Simple Stories is Simply Outstanding

Firstly, thanks to dear Helen for making the most wonderful introduction between Simple Stories and myself. I had heard of it, I had seen it, I didn't display much interest in it.....and then, somewhere, somehow......I FELL IN LOVE! Everything about Simple Stories Collections are beyond fabulous. The papers are filled with so many different elements to cut up and enjoy.

The colours, the co-ordinations, EVERYTHING. Now I can honestly say, that I really do love every line, but my very favorite to date would have to be Year-o-graphy and Life Documented. There is just something about these two collections that stands out. I think probably because for me, they are directed at documenting and scrapbooking the everyday. I have also found that by cutting up the elements provides so much inspiration for what could be a scrapbook page.

I was able to use several different pieces of paper for the below layout, which I have to add was also based on a sketch (have I mentioned HOW much I LOVE sketches?)

The papers are fun, fresh and totally FABULOUS (hey, thats the name of one of the new releases). Can't wait to start playing with all the new Simple Stories Stuff.

Wishing you all longer days and early signs of Spring, as I can excitedly say that I am off for two weeks to the land down under.

Project Life.....Week Five

Well, here it is.....WEEK #5 of twenty 12!

And still loving everything about project life. I mean every single blog, that I happen to read, every where I seem to go scrapbook related online....it all seems Project Life related. Yep, it seems like the whole entire world is doing it. But, you what, it's a good thing. I say this because, just in case you are feeling uninspired or unsure of where to begin, there is just SO much inspiration on so many blogs to get you going. More often than not, I find myself looking at someone else's and walking away with a new idea, even if it is just the placement of a piece of paper, a tag, a stamp or a sticker. Project Life seems like this HUGE, global project that everyone is working on together and sharing. I love the enthusiasm and conversation that it has brought along with it, on a daily basis to the people that I may see or speak to.

Everyone has there own way and routine of tackling this weekly documentation. My system works well for me, and DOES NOT make me stressed. Basically, I try and start sometime on a Thursday evening, even if it is just to print out a few pictures. I find I am far more successful when I manage to fit in a little bit of time each day between Thursday and Sunday, rather than sitting and doing the WHOLE week at a time. But, whatever works.

BIG EXCITING STUFF......ELLES STUDIO IS IN THE STORE!

and this stuff kicks as..k no questions, tell no lies! (get it)

It is the most outstanding stuff to include on your pages....if you doing PL, you GOT TO HAVE IT!

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

LEFT SIDE

RIGHT SIDE

Wishing you all a wonderful week of documenting something from your life!

Scrap a part of your routine

I have to confess that I am a total Starbucks junkie, I love everything about them. Don't ask why, I just do. For many years, I collected there signature "Starbucks Bearistas", until I ran out of room to store those little bears. I have also collected and kind of still do, all Starbucks gift cards, especially when traveling to other countries or cities. I have bought Starbucks coffee for home, and alas, it is just NOT the same. It is something about the whole going into the store to get a coffee......and this my friends, is my daily routine. Every morning, the same faces, the same Starbucks location, the same drink. There is definitely something really nice about walking into the same place every day, where you are greeted by name, and your order is ready.

I felt I owed my love of starbucks a layout!

I encourage you to scrap a part of your daily routine.....even if it is one that you don't love. It is still a part of your everyday, and one day, someone will be happy to know that part of you.

The Holiday Season is over....but not for October Afternoon Holiday Style

Well Christmas and New Years may be over, but now is the time to sit and scrap all those holiday photos, whatever it is that you may celebrate. We all get so caught up in the season, we all take so many pictures with the intention of getting them scrapped.....AND then, suddenly and quickly the season is over, and the excitement and enthusiasm has died down. Well, don't let it! Even if it is just a couple of pictures on one layout, get it done. Break the rule of "ALL OR NOTHING".....just do a little something.

When I saw the October Afternoon "Holiday Style" paper, I just knew that I had to have it. I am the most devout fan of OA in general, and LOVE everything. Even if I don't love it all on first sight, I usually land up buying each and every sheet of the paper in the collection....and, slowly, ever so slowly fall in love with each and every sheet.

Both of these layouts were inspired by various sketches. I tend to use the sketch as a kind of map to get started, so that I am NOT looking at blank page longingly and not knowing quite where to start. It is amazing how much a sketch helps to just get going. I also LOVED using all the little goodies to layer and embellish. Some people are always wanting to hold onto that one little piece, but remember, that there will always be another one little piece that you will love just as much. Use your stash, enjoy using it.

Last Week of Project Life 2011

Well, here it is.....my last week of Project Life 2011.

I can't account for all 52 weeks, only because I started this around Easter, which brought me to completing 36 weeks by the end of the year. I can't begin to tell you how very self accomplished I feel, when I sit down and flip through these pages. I also did NOT allow myself to fall behind with this project, and for the weeks that I really didn't feel like embellishing too much, and just wanting to get it down, I am grateful that I did. Yep, some weeks look far more decorated, embellished and colorful than others, but at the end of the day, what really matters, is the story this book tells, rather than the "prettiness" that surrounds it.

So, here we are....the first week of the New Year just over, and I am glad to say, that as I write this post, I have also just completed week one of Project Life 2012!

If you are thinking about embarking on this outstanding adventure in scrapbooking, I encourage you to stop thinking about it, and just start it. The whole idea can seem a little bit intimidating, but I assure you, that once you start, you will ask yourself why you didn't start it all earlier. There are also so many wonderful bloggers out there who post there weekly project life layouts, that provide so much inspiration. If at any point, I sit down to do my weekly layout, without feeling inspired, I simply look at any one of these blogs, which sometimes give me the "where" and "how" to get started.

I use tons of bits and pieces of whatever I have. It truly is a great way of getting rid of stuff, alot of old stuff, that may never have gotten used up. I have also since learnt how to purchase, download and use stuff digitally, which is something that I never thought for one second that I would ever be able to do. Project Life has opened new doors, where I have learnt new things.

I have also discovered these outstanding little journaling cards and tags, which I have fallen in love with from Elle's Studio....I can not begin to tell you how much I love them. But I am even more excited to to tell you that in the next week or so, they will be available for sale at Stamping Bella. Just looking at them all will be enough to get you, to want to start your Project Life.

Don't wait, don't hesitate...each day, each moment is precious!

Document it!

Life is Good

I am one of those people who believe that it is okay to admit to myself "I like what I did", and I truly can say that about this layout. When this paper came into the store, I knew exactly that I wanted to do a layout with it, using the little squares as a sort of house for different elements or pictures. I started off by just stamping that fabulous "Ali Edwards" stamp, and going from there, just wanting the pictures to show a little of OUR everyday life. It is wonderful to have photographs that document the ordinary everyday, and these photos were all taken to include at different times in my Project Life. There is no denying that the "special occasion" pics are just that.....SPECIAL! But it is these everyday moments, that we tend to just forget, never print the pics for and sure as anything never do a scrapbook page with. Well, it is these pictures that have NOW become a huge part of my scrapbooking process.

It is the "wonderful ordinary everyday" that I want to be able to look back at, or my family to be able to look back at, and remember.

I encourage you to do a layout depicting a little of the everyday goodness in your lives. Nothing fancy, no special occasion, just the simple everyday stuff.

Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with health, happiness and time to craft.

Breaking the Rules

It seems as though we have some imaginary rules that hang over our heads, meaning "Project Life" is intended to be to documented every week, so that is "THE RULE", that we believe we need to follow and live by. Well, have I got news for you!!!! I broke the rule! But, really, who's rule? Seemingly, my own.

Whilst I was putting together week 29, I realized that I really did not have to much to say or show for it.....and after much agonizing and seeking out permission from fellow project life, partner in crime, Helen, I decided it was OKAY to combine two weeks together in one spread.

I mean really, as if some "Project Life" police are actually going to come to the door and question the fact. Also, I told myself that it was just better to get it done, rather than fall behind. In all the years to come, who is going to notice, care or pay attention to the fact that weeks 29 and 30 were together.....if anything, they will be grateful that there was documentation of these weeks in our life, rather than none at all.
Once I had given myself permission to go ahead and do this, it really made doing these two weeks very easy and fast to actually do. I also have to be completely honest in saying my greatest inspiration for my Project Life is referring to, and sometimes copying ideas from Lisa Truesdell's blog (http://gluestickgirl.typepad.com/). She is the most awesome "Project Lifer", and in fact, did a complete post on her whole process of getting together her pages.

Some advice....if you are thinking about, and comtemplating this remarkable documentation process for the new year ahead, do yourself a favour and check out her blog.

And, if you should see some similarities....you know, I was peeking at hers.

I encourage everyone to embark on "Project Life", we only got one life, it is an important one....DOCUMENT IT.