:: exciting news ::

I was asked to be a part of The Rubber Cafe design team for the month of December!  I am super excited to be a guest designer with this talented group!  I received the December Creative Cafe Kit of the Month -- Take Flight -- yesterday and it's packed full of colorful goodies!  They announced on their blog early this morning!

You can take a look at the full post here.

Their kits contain stamps, embellishments and pretty papers and card stock that I will be using to make….

...wait for it….

CARDS!  I know, right?  Not my normal.  I am so looking forward to stretching my card making skills!  This is going to be a fun (and busy) December!

✮☆★ 2014 December Documented ★ ☆ ✮

Hello! Are you ready to begin that crazy month of December??? Or maybe your crazy started last week?! Either way, I'm glad you are here!

Once again I am going to attempt to start and finish (and share) my version of "December Daily". I've purchased various (expensive) kits over the years, but this year I've decided that I am using items from two main sources:

1. Gossamer Blue's Get Happy collection
2. The Merry Memories Limited Edition SWAG bag 

(both linked above and available in the Paper Issues store -- and 20% off with the discount code 'orangegearle')

My goal is to live, enjoy, and document the season. My hope is to be able to share my progress over the course of the month here on the blog. In that order. But that doesn't mean I won't be sharing things. I have a bunch of DT assignments this month (YAY!) so I will be sharing those here for sure.  If I have time to take photos and share my DD I will also do that!

{my process} Some people totally prep their DD.  I cannot.  I have no idea why.  It sure seems like there would be significant advantages to doing so. But alas, I don't really work that way. This year, though, I have been able to make a few more things in advance and I definitely have a flexible plan. I'm using a Handbook from Studio Calico -- 6x8 -- with a bunch of different page protectors!  Some I've "made" and some I'm using as-is. I also made a Photoshop 6x8 template for those days where I have a ton of photos that can be easily put into a photo collage. Here are a couple of my "prep" pages! I apologize in advance for the less-than-stellar photos.  I had to take them at night!  Also they are on a dark table, and I'm using a bunch of see-though elements, so you will see the table! ;-)  Finally, as I finish each page, I will likely stitch many of these pockets closed so that the fun little items won't fall out!

 title page (front)

For my title page I decided that I really wanted to use see through elements.  Most of the items on both the front and the back of my title page are from the two sources linked above.  I am also throwing in a few items here and there from the Gossamer Blue Gramercy Road and On My Desk collections (both of which I keep going back to the shop and ordering more of)! A couple of trends that you may notice as I share today: sparkle, color, see-through elements, wood veneer.

title page (back)

The above page protector is one that I altered.  Originally it was a 12x12 that had four, 4x6 pockets (two at the top and two at the bottom) and twelve, 2x2 pockets in the middle. I cut the top left corner (a 4x6 and 1/2 of the 2x2s).  This gives me a rough 6x8 page.  As you can see there are extra holes punched.  They didn't quite line up, so I used one of the page protectors meant to go in the album as a guide to punch holes in the right places (I used my crop a dile).  The original page protectors came with the Just Add Color PL kit.

day one 1/2 page (front)

As part of my "plan" I would like to add (usually) smaller inserts to signify a new day.  To do this, I had to alter some page protectors! The above was originally a Project Life 12x12 page protector that had nine 4x4 pockets.  I just cut it up, fixed the holes and ended up with a 4x8! The back of the "believe" card will contain journaling about Day 1 (I think).

day two 1/2 page (front)

Another altered page protector for Day 2 (I'm noticing a theme here).  I used the same process as my title page, except I cut this one to 4x8 instead of 6x8.  I added washi for fun, and to strengthen where I needed to punch new holes (because I messed up the first time)!

day two 1/2 page (backside)

Day 2 will likely be my tree day, so I added a bunch of tree things.  :-)  Two stars for "2", and some fun confetti that I punched out of Doodlebug vellum and added some sequins for good measure. The tree at the top is a wood veneer piece that came in the Get Happy collection.  I embossed one side with red embossing powder and the other side with gold. That little wood veneer frame is something that I found at Michael's (spoiler alert, you will see more of those).

So, I think you get the idea of the "fun" pages at least.  Most of my photos and journaling will go in more standard page protectors (the ones that came with the Handbook)!


More fun things coming to the blog soon -- check in Tuesday for some news!

:: un-BEA-LEAF-ably YOU ::

Did you know that there are free cut files at the Paper Issues store?  Did you know that each month there are new ones -- with a chance to win stuff? Now that I've got your attention, I'll show you what I made with some of this months files.  See that awesome, squiggly circle?  I was in love the moment I saw it! 

Then I took this photo of my daughter being SO. BEA, and I knew that I needed to use those fab leave cut files too!

For this layout I used a bunch of stuff from the Sweater Weather collection by Simple Stories (you can get it in the shop, here). I threw in some Elle's Studio cork shapes, some scraps from Fancy Pants, True Friend collection, a few things from my stash, and a bunch of stuff from past SWAG bags!  A little bit of stitching and away we go.

You can get any of the above products (and much more) at the Paper Issues store.  Use the code orangegearle and save 20%, yo!

Are you getting excited for the holidays?  I started working on my December Daily this past weekend, and it's helped put me in the mood!  Here's an 'in progress' sneaky sneaky and I'll share more soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

..:: birds of a feather : latest issue at Paper Issues ::..

I love new issue Mondays! Our current issue is "Birds of a Feather, Flock Together" and it is sponsored by Ruby Rock-It.  Here is my take on the prompt, using Ruby Rock-It's Country Cookin' collection!

B. and her cousin truly are 'birds of a feather', two peas in a pod; and they love spending time together!

Check out the current issue and DT inspiration here.  There are so many ways to interpret this issue! Won't you join us?

:: game on ::

Seriously. Love. Amy. Tangerine.

For this layout I used a couple of 12x12 papers from Amy's "Stitched" collection, and a few from the 6x6 paper pad.  I love all the circles.  I stitched around some of them, and punched out some extra circles to pop up with pop dots. I also took this chance to use the "Comrade" embroidery (letter) stencils from the same collection for the word "GAME".    All of these items can be found at the Paper Issues store, of course!

I'm linking this LO up to the current issue at the Paper Issues blog: Get Your Game On.  You have another week to play along for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues store!  

Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to get 20% off your order at the Paper Issues Store!

:: you are loved ::

Did you know that the fantastic Jennifer Chapin creates sketches for Paper Issues????  This month I got to play with the November sketch, and I had so much fun!  Here is my take on the sketch:

I pulled out a little bit of Gossamer Blue's Gramercy Road & On My Desk collections, and added some Crate Paper, Maggie Holmes' Open Book and a few items from my stash. It was so much fun to play with this sketch!  Wanna play? You have until November 21 to link up.  Check out the sketch, the link up, and what a few members of the design team came up with right here.

I don't know about you, but I am totally loving this gold trend!!!  And Gossamer Blue has nailed it with the two collections mentioned above (and don't even get me started on the awesomeness of Get Happy)!  If you want to pick up some of the items I used (or just about anything else), everything you need is in the Paper Issues store.  Use the code "orangegearle" to get 20% off your order!

PS, that little cherub in the photo is my grandson.  He and his mommy (also pictured) are pretty much magic. 

..:: neighborhood story time ::..

I am totally digging the triangle trend!  I'm up on the Paper Issues Blog today with this layout that is just full of 'em.

I used a bunch of papers from Elle's Studio's Sycamore Lane collection.  The papers in this collection
are awesome!  I added some stitching, a few items from my stash and a few items from recent Swag Bags to finish it off.  I also have a spelling error that I need to fix!

These photos were taken just last weekend when B. decided to read several books to the neighbor boys. They didn't seem to mind that she really cannot read.  ;-)

Check out Sycamore Lane on the Paper Issues store.  Don't forget to grab what you need and use the code orangegearle at checkout to receive 20% off your entire order!

See you soon!

..::..:.:: Week In The Life ::.:..::..

monday :: photos and words

>>> photo heavy post <<<

My alarm goes off at six AM. I almost always hit snooze. At least once.  Yep, I still use my old school alarm clock from the 80s.  It makes an absolutely annoying sound. I'm certain this is one of those things on 'the list' that My Soul Mate puts up with because he loves me, but cannot stand.  I do know that it's 2014, and most people use their phone as an alarm clock. I just don't think I can do that. Ever. Or at least until this clock dies. When I hit snooze, it makes the horribly annoying sound again in nine minutes. So, 6:09, 6:18, 6:27, etc.  I'm pretty sure it's the only way I learned multiples of nine when I was in Jr. High (yes, I've had it that long).  I really don't like to wake up on a schedule. I long for weekends of sleeping in.  This is especially true on Mondays. See the little dot on the right? That means my alarm was still "on" when I took this photo. I had two minutes until it would go off again. Every minute counts at 6:07.

B. sleeps with me. Every. Night.  Yes, that's a batman pillow. I don't mind the snuggles, but I would rather be snuggling with My One True Love.  I have a lifetime with him, and she will only snuggle me for a few more years.  Lifetime for the win.

This morning, I figured out why the little holes in my blanket, keep getting bigger and bigger.



Breakfast = Pink Cereal + milk + iPad. (Of course pink cereal is strawberry frosted wheat).



An experiment in shoe tying.



These days it's just about sunrise when B. and C. leave for work and school. She is getting so much more independent these days. I am working on embracing this.



As they leave, it's time for me to finish up my hair and make-up, make myself lunch and breakfast (almost never enough time), and get myself off to work.  This morning I lingered at the door a bit longer as B and C left, the sky was so beautiful.  I tried to capture it in a photograph, but it wasn't in the cards for me this morning. I have lots of beautiful sunrise and sunset photos. I love them.

My on-the-go breakfast is a Vegan Chocolate Shakeology Shake. I take it with me when I leave -- and then I sometimes leave the empty at work.  Especially on Mondays. Grrr...

Because I have such a fantastic partner, he took photos of the morning routine for me.  And he took a minute or two to appreciate the sunrise. I love him so.



Her school. Brand spanking new. First year it opened, and it was barely done on time.  It's beautiful.

It's Monday. Monday = paying daycare.

My One True Love gets to walk B. in to school each morning. I love that she holds his hand. I love that he does this. He is such a wonderful father. She loves him so.

The fun has arrived! (She makes an entrance).

Meanwhile, I'm at work, and finally it's coffee time. Today I drank nearly a pot by myself. I'm the coffee maker at work.  I have a coffee pot in my office, and I share.  It's nice to have my office be a gathering place for some of my colleagues. 

When B. gets home from school, she almost immediately needs food.  We've started just giving her supper at that point, and then when we eat together, she will often eat again! During her first round of eating tonight, I was able to play with a little paper, while sitting at the table with her.

Her favorite was the pie.  It's always whatever has sugar.

Mommy, will you color with me? Yes ma'm!  Tonight as we were coloring she realized that the coloring book is also a story. So we did a little coloring and a lot of reading. It is so much fun to watch her grow and learn. No matter how many times I question myself, our decision, to send her to Alternative Kindergarten instead of Kindergarten this year, all the doubt melts away as I see her learn and grow.  That's really what it's all about.

B. was extra tired tonight.  It was beautiful outside and she wanted to be inside. She wanted to do more quiet activities than her usual dancing, climbing, jumping and running. She also had more than one accident today, and says she isn't feeling well. So we just kept it lo-key, played a game or two on my phone, and then we listened to some music.

FInally, we headed upstairs for a snack and her most recent movie obsession: Daddy Daycare.  It's a horrible movie, but I can also see why she loves the silliness.  She lays in the most awkward positions while she is watching TV. This is one way I know she is still just a baby, even though her legs keep getting longer. 

Daddy's turn for a book and bedtime tonight (this is what we call a 'green' night). While they were going through the nighttime routine, I was editing photos and working on some things for work. When he was free, we spent some time just snuggling and talking.  Something we sometimes forget to do.

There were so many photos and stories I missed today!  But it's OK. I was able to get a few more in than yesterday, and that's success in my book.

Thank you for reading!

:: halloween cards ::

Cards?  Did I say cards??  Yep. Outta my comfort zone for today!

There's a new issue up at Paper Issues this week -- "Witchin' You a Happy Halloween", sponsored by SRM stickers.  One of the things that I love about Paper Issues link parties is that they really are open.  You can get the details for this link up here.  You will see that it doesn't even have to be about witches or Halloween -- so many options!

I'm not a theme-y kinda gearle when it comes to scrapbooking, and I am certainly not a card maker.  But when I saw this awesome collection by Simple Stories called Frankie and Friends, I had to have it all (well, most of it anyway).  I may not be a theme-y gearle, but I do have Paper Issues, yo!

I started by cutting one 12x12 piece of kraft card stock into 4x6 inch strips.  I used these for my base.  Then I grabbed my Halloween Swag Bag (from Paper Issues) and the Frankie and Friends collection and got to work.

The 3x4 cards that come on a 12x12 sheet in the collection are so cute and simply perfect for what I was going for.

I think this one is my favorite:

If you want to grab the Frankie and Friends collection, or anything else, don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' to get 20% off your entire purchase!

I'm working on Week in the Life this week (my first attempt)!  More on that one coming soon!

:: it's a horse of a different color ::

It's Pinspire Me Monday over at the paper issues blog!  Corri found this great color palette on Pinterest, and asked us to use it as inspiration for a project!  I took on the challenge.

Not only do I love these colors together, I also love that water color look.  So I grabbed a white piece of card stock and my gelatos and got busy:

I started with the background.  First I slathered a bit of gesso on the white card stock to prep it a bit.  I only put it through the center of the page, where I knew the gelatos were going to go.  This helps the color move across the page a bit easier.  If you are interested I did do a video showing a few techniques I use often with gelatos (it also talks a bit about gesso).  I created a bit of texture by not smoothing the gesso out when applying. After it dried, I applied the gelatos, and moved and blended the colors with a water brush.

While that was drying, I grabbed some patterned papers from Heidi Swapp's September Skies collection (they go PERFECTLY with the color palette).

As you can see, this paper is a lovely blue, with white (and black) flowers of various sizes.  It's beautiful on it's own.  But I wanted to add a bit of color.  So I grabbed the above gelatos and painted some of them with a water brush!  I think you can see it in this photo (along with the texture created with the gesso under the color on the white card stock).

I was going for the look that Amy Tangerine has in some of her watercolor inspired patterned papers, so I didn't really "stay in the lines" while I was painting, I got a bit messy with it.

While that was drying, I grabbed another piece of white card stock and added some color with more gelatos and a water brush.  I used this piece of paper to cut out (freehand) the letters for the word "COLOR".

Finally I used a few more scraps of that same paper and made the triangles.  Of course I had to add some stitching and pop dots.  ;-)

If you'd like to play along with us over at the Paper Issues blog, click here for details.

If you are interested in gelatos, Heidi Swapp's September Skies, a water brush, or anything else that suits your fancy, check out the Paper Issues Store.  Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' to receive 20% off your order!

Did you see the Cut It Out Saturday link party????  It's a new feature at Paper Issues -- and Jennifer Chapin created an awesome FREE cut file!  AND if you participate and win -- you could snag the November Swag Bag!   I hope to be back soon with a layout to share that I made with this file, it's a great one!

See you again soon!