Can I just say I am so over this whole Mercury-in-retrograde-total-lunar-elicpse-super-moon thing we've had going on for the past few weeks? I knew there had to be some logical explanation for my crashed computer, broken espresso maker, on-the-fritz a/c unit and illuminated check engine light on the car. Apparently, the universe wants to see how I handle #firstworldproblems while being under-caffeinated and over-sweaty. (I'll give you a hint....it's not gracefully nor patiently, but it does involve a lot of profanity. And wine.)
My extensive web research tells me it all should all be over by October 9. And despite my strong urge to remain in curled up in bed in the fetal position until then, I've decided to pop on today and make a small effort toward keeping my blog afloat. The red planet be damned.
Last week while I was likely drowning my sorrows in a bottle of cheap pinot grigio, the new issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today dropped. I hope you've downloaded or received your hard copy by now (and if not, go here!) Its arrival on my doorstep was a much-welcome distraction from life's stresses. I love losing myself in the inspiring layouts, photography and projects within those pages and it never fails to recharge my passion for this amazing hobby.
One of my contributions to the fall issue was this two-pager documenting our back-to-school scene last year:
S U P P L I E S :
Despite their protests about photography other times of the year, my kids seem to know that the sacred back-to-school photos are not negotiable with this mama. My own childhood photos always included the first day of school photos (even when other events might have been overlooked by the camera) and I love the tangible milestones these yearly captures provide. And, honestly, after a few days of watching their frazzled parent mutter deranged threats to various small household appliances, I think they knew better than to test my fragile sanity by not posing for photos with big smiling faces.
I combined both kiddos on this page (though will likely do separate pages for each of their albums as well) and the new Teacher's Pet collection from Echo Park was the perfect supply. I know I've gushed about the line before (it was heavily featured in the Crop & Create: Delivered autumn kits!) but I really do love it. It's such a great mix of neutral grays and tans - the paper clip pattern is seriously my fave - with pops of classic school colors like red, blue and yellow.
The layout design has my photos spanning the width of the spread, with a big bold title set vertically on the end. I tucked in clusters of circles above and below the photos to help soften the straight lines and provide bases to feature some of the cute embellishments. On the largest navy circle, I adhered my journaling strips.
Maybe it's because of the chaos of the last few weeks, but I'm feeling especially grateful for the familiar routine that the start of school brings to our lives. Both kiddos are settling in nicely to their new schedules, despite the presence of a slightly unhinged mom. But things are looking up! This week I've got my iMac back with a brand new hard drive, have restored the majority of the files, and am reveling in the fact that at this Friday's happy hour, I actually have some small victories to celebrate...planetary divergences notwithstanding.
Happy Friday folks!
