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WEEKLY LAYOUTS - WRITING YOUR LETTERS
 I forgot to post the weekly layout this week. So here's one with the December AMM Kit. David, one of the things I regret a lot is not spending more quality time with you. Especially now that I am working from home and we're together more often. I worry that maybe I am not teaching you enough. Maybe when you go to school, you'll be behind all those other kids. I want to make sure that you have all the opportunities you deserve. A few weeks ago, I decided it would be a good idea for us to start practicing our letters. I knew you could already write your name but I wasn't sure how many of the other letters you could write. So we started practicing. Every day, we'd pick one letter and write it ten, twenty times. Over and over again until it came easily to you. About two weeks into it, we did start to slack a bit and I was feeling guilty again, so, one night, you wanted to play with my beads and I made a deal with you, I said you have to sit and write one of each of the letters in the alphabet and you could come play with me. So you did. You sat down. And began to write. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUvWXYZ. You wrote them all. Perfectly. I guess maybe I don't need to worry after all. You're doing wonderfully all on your own.  WEEKLY LAYOUTS - YOUR GIFT
 I made this layout with A Million Memories December kit (which is stunning). Journaling reads: When David was born, everyone told me how much he looked like your Daddy. "He's like a copy of Jake," they said. "Really? You couldn't pass one gene on to him?" asked my sister. But I was happy with that. I loved your dad and I thought he was really good looking and I didn't think as highly of my looks. So, to me, it was a blessing that our little boy looked exactly like his Daddy. And then you came along. For a while, it was uncertain whom you looked like. My mom kept asking and I just said I didn't know. Until a few months ago. I was looking through some of my childhood photos and I came across this one. When I put it next to the one of you I had just taken, it was perfectly clear to me that you were an exact copy of me. The resemblance was stunning. Considering how I felt when David was born, you might think this made me sad. But it had the exact opposite effect. Seeing you, seeing how cute you are, how wonderful and lovable you are, made me feel better about myself. If I looked like you, maybe I was sweet and pretty and cute, too. You, my little boy, did the unimaginable: you made me feel better about the way I look. It might seem shallow, but I promise you it's anything but. No one has had the ability to make me feel as good about myself as you managed to do. Just by being born. Thank you, little Nathaniel, for all the gifts you brought with you. For opening my eyes and helping me see things differently. For helping me see things better. For the gift that you are. Thank you. WEEKLY LAYOUT - SWEEP YOU UP
 Here's another layout I made for AMM's November kit. Journaling Reads: Nathaniel, seeing this sweet face of yours crunched up into so many pieces breaks my heart. It makes me want to pick you up and smother you with kisses. Hug you so tight that you can feel my heart beating on yours. It makes me want to protect you for the rest of your life. Make sure no one can ever cause you harm. Make sure you will never feel sorrow or loneliness or heartbreak. But I know that I can't stop those things. I know that you will have your share of sad moments and I will just have to pray that they are short and far in between. I can't stop some of these bad things from happening to you. But, right now, while you're still so tiny and feeling so much sorrow, I can scoop you up and hold you close to my heart. I can still turn that sad face into a happy one. And, for as long as I can, I will do it over and over again. WEEKLY LAYOUTS - YOU SHOULD KNOW
 This was for Ali's class and for AMM. Journaling Reads: 1. I love reading. I can read just about anything. I can read for six, seven hours at a time and never get tired. 2. I kept daily journals from 1984 to 1992. I still cherish those journals a lot. 3. I have a funny dance that I do when I feel really happy. 4. I used to drink twelve diet cokes a day before I got pregnant. 5. I am afraid of the dark. 6. I grind my teeth. I have been doing it since I was a little girl. It used to drive Yona crazy. 7. I can touch my nose with my tongue. 8. Getting my eyes fixed was one of the best things I ever did. 9. I am not a morning person. 10. I wish were a better driver. A less scared one. 11. I absolutely love your Dad with all my heart. 12. As soon as I learned how to read in English, I started reading books in English. I used to ask Yona and my mom drive me all over Istanbul just to find a store that sold books in English. 13. My first computer was a Commodore 64. I didn't get a real computer until I was in college. Now I have six computers, almost all of them are Macintoshes. 14. My favorite meal is coffee and graham crackers or bread and cheese. Or chocolate. Yes, it's a meal. 15. I have been clumsy all my life. 16. I always wished I could draw really well. Or have some artistic talent like my mom does. 17. When I was a little girl, I was really shy and I cried a lot. 18. I've always loved math. Solving puzzles. Figuring things out. I still love it. 19. I watch a lot of TV. I like the noise when I work. 20. I loved living in New York City and still miss it often. 21. I love listening to opera. 22. I am not a fan of feet. But I like mine. 23. I think good friendships are rare and should really be nourished. 24. I think music can bring sunshine into the darkest day. 25. I have half-written two novels and am working on the third. 26. I love watching Broadway shows and the theatre. 27. I have always enjoyed learning new things and miss school a lot. I plan to have a PhD. someday. 28. The first time I went camping I was twenty-nine. I loved it. 29. I always wished I had blue eyes. Or green. 30. I love taking photos. WEEKLY LAYOUT - WITH ALL MY HEART
 This is using AMM's November kit. David, in just a few months, you are going to be five years old. I can't believe you've already grown up so much and I am amazed every single day at how much you're maturing. You are one of the kindest boys I know. You always share your toys with everyone. You say thank you and please and I'm sorry. You are generous and loving with your little brother and love to give him hugs and kisses. You shriek from excitement when you go to school and when you come home. The littlest things can make you so happy. Like having graham crackers instead of oatmeal for breakfast. Like going to the grocery store with Daddy. You always say things like "You're the best Mommy ever." or "I had a fantastic day." You've been practicing your letters and can write most of them perfectly. You can spell your name and my name and Daddy's name and you're working on Nathaniel's too. You can count all the way to a hundred and you practice constantly. You have mastered the Wii and the Tivo remote and the iPod video. And the games on my iPhone. You make jokes all the time and laugh out loud. You snuggle under the covers with me and hold my hand. You say goodnight words every night. Three kisses and three hugs. I love you, I'll see you in the morning, Don't let the bed bugs bite and I love you with all my heart. Every night. I have no idea how I got to be so lucky. How I got to have a son as incredible as you. But I am thankful for it every single day. I love you, my son. With all my heart. WEEKLY LAYOUTS - HOLD ON LITTLE GIRL
 I made this layout for A Million Memories. And for Ali's Yesterday/Today class. It's a photo of me when I was little. Here's what the journaling reads: I look at this picture and I see this little girl who looks like she's having a good time. It's her birthday. Maybe the third one. She doesn't look sad to me. She doesn't look like life has broken her yet. I want to take her into my arms and give her a hug. I want to tell her that she's going to go through some rough patches in her life. That she will be teased mercilessly, rejected by her so-called friends. She will feel lonely and sad and some of these feelings will stay with her for the rest of her life. She will feel an insurmountable need to run away. To start fresh. She will think that she can't trust anyone to keep her secrets. She will pour her heart out to her diaries. For years. She will feel like if only she could leave and start over, another life, another place, she could fix it all. She will be loved but it won't feel like it's enough. There will be years of feeling small and feeling sad. Alone. I want to give her a hug and tell her to just hold on. To have faith. Because on the other side of this sorrow and loneliness, she will find an amazing life. She will make forever friends. She will find a man who loves her as deeply as she loves him. She will have two amazing children and feel more love than she imagined possible. A successful career that she actually enjoys. She will travel. She will experience life. She will discover art. And photography. And writing. Books will save her life over and over again. She will be loved. Truly loved. I want to tell this little girl her life will be amazing. She will have to go through some turbulence to get there but it will be worth every second of it. I want to hold her and say: Hold on, little girl, it's all waiting for you on the other side. WEEKLY LAYOUTS - I FORGIVE YOU I THANK YOU
 I made this layout for the second week of Yesterday, Today class I am taking at BPS. Here are all the words: Yona, I want you to know that I forgive you for throwing me into a tub full of water when we were sitting in the bathroom together. I forgive you for taking my five-dollar bills and giving me two one-dollar ones and telling me how I was better off since I had two bills and not one. (Maybe that's why I ended up being so good at math.) For calling me complaint box my whole life. For making me write all of your French homework. (It made me an even better student.) Stapling my hand just to see if it would work. Waking me up many nights so you could squeeze in bed with me after peeing in yours and making me get up first so you could make the bed over again. (I still don't tuck the sheets in.) Pushing me under the radiator. And under the swings, which caused me to split my head open. Kicking me so many times when we slept in the same bed in Israel that I split my head open. Again. Hitting me. A lot. So hard that I could see each of your fingerprints on my skin. I forgive you for not wanting to hang out with me. For making fun of me. For making fun of my glasses. (It's karma that you ended up needing them too.) For making fun of my ears. (I still wear my hair down.) For always making me take the shots at the doctor's first. Just to see if I would cry. For making fun of me. (This one deserves two entries.) For making me feel even more lonely because you were so popular. (Ok, that one wasn't really your fault.) Yona, I know that you did so many things to make me cry when I was little and I know that you wished you had a brother and not a sister. I know you were annoyed by so much of who I was and I know that as we grew up and moved away from each other, you came to regret some of the not-so-nice things you did to me. But I want you to know that you do not have to feel bad anymore. You are fully and completely forgiven. I don't want you to spend one more minute feeling bad for anything you've done or regretting anything you haven't. I love you with all my heart, my wonderful sister, and I forgive you. the other side Yona, I want you to know that I thank you for driving me for hours to the other side of town just so I could buy my favorite English books. I thank you for sending me so many letters and cards from Canada that I felt closer to you than we ever had. For always having faith in me and my abilities. I thank you for teaching me how to read. (It is, by far, the greatest gift anyone gave me.) Thank you for talking to me until the wee hours of the morning, over and over again until I realized that it really wasn't just me. Thank you for writing that amazing book about us and for apologizing. (It's not the apology that I needed, just the acknowledgment.) Agreeing to come with me so I could still go skiing even though mom and dad didn't. For buying me a present with your first paycheck ever. For coming to visit me just so we could spend ten days together, just you and me. Leaving your family behind so we could really bond. (Though they are always welcome here.) For cooking those amazing dishes and making the salads and getting my son to eat edamame. For sending me the recipes to both gateaoux salami and the salty biscuits I love so much. For convincing me that we and our kids can be very close to each other even if we're an ocean apart. (And I know you mean it.) For telling me how proud you are of me and how brave you think I am. Always telling me the truth. Supporting all of my ideas, even if they are crazy. Reading my blog. Loving my kids. (And they love you so much, too, how could they not?) Yona, I know that with you in my life, I will never ever be alone. I know that you are forever there for me and will always be on my corner. I am so thankful to have someone like you in my life and so honored that you're my sister. I want you to know that I appreciate everything you do for me, everything you are and I am so thankful for all the moments we get to spend together. And for having you in my life. I am so lucky to have you. I love you with all my heart, my wonderful sister, and I thank you. DECEMBER DAILY 2009
 This is by far my favorite project every single year. I spent the last few days putting my December Daily together. This year I wanted to make sure to incorporate my latest love of fabric and inspiration from Rebecca Sower. So this year, it's a mish mosh. Thanks to my amazing sister Yona, I have some really beautiful beads and other yummies and I cannot wait to use them daily. I decided I wanted a 6x6 this year so I could take portrait and landscape shots and still print 4x6's. I kept the pages pretty simple so that I can feel open to do as I please when the date comes. Can't wait till December. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yey for December!! WEEKLY LAYOUTS - REMEMBER THIS
 Here's another one from the A Million Memories Kit for October. Journaling Reads: i forget too often how much fun bubbles can be how much joy they bring to you i always think it will be too messy but then when we start you have so much fun with them this is so i remember how much you love them and make sure we blow bubbles much more often Weekly layouts is a weekly feature focusing on simple layouts with photos and journaling. It's posted on Tuesdays. AMM ANNIVERSARY CROP BLOG HOP & SCAVENGER HUNT
As part of AMM’s anniversary crop we’re having a blog hop and a scavenger hunt. Here is how this will work: each one of the AMM Design Team members will have a special post for the blog hop where you will have the chance to get to know them a little bit better. At the end of the post, there will be a question that will lead you on a hunt through the AMM site and/or AMM blog (the link to the AMM blog can be found on the left sidebar of the main store site). Be sure to check the anniversary crop forum for complete information on the Blog Hop Challenge.
Here’s a little interview for you to get to know me better: 1. What are your 3 must have scrapbooking products/tools? Computer for journaling and photos, glue, thickers. 2. What was the last scrapbook item you purchased? I bought the amazing Mistletoe line from Pink Paislee. 3. What was the last non-scrapbooking item you purchased? These awesome plates from pottery barn. I can't wait to get them. 4. What scrapbooking item do you have way too much of? Thickers. And yet I never seem to have enough. 5. What scrapbooking embellishment or technique do you use on almost all of your pages? Journaling? If that doesn't count, I don't use this all the time but I love using stitching. 6. What was the last movie you saw in a movie theater? Oh wow, Twilight? I have a six-month-old baby. I don't get out much. 7. What motivates you daily? My family. I love them. 8. What are your favorite scrap blogs? Well it's not scrap but it's art. I adore Rebecca Sower. Now onto the scavenger hunt! Here is your question: What are the names of the limited edition kits currently for sale in the AMM store? Now head on over to Tonya’s blog for your next scavenger hunt question! WEEKLY LAYOUT - EXERSAUCER
 The next few week's layouts are from the October kit from A Million Memories. The journaling reads: a few weeks ago i realized that maybe you were finally old enough to use the exersaucer i worried you might not like it but figured we'd give it a try as it turns out you love it even though you're still a little too young for the toys i think you just like the feeling of standing up and looking around i am just happy to see that smiley face Weekly layouts is a weekly feature focusing on simple layouts with photos and journaling. It's posted on Tuesdays. WEEKLY LAYOUTS - MY BOYS
 Here's the journaling: if someone had told me years ago that i would end up with two boys i don't know what i would have said to them would i have been happy? did i want boys? or did i want girls? as it turns out having boys was the best thing i could wish for my boys are kind sweet loving generous and they hug with all their heart just like their daddy i am so thankful /c for my boys.  Weekly layouts is a weekly feature focusing on simple layouts with photos and journaling. It's posted on Tuesdays. WEEKLY LAYOUT - 35
 I made this layout for Jake's 35th birthday. Here is the journaling: on his 35th birthday daddy wanted to eat somewhere fancy while we couldn't go somewhere too fancy because we didn't want to leave you two we did find this nice restaurant in redwood city we weren't sure if it would be ok but as it turned out it was absolutely delicious and we got to have lunch all of us a perfect celebration here are some more details:    Weekly Layouts is a weekly series where I post layouts that mostly focus on journaling and photos. A new one is posted every Tuesday. WEEKLY LAYOUT - PLAYING DRESSUP
 Here's another simple layout. Just about the photos and words. And a little bit of border punch fun. Journaling Reads: david, for the longest time you weren't into dress-up at all you never did it at school never asked for it at home i figured you were just one of those kids who didn't care for it i was wrong yona sent two costumes for you the last time amore was here buzz lightyear and the hulk now you wear them at least twice a week so i guess it wasn't that you weren't into it it was just that we didn't have the right costumes thanks so much auntie Yona.  Weekly layout is a series that focuses on simple layouts that highlight words and photos. It's posted every Tuesday. WEEKLY LAYOUT - ADVENTURES IN COOKING
 I did this to commemorate my recent cooking adventures. I like doing these layouts that are just about photos and words. I have an upcoming class on this sometime next year and decided to focus on it and see what I can do. Journaling reads: I can't cook. No I mean I really can't cook. I haven't cooked a single dish in fifteen years. But, now that we have this amazing kitchen. These beautiful, growing kids. I think it's time to learn. So now we have weekly family dinners. One recipe at a time, we're all learning to be adventurous. To trust Mom. And, guess what? As it turns out, I can cook. Just fine. WEEKLY LAYOUT - FOUR MONTHS
 I made this layout as part of a member lift at A Million Memories. You can see the original layout and the other design team lifts in the blog Journaling Reads: Dear little boy. In three days you will be four months old. The last few months have been wonderful, exhilarating, and tiring. In the last few weeks you’ve been more demanding than usual and you are really unhappy if we’re not holding you all the time. You’ve also gotten used to falling asleep when nursing and refuse to sleep any other way. This has started to take its toll on me and I am feeling more and more worn out. When I found out that I would start working in four weeks, I decided it was time for us to work on our sleep behavior. For the last two days, I’ve been spending every waking moment with you. I’ve been watching the clock and the signs to see when you start fussing so that I can put you down immediately. I have been leaning into the crib to give you kisses, hugs, and love. I have been rocking you. Whispering to you. I have been talking, praying, crying. I love you so much, Nathaniel. I know that you can do this and I know that this is the right next step for both of us. For all of us. David’s been patiently watching both of us as we struggle through this and he’s been playing on his own, being quiet when asked to, and hugging you every moment you’re awake. It’s wonderful to be so loved especially as we strive to find our peace. Even though you’re not alone for a moment, this process is really rough on me. It hurts me physically with my aching back and splitting headaches. It hurts me psychologically to have to separate this bond between us a little bit. And it hurts me emotionally to see you shed even the tiniest of tears. But I know that this is the right next step for us. We both need sleep. When we’re rested, we both feel happier and we can bond much more deeply. I have faith in us, my boy, I know we can do this. I love you with all my heart. - August 2009 THANK YOU - SEPTEMBER KIT
 This is for A Million Memories September Kit. Journaling Reads: When I was a little girl, if someone had told me that one day I would give birth to this stunning child with these unbelievable eyes that can see deep into my soul with this amazing smile that can turn my saddest days into joy I would never have believed it. And yet, Here you are.   TEACHERS
 This is for A Million Memories September Kit. Journaling Reads: David, one of my biggest dreams is for you to love school. To love learning as much as I do. I know that a big part of this is going to be the school you go to. The friends you have. The way you're taught. And the teachers. The teachers make a huge difference. They can embarrass you, make you feel small, and too scared to explore, wonder, and ask. Or they can make you soar. They can make you look forward to getting up every morning and go to class. They can be the reason you can't wait for Mondays to come. They can be the beginning of a lifelong desire to learn. I always hoped that you'd get to be lucky enough to find one of those teachers. The one that you will remember forever. The one that instilled joy in your heart. Maybe, right now, you're too young for that. But that's ok. I think, for now, I just hope that you have teachers who welcome you with open arms. Who listen to you and care about you. Who encourage your curiosity. And you know what? Last year, we had all of that. All of it. These three women were the highlight of your days. They helped you learn. They helped you grow. They made you excited about showing up to school every single day. Here's to another twenty years of teachers just like that. PENSIVE
 This is for A Million Memories September Kit. Journaling Reads: What are you thinking, I wonder. Watching that toy. What goes through your little mind? Do you want to reach for it? Are you curious what it is? Are you wondering where the boy who plays with those went? Do you want to chew it? I would give so much to be able to hear your tiny, little mind.  DEEPLY MADLY LOVED
 This is for A Million Memories September Kit. Journaling Reads: Before you came along, Daddy thought he didn't care for babies. "They don't really do much for me," he said. He likes older boys. Ones he can wrestle with. Or throw balls with. Ones he can talk to. And then you came along. And he fell in love. Deeply, madly in love. He's so very confused about the whole thing. He doesn't understand how it could have happened. How he could love this little baby so very much. That's how magical you've been, little Nathaniel. How very loved you are. Deeply. Madly. Loved. TODAY YOU
 I am working on a new Big Picture Scrapbooking class that will be on making simple layouts that focus on the photos and journaling. This is why I started scrapping. To save my memories. I don't want to lose sight of that. The rest is fun, too, but not if it gets in the way of preserving the memories. I think it's crucial that I remember that. BEING TRUE
I was reading Rebecca Cooper on write.click.scrapbook today and came across these words:
Embrace who you are as a scrapbooker...where your strengths lie, what you do best and don't be afraid to just stick with it! Let go of some of that pressure to create this way or that and I guarantee you'll LOVE the results! And it struck a chord with me. This is so true. My favorite pages are often the ones where I've stayed true to myself. Where I've journaled. Where I didn't spend time worrying about others and what they might say. It's not that experimenting is bad, it's just that I don't need to be something I am not for other people. Especially since years and years from now, these people will not be in my life but my pages will and I will want to see the pages that are true to me. So I am planning to make some changes. Do some soul searching and see what I like. Go back to the root of what attracted me to scrapping to begin with. Maybe even some experimenting for myself. Let's see what happens... Btw, I was thinking today that so many people are so snotty about scrapbooking but what is scrapbooking: photography, story telling (journaling), and some beautiful art supplies. Who doesn't like those things? I don't understand why I have to be embarrassed that I scrap. It combines all the things I love to do. So I am proud of it. THREE MONTHS
 Here is the last one of my layouts with this month's A Million Memories kit.  Journaling Reads: Little boy, today you are three months old. I can’t believe how quickly the last three months have passed. You have already grown so much. You weigh almost double what you did at birth. You are so strong and can hold your head up without any assistance. You can do tummy time like nobody’s business and you have just recently started grabbing things. Oh, and you laugh, you laugh so much and so magically that it makes everyone around you laugh. Everyone says how much you look like me and I suppose they are right. You certainly look more like me than your brother does. You have my coloring, my face shape, and maybe even my eyes. But the one thing you have that I never did is the best attitude in the world. You are the most smiley baby I’ve ever met. It takes two seconds for you to break into a smile when someone looks at you. You meet their eyes and you smile so wide that the other person cannot resist smiling right back. You’re not sleeping all that well just yet but I have hope for you. You’re already a better sleeper than your brother was at six months. I am hoping that, with time, that will just fall into place. Either way, before I know it, you’ll grow up and sleep in your big boy bed like your brother so I am going to enjoy these moments while they are still here and keep it all in perspective. Happy three months, my son. I love you with all my heart. TUMMY TIME
 Here is another one of my layouts with this month's A Million Memories kit. Love this boy. MUSIC OF MY LIFE
 Here is another one of my layouts with this month's A Million Memories kit. Love this boy. HAPPINESS IS YOU
 Here is one of my layouts with this month's A Million Memories kit. I'm working on Nathaniel's book and staying caught up. NATHANIEL'S BABY BOOK
Now that I've begun Nathaniel's book, I wanted to share a little about my process. Months ago, I bought the baby kit from Lisa Bearnson's KOTM, designed by Becky Higgins, thinking I would use it for Nathaniel.
I loved parts of the kit and wasn't crazy about other parts so I made my own amalgamation of her ideas and mine.  I started with some of Becky's cards and holders where I wrote his birth story, our tags from the hospital, the paper my sister-in-law Leila gave with the candles at my baby shower, etc. This is all the stories up to and day of Nathaniel's birth. Then comes one of the pregnancy tests I had taken. The only one that still shows the "pregnant" line. (Maybe it's gross but I save these things.) and on the back is the paper where I kept track of Nathaniel's pees and poops for the first few days.  Then comes the first piece of clothing they ever put him in. I also have his first hat and will put it in the back. And then one of Becky's monthly cards to indicate the beginning of the first month. And then the first layout welcoming Nathaniel to the world and finally a layout with one of the photos taken in his first week.  Next to the layouts is a page that has 4x6 photos from the other days on the first week. So I take photos of Nathaniel every day which means I have 7 photos a week. I scrap one and put the other six on a page that holds six 4x6's. This way the spread shows the entire week.  So these are the first four weeks of his life. All the photos and all four (plus the one welcoming him) layouts. I do this for each month.  And finally, each month ends with this long journaling paper that came with the kit where I write about that month. Oh, and, each time we go to the doctor and he's weighed, I use one of the stamps the kit came with and note his height/weight on the photo of the day when we went to the doctor. that's it! MY SAVIOR
 Last layout for Nathaniel. All caught up now. SWEET LITTLE BIRD
 And another page for Nathaniel. YOUR LOVING BROTHER
 Sorry for the bad light. Another page for Nathaniel. FOREVER
 Another Nathaniel layout. Week five. This photo makes my heart skip a beat. SO SO SAD
 Another Nathaniel layout. Week four. Love him so much. SSH
 Another Nathaniel layout. Week three. SO TINY
 I started Nathaniel's baby book. I will soon post photos of the overall setup, too. But here's one of the layouts I did in the last two days. This is from his second week. Isn't he so cute? THANK YOU CARD
 One of my new neighbors made cookies for us last week which was so nice so I made her this little thank you card. 
BLUE OR BROWN
 This is with A Million Memories July Kit. It's for Nathaniel's baby book. Week 9. Journaling talks about how I am wondering if his eyes will turn brown or stay blue.  SO MUCH LIKE ME
 This is with A Million Memories July Kit. It's for Nathaniel's baby book. Week 8. It talks about how I couldn't believe how much Nathaniel looks like me until I saw this photo. FAMILY OF FOUR
 This is with A Million Memories July Kit. It's for Nathaniel's baby book. Week 4. It says: And finally here we are, a family of four. Thank you for completing us. We love you. Palo Alto, CA. May 25, 2009. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Last time I taught Telling Stories Deeply, many of the students wanted me to teach it again. I was 9-months pregnant with Nathaniel. I had no idea if BPS would allow me to teach it again and when I would be able to. I am delighted to tell you that they have offered to rerun it and you can register here.
The number one feedback was that we make the class longer so I asked them to insert two break weeks in between so you'd have more time to digest the information, ask questions, etc. Fair warning, the material is exactly the same, including the audio, journaling spots, etc. So please don't get mad if you register again and realize that it's the same class. It's the SAME CLASS. I am hoping to put together a long list of resources and some more inspirational stuff this time around, depending on how much free time Nathaniel gives me. If you have any questions about the class, feel free to ask away. I hope to see you there! A MILLION MEMORIES - JULY KIT
 Here's the beautiful July kit designed by the wonderful Mia! Don't you love it? NATHANIEL
 This is with A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling Reads: Welcome to our lives Nathaniel. We’ve been waiting for you. You are loved and cherished. Nathaniel James. Born April 24, 2009. 6:04am. 6lbs. 7oz. 20.5 inches. JOY OF YOU
 This is with A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling Reads: I’m not known for my sense of humor. I don’t laugh very often. Except when I am with you. You make me smile and laugh every single day, my son. Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. Thank you. YOUR BIG BROTHER
 This is with A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling Reads: When I was expecting you, everyone told me to be prepared. Your brother would be jealous, they said. He will act out. I knew they were wrong, but I kept quiet. You’ll see, they said. All kids do. Well, I was right, of course. You have the best brother in the world. The day after you were born, he was already reading stories to you. And giving you kisses. You are so lucky, my boy. And so am I. FAMILY BOND
 This is with A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling Reads: My sister, Yona, doesn't visit very often. In fact, the last time she was here was seven years ago and the last time she saw you was almost three years ago. So, I was very excited when she decided to come see us. Once she arrived and you saw all the presents she brought (and there were many!) you were instant best friends. But the best memories you and Yona made were over blowing kisses. She taught you how to blow and catch kisses and you two spent hours playing that game. "It went on the ceiling," she shouted. "It went inside my tummy," you shrieked. And you laughed and laughed. David, it makes me so happy to see you and my sister share a special bond. I hope it lasts forever. MOMMY WHEN WILL I BE - AMM APRIL
 This is with the AMM April Kit. Journaling Reads: "Mommy, when will I be ten?" "In six years, my sunshine." "I want to be ten!" "You will be, soon, my love." We play this game on the way from and to school each day. You want to know when you will be older and you list all the things you will do when you're at that age. And then, a few days ago you asked, "Mommy, when will I be twenty?" "In sixteen years, my boy." "I want to be twenty!!" "Not soon, sweetie, I don't want you to be twenty, yet." "Why not?" "Well when you're twenty, you won't be living with Mommy and Daddy anymore. You'll be going to school and sleeping at school and I will miss you." You thought about this for a while, asked a few followup questions and then said, "I don't want to be twenty, yet. I want to be six!" I smiled knowing this wouldn't last long and that the prospect of living with Mommy and Daddy would soon be less than exciting but I will take what I can get and I will make sure to cherish these days when you still pick us over the alternative. PLAYING CHESST - AMM APRIL
 This is with the AMM April Kit. Journaling Reads: "Mommy, I want to play chest," you said the other day. I had no idea what you were talking about until you pointed at the chess/checkers set we had sitting on the shelf. "Do you mean chess?" I asked. "Yes," you said, "chesst." After I chuckled to myself, I told you that Daddy was the person who would teach you how to play chess. Just that week, your Daddy had been telling me that he wanted to sit with you and teach you how to play chess. I secretly thought it was too soon and that you wouldn't really pay attention properly, but I didn't say anything. And, boy, was I wrong. You learned all the piece's names and how they move within a few minutes and played with Daddy for almost an hour before your mind wandered. I was wrong to underestimate you, little boy, a little more practice and you can learn chess after all. STOMP ROCKETS - AMM APRIL
 This is with the AMM April Kit. Journaling Reads: My good friends Jess and Chris got you stomp rockets for your fourth birthday and they have become your most favorite presents out of all the ones you got. Since we have to play them outside, any possible occasion when the weather is sunny and Daddy's home has been "stomp rocket time." While I am not the biggest fan of the rockets, I love watching your joy each time one of them goes up really high. I love watching you experiment with the ways you can make the rockets go off. I love how happy you get as you send them up in the air. Pure, unadulterated joy. No wonder I can't say no when you ask to play with this toy that brings so much delight into your life. DADDY AND YOU - AMM APRIL
 This is with the AMM April Kit. Journaling Reads: Watching you and Daddy bond is always something special for me, but on this particular day, he had just come back from his 4-day trip to New York City and you just couldn't get enough of him. You wanted to sit next to him, you wanted to hug him and kiss him every few minutes. It was such a delight to watch and experience. My boy, I hope you and Daddy are this close forever. JOURNALING ROADBLOCKS AND TELLING STORIES DEEPLY
As I mentioned earlier, Big Picture Scrapbooking is giving a spot in my class today. If you haven't gone over to add your name, here's where you can do that. I've been reading through the comments and wanted to address some of the journaling roadblocks that people have put in the comments.
I went through the list and made some major categories that most of the people's comments fall into. I wanted to address them in two ways. One, to tell you whether we tackle this in the class directly or not and two to give you a few words of my thoughts on this so you can see what direction I would lead you in, in the class, so you can assess whether taking the class would be helpful to you. So here we go, in no particular order and paraphrased in my own words:
One thing I've told the students in the workshop and would like all of you to know is that I am fully commmitted to everyone getting exactly what they want out of this class. Journaling is my passion and I want to make sure that if I don't happen to address something that's in your mind, something that's holding it up for you, something that's stresssing you, that you can always post on the message boards and ask me or email me directly. I'm committed to everyone walking away with exactly what they wanted and more. I hope these answer some questions you might have. I posted more about specifically what you get each week and general logistics: here. As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I hope I see you in my workshop. WANT TO WIN A SPOT IN MY CLASS?
BPS is giving a free spot in my class. Even if you've signed up, they will refund your money so go try your chances.
Only three more days to sign up. I hope I see you there. TURNING FOUR
 With the March kit from A Million Memories. With the March kit from A Million Memories. These are photos from david's 4th birthday. i tried to blur the other kids just in case. i wanted the album to be messy and fun so i used gesso and paint and a bunch of rubons. tfl.                   SPELLING MOM
 With the March kit from A Million Memories. Journaling Reads: we received this toy for your birthday last year but forgot it in the closet so when i finally took it out you were instantly fascinated and wanted to spell everything. i patiently helped you a little bit every day but my favorite moment. was when you called me. into the kitchen and said "I have a surprise for you." You had spelled "MOM" all by yourself. Definitely my favorite moment of the week. tfl. TRICK CANDLES
 With the March kit from A Million Memories. Journaling Reads: you were very excited to celebrate your birthday at school we bought tiny little brownies one for each of your classmates and four for you. even daddy took the morning off so we could celebrate together. after we lit the candles everyone sang for you and you waited patiently until it was over so you could blow out the candles. what you didn't know was that they were trick candles so just when you thought they were out they came right back. just watching the surprise on your face was worth it. tfl. TELLING STORIES DEEPLY - DISCOUNT
 The wonderful ladies at Big Picture Scrapbooking are offering a special deal for my upcoming class: Telling Stories Deeply. You get ten dollars off my class, if you sign up for Scrapping on a Shoestring. That's a 50% savings on my class and a 30% or so savings across both classes. I know times are tough so I really appreciate that BPS is doing this. I hope it's one more incentive to sign up for my class. To read all the details click here. I don't think I really wrote up a lot about what the class will encompass and you can see some details in the class site but I wanted to share a bit more here, too. So here are some details: The class will run for four weeks. Each week we will be exploring one area of what I consider deep/authentic journaling. The focus areas build on top of each other and get deeper as the weeks pass. In each week's class, I also include one journaling tool and one writing focus. And then finally, we have the layout for that week where the journaling highlights that week's focus area. So each week you get four downloadable handouts:
We also have two chats scheduled. And of course the audio recordings from me each week and the gallery and message board which are staples of BPS. I am also compiling a long list of links to articles about writing, inspirational quotes, etc. just so you can have them on hand. I have poured my heart and soul into this class and I plan to give it 100% of myself to this class. Journaling is my passion and something that I truly believe in when it comes to scrapbooking so if I ever get to teach one single class, this is the one. If you've ever wished you could journal more or more authentically, I hope you'll join me in this class. I promise it won't disappoint. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Just click on the "share" link below. WINTER WONDERLAND BY CORIEN
My friend Corien at A Million Memories is teaching a wonderful class
called: Winter Wonderland.
You can read more here and sign up here. It starts on February 14th and, trust me, it's absolutely stunning! 
WITH ALL MY HEART
 February is my month at A Million Memories and I loved this kit! Journaling Reads: this morning, you snuggled into bed with me. you said, "i love you TEN times mommy" i said, "i love you ten times too my love" you said "i love you Five teen times" (that's a big number, you added) and then you leaned over to my ear, and said "I love you with all my heart"  WATCHING YOU AND DADDY PLAY
 February is my month at A Million Memories and I loved this kit! Journaling Reads: i love playing with you but i also love watching you and daddy play almost as much the way he tickles you and the way you giggle it just warms my heart and makes me eternally thankful for my wonderful family. PRECIOUS MEMORY
 February is my month at A Million Memories and I loved this kit! Journaling Reads: today was my day to go to CHA and you told daddy that you wanted to go to the beach so he and you went to sunset beach daddy says, when you got close to the beach, you rolled down the windows and cranked the JackFM. It was easy to pretend it was summer, with all the palm trees, the sun, and the Pacific -Beach-style neighborhood. You saw the lifeguard towers, a few surfers, the waves crashing, and you made a little sand castle. It was wonderful. i'm sad i missed it but so happy that you and daddy made another precious memory.   I LOVE YOU - AMM FEB
 February is my month at A Million Memories and I loved this kit! Journaling Reads: i love you. we say these words a lot in our house. i say it to David. he says it to his daddy. his daddy says it to me. david says it to me. and i say it to his daddy. in our family, we say i love you very often. but, for the first time, you said it to someone else. someone who is not our family. you told your friend Joseph that you loved him. i love that David. I love that you're so kind and generous. and so loving. i hope you always stay this way.  5 KEYS TO HAPPINESS
 February is my month at A Million Memories and I loved this kit!       GIFT CARD MINIBOOK BY LORI GENTILE
My good friend Lori has a new downloadable
class at A Million Memories. It's great for birthdays, mother's day,
Valentine's day or any other occasion where you give gift cards. I
love this project! You can also checkout her video here!
DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 31
 Good-bye 2008. Hello 2009. My word: bloom.  and a look at the finished book.  here's the full book. This has been the best December of my life. DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 30
 A quiet day, getting ready for the end of the holiday season.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 29
 Last haircut of the year. Doing chores in preparation for the new year. And a letter to say goodbye to 08 and to welcome 09.     DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 28
 And the continuation of yesterday.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 27
 A most fantastic day.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 26
 Today we had a playdate with David's best friend Joseph.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 25
 A truly memorable and wonderful Christmas.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 24
 Today's all about getting ready for the big day. Making salty treats for Mommy and sweet ones for Daddy. Cleaning up the house and, of course, tulips. Beautiful tulips.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 23
 Yesterday was the day we went to the movies. Really wonderful fun.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 22
 Hannukah began last night. And I finally wrapped all of our presents. It actually looks wonderful under the tree.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 21
 Today was all about the lego train.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 20
 We went to Gilroy Gardens to see the Christmas lights. It was freezing cold but a truly wonderful time for all of us.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 19
 Today was all about school. David made latkes and then he was the shabbat helper. It was really wonderful. Originally, I had an envelope for today but there was so much to write that I took it off and put these pages instead.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 18
 We took a trip to San Francisco today. We rode the Caltrain for the first time, we saw the Christmas tree in Union Square, we sat at Macy's and then we met Daddy for his company Christmas party.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 17
 Yesterday we went to watch a magician at the Children's library. It was so cute watching David try to be picked but also be quiet. We then went to the park and overall had a magnificent day. I rarely get to spend so much time with David and I felt so happy to be with him.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 16
 Baking some cinnamon rolls. Some melt downs and a letter to santa. On the back photo, the top is open and the letter sits inside.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 15
 Inside is a card that talks about my thoughts on 08.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 14
 Quiet day.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 13
 Missing the front page for this, photo to come soon.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 12
 Visiting Santa at the Stanford Mall.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 11
 I switched the before pages for 11 and 12 since 11 was a quiet day with both of us sick and 12 was move eventful. DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 10
 First time baking in this house ever. In almost three years.  DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 9
 Today I wanted to keep it simple. This little tree sits on my craft desk and I love looking at it. Makes me peaceful and happy. On the back is the lights we got to see last night in Sunnyvale. I love love love Christmas lights and I expect a bunch will end up in my book.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 8
 A few little creative menorahs at school. I went a little crazy and planned our December day by day so I wanted to make sure to record it.     DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 7
 Today's pages are about hot chocolate and how i only like crappy ones and the Alameda Antique Show we went to this morning.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 6
 Today's pages are about the holiday Caltrain and the Google holiday party.    THANKSGIVING 2008
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling Reads: Thanksgiving isn’t usually a big holiday for me. I didn’t grow up here and even sixteen years later, I still don’t really feel excited by it. I like having family around so that you can learn about its importance and start your traditions around it. This year was a special surprise for us because both Mommy’s and Daddy’s parents decided to come visit us. We went to the park, we watched Wall-e, we played the Wii, we went to restaurants, ate lots of cake and candy, everyone read to you and played with you and brought you tons and tons of presents. You got to stay up late. Not to mention the delicious Thanksgiving meal Papi cooked for us. This was a special holiday, indeed and I wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss a moment of it so I made a minibook and this little page so you can look back and remember our rare and special holiday with the whole family. OUR MEMORY
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling Reads: I remember this day so clearly. It was one of those rare occasions when I was home and wanted to enjoy the sun, so I took my book and sat in my chair in the backyard. Within seconds, you had all your toys outside so you could play next to me. I am so happy that I have a best friend like you; someone who always like to be with me and likes to play near me. You bring so much joy into my life and you have the perfect balance of being able to entertain yourself and yet stick close-by so we can share lots of memories together. SAN LUIS OBISPO
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling is about our quiet and lovely weekend in SLO. LOVED FULLY
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling is about how I love David wholly and full all my being. HALLOWEEN
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling Reads: When I went to shop for Halloween costumes this year, there was nothing for your size, except this dinosaur costume. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out but, as always, you wore it with much joy and it was a big hit. While you loved the Googleween, and going around the neighborhood for candy, your favorite part of this Halloween was opening the door when others came to visit us. “Trick or treat!” you would cheer loudly, even though I told you many times that you weren’t supposed to say that. They were. You didn’t care. You had fun and that’s all that mattered to you. Well little boy, that’s all that matters to me, too. It was so much fun watching you give candy and tell people that they could only have one! PISMO BEACH
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. Journaling Reads: Pismo beach is one of your Dad and my favorite places on earth. I can’t even explain why we love it so much but we do. During our trip to San Luis Obispo, we took one day and drove down to the beach and it ended up being the most magical day of the whole trip. There’s something, maybe the air or the water, that relaxes us and puts us in a happy mood. It must have worked its magic on you, too because you loved walking around and playing in the sand and watching the water. At the end of the day, we sat at a restaurant and ate a delicious meal, putting a perfect end to a perfect day. When I look back at these photos, they still make me smile in memory of the warm, beautiful, and relaxing day we had as a family. It also reminds me that we need to take more vacations like these. We need to take trips and spend some quality family time together. After all, what’s more important than that? PLAYIN
 These layouts are for Cathy's Design Your Life class. They are meant to be plain. This is the first time I ever saw David playing with sand! DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 5
 Today was the ultrasound for the little one and after almost two hours he or she still refused to turn around so I'm going to have to go back on Tuesday. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun. And I wanted to make sure not to forget our new tradition this year: stockings.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 4
 Didn't want to forget about the other holiday we're celebrating this year, too.   DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 3
 Today was all about decorating the tree.     DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 2
 Tree shopping and celebrating the changing of the leaves.    DECEMBER DAILY - DAY 1
 Here's the first day of my December Daily. It's about David's favorite part of the holidays: candy and mine: ornaments.     HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
 My minibook with AMM's December Kit. Instructions here.            ALWAYS AND FOREVER
 One of my layouts with AMM's December Kit. Journaling Reads: some people come into your life for a reason i still remember the day we met. the day we went to the mall. we watched lion king. the way we laughed for hours together i remember thinking we would never last it all felt too normal too nice it wasn't supposed to be this easy but i was wrong you were the perfect man for me all along you are so much more than i ever dreamt of, so much more than i deserve you are my best friend you accept me the way i am crazy as i am. you are the only person with whom i can be myself and not worry you stick by me you love me i don;t know what i did to get so lucky but i am so thankful thank you for always being there always being you always letting me be me thank you for fourteen years for the love friendship for always being by my side i love you always and forever PERSISTENCE
 One of my layouts with AMM's December Kit. Journaling Reads: you teach me lessons everyday. watching you live life so fully and simply and today you taught me the importance of trying and not giving up the way you kept trying to blow bubbles even though you couldn't do it and the joy in your face when you finally figured it out made me remember that sometimes it's important to keep trying thank you, my son. CARRY YOU IN MY POCKET
 One of my layouts with AMM's December Kit. Journaling Reads: when i was a little girl, my mom used to tell me that she wished she were a kangaroo so she could carry me around in her pocket all day long. i thought she was crazy. now that i have you, i know exactly what she meant. i look at you and wish i could hug you so tight and carry you with me everywhere because i love you so much my little boy. DECEMBER DAILY
 I finally sat down to put together my December Daily album. Here's what it looks like now. Apologies on low quality on some, the light here is not so great. Since New Year's Day is my favorite day ever, this goes all the way to the end of December.                                      SHOWING LOVE
 And a final Cathy one for this week. PUMPKIN PATCH
 One more for Cathy's class. These are plain but I love them. BLOWING BUBBLES
 Another layout for Cathy's class. It's about how hard it was for David to learn to blow bubbles. HOLIDAY MINI BOOK FORMULAS
 My class at NYC Scraps just started today. It's still not too late to sign up. There's a special deal where you get $5 off if you refer a friend. Hope to see you there! MéMé
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling Reads: Your grandparents all live quite far away so each time they visit it’s such a treat for all of us, but especially for you. When your Daddy’s Mommy comes, she makes sure to spoil you and make you laugh a lot so I love the fact that I was able to capture these few photos of how much fun you two have. IRRESISTIBLE
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling Reads: This is the face you make when you really want something. I know Daddy’s pretty good at resisting it but I’m really not. All it takes is for you to look at me with those beautiful blue eyes and my heart melts completely. Unfortunately for me, you totally know this and take advantage of it as often as you can. Little boy, you should milk it as much as you can, it may not last a lot longer. FACES YOU MAKE
 More on Cathy's class layouts. This is about all the non-smiling faces David makes that I want to preserve. ROBOT LOVE
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling Reads: A few weeks ago Daddy bought you this little robot to put together but he didn’t want to open it until a special occasion presented itself. So when our friend Adam moved into the city and we wanted to visit, we told you we’d build robots in Adam’s new house. But then I got sick and we couldn’t go for weeks. When the time finally came, you were so excited that I made sure you had two robots. You wouldn’t stop talking about the robots all the way up to San Francisco and the few hours we spent at Adam’s were some of your favorite moments of the weekend. UNCLE DANNY
 More on Cathy's class layouts. This one is about Jake's brother's visit from months ago. ROCKIN'
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling Reads: We bought this guitar a few years ago. At the time, you played with it for a bit but, as always, you grew tired of it. I’ve learned that the trick is to put each toy away for a while and then to take it out as if it’s a new toy. Then you get to enjoy it all over again. Each time you get the toy, you discover some new way to play with it. My rockstar! BED SHOPPING
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling is about how David's growing up and this is when we were shopping for his big-boy bed. YOU CAN'T CATCH ME
 More on Cathy's class layouts. Journaling Reads: There are many things I am good at as a Mom but singing you songs is not one of them. I always say that I didn’t grow up here so I don’t know many children’s nursery rhymes, but the fact is I am too shy. I don’t like my voice and I don’t like to sing, even just to you. But I am really lucky that your teachers don’t feel the same way. They’ve taught you many songs and, even better, you come home and sing them to me. On this particular day, you decided to teach me this new song but you only knew bits and pieces of it. After I heard a few of the words, I looked it up on YouTube and, sure enough, you were telling it correctly. The story of five little monkeys who were teasing the alligator and how he snapped all of them one by one. Thanks to you, I’ve learned a little story and maybe when the next little one comes, you can teach it to your sibling, too. BUSTED LIP
 I have finally started catching up on Cathy's Design Your Life class. So last night I did ten layouts in one night. They are simple but I love them. Here comes all of them. Journaling Reads: Even with a completely busted lip, you always have the best sense of humor. You smile, you laugh, you don’t let any of it get to you. When you fell at school, I was really worried, but I didn’t want to show it. I’m your Mommy and I’m supposed to be strong for both of us. But, the fact is, you didn’t need it at all. You’re plenty strong for both of us. Although it’s hard for me to look at these, I thought it was important for me to preserve this. You’re a little boy and, most likely, you’ll have many scraped knees and busted lips in your future and if (or ‘when’) those occur, I’ll be able to look and remember your strong spirit. HOLIDAY MINIBOOK FORMULAS - GIVEAWAY WINNER
Apologies for the delay, it took me a while to get all the names down.
My little boy didn't cooperate so I asked my office-mate to pick the
winner. Apologies for the blurry photo, it's really overcast here today.
 Congrats Georgia, please email me so I can get your details for the class. Our class starts next week today! If you're interested, you can sign up here. I look forward to seeing you there! YOU ARE AN ARTIST
 This is for AMM's November kit. A little mini on being an artist.         PEACE - AMM NOV
 This is for AMM's November kit. A little mini on peace.      ME TIME
 This is for AMM's November kit. FATHER AND SON
 This is for AMM's November kit. Taken last year on father's day. POLISHED PIGMENTS
 I've been taking Vivian's polished pigments class. I made these in her class and they don't do justice to her at all. I am not sure exactly what didn't do it for me but I am sure I don't like these as much as I had hoped.  LIKE TO ART JOURNAL?
I've been meaning to tell you about my friend Hilde's
upcoming class with A Million Memories. She's an amazing artist and
I have absolutely no doubt that this class is going to rock!
Between her class and Vivian's class I am excited to make some amazing art journal pages this month! SOME OTHER CLASSES
I love taking scrapbooking classes. I love teaching them and I love
taking them. So I wanted to let you know about some other classes my
friends will be teaching in the next few weeks. I will be taking all of
them.
First up, is Becca who is one of my A Million Memories design team members. I love Becca's clean yet absolutely stunning style and I am looking forward to making this minibook with her. You can find a lot more about the class here and it also has the link on how to sign up. Secondly, is my friend Vivian. I have loved and admired Vivian's art for so long, I can't even tell you. Since she's all the way in Australia, I've begged her to teach classes online since I've met her and I am so so thrilled that she's finally doing so!! She's offering two online workshops both of which look stunning to me and I cannot wait to start them!! A RARE MOMENT
 This is for AMM's October kit. PHOTO SHOOT
 This is for AMM's October kit. FIVE GUMMI BEARS
 This is for AMM's October kit. CAMPING
 This is from AMM's October kit.       LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE
 Another one with AMM's September Kit. BLISSFUL
 Made this with AMM's September Kit. I know it's simple but the story is not. This is one of those stories i've been meaning to tell for months but never got around to. this is from the day we took David to the local school to get tested for speech therapy. While dh and i were all worried about how things were going to work out, david was delighted to have found this car and played for hours while we waited. he has always reminded me that nothing is too big a deal and we should always have fun. TULIP LOVE MINI
 I've been meaning to post these American Crafts spotlights I made for A Million Memories but I keep forgetting. This one holds the crazy amount of tulip photos I took months ago.              HIDDEN VALLEY FARM
 I've been meaning to post these American Crafts spotlights I made for A Million Memories but I keep forgetting. This one holds the thirty-some photos from Hidden Valley Farm.        ANOTHER GENEROUS GIVEAWAY
Michelle's hosting another generous giveaway at A Million Memories.
 Checkout this thread to see how you can win. 10 TIPS FOR SUMMER FUN
I have always admired Kimmi's art and
I cannot wait to take the class she's teaching at a Million Memories. I
cannor urge you enough to go sign up. I have no doubt that it will be
fantastic. Click on the image to sign up.
 Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Kimmi!! She is awesome. PHOTOS ON LAYOUTS
Today's prompt from Shimelle is In general, do you prefer to
scrapbook with single photos or a group of photos? Share a few of your
favourite examples with your blog readers. I tend to scrap single photos more often than not. I tend to use 4x6. It's easy and efficient to print them ahead of time and just pull them as I sit to scrap. Scrapping is not about the photos for me. It's just about the memories and the stories so I don't use multiple photos unless it's needed for the story. TWO DAYS
 And finally my August Kit mini for A Million Memories. This is photos from the two days we spent in Boston for Danny and Leila's wedding.         FIRSTS
 Another one of my August Kit projects for A Million Memories. One of the reasons I quit my Wall Street job was to get to spend more time with the kids I planned to have. I wanted to make sure I was there to raise them myself and to see them through all their firsts. First food, first steps, first words, first time on a bike. First time blowing bubbles. The reason I care about the very first time is because it comes with a few extra emotions. The surprise on his face when he actually takes his first real step. he joy of finally getting the bubbles to come out. The face he makes when he tastes peas for the first time. The fleeting moment when it's a brand new experience emotionally or physically is incredibly precious to me. It happens once in a lifetime. Once in his lifetime. And I want to be there to experience those with each of my children. Yet, life doesn't always work out as planned. Now I find myself working more than I intended to and getting to see fewer of those special moments. That makes me cherish each one even more. This weekend, we took you to the movies for the first time. You'd been wanting to see Wall-E and we figured that if we went to a 9:15am show, we could always walk out if you really didn't like it. But you loved it. You watched the whole movie (with the help of a little bit of chocolate) and you were quiet as a mouse. After we walked out, you talked about it nonstop. I am so glad that I was there to experience it with you. It made it that much more special for me and it made me really proud of you. I may miss many of the firsts but here's one I didn't miss and I want to make sure to celebrate it. NOT READY
 Another one of my August Kit projects for A Million Memories. I ripped and redid this one three times. I decided to concentrate on journaling this month so most of my LOs have journaling: Little boy, I look at this photo and my heart melts a bit. I think it's so cute that you're so sweet to little girls. And then I stop and freak out a bit. I am so not ready for this. I am not ready for you to grow up. I know this is nothing and I know that you're years away from actually going out with girls. I also am not one of those protective moms. I want you to have girlfriends. I want you to experience love. Being loved. And everything else. I am just not ready for time flying by so fast. I haven't had enough hugs yet. I haven't been able to spend enough time with you. I want to stop time and just play with you for hours. For days. For weeks, months, years. I want to freeze time for both of us so we can have some quality time. And then you can grow up. And meet girls. And have your own life. Just not yet. TWO
 Another one of my August Kit projects for A Million Memories. This one was just with the scraps and just cause I love these two photos so much. It's David learning to sign "two." NO MORE DOUBT
 I finally finished my August Kit projects for A Million Memories. I wanted to concentrate more on journaling this month so my projects are simpler and more about the sentiments, thoughts, and feelings I want to remember. Before you came along, I wasn't sure if I wanted children. Well, that's not true. I knew I wanted kids, I just wasn't sure I was ready for them. I kept worrying about how much I didn't know and how likely it was that I would end up messing you up. Causing you sorrow or frustration. Or even worse. Life long problems. I kept doubting myself. I kept seeing friends whose parents messed them up. I kept worrying and wondering and postponing. And then, one day, I was talking to your uncle Clark and I told him about my worries and he said, "Isn't it better that a kid has a mom who's paying attention to those things? Chances are your kid will be better off because you care." And I totally agreed. I guess half the game is just trying to do right. As much as possible. And then you came along. The most perfect, wonderful, kind, generous boy. The sweetest thing ever. And I realized I was bound to mess it up but that it was ok. Because there will be no single moment in my life when I don't love you more than anything else. No moment when I won't be giving all I have. Ever. Ever. And I wondered why I waited so long. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me and I just look at your sweet face and thank my lucky starts. And I thank uncle Clark. KAREN THE ORDINARY
 This is my layout for this week's catalyst twenty at creative therapy: how do you feel about your name? Journaling Reads: Yes, Karen is an ordinary name but when you remember that I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, doesn’t it seem so much less ordinary? I love my name cause, in my own way, I feel like my parents must have known that I was going to end up needing a nice, American name so I love my name to bits. WHICH ONE
 This is for Shimelle's Freedom class. This week was about Serious vs Fun. Work vs Play. The funny thing is that I noticed I make long to-do lists for both work and play. I make sure all my moments are listed. Which made me ponder which one is which. Do I ever let myself play? With no lists? This one went way off course but it was a really useful one for my soul. SEEK PEACE
 This is an art journal page. It was inspired by a challenge at Have More Fun. I am loving the crazy directions this class is taking me. LOVED
 I don't think I ever posted this one. It fits this week's Have More Fun challenge so I thought I might as well. PAVE YOUR WAY
 This is also for Have More Fun. The challenge was to use a transparency and no cardstock. Hard to take photos of pages that are see through. A few more shots:    YOU ARE RADIANT
 This is for the Have More Fun class. The challenge was to use something lying around that's not typically what you use. I used a canvas paper from my pad and painted my own background. Can't say I love it but it was fun. I told myself I would let myself have fun with this class and see where it takes me. I am really happy with how much fun I am having so far. GIVEAWAYS FROM AMM
Two generous giveaways from A Million Memories: here
and here.
Really awesome papers. Come play!
I ADMIT IT
 And finally. This is for catalyst nineteen at creative therapy. This week's about one of your quirks. I never learned how to really drive until I was thirty. I left Turkey before the legal age to get a license (eighteen) and then went to college where I didn’t need a car. And then I lived in New York for seven years, where, again, you didn’t need a car. So I was almost thirty by the time we moved to San Diego where you couldn’t do anything without a car. Let me be the first to say that learning to drive at thirty is not the same as when you’re sixteen and dying to have some freedom. It’s scary. So here we are, four years later, and now I can drive. Well, just barely. I still don’t get on the freeway. I am still pretty nervous. But, I can go to work, to the library, and grocery store. I can also go to David’s doctor’s and mine. That’s about all I need. For now at least. OH, have I mentioned I can’t ride a bike either? Yes, I know. I am transportation-challenged. Then again, I can walk just fine. Most of the time. EXPLORE
 This is the last of my "Have More Fun" layouts for this weekend. This one combines Kelli's "use a ton of butterflies" challenge with Stacy's punch stuff from monotone papers. I love the effect. In person it's a lot more glittery. And it's not crooked in person either! 
WALL-E
 This one is also for "Have More Fun" and this challenge was to cut out a silhouette and to not use any straight edges. So I cheated by using ribbon. It was so so much fun! LAUGH
 This is another one of my "Have More Fun" layouts. Simple but I love it. And I had fun. MO-MINTS
 I'd been putting off doing any of the "Have More Fun" projects for no good reason. Actually it was because I was worried I couldn't come up with anything cool and hated the idea of sub-par stuff in my gallery. Then I realized how lame I was and decided to actually have fun. That's the point of life, after all, isn't it? This is my interpretation of Tamara's project. A little Altoid box of fun moments from this year. The image on the front is all her, so I won't take any credit for it.     ALWAYS SO SWEET
 This one was for Stacy's class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. The assignment was to do a layout in 30 minutes. It took me forever to pick the background paper somehow but the layout too really 26 minutes. FREEDOM - TRAVEL
 My second layout for Shimelle's class. Very similar to the time one, meant to work together, sort of. Here are the words: Out of all the places we went and the trips we took, there’s one that stands above all. Even above our honeymoon in the Seychelles, which was truly magical. This trip wasn’t to an exotic island. It wasn’t even out of the country. This trip didn’t require a plane. All it took was a car, a tent, two sleeping bags, and a whole bunch of maps. In the summer of 2003, Jake and I spent several months driving across the country. We visited around thirty states. We camped. We read books out loud. We listened to books on tape. We saw a lunar eclipse. We took photos. We got in a car accident. We saw the most amazing natural beauty. We ate some of the best food we’ve ever had. We spent every single minute of every day together, most of it in a car. We laughed. We argued. We were awed by nature. We saw deer, bison, eagles, and prairie dogs. We didn’t spend time worrying about the future. We were in the moment and we had fun. We had no plans. We climbed the sand dunes. We went into caves. We figured it out as we went along. When I look back upon those months, I am filled with joy. I am so glad that we made those memories. I am so glad that we felt that carefree and we spent that time together. It taught me that travel doesn’t have to be stressful or planned out. That we can be spontaneous and have the best time of our lives. All we need is a car and each other. FREEDOM - TIME
 This is my first layout for Shimelle's My Freedom class. I decided to make mine all about journaling and photos. The core of why I scrap. Here is the journaling: Time to laugh. Time to hold hands. Time to appreciate each other and enjoy each other's company. Time to care about the little fleeting moments. Time to take it all in. To observe and appreciate. Time to walk together. Talk together. Time to love. Time to let yourself be loved. Time to love yourself. Time to give more than you take. To give without expectation. To give for the joy of giving. Time to share. Time to reconnect. Time to forgive. Time to learn. Time to relax. To rest. To recover. Time to hug. Tight. Time to have coffee and crackers. Time to read. To write. Time to create. Draw. Paint. Capture. Experiment. Try. Time to let go of perfection. Time to be carefree. To let go of fear and pressure. Time to be audacious. Empowered. Time to look forward. Time to do more of what you love and less of what you don’t. Time to not commit to things you don’t really want. Time to figure out what you want. Dream big. Dream fun. Time to soar. Time to be happy. Time to make the most of today. Time to pay attention. Time to spend time wisely. Time to notice the beauty. Time to smell the flowers. ART JOURNAL - PAGE 7
 And another page inspired by Teresa's class. This is a new technique I learned from her. How fun, isn't it? ART JOURNAL - PAGE 6
 I took Teresa McFayden's latest class on art journaling and it inspired me to create this little page. My art journal has been neglected a lot lately. 
MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
 Sometimes it's nice to do some scrapping just for fun. Not cause I have something due and not cause it has to be perfect, but just cause I have a bunch of photos I want to scrap. I'm taking Stacy Julian's Have More Fun class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. And I decided to have more fun.            YOU ARE MY HOME
 This is for catalyst sixteen for creative therapy. I have many things I dream of when I think of my ideal home. I have a size in mind, a style in mind, and a place in mind. But then I change my mind. I loved New York. I dreamt of living in Tuscany. Over a lake. With a big yard. Several stories. Overlooking the ocean. The places, the sizes, the colors, even the locations change. But the one and only thing that doesn't change is who's there with me. Jake and David are my family. Anywhere they are is my home. They are my home. Journaling Reads: Each time I look at this photo, I smile and feel a strong sense of peace. It reminds me you two are all I need and want out of life. You are my why. My home. This also uses the amazing July Kit from A Million Memories. WHY - AMM JULY
 Here's another layout with the AMM kit for July. David's been in this "why" phase lately. Everything is why? where? how? What's inside? Where's the truck going? What does that mean? How? Why? I love all this curiosity even when it drives me a bit crazy. MAD - AMM JULY
 Here's another layout with the AMM kit for July. This is another one of David's faces. I love them so much. I love him so much. I HEAR A SOUND
 I got the amazing AMM kit for July. It inspired me immediately. I did five layouts in one day. I never do that much. This kit is really pretty. They are all simple but they were just so amazing, I didn't want to add more. This one is about how David always makes this face when he hears a sound. CHLOE'S GIVEAWAY
My good friend, Michelle, who owns AMM has the most beautiful
daughter I've seen. This strong, little girl and her family have had a
long and tough year. Here are some more details in Michelle's own words:
As you probably already know, my daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) last November at the age of 4. She and my family have been through a really rough last 7 months. She has been in the hospital numerous times, she has been really sick, angry, on all kinds of nasty drugs that have increased her apetite, had her physically acting out, had her in bed for weeks, left her with no emotion but sadness and a sense of joylessness. She was taken out of preschool and because of her illness we were unable to put our 3 year old son in preschool. The doctors worried that the kids would get sick in school and Chloe would end up in the hospital again. However, today, she went for her weekly doctor's visit and her blood count was at a safe level and she was given the go ahead to begin the next phase of her treatment, which is called "Maintenance." In maintenance, her blood count levels stay significantly higher than they are when she was undergoing the intense treatment that she has been receiving in the first 7 months of her treatment. She will be able to begin Kindergarten and Daniel will be able to start Pre-school. We are really excited! Chloe will have a bone marrow test on Monday and then she will officially begin her first "course" of Maintenance, which will go on for the next 2 years. In celebration of Chloe's milestone, I wanted to give-away some goodies for you. Here's the catch ~ Please post here a photo that brings you joy when you look at it. I will pick a random winner on Monday, June 30th. Here is a photo that I love of Chloe that I took at Easter: 
And here's the prize: 
click here to participate. I cannot tell you how happy this news makes me. I love you Michelle and I am so happy. INCOMPLETE
 Another mini inspired by a song. one by Alanis Morissette. I was feeling very emotional earlier in the week so I dug up my very newly bought type-writer and just let myself type away. to talk about all the things that make me feel incomplete. I then cut up the box my CI products came in and made a mini using Karen Russell's amazing Narratives papers and Samantha Walker's holey cardstock. It was really therapeutic. I feel better now :) Here's all the journaling: you will never be pretty enough you will never be skinny enough the conversations in your head are too loud the little girl inside is broken don't try to fix her it's pointless give up that it matters you have family now pretty is just skin eyes, nose, who cares if you're not the prettiest of them all. you seek acceptance from the wrong people you don't hear the nice just the critical you will not get it choose to seek from those who already do there is no formula do what works for you accept yourself give up that you're not worthy believe those who say you are not the others. you will never feel successful because as soon as it comes you dismiss it you move on to the next challenge always a bigger one harder one never satisfied or content never even savor the moment so give up that success matters what matters is the challenge be happy just do it there is no trick give yourself permission to wallow and then move on life's too short just give this one up be happy let it happen let joy in you are loved by people let them believe them it does not matter if everyone doesn't love you give up that you need it all you need is one it all starts with you karen believe in yourself trust yourself forgive yourself give yourself love and kindness believe in your incomplete self. Thank you to Creative Imaginations and A Million Memories for the beautiful paper.         SAN DIEGO 03-06
 I used the Creative Imaginations tag book and Christine Adolph's beautiful tidepool line for this little book. It is to commemorate our years spent in San Diego. Thank you to Cosmo Cricket and A Million Memories for the beautiful papers.                     YOU'RE GONNA MISS THIS
 This is done with Karen Russell's amazing Narratives line by Creative Imaginations. It was inspired by a song and it's for the days where David aggravates me and where I wish he would grow up already. This is for me to remember that i will miss these moments so so much! :) You can download the instructions for this mini by going to this link. Thank you to Creative Imaginations and A Million Memories for the beautiful paper.          TINY MEMORIES THAT MAKE ME SMILE
 This is a mini I made with the AMAZING Karen Russell papers from Creative Imaginations. This book is to commemorate a lot of small moments that make me smile when I think of them. Memories I never want to forget and memories I will come back to on sad days. Yes I went a little crazy with the stickles. :) Thank you to Creative Imaginations and A Million Memories for the beautiful paper.             OPAPA, AMORE AND YOU
 This book is to remember the time my parents came to visit David and us :) Thank you to Cosmo Cricket and A Million Memories for the beautiful papers.             DAILY ATCS - WEEK 24
 DAILY ATCS - WEEKL 23
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 22
 It's been a while. I am trying to catch up. NOTE TO SELF
 This is for A Million Memories June Kit. I used the USPS box to make a minibook. You can find the link to download instructions for this mini here.          HAPPINESS IS YOU TOGETHER
 This is a LO I made for A Million Memories June kit. Journaling is about how much I miss my sister and how happy this photo makes me. WATCHING YOU LAUGH
 This is for A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling Reads: My wonderful boy, Today we took one of our walks. You were in a funny mood and kept putting your hands on your ears and singing. I had no idea why you were doing that and kept getting frustrated cause I wanted to talk to you. But then I stopped for a moment and watched you have fun. Watched you laugh with all your heart and it made my day. I realized that sometimes our walks don't go the way I want but that's okay cause they are not my walks, they are our walks. And honestly the best part of any day is watching you laugh and seeing you smile. How can I ask for anything more? April 08 PLEASE
 This is for A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling is about how this is David's "Please Mommy" face. So very cute and irresistible. MOMENTS OF JOY
 This is for A Million Memories June Kit. Journaling is about how David has hundreds of faces and they all bring me so much joy. GENEROUS GIVEAWAY
If you're into scrapbooking nearly as much as I am, you'll be very
excited to see this:
Michelle, at AMM is giving away the new, and very happy, Cosmo Cricket line. Check it out here. JOY - MAGISTICAL MEMORIES
 I was one of the lucky ones to receive these amazingly versatile Magistical Memories chipboard for being on the AMM DT. In this one, I used a lot of glitter. It shines orange or green depending on your point of view. SWAK
 I was one of the lucky ones to receive these amazingly versatile Magistical Memories chipboard for being on the AMM DT. FINGER PAINTING
 I was one of the lucky ones to receive these amazingly versatile Magistical Memories chipboard for being on the AMM DT. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 21
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 20
 YOU ARE MY LOVE
 I was one of the lucky ones to receive these amazingly versatile Magistical Memories chipboard for being on the AMM DT. INNOCENT
 This one is withAMM's Beautiful May Kit. BECAUSE I NEVER EVER WANT TO FORGET
 More with the beautiful papers from Around the Block for being on the AMM DT. A MEMORY IN THE MAKING
 More with the beautiful papers from Around the Block for being on the AMM DT. OUR MOMENT OF LOVE
 More with the beautiful papers from Around the Block for being on the AMM DT. ROBOT
 I was one of the lucky ones to receive beautiful papers from Around the Block for being on the AMM DT. This is the simplest LO i made with them. My DH thinks it's too simple but I like it so I wasn't willing to change it. The journaling is about how David played "robot" when DH and I were at school in the parent-teacher conference. Apologies for the photo. I have tired 4 times and will try again tomorrow to take a clearer one. POSTCARDS
 From a Graphic45 spotlight for AMM. I love these papers so much!! I don't normally do vintage stuff but they inspired me to do so. I took photos from our recent trip to Santa Cruz and made them look old and vintagy. I then made postcards out of each of them and stamped over them etc.            MY ANGEL
 From a Graphic45 spotlight for AMM. I have this photo of David from bedtime that I love and I just wanted to capture it and my words only so I did something simple. I cut out clouds and put them on with dimensional tape. I then added wings to the photo and put a little "halo" over the A of Angel. The journaling is about how much fun we had that day and how funny and sweet David is.   A BOY AND HIS ANT
 From a Rusty Pickle spotlight for AMM. This is a little children's story I wrote using David's photos. David's been really into ants lately so I wanted to commemorate that. I also painted the papers as if a kid drew on them with crayons. The story goes like this: There once was a little boy named David who was friends with an ant. They did everything together. They went everywhere together. They were friends. But one day, the little boy lost his ant. He looked everywhere. Desperate, he went to the chicken and asked if she'd seen his friend. He then went to talk to Mrs. Pig but she hadn't seen David's ant either. He checked every tree and talked to the other ants he saw along the way. He looked for hours and hours. He walked all over, searching. He turned every stone he could find to see if his friend was stuck or playing hide-and-seek. He walked up the stairs to the house where they were staying to check if he took a nap. But the ant was nowhere. He wasn't sleeping or hiding. David was tired. Just when he was about to give up, he decided to check one more place and there he was! He greeted his friend. And finally the boy and his ant were united once again. David was really happy.            MY HEART MELTS
 From a Rusty Pickle spotlight for AMM. The journaling is about how my heart melts each time I see these photos of David. I cannot believe I got so lucky as to have such a beautiful, kind and generous son. I am so blessed. MOMENTS
 From a Rusty Pickle spotlight for AMM.     ALWAYS FOREVER
 Done with AMM's May Kit. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 19
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 18
 THE BOOK OF ME
I am so excited to announce that I will be teaching AMM's first online class:
The Book of Me: Six easy and six not-so-easy facts about me.
 You'll have access to a students-only board and here's some more information about the class: This album will guide you to make a minibook containing 6 easy and 6 not so easy facts about you. Each page of the minibook will be a list of six things on a particular topic, like songs you like or places you've been. There will be six pages of easy and fun facts about you and then six pages of deeper, more meaningful facts. A total of 14 classes will be spread across three weeks to give you plenty of time to catch up. Each class will contain an example page from Karen's minibook with alternate ideas, photography tips, journaling tips, and lot of other inspiration. You will have access to a private bulletin board where you can ask questions, show off your minibook pages and share the joy of creating a memorable and meaningful album for yourself and your loved ones. The best thing about this class is that you can use your own stash and your own, unique style to create your book. It will be 100% authentic to you. You can find a lot more information here. and register for the class here. I hope you join us! You won't regret it! BECKY'S AMM CLASS - WELCOME SIGN
My good friend Becky has her first class up at AMM. It's this beautiful
sign: Go check it out here. It's absolutely beautiful! DAILY ATCS - WEEK 17
 The set from last week. IF FOR ANY REASON...
 And finally, this is the minibook I made for AMM's DT call. It's inspired by my friend Lori who told me about this submission to Chatterbox about an album for your kids. So that if anything ever happened to me and Jake, David would have letters from us to read on each of the big occasions on his life. The pages are: 1. overall letter 2. first day of school 3. first love 4. first heartbreak 5. graduation 6. first job 7. first home 8. wedding 9. first baby 10. whenever he feels alone in life I used the an envelope minibooks so I could put our letters inside. And the photos are of David are from youngest to now up as we get towards the end of the album. You can see the full album here. And there's a link on the side, too. YOU AND ME ALWAYS
 This is another one of the layouts I did for AMM's DT call. It's about how I will always be there for David. BEST FRIEND
 This is one of the layouts I did for AMM's DT call. JUST LIKE MOMMY
 Here's the layout from today. We took David to his 3-year appointment a few months ago and he wouldn't let go of his book the whole time which is exactly how i was as a child (and still am). The little shininess didn't photo well but I tried.  LIFE LESSONS
 This is a minibook I had made for the Maya Road CHA call. It's called Life Lessons from the playground. It was selected and showcased in Maya Road's booth at CHA Winter 2008. You can see the full album here. YOU'RE NO ANGEL
 I'm still trying to do a one-hour layout daily. Day two. So far so good. I've actually done two today but the other one is a future catalyst. The journaling is about how we caught David sneaking into the candy drawer and how he figured out that if he opens the bottom cabinet, he can step on the ledge and gain the extra few inches he needed. I guess he gets points for creativity. FRIEND
 This is the one-hour layout I did today. The journaling is about how we were worried David wasn't playing with any kid his age until he met Franklin. And then we realized, there was nothing wrong with him. He was just picky. MOMMY: I DIEGO
 So I decided I wanted to scrap more so I can use some of the materials I have. I have so much of everything and I keep buying more so I need to use some. I also want to start scrapping a bit faster, not to save time but just not to wonder too much, let the process be more organic and see if I can trust my instincts a bit more. So here's attempt one, from last night. This photo is of David wearing the little Turkish backpack book my sister got him when he was born. The other day I came home, and he was wearing it, telling me that he's Diego and that he needs some rope. He's a riot my little one. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 16
 And this catches us all the way up. I can't believe it! DAILY ATCS - WEEK 15
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 14
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 13
 The last day is still waiting for the photo to be printed out. I will replace it when I have the photo. I am almost caught up. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 12
 AMM APRIL KIT - MOMMY SAYS MINIBOOK
 A little minibook to remind David all the things he should remember to have.           And that's it with this month's kit. AMM APRIL KIT - MARCH 2008
 My calendar page for March. AMM APRIL KIT - IN MY HEART
 This has e.e.cumming's poem on it. i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling) i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)  AMM APRIL KIT - LOVE
 My mom and David. AMM APRIL KIT - CHINA DOLL
 April is not my month usually but Michelle did us a favor. Isn't the kit magnificent? DAILY ATCS - WEEK 11
 The beginning of March now almost there. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 10
 DAILY ATCS - WEEK 9
 Here are the ATCs from this morning. Sort of subtle today. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 8
 And the ones from this morning. A lot of blue today. Can you tell I got some new stamps? DAILY ATCS - WEEK 7
 Here are the ones from this morning. New stamps coming soon, can't wait. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 6
 And here's to week 6. Will be all caught up in about 10 days. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 5
 Almost finished with January. Catching up is half the fun. Hope you like these. 21 - INSIDE BACK COVER
 And the inside of the back cover. All done with this little project. I love how the book turned out. Now on to painting ATCs.  21 - INSIDE COVER
 Since my little book only has 20 pages, I decided to paint the insides of both the front and back covers to ensure I went all 21 days.  21 - DAY TWENTY
 One more day left. This one is quiet, or at least I think so. And there's a secret shiny butterfly below.  DAILY ATCS - WEEK 4
 Here is week four. More coming soon. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 3
 Here is week three. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 2
 Here is week two. DAILY ATCS - WEEK 1
 Here is week 1. DAILY ATCS
 This is a new project I started to do a little painting and daily cards with David's daily photos. I will put a section on the side so you can see them daily and I will only post them here weekly. The first two weeks are scrapping. The rest will be painting. 21 - DAY NINETEEN
 And here's the one from this morning. Almost at the end of this journey. Quite sad. 21 - DAY EIGHTEEN
 and here's a side look:  21 - DAY SEVENTEEN
 Not a big fan of this one, but today's been a bit chaotic so I am glad I painted at all:  21 - DAY SIXTEEN
 21 - DAY FIFTEEN
 21 - DAY FOURTEEN
 21 - DAY THIRTEEN
 21 - DAY TWELVE
 Here's another view:  21 - DAY ELEVEN
 Apologies for the delay in posting these. I have actually been doing them daily. Here's another look:  CREATIVETHERAPY
 It's live. Come play. 21 - DAY TEN
 I took it easy today since I was sick. Very shimmery though.  21 - DAY NINE
 Almost halfway. 21 - DAY EIGHT
 And here's day eight.  21 - DAY SEVEN
 And here's another view.  21 - DAY 6
 And the one from this morning. Nothing like starting every day with some paint. 21 - DAY 5
 Still going strong on these. 21 - DAY FOUR
 Day Four! 21 - DAY THREE
 Day Three. 21 - DAY TWO
 21 - DAY ONE
 Here's day one. 21 - COVER
 I am doing Rhonna's 21 Day challenge where you do something for 21 days so it becomes a habit. For my theme, I chose 21 days of creative freedom. So I am applying some of what I learned at Paulette Insall's class. I hate my handwriting but I love painting daily. I've also added it to the side so you can see the full thing at once. BIRTHDAY PARTY - AMM MARCH
 And finally the minibook I made with AMM's March Kit. I love the Scenic Route album so much.     TURNING THREE - AMM MARCH
 Here's another layout with AMM's March Kit. Photos from the little celebration we did on David's actual birthday. CONFIDENCE - AMM MARCH
 Here's another layout using AMM's March Kit. The journaling is about how David has so much wonderful self-confidence right now and how over the years, if he ever doubts himself he should pull out this page and remember how he was now and remember that he's amazing and has no reason to doubt himself. FEBRUARY - AMM MARCH
 Here's the February calendar with the laftovers from AMM's March Kit. I love doing these so much! MICHELLE - AMM MARCH
 Here's one of my layouts with AMM's March Kit. This is to commemorate David's first best friend and speech therapist, Michelle. Here's a closeup of the journaling:  THE PROCESS OR THE OUTCOME?
I haven't been scrapbooking that long. I started right before David was
born but didn't really, seriously get into it until last spring. One of
the complaints I see everywhere I go is how much people complain about
how many (or few) layouts they've finished. I'm always sort of taken
aback by this.
To me, it's not about the quantity of pages you've finished. If you really just want a way to display all the great photos you've taken, there are photo albums both in real life and online to allow you to do that. If you're mostly about the stories, you can blog or write in a journal. You can even combine the two in a blog or journal. You don't need to do scrapbook layouts for that. Cathy was just writing about how the pages with just photos miss the point for her. What is scrapbooking for you? This is a serious question. Why do you do it? I've been thinking about this a bunch lately. Here are my reasons:
So there you have it. For me, it's not about getting published, getting recognition, or using the most latest product. Most significantly, it's not about getting it done. The process is half the reason I do it. If I am lucky, it will never be done. It will go on forever, until I can no longer hold paper and glue. For as long as there is life, photos to capture and stories to tell, there will be scrapbook pages to create. So what's the rush? Enjoy the journey. PAINTING CLASS
Have I mentioned that I signed up for Paulette's organic
dimension class?
I am so excited. I love the idea of mixing things up in my scrapping. I
love stitching and I love the idea of using fabric, found items, and
paint. I adore her work and can't wait to get started.
JOURNALING GALORE
Thanks to some wonderful comments, I spent some time going back and
reading the journaling on my layouts today and realized how much I
already love reliving the memories. I can't even imagine how much more
wonderful they will be to remember years from now. Here are a few of my
favorites: imperfect,
sign, today, magical
moments, you
make me happy, staying
up, no
sad, and more recently clouds and, of
course, not
just a dinosaur. I love having the words along with my favorite
photos. I love some of the other layouts too, but it's these with the
words that I go back to over and over again to relive the moments.
This is for me to remember that it's always worth it to take the time and write the story. Always. Always. CHA WINTER 08
It was really wonderful fun to get to go to CHA in Anaheim. I got to
meet the amazing AMM
ladies. I didn't take nearly as many photos as I should have but here are a
bunch.
OUR GARDEN
 And finally, another album with Pageframes. Love these photos. Here's the full album. I LOVE...
 A minibook for my little boy, using the wonderful album I received as AMM DT. Here's the full album. BOOK LOVE
 Here's another layout with the wonderful SEI papers. SOAR
 Here's another layout with the wonderful SEI papers.  I am starting this new album of "advice from mommy" here's the first LO for it. journaling reads: There's nothing you can't do. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Ever. If you know what you want to do, if you feel passionate about something, go after it. Give it all you have. If you get it on your first try, you were lucky. Most people aren't. If you really want something, you have to work for it. Sometimes you have to work very hard. Other times, it might feel like you will never achieve it. But, my son, it's still worth trying. Be unstoppable. Because, along the way, you will discover marvelous things. You will learn. You will grow. You will find your own limits and you will stretch yourself. And life is all about expanding and discovering. Maybe you will never reach the end goal you've set for yourself but you will have achieved so much along the way that it will be worth it. Don't let others' negativity or weakness get in your way. Believe in yourself. Give it all you have. Spread your wings and soar. CLOUDS
 I was also lucky enough to receive SEI Jolie Chocolat papers as part of being AMM DT. What a blessing. Journaling Reads: Last Wednesday, I came home early and got to spend a few extra special hours with you. You were in a good mood, and we decided to play on the bed for a while. We hugged, we kissed, we tickled, and we laughed. Finally we leaned back, and lay on the bed together. You put your arms behind your head and said, “Clouds, Mommy.” It took me a few minutes to understand what you meant. I closed my eyes and let my imagination take me where you were. It had been raining for days and I enjoyed having blue skies with puffy, white clouds. Even if imaginary. Then you looked towards the edge of the ceiling, where it met the wall and the light wasn’t reaching as much, and you said, “Dark clouds.” I couldn’t help myself; I let out a chuckle. This is one of the millions of reasons I want to spend all my waking hours with you, David. Your wonderful imagination and creativity reminds me that life is wonderful and I love experiencing the world through your eyes. Thank you, my delightful son, for giving me the opportunity to share it with you. JANUARY 2008
 Here is the January calendar I made with A2Z papers I received as being a part of AMM DT. These calendars are the brilliant idea of another one of our DT members, Kimmi. Aren't they the best?   MOMMY I SO ANGRY
 Here is another one of my layouts with A2Z papers I received as being a part of AMM DT.  WATCHING IT RAIN
 Here is one of my layouts with A2Z papers I received as being a part of AMM DT.  MUIR WOODS
 Here's the second minibook I made with the Hambly papers I received as being on AMM DT. It's one of my all time favorites. It has a lot of photos, so I made it a separate page. Click for full album. GRATITUDE JOURNAL
 Here's the first minibook I made with the Hambly papers I received as being on AMM DT. It's a gratitude journal.        LIVE TO CREATE
 Here's layout two with the Hambly kit.  NOT JUST A DINASOUR
 I was lucky enough to receive some wonderful Hambly products for being on AMM DT. This is a two layered LO. The journaling is on the bottom and says: To the naked eye, this looks like a toy. A little dinosaur. But, to me, it’s so much more than that. When the doctor first told us that he was concerned about how little you spoke, I didn’t really feel as worried as he seemed to. Six months later, when you were still not putting two words together, we agreed to get you evaluated, just in case. There were many things the evaluator said but one of them stuck with me much more than others. She asked me if you had any imaginative play. Did you use any objects and have them interact with each other. Did you feed a baby doll? Did you make the farm animals talk to each other? We had to admit, you didn’t. Sometimes, you’d make your dinosaurs roar. But that was the extent of your imaginative play. That’s when I officially started getting worried. Maybe there really was something wrong with you. Maybe it wasn’t all going to be okay. That evaluation brought on another and the next thing we knew, you were in speech therapy. The word explosion took a while to come and the articulation still isn’t there, but a few weeks after therapy started, I was sitting on the couch and saw you feeding your dinosaur. You gave it a spoon of food. You named them the Mommy dinosaur and the Baby dinosaur. Next thing I know, your toys were interacting with each other. Not only did you have imaginative play, your whole world became imaginative play. That’s the moment I knew we were going to be okay. I knew that your speech may take a while longer and maybe you’d need more therapy for the articulation, but there really was nothing wrong with you. You are just taking longer to express yourself than other little boys your age seem to. And that’s perfectly fine, my little one. Your plastic dinosaurs are spread all over our house. To visitors, they are colorful toys. To me, they are reminders that everything will be all right. ART JOURNAL - PATIENCE
 Text Reads: Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? ART JOURNAL - FOREVER
 Text Reads: Therefore the Master: acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.   ART JOURNAL - MY JOURNEY
 Looks like I am really behind in posting some of my recent work. Here's me catching up. Text Reads: A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - THE FULL ALBUM
 Doesn't it look magnificent? JYC - BACK COVER
 For completeness sake. JYC - INSIDE COVER
 For completeness sake. JYC - PAGE 37 - LAST WORD
 I am so glad I did this journal. It made this year magical beyond all years. JYC - PAGE 36 - PUTTING IT ALL AWAY
 And now it's all over. Here's to next year. JYC - PAGE 35 - REMEMBER FOR 2008
 What to remember for next year. For me it's all about getting the presents ahead of time. JYC - PAGE 34 - PERFECT MOMENTS
 This year really was one of the best Christmases I've had in my life. JYC - PAGE 33 - CHILDLIKE INNOCENCE
 All the joy and anticipation and hope the new year brings is intoxicating for me. JYC - PAGE 32 - RESOLUTIONS
 Looking towards 2008. JYC - PAGE 31 - NEW YEAR'S EVE
 Finally took photos of the last few pages. Here's the last one for the month of December. OUR TREE - AMM JANUARY KIT
 Design Team minibook with AMM's wonderful January kit. Since it was our first real tree in ten years, I decided it was worth commemorating.       BLISS - AMM JANUARY KIT
 Design Team layout with AMM's wonderful January kit. I love this photo and the sense of calm it gives me. Journaling is under the flap in the bottom. MOMMY TAKE PICTURE - AMM JANUARY KIT
 Design Team layout with AMM's wonderful January kit. Journaling Reads: When you were born, I took your photos constantly and you never objected. (Well, you didn’t have much choice.) As you grew up, you went through a phase were you were very annoyed when I approached you with a camera. “No picture,” you’d say over and over again. Those months, most of the photos I captured were angry, frustrated, or annoyed faces. I didn’t mind too much, I loved those faces almost as much as the happy ones since they were all different parts of you. I figured I should capture all I can while you still let me take any photos. I thought that eventually you’d find clever ways to hide from the camera. I have been preparing myself for that day. But, today, you completely shocked me. You walked up to the camera, gave it to me, and said “Mommy, take picture,” and you gave me the sweetest smile. I didn’t care that the light was terrible and that it would be blurry. I captured the moment and thanked my lucky stars. HOLIDAY LIGHTS - AMM JANUARY KIT
 Photos from our neighborhood during the holiday season. Design Team layout with AMM's wonderful January kit. GOOGLE 2007 - AMM JANUARY KIT
 Photos from Google's yearly holiday party. Design Team layout with AMM's wonderful January kit. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 30 - LOOKING BACK
 This prompt was about your looking back to 2007. I counted all my layouts and minibook pages. Quite a bit, I might add. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 29 - PHOTOS FROM CHRISTMAS
 Today's prompt was actually to design your cover. But she also suggested we could do photos from Christmas and I couldn't pick one. So I picked two of my favorites: david opening presents and eating all the leftover chocolate.   MAYA ROAD - THANKFUL
 At the class I took over a month ago, we also had a session by Maya Road where we made this banner album for Thanksgiving. The original one is absolutely beautiful. I didn't have enough time so mine is really plain. The letters have glitter on them and are really shiny in real life. I love this set of photos from David so I still love it.          I am so thankful for you David. CREATIVE CAFE - NOTES
 Another minibook from Danelle's class. I love this and am reserving for letters I want to write since the pages are tall envelopes. CREATIVE CAFE - JOURNAL
 Another small project we did in Danelle's class. I am not fully sure what I will use this for yet, but I like the loose feel of it. Maybe I will keep it for journaling ideas.  CREATIVE CAFE - DAVID - YEAR THREE
 The third book from the class I took where Danelle Johnson introduced her new Creative Cafe line. This is year three.       CREATIVE CAFE - DAVID - YEAR TWO
 The second book from the class I took a day-long class where Danelle Johnson introduced her new Creative Cafe line. This is year two.       CREATIVE CAFE - DAVID - YEAR ONE
 Over a month ago, I took a day-long class where Danelle Johnson introduced her new Creative Cafe line. The lectures were so profound, so life changing, that I didn't end up scrapping much at all. So I brought the directions home and the materials at home and didn't complete the albums until today. I still haven't journaled them but I have done all the prep work. In my minimalist style, of course. Trust me that Danelle's designs were much prettier. Also, she has hard plastic see-through covers for the albums but I wanted to use those elsewhere so I took them out. It was three albums of 12 pages each, so I used them to commemorate David's first three years since he will be three in five weeks. This is year one, when he was a teeny-weeny baby. Each page has a chipboard that comes out and there is one photo on each side. I didn't photograph the photos since they are not new.       SLOW DOWN - ART JOURNAL
 Here's the first page of my art journal. I kept telling myself to relax and have fun with it. I went from dark blue to white to symbolize relaxing and slowing down. There's a sheet of kanji in the back on the right side but it's barely visible. And, as promised, a quote from Tao Te Ching: Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe. JOURNEY - AN ART JOURNAL
 I've wanted to keep an art journal for a few years. I've even attempted starting one several times but I never fully did it. So this is my year. This is also the year I want to concentrate on the journey and not the destination. As this is the pensive time of year for me, I've also been reading the Tao Te Ching and I will be incorporating a lot of its quotes to my journal this year. This year, it's about slowing down, letting things go, stopping trying to control, taking what I get, and being present. It's all about the journey. Enjoying every moment of life and not trying to cram everything in. I picked a Rusty Pickle minibook to do my journal in. Its size spoke to me. It's 6.75" by 11" or so. Big enough canvas to give me space but not so big as to be intimidating. I hope to do a page a week or so. It's a "gated" journal so it opens from the middle. Here's the back cover.  Of course, I also picked journey as my one little word. Here's to a fantastic journey in 2008. YEAR-END SALE AT AMM
If you're looking for fantastic year-end sales, A Million Memories,
where I am a Design Team member is having a sale. 10% off if you use the
code 1231 at checkout
And here's the beautiful photo of our January kit which I had the luck to work with and will be posting layouts from really soon:  Happy Holidays, may your year be filled with wonderful memories to capture on scrapbook pages. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 28 - WEAKNESSES
 This prompt was about your weaknesses during this season. Mine is being lazy... journaling is inside the folder. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 27 - SLEEPING IN
 This prompt was about how your sleep habits change during the holidays. Since Jake is so gracious enough to let me sleep in, I become a night owl during the holidays since nighttime my only time to myself.  NO WORDS NEEDED
 I adore this photo beyond words. It makes me happy inside. I love you, so much, my son. Another layout with the Zoe Line by KI Memories Love, Elsie thanks to the wonderful ladies at A Million Memories. I DADDY
 Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch when David sat on Jake's chair with his large calculator and said "Mommy. I on computer. I Daddy." I laughed and laughed. At least he didn't say "I Mommy." Another layout with the Zoe Line by KI Memories Love, Elsie thanks to the wonderful ladies at A Million Memories. CLICK CLICK
 David's been really into having his photo taken lately and playing with the camera. The other day, he grabbed his little toy and click clicked like it was a camera. He even pulled it back to "look" at the "photo." Another layout with the Zoe Line by KI Memories Love, Elsie thanks to the wonderful ladies at A Million Memories. SCRAP RESOLUTIONS 2008
 I was one of the lucky few to receive the Zoe Line by KI Memories Love, Elsie thanks to the wonderful ladies at A Million Memories so I made this little minibook about my 08 scrapping resolutions.        WHY I LOVE NYC
 AMM sent me some of these beautiful Autumn Leaves papers. The line is called Manhattan so I thought it was only fitting that I made an album about how much I loved NYC.        JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 26 - THE DAY AFTER
 And another Christmas is over. Now we rest. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY
 12 more days left in shimelle's course. CREATE - FOR INSPIRATION
 My first acrylic album ever. Just needed to have some fun.          JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE
 A few ornaments are made. Not the greatest but I love them nonetheless. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 23 - STOCKINGS
 We don't really do stockings. I never understood the tradition so much. I sewed a little pocket and put my card in it. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 22 - LEFT TO DO
 I still haven't made the ornaments I've been meaning to make for weeks. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 21 - YOUR HOUSE NOW
 The outside of our house as of 3am last night. I love the lights. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 20 - UNEXPECTED
 My pleasant surprise this year was how wonderful Jake was about the holidays. He put up the lights, he took us tree shopping. He washed the tree and did everything. He is wonderful. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 19 - LETTER TO SANTA
 Had fun with this one. Sewed a mesh and put my letter in it. Ho ho ho. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 18 - DINNER
 Since I don't cook, there will be no cooking for Christmas. At least not by me. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 17 - THE PERFECT GIFT
 This prompt was about finding the perfect gift. I did all my shopping in two hours and didn't get to buy anything ideal for anyone. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - PAGE 16 - THANKFUL
 Thankful for so much this year. SONGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY
 I used the CI D-Mensions Blossoms and Piggy Tales Jack and Jill lines that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. Here's small version of the journaling: 1. Son of a Preacherman - my DH, his roommate, and I played this on repeat non-stop (night and day) for over 5 months when I was in college 2. Something to Talk About - first week of college, my first set of friends played this on continuous loop for a Freshman talent show and we used this song to cheer us up all throughout college 3. Cinderella - This is a song from high school, always always cheers me up. The journaling is about how hard it was to find the CD for it since I had no idea who sang it. 4. The Wrong Way - DH and I listened to this over and over again, driving from NYC to Boston, where our parents were to meet for the first time 5. Making Love Out of Nothing At All - My favorite memory ever, a few weeks after DH and I started dating, we were at the airport, returning home for the holidays and I was on the plane, listening to this song, looking out of the window, when I saw him at the terminal waving at me (even though he couldn't see me). He waved the whole time until my plane pulled away. Here are the rest of the pages:      KEYIF
 I love this wonderful paper. This is a shot of David relaxing and enjoying his life. Keyif is a Turkish word for bliss. I used the Piggy Tales Jack and Jill lines that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. HAIRCUT
 Really simple but I kind of love it. I used the Piggy Tales Jack and Jill lines that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. AMORE AND OPAPA
 A wonderful photo I captured while my mom and dad were here and playing with David. I used the CI D-Mensions Blossoms chipboard and Autumn Leaves papers that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. ORNAMENTS
 Ornaments for David's Christmases. I used the CI D-Mensions Blossoms chipboard that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. Here is the back: 
MOM AND DAD
 This is a photo of my parents that I love. I used the CI D-Mensions Blossoms chipboard and MAMBI papers that the AMM ladies sent me for DT spotlight. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 15 - VISITORS
 We prefer quiet and family time during the holidays. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 14 - CHRISTMAS SONGS AND CAROLS
 This is all about how I learned about Christmas songs along with my fifth grade students. The background is white felt. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 13 - OPENING PRESENTS
 We open them in youngest to oldest order, one present at a time. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 12 - HOW THINGS ARE CHANGING
 Today's prompt is all about past Christmases and how things change over the years. For me, it's all about how we now have our own Christmas time and we celebrate it "just us." JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 11 - OUR TREE
 Since I'm Jewish and I bought all blue and white ornaments for our tree, we now have a family joke that we have a Jewish Christmas Tree. I love the blue and white lights and ornaments. It looks so pretty. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 10 - WRAPPING GIFTS
 This year, I decided that maybe we should wrap plain and not waste more paper. Maybe I am crazy? SCENIC ROUTE - DECEMBER SIX
 Here's another project with the Scenic Route Kit I got to work on as an AMM DT member. Journaling Reads: December 6, 2001 was a special day for me before it began. I had been preparing for an interview that promised to change my life. In the months before, I had decided to walk away from my Wall Street job and do something more purposeful with my life. I applied to Teach For America and got as far as the interview process and my interview was scheduled for December 6. I still remember every detail of that day clearly. It was exceptionally hot for December in New York City. My interview went smoothly and I was feeling exhausted but hopeful on my walk home. Large Christmas ornaments decorated Madison Avenue and I was so much in the spirit by the time I came home that I told Jake we should go see the Rockefeller Center tree that night. The tree has always been a favorite of mine but that year was even more special than usual. Due to the terrible events of September 11, just a few months before, the city had decided to decorate the tree with only red, white, and blue lights. To my surprise, Jake agreed to take the trip. He even said he wanted to see a particular view that we’d seen on TV. He’s not the romantic type, so it did strike me as a bit odd but I was too tired to think. When I woke up from my nap, I asked him if we could go to the bookstore instead but he insisted that we go see the tree. On the way out, he put on his jacket and I reminded him that it was actually quite warm outside, but he wouldn’t leave it at home. Another hint that should have made me realize something was going on, and yet I had no idea. As we walked around the tree, to the angels, I stepped up on one of the benches and leaned over just to show Jake the view he’d claimed he wanted to see. I turned around to make sure he was following me, and then I saw that he was on one knee with a beautiful blue box in front of him. It took me a few seconds to realize what was happening and I instinctively kneeled to his level. He asked, "Will you marry me?" I just leaned over and kissed him as a bunch of strangers cheered and shouted their congratulations. I’d always told Jake that I wanted his proposal to be extra romantic. It had to be a good story to tell our kids. But after seven years, I had totally given up and figured we’d end up at City Hall. It turns out I was wrong. He still managed to completely knock me off my feet. The very next morning I found out that I made Vice President at my job. A few days later I got accepted to Teach For America. It was one of the best weeks of my life. Needless to say, I will forever cherish the memories of December 6, 2001 and never again underestimate Jake. SCENIC ROUTE - UNBOUNDED
 Here's another project with the Scenic Route Kit I got to work on as an AMM DT member. SCENIC ROUTE - ADVENT CALENDAR
 Here's my first project with the Scenic Route Kit I got to work on as an AMM DT member. Under each day is a little thought from that day attached with velcro. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 9 - NEW TRADITIONS
 For the first time in ten years, we have a real tree again. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 8 - AROUND TOWN
 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..... JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 7 - PRESENTS
 Each little tree represents one person I have to buy gifts for and under each tab is the present I am getting. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 6 - THE BEST AND THE WORST
 The worst Christmas ever was when we had to fly back from Savannah. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 5 - COUNTING DOWN
 Today was all about counting down to "the day." JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 4 - THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS
 David is the only part of my formula for a perfect Christmas. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - CHRISTMAS CARDS
 I don't like to write or receive xmas cards. When I receive them I feel bad throwing them out after the holidays and yet I hate keeping them too. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 2 - SNOW
 Here's page two for shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class. Today's prompt was about the snow. Writing about the weather. One of my few complaints about living in California is how it doesn't snow here. Ever. Most of the time, I don't mind that. But, for me, Christmastime is all about being woken up when the first snow falls. Making snowmen. Cuddling up and watching it all fall. David won't get to experience this as a little boy. Thankfully, we can get to a lot of snow with a short drive from here, so each year, we'll have to take one weekend to go play in the snow so David can have fun. It won't be the same as running out the door with your pajamas on at night, but it's still better than nothing. I specifically didn't put a paper snowflake on this page since it's all about the lack of snow. More of the Scenic Route papers I received as part of being on the A Million Memories DT. Big thanks to both Scenic Route and AMM. One day down. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - DAY 1 - MANIFESTO
 Here's page one for shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class. I meant to mention that I am using a 5x7 minibook by 7gypsies that I took apart. I wanted something small and manageable but big enough that I could use photos if I wanted to. Today's prompt was about writing your manifesto. Your intentions behind doing this album. I wanted to do this for many reasons. Partly to create something everyday, but I could have done that with any album class. I picked this one cause Christmas is my favorite time of year. Despite the fact that I am Jewish and grew up in Turkey where there's almost no one who celebrates Christmas the way American Christians do, Christmas makes me much more happier than any other holiday. Maybe cause I grew up with Christmas trees (even though we called them New Year's Trees) and ornaments, and lights and presents. Or maybe it's that the cold, cozy time of year just makes me giddy. Either way, my intent for this journal is to take this time of year, write down my observations and see if I can create some traditions for my family so I can find ways to create our version of Christmas, Channukah, and New Year. Maybe it will look like all of them, or maybe like none of them. But it will definitely be ours. Something we can personalize and internalize and love. More of the Scenic Route papers I received as part of being on the A Million Memories DT. Big thanks to both Scenic Route and AMM. One day down. JOURNAL YOUR CHRISTMAS - COVER
 I have decided to take shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class. More about the why in the next post. But I am looking forward to a little bit of creation everyday. I hope this will be the encouragement I need to get back in the groove of things. I wanted to keep the cover very simple and I might go back to it at the end and go crazy with it, but for now it's just plain and subdued. For the first few days (at least) I will be using the Scenic Route papers I received as part of being on the A Million Memories DT. Big thanks to both Scenic Route and AMM. Let's see if I can do this for the next thirty five days. FIVE REASONS I LOVE YOU MADLY - COSMO CRICKET
 And finally the minibook I made using the Cosmo Cricket line they sent to wonderful AMM.         MAGIC - COSMO CRICKET
 Another layout I made using the Cosmo Cricket line they sent to wonderful AMM. Journaling Reads: David, since all these layouts and books I'm making are for you and any siblings you might one day have, I wanted to make sure you had not just your stories recorded but you also knew the stories behind your mom and dad and all the wonderful memories we have between us. It's 2007, and in a few weeks, your dad and I will celebrate our dating anniversary of thirteen years. I've been in this country for fifteen years and have spend thirteen of those with your dad. Over these years, we've collected an amazing number of memories. Our lives changed considerably, and our personalities as well. But one of the few things that didn't change much from our first few days together is the fact that your dad is my very best friend. A few days after we met, he and I started hanging out 24/7. Especially since we were in college and it was during finals, there were no classes and we had nothing that stopped us from staying up all night and chatting. Which we did. We talked about anything and everything. We laughed all the time. He became my closest friend within a few short days and all these years later, I still prefer to share every little detail with him over anyone else. We have a million little inside jokes and single words that conjure joyful memories. I don't know how I got lucky enough to find your dad when I did and I am so thankful that we both had the foresight to see there was something magical there. Over the years, we've had tough times, and even tougher times but we stuck together and through it all, we stayed best friends. Today, I cannot imagine my life without him. He's a part of the air I breathe. When something bad happens to me, I run to him for comfort. When something good happens to me, I know his joy will be genuine. I want you to know that what we have is magical and doesn't happen to everyone. More importantly, I want you to know that I know that and appreciate what I have every moment of every day. YOU TWO - COSMO CRICKET
 First of a bunch of layouts I made using the Cosmo Cricket line they sent to wonderful AMM. Journaling Reads: The week I met your Dad, he did something amazing. He was on the phone with his own father and at the end of the conversation, he said, "I love you, Dad." I remember thinking, at the time, that there was something special about him. Not all men are good at showing their emotions. Many men don't hug their kids, especially their sons. Many men believe it's a sign of weakness. This must be a sore point for me because I always feel good when I see men with their sons. Not that I was ever worried about your Dad, but watching the two of you play and bond and laugh and horse around fills me with joy. Watching your Dad hug you, seeing how much you love him, and how neither of you feels shy about showing it, makes my day. Little boy, I hope you always stay that way. I hope you always lean on your dad, show him your love, hold his hand, hug him tight, and tell him you love him. Remember this: Men who can show emotion are far superior to those who stifle it. FAMILY - COSMO CRICKET
 Another layout I made using the Cosmo Cricket line they sent to wonderful AMM. I am so glad I captured these wonderful photos while my family is here. HALLOWEEN - COSMO CRICKET
 First of a bunch of layouts I made using the Cosmo Cricket line they sent to wonderful AMM. This didn't turn out the way I liked. I had all these Halloween photos and didn't really want to give them up. So I double-sided them and made them minibooks on the LO so you could flip each side. It looks kinda neat in person but looks so plain in the photos! ME - AMM DT CHALLENGE
 I've always wished I knew my parents as people so I could know all about their childhood, their dreams, their fears, etc. I feel like they know all about us but we rarely know about them. One of my biggest goals is to have a few days of personal 1-1 time with each parent so I can get to know them as the person they are and I will be crushed if, God forbid, something happens to them before I get to do this. So I wanted to make this challenge all about the layouts you will leave to your kids, grand kids, your loved ones. The things about you that make you uniquely you. It can be superficial stuff, fun stuff, serious or sad stuff. Whatever you want. If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to do hidden journaling. Cathy Z. has a section in her book about how important it is to journal yourself for the other people in your life. So here are the rules: 1. make a layout about you 2. use journaling spots, if you don't have them, make them like i did with stamps 3. handwrite (it's ok, i hate my handwriting too but this is all about giving the generations after you a way to know you and your handwriting is a part of that) 4. use a layout size you don't usually do. if you're a 12x12'er do a 8.5x11 or a 6x6 or even an odd size like 10x7 Remember, this is not about making the prettiest layout with the latest products. This is all about the journaling. I know there are those of you out there who feel like they can't write well or they don't know where to start. Just remember that your great-grand children won't care about any of that. They will be delighted to have any piece of you. I did an 8x12. I purposefully left it plain to emphasize that it's all about the words. DEFINING MOMENTS - AMM NOVEMBER KIT
 My minibook for Design Team work on the AMM November Kit. So I wanted to make this book about defining moments in my life. Things that made me who i am today. I coupled the events so if A hadn't happened B wouldn't have. I put A and B on two sides of a cardboard that I covered and put that journaling on the same page, I drilled holes on the side of the minibook to make sure the journaling would flip back and forth. Here are the topics: 1. My parents' divorce and my parents' remarriage (to each other) 2. Getting into college (CMU is my school's name - Carnegie Mellon) and moving to the United States 3. Meeting Jake and getting married 4. Making VP on my Wall Street job and quitting to pursue a non-profit work (TFA is Teach For America which is the program I did when I quit my job - taught 5th grade) 5. Quitting TFA and having David 6. Getting my citizenship and starting my own company       CONTROL - AMM NOVEMBER KIT
 One of my layouts for Design Team work on the AMM November Kit. Journaling Reads: Little boys don’t get to control much. They don’t get a say about when they go to bed or when they eat lunch. Sometimes they don’t even get to pick what they eat for lunch. They don’t get to decide when we go out and when we come back home. They can throw fits, but, in the end, they do what Mommy and Daddy want. It must be frustrating to be trapped in a little body when you have demands of your own. I bet that’s why little boys love to control other people and get a reaction out of them. You’re no exception. When you were little, I taught you the sign and sound for lions. Over time you made it your own and now you bend the tips of all your fingers and move your hand forward as if you're attacking me while you make the roaring sound. During one of our MyGym classes you were imitating a lion and the teacher acted like she got scared. You thought this was the funniest thing in the world and spent the rest of the class chasing her around and scaring her over and over again. For hours. Months later, you still get a kick out of scaring us with your roar. Each time I have a tendency to get impatient, I remind myself that this is one of the few ways you get to have control and you deserve that much. My little boy, with time, you’ll want to have more and more of a say in how you spend each moment of your life and I promise you that I will do my best to respect your wishes each step of the way. MOMENTS I MISS - AMM NOVEMBER KIT
 One of my layouts for Design Team work on the AMM November Kit. Journaling Reads: I have this theory that you do something new every single day and that by working, I actually miss a lot more than your dad says I do. He says each day is the same: you eat, you play, you sleep and then you do it all over again. But I know he’s wrong. These last few weeks, I’ve had the luxury of being home with you and last week I took you to MyGym playtime instead of your dad. We’ve been going there for months and you’ve never ever gone in the ball pit. For the first few months, you wouldn’t even go near it. And then you started sitting next to it and leaning over to play with the balls. But you still wouldn’t go in. Each time I suggested it, you said, “No!” and walked away. So imagine my surprise when, today, you walked right to the ball pit and jumped in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Even when you started sinking, you didn’t panic. You played and played and played. Maybe Daddy doesn’t notice these little things anymore cause he gets to be home with you every day, but, to me, these little things are the best part of being a mom and I am so sad that I miss them each and every single day. OUCH - AMM NOVEMBER KIT
 One of my layouts for Design Team work on the AMM November Kit. It has hand journaling about how very much unprepared i am to watch David skin his knee or any thing worse :( ONE DAY - AMM - CLOUD 9 SPOTLIGHT
 Here's the minibook from the Cloud 9 Spotlight for AMM. It's all about a day in David's life and the different things we do at different times of the day and what they mean to me.        ON THE GO - AMM - CLOUD 9 SPOTLIGHT
 Here's another one of my layouts from the Cloud 9 Spotlight for AMM. No journaling. FUNNY - AMM - CLOUD 9 SPOTLIGHT
 Here's another one of my layouts from the Cloud 9 Spotlight for AMM. Journaling Reads: I don’t like traveling. I definitely don’t like traveling on a plane. Not since you were born. Not since security checks became hours long. And not since I have to carry all your stuff and my stuff as a carry on. I used to love to fly, but now, given the choice, I will always choose to drive somewhere than fly there. Last month, your dad’s brother got married in Nashville. Unfortunately, driving there would have taken us days so we had no choice but to fly. To make matters worse, there were no direct flights from here to there. I may hate flying but I hate layovers ten times more. Rushing from one plane to another, stressing about all our luggage, making it to the flight on time, getting your car seat settled in and making sure we can find a seat so all three of us can sit together. None of these are my idea of fun. So I’d been dreading the whole trip. And as we flew to Kansas City, I whined the whole time. As I deplaned and found the next flight, I was still twitchy and stressed out. I was so impatient that I managed to find ways to get on your dad’s last nerve. But, as always you came to the rescue. While I was checking my watch to see when we’d board, you walked right up to the metal box for checking your carryover size and climbed into it. You sat your pretty bottom down and proceeded to read the brochure you dad gave you. By the time I looked up, half the passengers were smiling. I couldn’t help but do the same. My wonderful boy, you constantly find wways to make me laugh and remind me that there’s joy in every little moment with you. NOT INSOLENT - AMM - CLOUD 9 SPOTLIGHT
 Here's one of my layouts from the Cloud 9 Spotlight for AMM. Journaling Reads: Many two-year-olds are disrespectful. Many two-year-old boys are insolent. They don’t call it “the terrible twos” for nothing. And you have your share of difficult moments here and there when what we want you to do really doesn’t mesh with what you want to be doing. But you are never outright disrespectful. Even when you want to do something else, you wait for a cue from us that it’s okay. A few weeks ago, we were visiting San Diego and sat down at this café for some water. You saw a rack filled with candy and wanted to pick them all up. When we told you to not touch and to come sit with us, you moved away from the rack but you didn’t leave the doorway. You stood there staring at us and looking mad. When we asked you to come sit with us, you said “Nooooo!” but you didn’t walk back to touch the candy either. Every few minutes, you’d walk closer to the candy and we’d tell you that you couldn’t touch it. You’d make a sour face but you’d also walk away. We played this game back and forth for a good twenty minutes before you gave up and sat down with us. David, I can’t tell you how proud of you I am for being such a wonderful kid and being so nice to your dad and me. I know it must be hard to have someone tell you what you can and cannot do all the time and you’re being a complete angel about it. Even when you get angry, you still come and give us kisses and hugs. I don’t know how we got so lucky but I want you to know that we are fully aware of how rare you are and how blessed we are. Thank you, my son. Thank you. 5 REASONS WHY I LOVE YOU - LAST SCRAPPER STANDING
 I was lucky enough to make it to Round Three. Here's the challenge: Hey all! Your next challenge is to rock out with ribbon. Vintage, scraps, sequins and trims…bust em out and use em up! We’re not looking for a specific number or style, just EXCESSIVE ribbon usage. Something fun, something different. And this is what I did.        FALL - AMM - RUSTY PICKLE FRENCH MARKET
 Here's another one of my layouts from the Rusty Pickle French Market Spotlight for AMM. No journaling. BONDING - AMM - RUSTY PICKLE FRENCH MARKET
 Here's one of my layouts from the Rusty Pickle French Market Spotlight for AMM. Journaling is about how much I love to watch Jake and David bond. WARHOL INSPIRED - AMM - RUSTY PICKLE FRENCH MARKET
 Here's one of my layouts from the Rusty Pickle French Market Spotlight for AMM. A DAY AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH - AMM - SCRAPWORKS HALLOWEEN
 Here's the minibook for the Scrapworks Halloween Spotlight for AMM.        VERSATILE - - AMM - SCRAPWORKS HALLOWEEN
 Here's one of my layouts from the Scrapworks Halloween Spotlight for AMM. FULL OF LOVE - - AMM - SCRAPWORKS HALLOWEEN
 Here's one of my layouts from the Scrapworks Halloween Spotlight for AMM. Journaling Reads: Little David, I’m regularly amazed at your displays of love. You are so generous with others. If we have a friend come over and we ask you to give him a hug, you don’t even hesitate before you give this practical stranger a wonderful hug. Last weekend, we went to the pumpkin patch, and it was your first time. You were so excited to see all the pumpkins that you ran from one corner to another, touching each of the pumpkins. It gave me so much joy to watch you. As you walked up to this very large pumpkin, I observed you give it an interested look and then a hesitant touch. To encourage you to explore, I said, “David, give the pumpkin a hug.” And you did: a kind, full, and genuine hug. It made me feel so warm inside to see you do that. I am so thrilled that you are so full of love and so generous with it. I hope you continue to share your love with everyone around you, even with pumpkins. TRICK OR TREAT - AMM - SCRAPWORKS HALLOWEEN
 Here's one of my layouts from the Scrapworks Halloween Spotlight for AMM. Journaling Reads: Everyone has a different reason for loving Halloween. Some people go all out decorating their lawns and houses. Others have a blast with the costumes. Some people get a thrill from all the spooky stuff. They create haunted houses, rent scary movies, and enjoy every moment of it. And, of course, there are those who are all about the pumpkin carving. The funny faces, the scary ones, and some that are downright weird. I am not the spooky type. Scary things actually scare me and don’t thrill me one bit. They give me nightmares. Costumes are fun, but too much work for me. So is all the decorating. I think I would actually enjoy the pumpkin carving but I am still too new to it. So, for me, Halloween is all about the food. The cookies, the muffins, the candy: I don’t discriminate; I love all. You can have your costumes, your decorations, and your spooky movies. For me to have the best Halloween all I need is for you to share your baked goods! 7 RANDOM FACTS - LAST SCRAPPER STANDING
 I made it to round two of Last Scrapper Standing. Woo hoo. Here's the challenge for round two: "Alright. Your next challenge from the Dare book. It is to scrap 7 Random Facts. They could be facts about yourself, your spouse, your child, your best friend…whomever. Just make em random and make em 7." I wanted to give the impression that I was looking at a mirror, so I wrapped my background in aluminum paper. I put a black frame to make it look like the mirror frame and even embossed the corners like a mirror might have. It didn't photograph well but it's really shiny and reflects. The facts are: 1. I can't ride a bike. 2. I am scared of the dark 3. I have no middle name. 4. I am double-jointed on my arms 5. I went to my parents' wedding. I even ditched school for it. 6. I have never broken a bone anywhere. 7. I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue. FALL 2007 - MAYA ROAD MINIBOOK
 I took my first scrapbooking class a month ago and it was by the owners of Maya Road. We made this pretty little book about David's first day of school. I changed stuff around a bit but the gist is theirs.          NO TRUCK
 Another layout for October AMM kit. Journaling Reads: Towards the end of every MyGym class, they give a surprise to everyone. Each week the surprise is something different. Sometimes it’s a ball, or a cone, or a slinky, or a ring. Once you have your surprise, they act out a lot of different things to do with it. They put it on their head and then ask, “Is this a hat?” A few seconds later, they go, “Noooo, it’s not a hat.” “Is this a shoe?” “Noooo, not a shoe.” And on and on. You always participate in the games but never say anything. I never minded it because you have so much fun during surprise time even without the words. Last week, when you came home from the class, you were out in the backyard, playing with the bike pump. You drove it like a truck and then said, “Truck!” so I said. “Is that a truck?” And you replied, “Noooo, no truck.” I couldn’t believe what I heard. You always manage to surprise me, David. Just when I think you’re not paying any attention or understanding anything, you show me that you were listening all along. CAROUSEL
 Another layout for October AMM kit. Journaling Reads: Up until last week, we'd never put you on a merry-go-round but I always thought you would absolutely love it. What kid doesn't love a carousel? Apparently: You. When you first saw it, you were excited about the horses and wanted to get on them with me. But once it started turning around, you immediately broke down. You kept climbing on Daddy or me; crying hysterically. We couldn't ask them to stop the ride, so we held on tight to make sure you knew we had you covered and would not let anything bad happen to you. I know that, one day, you will love carousels and wonder why you were crying, but for now, it's not something you want to try and I completely respect that. At some point, I might encourage you to give it another try, but I will never force you. David, I want you to know that we will always be here for you, to cover you, hold you, love you, and protect you from anything and everything that gets in the way of your happiness. A BOY AND HIS BAG
 So I was thrilled to bits about making it to AMM DT. It was something I really really wanted. And I am so honored!! This was my first layout as a DT member with the October Kit. A rare one with out journaling. NO SAD
 Another layout for the AMM DT call. Journaling Reads: When they meet you in person, people always comment on how much you look like your dad. My sister was so surprised about the close resemblance that she said, "Couldn't you have passed on one of your genes?" And, it's true, on the surface you don't look anything like me. But, there's always more to people than their looks. Tomorrow is my thirty-third birthday and my wonderful sister decided to do something extra special this time. She found a writer and had her write the story of how much my sister loves and appreciates me. When I got the book in the mail, I couldn't believe my eyes. I sat down to read and my eyes instantly filled with tears. I didn't even notice that you were watching me until you walked up to me. You said: "No sad. No crying." You took the book from my hands and you put it on the table. David, you're still a little too young for me to explain the difference between sad tears and happy ones, but obviously not too young for empathy. Paying attention to others' feelings and wanting to put an end to their sadness is something we share. My wonderful son, I hope you never lose the genuineness with which you care about others and always bring them the kind of joy you've brought into my life. I am so delighted to know you. I'm also glad to know that I did pass on a few genes to you, after all. I SEE TREES
 I figured it was time to post October and November layouts. This was for AMM DT call. Journaling Reads: Muir Woods is my sanctuary. The first time your Daddy and I visited Muir Woods, I was writing novels. We were in town for a wedding and your dad drove me to the park as part of our two-day sightseeing. I fell in love with the park immediately. I was so enamored with the magnanimity of nature that I sat there in awe for quite some time. I told Daddy that I could sit in these woods and write all day and all night. I decided we needed to move to San Francisco just so I could visit this place regularly. Sadly, since we've moved to the Bay Area, we hadn't visited Muir Woods once until two weeks ago, when your grandpa came to visit. I was whiny all the way up to the park and wished I had decided to stay home and scrap. But the moment we walked in, you screamed: "I see trees!" And I knew I was doing something much better than scrapbooking: I was living one of those moments that I work hard to capture on my scrapbook pages. For the next hour, we walked along the magical pathways of Muir Woods, and you ran around and explored everything. You looked at the bugs. You watched the water. You kept pointing out animals. Your enthusiasm was contagious. I am so glad to know that a place that brings me so much peace brought you an equal amount of joy. I promise you, my little boy, there are many more Muir Woods trips in our future. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MY ORDINARY LIFE
 This was for an altered item contest sponsored by Sassafras Lass at AMM. This is an item that was originally designed for photo storage. I decided to alter it to do a CKU class I read about called "The Encyclopedia of my ordinary life." This is normally a class where you pick three items with each letter of the alphabet and create a layout for each letter, so you end up with a full album. It's based on a book. I loved the idea and wanted to do it too but I found the layout format too confining. For some letters, I had way more than 3 items and for others I had none. So when I saw this container I thought it was the perfect idea. This way, I can put 8 under one letter and none under others if I want. I also included a sample page I made so you can see the kind of stuff that would go in it. 
GENTLE
 Sketch number 10 for 1-in-48. Journaling Reads: We saw this beautiful cat on our walk in the neighborhood today and you were excited beyond words. You watched it from afar and shrieked with joy. Even the cat could tell that you were having a lot of fun so it didn’t run away. David, I love that you love animals as much as I do and that you’re so kind and gentle around them. I LOVE YOU - LSS ROUND ONE
 This is for Last Scrapper Standing - Round one. The challenge is to use 8 transparent items on your page. 8 transparencies: I cut three circles of 5,4, and 2.5 inches. I stitched the first one, and put a rubon across the seam of the other two, connected all three with 3 clear buttons and wrote i love you, a word on each layer. I tried to show the detail on the bottom so you could see it upclose. So my 8 items are: 3 circles 3 buttons 1 more circle where the date is written 1 on top of the photo by My Mind's Eye Journaling Reads: Today I came home early from work, so I was able to take you to MyGym’s open playtime. Normally, you’re in a funky mood and play for a short while and then get bored. But today, we had a blast. We played, we laughed, and then we laughed some more. At one point, you kept running over to me and knocking me over. And then you ran over and gave me a big hug and said, “I love you.” I had a hard pregnancy. I threw up eight times a day for six months. I was so nauseous that I worked in bed the whole time. When you were born, you refused to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time, even when you were six months old. I still haven’t lost the weight I gained during the pregnancy. You regularly make messes all over the house and sometimes I find a half-eaten apple weeks later, hidden behind some furniture or appliance. There are many moments in the day when you try my patience. But all of these hard times are for this one moment. For the tight hug. For the tiny kiss. And for those three little words, uttered unprompted. They make everything worthwhile. I love you, too, my son. I love you with all my heart. MR. CHARMING
 Sketch 8 for 1-in-48. This one got noteworthy on the Creating Keepsakes website. Yey! Journaling Reads: Still catching up on the two I missed while I was in San Diego. Here's the journaling: Little David, you’re such a two-year-old. You cause a tremendous amount of mischief all day long. You break our CDs, take the tape out of out cassettes so that they are irreparable. You break all the crayons and then write all over the walls with them. You draw on the car window. You put your stickers on Mommy’s computer. You hide your food all over the house and dump your apple on the floor when you’re done with it. You refuse to sit in your chair and spill your drink all over the table. When I ask you to do something, you look at me like you’re in deep suffering. You beg, you yell, you rebel in every way you can. But if I keep refusing, that’s when you pull out the big guns: you look at me with those big, blue eyes and give me one of those special smiles that you know melts my heart. That’s when I can no longer fight with you. I just give up and hug you really tight. Well, Mr. Charming, I don’t know how much longer you’re going to be able to get away with those cute faces, so enjoy it while you can. CRAYONS
 Sketch 7 for 1-in-48. Had a hard time with this one. AIRPLANE
 And now for something really plain. Sketch 6 for 1-in-48. Journaling Reads: We have a lot of planes flying over our backyard. Not as many as we used to when we lived right by Miramar in San Diego, but still, it seems each time we play in the backyard, there’s a plane flying by. In the beginning, you completely ignored them, and then you started noticing and pointing each time we saw one. Now, you’ve totally gotten into them. You hear them first and bring your hand to your ear and say “Sound! Airplane!” Then, you know to look up and find the plane. Once you see it, you start pursing your lips and try to imitate the sound the planes make. Spit flies out of your mouth as you say, “Pffffffttttt.,” and it makes me laugh each time. Every little boy loves airplanes and you, my son, are no exception. I can’t wait until you’re old enough to build a little model airplane with your Daddy. He has always loved airplanes and is already planning all the events he will tale you to. I can only imagine all the fun you two will have. WORKING HARD
 Bonus Sketch for 1-in-48. Journaling Reads: Since Daddy takes care of you during the week, I try to spend most of my weekend moments with you. A few weeks ago, I had to do a photo shoot for a client and when I came home from the shoot, Daddy went out running. Normally I'd sit and play with you, but I wanted to get the photos processed before our trip to New York, so I wanted to try something new. I pulled your high chair next to my desk and got the box of crayons with paper for you, so you could draw while I worked. We sat that way for hours, you doing your creative work, and me doing mine. We must have been too engrossed in what we were doing because neither one of us heard daddy come back from his run. When he saw how much fun we were having, he grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots of our special moment. David, I have this dream that as you grow older, we'll be able to create together much more often. I am so thrilled that you like crayons and drawing as much as you do. I can't wait to introduce you to my scrapbooking stuff and see all the wonderful art you'll make. Only a few more years and we'll be sitting side by side, working on our layouts, sharing ideas, and enjoying every little moment of it. I can't wait. NO BED
 Sketch 5 for 1-in-48. And a new Sewing machine. Wooo wooo!! Text reads: Your least favorite time of the day is when you know we're getting you ready for bed. Even if you're in the best mood, once I tell you to come with me, you immediately get upset and say, "No. No. No bed." You whine, you cry, you resist, but eventually you always break down and come along with us to the bedroom. As Daddy puts your pajamas on, you're still full of sadness at how unfair the world is. It's only when I give you the toothbrush that your mood starts to change. Even though you momentarily get upset when we leave your room, within seconds you're bouncing around your crib like a happy bunny. We laugh as we watch you through the camera. Just another example of the everyday joy you bring to our life, David. HUNTING FOR TREASURE
 Sketch 4 for 1-in-48. LOOK AT ME
 Sketch 3 for 1-in-48. Journaling Reads: “Look at me!” I say this sentence maybe thirty times a day. When you were little, I could snap tons of photos of you and there was nothing you could do about it. As you grew older, you were always complacent and allowed me to indulge myself. But in the last few weeks, you’ve mastered the art of selective hearing. When I catch you doing something cute or funny, I run to grab my camera and, in the most upbeat tone I can muster up, I say, “David, look at Mommy.” And you ignore me. Either you don’t look up at all or you say, “No picture.” I should take this as a sign that you’ve had enough, but I don’t want to. My memory is really bad and these stages in your life are so fleeting, so momentous that I can’t resist capturing them. I want to freeze them forever so I can remember. I crave the permanence of a photograph. So instead of giving up, I enlist the help of your dad. “Call him,” I say each time we’re out together and I am trying to get you to cooperate. “Call his name. No not there, come behind me and then call so he’s looking up to me.” I know he must think I am crazy, but he cooperates. Your Daddy is the very best, ever. Little David, soon even Daddy won’t be able to fool you and before you know it, I will have to give the camera a break. But, until then, I will snap, snap, snap. PROUD
 Amm Sketch Challenge part two. Journaling Reads: A few weeks ago, we were invited to a party that a friend of mine hosted. It was during the day so I asked her if I could bring you along. She told me there would be no other kids but if I wanted, I was welcome to bring you. Thanks to work, I get to spend so little time with you that leaving you at home wasn’t an option. So off to the party we went. As soon as we got there, you got settled on the couch and started to play with everything they had. You watched some Blue's Clues, you played with their chess set, their poker set, their mini disco lights, their Simpsons toys. You were quiet, sweet, and happy. You were so cute that several of the guests spent a good chunk of their time with you. As always I was amazed at how easy it is to take you wherever we go. How we rarely have to worry about you acting out. How you don't seem to mind being among a room full of adults. I am so proud of you. MAD
 Sketch Challenge for AMM. Journaling reads: Your way of displaying your anger changes regularly. You used to put your head against the wall and cry. Then you threw stuff off the tables. After that you started hitting. And now, you go to this little corner of the living room where there's a wall just your size, you sit on the floor and make all sorts of angry faces while you say a lot of words we can't decipher. Every now and then you say, "I'm mad" or "no way!" The faces you make and the way you sit there is so cute that I can't resist smiling. Within minutes, I come to give you a big hug and a kiss. And then you're smiling again. At least until the next time you have a fit. BLUE EYES
 Sketch 1 for 1-in-48. Journaling Reads: They say blue eyes are recessive. If you have a Mommy with brown eyes and a Daddy with blue eyes, the chance that you'll end up having blue eyes is less than 15 %. So when we had you and you were born with beautiful blue eyes, I knew not to keep my hopes up. All babies are born with blue eyes, and so were you. Most babies' eye color changes in a few months. Yours kept staying blue. One month passed, and then two, three, four. Yours were still blue. I couldn't believe my luck. Was I really going to have a blue-eyed boy? Your grandma kept checking each time she called, "Are they still blue?" she'd ask. "Yes," I'd respond incredulously. We kept telling each other that they could still change after six months. When six months came and went, we said, "It could be up to a year." And here we are. Two and a half years. Your eyes still blue. Piercing blue. There's no chance they're changing now. They're here to stay. I can't believe a dark eyed brunette like me ended up with a blond, blue-eyed little boy. FACES YOU MAKE - MINIBOOK
 A minibook I made for David and all the faces he makes.              MARK TWAIN QUOTES
 This was for an AMM challenge to use something in your junk drawer. I used the brad containers I had. FAVORITE PHOTOS - MINIBOOK
 Some of my favorite photos and all the techtechniques they taught me. My second minibook ever. HAT
 Layout Number Two for 1-in-48 Sketch Challenge class I am taking. A rare one without journaling. MY PASSIONS
 My very first minibook. It's about my six passions: scrapbooking, writing, reading, photography, technology and languages. US - THE MINIBOOK
 This is a little book of photos of David and I. It was done purely for fun.           THE HAND I WAS DEALT
 This is from an old blog entry. Journaling Reads: When I was younger, I used to travel in a crowd of beautiful women. I don't know how it happened but all my female "friends" were drop dead gorgeous and within a few weeks, my self-image managed to wither away to nothing. At the time, I started playing a game where each time I caught myself wishing I had someone else's something (like hair or eyes or nose or legs) I would force the issue. I told myself that the rules were such that I wasn't allowed to take body parts or personality traits and plug them into the rest of me. If I liked someone's something, I had to completely change places with that person. Not only did I get their whole body, but I got all their personal issues, emotions, family, psychological state of mind, past, living status, job and anything else you can think of. I basically forced myself to choose between me and this random (or in some cases not so random) person. Yeah, I got to have their small nose or blue eyes, but was I ready to also have their eating disorder? How about the disinterested mom? Was I willing to give up all of who I am to look like this person? It was my way of forcing myself to face the fact that people don't come in pieces. You want a part, you get the whole thing. How do you like them apples? In fifteen years, I've never met one person I was willing to change places with. I don't know if it was the fact that I wasn't willing to give up certain aspects of who I am of my life or the fact that I tend to favor the known over the unknown. Looking at a woman walking down the street, I can see she has pretty hair or a size-2 figure, but I can't see what goes on in her head or how much she suffers daily. With me, at least I know what I'm getting. Or maybe I was finally growing to like myself. The game's done a lot to improve my self-esteem. SLIDE
 An old old layout from the first time David ever went down a slide on his own. DARE
 This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Each time I am too chicken to do something, I remember Twain's words and know that real people would be supportive of me and I can do anything I want. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." --Mark Twain CONTENT
 Journaling Reads: My mother used to like telling me the story of how when I was a baby, I'd sit there any stare at my hands for hours. She said that I was a very self-sufficient baby, didn't need a lot of attention. Maybe it's because I've worked since the day you were born, maybe you were just born this way. Either way, you've always been the same kind of kid. You used to take all of your toys and bring them next to me and play while I worked. A few weeks ago, we were invited to your dad's cousin's wedding and I completely forgot to bring any toys or crayons to keep you busy. Thankfully, Daddy's mom had bought you a pack of little cars. Those four cars, and the package they came in, entertained you for the full two hours. You didn't scream or have a tantrum once. You didn't even make a sound. You just played with your cars, quietly and made me so very proud for having you as my son. I think being self-sufficient and easily-entertained are two important skills, David, and I am thrilled that you have successfully mastered both. – June 23, 2007. LAUGHTER PART II
 No journaling needed. (Just the date of July 2007) BUBBLES
 Journaling Reads: " I wish I could enjoy anything the way my kids enjoy bubbles." - quote from "Knocked Up" ATTENTION SPAN
 Journaling Reads: Little boys your age cannot sit still for more than three minutes. They run from place to place and destroy everything along the way. You certainly cause your share of destruction but I am always amazed at the length of your attention span. A week ago, we went to the Google family picnic and I was worried that you'd quickly lose interest and want to come back home. But, I was totally wrong. One of the areas was full of little beads that you could string into a furry wire and make bracelets and I knew this would be your very favorite part of the picnic, so I took you there and got a mini bowl of beads and a few wires so we could sit down and play together. I figured it would keep you busy for at least a few minutes. Two hours later, you were still putting the beads on and taking them off and putting them back on without showing any sign of boredom. If I didn't insist that we leave to look at the other sections, you could have spent another three hours with the beads. When you were born, I was worried you might have your dad's ADD, but it turns out that when it comes to attention, you've taken after me. When you're doing something you love, you get lost in that world. Isn't it wonderful? HAVING FUN
 Journaling Reads: My beautiful son, there are many things I love about you. I love you big, blue eyes and how they shine with excitement when you discover something new. I love your warm and cuddly hugs. I love it when you lie on me and let me hold you. I love your generosity and your kindness. I love your curiosity. I love your desire to learn. But most of all, I love how you make me laugh. How you squeal with joy each time I play games with you and how you react with such raw happiness that it makes me laugh genuinely and openly. I love how much laughter and joy you've brought into my life. Thank you, my son. I'M MAD
 Journaling Reads: Two-year-olds are famous for their tantrums and lack of patience, and you're no exception. You have such a predictable pattern that I can almost time you. Here are the steps we go through multiple times a day: • You want something. • I tell you that you can't have it. • You repeat your ask, insisting as if I didn't understand what you were saying and that must be why I am refusing you. • I tell you that I heard you but that's something you can't have. • You simultaneously stomp your foot and say, "I'm MAD!" • I tell you not to be mad and try to explain to you why you can't have it. When I can see that won't work, I try to steer you in a different direction. • You let your body go limp and start throwing the books off the table, or hit me. • Now I am angry and I give you a serious look to indicate what you did was not the right way to handle your feelings. • You walk to a convenient wall, lean your head away from me, and start crying. • I keep talking to you softly and trying to redirect your attention. • Finally, you give up and come to give me a hug. Within seconds, we're laughing. We laugh, giggle, and forget all about it. At least until the next time you find something you can't have. My son, I know it's frustrating to not be able to have everything you want and I know it's annoying to not be express yourself clearly, but I promise it will get better with time. I love you very much and I wish you were a bit more patient and got a little less mad. While your routine is so predictable and almost funny at this point, it still breaks my heart a little each time I see those tears come flooding down. BALL
 Journaling Reads: You love all toys but balls have a special place in your heart. Even if it's not yours, when there's a ball around you, you must play with it. FIRST TRIKE
 One of the few without journaling. SURPRISES
 Journaling Reads: You like to hide things in the most obscure places. I open a drawer in the bathroom and find graham crackers and a sippy cup full of water. Our drain pipes are home to little, colorful balls that you've tucked away. The basketball pole has a piece of toast with cream cheese in it. The list goes on and on. You're curious about every nook and cranny of the house. You think of the most creative storage places and I don't think you remember 80% of the places you leave your stuff in and, often times, they sit there until I stumble upon them, sometimes weeks later. At times, you find them yourself and laugh with joy at your discovery. Little David, life with you never has a dull moment. Each time I uncover a new storage space you made up, I marvel at your creativity. It's become a daily game for me. I wake up and I can't wait to see the new set of surprises you've left me. PLAYING IT SAFE
 Journaling Reads: "David, do you want to go to bed?" * "No!" "David, do you want to stay up?" "No" "David, do you want to play all night?" "No" "David do you want some blue berries?" (...pause...) "Yea!" You still don't understand most of what I say so I love playing the "No" game with you. No matter what I ask, you just say no. It doesn't matter if I say two sentences that are exact opposites. Your rule of thumb is to never agree to anything you don't understand. Until you recognize a word, at which point the answer becomes an enthusiastic "Yes!" Little David, I know that you will soon understand everything I say and these games will disappear forever. I wanted to make sure we saved the memory so we could look back years later and laugh at your clever way of playing it safe. STAYING UP
 And finally one from this weekend. Journaling Reads: Daddy and I are quite religious about what time we put you down. We had some problems getting you to stay asleep in the early months, so we adopted a very structured routine and have stuck to it every day. Until a few weeks ago. Our good friends, Manu and Hana decided to get married right during the time we put you to bed, so instead of getting a babysitter, we decided to bring you along. We figured if you stay up late for one night, it wouldn't make the world end. I didn’t tell Daddy but I was nervous about how you might behave and whether we'd have to leave during the ceremony. But I was wrong. You were an angel the whole time. You read your book, ate bread, drank water, played with crayons and even cheered at the end when everyone clapped. At the end of the night, when it got dark, the restaurant lit up little candles all along the tables. You'd never seen such little fires before and you were absolutely fascinated with them. Looking at them, touching them, and especially blowing them out. You leaned into the little flames and puffed as hard as you could. I was having so much fun watching you that I forgot to tell you not to do it. My little David, it turns out the world doesn't end when we keep you up once in a blue moon. It can even be a little bit of fun. Okay, maybe more than a little bit. MAGICAL MOMENTS
 Journaling Reads: A magical moment. That's what photography is all about: freezing a magical moment. That's what scrapbooking is all about: taking a magical moment and keeping it for eternity. Getting the opportunity to relive it over and over again, long after it's erased from our memory. When Daddy captured this very magical moment between us, I knew it was the perfect picture for me to preserve forever. Years from now, you will be living in your own house, with your own family, creating your own magical moments. When that time comes, I hope you'll look back on these pages and smile at the moments we had together. At the joy we shared. At our laughter. And show your children that having magical moments and preserving them is our family tradition. YOU MAKE ME LAUGH
Journaling Reads: Before you were born, I promised myself that I would be a happy person. I kept reading stories about kids who grew up with sad moms and how they blamed themselves for the sorrow. I used to get sad easily and I told myself that it would have to stop that. You deserved better and I was determined to make it happen. I put positive, inspirational messages all over the house and reminded myself daily that my attitude was going to change. I wasn't sure how it would happen since I had been this way for thirty years and old habits die hard, but I refused to worry about the how and just knew that it would have to happen. You deserved that much. I would work night and day if I had to. It turns out that much effort was completely unnecessary. The moment you came out, my personality shifted. I felt healthier and happier. More fulfilled. I thought it might be the high from the birth and later the hormones from nursing. I kept making up reasons for why my sad old self hadn't returned. I waited for it to rear its ugly head any moment now. Two years after the birth, even after the breastfeeding, I am still happy, David. I think it's time for me to admit that it's just you. You make me happy. Your joyful sounds, your funny imitations, even your crazy tantrums make my day. Lately, you started imitating the car sound. You close your hands into fists and put them in a circle like you're driving a car and then you run around the house, moving your hands back and forth, making the noise, and spitting everywhere in the process. Your dad and I can't help but laugh. You are a perfect little boy when it comes to entertaining yourself and your exuberance and joy is contagious. Thank you, little boy, for making me a truly happier person. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
 Journaling Reads: When I go through the rolls of photos I take of you, I always run into a few pictures where I feel like I am intruding on a private moment. Since you're not talking much, yet, I haven't had the opportunity to discover how your mind works and I am very curious. When you're sitting in the little white chair in the backyard by yourself, what are you thinking? When you're looking far away, not responding to any of my questions, what are you thinking? When you're so lost in your own world that you don't even notice the click of the camera, what are you thinking? Little boy, I can't wait until you're fully talking. I can't wait to see how your mind works and all the thoughts that occupy your time. I can't wait to hear all your questions and I can't wait for you to stump me. I can't wait to explain things to you and see your mind working to digest them, only to come up with new questions to push the boundaries of your knowledge, and mine. I can't wait to tell you all about why the sky is blue and the grass is green. I can't wait to hear your thoughts about the clouds and the bugs that you so love to watch. I can't wait to get to a place where your speech skills catch up with your obvious need and wish to communicate. Until then, I will look at these photos and wonder: what are you thinking? CREATE
 Journaling Reads: Today you found a pen in your drawer. You took the envelope on the floor and ran away to the living room. Normally, I'd run after you to make sure you're not drawing all over the walls, but I didn't. I was busy, so I let you go. A few minutes later, when I came to the living room, I found you on the couch, quietly drawing on your envelope. Not on the walls, not on the couch, just on the envelope. I love that you love to draw and I hate that we can't give you pens all the time because you haven't learned to differentiate between walls and paper yet. I want to encourage you. I love looking at what you create. How hard you concentrate and how much you obviously enjoy it. TOO QUIET
 Journaling Reads: Your dad and I both know that if we're sitting in the living room and you're playing in another room, all is good as long as you're making noise. When the house suddenly gets quiet, we know you're doing something you shouldn't be, so we run to find you. Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch, reading, and listening to you play in the main room. When you got all quiet, I panicked and rushed to the room, only to find you sitting at the dinner table, like a big boy, eating your raisins one by one. Seeing you like that made me realize how quickly you're growing up. How sweet you are and how you enjoy your peaceful and quiet moments along with the crazy, fun ones. WONDER
 Journaling Reads: You have many toys you like to play with, but nothing makes you jump with joy as much as balls. Balls in all shapes and sizes are your favorite things to play with. When Daddy found his box of old squash balls, he put them on the floor and waited for you to discover them. It didn't take you very long. When you saw the little, unopened boxes, you meticulously picked up, turned over, tried to open, and finally tore through every box. There were over fifteen boxes and each time you successfully opened one, you yelled, "A ball!!" with enthusiasm. The excitement didn't diminish one bit from the first box to the sixteenth. You childish wonder and joy made us laugh every single time. My amazing son, I hope you never lose the enthusiasm with which you live your life. 4 MINUTES
 Journaling Reads: This week you've learned all the letters of the alphabet and most of the numbers. I love hearing you practice constantly. But what I love even more is how much more loving you've become. You now sit next to me on the couch, put your arm on my shoulder, and bring your cheek right next to mine. It's the most wonderful feeling in the entire world. Our moment lasts about four minutes before you're bored and off to discover your daily adventures. Those four minutes are the very favorite moments of my day. 5.11.2007
 Journaling Reads: Today I stayed home from work. It was a day full of firsts. We went to MyGym for free play and you said, "slide" for the first time. You played Simon Says for the first time. You told me to sit across from you so we could rock back and forth in the rocking boat. When we were in the backyard, you told me you were pooping. Today, we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner and you sat on the bench, right next to me, and behaved beautifully. David, I know you have firsts every day of your life and I know I miss thousands of them. I'm always sad about missing all those special moments that we will never get to have together and all the memories I won't get to capture. But today was an exception. Today I got to experience them all. I got to soak you in and I got to be a part of the person whom I love, the little boy who's changing every minute of every day. Today was the best day ever. SIGN
 Journaling Reads: When I told my mom that we were going to teach you sign language, she thought I was crazy. "What if he never speaks?" she asked. "Kids who grow up learning sign language don't become mute just because they can learn to talk with their hands," I replied patiently. It turns out babies who are taught sign language have higher IQs and bigger vocabularies by the time they are in elementary school. But that's not why I wanted to teach it to you; I just wanted to help you communicate earlier so you got frustrated less. In the beginning I didn't make enough of an effort, but even with that, you quickly mastered milk, more, food, and the other basics. As you grew older you'd make the signs with the sounds and now you still sign even though you can also say the words. When you see a dog, you simultaneously say "woof, woof," sign your version of dog, and scream "doooog!" You're only two and can already understand three languages. Who's crazy now? EASTER 2007
 Here are a bunch of old layouts from months ago and even though now it seems like I've already changed my style. But I love the photos and I love the journaling in many of them so here goes nothing. After you woke up form your nap, you were groggy and grouchy, but then you found the little Halloween bag where you'd stashed all your Easter candy. You took your little bag and ran out to the backyard, so you could enjoy your treats in peace. I knew this would be a good opportunity, so I grabbed my camera and followed you. Each time I got close, you moved to another corner. So finally, I just stepped back, and shot from a distance so you could enjoy the last bits of your wonderful Easter day. IMPERFECT
 Journaling Reads: Every mom thinks her kid is perfect. He sits up the first. He has perfect manners. He learns quickly. He never hits. He's an angel. Well, my little boy, you're no angel. You throw six tantrums before lunch. You hate eating veggies and won't swallow one unless I mush them and mix them with yogurt. When you don't get your way, you lie flat on the floor and make your whole body go limp so I cannot make you get back on your feet. You find a way to get your hands on every one of our things no matter where we hide them and how safe we think they are from you. When we call for you from one side of the house to the other, all we hear is a resounding "No!" coming from the room where you're wreaking havoc. You still can't put two words together to form a sentence (except for "No Way!" which you've mastered.) You hate having your hair washed and will run out of the bathtub at the sight of the shampoo bottle. You hate circle time and refuse to be a part of it. You're impatient and won't wait for your turn in line, instead you will scream like your arm is being chopped off until some mom takes mercy on me and lets you cut in line. Yes, my son, you're not perfect. But, you're sweet and kind. You are an equal opportunity hug giver. If you hug me, you run around the house until you can find Daddy so you can hug him, too. If you eat something you like, after you take a bite, you reach over and give me a bite as well. With a paper and pen, you can play by yourself for hours. You will not hurt, push, or shove another kid. Ever. You say hi to everyone and give them one of your magical smiles. In case they didn't hear you well, you say ten more hi's, louder and with more enthusiasm each time until they can't help but laugh. You get very excited by dogs, birds, cats, and bugs, but you won't ever hurt them. You crouch slowly and watch them from a distance. When you eat something you like, you go "Mmmmmm," persistently until I reciprocate. You let me tickle you even when you're mad. You love running around the house with me chasing you. You giggle loudly as you run and you look back every few seconds just to make sure I'm still there. When I leave for work in the mornings, you come to the door and wave "bye." When I put you down at night, you blow me big, loud kisses and then say "shhh" and "bye" before you lie down. You are so full of love that it pours out of your eyes. I love that you're not perfect, David. I love that you're a little human being and like all of us, you have your bad moments and your good ones. I love that we get to celebrate every day together. I love that you're in my life. You are my life. - march 2007 MY JOY
 And let's top off the evening with a recent layout. Journaling Reads: David, my favorite memories of the last few weeks are from the fifteen minutes we spend every week trying to capture photos of you and me. A few weeks ago, I complained to Daddy that there weren't enough photos of the two of us, since I am the official family photographer. So we started these weekly sessions and you have quickly learned not to cooperate. When we go out in the yard, you think we're going out to play, so when I tell you to sit down, you quickly get annoyed with me. You completely ignore me and walk in the opposite direction. You find a random toy and act like I am not calling out to you. This is when I start to improvise: I bribe, I tickle, I beg, I do whatever it takes for you to give me a hug. Each time we do these sessions, Daddy and I give up after ten minutes, admitting that you just will not play along. So imagine my surprise when I download the photos and find some of the most precious photos I've ever seen. When I look at them, I can't help but smile. Daddy did a perfect job of capturing the joy of loving you and the laughter that you have brought into my life. I am so thankful for each and every day we get to spend together. LAUGHTER
 Photos from one of the mommy-David sessions. Didn't journal for this one because I thought the photos said all I could ever think to say. ONE BUCK
 Bleh, not my favorite layout. Just didn't have the creativity flowing tonight. Oh well, still love the memory. Journaling Reads: One dollar. One single dollar. That's how much we paid for the cash register that you've been playing with night and day for the last two weeks. You love it so much, you carry it around with you everywhere you go. Daddy's taught you how to put a coin at the top and see it come out on the side. That's your favorite game. But sometimes the coin gets stuck. Then, you look at me and say, "Where it go?" You pick up the register and shake it around. When you're satisfied with the amount of shaking you've done, you press the button and scream with joy at the sight of the coin. You play thins game hundreds of times a day. Your level of joy at discovering the coin never dissipates. Your enthusiasm is catching and soon Daddy and I are laughing, too. Who knew a toy we bought for a buck would spread this much joy to our whole family? PICKY EATER
 Here's another recent layout. This was for a transparency competition over at AMM. Hard to see the effect from a photo. Journaling Reads: I guess it's only fair that a picky eater like me would get a picky little boy. The list of foods you eat is teeny tiny. Thankfully, you like a lot of fruits. But not much else. Here's all you eat without a fight: Pear Apple Grapes Bananas Blueberries Strawberries Graham Crackers Veggie Burgers Meatballs Cheese Yogurt Bread Here's a closeup of the inside of this layout:  SCRAPBOOKING IDEA BOOKS: ALI, STACY, AND AUTUMN LEAVES
Recently, I went on a book binge and bought a ton of scrapbooking books.
I've already written about Cathy's
book which has to be my all-time favorite. But here are a few
others I have read and loved. First and foremost are the two Ali Edwards
books: A
Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking and
Designer's Eye- scrapbooking with patterned paper
Ali is an inspiration to thousands and I am no exception. I love her style, her attitude, her creativity, and her generosity of spirit. One day, I would love to meet her. Until then, I will have to do with the layouts. I must say that the layouts in this book don't even speak to me the way Cathy's do but there are little bits and pieces of inspiration all over these books and I use both of them regularly for inspiration and good ideas. I know Ali's coming out with another book this fall and I also know that I am going to have to buy it. If she's doing it, I know it will be worth the money and the time. 
If Cathy isn't your style, and you're looking for the one and only one
book to buy, it would have to be Stacy Julian's The
Big Picture... Scrapbook Your Life and a Whole Lot More. Stacy is
fantastic. She's inspiring. She's funny. She's creative. She's great at
simplifying. She's great at organizing. She's great for giving you
fantastic ideas. But mostly, she's great at shifting the way you think
about scrapbooking. If you're struggling with your scrapbooking, pick up
her book. It will change your life. At least your scrapbooking. That's a
promise.
Here's another one I've loved to bits: 101
Things You Can Do With Your Scrapbook Supplies was mostly an impulse
buy since on all the boards I read, everyone said it was fantastic. And
they weren't lying. The book is great. Full of great, little ideas. I
dogeared a lot of the pages to make sure I'd remember to try them out.
There are some gems in this book, so if you're looking for some
practical, useful ideas and not just looking for general, overall
inspiration, this is a great find.
I also own two Autumn Leaves books: Perfectly
Clear and The
Look Book. While I am a fan of all things Rhonna Farrer, I just
never got into these books. I liked the stamping one because it had some
interesting ideas and since I own too many stamps, it's always good to
have a set of ideas to try. But these books just didn't speak to me. Not
in the way that the others inspired me.
I still have a few more books from my spree and I'm sure I'll be buying some more real soon. Like Cathy's first book.... IMITATING DADDY
 Here's another layout that didn't make the SOY cut. Something is off with this one. I think it's the title. Too small. But it's such a cute story that I still wanted to keep it and love thinking of David running around in Daddy's helmet. Journaling Reads: They say boys love their mommies and you sure do love me, but the person you most like to imitate is Daddy. You love wearing Daddy's shoes all over the house. You love playing with the books on his side of the bed. You love going into his office and raiding his desk. So it should have come to us as no surprise that you wanted to try Daddy's helmet when you saw it lying around. You picked it up and tried it on, and then you walked over to Daddy and put it on him, and just to make sure, you put it on me and then you decided it looked the best on you so you put it back on your head and giggled. You look like Daddy even when you're not trying his stuff on, so when you're wearing his helmet and his shoes, it's like mini-Daddy is running around the house. SPLASH
 A few months ago, I applied to Creating Keepsakes Magazine's Sccrapbooker of the Year because I am crazy. I figured, "Why not take the chance to push myself and create 20 layouts?" Anyhow, I ended up making a few too many and this is one of the ones that didn't make the cut. I'll be posting a few more of the ones that didn't make the cut in the next few minutes. Once the results are announced in 10 days, I'll post all the others too. CHALK
 This is by far one of my least favorite layouts. I wanted to do something interesting like use chalk combined with the stamping but I never really liked the outcome. I could do it over again, but I try not to do that, so I've left it alone. I love the memory behind the photos, so I am keeping it and just smiling each time I remember this day. Journaling Reads: On our way back from Los Angeles, we stopped at Michael's so I could buy some scrapbooking stuff. I couldn't really find anything I was looking for, but you found a box of sidewalk chalk and life was suddenly such a wonderful place. You carried it out of the store, held on to it all the way home and wouldn't even let go while we undressed you. You hugged the box of chalk all night and were thrilled when we finally got to open it the next morning. As we both wrote all over the backyard, you practiced your letters and numbers, and learned all your colors. You even learned the word chalk. Which has since become your favorite word. You ask for the chalk every time we go outside and love drawing everywhere. Who knew a $2 present would make you so happy? LOVEABLE
 Another layout inspired by the wonderful Cathy Zielske. David's one of the nicest humans I've ever met. Despite the fact that he gets mad ten times a day now, he's the sweetest little boy and while I'd love to take the credit, I wanted him to know that it's all him. We're so lucky. Journaling Reads: People who've never had kids have a tendency to think that parents should have full control of their children at all times. When a kid misbehaves, they think he or she has parents who don't know how to raise kids and when a kid is well behaved, they think the parents raised him well. I think I was mostly a sad girl. I was shy and I cried a lot. Daddy, on the other hand, was a happy little boy. I don’t think his parents did anything too different than mine. So I was really nervous and I wanted to make sure I did it all correctly with you to ensure you "turned out well." As it turns out; you're the world's best boy, ever. You're such a happy boy that everyone loves you. You're kind and don't ever hit anyone. If others attack you, you just walk away. You say hi to everyone and even give them a hug. You're cute and charming and know how to flirt. You are self-reliant and can play with a toy for hours. You love to draw so when we go out to restaurants, eating a full meal is rarely a problem for us. You love us and you show it regularly. You're never stingy with your hugs and lately you've started giving us big kisses multiple times a day. You love both your parents equally. You can get annoyed easily but you recover quickly and never hold a grudge. It's really easy to make you laugh. Of course you have your set of flaws, but overall you're such a pleasant, easy going, loveable boy that Daddy and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I'd love to take all the credit for "how well you turned out," but I know it has nothing to do with me. It even has nothing to do with Daddy. While we love you very much and work hard to be good parents, all the credit for your wonderful personality is yours. It's in the core of who you are, in your essence. You just are the most amazing kid ever and we're lucky to have the privilege of being your parents. NEW TRADITION
 This is the first layout that David and I are both featured on. I want to make sure that when he looks back, there are photos of Mommy and Daddy as well as all of his. Journaling Reads: Since I am the official family photographer, there are very few photos of you and me. I didn't want you to look back years from now and wonder what your mom looked like back then, so I told Daddy that we're going to start a new tradition where he takes pictures of you and me once a week. When it was time for our shoot, I got both of us ready and got the camera all setup for Daddy. The thing with two-year-olds is that they don't always adhere to your plans, so even though I thought it was time for us to have some photos together; you didn't necessarily feel the same way. You weren't in the mood to have your picture taken; you were in the mood to play with chalk and to eat cookies. We decided to go ahead with the shoot anyway and, as expected, most of the photos came out with you making a funny face or running away. But I am still so glad we did it because I love looking at the photos, remembering how much we laughed trying to get you to pose, and now I have proof of the wonderful times we spend together. I always tell my clients that posed photos are not special; it's better to have authentic family moment photos, those that are genuinely you and couldn't have been created by anyone else. And now we have a set of our own. Here's to creating more next week. YOUR WORDS
 I don't know that this is the prettiest layout I've ever done but it's important for me to store this memory. David's speech is a bit behind and the doctor told me to go to a speech therapist with him for an evaluation. I tend to have the personality of a person who'd completely freak out at this kind of information so I used this layout as therapy to show myself all the words David does say and how much he's progressed compared to two months ago. CLEAN AND SIMPLE SCRAPBOOKING - THE SEQUEL 
I've recently bought eleven scrapbooking books. I am a big book person
and it only made sense that I would buy books when I decided to
seriously get into this hobby.
At the time, I didn't know that Cathy Zielske's fantastic Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - The Sequel was exactly what I was looking for. I bought the sequel cause I was sure I had the first one. It turns out I didn't. I had Scrapbooking Made Easy, but not Cathy's first book. I loved this book so much that I am now considering going back and buying the first one. So why did I like it so much? Cathy's book is exactly why I scrapbook. It's all about the stories to tell. The essence of the people, of the memories, of the times. The pictures and the story are the most important part of the experience. The paper, the embellishments; those are there to serve the story better. To draw attention to the photos in the right way, etc. Not that the embellishments are not important or fun, but just that having the newest and prettiest isn't the only way. I love her honesty. Her ability to put her feelings and thoughts into words so well and her very clean, crisp designs that look easy to duplicate but really aren't. If you're into plain and simple looks like I am and want to work on finding the story behind the photos, this is a fantastic book to use to help yourself get there. |
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