Hi everyone :):):):)
Before I start today... I want to thank EVERYONE for their kind words and support on my December Daily post from yesterday :):):) I truly truly truly believed I was alone in thinking that it was a stressful process and I thank you all for the virtual hugs as I know now I am not alone in that thought process :):):):)
Today is the last day of 2011... and I wanted to share some of my highlights and faves from this year :):):):) Let me tell you... this is NOT an easy thing to do...lol... I made over 400 layouts this year, over 200 cards and I think probably close to 50 altered projects!! So I am gonna narrow it down one a month! LOL! :):):)
In January 2011 we decided to move, started looking for a new (downsized) place and packing! I also thought with our decision to move, that my OLW (One Little Word) for 2011 would be FAITH :) I have held on tight to that word all year and my FAVE layout from January 2011 actually uses my word FAITH in the quote I chose for the title :):):)
(The quote is, "Faith is taking the first step - even when you don't see the whole staircase" ~~ Martin Luther King Jr.)
In February 2011, we had our first test of that FAITH that I chose as my word. I was working at a craft show with my friend Krista, and I had pains in my side - went to the Emergency Room and found out my Gall Bladder was bad... and needed to be removed. My FAVE layout of this month doesn't have anything to do with my upcoming surgery, just documenting my month ;)
My FAVE layout for February 2011 was actually quite simple.. since it was Graphic 45 papers, I really only added like 4 things to it... but seriously, this layout got some of the best comments out in internet land when I posted it :):):):):)
In March 2011, we actually had some major events happen! Brookie and I BOTH had our surgeries on the same day, Me for my Gall Bladder, Brookie for her laser surgery for her Port Wine Stains. That was March 9th, 2011. So, Brian literally dropped me off at my hospital, and then took Brookie's to hers right down the street :):):) Also, Brian and I celebrated (Not really...I was still in bad shape from my surgery...lol!) our 3rd wedding anniversary on March 14th :):):)
Here is my FAVE layout for March 2011 :)
In April 2011, we MOVED! It was a downsize, but it actually has been the best thing for our family! Even though I say we downsized, our new home (square footage wise) is actually BIGGER than our old home... it just has one less bedroom (from 4 bedrooms to 3)...but it is a lot BETTER on our wallet than our old home...which is a bonus too! :):):) So...I used to have a craft room... now I have a craft closet... which is all good in my book! :):):):):):)
Here is my FAVE layout for April 2011...does document our moving and again uses my OLW FAITH :)
In May 2011, we un-packed and settled into our new home... Adam graduated Junior High School and Brookie graduated from pre-school (which she will have to do again this year... she's a Fall baby... so she doesn't start Kindergarten till 2012...weird, I know!) :):):) My FAVE layout for May 2011, actually I think might be one of my all time faves ever :):):)
In June 2011, I got 6 inches of my hair cut off :) And Brookie came down with a severe case of Impetigo ... not a good month for her :(
My FAVE layout for June 2011 shares my haircut :)
In July 2011, we celebrated the 4th of July at home together and Brookie had surgery #15 :)
For July 2011, I don't have a FAVE layout to share --- rather this seemed to be the month that I really rocked out the altered projects...so I am going to cheat a little and share 4 of my FAVE altered projects from this year... that I made all in July 2011 :):):):):):):)
This is a chair that belonged to my Father when he was 3 or 4 years old and I altered it into this :)
And I altered three sets of Shadowbow/Books :) One with a Wizard of Oz theme, one with a Harry Potter theme and one with a Christmas theme :):):):)
In August 2011, Adam started High School... and I am still in denial ;) And my BFF came to visit :):):)
My FAVE layout from August 2011 was one I did of the family going out to a movie... it doesn't happen very often because of the costs of movies/snacks etc... so it's a BIG deal when we do :):):):):)
In September 2011, Our country honored the 10th anniversary of 09.11...a very somber day, I listened to the broadcast from Ground Zero in NYC and cried as each name was read... the family and I also went to "The Healing Fields" in Tempe, Arizona where every victim of 09.11 has a flag in their honor... very moving and as I looked at HOW MANY flags that were there... it truly hits you on how huge this really was.....
So instead of a layout for this month... instead I am going to share two FAVE photos from that day that we went to the healing fields......
In October 2011, Brookie turned six ... we shared in the 10th anniversary (and final year) of "Bowling 4 the Cure" and of course we did Halloween :):):)
Again.. instead of a layout for this month... I am going to share a FAVE altered project...which just happens to be the BIGGEST (size wise) project I have ever ever ever made :):):)
It's a wall hanging and I hand rolled all of the flowers on here out of paper :):):):)
In November 2011, Brookie had surgery #16 --- and my Aunt Mary came for a visit at Thanksgiving :):):)
My FAVE layout this month has to do with my fur baby Mr. Dandy (Who is doing MUCH better now... thank you all for your well wishes for him!) :):):):)
And now we are to this month, December 2011 :) This month I turned 40 and Brian and I went to Las Vegas for the Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil show..... I will say, that had to be the BEST trip I have ever taken...ever :):):):):):) Ohhhh and I got 8 inches of my hair cut off and went RED too :)
My FAVE layout this month has been --- One you all haven't seen yet ;) I haven't posted it yet... so I will share it now :):):)
A photo of me on my 40th birthday pre-hair cut :):):):):)
So that's it for the year... all my faves wrapped into one :):):):):):):) I hope you all have a VERY safe and Happy New Year! :):):):):):):):)
Thank you all that have supported me this year! You all are wonderful and amazing friends! :):):):):):):):):):):):)
Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)
