April 21, 2011
February 26, 2011
February 22, 2011
Decrapification 2011 - My Scrapbook Room (photo heavy)
I've spend the last weekend decrap-ifying my scrapbook room. I am having a scrappy-garage sale here at my house in a few weeks and needed to get things pulled out and cleaned out. Before we began, you can see where I purchased/came up with the basic elements of my room. Lookie here, but then come back to see my cleaned up space! :)
Here is a collage of what I started with.
One word, people: CHAOS. Nothing is really where it is supposed to be. Papers piled up. Things just*there* and not in a real spot. So I began clearing out! I sorted things into piles (trash, garage sale, keep, other rooms) and began sorting. And sorting.
And this is what I have now.
Let me walk you through my room....starting with the wall next to the bookshelf. You can't really see it any of the photos. Its a short wall because the door going to the rest of my home is on it.
Perpendicular to the 'creative' wall, is the bookshelf where I keep my buttons, ribbon, extra embellishments, sewing machine, alphabets, and books. Thats a ton of 'stuff' for one bookshelf, so my goal was to hide what I could, and make it look as pretty as possible.
This pottery-barn knockoff basket is on the top of the bookcase. In it is my ribbon, just tossed in. For me, the 'dig' is the best part of finding the right ribbon.
On the next shelf down is my Ball Mason jars, with my buttons sorted in general color families. Oh, and I have a jar for my thread. Then I use Milk Glass jars and bowls to hold pens, and odd and ends.
This next shelf just holds things I like :).
In this vintage bread box I keep embellishments, sorted by brand, that do not go in any current Studio Calico kit that I am working with. The black baskets holds alphabets, sorted by brand, then by color.
(close up of embellishment storage and alphabets)
My sewing machine shelf that also serves as a place for extra vintage books.
The bottom shelf holds photo boxes, magazines and my photography binder.
Are you still with me?? I promise the rest of the room is quicker to view :) Next up is my workspace. You can follow the link at the top of this post to see my worktable, which is countertop. I had a problem of how to store all of my studio calico kits.
The wall above my countertop is a photo gallery, so I couldn't really go upward with my storage. So instead, I went UNDERNEATH my countertop, and added a shelf the full length of my counter. The shelf itself is deep enough to hold my kits, but not so deep that my legs are cramped. In fact, the shelf in never in my way! Perfect solution, yes?! Here is what it looks like.
Its kinda hard to see my shelf in this photo, but its painted black. I store my cardstock in the 3-drawer unit (a drawer for specialty paper, a drawer for nuetrals, and a drawer for color). Next to it, I keep 4 plastic boxes for my Studio Calico kits. I add a removeable label on the outside of the boxes, with the kit name and date. Inside the box, I keep cardstock on bottom, then pattern paper, then embellishments. Here is the what the inside of the kit boxes look like:
On the floor, underneath my shelf, I have a vintage inspired wire basket, that has two clear boxes inside of it. In one box I have pattern paper scraps, and the other holds cardstock scraps. Again, the wire basket just pushes up again the wall, out of my way.
Since my workspace is an 'L' shape, the under-countertop storage makes an L also. This side of my under-counter storage holds vintage lockers holding extra chipboard letters, vintage embellishments, and my border punches I also store my stamp binder and paper trimmers on this side. Lots of room to add me, too! Something to notice is that I have used a kraft circle (punched out of scrap paper) and clip it on the outside of my baskets,labeled with whats inside. I used a mini-bullnose clip to hold it on.
Now, moving back up to my countertop, you will see I have a metal basket with adheasive and bling. I keep both in arms reach next to my IPOD docking station and candy :).
Right above that, I keep a vintage metal bucket with my nicer, fancier ribbons and trims in it.
Moving along the top of my L counter (on the wall), I store my punches on curtain rods. No real rhyme or reason as to how they are put on the rod...they're just up there! Above the punches is a shelf where I keep fun things to look at.
Moving along the same wall, I have an inpirational memo board that my wonderful hubby and dad made me. It is made out of wood trim and chicken wire. (Fun fact about me: I used to raise chickens in FFA for the Houston Livestock Show). The inspiration board is in the corner, and an exterior door going to out hottub in right next to it.
Now, for the final wall! Its the one with the door on it.
This wall is a short wall, so I've resorted to using old coke crates for storage. In the one on the left, I keep my mists, Mr. Hueys, and paint daubers. Also, I have larger stamps in there as well. The middle black shelf was made by my dad, and stores my wooden stamps. The coke crate on the rights holds my glitter and stamp pads. The cabinet undereath it all was purchased for my from my husband. LOVE IT. Inside of the cabinet, I store extra glue, chipboard shapes, cards - things are stored by type.
On the top I use Milk Glass containers to hold twine, pins, floss and little letters. My hatpins are all stuck into a cork and then put in the jar. Here's a close up:
Well, that does it. You've seen my room in all of her glory! I bet you're wondering what I have gotten rid of. Yeah, well, here are photos of that!
And one last view of my room:
Now, for the fun part! When I cleaned out, I found Studio Calico stamps, a Martha Steward All Around Punch (the circle one) and lots of Studio Calico exclusive papers. Leave a comment with your name and email address and I will send you a priority box full of SC Goodies (with other brand name good stuff!). I will draw a winner on Friday!
xxoo,
M
February 17, 2011
Endings
Oh, what a long day. Today has been six years since Marcy went home to Jesus.
And I miss her and ache for her just as much today as I did then.
I've cried for most of the day - some happy tears, but mainly just sad ones.
I know she's in Heaven...dancing with Jesus. But I just wish she was here dancing with me.
Today I've been thinking about endings. Everything has its end at some time.
To everything thing there is a season. I know this.
Ferris wheel rides come to an end. Lifelong friendships end overnight. People pass away. Jobs come and go. People move.
Life is full of endings. Because if things never changed, we'd never have butterflies.
I am going to go to bed shortly. I will probably cry myself to sleep like I have many other nights over the past six years.
And thats ok. God has helped my little family come so far in six years, and I know He is wrapping His arms around us tonight, tomorrow and every day.
(an older layout, but one of my favorites)
(another favorite)
Tomorrow's another day -
xxoo,
M
February 06, 2011
Did you hear??
Hey ya’ll! Did you hear??
GREEN BAY PACKERS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!
Yeah, our ENTIRE family (even extended family!) are all Packer fans. Cheeseheads, we are!
Anyway. Got that out of my system!
Things here are crazy. Here’s the low-down:
Spent a week home with the family sick.
My twin brother Michael moved back to the states and made a pit stop in Amarillo to see me. He’s moving to Lubbock and I am so happy!
My parents came through, and stopped for a short visit, on their way to go to my sisters. Always glad to see them!
We were in the middle of the coldest weather EVER. Ever. Ever. Like, –30 windchill. That is cold in the Texas Panhandle.
I have been asked to join Sisterhood of Scraps. A small, but tremendously active and creative message board for scrappers. I am honored & can’t wait to get to know everyone!
I was also asked to join A Million Little Things Round Robin Challenge! So. much. fun. Here is my layout.
On the DOWNSIZE front, I am still plugging away. Lost 8 pounds in January. I feel frustrated that its not more, but little by little, I will make my goal.
Still working out 5-6 days a week and watching what I eat.
Everything else is good. Trying to get totally recovered from all of us being sick. Scrapping a little. Cleaning a little. Shopping a little.
Life is good.
Here’s another page I did a while ago, that I never have shared. Not a favorite, for sure. But the journaling was the important part for me!
xxoo,
M
January 20, 2011
Downsize & Studio Calico's Napa Valley
I suppose I should tell ya’ll what my word for 2011 will be.
Oh, come on. You know what I am talking about.
Downsize, that’s my word. In 2011, I want downsize my waist size. I want to downsize the clutter in my mind. In my home. Downsize the drama (and those who cause the drama) from my life.
I’ve thought a bunch about what word I would choose. I wanted to choose a word that was just for me. Something that I could use to encourage me, keep me on task. Help me achieve the life I am supposed to have.
I am so sure that this is what I want my word to be, for Christmas I asked for a Trainer. As in, someone I would PAY to make me sweat. Make me hurt. Make me lose the extra pounds I’d gained since Marcy died. Alex wasn’t too sure that I reeeaallly wanted a trainer.
But he got me on anyway.
And, man! My trainer is making me sweat. Making me do exercises that I am sure are going to break me in half. Making me hate the elliptical.
But I am going them anyway.
And I am DOWNSIZING.
Not a bunch, yet. But I am finding that I actually do love to run, love feeling like I am in control of my body.
Since the first on the year, I have lost 5 pounds (I am expecting to have lost more come Monday, as that is my weigh in day. I am working out 5-6 days a week. Some days weights. Some days Elliptical. Some days running. Some days squats, balance balls, crunches, and push ups. . I am really liking the freedom I have in choosing what I want to do each day.
I can’t believe I just wrote that I LIKE it. But I do.
And because I scrapbooked my ‘word’, here’s the layout. I used (again) Studio Calico’s Napa Valley.
***PSA***
Let me just say this. I love Studio Calico. But, man, I swear their kits breed, at night, while stored away in my plastic boxes. I have used this kit A TON and still have a bunch left. Total bang for your buck!
***Now back to regular blogging***
xxoo,
M
January 19, 2011
Faithful (Studio Calico Who's Who)
So, Alex and I are hosts for our Life Group every Wednesday. This is the second semester that we’re hosted it, and honestly, I love having it here. Every Wednesday night usually 12-18 people (now they’re friends) come, and we study God’s word together. It. is. amazing. Alex and I, both, have benefitted so much from having this upclose and personal experience in our own home.
This semester, we are studying Marriage on the Rock, by Jimmy Evans. You see, Jimmy is our Pastor at Trinity Fellowship – and truth be told—the main reason we are even members of Trinity. We love that our church supports & values marriage so much!
With marriage and relationships on my mind lately, I sat down to scrapbook yesterday and made this page. It’s kinda like a love letter to my husband. And its about him being faithful to me. In a time where so many of my friends have had their husbands cheat (or they’ve cheated), or they constantly worry about what their mate is doing. I don’t. I know Alex takes our vows seriously, as do I. And it is the absolute best feeling. I know what it feels like to be cheated on (from previous relationships), and you can say all day that you can forgive, forget and move on. I couldn’t. For me, there was always a thought in mym ind about if they were lying to me again, or if there was someone else on the side.
But not with Alex. I know I am his, and he is mine.
And I love that.
This layout was made with my new Studio Calico Who’s Who kit. Love all the Basic Grey papers in it. Yummmm. It was super quick to put together. In fact, I got three whole pages done yesterday (in between working out, making dinner, laundry and being a taxi). The plan is to post them, one at a time, over this week. For your viewing pleasure, of course!
Got to go. Life Group is here tonight and I still have a day’s worth of cleaning & dishes to do!
xxoo,
M
January 06, 2011
getting back on the scrapping wagon
Ah, yes. It's January and after a super busy Decemeber, I am making up for lost time by scrapping a ton this week. And I love it. I'm settleing down in my workout/diet routine (more on that later), and finding a good goove for me to be in. it's nice.
For 'Always Photogenic" I dove into my Studio Calico Napa Valley Kit. It just sings to me. The colors, the patterns. I could not have put together a better kit! This photo of John was taken on a dock, next to the train tracks in downtown Amarillo. I love this photo. See that little bit of orange on the wall?
Be still my heart. I love it. Oh, and I love that little guy, too! (wink, wink)
This page is from Napa Valley as well. I took the photos of the boys in front of Cavender's - a western wear store here in town. They have this old, rusty GMC truck that served as a perfect backdrop. For this page, I threw in some Fiskar & Martha Stewart punches. See, the orange paper towards the bottom? Thats Studio Calico paper, and its now my favorite!
This last page is a page that I did for a challenge at Back Porch Memories. I had a couple of old photos of my mom, that I scanned then printed at home (you know, cause Walmart was giving me the ugly eye about who really 'took' the photos. I digress.). This time around, I used the newest kit from Studio Calico's Back Forty (and addons). I snagged this kit in December (in the sale section of Studio Calico). Not my usual go-to colors, but I love, love the vintage-y feel of it. We don't have a ton of pictures from my mom's childhood, but I like how I was able to included several different ages of her on a single page. For the challenge, we had to use something we have a lot of, but never use (see those journaling stickers. I have bookoos of those, and I alwayfs forget to use them!) and the include something that we use all the time. For my title, I used Thickers, and those are defainately a favorite go-to item!
I've got a deadline to get to - lots of creating and playing with paper to do!
xxoo
M
December 29, 2010
December 22, 2010
Not going to lie...
December is always a hard month for me.
It hasn't always been hard...in fact, the one Christmas we had our daughter it was wonderful. We were broke. Broker than broke. But we were happy and complete.
Now, we are far from broke. And mostly complete. Excpet for the whole Marcy left. Gosh I miss her.
We took a beautiful silver tree - with hot pink and lime green ornaments - to the cemetary last night. I've been dragging my feet about going there. I KNOW she isn't there (she's dancing in heaven). But it breaks my heart. So I just haven't gone.
I'm thankful I went. I was a bawling mess once we had her tree secured to the ground. It's. Just. So. Hard. I didnt take a photo of it (I sorta wished I had). *sigh* Some might think it is morbid to take a photo of a tree that is at your daughter's grave. The way I see it, I am documenting how we shared Christmas with her.
Ok. Enough of the sad. It's Christmas, or its almost Christmas.
I have been working on my December Daily. I am a couple of days behind, but have everything there for me to get caught up. My plan is to share the entire album when its complete.
I sorta feel like my album is 'kindergarden-ish' compared to some I've seen. I'm ok with that. I took what I had, in the time I had, and captured memories for later.
Another good thing that happened this month?
I turned 31. And, yes, it's a good thing. I am embracing it.
This is the year that I am going to quit having regrets.
One regret that I've had is that we never had a family photo done when Marcy was alive. We had no money, and even if we could have afforded it, Marcy was way too little (at barely 3 pounds), to take into public for a photo shoot. Anyway, six years later, I finally got my photoshoot. You can see it here.
Yeah, I need to loose some weight. But, other than that, I love these photos. They are us, in all of our goofy-not really sure how to smile, but trying anyway-selves! I cannot wait to scrapbook these with my Studio Calico kit!
Speaking of Studio Calico, I have a wish list for other there. Nothing can cheer a girl up like getting goodies in the mail, so here's my list!
Studio Calico Weekday Stamps (there was a month set, but I missed out on them. REGRET!)
Mister Huey in Dark Calico, Warm Calico, and Classic Calico.
All of the Jenni Bowlin Inks.
Betty Crocker, Buster Brown, and Dear Abby. I can only afford to get two of them this month, but I am in love with all three. Now to decide who I must leave behind. I just don't think I can decide!
That list isn't too long, huh? I am anxious to get to order the new kit Studio Calico. They always cheer me up! I've gotten their kits for a whole year now, and I have to say, I have NEVER regretted subscribing with them. Pure bliss in a box!
Ok, its late. John has a friend spending the night and I should probably go find them & see what they're up to. They are being way too quiet! I'm going to leave you with a photo (becauce Roscoe is just too cute NOT to share!)
xxoo,
M
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