A Pocketful of Licorice

a year in scrapbook pages, or everybody else is doing it...

so I, too, will share my favorite layouts of the past year. And maybe some thoughts, if I'm feeling it. Though not a terrible year, it's ending on a sour note and that's clouding my ability to view the last twelve months objectively. 

I'm actually going to pick them out while I'm writing this. Most of them were made with Cocoa Daisy kits. Here goes...

I still love this one. I really like the way my union jack turned out. 

And this one, I love because I remember it coming together so effortlessly. Usually, I struggle to make layouts that I sort of like. But I threw this one together easily and I love it. 

I really like hand-cut, glittery titles. 

I may never take that note out and read it, but I like that it's there. 

I don't know, I just like it. 

Love the honeycomb stamp and that picture of my C. Bear. 

I love the song that the title comes from, and I like the way the layout came together. 

I almost didn't post this layout because that picture punches me in the heart, but I really like the layout, so here it is. 

This one's my all-time favorite of the year. I love the way the misting and stitching worked out. 

Simpler than usual, but I love the title. 

And I love these sequins so much. I know I just posted this one a couple days ago, but I really like it. 

So those are my favorites. 

Stella won't take her liquid medicine so I'm going to try pills. I'm still worried about her. Sad face. 

Tea and Cupcakes

Cocoa Daisy's January kit was revealed last night, so I'm posting two days in a row (I know, I'm on a roll now) to share my layouts. Lots of sweet little goodies in this one.

Wow. I didn't realize what a crappy picture that is. Kind of blurry. I did the title with a frisket film mask. Most of my layouts this month are about Holiday Fun, which was in Providence/Pawtucket this year. 

To be honest, these layouts were tough for me. Not because I don't love the kit, but because I wasn't in the mood for scrapping. I've heard that some people are able to channel sadness and worry into bursts of creativity, but it just drains me and makes me feel blah. So I really wasn't up for creating anything. I think you can tell, sort of. 

I just don't feel like any of it is up to par. 

Especially the Providence College layout, above. I totally hate the way that one turned out. 

This is the only one I kind of like. I don't know why I hid the journaling. It's about little things that make me sad. Like Elliott Smith's voice. It's not super-personal. Sometimes I write things I don't feel like sharing, I guess. 

There's something wrong with Stella's liver. We're trying medicine, which may or may not work because the vet doesn't really know what the problem is. Have I mentioned that I love this cat more than almost anything? I keep randomly crying. I'm kind of a mess right now. 

I'm about to try going to the gym. Because I feel like some exercise could improve my outlook and I've been away for a week now and I need to get back. Please don't let me cry in public. 

on a break

Hi there everyone,

It seems I've been on an extended blog break since September. I knew this school year was going to be rough on the blogging, but I thought I'd manage more than once a month. Currently, I'm on an actual break from school. We have this week off. But I'm out of the habit of blogging regularly. And I'm kind of sad and worried, which saps any creative or productive impulses I may normally have. I think my cat is sick. I'm waiting to hear from the vet about test results, but I can tell something's wrong and in my head I'm making up worst case scenarios. Which is what I do, because I'm a pessimist. I love her with a ridiculous intensity, considering she's an animal. Anyway, I'm sad. I wish she would get up and act normal, but she just lies there. And every time I look at her I want to cry. 

So that's what's happening this week. I have no excuse for the rest of the weeks of this month. 

But I have this layout to share. I did it a few weeks ago. 

It's about a box of cassettes I can't bring myself to throw away. Sentimental sap. 

Cocoa Daisy January layouts are coming tomorrow, and our gallery reveal is tonight. Check it out on the message board. 

Amber Snowflake

Cocoa Daisy's December kit is Amber Snowflake, and although we don't really have any snowflakes yet here in CT, I loved playing with this kit. It's warm and lovely and perfect for me since I don't tend to use traditional green and red christmas stuff. 

Here are some layouts I made with the kit...

I love the way the cool, neutral, wintry accents in the kit worked with my Hipstamatic pics from last Christmas.

Hidden journaling. I love this stencil!

C. Bear is too adorable. It's not even fair. 

Go check out the DT gallery for more lovely layouts with the kit, and stop by the store. The main kit and most add-ons are still available!