Project Life, weeks 18-21

I have been behind in my Project Life because I’ve been busy with work, a little bit lazy (I’ve been so tired lately!), and working very slowly on my pages. I’m trying to improve how my weekly pages turn out (remember, it’s part of my summer bucket list) and they seem to take me much longer to complete than before. It’s almost as if I’m creating a mini layout for each day! It would easy to continue as I have done before and type right onto my photos in Photoshop, or slap a journal tag on, scribble something out and call it a day. I don’t want to do that right now; I’ve been seeing some amazing pages on Pinterest, and I want to take the effort and spend some time being a little more creative. I’m trying new techniques and thinking outside the box for ideas and inspiration. That goes for my regular layouts as well, and I decided to complete one more of the challenges from Big Picture Classes’ Creative Crop since my brother sent me some awesome photos from a recent family get-together. I kind of piecemealed some ideas together: one of the challenges from BPC was to use new techniques and products that we normally don’t go for, and I also sort of incorporated Studio Calico‘s class lesson from their class Pop Off the Page. So, I put all my eggs into one basket and went for it, coming up with this layout:

I got a little carried away with embellishing this layout above, but I was having so much fun, and experimenting at the same time, so I just let it be. I like to add extra page protectors to my weekly pages; sometimes I have too much for one page, but not enough for two pages. These are the products I use to add extra photos:

These are wonderful; I was introduced to them by Ali Edwards in her One Little Word class. Can’t live without them, now!

All of these page protectors, including the flip pockets are currently available at Amazon.com, and the link is here.

Sometimes I cut and sew my page protectors to suit my needs; I also may add washi tape and staples, I just use my imagination. May was a busy month for me with birthdays, National Hospital Week and Mothers’ Day, so I had extra photos and ephemera I wanted to include, so having these extra protectors has been indispensible and very practical. I highly recommend them. Unfortunately, however, on another note about Project Life products, I have just come to realize that my favorite binders (the black or white Signature Binders made specially for PL) are no longer available at this time. Bummer, because my binder is getting pretty full and bulky, and I need a new one. Call me finicky, but I like my binders to match for a single year. If anyone hears of these binders being available at another retailer (Scrapbook.com is also out), please let me know.

For now, enjoy documenting your unique life and have some fun with it. You will enjoy looking back on these books in the years to come!

Thanks for dropping by!

Jennifer

May 21

One Little Word, May

Finally caught up with my One Little Word assignment for May; Ali provided digital elements to use and the words she came up with were so appropriate for me, so I used them rather than my own (I think they would have turned out rather lame….). These cards are a great way to give me a pep talk when I need it and keep me focused on my word, STRIVE. I will strive to stick to these little words of wisdom.

I believe this should apply to everyone. Having a bad day? Feel free to come back and visit and really think about these words. I know it’s hard to think positive when you don’t feel positive, but the more you try, the more you will succeed. One happy little thought can lead to many more. Think about it. Happiness to you, and thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

May 19

Summer Manifesto

One of the challenges in the International Scrapbook Day Creative Crop at Big Picture Classes was “Create a summer bucket list to create and capture memorable summertime adventures.” I didn’t have a chance to complete that task, but I told myself that eventually I would, and yesterday was the day. Although the class is over, I still want to go back and complete some of the challenges I didn’t do, so you may see some of them here in the near future. Here is my bucket list layout for summer:

Not only do I want to stay caught up with Project Life, but I want to improve in the way I do it. I would like to see it look more stylish and cool, like the photos I see on Pinterest. Slapping a journal tag with sloppy writing onto a photo and then stuffing it into a pocket is no longer good enough. I want to have more fun with it, and make more of an effort in documenting not just the happenings of the day, but my feelings, moods, troubles, music I’m into, books I’m reading, and t.v. shows I can’t get enough of. That goes for my daughter, too. I need to spend more time listening to her, and documenting her ever-changing self. She won’t let me take pictures of her right now, but I will concentrate on other aspects of our lives in a better, prettier, more unique way. I want to see some movies, any movies (except scary ones) this summer with big buckets of popcorn (hold the butter) and huge amounts of soda; I want to go to the coast for at least one day (it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from my home), and I’m crossing my fingers and toes that I will be very busy taking an anatomy class as a pre-requisite for the nursing program. All of this I will be STRIVING for (using my One Little Word), and more (eating better, being more positive, taking risks and adventures, exercising, etc., etc.)

What’s on your summer bucket list? Why not put it on paper and decorate it all up? That would make a great vision board! Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

May 5

Happy International Scrapbook Day!

I know that “Scrapbook Day” was yesterday, but I’m still working on some of the challenges from Big Picture Classes, and I know I won’t be able to finish for a few more days. Oh, well! The deadline just ended for submitting projects which qualifies me to be entered into the drawing for one of the many fabulous prizes, but I want to continue to finish every challenge offered to put into my scrapbook album. I’ve been so busy with life lately that almost the only scrapbooking I’ve been doing lately revolves around keeping caught up with Project Life for the most part, so it has been nice to create some real layouts from some of my photos which otherwise would continue to “hang out” in my computer, unseen, their stories untold. It’s nice to have so many photos that I can use (I’ve been taking a lot, lately), and plenty of stories and experiences to document. I was so looking forward to yesterday, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! Anyone else out there participate in any NSD events?

Here are the challenges I was able to complete:

Challenge #1

Challenge #2, adding more photos to a layout by incorporating a modified divided page protector.

Challenge #4 (I skipped #3 for now), using many photos using a 2-page sketch that was provided.

Challenge #5, creating a layout about someone or something you love, with a sketch provided.

Challenge #7, scrapbooking the last photos taken on my phone. I downloaded the recommended app called “Fuzel” (the free version) to create the collage, then printed it out and completed the layout from there.

I had so much fun yesterday, and the best part was the fact that it was my birthday. My birthday wish for myself was to be able to stay home and scrap my little heart out, and I really did have fun! My mom participated as well, and we texted each other to keep in touch and compare notes which made the day even more enjoyable!

When I complete the rest of the challenges I will be back to post those layouts as well. In the mean time, happy scrapping, and thanks for stopping by!

-Jennifer

Apr 30

Times, they are a changin’….

Hello! It’s been a while since I was last here, and I owe you all an apology! My daughter and I have moved to our own place, I’m working a lot, spending a good amount of time trying to take care of myself (soul-searching, reading, journaling), and moving mountains (or so it feels) to get myself back to college so I may at some point in the future (crossing my fingers) become an RN.

I have been needing some changes in my life, and if I were a car, I guess you’d say I am in need of an overhaul. A major one. It has been a rocky road for me lately, but I’m doing what I need to do to become a better person, and this journey is not a walk through the park. It’s more like the yellow brick road where sometimes I’m dancing along just fine, and at other times I stumble across a road block…..but I keep on going, and I’m bound for the “Emerald City”. Also known as self-fulfillment and happiness. Wish me luck!

One thing I have not changed is my love for scrapping and documenting my life, good and bad. Thank goodness for Project Life which lets me do just that, only at my own pace which can sometimes be quickly, sometimes slowly, but lately quite steady and on track. I just haven’t shared anything yet (I’m rather slow at this blogging thing!). I showed a snippet of week 11 last post, and I am ready to share weeks 12 through 17. Be warned, this is photo heavy!

Hello to Fadhilah, my sweet friend! I was so touched by her email to me a while back asking where I’ve been because she enjoys following me, and I must say I didn’t realize I had such followers! She is kind, intelligent and fun to talk with (through emails); we share our experiences of motherhood and scrapbooking. She is a joy, and I have learned that whatever country, culture or religion a woman belongs to, we all have more in common than we may realize. Thank you, Fadhilah! You are a blessing to me.

This is the inside of the folded card with “School Days” and the typewriter on it; it also contains the business card of the counselor I had a meeting with. This was a very special day for me; the counselor was so supportive and friendly, and when I left, I literally broke down in tears I was so overwhelmed with emotion. I’m really going back to school!! It was a dare I gave myself, and I didn’t chicken out. Amazing! The doubt and fear I have been harboring inside for the last 20 years has kept me stuck in one place. It’s time to stop spinning my wheels, face the challenges head on, and grow. I look forward to documenting and scrapping this journey, too.

Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to open up a little piece of my life to you, and thank you to my family and friends for being so supportive. I may not have all the time in the world to blog as much as I’d like, but trust me, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Happiness and best wishes to all of you,

Jennifer

[Oh- I almost forgot to give credit to Becky Higgins' Project Life for the base of the album (including the small page add-on for two 4x6" photos); Studio Calico for the majority of the journal cards and embellishments; Lawn Fawn for some of the wood veneer elements and paper clips; Ormolu for badges; Elle's Studio for journal tags, and Michael's for most of the washi tape.]

Apr 3

Life Is What You Make It.

Sorry for having been gone so long.

Let’s be honest here. Life has thrown me some pretty powerful blows. And, depression runs in my family. No, this is not an excuse, just a statement of fact. I have used this as an excuse, which has been selfish on my part. Ok. Let’s be done with that, and go on to tomorrow and the next day and the day after and so on.

[A song from Talk Talk, a favorite group]

Baby
Life’s what you make it – can’t escape it.
Baby
Yesterday’s favourite – don’t you hate it?
Ev’rything’s alright – live’s what you make it -
Ev’rything’s alright.Baby
Life’s what you make it – don’t backdate it.
Baby
Don’t try to shake it - beauty is naked.
Ev’rything’s alright – live’s what you make it -
Ev’rything’s alright – what you make it.Baby
Life’s what you make it – celebrate itAnticipate it – yesterday’s faded.
Nothing can change it – life’s what you make it.
Ev’rything’s alright – life’s what you make it.
Ev’rything’s alright – life’s what you make it.
Ev’rything’s alright – ev’rything’s alright.

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/talk_talk/

I have learned, lately, that when life (as I think it should be ) doesn’t hold up to my expectations, I need to re-think those expectations. Where on earth do these expectations come from, anyway? Who am I to even have any expectations, anyway? I have no control over anything except myself. I am who I am, and I am learning (I am a very slow learner, by the way)what I can and can’t do. I shouldn’t have expectations, life is what I make it.

As I keep in my mind quite often:

”God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can, and the

Wisdom to know the difference.”

Lately, when things were dark and terrible for me, I also think often of a prayer my grandmother pasted near her old 1950′s (?) telephone in the kitchen of her Ivanhoe ranch house, the “Stepfoots In the Sand”. I didn’t understand that poem when I was a young girl, but her gentle explanation made it so clear to me. I miss my grandparents very much. It helps me a great deal. Knowing who I am, and what I could do, if given the chance, gives me hope. I know in my heart that I can be more than I have settled for. I am capable of being a better person!

I think of my grandparents as my guardian angels watching over me, giving me a sense of “what will be, will be.” I have the courage to change what I can, and if I cannot, it’s not meant to be. I pray for the serenity to accept that. With my family and my work friends, I feel confident that I will. And my guardian angels simply have a different path planned for me. At least I am trying!

In the mean time, I have decided this (thank you, Mom!)

So, from here, I am making more choices. I choose to live my life on my terms. I choose not to be a victim. I choose to help others. I choose to try, what it may, to go back to college and become a nurse. I know I could do it. I could be an awesome nurse, given a chance.

I also feel liberated, now that I have moved to a new apartment, to be me.

There will be much more coming in the future. Just remember that “Life’s what you make it”! Make it great.

Thank you, as always, for being here.

Jennifer

Jan 12

This year, it’s all about striving.

Happy New Year! Once again, I am enrolled in Ali Edwards’ class One Little Word at Big Picture Classes, and the word I have chosen this year is:

At first, I was going to go with the word LEARN, but that’s only part of what I would like to try to accomplish in 2013. I want to learn and grow; see and accomplish, and many more things that I will STRIVE to do more of. It would be unrealistic for me to expect myself to actually meet every goal I have, therefore I will do my best to strive to work on these goals. For January’s assignment, we are asked to stamp our word onto 12 cards, expand a bit on our chosen word, and put the cards into divided page protectors. I copied a lot of what Ali did with her cards because I like her style.

These are my hopes and intentions, what I strive for in 2013. Here’s to a great year, and thanks for stopping by!

Jan 5

December Daily…..finished!!

Finally! I have completed my December Daily album! I am so excited, but, now I have to finish Project Life and get 2013 started! Egad! I’ve been busy with work, getting sick, Christmas, New Year’s, and my 13-year-old’s birthday, as well as other life obligations. It doesn’t help that my computer is so darn slow. Yes, I did take it to one of those computer geek repair shops a while back, and they said nothing was wrong. It worked as fast as lightning for them, of course. Just like a car, huh? Anyway, instead of posting my DD photos here, I put them on Flickr so it would be easier (there are something like 36 photos of my album).

I used Basic Grey’s Aspen Frost collection, some My Mind’s Eye stickers, Ali Edwards’ digital Christmas files from Designer Digitals, bought some silver and gold glitter paper at Michaels to cut my own stars with either my EK Success star punches, or my Big Shot for the larger sized ones. I also bought some washi tape at Michaels as well as the bright red Chevron tape from Two Peas In a Bucket and I couldn’t tell you what brand it is. I also used various things I already had in my stash, or downloaded from Pinterest. My mom was wonderful about stamping some Project Life cards for me with stamps she received from Studio Calico (Thanks, Mom!).

The entire December Daily album can be seen here.

Now, on to Project Life. I don’t tend to show many photos of this project here because I do such a rush job, there wouldn’t be much to see. I am going to try to do a better job this year. Hopefully.

Are you taking Ali Edwards’ class One Little Word at Big Picture Classes? I am, but I still cannot think of my word. Nothing has come to me, except maybe the word LEARN. I have a lot I want to learn, so I can grow more, personally as well as professionally. I’m mulling it around in my brain. It would be interesting to know what your word is, if you’re in this class, and let me know. Thanks for coming by, and Happy New Year!

Nov 9

December Daily prep.

I know it’s just the beginning of November, but I am already in the mood for the Christmas season! Why? December Daily madness! Ali Edwards started it a few years ago, and it has spread like wildfire, and now everyone seems to be doing one. If you’re not in the know, it’s a month-long documentation of Christmas activities, shopping, decorating, preparing, visiting and partying in the month of December. Each day of December seems to be about Christmas, or getting ready for it, no? This is a way to put your special activities into a sweet little scrapbook to remember this Christmas in the years to come when 2012 is long forgotten.

Ali Edwards has a special December Daily kit available through Studio Calico, but it’s pretty expensive, and they run out quickly. Her album, this year, is only going to be 6×4″, too small for me. The album I did last year is approximately 6×8″, which is a much better size, but mine got way too full, so this year I’m going to do another 6×8″ album with divided page protectors, thanks to Simple Stories Snap album.

I think it will cut down on the bulk, and make decorating much more fun. I got the idea when I signed up for Lisa Truesdell’s class “Divide and Conquer” at Two Peas In a Bucket. She uses this same album and shows how to have fun with all the pockets. “Why don’t I do this with my December Daily?’, I thought. Good idea!

After printing out the PDFs for this class and reading through them, I got online and shopped at Two Peas In a Bucket for some essential supplies.

Rather than spend an arm and a leg on a pre-made kit for my December Daily, I decided to make my own (after all, I’m going to need that arm and leg when I shop for Christmas gifts!). Even though the Simple Stories album was unavailable when I wanted to purchase it, it was only two days later that I received an email announcing its return to the shop, so I purchased it maybe three days ago, and it came in the mail today! Good service!

In her class hand-out, Lisa Truesdell explains that she only used a 6×6 paper pack for the album she created; the smaller size is perfect for this album, and all the papers will coordinate together to ensure a cohesiveness throughout the album. I decided on Basic Grey’s Aspen Frost line (I thought it to be the prettiest one), so I purchased the 6×6 pad (saving a lot of money!), a sheet of stickers, a package of mini envelopes, a stitched garland and some more Micro Mini Monogram letters. I wanted some pretty brads, and I loved the ones My Mind’s Eye has in its All Is Bright collection, so I got those as well. I shopped at Studio Calico, too, and had to have their wood veneer Christmas trees, and their Wonderland adhesive badges. I also got my washi tape at Two Peas In a Bucket, and I found sequins at Joann. I still had some left-overs from last year’s December Daily, so I don’t see anything wrong with using those supplies as well:

letter stickers (Basic Grey); baker’s twine (Martha Stewart); Christmas word-fetti (Glitz); bingo cards (Jenni Bowlin); badges (Evalicious); kraft tags (homemade)

[Correction: the word stickers are by Authentique, not Glitz.] I’ve also noticed some great ways to make tags on my own: look for free downloads from your favorite blog, or on Pinterest. I’ve found plenty on Pinterest and I got a free downloads from Ormolu,and Creating Keepsakes:

One of the front, title pages of my DD album.

This is called “subway art” from Creating Keepsakes; you can download it here. The Ormolu download is really nice, too:

You can also download this printable for free, here.

All I need now is for December to get here, and get my camera out and ready for some action! I promise to be back when things are under way to show my progress from time to time. I am really looking forward to it, and I hope you will share your December Daily ideas with me, too! Thanks for stopping by!

Oct 29

Boot camp is over, kids!

Yep, Big Picture Boot Camp is officially over. I just barely got my last drill posted yesterday; tomorrow there are drawings for some fabulous prizes for those who shared their projects in the classroom gallery. I want to win something! Okay, that’s not the only reason to get my projects uploaded, however, I didn’t want to be the last one to cross the finish line! The final boot camp section is about storytelling, and our drill sergeant is Ali Edwards. After documenting my observations of my daughter’s day, I added facts and feelings, a photo, and then created this layout about my daughter’s day, sort of like a time-capsule-turned-layout. This will be so nice to go back over and remember when she’s grown and gone. I loved Ali’s example layout; it’s very clean and simple, focusing on the story and the photo.

Now that boot camp is over, I have an itch to create and I feel so inspired by what I’ve been seeing on Pinterest. I worked the night shift at my job last night, and when it was quiet and I took my break, I watched some fun videos on YouTube by Janna Werner and Mercy Tiara. Both scrapbookers show in their videos the process they go through to create a layout from start to finish. I was mesmerized. I was also very inspired because they both made layouts not too unlike the beautiful ones I’ve been pinning onto my “Memory Keeping” board on Pinterest, and watching the videos showed me how I, too, can create something very different from what I’m used to (a much-needed stretch and work-out for the creative side of my little brain!). Once I got home this morning, I couldn’t wait to get started in my scrap studio.

I began with a photo I love that means a lot to me: an old photo of my 17-year-old grandmother that I had scanned into my computer. She just recently passed away, so I thought pulling this picture out and using it on a layout would be not only a really therapeutic way to deal with the loss, but also a chance to pay tribute to her in my scrapbook.

I started out by cleaning up the worn photo in Photoshop, then printing it out to a 3×4″ size. Next, I went through all my stash and looked for papers that would be neutral, muted, and soft, like Grandma. I then looked for any materials that could add texture to the layout. I grabbed a doily (from the bakery section at Michael’s), a piece of fabric (which came in an old Studio Calico kit from last year), a Maya Road envelope, some polka-dotted vellum (American Crafts–again from an old Studio Calico kit), thread, ribbon (a vintage piece of lacy ribbon from my other grandmother), a Tim Holtz paper clip and his Tiny Attacher and some Studio Calico wood veneer die-cut pieces (including the letters). I threw in some old bits and pieces from my stash that have been laying around way too long (for example, the monthly ledger journal card from 7 Gypsies)…this is a great way to use up old stash so you have an excuse to buy new! I basically created layers by stacking pieces on top of each other until I created a “base” I was happy with (almost like a photo mat with many layers). Before adhering to my background paper, I did some inking with Mr. Huey’s gold mist, glued down some confetti (left-overs from my hole punch) and stitched some hand-cut ‘arrows’ onto the page. Once the ‘mat’ was in place, I just started experimenting with embellishments until I was happy. A few pearl gems here and there, and I was finished. I wanted the photo to stand out from the rest of the page, and I didn’t want it to be bold or loud. I wanted subtle texture and soft colors to make one stop and think. In my opinion, my experiment was a success: I will no longer be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone, and a little messiness can be a good thing. I made lots of mistakes, but I never expected it to be perfect, and that, my friends is the secret! Make a mess. Tear something. Forget to cut the thread. Spill something. Be curious and unafraid: accidents and imperfection can lead to happy endings, after all. I think Grandma would agree.

Papers: My Mind’s Eye, vellum: American Crafts; envelope: Maya Road; tags & journaling spots: Lilly Bee, Studio Calico, Janet Hopkins, 7 Gypsies, Bananafish Studio; stamp: Inkadinkadoo; ink: Tsukineko; fabric: unk. (Studio Calico); doily: Michael’s; wood veneer die-cuts and alpha, paint mist: Studio Calico; tiny alpha stickers: Pink Paisley; brad: Basic Grey; paper clip, staples: Tim Holtz; pearl gems: Recollections; lace ribbon: vintage.

Thank you for stopping by!

Retrospect

documenting life, creating art.

Author Archives: jenniferlala

Project Life, weeks 18-21

One Little Word, May

Summer Manifesto

Happy International Scrapbook Day!

Times, they are a changin’….

Life Is What You Make It.

This year, it’s all about striving.

December Daily…..finished!!

December Daily prep.

Boot camp is over, kids!

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