Twenty projects in twenty days!

I can't believe I finished all 20 sketches for the Sketch-A-Thon at My Sketch World!
Here are the last projects:

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Maybe it was wishful thinking . . . but I really thought that after the warm weather last week and since all the ice and snow had melted (we actually saw grass), that the worst of winter was over!? Fat chance! It snowed today and not only did it snow we got about 8 inches . . . and maybe some more tonight?


But I’m home in my nice warm and cozy house with Randy and with new scrapbooking supplies to play with . . . so I’m a happy camper.

A reflection for today:


I think I’m a “Jack of all Trades and Master of None” . . . and not in a negative way. I feel I’m a generalist; I’m competent with many skills but not a specialist or outstanding in any particular one. Every adult should be able to change a diaper, plan a party, and write a letter (the old fashioned way meaning not an email lol!), change a tire (I better work on this one!), take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve an equation, analyze and solve a problem, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and dye gallantly.
In my lifetime I have learned a lot about myself and decided to work with my nature instead of against it. Being a generalist works for me because of the following:
Curiosity – I’m a curious person. I have some difficulty staying focused on one subject . . . just because so many things seem interesting to me. I have developed a plethora of skills over the years thanks to my curious nature. If I had to pick one task and specialize in it I would become incredibly bored.
Love of Learning – I believe learning is on-going. I could hate a subject and still enjoy learning about it . . . (maybe?).
Control – So I’ll confess . . . I’m somewhat of a control freak. I’ve learned a lot of what I know so I wouldn’t have to ask others to do it for me. The old adage holds true for me . . . if you want something done right, do it yourself. My version of RIGHT and someone else’s are often totally different. Even if I don’t have time to do something myself, knowing how to do it gives me a sense of leverage that I like.


I have had no problem finding my MOJO lately! I’ve been truly inspired by the awesome sketches posted at My Sketch World. I’ve been scrapping a little every day and trying to keep up with their Firth Anniversary Sketch-A-Thon Crop.


Day 11

 
Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

More Projects

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Busy

Busy . . . that one word sums up my life right now! Crazy busy with work projects (I feel like I’ll never get caught up . . . and I probably won’t.), busy with school assignments . . . I’m too old for homework lol! . . . and busy at home . . . planning yet another remodeling job . . . the never ending story.
But in all this busyness I have remembered to take some time for me and play.
I’ve been so inspired by the sketches posted at My Sketch World that I’ve been taking a little time each day to just be creative, which for me is a GREAT stress reliever.



Day 6

Day 7

Inspired

I've been lurking at this site, "My Sketch World" (forum) for a little while and this month decided to participate in their 5th Anniversary Sketch-A-Thon Crop.  It's from February 1st to the 20th . . . and you want to talk about being inspired . . . check out the blog!
These are my entries so far:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5





My grandsons love giving their teachers small treasures and treats on holidays and special occasions. . . . and it just so happens I love making them things to give their teachers.


I made these treat cones using one piece of 12 x 12 patterned paper and my Cricut machine. I used the Winter Woodland Cartridge and cut out the 3dbldg7 (page 81; layers) at fit to page, which cut the cones out at 17 inches.  I then cut off the extra flap and glued them together.  There was just enough paper left to cut a 1/2 inch wide and 10 inch long handle which I fastened on with brads. I adorned the treat cones with embellishments from my stash. These super cute containers will be filled with shredded tissue paper and candy for some very special teachers.

These treat cones will be on their way to Florida tomorrow (weather permitting). Right now we’re getting freezing rain on top of the snow we got last night.  By tomorrow I might not be venturing out to the post office.

Tuesday Challenge

The challenge this week:

Create a layout using a "Whimsical Style"

Use - fanciful products - playful fonts - bold colors
Think sporadic - lighthearted and fun
The focus is on the photo(s) and allows your unique personality to show.

Treat Containers

I don’t recycle, nope not newspapers, phonebooks, glass, plastic, cans . . . well I have been saving the pop cans. I’m saving the cans in the hopes that the older grandkids will take them to Milliron’s and cash them in for some extra spending money . . . and that has yet to happen.
I guess there is just no motivation to get me to recycle. Does my trash bill go down because I save a plastic bottle – nope. Will I sleep easier knowing that I saved space at the landfill because I saved a plastic bottle – nope.
But on the other hand I wish I could get my hands on a few more of these plastic sweeper filter cases!
I was so inspired by Erica Hettwer's “A Monstrous Treat” tutorial in A Walk Down Memory Lane forums that just this once I became a recycler. I used these cases to make Valentine treat boxes for the younger grandson’s teachers. I used the Fancy Pants Love Birds Collection and some embellishments from my stash.
Six fun size candy bars fit just perfectly in these containers . . . how lucky could I be :)
I love how these turned out . . . oh the possibilities!

Tuesday Challenge

The Challenge this week:
Create a layout using a "Cutesy Style" - use premade products, embellishments in your title, paper with coordinating patterns and use accents that are three dimensional.

My Example:

Tuesday Challenge

I'm hosting a challenge at Croppin Paradise.  This Week's Scrapbooking Style Challenge is "Shabby Chic".  think romance and whimsy.  Think vintage, well-worn and peeling.  Think warm, cozy and inviting.
My Example:

Last week's Scrapbooking Style Challenge was to create a layout using a "Sophisticated Style".

Clean lines
Embellishments are kept to a minimum but used effectively
Personal touches are added
Patterned paper can be mixed and matched
Page has balance
My Example:

A New Year

January seems to be a time of reflection and making resolutions, a time of looking at the past year and deciding if there are changes to be made for the coming year that will ameliorate your life experiences. The most popular resolutions are: to get healthy, get out of debt, get organized, quit smoking, drink less, help other people, spend more time with family and friends, learn something new . . . and enjoy life more.

Statistics show that more resolutions are broken than kept. I’m not a New Year’s resolution maker . . . I am however a goal setter. This year I’ve used the “most popular resolutions list” to set some goals for 2011.
Get Healthy - I exercise on a regular basis and eat right. I weigh what I did in high school and have never felt better!
Getting out of debt - Before making a purchase of any kind I’m asking myself - Do I need it or do I just want it? - easier said than done!
Smoking and Drinking - I don’t do either.
Helping other people - This is one of my goals and although I don’t have a plan in place yet . . . I do have some ideas that I’m excited about! I have always wanted to be involved with a soup kitchen or food pantry . . . and this will be the year to get involved.
Get organized - I have this down pat and really think it’s a personality trait lol!
Spending more time with family and friends - Another goal for this year is to have family and/or friends over at least once a month for a meal and a game night.
Learn something new - Life is one big learning experience and I think I’m constantly learning and relearning with every decision I make . . . and my computer class starts on Tuesday the 4th.
Since I’m an avid scrapbooker my list would not be complete without a goal for that area of my life as well. My scrappy goal is “new” . . . to try new techniques and new scrap styles.
Enjoying life . . . That’s the plan . . . and the future is full of limitless possibilities!

Snow Day

Snow Days - Oh how I love them - a  chance to get caught up on things. I'm going to try to get into the dentist today for a tooth that has been bothering me and hopefully it will be a quick fix.  The rest of the day I think I'll spend baking Christmas cookies and working on scrappy projects.

It's just not right that I'm in Ohio in the cold and snow while 4 of my grandsons are in Florida where it's still warm enough that they are catching lizards!  Love the photos from Jessica of Joshua and his catch.

I completed this layout for the weekly challenge that Mara did last week at Croppin Paradise.