So, I scrapbooked yesterday ...

... and I made this layout - 

A page for the album I am making about our courtship. It's a page about October 8th which was a big day for us for several reasons - namely, it was the day he first said the "L" word (aka the big I. LOVE. YOU) and it was also the day my Dad passed away. Al & I had been extremely close before that day, but that weekend we both realized that there was no doubt we were going to be married someday. We even went ring browsing that afternoon. October 8th was the day my whole world changed as I said goodbye to my Dad and hello to my future husband .. so, obviously, I had to make a page to document it.

Products Used ~ Studio Calico paper, Bazzill kraft cardstock, Basic Grey letter stickers, Heidi Swapp chipboard hearts, Amy Tangerine by American Crafts banner sticker, Bella Blvd sticker ('day at the park'), Little Yellow Bicycle sticker ('falling in love'), Creative Imaginations quote stickers

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. And I am SO glad to be scrapbooking again!

xo

And the city girl goes creative ...

I used to work as a salesgirl in the greatest scrapbook store on the face of the planet (not that I'm biased much or anything). For almost two years, I was completely absorbed in the wonderful world of scrapbooking. I was totally up-to-date on all the new products and collections. I read all of the "celebrity scrapbooker" blogs. I was active on a scrapbooking message board. I even had layouts published in scrapbook magazines.

Then I moved out west.

I got my first "real" full-time job. (Who knew the 9-to-5 could be so exhausting?!)
All my spare time was spent exploring my new surroundings.
I had all these new expenses to worry about like rent and groceries.
And, besides, none of my new friends were really into scrapbooking or craft-making.

Long story short, my creative mojo decided that while I was busy becoming a somewhat responsible adult, she was going on vacation. For six months, I was completely uninspired. And not just uninspired, but totally and utterly unmotivated. Scrapbooking was the furthest thing on my mind and I began to think the unthinkable - that maybe my love for pretty patterned paper and cardstock and letter stickers and overlays had just been a phase. And maybe the phase was over.

But then ...

I met Lynda at church and realized she lives right around the corner from me. Lynda scrapbooks. Soon Lynda and I were having scrapbooking evenings together. The first few times, I sat there fiddling uselessly with my paper and photos. I just couldn't get back into the groove. But then Zonnalie joined us ... and then Xinxin joined us .... and then Monica and Marcy and Suzanne.

Something magical happens when you put a bunch of creative women in the same room together. Ideas begin to bounce around, inspiration strikes and before you know it, you're scrapbooking again as though you had never stopped. Hurray!

Only problem is ... I haven't been able to stop. Stay tuned for posts of my new layouts. :)

Girls' Night Out

On Friday night, four of us went to the Ceramic Cafe to celebrate the end of my semester at school and Tara's birthday. It was *SUCH* a fun night! I painted a giant jar in the shape of a cupcake, and you should have heard me squeal with delight when I saw it sitting on the shelf. It's meant to be used as a cookie jar, but I'm going to use mine to store flour in. Tara also did a cupcake jar, my mom painted a flower pot and Laura painted a mug with a frog on it. We ended the night around midnight with a trip to Dairy Queen ... be still my milkshake lovin' heart! Here are some photos from our girls' night out ...

have a happy weekend!
xox

Cupcakes & Andy Warhol

Minus the freezing winter weather outside, today was the perfect day ... one that began with delicious food and ended with amazing art. Jessica and I had breakfast this morning at Orange Bistro, which is this new contemporary restaurant on Stanley Street downtown. It certainly lives up to its name - the decor is orange and white, and modern art covers the walls. (Jess and I ate our meal under a giant ceramic nose .... it was kind of awkward, actually). The food there is absolutely delicious, but it's pricey and the service is reallllllyyyyy slow. I'll go back, but I'll be sure to do it on a day when I have lots of time on my hands and extra cash that I'm willing to splurge.

Anyway, moving on ... we ate at Orange Bistro and then headed over to Cho'Cola for some cupcakes and java. Originally, we wanted to check out Cocoa Locale (another cupcake place on the other side of town) but it turns out they're closed for the month of January so that was a no-go. Cupcakes at Cho'Cola never dissappoint, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed my peppermint chocolate cupcake and toasty warm latte. Yummmo.

After a morning of eating and girl talk, Jessica headed off to class and I headed off to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to *FINALLY* get to see the works of Mr. Andy Warhol. Those of you who know me know that I've been excited about this exhibit since I first heard of it back in August, and today I finally got to see it for myself. I was impressed. His paintings are huge and the colors are even bolder in real life. I also didn't realize how involved he was in music, film and dance. A few months ago, I ordered a book called The Warhol Economy: How Music, Film and Fashion Shaped New York City. I hadn't had time to read it, but I think tonight I'll curl up with a nice tea and read through it. It'll be the perfect way to end a pretty perfect day.

xOxOx

I lost my rainbow ...

I'm not sure how it happened, or when it happened, or why it happened. It just happened. I lost my scrapbooking spark. I lost my creative energy. I lost my rainbow.

I realized the other day that somewhere along the way, I lost sense of the purpose behind my scrapbooking. Scrapbooking is a hobby, but it's also an art form and to quote one of my art teachers from high school: "you can't make art if your soul isn't singing". I became so fixated on the newest products, the latest techniques, the newest gadgets and tools that I forgot that scrapbooking is about preserving your memories and expressing yourself on paper. So I'm taking a little "time out" from scrappin' to get things right with my creative soul again. And as soon as I do, I'll be back here posting layouts that actually MEAN something to me.

In the meantime, I'll keep you posted on my everyday life (it's kinda boring at the moment but it's better than nothing) and random tidbits of inspiration I find online. And please, send positive creative vibes my way!

toodles
xox

PS - The picture above is a print I bought from an artist in Portugal. I fell in love with it. Those who know me know that I feel called to work with young women who are going through tough times, and I love how the girl in the painting is crying but still holding on to her rainbow ... her hope. Jesus offers the ultimate hope and I love this verse from Psalm 130 that says: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits ... and in His Word, I put my hope." This painting reminded me of that verse and of what I feel called to do for God in this world.