The other day I felt like playing and making a layout just for the fun of it (because it's been too-gosh-darn long), and this is what I came up with:

I have had this 12x12 enlargement since last summer after we spent an evening at the Indiana State Fair.  Originally I was going to include this large photo in my Project Life for this particular week, but ended up using a different enlargement of the evening.  SO, I have been hanging on to it, and wasn't quite sure how I was going to use it.  

The idea came to include it as a 2 page layout.   It was fun to play with this photo enlargement and create a grid style layout to go with it.

I stitched a grid on white cardstock, and used elements from Elle's Studio, October Afternoon, Studio Calico, and My Minds Eye to fill it portions of the grid.   The journaling around the grid was the final touch.

Now, whenever I create a layout I also think about what album it should be displayed in.   Since I feel like my Project Life album is my "primary" album these days, I will likely include it within this particular week.   Not 100% certain though.    However, I do love idea of merging the two concepts of documenting into one album-- why not?

Thanks for swinging by today!  

Should I be Concerned?

Let me set the stage.

We are having a lovely afternoon bowling at Latitude 39 (ummm... whoa.)

And I turn to see this:



My daughter dancing to Whitney's "I wanna dance with somebody".

Nevermind the fact this is my FIRST. EVER. ALBUM. PURCHASED.

Nevermind the belly rub.

Nevermind the one toe pirouette (in a bowling shoe, hobbling- a la' Latso the Bear, nonetheless.)

Nevermind the partial running man.

Or the fact that she didn't know I was filming.

Should I be concerned?

Oh, no...

This is 100% Jordan.

Project Life Week 3: Less Photos

This week's Project Life covers the week of January 14 -20th. 

I had a lot of fun working on this week.  I wasn't sure I had enough photos, but in the end I had TWO different inserts.   

This might sound weird, but one thing I am working on is to NOT have a photo for every pocket.  Sure there are weeks where this will happen, and that is totally fine.   But I want to experiment in creating with more images, logos, and larger (non photo) items.  To me, this allows me to really appreciate and highlight the photos that are included.  It's been a fun experiment so far.

Some of our stories from this week:  totally obsessed with Star Wars.  Jonah and Jordan are loving the original trilogy and has watched all three.   Jonah lost a tooth, and he earned an Orange Leaf reward for hard work on this seat work papers.  We had a fun date night on Friday.  My mom, the kids and I went to the outlet mall this week.  Todd built shelves in our basement.  I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets ever this week.   That about sums it up :)

I trimmed a Design A Page Protector from Becky Higgins in half for the first insert.   I love the Elle's Studio "my favorite" tidbit on the front side and the Studio Calico days of the week flair on the backside.  

The second insert is an originally cartoon by Gary Varvel from the Indianapolis Star.  It's a drawing of my dad (far right) and his three brothers holding a copy of Resolve, and a drawing that shows their father, H Clay Conner Jr defending the American Flag in the jungles of Bataan.  Super cool.  (the stamps and ink are by Jenni Bowlin).

  

The backside of the insert is a collage of many of the clothing tags acquired on our outlet mall trip.  I like seeing all the sale prices and also sizes of the kids.

The final right page is an enlarged photo of a sunset from this week.  This was taken with my iPhone and printed as a 12x12 through mpix.com.   Really happy with how it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to stop by Elle's Studio today to see my PL post (and giveaway).

Also linking up with The Mom Creative today.

Project Life was created by Becky Higgins as a way to simplify how you document life and preserve memories. Photo pockets used in my Project Life are created by Becky and can be found here. You can read all of my Project Life posts here.

Living Room: Before and After

I've slacked off a bit in showing photos of our new (older) home renovation.  So what better time to show you the living room???

This is the room right off of the entry.  From the left you go down the hall to the kids rooms, and to the right is the kitchen.  This is where we spend most of our time (aside from the kitchen, ahem.)  

Here are a few photos before the renovation.

---- B E F O R E -----

Actually these photos were taking after the carpet was removed, so renovation a had already begun.  In the corner was a wet bar.

To the right of the living room is the entry of the kitchen.  There were also low ceilings, ceiling beams, and paneled walls.

The fireplace (to the left of the wet bar). Also there was a bookcase.  And the bay window (which we LOVE)

--- I N   P R O G R E S S---

Our main goal for this room was to RAISE THE ROOF.  we wanted a high ceiling.  The transformation was fun to watch.  Thankfully we had NOT moved in the home yet, so this was easy to complete in a short period of time.

We also added new hard wood flooring in the living room (and all other rooms in the house other than bedrooms and kitchen).

And ceiling fans.

And trim. And can lights. And a new mantle for the fireplace.

To our new living room---

--- A F T E R ---

Seriously. I love this room.  i feel like it's SO ... us.

Sure, there are many things i plan to "add" to this room:  rugs, ottoman, window treatments, pillows, furniture pieces, sofa table behind the couch and lamps...  but slowly, and in time, we will add these.

(it's really pretty at christmas time:)

i am just so happy with the major changes that I wanted to share it here.

We had our carpenter design a new mantle piece.  And of course we needed to cut into the ceiling for our TV.

The fireplace was painted "Linen White" by Benjamin Moore.  (this is also the color we used on our kitchen cabinets).  I have so many AMAZING photographs from Carpenter Photography and Design. We used these photos to "frame" the TV over the fireplace.  The challenge was to keep this area from looking like a double oven :)

Over the couches I purchased three mirrors from TJ Maxx's.  They were originally white and I spray painted them a glossy black.

From this angle of the living room you can see into the entry way.

We also had fun incorporating some of Todd's grandparent's furniture.

It was a super fun project and I LOVE the outcome.

Sources and info:

Trim Paint: Pure White by Sherwin Williams

Fireplace paint: Linen White by Benjamin Moore
Wall Paint: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams

Frames, Green Vases, Mirrors: TJ Maxxs

"H" Decor: Anthropologie

Bookprint Wreath: handmade

Contractor: NorthRidge in Indianapolis
Interior Designer:  Designs by Chyrise

Project Life Week 2: Adding bits and pieces

This week's Project Life covers the week of January 7-13, 2013.

I love the way this week came together-- the mustard yellow, navy blues, and pops of red and orange make me smile.   I added the Seafoam Core Kit (by Becky Higgins) with many of the NEW items from Elle's Studio this week.

One thing I am trying to incorporate in my album this year is "found items".  I tend to lean more on journaling and photography, so I hope to work on this area in my Project Life this year.  The gift note from Jonah' birthday balloons, the Einstein bag, birthday letter from my 8th grade teacher ( he writes all of his students he's ever had every single year on their birthday-- amazing!), and packaging from our favorite oranges are all found items I included this week.   Along with photography and journaling, I am on the lookout for items that tell the story of our week.

And can I note that this week began the STAR WARS obsession in our household???  Jonah received Episodes 4-6 and is CRAZY over Star Wars.  (which would explain this photo of Jordan as Darth Vader).  It's so much fun to watch, and the photo of him holding his R2D2 piggy bank just sums it all up. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to stop by Elle's Studio today to see my PL post (and giveaway).

Also linking up with The Mom Creative today.

Project Life was created by Becky Higgins as a way to simplify how you document life and preserve memories. Photo pockets used in my Project Life are created by Becky and can be found here. You can read all of my Project Life posts here.

Project Life: Closing Page 2012

Today I am sharing my closing page for my 2012 album.

I have to admit, closing pages completely stump me.  I LOVE, love,love, creating opening pages, however, I find it challenging to find a way to make a closing page not seem like an afterthought.   My project life pages run from Monday-- Sunday, so when I was completing week 52 (the "Granddaddy week"), I was originally going to include December 31 into that week (since 12/31 fell on a Monday).   

Then i thought, "why not have New Years Eve be my closing page!??!?!?"   And that's exactly what it is. :)

For my closing page, I focused on using various items from Jenni Bowlin Studios, including their Silhouette cut files.  (no i do not own a silhouette but Doris was SO nice to send me some cut files in my DT/Ambassador box and i am IN LOVE)

I used various items from the JBS Red/Black collection and I really loved using the clock images for my New Years Eve focus-- how perfect!    I had so much fun in fact that I created an INSERT for my closing page.   The JBS card stock feathers were the perfect finishing touch.

On the back side of the insert, I included a piece of patterned paper from the JBS red/black collection, for simple, corresponding touch.  

Project Life was created by Becky Higgins as a way to simplify how you document life and preserve memories. Photo pockets used in my Project Life are created by Becky and can be found here. You can read all of my Project Life posts here.