Nostalgic Scrapping

It's no secret to many of my friends that scrapping the "old" is my all time favorite. I have enough old photos to keep me scrapping for the rest of my life without taking another photo. But we know that is so not realistic as I must record just about everything in our family.

But there are times...when the old photos call my name. Gotta love a scanner, too! Well, I scrapped this weekend in my own little world at home and here are a few of my creations.

Just-a- card...I hate to waste good scraps!

The layout entitled "Shorts & Sandals," is of my grandmother. She will be 90 years old this coming June and I am making a special album to share with everyone at the grand party.

Inspiration

This Valentine's Day my daughter and I decided to give her teacher a special thank you instead of a Valentine. I used the Art Freckles February Kit~Ticket to Whoo-ville to add that special personal touch to someone that inspires my daughter to learn, her teacher.

Thanks for Looking!

The Jig is up and the News is OUT!

Yes, it's true. We are moving. WOW! I just thought that I was placing roots finally in my life. As an army brat I moved all the time and it continued until I met my husband and we married. Coming home from a funeral last week we got "the call" from his boss on his cell phone...the "Company is MOVING!" He simply did not want my husband to be alarmed when returning to work the next day. We have been busy searching all the information we can about our new town and the state. It will be harder for my husband to move than myself. He has lived in our area since the early 1970's. But still, this is home for us. So, I was inspired by the CHA ad/poster to create this layout, "Our Town."

I really like the Studio Calico exclusive paper along with the Crate Paper for this design. The Prima goodies just add that special something.

This just goes to show you...in this day and time with the economy the way it is...No ONE is safe from CHANGE!

Resolutions Anyone?

That's All

I am SO not a "Resolution" person. But I went to Studio Calico's Blog this morning and was challenged to scrap my "Resolutions." So, keeping in mind that I am a "list" and "goal" setter that I in fact could scrap this and display it where I am reminded daily of my goals for 2009. These goals are obtainable and are specific to just "me." I know I can do this!

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.

The Layering Perspective

The Layering Perspective

I have not competed in scrapping competitions as of late. I have just been scrapping for the love of the scrap. However, Bad Girls is having an 8 week competition that is in class form. So, I signed up. I signed up to be inspired and gather new techniques. The gallery is already full of wonderful layouts by a variety of scrapbook artists. The first class is on the "Layering Technique" that can be any medium and form as long as there are layers. So, I took the plunge this morning and created my first layout for this competition. So, if you would like to be challenged and would like to gather great inspiration...check out Bad Girls and gander to the gallery for incredible uploads that will sure to get your mojo working! My main concentration was on patterned papers and layering simple with transparent butterflies.

I love these patterned papers by American Crafts. The colors are fabulous.

My overall design was kept simple. I tend to go over board with product on my pages and sometimes a little says a great deal. What is that saying? Less is more? Time tells all stories though...right?

WOW, it is hot!

Yes, the heat index reached over 100 degrees yesterday. It was blistering for sure along with some serious humidity. I am gearing up this week to start school clothes shopping and then meeting up with a few scrappy friends this weekend. We are taking our friend Heather out to eat and give her a "scrappy" goodbye before she heads West of Georgia. Gosh, I am going to miss her greatly.

I have been looking at all of the CHA-Summer releases and I a can honestly say that I am so inspired to go BUY! School is around the corner for the new year session and then the holidays will soon follow. Where the heck did this year go let alone the summer? I have been scrapping and need to get some photos of things I have done recently and get them uploaded. One layout that I really enjoy is one that I did a few months ago that revolved around Christmas. It was the first time I really took an "event" and used a great deal of photos on it to display the day of happenings.

For me, this is relatively a simple layout. But I really enjoyed using up some of my Love Elsie goodies on this page.

That is all for now...have a great remaining SUMMER TIME!

Giving it a "GO!"

Well, here I am again. I stopped blogging my "creative stuff" this past December of 2007. I zapped my blog of over 2 years and now I am back at it again. My goal is to keep this blog strictly for creative meanderings and inspirations. So, we shall see how it goes. I am thinking the look will change from time to time as this is a representation of how I am. I love new looks and get bored with the old from time to time. So, please enjoy the reads, links, and I hope to be an inspiration for all who visit my blog.