Noel Mignon New Moon Challenge

This past week saw the opening night for the second movie in the Twilight Saga, "New Moon," so the designers at Noel Mignon thought we would give you a little challenge based on the book- but with a twist!

The book "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer is all about change and moving on. The author stated that the reason behind the title is because whenever there is a new moon, the night is very dark; just like this time in the protagonist's journey in the book. Sometimes when you are going through changes, it's ha

rd to see the end result and if you are going to get your "happy ever after."

Using this thematic element from the book, do a layout based on a major change that happened in your life. It doesn't have to be when life was "dark" for you; not all change is bad or as dramatic as it was for Bella!

Also include:

-the colors black, white, and red
-flowers (like the cover of New Moon)
-text/book paper (it doesn't have to be from the book- I wouldn't ask you to tear up a Twilight book! )

-a charm of some sort (to represent the charms that Edward & Jacob gave Bella)
-a little bit of bling or sparkle (hello- because the vampire

s are sparkly!)

This challenge runs from today through December 4th. Check out the other designers' work here!

(You can see how I made this background for my layout here.)

My journaling is from an old blog post. It reads:

Motherhood came as shock to me.

After trying unsuccessfully for a couple of years to conceive, I was elated when I found out I was pregnant with Em. When we discovered that we were having a little girl, my excitement- and number of daydreams- rose. I fantasized about pigtails and giggles and little pink clothes. We couldn't wait to meet this tiny little girl.

Then... Em arrived, in all her screaming wiggly glory. Quiet & sleep became a thing of the past. No more "moments to myself." Leaving the house became near impossible for a while.

I had loads of problems breastfeeding (something I had always been determined to do). Unbeknownst to me, Emerson had a painful case of acid reflux that made eating and laying down really uncomfortable for her, which equalled a screaming baby all the time. To top it all off, I ended up getting a severe infection. This left both Em and I in a soggy, crying mess most days.

My idealized fantasies of strolling around the mall as a cute new mom with her adorble pink, be-ribboned doll child went right out the window.

Things slowly got better over time. My infection healed, Em was prescribed medication for her acid reflux, and I began to get showers every day. (LOL)

Four months into being a mommy, I found out I was going to be one again.

I learned how to juggle morning sickness and early morning bottles; my naps and her naps; OB check-ups and play dates; a little one on my lap, sharing space with the new one in my ever-expanding tummy.

It wasn't "planned" by Shaun & I... but God knew we were ready for this. I was scared I wouldn't be able to give the kiddos the best mothering, but somehow we make it through every day with lots of hugs, kisses, and snuggles.


I couldn't imagine our life any differently.