January Class Layouts

I chose Cosmo Cricket's Nutmeg kit for this month's layouts, and I was really surprised that I could get two such different themes out of it.



First up is a nice, Thanksgiving-themed layout. There is room for 4 4x6 photos (or 8 4 x 3's) and one 5x7 portrait-oriented photo.



And the second, a lovely Valentine-themed layout, with room for 4 4x4 photos and 2 4x6 photos. The block with the I <3 U tag on it opens up for a journaling spot or extra photo.

I really love both of these layouts, and can't wait til my 2010 photos arrive so I can add them!

SURPRISE!!!

Yesterday was my fortieth birthday, and my husband planned a big surprise party for me. I never suspected a thing! We had a fantastic time, and in the end, I didn't feel so skittish about turning forty.

I have big plans for myself as I enter this new decade of my life - in all areas, including scrapping. They say life begins at forty - I say bring it on!





Note: I've added some links to tutorials for Make the Cut software. Check 'em out!

Urban Traveler

January 2011 MW Express Kit

Polished and going places - our January MemoryWorks Express kit will fit right in with your traveling plans. Bold colors and easy, effortless designs make this kit a must have for the New Year. Add the fabulous embellishments and your favorite travel memories to create that urban look to any card, layout or home décor project!

Idea Express PDF

January 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 The District - The District (Scrap Within Reach)
{1} 12x12 The District - Ninth and Elm (Scrap Within Reach)
{1} 12x12 The District - 406 Eighth Street (Scrap Within Reach)
{1} 12x12 The District - Flatbranch (Scrap Within Reach)
{1} 12x12 Buddies - Flannel (My Mind's Eye)
{1} 12x12 Merry January - Ice (We R Memory Keepers)

Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Hot Fudge Smoothies (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Flintstone Smoothies (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Spring Willow (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} Journal Clear Stamp (We R Memory Keepers)
{1} Negatives Rub-ons (Bo Bunny)
{3} Trinket Pins - Assorted Styles (Tim Holtz)
{3} Memo Pins - Assorted Styles (Tim Holtz)
{4} Journaling Tickets - Assorted Styles (Tim Holtz)
{5} Parisian Anthology Tickets - Assorted Styles (Pink Paislee)
{15} Willow Fabulous Brads (Chatterbox)
{1} Package Tiny Type Alpha Stickers - Black (Cosmo Cricket)
{1} Package School House Chip Letters (Cosmo Cricket)
{1} 1/2 Yard Jumbo Olive Cotton Ric Rac (Creative Impressions)
{1} 1/2 Yard Rust Grosgrain Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} 1/2 Yard Oatmeal Grosgrain Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5x8.5 Hot Fudge Smoothies (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5x8.5 Flintstone Smoothies (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5x8.5 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5x8.5 Spring Willow (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5x8.5 Papaya Puree (Bazzill)
{5} 5 3/4 x 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

$29.95 plus shipping and handling. To subscribe, contact me today!

Loving...

I had the chance to retreat with a bunch of fun scrappin' friends over the weekend, and, even though I didn't get just TONS done like I normally do (too busy socializing - I haven't laughed that much in a long time - and I needed it!), I did come away feeling rested, refreshed, and inspired.

To top it off, I got to enjoy a rare snow day today, and I've been browsing around searching for new goodness.

Here's what I've found that I'm loving:

From BoBunny

Crazy Love

and Crush

And from Echo Park

Wintertime

and Be Mine

I can just see so many cute cards and layouts with these! And with Valentine's Day coming up (and my family's banquet/talent show), I can't wait to play!

Success!

At last - after a year and a half of procrastinating and working in fits and starts, I have FINALLY gotten all my photos into storage binders ala Stacy Julian's Library of Memories style. I set my mind to finishing this task three days ago, and now, 4 movies later (I find that watching movies distracts me and I'm able to get more done), I am finished!

I used the plain 4x6 photo albums from Wal-mart ($5 apiece), and did find along the way that you get what you pay for. Some of the seams between photos didn't hold up and I found myself having to replace certain pages. I'm storing anywhere from 2-6 pictures in each pocket (front and back), and have my photos in loose chronological order. These storage binders will serve as a sort of catalog of all my pictures that I can flip through and choose ones to scrapbook. Later, I'll begin "triaging" some of them into category drawers. More on that another time. For now, I'm basking in my success...and I'm excited to scrapbook again!

One Little Word

For the past couple of years, I've sort of secretly followed along with Ali Edwards's concept of "One Little Word." Year before last, my word was "purpose." Last year, I chose "possibilities" (although I think "change" chose me - against my will).

This year, I've sort of struggled and cast about, trying to find a word suitable for all the things I want 2011 to be. But I think a word has chosen me, and this time, it's one I can embrace. The word is "blessed," and that is certainly what I want to see manifest in my life in 2011. Not only do I want to realize what my blessings are, but I want to strive to help others feel blessed.

I had originally thought I would choose the word "unleashed," but that seemed a little too wild for me and my personality. I also thought of "new," "remade," and even "hopeful," "joyful," and "successful." All good words, but still, for me, not such a great fit.

Then one of my students gave me an adorable Christmas ornament with the word "Blessed" emblazoned on the front. "Hmm," I thought, "you know, I AM blessed!"

And then my sister gave me yet another, GORGEOUS Christmas ornament (as is our tradition with one another) that also displayed the word "BLESSED." This was particularly meaningful, as she knows very well the struggles I've been through this past year, and her declaration of "Blessed" in the midst of all that was a sort of claiming of triumph in the face of much sadness.

And, finally, just last night, I found myself describing to a very dear friend all the reasons I feel blessed, and that's when the word stuck in my mind as MY word. I'm blessed. I want to let the knowledge of that soak into my bones and let it radiate from me. I am blessed.

To read more about the One Little Word concept, check these out:
KLOVE
My One Word
Big Picture Classes

There's even jewelry specially designed to be a reminder of your word throughout the year:
Lisa Leonard Designs (hmmm...my birthday is coming up. Perhaps one of these would be an excellent present to myself!)

Blog Year in Review

I thought it would be fun to take a stroll down memory lane and look back over a year's worth of posts here on the ol' blog. I'm sharing some of my favorites here with you:

January- we learned all about creating cards inside and out, although I can tell you that I still get in a hurry and don't finish the insides most times.

February - ahhh, Make the Cut! I FINALLY took the plunge and bought the software I'd been talking about for over a year. I can honestly say, it has changed the way I scrap AND I use my Cricut much more now than I ever did before. I also decided to become an affiliate for the company, and I've done quite well with that!

March - this was an exciting month to drool over all the new goodies MemoryWorks was getting in the store. I sure bought a lot of new stuff this year - totally worth it!

April - I started to feel guilty about alllllllll my many neglected stamps. I made several projects, but, alas, I never completed the challenge to use each and every stamp. AND I've purchased SO many more this year! Oh well, I can always continue the challenge in 2011.

May - we had a blog hoppin' good time! It was so much fun to create projects for the hop and put together a cute little prize package. I'd definitely like to do more of these in the future.

June - GASC!!! My yearly trek to Arlington, Texas Great American Scrapbook Convention (the closest thing to Mecca for scrapbookers in this part of the country). Had more fun than the law should allow. No, really...they might still be looking for me...

July - BoBunny goodness! There's just something about BoBunny that I've always loved, and I created some of my favorite layouts using it.

August - we got to meet Penny, my little miniature schnauzer. I'm still enjoying the sound of her little feet chasing after me all over the house.

September - sadly, such a busy month that I must not have had time to post. Back to school was an easy transition this year, but again, busy.

October - we raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation with our Passionately Pink crop. Never have I been prouder of our sweet group of scrappers!

November - another busy month, apparently. Preparing for the holidays must have had all of my attention, and I did not make time to post.

December - we learned that Santa does, in fact, have a privacy policy and has been enforcing it since there were children. Too funny!

I hope you've enjoyed reminiscing with me. Honestly, 2010 was a challenging year for me on a lot of levels, and I am looking forward to 2011 with hope and excitement for what this new year will hold.

Blessings to you and yours for a happy new year!