My Story - a Project Life Journal

My friend Kellie over at Give a Girl a Blog had this really crazy idea to Project her Life this year along with doing her family's Project Life album.  I must admit, this idea is brilliant!  I'm always taking photos of "my" day and posting them on instagram or facebook.  I never know what to do with those photos.  Most of the time they don't even get printed.  When they do, they don't fit anywhere in my family's album.  They end up in a box all alone longing for a home.

Here is the thing.  Those photos I take during "my" day when my kids are at school are part of "my" story.  I have a family story to tell, but what about "my" story.  Most of us kept journals or diaries as a teen.  I know I did!  Writing my thoughts down, good or bad, was always a great outlet.   I still do it, sort of.  I jot things down in a notebook that sits next to my laptop.  Usually appointments, follow ups, ideas, rants (yes, I write those down to get them off my mind) or doodling.  All that belongs in a planner, right?  Yeah, I gave up on my Filofax.  I decided that my notebook is more practical... I'll save my thoughts on my love-hate relation with my Filofax for another day.

So those extra photos are going to be in "My Story".  For the remainder of this year, I will document my daily doings and what-nots in my own album.  It's a much smaller scale that my regular PL album.  After all, my life is important too, even if it's boring and uneventful.  The idea is to keep it simple, which I can see this spilling over into my regular PL album.  The only difference, it's my story and a place for those left over photos to reside.  I think my oldest daughter may be doing this too.

I'm using a Simple Stories Sn@p album since it was the only small album I had on hand.  I may move everything to a Studio Calico handbook.  I'm undecided until they get here.  

In My Story I also decided to participate in the Currently List challenge hosted by Kristin.  If you would like to check it out, follow the link HERE.  Kristin has a link on her post to a fabulous facebook group to share your weekly list.  Kristin also has a FREE download for the cards on her website HERE.

I also decided to include a "week in review" card for My Story.  I'll have more details on that it the upcoming weeks.

WEEK 5

 

PAGE 1

PAGE 2

A larger spread that I had planned.  I had to cut a 3x4 page in half because I had a lot to tell this week.

SUPPLIES:  Memories Ink Pad, Oops Stamp from Ms Kimm Creates Now Way Stamp Set, Ms Kimm Creates Selfie Stamp, Ms. Kimm Creates This is My Favorite Stamp, Basic Grey Stars, Currently Card, Cards, flair and label from various Studio Calico PL Kits,

WEEK 6

PAGE 1

PAGE 2

SUPPLIES:  Photoshop, Currently Card

WEEK 7

 PAGE 1

PAGE 2

SUPPLIES:  Memories Ink Pad, Epic Fail, Uh Oh and This Sucks Stamps from Ms Kimm Creates Now Way Stamp Set, Currently Card, Cards, flair and label from various Studio Calico PL Kits,


There you have it.  I have all intentions on going back to complete weeks 1 through 4.   After all, I have the photos and notes (and of course there is always facebook and instagram).

Until next time.

New Christmas Stamps in Stock

I'm so excited to announce that my new stamps have officially hit the store and started shipping today.   The wonderful package of deliciousness arrived on my doorstep by 2pm and you best believe this girl had them out and inked in under 5 minutes!  All pre-orders have shipped Tuesday. :)

Christmas Traditions Stamp Set

Dear Santa Stamp Set

Both sets

I have more new goodies arriving in the shop in the next several days.  These items will be perfect for your December Dailies or Project Life spreads during the holidays.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.

Project Life - Week 28

There was not a lot going on this week.  Most of the photos I took were over a 2 day stretch.  I've been trying to convince myself that PL does not have to be a "photo a day".  My documenting has turned into more of a "week in the life of us".  Some photos are everyday happenings where other photos are a "once in a lifetime".  That is what makes this type of memory keeping fun.

For this week, I used Studio Calico's Valley High PL Kit, Winona add-on and the July Stamp add-on.  I didn't use too much outside of the kit.  I've been trying to use the kits just as they are without having to scour around the house looking for different embellishments.  Simplifying my PL process is my new challenge.  This layout took me about an hour to pull together.  Yes, simplifying is the way to go.

2 page spread

Left Page

Close up of left page.  I just adore the cork asterisk marks.

Another close up of the left page.

Right Page

Close up of right page.  I love the stamps that came in this set.

Another close up of the right page.  The flair badge was one I had made myself.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time.

Handmade Project Life Cards

One of my most favorite things about Project Life are the little journal cards.  They are like mini scrapbook pages waiting for you to add whatever your heart desires. 

I belong to a few PL card swap groups on FB.  Each month there are different themes members can sign up for.  It's nice to be able to pick and choose based on your mood, style, and what flows with your own theme.

Here are a few cards I have recently made for our swaps.

Simple card for a "social media" swap.  The "Blogger Icon" I created myself and cut out on my cameo.

Another simple card I made for a "camera" swap.  The flair badges were also created by me.  These are exclusive to the swap.  The stamped image is from my "Polaroid Photo" stamp set HERE.

Having 3 kids it seemed right to join in on the "Ouch" swap.  The bandaid image I created in photoshop and used the print and cut feature in my cameo.

Oh, another fun one.  This was for our "Tell Me About It" swap.  The journal spot was created by me in photoshop.  Again, I used the print and cut feature in my Cameo.  The Studio Calico wood veneer birdies were colored using water colors.

This had to be my favorite card.  This was for our "Polka Dot" swap.  I have a love for polka dots!  The heart embellishment was cut out using my Big Shot with a Spellbinder's Heart Die.

I hope you've enjoyed a bit of inspiration. 

Until next time.

Project Life - Week 26

I'll admit, I'm a little out of order with my project life.  I document the weeks that inspire me based on the products I have on hand.  I don't think I'm alone in this process.  By the time Christmas rolls around, I'll be ready to PL January - April of this year.  Let's be honest, no one in their right mind is ready for snow yet... not to mention Christmas.

For week 26, I used mostly goodies from Citrus Twist's June's PL Kit.  For the price, I'm rather pleased with their kits.  I could do without the 6x6 paper pads that come with them, but it is more to play with. :)

This week, our Pepper was spayed, hence the "Cone of Shame."  There is actually a funny story about picking her up from the vet's office the next day.  If you know my daughter, you know she doesn't handle medical issues very well... that being of blood or stitches.  With Pepper's belly all stitched up, the pick up didn't go very well.  It involved my daughter passing out and an ambulance!  We can laugh about it now, thank goodness!  That story is tucked behind the photo collage of Pepper wearing her "cone of shame".

My apologies... the quality of the photos I took of my spread are less to my liking.  

Full Week Spread

Left page.

The stamp for my title card is one of my very own available HERE.

Right page.

"Just Chillin' Flair" is available in my shop HERE

I simply love stitching.  I should do it more often.

Until next time.

Hello from the Beach

I've recently found there is a mobile app for blogger!  Cool, right!  I can't wait to to start documenting our trip!  We've benn having a great time.

In the meantime, I brought my MS planner, which I really don't like anymore since I became a Filofax snob... But it was all I had that was "project life" document ready.  

Here is how I've been documenting our vacation.

I may have a slight addiction to Frixion pens.  I use them for almost everything!  The right do nice... and my kids love them too.  I think they need their own set.

We have lots if exciting things going on.  I hate to leave this beautiful place in a few days.  I can't wait to share more with you.

Until next time.

New Ms Kimm Designs DATE IT stamp set

My new Date It Stamps set is now available in the shop.  I might be a bit stoked about them!  I've been playing with them since my first samples arrived a few weeks ago.   Oh my goodness, the possibilities are endless.  They are perfect for Project Life!
 

Title Card created with the Date It Stamp Set

 Here is a look at the entire set.

Purchase this set between now and midnight eastern time on Thursday at a special discounted price of 15% off!

I can't wait to share more projects with you using these stamps.

Until next time.

Project Life - Week 27

I cannot believe it!  I completed last week.  Whoo Hoo!  Mind you, I am way far behind on my Project Life.  I don't think anyone is ever "caught up", but I will do my best to stay on top of it.  Completing the current week early so that I can use some time during the rest of the week may be a good plan to get a few other spreads done.  We all have to have dreams, even if they are only small. :)

This week was a bit challenging.  I had an over abundance of photos since it was a holiday weekend.  I ended up putting an insert in the between the week to accommodate the 4th of July photos.

I used Elle's Studio June Kit for most of the layout.  This was one of the first monthly kits I've ever bought.  I really like their designs and already ordered their July Kit.  The colors coordinated very well.  Although, there didn't seem to be enough in the kit to complete a 2 page layout.  I ended up incorporating a few cards from Becky Higgins Blush Core Kit, and a few of my own designed cards you will see below.

Other products used:  October Afternoon Mini Market stickers, Sn@p letter stickers, SC wood veneers, Amy Tangerine Goodness Alpha Thickers, Pink Paislee tiny tabs, Heidi Swapp letters, Miss Kimm Designs Flair Badges and a new Miss Kimm Designs Stamp set that will be available in my store soon (later this week).

The pictures didn't turn out so great.  I guess it would be a good idea to look for my good camera.

Full layout

First Page

Date Stamp is part of my new stamp set.

Miss Peppers was spayed the week before.  She's been receiving a lot of pampering.

My husband's dog, Mr. Oliver came to visit for a few hours on Monday.  It was a pleasure to have him home.  Pepper enjoyed his company.

Page 2 - Top right - "Friday" is also part of my new stamp set.  It is actually 2 stamps that I combined to make one.  Pretty awesome if you ask me. :)

Flair buttons are new to my shop!  The kids and I have been having a lot of fun making them.  You can find them HERE.

4th of July page that is in the middle of the weekly layout.  3 of the cards are available as a free download in the post below. 

Sequins make a great embellishment when you need a quick fill.  4th of July flair badge also available in my store.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.