Scrap Your Story :: let's go fly a kite

It's Friday, which means another reveal day at Scrap Your Story Challenge Blog!  It has been so exciting to see what everyone has be linking up!  Hope you link up this week!

This week the challenge is to use some cork on your layout!  I used cork letters for "fly a KITE", and I also punch a circle out of cork (it's behind the "B" ormolu flair).

I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit this week and did some hand stitching on my layout. I've done (and am addicted to) machine sewing -- but I've never used a pattern, poked holes, used a needle, the whole shebang! In a Scrapbook Circle Add on kit I got this awesome stitching kit from Amy Tangerine's Yes, Please line.  So, I used 'em! Then I dry brush painted a little bit of spray ink to add a little more color and show off that stitching a bit (it was a little lost with all that lovely chevron).

Lovin' me some flair from A Flair for Buttons!  I also added a spot for hidden journaling.  I used some washi tape to add some color -- the actual journaling spot is kraft. Then I used an Ali Edwards stamp "Tell the Story", which comes from the March Studio AE stamp set "This Story" available at Technique Tuesday.

Some layers, more AE stamping, and Amy Tangerine stitching.  :-) 

Did you know that Scrap Your Story has a facebook page??  Check it out here.

I'm also linking this layout up at Paper Issues :: Up In The Clouds! 

:: OLW March Blog Hop ::

Hello! Welcome to the March 1st One Little Word Blog Hop! 

Did you come from Jackie's place?  You are in the right place! Thank you for viewing my part of the world for a bit! 
Feel free to look around -- but orange colored glasses are required! If you enjoy your stay, feel free to click the "follow button on the sidebar to the right!  I would love to have you visit my part of the blogosphere again!
A complete list of participating blogs are listed at the bottom of this post. 

Let's get to the photo:

Favorite Part ::  the process and the tree.
confession #1 :: I wouldn't have finished this project (by March) if it weren't for the blog hop!
confession #2 :: I didn't really finish it in February (as I type this it is nearly 1:00 AM on March 1.
confession #3 :: It's still wet!!

I used an 8.5x11 piece of chipboard (I think??) that came as packaging or something!  I keep things, I find things, I use things, I don't always know what they are.  :-)  I black gesso-ed (that's a word, right?) over the whole thing as my base, then while it was still wet I painted over it with teal -- this way some of the black is still visible. That was my base, then I just started adding stuff!

Over the last month I have been on the look out for items in magazines to use for this project. Then over the last week or so, I've been ripping them out. Although I would say I am a visual person, everything that spoke to me, that seemed to want to be used, happened to be words! Well, almost everything. I think that's part of why I put off this project a bit. I was certain it wasn't going to be all that interesting. Although, I'm still not sure it's interesting, the process was fun. My hands (and craft mat) got dirty and it was just overall enjoyable.

confession #4 ::  I love my craft mat

Since it was words and phrases that stood out to me, I decided to just go with it. I ended up ripping out a bunch of paragraphs (more words) that have no particular meaning, just to use as background.  Then I put all the meaningful stuff over it.  :-)

confession #5 :: The tree came in the mail today. (Well, technically yesterday, either way just hours ago)!

After I was finished gluing everything down with matte medium, I put a layer over the top to seal it all together.  Then, I added a little orange (everything is better with a little orange, no?). I used this cool roller that I got in my February Scrapbook Circle kit, painted it with orange, and applied!  Fun!

Still to come:: I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the other side of the page.  If you remember from my first post I decided I needed a title page, so I'm not exactly following what Ali is doing, so I need to fill the pockets on the left side of the page (not shown).  I think I will put some fun paper there, and maybe some quotes that I've collected that fit my word (present). Or, who knows, I might even just go for one big photo like I did for my title page!  Nothing is speaking to me at this time, so I'll just have to wait until I know!

Next stop, Paige's place!  Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Today is also the first reveal over at Scrap Your Story Challenges (of which I just happen to be a member of the Design Team).  My post for that will go live at around 8 a.m. (CST).  Please come back and check it out!

Lee

Cheri

Lisa
Michelle
Julie
Kara
Margareta
Tricia
Karen
Nikki
Melanie
Angela
Kathryn
Jackie
Dona <----- That's me!
Paige
Ruth
Kathleen

Missus Wookie:

Naomi

:: OLW Blog Hop ::

Welcome to the first One Little Word blog hop of 2013! 

Did you come from Janet's place?  You are in the right place! Thank you for viewing my part of the world for a bit! 
Feel free to look around -- but orange colored glasses are required!
A complete list of participating blogs are listed at the bottom of this post. 

A little more than a week ago I shared my 2013 One Little Word, and how it found me, in this post.  My word is present, but it's really more like two words, be present.  This is my second year participating in Ali's class at Big Picture Classes and I am completely hooked.  Last year my life was...interrupted...and although my 2012 word, balance, stayed with me all year (and will always be a part of me), I didn't participate in the class with the prompts as much as I'd hoped. I am excited as I begin again (aren't new beginnings like magic?) and I am hopeful that I will continue to participate in the class and with this blog hop all year!  I hope you play along, too!

I started a flickr group to share photos related to our words.  Wanna join?  Here's a link.  You should totally join.  All the cool kids are doin' it (OK, right now it's just me, but I'm hoping for other cool kids). ;-)

OK.  Now...to the photos -- when I hop to all these blogs, I always want to see the photos!

I didn't really feel right just starting, so I decided that I needed a title page. I resized a photo (that I took with my iPhone) to 7.5 x 10.5, added a banner and Ali's title card in photoshop, and printed it on my home printer (I'm pretty much doing all my printing at home right now, just for the convenience of it!).  I learned that I LOVE big pictures. OK, I admit, I think I already knew that, but now I know it for realz. Then I cut it up, rounded the corners and voila!  I may add some flair or something to it, I haven't decided.  I might just call 'er done.

two page spread for the prompt (names blurred for privacy)

Wow.  This was a difficult prompt. I didn't put numbers or dates on mine because I feel like I'm going to do them all, all the time, I'm an over achiever like that, yo!  BUT, I do like the idea of having a focus each month.  This month I was mostly just trying to survive, and think about my word, and make a conscience effort to listen, to others as well as myself.  That's not going away, the listening thing.  I know that I'm more of a talker than a listener.  :-)  So this is one that I will need to always focus on! To be present, one must be a listener.

process photo

For the main prompt, I used blue and orange StazOn ink to stamp "be present" on the cards (on both white and a light kraft color).  Then I used a fine print, blue sharpie and wrote on each card. The writing is basically the action or intention, I'm not sure what to call it.  For me, these words are the ways I need to "be present", if that makes sense.

I filled the rest of the spots with fun papers from my stash. This month much of it is Amy Tangerine.  I added some alphas, washi, and some other fun.

I printed Ali's title card on vellum, as well as a sample that I got from Shelley Haganman at A Flair for Buttons.  She is doing some custom flair for me related to my word and I borrowed one of the .jpg examples that she sent (with permission), printed it on vellum and put it over some of the Amy Tangerine paper. Both pieces of vellum are stapled with the Tiny Attacher.  I am not sure I am finished.  I might put some of the flair that I get on that top left card, or I might replace it with a self portrait.  I haven't decided yet!

I put a little wood veneer camera on this card (Studio Calico paper), but it wasn't quite right.  Then I added a little brad in the middle and I love it (it might be my favorite card)!

blogpost insert front

Finally I printed out most of this blog post on that same light Kraft card stock (front and back) and added a 6x12 insert.

blogpost insert back

Pretty simple, but I'm happy with the result.

One last thing...I am using the same binder that I used last year.  To separate the years I added a divider.

I used some plain (thick) transparency, painted it and added stickers for the year.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my process.  Please continue hopping!  Next stop...Ruth's place!

Here is the complete list of bloggers participating today -- give 'em some love!

Lee

Cheri

Lisa

Lynn

Nikki

Kathryn

Missus Wookie:

Veronica

Eydie

Karen

Kelly

Melanie

Valerie

Marya

Nupur

Angela

Janet

Dona <----- That's me!

Ruth

Naomi

Pam

Kara

Clare

Margareta

Tricia

Jacqueline

:: goals and my olw ::

Most people post goals on their blogs at the beginning of the year, month, week.  Nope.  I'm posting in the middle of the week toward the end of the month, and twenty three days into the year; I'm fun like that, yo!

I decided that I cannot do a post about my word for this year, without also sharing some goals I set for myself.  I also couldn't share my goals without my one little word.  They are so connected.

If you are a friend, or happen to have followed my blog over the last year or so, you will know that 2012 was a rough year, a rough year that actually started October of 2011.  :-)  Our miscarriage, my oldest daughter's marriage dissolving, adjusting to her and nearly two-year-old Mikaela moving in (but I was glad they were with us), Mikaela's accident and death, and several other deaths in our family, to name the biggies.  Ugh.  I'm am glad that is over!  There were positives to last year too, and I have NOT forgotten them.  My mother, who lost a daughter to a car accident many years ago, said something quite wise to me during all of this, "There will always be a hole, but I don't have to live in it."  I am happy to say that she is completely right (as usual) and that I haven't been living in it, but I'm keenly aware that it's there!  :-)

What a powerful quote this has been for me!  I am happy to say that my oldest daughter is participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class with me.  I am so excited about that!  Her word is strength. What a wonderful word for anyone, and perfect for her.  I contemplated that word myself, but another one just kept coming at me.

Be Present. If I've learned anything over this past year or more I've learned that nothing is permanent, and that it is important to embrace the present...and be present for yourself and for those around you.  So present it is.  I need to remember to live in the present, not worry obsess about what the future brings  (at least not too much) because it 'empties today of it's strength'.  And today is so strong.  Completely connected to that, my word is also about being present for my family. Listening to my Soul Mate completely; noticing, appreciating and loving him as he deserves. Three year olds, work and life can make that seem impossible sometimes, but it's so important, and so possible.  Computers, blogs, and memory keeping also get in the way, if you let it.  My goal with this word is not to let it. And work, let's not forget work -- it can so easily engulf you me if allowed to, and I must not allow it.  Being present is about being present in both body and mind. So, my focus with this word is also related to choosing to be physically present at those things that are important to me, namely with family & friends.

I will continue to share my adventures with this word in future posts.  As I finish Ali's first prompt (which has been amazing to work through) I will also post pictures of my product, and more about my focus and experiences with this word. What a fun journey this word will bring me.

Goals.  In addition to Ali's class I am also participating in another self-paced class at Big Picture Classes.  This one is with my other mentor, Elise Blaha Cripe, called I Choose, and it's all about goal setting.  It seems so funny to call Elise (who is more than ten years younger than me), a "mentor", but I cannot think of a more perfect word to describe it.  I would love to be more like her when I grow up -- she starts and finishes things!  LOL. The class has helped me to look at goal setting a bit differently, and likely more manageable.  I'm looking forward to getting 'er done.  I think this has been a perfect match with OLW for me this year.  Many of my goals are silly and fun, and others are more serious and connected with keeping my word close to me.  My plan is to "share as I go" with this one.  I thought about following Elise's lead and sharing a list at the beginning of the month and then checking them off as I go, but I think I'm going to let these goals seep into my blog as we go, if that makes sense.

Seep. If you follow my instagram feed or flickr, you may have already caught a glimpse of one of my goals. Do you pin stuff on Pinterest and then never do anything about it?  One of my goals is to do something with all of these lovely pins; do a project, use a sketch, scraplift a layout, make a recipe, transform my house, etc.  At least one per month.  At least that's how I'm looking at it now. So, by the end of the year, I will have done at minimum twelve projects that I've pinned.  Not too lofty, but still progress compared to pretty much nothing.  ;-)  I have a feeling that I will end up surpassing this goal, and I may even beef the goal up more as the year progresses.  Either way, this is one that I hope to share here, and I'm calling it my Pinterest Challenge.  If you want to play along, I would love to hear about what you are doing, please share!  I have met this goal for January and will share soon.  There have already been sneaks, so it may not really be a secret.  ;-)

More information about One Little Word with Ali Edwards can be found here (and the class is still open).  More information about Elise Cripe's I Choose class is here (and it's a self-paced class, that is also open)!  Also there are links on my sidebar!

Peace, love and understanding to ya!
:-) o.g.

~ december daily :: a foundation ~

Hello!  I have been so busy (probably you too, right?)!  GOOD busy, not icky busy.  Creating has not suffered a bit, in fact, it is part of the “busy” -- just the sharing on my blog has been lacking!  I’ve started an art journal, I have completed a couple of layouts and started to prepare for Christmas – all of which I hope to share here soon.  Today I would like to share the start of a project that I think many people have been working on lately – December Daily.  If you’d like more info about December Daily, check out Ali Edward’s site here!

I attempted December Daily last year.  Attempted.  Didn’t finish.  I thought it would be easiest to purchase a book from the amazing Elise Blaha Cripe, so I did.  But I didn’t even decide to do December Daily until rather late, so I ordered the book late, so it didn’t arrive until we were several days (more than a week) into December.  Plus, I had no idea what I was doing and I had never done a mini before.  I'd say I had a few strikes against me from the start!  Now that I have a few minis under my belt I think I just might be successful with my goals this year! 

One of the things that I have learned about myself as a documenter of memories – I can’t really do 4x6 mini albums!  I’ve tried several times.  I like 6x6 WAY better!  So, no Elise book this year (boo!), but that doesn't mean you can't get one (here).  I love her stuff, but I’m pretty sure I cannot do that size (no worries, her stamps will totally make it in the book).  So, I decided I would purchase an American Crafts Modern Album (6x6 in cardinal red) and some 6x6 paper pads -- Sleigh Ride (Crate Paper) and Merry and Bright (Carta Bella), along with a few other items (such as Hambly Transparencies), and of course I will shop my stash. 

When I got the album in the mail I was excited and disappointed!  When I ordered it I did not read carefully enough to realize that “chipboard cover” wasn’t Kraft (the only place it was Kraft was in my head).  I was thinking I would be able to leave it fairly plain (Kraft + red is very “Target” but also just awesome), but when I got it, I knew I was going to have to paint it or cover it with something.  So…I went with it.  I covered it with this awesome jillibean soup paper -- And I love it!

Another “issue” that I’ve had while attempting to prepare this album for December is the album’s binding.  I attempted to stamp/emboss on the binding with a stamp from this awesome Ali Edwards set.  But, it didn’t quite look like I wanted it to!  Ugh!  I hate it when that happens.  I did fix it a bit – it’s a little better and will work, but I’m not quite done.  I know am going to do something fun at the top, but I’m not sure what yet.  

1st try

second attempt

I used the "December" stamp from that same Ali Edwards set, to emboss some funness onto a green circle (the same green paper is on the inside covers).  I hooked my Cricut up to my computer and created the "twenty 12" cutout, then embossed it with silver glitter.  Added a few more fun things, and the cover was done and I'm happy with it.

One of the things that I’ve learned over the last year about minibooks (for me) is that it helps to have a theme or pattern to what I’m doing.  For example, the format of the engagement book that I did for my friend Amber was simple – two page spreads, one side had a 4x6 photo and the other side had a quote with some embellishments.  I also threw a little love and magic in the mix (every engagement book should have a little love and magic, no?).  I stuck with circles (mostly), and a few arrows mixed in for good measure.  So for my December Daly mini I decided that I needed to have a few similar guidelines for myself.  I’m going to stick with circles, snowflakes, and stars.  That might seem like a lot, but I think that snowflakes and stars are like circles, if that makes sense.  I know it doesn’t probably, except in my strange mind.  But it works for me.  So I’m going with it.  That, and you will see the word “magic” frequently!  Why?  Because I just know that Christmas is going to be so magical for B this year!  The age of three is So. Much. Fun.

SO… enter problem number 327…I really wanted to use this new stamp that I got recently, but it’s squares (and my plan is circles, remember?).  I thought it would make a great title page!  Well, I fixed that easy enough with my sewing machine!  I stitched a circle around it.  And I had a bunch more fun with this page!

I used some discarded packaging, sewed around it and stuck some confetti inside -- FUN!

Yay!  I love it!  I love the pink, too!  This title page is chipboard, painted with gesso and pink paint.

I’ve tried really hard to do “foundation” pages, like many of my fellow December Daily blogging friends are doing.  I can’t do it!!!!  Maybe someday, but I’m not there this year.  I can’t seem to put it all together with numbers and stuff, if I don’t have the pictures.  However, in addition to the cover and title page, I have done some things that I’m going to call my “foundation”:

1.     Organized my embellishments and other extras so that I don’t have to dig through things when I’m doing my page each day

2.     Cut Hambly transparencies to the right sizes and maybe added a little tape or other things (minus the number) so that I can just pick what works for the day and go with it

3.     I have a plan for several things that I would like to include: the obvious (tree decorating, traditions, etc.) and the not as obvious (journaling prompts that I’d like to include if there is a dull day)

4.     Ordered a bunch of stuff in advance and it will all be here before Saturday (most of it is already here).  For example, you are going to see fun flair from a flair for buttons and Ormolu (they both have awesome December collections), but I also just had to add some items to my stash that will help me bling-i-fy my minibook.

5.     I have a basic “plan”.  For example, I know that I want to have either a Hambly transparency or a stitched insert between each two page spread, and I want my focus to be the “Magic” of Christmas, with things like circles, stars and snowflakes

6.     I have a basic idea of color – mostly red and green, but also pink, blue and silver (and I have, and will continue to, get my glitter on)!

This is WAY further ahead than I was last year.  I feel better and more calm about it.  I’ve also given myself permission to not get all wrapped up about which day things happened and documenting it exactly like that.  I will probably stick to the day fairly close, but if I have several things that I want to document about a day, I might make it two days, or I might use four pages instead of two, or whatever.  And that is OK.  My purpose is to document what happens, the everyday and the extra special, the magical and the mundane.  It’s all worth remembering and that is why I do this. B. loves to look at my scrapbooks and other photos that haven’t made it to print yet.  When she talks about the photos and "remembers" the stories from the pages, it is so rewarding!

Are you doing a December Daily?  I would love it if you would link it in the comments.  One of the things that I love about the online community is being able to share, see (and sometimes steal) what others are doing all over the world! I will be sharing here as we go through the month, but I am also sharing via instagram and twitter using #decdaily and/or #decemberdaily.  I will also be sharing photos of this project in this flickr group!

This weekend I hope to attend Craft & Fancy and see my friend Kirsten (who is also blogging her December Daily)!

Peace out!

~ mini gift ~

A few weeks ago I took engagement photos for a friend and her fiancé.  It was stressful, but also quite fun!  I got a few good ones out of the hour and a half, and she was happy, which is all that really counts!

As a gift, I decided to stick a few of her favorites into a minibook.  I was going to use her wedding colors, but decided I would stick with fall colors since they were such a part of the photos.  One of my (and her) favorite photos is this one :

I bought two ampersand stamps from Elise Blaha Cripe (along with a few other stamps from her store) and used circles and ampersands throughout the book.  This was a bit of a challenge because there was no journaling.  I don't know them as a couple all that well (I mostly just know Amber), so I didn't feel like I know enough about the two of them to journal, and Amber isn't a scrapbooker, so I didn't want to just leave some journaling spots (not sure that would be a "gift", if that makes sense). So I found some "love" quotes and printed those out for the other side of the page.

Hambly screen print overlay on the front and back of the book.

Thanks for stopping by!

..:: currently ::..

Currently I am...

hearing  my Soul Mate play guitar often, sometimes accompanied by our three year old daughter on her pink guitar. 

loving what I’m hearing. 

feeling overwhelmed at work, happy at home.  I feel like I am at a decision making point with my job.  I'm not sure what will be next for me, or when it will happen, but I know that I am longing for something different.

missing Mikaela

counting my blessings on a daily basis.  Today I am thankful for my mom, my daughters, and my One True Love.  I am lucky to have them in my life.

smelling fall; my favorite season, full of changing leaves, cozy sweaters and football games (and an abundance of orange).  B. and I have had several conversations about the pretty leaves. Sometimes I wish it could always be autumn, but then I remember spring.

enjoying having the windows open so we can feel and hear nature around us.

drinking coffee in the morning and wine in the evening.

cultivating creativity in myself and our daughter.

digging Bob Dylan’s newest record.

hoping to hear him live again soon.

preparing for 31 things in October.  I didn't take the original class, but now I've purchased it as a self-paced class from Big Picture Classes.  I hope to be able to make it happen for myself in October.  I'm thinking a minibook is in order.

obsessing over instagram

anticipating my birthday season

Ali Edwards invited her readers to join her today and publish a post about "right now".  Check out her post here.