Project Life 2013: Weeks 46-47, November 11th-24th

Happy Wednesday and Happy (early) Thanksgiving for all of my U.S Friends. I have a lot to be thankful for, and one of my many blessings is such amazing blog readers and followers. I appreciate so very much for being here, leaving comments, or questions, and for making this such a fun place for me to hang out and write about my passions. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Today I am sharing Project Life weeks 46 and 47 with you. I am completing Project Life in a weekly format overall, but I do combine weeks on occasion when I do not have many photos, or I am using many photos for another project. In case you are interested some other Project Life spreads I have blogged about that have combined weeks can be found HERE, HERE and HERE, and HERE.

Full Layout:

Left Side:

 Right Side:

Right Side Close-Up:

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Cuppa Project Life Kit (still available)

• Cuppa Scrapbook Kit (still available)

Cuppa Paper Pad (still available)

• Stamps: Pebbles date stamp, Lili Niclass stamp designed for Studio Calico (sold out) and Cuppa Scrapbook Kit stamp
• Stickers: Red Micro by Basic Grey for Studio Calico, sticker sheet from Basic Grey Persimmon collection.
• Flair: Exclusive Fall Flair from Two Peas in a Bucket
• Digital Elements: printable Cuppa Labels by Marcy Penner for Studio Calico *available through 
• Tools: Tim Holtz scissors, tiny attacher, Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Wet Cement, American Crafts Dot Roller Adhesive, and American Crafts Precision Pen .03 nib.

I wish everyone a long and relaxing week and weekend. I am spending Thanksgiving with my little family of four and a 16 pound turkey. It goes without saying, you know what we will be eating all weekend. 

xoxox

Toni

Project Life: My Step by Step Process

Step One: Memorabilia (5 minutes)

I keep all of my memorabilia in a letter tray that I purchased at Target. Every week I pull out my letter tray from it's place on my bookcase, bring it to my desk, and decide what memorabilia I am going to use.

I can then discard any unused items. For this week, I am not using the receipt for the Post Office, but the other three items are being saved. The certificate will go in my daughter's scrapbook and the movie ticket stubs and Paper Camellia label is going in this Project Life spread.

Step Two: Import Photos to Project Life Folder: (5 minutes)

I import all of the possible photos for my Project Life spread into the folder for that Project Life week. There is generally 2-3 times more photos than I need, but that's okay. Once I look at them together in Photoshop Elements I can generally pick out my favorites relatively quickly.

*I have a Mac desktop computer and my SLR photos are regularly uploaded to I-photo. My i-phone photos are uploaded automatically using i-cloud.

Step Three: Select Photos, Resize, and Edit (20-30 minutes)

Editing is my least favorite part of Project Life. I love editing photos, but sometimes doing 10-15 in a row is a daunting task. I just try to stick to a few edits per photo. I have Photoshop Elements and find it a very helpful software program for a non-professional photographer. It is a great value and I do not plan on upgrading to the full version of Photoshop anytime soon.

A great time saving tip is to stick to only a few different sizes when printing photos for Project Life. I generally stick with 4 x 6 inch, 2.9 x 3.9 inch, and 4 x 4. Once in a while I will use a 2.5 x 2.5, but not very often. Less sizes = less time figuring out what size to print.

Step Four: Open Up a Blank File (1 minute)

Place all photos onto a blank file in Photoshop Elements. *I am sure other editing software have similar features, but unfortunately I am only familiar with Photoshop Elements. I size the blank file 24 inches wide by 12 inches tall, just like a typical two-page Project Life spread. I almost exclusively use Design A Becky Higgins Project Life protectors sold through Amazon. I love that the 4 x 6 pockets are a true 4 x 6 and that the small pockets are almost 3 x 4 inches.

*I started doing this so that I could "see" what my layout would look like BEFORE printing. It works so well for me. I use to constantly have to reprint and resize photos and I would print a lot for photos I never used. What a waste of time and money. I hardly ever have to reprint now, just for the occasional coffee or Diet Coke spill or ink mishap.

Step Five: Place Photos Onto Blank File (5-10 minutes)

I move the photos around until I like the arrangement. I know that sounds awfully vague, but it is difficult to guess what others look for when arranging photos. However, I can tell you what I do, and what works for me. I hope this will be useful for you as well.

• Balance: I want both sides to seem to weigh the same when you look at them…for example. I want the blank spaces for journaling and non-photo elements to be spaced throughout the spread, and not in just one area.

       In this Project Life spread the blank spaces are spaced throughout the spread

• Color: I generally pick 2-3 colors from the pictures that week and use them to find journaling cards, embellishments, and to help guide the layout. 

In this Project Life spread you see red elements, blue, and darker/ wood tones on both sides 

of the page and in different areas; top of page, middle of page, and bottom of page.

• Visual Triangles: Love these. A visual triangle is useful to help guide whomever looks at your scrapbook around the page, or Project Life spread in this case. I have highlighted a variety of visual triangles for you in this Project Life spread below…be warned my drawing with the pencil tool in Photoshop is kind of hilarious.

 Visual Triangle of dark elements

 Visual Triangle of natural elements

 Visual Triangle of light blue

 Visual Triangle of people, yes including Katniss

Visual Triangle of red

Step Six: Print Photos and Gather Supplies (10 minutes)

I print at home as well as at my local Archivers. I think it is cheaper to print at Archivers, but it just depends if I am going there already. I probably print at home for Project Life about 60% of the time. Supplies are gathered based on the color scheme, memorabilia, and any other elements I want to use.

Step Seven: Assembly (30-60 minutes)

This is my favorite part. If I can do all of my journaling and embellishing in one sitting it goes much faster, if I break it up over different points in time it usually takes twice as long. Either way, I love this part.

So In Review, my process:

1. Memorabilia (5 minutes)
2. Import Photos to Project Life Folder (5 minutes)
3. Select Photos, Resize, and Edit (20 minutes)
4. Open Up a Blank File (1 minute)
5. Place Photos Onto Blank File (5-10 minutes)
6. Print Photos and Gather Supplies (10 minutes)
7. Assembly (30-60 minutes)

     *Total Time Spent: Anywhere from approx. 1hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. This is the average time it has took me to complete each of the above steps in my Project Life spreads the past six weeks.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here and I hope this step-by-step Project Life tutorial was helpful to you and that you learned something new along the way. If you have any questions about my Project Life process please do not hesitate to ask. I would be happy to help anyway I can. I am really hoping to hear about your Project Life process or see your pages. If you link me to a recent Project Life spread or other crafty endeavor, I would love to leave you a comment.

I will be back tomorrow to share this completed Project Life spread and later this week I will be sharing a Christmas mini album using Basic Grey's 25th and Pine Collection. I hope to see you back soon.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013: Week 45, November 4th-10th

Happy Tuesday! I am back today with another Project Life week to share. I can hardly believe there are only 7 weeks left this year and I am so thrilled that it is all documented using Project Life. Week 45 was a fairly ordinary week; lots of walks around our neighborhood, some animal pics, a pic of our house in the fall, and a fun family night with dinner and a movie. One thing I really enjoy about this week is some of the memorabilia I included: Ticket stubs from the movie and a drawing of what my husband does at work (he drew this to explain to the kids his job.) He works as a welder and does a lot of plumbing as well (in case you were wondering.)

Products Used:

• Studio Calico Cuppa Project Life Kit

• Stamp from Studio Calico Cuppa Scrapbook Kit

• Printables and labels from Studio Calico for the month of November

• Two Peas in a Bucket Like A Boss Flair

• Basics: Tiny Attacher, American Crafts Precision Pen .03, shipping label, date stamp, and Ink: Versafine in Onyx Black and Hero Arts Shadow Ink in Wet Cement.

I have linked this Project Life post over at The Mom Creative. This is a great place to find an abundance of Project Life inspiration each and every Tuesday. You can find Jessica's most recent Project Life post HERE. I will be back later this week with a layout share and also a tutorial on my Project Life process, I would love to see you here.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2013: Week 44, October 28th-November 3rd

It's week 44 and I still LOVE this project. Truth be told, ever since I have been caught up with all of my Project Life weeks, I have fallen more and more in love with Project Life. I completed so many weeks back in September and the first half of October in my Epic-Project-Life-Catch-Up-Sessions (you can read more about that HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE,) that I have really learned how to streamline and speed up my process. Do you remember those posts? And yes I am still listening to "The Final Countdown" while compiling my Project Life pages, or at least hearing that music playing in my  head. 

Back to week 44. This was such a fun week; Halloween, good everyday bits and pieces, and even my husband's birthday. Happy Birthday Babe!

Full Layout:

Left Side:

Right Side:

Products Used:

• Studio Calico Cuppa Project Life Kit
• Stamp from Studio Calico Cuppa Scrapbook Kit
• Printables and labels from Studio Calico for the month of November
• Two Peas in a Bucket I Heart Fall flair
• Basics: Tiny Attacher, American Crafts Precision Pen .03, shipping label, date stamp, Versafine Ink in Onyx Black, and silver stars from my stash

I will be back next week with week 45 Project Life to share. I am also putting together a tutorial showing my Project Life process. I will discuss how I pick photos and visually place them in Photoshop Elements before I print, sizing pictures, printing, and compiling pages with a balanced and cohesive look. I hope to see you back for that next week.

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. Last weeks post on the Mom Creative was very helpful as well and includes a video on how Jessica (the Mom Creative) caught-up with five weeks of Project Life. You can find that post HERE. 

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: Chubs & Wheels

Happy Monday! Today I have a layout to share with you using a couple of mixed media techniques. I hope you like it and find this helpful.

Here is the design process for this layout:

1. It started with a photo of my daughter's two new hamsters. She has been wanting them for almost a year and finally purchased them in October as a birthday present. It was time to finally make a page about them, and I finally got a decent photo without them moving all over the place. Robo Dwarf Hamsters are seriously fast! The photo was printed at home using Photoshop Elements for editing and an older Epson standard-sized printer. Photo was printed to be 3 by 4 inches.
2. I then decided on a color scheme that would go with my picture. Since the picture is fairly neutral, I based it on the gorgeous sheet of ampersand paper designed by the incredible Shanna Noel for Studio Calico. It is one of my most favorite papers ever! The paper is white with tan, pink, and orange accents. I picked all of my supplies in colors that would compliment this paper.
3. I started with a plain piece of American Crafts white cardstock and trimmed it down to 8.5 inches by 11 inches.
4. I then trimmed a piece of the ampersand paper down to 3 inches by 11 inches and adhered it to the right side of the page using adhesive.
5. I paired these two background papers with a piece of white floral paper designed by Studio Calico, a piece of pink paper from the American Crafts Everyday 6 x 6 inch paper pad sold at Target, and I also used a piece of black cardstock from my stash. All three of these papers were trimmed down to approximately 3 inches by 4 inches. 
6. I placed the above 3 layering paper behind my photo. When adding layers to a scrapbook page, I move the elements around a bit until I find an arrangement that I like. It is best to start with smaller angles and just slowly moved them around until you like what you see. I then stapled the three pattern papers together onto the white card stock. The photo was then affixed on top of the layered papers using pop dots. Using staples instead of glue for attaching my layers really saves glue and holds the papers together nicely I have found. I got this tip from the incredibly talented Lilith Eeckles and I just love using my stapler now!
7. I then added mist to my layout, but I first used a small scrap piece of paper to cover my picture (I didn't want any mist on my photo.) I used Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Black Velevet for this layout and just used the mist applicator that comes in the bottle. I do not spray the mist however, but shake tiny drops of black ink onto the layout going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner in a diagonal line. I also add a few random drops to the middle because it looked plain.
8. Next I took out my Two Peas wood veneer card and stained it using Tim Holtz distress ink in walnut stain. I let it dry for a few minutes, and then got impatient, and dried it with my embossing gun. I then adhered this veneer piece to the layout using glue dots.
9. I added the Simple Stories letter stickers on top of the veneer card. 
10. I pulled together my embellishments next, some labels and printables purchased at Studio Calico during the month of October (the black labels designed by Hello Forever and the circle and heart printable.) I also pulled out the Pebbles chalkboard words. 
11. I filled in my journaling onto the labels and began putting the labels, printables, and stickers down. I just shuffle and tuck them around here and there until I like the arrangement, and then I glue everything down.
12. Next I added a Two Peas in a Bucket orange arrow paper clip to the photo. I thought that corner needed a little pop, and it also helps to draw your eye to the photo with such a busy paper behind it. When it doubt use an arrow, I do this often, and it usually works.
13. The last step for me is always finishing touches. I decided the layout needed a little something else, so I used the gold star rub-ons from the Studio Calico printshop collection. I just sprinkled them about until I had an arrangement that I liked. I stop a lot and look at the layout, add a star or two, look some more, stop, decide it's done, and then I walk away.

I hope this step-by-step layout instructions are easy to understand. I wish I had thought to take photos during the process, but I am hoping this will still be helpful for those of you interested in dabbling in a little mixed media

Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here. I will be back tomorrow with some Project Life pages. What kinds of things are you scrapbooking lately? Anyone else adding any new pets to the mix? What about mixed media? Are you trying any new techniques that you love? I would love to hear about it. Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

December Daily Organization: Part One, Getting Your Supplies Together

I have to be completely honest with you, this will be my FIRST year finishing a December Daily. I had great intentions last year, but between moving mid-December and having family come to stay with us at our new house four days later, I did not have time to work on it. I also am more of a seasonal scrapper. I like to work on Christmas themed items around that time of year, and once the holiday is over, I want to work on other things. Now that it is November and the Christmas season is approaching, I am so excited to be working on December Daily as well as other Christmasy projects.

The Albums:

This year I will be making a 2012 December Daily in November and setting up my 2013 December Daily as well. I figure after I finish one, I should have a good idea of what does/ does not work for me. I will be sure to keep you posted. I have two Studio Calico handbooks ready to go. One is the new Magical Handbook and the other is an older chevron chipboard design also by Studio Calico. It is similar to this one HERE. I primed the plain chipboard album with white acrylic paint and when dry, I used Krylon Gold Metallic Spray Paint, followed by a coat of clear protectant. Since I am loving everything gold this year, I am leaning towards using the gold album for 2013 and using the Studio Calico Magical red cloth album for 2012. I also added patterned paper to the spine of the gold album and polka dot washi around the corners. You can see the pictures of both my 2012 and 2013 December Daily albums below.

If you want to see the steps I took in spray painting the album, I posted my progress on Instagram last week, You can find my Instagram link at the right hand side of the blog. If you have any questions just leave a comment below or on Instagram, I would be happy to help.

Organizing Little Bits and Pieces:

My first recommendation would be to collect all of the supplies you are planning on using into your December Daily album into one place. Then you get to start the fun part. Organizing all of the little bits and pieces!

There are a multitude of ways you can store little embellishments, but one way is by far my absolute favorite. You might remember that I am a sucker for a white ceramic bowl. Seriously, I am so in love with these little guys. They are very affordable, so enchanting, and they just make my heart happy and I smile every time I see them. I discussed my love for ceramic bowls in another organization post HERE. I purchase these bowls at Target, World Market, Pier One, Michaels, and various consignment stores. The star-shaped bowl was purchased at Michaels last week, and is my current favorite. Currently I have approximately 21, and yes they are ALL being used.

*The glass candy dish is out year-round. I store my paper clips in it

 and since it was my mother's I just love it. It reminds me of her

 and my childhood everytime I look at it.

Other strategies I have seen fellow bloggers use for organizing December Daily, include;

• Baskets
• Clothespins
• Cups
• Mugs
• Muffin Tins
• Tool boxes
• Various ceramic containers
• Vintage Letter Trays
• Wooden boxes

You can see many of above organizational ideas implemented, as well as read some other December Daily organization tips by clicking on any of the names below. All 3 scrapbookers have very inspirational, well-written posts, and are bloggers that I enjoy reading.

• Jen Chapin 
• Michelle Wooderson and HERE
• Leena Loh

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back soon with a layout share. I hope to see you then.

Happy Organizing,

xoxox

Toni

Layout Share: "Love This Moment"

I have a layout to share with you today based on some silly photos of my son. I mean if you happen to see a Christmas tree fully decorated in October, it deserves a photo shoot right? My son Elliot and I found this super funny and so he started posing in front of it. A piece of advice for mothers of boys, anytime a teenage boy is willing to have his photograph taken, you must stop what you are doing immediately and start taking photos. It only lasts for a minute, so you must begin quickly.

I created this layout using items from the Studio Calico Antiquary Scrapbook Kit, the Studio Calico Magical Candy Stripe Vellum and Atlantic glittered stars, and the new Crate Paper Bundled Up Collection. I really enjoyed pairing these scrappy supplies together and am super happy with the end result.

I hope y' all have a Happy, happy Tuesday. I will be back later this week with some ideas for December Daily Organization. I sure hope to see you then.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni