Stepping Back

My boss is very supportive of balance- well, when we're not on deadline which is fine. I expect one week of my month to be hectic. But, I've noticed a hectic trend in scrapping lately too. One pic, frame, ribbons, cardboard tucked in, stitches to "hold" that down, layers of multiple pages for texture...and I've been sucked in. My friend Nicole does amazing photography and simple layouts. They're so beautiful and the message is right there. No looking to make sure you saw everything. And I'm going to take a cue from her. I'm downloading some stuff from Little Dreamer Designs Apprentice Forum Freebies now in week 4 and am going to do simple layouts. The elements in these kits are amazing. Why can't they shine? I will find 1 page, 1 or 2 elements, and a photo or two or three to create simple layouts. I'm going to strive for 4 before we leave in a week for Spring Break. That's a good goal.

How's THAT for balance?!

I've Been SO Absent!

My job is keeping me more than busy. I'm so sorry guys. The economy being what it is and my time in life being that I need to do something for myself leaves less time for myself. I will learn my job and have time for myself but until then, the majority of my creative efforts are going to the magazine. I designed the March cover with a picture of Sawyer. The camp guide elements use my scrap talents as well.

Of course, I'm still doing my desk calendars. Here's February...

and for March (since I'm soooo looking forward to Spring Break)

I did spend the weekend with DST's scavenger hunt...that was frustrating and fun. I hated it until I'd figure out what I was looking for. I *met* lots of new designers and signed up for too many new sites. (i.e. I'm getting a bunch of new newsletters...)

Don't fear. I'm neglecting myself as well. I am in desperate need of a haircut which I can't coordinate between my schedule and my stylist's. I'll be back, soon, I promise. Just keep on me.

Buzzing

Have you heard the buzz? Over at Divine Digital, they're having a download a day each day in January! Included in this is Princess Lala herself. Okay, I admit, I haven't been using so much Princess Lala but we've had a rough few months but now it's a new year and we're all on board.



So, I did this fun layout using Princess Lala's Download a Day Paper, word art, tabs, and stitched swirl, Princess Lala Pink Sloppy Glitter Alpha and Princess Lala's Birthday Stamps (some extracted)

And now I think I'm (almost) ready to be halfway to 70...almost.

New Year!

I'm not sure what's going to go on with me in this here new year. Besides my book needing to be worked on, I found out that my grandpa, the one who I named Sawyer after, has cancer. Apparently it's on top of his kidney and hasn't spread, but you know how these things go. And this is the grandpa who was like a dad to me growing up. So, we'll see. I applied and was accepted for a guest CT gig with Christina Wall for January. I'm ready for some more challenge. But, I don't want to commit to anything either with everything so up in the air. There are some great designers out there who I wouldn't mind working with but I don't want to let them down either.

So now I'm back to creating. There have been some great freebies out there lately and I had to use some of them with this fun picture. Credits are in my DST gallery.

The other one I didn't get up was this one of my Bella-boo and niecey Olivia. The picture is so great, how can you not love it? Again, credits are at DST.

December Stuff

This was my creation for today. Journaling reads After getting the extras wrapped, I fell into bed at 12:45 am. I slept harder than I usually do but I clearly heard the footsteps above me. I listened for the voices of discovery. Bella found her dollhouse. Sawyer saw his bike. Santa had come. You came in to tell me the cookies were eaten and the milk was gone. Then I looked at the clock...it was 5:15 am. Credits in my DST or Scrapbook.com galleries.
My guys stargazing for shooting stars.

Happy New Year to all!

Christmas and a half!

One of my favorite sayings is Christmas and a half. And with the 25 days of Christmas photo challenge, I've got quite a bit to do. Admittedly, I'm combining a few of the days and getting creative with others. But, I'm also doing a lot. AND I got a book deal (not for scrapbooking, sadly) so I'm perusing that and wrapping up loose ends so I can punch it out before my self imposed March deadline. (the contract said my publication date is May '08.) So, I haven't been as good about getting layouts up here, but I have gotten them in my Scrapbook.com gallery and my DST one as well.

Here's the first of 3 that I've knocked out this week. My mother-in-law began teaching me about what it means to be family in a way that I wasn't used to, a way that made me feel totally welcome and loved. I cherish my family's stockings and tree skirt and had to share the story.

Next we went to see Santa. I found this kit FREE (ohmygosh!) and love it. I thought it was great for Christmas because it has the red for Santa but isn't glaring Christmas. That's just me, subtle.

And, last but not least, Bella and I made dough for the 13 clients we are taking cookies to as our thank you. She was sooo cute and so grown up. And, she did most of it herself!

Credits can be found in either of my galleries.

My New Year's resolution is to learn more about photography. People comment that I take great pictures. I think that's because I'm thinking about how they will look in a layout. But, there are people with more experience than me who can teach me to take better pictures, even if it's just for photo's sake. Sawyer has started taking my camera when he wants to shoot stuff which is fine but I'm so afraid he'll break it. He took it to his room the other night and when I couldn't find it in either of the normal places or any of the various secondary places, I was literally having a panic attack. Sad, huh? Ryan tried to tell me that my camera is just a posession and I shouldn't be so tied to it. In this season, especially, you're more aware of the fact that a camera is more than a possession, it's a legacy keeping tool.

If I don't get back to post again, happy holidays to each of you and I'll see you next year!

Figgy Pudding?

DST's December newsletter has an article about taking 25 days worth of holiday pictures. For fun, I'm trying to do as many as possible and now have many pages to do! I thought somewhere I saw something about the lyrics to your favorite Christmas carol but now I can not find that. I hate when my mind wanders. Despite having a favorite Christmas carol (Little Drummer Boy) I wanted to do something about my LEAST favorite carol. So I did. :)

All this was (if you can believe it) freebie from Blue Sandstone Designs' Blue Storm kit. LOVE IT!