Christmas cards - done & sent

Well, I strayed slightly this year. Normally I make all the cards identical. This year, I had two different stamp designs and 3 different color sets. I decided to use up the paper in my stash and not searching for more to buy. I make about 50 cards and didn't have enough of any one color.

Now that these are done and dispersed, I can hopefully get back to creating layouts. I should definitely be a better blogger next month since Lifetime Moment's Winter Scrapfest begins January 1st. The last scrapfest was so inspirational to my scrapping and it really gave me the boost I needed to get in my scrap room and create.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

What a rough weekend

This weekend didn't go anything as planned. I was looking forward to a night of cropping with my dear friend Darla but had to cancel. I came down with the flu on Thursday and was out of commission for Friday. Luckily, it wasn't as bad as it could be. I was mostly achy and drained of energy. So, no new layouts got done (or started) and I fell a bit behind in my holiday planning.

The Christmas cards should be done this week and hopefully I can get working on an actual layout again. Lifetime Moments will be having a Winter Scrapfest starting after the holidays. I participated in the Summer one and got a lot more accomplished than I would have without it. I can't wait for the extra motivation.

Been Busy

Boy does this time of year get busy. We had a long weekend that we spent in Pittsburgh. Bobby enjoyed himself at the Steeler game even though it was so freezing cold. Meanwhile, I stayed warm doing some Christmas shopping. I got my youngest brother done, my nephew started and Bobby is half-way done. Glad I have a short list, we never get started early enough.

Other than working on Christmas cards, I haven't had a chance to do any scrapping. I still have layouts from last month that haven't gotten scanned an uploaded. Hopefully this Friday I'll get some layouts done at an evening crop. I need to get organized for that so I can be productive. I'm hoping my friend Darla will be able to make it since we haven't seen each other in so long. We have a lot of catching up to do.

Re: Scrapbook Accountability - How I track my usage

I track everything on an excel worksheet. I was afraid to keep track of supplies purchased since I scrapbook shop more than I actually scrapbook. Until I get to enter things on the spreadsheet, I just jot them down on scrap paper and keep a tally.

I saw this concept on a message board thread at Lifetime Moments and I thought I'd give it a shot. hoping it spurs me to use more of my supplies. I just started in mid-November and haven't had a chance to do much scrapping due to the holidays.

November SB Accountability Wrap-Up

Okay, here's my update on my scrapbook purchases vs. usage for November. I don't think I did too bad until Saturday, 11/29. That's when I hit the after-Thanksgiving sale at Michael's with my coupons. I used to be able to go into Michael's with a coupon and walk out without buying anything. The past 6 months, that has changed. They are getting fresh, new stock on a regular basis and since I only get there once every month or two, I can't resist. Of course, no longer having an LSS probably doesn't help either.


9 Layouts
38 Cards

Products Used:
Alpha Stickers - 41
Brads
Buttons - 13
Cardstock 12x12 - 6
Cardstock 8.5x11 - 19
Cardstock - Die-cut
Chipboard Pieces (Non-Alpha) - 8
Die-Cuts (store-bought) - 4
Embellishment - Metal
Embellishment - Misc. - 38
Eyelets
Flowers - 2
Glimmer Mist
Ink - 85
Journaling Spots
Paint (Acrylic) - 5
Paint (Distress Crackle)
Patterned Paper 12x12 - 13
Patterned Paper 6x6 - 4
Patterned Paper 8x8
Pearls - 14
Pins (Decorative head pins) - 3
Quickutz - shapes
Rhinestone Bling - 8
Ribbon - 380"
Rub-ons (Image/Words/Quotes) - 7
Stamps (Alpha)
Stamps (Image/Words/Quotes) - 116
Stamps (Wood Mounted)
Stickers (Epoxy) - 3
Stickers (Cardstock)
Stickles - 40
Templates
Thickers - 46
Transparency embellishment

Products Acquired:
Alpha Stickers - 2019
Brads - 6
Buttons
Cardstock 12x12 - 8
Cardstock 8.5x11
Cardstock (Die-cut) - 3
Chipboard Pieces (Non-Alpha) - 181
Die-Cuts (store-bought)
Embellishment (Metal)
Embellishment (Misc.) - 174
Eyelets
Flowers
Glimmer Mist - 2
Ink
Journaling Spots
Paint (Acrylic)
Paint (Distress Crackle)
Patterned Paper 12x12 - 147
Patterned Paper 6x6
Patterned Paper 8x8 - 96
Pearls
Pins (Decorative head pins)
Quickutz (shapes)
Rhinestone Bling - 46
Ribbon - 108"
Rub-ons (Image/Words/Quotes)
Stamps (Alpha)
Stamps (Image/Words/Quotes)
Stamps (Wood Mounted) - 1
Stickers (Epoxy)
Stickers (Cardstock) - 29
Stickles - 8
Templates - 5

Being Thankful

Thanksgiving went pretty well this year. We had a mini crisis with the turkey. I got it all oiled, stuffed & sitting nicely in the roasting pan. I put it in the oven & tried to close the oven door. The roasting pan was slightly too big for the oven door to fit. I ended up having to roast the turkey in a large glass baking dish. Not quite the way it's supposed to work, but it turned out just fine. So, I'm on the quest for roasting pan that will fit in the oven. I'd been using the disposable pans the past several years and thought this pan was going to fit. So, if that's the worst mishap of the week, I'm quite grateful. I have learned that you don't get worked up over the small things.

In these trying times, it can sometimes be difficult to look at the optimistic side of things. I'm thankful for Bobby, our 3 spoiled cats, our families and friends. I'm also grateful for my job, even though it's often the source of my stress.

We often think of things that could make our lives better and take advantage of, or forget, the good things we have in our lives. Sometimes we lose focus of the important things. I think that with the current state of the economy and things going on in the world, we need to get back to appreciating the basics.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you were able to find several things to be thankful for even if you're having difficulties in your life right now.

A boy & teddy bear

This is a layout of my sweet nephew. My sister-in-law took this adorable photo and I was lucky enough to be given a copy.

Products Used:

PP (My Minds Eye); Cardstock (Club Scrap); Chipboard photo corner (Bazzil); Paint (Making Memories); Buttons (Basic Grey - Offbeat); Alpahs (American Crafts Foam Thickers & Carolee's Adornit mini alphas); Ribbon (Fancy Pants); Decorative Pin (Fancy Pants)