Easter Trivia

I'm still catching up in sharing layouts I created for challenges during National Scrapbook Day. I participated in a few on Two Peas in a Bucket. They had a morph project hop with their design team. One member creates the first layout and then the next member creates a layout based on the first member and so on. It was really fun to see how all the members interpreted each design in their own way. You can check it out here.

The challenge was to continue the morph, so I used Amy Tan's page as inspiration.

I loved all of the layering and bits that she had on her page, so I chose to mirror that on my page. I cut up a bunch of papers from her Sketchbook collection into different shapes and sizes and layered them on top of each other. Her collection makes it so easy to scrap! Love it.

At Easter this year, we decided to have a trivia contest for the three youngest kids. We made up a series of questions for each person, and for each question there was a prize. My oldest niece helped to pick out the prizes and they were a big hit. My middle niece told me after that she wished there had been more questions. Note to self for next year. I'm so glad they enjoyed it. Definitely a highlight of the weekend.

I'm so glad it's Friday tomorrow. Here I come long weekend! What are your plans?

Ten on Tuesday

1| I took the day off on Friday. I had to remind myself how to relax. To forget all the stuff and stress. I went out to lunch by myself. I only remember doing that once before. I wandered the aisles of Target. I bought a few things I didn't need. I exercised. I read. I napped. It was nice. I need to do that more often.

2| I am smitten with Downton Abbey. I whipped through season one and two and I can't believe I have to wait until January 2013 to see season three. Is anyone else watching?

3| I've been enjoying the Farmer's Market. I'm eating a lot of green onion and radishes.

4| I'm participating in Ali Edwards' 31 Things class at Big Picture Classes. I'm thoroughly enjoying all the writing. I'm unearthing a lot of fun and interesting stories.

5| I'm reading the third book in Steig Larsson's series. I read the first two a long time ago, but somehow didn't read the third. It doesn't disappoint. I didn't see the movie. I didn't want to see all that violence.

6| I've been emailing with my niece. She's using her Mom's account. I always love seeing an email from her in the morning. She loves sharing all the emoticons she has. I've been sharing riddles.

7| I bought a few rolls of washi tape from Freckled Fawn. Good stuff. You'll be seeing a lot of it on future projects.

8| My allergies have been awful. The cottonwood is everywhere. I struggle the most with my eyes. I've read that I should keep my windows closed, but I need the fresh air.

9| The weather has been fantastic the last few days. We had a lot of rain before that, which we desperately needed. Now, I need to get into the practice of spending more time outside. I'm not yet taking full advantage. Even if it's just taking a quick walk at lunch or after dinner.

10| I read this quote on Pinterest and it made me smile. "Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil says, oh no, she's up."

My Favorites

Wow, I've been away for much longer than I thought possible. This is the longest since I started blogging a little over two years ago. I'm struggling with whether to keep coming back to this space or not. I'm definitely not as eager as I was when I first started. I want this space to be fun and inspirational and a place to document my life. I've lost some of that focus. I really hope I find it again! But I'm here today, and I'll take that for now.

During National Scrapbook Day (Weekend), Studio Calico had a bunch of different challenges. One was to use circles or triangles or stars, something graphic. I chose to use circles.

I've used this design in the past and it is one of my favorites. It's super simple, but effective too. I just grab my scalloped circle punch and a few sheets of pretty paper. I'm using Amy Tan's Sketchbook collection on everything lately. The colors and designs are really inspiring me right now. I added embellishments to several of the circles; a brad, a label sticker, banners, a chipboard butterfly, and a "S" Thicker. I love how bright and fun this page is.

When I got to the list, I just sat down and wrote down the first 10 things that came to mind. I didn't over think it. If I did it again now, it would probably be a different list. This is just a snapshot. I then used my typewriter to put it on white cardstock. I made them pennants by just cutting the ends.

My Favorites--May 2012
Dark chocolate
West Wing episodes
Create everyday
Stripes
Brussels sprouts
Warm sunshine
Hot green tea

A couple close-ups

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm thankful for all my readers!

Creative Crop

This past Saturday was National Scrapbooking Day and I celebrated by scrapping a bunch. I played along with challenges at Big Picture Classes' Creative Crop, Two Peas in a Bucket and Studio Calico.

Today, I'll be sharing the layouts from the Creative Crop.

First up, Ali Edwards had a challenge to tell a then and now story. I love these type of stories. They are fun to make and even more fun to look at later on. Tammy at Your Memory Connection made a layout a few weeks back that compared three different decades of her life. I love that idea and put it on my to-do list and when I saw this challenge, I knew it would be perfect.

I'm turning 35 this year, so I took a photo from years 14, 24 and 34. Finding a photo for 14 and 24 was not easy. It wasn't until 2006 when I got my first digital camera that photos of me are more prevalent. My journaling is tucked behind the photo and just talks about what was happening during each of these years, and what I hope will happen in year 35.

The next layout combines two different challenges; use iPhone photos and use a cast-off object.

I just purchased an iPhone, so I was totally in for this challenge. The first two layers underneath the photos are packaging from product from Studio Calico and American Crafts.

I'm a big fan of taking photos of my food, and the iPhone makes this so much easier. When in a restaurant, it's not as obvious as a larger camera. I kept this page pretty simple, and looking at it now, I'm thinking it needs more. But I'm about moving forward, so in the album it goes.

The Creative Crop challenges are now closed, but the Two Peas and Studio Calico ones are open for a week, so stop by those sites if you're looking for a creative boost.

I'll be back later this week with my layouts from the other challenges. You'll be seeing a lot of American Crafts/Amy Tangerine Sketchbook. I'm a bit obsessed with that collection!

I hope your week is off to a good start. Thanks for stopping by!

Crafty Weekend Part 2

I'm back today to share more from my crafty weekend. See the other layouts from my successful scrapping weekend here.

My Peeps

I sat with this sketch for awhile before this page emerged. I had fun using the Classic Calico collection from Studio Calico. Tons of versatile patterns. I added pops of pink to add some contrast.

Easter Finery

This page came together very quickly. I took out Amy Tangerine's new Sketchbook collection and went to town. Isn't that background paper fun?! I added a few of the die cuts and embellishments and called it done.

I still have a handful of sketches to work on. I'm busy with family on Saturday, but maybe Sunday afternoon I can sneak in a few hours to scrap.

I hope you have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by.

The 34 List

When I turned 34 last October, I didn't really feel like making a list of things I'd like to accomplish during that year, like I have in years past. I was still looking for a job, and quite frankly was in a sad place. Making a list was too hopeful when I feeling lost of hope. But then a couple of weeks ago, I changed my mind. These last few months have flown by, and I haven't been in the moment nearly enough. I haven't been happy with how I've spent my time. I've learned that I need to plan, and be deliberate about how I spend my time, or stuff won't happen. In comes the list.

I have a lot to cram into these few months, but I'm up for it. I cheated a little too and added a few things I've already done.

Let's roll.

1| Visit James J. Hill house
2| See plays at four new theaters (One down, 3 to go)
3| See five movies in the theater (One down, 4 to go)
4| Go on a girls weekend for my 35th birthday
5| Take a class (writing, fitness, Archiver's)
6| Have my nieces over for the weekend
7| Buy a queen mattress (Check)
8| Hire a professional photographer to take photos during Rick Fest
9| Dance all night (Check)
10| Try three new restaurants
11| Go to a Lynx game
12| Make three new dishes (One down, 2 to go)
13| Major blog overhaul
14| Write lots of letters
15| Hang B&W photos
16| Grow out my hair (Check)
17| Play lots of tennis
18| Volunteer somewhere new
19| Go to a Josh Ritter concert
20| Get a mani and a pedi
21| Buy new plants
22| Finish organizing/scanning old photos
23| Take day trips to St. Peter and Northfield
24| Read my growing pile of books
25| Be fierce (ala Kal Barteski)
26| Take a trip to the North Shore
27| Get healthy
28| Join a nonprofit board or committee
29| Get a new comforter
30| Make new connections. Nurture the old ones.
31| Advocate on Capitol Hill (Check)
32| Do more for others. Look outside myself.
33| Start a Twitter account
34| Document it all!

Ten on Tuesday

1| I made my favorite rice salad for the first time this year. It's a great spring/summer salad. Super easy too. Rice, chickpeas, feta, roasted red peppers, green onion, parsley and dill. With a lemon juice, garlic, olive oil dressing. Hmmm....good.

2| I finally bought a new mattress and boy, what a difference! I'm sleeping so well now.

3| My wish list is growing. I want to take Ali Edwards' new class. I want to buy Elise Blaha's new stamps. I want to buy all the washi tape at Freckled Fawn. I want the new Here and Now kit from Elle's Studio.

4| I had a big spring cleaning weekend. I purged old magazines, stuffed a couple of bags of clothes to donate, caught up on laundry, and even cleaned my car. Feels good to start the week off fresh. Now, only if it would all stay clean!

5| I talked with my niece on the phone for awhile the other day. She went on and on about how much fun she had at a swimming birthday party. It warmed my heart to hear her happiness radiating through the phone.

6| I bought these earrings. I'm wearing them all the time. Love.

7| May is almost here. How is this possible? Mother's Day is upon us and I'm contemplating gift ideas. What are you giving your Mom?

8| I ran out of tea this morning. Blerg. I was just at the store. I hate when that happens.

9| I changed my mind. I've decided to make a 34 list. Yeah, I'm 6 months behind, but that's ok. I'll make it work. I'll be sharing my list later this week.

10| I'll leave you with a quote, "I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it will be." -- Groucho Marx