February 365 TWENTY13

For some strange reason, February always seems like such a long month to me.  It's the shortest month of the year, yet takes forever to get through.

Maybe it's the cold days.

Maybe it's the lack of sunshine.

Maybe because my birthday is in March.

I just don't know why!

So long February!  I'm ready for SPRING!!

Stitch By Stitch

Last year for my birthday, two of my sisters got me a seeing machine after hearing me talk about one for a loooong time. I guess they got the hint....or just wanted to shut me up!

I tried it out a few times but never had any luck threading the darn thing. I thought I followed the directions but I would always have problems when I sewed something. I think the bobbin was a problem...I couldn't get it to work for the life of me. So I just stashed the machine away.

I would think about things I'd like to try with it from time to time, but never had it in me to try. Last night I was working on Project Life and needed to walk away to get a better perspective. Something made me pull out the machine and pull up some tutorials on you tube. I finally figured out what was wrong, and got it to stitch right! I had a scrap of fabric that I stitched to bits to make sure it was ok. Then I got down to business!

I trimmed down a page protector to 3x4, then stitched 3 sides together. I filled it with sequins, micro beads, tiny hearts and glitter then stitched the top closed. Success!!! I was so happy to finally get it to work and be able to use it!

I must admit to getting a little crazy (it was early morning hours by now) and I took a bunch of wash cloths from the girls bathroom and stitched them together...just 'cause I could. I can't wait to give it a try on paper! Nothing is safe from my machine now!! ;)

Our Love

While channeling my mojo, I came across this pic of Joe & I and decided to scrap it.  The pic is from a Disney trip back in 2007....it was time.

I quickly decided to make things easier and used a Bella Blvd Project Sheet for the basic design.  The "Kiss Me" collection seemed perfect for this pic. 

Printing the journaling on this made me nervous.  I didn't want to hand write it in case of messing it up but I worried if my printer would eat it if I ran it through.  I printed off a ton of "test runs" to line it up perfectly.  Finally, I chanced it, held my breath and went for it. I like how it came out!  I used the "Billabong" font which is the same font as "Instagram" and might be one of my new favorite fonts.

Since I couldn't leave well enough alone, I used Stickles on a few hearts along the bottom paper, just randomly spread out.

I had a lot of fun making this and it came together so quickly which made me even happier.  I may have even broken through my "it's too pretty to use" problem with paper.  I have a ton of supplies that I really need to use more of instead of saving.  I bought it for a reason and if I don't use it I can't appreciate it, right?  So I'm going to go for it more instead of waiting for "the right" reason whatever it may be.  No more hoarding!!

Family Is Love

After finishing up some Project Life work, I finally had the free time I had been looking for to scrap 12x12 again.  I looked through some pre-printed pictures for inspiration to strike, nothing jumped at me so I just pulled a pic from our trip to Hershey Park a few years ago and decided to force some mojo. 

To get the mojo moving, I looked through some of Laura's layouts which are always inspiring.  I came across THIS one and decided it would work.  I went with some older paper from Bella Blvd, since my cropper hopper holding my Bella paper was getting full....and the new collections are coming out soon!

I didn't change up very much from the original.  I just wanted to play again.

And I did.  I got to use some stash and scrap a pic that's been hanging around.  That made me happy!  I even got on a roll with a couple more LO's!  It put me behind on Project Life but I blame it on over thinking things.  I need to remember to do what makes me happy and not worry about following trends and stuff.  If it makes me happy then that's all that matters!

A Lovely Day!

For me, Valentine's Day is not as special as people make it out to be.  I feel loved everyday, by Joe, the girls, it's not just on one "special" day.  We "celebrate" it, I decorate the house and all but I don't expect to go out "ON" Valentine's Day for dinner or anything.  I don't enjoy a night out when restaurants are just trying to turn tables.  We might go out but it'll be days before or after and not usually "for" Valentine's Day, probably for Joe's birthday and that suits me perfectly. 

I received these beautiful flowers the day before since Joe's florist isn't close by but will travel further just for Joe.  No biggie.  I got to smell them longer than I would've if I had got them on Valentine's Day.  And boy do they smell fabulous!

For dinner, I made chicken fajitas.  Not an everyday dish, I might make it every other week (lately every week-so good!), but I know everyone will eat it.  Win win!!

Afterward we enjoyed some delicious chocolate covered strawberries Joe brought us.

He knows how we love our chocolate!

And we ended the night taking pics....but not before the girls ran off did I realize Joe & I didn't get one together. Boo. Oh well, he still knows I love him!!

Gianna's 3rd Grade Music Concert

Last night we celebrated Joe's birthday by watching Gianna's 3rd grade class perform their music show.  Not how we originally planned the night but the kids were cute to watch!  The kids were cute and I got some video of their singing.

They sang 6 songs, then we bolted to have a late dinner at Outback.

Before leaving for the show, we gave Joe his birthday gifts.  We had cake after we came home from dinner...and sang Happy Birthday of course!  It was a musical night!

This Guy...

This guy always has a smile on his face no matter how his day goes.

This guy can make me laugh no matter what mood I'm in.

This guy is giving & will give someone the shirt off his back.

This guy loves his girls beyond anything else in the world.

This guy works too hard.

This guy is the sweetest.

This guy is amazing.

This guy is mine.

This guy has a birthday today.

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man I was so lucky to have met!

Happy Birthday Joe!

I Love You!!

Merry

Jumping back to Christmas just a bit with a layout.  I was on a scrapping slump and needed a mojo boost.  Nothing was coming to mind.  I had no inspiration, but I had pictures.  I had these four pictures on my desk that I had to re print when the size printed "off" a bit at first.  I didn't want to toss them so I set them aside.

Since I couldn't think of anything original, I just decided to repeat a lift I've done.  Follow?  I used updated pictures and changed things up a bit.

I also used sequins for the first time on a layout.  I forgot I had all these snowflake sequins and felt the layout needed something so I tossed some on.

Since being caught up with Project Life, I've been trying to get back to normal scrapping.  I don't want PL to be all consuming.  It should be a quick weekly project, and I need to remember that.  Last year I spent too much time catching up with it all the time.  I enjoy making 12x12 layouts.  I have a notebook FULL of randomly printed pics that I need to put in albums.  I want to have a few completed albums for the girls....that's right none of my albums are complete.  I tend to jump around in my scrapping so there are large gaps in the albums.  This year I plan on catching up with those albums a bit. 

I want to re-live those memories. 

Project Life 2013 Week F I V E

Week F I V E!  Here we go! 

I decided to make the week card in Valentine-ish colors, I think I'll do it for the whole month.  We'll see how that goes.

I noticed lately that my pics were mostly of random things.  While that's OK, I want my family in it more.  I tried explaining this to the girls the other day, since they are tired of having a camera in their face all the time.  ***SIGH*** 

This week ended up being a one page spread with a small insert for the weekend.

Saturday I ended up with a lot of pics I wanted to include.  Found this great tutorial on Pinterest on how to make a collage from your phone prints that you can print 4x6.  Love the ease of it!  I added an old tag to the top to cover the back from the other side.  As I was going through some embellishments, I realized how many I have and need to PURGE!!  Pulled out a hand full and set them aside, though I need to do a real purge soon.

The top pocket is of some happy mail I received on Sunday, since we forgot to get the mail on Saturday.  It was too cute not to include...especially the packaging from one of them.  Couldn't include it in the pocket so I arranged it to stick out from the top (hence the label on the other side to cover staples).

Now to start Week SIX!!

Snow Fun 2013

Woke up to a Winter Wonderland today.  Outside the sun was shining super bright.  It's a beautiful day.

Out the front window the icicles were hanging low.

The backyard was so pretty and pristine.  It wasn't going to stay that way long once the girls went out there.

I gave the girls a spray bottle filled with food coloring & water to decorate the snow.  Might be regretting that decision later on. 

The girls built a fort.  I stayed inside where it was nice & warm.  Sadly they stood in the shade from the house so I didn't get the best pics...but I wasn't going out there.

My little Eskimo.

 The girls always have fun being the first to slide down the snow covered slide. 

                                     

Gianna happily played on the swings for a few minutes longer after Marissa had come inside.  She ended it with a great "ta-da" moment jumping off the swings, making sure I watched her daredevil act.

I'm just happy that the snow wasn't as bad as other parts that the snow hit.  I could live with the snow part (no other choice really), as long as we still have our power.  I'm still nervous anytime the word "storm" is mentioned.  Not getting over Sandy anytime soon.  Now that we've had our obligatory snow storm, I'm ready for SPRING!!

I Tried...

I tried to have my Week 5 Project Life post ready to share today but it just didn't happen. Close but no cigar!

I tried taking pics of a LO to share today but the lighting and my shakiness make it horrible. I need to find the perfect time for good lighting.

                                       

What I managed to accomplish today was over 5+ miles on my exercise bike for the second time in a row.  I've been trying to do everyday but some days are just going to be busier than others.  I think I managed 3 or 4 workouts in this week and feel good about it.

We are expecting to get hit tonight with a Blizzard, or as they're calling it "Winter Storm Nemo".  The snow has been softly falling since around 6am.  The girls have a half day at school and they hope to get out there later and play in the snow.  Bought spray bottles from Target yesterday so they can color the snow with food coloring mixed with water. 

I tried coming up for new ideas for Joe's birthday next week. I'm not sure what to get him once again.  The man has no time for hobbies other than watching movies and while I did get him a few I don't know what else to get him.  I'd really like to find him a good cologne but the last one I tried he wasn't thrilled with. Suggestions appreciated.

I tried to go to bed earlier every night this week but Thursday nights I always seem to stay up later than I should.  I think it has to do with knowing I don't have to work the next day...

I tried talking Joe into having tacos for dinner a few times this week but he's not interested.  Trying to find new recipes that we all like.  We eat a lot of pasta and I'd like to change that.  I've been saying that I want to buy a crockpot since seeing so many yummy looking recipes on Pinterest.  Yes, I may be the only person around that does not own a crockpot.  Sad, I know!

Now I must try to finish last weeks pages for Project Life before pick up time from school!

Project Life 2013 Week Four

When I had bought the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 paper pad, I thought some papers would get used more than others.  The camera page caught my eye but I wasn't sure how I'd use it....until I was looking for something to use for my title card.  Thought it would be perfect and I really like the way it came out.  In case it's not noticeable, I'm having fun with the title cards each week. 

Nothing exciting this week either.  Started out the week watching part of the Presidential Inauguration, until I got a call from school telling me Gianna wasn't feeling so good.  She wasn't completely interested in watching with me so we switched to watching the latest Tinkerbell movie.

Wednesday wasn't anything really interesting except for finding Marissa's name on the Honor Roll.  I printed out a copy & slipped it into a page protector....didn't think about getting a pic of her holding it until much later....Oh well.  The girls haven't been into getting their pics taken lately, which bums me out a lot.  I try explaining that they will look back at these years & wonder why there aren't as many pics of them....they say they don't care, but I know better.  Hoping they'll come around.

Project Life 2013 Week 3

Back again with Week 3!  This week went back to one week on one page protector.  It wasn't a very exciting week, I guess.  Again, my eye was drawn to Aqua for the title card.

Another thing I've tried a few times is stamping on washi tape or in this instance right on the pic. (See the corner of the blue pocket??) I used Staz On Ink but didn't have the best results.  I strongly suspect my ink pad isn't juicy enough.  Time for a new one!!

I used another flip up card here and I probably should have included a pic of the original sheet set with the annoying sheets too but it's done.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing week 4!  Wish I had thought to break down the weeks sooner instead of trying to share them as a monthly post! Oh Well!!

Project Life 2013 Week 2

Week Two turned out to be another two page spread, but I like the fun I'm able to have with it.  I can add a lot more of the filler cards that I've collected over time.  I'm really having fun changing things up and not following the same pattern every week.  Call me a rebel!! ;)

The cute calendar card is a free printable from Finding Nana's Blog.  So pretty IRL.

The top portion of this page are both flip cards.  Friday had a lot of pics I wanted to include without making it look busy.  Once again I thank Barbara for the great idea!

I included a screen shot of tweet from my twitter feed, saying how Gianna wanted my scrapbooks when I die.  LOL!  Still makes me laugh....and wonder if she knows something I don't!!

Project Life 2013 Week One

Drawing out the weeks I have done in an effort to have more to blog about.  Makes sense right??

Last year, I kept my weeks more to one page protector.  Using mostly Iphone pics & printing things wallet size or Instagram size in the hopes that my album would be manageable.  Not a chance.  I had so many inserts (especially of our Disney vacation) that I ended up with 2 albums.  This year I'm just winging it.  If I have lots of pics I'll just do two pages.  Go with the flow, I say.  With that said, you know this week was a two pager, right??

I had the hardest time taking pics with both my iphone and regular camera so this is as good as it's gonna get. 

I think my favorite part is doing the week card.  I like having fun with it.  I make the card using whatever catches my eye at the moment.  I don't plan my pages either and often have extra pics from printing too many. This week I didn't have a ton of extra pics but I had more than would fit in one page protector so I went with it and used some filler cards. 

I find myself drawn to hot pink & aqua colors more.  Not sure why but I like it.  Even chose the aqua albums from WRMK for this year.  So pretty!

I guess you might say that I'm taking a more relaxed approach to Project Life this year.  Have fun with it and do what makes you happy!  I may chant this over and over when I over think things...just sayin!

Project Life 2013

I wasn't sure when I decided to do Project Life again for the new year...but I realized I had fun doing it, so I just did it. When the new kits were announced, I feel in love with the Seafoam kit.  I wanted it, but I also realized how little I used of the Cherry Edition.  I often found the designs in the way of how I wanted to use the kit so I held off on buying a new kit.  As I thought about it, I found myself reaching for papers in my stash & trimming it to fit what I needed.  That's when I decided to have fun and use what I have.  One night I pulled out a stack of papers and trimmed them down to 4x6.  I figure if I need some 3x4 I could just cut them in half.  Easy peasy!  I bought some of the Echo Park papers that caught my eye & downloaded some free printables over time.  My stash is pretty set....especially in the washi department, but that's another story!

As I scoured Pinterest, randomly of course, I came across THIS storage system for Project Life. On my next Target run I found the organizer & it works almost perfectly.  I say almost perfectly since I tend to over stuff it, but that's just me.

The next issue I had was sharing.  Not that I didn't want to share, but just how I wanted to share my pages.  Last year I shared my pages by month.  Waiting until the month was complete to share.  This year I'm hoping to get them blogged as I have them done...starting now.  I am caught up and just have to do this week!  So in the interest of having something more current on the blog I'll be sharing my pages more often.

With that all said, here is my cover page.....It was heavily influenced by THIS page & THIS page I saw on Pinterest.

This is my favorite part.

The sad part of doing Project Life for me has been since I've been caught up, I have no ideas on how to scrapbook "normal" again.  I started a page three times before I was slightly happy with it.  THREE TIMES PEOPLE!!  I'm sure my mojo will come but I've felt like I'm wasting time.  I even cleaned the house hoping the lack of feeling guilty would help the ideas flow.  Go figure.  Wish me luck!