Jessica Sprague

I just signed up for Jessica Sprague's Inspiration Everywhere class. I also ordered her book Stories in Hand to use along with her class. I'm looking forward to this class as it has you look around you and find where you get your inspiration from. And, it's not just paper, you will be using music, art, etc. in finding your inspiration.

Sitting here on break at work, and feel so inspired to create but know that this feeling will pass by the time I get home knowing that the grocery store, cooking dinner and laundry is between me and the time I can create. Also, daylight savings time is over so it will be dark by the time I get to my scrapbook room. I am never very motivated when it is dark outside. I did find however, that making a list of what I want to create helps me accomplish more. I need to take a few minutes brainstorm what I want on that list.

Christmas is fast approaching and because of the current economic climate I am looking more towards "homemade" rather than store bought. I've had the idea in my head to make cookbooks for all my girls with our "family" recipes in them. I might expand that idea and create one for my son (the cook in the house) and my niece. I need to think about what I want the final look to be (something durable, but expandable).

I am also working on that library envelope book that I plan on giving my middle daughter for her birthday. Her birthday is 2 weeks before Christmas so I better get serious about it as well.

I also love the new 7gypsies photo trays. Thinking about doing something with those for my sisters.

Geez - I better stock up on Red Bull and get busy.

I've been creating...really I have

I started this blog so I would have a place to archive my projects. Many of the things I create, I give away and I wanted a way to remember them. I have so many projects going on right now that it is hard to keep track and actually, hard to finish... I've been in a card making frenzy lately. Made several different ones for different occasions. Really getting back into embossing too. My oldest daughter recently took a job at Archiever's so I see different thinks coming down the pike.

Below are several of the cards I recently completed and mailed out.

I am also working on a new mini-scrapbook made from library envelopes. I am having trouble finding the elastic I need to bind the book but still have Joanne's to check out.

Also, my son and girlfriend became engaged and we (myself and daughters) are helping with decorating ideas, save the date cards and invitations. Thank goodness we have a year to do all of this. And, buying a lot of fall decorations now on clearance for the wedding next year.

Where do I start?

This is Sarah's memo board.

I can't believe the summer has come and gone. I am back in school and it seems busier than ever. I haven't been able to create the way I want. I have a list of projects and can't seem to get to them. I did take apart Cait's She Is board and place it into a scrapbook for her. And I was able to get a couple of french memo boards done for her and her new college roommate. I just want things to settle down and have a chance to relax but so stressed out not sure that is going to happen. I am actually writing this post so that I can clean off my desk top at work. I have had the pictures of the memo boards on it and I want them gone so...I post.

This is Cait's memo board.

Sooo busy

I have been so busy - not just work, and kids, and bingo and stuff but creatively. I am posting several things that I recently completed. I did table decorations for Cait's graduation party, I did thank you notes for Cait (sorry didn't get a pic), graduation cards for several grads we were invited to, and for Cait's party (the theme was Life is a Box of Chocolates - it fits Cait to a t) I made a "box" of wishes for people to write for Cait.

Mark one more item off my list

The graduations announcements are done! They are all assembled and in envelopes and ready to go to the post office tomorrow. One more thing down, too many more to think about.

I made a post card with a few of her senior pictures on it and listed the information about the open house. Then on the second "back" card, I printed the graduation announcement. I hole punched them and ran a 2010 embossed ribbon through the hole and tied it. I then made vellum envelopes for them to go inside and then put the whole thing in a regular envelope to mail. Cait was pleased with them, as was I and that's all that matters. I even found a few other cute ideas for Gabriela's announcements next year. It never ends!

I'm still kicking

Yes - believe it or not, I am still alive. Had mucho medical things, and life in general getting in the way but--I have still been creating. As a matter of fact, in the last 4 weeks, I have created a couple of get well cards and started and completed my daughters dance scrapbook. I am now working on finishing up her cheerleading book - banquet is this Sunday as the team played into late March because of state play-offs. So within next 2 weeks, hope to have her cheer book and her general scrapbook completed and ready for her party. We'll see. Still have a house and yard to get ready for two graduation open houses. Busy, busy spring.

I've been busy

Even though it's spring break...I have been so busy. I just finished up a 3 day photography class (see images above). It had a lot of homework tied to it and accomplished much. In addition to that, I have created 4 layouts for my daughters dance scrapbook.

Joined Club CK

Okay - joined Club CK today. Wasn't sure I was going to. Seemed pricey for something I wasn't sure I would get anything out of but, received information in the mail and $5.00 off so I did it. We'll see if it was worth it or not. One thing I did was create an electronic signature (?) not sure if it worked or not so thought I would create a new blog entry and try to place it in here.

Here it goes. It worked!

Out did myself

Alas, I did not do 2 layouts in 2 days...I DID 3 LAYOUTS IN 1 NIGHT! Even I am shocked. Received Shutterfly order yesterday so after making beef and broccoli (from scratch!) for dinner, I hit the scrapbook room. I finally completed a layout for Amanda's book - it was her college acceptance letter. Just in time I guess, she graduates college in less than 2 months and Cait's acceptance letter from the same college is due here Friday (fingers crossed). But it is done so there! I also completed the Meet the Team page for Cait's cheer book and did an additional page with the ads that were placed in the Winter Sports Program. Granted that 3rd page was just me mounting a large and small ad onto a piece of cardstock but hey, it's a page in her book so it counts!

Won't be doing any layouts tonight - got a ball game. Our boys go for District Semi-finals tonight so I will be there supporting them and Cait and taking pictures for more pages!

Started the week off scrapbooking (sorta). Taught a class yesterday on squash/explosion books. Had four sign up but one showed up. That's okay - got paid for the 4. Copied the picture of the sample I made from the stores website. It is a cute little book. I've probably made at least 50 of these in the past several years. They make cute little gifts.

Going to be a very busy week. Have a department meeting tonight, and a game tomorrow night. Will be taking plenty of pictures from the game to post on my shutterfly sight. I should be receiving pictures in the mail today for my daughters' cheer album. Going to be off next week for spring break and plan on completing her dance album. Also have several school events that need done for both her album and her younger sister. I am actually thinking about duplicating every page I do for her dance album because her younger sister danced with her for several years until they went to different genres. And, I'll need to have Abi's book done by this time next year for her graduation so I think I will be doing that.

2 in 2 days - It's a Miracle

Got home last night much later than I anticipated. Girls wanted Olive Garden for dinner and then afterwards "little one" needed new bras and khakis for school. Then, dropped her off to tan while I went to get gas and wash the car. Sat in line for 45 minutes at the carwash! At the little place I go, once you turn a corner you're stuck until you get to the bay. A sign at the corner stated "12 minutes from this point". It lies! It was more like 35 minutes from the sign. Then...as I sit and watch the cars in front of me washing, the owner of the wash goes into the bays and starts to wash the bays down. I watched as he sprayed smootch all over a clean car. When I finally got into the bay he came back in and started doing it again. I told him I didn't pay $12 to get my car washed for him to spray smootch all over it. He left the bay.

Anyway, needless to say it was easily 3 hours later than I wanted before I finally hit the scrapbook room. I did this layout and then started looking at my list and realized I needed pictures. Got onto Shutterfly and ordered some prints so I can keep working. I know my last 2 layouts aren't as intricate as I am use to doing but---they're done. I really need to keep it simple if I want to scrap all that I need to by May 22.

What time is is?

Can't wait to leave work. Now that my workspace at home is more organized I want to get home and scrapbook some more. I was so shocked at myself last night that I want to work some more. Plus, the sun is shining and the afternoon sun lights up my scrapbook room and I love being out there then. So, hopefully, I will have something else to post tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Totally Spontaneous

I can't believe it. I was out in my scrapbook room cleaning, organizing, making lists and sorting pictures, when inspiration hit me. I pulled out the pictures found some "royal" paper and laid it out. All told, 15 minutes tops. I still need to put Varsity 2009-2010 on it but couldn't find the shade of orange i was looking for. Want it to look like a basketball of sorts because this is for basketball season. Anyways - I have even put it in her cheer scrapbook. I honestly can't remember the last time I just spontaneously did a page. Pretty cool I think.

Senior Poster

Been slowly working on the senior poster that I need to make for my daughter. Got the pictures printed and picked up over a week ago. Made my weekly trip to Michael's and Hobby Lobby and got coordinating paper, sticky back felt, embellishments and even managed to pick up the Mickey font cartridge for my Cricut on clearance for $25.00. I get so caught up in the "want it to be perfect" mindset that I freeze up when it comes to committing paper-to-paper. I did finally print the captions that are going under each picture, I have the pictures "kinda" where I think they should go and the title letters are not only cut-out but pop dots are in place and the sides have been inked. So tonight...matte the pictures, trim the title blocks and attach everything to the poster board. It has to be ready for tomorrow night so this is it.

I did it! Finished the poster in plenty of time.

Still creating

I have been a little stalled lately but, haven't stopped altogether. We have had large amounts of snow fall (28"+ in a week) and the weather forecast calls for more by Sunday. I keep telling myself I will use this time to create but have ran into a new dilemma. I need a certain shade of cardstock (actually 2 shades) and the scrapbook store has been closed because of the weather. Hmmm.... I have been scheduled to teach a class on March 7. They want to see a sample. Racked my brain trying to think of something "new and exciting". In my efforts I actually finished two cute little matchbook scrapbooks I did for my daughters and their boyfriends. Will probably turn into valentine presents...who knows. Anyways, i have decided to stop trying to re-invent the wheel. Remember - "keep it simple!" so, I am going to turn in a squash book as the project for March. I've made tons of these before and even did this at a Days of Creation when my children were in elementary school.

I also have a board I need to do for my daughter for Senior Night at her high school. I have the idea pretty much fleshed out. The title is going to be She is and it will be pictures of all the different things she has been involved with her senior year (scholar, volunteer, teacher, dancer, cheerleader, etc.) I have the pictures, I have sticky felt for the letters, I need to get card stock to matte the pictures to and to put the titles on. I also want to make some paper flowers to decorate it that I found on Kaiser Crafts. They look like a cross between pom poms and flowers.

Plus, just getting out her dance pictures made me realize that I need to start and finish her dance scrapbook (15 years worth) before the beginning of May. I also need to start on designing her graduation announcements and ordering her senior pictures. She thinks shes busy...I may be done by oh next May when child number 4 graduates!

Success...success. I actually made three cards last night and mailed them today! Yeah, today is MLK Day but I still put stamps on them and dropped them in the mail! I wrote a note to my Aunt who hasn't been feeling well, I sent out a thank you and a get well card to a bingo patron. So really, only one from my list but hey - I did it.

Last night when I was working on them, I had to keep telling my self to keep it simple, don't over think things. That has been my problem lately. I will start a project and want just the perfect font, just the perfect embellishments, pictures, etc. I need to step back take a breath and just scrapbook. I was looking back over my husbands book which I did years ago and was still pretty happy with the pages. They were cute, simple and original. I just need to relax when crafting and let it flow.

I might have to paint breathe on my walls. I already have discover, create, dream. Sounds like breathe should be up there too. Maybe along with K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid!).

I did it! Well, almost. I have attempted to get organized and started being more productive. I have actually ordered my daughters composite for the high school, ordered her senior pictures, emailed volunteers regarding bingo for the month and, called the specialist (who left a message 3 weeks ago) and scheduled an appointment for next month. Things are looking up. Of course, just as I've said that, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I still have to: print off a couple tax forms, get started on my card making, write some thank-you notes, order Phil's scrapbook, email the cheer parents, prepare for parent night tomorrow night, go prom dress shopping tomorrow. Oh yeah - things are moving right along. Oh and least I forget, school starts Monday!!!

Wow - haven't visited here in quite awhile. Needless to say, got all the materials ready for Jessica's class but never got around to participating. I'm feeling guilty about that. I had good intentions but let things get away from me. Now that the new year has come and gone (11 days now) I have done alot of reflecting. I am not one for new years resolutions but this year, I want to try it out. I am making a resolution of reaching out to people. I am going to get crafty and make cards to send out to those I have been thinking about. None of this facebook, email stuff but a tangible object they can open up and read. I am sure, that some will think it is a little odd. But I have a number of people in my life that I haven't spoken to in years. I have all the classic excuses children, work, life in general but I really want to take hold of this idea and run with it. I have already begun making a list: Aunt Sharon, Aunt Juanita, Denny and Judy, Steve and Linda, Pat and Joyce. I think of them often, but never tell them. Going to do something about that.

I was also surprised that I had received a couple of comments from others on my blog. It felt good. I really never thought anyone but myself would be reading this and was really using it as a sounding board. Made me think I should become more accountable for myself. Not to display things for others, but to get down and face myself and work on some things.

Random thought: heard a song on the radio yesterday that I hadn't heard in awhile. Made me realize that in that area as well I had slipped (back to listening to The River and The Promise yesterday). anyway, I digress... "Empty me of me Lord so that I may be filled with you." My new mantra I believe....