Here's the scrappy

As I promised earlier today, I'm back with some scrappy fun to share!!  First up is a link to my post last week over at Noel Mignon.  We were sharing all things organization & I chose to share some pics & ideas on how I am organizing my Project Life for this year - check it out HERE :)

Speaking of Noel Mignon - I have been enjoying playing with January's Fresh Start kit :)  For this layout, I chose to keep a fairly neutral layout with lots of white space.  Then, I tried to simulate the "explosion" of a science experiment with some sprays of color out to the right side of the page.  Feel free to head over to the blog for details HERE :)

 

The January kit is sold out, but Noel has a great special term offer out for March through June.  This is the perfect time to try them out for a few months.  Her kits are packed of awesome goodies & tons of patterned paper - you will just love them!!



I am currently one week in to my Project Life.  A few weeks behind already, but as long as I stay within a month, I'm not going to worry!!!  I used a mix of the Cocoa Daisy Day in the Life kit & their main kit, Blueprint.  I also added a few goodies from my stash.



My cover page was cut from a Becky Higgins Design F page protector so the back was my left side for week one.  Love their exclusive Cocoa Daisy letterpress card and that adorable Freckled Fawn cork frame!!



For my right side I used a Becky Higgins Design G page protector.  The October Afternoon yellow alphas just won me over - big time :)  Love them!!



For week 2 I plan on using the Design G for the left side and Design A for the right.  Ideally I'd like to work into 2 - 12 x 12 page protectors as I usually take lots of pics :)

Have a fabulous Thursday - the weekend's almost here - YAY!!

busy with bedtimes & birthdays

Yes, you read it right :)  We are busy over here with bedtimes & birthdays!!  After just finishing up celebrating Ryan's birthday at the end of December, we were on to my father's and then Nicholas'.  December & January are busy months for us!!  My plan was to move Nicholas into the bed the week after his birthday. Yes, I know, he's turning three, and in a crib.  Not to mention he fit the crib end to end.  But he never tried to get out & he liked it & all mommies know how much easier it is when the kiddos are confined to a crib :) Less worrying about rolling out, or getting stuck in the crack between the wall and the bed, or running around in the middle of the night :)  Unfortunately, Ryan put our plans in fast forward as somehow he managed to break the front of the crib Saturday morning.  Nicholas' crib had a small front portion that folded down when taking kiddos out and then pulled up & clicked shut on either side with latches when putting kiddos in.  Don't ask me how, but he not only broke one of the latches, but also a chunk of wood came off - BOYS!!!  Anyways, we spent the day safety-proofing the room for any late night wanderings and getting the bed ready.  This little man LOVED it & did so awesome - YAY!!



The next day we celebrated his birthday - Mickey Mouse style!!





And of course a birthday of my boys wouldn't be complete without some lego building :)



Amidst all the celebrations, I have tried to squeeze in some scrappy time :)  Finally I was able to get my Project Life cover page done.  I recently purchased the Cocoa Daisy Day in the Life January kit and used it to start my album.  I loved the mix of colors against the black & white pics.  Unfortunately as I was looking through my photos, I realized the ONLY family pic I had was from Halloween - totally sad!!  And we are not even all looking the same direction :)  Classic!!  Anyways - I still used it, along with 2 of my favorite pics of the boys.  I kept it pretty simple - which by the way is my goal for the year with Project Life.  I didn't stress about non-rounded and rounded corners.  My favorite card is the yellow one.  I added some hand-stitching and those gorgeous October Afternoon script alphas!!!  A little bit of tone on tone action :)



I shared a sneak peek of this layout last week - but here's the full reveal!!  This is my first layout with the January Noel Mignon Fresh Start kit.  For details you can head over to the blog post HERE :)



I will be posting this Thursday at Noel Mignon on my Project Life organization and tips so be sure to stop on by :)

The Magic of a Snowfall

"I am younger each year at the first snow.  When I see it, suddenly in the air, all little and white and moving, then I am in love again and very young and I believe in everything."  - Anne Sexton

I LOVE the snow, maybe if I lived in a different place that got snow all the time I'd feel differently.  But since here in the Mid-Atlantic it is usually hit or miss, it's pretty magical when we do :)  I will admit I stalk the weather channels and forums during the winter season & I might just be that person that stays up until the wee hours just to see the first snowflakes fall.  I'm weather geeky like that :)  And my kiddos - well they love it just the same!!

I have a beautiful Noel Mignon Fresh Start kit staring at me right now, but I'm in a creative rut.  Just trying to decide how I will document my memories in 2014.  I do definitely want to continue Project Life this year.  I was not as successful as I would have liked in 2013, but I did cover a decent number of weeks.  I take tons of pics so I do think I need to document weekly.  I love the new 6 x 8 albums popping up, but I'm pretty sure I need 12 x 12, especially since I really want to focus on this being my main source of documenting 2014.  I still plan on maybe taking 4 - 6 special pictures or moments from each month to do individual pages of & keep in a separate album.  I'm just stuck on whether I want to do 12 x 12 or 8 1/2 x 11.  What are your plans for memory keeping this year?  Project Life or traditional scrapbooking? or both?

In the meantime, I have been perusing the new goodies coming out for the Winter CHA.  Nothing like
window shopping to help with procrastination :)  Here's what has piqued my interest . . .

#1 Jenni Bowlin - I LOVE these gold rub-on stars!!  I'll be honest, I NEVER in a million years thought I'd like anything gold, scrapbooking or otherwise :)  I'm a silver kind of gal :)  But one of Noel Mignon's past kits had a number of gold products in it & I really liked using them on my pages.  Stars are a no-brainer & gold, well yes - I'll take that!

 

#2  I've haven't bought much My Mind's Eye in a while - but I really like this color scheme.



#3  Basic Grey - I've really liked some of their recent collections.  I also really like Kelly Purkey's work so this is another no-brainer for me :)  LOVE the papers & the embellishments - Mon Ami is right up my alley.

 

I also really am excited to see their Capture products this go around.  I love the look of this sneak peek - a little bit like Sassafras Lass :)



Oh & all these cute little alphas!!



 #4  Elle's Studio - I've been a fan of her work for a long time & loved when she started creating papers to go with all her fun tags.  The wood veneers she's coming out with her collections are awesome too!!



#5  Simple Stories - I really think I will like using some of the DIY collection for my Project Life - super easy to use & versatile for all types of memories :)



#6  Crate Paper - I haven't bought much of Crate Paper in a while.  But I do like the patterns in their new boy line.  Also the clear alphas are pretty cool!!



#7  Pink Paislee - I'm impressed this CHA with Pink Paislee!!  I like the direction they seem to be headed.  They had became a bit flowery & vintage for my taste, so I haven't bought any in a long time. However I do really like the bright, cheery color scheme of their Hello Sunshine!!



#8  Studio Calico - I'll be honest, their papers are not my cup of tea recently, but I do love many of their embellishments.  Their new basics line has some must-haves for me like these chipboard hearts & stars and the fun alpha & label stickers!







That's my favs for now!!  What are YOU seeing out there that is peeking your scrappy interest??