Completed Project 12 - 2010 Album!

Close Up of the Front Cover of the Album (colors are not true, sorry!) created with cricut, and MME goodies. And, yeah, that's my shadow.  I was too lazy to take the protective cover off!

My 2010 Competed Project 12 Album

The Inside Title Page (Created with my Cricut, MME papers/embellies, and a Hero Arts Owl that Sami colored!)

All the lovely pages in their page protectors!  Each Month is done!

Left Side of September (completed yesterday)  - I used my Cricut and this page Feature's Jake's 24 Mile Bike Ride, and the Donor List for when he raised $200! (supplies: MME, Stampin Up cardstock).  Sorry for the 'shot' in the album.  Lazy.

Right Side of September - Hybrid, with MME goods and Kathy Z. template (I shared this some months ago!)

 *********************

It's a wrap!  My Project 12 album is done - complete with cover and title page and each and every month is now safely guarded in page protectors! The album is made by Pioneer.  I like the 3 rings! 

I finished 'September' yesterday.  I shared quite some time ago, the right side page, which did not follow the monthly sketch, and when I put it in the album, it needed to be balanced with a left side.  I wanted to share the donor list Jake had for the ride, so I recreated it in word, and printed it on one of the MME papers and then made the left page that you see.  Yippee!  And notice that I used my cricut???? Yes!  Yesterday and Today I got some play time with that beautiful baby!!! 

Well, friends... this concludes the 2010 Project 12 album!  It was so much fun to do, and I have to say, it is one of my favorite albums yet (Disclaimer: My Grandma Marina's Cookbook will always be #1)! 

Up Next?  2011, of course!

December 2010 Project 12 Layout

Becky Fleck Sketch for 2010 P12 - December

Close Up - Fun Embellies:  Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses rubons, MME Holly Jolly Brad, and Martha Stewart Twine!

Close Up #2: More Basic Grey Rubons!  I love houses!!!

Close Up #3: MME Holly Jolly chipboard trims

My Layout: Photo Heavy!!!! (Click on photo to enlarge and see photos!)

Hello favorite peeps...  I am finally sharing with you my December P12 layout!  It's been sitting on my crafty desk for weeks.. I even had to dust it to take the photos! 

Most of the goods you see on this are Basic Grey (Eskimo Kisses) and My Minds Eye (Holly Jolly).  My gosh these two lines are wonderful together! 

Photo run down from top left and traveling clockwise:
1. Jake practicing guitar for Christmas Eve's song night
2. The first Monopoly Game of the 'war' - Christmas Eve
3. Christmas Eve snacks:  LOVE the Harry and David Pears and apples that I bought for US! We also had home made egg nog, tasty cheeses, tasty cookies, etc.
4.  Jake Christmas morning with his 'throwing knives'.  They were on his list and his dad got them.  Joy.
5.  Sami opening her cute white coat that I got her!  Christmas Morning
6. Sami's Snowman with his itty bitty arms, milk bottle top nose.
7. Christmas Morning - Opening Auntie Paula's presents!
8. Letters to Santa, cookies, milk
9. Outdoor scene:  Our kitty MOUSE by the decor at the front of the drive
10. Our tree (the kids hated this little tree I brought home - it's my size and our ceilings are 20' tall, but heck, if I'm the only one getting the tree, then it's gonna be my size!  It looks wonderful)
11. Sami playing with the bears she decorated the window sills with
12. Our wrapping station - everyone grabs their own supplies and goes to wrap
13.  Sami on Christmas Eve playing the keyboard - on top of the useless piano
14. Downtown Baker

And, the journaling

December, 2010

      Regardless of the snow storms,  the ice fog, the below zero frigid temperatures, or even the nasty icy roads and hours spent on the interstate, the days leading up to Christmas seemed a bit warmer and happier than any other winter month! 

      Sami once again helped decorate the house. She took charge of the stockings and she even setup little bear towns in the window sills.  Adorable!  

      Christmas Eve was my favorite night of all. Our tradition includes singing Christmas songs and having a ‘spread of tasty snacks.  Harry & David pears did the trick along with homemade eggnog. Afterward?  Monopoly.  The game continued into the next day and Christmas night! 

     The kids wrote sweet letters to Santa.  Even though they have crossed the threshold of believing in the man himself, the magic of Christmas lives on in both of them.   The next day? After waiting ‘forever’ for Dick to be done feeding the cows and sheep, Jake got his throwing knives, and Sami got her African Dwarf Frogs.  To quote Jake, ‘this was a GREAT Christmas!

    

And, that wraps up 2010 for Project 12!
Thanks for stopping by....

Welcome 2011! My Resolutions for the New Year

Happy New Year!  We woke to MINUS 10 degrees!  Cold!  But the sun is out and it is so beautiful!  A GREAT way to start 2011!  And, the kids and I stayed up to Midnight!  Yahoo!  We did it!!!!!!

Resolutions?

Why, yes!  I do make resolutions!

 Here's my philosophy on resolutions, goals, and dreams:

I am a list maker.  I set goals. I am a big dreamer!  And, it doesn't bother me if I don't reach the finish line, just as long as I am working toward the goal, I feel I have made progress!  As in, some work is better than no work.

Last Year's Big resolution was to stick to a year long scrapbook related challenge.  Project12 - sponsored by Scrapbook & Cards Today - with sketches made by Becky Fleck, and hosted by Davinie.  Guess What?  I did it!  I have one layout to go (December) and I need to finish my September, and poof!  I am done and I have a beautiful Album finished! Yahoo!!!!  Accomplishment.  Finished. 

So.. This Year?   I have a list (of course!).

2011 Resolutions/Goals/Dreams:

1.  I am doing Project12 Again.  Love it so much!  I might focus on a 'theme' for the year.  Thinking on that. I found myself deciding between ranch life photos, vs about the kids, vs highlights vs me.  All could have their own album but who the heck has the time???? Hmm.. maybe one photo of each category?  Let me know your thoughts!
2.  I also signed up for Ali Edward's Class - One Little Word.  The word I picked is 'Thrive'.  (more on that later - why I picked the word, etc.).
3. I am a 'lover' of calendars/datebooks/list making opportunities.  But, I struggle with finding the perfect  'one size fits all'.  I even had an electronic fancy thing (PDA - that I tried syncing with my desktop) that truthfully, drove me crazy!  I like to write.  I like paper.  So, sometime in late 2010, via Ali Edwards Blog, I signed up for the Log Your Memory Log Book. I purchased the hard copy - split into 2 books.  I am not using this for my daily calendar but for my 'memory calendar'.  ** Note:  Edited on 1/4/11 to say:  I had my light bulb moment last night!  I am getting regular emails from LYM, and am now registered on their website, and my gosh!  There is ALOT that goes with this purchase - some real nice exclusive 'members only' goodies for those that purchase the log book! I am now a happy camper!***  I love the themes, prompts, and 'extras' that are tied to scrapbooking.  I might get the online version instead so I can 'tweek it' to fit my snobby needs.   After I discovered it did not fit my appointment needs, I bought a very nice, glossy,  Mary Englebright Datebook, for my 'calendar' and I will use the LogBook for 'memory stuff'.  (So far, so good!) 
4. And... Lifestyle Changes.  I have a second One Little Word.  But, it should be my Big Word.  And that is MOVE.    I am going to be 49 this year, and I really am not 'the girl' I used to be!  Before I married (and these changes were all my doing, not blaming my husband) I used to bike, run, swim and 'get out and play' more.  I moved this body!  So... before I turn 49 I want to have established a 3x a week moving routine.  The deadline on that?  May 12!

So.. There you have it!  My 2011 resolutions!  And I put them here, in print, so I can come back to them, and to be accountable...

Happy New Year!  I gotta 'move' and clean the house and get ready for the  1-1-11 party girl birthday!

Project 12 - October 2010

The October Project 12 Sketch

My Layout - Click on images to enlarge and see all those fun photos!

A Closeup of some fun elements - dark purple pearls and a super cute 'press on'!

Another Closeup of another rubon, some cool rick rack ribbon, and pearls and those purple thickers!

OK!  So this is only 4 days late:).  I'm getting closer and closer to catching up!  Although, I did skip September.  I'll come back to it!

As a reminder, Project12 is a monthly sketch challenge hosted over at the Scrapbook and Cards Today Blog.  There is a link over on the right side on my blog to go to their site and learn more about it.  I have to tell you.. I am getting more comfortable with 2-page layouts and I am getting them done faster!  Becky's sketches are fun to work with, so much, that I purchased the 2011 calendar they are selling on their blog/website!  I can't wait to get it!  An actual scrapbook calendar with sketches that I can hang over my scrappy zone! 



I love this layout.  Oh my gosh.. all of these fun papers, and colors and photos just were fun to play with!  I love the photos of the pumpkins that my kids carved, and of them out in their costumes (my 'sitters' took the photos - I was out of town in CA) and of Sami's nails - which she did herself!


Supplies Used:
Patterned Papers:  Pink Paislee, Cosmo Cricket, Dream Street Papers LLC, and a Digital patterned paper  that I did my journaling on by Celeste Rockwood Jones of Design, Wash, Rinse, Repeat.  Note:  I am having issues with my printer.  I can't feed thick cardstock or photo paper through it!  Arrrrrr.  I have destroyed many a cute patterned paper!  Any hints???
Card Stock: Stampin' Up
Embellishments:  Pink Paislee Rubons; Queen and Co. Dark Purple Pearls, American Crafts Dear Lizzy Thickers, and purple glittery rick rack ribbon purchased off a reel at a lss.

And, here is the journaling:


October 2010.

Turning to Fall.  Some days are spent picking apples off the trees and storing them for winter breakfasts, and the start of sourdough pancakes. 
Fluctuating weather.  18 degrees, 70 degrees.
The end of the Farmers Markets (ours).
Saying goodbye to soccer, and starting basketball and dance - both new for the kids this year.
Shorter days (which means darker mornings - yuck!)  Neither of which is a good thing in our book.
And, then the real fun begins.. kicking off the holiday season - starting with Halloween!
Carving pumpkins at the Maxwell’s - it was raining so we did it in the shop.  Power tools came out again...
 I traveled to CA.  Flew into Sacramento.  Did ‘the trip’ with Erin, my BFF of 30 years.  We were in Davis, San Carlos and Half Moon Bay.  A great trip, but the reason was to celebrate the life of one of our own.  Bittersweet.  And, I missed Halloween!  The first time in my kid’s lives.
The kids got to trick-or-treat twice - downtown in Baker with the two sweet gals that watched them overnight - and then on Halloween, in North Powder.
This October? A busy month.  A sad month.  And, life just rolls on. 


Thanks for visiting sweet friends!!

Project 12 - August, 2010 - Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

August Sketch - Project 12

My Interpretation of the sketch

Ah yes.. Another Project 12 layout!

About Project 12:
Each month Becky Fleck creates a sketch for a 'make a layout once a month' challenge, hosted by Design Team Member, Divinie, over at the Scrapbook and Cards Today Blog.  I'm getting caught up!  This was one of my New Year's Resolutions, if you recall!  Only 2 more to go and I am caught up!

Supplies Used:
CS and little scallop punch: Stampin' Up
Big Scallop Embossing Punch:  EK Success
Patterned Papers: October Afternoon & Cosmo Cricket
Stamp:  Kim Hughes Spring Trees (Cornish Heritage Farms, so sorry they are no longer!)
Ink:  Stampin' Up and Ranger
Embellishments:  Cosmo Cricket and goodies from my Midnight Rooster Kits!

See the Vintage label above my journaling?  It used to say 'Hudson' but I cut it out with a craft knife, and put 'Missouri' in it instead!  Added a little distress ink to try and make it blend better than white.

Journaling Reads:

August 2010

      For our big summer vacation, the kids and I went to Missouri to visit our favorite auntie, Paula!   We flew into St. Louis and had a week of blissful days.  Her apartment was right against a creek. Oh the sounds of the cicadas!  I LOVE the sounds of the insects. The weather was wonderful with just a touch of humidity! 

     We got our school shopping done at Chesterfield, Mall where I used to work when I was in High School! And low and behold, they now have an Arichvers!!! 

     We showed the kids our old home, our schools and the Lake where we played.

      We spent most of the time at Tan Tar A, a Resort at Lake of the Ozarks.  We each had ‘our day of saying what activities we would do.

Jake: Bears Den Arcade

Sami: The Indoor Waterpark

Paula:  Poolside, with cocktails!

Me:  Golfing! 

      We were poolside daily, and had a blast.  We also found outlet stores and Sami was in heaven with a visit to Aeropostale.  And, every single day, we made sure we ate ice-cream.

Lake of the Ozarks

To go to project12, click on the Project12 button over on the right in my sidebar.  It will take you to the Scrapbook and Cards Today Blog and give you all the scoop!


Thanks for visiting!

Project 12 - July, 2010 - Silver Lake, CA

July Sketch - Project 12

My Interpretation of the Sketch

Close Up of some of the elements

Another Close Up

Things are finally slowing down for me and I am catching up on my Project 12 layouts!  Today I finished up my July layout of our trip to Silver Lake, CA.

*** To go to the Project 12 challenge site, hosted by Scrapbook and Cards Today, click on the Project 12 blinkie on the right side of my blog ***


I LOVE the 2nd page of this 2 page spread.  I printed the photo of the sailboat out in black and white, and gosh, it just makes my spirit happy! 

Supplies Used:
Bazzill, (textured) and Stampin' Up (black) cardstock
Creative Imaginations Patterned Paper (butterflies)
Crystal Stickers Black Pearls
October Afternoon ticket stub stickers (October Midnight Rooster Kit)
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
Stampin' Up Border Punches


Journaling reads:

July 2010 –

When Dick was young, he spent his summer’s at Silver Lake, in CA near Susanville.  The family cabin was sold long ago, and late July we found out his sister had it for a week!  With just 2 weeks to plan, each of our kids got to invite a guest and we hit the road! 

The drive was long. From Eastern Oregon to Burns Oregon to Alturas, CA and then to the Susanville area.  And getting to the lake?  Practically impossible!  If it wasn’t for a paper pie plate, we would have missed the turnoff!

Sami and Jake got to do all the things their daddy did during his summer months.  They sailed, they paddled canoes, they hiked to the small lakes nearby, they roasted marshmallows at night, and Jake got to climb the rocks across the lake and even found the cave where his Grandfather and his dad both had written their names.  Jake got to write his name also.  

                With no electricity, or even cell phone service we were off the grid.  We managed just fine with antique gas lamps and wood-heated cook stoves.  The best part?  Seeing Dick be a kid again!

SILVER LAKE, CALIFORNIA 

 Thanks for visiting!

Project 12 - June Layout - This is June?

My June Project 12 Layout - Click on to Enlarge and read journaling

Project 12 June Sketch - By Becky Fleck

Here is my submission for June's Project 12 Sketch hosted by Scrapbook & Cards Today, and Davinie.  My entry is late, but alas, I am still caught up! The colors are all funky in the photo.  Hopefully if you enlarge it it will look better!

I also saved my 2-page layout photo as a 4x6 - hopefully you can 'see' it!  If not, please click on it to enlarge!

Products Used:
Base Card Stock: Kraft Cardstock - Stampin' Up

Patterned Papers:  I used my July Midnight Rooster Kit for most of the papers used (Collage Press Knave of Hearts Collection; Prima Marketing Pastiche Collection, American Crafts Botanique, and Pink Paisley Queen Bee Collection). 
Embellishments:  American Craft 'Flat' Patterned Thickers (also from my Midnight Rooster kit), K&Co Alphas (Wood Grain), Lace (also from Midnight Rooster Kit), Cub Scout Sticker Title & sticker emblem (K&Co Boy Scouts of America Kit), Time to Together journal strip (Studio Calico), and Jenni Bowlin Rubons (Ranch Life, lines above and below). 

Fun Technique: My Stamped and chalked 'Created' Patterned Paper:  I did not have 2 sheets of the gorgeous Collage Press 'Clouds' patterned paper you see on the left page, so I created a 2nd page to 'match' at best I could.  What I used was: My new Hero Arts Vertical Clouds Stamp, Versamark, and Pebbles Inc, chalks.   ** I loved doing this! **

Things to Share: 
Journaling:  Our summers are crazy!  Baby lambs, calves, chickens.  Working at the Farmers' Markets in Pendleton, Portland, La Grande and Boise. Irrigating. School just ends.  No real social life.  The weather was cold all month! Grandma Pat came! Great thunderstorms. Jake had Scout Camp. The kids wanted to sleep in the tent, a bit nippy.  And then there are the views.  I wouldn't give it up for any city life!  As hectic and crazy as it is.  We still have it good!

Photo descriptions:  (I see I neglected to put these on the pages!):
Left Page:
1. Ernest, out watching Dick moving cattle (one of my absolute favorites!  Ernest is retired, and he often just gets to watch.)
2.  Photo of our cattle in one of the fields caught on my morning walk.  I love the sky, the trees, the field, the cows!
Right Page:
1. Jake holding the rain maker he made at camp (and wearing his 'safe the earth recycle my sister' shirt!)
2. Jake, Grandma Pat (my mom), and Sami.

OK!  That's a wrap!  Thanks so much for visiting!