Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A sewing machine, paper, and thread...oh my!

Like so many in blogland I have signed up for Mary Ann Moss' "Remains of the Day" on line journal class. Now this is not your average ordinary journal, rather it is sewing vintage papers into a collage to create your journal pages. Yes I did say sew...lol. Check out Pam Garrison's journal, "sew beautiful".

Hello baby! This machine has not seen the light of day for years but has sat quietly on a shelf all but forgotten. I truly have never loved "machine sewing" and consequetly always found it to be hard work and challenging. But hey, who doesn't need a good challenge now and then?


Some pretty papers pulled out from my stash...vintage wall paper, sheet music, magazine pages.
A few pages I am working on right now.
And yes, that is little ole me stitching away. Who knew what fun stitching paper could be. Yes I am actually having fun. However, I did let myself get a little side tracked from my assignment for Ali's class. But I will continue to post my layouts as I finish them up.

What are you working on today? Would luv to hear about your projects.

XOXO

Catherine

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My love story...

As I continue with Ali's class I am now on week 5, Creating a layout without photos. The focus is on telling the story even if you do not have the pictures to put in the album. While I am willing to try each assignment this one is not my favorite. For me, the purpose of the scrapbook process is using my photos and telling that story. This exercise felt more like journaling one's memories. However, having said that, I must say telling my "love story" was a delightful experience and I do hope one day my grandchildren will enjoy it.

What do you think about scrapping without photos....

XOXO
Catherine

Monday, January 18, 2010

When I was just a little girl...

In November I signed up for Ali Edward's class, Yesterday & Tomorrow at Big Picture Scrapbooking. By week three I was heading off to Silver Bella and then the holiday season hit and I did not finish up my classes...LOL. However, now it is a new year and a new decade for that matter and I am back in class ready to finish up the assignment.

This is the second page of a two page LO depicting some of my cherished childhood memories. I posted the first page awhile back. Truly enjoyed this assignment and the reflection of some of the wonderful moments of my childhood :)

Wishing you a creative Monday

Catherine

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Relief...

Such devastation, my heart aches for the people of Haiti and once again the blogging community is not standing quietly but is making a difference.

Take a minute and visit Heidi Swapp's blog where she is talking about "an organization within Nuskin called “Nourish the Children”. Or pop over to Ali Eward's blog where she has a list of organizations all of whom are accepting donations as well.

Every little bit helps,

XOXO

Catherine :)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

My apologies....

Bad blogger award goes to moi....

I just returned home from a two month visit with DD and family and in the chaos of unpacking, making appointments, restocking groceries, etc blogging slipped to the bottom of my "To Do" list. I hope to be back on track by next week, hmmmm.



I have been revamping and cleaning my craft room to make room for all the treasures I acquired at Creative Escape and Silver Bella. I am also purging, making myself get rid of stuff that has been haning around and I never seem to use. And also my style and taste seem to change over time as well. I am putting all my not used supplies in a box and am going to pass it on. My room is a mess right now, looks like a bomb exploded with glitter no less...LOL



A couple of notes you may find of interest:

2010 Creative Escape teacher line up has been announced and oh my it is wonderful. Take a peek here and if you havn't signed up for the lottery better hurry as time is running out.



And Teresa McFayden is offering her newest E Zine, Paper Romance, it looks to be so inspiring.



Hope your 2010 is off to a wonderful start full of creativity...



"Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself.

If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it.

Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.

--Tina Turner

Back soon, promise :)



Catherine

Sunday, January 3, 2010

In the words of Ali Edwards...

My one little word for 2010 is LIVE
Many of you know that I am an avid movie buff and as I was thinking and contemplating what my word for this year would be I kept thinking about an old movie that I love, Auntie Mame. And there is a wonderful quote from the film which inspired my word choice....Auntie Mame: Oh, Agnes! Here you've been taking my dictations for weeks and you haven't gotten the message of my book: live!
Agnes Gooch: Live?
Auntie Mame: Yes! Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!

I am also very inspired by Kolette Hall and her blog, The Art of Choosing Joy. I was lucky to meet her at Creative Escape and take her Gratitude Journal class and have not forgotten how she stressed focusing on the "problems" does not make you feel better, so why not focus on the good in our daily lives. While I believe and embrace this I sometimes can lose my way...lol The last couple of years have been challenging on many fronts for me and so now I say, "it is time to live."

I look forward to the banquet that 2010 promises to bring...
XOXO
Catherine

Friday, January 1, 2010

Bonne Annee mes amis...

The second decade of the new millenium is upon us today, January 1, 2010.

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
William Arthur Ward

Have a wonderful day and may each of you experience love and joy in this New Year!
XOXO

Catherine