The journaling reads:
Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors of the leaves in the bright sunshine, and on gloomy days too. I love the smells of fresh baked goods and apples and squash ripening, and I love the sounds as leaves crunch under foot, and fires crackle in the evenings. Every fall is an opportunity to start over, and to finish what I’ve started. It’s hope and familiar comforts, wrapped in brilliant color.

Short and sweet and to the point. How’s your Fall going?

I’m really enjoying the class I’m taking at BPS. Cathy’s worked hard and given us some great information, and the handouts are useful, too. I can definitely see reusing quite a few of the pieces she’s designed.

There are a lot of reasons I signed up to take class. Primarily, I teach scrapbooking, and I wanted to be better able to explain why a layout was working or not. While I know what the basics are, doing this class will give me samples to show people when my mouth disconnects from my brain. (A not uncommon occurance, unfortunately.)

Another reason I signed on is because I love her design sensibilities. I like the simple, structured approach to scrapbooking. While I appreciate the more artsy things you see in magazines lately, that’s not the style I’m comfortable with. I want to create things with lasting beauty, and that’s more likely to happen with a simple design approach.

And the final reason I signed up? I wanted to make more pages. I have made hundreds of scrapbook layouts, but have very few of them here. Most now live with other people, and while that was the intention when I made them, I miss having the tangible reminders of what I’ve done. I want pages for myself, and for my family. And it’s working. Tonight while he was supposed to be going to sleep, my eldest came in and read the journaling from every layout I’ve done so far, and exclaimed over the pictures. He got real enjoyment out of the pages about himself and his brother. This is why I scrapbook.

Thank you BPS and Cathy Z, for helping me get our stories told.

So I just have to share this with you:

As you may have heard, I’m taking an online class at Big Picture Scrapbooking from Cathy Zielske, who’s one of my all time favorite scrapbookers. I thought I’d share my layouts as we go along, and try to explain what I was trying for with each one. (And some legalese for you: Layout and concept provided by Cathy Zielske’s Design your Life workshop at BigPictureScrapbooking.com)

This was the layout assigned before class actually started. Cathy said to get it all out of our system, so I went project happy, and turned each square into a little canvas. (Not actually canvas, but the idea of each as a separate work.) I did alcohol ink techniques and stamped on the upper left, and stamped the fabric flower on the upper right. I added some of my favorite new products: grungeboard, stickles glitter glue, and those jewel like pebbles. I tried to use all scraps, or papers I hadn’t looked at in ages. I had fun. I even wrote on the photos the idea behind them. Create Art, Cherish Moments, Remember, Share Love, Find Beauty, and Be Me. That’s pretty much why I scrap. Any questions?

This is the first layout, where we’re working on the concept of balance. I chose papers and product with my hubby in mind. Masculine papers, distressed grungeboard, and tanks. What more could a Tank Man need?

This is the second assignment about symmetrical balance. It’s purpose was to be more about the time that my brother and BIL spend with my eldest, rather than about play sword fighting. He adores his uncles, and they get that he’d rather play with them than have expensive presents (although presents are cool too.)

This last assignment for the week was a real world color challenge. We were to try using colors from something in the real world, in this case an ad for a cool modern rug. This one was easy. I had the colors on hand. The one for this week is hard: Orange and pink and brown. I’m not much of a pink person, in case you didn’t know.

Well, I hope you enjoyed these. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Cathy Zielske, do it! She rocks!

I get a lot of comments about how much my oldest looks like his father. Most of the time, I don’t really see it. Hubby looks like hubby, and number 1 son looks like himself. But this photo really nails it:I have seen that expression on my oldest’s face so many times. This may be where he gets it from. He is a pretty handsome boy:

But sometimes he just doesn’t want me to take any more pictures:

I’m not sure I can really blame him. But at least he smiles for most of them:

I had big plans for this month. I was going to post more how-tos and pictures of projects and get lots of exciting things done. And I have gotten lots of things done. Finally finished my wedding album. Made birthday presents for my sister and sister-in-law (I’ll post pictures after they’ve been given.) Gone to PTA meetings and scrapbook socials and had an open house at my own home. Already visited my niece (and my bro and SIL) once this month, and get to go again this Saturday. Yay!

On our first visit we all crammed into my mother’s car:

Aren’t my guys just the cutest, cuddliest boys you’ve ever seen? Connor didn’t really want to ride in the back, and at one point climbed over the seat and sat on Ethan’s lap. Such a cute dog.

At one point while we were there, all the small animals decided to gang up on my brother. And yes, I do include my sons in that description. (Ross has Brownie and Simon hugging him, and Ethan’s probably regalling him with video game information. Or asking if he can turn on the XBox.)

This was the first time Simon met Josefine. He decided this was how she needed to be entertained. She thought this was very interesting. My brother worried about germs.

So that’s the tip of the iceberg for September. Hopefully I’ll have a decent picture of Jessica with Josefine after this weekend, not to mention Nancy. (Nothing I’ve taken so far has been really nice.) If either of you read this before Saturday, plan on posing!

I just wanted to share a few photos I’ve managed to take with the macro option on my little point and shoot camera.

Hibiscus:

Echinacea: Hydrangea:
Hydrangea again:
Black Eyed Susan:
Not bad for a point and shoot, don’tcha think? I haven’t even photoshopped them (yet).