December Memories using Elle's Studio

Hello. Happy Tuesday! I have a new blog post up on the Paper Issues blog this morning, using some fun goodies from Elle's Studio.

I am working on finishing up my December Memories album from 2012. Yup, you read that right, I am working on my mini album from 2012.  We bought a new home and moved in December of that year, so I am just now finally documenting that season. That month was absolutely crazy and I did not have time to take photos every single day, but I did manage to document quite a bit, including; packing and moving into our new home, holiday preparations, and some of our family coming to visit us from Washington State. Considering we didn't close on our home until December 10th, I am considering that a huge win for 2012!

Regardless, of when you work on your holiday projects, I hope this post inspires you to dive in and have some fun during the holidays, and document what you are doing. Remember any kind of documentation is better than none. You don't have to make a December Daily album or take a photo every single day. Remembering to take some pictures and journaling about anything you do that month is more than enough!

This photo of Elliot and Isabelle is so darn sweet. When I see this photo 

I am reminded that this was the last year that Isabelle still 

believed in Santa Clause 

My mother and Isabelle love crafting together.

Games are a big part of family life, as well as taking naps. :-)

Morning messy, head cuddles are just simply the best!

For this mini album, I used many elements from the Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection. The fun colors, stamps, wood veneer, and adorable bits and pieces has sure made putting these pages together a snap and a lot of fun as well. I also incorporated some sequins from the shop, a few elements from my stash, an some fun machine stitching as well.

If you have any holiday shopping to do, don't forget to use code "TONI" at checkout and you can save 20% off your entire order!!!

I hope y'all have a blessed and safe holiday season,

xoxox

Toni

#30 Days of Thankful: My Detailed Plan

Happy Thursday! I am back today to share with you some items I have pulled and my plan for approaching a 30 Days of Thankful album. I hope this might give you some ideas, and inspire you to focus on gratitude next month.

I have documented 30 Days of Thankful the past three years. The first two were done on Facebook with daily messages. Last year, I documented gratitude every single day and posted corresponding photos on Instagram. I printed all of these photos into a large collage and made a corresponding layout last year.

In the journaling, I wrote down every single one of the things I was thankful for. I ended up with 

29 photos, because I inadvertently mentioned Project Life twice. I just made that a 

larger photo and moved on. I love how it turned out.

This year I will also be using my I-phone to take photos and posting those on Instagram using the hashtag #30DaysOfThankful. The difference is that this year I plan on making a mini album with all of my photos. I have a few of the Instagram albums, and I am just itching to use one already. Another of my Instagram albums will be used for a summer mini/ favorite things from 2014 (which I still haven't done, ahem, cough, cough, but I digress.....)

These are the supplies I have pulled together to make a 30 Days of Thankful Mini Album

1. Album: I have it narrowed down to two Instagram albums. I am not quite sure which way I am going to go, but either will work.

 Teresa Collins Gold Heart Instagram Album

We R Memory Keepers Instagram Album in Coral: 

Unfortunately this one is sold out, but there are many

 other cute Instagram albums in at Paper Issues.

2. Paper:

Fancy Pants True Friend 6x6 paper pad

3. Flair Badges from my Etsy Shop:

 Thirty Days of Thankful Flair Set

At the Patch Flair Set

Seattle Seahawks Flair Set

Sweater Weather Flair Set

Too Many Projects Flair Set

 Coffee Lover Flair Set

4. Other products pulled:

• Fancy Pants True Friend: Inseparable 12 x 12 paper, button set, ephemera pack. label stickers, and sequins.
• Lawn Fawn Sweater Weather Wood Leaves
• Elle's Studio Sycamore Lane: Grateful Stamp Set, Cork Shapes, Cut Outs, Bits and Pieces, and Word Labels
• Elle's Studio Good Cheer: Number's Stamp
• Amy Tangerine Stitched: Love Spun Embossing Folder and Hooked Kraft 12 x12 paper

I hope this post inspired you to think about taking on a 30 Days of Thankful album, scrapbook layout, or pocket page. I think this album will be one that my family and I flip through time and time again. I

If you are in the market for supplies for a fall project, album, or anything else pretty paper related. I have left links to all of the supplies I pulled above. If you shop at Paper Issues and use the code "TONI" you will receive 20% off of all of your items. Disclaimer: *I do receive a small compensation if you shop at Paper Issues and use my code. This is in the form of shop credit and is used for purchasing more scrappy products that I use for blogging. I genuinely love the store, and shopped there well before being on the Design Team, and for this reason I feel very comfortable recommending them to you. I will never advertise any company or product I do not personally use and highly recommend.*

Until next time....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

A Halloween Mini Album by Gillian Nelson

Happy Friday. Today I am excited to tell you that I have a project by the amazing Gillian Nelson to share with all of you. Please pull up a comfy chair and get a cup of coffee, I have a bunch of awesome project photos to share with you.

A little backstory first: Gillian and I met online two years ago over at Studio Calico. I just found her hilarious, quick witted, and so sweet. She would make me laugh so hard at every reveal for Studio Calico that my sides hurt. Needless to say, when I went back to visit family in Washington State last summer, I had to meet up with G. Luckily, she also wanted to meet up and boy did we have some fun. We scrapbooked, talked, and had lunch and dinner together, and became even better friends. Seriously. She is the sweetest, most genuine, hilarious person you will ever meet. She has a fierce love for her family, and I appreciate that in another momma.

*Photo of Gillian and I this past summer in Washington State

(Please ignore how large my head looks in this selfie. Is it 

still a selfie if two people are in the photo?)

Something you might not know about Gillian is that she is on the Studio Calico Creative Team  (as well as American Crafts.) Yup, she is that awesomely talented. I have loved her scrapbook style for a long time. It is unique and just so her. I love that her journaling is heartfelt and very smartly written.

Gillian was one of the first people I told about starting my business. She was so excited for me and could not have been sweeter or more encouraging. Last month I talked to Gillian some more about my shop, and I was thrilled when Gillian agreed to work with some of my new flair and share a project with all of you. Not only did she agree, but she made a mini album.  You see, Gillian loves Halloween a ridiculous amount. I mean Seriously-Loves-Halloween. Halloween is her Christmas (if you will.)  In the following images she used BOTH the Trick or Treat Flair Set as well as the Happy Halloween one. Both are available at my shop.

Are you ready to see the cutest Halloween mini ever?

I am in love with this project. I love how she used my flair, I love all of the great cards and embellishments she found that matched, and some of those older photos are just priceless. The homemade costumes when she was younger, way too cute.

If this album inspired you to shop for some flair, or if you just really want to add to your embellishment collection, I am offering up a coupon code that is good through Sunday October 5th, 2014 at midnight EST. Use Code GILLIAN and you will save 10% off all orders $10 or over in my shop. Happy Shopping!

I hope y'all have a great weekend.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013: Part 9, December 19th and 20th

Happy Monday fellow blog readers. I am back today to share a few more December Daily pages. This is the first year I have completed this project (well technically it isn't completed yet, but after 20 days in the books, I feel confident saying I will finish it all at this point.) I am just loving putting this album together. I love that I can just pick one or two photos per day and focus on those stories on a smaller scale. Of course, I can always include more, but I am trying to keep this album actually contained in the album and not too bulky.

Let's shift focus now though, and look inside the album some more, shall we?

December 19th

I used another awesome free printable by Gillian Nelson on this day.

December 20th

I used an office supply tag in between the pages to obtain my journaling for 

December 20th, love how that turned out!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I have some new followers and commenters and I just wanted to say thank you so much. I appreciate you all being here and sharing this little spot of blogland with me. I will be back tomorrow with Project Life week 51 to share with all of you. I hope to see you then.

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013: Part 8, December 17th and 18th

I am back again today with two more December Daily pages. At this point in the month things are sure getting more hectic, you will see that my pages are very simple, and I love them just the same. December Daily is about capturing the memories, not about designing the "perfect" pages. Although, I fully admit that I like getting crafty with it when I have the time, and I really do enjoy looking at others gorgeous December Daily layouts. What I have learned with an ongoing project like this is that it is important to remember that if you want to be successful you have to be okay with quick and easy some of the time. Don't play the comparing game, just go with it and have fun!

Now let's see some pictures shall we.

December 17th and 18th

The two printable journaling cards today that were designed by the incredibly talented 

Gillian Nelson. I just love them! Guess what? She is even sharing them for free 

on her blog, you can find that blog post HERE. 

December 17th

December 18th

 Thanks so much for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here and allowing me to share some Christmas crafting with you. I will be back all next week again. Like previous weeks this month, I will be sharing more December Daily pages next week and Project Life on Tuesday.  If I don't see you again before 2014, I wish you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013 Part 7: December 14th-16th

I am back with some more December Daily pages. You will notice that all of the events are not exactly Christmas related: A 5k run, a parade, and a very lazy puppy. That is what I love about December Daily, it does not just have to be about all Christmas. It is about celebrating the magic and embracing all that is December. I strongly encourage you to document your Christmas memories if you have never done this before. It really helps you to focus on what is important, and get to the true meaning of this glorious holiday. Alright, tangent over…now let's see some pages.

 December 14th

 Ali Edwards "Game Time" digital brush, Silhouette cut "Believe" from the Silhouette store,  

American Crafts POW Glitter Paper, Crate Paper Sleigh Ride vellum numbers, and 

assorted sequins purchased at Studio Calico.

Notes journal card from Webster's Pages/ Alison Kreft's It's Christmas Dear Santa paper.

December 15th

Studio Calico Magical numbers, kraft bag, labels by Marcy Penner, Two Peas Exclusive 

red arrow paper clip, October Afternoon Silent Night Mini Market Stickers, 
and button brad by Crate Paper Bundled Up.

December 15th (backside) and December 16th

Basic Grey Sleigh Ride Vellum number, Ali Edwards "Happy Christmas Outline Banners" digital brush, Crate Paper Bundled up 6 x 6 paper pad, and sequins purchased at Studio Calico.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. If you have any questions about this project please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I am happy to help. I will be back tomorrow to share a fun project I made using felt. It could or could not be holiday related, depending upon how you see it. I will be back again on Friday with more December Daily pages. I hope to see you back here.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013: Part 6, December 10th-13th

Hello and happy Monday! It is now December 16th and Christmas is only 9 days away. Not quite sure how that happened so fast, but it did nonetheless. I have something to share with you today before I get down to December Daily.

My daughter, Isabelle (age 10) ran a 5k this past Saturday. She competed in the Reindeer Romp with other girls from her Girls on the Run team. She did so great and I am super proud of her. She ran the entire way and finished the race in just under 34 minutes. What an accomplishment for a ten-year-old!

Isn't she just the cutest little runner ever?

Back to December Daily… ready to see four more December Daily pages today? I am really loving this project and enjoying it more and more each time I sit down to compile pictures, papers, and Christmas stories/ anecdotes that I want my family to remember. What a blessing it is to be able to document my families holiday memories.

December 10th/ 11th

December 10th

December 11th

This page has an envelope with a  pull out journaling tag. On the tag I wrote 

about this gingerbread men ornament collection. They are my son's and 

my mom purchases these for him every year. One of my families 

favorite things to unpack every year and put on our tree.

December 12th/13th 

December 12th

December 13th

Let's talk December Daily today. Are you working on an album? If so do you have any tips to share? I have found that it is much easier to work on pages 2 or 3 days at a time, rather than pulling everything out for only one day. I have also found that I do not like working on more than 3 pages at a time. I guess it is a good thing it is a daily project, or else I might be tempted to put it all together after Christmas, and then I probably would not want to do it at all. Does anyone else have that problem with larger projects?

I hope y'all have a very happy Monday. I will be back tomorrow with Project Life week 50 to share, I hope to see you then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013: Part 5, December 8th and 9th

I have two more days of December Daily to share with you today. Not a lot of pictures the past couple of days, but I am just going with it. My album is already getting very full, so a few lighter days is probably a good thing.

December 8th & 9th:

December 8th:

For this page, I used some seafoam washi tape purchased at Two Peas in a 

Bucket, the Crate Paper Bundled Up labels and ephemera packs, Crate

 Paper Sleigh Ride numbers, and some punches. I also used a gold 

metallic Recollections pen purchased at Michaels to write 

directly onto the photo "believe in magic." 

December 9th:

For this page, I used the Studio Calico Thataway pockets, Studio Calico 

Magical gold numbers, some washi tape, the Crate Paper ephemera 

pack, and a 4 x 6 printable journaling card.

Wow. That was a super quick blog post today. I will be back tomorrow with a step-by-step tutorial on how I put together my Christmas cards this year. They were super simple, but I still love them, and it also encouraged me to use up some of my 6 x 6 paper pads that I have been hoarding saving.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily 2013: Part 4, December 5th-7th

It's Monday and time for another December Daily share. I have December 5th, 6th, and 7th to show you today. Lots of fun Christmas happenings around here; including a couple of Christmas choir programs.

December 4: This is where we last left off, and yes I found something for my blank spot

I just love this adorable little snowman Isabelle made me.

December 5th

 FaLaLa Card and gold letterpress card from Studio Calico. Red journaling card from 

October Afternoon Sleigh Ride Collection.

I love this photo of my sister and brother-in-law and my adorable nephews and 

niece, I cannot wait to see them all this summer.

Silhouette Cotton Canvas, wood veneer stars by Studio Calico, American Crafts 

Gold Glitter Zing embossing powder, and seafoam Heidi Swapp ghost letter.

December 6th

Falalalala wood veneer piece from an exclusive Elle's Studio veneer set, Crate 

Paper Bundled Up label and button brad, enamel dots, and Studio Calico 

Magical starburst Veneer and gold embossing powder.

Elle's Studio Exclusive Wood Veneer Tree, Crate Paper Sleigh Ride number, 

Studio Calico Magical Starburst, American Crafts Gold Glitter Zing 

Embossing Powder, and an enamel dot.

December 7th

I included a large glassine bag to hold a few extra choir photos

Thank you for stopping by today to life, scrapbook, repeat. I appreciate you being here, following along, and for leaving such thoughtful comments. I will be back later this week with the following items, including tomorrow's Project Life Tuesday.

• Tuesday:          Project Life Week 49
• Wednesday:     December Daily part 5: December 8th and 9th
• Thursday:        Quick Christmas Card using 6 x 6 holiday paper pads
• Friday:             December Daily part 6: December 10th and 11th

I hope y'all have a happy and joyful Monday.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni