Confessions Of A Scrapaholic

Busted

The weather has turned cold. The leaves are changing colors. You can see your breath first thing in the morning. The heater is turning on at night. Yes, fall is here, and I am definitely in the spirit. I have an overwhelming urge to put up some fall decorations. Our new sofa table arrived this weekend and I am just itching to decorate it.

One thing we did do was BOO our neighbors this weekend. You may or may not have heard of this fun Halloween activity. It is definitely going to be a yearly tradition at our house. Heather Ann put together a darling little kit last fall and I have wanting to BOO someone ever since I saw it. Now that we live in a neighborhood with children I was all over it. Zoë and I had an absolute blast BOOing our neighbors. The first house did not go so well. We waiting until it was almost completely dark then set out to sneak through the neighborhood. Would you believe that just as we were getting to our neighbors house they came outside?!? ACK! What are the chances? (Especially since they have little ones like we do.) Zoë and I tried hiding behind the bushes, but Zoë thought it would be hilarious to yell BOO! and (shockingly) they suspected that someone was lurking outside their house. LOL! So, house one, we totally got busted. The BOOing at house two went off without a hitch. You should have seen Zoë run like the wind after I rang the doorbell. That girl can move! I have no idea if they will actually continue to BOO chain since they have teenagers, but Zoë insisted that we BOO them. We shall see...

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Now for some layouts. Heather Ann released 30+ quick pages last week. Thirty! I could not be any happier. I cannot tell you how many layouts of hers I have lifted, OK blatantly copied, over the years. I was thrilled to see that she created these quick pages which are inspired by her own layouts. (Many of which I was already planning to lift.) So many quick pages I find are a bit too fru-fru for me, you know? These are perfection. And I got these all done in about three hours on Friday. Nice.

First up are my two favorites. These will be the yearly section headers for Zoë's School of Life album. I have been waiting to start her album because I was looking for the perfect kit and/or design for the cover page. Done and done. Now I just need to decide on a design for the two other sections (one 2pg. spread for all of the school related activities of the year and one 2pg. spread for family activities of the year.)

These 4th of July layouts also make me very happy. They have been sitting in my "to scap" pile for years. I am pairing these simple layouts with a 6-up page filled with the rest of the photos from the day. It makes me beyond happy to have these done.

And now some other random cute layouts. I love these photos of Zoë and Charlee. It's too bad that she doesn't like babies. LOL!

And since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I will leave you with this completely random bit of information. When I was at my OB check up last week she told me that a new study was released showing that taking 2,000 IU of Vitamin D everyday + 12 minutes of sunshine can decrease your chance of breast cancer by 40%. That in addition to all of the other wonderful health benefits. Amazing. Go get youself some vitamins, ladies!

Well, Hello There!

Miss me? Remember how I mentioned that Miss Eden is a very sleepy baby? Well, that has passed now. :) She is as sweet as can be, and loves to be held...during all her waking hours. Not that I am complaining. She isn't going to be this tiny for long and I am going to enjoy each moment. Of course that means less time for posting, but that is OK. She especially loves her Daddy. When I am holding her she likes to be entertained. When Kelly is holding her she just sucks on her binky and stares at him intently. It is darling. Babies simply adore him, which is funny because he is not really a huge baby fan. (Except ours of course.)

Eden has been increasingly miserable the last week and a half. She has been so gassy and nothing seems to help. We tried different bottles which only made her worse, Mylecon which she spits out, and I have been eating very bland foods to try and reduce her gas. Nothing seems to be helping though. She has her one month check up tomorrow which I am very thankful for. I hate feeling so helpless. The only thing that seems to comfort her is holding her vertically....hence the non-posting. Poor baby.

I had visions of getting so much accomplished while our nanny, Becky, is helping around the house. Not so much. Do you know what I do? Sleep. Exciting, yes? She picks Zoë up from school and after lunch we take a nap while Becky tends to Eden. I hate napping. Well, I take that back. I like napping, but sleep seems like such a waste of time. I could be getting so much accomplished... like scrapbooking. Hehehe. I did get one layout finished up the other day before Eden started getting so fussy. This is one of the first assignments for the Design You Life class I am taking at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It is being taught by Cathy Zielske, designer extraordinaire. I love her work. But I am a clean and simple girl, so that really shouldn't be much of a shocker.

I have lots of other pages in the works. (Around ten sitting 90% done on my desktop. Does anybody else do that?) Hopefully I will have some free hands soon and can finish them up. Then I can share my exciting news!

The Best Issue of CK in Years

On average, it takes me about ten-fifteen minutes to flip through a scrapbooking magazine (with the exception of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine because I read that from cover to cover). I tear out the projects and layouts that inspire me, then off they go into the recycling bin. However, the July issue of Creating Keepsakes just rocked my socks off. It is FILLED with gorgeous layouts and projects, excellent tips and tricks. I think I may actually be keeping this magazine in its entirety. I haven't done that in years (unless one of my layouts is in them, LOL!)

I adore almost all of Becky Higgin's sketches. Her style is so clean and simple. I truly believe it will stand the test of time. I spend last night creating this layout from her July sketch. I love how I was able to incorporate so many photos without making the layout look cluttered. These photos had been sitting, waiting to be scrapped for a year because I wanted to include all of them and couldn't quite figure out how. Problem solved.

Click HERE for credits.

What else? The "Album Express" article by Elizabeth Kartchner was fantastic. I have been a fan of using different sized page protectors ever since I saw Ali Edward's Life Book in an issue of CK. The pages are so cool and go together in a snap (so I assume, I have yet to actually do anything but collect different page protectors). I liked Elizabeth's take on the idea. She uses a bit more color to embellish. My favorite idea? Using a three hole punch and punching through the page protector AND photo and attaching ribbon. Genius! And it looks soooo cute.

Last, and certainly not least, Tiffany Tillman's tip on the very last page of the issue, pg.112... The last page before the 50 or so pages of ads that is. Does that drive you crazy about CK too? I digress. LOVE her tip about adding cute accent characters using printables downloaded from the internet. That is PURE GENIUS! Now I finally know how I am going to accent all of my family movie night layouts. Thank you Tiffany!

That's all for now. I am off to finish preparing for Zoë's birthday party tomorrow. We are holding it at Jump Planet. I've never been there before but it sounds like kiddie heaven. Should be fun.

Happy First Day of Summer! Bring on the sun!

This Might Be A Record

I scrapped FOUR pages yesterday in about two hours. That is unheard of for me. I am one of the slowest scrappers around. I get my pages 95% done, then just fiddle with them for hours on end. Anybody with me on that? I used layouts from Traci Murphy's Sunny Afternoon Quick Page Album (resized to 12x12) and was able to cross about 1/2 of my 2007 lake pictures off the to-scrap list. Love it. Even better? The album is on sale at Funky Playground Designs right now for $1.00. I intentionally did not journal on some of the layouts because I am going to do that in my own handwriting (using this awesome pen) after they are developed. Take a peek...

That's all for now. Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend!

Scrapbooking Goodness, As Promised

I have been a scrapping machine lately. Granted, the pages I am going to show you are from the last two or so weeks, but still. That is more than I scrapped in the past six months. I love having my mojo back. Specifically, I love not being stressed out about all the photos I haven't scrapped. My most important stories are being told and favorite photos shared, that is what counts.

This is actually a digi-redo layout. The first page wasn't terrible (it wasn't pretty, but it wasn't terrible) but it didn't fit with my birthday plan. I am using this template for all of Zoë's birthday layouts and someday it will make the most darling coordinated mini album, don't you think? Next year I may be wild and rotate the template. Hehehe. Click HERE for credits.

These are some of my favorite photos of me and Zoë. Kelly did a good job. :) Actually he was THRILLED to take the pictures. That meant that he didn't have to do any actual ice skating with us. This is one of our new holiday traditions and he is not a fan, so he can be the photographer. I also like looking at my former skinny self. Who knew I was about a week pregnant in those pictures? Not me! Click HERE for credits.

More holiday pictures. I had to scrap the story of our Christmas elf, Flea. It is a complete and total lift (read: blatant copy) of this fabulous layout by Heather, but I just love it. And you too can duplicate this page in moments using her Quick Fill Template. (I would save so much money if I was on her CT. Ha!) Click HERE for credits.

Brace yourselves for this. Here is a PAPER layout! I know! I have always said that I wouldn't go back to the dark side but when I saw this little kit at the CK Portland convention I had to buy it and scrap my cutie patootie nephew, Brodie. That little dude knows all there is to know about dinosaurs, and their names. (Remember when there were only about ten dinosaurs?) I think it turned out darling but the entire time I was making it I kept thinking, "Why would anyone do this? Look at this mess!"

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Now this isn't actually scrapbooking related, but it is kind of crafty so I thought I would share. I whipped up some quick teacher gifts for Zoë's preschool teachers the other night. All year long we have been scanning her artwork and doing two things: 1) Uploading it to her online gallery and 2) Resizing them to 4x6 and having prints made, which I slide into 6-Up page protectors in her School of Life album.

To create these note cards I resized three of her "masterpieces" (as we call them) and dropped them onto a white canvas then uploaded them to Shutterfly. I ordered one set of 12 note cards in each design. When I receive them tomorrow I am going to divide the cards so that Zoë's three teachers get four of each design. The entire process took about twenty minutes. I think these would also be great as a grandparent gift.

Enough Time

I have added one of my new favorite quotes to the blog to serve as a constant reminder to me. Let's say it (or read it) together shall we?

"There is exactly enough time to scrapbook your most important memories." -Stacy Julian

That is SO true. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed out when I found out I was pregnant. Why? In my head I was seeing a clock ticking down. I had only nine months to get caught up on all of my Zoë pictures! If I couldn't get a handle on her photos what on earth was I going to do when I had two little ones to document and scrapbook?!? ACK!

I can't say enough wonderful things about the Library of Memories class. I think the most valuable lesson I have learned is that my family will love my scrapbooks, whether ever single photo is included or not. The purpose is not to scrapbook every single photo (who actually has time to do that anyway?) The purpose is to tell the stories that are important to me and to my family.

Originally, I had intended to scrapbook every night and get caught up on all my Zoë photos. I was determined. That was not realistic, obviously (I blame the hormones) and it completely zapped my creativity. Now I am focusing on scrapbooking my favorite memories from the past few years. I have a list of layouts that I want to have completed by the end of summer. It is not a long list because I want to scrap the most important memories. Plus, if my list gets too long I will just get overwhelmed. I know that I am not going to be caught up, probably ever, and I am totally OK with that.

I finished up this layout today during Zoë's nap. (I copied the journaling straight from my blog entries last year. Easy peasy.) It has been on my To-Do list since last summer when I took these pictures and somehow I kept getting distracted. No more! This is one story that absolutely must be told.

Credits coming soon.

Jelly Beans and Organization

OK, so I didn't make it back as quickly as I had intended to. Isn't that the way it always goes? It has been gorgeous here, and there are just so many other things to do besides sit at the computer when the weather is nice. Today it is raining, so I'm blogging. ;)

California was beautiful. I remember my brother complaining about living down there once because blue skies and sunny weather all the time was too boring. Boo flipping hoo. I loved it. It was the perfect temperature, mid seventies and fabulous, which was a good thing because Zoë could have spent all her time lining up and throwing rocks into the pond in the backyard.

We didn't of course. We went to the Jelly Belly factory for a tour while we were there. Every kid's dream right? It was at first, but then we took the actual tour. Here's a little tidbit for you. On the weekend the factory isn't running, you just stop and look at the video monitors and they show a little clip about how jelly beans are made. Not thrilling. That paired with the hat that you must wear in the factory gave Zoë a little meltdown. Nice.

Who has a tantrum in a candy factory, I ask you? Actually, I am glad it happened. That was the second day in a row that Miss Zoë had not had a nap, and she clearly needed one. It confirmed my suspicions. She is a completely different child when she doesn't nap and she needs one every day.  Today after I dropped Zoë off at preschool I visited the school she will be attending this fall and moved her from the full day class to the half day class. As much as I would like for her to be in school all day (that would be such a help with a new baby) her little body is simply not ready for it. I cannot imagine the holy terror she would be if she wasn't napping. Eek!

Last weekend we moved Zoë into her new room and she loves it. In fact, when she moved I didn't bother putting the child knob on the door and she has been staying in there during bed time and for the most part nap time as well! Apparently I wasn't giving her enough credit. While Zoë was at preschool today I got to work cleaning out the closet in her new room. When it was the guest room that is where miscellaneous crap ended up. Her closet is looking fabulous now, but unfortunately I can't say the same thing about the nursery at the moment. That is OK though. I have until next Tuesday to straighten things up for the painters. I am using these organizers in Zoë's closet. They work amazingly well for self dressing. I put one outfit in each cubbie hole so that Zoë can choose an outfit and dress herself. Score one for Mommy. Now I am on the lookout for a some of canvas bins that will fit inside the cubbies for socks, jammies, etc.

I've got a couple layouts to share before I go. This one is going in Zoë's "School of Life" album. Have you heard about those? It is another brilliant album dreamed up by Stacy Julian. I love her work. She is so inspiring. I have really been enjoying the Library of Memories class. I will explain more about the "School of Life" album next time, Zoë is waking up from her nap. Chao!

Credits coming soon.

Wow, looking at these two layouts together it seems that I am favoring the cream-red combination the last couple days. :) This one I am not entirely sure I am happy with. I have fiddled with it forever so I think I am going to let it sit for a while.

Credits coming soon.

Seven Random Things

I was tagged a while back by my friend Cathy and I took some time to think of seven remotely interesting random things. (Trust me, it is a good thing I had time to think about this otherwise you would have heard all about the contents of my desk.) Here we go...

1. I only drink purified water. Well, lets say 98% of the time. The water here is fluoridated and so we have had water delivered for the past three years. (Call me a crazy hippie. No way am I drinking the stuff.)  Even when we travel to other non-fluoridated places, I still won't drink the water. What can I say? I am spoiled. Even as I sit here typing I am soooo thirsty, but Kelly is out of town and our water cooler is empty. It's a good thing his flight gets in in about an hour. My very favorite water is Penta, but that costs about as much as a latte so I save that for special occasions.

2. I got my hair cut yesterday and every time I look in the mirror I startle myself for a second. I like it, but it will take some time to get used to. I bought some Velcro rollers today to help put some lift in the back since my hair is flat-flat-flat, but I have no idea how to actually use them. I am kind of a dork in the hair department. I keep trying to be a non-ponytail girl, but what can I say? Given the option I would just pull my hair back everyday. No more though! I am fighting the frump and staying away from the "non-hairstyle" ponytail as my friend Tami calls it. I'll post a picture once I figure out the whole Velcro roller thing.

3. I FINALLY have our Quicken and QuickBooks files up to date. It's about flipping time. It's only May for Pete's sake. Good grief.

4. I made my second baby purchase yesterday. An adorable book called Urban Babies Wear Black. It is a little board book for the nursery. Love it. It reminds me of Zoë when she was a wee one.

5. I now have a favorite song. I've never had a favorite song before. Stacy Julian used it in a presentation for her Library of Memories class I am taking. It will be the perfect song for the menu of our 2008 Family DVD. Yes, I think about these types of things...in April. Hey, I'm a planner!

6. I had a turkey wrap from Costco for lunch. They are a very welcome addition to the hot dogs, chicken bakes, churros and pizza Costco has been selling for years. Ever since doing Weight Watchers years ago, I have a really hard time eating anything at the Costco snack bar because it is all TERRIBLE for you. (Seriously, I am not even going to link to nutritional information, it's that bad.) And the salad? Eh. It's alright, but it doesn't thrill me. So, like I said, I am very happy about the turkey wrap.

7. I have been scrapping! Not particularly random, but it gives me an excuse to include some pictures with my post. I am happy to report that my mojo has returned. I think that the Library of Memories class really has a lot to do with that. My photos are all organized. I feel refreshed and creative again. All good things.

I am going to tag Marie, but feel free to join in the fun if you'd like!

Twelve on the 25th

Last month I was instantly inspired by this layout on Cathy Zielske's blog and knew that I had to do a 12 on 12 page. What a fun idea! I love capturing every day moments and what better way to do that than twelve random photos of your day? This is my first layout, (so I'm a little late to the party...being the 25th and all) I am hoping to do a 12 on 12 page each month. We'll see how that goes. I included typed journaling on the web version of this layout but I am having it printed without and am going to write the journaling myself. That is the one thing I miss with digital scrapbooking... including my handwriting. I actually have pretty good handwriting, so I might as well use it! (Credits coming soon.)

A few of you have asked me about our trip to Great Wolf Lodge. I keep meaning to post about our trip but honestly every time I look at the pictures I just get mad. Instead of bringing our camera into the water park I bought a disposable water proof camera. I knew that the quality wouldn't be fantastic, but I figured they would be descent after I tweaked them in Photoshop. Wrong. There was ONE flipping photo on the entire camera that was even salvageable. %$#@!

Next time I am going to risk it and bring my Elph inside the "pool park" as Zoë calls it. We did get plenty of photos in other areas of the hotel. Honestly we only spent about two hours each day in the water park, by then Zoë was bored and frankly, so was I. We played in the arts and crafts area and the arcade, and ate obscene amounts of junk food. Note to anyone planning to go: There is absolutely no healthy food on premesis. Oh wait, they did have a bit of fruit in the buffets. That hardly counts though. The snack bars are filled with nothing but candy, pastries and an assortment of fried foods. (Zoë was thoroughly impressed with the baby corn dogs.)

The highlight of our trip had to be watching The Water Horse together snuggled up on the couch in our hotel room. We started the movie earlier in the night while we waited for the bed time story in the lobby, figuring that Kelly and I would finish it after Zoë went to bed. Well, she heard it from her room after we tucked her in and asked to watch it. We told her she could watch it from her bed. What she heard was, "Sure, come get on the couch and watch with us!" She was just so dang cute with her blankie and so excited to be staying up late with us that we let her, and it was awesome. One of those picture perfect family moments. And she loved the movie. It was the first non-cartoon movie she ever sat through. She loved it so much that I bought it when we got home. Oddly enough the evil stepmother from Enchanted freaks her out, but an angry Water Horse eating people is OK with her. Kids.

Embracing My Style

I have finally figured it out.

Finally.

I have been in denial for a while now, but it is true. I am a clean and simple scrapper. I love the elaborate clustered artsy layouts that I see everywhere but that is just not me. Trying to create layouts like that is what has been killing my mojo this past year.

How do I know this?

My Mom bought be Donna Downey's new book A Photos-First Approach to Designing Layouts for my birthday and I loved every single layout I saw. That is totally my style. Simple. Focused on the photos and telling the story. That is totally me. Yes, the elaborate element filled layouts are gorgeous, but that is just not my style. I am embracing it. Going with the flow...

Would you believe that I have finished four layouts in the last few days? That is more than I have completed in the last few months. I actually feel creative again. Love it. Love it. Love it. None of these are posted in a gallery yet. I will post credit links one I do.

And my very favorite...