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3.16.2010

catching up-Something from Almost Nothing

Like many of you out there, I am loving Shimelle's Something from Almost Nothing class! For a long time I have been collecting piles upon piles of all of these beautiful products and not using them...shame on me. But thanks to this awesome new class, I am inspired to use up what I have and document all of the good stuff in the here and now.

I had grad class all weekend so I didn't get a chance to scrap until Sunday evening before bed, but between then and yesterday I got the first two prompts done. 

Here is my title page:  

I used some scraps leftover from papers that I adore and followed the assignment of using up some of my metals (the book plates and brads). 
Here is prompt 2:


I decided to use up some more of those metals that have been collecting in my scrap stash and use them to help make a patterned paper border. I got a lovely little pack of Melissa Frances mini-frames in a monthly kit which inspired me to paint a bunch of my other bronze and gold colored frames all white. Insert scraps of my favorite colors and, voila, I created a page I love and used up some of those ole dust collectors!
So why make this album?
It seems cliche, but I really am making this book because life is a gift. 

 And because I won't allow myself to buy anything new until I have used up what I need to use up and only keep what I absolutely positively love. (boy, that is hard!)

And because it is almost metaphoric...cleaning out all of these old supplies to make room for new and exciting ones. Loving the past, looking forward to the future, and being grateful for it all. 
Every now and then, one must examine what you have, take inventory and prioritize...whether that be with supplies or life in general. 

I used to think that I appreciated life, but over this past year I realized just how important it is to be grateful for every morning we get to wake up, and to make the best of each day. 
I'm celebrating life because it is a gift.
A gift that should be enjoyed.
A gift that should be lived well, whatever that definition is to you. 
And most certainly a gift to be celebrated.

Are you making something from almost nothing?

17 comments:

Caroline said...

I love this post!! I am trying to appreciate moment by moment, and live in the now. XO

Unknown said...

Gosh I love your posts! They are always so insightful and put things into perspective. Life IS a gift! I try to make something of it by being nicer to my loved ones & trying to do at least one FUN thing everyday! xoxo

p.s. your page looks beautiful!

CDC said...

love the pages! good use of your stuff! great post as always:) spread some of that happy life over here to stomach bug girl;)

Melissa said...

Great post and I love the border you made, it looks fabulous.

Kellie Collis said...

Hmm this isnt one of my strengths! Perhaps I can take some fabulous inspiration from you!! x

Anonymous said...

Yes, we have lots to celebrate! Love your los! Thanks for the comment about the pen tablet!! X

OneCraftyFox said...

This looks beautiful, I really like how you incorporated paper and metal, I could not even tell that it is metal!

Tara said...

Love your layouts Melissa, they are fabulous. Well done you for using up your stash, I bet it feels good!!

humel said...

Beautiful post :-) And I so love this layout - the butterflies are gorgeous, and I love that you painted the frames white! Why didn't I think of that?!

sharyncarlson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sharyncarlson said...

Wow. Seriously, wow. I am big time in love with these pages! Okay, can we talk about how genius those painted white frames are with the patterned paper?! And the gorgeous die cut (?) on your cover page. And the wings of the butterflies folded up. Love it all!

Clair said...

I love the pages you've created. So glad that you managed to catch up a little - now I can steal your ideas for my album. Just kidding. Or maybe not..... :)

Unknown said...

Those butterflies are just beautiful! I love the 3-D aspect and how you contrasted that with the circle with the one punch out. Gorgeous. I am trying... trying... trying so hard to appreciate each day. Thank you for the encouragement!

Nancyroo said...

this is such a cool page- love all the little frames!

Susanne said...

Great pages. Looks like you are enjoying using up your stash, looks like there might be a shopping trip in your near future to replenish said stash. Good for you.

libby said...

Love the layouts - they are gorgeous. Think I'm going to have to scraplift the second one!

Libby

Genevieve said...

LOVE this post! Your layouts for Something from Almost Nothing are absolutely stunning. Love those frames and the gentle colours. And your reasons for creating the album are so beautifully expressed. You definitely have a way with words!

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