Ya just gotta love a good crop!

I attended the Favorite Things crop run by on of my LSS this weekend...OH BOY! I had a blast! It was the perfect mix of scrapping, socializing, snacking, prizes, and fun ativities.

Plus...I did not realize how much I needed some scrappy therapy. I was soo run down and defeated before this crop which was held Friday and Saturday. I was tired on Sunday but felt soo much better. Even though packing for a crop is a huge PITA...the rewards are worth every second of the agonizing packing process! I definitely need to attend more crops!

Here are a few of my creations:

Love Sketches

Hey all...Looks like I'm consistently scrapping again! Yahoo!!! And...I just have to say again...I LOVE sketches. The moments has a sketch challenge every month and this month they used a sketch from Sketchabilities! I just LOVE Karan's sketches...Here is my take on Sketch #50. Make sure you check out the 2 sites...they are 2 of my favorites!

OMG!! I'm scrappin' again! Woohoo!

Finally!
Check out these layouts...
I did this layout for the Ice Cream Social Crop at The Moments. It was for the sketch challenge. Way fun! The crop was super fun...You'll have to join me for the next one!



This layout is for the Scraplift Challenge at the Moments. I challenged the members to use a grid on their layout.
And then on Fridays the Moments. Every Friday from 7-9 Eastern a sketch is posted and we chat and scrap. This is the layout I did for 7/1 FFT.

A crop...

...at the Moments!!! Oh yeah! This is their first online crop! There will be challenges, games, and tons of fun! Come join me...this board is filled with fun ladies! June 25th!!! See you there!

Fancy Pants --Dancing Girl

I sooo love those papers that I bought some of them twice! LOL!! Well, I finally busted them out for the Scraplift Challenge over at The Moments. Check it out...

I wish the lighting was better when I took the photo. The journalling reads: This is the 1st dance practice I got to watch @ Miss Louise's studio. You sure look like you are having a LOT of fun! Will dance be your passion?

LOVE Challenges

Check out this layout. I love it. It is a combination of a lift and color challenge. I just LOVE lifts and challenges. Great stuff to get the scrappy mojo flowing. Scrapbook Heaven is having a lift crop. I lifted Carla's choice for this photo. It became perfect for the color challenge at The Moments because of the purples in the photo. I used my favorite Doodlebug papers and brads. The glimmer mist made the perfect background. LOVE LOVE LOVE the purple/green combo. Most materials are doodlebug (pp, brads, stickers). The purple scallop border is Martha Stewart painted with smooch. Letter stickers are AC, EK, Kaiser, and Adorn-it. The journaling block is from a nestabilities die.

Title: My Baby is growing up. Journalling reads: WOW! My heart skipped a beat when I saw this photo. It was taken in May of '06, 5 years ago. You are growing up soo fast. I wish I could slow down time, and yet I can't wait to see who you become!

A layout!

Yep...I have finally scrapped! I hadn't scrapped since August and this unfinished layout was buried on my scrap desk. So...viola. I think it started from a sketchabilities sketch...but not sure anymore. It felt good to get it done! And...I think it is one of my new favs! Ya just gotta love the MME product. I had soo much fun playing with it!

It is also the first layout I've photographed with my new camera (Canon 50D)...I'm not sure I like how it turned out. The lighting wasn't that good...but it seems fuzzy to me. I'll have to play with the settings on the camera.

I've been making some cards also. Birthdays have been coming up and I haven't had time to make my loved ones cards. So, I assembly lined about 10 of them the other day. It feels good to be ahead in this department. I'm already working on Mother's Day cards and more Birthdays. I want to have a card for everyone pre-made for the year! Then it will just be grab and go.

I'm planning on attending an online crop at Pages in Time April 30/May 1st. Nothing like a crop to get those hibernating mojo juices going...I can't wait. I hope you can join me. I miss all my online scrappy friends.

Now...as to what happened. Well...I guess I needed to learn something about myself. And the good lord wasn't getting through to me...so he threw some curve balls my way so I'd have to listen! It all started with being let go from a design team...a way big blow to my ego. Then my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. I had to drop off from volunteering for an organization I love, moved my mom into a nursing home, Christmas, big blow up with the hubby, Father-in-law passes away, dropping off another volunteering position, and my hubby has been diagnosed with a 40% blockage on the widow maker! PHEW! It was just too much...especially on top of a very busy schedule.

During this time, I think I read every book written by Kristin Hannah. Very, very good stuff. There seemed to be a recurring theme in all her books...relationships, how not speaking up, not telling the truth and the impact that has on our relationships. I had realized how I was doing the same thing. Not speaking up, not asking for what I need, and just sitting back wishing and hoping it would be different. Being the victim. Poor me. So I spoke up and let go of a bunch of stuff. Because sometimes...it is what it is. And you know what...it is pretty good!

But, there was one more thing. I also realized I do a lot of things just to feel special. Message boards, design teams, volunteering, etc. All those things make me feel special...Oops...feeling special has to come from inside! Wow, no wonder I was crushed when some goofy things happened last year.

So...I'm going to focus on being the best wife, mother, daughter, scrapper, and friend I can be. I'm going to stop looking for the external recognition and give myself the recognition inside. Thank you Lord for waking my behind up!