Day 31 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 31 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Happy Halloween! Tanner was a MAD scientist with lab rat carefully tacked onto his shoulder and Amanda was a darling cowgirl with beautiful long blond curls, pink hat and new Justin boots! What a combination! We started out early....about 5:15 p.m. and were home around 8:30 p.m. That's a record for us! Usually it is much later (and a school night).

Day 30 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 30 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Thirty layouts down and one to go!

I actually got more 30 done so far this month but 12 x 12s are just a pain to scan and stitch or photograph and the post. I worked on more layouts for the kids' school albums last weekend.

Today was a snow day. No school in many surrounding area towns as well. So it feels like a Saturday with laundry chores and dusting....so maybe tomorrow I can journal and organize my 365 album a little! (did I say that out loud? Is typing it the same as saying it out loud? If so, I may have just jinxed myself...afterall it is Halloween and I need to gather a few props for Tanner's costume.)

Day 29 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 29 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I took the photo of L.'s piggies with no true plan other than the title at the top with the double meaning word. I then used this photo in my summer Jessica Sprague photo editting class. Later I knew I wanted to use this layout design with this photo. I have to say that this is one of those photo that makes me swoon! (WriteClickScrapbook blog post this week)

Day 28 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 28 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Just finished this layout! Wow, it's late!

I now need to work on a Halloween album as a donation for Ike's Fun Night. A. helped bake and decorate 3 cakes. C. helped make table tents and labels for Raffle Prize bags and T. just tried to understand and stay away. He said, "I feel like we are doing everything!" Not quite but a lot!

Day 27 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 27 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

A late one tonight! I wasn't sure I'd get my second wind to complete this one! Today's prompt was to use no patterned paper...cardstock only!

I also made this one for a challenge at Ella!

Enjoy!

Day 26 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 26 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I looked and looked and looked for this conversation...I remember I chicken scratched it onto a hot pink piece of paper. I decided that maybe I lost it and then completed a search on the computer using a document that I thought I might have used. Sure enough, there it was already typed into the computer! Whew! I was would have been devasted if I'd lost this one! Enjoy!

Day 23 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 23 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I started another project! ugh! I have just added to the pile of things to "finish"! I think this one could be quick if I'd just get busy and find all the photos! I have four of 13....not bad, right?!?!

Fall and Halloween are two of my favorite things because of the colors and permission to dress up and use your imagination to pretend...for fun! (I don't like all the gore that can go with the holiday.)

Trick or Treat!

Day 22 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 22 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Seriously, I didn't think I would make it today. Squeaking in with about 45 minutes to spare. Evidently, I had a tough day...overstimulated when I got home and couldn't settle in to focus until everyone was in bed. This was the first day/night that I really struggled to get a layout together. I guess, that's pretty good for 22 days! Isn't it 21 days to make a habit? My family will hate me forever, if I continue at this rate!

Day 21 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 21 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here it is! The second half of the layout.
10 more days to go!
I am going to be sad when it is over, but I think my family will be happy to have the kitchen table back!!

Day 20 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 20 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Finally! It took me forever to complete this layout last night! I couldn't decide on paper, made the december journal spot and had to print photos! T. was terribly needy - mostly wanted his mom's attention! What should have taken less than an hour, took me nearly 2.5 hours! Yikes! Tonight I am making the second half of the page!

Day 19 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 19 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Not much time to spend on a layout tonight after school. It had to be super quick with all the taxiing J. and I do on Monday nights!

I love these photos of T. because they are so him! This is my boy from sun up to sun down all summer long!

Day 18 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 18 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Here's today's layout. I spent way too mcuh time fussing over a photo and what year this conversation occurred. In the end it really doesn't matter when the conversation occurred...simple that it did and that it is documented!

Day 17 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 17 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I love this photo! Can't wait to complete the second half of the page! This was a fun page to do...I love Creative Imaginations stuff! This is their paper and letter stickers with a little computer journaling! It was that simple!

Day 16 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 16 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

Now it is officially halfway through the month! 16 layouts in 16 days. I have followed some of the plans I made but have wandered off with a few of the daily prompts that Lain has given. It is a great way to get a lot done! This one goes into my 8x8 album titled "me @ 35". Since I'm older than that....I need to finish it before the next milestone arrives!

Day 15 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 15 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I knew which collage photo I wanted to use and spotted the paper on the roll top desk yesterday and thought it would be perfect for pj's. What do you think?

Is 15 half way to 31? I'm not sure! Looking forward to creating one about our family tomorrow! I'm using a homemade flashcard....stay tuned!

Day 14 (Oct. LOAD 09)

Day 14 (Oct. LOAD 09)
Originally uploaded by Miss_Niki

I hope you are keeping up with my posts at Flickr.com. Woo Hoo! Day 14 and I have ideas for the next four days....still going strong!

Today I made a realization. I have a routine, a pattern, a habit...but I didn't realize it until today.

I'm in the knitting shop purchasing a hank of Halloween colored yarn. The owner of the shop has to wind the hank into a ball in order for me to successfully use it without tons of tangles. She set the ball down and it nearly took my breath away....don't laugh! It was the color all wound together neat and tidy. I fell in love. I don't think I can knit it...it's perfect just the way it is.

Now here's the part when I make my realization. Each day on my "lunch" break I stroll through the magazine aisle at the grocery store, stop by the scrapbook store, cruise scrapbook galleries on the internet and today I found myself at the knitting shop. What do all these things have in common? COLOR! I "feast" on color for "lunch"! I love color especially this time of year. Fall offers the very best and richest colors. Color makes me happy and it evidently is a necessity during my day to make it a little bit brighter and happier.

What makes you happy?

I'm so excited! I'm published!

Check it out here! The girls at Ella picked one of my layouts for their October Scrapbook Ellaments ezine!

www.ellapublishing.com/ezine/2009-oct/word-art

Scroll down, you'll find it!

This is a layout that I submitted as an after thought to the one I knew I wanted to submit. I pulled it from the archives of one of T's albums. It is a simple favorite because of the photo.