Baby...where are you?

NO BABY YET. Arrrggghhh!

I went to the Doctor yesterday for my 39 week appointment, and because I was having a lot of contraction-like pains and pressure, I was told to go over to the Hospital to get assessed. But, even though I was in fact having contractions, they weren't regular or close enough together, my water hadn't broken and my blood pressure was OK, so they sent me home. Sheesh. I was hoping baby would be here because I am just so uncomfortable. It wasn't this bad with Grayson near the end, but then again I was induced at just 38 weeks, so I guess I didn't experience the last couple of weeks with him. Oh well...I am just praying that I don't go overdue...how will I cope for up to THREE MORE WEEKS????

In the meantime I am trying to stay comfy on the couch, doing a lot reading and surfing my favorite websites and blogs. I am also recategorizing my photos based on Stacy Julian's Library of Memories System. Instead of keeping all my photos in chronological order and being (somewhat) forced to scrapbook events as they happen, I am triaging my photos into categories such as "People We Love, Things We Do, Places We Go and All About Us" These categories allow me to view my photos more easily, especially when I am thinking about doing a layout about the effect a certain person, place or thing has on me. I am seeing connections and new possibilities for my scrapbooking, and I am only getting started!

I was helping dad organize the pantry at his place the other day so he can cook for himself a little easier, and we came across my mom's recipe box. Now, my mom has never been the best cook around, but she certainly had her specialities, so I am glad to have found them recorded in her own handwriting. I think I will scan some of them and combine it with photos to create a little mini-recipe book based on some of her (and my!) favorites. I am going to use Creative Memories new 7x5 inch softcover format of their Storybook (PS...it's very affordable at $18.95 for 20 pages,and like all the CM Storybooks is of highest quality!) I will (TRY to) post it when I am done (Lord knows when that will be eh???) If you have any layouts or projects using recipes, I'd love to see them!

Poor G. has a head cold right now and is zonked out on the couch after getting up at 4:30 this morning because he couldn't breathe. Even though it's only 8:30-ish am, I think I will join him for a little nap.

Keep your fingers crossed that baby comes along soon...
Happy scrapping,
Noreen

This and that...

I THINK I AM IN LABOUR....but no regular contractions or water breakage yet. But a girl can hope, can't she??? Lots of pains and pressure etc., so I am hoping it is soon!

Just taking it easy and re-reading Stacy Julian's Photo Freedom book. I am ready to reorganize my CM Power Sort box to accomodate the Categories that Stacy suggests and I am really looking forward to seeing my photos in a new light...not just in chronological order. I think I may be able to scrapbook and share more MOMENTS instead of EVENTS this way. Not that events aren't inportant, but there is definitely more to scrapbooking than just the birthday/holiday/family get together shots. I want to be able to tell the real-life-everyday stories of my family...what we do, what we like, where we go, who we love and why the things we do matter. I really encourage you to read her book, or at least have a look at Stacy's blog to get an idea of what she is talking about.

As for posting my new layouts and maternity photos...my techie hubbie has been working overtime and so hasn't had a chance to get me sorted out at home (it's like the cobbler's children who never have any shoes!) Hopefully he will get me organized in time to post pics of baby (whenever he arrives!)

Happy scrapping,
Noreen

Well...38 weeks and counting! Hopefully baby will decide to make his appearance in the next little while...I don't want to think about waiting up to four more weeks!!! Everything is good, but I am so uncomfortable at this stage! We had somematernity photos taken earlier this week, so I will post my belly shots for all to see when I get them back!!!

Anyway...we are busy getting ready for this baby- all the newborn clothes have been washed and folded; the blankets, washcloths, towels and bassinet sheets are ready to go, and a stock of newborn diapers has been laid in! We are ready. I think. Although...since we are still undergoing renovations and reorganization, baby's room isn't truly ready yet. But that's OK...he will bunk in with us in his cozy bassinet for the first few months since it is so much easier to do night feedings that way. That will give us a chance to first get Grayson's big boy room ready, and then paint and move the baby furniture into the nursery. No rush...baby ain't going anywhere!!!

Unfortunately in the midst of all the fun and exciting baby stuff, we have also been dealing with some sad events in my family. My dear mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease back in January 2007. She had been pretty stable until about 2 months ago, but since then her decline has been very rapid. Her doctor and my dad finally decided it was time to hospitalize her last week as she did not recognize dad anymore and she was becoming very angry and and agitated easily. She was also beginning to wander away from their home and had a bad fall outside on Mother's Day, so her safety was bcoming a real concern. Right now she is in the Foothills Hospital awaiting the first available bed in a care facility. We always knew she would eventually need full time care, but we didn't think it would come so fast, or be so difficult a process to go through. It is heartbreaking to see her so confused and not recognizing the people she loves. We can only hope that the facility she gets into is homey and friendly and makes her feel safe and comfortable.

Here is one of my favourite pictures of mom and I taken last September by our good friend, photographer Tracy McLeod:

I seem to be having some problems posting images (this photo took 25minutes to upload!) so I will try later tonight to post some layouts. (I will have to get my techno-geek hubbie to help me when he gets home!)

Happy scrapping,

Noreen

PS...I also have been reading Stacy Julian's latest book Photo Freedom which was on my wish list, so I'll have to share with you some of the great tips and tricks she passes on to help all us scrapbookers get over our guilt about not ever being "caught up" in our albums. Oh, and I added her blog site to my sidebar list...check it often! I love that gal! :)

Down but not out!

I am once again out of commission...I can't believe it but I had a fall coming out of our garage the other day and have re-injured my ribs AND banged up my knee pretty good. Baby is OK thankfully, but once again I am in a fair amount of pain and can't do much of anything. So I have once again been indulging in reading scrapbooking books and mags while propped up on my couch! Here's a few tidbits I thought would share...

I had purchased Stacy Julian's (founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks) book The Big Picture and finally was able to read it! I love the way Stacy organizes her albums...something I really needed help with! I am a very chronological scrapbooker, and sometimes when I make a layout I wonder where it should go! Stacy has a really flexible system that I think I am going to adopt...adding more albums but having more flexibility as to what goes in them. She also encourages us to be creative, to not get bogged down by guilt (as in not being "Caught up") and to stay motivated and enjoying our fabulous hobby! Great read altogether and I can see me going back to it time and time again.

I also purchased Cathy Zielske's book Clean and Simple Scrapbooking which was also a bit of a revelation. While her style is much simpler than even mine is, I really like the way she approaches scrapbooking. With her background as a photographer and graphic designer, her pages are all about the photos and the story. Love it! Although I enjoy looking at highly decorated and embellished pages, the things that I really want to see on a page are clear, crisp photos and words that describe the moments behind them - the stories, the feelings, the memories. And Cathy does this beautifully! In the book she covers basic elements and principles of design (a subject close to my own heart!), gives photo tips that will improve anyones photography, and gives really clear examples of working with typography (text) on a computer so you can journal and scrap your layouts quickly and easily. I highly recommend it!

Next on my wish list:

Photo Freedom by Stacy Julian
Clean and Simple Scrapbooking: The Sequel by Cathy Zielske
Best of Becky Higgins' Sketches by Becky Higgins

And I can't forget Creative Memories own magazine Lasting Moments. It's a great publication that comes out 6 times and year and focuses exclusively on CM products. You can get all the news on the latest products (like the new 12x12 and 8x8 TRUE size products...YAY!!!) and see lots more ideas on how to use your favorites in fresh new ways...including digital tips. You can subscribe to Lasting Moments for only $29.97/year CAD on my website - click here to find out more...you'll be glad you did, because as a thank you for subscribing, CM will send you a bonus freebie with your first issue and I will be offering you 15% off your next CM order! You can't go wrong!

So, lots of ideas and inspiration all around! Watch my blog over the next few days for some new layouts and project ideas! And If you have read any great scrapbooking books and want to share your opinion or tips or tricks, I'd love to hear from you!

Happy scrapping!
Noreen

About Sharing

I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking about scrapbooking the past couple of months...but I have to admit I haven't done a lot of actual scrapbooking. You see, we are in the midst of of a whole basement re-development which will hopefully be done within two or three more weeks. Right now our garage and spare room (not to mention the hallway, living room, closets and dining room!) are full of stuff that will eventually have a home in the basement. AND...all my scrapbooking gear will also have a home there! I am so excited to finally have all my beloved tools and supplies in ONE place! It has been in boxes all over the place and it hasn't been easy to get to it or use it. I will have plenty of storage, as well as work/workshop space. I picked up a new book by Simple Scrapbooks contributor Wendy Smedley called the Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, and I tell you - after reading it I am planning on being organized AND inspired! It has fantastic ideas, beautiful inspiration rooms pics and best of all a workbook with exercises to go through to really help you zero in on what will work for you, your scrapbooking style and your space. Great read!

I also picked up Rebecca Cooper's (another Simple Scrapbooks contibutor) book Real. Life. Scrapbooking. which has really made me think about WHY and WHAT I scrapbook. Rebecca is a mother of three living in small town Alberta (nice to see a great book by a Canadian, eh?) who stretches her supplies, scraps after her kids go to bed and uses templates or sketches for multiple layouts...smart lady! Lots of great layout ideas as well as heartfelt commentary.

I have often thought about what I could contribute to others within this huge scrapbooking industry and I have come to the conclusion that I am best at SHARING (so now you know why I named my blogwhat I did! :)) Being a teacher, sharing must come natural to me...I WANT to share - knowledge, skill, ideas etc. I don't want to keep it all to myself. I think that's why I enjoy being a Creative Memories Consultant...I can share my passsion with like minded people and help them preserve and share their memories.

SO...I am ready to expand my scrapbooking business from "just" being a CM Consulant! I am ready to share on a much larger platform! These are some of my goals and aims for my scrapbooking:

1) To have my layouts and/or articles published in a scrapbooking industry publication

2) To increase the number of scrapbooking events I plan to allow scrappers the time, space and place to complete their albums (classes, workshops, retreats, all day crops, special events and seminars)

3) To reach and teach more people in different environments - seniors, children, patrons of scrapbooking/craft stores, churches, continuing education

4) To share my talent for design and scrapbooking by offering to complete albums for others - traditional and digital

Wow...actually putting those goals into writing is a bit scary! But, I am committed and will be working consistently towards these goals. I hope to share my progress here, as well as using it as a place to "share" all my other ideas with all of you! Wish me luck? I certainly wish you luck!

Noreen