Project 365

I played around last night in PhotoShop with some different options on how to present photos in my album to break up the monotony of photo after photo (I figure it will get a little old by the time we hit #365) I like this option because it allows me to journal with the computer, I am really dreading all the hand-writing that I am going to be doing in this album, not my strong point. I am picking up my photo order at Costco this afternoon and am anxious to see how these look printed out.

I used some downloads provided by Becky Higgins that coordinate with all the items in the kit and got the inspiration from Nichol Magouirk. In theory, I am told that I should FINALLY be getting my album kit next week. Fingers crossed, as I really want to get started with the assembly.

Penguins in the Fridge

LOVE this book by Nicola Moon. It was given to me as a gift from one of my very favorite students. So everytime I read it to the girls I think of sweet, free-spirited Ella. What a doll:-) The book is an adorable story of a boy who wants a pet but his Mum says no so he makes penguins to live in the fridge.

AND I LOVE that my girls decided to make their own penguins for the freezer without any prompting or help from their own "mum"! They went into our creation box to dig out all those paper towel tubes that I insist on saving when Tom wants to throw them out (along with the egg cartons, water bottles, boxes......) And made these fabulous creations.

Each penguin was named and given a special spot in the freezer. Nora loves to go out and check on how they are doing. They get allowed inside for playtime but when they get too warm, back in the freezer they go!

Bouncing Birthday Fun

Nora wanted her birthday party at The Bouncy Place. This is the first party we have had away from home and I had mixed feelings about it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE planning parties at home with a theme, craft, games, food......... BUT I will admit that I loved not having to prepare the house and then be left with a disaster after the fact. Showing up, playing, eat and leaving made it all quite easy. I did still try and incorporate Nora's obsession with flamingoes as much as I could (I know the cupcakes are lame, but do YOU know how to make a flamingo birthday cake? If so, please share:-)

Craftsy Organization

I spent a good portion of my weekend cleaning and reorganizing my scrapcave AGAIN. I get so frustrated with myself for letting it get out of control. So, once again, I vow to do a better job at maintaining my systems as I go. We'll see how well that works!

I have also been motivated to start organizing my thoughts and plans better. The always amazing scrapping guru Becky Higgins had the chart above available to download on the Creating Keepsakes website. I really loved the idea, but decided to tweek it a bit for my own needs (I have a hard time ever taking an idea as is, I want to make it my own in some way). So here is the chart I have created:

The chart section is a sheet of dry-erase type paper I have had laying around forever. I drew the lines and labels with permanent marker and then will use the dry erase markers for the specific information for each layout I am planning on doing. On the left side I have listed the different albums I am currently working on. At the top I have the section to write the topic of the layout and then sections to check off when I have the supplies together, photos developed, layout down and journaling complete. I have found it helps to do lots of one task at the same time (like print photos for 3 or 4 layouts one night and then organize supplies another night and do layouts on its own night). It helps to be in the flow of one task type at the same time and can help me be more productive. This will also help when I scrap away from home as I can do the photos and supplies at home and then work on layouts at the location.

I decorated some clothespins that I will hotglue to the wall in my scraproom to display the ideas. But I can easily take it down to work on my lists as I need. In my mind, I have a much more elaborate plan of using a large magnetic white board with fun magnets to check off the done items. But for now I was looking to do it at no cost. If I keep up the system for awhile then I will make a more permanent chart.

Coming up next....... my other new organizing system to keep me focused on scrapping.

Valentine Greetings

Madison's Valentine creation for her classmates. We will add a pack of gum and have her sign her name and be done!!! She is looking forward to the class party tomorrow while I am still trying to finalize the plans for that same party:-)

Birthday Banner

Today Nora turns 4!! I will post more about the birthday girl after the day is wrapped up (or more like unwrapped!) but I wanted to share this fun banner I made to help decorate. I really enjoyed going back in time and finding pictures of her as she has grown. It also made this mommy a bit sad that my baby is growing up much faster than I like. I could have looked for hours but tried to hurry the process along since I also had presents to wrap and tooth fairy letters to write (more on that also to come:-) and it was 10:00 at night all ready.

I think it is adorable and I am looking forward to hanging it in her room. I have 2 extra squares on the end to add more photos to.

And here is Madison's sweet addition to the decorations. Amazing what you can do with some scotch tape and popsicle sticks!!

Scrappin' Fun

Along with exercise, my other New Year's Goal was to be more productive and consistent with my scrap-booking. I really have no excuses with my scrapcave and enough materials to do multiple albums. I have been doing pretty well, focusing on Sunday nights as my evening to create. Here are a few of my latest favorites:

If anyone has hints on how to post layouts in a better way I would love to hear them! I tried some just with one side of a 2 page layout. You can see more details but I like the look of both pages together to see the finished piece. But when I photographed that there is alot of dead space and it is hard to see the details in the pages......

And here is our first Project 365 club meeting, which I hosted. It was alot of fun, even if I didn't have my album to get started yet. I am looking forward to the monthly sessions for friends, food and accountability in keeping up with my album!