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7/31/15

Around Here


Oh summer.
You are still going strong and my brain is being pulled in two different directions.  I have one in school with homework, and one still sleeping in and pretending it's still summer vaca.  One who needs a lunchbox packed each day and folder checked each night.  Another one who is ready for our next day-date adventure and is slowly destroying my house with his messes.  We are all over the place, which is probably evident by these very random "around here" photos.  We're trying to get back in a groove, but it's hard to pretend like it's not summer when it feels like we live on the sun.  Did I mention I was ready for fall?  

7/30/15

July Project Life Album


One thing I've learned throughout my monthly Project Life "book" process is that photos are timeless.  I sat down and looked through all six of my previous albums prior to starting the 7th (thinking what in the world did I get myself into, LOL), and after the first few pages, I knew exactly why I do this.  I do this to document our memories.  I do this to preserve the today.  I do this so I can look at all I have in our life.  I do this to remember. 

We all have our own way of remembering things.  Some take photos, some journaling, some create mini albums (or lots and lots of mini albums in my case).  I think part of it is about the process, but the BIG part of it is about remembering.

I tried to be more thoughtful and reflective in my album this month.  I tried to add more journaling and stories.  But I have to admit - the storytelling part isn't easy for me.  I'm too literal, too in the moment, I think.  And other times, I'm too far away from the moment - so the story actually becomes more of my "feelings" and interpretation.

But the best part, I realized, is that it doesn't matter.  It doesn't matter how I tell my story, or what I add.  It doesn't matter if I write a single word, or an entire paragraph.  What matters is that I'm remembering and documenting (whether it be now or later).  I'm remembering the moment.  The small moments.  Those everyday moments.


This month, I used a 5.5x8.5 binder that I picked up from Target.  I contemplated cutting the covers off and just using book rings to bind my book, but I loved the way the binder looked in ONE piece, so I just ran with it.

I had to alter my page protectors to work with the binder by trimming off the inside "punched-hole" edge and then punching my own holes, but it worked out perfectly!  I kind of have a love-hate relationship with plastic page protectors anyway...


These 2x2 pockets, though, are the love part of my love-hate relationship.  I just can't pass up an evenly spaced, perfect collage.


I added in a few "scrapbook-ish" types of pages in the book, and I also tried to utilize a bit of white space on some of pages.  Love the white space.


And my very favorite page of the entire month, has to be this "he-she" photo page.  I printed a photo on an 8.5x11 piece of photo paper and then trimmed it around the edges and evenly down the middle.  I used some of the alpha stamps from the Studio Calico Fairground kits to stamp out "he" and "she" and then typed up some "favorites" of my kiddos right now.  I mean, I kinda want to make an entire book out of he/she, so be warned!




7/28/15

Maggie Holmes Design Team: Craft Room Tour


Want to see a little peek into my craft room? 
Stop on by Maggie's blog today and check out my favorite room in the house!  Warning- I may or may not have all of the baskets and storage bins in the state of North Carolina.  :)

7/24/15

Plan on It


I am super excited to be a contributor for the Plan On It class at Studio Calico!  If you've followed along with me this year, you probably know by now that I love my memory planner!  I'll be sharing two lessons in the class - one about how/why I use my memory planner and than a more detailed lesson showing you how I set up my weekly pages!

The class is jam-packed with amazing contributors who all have a different take on planners! Eri Suzuki is the main instructor and her style and so amazing!  I can't to see her lessons and get lots of new ideas for my planner! 



Class is still enrolling, so come join in the fun!  See you in class on August 3rd!




7/23/15

Studio Calico // Pop Art Sneaks


The Pop Art kits at Studio Calico made their "preview" yesterday!  The bold colors and bright embellishments are such a fun new twist to the kits!  These kits have a few new "design" elements and I think the different papers, cards and extras are perfect for documenting those summer days!

Here's a little sneaky peek at what I've been working on!
These first two are from the Pop Art main scrapbook kit!  Look at those bright colors!



A peek of the Scrapbook Add-on kits...

And the Pop Art Planner kit...

Did you happen to see this subscriber exclusive humongous date stamp??  I mean, come on!  Everyone needs a date stamp that makes a statement, right?




7/22/15

My life in squares


It's obviously no surprise that I'm addicted to Instagram.  I remember seeing this "photo app" on one of my friend's phones waaaaaaaay before I even had an iPhone.  I bought an iPhone the next day, just for good ole Instagram.  I started using Instagram back when filters were awesome and cool and I made every photo look retro and vintage.  Fast forward many many years (I'm pretty sure I didn't even have kids when I started IG, so yep - it was quite a while ago), and now I'm obsessed with the white background and my photos.

Ever since Instagram updated their website (and the app) to the cleaner background, I can't stop playing with my photos and my feed.  There's just something super fun about snapping photos and sharing them.  Not only is it an awesome way to document the everyday, but it's just plain fun.  Oh - and double bonus - my photos fit into this perfectly spaced, perfectly aligned continuous collage.  For those of you who know me, I am a collage-aholic.  Instagram is the ultimate collage. 


Here are some of my Instagram tips!

1. Use square photos.
The collage is key.  I used to upload horizontal photos and liked that in the feed, but you can't beat consistency in my book.

2. Crop, crop, crop
My very favorite thing to do with these fun squares is to CROP PEOPLE OUT.  Yep - I like to crop out heads, hands, arms, people, bodies, etc...  You name it, I'm likely gonna crop it.  You can get so many unique and different angles with a crop.  The story changes, the background changes, the focus changes.  I LOVE that!  Don't be afraid to crop!  Play around with your photo, move it about in that cute little square box.  Go for it!  

3. Utilize white space
My second favorite thing to do is leave a good bit of white space.  Just like in my projects and layouts, leaving white space can really make your subject/project/main focus pop off of the page.  To me, there is something very dramatic about having one single subject (or two cute subjects) on one BIG white wall.  I'm forever on the search for ginormous white walls (even my kids point them out to me now - and I've even convinced my husband to stand next to one or two....).

4. Rule of thirds
I use this as a "general" rule.  If I can fit my subject onto a third of my photo with the remainder being white space, I will.  But I love a full framed photo, and a centered photo too.  

5. Use a photo editing app
No surprise, but I like my photos light and bright!  I like them to look like they do to my eye and typically my phone camera's sensitivity is off.  Cameras just don't sense light like we do, so I "help" my camera/photo out a little.  I would say about 99.9% of my photos are lightened/brightened using Pic.Tap.Go.  It's my "go-to" app for fast and easy photo editing.  I typically use the "lights on" filter (and adjust the brightness with the toggle tool) and the "crispity" filter (I use this one very sparingly because it can really add some unwanted edges to your photo).

And there you have it!  My Instagram tips and tricks!!  

While I might not update this blog every day, you better believe I'm over on Instagram 'gramming away (not really - I try to limit myself to just one or two photos a day because, seriously - who really wants a full account of my every waking minute???).  Come on over and join me!

Are you on IG?  Leave me your IG handle here!  I'd love to follow you!!


7/15/15

Memory Planner: June 2015


Well, June sure did come and go in a flash.  I knew it would be quick since our summer is shorter now (because Anna is in year-round school), but wow!  I swear it feels like June just begun.

Anyhoo...on to July we go, so I thought I would share a look at June in my Memory Planner!  This planner is still the bees knees to me.  I love adding in bits and pieces of everyday life, as well as my to-do lists, thoughts, quotes, etc..


There really is no rhyme or reason to my pages.  Sometimes I work on them in advance (if I know we have certain events on certain days - like swim team, etc..) and then sometimes I work on it throughout the month.


Add in stamps, washi and stickers is super fun - but adding in photos of our week is still my favorite! I think this planner has become kind of like an ongoing-work in progress-mini album.

The July Planner kit from Studio Calico got LOTS of use this month!  Love the washi and those cute little paper flags! Perfect for adding in notes and details!



And of course, some type of collage HAD to make an appearance in my planner.  I wonder if I will ever tire of collages??  Doubtful...

The days of the week notepad from the A Beautiful Mess Happy Mail a few months back is such a lifesaver for super busy weeks!  Sometimes it feels like everyone is going in a different direction and being able to have ONE visual of the week is super cool.  It might be a little redundant, but it is definitely very helpful!


And that's a look at June.  July is well underway right now and my month is already pretty full!  I'll be back to share a look at those finished pages in a few weeks!!

Are you still addicted to your planner??  I sure am!





7/13/15

Endless Summer


Wishing and praying I could make this summer last forever.  Normally, I"m about ready for school to start back around now, but this one has been the best, and I'm just not ready to give it up yet.


I put this page tougher using a piece of the "tag" paper from the Crate Paper Poolside collection in the Studio Calico Ferris Wheel add-on and bits and pieces from both the Ferris Wheel and the Carousel kits.


I trimmed down the Crate Paper Poolside paper so I had lots of individual pieces, tags, etc.  Then I created a grid on my bag using those pieces and added in my photos and embellishments.  I love thinking outside of the box with my papers and pulling out my scissors to create something fun and different!

Here's to summer lasting forever (but.......school starts back today, so.... Doubtful).
Happy Monday!

7/10/15

Around Here


Around here, we have had one heck of a summer.  It's been way too fast and way too hot, but it has definitely been filled with wonderful stories, memories and tons of happiness.  School starts back for my sweet girl on Monday and this momma may go into a mild depression with her gone all day + back in a normal routine.  I'm just not ready for packing lunches, homework and the like.  I've so enjoyed our beach days, summer fun activities, swim team and pool dates.  Hoping to still sneak in a few more "summer" things over the next month!  

Happy friend, friends!
xo





7/9/15

Books, Books and More Books


My favorite Project Life add-on this month was definitely Cream Soda.  The cards, the extras and....the stamp!  That book stamps is just amazing - and I'm not even a stamper!  


We love books at our house, so I went through my photos and pulled out pictures that related to a book theme!  I typically don't create "themed" pages in my Project Life albums, but I really really enjoyed making this one and am excited to add it to my July book.  I think I have a problem with order/dates and I just need to let that go (like I can't include a June photo in my July album - weird, right??).


I stamped the book stamp on the bottom of a piece of trimmed white card stock, added my typed journaling and then a sticker title.  Creating my own personalized journaling cards is the best!  Not to mention, it's a great way to stretch those supplies!



Did you pick up Cream Soda this month?  It was sold out in a flash!  Hope you got it!  


7/8/15

Fourth of July


We spend the Fourth of July with my husband's family at the lake.  It seriously is the best weekend ever and we all look forward to it and count down the days throughout the year.  Anna and Drew love their cousins like nothing else and it's so fun to see them grow together.  There's lots of swimming, cooking, eating and game playing.  My awesome sister-in-law (hey Kim!!) outdoes herself year after year with games, prizes, crafts, decorations, etc...




The theme this year was "Carnival" and we had donut eating games, relay races, dance competitions and more.  All of the littles got tickets for participating or winning and they were the hit of the weekend. I'm still finding little yellow tickets all of my house and in every pocket.  They are wonderful memories of an awesome weekend!





We are already counting down the days until next Fourth!  We can't wait!