It's now four weeks and counting 'til school is done and gone! I'm beyond excited about it and that's mostly because this time of the semester can be a real bear!! It seems most professors prefer to pack in the homework the very last month of any given semester. I've still plenty to do before the four weeks is over including finals, which falls around the week of May 9th. After that, I'm off 'til next September!! It's Crate Paper and Scrapbooking all Summer!! Woohoo, I can hardly wait!!
Ethan and I enjoyed a busy, eventful couple of days this last weekend. We visited the local hotspot, Como Zoo, and mingled with the wildlife housed around and about the park and also, the flower displays located within the zoo's conservatory. Since I tugged along the new camera, I pretty much photographed everything in sight, including this beautiful tulip that was set-up as part of their ongoing Spring Flower Show. While Ethan took to the pond at the show, I took to the flowers. It was extremely refreshing and gratifying to be around flowers again..especially after six long months of Winter! I photographed quite a few of them (probably more than most there) and of those captured, this image is my fave! I love the hints of pollen and bright purple surrounded white center!
Speaking of which, after the visit to Como Zoo, we took straightway to Izzy's Ice Cream so that we could partake in some of the best ice cream in town! We just located the shop a month ago and now we're insatiably hooked on it!! The ice cream is made entirely from scratch at a neighboring building. It's flavor offerings are highly unique and change day to day - I can't get enough of their Salted Carmel ice cream while Ethan adores the cotton candy goodness. If you're in the area and are seeking gourmet, once-of-a-kind ice cream varieties this Summer, you must absolutely check out Izzy's Ice Cream!! It's hand down the best ice cream joint in town (St.Paul/Minnesota)...I'm missing my tub of Salted Carmel tonight, big time!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a completely different topic, I finally caught up on homework yesterday after what seemed a straight two weeks of solid studying and daily stops at the library. So, I devoted today solely to scrapbooking, photography and blogging as a small reward to myself after all that hard work! Laugh. As a result of today's relaxing, leisurely activities, and after numerous online sightings of gorgeous inspiration collage boards at Pinterst, I thought it'd be fun to try one out here. It's not necessarily perfect, but it's color assortment is lively to say the least! My source of inspiration lies above....
So, what do you think? Is this something you'd like to see more of here? The plan is to construct a layout from the items shown in the next couple of days and then post it here alongside two of the above images. Ultimately, I'd like to establish a specialized couple of posts that concentrate solely on an anesthetically pleasing collage of supply items, followed by an eye catching layout. In spreading it out via "two days", the first to showcase would be the collage and then the second would be the layout. So, now, I'm seeking your feedback on this still evolving, brand new idea - make a mention of your thoughts below if you will! I'll have the coinsiding layout from today's collage posted in the next couple of days!
Another way to interpret this feature would be as a kit, but not necessarily one that you'd be buying. You could replicate parts of it using your own supply stash and then go about creating whatever it is you want..I think part of the reason we love "kits" is that it takes the guess work aspect out of the design equation and makes our busy lives semi-easier. My whole thing is though, why do you have to run out and actually buy a kit to work up a project if you already have lots of stuff at home that's just waiting to be utilized?! How about a collage board to look at instead and then using it a means of starting a new project for yourself using those things you already own?! Makes sense, doesn't it? So again, leave me feedback on the idea...inquiring minds want to know!
Going to leave you with a host of kitty pics I captured this am. Them buggers were following me everywhere (like always), so I chased them with my camera near one of the large windows in my dining room (love the window!!). Say "Hello Mr. Handsome!" That'd be Casper..the friendly ghost kitty. :) Actually, he's my sweetest fella of the bunch!
Ms. Macy Grey - blame it on the hair! Remember the famous singer Macy Grey (not sure if that's how you spell her name or not, but it'll suffice for now) - oh ya, I was a huge fan of that woman's hair and my cat totally rocks it! Well, sort of....laugh.
The third in line (um, I have more cats than I care to admit), Peanut - gosh, he's getting so big!! The kitty days are forever gone I suppose, though he's a serious cuddler - always wanting to be picked up, petted and loved. Believe it or not, he was a semi-feral kitten at the time I took him in..who would of thunk it?! :) He almost had me fooled...
Happy Friday to all! I'll return with a brand new layout this weekend (collage) and another further update! :) See you soon! ~ Christine.


