It feels soooo good...

to be scrapbooking again! You'd think with all the "free" time I have over the summer, I'd be doing a TON of scrapbooking, but I didn't. I couldn't. There were several "things" that got in my way.


1. The need to be outside--sitting on the deck, the front porch, by the pool, wherever. I just didn't want to be cooped up in the basement


2. My house needed to be put in order. If you wanted to see a mess, you should have come over. Laundry was out of control, "stuff" was everywhere, the basement was trashed, and dishes were piled sky high. I'm not sure how or why it all spiraled out of control, but it did. Now, everything is in tip-top-shape. It took a lot of work to get it there, but it's there.

3. No creativity. The chaos that surrounded me stopped me from being able to create anything. I've started wearing a stone my mom gave me that helps with self-imposed limitations, and things are moving along. Plus, I've tried to let go of the pressure--the pressure to do it "right." I'm the one who decides what is right...right?


So, without further ado, here is a picture of my latest 8x8 page:

It's called "Having a Chat". I was thumbing through some of my older pictures and came across this of Hannah and Ray. I love this picture because of the interaction between the two of them...because of her smile...Here are some close-up views: First, the title (those are metal letters)

The main picture: (which looks so much better in person)

The journaling: Which reads, "What an awesome dad Hannah Rae has in Ray! These two would regularly hang out and 'chill' with each other--he with feet propped on the coffee table, she with her blankie and sippy cup of milk. It's so clear how comfortable these two are with each other. I am so glad Hannah has Ray for a dad!"

And, the top left hand corner:

I'm thinking it still might need something...like some sewing across the top of the pictures and maybe a few additional staples like in the bottom right hand corner...I don't know. I wanted to do something quick and simple, and I accomplished that, so I might just let it go.

But, Oh what a release this was for me! It's like when I'm finally able to do this, I get so much energy in return. Once I was finished, I fed the kids, cleaned up the kitchen, graded some more papers, and mopped the floors, and I'm getting ready to bake some brownies...Ah, it really does feel so good!