Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Project Life 2013 - Week 2



So keeping up with my album this year hasn't been all that difficult and I have enjoyed how simple it has been editing and printing my photos as the week goes by.  Blogging about each week however has proven to be more of a challenge.

The kids are still currently on school holidays and are due to start back tomorrow *cheering loudly in my head* so the interruptions whilst trying to work have been (let's be honest here) non bloody stop!  I seriously contemplated changing my name as the word "Mum" has been severely grating on my nerves.  Anywho, that's why the blogging hasn't been as frequent as I would have hoped as the 'little people' kept entering my safe haven when I would try to sit down and post (isn't it always the way?) LOL.


Now here I am quickly typing like a crazy women while they sit with Dad and watch a movie.  Mind you, I have already gotten up to make ice cream, wipe sticky hands and to find a beloved robot so let's make this quick before I hear more footsteps.


Week 2 had a few photos that I wanted to print as 4"x6" but keep simple and unembellished.  Using iScrapbook to add fonts and journaling is perfect for this and leaves a layout looking a little less busy.  I also wanted to include a larger pic of my boys and me so I made a 6"x8" insert out of a page protector and just cut it to size and used washi tape to seal it.

I'm still loving my Cameo more and more and the fact that I can cut any lettering I like still excites me too.  I can see that this little beauty will be my prized possession for many years to come.  Each layout brings new possibilities, new cuts and more fun.

Now as for the products I used this week I have jotted them all down in my little supplies notebook.  One night this week when the boys are in bed early, I will google all the links and add them to the end of this post.

Next, it's on to finishing week 3 (it's almost done).

Ciao for now,
Kye
xo

PS.  Also wanted to do a big shout out to all those affected by the floods in Brisbane and QLD.  You are all in mine and my families thoughts, so please stay safe, stay positive and stay strong! :)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

December Daily - Days 1, 2 and 3


Slowly and surely I am working on finishing this album.  I am quite enjoying going back over all the photos as it seemed to go by so quickly.  It has taken me back to those special moments, whist I've been working on it late at night in the quiet, and helped me to again appreciate such a wonderful time of year it is with a young family and be surrounded by loved ones.

This is the inside of the front cover.  I decided to use the kid's annual Santa photo to start the album off. It was quite bare without it and it was the perfect size.  I embellied it up a bit with a banner, Thickers and a tag.  The plastic pocket has some foil Christmas trees sewn into it and a printed calendar card by Bananafish Studio from the Studio Calico kit I received when I joined their class 25 Days.


Day 1 - Pretty simple with again printing out tags and inserts.


Day 2 - More printing with a little of my own messy handwriting (it was late and I was tired).  I love this full page of the boys playing in a box.  It's these simple things and these moments that I cherish most at Christmas.  It really makes all the stress and chaos fade away with their gorgeous giggles.


Day 3 - Another full page and this one captures the wonderful faces that my son makes whilst playing video games.  Peace and quiet amongst all the Christmas crazies was lovely this day.  A cute little Colour Fusion Sn@p pocket is used here to hold a note that our Elf On The Shelf left for the boys.


All of the pretty papers I have used are by Simple Stories.  I have alternated between two, Summer Fresh and Harvest Lane.

I am hoping over the next few days to continue with a few more pages but as Murphy's Law has it, I ran out of ink for my printer today when I was on a roll.  Would you believe it?  So off to buy some more tomorrow and then run my printer ragged.  I've got literally tons of photos waiting to be printed.

Hope you like what I have done so far :)

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Project Life 2013 - Week 1


WHOO HOO  Week 1 done and dusted AND blogged :)  I hope I keep this up throughout the year . . .  Winning lol ;)


Now something very exciting happened this week and it may have had a little to do with why I was so motivated to get this week's layout completed.  I finally got my Silhouette Cameo and I am absolutely ecstatic.

I was busily hanging out some washing in the heat and my two beautiful boys came outside holding a box and yelling, "Merry Christmas".  You see, I ordered this amazing machine from Studio Calico before Christmas well prepared for the fact that it wouldn't arrive in time to be put under the tree.   But who cares she says, it's here now lol.  I have never pegged clothes onto the line so quick in my life.  I couldn't wait to get in, unwrap it and set  it all up.

For those of you that have no idea of what a Cameo is, check out this link that gives you an idea of what they can do.

And here's what I have been sitting doing for the past 2 days in between getting to know this whiz bang gadget.


Product list to follow shortly but feel free to comment and ask me about any of the supplies I used.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

In the mean time, happy project life new year peeps :)
Kye

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Project Life 2013 - Cover layout


I must say that I am pretty thrilled to be starting this album again and have been so inspired by some of the amazing pages I have come across in the last year.  Project Life really does have a cult following and if you haven't already jumped on the band wagon, I suggest you take a look at Pinterest for some wonderful ideas and tips on this easy system for documenting your memories.

I have literally hundreds of pins that I refer to when I get a little stale for page designs.  I have tons of freebie printouts that have saved me fortunes in not having to purchase too many kits, journal cards, filler cards and papers.  I suggest if you are just starting out on the Project Life adventure that you do the same and load up on the endless freebies that are out there.

This brings me to my cover layout and what I chose to use for my page.  I wanted this year's album to be colourful and bright, much like I anticipate our year to be.  So I searched the net and found this absolutely gorgeous set of printable cards from the Sn@p collection at Simple Stories.



This is what I came up with for my cover layout.  I am loving the colours and pleased that it will set the tone for the rest of the album.  This honestly was one of the quickest layouts I have ever done and I believe it was because of the printable cards.  I really didn't need to add much else to give it a lift as it already looked great.  Thanks Sn@p :)



Products List

Be sure to hop along to Polka Dot Creative for Project Life yumminess and 


 

What is a Silhouette Cameo?




For those of you that are unsure of what a Silhouette Cameo is and what they can do, take a peek at this video.  This is what Santa got me for Christmas and I am so thrilled to start creating with it.  Thanks Santa, you ROCK :)


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Project Life 2013 - The beginning



Here it is, a new year and a new Project Life album.  I'm so excited and I can't believe that I get to start with a clean slate, try new and creative ways to do layouts and most importantly, keep up to date with my pages this year.  Now let's see how THAT goes hahahahaha ;)

It's quite obvious that I didn't do the greatest job of keeping up with my album last year.  It was so easy in the beginning, all inspired, all motivated. . .  But then life creeps up on you, things get busy and you miss a week or two and think to yourself, "That's fine.  I'll catch up over the next few days."  Pffft, like that ever happened LOL.

So this year I plan to learn from my past mistakes and put into action a simple little plan. . . Don't fall behind!  Pretty easy yeah?  I think so.  Straight forward and a very basic concept really LOL.  I figure that being a week or two behind isn't so hard to catch up on over a few nights.  But I noticed that when I let a few weeks slip by, I was toast!


Now, it is time for me to contradict what I've just said and tell you that I also plan to not be so hard on myself.  Confused yet?  LOL  Well, it seemed that another reason why I wouldn't complete pages was because I had to have them perfect polished and this led me to leaving them sit in my scrap room for days and sometimes even weeks.  So this year I am keeping my perfection desires at bay and letting a few little mistakes go, covering smudges with washi tape and not spending as long on striving for that flawless layout.


Now, one thing I will be carrying on into this year's Project Life planning will be the Oh Life journalling site that I used to document my days.  It was fantastic and I highly recommend it!  The fact that you get a reminder email each day to reply to with your day's details was what did it for me.  A quick tap of the fingers each night on the keyboard and I had my journalling all prepared when the time came to do a layout.  I found it a 'must' and am continuing with it this year.


Printing at home is another method I found the easiest for me.  It ensured that I had my photos ready to use (I am a tad impatient if you haven't already guessed) and I can crop, edit, add fonts, etc to them and print away on my Epson Stylus NX125.  I will be trying out Persnickity Prints this year for my 12"x12" photos.  I plan to do some full page photo layouts on the weeks I haven't got much else to fill the inserts with.


Mmmmm, what else. . . Oh I know, I will be using the free printable planner by Hello Forever as this was really helpful for making notes about ideas I had for layouts.  I also used it for noting the supplies I used, kits, tools, fonts, etc for when I would write my blog posts; very helpful indeed.


I have ordered and am waiting for my albums by We R Memory Keepers and my page protectors by American Crafts.  I chose a bright and funky yellow for this year's Project Life album; trying to 'keep it cheery'.  Now it seems that the page protectors can sometimes be a little difficult to come across so I think this year I will use whatever I can get my hands on so long as the quality is good.

Now as for products I am using to fill the album, it's pretty much open slather for me.  I love variety and don't like to be restricted.  I find that I am coming across new and amazing products every day so why would I want to limit myself and not be able to mix things up a bit and have fun.

I have chosen to be open to what products I use again this year as it worked so well for me in 2012.  I have purchased a digital Seafoam kit from AC Digitals that I can print out the elements that I want to use at home.  But the rest I will be throwing caution to the wind, using my own stash and obviously buying whatever catches my eye throughout the year. You'll definitely see some of my favourites like Amy TangerineEcho ParkSimple Stories, lots of freebies from Pinterest and hopefully some of my own Simply Bella creations throughout my 2013 adventure.  So, be sure to check out Polka Dot Creative where the lovely Jodie will be happy to help you with any products you may be after.  I highly recommended her online store for fantastic customer service and speedy delivery.

So stay tuned, it's a brand new year, fresh start, a new beginning, so many possibilities.

Big hugs,
Kye
:)


Saturday, January 5, 2013

December Daily 2012

Well, firstly I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  The time has just flown over the past few weeks and it feels like it has been forever since I have blogged.  The seasonal sillies are finally slowing down and I'm trying to get back to normality.  Although, it is a little hard in Melbourne at the moment with this scorching heat so I'm just going with the flow of things and just concentrating on keeping cool.

One thing that has kept my mind off of the heat is my December Daily album.  I have been so busy with Christmas, our holiday and then New Year that I haven't had a chance to do anything with it.  I am now sitting with an iced lemon drink. . .  No. . .  No alcohol but that may come later when the kids are in bed tonight LOL.  I have all my papers, stickers, photos, ephemera, the works.  All ready to tackle my album full steam ahead!


I really did have high hopes that I would complete a little bit each night.  But that went out the window quite quickly and I think, last check, that I only got up to day 3.  Admittedly, I have been quite good with the documenting though and jotting down events and things that happened so that when it came to putting it all together it wasn't so daunting.  I have all my photos in order on my Mac and it's just a matter of now printing a few off.

So, here goes...  Wish me luck as I don't plan to resurface until I have it all completed in my hot little hands.  As long as I have a cold beverage, the air con and some peace from my tornados for a bit (they're currently watching Ice Age 4), then I may just accomplish what I am setting out to.

December Daily, get ready, you're about to be TACKLED!!!

:) Kye