Love Summer | A Digital Layout

Happy Friday!

We have had a very long week here... a sick kid & a sick hubby, doctor's appointments, and lots of time watching "Cars 2" with Jack-a-boo.

I have a quick layout to share today using some of Karla's new kits. I have tons and tons of photos from last year to scrap, so I picked a few from our trip to Puyallup last July.

(All supplies are Karla Dudley Designs).

I love the stitched grid & "love" brush from her A Life Recorded colab kit.

One of my good friends had a baby yesterday, and I get the pleasure of visiting her and her new baby boy in the hospital tonight. I am so excited! I love the new baby smell & how soft and cuddly they are. :-)

Week 4 of project life has been done for almost a week... I just haven't photographed it yet. I'll try to post it in the morning. Have a wonderful weekend!

Project Life Week 3

Welcome to Week 3!

It's only been three weeks, but I have printed more photos this year than all of last year. And as I've been putting photos in pockets I've noticed a few things:

* I take a lot more photos of Jack than Evan these days. Evan is in school 6.5 hours per day while I'm home with Jack, so I spend more time with the little one... but now that I'm aware of the clear one-sidedness, I'm making a better effort to take some pictures of Evan after school. Also on my list is to capture our hectic/chaotic mornings. Maybe with my iPod & Instagram next week.

* While I'm trying to get in more photos, I need to do a better job of it. And I need to get Mark in more photos, too. It's Project Life, not Project Evan and Jack.

* I love little labels & tags, but I would like this project to be more artsy at times... I have a whole studio full of scrapbooking products. There is no reason I shouldn't be using them!

(Click on the pictures to make them larger.)

Here is the full spread. I have a two inserts this week: one 8.5 x 11 page protector with Evan's report card and Achievement award, and one trimmed page protector with three pockets.

This week I used Cathy Zielske's Tiny Templates No. 1 for a couple photos. So cute & really easy to do in Photoshop. I also used Liz Tamanaha's Photo Booth journaling cards, and one journaling card from the Clementine core kit.

I had quite a few photos I wanted to include this week, so I trimmed down one of my page protectors to fit three photos on the front, one photo & two journaling cards on the back. I adore the picture of Rocket getting ready to lick Jack... they play together a lot while Evan is at school.

The back of the trimmed page protector. I included one picture of Jack, a trimmed picture Evan drew, and a journaling card. The red type on the journaling card was an accident... I didn't realize a certain 2 year old had switched the ink color from black to red on my typewriter. Oh well! It matches the drawing. :-)

Evan's Achievement award is on the front side of the 8.5 x 11 inch page protector. His report card is on the back.

This page has one more tiny template, a magazine cover, two pictures of Evan, and a couple of pictures of Jack. I also included a Week in Review card. Under the card with the alarm clock is a letter from Mark's office with his raise information. To protect our privacy I covered it before posting it here.

I just checked Designer Digitals, and Cathy Z. has three more Tiny Templates available this week. I really like the look of these... I might just have to buy them. :-)

Have a great weekend!

Erin.

Simple Things

These two fight, bicker, argue, and bug each other so much during the day... but they love each other.

They are best friends. They show compassion and friendship, and can't wait to play outside together.

Evan - Age 5.5 Jack - Age 2.5

Project Life Week 2

I cannot believe it is Thursday already... where did the week go? I completed week 2 for Project Life last Sunday, but I had trouble taking photos of my pages this week due to glare from the page protectors. I took two sets of photos before I decided to try a different location, which worked! No more glare.

On to week two:

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

A few months ago I took Jack with me to goodwill and I found these awesome milk glass vases for $.59 each. I was thrilled! And I love pink carnations... together they make me smile.

The first page. This week I used one, 8.5 x 11 inch insert. One side has a digital scrapbook layout, and the other has some of Evan's homework from last week.

Left side. Another "places" card from Paislee Press, journaling card from the Clementine kit, and label stickers from 7 Gypsies I purchased these ages and ages ago. They might even be from a Jenni Bowlin kit from years ago... I can't remember. Anyway, I put the label sticker sheet in my type writer, and I'm really pleased with the results. I wasn't sure if the ink would smear, but so far it hasn't. The stapler I use is a Tim Holtz Mini Attacher. Love that thing!

The back of the insert, plus the right side. I attached Evan's homework to a sheet of 8.5x11 cardstock, stuck a label on it, and slipped it into the page protector.

The ride side. Evan's school picture, a couple photos of Jack, some journaling, a grocery list, week in review, and a card I made out of Evan's artwork. I had Ev draw me a picture (he chose to draw me a scene from Angry Birds), then Mark scanned it & I resized it, printed it, and turned it into a greeting card. I am sending Ev's school picture in the card to some family members.

A close up of the card... which I am realizing our family hasn't received yet, so I guess I ruined the surprise. Oops! I have a few papers behind this week's layout that I forgot to remove before taking pictures... I plan on using Evan's report card & Achievement award in this week's layout & I didn't want to lose them, so I stuck them in the binder for safe keeping.

My One Little Word this year is simplify, and when it took my 6 hours to finish the first week's layout, I knew I needed to simplify the process. This week I printed all my pictures on Saturday, and did the journaling/labels/"week in review" on Sunday. I worked for about an hour on Sunday, so two hours total. A much more manageable number.

Supplies-

Journaling cards: Clementine Core Kit, Paislee Press Photobooth Journaling Cards

Label stickers: 7 Gypsies

Staples: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Other: Typewriter

Forever Brothers | A Layout

Happy Friday!

I am so thankful for the weekend... I cannot wait to relax and entertain some family at our home tomorrow. We are 3,000 miles from our parents and siblings, but Mark has a cousin who lives a few hours from us, and she and her husband & daughter are going to visit us tomorrow. Yay!

Onto some crafty things: Karla Dudley released several new digital products last week and I spent some time making a layout about my two boys. When I'm taking pictures of Ev & Jack, most of the time they are running in different directions, so I don't get many of the two of them together. Or one of them is blinking, or moving, or making a silly face... it's rare to get both boys smiling at the same time! I wanted to get a few of those good photos onto a layout that celebrates their relationship as brothers (and trouble makers!).

(All supplies are Karla Dudley Designs. Template is my own design.)

Karla's new Calipso alphabet is definitely a new favorite., along with her Today Boy'ish papers. Perfect for scrapbooking about my little ones.

Have a great weekend!

Project Life Title Page & Week 1

When Becky Higgins introduced her Project Life kits in late 2010, I was super excited. I wanted to jump on board & make it happen. Then Mark got a new job and I knew all my scrapbooking stuff was going to be packed away for most of January (and as it turns out, most of February, too). So I put it off and told myself I would start in 2012. And here we are! I ordered the Clementine Core Kit and several of the divided page protectors. However, the main page protectors are sold out until February so I am using page protectors from an old Project 365 kit I never finished. When the design A page protectors come back in stock I will probably switch to those.

(click on a picture to make it larger)

For my title page I used three 4x6 cards from the Clementine Core kit + photos + a few embellishments. I wanted to keep it clean & simple. Supplies - "celebrate everyday life" letter stickers: BasicGray. Doily die: Papertrey Ink. Butterfly die: Papertrey Ink. "Taylor 2012" stickers: American Crafts Thickers. Heart border die: Papertrey Ink. Tag die: Papertrey Ink. Stapler: Tim Holtz Mini Attacher. Cardstock: Papertrey Ink.

Here is week 1. When I started editing my photos I realized the long journaler on the right is sticking up out of the page protector. I guess between trying to keep Jack from turning the pages & Rocket from stepping on the book it must have slipped out. I used one of Ali Edwards' Long Journalers, stuck it in a page protector, trimmed it, and used three staples to secure it. My sewing maching isn't working at the moment, but when I get it fixed I plan on sewing the pocket closed.

The left page. Last week was very photo heavy, and I'm okay with that. We had a very busy week and I was a little shutter happy.

I used two inserts this week. One long journaler, and one 6x12 three-up page protector. Also on my to-do list is picking up some Avery tabs to attach to the 6x12 and 8.5x11 inserts.

On the backside of the long journaler I attached a piece of kraft cardstock, a butterfly, button, and some twine. When I was at a dentist's appointment last week, our babysitter, Jen, took some photos of the boys that I really liked. She did a great job capturing them in motion while they played outside, and I happily included them in this week's spread with some journaling using my typewriter.

The back side of the 6x12 divided page protector.

On the right side of the page, I included a thank you card from my Aunt Shelly, a few pictures, and some journaling. The cute little red striped journaling card is a Liz Tamanaha/Paislee Press printable. I am undecided about the photo of Jack's hand and the play-dough, but it's printed and I'm leaving it there.

We are half way through week 2 and I'm already excited to get this week's layout put together.

This project has made me slow down and really take note of the funny things the boys say, take more photos, and remember to enjoy the little things.

Have a good week!

Playing Outside

(Frame by Liz Tamanaha. Click to enlarge.)

In my last post I mentioned our wonderful yard at our current house. We have a long(ish) driveway & nice grassy area in the front, and both boys have spent hours and hours out there this week. Especially after nap time, Jack tells me: "we go outside right now!". He loves, loves, loves to go outside and play with Evan. They ride bikes, race from the garage to the sidewalk, draw with chalk on the driveway, and make up games only they understand. I get to sit back and listen, watch, take pictures, and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather we are already accustomed to.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends.

Hello 2012

As Mark and I rang in the New Year last weekend, I couldn't help but reflect on the past 365 days. During that time we moved (again), started a new life in Florida, Mark started a new job, we enrolled Evan in his 3rd pre-school, watched him graduate from pre-school, enrolled him in Kindergarten, spent 8 days in Orlando/Disney world, traveled back to Washington, celebrated the boys' 2nd and 5th birthdays, and so, so much more.

Our year in Ohio was full of adjustments. Adjusting to living so far from family, learning to get around a new area, lots and lots of snow, health problems for both boys, and a 110 year old house that was not user friendly. While I don't regret our time in the Midwest, this year I finally feel settled. We have a house that fits us, a wonderful yard for the boys (and Rocket), and every time I leave my house I see palm trees. It has not been perfect; we have had our share of ups and downs, challenges, set backs, and frustrations. But I feel content. Mark and I are going to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary this summer, Jack is still my talkative, sweet little boy, and Evan is excelling in school. I have several personal and professional goals in mind as we embark on a new year. 2011 was good to us as a family, but I look forward to the new year. I look forward to new experiences, adventures, celebrations, and learning opportunities. Most of all, I am looking forward to doing it all with the ones I love.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We had a wonderful low-key day, which was exactly what I wanted this year. On Christmas Eve Evan asked me how early he was allowed to get up Christmas morning, and I told him 7am. He was in our room at 7:14am then next morning, ready to open presents! Santa was really good to the kids this year and brought them each a tablet (one LeapPad & one Innotab), plus an adorable wheelbarrow for Jack & a gears set for Evan.

Mark and I purchased a dress-up box for Jack this year. The only disappointment is when he has to take his costume off for nap time. Jack-Jack has mastered the Pouty Face. :-)

Evan received quite a few board games this year, including Zingo, Twister, a Hopscotch mat, I Spy Quest, I Spy Flipster, and Operation.

We have played many, many rounds of Twister so far. Evan is pretty flexible and does a great job following directions, but half the fun for him is getting twisted up on the mat and purposely falling over.

And I had to post this picture of Rocket. I was working in my office when Mark took this picture, and it cracks me up. I'm not even sure how Rocket got in this position, let alone stayed there.

My three boys. This is my favorite picture of the week... all (mostly) smiling, happy, and thrilled to be spending some time together.

Jack and I spent most of the day in and out of doctor's offices, so I'm exhausted. Have a wonderful weekend!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I hope everyone has a wonderful & relaxing Christmas Eve. We are getting ready to Skype with my parents and sister so they can watch the boys open their Christmas presents. We did this last year, and while it was chaotic, we enjoyed feeling connected to our family... from 3,000 miles away.

I pulled out my iPod today and took a few pictures of our Christmas decorations, baking projects, and our tree.

(left to right, top to bottom)

1. At the beginning of the month I created a December calendar on our chalkboard in our kitchen. Everyday Evan crosses off the day and tells me how many more days until Christmas. He took great joy in telling me today: "Only ONE MORE DAY!!". And I love the notes Evan has written at the bottom of the calender.

2. Mint drop cookies. Yum. My mom made these cookies every year when I was a kid, and I have continued the tradition. They have become a favorite of Mark and Evan's, too.

3. Our tree! I love how it turned out this year. It's sparkly & festive, and we have a great selection of ornaments. One of Mark's co-workers, Scott, helped us decorate this year & we had a great time. Jack was so super helpful & tried to put every icicle ornament on one branch.

4. My cute little snowman salt & pepper shakers. I purchased snowman dishes from Target almost 8 years ago, but we've only used them once (the first year). They have been packed up since them... but not this year! We will be using them tonight & tomorrow.

5. My mom sent me this beautiful Lenox Santa in our Christmas box, and I have it sitting on our side table in the living room. Jack likes to touch the tree Santa is holding and shriek: "I touched Santa's tree! No touching!". That kid is going to be the death of me!

6. Nativity scene, also from my mom. She found it after Christmas last year & it has been stored in our closet since then. I placed an Ikea star behind it and I love it. :-)

7. Poinsettias and a very silly snowman. I really wanted to have poinsettias in the house this year, because they are so festive, but I was concerned I would kill them. I am proud to say that after 4 weeks they are still looking good & haven't dropped any petals. Go me! I can't remember the story behind Mark's snowman, but he loves it so I proudly display it... this year on our bookshelf in the living room next to one of my poinsettias. The red and white doilies under my poinsettia are made from Papertrey Ink's Persian Lace die.

8. A few years ago, for Christmas, my Uncle gave me a set of three crystal candle holders. They, too, have been sitting in our closet, waiting for the perfect place to put them. I purchased 3 green candles from Michaels and I am displaying them next to the other poinsettia in our living room. So far Jack hasn't tried to touch (or break) them, so I plan to keep them out year-round.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Erin.