The View Outside My Scrap Room Window Tonight :0)

So grateful to my son who was working on my computer facing that window for pointing it out to me. As I had my back to the window at the other side of the room working on a layout. Pictures cannot do it justice!

A Layout

I used some old, old photos for this one. Ok, they are only from 2003, but as far as scrapping goes they are older :0)
That's my little Evan who was only about 10 months old at the time and who is now about to turn 8 YEARS old! I came across these photos recently and the memory was so strong that I just had to scrap them. And super proud that I used almost all stash on this one!
Since taking the photo of the layout though, I've moved the title a little. It's all just a little bit more centered and closer together. I just didn't feel like taking another photo of it :0)

The journaling: Evan - One morning I came in to find you studying your construction truck wall paper border. It was like your were really seeing it for the first time. And then you turned around and gave me the sweetest, happiest smile.

I have to say that as far as a scrapping style for me goes, I'm realizing that I am a very simple scrapper. I like lines and organization. I don't like to have to much on my pages, but still love the look of the more detail oriented pages. I just don't feel like "me" when I try to pull those off though. So as long as I add a few little details to pages I am happy :0)

Scrapping on Mother's Day!

I got some much needed scrap time on Mother's Day :0) It's been so long since I really scrapped. At least a month!
Evan took this photo of me working as he played Lego Club on the computer.


First I worked on the layout I began in the "I Dare You" class I took at the Creating Keepsakes Convention here back in April. Finally finished it!

And then I completed this layout of Erin. The title is lyrics from a song by Vampire Weekend. I've had those lyrics playing in my head a lot lately and really wanted to use them with a photo of Erin. As usual it didn't quite turn out how I pictured it in my mind, but I am ok with the results. Took a photo and put it in her album. Done!
Now to get back into a scrapping groove. I have lots of photos to choose from. Just need to find the time!

Happy Easter!

Dyed eggs today with friends in the backyard. So happy for beautiful weather and pretty soft pastel Easter eggs.

Sigh...

I really haven't done a scrapbook page since I completed the 4th week Sunday sketch over at Studio Calico. But truthfully didn't even take a photo of it. Just put it in the album.

Just to busy with sick kids. I swear we have all been sick off and on since November! And now I finally feel we are all getting better.
So here's to hoping I can do some more pages soon.
I did participate in a card swap with 20 scrap friends, but forgot to get photos of the cards before mailing them off to Katy. I should be getting a nice package of cards in the mail tough soon :0)
But otherwise, not a lot of scrap stuff to post lately.
Hopefully like I said that will change soon.

I've decided to purge and organize a closet that contains a lot of scrap and photo stuff. Plus I really need to straighten up the left side of my scrap office before I can let myself scrap a single thing!
I plan to work on that over the next week or so. If you are looking for scrap inspiration though, check out the Studio Calico link to the right. Always a lot of great work in the galleries there! :0)
To which I will hopefully be posting again soon ;0)

Scrapbook Layout Journal Ideas

Want to document for layouts to do in the very near future and do not want to forget.
I've been listening to the song "One" by U2 a lot lately and there are some lyrics in there that make me think of this photo from Chicago. I kind of want to wrap them around the photo...
"one life. with each other. Sisters. Brothers. One life but we're not the same. We have to carry each other. Carry each other. One."
Bedtime routine has really stood out to me lately. This is Evan's bed. He is all about comfort and routine. Ever since he was a baby. And really he does not have all those stuffed animals on it any more. This photo was taken in September of 2008. But he still lines up some against the wall (for protection). Dad's hockey jersey is also a source of comfort.
But really I just want to remember the routine we have right now. The nights Mike is not home because of work, Evan and I read books together - right now the Droon series Chapter books. It's an older series from the late '90's and early 2000's which he loves. After stories, we turn out the light, put on his music which right now is a compilation of his favorite "quiet" U2 songs, and say prayers. Then we "snuggle" for a bit. Just listening to the music and talking about the day. I always stay for the first three or four u2 songs and then leave the room with reassurances such as "I love you." "you're the best mom" "you're the best Evan" "sweet lego dreams" :0)
I really just want to remember how much I am cherishing this right now. Even the nights when I still have dishes or laundry to do, I don't take this routine for granted. I know it will not last forever.
And the nights Mike is home, he usually does stories with Evan. But when they are done, I still go in and do the second half of the routine. Music, prayers and snuggles.
And as for Erin, we also have a great little routine right now. She is in a mommy phase as far as bedtime. She just wants mommy to do stories and I think it's because I sing songs to her after stories.
This photo was taken when she wasn't feeling that great. She had a cold which turned into an ear infection. She started rocking her baby and giving her kisses saying "baby sick". It made me feel good because obviously she is learning from me, right? :0)
But that purple recliner rocker is where we have story time at night. Then I turn off the light and we rock for "one more minute" as Erin says. But it's a little longer than that. And I sing her songs. She happens to really like the Beatles right now. Especially "Take You Down" (a.k.a. Strawberry Fields) and Here Comes the song. Another favorite is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Barney's "I Love You" song. I totally, totally cherish it! And I know partly it is losing my friend Kathy to cancer. Knowing that life isn't to be taken for granted. And knowing that these moments end eventually.
And these are the moments that I want to document :0)

I just checked this book out at the library for Erin and LOVE it! The art work is so beautiful and the language is amazing. I am simply in love with this book. You can see more pictures and text from inside the book hereAnother absolute favorite Children's book that I love for the artwork as well as the story is "Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed." Such a great story! You can check it out here
Keeping these two books in mind for some future scrap projects!

Scrapping, but not really!

So this is the Feb. 7th Sunday sketch over at Studio Calico. And to be perfectly honest, I'm not going to get to it this week. I haven't done a single Sunday sketch since middle of January. Well, actually I did one, but didn't photograph it. Just stuck it in the album. Done!
We have all been pretty sick here off and on the past month. Colds, ear infections...etc... So I've been scrapping a bit here and there, but nothing big.
And Project 12, well I haven't even really looked at placing an order for January photos yet. So I probably won't make the deadline. But I will most likely start it eventually :0)
But at least I accomplished a head start on getting my scrap room cleaned. It was a DISASTER!
And if anything that just makes it harder for me to scrap when piles are laying around everywhere! So the right and middle side are clean.
The left side...not so much. But that's next! And then I will free to start scrapping regularly again. And maybe we will all finally be healthy. And maybe I'll have some scrap project photos to post.