Refocusing in 2013... Back to a favorite hobby!

A simple scrapbook page... I've had this sitting on my counter unfinished for months! Finally put it together!


 I am also including the scrap lift inspiration page. Like I said, simple!

Challenge 24 - Done!

Another one bites the dust... another one done, another one done, another one bites the dust!

I'm excited to have a Christmas layout done!  One of my theme albums is "Christmas", but I haven't done much with my Christmas pictures in several years.  I think it is because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them, and let's be honest, I take a TON of Christmas pictures each year.  Some are pretty good, but others, not so much. Regardless, I can't seem to part with any of them.  When I flip through pics from years past there is always someone or something in the background or off to the side that brings back a special memory.  So, I've decided, make that given myself permission, to scrap/keep ALL of my Christmas pictures.  Not sure exactly what this will look like yet, but I'll figure it out.

Speaking of (forgotten) special memories... when flipping through my Christmas pictures I came across this set.  A simple common Christmas activity... cutting down a Christmas tree.  However, look how darn young Spencer is!!!!!!  So cute... but these pictures also highlight some other thoughts (should have journaled them! darn!).  These pictures were pre-Carson! Gasp! Doesn't seem possible that there was a pre-Carson era! He's such a huge presence in the Petoskey family that it is hard to remember the days before him!  It also highlights just how long we have been BFFs with the Petoskeys!  These pictures were taken almost exactly 10 years ago!! Time sure does fly!!

Journaling:

On December 02, 2001 we met our friends,  Joel, Amy, and Spencer Petoskey, at the Candy Cane Tree Farm in Oxford, MI. Derek and I love real Christmas  trees, so we enjoy getting out in the crisp winter air to hunt down the perfect tree. Amy and Joel love real trees, too, so we decided to go on our hunt together.  We walked and walked, and walked some more, before we found "the tree."  It was so fun watching cute little Spencer waddle between the trees all bundled up in his winter coat, hat and gloves! What a beautiful, sunny, winter day!

A few notes:  I pulled out some "old" supplies... it felt good. I'm over keeping up with the "trends" in scrapbooking. I am a simple, clean lines, do what I feel comfortable with, scrapbooker.  Thanks for looking!

Challenge 23 - Done!

I was determined to stay caught up with the Challenges this time around... and I'm succeeding. I forgot how much I truly enjoy scrapbooking... here is my rendition of Challenge 23

I started an 8.5x11 album to put "All About Me" pages in.  Well, I struggled because the journaling and the single picture I had planned for this page would.not.fit on an 8.5x11 page.  After spending too much time trying to force it, I gave in and was going to create a 12x12.  Well, as I was reworking the plan I figured out how to keep it 8.5x11. I did a "layered" layout.  This top photo shows the top page closed over the bottom page.

This picture shows the top page opened up to expose the second page.

I am totally into custom sized page protectors. I've made several now (see previous KR post).  This is what the layered page looks like in my custom made page protectors.  I simply use my sewing machine to stitch the page protectors to the size I need. Easy-peasy.  I needed the top page to be smaller, so it would expose my title on the right side. I also needed a second page because I couldn't fit all of my journaling on the front page with my picture. Problem solved with a layered, custom sized page protector page. :)

My journaling is below. I like that I documented "my" lessons learned... I may figure out a way to frame this... good reminders for me to reflect upon regularly. :)

o hard work does pay off o your best friends will chat and laugh with you into the wee hours of the morning... because you, nor they, know when you will get the next opportunity o invest in friendships... the return is priceless o college is worth the time and the money o staying true to the person you are gets more difficult as you get older... others want to change you o laughter is the best medicine... it can cure stress instantly o avoid drama... it's not worth the stress --> ever. o others will judge you... but only pay attention to self judgment o stick with people who are fun... see above --> laughter is the best medicine o never let others think you are too old to have fun... age is a number -->having fun keeps you young o never lie at the expense of your integrity... being truthful cultivates trust o save for a rainy day... but don't be afraid to treat yourself as if there may be no tomorrow o take time to snuggle on the couch... a clean house can wait o never stop learning... professionally or in your personal life o don't be afraid to stand up for what or who you believe in o bubble baths are another stress reliever... enjoy them often o never stop dreaming... you need those dreams to keep you motivated and invested in life o treasure the sunny days... because you need to weather the stormy days o your parents will always love you unconditionally... and their pride will always shine through o don't worry too much about vanity... those that matter will think you are beautiful no matter what o always be thankful for your health... it can change in an instant o be proud of your optimistic attitude... always challenge the pessimists! o expect apologies... and then let go o you are not a morning person... accept it and enjoy the days you get to wake up without an alarm clock o movies are an escape... see them often o you will learn to love traveling... not only to sunny beaches, but to places where you learn about new cultures o

always spend time on your favorite hobbies... they can easily get pushed to the side when life gets busy and it's easy to forget just how much joy they bring to your life o always remember to dance... no matter where you are or who is watching o get plenty of sleep... it is what keeps you healthy o it's okay to want to make more money... instead of spend less o read quotes and let them inspire you... but at some point believe you are good enough just the way you are o don't stop eating slowly even if others seem annoyed... enjoy the meal, the conversation, and the moment o getting lost in a good book is a good thing... it's feeling sad that you have lost a good friend once the book ends that is the hard part o invest in expensive sunglasses... they are worth it o listen... to children and the elderly because they often share thoughts that will change your way of thinking o expect others to treat you well... especially your husband o celebrate your love for technology... because it's fun to get new toys o don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong... it is not a sign of weakness o religion will not be an important part of your life... doesn't mean you can't be spiritual o never end a date night with friends or family simply because it is getting late... those moments and memories become priceless o hugs are the best way to say "hello" and "goodbye"... give them often o be a role model and empower others... especially young girls o most importantly... be real. be you.

Challenge 22 - Done!

I started Challenge 22 almost two weeks ago. I had most of it laid out... just needed to finalize the journaling and glue everything down.  Finished that up tonight. I'm excited to have this event documented... it was a great night!

This is the left side page:

This is the right side page:

This the journaling that will be sandwiched between the pages... it's an excerpt from a random blog that copied and pasted about the concert...

My journaling under the left side page reads as follows:

SO.MUCH.FUN! I have been to many, many Kid Rock concerts, but this was one of the best! Karen, Amy, and I started the night with Bad-Ass beer and appetizers in our beautiful room at Motor City Casino. We were soon joined by a bunch of fun, fun friends.... Heather, Denise, and crew, and Mandy and her boyfriend, Steve.  We took a lot of crazy, cool pictures, sang our hearts out to Kid Rock tunes (both old and new) and created an empty beer bottle pyramid!  Silly fun!   Of course, the concert itself was AWE.SOME! The guest lineup was great... my favorite was Sheryl Crow. The chemistry between her and KR could be felt throughout the stadium!  My only disappointment was that Hank, Jr., didn't show up. Now worries though, the performances with Rev Run and Kracker made up for his absence!  The night ended somewhat early (before the bars closed "early") with Karen ordering a $30.00+ pizza from the hotel that was barely touched because we had all fallen asleep by the time it was delivered to our room. LOL! As always, great times with great friends! What a great way to usher in the 1971-ers 40th year! Happy Birthday, KR!

**Connection to Challenge 22... I planned to use the title with the numbers/months/days, but just couldn't get it to fit on the layout without it looking silly.  I did print the picture of KR to resemble the one in the challenge... a tall, big picture. I love this pic of KR... a true representation of what he looks like on stage. 

Scrapbook Challenge 21

WooHoooo.... glad to be back in the saddle. I haven't made a scrapbook pages in oh, I don't know, months... maybe over a year!  I love this hobby and hope to make more room in my life to enjoy it... along with blogging. Due Date: October 10 :)


Here is my take on Scrapbook Challenge 21:

Journaling:

little machine, i adore you! i knew i would "like" you, but i had no idea how much i would come to depend on you... you make checking email (both work and personal) and keeping track of my calendar a breeze... i use you to watch tv and movies, read magazines and books, play games such as words with friends, check my favorite social networking sites (facebook and twitter),  look up recipes and youtube videos, take notes in professional development classes, practice yoga, take and edit pictures and videos, pin internet finds to pinterest, and check the weather.  you make my life easier and are a huge source of entertainment.  i am so glad that we met back in april, 2011!

Stats: 

- Made page in less than 2 hours... including taking and printing pics at home

- used Photosheet to organize my pics to print

- used the HP Officejet Pro K8600 to print my pics

- used my Cricut for the red letters and the circles

- used the HP Officejet 7500a to print journaling

Tip of the Day

If you are like me you can easily get sucked into the cyber-world after sitting down at the computer to quickly check your email or Facebook.  The intention is to check-in with the rest of the world and quickly "get-off" so you can work on the to-do list that has been sitting on your desk for days, maybe even weeks. I've tried the "I'll give myself 10 minutes" and then I'll move on to the laundry, or cleaning, or scrapbooking, or making dinner, or a million other little things a home-owning wife should probably be doing... but, nope! The 10 minutes turns into 30. Then 30 turns into 60. Then sixty turns into, "Oh, shit! I've been cruising the net ALL night!"  


Well, today I have a snow day. I am cozied up in my scrap studio with the intention of finishing laundry, cleaning the master bathroom, cleaning/organizing my walk-in closet, and finishing up my Project Life 2010. Where am I? "Checking-in with the world." (while watching the baby squirrels  romp, play, and jump from tree to tree during the snow storm... so cute!).  A solution I came up with last summer TOTALLY helped with my internet A.D.D. I use this tool at work and it also helps children get focused on the task at hand.  So, today I am returning to this useful resource... an online stopwatch. I pull it up in a tab in Google Chrome (LOVE Google Chrome... if you have more than one computer or you want access to all of your "favorites" from work, this is the tool!).  I throw in a load of laundry, come back to my computer, set the timer, and go about my merry way working on other tasks.  The timer rings at the end to remind me to switch the laundry... so helpful!  In the past, I'd throw in a load and forget about it until 4 hours later... not a good thing if your intention is to finish the laundry that day.  So, try the stopwatch... for whatever tasks you need some time accountability... maybe it is cleaning out that hallway closet.  You won't end up spending the whole day cleaning out a closet that you only intended to work on for 60 minutes!

Studio Organization

Here's a great post I came across... for all of us organizational nuts!

Photography...

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. 
- Aaron Siskin

The 8 Qualities of a Wealthy Woman

Something to think about...


Adapted from Suze Orman's book, Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control your Destiny  via O, The Oprah Magazine.


Besides money, a wealthy woman has these qualities that serve as guideposts to make sure she's always walking toward wealth rather than away from it. 


*Harmony & Balance: Harmony is the agreement between what you think, say, and do. Balance is the state of stability in which you're able to make sound judgments that will enhance your emotional and financial security.  Aligning your thoughts, words, and actions will put you on a path to balance - and emotional and financial well-being.


*Wisdom & Courage: The ability to make (not just think about) sensible decisions that respect your needs takes wisdom, the voice of experience that's inside each woman.  Courage, the catalyst that creates harmony by uniting our thoughts with our actions, is what lets us assert our opinions confidently. Telling a friend or family member that you love them, but can't ruin your financial life to save theirs requires wisdom and courage.


*Generosity & Happiness: True generosity must benefit both parties. No woman can control her destiny if she doesn't give to  herself as much as she gives of herself. 


*Cleanliness & Beauty: Removing clutter and chaos from our lives brings clarity, which makes it easier to achieve what we want. From emptying closets of unused stuff to streamlining your wallet, cleanliness is a sign that you're in control.  And by bringing the first seven qualities into your life, you feel beautiful. 


When you commit to finding harmony and balance, you have the courage to make wise decisions that are as generous to you as they are to others. This leads to deep, unwavering happiness and brings beauty to your life. 

I'm looking for something like this...

for my scrapbook room/home office.  I've searched the 'net and the local stores, but have come up with nothing. I found something similar at Pottery Barn... which costs over $200.00.  That's my last resort... hoping to find something similar that is less expensive...

I found this one at organize.com for $120.00, but it is too long for the space I want to hang it.  Help!

10-10-10

 Don't forget to record today's events!

Look What I Did Today...

I am continuing to go through and scan photos (old & new). I came across pictures of my family at Sea World when I was a wee-little child.  The quality is horrible... they all look like this or worse...

 They all have this dark pink/magenta tone... totally ruins the picture (obviously!)... with a little help from Windows Live Photo Gallery and Photoshop Elements I was able to improve it to this...

Not the clearest when it comes to dpi, but MUCH better as far as color and detail.  I have many more to improve, but at least I know it can be done.

Get those old pictures out and start playing!

I Love Laughter...

I have taken on the massive task of scanning in all of my pre-digital pictures. I plan to toss most of the originals (gasp!) once they are scanned (with the exception of my very favorite pics).  I can't wait to have all of my pictures in ONE place...right now some are digital, some are in boxes, some are in old school albums, some are in picture sleeves, some are clipped together in a drawer, etc. 

I am really enjoying reminiscing while organizing and scanning pictures....

I came across this video while looking for an event on my hard drive... it is a simple (bad quality) video of my mom with her sisters laughing... laughing like my sisters and girlfriends and I often do... the silly have-no-idea-why-what-we-are-laughing-about-is-so-funny, but it just IS!  and the silly laughter that Derek just does not get most of the time, but he does love that we laugh... my greatest memories are of laughter!  it is true... it is life's best medicine!

Today's To-Do List

*Take laptop in to see about an upgrade to Windows 7 (check! will do this in the near future... didn't plan to spend $200.00 to do so)
*Stop at Digs to see if they still have a table I saw last week (never made it - darn!)
*Post Office... to mail fun packages (check! lots of happy mail went out!)
*Workout (nope!)
*Practice motorcycling (nope! got home too late)
*Shelves in Studio (check! well, Derek did this, but check!)
*Shop for Studio chair (check! Found what I thought was the perfect chair... but it ended up being way too big, so still on the hunt!)

Already cleaned up my email contacts... kind of obsessive compulsive about silly tech things like that!

Let's see how well I do on my list!  Happy Monday!

To all my favorite girlfriends... this is my song to you! xo!

This goes out to each of you... to remember each and every time we have laughed, danced, sang, and leaned on each other! Whenever you hear this song think of me and all of the wonderful memories we have created together... and the many more that are to come! Love you!




The story behind the song: I had recently come home for a fun weekend away with girlfriends... D loves when I go away with girlfriends... he loves the funny stories I share (although, he never laughs quite as hard as we did while living the story OR as hard as I do retelling the story)... he loves my girlfriends and the memories we create together... back to the song's story... we were sitting on the couch catching up on Tivo'd shows... one being Cougar Town... at the end of the show the cast was dancing around a campfire on the beach late in the evening, having cocktails, laughing, and singing... this song was playing while they were doing so... I was half paying attention when Derek looked at me and said, "This is your and your girlfriends' song." I looked back and said, "Hm?" and then focused in on the show... started really listening and watching the "scene" that was showing with the song... it IS totally my and my girlfriends' song! It was awesome that he had noticed and really listened otherwise I would have missed it!

Love to each of you! Thanks for all the great times "we've left our boyfriends behind and danced..."

THIS made me happy today!

I SEE THE LIGHT! Click Summer 2010 > Click "J"

Christmas in January

Derek and I spent Christmas with my parents in January... a calm Friday evening where we got to talk and laugh and catch up.  I love the spirit of the holiday season, but celebrating in January was kind of nice.  A slower pace, more intimate, and low key.  I do think that we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season that it seems to come and go in a blink... stretching it into January gave the opportunity to be in the moment and appreciate its joy.

Here are a few on my favorite pictures for our late-season celebration.

For the past several years my dad has taken the time to find something special that he picks out on his own to give to me.  This year he picked a pink Snuggie.

 

Derek and I always chuckle when we see the commercials for these, but I always told him I wanted one.  It was fun to receive it from my dad for Christmas! Derek snickered and playfully rolled his eyes when I opened it because he knew that I wanted one, but always made fun of the "snuggie blanket with arms".... be I am sure that he secretly thinks its cool! I would say that I will, at some point, see him wrapped up in it on the couch, but given it's pink I think that may deter him! LOL! I will be taking this to Italy to use on the overnight flight... I have a feeling that may be the time Derek makes use of it, too! :)

I also want to toot my mom's horn! EVERY year she finds the perfect gifts... always so personal to each of us! This year was no different! She got me the softest, most comfy pajamas I have ever had! I don't know the material, but it is similar to fleece, but softer and fuzzier! I love them! Derek loves snuggling up to me when I have them on... he said it's like cozy-ing up to a human blanket! She also got me this really cozy blanket... I love wrapping up in it on the couch and have even wrapped up in it in bed because it's so soft! She got me many great gifts, but I also love that she always gets beautiful Christmas ornaments to add to my collection.

Christmas in January was just as special as to me as Christmas in December! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

My heart is heavy tonight...

a great friend lost her brother last night and she and her family is hurting terribly. What is this world coming to? Too many people are losing their lives MUCH, MUCH too young.

This week holds too many responsiblities and too many things I simply don't want to be doing, but have to. I want to be living life... holding the hand of those that need it right now... chatting with those that mean the most to me, but obligations and responsiblities are pulling me in directions I wish I didn't have to go. 

Sad post... but life isn't always cheery... unfortunately...

Rest in Peace, Mike. Having talked to your sister today please know that you were loved beyond measure.

Silhouette fun...

I have had my Silhouette machine for several years... I bought it from QVC because it could cut any font from your computer... I used it for a while and then it sit on the shelf and collected dust for a good 1.5 years.  Well, the Silhouette company (formerly owned by Quickutz) spun off in a direction of its own and WOW! do I love the things they are doing! They have improved the program and the images tremendously! I simply love this machine now and cannot wait for my scrapbook room to be finished, so I can give it a good workout!

I made this simple gift bag for my girlfriends at Christmas. The tree and the "Merry Christmas" are from Silhouette... "Sarah" was made with my Cricut... which cartridge escapes me right now!  I look forward to sharing more projects made with this great little machine!

Seriously! This is the coolest lady I know!

This is Derek's beautiful grandma! She turned 89 years old this month and has more spunk, class, and wisdom than woman half her age! Derek and I took her to dinner for her birthday.  She chose to go to Lion's Den... I really like that place! I hadn't been there in years, so a big thank you to Grandma for reminding me to go there more often! Anyhoo... do you see what a great jacket and purse Grandma is carrying??? The are both silver! Cute, stylish silver!  She ALWAYS dresses so hip and with the times... check this outfit out...

 stylish scarf, beautiful leather jacket... this was at the family Christmas party last month.  As we were leaving dinner Grandma and I had this conversation:

Me: Grandma, I love your jacket and purse.  The are really cute.

Grandma: Oh, thank you.  This is a jacket that I got on sale for half-off. Just a little something that I got a good deal on.

Me: Well, it was a great choice. It looks great on you and is so stylish. I have to tell you, Grandma, you are the hippest Grandma I know!

Grandma: Well, Tina. I remember a conversation that Becky (Derek's aunt) had with Lisa (Derek's cousin) many years ago when Becky told Lisa that if she ever started dressing like and old lady she better stop her. I remember thinking, I never want to dress like an old lady. So I try not to.

Me: Grandma, you are faarr from dressing like an old lady!

She is an inspirational woman that I truly look up to! She is such a great role model for all women and if I am half the woman she is at 89 I have lived well!