I’m using Tiffany Tilman’s 25 Days of Templates course to do all my layouts, which are 100% digital. I decided a few weeks back to sign up of Tiffany’s template class because I figured I could actually document all of December if I did it digitally. If I tried to do it traditionally, I don’t think I’d make it past day three!

Above is the layout for Day 1 (December 1, 2010). I am doing my album 8 1/2 x 11, which is a different for me. I’m very much a 12 x 12 scrapper. But I thought this particular topic lends itself better to the smaller size.

Journaling reads:

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year is Christmas. I love the smells. I love the sounds. I love the feeling that no matter how bad things might be in my life, for a few weeks, everything is alright. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money, but I have the best memories of Christmas … goes to show you that Christmas doesn’t require a lot of money. It requires heart, soul and dedication to family.

Now that I’m a mama, I’m making my own memories with my own little family. I love to watch the joy my children have for Christmas — every decoration, every present, every story, every cookie — brings them an immeasurable amount of joy.

This year I want Christmas to be more meaningful for my family. I want it to focus on the true meaning of the season. I want to teach my children to share with others; to find ways to give; and to open their hearts to those around them. I want Christmas 2010 to be less about things and more about people and feelings. We don’t need lots of stuff. We need lots of love.

Christmas 2010 I will recapture the season. I will harness the joy my children have for the holiday and share that joy with others and remind myself each day what Christmas is all about.

(supplies used: BrandyBuffington_2ps_Mixtape_Paper_Kraft; SP_HolidayMagic_Tree-Gree SP_HolidayMagic_Tree-Red; SP_HolidayMagic_Tree-Multi; paislee-serendipity-pp1; SP_HolidayMagic_GreenBrad; Tiffany Tilman Template)

Here are a few of my latest creations. What are you working on?

Here are a few new pages I’ve created.

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Go do something great today! Just try … you might surprise yourself.

I’m still working on a few more and hope to have them done soon … it’s so nice to feel productive!

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But, there are some things I have been doing. I am taking a course with Big Picture Classses … Me: The Abridged Version taught by Cathy Zielske. I’m so loving it. It is super heavy on the writing, which is right up my alley. I’m doing my book 100 percent digi, so I’m hoping to finish it up soon and be able to share it. It’s been a great process.

I’m reading “Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The book was Cathy’s inspiration for her Big Picture class and it’s quite inspiring. It’s an easy read and I highly recommend it.   

 I had a bunch of digi layouts (32 to be exact) printed at Persnickety Prints. They are having their semi-annual sale and 12×12 prints are just $1.49. The sale goes through tomorrow, Oct. 4. I can’t wait to get them and slide them into an album!  

Check out some of these adorable layouts from our fab design team … if you’re like me, you’re still working through your September kit and could use a little inspiration!

From Katie Turner:

Amber Zimmerman:

Don’t you just love what Amber did in the layout above?

 She stitched around some of the stars on the patterned paper. So cute. So clever.

The September kits were shipped out last week, so most of you should have recieved yours by now or will very soon. As you’re getting started, here’s a look at what Grace did with the September Main Kit. I always love looking at what Grace does with our kits. She’s amazing. I’m always inspired with her work.

So feast on her amazingness!

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1st day of 1st grade

 
This is the first page I made with the kit. I wanted to mat that notebook paper onto brown cardstock to make it stand out more. I cut out the report card paper to create an uneven border with it. I also used the typed paper from Crate Paper as part of my border and tore the top end of it for added interest.
I loved layering all the stickers that was in the kit. There were so much to choose from. And to make them stand out a little against the background I adhered them with dimensional adhesive.

I wanted something large for part of my title so I cut out some words from one of the Crate Paper pattern papers. To make it stand out more I also adhered them onto one of the Jillibean soup journaling block.

Animal Show

 
I’m into block design lately and this layout shows that. I think it makes it easy to create a clean simple design with it.

Anyways I added my pictures first, then on the black spots, I added papers, journaling block and title.

The journaling block had a sun with a number 2 on there. I really didn’t need that 2 in my layout so I covered it with journaling block and then more stickers.

Preschool

Another block design. I’m digging this style because I can place my pictures first and then just fill the empty spaces.
To break the square feel, I tilted that patter paper strips on the right hand side.

Lots of layering here again with the title against the 4 playing card, the border stickers and papers on top of the journaling block, the flower on top of the jillibean soup circle block and the butterfly with stickers collection.

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To see more photos of Grace’s layouts for September, visit our gallery here.

So here are 4 things I’m currently search for or in need of:

1. Pumpkin costumes

My daughter decided a few weeks back that she wants to be a pumpkin for Halloween. She also decided that her little brother is going to be a pumpkin too. That means I need a pumpkin costume for a 6-year-old and an 18-month-old as well. Anyone know of some cute pumpkin costumes I can get for both of them?

2. A new camera bag.

I have been look for a new camera back ever since I got my new camera. The one I have isn’t big enough and frankly, it’s just not cute enough. I’ve been looking at the goodies from  Epiphanie Bags, as well as Joe Totes. I love both sites and am considering buying the orange bag for Joe Totes (picture above).

3. Cute AND Flattering Leggings.

I have always wanted to wear leggings, but I just don;t have the right body for it. Every year as the weather starts to cool off, I start dreaming of comfy leggings  joining my wardrobe. But I never add them, as I’m certain they won’t work for me. I think this year I’m going to try to break the cycle and get at least one pair of leggings. I want to wear them with some tall, flat boots and a longish sort of top. Any ideas where I can get cute and flattering leggings?

4. Motivation to diet and exercise

I was doing so well for so long … but I’ve fallen off the wagon. I think I’ve gain about 7 pounds in the last 6 weeks and I feel crummy. I’m too scared to get on the scale to see the “real” number, but I just know. I have allowed myself to indulge, indulge and indulge some more … without staying on my exercise plan. Even worse than my pants being tighter, I’m feeling sluggish. I don’t have time to be tired and sickly. I need more energy and pep in my step. Is there a place I can go and buy a cup of motivation? I need it.