Forgotten Layout

It was a good thing that I went through some files on my computer. I found a forgotten scrapbook page. I added some journaling and it was done. I started it back in February, but forgot about it. All software and supplies are from My Digital Studio.

The Happiness Blog Hop

I am happy to be stop #2 on the Happiness Blog Hop, and I am happy that you are here! You should have arrived from Scrapworthy Lives (one of my new favorite blogs), or you can use the list below to follow the entire blog hop about scrapooking and happiness.

To enter the giveaway from Scrapworthy Lives, be sure to comment below. You can earn one entry per blog. This means that if you visit everyone’s blog and comment on each blog, you will have 14 entries. All entries must be posted by Friday, June 3 at midnight Central Standard Time (Chicago, IL, USA). Stephanie will ship the prize anywhere in the world. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 5 on Scrapworthy Lives.

Here is the full blog hop list:
Scrapworthy Lives
1200 Some Miles
Take a Picture and Remember This
Scrap Your Life
My Life in Photos & Words
This Kalil Life
Fun Mama
Scrapping Mojo
XNomad’s Blog
Nuggets
The Constant Scrapper
Pie for Breakfast
Scraps & Sass
Abstracts Mixed with Extracts

I have been thinking about happiness and scrapbooking. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin talks about finding happiness in our current lives. She examines ways to be happier without radically changing your life, including making more time for the things that you love. Gretchen loves children's literature, so she makes time for multiple children's literature reading groups each month. I agree with Gretchen that it is important to find what makes you truly happy and not get caught up in what you think should make you happy.

I have found that scrapbooking, card making, and blogging make me happy (in addition to my family). I try to find time each week to do these activities even if it means that my house could be cleaner... Here is why scrapbooking (both digital and traditional) makes me happy:
1. I enjoy photos, both taking them and viewing them.
2. I enjoy recording and sharing stories and memories.
3. I like to get crafty and creative.
4. Many of the current trends in scrapbooking encourage us to appreciate our everyday lives.

I made a digital layout for this blog hop focusing on happiness and my everyday life. I used My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! and photos from April 27, 2011.

Readers, now it is your turn. Please leave a comment below to enter the giveaway and answer one or both of my questions. How does scrapbooking make you happy? In addition to scrapbooking (or instead of scrapbooking), does another hobby or activity bring you happiness?

Please visit Take a Picture and Remember This to continue on the blog hop.

Stamp Camp

Summer has arrived in South Texas and it is hot! The kids here got out of school last week or will finish this coming week. Many of them will be heading to camps, and I stay on the look out for camps that Alex can attend when he is older (Engineering, Archeology, Sports, Spanish, and maybe even Space camp!) I will be busy at work all summer, but at least I get to go to camp for a day.

I am going to Stamp Camp on Saturday, June 18th. If you live in the San Antonio area, you can check out the camps on June 18 & 25 on the Stamp in Strength and Hope website. The projects are good for both new and seasoned stampers and scrappers. There is even a "kit by mail" option if you cannot attend.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Thrive Well Cancer Foundation. In addition, Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the purchase of the Strength & Hope Stamp set and Strength & Hope digital kit (which will work with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements) to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Project of the Week #4

I have been in the mood to scrapbook this week. I found a great sketch online to use. I completed a digital layout in My Digital Studio over a couple of evenings. Most of the elements are from Stampin' Up!, but I used Ali Edward's Baby Blue Patterns and Solids Papers from Designer Digitals. I am glad that I can use digital papers, stamps, and embellishments from various sources with this software. My first paper choice for this layout was too bright and busy, and this one fits much better with my photos.

Taking Pictures

Alex has gotten a hold of the camera a few times lately. Here are a couple of pictures that he took:

This is a good start for a two year old. At 18 months, I kept holding my toy camera backwards. I am still working on my photography skills!

A Week in the Life

Ali Edwards does a neat project called A Week in the Life. Her next one is set for July 25-31, and I am going to try to jump on board this time.

http://aliedwards.com/2010/01/week-in-the-life.html

Can I take on a large scrapbooking project during Orientation? I started prepping my files today for the first big orientation of the summer...

Project of the Week #3

Here is the card that I made for Tiffany's baby shower. All items are from Stampin' Up! since she used to be my demonstrator.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Best Yet, Bitty Basics, and Sincere Salutations (not pictured, inside the card)
Ink: Staz On Black
Stickers: from the Rock-A-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit
Paper: Travel Journal
Card stock: Whisper White and Bashful Blue
Embossing Folder: Square Lattice Textured Impressions
Punch: Ticket Corner

Some of these supplies are retired. I have been trying to use things that I have on hand and keep new purchases to a minimum. I do like mixing older and newer products.

How I resisted stamping but then fell it love with it

I am making a card for a baby shower for my friend Tiffany, who helped me learn to stamp. This got me thinking about how I resisted stamping but then fell in love with it.

After I started scrapbooking, I decided to take a stamping class at the local scrapbook store. We made some pretty cards, and I bought a clear alphabet stamp set and some ink. I thought I would use it on my scrapbook pages, but it seemed messy to me. I tossed those supplies aside and went back to my pretty papers and stickers. That was in 2005 or 2006.

Fast forward to winter of 2008. I was dropping off some books (probably overdue...) to the library. A couple of women were in the multipurpose room offering free "make and take" cards. I made a card and entered their drawing for a giveaway. They were Stampin' Up demonstrators, and I had used their products to make my wedding invitations. I won a prize and chatted with Tiffany a week or so after the event. I joined her mailing list but still did not start stamping.

In the summer, I heard about her "stamp club," which piqued my interest. I joined with the intention of mainly buying scrapbooking supplies. They had cute kits and punches. Over time, I ordered more and more stamps. I liked making and giving cards. With a little one around, I found it easier to make cards than to make scrapbook layouts. I learned about embossing, die cutting, emboss resist, and more. Once I learned more about stamping and practiced, I fell in love with it. I shifted from just thinking of myself as a scrapbooker to also thinking of myself as a stamper.

Thank you Tiffany and congratulations on the addition to your family!