How Did I End Up Here?

April Kit Killing

Here it is! Despite some serious MOJO-IS-A-NO-GO issues, I managed to get the April Studio Calico kit killed. No add-on kits this month, but I did get some things from the store like the Basic Grey shapes.

Last Saturday I sat for less than two hours and planned out my layouts. You can see these layouts on this post at Studio Calico.

And here are the finished layouts, which I completed in about 2 hours this morning. I usually work on them during the week, but that just wasn't possible last week.

Whew. Just in under the wire. Now I'm ready for May! Funny thing about this month though was that I didn't use my favorite piece of patterned paper from the kit. Hoarding issues? Probably so.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

The one about the dog.

I haven't talked about Miss Nelli lately, so I thought I'd give an update.

She continues to be the love of our lives. Not even kidding. We talk about Nelli like she's one of our children. Yes, I'm one of those people. Who knew?

Here are some recent pics of her that show her funny little ways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's me again.

Since today is an ICE DAY, AKA a day off from school, AKA AWESOME, I thought I would take a minute and post something on this poor, neglected blog.

It's a bit of a tough day for me, as it's my dad's birthday. But the funny thing is the connection we had over calling snow days. All of my life, if the weather showed any hint of snow-day possibility, I would go to him and ask him to "call it." And dang if my whole life he didn't call it perfectly! And year after year I would share with my students my dad's "gift." I suppose over time it has become mine, as I am known with my students as the "Snow Day Queen."

So who whoulda thunk that in April, the first birthday without my dad, when a snow day was virtually IMPOSSIBLE, that we would indeed get one?

Thanks, Daddy.

Here is a week of Project Life that was shared on the Simple Stories blog.

Here are the close-ups

Details:

Enjoy your Friday. I know I will!

 

The March Kit Killing Post - Final

Life. It has a way of getting in the way of my creativity! LOL! But here is the end of the March kit.

First, here are the first five layouts started in the last post completed.

Then I repeated the process for three more layouts:

And here they are, done!

Every month at the end of the kit I cut up the remaining papers (unless it's a full sheet) and I make some cards for Project Life. Here is what's left this month:

The remaining embellies go into my stash, and kit is officially killed! Bring on April! ;)

Kit Killing - March - Part 1

I. Am. Busy. Too much so right now. It's all been good, don't get me wrong. From teaching Photoshop Elements, to teaching Project Life, to teaching math, to Em and Kevin visiting over the weekend, to playoff basketball games to time change to parent teacher conferences . . . it's been non-stop GO. Not complaining, as it makes the time go faster. I am READY for spring, and warmer weather.

So I had about 1.5 hours on  Sunday afternoon, and I sat down and assembled 5 layouts. I had already used my Cameo and print and cut feature for March before ever getting the kit. I also printed out pics I thought I wanted to use this month.

One change though is for the first time ever I bought an add-on this month. I got Wendy, and it is beautiful! Terrible timing though, because what I realized is my normal idea of killing a kit = 5 layouts total will be more like 8 layouts. That will make me feel like I USED the kit. KWIM?

 Sorry for the slightly (very) blurry photo. Snapped it with my phone. I usually lay out the letters/stickers next to the layouts I am going to use them on.

I even cut out some of the rub-ons and set them on the layouts in the place I THINK they will go in the final layout.

One more angle.

I usually assemble one layout per night after completing this step. I suspect these layouts will be sitting on my dining room table a bit longer than usual . . . which is fine. Then I will repeat this for the last three layouts. 

I will update as I get these done! Wish me luck!

Composition and Color Layout

I did this layout for Webster's Pages. I could use this line all of the time!

Happy Thursday!

Lucky Charm

OK, I LOVE this line by Dear Lizzy. There is something about the colors and the patterns . . . swoon! I did two layouts and a week of Project Life with it. FUN!

Haven't photographed the PL week yet, but will share when I get a chance. Happy Wednesday!

December kit share . . .

Well, not all of it, because I didn't photograph it all yet. Still catching up with blogging/posting layouts. It's funny, because I have created a lot the last few months. But the posting stuff is just too much for me right now.

Another layout I did with the kit is the second layout on this post. I know there is at least one more, but for whatever reason I didn't photograph it. For the first time ever I have two boxes of layouts that are not in albums. It just isn't my usual practice, but it's all I've got right now.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

It all started with this . . .

a wish to redo the family room and kitchen. And when Miss Nelli decided to chew an ink pen and wreck the carpet, well, we decided it was the perfect time to get it done!

So I decided to make "mood boards" which would serve as an inspiration for the spaces. I went through all of my pins on Pinterest and looked for what was catching my eye. The big ideas? Grey and white with dark wood floors. Without spending a lot of money.

For the family room I fell in love with the big clock, the dark grey couch, and decided I wanted some chevron somewhere. I also decided to paint the walls grey (two colors) and the fireplace brick white with the darker grey walls.

And for the kitchen? Replace the ugly lighting fixture, paint the cabinets white, and get stainless appliances. Paint the island grey with pendant lights. Also, replace the desk area (AKA junk collecting spot) with a pantry. Here is my mood board.

We started January 1, and I'm pleased to say a lot is done! There is still a lot to do. I'll update with new pictures soon.

A rare weekend post . . . ode to Elle

ButI have to mention the generosity of Elle of Elle's Studio. My 6-month term was up in January, but she was sweet enough to send all of us former DT members the new collections. And I AM IN LOVE. Here is a layout I did with the You and Me Collection.I know I have already used this photo . . . I did a test with my printer and Lightroom and printed at least 3, so you may just see it again. LOL!

I also did the week of Valentine's Day of Project Life using the line.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to design for Elle, and will support her for always! Thanks, Elle!