layout: 7th grade portrait

After realizing that I have more pink than I could ever use on both my girls layouts, I started to make an effort to use it more often. This school picture was perfect to use pink paper because of all the grey in it.  The funny thing about this layout is that this is the girl that really doesn't like pink. But I like how it it came together.

Supplies: pattern papers, Basic Grey. flowers, Heidi Swapp. journal spot, Linda's Paperie

layout: 10th grade portrait

I'm taking baby steps to get back into scrapbooking. For me that means creating an easy, no fuss layout. Enter the school portraits. I would imagine that some people don't like to scrap these because they can be boring or for some other reason. I like them because I can get in, get out and be done. Usually when I start with these layouts, they get the creativity flowing so I can move on to other topics.

While looking for a pattern paper to go with the polka dots, I came across the dinosaur paper in the scrap drawer. I think the papers go great together. And for a brief moment, I almost didn't use the paper because I didn't think it would work with a school photo. In the end, I used the paper because my girl really loves dinosaurs. I really love how it came out too.

Supplies: pattern paper: Echo Park and Basic Grey. sticker, KI Memories. die cut, Autumn Leaves.

paper organization

In an effort to get some motivation to start scrapbooking again, I decided to go through my pattern papers and reorganize them. I have an odd way or organizing my pattern papers. Some are organized by color, some are organized by theme and the rest are organized by manufacturer. For a while this has worked. As time went on, I realized that I was looking for papers based on what color I wanted to use. Sometimes I would look for papers by the type of theme, like Christmas, but hardly manufacturer anymore. Time for a change.

I pulled out all the folders that had papers organized by manufacturer and started to sort through them. Sorting pattern paper by color can be difficult, especially when the patterns have more than one color in it. I sorted my papers by the first color that popped into my head when I looked at it. As time goes on, I may need to reassess the system. For now, it seemed like a good starting point.

While sorting my papers, I discovered that I have a lot of pink paper. Enough to fill 3 folders comfortably. This discovery made me laugh. As the mom of 2 girls, you would think this was a normal thing but my girls don't like pink. I have decide that I am going to use more pink on their layouts. They will get over it. :)

it's my turn

Out of our three children, two of them love to read for pleasure. Amanda hasn't meet a book that she didn't like. Andrew loves reading as many fact books as he can, so he can later make us feel foolish because we don't know how long a bearded seal measures. Emily only has time to read the books she is assigned in school or so she says. I suppose reading A Tale of Two Cities for English class can make you say no to extra reading.

For about 2 months now, Andrew has been on my case to buy him the New Prophecy series in the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. He finished the first series last spring and was really into it. I can understand that. The series is about different clans of feral cats that are warriors, what boy wouldn't like that? I can still hear him yelling at the books about the fate all of his favorite cat warriors. So because he was so annoyed by how the last book ended, he said he was taking a break from the books. That is until his best friend started reading the New Prophecy series about 2 months ago. It is driving him crazy that he isn't reading these books right now.

Originally, I was going to buy the books for him at the same time I was going to order the AP review books that Amanda needed. Turns out that she didn't need any review books this year and in traditional fashion, I forgot about ordering Andrew's books.  After several more weeks of begging, I put it on my to do list yesterday and ordered his books. At checkout, I noticed that I need to order an item that cost $3.78 so that I can get the free shipping at Amazon. I need to have free shipping so I ask Amanda if she needs anything for school when Emily says, "Why don't you ask me if I need anything?"

"You don't read," I said.
"I like books," was her response.
"Yes, but you don't read them."
"Well, it's my turn. As the middle child, I am always getting the short end of things."

Well played, Emily. Well played. I must say in my defense that she does not always get the short end of things. I do get her what she needs and so on. Just this past Christmas, she received 2 books, which she asked for by the way. And when I asked her if her if she started either of them, her answer was no. Which is why I don't like to buy her books. But now that my guilt has been activated, I ask her what does she want because I'm not buying her another book. Her response was a Webkinz. I found her a cute rabbit for $5.

It's a win for everyone: Andrew gets his books, Emily doesn't get a book and I get free shipping and a guilt free moment.

now what?

As some of you may have noticed, I have taken an unintentional break from blogging. I haven't had the motivation to create anything which then led to nothing to post. The process was stressing me out to the point where I had no mojo to create even if I wanted to create something.

But I have missed this little blog of mine even though I haven't made much of anything to share. This led me to start thinking about writing about other things. After so many years, writing about paper gets a little old no matter how much I love it. I had thought about starting over with a new blog and a new name. I don't know if I really want to do that. I still want to write about paper but feel that I need something more for a little variety. What that will be, I'm not even sure of yet but it will be fun to find out. :)

national craft month at my creative classroom

My Creative Classroom and I would like to invited you to join us as we celebrate National Craft Month. Every year in March we say thank you to our students during National Craft Month. If you purchase any Workshop and/or Foundation Course during the month of March you will earn a free seat in any Library Course, there are over 40 to choose from. The more seats you purchase the more free seats you earn.

During the next three months we have some wonderful classes for you to choose from.  I am offering Fun and Fabulous Folds 1 and Fun and Fabulous Folds 2, as well as Mug Rug Madness and The Slice: Basics & Beyond. Click here to learn more about My Creative Classroom's National Craft Month Special Event.

layout: sea world...part 3

Here is the final installment in the Sea World Series. This one is a mish mash of scraps that I pulled from the orange and blue drawers.

In keeping with the Use Every Stamp Challenge, I also pulled out another alphabet set that I have had not shown any love to recently. I stamped each letter with navy ink onto white cardstock. Then, I cut out each letter.

I made my own journaling spot in Photoshop and then printed it out onto white cardstock. And I also added the dates with my date stamp.

Supplies: paper, SEI, Crate Paper, Bo Bunny. stamps, KI Memories and American Crafts. trim, Doodlebug Designs. buttons and scrap of scallop paper.