Project Life Weeks 2-3

Stopping in quickly to post weeks 2 and 3. I am really keeping up with pics and even have extras. Sometimes I think I won't have enough pics and then I realize that I'm OK. We got really pelted today with snow and yesterday we got into the single digit temps. I have the accuweather app on my ipad and I took a screenshot of the low temps. Yesterday when I was getting gas, I left without a receipt (which is normal for me) and I realized how cool it would be to keep a receipt like that for the album. I remember how the country was frantic when we reached $1.00 for gas. Who knows how much it will be 20 years from now, right?
I use a calendar book to keep track of my pics, I've also been putting little trinkets here and there, like a receipt from the library, Kendall's spelling words, etc...things like that.
Hopefully I can take some pics of my album soon to share.

Project Life Week 1

So the first week of project life is done...only 51 more weeks to go! :) I figured that I would make a collage for my blog instead of posting each picture individually.

I gotta tell you, even though I captured a lot of great moments, I didn't get great quality. One thing I did this year is buy a calendar that had enough space in each day to keep track of my project. I mark down the subject of the picture and whether I edited it and ordered it. It really helps to keep track of my pics. I also am taking extra pictures when I can and I write the subjects on a post it note in my calendar. There will be days that you are missing pics and its nice to have some extra shots. Like this...

My pup Maui wears the same thing everyday, you can't tell when this was taken, lol. She has these super long back legs and I just love to capture them on pics :)
Another piece of advice I can give is to keep a camera phone or small camera by you at all times. I really wish I had an iphone, that would help a ton. Also, get the family involved. Give the camera to your kids, tell you spouse to take pics...ask for help! On my next post I'll include a list of picture ideas for you. But for now I'll leave you with two layouts I did...

Aydan with his first grade teacher. We just love her to pieces. She was also Kendall's first grade teacher. I included a picture of both kids with her two years ago! So cute that she's known Aydan since he was four. I included a pocket from KI to include some post cards that she's sent and some extra pics of the classroom.And one from Thanksgiving. I don't usually scrap holidays...well, I'm not a huge fan. But when I do, I like to change it up and use non-traditional colors. I LOVE this gray text paper from JBS, I could use it for everything! I paired it up with some fushia paper from Amy Tangerine's line...such fun colors.

365 in 2012

First of all, Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everybody had a nice holiday! I was a good girl this year, so Santa brought me this :)

She's hooked up and ready to cut, just gotta find some time to play...I put my SD away for now. Thinking about selling it, but I want to find a nice home :)
Anyway, I ordered the Project Life kit in Clementine. Got the core kit, the 60 pack of page protectors, and the pocket envelopes. I didn't get the binder because I have a ton of them, plus I have all AC ones, so I wanted them to match. This binder is an AC modern...it has the black fabric edge and then the rest is chipboard. I covered it with some Life is Good papers from EP. The muted colors are perfect for this kit.

For the title, I used a raw chipboard frame from Fancy Pants and numbers from JoAnns. I used some Ranger paint and coated with modge podge so it didn't look so flat. To cover the paper seams down the center and to the left, I added some fabric tape by 7 gypsies and MM.

Used the leftover paper for the back.

They were out of the monthly inserts...they are like a monthly bookmark for your album. I decided to make them myself using a Kerri Bradford kit for Project Life. I used some old DCWV cardstock and used a Hero Arts zig zag background stamp in yellow to tone it down a bit.

I cut out the months using MM vellum, and some Recollections number stamps with Real Red craft ink from SU. Used my tab punch with some SU PP to make the tabs.

Thanks for stopping by...

365 is done!!

So I finally, finally finished up my 365 album. I had a few filler pics to print and I had to fill the spots on the front and last page. I was so stuck and I searched and searched for ideas but couldn't find any. I had kept most of the index prints from Costco so I cut them up in slices and just pasted them to the cards from the kit...kinda like a summary. I also journaled the front and explained what this album is and added the date, my name, and then added the 2009 stickers. The pics might be kind of cheesy but its done. If I see something better, I can always change it.
So glad I did it but will be taking a break this year.
Next year I'd like to do the digital version of it.

The pic above and below are from the first page.

The one above is from the back page...the one below are my last two pics of the year.

A chipboard coaster I made for Valentines Day...Used Bo Bunny pink dotted cardstock, Hero Arts Stamps, SU Ink, Ranger Embossing Powder, and the Slice Calendar Card for the title. That Calendar card is one that I thought I wouldn't use but seem to go to a lot.

And Maui, who is nearly 4 months old now. She is a beast in everyway. I love this monster!

The kids were having fun with their tunnels and they put one up on the love seat. Maui ran up it to the top of the couch. It was so adorable.

Thanks for looking...

A Ton of Projects and more 365

Just some more 365 pics. I'm so behind on posting these...I'm not going to give you all the dates just to make it quick. Just a summary...I can't believe I'm heading toward the finish line! Its week 43 already!

Week 36: Aydan asleep in my arms after school...picture day for first grade...Kendall wearing her shower cap everywhere. LOL

Week 37: Homework, park, dried up worms, Buffalo Bills Wild Wings, keeping aydan busy with my phone, me and my guy at the park.
Week 38: cute undies hanging out of his pants (lol), Slice gifts, another lost tooth, Steak and Shake, my new library card catalog, and Sunday breakfast.
Week 39: Park, soccer, kids horsing around after school, kids lining up their animals in my living room, cute pic of Kendall in a mirror at a restaurant.
Week 40 (YaY!): Visit with Heather, treat bags, chicken and dumplings, Aydan making a mess as usual while eating, fun animal masks from michaels.

Thanks for looking!

OK, I'm a bad bad blogger. Shame on me. Well, I've been so super busy so I have good excuses. Kendall just started first grade, Aydan turned 4, my husband turned 40, we had our 11th anniversary, school started for my students, soccer started, I went on a short vacation, etc. Crazy, crazy days I tell you. But the results of those crazy days are great pics! I have 3 weeks to share and a few projects.
First a disclaimer...if you see heads cut off, its only in the collage. My actual pics are fine. I use Picasa to collage them and one bad thing is that you can't drag them or choose where you want the pics to go.

Week 33
Sunday: The night before Aydan turns 4...I always do a mini photo shoot of the eve of my kids b-day.
Monday: Kendalls first day of school (first grade) and Aydan's b-day celebration at a train restaurant.
Tuesday: My 8 new xray students first day at the hospital. I took this pic at 7:30 in the morning, lol. they were scheduled for ID pics after that so I knew they would look their best.
Wednesday: Aydan hanging around on the grass. He is wearing his Bear's jersey but he always wears it backwards so he can see the name and number. LOL
Thursday: A pic of my kids in my car looking through the rear view mirror.
Friday: Finally meeting my good friend Laura for the first time after knowing her for two years! That was quite a moment! More about that later.
Saturday: A group of people that I did a project with...more about that later.
Week 34
Sunday: My friend Cindy and I on a beach in a place far, far away from here. More about that later.
Monday: Kendall is really good on the monkey bars.
Wednesday: Soccer picture day.
Thursday: Kendall's new shoes for school.
Friday: My husband's 40th b-day
Saturday: Our 11th wedding anniversary but I don't have a pic yet.
Week 35
Sunday: I love this picture of Aydan peeking into the sewer! I think he wants to know where the heck that leads to.
Monday: Kendall does this frog jump all the time. Its so cute! I did this photo effect (b/w focal) in Picasa...love that program!
Tuesday: Kendall being a goofball while playing in the backyard.
Wednesday: Kendall, Aydan, and our neighbor having a picnic.
Thursday: Curriculum night at school. This is my daughter's first grade classroom.
Friday: Aydan's whole soccer team all piled up in the goal. So cute!

And I made these projects last weekend...
Both of these layouts are 8x8...so fun to do. Most of the papers are Making Memories. Used the Just Chillin line on Aydan's "Almost 4" page.

Other Supplies:
Scalloped Cardstock: DCWV
Chipboard Letters: Basic Grey
Chipboard Accent: K and Co and American Crafts
Punch: Fiskars

Woodgrain Stamp: Hero Arts

Ink: Ranger
Letter Tab: Autumn Leaves
Jute

And my daughter is loosing teeth like crazy...5 so far in 9 months. This was when she lost her first top tooth. I can't capture how cute she looks with all those holes in her mouth! Used the 8x8 Noteworthy line from Making Memories for Archivers. I have nearly used up that entire 20 page pack. You could only get it with a qualified purchase...wish I had more. Love it!

Supplies Used:
Everything Making Memories except the pearls and the Fiskars Border Punch

And a card I made for my wedding anniversary...
Supplies Used:
Cardstock: DCWV and Hobby Lobby
Patterned Paper: Stampin Up and Scenic Route
Embossing Folder Cuttlebug
Stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Colorbox Que
Transparency Definition, Staples, Heart Brad, Mini Letters: Making Memories

Are you still with me?? Thanks for looking!!!
Oh and I have to thank my friend Laura for taking my new profile pic and to Cindy for letting us use her camera and for editing it!! Thanks girls!

A Mini Album & Project 365 Week 30

The last couple of weeks I've been working on Kendall's Kindergarten album. I'm so lucky because they take tons of pics and give copies to the parents...and not all the pics, just the ones your kid is in. How nice is that?
I selected my pics and collaged them in Picasa, making them into wallet size pics (2x3). I cut them out and then divided them into smaller categories...field trips, art, etc. Then I printed out a "Mini Map" from Pagemaps and hung it on my wall for inspiration. I didn't take a picture of the album itself but its a K&Co by Carolyn Galvin and so is the double-sided PP and the embellies (die cuts, borders, rub ons, etc). I added a few Jillibean Soup Sprouts here and there and a library checkout cart to some. I have about 4 pages left...a cover page, a page with her teachers, and her last day pages. We have 2 "last days", the one from May and one coming up at the end of August. She goes to Kindergarten Camp there for the summer and its with the same teachers she had for Kindergarten. I can't believe she starts first grade soon...
My goal was to make this simple and get it done! Nothing really exciting here but I do love the colors on these papers! Also love how it works with the kraft cardstock and the kraft journaling sprouts. I also gotta say that I made 2 of these pages while riding in our van on our way to Wisconsin!
This LO and the next one I used the Basic Grey mini chipboard letters...OMG, I {heart} these! I haven't journaled on any of the pages yet, I want to wait until its done.
Here I rubbed some of their rub on phrases to the die cuts...

This one is a little overdone!

Also used a few punches: Ek Success large scallop, Fiskars Apron Lace, McGill Index Tab, and some circle ones.

Funny how they have a picture of Ozan and I there together...that didn't happen often. I work pretty far from the school so I didn't get to attend as much as I wanted. And yes, I'm wearing my ugly, gray work scrubs.

I love the Science page. Kendall's school is at a junior college so they take trips all over campus to learn different things such as the radio station, science labs, recycling centers, art center for plays, weather station, etc. Its been such an incredible learning experience. I love the picture of her looking through the microscope and using the seeing impared stick.

Well that's the album so far...hope you enjoyed it!

And...goodness, are we at week 31 already?? Seriously? I finally got my pics from last week edited and just ordered some more prints. Right now my actual 365 album is up to date until July 4th. Getting the pics, editing them, and ordering them is the hard part. Putting them in the album is a cake walk.

Week 30:

Sunday: My garden is finally producing some veggies. This stone in the front is from my sister. She calls me LaLa and had to get this for me. I love it.

Monday: Fishing.

Tuesday: Obama on facebook. I thought it was funny that he asked us to "Tweet" our senators about health care reform. Funny hearing a president asking us to Tweet. I copied the elements from the post and redid it in photoshop.

Wednesday: Kids playing in the sprinkle but all they did was fill up their buckets and pour it on the pation.

Thursday: My son is a carnivore!! He loves hamburgers and can finish the huge ones.

Friday: My son also hates eggs. I had some hard boiled ones and he wanted to try. He did eat some of it.

Saturday: Trip to DQ!A card I made for my best friend Tracy. Used some of the K & Co diecuts and MM Just Chillin Girl. I actually purchased a Fastenater that was on super clearance...don't like how crooked they came out so I put some gems in-between.

Also the sentiment is a rub-on from American Crafts...

Well, that's it...I think I made up for the last three weeks. Are you still with me??? Thanks for looking!

Project 365 Weeks 27-29

Wow, its been quite since I've blogged. We were on vacation for 5 days...some illness around here, just all around busy. Anyway I have 3 weeks of pics to share. In a few days I'm going to share an album I've been working on and this past weeks 365...I'm having some computer issues here.

Week 27: (these pics aren't labeled)

Sunday: My in-laws were in town from San Diego and we went to our favorite restaurant, Macaroni Grill. Both of my in-laws are really good at drawing so here you can see my FIL sketching away with crayons.

Monday: Took the kids out for some school supplies. We hit Walgreens and Target. You can see Kendall picking out her folders and then both kids in the fun cart at Target. We rarely take them shopping with us...in this case it was me taking them.

Tuesday: Aydan at the park

Wednesday: Aydan's favorite breakfast treat. Donuts.

Thursday: My albums all lined in a row.

Friday: Daddy took the kids to the zoo.

Saturday: Ozan and me at the restaurant where we first met. This was taken with my cell and it didn't come out so well.

Week 28:

Sunday: Went to see Ice Age in 3D...doesn't Aydan look hilarious in those huge glasses???

Monday: This cool park by my in-laws house. Instead of mulch, it has this spongy surface...so cool.

Tuesday: My husband is an incredible cook. Here he made fajitas...I think I have a pic of these on the grill from a few weeks ago. Different day, same dish.

Wednesday: Kendall's t-ball celebration picnic.

Thursday: Long story. The kids saw an ad on Noggin to make a homemade Backyardigans hopscotch. Every Single Day they would bug me to make it, so I finally gave in. You print out iron ons and iron each section to a sheet.

Friday: My Mother in Law with Aydan at dinner.

Saturday: Found these pics of my husband on his cell phone...I don't know if he didn't realize he was taking pics or maybe he was taking a profile pic for FB.

Week 29:

Sunday: Van and the kids packed up to leave for our yearly vacation to the Wisconsin Dells. Its a tourist town with tons of water and amusement parks...pretty much the most popular local getaway for people around here.
Monday: A big water slide that the 4 of us went on.
Tuesday: The kids at the water park.
Wednesday: This is a very huge slide, it must be about 3-4 stories tall. Its tubed until the last part and you go down head first on a mat. My husband and the kids went down. I stayed at the bottom for pics.
Thursday: Aydan was very good this year...he wasn't afraid of any slide.
Friday: Kendalls mouth again...this girl has so many loose teeth, gaps, teeth growing. Its all crazy in there. You should see her eat an ear of corn! LOL. She kinda gnaws it with the side of her mouth, so cute!
Saturday: At the park again!

This month is going to be so busy...Aydan turns 4, kendall starts 1st grade at a new school, soccer begins, my students come back, new student orientation. Whew...I'm tired just thinking about it all!