Yep, this pretty layout was inspired by a Kleenex box. Have you noticed how beautiful some of them are these days? Down right masterpieces. I recently picked up a lovely box at the grocery and found myself admiring it all the time....so I decided to design a page around it. I handmade the little love birdies and hearts.
The inspiration....
Take a look around and see if you have any household items that you can turn into a great page.
I'm so excited that our fall scrapbook league at Scrappy Chic has started! You may remember me blogging about league last fall, but for those who don't, it goes something like this: Scrapbook League is a little like bowling league in that each hour counts for a frame. At the end of each hour, we receive points for the number of layouts completed. Additional points are earned if we meet the challenge set at the beginning of the day. It's a lot of fun and naturally great regular bonding time with the girls.
This season we have changed our name as our group is growing in number and we will eventually split off into two teams. Our name this year is S*W*A*K (Scrapped with a Kiss) and we will wear team aprons (photos to come). Thanks to Chicki for coming up with our cute name.
We won't receive official scores until the next league day, but the layouts I completed this week are below. For the first one, I used a kit from SIS TV. I was inspired by the "What'll You Have" coaster and decided to use these great photos of Jay playing bartender to our cat at the old house. Classic funny pictures. The second was based on the league challenge of the day which was to create a layout using mostly pink, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. I love this photo of Lilly and me on the beach and thought the paper complimented it beautifully.
Enjoy these, I'll be sure to post my work after each league.
Lilly had a big day this week....her first day of pre-school. My sister invited me to come along, for support and to take pictures. When they arrived to pick me up, Lilly came knocking at my door with such a sweet smile and excitement to start school. She looked ADORABLE in a pretty pink dress with a big apple on the side and a cute floral backpack over her shoulders.
When we arrived at the school, she couldn't wait to go in. She rushed over to the window (the school is in the church basement, so she could see in) and peered in, saying "Oh look at all ob the toys in dere." Oh dear, she started dancing with glee and headed straight for the door.
Here, she anxiously tries to get in...but the doors are locked and she has to wait just a few more minutes.
When we entered the room, she wasn't quite sure where to begin...coloring, playing with sand, painting, playing with dolls. What a day!
I took many more great photos on Wendie's camera...hoping to scrap them this weekend.
Well, I think it's time I face facts....I'm not as young as I once was. After recently turning 36, I've started looking a little closer into the mirror and am sure that I've noticed a few more wrinkles and white hairs. As many of you know, I am not someone who frowns upon aging...in fact, I really embrace it. I'm fortunate to have good genes and have been "blessed" with pale skin, so my age can be a little deceptive to some. However, I really do want to hold on to that as long as I can.
It's funny, I heard from my pal, Charla Krupp, this weekend as she is updating her book for paperback printing. A while back I assisted her with some research on Detroit area resources and she was kind enough to thank me in her book and even sent me an autographed copy (see pics below). 
I thought the timing was perfect to plug the book, which I consider a beauty and style bible! Particularly for career women like me, who want to remain hip, yet age appropriate, while the women working around us keep getting younger. This book offers cheat sheets of to-dos and fast fixes that help keep you young looking. It's packed with eye-opening details on hair color, brows, lipstick, wrinkle-erasers, jeans, shapewear, jewelry, heels and more. The best part is that the book speaks to every woman: from low maintenance types who don't want to spend a fortune or tons of time on looks, to high maintenance women who believe in looking fabulous at any price. There's also too-old vs. just-right before and after photos, celebrity examples of good and bad style, shopping lists and much more.
Below is one of my favorite quotes from this MUST-READ book:
"It's the little black book for the gray-is-the-new-blond set! At our age we are evolved enough to understand that wrinkles don't matter....But who needs 'em? Buy this book and glow old gracefully!" — Christie Brinkley
My oh my, where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday you were in your mom's belly and just last week that you were the "First Baby" in our wedding and just last month that we watched you take your first steps at Quiggs cabin. Jack, you are growing up to be a delightful young man and we are all in awe of you all the time. You are so smart and inquisitive and pretty darn funny too. I love watching you spend time with your Uncle Jay.
I made this page a few weeks back...I know, I know...you are 6 in this picture and now you are 7. You don't have those front teeth anymore, either. I'll have to create something new soon, featuring the older and more mature boy.
Have a great day, birthday buddy!
September 6 - I love this day. Family, fun, presents, cake....did I mention presents?? Yes, today is my Birthday - and Wendie's too. Every year, we begin this special day with a phone call to each other at the stroke of midnight. We must be the first to wish each other a Happy Birthday - after all, we've been together since the womb.
