March 17, 2011

A new trend, personal goal and my thanks to you

Happy St. Patty's Day! I invite you all to create something today that includes green! I did :)

I love to visit other blogs, love to meet new people, love viewing projects and learning about new trends. Sadly, I don't get to do that a quarter as much as I'd like to. I could spend hours hopping along to all the AWESOME blogs out there - if only there were more hours in a day {sigh}. So when I do get the opportunity to jump around, I get so excited about all the crafts and designs and trends and techniques. I'm like a kid in a candy store. :)

Recently, on a trip around my blog roll, I saw sooooo many cards that included a photo. I'm guessing this is a new trend.. and I LOVE it! Love it bunches! Why didn't I think of that before?!

So I quickly looked through my photos for a nice one to add to a card.

I've had this over exposed photo of my son and nephew for a while- it's so cute! It's one of those rare "love the day" photos that I don't photograph often. Although its not a clear photo, I knew I wanted to keep it and use it someday.

All of the supplies I used are included in Artful Delight's March kit! (with exception of the "joy" stamp and staples, of course) The March kit is packed with LYB, JBSoup, Basic Grey and so much more!Leeanne only had a few kits left, so you'll need to hurry to purchase one! I really enjoyed making this card, and I LOVE the idea of using a photo. I'm sure I'll see a lot more popping up here and there. If you make/made one, please leave your link so I can come check it out! :)

Speaking of photos, I have a lot! Photos in photo boxes just waiting to be placed in a scrapbook. However, as I look through them, they're mostly vacations, special events, holidays, parties, gatherings. It's hard to believe that within all my photos, only a small amount are actually of just everyday life.. those random daily moments like the above photo.

I'd like to capture the everyday little things that make me happy like.. my son at the table drawing, our kitty waiting in the window for my son to come home, my son helping me cook, a special gift from a friend, my scale showing I've lost another few pounds, my son's quirky random smile as well as his "whatever, mom" look, my nephew seated quietly watching his favorite Toy Story movie, my son dancing, my son dancing with our dog...

All these things and more make up who we are and I don't have many photos like that. It makes me wonder "Where were we between all the holidays and vacations?" Well, we're here. And I need to remember all those undocumented days, too, those wonderful days that I may forget about as time goes on.

So! I've decided to start a new.

I'm going to take at least one picture every day of something/someone that brings joy or that helps define who I am. Or funny moments, uh-oh moments, even sad ones... as of course, not every minute of the day is a joyful one. Or something that makes my son happy.. because capturing his memories are just as important as mine. (Although my child needs no help in the memory department lol He's got the memory of an elephant! He remembers everything while I can't recall most things that happened yesterday! Hense, this plan.) I won't be sharing all of my daily photos on this blog, because as we all know, I'm not a daily blogger... but I will share one occasionally and also will be using them in layouts that I'll share. It'll be so nice to scrap often a layout of just a random day :)

I'll start with a photo I took last night of my nephew, the only photo I took yesterday.


This photo warms my heart because just last week, Drake was bitten on the face by his family dog.. his face was horribly swollen and bruised. Poor baby {sigh} But now he is healing, looks happy and is his normal playful self again. As much as this little guy drives me bonkers, I've babysat him often since the day he was brought home 2 years ago- and he's so much a part of my life. I love him so much and I'm so thankful he's okay and doing better. :)

Now.. if you're still with me, you're in luck! Recently my blog topped 200 followers and over 10,000 hits. Yay!! And I'd like to give a token of my thanks for following/visiting me often :) I'm going to giveaway the new Echo Park "Playground" collection kit to a random commenter. All you have to do is leave a comment, that's all :) If you want 2 chances in the drawing, just post about this giveaway on your blog or place a photo of this prize on your side bar (and leave a 2nd comment with a link showing me that you've done so). Don't forget to link back to my page :) A winner will be announced 2 weeks from now, April 1st. Good luck :)

Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Abby

49 comments:

  1. I really do love this card!! And I completely agree with you, I personally have really slacked on taking photos of my family. I think I have the opposite problem though, I take random everyday photos but none on special occasions. The only reason I take daily photos is because I do it with my camera phone. The pics are not at all good quality but that's ok. I need to start taking more holiday photos. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your card is beautiful!! I love the colors in it! Isn't it fun to go into blog world and just look around? You can find some really amazing stuff out there! Thank you for the opportunity to win the collection kit. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Link to my sidebar:

    http://jessicakiscrafty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great idea, I love doing cute photos for thank you cards but had not thought of it in terms of a "normal" card.

    debbiebutcher at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't thought of using pictures on cards so thanks so much for the idea . . . and yes, I need to take more pictures of the "ordinary days"!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great idea Abbs!! I'm sure you'll get tons of photos in no time that are perfect. :) Thanks for the chance at an awesome prize!!
    - April

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your card is lovely...perfect 'boy' colors. I've been meaning to (I always have good intentions!) take some 'day in the life' photos for a while now...and you've given me the final push. Tomorrow will be the day...wish me luck!!

    ~Sharon C.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sometimes I think I don't have anything to take a picture of on a daily basis but then again I don't have any pictures of my desk at work where I spend so much time or other random shots....thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win another awesome collection by EP. Your card is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your card! I have so many overexposed/out of focus photos that I just have to keep, and sometimes they are the most fun to work with ;)

    And hugs to your nephew - poor little guy :(

    Thanks so much for a chance at the Playground collection - I just love those fun bright colors!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I too, need to work on taking more 'every day' photographs! I also need to work harder at scrapbooking them sooner with the 'in the moment memories'. LOVE LOVE LOVE your card! I need to try a photo on a card! I bet the grandparents would LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I also posted about your giveaway on facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I absolutely love your work! I have been following for a while and come back often.

    Hugs,
    Saundra :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've made one card with a picture before and it was because I had 2 copies of a picture I really liked. It's a great idea and need to do more. Maybe a wedding photo for an anniversary card is what I'm thinking about doing this weekend now.
    Glad to hear Drake is getting better

    ReplyDelete
  14. Abby, what an awesome goal. I LOVE the everyday photos. The card turned out really cool. another great idea! glad to hear the lil guy is almost back to his rambunctious self.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Abby you need to blog more often; just love reading your thoughts! :) Love this card, love the idea of taking more candid/everyday pics, and of course LOVE Echo Park hehe :) thanks for the chance to win my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AWESOME Card,Abby! LOVE the idea. Glad to see that Drake is doing better, poor Lil' Guy! I LOVE Echo Park Paper! Thanks BUNCHES for the chance! Have a GREAT Day,
    Me-Ma Kim

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the card. Using a picture is a great idea. Glad Drake is feeling better. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Abby, I always enjoy what you write about. The everyday pictures is a wonderful idea. Your card is great. Think I'll try that. That's for the chance to win that great paper. Ann O.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Cute Card as usual. :) Coopers picture is cute. I really like how you see the writing on the mirror. (Warning info) Great shot I do see his ears back. Thanks for a chance to win.
    finelyworking@aol.com
    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  20. oh my goodness.... i have been seeing this pad of paper everywhere and i just said, i have to have that.... it looks very cool..
    thanks for a chance to win
    Carrie
    my2sons311@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  21. Abby, I love your blog & I always find your cards/layouts very inspiring :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a great post Abby. And what a great idea. I always thought you took many every day photos. You've scrapped a bunch of them. But, recording something every day is awesome. I'm glad Drake is doing better. He looks so big in that picture. Thanks for the opportunity to win Playground. Congrats on 200 followers and over 10,000 hits. Your are a great blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey Abby. I created a blog post about your blog candy and added a photo/link on my sidebar.

    http://thescrappingsofsue.blogspot.com/2011/03/abby-has-some-blog-candy.html

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great giveaway! I'm not entering but wanted to tell you that your blog candy has been listed at Blog Candy Lists:

    http://blogcandylists.blogspot.com/2011/03/echo-park-playground-collection-kit.html

    Thanks!
    Monica

    ReplyDelete
  25. HOWDY ABBY!
    I have posted some Candy on my blog and also linked your Candy! You can check it out here:
    http://me-makimsplace.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-have-over-100-followers.html
    Have a GREAT Day,
    Me-Ma Kim

    ReplyDelete
  26. I also posted about your giveaway on my facebook page! Have a GREAT Day,
    Me-Ma Kim

    ReplyDelete
  27. Exactly how I found you- blog hopping! I also wish I had more hours in the day to do so. Your photo card is darling, I really like the flower. Your work is wonderful1 I will be stopping by here more often. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for sharing you card! How cute :) I make sure that I take at least 5 photos a day... sounds easy but some days it is a challenge! I just don't want to look back in a couple years and see that I don't have photos of our kiddos growing up. Thanks for the chance to win!

    shalbgewachs at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Abby, you were the very first blog I started following when I started blogging. Thanks for the inspiration over the years. I just had a nephew a few months ago, I babysit him often and I hope to be close to him too :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. You have such a cute blog! Thanks for the opportunity to win such lovely candy!

    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  31. I posted on my sidebar.

    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congrats on all the followers and hits! I love the photo card, it's a great picture of the boys. Good luck with your goal of picture taking daily! Thanks for the chance to win too :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Abby,
    What a wonderful idea to take pictures of our everyday life. I try to take photos as often as possible but would love some more candid just everyday shots. Thanks for the great idea and awesome giveaway. I'm crossing my fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Abby I just posted an entry on my blog for this entry.

    http://everydaywithbeth.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-candy-from-abby.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. Good goal. So sorry your newphew got bit by a dog :( Must have been so scary for him.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I posted your rockin' candy on my side bar :) This EP line is right up my alley. We are always at the park.

    ReplyDelete
  37. LOVE your blog Congrats on over 200 followers and 10000 hits!!! I would love to win this candy!
    Kristin
    kmkluvs2scrapatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just posted your awesome candy to my blog!
    http://scrappingmamahen.blogspot.com/2011/03/check-out-this-blog-candy_22.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. what a wonderful card! I love the new challenge your taking on, I might have to do something like that! Thanks for the awesome chance to win the fabulous Echo Park kit, I would love to get my hands on that! Take care! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great card Abby, you do such amazing work. Love the picture of Drake, so glad he is feeling better. Rhoda

    ReplyDelete
  41. SUCH a fabulous card! I love this idea!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I just found your blog and am now a follower - so very nice to meet you! And I love your narratives and pics!

    http://lillianchild.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Always admire your work when I see it! I'm already a follower! You have great taste in paper! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  44. LOVE the idea of a photo card, Abs! Great job! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    ~Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a great idea to use the photo on the card!!! Congrats on the 200+ followers, I'm one!!! Thanks for the chance to win the Echo Park collection!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've posted your Echo Park giveaway on my sidebar with a link back to your blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Huge congrats on over 200 followers...love you blog...hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
  48. where do I start?! newbie follower coming over from Jessica's blog...am off to lurk at all your creativity and leave love...Congrats on going OVER 200 and here's to the next 200 :):)

    ReplyDelete