Memory Works Blog Hop

Hello Hello. Happy Memorial Day Weekend and special shout out to all of our past and current troops. In honor of memorial day activities, Memory Works is sponsoring a BACKYARD BLOG HOP from Friday, May 28th through Monday, May 31st. Check out the site and if you are interested in any Memory Works products, just send me an email. As a consultant, I can get you great products at great prices. Check out the Simple Stories line for a great new way to really get your scrapbooking stories told. If you have come to me first, click here to start the hop in the proper order. Otherwise, don't forget to leave a comment. Here's my layout interpretation of the theme.

(What did I use? Almost everything on this layout is from the Simple Stories Starter Kit: 12x12 solid paper, letters, journaling cards, patterned strips. The Bingo card and circle B and G and from K & Company. The blue patterned square in the bottom middle is from Stampin Up. he butterfly and firefly stamps are from Creek Bank and the chip board embellishments are form Three Birds. )

Please leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a Simple Stories starter kit so you can start telling your simple stories too. Believe me, you'll love it.

Sue - START HERE

Jenn

Lisa

Mariah

Maryann

Luisa

Wendy

Sarah

Tanya

Amanda

Liz

Lynn

Shelley

ROSANN... YOU ARE HERE

Rhonda - last but not least - go here next.

Scrapbook Expo

Exciting times. I attended the Scrapbook Expo in Somerset, NJ this past weekend and it was really great. I took 3 classes and probably could have done without 1 of them. But I absolutely loved Hey Cupcake and Artist Trading Cards. They were so unique and creative and I was so inspired by the classes.

Artist Trading Cards from Green Materials

Hey Cupcake...Cupcake gift card holder

I told myself I would buy NO PAPER. And I stuck to it. I did however find that there were a lot of "dollar stores." Those areas were usually bombarded but they were well worth it. I got lots of bling. What I really attended the expo for, aside from the classes, was for vintage ideas and mini books. This is my focus for the rest of the year. I love my layouts and will continue to do them. I am currently doing Layout a Day (LOAD) and love it. But mini books and mini albums is where it's at for me right now and the ideas are just pouring out. Some of the better companies for the vintage look are Tim Holtz, 7 Gypsies, and Graphic 45.

To add to the excitement of my vintage goodies, I received Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities in the mail. It was 77 pages of vintage goodness - techniques, how to's and ideas that really caught my eye....so much so that I had to try some of the techniques.

Memory Works Blog Hop

For some reason the blog hop format really appeals to me and I can't wait for the Backyard Blog Hop hosted by Memory Works. I recently became a consultant more for the purposes of feeding my habit. If more comes out of it, then great. Another venture i am embarking on this summer is custom scrapbooking design. The summer will be pretty light for me (fingers crossed) and I thought it would be a good time to try it out.

Again, if something comes of it, great. If not, I will continue to enjoy my hobby nonetheless. The biggest investment has been an order of some business cards and note paper, not much at all. Let's see how it goes.

BLOG HOP WINNER

Thank you to all of you who participated in my first ever blog hop. If you liked this one, well stay tuned. I am participating in another hop from Memory Works starting May 28th and running through the Memorial Day Weekend so I hope you'll join me for that.

Now on to the important business. Congratulations to #1 Auntie who won the random drawing for a LUSH mini album and papers from My Mind's Eye and Unleashing the Creative Child within You by Creativity Prompt. Please send me your mailing address and email address so that we can get your prizes to you promptly.

National Scrapbooking Day BLOG HOP

Welcome fellow scrappers. To commemorate National Scrapbooking Day on May 1st some fellow bloggers and I are running a blog hop to engage you in the creative process and of course to give away some great prizes.

Wanna play? GREAT. Visit the following blogs, in order, to view our creative layouts. The theme is CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP. Create a layout (all paper, all digital, or hybrid) about a trip to anywhere in the 50 United States. Check out my fellow bloggers' creations and you'll get a surprise half way through the hop. In addition, some bloggers will run their own separate drawings on each of their blogs, so don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into their drawings.

Once you've visited all the blogs, create your own layout and come back here to BrooklynGirlNextDoor.blogspot.com to post your layout. The last day for layouts is May 15th at 11:59pm. OH and don't forget to leave a comment now before you leave to be entered in a separate drawing.

Some of the prizes include My Mind's Eye LUSH minibook with papers, Unleashing The Creative Child Within You by Avital of Creativity Prompt, a cricut cartridge, bo bunny mini book and much much more.

My sample layout is based on Lain Ehmann's 5 things blog. I was on a business trip to Chicago in March where my hubby met up with me for the weekend once the conference was over. We had a nice time and I hope that came through in the layout. The title is "5 things I really liked about CHICAGO."

The Journaling reads "Favorite Things: 1. My Bed and Breakfast; 2. Watching Alice in Wonderland in 3D at the Navy Pier Imax Theater; 3. The Sky Deck; 4. The National Museum of Mexican Art; 5. Meeting Sr. Helen Prejean (of "Dead Man Walking" fame)."

So again, welcome to the fun and let's get started. Now that you have the theme, hop on over to

http://www.2worldswings.blogspot.com/.

Blog Hop Order

1. Brooklyngirlnextdoor.blogspot.com

2. 2worldswings.blogspot.com

3. www.createscrapbooks.com

4. www.lovejoyscrap.blogspot.com (instructional video)

5. www.sharon-glimpses.blogspot.com

6. www.landerson.typepad.com

7. www.karenscorneroftheweb.blogspot.com

8. www.creativityprompt.com

9. Post your layout over at

brooklyngirlnextdoor.blogspot.com

Getting Ready for National Scrapbooking Day - May 1

National Scrapbooking Day is only a few days away and there is so much going on I don't even know where to begin. I was originally heading out of town but due to work obligations that plan has been shot. So instead I'll be able to join in on National Scrapbooking Day events in my area.

Of course there are 3 crops I have to choose from. But I made my decision because of its proximity to a non-scrap obligation I have mid-day. There's also the launch of the blog hop I'm putting together. Then there is the May LOAD - layout a day which also starts May 1. So much to do so little time. I'll be focusing my first week of May layouts on my Week in the Life project. May 1 here I come!

Week in the Life and LUSH slideshow

It's been a busy week between work, home, the commute and a few side projects I have got going on. But I committed to Ali Edwards' Week in the Life project. I got off to a slow start but by Thursday and Friday, the documentation and photo taking was well under way.

I attended my boss's retirement party on Friday and I gave her a scrapbook of snippets of her 38 years on the job....yes the same job for 38 years. A title change here and there but 38 years none the less. She left quite the legacy and quite the mark and it will be a really challenge (good and bad) to adjust when she leaves. In any case, I finally got the opportunity to use the LUSH kit from My Mind's Eye. I outdid myself if I do say so myself.

Preparing for A Week in the Life

I am really looking forward to probing into a week of my life (see aliedwards.com). I did this project with Ali Edwards once before as part of the Yesterday/Today class on Big Picture Scrapbooking. I have to say it was one of the hardest assignments. I have a long commute each way. I often sit in meetings or at my computer. I have to get a 2 year old ready for daycare and the commute in the morning and for bed and the next day in the evening. I am lucky enough that my husband does much of the cooking so that task is out. So what's there to document? Well now that I have my beautiful SLR and have had some time pass since the Yesterday/Today class, I think I am ready to really embrace this project next week. I have also subscribed to Ali's little word of the year philosophy, which for me is REFLECTION. Reflection, I have learned, does not always have to be retrospective. I can reflect daily. I can reflect in the moment about what I did a minute ago or what I am about to do in an hour.

On today's blog post, Ali Edwards has organizing expert Aby Garvey discussing how to organize and prepare for next week's "A Week in the Life." I have REFLECTED on that article and I think I have come up with some of my responses to her questions in the post.

Why am I participating in this challenge?
Well for one, I have found a lot of joy in scrapbooking and what these projects really mean for the individual doing them. REFLECTION is truly my main motivation. My little word.

What will my finished product be?
I haven't fully decided, but I have been watching Noell Hyman's Paperclipping Live the past two weeks and I really like her idea of creating seven 6x12 folders that can be hole punched and inserted into a general album. The pockets will hold any memorabilia for the week and perhaps I will glue down some photos on the other side. It's simple, integrative and easy to store once I am finished.

When will I fit this project into my life?
I already have. Last night I spent time making some of the 6x12 folders I lifted from Noell. Slipping things into the folders is easy and instant. In addition, I have signed up for Lain Ehmann's Layout A Day challenge in May, which will allow me to scrap some of my Week in the Life as part of the daily challenges and possibly include the folders I created into those layouts. I've been reading Ali's blog daily to prepare and have now read and reflected on Aby's blog post. The challenge for me will be getting organized, but I think a simple $1 note pad from Michael's to jot down the "whatevers" of my day, will do the trick.

I highly encourage this excercise. I think it is really important for us as women to really think about our lives meaningfully, especially as mothers, wives, daughters, employees, employers, etc. When I was single, I thought about my life and myself everyday. I had no issue with the ME and taking care of ME- shopping, partying, traveling, spa days - the works. That has changed significantly with the addition of a husband, a son and a dog and oh yea a commute. So if you are unsure whether or not to try this out, I say go for it. Can't commit to a week? Do one day a week for a month. Or just try one day per month. You'll really love it. Happy reflecting!

Blog Hop Prizes

The Blog Hop is coming along and we are preparing to get our pages updated and ready. So far there are 3 prizes that will be available at the various blogs. So make sure you check them all so that you can be entered to win.

My Mind's Eye Lush minibook and paper
Ebook - Unleashing the Creative Child within You
Cricut Cartridge

Keep stopping by for updates.

Upcoming Blog Hop

I know there are a ton of things happening on May 1st for National Scrapbooking Month, so what's one more? A few bloggers and I from around the country are hosting a BLOG HOP from May 1st to May 15th. Stay tuned for more info...Hint: Road Trip Anyone?

Come on back on May 1st to start hopping.

Favorite Photos

I take every opportunity I can these days to play with my new SLR.

Here are some of my favorite photos as of late.

Shutter Sisters One Word Project

One of the things that has really gotten me so hooked on crafting, scrapping in particular, is that I have always had a passion for photography. Scrapping let's me hone into that passion and learn more about the art of photo taking. ShutterSisters.com has a One Word Project each month. This month's word is HOLD. Here's my interpretation at right. My two guys, Ethan and Ron on Easter Sunday, are sharing a moment in Prospect Park. It was a beautiful day. I was lucky enough to capture this special moment between father and son.

My photography skills are ok but every once and a while I will get a good one, no, a great one. HOLD. PEACE. LOVE. FAMILY. EASTER. CALM. NATURE. PARENT. CHILD. CARING. TRANQUILITY. FATHER. SON. MOMENT. LIFE. BEAUTY.

Easter and Spring

For me, Easter is the real beginning of spring, just as Memorial Weekend starts the summer season and Labor Day ends it. March and April are tricky months. You just never know what you are going to get when it comes to the weather. For 2010, Easter weekend was absolutely beautiful from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Though I didn't quite get to do all I set out to accomplish, we did enjoy a beautiful day at Prospect Park on Easter Sunday and a short drive around town on Easter Saturday.

Amazingly, I did none of the driving. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I spend my days in endless commuting Monday through Friday. And I don't sit still on the weekends. This weekend, hubby came through and grabbed the reigns. It gave me an opportunity to take out the SLR and really look at Brooklyn in all its glory, diversity, history and well not so glorious areas.

I created a very amateur photo essay of sorts called "This is Brooklyn."

Loving this Hobby

I can't believe how much joy and satisfaction I get out of this hobby. I am participating in challenges, attending crops left and right and even finding ways to include my 2 year old without having him damage some of my tools. This week, I created what is now one of my favorite layouts and entering into 2 challenges. Once Upon a Time (at left) is about my parents. This is a photo of their wedding day on June 27, 1970. The small photo is from my dad's retirement party in 2009. This June they will celebrate their 40th anniversary. I hope to be so lucky. I have 2 years down....38 to go :)

In this layout, I made my own paper using a mask, misting spray and distressing ink. I even used a little crackle paint on the tag and patterned paper. It was a lot of fun creating this layout. Check out more challenges and scrapping ideas at paperclipping.com and timelessdaydreams.com.

Scrapaway Weekend

Who knew?!? A weekend filled with ONLY scrapping? Well I went to my first ever scrapbook weekend in upstate NY and it was so much fun. The creativity flowing through everyone was so inspiring. Getting to know various women (and one man) from all over New York was a great experience. Everyone is just so different in fabulous ways. From a master puppeteer, to a Starbucks addict to someone who got engaged outside St. Patrick's Cathedral, the diversity of the people at the event was so awesome. It didn't hurt that we were in the Catskills looking down on the beautiful Hudson Valley. I can imagine how gorgeous that area must be during the fall when the leaves are changing color or in the summer when everything is in bloom or even the winter when the fresh snow falls - though it would be killer to drive up there during snow - and that hairpin turn!

I have to give a fat shout out and thank you to Tracey Kuzemczak of ukemamadesigns for putting all of this together and staying awake and patient with all of us. She brought ALL of her stuff so we wouldn't have to. I must also shout out and thank Ms. Karina, her p

artner in scrapbooking crime. The ideas were just flowing out of her and she helped me create my best layout of the weekend.

Individual Shout Outs:Jen -I LOVED the make and take.Crystal - You really need to publish a book of your cards and a how to section. You do beautiful work.

Deb - Your daughter is a lucky lady. Those wedding invitations are absolutely gorgeous.
Ellie - Thanks for letting me raid your stash of embossing powder. I promise to be better prepared next time.
Lesia and Anna - I'll take Ukranian History lessons from you ladies any day. I learned so much from you and I am grateful to know more about other cultures.

Christine, Kathleen and Sue - I want to sit next to you ladies again next time. I love all of the random thoughts that spewed (spelling?) out of Sue. And Christine and

Kathleen, you are what all mothers and daughters should be to one another.

Danielle - Can you bring Rice Krispies next time :) LOLDenise - You do a great boom boom pow.

Lisa - Thank you, Thank you for remembering me and my request for the Choo Choo stamp set. It was my best layout.

Jeannine - I'll expect you to be a cricut expert at the next crop and I LOVED the fireman layout. Loved it.

I'm sorry if I left you out. It just means that I'll be looking forward to getting to know you better at the next event. Be afraid. Be very afraid. :) You are all an inspirational group of women (and man) and I look forward to getting creative with you all in the future.

Latest Layouts: Elle's Studio Challenge to get 9 photos on a one-page layout

Latest Layouts: Challenge Entry for TimelessDaydreams.com March Madness Offense Challenge

Chicago Chicago Chicago Part III

When I visited Chicago a couple of weeks ago I found a great scrapbook shop called Windy City Scrapbooking. I was so impressed by the look, design and SIZE of the store I left there wishing I could quit my job and open up a store front somewhere in NYC. If you go to Chicago, definitely check it out. It's located in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago not far from DePaul University. I can't believe I only spnt $50 in there.

Chicago Chicago Part II

Reflection was the last thing I thought I would do in Chi-town. But this trip proved to be quite a learning experience professionally and personally. When I visit a place, the first thing I look for are museums and cultural events that will allow me to learn more about my new surroundings. The weather was too dreary for an architecture tour or a trip on the waters of the river. But those photos ops will be there next time. I visited the DuSable Museum, but absolutely no photography was allowed anywhere in the museum. So that inspiration remains in my heart and mind. The National Museum of Mexican History however proved to be small, but a gem. And it was free admission. Quite the find.

The pre-Colombian collection was not so impressive, but it was a good educational foundation for those who don't know anything about Mexican history, which I suppose is the point. And to be fair I recently visited Chichen Itza in the Yucatan and it doesn't seem that anything will ever compare.

One of thes special exhibits however is one that I know very well as a historian of Latin America and Latinas in the US. Rastros Cronicas: Women of Juarez is an exhibit chronicling the crimes against women in the factory town on the border of Mexico and the US. Here I was allowed to take as many photos as I wanted. I was truly inspired by the artists' interpretations. Flash wasn't allowed, but I got some good shots. This is a collage of the photos of that exhibit created in Picasa.

Chicago Part I

So I spent the entire week in Chicago last week, 75% business and 25% pleasure. My conference was awesome and my little word - REFLECTION - kept following me around. In my profession, we deal with young people every day asking them to REFLECT about their actions and think hard about the choices they make. I learned about some wonderful theories and techniques for helping students reach their greatest potential. God knows I've made a ton of mistakes and would love others to learn from them instead of repeat them. I shared best practices with people in my position around the country. And most compelling, was one of the week's keynote speakers. I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Sr. Helen Prejean, the woman who is the subject of the film "Dead Man Walking," that starred Sean Penn and won Susan Sarandon and Oscar for best actress. Sr. Helen was truly inspiring. No matter what you may feel about the death penalty, she certainly makes you think about what it represents, how it is used, who is most affected by it and how to stop the death of innocents, which by the way is the title of her second book. I know this isn't the most scrap-tabulous conversation but I find myself inspired by another blogger, Pinky, whose blog is Dirty Scraps. Her banner reads, "Life is dirty. It's ok to scrap life as it is, as it was, as you see it. Be a dirty girl. Scrap the dirt!!! Some time reflection is dirty.