Lasting Memories Challenge - "Happy New Year!"

It's that time of the week again for a "Lasting Memories" Challenge!

The challenge this week is "Happy New Year!"

Now, first of all, I am no exception to scrapper's block, and I waited until what I thought was last minute before I realized I had one more day left...LOL! This was a really tough challenge for me at first because I haven't scrapped pictures of myself since 2007. After that I took a few years off and completely lost my scrapping mojo until my daughter was a few months old. Ever since then, all layouts have been of and for her. I avoided my desk all week and racked my brain with ideas and surfed the web for hours... So at first I wanted to use a play on words for a resolution or something and still sneak in a layout of my daughter but then I said go for it.... You're going to want pictures of yourself some day to remember YOU, and I give complete credit to the challenge this week for my renewed mojo of scrapping photos of myself and other family members from over the years. My last scrapbook goes up to 2005.. I got stalled after our Mexican cruise in 2006 and all pictures since then have been collecting dust. Thank you Lasting Memories! ;)

Anyways, long story short, don't forget about yourself! One day you will wake up and look back at your scrapbooks and not have any memories from the little moments in your life before the big stuff happened.. At least that's how it almost was for me! Maybe there is someone out there that got stuck in a rut like I did. I was so focused on the biggest thing in my life right now that I neglected old memories that needed to get recorded on paper and out of the trap I call my computer! Lol.

For my layout, I chose pictures of last year's new year's eve for 2011. 

I loved the countdowns that I seen on some other layouts and I really wanted to use it on mine. All the numbers are cut from the Alphalicious Cricut cartridge. Photo mats are K&Company paper and polka dot glitter paper is Best Creation Inc. I also used TH walnut stain distressing ink on the edge of the whole layout and around the flags and photo mats. I threw some tiny staples in there too using TH tiny attacher, simply because it's new :) They are on the ends of the banner and on the ends of the paper strips.

This flower is made form the same paper as the photo mats and polka dot paper, I cut out circles of each and glued them together back to back and used this tutorial on how to make it. I LOVE how it came out! Did I mention I LOVE it!? You will definitely see these more often :) I have very rarely made my own embellishments for my pages and I am hooked! I want more ideas for handmade flowers and other embellishments, If you know of any please PLEASE leave me a comment or link and I will be sure to check it out! 

For my clock face I printed a clock mask off the internet onto printer paper and used a razorblade to cut out the numerals. Then I used it as a mask like any other plastic or chipboard mask. I made my own mister with TH distressing ink refill in Chipped Sapphire and some water in an empty mister by Ranger. I then used Tsuniko shimmer spritz in silver on top of the TH to add shimmer. The game spinners are also TH, set at midnight. I used Enamel Accents in white to accent each number of the countdown and in the corner of this photo I used MS edge punch for the polka dot paper in Doily Lace.

I used Momenta puffy stickers for "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" And Recollections stamp set for the "2011"

Twine in Charcoal is from the Twinery. I used a circle punch and folded it over the twine and glued shut. I'm really falling for banners ;)

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Whimsical Designs - Use an edge punch 

Paper Cutz Challenge - New Year

Alphabet Challenge - "Y" for You can choose (Anything goes)

My Sheri Crafts - Time for change (Use a clock)

I used Sketchy Thursdays' sketch and I'm so sad to say that this will be their last one. :( I moved some things around but I have all the basic elements in there :)

This week Haven over at Haven's Haven is sponsoring this challenge. If you play along over at Lasting Memories you will have one entry for this amazing prize!! Today is her birthday so if you go visit her be sure to wish her a happy birthday! :)

ANDDDDD if you use Lasting Memories' sketch by Ashley Horton you will earn a SECOND entry into this week's challenge! Doesn't that sound awesome!!?? Here is her sketch for this week:

Join us and show us your new year's resolutions or how you celebrated bringing in the new year! You have until next Saturday, January 21st to link up your layouts!

Now get your butt over there and join us in this super fun challenge!!!

 And make sure you visit "Lasting Memories" tomorrow for the rest of the design teams inspirational layouts for this weeks challenge!

Happy Scrappin'!