Obviously, I've been doing a bit of Digital Scrapbooking this week. I've uploaded several files to JessicaSprague.com as I'm applying for their 2010 creative team. *fingers crossed*
Journey to the past that is. We took these photos of our boys in the fall of 2007 at our annual family photo shoot before General Conference. Oh man, did they ever grow up! It is fun to remember how little they were. Time flies when you are having fun... or really busy. *wink*
The boys were lookin pretty good one Sunday after church and we just had to capture the moment. Happy Boys, Happy Spring, Happy Day!
Each summer we pick a day to spend in Milwaukee at Lake Michigan. Sun, Waves, Sand and picnic food-doesn't get any better than that! We top the day off with waffle-cones from Omega Burger filled with Custard. It is the BEST day of the summer.
I am a journal-er. Let's just get that out in the open. Truth be told, I've been doing it for awhile rather habitually. I am a creature that thrives on goals and has to be careful what I set out to do. On April 29, 1990, at the lovely age of 8, I asked my father what day it was. I then proceeded to tell him that from now on was going to write in my journal every day- and I have. Coincidentally this month will be my 20 year anniversary of this habit we call journal-ing. 
If you ever want to keep your self busy, I recommend taking on your church's play group, all by your self. I designed a play group called "Play Pals". We met once a week back when my oldest boys were only one and two. We would often meet at a park or sometimes we would hit the road and visit our local zoo, get ice cream or have some other crazy adventure. To feel official I got on to Illustrator and created a manual using my own illustrations. Each week we had a theme and one or two coloring pages / activity pages. I also created a brochure, schedule and other weekly handouts using my drawings and Adobe Illustrators. Each week I also e mailed out reminders including a PDF of and invitation to the specific activity and time. This image shows part of a display I put together at our church building.
Birthdays and holidays get all the attention. Let's take a moment to celebrate the desserts that make these days delicious. Here's a little eye-candy for you.
What can I say, my man loves carrot cake. Orange frosting was a must for
What is Memorial Day without Watermelon, right? Inside this beauty is a pink, strawberry cake speckled with mini-chocolate chips. The kids *loved* it.
This image does not do justice to these paintings Avast! I made these for my boys. They currently hang in the nursery along side a large painting of Noah's Ark. You've just got to love animals, animals, animals!
Beautiful! Not the drawing, though it is nice. What I really like is that it is of my little sister Wendy. (One of three sisters I have). They are beautiful girls inside and out. I did this for my sister after she got married. She had a reception a month later and I surprised her with this.
This is done using the good-old "Bottled Green" Nu-Pastel. ( A college favorite. ) I was fortunate enough to study under Robert Barrett at Brigham Young University. What a treasure to get to sit for three hours a day and just draw. Those were simpler times. Or are these? Hard to say. I guess they were just different.
To quilt or not to quilt, that is the question. The answer is YES! This is a snap-shot of baby Joshua's first quilt. I have only created three quilts so far, but find it to be completely fascinating! I've had my sewing machine for just over a year now and just love it. The other day I mentioned to my mother, a fabulous seamstress, that I think this just might be in my blood. I have two sisters who have been sewing for years. My mother created all of our prom dresses and the wedding dresses of the three daughters that are married. I never took to sewing when I lived at home. I think it is something I had to learn on my own. It is wonderful to teach oneself a new trick, with a little help from friends! I'm always so proud of myself when I get out the sewing machine manual and figure out the solution to my own problem. I guess life may be the same way. We grow the most when we find ways of working out our problems instead having someone else fi everything for us. I must say I am super glad to have so many people to turn to when things turn sour though!
Love Rocks, yes it does!! To make sure that it stays that way I like to make a special gift to give to special friends before their special day- a rock.
It is amazing how a little package design goes a long way! A love rock is a rock that I paint to coordinate with a theme. This box has a "Love " theme, however, themes I have done have varied far from such a traditional route. Themes I have done include: tropical, autumn, sun flowers, forever yours, and fish. I know, who knew fish could be so romantic!?!
Welcome to the village! A passion for working with my hands and attention to detail brought about this peculiar project. As a girl my little friend Kelly introduced me to the world of polymer clay. That is where this village began. The older I've gotten the more ideas I get. If you look closely this image shows you the characters from Cinderella. (Disregard the Doctor and his wife and baby sprawled out on the ground in front of them...). From left to right we have Cinderella in her work clothes, followed by the Fairy God Mother, Prince Charming, Cinderella in her gown, the two step sisters and the Step Mother.
This gives you an idea of the size I'm working with. Why are they so small you might ask. When I was 12 I didn't have much cash and a limited supply of clay. Solution, smaller people! I guess it just stuck. This is King Arthur, the Princess and Lancelot.
Most of these little creatures are tucked away. However, I always looke forward to bringing out this Nativity before Christmas.
I saw something like this in a charming little shop in Sun Prairie called "A Day in the Country". I could not get the idea out of my head, so I got busy. Using baby food jars, mod-podge and tissue paper I was able to put this together. The images I found in a magazine and felt they were perfect for the job! Inside each jar is a battery-candle.
Merry Christmas! Well, actually I started this project in November for Christmas... and picked it up again in January. I guess you could say I'm way ahead for next year. This advent calendar hands on a 16x20 canvas. Using favor boxes from Michaels, "Stampin' Up" stamps, paper, ribbon and mod-podge this project was a delight. I cannot wait until the Holidays come around again and I can feel these boxes with candy, ornaments, carols to sing, or stories to tell!
Behold the power of clear labels! I love to make gifts for friends and family. I also cherish homemade gifts. My dad once gave me a little train he made on a lathe with wood from our lillac tree growing up. I cried. (I don't think he was expecting that...) This is a great way to make a personalized gift and I always have the supplies on hand.
I use pre-cut wood, which is available at most craft stores, Avery clear full sheet labels, ribbons or other embellishments and I like to finish off the edges with a little sepia ink pad and a dauber. Using Adobe Illustrator work with a favorite quote to lay it out just the way I like. Adjusting colors, sizes and fonts is what really makes it fun. After I have it just how I like it I push "print". After carefully cutting out each word I gently peel of the back of the label and stick the word in place. It is not vinyl so don't expect it to weather the elements, but it does make a nice gift. 
This one was for Wendy. Adjust the spacing and it says "Wendy Our Way"- and that's the way we like her! *smile*
