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.  :)

masterful scrapbook design: old photos

i think this one will make my top twelve layouts of 2012 list.  it's funny too as these photos are of my cousin before i was even old enough to play with her.  funny that i would end up with them, but i was charmed by old photos at an early age and if my mom allowed me to take a few black and white's that weren't overly important to her then i was going to take them for sure.  and then later on i started scrapbooking and truly i would never have imagined using these photos on a page as i had no memories of my own attached to them.  but i find if you spend enough time with old photos and let them speak.  then really listen to what they have to say they will share their stories with you.  you see, when this little girl was born, my mom already had four kids of her own and the last, a wide open boy child, had rather worn her out.  but she held that baby girl in her arms and said, "if i knew i would have a girl with blonde hair (she already had two brunette daughters) i might think about having just one more."   then i was born on her very first birthday.  i am here because of you sweet baby girl in these black and white photos.  thank you ever so much for helping me tell my story.  your story.  our story.

i wanted to tell more black and white stories in 2012.  especially my dad's black and white stories.  i am sad that i only got one done.  it was one of my favorite posts last year and  i am determined to tell more of these stories this year.  they are treasures that need to be preserved for the next generation.

this layout was part of last year's "old photos" seminar at masterful scrapbook design.  it is packed with information and inspiration and is still available if you're interested.  debbie delivers.  always.

get it scrapped: you love books

as i've been pondering my plans and dreams for 2013, books are at the forefront of my mind.  i am a firm believer in the power of the written word.  i was a voracious reader as a child.  the books i chose back then played a tremendous role in shaping me into the person i am today.  as g's getting older, my time to mold him is shrinking.  while i still have my little captive audience of one, i want to read to him.  i started our read aloud program last year and we are both greatly pleased by it, but this year i want to move beyond the love of reading into the power of reading.  i want to read to him some books that make him think about his values and what's important in life.  i'll keep you posted . . .

this page was created for an article on symmetry at get it scrapped.  bilateral symmetry to be precise.  it's not a design that comes naturally to me, but i love a good challenge! 

jbs mercantile: happiness makers

i woke up this morning with my pseudocold hovering on the brink of reality.   i staggered to the bathroom where the mirror displayed the evidence of yesterday's haircut gone wrong.  the scale shouted the news of a three pound gain from last night's holiday food orgy.

as i type this, the kitties are enjoying their new feather toy and gabriel is giggling watching them play with it.  a new vintage library table is heading my way this morning!  hello organization!  my close friends and family are all ringing in the new year with life, health, and happiness.

yes, happiness is a choice.  and not one that is easily made.  g and i, our lives are perched on a triple beam balance and it's my job to make sure the positives outweigh the negatives that life can and will throw our way.

these photos were all taken at the beach over labor day weekend.  we were there in florida because my dad was scheduled for emergency spinal cord surgery.  you may not be able to see it, but there was a good deal of tension in those toes.  as i lay there listening to g and his cousins playing in the surf while watching the clouds float by and munching on my sister-in-law's freshly popped real buttered popcorn i knew.  the greatest bits of happiness can often be found by focusing on the tiniest of details.

it is my goal this year to zoom in on the happiness makers. 

happy new year to you and yours!  may your 2013 be filled to overflowing with blessings both big and small.

this layout was created with the january 2013 jbs mercantile papercrafting kit. it's the most amazing kit ever.  i told jenni that if i hadn't already gotten it, as broke as i am, i would still find a way to get it.  it's that good.  check out the design team gallery and look for lots more eye candy on the 10th!