Retrospect

Her spirit.

jenniferlala — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:46:13 +0000

I had bought a mini-book kit a while back from Inspire Lovely on Etsy, and finally found some inspiration to use it. I had some photos of my daughter at “Spirit Night” back in March (a local school district event to inspire and show off cheerleading from all of the participating schools), and I was itching to put them into either a layout or a mini-album, and this particular mini-album was screaming at me to use it! It took me all of about an hour to throw together, using only the embellishments that came with the kit, save for the alpha stickers, some washi tape, a couple of die-cuts and some stamps. Here it is:

Super easy, especially when most everything came in the kit. Thank you to Deborah Ruiz of Inspire Lovely for this wonderful product which makes memory keeping for me so easy! Thanks for stopping by!

A creative slump…..today?

jenniferlala — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:26:20 +0000

Today is National Scrapbook Day; a major holiday over here for me. But today, of all days, I am in a creative slump. A sort of ‘writer’s block’ for scrapbookers (what would you call that?). I had planned on participating in Big Picture Classes’ all-day Creative Crop…so this is a crisis! But- I talked with my mom and my husband who, being normal individuals (unlike this scrapaholic), informed me that “there are other days” in which I can scrap like a maniac and have my own little scrapbook marathon. Instead of winning prizes, I’ll win my own sense of productivity and accomplishment; instead of posting my endeavors on Big Picture Classes galleries, I’ll post them here. I believe that’s good enough for me! That being said, here are my attempts to meet two of the twelve challenges sponsored by Big Picture Classes:

Number 2 challenge: scrap two photos, each from two different eras, or time frames.

I did not try to do the first challenge, so I began here because Ali Edwards led the way with this one, and I liked her layout. This is an 8.5×11″ scraplifted version of hers using whatever products I happened to have.

Challenge number 5: use iPhone photos in a layout.

I have been using iPhone photos a lot lately with Project Life because it’s so darn convenient. I had this one my daughter took and gave to me; I just love it and had never used it in anything. I also have some new products from Elle’s Studio that I was dying to use, so I took advantage here. I am using some of the new kit “Everyday Moments” which I believe is still on sale here.

Both big disappointments as far as I am concerned, but really, I think what is important is that I participated to the best of my ability, I had a good time talking with my mom, I enjoyed looking at the BPC galleries at others’ work, and I got to scrapbook today, guilt-free. No more complaints, and tomorrow’s another day. Thanks for stopping by, and happy scrapping!

Project Life, so far

jenniferlala — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:14:27 +0000

I haven’t said much lately about Project Life, but I have, indeed, been keeping up with this fun project. I thought I’d share a little bit of what I’ve been doing.

I’ve just finished the latest page:

One thing that has been a must for me is to keep it simple. Working full-time, being active in organizations and my roles as wife and mother do not make it easy to do this project; I cannot make fancy journaling cards or spots (I wish I could) because I just don’t have the time. I felt badly at first that my album is kind of plain, but for me, the importance of Project Life is to document my life. I try to take at least one photo a day (part of my participation in “Photo-A-Day”), and jot down some details and thoughts on something, even if it’s the photo itself. My album will not be featured any time soon on Ali Edwards’ blog as an example of creative beauty, but I’m just thrilled that I’m still at it, taking my photos, getting them printed and getting down the journaling to go along.

These are just a few examples. Now, as far as how to handle my recent trip to New York, I added one favorite photo for each day, and a journaling card with a quick run-down of where we went on those days:

I am making another Project Life-type album of my New York trip because I have so many photos that I want to use. Consequently, I came up with this idea for using the day stickers in order to document an entire week, then a few days later my mom saw something almost identical on Pinterest. Pretty cool!

So, don’t feel badly if your album isn’t turning out what you wanted it to be; just be sure to document as much as you can, and I either spend 10-15 minutes each day to do that day’s photo+words, or I do a week at a time, but never let myself get more behind than that, or I will never get caught up! Good luck with your Project Life, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on what works for you!

An inspiring collaboration has been born.

jenniferlala — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:48:37 +0000

Ever since my mom retired last year, she has been letting her creativity flow. She now has more time to do the things she used to be too tired or busy to do, and quite frankly, I couldn’t be happier for her. She has always been very talented when it comes to using her hands to make, do and create beautiful things; I remember as a child, when we didn’t have much, my mom would sew clothes for my brothers and me; she would paint and wallpaper various rooms; she could decorate with panache even before Martha came along. Actually, to me, she was the original Martha Stewart, making everything she touched special and fabulous. Since I started scrapbooking a few years ago, my mom has taken an interest in whatever I create, and now that she has more time to indulge in her creativity, she has caught the scrapbook bug as well. She’s not exactly putting together 12×12 layouts, but she has a fancy for mini-albums…she has made quite a few nice ones which overflow a lovely basket sitting on her gorgeous fireplace hearth. She enjoys making small journals (or what I call mini-albums) so much, that she can make them faster than she can fill them up, and actually has more fun creating the books than using them for herself. This is where a brilliant idea was born for us to collaborate and sell the journals and books in my Etsy shop, Retrospect

The Everyday Bingo journal

The Everyday Art journal (also known as our version of a Smash book)

The Travel journal

When my mom showed me these journals she made for the first time, I’ll be honest, I thought to myself, “This is something I should have in the shop…” No kidding. They are really cute, and something I would definitely buy from her, if she had a shop. Luckily for me, she’s content with being a “member of my shop”, which pleases me to no end since I just have not had much time lately to create much. It’s a bit difficult, sometimes, working full-time, being a wife and mother, going to church, volunteering, and running a business (now you know why I have not blogged in a long time). I’m waiting for 36-hour days to be invented…but until that time comes, I am grateful for the extra help to keep Retrospect going. It’s nice that the shop has a few more items to sell, and as soon as I can, I will be adding more journals and mini-albums in order to fill up the shop more. I am sure looking forward to seeing what my mom and I can come up with next; with her talent and ideas, I’m sure not to lose my inspiration or motivation any time soon, thank goodness. So be sure to come take a look around the shop sometime in the near future; hopefully you’ll see something that sparks your interest! Thanks for stopping by!

What I’ve been up to.

jenniferlala — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:24:46 +0000

The last time I blogged, it was a Sunday, and I didn’t know what to do with my craft itch. I ended up making a mini book, from Erin Zamrzla, and it was a lot of fun!

It’s a really cute little book, and if I didn’t already have a travel Moleskine for New York, I would be taking that with me (Yes, I’m going to New York for the first time with my hubby tomorrow!), I would be taking this cute little book for notes and to stick ephemera into. It’s a great size; big enough to write comfortable in, but small enough to stick into your purse.

I also recently signed up for Studio Calico’s Happy Little Moments class, as did my mom. She’s really getting the scrap bug like I did, and I love that! We got our kits, and got together at her house last Monday to start work:

After opening the box and just getting started...

Half way through....what a happy mess!

My sweet mom; we had a blast together doing this project!

We didn’t finish, but I promise myself to do that and then photograph my finished book and post it here. I’ll also have New York photos to put together into some sort of cohesive book, and I’m debating how, but my mom did get me a nice Smash-style book from Fancy Pants that looks like it just might fit the ticket. We’ll see.

And, as for Project Life, I’m fairly caught up, except for today and yesterday, but this is what I have that’s been photographed so far:

Project life, week 11

And I have more filled in since then, so next time I post, I will include that. I’ll also have lots of exciting posts from New York, as well. Cannot wait!! My shop will be closed starting this evening so I won’t have to worry about incoming orders, but I’ll open it back up on Saturday, March 31. Take care everyone, and have a great evening!

jenniferlala — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:32:15 +0000

Today is the kind of day I absolutely love: I’m off work, I got to sleep in a little, I feel good, I have no specific plans and I have an itch to be creative! The only problem I have at this time is deciding what! I have so many projects hanging on the sideline waiting for a day like this, it’s difficult to choose…

Do I want to learn a new stitch and create a cute little notebook? [Get this kit here]

Kit from Erinzam on Etsy

Do I want to do Mou Saha’s self-paced class I purchased on Big Picture Classes? [Get this class here]

"Grateful Every Day", by Mou Saha (I even have Gelatos for the drawings)

Do I want to finally do that Valentine’s themed book?

Kits by Elle's Studio and Saturday AM Vintage (both no longer available, I'm sorry to say)

What about taking Ali Edwards’ Storyology Class?

…Or Ali’s Five Class?

No matter what I choose to do today, it won’t be a waste of time, and it will be lots of fun. So, daylight’s burning, and since it is Daylight Savings Time, I better get moving. I’ll be back later with whatever I come up with!

-But! I am caught up with Project Life so far for this month of March (except for today, of course):

Days 1-6

I just love adding in these notes we leave for each other!

Days 7-9

Yesterday, the 10th.

For those days I have more than one photo, or I have extra journaling, I use Cathy Zielske’s Tiny Templates, available at Designer Digitals. She has 4 different variations, and I highly recommend them!

Thanks for stopping by!

I’m back in business!

jenniferlala — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:45:16 +0000

After a long and much-needed hiatus, I’ve reopened my Etsy shop. At the moment I mostly have a few supplies and one hand-crafted village…

Order one cottage, or the whole village!

…and some hand-crafted clipboard displays:

Plexiglass, 6x8"

wood clipboard display, 5x6"

I plan on making some more scrapbooking embellishments soon (hopefully!), but life has been so busy and hectic, I’m lucky to get my shop open at all!

I also need to get caught up on my Project Life; I have yet to start adding my photos and notes from March….I know that the more I get behind, the more difficult it is to get caught up. Here are the latest pages:

Thanks for stopping by, I hope to be back a little sooner next time!

Never Say No To A Challenge, or a giveaway!

jenniferlala — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:15:18 +0000

I love shopping on Etsy. One of my favorites in Saturday Morning Vintage. I just love suspending time “hanging around” looking at the pretty goodies and dreaming. I buy things from the shop now and then, but I admit to being a hoarder….I’m afraid to use things for fear I’ll need it for something special later! But, I’ve been kicking around some ideas lately for a journal; I’m into journals more that layouts, lately, and I’m going through some personal stuff right now and I thought a hand-made journal would be nice to document this journey I’m on. And who would happen to contact me about a scrap challenge right at the perfect time? That Goddess of all that is vintage and beautiful, the lovely Xenia, owner of SaurdayAMVintage! (Yes, Jennifer, there really are fairy godmothers!). Xenia has done this before on her blog in the past where she has fun challenges for her readers. She sends them a package of left-over scraps, and let’s them create whatever they want. I say, bring it on!
Heres the package I received:

I love the way she packages everything! I have an idea for a journal I’d like to make, and I have a handmade plexiglass clipboard that I’ve been wanting to use. The board measures 6×8″‘ and I put a two-ring binder mechanism on it to me different. I the to my brother Rob’s permission to use his photos because I didn’t have anything appropriate that would fit what I wanted to do, whereas Rob has a wonderful way of projecting symbolism and feelings just emanate from the photos. That’s what I wanted. So I went to work and quickly discovered how fragile vintage papers really are! Thank goodness for washi tape and staples. Some pages became collages as portions of the pages fell apart! Not a problem for me, it simply amped up my challenge mode! I sewed, stitched, colored, taped, punched, and hand typed on the papers, having a great time all the while. The final product (with the disappointing title that is not easy to see…)

The entire journal may be seen here

Thanks for this challenge! And to anyone out there, do have piles of left-over scraps taking up space in your craft area? Grab them, find some photos, and see what you can do! I invite anyone to bring your photos in the comments, and I will reward you with a free fiveaway!
Thanks for visiting!

“The Book of Junk Mail”

jenniferlala — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:14:02 +0000

Since my mom retired last year, she’s had more time on her hands to do fun things. Like scrapbook. I cannot tell you how thrilling it is for me to get to share my passion with one of the single most important people in my life. It means so much to me when she emails photos of whatever project she’s working on (for constructive criticism or a little pat on the back); texts me about new web sites she’s just discovered and really excited about, as well as special sales and deals; or phoned me to tell me she is at such-n-such store finding so many cute things “to die for”, and I really need to go look when I can. It’s quite endearing and sweet, and I love how much closer we’ve gotten because of this new-found bond. We have agreed to get together at least once a month (she lives in my hometown, just about an hour south from where I am) to have our ‘scrapbook dates’. These have become very important to us: we take turns going to each other’s home, show and tell what we’ve been doing, talk scrap, and brainstorm ideas, then go shopping to our local craft stores to shop our little hearts out. Oh, and then we have to stop and have lunch so we can oooh and aaaah over what we’ve purchased, trade ideas and inspiration, talk about Project Life, and of course Pinterest (got Mom hooked on both of those recently, too!). By the time we get back to one of our homes, it’s getting late in the day, and we may manage to do a little bit of scrapping….opening the packages, planning what we’ll make, and trying out one stamp. We love it. It’s just her and I, no husbands, no children (excluding yours truly). It’s invigorating, and by the time we get to our respective homes, we’re bursting at the seams to scrap our little hearts out. She’s got more time than I have now, so I don’t have as much to show yet (although my Project Life album has not been ignored yet), but recently she was telling me about a fun idea she came up with, and couldn’t wait to show me. She took the box that her Project Life kit came in, and cut it up to make pages. She then took all the junk mail she received on that given day, and collaged pieces of the mail here and there with words of wisdom……for me. She presented it to me last weekend (our most recent ‘date’), and I was floored. I had no idea this project was intended for me….I know I have been needing a bit of cheering up lately, but I didn’t realize that she took it to heart. So, here is a very special book made from my mother’s heart to add to, to make mine, and to treasure always. Mom, you know I will.

click on photo to enlarge.

I love you, Mom. Thanks a million.

Life Improvements.

jenniferlala — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:20:17 +0000

Final assignment for Journey to Happiness: What Matters Most (Big Picture Classes)…complete. I’m ready to continue on my journey to happiness, and to focus on what matters most! The final assignment is to prepare a journal to write down thoughts/actions/progress notes, etc. for the improvements and changes I intend to make in order to make my life happier and more fulfilling. Since the beginning of January, I have noticed that I really enjoy journaling more; writing down notes, words of wisdom I’ve heard, funny jokes, stories, thoughts and what-not. It has been making me feel better about issues, problems or quandaries I may have; while bearing more weight with the positive thoughts and feelings in my head. This journal will be a valuable tool to keep me on my path to all things good and happy.

[Journal, orange patterned fabric ('FabRips'), and spray mist from Studio Calico.]

Lots of graphed pages for writing, doodling, and pasting photos and ephemera into. Studio Calico also makes these great vintage-looking book plates, too.

I’m still working on Project Life every day. I am so thankful that I finally decided to do this project; I really enjoy it, it’s not terribly time-consuming, and I notice how full and rich my life is…I would not be paying attention to the details as I do now, nor seeing the value of little moments otherwise overlooked. My life is good, and PL keeps me remembering that every day. Some random pages of this week and the last:

I’m not color-coordinated on every page; I don’t have fabulous and perfect-looking journal cards (ala Cathy Zielske); some days have just one photo and other days may have a whole page…but that’s perfectly okay with me. I have been good about taking at least one photo every day, and holding on to bits and pieces to stuff into a pocket for that given day. My pages are pretty random and eclectic, but sometimes that’s how my days are, too. Documenting my moments, experiences, days and weeks is what matters. Date the photos, talk about them a little, relate a story or two, get it on paper, get it into the album, remember.

Thanks for letting my share with you!