Happy New Years Eve

Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas.  I have been battling a bad cold/flu since before Christmas.  I'm not sure what is going around but whatever it is sure seems to last.  Hopefully with this colder mid-west weather it will freeze all the germs.

Hard to believe 2012 is coming to an end.  This year has flown by.  I had a daughter graduate from High School and is now a Sophmore in college, we moved and I completed a few half marathons and a marathon. 

What does 2013 have in store??? I'm not sure, but a few goals I will be working on:

1.  Try to cook nightly for my family.  This is always hard as my family is off in so many directions.   Sometimes cooking for 2 is just no fun.
2.  To PR a half marathon.  I have registered for 4 thus far, so hopefully one will bring some magic.
3.  Although I swear them off every year, I hope to complete The Chicago Marathon in 2013 feeling   great. 
4.  Stay active with Crossfit.  I absolutely love crossfit.  After two back surgeries, I have to modify a few moves but I give it 110% every time I go.

I originally started this blog for my creative side and scrapbooking.  I do plan on keeping up with it but I plan on sharing more of my running and crossfit adventures in 2013!!!

Happy New Years!!!

Good Afternoon! 
 

Today has finally settled down a little after I have been dealing with sick children the past few days. Thank goodness we are almost all back to normal as the holiday is quickly coming up on us! 

This morning I had a little time to finish up some little projects I will share below for the holidays! 

 

This first project I worked on was a ornament for my daughters class to give to an elder she works with in her CNA program. Not only is it a fun little ornament, it was very easy to make! 

 The next thing i finished up today was a card i made for my sons teacher for Christmas which i have to go drop off today! 

Well, off to go start some holiday cleaning and prep and enjoying my last little bit of peace before all of the kids are on Christmas break and the havoc of the holidays. Hope you all have a good rest of the day! I plan to post more of my December Daily album as soon as a finish the page I am currently working on! 

-Michelle

 

Oh December!

Just popping in really quick to share a couple more pages of my December mini album.  There is still so much to do, shopping, wrapping, baking, kids school parties, etc. and Christmas Eve and Day are right around the corner.  Here is what I worked on yesterday.  I made 50 snowman cake pops and 50 Oreo balls!

This first page is a picture of my son.  As you can see he appears to be on Santa's naughty list.  I used Crate Papers letter stickers to list my 3 kids names.  Although you can not see it well, I used glossy accents over there names with glitter. The tags also have hidden journaling.

This page just needs a photo.  I am sure I have one to use, I just need to go through them.  All of the paper I used comes from  Crate Paper Sleigh Ride.

 This last page i have for today is my daughters band concert on Dec. 6th at Normal West High School. The insert on the right is a cutout from her program.

 

I will be back soon to blog more pictures of the pages I have gotten done. Time to go do some household cleaning. 

Hope you all have a good afternoon!

Dec. 8th, Already???

This month is sure starting to fly by, only THREE weekends left before Christmas!!!

Since this month is moving along faster then I would like, I decided not to actually do a December daily.  Instead, I decided to make a December mini album to document important dates and events during the month.  I thought this would be a little less stressful for me.  I am making the pages and added pictures as I capture them.

Here is the inside cover. The Paper is from Crate Papers Sleigh Ride collection.  I also used a piece of Green Pow paper, and a small piece of Studio Calico's Wonderland Sleigh ride.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the arrows, saying and snowflakes.

Here is another page I put together.

 A close up of all the layering.

I will update with progress very soon! Hope you all have a good day!
          -Michelle

Whew It's Been Awhile

Wow, haven't posted on here in a bit.  My apologies, things just got busy and time got away from me.  I can't believe it is already December.  This year has sure flown by.

I did run my marathon.  Super glad that is over! I say I will never do another, but I am already rethinking that idea.  I did make a cute mini album to highlight this years marathon.  I still need to add the pictures, but I thought I would share of the few pages.  I ended up using Echo parks for the Record 2 collection.

Since it is December, I am going to share my December Daily Cover page.  It went together very quickly but I am happy with how it turned out.   I have never actually done a December Daily but thought this year I would give it a try!  I used Crate Papers Sleigh Ride.  I am in love with Crate paper and especially this line.

Hope you have a great day.  I will try to get back later this week to share a few additional pages of my December Daily album.

Finally Friday

Happy Friday...It has been one of those weeks that seem to drag on forever.  As I get older, I try not to wish the weeks away.  But, sometimes it just can't be helped!!!  I think my problem this week is my impending long run tomorrow.  I am currently training for a marathon and have the dreaded 22 mile run bright and early in the morning.   Seriously, this was my problem.  Knowing all week what was coming...

Anyway, nothing to scrappy to share today.  I do have my September assignments about ready, just need to edit the pictures.  I will however share a couple pictures of some new paper I recently purchased at The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington, IL. I originally stopped at the store to pick up a few additional sheets of Echo Parks For the Record 2.  Of Course, I had to check out all the new paper:) When I laid my eyes on Jillibean Soups Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup line, I had to have it:-)  I love, love, love every sheet of paper in this line.  Such fun colors and patterns.  I also HAD to purchase Jillibean soup labels, banner bites, Alphabeans and two sheets of paper from Country Pumpkin Chowder.  So, expect to see another winter oriented mini album in the near future because I can't wait to start creating with this line:-)

Hope everyone has a nice relaxing weekend.  Mine will be a whole lot better after my impending LONG run!!!

Time on my hands

Good Afternoon.  Now that the kids are back in school, I have a lot of free time on my hands.  So, what does one do with so much free time??? I get making mini albums for upcoming events.  Well, I have tried knitting, but I do more tearing apart then knitting.  At the rate I am going, my scarf just maybe done for next winter.

Proof I am knitting.  Kinda funny the yarn label says Relax, Smile, Repeat...I can't say I am doing any of those.

Anyway, back to my mini albums...I am currently working on 3.  I need one for The Chicago marathon I am running on Oct. 7th, the second for an upcoming trip to Hawaii coming in the later part of October and the final one I am working on is for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Feb.  I know some may think it is better to design a mini once you have the pictures you plan on using.  For me, it is easier to have them done ahead of time.  This way I can just print the pictures and write out my journaling and I am done.  Plus, for my two upcoming races, I already have my outfits picked out and the paper lines I have chosen work beautifully.

Here is a peek at the cover.  I have a few additional items to add but for the most part this is it.

 I fell in love with October Afternoons Woodland Park when it hit the store.  Originally, I said I wasn't going to purchase it.  But then I feel in love with the colors, patterns and all the embellishments.  So I had no choice but to buy it.  Plus, it will work perfect with my running outfit I have planned for my Disney Half Marathon in Feb.  Hope you enjoy!!!

August Design Team Projects

Today I thought I would pop in quick and share my August Design Team Projects for the The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington, IL.  This month I was given two lines.  First was Pink Paislee Spring Jubilee and the second was Echo Parks, A Sweet Day.
 
 Spring Jubilee is a line of paper that doesn't need a whole lot of work.  The designs speaks for themselves.  You can add a picture and a title and call it good.  I of course like to add a few additional details. 

First is a layout using an old  picture of my daughter.  She is now going on 19, so she has definitely changed from this picture.  For the base of the page I used Spring Jubilee Celebration. Other items used on this layout were Divine Twines cotton candy, Stickers from My Minds Eye The Sweetest Thing label stickers and some miscellaneous buttons.

 A close up.

My second Layout was from a recent trip to Disney World.  For the base I used Bazzill Cardstock, The blue is cut out from Pink Paislee's Jubliee Party,  the Cream is Pink Paislees collage cards.  Happy Day is a chipboard sticker from My Minds Eye that I had laying around. 

 The second line I was given was Echo Parks Sweet Day.  What a fun line.  I loved the colors.  This line is super easy to create some amazing projects or layouts with.

First, a quick card., I used Glossy accents with micro beads to create the frosting on the cupcake.

 My second Project was a quick mini album titled: Delight in Everyday Happiness.  Besides the paper from this collection I used, brads I had laying around from My Minds Eye,  Divine Twine in Cotton Candy, Orange and Raspberry.  The tape was from October Afternoon Woodland Park. In order to not be so photo heavy, I am only sharing a few pages.

That wraps up my projects for August.  Hope you have enjoyed them.  I will be back to share my September projects and a new mini album I am working on for an upcoming vacation.  Hope you all have a nice day and enjoy this beautiful weather, at least if you live in the Midwest.

Just like that Summer is over

Just like that summer is over and the kids are back in school.  I always get a little depressed when they have to go back.  I don't mind being lonely, I just hate the fact my kids are growing up.  I know it is all part of life but boy I hate getting old!!!

Yesterday, I mentioned I would show you a new mini book that I am working on...Here is a glimpse of the line I will be using.

If you can see the picture clearly you will see it is the new  October Afternoon's Woodland Park.  This line just recently arrived at The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington, IL and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  Can I just say, I love this line.  I had originally told myself I wasn't going to purchase it or any new paper for that matter.  I have a little problem buying paper.

Ok, I need to finish a layout for my August design team assignment.  As soon as I finish it, I will start the above mini album...

Have a Great Day(:

Check out this mess.

Just popping in really quick.  Nothing new to share.  I am currently trying to finish my August design team projects.  I thought I would share how messy of a scrapper I really am.

This is how my Scrapbook desk currently looks.

 The next two photos are how my Scrapbook room currently looks.  When we moved, I had big plans for this room.  Well, plans are good but you need to make sure you actually carry out your planes to make them effective.  I have recently ordered cabinets and counter top.  Hopefully, within a couple weeks my cabinets will be in.  Then, I will share my finished space.

Hope you all have a good day.  I will be back later in the week to show you a new mini book I am currently working on.

Good Monday Morning!!! Sorry I didn't post the remaining pictures for my Christmas mini over the weekend as promised.  I am currently training for a marathon and after my 19 mile run Saturday, I was not in the mood to mess with it.  Then on Sunday, we took a little road trip with the kids to Chicago to do a little back to school shopping.

I typically put together quite a few Christmas mini albums.  Some I keep for myself and others I give away as gifts.  There are just to many fun Christmas lines on the market and I just can't pick one.  So, I buy 3-4 and make mini albums.

So, without further ado, here are the remaining pages of my Christmas mini album, that I originally started sharing last week.  I used My Minds Eye, All is Bright.  As I said when I originally showed you the first few pages, I love this line!!! I enjoy the the colors and the paper was so lovely, it hardly needed any additional work.  Just a little note, when I put them together without pictures, I don't use any adhesive on any part that goes over the photo frame, you can always add that at a later date.  If there is a photo mate, I make sure to leave 2 sides open so the picture can easily be place.

 In between all my photo mates, I placed journaling cards.  If you don't want to journal, you can always add another picture.

 the tips of these flags are not adhered down, so the picture will slide right under them.

 Hope you enjoyed this fun little mini album...Now, I need to get a little housework done:(