Top 10 Layouts of 2010

2010 has been such an amazing year. I was able to travel to a beautiful country and share life-changing experiences with a wonderful group of people. Ryan and I became engaged and started planning a wedding and life together. I passed all three exams that are required for graduation and licensure and maintained my 4.0 in graduate school.

In the world of scrapbooking, I was honored to design for All About Me and guest design with Scrap Our Stash- two wonderful challenge blogs. I've grown into my own style and continue to grow with each new creation. I explored the world of mists, sprays, and inks. I learned a ton about design during My Scrapbook Nook's Nook University. I had disappointments with applying for Design Teams, but was thrilled to be a finalist in the Creative Memories DT search. WOW!

Thank you to all of my followers and commenters! You make this journey so wonderful with your encouraging words that mean so much to me!

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2011-which should be a wonderfully exciting year!

Scrappy: Winter Wonderland

Christmas Eve. My favorite day of the year. Traditions, Anticipation, Joy.

This past week has tested me. Mom went into the hospital on Monday and we are hoping to leave this morning. So many people have shown us such compassion this week and I am so grateful.

They are calling for a White Christmas in North Carolina which makes me happy because I find snow so magical. Even after the rough Boone winter I had last year, I want more!!!



Merry Christmas!

Scrappy: Rachel Blue

Today I'm going to share a layout with you, for a tutorial on how to personalize your title work, check out the AAM blog!

Scrappy: our ornaments

With my brother in Africa, It was really strange to decorate the tree with both of our ornaments. Usually we start the process together (I usually end up doing it by myself), but this year it was very lonely.

As I was looking for sights of Christmas I found myself admiring the ornaments of years past. There are so many memories held in the ornaments, it's hard to choose a favorite! These are the ones that stood out to me this year:



I was immediately inspired by the sketch challenge over at Get Picky combined with the December kit from My Scrapbook Nook!

Scrappy: My 5

I'm hosting the current challenge at All About Me Challenge blog- inspired by the cell phone trend that started a few years ago where one could pick 'their 5' and make unlimited calls to those people. This challenge is to document YOUR 5. It could be your top five friends, places to visit, or memories. The Design Team had such wonderful interpretations, you really should check them all out!!

When I started looking through pictures for this layout, I was going to do a recap of my 5 favorite memories from 2010. So many of the pictures that caught my eye were from my trip to Bolivia. In no particular order, and nowhere near a complete list of wonderful memories, here are my 5 Bolivian Memories:

*Yes- I realize there is a spelling error, but I'm leaving it for now. My Kindergarten teacher said "It doesn't matter how you spell things, as long as you are expressing yourself." I typically disagree with that statement, but I'm on her side today.

Check out the blog for inspiration and a list of fabulous prizes for this month!

Tell me about YOUR 5!

Scrappy: Snow Stomper

Have I mentioned that winter weather is here? December started out cold and snowy, I think we're in for another winter full of snow!

I just LOVE Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather. The colors, the cute little snowmen, fabulous stuff! I was so excited to finally scrap these pictures from last Christmas Eve of my cousin stomping in the snow in her pretty dress and brand new shoes. The snow had been on the ground for a week and a half, so it was iced ver on top and really crunchy. I'm glad I snapped these pictures before she got caught and taken inside!




Do you like cold weather? Or would you rather have warm weather year round?

Journal Your Christmas - Dec 1 & 2

I have completed the prompts for the first two days of Journal Your Christmas:

Supplies Album, Paper, Embellishments: Little Yellow Bicycle, Stickers: Making Memories, Journaling cards: Shimelle.

What are you doing to document this holiday season?

Scrappy: My Style

The new challenge is up at All About Me!! This one is super fun! Check it out!

I love hats. I love trying them on in stores and taking funny pictures. I'm from a small town- sometimes you have to create your own fun growing up. I tried on hats! I wish big fancy hats would come back into fashion- I'd wear one every single day!

Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Cosmo Cricket paper, American Crafts Thickers, Bic Mark-it! markers, ribbon.

I think I look good in hats- but maybe the hats are just awesome!

I'd like to dedicate this post to my college friend Tracy- let's go try on hats again soon!! Please!

What's YOUR style?

Journal Your Christmas

I'm participating in Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas this year and I'm happily anticipating the prompts!!!

Here is my cover, which is a Little Yellow Bicycle album and paper. I also used my new Bic Mark-It! markers to color the foam Thickers. I love being able to customize my alphas to fit my needs!

Scrappy: Love That Face

My cousin's child is the calmest, sweetest baby ever! This is a picture I took of Abel at Thanksgiving!

LOVE his face!



I used My Scrapbook Nook kit from October- full of Lily Bee Catching Fall!

Life Update and Christmas Cards

In my last life update I said I was still waiting on two exam results. *Drumroll please* I passed the NCE- after graduation I get to add a bunch of letter after my name! I'm so excited!!!

Also, if you want to check out the engagement proofs they are on Pixels on Paper's proofing site. If you are in Charlotte or Western NC and need a photographer- check them out! They are fabulous!!!

I have been making cards for my grandmother like crazy- she requested 25 Christmas and 25 generic cards!! I've been using last year's Christmas lines and I've fallen in love with them all over again! I'm trying to keep the cards as flat as possible since they will be going through the mail all across the country.

Scrappy: When I Grow Up

I'm a little behind this week, but I wanted to share my take on the current challenge at All About Me- When I Grow Up.

This topic was fairly easy for me as the thought of what I want to be someday has never changed. My career path and majors certainly did- but this has nothing to do with formal training or higher education (though neither will hurt in the end). When I grow up I want to be a mother.



Especially now, with Ryan. I imagine he will be a wonderful father and I look forward to having a family with him someday!

I guess when I have children I will be a real grown up- what do you think?

Join us at AAM for this challenge and the chance to win a fabulous prize!

Quick Update!

I've not gone missing- just having a bit of a time crunch at the end of my last semester of classes. I have taken THREE standardized exams that will either prove or disprove my ability to be a good counselor. I passed Comps with flying colors and I'm still waiting on my scores for the NCE and Praxis II. Passing Comps means I can graduate in May, the other two exams are required for licensure and can be retaken if needed.

I'm so ready for the end of this semester- to have a bit of time off and prepare for my full time internship next semester. One thing I will not miss- 2 hours in my car everyday.

Wedding planning is going well and Ry and I had our engagement session today with Misty and Ryan from Pixels on Paper. I'm so glad that they will be shooting us the whole way through to our wedding day- including my bridal portraits. Here is a shot that my mother took today:



I'll have some scrappy updates soon!

AAM Blog Hop Winner!!!

Just letting you know that I have selected a winner for the blog using Random.org-

The winner is Vicki!!!

Vicki said...
Love your layout. Back in the days when I was collecting dolls I would look over the packages and pick the most perfect one. Guess that's being a snob.

Vicki- email me at RachLHawkins at gmail dot come with your name and address and I'll ship out a fabulous kit of LilyBee products!

Thanks for everyone who stopped by! I really appreciate the kind words!

AAM Royal Blog Hop

Welcome to the AAM Blog Hop! So happy to have you!

If you got here from Sarah's blog you are on the right track!

If you are just starting here, make sure you begin at the AAM blog so you don't miss all of the fun inspiration!

Our theme for this hop is ROYALTY- I've never been much on princesses and tiaras- rather I've been very turned off to princesses, magic wands, and the snobbishness that comes along.

However, I see that royalty isn't just about the obvious things that come to mind. It is about more than that - inner beauty, courage, finding your own strength, and learning lessons along the way. For me, seeing myself as royal is difficult, I've struggled with my self-esteem as long as I can remember. I'm trying to see the best parts of myself and remind myself that I am WORTHY.

There is one thing that I am super snobbish about:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES!

I have to have the best of the best and very specific pens to write with. Even if I have leftover supplies, I go out and buy new ones at the beginning of each school year- there's just something about fresh correction fluid and new pens! I could save a lot of money if I used what I already had, but I'm just a snob and that's that!





When I decided what I was going to confess as my snobbish behavior, I had no idea what papers I would use- but then it hit me- Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend!!!! I also used Bazzill Cardstock, Zig Pen, American Crafts Thickers, and a MM stapler and staples!

What are you a "snob" about? Remember, it doesn't have to be a bad thing! Make it fun! Giggle at yourself! It's okay.

Leave a comment telling me what you are a snob about! I'll be drawing a name from all of the commenters and I'll send the winner a RAK!

Last but not least, continue hopping along to Nic's blog for fabulous inspiration and to continue the quest for the main prize!

Scrappy: Fall Favorites

This is one of my favorite projects ever. It is a mini about my life as it is right now:











Hope everyone has a great weekend! I know I'm ready for a couple days off, even though I have a lot of work to do!

Scrappy: So Very Blessed

This weekend I had the honor of witnessing two wonderful people commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. It was amazing. I am so blessed to have a wonderfully supportive family that not only supports me, but my friends as well. On that note, I thought I would share another Nook U creation:





I scraplifted a layout by Stacey Michaud for this project. She is a fabulous inspiration and I love her work!

Scrappy: Wedding Cards

This weekend I'm headed to see some friends commit their lives to one each another. I'm so excited for them and love seeing the love between them! That brings me to these cards. For the second final in Nook U we were challenged to make five cards (my weakness) and they each had a wedding theme applied to them:

Something Old

Something New

Something Borrowed

Something Blue

Wedding Themed

Anyone have tips for cardmaking? I really struggle with it and don't know why I find it so difficult!

Scrappy: The Other Side

Another layout I created during Nook U:




For those of you that take all the pictures, what is the best way to have your picture taken every once in a while?