Yellow was the color for Project 64 last week, and there's not a bit of yellow to be found outside right now. These pretty tulips are the photo I'm posting this week.
I'm also going to be posting this year at Simple As That for the Month of Photos. Rebecca generously provided this template which I love, and I picked seven of my favorite photos from January. It might even get a scrapbook page before L.O.A.D. is over.
It's not often I post twice in a day but I'll actually be posting three times before it's over since my yellow post for Project 64 needs to be up in just a few hours. This second post is for the first of the anniversary challenges at Papertrey Ink. The challenge was to choose one of the design team's favorite cards and use it as inspiration. As soon as I saw Ashley Cannon Newell's card I knew it would be a perfect design for a baby card I needed to get in the mail. You can see her card here.
I stayed with her banner and basic card design, but used patterned paper instead of stamping the background myself. I love Papertrey's Tiny Tags and Banner Builder dies and they were perfect for this card. I also used patterned papers from PTI: Tiny Stars and Bitty Box Basics, and the stamps from Round and Round and Tiny Tags. The ribbon is from Paper Source, and the pins and button are from my stash.
Today's layout is for two challenges: L.O.A.D. and last Sunday's Layout Challenge at Studio Calico which I finally read this morning. After we saw Wicked a year or so ago, I typed up some of the lyrics that spoke to me, knowing someday I'd do a layout with them. So when I saw the challenge was to use a quote or lyrics I knew it was time. This might be one of the simplest pages I've ever made, but it came out exactly the way I envisioned it, and says it all.
Patterned paper: "Boxer" Basic Grey; Wood Veneer Alphabet: Studio Calico; die: Tiny Tags Papertrey Ink; twine: Papertrey Ink
Yesterday's layout wasn't based on the prompt as I wanted to be sure to get my January 365+1 photos scrapped. When I was in Oregon, I purchased Ali Edwards' 2012 calendar templates and popped in two or three photos at a time as the month went on. I ended up deleting her title, and cropped the calendar before I printed it.
Patterned paper (and banner): American Craft; photo template: Designer Digitals; stamps: Amy Tan for American Craft & Maya Road; brads: Basic Grey; number strip: stamp by Studio Calico, scanned and printed on an inkjet transparency.
Here's a close-up of the journaling which I printed on a tag I cut from a piece of World Win paper.
Today's layout was based on the prompt which was to focus on how things have changed. The real impetus for the page came from a comment about using a blog entry for the journaling. I still remember the second post I ever wrote about having a quiet house, and knew I wanted to use that for this layout. The "boyfriend" in the post is now Sarah's husband. It was his first visit with us, and he can be credited with the fact that I have a blog. I also incorporated some type tricks from Cathy Z's current class, Ten Tips for Type. I've done these in the past, but had pretty much forgotten about them: two column journaling, and two type faces for the title.
Cardstock: American Craft, die: small rickrack Papertrey Ink; buttons: Papertrey Ink
Journaling:
We have a quiet house. In the last year, since both my kids moved out, I've become accustomed to a quiet house. But last week my daughter and her new boyfriend were here for five days. And my son, who lives nearby, came for dinner two nights. There's been lots of laughter, conversation, music, and even a blaring TV. But they're gone, and I have a quiet house. I miss the noise, I miss the laughter, I miss my kids. In a few days, I'll get used to the quiet house and the comfortable rhythm my husband and I have developed over the past year. I like that too. But I'd rather have a noisy house.
This blog entry was written June 5, 2005. It was just my second blog entry, but I’ve never forgotten it. In the last seven years, our house has been quiet far more often than not, although we were lucky enough to have Matt with us for two years between his graduation and move to Denver. But the truth is, I would still much rather have a busy, noisy house.
Photo of Sarah, Adam, & Matt: 12.07
I bought a new scanner today, and got a shadow around the buttons. There wasn't any quick fix in PSE, but if anyone has experience with getting rid of it, I'd appreciate knowing about it.
Well, I never imagined I would sign up for L.O.A.D. but once again, an internet community enabled me to the point where I just gave in. There was a message thread on Capture Your 365 about how excited a group were about this class. Since increasing my scrapbooking is definitely on my 2012 agenda, I decided there would be nothing better than a layout a day. Can I do it? We shall see, but here are the first two, both based on prompts from the class. The first prompt had to do with food, and we had just had a conversation with Betsay about how we all hope Skylar won't develop Matt's picky eating habits.
Cardstock: Bazzil; patterned paper: Paper Loft; journaling card: MME; date sticker: Jillibean; border sticker and alpha: Pink Paislee; Fabric Rip: Studio Calico; circle sticker: Scenic Route; Stamp: Hero Arts; Buttons: PTI; "Seeing Stars" die: PTI; banner sticker: Jenni Bowlin
Journaling reads: We hope that eating habits are not inherited. Skylar isn't far away from being introduced to solid foods, and we hope she'll enjoy a wide range of tastes. Matt, however, was a picky eater from Day One. I remember him spitting pureed carrots right out of his mout all over me the first time we tried them. Not much has changed in 28 years. He has a very limited diet, mostly carbs and tomato sauce. His typical breakfast hastn't varied since childhood either–Rice Krispies.
The second prompt was to choose a favorite photo—past or present— and I've been thinking about scrapping this photo ever since I took it.
Cardstock: Rustic White PTI; Bazzil Dotted; World Win gray; alpha and word sticker: SEI; expoxy embellishements: KI Memories.
The journaling reads: One of my favorite things about the new technology is Face Time. With both of my kids so far away, it's a life saver. this has to be my very favorite photo from Matt's visit home. I love how intently Skylar is looking at her Aunt Sarah, so far away in Oregon. I love the look in Matt's eyes, too. It's so clear how much he loves this little girl.
One thing I'm loving about getting back into scrapbooking is using up some of my really old supplies. I had my Valentine folder laying out and found the embellishments for the second layout in there. Some of those products are many years old!
First off, the winners of the blog giveaways:
Jacky, I'll be sending you Botanical Silhouettes. I have your address and will get them in the mail before the week is out.
Donna C., I need your address so I can send you the Papertrey Ink Thank You set. Please email me with the information: karen@walkermediadotnet
Rinda, later tonight you should find an Amazon gift certificate in your inbox.
Once again, thanks for coming to the blog to visit, and especially, for the kind comments and support I've gotten over the last few years. I've really enjoyed getting to know you!
And now for the sad news . . .Tracy's mother and stepfather have operated a wildly successful bed and breakfast for the last 20 years. They renovated their beautiful home where Tracy and his four siblings grew up. Yesterday they suffered a terrible tragedy. About noon, a neighbor saw smoke pouring out of the roof and called 911. Then the neighbors contacted Tracy's sister since his mom and Bill are in Florida for several months. By the time Tracy and Jill arrived it was clear this was a major fire.
The cause is still unknown, and thankfully, no one was hurt. The damage was extensive. The roof and entire third floor (where there was a lovely suite of rooms) are totally gone. Most of the rest of the house received extensive smoke and water damage. Tracy's mom and stepdad are handling it remarkably well. We are so grateful they were safe in Florida when this happened as well as to the fire department of Rochester who worked for nearly seven hours to be sure the fire was extinguished. Today when Tracy and his siblings walked through the house, they were immediately aware of the care the firemen took to protect as many of the antiques and valuables as they could. We really don't know what can be salvaged. It's another reminder for me to live each day to the fullest, and to count my blessings which are many.