Nevermind the glare...

Hi there to all in blog land! 

I know it's been a whole minute since my last post, I just wanted to share my most recent layout of the newest member of our family, Xavier Chase. After starting my new job a devastatingly short 8 weeks after his birth it's been harder than I ever could have imagined trying to do it all. In fact, as I sit here now I'm chicken pecking the keyboard with one hand as I hold bubby in my left arm.

All I can say is it's all worth it. Although I'm constantly griping about my job, at least I have one. I know many are out this holiday season and I have many blessings.

Now, as far as this page goes I'm split. I like it, I'm claiming it (obviously since it has its own blog post), but I just wish I could make it better. I just don't get how my title can look so straight looking at it, then when I upload the pictures it's so obviously crooked. There's always been something about my style that's a little messy. No matter what I do or how anal I get every layout seems to have my signature messy look. (It must be the rushed mood I'm always in). Anyway, the glare from my flash (I know, naughty naughty..) is driving me NUTZ, which doesn't help ANY. I really just wanted to do the layered look, FAIL. I can't help but compare my work to all the awesome pins I have on Pinterest. It's like I look at my layout (which is my own, not based off any sketch this time, just a little FYI) and I think "I really like this, it's pretty cool", then I look at Pinterest layouts and I feel >this< small. I tried misting with color  (FAIL) and the layered corner look (FAIL). I'm not totally putting this down, I just wish I had the skill to make it come out the way I envisioned in my head. *Le sigh*. 

Anywho, please feel free to share if any of you ever have these moments. And please tell me you have. Oh, and suggestions are welcome too. As well as tips. Especially if you've mastered any of my apparent lacking skills. (That would be much appreciated). Gosh I feel everytime I pick up my scrapping supplies I'm so out of the loop with what's trending! (Feel free to throw that in too :)

Awesomely Amethyst!

I can't believe I did it. I completed a series. I've only been aiming towards this goal for something like over a year now, no big deal ya know? So without further chatter here are ALL TEN layouts based on the sketches over at Scrapbooksteals.com

Well, there you have it. Some of the layouts actually have better colors but I took the pictures at midnight so my lighting is very poor. Plus I made the very poor decision to prop the pages up infront of my lit computer screen. (Slaps forehead). Oh well. Doesn't take away from my excitement!!

We have a Winner!

I know I said I'd announce the winner of the comment contest tomorrow, but I figured I better do it now while I'm thinking about it so I don't leave you all hanging!

I used random.org for the drawing. I have no idea how to get the picture of the random generator to copy over to my blog so I'll just tell you it's commenter #5!

JudyApr 10, 2012 10:25 AM

What a great idea! I hope Blogger plays nice with you later today!

Congrats, girly! email me at mndygrg@yahoo.com with your address so I can send out your prize :)

Better Late Than Never

This is my fourth attempt to post pics of the upcycled mini album. It's not completely finished, but I wanted to at least share some of it with you. I don't know what's going on with Blogger but it's definitely on my last nerve. Here goes another shot.

IT WORKED!!!!

This is the cover. I think I'm gonna add or change something. I just can't decide. I like it, but I'm not completely in love with it.

 This page has an according style fold on Kraft cardstock. It holds several photos or journaling space. I have the twine there for now to hold it because otherwise everytime you flip the page it all comes loose.

I like the little flippy on the bottom part. It's held together by brads and twine. When you unravel the twine there is space in the middle for photos plus journaling on the flaps!

This I made with more recycled cereal box. I just folded in some pieces and adhered it to the album. I covered it with more cardstock as well. The tags are also pieces of cereal box. Nice and sturdy!

 This piece on the bottom also flips up.

 This page also uses more recycled box. The tag as well. I embossed a journaling spot on the back. I'm going to add a little pull ribbon on the top for easy access.

That's what I have to share for now! I still have several more pages to finish up. I can't wait to add photos!


Don't forget to comment on MY How To'sday blog HERE by this Friday April 13th to be entered to win the Cosmo Cricket Upcycle Mini Deck!

Thanks for stopping by!

How To'sday Guest Blogger

Hello All! If you are here from Scrapbooksteals.com, Welcome!

I am so excited to be a part of the amazingness that goes on over at SS. Today I shared a way to upcycle cereal boxes into mini album pages. It's pretty quick & economical so you won't need to rush out and get tons of supplies. You can make it as simple or as intricate as you like



Here is where you can find the link to the SS blog: http://scrapbooksteals.stealnetwork.com/wp/

Unfortunately, I am having technical difficulties this morning and don't have the finished product to share with you just yet. In fact, thanks to Blogger not uploading my photos, I have none to share with you :(
 But don't fret my friends, it is coming soon! If not by tonight then by tomorrow morning/afternoon.

And for stopping by you will be entered to win a little contest. The prize is a 6x6 Mini Deck of Cosmo Cricket UPcycle to upcycle your very own mini! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog here by this Friday 11am EST. The contest is open to US and Canada. I will announce the winner Saturday afternoon. Stay tuned.

Thanks for visiting! Happy Scrapping :)

Amethyst 7 From Guest Sketcher Kyla (and another one from a while ago)

It's that time again! MWM time that is! If I actually do have any regular blog followers then you all know by now how much I love Scrapbooksteals.com and their weekly sketches. (And chances are you do too :) This week was Amethyst 7 and Kyla did an awesome job! She did two sketches this week, I chose to do the first. It really spoke to me this week. In fact I don't think I've ever completed a sketch the same day!

Here is the original :

And here is mine: 

My Grandpa Sanchez just came down this past weekend from North Carolina. I have a huge family and I'm so thankful many of us were able to get together for such a short time (only a few hours). 

As I was putting this layout in my disorganized scrapbooks I came across a layout I made for the new baby before I knew the gender. (It's a boy!). I thought it deserved to be featured as well. It's also one of the MWM, however once again I don't know which one. Obviously, there is no pic yet because, well, there is no precious bundle here yet! This will be next February when he will be 7 months (unless he comes early >_< 

Well, that's it for now. I actually started that mini album I mentioned in my last post, now to finish it! As for Project Life, well I haven't started yet. I have however started a Pinterest board in it's honor (that counts for something, right?).


See you next time! I'm off to take my munchkin to the park to enjoy this perfect weather! If I don't post before Sunday, HAPPY EASTER :)

Non Sketch Layout!

I don't think I've completed a layout without a sketch in YEARS. I like the idea of having a starting point and somewhere to turn when I get stuck.

BUT... I also missed feeling "free". I missed the feeling of just creating. So I made this layout from ideas I've had stuck in my mind for some time. I'm feeling pretty happy about it.

Now I'm off to work on a mini album. I'm not sure what the theme will be yet, but I have been wanting to start one for so long now, its about time I get on it!

Oh, and I've decided I am going to start Project Life late. I make my own rules ;)

Amethyst 4 (and one from forever ago).

Hello all!

I know its been awhile, I was on hiatus! I wanted to share this week's MWM Amethyst 4 by the talented Kristy Lee.

This was the sketch:

And this was my pretty much EXACT interpretation:

I'm happy to finally be back scrapping again! It feels so good to create. I was looking through the albums  I've created so far and I can't tell you the accomplishment I feel. But then I just got 300+ photos in the mail from Winkflash from over the past year and now I'm back to stressing about being behind. (For those of you who just caught on, yes, I haven't printed photos in almost a year {GASP!!}). 

Do you ever feel super excited to have new prints? How long does the urge to scrap last? Mine is still going strong and I still have another 300+ prints to order before the sale is up (only6cents!!!). 

So anyway, as I was looking back through albums I came across a layout I made back in Nov (or somewhere close) and never had pictures for! I just now printed the Halloween pics! When I made the layout I didn't realize that all my photos of the night were vertical so I had to switch my 2 horizontal placements. I really love how this one turned out!

This is the original that I had (I can't for the life of me remember which MWM it was):

and this is the updated version:

While I'm thinking about it, I also had a question for those of you who do Project Life... would it really be too late to start now? I'm so intrigued and I have a TON of pins on my Pinterest. (Which, btw I'll be adding a follow me button soon). Where do you get your page protectors and what kind do you use? I really just wanna dive into it!

Well, thanks for stopping by!! 

Well, thanks for stopping by!