2018 Vista Project – installment 8: Paper selection part three, the shopping list that didn’t happen.

I had every intention of making a precise list of solid color papers I would need to complete the scrapbook pages. I was really going to do that. But then I saw Hobby Lobby was having a sale! So instead, I went to Hobby Lobby.

The first pack I found was the BRIGHTS one. I love the colors in the pack and I sure they will all be used if not for this project, for others I will be working on real soon. Here are some of the colors that really caught my eye.

I also purchased the pack UNICORN as I love the lighter, more pastel shades. These will definitely not go to waste.

And finally, I purchased some red glitter paper and some light blue glitter paper that I have a specific use for in this project.

Now all that is left to do is to start putting pages together. But first, I have some time-sensitive craft projects that I need to get started on and completed. Have no fear, I will be returning to show the scrapbook pages once they are put together.

2018 Vista project – Installment 5: Final photo elimination and the beginning of paper selection.

It feels good to know I have managed to make decision on the final photos that will go in the scrapbooks. I have managed to go from 2500 photos to 645. That means that 129 photos will be making their way into 5 mostly identical scrapbooks.

How will the 129 photos be broken down into scrapbook pages? Well, please allow me to tell you. There will be a total of 31 single page layout, 10 of which will only contain 1 photo. There will be 7 two page layouts. The largest majority of single page layouts will contain 3 photos. Most of those are from our excursion to Dolphinaris in Cozumel.

Now the fun part begins. Time to do some paper selection. This is just as time consuming as photo selection. But this is what I have so far.

Of course, like everything else, it is subject to change. In fact, now that I’m looking at the initial paper selection on here, I will likely change it. But I guess this will be the preliminary round of paper selection.

So, I will be spending some time over the next few days selecting paper for the photos I have. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will not have to go shopping for paper and can match photo and activity with all the paper I have on hand. Wish me luck.

Please continue to follow my blog as I continue the scrapbook journey that is 2018 Vista Project.

2022 Special Mom Project – Installment 1: Creating a scrapbook/photo album for mom to recap 2021.

2021 was not the best year, but it was not as bad as 2020. Unfortunately, the time we were able to spend with my mom was very limited. Luckily, I took pictures almost every time we went somewhere.

I have decided to make a scrapbook/photo album of the adventures we had last year. In a chronological order, there will be a 2-page scrapbook spread. The left page will have the date of the activity, what we did, and who was with us. The right side will have a scrapbook page with the photos. Any additional photos will be placed in photo protectors and put in the album immediately after the scrapbook page. This is something I know she will like.

I store all of my photos on Shutterfly. Today, using the Shutterfly app, I ordered all of the pictures I took of her last year. I have been ordering my photos from Shutterfly for a long time now. I have boxes and boxes and boxes of the photos I ordered from our 2018 Carnival Vista cruise. The quality has always been great and their service is excellent.

A website I love to use for my scrapbook needs is scrapbook.com I have purchased several 12 x 12 scrapbook albums from them. They never disappoint. Today, I found the PERFECT album to use for this special project.

I am very excited about this special project for my mom. I cannot wait until the photos and the scrapbook come in. I will be making notes of the things we have done while I wait. I hope you will follow along with me as I bring this project to life.

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 22, Family Edition #5 NASCAR 2007

Something you should know about me. I have loved NASCAR for a long time. So much that I even named our pets after race tracks. Our first dog, I named her Daytona. Why??? Because I thought you looked like the backstretch at Daytona after the big one, all black with some white and brown. Our cat is named Talladega, because he has some stripes. Our third dog is named Cartwright. How does that relate to Texas Motor Speedway? The big screen they show the race on is called Big Hoss and we actually call our dog Hoss. And our newest addition to our canine family is Dixie. There is actually a Dixie Racetrack in Georgia, so that is close enough to racing for us. Now, on with the story for today’s scrapbook page.

For Christmas, 2006, I gave my kids tickets to the NASCAR Busch race. My daughter couldn’t go so her oldest daughter took her place!

It was cold but still an exciting time. I was so happy my oldest son was able to make it! We had a great time. One of these days, we might go to another one. Over the years, there have been a lot of changes in the way the races are run. I’m not saying they are good or bad. I’m just not a fan of them. Don’t get me wrong. I do still love a good race! It’s just that the drivers I followed in the beginning are no longer racing. So, travel opportunities are more of a priority than going to races

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 19, Galveston 2012 No. 6, Evening in Galveston.

It seems only appropriate after the walking, driving, in and out of the car, that we did it would be appropriate for us to go in search of a place to eat. The dining options in Galveston are endless. The variety ranges from fast food to fine dining. It all depends on what you want at any given time. Today we decided to have a late lunch, early dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack. It’s nothing special but definitely hit the spot. Of course, our travel mascot Fernando deFrog Cruise had to have a cocktail!

A walk along Seawall Boulevard was required after eating. Obviously I was on my way to my favorite shopping spot on Seawall! Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures inside Murdochs but maybe on another trip to Galveston, I will.

Our evening ended with a beautiful sunset outside the condo.

We didn’t know how the evening/night would end, but it ended suddenly. While we were relaxing, we received a frantic call from our granddaughter, Jennifer. My mom fell in the bathroom and she did not know what to do. Jennifer was scared as I’m sure anyone would be at that age (13). We immediately packed up and headed back home. I think we made it to the hospital in record time! Luckily, there were no serious injuries and the cause of the fall was determined to be from a seizure and a small stroke.

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 18, Galveston 2012 No. 5, Some Beautiful Houses

While on our trek to find the tree sculptures, we saw some beautiful house. I thought I should share a few with you.

The Frederich-Erhard House, a historical home we saw. It is beautiful.

Another beautiful house. Just look at the details. Definitely very grand. Vibrant colors. But I can’t get over the details!

Two more houses that really caught my eye. I just love the colors.

The houses have stood against hurricanes and the floods they bring. Most of the house we saw had signs near the front door showing where the flood waters came to on the house.

I think we might be getting a little hungry now so please come back to see what we get into next!

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 17, Galveston 2012 No. 4, Tree Sculptures part 2.

Continuing on our tree sculpture journey.

“Geisha” located at 1717 Ball Street. Artist: Jim Phillips.

“Sister Angels” located at 1717 Ball Street. Artist: Dayle Lewis.

“Tin Man and Toto” located at 1702 Winnie. Artist: Jim Phillips.

“Grandmother Reading To Her Grandchildren” located at 1723 Winnie. Artist: Earl Jones.

“Monument to Galveston Trees” located at 1028 Winnie. Artist: Jim Phillips.

“Mermaid Holding Clam Shell” located at 1408 Church Street. Artist: Dayle Lewis.

“Pelican Sitting On Piling” located at 1618 Church Street. Artist: Dayle Lewis.

There are still so many more I will need to find and I am happy to do that on our next extended trip to Galveston.

We did some some beautiful houses while we were on our tree sculpture adventure. I will share those scrapbook pages in the next installment.

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 16, Galveston 2012, No. 3 Tree Sculptures part 1

On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall on Galveston. Among the destruction Ike caused were beautiful old trees, uprooting and killing thousands. Years later, the tree sculptures were born.

On this day, we decided we would take the list and map we found online and see how many tree sculptures we could find. Although we did not find them all, we could have but our stomachs had other ideas. So, here is today’s tree sculpture scrapbook pages.

“Pod of Dolphins and Mermaid” located at 902 Ball Street. The artist is Earl Jones.

“Dolphin” located at 828 Ball Street. The artist is Earl Jones.

“Squirrel with Acorn” located at 1302 Ball Street. The artist is Dayle Lewis.

“Wildlife Totem Pole” located at 1302 Ball Street. The artist is Dayle Lewis.

“Two Herons” located at 1316 Ball Street. The artist is Dayle Lewis.

“Guitar” located at 1415 Ball street. The artist is unknown, however some website say the homeowner is the artist.

“Toad” located at 1615 Ball Street. The artist is Dayle Lewis.

Tomorrow I will be back to complete the tree sculpture tour.

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 15, Galveston 2012 No. 2

Continuing with SeaWolf Park. Since we were homeschooling our son at this time, we decided it would be the perfect opportunity to visit the Galveston Naval Museum.

We first toured the USS Stewart, a WWII destroyer escort.

Then toured the USS Cavalla, a WWII submarine.

There are truly no words to describe the history we walked through. Photos do not do it justice.

Afterwards, we walked over to a building on the park that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike.

I must confess, I did have to go to Michaels to purchase something I did not have to create my scrapbook pages on the UUS Stewart and USS Cavalla. I initially went to get stickers only, but then I saw the embossed navy blue paper and new it would be perfect for the layouts.

Tomorrow will be another fun day as we go in search of the tree sculptures.

Telling Our Story One Scrapbook Page At A Time – Installment 14, Galveston 2012 No. 1

It’s time for me to put together scrapbook pages for a weekend getaway we took in 2012. We like going to Galveston. It’s somewhat east to get to from our house as long as we manage to avoid the traffic in Houston. That is definitely the worse part of going to Galveston… Houston traffic and Houston road construction. It’s never ending much like I-35!!!

On this trip, it was my husband, our son Dawson, and our traveling frog mascots. Luckily they didn’t get out too much. We used bonus time with our SilverLeaf timeshare so we had a place to stay and didn’t have to worry about where we would be eating. We typically eat at the condo so we always stop at WalMart to pick up the necessary items as we are driving in. Every morning starts the same way… coffee on the balcony.

On this day, we decided to make our way to SeaWolf Park. It is so nice there. Lots to see and explore. I like watching the ships as they pass by. And sometimes, I have even spotted dolphins playing. But not this time.

To be continued