Well, the new year (and new decade!) will be upon us soon. 2009 was a great year for me personally, and I’m looking forward to an even better 2010! There has been a lot of discussion at the forums I frequent regarding what to call this new year. Will you say the whole thing? Two thousand and ten. Others have said they’ll use Oh-Ten, but to me that doesn’t make sense. I think I’m going to use Twenty-Ten.

I want to sit down and do a year in review layout for this year, but just haven’t had time yet. So I went looking for some inspiration, and at the first gallery I checked I found this magnificent page. This is by Bec at Scrap Orchard, and I can only hope to someday make a page as great as this one. The shadows are outstanding and the overall design is stunning! The image in linked to the gallery if you’d like to leave a comment.

I hope that everyone has a safe & happy New Years celebration. See you NEXT YEAR!!

Good Wednesday Morning

Well Christmas is over - sort of.  We had to delay our family gathering due to a giant winter storm that blew into the Midwest over Christmas.  In my part of the world, it turned into a Blizzard and forced thousands of people to change their holiday travel plans.  I called my out of town family members and told them that I couldn’t ask anyone to travel on dangerous roads, so we’ll have Christmas this Friday instead.

As far as Blizzards go, it was one of the strangest ones I’ve ever been in.  We got a good wallop the night of the 23rd.  By Christmas eve morning, we had around 10 inches to shovel with blowing winds.  Nothing to write home about :)  But on Christmas Day it started to snow/sleet …. and then it started to RAIN!  Rain in December??  Has anyone tried to shovel snow that is mixed with water?  If you can visualize wet concrete, you’re on the right track.  Yet, even then you can’t  imagine how heavy it is.  Our whole family was out there shoveling because unfortunately, we have a rather large driveway.  That was bad enough, but then the plow came and gave us a 3 foot snowbank when it left.  It took hours to finish the job.  We don’t have a snowblower - hubby says that he doesn’t have anywhere to store it and he likes the exercise.  Somehow though, I don’t think he was enjoying himself on Friday, lol.  I know I wasn’t.

For the Layout of the Day I started looking for a snowscene and came across this cute one that my friend, Nancy,  at RAKscraps.com made.  I just love the winter photo she placed in her layout - smiling faces of happy winter moments.   Be sure to jump over to RAKscraps.com and leave her some luv

Hugs to you all,

Debbie (aka snackpackgu)

I go into an obsessive compulsive clean after Christmas. Did I say compulsive? Oh yeah, the kitchen was gutted.  Everything, everything comes out and I scrubbed each cabinet, shelf, drawer, wall and ceiling!  I leave no corner untouched!

So, I get it half cleaned, and my brain goes, “While you have this all pulled out, you should paint!”  My hubby called our dear and awesome landlord.  He said he would pay for it, if I did the labor and I could pick the paint, as long as it isn’t wild and crazy colors.

Colors? I love color! I found this nifty little game about color personality for painting your home.  The Color Sense Game. I took the test, and low and behold it said I was Al Fresco with some Almonds and Sun. In Italy, al fresco means “in the open air.” It conjures up images of  nature’s green brushstrokes. Almonds and Sun brings in the color of the sun, yellow signifies good faith and confidence and therefore, where there is yellow, there is light!  Oh yeah, these are my ultimate favorite colors! Green and Yellows.

So, I began going thru the favorites I had saved knowing I was writing this blog today.  Oh my, this is just remarkable.  Salmandre’s Quentin would hang on my wall and be happy with the colors I picked!

I have no idea what the journalling says, but the energy and photos are just superb…and the extracted arms with the leaves floating out and down are just magnificent!

So what about you? What is your color personality? Do you find yourself drawn to these colors in your purchases or in your favorite layouts?

My kitchen is half painted with creamy buttery yellow walls, 3 different shades!  I have big green pottery to go up in the corners and will make some Al Fresco curtains next!

whew!!!  The presents are opened and stored in their new homes, the company has left, the cooking is FINALLY DONE, and the house is back to it’s semblance of quiet!  So now that the madness of the holiday is winding down..what do you do to decompress?  I read and scrap…and yes the hubs and my kids know if mommy is doing either it is just a good idea to wait and ask for the big green fuzzy cup full of juice LATER!

So with the end of Christmas, the new year is fast approaching!  And yes, I’m going to join the bandwagon and do the “typical” new year’s resolution…I’m gonna join a gym and tone my butt up! With that in mind you know I’m gonna have pages to scrap what with memories like me in a gym!! :)  And you know I may just have to do a little brag book of the journey, guess we’ll see!  So my Product of the day is an awesome kit that will make doing those pages a BLAST!  Check out The Inch Loss Plan kit by Dawn Inskip over at Pickleberry Pop

The Inch Loss Plan by Dawn Inskip available at Pickleberry Pop and CatScrap

And of course there are other ways to tone up and get fit…and for that matter fun ways as well as the grueling gym experience!  How bout dance!  Do you remember those ballet lessons you had as a child (no I don’t remember it keeping me fit), well if you don’t I sure do…I remember going to the nutcracker and falling in love!  The backdrops were magical, the dancers willowy and graceful, the costumes dazzling, and all the while wanting to be in the middle of it all.  Not long after that I joined the throngs of little girls twirling around in my very own pink satin leotard fit for a queen!  Layout of the day has one of those little dancing beauties! Check out Shadelia’s layout titled Little Ballerina.  I love love love the page on a page technique, I think it brings our digital world into the realistic realms!  STUNNING work Shadelia,  and perfect perfect placement of that little gift package.  It looks as if the beauty is putting the final touches on her exquisite gift! 

Little Ballerina by Shadelia

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday and here is to hoping you have a splendid New Year as well!  Till Next Monday!

Wow!  We did it — another year, another Christmas holiday, now available for scrapbook pages.  Be sure to write some notes that describe your day so that you’ll be able to combine the memories with your photos.  Some pages will make excellent framed prints, some will get added to an album, and some of you made enough memories to fill a photobook!

DH & I shared the holiday with his son and his daughter-in-law’s family, a tradition now for about ten years.  I took many photos, enjoyed a delicious meal, and shared “text messages” with my family back home.  Technology plays a big role in keeping us closer to loved ones despite the distance in miles between us.  Digital cameras also allow us to record memories that we’ll enjoy again and again.

Be sure to check out the Premium Designs at MyPicTales for backgrounds, quick pages, and premium graphics to help you design beautiful scrapbook pages.  The tutorials make them beginner friendly and the wonderful selections make them a great choice for helping you to create your pages.

Photos sometimes express themselves without the addition of a background or elements.  Your special journaling can be added to explain the events of the photo, or you might add some wordart (a specially designed quote or words to express a thought or feeling).

The wordart used here is by Bethany (at Scrap Orchard) - she has designed wordart from quotes for holidays, special occasions, date stamping and creative expression.  Wordart is also a great addition when using kits or quick pages.  Be sure to remember the fonts you’ve used — so you can credit them when you post a layout online and also so that you’ll be prepared should you want to make changes in your journaling.

I hope your Christmas was delightful — I’ll see you next year!  Begin to make New Year’s resolutions to organize your photos, keep notes on photos you take, and preparing layouts to send to MyPicTales.

As Ever,
Pam

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone is having a meaningful holiday and gets to spend it with loved ones. I know that I sure am! I can’t wait to see my kids face’s when they’ve realized Santa’s come (I’m writing this post early for odvious reasons, I’m not going to be near a computer on Christmas Day!) and I can’t wait to enjoy the chaos of the family gathering later in the day. (7 kids 13 and under! Whew!) Plus, I can’t wait for all of the good food, yum.

I also want to apologize I won’t be able to bring you the making canvas post this week. My camera isn’t co-operating with my computer. I promise to work on that for next week.

I was on the hunt for a snow kit this week since I live on the East Coast and got hit by the blizzard that came through last weekend. Thankfully we didn’t get as much snow as some people, but we got enough to have to go out and shovel twice. Thank heavens for nice neighbors with snow blowers. (We have a really, really long patch of sidewalk.) I didn’t get too many pictures because I had to shovel, but was able to get a few.

Snowtime by Designs by Julie Bullock at Scrap Orchard

I found this cute kit at Scrap Orchard. It has a nice mix of papers that could easily be used for the holiday season as well. Plus, the penguins are very cute.

The layout the made me saw “Wow” was this one by kathleena located in the Designs by Julie Bullock part of the Scrap Orchard gallery. I loved how she used the vintage photograph and the colors are gorgeous.  This layout drives home for me why people scrapbook - to preserve photos and memories for generations to come.

Until next Friday, take lots of pictures,

Merry Christmas

Mary

Merry Christmas Eve!

With the big day tomorrow, I’m feeling relieved that the hustle & bustle is coming to a close. Yesterday, I was frantically putting the finishing touches on a few gifts I’m making, and making a Red Velvet Cake for a dinner party we attended last night. Baking and crafting don’t mix well!

Once Christmas is over, I’ll begin reflecting on what has happened this year. This time of year is a great time to count your blessing and learn from mistakes. This type of thinking can bring about the inspiration for some great scrapbook pages. Generally speaking, people tend to scrapbook the big events in life. Sometimes the greatest stories lie in the smaller things in life. The everyday. Thoughts and feelings. The mistakes or imperfect parts of life. Many times these types of pages don’t even include photos. The story is the focal point! This is when journaling becomes more than the who, what, when, and why.

I’ll also contemplate what the coming year will bring, set some goals, and make a few plans. Some events you can anticipate; others will be unexpected. There will be joy and sorrow, but in everything there will be a story to tell. Isn’t that why we scrapbook? To tell the story and record a memory. One of my goals for 2010 is scrapbook related, specifically to telling the story. I need to do a better job of journaling on my pages. I’ve been looking back over the pages I’ve created this year and there is a striking lack of journaling on my layouts. If you’re like me, you struggle with journaling. From what I read, it’s a common problem with scrapbookers.

There is help out there now for the journaling impaired! I recently found out about a new online class called Tell Me More being offered by Chelle’s Creations at ScrapMatters.

I’ve signed up and am looking forward to it! I can’t wait to get started and become a better journaler. As far as online classes go, this one is affordable at $20.00 and the included mega kit makes it a great deal. I’ve seen other online classes go for over $50.00!

I went looking for a great layout to feature today that included a good amount of journaling. I came across this one and it just happens to use the Tell Me More kit! This is a perfect example of recording an everyday moment by becca372 at ScrapMatters:

I also saw this one and just love the design. It has a great picture and tells a sweet story about traditions. This is by shutch at ScrapMatters:

Do you have any tips for better journaling? I’d love to hear them, so please leave a comment!

Happy Holidays,

Good Wednesday Morning

Hard to believe that a whole week has gone by already - Wow!  Christmas is coming up fast.  I have so much left to do.  I haven’t wrapped anything yet, I still have shopping to do and groceries to buy.  Yikes!  I need to get moving on this.  But today is a very special day so I’m going to press the pause button.  It’s my husband’s birthday.  I don’t know if his parents called him a Christmas baby when he was born, but I’m sure they called him a miracle.  They tried for 12 years and thought they’d never be able to have one of their own, but then along came my dear hubby.  I know for sure he’s a blessing in my life, so I always thank the Good Lord that our paths crossed.

Unfortunately, being born this close to Christmas has its drawbacks.  DH likes to tell the stories of having realatives just buy one present and tell him it’s for both his birthday and Christmas.  Poor kid!  I’m sure other Christmas babies can relate here because sometimes it’s all about the gifts, lol.  Anyway, we’ll make a cake and sing the birthday song and yes, I have special presents just for him.  He’s my guy

OK - layout of the day.  I picked this one for two reasons.  First, I think it’s fantastic!  This lovely lady made cakeballs and these cakeballs turned out wonderful.  So she documented her achievement and at the end of the day that’s what scrapping is all about … a way to document and pay tribute to our lives and the lives of those we love.  The second reason I picked it was because I loved the layout itself.   She let the pictures tell the story and that speaks volumes.  Here’s Roxy’s layout, be sure to hop over and leave her some luv.

For the Product of the Day, I’ve picked this darling winter kit by DesertGirl Designs.  I love the winter theme here and all those darling mittens.  This would be a great kit to scrap a few outside pictures of the little ones during the holidays.

Until next Wednesday - Have a Merry Christmas!

Hugs,

Debbie (aka Snackpackgu)

I am filled beyond with excitement, wonder and anticipation! I am going on an Art Journal Caravan with a large group of scrappers! Digital Scrapping opened an avenue of art that I craved.

…one I could do!

I would watch artists in school with awe.  How do they do that? I tried to draw, but getting the pictures in my brain to the paper would elude me.  It was very frustrating.  Digi Scrapping changed that for me. Now I can twist and manipulate an element, brush stroke or shadow to get what is in my imagination to happen! Now it isn’t easy, sometimes I growl at my computer. But, learning is an important part of the experience of scrapping. That is why I am doing this Caravan.

I was on the edge of not doing it until I saw this magnificent cover for Birgit Kerr’s journal:

Since I am doing 5×7 pages,  I was looking for a  fun and funky way to display the  pages.

I didn’t want a heavy book, but something that I could flip and toss around and add some extra bling!

I love this Wire-O Bound book from MyPicTales:

I have all kinds of ground rules for this caravan I am about to embark on, but the main ones are to break the rules, learn and be me. I wish you peace and joy and that calories don’t stick to your hips this Christmas season! Go break your own rules!

Merry Christmas from Anne of Alamo.

I can hardly believe 1 whole week is gone and there isn’t even 1 more left till Christmas!  Yes, I’m still running around frantic to get everything done for the upcoming holidays!  I haven’t wrapped a single present…heck I’m still not done buying!  (of course that might be because I can’t get out of digi land spoiling ME for the holidays!)

But I’m here to tell you…I’m up for a change of pace…I don’t know about you but by the time Christmas actually shows up I’ve been soooo overwhelmed by the whole extravaganza that i’m in melt down mode.  I don’t want to hear another Christmas song, My eyes I swear are working on being permanently flashified (yes I know..that isn’t a word! ), and if I eat one more thing I’m gonna burst…sooo…in the spirit of there is a nutty life beyond the actual over the top holiday cheer…My Featured kit of the day is for all those everyday mishaps…or if you still wanna be on the christmas kick…yes use the holiday mishaps!  Check out Feeling Ick and Boo-Boos too! by K Studio or Kristen Rice (NO NOT ME!!)

Feeling Ick and Boo-Boos Too by K Studio

Over the weekend I scrapped a page and had a blast in extractions!  I can’t get enough of them lately,  Hands outside the box, water splashing onto paper, or adding a person to that fantasy wonderland that can only happen in digital land :).  So it is only fitting that my layout of the day is for Veronique’s layout L’orée du bois.  Isn’t the extraction work on this just stunning!  And yes I’m a cluster freak so I’m in love with her work there as well…and aren’t those little birds just the cutest!  Enjoy the eye-candy everyone and click away  to leave the girl lots of love!

L'orée du bois by Veronique

Well enough gabbing from me for the day!  I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday and I’ll see you after Christmas!