Hello Summer

Last summer I followed along with Ali Edwards and created a Summer Manifesto, or bucket list/fun list; whatever you want to call it. We chose 10 things to focus on making sure we did during the summer, and even though it was a stressful summer schedule-wise, we had a great time enjoying some simple things like peaches and shave ice, and even some big things, like fireworks for the first time.

It was awesome

So when Ali posted her updated title and intentions for creating it again this year, I knew I wanted to do the same approach. I had already been thinking about our list, and in fact, have already completed a few! I debated on doing a mini album, and I still might. But I think the plan will be to just include it in my Project Life using Becky Higgins Design E page protectors (it's a 12x12 page protector with four 6x6 pockets.) I really loved mine from last year and am excited about this years.

You can get Ali's updated title here.

You can check out my 2012 Summer Manifesto/Bucket List here.

Our list this year (so far, we might change one or two):

1. Go to the beach
2. Build a campfire. Eat hot dogs and s'mores
3. Fireworks
4. Go stargazing (or possibly do a picnic + cloud-gazing...might make more sense with a kid.)
5. Go to Schlitterbahn or at least go swimming.
6. Eat at Amy's ice cream
7. Road Trip
8. Summer photoshoot 
9. Eat tomatoes and basil from the farmer's market
10. Go blueberry picking

As with all my planned activities, I definitely try to go with the flow and just be happy to be together and savoring this time. However, having a few things on our list really helps us to live with intention, and I love that.

Join me if you would like to! 

December Daily 2012 | Days One & Two

Hello December!

We started December 1st with everything from breakfast tacos, a Christmas Parade and Stroll (downtown street celebration), being with friends and meeting Santa! It was her first time meeting Santa and she did great. I was so proud of her. A little shy, but she gave him high fives and hook 'em horns. And she remembered to ask for what she wanted with a small cue. (she wants a sheep and something pink--have I mentioned how much I love this girl?) 

Last night we came home to meet our Elf on the Shelf. She quickly named her Cookie. Maybe we were all hungry, but I love it. She loves her Cookie the Elf and we found her this morning eating little Christmas cookies! So cute.

Not surprising, we all needed a lot of rest today. And I got some pages done during her nap.

Here's a look at my day one. Hard to choose just one story, so I decided to highlight the photo of meeting Santa and write down our bucket list, since we accomplished two of them and got started on three others! I traced some cookie cutters I have to make the stars. I'm thinking I'll try something like this inside the cover of my bucket list album. I also did a light spray of Mister Huey's Shine and the silver pen is a little bit glittery which is fun.

December 1: Hello Santa!
Excited to meet Santa and start of our bucket list.

Day 2: Just a little bit of magic. Wanted to highlight little Cookie the Elf. I started with the hearts and then added a few stars and a bit more. A little messy but I don't want the pressure for this journal to be perfect. Just having fun and adding a little magic here and there. (love that Kelly Purkey stamp too)

December 2: December Magic
Excited to find Cookie the Elf eating cookies

Also got a chance to work on a little bit of my Project Life for December. I had already printed these journal cards from Ali Edwards and added them in a Design F page protector from Becky Higgins. I just added the photos and journaling, along with the title, which is a download from Ali Edwards in the 25 Days class at Studio Calico. I recolored it red and printed it on vellum. Also added the mini stars with a little glue dot on the back. I may add some tiny confetti stars too when I finally dare to try my new sewing machine! (printing on vellum or transparencies is a fun way to add a see-through element, especially if you don't have a die-cut machine)

I'm kind of liking the Design F lately. I'm thinking of using it more in 2013. We'll see. For December I think I'll end up with a Design A on the left of this, then there are three Design F pages, and another Design A. I've already started a Design G as an insert about yesterday's adventures.

December Daily in Project Life using Ali Edwards journal cards

Finally, I wanted to share a peek of my other project, the bucket list mini album in a 6x8 Studio Calico Handbook. I'm doing 12 things here, and probably Christmas Eve and Day. Really loving Liz Tamanaha's templates (Paislee Press). I'm using a mix of hers and Ali's 6x8 templates from this year, as well as various journal cards, etc. Hope to do a post about it soon.

It's awesome to see everyone's pages and albums and I'm excited to be able to share a bit today. Thanks so much for stopping by!

InLinkz.com

This December | A Bucket List Album

Hello December!

I wanted to share a bit more of the plans I have for this December. I'm excited.

I'm carrying on the idea from the summer that Ali Edwards had to do a Summer Manifesto. I did it during the summer and absolutely loved it. Like she said, it was about living with intention, and I was so happy I did it, that I didn't miss out on those roadside peaches. Awesome stuff.

Bring on the bucket list! 

My husband and I have come up with 12 items for our bucket list/manifesto. We may not get to all 12 but I'm really hoping we can. I wanted to call it "this Christmas" but I ended up losing a letter s and actually "this December" works better, as all our items are not necessarily Christmas related.

So here's our list:

1. A Downtown Christmas Celebration
2. Meet Santa (this will be her first time so I hope it goes good!)
3. 25 Days of Books (M really loves books and I thought it would be a great way to get some Christmas books + be a bit of a countdown to Christmas. I've heard it's a really great activity so we are hoping it will turn out to be fun).
4. Watch Elf, make (or decorate) cookies and snuggle. (I really want to bake my sister's awesome sugar cookies but being realistic here).
5. Elf on the Shelf! (thanks to my husband for surprising us today with it!)
6. Gingerbread houses. (This is one my husband put down and really wants to do with M).
7. Relax and enjoy the lights and some Christmas music. (with a busy schedule we really need to make this one a priority).
8. Decorate the tree. 
9. Do some art with Maggie. (take time to do some hand painting with her--she loves it).
10. Date night. 
11. Travel (road trip) to visit relatives out of state (a visit long over-due). 
12. Watch a bowl game with my Mom. (both my husband and I put this one on here--she really loves football). Also in this category will be a possible fishing trip with my Dad. (depends on the weather, etc but we are hoping it happens).

I'm also thinking I'll include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in this album as I think there will be room. I'm planning on making an intro page about why we are doing it, what our regular schedules and routines are in order to give an overall view of us right now. I have a feeling this season is going to fly by, and I'm hoping we can make some magic this year. I loved that as a child my parents did things to make it magical. I hope to carry on that idea.

I'll update with pics of the album when I can--check out my Instagram feed for some sneaks!

Hope you are having a great December 1! If you are looking for more inspiration as to how to approach December Daily and other projects, check out Ali's blog today. Awesome stuff! Click here to see her list of stories she has told over the years of doing this project. Did I mention it's awesome?

Happy December to you!!

updated: here are a few pictures of my album so far. I'm planning on doing another post with how I did the album and hopefully more of my foundation pages. Thanks for looking!

Project Life Summer 2012: Bucket List Style

Finally finding time to share my Summer 2012 Project Life pages. I loved the Summer Manifesto by Ali Edwards as well as her templates for the Summer Manifesto minibook. When I saw the 6x6 pages I knew immediately I wanted to include this in Project Life. In fact, I love it so much it is all I have done so far to document Summer 2012.

I think it has done a wonderful job of capturing our summer.

Back in June I made a list of 10 items for us to do this past summer. I wrote each item on a clothespin and clipped it to a paint bucket from Home Depot--inspired by this. I knew it would be a stressful summer. We just had a lot going on and we needed to keep it simple. Yet I also wanted to create opportunities for us to get out and enjoy the summer. Thus, the bucket list!

Here's a look at my pages:

For my project I used Design E page protectors from Becky Higgins as well as the templates from Ali Edwards which can be found at Designer Digitals here. I printed the Life is Good overlay from Ali onto a transparency and placed it over a piece of white cardstock. I also stamped and embossed, then cut out a Happiness Right Here stamp from Kelly Purkey for a little extra fun.

I can't tell you how much I love these pages. I love that this project inspired us to enjoy the simple things, get out and have some adventures, and still be a great way to capture our summer. The best part is that it is done! No feeling behind. No feeling like I have to do this week or that week. It's interesting to me to do it like this because I have been sorely tempted to do 2013 Project Life weekly. I still haven't decided if I will try it that way or not. I absolutely love seeing it done that way and I know it would be a treasure. We'll have to see. Maybe I should just do a year in a bucket list format?!

I think regardless of how you choose to document it, it's awesome. I love the Project Life system and how it can be adapted to your own style and needs.

And overall, the most important thing is to remember to live! Becky Higgins Project Life system turned 3 this week and they had an awesome celebration. As part of the celebration, the creative team designed quote cards for free. You can find them here.

I love the quote card by Monica McNeill featuring a quote from Bob Dylan:

"If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them."

And just like that we are thinking about fall, pumpkins, and chilly weather. Summer 2012 you were just amazing and I am so happy we cherished you! 

Supplies used: also note I used the summer 2012 flair from Ormolu (no longer available).