Car Ride

Day 2 of the new year, and I completed one page. My goal was to attempt the Month of Challenges over at The Lilypad like I did last year. Since we're only two days in, I'm fairly optimistic I can! ("I think I can, I think I can..." This is what happens when the current movie favorite of your toddler is The Little Engine That Could!)

So here's the completed page for the first challenge, which is a blind scrap (I always get so tense about this kind of challenge!)...

CREDITS

Papers: Talk to Me (Allison Pennington)

Elements: Talk to Me and Cliff Notes: Lovey Dovey Edition (Allison Pennington); Chatterbox and The Ittybitties (Pink Reptile Designs)

Fonts: Shelter Me

I know the page seems awfully...well...RED...but I think it works.  :D

Scrapping in 2014

Happy New Year!

Last night, we rang in 2014 with the usual New Year's Rockin' Eve festivities in Times Square. 

I followed that up with the Tournament of Roses Parade this morning. This year was the 125th anniversary of the parade, so there was a big opening celebration to commemorate the milestone. 

As I was watching the parade, I was reminded of how my mom used to watch it every year. I've never scrapped anything about that particular memory, but it's probably one I need to capture someday, preferably sooner rather than later. :)

Speaking of memories, I am attempting Project Life for 2014. This will be my third year. I've only successfully completed Project Life for 2012. 2013 was a miserable fail. 

For 2014, I bought a big box of the official Project Life page protectors (Style A - purchased at Michaels using a 50% off coupon!) and an official Project Life album (also purchased at Michaels when there was a 50% off sale before Christmas). I couldn't resist the design of the album - absolutely LOVE it!

I did not, however, purchase any of the sets with journaling cards. I wanted the freedom of putting whatever colors and designs I wanted, especially since I have TONS of digital scrapbooking stuff that I still haven't used on anything. I've seen albums that are all color-coordinated throughout, but I also like the ones that have a bit of everything. Plus, I don't have to put much journaling in for a particular week. I can just put photos or decorative journaling cards in. I do like knowing that all my pages have the same number of pockets and same orientation.

After editing HUNDREDS of my photos, I notice I tend to take more photos that are portrait-oriented. Now I'm more conscious of that and will try to take a photo both ways. While the Style A pocket pages might be a bit challenging with a portrait-oriented photo, I'll see if I can make it work for me. If I discover it doesn't work, there's no reason why I can't change it, right? ;)

The thing I just need to keep reminding myself is that the idea is to capture the memories. That is why I scrapbook. Although I wasn't very good at capturing the last year (and I believe I can still try to do it!), I watched my son look at the 2012 albums over and over. There was something about seeing himself in lots of the photos or pointing out people in our lives that resonated with him. Watching him turn the pages was all the justification I needed to remind myself that scrapbooking isn't just a hobby. It's a way of life.

Here's to memory-keeping for 2014!

2014 Resolutions

Surprise, surprise. I actually scrapped! The My Year word strips that I used on this layout were released this week, so I thought I'd try to get a quick page in. I love the word strips, but I'll admit I had to spend a little time actually thinking about resolutions for the coming year.

CREDITS

Use Your Words: My Year (Our Misadventures)
Artful Whimsy (alpha, handmade mixed media papers, painted doilies, cards & mattes, splatty splats), Metamorphosis, and Besties (Crafty Button Designs)

Fonts: My Underwood

Template: Be Happy (Our Misadventures)

I don't know if these will be my only resolutions for 2014, but I do think they are great resolutions to have year after year.