Some Scrappy Stuff (plus random photos, weekend plans, writing stuff, and links)

I spent a little bit of time doing some scrapbooking over the last week, mostly being inspired by some scrapbook challenges out there (nothing like a challenge to get my behind in gear).

I love to go to the PencilLines site to get ideas for page design (they give sketches to go by for your own pages). I took the inspiration from Sketch #100...

for this layout I did. I also used the inspiration I got from a scrapbook blog called Category Stories and did a page with the theme of "dreams" (so I guess it's like a 2-for-1 deal!). The page is based on a conversation with Sydney from last week.
The journaling on it says: "Sydney had come home from her Aunt Angel's, telling me about 'this thing that makes your dreams come true and your bad dreams go away.' She was talking about dream catchers. I told her about how nighttime dreams don't come true...they are more like imaginary stories in your head. But she said, 'Dreams do come true. You know? you put pennies in those water things at the mall.' She was talking, of course, about fountains; you throw pennies in them, to make your wishes come true. I tried to explain the difference between dreams in your sleep and wishes, but she was determined that they are the same thing. And I guess maybe she's really right. If a little girl wants to believe that dreams come true, who am I to squelch that? Because...well...dreams really can come true, can't they?"

(That right there is what I love about scrapbooking. When you take Words and add Pictures, you all of a sudden have a memory that has been preserved!)

And then I used the inspiration from Sketch #103...

to create this layout about our day this past Summer at Assateague Island in Maryland with the wild ponies. (As we walked around the beach, looking at these horses, we were just in awe. We just keep saying things like, "This is just so, very cool." Hence, the title for the page.)

And then I've always loved the scrapbook challenge blog One Little Word, because it really is all about combining the power of words and photos together. But, I just haven't had the time to devote to the challenge lately. The word this time around, though, is Change--and I immediately had an idea I wanted to do for it.

Instead of talking about some "big" or "momentous" change, I decided to scrap a picture of myself with my new hairdo from over the Summer. The title says it all: "a change can 'do' you good."

And then I always love the challenges over at Unpubbed. They always have some great designs in the spotlight there, and I used Deanna's latest design to create this page...

The journaling on it says: "Summer starts off with a bang with Matthew's birthday, and then the rest of the Summer is filled with more birthday celebrations (Delaney, Garrett, Steven Lee, and Lori). In 2008, Matthew had a Birthday Luau and Garrett had a Pokemon Party. They were both so much fun--with great cakes, decorations, games, and activities. We are very into birthday celebrations--and these were some good ones!" (And then the corresponding pages have pictures from all of the different family birthdays we celebrated over this past Summer.)

If you love to scrapbook, I'd recommend that you check those challenge blogs out!
(I've also added these and some other layouts to my Scrapbook folder over at Flickr if you want to check it out.)

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And now, how about a few random photos from this past week?
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a. would be Delaney dressed up for "Superheroes Day" during her middle school's Spirit Week for homecoming (she also dressed up for 80s Day, Twin Day, and Spirit Day).
b. would feature the football cake I made for brother-in-law Steve's birthday (We gave him a set of Alabama football tickets for his birthday, and I decided that I had to create the perfect cake to go along with it. I liked how it turned out!)
c. would be Sydney with her "present surprise" from her Nanny. Gary's Mom had read my blog from a few days back where Sydney got a fortune cookie and said it read that she would be getting a "present surprise" (it really said "pleasant"). Clara just happened to have a present--a Princess umbrella--for her. When Sydney got it she said, "My fortune cookie was right!"

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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Spring workshop for the Alabama Media Professionals group. It was a really great lunch, and they all treated me great. (I also got to enjoy talks from three other speakers, one of which is my good friend Deborah--who is a trade writer and editor.)

I've posted some of my thoughts from my presentation at my Writing Blog--Writing with Cheryl Wray (which I rarely update, but I'm trying to get better at.)

You can also go check out my latest posts over at Alabama Gameday, including my picks for the upcoming weekend slate of college football games.

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Speaking of the Alabama football game...I am SO excited because I am spending the day with Angela, my bestest friend from high school and college. She is not a huge sports fan, but she is going with me to the game and we are going to "relive" our past. We're also going to have lunch at THIS awesome restaurant. I anticipate much fun going on!!

I hope that you all have a great Friday and weekend. Talk to you on Monday!!