Time of Transition

Going through something right now. Feeling drained and overwhelmed with all that needs to be done and all that I want to do too. Today is my first day of summer vacation. Unfortunately, Nathan is sick with the stomach bug and high fever. At least that is what I think it is. Yesterday and last night I dropped everything to lay on the couch with him and cuddle. He has been nailed this month. We were up most of the night. He is big enough now to tell me when he is going to be sick so we pulled up a stool to the potty and waited. The way he looked at me with those confused eyes, how he sought comfort... We were so bonded that it was powerful. Of course, I don't want him to be sick, but in those moments I felt like a Mom, felt grateful to have that unmeasurable love for another person. So everything else will have to wait, because he is most important.

Oh, I guess I was a little hard on myself in my last post. I received some lovely feedback about the "Teach You Love" layout here and at some other sites where I post my work. I appreciate the boost to my confidence. I guess being unsure is just another testiment to how I can't really "see" things right now. I am going to ask for clarity in all areas of life right now! It will come.

Father's Day Inspiration!

Okay, so I really don't like this layout. I want to. I love the idea behind it. I like it in person...Maybe I can latch onto the journaling. It reads: "I learned what to look for in a good man by having a GREAT man as my father. Just watch Belle---Daddy will show you everything you will need to know."

I guess we have to take the not-so-good stuff we do with all the rest. At least I made something. It felt good to cut paper and use rub-ons again. I think I just tried too hard. Oh well, such is life!

This week I hope to
1. Take out my camera and use it
2. Get an adjustment from the chiropractor
3. Do the Creative Therapy challenge
4. Do the Color Combo Challenge

Happy last day of school tomorrow!

Seriously....

...has it been this long since I blogged? I think the close of the school year has just taken its toll. I haven't scrapped anything!!! But today, driving home, I had several images of new layouts pop into my brain. So the mojo is creeping back! I feel it. Best part, my summer vacation starts on Weds. so I won't be so darn stressed out! Happy Father's Day to my dad and my dear husband! Hope you all enjoy!

Hugs & Kisses

Under the Weather!

Well, I have been struck with allergies or some kind of virus that has resulted in swollen eyes and a rash on my back/belly. It has zapped me of all energy. I can say that I miss scrapping because it has been like 4 days. I have made a card in that time, but that is about it. So unlike me.

So I decided to share something pretty that makes me happy. A layout about my dear Ella. Caught this photo one day when she was being highly dramatic! I handcut the Pink Paislee flowers and used some glitter to jazz them up. The mini letters from Making Memories spell out "I'll be there." The title here reminds me of the Phil Collins song from the movie Tarzan. Love that song and it holds meaning because Steve and I danced our last dance to it at our wedding. Journaling reads: Ella, where ever we go, you look back to make sure I am there. I know that one day you will feel confident enough to just go. But always remember, if you need me, I'll never be far. All you have to do is just look over your shoulder.

Weekly Ritual

One of my favorite things to do each week is participate in the Color Combos Galore challenge. Janet and the team are so talented and come up with great variations of the combinations. I always feel challenged to create a layout I will be proud of. It makes me look for the "just-right" photo! Here is my layout for this past week's colors! I also found a cool new site, affectionately known as The Nook! The gallery there truly rocks! In other news, I am putting the finishing touches on two articles for ScrapStreet Magazine. One will feature some very talented ladies. The other is my journaling column. I can't wait until it debuts in July. Be sure to keep checking the calls. We would love to see your work. Off to make a card now!

TGIF!

So happy it is Friday and the weekend is almost here! Only 7 days left of school...oh, I can't wait. I need to recharge and exercise. I just want to be able to scrap whenever and hang out with my kids! Wanted to share this layout today--I was really happy with how all the elements came together on this one. I stamped the pink circles using paint. It was one of my HOF entries. I have been thinking lately about how entering that contest and the ScrapStreet Star contest have impacted my scrapbooking. Doing more on-line challenges and pushing myself has made a difference. Wanted to enter MM Masters, but not sure I can get done it time. I have all my concepts in my brain. They are not doing a whole lot of good up there. Just random thoughts.

Journaling on this layout reads: Your trademark cry-bright red face & square mouth. You cry with your whole heart and soul, even over the small stuff. Dramatic, frequent, loud & just precious.

In Living Color!

Nathan just amazes me! He is so observant and aware of his environment. Sometimes I worry that it works against him, pulls his focus in too many directions. I have to remember that he is only 3 years old and hopefully he will channel this skill as he gets older. I am in awe of his memory. We took the kids down to Old Wethersfield last weekend. We park at the start of the historical district, walk to the cove, to the playground and then back. The last time we were there was last summer. As soon as we pulled into the space and he saw where we were, he made a comment about the water and the ice cream place. It hit me that he is constantly remembering things! Gosh, will he be successful later in life!

I was inspired to do this layout because of that story and because of this photo! The colors are soo bright, not ones that I usually use. I handcut the gears out of the sheet of paper and added some doodling! I love the quote! Journaling reads: Your mind is always working. Daddy & I are amazed by your unbelievable memory. You constantly make connections & associations. Sometimes I wonder if you get tired in there. I believe that you wil perform amazing acts in this world so imagine, question & think!

One More!

Just wanted to share the second layout from May/June Memory Makers. This is my favorite photo ever of Steve and I. Our photographer, Andrew, is quite gifted and he caught so many great pics that day. Steve and I were giggling together, not really aware that he was shooting. So the laughter here is real. I love how his hand is on my back. We were just happy. This Luxe overlay was perfect for this layout!

Journaling reads: As we begin our life together,I have many hopes. One is that we continue to share smiles everyday. When life is serene, stressful or somewhere in between, let's remember to laugh. With that, we'll always be able to hold onto hope.

BTW, wanted to share some good news. Be sure to scroll down when you get here! Have a good one!

First of the Month...

...means a new issue of ScrapStreet.com Magazine is up! I have to say that I am so impressed by this issue. I feel super lucky to be a part of this talented team and be on this amazing adventure. I wrote my very first article and I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it was to choose layouts, think of the title and create the article! I also created two layouts using beautiful papers from Kaisercraft for the Showroom fixture. The icing on the cake...my very good friend Jenn had her first e-zine publication in this issue. Check out the June issue--you will be so inspired. And be sure to view the calls for the August issue and submit. My column, The Open Road, is all about journaling so I am looking for layouts that showcase the basics including handwriting vs. typing as well as clever placement ideas for your text! Yeah, happy day!

Thank God for Friends

I find it harder and harder to have friendships the older I get. It really is just about having enough time to give to all aspects of life. Girlfriends are sometimes left behind when we grow up, find our mates and start families. The funny thing is that we need our girlfriends the most at that point in life. Friends keep it real, give an outlet and make you feel like you. I have many friends, but very few really good friends. Two of them, Marcia and Tina, live down in the southern part of the state so unfortunately we don't see each other much. I moved away from my hometown a long time ago so making new friends was important. Many of these friends were people I worked with.

About six years ago, five of us girls (three teachers, an Occupational Therapist, a Speech/Language Pathologist) found ourselves working together during the summer program for special needs students. We had a blast together and decided to have a craft night. Don't we always talk about doing this kind of stuff, but can never make it work with schedules? Well, we did make it work. We brought our glue guns, cardstock and stamps. We didn't make one thing. But we did laugh. And every month, minus 5 or 6 of them, for the past six years we have had a Girl's Night or GN as we like to call it. We usually have dinner at one house and everyone brings a part of the meal. It has become a necessary and special part of my life. The journaling on this layout reads: What started out as a craft night has turned into so much more. I can't imagine life without you girls. We laugh, cry, argue & reflect with each other. Those moments help keep me sane. You girls have gotten me through the best & worst of times. I know that I can truly be myself with I'm with you. Here's to once a month for the past six years and to many more years to come! Maybe we'll actually do crafts one of these days!

Love ya Sue, Jenn, Karen & Emily!!!

YEAH!

So excited that I can finally share this layout! It was recently published in the Reader's Idea Gallery of the May/June issue of Memory Makers. How cool is that!? I have been reading MM for a long time now and always imagined seeing one of my layouts in there. I wasn't sure it would actually happen ever, but thought no harm in trying. I have had some luck with them recently and am honored to be a small part of their magazine. I adore this picture of Ella and me because it truly captures a moment between us. I did not know the picture was being taken. She was screaming at a family picnic so I took her around the side of the shed to rock her. Journaling read: Always remember "Mommy kisses", rocking and hushing, all meant to soothe our sweet baby Ella.

Yep, she cried. A lot. I actually gave up dairy products for 5 weeks while I was nursing. Now that I know Ella a little better, I realize she was never really allergic to milk products. She was just being her--letting us know what she wanted and being relentless about getting it. Ha!

Since We Are On the Subject...

I might as well share all my Halloween layouts! This is a super simple, clean-lined one that I did. I really wanted the photo to pop because I think it is super cute! I used tags to add some detail by covered them with patterned paper and tying ribbon through one. Each Halloween, we try to dress Nathan and Ella as well as my nephew Christian alike each Halloween! We will see how long they go for that! I created these for the Halloween calls that were out recently, but none got picked up. My heart totally wasn't into it though and I seem to be having a hard time scrapping events. I better have a change of mind because I sure do have a bunch of fall and Christmas paper! LOL!

Sensitive Child!

So I am posting a Halloween layout in May. I realize that seems silly, but just did a bunch of fall ones for the mag calls. Publishing time is 6 months away from real time. Anyhow, I love this one because of the photo--how perfect to catch Nathan with that look on his face. He has some sensory issues (like someone else--I know). Screams like he is in pain when having his head touched, fusses with tags, doesn't like new textures with foods--things like that. Well, you can imagine how he felt in that costume. In his defense, the hat on that thing was huge and like 20 pounds heavy. He did not keep it on long and I could not get a good photo. Note to self, do not get costumes with funny heads for next year. HaHa!

Did I mention how much I love two things right now? Journaling tags--cannot get enough of them. Although, I never actually use them to journal on! And ledger paper. So perfect for journaling on...

Reality Therapy

So I scrapbook to capture all the fun and sentimental moments in life. Most of my pages communicate how happy I am and how blessed I feel. But I also believe that scrapbooking can be an outlet. A way to explore my feelings. I think we should scrap about our fears, our disappointments, and our moments of sadness. Let's keep in real. I created this layout after being inspired by the Creative Therapy Catalyst #10. The prompt was to create something about someone you miss. I scrapped about Steve and I-the couple we were before we had kids. The journaling speaks for itself.

It reads: Sometimes I really miss the carefree me & you, how we were before kids. I love those babies more than life itself & know that they are the product of our love for each other. I wouldn't trade being their parents. But I do miss how easy it was between us before our life became stressful & demanding. We give so much to them that we sometimes don't have much for each other. I miss long hikes & going on vacation, random naps on the weekend on the couch. That feeling that I can sense you anywhere. I've been thinking & just wanted to say that I really love you & the life, the amazing life, we've made. But sometimes I miss just you & me-"us". Sometimes...

Does anyone else feel this way too sometimes?