Enjoying Fall!

I've caught up on several posts tonight, so be sure to scroll down to see them!

I just love these pictures of Mason in the laundry basket! (digi layout made at Scrapblog.com)

(click to enlarge)

We are getting pretty excited about Halloween around here. Mason will have a great time this year since he's old enough to "get it." I hope to get his costume bought this weekend. Still pondering what Wayne & I will be this year...

Mason helped me decorate for Fall/Halloween this last weekend.

I Am, You Are

Blowing bubbles during the last days of Summer...

If you personally know me, then you know I am a scrapbook addict (although I haven't gotten much done since Mason has been in our lives!) I have been subscribing to the scrapbooking magazine Creating Keepsakes since 2001 (!) and up until recently, I have kept them all! That's right~I'm a crazy scrapbooking pack rat. For me, the magazines are filled with such great ideas and inspiration that I just need to flip through a few pages and I'm ready to get scrapping! I've never creased a single page and would never DREAM of tearing a page out of one of them!
Well, until recently.

Several months ago, I decided that this magazine collection was quite ridiculous and that I'd go through each one and tear out the pages I wanted to keep, slip them into sheet protectors & add them to a huge "Inspiration Binder." I love it! Now ideas are at my fingertips to browse at any time-minus the ads & stuff I didn't care for. I have filled almost 3, 3" binders so far! And don't worry~I throw the remainder of the magazine in the recycle bin!

So WHY am I telling you all this, you ask?
The other night I was going through one of the magazines from August 2005, B.M. (Before Mason) There were several layouts, us usual, about kids and babies and I always thought they were sweet but at the time (in 2005) I had no use for them personally. Well, I came across one layout that really hit home for me. It amazed me that it didn't mean anything to me in 2005. It had a poem written fairly large and had a photo of a mother and child. Here is the poem:

I am your parent, you are my child.
I am your quiet place, you are my wild.
I am your calm face, you are my giggle.
I am your wait, you are my wiggle.
I am your finish line, you are my race.
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace.
I am your lullaby, your are my peekaboo.
I am your good-night kiss, you are my I love you.

~by Maryann K. Cusimano

Wow~this is so my life right now with Mason and I wouldn't change it for anything! I instantly connected with this poem and plan to make a layout with it as well.

A few more random pictures (from July 09)

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You...

I promise I will post Easter pictures very soon! I've been busy working on this for this site. (my post will soon be included there.) I was so excited when I was asked to post tips for frugal scrapbooking!

Coming soon...Mason with his Easter basket goodies, an Easter egg hunt, and church happenings.
Stay tuned.

Small Strides

I'm getting a few scrapbook pages done here and there. I finally broke down and made a "to-do" layout list--that's how far behind I am! I'm enjoying using some new supplies that I got for Christmas--an added incentive. I'm ready to get caught up--maybe if I'd get off this computer I'd get something done!!! :)

Being a Little Goofy

Ok, so I had a little fun with the camera last night! I'm trying to get back into my scrapbooking and get caught up again. I've really been gearing up to be the "scrapbook queen" that I once was (before Mason!) as well as branch out and do some other fun art projects. I get constant inspiration from Ali & Elsie (links to the right), Creating Keepsakes mag, Mason :), flickr, and just walking thru Hobby Lobby! I'm also trying to fix up my scrapbook area so that it's more functional and inspiring (these pics were taken in my desk area)

Scrapbook Layouts

I'm forcing myself to get some of these layouts done! I'm so far behind--I have stacks of pictures going back over a year ago. I made these last night and tonight. So, here's Mason's 1st visit with Santa and the Halloween party we went to last year...

He was soooo sleepy! (He was 5 months old)
Love these glitter stickers I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby!

Journaling--at least I had written this down last year--or else I wouldn't have remembered the little details!

Page 1 (left side) : Wayne was the Grim Reaper and I was a Pirate

Page 2 (right side) : Our crazy friends

Gotta check out Nacho Libre! (he made the costume!)

I'm off to create some more...Wish me luck!

New Layouts

I just had to scrap this pic of me and Chloe'! The quote is very fitting for her right now, "It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."
It was fun to use pink on a layout again. (I painted the chipboard swirls) I've done so many baby blue & green pages lately that I had to take a break and use some girly colors! (although I did still use turquoise--but it's my favorite color!)

These pics of me & Mason were taken on his actual first birthday. (his party was a few days before his b-day) So they are even more special to me!

A Few More Scrapbook Pages