Getting into the Spirit

I find I have the hardest time, when working on layouts, is selecting the best photos. I either don't have enough photos for the page or I have WAY too many and its all a process of elimination till I have the correct number of photos for the layout. That process can be quite time consuming. There have been numerous occasions where I just can't get through all the photos to even think of eliminating any of them. So, off to the back burner till I come back to it again.

This past week, its been an absolute delight having my daughter here creating with me. She worked on Christmas cards and I worked on various Christmas layouts. After all, tis the season!!

How many of you remember CTMH's Hollydays paper pack? Well, those papers were part of a workshop I conducted back in 2006. I was able to get Deborah's and Matthew's Christmas pages completed that year! (That doesn't happen very often!!) But I decided to do the twins Christmas pages with this paper pack as well. The first two pages were a breeze. Of course we have the visit with Santa (which they weren't too happy about). And their very first portrait sitting. Then it was selecting the photos for the next two pages that were the hardest. It was of course Baby's First Christmas and I had to select 6 photos of each twin out of 92 photos taken that day. But I did it! I took a deep breath and dove right in and didn't come away from the computer till all 12 photos were selected.

I am only showing one set of layouts, but there are two pages for each of the boys. This paper pack has been retired but its one of my favorite Christmas papers. These pages are not the standard 12"x12", I reduced the size to 9"x9" and use layouts from CTMH's how to book, "Cherish." Another consultant, way back then made cutting files for the ornaments, and I cut them on my Wishblade.

These next set of layouts are pages 3 and 4 of the twin's first year album. Remembering back to that Christmas 5 years ago...oh what fun we had. There is nothing like "Babies First Christmas!" They don't understand, but love the excitement. Oh how fast they learn though!

This first set is of Benny. Look at the excitement in Benny's eyes. The expression speaks volumes.

This next set of layouts are of Jaden's First Christmas. I could not get him to look up at the camera, for fear that everything would be gone! LOL He learned mighty fast how to rip off wrapping paper. But he wouldn't let go of the wrapping paper once the package was open. Too funny!

As for materials use here, all products are from CTMH (now retired) except for the ribbon which came from my stash. I believe I got that from JennD at www.just4funcrafts.com.

Well, I have a couple more layouts to share. I'll try to post again tomorrow. This has been one whacky week. Yesterday, I spent the day tidying up around the house and working on getting these pictures posted. Today, Kelli and I went down to the Base Exchange and then up to KMart to do some Christmas shopping. Then tonight was Deborah's Christmas program. Tomorrow, I have to head to the commissary and Thursday, Kelli and I plan on baking Christmas cookies all day. Christmas parties are Friday. Matthew's Christmas program in Thursday. And Matthew's class will be building gingerbread houses. Lets hope he gets more candies on his house than in his mouth!! Hope to get some good photos to scrap.

Oh yeah...on top of all of

that, Kelli and I will be making the teachers Christmas presents. So that needs to be done before Friday. I'll post a picture of what we do. I'm excited to get started on it!!

I'll see you tomorrow. Hope you have a great day.

Talk to you soon.

Lots of hugs and smiles,

Leanne

Busy, Busy, Busy

Oh my how time flies when you're in the midst of a family crisis. Now, that the crisis (the major portion) is somewhat behind us, I hope to be a bid more active with my blog. Please keep my family in your prayers as we make our way through this. I know with the Lord's help, He will guide us.


Even though I haven't been posting, I have been very very busy in the Rubber Room. This is the place I find solace. And of course, I have to keep my fingers moving. Since my posting (over a month ago) I have been working on layouts for my workshops and continuing to complete some layouts I've put on the back burner.

This first 2 page layout is another page for my Paris album. The pictures I scrapped are of the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde. The papers are from CTMH's Felicity. The paper flowers are from my stash, and the bling on top of the flowers...I picked up at Michael's.

This next set of layouts was for my November workshop. Its the Hooligan's WOTG kit. The papers and title just matched the twins costumes. I liked the sketch so much, I used Making Memories Halloween tablet and scrapped Deborah's and Matthew's Halloween pics from the same year (2008).

Now, the page on the left, I made identical for each of the boys, but individualized the right page for each of them.

This is the left side of the layout.

This is Jaden's page (the right side).

This is Benny's page (the right side).

Now, I CASED the instructions from the Hooligan's WOTG kit and changed out the papers for Deborah's and Matthew's pages.

Matthew's pages:

It is such a good feeling to have all four of the children's Halloween pages done for at least one year. I am slowly but surely getting caught up on their albums. Now, if I could make time stand still, so I could get completely caught up. But what fun is that? This way, it keeps me very very busy and out of trouble.

I have a lot more to share, so stay tuned. I'll be back and share more of the pages I have completed.

Until next time.....

Thanks for visiting with me, here in my rubber room.

Happy Scrapping!!!

Lots of hugs and smiles,

Leanne