A Tale of Two Challenges

Well, really three challenges. But that didn't flow as nicely.

I have never participated in a challenge before, but with Studio Calico's series of CHA challenges, I figured it was as good a time as any to start!. This first layout was part of the "whitewash" challenge--can you spot it? This page has been lurking in my head for months, biding its time (sounds a bit stalkerish, but its true) and I'm glad to have it down on paper now.

This next layout was part of the hearts challenge, which I was a big fan of. I like hearts. This page was inspired by a Linda Sobolewski (I'm probably spelling this wrong--sorry Linda!) page I saw in January's Scrapbook Trends. Which you should check out, because the page was awesome!
And that's it for this week. I have another page in the works, but it involves a lot of techniques I don't know how to do, so it's a little dicey.

Thanks for visiting!

PS--If you don't usually comment, feel free to pop in! I love "meeting" new people through the blog!

PPS--If you are aware of some black market for Dear Lizzy products, and you let me in on it, I'll be eternally grateful! Purely legal, of course:) Hee hee.

Layouts are a Messy Business

Here's my newest layout above. I think I am subconsciously influenced by Valentine's Day's imminent arrival. Or maybe not so subconsciously. This one is pretty simple and non-techniquey, but after a few days of working on it for 15 minutes at a time, I was very ready to break out the adhesive and call it a day!

Now for a true confession.

I am generally a clean and tidy person. But somehow when I scrap, it's like a product bomb exploded. Case in point:


And Exhibit B:

If anyone has mastered the art of creating a layout without putting everything they own on their desk, do let me know.

New Layouts and a Cautionary Tale

Here's what I've been working on this week!

The first two pages are from Studio Calico's January kit, Whodunit. The page above is one of my few religious-themed layouts. I'm trying to create more of them because religion is a huge part of my life and it should get into my scrapbooks, too!
This page is pretty much the opposite of the one above. Instead of being about G-d, it's about.....shoes. I had fun with this one!


And this last one is a thank you card inspired by a wall hanging by Becky Novacek.

And now for the cautionary tale:

I got a page request for Scrapbook Trends (which pretty much made my day--or week. Or month. Hee hee) and had to send out the package quickly. S, my (long suffering) husband, volunteered to mail the package, which he probably now regrets. Then proceeded the mail-paranoia. First, the tracking number wasn't working. Then, S realized he had sent it certified mail, requiring a signature. Now, it doesn't sound all that dramatic writing it, but BELIEVE YOU ME there was some big drama in our household over this package. Now here's hoping it gets there.

And the moral of the story is: Just send things with Fedex.

More CHA Stalking.....and some new Layouts!

Here's the next batch of goodies that are going to steal my budget! Studio Calico already has taken my budget, in the form of a preorder. I love the new AC bits above, and this Maya Road dress form below. I have a sizable collection of dress forms at this point, but can't have too many, right?? What do you use your dress forms for?

This is a terrible photograph, so please excuse that! It documents our experience meeting an unusual Minnie Mouse in NYC--we asked to take a picture with her and she responded with, "First, you give me dollar!"

This one below is probably self-explanatory--us in South Carolina!

And more Charleston below!

And finally, a little piece of excitement! Lisa Brown over at two peas must have sensed that I had a long day of evidence reading (or read my insecurity blog posts here!), but she featured me on the Garden Girl Design blog!

Here's the link: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userblog.asp?user_id=352421

Thanks for coming to visit!

New Products and New Pages!

First off, I need to express my excitement for these new Dear Lizzy products! The sneak looks great so far!

I've posted pictures of my favorite pieces from the sneak here: the trim on the left above, the stamps below (I hardly ever buy stamps because of the cost, but I really like these!), and the thickers below--like them in white best, i think.

What do you all think of the new line?

And below, some new pages with Studio Calico's January kit, Whodunit. I love love loooooooveeee this kit. So much so that I'm getting all panicky using it up. Need to relax. Whew.

This one below came together pretty quickly--random picture + random memory + random circles = page.

This next one makes me happy because
a) I like how it looks
b) The pictures are from a year and a half ago and I finally scrapped them! It may take a while, but in the end, every picture finds it way onto the right page.

This next one is just a kooky page about my kooky husband. Loved using the star stamps + the broken china distress ink. I also love that it's called broken china--can't beat a cool name.
Well, there you have it. Anyone doing anything fun and exciting over the weekend? We are going out for both meals on Shabbat, and then I'm teaching Hebrew school for a friend on Sunday. Anyone have tips on teaching the Ten Plagues?

Haiti......

I have a fun, scrappy post planned, but first want to note on what's going on Haiti. Reading the newspaper this morning, I couldn't believe the extent of the tragedy. Praying for the many people who lost loved ones, and that things can be rebuilt. I feel the need to do something, but don't know what.

Here from the Home Front

Another Home front layout, as you can see.....I've been meaning to make this page for a while, and when I saw that floor plan paper, it just came together! I've also continued my love affair with yellow mist, as you can see. Love the stuff.

Today was my first day back at school, for my VERY LAST semester of law school. Which is both exciting and scary. Mind you, I have been in school since Kindergarten straight. I have no idea how to structure a life without homework assignments (well, the summer doesn't count because I just drink lots of iced lattes and get nothing done). For those of you who work from home, how do you build structure into your day?

Random Question (I'd love to get to know y'all a bit better) = Would you ever go back to school (or are you in it? for what?)

Happy Saturday!

Hope you have all had a lovely and energizing weekend so far! My former roommate from Penn came to stay with us, and I had SUCH a great time catching up with her!

I'm also excited by a new idea I got from said friend--a matchmaking group! Since Orthodox dating relies heavily on blind dates/setups, the idea is to get a bunch of people in one room, brainstorm ideas for a particular person, and get dates rolling! It should also be a fun and social evening.

The layouts above are my latest efforts--I'm not thrilled with the one below (hey, I'm not going to like EVERY page I make!), but I had fun misting on the page above about Steve's birthday! I'm loving the Home Front line!

I also very happily received my new Studio Calico kit on Friday! Less happily, none of the pictures I ordered have made it here yet. So in the meantime, I'll have to get creative!

On this Fine Thursday....

I bring you more scrapbook pages! I am all caught up now, woohoo! (not with life, mind you. with my recent batch)

It's funny to see these two side by side because they are pretty different styles! But what I love about scrapbooking is the ability to get out there and experiment, changing things up to keep it fresh.

Speaking of fresh....and spring.....

have you see THIS?

http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Kartchner + American Crafts = Way too much spending for me, hee hee! This line looks so beautiful and I can't wait for it to come out!

This is What I Did on my Winter Vacation

ie, more scrapping!
The page above is about our one year anniversary, and the one below is basically about how I like to eat Chinese food and watch movies at the same time. I'm a simple gal at heart--doesn't take that much to make me happy!

Some the "scrapper's insecurity" I've discussed in past posts has resurfaced again lately. I think it's tied to dealing with fertility issues--I feel like if I can't have a baby, then can't I at least have this? Just this one thing? I'm reminding myself that everyone's life has its own path, and what is meant for me will come to me at the right time. And that I primarily create pages because I like it:)

In the meantime, making pages about fertility has helped me actually deal with my emotions instead of funneling them into random things (like an obsessive need to be published).

And I love the fact that one day my kids will go through these albums, these all these pages of longing for them, and know how much they were wanted.

And it Keeps on Comin'....

The layouts, that is!

This is what happens when you don't photograph layouts for a long time. Whew.

The one above is probably the most personal one I've made--so if you don't care to know me THAT well, just don't enlarge it!

This one below is made from the Studio Calico December kit, and just came together really quickly. Design elements aside, I know I'll appreciate having this page one day.


This one below is partly from the Studio Calico December kit, mixed in with new additions to my stash. About my lil' sis.
Finally, I just wanted to direct you to this layout by Kayla Aimee if you haven't seen it yet:

http://kaylaaimee.typepad.com/ce_jour/2010/01/what-to-expect-when-youre-not-expecting.html

As hard as it is to grapple with fertility issues, it's so encouraging to me to know that I'm not alone. I'm optimistic about the outcome, but appreciate the comfort of other people going on this journey.

You're In For a Doozy...

Of layouts, that is! These are more from "the Columbus period"--ie, the week I spent visiting my family where all of my down time was occupied with watching TV and scrapping in between family outings:)

The layout above is about the growing bond between my sister and husband--since Orthodox Jews tend not to date for too long (we were marathon-daters at 5 months) and my family lives far away, they really didn't get to know Steve that well before we got married. But the more they know him, the more they love him--and I can't say I blame them:)

This page is about an awesome kosher coffee shop in Teaneck. If you like coffee, you should hit this place up. Or even if you don't like coffee. Just go.

This page is pretty self-explanatory!

This last page is a total and shameless lift of Jenn Olson (whose page was way cuter, so you should check it out! It's in the Studio Calico Orchestra gallery.)

If you've read this far, bravo! And thanks for looking!

Happy New Year (and some new layouts)

Well, the hubby and I finally made it back from South Carolina and I'm (mostly) recovered from my cold! I haven't scrapped in a week, but layouts from before vacation have been piling up, waiting for their moment in the spotlight!

Here are two new layouts with Studio Calico's December kit. The wedding layout is inspired by Stephanie Howell's gorgeous page from the December gallery--want to give credit where credit is due!


As for the New Year, I am hoping for the unknowns in our life to reveal themselves--career, children, etc. I want to find more ways to give to others, to use my time wisely, to keep on loving my husband, to relate better to my parents, and above all, to grow.

Happy New Year to everyone who stops by--if you've never commented, feel free to introduce yourself:)