Seth Loves Mud (Challenge 5)

I don't think I was very successful with my attempt at multitasking this week. I did, however, manage to get my page done albeit later than planned. At least it's done! These photos are so funny. This was a great day to the airpark (a popular photo destination) right after a whopper storm which brought tons of silt onto the paved trail...just perfect for a little boy to muck about in! He managed to squeeze his hands through it, clapped and splattered it all over his face. Luckily, my good buddy Karen had her trusty picture taker with her and caught this classic "boy" moment on film. Don't forget to upload links to your own pages!! Have a great week and I'll be back on Friday with the next challenge...

Noah's turn

I didn't feel right making y'all wait till later for the deadly Noah pic. This boy is just too cool for school! I might mention that the sweaters both boys are wearing were Xmas gifts from yours truly this year. I think the red in this pic makes the whole thing just 'pop'. I can't wait to print them and scrap them now!

Beautiful Weather

I know I post a lot of photos of Seth, but that's largely because he is so candid in front of the lens. Today was a gorgeous day with filtered sun and thick fog. Ray got home from camp today and the boys & I headed out to Courtenay Air Park for a little walk. I couldn't resist the numerous photo op's and this is one of my favorites.

Challenge 5

Are you ready? Here it is! This 8 1/2 x 11 landscape sketch was found at Becky Fleck's site. This is one of my favorite places to visit when I'm feeling stuck for ideas. But with this sketch, there's a catch. I want you to incorporate a definitive visual of the landscape concept but on 12x12. So basically, you'll just scrap this size and pop it onto a 12x12. If you're feeling especially ambitious, I'd love to see you use a new/favorite tool or product. Be sure to point out where that has occurred on your page. I have not yet scrapped my page, but like always, as soon as I have, I'll have 'er posted here for y'all to see!!

Work Overload

For you guys who visit the blog regularly, you've probably noticed that I have suffered from a serious LACK of blog entries since the weekend. I have been literally up to my eyeballs with projects. I have mountains of class samples and instructions to work out. It has been loads of fun, but it has also taken up all my time. I want to get to today's challenge,but it will probably be up later tonight after my little boys are in bed...you know, that time of day when you can actually think!

I have had so many ideas whizzing around in my brain, I just need to pick one. I think I know what it will be, but you'll have to check back later to see what it is. I really really want to see what you guys are doing with these challenges. It will help me to find inspiration when I feel like I'm lacking it.

I'm going to make dinner right now, but I'll be back later with your challenge for this week.
V

What Friends Say (Challenge 4)

After posting the challenge yesterday, I was pumped to do the page. I had my best friend, Shannon answer my questions and being the good sport that she is, she emailed me her answers right away so after wrapping up movie night with my son Noah, I got right down to business. I knew exactly the photo and papers (new Scenic Route that I just bought) that I wanted to use and I honestly don't remember a page coming to me so easily. This challenge was enormous amounts of fun and I really hope you guys play along with this one. I can't wait to see what you do with this week's challenge.

V

Challenge 4

Here we go guys...here's today's challenge. I have a fantastic Simple Scrapbooks mag that does a wonderful job of addressing journaling obstacles. One of the ways to scrap a "just because" page is to conduct a fun interview. This week's challenge is using the following questions and make sure to scrap a photo of yourself as well!

Have your closest friend play along

• what expressions do I use...way too often?
• What do I do or say that makes you laugh?
• What do you believe comes easy to me?
• What do you believe I struggle with?
• If someone was meeting me at the airport how would you describe me?
• What piece of clothing should I wear more often?
  
• What outfit should I give to Goodwill
• What's the longest we've ever talked on the phone?
• Would I ever jump out of an airplane?
• How do I let you know I care about you?

The sky's the limit with your physical layout. Feel free to go 2 pages or just one. Don't forget to post links to your layouts!

I will post my own before Monday.

Namaste
V

love affair with technology

You know, I never imagined that I would develop a relationship with my electronics as rewarding as the one I have with my computer, printer, card reader and camera. I can't stop printing my photos right after taking them and of course, sitting down in my studio and scrapping those very images. I am not a skilled photographer but a passionate one.

My kids are usually the subject of choice, but I need more photos of me. I have a friend, JoAnne who is another photo-pal and she and I are planning on embarking on photo-days at least once a month. The idea is that I will learn more about the technical side of photography, but also, if I'm taking her picture, she'll be taking mine!

This is a page I just finished today. I took Seth's picture at the air park and it was bloody cold, but I had to be out in that amazing morning sunshine. Shadows are a bit harsh and this pic doesn't do the page justice, but I'm still feeling the vibe of inspiration. (and I think I'm a little addicted to blogging!)

Hope your weekend has been refreshing and positive!
V

Nourish (challenge #3)

Well, I did it! I got my page done. It is not my usual style, but I feel really good trying something new. This sketch was a great challenge for me. I like to push the envelope with my scrapping style and do things outside my comfort zone. Notice the crazy circle around my title "nourish" that is a free hand copy of the stamped images on the rest of the page. I love the current doodle craze but am WAY to chicken to try it on an actual page. I put a little in this one and I feel really good about it. Gosh, this is a little like therapy!
I gotta say, it was really fun going around the house with my new camera snapping photos of the things that symbolize how I nourish myself. Overall, a very satisfying challenge. How 'bout you?

2Peas hoodie

Get a load of this bad boy! I get 2Peas' newsletter every month, and even though I'm NOT a 'label victim', I just had to get me one of these. I wore it as soon as I opened the package. I'm thinking of making logo apparel like this once I've decided on my "Lotus Paperie" logo.
go to Cafe Press to get one for yourself! Just had to share.

V

Challenge 3

Here's your page to scraplift for this week's challenge. The idea is to max out the page's holding capacity and include at least 8-12 photos. Keep an eye on the left hand side of the page and use that for your journaling. For those of you who have been sitting on the fence about doing a "book of me" for yourself, this is a great time to start. I want you to document the measures you take to nurture yourself. I'm talking hobbies, indulgences, self-care...you name it, I want you to scrap it. So, grab your notebook, sketch this LO and fire up your camera. Put together a to-do list of ways to celebrate and nurture yourself.

While you assemble your page, I want to see you incorporate machine or hand stitching (just to keep things interesting!) and be sure to upload the images to 2peas and post the link so that others can post some mad love for your hard work.

I'll be posting my page over the weekend. Friday snuck up on me this week, so my page isn't done in time to post this weeks' challenge but if I can get one done, so can you!

Namaste

Classic tantrum

I just got my hands on my new-to-me camera. A Fuji S2 which I bought from my lovely photo whiz friend, Karen. I have not had any time since I got it nearly a week ago to actually spend time taking photos. Today was my day. Seth was home (daycare is only Tues-Thurs) and the sun was shining! We braved the -8 weather this morning and went for a quick walk along the shoreline as the sun came up. He made me feel like the paparazzi, throwing his hand up to block my view of his face while shouting, "No kankyou! No picker a me!" It was all pretty funny.

After school, we walked to pick Noah up and managed to make the most of a few photo ops, complete with the 'not ready to go home yet' tantrum photos! This one might just wind up as a scrapbook page.

layout challenge coming right up...

Year in Review Teaser

This is what has become of all those lovely new scrap products. This is my "Year in Review" mini book that I'm teaching at Courtenay Recreation throughout this month. There are segments within the book which feature the Sarabinders tabbed dividers and pockets too. I didn't hold back with embellishments either! I still have to do the journaling but I love it so far. I think I feel a "mini-book" trend starting. I just feel downright creative and motivated today!!

Edit: if you want to see more of the book, go to 2Peas and you can see most of the pages. There's a 20 page limit so I had to skip a few. You might want to do this class!

monday is good

After a very long and drawn out holiday, I have to say how much I am loving today even though it's a Monday. The kids are back at school and despite the madness that plagued my home over the holidays, I am inspired and ready to create. I have been reading Ali Edwards blog and her challenge for the new year is to define our personal goals with just one word. I have been pondering this and I keep returning to the idea of meditation. It is so easy for me to take on more projects and complicate my life unnecessarily (I've never been accused of that, right?!) so my goal for this year is to pare down my projects to take the time to work on the ones that give me peace and offer me a chance to meditate. Funny that I can meditate while I work. In fact, sometimes, I get so deep into my meditative state when I'm creating, that I can barely keep my eyes open.
For my blog followers, I want to know how you define your goals for 2007 and why. This is me asking you to post comments and I want to see more than one comment on here! LOL
I don't know how y'all are spending your monday, but I'm making an exciting trip with my toddler to the grocery store and then I just GOTTA SCRAP!!!! Maybe I'll get my project done from the materials in my last post and then I can post the pic. Make sure to check back and see how it's comin'.
Happy monday!
V

I love my UPS Delivery guy

It's wonderful when the UPS guy shows up on my doorstep because it always means he's got a package full of treats for me! Today's arrival was no different. I had been plotting for weeks as to which items I would order from the new CTMH Idea Book and I finally placed my order last week. I love opening the box and deflating all the packing pillows (thank God they're not popcorn!) and taking out each and every article from the box. This package was full of supplies for all my class samples and a few things for wedding invitations that I'm making.
I have to say, the new Level 2 Paper Packs for this season are such a treat! I have two of the pink & brown paisley "More to Adore" kit. I am so excited to start on this sample. It's for the "Year in Review" class starting up on the 18th. This class will feature Sarabinders which are the most amazing ring bound chipboard mini books, just BEGGING to be altered! I'll post a teaser of the sample when it's done. I should tell you, there's only room for 6 people in that class so you might want to get a spot early before they're all snapped up!

Challenge 2

While it has been some time since I last posted, life has been anything but dull. I have had a houseful of 4 adults in addition to myself and my husband, and an extra 4 kids on top of my own two. That makes a total of 12 people living under my three bedroom duplex roof! The new year has definitely made an unforgettable entrance. I know this post is going up a day early, but both of my kids came down with the flu today so I doubt I'll be online tomorrow.
Despite all the chaos I have still managed to prepare for this week's challenge. I was exploring the Creating Keepsakes website and found the coolest tool! Use this link to go to their site and try it out! . The challenge for this week is to use their tool and create a page or two using your own customized challenge (sketch included!).
My random challenge for the layout posted included criteria such as using stamping, brads and the title block being sideways. Like always, I did modify the sketch to suit my photos but the end result was clearly inspired by the original concept.
This challenge was a really great way to inspire me to resume scrapping after the holidays and I managed to get just a little bit less behind in my catching up than I was before.
Meanwhile I have officially booked my first wedding of the year and am very excited to be working on creating invitations for some very lovely couples. Watch for updates on those weddings and be sure to post links to your work. I look forward to seeing what you create!

Happy New Year
Vanessa