2011 is Closing..... Welcome 2012!

With 2011 quickly coming to an end I can't quick help to reminisce and think of what I have been through, what I have accomplished and what I just didn't have time for.

On a personal level it has been a big year for growth, and I don't mean the negative kind. LOL I have made huge leaps in to creating a better self, someone I am actually very happy being, and someone I am actually proud of. There were a lot of ups and many downs to get to where I am, but in the end it was all worth it. I've learned to love me, and respect me, I've learned that heartache doesn't last forever, and that by allowing myself to love anything is possible. I've learned to enjoy being me and to take better care of me. I had spent a lot of time thinking and evaluating my life and I have even figured out what it is I want out of it, now 2012 is the year to figure out how to get it. :)

Now on to what's relevent for this blog.... my crafty side. Well, I must start by saying it has been an great year for the Cherry Pit, it seems I was always busy creating and making Decor items for myself and for others and I've had a lot of fun! There may have been times when I may have taken on more than I could hanlde at one time but I made it through and got the jobs done. I'd like to thank everyone for they support, whether it was in buying something or sharing words of encouragement, it was all very important to me and I greatly appreciate each and every one of you. THANK YOU!

As far as my personal crafts (aka my scrapbooking) I am pretty dissappointed in how little I've actually accomplished this year. My goal was to catch up on the pages I was behind and to hopefully not get too far behind in my 2011 pages. Well, I just updated my Excel sheet of what it is I have to do to become up to date and well, I did NOTHING with my 2011 year of photos :( I have a list of 250 pages that need to be completed to have 2011 in the books and that's close to 1000 photos to work with! YIKES!!! I did manage to get some pages does from 2010 this year, and even a few complete for the 2009 year, but I still have a long way to go to get those years complete... 115 Layouts for 2009 and 190 left for 2010.... yea if I ever what to get caught up I NEED to get to work, find my groove and NEVER lose it! LOL So with these winter months being the slow time of year, not many events or outings, not many photo opportunities I need to take advantage of this time, and crank out some pages while I'm not building up too much 'NEW' work for myself. It would be so nice to use my stuff again, and even more nice to get creative and sharpen up my scrappy skills. :)

So there's my 2011 in condensed form and my crafty goals for 2012. I wish you all the best in 2012 and hope to see and hear form you in the new year.

Scrap on! :)

~Jenn

National Card Making Day

Happy National Card Making Day!! I set out today, with the best intentions to get a whole lot of cards made. As the day went on, and I kept telling myself I needed to scrap, I needed to scrap, it just wasn't happening like I had hoped.... it was as if I lost my entire desire to get anything done. Don't you just hate those times? A day where you can do anything crafty you want and you just can't think of anything.... oh that scrappers block, you never cease to show at the wrong time. LOL

Oh well, it was the thought that counts I guess. On the up side, I do have a lot of Christmas cards that I need to make over the next little while, so hopefully real soon I'll have something done and ready to share with you.

Happy Scrappin'

~Jenn

For A Good Cause....

When I opened a Page on Facebook for the Cherry Pit, I immediately got a lot of positive feedback on my creations, and a few orders for items rolled in and I was even approached by a lady asking if I would be willing to make a few items as donations for her Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness that will be happening in October. I agreed to do something because it's for a really great cause, and I was honored to be asked and able to help in any way that I could.

So, after talking with Karen, I decided to make one of my phrase pyramid signs, as well as a set of cards for the Silent Auction. So here is what I came up with:

A Phrase Pyramid done in neutral tones, with the Words, Faith, Family and Friends. I added some extras to this one, like the raffia and flower, just to make it a lil more special and give it a little more dimension.
Next, I made up a set of 4 cards specific to Breast Cancer Awareness. I kept them simple in design, but a bit busy and I could even say pretty with the pattern of paper I chose to use. This was my first time using my ribbon embossing folder (which I've had for years), and I really like how things turned out. I did use chalk and rubbed it over the ribbon shape just to make it stand out a little more.

And Rather than just putting the cards in a ziplock bag, I got a little fancier than that to make them appear that much more special. I really hope these help at the Bust A Move support for Breast Health in Nova Scotia fundraiser. If you are in the area and would like to check things out, it is being held on October 1st, at the New Beginnings Center in Greenwood until 2PM. There will also be a second show on October 8th at the Top Hat Lounge in Greenwood, same time. :)

Until Next Time..... Happy Scrappin'
~Jenn

Even more Layouts Still

I told ya I'd be back! and here I am again with even more layouts that have been sitting here in the Cherry Pit for at least a year waiting for titles to be added to them. It feels so good to finally get these pages finished and into their albums! and it's nice to have the shelf space back from where they were sitting in a pile waiting to be completed. :)

Happy Scrappin'

~Jenn

Another Quickie Layout Post

I really love these quickie layout posts, makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something when I get to post on my blog. LOL These pages are all ones that I had started last year, and then left them to sit with no titles. I have finally gotten around to posting these and there will be more to post under the same circumstances soon.

Happy Scrappin'

~Jenn

sweet cards

Hi folks!!! Just a quick drive by post while I have a few free minutes. I have been in quite a creative slump when it comes to playing with just paper, whether it's scrapping a page or just a couple of cards. Other projects have taken over, and I have so many great ideas in my head it's been hard to get them out one at a time.

I forced myself to sit down and play with paper however. I decided to start small and make a couple of cards. So I did! I have to say I think these are SO cute! I stuck with the ever popular Cupcake theme, pulled out my DCWV Sweet Stack, and had a lot of fun making these "twin" birthday cards.

Now I feel like I might be able to finally be creative again with paper. These lil cards have inspired me in a lots of ways, the important way being that I've learned I still have what it takes to make something as sweet as these cards.

Happy Scrappin'

~Jenn

Baby is Here!!

I'm a little late in posting this, but after helping new Momma adjust to new Baby, then getting back home which I had been away from for almost a month, I needed some time to get used to being back home, and get back in to the groove of my Mommy routine and get back to taking care of my own family again.

Here I am now though, announcing the arrival of Michael Levi Burrell, better known as Little Levi. He was born early in the morning on June 1st, and for the most part has been a very good baby so far. :) Not to mention cute! Holy Moly! So much hair for a new little person, and huge eyes, so alert right from the start. picture taken just after his 1st bath..... he's not even a whole day old yet.

It's hard to believe it wasn't that long ago I was going to Doctors appointments with my friend and here is a Digital page I made of that moment.

While I'm here posting and since I thought of it, here is the Thank You card I made for my friend to give out to everyone who came, or sent something to her for the Baby Shower.

It's been a great month so far, what a great way to start the summer season :)

Happy Memory Making!

~Jenn