Memories from the past...

I took a little trip home a couple weeks ago and was given the sweet teacup on the right out of my great grandmother’s stash. 

Yes, I could have put it on a shelf in my dining room and let it collect dust or stored it in the basement in a box but really...then what’s the point of having it?  

So instead, it holds my glue upside down on my studio desk.  

My great grandmother had passed before I was born so I really only think of her as my mom’s grandma and since I miss my mom SO much this is a little reminder of her that I can look at every day.  

The bowl is a piece of pottery I brought home from Guatemala.  Both pieces make me happy and I didn't even notice until I snapped the photo that the drawer above them says "sunshine".  Seems fitting.

Do you surround yourself with things that remind you of the people and places that are important to you?  What are your favorites?

Do you hear school bells ringing?

You'd have to be living under a rock not to know the school year has begun. Although lately, it seems, Back to School starts right after the 4th of July and by the time the first day arrives, the stores are filled with fall, Halloween and even Christmas displays. Don't forget to take a breath and smell the new crayons and fresh notebooks for just a moment before dragging out the pumpkins!

Back to School Scrapbook

Don't forget about the teachers!

World's Best Teacher

Time to pull out the list pad.

I don't know about you but I LOVE making lists. Actually, it's not so much that I love them, it's that they are vital to my sanity!

They help me stay organized, prevent me from forgetting things, keep my goals on track and most importantly they help me to clear my mind so I can function...and sleep at night!  Life is a bit busy these days with my scrapbooking business, work, upcoming travel, my daughter's wedding and a new little endeavor...2 actually...that I will talk more about soon. It can definitely all be overwhelming at times. 

This morning as I was getting ready for work I was thinking about all that I need to get done in the next week. I admit, I was kinda freaking out a little bit.  It might have been the somewhat random stack of vacation clothes and supplies my eyes landed on as I walked past the guest room or the pile of half completed scrapbook orders laying on my work table that need to get finished and out the door over the next few days or the box of wedding stuff that needs to get put in the mail to my daughter asap but is waiting for me to finish a little DIY project to add to the box first. 

So as my hair dryer was working it's magic it occurred to me that my frantic state is probably because I have not taken the time to get everything down on paper.  So I tossed one of my many journals into my purse and promised myself that I would get it all down in black and white (ok, probably blue and white!) TODAY. 

And then, as if a prompt from the universe, I open my Pinterest account and see pin this from Janine Ripper's blog.

 

Of course, these ideas could totally sidetrack me so for now I will have to add "make new lists" to my current "to do" list...right underneath finish scrapbook orders and pack my bags.  :)

 



Guy Gifts...the struggle is real.

Why are men so hard to buy for?  Maybe it's just me but it seems like I have to do a LOT of research to make sure I'm buying the right golf club or tool and even clothes can present a problem when I'm thinking GQ and he's thinking "weekend white guy".  Or maybe it's just that I'd rather shop for girl stuff.  In any case, I'm guessing the guy in your life would appreciate a scrapbook of photos of his kids, their sporting events or even a few shots of his golf game.  Throw one in his stocking and see what happens.  :)

{World's Greatest Dad Scrapbook}

{Hockey Scrapbook}

{Tailgating Scrapbook}

{Bowling Scrapbook}

{Golf Scrapbook}

I love custom orders!

Remember yesterday when I was talking about giving a wedding scrapbook to parents or grandparents?  Well, that just happened.  Popped this custom order in the mail today for just that purpose!

 

You can order your custom made book here.

Scrapbooks make great Christmas (or anytime) Gifts...Let's Start with Scrapbooks for the Girls!





I created this book over the weekend to put in my Etsy shop...and today just noticed that it is MY wedding colors!  Ha.  Didn't even notice as I was making it.  This 6" book with 20 pages is the perfect "highlight" book for your wedding.  Makes a great gift for parents or grandparents or just a condensed version of your "big book" to place on your coffee table or have at your desk when coworkers ask about your wedding.  AND...I can even make it in YOUR wedding colors (instead of mine).  All you have to do is ask!  :)  Oh yeah...click on the caption for photos of the inside!



{Wedding Day Scrapbook}





Of course, you have to have a book of the bridesmaids too!  Wouldn't these make excellent bridesmaid gifts?  Right up there with the mani/pedis and it will last longer!  AND, you can put the pictures OF the mani/pedis IN the book!  A little snapshot of your special day celebrated with your best girlfriends.  

{Bridesmaids Scrapbook}

Moms can be hard to buy for sometimes but she will always love a gift that you can personalize with photos of her and her kids.  Oh, and here's a tip from someone whose mom has passed...you can never have too many pictures of you and your mom!  You will treasure the ones you have long after she is gone and always wish you had more.   Look inside this book here.

{Mother Scrapbook}



You can't forget those sisters! Not that they would LET you forget them. :)

{Sisters are the Perfect Best Friends Scrapbook}

 

 

Grandmas?  Yeah, pretty much ditto everything I said about Moms.   

 

{Best Grandma Ever Scrapbook}

What would we do without our friends to make us smile and to do silly things with?  Capturing those memories in a little scrapbook means so much more than a quick FB post.  Just imagine that smile on her face when she opens this!  Inside pics here.

{I totally love my friends scrapbook}



Ever had a bad nurse?  Then you can really appreciate the good ones!  Nurses do so much for us and they deserve some recognition.  Wouldn't this make her day?  You could even throw it in a gift basket with a bottle of wine, some cookies and a gift certificate for a foot massage!  More photos here.


{Nurse Scrapbook}

Check back for more ideas tomorrow.  Shall we do the men this time?

Disney Vacation Scrapbook {Election Day Distraction}

Dream Big Disney Scrapbook

What seems more fitting for a Disney vacation than to DREAM BIG?  I love the Simple Stories Say Cheese papers and stickers.  They are so much fun to work with.  I don't know about you but I love it when everything coordinates!  Of course, I wish I could say that it saves me time when putting together a book...but not so much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this book I put all the "autograph" spaces on the inserts.  Both sides of these 4-1/2" square inserts have heavy white paper so your favorite characters can sign away!  Recently I did a similar scrapbook for an Etsy customer and she had this to say about the book...

 

 

 

 

"Just wanted to let you know that your autograph books were a HUGE hit at Disneyland. Literally......every character would sit there and flip through the book after they signed it. It was so funny. And then they would motion to me to ask, "Did I make this?" I told them that they are hand-made, but I ordered it through Etsy. They all seemed amazed that they were made out of paper bags. In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible were together and motioning to each other to check out our books! I had people stopping me in line for the autographs asking me where I got them and how amazing they were! I'll send people your way if I can! Thanks again for such a wonderful job on those books. They are incredible, as always!"

Gotta love happy customers!

Oops...almost forgot...it's Election Day!  I voted before work this morning but they didn't have any "I voted" stickers so I had to make my own....