Friday night my mother-in-law, Debbie and I went to a crop with some friends of mine. I had high hopes to get 12 pages done. Of course, that didn’t happen, but I did make progress on 6 pages! 4 of them are completely done (3 layouts) and one 2 page layout is still in the works.

The first two pages were part of a challenge on Two Peas, where we were given layouts to use as inspiration. Here are my takes…

The last one was one I hadn’t planned on doing, but found a scalloped circle I really liked and wanted to scrap it!

Yea! I finally uploaded pictures!!! So now I’m in business. First…a couple of layouts that I completed. Here’s the one I did last Thursday at the crop, even though I haven’t changed what I didn’t like yet (I think I want the title bigger and fix my doodling around the circle).

Here is a layout I cracked out tonight for a sketch challenge at my local scrapbook store. Initially, I didn’t really like the sketch, but decided to scrap these Illini pics of the kids. I’ve had them forever, and finally picked up some Illinois papers while back home over New Years’. It’s definitely bright and themed, but I think I’m happy with it.

I’ve been busy tonight. I figured I would go ahead and get my photography assignment done. Since it’s still raining outside, I thought I’d try this. I still want to play with something outdoors though too, once I can stand on the ground without sinking in. The f-stops on the following pictures are (top to bottom) 4.5, 9, 29. Theoretically, there should be less of the picture in focus in the first, more as you progress. I was focusing on the top of the green ball. I’m such a rookie.

I think I will post the much awaited New Year’s Day photos tomorrow to save this from being a VERY long post…and I’m quite tired.  Until tomorrow.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t particularly care for New Year’s Resolutions, yet every year I set goals for myself.  What is the difference?  I don’t know…semantics really.  For some reason, the idea of resolutions just asks for them to be forgotten.  This year I have so many goals for myself in different areas of my life.  As far as my somewhat newly-found hobby, I have set several goals.

• Complete 100-125 scrapbook pages (which comes out to around 2-3 a week).
• Play around with “altered items”.
• Learn to really use my new camera.

So I figure…one goal at a time.  As of today, I have only completed 1 scrapbook page (which I’ll post as soon as I change something I don’t like!).   Of those three goals, the one I really want to get a jumpstart on is learning to use my camera.  I got a Nikon D40x (Digital SLR) for my birthday in September, and while I love the clearer images and fast shutter speed, I am certainly not using it to it’s full potential.

Fortunately, Two Peas  is doing a 12 week online photography class.  If you love scrapbooking, this is absolutely the BEST website for you…period.  There are a ton of great layouts to be inspired by, articles on new techniques, and the message boards are fun too.  Anyway, if you are like me and would like to start learning more about your camera, check out the PDF from Week 1:  Aperature.  It is the whole first lesson, plus the photography “homework” for the week.  I’m looking forward to finally making some headway in this area.