Project Life 2013: Week One

One thing I have found over time is that I prefer one album per year. When I did Project 365 in 2010, I ended up needing two albums to hold 52 weeks worth of pictures (two page spread per week). I'm not a math major, but my brain quickly figured out that by the time I was 50, I would need a library to hold my albums.

The best way I found to combat this was to devote only one page per week. That means when I look at an open spread, I am seeing two weeks at a time. Honestly, this works fine for me. Most of the time I don't have enough stuff happen within a week to fill two pages. On weeks when a lot happens (for example, Hugh's birthday), I can add inserts with more photos.

I used the Simon Says Stamp January 2013 card kit for papers. Like I mentioned in my cover page post, I'm not using a designated PL kit, but instead using up my stash. I like the freedom this affords me. But, if you simply want to show photos and journaling, a kit is the easiest way to go.

This is the backside of that beautiful lace transparency. I punched a circle out of the paper included in the kit. To cover up the hearts on the other side, I glued down some foam glitter stars from the craft aisle.

I'm obsessed with sequins and glitter right now, so I created a pocket containing my goals for 2013. To keep the pocket closed (and the glitter and sequins in), I sewed down the side. I ended up sewing down the side of all the pockets because I have trouble with pictures falling out of the sleeves on this particular design.

A few more pics...

I love the wood veneer shapes from Freckled Fawn. And those October Afternoon alphas? One in every color please.

I bought some cute glitter paper lamps that Hugh promptly destroyed. Eh, oh well. So I cut it up and used it in my album! I swiped my black ink pad along a portion of the paper to mimic my New Year's Eve manicure.

Did I mention my current obsession with glitter? Another pocket to include tinsel from New Year's Eve, plus a mixture of white gold and silver Martha Stewart glitter. And, since I had forgotten my dates on my week card, I glued it on top of the glitter card.

Thanks for looking!

Simon Says Stamp offers a monthly card kit that includes one exclusive stamp set and other goodies. Experienced card makers have carefully chosen each product to coordinate and inspire you on a card making journey.  Each kit includes a wide variety of supplies--enough to keep you creating for hours! You'll also receive an email with 6 project ideas using the items in the kit. All of this right to your doorstep every single month. Find out more here.



Project Life is a solution-based approach to scrapbooking that was created by Becky Higgins to simplify the process in order to allow you more time to enjoy life! This back-to-basics approach to scrapbooking appeals to the person who's never made a scrapbook in their life as well as those with experience because it allows you to feel the freedom that comes from letting go of the "guilt" that so many associate with the memory keeping process. Find out more here.

Project Life 2013: Cover Page

I absolutely love Project Life. It has totally revolutionized the way I scrapbook. I used to have stacks and stacks of photos printed, waiting to be scrapbooked. And I felt like a complete failure, like I wasn't getting my story told. Yes, I was guilty of over complicating documenting your story.

Then, along came Becky Higgins and her *little* thing called Project Life. I could get as creative or as simple as I chose. The main idea was telling my story. If you haven't heard of Project Life before, check out this video.

Now, back to this year's album. I've done a great job of staying on task, however I haven't done such a great job of sharing them with you guys. Oops. Sorry about that.

I decided instead of buying a core kit, I would use up my stash. (However, I just might have to get a PL kit because the new kits coming out in May are beautiful!) I found a beautiful lace transparency at Michaels. I also picked up a patterned paper kit in the $1 bin section and was immediately drawn to that gorgeous rose paper.

For each family member's initial I used leftover American Craft stickers that were a little too large for most of my projects.

I love this stamp from Simon Says Stamp's January card kit. So perfect for an opening page, don't you think?

There's that fabulous rose paper that drew my eye. I used my silhouette to cut out the S and 2013 text. I used Impact font and simply typed it into the silhouette software. Nothing fancy. I backed the paper with some kraft paper included in the kit but decided the text didn't stand out enough, so I outlined it with a white paint pen.

I also wanted to include the bathroom people, so I put one for each of us. That was a file I purchased years ago from the Silhouette store, and I typed "the story of us" and cut it out as well.

I love the pictures I used for each of us. I had a hard time finding one I like of just me. I need to get in front of the camera more.

I've taken pictures of Week 1-6, and I'll share those soon!


Project Life is a solution-based approach to scrapbooking that was created by Becky Higgins to simplify the process in order to allow you more time to enjoy life! This back-to-basics approach to scrapbooking appeals to the person who's never made a scrapbook in their life as well as those with experience because it allows you to feel the freedom that comes from letting go of the "guilt" that so many associate with the memory keeping process. Find out more here.

Simon Says Stamp January 2013 Card Kit

This year I decided to subscribe to the monthly card kit from Simon Says Stamp. I've been eyeing the adorable kits every single month but was hesitant to commit to spending part of my monthly allowance. Well,  I couldn't take it. The stamps were so adorable, and the price was amazing, so I finally made the commitment. And, boy, am I glad I did!

I am huge fan of kits because they take the guess work out of making cards. And, one of my goals was to make four cards a month. (Yeah, that's not many, but more than zero, lol)

I'm finally getting around to photographing and sharing my cards.

At first, I made two cards that were exact copies of samples that Kristina made.

But, then the creative bug hit. In the middle of the night, my brain was wide awake with ideas. The first idea I had was to highlight the zig zags, but at an angle.

 

I had some heart doilies that I had misted, and one of them matched the green and gray paper perfectly. I also decided to start decorating the inside of the card as well.

 

Several cardmakers were utilizing watercolors on their cards, and I was smitten. I tried it with a card, but...EPIC FAIL. Never one to waste, I turned it into a distressed card with lots of purple, mint, and brown. I like the color combination, but I'm not sold on the card.

 

Not too fond of this card, either. I think it's the ribbon that really turns me off. But, I like the design. I'll have to try that again with different colors.

I really love the navy cardstock that was included in the kit. Navy is a very trendy color right now. I definitely need to add more navy to my projects. I also wanted to make a card with a window. This one was huge, lol!

I used some old Martha Stewart lace circle stickers I got on clearance to make flowers. I love the kraft circle stickers included in the kit. I think I will order some more of those!

I made several other cards, some using only stamps. I also used the kit on my Project Life spread for Week one. Definitely will be sharing soon. Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Christmas Day!

We pray for continued blessings on everyone. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

And, while we wholeheartedly agree that the birth was ever so important, let us not lose focus of the reason behind the birth. More so than a sweet babe in the manger, Christ's purpose was salvation. "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again." John 3:16-17 (The Message)

Hello, November.

We're officially in holiday season. I love it! The cool crisp in the air, sweaters, tons of opportunities to see family and friends...more reasons why fall is my favorite time of year.

Location: While we don't want to get too busy this holiday season, we do plan do go to Mobile to see Mawmaw. Plus we've already taken an overnight trip to Jackson. But other than that, we plan on staying home.

Watching: Thomas the Tank Engine; Go, Diego, Go! (um, yes, we have a 20-month old); Once Upon a Time; The Last Airbender (cartoon)

Eating: Still going strong with my diet. I've lost 7 lbs so far. Yay for me.

Drinking: Cranberry water. Almond milk.

Wanting: Land, but understanding that is not in God's time right now. Maybe one day.

Needing: More time in prayer!

Loving: Zumba class. I feel incredibly ridiculous, but I'm having so much fun and burning calories at the same time.

Creating: Christmas presents for the kiddos; a quilt for Hugh's bed; a quilt to donate to hospitals

Thinking: About prom themes. Oh, the joy of being a junior sponsor.

Wondering: I really want to be at home with Hugh. But is that God's desire for me at this moment? At the same time, I absolutely love teaching. But, do I want to continue with high school or transition to middle school/upper elementary? In need of direction.

I'm praying for a Christ-centered holiday season this year!

Weekend Lens: A Trip to Jackson, MS

This weekend we took a little day trip to Jackson, MS. I needed to take an exam to add an endorsement to my current teaching license, so we figured we would take a mini vacation.

First off, we had to stop at Sonic's Happy Hour to get us something that would last the entire trip. Nothing like a Route 44 half off! I was good and made mine a Diet Coke. I also kept looking back at Hugh, amazed at how big he is getting. I see those size 7 Nike's and those adorable legs...my baby isn't a baby anymore! Hello, toddler territory!



Hugh loved the hotel room. This was his first time in one. I love traveling as well. We stayed in a nice hotel. Not such a nice neighborhood (on the edge of downtown, a little too close to some shabby neighborhoods), but we still felt very safe.



We also discovered Duck Dynasty. Don't judge...we don't have cable. A&E had a Duck Dynasty marathon, and we were in redneck heaven! (P.S. Uncle Si is my favorite!)



And no trip to Jackson is complete without a stop at Bass Pro.




Our last stop was the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. This was such a cool place! The current exhibit was a dinosaur exhibit. At first, Hugh was a tad bit scared. But he started to warm up to the dinosaurs, eventually giving us hilarious dinosaur roars!








The museum was a taxidermist's heaven! We loved finding all of the animals in each exhibit. Some were easy to find (exhibits like the first pic below). Others were set up like you would see it in nature. Hugh also loved the aquarium portion. Turtles, fish, snakes, frogs...it was so cool. Perhaps I have a budding marine biologist on my hands.






Whew, it was a busy day but definitely lots of fun! If you are near the Jackson area, I highly recommend the museum. It rocked!

Oh and it didn't hurt to come home and scream ROLL TIDE all evening. :)