me on monday

So I scrapbook. Really you say? I do I really really do I scrapbook about him, and her, and them, and this, and that, and the other. What about me? I hate having my photo taken I am to fat, my hair isn't fixed up, I am not wearing any make up....on and on the list goes. You know who doesn't care about that? My kids, my family, my future grandchildren and great great grandchildren. This is what they want to know. Who am I? What do I like? What do I want? What am I afraid of? What makes me laugh and laugh and laugh? These are things that I would like to know about my ancestors heck some of these things I would even like to know about my own parents and grandparents. I could call them and ask them, I am lucky like that...BUT...they would tell me about those things now, not about when they were young or maybe they might leave some of it out. So for years I have been dabbling in a Me book but I have never really done more than a page or two here or there. This year I decided is going to be all about me. Maybe I should say more about me. I am still going to be scrapbooking them. Not to mention that it sounds horrible as a mother doesn't it? Think about it though if I focus on myself a little won't I actually be a better mother, a better wife, a better friend. My kids and my family will always be first no matter what but this year I am going to start taking care of me. I am going to eat healthier because I matter, I am going to do things that I like because I matter, I am going to buy myself pretty things when I can afford it because I matter...ok enough of that do you see where I am going with all this?

I was blog hopping last week and came across a post from Pamela O'Connor (her blog is adorable BTW) and she had THIS book. She had one last year too and I was intrigued then but even more so now. The challenge theme of log your memory this year is called: This is My Life. Wow what? That is exactly what I have been talking about what I have been wanting to do. So I bought it. I had to do the download version because I am impatient and I wanted to start on the 1st. So I downloaded and followed the instructions and printed it out. Yep I made a mess! So I kept working with it and pieced it all together and got it all printed and fabulous and now I have been using it. I love it. I am tracking my family stuff, I am tracking what cards I made when, I am tracking scrapbook pages, and I am working those challenges. The challenges are broken up into monthly/weekly themes. Which brings me here to "me on monday" the first monthly them is Find Your Focus and week one is to create a list. It could be a bucket list, a list of goals, or a wrap up from the year before. Now I liked all of them but I chose to do a list of goals that I want to accomplish this next year.

I used paper from an old Personal Scrapper kit featuring Basic Grey and some chipboard from Stampin' Up! I was really pleased with ow it turned out. Here are some close ups

Here you can see the chip board a little better

I hope you take time to record you in your scrapbooks. I used to hate writing in my books to and I would type everything but it kind of is that same feeling for me. I love it when I stumble upon a letter from my other grandmother who passed 20 years ago. It makes me feel special and makes me smile.

let me know if you are playing along with something similar I would love to see it.

A little cagie fun and some blog candy!

So I absolutly adore the new clear stamps from Basic Grey called Porcelain Aviary is just beautiful! I was playing with it all day yesterday as my car decided to break down. I am working up some ideas for my grandma's 90th birthday party and though these birdcages were just so sweet.

Here is what I came up with on my first attempt. I used some of my favorite CTMH paper from the level 2 paper pack Perfect Day...love it! I think it can use a little ribbon but I just didn't have any that made it work so I added some brads instead and aged it a little on the sides.

I think of all the bird cages taht come in the set that this one if my favorite. I like the playfulness of it. I am debating on adding a little color to the bottom of the cage where it is solid.

The next card I did fetaured some paper from the Paper Garden I am really liking the way this card turned out and I got to use some ribbon and the rinestone brads that I just adore. It is a little simple but that is ok especially if I have to make a ton of them.

My next card did not turn out so great but I thought I would share just in case anyone had an idea on how to fix it. Again it uses Paper Garden. I really wanted to incorporate my fun punch from the Martha Stewart collection. I also love to sand the CTMH paper so that the white shows through. I aded some fiber so it looks like it is hanging and an eyelet.

Moving on...

I decided to try some bright colors along with one of my favorte card paterns. This paper is using the fun and coloreful Chloe's Closet line from Making Memories.

The last card I made uses More to Adore paper by CTMH it is fun and funky and has Pailsey's in it...how can I not love this paper.

I thought this turned out super. I added a cute brown felt flower with a brad center. I think we might make this one for my stamp club tonight. It should be fun.

On all of these I have room to put your invited on the front and then the inside would have all the fun details. Once a final choice is made I will make sure to do another blog about how the invites turned out and how the party went.

Now moving on to the blog candy... it is a great little calender set that is great for making cards, scrapbook pages, or fun little projects. Here is what the set looks like

I will also add some paper and embelishments so that you can make a few cards.

Please leave a comment by April 15th and I will chose a random person for some blog candy.

I hope you have a great day!