I'm back but no time to post!

Lauren and I got back from our trip to Cleveland last night at about 8pm. I forgot how hectic my real life is. I had planned to write a big, long post about our trip but that's going to have to wait until tomorrow. But be prepared ... TONS of pictures! We had an awesome trip!

In the meantime, most of you know that I host the Heritage Challenge and co-host the Altered/Collage Challenge (along with my good friend Christine) each week at Scrap Artist. These are posted each week on Tuesday. We call it the Twofer Tuesday Challenge. Well, I just posted both challenges and I thought I would share a quick layout that I created early this morning. The Altered/Collage Challenge this week is called "Repeat That Please!" The challenge is to repeat elements or pictures at least 5 times on your altered or collage-style layout. This is my sample piece and it is called "Closure." It is totally full of meaning for me although looking at it, you just wouldn't get it so I'll explain some of it. The girl represents me and my life. I have had many different experiences in life but the face is always the same because it is always me. You really never know where you will end up, however, in the center, it says "'Be Here Now" meaning that you should always live in the present. The colors represent emotions. There are seven faces because 7 is an important number to me. I know I am rambling but it all makes perfect sense to me.

Credits: I created this with a bunch of my own stuff. The background paper, hat, ric rac, wings and faces are from La Femme. Torn paper is from Nature (I recolored it). I made the paint dots with ArtRage. Word art is by Maya at Scrapbook Graphics (Quirky Quotes). Font is 4990810. Created in Photoshop CS2.

Here's some music for you. It's Green Day: Holiday. Because we just got back from an awesome holiday! (And because I hear the kids playing it upstairs!)