Memory Explosion...

Yes, I am having flashbacks of memories I have not thought of in years! This is thanks to Jessica Sprague's class of Stories In Hand. So far this week we have compiled our main inspiration into a journal and created a Mini-Blotter Notebook. I am really excited to see what happens with the next week & 1/2 as my memory unfolds. I find that I am reading this wonderful book in great detail and cannot wait to start my journaling process. I love the design of Jessica's papers and the colors are very inviting. I will share a "glimpse" of what I have already created in this wonderful class.

Christmas Classes!

Well, the supply lists are uploaded to Bad Girls and there will be lots and lots of creative CHRISTMAS fun here. If you love fun, creative, and innovative classes that help you scrap out of the box then Bad Girls is the place for you! Go check it out and join in on some creative fun and create something for someone special or yourself. See you there!

It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year...

The Christmas Spirit is really nipping at my nose. I am finding that I am rummaging through old photos of Christmas' past and it always makes me nostalgic for family and friends that are no longer here on this earth. Traditions play a huge part in our home and I am finding that they are slowly but surely changing in ways to accommodate the ever growing ages of my children as well as myself. One of my favorite traditions is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I simply love this old photo from the 1950's from the Spirit of the Parade. It officially rings in the Season of Love and Hope. I have noticed as I have started to look into windows and specialty shops that ornaments of the old and new collide with vibrant color and styles that were once a "trendy" season of design are now mixed with the "new trends" of Christmas Decorating. Hues of many colors are coming into play that are not of the "traditional" colors of red, white, gold, and green. But colors of pink, blue, silver, and orange are now becoming colors that will grace mantels and Christmas trees world wide. While I enjoy looking at the new colors and the new trends, I tend to revert to the old that brings up smells, feelings, and glimpses of memories that give me a sense of security and love.

I saw a purple Christmas tree the other day and it was simply stunning. I would have never thought to bring the color purple into Christmas decorating but this tree was magnificent in style and grace. It was refreshing and new. Vibrant in its glory and well appreciated by my eye, My heart longs of Christmas old. I just am not sure if I would see a purple ornamented tree 5 years from now in my home although it was funky and fun. This is what is so wonderful about art and those that find new ways to make a striking statement that can linger as well stimulate ones creative spirit. Yes, it is that time of year and I love that beyond the money and gift giving one thing remains constant in our society are the traditions that are upheld by the average American family. Nostalgic, looking back, or simply embracing the new with the old is what drives us to drag out those cute little crafts that we made as children and remember how we felt when we gave it to the one we love and cherish. The feeling of accomplishment and pride in whatever we make and choose to give helps us to not only reflect but know that each year the season brings us hope for another year.

I am creating lots of wonderful Christmas items this year and hope to share a few with everyone here. But I do know one thing...my heart swells with the content feeling that I made another addition to our ever growing Christmas decoration collection that will be remembered and cherished for years to come.

Fabulous Halloween Fun...

Yes, we had a great time on Halloween. This year was the year my daughter broke the cycle of "cute" on Halloween. She wanted to be something spooky and I think it was really all about the wig. We had a wonderful time and I dressed up at the last minute. These are the layouts I created on Saturday at the all day crop at Archiver's. We had a wonderful time scrapping, eating, and chatting it up.

This layout is of my daughter and myself. We had a good time before the trick-or-treating.

She is simply scary!

It is still FALL and the layout below is when we visited Kinsey Farms for our Halloween Pumpkins and Harvest goodies to decorate the house and front porch. It was a great day of family fun.

Thanks for looking at my latest layouts. I really am getting into the Christmas mood though. I am ready to rid the gold colors of harvest and enter the Red and Green for the Santa Season on its way to our home. Loving this time of year!