Blog....what blog?

Two weeks ago I visited my family in Southern California.  One of the first things my sister Marta said to me was, "You haven't blogged in seven months?!!".  By now, it's been eight months, but who's counting?  My life since going back to work has been more than a bit hectic.

I haven't given up scrapbooking altogether.  This year, for the first time, I've begun a "Project Life" or "Day in the Life" type of scrapbooking.  I have successfully kept a daily journal, and have managed to complete almost ten weeks of the album.  I will post some pages when I get them photographed.  The book is a pretty cool cross section of life.

Last weekend, upon looking at Shimelle Laine's website, I discovered she was doing a "Best of both world's" challenge weekend.  I was inspired to pull some papers using her August kit as inspiration, and participating in a few of the challenges.  The two layouts I completed were the first traditional pages all year!!  I guess I should be happy I accomplished that much.

Here is a photo of Shimelle's August "Best of both worlds" kit:

I like how she embraced the turquoise and other blues in her kit.  I tried to find similar papers in my stash, and this is what I came up with.  I was able to pull some things that I've been meaning to use, but which have been collecting dust.  This pleased me very much!

I decided to allow myself to use any embellishments I wanted with the papers.  Using up anything I have laying around is an accomplishment, as far as I'm concerned.

Here is the first layout I completed.  The challenge was to use the "flexible template" concept to create a page.  This is Noelle Hyman's version of a free form sketch.  I have to admit to feeling a little rusty, although I'm not unhappy with the results.

The star paper in the background is one piece I especially love by Studio Calico.  I'm very happy to have finally put it to use.

This next layout was completed for Shimelle's challenge to use 3 3X4 cards.  I struggled a bit with this one, and had to redo the card with the journaling.  I also used a bunch of stickers on the upper right corner, so it could work for Shimelle's challenge to use stickers, as well.  Another way I challenged myself was to use the printed background paper by cutting a portion of one of the fish on the background and placing my cardstock behind it.  I also cut one of the fish that was covered completely out, and popped it up on another part of the page. 

I will post some pics of my Project Life as soon as I get them photographed.