Project 365, ADSR and my upcoming guest gig

I'm so excited about this new project I'm working on. It's based on the photo-a-day idea from photojojo. Someone on one of my forums was talking about the CK kit of the month coming out- I don't paper scrap, but I thought I'd check it out. I went to read about it from Becky Higgins here and here to read all about her actual product and thought it was a great idea. Apparently they didn't make NEARLY enough of them, but I was one of the lucky ones who was finally able to get through the busy server to order mine (lots of people didn't, and some were even really ugly about it on the KOTM blog, so I felt like I had the goose who laid a golden egg or something!) It's not REALLY scrapping as the items are pre-cut, but you can arrange them in multiple ways and add elements to it.

I really am enjoying taking daily pictures and trying to improve on my photography as well... you'd think I could convince my husband (who minored in photography) to take pictures for me (hint, hint)... and maybe I'll try to have him take some pics, but I really want to get better with my camera too, so we'll see. I thought my family would like to have something like this too, but how? So I decided to make digital pages for my Project 365 too. Of course, the photos and journaling will be the same as my "physical album" which will actually make it easier for me, but the digital kit I'm using has endless possibilities. I got Gina Marie Huff's Life 365 from Weeds and Wildflowers. I also had the fabulous Darcy Baldwin at Sweet Shoppe Designs make me a custom font- DJB Stephanie S script- so that journaling is REALLY me. :)

I hope to keep updating slides each month (of course, my family will then get a "sneak peek" of their end of the year photo book) but I HAVE to share because I really like the idea... I'm up to date with pictures, and printing out week 2 now for my album, but only have the first week done digitally. Look for the monthly slide which I'll probably have to post up top!

Also, ADSR 4 is in full swing and Melody and I are at it again! She is such an amazing scrapper that our "intersection" layouts are completely out of whack- her side looks great, mine is... well... I got it done anyway! :) We're having fun! My ADSR gallery is HERE if you'd like to check it out.

I'm taking it easy and really getting back into scrapping with these fun projects. I have a guest CT gig coming up in March with one of my new favorite designers that I'm really excited about... and I've decided that I'll keep you in suspense for awhile with that! :)

Another FOBTY and SO true...

No surprise here! In fact the only surprising thing about this finding, is that I'm blood-related to my mom and sister! You'll see what I mean in a sec...

You Are a Reluctant Shopper

You really don't enjoy shopping. For you, it's just another chore. You approach shopping systematically. You research what you're going to buy and come prepared with a list. Of all the types, you are the most likely to not buy things you don't need. You try to de-emphasize stuff in your life. You find shopping and buying things to be a rather empty experience.

What Kind of Shopper Are You?

A Snow Test FOBTY...

Let's see what the snow says about me:

Your Snow Test Says You're Independent

You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few days. You love to work, especially when work is creative. You have the makings of a successful artist. You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing. Your biggest worry in your life is your health. You tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac. When it comes time to relax, you always go the extra mile. You take relaxing as seriously as anything else in life.

The Snow Test

I agree with MOST of that! :) More to come later today- ADSR layouts in a new slide and project 365 photos too!

Ok... so I've been a bad blogger... (here's why and a FOBTY)

Will you forgive me? :) I know, I'm bad... but we've been SO busy! I should probably go ahead and link this to my "personal" blog, as I find myself retyping stuff... anyway, I'll save you my family business but share my biggest headacheof late- so if your not into the techie nerd stuff, feel free to skip this part!

As most of you know, I'm addicted to digital scrapbooking (thus my fabulous blog, right?) Well, apparently my external hard drive (EHD) which holds ALL of my scrap stuff and lots of digital photos had died (actually it reformatted to RAW which is unreadable). So fast forward, I've got $60 software which recovers TOO much data (corrupt files making my 250 GB look like it's got 100GB of data on it). So for about 3 weeks, my computer has been on, searching for files and trying to weed out corrupt files (you can't "see" the files, only their names- most of which were replaced with numbers like this [478367492] so it is a HUGE pain). Well tonight it's FINALLY down to 400GB which I'm saving and then will weed through in my editing software where I can find duplicates and actually see file contents. Thankfully, Brian has not thrown my computer out the window (which I thought may cross his mind as I've been staring at the screen full of numbered files for weeks and trying to save them). Fingers crossed my good stuff is saved and this process is OVER. Go backup your important data right now at Mozy.com or on another EHD.

Wow... are you still reading this???

Ok, so onto the SSD FOBTY- resolutions. I do tend to hate "resolutions" as they are almost bound to fizzle after a few weeks, so I'm going to list my goals... I want to cook more and feel good about myself when I do. I want to stop having little piles of clutter (it's especially bad in my kitchen where mail and coupons land). I want to keep watching what I eat so I can lose these last 10 pounds. I want to start exercising to be healthier and teach my kids to live that way too. I want to become not just a scrapper, but a family historian. I want to take at least a picture a day for my 365 project. I want to improve my photography (because it really sucks)!

Finally I hope to update this blog- perhaps weekly- with my 365 photos (which as I mentioned aren't very good but give a good ideas of daily happenings around here). Be on the lookout for a 365 slide. :) Gotta run... more organizing of those awful recovered files to do...argh!

Thanksgiving...

We're off for 5 days and I'm hoping to get some XMAS projects done! I scrapped calendars last year, so I'm thinking about something different this time around. I have a few hybrid projects in the works, but can't really discuss yet as SOME people who read this won't be surprised when then get their gift if I do... but I'll be sure to upload and share soon. We should be busy visiting with both families over the Thanksgiving holiday, but it's a relaxing busy... you know what I mean? Rather than busy with work, the kids, etc.

Anyway, be sure to tell those you love how much they mean to you over the holiday. I know we have a lot to be thankful for: healthy children, families that love us, a comfortable home and food when we're hungry, good jobs... my list goes on. I know we are blessed and I will never take that for granted. Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!

Back to scrapping...

I've not had as much time as I'd like to scrap, so I'm working on it right now! In the meanwhile, be sure to check out what the girls have cooking! You can find my designers in the sidebar- the blinkies are clickable- so go check out the great stuff from Andrea Gold, Christy Skaggs, and Amanda Kay. :) More to come soon so keep an eye on the new slide too!

Halloween, tee ball and oh yeah...DSD!!!

I guess it's been busy around here because I almost missed DSD!

First we had Halloween, the next morning was Jaxon's semi-final tee ball tournament and after all of that I was feeling sick, tired and just overall crummy. But I came home and turned on the computer to check e-mail and realized it was DSD! I knew it was coming, but had forgotten about it. I rarely shop (for anything really- how I'm related to my mom and sister who are world-class shoppers, I have no idea!)... but I had to grab a few deals out there, so be on the lookout for some new layouts. I'm adding a new slide of recent layouts in the sidebar, so be sure to check them out. :)

Hope you had a great DSD! :)

Check out what I made to show my class!

I started working on it this afternoon and I'm so pleased with how it came out I wanted to share it! Credits are on the last page, but in case you can't see it, I'm including it here too.

5 Little Pumpkins (traditional poem)- "Halloween borders" by Christy Skaggs @ GDS, "All Hallows Eve" by One Memory at a Time @ GDS, "Enchanted Forest" by Milla Designs @ Catscrap, and "October Rust" by Miss Mint @ Peppermint Creative. Font: GG Katie.

Enjoy! I know my kiddos will love seeing this projected on the big screen. :)

See KCB's October releases and prepare to be amazed!

As always, Kristin Cronin-Barrow at Sweet Shoppe Designs, creates rich, gorgeous kits and this month is no exception. I am BEYOND THRILLED to be her guest this month and want to show you her two newest releases.

New this week from KCB: "Playtime". Aren't the colors in this kit fun? I just got it and can't wait to play with it. Check it out below or click HERE.


Now check out "Moments in Time"- talk about a versatile kit. I can dream up TONS of layouts for this kit and I'm sure you can too! Check it out below or click HERE to get in in the shoppe:

Here's another new one this month, "Nature's Retreat" by KCB and Meg Mullens. I have already played with this kit and it is FULL of fabulous elements and papers. Click HERE to get it at the shoppe.

Check out the new stuff...

From the fabulous designers at GDS I'm lucky to create for!

First Andrea has lots of exciting stuff happening! She put over 70 items in her shoppe on clearance 50% off!! And, she's running a promotion through October 15th. If you spend $5 in her shoppe at GDS including her clearance items, she'll send you a $5 gift coupon to my shoppe!! WOW! Not to mention the challenges she got going on over there. Check out her shoppe or her blog for more info.

Here's 2 new kits from Andrea Gold: Click here for the "Possibilities" Page Kit.


Click here for the "Just for Fun" Page Kit.


Also at GDS, check out these kits: "Hocus Pocus" by Christy Skaggs and "All Hallows Eve" from One Memory at a Time. Not only are they both adorable and perfect for October, but they compliment each other beautifully!

Click here for "Hocus Pocus" by Christy Skaggs.

And click here for "All Hallows Eve" by One Memory at a Time.

Enjoy!