The Paper Peddler

Finish It by Friday Jan. 27th

2012-01-29T11:52:00.002-06:00

I didn't quite get this one finished by Friday, but by Saturday noon, so that's close! I had started this one at a crop the weekend before so the idea was all there but not stuck down. Added a few facts and precious few embellishments and done!

Finish It by Friday

2012-01-20T09:00:00.002-06:00

After LOAD in May of 2011, I wanted to set small goals to finish layouts and get them put away. I started a Flickr group called Finish It by Friday. My goal this week is to add dates to three layouts and get them put in albums. I added the who, what and when to this one! The left page is a collage of six more photos of the event, nothing fancy and contains many other children so I decided not to include it in the post.

School's in Session

2012-01-19T09:00:00.001-06:00

Field Trip.
4th Grade. Lots more photos can be found in We R Memory Keepers page protectors. Orchestra.
Freshmen. Lots more photos again in those famed page protectors. She and two friends have a tradition of taking photos together after each concert...they are beginning to all look the same!

Middle School.

8th Grade. Door decorating contest for the Christmas holiday. They had fun!

Sports Fans

2012-01-18T21:31:00.002-06:00

Up close...more layouts from the October crop at Maggie's.

Golf.
A nice start to this layout but it needs to pack a little more punch so I will have to hunt for some embellishments before putting this one in an album. Ribbons? buttons? Soccer.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night...and we still will play! Thankfully this day wasn't too bad, duh! or I would have left the camera at home! Short sleeves and shorts actually without stocking hats, gloves and coats!

Tomorrow's forecast...school's in session.

Go BIG Red!

2012-01-17T09:00:00.003-06:00

I had photos that went great with Maggie's kit so after I completed the double page layout I kept going. I took the extra photos and cut them to 4x4 size and added them to a We R Memory Keepers page protector. Then I chose a few photos from the group to highlight in each of the kids' albums. These are the results.

The photos are not great. I have yet to master how to photograph layouts!

More tomorrow....

Hello Blog.

2012-01-16T16:50:00.005-06:00

That was a long hiatus but I'm back. I'm gearing up for a weekend crop and to participate in LOAD 212 so I thought I'd better blow the dust off the blog and get ready to post.

Here's what I had intended to post after a crop in October of 2010. It doesn't look like much but it was productive and above all fun! Maggie offered a kit / class about the Huskers and it was just the "kick" I needed...it kind of became a theme! LOL!

Stay tuned for close ups in the days to follow!

LOAD May 11 - Day 23

2011-05-23T22:57:00.001-05:00

LOAD May 11 - Day 23, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

I love red! So what's not to love about Minnie?! Hope to complete the second half of this page tomorrow. Looks like rain so the yard work will have to wait anyway....darn! ha!

LOAD May 21

2011-05-21T23:52:00.001-05:00

LOAD May 21, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

Fell off the LOAD wagon for a couple of weeks...but I'm back! Worked on Disney layouts at a crop this weekend and got nearly 13 pages almost done....they need a few finishing touches (you know how that goes)! Stay tuned for tomorrow's layout....will it be Disney?

LOAD May11 - Day 4

2011-05-04T22:22:00.001-05:00

LOAD May11 - Day 4, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

Again, not what I had planned...but still goes in the Joy of Love album. I couldn't find the picture I wanted of A.

LOAD May11 - Day 3

2011-05-03T23:15:00.001-05:00

LOAD May11 - Day 3, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

Day 3 done. I need a better plan for tomorrow...spent too much time deciding on a photo to use with this layout design.

LOAD May11 - Day 2

2011-05-03T19:09:00.002-05:00

LOAD May11 - Day 2, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

And here is Day 2. I spent many hours spinning my wheels tonight - looking for things! I found the pirate pictures that I wanted to scrap on Sunday but have lost the Joy of LOVE daily prompts book and all my notes with sketches and ideas! I will keep looking...stay tuned for Day 3 later tonight.

LOAD May11 - Day 1

2011-05-03T19:07:00.001-05:00

LOAD May11 - Day 1, a photo by Miss_Niki on Flickr.

I guess I have forgotten the last couple of days to post my "work" for the LOAD challenge. Here is Day 1!

Several hours later....

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I had the paper all cut and organized into 10 mini album. All I needed to do was add a few embellishments, punch holes, put the rings in, tie on the ribbons and personalize the covers. I really thought it would be simple and only take a couple of hours; why did it take me several hours to pull them all together? I am happy with the results and they are now in the hands of the gymnastics team members! I hope they will use them!

and more Disney....

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Inspired by pages found in the Bella Blvd. com gallery! Thanks "girls" for inspiring me to get going with Disney again! I bought a couple of punches to use on future Disney pages at Archiver's and can't wait to give them a try. Right now I am "home alone" so I am off to try to organize some pages to complete at the next crop...April 30th!

More Disney....

2011-04-17T16:10:00.003-05:00

Got inspired by friends to complete a few more Disney pages. Love these photos of A. and Eeyore! I found ideas to scraplift at 2Peas in a Bucket....thanks Stephanie for inspiring this one!

Day 28 - LOAD 211

2011-02-28T23:38:00.001-06:00

Day 28 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

This is it. The last day of February. The end of LOAD for 211. It makes me sad. So sad....I plan to make another layout tomorrow. I don't really want it to end....although I do want February to end and March and April and May. June and July can linger on and on and on.....

This is the left half of the page completed on Day 26. Not sure if I really like the paper lion...I was hoping I'd love it....maybe in the morning.

I love LOAD and I'm not "lion"!!!

Thanks everyone for taking the journey with me....I have enjoyed it!

Day 27 - LOAD 211

2011-02-27T22:16:00.001-06:00

Day 27 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here is one page that I will include in yet another album I am starting! The Joy of Love is a class that has been going on this month but with LOAD going on too, I just couldn't put the energy into both. It is my intention to go back and read the prompts and find old photos that match .... discovering the things / people / places I love. I plan to then take new photos to match the prompts that I do not have old photos for. Should be fun!

Day 26 - LOAD 211

2011-02-26T08:19:00.001-06:00

Day 26 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Off to Lincoln! Hope the roads are decent!

Day 25 - LOAD 211

2011-02-25T22:37:00.001-06:00

Day 25 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here is the right half of the complete layout! It goes with yesterday's ....like I need to tell you that! Nothing special...just done!

Day 24 - LOAD 211

2011-02-24T22:32:00.001-06:00

Day 24 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here are the boys playing the PS2 on the new big screen TV. I hope to complete the right half tomorrow night....not sure I will have enough of that pattern paper to make it work. Off to bed, I need some sleep cuz' I can not get out of bed in the mornings anymore!

Day 23 - LOAD 211

2011-02-23T23:19:00.001-06:00

Day 23 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

It seems that each LOAD I have to punt and go to a digital layout because I can't find the photos I want to use. I was browsing through the girls' facebook albums and came across this photo....super cute I thought! So tonight I decided to place in on this digital template and call it good. The title and story just fell into place in my head but I'd be fibbing if I told you that it took less time than a cardstock layout because it didn't! I had lots of trouble getting the story to look "perfect"!

Perfectionism won this time! Double darn!

Day 22 - LOAD 211

2011-02-22T22:37:00.001-06:00

Day 22 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I had a near panic attack this evening. I was starting to feel stuck....I thumbed through a few envelopes of photos, debated about working on a page in the December Daily and thought about adding a page to make a double page layout to one I'd already completed this week but the inspiration just wasn't there. So as I felt the panic rise in my throat, I made a conscious decision not to let that feeling overcome me so I quickly decided to create something using these volleyball photos which have been in the depths of Courtney's room for two years....I had never seen them before but knew that I had paid for them!

As I said in the flickr gallery....I am disappointed in the scan because the flower here is Doodlebug bubblegum bright pink!

Day 21 - LOAD 211

2011-02-21T23:20:00.001-06:00

Day 21 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I think I may have already said this somewhere so forgive me for being a broken record....but seriously, why does my dear hubby insist on updating this house this month?!?!? Does he not know that LOAD is going on? Does he not know that I work all day? Taxi children and serve as their ATM well into the evening, cook supper, fold laundry, watch WWE and create a layout too? When would I possibly have time to vacuum behind all the furniture and vac the blinds too, take apart a monster of a computer desk and above all....I MUST scan and upload a layout (if I get one created) tonight. Did I mention we took apart a computer desk and moved it out of the house....which left me with a computer & scanner/printer in a heap on a different desk in a different room?

This will be worth it, I know it will...it has to be!!

So here is what I was able to throw together in a flash tonight. Thank you to Lain for the prompt today, without it I'd be in a puddle on the floor crying because I would have no idea what to do surrounded by a disassembled house and my scrapbook stuff even more scattered and unorganized than it was before.

Callgon anyone? Then I'd have to clean the tub again....I'll settle for a glass of wine....again!

Day 20 - LOAD 211

2011-02-20T23:22:00.001-06:00

Day 20 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Not at all sure how I will make the second page work with this one and maybe I won't. Need to look at the photos again and decide....too tired right now.

Went shopping for home decor, baskets, groceries, paint and lights. Updating the house....so time consuming and such a mess! T. said he just wants the house to be back to "normal".

Day 18 - LOAD 211

2011-02-19T22:03:00.001-06:00

Day 18 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Oh my goodness! I just visited my blog and there is no post for yesterday the 18th! The clock had struck midnight by the time I had completed this layout, cropped it and uploaded it! And I might add the the information super highway was having a major traffic jam! Needless to say, I forgot to add yesterday's layout to the blog....so I present to you....the left half...the better half? You decide!

Day 19 - LOAD 211

2011-02-19T21:38:00.001-06:00

Day 19 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

The better half?....I'm not so sure. But it's done and as I have thought about scrapping these photos (evidently twice cuz' I have two sets now), I wanted to keep it super simple and focus on the photos.

My scrapping friends are at a crop today...due to so many things in our busy lives I could not join them. That makes me so sad. So I went shopping and visited for a bit with them. Scrap on my freinds and enjoy your weekend!

Day 17 - LOAD 211

2011-02-17T22:11:00.001-06:00

Day 17 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Today's prompt was to use this quote on your page or use it as inspiration for a page. I thought that it fit quite well with the sillyness of Easter last year so I just expanded yesterday's layout into a two pager.

"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones." Jean Webster

I'm not usually a quote person so I really liked Lain's idea of using it as a source of inspiration rather than physically placing it on the layout:)

Day 16 - LOAD 211

2011-02-16T23:11:00.001-06:00

Day 16 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

A scraplift was the prompt today. We were to copy a layout by Melanie Louette. So simple and yet it ended up to be a struggle due my perfectionistic needs. I am actually taking a class called Embrace Imperfection that is teaching me to listen to the voice in my head and RUN away from it and follow my heart. (Trouble is I think my heart likes things in a neat, tidy box as well.)

Day 15 - LOAD 211

2011-02-15T22:53:00.001-06:00

Day 15 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Today's prompt was to use ribbon in a unique way...

I hadn't been back to the December Daily album for awhile so I thought I could make a quick page using ribbon. Simple. Done.

Day 14 - LOAD 211

2011-02-14T22:28:00.001-06:00

Day 14 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I am hopeful that J. will be able to build the cabinet pictured in this layout. I need three of these double units!

What paint color would you choose?

Day 13 - LOAD 211

2011-02-13T23:32:00.001-06:00

Day 13 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

This is the second half of yesterday's page. I could not muster any new creativity today...my DH has decided that we are putting the house on the market. So we spent the day cleaning, organizing, painting, stripping wallpaper, doing laundry, shopping for light fixtures, appliances, sinks, blinds, paint, shower doors, shower surrounds and carpet and packing up a bunch of clutter. Tomorrow we are moving out a bunch of furniture to storage. I think we should be ready to list by June....he's thinking the 1st of March.

Day 12 - LOAD 211

2011-02-12T23:31:00.001-06:00

Day 12 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I like the circle embellishments in real life so much better. The lose their dimension online. Page 2 tomorrow? Depends on the prompt...

Day 11 - LOAD 211

2011-02-11T22:14:00.001-06:00

Day 11 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

She turned 15 yesterday....it is so hard for me to believe! As a teenager we ride the roller coaster of emotion, that is why I treasure this photo! A happy moment!

Went shopping at Archivers while in Omaha this past week and found some new paper by Doodlebug and had to use it on this layout! I rarely scrap with the color yellow but this color matched the feeling of the photo as well as her shirt...bonus!

Day 10 - LOAD 211

2011-02-10T23:16:00.001-06:00

Day 10 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

As I said in the flickr description....oh, the extremes that one will go to. I hauled a laptop and camera to Omaha so that I could complete a layout while I was away from home. Yes, Lain, you are right....you CAN create a layout a day with, not a little planning but A LOT of planning and preparing ahead! I was happy with this one and can add to his school album. Yea!

Day 9 - LOAD 211

2011-02-09T13:12:00.001-06:00

Day 9 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Super fast page! Literally 20 minutes....leaving for Omaha now! Not the photo I had planned to use but the one I wanted wasn't printed. So 10 of the 20 minutes was spent looking for this photo to go with the papers and ribbon I already had picked!!

Day 8 - LOAD 211

2011-02-08T22:40:00.001-06:00

Day 8 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

No time again tonight! I thought all day about how I would use buttons on a layout and kept going back to the idea of making a snowman from a couple. I saw a sweater a Christopher and Banks that inspired this idea and have not created it yet. However, I really did not have a snowman layout to create so I went with snowflakes instead. This layout was inspired by katieplus4 in the LOAD 211 group....love her layouts!

Day 7 - LOAD 211

2011-02-07T22:09:00.001-06:00

Day 7 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Today's prompt was to find a photo with colors that inspire you...I do love John Deere Green and these two little boys! So the layout grew from that point on! Simple!

Day 6 - LOAD 211

2011-02-06T23:20:00.001-06:00

Day 6 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I do not know how today got completely away from me but it did and this simple layout was all I could complete. It goes with yesterday's layout so I am happy with that. Tha is one thing I really like about LOAD....it forces you to truly finish the layout....right down to the last dot on the "i" and cross of the "t"! Looking for to tomorrow!

Day 5 - LOAD 211

2011-02-06T00:09:00.002-06:00

Day 5 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Squeeezed this one in at the end of a busy day! Thankfully I had a 'game plan" before we left the house this morning and I had a strategy for scoring before midnight! I made it with only 4 minutes to go in the "game" (day)! Woohoo!

Day 4 - LOAD 211

2011-02-04T23:22:00.001-06:00

Day 4 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Sometimes things don't come together as quickly as one would hope! But done is DONE! Not sure how I will squeeze in time for a layout tomorrow but I'm going to try! See you then!

Day 3 - LOAD 211

2011-02-03T16:42:00.001-06:00

Day 3 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I had this idea to make Valentine's for the kids this year but forgot about it! Funny how that happens! Anyway, when I read Lain's prompt this morning...I remembered my valentine idea. School was the topic I associated with glue so here it is! Very early "Pebbles" days but I like it!

Day 2 - LOAD 211

2011-02-02T21:21:00.001-06:00

Day 2 - LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

eBay inspiration result! You like?

Day 2 - Inspiration at eBay

2011-02-02T13:14:00.002-06:00

When I went to eBay and typed my name in the search bar I found oodles of formal dresses. (Whenever I do something like this the computer always states, "did you mean Nike"? This is the one I chose for my inspiration for the day! Gorgeous, isn't it?

I had fun typing in others names:
Melissa was about shoes.
Tanner was about books.
Tara was about technology.
Courtney was about dolls.
Jon was about boats.
Amanda was about Kidrobots.

Day 1-LOAD 211

2011-02-01T15:27:00.002-06:00

Day 1-LOAD 211
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here we go...creating a layout a day through the month of February.

My inspiration was the photo of T. = JOY!

My layout inspiration was from www.nicholmagouirk.typepad.com

LOAD 211 Blog Hop!

2011-01-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

It's time again! Yea! I enjoy LOAD more each time and I think the reason is that it has truly become FUN! The first one and one somewhere in the middle were really stressful for me. But thanks to Lain and a great group of LOAD followers, I have learned to let go of the pressure. It doesn't matter if you complete 1, 5 or 28 layouts, what matters is that you got something done and that is certainly more than I would have done without LOAD!

How do I prepare for LOAD?

Prepare. That is the key! The LOADs that I found stressful were for two reasons:
1. I was not prepared.
2. I forced layouts. I have learned that if something is not coming tobether fairly quickly within 20 minutes...STOP! Go to Plan B. (be prepared!) Choose a different topic and a new set of photos. Get a fresh outlook!

Preparing looks like this for me:
a) Focus. I choose a theme or album to focus on. This eliminates 100s of possibilities. I will probably bird walk due to a daily prompt but may also use it on an already planned layout. (Themes might be portraits, posed pictures such as sports team photos or dance, etc. An album might be a trip to Disney, Halloween or your December Daily.)

b) Organize. Gather your photos, papers, ephemera, embellishments and inspiration in the next couple of weeks. Place them together in ziploc bags, scrapbook totes, files or page protectors. It's like making a kit ahead of time and putting it together one the given day. This is the same thing I try to do to prepare for a crop. This way when you have a large chunk of time set aside, scrapper's block will not set in!

c) Inspiration. That is the theme of LOAD so I will be looking at what I have already gathered. Looking in my tumblr account, LOAD faves. in Flickr and in my notebook of printed layouts / magazine pages for ideas. I will then take these ideas and place them with the photos in the page protector.

I can't wait to see what Lain has in store for us! She is so inspiring!

2010 Dec. Daily - Day 2

2011-01-18T12:00:00.000-06:00

Day 2.

2010 Dec. Daily - Day 1

2011-01-17T12:00:00.000-06:00

Finally! I was able to get started with my Dec. Daily album. I am using a Fancy Pants album so keeping the pages organized ... left page, right page is challenging!

So, you want to make a December Daily album....

2011-01-16T18:30:00.002-06:00

but can't!

I tried three times to get started and just couldn't get going. I had photos printed, papers selected, embellishments located, inspiration bookmarked and printed but kept getting stuck. I finally figured out what was stopping me....it was the whole left/page right page concept due to the shape of my pages! It made a difference. I needed to know which side the holes would be punched on. So what I did was to create an outline of what photos I decided to include, the story I wanted to tell, the ephemera I wanted to include and general things I did not want to forget. Here's page one of my outline. It took about two hours to create the whole outline but it's been worth it. Pages will be posted soon!

December Daily - Day 25

2011-01-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

Santa was here.

Merry Christmas!!!

December Daily - Day 24

2011-01-16T18:10:00.003-06:00

Christmas Eve.

Attending candle light service at 7 p.m.

Sisters ready to go.
Girls ready to go.

Can you guess who does not want to go?

The boys ready to go?!

December Daily - Day 23

2011-01-16T18:04:00.003-06:00

Today found us frantically folding letters, stamping and stuffing envelopes

trying to get the annual Christmas mailing on it's way before Christmas Day!

The evening found us driving around looking at lights in
all the traditional spots.
This is downtown NP.

December Daily - Day 22

2011-01-16T17:59:00.004-06:00

Santa at the mall.The Platte River Mall at Christmas time.

Jon took the kids shopping this afternoon for gifts for me.

Awww...how sweet!

December Daily - Day 20

2011-01-16T13:32:00.003-06:00

Christmas at The Cody's!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...one or two aren't bad

but I can't see myself eating more than that in one sitting.

A fun experience!

Many gingerbread houses were created an open for bids in a silent auction.

The Cody's house was fully decorated inside and out.
20 trees were decorated inside with various themes.
T. and I took a horse drawn hayride around the property.
It was cold and the horses were fragrant!

December Daily - Day 19

2011-01-16T13:27:00.001-06:00

Wrapping an XL gift for "the Dad"!

Baking cookies to share with the neighbors.

December Daily - Day 18

2011-01-16T12:10:00.002-06:00

I volunteered to ring bells for our church at Wal Mart.

It was amazing how many people I saw in that 30 minute period that I knew.

That night I finished reading Holiday Grind, a coffeehouse mystery book

that included an insert at the end about how the red kettles originated.

I plan to included it in my album.

December Daily - Day 17

2011-01-16T12:03:00.004-06:00

Went to my staff Christmas party at the Depot!

December Daily - Day 16

2011-01-16T11:54:00.003-06:00

C. needs to take ethnic foods to her Spanish class for a Christmas party.

11:00 p.m. Google recipe for Mexican Christmas Cookies

11:08 p.m. Begin mixing up the cookie dough.

11:59 p.m. First set is rolled and cut for baking.
12:11 a.m. First set is baked and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

3 more sets to go!

December Daily - Day 15

2011-01-16T11:49:00.002-06:00

T. was challenging himself to naming all the reindeer without the assistance of Google. He did it and wrote them down as he recalled each name then numbered them to be sure their were eight. I think he must have sung the song 5 times trying to get the names and order right!

December Daily - Day 14

2010-12-14T22:38:00.004-06:00

Today was Secret Santa Sales at school.

T. packs everyones gifts far under and into? the tree...
where is he going?

Here he displays that the biggest one of all is for MOM!

First homemade holiday treats of the season...

Rudolph's nose!

December Daily - Day 13

2010-12-14T22:31:00.003-06:00

Writing a Merry Christmas wish to Mrs. Hayes

and her family.
Wrapping his teacher's gift.

Gathering of gifts to deliver the next morning.

Two to North Platte Care Center residents, one to classroom

teacher, coffee for the staff at T's school and one for a fellow Boy Scout.

December Daily - Day 12

2010-12-14T22:27:00.003-06:00

Planning shopping trips for the week....gathering ideas for

the girls and Aunt J., looking for

sale items and the best buys in town!

Comfort food. Winter food.

December Daily - Day 11

2010-12-14T22:22:00.002-06:00

Today's purchases...gifts, ornament, baking needs, postage.

C. choose Alice in Wonderland as

her ornament for 2011.

December Daily - Day 10

2010-12-14T22:20:00.001-06:00

Wrapping gifts while the spouse and children are away....

December Daily - Day 9

2010-12-14T22:15:00.003-06:00

Watching the winter weather report.

On this "nice" day it was short sleeves for everyone but me!

I think it was near 50 degrees! so

out came the outdoor decorations because you

can't predict Nebraska's winter weather.

December Daily - Day 8

2010-12-14T22:12:00.004-06:00

Choosing "angels" to receive gifts...

one for an infant - one for a 3 year old girl - one for a 9 year old boy -

one for a teen boy - one for a teen girl

December Daily - Day 7

2010-12-14T22:08:00.001-06:00

Watching holiday movies on TV

Farewell Mr. Kingle

Christmas Cupid

Jack Frost

Sundays at Tiffanys

Comfort and Joy

The Christmas Shoes

On Strike for Christmas

Eloise at Christmas Time

Santa Clause

Santa Clause 2

Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause

December Daily - Day 6

2010-12-14T22:06:00.004-06:00

Tis the season to taste the season!

December Daily - Day 5

2010-12-05T23:03:00.002-06:00

Card making and Secret Santa preparations.
I saw this idea online early in the day, hunted for the itty bitty
trees and snow spray and asked J. to retrieved this
antique from the rafters of the garage.
Perfect!
T. went with me late this afternoon
to Hallmark to choose and purchase
his annual ornament for the tree.
Go Steelers!
(and they won today too!)

December Daily - Day 4

2010-12-05T23:00:00.002-06:00

Decorating the house...
watching the game...

remembering the true reason for the season...

mom's reading list for the holiday.

December Daily - Day 3

2010-12-05T22:53:00.002-06:00

The letters and photos have started arriving....
gift wrapping for he nieces and nephews

T. tells us that a candy cane really is a "J" for Jesus.

A. loves candy canes!

December Daily - Day 2

2010-12-05T22:48:00.004-06:00

Mmmm....cocoa!
The finishing touches on her own tree.

A's Christmas tree.

Visiting Hallmark to choose and purchase her annual ornament.

So many choices...but really it was obvious!

(she chose the fancy red high heels!)

December Daily - Day 1

2010-12-05T22:39:00.005-06:00

Tree without ornaments.
Tanner sorting through all the Hallmark ornaments
to find his own to hang on the tree.

The beginnings of the annual Christmas letter....
The first of three bright orange Shutterfly packages arrived today!
The annual Christmas photo....

These are photos that I will consider adding to my December Daily album. This ideas was one that Ali Edwards launched three years ago. I created a 4x6 album last year ...well started one...maybe I will finish it this Christmas break.

Day 31 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-31T21:53:00.001-05:00

Day 31 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Well, this is it! 31 layouts in 31 days! Yippee! I made it!!

Day 30 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-30T17:51:00.001-05:00

Day 30 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

The left side of a double page layout! Right half tomorrow....for the last layout of the month and of LOAD 10/10.

Day 29 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-29T22:56:00.001-05:00

Day 29 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

This was a struggle tonight! I just wanted to lie down and rest after a long week. I hunted for photos I could not find and lost my mojo for a couple of hours but was able to pull this together. I followed the same basic layout design as many of the Week in the Life layouts and went back to my favorite season for inspiration! Whew!

Day_28 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-28T21:55:00.001-05:00

Day_28 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Had to be quick tonight....thank goodness for these 5x7 and repetitive designs! However, I am so ready to be done with these and combine them the others for a completed project!

Day 27 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-27T22:23:00.001-05:00

Day 27 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Awww! What a cute Frankenstein we had! His costume said Feed Me on it!

We spent the evening decorating the inside of the house for Halloween / fall, carving pumpkins and planning for Trunk or Treat at the church. One car's theme will be the Monster Mash and the girls are planning an Alice in Wonderland theme....should be fun!

Day 26 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-26T23:17:00.001-05:00

Day 26 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

My favorite color is red. But my favorite color combination is the orange, purple and lime green associated with fall and Halloween. This layout was fun to create! Can't wait for tomorrow....it's our annual carving event! We spent time today gathering costumes and props for a party and Halloween as well as Trunk or Treat at the church! Shoud be fun! Can't wait.....Halloween is coming!!!

Day 25 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-25T22:55:00.001-05:00

Day 25 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I had good intentions of creating something different tonight and even thought about using the prompt. The prompt was to scrapbook using the starter phrase "Today you..." but when I sat down to work on it I couldn't find a photo to go with my idea so I went with the old stand by. Another page for my Week in the Life album. Maybe tomorrow I will have more time to be creative! I can dream, can't I?!?!?

Day 24 LOAD 10/10 Pg. 2

2010-10-24T21:48:00.001-05:00

Day 24 LOAD 10/10 Pg. 2
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Well, I had higher expectations for myself this weekend....really thought I could pull the whole album together....but realized I still have three more of these 5x7 layouts to complete. No hurry.....

Day 23 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-23T23:55:00.001-05:00

Day 23 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I need to print photos to keep working on my Week in the Life album so I decided to switch gears and scrap some photos from my favorite time of year!

Day 22 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-22T22:56:00.001-05:00

Day 22 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Hope to pull the album together this weekend....so excited that I'm thinking about taking photos next week to create another one! I will see how things look outside tomorrow ... after our rain this evening I'm not sure the world will be as plush and colorful as it was earlier today....bummer....I loathe winter.

Day 21 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-21T22:18:00.002-05:00

Day 21 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Hmmmmm.....I'm thinking I will have to add something to this layout. It's a little too simple even for me. However, when I get the right half of the page beside it, things are a little more interesting. Maybe this weekend I can pull the album together and make some decisions.

Parent Teacher Conferences were today and tomorrow morning so my brain is fried from all the mental work of the day. No creative juices here tonight!

Day 20 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-20T20:06:00.001-05:00

Day 20 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Wouldn't it be fun in the ornament albums were caught up before Christmas this year? Hmmmm, could that be a goal....never hurts to try! But someone told me that "try" is a weak word, so......I guess I will have accomplish this goal. I am not weak!

Day 19 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-19T22:17:00.001-05:00

Day 19 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Too tired to be very creative tonight. Fun Night is fun but glad it's done! So I went with another page for my Week in the Life album. Someday I will add the right halves so you can see what the completed album looks like!

Day 18 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-18T22:56:00.001-05:00

Day 18 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Do you ever have one of those days when out of the mouths of babes comes the word "mom" every 2 minutes? I thought there was no way I'd complete a layout, even one this simple with all the demands this evening...and a turn on the computer? Forget it! It's late and I'm going to bed to READ!

2010-10-17T22:46:00.003-05:00

Fall photo shoot was requested by A. and the other two willingly participated. It made getting a Christmas photo super easy. I had a very cooperative group....these photos are before editting. Can't wait to see what some of them look like in sepia and black n white!

Day 17 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-17T22:45:00.001-05:00

Day 17 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Second half or the right side of yesterday's layout. Simple but it compliments the other half really well.

Day 16 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-16T22:30:00.003-05:00

Day 16 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Where does the day go? I had all day to create a page and I wait until after I have showered, shopped at Wal-Mart, picked up C. from gym, got lunch at Subway, grabbed up ice and drinks at Time Saver, stopped to pick up a friend, helped the girls make Huskers T-shirts for the game, watched the game, cried, picked up C. from friends house, gave a different friend a ride home, let C. drive home, folded three baskets of clothes all while listening to a podcast, took fall photos of the girls in the canal, made supper, knitted some on my dishcloth, cleaned up supper and realized I still needed an idea for a page.

So here it is!!

Day 15 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-15T23:02:00.001-05:00

Day 15 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Day 14 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-14T22:46:00.001-05:00

Day 14 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Page 2 to a layout created on the 11th, I think. So much to do this evening, betweem a dead car battery, Boy Scouts, football game, gymnastics and Bunko....that this one had to be super quick!

Day 13 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-13T22:51:00.001-05:00

Day 13 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Super simple but I like it. Inspired by a digital layout that I saw at the Shabby Shoppe. I find lots of good layout design ideas when looking at digital sites!

Day 12 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-12T21:52:00.001-05:00

Day 12 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Oh my! I think this page is the last of my mini Halloween album! I think! I need to see if I have a photo of Courtney on Halloween in 1996....the year she was born; if so, then I will add that. Now I just need a cover, some rings and ribbon and it will be complete! Just in time for Halloween!

Day 11 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-11T22:59:00.001-05:00

Day 11 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Inspired by Kim 2002's "That's One Big Radish: layout at Two Peas in a Bucket.com. Enjoy!

Day 10 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-10T22:19:00.001-05:00

Day 10 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Decided to switch gears today and put together a page for C's Christmas album. Need to create 2007 and 08 as well.

Day 9 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-09T11:52:00.001-05:00

Day 9 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Nearly done with the About Me album ... I'm thinking two maore apges to completion....what a feeling!

Day 8 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-09T01:31:00.001-05:00

Day 8 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Day 7 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-07T23:39:00.001-05:00

Day 7 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Go BIG Red! What a game that was too watch! So it inspired me to scrap my favorite color and add it to my All About Me at 35 album!

Day 6 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-06T22:37:00.002-05:00

Day 6 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Another complete and going into my All About Me at 35 album. I'm not 40 yet so I may get it done before then! Plans for at least four more pages....

Day 5 LOAD 10/10

2010-10-05T19:21:00.001-05:00

Day 5 LOAD 10/10
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Running off to pick up kids! More later.....