April 365 2013

This month seems never ending.  Not in a bad way, but I am looking forward to warmer weather.  April had some beautiful days but not enough for me. 

The next couple months will be busy ones for us, ,but we're looking forward to them.  Bring on the warm weather!!

I had planned on sharing last week's Project Life pages but lost my internet for the afternoon....go figure....

Project Life 2013 Week Sixteen

Another quick week done and in the book! Cant believe how fast the weeks have been going! I was heavily inspired by Amanda Rose on Instagram on my Boston pocket. I got a pic off the Internet to use...

This week was made quick..even with the inserts! I decided to not do any detailed pockets in the insert and BOOM! It was done! For the insert I had a leftover piece that I had trimmed off a pocket page and just used some washi tape to seal it up. Not letting my supplies go to waste!

Now I'm ready to finish up last week!

Project Life 2013 Week FIFTEEN

Hard to believe I've done 15 weeks of this project and stayed caught up with it (mostly).  This week was squeezed into one page.  It also came together super fast.  Had it done in record time! 

Can't decided if I like single page spreads better or two pages better.  I guess I just like mixing it up so the project doesn't get stale.  I definitely like the creative boost it gives me!

We had some Spring like days, but they didn't seem to last very long.  Starting to believe we're not going to have much of a Spring and it'll go right into Summer....  Over the craziness of the weather around here lately!  I think Mother Nature is pissed off!!

Project Life 2013 Week FOURTEEN

Week 14 brings us to our Spring Break week.  We didn't do anything this year, but I tried entertaining the girls the best I could. 

Movies, sleepovers, mani/pedis, shopping, pretty much sums up how we spent the week.  I don't think the girls are complaining! 

Funny how some weeks I can squeeze it all on one side and others I need the double spread BUT don't have a ton for the second page so I use a lot of filler cards. 

Once again, the colors look so much better IRL....I'll have to try to take my pics outside....it's a thought.

Project Life 2013 Week THIRTEEN

Taking the time to stop creating and take pics makes me put it off when I'm on a creative roll.  That's my only excuse for not sharing these sooner.  Or you can call me a slacker.  Whatever works!

Once again I've got some less than stellar iPhone pics....One day I will find the perfect pic taking spot.  One day.

Week 13 was all about Easter.  I've got two inserts that go with this but I went super easy lazy and it's mostly just pics with hardly any details. 

I have to say I had fun printing some 4x6 pics....Maybe I'll ease into that once in awhile with just some journaling cards....I like changing things up with this.

The "Insta Gram" pocket drove me nuts.  I had it made one way that drove me nuts and looked terrible besides, so I tore it apart and re-did it.  Somehow I forgot it had to fit in a small double spot so when I had to cut apart the circle I was kicking myself!

Switched up the pocket sizes on this since I had a lot of Egg dyeing pics to include...actually the inserts I didn't take pics of are from Easter...oh well I guess I didn't share the "entire" week.  Just call me a rebel.

Love is Grand

While organizing some pictures on my computer the other day, I came across these two from our last trip to Disney World.  Yes, it's been a year since our last trip there.  Yes, I'm having withdrawals.

I decided to print them out.  I had scrapped a similar picture already but that doesn't bother me.  I've been trying to use up the Studio Calico kits I have, so I pulled them out first trying to find papers that would work with these pics.  I found some papers I liked in the "Style Guide" kit and got to work.  I had the title in my head as a nod to our hotel, the "Grand Floridian".  I designed the title with my Cameo, and before I knew it had a plan.  A simple plan, but it works for me.

I'm not a fan of my handwriting and I usually do computer printed journaling, but lately I've just written it out.  I always procrastinate with computer journaling, knowing if I'm at the computer, I'll start doing other things instead of the actual journaling.  Crazy, I know!

So Many Books So Little Time

I've wanted to scrap my love of books for a long time.  Awhile back I planned a layout on the Twilight series but never got around to it.  Recently after a trip to Barnes & Nobles I snapped a shot of my books and was inspired to scrap it. 

I didn't have a plan, but found myself playing around with mists.  I seem to have acquired quite the collection, however don't use them for more than misting wood veneers.  I've tried misting before but recently got a tip about "flicking" the ink onto the paper.  This worked so much better for me!  I'm not saying it's perfect but at least I feel like I'm going in the right direction. 

I cut the title with my Cameo...have I mentioned how much I LOVE that machine?? I really do.  I also have to confess to having cut the title before even having a picture to scrap.  I had it laying in a pile on my table thinking I'd take a pic soon of books I had read already, so it worked out perfectly when I did.  Not normally how I do things, but lately I've been changing things up.

I'm surprisingly happy with how this came out.....especially since when I started it looked like this....

I had a cut out laying around, and I decided to try misting it with an opaque spray.....obviously, it didn't come out great.  Trying to save it, I had the bright idea to heat emboss it with clear embossing powder....If I hadn't misted first I think this would have come out better.  I tried working with it...but I just couldn't do it.  I trashed it and started over.  Live and learn.  The best part is I do like how it turned out after all! 

Expanding my wings.....

Moments Like This Take My Breath Away

This layout created itself.  I imagined it before going to bed one night & in the morning, it just came together.  It just might be the fastest layout I've ever created!  With that said, I don't think I have to mention that it's my current favorite.  It's not even my "normal" scrapping style!  I like that.
 

I took this picture on the fly before Easter while out shopping with the girls.  Marissa was showing me how her outfit looked and I snapped the picture with my iphone.  It's not the best picture, but it made me stop and realized how fast she's growing up.  I can't believe how fast!

The title was cut using my Cameo & I used an older Studio Calico kit. I really need to use those more, or break them up.  I never signed up for their subscription and while I was thinking about it, I'm glad I didn't.  It's amazing what you can do with what you've got.  Never mind that a lot of product is starting to look a like. 

On that note, I have to catch up with Project Life a little!  Hope to share it soon!

Walking In Daddy's Shoes

Found this picture in my printed pile that I was inspired to scrap.  Wasn't sure how exactly I wanted to scrap it so I pulled papers until it hit me.  I ended up using some Jillibean Soup papers....and the design is from Laura Vegas (again!!).  Flower embellies are from Making Memories....yes I hoard my scrappy supplies!!

Marissa has always been "Daddy's Girl" and this pic is evidence of that.

I also learned from making this layout, that I have WAY TO MANY embellies. I've put myself on a buying hold. I did it around Christmas until the new CHA releases were shipped and felt better for it.  I think I need to make a more serious dent in the stash before I can buy anything again. Now hold me to it!!

Seeing Double

Ever since taking this picture of Gianna a few Halloweens ago, I knew how I wanted to scrap it. It made me think of me when I was younger and how much we look alike.

I had the picture of me printed for awhile, so when I was looking for something to scrap, I pulled it and printed off the picture of Gianna. Looking for papers to scrap with, I found BE MINE from Echo Park Paper. It was pretty loud but I pulled the more do-able paper and made this. I also had some inspiration from THIS book for the design.

The journaling was taken from THIS blog post, making it a pretty quick layout. Quick layouts almost never happen to me, but lately I seem to have some mojo...and that makes me happy! I am determined to scrap more using what I have. Not buying and "saving" things for the perfect layout. I've been slowly purging supplies when I come across things I just know I won't use. Just haven't figured out what to do with them yet....

Pure Sweetness

I pulled this picture from a printed pile waiting to be scrapped. I don't remember why I printed it but I decided to get it done.

I went through some sketch books and pins to get some inspiration then pulled out some papers. These older papers from Bella Blvd worked for me. I even pulled the title from the papers. I believe this is based on a layout from Laura Vegas (of course) but off the top of my head I don't remember which one. (Made this a month ago & my memory is shot!). Will have to see if I can find it and then I'll add a link.

I kept it pretty simple, I wanted to add more to it but before I over did it, I called it done. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

Project Life 2013 Week TWELVE

I am loving my approach to Project Life this year.  I feel like I am using the supplies I've hoarded all these years.  I am having fun with it and love the extra boost of creativity it's given me with scrapping.  I do have to confess to buying the Studio Calico PL "Last Call" kit...actually I bought two! ;)  I wanted to mix up my stash a little but not buy into a whole kit.  Just something to play with.

With that said, I am also loving the Amy Tan stitching kits!  I've tried a few stencils and find it so fun & even relaxing!  Worked in the arrows for my title card...it's not perfect but I like it!  I also used larger pics more this week.  Trying to keep it fun and not let it get stale.

Still have week 13 and almost 14 to work on but with Spring Break happening around here this week I haven't been scrapping much.  I'll get there!!

Project Life 2013 Week Eleven

As purple as Week Ten was this week I went with a lot of green in honor of St Patrick's Day...not that I'm Irish, but hey why not?? Once again I have less than stellar photos...hopefully it doesn't bother anyone as much as it bothers me....
I stuck to the double spread format again for this week.  I like mixing it up...have to remember to mix it up with the page protectors too (mental note)....

Had to include the weather for St. Patty's Day!  Lots of fill in cards on this side...struggled with that a bit but I like it.

I was inspired by Suzy Plantamura on this with the layers.  I also crossed my fingers and stitched the thickers onto the card.  I was so nervous about it but it was surprisingly easy to do!

Currently I have the last week of March printed and waiting for me on my desk.  With Easter, I ended up with a lot of pics....what else is new?

Project Life 2013 Week TEN

I have decided to just go with the flow and post these pics without waiting anymore.  I keep trying to get the "perfect shot" when the lighting is good but my pictures just seem "eh".  So without waiting for perfection, here is Week Ten.

Lots of purple this week.  Shocking right?  I figured for my birthday week I'd go with my favorite color. ;)  I also made it a double spread.

Going with the double spread helped me include some extra pics that I normally wouldn't have included.

And of course there is the Birthday Insert.

The pictures basically tell the story, but I included some journaling anyway.

I swear, as much as I love including inserts, they slow me down at the same time.  Wouldn't change a thing though!

Sewing Class 101 (The Blind Leading the Blind)

Tonight, Marissa came to me and tells me she's bored.  I give her a few options including learning to use the sewing machine and she jumped at the chance.

I gave her a scrap of fabric, and explained the basics (not that I really know that much) and let her have fun. Once she got the hang of it, I gave her a jar of ribbon scraps and told her to have fun.

Eventually she moved up to a few larger pieces of fabric and really went to town.  She asked a few questions about the different stitches and played with them all.  She got creative with the ribbons too.  Not just randomly stitching them anywhere, she patterned them around the fabric. 

She stitched so much that she emptied the bobbin!  I told her we could take a ride this week to the nearest Jo-Ann's and look for fabric and maybe a sewing pattern to try out.  She's excited!  Maybe she'll learn enough to teach me!  LOL! 

I have a not so secret desire to make a basic quilt one day but I have a feeling it wouldn't be a project I would finish.  One day. Who knows??