December Daily 2009

I think I've already pretty much established that I'm a total copy-cat and really have no actual creative bones in my body.

So, it should come as no surprise that I "copied" my December Daily.

It certainly was not as easy as Ali said it would be, though. I started with a Prima Canvas Album and covered it with fabric using Wonder Under. Then, I added new grommets. It took several hours, my iron is covered with sticky goo, and I almost lost a finger pounding the grommets, but the finished product looks pretty cool.

The other problem - one that I didn't anticipate - is that the pages hang out the sides of the album. The page protectors and canvas pages are about 1 1/2" longer than the actual album because of the addition of the rings. If I had to do it again. . . I would trim the pages so they wouldn't hang out. But, for now I'm just working to "embrace the imperfection."

I am, however, really proud of the sewing parts. I've never had much luck sewing on transparencies or page protectors or really anything thick or slippery or plastic. This time, though, I bought a heavy-duty needle and heavy thread and found success.

So. . . here it is. I'm excited to start filling it up.

Thanksgiving 2009

2005 was our first 20-Something Thanksgiving.

We bought it back in 2007.

And, we did it again this year. Except, it isn't 20-Something Thanksgiving anymore because I'm the only one who is still in her twenties, and I'm barely in my twenties.

Anyway. . .

We shared Thanksgiving with Angie, Mike, and Luke and Angie, Jeff, and Cooper.

Angie made a perfect turkey.


Brad got a deer.


Luke got plenty of play time.


All of the food was great. My contributions included: stuffing, corn (frozen), rolls (Crescent rolls), pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cheesecake.




I have no idea why I didn't take pictures of the dessert. It was pretty amazing. When I opened one of the pies, Cooper actually said, "Ta da!" My pie impressed even the two-year-old.

Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday--the best food and the least amount of pressure. But, I especially like being able to celebrate with people who are such an important part of my life.

Philly

I was in Philadelphia last week for:
NWP Annual Meeting
NCTE Convention
Lots of Eating
Meeting Beth

I managed to fit in a little sight-seeing on Wednesday including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. I realize both of these are somber, important, historic sights, but I found each totally hilarious. It was a tiny, Asian woman posing in front of the Liberty Bell for a photo - making a peace sign and grinning maniacally - that got the giggling started.




At Independence Hall it was the tour guide - a ringer for Yogi Bear - that made me lose it. Apparently, Independence Hall is a "no gum" zone. The tour guide screamed at not one, but two tour-ees for illegal chewing. I've really never seen anything like it.







Wednesday was also the day I met my very favorite place in Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market. It's filled with food and more food and even more food after that. I ate lunch there three times in the five days I was in Philly: sloppy joe with mashed potatoes (and a piece of pumpkin cheesecake), slice of pizza (and an ice cream cone), and roast beef sandwich (and freshly baked cookies).






Thursday I walked and walked and walked and walked in the area of the art museum. I saw Lemon Hill Mansion (beautiful!) and the "rocky steps." I'm not quite sure what I was thinking, but I didn't put things together to realize I was going to see the steps prominently featured in the motion picture Rocky. I thought I was just going to see some steps made of stone. Imagine my disappointment (and embarrassment).

There was lots and lots of learning involved in this trip, too. Highlights include: a panel about content area thinking (Thursday), Billy Collins (brilliant!), my own session about content area thinking, Kelly Gallagher (NCTE on Saturday), and a session about reader's notebooks (Saturday, NCTE).


And, then there was Sunday. I met the fabulous Beth on Sunday. She helped me eat my way through the city, gossiped about scrapbooking, swapped teaching stories, and endulged my inner-tourist with a double-decker bus ride.







When/if I'm back in Philly I want to be sure to check out:
Betsy Ross House
White Dog Cafe
Butcher and Singer
Eastern State Penitentiary
Mansions in Fairmount Park
Ride the Ducks

And, last but not least, I feel compelled to leave you with a list of all the places I ate. Unfortunately, links will have to do, as I didn't bust out my camera at most of them.
Dutch Eating Place (Lunch at Reading Market)
Termini Brothers Bakery (Dessert at Reading Market)
Bassetts Ice Cream (Dessert at Reading Market)
Supper (Brunch)
Friday Saturday Sunday (Dinner)
Pietro's (Dinner)
Davio's (Dinner)
Vietnam (Dinner)
Farmicia (Dinner)
Whipped (Cupcakes)
Betty's Tasty Buttons (Cupcakes)

12 hours = 8 layouts

I played with paper and glue yesterday for almost 12 hours (minus some time for shopping and eating).

I can't seem to actually make anything of my own these days, though. Pretty much everything I made is copied directly from something someone else made.

I'd say this one is mine, though. I used a sketch from Autumn Leaves's Designing With Recipes Book and Studio Calico's November 2009 kit.



This one, however, is completely copied from a Nicole Harper layout with the November 2009 Studio Calico kit. I used the same paper and embellishments, even. It's pretty shameless.


This one is an Ali Edwards's knock-off from a compilation of different Studio Calico kits.


This one is from SC's Documentary (July 2009, I think). It's a total knock off of a layout that Waleska made.


And, this one is from Christine Drumheller. I think I might have actually lifted this one before. Guess I really like it. I used the July 2009 Studio Calico kit again.


This is July 2009 Studio Calico kit again. It's from a sketch I grabbed from a blog - not sure which one. I think I'd say this one is pretty much my own, though.


And, this is from a Jen Jockisch layout in Page Planner.


I'm pretty confident this is a Celeste Smith layout. I stole it from her May 2009 Freehand Scraps gallery.