A Couple Christmas Pages

While waiting for my parents to arrive I worked on a couple layouts last night. I went to Dani's blog and worked on the two challenges for the month of December... First was the template challenge and I used her kit Woodland Winter. Then I did the tumble challenge and used the same kit. I really really like this kit and I can see myself using it a lot. I love all the natural elements and the beautiful papers.

The template challenge

The tumble challenge - I lifted Dani's Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot Chocolate

Work In Progress Wednesday

Finally an update... I've been so overwhelmed with how much we've... I mean, Mark has done to get the house ready for winter.

Here's his to-do list which he finished in the beginning of December when we had a really nice day and it almost reached 60 degrees.

*caulk chimney
*paint and caulk above the kids' rooms
*caulk and paint garage back door ~ the one that was rained on early this year
*screw down roof ~ not sure what that means, :0 ~
*get the snow blower ready and started
*cut and paint new board for hose cover on deck

My parents are coming to town today for my side of the family's Christmas and Mark and my Dad plan on putting the family room back together. Mark went out last night to buy some insulation and we have the drywall and hopefully we'll have some walls up so that we can open it up again and have a better play room than the living room. I worked a little bit to get the wallpaper glue off the walls and started painting the stairway banisters. We are painting the rails while and then we'll re-stain the rest to match the stain we end up using for the stairs and hallways. Someday in the distant future we'll need to sand and stain all the bedrooms upstairs and the main level since they were never taken care of and look terrible. That can wait though until we have the rest of the house in working order. I was hoping to get the second coat done on the stairs but the kids had a really rough night last night so I ended up working on those year in review scrapbook pages between taking care of the kiddos. Hopefully, I can do it tonight after my parents arrive and Mark is home to take care of the kids.

Oh, and last I posted we were in the process of getting new windows put in the living room and bedrooms... They've made a huge difference and our bedroom is now hot instead of freezing cold, lol. We also had to replace the water heater... it was 32 years old and the noises it made were keeping us up at night. It's so nice to have a quiet house again, well except for the fun kiddos playing. Next will probably be a new furnace soon, sigh...

OK, here's a few pics because what's a Work In Progress blog post without pics to show you the progress we've made.

Before

After

Master Bedroom Before

After

WOOT! I'm on a scrapping role again!

Well, I saved Moriah's as a .psd so that I could just go in and change out the pictures, papers and elements and change the journaling. YAY! I've used two kits in my unused kits file doing these pages now I look forward to using all the other 20 I mean 30 kits in my unused files... oh, I should count. OK, make that 105 (gasp... it's going to take me all year to use them up, lol). Ok, so some of them are just alphas or numbers or tiny little mini kits that were freebies over the holidays. December filled my hard drive, lol. Hmm... how is this going to fit into my Project 365 when I was planning on just using non-themed kits. I guess that means I'll be scrapping more than just Project 365 ;)

Anyways, for Isaac's page I used About A Boy a triple dip at Sweet Shoppe Designs for the papers and elements and then everything else was the same as Moriah's page. I love this kit and can see myself using it over and over again. It has my favorite colors which I find myself always dressing Isaac in so it will always match his pictures, lol.

2009 in review... for Moriah at least

Well, I'm finally getting back into the swing of things and did a page today while ignoring the wallpaper tear down that I really should've done today. I wanted to do a year in review page for each of the kids. I was able to finish one for Moriah today. I really like the template by Penny Springmann... A Year In Review, it made it so easy to put the page together quickly and have a little room for journaling each month. I used the kit Apple Blossom by Kristin Cronin-Barrow & Meghan Mullens for the paper and elements. For the date bits and word snips I used some items from the December Mystery Gifts at Sweet Shoppe Designs. The font I used was traveling typewriter, which has become one of my new favorite fonts.

Project 365 again!

My New Project 365 Blog

Well, I've decided to give Project 365 another try for 2010. I've set up a new blog and am ready for 2010 to get here to get started. I will probably post the pictures on that blog and then every week I'll have a scrapbook page made using all the pictures that week and will post the scrapbook page here... now the fun part is finding a template I like or making one myself and organizing all the supplies I want to use because at the end of the year I'll probably get them all printed and put in a book so I want them all to look similar. I did get a bunch of stuff for free w/ purchase from Sweet Shoppe Designs which will be perfect since they're dates and neutral papers and stuff like that. I'm really excited about doing it this year.

Speaking of scrapbooking, did you all know that we have a weekly scrapbook challenge going on on My Great Retreat? Come join in the fun! http://www.mygreatretreat.com/

Make It Monday

Well, I'm super excited about what I have coming up starting New Year's Eve and for 12 weeks! I enjoyed the Jessica Sprague's Digi: In Deep class so much that I think I've become addicted to digital scrapbooking classes. (I've got 3 more self paced classes waiting for me to start, and I asked for another for Christmas, so we'll actually see how many I really have in a few days, lol) So, I've been hearing all this buzz about Cathy Z's Design Your Life class and took a look. I figured some day I'd take it, but then I heard that this was likely the last time it was being offered. Oh no! I didn't want to miss out on it! I hugely dropped the price of my Sony dSLR so I had the money for it. YAY, it sold super fast and to a super sweet friend and I'm so excited that she likes it so much. Anyways, in true Heather fashion, I went straight to my class and got started on what I could. Oh my goodness, she's so funny and I really really really know that this is a class I want and need. I've got my album almost set up (I can't seem to find 6x6 page protectors in stock anywhere, must be everyone stocking up for Cathy Z's class, lol). Our first assignment is a layout we're supposed to do pre-class. We're to use her template to make a page that describes our scrapbooking style. This was so much fun! The thing I still need to finish is to write up my intentions for the class. Then I need to find some 6x6 page protectors and also need to buy some ink for my printer. Thankfully, I'm participating in the digital aspect of the class so I'm not in any hurry but I do want to print everything up so that I have it all nicely in one book. I can't wait to meet new friends who are joining in on the adventure and mostly to have fun learning so much about scrapbooking design.

Here's my page!
Credits:
Cathy Z's template and logo (I altered the colors on the logo to match my favorite colors)
From Sweet Shoppe Designs: Letter Sweater by Traci Reed, Top of the World alpha by Libby Weifenbach, Shabby Shimmers Alpha by Libby Weifenbach, Groove-tro alpha by Lauren Grier, 100% Recycled by Penny Springmann, Sturdy Solids (Dec Mystery Gift) by Shawna Clingerman, Grungy Edges by Penny Springmann
From Elsewhere:
Life Is Art by Aja Abney
Share the Moments by Danielle Engebretson
Family Words by Leora Sanford
Confessions of a Digi-Scrapper by Dawn Inskip

I think I'm going to add an inked edge to the the background page to finish it up... that would be Inky Dink Edges by Lauren Reid from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Christmas Vacation

Here's a few pics from our vacation to Indianapolis celebrating Christmas and Riah's birthday with the Greenwood side of the family.

Dec 21st - Riah's last day as a 3 year old

Dec 22nd - Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
Dec 23rd - Hanging with dear friends
Can you tell who the trouble maker was?
Dec 25th - Merry Christmas
Yes, Mark and his niece Ashley are texting each other!
Dec 26th - What we came home to... and that was only half of what we ended up with!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Greenwoods!

Matthew 1:23 NIV
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

Advent calendar activity with Moriah today

Today's advent activity for Moriah was to design her own scrapbook page with Mommy. We used one of the templates from Sweet Shoppe Designs Cookies 4 Kids Collection and she picked out the kit "Sunshine Playtime" by Traci Reed. She also picked out the pictures, papers and elements to be used in the layout and told me where to put them. Her favorite color is yellow if you can't tell from the page, and she was just a tiny bit disappointed that there wasn't a yellow sandbox, and went off pouting for a bit, lol. Don't tell her that I could have recolored one for her... SHH! I'm quite impressed with her page and so proud of her for doing such a great job. I have a feeling she's going to be quite the artist.

Here's her page!

Credits:
2009 Cookies 4 Kids template by JacqDeflin (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Sunshine Playtime by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Font in title work is "You Are Loved" by Kimberly Geswein (dafont.com)

another fun challenge...

One of the scrapbooking blogs I follow is Traci Reed's Hawt Mama team blog and every month there is a layout challenge... this month we had a little recipe to follow.

Here is what we needed to include:
H – heart
O – one frame
L – leaf
I – ink splats
D – doodle
A – asterisk * (6 pointed star)
Y – your own style
You can include more than one of each item specified except the frame.

And here is the layout that I came up with today.

Credits:
Edgy by Traci Reed
Outta This World by Traci Reed and Dani Mogstad
Watercolor Spills by Misty Cato
Confetti Fun Hearts by Misty Cato
Scribble One Out Alpha by Traci Reed
Cardboard Construction Alpha by Traci Reed
Mistaken [2] Alpha by Lauren Reid
Paintity Doo Dah Alpha by Traci Reed
Hootenanny by Libby Weifenbach and Chere Kaye
Font for "World and asterisk" is Marcelle Script and Marcelle Swashes

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Well, I really liked 2 of the trees so I took the quiz twice, answering with each of them and found that they both described me pretty well so I'm posting them both... now it's your turn, what Christmas tree are you?

You Are Quirkily Offbeat

During the holidays, you do things your own way. You have eccentric decorations and traditions. You like to keep things a little kooky and crazy. You hate it when the holidays are too upscale or stuffy. You believe that the holidays are for everyone, and you like to make your own celebration funky and eclectic. You mix and match what you like best. No one is going to tell you how to celebrate this year!

You Are Warmly Compassionate

During the holidays, you take time out for yourself and the people that you love the most. You try not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. You prefer to stay inside your warm home as much as possible. You believe that the holidays are all about the little things. Being and reconnecting with those closest to you. People are important to you, not gifts. Love is the best gift in the world.

The Christmas Tree Test

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

I always love a good challenge...

Today on The Daily Digi we were challenged to make a page using only the papers, elements and alpha of their choosing. I loved the products chosen for the challenge and decided to give it a whirl. This is the page that I came up with... yes, it's another page about me, but I felt the picture worked perfectly with the elements and papers. I needed to remember today how blessed and loved I am as I'm feeling quite sad today remembering a friend who's birthday would have been today. He's definitely missed and his family is in my thoughts and prayers today as I know this isn't an easy day for them.

Credits:
Template: Funky Playground Designs Funky Days of Christmas Day 16 Freebie by Miss Tiina
Papers: Snowy Day by Tracey Howard
Taking Chances by Meghan Mullens
Citrus Tea by Nancy Janitz
Elements: My Friend Lilli by Syrin
Share The Moments by Danielle Engebretson (extracted out "'s date" from it)
Chugga Chugga by Wimpy Chompers (extracted part of the frame)
Manger by Wetfish Designs
Mother's Little Helper by Mel Wilson
Alpha: All About Me collab by Zig Zag Scraps
Font: DJB AMYTscript by Darcy Baldwin at Sweet Shoppe Designs

Make It Monday... Last Digi: In Deep lesson

I completed my Digi: In Deep class and I've learned so much and am so excited to use my new skills in my new layouts. Here are the things I learned while making this layout.

• Install a Photoshop .pat file
• Create a custom background from pattern adjustment layers
• Use Photoshop to "fake" a shallow depth of field on a photo
• Create a multi-photo effect using masks and a .png frame
• Experiment using text as texture
• Create a lacy edge on a scalloped circle
• Use the Rounded Rectangle tool to create a journaling block
• Use the Burn tool with grunge brushes
• Create semi-transparent ghost shapes

and here is my lesson layout...

Scrappin' Saturday

My favorite scrapbook page this week...
Credits (everything available at Sweet Shoppe Designs)
2009 Cookies for kids template
photo edit using Lomo action from Coffee Shop Blog
The Soundtrack of our lives - Wintersong by Traci Reed and Meghan Mullens
Bad Sewing Machine - Don't Be Square by Traci Reed
Cardboard Construction Alpha by Traci Reed
DJB - DEBBIER2 by Darcy Baldwin

I've been having so much fun on Sweet Shoppe Designs this week. I had bought the Cookies 4 Kids set since 100% of the proceeds go to Toys for Tots, but they've been releasing these templates every day this month and it's been a blast seeing all the fun ways everyone is using the templates. One of my fave designers has been posting her layouts with each cookie and I'm finding them super inspiring. Not to mention... she's making me put practically every kit she uses into my wish list, lol. Actually, she has a giveaway going on and so I'm trying really hard to get as many entries in as possible so that I can win a $20 gift certificate to her store... YIPPEE, that would be awesome because I just love her style and I'm sure I could spend a whole lot more in her store if I could. Anyways, check out Traci Reed's stuff, she's even got a few really cute things that are on sale today only.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes to the blogs!

Well, as you've noticed I haven't been updating much lately and part of that is because I've been sick and the other reason is because I've really wanted to focus on doing advent activities with Riah every day. During this time of laying in bed resting and trying to get rid of this terrible cold, I spent a lot of time rethinking my blogs. So, there will be some changes going on. This blog will become less about the daily themes and more about the house renovations and family. I'll still share some of my favorite finds but probably not weekly and I'll definitely continue to do the "Work In Progress Wednesday" house renovation updates. I'll definitely be keeping "Foto Friday" also. My photography and design blog will become a 365 photo blog with a goal to take a picture a day in 2010. It will no longer include my scrapbooking stuff. Instead, I'll be including the scrapbooking stuff on this blog. The exciting news is that from time to time I'll be offering up freebie templates. I'm really excited about this because I've been trying to figure out something to give back to my readers. Now, that I'm starting to feel better, I'll be updating this blog again... I've got a ton to tell you about the house, YAY!

Make It Monday - Week 2 of Digi: In Deep Class

Oh, I'm just so excited about the things I've been learning in this class... this week was quite a bit easier for me than last week.... and I enjoyed practicing my new skills all last week. I have decided to not do the other assignments during the week because I just don't have the time with the holidays here... so, I'm doing the lesson layout every week and then I'll go back and do this whole thing over again when things have settled down a bit and have the time. Plus, I think it will be a great refresher to do the lessons over again.

Here's what I learned in today's lesson...

• Re-color multiple patterned papers using an adjustment layer
• Create your own patterned paper with a custom brush
• Save a brush using the Preset Manager
• Create masks using custom shapes and alphabets
• Create a smooth gradient transition between two photos
• Add zig-zag stitching for a handmade look
• Create a photo overlay with a custom brush
• Add a custom drop-shadow to a journaling card to pop it off the page

and here's the page I made for the lesson

Holidays In Hand Workshop - Dec 2

Today we are to read the article "Welcome Home ... for the Holidays!" and write my thoughts on it.

WOW, I really needed to read this... this is our first holiday in our new house. The house is still pretty torn apart and we basically only live on the main floor which is still missing trim and still painted crazy colors and still missing kitchen drawers... I've been really bummed feeling like we can't have people over for the holidays and totally embarrassed about inviting people in to our house. I find myself apologizing for the mess of our house whenever we have our small group Bible study. I mean, I know they understand that we bought it knowing it needed a ton of work and they've been so awesome in coming every time. I just can't seem to get over the fact that it's such a mess... This article really helped me realize that it's about the atmosphere I present and not about the physical things around me. I promise to make this house much more welcoming and promise to get out of my comfort zone and invite people over. I mean... Christ was born in a stable right? I mean if God considers that to be the perfect birth place for Christ then why can't I realize that this is the perfect place to welcome our friends and family and I don't need to have a perfect looking place but a warm and welcoming heart.

This is my favorite quote from the article... "A welcoming holiday home, to have one, we must refurnish our heart, not our house!"

Holidays in Hand Workshop - Dec 1

I'm going to use this blog to do my journaling from the prompts we received for the Jessica Sprague Holidays In Hand workshop that I'm taking... the album pages are being posted on my photography blog so be sure to check them out too.

Today's assignment is to write my thoughts about our family's holiday values... this is what I journaled on my first album page...

I’m really excited about Christmas this year. This will be the first year that we really focus on Advent and the coming of Christ. I’m so excited that our children will get to experience this and have lots of activities ready for us this year. We’re doing an Advent calendar and we’re also excited to open up The Advent Book for the first time and open up the doors to read the scriptures every night. I wasn’t able to find my advent wreath this year, it’s still packed up somewhere but hopefully next year we’ll have it.