Scrapbook gifting coming to an end

In the past three-four years I've made about 23 scrapbooks for family and friends. With each one I make, I say it will be my last "gift" scrapbook. Out of all the scrapbooks I've given out nobody has showed me the completed scrapbook with their pictures :(  I think the reason I'm longer enjoying making these scrapbooks is because I never get to see a finished product. I yearn to see these scrapbooks I give out completed with pictures. I spend a lot of time "personalizing" the scrapbook to the person and the occasion. That has really taken the joy of giving them out to people. Only two more and I'm officially done making these picture-less scrapbooks. In fact for the first time, I might just make one for myself!

Iphoneography pictures

I've been contemplating buying a DSLR camera for the last few years. The two main reasons I haven't bought one are: size and time. Would I really carry a bulky camera around with me everywhere? and I really don't have time to figure out how to use it. I recently went to an informal "how to use your iphone to take pictures" class. I had no idea that iphone photography is a new genre of photography. Although I still have DSLR "envy", I know for now taking pictures on my iphone will do.

Some pictures of Snoopy

I recently went on a road trip and to pass the time I took some pictures
(all the pictures were taken with an iPhone)

This is my daughter's Snoopy. He's gone on all our trips. Although my daughter is outgrowing him, he still manages to sneak his way on our trips. I've mentioned Snoopy before here. 

Recent Scrapbook

This is the most recent pre-made scrapbook I've made. It is for my sister. 

Scotch ATG

I've had this Scotch ATG for probably close to two years but yet each time I have to put in a tape refill I can't figure out if the tape feeds over or under the first roller.

Is it just me? This is probably one of the best scrapbooks tools I have bought but it also frustrates me like no other and Murphy's Law - I always feed it incorrectly the first time!

I'm on Spring Break right now. It's so nice to sleep in and have no where to go first thing in the morning. I've conditioned my leather car seats, washed my car, worked on some scrapbook items. Things I normally don't have time for. Yeah, I could get use to this!

Crops of Luv

This morning I participated in Crops of Luv. I've been doing this for the past 2 years and I feel blessed to be able to help out with this organization. Crops of Luv make scrapbooks for families that have had wishes granted by non-profit organizations.

The challenging part for me is fitting all the pictures in the layout as well as reserving space for the families to journal their memories.

One Year Ago Today....

One year ago today, a simple swing of my foot changed the way I exercise now. I tore my peroneal tendon and basically couldn't do any type of cardio or lower body weights for over 7 months.

Needless to say, I gained some weight and it's taken me a while to get back into the workout routine. I still don't do any lower body weights and my cardio is limited. I use to do a lot of Zumba prior to my injury. I can do Zumba now but I have to modify any jumping or heavy twisting of the ankle. I still deal with pain after most cardio workouts but I'll take it because at least I can still do something.

My second to my last scrapbook

For the past two years, I have made close to 8 scrapbooks for co-workers. They were either wedding gifts or baby shower gifts and a birthday or two. I decided I'm only making one more for an upcoming wedding and I'm retired from making picture-less scrapbooks. Here's my latest birthday gift. The size is 5x5.

iphone photo apps

I spent my day playing around with the iphone apps Lo-Mob and Pic Stitch.

Iphone app

I've been playing around with my new iphone photo apps. 

My daughter's archery practice

and her shoes!

Pictures From Pi Day

Some pictures from today!

Yup, you read it right! 90 degrees in March!

The view from my desk - A beloved Snoopy one of 

my former students gave me!

Sunday crafting and this and that

I spent most of today working on my Project Life book via the computer. I'm starting to like digital scrapbooking more and more. It doesn't save me any time but it's less space and less messy. I also worked on a traditional mini scrapbook too.

I really want to create some 3 x 4 journaling cards and 4 x 6 cards to share but it appears all the digital paper I have is for "personal use only". You really have to read the small print policies from the people you buy the paper from. Once I find some paper that can be shared with others, I will offer some freebies.

I find this so cute! My husband keeps threatening me with a dog. I had a dog about 15 years ago and haven't had one since.

Have you tried these chips? The Lay's Sriracha chips? They just came out two weeks ago. I'm not sure if it's a Southwest regional thing or not. In the past year, I've discovered I like spicy food. I can see these chips being somewhat addicting!

I made some 3x4 cards!

For my monthly scrapbook night, we are starting a Project Life group. Right now we are planning on exchanging 3 x 4 cards so, I made a few today. 

I decided I should get out all those "good" fortunes I save from my fortune cookies and use the fortunes for "sayings". I only keep the good ones! 

A disappointing night!

Once a month, I attend a scrapbook night with a great bunch of creative and fun ladies! Well, last night I was looking so forward to going since I missed last month because I was too sick. I wasn't feeling all that bad during the day so I thought for sure I would be able to go. While I was packing up my car, I was in so much pain I barely made it out the garage. I thought the atmosphere of being with good company would somehow change my pain. It didn't! I had to pack up and leave early. I was so bummed.

On to my new round of drugs. Have I mentioned I've been sick for thirty-five days?? I have been in an endless cycle of coughing at night, irritating the inflammation in my lungs and causing severe chest pain. I'm hoping for some relief. I have been so blessed by caring and supportive friends. I have one friend that asks me each day how I'm doing. What a pal! I bet she can't wait for the day I tell her "I feel great". Bless her heart, I'm so lucky to have her in my life!

Project Life January

Here are some inserts I made and a page from my Project Life January

After I put January together, I realized I wasn't in any of the pictures. I was MIA. Probably because I was sick all of January. I'm sure I was quite a sight!

  

Missing out this year

The beginning of February is one of the reasons I love living in Sunny Arizona. The Gem Show is every February. It is one of the largest Gem Shows in the world (believe it or not). There are a bunch of Gem Shows within the city. I usually only attend two of them. Sadly this year I probably cannot attend because of my illness.

The parking lot to the event is super dusty and because of my lung problems right now, it doesn't look like a good choice for me. There are also so many people sick, I just can't afford to get sick again!

I suppose I could wear a mask, but then I'd just feel silly and I would stick out too much! Well, hopefully next year it will work out!

Project Life 2013

After successfully completing my 2012 Project Life, I decided to try another one. This Project Life I want to journal more because I have a feeling in 10 years I won't remember specifically what was going on during the time I took the pictures. I also decided to do my own designs and "theme" instead of using the stock cards that are given. I guess that's what I really didn't like about the 2012 Project Life. It didn't seem personal enough to me since I didn't make any of the cards.

I'm not sure my husband was taking me seriously when I was asking him questions for his "favorites". He was surprised when he saw it in print - Ha!

Birthday page and ancient Chinese medicine

Here's a page I made for my Project Life book in celebration of my daughter's birthday! Since she was small I've been writing her a letter for each birthday. You may ask why I've covered up her picture and left her name out. This blog is my craft blog and while I would love to share all my photos, my family deserves that choice of being anonymous. So she actually does have a name! The letter this year was an adaption from Suzy Toronto's, Wisdom for my daughter.

I used all Amy Tangerine digital papers and elements. I try to write my daughter a birthday letter every year. I've been sick for almost all of January (28 days and counting). I came down with the pneumonia, which is now better but still suffering from pleurisy. I can barely get out of bed in the morning. It's mostly just painful. I decided to take an herbal route since traditional medicine isn't doing me any favors right now.

I don't know if it will help but it's worth a try at this point.