Summer's End ...

I can not believe Labor Day is here. The kids go back to school this week. It is time for schedules and after school activities, homework and the hustle -n- bustle of September once again.

We just returned from vacation, so it will take a little while to get back into the swing of things again. For those of you looking for my Etsy shop to reopen ...  I'll have it back online early next week. I just need a little more time to settle into our school routine, unpack, go grocery shopping and get the house in order once again.

I just wanted to pop in and post a few digital layouts from the month of August:

Day of Discovery liv.e designs::
Summer Solstice Paper Pack - The Solid Papers
Tape It Up! Frames
Paint Play - Splats (Paper Pack)
EZ-PZ Template 05 - Five
Needs+Wants: It's a Date (Date Stamps)
DayBrushes Reloaded - Journaling Brushes
Mask Me - Photo Masks
Maskerade {Photo Masks}

Cosmo Cricket::
Salt Air Elements

splendid fiins::
feedsack element pack 1
@ the office supplies 1

crystal wilkerson::
stitches from Inspired by Susan Weinroth Template 6

Cousins Storytime
liv.e designs
Needs+Wants: It's a Date (Date Stamps)
Click! Paper Pack - The Solids
{Click-The Elements}
Needs + Wants: Strings Galore Vol. 2
Freedom Is Good - Paper Pack: The Solids
Softly, Gently - The Kit's Solid Papers

Crystal Wilkerson::
Inspired by Susan Weinroth Template #06

Kayak Adventure
Template Tuesday #30 by Lauren Madsen

Queen of Quirk::
Papers from the following kits:
Right Round Paper Pack
Larry Paper Pack
Lucky Duck Paper Pack
Sitting Pretty Paper Pack
Dimitri Paper Pack
You Are Here Full Kit
Accents from the following kits:
Father Time Accent Pack
Lucky Duck Accent Pack
Right Round Accent Pack
Cirque du Ciel Accent Pack

Little Swimmer - TT#28
Template Tuesday #28 - Jenn Mccabe

Echo Park:
Splash Paper Pack
Splash Element Pack 1
For the Record Paper/Element Pack #1

liv.e designs::
Needs + Wants: Stitchies Vol.2 {Spring Garden Collection}

splendid fiins::
@ the office supplies 1

Sand Fort Elle's Studio:
Sweet Summer Papers
Sweet Summer Journaling Tags

Cosmo Cricket::
Peachy Keen Alphabet

Splendid Fiins::
Evidence-file frames

Queen of Quirk::
You Are Here Full Kit

Echo Park::
Splash Element Pack 1

Carina Gardner::
DESIGN 365 - A Year of Rubons

Template Tuesday #28 - Jenn McCabe

Thanks for looking! -xoxo Jenn

Latest Digi LOs...

Did you pick up this free template last Tuesday at JessicaSprague.com? Today is another round of Template Tuesday ... head over the site to download the newest free template now!

Summer Sunshine In The Making Design::

Template Tuesday: Love
Retro Mango Paper Pack
Valpolicella Elements Pack
Tricolor Elements Pack

Queen of Quirk::
Cirque du Ciel Accent Pack
Father Time Accent Pack
Jeepers Accent Pack

Budding Chef In The Making Designs::
Gourmet Paper Pack - coming soon!
Gourmet Word Art & Labels - coming soon!
Valpolicella Elements Pack
Indulgence Elements Pack
La Storia Elements Pack
Mandarin Breeze Elements Pack

Splendid Fiins::
baker's twine photo megapack
evidence - file frames
Make a Mess - masks vol. 2

Queen of Quirk::
Jeepers Accent Pack

other::
LaurieAnn HGD: Baked with Love

Sweet Love

Carina Gardner:: Victorian Art Paper Set 2 - coming soon! COQUETTE - Brad Set DAISY JANE - Flowers COQUETTE - Word Art Set FRESH PICKED - Summer Collection FRESH PICKED - Spring Florals FRESH PICKED AUTUMN TICKETS ESSENTIALS - Frames v1 BABY MINE- FULL KIT liv.e designs:: Tabby Tabs Loopies Vol.1 - Flutterby other:: Katie Pertiet: LIttle Hearts Kit (owl epoxy)

Instagram = Happiness
For the "What I know for sure ..." challenge.
Cheated, and did not use one photo though!

Kitschy Digitals::
Vintage Cameras Kit

Crystal Wilkerson::
Crystal's {PLAYGROUND} Element Pack Watermelon Sherbet Pie
Kitschy Digitals
Clotheslines
Kawaii Cute Fruits Kit
Watercolor Doilies Paper Collection
Retro Kids

Splendid Fiins
Evidence Paper - coming soon
Evidence-journaling cards

Watermelon Sherbet Pie
Kitschy Digitals
Clotheslines
Kawaii Cute Fruits Kit
Watercolor Doilies Paper Collection
Retro Kids

Splendid Fiins
Evidence Paper - coming soon
Evidence-journaling cards

Thanks for looking! -xo jenn

If you can't beat the heat ... stay in the water!

What a hot July it's been. Two weeks ago E had a week of all day soccer camp during the hottest week of the summer so far. Usually we see temps in the 100s in August, but this year that heat seems to have found us early. She handled it like a champ though ... and even managed to win a prize for speed dribbling during competitions. As soon as camp ended, we headed back down to the Jersey shore to meet up with family for a fun weekend. The heat hung around, so we hung in the pool.



I got to see my 3 yr old nephew swim his little heart out.


Last time he came to visit my house on Memorial Day weekend, he was still jumping in the pool with swimmies on. Now look at him.



He jumps in and swims without them. Just like the big kids. :)



Here he is with my sis-in-law (his mama). :)


It is super cute watching him try to keep his little head above water.


He is so proud of himself. It is just stinkin' A-dorable.


Uncle and K got fiesty in the pool.



K is about to be launched into the air.



In mid flight. (Fun, I remember my Dad doing this to me when I was his age. Sigh.)


And Nan and nephew share some moments in the pool.


Once Monday rolled around, and the weekenders head back home, that's when we like to hit the beach. (What can I say, I grew up near the beach and got spoiled when I learned that the weekdays on the sand and surf were slightly quieter.)


Another beach fort ... this time much closer to the surf ... so when high tide rolled in, they had a mini sand pool.


And of course ... they met more new friends to hang with for the day.



Tuesday we hit the bay side and rented some kayaks.



Wish I had some more photos. Photos of us actually in the kayaks. But I didn't have anything waterproof to store my iPhone in, so I left it in the car to be safe. So this is all I got.


Then we hit the boardwalk to get a slice of pizza and some ice cream. E wanted to ride the swings. Here she is with the Dad.

But it was way too hot on the boardwalk to stay for long. Besides there was no water! ;)

Pretty in Posies' Summer Sale continues, making Cherry Limeade

My Summer Sale is still going on! 30% off everything and anything in the shop! Just use coupon code Summer at checkout. Above is a new Mini Tri Cluster Felt Flower Hair Clip in Pretty Pastels. Or, if you prefer, have it made on a hair pin, like below. Don't you just love choices? Just about everything I make can be made with an alternate backing ... simply let me know what you need!


We've been back in the kitchen this week. This time we tried a simple fizzy beverage recipe found at She Wears Many Hats. I think I fell in love with her photography. Stunning!

The recipe looked like an easy one to do with the kids, and the best part, it was pretty much instant gratification. Kids like that. Me, oh, I can handle the wait. It's just the kids that have a hard time with that stuff.
Really.
really....
oh ok, I admit it.
I liked not having to wait too!


Some of the ingredients you will need. You can find the recipe here: Cherry Limeade.

E making the syrup!

K squeezing the limes.

Now they are both squeezing the limes.
A great stress reducing exercise, who knew?

I think the stress is gone, they look a bit more relaxed.



The syrup cooled, and we're adding all the ingredients into the pitcher.

And lastly, we add the magic fizz, club soda.

Garnish with a lime wedge!

And mmm.


mmmm. Good.