Glimpse

On the grocery list: Bananas and yogurt

On the TV: Glee

On the nightstand: Health and Cooking Light magazines

On the to do list: Clean! (My parents are visiting this weekend)

On the scrap table: Too many projects! A mini of Rick Fest, catch up on my monthly pages (4 months behind), a home mini and a week in the life album. 

On the movie list: Still Inception. Looks like it's still playing at the theater this weekend. 

On the dinner plate: Baked ravioli and a glass of Shiraz at Pazzaluna. Yum. 

Ten on Tuesday

1) My scrappy mojo has returned. Wahoo! I entered this challenge. I will share soon.

2) I watched Date Night twice this weekend. I was laughing The.Entire.Time. So hilarious. Just what the doctor ordered. I definitely need to purchase this one.

3) I did something really exciting this weekend. Wait for it.... I dusted my bookcases. I know, I live an exciting life, but my books say thank you. I also put away my summer garb and have let loose my sweaters and corduroy pants. Hello Fall. And ok, Winter too.

4) I need to buy pumpkins and gourds and a pretty mum. I need more orange around this place.

5) I'm running in a 5k this weekend. My sister and I have been walking/running it for 5 years now (?) and my parents joined in last year. I love that it's becoming a tradition, an experience we can share.

6) I feel like I should buy leggings and skinny jeans, so I can be hip and cool. But I really don't want to. Dilemma, dilemma.

7) I have a long list of books I want to purchase/get from the library and an equally tall pile already on my nightstand. I really want to read Sara Gruen's and Jonathan Franzen's new ones. I'm currently reading Sue Miller's The Senator's Wife. It's a book I started awhile ago and am now returning to. I have a hard time not reading a book in its entirety once I've started.

8) I've gotten a renewed enthusiasm to eat well and eat less. For lunch, I've been enjoying cherry tomatoes wrapped in spinach and crackers and cheese. Is it lunch yet?

9) I turn a year older next week. This is the first year when I wish I could stop time. I don't want to be older.

10) I've almost completed my new list; 33 things to do in my 33rd year.  I'm really excited about this list. It's a lot of fun stuff. I'll share next week.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Wordless Wednesday

Rick Fest 2010

Ten on Tuesday

I haven't been in the best of moods lately, so I debated back and forth on whether to post today or not. There's no particular reason for my foul mood. Maybe it's the changing seasons. In any case, I knew I didn't have 10 sunny side up things to say. Other blogs I return to on a daily basis, they post the good and the bad. Because let's face it, we all have bad days sometimes. And it's reassuring to read that others are going through what you're going through.

1) It's hard to be an adult sometimes. I just want to pay someone to tell me what to do. Any takers?

2) I saw the Master Singing Butcher's Club at the Guthrie. Wow, what a sad story. I wasn't in the right state of mind to enjoy this play. I was impressed though by the minimal use of props and the actors ability to make you believe you were in a tunnel when all you were looking at were tables and chairs strewn about like a fort a child would build.

3) This weekend was ScrapFest at the Mall of America. My niece and I did a bunch of the make n' takes. I had a lot of fun hanging out with her.

4) I am in a scrapping slump. This happens to me every once in awhile. I hope to be inspired again soon. I have a lot of projects I'd like to tackle. 

5) What the heck are plane tickets so dang expensive? 

6) I've been feeling overwhelmed by all the blog reading, and Twitter following and Facebooking I've been doing. I've been thinking about the positives of unplugging for awhile. I heard about one guy that stayed in his bathroom until he thought he could be in the world without being "plugged in." I'm thinking that's a bit extreme and there has to be a good balance in there somewhere. 

7) Season premieres are in full swing. I haven't chosen any new shows to watch. Sticking with Glee, Grey's, The Good Wife and Parenthood. Anyone watching something new that I should check out? 

8) I love Amy Krouse Rosenthal's children's books. I adore Spoon and think everyone should have a copy. I came across a YouTube video that she did involving money and a tree. Check it out. 

9) I've been craving soups and stews. 

10) Came across this post today. A list of ideas to make your day instantly better. I love lists. Will be crossing a few off this evening. 

Greetings

A super quick post today. Just wanted to share a gift I gave a friend for her birthday. I made her a collection of cards; 3 birthday and 3 thank you. I had a lot of fun making these and am pondering other collections I could put together. I'm not a big stamper, but I purchased this thank you stamp set for this project. I really love all the different font choices. So many possibilities.

I lifted this one from Kristina, who is the Queen of card making. A lot of inspiration and ideas can be found on her blog.

And a close up of each of the other cards.

Have a great Thursday. The weekend is almost here, which means ScrapFest. Can't wait.

Wordless Wednesday

(Taken a couple of weeks ago)

Ten on Tuesday

1) I finished Sarah's Key. What a heart wrenching story, but a really beautiful and touching story too and worth reading. Have the Kleenex nearby.

2) I was all hyped and ready to watch the Men's Final of the U.S. Open on Sunday, but it was raining in NYC and so it was eventually canceled and rescheduled for yesterday at 3 p.m. What?! I'm at work for goodness sakes. Then I had evening plans. But then there was another rain delay and I was able to see the very tail end of the match. While I'm happy for Nadal and he is an amazing player, I'm not ready to concede that Federer is the best player in the world. Because he is. I will arm wrestle anyone who disagrees.

3) I met a very sweet little bundle of a person yesterday. A very good friend had a baby girl recently. She is just precious. I always forget how little they can be. A simple pleasure is holding a sleeping baby.

4) My LSS finally has Echo Park in stock. Yay! I love their stuff. Now, I need to find time to play.

5) I've gone a bit crazy and bought tickets to a bunch of events coming up in the next year. One that I'm excited about is to a taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me on MPR. I know, I'm a nerd. I acknowledged and accepted this a long time ago.

6) KP is having a giveaway on her blog. It's an album and other fun goodies to document a month of your life. While I would love to win the giveaway, I think I'll do it regardless. I already do a page of each month, an overview of sorts. But I like the idea of recording a month in more detail, especially since it's my birthday. Maybe I should just celebrate the entire month.

7) I attempted to make spiced bran muffins this weekend. How can you screw that up, you may ask? How the heck do I know? I followed the recipe to a tee and they turned out tasteless, with a hint of molasses. But I'm still eating them. Why are you doing that, you may ask? How the heck do I know? It's impossible for me to waste food. Be thankful I'm not knocking on your door with a treat. (Wink. Wink.) 

8) I've signed up for two 5Ks now. In the same month. Two weeks apart. I really, really need to get my butt in gear. Especially since one of them had a separate 5K walk you could sign up for. So, really, you can't walk during the run. People may laugh, or at least stare and point and whisper "Why didn't she sign up for the walk?" Not my idea of fun.

9) I'm feeling a little snarky.

10) Looking forward to this premiere tonight. Maybe I'll be back to my less snarky self by then.

My Summer Favorites

This week's American Crafts challenge is to create a layout about yourself. When I first started scrapbooking, it didn't even occur to me to scrap about myself. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized that my story is just as important as my other family members. I came to this conclusion with the help and inspiration of Ali Edwards.

Since we're heading into fall I thought it would be fun to create a layout that recaps what I loved about this summer. I was channeling Jennifer Johner when I made this layout. I think her style is so pretty. She uses bits of everything here and there so beautifully and I love her free flowing handwriting.

Here are a couple close ups. I had fun putting together the title, using several different fonts. And I think that little yellow bird in the second photo is so darn cute.

Journaling reads: Sitting on a patio enjoying a cold drink. Walks around the lake. Playing tennis on a clay court. Fresh veggies; the cucumbers, the green beans, the tomatoes, oh my! Water fights. Fresh flowers. Canoeing. Celebrating. "Knight and Day." Gooseberry Falls. Reading The Book Thief and the Steig Larsson series. Outdoor movies. Making a pillow. Navy Pier. Lots of picture taking and creating. Now, onto Fall...

What are some of your favorites from summer?

Product used: 
American Crafts
Paper: Dear Lizzy Enchanted, Dear Lizzy Spring and Blue Skies Collections
Thickers: Dear Lizzy Bliss and Berry
MiniMarks: Dear Lizzy Perch Accents rub-on
Flair: Blue Skies Relax
Premium Ribbon: Butter

Jenni Bowlin
Yellow Vellum Butterflies

Echo Park
Life is Good alpha stickers

Glimpse

Eating: A bowl of cereal

Drinking: Hot green tea

Wearing: Yoga pants and a tee 

Feeling: Sick, unfortunately 

Weather: Sunny, cooler

Wanting: To sleep

Needing: A good laugh

Thinking: About all I have to do that I really don't want to do

Enjoying: The cooler weather

Reading: Sarah's Key
Making: A travel page 


Adopted from Tina

Two Peas Online Crop

This past weekend, Two Peas had an online crop. I carved out a couple of hours this weekend to participate in a few of the challenges.

CHALLENGE #1--Use black and white and one other color.

A very simple layout, but I love the way the yellow pops off of the black cardstock. Photo taken on the North Shore.

CHALLENGE #2--Create a title that spans the entire page.

Another fairly simple page. I added some interest by folding the paper like an accordion.

CHALLENGE #3--Create a page using your scraps.

I shamelessly scraplifted this page from Lisa Dickinson. It was part of a series on the Ella Publishing blog. Her page found here.

I noticed all three of the pages were quite simple. I also didn't do any journaling. Very unusual for me. But that's ok. Sometimes the pictures speak for themselves. I also noticed that two of these challenges were new to me. I never use black cardstock or a large title. I often use my scraps, as I can never throw anything away! I will definitely be using these techniques again in the future.

Have a great Wednesday.

Ten on Tuesday

1) Brrrr......it's chilly and windy here today. I'm wearing this sweater, although in green. I got it this weekend, just in the nick of time.

2) I love that fall is on its way, but I'm not very fond of the shorter days. It was dark by 8 p.m. last night. Ugh.

3) I went to the State Fair last Friday. It was also a really chilly and windy day. We spent a lot of time in the buildings. I really enjoyed the winemakers area in the Horticultural building. We taste tested several wines and had ice cream infused with red wine. Yum. I also had fish tacos and french fries.

4) I finished Little Bee. It certainly was a quick read, but I'm still mulling it over. I'm not sure if I liked it or not. Anyone else read it?

5) I saw Toy Story 3 in 3D with my nieces and sister. What a delightful movie.

6) I've been watching the U.S. Open. The best match I've seen so far was Wozniacki vs. Sharapova. I don't have cable, so I've only been able to watch the few matches they show on CBS. I wouldn't mind if CBS just played tennis the entire two weeks. 

7) I've been chosen as one of the volunteers for this. I'm beyond excited!

8) I signed up for the Twin Cities 5K again. I need to get my butt in gear or I'll be walking more than running this year.

9) I'm looking forward to happy hour tonight. We're trying out a new spot near to where I live. I'll let you know if it's a keeper.

10) I'm wishing my nieces a wonderful first day of school today. We celebrated last night with roast dinner and a brownie, cookie and ice cream dessert. A perfect way to toast to a new year.

American Crafts Challenge

Today is a quick post. I have a lot on my to do list and a new project notebook to write it all down in. Fun, fun. (For the life of me I tried to find the one I bought to link here, but amazingly I couldn't find it online.)

This week's challenge is to use Dear Lizzy products. Now, if you read my blog you know I love the first Dear Lizzy collection, so this challenge was a piece of cake. I'm waiting patiently for the new line, Enchanted, to show up in my LSS.

The photo was taken at the arboretum back in July. I love jumping photos, even the ones that don't quite turn out. M and I just weren't in sync, but I still find this photo hilarious. M looks like a superhero about ready to take flight.

Products used:
American Crafts
Paper: Dear Lizzy Spring
Flair: Dear Lizzy Springy
MiniMarks: Dear Lizzy Perch Accents
Thickers: Cupid

Four Simple Goals

I'm joining many of my favorite bloggers in stating my four simple goals for the rest of 2010. The idea came originally from Elsie.  I love this idea. We're entering a new month, a new season. The perfect time, I say. I love the feeling of a fresh start and I love goals and lists, so this is right up my alley. I also love that she focuses on goals that will make your life richer and happier. So, without further ado, my four simple goals. 

1) START (AGAIN) A GRATITUDE JOURNAL: I had this goal as part of my 32 things to do during my 32nd year, but I haven't been good about it at all. When reading through my past journals, I came across several gratitude journals I did several years ago and it was so great to read through them and see what was important to me then. I also appreciate the practice of being reflective. It gives me perspective and reminds me of my many blessings. 

2) TAKE MORE EVERYDAY PHOTOS: I take a ton of photos at events and on vacations, but I am seriously lacking when it comes to the everyday. I will start by doing it for a week and see how it goes. 

3) BE BRAVER: I won't say a lot about this one, except to say that I need to get out of my comfort zone. I've become much too complacent. I need to shake things up. 

4) TRY AND GET PUBLISHED: I will send my layouts to many magazines and see what happens. I'm focusing on the try part of this goal. Just putting myself out there will be a big accomplishment for me.