So I worked this weekend on the room downstairs that will be my official scrapbook room. I think it is coming along well...













At first I thought the desk would be too low but I actually like it that way. I know it is not pretty like other folks but I love it... there are still several things I need to do to make it perfect but it is coming along. To see how it looked before check some older posts... I think from October. :D

I was on two peas and saw some people were making new years scrapbook resolutions. So here are a few of mine.

1) Get my over 300 loose layouts in albums -- will have to start buying albums on sale and refill pages etc.
2) Each month print off the photos for that month. I think this will be easier to make do for chronilogical (sp?) scrapping which I never do but like the idea of :D
3) Use up as much of my stash as I can and only buy my kits and consumables
4) Get one of those new Kodak printers. Found here http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml;jsessionid=CYRAOBLSQDG1LFW4FBBHWD2W1YUEK4L4?pq-path=14204&pq-locale=en_US&ekreferrer=nfom_esp3 I wish I had the money right now. Of course that would make #2 null and void.. but then again I would probably use walgreens on sale for regular prints and use that printer for later ones. :D Sounds like a plan!

That is all I got for now :D I have 12 new layouts I did that I plan on posting later in the week. House duties call right now :D

making cookies for santa

I don't usually post regular photos but I am so proud of my baking today that I had to share. Also I love the photo I took close up and was inspired by many a scrapbooker who takes awesome pics :D The recipe was inspired and found in a rachel ray magazine I had no idea it would take so long to make them as they had to be chilled for at least an hour and then after the baking.

Personal Scrapper dot com online December crop

So once again PS had an online crop. I LOVE THESE CROPS!! Especially since I am unable to go to an in person one where I currently live. So I have them done ALL OF THEM plus an extra one. I can't beleive I got them done as I had a very busy weekend with a paper, party, and puppet play and practices. I am way proud of myself :D

1. Holiday Spirit: Scrapbook a layout with something to do with a holiday. It can be about traditions, memories, etc.

Title: Traditions I ran out of the letters for traditions so I just free handed the rest. I am not thrilled but I do not think it looks hideous. I used paper from the zany zinnia November Holiday kit.

The journaling is about how I have since a child put up the christmas tree the day or weekend after Thanksgiving

2. Scrap lift a DT: Scraplift a DT layout (DT means Design team)

Title: Look At Me This was made with the PS November Add on and the Look letters are just from my scrap stash.

The link to the scrap page I lifted is http://cs.personalscrapper.com/photos/monthly_kit_designs/category1438/picture120745.aspx

3. Alphabet soup: Use a minimum of 2 different alphabets on your layout.

Title: My Little Chef This was done with paper and embellishments from PS Nov Add on kit and alpha's from my stash

I like this one a lot as it is very simple and I did lift the layout from the Nov issue of Scrapbooks Etc.

4. Use this recipe: White background 3 flowers 3 brads 3 ribbons 3 PP somewhere on the layout

Title: Pinecar Racers This layout is again done with PS Nov Add on kit

5. Use this sketch: Use this sketch. (was unable to post but I did a good job of copying it.

Title: Snow Fun These papers and most embellishments from the December kit from Zany Zinnia. This was Alex's first real outting in the snow and he was not crazy about it.

6. Holiday Colors: Create a layout with red and green in it.

Title: Joy The same picture as above but this time it is for Alex and it is about how he helped me put the wrapped gifts under the tree in a near perfect line. I know this has to mean some kind of special vocation. I am just not sure what... maybe engineer?

7. 2 page layout: Create a 2 page layout using a minimum of 4 photos!

Title: Lake Science and Climb & Play This layout is done with the Nov PS add one which included these awesome patterned papers by paper trunk. They were perfect for boy layouts :D

8. Use a song in your Layout: In this layout use a song as your title (it does NOT have to be holiday related)

Title: So Happy Together It is a take on that I think Turtles song from like the 60's. I really love this layout and is done with an old kit from Zany Zinnia.

I love this layout as it is one of the few pre-surgery photos of me and the boys and it was an awesome vacation at Aunt Rae's house.

9. Make a Gift or Two: Create some kind of gift to give someone! This could be a framed layout, set of cards, altered project, calendar, etc

No title as these are mini book kits I put together for these two little girls at church. I have yet to get around to doing any othe crafty gifts but I do want to do something special for christmas cards to the church folks. I need to get my cricut back from using it for the puppet play I helped with.

1o. Interview: interview someone and scrapbook it! It can be your kid’s favorites', your grandma's special memories or anything you want to scrap!

Title: I Want I interviewed Aaron about what he wanted for Christmas this year. The list was too long for my actual journaling space but added a few and my response to him.

11. Girly Girl: In this layout, use some girly things: flowers, ribbons, bling but it does not have to be a "GIRL" layout

Title: Minnesota Zoo I love that I got to do a pretty girly layout on my boy's page. I decided a year or so ago that i wasn't going to be girly shy as long as it was fairly appropriate and I think it is especially with their Aunt Rae in the photo with them.

12. Its Black and White Time: Scrapbook at least one black and white photo on your layout!

Title: Grandma's Love I had to special order from Walmart photo these pics as I never think to order when I do my mass ordering of pics black and white photos. I actually find it hard to get authentic looking black and whites on digital cameras as they are so grainless really. And I like an authentic look.

Also I am not sure if I really this layout. One minute I do then the next I don't. It is kinda funny that way. I do like I got to use a pink cardstock to make it which doesn't happen often.

13. Scrap lift this layout: I am unable to post the actual lift layout but I did a pretty good job of exactly duplicating it. If I find the link to the photo I will post

Title: Just A Swinging I do like this layout but it was hard to fit my pictures in there just perfect. Again I love these paper trunk papers.

14. Seasonal: Create a layout about a season: fall, winter, spring, summer

Title: Sled Fun 2007 I love how this one turned out and the papers. They are again from the December Zany Zinnia kit.

15. 12 Days of Christmas: In honor of the 12 Days of Christmas use 12 things on your layout (this includes the paper and embellishments)

Title: Cleaning Party The twelve items are... 6 different patterned papers
3 stars
2 chipboard accents
1 handmade title portion
12 total items not including pictures

16. Any other layouts done: I did one extra though there was daily challenges I might try and do tonight.

Title: Having fun? And finished it with most of my left overs from the Nov PS add on kit. I have a few embellishments and papers left and I always feel the need to use every scrap of paper possible I will probably do something with the few strips I have left.

THis was done with the challenge from this website http://www.hmitm.blogspot.com/ and was Challenge #95 Use at least: 3 buttons 2 tags 1 ribbon

Newest layouts...

I have found some other challenge blogs so I am working to get caught up with them. Some I have to skip as I need to take specific pictures to go with the theme. But I have managed to do some. The first ones are from this site I have started from the most recent back. The current weeks challenge is what we are thankful for

This was done with a zany zinnia kit and features dreamstreet papers. The title speaks for itself... I am thankful for my boys (andrew in this one's) silliness.
The challenge before that was "The picture tells the story" It was to use a picture that pretty much explains/journals itself...

Again done with the zany zinnia kit which had one WeRMemory keepers paper. The title says it all with the picture -- "The picture tells the story of... LOVE"
The last challenge I did (at this time) from the story matters is "So you think you can ______" In this one I used the Zany zinnia kit again and did the opposite title that I used below. Of course the same picture but instead of follow for my little guy I used so you think you can lead for my big guy.


The next challenge site I used is one Lynette from the message forum on Personal Scrapper had on her blog. The challenge site is and for this one I started from the very beginning and tried to do the ones I could (meaning the ones I had applicable pictures for) I got several done so I feel pretty accomplished. I am finding challenges are really giving me a whole new boost on journaling and take on a picture I would never have thought of on my own. And it is a CHallenge to see if I can get or find a picture to fit the theme. It is way fun! lol

The first one is "You know all those great family events that seem to happen over and over or just any layout where it seems that all you can seem to say is "we had fun"." Here is my take...

The papers are from my stash that I made into my own kit of sorts and I can't think of who it is by but I had to have it because of the black flower paisley the one sheet had.

This next one is not complete as I need to do my letter but I was going to use a transparency and couldn't find them in the un-packing mess but now i think a cream colored paper will look nice. I will update once it is finished. The challenge was Letter to the past -- This journaling challenge should be a lot of fun - your final result will be a layout that provides insight into who you are now, but also who you were "back in the day."

This is about the only picture I have of Alex and I when he was newborn. I regret not getting mroe but I had horrible post parteum and self esteem issues. Anyway I am going to write him a letter about how I said I wanted one more baby before 30 and he was conceived around my 29th birthday etc. I am so glad I found this challenge because it is one of my favorites and I know I wouldn't have done it on my own. I am going to put the letter over the flower side.

The challenge for this week was to journal/make a page (either or both depending on what you have time for) documenting an object that has significant meaning to you and why I chose to do one of our family dog Fudge who is Aaron's most prized living possession. :D

Again Done with that same paper which I think is BoBunny but I am not 100% sure.

The next one I did the one challenge page but finished the pictures up I had for that year's Christmas. The challenge was "What makes up your Christmas." Which I put decorated tree and homemade cookies for santa.



These are all done with the christmas zany zinnia kit. Off hand I do not know which line. She had two different vendors paper in the kit. You can see the kit here


THe next challenge I did was to journal and do a page based on a random memory. This is about what we do as a family on Sunday mornings. I look at the sunday paper (LOVE THE ADS) or do homework and John watches football.

This page finished up the last of the black paisely paper kit.

This another one of my favorites. (though usually there are one or two I am not crazy about but with these challenges I ended up liking all.) The challenge is to use a quote to inspire your journaling. I found the quote on a sticker sheet and thought it worked perfect with the pictures.

This was done with stash papers and items. (gotta love using the stash :D )

The last one is another favorite. It is done with the zany zinnia kit again. The challenge was Scrap A Conversation and I had recently blogged of a conversation on my livejournal that i had with aaron that was very funny and cute. I thought it worked perfect and showed how quirky he can be.




After New years I am going to start saving so I can get my layouts into books. The box I have them in is getting over full. And I have room now to display them so no more excuses for procrastinating!! I just have to figure what kind of binders.

Newest challenges and layouts

So personal scrapper has continued the challenge theme. And I finally last night got a chance to get caught up for the most part.


This one is for Nov 6th which was "You can use up an old kit, the remaining letters off a sticker sheet, a random leftover item from a previous layout...anything old to you." These are all leftover card sayings from my September add-on kit from PS.


This one is from Nov 7th "Scrapbook an old picture - either a heritage one or just one that you have been meaning to scrapbook for some time but haven't gotten around to!" I like the simplicity of this page and the color scheme.


For Nov 8th the challenge was "Use as many brads and/or eyelets/ and or snaps as you can!" I only did five but that seemed like a good amount. This was done with the October Add-on crate paper prudence. I love these colors!



Nov 9th the challenge Circles! I am not sure how well I like this layout but it works


I love this days challenge. Nov 10th "For today lets use a name of a song for your layout title." Again the last few pages done with prudence. I like to use up kits all at the same time. So you will see a lot of repeats of color patterns etc.


Another challenge I really liked the theme of was Nov 11th "Scrap some of the loves in your life." This was done with stash flowers and the last leftover journal card from the first picture posted. Also just like I do all one kit at a time usually I also do multiple photos in different layouts as i have three boys and some pictures go in all three albums or the same picture settings. So you will see this picture done three ways in this post.

There was a challenge for the 12th but I did not complete it. It was handstitching and my needles are still boxed up.


For Nov 13th it was "use at these things on your layout today: stars, buttons and 2 different alphabets" I really like this one and the journaling reads "Without her there would be no me" Since a picture of me and my grandma. I thought that was a very fitting.


I am partial to this day as I am the one who listed the challenge (albeit a day late) Nov 14th Challenge: Do one of those name poems for someone you love or yourself. I did it in the upper courner for BOYS.


For this day Nov 15th Let's scraplift a LO from another PS member I chose this layout from who is another member of personal scrapper. She did several I loved lately but this one I think is my favorite. So this is my humble scraplift attempt and I think it turned out well. It is using papers from another kit site I get occasionally

I hope to get more done today I still have a list of challenges from two other challenge blogs. The Dares and The Story Matters but my house is messy so probably not. :D

Finally some new layouts

Some I did before the move and the rest I did Tuesday.



Here is Alex stuck behind out tv trays at our old house.



This is a Walgreens collage of Andrew's birthday party. The pics are specific to Aaron



This one is Summer Fun with alex. Early in the summer I got a chance to run with my boys for literally the first time in a water balloon fight. It was a highlight of the summer.



I found some old photos of Andrew and Aaron and I love these two pics of Aaron playing on the slide at Gray's lake. I think I even remember this day. :D



This one is the Walgreens collage of Alex's Chuck e Cheese pics. I had a lot more of pics of him so this ones do not include the pics of them at grandma's for cupcakes.



This is the collage for Andrew. It was his actual birthday and all these collage pics I used BG paper. I thought it was perfect for birthdays but the layouts didn't turn out as well as I thought they would. I think I made the mistake with the collages. They took up too much space really but since kinda expensive I didn't dare not use them.



This layout is done with scraps around the house. I like it except for the glue I used on the ribbon. Made it too hard. The pic is form the chuck e cheese art kiosk. I love that thing :D



The last one I have right now is a double layout of Aaron with alex when we all got new glasses. We had fun trying them off and I love Aaron's look in his single page picture.

I think I might make some time today to scrapbook if not definatly tomorrow and this weekend.