in the workshop: mixed paper books.

Just wanted to pop in and show what I recently added to my Etsy shop! I have a few more embellished journals to add as well, but need to photograph them when the weather clears.

This first mixed paper book measures 6x6 and contains bright and summer-inspired papers, which you can see below. These were also the first covers I used the stamp that I designed for this exact purpose. It can be left as-is or you can add the subject or season of your book on the line. It is stamped with white embossing powder to give it a little dimension.

The second 6x6 mixed paper book is the "Polkadots & Pinafores" mixed paper book designed with that special little girl in your life in mind. These make great shower or birthday gifts, and the 6x6 size is perfect for Instagrams.

Here is the 4x6 Winter mini-book. I love this small size that is perfect for printed photos.

And last, but not least are some 'for fun' postcards I designed and had printed. They are white with a glossy front and the perfect message to make someone's day!!

All the above books and postcards are currently available in my shop! Feel free to go check 'em out!

Wow, Blogger is acting REALLY weird today.

project life: the summer months.

Oh boy. I have gotten so behind on my pages and found that I was having a hard time filling the two-page spread because I was so behind, so I decided to go one week for half spread for a bit to get caught up. It helped a lot. Of course, I had to let go of my obsessive thought process that the book was not going to be as cohesive, but the feeling of being more caught up was a better feeling.

I like to share my Project Life pages because a) I like to see them all laid out like this and b) I like to share the perspective of a gal who is single, not married yet, doesn't have kids yet, and spends a lot of time with friends and family. When I'm looking through other Project Lifers pages, they seem to mainly encompass a family unit - which is GREAT, don't get me wrong) - but I just want to be an example that you don't have to have all of that to fill your pages. I think this is going to be great for my nieces and nephews to look back on as they get older to see what they were doing too, or bring up memories with friends as they flip through...some of which is sure to induce a laugh attack and who can not forward to that!?!

So, let's start with May:

And move into June:

My 'Draw Something' interpretation of Beyonce still kills me.

Whoops! Picture still missing!!

On into July (and here's where I start to 2-week-per-spread-it):

Love those little 9-month-old cheeks....

And finally arriving in August:

The rest of August is sporadic so I thought I would spare you until it is complete.

I totally enjoy working on Project Life...definitely going for it again next year (especially once The Seafoam Edition is released). I just have to find a weekly rhythm to it so it doesn't become a chore or pressure where I'm completing a month in a night. I like to keep up with the journaling bits and thank goodness for the Momento app, or I would be waaaaay behind, but staying on top of it will add even more journaling. I'm not sure how long I'll stay with the 2 week spreads, but I just plan on seeing how it goes. I'm hoping to have 2012 in one book filled to the rim with brim, and then be open for 2013 to be in two books. Coordinating, of course.

Please feel free to ask questions about any supplies...I don't really even know where to begin. Most papers come from American Crafts, October Afternoon, Studio Calico, Echo Park, etc., etc. I use a Fiskars corner rounder that I've had for over a year, various black pens, quote cards and 'This Week' cards inspired by Elise Blaha Cripe, pictures are all taken by me and printed at home most of the time (except the spread pic on the last page taken by my niece Myles Katherine...shew...if I've left anything out, please let me know. :)

olive box: number one.

A couple of weeks ago I signed up for a one month subscription (= one package) from Olive Box, and literally could not wait until it arrived on my doorstep.

"To share this joy we are excited to introduce our new OliveBox subscription service! As a member you will receive a delightful box of paper & lifestyle products delivered to your front door each month. From cards to artwork to inspiring books and gifting ideas, you never know what exciting products you will unwrap each month. Each box will have a surprise theme and will include goodies that have been transformed by the beauty of paper."

I mean...how could I not see what it was for one month? And how am I going to NOT sign up for more?? Ohhhhhhh...what can I do in order to justify treating myself again?

I decided to just let the pictures do the talking. I'm still kind of speechless over the idea & execution of it all. Simple perfection.

// quote borrowed from Olive Box website to describe the service so you will then want to be surprised too. :) \\

currently.

Obsessing over: the idea I have to design and make stamps for scrapbooking, stationary, notes, etc. I have all these designs in my head that will not stop coming, and I am going to spend some time tomorrow sketching them out. Even if they end up being just for me...I am obsessed with the idea. Oh, and, my camera that I left out in the rain during the-best-weekend-of-my-life is working!! She sat for a good month & a half, I charged her battery this afternoon, and she came right on and took a picture like it was no big deal. Now, I can take halfway decent product pictures and update my shop! Yippee!!

Working on: being non-judgemental, selfless, and kind. I think I'm a kind person, but I know I do judge before there is a good reason (to me) and it just seems hypocritical. The work 'selfless' keeps popping up, and I always believe themes come about when they are necessary to practice. It really seems to pop up when dealing with situations that I just want out of, but it just isn't possible..so I have to find ways to deal. That's where being selfless comes in...I need to make up some sort of chant to repeat in my head when dealing with these emotionally-draining situations.

Thinking about: where I am in my life and where I WANT to go. I'm opening my mind up to putting myself out there in terms of being a craftsperson, and seeing where that takes me. I know I will find something that really excites me...the idea of taking a job that has nothing to do with my future life vision is not worth it to me. So, I just need to pump up my role as a full-time craftsperson and make sh*t happen.

Anticipating: I have a few fun adventures coming up this Fall that I am anxiously awaiting.... I am planning on going to Charlottesville next week to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama with family. It's almost surreal that that is on my calendar so I can't see any way to pass that up! One of my oldest friends is visiting this weekend, and because she is pregnant with her first child I can't wait to rub her belly bump!! Then I'll be seeing Langhorne Slim & The Law two nights in a row...yes, they are THAT awesome. Let's see...then our neighborhood Chili Cookoff, a local craft show I am participating in, then ...drumroll please...The Color Run in Charlotte! I am SO excited for this one and almost more excited for the pictures to come out of it.

Listening to: Right now, I cannot get enough of Shovels & Rope...so good. I got handed a few new cds this weekend of some new releases so I'm looking forward to having those on repeat for a bit...

Eating: I need so badly to go to the grocery store.

Wishing: that I had all of my best, great friends living right next door in a little neighborhood all our own. We are all so spread out, and I just wish sometimes college (and some high school pals) would recreate itself, but with us at our current age, family situation, etc. and with the time to just hang.all.day.

                                               // This 'Currently' template from Danielle at Sometimes Sweet. \\ 

october goals.

Because I am totally bombing (and I mean B-O-M-B-I-N-G) with meeting monthly goals that I have set for myself and thought that making myself accountable by blogging about them would help...I'm going about October a little differently. The specifics don't work with me it is seeming, so I'm going to try being a little more broad with my expectations. Except the dog bed cover and fall decor...but I would think I could handle those...yep.