going good so far...

Well, today is going good so far and I want to thank all of my friends that have helped lift me up with your comments and support/prayers this week.  I truly am blessed to have each of you to listen and be there for me.  It does the heart good! I am still struggling with a few things, as I will probably always be, but it is certainly easier to walk this journey with all of you beside me! Love you all...

Here is a layout I did of Caden awhile back that I really love because it takes me back to the days when it was just he and I and I realize just how much has changed and how blessed I am to have had this time in their lives to look back on and smile.

My zest for life is on vacation...

Sorry this post will not have scrappy pictures. I just thought I'd ask if anyone else out there struggles with those days where I really just want to roll back over and sleep for a few more days..not caring what I miss in the process??
Lately it seems my body is not my own, I am exhausted and everything hurts.  I lay awake at night watching the clock hourly until 3:40 or some other hour that normal people are asleep.  I may finally dose off only to realize it is time to start the day.  After several tries to force myself up off the pillow, I realize the cramping in my legs and the pounding in my head and pain in my neck is back...or did it really ever leave!  Oh I have been to the Dr. who tells me I at least fall in their "range" (lowest possible side of it) whatever that means and that they don't know what the problem is..just what you want to hear when you know something is not quite right and am getting REALLY tired of feeling this way day in & day out. I am pretty sure people in their 20's (late 20's..but still!) should not have hot flashes like I do and constantly wonder if their biological clock needs a tune up or complete overhaul!  Oh I am SOOO aware that this post is my little pity party for the day and that no one wants to read this but I need to say it nevertheless! So just keep scrolling down if you're in search of a layout or something inspiring because this post is certainly not that!  I have mother who suffers from Fibromyalgia ( don't sue me if that's spelled wrong! LOL) and I have seen her go from 1 person to a completely different one over the course of her illness and I so don't want to experience that and feel that I am letting my husband and kids down because I just can't keep up most days and wish I actually felt in control of my body and feelings that erupt from it!  I know there will be good things today and am sooo fortunate and thankful for what I have but today is just one of those sleep deprived ramble on kinda days and you all are getting the brunt of it today..tomorrow I promise I will post something scrappy and cute but today it's just not one of those days! That is what i love about scrapbooking for those scrappers reading..life isn't always fun or cute, sometimes it's hard and sad and I don't necessarily want to relive these moments as I would a happier one, but these moments make us more thankful for the ones we do want to remember.  Thanks for letting me vent and I hope everyone who actually reads all of this has an exceptionally awesome day..and tomorrow! (Thanks for checking my blog and I hope this post doesn't scare you away!  :o)

Family means the most in this layout...and a winner!

Sorry this post is so late in the day.  I had a little one I had to take to the Dr. today and is was a full day and we got home late this evening!  This LO is one of my favorites and I love reliving these memories!  I made this one for my brother..and the journaling tells the story behind all the photos. You can read it if you scroll down to the close up pics.  There are 13 pictures on this one!

The Winner for the Sketch book Vol 8 is ....

cherrie said...

Loved your layout. I really could use the sketch book. My favarite part of scrapbookings is spending time with my memories and my friends and trying to be creative.

July 15, 2011 11:09 PM  

 

Congrats Cherrie! I have your contact info and will get that book out to you ASAP!

Layout and a giveaway!!!!!

Today I want to share a layout with you that I made for the 2 page sketch that you can find over at sketchsupport.  And as always, Allison and Scrapbook Generation have been very generous to allow us to giveaway a copy of Sketches for Scrapbooking Vol. 8!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

To be eligible for the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite part of scrapbooking is~~~the winner will be picked randomly and be posted Monday, so be sure to check back to see if your the lucky duck! I will then get your mailing address via email and we will get it shipped to you!

Now on to the layout from sketchsupport this week...

"You Make My Heart Flutter" by Amy Roller
Supplies - Cardstock: Close to My Heart, Stampin Up!; Punch: Anna Griffin, Stampin Up!; Mask: Martha Stewart; Ink: Glimmer mist, Stampin UP! ink pad and marker and splatter tool, Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Dusty Concord; Lace: My Mind's Eye and unknown; Tulle: Hobby Lobby; Swirl rhinestones: Prima; Stamps: Close To My Heart; Chipboard Butterflies: K&Co; Sticker: Recollections; Title stickers: American Crafts, unknown minis; Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye

I started out knowing I wanted to use pictures of our younger selves and use butterflies. I had a mask in mind, (which is actually a cake stencil!) and so I started with it and Glimmer Mist. I then inked all my edges with distress ink and splattered each page with a Stampin UP! air tool and a marker.




For the large element on the right side I decided to use a butterfly to follow the theme of the page.
I looked at a butterfly embellishment I had and just sketched out by hand the shape I wanted. I then traced it onto my pattern paper and again onto a piece of cardstock. On the cardstock layer I then hand drew the details and used an exacto knife to cut out every other "vein" on the wings. I also added pop dots to this layer, allowing the pattern below to show through and give it some depth.
Afterwards I added in thickers and stickers.

Next I placed my lace that runs horizontally across the page. I made it slightly pleated and then added my punched butterflies to it, the rhinestones are already on the lace.

To finish it off I added in a few chipboard butterflies that actually have acetate layers over them, some rhinestones here and there and added a sentiment to the butterfly instead of journaling.

Scrapapalooza pages

Finally, here is the page I made during Scrapapalooza.  This is the LO from the sketch contest they have. I won 1st place with it.  I had such cute happy campers!

**(I have a few more pics to show, but it doesn't seem to want to load them..go figure! So I will try again soon.)** Urghh, I finally have a minute to "blog" and now the "blog" doesn't want to cooperate   : )

 This pic shows that there is a hidden journaling area that pulls out from behind the bottom area of the layout on the right side.

Saving $$$

I LOVE to save $$ money $$!!

Here are a few good sites for just that! It takes a lot of organization and time but using coupons can be SO worth it!! I have saved $82 at Target in one trip for example and well over $300 in 1 clothes shopping trip using coupons and researching to hit those sales!  I know many out there do way better than that but those are just a few of my best shopping trips I am proud of! : )

Clippin with Carrie

Spot My Eye
Pocket your Dollars