LOAD1012 - Day 31 - Candy

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 31 was to journal about Candy.  There were a lot of great prompts, but I simply journaled about my daughter passing out candy on Halloween a couple of years ago. 

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I've done a lot of Halloween pages this LOAD, but this is the first Halloween page where I've used Halloween papers and embellishments.  Love this Stampin' Up! Paper pack.
2. However, this is NOT the first page where I've used these Heidi Swapp ghost alphas. LOVING them.
3. I absolutely love the duck face pose, said no mom ever.
4. This page came together SO quickly.  I don't know if that's because it's a relatively simple page, or if it's because by going through this exercise of scrapping every day, it's becoming easier and more automatic.  I'm in my supplies more often, so I spend less time searching for items.  Maybe it's a combination of the both. 
5. I'm so sad this is the last day of LOAD.  It was so much fun this time around.  And even though I skipped a couple of days here and there, I always came back and did the prompt.  31 pages in 31 days.  Boo-yah!

LOAD1012 - Day 30 - Caution

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 30 was to scraplift one of your own pages. I scraplifted this page.

Journaling around the photo collage reads:

What a fun Halloween! You & your girlfriends went dressed as pop stars. Megan as Katy Perry...Taylor as Ke$ha...Shelby as Taylor Swift...You as Lady GaGa...and Alicia as a bodacious Nicki Minaj. You met the guys (including Megan's brother as a great Justin Bieber) to go trick-or-treating. We had a great time putting your costume together and you all looked fab!  

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I find it humorous that I literally took 75 pictures of this group on Halloween.  And only 5 of them made it on to the page.  I guess the rest will live in cyberspace forever.
2. When you use an 8x10 photo or photo collage on a 12x12 page, there aren't a lot of journaling options.  In this case, I chose to journal around the collage, and I think it worked out pretty well.
3. I would like more alpha stamps.  And more alpha stickers.  You can never have enough alphas.  Can you imagine Lady Gaga ever uttering that statement?  "You can never have enough alphas," said the lady in the meat dress.
4. And Jordyn's Halloween album gets another entry.  Epic Pass!

LOAD1012 - Day 29 - Darth Owen

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 29 was to create a critter or embellie using fingerprints. I created a fingerprint lightsaber using my index finger for the black base and my pinky as the red shaft.

Journaling Reads:

Should we be worried that you want to be a member of the dark side? Surely someone this cute isn't capable of evil! You were happy to have Dad take you trick-or-treating. You didn't stay out the entire time but you still got tons of candy.

Quote underneath the washi strip reads: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi, it will soon see the end of the Rebellion. -Darth Vader  

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Title alphas were left over from a Lisa Bearnsons kit called All about me.
2. Black border and red & white checked washi tape are recent purchases.  Scrapsupplyaholic.
3. Owen's Halloween album is growing. 
4. I love that the Darth Vader quote says "This will be a day long remembered" and my journaling tag (which I had selected before finding the quote) matches the quote with "Life is meant to be remembered".
5. I don't think I'll use the fingerprint technique again, but it was fun to do something different.

LOAD1012 - Day 28 - King Owen

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 28 was to use a masking technique. Another "out of my element" challenge. I don't use masks or mists or any of that, but I do have some templates. I painted the red journaling block to the right of the photo using a stencil. I don't LOVE how it turned out, but the end result = another memory captured.

Journaling Reads:

Owen, all you cared about this Halloween was having a sword. Even though you can't take "weapons" to school and even though we have a ton of swords, you wanted a new one. We spotted this shiny sword and thought it would be perfect for royalty. Then we saw the cape and the crown, and it was settled...King Owen.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Eh
2. Not my favorite page, aesthetically speaking.
3. But, I've forever recorded one of Owen's Halloweens.  And that's the point.

LOAD1012 - Day 27 - Psycho Clown

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 27 was to use a wet technique. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Pam's video, although, the concept of "messy" and I don't go together really well. I used the splatter technique and I'm pleased with how well this "messiness" fit my page topic.

Journaling Reads:

Liam, you wanted to wear a scary costume this year...Mission Accomplished! You enjoyed scaring the trick-or-treaters.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I originally intended different pictures and a different topic when I was creating this splattered background paper.  But, I thought the effect went better with the scariness of this picture.
2. The black border along the left is a recent purchase.  Because, apparently, I don't have enough scrapbook supplies and I constantly have to buy more.  It's an illness.
3. I would have never tried this splatter technique if it wasn't for LOAD.  Not sure I'll use this technique again, but, ya never know.
4. I hated this costume of Liam's, but he loved it!
5. Looking forward to finally putting together these Halloween albums for the kids.  The problem with Jordyn and Liam's album will be finding the pictures of their younger years.  Bad Mommy.

LOAD1012 - Day 26 - Yoda

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 26 was inspired by ghosts. Use a transparency or see-through elements. My journaling is written on transparency paper and my title letters are Ghost Alphas from Heidi Swapp. One of the ribbons in the buttons is see-through.

Journaling Reads:

A cute Yoda, you were. Great Halloween costume, it was. The force of cuteness is strong in you.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I scraplifted a design from someone in LOAD.  Inspiration ABOUNDS in this group.
2. Background paper is actually more cream, and then I dragged....drug?....drugged? a brown ink pad across it to give it some more depth. 
3. Second Halloween page for Ashton's Halloween book. And, as of this very moment, Ashton's Halloween book is "caught up" !! That will change in less than a week. But, for now, I'm good. :)
4. I have oodles of Halloween themed papers, letters, stamps, and embellishments...and in the last two Halloween pages that I've done, I haven't used ONE of those Halloween themed products.  Hmmm.

LOAD1012 - Day 25 - Doggie

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 25 was to create a pocket on your page. I did stick my little flag behind the Doggie title, but I wouldn't really call it a pocket. It's the first prompt during LOAD1012 that I haven't really followed.

Journaling Reads:

You were the cutest little doggie ever! You had a plastic pumpkin filled with organic suckers, and from time to time, you were double-fisted! Every time the doorbell rang, you squealed with delight. -Halloween 2011

 

Some observations about the process and products:

1. The background paper looks pink in this picture, but it's really more grey in real life.
2. I used the K&Company Smash label maker for the small parts of the title.  Well, the E no longer works on the label maker.  So, instead of it saying IN THE WINDOW, it says IN THF WINDOW.  Close enough, right?
3. Not a lick of patterned paper on this page, and that's OK.
4. DOGGIE stamped with an alpha stamp set from Stampin' Up! I need more BIG alpha stamps.  They're fun.
5. Just like each kid has a birthday album, I want each kid to have a Halloween album.  I actually bought the orange albums years ago.  And this is the first page that I've created to go in it.

LOAD1012 - Day 24 - Bloom and Grow Forever

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 24 was "Where were you when...." All of the examples given were of major events: 9/11 or Y2K. But, I took a more personal spin. Where was I when my dad passed away. Not a FUN page, but a very raw and honest story. It's part of what makes me, me.

Journaling Reads:

It was January 17, 2011. Because it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I had the day off work as a company holiday. I had thought about going to visit my parents that morning, but my dad had advanced to such a poor state in his brain cancer disease and him being under hospice care made it emotionally difficult for me to be there. I had visited Sunday evening for dinner, and I justified staying home on Monday because there was laundry to do and personal paperwork to catch up on. Plus, maybe I would go visit in the afternoon. And then, shortly after 12:00, the phone rang. It was my mom. She told me that the hospice nurse had just left and that she had said Dad probably only had two hours to two days left to live. Obviously, I needed to come over as soon as I could. I knew that once I got there, I wouldn’t be leaving until after he passed away, so I packed an overnight bag. I took one of the fastest showers of my life. I sent an email to work letting them know I’d be out of the office, but I didn’t know for how long. I sent the nanny home and loaded baby Ashton into the car. I began calling the kids’ schools to pick each of them up early. I had to go to three different schools to retrieve Jordyn, Liam, and Owen before I could begin the longest twenty-five minute drive from Oxford to Waterford. On my way, I called Kevin, who was three hours away in Indiana on a business trip. He told me he would meet me at my parents’ house by dinner time. I got to my parents’ house around 3:00 pm. My brother-in-law and I can’t even remember who else were standing outside in the front yard…in January…in Michigan. And I instantly knew that I was too late. I was too late to say one last goodbye. One last I love you. I jumped out of the car and told him to get the baby and I ran inside, straight to my dad’s bedside. And he was gone. All of the stress of the last 5 months, and the most intense past three hours, brought me to my knees. I had missed it by about fifteen minutes. Why wasn’t I there? The laundry could have waited. The paperwork would have still been there. But, the hours we had left with my dad were limited. I should have spent my day off with him. My mom, who rarely left my dad’s side during his illness, herself had missed his final breath. She had gone into the kitchen. She told me it was OK that I wasn’t there at the very end because I had been there so many other times, and my presence or absence was not a measure of my love for him. My sister was at his side when he passed away. As he took his final breaths, in the last few minutes of his life, she sang to him, as she often did, Come to Jesus.

“And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace,
and laugh on glory’s side
...and Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!”

These beautiful flowers were on my dad’s bedside table. My mom had been growing them for the last couple of months, and they bloomed for the first time. I imagined my dad’s spirit inhabiting these blooms as I recalled how he used to sing Edelweiss to us as a lullaby when we were little. Bloom and Grow.

Bloom and Grow Forever

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Stampin' Up papers, some punched shapes, some twine, and a little bling. Done.
2. The journaling took me the longest to do.  Everything else came together pretty quickly.
3. My music of choice, of course, was Alan Jackson's Precious Memories.  Love those hymns.
4. Enough sad pages about my dad.  My next page about my dad will be happy and upbeat.
5. I want to meet the Long Island Medium so she can channel my dad.  I want her to tell me that my dad knows about all of these scrapbook pages that I'm making and he's thankful that I'm honoring him this way.  I want her to tell me that his soul is still here with me.  Well, that part, I already know.

LOAD1012 - Day 23 - Golf Lessons

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 23 was to use an old product and/or to use a non-standard shape on your page. I was able to accomplish half of this challenge. At the top of my page there is a wavy border of chipboard that I covered in small polka dot paper. You guys, I have chipboard coming OUT.MY.EARS. And I NEVER use it. But, today, I did!

Journaling Reads:

Where: Mulberry Hills, Oxford, Michigan

What: After receiving your birthday golf clubs, we enrolled you in some golf lessons. You're more of a solitary soul, so we think this might be the sport for you. You're having fun so far!

When: July 23, 2012  

Some observations about the process and products:

1. All of the papers were from the same Stampin' Up! paper pack. I LOVE SU! papers. These papers are double sided, so whenever I have double sided papers I cut out a section of the paper underneath a big element. So, before I adhered the orange paper, I cut out a big section of the green paper. On the back side of the green paper was the small polka dot paper that I used to cover the chipboard. And before I adhered the photo collage, I cut out a section of the orange paper. And on the back side of the orange paper was the paper that mats my journaling card. Voila. 4 PPs out of only two pieces of paper. :) And BONUS, they all coordinate.
2. I love how the green polka dot paper reminds me of golf balls.
3. See, another rear view shot.
4. I just love it when you flub the very last word of your hand written journaling.  Maybe I should invest in some white out.  But, I guess that would only work if the journaling spot was on white paper. Not. Gonna. Worry. Bout. It.
5. Journaling tag is from the Project Life Clementine kit.
6. I like how the chipboard border reminds me of a hilly stretch of golf course.
7. I watched episodes of Modern Family and New Normal on Hulu Plus while scrapping this page.

LOAD1012 - Day 22 - Commitment

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 22 was to use a picture of someone from the rear view. I take rear view shots quite a bit, actually, so this one was a matter of picking WHICH rear view shot I wanted to use.

Journaling Reads:

Liam, you never complain about going to football practice, even though starting on 7/23, a full month before games begin, you practice five days a week for three hours each day!! Even during a mega heat wave, you look forward to going to practice. All of that practice and dedication has prepared you for days like today….the highlight of each week…game day!Football has taught you commitment, team work, and responsibility. It has taught you to appreciate hard work and to enjoy the benefits when it pays off. You understand that it takes everyone on the team to do their absolute best in order to bring home a victory. And that’s what you do each game, you give 100%.

Quote in the bottom right reads: Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.  ~ VINCE LOMBARDI ~

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I accidentally printed this picture in B&W, and almost used the B&W pic on the page.  But, the color picture had such a different feeling.  So, I knew I had to use it.
2. I need to add the location to this page.  When Liam and I were looking at it, I wasn't really sure.  I had to look at the date of the photo and compare it to the football schedule to be sure.  It was at Lake Orion High School.
3. I printed the journaling and quote on patterned paper.  I first printed it on a white piece of paper, then I taped my patterned paper over the white piece of paper and sent it through the printer again.  I had to doctor some smudges on the Vince Lombardi quote because I didn't have another piece of that same paper to print it over.  Oh, well.  It gives the layout a messy locker room feel, right? 
4. I LOVE my date stamp from the K&Company Smash line.  Love it.
5. I don't love this title treatment, but I'll live with it. 

LOAD1012 - Day 21 - OJW Golf Outing

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for  Day 21 was to scrap about an impossible mission. I wouldn't classify the planning of this golf outing as IMPOSSIBLE, but it IS a big undertaking.

Journaling Reads:

It took a committee of six people, meeting every other week for about 3 ½ months to pull of this year’s OJW Golf Outing at Oxford Hills. This was my second year leading the committee and we exceeded our fundraising efforts, yet again. We raised about $12,000 for the Oxford Junior Wildcats Football and Cheer program. Not only is this our biggest fundraiser of the year, it’s the most fun golf outing, ever. From the Hotties with the Shotties to the Beer Studs to the great mix of people we have golfing, it’s always a good time. I spend so much time organizing the event, that once the shotgun start begins, I relax and enjoy!
1. Me & Michelle with our Jell-o Shots.
2. Me with a sponsor sign that my mom bought. Grandma Bonnie loves her Hillary “Cats”.
3. A cooler full of Jello-Shot Goodness.
4. Time for another team Jell-o Shot.
5. Kevin and me.
6. Tim, the golf pro at Oxford Hills, and I wore matching outfits.
7. We might not have been the winning team, but we were the best looking and had the most fun! Ha! (l to r – Kriss Curtis, Kevin Hillary, Heather Hillary, Michelle Raisch

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Photo Heavy
2. Journaling Heavy
3. This is just a heavy page.  But, it's a captured memory, right?  Even if the blue title font doesn't exactly match the blue ribbon which doesn't exactly match my turquoise outfit which doesn't exactly match my big brad. 
4. Speaking of big brads (wow, this is starting to sound X-rated), the big brads were a late addition.  I added them to liven the page up a bit.  Feeble attempt.
5. Another late add was the tab in the top left that says Oxford Hills. Didn't that addition just blow your mind?  I know. Mine, too.
6. So, I created the pages for Days 20 - 24 on 10/24.  I fell off the wagon a bit, but I hopped back on by creating FIVE pages in one day.  Get some!

LOAD1012 - Day 20 - My Funny Valentine

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 20 was to use Washi tape in an unusual way. I'm not sure that I used the washi unusually, but, ALL of the strips in this layout are made out of washi. What's funny is that the day before this prompt came out I had bought a roll of washi tapes (4 patterns) from the Martha Stewart craft line. Psychic?!?

Journalig Reads:

Jordyn, you wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with someone that you really love. So, you asked Alicia to go to dinner with you. You and Alicia have been the best of friends since you were four and she was three when we lived on the same street. And even though we moved a couple of miles away, you remained as close as sisters. So, you spent the evening together. You went to dinner at our local Mexican restaurant, Casa Real. A cute boy was at the restaurant with his family, and you girls thought it would be fun to send him dessert, fried ice cream, from a secret admirer. Alicia has such a playful and funny personality. She really brings out the silly in you. Immediately after you sent over the mystery dessert, you guys dashed from the restaurant in fits of laughter over the fear that you might be caught! After dinner, you went to see the movie, The Vow. Dinner and a movie, love and laughter, sounds like a perfect Valentine’s Date to me.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I used Stickles on these hearts.  I haven't used Stickles in forever.  It's fun to use, but I wish it dried faster.
2. The hearts were from my pre-punched hearts drawer.  Love those punched shapes drawer!
3. I love the playfulness of the relationship between Jordyn and Alicia. 
4. I listened to Sutton Foster's CD, "Wish". My good friend knew Sutton as a teenager.  Which goes to show you that there really are six degrees of separation in this world.
5. I really need to increase my washi stash.  Washi is fun.

LOAD1012 - Day 19 - Copy Cat

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 19 was to scraplift someone's page. I can't show you the original here, but I can tell you that the only thing I really lifted was the photo idea, but it was a lift nonetheless.

Journaling Reads:

Whether it's playing the Wii, or playing Legos, or eating a popsicle on the couch, or wrestling, or drinking from a regular cup, or playing tackle football, or even just brushing your teeth...at 2 1/2 Ashton, you love to imitate your older brothers. Liam and Owen enjoy having you as a little buddy. You kind of skipped the Barney-ish toddler phase and went straight to the Ninjago Big Boy phase. You are a lovable bundle of energy and joy.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. All papers and journaling spots came from the Project Life Clementine Kit.
2. Title letters are Heidi Swapp ghost alphas
3. I forgot to document on the page that when Ash wants to brush his teeth, he says "Bruh Tee".  And that means, Brush Teeth.  I'm pretty fluent in Ashish.  Maybe I'll go back and add that.  Maybe that should have been the title.
4. I listened to a This American Life podcast.  I love telling stories, and I love listening to stories. If you don't listen to the whole thing, that's OK, but I encourage you to listen to the Motherhood of the Travelling Pants.  Fun story!  Definitely something for this family to scrapbook about!

LOAD1012 - Day 18 - FORE!

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 18 was to scrap about sports. Well, considering I've already done several sports layouts this LOAD alone, this wasn't hard for me to do. This one, is more about my son getting his first set of golf clubs for his 8th birthday. BONUS, one more birthday layout to go into his birthday album.  :)

Journaling Reads:

Owen , you were THRILLED to get a real set of golf clubs for your 8th birthday. Please remember that these are to be used with golf balls and not as a weapon against your brother's head. I see golf lessons in your future.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I use Picasa for photo collages frequently, but it's not often that I use something other than white for the grid lines.  Because the pics were sepia toned, I didn't want white grid lines.  So, I turned them yellow.
2. I turned the pictures sepia toned because the pictures weren't fabulous, and were heavily shadowed.
3. Not a favorite page, but another layout for the ole birthday album. Whoop.
4. The felt flower was purchased recently at Meijer, but it wasn't a "scrap" product.  Which is fine with me. 

LOAD1012 - Day 17 - Hot Diggity Dog

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 17 was all about the headline.  Playing up the title.  I think I accomplished that in this layout.

Journaling Reads:

Oh, Owen! This is the face, these are the antics, those are the eyes that make the rest of us smile, and giggle, and sigh as we say: Oh, Owen!!

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Orange letters are Heidi Swapp ghost alphas that I got at a Michigan Mega Meet YEARS ago.  I'm digging them.
2. This kid cracks me up.
3. Journaling card is from Becky Higgins' Project Life, Clementine Core kit, I believe.
4. K&Company Smash washi tape.
5. Stampin' Up patterned papers.  Again, except for the 12x12 sheet, everything came either from the scrap drawer or from one of my pre-punched shapes drawers (circle, scallop circle, word window, modern label ... all Stampin' Up stamps, too)

LOAD1012 - Day 16 - This is what ELEVEN looks like

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 16 was about layering. In addition to layering elements, they suggested peeling back the layers of your life and exposing something that might not be visible on the surface. However, I didn't go that deep. In an attempt to get Liam's birthday album "caught up", I stuck to the simple side of things. However, I found that layering was almost as challenging for me as the clustering prompt! I started by layering yellow strips of paper. On top of that, I put the title letters, some brackets and a star cut out. I also layered patterned papers around the photos and on top of the papers I layered some paper punch out buttons.

 

 

Journaling Reads:

I dropped you off at football camp on your 11th birthday. I filled your bunk with balloons. Your favorite part about camp wasn't swimming or movie night, it was football practice, of all things. Of course it was.

 

Some observations about the process and products:

1. ALL of the papers on this layout, except for the Kraft cardstock, are from my scrap drawer. Let me tell you, ladies, ORGANIZE that scrap drawer (I organized mine by color) and then USE it!!
2. K&Company Smash journaling tag. I don't think I've ever handwritten this much journaling in my life!
3. Criss Cross ribbony thing at the bottom is actually covering up some hand drawn stitch marks that I made that I didn't like.
4. "Buttons" were pre-punched from scrap paper years ago. They've been patiently waiting in my Punched Paper Buttons drawer until now.
5. The patterned paper beneath the photo of the boys lists everyone's name. This was a late addition to the page.
6. Another late addition to the page was the yellow arrow pointing out which player Liam is. Easy for us to tell now, but will it be easy to tell which one he is 55 years from now?

LOAD1012 - Day 15 - game ball

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 15 was about framing. So, I chose to do a different type of frame around my son's photo using buttons.

Journaling Reads:

I'm pretty sure you got today's game ball as much for your big smile as for your pitching (you didn't allow any runs) and your hitting (a game-changing triple). You've got a big baseball heart.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Background patterned paper is from Stampin' Up.  I heart Stampin' Up papers, I tell ya.
2. I went through an entire package...an ENTIRE PACKAGE! of buttons.  I mean, come on, you can't just frame the photo with buttons, you've gotta scatter them around the page, too.  Duh.
3. Journaling card is from, yep yep yep, K&Company Smash.
4. Yes, the ribbon under the title is a little wonky.  And yes, the "g" in the title is a tad askew.  But, guess what?  I'm over it.  Hi, my name is Heather and I'm a recovering perfectionist. 

LOAD1012 - Day 14 - HERO

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 14 was based on the era of silent films.  So, I stuck with a black and white theme in this layout of my dad.  If your Aunt Flo is visiting right now, grab a tissue.

Journaling Reads:

Dad, you came to see Liam play in his first tackle football game with the Oxford Junior Wildcats on August 22, 2010, just five days before you were hospitalized for and eventually diagnosed with brain cancer. You saw Liam play football again on October 10, 2010 and November 6, 2010, when his undefeated team won the league Super Bowl. Being at those games definitely put a smile on your face, something we didn’t see much of as the disease chipped away at your ability to show spontaneous emotion. And, even though we’re not sure how much of the experience you understood or remembered, we will never forget that you were there. I am forever grateful to Shawn for bringing you out to the games so that we could spend that time with you. You were a bit of a football HERO in your day at Royal Oak Kimball High School, and I know, with all of my heart, that your football soul watches over every game Liam plays. You would be so very proud of the solid player and good sport that he has become. He’s shaping up to be a fine young man, just like his Papa was.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Ooh, la la, WASHI tape (black with white polka dots). 
2. The background paper was just a plain black piece of cardstock that I altered with a white ink pad.  I don't totally love the result.  It kind of turned out looking like cobwebs, but, it is what it is.
3. Guess what? The black and white scraps?  You guessed it.  All came from my scrap stash.
4. The grey border down the left is like fabric that I think I picked up one year at Michigan's Mega Meet.
5. I added the pic of Liam and my dad towards the end of the layout creation process, because it was looking a little blank on that side of the page.  I'm glad I added it.  Because this page is really about my dad watching Liam play football, and this was from one of the few games he was able to attend.

LOAD1012 - Day 13 - We Love Wine

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 13 was to try clustering.  Now, let me tell you, there is a fabulous cluster-er who participates in LOAD, and she makes it look SO effortless!!! Check out Lisa's tutorial here.  For me, however, these clusters took a LOT of effort!

Journaling Reads:

We were enjoying a fabulous wine weekend in Traverse City with 16 other couples, when Kevin announced to our friends, out of the blue, that L. Mawby was the first winery he and I had ever visited together - 11 years ago on our one year anniversary. I was so touched that he remembered that and cared enough to point it out to everyone. He's not much of a romantic, but obviously he's sentimental about certain things. We love our wine, and we love each other.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Background patterned paper is from Stampin' Up.
2. Lower left tag is an altered Converse tag that I wrapped ribbon around and stuck a little heart down inside.
3. Lower right cluster includes another altered tag from some clothing, I covered up the name of the clothing company with a piece of black ribbon, it didn't match exactly, but it matched enough, and then I used letter stickers on top of the tag to spell Love Wine for the title.  This also includes some ephemera from the wine tasting at L. Mawby, brads, buttons, flowers, the kitchen sink.
4. More of the same in the upper cluster.
5. Seriously out of my comfort zone.  At the end of the day, I spent way too much time hemming and hawing over these clusters.  I prefer pages with fewer embellies, less fuss, and with more focus on the story and pictures.  Not that clustering is wrong or bad, just not something I'm comfortable with.
6. At the end of the day, I think there's a little too much going on here for me.  But done is better than perfect.  And there it is.

LOAD1012 - Day 12 - Donuts

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 12 was to use twine on the layout. I actually threw my twine in at the last minute. As I was working on the page, I kind of forgot what the prompt was....good thing I remembered, because the layout was really missing something without it.

Journaling Reads:

Mom - "Liam, what kind of birthday cake do you want this year?"
Liam - "Can I have glazed donuts?"
Mom - "You're the birthday boy. I'll go to Meijer and pick some up!"

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I'm pretty sure this is some Bazzil cardstock.  I just like to say Bazzil.
2. Journaling card is from K&Company's Smash line.  I am getting a LOT of mileage out of these!!
3. Patterned paper strip and patterned paper tab are both from my scrap bin.  I think I'm going to challenge myself to NOT cut any patterned paper for the rest of LOAD that doesn't come from my scrap bin.  Using up my scrap stash!
4. The 4 x6 photos I just printed on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of photo paper, left them spaced as they were and trimmed around the border to have a consistent frame all the way around.
5. Flowers on a boy's page!?  You Betcha!!

LOAD1012 - Day 11 - A&W

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 11 was based on the Gong Show.  The idea was to re-try a technique that you've used in the past, that maybe didn't go so well, and do it over again.  Or to scrap about a story where something just kind of "gonged" or didn't go as expected.  Well, I thought and thought and though all day what to do.  And, I really didn't have something that fit the theme.  The closest I could come to the theme was re-taking my son's picture because the first shot of him was silly.  The first picture (on the left below) "gonged" and I made him smile  and take another one.

Journaling Reads:

At least once a summer, I like to take you guys to the A&W in the town where I grew up.  Luckily, that's only one town over from where we live now. We order chili cheese fries, hot dogs, burgers, & root beer floats and we eat in the car!

Journaling (along the border of the photo collage) Reads:

You gave me this face when I asked for a picture with your float.  Take two resulted in a much nicer smile. Handsome Liam.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Photo collage a la Picasa, of course.
2. Patterned paper from my scrap box.
3. Journaling spot from K&Company's Smash line
4. I could really, REALLY, go for some chili cheese fries right now.
5. The creation of this page was slowed down by Hulu.  I was watching a couple of episodes of Revenge and New Normal.  Slowed me down a bit.
6. Date stamp that I've been using on the last couple of lay outs is also from K&Company's Smash line. Digging it.

LOAD1012 - Day 10 - interception

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 10 was to use a 3 dimensional element on your page.  Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy. You can't really tell it in this photo, but the background paper is bumpy, it actually feels like the pigskin of a football.  So, that's my 3D element.  I guess I could have added some flowers.  But, eh, flowers and football?  Notsomuch.

Journaling Reads:

Liam, you’re not the biggest player on the field. You’re not the fastest. You don’t have the strongest arm or the longest punt. But, there’s a whole lot of drive and determination wrapped up in your little #24 uniform. You hit harder than many of the big guys and you aren’t afraid to go after kids twice your size. You, by far, have the biggest football heart out there and as a first string defensive corner back, you are indeed a valuable asset to the team, as evidenced by this play…your first ever interception during a game. I couldn’t be more proud of your motivation and good sportsmanship.

Quote in the corner Reads:

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” ―Lou Holtz

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Stars were pre-punched, all I had to do was grab them from my punched stars drawer.
2. Photo Credit - Tracy Albert, our team photographer.
3. If you could hear the cowbell when looking at these pictures, you'd have to plug your ears.  Proud Momma Moment.
4. As I was looking in my sports embellishments bin, I realized that I have a ton of stuff that I will probably never use.  OK, I will definitely never use it.  I used to SAY that I was a scrapbooker, but I think I was more of a Scrapbook supply collector.  I'm so glad that I'm spending time more scrapping and less time collecting supplies.

LOAD1012 - Day 9 - Zest

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 9 was to scrap about something that you do on a regular basis.  So, I decided to take my camera with me to Zumba class today and snap away.  Here's the resulting page.

Journaling Reads:

Before Zest, I liked Zumba. After Zest, I LOVED Zumba. Reading this latest advertisement from Zest Studio Fitness reinforces the fact that it's not just the exercise that I love at Zest, it's everything else that goes with it. At Zest, it's not Zumba, it's Zumbaaaaaaah.

Advertisement Reads:

We all come here for different reasons. EXERCISE is just ONE of them.  Walk through our door and you will find a room full of people who have discovered an amazing source of stress relief, freedom, support, confidence, encouragement, energy, strength, acceptance, excitement, health, and wellness...all wrapped up in one sweaty hour of fun.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Pandora station - Bob Seger
2. Far too many peanut M&M's were consumed.
3. How did I EVER live without Washi tape?
4. I put bling around my journaling because I felt like it was getting lost in the busy-ness of this page.
5. Speaking of busy-ness, this is a loud and busy page.  But, hey, Zumba is a loud and busy thing.
6. Have I mentioned how much I love Zumba?
7. The bottom "banner", if you will, is a collection of some of my punch cards from through out the last year.
8. I have seriously slacked in August and September and already, in October, I'm on pace to double the number of classes from last month.  YAY!

LOAD1012 - Day 8 - PROFILE pictures

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 8 was to use the following sketch from Becky Fleck’s Page Maps for inspiration:

My Page:

Journaling Reads:

Facebook is still your happy place

3/10 /12 - The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. -Walt Disney
3/22/12 - Smile to change the world! Don't let the world change your smile :)
7/26/12 - If you don't know where you’re going, you'll end up some place else. -Yogi Berra
8/16/12 - Even if you're having a bad day, it's always okay to smile!
8/31/12 - Sometimes in life, things don't go the best, you just have to get a better perspective.
9/16/12 - Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... Learn from it. -Rafiki, from The Lion King
10/1/12 - Don't think, and don't worry. If the time comes, you'll know what to do. -Mrs. Incredible

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I listened to the Pat Benetar station on Pandora.  Pandora asked me twice if I was still listening, which is a good indication that I did NOT complete this page in a half hour.  IS that really possible on a regular basis??
2. This is my daughter, at age 16, with a couple of her Facebook profile pictures along with a number of her status updates.  I am so blessed to have this girl as my daughter.
3. Based on the sketch, the photo collage should be roughly 6x6 ish.  That's the size I requested and saved in Picasa, however that sizing was lost in translation when I sent it to the printer.  So, I just worked with the size that came out.
4. Have you ever stolen an element from a previous, completed layout?  I took the "E" in the word profile off another layout I created a couple of years ago.  The acrylic letter packet didn't have a grey E, it only had a black striped E.  So, I swapped out the grey E from another layout with the black E so that I could use the grey E on THIS page. 
5. I love love love the grey, white, black, yellow combo right now.  I've been loving it all summer.
6. Using my daughter's Facebook statuses is one way of getting other people to journal for you!  Works for me!!!

LOAD1012 - Day 7 - Fabulous

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 6 was to use some sort of sewing or stitching on your page.

Journaling Reads:

I'm SO glad you decided to go to Homecoming this year. Even though you found out Thursday that you'd be going to the dance on Saturday, you were able to pull together a fabulous look.You bought a new dress from your friend, Ally's closet.  Megan did your nails, hair and make-up, and you bought some new shoes from DSW. Your friend, Gage Bolton was your date and you had a great time. Oct. 6, 2012

Some observations about the process and products:

1. SUPER quick page!
2. DCWV Rockstar paper pack.
3. The only "stitching" on the page is the hand drawn, faux sew marks around the words Music and Life on the background paper.
4. Jordyn brought home a photo strip. Might attach that along the right hand side.  Might. 

LOAD1012 - Day 6 - Mr. Fix-It

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 6 was: To take a sticker sheet with some letters already used, and create different words from the remaining letters.  Then to use those words as inspiration for a page.  (More on this idea can be found here.)

I loved this prompt IMMEDIATELY!! Unfortunately, my Saturday was jam packed, and I didn't get around to scrapping until Sunday, but better late than never.  Here are the sticker sheets that I worked with -

Before:

After:

After-After:

The Lay Out:

 

Journaling Reads:

My dad could fix anything...Whether you asked him to or not. When we were assembling Ashton's nursery, we used this old dresser as his changing table.  It was actually the first dresser my parents had as a young married couple, and it was almost an antique back then!  So, this dresser has seen better days.  My dad noticed that one of the drawers wasn't sliding in and out properly.  So, he dropped to the ground and started tinkering with it until he fixed it.  These days when I need something fixed, I have to remind myself that he's no longer here to fix it for me.  Thing #1,572 that I miss about him.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Truth be told, if I would have chosen to scrap instead of Zumba in the morning, I could have created a page on Saturday instead of doing it on Sunday.  But, Zumba is a priority this month, too.  Something's gotta give sometimes.
2. Whenever I hear hymns, I think of my dad.  So, I listened to Alan Jackson's Precious Memories gospel CD. 
3. When I first made the words out of the stickers, I made the word Mr. ...and then a bunch of other words...and then the word fix-it.  I immediately knew I needed to put those two words together for a title.  And I knew EXACTLY what pic I wanted to use.  Fortunately, because of my library of memories photo organizations system, I was able to find this picture in less than 60 seconds.  Gotta love that!!
4. The crochet flower is covering up my mom's foot in the photo.
5. I dragged my white ink pad across Kraft card stock to get the back ground paper look.  I like it.
6. I'm really digging these little Smash list tags.  
7. The blingy circles are covering up a rub on debacle.
8. I did not cry whilst scrapping this page.  Which has not been the case with the last 20 layouts I've done about my dad.  I think the space between when he passed and now is definitely making it easier to record my memories of him.  It doesn't me I miss him any less, it just means his absence is no longer raw pain.

LOAD1012 - Day 5 - Prescription Popsicle

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 5 was: Pinnochio - Woodgrain & actual wood accents are so on trend. Use some today on your page. Ideas: Draw freehand trying for a lumber look or even mimicking tree rings on a circular embelli. Comb over paint in a wiggly motion to leave a woodgrain look behind. What about supersizing the pattern of woodgrain using washi tape? You could even use popsicle sticks on your page! Put your journaling on them. Or simply gear your story today towards a woodland experience – a camping trip, a tree planted when a child was born, the story behind a wooden item in your home, a Christmas tree story…

When I read this in the prompt: "You could even use popsicle sticks on your page!" I knew instantly that I needed to scrap the post-op pictures of my son eating a popsicle. Framing one of the pictures with popsicle sticks took me straight back to Girl Scout camp. But, it was fun!!

 

Journaling Reads:

The best thing about a tonsillectomy (Besides getting a week off from school!) is the prescription popsicle. Owen, you were such a good patient. You ate the whole thing, even though it hurt to swallow. You told the nurse, "Eh, I like a little pain." Sure you do, tough guy.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I bought a mini label maker from the Smash product line and I loved using it to make the word "prescription" in my title.
2. Busted out some tried and true Stampin' Up alpha stamps.
3. I heart White ink pads.
4. I double heart Kraft paper.
5. I colored the popsicle sticks orange with a Sharpie.  Probably not considered "archival quality", but sometimes I've been known to dance with the Devil.
6. Did you know that they don't give kids red popsicles after a tonsillectomy because if they throw up afterwards, they won't know if it's popsicle or blood.  Gross.

LOAD1012 - Day 4 - Too Cute for School

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 4 was: Driving Miss Daisy.  This prompt is to scrap about a journey or process....documentation of a road or train trip or a weight loss journey or a faith journey or even the progression of a pregnancy or relationship. Or, from a process standpoint, you could scrap a page about a favorite recipe or the steps you take to complete a scrapbook page.


I chose to scrap about the journey to the bus stop on the first day of school this year.  Sometimes, when you take a picture, you just KNOW that you need to turn it into a layout, even before you upload the pics to your computer or print it out.  That was the case with this picture, and I was happy I could apply our little walk to the bus stop to this prompt.

Journaling Reads:

Ashton, you cheerfully chased after Owen as we walked him to the bus stop on the first day of school. You happily waited on the corner with him and watched him get on the bus. The doors closed behind him and the bus pulled away. In  an instant, the flood gates opened. You cried as Dad and I giggled at your uber -adorableness. It’ll be your turn to ride the bus soon enough, son.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I listened to the Johnny Cash Pandora station whilst scrapping this.
2. I ate two mini Reese's Peanut Butter cups and drank my go-to beverage...H2O.
3. My first attempt at journaling was on yellow paper strips, and instead of a 4x6 block and a 5x7 photo, I had two 4x6's stacked on top of each other.  I did NOT like the way this looked.  So, I re-printed my primary photo in a 5x7 size and journaled on the computer.  Much better.
4. I spent entirely too much time trying to figure out how to point out the bus in the background of the 5x7 photo.  I had a circle around it at first.  First a red circle, then a yellow circle, then I created this yellow arrow and sought the advice of my 8 year old who provided his approval.
5. The semi-circle borders are definitely more red than pink.  They look pink in this pic.
6. I FINALLY put tickets on a page!! YAY.  And, yes, they are left over 50/50 tickets from some sporting event.
7. AND, drum roll, please, I used tape in the left corner.  It's part of the Smash product line.  That was fun.
8. Seriously, when Ash started crying, it was the cutest thing ever. 

LOAD1012 - Day 3 - Pumpkin Perfection

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 3 was to use a specific color combination from The Play Date Cafe.  Wine...Pumpkin...Moss

This stretched me out of my normal scrapping style. Normally I think of the story, then find the pictures, then write the story, then print the pictures, etc.  What colors I'm going to use is usually pretty far down in the process. But, I have to say that I loved this website and all of the COLORFUL inspiration.  I'll be visiting it again in the future, for sure.

So, starting with the color palette, I knew what photo I wanted to use.  I had printed this 5x7 of my son, oh about 20 months ago, with the intention of framing it and, well, let's just say I never got around to it.  So, I thought, light bulb, this is the perfect pic for the challenge. 

I wanted to use scraps on this layout so I went to my scrap stash, which I previously thought was organized.  But, as I got into it, I realized it needed a little tweaking.  And by "a little tweaking", I mean a 2.5 hour overhaul.  Previously I had blues/greens in the same pile and pinks/purples/oranges/reds in the same pile.  Um, WHY did I think this was OK?  I mean, within blue, you can have a thousand shades, and you're gonna throw the greens in the mix, too??! Insanity.  So, now my scrap stash looks like this:

As I was in this rabbit hole, I realized that I used to have a SERIOUS scrap saving problem.  Some of the scraps I saved were so minuscule, they weren't even as big as a dime. ....A DIME, people!!  Please tell me I'm not the only one to have suffered from this affliction.  And, if I AM the only one, lie and tell me you've experienced similar scrap psychosis.

 

Without further ado, here is my page:

Journaling Reads:

Ashton models a pumpkin hat for my friend, Sara Fierce, a.k.a. Knittin' Mama on Etsy. 2010

Some observations about the process and products:

1. All of the papers, except for the 12x12 background paper were from the scrap stash. Oh yeah.
2. Sometimes items make their way on to a page to cover up an oops or a blemish.  This is the case for the brackets framing the title and the circle stickers on the photo.
3. I always feel kind of flat when I make a page that doesn't really have an emotional story to go along with it.  And by emotional I mean, funny, sad, meaningful, poignant, interesting, etc.  There really isn't a story here at all.  Good thing the picture is so cute!
4. Title letters, arrows, pumpkin journaling spot, and circles on the photo all came from the same sticker sheet.  Fortunately, that sticker sheet came in the colors of Wine...Pumpkin...Moss
5. Ashton is 2 1/2 now, and we call him a big boy because he recently gave up the bottle.  He told the nanny on the morning of the second day with out a bottle, "I'm a big boy again."  On the afternoon of the second day with out a bottle, he said, "I want a Ba Ba. I don't want to be a big boy."  Honey, if you can formulate that sentence, it's proof positive that you are too old for that daggone bottle.  Anyway, the point of sharing this tidbit is that when I was scrapping this photo, I was waxing poetic for those newborn days.  He was such a perfect little pumpkin baby and now he's a big boy.

LOAD1012 - Day 2 - Titanic

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 2: Use some memorabilia from a show or sporting event – tickets, programs, souvenirs

I used Picasa to journal in the white space directly onto the photo. And the title "Titanic" was actually PART of the picture. Gotta love that! Tucked behind the photo are: museum tickets, exhibit tickets, an extra photo, our Titanic boarding passes, and a list with more journaling of other memories.

Primary Journaling Reads:

BFF's Jordyn and Megan both LOVE James Cameron's 1997 film, Titanic. They've seen it 100 times. I tease them about living together as old ladies with 20 cats, waiting for a handsome suitor to knock on the door....Jack for Jordyn and his nemesis, Cal for Megan. Best friends don't always have to agree on everything! These two girls talked all summer about visiting this exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. They were thrilled, as were Patty and I, to have this cool experience. The details were stellar - from the lighting, to the music, to the amazing artifacts, to the faux iceberg - all of which was enhanced by the boarding passes we received with the names and information of actual passengers on the ship. At the end of the exhibit, you could check a list to see if you survived or not. We all survived except for Jordyn's "husband". Even though we expected that result, she was sad to learn of his fate.

Secondary Journaling Reads:

Top Ten Titanic Exhibit Memories I Love

1. The tattered, haunting workshirt of William Allen
2. Jordyn saying, "Put your life belts on!!"
3. Wine bottles with wine inside
4. Being a 1st class passenger and a strong, female author
5. Touching the faux iceberg
6. The Straus' love story - dying together: "Where you go, I go."
7. The stacked au gratin dishes
8. Our photo on the grand stairs
9. Dinner menus dated April 14, 1912
10. Jordyn's excitement to be married and her heart break to be widowed

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Of course I listened to the Titanic soundtrack when creating this page.  How could you not?
2. Cameras were not allowed INSIDE the exhibit.
3. For my list journaling tag, I used a K Company Smash sheet that I had bought at Meijer earlier today.  I think I'll get some good use out of that purchase.
4. The red White Star Line seal in the upper left corner came from the packaging to a Titanic book I bought at the museum gift shop.

LOAD1012 - Day 1 - And She Was!

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD1012 - S.H.O. Time) challenge for Day 1: What song would play when they announce your name at an Awards show?
The song that instantly popped into my head was Dancing Queen by Abba, but I don't have any recent pictures of me dancing (not professionally, anyway, although I'm sure I have some pictures of me dancing just for S's & G's).
So, I decided to scrap an event and I chose a song that, for me, epitomizes the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
The name of the song is Black Velvet Band. And, if you've ever been to an Irish Pub, you know that it's customary to sing along with the chorus and, even though I don't think it's an official lyric in the song, there is a certain point where you raise your pint and emphatically sing-slash-yell: "AND SHE WAS!"

Journaling Reads:

March 16, 2012 marked the second annual St. Patrick’s Eve and Corned Beef & Cabbage party at Greene Acres. When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I think of this song, especially the chorus, and I smile:

"Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds. You’d think she was queen of the land.

AND SHE WAS!

And her hair hung over her shoulder. Tied up with a black velvet band."

There were some new families that attended this year who were a fabulous addition to the mix. I’m so lucky to call these wonderful lasses my dear friends.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. Dios Mio!  Will I EVER be able to scrap a page in a half hour?!?  More like three hours on this one.  Sigh.
2. I might not be able to scrap in little time, but I can scrap with little product: 1 sheet green cardstock, 1 sheet white cardstock, printer paper, shamrock stamp, Stampin' Up ink pad, chipboard letters.  Minimalism.
3. PICASA - Use it a ton.  I love a good collage.  I love text on photos.  I love free.  Enough said.
4. I had to use restraint when stamping my shamrocks...I was tempted to stamp shamrocks all the way across the bottom and all the way across the top.  Case in point  that Less is More.
5. I think I smiled the entire time whilst making this page.  This party makes me smile.  These people make me smile.  That song makes me smile.  The food makes me smile.  This memory makes me smile.  Reason number 5,672 that I scrapbook.

October (Scrap Happy Only) S.H.O.time LOAD Blog Hop!

October will mark the beginning of my third LOAD.  For those that don't know, LOAD is a layout a day challenge whereby members commit to creating one scrapbook page per day for an entire month. 

Let me repeat that, ONE SCRAPBOOK PAGE PER DAY!!!  Sane? Not entirely.  Doable? Absolutely.

Full disclosure...

During my first LOAD, February 2012, I did it!! I completed the challenge!!  28 PAGES!! WAHOO!!

During my second LOAD, May 2012, I'd like to say that I did it, but I'm keeping it real up in here...I only did half of it.  I could make up a zillion excuses why I only completed 16 out of 31 pages (we all have them), but excuses don't matter. 

What matters is that between LOAD212 and LOAD512, I completed FORTY FOUR scrapbook pages.  Which is forty four more than I would have created had I not participated in LOAD.  And that, my friends, is the bomb dot com.

Can I get a WHAT! WHAT!

So, what kind of advice can I give about LOAD participation?

1. Breathe - In Yoga, it's important to focus on the breath.  It is calming and powerful, it creates a rhythm.  I think the same holds true during LOAD.  Just breathe, and everything will be OK.  Promise.
2. JFDI - Just Freakin' Do It (feel free to replace that F word with something stronger or weaker depending on your comfort level) - And by this I mean, don't stress about creating a page, don't dwell on it forever, don't fret about it, don't spend a coon's age picking out your paper, just sit down and do it.  JFDI.
3. Done - We've all heard Lain say that Done is better than Perfect.  As a recovering perfectionist, I can tell you that this is 110% correct.  What matters most is that you've recorded the memory.  I remind myself of this DAILY during LOAD. 
4. Connect - One of my favorite things about participating in my first two LOADs was connecting with other LOADsters in the gallery.  My method for connecting was to always comment on the 10 previous pages that had been uploaded prior to mine.  I'm not suggesting that this is something that others have to do, but if we all did this, then everyone would be guaranteed at least 10 comments on every page. It's a method of connecting that I'm comfortable with.  It's not for everyone.  But I would encourage you to try and connect to others during LOAD.  Find a method that works for you.  It WILL enhance your experience.
5. Live - Life doesn't stop during LOAD. Continue to live it.
6. Smile - Remember that this a hobby that you luh-uh-uhvvvve. Love. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy. If it becomes a chore. Take a breather (aaaaaand we're back to number 1 above).

I could probably go on about preparation: photo printing, scrap space organization, make ahead freezer meals for your family, etc.  But, since I didn't do all of those things prior to the last two LOADs, I'm not entirely sure they're essential to the experience.  Helpful?  Probably.  But, not essential.

Looking forward to another enchanting LOAD and to spending October with some scraptacular ladies!

Hop on over to some of the other BLOGS: 
Lynnette
Leslie 
Katrina
Kelli P. 
Alison D.
Cathy H.
Dani 
You are Here >> Heather H.
Go Here Next >>Alison C.
Heather D.
Danielle H.

LOAD512 - Day 16 - CHANGE

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 16: Use Someone Else's Journaling.



This prompt was relatively easy. My daughter had just written a small paper for her high school English class about my dad, who passed away in January, 2011. She submitted the paper along with this photo, one of her favorites of the two of them together.

Journaling Reads:

Jordyn Hillary
6th hour
Mrs. Okasinski
5/13/12

A Change in My Life

Bennie Ray Shellnut, was the most important man in my life. Papa, my mom’s dad, was a huge part of my life ever since I was brought into this world. He taught me how to tie my shoes, ride a bike, play baseball, and love golf. He taught me the most important lesson in life: to put others before myself and to always give love to people around me, even if it is not returned. Not only was he my grandpa, he was also my father for the first five years of my life.

Every morning I would wake up to the cheerful songs that he would love to sing. His energy and presence just brought joy into every room he entered. There was never a time I did not want to be with my papa. I was always excited to see what kind of adventure each day would bring us. Unlike most dads or grandfathers, believe it or not, he would do my hair in the morning. He would brush my hair then put it into whatever hair style, from ponytails, to pig tails and even just letting my hair go wild.

Papa took me to preschool and picked me up almost every day. When I entered elementary school, he would help me with projects and math home work. He would even take me to my soccer and softball practices. Middle school came along, so I decided to join the school’s choir. My papa loved coming to my concerts. He loved to watch me sing because music was very important to him. When he was in junior high school, he was also in choir and loved singing the songs he learned there. School has always been a little bit of a challenge for me, but Papa would always say that I should not think of myself as stupid, but that I am capable of learning and succeeding. He would say that even if I fail, I should try and try again no matter how many tries it may take me.

Golf was Papa’s hobby. He played it any time he could because he was retired. When I got into high school, I decided to join the girl’s golf team, so I called Papa to tell him. He was happy to hear that I decided to take up golf. A few weekends later he took me golfing with him for the first time. I was thrilled, but little did I know it would also be my last time golfing with him.

A couple of weeks later, Papa came to my first golf match against Lake Orion. He walked the nine holes along the cart path. I was so happy to have him there. Sadly, it was the last time he would be walking on a golf course. Later that evening, he went into the hospital and found out he had a tumor inside of his brain. After that, my whole world changed. Papa passed away nearly five months later. Even today, it is still hard to believe that he is not with us. I miss Papa so much, but while he was with me, I believe he made me a better person.

Papa’s life and death made a major impact on my life. I want to live like he would want me to live. He believed in helping others even if they are strangers, believing in myself even if I feel like I can’t do something. But, most importantly, to love my friends and family and to do what makes me happy. I will cherish the memories of him for the rest of my life. Some memories make me laugh, others make me cry, but the most important memories are the ones that helped shape me into the person I am today. I want my papa to look down and smile and be proud of who I am. He will miss my graduation, my wedding, and holding my first born child, but I know he will be with me at those moments in my heart and soul. He is the greatest man I have ever known and still is to this very day.

Some observations about the process and products:

1. My biggest challenge on this page (aside from holding back the tears...unsuccessfully) was fitting her entire paper onto a one 12x12 scrapbook page.
2. Paper strips are from my scrap stash.
3. I busted out my Stampin' Up alpha stamps for the title.  I need to use those more often.