Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Nostalgia

Hello!
Today I'm bring a page I made for this month's Inspiration Elevator Challenge- Nostaligia.

I have a different perspective on this challenge because I don't really scrap to capture moments or even record my life.
I do it because I love messing around with paper and because it gives me a good reason to keep shooting photos- something I would otherwise forget to do in my normal day to day routine.

Basic Grey film strip paper- I'll need to get a couple more of this print. The flair is from A Flair For Buttons, chipboard and white laser cut tags from Scrap FX. New York flag from Reminisce. I also cut some leaves from vellum just for the heck of it. Since we put our things in storage and brought essentials with us when we moved to Utah, I don't have much in terms of items that are nostalgic but the printed film strips are good stand-ins- read below to find out why.

My page doesn't have a lot of journaling this month.
I've covered the subject of Brooklyn longing so frequently in the last couple of months I really just wanted to make a page to match this summer 2013 photo I love.

I am deeply nostalgic for my college days when I spent all day (literally) in the darkroom developing film and printing black and white photos for my next critique class.

The photo is of a near perfect day in May.
We walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
Discover new parts of the park by getting lost in the streets.
Finally, the sun is setting,
Saidy has brought her nephews and Lola finally has someone her own age to play with.
The food truck tacos we buy are delicious.
The salsa band playing outdoors in the park is so amazing we get up and dance in front of everyone.

Lola sits on David's shoulders the whole time.
Then... fireworks!!! Someone is getting married and we get to share in their joy.
And I cry
I AM SO HAPPY!
I know we may never get to come back to a summer concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park again.

I'm painfully grateful. 
New adventures and perfect days await in Utah but nothing compares to golden evenings by the water;
Lady Liberty waving her torch just a quarter mile away.

Quiet subway rides home

You fall asleep yet it is us who sit dreaming

This is home.

Those banner stickers are from the Target dollar aisle- they've been on a roll lately with the kraft stuff.

Onto the official challenge~

You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow.

You can view all of the challenges our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.

We are also pleased to welcome Denise Morrison and her stunning artistic style back to Inspiration Elevator.
Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Lisa Spiegel .

Here's what she had to say in her very own words:
"October is my favorite month of the year. Hands down. The temperatures here in Southern California finally start to drop, we wear a light sweater, maybe even a little boot. We pull out the scarves and the jeggings and put away the capris and tank tops. Leaves begin to change and we prepare for Halloween! My whole house is decorated, from top to bottom, and it is no small feat. I even swap out my dishes and serving ware in preparation for Fall and Halloween and I love to just keep the festivities going all the way through the Thanksgiving and then holiday season. My house will not return to "normal" until January. 

So, Lisa, tell us, how does this relate to a scrapbooking challenge? Well, what I've found over the years is my scrapping even changes over the holidays. I layer more. Reach for the bling and really dig deep to embellish with meaningful objects. Journal my thoughts and stories and feelings. Fall just make me nostalgic. So here is the challenge. Create a layout that is nostalgic...the feeling should be evident from the title, the visible journaling and the embellishments you choose. 
Choose deliberately and with purpose to tell your nostalgic story. I can't wait to see how you interpret this challenge!" 
 I hope you will stop by and see what the rest of the incredible Inspiration Elevator designers have created:

Lisa Spiegel

Laurel Seabrook 

Joanne Burton

Jodi Wilton

Michelle Hernandez

Ann Jobes

Laura Whitaker

Lisa Moen 

Christa Uttley

Guest Designer Denise Morrison

If you feel inspired to play along with my challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page.
We'd LOVE to see what you made!

Normally dancers go in front of the stage but we had 3 toddlers to care for so we got up and danced
right in front of all these folks- and it spread. It WAS a good day.

Skissedilla selected scrapper for October

Hello scrap happy folks!

It's been an eventful week for me and I am so glad to finally share this latest scrapbook page.

I'm the featured scrapper over at Skissedilla for October. yay!

Things are changing for the challenges- instead of  a sketch a week there's only one a month.

Skissedilla has a GREAT design team with plenty of raw inventive power- I suggest you swing on by and check it out.

Here's my solution to this month's sketch:

I loved the sketch but I got caught up in the literal- how to make that sunburst pattern look fresh and new?
Silly rabbit- just make the page! The flair is from A Flair For Buttons. The chipboard from Scrap FX.

The actual sketch:

Challenge 228

A close up:

Whenever I get stuck I start cutting strips of paper. No matter how
bad the mojo is I always seem to respond to stripes on a page.

And here is the RAK up for grabs to one lucky winner:

Some beautiful Art Deco inspired frames from Scrap FX and flair from
A Flair For Buttons and Bluebird Chic on Etsy.

Thank you so much to Skissedilla for asking me to join the team for October- I was THRILLED when I got the email.

One great thing about living in Salt Lake City- farms everywhere-
on the way to the mall- the BIGGEST tomatoes , peppers and
cucumbers are there for the picking. We bough 3 bags of fresh produce for 5 bucks.
Can't beat that with a bat!

Hope you have a great week!
Michelle

Project Life with no kit and no clue

Hello everyone,

I have GREAT NEWS! 

I am returning to New York City- woo hooo!

The truth is that Dave and I embarked on a "business opportunity" with little planning or ideas on how to hustle in a new city. 

We thought our optimism and willingness to work hard would work it's magic- "The Secret" wise.

Nope!

It's been stressful and frankly I value my marriage and Lola's peace of mind too much to keep testing either one.

The going critique is that I gave up too early but this is a marathon- I need a water break.

Without getting into a protracted "woe is me" story (since, frankly, taking off with no real business plan was dumb)- I seriously can't  take the unpredictability of freelance work. 

I'm pretty impulsive but I've never been a fly by the seat of my pants, take big financial risks for possible gain in the future kind of person.

So I'm retreating to NYC to take advantage of free child care (thank goodness for grandmas! Hello? Major underestimated asset!)

I also plan to take some business and computer courses and get me up to speed ' cause being a Mom for 4 years has totally altered my skill set- lol!

Anyway I managed another Project Life page this week.

I printed a bunch of tiny photos at Walgreen's and wanted to use them before I left.

I'll be glad to return to my own desk and computer again- next time I won't leave without them!

Here are some close ups of the gesso covered Kraft paper inserts from Scrap FX.

Scrap FX has a variety of mini chipboard designs available for "micro scrapping"-feathers, apples and these teeny oak trees are my current favorites.

Why are these photos so blue? 

I shot these very last minute as the sun was setting. No amount of ipod app digital retouching is going to take that bluish tint away. 

I'll have to reshoot, but that's ok.

"Do overs" are my specialty.

Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

A simple page for Scrap FX

Hello and happy Labor Day folks!

The last couple of weeks I've been trawling galleries looking for inspiration.

I felt my pages were starting to get a little repetitive.

I came across CFlattop's gallery over at scrapbook.com and was incredibly inspired.
I  love how she reduces details to the essential and how she uses flashes of color to focus attention on her photos.

I decided to stop trying to make technique fireworks happen and start focusing on editing again.

Here is the resulting page:

Please excuse the grease stain. I laid the page down on the table after
I was done only to find half a peanut underneath.

Foiled in my quest for perfection yet again!

I used Scrap FX Fern Flourish and mini wings chipboard.

I also used Home 2 and Big Words flair from A Flair For Buttons.

The card stock is from American Crafts and the stencil from

Stencil1. The feathers were cut from an Echo Park print.

It's funny what we sacrifice in search of "progress".

My definition of forward motion doesn't include material things.

It's time with my family, being a Mom. 

Have a great day off!!!

Michelle

Using gesso and Scrap FX chipboard for Project Life

Happy Friday folks!

Today I want to share a page from my moribund Project Life album.

 I readily admit my album currently holds 16 pages- 8 from 2012.

Scrap FX  Triangle border stencil on the yellow washing tape, stripes flair
from A Flair For Buttons.

I love the idea of a daily crafty photo  journal entry. 

It's keeping up with the daily deadline and printing photos that's killing me.

Scrap FX kraft 3x4 pocket inserts, Art Nouveau set C and the punchinella from
 a Scrap FX mini apples chipboard set.

Especially now I don't have an actual computer just my trusty iTouch and the local Walgreen's 1 hour photo kiosk.

 The page in planning stage. I printed the photos at
Walgreens so they are way too dark and contrasty.
Scrap FX chipboard and pocket inserts make for a great looking page but all white backgrounds are in
Vogue so I jazzed this up with some gesso. 

The less I worry about PL rules and make pages when I feel like it, the better the final product.

No dates, no random life detail photos no one cares about, no expensive dedicated paper kits that I drool over but never use.

I focus on the daily emotional moments (believe me- there are many in all families) and my journaling.

I hope you have an adventurous weekend!

Seize the Saturday and Sunday!

Michelle

Scrap FX / Ruby Rock It scrap mash up blog hop!

Hello and welcome to the Scrap FX / Ruby Rocket 2 day blog hop!

Each day, there will be 11 - 12 blogs to visit using our gorgeous products!

Blog hop list for today Saturday August 17th:

Ruby Rock-it and Scrap FX Blog Hop Day TWO…

Saturday, August 17th 

Scrap FX Blog

Ruby Rock-it Blog

Maria Schmidt

Liana Suwandi

Michelle Hernandez

Linda Auclair

Michelle Logan

Linda Kretz

Misty Russell

Pamela Young

Pattie Beltran

Renata Moni Bidin

Ro Philippsen

Scarlett O Salamone

Scrap FX Australia Face book

Here are FRIDAY'S Day One's participating designers:

 Ruby Rock-it Blog

Scrap FX Blog

Adrienne Ford

Alicia Barry

Beckie Dreyer

Anita Bownds

Carrie Walz

Cindy Porter

Cindy Stevens

Claire Luckie Barrin

Erin Yamabe

Elisabeth Hovden Bakken

June Goh

It wouldn't be a blog hop without some serious scrappy swag! 

Check it:

Here's how you can win: 

** Visit each participating designer's blog each day on the hop &  leave a comment.  
Please make sure you include your email address in your comment so we can contact you if you win.

For additional chances to win:  

Head over to Facebook and  *LIKE*  us and leave a message telling us you came from  the blog hop.  
The deadline to leave comments for prizes is 11:59pm EST, Monday, August 19th.

Winners will be announced on Ruby Rock-it and Scrap FX blogs on Tuesday, August 20th!

If you get lost along the way, you will be able to find a complete list of participating blogs each day here at Scrap FX and over at Ruby-Rock-it!

There will be new eyes reading here so let me introduce myself.

I'm a former Brooklynite with a love of chipboard, modern design and vellum.

I don't usually scrap themed pages so this post is a welcome change for me.

I made this page in anticipation of my daughter Lola entering pre-school in September.

I used Scrap FX arrow boxes, funky stars and black tags in this project.
I LOVED working with Bella embossed with stickers!
I tend to think stickers are "for kids" but clustering, cutting apart
or layering rids them of their totally random design reputation.

The two black instant film frames on the top right are misfires from my Fuji Instax camera.

I plan to photograph the classroom and Lola with her teacher and place the photos there.

I had so much fun I made a second page on the same day (unheard of for me):

I used Scrap FX hexagon buttons and light bulb chipboard designs on this page.
HELLO AWESOME RED ALPHABET PAPER!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Since this is actually a page about a future event I used an old photo. When I get a good shot of Lola in her new classroom, I'll switch it out.

But wait!

There's more! (Lol)

I also made a camping mini book with the collection.

I had a hard time finding a good photo collage app for this project.
If you have one you like using please let me know int the comments!
I used Scrap FX Manilla book accessory pages,
Let the good times roll wordlet,
scribble circles, diamond buttons and mini trees chipboard.
The Bella Fundamentals camping collection also has great embossed stickers and
fun patterns. I was able to cut and assemble into this small book.

Thanks for stopping by.

Next stop on the hop is: Linda Auclair

Have a GREAT week!

Michelle

Dylusions ink spray, Scrap FX chipboard AND a GREAT story- (no really!)

Happy hump day folks!

Yesterday was a whirl wind of activity for me.
I took my first driver's permit test and promptly failed it.
You will NEVER ever guess why.

This page was meant mean how I felt about my move but how very
pertinent is that highway photo now? I'll have to take another one like it.
Materials: Scrap FX fancy arrows and graffiti alphabet chipboard. Dylusions ink
in black (LOVE!!!!), A Flair For Buttons clock flair, a 25 cent alphabet stencil
from the dime store, chalk marker to paint the chipboard and MT neon pink washi.

I cheated.
WAIT! Not on purpose.
"Who cheats without knowing they cheated???" You might ask bewildered-like.
Me- the dumbass over here.

See I was told by a very helpful family member who shall remain nameless that it would be an OPEN BOOK TEST.
They were quite insistent and jolly about it.
Other family members agreed.
I was also told this test would be SO EASY.

It's NOT.

The DMV guy who took my 15 dollars probably told me not to open my book but by the end of my paper work processing he was Mr. Mumbles.
All I heard was" "Don't use your cell phone"
I thought to myself- why can't I use my cell phone during an open book test? Are they worried I'll talk too loud?"
But I didn't ask- I didn't want to look stupid.
Smack me right now.

CORNY!!! It should read: I'm totally incompetent- I'm surprised I haven't been killed
by my own folly yet but I'm your Mom- you better follow the rules of the road! LOL.

Proof! There are NO STUPID QUESTIONS.
Only bad listeners and assumptions with consequences.

I SHOULD have said "What?" or "I'm sorry I didn't catch anything after 'Take This Form"
But I was excited and I wanted to prove to myself I could HANDLE THIS.

After question 14 (answered while sitting right next to 5 other people ALL USING HANDBOOKS)
I pulled out my book thinking "I guess I'll put pride aside and use the book too."
I was worried about seeming proud.
GAH! The stupidity of it all!!!!

WHY does Utah allow some people to use their handbooks during the test?
Are these folks renewing their license?
They all looked around 15 (another reason I wanted to spare using the book)
Are teenagers allowed to take a test with a book?
NO answers from the DMV.

Suddenly a burly and smirking matron LOOMED above me and said
"COME WITH ME."
And I KNEW my ass was TOAST- I recognized that tone from grade school.
I just didn't know why I was in trouble.
And she never told me.
My book was rudely snatched away and I was told I had to wait 30 days to retake the test.
No further explanation- I tried to ask why but was given THE LOOK.
SHAME! DEEP all encompassing SHAME!
Why would I try to explain stupidity?

Anyway there you have it- me in my true glory- tripping through life and kicking my own ass.

Whenever you feel bad about yourself just say- well at least I didn't just pull a Michelle.

Lola is gonna LOVE this story.
Just you WAIT Missy!

Michelle.

Scrapping the city 5 ways. The cityscape trend in my scrapbooking.

Hello from cloudy (YAY!) Utah!

Today I want to share different ways I've used the cityscape theme in my scrapbook pages.
You've probably seen some of these pages before but it's nice to have them all collected in one page.

For me scrapping the city isn't about keeping up with scrapbook trends but more about reflecting my environment and finding ways to capture my reality visually.

Now that my family has moved to Salt Lake City, these pages have become deeply nostalgic and important to me.

One of my new realities is having to explain why we left.
I open my mouth, I get questions about my accent.
I show my id or give my zip code to make a purchase, I get questions.
I like talking about it but it's also making me feel a bit self-conscious.

Here's the skinny:
NYC is awesome!
It's also expensive, dangerous to the unwary and challenging to raise children in.
Can you get with this wild galloping beast of a place?

My family wanted to start a business and New York with all it's opportunity was actually not the best place to do so.
I'm grieving- give me a couple of months.

Anyway- onto the show!
I didn't upload those photos to my ipod (or bring my actual computer) so I have to use screen captures for this post- my apologies.

My Get It Scrapped page (swing by to see how the rest of the DT used the city as a motif in their pages)
For this I used Sassafras Lass paper and stickers, Amy Tangerine embroidery stencil

I wanted to use a larger cityscape here as well so I added the empire state building using
an old chipboard I had in my stash as a guide. The numbers in the photo are my old zip code

Photos- the easiest way to get it done.

I have so many photos of the Empire State Building I try to switch things up and make pages without a "street feel". Here I likes how the butterflies matched the colors in the photo.

Ephemera- in this case a tag from a pair of pants from Jones New York:

The canvas tag was too awesome to throw away.
This page is about Project Inside Out which is a giant camera in a van.
Check out their facebook page to see when they will be swinging by your state!

Scrap FX Chipboard (which I usually use unfinished):

A page for an article on finishing chipboard that I wrote for Shimelle.com.
I used Scrap FX chipboard, A Flair For buttons flair
and liquitex acrylic spray paint.

Crafter's Workshop stencil and LOTS of vintage buttons:

I love this last page. I almost threw it out mid way because aI thought it was too dreary.
I added the buttons to liven it up a bit. This is Ronda Palazzari's Urban Landscape stencil from
Crafter's Workshop.

I'd love to see how you've incorporated cityscapes into your projects.
Leave a link in the comments section and I'll swing by!

Have a great week!
Michelle

Light molding paste fun with Scrap FX stencils.

Hello!

It's been raining everyday here in sunny Utah. 

I'm loving it!

Rainy humid 100 degree days remind me of New York which I miss terribly.

Want to know something weird?
Lightning scares the bejesus out of me!

I'm not used to seeing actual ray strikes.
How weird is it to see multiple rays lighting up the sky!
And cloud to cloud lightning?
FREAKY!!!!
I'm used to seeing lights and maybe the occasional zig-zag in the sky directly over head- seeing the whole thing from sky to land makes me jump and scream every single time.

AND? ALSO???
I saw a dust devil!
Wait- no- I saw THREE!

We were on the highway heading home after the Yellowstone camping initiation/ hazing ceremony
(98 degrees during the day- 30 degrees at night- wooooot!- Also- bears.)

FIRST my sister in law's car was almost pushed off the highway by a flying tire fragment from a truck's tire blow out.
Just as we got over it, I look out the window to the fields and hello
MINI TORNADO!!
TWO!!!
LOOK! THREE!
AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

Oh no worries I was assured- those are just caused by dust and wind currents.
WHATEVER!!!
GET. ME. HOOOOOME!

So anyway it's been awesome- nature is so amazing
especially when you witness all it's glory while sitting nice and warm at HOME.

Here is a page I made despite serious lack of spark, mojo, focus, IDEAS

Water color paper is awesome. I messed the back up so I just turned it over and started again on the back. I painted a sunny circle and then pushed bits of paper around for hours till I got this configuration.
Materials: Scrap FX urban stencil, Crate Paper The Pier paper, American Crafts Thickers Glits gold alphabet stickers, flair from A Flair For Buttons, canvas hexagons by Studio Calico, Martha Stewart gold and turquoise paint, Paper Studio ATC pack. Flowers by Making Memories- stashed since 2009- glad to be rid of them finally.
Photo by Saidy Lopez.

I was casing Pinterest (yet again- I spend so much time pinning I leave no time for blogging- exactly ass backwards.)

I saw two pages by Denise Morrison which blew. me. away.
Check out her bloggity blog- Life Is Yummy

Denise was using light modeling paste on transparency material to add texture and see through stencil patterns to her scrapbooking.
ZOMG! GENIUS!!!
SO. MANY. IDEAS!

One of the reasons I rarely use modeling paste on my pages is because it takes a while to dry and it's so expensive I really don't want to "make a mistake".

One note- find a glue that works on plastic or get ready to be annoyed.

HELLO genius technique!
Using it on a transparency means I get to layer it wherever and if I make a "mistake" I can scrape it off and start again or move the piece somewhere else on the page.
Before you ask- yes it sticks- and no it doesn't crack even if you staple over it.
It's really a great solution!

Here I am trying it out with the Scrap FX roses stencil- LUSCIOUS!!

What's more- molding paste takes color mediums beautifully- that's what it's meant for after all. (Sorry my no art practice just history background means I just stumble on this stuff randomly through other blogs- you probably know more than I do)

I'm in looooove!

July snow and shorts. Yes. it's Utah. Cottonwood Canyon- Cecret Lake Trail.
I wonder why it's spelled "Cecret".
I'm thinking some gold miner got it wrong and no one bothered to correct it in 200 years.

Chells out!

A remote post!!!

Hello from Salt Lake City!

I wrote a whole post and added a bunch of photos but forgot to hit save!

whoops

It's 103 degrees today!

Isn't that awesome? 

I feel baked.

My skin is literally cracking from the dry air and hard water.

But this is an adventure right?

(Say yes)

Last week I got to cross an item off my "bucket list" (that over used term finally applies to me)

Some pix: 

And:

Not to mention:

The nights at Yellowstone were FREEZING! 30 degrees!

Hello??? It's june!

But whatever,  it was awesome.

There are many more photos but they will have to wait until I figure out how to post lower resolution photos via my iTouch.

I hope this isn't slowing your browser down....

My first SLC scrapbook page:

Ooo I can't choose how big these photos will appear on the blog post... Or write proper captions! 

Feedback please.

I took the photo of this page using the "Afterlight" photo app so I could control the resolution (800x800 dpi) but for all I know it will look tiny compared to the monsters above that I uploaded using my iPod  photostream. They are the highest resolution available since I want to be able to print reasonably good looking photos.

I'm using the free blogger app- it's not very detailed and I can't seem to add links- bad for SEO...

Oh oh- none of my images are optimized either- no one will ever find this post!! GAH!!!

For my page I used:

Scrap FX pirate pack (compass)

 Scrap FX white tags

Scrap FX pointing fingers packI 

flair from A Flair For Buttons 

A FABULOUS new stencil from Natalie Kalbach's Stencil Girl line.

The chevron stamp is from a fantastic Etsy shop- DrumChickDesigns. 

The stamps are hand carved and mounted on thin wood for optimum storage and usability.

Love her shop!

(PS- II'm not affiliated with this business at all. I was impressed with the spectacular customer service and thought it should get props.)

I really hate not being able to add photo captions. This is Nat's background stencil. The 9x12 design is really easy to use. I like to include borders in my stencil play so this smaller size is fun for my style.

Let me know what you think about this post.

Did  it load quickly? 

Do you care about personal trip photos?

Did remote posting work?

Have a great weekend!!!

Michelle.

Change- on going for it. Also, my opinionated self is back.

I'm down to the last few days here in New York City.
On saturday I will be leaving for Salt Lake City with Miss Thang in tow.
We will be very happy to be reunited Dave.
Apparently there are many nasty storms coming this weekend?
I foresee fun times stuck at the airport with a crabby Lola.

We'll see if my residence is permanent in Salt Lake City.
I am tempted by the idea of having a backyard and a vegetable garden to worry over.
Perhaps if I can focus on my carrots I will stop being so neurotic over my scrapbook pages.
Can you grow carrots successfully in the SLC summer?
The climate seems rather severe- AHA! A challenge!

I will admit I have huge HUGE concerns about moving.
The first and foremost is diversity- of all kinds.

I am very comfortable in Brooklyn where if you swing a hoola-hoop you will hit someone from a random and fascinating part of the world you've always wanted to visit. 
And a young person who grew up in the midwest but is now running around wearing ironic 80's hair band t-shirts, ripped jeans, thick framed glasses and a mustache.

I'm not sure what I'm reacting to so negatively.
I've traveled lived in Oklahoma City, Detroit, Denver and even a tiny town in Texas where the movie theater was a 20 mile drive "into town".
I liked all those places.
Perhaps it's the reality that I will most likely not return to New York which is now the most expensive city in America.

Salt Lake City is beautiful and lively.. and COLD... and SNOWY... and spread out in all kinds of distressing ways which never include public transportation.
I will be trapped in the home we are staying until I learn to drive.
ACK!
The last time I visited there weren't any sidewalks because it was assumed everyone drove.
There is another place that does that.
LA.
I HATE LA.

It is my opinion that you are a true New Yorker if you do the following things:

1. You know what a Egg Cream is and you take the subway to some random neighborhood in Brooklyn because "it's the best one around". You can substitute pupusa, canoli, bagel or curry goat for egg creams which are also popular in Baltimore and Philly.
2. You've pushed hard to get into the crowded subway train car at 8:45am expecting to get to work on time. Actual physical distance of work to home be damned.
3. You hate LA. 

Los Angeles is the anti- New York. 

A vast shinning wasteland of stuck-in-traffic cars, smarmy "agents" looking for the next rap video girl (this actually happened- I'll tell you about it someday- and yes- I declined), smog and people INSISTING they are happy because they sun sets there.
No one walks in LA unless it's in some strange gym machine that takes up half a room.

Life is best where you are happiest, where you feel most productive and centered.

It is my deeply held belief that I will be happy wherever Dave and Lola are.
Ok so there won't be decent pizza or Polish pastry available.
I think that might be ok too.
I can try to make my own right? (hanging question mark- we all know that ain't happening)

A scrap page:

Perhaps I wasted this gorgeous thick Crane's paper meant for
fancy wedding invites? It really would have taken press embossing well.
Materials: Scrap FX graphic circle and Playground alphabet set, A Flair For Buttons "yes!" button,
Sassafras Lass sticker, My Mind's Eye enamel dots, Webster's Pages triangle paper, My Mind's Eye pink
striped paper, My Mind's eye alphabet sticker sheet. Numbers stencil from Plaid. Yellow plastic
triangles from Freckled Fawn.

Layering doesn't have to be a million little things.
Here I created a grid background with a few sheets of
leftover sticker sheets. It goes alphabet sticker sheet,
journaling sticker, black paper to cover journaling lines that were distracting,
"Go for it" sticker from Jillibean Soup, Sassafras heart, title.
The trick is to try to choose items that have at least 1 color similar and
vary the edge shapes.
Stenciling things into the backgrounds also helps- if you make a
"mistake" it's easily covered by your layers.

A quick sneak peak of what's coming on saturday- Inspiration Elevator reveal day:

Dang it- I have to get a better shot.
The challenge is "Before and After" and you have to do a LOT of journaling.

Just as I leave, a new park opens- Bushwick Inlet Park. 

The views of the Empire State Building are INCREDIBLE-  check it out.

This was taken with my crappy ipod camera. Can you see the rain falling in the Bronx to the right?
 SEE MOM? TOLD YA! The weather is different borough to borough! We just had really cool waves.
This place is AMAZING.

Have a GREAT week everybody!
Michelle