Project Life Week 4: Jan 23 - 29, 2012

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Hello Tuesday and hello another week of sharing Project Life.  After a slight glitch this morning with my camera and its stubborness in connecting with the computer (which may or may not have resulted in a few tears and a slight panic attack) I am ready to share Project Life Week 4.  Yes, I am behind but in my book that is ok...I am trucking along and should be caught up in no time.

Week 4 full page with insert:

 Full page with backside of insert:

We had a full weekend this week and I took lots of pictures of our event on Saturday that I wanted to include either in PL or a traditional page.  I decided to do a baseball card protector insert in my PL album because there were far too many photos that I wanted to include even for a traditional page.  I resized the pics to 3x4 in Photoshop using the free template I downloaded from Paislee Press and printed them at CVS.  I just trimmed them to fit and slide them into the protectors.  Not that Liz reads my blog or anything...but I really can't thank her enough for these templates.  I use them all.the.time!

Left side:

Pictures:  my new lover - the kitchen aide mixer, cupcakes, warm weather & melting snow = flooded driveways, and hanging out in the box with dad.

Little bits of life:  an orthodontist referral for the kids

Used:  PL Clementine, cardstock from my stash, silhouette cuts for the title page and really old letter stickers.

Right side:

Pictured:  The kids with Auntie Danielle after her plunge, Danielle's plunge, hot cocoa on a 50 degree day, and pics from the cardboard box race.

Used:  my computer to print the journaling card to talk about the week and the little handcut flag.  The brad is CTMH.

Front of insert:

I had to laugh when I went back into my inspiration file to link back to the post where I first saw this idea.  Jenni Hufford (whose PL rocks!) had used it in her week 4 insert...I didn't realize that I had used the same exact paper, until I went back to grab the shortcut for you all to look at...I really, really, really love her work. (and no...she doesn't read my blog either...but if she did, I would really want her to know how much she inspires me).  The paper is from the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Line that came in my February Studio Calico kit Daydream Believer.  The "Love this Life" & that big bracket were cut on my Sihouette.  I layered them with matching green cardstock. The floral paper was also in the SC kit...I love that I don't have to guess about coordinating papers.

 I didn't have any little banners so I hand cut one after printing the "January what???" using the Old Typewriter font on my computer.  I traced it with a black fine tip sharpie (which I now use for all of my hand written journaling) and attached it with a Splendor Designer Brad for CTMH (they are now retired).  I have come to love the look of little bits here and there.

This week:  I plan on putting the finishing touches on Week 5 & start to tackle week 6 - 8.  I am heading back to the gym, working on filing the mountains of paperwork in the office and getting ready for a fairly busy weekend...although relishing the fairly slow week. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I would love for you to say hello.

Project Life Weeks 2 & 3

I am linking up once again this week with Jessica over at The Mom Creative for Project Life Tuesday.  So much inspiration over there each week.

This week I have weeks 2 & 3 to share.  I got behind a bit, mostly because I was striving for perfection and loosing touch with my creativity...but I think I have my groove back and these 2 weeks came together quickly and I am so happy with the finished pages.  I am really loving capturing the everyday stuff...the things I wouldn't put on a layout, the things I probably would never take a picture of....but these are the things I want to remember.

Week 2:  January 9 - 16

Full page spread with an insert.  JT was in a play and I inserted the program.  I used a 8 1/2 x 11 page protector, cut down to size and stitched up the side.

Left page close up:  Everyday things, homework, the first snowfall and our Thursday routine.  I also was able to capture one of my husbands little quirks.  I love the colors in the Clementine Kit as they match with so many things I have in my stash.  I love using up bits and pieces that I have had around forever.

 
Right page close up:  Kelsey had a project so I documented the making of and the finished project.  I also included pics from JT's play.  More everyday life with my Friday routine (the littles are sound asleep and so cute...but I needed to block their faces for privacy as they don't belong to me) & pics of our skiis outside the lodge as we finally got enough snow to spend the weekend on the mountain.

Week 3 January 16 - 22

Full page with insert:  This was such a busy week and I had a hard time choosing which pictures to include although I think I did a good job of showcasing our week.  I included an insert here again of Bob's ticket to the AFC Playoff game.  Again I used a 8 1/2 x 11 page protector trimmed and sewn.  The bottom contains confetti that was blown into the stands after the Patriots won a trip to the Super Bowl...I love how Bob thought to bring that home for our PL book...even in its infant stages...he gets it.


Full page with backside of insert:

Left side close up:  Cub scout trips, basketball games and a iphone pic of my friend and I doing meal prep (her face is blocked for privacy). I needed a filler so I used a quote I found on pinterest and made a 3 x 4 block in Microsoft Word, added the text and printed it out...perfect.  Sorry about the wonky pictures...I haven't found the perfect non-glare photo taking spot/time just yet.

Right side close up:  Our first snowman and significant snow of the year, more playoff game pics and a little treat for me after a Colleen meeting.  Instead of putting journaling in my 3 x 4 spots this week, I choose to combine it all on one 4 x 6 card.  I used the number stickers that came with the Clementine kit to put on the pictures I was highlighting on the card and corresponded the numbers in the text.  I made the journaling card in Microsoft Word and just printed it out and cut to size.

Those little badge buttons I am using to protect everyones identity are from Marcy Penner.  I think they are currently out of stock but she has some wonderful things in her shop perfect for PL.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you have time I would love your feedback.  If you have any questions on items I used...please just ask.

Project life is a system created by Becky Higgins. It can be as simple or artistic as you want it to be. It is designed to get back to the basics and record your everyday life. For more information read this post. Project life elements can be purchased here.

a confession & a card

I must confess...I think I have a problem.  While cleaning out my craft room, or at least attempting to, I have come to the sad realization that I am more of a supply hoarder than an actual scrapbooker...sad, I know, but so, so true.  It would be different if I actually used the supplies, but in all honesty I haven't created a card or layout in an embarrassingly long time. 

My plans are to remedy that in 2012.  I have started Project Life and plan on incorporating many of my on hand supplies into my album.  I also plan on getting back to regular scrapbooking.  Going through my pics of 2011 I found so many that I would like to create a layout for...now I just need to get it done.

I can't say that I won't be buying new products...I am a kit subscriber at Studio Calico (love, love, love), those Elle's Studio tags are constantly calling my name and the new CTMH Idea Book is filled with some great must have goodies (you can check it out over on my sidebar).  I do want to focus though on using up what I have.  So my first attempt is a card I made for JT's basketball coaches this year.  He has had a tremendous season and has grown so much as a player.  His coaches are wonderful and work so well with the boys.

Inside I stamped the team name and 2012 and had all the boys sign it.  We took up a collection and will be presenting the coaches with gift cards at the last game.  I am so sad to see this season end.  JT truly enjoys playing and looks forward to each game and practice.

Thanks Coach Supplies:
Since I am using up my supplies, most of what I have used is no longer available.  If CTMH, I have indicated that as (ret).
Sketch - Mojo Monday #198
Paper ~ You Rock Level 2 Paper Packet (CTMH - ret); White Daisy Cardstock (CTMH); Dutch Blue Cardstock (CTMH)
Stamps ~ A Little Everything (CTMH - ret); Let's Play Ball (CTMH - ret); Alphas (CTMH, incentive, ret)
Ink ~ Autumn Terracotta (CTMH); Black (CTMH)
Other ~ Pop Dots

Project Life Week 1 : 1/1/2012 - 1/8/ 2012

I do realize that I should be posting week 5 this week, but I am not.  There is a very good reason behind that and a very good lesson I have learned about Project Life. 

First let me say that I LOVE Project Life.  The feeling I had when I finally finished my first week (and I keep looking at it) was what it is all about.  I LOVE that my children like to look at it. I LOVE that my husband likes to look at it.  I LOVE that my step daughter (who is grown, married and just came home for a visit) thinks it is so cool.  I LOVE that my children keep finding little things and handing them to me for Project Life.  All of these reasons, and so many more, are why I will continue with Project Life. 

Now let me tell you why I almost gave up...one week in.  I am a comparer and a perfectionist.  Two really bad traits that I must let go of.  Project Life isn't meant to be perfect, it isn't meant to be someone elses album, it isn't meant to be stressful, it isn't meant to be something you are not. But I made it that way.  It is meant to represent you, your style, your family.  I got caught up in all the inspiration in blog land.  I got bogged down with wanting to do this, and this, and that and that.  In the meantime I didn't really do anything. I tried desperatly to incorporate 50 different styles from other PL layouts I have seen but didn't really embrace my style.  I got behind, I got frustrated and I almost gave up.  But then I read this post by Jenny Meyerson and I felt as if she was speaking directly to me.  I gained a new perspective on Project Life, I took the inspiration that I had found online, I sat down and I created and I didn't stop until week 1 was done. 

I am happy to say, week 1 is mine.  Week 1 is done.  I LOVE my week 1.  Although I created it in my scrapbooking style, I did incorporate the ideas of others.  I love the title blocks used by Nichol Magouirk.  I love incorporating a week in review insert like Michelle Wooderson and I love the idea of writing a note to my kids like Jenny Meyerson.  If it hadn't been for the inspriation I have found, I wouldn't have learned to use my silhouette (which contributed to the insane amount of time it took to finish week 1).  I am now on week 2, with pictures inserted into weeks 3-4.  They are coming along nicely and much quicker now that I have decided to look, get inspired, but then just create without getting bogged down and trying to make my Project Life look like someone elses.

So...if you are still with me...here is Project Life Week 1:

Both pages

 Close up of left page:

 Close up of right page:

Supplies used:

Project Life Core Kit Clementie Edition; Project Life Design A Page Protectors; Washi Tape from Studio Calico; Happy face badge CTMH (ret); Play tab CTMH (ret); Typewriter stamp Unity Stamp Co.

I hope to have Week 2 up this weekend and Week 3 soon to follow. 

Linking up this week with Jessica at the Mom Creative. 

Project life is a system created by Becky Higgins.  It can be as simple or artistic as you want it to be.  It is designed to get back to the basics and record your everyday life.  For more information read this post.  Project life elements can be purchased here.

2012 Goals & Projects

Last year I wrote down a whopper of a list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2011.  Needless to say, many of those things did not get accomplished.  That is ok, I expected that.  I guess the list was more a way to keep me accountable for what I have to get done instead of actually things I wanted to accomplish in the year.  This year, I was a bit more specific and tried to make my goals a little more attainable.  I broke them up into categories.  I thought it would be cute if I listed 12 goals in each category...especially the DIY/Home Improvement one to translate into one project a month, but I am trying to keep these realistic and I know looking at the laundry list of things that need to get accomplished on some of these projects that I may need more than a month to finish them.


So here they are for accountability sake.  I do have a few other things I would like to tackle this year, but these are my priority...everything else is just icing on the cake!


DIY/Home Improvement
Purge/Organize/Decorate Office/Craft Room (this one might take all year!)
Re-decorate Kelsey's room
Overhaul of master bedroom
finish dining room
refinish stairs
paint upstairs hallway
decorate sunroom / gallery wall
purge magazines and organize clippings
purge / organize recipes


The above is just high level...I have broken down each major goal into attainable steps to work on throughout the month I am tackling it...and if I do say so myself, I have some really neat ideas up my sleeve (thank you Pinterest).

Personal
Keep current on Project Life 2012 (& complete PL 2011)
Improve my photography skills
Keep a clean & uncluttered home (not that my home is dirty but...I could try a little harder to maintain it in between deep cleans)
Smile & laugh more
Stop & listen (to my kids, my husband)...before I react
Complete the Couch to 5K program (finally...i have reached week 7 about 4 times)
Run a 5K race
Read 18 books from my Books to Read list (basically one book every 3 weeks)
Schedule time to scrapbook each week & stick to it (something I love but never find the time)
Date night once a month with the hubby
Family night (unplugged) twice a month
Continue to pay off debt (goal...debt free by February 2013)

There you have it...my priorities.  I want 2012 to be simplier,  more organized, relaxed.  With those goals above I hope to share more here...DIY, redos and of course scrappy stuff and Project Life. 

Do you make resolutions?  Do you stick with them?  What are you hoping for from 2012?

Linking up at Money Saving Mom

December Daily Days 9-11

Three more days to share with you today.  The more I look at this album, the more I am so happy that I did it.  Working on this mini really got me back in the swing of things as far as scrapbooking, which is wonderful because I have been in such a creative funk lately.  Can't wait to start Project Life 2012 and complete some layouts I have been thinking about.

December 9

Day 9 consisted of baking 14 dozen cookies for a cookie swap I attended on the 10th.  I tried a new cookie recipe that Becky Higgins shared on her blog.  Apparently they were really good (at least they smelled good).  I am not a chocolate mint kind of girl so I wasn't even tempted to try one.  The large snowflakes on the left are actually the gift tags that were on the presents Santa left under the tree.

December 10 

Admist a very busy day we went tree hunting.  I love how this page came out.  The fabric tag is a retired CTMH product that I have been hoarding because I just love them and didn't want to run out (I have issues...I know).  I finally figured out how to use my sewing machine and stitched it on.

December 11 ~ 

Decorating the tree.  I always have a hard time capturing this process.  I don't know if it is the set up of my room or the fact that I am shooting into the window.  I do love the picture I was able to get of the tree all decorated though.  I used one of Ali Edwards December Daily Layered Overlays available at Designer Digitals to create the collage of some of our ornaments.  I have never used Photoshop before because it frightens me, but after a few hours of youtube tutorials...I can work a layered template like a champ!

I used the December Daily format & overlays that Ali Edwards uses and many of my journaling prompts/story ideas came from Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class that I participated in this year. Click on either of the links above for more information on both of these concepts.