Oh Baby"

And this photo was taken in May after her baptism.  It was rather warm in the church and she was getting a little grumpy after being passed around to everyone.  We took her outside to take (more) photos and she immediately got this big grin on her face when her mom sat her in the grass. 

"Lovely"

July kits are available in the store at C'est Magnifique.

 

~~~Valerie

 

It's that time of month when C'est Magnifique Kits begins letting everyone have a look at what's coming up in July, along with a layout from each design team member.  I went for the simple elegant look with this layout, titled "Love You Mer".

Okay, so I love this layout (and the darling photo of Meredith), but it doesn't show off the beautiful paper that will be in the July kit, from Inkido.  Take a look at this beautiful paper:

Here's what you'll get in the flower add-on (a little Petaloo, Maya Road, Prima and Manor House).  You can't ask for a better selection of flowers!

And lastly, here's what is available as the embellishment add-on:

Some of the add-on items are also available individually in the C'est Magnifique Store.  I can tell you, this is one wonderful kit! 

~~~Valerie

Both are going at at the C'est Magnifique Blog.  Here is a link to the give-away.  All you have to do is enter your name.  Can't get much easier than that!

We also have a sketch challenge going on all month.  Nadia Cannizzo has created a beautiful sketch for you to work with.  Find out all about it here.  I hope you get a chance to work with it this month.

This is my "sweet" niece Makenzie with her baby brother, Keegan.  Isn't it easy to tell how much she loves him?    We were trying to take photos inside that day, but the light just wasn't working.  Since it was a warm day, we moved outside in the shade.  I simply put a piece of unbleached muslin on the ground and it worked perfectly!  I used the June Kit from C'est Magnifique to create this one.

Have a great weekend everyone!  I'm going to a crop tomorrow (and I don't have to do any of the work!), then to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel event on Sunday with our sweet guy Kiefer.  It should be a fun weekend.

~~~Valerie

 

 

My darling niece, Callie, celebrated her first birthday Sunday.  She has come so far in the past year.  The first 34 days of her life were spent in Children's Hospital.  Although we still don't know exactly why she was so ill, she is a happy, healthy baby now.  We have so much to be thankful for!

Thought I would share this recent photo of her.  She's such a doll.

And here is a layout of her that I recently created.  Photo is from a much younger age.

~~~Valerie

The C'est Magnifique June kit has been revealed and I can finally upload my layouts.  This kit has paper from two countries - Les Papier de Pandore (from France) and Meg's Garden (from Australia).  The colors are very beautiful.  Here's a look at the kit.  There are still kits and add-ons available in the Store.

I thought I would start with a couple of layouts of some really cute girls, Eryn and her sister Meredith.  The first layout is of Eryn (a teenager now) when she was just a little girl.  I have lots of these portrait studio photos and I've decided to pull out some of my favorites and use them on layouts instead of letting them sit in a box.  I remember this little yellow dress:

One this layout I wanted to bring in some blue to match the ribbon in Meredith's hair.  So I added a cardstock background of blue, and used distress ink on a few doilies.  And for some reason I was in the mood to use circles!  I used some gesso on the background to let everything stand out a little bit more.

Check back later this week.  I'll be posting more layouts.

~~~Valerie

I have enjoyed being a guest detective at CSI this month, along with other designers from C'est Magnifique Kits. I hope you will following the link and participate in the challenge this week.

I love the colors in this week's challenge (and aren't these wedding cakes lovely?):

Here's my layout for the challenge - my niece Macy:

 

~~~Valerie

 

I just finished my design team layouts using the June kit from C'est Magnifique.  It's a very pretty kit.  Although the entire kit has not yet been revealed, you can see the paper and add-ons on the Blog.  You will also be able to see how the talented Nadia Cannizzo used the kit.  I will be back sometime next week with one of my layouts.

I am into the third week as Guest Detective at CSI (Color.....Stories.....Inspiration....), along with others from the C'est Magnifique Design Team.  I loved the colors this week, but must admit that they are not colors I would have combined.  That's why they call it a challenge!  I hope you'll give it a try.  I will provide a link at the bottom of the post.

Here's my take on the challenge, using a photo of my darling niece, Makenzie Brooke.  She is such a sweet (and smart!) little girl, and I'm so happy that she is part of my family.

Head over to CSI to get all the details about Case File No. 20. C'est Magnifique is the sponsor this month so I know there will be a great prize!

 

~~~Valerie

C'est Magnifique Kits is sponsoring CSI (Color, Stories, Inspiration) and the design team will be guest detectives this month.  Here is a look at Case File No. 18.  Sure hope you can play along!

 

Here is my take on the challenge using a photo of my niece and nephew, appropriately titled "Giggles".

~~~Valerie

 

 

Do you like sketch challenges?  If so, I hope you will check out the May sketch challenge on the C'est Magnifique Blog.  We'd love to have you participate!  The very talented Nadia Cannizzo created this sketch. 

 

 

And here's my interperation of the sketch using the May kit:

~~~Valerie

I love this photo of my nieces, but the colors were really bad.  I added a vintage action and now it's just plain adorable!  I think it's so sweet how both of them are laying on the floor together.  I created this layout using the May kit from C'est Magnifique Kits. 

"Wonderful to be Sisters"

 

~~~Valerie

I can't believe it's almost May!  But that means C'est Magnifique is about to release a new kit.  I know this one will be very popular because it features some really fantastic paper from 7 Dots Studio - the Wonderland line.

This sweet baby boy is my darling great-nephew.  What a joy it was to photograph him!   I love you, Keegan.

~~~Valerie

If you like sketches, be sure to head over to Once Upon a Sketch to see their latest challenge.  C'est Magnifique is sponsoring this challenge and the winner will receive the April kit.  It's been a very popular kit!

Nadia invited the design team from C'est Magnifique to play along with this sketch:

The theme that goes along with the sketch is "Home".  I chose this photo of our dog, Kiefer, when he was a puppy.  He's sitting on my husband's lap, resting his chin on the edge of his computer.  He is such a part of our home.  If you have a pet, I'm sure you know what I mean.  In keeping with the theme of the challenge, I used a definition of the word 'home' as my title.

~~~Valerie

So happy that C'est Magnifique Kits teamed with the manufacturer of the paper that was in the March kit, The Scrap Cake.  They featured this layout of mine of their BLOG today, so I think I'd better share it too.  This is my darling niece, and that girl's entire face lights up when she smiles!

~~~Valerie

I've really enjoyed working with the April kit from C'est Magnifique featuring paper from The Scrap Cake.  Here are a couple of my design team layouts.  I will post more later. 

 

For Meredith........Have I told you that You Are Sweet?  She has the cutest smile!

 

And this one for sweet Abby, giving her cat a kiss. 

 

~~~Valerie

My husband and I are blessed to have a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sharing our home with us.  I don't know what I'd do without Kiefer.  Our love of this breed led us to join Cavalier Rescue USA.  Not every one of these dogs, like other breeds, has a good home with loving owners. 

We recently had the pleasure of meeting Nancy, a very sweet Cavalier who is looking for a new home.  You can read all about her HERE.   This sweet little girl is looking for someone to adopt her.  Here are a couple of photos that we took of her yesterday.

 

Isn't she adorable?  She is so full of energy and would be so easy to fall in love with.  If you are looking for a pet to bring into your home, follow the link above and find out more information about Nancy.

~~~Valerie

 

......I married the love of my life.  He's the most wonderful husband anyone could ask for, and I'm so glad he's mine. 

Happy Anniversary Mark!

I can't tell you how much I love the kits from C'est Magnifique.  I've been scrapping for 12 years and although I love the American lines of paper, I like to have a change, as well.  C'est Magnifique features paper from companies outside the United States.  Some of the flowers and embellishments are from international companies as well. 

Now don't get wrong.......I still love Pink Paislee, Prima, Webster's Pages, Teresa Collins, and whole lot of others, but it's also fun to play with paper that is a little different.

The March kit featured paper from a Swedish company, Pion Designs.  I liked what I saw from the on-line images, but when I received it, I was blown away.  It really is some of the most beautiful paper I've ever seen.  So, here are some layouts I created using the kit:

When I saw that one of the papers featured butterflies (perfect for cutting out), I remembered this photo of my niece, Macy.  Isn't she precious?

 

And speaking of Macy, here are her parents.  I love this photo of the two of them.

 

And here's my granddaughter Eryn and someone who loves her very much.....Makenzie.  I've always thought this photo of them was very sweet.

Thanks for looking!    ~~~Valerie Serfozo