My New Way to Scrapbook

OK, if you are like me you are behind on your scrap booking.  Normally this would not bother me, but this is my son's senior year.  I would really like to have his books done...at least his high school one.  So, I contemplated how to get caught up.  Well, after scrolling through my iPad and all the collages I create for different social media, I realized that I really had already scrap booked most of the pictures.  Why couldn't I use those collages in my traditional scrapbooks?  So I gave it a try and I love it!  I printed my collages at 8.25 x 8.25, the largest I can do on my home printer.  I still get to do the creative part but I spend less time on cutting/cropping my pictures.

This is one of my favorite layouts so far.  It is a flip layout that can feature 5 of the collages, so it is perfect for "events".  This is the one I created for homecoming.  The flip layout is so easy to create. For this one I used 4 12x12 sheets of black card stock and glitter papers.  I am going to make a tutorial when I create this one again as it is had to explain, but so easy to do.  

What have you scrap booked lately?  

~Marie

  

Reading Challenge: 3 Down!

I missed last week's update...crazy busy. So, in the past two weeks I have read 2 books.  I am off to a good start with this challenge.  Now for the books...

First, I read Light Between the Oceans.  This one has actually been on my "to read list" for a year.  It was a perfect fit for the "book being made into a movie" on the challenge. I found the first few chapters a bit boring, but once I got past them I was hooked.  I enjoyed the book but found it rather sad.  It is a moving story of what happens when good people make bad choices.  



Second, I read one that was in my nightstand, and was under 150 pages. Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors.  I picked this one up between the publishing of his other novels and just never got to it. The Four Doors is little more that a restating of Evans' ideas that he presents in his novels. The personal antidotes were interesting and insightful and helped to make the book more readable.

I am enjoying this challenge and trying new authors/genres.  I am on to book 4! 

What are you reading?  Any suggestions?

~Marie

All That Glitters

This is definitely a glittery card...and I love it!  the snowman is from a napkin, I used  this technique, but I thought the entire napkin was too busy, so I cut out one of the snowmen.  I then used some glittered papers from my scrap basket.  I added a few rhinestone snowflakes for an accent.  I just love all the glitter.  

Bargello x 3

A new technique for a swap. Bargello technique.  I really liked the look of this one and couldn't wait to try it, but first I had to find the right papers.  The ones I used were in my scrap basket and they are all from a Basic Grey line, so they went together well.  I created a larger piece of background and then cut it down to make my three cards.  I kept the cards simple to showcase the background.  I will definitely keep this technique in my go to list, it is a great way to use scraps.  

Reading Challenge: 1 down, 39 to go!

First book finished!  I purchased this book over the holidays because it was on an end cap, so I think that qualifies it as "first book you see".  I have read other books by Glenn Beck and enjoyed them, and this story sounded intriguing.  I was not disappointed.  In this novel, Beck alters the idea of Santa (Saint Nicholas) who we now mainly associate with materialism,while staying true to the real story of the baby who brought salvation to the entire world.  Wonderfully written, very entertaining.  Now, on to book 2!  I've decided to do a book being made into a movie....I have a couple in mind, now to choose one.  What are you reading?

Reading Challenge 2016

I attempted this challenge last year, but did not do so good...Life just got in the way.  However, I did read more than I had in the past, so it was still a win.  This year my goal is to complete it....40 books, I can do that.  Right?  I am already reading my first one...tell you more about it next week.  So, what are you reading?  Any suggestions of books for the challenge?

                                         Marie

Top 10 of 2015

It is that time again, a time to look back and reflect on the past year and set goals for the new year. So, with that in mind here is my Top 10 of 2015.

*  The dandelion cards...this was a "Pinspiration" project and I loved them.  They were time consuming, but turned out beautiful.

*  I adore the fish card with the gel tank...unfortunately it was for a swap and did not fair well in the mail :(

*  The cupcake card - another new technique that challenged me, but the final result is pretty.

*  Love my pumpkin card...

*  This one was made for a close friend,the clean design is stunning.

*  Ahh...this graduation card was so much fun to create!

*  Another swap card...love this design and how it stands up. Or course the octopus is pretty cute too!

*  I always love coloring and this fairy is adorable.

*  I lifted this design from a friend...love it!

*  These were an experiment and, I have to say, I love how they turned out.  I call them my hybrid cards and they are a great use of my extra photos and leftover embellishments.

My One Word for 2016

I came across this post on FB and was intrigued.  

http://oneword365.com/

I went to the page to read more...then the Twitter page, the blog.  I loved it.  In our crazy busy, already over extended lives who needed another list of things to do?  I sure don't and, besides, we know what happens to those resolution, don't we? So, I spent two days thinking about what my one word would be.  So many good ones....kindness, strength, focus, motivation...but I wanted one that would challenge me to move out of the rut I have been in.  Finally it came to me, CHANGE.  In order to get out of a rut we have to change, so...it was perfect.  Each day I will focus on change...big or little...it will all help me to get out of that rut.  

Yesterday I started.  Normally when my husband and son go on their annual boy trip, I just stay home...I have no close friends here and I really dislike eating out alone.  Well, yesterday I went out and made a morning of it.

Princess Pink with Unicorn Tears
accent

Raisin bread with shaved ham,
apples, & cheddar - YUM

 I got my nails done - not a French manicure either (small change).  Then I went to lunch at a restaurant...by myself and I got something the waiter recommended instead of my usual.  
The meal, Vermonter sandwich with sweet potato fries, was delicious.  I would have never ordered this, but changing my normal behavior not only gave me a new tasting experience, but lead to a chat with my waiter and leftovers for dinner!

Now, I have already thought about how I will keep this going and I am going to make my lock screen on all of my devises this:  

A little reminder to make those changes every day.

So, what would your one word be?