Count down to New Year . . .

I've gotten some stuff done today - ok maybe not a lot. I got a coffee mug yesterday that has a picture of a guy in a hammock with the statement "I intend to do very little today and so far I'm on schedule". I thought I would give the idea a try. :) 

I did get another 2 page layout started today but couldn't finish cause I need a couple of pieces of cardstock. It's a cookout layout.  I've got to go to the store tomorrow so I'll pick up the cardstock then.

I did start working on another layout and got it almost done. It only needs a title but I don't know what I want. I used a Scrapbook Generations sketch again and paper pad. This layout I'll use for June. 

 



 

I used the Cricut Cartridge Elegant Edges for the scalloped die cut on the left. It is a great cartridge. A lot of versatility. I already have ideas running around in my head for other projects to use it on.  My daughter Laura loaned me her Epiphany Crafts epoxy round punch for the three embellishments that I put on the right page. Love that punch. 

 



I'm going to change the die cut I've put on the left page. I'm not thrilled with how it looks. I'm going to redo the top scallop die cut but without the holes in it. I think it will look better. I'll post a picture when I've changed the layout. Probably not until tomorrow. It's getting late and I'm trying not to get into the habit of staying up late.

 

I'm going to set the goal to complete one layout a week. I've been looking for a scrapbook challenge website but haven't found any yet. I would like to participate in a challenge with others to help motivate me. I'll keep looking I know there one out there somewhere.



Time flies - -

Today and Every Day . . .

Love God, Love Yourself and Love Others. And don't forget to love out loud.

Love Out Loud - Joyce Meyer

Wow!! The holidays have passed by so fast. Seems it was only yesterday that it was Thanksgiving.  Christmas was fabulous.  Christmas Eve Laura, Carl & the babies came down to spend the day but the weather had different ideas.  It started snowing here. But the kids did get to ride their bikes for awhile.  Grayson wasn't too sure about his new bike since it's larger than the one he's used to. However, after he got over his initial concerns he was off flying down the sidewalk yelling "Look at me Nana, I'm going so fast!". June didn't quite get the concept of peddling but since the snow had started she was more into chasing the snow flakes than peddling. It was June's first snow. After playing outside, we all came back in for hot chocolate. Even though they didn't stay for the whole day as planned the time I spent with them was great.

Christmas Day Laura had everyone at her house for dinner.  She did such a wonderful job on cooking. Made everything from cooking the ham, twice baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and so much more. Laura's house is small but it didn't feel crushed with everyone there.  We were a total of 10 and there was some shuffling around each other & eating in shifts but it was fun.

Tonight I'm cooking dinner - I'm thinking stuffed shells - and having New Year's Eve dinner. To make easy on Laura, I'm cooking here then taking it up to her house. I'm getting some Sparkling Cider so even the kids can toast in a New Year. We'll be toasting well before midnight cause none of us could stay up that late. I can't remember the last time I stayed up to usher in the new year. Whether I'm awake or not, it will happen. :)

I have been doing some things to get myself organized.  I've not really worked on my sewing room. It's still filled with boxes. But I have been working on my scrapbooking area.  In my bedroom I have an alcove that is a perfect area for my scrapbooking. I've been slowly acquiring the organizing cubes that A.C. Moore & Michaels have. They are wonderful!! When I'm done I'll post pictures. As with all organizing projects it is a work in progress.

I did get a scrapbook page done today. I used a sketch from Scrapbook Generations. I love their sketches.  I've bought all the books that they have published.  Makes doing my own pages so much easier.

Here's the sketch I used =

 

My pages =



I don't have a title on this one yet. I've not decided what I want it to be yet. After I get pictures and journaling on it I may not even put one on it. That's what so great about scrapbooking, there's no wrong way.

What I love about these sketches is I have quite a few page packs and they work great with these sketches because the page packs coordinate. Takes the intensive thinking out of the process.  Sometimes I like to use a pre-done page kit especially when I go to a crop. They're ready to go, all I have to do is make sure I have my tools with me. But then there are times when I want a more creative process but not too intense. That's when I use the sketches, page packs and add embellishments that I create. Then there are other times when I want to create a page from scratch and do it all.  For once I have figured out a way to have my cake & eat it too. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Next time you work hard and finish a big job, take time to celebrate!

Loving Out Loud -- Joyce Meyer

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Today has been a laid back day. We didn't do a big family get together this year. None of us really wanted to do that. We all just wanted to chill out on our own. Except for tonight. Laura talked me into going to Black Friday sale at Wal-Mart then Kohl's tonight. A family affair - except for no Brian. It'll be Laura, Carl and me. We already have our plan of action - what we want to get depending on when goes on sale and who is getting what so don't miss out on something. I feel like we are going on a mission. I guess in a way we are. I'm meeting Laura & Carl at Wal-Mart early so we can do recon on the store. I've not done Black Friday in so long. This is going to be so much fun!!  Maybe next year Brian can be here for it. I think this should be the start of a new family tradition.

But I didn't just lay around all day.  I did complete another page kit.  One a day, remember? So here's the one I did today.

One more down and so many more to go.  Lol.

I let you know how tonight goes.

Motivated

So I decided to get motivated and start working on some page kits.  I finished one I had started a couple of weeks ago.  I love the page kits from Out On A Limb Scrapbooking.  The kits have high quality paper and everything is cut out.  All I have to do is chalk the edges and put together.  Great for when I want to do something crafty but don't want to put a lot of creative effort into it. Sometimes I get so caught in making pages "perfect" that I end up making the process complicated and don't get finished. So here's what I got done today.  All I have to do is add the pictures and my journaling.

How cute is this?

I figure if I do a page kit a day by the time I get back to work in the spring I may have them all done. Or close to it.  I've collected quite a few.  They are very addictive. :)

Update

When you're tempted, remember : Don't delay, Pray right away!!

Love Out Loud - Joyce Meyer

Just thought I would post an update.  I'm still here but it's been a hectic time since I moved.  Trying to unpack and organize.  Found out I was being laid off by the end of the year for the winter. My son, Brian, came up from Atlanta for a week's visit and that was great.  We went to Monticello in Charlottesville and the Dulles Smithsonian in Chantilly. Got lots of fabulous pictures. We spent time with my daughter and grandchildren.  Lots of family time.  Not long after that Hurricane Sandy came through but didn't affect where I'm at too much other than lots of rain.  However the storm that come through West Virginia hit my mother hard and she lost power.  Since she has limited mobility and lives by herself, off to WV I went to get her.  She stayed with me for almost two weeks then returned home. Whew!! It's been busy. 

 I still don't have my sewing/craft room unpacked and organized. The rest of my house is almost done.  I just need to do a few minor readjustments here and there.  I've not gotten any of my projects on my bucket list done but don't think even if my sewing room was done I'd of been able to work on anything.  The good thing about getting laid of for a couple of month is that I will have the time and energy to get all of my house stuff done. And projects done.  I am so looking forward to that. 

Moving Day is almost here!!!

Lord, help me to enjoy Your blessings, but not to hoard them or think too highly of them. Help me to use them to bless others.

Loving Out Loud -- Joyce Meyer

Moving day is tomorrow.  I still have some stuff to pack but I'm almost at the end point.  I am so excited!!  I will be just down the road from my daughter & grandkids.  How sweet is that?? I'll still have the 3+ hours commute a day for work but at least I'm commuting from a place closer to my family instead of further away from them.  I'm going from an apartment to a townhouse but probably just about the same room.  I'm currently in a apartment complex that was built back in the '70s and the idea of smaller apartments mean more to renters hadn't come about yet.  I'm still going to downsize what I have as far as my sewing & crafting stuff.  I didn't realize I was such a good organizer until I had to start packing my sewing room and found all the stuff I had tucked here & there.  Wow!! I was amazed.  I'm also excited because I won't have to carry groceries up three flights of steps since now my kitchen is on the ground level.  A large eat in kitchen with lots of counter & cabinet space.  And with family close by I'll have plenty to come & eat all that I cook and bake.  I'm already making my list of what I want to start cooking.  Here's outside of my new place.

Update

Well I decided to get some sewing time in yesterday because I don't know when the next time I'll be able to do so.  I worked on the Americana Wall Hanging I'm making for my mother for Christmas.  I got it pinned & started to quilt.  I did finish the two t-shirts I wanted to embroider for my daughter & I for our scrapbooking crops.  The turned out great. We will be styling at the next crop.  I LOVE my new embroidery machine.  I got the Brother PE-700 and it is so easy to use.  Stitches so smooth & looks good.  Her's is the purple & mine is the pink. 

I know that I'm going to be doing a lot of embroidery with this machine.  It is so much easier to use than the one I had.  I had a Simplicity SE3 machine and it worked great and was easy to use. That's what makes this new machine so awesome. The Brother is easier than the Simplicity and now I can do 5 x 7.  Look for more in the future.  I'm already creating more projects to do as if I didn't have enough before.  :)