My Fav's

I applied to a design team...and didn't make it. These photos are what I sent...some of my favorite work. Not making it was a pretty big bummer for me. It's a blow to think that you're work is not good enough. I used to live and breath this industry-knowing randomly which lines belong to which company. Since moving it has been a little harder, and with building our house I stopped scrapping for a long time. I am back in it now for new reasons and it has been so much more refreshing. I have been putting myself out there more, and trying to better my talents because I want to-instead of for a job. In doing so I have been really trying to push myself and I feel like I am trying new things and growing in this craft. However, not making the team was rough...and I was thinking today and realized that it doesn't matter. I craft for me-as a release and for fun, so why should I need validation that what I do is good enough for other people. This is my selfish hobby-something I do just for me, and other people's opinions isn't going to change that. Even if I am not their kind of good-I am my kind of good, and I think I prefer that. In posting this I hope that others will realize that it doesn't matter if you think you do or don't measure up-it's the creating that matters, and how that makes you feel. It's not the finish line that matters...it's the steps that it takes you to get there. So with that, know that both you and I are good enough and CRAFT ON!

It's Gonna Be An 'Ella'-of A Party

Ella is turning one! Join me and all the Ella friends for a birthday party for the whole month of September! Every Monday in September, they'll give away fun prizes that include:

~A "Birthday Party in a Box" (four different parties for four different winners!)

~A $25 gift certificate to Shutterfly.com (one each week)

~A $25 gift certificate to Scrapbook.com (one each week)

~FREE eBooks from ellapublishing.com

This is gonna be a good one...trust me, you won't want to miss it!

Ella

Check out my Ella post for the month...I actually scrapped for once! I was a super quick page, but it was a good start to get back in to the swing of things! Hope you all are having a great summer and are almost ready for our upcoming swap!! Don't forget that my mom is coming to see me so you will have to have them to her by the 2nd if you don't want to ship them. Thanks ladies!!

Hey Swappers

Hey ladies....i just wanted to check in with a couple updates:
First: join me for a challenge at Ella
Second: we're missing some layouts from last month so if you received any extra (please everyone look again) let me know so we can get them to their rightful home. Thanks!
Third: I will be seeing my mom over Labor Day weekend so if you don't want to pay for shipping get them to her by then. (that includes your extra kit if you signed up and have it ready)
Fourth: we had a couple mix ups this month so to be fair to everyone from now on you will only receive your kits once your kits have been received. Thanks for being understanding about this.
Fifth: please write on the kit who it is to and who it is from so we can avoid another mix-up.
Sixth: make sure you check what is up next and make sure you have signed up:
*****1) Back to School
*****2) Fall
*****3) Thanksgiving/Halloween
*****4) Family
***The same guidelines from all the past kits apply
Sixth: you all have been doing a great job so keep up the hard work!!

Jazzed Up

I bought this baby outfit on sale a while back and decided to jazz it up to give it to a friends who was expecting a baby girl. I took scrap fabric pieces and twisted them while rolling them into a wheel to make the roses. It was super easy and turned out super cute and original...and don't tell anyone-but it was cheap with a boutique look! I also made her a headband to match (thanks Amber for the suggestion).

Ella Love

Hey scrappin' ladies, check out my blog post over at Ella...jump on the love wagon and submit! You might just be my new love!

Extra Layout Swap

Okay ladies, the same rules apply but you can do any theme you want. We will have a total of 8 swappers so have fun with it...since you won't have to make as many. When they are all sent out we will have a private vote via e-mail to me on who's layout you found most inspiring and they will receive a prize from me (I am excluded in this). Thanks for taking the challenge ladies.
Extra Swap Participants:
Liz
Amber Hoskins
DeDe
Sheena
Aislinn
Kira
Jerrica
Stephanie
Happy Scrappin!