And even some layouts

Also over my lovely and long vacaction, I managed to create these babies using some Webster's Pages papers, and some "stuff" from my stash and my Cocoa Daisy kits.

And some close ups:

It occurred to me after making the layout about the Waffle Bar, that it is now January, and I am still scrapping my summer photos. I think it's fine and good, but also that I might need a break. Hmmm, we'll see. Also, does that mean I am missing the present? Who knows? Let's see where this scrappy life takes me next.

Crafty projects Very big and pretty small

Sigh. My two week vacation is coming to a close. This is my last day, before going back to the hustle and bustle of working outside the home, coming home tired, and mustering enough energy (and coffee) to be present for homework, dinner, cleaning, and general being together with family. But, it was a productive vacation, and I am happy for that.

First, I spent time with my sister and my brother and their families, something which I am not great at making time for-I get so wrapped up in my work and my home and my projects. So, here's to hoping that continues.

And now on to my home and my projects:

After eight years, I painted (most) of my apartment! Here are some WAY "before" pictures ( I found some from 2008. It was fun looking back at old pictures. But we'll have to save that for another post or project).

And then it looked like this: (Yes, there is a child wrapped in a drop cloth. We talked a lot about not putting it on his head. But, he's almost 10, so this was not really  big news for him.)

Now it looks like this: (There's been a lot of lying around on the couch this week.)

I'm not quite done decorating yet, but I am enjoying the new canvas that I have to work with.

Part of the decision to finally go ahead and paint, was my desire to change up the pillows and artwork, but I just didn't feel like adding new stuff to the old walls. I was just done with them. Here are some things I plan to add to these newly beiged walls. (I made it all by myself!)

And maybe this one, but I love it less. We'll call that one a work in progress.

And, I've been working on my One Little Word album, making my first page for my first assignment. 

We were also supposed to take a self portrait, and since my word is "camera," I decided I was not, not, not going to take this picture on automatic. It took a few dozen tries, but I ended up with this:

It takes a lot for me to say, I don't think it sucks. I also included the words that gave me my word, "train your camera," written by Elizabeth Dillow. 

I didn't even get to share about repainting and decorating my bathroom, which I did as well. But, I think that's enough for now. Whew. I'm off to enjoy another relaxed cup of coffee (or two) in my new living room. (And, by the way, I like the way my mugs match my walls. I actually think of things like that when i drink my coffee.)

A Chanukah Wrap Up

Hi, it's the last day of Chanukah here, and more importantly the last day of fresh jelly doughnuts at the bakery down the block. Sigh. It is also the day after my birthday, and I do accept belated birthday wishes. Amid the mess of trying to paint my apartment, I made this layout with some Chanukah highlights. I used the ever fabulous Crafting Jewish Style papers and stickers. And that baker's twine--actually from the bakery! It tied up a nice box of fresh jelly doughnuts.

I didn't journal anything here. I think I might save that for individual photos and stories that I wish to tell. Mostly involving jelly doughnuts. But also some gifts (like when Max asked for Beats, and Dave packed up a box of beets), and our time spent at my sister's.

I'm off to the paint store. Happy New Year!

One Little Word

I have loved Ali Edward's idea for One Little word for a few years now, and have kind of kept one of the back of my mind for the last two years, or so. But, I never really did anything with them. Except think about them. Which is kind of what they're there for. 

This year, I chose the word "camera." It's not really the typical path for OLW. From what I've seen, and what I've done in the past, people tend to choose more inspiring and general sounding words--"acceptance, focus, joy" are some of the words I've seen or used myself. But, my goal this year, is to learn more about photography. It's something that I've been kind of trying to pick up here and there, but it's not intuitive to me, and I haven't gotten very far. When I see something or someone I want to photograph, I press the automatic button, and hope for the best. But I want to be able to work with my camera (or a future camera, yet to be owned?), to use it as a tool, or an instrument that I can manipulate to create or capture the image that I see. So, it will take a commitment of time and money, but at the end I hope to have learned a new science and art.

So, I made a layout about it:

And added a lot of journaling to explain my word choice: (All those little holes? I trimmed and sewed the page protector right onto the page.)

 Then I signed up for Ali's class. 

And as for how to achieve this goal: I am signed up for a six hour photography class in March, and I plan to participate in Take Twelve over at Ella Publishing. And sometimes, I'll just experiment with some other modes besides automatic.

Counting Down to Chanukah

I love Christmas. There. I said it. I am secure enough in my jewalinity that I can say that. I love the spirit, the decorations, the buzz in the air, the December Dailies, and most of all, I love being able to enjoy it from afar. I love waking up to an almost silent New York City on Christmas day, knowing that I don't have to do anything at all. And if there's snow...nu, noch besser (even better).

And, I have Chanukah. Not quite as much hoopla as Christmas, but fun just the same, especially for the kids who are looking forward to some much anticipated gifts. Especially Sam. Weeks ago he made his wish list, for all the grown ups in his life. He wrote who should get him which toy, and even provided links to make his benefactor's lives easier. Very thoughtful.

And while we have no advent calendars for Chanukah, we do have our plain old school calendar, which Sam used to count down the days to celebrating the Maccabees victory over the Greeks. Or to when he gets his presents. I forget which one.

One more day, kid. 

I'm back-sort of

As I mentioned in the last few posts, I had lots and lots and lots of work to do, and no time for creating. Tonight is the first night that I came home from work, and I had no more reports, newsletters, or anything teacher related to write. I'm sporting a new haircut (well, same haircut, just shorter), I've got a pile of new scrapbooking supplies on my desk, and a pretty clean apartment. Oh, and most importantly, a two week vacation.

I do however feel a slight scrapper's block in the periphery. I hope it doesn't take.

Here is the closest thing to a recent creation. I wanted to use it as a yearbook ad for Max. It's got a private joke and everything. He wouldn't have it. So the final ad is just a plain old, "Dear Max, We are so proud of you..."

This one likes to keep it simple and fit in. (I suppose it's possible that my ad is neither clever nor cool, but I find that hard to believe.)

In other Max news, he had a high school interview and seems to have impressed the pants off his interviewers. So while my attempts at clever yearbook ads have failed, I seem to be doing okay in the kid department.

Simple, fast layout. Cocoa Daisy. October Afternoon, Glitz, Jillibean, American Crafts, K&Co, Prima.
Click on the layout to read. You won;t be disapponted.
That's it. That's all I have time for. Back to work.
I will just add that each memeber of my family, as he passed this layout on my desk, stopped to look at it and said,"I like that. That's funny."
Thanks guys.