Scraperapy...

It must be working some because I haven't totally lost my mind - just yet.  However, I must be close.  My headache has spread through my neck into my shoulders.  I'm so tired, but can't sleep during the day at all.  Today was the first time I've walked into the kitchen except for morning coffee.  Dad's doing pretty well, worried all over the place about my mom.  Yes, they're in Tampa and, though I know my brother is taking very good care of them, I can't help but worry and the control freak in me thinks I'm the one who does it best.  Besides, my mom is my only friend around these parts and I miss her so very badly.  And my mom and dad's 35th anniversary was a week ago today and they were in Tampa.  Okay, enough about that!

I've been trying to do a layout a day.  Of course, my printer has gone on the fritz!, but that hasn't deterred me much as I had a few printed, and others I emailed and picked up at Walgreens.  Some layouts have taken more than a day, and there was a day when I just didn't feel like I could do anything at all.  But here they are (and sorry that the photos are even crappier than usual, I just didn't feel like doing them over even once I saw how bad they were!):

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper:  October Afternoon & The Paper Studio; Journaling Spot: Echo Park; Stickers: American Crafts; Wood: Studio Calico. 

 

(OH MY GOSH! Yes, these photos were just bad to begin with; but once I shot this crappy layout photo, they got even worse!!!)  While this layout goes in my 2012 album, the rest are in order in 2013.

 





Cardstock & Bling: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper, Journaling Spot & Stickers: My Minds Eye; Thickers: American Crafts; Flair: Basic Grey; Envelope: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts;Tape: KI Memories

 

A companion page to the What You Do I did for JC last month using Basic Grey.  I actually didn't even think about it, but even though the papers are very different, the color schemes are similar and look great!  Scrapping Karma!!!

Patterned Paper:  Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper, My Minds Eye; Chipboard: Basic Grey; Letter Stickers: American Crafts Thickers & October Afternoon; Frame, Stamp & Wood: Studio Calico; Page Pebbles: Makin Memories; Pearls: Doodlebug; Tape: Bazzill; Spray: October Afternoon

 

I have decided I am going to use something very old at least once out of every 10 layouts.  I started with the Making Memories Page Pebbles that I have had for so many years I've lost count (8 maybe).  But they did make great eggs backed with the MME 6x6 paper.  (It was GiGi's idea to 'hide' the eggs on the page - genius!)  Also, one of my favorite things to do when I can think of it, making a title within a title.

 

Patterned Paper & Stickers: American Crafts; Title Card: Echo Park; Wood: Freckled Fawn; Spray: October Afternoon

 

Isn't this the sweetest photo ever!!! My mom actually slept right like that for the entire week (except one night) that my dad was in the hospital!  Oh, and I found some Amy Tangerine paper that I actually like - the background paper is from the Yes, Please collection (also got the pink camera paper).  It's actually lovely and goes with the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm so very well.  Also, used a 5x7 for a change of pace - will definitely do this more often.



 

Patterned Paper:  Dear Lizzy for American Crafts, Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper, October Afternoon, Pebbles, Simple Stories; Journaling Spots: Echo Park, My Minds Eye; Tape: Bella Blvd, Recollections; Felt: American Crafts; Metal: Momenta (Photos taken with iPhone 3G)

 

No title for this one, just couldn't think of one so I figured it could do without - the photos, journaling, paper & embellishments tell the story without anything else needed.  I have extra copies of these photos that I plan to scrap for GiGi's album, so you'll see them again!  Hopefully the next time the layout photos will be better because these really are lovely pictures.

 

Patterned Paper, Journaling Spot, Sticker: My Minds Eye; Thickers: American Crafts; Tape: KI Memories; Wood: Studio Calico

 

With sooo many photos and the patterned paper & tape, I felt that more embellishments would just take it over the top in a very crowded way - even though I do love a carnival and own a bunch of themed items. (Wonder what it is about spiky circles that remind me of carnivals!?! Hmmm....)

 



Patterned Paper:  Creative Imaginations, Echo Park, Sassafras; Journaling Spot: Echo Park; Thickers: American Crafts; Wood: Studio Calico (Photo taken with iPhone 4S)

 

Okay, I don't know if you guys know this about me or not, but I am a huge Harry Potter fan.  Kind of sad that with two grandkids in the house, I'm the one who owns the books, movies, games & t-shirts.  Just pathetic.  GiGi actually bought me the background paper a while back but I had nothing Potterish to scrapbook (except my love which I still haven't done!) until she let me name her kitty last week.  And that's a big WooHoo!!!

As you may have noticed, most of these layouts are rather skimpyish on the embellishments.  Well, a) I did what I felt like doing - beats me how a 10-minute layout takes me well over an hour at least; and, b) I'm not dissatisfied with a single one - I think each looks just fine with what it has.  I'm sure this would bother me more if there was less pattern on each page.

So that's it.  I'm going to take my meds, put sheets back on the bed & hopefully get to sleep in an hour or so.  I hope everyone is scrapping away.  Oh, and I am so very excited about our HOLIDAY!!!  My first stop will be Pretty Paper. True Stories. and, depending on what the deal is, I may just stay there.  At any rate, meet me there for coffee!

Cheerio!

P.S.  Thank you all so very much for the prayers!  I do believe it helps and that without it we are lost. I know I am - and yours have been a great comfort. 

"Don't think.  Thinking is the enemy of creativity.  It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy.  You can't try to do things.  You simply must do things."  - Ray Bradbury