Some Scrappy Creations

We had a great time last night at our Trunk or Treat (and Gary and I looked quite cute as Batman and Catwoman...if I do say so myself!), but I'm going to wait and post all of our Halloween pictures together (we're doing our "Creepy Cafe" meal here at the house tonight and then trick--or-treating tomorrow night). So, I thought I'd use my post today to show you some of the scrapbook pages I've made in the last few days and also to show you the beginnings of my "A Week in the Life" album.

I'm still getting my Summer pages done (gotta do that before the holidays are here in full force). This is one of the "traditional" hand-holding picture we take at whatever beach we're at (this summer, it was Ocean City, Maryland)...

I really, really like this because it incorporates some handmade things I used for it. I made the little journaling strips and the paper circles and flowers. I'm really enjoying this sort of look these days...

And then a page with another picture from our beach trip this past summer. It's one of the pics of the girls on the Boardwalk, and it's very simple. Lots of circles and soft corners, and a couple of embellishments...

And then here's a page I did from my 40th birthday. I've still got several pages and layouts I want to do from the celebration (one of the "surprise" party Gary threw for me and also of our family celebrations), but I wanted to do one that I could just journal on. Share my thoughts on what it feels like to be 40 (when, honestly, I still feel like I'm 20 most of the time!)...

I also like this one a lot because of the flowers and shapes I cut out for the page. It feels simple and "real" to me...

And then, remember the "Week in the Life" photos I showed you all last week? Well, I finally decided what I wanted to do for it and I got started. I made the cover and I think I know what the design is going to be like throughout it. I'm going for easy (it's gotta be easy; I have like 100 pictures from the week, and I don't want it to be a chore to get it done!)...

I am really excited about getting to work on that album. I decided to make my own album. It's using chipboard and cardstock for the pages and I'm going to bind it with a coil ring; I really wanted to make it feel more "earthy" and "real" (kind of like our lives!) and loved the handmade look. Chipboard, stamping, handmade journaling spots; I hope it turns out how I visualize it! Now, I just gotta get my pictures (they should be arriving in the mail at any time!). Of course, I'll give updates here next week on how the album is coming along.

Now, on that note...about my handmade scrappy stuff...I'm seriously thinking of opening an Etsy shop. Etsy is this really cool shopping space online; everything is either handmade or vintage, and I really enjoy the stuff that's there. I have this vision of a shop that will focus on things that encourage our creativity, things that I love doing myself.

Things like handmade albums, and journals for your writing, and tags for scrapbooks. Some holiday stuff. Vintage creative things. Even some custom-designed things for anyone who might want it. Basically things that can encourage writing and creativity, and living with joy.

I even have an idea for my shop's name... Live, Love, Create.

I really want some honest feedback. Do you think this is something I should try and do? I have all sorts of ideas, but I also need it to be something that would be practical and realistic for me to do. I'd actually want to sell some stuff. (LOL)

I'd love your thoughts on that.

(Okay...I couldn't resist. I'm including just ONE picture from last night. More to come after our Halloween meal tonight and trick or treating tomorrow...

Have a great Thursday and Friday!