Winter Scrapbooking!

I love that scrapbookers have the freedom to play with self-portraits. Obviously the visual helps the voice! Mood scrapping I call it. And this quote by Emerson is straightforward, a relief.

Project 365, is in itself a mini-scrapbook. Thinking of the one photo for the day is an exercise on keeping your eyes wide open. I'm going to have 12 of these or I will have to consolidate them somehow. EEEK.

I also liked the idea when blogging onto Emily Falconbridge of 56Questions throughout the year. She prompts with a question, you design & journal. I found these awesome index cards at Staples, a pack of 100 for $10; punch holes; wa la! Mini-book haven!

Resuming my Shimelle's Christmas Journal--pant*! Hope to get about fifteen pages in the next couple of weeks. Would like to go back one year and finish up the 2007 Journal but my memory of it has already faded! I am loving my hobby.

My New Banner Photo

Although Noah's tryouts for Corona American Little League were cancelled due to rain; the boys couldn't resist playing pickle in the rain. Noah, Luke & Jerret.

Artsy stuff to follow. . .

Wow. . .what a mess!

I've been blogging & enjoying many artist's workspaces, to help with my future space that Lorin is putting together for me. My new space is 15x12, it is called a "bonus room" off our family room and will include a station for the boy's computer as this room provided for almost nine years! But, I wanted to have photos of the old space, which has served us well and looking at these photos a total chaotic room!

Never took the time to paint this room!

Looking forward to an organized space. . . so I am searching for organizational tips!

The painted piece is an art piece my sister painted for my 40th birthday. Some shell frames,

one of Sarah and I at the beach in the early 80's.

My boys sit right behind me and we are cramped. Lorin is designing a special room with recessed lighting, new tile, crown molding. . .lots of storage cabinets. I'm filled with gratitude that I married a truly creative man. Did I ever mention that Lorin's father & grandfather loved woodworking?

Insomnia & Jewels in 2 Cor. 5, 6

At 2:30 a.m. Suki awoke me so that I would let him out of the bedroom. Insomnia set in. . .I've been ill, a cold & other health issues so it's hard to say what sets of sleeplessness. But, I had good Bible readings during the hours that ensued.

1) Loved that 2 Cor 5:14, a snippet of the scripture. . ."For the love of Christ compels us"--. Think of that, compels. To force or drive; to secure or bring about by force. Compelled to be ambassadors of Christ, to love as Christ loves. What power we would all have for good.

2) In 2 Cor 6:5, it speaks of the situations we find ourselves in. . .". . .in tumults, in labors (the Mom thing), in sleeplessness (Bingo!). . ."--I find that comforting that insomnia is referred to! I felt compelled in the wee hours to leave appreciative messages to the artists I refer to often. . .

Storm Kitty, 2001-2009

Storm was named by Frank, on the heels of X-men. She became Luke's lapcat and slept under his arms for years. She could be often found on Lorin's lap too. She ruled Suki and Zeus. She was everywhere you were and our family was well loved by her. She is part of our home & family, and we will always miss her. She sleeps under our Japanese Elm, close to us.

It's not much. . .

I love the idea of "365". A photo a day, A Photo Journal! Yet another mini-scrapbook on a budget; done lickety split so as to fit in my lifestyle. Guess. . .baseball season is around the corner for Luke and Noah. . .and myself.

A diversion, this arts and crafts thing.

Can you see "Persuasion" on my flatscreen in the background? Oh happy times!

This one didn't quite get translated from mind to matter like I wanted, that's how it goes sometimes.

Crafting Tales & Arianna's Birthday Gifts

The scarf is from a pattern Lacette and I had to rework to get our desired results with the ruffled look. Lacette, Karen & I are having fun crocheting scarves!

So, my granddaughter Arianna had a birthday & I crafted by decopaging this Maya Road purse/binder scrapbook! It did not come with a clasp to my dismay so I had to come up with a way to utilize the punctured holes that were already in the chipboard purse. I modified a pink shoelace. I painted each side of the chipboard pages and scrapped easy photos from Arianna's parents 20th Wedding Anniversary party.

Stepping into January

I was awake the other night and felt like scrapping non-Christmas pages, especially since I felt just pleased to be at the table creating.

Scrapbooking!

Okay, Making Memories sparkly letters and Basic Grey's letter stickers save me all the time! Looky here, two date prompts in one layout!

I confess, I am not overthinking nor overdesigning (at least I think not). I may overwrite however!

New Year 2009 Word: Cheerful!

A word that had play in my mind was Bloom. But I attached to an attitude, Cheerful. Only knew that I don't want to take myself too seriously in this new year, delighted with a quick page as to hurry and finish my Shimelle December Journal--because short term memory is in high demand! So here are Days: Jan. 1 & Dec. 13, 19, 22, 24 & 26--hoopla! There are a few things in my mind, a small List, I'd like to accomplish. The small list would include craft ideas--crochet scarves, read Jane Austen novels, continue scrapping, take better photographs, lose weight, go shelling, create garland yo-yo's, sew blouses, create an Inspirational Idea Book, read my Bible regularly. . .make a trip to Maui--I wanted to avoid making a List, but darn, here's a page awaiting to be made! In light of an already full plate, maintain cheerfulness. . .

Oh blessed be me to have this gift set. . .to rest and cozy up with Persuasion & Lorin who really enjoys this version! Some people cannot wait for December, for me, ambivalance shrouds the first couple of weeks. I have to do mental exercises to overcome the malaise. When I do come out of it, December is in full force. I was barely ready for Christmas Day.

Just about the easiest of days to scrap. I hope I translated the frenzy.

Christmas Eve was awesome, oh--by the way, I've run out of the color yellow so my photo printer gives me only black & white, must do with what I have!

Using some five year old laser die-cuts! This 8.5x11 gets a bit crowded.

I keep playing Secret Garden over and over. . .but Enya and Loreena, truly gives me that unique ancient 'Lord of the Rings' poignancy.