get it scrapped: new critique groups forming!

new critique groups have opened up at get it scrapped!  celeste and i will be working with the evening session again this round, starting on january 24th.  early bird registration opened today.  you can find tons more information about the groups HERE.  it's been an amazing experience so far!

you can read more about my thoughts on using clock motifs (and the joys of scrapbooking older photos) at in this article at get it scrapped.  i also wanted to mention another quick tip here about those older photos.  i printed a lot of photos of g when he was little before i knew many photoshop skills.  those tend to be a little on the dark side, but i've recently discovered that if i sit them against a crisp white cardstock background it brightens them up a bit.  try it!  you'll like it!

this layout was originally created for the jbs mercantile november gallery with the papercrafting (main) kit and artisan add-on.  there has never been a better time to become a member at jbs mercantile!  check out this fabulous new member (and referral) offer!

pop culture week: mumford and sons

music: pardon me while i gush.  i've developed an obsession for this band.  i only learned of their existence a month or so ago.  i know.  i've been living under a rock.  i love them.  LOVE.

this is why i love them:

the layering of their instruments is amazing to me.  i've always been partial to stringed instruments, but i didn't include the banjo in that list of favorites.  oh but i do now.  the banjo creates this perpetual driving motion that underlies mumford and sons' music.  and the brass.  i would never have thought to mix horns in with a banjo.  WOW.  their music is so emotional to me.  it's this joyous celebration of life even amidst our sorrows.

and then i am a word girl.  mumford and sons' lyrics make me stop and think deep thoughts without telling me what those deep thoughts should be.  their themes embrace the big life topics, but their words are totally open for interpretation.  the music reaches me where i am right now.  tomorrow it might lead me to a different place.  they are truly gifted writers.

these words especially touch me:

it seems that all my bridges have been burnt
but you say that's exactly how this grace thing works
it's not the long walk home that will change this heart
but the welcome i receive with the restart

and i can't hear these words and not think of those precious souls at sandy hook:

 

music speaks when i can't find the words . . .

get it scrapped: annoying orange

well.  what is there to say?  hello monday!  i need to make a to do list!  and how!

btw, annoying orange will NOT be featured for pop culture week.  not my favorite.  not at all.  and if you don't know what i'm talking about then consider yourself lucky.  ha.  g likes it though.

this was another one for the on trend seminar at masterful scrapbook design.  it had something to do with tangerine being the pantone color of the year.

pop culture week: quality literature

welcome to pop culture week in which i tell you of seven gifts from the entertainment industry in 2012 that were so amazing that i didn't even miss them!  i'm quirky.  be warned.

first up, literature.  technically, i'm cheating already as i just finished this book this evening (and we've been in 2013 for six days already).  but i wanted to read it in 2012, so it's all good.

this book is bizarre and amazing and that's all i can tell you about it.  no, really.  it's one of those rare finds that totally kept me in the dark from one page to the next (i'm notorious for predicting plots, so a book that stumps me is always a winner).  i don't want to tell you anything because i don't want to ruin the experience for you.  ok.  one more thing: the words are beautifully chosen AND it has a driving story line.  my two criteria for greatness both in the same book.  read it!

p.s. this book is considered young adult fiction, but believe me, it is mature enough for adult audiences.  i'd say it's suitable for mature middle schoolers, definitely high school, and you all too.  don't let the title and cover image fool you either.  boys will love it too.

masterful scrapbook design: on trend

today we went to the little country church just down the road from our house. i think it was the place i was meant to be this morning as i really took the sermon topic to heart.  it was on our focus for the new year and the minister talked about these four things: contentment, courtesy, compassion, and courage.

i am content.
i am courteous.
i am compassionate.
i am courageous.

four great things to work on this year, yes?

this layout i also made for masterful scrapbook design, but an earlier seminar on trends.  the thought it makes me giggle as i am so not a trendy person.  i actually have a pop culture series of sorts running through my mind that i want to blog about this week.  then you'll see what i mean.  i'm not a cool bird.

the layout is about g and his little london cousin who is also an only child.  they have a special bond when they get together as i think they recognize the solo status in each other.  we can't wait to see you again in march baby riley!

masterful scrapbook design: old and new

i got a new old washer and dryer set today.  they were free which is awesome.  free does not come with installation though.  oh dear.  i was going to make a valiant attempt at installing them myself; my brainwaves work fairly well when i turn them on.  unfortunately, my recall button is faulty so i still can't find my phillip's head.  see, i thought i needed it to remove the accordion door to the laundry room as the washer and dryer weren't fitting through with the door on.  i went to the neighbor's to borrow one and of course he ended up coming over to help.  turns out i didn't need the phillip's head as the accordion door was spring loaded.  i did, however, need a wrench, rubber washer, hose, and man muscles.  thanks neighbor!

it got me thinking.  people are so kind.  really.  i posted my washer won't fit pic online and immediately had offers of assistance.  i knew i would.  people are kind.   seriously, i wouldn't even have the washer and dryer busy in my kitchen tonight without the kindness of strangers and friends who look out for me.  thanks friends!

(missing segue) i think this is why i don't tend to watch the news.  i prefer getting the need to know information second hand from a reliable source.  90% of the human interest stories on the news seem to be of the depressing sort.  i know i'm one of the lucky ones, but the world i live in isn't a horrible place at all.  it's amazing and fueled by kindness.  many thanks to all the shiny happy people out there!  :)

this is another i made for the old photo seminar at masterful scrapbook design.  the topic was mixing the old with the new.  that's my dad in the photobooth pics!  this one has a great story and illustrates the difference between wants and needs.  i mean, in my dad's childhood a fridge was a want, not a need.  times change and perspectives change, but that's another story and i've already waxed philosophic enough for one evening.

this layout was created with the jbs mercantile november papercrafting kit and antiquarian add-on (sold out).  the ink on the right side is the stencil.  i adore getting a new exclusive stencil each month.  adore.

masterful scrapbook design: one big dead gator

here's the layout that goes with that black and white story i linked yesterday.  it's really a good one and i'm so glad i wrote it down.  seeing it here now reminds me that i need to call my dad as soon as i get off this keyboard and start on the next one!  i remember when i first wrote that post i had intended to scrapbook it and title the layout, "swamp people" as i was into that bit of reality tv at the time.  several months went by though and when i finally did get around to scrapping it the title morphed into "best friend in my pocket."  if you read the journaling, you'll understand that it does fit so much better.

i'm trying to get all my layouts posted.  i've still got a backlog of 11 unposted ones!  how in the world did this happen?  i guess i haven't been in a blogging mood for a few months and now i am.  i have several things i want to say, but feel i must get caught up first.  mainly because i want to do one of those favorite layouts of the year posts.  i love doing those.  love looking back over all the stories that got told, remembering them, it makes me happy.  but i don't think i can wait 11 more days!  guess i'll have to start doubling up to get'er done . . .

this is another i made for the "old photos" seminar at masterful scrapbook design.  i'll be chatting there again in march.  the topic is "ooomph and polish," aka adding all those tiny finishing touches that make our pages oh so special.  :)