Thursday, January 31, 2013

Anyone can scrapbook, and everybody should.

When it comes to Project Life, each of us fits into one of the following categories:

1 - You don’t do Project Life and are sick of seeing blog posts about it.

2 - You do Project Life, you love it, and you are hooked.

3 - You’re thinking, “What the heck is Project Life?

I’ve been through a few scrapbook phases in my life; from the early days of ticket stubs, school photos of friends, and random bits [barely] adhered to pages with a simple glue stick, to a more elaborate form of scrapbooking with more-embellishments-than-photo-fare permanently attached to fancy cardstock and patterned paper.
No matter what format you choose, keeping a book with some photos and tidbits about life as it is right now {aka: a scrapbook} is important. It’s personally important so you can look back and see how far you’ve come in this life, or where you still need to go. And it’s important to your friends and family because some day, whether you like it or not, someone will want to know about your life. They’ll want to know how you lived it, who or what you loved in it, and how you spent your days.

The idea of page protectors with little sections to slip bits of paper and photos into just appeals to me. I can’t think of a simpler, more workable format for saving photos and memorabilia - and in the end, calling it a scrapbook. Lots of people call this Project Life {the simple, yet ingenious brain child of Becky Higgins}.

Carrie got me started on Project Life last May, and in the beginning I resisted. I didn’t want to do the traditional weekly spreads – didn’t want to conform. I ended up just printing lots of photos, saving a few odds and ends to include, and the result is that I have a nice collection of some of my favorite photos for the second half of 2012. I like it, it’s a cool collection of photos in chronological order, but it’s not the way I want my 2013 book to be.


This year I’m committing to Project Life in its traditional format with weekly spreads. I even bought a kit complete with journaling cards, all in a cohesive color scheme, and I’m taking daily notes in my hard-copy calendar/journal. Sometimes I’ll share my pages here on my blog, but for the most part I’ll probably keep it to myself.


You don’t need the actual “Project Life” page protectors to do this project! There are plenty of other brands, sizes, and shapes of page protectors and three-ring binders {sold at Target, Michael’s, OfficeMax…}. There’s no right or wrong way to make a personal scrapbook. Our scrapbooks should be as unique as we are.
So, go ahead - start documenting your life!
Somehow, just document it.
Because anyone can scrapbook,
and everybody should.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

And the bracelet goes to...

Hello, blog friends!
It's Wednesday and that makes be happy because:
We are half way to the weekend {Super Bowl Sunday! Go 49er's!};
We're having dinner at Carrie's house tonight;
And, oh yeah!
It's giveaway time!


 Congratulations, Jacky!!!
You won! You won!


A super big thank you to Christin for offering such a lovely bracelet from her PureJoy Etsy shop. Jacky, I know you'll love your bracelet! I'll send your email contact information to to Christin and she'll be in touch with you.
Thanks to everyone who played along.
Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Valentine Bunting

Inspired by my friend Traci.


Super simple.

This was made using pages from a book I picked up from my local thrift store. I love that it's printed in French, although I have no idea what it says. I do know that Barbara and Helen are characters in the story - here's hoping they are good girls with lovely things taking place in their lives. {And if you speak French and the story is not a nice one, please allow me to remain blissfully ignorant.}

Monday, January 28, 2013

Rainy Weekend Recap

Greetings, blog friends.

This past weekend was a lazy one at our house. It rained all weekend, and I wasn't feeling well, so I totally took it easy. I did take a few pictures, so I'll post them here and call it a weekend recap.


Whiskers Jay is settling into his new role as the household's only cat since Fancy Jane is gone. He's never been a single cat before, and we can see a little change in him. He's much more affectionate. ♥


I worked on my Project Life for a while yesterday. I finished printing all of 2012's photos, did a little bit of journaling, and moved on to 2013's book. I still want to go back and embellish 2012's album, but that will have to wait. I'm settling in to a different format for this year's PL, and I'll share more about that later this week.


One thing about 2013's Project Life is that I'm including Doug more. Rather than it being MY Project Life, it's going to be OUR P.L. and will include some of the photos he takes with his point-and-shoot camera while camping with his brothers. I made him asked him to sit still yesterday so I could take a photo for our cover page, and I just love this shot of him. ♥


And with that, I'm off to tackle the week ahead.

Don't forget to enter my blog giveaway to win a pretty bracelet from PureJoy!
I'll be announcing a winner on Wednesday of this week.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Just a Quote for Friday

{Born Brave Bus ~ Wednesday night before the Lady Gaga concert}
 
"Make friends, not trouble."

Thursday, January 24, 2013

A Simple Pleasure ~ Growing Carrot Tops


A few weeks ago in a random post {I know, that doesn't really narrow it down on this blog, but...} I shared a photo of some carrot tops soaking in water. I was really surprised by some of the comments that were left, asking what they were.


I'm not sure where this fascination started with me. I don't even really remember doing this as a kid, but it looks like something my mom would have known to do. Now, before you go asking if I'm going to plant them in dirt, I'll tell you I hold no illusions of growing my own carrots.* These are merely for ornamental purposes. And my own simple enjoyment.


I mean, really. Putting a carrot top in a little dish of water, giving it a little sunshine, and letting it sprout pretty green leaves - how sweet and simple is that?


Right?


I think I'll sprout some beans in a jar next.

* I actually did this a couple of years ago and kept them growing long enough for flowers to form. That was exciting! I ended up planting them in a pot of dirt and they quickly wilted and faded away. Oh well. Still fun.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Crafters Unite ~ A Sweet Little Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I met a friend for breakfast {hi Janae!} and afterwards we strolled through the Gilbert Farmer's Market. On that particular morning, there was an art walk too. As crafters, we really enjoy seeing handmade items, and one artist in particular caught our eye.


Standing behind a table displaying beautiful hand crafted leather bracelets was a young woman by the name of Christin Joy. We talked for a while, admired her work, took a business card, and each of us purchased bracelets.

The next day, after admiring my new bracelet, I had an idea. I sent an email to Christin, and she graciously agreed to offer one of her lovely bracelets as a giveaway on my blog in exchange for a little Etsy shop promo.

My bracelet is a pretty shade of blue {teal} and sports my first initial. I love the look and feel of this bracelet, and I know you will too if you are the lucky winner.


So, here's the deal:
one person will win a braided leather bracelet,
in the color of their choice, and with the letter
charm of their choice.

To enter the random drawing, leave a comment on this blog post, or a comment on PaperTurtle's Facebook page. {I've also posted a photo on my Instagram feed if you want to comment there. My user name is PaperTurtle.} For an extra entry, visit Christin's Etsy shop and come back and leave another comment telling me what you loved over in her shop. Additional entries will be awarded if you: a) mention this giveaway and Christin's shop in a blog post, or b) mention same on Facebook. {If you are entering multiple times, you need to leave separate comments to do so.} A winner will be selected by random drawing and announced next Wednesday {January 30, 2013}, and Christin will ship internationally. :o)

A big thanks to Christin for offering up such a lovely bracelet.
If you're the lucky winner, I know you'll love this prize!
PS: Since this will be a random drawing, I'm allowing my family members to enter this giveaway too {except for Carrie who already owns a bracelet made by Christin}.

Edit: The contest is now closed.
:o)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Fancy Jane's Farewell



Eleven years ago, when Carrie and I were still single, we went to a pet store to purchase supplies for a kitten we planned to adopt later that week. As we entered the pet store, we both noticed a row of stacked cages to our right, filled with adult cats available for adoption.

We walked straight to the cage of a five-year old orange cat named Fancy - a name fittingly bestowed by her previous owner. As I reached in to pet her, she edged forward and met my hand, offering the top of her furry head to my fingertips.

Kitten? What kitten? We were smitten with Fancy, and we were taking her home!
  >^..^<


As the years rolled on, our sweet Fancy Jane became a beloved pet. Her fur was soft like a bunny, her claws sharp as razors, and she could hold a meow-note longer than any cat I've ever known. She was a girl of her own terms - petting Fancy required her being in the mood. Eating plastic was her vice, and even though she was a mere 6 pounds, our other {15 pound} cat knew that Fancy was the cat boss.


A small cat with a light and dainty step, she could situate herself on top of my hip as I slept {on my side} without disturbing my slumber. She was always close by when a meal or snack included milk, and was regularly spoiled by Doug who was a softy for her pretty face and pleading eyes.


Oh what a sweet little blessing it was to have a pet like Fancy. And oh how we will miss her for the longest time now that her time here is through.


Thanks for being the best pet ever, Fancy Jane.
We hope there's milk in kitty heaven.

Monday, January 21, 2013

My Weekend at Mom's House


Hello, friends.

This past weekend I traveled to California to spend the weekend with my family.

When my mom left, back at the beginning of October, I told my family that I'd be back at the end of January to help sort through her things. I'm so glad we put that on the calendar, because it's one of those things I may have put off for quite some time had it not been scheduled.


Arriving at my mom's house and going through her front door was the hardest part. My sister is such a nice balance for me. I was really emotional, but Valerie was strong and had such a great attitude about the whole process. She was excited to see what we'd find, and after I got over the initial sad part, we ended up having a fun time finding treasures, texting photos to our brothers/SILs/nieces, and reminiscing about our sweet mother.


Mom had enough treasures to go around, and we all ended up with a little bit of something, including a strawberry from her kitchen collection.


In the end, the weekend turned out to be a much happier time than I had anticipated. Though very bittersweet, it feels like some closure has taken place, and we felt good about helping our dear step-dad {Rod} in the process.

I'm feeling very behind on blog reading and email correspondence, so I'll be catching up this week. My mind is a jumble of things-to-do, places-to-go...

Wishing all who read this lots of blessings this week!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Just a Quote for Friday

{a birdhouse from my mom's backyard}
 
"You can't have everything.
Where would you put it?"
 
~ Steven Wright

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Around Here ~ January 2013

Hello, friends.
 
Even though our temps have been frreeeeezing cold, we still have stuff blooming in our backyard.

 
You're like, "Yeah, yeah, Deb, blood oranges...we know..."

 
I swear, this cat sits on the other side of the fence listening for our backdoor to open. As soon as we step out, he hops over the fence and into our backyard. He's our outside-neighborhood-semi-stray cat that Doug has dubbed "Hobo Joe."
 
 
Sweet cat, annoying loud meow. So funny - when I look at the photo above I can hear his voice! reeeeeeeEEEeooooooOOOOoowwwww
 
 
We have some tomatoes on the vine, and our jalapeno plant is doing well too.
 
 
See ya' next time, Hobo Joe.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Orange Face

I've mentioned our two blood orange trees before and how we nursed them back to health after they hadn't been watered for over a year. Remember? Anyway, this year we have been graced with a ton of fruit, and it's been our first experience with blood oranges.


Friends. These things are amazing. They do taste a little different from a regular orange - almost like there's a little grapefruit thrown in the mix. They aren't tart at all - just yummy, sweet, and juicy.


I know, I know - there are some who are squeamish and can't get past the "blood" part. But, for real people? It's not blood. It's just yummy red goodness.


A few weeks ago I noticed a little orange on the tree with a split in its skin. I told Doug, "That needs a couple of googly eyes" and he laughed. Who's laughing now?

{ Orange Face }

Between our freezing temps at night, the birds who have discovered these yummy fruits, and me picking those within my reach, these oranges are going fast. We have plans with some friends for blood orange margaritas at the end of this month...need to save a few for that!

How about you?
Have you ever tried a blood orange?
I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance.
And if we were neighbors, I'd give you one {or two} from our tree.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Team Teal Tuesday ~ She's Everywhere


She’s everywhere I go ~ like in the grocery store’s random display of strawberry shaped balloons. And at the Asian market where I'd least expect her.


She’s in the mirror ~ especially in the morning when my hair is wrapped in a towel and I am pre-make-up. {Whoa - is that me or my mom that I see?}
She’s in my kitchen ~ in the cookie dough bowl {I hear her say, “There’s at least one more cookie in there if you scrape it well enough…”}.

She’s in my craft room ~ in the tink-tink-tink of the strawberry wind chime that hung in her kitchen for 20+ years and now belongs to me.

She’s in my siblings ~ and the love we share for her will forever link us in love, laughter, and spirit.

She’s in my head ~ and helping me make up stuff to worry about! {She was a master worrier!}

She’s in my garden ~ among the memories of her flower beds when I was a child. 
She’s in my computer ~ and the screen saver photo slide show that runs automatically, showing her smiling face from time to time.
She’s in my smile ~ and also in the little wrinkle between my eyes when I frown - a wrinkle I never noticed until she complained about hers one time and I said, “Hey! I have that too!”
She’s in my heart and wrapped around my soul and I carry her with me always.
She is everywhere except physically within reach.
I miss you so much, Mom.
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