How to Scrap Lift

One of my favorite things to do to jump start my scrapbooking is challenge myself to a scraplift. In many of the other fields I have been a part of, lifting someone else's idea is frowned upon. In poetry, you would not steal someone else's words and claim them as your own, but in scrapbooking, looking to someone else's layout as a template for yours, right down to using some of the same papers, words, or embellishments, is an encouraged art!
I can say nothing gets my creative juices flowing like looking through scrapblogs, or magazines and finding a layout I know I can accomplish with the supplies I have. Bliss.
I found myself thumbing through some autumn 2008 pictures that have not yet been scrapped. I immediately reached for a fall 2009 Creating Keepsakes magazine I had one file. I fell in love with this layout:

I love the colors, the circle, the patterns, the placements. And more...
I recalled some die cut leaves I had that would work well to accomplish this look, and the picture of Ben jumped right of the stack I had been looking at. Next, when I realized I still had some old metal photo turns I hadn't played with in awhile, things were really coming together. Finally, some paper in my Autumn file, as well as my scrap basket came together. The die cut phrases were in a box of embellishments on the desk in front of me; I pulled out 5-6 that would work, and decided to settle on them when I had the rest figured out. Gathering supplies took me less than 5 minutes.

I made the circle by tracing a jumbo coffee mug I have holding scrap stuff right there on my desk. I outlined it with a sharpie. The journaling accent came from a punch, and I made the lines as I wrote.
This is my favorite layout I have made in a long time!

Happy Scrapping!

Glorious Autumn

Born and raised in the southern California coastal town of San Pedro, the autumns of the midwest I experience today existed only in the pictures we drew in grade school as we learned about the elusive "seasons." Seriously, no trees changed to brilliant colors, no cool days came to stay, even Christmas brought 70 degrees and a yard full of roses in bloom in my grandmother's backyard. The concept of the season felt like a story to me, a fairy tale, one that came true when I moved to the midwest.

Perhaps my infatuation with Autumn stems from my appreciation for it. The colors seem impossible. The temperatures so perfect, neutral, refreshing, comfortable. The chance that all living things outdoors get the chance to go rest, go dormant, and change form seems so right. I also like to change form, add the layers of clothes, change the colors of the accesories in my home, see something different out the same window. I have to soak autumn up. I simply must. Through drives, walks in the wood, photos, foods. I don't long for summer, I barely feel the pain of watching my garden settling in for hibernation. Fall is just that satisfying. I don't find myself waiting for the winter I also love. Sure, a fall snow is nice, but fall is enough.

I took all of these pictures on an afternoon drive with my family. I'm like a kid at Disneyland, "Oh, honey, turn this way, look at that! Oh my God, did you see that? Are you seeing these colors!"

Magical.

Muddy Fall Boots

We've had a surprisingly muddy autumn here. Or, maybe I just forget all the mid that comes along with this time of year? I feel like I've been vacuuming up leaves everyday, and outside, we get down right soggy. We've pulled out the spring boots, thankfully they still fit the kids.

Hunter's:

Ben's:

We've been able to play a little in the middle of all the yard work. We have 3 large trees, and several small trees on our less-than-one-acre lot. Our neighbors, upwind, have 3 huge maples, too. So raking starts in October, and ends in December (with our late-to-shed willows). Ben and Hunter haven't quite hit the age where I can make then rake for me, but its coming. Oh yes, it is. For now, I've been doing it. (Yesterday, not pictured, Theo and Jason helped with yard duty). The little men around here just play while I work along:

And all warm in the house our boots dry. Mom needs a cute pair next spring, huh? Dark green, or perhaps something wild like polka dots?

Autumn Walk,

I miss our walks. We used to walk nearly 3 miles every day, and we hardly ever set foot out the door anymore. One cool fall day last month I couldn't resist... the temps were perfect and the trees were just gorgeous. We didn't do the whole 3 miles, Hunter begged to walk his baby, and Ben begged to walk like a big guy (no stroller), so we took an abreviated stroll around our neighborhood.

All ablaze!

Cuties, it was obviously a Bear's day...

Ben collected leaves.

The baby enjoyed his stroll, too.

Some of my favorite views along the way:

A brief pause for a picture or two:

More scenic views:

We took a tiny detour to visit an old friend. Our helpful, neighbor and friend recently passed away, and I was unable to attend the services for lack of a babysitter. Ben's been learning a lot about God at school, and even death and heaven, so I thought I'd make what he's learning a little more tangible by taking him to see our friend's gravesite. Ben has such a refreshing perspective about heaven, he's downright joyful about seeing Jesus and all, although he's not in any hurry. :) I explained to him how we get a spot down here on earth so our friends and family can visit us. He loves the idea that we can visit our friend here and chat with him. It was a nice, healthy, discussion, and I'm so glad we visited our pal, too.

More beautiful scenes on the way home.

Library stop.

The fire safety class and park simply weren't enough excitement for one day. We headed directly to the library to borrow some fall-themed books and a few movies, too. I love ourlibrary, they have a nice selection, and it's very kid friendly. Mostly, though, I love the artwork on the kids section. This huge mural graces the wall above the kids book, trains, puzzles, and dollhouse.

Half the mural is a mosaic:


The other half transitions to a painting... I love how it transitions, keeping the mosaic texture only on the tree.

The details of the mosiac are hard to appreciate in this lighting, and without being able to reach out and touch it. But you can see some of the scenes closer here, including this picnic blanket, which has the most intricate floral pattern on the blanket (click on the picture to enlarge):


A walk in the park, complete with flowers, and pets...

Some of my favorite details are the umbrella handle & trim.

On our way to the car I was ready to call it a day, but then I noticed these trees on fire! With fall color, that is...


Beneath the tree I spotted this tiny hill, and plenty of fallen leaves, too. I had to encourage the boys to roll around a bit while I held the books & movies, and took pictures of course...

Before we left we had to thank the trees, naturally.

Happy Autumn everyone!