Back to School

It's that time of the year again - the beginning of the school year. I go back on Tuesday, my last semester before student teaching, and my kids go back on Wednesday. The past week - and the next couple of days - are about getting last minute things ready. I took the kids back to school shopping and I have a few things to get before I start, namely a parking pass and one last book.

But beyond the necessary school stuff, my mind is still on creative things... I had so much fun at the crop I went to a couple weeks ago. Of course, I didn't get a whole lot done as I figured - way too much fun socializing to get a whole lot of scrapping done, but that's sorta the idea. Fun giveaways, new techniques, delicious lunch from Panera's, and so many sales that I just had to take advantage of... but I did at least get a start on the paper bag albums that I had wanted to make. I have one more thing to add to the covers before I can post a picture.

Also, Michael's had a sale last week on Fimo polymer clay so I picked up several colors to play with. Right now, I'm experimenting with mixing colors, Skinner blends, and making rose buds. I had so much fun in my Ceramics class last semester and this seems like a natural segue. It's not exactly the same type of clay, but many of the same techniques I learned easily transfer over to this kind of clay - plus I can bake it in the oven instead of having to wait for a kiln. I have a little free time today so I'm going to play a little more with it - maybe with textures . Pictures to follow...

Looking for my niche

For a while now, I've been looking for a new scrapbook forum to join. It seems that everytime I find one that I really enjoy and seem to connect with the members, it ends up shutting down. Since it's happened to the last forum I called my scrappy home, I've been on the search for a new regular spot to hang out and, so far, I just haven't found my niche. I will continue to look though, since I really crave sharing my creativity with like-minded crafty folks and finding some much-needed inspiration. I could really use some recommendations.

In the meantime,I'm gearing up for a crop with my friend Diane this coming Saturday. I haven't been to one in a really long time and I'm very excited for it, not only for the visiting but also for the large amount of time I'm setting aside to just create. I certainly don't get much of that in my everyday life with kids, housework, and school. We'll see how much I get done though... I usually end up spending a lot of time talking and not a lot of time working.

I think what I want to work on at the crop are some paperbag books. Both my boys just completed baseball season and I have a bunch of pictures from their games. I'm thinking a book for each of them for Christmas presents... and maybe a blank one for my Etsy shop. I guess I need to print out some pictures today and look on the internet for some inspiration. Maybe I'll find a new scrappy forum in the process.