steph's stuff

Why do you do it?

I've had a lot of questions floating around in my brain lately about scrapbooking and I'm not sure where to go with them. Why do I scrapbook, anymore? I can't remember the last time I scrapbooked just because I wanted to and just for fun. Why do I blog and share pictures? Is it for me or is it for my kids to have later on or is it for another reason? Sharyn's post has some good thoughts on the subject.

I do know that I love this craft. Both digi and paper and it's made me a better person. And given me some of the best friends I could ever hope to ask for.

I also know that I continue to be inspired on a daily basis by others in this industry. Jessica's post on Tuesday really hit something within me. And I absolutely love this idea that she had. Ali's blog and Christmas ideas have also really inspired me. She's simply decided that she wants to make this holiday season special for her family and she's set about doing it. And I love that - don't just talk about it, make the time and do it! And this idea from Cathy is just wonderful!

So, really, I love this industry and am really honored to be involved even just a little bit. But, I also need to keep the reason behind my love for this craft in sight. And make sure that I take some time out of my life to enjoy it this season.

And a gratuitous picture from a couple of weeks ago. I love pictures of roads and paths and what they make me think about when I look at them. There's a bit of promise about the future in them. :)

 

Not much going on, but yet so busy

I've been trying to figure out what to blog about and we've been as busy as ever, but even with all the busy stuff and hustle and bustle, there's not much going on. Legal assignments, photo shoots, house renovations, doctor's appointments, homework, violin, laundry - that's about it. We haven't started decorating for Christmas, but I just might dig into that this weekend. Elizabeth's birthday is the 1st and I always like to wait for her to have her birthday before I decorate for Christmas.

So, other than my cat getting fleas for the first time in her whole life - she's 12 - it's same old stuff around here.  I've tried the flea drops behind her neck, but the darn fleas are still there - not very many, but still. I can't give her a flea bath because she has claws and teeth and turns into psycho cat and the skin shredding is not something I want to go through again. So, is this is vet thing, do you think?

Sadness

Peace to Julie and her family.

Fun stuff!

I've been a longtime fan of Paula Gilarde's work and was so excited to be asked to be a Guest Designer for this class - Digital Scrapbooking Basics - that she's teaching! The class starts Monday and, if you've been considering looking into digi scrapbooking, this is the class to take! It also includes a wonderful kit by Katie Pertiet from Designer Digitals - doesn't get much better than that! Go take a peek!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I'm a little late getting up my fall blog banner. Only by a month. And now it's time for a Christmas or winter banner. Sigh. Story of my life. Same with some of you, I'm sure. So, I just added a little holly to the fall banner and that'll get me 'till January. LOL!

Today is dh's birthday and it's been a great one! He got a really cool tie for his birthday, a beautiful UT sweater, and sweet gift certificate to Barnes & Noble from my mom. He had pot roast from the crock pot, Beethoven on the stereo, and a clean house. That's pretty much heaven for him. Oh, and of course, the kids and I made him a luscious chocolate cake. And I made a layout in his honor, too.

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Have a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to those of you who will be on the roads this weekend!

Just Act

Doesn't it feel as though we went from Labor Day to Christmas in about 24 hours?!?! I'm suddenly overwhelmed and amazed at how quickly this year is coming to a close. I don't want this year to end - I've liked 2007. It's been a good year for us - good because we identified things that needed to be changed and actually did something about them. My husband might disagree with me, but it's all been for the better. And don't get me wrong - it's been hard a lot of the time - financially, emotionally, and even physically. When you decided that your house needs to be changed, your financial situation needs to be changed and your relationship needs to be mixed up a bit even, it's hard. But, we were bogged down by everything and it was all too stressful - we were stuck in a rut. A lot of ruts. And changing is hard to do. But, looking back on it from the other side is sooooooo wonderful!

Part of my philosophy over these past few months has been to just act. Whenever I felt like complaining about something or something felt too difficult, I would remind myself to just act. Don't talk about doing it, don't plan doing it, just get up and take some action. And it's worked. We're redoing the house, I've helped our financial situtation by going back into the legal field and increasing my profits from photography, and our marriage has definitely gotten fun again. Oh, and I've lost 22 pounds - that was part of a huge goal for me. And, like everything, it's all ongoing. But, we have goals now and we're acting. And I like it!

I'm starting to feel the pressure and stress and total panic about the holidays and I haven't slept well in over a week because of it. So, I'm reminding myself that my goal is to have a fun holiday - I want to take time to decorate the house nicely, do some Christmas crafts, do some Christmas projects with the kids, find some time for Tom and I to go shopping together, bake cookies, and really relax and enjoy the season. But, I'm overwhelmed with deadlines and panic about not having enough time. So, I'm going to have to just act. I don't like this feeling right now. I think I need to meet these deadlines early and get them off my plate so that I can feel free to relax and enjoy the holidays.

And, no need to comment - this post was really just a note to self. :)

Not quite

I wanted sunflare. But not quite so much. What do you think? :)

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In other news,the second book authored by Sherry Steveson for F&W Publishing is entitled " The Scrapbooker' s Embellishment Handbook" and will feature 17 categories of embellishments filled with out-of-the-box, cutting-edge ideas. The contributors of this book include; Judi VanValkinburgh, Kimber McGray, Suzy Plantamura, Melissa Phillips, Jamie Harper, Rita Weiss, Cindy Tobey, Janet Ohlson, Katrina Simeck,  and Stephanie Vetne. This book will not only offer never seen before ideas but will also contain a never before seen idea book feature involving taking an ordinary layout and showing you how to take it to extraordinary in 2 steps using embellishments. This book is currently in development and will be released early Spring 2009.

It's going to be a fun book! Stay tuned!

Well, now, that won't be so bad.

The last birthday that I really, really dreaded was my 25th. I had just moved to Indiana from Maine, was living with my grandparents and looking for a job. I was miserable, questioning what the hell I had just done, and consuming way too much chocolate on a daily basis. Little did I know that in less than a year, I would decide to go to law school and would meet Tom on the very first day.

Anyway, this birthday coming up in January is...........ahem...................a little traumatic. It has a 0 at the end of it and that's all I'm gonna say. Except that I had Emily when I was 30 and she's turning 10. Ugh. So, there we go.

But, now, I didn't factor in the husband. And his colleagues' wives. See, our anniversary in August wasn't exactly stellar. We were crabby, had a tiff, and it just didn't go well. So, he went to his partners and explained that he needed to do something good for my upcoming, dreaded birthday. And, they all went home and asked their wives what he should do. And the wives all said that he should take me on a trip. And, here's the amazing part - Tom took their advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the heavens parted and the angels sang.

To say I'm excited and surprised is a bit of an understatement. Because whoa. We've never done that. Ever. Not once since we had kids. And, remember that Em is almost 10. So, wow.

But, come January, we will be gone. Out of here. One of Andrew's preschool teachers will be staying with the kids for 4 days and 3 nights and we will be lounging on a beach in the Bahamas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why?

Why is it that I can gain 2 pounds in one day, but it takes a month to lose it?

Why do kids feel the need to change their clothes 3x/day and then put all 3 outfits in the laundry, causing me to have 15 loads of laundry to do?

Why is November and December always sooooooo crazy?

Why don't I remember this craziness and plan to get holiday stuff done early?

Why do I need to sleep?

Why do kids feel the need to wrestle all the time?

Why does Sunday School have to be so early on Sunday morning?

Why can't manufacturers make jeans that make your butt look smaller?

Why can I take 200 pictures but never seem to find the time to download them?

Why can't there really be a Santa Claus to help a mother out?

Why do we have to have so many school concerts, parents' visiting days, holiday programs, art shows, etc..... ALL between Nov. 15 and Christmas?

Why does seeing a bra strap on my daughter's shoulder make me want to curl up in a ball and cry for days?

Why can't money grow on trees? Seriously, this one would be helpful.

Okay, I'll stop. I could go on for days.

Lucky duck

Do you ever have one of those days where you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming? I still can't get over how lucky I am to be on the design team at ScrapSupply and the creative team at Designer Digitals. It really is like having the best of both worlds! The teams are supportive, friendly, professional, and truly care about their designers. I'm just a lucky duck!

Anyway, I don't put many of my layouts on my blog for some reason, so I just thought I'd share some of my recent layouts from the Scrap Supply newsletter and the Designer Digitals team gallery.