Monday, March 30, 2009

It Would Be Monday Again

Funny how that happens. Mondays seem to come all too quickly. Not that I'm complaining. I actually don't mind Mondays. That is as long as they are nice to me. When they decide to behave in true "Monday like" fashion and create drama for me all day long...well, then I don't like them so much. And given that my boss returns from a week long vacation today, I'm expecting a bit of office stress. He will want to be apprised of all the happenings during his absence. I can't actually say,

"Well, you see, I spent the entire week catching up with my favorite blog friends and otherwise surfing the net in search of some scrapping inspiration because as of late, my scrappy mojo is avoiding me. Since you weren't here to keep me on task, I decided to take a mini-vacation into crafting cyber-space."

I'm thinking that would be the wrong response to his anticipated questions. Honestly,I worked like a mad woman and completed many projects while he was away and I plan to support my image of a very dutiful and competent employee and rush to him with the results as soon as he walks in the door. Maybe, if I'm really lucky, he be his usual self and not even care to ask.

Several posts back I did a give away with this Close To My Heart kit.




Random.org chose Jocelyn as the recipient. She and I have discussed challenging each other to help us think outside our usual scrapping box. Since we both owned the kit, we thought what better way to start our challenges than with these products. We were to complete a layout and a card.

Before I reveal my creations, let me state, with emphasis, that I wasn't kidding when I said I've lost my scrapping mojo. I attended a crop Friday night with some old friends and I walked away with nothing other than an addition to my laugh lines. I had a great time socially, but the creative juices just were not flowing. And obviously, my photography skills are on hiatus as well. These photos are quite crappy. I couldn't take these this morning when we had ample sunshine, I had to wait until this afternoon when we had overcast skies. See, even my timing is off. Ehhh. What's a girl gonna do.





Even though this isn't one of my favorite layouts design-wise, I LOVE the pictures. My grandmother (on the right) suffered from dementia the last few years she was alive. She had always been such a spunky lady and it was extremely hard to watch the loss of her mental faculties eat away at her existence. But something about my cousin (actually my dad's first cousin), Aileene, seemed to bring her back into this reality if only for a few moments. This picture was taken at one of the last family reunions she was able to attend. Watching my grandmother's show of affection for Aileene was such a sweet moment. I'm so glad I was able to capture it on film.



Creating this card was the real challenge for me. I never ever make cards. Don't know why. I have the requisite basket of scraps and any other supply known to man, but I just don't go there. I admit it was fun playing on a smaller playground. I think I will have to try this again soon. One thing, though, it took me forever to create this. I will blame it in part on my creative block as well as the fact that the smaller format kind of threw me off. Hopefully next time it won't take me as long to make the transition.

I'm so excited to see what Jocelyn created. You can see her take on this challenge HERE. Be sure to give her a little blog love today. We all can use some TLC on Mondays!

That's all I've got for now. Here's hoping your Monday treats you well and as always, thanks for making my day by sharing a little bit of it.

16 comments:

  1. Oh Lisa, LOVEEEEEE what you did!!!!! The LO is just perfect and you rocked the card!!!!! It was so wonderful speaking with you last night!!!! I am so glad that we found one another and I can't wait to set up a time to come and visit. Quiet will do this soul wonders!!!!! I can't wait to do our next challenge, you got me inspired!!!! Have a wonderful Monday, sweet friend!!!

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  2. This looks great Lisa. Love what you have done. Of to see what Missy J has done.

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  3. If making a lovely page and card is losing your scrap mojo, I need to lose mine fast.
    I have yet to ever make a card and I have a drawer full of scraps :(
    And I triple-dog-dare you to say that to your boss! LOL!

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  4. Such a neat challenge! Also, the page is lovely and you card is just beautiful!!! I always struggle w/ cards as well, but I really love that card of yours!

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  5. I am so sorry you have lost your mojo. I hope you find it soon.
    I have a hard time with cards also but I love what you did!

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  6. That's soo cool that the two of you challenged each other. Too much fun! And I LOVE your card it turned out fantastic! And your layout is great as well... love the photos and the colors of the papers and the detail.
    Happy Monday to you! They are NOT my favorite of days. LOL! But oh well, they come and go.
    Good luck with the boss!

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  7. I had lost my mojo but found some this weekend, hope it sticks around! Your layouts are great.
    My grandmother suffered from dementia before she passed away, it was so sad.

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  8. i love the layout and the card. what wonderful photos. how fun to challenge each other like that and so funny you and Jocelyn used the same theme.
    what name did you come up with for your treadmill?
    i'm glad you're feeling better.
    Sandra

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  9. LOL re: your boss and what you'd say to him .... that really made me laugh!! I LOVE the card - you should make MORE girl!!! Very nice!

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  10. Hi Lisa! Thanks for visiting my blog. My overall impression of the south was very positive. I love the laid back way, the wonderful people, the great food, the spring climate (although I hear the summer is quite a bit muggier and hotter).

    My grandma suffered from alzheimers for years before she passed. So sad to see them lose the luster we've come to know and love. Not a day goes by when I don't think about her and smile. :)

    Happy Monday.

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  11. Thank you SO much for your sweet comment.

    You always leave me with a smile after reeding your post! ;) I think the layout looks great, and if you just keep on doing it, then I'm sure the inspiration will come back :D

    Good luck with work today! ;)
    Johanna

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  12. I just love visiting your blog!!! :)
    Your projects are awesome, I can't believe you lost your mojo!!! Thanks as always for your inspiration!! Hope you have a great day!

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  13. You really must start making more cards... you did a great job! Plus, they are a great way to play (which for me translates into fondling paper and sniffing adhesive)... and they generally get my juices flowing.

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  14. Awww, Lisa the pics and layout are adorable!! Grandmothers are always so kind hearted!! I love the card too! I am having a bit of a block myself lately, I am trying to pack for a weekend retreat, and just don't want to do it. Cause when I get back, I will have to unpack it all! Not sure what to work on, or what papers, kits, embellies, etc to take. Oh well, it'll be fun anyway :).

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  15. I'm sorry to hear about your Grandmother...but Im happy to see the ways in which you are keeping her memory alive. Every time I use pictures of my grandmother and grandfather for my scrapbook it always makes me wish I had more time with them. And now that Im getting married and see other weddings online with grandparents I just wail like a baby! Anyway...I love the layout and I love the card...I usually dont make cards either because I want to use all my stickers and such for my scrapbook pages!!! Im greedy! I know what you mean about the mojo for page ideas...sometimes I create a page and then keep looking at it for an hour wondering what else I could have done!! PS...QVC had a scrapbook hour last week and I found some paper like the one you posted with the little holes in it with the picture of you and your man....the paper came today and I LOVE IT!!! :)

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  16. Ha! You definitely did not lose your mojo! Sure, there are days where we don't feel like doing much in our scrapbook pages but hey! I guess telling the story is what matters most! Thanks for sharing your lovely story about your grandmother (though I'm sorry that she's suffering from dementia)...it's moments like this that we keep it real and to the point on our layouts eh?

    Love the card btw! :)

    And thanks for stopping by at my blog too =)

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