Friday Fill-Ins

Trying something new I found while blog surfing. This reminds me of those Mad-Libs I use to do when I was younger. It's also a quick way for me to get some thoughts down.

1. Oh, I am so far behind on all of my challenges!
2. LOTS of changes, big and little.
3. During my conference today, I did manage to get some work related stuff done.
4. Free time; are you kidding me???
5. Right now I'd like to be working on my current project.
6. My sanding block is my favorite gadget.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to scrapping, tomorrow my plans include sorting out baby clothes, and Sunday I want to hang out with the family!

Busy, busy, busy

I have been playing catch-up in almost everything and am still no where close. Oh well, I guess part of the fun is the catching up right? Don't really have much to say right now, but wanted to post a layout I completed. It is one of my favorites too.

This is a picture taken a while back of my son and dad. It so reminded me of a Norman Rockwell moment. The big empty space is reserved for me to write the story of the special bond these two share. I really like the way it turned out as I distressed some of the paper and turned the picture into a sepia tone image.

I've also been working on my other challenges slowly and am hoping to be caught up on them very soon. As for everything else, well DH and I made a game plan and are trying hard to stick to it. So far we're doing good (only on day two though)

One thing we did together was attend a marriage conference with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages. It was a one day event and really good. We got lots of information from it (many of which we are still processing), but one of the things he suggested we started that night: pray together before bed (even if it's just holding hands and saying your prayers silently). It's been really nice too.

I know I should up-date my 365 challenge, but right now most of the pictures are still waiting to be messed with. Just another thing on my to-do list.

Until next time,

Oh the horros Part 2

I promised ya'll the results of my murdered book and here it is:

I decided to use it for the Holy Name challenge. You can click the blinky on my sidebar to get to it. In fact, I have completed the first page for it: Holy


It was really fun to do (once I got over the whole ripping a book apart thing) and I can't wait till I get to do it again. Here is the information about where you can get the goods to do one yourself:
According to this blog you can buy the binder thingy here. Just find the style and size you need. Purchase the screws, screw caps and hook from Home Depot. The hooks are ones that go on the back of a picture frame to hang it. And the screws and screw caps are in the nuts and bolts section. She has great directions on how to put it all together too.

Peanut Foam Fun

I forgot just how much fun those peanut foams used for packing and shipping can be. DS discovered a box full in the craft room this afternoon and wanted to play with them. I thought why not since they were just going to the trash. Well, he thought they were the best. Would throw them up into the air and left them fall, would make a pile and then 'fall' into them, and then he wanted someone to play with him. That someone was me as I was the only one in the room with him. We both had so much fun that I'm sure DH could hear us in his office laughing and giggling. We played with those things for over an 30 min. It was yet another reminder to take a few minutes everyday to enjoy the simple things and have some fun.

I have also managed to complete another project (one that should have been completed 9 days ago). This is for my year-long class I had signed up for. I am really enjoying it.

I will you with something I don't do very often, but this is a special person. I have a friend who would love to become a mother (her DH is wanting to be a daddy too), but they are having problems. Right now they are trying to raise money to help off-set the cost of a third IVF. Please go to here blog to read about her latest give-away for those who are willing to help: Be Thou A Knight. At the very least please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

2009 Word Layout

Here is the first page for my 2009 Word To Live By. I kept it very simple and used the frog idea for the picture to represent my word. Hope ya'll enjoy. More things to come later this week.

Oh the horrors!

What have I done?!? I just cut all the pages out of a book an innocent book!!! I killed the book! Who knows book CPR? Oh the insanity! And all in the name crafting!

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. It is ok for an English teacher to really alter a book. Breathe in. Breathe out. Just keep the eye on the results. Breathe in. You're just turning it into a different kind of book. Breathe out. Everything will be ok.

Tape! I need tape! The spine has been sliced too! I must hurry if I am going to save it! Oh what have I done? What will my fellow English teachers and book loves say?

Ok, I feel better now, but it really was traumatic for me to begin this project. However, the true crafter in me did get a few pictures of the aftermath. I am attempting to alter this book for yet another challenge. I'll keep you posted on how the victim fairs.

I found the direction to this altering project here. I knew I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure what I would use it for. I went to Half-Price for their bargain books and found three $1 hardbacks to play with. When all is done I will post pictures and let you know what I will be using it for.

For now, I will leave you with the day 5 pictures for my 365 day challenge.

One of the innocent books I bought that didn't know it's life as it knew it was over.

The aftermath. Can this book be saved? Will it ever be the same? Stay tuned...

My first project of the year

I have been working hard this weekend to complete my first project from one of my classes. It is called an attribute book, and I had DH help me with it. I asked him to pick attributes he feels I have and then I picked pictures of people who have influnced my life up to this moment. Not all pictures go with the attributes exactly, but the book turned out well and hold special meaning to me. I was surprised at some of the words he choose. With this project I learned some new techniques: using transperancies for title strips and hand stiching (easier than I thought). This class is already helping me 'grow' in my creativity, and I can't wait to see what else I get to learn.

I will post my 2009 Word layout tomorrow or Tuesday as well as a picture for the 365 challenge.

My 2009 Word

"GROW" Once a tiny Tad-pole, but now a little Frog and yet still one of the most bravest creatures of the forest... simply because you were not a afraid to grow! (This came from a friend on SCS)

I've got three challenges and many classes/projects I am committed to complete this year. I know that for many (myself included) that may seem overwhelming, but it is something I am wanting to try. The good thing is they seem to be going hand-in-hand right now. Sometime this weekend I will post the layouts and pictures that I am hoping to have done for the start of them.

The Challenges:

One of the challenges I am doing is something I started last year and am just continuing it for the new year. It is a 'Word for a Year'. I am wanting to create a l/o for my ‘word for a year’ using the word, my definition for it, and a picture to represent it. Each month create a journal page explaining how I lived my word for the month. At the end of the year create a year-end page summing it all up. I can add pictures if I like, but don’t ‘have’ to. This can go into my Attribute Book (it's an 8.5x5.5 album) and I can add to it every year.The idea is to pick one word to focus on throughout the year. My 2009 Word is "Grow". I want to grow into a more Godly wife and mother and grow in my creative abilities. Growth also means over time, not instent, which is something I really need to work on as well. You can learn more about this challenge here.

365 Photos Challenge: Create a page a week with the 7 photos and picking one photo to highlight on the facing page with journaling etc. I think I am going to put it all on my blog where I can control all of the content so my family and friends can look at the photos and pages. Still not sure about the l/o size. Maybe 12x12 just so I can have the space for everything. I realize I am two days behind, but I do have the picture (just not off the camera yet). There are many sites that are doing this. Here is one: Project 365

SCS 52 Week Challenge: I'm still working on this one. Right now I'm thinking they can go into the family album. This may change depending on what each challenge will be. Here is the link to this challenge (and I host part of this one). you will need to scroll down to the 4th post.