So I've been busy putting stuff on ebay lately... last night I put a couple of little altered clipboards on. These things are so darn fun to make. I need to make one for myself! I always end up selling them or giving them as gifts.
Do ya like the "artwork" in the first one? LOL I wanted to put something in there representing what a photo would look like in there... and basically, was too silly & too tired to really be responsible for my actions. Oh well! ;)

I have been in the process of reorganizing my scrap area... man, do you ever go through the whole thing and see all the STUFF you have?! I may not have a whole lot of room (my scrap area's in my living room), but man! Somewhere along the way I really learned how to pack it all in! Here's my recently cleaned area... don't expect it'll stay this way for long, though.

After messing around for months with my template, I finally stumbled upon how to make my own banner! Basically, my problem was before that the template I was using wouldn't allow you to adjust the banner, so I changed templates and voila!

I don't have all the nuances down yet, (hence the "godric's hollow" still floating mysteriously in my banner) but by George, I've almost got it and I feel like that's a huge accomplishment in my little world! :)

Email me if you want to know all the mumbo jumbo about how to do it.

I love that I can listen to Christmas music on the radio now. Woohoo!

Well, except for the fact that I've heard Paul McCartney's struggling "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" at least twice today, and that's two times too many for me. How can such a talented man stoop to such a low level??!!

I set up the Christmas tree last night, and Emerson had a ball with it this morning. I put decorations on the lower branches that wouldn't hurt her and that I didn't mind her getting into. She didn't let any grass grow under her trying to get to them. Heh heh
It was fun to visit with Shaun's family for Thanksgiving... but I am so glad to be home. All three of us are home-bodies I think. We just do better in our own environment. Emerson didn't sleep well there, and ended up sleeping in our bed every night (after waking up a gazillion times). Doesn't make for good sleep for anyone.

Shaun's sister and I got to go on a fun shopping trip in Atlanta, and I drooled over stuff at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Sephora. It kind of sucks to go shopping when you're pregnant, because you're limited on what you can buy for yourself. It also kind of sucks to go shopping when you're poor and on a tight budget. However, it does NOT suck to go shopping with your hip sister in law and leave your little one at home for a day of child-free girly time.

I will take pics of my new haircut soon and post them.. unfortunately, although my hair was decently styled today, we had tornado warnings and yucky yucky rainy weather that ruined the 'do. Cest la vie. (I think that's how that's spelled.)

Am planning on finishing decorating for the season tonight, then hopefully reorganizing my scrap area and *gasp* doing some scrapbooking! :)

I completely forgot to say that I saw "Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire" on Thursday at midnight and pretty much loved it! I will post a review & my thoughts soon. :)

So I'm scared that I'm not gonna get my assignments done for the Hall of Fame.

It just seems like there's never enough time to sit down and do what I enjoy.

I haven't really adjusted yet to the part of mommyhood that means I get interrupted in the midst of every project, every errand, every chore.... will I ever adjust to it?

I'm constantly trying to adjust my mindset, but I think I further frustrate myself. I build up resentment towards my husband, wondering why the crap does he get to shower when he wants to, eat when he wants, etc. etc.

In all honesty, I know that it's a give and take situation, and the grass is greener on the other side, la di da. I just give in to petty resentment far too often and frustrate myself.

As far as the scrapbooking/Hall of Fame thingie, I think I just need to plan better. Maybe set aside some definite time to work on it. Actually, I'm thinking about hiring my little sister to babysit Em so I can have a break. (I'm also thinking about putting Em in a mother's day out program near our house the further along I am in my pregnancy- just for a morning every couple of weeks- so I can take a break and rest).

I'm so excited about an opportunity that has come across my path, though- via my LSS, Heidi Swapp, Elsi Flannagan, Carrie Colbert, and Cathy Zielske are coming to MY TOWN in April for a set of classes on Inspiration. I absolutely cannot wait. It's an expensive event, but guess what my Christmas present is from my family?! ;)

(more about the event here)

Went and did some Christmas shopping last night; got my sister's present taken care of, my sister in law's present taken care of, and a few things for my husband. Can I just say that seriously, my man is the HARDEST to shop for ever??!!

Gonna attempt to put up the Christmas decorations this week before we leave for Shaun's grandma's house for T-day. I love decorating for Christmas, and I usually end up adding "a bit here and there" as the season goes on. It should be interesting to see what Emerson thinks of my decorating ideas, and what she adds to them. Heh.

Well, gotta jet. Lots of laundry to do, some picking up (of course), and then later, hopefully, some relaxing. :)

Ciao!

I finally, after weeks of planning and perfectionism and messing around, started

on my

hall of fame assignments.

I tackled the "10 photos-1 title block-1 journaling block-3 embellishments" assignment first because it was the most daunting to me. I rarely scrap more than a couple of photos per layout, so 10 was a pretty big leap for me.

But, I must say, I'm pretty pleased with my results. Is it the best layout I've ever done? No.

Is it the best 10 photo layout I've ever done? Yes.

I just have to write & print the journaling once my printer's ink cartridge arrives in the mail, and this part will be DONE!

Woohoo! I actually think I may ENTER this dang contest.

The next assignment that I'm working on is another imposing one to me. I have to write about a life changing moment/decision, which, in my short 26 years, I haven't had a whole lot of. The ones that I have had are things that I think most people have had (i.e. marriage, loss of a loved one, birth of a child, etc.)...

So I'm trying to come up with an unusual approach or a unique way of journaling about my experiences. I have one idea already, but I'm not sure how it's going to pan out.

Harry Potter!!!

In other news, do you realize how close the "Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire" movie is??!! It's mere days away! I can't WAIT!


What I'm Reading

I've decided that each time I do a blog entry, I'm going to put in what book I'm reading... I've always wanted to keep a record of books that I've read and what I thought of them, but I always forget to.

This book was written by a 15 year old French girl. The story line is really good- I thought she was pretty creative. The actual execution of the writing leaves something to be desired. There's a lot of "their eyes locked and they knew that because of their love, they could never truly be seperated" and "she tossed her glossy black locks over her shoulder while her jade eyes sparkled" type stuff. Not bad for a 15 year old, though. :) Much better than I've done, eh?

I'm about to start reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" with a couple of other girls for our newly started book club (I feel so sophisticated and nerdy at the same time), but until the library gets my copy in, I'm going to read:


I'll let ya know how it goes!