The last circle journal:  I Enjoy Being a Girl!!!!!  This is the last circle journal was mailed off last week.  It's amazing how time flies.  It seems as if we just started on this journey and here it is, we've come to the end!  This theme was about of course why we enjoy being a girl.  Here I showcased my thoughts on being a girl, made a mini collage of me and some of my girlfriends, along with a song by Vanessa Hudgens that I thought fit the theme nicely.  I finished my entry off with a snippet of my #1 favorite thing about being a girl!  :)  This weekend, the group will be getting together so we can share our completed books with each other.  I'm sooo looking forward to the get together and seeing everyone's completed album.  I will be sharing my completed album next week along with the invitation I created for the get together so stay tuned!

~NJ
 
Circle Journal #4.......No Shades of Gray!  Great theme about not trusting our memories to remember everything.  For this them, we had to try to use only black and white, besides our photos.  I had a lot of photos and like Circle Journal #3:  My Favorite Things (where I decided to focus on my Top 12 of 2012), in this circle journal, I decided to again pay tribute to 2012, and showcase my Top 12 Moments/Memories of all time (up to the date the book was completed).  I had so many pictures I wanted to incorporate, but not enough space.  Then I ran into another issue with my pictures....a lot of the pictures were old, so I didn't have multiple copies, so I just scanned the pictures, but I really didn't like the quality....but I just had to make due.  So to solve the issue with the photos.....having too many pictures to showcase, I decided to make a small mini album on the page to ensure I had enough room to showcase my items.  I haven't done this technique since the first circle journal group I participated in, back in 2007, so it was fun to do this again.  I also took part in a new technique.  I added fabric to my layout, on the first page, I added black and white felt to my background paper using staples.  with the left over felt that I had, I added it to my second layout as just a side strip next to my journaling.  Overall, I like the memories I picked and I can't wait to look at this album many years from now and see what additional memories and thoughts that come to mind.

Happy Scrappin'!
~NJ
 
This weekend, I forgot to get a card for a birthday party we were going to.  So I did what I do best, I made my own birthday card.  It was really quick and I was able to get rid of some scraps in the process.  Yes, this card was made from scraps!!!!!  Yea!!!!!!!  I have a nice size bin I have been trying to use, so I was happy to get rid of 5 sheets of scraps, and create something beautiful at the same time. 

So the next time you forget to purchase a card, and need one quick, I would suggest going through your stash, set your timer for 15-20 minutes and create a card without much thought...meaning when we put too much thought into our scrapbooking, we tend to spend more time worrying about what others will think or doubting ourselves and our ability to creating something nice, thoughtful and special.  So let's not doubt ourselves....just CREATE! 

~Nati J.
 
My husband and I met in college, 10 years ago!  WOW....and we hadn't been to Homecoming since 2005....so this trip was 7 years in the making!  It was good to be back at our old stomping grounds and we had a blast hanging out with friends over the weekend. 
 
I just wanted to wish all the Grandparent’s a very happy and blessed day! Here, we were able to celebrate with my parents over dinner.
 
Picture
Last year for Grandparents Day, we decided to host a Sunday dinner for our parents.  What was on the menu...baked chicken, stuffed shrimp baked potatoes, mixed greens pear cranberry spinach salad, and strawberry cream cake for dessert.  Here is a layout of the Pumpkin with her parents and grandparents to mark the occasion.  Great food.  Great company.
This year for Grandparent's Day, we were hosting a Sip & See for our new addition, so we will be celebrating this coming Sunday.  Look for the next G.D. Layout!!!!!  :)
HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY TO ALL THE GRANDPARENTS OUT THERE!

Happy Scrappin'!
 
I made this two-page layout to chart the first 0-12 months of my daughter.  What a beauty is truly is inside and out.  It's amazing to see how she grew from month to month!  Our joy!
 
Hello everyone and Happy National Scrapbook Day.  I hope you all have had the opportunity to get your creative juices flowing and have gotten some projects that have been sitting on your shelves out of the way. 
As for me today in honor of National Scrapbook Day, I first headed over to By Design Scrapbook Boutique and purchased a few scrapbook items.  Since returning home about 2.5 hours ago, I have been able to complete two mother's day cards (one for my mom and the other for my mother in law) and a scrapbook layout dedicated to my paternal Great Grandmother.  I've had fun so far today, and hope to have everything I create today posted by Monday.  Until then I hope you all enjoy the cards and the layout. 

Happy Scrappin'!!!!!!
~NJ
----------------------------------------------------------------
More info about the cards and layout below:
Card #1: 
Techniques Included: Embossing, Stamping, Tearing, Inking, Layering Distressing, Sanding, Punching, Embellishing.
Products Included: adhesive, butterfly punch, cardstock, stamps, bling, textbook page, distresser, embossing powder, stamping ink and sandpaper

Card #2:
Products Include: Pattern paper scraps, black cardstock, stamp, white embossing powder

Layout:
Products Included: Recollections Faux Pearls, ZOTS Adhesive Dots; Ribbon, Bo Bunny's Timepiece pattern paper, Graphic 45-Steampunk Debutant Collection - Victorian Transformers Pattern Paper, Floral Embellishments by Petaloo - Chantilly Velvet & Lace x3 - Peach, Large Manila American Tag, ColorBox Dark Brown Ink, American Traditional Designs Alpha Chipboar
d