Project Life - Week 2

So, even though I have kept up with actually documenting and completing Project Life, I obviously have not been as good about updating it on the blog when I finish. So, I'm hoping to catch up this weekend, and then do better about staying up to date with it! 

Week of: January 6 - January 12

What Happened This Week: It was all about finishing up winter break (unfortunately), and going back to work. We had Staff Development on the first Monday back, so we had one more day student free before they arrived again. I got gas for my car for the millionth time this school year (I hate the drive), had another basketball game as a middle school cheer sponsor, recorded some Outfits of the Day, and had an impromptu dinner date at Olive Garden. 

Anything Special in the Spread?: Not necessarily "special." Honestly, this week was a little bit dull, at least compared to some others. It was back to work, which means less time to do things that I really wanted to do, instead of needed to do. I did more journaling, which I'm enjoying more and more.

Techniques This Week: I'm getting really into the embellishing thing, especially when it comes to my photos. Last year, for the few weeks I did accomplish (oops) I just slid the pictures in and did not do anything to them. Embellishing is making things so much more enjoyable for me. I'm also having fun color coordinating everything. 

Well, that is about it for week 2. Today, I am celebrating my 24 birthday, and have had a great day so far. I managed to finish reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and it was incredible. Tomorrow, I'm helping my mom put together a gender reveal party for my brother and his wife, and I'm thrilled to find out if I will have a niece or nephew. 

Happy weekend!

Project Life - Week 1

This year, I would definitely like to start posting my Project Life posts here. Not only is this for other people to be able to see (and possibly get some inspiration), but also to keep me accountable for staying up to date with it. So far, I have had a blast working on my album already this year, and I hope those are feelings that continue as the year progresses. I know it is still early on, but I am hoping for the best. So, here we go, Project Life 2014 - Week 1! (Sorry about the bad pictures, all taken on the iPhone).

The left side mostly consists of the beginning of the week, and a couple of things that will probably always be in my spreads. The first being the title card in the top left hand corner. Last week I was very simple with these title cards, and i plan to make them much more interesting this time around, so I am very excited about that. Of course, after realizing that I forgot to put the dates on the title card, I added the orange card below it. (If you haven't noticed, I LOVE using ampersands. We have a few around our house, too).

Still on the left: wrote about how we spent our first week of the new year, which mostly consisted of doing some sparklers in the street out front, taking down all of the Christmas decorations, and painting the dining room. I have started to embellish my pictures this year as well after being inspired by others. Last year I just threw them in pockets and was not thrilled with the outcome.

I love the colors that ended up appearing on the right side this week. Last year was my first year of Project Life, and I did not really follow along with anyone else to see what they were doing. I was always so frustrated trying to decide which cards to use, and I never even thought about trying to color coordinate my spreads (sad, I know). I am SO glad my eyes have been opened up to this though, and I plan to continue it through the year.

On this side, I mostly talked about how I received my Silhouette Cameo and started playing around with it (yay!), and also my start to using the clear, cling stamps. (I had no idea how to use them until I began looking up tutorials about it!) I also used a flair badge that says "Win" due to my husband allowing me to purchase the Cameo! That rice cooker right there rocks, too!

To end the week, I included a picture I used of MANY journaling cards because I had such a hard time deciding what to use on my title page, as well as a snap shot of the blog here. I'm really intent on posting more tot he blog this year, so I found it important to include a picture to help remind me. Besides that, I love that the "Life is Beautiful" showed up on the post as well, I think that it definitely adds to the picture.

Well, there we are, week 1! Most of what I used is from Studio Calico, but I do throw in some things that I find at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnns. :]

Making 2014 Count.

Today I am linking up with a few great blogs to respond to a prompt they gave in order to have everyone discuss some of their hopes/plans for the new year, and I decided to join in the fun. As I have already talked about my word for the year, I thought I would respond to prompt number three: 3. I will make 2014 count by...

I thought the best way to respond to this might be by sharing my New Year's Resolutions/Goals. I'm not sure that I like the connotation that comes with the word "resolutions." Most of them seem to die out pretty quickly, and I don't want that, so I have decided to stick with "goals" for the new year. I intend to work very hard to make them happen, too.

Physical Goals:
-Eat healthier (I'm going to start by counting calories, just to help me get on track. Once I feel like I've gained some self control with food, I'll most likely stop this).
-Exercise: Even though I work an hour from home, I know I need to find ways to fit in some fitness. I know it will also help me get through the days easier.
-Be more positive about myself/my image; I have a bad habit of being way too hard on the way I look. No one is perfect, and I need to keep reminding myself of that.

Mental/Emotional Goals: 
-Journal daily; so far, so good. I love to write, and it is a wonderful way for me to get feelings out that I'm not always comfortable expressing in words to others. I think that it's a wonderful goal to write something every day, even if it is just a tiny bit.
-Find a new job: I count this more on the emotional side. I am in a very negative environment at the moment. And when the new school year comes around, I hope to be in a new school where I can grow in a positive way instead of dreading going to school.
-Staying positive in general; I have gotten to a point (mostly because of my job) that I am incredibly negative about things, and I want to change that.
-Be more social: I want to make some great new friends (whether online or in person)

Crafty Goals: 
-Keep up with Project Life - I had a blast putting together my title page yesterday, and look forward to continuing on. The Day by Day class has already been inspiring.
-Continue using/learning more about my new Cameo. I love it already, so I want to make sure I don't put it aside.
-Focus on my word BELIEVE
-Keep up with One Little Word - I'm really excited about it, and want to remain that way throughout the year.
-Begin an art journal - I have seen these all over Pinterest, and I am definitely interested.
-Write, write, write. This is my biggest goal this year.

That's it, at least for now! I have high hopes for 2014, and I'm really excited about sticking with things and making them happen.

Feel free to link up as well, all you have to do is answer one of the prompts in a blog post, and then link up on one of the hostess' pages! I'm linking up through Little Baby Garvin's site! :]

Share your answers to one (or all) of the following prompts on your own blog.

1. What is something you want to change, or a goal you want to set for the New Year & what is your plan for making it happen?

2. Many people chose a word to reflect on, live by or aspire to for the New Year. Let us know your word, how you decided upon it & how you plan to incorporate it into 2014.

3. I will make 2014 count by...

 

Scrapbook Page - Wedding

One of my hopes, especially with the start of a new year, is to start getting some of my scrapbooking layouts up here on the blog. Typically, this will probably more likely be Project Life spreads, but as we are between the years, I thought I would share a layout I did this morning when the creative juices were flowing a bit.

It's been awhile since I have had any time to scrapbook, or do much of anything that I would like to, between working so much and having an hour commute each way to work. Therefore, I have been grateful for this holiday break to have some time to work on what I enjoy. I decided to do a little work on our wedding album this morning. It's been over a year since we got married now, but I know this album is going to take forever to get finished, and I'm okay with that.

I kept this layout pretty simple, but I am very happy with how it turned out. Paper from one of the Studio Calico scrapbook kits (Aztec), glitter chipboard letters, and some fun embellishments including wood veneer and washi tape from Freckled Fawn, as well as a stamp from one of the Studio Calico kits as well. I'm loving the colors and how easily it came together for me this morning.

My Silhouette Cameo should arrive today, and then I will be getting started on Project Life 2014!

Cheers!