I'm trying!!

Okay, I know, I'm not giving my blog the attention that it deserves, "my bad" as my kids used to say.
I have been working like a crazy woman in the loft getting rid of stuff, finding cool stuff I forgot about and just generally having a wonderful time.  My darling hubby purchased a 8 hole black expedit from Ikea after noticing that my 12 x 12 album were getting ruined in the old bookcases.  (the shelves were short and the heavier, completed books the covers were bending)  It turned out to also be a wonderful height to place the television, so we are both happy.

I was one of the lucky winners of the Stampers Anonymous twitter contest that took place about 10 days ago, I received notification that winnings are on the way, I promise I will take a picture when it arrives.

I have so many projects that I want to do and/or complete from 2011 I could probably lock myself in the loft for the next 2 months and other than leaving for adhesive and maybe a potty break I would be good.  Here are a few of the layouts that I did this week.

This layout was made using various old papers plus 1 piece from Echo Park "Little Girl" (the orange sheet with the cute little hearts, so sad that you only get one each of a paper in the Echo Park Collection Packs).  Also, I finally broke down and purchased the Tim Holtz rosette die.  This was my first try at printing out my own journal card on card stock, I think this could be addicting (especially, if I ever really figure out how to do it).  I'm having fun on Pinterest, learning new things, discovering, having a wonderful time.  The Happy Birthday title is cut from the Plantin School cartridge, an oldie but a goodie.

This layout uses the Happy Day Collection from Echo Park.  It's a bit busy is a cluttered sort of way, but I learn something with each layout I complete.  My daughters kitchen walls are painted a fun color of green and her eat in kitchen table is red, most of the layouts I do with photos taken in her kitchen often end up looking like Christmas.  I tried to avoid that by pulling in the blue, it didn't work like I had hoped.  I will keep working on it.

 I couldn't even begin to tell you who/what/where these papers are from.  I had these 4 photos of my daughter and her family, the coloring of the photos don't go together, however, I felt they told a story of her family.  While digging in a box of really old papers (I keep them because I like them, and one day they will all eventually find a home, I hope.) I came across 3 or 4 sheets that were part of a collection.  With some fussy cutting and home printed titles on purple card stock that was the wrong color, easily corrected with Distress Ink, I ended up with this layout.  Added purple Stickles and called it a day.  Anyone, if not all 4 of these photos, would have been beautiful as a single photo layout, my books are so full that I have a hard time justifying taking up that much real estate in my 12 x 12 albums.  One of these days...

I haven't worked on my Project Life book in awhile, as in, October 2011.  (a little behind??)  Hopefully, I will make some head way with that this week.  As most, if not all, of you know it is CHA week so I am spending tons of time on the laptop stalking everyone I can think of, and having a blast doing it!
I have a friend coming over on Tuesday to crop, I'm looking forward to then, we got together a few weeks ago to crop and I loved having someone over to "play with".

Wishing all of your crafty dreams come true, thanks for stopping by to check my life adventure.

~Jill