Wishlist: New Hero Arts Stamps

I'm super excited about Hero Art's newest release, Stamp Your Story. There are a lot of great stamps in this release, perfect for both cards, scrapbook layouts, and Project Life. Here are a few that have caught my eye.

My Words - I love the font on this. This would be cute for cards, but also perfect for Project Life. I could see myself using these as accents to my journaling.

Journal Letters - This is probably my favorite. I love the look of handwritten letters. This is similar to this one but the letters are uppercase instead.

Travel - I'm obsessed with travel themed stuff, postage stamps, airmail... I especially love how Jennifer McGuire used this stamp on this card. She is so creative!

Love This Arrow - What a perfect name because I do love it! This arrow (and this one) have a matching die. I can't wait to use this on Project Life spreads.

I'm super excited about about the daubers, too. Can't wait to see how others are going to use these. The only problem? Choosing which color. I love them all!

And, speaking of colors...I am in love with the new inks. Mint Julep and Fresh Peach are beautiful colors. I can't wait to get my hands on these and make some cards using both inks.

You can view the rest of the collection here.

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.