As a general rule, titles are not my strength.  They are generally an after thought.  I am trying to make a better effort with them but I still fall short in so many areas concerning them! 

 I contemplated not even adding a title for the above layout but decided it still needed a little something extra.  What I love most about the title is the awesome thickers that I used.  They were 1.49 at Marshalls! Score! I went back and bought a few more packets. (we have discussed hoarding in past entries...my tendencies creep back up occasionally!) For the rest of the layout I used Sassafras for the paper and stickers, Prima for the flowers and the stars and brads are MM.

While it looks like I am majorly full of myself in this layout I would like to explain that coming to grips with the fact that I am now 40 has been more difficult than I expected! So.....this layout is really more of a pep talk than anything else! Plus I keep reminding myself that 40 is fabulous!

a couple new layouts to share

You know when you have those layouts and you really love how they turn out.  This is one of those.  I think what I love most about it is that all of the Mickey, Minnie & Pluto pics are cut from a mini calendar. The patterned paper is from Recollections and the colors went perfectly with the characters that I cut out.  I think that part of the reason why I love this layout so much is because it is different than what I normally do.  Just having fun, playing around and stretching  myself creatively. I am toying with the idea of adding a title though. I can't decide.  I think that I am going to let it sit a while and see what I think after a couple of days. 

 I also added some grungeboard, washi tape and the stars are from a swap that I did forever ago.

 For the Merida layout I used kraft paper and Basic Grey. Stayed pretty close to my normal style with this one but I still really like the way it turned out.  I love the picture...hanging out with Merida was so much fun! She is a wonderful addition to the Disney Princess family!

Happy Valentines Day!

Wishing everyone a wonderful day! Last night I picked up the kids Krispy Kreams donuts in the shape of hearts (they looked better than they tasted)  and they each got a Skylander.  Hubby and I bought a couch last week so that was our Valentine to each other.  After almost 19 years of marriage and  that is what it has come to. LOL.  One of the best Valentines by far for me this week is from my folks...my dad is making a bench for my mud room and my mom is painting the mud room! Yay.  The last room in the house that needed to be painted.  I wish that I could help but I have been working this week. I will post pics as soon as it  is done.  Kinda regretting the fact that I didn't take before pictures.  I am so blessed to have such an amazing family!  

Sophia made this heart with pastels on the sidewalk at her school.  Have a wonderful day!

Just for Fun

I had today off and the kids were at Grandma's house so I figured I would take advantage and get some scrappy time in.  All in all, a successful day.  I managed to clean my computer desk, do all the household chores and complete a layout.  I went a little girlie with this one and really had fun! 

 I have been using kraft paper alot lately and I love this paper from The Paper Company. I bought a 25 pack for 2$ at Big Lots! Needless to say, I bought 4 packs! If they still have some next time I am there I may pick up a few more.  I have a little bit of a paper problem!

 The paper items and stickers are Sassafras, the flowers are Prima and the brads are MM.

 I also added a little bling add a few buttons.  I have no idea the manufacturer of either. Slowly and surely I am working through my stash!

 I had toyed with the idea of adding a little paint splatter but I was not brave enough.  I love how it looks on layouts that I have seen but that's a big jump for me...maybe next time! LOL

Have a great week everyone!

Blog like Someone is Reading

Or, fake it till ya make it!  Ultimately, I blog to share ideas with my fellow scrappers.  I am not a terribly fancy scrapbooker and most of my layouts take at the most an hour to complete.  I know that there are others out there like me...those that don't have huge chunks of  time to devote but still want to create. While I marvel and enjoy those scrapbook artists that churn out absolute pieces of art...I just don't have the talent or time.  I have been pouring over other scrapbooker's blogs to try to find a sense of where I wanted to take mine.  I still haven't figured it out and that's OK.  I am going to continue to blog like I know what I am doing and maybe one these days I will figure it out! LOL

 I am still on the search for the perfect place to shoot my layouts.  The layout on top was shot indoors and it has a light yellow hue.  For reference I posted the actual file from one of the pics in the layout. Yep, just a little different!  Back to the drawing board .

I shot this layout in the backyard and I like the way it turned out.  The problem with that, is the small window of time where the sun is shining in that exact spot is very short and generally I am at work.  Ideally, I would like to find a spot that is nearly 24 hr ready.  Thankfully, I stumbled across a blog that had some helpful hints and I am going to try them out...first I need to buy several more lamps!
So, in conclusion: I will continue to find my way in the blogging world, share my love of scrapbooking and hopefully give a few people a couple ideas here and there along the way!

getting a clear picture

One of my biggest problems with sharing my layouts online is the fact that I haven't figured out the best place to take them yet. In my old place I had and amazing spot but I haven't been able to locate a suitable locale thus far at the new house.  We have been here over a year and I am still struggling with it!

 Taking a photograph of this layout proved to be less than satisfactory but I lack the patience to wait for a better time.  One of the things that drives me crazy is the fact that they look so much better in person. I wish that I could capture a better image.  I may have to break down and start scanning them again!

 This blog has been part of a journey for me.  I am trying to gain my footing and find the best way to express myself. I have been trying not to over think this blog thing. I am just trying to enjoy the process.

 I suppose the biggest thing that I would like to gain form this is a new level to my scrapbooking.  I do not want to grow stagnate or lose the passion that I have for this craft.  I want to continue to stretch and try new things.  I guess that's what it comes down to... my blog is a vehicle for creativity.  For cultivating my scrapbooking and helping  bring it to the next level.  Even if not everything translates as well, I am still going to continue to share and push myself to grow as an artist.

 Here are a couple close ups.  Trying to get better about showing the details.  I painted the cb circles with a gel crayon from Faber Castell.  I love them! The flowers are from various sources, the patterned paper is Autumn Leaves, the arrow is Tim Holz and the other paper additions are from Sassafras.

Thanks for checking them out and have a happy weekend!

Playing Catch Up

In general, I am in a constant state of playing catch up.  Taking a break from my Disney layouts to finally scrapbook these pics from last Christmas.  Yep,  Over a year old and I have plenty more where they came from.  Thankfully, I do not get to hung up on the fact that I have several hundred pictures awaiting to be scrapped.  I have found that if I allow a little time to pass it helps me focus on just the keepers.   I can weed through the less than stellar photos and just share my favorites.  The following layout is a perfect example.  I have plenty of pictures of my sweet German Wirehair Pointer Bella but, I did not want to devote an entire album to this one event.  I really needed to narrow it down to a 1 page layout.  Thanks to the passage of time I was able to get a better feeling for how I wanted the layout to go and I felt that just 2 pictures would work the best.  I have only recently come to this epiphany.  When I first started scrapbooking, I scrapped everything! We've already discussed the result of that...over 50 completed albums! (truth be told, it's probably closer to 60 now) 

Wish Come True

For this layout, I was inspired by a layout that I saw on the ckmb.  At this point I can't recall her name but I always admire her work.  There are so many talented gals over there! She added strips of different colored patterned paper which prompted me to do the same in the left hand corner.  I also included ribbons, fibers and a few snowflakes from MM.  The patterned paper is form a MME Christmas stack, the sicker letters are Sassafras and the journal square is Basic Grey.   

Have a wonderful day!

A New Addition

My mom and dad picked up this desk for me from a yard sale.  I love it! Such a fun addition to my scrapbook room.  I haven't really done a lot of work on it yet.  Just cleaned it up with Murphy's oil and  then added  orange oil to nourish it.  The wood was very dry.  I am not sure how old the desk actually is.  

Underneath the seat it has a stamp from the local high school.  I can't imagine these actually being used in the classroom.  I have paint in the picnic basket and the large basket underneath the seat holds my ongoing albums.  As you can see the large jar on top has ribbon.

Little by little I add and tweak to my scrapbook room.  It is an ever evolving process.   The next big thing that I want to change is the computer desk that sits at the left of this little desk.  It is in a constant state of clutter and disarray and I really need to get a handle on it!  One of these days, one of these days.  Till then.  I will work and putter, tweak and change till I get things just the way I like them.   Maybe one of these days I will even post this eyesore of a desk that I am currently sitting at while I type this.

I hold onto things

O.K, I'll admit it.  When it comes to my beloved scrapbook stash I find it difficult to part with things.  I don't necessarily think of myself as a hoarder but, there are times when I shake my head and wonder what I was thinking. Often I have a "gotta get'em all" mentality. As a result of my inability to sufficiently clean out my stash I have been forcing myself to actually use what I have on hand and only buy the basics, like adhesive and cardstock.  Every once in a while my resolve weakens and I cave but, only if I find a "too good to be true, can't possibly pass up" kinda deal.   For the most  part however, I have remained strong, proudly plowing through my stash with great pluck and determination.  I genuinely love the feeling that I get when I use an item that I have had forever . It feels like I have accomplished something.  Oh, the little things! 

 for the Say Cheese layout: Bazzill for the cardstock, I think the patterned paper is Autumn Leaves, the brads are MME, the cb letters are American Crafts and I am unsure of the fiber.

 This fiber is a great case of using an item that I have had forever! Remember when we were all collecting fibers by the truckload?

Redwood Creek Challenge: Bazzill, star paper is colorbok, the stickers are Sassafras, the brads are MME, and the metal plate is MM.

Just Be Yourself

One of the things that many scrapbookers ponder is the notion of their personal scrapbook style.  I have questioned and searched out my own personal style for almost as many years as I have been scrapbooking.  I guess one of the concerns I have always had is that I didn't want all of my layouts to look identical,  but at the same time...I don't want them to look like anyone elses either.  I want them to look all mine.  I try to let the photos dictate each individual layout but overall they have a similar feeling.  I suppose that's what it's all about .  To be true to myself and create from the heart.

 For the layout entitled: Now Wait  I used the following supplies: Bazzill for the card stock, the stickers are Sassafras, the flowers Basic Grey, the brads MME and the metal plate that reads imagine is MM.

 For the Tower of Terror layout I tried to evoke a feeling from the year of the towers supposed hey day.

 I added a little whimsy with the brad Mickey and I added the frame in the next picture because it felt like an art deco piece.  The stamps and other stickers are Graphic 45, the brads are MME, the flowers are Prima and the cardstock is Bazzill.  I am not sure who manufactured the patterned paper.

 

Creative Energy

Sometimes my creative energy is brimming over & I can't wait to create-other times however, not so much.  I don't need to be in a manic state of constant creative chaos, just a steady flow or constant trickle would do nicely.  Thankfully lately my creativity has been flowing nicely.  A fresh set of pics is always helpful!

 The beauty of scrapbooking is that we have multiple creative outlets to explore: photography, artistry of creating the layouts as well as the written word.  A cornucopia of creative options! One of the many reasons that I love this craft!
Lately I haven't been very good about recording my supplies.  Partly because I have been trying to use up my stash and  many of the items that I have been using are 5 years or older!

For the above layout I used Bazzill as the base, the border stickers are Sassafras, the fabulous flowers are Basic Grey and the brads are MME.

For the Toontown layout I used:  Bazzill as the base, border sticker is Sassafras, flowers are Basic Grey, keys are MM and the journal tags are Basic Grey.
Have an amazing week!

One page or two?

One of the dilemmas that I face with my scrapbooking is whether I want to do a double or a single page layout.  I used to be a die hard double page girl but after moving and carting all of those albums to the new house, I decided that  maybe I should rethink things!  So, I forced myself to pick only my favorite photos and streamline my layouts so they are mostly singles.  I still do the occasional double but for the most part I stick with singles.  They take up less space that way and I am still recording the memories!

 For the above LO I had 5 pictures that I wanted to use.  I toyed with the notion of creating a 2 pager but I decided that I could fit them all on to one.  I am happy with the way things turned out.  The title is difficult to see in the picture here  but it says:  Riding the Rails.  We rode the train about a hundred times this last trip!

I am in love with this washi tape!  The tape measure motif goes with so many of my LOs.....a new favorite!
Have a great weekend all!