Let's Create!

OK...I know that sometimes I add too much to my plate, and Shane jokes that I am such a "joiner"! But when I found out about this project I knew that it was something I needed to do, because this project has the potential to create way more energy than it might take. Let me explain...

Lisa Day is a great scrapbooker, teacher and writer, and she has been published and on many design teams. She had been feeling scrapbooker's burnout and decided to combat it by starting to do something creative everyday. She shared this and has invited her blog readers and fellow scrappers to do the same. When I read this post I could relate on numerous levels.

• First of all I love scrapbooking, but many of the layouts I have been creating over the past few months have been based on requirements or challenges for design teams and publication submissions.
• Second, since I am taking Stacy J's LOM class at BPS, I am seeing lots of new directions for my scrapbooking. I am so looking forward to creating way more authentic and meaningful layouts.
• Third, it is a natural add-on to my Project 365. I am still taking a photo a day, so this will either provide new photo-opps, or I will be able to use the photos I take in some different ways.
• Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I am doing this for ME. When I taught high school art, I used to work alongside my students. For those five years I did something creative every day, whether it was drawing, painting, prepping and experimenting with materials or photographing student work. When I became a Vice-Principal I didn't have the opportunity to be creative within my daily work. And I was usually so tired at the end of the day that I didn't want to do anything else. Fast forward a few years to being a SAHM mom. I now have the time and opportunity to play and be creative with my four year old (as well as my eight month old who is now on a bit more of a manageable schedule and is not attached to my body every hour on the hour!) For example, yesterday we got out the paints for the first time in a long time, and I was reminded how much fun it is to let go and make a creative mess.
  
  
  

So when I saw Lisa's post it was serendipitous! I am SOOOO ready to be more creative again, and this was just the impetus I needed to make it a deliberate and intentional part of my every day life.

I don't know that I will be able to post about it everyday, but I will document as much as I can here on my blog. And make sure to check out the other scrappers who are taking on this project for March as well - there is a link to us all on the sidebar on Lisa's blog.

Ready - Set - Create!

Happy Scrapping,
Noreen

Off the Wagon

I have a confession to make...I fell off the wagon.

The Project 365 Wagon that is. Back in January I joined 1000's of scrappers who are trying to document the everyday extraordinary in their lives on a daily basis by taking at least one photo per day. I tried my best and was getting along very well, but then I missed three days this past week. Why? I don't know what it was - my camera wasn't easily accessible? I was too busy? Too tired? Perhaps...but I think it boils down to lack of motivation since I STILL haven't got my Project 365 kit from CK media. I think if I had it in my hot little hands I would be getting my weekly layouts done and having it at the forefront of my mind. But I don't, and it's not, and I am a little disappointed.

BUT...I will sally forth. I dug the camera out of my bag and made sure I got a couple of shots today. And for the days I missed I am going to use the portraits that were taken recently of each of the boys. I caught up on my journaling, so I am good to go again. And I am re-pledging to get back on the daily photo wagon!

I have also been busy with the Library of Memories class over at BPS. It has been a lot harder than I imagined. I have managed to sort through printed photos from 1984 to 2009 and am now in the process of getting the past five years worth into easily accessible storage albums.



The next step will be to triage them into category drawers which I think will be the key to making some connections and creating some meaningful layouts. That is upcoming in LOM...for now, we sort! (Digital photos are next!)

During this process I have also done some physical organizing around my scrap space...my new photo storage albums have a new home on the bottom of my reference shelves -



- and a new bookcase purchase from IKEA now holds all my Library of Memories scrapbook albums as well as bins full of my manufacturers page kits, my photo printer, Cricut, Cuttlebug and accessories.





I have some new cube storage pieces as well...a four drawer cube for my category drawers and a three drawer cube for enlargements and memorabilia. I think the system will work well. My scrap space still won't look like some cool designer room, but I love the fact that it is in the midst of our family's space where the boys can play, we can watch a movie, or just be in the space and enjoy it together.

Happy Scrapping!
Noreen

Why, Why, Why???

This is typical of the type of conversations I have been having with Grayson lately...

G: What are you doing mommy? ( just as I am getting into what I was hoping would be a nice relaxing, quiet shower)
Me: Having a shower.
G: Why are you having a shower?
Me: Because I want to get nice and clean.
G: Why do you want to get nice and clean?
Me: Because I don't want to be dirty.
G. Oh. (Pause) Why don't you want to be dirty mommy?
Me: Well, I like to smell nice and look pretty.
G: Why do you like to smell pirty?
Me: Argggh!!!! No...I didn't really say this...I just imagined saying it!

Seriously, though, how do you make a conversation like this end??? Grayson is in such a "why" period right now. I love him dearly but it tries my patience! I shouldn't be surprised because I remember my dad telling me that I went through a period when I was young where I would ask "Why" to almost everything that was said too. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Oh well...

Hope you had a great Valentines Day. We just took it easy yesterday, but today was a busy day with my God-daughter's birthday party and a family dinner at my aunt's house. Tomorrow is the Family Day Holiday, so we are lucky to have yet another free weekend day ahead of us. I hope to get a lot of old photos sorted for my Library of Memories class and get them placed into some photo storage albums in preparation for the next step which is placing them into category drawers. I think it will be a great system for quickly finding photos from various years/seasons as well as identifying and scrapbooking photos that have more personal meaning.

I am also looking forward tomorrow to seeing a sneak peek at the new line of Creative Memories products which will be available March 1. I love new scrapping supplies...yummy!

Lastly, I got an email from the lovely Georgana Hall over at Adornit. They have just launched a new monthly kit program and she posted a tip I submitted on how to use your scrapbooking time effectively. Watch for a new kit every month and more tips from busy scrapbooking moms just like me and you.

Happy Scrapping!
Noreen

Friday Thoughts and Hearts A-Plenty

I often get to the end of the week before I get to the end of the to-do list! this seems to be one of those weeks. I had wanted to:

• go to Ikea to buy a bookshelf, wall shelf and kitchen rail system to finish organizing my scrap space
• get a start on taxes
• alter my clipboard and sort my digital photos before LOM started
• bake some banana bread (the bananas are WAY past redemption now)
• revamp my website (yes, it needs it and I haven't posted anything to if in a while)
• clean my bathrooms

None of these things got done. I am always amazed at how busy my days are being a SAHM yet, how little I actually get done. But, some things we DID get done this week were:

• cleaned up and organized toys, clothes and party supplies after the birthday party
• took Sam to the ABCH for a check on his StarBand and a growth adjustment
• got some portraits and passport photos taken of the boys
• took mom out for lunch and a visit
• started Library of Memories class at BPS and all the photo organization that goes with it
• got to meet my good friend Wendy for a mid-afernoon coffee
• about 12 loads of laundry
• got valentine treat bags, cards and tags made

Not too bad after all. Sigh...there is always next week to try again!

But there is a long weekend ahead and I am looking forward to heading out for supper for Valentines Day and doing something fun on Monday, which is the Family Day holiday here in Alberta.

Speaking of hearts and Valentines Day I thought I would share some heart ideas...

Here are the Valentine treat bags and heart tags we made for Grayson's dayhome friends. First I punched out several double tags with my CM Tag Maker. I placed the folded edge of the pink paper just inside the cutting edge of the punch so I would get a folded, "double" tag.

Then I punched several hearts using CM's new Sweet Heart Maker. The nice thing is you get two hearts with one punch...the lacy, large outer heart and the funky, smaller, solid heart. I adhered them onto the outside of the tags/cards with a little liquid adhesive.

Then I used a cute Valentine stamp from Kolette Hall (Michael's) on the inside and wrote our little message.

Then we popped all the treats into little heart bags we found at the dollar store and tied on our tags. Cute, easy, cheap.

Next up - I love these Little Debbie "Be My Valentine" cakes. They look like fancy little petit four cakes eh? But they are in the snack cake aisle along with the Twinkies! Shhh...dont' tell anyone and they'll think you are a baking genius.

And finally, have a look at these adorable little heart paper clips.

They are regular clips, but it's all in the way you bend them. Check out how to make them here. Brilliant!

Hope that gives you a few heartfelt ideas just in time for V-Day! Hope you have a great one!

Happy Scrapping,

Noreen

Birthday Aftermath

The party has come and gone, as all good things do. But what a time Grayson had.

From the start Grayson had wanted a Lightning McQueen theme for his fourth birthday party...decorations, games, and of course a cake. It was a pretty homemade affair really. We decided it would be at home with just a few friends. I made and sent out the photocard invitations and he was thrilled that his buddies all were able to come.

When they arrived they all played together in his playroom for a bit while we got lunch ready (pizza, munchy mix, veggie and fruit tray).

After lunch we played some organized games (pin the number on Lightning McQueen) and did a craft (foam animal stickers and letters...thank goodness for those foamy craft kits).

Then it was time for the cake.

Oh.

My.

Lordy-be.

It really was a lovely looking cake with a Lightning McQueen car driving down a road, with black and red checkers along the side.

Well, as soon as the first piece was cut we realized how red the red icing really was and how quickly it could stain whatever touched it. Of course Grayson promptly leaned into it as he blew out the candle and got it all over his sweater.

It looked like a blood bath afterwards...at one point I thought one of the kids had cut their head open, but it was only the icing. Add some smooshes of gray and black icing (on kids, shirts and plates) and it was one gory sight. But, it tasted great and the kids loved it.

Present opening and loot bag distribution wrapped up the affair and everyone headed home for a restful afternoon.

Our family stayed around to visit and Grayson tried out some of his new toys, which included a scooter complete with helmet, knee pads etc. which he loved. And then he crashed hard...while still fully geared up.

But later when I was tucking him in for the night, he said to me sleepily, "I sure loved my party mommy". And that made it all worthwhile.

I'm so looking forward to scrapping these pics and stories...will post as I finish them up.

Happy scrapping!

Noreen

New Digi Layouts

Just a quick post today as we are getting ready for Grayson's 4th birthday party! We have to get some cleaning, recycling and shopping done so I better get going!

I just wanted to share two new digi layouts I finished up using a new kit from CM - Best Buds and Blush Blooms ( 2 in 1!!!) It's a great kit because there is a whole set of papers, embellishments, titles, overlays and alphas EACH for boys AND girls!

Here is the layout I did with the Best Buds content using the sketch of the week over at Sisterhood Of Scrap:


And here is one using the Blush Blooms content for a layout with my mom and Sammy:



One thing I love about digital scrapbooking is the ease of which I can share them with family and friends...once I finish the layout I can post it on my blog or in my Flickr gallery, email it to someone or print it out to place in an album or frame. So many quick options!

If you are in the Calgary area and want to find out a little more about getting started with digital scrapbooking, I am holding a FREE Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking Workshop on Thursday February 26. You can see details and register here. Hope you can make it!

Off to get ready for the party...will post some pics afterwards! Have a great weekend!

Happy Scrapping!
Noreen

I had no idea...

Four years ago today my life changed completely when at 10:59 pm my son Grayson was born. I became a mother and everything was different.

I had no idea how fiercely I would love this little one. How I knew I would do anything for him. How much my heart would ache when I was away from him.

I had no idea that some days I would be exhausted - emotionally and physically. Or that I would be thankful simply for someone making dinner for me or having the luxury of time for a long, hot shower.

I had no idea that I would doubt myself and my abilities. Or that I would worry constantly.

I had no idea of the pride and joy I would feel at his every milestone - sitting up, eating, rolling over, crawling, walking, talking. Or that I would be intent on recording all these precious moments to revisit again and again.

I had no idea how happy he could make me. Or how frustrated. That his smile could lift me out of a foul mood or that his unhappiness could make me despondent.

I had no idea that I would cry everyday for months when I had to leave him and go back to work. Or that I would ignore everything to be with him when we got home at the end of the day.

I had no idea that a day would come when I was thankful for having a little time to myself again. Or that I would feel so guilty about being so thankful.

I had no idea what it was going to be like to be a mother. Or that I would love it and him so much. And as I look at my son who is no longer a baby, I had no idea how much either of us would change in just four short years.


Happy Scrapping!
Noreen

The LOVE Factor

I love the month of February (except for the cold weather) because of it's LOVE factor! When I think of February I think of love - and for more reasons than just Valentines day. Hubby and I had our first date on February 13, 2002. Then we had our wedding reception almost a year later on February 8, 2003 (we actually got married in Jamaica, but that's a whole other story). And our first son Grayson was born on February 3, 2005. So February has a lot of love! And what better to symbolize love than hearts?

Here are a few heart-ful items from here and there:

The February cards on Christmas Cards All Year Round feature Christmas cards with hearts and/or using pink, red and white color schemes. Here are the ones I contributed this month:





These hanging hearts from Inchmark are really cute...maybe over your table or from a ceiling light fixture?



Lots of heart and valentines day coloring pages for your kiddos here.

This is so sweet to use on a card or scrapbook page: CM's new SweetHeart Maker



I think I will be using it to make some sweet little Valentine cards and tags that I will be sure to post in the next day or two. PS...Grayson loves to use my punches, so maybe we'll make the Valentines for his friends too.

Check back for more hearts to come in the next few days...
Happy Scrapping!
Noreen

Winners!

Yay for Deanne and Carla!

They each left a comment about how they scrapbook and I will be sending them a little CM love in the mail! Thanks for your comments ladies! I will contact you both by email to get your snail mail addies!

Happy Scrapping!
Noreen