Summer 2013 Project Life

I finally just decided to snap a few iphone photos of what I have done so far with my Project Life album from photos we took last summer.
It is nowhere near complete, in fact most of the pages themselves aren't complete. But I got a good jumpstart on it at the weekend crop I went to end the about a month and a half ago.

I didn't get to the crop until around 6:30. By the time I had eaten dinner and settled in, it was about 8pm. And I spent the rest of that first night sorting and organizing my photos. If I would have known how long it was going to take, I definitely would have done that at home. Although at least I had them all printed up and wasn't missing any like I was the year before at the same crop! :)

So on Saturday morning I was ready to go.
Week 1 -

I am following absolutely no rules with this except that I wanted to go week by week. But as you can see, the first week had several spreads, since we did a lot that week including a trip to the zoo and a Chocolate factory tour with friends.
I am also using a variety of type and size page protectors. I have a smaller one (6x12) there on the left for part of the factory tour photos and title card.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find my Instagram page protectors until I came home. They were in one of those closet piles I have been sorting through. But I made do with the 6x12 and some patterned paper as fillers.

My steps for each week -
1. Decide which photos to use. Then it was like putting a puzzle together trying to figure out where I wanted them to go.
2. Create the weekly title card as you see in the first photo.
3. For each page, create simple title cards for activities, or titles next to or on photos.
4. Embellish using flat accents on some of the cards. Most of my 3d embellishments will be added last, since I didn't bring many of those with me.

And you can see lots of blank cards throughout, most of them grid but some with designs. I am going to type my journaling on these, and that is going to be the last step.

Week Two -

Week two is only three 12x12 pages. Same process for this one. photos, some matted on patterned paper, (Especially the instagram ones), minimal flat embellishing for now, and a title card for the week and some other titles.
As you may have noticed, I am pretty much using Simple Stories Summer lines for this project. But when I went to do the Six Flags page, I decided to mix in some of the October Afternoon Midway line since it coordinated pretty well color wise.

Week Three -

Since my second photo for week three won't cooperate here on Blogger, I am just sharing one. But there are two 12x12 spreads for week three and one side of a 6x12. Same process for these pages. I plan to do a lot of journaling on my blank cards.

Oh and the story behind "the tooth wiggle". Erin had this loose tooth in the front for months. We are talking a really long time. And we would always catch her wiggling it. Non-stop! So Mike and Erin posed for a "tooth wiggle" photo on Father's Day. :)

So that is what I have so far. I have all of my supplies for this album stored in a Crop bag, so whenever I want to create a few pages, it is all in one place. 

Now to the weekend! I was worried Mike wouldn't be able to come home this weekend at all because of a big project he had going on at work. They were not able to finish on Friday because of the windy weather at the job site. So he had to stay there so they could hopefully get it done on Saturday. Thankfully they did, and then he decided to just make the drive home even though it would only be for one night. Exhausting for him, but we were just so happy to see him.
On Sunday, he was so tired in the afternoon from playing pretty much non stop with the kids after church, that I told him to just lay down for a little nap before he had to make the commute that night.

Erin and I decided to go out for a little bit while he was resting.
Our city (St. Louis) is celebrating it's 250th birthday this year. So they have these 4 foot tall fake cakes decorated by artists and students all over the city and outlying areas.
Here is some information about it with a link to the full list of 250 cakes and their locations if you are interested. STL 250 cakes

I have been talking to the kids about spending some of our time this summer doing the cake scavenger hunt. A lot of the cakes are at some interesting places that we want to visit anyway, like Lemp Mansion, the Franklin Lloyd Wright house, and more. I know we won't get to all of them, since some, like the one at Meramec Caverns,  is at least 45 minutes to an hour from us. But we are going to try!
Erin wanted to get a jump start yesterday while Mike was napping.
The two of us decided to visit 4 of the cakes closest to us.

.

This was cake number 3 from our stop yesterday. Two others were at restaurants on The Hill (an Italian neighborhood here known for great restaurants and markets.) And the other was at Tower Grove Park which is definitely the closest.
At each cake, she wanted a picture and then had to write out the location on her "list".
It's going to be a lot of fun finding the other cakes this summer. There are quite a few downtown, so I thought that would make a great "field trip" day :)

When we came home, Mike woke up from his nap and decided he was not driving back that night. Still too tired. So we had him home for an extra night. :)

Now it is Monday, and I have a busy week ahead finishing house projects, volunteering, tutoring and helping on a field trip, but definitely have some scrapbooking time scheduled.
Hope you have a great Monday!

The National List

Ok - I took a bit of a break from lists the past month since I had so much going on with Evan and his surgery.

But I have a fun to me list to share with you today :)

Those of you who know me, know how much I love music and U2 who is my number one band and always will be. Radiohead has been second for a long time. But that third spot in my top three is always changing. And right now that spot is filled by The National.

Mike and I saw them when they were here back in September for Loufest. I wish I would have known then how much I would love them now! (Although Mike keeps reminding me, "I told you so!") I was just so excited to see Alabama Shakes at the time, that I didn't give it much thought. But I do remember thinking that The National really put on a great show. I was super impressed. Now six months later, I am listening to them non stop.
I love Matt Berninger's deep at times almost sleepy sounding voice. And the rest of the band is so talented musically.
*Fun fact - The band has five members. The lead singer, and two sets of brothers. Scott and Bryan Devendorf, and twins Aaron and Bryce Dessner

So for my list today, here are my top ten favorite songs (although I could probably pick more) that I am listening to these days by The National and why: (*a bad word or two in the lyrics for those who mind)

1. Heavenfaced - this song is just so pretty. Almost hauntingly so.
2. About Today - Another pretty song. I remember Mike telling me he thought it was sad at first, but I see it as kind of hopeful. About someone who loves someone so much that they are willing to be vulnerable and ask the hard questions. Someone who is willing to communicate ultimately because they love someone and don't want to lose that person. Something that I feel has taken my relationship with Mike to a whole new level because of this song :)
3. Demons* - This song makes me think of a persons struggle with depression. It kind of strikes a chord with me, but thankfully it's something I can "rise above".
4. I Should Live in Salt - such an unusual title, but I love the music.
5.Graceless - Another one that seems to talk about depression. I love these lyrics
"I'm trying, but I've gone
Through the glass again
Just come and find me
God loves everybody, don't remind me
I took the medicine when I went missing
Just let me hear your voice, just let me listen"
6. Pink Rabbits - Another one where the music has me hooked, and I really love his voice.
7. Bloodbuzz Ohio - Man, his voice is so deep in this one :) I love how he has such a wide range. And the drum beat is the best! I will say this. One of the things that stood out to me the most when I saw them live was how frequently I found myself watching the drummer (Bryan Devendorf)
8. I'm Afraid of Everyone - Good song that touches on Matt's thoughts and experiences when he became a parent for the first time. Especially love the end.
9. Don't Swallow the Cap - some of my favorite lyrics in this song
"Everything I love is on the table.
Everything I love is out to sea.
I'm not alone,
I'll never be."
-and-
"When they ask what do I see,
I see a bright white beautiful heaven hangin' over me."
10.  Mistaken For Strangers - Ok this one is a favorite because it is one of the first songs I remember hearing by them. Plus, I love songs with unusual drum beats like this one. Also, it is the title of their recently released documentary by Matt's brother Tom.

Which was really, really good by the way! :)

And if you have been with me this long, I just wanted to share something that impressed me from an interview that Matt did a few years back.

AVC: In the New York Times Magazine story, you were described as having the dad role in the band.
MB: If I’m the dad in the band, then I’m the Chevy Chase version. I’m a stubborn guy that loses his temper, sometimes driving the station wagon in the wrong direction for hours and hours and never admitting that he’s gone the wrong way. I do have maybe an unbalanced amount of power in the band because if I don’t like something I won’t sing to it. That means that only the songs I like are going to be on the record. That’s unfair, but that’s the way it is.

I love that he calls himself the Chevy Chase version. Who doesn't love Clark Griswold :)
But I also love his honesty in answering this question.

I will say this, my dream would be to see them in Ireland this July. In Dublin! The same city where Mike and I saw U2 five years ago. But since that is not going to happen, we will settle for the next time they are here are maybe close enough to drive. 

Anyway, enough of my love for The National!
Except to say that I just may need to do a layout about them or my obsession with them right now.
Cause I have done several layouts about what I am listening to at that moment in time such as this one...

and this one...

and this one...

It's fun to look back and see what I was listening to and actually am still listening to right now. A lot of these bands and songs are still in my ipod favorites. :)

So tell me, what music is in your top 3 right now?

Paper Issues: A Pocket Full of Sunshine!

I just wanted to start off by saying, I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on scrapbook classes!
I am thinking I am going to take the Art class by Wilna because it will challenge me to get a little messy and use those gelatos!

And I know I haven't mentioned Craft Your Nest in a while. It seems that all of us at the Nest needed a bit of a break for personal reasons, but now we are getting back to posting. One of my new goals for my weekly posts at the blog there is to create "Use Your Stash" challenges. I will probably throw in a few sketches here and there as well, since I find them to be helpful when I need some inspiration. But instead of taking a class on using your stash, I am going to try and kick start myself and hopefully encourage others to join in.

Now on to Paper Issues!
The new issue is starting today and the theme is "A Pocket Full of Sunshine!"
Martha Bonneau, design team member and owner of Panda Eight Designs
created this fun flair exclusively for the issue...

 

I am using mine on a layout I am currently working on. It is so super cute!

So Panda Eight Designs is our sponsor for the current issue and the prize is your choice of five sets of flair from her shop which you can find *Here* 

Plus, while this issue is running (March 31st - April 13th) she is offering 20% off in her shop if you use this code SUNSHINE20.

I am hoping to finish my layout this week to link up.

But if you have a project that you have created or been wanting to create that would fit this issue, make sure to link up on the Paper Issues blog for a chance to win some fabulous flair by Martha.

Since I haven't finished my new project yet, here is a layout I am planning on linking up that I have probably shared here before...

This one just says "sunshine to me" in so many ways. :)
I could probably also link up this one...

I have never shared this project on the blog, but it was a feelings chart I had made for Evan a few years back. There were several photos in the pocket, each representing a different feeling. And each matted photo had velcro on the back so he could switch it out depending on how he felt that day. I had it hanging in his room for a while.

I may also link up this one...

See the little sun up there in the top right with the "sweet sunshine" polaroid frame. :)

So that is what I am going to start with and then we will see what I am able to come up with in the next two weeks.

I will be back on Thursday with a list or two. I have some catching up to do for my "Lists With Friends" group. :)
See you then. 

It's Thursday...

my house is clean. Spent a lot of time cleaning yesterday.

One of the things I actually like about cleaning is the fun little surprises that make me smile. Such as this little Lego sniper guy perched up in a window in the family room in the basement. He is looking towards the rebel base Evan had on the floor by the wall :)

This sight also made me smile. I am so ready for Spring! And I promise you, I will not be one of those people who complain when it is hot this summer. We just head to the pool or somewhere with air conditioning on those days :)

For my scrapbook friends, I have been considering signing up for a few on-line classes. Just not all at once of course.

I have enjoyed one or two classes (and one or two not so much) from Big Picture Scrapbooking and I especially love that they do free events and classes like this one. I don't have any illusions that I will actually scrapbook on National Scrapbook Day. But just in case, I am signing up so I will have access to the private on line classroom. You never know I may be able to sneak up to my room and get a layout or two done between dance and dinner. :)
I know Julie is planning on participating. Anyone else?

I have also been looking at *This class*

being taught by Ally Dosdall at Big Picture Scrapbooking as well. Maybe to get me scrapbooking again and use up stuff I have on hand. I really like assignments and challenges to get me going, so this may be a good one. Have any of you taken it before?

Over at Two Peas in a Bucket,
I am still thinking of giving *This class* a try.

I think it would definitely be a challenge, and I would love to learn some new techniques as well. Especially ones using gelatos and watercolors! She has a second art class as well, but I think this one would be good to start with.

And I would also love to take *This class* with Jill Sprott.

It is only $12 and I am always so inspired with her projects! She is such a great storyteller and one of the things I love most about scrapbooking is getting our stories told. 

So if you have taken any of these classes, would love to hear a review. Was it worth it? 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Around Here...

still not scrapbooking a whole lot
and not feeling very bloggy either.

But Evan is finally, finally back to his normal self. When they said 7-10 days for tonsil surgery recovery, they weren't kidding. This past Saturday is the day when I would say, he felt 99% better.
And that is 10 days exactly.

This photo is from on Thursday last week. We walked up to the fountain in the park. It was the first time he had left the house since surgery the previous Wednesday. It's about a 7-10  minute walk from our house. And I think the exercise and fresh air was good for him, but it definitely wore him out. So glad he feels ready and excited to go back to school tomorrow.

On Tuesday last week, Erin and I actually ran a few errands to get out of the house. We went to the bank, Target and to get Panera for lunch. And let me tell you it takes a bit to get out the door due to this...

she likes to bring her baby along. And baby's car seat sits rear facing in the car. That is her baby carrier and some books in the other hand. She literally wore her baby in the carrier while we were in Target :)

Something else we have been doing a lot of. Playing Uno together as a family at meal times. This was breakfast on Thursday. When Mike is home, he likes to play with us, too. It's a great way to spend time together and lots of fun!

I am so close to being done with my closet project. And as soon as that is done, I will feel like I can scrapbook again. I have lots of projects in the planning stages or half done (like the summer PL album I am working on).

I know I haven't been visiting blogs much, but I have just been occupied and just plain exhausted.
I will be by today and tomorrow though to see what you all have been up to.
Have a great Monday!

Paper Issues: Count Your Lucky Stars!

Hey, Everyone! I am back and counting my lucky stars that Evan had such a successful surgery and recovery is going better.

Today the new issue (theme) is up over at Paper Issues, and it is "Count Your Lucky Stars."
I love this one! So much potential for project ideas such as stars, St. Patrick's Day, being lucky, movie or rock stars, astronomy, numbers, and more.

Lori Whitlock  is the sponsor for this issue and she is donating a $25 gift card to her shop. She has some amazing cutting files available there and at the Silhouette store if you have a die cut machine. And she also allowed the design team members on the issue to pick out a few files.

I am one of the design team members who created a layout specifically for this issue, but I don't have a die cut machine. After I chose the die cuts I thought would work for me, fellow dt member Kathy, kindly cut my files and mailed them to me.

I was so excited when they arrived! And here is what I made...

The two "project life" die cuts to the left and right of my photo are sprayed with gold Studio Calico mist. So they have a light shimmer which doesn't show up in the photo well. But it helps them pop out a bit more from the white.
And that Shamrock border, well that was fun but not easy :) I ended up finally pulling out my regular old glue stick to adhere the papers underneath. The first, third and fifth are just patterned paper. But I used gelatos and water to create a watercolor shamrock on the second. The fourth uses more of the Studio Calico gold mist to create a visual triangle from the two project life cards to the shamrock.
After adhering each piece of paper, I tried to neatly trim around and then attached the whole border loosely to my page.
I also used a few bits and pieces from the

 

March Swag bag. The green star card is behind one of my shamrocks in the border. And the little green felt shamrock is in one of my embellishment clusters as is a smaller chipboard star. I also used the "Lucky" flair by the fabulous Martha Bonneau. She sells great pieces of flair out of her Etsy shop which you can find *Here*. Love her flair! The other piece of flair at the bottom of my page is from 

this set which I bought from her several weeks ago. Thought it was super cute.

So basically this layout is about how I "count my lucky stars" that I was able to go to Ireland with Mike a few years back. It was the trip of a lifetime for us and I am so grateful that we could go!

Now it's your turn! How would you interpret the theme? Do you have any projects that would fit already? Or something you have been thinking about creating but haven't had time yet? If you do, come join us on the Paper Issues blog *Here* to link up your projects and have a chance to win!

I will be sharing a project on the Paper Issues blog next week, and will be looking for familiar faces in the link ups. Hope to see you there!! :)

And Happy St. Patrick's Day from our home to yours!

Just a Quick Post

to tell you that Evan's surgery for his tonsils and adenoids went well.
I am so proud of him! He handled everything so calmly.
He is in quite a bit of pain off and on, but that is to be expected.
Frozen fruit bars and jello seem to be his favorite and easiest to eat right now.
Although he was starving yesterday at lunch and ate five pancakes and scrambled eggs!
Don't think that is happening today though.
My sweet mother-in-law brought made pudding and grape jello for him.
Our neighbors and good friends Kate and Sam brought down a balloon and book for him last night and it made him so happy :)
Another neighbor gave him a card.
Plus my parents are coming by today later for a bit to cheer him up.

So we are getting by and doing well.
It's just hard to see him in pain, and I am happy to do what I can to help and take care of him.
Lots of Battle Nation matches on the ipads together to distract him!

And I will say, so glad Mike was able to get the day off yesterday and be in town for the surgery and just to be here in general. When Erin had surgery on her foot, he was out of the country in Canada which wasn't easy. He is able to be here in town until next Monday, and that is a huge help!

Hope all is well with you and I know I won't be checking back in until next Monday.
Just too busy being a mom and nurse.
Thanks for stopping by today though and I hope you have a great weekend!

The Words of Wisdom List

Sorry. Still no Summer Project Life photos. Will get there :)
Facing a tough week coming up and trying to prepare myself.
More on that in a bit.

Today for "Lists With Friends" I am sharing a few of the newest pins to one of my favorite boards on Pinterest.
My "Words of Wisdom" board.

1.

I saw this one, stopped and thought hard about it. I think there is a lot of truth to this for me. I spend to much time focusing negatively on how I perceive myself whether it be looks, personality, ability as a wife, mom, friend or whatever role I am filling at the moment. But I think at times that I don't give myself enough credit. I am so quick to be critical of myself, and ultimately I am being unfair to myself.

2.

I always tell myself things happen for a reason. Whatever crap I/we are going through has a purpose. And ultimately I find that things usually work out somehow. So trying to remember this whenever times are tough.

3.

So true. I shared this one with Evan tonight. He worries like me, and I am trying to help him find peace sooner than I did in life.

4.

Something I have learned since dealing with difficult people and situations is that this is 100% true. And I share this thought with my children often. The only one you can control is you, and it is up to you to decide how you are going to deal with life.

5.

Dishes, laundry, packing lunches, bills, phone calls, help with homework, cooking dinner...I could go on and on. Disciplining my children also falls under this as well. So many situations where I have just felt like just going back to bed or not facing the millions of tasks that are waiting for my attention. Trying to really just get things done and not procrastinate as much.

6.

As someone who likes plans, this idea is refreshing to me.

7.

And this one isn't from Pinterest. It was something I saw on Facebook, but I love it. 

So as I look at these, I know what is really on my mind is my son is having surgery next week. Just a routine surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. But surgery nonetheless. I have complete faith all will be well, but your thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated. It's been a long time coming and I feel that this will truly help him. 

That said, I know my blogging has been a little spotty lately and I am not sure how much I will post over the next week and a half or so if at all. I will try to post to let you know how things went though.

I know I will be back on the 17th (St. Patrick's Day) for sure though because I have an assignment for Paper Issues and the issue (challenge) being shared that day.

Thanks for coming by today. :)