Nov 15, 2011

Happy Days are Here Again

My daughter was recently invited to a 50's costume birthday party. Unfortunately she couldn't attend because she had a soccer game, but it got my mind thinking about why the 50's iconography is so popular. There is something so fun, carefree and unburdened about the soda shop, jukebox and days of saddle shoes :) A time when everything seemed a little simpler, slower paced and more innocent. I guess that is why I love the Echo Park Good Times collection so much:
The colors in this collection are just right up my alley too. We don't do a lot of sock hopping or soda jerking these days, but there is one family activity we do that reminds me of 50's memorabilia--bowling! I remember bowling as a kid and having fun doing it, but I wasn't sure our kids would get such a kick out of it. Turns out they love it. I couldn't believe that even bowling alleys are pretty high tech these days--score keeping is digital and you can make bumpers rise each time it is a kid's turn! My kids each have a special way of getting the ball to the pins:
Little Miss does the roll between the legs move. Little Man? He literally tosses the ball from a standing position. I am afraid he is going to dent the alley and we will be banned from bowling for good lol! In any case everyone has a good time.
But this collection just isn't for bowling layouts lol--that WOULD be a specialty collection wouldn't it? I also used Good Times for this layout:
I figured the circular patterned paper (does anyone call it a circular anymore??) was perfect for the motherhood theme. Did you notice that I placed the layout off center so that you could see the "Mom's Malt Shop ad? ;)
I know I probably say this every time, but this really IS my favorite Echo Park collection ever. So versatile and fun, happy colors and cute graphics. But it is November 15th and it was definitely time to break into the holiday spirit. What better way to do that than find your favorite Christmas or Winter collection. Are you more a fan of the traditional colors in Seasons Greetings or a more wintery collection like Winter Park? My fav is Holly Holly Christmas:
I love the addition of pinks and aquas to brighten up Christmas colors and I like the cutesy graphics. I got the entire collection kit and the 6x6 paper pack. And I used them to create my first Christmas gift tag:
I stitched 2 pieces from the 6x6 pad onto a manila tag (inked all the edges with red chalk ink) and then added some stickers from the collection kit. The little present is popped up with Therm O Web 3D Zots. And I added another 3D Zot dipped in chunky glitter with some thin wire made to look like a Christmas tree ornament.

Have you started or, ahem, finished your Holiday cards? Now that I have a Christmas collection I love, I guess I better get cracking. Hopefully I'll be able to share some next time! Until then, have a great week!
♥Rebecca

10 comments:

  1. wow!! these projects are amazing Rebecca!! this second layout is my fav!! way to go!!

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  2. OH WOW!! These are absolutely AMAZING Rebecca!! Love this line too!

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  3. You are rocking the Echo Park!! I just love he bowling layout, so much fun. My kids love to bowl, too. And your layout about Me Time is perfect. It makes me want to do a similar themed page, great idea!!

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  4. Gosh the colours in these ranges are gorgeous! I looove what you've created here, especially two very different 'themed' layouts from the one range! x

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  5. Every year I say that I should make my own gift tags and I never do. Your Christmas tag makes me want to go play with paper!

    ANd you sure got creative with the Happy Days collections! Love the pages... that bowling page rocks!

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  6. These are totally cool REbecca I love thw 50's style especially in that first one!

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  7. These layouts are so awesome!! I didn't think I like the Happy Days collection until I saw your layouts! LOVE the way you did the title on the bowling layout!

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  8. love that kit and those LO's are so bold and bright and fabulously designed! love them!! :)

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