Day by Day

Twelve Favorite Projects of 2011...

This is always so much fun to do! I did this in 2009, but missed it in 2010. These are my favorite layouts of 2011. I love looking back at the layouts I've created over the year. For some reason I always seem to like them better looking back at them. I wonder why that is. There's also quite a bit I look back on and I can tell it's not my best work. These are my favorites from the last year. I had a few picked up for publications and lots of layouts I did for Big Picture Classes that I can't share. Good thing I had lots of others to pick from! To make it easier on me I made myself pick one favorite from each month...well sort of!

Looking back at my layouts I can tell I like this hobby in the early spring, late fall and winter the best. Late spring and summer seemed to me to feel rushed and not as meaningful. Gonna have to work on that this year! I think my whole life feels more rushed in the late spring and summer and it's not supposed to be that way...I think it's the heat and sports...or maybe the beer...nah, it's got to be the heat!

So, are you ready for my longest blog post ever!

January - blogged January 28, 2011

This layout was so much fun to put together. It's one of those layouts that I can still remember what the weather was like outside and the feeling in the air was as I put it together. (gosh, I'm such a dork!) It came together so easily and the feeling and sentiment make me so happy to look back on.

February - blogged February 25, 2011

I had so much fun putting this mini together. It was one of those projects that the only requirement I had was to use the album. Everything else I wanted to use was up to me. The possibilities were endless. So I pulled all of my fun bits and pieces together that were vintage feeling and put the whole thing together. I can't remember the last mini I put together that I loved as much as this one!

March - blogged March 17, 2011

I made way more cards this year than ever before. These St. Patty's day cards are still in my stash and they still make me happy to look at. I didn't get them done in time to send them out for St. Patty's day but in 2012 I'm looking forward to making someone happy with a random card.

April - blogged April 12, 2011

I love this layout so much! I love those tiny Lily Bee alpha stickers. I think this layout was what started my love affair. The colors and patterns and this whole layout make me swoon. When I really feel the journaling and the emotion on the layout, those are my favorites. This is one of them. I want to scrap more like this!!

April - blogged April 11, 2011 (it's my blog...I'm cheating and posting two for April and skipping May since I didn't really have anything in May!! May starts baseball/softball which is our busy time of year for our family!)

This year was definitely new for me with creating some altered projects. I love this shadow box. My assignment was to use the Glue Arts Accent It All vinyl. Is it wrong of me to like something I created so much!

June - blogged June 28, 2011

This picture was a lucky snap on my iphone and the layout makes me so happy (I have to quit saying that). I love how Lily Bee papers mix together so perfectly. This is a combination of several lines. The rainbow makes me smile! I'm noticing that my favorite projects are the ones that came together without me forcing them. That's what I love about this hobby. When it feels forced that's when I know I need to make a change.

Skipping July!! Looking back has made me realize I need to blog more!!

August - blogged August 11, 2011

This layout is our summer all rolled up. The lake, the sunshine, family, ahhh!! We stayed at my sisters house on the lake and did some early morning fishing. This bonding moment was awesome. The fun colors and dimension on this layout are perfect and I loved playing with the stitching!

September - blogged September 21, 2011

Scrapfest was a lot of first for me. Getting this layout completed right after was a major accomplishment. I love the little pleated squares and the stitching!

September - blogged September 13, 2011 (two for September since I skipped July!)

This one is my favorite because I actually scrapped my kids going back to school! I love that I used the same design for both of them and the same center picture. Made these so easy to get done!

Apparently I didn't blog at all in October...what?! So I'm gonna do two in November since apparently I was playing catch up!

November - blogged November 16, 2011

Love these kiddo's. Love this layout. Love that punch and all the patterns and stitching here. This one just makes me smile!

Ahhh, this one really makes me melt. I felt like this was way too simple and easy when I was putting it together but looking back I'm so glad I left it simple. I wanted the focus to stay on the photo but have the paper and embellishments add the right feel. I think I accomplished that!

December - blogged December 8, 2011

This album is not anywhere near being done, but I'm loving how it's coming together. I don't feel pressured to have to finish it so I'll be working on it now and then as I can. The few pages I've managed to get done are more than I've done in the past! I'm going to go through and put sticky notes on the inside pages so I don't forget anything!

I'm looking forward to growing and creating more in 2012! Thanks for letting me share!

What Matters Most...

I am so excited about starting a new year.

2012 is going to be awesome.

2012 is going to be the year I focus on what matters most to me.

2012 is going to be the year I make real changes that get me further on my journey to happiness.

I put together a Big Picture Classes workshop that will help with this. I put this together to help myself and thought it would make a perfect class for the beginning of the new year because I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to do big things in 2012!

I have so many things I want to accomplish is 2012, such as doing Project Life, getting in shape, being happier, spending more quality time with my family, etc. I know I'm not the only one with big goals for the new year. This class was designed to help clear the way to be able to focus on all the things that matter to you so you can deliberately make the time and space for the things that matter most in your life.

Class starts today and there's already some great conversations going on and I can't wait to get to know everyone.

Here's a little bit more about the class - Journey to Happiness: What Matters Most.

In Lisa Day’s latest workshop, you’ll spend four weeks setting up creative action plans to make sustainable changes that will help you focus on and stay true to what matters most. In class you will create two layouts and two mini albums which can be used as a guide to creating and celebrating a life – never losing sight of what matters most.

Do you want to make some changes in your life so that you can experience greater happiness and really focus on the things that truly matter to you? The journey to happiness is an on-going process, but with a clear focus, you can enjoy that journey every step of the way.

The class is priced at only $19. Seriously, it's totally worth that!!

Have you signed up yet?

Do you have any questions?

2011 Christmas Memory #3...

I'm working on getting caught up on sharing my Christmas Memories here. I know the date on this one is still November, but I'm okay with that. I'm not in a rush to get it done. We still have plans to celebrate Christmas until January so I have time to catch up. 

I thought I'd post my tentative list of what my 25 memories should be. Quite a few of these will be falling on the same day, which is why I'm liking the angle of 25 memories instead of a daily documentation. This will mean so much more to our family.

1. Getting our tree
2. Christmas Shopping
3. Trimming the tree
4. School Christmas program
5. Elf on the Shelf
6. Our christmas countdowns
7. What music we are listening to
8. Which movies we watch
9. Ornaments
10. Decor
11. Making cookies
12. A family picture, and a close up of everyone with thought from all of us.
13. Christmas morning at home
14. Christmas morning at my parents
15. Christmas evening at my parents
16. Christmas with Tom's family
17. Christmas with my dad
18. Our outdoor decorations
19. Christmas Eve party
20. Cookies & letter to santa
21. Christmas crafts
22. Wrapping presents
23. Visit with santa
24. Any art the kids do at school and secret santa shopping.
25. Christmas cards we get

It doesn't take much to fill up 25 memories! I might make some substitutions but for now that's how I think it's going to play out.

So, here's our 3rd memory - Trimming the Tree

This side focuses on a family picture we take every year just before we start decorating. We also always have some kind of snacks and Champagne for us adults and sparkling juice for the kids. Growing up this is a tradition my parents started with us and I love being able to continue it! 

This side just focuses on the kids decorating the tree. This year Tom and I kind of just stayed back and let the kids put them where they wanted. I didn't buy enough of the lights we are using from Target this year and they don't have them anymore, so as of right now, my tree is only decorated 3/4 of the way up. I need to fix that this weekend. I can't believe they sold out of the lights before December! I will do another layout that focuses on some ornaments!

Happy Christmas!

Supplies used:

InLinkz.com

 

2011 Christmas Memory #2...

Here's our Christmas Memory #2...Christmas Shopping.

The first half of the layout features our tradition of always stopping at Starbucks before we start our shopping day together. And then meeting up with my parents for lunch while we were out.

I included the starbucks cup because the red cup is totally fun. Not entirely sure it will stay thought because it does take up a bit of room! I do love the saying on the cup and the warmer though so I hope I can make it fit! It's the perfect sentiment for how I was feeling about spending the day with my husband!

I also included an envelope to hold the receipts for all the presents. The receipts aren't in there yet though because I totally know my son would peek and try to see what I bought him! I haven't forgotten what it's like to be a kid!!

The second half holds the title, the #2, cute star sequins and a little bit about me doing some of my own personal shopping and Tom helping me pick out a new purse!

Happy Christmas!!

Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

BPC's Give Back 2011...

Over the next two weeks, Big Picture Classes is hoping to give back in a BIG way.

If you register for the brand-new (and fabulous) Self-Paced class: Grateful, Every Day between December 10th to the 25th, BPC will be donating 100% of the proceeds to the charity of your choice. On top of that, they will be matching up to $5000! Together, we have the potential to do a lot of good in the little time left before Christmas.

To participate, simply add Grateful, Every Day to your shopping cart, designate the charity of your choice, enjoy the fun new class from Mou, and know that $20.00 is going to a charity that you love!

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the world around us!

BPC's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop...

Welcome to the BPC 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!! You probably made your way here from the fabulous Wendy Smedley's blog, but just in case you got here some other way be sure to stop by her blog!

I am SO excited for this class to start!!

While I've got you here let's chat about Christmas Decor. I love decorating my house for the holidays. I get so inspired by seeing how everyone decorates their home and makes it a representation of themselves. I dream of someday having a pottery barn like decorated house, but for now the kids have taken over! We have fun stockings (Pottery Barn...so I guess I'm working my way there!) and the ornaments on the tree are all keepsake ornaments that capture what the kids love. I love how each year their new ornament grows with them and I can look back and reminisce!

But, I still have to find my own way to add some decor that reflects me. My mom gave me these glass blown ornaments many years ago. Someday they will make it on my tree! But for now, I hang them from the chandelier in our dinning room with some sheer ribbon. I love the grown up touch it adds to our otherwise playful holiday decor!

Here's a sneak peek at the layout I created for this 12 Days of Christmas class.

Here's some more information about this fabulous class!

Do you want to document your family's Christmas in a fresh new way this year? Join 12 Big Picture teachers in celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas, and then remember each of those days with a fun, fast layout.

How it works:
For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, you will receive an email from a BPC teacher with a photo prompt and a list of supplies to gather. Preparing specific holiday pictures and products as Christmas approaches will help you focus on the present moments and the joyful anticipation in a more thoughtful way—without feeling any pressure to scrapbook right away! Then, starting on December 25th, you'll get to "open" a new handout each day, designed to guide and inspire you in pulling together pictures and products to complete a dozen different layouts.

At the end of this workshop you'll have created 12 special memories with your family AND you'll have 12 finished pages. Rather than rushing through the holidays this year, give yourself the gift of happy memories documented in a delightfully doable way!

This workshop includes:

• 12 daily emails from 12 different BPC teachers for the 12 days leading up to Christmas
• Reminder emails when the classroom is updated with new materials
• 12 colorful instructional handouts with step-by-step instructions for creating 12 layouts
• Video messages from each teacher available as streaming videos and transcripts
• Message board to share your thoughts with your classmates
• Private posting gallery to share your work and view the work of your classmates

Signup for the class or find out more here!

The next stop on your blog hop is the adorable Kelly Purkey

Thanks for joining us!!

My Take on a Christmas Album...

I love the idea of doing a Daily December album and I love looking at what everyone does. But, I know I could never do it. I've tried. I've failed.

I've tried setting up the base of an album before hand and quickly learned I can't scrapbook like that. I can't have my page pre-designed before I know what I'm going to be putting on it? Know what I mean? I also can't do it daily. The stress of missing a day and then feeling behind would make it an impossible thing for me to complete.

But, I do want to do a Christmas album. I want to capture our precious memories. And I want to be able to play along while everyone else is making these fabulous albums.

So I'm trying something new this year. I'm doing a 25 Christmas Memories album. I'm using an 8x8 album with divided photo pages. I'm doing it this way because I'm super excited about doing Project Life this year. But, I don't want to get started and then quit (I know myself too well!). So, I thought if I did my Christmas album in a format similar to Project Life I could get a feel for what works for me and get in the groove before the new year!

So far I'm loving it and I don't feel stressed about doing it at all!

And the cool part is that the way I'm doing it works perfectly with BPC's 12 Days of Christmas class (which I'm an instructor for)! I'm mixing our family activities with the prompts from the 12 Days of Christmas class. This lets me make the memories and capture my thoughts and photo's while they are happening and then after the holiday's I can work on putting my pages together. Without stress! I know the class is setup for 12x12 layouts, but I figure I have an 8x16 rectangle to play with so the dimensions are the same and I can make it work. I'm super excited!

Here's what I've got done so far. This is my title page.

And then it will open up to 25 memory pages.

Here's a look at my first one.

These divided page protectors are fun because I can see through them to see peeks of what's behind and use the little pockets to put in little things, like these stars, and be able to see the pictures behind.

The only thing I'm worried about is that I'm thinking this album I started with is going to be too small. I've only got 4 days (not even the full 4 days) worth of stuff in here and it's already getting full.

Happy Holidays!

Supplies used so far:

InLinkz.com