Let's Check in with The Groovy Chicks: Darlene

When I asked The Groovy Chicks to talk to me about their layouts that line down the right side of our blog page here is what Darlene said :)
Deb♥

This was a really fun layout for me to do- I used a sketch by Julie Bonner (http://julie-bonner.blogspot.com/2010/03/thursday.html). I used BasicGrey's, Kioshi Collection, for the striped paper under the photo mat, and I pleated 4 1 1/2 inch strips of some double sided paper and placed it under and peeking out of the Basic Grey striped paper. I embossed and sanded, the freehand cut scallops, on the blue paper and left a bunch of negative space to journal all about myself. I even used a photo from my "bad" side for the first time ever! I added my title, Jenni Bowlin butterfly, and a LilyBeeDesigns brown flower (I added a handmade rose to the center) for embellishments, and that was that! Simple. :) For more info on the journaling read on-

"Imperfectly Perfect- 40+ things I've come to embrace about myself. June 2010

When I get mad, I take a hot shower to cool down. ~I load laundry into the washer, but I forget to dry them. ~I don’t talk before I brush my teeth in the morning. ~I never wear socks to bed because I like for Chris to unwillingly warm my frozen toes with his legs. ~I wait until last minute to accomplish any task, even one with a set deadline. I work well under pressure. ~13-17 year old boys think I’m their age. ~I used to write in a semi-journal in High School, but I trashed it in fear that my parents would find the contents. I regret it now. ~I have had a desire to have another baby for months, if not years now. I have baby fever, but the timing is not right. ~I do not like to feel anything, including hands, clothes, and even my own self, when my legs are not smoothly shaved. ~I stay up way too late past midnight regularly. ~I am newly hooked onto Facebook and Google Reader for blog upkeeps. ~ I hope to be half as good of a mother as my mother is. ~Ok, yes, sometimes I’m controlling and dramatic. ~I get mushy for animals and children, especially sick ones. ~I feel much more older than I am, minus the joint pain. ~Handmade anything is my favorite gift. ~Aside from Summer time (when I’m tan) I hardly go into public without at least foundation and mascara on. ~I am afraid of the dark and I still jump into bed. ~I thoroughly enjoy reading recreationally. ~Internet use is my guilty pleasure, well that and baked goods. J ~I won’t put clean clothes on until I have showered. ~Writing “to-do” lists makes my thoughts de-clutter and stress diminishes. ~I am a perfectionist with life. Everything I make must be just right. I am very critical of myself. ~I HATE roaches. ~My tonsils are always slightly enlarged. ~Randomness in a list format makes me smile. ~Usually at night I feel my nose stopped up so I blow hard and it makes a weird sound. Chris thinks this is disgusting. ~My little sister, Kitana, makes me feel young again. ~My most procrastinated chore is cleaning the bathrooms. ~Taking Ally out of the house makes me feel like a good mom. ~I hardly cry. Maybe once every six weeks. ~I like when people call, text, or email, just to say “I love you” or “I miss you.” J ~I am pretty good at multi-tasking. ~I always wash my hands when I wake up. ~I check my cell phone voice mail about once a month, or when I have 20 compiled messages, ~I usually don’t flush pee in my own toilets. ~Text messages are so much more fun than phone conversations. ~I enjoy popping blemishes. ~I hardly remember specifics of events. ~I taught myself how to thread eyebrows. ~I love to organize by color/style/category. "