Me on the 27th Series: January Review

I completed my first month of my monthly series, "Me on the 27th."  Except, I think I'm going to rename this series as "7 on the 27th."  My goal is to journal or document seven things about me currently on the 27th each month (27 is just too much!).  Those seven things will be journaled onto my monthly layout and I'll also provide some hidden journaling for all my other thoughts.

As you can see, I haven't added my journaling.  I still don't know if I'm going to write directly on the patterned paper or do typed journaling on strips of cardstock.  I have already written down what happened that day and some of my thoughts.  Now, I just need to do some editing.

I am really excited about this series.  It's my attempt to really connect with myself and who I am becoming as a woman, a wife, an adult.  I also want to be more aware of who I am right now.  All of my titles will be "Me" and the date.  So, this middle cluster contains lots of layers and a photo of me taken that day.  Underneath all those lovely layers is an envelope cut from my Cameo.  The envelope looks like a coin envelope.  Inside are two journaling cards attached with washi tape to make them flip open. 

 All of these photos on this layout were posted to my Instagram throughout the day.  I did note the specifics of each picture when I did my journaling at the end of the day.  I just wrote down what I had written when I posted each picture.

Those rosettes were such a pain in the ass to make!  I think I spent 30-45 minutes making these stupid things, but it was worth it.  I love them!  They add so much texture to a project.  I need to start making them more and experimenting with different shaped borders. 

I used my November 2013 Citrus Twist kit for this layout.  I finally killed that kit!  I'll have a post sharing the remnants of that kit and the layouts I made.

Confession:  I almost forgot about this day!  As you all know from my post at the beginning of the year, each month I was doing to document my day, similar to Ali Edwards' Day in the Life.  Anyways, I was at work, looking at my planner, planning my day when I saw my note in there about my blog series!  I'm glad I wrote that note in my planner, or else I probably would have forgotten until the evening.

I'm really looking forward to documenting me throughout the year.  I'm excited to see how my pages and my journaling will evolve.  I really hope you guys are enjoying this series.  Let me know if you have any ideas on how to document the 27th!

xoxo,
Heather

My First Layout of 2014!

Man, does it feel good to be making a layout!  After a bazillion Christmas cards, tags, etc. and my Christmas album (which is almost finished!), I really enjoyed doing something non-Christmas.

I was finally able to bust open my Citrus Twist November Darling Scrapbook Main Kit.  This kit has this gorgeous fuchsia streak throughout the month's selection.  And there is a little touch of the Pantone's 2014 color of the year:  radiant orchid.  And if you guys don't know, purple is my absolute favorite color.  When the 2014 color was announced, I was ecstatic!  I'm getting off topic...

As I was saying, I was really looking forward to making a layout.  I hadn't made a layout since the end of October/beginning of November.  

I've been browsing Pinterest a lot recently, especially for layout sketches for a project that I will be posting about in a few weeks.  I was loving all these sketches I had pinned and those I was seeing on various blogs.  I think I'd like to use more sketches as inspiration starting points for my layouts this year.  

Citrus Twist Kits Sketch by Kasia

 I decided on this sketch I found on the Citrus Twist Kits blog from June 2013.  And here is my interpretation of this sketch.

Supplies:  royal blue textured solid color cardstock; Heidi Swapp Mixed Company-Good Life patterned paper;   Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party-Polka Dot Plates patterned paper;  Heidi Swapp Mixed Company Ephemera pack; Dear Lizzy Gold Soiree Glitter Foam Thickers by American Crafts;   Blue Corn Navy Alphabean Stickers by Jillibean Soup; washi tape; gold doily; fuchsia doily; sequins; glassine bag

Aren't the colors just beautiful?!  Everything I used is from the Citrus Twist November Darling Main Scrapbook kit (linked above).  The only supplies from my stash are the small piece of gray patterned paper (from a previous CT kit), the gold doily, the navy blue alphas, and the tag.  

I purchased a sun ray background from the Silhouette online store.  I resized the original to a smaller image and then cut it out on a different piece of patterned paper.  I then used that as a stencil to cut out the rays from my fuchsia patterned paper.  The image had a frame around it, and I didn't want that as part of my layout, so that's why I decided to create a "stencil" to still achieve the sunburst look.

As you can see from these photos, the only part of my layout that follows the sketch really closely is the sunburst image, patterned paper layers and placement of the photo.  

I love how I can start to follow the sketch very closely, but then I usually get so inspired and my layout becomes my own.  I love the bright, unusual color scheme for this layout.  It has definitely set the mood for my creativity this year!

xoxo,
Heather

Part II of my Christmas 2013 Album

Happy Sunday lovely readers!  As I mentioned in my Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge post, I would post Part II of my Christmas album this weekend.  I have photos below of the Journal Your Christmas prompts #20-25 scrapped in my album.

Prompt #20

This prompt is all about a gift given to someone special.  My journaling will go on the tag(s) in the glassine envelope.  My pictures for the majority of my album do not correspond with my journaling.  I'm just including a photo for each prompt that I had taken throughout the month.  Darwin was my "trimming the tree" partner this year when I was decorating.  All he did was hang out in the tree box...great helper.

Prompt #21

 This page is about the reality of my December 21st; what my house looked like, what my day looked like.  That picture is not what my house looked like on the 21st!  I didn't even wrap any gifts until the 23rd!

Prompt #22

The journaling for this prompt will be about the things that make me smile, give me warm fuzzies during Christmas.  All the kindness, gratitude, and giving that comes with the holiday season.

Prompt #23

This prompt was assigned to December 23rd, or Christmas Eve Eve (that's what we call it).  I'll be journaling about some of our family traditions we do getting ready for the big day.

Prompt #24

Christmas Eve's prompt talks about why I love Christmas.  I made a vellum pocket to hold tags for my journaling.  That paper from Glitz Designs Hello December Line, the paper that says "what I love the most about Christmas," was perfect for this prompt.

Prompt #25

Christmas Day was definitely a two-page spread.  I had so much I wanted to include, that I'll have to include a smaller insert just for my journaling.

If you want to see more detailed photos of my Christmas Album:  Part II, check out my gallery at 2Peas.  Also, Kelly and I are hosting a challenge all about December/Christmas albums.  Details can be found here.  Those that play along could win a $5 gift certificate to Two Peas in a Bucket!

I hope to have my Christmas journal completely done by the end of January.  I have 14 more prompts/layouts to scrap and a few layouts to "touch up."  I'm getting to the point where I just want this album to be done!  If I didn't have a few other projects to complete for future blog posts and Valentine's cards to make, I'd work on this album until it was finished!  

Have a wonderful Sunday!  Stay warm and safe if you're in my area and the northeastern part of the country.  See you all again on Monday.

xoxo,
Heather

My Journal Your Christmas Album Supplies

Happy Monday morning readers!  As promised, here is a video showing all of my supplies for my Journal Your Christmas album.

Part I

Part II

**I had to split the video in half, so you lose a few seconds between the first one and second one.  Sorry abut the train you can hear; I cannot do voiceover at this time, so I have to talk on the video.  And, my camera stopped recording before I realized it, so you guys missed out on the stamps I'll be using throughout my album.  I may try to make another video of the stamps I'm using.
 
Just a little update on my album, I've been keeping up with the journaling prompts.  I've also been pretty good about capturing photos that coordinate with the daily In Focus prompts. When I do projects like this, I really, really wish I had a photo printer at home.  I don't necessarily want to send photos to a printing lab every week, let alone every day.  I like to print a month's photos at a time.

I've made my title page, pages for Prompt #1-#6.  These still aren't completely done because of the lack of photos, and that bothers me!  But I'm happy that I'm working on it.  

Are you making a December album?  How are you doing on yours?

xoxo,
Heather

List of Supplies

Patterned Paper:  Bundled Up by Crate Paper 6x6 Paper Pad; Hello December by Glitz Design 6x6 Paper Pad; Peppermint Stix-Believe by Heidi Swap; Peace Love Joy by Lawn Fawn Collection Kit; Peace Joy Love by Lawn Fawn Petite Paper Pack; Oh Tannembaum-Magical by Studio Calico; Merrymint Gold Star Kraft-Magical by Studio Calico; Making A List-Magical by Studio Calico; All Is Bright-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Reindeer Flight-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Nutcracker Court-25th and Pine by BasicGrey; Chevron-Santa's List by Teresa Collins; North Pole-Reflections Christmas by Lori Whitlock for Echo Park Paper Co.; Silent Night-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages

Stickers:  Titles and Accents Sticker Sheet-Hello December by Glitz Design; Industrious Border Stickers by Tim Holtz; Good Tidings 6x12 Label Stickers by Chic Tags

Embellishments:  Good Tidings Clear Acetate Tags by Chic Tags; Good Tidings Photo Toppers by Chic Tags; Noel Bits & Pieces by Elle's Studio; Noel Frames by Elle's Studio; Noel Lil' Snippets Labels by Elle's Studio; Noel Cutouts by Elle's Studio; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Christmas Labels; Merry & Bright Flair Button by Two Peas; Star Ornaments Flair Button by Two Peas; Hello December Wood Veneer Tile Set by Two Peas; White Christmas Lyrics Wood Veneer Card by Two Peas; Natural Bark Stars by Prima Marketing; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Wood Veneer Letters, Stars, Peppermint Swirl Shapes; Peace Joy Love Flair by Lawn Fawn; Peace Joy Love Mixed Sequins by Lawn Fawn; rhinestone gems; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Flair; Hello December Giant Rhinestones by Glitz Design; Chalkboard Wonderland Silent Night Washi Tape by October Afternoon; Santa's List Chipboard Buttons by Teresa Collins; Bundled Up Photo Overlays by Crate Paper; "Dear Santa" Mini Bag from It's Christmas! Mini Bags Assortment Pack by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Bundled Up Journaling Cards by Crate Paper; crocheted snowflakes; white doilies; gold doilies; 25th and Pine Jumbo Die Cut Numbers by BasicGrey; Home for the Holidays Sprinkles by Doodlebug Designs

Alphas:  Hello December Alphabets and Words Sticker Sheet; Tomato Red Alphabean Cardstock Stickers by Jillibean Soup; American Crafts Thickers-Reindeer Font in Red; Good Tidings Gold Letter Stickers

Hello December!

Happy December everyone!  Can you believe how quickly this year has flown by?!  I certainly cannot believe it.  I'm looking forward to using this time of year as a way to "take back" the Christmas season.  If you are familiar with that phrase, than you must be taking Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas.  Let me tell you, I am so excited to be taking this class!  

Last year, I "participated" in December Daily.  I still haven't finished my 2012 album.  It was extremely difficult to take a Christmas/holiday-season picture a day.  I was doing Project Life at the same time and didn't want to combine my December Daily and that album.  There would be days I was struggling to find something holiday to photograph.  My husband and I do not have kids yet, so we don't do too many holiday-themed activities, certainly not enough to document daily.

When I read about Shimelle's class a couple months ago, I knew this was the type of Christmas documenting I wanted to do.  I wanted something that helped capture new traditions with my husband and our current family gatherings with our childhood memories and how the Christmas season has changed over the years.  Just typing this makes me so excited for my album this year!

Now, I promise I will blog about my kit I'm using for my album this weekend.  I may do a video because I bought a small tripod during my Black Friday shopping!  I did want to show you guys some pictures though of my start up process for my Christmas album.

Here is the actual journal I will be using to write about the prompts.  I will be putting together a mini album, but I know that I won't be able to scrapbook everyday.  I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment right off the bat, so I got realistic.  I didn't want the "not being able to scrap daily" aspect of the holiday season to get in the way of me doing the journaling and documenting the season.  Enter in my homemade Christmas Journal!

 I am so proud of myself with this journal!  I didn't buy it!  During my lunch break yesterday, I went out looking for a slim journal.  I wanted something I could take with me pretty easily and something slim enough to put into a page protector at the end of the project.  I couldn't find anything.  And I was so angry because I used my whole 30 minute lunch looking for one.  I was going to stop by Target on my way back into Springfield, but as I was driving I remembered I had some paper at home. I had an "aha" moment!  I'll make my own journal.  I have a graph paper pad, in the legal size, that was perfect for folding over.  I folded 15 sheets in half and tucked them inside one another to make a booklet.  Then, I took some paper from Lawn Fawn's Love, Peace, Joy collection and cut it 1/4" bigger than the pages.  I then sewed everything right down the middle fold.  Voila!  A simple, handmade journal!  I decorated a little bit with the tag and label on the front cover and a 4"x3" Crate Paper Bundled Up journaling card on the inside cover to hide my stitching from adhering the layers on the front.  The bark stars and sequins are not adhered, but added as a prop, just for you guys!

Here's a little peak at my work space last night.  This was the first time I actually dug out my kit supplies.  I was able to make my journal (shown above) and the title page for my album.  I was pleased with myself for getting that far.  I didn't think I'd be able to get anything done last night, but I did.  Tonight, hopefully I can get my Christmas Manifesto page done.  

As I go through this journey, documenting my Christmas, I'll post more on my blog.  Also, if you're interested in seeing other Journal Your Christmas-ers, check out #christmasjournal and #JYC2013 on instagram and Twitter.  If you want to see what I'm doing this Christmas, follow my instagram @hsweet12 with the hashtag #asweetchristmas.

Also, you guys have until tomorrow (Wednesday) night to link up how you "kill" a kit for the Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge. Details for the challenge can be found here.  Those that enter have a change of winning a $5 gift certificate to Two Peas in a Bucket!  Come play along!

Happy December,
Heather

"Year One: 2013" Layout

I know, it's supposed to be Project Lifein' It Tuesday, but I haven't completed a Project Life spread.  I do apologize.  But, I have a layout for you instead!  I haven't shared a layout in awhile, so I'm excited!  As you guys know from my video here (go check it out!  It's my first one!), that it's been quite the creative challenge for me recently to make a layout...

This layout here, came together so quickly!  I am so happy with it.  I didn't feel rushed in putting it together.  I didn't feel doubt about doing certain embellishing.  

Elle's Studio, Sketch Thursday

I used this sketch from Elle's Studio.  As you can tell, I followed it very closely.  What drew me to this particular sketch was the triangle cluster on the left side of the page and the banner cluster on the top of the page.  I LOVE BANNERS, so of course, I had to make a layout based on this sketch.  

I recently purchased the Maggie Holmes Flea Market by Crate Paper and the Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste 6x6 paper pads.  I wanted to use them right away.  I thought this sketch with all those triangles (23, to be exact) would be a great way to dig into my new paper pads.  I made my own triangle template/stencil to cut out all my triangles.  I then sewed them down with metallic gold thread (which I am loving right now too).  I love how well these two, very different lines, go together.  The photo is mounted on papers from these paper pads as well.  

This banner cluster was also made with papers from the same 6x6 paper pads.  I used two of my handmade embellishments I made with my Citrus Twist Kits October Main Scrapbook Kit.  The best thing about those pre-made embellishments:  they're made with papers from the Maggie Holmes Flea Market collection (well, except for the ampersand circle...)!  The light pink/dark pink striped ribbon is from a previous CT kit, I think from earlier in the year.  And the anchor flag is from a Studio Calico printable I believe from a class in March or June.  The light blue ribbon is from a Dear Lizzy collection, I believe 5th and Frolic, but I don't know for sure.  Those few things I've had sitting on my desk, waiting to be put on a layout.  The final touch was a splattering of Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Primrose.

Other supplies not mentioned above:  Alphas: Begonia Cut Outs Rubber Thickers-Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste; Stamps: Citrus Twist Kits September Main Scrapbook Kit; Ink:  Stampin' UP! Smokey Slate; Turquoise Arrow: Recorded Heart & Arrow Paperclips by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages  (all supplies listed here, except for ink, are from CT main scrapbook kits)

In October, my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary!  This layout is to document our year one together.  We had my best friend take some pictures of us at the park where we were supposed to get married.  Long story short about our wedding day, it poured down rain all morning and we weren't able to get married outside at this gorgeous gazebo at this particular park.  So Michael and I decided that we'd visit the park each year on our anniversary.

Alright friends, that is it for me today.  Come back tomorrow to see more on my wishlist.  Black Friday is in a few days!

xoxo,
Heather