Sketchbook 3|Week 1

To continue with my sketch obsession, here are the layouts I made from the first week of Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class.

I've been trying to experiment more with paint. I think I need to keep working at it. But I'm enjoying the pop of yellow.

The page is about how suddenly my niece has become a young woman. Well, of course, it hasn't been sudden. But it sure feels that way to me.

JOURNALING | I'm not ready for you to be 12, to be a tween. I'm not ready for you to be going out with friends without any adults around. I'm not ready for you to have a cell phone. I'm not ready for you to be crushing on boys. What happened to your 6 lb. self? But you are ready and I'll be there through it all.

I'm loving the different layers of this layout with the little photos tucked into each one.

Our family spent a long weekend together in Galena, IL a couple of years ago. We went to see the balloon festival, which was really beautiful. I got so many wonderful shots that I've been doing pages from that quick trip for two years now. Love when that happens.

I like the clean, graphic design of this page. I like the white title against the white cardstock. I continue to love the Stella Rose collections from My Mind's Eye. Lovely patterns and colors.

I traveled to Seattle a few years ago and it was one of my favorite trips. I loved Pike Place Market. I'd love to go back and spend more leisurely time there. I loved our day trip to Mt. Rainier. An awesome sight. I loved traveling by ferry to Bainbridge Island. So many great, new experiences packed in one trip. Love that.

This is my 200th post! Thanks so much to my readers for stopping by and spending time here. I always love hearing from you! Starting this blog has been one of the best decisions I've made. 

Obsessed With Sketches

The Ella Publishing blog has a new challenge series, Stretch Your Sketches. When I saw this, I knew I had to play along. I am obsessed with sketches lately. I am also taking Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class. I find that I get tons of layouts done when I have a sketch to inspire my creating.

Here is my take on the sketch.

This layout is close to the original sketch. But I used two 4x6 photos instead of one 5x7. Sometimes, I use the sketch exactly and other times it takes me in a different direction. This is what I love about sketches. There are always so many possibilities and you can never go wrong.

Ten on Tuesday

1| This weekend, I felt like creating something a bit out of my comfort zone. I have had this small canvas sitting around for awhile now. I decided to paint it and add some rubons and ribbon. It makes me happy. I have it on my dining room/office table, so I can look at it while I work.

2| I've been ma'am(ed) lately way more than I'm comfortable with. This does not make me happy.

3| I saw two movies this weekend. The first was Morning Glory. This was a cute, fun movie. I laughed a lot. The second was The Kids Are All Right. I didn't like this movie. I am actually surprised it was nominated for an Oscar.

4| I've been volunteering a lot more lately. This weekend, I spent two hours watching 3 and 4 year olds. They are full of great energy and happiness and fun ideas and it's awesome to be a part of their day. I'm working at two food banks later this week. It feels really good to be meeting new people and giving back.

5| I walked outside for the first time. Birds chirping. Green sprouting out from everywhere. Heads held high toward the sun. People acknowledging each other and saying hello. We survived.

6| I am not usually a fan of yogurt because of the consistency, but my sister suggested I put it in the freezer for awhile. Genius idea! I also tried the new fad, Greek yogurt. I liked it.

7| I got out my spring and summer clothes. I always love doing this because, inevitably, there are a couple of pieces that I forgot I had. It's like getting new clothes. I'm also loving all the colors that are laking in my winter wardrobe.

8| Dancing with the Stars. Bye-bye Kendra.

9| A couple of books on my wish list. Kristin Hannah's new one, Night Road and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

10| I am a huge fan of Lisa's work. I love this layout of hers. I keep coming back to it and looking at all the awesome detail.

I Love Being An Aunt

I realized when I was going through my albums that I didn't have a layout about how much I love being an aunt. I had to remedy that quickly!

This page is really simple. I used smaller pieces of patterned paper. I used variety in the title. I spread out the journaling. Three things I don't do very often in my pages. I like how fun and colorful it is. Exactly like my nieces and nephew.

JOURNALING | I love them with all that I am. They bring me such joy and peace and fun. They are the best and I am thankful for them everyday.

I am very happy to finally have this part of my story documented.

Have a wonderful weekend. It should reach 70 here tomorrow. I. can't. wait.

10 Things I'd Rather Be Doing

1| Working. It's been three months of unemployment and it's no fun. No fun for the obvious monetary reasons, but also because I've always really loved working. I enjoy interacting with other people. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and making a difference. I miss it. I hope the next job is right around the corner.

2| Sitting on a beach with my feet submerged in the sand.

3| Walking around a lake with my sister or a friend.

4| Getting a pedicure.

5| Eating a chocolate filled croissant at a street side cafe in Paris.

6| Playing tennis.

7| Sitting on a patio sipping a cold drink.

8| Having a dance party with my nieces.

9| Reading a "can't put down" book.

10| Playing games with my family. Cribbage, 500, Clue, Battleship.

What would you rather be doing?

See more of my lists here. 

Ten on Tuesday

1| I'm sick....again. As my niece would say, "Seriously?!"

2| Stomp lived up to all the hype. Highly entertaining. I tried to make music out of everything for the next few days. Operative word is tried.

3| Dancing with the Stars Week 3: Bye-bye Wendy.

4| I've found that I like to watch golf when I'm sick. Is that weird?

5| My new favorite cereal: Kashi Honey Sunshine. Small, crunchy, tasty puffs of deliciousness.

6| I'm enjoying listening to Adele. I was sad to see her concert next month is sold out. Not sure why they chose such a small venue for such a popular performer.

7| I never thought I would say this, but I want an iPhone. I can't stop thinking about having one. I feel like I'm missing out on something. What has happened to me?!

8| I want to see Source Code. Jake Gyllenhaal. Enough said.

9| I'm reading Look At Me by Jennifer Egan. I've never read her books before, but so far so good.

10| I'm feeling uninspired and restless. Probably a side effect of being sick. I can't wait until I feel healthy again. I've been trying smile therapy. Have you heard of this? I first heard of it on Ally McBeal. It's simple. Smile even if you don't feel like it. Surprisingly, perhaps, it works.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Hello April.

Hello Spring?! I hope, I hope.
Hello open windows.
Hello celebrating with family.
Hello walking outside.
Hello lunches with friends.
Hello exploring a new city.
Hello Easter egg hunt and 4-square.
Hello new volunteer opportunities.
Hello meeting new people.
Hello blooms.
Hello getting my Mom on April Fool's Day. 
Hello a mini fresh start.

What is in store for you this April?