Here, It's Good

I used one of the sketches from Kelly Purkey's Sketchpad to create this layout. Since I use white card stock as my base the majority of the time, I decided to change it up. I found this great green color that compliments the green in my niece's shirt. I don't often put my title right on the photo either, so that was fun to try, and I love how it turned out.

There was a lot of journaling from this day spent with my niece, so I added it to the back. I used the journaling prompt, "I want to remember," an idea I got from Ali Edwards many years ago. It's a great prompt that I use often because it elicits tons of great memories.

What are you up to this weekend? I'm going to live it up and go shopping for a mattress. Exciting, exciting!

Thanks, as always, for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I love reading them!

Spring? | Elle's Studio Sketch

I'm back today with more Elle's Studio. I told you I was a big fan! I used their sketch from this week to create a layout about how amazing the weather has been the last few weeks.

I liked how everything was left justified in the sketch. I don't usually create in that area, so it was fun to try, although you'll see that I crept to the right. I couldn't help it! I'm happy with how it turned out though.

In addition to the Elle's Studio tags, I used paper from Echo Park, and embellishments from the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection. Good stuff.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ten on Tuesday

1| I had a fabulous St. Patty's day. My niece was nice enough to lend me her green nail polish. I went out with some friends and danced the night away. I haven't done that in years. I love to dance and never get to do it, so I went to sleep with a big smile on my face.

2| The weather here has been amazing. We've been in the 80s the past few days. If this keeps up, we'll have just skipped over spring. We grilled for the first time this weekend. I don't remember ever grilling in March! It's been fun to get out all my summer clothes too. I inevitably find something I forgot I had. It's shopping for free!

3| The one downside of this warmer weather: my allergies are awful! I want to tear my eyes out because they are so itchy. No fun. I think I have to find an allergist and start getting shots. Ugh.

4| My niece and I are seeing The Hunger Games this weekend. I'm a little hesitant...hoping it's not too violent, and we have to leave the theatre!

5| I love, love this Blurb book that Elise Blaha put together. I also love that she journaled right on on the photos. So cool.

6| I'm so looking forward to the farmer's market opening up for spring. I'm tired of the so-so produce at the grocery store. Just have a few more weeks to wait.

7| Two Peas in a Bucket started a blog. Their main site is awesome, but I sometimes get overwhelmed with all that's going on and this is organizing a lot of that information. Check it out!

8| I've been seeing colored denim everywhere! I'm not sure if this is a trend I can join or not? Who has tried it and liked it?

9| My cousin is getting married this summer and I'm on the hunt for a dress. I love this one. And this one. And this one.

10| New CHA releases from Studio Calico are now available. One of everything, please!

Hello 21st Century

Wow, I didn't mean to be away for so long. In Ali Edwards' latest newsletter, she writes about ideas to keep the creativity flowing. I've been thinking about it ever since. I'm currently in a creative funk, and I think it's a combination of a demanding new job, and just feeling creatively burnt out. I need to try and incorporate creativity in my daily life. Lately, I've tried to fit all my creativity in on Sundays; not surprisingly, it's not working. I need to be better about being creative just for me throughout the week and not just worrying about content for my blog. We'll see how it goes!

Today, I'm sharing a page I made with Elle's Studio tags for the Two Peas challenge. I am a huge fan of Elle's Studio! I wish I could make a new order each week. I also used a sketch from Kelly Purkey's Sketchpad.

I had to make a page about my first smart phone. I'm only a few years late to the party, but better late than never, right? I appreciate you stopping by! Have a great day.

Currently

eating Mojo Monkey donuts (No, not all of these!)
drinking water
listening to Josh Ritter's new CD, "Bringing in the Darlings"
watching the days get longer and longer
creating a page for the month of January
wishing I could go on a trip
wanting to make banana bread
needing a good hearty laugh
having fun loading up on iPhone apps

Currently idea from Tina Aszmus

Ten on Tuesday

1| I was in D.C. for work last week (my first ever work trip), and we ate at Filomena in Georgetown, made famous by Bill Clinton. The best part? The cheesecake. Yum, yum. I was bummed to not have enough time to see the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Next time.

2| I've been playing a lot of Angry Birds. An iPhone app I was addicted to before I got my own iPhone. I commandeered my family and friends' phones whenever possible. I got it right after I got the Instagram app. I have my priorities. But I can't get past this one level. Practice makes perfect.

3| My building has a workout center now. I've been there twice. Hip, hip! I just need to keep at it!

4| Remember a couple weeks ago, I was talking about wanting to take an online class. Well, I'm overflowing in classes now. I purchased Ali Edwards' Five class and am preparing a book of the top 5 moments from 2011. I also won a spot in the Hitchhiker's Guide to Scrapbooking with Shimelle Laine. I've listened to a couple of the lessons so far. Shimelle shares a bunch of techniques and new layouts. Kelly Purkey is also offering Sketchbook 4, (hooray!) which reminded me of Sketchpad, which I purchased a few months ago. I took it out and started working through it. Stay tuned for a layout this week using one of the sketches.

5| I watched the season finale of Parenthood last week. Or was it the series finale? They wrapped everything up nice and neatly. I'm worried it isn't returning, which would be a big fat bummer. I love that show!

6| We spring forward this weekend. I'm so looking forward to longer days.

7| I was on Pinterest and this mini album by Saturday Morning Vintage caught my eye. I love how thick it is, and full of great photos and tags and memorabilia. Awesome.

8| I haven't been interested in cooking this winter. Not sure what's up, but I've been stuck on the same couple of recipes. Until this weekend. I was browsing a couple of my favorite foodie blogs and came across this Pasta and Bean Soup recipe. I didn't put in the sausage. It turned out great. It was hearty and warm and delicious.

9| I just started reading, Let The Great World Spin, by Colum McCann. I love the feeling of opening up a new book.

10| I'm looking forward to hanging out with my niece this weekend. Books, food, movie. Sounds perfect to me.

Hello 34 | Elle's Studio Sketch

I'm taking you back to October last year....to my birthday celebration. This weekend, I realized I hadn't done a page about it yet. I remedied that right quick.

I used this week's sketch at Elle's Studio. I liked how it had four small photos. Since I had a lot of shots I wanted to include, this worked well.

I loved this large tag from Elle's Studio, and it worked perfectly to use the 3 and 4 in my title. It's a bit hard to see, but I circled the two numbers.

I also enjoyed building all the layers in this section in the top left. Patterned paper, washi tape, labels...oh my! The "All Smiles" button is from Ormolu.

The journaling talks about how I'm a big fan of birthdays. I think they should be big deals, with a lot of hoopla. And I still believe that....but turning 34, something changed for me. I simply can't believe that I'm 34. It doesn't seem possible. I'm uncomfortable with how fast time is spinning by. I've become more acutely aware of my mortality, which hinders ones ability to celebrate! I am truly thankful for all of my blessings and each year I'm given and the time to celebrate with my family....I just wish it would all slow down a bit. I can't be alone in this, right?

And on that cheery note....thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your comments so much!

*A note about my niece in these photos. She dressed up as a ninja to go to the arboretum. A whole other layout is needed to talk about that! 

Pick A Photo Friday

When I was sitting down to scrap the other day, I was stumped. I have a list of stories I'd like to tell, but none of those were speaking to me. I looked over at my pile of photos and an idea struck. How about I take the pile of photos, turn them over, and pick one at random, and I'd have to scrap the one I picked? Ooooh, this could be fun, I thought. 

Here is the result.

The photo I picked was the one in the top left. When I first saw it, I thought I don't really want to do a page about where this photo was taken or about the event, etc. Then I saw another photo of D and I in the pile and realized it would be fun to make a page with a bunch of photos of us, showing all the times we spend together. Now, that's a good story. 

I misted the kraft tag, so it would match the patterned paper I was using. I also used the new Martha Stewart labels, which I love! 

I'll definitely be using the "pick a photo" prompt in the future. I'm very happy with the results. 

I'm also very happy that it's Friday. Scrapping and catching up on sleep is on my to do list, as well as seeing The Artist. What are your plans?

Happy weekend everyone!