Layout Share "And in that Moment"

Today I have a layout to share with you. I just love this picture of Isabelle on the first day of school. I have been wanting to dabble into digital layouts for awhile and I really enjoyed this easy to use and super fun template by Catherine Davis. I added in some papers and embellishments from the Studio Calico Double Scoop Scrapbook Kit and it was finished fairly quickly. I typed in my journaling and then printed it out and stuck it to the layout in the bottom left, to give it a little more texture. I am really enjoying Hybrid Scrapbooking and look forward to doing more in the future.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow with a lot of Project Life pages to share (I have been on a roll I tell ya.) I hope y'all have a very Happy Monday!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013 Week 38, September 16th-22nd

Last time we left off I was HERE. So the question of the day is, will I have all of my Project Life pages caught up by mid-October? Yes, I think so!!! To accomplish this I will need to cross off two or three more items every week, and I think this is do-able as long as I stay focused on the goal.

Being completely honest, I was feeling a little discouraged last week about all of the weeks I have left to complete, but then I started flipping through my albums and realized just how much I have done. To further focus on what is done, and not what is left to do...I have hi-lighted everything completed. Dude! That felt so amazing! "The Final Countdown" by Europe might have been playing in my head, and YES I even danced to it. You can find that song below for your listening pleasure.

http://youtu.be/9jK-NcRmVcw

So in review, I am choosing to look at this Project Life debacle in a "glass half full" perspective." Here is my current checklist for fellow listers like myself, or just those of you that like hi lighting.

*Volume 1     3 weeks left to complete
First Page for Volume 1
Week 1
 Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5 & 6
Week 7
Week 8-9
Week 10 & 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17
Last Page for Volume 1

*Volume 2     4 weeks, 2 partial weeks,  and a final page to complete
First Page for Volume 2
Week 18
Week 19
Week 20 insert finish (50% done)
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 25
Week 26 finish (90% done)
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31-32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Last Page of Volulme 2

*Volume 3    First page and one week to complete
First Page of Volume 3  ( I like to wait until I am at least one month into the new volume)
Week 36
Week 37 (Week in the Life)...still working on
Week 38


Now onto Week 38:

Very simple and straightforward week around here. I did turn one special photo into a focus element by printing it 6 x 8" in size and using it to fill three pockets. I am really liking this and hoping to include a few more this year! The large photo and all of the 3 x4 photos were taken with my I-phone 4s and the four- 4x6 photos were taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I love both cameras and enjoy having the flexibility for photo taking. My husband purchases a tripod for me last week, so I am hoping to carve out some time to play with that tomorrow.

Supplies for this layout, were largely from Project Life kits by Studio Calico, as well as arrow paperclips from Two Peas in a Bucket. I also added in some October Afternoon mini market stickers for good measure. I almost forgot to mention, I used Ali Edwards new digital brushes- # everyday life. I am just loving these and will get a lot of use out of them in upcoming weeks.

I have linked this Project Life post over at The Mom Creative. This is a great place to find tons of Project Life inspiration each and every Tuesday. You can find Jessica's most recent Project Life post HERE.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back later this week with some cards and Project Life pages to share. How are your Project Life pages coming along? Have any of you used an enlarged photo in a traditional Project Life page spread? I just love this and am hoping I have more great photos that can be cropped this year into multiple pockets. The key is not cutting into your subject's faces. That is never a good idea.

Until next time,

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Using Old and New Supplies to Create a Cohesive Layout

I was very inspired by the recent Glitter Girl episode "The Retro Revival" which discusses using old and new products together. I just loved this idea, and decided it was time to peruse my scrap basket to find some hidden treasures. After digging through papers for awhile, I decided to purge some I knew I would not use again (despite best intentions,) and I began pulling out papers I loved. It was very interesting to find that so many different companies have papers in the exact same colors, specifically a nice aqua blue, a golden yellow, and a true red color.  I am really enjoying this color combination together, and kept a bunch of the extra scraps I did not use in a Ziploc bag, so that I can use them again for another layout. These colors are a good transitional summer to fall palette for me and I encourage you to try them on a future project!

Supplies Used:

• My Mind's Eye-blue felt banner from Kraft Day, enamel dots
• Studio Calico-sun mask, yellow star paper, red/white striped paper, and "You are Here" stamp
• American Crafts Amy Tangerine Cut and Paste-red dot paper and shipping tag
• Glitz-arrow roller stamp
• Freckled Fawn-Weather wood veneer set, red woodgrain washi tape
• Heidi Swapp-Color Shine in Sweet Cherry and Mustard
• Pebbles-Hello clothespin
• Faber-Castell-blue gelatos
• Hero Arts-Shadow Ink in Butter Bar, Wet Cement, and Cup O' Joe

Let's talk combining older and newer products...is this something you do on a regular basis? Are there any tips or tricks you would like to share. What about color combinations, are there any that you are especially loving right now? 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with some more progress on my Project Life pages. I would love to see you again.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

30 Days of Lists: Week 2

Good Morning! Today I am here to share my 30 Days of Lists with you. I started this project on September first, and am really enjoying it. You can read all about my lists, and reflections on week one in this post HERE. You can also find out more about the 30 Days of Lists and register following this link HERE.

The list topics this past week have really encouraged me think back to childhood, and all kinds of memories. This has also helped me remember more stories I would love to tell in my scrapbooking. Stories that I really want to pass onto my children and future generations. I strongly encourage you to play along with this endearing project if you have the time. This is a bi-annual challenge that is completed every March and September. Even though I am only at the mid-way point of the month, I already know that without a doubt, I will be playing along with this listing challenge every time it is offered in the future. It really is that insightful, rewarding, and fun.

My 30 Days of Lists pages:

I am keeping my 30 Days of LIst book super simple and using the 8.5 x 11 inch divided page protectors manufactured by We R Memory Keepers. They are called the baseball card sleeves (each pocket measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches.) I am really liking this size for it's simplicity and consistency in page sizes. The only downside is the pockets are small, so you have to make sure to use very small handwriting. That seems to be working well for me though, and encourages me to write slowly and carefully. I have been working on improving my handwriting, so it is a really good benefit as well. I plan on using this binder for all of my future listing projects until it is completely full. I should be able to get a few years in there at the very least. :-)

Onto my lists:

Thank you for stopping by today. How are your lists coming along? I would love it if you are playing along to leave a link in the comments below to your lists. I have really enjoyed seeing how others are interpreting and completing this challenge. Have a very blessed weekend!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Cone of Shame

Today I have a layout to share with you. It is all about my poor old girl Daisy (our rescue lab.) she ended up with an eye infection and had to get the dreaded "Cone of Shame." I could not help but document it, I think she looked kinda cute!

Products Used:

• American Crafts Amy Tangerine Cut and Paste papers
• Studio Calico Marks and Company Scrapbook Kit (yellow stars)
• Jillibean Soup Alphabeans
• Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste Remarks Sticker Book
• Mists: Heidi Swapp mustard, Mister Huey in White, Inky Black, and Bonny Blue
• Sequins

Let's talk unusual scrapbooking layout topics today...anyone else scrapbook something out-of-the-ordinary lately? I think this photo qualifies as slightly-unusual. I cannot help it, this photo just makes me laugh, and since she wasn't experiencing very much pain, I don't feel so bad. Anyone else find their pets hysterical???

Speaking of hysterical pets. While documenting Week in the Life yesterday, I took this photo of my other dog (Elizabeth.) I am trying to come up with the perfect caption for this....any ideas? I promise it will make you laugh. 

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project LIfe 2013: Week 36, September 2nd- September 8th

Today I am back with week 36 to share. Still plugging ahead and getting caught up on my Project Life. You can expect to find two Project Life posts from me per week until mid-October or so. That is my goal for getting all caught up. As you can see below, I now have one more marked off and in the books (Woo to the Hoo for Week 36 being documented!)

Week 8-9
Week 12
Week 13
Last Page for Volume 1
First Page for Volume 2
Week 20 insert finish (50% done)
Week 26 finish (90% done)
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31-32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Last Page of Volume 2
First Page of Volume 3

Now onto the good stuff, the Project Life pages. A fairly ordinary week around here. We celebrated our 11th Anniversary on Saturday with pizza and watching a movie once the kids were in bed. We also spent the weekend at the pool, enjoying the last weekend the pool will be open in 2013.  Lots of yard work this weekend too (hubby passed out one afternoon after it, LOL, see below.) Family time, getting donuts at Krispy Kreme on Labor Day, and finding a lizard on our back door. The kids are still excited about that one! Also the kids brought us a special Anniversary breakfast, they are so thoughtful, and it totally brought a tear to my eye.

Full Layout:

Left Side:

 On this page I adhered an envelope to the outside

of the plastic, and put a little quoted sentiment 

inside that is special to me (you can see a

photo of this below)

Right Side:

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow sharing a layout with you. I hope to see you here. Have a very Happy Tuesday!

I have linked this Project Life post over at The Mom Creative. This is a great place to find tons of Project Life inspiration each and every Tuesday. You can find Jessica's most recent Project Life post HERE.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013: Weeks 31-32, July 29th-August 11th

Playing some more Project Life catch-up over the weekend. Really proud of the progress I am making thus far. I just love Project Life. I love that I can go back to it, or skip it, or really do whatever I want to with it. I love how quick I am able to play catch-up, thanks to all of the photos taken and notes written down.

Since I am such a list person, I am including my catch-up Project Life list (hopefully to further inspire me to be completely caught up by mid-October.) I am determine to get this done...yes I can, yes I can, yes I can!

Project Life Catch-Up List

Week 8-9
Week 12
Week 13
Last Page for Volume 1
First Page for Volume 2
Week 20 insert finish (50% done)
Week 26 finish (90% done)
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31-32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Last Page of Volume 2
First Page of Volume 3


Now enough listing, onto two more caught-up weeks, weeks 31 & 32

 Full Layout:

 Left Side:

Right Side:

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico 6 x 6 Thataway Paper Pad
• Studio Calico Thataway Stitched Pockets
• Printable Labels from Studio Calico
• Glossy Asterick Thickers by Studio Calico
• My Mind's Eye enamel dots
• American Crafts this to that dot runner adhesive
• Ink-Versafine in Onyx Black and Hero Arts Soft Granite

Thank you for stopping by today. Let's talk Project Life...how are y'all coming along in Project Life? Any other listers out there? Are you staying caught-up? I would love to hear any suggestions or time savers you have for staying current. I will be back tomorrow with week 36 Project Life, love that I am staying caught up with the current week. So much easier to complete when all of the photos and information is still fresh in your brain.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

30 Days of Lists: Week 1

So how many of y'all have heard of 30 days of lists?  I know I have. This is the first time that I have decided to participate however. I will admit to being a little skeptical, and wondered if this would be "just another thing to add to the ol' to-do list." Boy was I wrong. I have absolutely loved this process and have already found it eye-opening and very helpful.

I love to write. I also love making lists. So really, this class is a perfect fit for me. I have really enjoyed the list prompts. Day #5 proved to be especially insightful to me. On this day, we were suppose to list things that we worried about. I wrote my top five down and was instantly struck with an epiphany. One of those epiphany's where the skies open, the sun shines down on just you, and a lightbulb goes off over your head. You know what I am talking about. So here's how it went down. . .

I was sitting at the Honda dealership waiting while my car's oil was changed, and I started writing my list. It only took two short minutes to get it all down and maybe thirty more seconds to realize this...All of my worries have to do with money largely (or health would be money and health.) Wow. Big Wow. I have been going back and forth for awhile now, wondering if I needed to start seeking full-time employment, or at least part-time employment. This pretty much affirmed my need for full (or mostly full-time work.)

My husband works as a welder/ plumber. It is a great job, but lately he has been laid off a lot. This means much less income comes in, and we do not currently have insurance. My goal this month is to obtain a job that includes medical benefits. Completing just this once necessary step will greatly reduce my worries and therefore increase my happiness. Yes, I will have less time to craft, help in my kid's schools, and enjoy the house to myself. But the time I do have available for these things will be much less filled with these worry-filled thoughts. Total epiphany. Please wish me luck that I obtain a job with benefits quickly, and hopefully one that I even like.

Now enough of that...here are my lists.

Thoughts on the Process:

• So glad I made the "book" for my lists very simple. It isn't even a book really, but rather, two 8.5 x 11 inch baseball card sized inserts by We R Memory Keepers. I made one pocket for each insert a confetti pocket for some added color and fun.
• List #5 was truly eye-opening, see above.
• List #6 was fun to make, I guess I break a few rules, but could be worse I suppose.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Card Share

Today I have five cards to share with you.  I really enjoy the challenge of using a kit to design cards. It is so much fun to see how many different designs I can come up with and if it also includes a stamp set...I am so hooked. These cards came together very quickly. I think that is because I really liked the paper pad as well as the stamp set that was included in the kit. Do you ever use kits to design cards? It is a fun challenge and I strongly encourage you to try. 

Now let's look at some cards, shall we?

This card was the easiest to create. I used only stamps

included in the kit, ink, and white cardstock.

The banner card was created by cutting out banner shapes from the 

patterned paper, stamping the banner shaped thank you sentiment, 

and attaching them all to the card. I then hand-stitched a simple

back stitch along the top of the banners. Lastly, I attached the 

card front to a standard sized A2 card.

This card was created by inking the bottle stamp with 

black Stayz-On ink and applying it to vellum. I then 

cut out the stamp, and carefully hand-stitched it to 

the card front (only stitching from the bottom to 

2/3 of the way up.) I then added confetti and

 stitched it up the rest of the way. Lastly, I 

added the pinwheel sticker, made a quick 

stitch for the pinwheel "stick," and added 

my sentiment.

This card was constructed with hand-cut banners glued to the card. 

I then stamped the thank you banner onto a piece of white 

cardstock and cut it out. I attached the stamped banner to the

 card using pop dots. Lastly, I added three enamel dots

 around the stamped sentiment.

  I used paper weaving to construct this card. To achieve this, I 

cut the two different types of patterned paper into 1/2" strips. 

These were wove together from the top and sides. Once the 

weaving was done and glued down, I adhered a bit of 

seam binding to the card. I then added some twine 

in a messy nest glued behind the sentiment.

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Marks and Company Card Kit
• Vellum
• Stayz-On Black Ink
• Versafine Ink in Onyx Black
• Hero Arts Shadow Inks in Soft Pool, Soft Yellow, Butter Bar, and Pale Tomato
• Embroidery Needle and aqua, white, and yellow embroidery thread
• White cardstock from stash (I needed two extra 8.5 x 11 inch pieces)

Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here and leaving comments. Let's talk cards...what kinds of cards have you been creating lately? Anyone else thinking about fall cards? I have seen some really cute ideas floating around Pinterest lately and am feeling very inspired. Do you like to send cards in the mail? Who do you send your cards too? I would love to hear from you. 

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013: Week 35, August 26th-September 1st

I am back today with a new week of Project Life to share. I mentioned being a little behind last week... I decided to get real today and see just how behind I am with Project Life this year. I have 11 weeks to catch-up on and finish, but I am trying not to stress about it too much. I look at it as wow I have a little over 2/3 of the year done and pictures and memorabilia for the rest of it. This past week I managed to get three weeks completed, ( yay me) so I feel that this is manageable and totally do-able. I think the key for me will be to do the current Project Life week every week as well as two older weeks. If I can keep this up, I should be completely up to date in Mid-October. I definitely want to get this all caught up before the holiday craziness comes up on us.  Anyone else in the same boat with me when it comes to Project Life? Behind or not, I am still loving Project Life...this is my third year in and it is safe to say that there is no turning back for me.

Week 35 Full Layout:

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow (Wednesday) with a card share. On Thursday I will be sharing some organizational ideas for storing cards. I hope to see you back here on Friday with my completed 30 Lists. I jumped aboard this project on September 1st, and am really enjoying it thus far. Are there any other fellow listers out there? Rounding out the week, I will be back on Saturday, sharing two more catch-up weeks of Project Life. 

For more Project Life inspiration be sure to check out The Mom Creative.  Every Tuesday Jessica Turner hosts a Project Life link-up at her blog. You will find this Project Life week linked there as well as many other truly inspirational Project Lifers. 

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Splash

Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day for all of my fellow American friends! Today is a day for relaxation and some family fun. My labor day will include some studio organization, some Pride and Prejudice movie watching, and some family game time. A pretty perfect day in my book!

Today I have a layout to share with you made from the Studio Calico Marks and Company Scrapbook Kit. There are still some available as of September 2nd, so if you are interested I highly recommend this awesome kit full of a really cool exclusive stitching plate designed by Amy Tangerine, exclusive stamp set, and all kinds of goodies from the new CHA releases. I have really enjoyed working with this kit.

This layout really showcases my style right now, and techniques I am still loving; some mist, journaling around the perimeter of the layout, neutral background, some stamping, layers, and clusters of embellishments. I also love to include lots of different types of texture, in this case there is shiny and smooth enamel dots, rough wood veneer, hard acetate, and shiny and bumpy puffy arrow stickers. I also think that mists and stamping adds some fun texture, by adding some base layering to you pages.

Products Used:

• Studio Calico Marks and Co Scrapbook Kit
• Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Teal and Mustard
• Studio Calico Mister Huey in Pretty Pink
• Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party Heart Acetate Paper 
• Stamping Ink: Versafine in Onyx Black, Prima Chalk Fluid Edger in Vintage Pink

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Let's talk about finding your scrapbook style? How do you know what your style is? An even better question might be to ask, how do you define your scrapbook style? I was able to pinpoint my style by just searching through my last 50 or so layouts, and it soon became fairly obvious that there are some techniques I use again and again. My favorite layouts all follow the techniques I used in this layout, and they feel the most authentically me (I hope that makes sense.) I would love to hear your answers and thoughts on these questions.

I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with a new Project Life week to share. Up later this week, I will be posting cards, organization, and some of my lists from the awesome 30 Days of Lists group. I hope to see you back here.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni