Sickness aside..

This week started off a little rocky. I've been depressed on and off these last few days. Being sick really took the wind out of me and I had little left over energy to deal with my emotional side. It's easy to feel venerable and weak when sick. I just about had it by the time Monday night arrived. I was one angry, tired mom. I was ready to collapse from exhaustion and shear sadness. Of course, time has a way of pushing us forward. I weathered the storm and got through it. Now, I'm feelen' ok. Did a few things for myself today and even got a box in the mail from "A Million Little Things". I placed an order last week with them. The waiting game is always a drag, but it's usually worth it. When the box arrived today, I quickly sorted through the product..I wanted to share some of my faves (maybe it will give you an idea of what the product actually looks like vs. having to guess what it looks like online). Right now, I'm really enjoying the hues of Spring, especially the Kelly Green/Turquoise blend with golds and creams. Take a peek:

Dream Street has some shabby sheek papers on the market right now. You can check them out here.  The green polk-a-dot paper with the writing is from their "Enchanted" line. It doesn't look nearly as vibrant online, but it's beautiful in person. Love the combination of elements. The crosshatch is also from that same line.

I did pick up a few American Craft vinyl letter stickers. The colors go well with the latest Spring hues. The font is also adorable...even for the average boy theme layouts (perfect for baby theme layouts):

I've been looking for these labels locally. It's difficult to find Autumn Leaves product in my area, especially the newer stuff. I thought these would go great with my owl paper (no wonder, they're from the same line). Perfect for layering and cutting up:

In an attempt to keep myself preoccupied these last few evenings, I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking. Now, a lot of scrapbooking, at least for me, means finishing more than one layout a week. Laugh. I actually finished  my first layout for Prima. I drew the design on paper before starting the layout. This is not something I do very often. Usually, I take out paper and start cutting without thinking..I'm realizing that I'm losing out on a lot of great ideas by not writing them down on paper. There's so much inspiration out there and it's easy to see something in a magazine and forget about it the next day. I can't even begin to count how many times I've done this. This week, I've started recording ideas and layout sketches. I'm hoping it will help me be more productive and motivate me to finish more layouts. I think this is something many of us struggle with..especially if we're busy people.

I did take a number of close-up shots. One of Prima's products that I've grown to luv is their Fancy Felt Matties. They're a new product from CHA Winter '08. They're 6" x 6" pattern cut-out pieces of felt. They come in packs of three. There are a ton of patterns and colors. They have a sticky back, so no glue required. Just cut, peel, and stick. I used a "cream" color flower pattern piece for this layout. I love the way it "pops" off the page. It gives the layout some extra texture and softens it up a bit. You can use the 6" x 6" piece as one whole piece on a layout, but I like the idea of using small pieces of it here and there. Here's a close-up:

Yep, those would be "felt letters". Prima is releasing their own line of felt letters. Each sheet of letters is 12" x 12". There are a total of 99 letters on each sheet. They'll be available in a variety of colors and should last you awhile. Smile.

"Sunday Paper". The red pattern paper in this image has some great typography on it. It's from Prima's new "Morning Song" pattern paper collection. With this sort of paper, don't feel like you have to use "all of it". Use bits and pieces of it. I've collected a lot of typography paper over the years and I usually treat it like striped paper. Letters always move in a certain direction..pay attention to it and use it as a guide to create movement on your layouts.

A little extra "pop" never hurts. I thought the layout would of been a little flat if I didn't make some of the pieces "pop" from the page. Sometimes, just adding a pop-dot makes all the difference in the world. Laugh.

Comments

[Terry]

Your layout for Prima is amazing! I love how it has lots of detail, but still looks very clean.

[Julie]

I love seeing a new post on your blog.Your layouts are awesome and I love seeing new product more closely.Thanks for inviting us into your life.

[casey boyd]

I am seriously drooling over those new goodies!!! Wish we had an updated style at our lss!

[Carrie D]

Just wanted to say - hang in there! I can't imagine what you're going through, but it'll get better. Plus with spring hopefully around the corner, that will definitely improve spirits, including mine! Will this winter never end? I am loving the Prima and Dream Street pp!!

[Karen K in CA]

Hi there: These layouts are so pretty. Love the black and white image of your kitty, too. Thanks for showing us the detail and dimension with your photos.

Also, hang it there. You are so right that just the passage of time and you get over that hurdle. Do take care.

[Helen]

Nothing like a little shop therapy. I just ordered from them three times this week alone but luckily she was able to pack them together. She added Jennni Bowlin to her stash this week with a bunch of new stuff.

Love this layout of your kitty. She is sweet.

[jill]

Gotta love a happy mail day!

Beautiful layout! Love the colors. Prima has a lot of great new stuff :)

[Christi]

(((hugs))) This layout is so gorgeous...I just love how you show all the details to your layouts. I look at these and immediately want to go create...very inspiring. Thank you for that. smiles....

[Wendy Vecchi]

As always...LOVE your layout!!
Take care!!!!!!!!!
wendy

[Emily (skrpbkmom)]

Hope you have a great day today!!

Love that layout, all the new products are amazing!!

[Irene]

beautiful layout. now.. you make me wanna buy those pp and embellishment.

[heather]

I'm sorry you had a rough week, I am glad that you are feeling better now. A little retail therapy never hurst does it, lol. I adore the layout and your SC gallery is breathtaking!!

[mia]

God morning Christine
Your cat lay out is amazing i so want that red sunday paper....
Thank You so much for posting the name of things you buy and use its so helpful
/mia

[Jacquie]

Your scrapping never ceases to amaze me. You are one of my scrapping heros!

TFS.

Jacquie

[Roxanne]

I hope your spirits have picked up a little, and your feeling better today. Just looking at your gorgeous layout with all those delightfully tempting Prima goodies sure picked up my spirits! Just drooling here at all the CHA goodies, thanks again for some fine inspiration.

[Tiffany]

Hang in there love!!!! Saying a prayer for you today. Love your layouts and loving your goodies! It is always an awesome day when you get fun packages in the mail!

[jane]

must be in the air...I've had a crappy feeling week too! The good thing is that I "pulled up my boot straps" and made a thank you card for my MIL. (she had sent me a very generous gift card to Hobby Lobby for my recovery/get well)
I thought about you soooo much while working on the card. Layering, using the cat eye chalks for all edges of the papers, using two chip board letters with the sticker letters, embellishments too, and using a lot of flair in my hand writing. You really push my envelope..THANKS for all your encouragement.

[Aida Haron]

Zapping you some sunshine from Singapore to brighten up your day. I check at your blog everyday for your los, the freshness of your style inspires me all the time !

[Petra]

and some more sunshine from Florida......lots of it!!!!!
Hope you're feeling much better.((((Hugs))))
as always love your work, thanks for all the detailed information.

[Laila]

When I saw the Autumn Leaves owl/journaling stickers on your blog I HAD to have some, so for the past two hours I've been searching for a shop that has the papers AND the stickers and I finally found a place!!!!!!! (bluemoonscrapbooking) I also want to say that I love your work, you are amazing! Hope you're feeling better!

[Allison Clem]

I love all your new goodies. Could you let me know what those awesome green papers are? Or even all those papers in that first picture? Thanks!

[Karen]

I hope you're feeling better now. As always, thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiration. Take care!