Reflection on the year

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

I spent sometime this week going through my layouts-computer pictures and the actual layouts. I spent a lot of time this year thinking about scrapbooking. I had many amazing opportunities, which I'm so grateful for.
Which is were many of these layouts originated from. I took some time and pulled about a dozen or so of my favorite layouts and the reason behind them to share with you.

1. I think this is absolute favorite. The reason is, it's fun, free. I did what I wanted to do, if I felt like a little misting, I misted, there's a a little bit of doodling, little bit of stitching. I love that the title is in mixed fonts and colors.

2. This layout I did when I guest DT at Scraptastic Club and it was picked for publication. This really was a simple fast layout. I enjoyed the process of putting it together.

3. This layout was when I was with Creative Imaginations. I just loved the wood paper. The brown and pink are so pretty together.

4.  Fall Beauties was just done last month for My Little Shoebox and PageMaps. I had to pay my 6 year old son in bubblegum to help me cut out all the leaves.

5. Here fishy, fishy, was a layout I did when I guest designed for Scraptastic Club. I enjoyed the fun process of this one.

6. &  7. Were done using a Pink Ninja kit. My 2 besties Deb and Cris and I had a great time with that kit. We all purchased the same kit and made are own creations. It was super fun! I would recommend doing that with some friends. These layouts seem to have a little edge to them, not my usual style but I love them!

7. mentioned above.

8.  This one I like because the pictures tell the story. I enjoyed the kit I used on this as well (which is a Studio Calico kit)

9. Made with My Little Shoebox products, Kaden just loves this layout and is always looking at it.

10. Another My Little Shoebox layout. This is the first layout of 2010 I did.

11. A layout from when I guest designed for Polka Dot Whimsy in the spring. Lots of fun colors on this layout.

12. This was a Polk Dot Whimsy kit as well. Just went together so easily.

ok, 1 more...

13. This was a layout I did when guest designing for Sweet Peach Crop Shop I really like the quilting patten I sewed together for the background. Love the fabric rolled flowers too. I think this was the first layout I tried those on this year...which I will say is the best and favorite technique I learned this year.

 

So, there you have it. My favorite top dozen layouts or so layouts of 2010.

This is what I learned I liked/dislikes this year...I could get by with chipboard sticker pieces (the ones that are all embellished) and lots of pattern paper. I can do without stamps and paint. Scrapbook kits make my life so much easier. No more muted/vintage colors for me. I love border punches...actually all punches. My Cricut broke and probably will never get a new one. I don't like making projects-only layouts. I love trims and buttons even if they don't make it to a layout, I just like them.. It takes me more time to make a card than a layout. I {heart}colored mists...Maya Road and Mister Huey's. Fabric stitched brads are awesome. I will never use another postbound album after I spend the last 2 months converting every album/layout into D-rings. Why did I buy the Chip art tool, it never came out of the package(s), yes there's an (s) involved with that statement. I have many types. My sewing machine is my favorite tool.Sketches are the best because they make me scrap a layout in an hour or two. I really have a hard time photographing my work, so I bought PhotoShop Elements to make them look better. I'm going to sell every mini book I have, I just don't like them and don't like to take the time to make them. I can't scrap without my Basic Grey magnetic mat. I don't have a clue how to use PhotoShop Elements. I should buy stock in Martha Stewart/EK Success punches because I think I will own them all soon.

So this is what I have planned in 2011...my layouts are going to be simpler. There will be more journaling on them and less art work. It's time to focus on the pictures and memories. I also planning on doing lots of purging and organizing. Most importantly I'm going to enjoy it and not get stressed out about techniques/products. I'm not going to worry about the perfect photo or making sure everything is in perfect chronological order. For my family album this year I'm going to do a month at a glance (2 page layouts). Using bits and pieces of daily life. I'm not buying any special kit (uh hum, like the Project 365 kit I never used). I'm not taking a picture a day (it just won't happen). It's going to be just using what I have and worry about what I don't when I make the layout at the end of the month. I think if I had to pick a word for myself it's SIMPLIFY. (and I'm not doing the pick a word for the year either, that again requires some type of project-I'm sure.) You know what they say...it is what it is and I'm starting to learn that's ok!

If you got this far thank you. I just needed to get my inner thoughts down on paper (or the computer screen).
I hope your New Year's is safe and the new 2011 year brings you many good things!