Scrapbook Challenge Announcement

Its been quite a lot time since I put myself out there scrapbook wise.  Sitting here about a month ago, reading an email from ScrapScene about the latest and greatest announcements and DT calls...I decided it was time. 

I sat here for almost a hour filling out the application.  Not because it was that hard, because I had a lot to put on there.  When I started adding up my DT time, I got the feeling that I had been around the block for a few years.  I decided with my last DT's ending that I was going to take time for me, scrap for me and take a break if needed.  I didn't need to keep up with the best you have ever seen or anyone else.  I needed to be me.  It took me quite a while and I found Shimelle - she taught me again that there is no right or wrong way, that I didn't need the new stuff to achieve the same look as everyone else.  So I decided that it was time to put me out there again and see if I was good enough in the eyes of others.

It is with great joy that I am proud to tell you today that I am part of Scrapbook Challenges Term B Design Team.  I can't wait to start creating layouts that are meaningful for me and my albums but to maybe, just maybe inspire someone else who is coming back from a hiatus to start creating again.

Stop by and say a great big "HELLO" to all the returning members as well as all the new girls.  I know that we are all ready to get started and work with everyone!

A Long Day

Ever had one of those days that you tell yourself "when I get off of work, I am having a drink"?  Well I do that from time to time and 99% of the time, I don't.  There was a day a few weeks ago that it was a horrible day at work and a horrible drive home.  By the time I pulled in the driveway, I knew I wasn't cooking and we were eating out.  So Robbie and I went out.  I only had one and that was enough.

a long day


I made this with the May Faded Jeans Kit from Scraptastic Club.  I added Kraft Cardstock, Jenni Bowlin Black Soda Label, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Cheery Notes piece, Studio Calico Take Note Cubicle Journal Box, Scraps from my stash, Washi Tape, Bakers Twine, Clock Die Cut on Pop Dots, Seed scrap piece, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot and October Afternoon Kraft Letters.  Layout based on Starting Point from Shimelle found here.

Scrapping a Memory

I turned 40 on Wednesday, June 20th.  I was/am okay with (turning) 40.  I think when it comes down to it, I will have issues with 50.  That one I am not looking forward too at all.  For that one I think I might run far far away to have peace and quiet.  No parties, no checking Facebook or my phone for messages of "Happy Birthday" for me that day.

Right before my birthday this year, I started thinking about my life so far and about different things over the years that I had forgotten about and things that I hadn't.  I have a wonderful memory that I hold dear to my heart that I am not even sure that my two older girls know about because they were so young when this was going on and I can't remember if I told them over the years.

When I was married to my first husband, he thought my birthday was on June 19th.  He shared this with his mom and every year I would get a card and a phone call on June 19th with birthday wishes.  I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was in fact the 20th.  One year, I got the most beautiful card from her and I wish I still had it (many, many moves ago) but it said "On your birthday, June 19th"  It was one of those cards that tells all the important things that has happened throughout history on June 19th.  Well that marriage went south pretty fast and there was a couple of years that she didn't talk to me.  That was completely understandable.  I was the ex-wife and I had moved on.  One year though, she called me on the 19th to wish me "Happy Birthday" and I finally let her know that it was the 20th and the first question to me was "why didn't you tell me?" I explained and she understood.  The next year, she called me on the 19th to tell me that she wasn't going to wish me a "Happy Birthday" that she would call me back.  I laughed and said "okay".  The next day she called me back and I can see it in my head still.  Sitting on the edge of my bed, talking on the phone with her like nothing ever happened between her son and myself.  We talked about life, the girls, my newest daughter and my new boyfriend.  It was just one of those talks.  One that she seemed genuinely interested in what was going on with me and of course she wished me a "Happy Birthday".  This was the last year that I got one of those calls from her.  She passed away early the next year.

This is my layout for her:

June 19th


I used the June PB&J Kit from Scraptastic Club.  The photo is a stock photo. I added Studio Calico "Take Note" Cubicle Journal Square, Vellum (I made the pocket), Yellow Cardstock, Jillibean Soup Journal Box, Sequins, Buttons, Pearl Hearts, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot, a Black Zig Pen and AC Vinyl Thickers that are old, old, old.  Layout is based off of Shimelle's starting point found here.

Transparent...

I have been following Shimelle's blog for quite some time. I actually found out about her one night sitting in Barnes & Noble, sipping a Caffe Latte w/ Soy while reading Scrapbook Inspirations magazine. I liked her style. Mine is always, always described as clean...simple...layered... and hers to me was so much different than mine. I couldn't wait to get home and google her. Very stalkerish I know, but what can I say?

This week, Shimelle posted a sketch. I usually shy away from the sketches because, well I don't know why but this one...oh this one challenged me. So I sat at the table and did not just 1 layout but 2 layouts and in a manner that I have NEVER done before!

Here is the link to her post in case your interested: Sketch of the Week The twist? Scrap with a transparency. Big deal you say? Well, I have honestly never scrapped with one. Never put one in a mini album, never used one on a card...never. So I was challenged and I knew I wanted to try.

So here it is:

Side 1 - Becoming You

Side 2 - All grown up

My middle daughter and how she has changed from high school until now. Hope and dreams on her end and mine.

I used a KI Memories transparency-the only one I had. And the April "I Feel Pretty" kit from Scraptastic Club found here I absolutely love this kit! I have used it so much more than I have any other kit and I will be sad to see it go when I have finished it out. Crazy thing is, I don't normally use this colors!

Until I blog again...

Scraptastic Challenges

A couple of months ago, I decided that it was time to start back with a kit club. I lurked and watched for about 6 months to see the consistency and the quality of the kits for the price. I found Scraptastic Club by chance one day, ordered one of Jessica's older kits to use on my December Daily and was pleasantly surprised. Needless to say...I kept watching. You know how it can be, a great kit one month and the next month you get it and wonder where the rest of the kit is. Well Jessica's kits are not that way at all! Every month there are challenges on the blog and this is the first month that I have played along. It pushed me to get to the table, inspired me to do somethings that I haven't done in quite sometime and helped me to fall in love again with my supplies and tools.

Challenge #1 - Punch it Up

mmm...cupcake The cupcake truck here in Houston that I follow on Facebook to find out where they are going to be and what the flavors of the day is. It is wonderful!

Challenge #2 - Use a Song Title

Celebrate (good times) A photo of one of the cap and tassels that I made for my middle daughters graduation party last year. I have them packed away so that I can use them in two years!

Challenge #3 - Buttons, Brads and Flowers

She Can Talk My daughter has finally learned to use the phone to talk on it. I can't believe that she finally met someone who doesn't really text. Goodbye 20,000 text messages a month and hello Friends and Family!

Challenge #4 - Sketch Challenge

Find The Centaur Now in my defense he used to be so much hotter. I think that he has been living it up and working too many Ren Faires. Hence the use of my last piece of Bo Bunny Napa Valley Wine Labels from long long ago.

Challenge #5 - Make your own Tag and Use it

One Day

This is my bike that I have picked out. Once my husbands bike is out out layaway, mine will be going in and I can't wait. We have decided that we are going to ride the MS 150. We aren't sure if we will be able to do it in 2013 but we will do it by 2014.