A Creative Surge
Throughout most of my pregnancy, I did little scrapbooking. It made me sad, but it was the season I was in. I had no energy, was busy at work and just couldn’t make the time for it. Now, despite just having a baby, I am totally in a crafting mood. I am wanting to craft incessantly – which leaves things like laundry and the dishes to be left for later.
Here is the first layout I did of Elias. I love this photo of him because he is so alert and just plain sweet. The paper is K & Company (you can get it at JoAnns) and the letters are thickers – my most favorite letters to use. 
I also am working on some baby projects for Xyron’s website. My favorite is a shadow box featuring little mementos from Elias’s first days – like his Vanderbilt onesie and hospital bracelet. I will be sure to post a picture of the finished project. I also made some fun magnets using more of the K & Company paper. I am amazed at how easy it is to make magnets with the Xyron. I have turned pictures into magnets for the grandparents and can see making fun magnetic flash cards when Elias is older.
This week Hobby Lobby has 50% off all their scrapbook albums, so I am going to go get a few so I can get all my layouts that have been sitting in a box next to my desk in albums. I also need to start an Elias album. That will surely fill quickly. I use American Crafts D-Ring albums exclusively. I love how I can move layouts around easily and that they come in a variety of colors.
Angie and I used to have monthly crafting get togethers, but when we both got pregnant, these ceased. This week we are reinstating the tradition. I designed this fun album using mostly Scenic Route paper and a variety of stamps. I got most of the product from the SIS TV basement sale– great deals are available right now! Everyone will have the same papers, but will be able to do whatever theme they want – since Hello Elias is a pretty specific theme. 🙂 I love how mine turned out. It is all pictures of the family that has come to Nashville to meet Elias.
If you craft, what have you been working on lately?
you are my hero! LOL
I’ve been working on a slide in album just sketching right now of a camping trip we took last summer. Hope to actually start the album this week some time 🙂
Wow, I love your creativity. That page is so cute. Can I ask you how long it typically takes you to put together a scrapbook page? I scrapbooked a lot in college, but haven’t since then. Now I’ve got a 1 year old little boy and so want to get back into scrapbooking because I’ve got tons of photos of him. But back in my scrapbooking days I would take several hours if not more just to do one page! I just don’t have that kind of time now. It may be because I’m a perfectionist and can look at a variety of different ways a page can be done. What is your process in getting a page done? (If you have time to answer, I know you are busy with your little boy). I’m just so amazed at all the new ideas and product offerings in scrapbooking that are available now. I think I may have too many choices!
I have been taking Ashley Wren’s Unpredictable Requests class at SIStv, and LOVING it!
I am a Stampin Up addict and have been making cards and such for awhile now. I just got into scrapbooking recently and love seeing your ideas!
I love your work… I am also a scrapbooker myself, just not as good as you are :p here in Dominican Republic we dont have a lot to work with or learn, but I try to do my best 🙂
My daughter-in-law crafts – I’ll give her your website – she does cards.
I don’t craft – but I draw w/chalk pastels – my latest will be on my blog soon – today most likely – it’s a Golden Retriever diggin’ in the snow. 🙂
I have not done anything other than an album when my husband and I went to Greece last Oct. I did scrapbook the album of my first daughter I placed for adoption 23 years ago too. My oldest son just graduated from high school and I so wanted to scrap book something for him but I went back to work in MArch full time and well needless to say it never got done.
I love the pictures you did.
May I ask a favor? May I have a birth announcement sent to me???
I just love your little guy and would so appreciate it. I will stick him on my prayer wall I cakll it. I pray for all the people on it.
If no I understand- trust me I know with things how they are today.
Michele Stewart
Mstewart222@yahoo.com
Jessica
I found your blog through Bring On the Rain
Welcome Elias he is adorable! I am a little jealous of all that hair my son is six months old and he is just now starting to get a little bit of hair.
Thank you for sharing your scrap booking ideas. I just recently started getting into scrap booking since the birth of my son and I love the pointers.
Take Care
Amber
Hi Jessica,
Beautiful work! But I did notice something strange re: your crafting papers …
The word “Thursday” on what appears to be a ribbon underneath Elias on the first pic is spelled “Thrusday” — OOPS!
But it’s still too cute for words.
I unfortunately was born without a creative bone in my body – I am jealous!
Oh how very cute!
Ella- I didn’t notice that typo – that is actually a sticker strip, so it was the manufacturer’s mistake. Oh well. I still like the concept! 🙂
I didn’t know they sold the American Crafts albums at Hobby Lobby!? Yea! 🙂 Love the baby page.
I used to paper scrapbooking, but because of joint problems I can’t do the intricate work with my hands anymore… but I discovered the huge, wonderful world of digital scrapbooking and I LOVE it. It’s also been really nice because once I have a layout done I can print it out as many times as I need to put books together for my parents and other siblings. It’s turned out to be a great thing in the end.
I am not an artist by any means in terms of drawing, but I do a lot with writing and lettering, so to fill that need to be “hands on” like I used to with scrapbooking I paint canvases with inspirational sayings. It’s been a nice creative outlet.
Elias’ book looks great, and I look forward to seeing more layouts. I’m so happy for you that you got your creative mojo back! 🙂
sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com
Hi. I’ve been reading your blog since just before you gave birth. I forget which blog I found yours on. But I just finished my first baby LO. She was born on the 13th of July. my blog is: mrscreativity.wordpress.com
Keep the pages coming. It’s nice to see work from other people. Enjoy Elias! They grow so fast!
Hi Jessica,
Greetings from San Diego. I accidentally came upon your blog, and I’m COMPLETELY inspired. My mom is from Texas, so I count my self a southern girl at heart with a west coast flaire. =)
I’m a 3rd grade teacher so you have to be crafty at heart. I would love to start scapbooking, but on a teacher’s budget, I was wondering…What do you recommend to get started with? I have virtually nothing. =)
Gina
P.S. my blog is averycj.blogspot.com
I love the layout and the book! I was over at JJ's packing the paper sets and I love to see people using them. 🙂 I have some myself & am loving her basement sale.
If you & Angie ever open up your crop sessions, please let me know. I live in Franklin & would love to get together with you & work on my projects. I need to post more on SIS. My screen name is brooksiebee if you ever want to read about me & my family. 🙂 It's been a treat meeting Elias. He is beautiful.
Jessica- I got linked to your website through Angie’s and I love to hear that you are a scrapbooker! I love seeing you work and all the things you have done with Elias’ arrival (he is so cute by the way). My son just turned ONE on July 10th (watch out, they grow SOOO fast!). I have been working on his baby album as well. I am about caught up, but I just find it such a treasure to make these memory books for them so they can know our thoughts when we are gone! What a great legacy! I am also a Creative Memories Consultant so if you ever want to check out my website, the address is http://www.mycmsite.com/amyjstarnes . Thanks for sharing your creativity! May God richly bless you as you continue your journey at becoming a mother! There are so many lessons and blessings!
-Amy Starnes
That is a sweet little book about Elias! He will enjoy seeing all his family when they are away, then he won't forget who they are. Living 8+ hours away from our families for the last 29 years…when we had our two children we always had pictures around to show them our families, they knew who they were when we went home.
I started a "Graduation" scrapbook for our daughter. I just finished the last page of High School graduation last night. It has been an emotional 12 weeks of work. I am continuing with college & then will complete the album with her Master's Degree (she just earned in May '08). I may have to start another album because I take lots of pictures & she will be continuing on into her PhD next year. I also bought an album to do the same for our son who will be a sophomore at TTU.
I love to scrapbook. I would rather scrap than eat!
I enjoy your blogs….Love, Rose in Nashville
The last time I had a creative surge, I ended up gluing my finger to my forehead.
Needless to say, I’m quite impressed with your work.
Jessica,
I miss you and baby Eli!! Your book of family is just to cute.
Dad
Lately I’ve been using my creativity to remodel and decorate the house. We (mostly) finished major remodeling of the bathrooms in our home. Now that Cecilia is here, the renovations are on hold. Unfortunately, I have a lot more time to sit and think about the work I would like to get down. However, demolishing the brick fireplace doesn’t go very well with a 1 month old.
I love, love, LOVE Elias’ little face in that picture; so sweet! You can tell by the look on his face that he knows exactly who you are and he loves you 🙂 He looks like he understands a lot for such a little guy.
your scrapbook is SO nice! i wish i had the time and patience to make one!! (although i’m sure you’re stretched for time these days!). my problem is that i start too many projects… and hardly ever finish. i just finished making a pair of mittens out of an old wool sweater… and i’m constantly working on pottery (on the wheel)… and off and on trying to make jewelry. i also have a floor loom to make rugs, scarves, etc… but that is VERY time consuming to set up. *sigh* time always seems to escape me, yet here i am… on the internet. OH WELL!
elias is beautiful!!!