Urban Scrapbook's Monthly Layout

This year, despite our horrible weather, seems to be flying by.  I am posting my Urban Scrapbook Monthly Challenge layout today, but realized that I haven't shown my March one!
I'm starting off with my layout from April's kit, which is available for purchase at the store:

In this kit, the papers, metallic flowers, buttons, and clothespins are from Prima's Engraver collection.  There's also some American Craft letters, ribbon, and wood embellishments.  I think I'm addicted to Stampendous Aged Embossing Enamel!  I used the Black color for my wood ring border and the edge of my paper circle.  These embossing enamels have flecks of gold in with the color and they are quite chunky.  The store has all the colors now, so I think I need a few more!  Sorry, I didn't take a close-up photo of the embossing to show how cool it looks.
My paper flowers were cut out with Sizzix's Tattered flower Decorative Strip and Sizzix's Flower with Heart Petals.  The black die-cut with circles was cut out with Crafter's Workshop Circle template.
My layout this month is about my oldest son who was born the day after my birthday.  He wasn't supposed to arrive for another two weeks, I guess he couldn't wait!

Here is my layout for the March Monthly kit:

 Love the papers in this kit!  They were all from Authentique's "Renew" collection. There were also some Prima Flowers, metal flowers, wood Maya Road birds, burlap ribbon, and corrugated letters (cut out from Sizzix's "Word Play" Alphabet Bigz die.  The window, shutters, flower sprigs and circles with swirls are all cut out with Memory Box dies.  My wood birds were embossed with Ranger's Antiquities Verdigris embossing powder, and while hot, a rubber stamp pressed into the melted powder.  I then lightly applied white paint to the edges and raised areas.  This kit was really popular, it sold out the first week!  On Urban's website, there is a gallery where you can find all the design team's monthly layouts. There is lots of inspiration and gorgeous layouts to look at!

I've been a little distracted this past month.  Some of you that know me, know that our daughter is on a television show that started airing in March, called "Fashion Star".  It is a reality show for Fashion Designers, and every week one is eliminated.  Tomorrow night is week 5 and Cassandra is still in it!  Every week the designers are asked to design two outfits, and there are three "buyers"; Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Express, who bid on the clothes if they like them.  If a designer doesn't get a sale, then they are up for elimination.  After the show airs, the clothes are for sale online from the store that bid on them.  It's been pretty exciting for our family and everyone gathers at our house Friday nights for the show!  And then after the show is over, we watch it again! lol!  Let's hope she makes it through again tomorrow night!

Have a great weekend,

Jan