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  • 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.

  • around here // this week

    >I put out our one and only fall decoration, this little pumpkin that Meredith “painted.” I’m not saying that I’m not into holiday decorations, because I am. It’s just that we don’t have many. They’re the kind of thing that you have to acquire over time. Maybe this is the year that I’ll shop the sales after Thanksgiving.

    >Switched my purse out for this messenger bag my husband got me one year. Even though it’s still in the 80’s every day here, this feels a little more like fall.

    >Enjoying the heck out of this quirky little novel, Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer. And oh! I cooked dinner one night this week, and we all three sat down to eat as a family. That’s one of my biggest goals as a wife and mother and hopefully it starts happening on a regular basis by the time Meredith is three. :)

    >Had a freakishly easy week at work. I’m kind of scared to even say so, for fear of what next week will be like.

    >One of my favorite patients was here every day this week and he and his wife brought us delicious muffins.

    >Started the snail mail challenge! I’m going to send one piece of regular mail every day in November. I’m glad to have an excuse to use the note cards I’ve been hoarding, and I hope to brighten a few people’s days.

    Have a happy weekend!

  • our little fishie

    Is there anything better than babies in costumes? I submit that there is not. I’ve been eagerly checking my Instagram feed over and over just to take in all the cuteness.

    Halloween evening was somewhat hectic for us, but it worked out. My mother-in-law picked up Meredith from daycare and took her to visit David’s grandmother in the nursing home — in costume of course. She said that Meredith was being a huge show-off in it because everyone was giving her such a good reaction. It took them twenty minutes just to get to Gigi’s room because all the old ladies had to coo over her.

    For trick-or-treating we all met at my brother-in-law’s house. My only regrets of the evening are that we didn’t have time to see my parents, and we were unable to get a picture of all four of the cousins together.  (That one was kind of a pipe dream anyway.) We walked down a short street and back, and of course Meredith had no idea what was going on but she was happy to be outside. She just did her own thing and even tried to enter a few houses to explore.

    The best part was just watching her toddle with her head down in concentration, as she does. If a fish could walk, it would probably look just like that.

  • 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. :)

  • a handmade, thrifted, eclectic home

    Recently we went to visit my best friend Becca and her family in their small Kansas town. Her husband Micah works as a firefighter and she stays home with their three children (aged 4, 2, and 1). In addition they rent out houses in the area.

    They just moved into their own 1950’s era ranch style home a year ago and have already knocked down a wall, closed up a doorway, and redone the kitchen cabinets. Although they still have many unfinished projects, as soon as I walked in I felt instantly at home. It all had to do with Becca’s decorating style; she has filled the place with thrift store finds, family items, and handmade touches.

    I asked her if I could share pictures with you of her home and she was happy to oblige! I came away inspired with lots of ideas to add homey touches to our house.

    Becca has given their front door such personality with the handmade burlap welcome banner and a cute little chalkboard message. Plus I love the way the plants line the front steps. When we got there they also had several pumpkins sitting out, but we let the kids paint them. :)

    The wall they knocked down used to be in between the living room and kitchen. Underneath the carpet is beautiful wood floors, and uncovering them is their next project. Becca didn’t like the fabric on the couches she had, so one is slipcovered and the other is covered with a blanket. She sewed new pillow covers herself.

    I adore these shelves that they put up themselves. The unfinished look really works, and they are filled with books and crafty goodness.

    On another wall of their living room is this huge window that they saved from their first house together after it had to be replaced. Becca bought a plain wood “H” and covered it with old book pages and images from a magazine using ModPodge.

    Although the dining table is covered in these pictures, it’s actually a really pretty antique, and there’s a nice mix of chairs surrounding it. Becca has several vintage tablecloths that she rotates through. I love that idea.

    Here she has painted directly onto a slab of wood.

    To the right of the cabinets there used to be a doorway passthrough to a formal dining room, but they closed it in and made that room a bedroom. Eventually they plan to extend the cabinets or hang more shelves, but for now it makes for a perfect kids’ table area. I also love the look of hanging pots and pans.

    In the family room Becca sewed and hung a banner of vintage tea towels.

    The master bedroom is so simple and cute! I love the sweet curtains she sewed out of vintage sheets and the leaning mirror.

    Another old window (this one much smaller) hung in their room.

    Even the bathroom got some attention. She finds framed cross stitches at thrift stores and has several hanging throughout the home.

    Her daughter’s room has an unfinished portion of the wall where they closed in the doorway that they haven’t gotten to yet, but it’s still adorable. She hung pages from a vintage children’s book with wooden hangers, and made another graphic wall hanging using paper and canvas.

    This is the boys’ room – love those antlers. Can you spot the photobomb? :)

    I love my own home, but I have been at standstill in decorating it for awhile because I really didn’t know what I wanted it to look like. Lately it’s been feeling very generic to me, and after being in Becca’s home I now know what it’s missing, and better yet, I know it won’t take a lot of money to get what I want. Just some patience stalking thrift stores and getting my craft on. :)