Dinnertime Moments

We never set out with the goal of eating dinner together as a family. It just kind of happened. Maybe because that's how we were raised, or maybe because we just get hungry at the the same time. Either way, I am glad that we do, since many laughs are had over dinner. And every once in a while, someone says something really nice, and kablam! into the scrapbook it goes. Sam actually said the words about Max, "He is a good brother." (!!!!!)

Those photos above are not from the dinner table, but in the following layout, I had to capture the extreme laughter that was taking place.

There are many other ongoing jokes and topics of conversation that happen around the dinner table. I suppose some will get scrapped and some will end up being stored just in our heads. I guess there are worse places a story could be.

Mother's Day

In the weeks leading up to Mother's Day, I blogged over at Write.Click.Scrapbook about ways to scrap about what you've learned form your mother. I included this layout capturing a small little memory about my grandmother and preparing for Passover.

And then I took some other folks' idea, and asked my own darling children what they have learned from me. And the response I got was that "I learned that Totty is the better parent." Charming. Really.

Of course, I actually liked his response, 'cuz it's funny. I'm a sucker for funny. 

It's Sneak Peek Time

Here's a look at what I've got coming up for June's gallery at Write.Click.Scrapbook.

Visit the Write.Click.Scrapbook Facebook page, for more sneaks from the team.

Write.Click.Scrapbook. May Gallery

The theme for May is "Everydaily." While this is not really an every day scene, technology is certainly a part of our everyday lives (link to every article written in the last 5 years.) And, I thought this scene, with 3/4 of the Deutsches clicking away, captured that nicely.

There is also a lot of ambivalence out there regarding our relationship with technology, and I tried to capture a bit of that too in my journaling. Back in the days of yore, you know, like, five years ago, I would have cringed at the thought of us all sitting around on separate computers. But everyone in this picture was being quite productive and creative, and it's just where we are today. At least, with our small home, we are all in the same room when we  log in.

A Different Kind of Challenge

I am usually a sketch challenge kind of girl, but this month I decided to play along with a different kind of challenge at Cocoa Daisy. The challenge is to create a layout following in the style of one of their Design Team gals. This month the challenge was to scraplift the style of the fabulous Denise Morrison. Her style is best described on the Cocoa Daisy blog: "There’s a cool messiness to her work. She paints, she mists and masks, she scribbles, she layers." It was very freeing to approach a layout with someone else's style in mind. It made me pull out mists and stamps. It made me rip paper. I laid some things diagonally.  I even scribbled a bit. (And I don't even like to hand write on my layouts.)

And then I didn't worry about writing a long story. I just wrote some words that I liked. Though really there is a long story about my title. I'll try to keep it short. 

I am quiet. I am shy. I am even anxious. Sometimes, really anxious. And that can  really make it difficult  for me to get things done. Still, I feel quite confident and strong in who I am. Even if who I am is a quiet and shy and anxious person. But, I know what I am good at. I know what is hard for me. When it's worth it, I will push past the anxiety. I will push myself outside my "comfort zone." But not always. Because I think it takes just as much awareness and confidence to say, "No, Thanks. That's not for me. I will take the easier road, so that I can be a better mother, and a better wife, and accomplish what I want to accomplish in my time here on this Earth." 

WCS Sketch, and A Star is Born Part 2

The following layout is based on this sketch at Write.Click.Scrapbook.

I have to say, that my favorite part of this sketch is that little triangle in the upper corner. I loved it so much, I added another one in a lower corner too.

I took this sketch pretty literally, which helped it get done licked y split.

And the story behind it all: I recently shared a layout about Max's first foray into the performing arts. That is, he had a part in his school play. There, I mostly just marked the date, and the fact that it happened. But, you know, I always feel like there has to be something deeper (though really there doesn't have to be) in my scrapbooking. So I paired another play photo with a shot of Max preparing for his first debate. Until this year, Max has not been the type of  kid with an ongoing interest, or extra curricular activity. Which is fine, but it's also comforting to see him choose something to do outside of school work; to see him work hard; and to see him succeed. Just so I know that he can. Because, really, once you can set a goal and work to reach it, you can pretty much do anything.

Sneak Time

Time for a sneak peek of my layout for Write.Click.Scrapbook's May gallery. This is also the part where I exclaim that I can't believe it's almost May. Here goes: OMG, I can't believe it's almost May!!

Moving on, here's the peek:

You can see more sneaks on WCS's Facebook page.

Come see the rest on May 1st.