Scrapbook Therapy

There are many reason to scrapbook. I certainly enjoy going through my albums and seeing my photos displayed in a more creative and unique way than just tossed into a simple photo album. And even though I struggle with journaling (writing is NOT my strong suit) I know it's good for other people to know the story behind the photo, because I realize that I may forget some of the details and one day I will not even be around to tell the story. But what I love the most about scrapbooking and cardmaking is that it's a creative outlet for me. Sometimes it's even a way to escape from my present reality. Almost three weeks ago Noé lost his job. At first he enjoyed being away from a job that he has dreaded going to for the last two years and the kids and I enjoyed having him around. But now that we're into the third week of being unemployed, I think reality has set in. Unemployment checks won't even cover our monthly housing costs, let alone food. So I've been trying to update my résumé (which is quite a task since I've been out of the work force for five years now) and looking through the want ads. I pray that it won't come to that. As exasperated as my children make me at times and as exhausted as I am at the end of the day, I feel called to be a SAHM, and I love doing it. I have faith that the Lord will carry us through this trial but fear that His way will not be mine. So in the midst of this, I find myself praying...and scrapbooking. Noé can only spend so much time searching for a job, so he has also spent a lot of time working on a Honey-Do List and playing with the kids. With the time that I now have freed up in my normally hectic schedule, I have found myself escaping into my creations. Last week I made a dozen Christmas cards and completed three layouts. I can't remember the last time I got that much done in that time frame. So I thank God for the faith and optimism He has given me as well as my artistic abilities. We are created in His image and are meant to enjoy the beauty around us, even in the midst of the trials in our lives. Now on to what I created this past week...

Since I'm on Team B at Let's Get Sketchy! I was not required to create a sample for this week's challenge, but since I had the time I thought I would have a go at it anyway.

The photos were taken the night before Paolina was born. Having a scheduled c-section definitely provides an advantage to an avid scrapbooker like myself.

One of my sketches is also being featured this week at Colorful Creations for Twisted Blueprints.

These photos are from Memorial Day 2010, a month after Santiago had turned 2 and a few days before Paolina was born.

On this third and final layout I doubled up on challenges. I used this week's sketch from the My Scraps & More Sketches blog. And I must confess that I fell in love with one of their DT member's interpretations of the sketch, and I lifted it. So a shout out to Missy Whidden for creating such a fab layout!! The challenge I combined with this sketch was this month's Plus Challenge at Colorful Creations. We were to use the colors cream and green, as well as incorporate butterflies.

These are photos of Paolina scooting around on the floor "cleaning" with my dish towel. My kids really love to play "cleaning"...I guess this is a natural result of witnessing their mother's daily OCD lol.

Thanks so much for looking. Once I finish the rest of my Christmas cards I plan to post all of them.