Stuff

I did some house cleaning over the weekend. Eric and I collected a lot of "stuff" over the years. If you ask anyone that's been in my home, they'll tell you that I have a lot of stuff just sitting around and taking up space. For instance, my basement (which is huge), is full of boxes. My sisters often ask me, "why all the boxes?" Well, it's old stuff from our old apartment. I can't part with it just yet. Laugh. I say this even though we're running out of storage space at this very moment. Every nook and cranny in my home is full of "stuff". It's stuff I don't need and shouldn't want. I'm just too lazy to move it. I did find a little bit of inspiration this weekend though. Our entertainment center was brimmen' with stuff that either needed to be thrown away or brought downstairs. I found ancient old electronic manuals (for the tv and retired vcr), cords, switches, written notes, photos, and a bunch of other misc. things we haven't needed for years. I let go of most of it. I also found Eric's chess items inside the entertainment unit. It was a difficult choice to move them from their place, but I felt the items needed to be preserved and stored in a safe place away from the dust and mess. I let Ethan spend some time with one of daddy's chess boards before storing it away..that would be the little guy and the board above in the photos. It was a really special moment for me. Ethan instantly glued himself to daddy's board. He loved it. The second he saw it on the floor, he went running for it. I immediately took out the camera and caught a few shots. Definitely scrapbooking this event. I wrapped all of Eric's chess items and put them in a box. I brought the box downstairs and set it on top of all the others. Another box in the basement, but unlike the rest of the boxes, it's not just "stuff". It's a piece of Eric's life that has profound meaning to me and soon, Ethan.

I've been battling an awful cold these last three days. It takes a lot to knock me off my feet and this virus did a pretty good job of it. I still sought out some scrap time for myself. I finished this layout last night. After completing it, I realized it looks a lot like the recent layout I posted here last week. An immediate sign that I wasn't feelen' like my ol'self. Oh well, why reinvent the wheel if you don't have to? Take a peek at the re-run layout:

No special techniques to share with this one. Just a lot of little bits and pieces here and there. I will say though that I love some of the textured papers that have been coming out these last few months. This blue paper is by Making Memories. The red flowers are soft and fuzzy. The only downside to using this type of product is trying to get things to stick to it's surface. The photo on this layout is already coming up a little bit. Gonna have to come up with a creative way to get it to stay attached to the paper. Other than that, I'm really liken' the texture and appearance of the paper. It's adorable.

Comments

[casey boyd]

OK, so those pictures instantly melted my heart! Those will be precious to scrapbook and Ethan will not only love those preserved memories of it but the chess items as well...very special.
Love that layout, I am really gravitating toward red and blue combos right now, your creation is very striking.

[My Semblance of Sanity]

Think about you often!
Hope you are well. Glad to peek in on you today!

[La Verne Boese]

I love this layout Christine. I saw that paper in Michaels. I think I have to go back and get it now. You also gave me an idea for one of my pages. I'm still new to scrapabooking so I love getting inspiration from you. Thanks!

[mia]

Hope you soon feel better...
I to collect to much stuff but i am trying to not any longer so it wont get more in my basment at least but to deal with whats already down there is no fun at all,, someone said if you have not open a box in 5 yrs its surely nothing you would miss just throw it... but i cant.
mia

[Laura Carter]

cute cute photos :) he's such a sweetie. isn't amazing how quickly things accumulate? all the paperwork of our busy lives, all the little things we think we need and then loose in the shuffle.... especially for those of us that have super sentimental hearts. :) sounds like you are already start to weed through and save the important things that you and Ethan will treasure - good for you. This must be so hard.
Feel better soon - that virus thing that's going around is one nasty germ! :(
Thanks for sharing your layout - you always inspire me. I've really tried harder to layer thanks to your inspiration :)
Be well. Hugs - Laura

[Linda]

I love the photos beautiful shots and priceless to scrap. this lo may be like another one, but it is still beautiful and filled with promise. Thanks for the great share.

[Julia S]

Hope you're feeling better! It's so going around and just zaps you! The layout is amazing..hope to see you around Pink Paislee!

[Tiffany]

Your little man is so adorable. Loving him! I hope you are feeling better. I had the same virus last week and my dd has it right now. Not fun!

And you made me laugh when you said your layout was similar to another one. You should see my layouts...I rarely reinvent the wheel! I don't do change very well! *smile* Your layout is STILL fantastic!

Have a great week!!

[veronica]

Hi Christine

Stopping by (well I stop by daily) but just wanted to say hi. If the photo is a copy...staple it. ;) Just a suggestion. :)

[Angela Magnuson]

I was googling Unity Stamp, finding out the buzz...came across your website. My heart is touched and I am inspired. Your creativity is amazing and your spirit is even more amazing. Your strength and desire for life, art and love will send me to bed this evening with a sense of peace. Thank you for sharing your heart, your life, your talent, your story. It is all so beautiful. My your memories bring you comfort, may your strength be your inspiration and may your little ones BIG BROWN EYS bring you joy.

[Angela Magnuson]

I meant EYES.....he is so sweet!

[Karin]

I think that often a scrapbooker is someone who saves lots of stuff! It makes sense that someone who is preserving memories likes to keep stuff because of its sentimental value, right? I have been getting better by making myself get rid of stuff every once in a while- giving it to ARC or the Salvation Army. It feels really good to get rid of things! Also, what you did is a perfect way you can let yourself go of some things. Document the stuff that matters in photos and scrapbook pages! :-)

[Sarah]

Lovely pages! Hope you're feeling better...
~Sarah

[jacki janse van rensburg]

have you managed to scrap eric yet? i still find that after 6 years i still need to be in the right place to scrap my late husband. i wanted to say something, then someone else said it first: take photos of all the sentimental 'stuff', and then give/throw/sell them away.