Christmas 2011 - Lola

Today is a very tough day. Our oldest dog, Lola, died early this morning. It was very unexpected. This meant our plans for the day changed. So I found myself with some time and the desire to scrap some photos of her.

My friend Suzanne created a layout yesterday using a sketch from Scraptastic Club. I really loved the beautiful layout and the sketch. The sketch is from the 3rd December challenge at Scraptastic Club.



I am not able to enter this challenge though because the layout was to commemerate an anniversary. I am able to enter it into their 1st December challenge though, which was to use border punches. I used 1 border punch, but used it 6 times.


I used photos of Lola from Christmas time this year. She won't pose with the other dogs under or around the tree, with costumes and props. But she like to sleep under it on the tree skirt. I was able to get a photo of her settling in.


I saw my son Ben getting ready to take a picture of the table on Christmas. It turns out Lola decided to settle in under there while we were hanging out before dinner. So I grabbed my camera too.


I used papers from My Mind's Eye, the O Christmas Tree collection. The background papers are just plain cardstock that I added some letter "L" alphas I had, for Lola. This will allow me to enter the layout into the December challenge at Scrappin'-n-Chattin' to used Leftover Letters to create a background. I was only able to complete 4 of the 5 challenges there this month, but did each of the 4 I completed twice or with a 2 page layout.

These are the last pages of 2011 for me. I created 121 pages this year. That's a personal record. I was able to create a page a week all year, which was a goal. We are doing the 52 Week Challenge again at SnC. I am going to try again to not use a pass.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year's.

Love

I created a page for part of a gift that I put together for Jackie for Christmas yesterday. I finished it about an hour before she got here. I made a scrapbook kit for her with a couple of pads of paper, some alphas, some Christmas stickers, adhesive, a paper cutter and an album. I put the layout in the front of the album. She loved it. I put all of it into a nice 12 x 12 box, so she can keep it all together.



For the layout I used this month's sketch at DCWV Diary.


I was originally going to do a layout with just 1 photo, the photo of Jackie and David that she uses as her profile picture on Facebook. But I really, really loved this sketch and had to use it. Luckily I had a ton more photos to choose from. I think I will frame the other one I had printed out.


I used paper from the DCWV The Natural Stack. These were the perfect papers to go with the photos. The large ribbon under the photos is a recycled ribbon that was wrapping to a blanket I had purchased a couple of years ago. The bling, flowers and pearls are from my stash.

And, since I created this page on Sunday, it qualifies as my last layout for the 52 Week Challenge at Scrappin'-n-Chattin'. I cannot believe I actually was able to create a layout every single week, all year, without using a pass!!! I think we are going to do it again for next year. And I think I will try again.

Willie & Santa

Well, I didn't get my 2nd page done last night. After we came home from getting salad, I just didn't feel like scrapping. But I did get it done tonight while dinner was cooking.

This layout is based on the sketch and photo inspiration this week at Lasting Memories.


My layout doesn't include a Christmas tree, a child or a teddy bear. But it does include Willie and his photo with Santa. He's as cuddly as a teddy bear.


I was so happy that the Santa at PetSmart was cool looking this year. Last year the one in Willie's photo was a little creepy.

I used some more papers and embellishments from the November Artful Delight kit. I love this kit.

I am also entering this page in this week's Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs. The challenge is to use fabric on your project. The flower in the upper right part of the layout is a Precocious Paper flower made with felt and fabric.

Who's This

I had to take a day off from work today to go with David to West Point. He had all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled. He did really well, and was pretty funny trying to talk on the way home. He had Jackie and me cracking up. He's going to be sore for Christmas, but all went well.

I have completed the first of 2 layouts that I planned out. I am using some photos that were taken over the weekend of Willie and Tessa with Santa. This layout is of Tessa.

I used the December sketch at Artful Delight. I really love this sketch.


I used papers and embellishments from the November Artful Delight kit. I had been dying to use these papers, and these Santa photos are perfect for them.

I am hoping to get the 2nd page done tonight too. I will have to make a list of pages I want to do in the near future. I have quite a good number of new photos to use. And of course I have a ton of old photos to scrap too. Thanks for looking.

Kindergarten

Today I created a page using some pretty old photos. They are from 1993. I really haven't scrapped any of my boys' school photos and I decided that I wanted to start today.

I scrapped David's kindergarten photos. I can't believe how small he was. I used this week's sketch from Frosted Designs. I loved the elements in this sketch.


And here is the page.....


I used some more paper from My Mind's Eye Complete Boy. The banner is from a chipboard set that came with an Artful Delight kit.

I am entering this as my layout for Week 50 of the 52 Weeks Challenge at Scrappin'-n-Chattin'. I am also using it as one of my entries in the challenge D is for.... (David).

Fun

I am so happy that I was able to finish the page I had planned out tonight. It's the Page 1 to the layout I completed last night. And I really like how they look together.


For tonight's page I followed the Monthly Challenge at Scrappin'-n-Chattin'. The challenge is to follow this recipe:


Of course I love using sketches best, but next I think I enjoy recipes the most. I used the same papers from the My Mind's Eye Complete Boy. This is a closer look at Page 1.

I think I am done working with these photos for now anyway. What will my next subject be?

At The Tree

My 4th blog post for the week. This may be a record.... And I have a page planned for tomorrow too.

Tonight I created a page with some more photos of David and Jackie's photo shoot in October. All of the photos are just so amazing, I have to use most of them. This is actually the Page 2 to go with the layout I have planned for tomorrow. This page is based on this month's sketch at the My Mind's Eye blog. I really love the sketch and all of the inspiration was awesome.


To join the challenge at My Mind's Eye, you must use at least 80% My Mind's Eye products. All of the papers are from the Complete Boy collection. I used some kraft cardstock as mats and a couple of the embellishments, and the buttons are from my stash.


I am also entering this page in a few other challenges:

1. Allsorts Challenge Blog - Circles
2. Make It Monday - Linky Party
3. 2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Punches and/or Dies - I have punched circle and 2 different border punches.
4. The Craft Garden - December Recipe - Choose 4

Kerry - turquoise - Paper and ribbon
Carly - Snowflakes
Melly - Kraft - Photo mats and top border punch
Tiffany- Office Supply

Kevin - Ribbon - Turquoise ribbon on top of border punch
Jay - Buttons 4 - red buttons
Cathy - charm
Helen - Purple

Kylie - Paint

I am really enjoying the stress reduction going on here by creating something each night. I know I won't be able to keep it up, but it feels good to be getting so much done. Thanks for looking.