Layout #205

Materials: Patterned Paper & Die-Cuts: Crate Paper; Chipboard, Brads and Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories

Layout #204

Baby Doll by Haley Ross
Materials: Patterned Paper, Cardstock & Chipboard: S.E.I; Ribbon: American Crafts; Sequins Flowers: Queen & Co.; Fabirc Tag: Making Memories; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer; Brad: Making Memories.

Layout #203

1st Day Away by Haley Ross
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper, Overlays & Stickers: Fancy Pants Designs; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer

Layout #202

Molly by Haley Ross
I love this layout. It's so girly. Thanks to Jen for the idea of layering the border strips, it was a lot of work, but worth it.... I don't know that I'd call this 'simple' scrapbooking, but it looks simple enough... I love having a baby girl that lets me get my 'pink on'.
Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Stickers: Making Memories; Flowers: K&Co.; Punches: EK Success; Cricut Cartridge: Storybook; Alphabet Letters: sei.

Layout #201

Irresistable Girl by Haley Ross
I've been doing these blogs posts while cooking dinner, cleaning my disaster of a house & trying to get rid of a headache. I rarely get headaches... I guess I'm just lucky. I think this one is about 99% mental & 1% physical. Why is it after a peaceful day away from the kids, going back seems so hard? I was only away one day & I am really struggling today. I guess it's like Monday's at work, they just suck after the weekend...
The ghost shapes from Heidi Swapp made a real comeback for me this weekend. I used them on 3 different layouts! I came across a couple packages & I am dead-set on using up all my old stash before I hit the store for my retreat...
Materials: Patterned Paper: EK Success; Stickers & Epoxy Embellishments: American Traditional Designs & K&Co.; Ghost Shapes: Heidi Swapp.

Layout #200

Animal Adventure by Haley Ross
200. TWO HUNDRED. 200 Layouts. Unreal. And if I wanted to push it, I could really say 400 scrapbook pages (because all my layouts are doubles...), non? I can't believe I have done 200 pages in 3 years. I am impressed. And although I post almost all of my layouts, I do have a couple dozen that I am so ashamed of, they will never make it to the blog... 200. Yay me.
Materials: Patterned Paper: Imaginisce; Stickers: Doodlebug Designs & October Afternoon; Vellum Quote: K&Co.; Eyelets: We R Memory Keepers; Other: Mesh Drywall Tape.

Layout #199

Traveling Man by Haley Ross
I love this paper line so much. It's not new, I've had it around for a while. It's adorable. I was pretty pumped to use some applique on the right-hand side for dots, they kind of reminded me of clouds, which was fitting. Also, how freakin' adorable is my little guys Lightening McQueen suitcase? He loved pulling it around the airport. So fun. It was a last minute Christmas gift I got at The Disney Store (love!) last year... and we've gotten SO much use out of it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a cute pully for Molly.
Materials: Patterned Paper: TPC; Chipboard: Scenic Route; Ghost Shapes: Heidi Swapp; Letters: October Afternoon & Thickers by American Crafts.

Layout #198

Wooms by Haley Ross
This is my favourite layout from yesterday. I love it. I think I just love how happy Miles was to have discovered the worms "Wooms". I was also pretty pumped to use up some old alphabet stickers & find this paper that went so well... This is the epitome of SIMPLE Scrapbooking. There is about $10 worth of supplies & it is so easy. I just want to mention one more time how much I love the BoBunny Flex ruler which I used to make the wavy lives. Love it.
Materials: Patterned Paper & Die-Cut Words: Paper Loft; Alphabet Stickers: Rusty Pickle & Pebbles Inc.; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Layout #197

Hopaluks by Haley Ross
I can't believe this is layout #197. Insane. I might even meet my goal for the year (which would mean I have posted 250 layouts)! Having lowered expectations is fabulous for your ego! Only 53 more to go.... we'll see...
Materials: Patterned Paper, Stickers & Canvas Tags: Basic Grey; Brads: K&Co.; Rub-Ons: October Afternoon

Layout #196

Just Chill by Haley Ross
Someone who was looking at this layout said to me 'Good for you for not going with the Red'. I was high on that compliment for at least an hour :)
The thing is, I tried. I have been looking for red autumn paper for this layout since last fall. And finally I decided to give up. I am happy with this. Actually, I love it. The cute paper helps.
Materials: Patterned Paper: Sweetwater; Cardstock: Close To My Heart; Buttons: Basic Grey; Brads: Creative Impressions; Rub-Ons; Autumn Leaves; Pen: EK Sucess Zig Writer.

Layout #195

Goofy Miles by Haley Ross
Well, yesterday was the much anticipated (well, for me anyhow) Crop Till You Drop. I had a super productive day! This is the first layout I did... it took a long time to get "into" it... but once I did I was on a roll. It was also nice to see everyone again. Since I closed the store I have rarely spoken with any of the old regulars. It was good to see Jen & Jen (hahah!), Rhonda, Carol, TerryLynn & Martha. Everyone really...
'Scrapbook Season' has officially begun. I am so looking forward to the next crop (A retreat to Coleman!)
Materials: Patterned Paper: TPC and Scenic Route; Cardstock: Close To My Heart & Bazzill Basics; Chipboard & Vellum Blocks: Colorbok; Brads: Rusty Pickle; Stickers: Colorbok & Scrapworks; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Good Reads

I can't really tell you how I choose a book. I guess sometimes they come highly recommended (It seems everyone had read Freakonomics...). Sometimes I see them in a magazine (Real Simple has a no-obligation book club in each issue). I always read our book club book, until book club fell apart that is... And sometimes, sometimes the title or book jacket just grabs me (Such was the case with The History of Tractors in Ukrainian.) But lately I seem to have found a sure-fire way to ensure I will be engrossed in a book... read what you love. I love Jazz, so naturally when I discovered On The Road (pictured above) I was thrilled. I get a 'feeling' when I listen to Jazz music. It just does something to me. And nothing is better than live Jazz. Nothing. Not even chocolate. I can barely contain myself. I bop my head & patter my fingers on the bar... It's probably embarrassing for Brian... So when I read about the beat shows in dives across America & the intense experiences the characters take away, I GOT it. And I loved it. I also spent time on iTunes looking up songs of musicians I was reading about. It was a great novel, a stirring read & a great education in Jazz music. I just finished it.... and this is my official recommendation.

Read what you love. Seems obvious. Authors write what they know. And it works! I love Vueve Cliquot. Love it. And I love Champagne. So the history of one of the worlds most established champagne houses was thrilling for me. If someone even mentions champagne, I bubble at the chance to dazzle them with my knowledge (pardon the pun). I was mentioning the book at Wine Club when the Sommeliers there recommended I read The Billionaires Vinegar. And so I've thrown myself into it. And I love it. LOVE IT. Because I love wine.

Read what you love. Lately, it's worked for me. And if you aren't a 'reader' trying to find joy in a sad novel (I refuse to read 99% of Oprah's book club book. Although I am sure they're great, I prefer non-fiction) or a challenging classic (Pride & Prejudice is superb.) will leave you frustrated. I subscribe to three magazines: Real Simple (Best ever!), Scrapbooks Etc. and Wine Access. I wouldn't subscribe to Dog Fancy or Details. Makes sense.

I'm always looking for ways to spend my $ at Indigo... so write your best reads in my comment section... I'd love to discover something wonderful.