The Coolest Place on Earth Today!

This is a definite must see. A big party is going on here at http://www.houseof3.com/ The most beautiful projets, project ideas, blog goodies, downloads...these ladies have got it going on! What an amazing addition to the world of scrapbooking! You gals rock!

Latest Creation- A Love Story

So I had this concept. I really wanted to do a scrapbook of my wedding. Of course the options for this, and the type of album I wanted to make are endless. However, the phrase "one fall day" just came upon me and stuck in my head. From that moment I knew I wanted to do a story telling scrapbook, one where I could look back and re-tell our story, about "one fall day"in september, plain and simple in nature, with our photos serving as the illustration to our story. Of course I really did not know how to go about this, and one night, when I had no time and had to go to bed because I had to work in the morning...inspiration hit. I had found the perfect papers and embellishments a while ago (Little Yellow Bicycle line....LOVE this) I just needed the inspiration and the idea to follow through. I dug through my stash, found a blank 7 gypsies 5 x 7 board book and set to work. In a few nights, the project was complete and has turned out to be one of my most favorite projects. I love the simplistic design, the papers, the journaling, the white painted edges, the embellishments...it just came together so nicely for me.

It is amazing too, at how "little" a person needs to make a cute mini album. I really barely used much as I wanted to focus more on the pictures and words, less really was more for me.

Anyways, just a quick share.

Still working on more projects and our Mexico album.

Gotta love it when those creative juices are flowing like mad!

Now...just to find those 4 extra hours in the day that I really could use!:)

Just Happy To Be

Just happy to be here right now. Happy that it is almost the weekend. Happy that I made it through another day, alright. Happy that those I love are all safe tonight. Happy that I can cozy up with my book right away. Just happy to be.

Documenting Our Year

This is my February layout from my "Year in the Life" project I am doing of Matthew and my first year being married. I just wanted to have some sort of simple way to document the months of things we have done, gone through, etc. during our first year of marraige. I think it will definitly be something neat to look back on in 5, 10 15 years plus. Already, I look back to September and I cannot believe it has already been 5 months! Wow! I really like this project, in that, every month I look forward to completing a layout without feeling "I have" to do it, or get it done, because it all happens to often when we are all under some sort of pressure the creative desire seems to subside faster than we know. Reflecting back on the long weekend, it was nice and busy. On Saturday I did some things around home and then had a fondue dinner with my hubbies side of the family. It was really neat to do. Then on Sunday, we made wedding invitations for my sister in-law's wedding as she is getting married the beginning of July. Between all this I have been dealing with a nagging sore throat and beginnings of a head cold, so I have been trying to nurse that so it does not haunt me this week!

I happened to just stumble across this book yesterday in the grocery store, and I literally cannot put it down. You know how sometimes you think you choose things...however the more I read of this book, it is like the book somehow chose me. It is definitly some of the most inspiring words I have ever read, and I recommend it to anyone who is in the need of a little something to put your world back into perspective, and how change, trials and adversity are all here for very important reasons and with them come lessons for us all to learn from. It is a very empowering book and I cannot wait to see what else it has in store!

Definitly some amazing soul food happening here.

To Love

In the spirit of the month of February, which usually centers around all things "hearts & love" I thought I would jot down some random things I am LOVING right now. It is funny how some things change so quickly, where others my affection never falters. To love things makes me excited, blessed, grateful, and simply happy! These are 10 things I am loving right now. 10. My beautiful new earrings my husband surprised me with after work. He was so excited to give them to me...so cute...however, his excitement and anticipation to give them to me meant more to me than the earrings itself! 9. My morning breakfasts. Nothing tastes better in the morning than fresh berries with yogurt and granola. A definite staple in my diet and probably the best way to start the day. Reminds me of summer time! 8. My magazines. A constant source of escape, inspiration and creative goodness. Probably my most favorite way to wind down the day and my thoughts...by indulging in a magazine or book, getting those creative juices flowing. 7. My camera. Without it I would be lost. 6. Being able to see and call my mom and dad whenever I want and or need to. So lucky in so many ways with this one. Definitly something to LOVE. 5. The song "Lost" by Coldplay. I never really was a fan of this band, but I am just LOVING this song right now. 4. My weekly walk dates with one of my good friends. Such a great way for us to catch up and refresh our minds, bodies and souls. I love our re-connection. 3. My cousins children. They are the sunshine in my life, the greatest kids in the world. I love them to bits. 2. My home. Everything about it I love. It may not be big, brand new, or fancy in any way. It may only have one bathroom, limited closet space and a creaky floor. But it is home, it is full of everything and more that we need. It is our place of comfort and safety, a place where we have and continue to create many memories together. I love it here. 1. My husband. He continually surprises me with his thoughtful and caring ways. I love how it is in the simplest mannerisms that his true character shines through. He does not need to buy me expensive things in order to show he cares. It is in the simple gestures and actions that truly touch my heart and capture my attention. I love the way he takes care of me. It is in these moments my heart is truly captivated. To love...what an amazing feeling.

So far, so good

So I finally began on my scrapbook of our honeymoon. Even though I have done some layouts already, and a mini album with some of these pictures, I still wanted to tell the story of our trip. To me, this is the best way. Something less elaborate, more simple, just basic and plain. Something that we can open and look at and escape back to that certain moment in time. It was so special, something that we will never experience again. Of course I look forward to creating many more amazing memories, however nothing is like what we experienced and shared with each other on our honeymoon. It was incredible. For this reason, I want to be focusing on more of the words and the sentiment and less on the decorative elements (even though I LOVE embellishments), I just wanted to try and keep this as simple as it could be and focus pure and simply on the story. Here is what I have done so far, and the best images I could take considering the lousy lighting in my room!

My title page. I found these chipboard flip flops months ago and immediately knew I would have the perfect place for them! They are from Riff Raff Designs...definitly one of my most favorite finds and I love how they accent the page perfectly.

My 2 page layout of the night before we left for the airport. Again, another 2 page layout. This one highlighting our first nights stay at the Hotelito in Puerto Vallarta, and the very unique and special experience we had in releasing baby turtles into the ocean. Very memorable for both of us, and I found very significant and symbolic. Just as the turtles were being set free for a "new beginning and new life" so was Matt and I. I love symbolism and the "deeper meaning" of things! Makes ordinary life SO much more interesting and completely emphasizes my belief that everything happens for a reason.

Close up look. One of my favorite moments I captured of Matthew. Just enjoying and savoring the moment. This is definitly one of my most treasured photos, I find it to be such a beautiful image. I wish I could go back to what I was feeling at this moment....the sounds of the waves crashing, the feel of the warm ocean breeze blowing and the sand beneath my feet and in between my toes. One of the worlds amazing marvels I tell ya.

And then there is me, completely embracing my moment here and taking it all in. Ever since we had got back from our Hawaii trip in 2005 I have dreamed of coming back to the ocean and savoring it even more than I had already had. This was my chance, my moment to just "be" and take it all in with no distraction...and to also run and behave and dance like I was 5 years old.

It was such a great moment.

Just the beginning of our very special story.

Sunday Fun

Today was such a beautiful day. The weather has finally been tolerable, and the fresh air is just feeling so good! For the first time this winter...as it has not been -35 degrees, Matthew and I spent the later part of the afternoon outside with the sleds. I sure do not know the first thing about sledding, however it was fun just to play around and learn. We had just gotten a huge dump of fresh powder on Friday and Saturday of this week, so it was really quite deep and nice to ride. Plus, anytime for photos, count me in! It was nice to just spend some time together outside visiting, taking in the fresh air and just enjoying some time away from the usual craziness of work and life. Matthew showing off for me so I could get a few good shots of him. This one turned out to be one of my favorites. Matthew trying to be a photographer.

Me trying to be a photographer...and by NO means am I a professional in any way, shape, or form...but this above photo does take my breath away (even if he is wearing a ridiculous fur hat and is thinking he looks cool! haha).

I also spent some time this weekend working on my latest project. It is a scrapbook of our trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I have done a few layouts, but I really wanted to make a unified coordinated album really documenting our trip, and it's highlights, from start to finish. I am including a lot of journaling...really trying to focus on the story more than anything. I just want something that we can look back on, and that can really take us back. I really want to tell the story of it. Something that we can always go back to, that special time and place in our lives. In some ways it is a simpler project, in that I am not stressing over the layouts and embellishments and all the little things...but in a way it is almost more complex in that when you are wanting to tell a story, you want to tell it well...so it is definitly taking more time than I had thought it would. In any case, I am just enjoying the process of putting it all together. I will be sharing some of my completed layouts soon!

My Little Tree of Reminders

So, I made this simple tree. Something to sit on my kitchen table, to just "be", something that I could always catch a glimpse of now and then...to continuously remind myself of the real gifts in this life. It can seem really hard nowadays to keep a positive frame of mind when it seems at times this world is swirling in a down ward negative spiral. I just felt the need to try and make things feel better. I love being in a positive environment, and I love creating a home of comfort and positive energy. I crave these kind of reminders. So I gathered some twigs, ribbon, patterned paper and set to work. On the branches of my tree hang words such as "balance", "celebrate", "gratitude", "pray" etc. Believe it or not (it has been over a month since I have made this project), but I still read these little words everyday...whether it be while I am cleaning, cooking, or just sitting. I always catch myself reading them over and over...they really help me to become uplifted again, and inspired! “Simplicity means to be free of desires and attachments, and supremely happy within…It entails neither hardship nor deprivation, but the wisdom to work for and be content with what you truly need.” – Paramahansa Yogananda