10 things that make me happy

Last night I was on a roll. Finally got some time to download a few items I wanted on Designer Digitals when I saw Cathy Zielske has a template out--her 100th! And it is called 100 things. Love love love Cathy's designs and you know what, I need this. We've been very stressed out and what better way to deal with stress than list the things that bring you happiness, love, joy, all that good stuff.

Okay, so instead of letting that template sit on my hard drive and collect cyber dust, I need to get started. 

Drumroll please.

1. My family. 
2. Naptimes that actually work.
3. Cold fountain Diet Coke on snowman poo ice.
4. Laughter. 
5. My daughter feeding me cereal and squealing with laughter. Looking her in the eyes and laughing right back. Cherishing simple moments like that.
6. Playing around with photos, words and paper. Capturing moments and emotions. Taking note of the little things.
7. Learning. I love learning new things and love it when the results start to match the vision I had in the first place.
8. The mountains. I really love the cool breezes of mountain air, the views, the sound of the quaking aspen leaves blowing in the wind. I love waking up and going for a hike. I think a trip to the mountains is calling me.
9. Whole wheat pancakes with peanut butter and real maple syrup on top. And it has to be warm!
10. The cool side of the pillow over my eyes at night. Taking time to rest.

Laughter. I love this. Blurry photo and all.

Cherishing moments with my girlie. Two binkies and all.

10 things is found on Shimelle's blog. People from all over share 10 things on the 10th of each month. Any 10 things. It's pretty cool what people share. I try to post when I can. Check it out here. 

10 Things: November Edition. Vintage Inspiration List

This past spring I took Jenni Bowlin's class at Big Picture Classes, and it opened up a whole new world for me. Gotta say I loved it. I was always a little intimidated by going into antique shops, but after this class it is one of my favorite things to do when I have a little play time. One of the things she suggested was to make a top 10 list of things that inspire us. I am not sure I shared mine in class, so this is what I have so far.

1. Old typewriters and typography.

2. Letters and numbers.

3. Storage containers of all kinds: my favorite are vintage locker baskets and egg baskets.

4. Flower frogs: love having these around to hold up photos, invitations, cards, etc.

5. Wooden boxes, especially tool boxes. See number three.

6. Cute little salt and pepper shakers. Awesome storage for glass glitter. Which was something I never thought I would use until this class and now I love it. And they look so cute on my shelf. Also in the glass category would have to be old Ball jars. I have a green one I just love. It has my "stories of the year" project in it (from Pinterest)

7. Chalkboards. Maybe it's because we had a giant chalkboard in our attic where I would play "teacher" for hours as a kid. I just love chalkboards. Here I am using a vintage chalkboard as an inspiration board.

8. Vintage cookie cutters, pie tart tins, little jello molds, muffin tins. I think it is all the silver. I have always loved silver, but that's another story. And I think it is because I love food. I store embellishments in these and also use them for "beyond the page" projects, like these pie tart tin refrigerator magnets.

9. Old postcards and photos. Especially when they are pictures of my Grandma laughing as she fell down with roller skates on. That is one of my all time favorites. See inspiration board above. I like using the postcards in my minibooks. I found a bunch at an estate sale and have had fun using them.

10. Office and school supplies, yardsticks and vintage cameras. And whatever else jumps out at me that day!

Looking back I would never have thought of using these a year ago. I love how as we learn things our styles can evolve. I wouldn't say I'm totally vintage. Definitely a mix of modern + vintage items. Still love my IKEA and where would I be without the Container Store?

What are some of your favorite vintage items to use either as storage or in your scrapbooking?

For more 10 things on the 10th check out http://www.shimelle.com/paper/1287/10-things-november-2011/

10 on the 10th: October Edition: Projects a Brewing

Decided to join in the party with the 10 on the 10th. Wanted to take pictures of all my projects brewing. Initially thought I would skip it, since a long work day didn't allow for that, but I think just getting it down can help. So I made a quick list and realized I had 15 or so projects actually brewing! No wonder I never finish things! So here are my top ten (what I'm working on right now)

1. Summer mini album--became more of a scrapbook on the road travel album which is cool. And I am so close to being done it is crazy awesome.
2. Autumn mini album--have cut the papers and have been taking pics with my iPhone. Planning on lots of instagrams of pumpkins and the like. The potential on this one makes me happy.
3. Project Life--want to finish my vacation section. Am doing it in chunks on whatever I want to sorta loosely by month. Mostly I have stored memorabilia in it.
4. Words to Live By- mini album from BPC Big Idea Festival. So want to finish it just because looking at what I have done really makes me happy.
5. Smashbook Me: A to Z project. This weekend I added some items to P: like planners, playlists, places. I only got the design of the project done in the class by Cathy Z at BPC, and for some reason doing it "Smash Style" has lightened me up and I'm really having fun with it.
6. Maggie's Journal--using the Ditto line by Hampton Arts. Fun way to capture little things she does each day. And yes, I really need to get some photos added to it! I love journaling in books like this but never get around to adding the photos!
7. Gratitude Journal--just bought a little gratitude journal from Compendium and absolutely love it. I just write down little things I am grateful for each day on the left side of the page and am leaving the right side blank--hoping to add a photo or patterned paper or art journaling, something like that. Problem is one again--printing and adding the photos when they are odd sized! That takes time to upload and crop. Maybe I should look into Prinstagram? Is that what it's called?
8. Week in the Life 2011--this project has so much potential to be totally cool. Just need to put it all together.
9. A project I hope to do is alter the You and Me book by Compendium. Saw that there was a class on this at BPC so I ordered the book. Now I just need to take the class and get it done. Hoping this will be a Christmas present for my husband.
10. I have a few 7 Gypsies artist trays. Finished one- using the kit from Archivers. Then I made one for the first year for my daughter. Just lacking two photos or it would be so lovely. Again, there is the trend with the lack of the photos. And yes, I am a third year alumni of Library of Memories! lol It's just finding the time to do it. Anyways, I just got another tray with my 30% off coupon and am planning a vacation one for our trip this year. The bonus: photos are printed and waiting for me in their happy little photo box. Here is my almost finished project:

So there it is, my projects just brewing away, taking their time. Just percolating along. And that's totally okay with me. It's the doing it in bits and pieces that makes me happy. The key for me is to remember: No stress--just happy memories and creative "me" time. The almost done summer mini:

To see the rest of the 10 on the 10 posts: check them out at Shimelle