something new ....

So, I got sick and tired of the design on this blog. I like stars and swirls, but enough is enough already! I needed some pink in my blog-life. :o)

Head on over to my new blog and let me know what you think:

stephaniejoanna.blogspot.com

All the old posts are there, but I gave it a whole new look (and new music too!)


xox

home sweet home

Yes ... I know it's hard to believe ... I actually completed a layout. And yes, not only did I complete a layout but I actually took the time to photograph it and post it here on my blog. :o)

Today was an icky kind of day for me. I had a midterm exam that I felt totally unprepared for, so I spent my morning pouting in my favorite coffee shop. Once my midterm was done and over with, I took myself shopping (I deserved a special treat!!) and I bought myself an itsy bitsy tea pot. It's adorable. It's meant to be used when you're having tea alone - it holds about 2 cups of tea, so rather than making and wasting an entire pot you can make a single serving. Anyway, I bought the teapot and named her Betsey, and by the time I got home I was in much better spirits and in the mood to scrap.

The layout above is about eventually moving to Vancouver when I finish school here. I finally used some of my beloved Pink Paislee paper, and my Sassafrass Lass letter stickers. The page didn't turn out exactly as I thought it would, but I like it ... I think it totally captures what I'm feeling.

xOxOx

today, I treated myself ...

I splurged and bought these super duper cute stickers from Michelle's etsy shop. I couldn't help myself, I have a weakness for ice-cream. I have no idea where or how I'll use them, but I knew I had to have them anyway.

Life's been pretty busy over here ... I have a bunch of reading to get done for school, lots of homework and research papers to tend to. BORING. I've also been busy scrapbooking, which is much more entertaining than doing school work. After taking a break for the holidays, Pretty Committee is up and running again. The first challenge is already posted and the second challenge of the month (which is the one I'm working on) will be up on the 10th. Go check 'em out and play along. We've got a really cool sponsor, Paper Trail Studio, and have some exclusive Pretty Committee pins to give away along with a bunch of other cute goodies.

xOxOx

Today I witnessed history unfold...

On September 11th, 2001 ... halfway through my ninth grade English class ... I witnessed history unfold as terrorists flew two airplanes into the World Trade Center in downtown New York City. As I watched the news reports, I knew I was living through a moment that my children and grand-children and great-grand-children would someday read about in history books. It was a historical moment provoked by hate, resentment and evil. It was a moment that represented all that is wrong in our world. It was a moment I would have preferred to have skipped; one I wish I didn't have to remember. It was a moment that I wish had never happened.

Today, on January 20th, 2009 ... as I watched Barack Obama take the oath of office and become the 44th President of the United States of America ... I once again knew that I was living through a moment that would grace the pages of my children's history books. This time, however, it was a moment brought about by determination, integrity and righteousness. A moment millions of people throughout the generations had dreamed of being able to witness. A moment that represented the audacity of the human spirit, the strength of brotherhood, the power of being able to forgive and move forward together as a nation. It was a moment I was proud to have been a tiny part of.

For me, Barack Obama's victory is not a political one ... only time will tell whether he succeeds as President. I believe that what I witnessed today was a triumph in the battle of civil rights that has plagued America for centuries. And, politics aside, that is a moment worth celebrating.

xox