Pebbles | Inspirational Cards ...

Hey Friends! Up on the PebblesInc blog today I am sharing a few simple ideas for creating motivational cards. Perfect for those New Year Resolutions!!!

Thanks for visiting..x

Bella BLVD | New Year's Resolution...

It's Designer challenge time over at Bella BLVD again and Nicole and I have been assigned to share our New Year's Resolutions.  Kind of appropriate that I post today, right?! *grin*

 

"Hello Everyday"

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Bella BLVD (Molly, Lucky Starz); other - Bella BLVD (Treasures & Text, Candid Cards); tools - typewriter.

 

Anyway...! If you would like to learn more about the details, please visit here.  Thanks for joining me today..x

 



52 photos...week 1

Okay.  So I am going to try this.  Post one photo for the week and then tell the story behind it! Every Tuesday...hopefully!  LOL!  I don't know how successful I'll be. But I sure will try to complete this goal.  And it all falls under my wish to document the quirky stories that occur within my family dynamics.  Who knows what this will lead to.  And I have NO doubt at all that I will scrap some of these stories.  Well... That's bound to happen here.  Right?! hahaha..

I have to say though, to eliminate some of the pressure of posting only the best and most spectacular of photos, I will make a commitment to myself to only add photos that have a story to tell.  You know the ones.. they maybe grainy and have low light.  They maybe overexposed and have no composition.  But if there's a story to share behind the image, I want to document it.  All part of my 2012 plan to tell my story. ;D

I know this isn't a new idea.  Far from it.  LOL!  But by putting this out there, in blogging/cyber space... I might in some small way, encourage you to tell the story of a photo without the pressurized need to scrap it.  If you know what I mean.  After all, doesn't this idea make it easier to scrap at a later date?  Make your LOs become a little more focused?  Of course there is no right or wrong way to scrap.  My urge is plainly to tell the story.  Sometimes a paragraph, a series of note points or perhaps even an epic tale. Whatever is needed.  :D

So here goes.. Week One:

{Firey Shapes}

Tahlia: 01 Jan - our side yard.

Today we experimented with light.  Sparkles and light! And what a better way to bring in the New Year.  Our first attempt wasn't too great.  It really wasn't dark enough to capture the trails of sparks to make our shapes.  But it was fun.  And after dinner we tried again.  This time we had more success.  All the kids wanted to make shapes appear, as if like magic, in the photos.  We got adventurous too.  Not only did we have complete circles but Liam created a letter "L" and Simone produced the number "2".  Hahaha!  Very adventurous.  Unfortunately with fire comes heat and fingers were burnt.  Several fingers.  Normally the kids are very good and in control of not touching the "hot" parts.  But I guess the excitement and their eagerness got the better of them.  Happy New Year..x

Create...

Hello Friends!  It's challenge time for the regular visitors of Get Picky.  And this inspiration challenge has you looking forward into 2012.  A New Year's resolution if you like.  Nikki and Tanya provided an extraordinarily, beautiful poem by Sandra Sturtz Hauss for you to glean some inspiration from and I've chosen one of the verses to help me create this layout...

{family}

journaling: May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours
Every day of your life,
And may you give these gifts as well as receive them.

My happiest achievement last year was capturing a family-of-six photo every month.  And no, they are not all good shots.  In fact most of the ones of me are down-right horrible... But I am still thrilled that I forced encouraged my little family to stand still for one moment, for just once a month, to capture a family portrait.

This is something I really want to continue into 2012.

This idea was challenged every single month... mostly by my husband ( 'cause the kids are used to having a camera pointed at them! LOL!!) And I know that I will see opposition to it again in 2012.  But I'll persevere and see where it takes me.

So... What is you New Year's resolution?  If you dare to scrap it, don't forget to share a link to your creation over at Get Picky.  Thanks for visiting...x

2011 in review...

Well, if it needs to be done, then today is the day... and 2011 was full of surprises.  Good and bad.  Full of many adventures and the building of some great bonds between friends.  The sad, sudden and tragic loss of my Dad in July to the wonderful family holiday we had exploring our country.  All eventful and all burned in our memories for the duration.  Too many stories to write in one post.

But what I will share is this.  I have grown more appreciative of my own little family.  I am grateful for the memories we will share and the stories I have already documented through this blog and my scrapbooking.  I am looking forward to the new challenges of 2012.  Already it promises to be an exciting year for me.

This Christmas I created some photo books to hand out to family.  Documenting our last 12 months.

This is something I look forward to doing each and every year from now on.  Sorry folks if you were the recipient of one of these book for 2011.  It looks like you may get some more in the future! hahaha!  But anyway.. I know I will be conscious of the fact that I want to now fill my Christmas photo book full of meaningful snapshots. Those quiet moments captured secretly on film, the joyous moments of our achievements shouted out for all to hear and see and of course the everyday miracles.

That is my aim for next year.  To enjoy.  To capture.  To document more and more.  Less embellishments and flourishes.  More facts and anecdotes of everyday life.

Happy New Year my friends.  I hope 2012 is good and kind to you all....x