LOAD213 - Day 12 - p. w. m.

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD213 - Scrap Happier) challenge for Day 12 was to scrap about starting to love someTHING because you love someONE. This is a page about how I did not like wrestling before my son started the sport.

Journaling reads:

When Liam was seven years old, in the second grade, he asked me if he could join the wrestling program. With visions of metal folding chairs being crashed across someone's back and the likes of Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Mr. T, and George the Animal Steel in my head, I shuddered and said, "Surely you don't want to wrestle! Why don't we sign you up for basketball instead?" And that's exactly what we did, hoping this wrestling thing was just a phase and would pass. When Liam was eight years old, in the third grade, he asked me AGAIN if he could join the wrestling program. But this time, he BEGGED me to let him join. Defeated and completely begrudgingly, I signed him up. About six weeks after his first practice it was time to take him to a tournament. At that time, our wrestling club coaches didn't go with us to the tournaments, so, we basically had to coach Liam ourselves. We sat on the mat's sidelines, and the only thing I could think to yell - over and over again - was "Get up!" The adrenaline rush of those first few tournaments, where he placed second, first, and first, will stay with me forever. And from that moment, I was hooked. I had in advertently become a PWM...Psycho Wrestling Mom!! Liam is now in his fourth year of wrestling and I love it just as much today as I did at his first tournament. He wrestles as part of a team, for which I am the Team Mommager. These are my boys. These are his brothers, this is a family. And these ladies are some of my fellow psycho wrestling moms (and a PsychoSIS). It's funny how something at which I originally turned up my nose has become one of my biggest joys. Really, though, seeing my son this happy is truly what makes my heart sing.

LOAD213 - Day 9 - Smile

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD213 - Scrap Happier) challenge for Day 9 was to scrap about what made you happy as a child and is that the same or different today?

Journaling reads:

My mom tells me that I was always smiling as a child and trying to make people smile. I still smile a lot and try to surround myself with happiness and joyful people. I used to dance around the living room in this dress and sing songs. I was only four but I remember this dress vividly. It would twhirl out splendidly when I would spin around. I'm sure I was acting out a scene from one of my favorite musicals. I still love to get dressed up and go out dancing. And if there's a karaoke machine, I'll be sure to sing a song, or two. I love the theater and have had season tickets in the past. Musicals are my favorite!

LOAD213 - Day 5 - Never Alone

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD213 - Scrap Happier) challenge for Day 5 was to  scrap about your honey. Considering that three out of the first four layouts this LOAD featured my husband, I broadened the scope a bit. This is a Facebook post that I put out recently. Behind the photo collage are all of the replies I received. The title is a picture of a tattoo of a waitress that I had last week after a particularly emotional time missing my dad (who passed away two years ago). There is more to the story of that tattoo, but I will have to give myself some time and space from the experience before I scrap about it. At any rate, her tattoo was a reminder that, even though he's gone, my dad is always with me. My Facebook post was sent out to honor all of the people in my life who helped me through a pretty difficult four days.

 

Journaling Reads:

Sunday, February 3, 2013 - Beyond grateful that I have so many wonderful women in my life. It's not often that I'm an emotional basket case, but when I am, I can count on my daughter, Jordyn Hillary, to listen and exchange crazy texts; I can call Mair Bedford Greene and Michelle Soloway Raisch, who will change out of their jammies, drop what they're doing, throw on a baseball hat, and meet me for a drink because they KNEW I wouldn't ask them to do it unless I needed it; then there are my breakfast buddies: Domonique Call, Amy Keith Petoskey, and Traci Hummel Parsons who cried right along with me over eggs BENNY; and there are also long distance confidantes: Maria DiPonio Hillary & Aimee Puglise Alban; and local let's have a glass of wine tell me everything listener, Lori Fry Skibo. My life is enriched with all of you in it. And, while not a woman, my best friend, Kevin Hillary, who hugged me and held me through the tears...I'd be lost without you. And how can I forget my hottchicks, who put up with my roller coaster emails over the last few days?! Love you girls!! Kim Ouellette-Basinger, Errica Shanahan, Domonique Call, Amy Keith Petoskey, Traci Hummel Parsons, Tina Johnson Davis, Marlo Heidisch Esser, Karen Johnson. BLESSED. I'll get back to my standard issue Zumba emails next week. (24 Comments, 39 Likes)

Hidden Journaling Reads:

• Mair Bedford Greene oh hell, you just made me cry all over again!!! Love you more than words, Heather <3>
• Domonique Call Aww! Love you muchly!!!!
• Kelly Jones Bourn Hope you are better!!! I don't even know what the heck is going on and your post could make me cry.
• Jennifer Gekiere-Myers Your loved and blessed!
• Maria DiPonio Hillary Love, Love, Love You!!!
• Rebecca Elaine Krupa You can add me to the list anytime you need an ear! : )
• Barbara Shumate love you Heather.
• Jodie Miller Viviano good friends are a blessing for sure!!
• Aimee Puglise Alban Love you girlfriend!!
• Beba Tawfik I HOPE YOU OK HEATHER!!OXOX
• Heather Shellnut Hillary And how can I forget my hottchicks, who put up with my roller coaster emails over the last few days?! Love you girls!! Kim Ouellette-Basinger, Errica Shanahan, Domonique Call, Amy Keith Petoskey, Traci Hummel Parsons, Tina Johnson Davis, Marlo Heidisch Esser, Karen Johnson. BLESSED. I'll get back to my standard issue Zumba emails next week. :)
• Tracy Albert Thinking about you hope all is ok. <3>
• Katie Zelenko Scepka Hope all is ok...
• Kelly Petit Baran Sending you hugs Heather!! You have so many wonderful people in your life because you are wonderful!! You deserve the very best because you are the very best my dear!! I am sending you positive thoughts along with lots of hugs and love!!
• Heather Shellnut Hillary Thanks, Ladies!! I'm definitely good, just went through a couple of days intensely thinking about my dad and missing him. But, I KNOW he's always with me, and that's comforting.
• Michelle Soloway Raisch Awwwww!!!! You will NEVER be ALONE!!!!! Loves me some Heather!!!! <3>
• Lori Fry Skibo There is an old saying, what comes around, goes around. The reason you have so many wonderful friends, is because you, yourself are one....
• Lisa Litchfield Sorry you are feeling blue but so happy to see what a wonderful support network you have. Hugs, cuz!
• Pam Oliver Hey and me too!!
• Errica Shanahan Love you sister!
• Kristin Donaldson Pitser Heather, can completely relate to you and the how (even after many, many years for me) sometime out of the blue you can have a hard couple of days of missing your dad! You got a great list there...and you can always add one more if you need me ;)
• Heather Shellnut Hillary And how could I forget Pamalicious Pam Oliver, who has seen me at my craziest moments?!? Glad she doesn't charge me double for my nails when my manicure often doubles as a therapy session!!
• Annette Elcoate Oh honey, I can't even imagine what it must be like to lose a parent! Of course you were down and so glad you have a group of ppl to count on! You can count on me to comment on your beautiful FB photos, beautiful!!! Keep your chin up! Your daddy is proud:)
• Annette Elcoate And I'd like to be a part of that breakfast club:)) ha! Hang in there beautiful!

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 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 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.

LOAD512 - Day 13 - Mother's Day

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 13: Prompt: Sketchy Sunday

I had every intention of following the sketch today. Sketches are probably one of the easier prompts for me to follow. But then, when we were at a Mother's Day brunch this morning, my 16 year old daughter gave me this letter and her favorite picture of the two of us (that she had accidentally printed on photo paper, but that accident turned out in my favor!) Because, as soon as I saw it, and read what she had written, I knew it would be used on my scrapbook page for today, complete with any incorrect grammar or incorrect punctuation that she may have used. All I had to do was trim it down from 8.5x11, mat it, embellish it, and put it on some patterned paper, and VOILA! Page is done for the day.

Journaling Reads:

December 20th 1995 was the day you entered a whole new world, motherhood. For the past 16 years you have been a truly amazing mother to me and the boys. But the relationship between a mother and daughter is so much different and special. Our bond has grown stronger and stronger over the years. We laugh together, shop together, Zumba together (on occasion), share clothes and jewelry, but most of all you share your love with me every day. You teach me how to be a good friend to others, you give me advice, and most of all you teach me how to be patient with others. I love when people say we look alike because you are so beautiful inside and out and it is nice knowing I resemble such a beautiful women. Your laughter always puts a smile to my face, it is so similar to papas laugh and it’s like a piece of him is still with us. I am so happy and thankful for you brining me into this world. Thank you for all the things you have given me, a nice home, clothes, food, a great school district, a car, but most of all thank you for giving me such a beautiful and loving family. I would not trade you guys for the world. I know we have our fights and arguments but no matter what I will always love you. How can I not, were practically the same person ;) I am so proud of you, being the mother of 4 children cannot be easy, we get through each day, some are harder than others, but we always make it through. I hope your mother’s day is full of love joy and happiness. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Love your first born Jordyn

Some observations about the process and products:

1. I wish EVERY scrapbook page was this easy to put together!
2. Stampin' Up patterned papers.
3. Tag from my punched shapes "tags" mini drawer.
4. Totally cried when I read this...AT Boulder Point.  Asked Jordyn to give things like this to me at home next time!! :)

LOAD512 - Day 1 - Fabulous

Am I crazy? Well, I think we already established that in February. And, here we are again with another Lay out a day challenge. Considering I haven't scrapped at all since Feb. 29, I'd say this is just what the doctor ordered. Because, guess what? When I don't scrap??? I am CRA-A-A-NKY! I need this creative outlet.

The theme for LOAD512 is Out of the Box. I'm excited to see what prompts Lain has in store for us. The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day (LOAD512) challenge for Day 1 was - Self Portrait.
Considering HALF of the 29 layouts that I created in February were about me, this prompt isn't really pushing me outside of my comfort zone. So, I didn't truly take this prompt to heart. I did do a page about me, but more so about my girlfriends from high school. I already had this picture printed and decided to take the easy route, rather than really dig into the recesses of my photo stash and introspection for a true self portrait.

I hope tomorrow's outside the box prompt has something to do with birthdays, because I have at least 10 birthday layouts to catch up on!

Journaling Reads: These girls are fabulous! From their shoes, to their hair, to their hearts, to the belly-laughs we share. Enduring friendships and love.
Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Stampin' Up patterned paper.


2. Fabulous is a Heidi Swapp silhouette.


3. I need a new white pen.


4. This is what happens when you accidentally print a picture for the wrong size frame...use it on a scrapbook page!


5. Since this photo was taken when Ashton was barely 3 months old, I should have journaled a story about how much I miss and how in love I am with those FABULOUS nursing boobs.
   

LOAD212 - Day 28 - tv

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 28 was - Screens (TV, computer, video games, phone, etc. What are you watching, recording, playing, doing, etc.) I took the prompt in a little different direction...

Journaling Reads:

When we were little, my mom used to sit us on top of things and take our picture...coffee tables, dining tables, kitchen counters, and sometimes even the TV.

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Pretty quick page.


2. Love the Project Life journaling cards!


3. Another Stampin' Up patterned paper pack.


4. Imagine setting kids on top of a TV today to take a picture....not possible in our house with all of the flat screens! My how technology has changed!

LOAD212 - Day 27 - Pepper

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 27 was - Animal Magnetism

This is a layout about my childhood cat, Pepper.

Journaling Reads:

We didn't have many pets when I was growing up, but we did have Pepper, the softest, fluffiest cat I'd ever seen. She was a stray that we sort of took in. She was an outside cat, but she had a litter box in the garage. And my parents fed her just enough to keep her hungry for the field mice. One winter she drank antifreeze and died behind the wood pile.

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. This is a case of being exhausted from scrapping every day, and doing a layout because I "have" to, not because I "want" to. There's more to the story that could be told, but I guess this is enough.


2. However, I'm noticing that there is no date on this page. I need to go back and correct that.


3. Those buttons aren't aesthetically placed so much as they are strategically placed to cover a rip in the patterned paper.


4. Bling letters for the title are leftover letter stickers from Jordyn's Sweet Sixteen party. I think they juxtaposition well against the ruggedness of the paper.

LOAD212 - Day 25 - 790 page two

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 25 was - I Feel like....

But, today, I decided to go back to Day 9's prompt which was Home Sweet Home. I knew I wanted to scrap about the process of our house being built by my dad, but wasn't ready to do it until I created yesterday's page (on the left). It just seemed a perfect fit to make a companion page (on the right). So, the right side is technically today's page.

Journaling on each photo reads:

1. (right page - top photo) - This is a picture of me and my mom at the construction site of our house in 1978. If you look closely, you can see that my mom is roasting a marshmallow. Proof that she's awesome.


2. (right page - bottom left photo) - This is me at age 5 and a half in 1978 while our house was being built. My dad in the background and my Uncle Hurley in the foreground laid the brick. I'm not sure why I don't have any shoes on.


3. (right page - bottom right photo) - My mom tells the story about how a pallet of bricks almost fell on me when our house was being built. I wonder if it happened right after this picture was taken?

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Crochet flowers are adorable. I think these are Dear Lizzy, but I'm not 100% sure.


2. This page came together so quickly. Love fast scrapping


3. When you put a large piece of cardstock on top of a larger piece of patterned paper, do you cut out the part of the patterned paper that is covered by the cardstock? I do. On this layout, I got about 5x7 of patterned paper from each side of the layout that can be used in another project. I'm thrifty like that.


4. Could you imagine chasing after three young kids in the middle of construction zone, keeping them out of harm's way, trying to entertain them in the middle of nowhere, with no power, no running water, braving the elements for months on end? Go, Mom!


5. My dad was an AMAZING man. Miss him.

LOAD212 - Day 24 - 790

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 23 was - Numbers. The inspiration page was BEYOND adorable using all of the numbers associated with a baby's birth and putting it into Subway art format. It was gorgeous. Putting it on my to-do list for each of my kids. But what spoke to me first when I saw the prompt was "790". The address of the house I grew up in. Here are the rest of the numbers associated with this house, and my best first crack at subway art. Definitely room for improvement.

First Version:

But then I realized there were more numbers that needed to be told. Most importantly that my dad had built this house with his own TWO hands. But I also had to correct the date and I thought it'd be fun to add more details. So, I re-did the layout.

Second Version:

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. In the re-do, I added journaling to the photo so that it was more clear who the picture was of (me) and where it was taken (in front of the mailbox in front of my house)


2. Stampin' Up patterned papers and ink used to ink the edges of the cardstock (I hadn't inked the edges of anything in a LONG time!)


3. I know that done is better than perfect, but even though I really liked version one, I absolutley LOVE version two.

LOAD212 - Day 23 - Out West

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 23 was - Road Trip






Journaling Reads:
In June of 1977, my parents loaded me (4 ½), my brother, Jeremy (almost 5), and my sister, Shawn (almost 7), along with my grandma Calloway (my dad’s mom) into a yellow, four door pick up truck (with a camper on the back and no air conditioning) to embark upon a month long marathon journey out west to visit relatives and see the sights of the western United States. We toured 14 states in less than 30 days! The camper had a bed that went over the cab of the truck and I distinctly remember sleeping there, hot as Hades, as we rolled along the highway. I asked my mom to help me tell the story of where we went, who we visited, and what we saw. This is her memory:

I had to get out the map of the US to answer the questions about the states we went through: We took I-94 west through Illinois into South Dakota, stopped at Mount Rushmore. Also saw the Badlands of South Dakota. We drove on into Wyoming to see Yellowstone National Park. Then on west to Idaho to visit Aunt Betty and Uncle Glenn. They had a big ranch with cattle and horses. Went to Bryce Canyon in Zion National Park before or after visiting Aunt Betty. Then went to Washington state to visit Uncle Fred and Aunt Mary. Went to Mount Rainier to climb up into the snow covered mountain. From there we drove back through Idaho into Utah then Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. We drove south from there to visit Uncle Elmer and his wife. The house was on an Indian Reservation and was super hot and dry. Drove through New Mexico to Carlsbad Caverns. (Not sure we stopped, but I thought we planned to do so.) Then went to Houston, Texas to visit Aunt Erma and Uncle Walt. From there we went north to Dallas to visit my brother Billy and his wife Ginger and family. Went east to Arkansas to visit Uncle Jimmie and Uncle LD and their families. Went to Tennessee to visit with Uncle Joe and Aunt Gail. From there we over to visit my Dad and Grandma Ruth and see the Smokies. We drove home through Kentucky and Ohio into Michigan where you all got out...and I think Shawn kissed the ground.

Shawn might have been the first to kiss the driveway when we returned home, but I recall my brother and I enthusiastically following suit. Not being drinkers, I honestly don’t know how my parents survived this trip without alcohol. The fact that we kids came back alive is proof positive that prayer works. I imagine my mom prayed for strength daily. I might not remember the specifics of this road trip, but I remember the feelings I had while on this trip and they are forever etched onto my heart. Journaling Feb 2012

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. My husband just told me how ANNOYING it is that I'm ALWAYS on the computer


2. The yellow fabric sticker border down the left side of the page mimics mountains, but this was not planned.


3. I used Picasa to create the collage and add the text to each photo


4. I searched for HOURS for a photo that I KNOW exists of us with my grandma at Mt. Ranier, but couldn't find it.


5. This trip was the MOTHER of all vacations in my childhood memories.


6. I experimented with the ribbon treatment along the right hand side and I really like the result.

LOAD212 - Day 22 - Christmas Baby

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 22 was - Holidays

And I'm back to following the prompt! Photos of me at less than two weeks old.

Journaling Reads:
I was born twelve days before Christmas. So, I know full well what it’s like to get birthday presents wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper, and I know what it’s like to get one birthday present for “both” my birthday and Christmas, and I know what it’s like to celebrate my birthday out with friends at our Christmas gathering. And I’m not complaining, because, at least I get presents, and at least I have friends who will raise a glass in my honor. But, when I had my daughter, Jordyn, five days before Christmas, I vowed not to clump her birthday together with Christmas. I vowed to keep her birthday separate from the holiday. I vowed to keep her birthday special. Even though she, too, is a Christmas Baby.

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Yeah, I think the only thing worse than scrapping with a hangover (Sunday) and scrapping while sick (Tuesday) is scrapping after a loooooooong day of PTO drama.


2. This is my very first Christmas. In a Santa hat, no less!!


3. Title and journaling printed on white cardstock.


4. Used a couple of Christmas stickers and sticker numbers.


5. Slapped on a ribbon down the side.


6. Easy Peasy

LOAD212 - Day 20 - fluorescent

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 20 was - Fashion Plate

Journaling Reads - December 1984 I'm not sure if it was influenced by Cyndi Lauper or Boy George but I went through a fluorescent phase in the mid 80's. So glad it was a short phase.

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Another Becky Higgins journaling card (this makes scrapping life SO easy)


2. Who wears a white shirt, white pants, and white SHOES in December? ...in MICHIGAN?


3. I know the socks and belt don't LOOK fluorescent in the photo, but, Trust Me, they totally were.


4. The artwork hanging on the wall behind me is a painting of a conquistador which currently hangs in my basement. This painting can be seen (even if just a tiny corner) in every other photo from my childhood!

LOAD212 - Day 19 - Past Perfect

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 19 was - Friends, old and new. I totally went off prompt today. I needed to make a quick page, so I used this photo from yesterday's T-shirt wearing and scrap session that I had altered with text. All I had to do was print and assemble the page.

Journaling Reads - Participating in the February Lay Out A Day challenge has reinvigorated my passion for scrapbooking and intruced me to a great group of online ladies who share this hobby, and who also wore this same t-shirt today.

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. I think this is my third layout during this February LOAD using these papers from a Stampin' Up kit.


2. Journaling card from Becky Higgins Clementine Project Like core kit. LOVE!


3. Scrapping while incredibly hung over and utterly exhausted is not easy.
   

LOAD212 - Day 18 - CAKE

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 18 was - You say it's your birthday!

These pics are all of me with my birthday cake at ages 1 through 5.


Journaling Reads -
Mom and Dad always made our favorite cake on our birthday. My fave was cherry chip!


Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. I used a kit from Close To My Heart for all the papers and embellies. LOVE how easy CTMH makes scrap booking!!



2. LOVE it that my mom took all these pics. So happy to have them collected on the same page.



3. Edited the photos in Picnik by way of Picasa3 to make them look like Polaroids.



4. The title sticker letters were part of the CTMH kit, but the C and the K were the same pattern/design, so I traced the K onto a different paper and cut it out. Like a manual Cricut!!



5. We had the option of buying this LOAD t-shirt for $2 at VistaPrint, and everyone that bought them planned to wear them on 2/18 - Lain's birthday! This is me in action, wearing the T, creating today's page. So fun knowing there are ladies all over the globe wearing this shirt today. :)

LOAD212 - Day 13 - Heather's Hobbies

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 13 was: Hobbies Past

Journaling on each photo reads:
Gardener
Bowler...Well,at least I LOOK like a bowler
Sunset Watcher
Reader
Softball Player
Home Decorator
Golfer...Well,at least I LOOK like a golfer
Documenter of life...a.k.a. Scrapbooker
Party Girl
Zumba Girl

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Patterned paper - DCWV Old World Stack


2. I used Picasa3 to create 2 5x7 photo collages that I printed, trimmed, and put together as one big 10x7 collage.


3. Journaling on photos is fun.


4. Sparkly ribbon is even more fun.


5. I don't still "do" all of these hobbies, and I'm not necessarily good at all of them, but they've each been a big part of my life at one point or another.

LOAD212 - Day 11 - Up your Nose with a Rubber Hose

The prompt for Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day challenge for Day 11 was: School Days. When Lain gave the idea of scrapping about a lunch box, I instantly thought of this photo. I remember this lunch box explicitly. And while the photo is grainy and not the best quality, it reminds me of my youth.

Journaling Reads:
This is me at 5 1/2 years old in 1978. First day of school on my front porch, with my Welcome Back, Kotter lunch box. Juan Epstein, Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington, heart-throb Vinnie Barbarino, and ooh-ooh-oooh Arnold Horshack seemed like long lost cousins, and Mr. Kotter my cool uncle keeping them all in line. I'm not sure the show's content was suitable for a five year old, but I loved it, and I turned out OK. Maybe that's why I don't censor very much with my own kids. Even Sweathogs can turn out OK.

footnote: I found this same vintage lunch box selling online for $50!

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. Stampin' Up paper


2. I really wish that adhesive-backed chipboard letters actually stuck to the page.


3. I loooooooved that sweater


4. Up your Nose with a Rubber Hose << We said this DAILY growing up. I think I'm gonna have to put it back into the circulation.

10 things right now

OK, I totally scraplifted this layout from Ali Edwards. I hope she doesn't mind. :)

I did not purchase her digital kit because I have no idea how to USE digital kits (someone, teach me, PLEASE!) So, I recreated, as best I could, the elements in PowerPoint. I'd also like to learn how to put digital frames around my photos. Here, I used some rub ons, but I didn't have enough to completely frame the picture. Ah well, I made do.