kapachino

Category: documenting

  • project life 2012 : week 37

    Still catching up on Project Life! For awhile now I’ve been combining two weeks into one spread, but since I knew I’d want an entire spread for our week’s trip to Kansas I went ahead and did a whole spread for the week before that too. And thus we have October 7 – 13.

    I love that I’m keeping it simple now because I finished this and another spread in a single naptime one Sunday. (Funny how I measure my life in Meredith’s naps now.)

    There wasn’t too much to journal in this week because it was just a normal one with some everyday photos.

    I had one pocket to fill so I turned to my list of good things (I keep a record of at least one good thing a day on Evernote). The “fabulous” journal card is from the SMASH collection.

    Seriously, so simple.

    I aim to get caught up on sharing with you by the end of the year so I can be on track for my new album in 2013!

  • introducing book of lists

    Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to tell you about my new little paper crafty project that is cute, fun, flexible, and ready for you to join in on if you so choose (and I would love it if you do).

    Because I’m suuuper original I’m calling it the Book of Lists because that is essentially what it will be. Just get yourself a book – make a minibook out of chipboard and binder rings like I did or grab a blank journal, a spiral notebook, scrapbook, anything of the sort – make sure it has some empty pages, and you’re ready to go.

    Every month there will be a topic for a list, and the object is to craft it on a blank page, take a photo of your list, then blog it. You can get elaborate scrapbook-style, or even jot it down with your favorite pen. If you want, you don’t even have to make a book and you can just blog about the list topic (even though then it’s not really a book of lists, but that’s cool). My style is somewhere in the middle.

    Reasons I’m in love with this idea: I adore paper crafting, but traditional scrapbooking is not my thing. Project Life is totally working for me as our primary documentation, so I want more little projects in which to use the pretty papers and supplies I’ve collected. Secondly, I am such a list-making girl that I have lists about lists. I know lots of you are the same way. Embrace it! I also like that it’s a progressive and open-ended book. Just one small page a month is totally something I can whip up in a half hour or less. Plus, I can date each page and include an Instax photo (if applicable) and it will also serve as a sort of record of life. And finally, it’s something that anyone can do and adapt to her own style.

    Want to see more? A few lovely ladies have already joined in and will be posting about their own books today. Check them out:

    Today we’re just sharing the covers of our books, but next month we’ll be showing off the first list. To make things simple, at the end of each month’s post I will put up the date of the next round plus the next list topic. That way everyone has a month to get it ready and we’re all on the same page (pun intended).

    So that’s it! If you have any questions at all, leave a comment. If you don’t consider yourself crafty but have thought about doing a project here and there, this may be the perfect thing. I can envision a pretty journal + a label maker + washi tape + a nice pen making a really cool book, and so simple!

    Next month’s info:We’ll be posting on Monday, December 3 and the topic will be wishlist. Starting with a fun and easy one. :)

    ***

    Details on my book: It’s made of 4×6 chipboard, I punched holes in it using this hole punch, binder rings from an office supply store, and it’s filled with white cardstock. On the front I used the SMASH label maker (it has a learning curve), Amy Tangerine Thickers, and washi tape from Freckled Fawn.

  • project life 2012 : weeks 35 – 36

    Happy Halloween! I procrastinated on finding Meredith’s costume this year, but when I stopped by Old Navy yesterday they had a fish costume in the perfect size on sale for $6 so my laziness has been rewarded. We are going trick-or-treating with my nephews this evening so pictures are to come.

    In the meantime, I’m getting closer to caught up on sharing my Project Life spreads with you! Here we have September 23 to October 6. Think back with me.

    Another simple layout – I am finally getting into my groove. I just need to remember to take more pictures!

    One of my best friends, Megan, came to visit briefly and the picture I placed right next to the date card of her, me, and Meredith is my favorite. It’s so full of personality. Also at the beginning of this time period, my uncle came to stay with my parents (he’s here for an indefinite period of time for health reasons) so I was happy to include a shot of M. on his lap and wrote about it on a kraft shipping tag. On the bottom right of this page I wrote about David & my fourth wedding anniversary, but we didn’t take a single picture! See? I’ve been remiss.

    On the right page I wrote about the walks we like to take with Meredith right on the photo. I slipped in the note Becky sent me with the giveaway I won from her blog. If you remove it from the pocket, on the inside there is actually a photo of the contents of the package she sent. I took a screen shot of the weather when it got a little bit cooler, then there’s also a couple pictures from the BIRTH fair I attended with my friend Sara.

    It’s been a lot easier to keep up with this since I decided that I like the results best when I keep it simple. Still loving it and having fun with it. :)

  • project life 2012 : weeks 33 – 34

    I’m currently home from work with Meredith due to a sudden attack of a stomach bug last night that hit us both hard. It was pretty miserable but we are on the mend and trying to take it easy today.

    In the meantime, more Project Life catch-up! This was from September 9-22.

    I love the look of this spread; it’s clear and simple like I’m going for. I had limited photos from these weeks but I made it work.

    I had a day off all to myself, so I made a list of all the things I wanted to do that day, then cut it down and included it. I bought some house plants (yay) and Meredith discovered her belly button – cutest thing ever. I designed and printed the “currents” card myself.

    The September calendar is cut out of my PaperSource wall calendar, and the “do more of what makes you happy” print was included in my order from Prompt Shop, which is also where the “here & now” stamp is from.

    Like I said, I had a hard time filling the pockets for these weeks because I got SO bad at taking pictures. I need to get in gear because I’ve missed a lot of great photo opportunities. No worries, though – onward!

  • project life 2012 : weeks 31 – 32

    I wanted to post this now before I get too far behind! I’m playing a lot of catch up here, as this was back from August 26 to September 8.

    Life is such a blur and I can hardly remember these weeks anymore, but then I look at this and it all comes back. I love how this project forces me to think about the events, little and big, that happen and place them in my memory.

    I got a new tool! It’s the SMASH label maker. It’s actually not that easy to learn to use, and it’s even harder to master, but it was cheap and I like the look of the labels. You’ll also notice that we got a new car. It’s the Mazda5 minivan, although it is smaller than most minivans and almost looks like a wagon or crossover at times. We are very happy with it.

    This was my favorite pocket. David and I went on a movie date and I took this perfect Instax photo in front of the theater.

    I did an insert this week for the long Labor Day weekend. I made it really simple with Instagram photos, washi tape, and a small amount of journaling on white cardstock. I love this simple style for inserts and I’ll be using it over and over.

    The only new thing on this side is that I got some new stamps from Prompt Shop. They come unmounted which makes them cheap but they’re still great quality – just put them on some acrylic blocks and they’re super easy to use.

    After all this time I am STILL discovering my style and what works for me with this project. My favorite pages are the ones that are the simplest. I love the look of bright patterned paper when I see it, but whenever I use it (like on the date pocket of this spread) I feel like it’s too busy. I like the basics and I like neutrals with a little embellishment here and there. I’m going to try and keep that in mind for the future so I don’t get distracted in the craft store. :)