My busy life...

I created this layout for the guest design challenge on My Scrapbook Nook. The challenge was to use at least five current pictures that document your daily life. I have been taking a lot of pictures of my everyday life (everyone knows I'm always snap happy) and I was very inspired by this challenge. I used papers and embellishments from a kit that I received for my birthday. I used an Autumn Leaves stamp that reads "happiness walks on busy feet". How true! The journaling reads: Between work...and school...and dance...and choir and Altar Guild...and choreographing Annie Get Your Gun...and spending time with family and friends...I'm finding it hard to give 100% in all areas- but I love my life!!! 

I am thrilled with this layout and I think it is a great way to express how busy I am yet how much I love every single thing that I do. I really do have a fantastic life. I'm so blessed.

Sketches

Dreamgirls:Challenge #20: Use your stash

The challenge was to use paper from your stash that was at least 6 months old, the technique of tearing, and the title "I'm not". I used a sheet of Creative Memories Celebration paper that I  have had for a while. The title is "I'm not scared" when you can see on my face that I'm absolutely terrified. This is the first page of many for my Disney album.

I made this card with Karen Foster paper and stickers. I added a little sparkle and ribbon for fun. A thank you note for Ryan's parents for the fabulous birthday presents they gave me this past weekend. (Working on #12 on my 25 by 25 list)
I made this card based off of the Cupcake Craft Challenge 23

I like the colors and I used my first eyelet ever on this card!!! Yay!
I am hoping to make another card by the end of the night. Here's to #25 on my list- Be Creative Everyday!

25 by 25

Happy Birthday to me! I have confidence that this will be a great year. It is MY year.

Here is a list of things I would like to accomplish and habits I would like to adapt over the next year.

1-Train for and finish a 5k race.
2-Learn to sew.
3-Learn to enjoy sewing.
4-Be fiscally responsible and save money.
5-Cook at least two meals a month for my family.
6-Make a piece of wall art (Supplies).

7-Take at least 6 classes towards my masters degree.

8-Re-learn to play the piano.

9-Practice reading music.

10-Visit friends more often.

11-Keep my closet and drawers organized.

12-Write more Thank You notes.

13-Use my YMCA membership.

14-Finish every scrapbook that I start.

15-Give handmade cards for all birthdays, holidays, etc.

16-Recycle more. (Which includes convincing my grandparents to recycle their stuff too!)

17-Drink more water.

18-Hike several sections of the Appalachian Trail.

19-Go see the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn.

20-Go whitewater rafting at least once.

21-Let my hair grow out. 

22-Practice Pilates basic mat at least three times per week.

23-Plan a trip out of the country.

24-Plan an awesome 25th birthday bash. 

25-Be creative everyday.

The Magic of Disney

Mr. Potato Head

Buzz

Buzz Lightyear

Legos

'Mexico'

I wanted that puppet so badly!

Yay friends!

Rafiki

Cinderella's castle

Wishes Fireworks Show!

2 Sketches 4 You- Laura's sketch 17

I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. I had an absolute BLAST in Orlando with YT and Koren. What wonderful company for a Disney adventure! 

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things- which includes my new addiction- challenge blogs! Below is my take on this week's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You I once again used leftover papers from a BoBunny kit (the one I used to make my Birthday album). I am not really adept with stamping, but I love the love stamp. The inside of the card has a teal square that matches the ribbon on the front. Maybe I can wait until Valentines day to send this card...maybe...

Now it is time for a Disney update...

Friday I will reveal my 25 by 25 to-do list as a birthday present to myself! Yay Birthdays!!

Disney World

I'm headed to Disney World with Koren and YT.

I'm hoping to have a ton to update about on Saturday/Sunday!

<3 

Rach

Catching up

I made this Baby's First Christmas Album for a friend using the Bo Bunny word album and K & Company Peppermint Twist papers. I feel like it needs a little bit more bling, but I love the colors for a little girl's First Christmas album.




I created this album for my 24th Birthday celebrations. (January 16th!!!) It was a class kit from Bo Bunny for a Holiday Agenda that I knew I would never use. I loved the papers and since I am a winter baby I decided to use the kit for my (hopefully) awesome birthday that is coming up!



I am working on a 25 by 25 list of things I would like to do in the coming year. I did not make any New Year Resolutions because I thought that I would be able to keep the changes if I made it into a more detailed list. I plan on putting a list of those things I want to accomplish in my birthday album.

And last, but not least...the card I made for the caardvarks challenge blog. (These challenge blogs are somewhat addictive!) I used the leftover paper from the Bo Bunny Family Album I made for Thanksgiving. I'm not usually a fall lover, but I really love the colors of the Beautiful Life paper collection. I think this is a really sweet card, maybe I will send it to someone next fall...

I think that is all for tonight. 

2 Sketches 4 You *Bonus Card*

I decided to attempt the Bonus Card on 2 Sketches 4 You today. It is very cutesy, colorful, and simple. I want to start making Valentines Day cards soon, so I made this lovey-dovey one to get me started. I used some paper and embellishments that my parentals bought me for Christmas. Thanks Mum! 



I sense a long night of crafting is ahead of me tonight. <3 Friday night scrappin'.

2 Sketches 4 You

I have been a bit slack on updating my blog over the past week. Christmas was exceptionally wonderful this year, especially the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at church. 

I have been crafting this week and will post pictures of my two new albums later this week.

I ran across 2 Sketches 4 You today and created this card from the current sketch. I'm not really sure how it works, but I had a blast with this quick card. 

I used some scraps from my recent albums (to be featured on here sometime around Friday) and I really like how it turned out. The picture isn't the best quality, but I'm already running late for my New Year's Eve date. 

So, here it is:

Have a safe and happy New Year! 

ASU Shadowbox

Here are the pictures of the shadowbox I made for a special someone. There is room for a picture, to be added at the owner's discretion.





Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Gifting

As a Makers Mark Ambassador I occasionally get really neat things. Last week I received a package from them that included wrapping paper, gift tags, and ribbon. This is by far the coolest thing I have received from them. 

I wrapped a present with the paper and used a gift tag, but I opted for a bow rather than the ribbon. 

I would like to show off what is inside the paper, but I don't want to ruin a surprise. 

Wine Tasting

My lovely little (read younger, not smaller) brother turned 21 yesterday. We celebrated with a trip to some wineries in Yadkin and Wilkes counties. We went to Laurel Gray, Raffaldini, and Buck Shoals.

Cousins

Birthday Boy

Brother and Sister!

Ryan and Rachel

Having a wonderful time!

I am Doris, who are you?

I took this quiz to find out which Mad-men era icon I am. Which one are you?

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."


Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.


How to Get Along with Me
* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.




In Intimate Relationships
* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.




What I Like About Being a Doris
* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor




What's Hard About Being a Doris
* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings




Dorises as Children Often
* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)




Dorises as Parents
* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective

Secret Santa

I received the most awesome secret santa present yesterday (but I didn't have internet to update my blog!) Erin sent me the softest scarf in the world, a pink and black DANCE frame, scrapbook stickers, a great card, and even a stocking with toys for Kitty.

Kitty loves her present!

She played with the monkey all night long!

Cuddled up in my soft soft scarf!!!


Thank you Erin!

What I want for Christmas...

More time...

I wish I had more time to craft.  I see so many wonderful things I want to try, but I cannot find the time to be so adventurous. I have felt inspired to choreograph, scrap, and try new things. I am putting together a list of 25 by 25 that will be made public sometime around my 24th birthday 

(January 16th). One of the things on my list will be to make a piece of wall art. I have been reading lots of crafty blogs recently and have discovered some really creative people. 

This wall art came from How About Orange:

I was thinking about using a fabric similar to this

I found the material on Fabric Supplies and I'm trying to decide if I would like the black or brown better. 

What color are you?

I ran across this site that matches you with a color based on your birth month and day. Colorstrology.com
I am apparently INFLUENTIAL, COMMANDING, and ORIGINAL. I like it.

It also goes on to say:

You are quick-witted and people seem to be drawn to you. You want to express your talents in significant ways. It is important that you have some private time for yourself even though the career you choose may mean that you are surrounded by the public. Being by the water or ocean is soothing to your spirit. Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Burlwood reminds you that you do not always have to be on call for others and encourages you to reserve some quiet time for yourself.

Leap

I am the proud owner of this painting by Steve Canipe.


I absolutely love his work.

Love Actually

The opening monolouge of Love Actually

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspision love actually is all around.

I love watching this movie at Christmastime. It always puts me in the best mood and I always cry at least twice.

I have more to say...but I guess it can wait until tomorrow.

Bells

Tonight was my first bell choir practice. I was HORRIBLE! 

What I learned:

1- I can't count to 3, 4, or 6. 

2- I have no rhythm.

3- Turning pages and ringing bells is a near impossible task. 

4- I only have one real practice left before Christmas Eve. 

5- I don't know my right from my left.

Someone said that I had a look of terror on my face throughout the entire rehearsal. That pretty much says it all.

Practice makes a little bit better I guess...

Photo From L-T-L

Advent Reflection

Psalm 5:1-3

Give ear to my words, O Lord,

give heed to my sighing.

Listen to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God, 

for to you I pray. 

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; 

in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.

It is important to seek Him daily, to cry out, honor and thank Him. To trust that my requests will be heard and wait with faith that my prayers will be answered as I seek Him daily. 

During this Advent season I will work to grow my relationship with God through prayer and reflection.