Wednesday, December 30, 2015

12/30/15 - My Creative Life Wrap up for 2015

It's almost the end of the year and I'm not sure how much more creating or sharing I will be doing between now and then...
So just in case I can't get on here again I wanted to share w/ you a bit of my Creative Life as it was for 2015.

As you (may) know for approximately 8 months of this year I didn't scrapbook.
I just didn't have the motivation.
During that time I tried to be creative anyway and my art journal was what I would reach for.
After all, art journals don't require much...just a few everyday supplies (pencil, pen/marker, eraser...) and some imagination.
The catch was...I was lacking the imagination.
I did create a couple of pages but my heart just wasn't into it.
It was like I was "creating" because I had to, not because I felt like it.

I finally had to admit, my mojo was truly gone...in ALL areas.

Eventually my scrapbooking mojo came back and it came back strong!
I started scrapping again in September 2015 and since that time I have created 17 layouts (18 total for the year).
I have also applied and been chosen to be part of a Design Team...
      and I have finally started Art Journaling again!

The art journaling came back via another creative outlet.

Here's the story (as told on my Instagram Account on 12/21/15):
About a month ago I bought a small notebook from @Target. I bought it because I'm a sucker for office/art supplies and for Target's $1 spot...but I had no real goal for what to use it for. Fast Forward to last night when my husband and I were having a convo about art and "hand lettering" came up... I know, weird right? But I suddenly knew what I would use my notebook for! I'm always looking for ways to grow as an artist and have been interested in hand lettering. I googled a few free tutorials for some tips...but realize I will have to buy a book or take a class if I want to get serious. I like my handwriting but I know that I can improve it and take it to the next level...

So thanks to a new creative interest, and a cheap $1 notebook, an old creative interest has been revived.

Here are the pages I have completed so far along w/ the journaling I included when I shared the images on Instagram:


Created 12/18 and 12/19
(Journaling for these already shared above)
 
 
 
"Snicker Doodles" and "O'Christmas Tree"
#HandLettering / #ArtJournal pages from last night 12/21/15.
While watching "It's A Wonderful Life" for the first time ever ( or actually, I should say, 
 the first time I ever stayed awake through the whole thing, LOL). Good movie!
FYI -I saw the Snicker Doodle quote on IG on another artist's page:
@heatherosebee13. I do
not take credit for it but I loved it so much I wanted to include it in my Art Journal.
 

 
 "Coffee O'clock"
Yesterday morning I took a photo of the wall of coffee mugs at @starbucks. Later that
afternoon I came across a cute hand painted quote over at the IG account of @oneartsymama:
"It's Coffee O'clock"
Coincidence? I think not...
and so this
#ArtJournalPage was born!
12/24/15
 
 
 "OITNB" and "Harry Potter"
A couple of Art Journal pages to share today.
Left - The "Orange is the New Black" logo....My inspiration: Christmas Evening David went to bed early due to a headache and Madi was in her room being an 'anti-social teenager' so I binged-watched all but the last 2 episodes of the latest season of "OITNB" (yeah , I had to tap-out but I finished watching the next day).

Right- "Harry Potter"....My Inspiration:
@GetMessyArtJournal; an Art Journaling Inspiration group. I'm not a member but I'm considering it. I found out their latest theme is "Season of Magic" and decided to create a page. When I think of 'magic' I think of Harry Potter.
I found this cute tutorial that teaches you how to draw a chibi version of the Harry Potter characters and followed it to create this page. It was fun! I may go back and draw some of the other characters.
12/30/15
 
 
I'm really enjoying this renewed feeling of wanting to create!
I am looking forward to carrying it over into the New Year and to learning new techniques!
 
I want to thank you, my loyal readers... or as I like to call you... my friends for being here for me even when I really didn't have anything very interesting to say/share.
 
I have enjoyed following along in your journey as well and will continue to do so.
Here's to a Happy, Prosperous, and Creative New Year!
XOXOXOXO
 


Sunday, December 27, 2015

12/27/15 - Reading Challenge Update



I haven't stopped trying to tackle the list...
But I did slow down quite a bit.
With it being a busy time of year (at home and at work) and having found my artsy-mojo again (yay), I haven't had as much time to read.
The year is almost over...4 days away from a new year...and I know I wont be able to squeeze in any more book reading, or at least book finishing, before then so I am here to report the last of my list.

The last 2 books I've read are:

 
Which satisfies the category of
   . a book set during Christmas
 
 
 and

 
Which satisfies the category of 
   . a book written by someone under 30
The author turned 30 this past November but published the book in March 2014.

Both books were "okay".
If your looking for a book to just pass some time, the first will work.
The second was a bit better, but I kept comparing it to John Greene's "The Fault in Our Stars" which it had a faint similarity to, but it just wasn't up to par as far was writing goes. It actually dragged for me so it took longer to read than I had planned.


This finishes off the challenge for me.

I read 25 books and checked off 23 categories (26/24 if you count the one I made up!).
Not too bad...but definitely not as close as I would have liked.
But it was still fun!

I plan to do another reading challenge next year, but I plan on making it a bit more flexible:
1) It will not require me to check of categories
2) I will not set a number of books to read, I will just try to read as many as I can...
The challenge will be to see how many I can read.

Finding time to read next year will be a challenge in itself!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

12/23/15 - Coming in 2016

Remember about a month ago I blogged about trying out for the "The Memory Nest" Design Team? Well, I was chosen to be part of the Team!


I am sharing with you part of the Design Team Introduction blog post.
To read more of my bio and meet the rest of the Team, click on this link: 2016 Design Team

 
 

Sunday, December 20, 2015

12/19/15 - "...Confident"


And here I am...AGAIN...

Layout #17 for 2015

Lots of journaling on this one!

Journaling: "I have a confession to make...
I'm 40 years old and I love to take "selfies". If you pay attention to my IG feed that
doesn't come as a surprise to you, LOL 
Some may call it conceited, but I say "what's wrong with being confident"?
It's an important step in my growth as a person. I used to hate the way I looked but as I've
gotten older I've learned to love myself, flaws and all. I'm not saying there aren't things I still
dislike about my appearance... and if I can change them I will... but for those things I can't, they
 are no longer my focus. Instead I prefer to focus on the beauty...even if I am the only one who
sees it."

Created for the Scrapbook.com "December Music Inspiration" Challenge.

"The purpose of the challenge is to create a layout using something from a song, whether it is all or part of a title, lyrics or artist name. The fun part is you do not get to chose your own song - the person who signs up after you does!" 

The song that was chosen for me was: "Confident" by Demi Lovato.

I used some lyrics from the song in my journaling and title: "what's wrong with being confident?"

Not 100% happy w/ this.
It didn't come out exactly how I envisioned it in my head...but it's done!
I AM happy with how it made me dig deep within myself and discover how I feel about "me".

BTW - It is a total coincidence that I just recently made a similar themed page about my daughter!

Friday, December 18, 2015

12/18/15 - "You Don't Know You're Beautiful"

 
 
Hi there!

With me on vacation I had a feeling that I would be on here more...
Which is a good thing because part of my goal on my vacation, besides trying to relax, is to scrap!
So here is another layout I created (yesterday).

 Layout #16 for 2015
 
 
"You Don't Know You're Beautiful" 
 Journaling: "Getting a picture of you is very difficult these days because you're going through a stage where you think you're ugly. It makes me sad that: you don't know you're beautiful".
 
 
I think we all go through this stage at some point in our lives... even more then once and through out, even as adults we still do, I know I do! But I think as a parent it really hurts to have your child go through it.
We're constantly telling Madison how beautiful she is but she doesn't want to hear it/doesn't believe us! ::sigh::
Anyway, even though it makes me sad I wanted to capture the "story" and have a reason to use 2 photos of her from 2 different events on 1 layout.
 
BTW - her dad is the only person who can get her to take a photo...so not fair!
 
 
I created this for 2 challenges over at Scrapbook.com:

Challenge # 1 - "December Ugly Paper Challenge":
The rainbow colored paper and the red and white polka dot paper are my "uglies" sent to me from another player:



I used the red and white as my BG (obviously) and the rainbow paper as a mat for the bigger photo and a frame to cover the people in the BG of the smaller photo of my daughter so that it would just focus on her .
If I had these paper in my stash I never would have thought to use them together, or with the photos I wound up using, but I love the way it turned out!
*I didn't use the embellishment because it didn't work w/ the theme of the layout.



Challenge #2 - "December Music" challenge - Category 1: Lyrics
I used lyrics from "That's What Makes you Beautiful", from One Direction, as part of my journaling/title.

Need to go back and add the dates of the photos but they were taken: (L) 12/05/15, (R) 10/04/15


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

12/16/15 "Pig In a Blanket"

Layout #15 for 2015
 
I loved this photo so much I couldn't wait to make a layout w/ it!
I took the photo in the morning and as soon as I had the opportunity I scrapped it; that day (today)!
 
 
"Pig In a Blanket" 
Journaling: "December 16th, 2015... Posted on Instagram: Pig in a blanket...
Yeah, I went there! LOL It's actually 2 blankets and 1 is electric"
 
 
 
For the Scrapbook.com "December Scrap Your Pet or Animal" challenge

Just a heads up - I'm on vacation for a week starting today; a stay-cation.
Just taking a much needed break from work...
So I may be posting more than usual.

TIA for your visits and comments!

Monday, December 14, 2015

12/14/15 - "This Time of Year"

 
 
 
Layout #14 for 2015
 
"This Time of Year"
Journaling: "Christmas Conifers Tree Farm... November 22nd, '15... Picked out our tree today. My favorite part was the Apple Pie Smoothie at "Juice It Up" afterwards."

The reason I chose "this time of my year" as my title and not something like "Christmas time" is because I'm referencing the time of year that we pick out our tree, which is in November not December, therefore not technically "Christmas time", plus I'm referring to the "time of year" the holiday goodies start coming out, such as the Apple Pie Smoothie.
 
Created for/Included in the following Scrapbook.com Challenges:

> the "December Music" Challenge - Category 2: Song Title
I chose "This Time of Year" by Brook Benton
I included the twist of "silver and red" - see buttons and crystals

> the "December Hoarders" challenge since I realized EVERYTHING on here is AT LEAST 2 years or older!


TFL!

Friday, December 11, 2015

12/11/15 - Someone is Having a GiveAway!

It's not me though.
LOL!

I am posting this because I'm a sucker for a "giveaway" and because I love discovering new creative people to follow who will hopefully inspire me....

Please visit Alexandra's blog:  GiveAway




If you enter, good luck!

Monday, December 7, 2015

12/07/15 - Photo Bombed by Don Quijote

 
Morning,
Did you pause for a moment when you read that title?
It is a bit weird, right?

But it's true...well, kinda!
My recent layout will explain more (click on image to enlarge):

 "Photo Bombed by Don Quijote" 
Journaling reads: "Throwback to that time in Spain when we got photo bombed by
Don Quijote. 
And, on this day of thanks, I want to say I am thankful for this man!
Without him I would have missed out on so much in life. W/ my social anxiety
leaving the house is hard enough, but traveling to another country? Yeah, that
never would have happened. Thank you, baby!"
Photo: 10.25.15    Journaling: 11.26.15 Thanksgiving"
 
 
I had posted this photo on Instagram on Thanksgiving Day as a "Throwback Thursday Photo" w/ the intention of being funny, but because it was Thanksgiving it segued into a "thank you" to my husband.
Here's the original post: Thanksgiving 2015.
When I created the layout I decided I liked what I wrote so much that I would keep it as my journaling: both the funny and serious parts, although I had to paraphrase a bit in order to fit it on the layout.
Because of the "bi-polar" nature of the journaling, I wasn't sure what to title the layout so I just went w/ what I thought was the most obvious...
But as you can see there really is no clearly defined title on the layout itself.
Although I like titles, they're not always necessary.

I also went a bit sticker crazy but I sometimes I just really love the look of a cluster of stickers!
In fact when I was finished, I kinda wish I used more.
I notice that when I buy a scrap kit, I generally don't use all the stickers and I want to do that more...
There are 4 actual stickers on here, the "OH, SNAP" is not a sticker but it looks like one.
It's actually the "border" piece of one of the papers I used. I saw it and thought it would fit the layout so I cut it out, outlined it, and glued it amongst my cluster!

BTW - The kit I used was "Oh, Snap" by Echo Park.
Echo Park is one of my favorite Scrapbook Companies...in case you are wondering what to get me for Christmas... ::wink, wink::



Saturday, November 28, 2015

11/28/15 - "14 Yrs"



Hi there!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Just wanted to stop by and share a layout I created today.
I was inspired to create the layout from 2 different sources

"The Memory Nest" blog and Scrapbook.com

First the layout (click on image to enlarge):

 
 
The overall design was inspired by sketch #49 from "The Memory Nest":


 
The overall theme and journaling was inspired by a challenge at Scrapbook.com; the "November Music Inspiration" challenge.
 
"The purpose of the challenge is to create a layout using something from a song, whether it is all or part of a title, lyrics or artist name. The fun part is you do not get to chose your own song - the person who signs up after you does!" 

The song that was chosen for me was: "Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart" by Judy Garland....that's some serious "old school" music, huh?

I used some lyrics from the song in my journaling (in italics):
"After 15 years 'I still recall the thrill, I guess I always will... I love you, I love you!' Happy 14th Anniversary"
 
Just and FYI: I went back and added the date after scanning because I realized I had forgotten to do so originally (07/16/15)..because dates are important!
 
This makes layout #12 for me this year!
So basically 1 layout a month...not bad for someone who didn't scrap for 8 months!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

11/21/15 - Because "Maroon"

Another layout completed.
This one is for a DT call.
I've been out of the scrappy world for a while but now that I'm back I would like to be part of a Team again.
 
I have been on 4 Design Teams in the past.
At one time I was on 3 of them all at the same time!
I was busy!
 
I don't want to take on that much responsibility again but I do miss being on a team. I find them inspirational and motivational and I like that perhaps my interpretations of our challenges inspires and motivates others.
 
I've been a follower of "The Memory Nest", Leslie Germain, for years and I was delighted to find out she was having a Design Team call for 2016. 
 
I am submitting this layout as my entry which is based on the sketch that was create for the call:
 
"Maroon"
Journaling (taken from my Instagram post of the photo on the right): "Because it's been
a while since I've worn my hair straight and I like this color on me.
8.24.15"
 
 
The sketch:
 
Leslie's blog is great and I know she has a lot of followers and I'm sure that she will have lots of entries so I am not getting my hopes up.
If I don't get a spot, at least I got another layout done!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

11/12/15 -"A Dirty Snout and Clowns"

 
Hello and Happy Thursday to you!

Just dropping off a couple of layouts I recently created!
I need to prove to you that I'm still scrapbooking after all my 'big talk' about getting my mojo back!!
LOL, JK!

But I did and I have so I would like to share.
Both layouts were created for Scrapbook.com Challenges (click on images to enlarge):
 
"You Look Dapper"
Top journaling strips; "Hey Grammy(*)...Do I have something on my face?"
Bottom journaling(under the title):
"The way Hamlet typically looks after being outside."
 
 
(*) Hamlet belongs to Madison, a reward for doing so well in school, so I am his "Grammy" AKA "Grandma".
For the "November Scrap Your Pet" challenge.
No twist (chevrons).

 

"Are You Scared?"
Journaling: "Halloween 2014: Adam and Jessica joined us in scaring
trick-or-treaters this year.
Left to right: Adam, Joseph, Jessica, Madison, and David"
  

For the "November Ugly Paper" challenge.
The ugly paper is the B&W BG and the white paper with the different colored sunbursts (large circle behind the group photo and there's a piece poking out of the top of the green BG).


The ugly papers weren't really that difficult to work with since, to me, they weren't ugly at all.
I also used two of the embellishments that were given to me: the brown & white decorative circles at the top left and bottom right of the layout.


 

Monday, November 9, 2015

11/09/15 - Reading Challenge Update

 
Hello, hello! 
 
It's been a while since I've posted an update...
I've been reading but not as much since finding my scrapbooking mojo again!
That, along w/ the fact that I had been on vacation for 10 days put a bit of a damper on my reading time.
But I am happy to report that in this installment of the Reading Challenge I have read 3 more books!
Unfortunately they only count as 1 since I read them for the "A Trilogy" option of the challenge.
 
 
"Gemini Series"
 
I used to read VC Andrews as a teenager.
She was my favorite author.
For those who don't know, she passed away but she has a Ghost Writer.
From what I've read, the reading community has mixed reviews on the "ghost writer" and his ability to write as well as Andrews did.
I don't have any problem w/ his work.
This series was good... just as creepy as some of her stuff that I read and love(d) in the past.
TBH if she was still alive and writing I think that there would mixed reviews on her latest books since it's difficult to come up w/ new/fresh ideas after years of writing.
The only complaint I have about this series is the conclusion to the 3rd book was a bit rushed and it didn't really tie up all the loose ends of the whole story.
I had questions when I was done...
I don't like when books leave you hanging!
But I'm not going to base the whole series on one book.
In fact, reading this series is making me eager to return to her/his books!
 
Total Books Read: 21/50

Monday, October 19, 2015

10/19/15 - Poolside and Candles

Hi all!
Stopping by to share my latest layouts!
Seems once I started scrapbooking my mojo came back!
 
 
 "My Kind of Monday"
 Journaling:
" .Starbucks  .Bloody Mary  .Lying poolside at Ceasars Palace in Vegas 
.Quality time w/ my honey
   = a wonderful 14th anniversary and...  My Kind of Monday "               


For the SB.com "October Round Robin"Challenge:
There are teams of 4 people, one person for each week, similar to a relay race. The person assigned for week 1 in each group will start their team off with a layout depending on what the specs and twist will be. Then the following week, everyone assigned to week 2 will lift off their week 1 team member and so on.
 
I was 3rd in line.
MarciLB started the round w/ this layout: Fishing 
JustLyn was 2nd and she created this (lifting Marci): Beach Bliss
Then I lifted from Lyn.
There are 4 people in each group so the next/last person lifts me.
 
 
 
 
"20"
Journaling:
".Green tea Frappuccino ."Jurassic World" . Archery Session .Olive Garden .Homemade Caramel cheesecake .Harry Potter book set . Target GC = Happy Birthday!"
 

My son's 20th Birthday
He's a low-key kinda guy so nothing wild....
just a few of his favorite things.
(I already did a layout about his archery session: "Archery")
 
For the SB.com "October Ugly Paper" challenge.
Each person joins and gets the name of another person in the challenge to send 2 ugly papers and an embellishment to use for their project.
You have to use the papers but using the embellishment is optional; I didn't use the one that was sent to me.
The "uglies" are the BG paper and the grey/white/yellow plaid paper.
Not really ugly at all (ugly is subjective) and they went well w/ my son's birthday photos.

I just realized I forgot to add the date so I will go back and do so. I also spelled Frappuccino wrong on the layout - ugh! Oh well too late now!


You may have noticed that both layouts have journaling in a list format.
Lately I've been finding it's an easier way to tell the story w/out being too lengthy.
 
If you're wondering...
yes I'm still reading but not as much.
I need to take advantage of this "creative mojo" while I've got it!
 
I'll have a "Reading Challenge" update soon though!
 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

10/14/15 - "Wheels and Pirate Ships"

Hi, all!
As I mentioned in my last post, I have made a commitment to myself to include some creative time in my life at least once a week.
Since the last time I posted I have kept that commitment and having done so, was able to create 2 more layouts:
 
 
 "My New Wheels"
Journaling: "After living over 6 years w/out a car payment, the decision to get a new one was tough! Unfortunately my Xterra, bought new in 2004, was starting to give us trouble. That along w/ it being a gas hog and us no longer needing the extra room, since our kids were grown, made us take the plunge. David had a customer who worked at a Nissan Dealership. He gave us a good deal and w/ my excellent credit I was able to get 0% interest w/ a $279.00 payment. 2014 Nissan Sentra. 01/24/15"
 
 
Created for the "October Music Inspiration" Challenge over at SB.com.
Rules -
"The purpose of the challenge is to create a layout using something from a song, whether it is all or part of a title, lyrics or artist name. The fun part is you do not get to chose your own song - the person who signs up after you does!"

The song that was chosen for me was: "Wheels in the Sky" by Journey.
I had never heard of that song and except for 2 of their songs, I am not a fan of Journey, but I had already accepted the challenge so there was no going back!

I tried hard to use the lyrics but was not able to make them translate well to a layout, despite having a couple of loose ideas in my head. Finally it came to me, in the shower of all places (LOL) that I could use the word "wheels" to make a layout about my new car! Once that came to me the rest was easy!


 
"Pan"
Journaling reads: "Family Movie Date! 10.11.2015. So good! After "Maleficent" I
 was worried this would be a dud too but this one was way better!"
 
 
Created for the "October Movie" Challenge over at SB.com.
Create a layout using a movie as your inspiration.

BTW -
For those of you who liked "Maleficent", I'm not knocking your tatse, I was just really disappointed in the movie... Maybe because Maleficent is my favorite Disney Villain.
 
Coincidentally, both layouts have a turquoise BG.

Monday, October 5, 2015

10/05/15 -"Um Guys?"

Happy Monday!!!
I had a very busy weekend... but I made myself find time to scrapbook!
I guess that's just what I'm going to have to do...although before it wasn't JUST about time, it was also about lack of inspiration.
Now that I'm feeling that I may have my "mojo" back, I will make myself "schedule" some creative time each week.
My husband is very supportive of it and had recently (about a month ago) asked me why I "don't scrapbook anymore?" I didn't even realized he noticed!
So w/ his support and my itching to create, I gave myself a 2 hour window to scrap yesterday evening.
It took me most of that 2 hours to figure out what photos I was going to scrap and how (don't you just hate that)!  But eventually it came together (click on image to enlarge):
 
 
"Um Guys?"
 
Journaling reads: "Whenever I look at these photos, especially the 2nd one, I always imagine Panini has something to say to us about us getting a pig. 7.24.15"
 
 
For those who do not follow me on Instagram, let me share some background info:
 
This is our cat Panini and our (daughter's) pet mini-potbelly pig Hamlet.
We got Hamlet in May at 12 weeks old so this photo is after 2 months of him growing.

This is the first time I have ever scrapped Hamlet but plan to do so a lot more in the future! 
 
I created this for the "October Scrap Your Pet Challenge" over at SB.com.
I did not include the twist of torn paper.
I didn't mean to exclude the twist, it's just sometimes I forget about it until after I'm finished w/ my layout. Some twists are easy to add in after the fact, some not-so-much.

I also challenged myself: I had the BG paper in my stash for quite a while now (about a year and 1/2) and had no idea what to do w/ it... I finally forced myself to figure it out!
 
So 2 challenges met and, most importantly, another layout created! Whoo-hoo!

Monday, September 28, 2015

09/28/15 - 1st Layout Since January

 
 
I don't think anyone reads my blog anymore so I am pretty sure I am just talking to myself but... JIC... Hello! Good Morning! Good Afternoon! Good Evening!
 
 
Today I am sharing the first scrapbook page I have made since January!
 
Drum roll please...........
 

"#Thirteen"
Journaling:"Madi hates taking pictures but on this day, her thirteenth birthday, she let me.
I refer to that moment as: "A Birthday Miracle!"
1/24/15
  
I created the layout for 2 challenges over at SB.com:
 
The "September Movie Challenge": use a movie as your inspiration.
I chose the movie "Thirteen" (came out in 2003.)
-and -
The "September Sticker Challenge": include stickers on your layout.
I used 10 stickers on this layout (not counting the title, which is also stickers).
Twist = use a number sticker.  My "number symbol" counted for the twist.

The Title can be read 2 different ways/has dual meaning: "number" Thirteen or "hashtag" Thirteen.
 
 
 
 
I'm not gonna lie, even though I enjoyed the process, there was some anxiety mixed in as well.
I am so out of practice that I felt like I couldn't get my groove!
It took 2 days to complete this layout.
I got the basic idea and put everything down and then walked away from it before deciding if it needed anything else. Day 1 was a whole lot of that!
Day 2 was the realization that I liked it pretty much the way it was, adding a few extra little touches and then getting it scanned, cropped, and uploaded.
I did make a few mistakes that I had to cover up, which lead to some of the sticker choices, LOL
Like I said I'm out of practice...
But overall, I am very happy w/ it!
 
 
 
 
Which then lead me to create another layout which, completely coincidentally, is also about a birthday; this time my son's.
 
 "Archery" 
Journaling: "Joseph loves archery, so for his 20th birthday we bought him some
shooting time at a local range. Since I'm uncoordinated and Madison is shy, David
volunteered to shoot w/ him."
  
A SB.com challenge was the inspiration for this layout as well:
The "Boys Will Be Boys" Challenge.
Create a layout about a boy/the boys in your life.
 
2 layouts in one weekend after almost a year of nothing?!
I'm hoping this means I'm back!
Only time will tell...
But I will say, I'm looking forward to the next time that I can scrap and I joined a couple of challenges on SB.com that require an actual commitment once you've signed up...
I'm hoping my new found excitement and the fact that I have made these commitments will allow me to churn out at least a couple more layouts!

Monday, July 13, 2015

08/11/15 - "2015 Reading Challenge" Update

It's that time again!
Reading Challenge Status time!

I haven't been reading as much as I'd like.
I use to read a lot at work but work has been very busy lately so now I actually have to WORK instead of READ! Darn it! LOL!

This time I'm doing it a bit differently:  I will provide you w/ all the new information first and then atinclude a link to the last blog post if you want to be reminded of what I've read so far.

Here we go!
Isn't it cute!
I liked the book and discovered there is a sequel so I will be reading that one too, once I finish this challenge, unless I can find a way to make it fit!
 
I'm currently working on checking off my trilogy... so I'll be reading 3 books but only getting 1 credit.
Doesn't seem fair, right?! Errr...
Well, I will still count it as 3 books for my total books read but I can only check off 1 category.
 
Total count: 20/50(53)
 
Here's the link to my last post:  Update 07/05/15
 
BTW - I include, kinda sorta, book reviews /book descriptions on my Instagram account for some of the books I read if you're interested...
The link to my IG is at the top of this blog, above my photo.
 
Okay, that's all for now!
  ...so many books so little time!




Monday, July 6, 2015

07/05/15 - "2015 Reading Challenge" Update

Since reading is my life right now, well during my free time anyway, I am back to update you on my progress.
 
As always I will share the list that is "The Reading Challenge":
 
 
 And like I did during my last update, here's a reminder of the books I already read: 
  • A book with more than 500 pages:  "Allegiant"
  • A book that became a movie:  "The Silver Linings Playbook"
  • A book published this year: "Before I Go"
  • A book with a number in the title:  "Three Wishes"
  • A funny Book:  "Seriously...I'm Kidding" 
  • A book by a female Author:  "Girls in Trouble"
  • A book of short stories:  "Four" 
  • A popular author's first book: "Still Alice" 
  • A book based on a true story: "Wild" 
  • A memoir:  "Yes, Please"
  • A book that is set in high school: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
  • A book by an Author you never read before: "The Fault In Our Stars
  • Unbearable lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain - Bonus Book/Category I Made up: "a book you've already read but liked enough to read again" 




  • And now for my updates:
  • A book by an author you love that you haven't read yet: "Paper Towns"
  • A book with a one-word title: "Triangles"
  • A book set in a different country: "Reinventing Rose"  - (Australia)
  • A book you started but never finished: "The Host"

  • I want to say a little bit about this last book... it was written by Stephenie Meyer the author who wrote the "Twilight"series... I LOVED the "Twilight" Series (Hey! Don't judge! LOL). I bought "The Host" when it first came out, in 2008, and could not get into it! To be honest, I just didn't understand it! It has a sci-fi vibe and I am not into sci-fi. So I shoved it under my bed never to see the light of day again (or so I thought). Then I watched the movie in 2013 and although the movie wasn't all that great, it gave me more of an understanding of what was going on. So when this challenge category came up, I decided to give the book another chance. I'm glad I did! Although I wouldn't place on my list of "Best Books I've Ever Read" I did enjoy reading it.  The only problem I had is it was LONG (60 chapters, 619 pages)! I felt like, despite that I enjoyed reading it,  I'd never be finished w/ it!

    This brings my total: 17 out of 51  (actually it should be 53 because one of the categories is a trilogy)

    BTW I was 'chatting' w/ a fellow blogger who is also taking on this challenge and we both agreed that some of these categories are boring so we probably wont get to them all.   
    Maybe if I had started sooner I would have made myself do it, but seeing as I started the challenge late in the year, and am therefore already behind, I plan on working on the categories that interest me first and IF I have time go back to the others.
    After all this is suppose to be a fun challenge, right?
    RIGHT! And it definitely is!

    Wednesday, July 1, 2015

    07/01/15 - Blog Changes

    I don't blog very much any more.
    I guess I got burned out...
    Or maybe it's because the reason I created my blog, my scrapbooking, doesn't exist any more...
    I haven't given up, I just haven't made time for it.
    Making time to do the things you love is important, but right now the things I love include reading and watching Netflix, LOL!
    (Of course, this is besides my husband, children, and fur-babies)
    Which isn't to say I don't love art any more.
    As a matter-of-fact I've been itching to get back into it, but w/ The Reading Challenge taking up all my free time I haven't actually gotten around to being creative.
    It's not a bad thing though, I mean, not really...
    I am enjoying The Reading Challenge! Especially since I know others who are doing it and since there is a hash tag of it on IG that I can check out whenever I want to look for inspiration or just share in the camaraderie.
     
    That brings me to this post...
    I made a few changes to my blog that may or may not help make blogging more of a desire now.
         For one I changed the name:
    It used to be  "A Day in Doreena's Life" but then I realized, ummmm... yeah, I hardly blog about "days" in my life! So, for now at least, I have changed the name to "Doreena's Place". Not very original and I don't exactly like it because it's "boring" (to me)... but until I think of something better, it will do!
        Another change, my blog description:
    Although I am still "loving life and living it to the fullest" I wanted to include something more geared to what people would be reading about on my blog. I changed it to "art, books, and randomness". Most of my posts in the past have been art related and since I've been posting a lot more about books, and plan to continue to do so, I thought it was more fitting and more precise. Especially for those who do "Google" searches for things they want to read about. The "randomness" part is just because I don't want to lock myself into only art and books!

    Minor changes but I'm hoping they help me get back into my love of blogging!
    This may continue to change over time as I try to find my niche.
    Oh, and if you have any suggestions for the title of my blog, I want to hear them!!! I would like to keep my name it though, if possible, but I'm open to anything!

    BTW - I have an upcoming post regarding my progress on The Reading Challenge...
    I just need to finish the 2 books I am currently reading before I do so!

    Thursday, June 4, 2015

    06/04/15 - Good Reads


    Hi!
    Really quick post!

    Just wanted to advise you, those who asked and/or care, that I have signed up for "Good Reads".
    I was on it before but saw no real need so I canceled, but...
    maybe it's because I didn't have any "friends" on there since I didn't know anyone else w/ a "Good Reads" account.
    Also I signed up because I discovered they had a "2015 Reading Challenge" function which allows you to log your books and advises you what percentage you're at, and how far you are behind/ahead in the challenge; the nerd in me likes stuff like that, LOL!

    Soooooooo...
    If you're interested in adding me my user name is: Doreen Vasquez...
    So original, I know...LOL!

    Hope to see you there!

    BTW -  I FINALLY finished "Wild" and I am currently reading "Paper Towns" and will start reading "The Host" soon.... as soon as I can find it under my bed, where I stashed it! ;0P

    Wednesday, May 27, 2015

    05/27/15 - 2015 Reading Challenge Update


    Hello!
    Just checking in and updating my "2015 Reading Challenge" log.
    Here's a reminder of what the challenge looks like:

     
     Here's a reminder of list of  what I've already blogged about reading: 
  • A book with more than 500 pages:  "Allegiant"
  • A book that became a movie:  "The Silver Linings Playbook"
  • A book with a number in the title:  "Three Wishes"
  • A funny Book:  "Seriously...I'm Kidding" 
  • A book by a female Author:  "Girls in Trouble"
  • A popular author's first book: "Still Alice" 
  • A memoir:  "Yes, Please"
  • A book that is set in high school: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
  • A book by an Author you never read before: "The Fault In Our Stars"





  • And here is my updated info:

    • A book based on a true story: "Wild" (currently struggling to read)
    • A book published this year: "Before I Go"
    • A book of short stories: "Four" - I read this earlier in the year but I didn't even realize that it qualified for this category! Thanks to a fellow blogger/friend who is also doing this challenge and used the same book for this category, I now know and can check another off my list!
    • "Unbearable Lightness - A Story of Loss and Gain"  - This technically fits in the "true story" category but since I have already read it before, I think using it for any of the categories of the challenge would be cheating.  BUT...I did read it (again) so I want it to count in my total number of books read in 2015 therefore I am making up a category ---- "a book you've already read but liked enough to read again"  I could actually do this with a lot of books but I can only use each category, even my made up category, once.
    So instead of having read 50 books by the time this challenge is completed, IF I complete it, I will have read 51 books.

    Total books for 2015 (as of today) = 13

    BTW - In case you can't tell, the names of the books are actually links to the books information on Amazon. I did this in the event that you may want to learn more about the book.

    Wednesday, April 15, 2015

    04/15/15 - Reading Challenge

    Well, hello there!
    It's been a while, hasn't it?!

    I've been happy but busy.
    Too much to detail...but if you are a follower of my Instagram, you know what I've been up to.
    (If not and in case you want to be, my IG name is Mrs_David_Vasquez.)

    I HAVE NOT done any scrapbooking since my last post.
    I HAVE been a little bit creative recently...
    I will share more about that in another post (maybe...LOL I haven't written a blog post in a while; don't want to pressure myself)

    Today I will share w/ a you one of the hobbies that has been keeping me busy so far in 2015:
    Reading!

    I have loved to read since I was a kid and have tried very hard to keep up w/ it all my life.
    Sometimes it was easier than other times but it never was a hobby that completely disappeared.

    It was one of my goals to read more this year.
    To help me w/ that goal I have been inspired by this list: "2015 Reading Challenge"

    Which I found through this blog: "Lauren Likes".
    Scroll down to item #7 on her list and you will find the link to the above "challenge" as well as a few other reading challenges. 
    I picked the one I did because it has the feel of a scavenger hunt.
    Scavenger Hunt = Fun!


    So far I have:
    • A book with more than 500 pages:  "Allegiant"
    • A book that became a movie:  "Silver Linings Playbook"
    • A book with a number in the title:  "Three Wishes" (Currently Reading)
    • A funny Book:  "Seriously...I'm Kidding"  (Currently Reading)
    • A book by a female Author:  "Girls in Trouble"
    • A popular author's first book: "Still Alice" 
    • A memoir:  "Yes, Please"
    • A book that is set in high school: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
    • A book by an Author you never read before: "The Fault in Our Stars"
    Total books: 9

    Through this challenge I have read some very good books and discovered some new authors...
    A couple of those authors, whose other books I am very eager to read: John Green ( author of The Fault In Our Stars) and  Lisa Genova (author of Still Alice), and an author I am curious to try again: Liane Moriarty (author of Three Wishes*).
    *I'm actually having a little bit of trouble getting though this book but I have read a lot of reviews that state this book is actually her worst. Based on that information, I will finish this one and give another of her more acclaimed books a try.

    Hopefully I will be able to complete the challenge, IDK though, some of those categories are difficult, but if not I will have at least have had fun trying!

    Sunday, January 18, 2015

    01/18/15 - "Pippin"

    I finally did a layout!
    17 days into the New Year and I managed to be creative!
    'Yay me'!
    And...I think I like it! Actually I know I like it!
    Double 'Yay me'!
     
    Layout of when my husband and I went to see the musical "Pippin" in Vegas. Journaling comes from what I wrote when I posted the photos on Instagram, complete w/ hashtags (click on image to enlarge):
     
    "Pippin"
     Journaling:
    "No need to go to Broadway to watch a great Broadway Show! 11.30.14
    #Pippin #PippinTheMusical #Vegas #TheSmithCenterForPerformingArts"
     
    BTW - Alternate blog post titles were:
    "1st Layout of 2015"
    "Negative Space and Hashtags"
    "Hashtags Are Journaling Too"
    and my favorite:
    "Pippin, Not to be Confused w/ Pimpin"
     
    LOL!
     
     

    Wednesday, January 7, 2015

    01/07/15 - Happy 2015

    Hi and Happy New Year!
    I haven't blogged since 12/19/14...
    And I haven't felt the urge to, but thought if I didn't write something soon, I may never do so again!
     
    Currently I'm feeling bogged down by the whole "New Year, New Me" concept that comes at the start of each year.
     
    Everyone is making resolutions.
     
     
    But
    I can't...
    I just can't...
    I just can't even!
     
     
    My daughter illustrating the way I feel in her first photo of the new year taken at the stroke of midnight on 1/1/15,  LOL... not planned BTW

    Seriously though...
    everyone is sharing their resolutions and/or their scrappy plans for the year:
    One Little Word, Project Life, Finishing their December Daily, etc...
    and I can't even THINK of that stuff w/out feeling drained.
    In fact even just reading other people's plans is exhausting me!
    There are some crazy ambitious people out there!
     
    My layout goal last year was 100.
    I then changed it to 50.
    Final count was 49 (so close!)
    Although I also discovered art journaling and completed 30 pages in my art journal so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad.
     
    This year I am not trying to achieve any number.
    I am not trying to finish any projects.
    I need to know that I can 'just do' (or 'not do') and still be content.
    To be honest, I was starting to feel stifled by my "plans":
    I felt like when I planned to create it killed the creative juices and resulted in projects that didn't make me happy.
    Also, the pressure to have a number of projects at the end of the year took away some of the fun.
    It became more about the numbers and not about being creative.
     
    This year needs to be simple and fluid.
     
    Additionally, I learned a lot about myself as a person last year.
    I discovered what truly makes me happy:
    My husband and kids (and fur babies) and taking care of them and our home.
    I realized that "My Happy Place" lies w/ them.
    Making them happy made (makes) ME happy.
    Often times that meant I didn't have time to be crafty...and that was perfectly fine w/ me!
    I became a better wife and mother last year and that alone made 2014 a success!
    So my focus this year will be more of the same.
     
    Does this mean I am giving up my scrapping or my blog?
    No.
    I will still be here because I could never truly give it up...being creative just runs too deep.
    I will just be here less and not on any type of schedule.
    I will still visit my "bloggy" friends from time to time as well, but just not as much as I did last year.
    So if you don't hear from me for a while, don't worry!
    I'm good.
    Life is good!
     
    And just in case it's a while before I stop by again...
    I hope that you have an amazing 2015!
     
     
     
    BTW if I was FORCED to have a resolution for this year it would be this:
     

     
     
    Hahaha! 

    03/27/23 Planning with Urban Journal Season Ink

    My printer was having issues and I fixed it but during the interim I was not scrapping and lost my mojo ::le sigh:: But I've still been ...