Finishing up an old project and a new one!

I have gotten a lot done the last few weeks. I scrapped last weekend with a couple of girlfriends from work, right after I made the deadline for those darned, stressful report cards. Michael noticed such a remarkable difference in my mood after scrapping, I had to step back myself and take a hard look at me. Having something unrelated to work that gives me a sense of productive completion, taps into my creative side, and is unrelated to work is important in my life. I need to set aside time for me to get into my studio and scrap or stamp or even just organize my "stuff". :)

Here's my first 9 X 9 accordion album. I made it at another Close to My Heart sponsored event, held in Seattle in 2007. I had these photos in mind for over a year and then it took me another year to finally print them out and finish the book. I liked the way it turned out. This Christmas was significant because it was my first Christmas in my own condo, Aunt Mary was here, and there were to be no gifts but instead everyone was to give their gift of music. It really was a wonderful Christmas. What do you think?

Here's a layout I started last week. We had a record snow fall in December 2008. These are some photos my neighbor took of our neighborhood at the height of the snowfall. My challenge to myself when I did this layout was to use a Close to My Heart paper packet that I haven't been crazy about, add another color not in the pallet suggested, alter and use stickers, and use up old embellishments that have been sitting in my drawer (I admit I'm a horder and buy things then don't use them in case I ever need them, silly me, LOL). I used lots of glitter on this layout and I even altered a layout pattern in one of Jeanette Lynton's books, something that is hard for me to do. So: Aspen paper packet and stickers, added Gray Flannel, glitter, retired snowflake buttons, white fibers, window charms, Rub-ons, and brads. I'm disappointed the way glitter does not photograph well because the glitter is really amazing. I glittered the words Snow and December, the edges of all the Twighlight cardstock, and the snow in the pictures under the window charms. Very cool looking, but, I'm biased.