SO proud of this

sometimes when i scrapbook and i finish a layout that took me MONTHS to put together (from coming up with the sketch to being unsure how to go about executing it), i'm reminded of just how happy it makes me to create something. there is such a sheer thrill in being able to say "i made this. me. it was my idea and i did it!" that i almost feel like a little kid again, and i love it. it's the best feeling in the world.

recently, i had that feeling when i finished this layout:


i had been stuck on it for weeks (and it looked a lot plainer than it does now during that time) until lucy encouraged a few SISters to use embellishments... and lots of them! to say the least, that gave me the push i needed to really bring this layout into fruition and i am so happy with how it turned out that i can barely describe.

i took those photos of my cat, lil buddy, in october, and didn't get a chance to scrap them till about january, so this layout has been on my mind for that long. usually, i get distracted or frustrated and move on to other projects and leave what i'm not wholly satisfied with unfinished, but in this case, i knew this layout had the potential to be great and become my favorite (which it very much is), so i didn't want to give up. sis saves the day again!

next on my agenda... i don't know. i still want to paint but i've been itching to get outside and take some photographs lately, too. that's my life! i always jump the gun and get ambitious about wanting to do everything at once.

on another note, debee campos's blog is probably one of the most inspiring i've ever come across. that girl can scrap.

i'm also really thinking about creating my own "line" of embellishments and going at it experimentally because i have a lot of means to create them but not a whole lot of money to buy them at the moment... plus, talk about artistic endeavor and experience! you can't go wrong with either of those.