pink nostalgia

be still my heart!

You know when you're watching Dawson's Creek and Joey says, "Dawson, I wasn't fighting with you. I was fighting with myself!" and it is impossible to not crack up laughing?  I don't remember this show being so funny when I was in high school.

Dave and I were married five years ago, but I still get a little giddy when I scrapbook our wedding photos.  Sigh.  It totally takes me back to that great day.  For years, I could wait to be married.  It seems like I was floating the whole day.

This page pretty much wraps it up.





Die cut paper: Making Memories.  Patterned papers: Making Memories, October Afternoon, Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket.  Border punch: Fiskars Apron Lace.  Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart.  Scallop punch: Fiskars.  Chipboard alphas, brad: American Crafts.  Pin: Maya Road.  Metal circle tab, green ribbon: Making Memories.  Resin flower: Anna Griffin.  Pearls: Kaiser Craft.  Chipboard hearts: Heidi Swapp.  Lace, heart banner.

I didn't worry about the colors matching exactly.  They all look good together.  They aren't even our "wedding colors."  The "S" was an 8 that I cut.  Sneaky, right?  The butterflies of course represent butterflies in your stomach and being giddy.

Speaking of getting giddy, I'm going to see Eclipse tomorrow!!  I can hardly wait for all of the teenage-angst-enduced-stuttering and 18-pack abs!!  I'm anticipating rounds and rounds of email analysis!  Woot woot!

I'm off for some ice cream.  The good stuff.  : )

my two loves marry

Last night, Dave and I were at dinner.

Dave: You look good.

Me: Except for my hair.

Dave: It's fine.  Nothing a Bump-It couldn't fix.

Whaa?

Moving on...

I'm a list girl.  Or an A-list girl, if you add an article.  ; )  I love lists.  This is common knowledge.  I make your garden variety to do lists and grocery lists almost every day.  But I also make lists for entertainment (I know, it's sick).  Books of the Bible, gender-neutral names, Julia Roberts' movies,  pages to scrap, TV shows that I'd get sucked into if we had cable ("I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant"), and what I've been told is my best list yet, Items With Which I Take Issue Regarding the Movie Remember Me.

I also love post-its.  Sigh.  I even stick post-its on top of post-its.  My most clever use for a post-it is as a bookmark.  Think about it - you can drop your book and not lose your bookmark!  Genius!

Imagine my elation when Dave brought home these for me:

Woot woot!!  Who even knew to-do post-its even existed?! 

How about a quick page?

This one is still at the store.  This is our friends' daughter, Emma, with Dave's Baylor cap.

Patterned paper: Bo Bunny.  Flowers: daisyd's.  Chipboard alphas, brads: American Crafts.  Journal stickers: Jenni Bowlin.  Pen: Sharpie.  Punch: Fiskars Threading Water.  Staples, green ribbon: Making Memories.  Hearts ribbon.

Don't you just want to scoop her up?  The paper is actually a Valentine's line, but it works for little girls, too.  : )

How 'bout a teaser for tomorrow?

Oh, yeah. 

stop that right now!!

As in, "Shut up!  That's TOO GOOD!"

Any time my mind wanders, I'm thinking about scrapping.  Page sketches pop into my head all the time.  I get blips of stories, photos, and titles.  I have a journal for page and project ideas.  Whenever I'm home and get ideas, I jot them down in my journal.  I keep it on my nightstand a lot.

Since I started this blog, blog ideas pop into my head.  I've been jotting them down on legal pads, receipts, envelopes, anything close by.  I have a big muddled pile of paper on my desk.

I was elated when a friend gave me this:

 

[That's a little anti-climactic.] 

But when you take the cover off by flipping the back cover to the front and carefully pulling apart the binding (oh, and settle in for a few episodes of Dawson's Creek)...

   

you can end up with something like this:

 

STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!

Flocked patterned paper: SEI.  Purple ribbon, aqua ribbon, die cuts, brads: Making Memories.  Brown ribbon, rosettes, badge: Dear Lizzy + American Crafts.  Pen: Sharpie.  Antique key purchased in Waco at Bloom & Bee Swanky.

Now I have a lovely journal for my blog.  : )

Cheers.

on haitus and weekend photos

I'm sure you won't believe me, but I literally fell off the face of the earth!  I somehow clawed my way back so I could write my blog!  I still have to claw my way back to the bills that are piling up on my desk...

This weekend was one of the best weekends EVER.  A girls' trip to New Braunfels for The Gristmill, Twilight movies, and Comal river (sound familiar?).  Plus, some impromptu shopping, dancing, and Wal-Mart...ing.  I had two really great laughs.  I laughed so hard that I cried, and I'm talking several big crocodile tears.  I also had one of the really good it's-2:30 am-and-I'm-so-delirious-that-Angie-talking-in-her-sleep-about-estate-tax-is-funnier-than-anything-I've-ever-heard kind of laughs.  Throw in some midget pillows, river antics (only one lost flip flop), and vows to bring back the word "chillax" especially when it pertains to dragonflies, and you have one amazing twenty-four hours.

These are my friends.  Aren't they cute?  This was at the Gristmill after onion rings, beef tenderloin salad, and Jack Daniels chocolate chip pecan pie.  We all regretted that we only ordered one piece for the table.

Fun for everyone.  I bought some chocolate and peanut butter fudge from the general store in Gruene, the same fudge that Dave wouldn't even let me sample a few weeks ago (but Dave wasn't with me this time  : )  ).  It. Was. Amazing.

What was not amazing was the continental breakfast at our hotel.  But once you see Jacob take his shirt off in New Moon, you forget all about eating.  Good clean fun.

And speaking of being famished after floating the river, I present lunch in Round Rock.
 
And really good barbeque.  It's nearly impossible to stay awake, much less drive, after you've eaten pulled pork and ribs.

I've been pushing off Monday all night.  It's almost here.  Sigh.  It reminds me of when I was little and my mom repeatedly threatened to put a brick on my head so I'd stop growing.  Joke's on her because as it turns out, I only grew to be 5' tall.  Thanks for that.

I have a ton of pages and projects to share this week, some really cool and beautiful stuff.  I'm also hoping for some good film shots with the underwater camera.  Keep checking in!

Here's to a great week, and only five more days until a weekend!

random weekend blatherings (is that a word?)

It was a great weekend defined by lots of family time and friend time, including but not limited to a few new friends.  : )  It was one of those weekends that makes you feel whole again, like I got my fill of love, so I should be good for a while. I'll post photos as soon as I get them.

In the meantime, I'll share photos of a page.

 
 
Patterned paper, journal stickers, butterflies: Jenni Bowlin.  Punch: Fiskars, Apron Lace.  Pen: Sharpie.  Cardstock.  

That's my mother-in-law making brownies with a friend's daughter.  It was a really adorable moment.

One of my favorite little things to do right now is round one or two corners of a page.  And I can't get enough of those butterflies!  I also have them in pink, and I think I should buy up more.  The flowers are hand-cut out of patterned paper.  This page is up at Crop-Paper-Scissorsalong with the supplies.  Plus, you can reserve your spot for the Jenni Bowlin classes coming up next month!!

On another note, if you're looking for a serious workout with serious results, jump on the Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.  It is HARD, but you'll feel amazing once you can make it through the 20 minutes without stopping ("If you want results, they're not coming for free.").  Wal-Mart has it for about 10 bucks.  They also have sauna suits for $5.  I'm not kidding.  I never kid about sauna suits.

And to all of the daddy-o's, Happy Father's Day.  : )

check, please!

Tired of looking at your boring bland checkbook cover that the bank gave you when you ordered your checks?  Here's a little diddy for all of you non-scrappy types.

 

Patterned paper, brads: American Crafts.  Alphas, ribbon: Making Memories.  Special thanks to my friend Jessie for coming up with the word "bank"  : )

Here's what you do:  Go to your favorite local scrapbooking store and pick up a 12x12 sheet of cardstock that you can't take your eyes off of.  Trim a piece to the size of your checkbook cover.  (I have a clear checkbook cover, so I just inserted the paper into the pockets.  If you have one of the solid covers, you can use Modge Podge to glue it to the cover.)  Use scissors or a corner rounder to round off the four outside corners.  Slap down some alphabet stickers (I wanted to use the word "cheques" but didn't have the letters).  Tie a ribbon around the "spine" and secure it with a few brads.  Presto, change-o!  A too-cute check book cover!  Cheap and easy, just like I like 'em.  ; )

Have a great weekend!

regular comedians

A lot of times, people think they can only scrapbook events - birthday parties, holidays, vacations, first days of school, etc.  That's where you've been or what you've done.  But you can also scrapbook who you are.  Dave and I are jokers, and I love that about our relationship.  We make jokes all of the time, even when we're fighting (it's worked to diffuse countless fights).  And some of our jokes are fuh-nny.  I started writing some down with the intention of embarrassing Dave with them in the future.  Before I knew it, I had a long list of our one-liners.  Most are even funnier when taken out of context.

Hence:

Cardstock: Bazzill.  Patterned paper, ribbon, chipboard alphas: American Crafts.  Pen: Sharpie. White pen: uniball.  Buttons.

The patterned paper was a whole sheet of these little circles and brackets.  I hand-cut the brackets and used them as journaling blocks.  I used dark brown cardstock so that the journal blocks pop.  And I really like the white pen on this page.

I hope it shows a big part of who we are, especially when we're together.  This is definitely a layout that I'm going to make every year or so.  I'm keeping the list going.  I've also started an "office edition" list, because believe it or not, accountants can be funny.

 Sorry for the subpar photo quality.  Conditions were less than ideal.  Needless to say, you can see the page and pick up the supplies from Crop-Paper-Scissors.

It's almost the weekend...  : )

pretty [busy] paper

Buenos dias. 

I'm too tired to be clever.  Let's cut to the chase, si?

Here's the great thing about scrapbooking supplies - there are a lot of pretty pretty things.  Here's the hard part - what to do with those pretty pretty things.  Patterned paper is the hardest for me.  Sometimes it's too pretty to cut.  Sometimes is too pretty to cover up.  And sometimes, it seems really busy to slap down without a plan.

I have a few solutions to busy paper. 

1. pair it with neutrals and use sparingly like in my "hindsight" page.

2. cut it up in small pieces like in my "it's hereditary" page.

3. put it on a project so that you're not expecting something conventional (I'm working on two little projects that I'll hopefully post this weekend!  You non-scrapbookers are going to love them!)

4. let them shine on their own without any other busy distractions as in the following.

 
Patterned paper, letters: Basic Grey.  Journal blocks: October Afternoon.  Pen: Sharpie.  Punch: Fiskars.  Kraft paper, tissue paper.

That's a lot of orange!  There isn't even orange in the photo, but it compliments so well.  I think it works because the photo isn't very busy.  It would also look great with a black and white photo so that the photo doesn't compete with the paper.  The bow is made of the wrapping paper that they give you at Hobby Lobby when you buy something fragile.  The paper I used is a lot thicker than regular tissue paper and has a little bit of a weave to it.  I cut a long strip and crumpled it really tight.  Then I spread it back out, tied a knot, and taped the ends to the back of the page.  I tried using wide ribbon, but it was too frou frou-y  (that's a word, right?).  Same thing with a knot instead of a bow.  It was too much.  The background paper is basically thin cardboard.  It's the backing that comes in a package of paper or the back of a notepad.  (Confession - when I'm done with a notepad or legal pad at work, I take the backings home and add them to my stash!)  I use kraft paper for my background paper a lot (like in monkey see, monkey do).

It just occurred to me that people might think it's weird to confess my love ("love you. mean it.") to a road sign - ha!  I'm actually referring to Dave.  During our first summer together, I was at Baylor taking summer school and he was in Milwaukee.  Okay, let me back up and first say that we were together when I took this photo.  (Is that weird that I backed up instead of just editing the story?  That's how tired I am.)  So, now we're apart for the first time, and we'd chat on web cams while sitting at our respective desks.  This photo was on mine, so I'd see it all of the time as were were talking.  Of course the sign says, "HURRY BACK," which was exactly what I'd think every time I'd talk to him.  All that to say when I see this picture, I don't see the road sign, I see those weeks apart and how I just wanted to be back in the same city as each other.

You should be able to enlarge the page about 18 times to read the journaling. 

(This is currently my favorite simple page.  I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough of it.  I don't even particularly like the color orange, but I'm lapping it up on this page.)

Did anyone notice that the doille paper on the "hindsight" page is the same as this page, but in a different color?  It comes in at least 5 colors, and they're all gorgeous.  Some are available at Crop-Paper-Scissors.  Speaking of, the amazing Jenni Bowlin is coming to Waco in a month!  She's teaching three classes and staying for a crop night.  You can get the details here.  THAT is going to be an amazing weekend.

Speaking of amazing, I've talked to several of "my readers" (it feels weird to say that) and you were kind enough to mention that you're enjoying the blog!  Thank you, thank you.  It really warms my heart to know that not only you like some of my work (well, fun work), but also that you even care to keep reading.  I wasn't planning on saying all of that, but there it is.

Longest post ever.  You might need to get up and stretch your legs before you go about your day.  : )

live together, die alone

A friendly reminder that if you're required to make estimated tax payments, your second quarter payment must be postmarked by today.  : )

I was partaking in my new obsession, Friday Night Lights, last night, and Landry stands up in the locker room and makes a long speech about how they're a team, the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts, etc., and then ends with, "If we don't win together, we're gonna lose alone."

Win together, lose alone?

Live together, die alone?

Hmmm.  I guess Landry watches LOST.

I haven't made a scrapbook wedding album.  This surprises a lot of people.  I'm scared.  I want it to be classic and perfect.  So I have put it off.  But when Emmalie needs a wedding layout for the store, I'm happy to oblige.

 
Cardstock: Bazzill.  Patterned paper, chipboard flowers, pearl brads, foam alphas: American Crafts.   Scallop scissors: Provo Craft.  Punch: Fiskars.  Paper flower: Heidi Swapp.  Wedding photography by Doug Fitzjarrell.

I love this photo.  I love how only the ring is in focus.  You can't even tell that it's us, the focus is on the ring, on the commitment, on the marriage.  I came up with the title with the thought that this photo symbolizes our commitment, our forever.  Throughout our marriage, there will be a lot of ups and downs, a lot of things in the background that become blurry over time, but it all revolves around our commitment to each other.  Sigh.

Happy Tuesday!

a day late and a dollar short

Okay, so this post is actually three days late, but, whatever.  Story of my life.   

First, the good stuff:

 
 

Blue polka dot patterned paper: October Afternoon.  Ledger paper: Teresa Collins.  All other patterned paper, ribbon, chipboard alphas, and metal charms: The Girls' Paperie.  stamp-edge scissors: Provo Craft.  Ink: Tim Holtz.

I really love all of these papers, especially the die cut paper.  Everything is so bright and summer-y.  And I thought the number paper and charm went great since it's an anniversary, kind of counting the number of years.  The ribbon is actually from the Girls' Paperie "paper girl" line.  Everything else is from the "on holiday" line.  It's so easy to mix and match items with the Girls' Paperie because Margie designs them to include some of the exact same colors and tones.  So everything goes great together without being to matchy-matchy.  The blue dot paper is a different story.  It doesn't really match at all, but I love how it compliments, and I LOVE the red dot against the blue dot.  It's a little busy in some places, but I couldn't resist.

I'm dropping this page off at Crop-Paper-Scissors this afternoon, so feel free to swing by, check out the page, and pick up the supplies if you're in the area.  Until then, the page will be in my cubicle.  : )

I got sucked into the TV show Friday Night Lights this weekend.  I'm hooked.  Also elated that they just finished the fourth season, which means I have a lot to watch before I have to wait every week for a new episode.  I don't even love football (Varsity Blues, anyone?), but I love this show.  I'm embarrassed at how many times I've cried!  I mean, when Julie came home late from hanging out with Matt and said, "Thanks for the talk, Mom."  Ahhh!  Rip my heart out!  I just started season two, so please, no spoilers!

Happy Monday!

  

holla!

I know I already mentioned this, but I'm still not over it.  Plus, it's pretty unbelievable without proof.  Enter please my stream of consiousness and said proof:

cute.

whaaaaaa?

Yahtzee!!

: )

weekend snapshots, part 2 of 2

Continuing my tales of last weekend, well, not tales, it's all true...

Last Saturday was the CPA swearing-in ceremony where invited candidates receive their official certificates.  It was at the LBJ library at University of Texas, and it was really nice.  Mom and George met Dave and I there. 

All of the candidates sit in the front of the auditorium in alphabetical order (the whole thing was just like a graduation).  I was chatting with the girl next to me, and she asked if it had hit me yet that this was the real deal.  I told her no, that I had celebrated back in September when I got my last score, and now that it's June, it's a little anticlimactic.

I little while later, I crossed the stage.  (He didn't even mispronounce my name!)

 

And by the time I got to this guy (the fifth of nine), I was crying like a little girl.  I tried to tell everyone thank you.  My voice cracked on the second guy.  Starting with the third guy, I just started nodding.

So I guess it did hit me, because until we got back to the parking lot, I was a hot mess.  (Special thanks to Dave for taking the photos.)

I can't wait to scrap these.  I already have my page title (not telling).

That's right, Dave wore his pink tie just for me.  Thanks, bebe.

You can't tell by the picture, but I have tears streaming down my face.

We all headed to my favorite, the Cheesecake Factory, for lunch.  Mom and George followed us from UT to the restaurant.  The traffic was horrible on one of the exits, so I joked, "Man!  Everyone and their mom is taking this exit!...Oh."  : )

And last but not least, key lime cheesecake and chocolate tuxedo cheesecake.

 
 Ahhhh.  And there you have it.

 

weekend snapshots, part 1 of 2

I've been having too much fun to take a break and post!  My sincere apologies for the belated update on the weekend! 

The last five days have been a whirlwind, in a I'm-so-excited-for-tomorrow-I-can't-fall-asleep kind of way.  

I took a vacation day last Friday.  It worked out perfectly since Dave's last day of school was Thursday.  Dave and I headed down to New Braunfels for a quick anniversary trip.  We floated the Comal River, which I highly recommend.  The funniest part to me (it wasn't really funny at the time, well, it was to me but obviously not to Dave, so I did my best to stiffle a laugh) was when I got caught in a tide pool for about ten minutes while Dave floated ahead of me losing one of his flip-flops in the process.  When I finally caught up to him (after I got out of the river and walked!), he said, "Where have you been?!"  Uh, just chillin', you know, trying not to drown...  Then later as we were walking through the gravel parking lot and Dave, sans shoes, "Oh sure, rub it in by walking so fast."  Lol.  Sorry, babe.  I had a disposable underwater camera for that part of the trip, so we'll see what we get.

Lunch at Freebird's, where we once again lamented how we don't have one in Waco.  I had the half bird on flour, no rice, beef, refried, mixed cheese, grilled peppers, guac, tomato, corn salsa, cilantro, and lime juice, if anyone is interested.  It was uh-mazing.

That's right, that's the HALF bird.   

Then hours of shopping at the outlets in San Marcos.  I got a few things for my scrap room at Pottery Barn, a few sweaters, Dave got some polos, and the deal of the day... crocheted slippers from Victoria's Secret that were previously in the stores for $50 bucks.  I paid $3.99.  That's less than 8%, people!

And now, for my favorite part of the day (you know it has to do with food), a late dinner at The Gristmill in Gruene.  

I started with the Grizzly Sangria served in a mason jar.  Dave talked me down from ordering a quart (j/k, kind of).  I don't know what makes it "grizzly", but it was gooooood.

Dave started with a margarita.  Equally delicious.

I highly recommend the beef tenderloin salad, which is not as girly as it sounds.  It's one of those things that you feel like you can't eat fast enough to inhale all of the goodness.  The onion rings are out of this world, too.  I know what you're thinking.  Onion rings?  Out of this world?  Really??  YES.

 We capped the night of with a stroll through Gruene and a little browsing.

 

 

We got lots of great gift ideas in this store.  ; )

That concludes this edition of Anniversary Celebration Friday.  Tomorrow will be tales from Saturday.  And it's probably time for another scrapbooking page, so I'll add that to the docket for Friday.    

I'm going to be a rebel and not even spell-check this post!

new Bo Bunny page

First, a conversation between my husband and I when I got home today after shopping for a swim suit.

Me: They had a bunch of cute ones, but they didn't have my size.

Dave: They didn't have "perfect"?

: )

And now, a page made from the new Bo Bunny Flower Child line.

Patterned paper, die cut paper, layered chipboard flowers: Bo Bunny. Chipboard letters: American Crafts, Jewelry Box.  Alpha stickers: American Crafts Remarks.  Punch: EK Success.  Pen: Sharpie.  Cardstock, thread.

I apologize for the poor photo quality.  The paper isn't quite so...neon in person.   It's also not as blurry.

I made this whole page in about an hour and a half, which is really fast for me.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do and didn't stray at all.  I like breaking up the busy patterns by using small pieces of each.  I also used the "B" sides (nonfloral side) of each paper.

That's my father-in-law in the photo.  I love this shot of him.  It's just so typical.  : )

You can see my non-neon and non-blurry page and pick up the supplies at Crop-Paper-Scissors.  I also picked up the new Tim Holtz tissue tape in Nostalgic:

Sigh.  The more I think about it, I think I want the Marketplace tape, too.  Crop-Paper-Scissors has all four designs, and they're all really cool.

Okay, anything else?  I think that's it.  Peace out!

lovely. just. lovely.

So remember a week or so ago when I was making this?  Here's how it turned out.  P.S. I'm in love.

Patterned paper, fabric paper, fabric brad, floral trim, glitter letters: Dear Lizzy + American Crafts. Pearl brads: American Crafts.  Alpha stickers: Making Memories.  Cardstock: Bazzill.  Crystal pin: pbteen.  Pink pin: Dritz.  Thread.  Photography by Dave.  ; )

I mean, I don't think it gets much prettier than this.  I didn't even try to reign in the girlie.  I totally embraced the pink, hearts, flowers, etc, etc, etc.   My whole idea for this page was to take a snapshot [well, metaphorically] of myself at 28 years old and make a page that's totally ME.  Something that you could look at (without my photo, of course) and say, "That reminds me of Angela."  I started this last year, and I think I'll keep it up.  And apparently this year, I'm feeling very pink and girlie.  : )  But also more carefree and joyful, ready for a season of laughter, friendships, and peace, which I've talked about before.

I meant for the "5.10" to mark the date - May 2010.  It was obvious to me, but two people asked me what it was supposed to be.  I guess not everyone can read my mind.  Weird.

You can see Liz's tutorial on how to make the flowers here.   The only tricky thing is pulling the adhesive backing off of the fabric.  I recommend Goo Gone and a good movie.

A special thanks goes to Dave for being such a great photographer.  And when I say great, I mean patient, flexible, and supportive.  Also for making me laugh and being silly with me.

We have a big weekend coming up.  I can't wait, and can't wait to share!

monthly reads: June edition

Hello, all.  Welcome back to the work week.  : )

Every month, I pick a few books to read.  Since I most often read in bed, I stack the books on my nightstand.  Here are my June books.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert which I started on Sunday.  I've been wanting to read this ever since Season One of The OC when Summer said it was her favorite book (ha!).  Although, she also gives away the ending.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson for book club.  I've been told the first few chapters are tough to get through but that it's pretty good.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire since I'm seeing the musical for the first time later this month!  I cannot wait!!  I read the prologue, but once she was rumored to be a hermaphrodite, I put it down and moved Madame Bovary to the top of the stack.

The Twilight Saga (Do collections get underlined or quotes?  Let's just put it in italics and call it a day.) by Stephenie Meyer in time for the release of Eclipse in theaters on June 30!  This will be the third time I've read the series.  Also can't wait for The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner coming out for FREE this week.

Okay, this is a LOT more than I normally read in a month.  Hmm.  Maybe my saving grace will be that all of my shows are on summer break.  Plus, it's gorgeous outside, which means lots of time in the back yard reading by our imaginary pool... We need a new house.  With a pool.  And a maid, while I'm at it.  : )