Project 365 - Day 28

My oldest daughter Erin had the day off work today.  So we spent the afternoon together crafting cards (and keeping both my grandsons under control as well).  Erin is really enjoying creating cards... the one pictured here is a special card for my mother (aka "Old Granny" by my grandsons), from Erin's son (aka my youngest grandson) Seth.

Mojo Monday Week 123 and Cricut Cardz Challenge

This week I combined two challenges into one card using Mojo Monday Week 123 Sketch (the round one) and the Cricut Cardz Challenge #10 that challenged participants to create a Valentine's Card using only the colors, white, black, lavender and green.

At first I found the color challenge difficult, I just didn't feel those particular colors blended well...until I remembered my DCWV Latte Cardstock pack (12 x12 sheets). Then, everything came together color-wise. I also used one 2 inch piece of lavender from a Recollections paper pack (Butterfly Wings).

The base of the card I cut from the black cardstock out of the DCWV Latte pack. Using the Wild Card cartridge (via my Gypsy), I selected the Blackout feature and cut the Doily base and sized it to 10.58 x 5.53. I then scored and folded the card in half. Next I cut three circles from the George cart using the Gypsy in white, green and lavender.  I sized the circles to 4.68 x 4.37.  I ran the green and lavender circles through the Cuttlebug using the swirls embossing folder. I cut the lavender circle down to 2 inches (as seen on the card) and cut a section from the white circle as well.  With a Martha Stewart edge punch I created the scalloped lace on the white piece.  I used Gypsy font to create the word "love" fusing each letter together before I cut it out in black cardstock.  I used my Cricut marker (black) in the Cricut to write "My" with Gypsy font on the 1 3/4 inch circle that I cut from green cardstock and backed it with three more 2 inch scallops cut with my EK Success scallop circle cutter in lavender, black and the lighter lavendar from Recollections.  I tied it up with lavender ribbon I purchased at Wal-mart and added three medium pearls from Papertrey Ink.

Project 365 - Day 27

It's had to believe that January is drawing to a close already.  Time certainly has a way of slipping by quickly.  I have been spending as much of my free time crafting as I possibly can... and of course this has also meant that I have been buying up some new supplies as well.  My POTD includes some of my purchases over the past month or so.  Now... I'm going to go use some of them!

Day Twenty-Six - It's Chili Time

Since it's been so chilly here lately (like for the last three months...arrgghh)... it was time for the family to get together over at Jerry's (my former husband and father of my children) for some of his homemade chili (minus beans for me...and the rest of our kids who despise the little devils)...  Joining us to suck down the hearty chili along with Jerry's "special recipe" cornbread were Erin, Matt, Seth, Cait, Cory, and Jack...Cydney was MIA (in order to attend a basketball game).  The chili and the company of each other did a nice job of warming us all on a dark and cold winter night in Michigan!  I love family dinners together...and hey, I didn't have to cook either... what's better than that??!!

Project 365, Day 25 ...an ugly photograph.

If it were up to me, the only photos ever taken of any one subject would be cute/attractive or at the very least of something that is of utmost importance... alas....this is not really always the case. An example of this is the photo that I took today in order to ensure that I had a POTD for my Project 365 scrapbook.

I took this particular photo for two reasons.  The first was that I wanted a photo for today and I couldn't think of anything interesting to otherwise capture on film. The second was that, each day that I go downstairs into my craft room ( you have to cross over the family/game room to get there).  Heidi (one of our dogs) is always nearby...that's the photo you are seeing right now...that of Heidi getting ready to doze off into slumber while I work on my crafts.  Later, when I go back upstairs to sleep... she will  follow me and cuddle up for the entire night. 

So, here is a photo to share, not so cute I am thinking... but an important photo just the same, as this is our life... my life... and that is what Project 365 is all about.. don't you agree?

Project 365 Days 22, 23 and 24! Finally!

Whew! It's been a hectic few days. Haven't had time to get these photos posted before now...

I took the first photo of my youngest daughter Cydney on January 22.  Nothing short of a mircle is shown here...as her bed is actually made.
The second photo from January 23, is of my daughter Caitlin, along with her sisters and a few of her girlfriends.  From left to right we have sister Erin, friends Stephanie and Shelley, Caitlin the birthday girl, friend Sam and youngest sister Cydney. Caitlin turned 20 on this day and this just before they all went out to celebrate at some club in Grand Rapids that lets minors in (GASP!!)... Cyd is only 17, however she had to stay behind.

The last photo is of Jack... just because he looked so darn cute rocking in the chair! I also feel I must mention that the orange rocking chair happens to be a purchase I made from (GULP)... Goodwill.  I think I paid like 10 bucks for it... it doesn't really match my white (and mostly red accents) living room decor...BUT it is a most comfortable chair...and the last one I had, my cats destroyed... (despite the fact that they have a $300 scratching/climbing thing-a-gig)... so anyhow...because the chair was so darn cheap... if my cats take their claws out at this little prize... I can simply laugh in the face of danger!  Claw away I say...but in the meantime... I'm sitting in it...because like I said... it's comfortable....and orange... I'm kinda starting to like the orange :-).

Now, I'm caught up and I am off to color butterflies with my new Copics that I got in the mail yesterday! I think I'll color some of them orange!!!!!

Beth

Project 365 - Day 21 - A Mini Tim Holtz in the Making

I told you already how "I heart Tim Holtz"... well, now look, I have my very own mini Tim Holtz in the making!  My grandson Jack helped me make cards this morning... he is two and a half and just learning the fine art of stamping (he is also learning the fine art of drawing on his face... notice the cheek)... oh well, we had fun! He is just TOO CUTE for words!  I just wanna squeeze him all the time!

Beth

Cricut Cardz Challenge #9

This week's Cricut Cardz Challenge #9 was to craft a card using the theme "Thinking of You" on an S-Fold card.  You were allowed to use any Cricut Cart.  For this challenge I chose to cut the hearts from Gypsy Wanderings.  The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye, "Totally Girl" paper pack.  I inked the edges of the card to match the patterned paper using Jet Black Archival Ink and added some bling from Hero Arts.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the front square that I mounted the hearts on. The ribbon was from my stash. I stamped all the hearts on the inside flap (with black, pink and cream ink) using the heart from one of my favorite stamps sets from Papertrey Ink.  What fun to create my first S-Fold card! 

Project 365 Day 20 - Our Big BIG baby Yuri

Today's POTD is of Yuri.  He is one of our Boer goats.  Actually I tried to get a photo of Cory and Shane trimming Yuri's hooves, but I was so busy feeding him crackers to keep him happy while he was getting his manicure...the only clear photo I got was this one - just after the guys finished the job.  He's a little dirty (hard to keep them clean in the winter)...but believe it or not this handsome guy has won quite a few blue ribbons in his show days. Of course he was younger and thinner then...but still just as big a baby as he is now!

Tim Holtz - New Embossing Folders

I was so excited to find out that Tim Holtz is introducing his new embossing folders (that will work in my Cuttlebug!)... I can't wait until they are available to buy.  My favorites are pictured at the right.  Oh, heck... I'll just say it... I love ALL of them... to see the rest of his new embossing folders go here. 

I heart Tim Holtz!

CPS Sketch 150

I crafted this card for the CPS (Card Positioning System) Sketch 150 Challenge.  This was a difficult challenge for me.... so many ideas...some worked, some did not.  I used kraft paper to form the card base and my patterned paper was from My Mind's Eye, "Totally Girl" paper pack.  I cut the large flower using the George Cart with my Cricut. The small flowers are from Gypsy Wanderings. I cut them from the border flowers and added some dimension using my Cuttlebug.  The buttons are Hero Arts and the ribbon was from my stash. 

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #98

My daughter Erin is just trying her hand at card making. For her second card (that she has ever made!), she decided to try the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #98.  She formed her card from plain white cardstock and used patterned paper from K & Company.  She used SU stamps and colored them (both outside and inside the card) with Prismacolor watercolor pencils.  She used the swiss dots embossing folder with the Cuttlebug to add texture and pulled the buttons and bling from my stash.  I think she did a great job...especially given the fact that she is just starting out!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 122

I was anxious to get to work on Mojo Monday's Sketch Challenge 122. Even better, for the first time I also decided to incorporate Challenge #16 at Just Us Girl's (JUGS), which is a color challenge using burgundy, vanilla, blush and gray.

To craft the card I used gray and pink cardstocks from AC and Papertrey Ink. My patterned paper is from the paper pack, Totally Girl by My Mind's Eye. I embossed the burgundy paper with my Cuttlebug and also used some white ink to jazz it up a bit. The flower wheels were cut using Gypsy Wanderings I layered them to make them nice and thick and then added some Hero Arts bling.  The sentiment was cut using the Wild Card Cartridge.  (I have yet to get the color just right when I attempt to photograph my cards, even when I edit with Photoshop...but I'm working on it!)

My daughter worked on a card for the Taylored Expressions challenge #98 while I worked on this card... I love when we work together on papercrafts!

Project 365 - Day 19 - The Bouncy Horse and Copic Markers

It appears that someone other than my grandsons enjoy riding the Bouncy Horse.  Today while taking photographs of the boys playing in our game/family room... I spotted our youngest cat Ziggy atop the horse...so I snapped this photograph as my POTD for our Project 365 scrapbook.

Other than that... I have nothing new to share, although I do have some new Copic Markers ordered...and can hardly wait to start learning how to use them!  I have also been doing a lot of research regarding the best cardstock to use with Copics... I've ordered some but if any of you have any information about your own experience with Copics and the best cardstock to use with them... I'd love to hear it!

Beth

Project 365 - Day 18 - Using Photos as Proof!

My POTD for yesterday January 18, is this photograph of Michael's in Lansing (On Saginaw).  I took this photograph to prove (to my cynical daughters) three things.  1.  I do not ALWAYS shop via the internet. 2. I do leave the house sometimes (even if it is winter) AN D I actually leave the town of Ionia now and again (especially if I need scrapbooking or card making supplies!).  This photograph proves what I have been saying all along to my girls.  I suppose if they need more proof I can give them a copy of the sales receipt too.. or I can just make them something new with all the stuff I got there! :-)

Beth

Project 365 - Day Seventeen

My significant other did not understand why I would choose this particular picture for my POTD in our Project 365 scrapbook.  Perhaps he figures that we have enough living subjects that there is no need for me to take photos of objects.  I told him that I love the photo.  I love the colors (Brown?, he questioned)... yes brown, but also that it was so plain and quiet.  The birdhouse that Cory so lovingly built for me stands unoccupied and alone right now... waiting for spring... that's kinda how I'm feeling about now!  Winter is not my favorite time of year and once the holidays pass much of my weather thoughts have to do with how soon spring arrives... This photo mirrors those thoughts for me I guess.  The birdhouse stands quiet waiting for spring... just as I am. 

Now, I do believe I will start working on some spring cards to make me feel better about waiting for spring.  We have a White Elephant gift exchange at the end of the month with 9 other couples who make up our Supper Club (check the link out for more information on forming your own).  And I think this year, I will actually make one nice gift as one of the two we'll take to the party!

Off I go.

Beth

Day Sixteen - Project 365

Today my youngest grandson spent the day with Poppa and Nanie because his parents both had to work.  Jack was away at his other grandparents house. So Seth had us all to himself.  This is rare since Jack and his parents live here with us.  This is a photo of Seth watching Youtube videos with Poppa.  He is especially fond of Monster Trucks and the Moo Moo Cow Song. We also spent the day reading, playing playdoh, coloring, driving little monster trucks and we took a nap too! 

With this photo I will be officially caught up and have everything up to today in our new Project 365 three-ring scrapbook from We R Memory Makers!  It was really difficult to decide how I wanted to embellish the pages given the fact that I am using these page protectors from We R Memory Makers... I tried to find some ideas online, but couldn't find any at all.  If any one knows where I might find some inspiration for this type of scrapbook .... let me know!

Until then... keep creating something new every day!

Beth

Day Fourteen - Project 365

I had to take this photo of Marley the day after she drank part of a liter of lemonade... please don't worry, no animals were harmed in the making of the photo on the 13th or 14th.  Marley did not get sick after quenching her thrist while in the yard, but the sugar may have had a hand in her spending the afternoon playing hard... In this photo on the day after...she is one tired girl.

Day Thirteen - Project 365.... Party Animal

My daughters had a party last weekend in our family/game room which is right next to my craft room. So for several days, every time I went into my craft room I saw three liters of pop that were left over from the party sitting on my daughter's computer desk.  Today when I let the dogs out into the yard to play, I decided to put the pop outside as well. Then I went back inside and started a load of laundry. When I returned to my craft room and looked out the window that overlooks our patio/yard, I saw Marley (one of our four dogs), on the patio having herself a nice long drink of lemonade. 

Naturally I had to run out with my camera and get this photo for the day.  The little Party Animal didn't even bother to stop drinking when I came out to snap the photo! :-)  I guess the other three don't like lemonade as they were busy doing doggie things elsewhere in the yard. By the way, the Sprite bottle was already empty...the dogs were using that as a toy.

Project 365 - Day Twelve

Since I am a day behind on blogging, I'll make this short. Although I did not find time to post on this blog yesterday, I did in fact take a cute photo of Mommy (Cait) and Daddy (Cory) with upside down son Jack.  I captured this photo as they were playing together before bath time!  Jack loves to be picked up and hung upside down (notice that Mommy takes the extra safety precaution of also holding his arm while she has him this way!  Being safe always makes Nanie (that would be me) happy.

Create something new every day!

Beth

Project 365 - Day 11 - Buying Cricut Cartridges Cheaply!

I told you that I was going to write a blog about how to save money buying your scrapbooking supplies... today I am going to talk specifically about how to buy Cricut Cartridges cheap!

Over the past months since I bought my Cricut I have purchased a number of cartridges to go along with it.  I believe that I am up to somewhere around 16. Which is more than some people have, but a lot less those people who realized what fun it would be to own a cricut long before I did!  Never the less, for those of you who do own a Cricut you know that if I had purchased those cartridges at their regular price (let's just say around 70.00 each)... I would have spent $1120.00 (GASP!!!)  Had I bought them on sale at Michael's for $39.99 (that's a typical sale price at Michael's) that would mean I would have spent $639.84.  Certainly a significant savings, but still...that's a lot of money to spend on a "hobby"."  The truth of the matter is, with the exception of the first couple of cartridges that I did purchase on sale at Michaels... I've bought the rest of them for significantly less, on Ebay!  I have purchased all my cartridges  for between 21 and 31 dollars, with an average price of around $25! I've actually spent less than $400.00 on the purchase of Cricut Cartridges.  I buy by auction only... and most of them through the seller, Craft-e-Corner, they have free shipping and they are fast too!  I love them!  So...that's my money saving tip for the day!  Stop paying retail or even sale price for your cartridges, Ebay auctions will save you money!

My POTD is of Cory (the father of my grandson Jack) and one of his best friends, Shane.  They often commute to college together and in this particular photo, they just returned home from class.

Cory and Shane met through Caitlin (my daughter) and one of her lifelong friends, Kayce (Shane's girlfriend). Caitlin and Kayce are delighted that their boyfriends have developed a close relationship as well... makes it nice for both couples.

Take care and remember to create something new every day!

Beth

Project 365 - Day 10

Today has been one of those "on-the-go" kind of days.  I was certain that at some point this weekend I would have an opportunity to write a blog dedicated to talking about saving money when buying scrapbooking supplies.  Instead, I spent the better part of the afternoon actually shopping around for scrapbooking/card making supplies (while saving money of course!).  Now, I have too many other things on the agenda this evening to write much for today's blogpost.  So, instead of giving any advice (I'll save that for another day)... I'm just posting my picture for Day 10.

My POTD is of my daughter Cydney (on the left) with her BFF Karlie (pictured on the right)... and Karlie's new car that she just bought less than an hour ago! Yeah Karlie! She's been without a car for a couple of weeks now (that so cramps the style of a senior high school girl!).  We're so happy for Karlie!  It just so happens that Cydney is also sporting a new hair color in this photograph.  We're really liking that too... here's hoping this color has some serious staying power - and that Karlie's car does too!

Enjoy your evening...and remember to create something new every day!

Beth

Cropping with the Cricut Stars Submission and Day 9 Project 365

Today is the last day to enter the Provocraft, Cropping with the Cricut Stars contest.  Check out the link to see the great prizes.  The objective was to create a project using Cricut Cartridges released in 2009.  I chose to use Gypsy Wanderings, Gypsy Font, From My Kitchen and Paisley for a two page scrapbook layout of my "Tuff" Guy doing dishes.  A scrapbook layout was just one of the many projects you could choose from however and I am sure that there will be a lot of very talented people entering projects (like home decor and more) that will be far more creative than a scrapbook layout...but I had fun doing it just the same!

As for Day 9 of my Project 365.  I couldn't resist taking this photograph of our youngest dog Heidi.  She looks like an angel in this photograph, but don't let that fool you...she is actually a little devil!  Still, she is also a wonderful foot-warmer at night (Heidi loves to cuddle under the blankets). Devil or not however, she's our devil and we love her.....most of the time anyhow! 

I promised I'd blog today about how to save money buying scrapbook/card making supplies today...and I will but not until later.  Caitlin (my middle daughter) and I have a card making date with my oldest daughter's mother-in-law. (Now say that three times fast!). So I'm off to create something new! 

Project 365 - Day Eight - Dedicated Scrapbooking Computer

In this age of computers there are probably less households without them, then there are with them.  At least that is what I am guessing.  I don't have any hard statistics to back up that claim however.  I know in our house, up until yesterday we had four computers.  Two are college laptops, and two desktops, one I use almost exclusively and one my youngest daughter uses... but there is not a printer set up with it (I have had trouble networking here...that's another story.).  Anyhow, we decided it would be nice to have a computer just for our scrapping and photo editing, and thought it would be even nicer if we attached it to a compact photo printer.  We'll still use the desktop and that printer for big photos....but we tend to scrap mostly in 4 x6 or smaller. 

To show you how little the new computer is... Caitlin sat it on top of her laptop... when they say Inspiron MINI...they mean MINI!  Designed with the child in mind...this is Dell's Nickelodon inspired laptop "Slimed", sold at Walmart.  It was cheap and just enough to do with it what we want... edit and store photos (and write on the blog!)...  If you are looking for speed...this isn't the computer for you.  But if you're like us, it would be just what you need for scrapping!

Our lofty plans for this tiny computer include storing photos for scrapping and again, using it to edit those photos.  I downloaded the new Photoshop Elements 8 for that purpose. Our intent is to download, edit and sort/store as we go along...rather than having these huge files of photos we are constantly going through...most of which we will never scrapbook, since we only pick the really good ones to do a layout with. It is my hope that we'll stay a bit more organized when it comes to having photos ready to scrap into layouts!  We'll see.

In the meantime, we've had a lot of snowfall here, not enough to close schools, but enough to make you want to hibernate until spring... that said, this is my photo for Day 8 of our Project 365.

An email from Joann Fabric and Crafts says that the supplies I ordered to scrap our Project 365 has been shipped. Perhaps by early next week, I'll have it all together and be actually scrapping these photos into an album!

I suppose that I could've used the computer photo for today...but the picture of our road this morning was so pretty to me, I decided I would rather scrap this one!

My next blog post will be dedicated to tips on how to buy your scrapbooking supplies for CHEAP.  Stay tuned and until then, remember to Create Something New Every Day!

 

CPS Challenge 148

This is my CPS (Card Positioning Systems) Challenge 148 inspired card.  If you would like to enter this challenge there is still time, just go here.  The sketch for this challege is pictured here along with my card.  Again, after so much trouble with my camera issues, I failed to complete a "recipe" for this project.  Just trust me when I say that I used by beloved Cricut and the supplies I had on hand.

Mojo Monday 120 Contest

Finally, with the help of my Olympus E410 SLR camera... a photograph of my entry for the Mojo Monday Challenge.  This is their first for 2010...and my first entry in a challege ever! 

I made this card with the help of my cricut, gypsy and paper/card making supplies that I had onhand.  I should have written down the "recipe", but I was so worked up about my whole camera thing, I failed to do that. Next time, for sure!

There is still time to enter this particular contest/challenge so if you are interested go here.

I look forward to entering lots more card and scrapbook challeges, now that I finally figured out how to take the dang picture! 

Project 365 - Day Seven, Using the Macro Setting on Your Camera

After researching my issues regarding taking great close-up shots (for card making and scrapbook layout challenges), I discovered something new on my camera!  The Macro setting!  I've been taking photographs for a long time, and never fully understood this setting until today! 

Macro photography is close-up photography where the image projected on the "film plane" (film or digital sensor) is close to the same size as the subject you are photographing. Make sure you check your camera manual for the distance requirements, for instance my Olympus SLR E-410 can only get within about 6 inches with my 14-45mm lens. Some cameras will allow you to get a lot closer.  Although I am ordering a (very cheap) kind of Macro lens today off Amazon that should help me to get a bit closer by magnifying my current lens (not a true Macro lens in other words...which cost well over $200.00)... anyhow, for some great information regarding getting close-ups using the Macro setting for your point and shoot compact cameras... read here. 

This morning while I was trying out my Macro setting, I took this photo of some silk flowers (hey, it's winter here...no real flowers in sight!).
Notice the detail present on the petals of the flower!  Now just imagine if this were a real flower and it had a bee atop it busy at work... what a shot that would be for your Project 365 scrapbook!

Anyhow, while I was playing with the macro setting my grandson came into the kitchen and asked, "What doin' Nanie?".... so with the Macro setting still on, I snapped this close up and personal photo of Jack.  Isn't he just one of the cutest little guys on this planet? 

With all this Macro investigating going on this morning, I have a wealth of photographs for Project 365 today and it isn't even 8:00 a.m., yet!  I do want to mention however that my original Project 365 photo was a picture of two of my daughters. The photo shows my daughter Caitlin doing her younger sister's hair for school.  I took the photo to prove to both of them, at some point down the road, that they do actually get along well and often do nice things for each other as well (I think they forget that sometimes)! Never mind the fact that while they were absorbed in this activity...they were also bickering about something or other.  Sheesh!... but, I guess that is what sisters do... at least that is what my daughter's tell me!

Okay... if the good photo mojo is with me today, I just might post some of my card creations in yet another post today! Yip Yip!

Until then remember to create something new every day - even if it is just a smile!

Beth

Project 365 - Day Six - Get into the Morning Photograph Habit

Starting today, make a habit of taking at least one photograph every morning. Why you might ask? Well, I don't know about you, but there are days that go by so fast I can even forget to complete the day to day tasks of my life, so it is easy for me to envision that amidst the chaos of life, it would be easy for the day to slip by without me realizing it and end up with no picture for the day (GASP!!!) However, if you make a habit of getting up every morning and take a photograph before your day really gets going then you're covered for the day, should you forget later! Your morning photograph is like an insurance policy against ending up with a Project 365 that is minus a day or two!

That said, wouldn't you know that today was the first day that I didn't take a photograph first thing in the morning (ut oh!)... but not to worry, I took one just a few moments ago.  This photograph is of my grandsons with my daughter Caitlin.  Cait is still on break from classes at Michigan State University until next week...so she has spent the better part of her morning and early afternoon taking care of her son and nephew (aka my grandsons, Jack and Seth).  In fact, to get this photograph she had to drag the boys away from their playdoh so I could snap the picture.  As you can see... they were just a little less than delighted to pause for a picture!

On another note, I have two cards completed for a couple of card challenges I want to participate in and I have yet to get a good photograph of either one of them.  Argh!  However, I pulled out my SLR camera and I'm charging up the battery.... I'm gonna get those photos one way or another!

Until then... don't forget to create something new every day!

Project 365 - Day Five, Day After Photographs

This photograph was taken early this morning... the DAY AFTER both my grandsons spent the entire day playing (mostly in my livingroom!)... I know that I should probably also have a photo of how tidy the livingroom is BEFORE the boys play in it... but this is not Project 366... SO, all you get is the photograph of the aftermath.  Mind you, I left the mess all night long as we all slept sound in our beds, in order to snap this photograph just this morning! (Okay, I did put the playdoh away in containers last night...but that is it!)

The first photo I took did not have my oldest grandson in it (like this one does) as he was sleeping... but when he woke up, I do believe he was just a bit surprised to find that the livingroom remained exactly as he and Seth (my youngest grandson) left it the night before. (We usually make them clean up... or least try to get them to assist in the clean up). So I decided to retake the photo with him in it (notice the pajamas - he is also wearing his camo rain boots...but that's another photo and journaling day).  The really scary thing about this photo...which I will be sure to mention when I journal in the scrapbook about it is... the state of my livingroom actually looks BETTER in pictures than it looks in real life! What a mess!

So, what's my point with this photograph you ask? (Other than the fact that I want my grandsons to have proof that this is what they do to Nanie's house)... If you've already taken your photograph for the day ... like I did of my daughter Cydney, then leave things as they are and take a Day After photograph.  I'm a purist like that... as I was not willing to take the photograph yesterday for today.... if you know what I mean!

Today I'm back at working on card challenges and trying to get a photograph that gives even one of my cards the justice it deserves... which reminds me that I still need to write that article on how to improve photographs of your card and scrapbook layouts for your blogs!

Create something new every day!

Project 365 - Day Four and Still Snapping Photos...

Okay, so this morning my youngest daughter was the only one up with me.  Besides the dogs... So, I asked her to strike a pose and snapped this photo of her before school.

Actually I've been taking a lot of photos of Cydney for the past 5 months, capturing as many of her final high school memories as I can... it's her senior year after all and well, I am scrapping away on an album for her Open House after graduation!  This one I'll call something really clever like, "Back to school after Christmas break" (hey, it's hard to be creative ALL the time!)... and that is my point, some days you won't be very inspired when it comes to what photo to take...or what to journal.  But take a  photograph anyway.... one day, when you are putting the final touches on your Project 365 and you look back over your scrapbook, every single photo will be significant, even if it only means that you captured a memory each and every day for a full year!

The one thing that I realize as each day goes by into this project is that I am snapping lots more photos than I typically do and all day long as well, not just for the Project 365 scrapbook either.  That in itself is a good thing as I realize that there are so very many things that happen that I should be photographing.  Like the big fort that took over my livingroom yesterday that Caitlin and Cory built for both my grandsons to play in. There are so many moments that make for wonderful memories... if I could only have a photograph of all of them....and by golly, I'm working on it!

That said, I'm really feeling frustrated with my camera situation... my really nice SLR is down and out right now... and my little point and shoot Fuji has started taking less than great photographs. I haven't posted any other projects I've been working on because of this situation... which brings me to my next post... I'm researching how to improve the photographs you take of your projects... like cards and scrapbook layouts... stay tuned and in the meantime, keep creating something new every day!

Beth

Project 365 - If you can't go...send your camera along!

At the start of the Project 365 I gave you some ideas to help you take photographs every day.  However today, when my daughter, her son and his father went sledding, I knew that was a great photo opportunity, but because I was unable to attend I would miss taking photos of such a fun event as that... so I sent my camera instead of missing out!  My daughter took a number of photos of thier sledding adventure and then when they got back, I went through them and selected the photo for today to put in my Project 365 scrapbook.

I chose this particular photo because, this was not only one of the best photos, it was also a chance for me to journal in my album about the close relationship my grandson Jack and his father Cory share.  Cory is one of the best fathers I have had the pleasure of seeing in action. They all live with me because both parents are attending college and I provide daycare, so I see a lot of interaction between Cory and my oldest grandson Jack (who is 2 1/2).  Cory spends much of his free time playing with Jack...and I mean REALLY playing with him. They read, sing, listen to music, watch television, play guns, bears, cars, trucks and well... just about everything. While I think Cory might tell you that HE is the lucky one to have Jack... I believe that Jack is equally lucky to be blessed with such a loving father who isn't afraid to get right down on the floor (or snow) in this case and play with his son! Here they are together at Bertha Brock Park, a popular place to snow sled here in our small community.  Mommy (Caitlin) is taking the photo.

So, the next time that you know a fun activity is going on with your family, but for whatever reason, you can't go... don't forget to send your camera for some great Project 365 photos!

Create something new every day!

Beth

Project 365 Scrapbook - Supplies to Get You Started

I have the kind of personality that wants and needs clear instruction when given a task.  So naturally when I decided to start a Project 365 scrapbook, I combed the internet for information on what other people did before me regarding supplies and general layout of the album.  Like I mentioned in my first post, I found two kits (that will be available sometime mid-January to purchase) and a number of posts from other people who bought and used their own supplies and set up their own layouts.  I really admire people who can strike out on their own like that... in cases such as scrapbooking and card making, I have a tendency to be a follower of the "steps" of a project and make variations only in use of papers and embellishments, etc.

That said, I also am the kind of person who can't wait to get started on something when I have a task before me that I want to do.  So for me, having to wait until mid-January to buy a Project 365 kit was really bugging me.

Instead I read about what was used to put the album together and found the best prices I could to buy the things I felt I needed to get me started.  I don't have a Hobby Lobby or a Michaels nearby (the closest one is some 40 minutes away and in the winter, I just don't travel outside of our small community very often - the very reason why I love internet shopping!)  I found a great New Year's sale at Joann Fabric and Crafts and purchased the following items:

3 (10 packs) of We R Memory Keepers 12''x12'' 3-Ring Photo Sleeves - 10PK for $3.59each. I purchased three different variations of this product so I had the option for different photo layouts throughout the year.
1 We R Memory Keepers 12''x12'' Ring Photo Sleeves - 25PK for $7.19 I bought this to save some money by buying, bulk to ensure I had enough pages for the whole year on hand.
1 American Crafts 4''x6'' Cardstock Packs - 60P for $3.74. I plan to use these for some journaling in case I just want to throw it into the album with a photo quick like.
1 Leisure Arts Thinkable Date Stamp  for $2.79. I bought this for when I just want to quickly stamp a journal note or photo with the date.
1 Making Memories Spiral Journaling Book - for  $4.99 (not on sale).  I bought this to use for journaling.
1 We R Memory Keepers 12''x12'' Faux Leather 3-Ring Binder - for $17.99. I bought this to put all the photo pages in (of course.).

With shipping and tax it all came to about $58.00.  I'll use other papers and embellishments that I already have on hand as well, but I think that for an album that I am putting together for an entire year, not a bad price all in all. Granted, it's not one of those fancy kits, but I do believe it will work out just right for me! Once I get all the supplies shipped to me, I'll be able to determine the layout of the album... but until then, I am taking photos and putting them up on this blog with my journal note... so that I have it all ready to put in the album when it arrives.

That said, this morning Cosmo, one of my seven cats got a hold of a plastic Meijer bag and fell in love with it (the furry guy just loves plastic bags in general, I have no idea why and well, I just don't get it!)... I took several photos of him loving up his plastic bag, but when Rahja (aka Roger) saw the action, he decided to get into the photo as well and take front row too.  Here they are together, Cosmo is laying on the bag... probably to keep any one of the six other cats from stealing it from him... as if they would.  They don't get the whole love of plastic bag thing either.

Now I'm off to participate in a couple of this week's card making challenges I've found. I'll post those creations here later.

Create something new every day and don't forget to take your camera with you!

Beth

Project 365 - Ideas to Keep You Snapping Photos Every Day

Happy New Year and welcome to day 1 of Project 365!

While this picture of my oldest dog Molly may not actually end up being my first photo in the Project 365 book I am starting today... this is the first photograph I took in 2010.

This photograph is significant for me in that almost every day starts with one of my four canines waking me! This morning (after only four hours of sleep) was no exception.

Molly is shown here at the threshold of our family room in the basement. A teen party was held there the night before and Molly is smart enough to know that where there were teenagers gathered for a party, there is also sure to be leftover food laying around... and for this, she woke me up at 6 a.m. Sheesh! While Molly is an exceptionally smart canine...she still hasn't figured out how to open the gate to the familyroom by herself... yet. (Now, if I do use this as my first photograph in the scrapbook... I also have what I need to journal for that picture already written down... I just need to copy it over into my Project 365 scrapbook!)

My point in showing this photograph and writing a short description (journaling about the photo) is this... photos that we scrapbook don't necessarily have to be of significant events... like birthdays, holidays or even vacations. Scrapbooking isn't just about recording an event...but rather about recording life. My dog Molly waking me up in the wee hours of the morning in hopes that I will open the gate to the family room for her so she can go down there and search for bits of pizza left on plates by careless teenagers... that's my life and this is exactly the focus of Project 365... to document life as we know and experience it!

Last evening, during a New Year's Eve celebration with friends, several of us discussed the concept of Project 365. A couple of my gal pals indicated that they didn't feel there were enough significant events to record with a photograph every single day. I understood their point. Both of them have children who are grown and out of the house for the most part. One has a granddaughter but only sees her once or twice a week.

When we start to think in those terms, it is easy to see how you might also think there won't be much to photograph every single day in the course of an entire year. On the other hand, there are probably many of you out there who are like me, I still have kids living at home, I also have two grandsons who I see daily (one lives with me) and I have a real-life Ark full of animals in my own home that consists of seven cats, four dogs and two goats (don't panic the goats actually live outside - well okay, to be honest a couple of really cold winters I did keep a few babies in the house, but it was only for a few days and they were really little...ah um, thats another story though). Anyhow, all of this provides for an endless amount of photographic subject matter to be sure! (I mean if I didn't photograph it, no one would ever believe this madness actually happens around here!)... Never the less, given how life is at this address, I actually wonder how I will narrow my Project 365 scrapbook down to just one photograph a day!

However, for those of you who are wondering what you could possibly have to photograph for your own Project 365 scrapbook, here are a few ideas to help keep you snapping photos every day...

1. Don't Leave Home Without Your Camera. Keep your camera with you when you leave the house and you are bound to find something to photograph! How about that beautiful sunrise/sunset, the snow falling gently to the ground, that beautiful flower in your garden, your neighbor's pesky dog that always comes over to poo in your yard (if it happens to be one of MY dogs, no photographs please!) anyhow, you get the picture (no pun intended).

2. Everyone who enters your home is fair game! Take a photograph of all your houseguests and/or visitors throughout the course of the year. (You might want to give your friends/family a heads up that you are working on a Project 365 scrapbook and let them know if they visit your home, you consider them fair game to photograph!)

3. Take Photos of the Regular Stuff. Think about the things that happen in your life on a regular basis. For instance, a small group of does (yes, deer) cross my road and walk alongside my property every day. My scrapbook will surely have a photo like that in it. What are the every day things that happen in your life? Does your husband/significant other watch sports on television every Sunday? Does he always leave the seat on the toilet up? Take photos of that (then you have PROOF! - ha!).

4. Photograph the Extraordinary. As well as photographing the things that happen on a regular basis, don't forget to take pictures of the things that happen which are extraordinary or rather... out of the ordinary. Did it rain so hard last night that your basement flooded? Did your car break down alongside the road (if you had your camera with you like I suggested in item 1., then you could've taken a photograph of that!).

5. Think Outside the Camera. If you still can't think of anything to photograph that day... then think outside the camera. Did you go out to dinner last night? Save the receipt and put that in your scrapbook for that day and journal about your dining experience.

6. If it's New, Photograph it! If you buy something new take a photograph of the item, or better yet, take a photograph of the item being used or worn! Have someone take a photo of you wearing that great new outfit! Did you get a new haircut, get your nails done, get a sunburn? Take a picture of that!

7. Don't Forget the Special Events. Even though I told you that scrapbooking isn't JUST about photographing special events like vacations, holidays, birthday, etc.,... don't forget to take photos of those special moments and include them in your Project 365 scrapbook too!

8. If All Else Fails. And finally, if all else fails and you STILL need a photograph for the day but just can't think of one to take... just email me and I'll be happy to send one over to you...because I have a feeling I'm going to have tons of extras! Seriously though, if all else fails, here is a PDF from creating keepsakes that has 365 photograph ideas. The list is from January 2009, but hey, it still has some great ideas!

By the way, yesterday I ordered all the supplies I think I will need for my Project 365 scrapbook (3 ring binder and page protectors, etc). I decided not to wait for one of the kits I talked about in my first post yesterday. Instead I took advantage of the big online sale at the Joann Fabric and Craft Store website and ordered items I selected for use in my own album from them. But...more on that in my next post... in the meantime...have fun and remember to create something new every day!