Creating again...

Just as soon as I said I was back, we left town for a week to visit our family in Louisiana. After a few days recovering, laundry and getting things done around the house, I started scrapbooking again. This month's Studio Calico kit was call me! Specifically, a layout by the wonderfully, talented Emily Pitts. I loved the college look and what she did with one of the stamps this month. I RARELY scraplift layouts, but this one was totally inspired by hers. The photos are from our recent trip home. Most of what I've been scrapping, when I've actually been doing it, has been old photographs. I need to try and be more balanced with old and new.

Yesterday was a rainy day, but during one of the breaks in the showers I went outside to photograph the sunflowers in the garden. (I was worried the rain would disfigure them.) But what I was most happy with when I viewed the photos on the screen were the photos I happened to shoot of the mandevilla that I'm trying to grow up the pergola. (Who knew mandevilla aren't natural climbers? I've been very frustrated they are going have to be tied up on the post. They are pretty though.) I loved seeing the rain drops on the leaves and flowers, but was disappointed by the lack of contrast between the white flower and the overcast sky. I started playing with the photo and came up with this. Pretty neat, huh?

I'm back

After a long break from my creative persuits, I think I'm back. (I did however sew my first skirt recently, but mainly because I needed something to wear to a play.) We also had my Dad and stepmom here for a week so we were entertaining them. It was nice to have them here for an extended visit. Usually, it's pretty quick weekend kind of thing.

I've been able to start thinking about scrapbooking recently as my thyroid medicine has finally started to kick in. Then I learned, after my follow-up blood test, that my medicine needed to be increased. So I take that as good news. If I'm already feeling better and I still needed more medicine, then it can only get better right?

Here are the layouts I completed recently. I warmed up with my 12 month challenge layout. It was easy as I'm following a sketch I designed in January.


The following layout I started yesterday, my birthday, as a gift to myself. :) I love it. I've had these photos on my table for a while. I realized the June Studio Calico kit had the perfect colors. (Which is why I put photos on my table to remind me to keep checking for just the right papers etc.)



Oh, and the last thing I have to share. My neighbor gave me this nightstand leftover from her garage sale last fall, I think it was. It hung out in the garage all winter waiting for warmer weather so I could paint it. I got my act together and did it the day before our visitors came. I love it. I even like the retro handles. I think they are kind of cool. Now I just need to get a better lamp. I think I have one downstairs that would work great, but I'll have to get one to replace it with. ;) I thought I had a "before" picture, but I can't find it.

Here's a photo with the other elements in the room. I love this color!