Thursday, October 10, 2013

"Please sir, 'May' I create some more in 2013!"

Hi there lovelies,

If you are wondering what I have been up to and why I haven't posted anything lately: I've been busy. That's a good sign, right? Well, apart from some health issues, I have really been doing a lot of things like most women do. I have been sorting out my life, documents, cupboards, every nook and cranny. 

I have also been creating art, working on my scrapbook project for this year and event planning and designing for a wedding and a 40th birthday. So, yes, very very busy bee these last couple of months.

 I even went to the Western Cape for a family wedding. I probably would have been able to do even more if it wasn't for a sluggish thyroid. A month ago I found a great doctor near by and he diagnosed my underactive thyroid. Have been on the meds and starting to feel my old self again. Have more energy! WAYYYYY more! So thankful.

So, in coming weeks I will be blogging about all the things I have been up to. One of the projects I'm working on is my scrapbook PROJECT. I call it a 'project' because it's not just scrapbooking. It is trying to make a book of REMEMBRANCE about my life. Something my parents couldn't really do for me. Both hubby and I are turning 40 this year...actually hubby turned 40 in September. So, hence the 40th birthday party. Due to economic restraints, I think everybody feels these days (and teachers in South Africa even more), we combined the celebrations and only had one party. But what a great party it was! I will be sharing a post just on that event. 

Everybody encouraged me to start an event planning business, but I'm not sure if I should put myself out there for that. I have too many ideas about too many things and need to figure out what I want to focus on right now. In the meantime, while waiting for my energy levels to go back to normal (doctor said about six weeks) I am focusing on the Life Scrapbook Project. Play on words a little as I did some research on "how" to scrapbook economically and "fast" and found: PROJECT LIFE! 

I think you are born a scrapbooker. Its who you are to a certain extent and I don't think it's just about being sentimental. It's much more. God has a book of REMEMBRANCE about everything that happens and I think He gives that gift of remembering to certain people. We help remember the good things, the blessings and the flow of life in general. Life is so complicated, chaotic and stressful most of the time that we need some kind of reminder about the blessings along the way, that God is still God, in control and ever providing. What I love about Becky Higgins's way of scrapbooking is that it saves me time to have life and then scrapbook about it. The only problem is I have only now discovered it and have about 40 years worth of scrapbooking to finish! Jikes!!! Ok, I've finished 1973, 1974 and 1975 just about. So 3 down and 37 to go. I also decided to start in 2013 so nearly done with January. Keep in mind I've done a lot of designing for functions and stuff so haven't really gotten round to my "project life" as it were. Now that the big 40 event is done and dusted, I've been on a roll with the scrapbooking again. I've done about 5 double layouts this week only. So proud of myself.

Here is some samples of art I created in May. Still contemplating frames for all of these. (Those economical restraints nagging again)






Above you'll find examples of my official first layouts. Not discovered Project Life yet here. So when I share my project life layouts you'll see the difference. So easy and looks so neat and tidy, much more than my first attempts.

Just a little peak at my wedding project. A designed stationary and wedding decor for a childhood friend who got married to an American in August. Here is a sample of the guestbook I designed for her in the form of project life. I designed a range of cards for this purpose. I will share more on this in another post.



 This is the front page of the scrap/guestbook:






 I also made a little bag for her scrapbook and cards so she can take it with her when she moves to America.


 So that's enough for today. So look out for the next post filled with artwork and creative ideas.