Scrapping Goals

1. make an art journal
2. play with paint
3. do a layout with a half circle
4. make title pages for my BPSish scrapbooks
5. think of a creative, cute scrapbook for hubby (anniversary &birthday next month- he is a photographer- I'd love to do some cool with his pictures).
6. play with ribbon
7. make my own pp by doodling on black paper
8. think of cute cards or miniscrapbooks to sell at neighborhood craft sale on Sept. 10th.
9. play with digi layouts
10. submit a layout or two to a magazine!

Setting Goals part 2

My son wanted to join the fun and make a list. You might notice there is an issue on his list that we've been working on. He is almost 12 and video games and pokemon are his life!
My list for my son:

1. clean your room
2. clean your room
3. clean your room
4. read more
5. write more

His list for me:

1. get car
2. play with me
3. learn pokemon
4. stop being a meany
5. don't hate me for calling you a meany, please
6. I'm hungry
7. FEED ME!

When the kids were younger I used to get on the floor a lot more and play with them. I know my son misses that. However, pokemon bores me. I have a hard time even pretending to be interested in! I am not a pokemom. LOL. He also likes to cook with me. We could do more of that together.

Setting goals

I was talking to my daughter about the things I wanted to do this Summer and haven't. She came up with the idea of us making a list of 5 goals for each other. My daughter is 10 going on 30. She is sweet, creative, and a really neat person.

My list for her:
1. practice your violin
2. read more
3. write more
4. organize your clothes (I'll help if you want me too)
5. hug mommy more

Her list for me:
1. study for driver's test (long story)
2. go to bed earlier
3. work on getting a teaching job
4. go on computer less
5. spent time with your family

Wow- eye opening! These are the same goals I would set for myself. She is so in tune to me. She is also too grown for her own good at times. I love the person she has become.

So I was thinking...

I read Ali Edwards blog http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/ awhile back (it's the July 3rd entry) and she posted a link to a video http://wherethehellismatt.com/. She talked about doing something in a series. Neat idea I thought. I can do a scrapbook on a series of pictures. I came up with this. In the front of the book will be the quote: Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom. Then I'm going to have pictures of people sitting and thinking. I want them to write a few lines about where they are. I've asked several people to send me pictures. I can't wait to get them!

Lookie what I did

This is the first challenge from Ali Edwards lastest book. I love her book. Gosh do I sound like a groupie? I have never been a huge patterned paper fan. Most of my latest layouts are all plain cardstock. This book helps me look at patterned paper in a new, exciting light. What do you think? Check out Ali's blog if you get a chance! http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/

Creativity

My daughter is so gosh darn creative. I think she inherited the crafting gene from me. She was looking through the latest American Girl catalog and jonesing for some clothes for her doll. The stuff in that catalog is adorable, yet pricey. We reserve it for special occasions. Did she bellyache? Nope. She made an outfit for her doll from an old pair of socks, older doll clothes, a toilet paper roll, and an old Halloween outfit. I am so proud of her. Craft on Pookie, craft on! I'll post a picture when I get batteries for my camera!

A closer look

I was taking a walk with my children today when we came across this black and yellow butterfly. It is very pretty to look at. Upon closer inspection we noticed a touch of blue and orange on the bottom of the wings.

We could have quite easily not taken the time to study this butterfly and therefore not have seen the hidden treasure on it's wings. It made me think of how many other times I do not stop to take a closer look and miss a hidden treasure. One of my new goals is to find more hidden treasures in everyday things and to take a closer look.

Toe Man

So I was sitting on our porch with my husband, writing notes about a walk I took with my kids So I wouldn't forget them for a future blog when my darling husband put his foot in my lap and said, "Rub my feet?" Having a marker in hand, I drew a little face on his big toe. I messed up the nose because I was laughing so hard. (Yes, I amuse myself). Anyhow he would only let me take a picture of it if I would write the following:

Your feet are like a precious jewel of Maryland. A sweet gem better than fine wine, cheesecake or creme brullee. It is an honor, indeed, a priviledge to rub them.
Signed, a cat owner

Anna Nalick

Watch the video for Breathe. I bet she is a scrapbooker. Look at the walls in her video- they scream "life artist". I also like this message:
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

How many times have you wanted to do this, cradle your head in your hands and breathe. I know I have. Sometimes it's little things like the sleepover where the kids just wouldn't go to sleep. Sometimes it's a bigger issue-not being able to get your point across or misunderstanding an important relationship issue.

The other analogy she makes is this:
There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

So the message is move forward, learn from your mistakes, embrace imperfection.

OK so I'm loving the stuff in Ali Edwards blog: http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com
I think I'm becoming a groupie.

To Do List or Things I Want to Accomplish This Summer

Listed in no particular order:

-straighten out my driver's license problem and get a fricken car
-check on status of my Maryland Teaching Certificate
-go to a crop and take a class@ Scrap-Masters
-reorganize my scrap area
-go to church more
-play with my kids more
-scrap more

Moments

Have I mentioned that I love fireworks? To me scrapbooking is more about capturing life's moments than events. I took a photo tonight of my daughter that captures the thrill of the moment. As the fireworks were going off she would make comments like "wow" or "that one was really cool". I think in this picture you can see the "wow" on her face.

Parades, Picnics, and Pyrotechnics

We are going to see fireworks tonight. I love fireworks. I love the 4th of July. Parades, picnics, pyrotechnics, what's not to like! No worries about presents or making a fancy meal. It's just a laid back holiday. I have fresh batteries for my camera, I can't wait to take pictures.

Who inspires you? I spent an hour yesterday reading Ali Edwards blog. Wow. I love her description of scrapbookers as Life Artists. How true-it's just a great way to look at what we do. I also love her t-shirt that says Embrace Imperfection. What a great way to look at life. No one is perfect. Learn from your mistakes. I know a perfectionist- ok it's my husband, he gets easily frustrated. I'm all for having high standards but good golly make them attainable. Anyhow...I find Ali's outlook on life refreshing.