Sparkle and Shine

During the initial stages of planning my golden birthday party, I decided I wanted to base the decor on  the words "SPARKLE AND SHINE." Those two words guided all my decorating decisions! I looked up different quotes with the words "sparkle" or "shine" or some variation of those two words to use in frames as centerpieces. Here are a few other ideas I utilized as focal points and accents on the tables:

• Empty jars with gold ribbons and/or buttons housed inside
• Paper & ribbon banners on shiskabob sticks, planted in mini mason jars of dirt
• Gold doilies
• Gold candle roses (found in the wedding section at Hobby Lobby; just for decoration, as no open flames were allowed at the park)
• Spray-painted plastic lion
• Fake flowers taped to jars and "planted" in dirt
• Scrapbook sticker numbers "25" on old mirrors and in frames
• Reese's and Rolo candies sprinkled down the middle of the tables

I was so excited about these tables! Instead of using the typical plastic party tablecloths, I lined the tables with rolls of brown kraft wrapping paper. There were crayons out on the tables for guests to doodle and draw with as they chatted. I thought the fancy gold contrasted well with the rustic brown. . . perfect combo!

"May you always have work for your hands to do. May your pockets hold always a coin or two. May the sun shine bright on your windowpane. May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, and may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you." 

-Irish Blessing

Camping season

The weather is warming up and it's camping season again! I never knew I'd fall in love with camping quite the way I have. Perhaps, I should've seen it coming. . . an affection for the crisp mountain air runs in my blood. My dad is definitely a camping man. However, the Texas heat doesn't really lend itself to an enjoyable camping experience, so we didn't go much at all while I was growing up. Things have changed. JD's a pro at this camping business and makes it a point to go regularly with our little fam. We've camped in the snow, camped with friends, camped with family, camped with just the stuff off our backs, camped in our living room, and camped with a baby. Basically, I feel like I've done it all ;)  

We'll be camping again this weekend with JD's family. It's a fun tradition and I love spending time with them around the camp site. In anticipation of the upcoming trip, I uploaded a few scrapbook layouts from some of last year's camping adventures.

Beach dreamin'

Sometimes, when it's cold outside and I'm stuck indoors, I can't help but dream of beach days. Oh, how I love the sun and sand!!

The love of God

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I live my life and the way my choices affect me and those around me. I attended an incredible women's conference over the weekend- the theme was "You are not the only traveler." The speakers focused a lot on finding and knowing our personal ministries. They talked about how God uses us to influence members of our families and those in our social circles for good, how we need to be ready and prepared to serve as instruments in His hands, how He needs us to radiate His love to the lost ones in our midsts. I was moved by the Spirit and found peace about and guidance for many of the troubles and concerns that have been weighing on my heart lately.  A key point that stuck out in my mind, that I scribbled in my planner, that I've been mulling over for the past few days was this. . . No one can progress spiritually until they know this fundamental truth: God exists and knows them personally. 

Week in the Life: Tuesday

My days look a little different every day because some days I work (I'm a recreational therapist at a residential treatment center for teenagers). It sure keeps things interesting! Here's a recap of my Tuesday September 10, 2013.  PS. I talked about the "Week in the Life" project here.

Week in the Life: Monday

This week I am joining with other scrapbookers in Ali Edwards' "Week in the Life" project. I love the idea of really trying to capture what my days are made of: routines, habits, meals, projects, moments. All the little things I don't normally remember to document and record. Here's a look at our Monday, September 9, 2013.

 A baby girl who insists on being as close to me as possible.

ABC's.

When I saw this piece of scrapbook paper, I knew I had to have it. I loved the alphabet with so many fun patterns and colors, but I wasn't sure how to use the paper because I didn't want to cover any of those pretty letters. Enter exacto knife.

First time uncle.

My brother Isaac is about as cute as they come in his interactions with Tenley. He just turned 12 in March, but he's so tender and loving with my girl. . . sometimes I'm blown away. Love you, Ize!

Supplies: Green polka dot paper, letter stickers- Echo Park; Blue/green/yellow/white cardstock- DCWV; Office tab- Basic Grey; Colored polka dot paper- Project Life; Black pen- Zig Memory System; Number stickers- Studio Calico; Other- white brads, blue thread.

How to do more with your page protectors

I recently created a scrapbook layout about my extended family on my mom's side. As I was working on the page, I realized there was more information I wanted to include than what the size dimensions  (12x12) would allow. Here's the directions for how I did more with my page protector. 

Handmade with love.

A few friends and family members have requested an online tour of baby girls' room. So without further ado, here is our little orange, teal, and yellow wonderland! Almost every detail and project in her room was handmade or re-purposed with love, by her daddy or me.

Project Life: January.

I've been scrapbooking for a long time. I think I started at the end of middle school, maybe start of high school?  Either way, documenting and recording my life through pictures and words has been a big part of my daily happenings for many years. Lately, I've been in a bit of a scrapbook funk because I haven't felt very creative or innovative with my pages. I don't like to spend a lot of money on supplies (those embellishments add up so quickly!) and I've let months slip by without printing my pictures. I decided to try something else in 2012. Project Life, created by Becky Higgins, has been just the change I was looking for. You basically order a box set of journaling cards, filler cards, and label numbers and organize your pictures with their stories. I've added some ribbons, stamps, and brads to my album that didn't come in the set because I'm a creature of habit and I like the extra flair. . . but it really is just a very basic approach to storytelling that any one could do. I just print out my pictures at the end of the week and put together a page or two over the weekend. It's easy. No pressure.  And I love it. This might be one of my favorite albums so far. 

Title Page: Fourth of July Picture, summer 2010; Family picture 2011; Grocery picture, Dec 2011

Week 1: New Year's Day at New Haven, Girls' night with my friends, dinner date at Goodwood, we spent the weekend helping Brad and Abby move.

Week 2: Taking girls out on fun passes, romantic lunch in the middle of the week, breakfast date, Lindsey's arrival to Utah.

Week 2, the weekend: Happy visit with Jocelyn, dinner at Red Robin, first married sleepover at Brad and Abby's new place, Stephen got married.

Week 2, the weekend, part 2: Sunday dinner at the Skousens, Tammy's wedding, talks in church about the power of kindness.

Week 3: Double date with Ty and Lindsey to Nickel City and our day on Temple Square. 

Week 4 insert: The circus!

Week 4: We bought a new iron, Tuesday Temple date, Zupa's for family night.

I haven't set any hard rules for myself like a picture every day or only one layout per week. This type of album can be whatever you want it to be.  In Becky's words, just cultivate a good life and record it!

Sweet baby girl.

Kylie had baby Evalyn early this morning. I'm so excited for her little family and can't believe she's a momma! When I found out this morning on Facebook, I couldn't resist the urge to put a page together for my scrapbook. I can't wait to see pictures of her little one!

More of the everyday.

I've recently become super excited about scrapbooking again. I've checked out lots of books and past issues of Creating Keepsakes magazines from the library. I've also spent some time in craft and hobby stores seeking inspiration and trying to withhold myself from buying anything. One of the most important things I've learned as I've been studying layouts and reading books about scrapbooking is that I'm most drawn to pages about everyday things. Typically, I've been one to scrapbook big events like birthdays, vacations, holidays, and other rare happenings. My goal now is to focus on documenting and recording more of my everyday life. I want to be able to look back and remember all the little things that make my life what it is. Also, I want my children to be able to know what I was really like and what my days have actually consisted of. I want to become more of a life artist (as Ali Edwards would say). This is my first attempt at an "everyday" picture- something I wouldn't normally think to capture, but tells part of our story nonetheless.

NBA Finals. JD. Watching because he's been following the league all season and this is the climax. Me. Watching because there's a Texas team in it to win it and because my husband feels loved when I watch sports with him. Us. Eating otter pops because they're a great sweet treat. This is an everyday moment.

I hope I can capture more of the little things. I hope I can recognize the beauty in my life everyday. I hope I can be better at documenting, recording, and remembering.

What do you do?

What do you do when you live in a one-bedroom apartment and have very little space. . . but you really like to craft?

Oh, just convert your closet into your studio, of course.

This is what happened two weekends ago when I was left home alone for a long weekend without a car.