I've been a baaaaad blogger, haven't I?  I've been busy with a boat-load of personal business to attend to, spending time with that grandbaby girl and behind the scenes scoping out papers and embellishments for pages and cards. 

I did NOT get my room finished :(    But, I DID make another mess in there, and made a page :)  Yea!  Gettin' my groove back.  That feels pretty darn good.  And there is nothing like some new papers and scrapping goodies for getting ya back in the mood! 

She is sooo serious in this photo.  She gets this serious look when there is someone new around her (the photographer in this case).  Boy oh boy, does she ever size someone new up.  Really gives them the stare down. 

I have to figure out a representational photo of our newest game.  Nana runs around the dining room table with Miss Isabel in hot pursuit, whereby Nana abruptly turns around (mostly because otherwise Nana would get dizzy) and "runs into" Miss Isabel, who then bursts into a fit of squeals and giggles.  Apparently, this is hilarious good fun because it must be repeated for at least 20 minutes straight.  Have not figured out how to photograph this whilst running abou the dining room table, turning about suddenly, and keeping myself upright and on both feet.  We'll have to work out these minor details and sneak a photo or so in there. 

Anyway, back to the layout above.  I got my first order of  new My Mind's Eye papers and embellishments from Happy N Scrappin.  I have to say, I ordered on Monday and received my order on Friday so they were quick!  The papers and embellishments were from both their older Lost and Found collection and their new Lost and Found 2 collection, the Sunshine line.  And since the little miss has been wearing a lot of yellow this summer, I think I will be geting some more of this. 

Very simple layout.  I just cut the striped piece to a 10-1/2 inch square and distressed the edges.  Then I added two layered partial borders at the top and bottom of the layout (just pile two coordinating piece on top of each other and add a couple of little punched border pieces), as well as the chipboard banners, a button and a couple of layered brads.  This type of layout works really well with portrait type photos like this one.  So quick and fun to make! 

Change is a part of everyday life and while some changes are not necessarily welcomed, there they are. 

Some changes are preciptated  by way of seeking a better existence, some by monetary needs, some by health needs, new life or even death.  And one change does beget others.  I have to believe you make of things what you will.  The trick is knowing what you have the power to do.  Some things are simply out of your control and knowing the difference is key.   We cannot control the behaviour of others, nor can we control the economy, nor the power of the heavens.  We can however control our own behaviour, our own surroundings, our own happieness. 

2011 has been quite the year of change for me thus far.  Those of you who know me, know that I lost my mother in January.  My husband lost his job a couple of weeks after that and started a new job in March. 

And I officially found out that I will be a grandma again!  Wait, I am not done. 

I am sad to say that I also found out on July 11 that the LSS I've worked and taught at for the past six years, Legacy Scrapbooks, is closing at the end of August. The closing sale began on July 12.  With many things on my mind lately, it has been difficult to blog the past couple of weeks.  First, a huge thank you to all of you who I've had the pleasure of having in my classes.  I will miss that personal aspect of teaching.  I've made so many scrapping and paper loving friends.  But I've had to push those feelings aside for the moment, as I find myself scrambling to find another job, any job really.  Right now, its just something I need to pay the bills with.  Nothing more, nothing less.  So, once that is settled, I have some other changes in mind for myself! 

Even though I am saddened about the closing, I am looking forward to spending more time on my own paper arts and being able to share the results of my efforts with you all here on the blog.  I am also looking to continue formula pages in some fashion here on the blog. 

Next, I will now also try to note where you can find the supplies I've used for pages and cards I'm posting. (I have Two Peas in a Bucket, Scrapbook.com and Simon Says Stamp noted in the sidebar now--look for that to be expanded into it's own shopping guide.)

And I will be organizing the uploaded projects into one-page layouts, two-pagers, formula pages, and cards that you can more easily search through. 

For now I've been concentrating on my room reorganization and though I focused in the past strictly on making the room functional, I am now working on making it pretty--for me. 

So I am embracing the changes that are coming in my life.  Really looking forward to another grandbaby! And although I will miss certain aspects of the past, I choose to look to the good.  I am at peace with myself and the person that I am.  I take comfort in all the support my students and friends have provided and am so happy that you have been so pleased with the classes and the fun we have had together.  Thank you all so much for the kind words!  I'll be on the look out for you all at future crops in the area (that I will actually be able to play and scrap with you!!!)   

The page above is of my mother on her wedding day.  Papers and stickers are from Basic Grey, from their Cappella line, flowers are from Prima (plain white flowers, tinted with Tattered Angels Midnight blue, Irridescent Gold and Silver Glimmer Mists), the frame the page is in is from Bella Blvd.--a handmade beauty. 

See you all soon!