Keeping Calm & Carrying On

Nov. Daily Thanks Update: 8th-17th

I've been doing my best keeping up with my November Daily Thanks Mini Album. Here's the latest  page-by-page, day-by-day update.

(For Daily Thanks Intro click here.)

A little refresher...here's the album at a front glace-designed and taught by my dear friend Katherine McElvain.

If you missed the first installmant where I shared November 1^st-7^th click here to catch up first.

Today I'm ready to share November 8^th through the 17^th. Again I've laid out the photos as if you were flipping through the book, lifting the page up and over the binding key rings vertically.

November Eighth:

 

November Ninth:

 

I know I shared this photo of baby Mio for my first "Single Photo Saturday" feature, but seriously....how could I not include it as my thankful note for the day?! While I get ready in the morning this little face is watching my every move, just waiting for us to jump in the car and go to work for the day. He's such a pal ;)

November tenth:

November Eleventh & Twelfth:

 

November Thirteenth:

I hosted a mini birthday party for my neice Madelyn at my local Scrapbook Store. Madelyn asked if we could make scrapbooks for her birthday. A couple of her friends joined up for snacks as we created these cute 8x8" albums from summer vacations. What a blessing to be a role model! The coordinating page is a brown parchment paper envelope. Inside the envelope holds a card for 

November Fourteenth:

 

November Fifteenth:

On the fifteenth I was inspired to complete this last-minute Thanksgiving idea full of color!

November Sixteenth:

(That's the two of us biting from one of our warm-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies!)

November Seventeenth:

While at my grandparents house I totally forgot to snap a photo so I looked online and found this great picture of a broccoli pizza-which is what Nana made us for dinner tonight as we visited, caught up, drank some wine and watched Wheel of Fortune ;)

That's all I've got for you as of today. I must confess, without my new printer, the Epson R3000 I don't know if I'd be keeping up with this album as well as I am. The photo printing on this machine is A.W.E.S.O.M.E. I love it that I can print out my photos right here when I need them. It's not something I will do regularly, because ink it expensive. But for projects like this it sure does come in super handy and quick!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Go pack Go!

*FREE* Mini Album Printables

Are you strapped for time & want to create something fun this Thanksgiving w/your family? 

Then I've got some great news for you! Today over at the Bella Blvd Studio Blog I'm sharing a Thanksgiving Day Digital Mini Album

  I've designed, along with a step-by-step tutorial!

Each page has the same identical mini questionarre for each person in your family to complete/fill-in. Give this year's Thanksgiving a personal touch with this FREE download, creating handwritten keepsakes for years to come!

 

 

Here's a sneak at the finished 5x7" mini...

It can be as many pages as you want to be. Whether you have a large family gathering of 20 (like me), or small immediate family dinner of only 5 people, create this darling mini album this weekend so you are ready to go next week!

The free printables come in high resolution pdfs ready for you to printout onto photo paper or cardstock. 

What do you say? Will you join the pre-Thanksgiving weekend Mini Album Challenge?

VISIT THE BELLA BLVD STUDIO BLOG FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL AND 

FREE DIGITAL PRINTABLES FOR THE ENTIRE MINI ALBUM!

Update: November Daily (1st-7th)

As previously mentioned I'm working on a November Daily (see this post) album designed by Bella Design Teamer, Katherine McElvain. I've got about one week under my belt!

Here's the front cover, "November Daily Thanks 2011"

(I've taken the rings out of the binding in order to scan each page for you.) The mini album flips up and over. I've put together images up against each other as accurately as possible---just as if you were  paging through in real life.

NOVEMBER 1^st:

NOVEMBER 2^ND & 3^RD : 

NOVEMBER 4^TH : 

(this page is actually smaller than the others, because it's a kraft card. "Historian" is on the face of the card and then this next image is when you open the card from the bottom and lift up:

NOVEMBER 5^TH :

November 5^th continues as you flip closed the card. I scanned the paper map given to us in our welcome bags at the 5k over the weekend, shrunk it down and printed it on cardstock.

Because I had a couple more photos that I wanted to include I simply adhered these 2 (above and below) back-to-back to create an additional page insert.

NOVEMBER 5^{TH (continued)} & 6^TH :

NOVEMBER 7^TH :

I hope I can continue to plug away at this November Daily and stay pretty close to date. I've been carrying my very heavy Canon around in my purse to remind me to snap a photo. And so far, on the days that don't seem very eventful the quality of the iPhone photos has improved so much! And with Instagram I can edit it beautifully, email it to myself and rock and roll!

Happy Tuesday peeps! My next November Daily update will come along with a Finally Fall product collection giveaway----in case you are preparing for thanksgiving----!!!

 

Month-Long Project: November Daily

(photo credit)

In efforts to relax, rejuvinate and get inspired I recently took this workshop by Bella's local design team member, Katherine McElvain.

 Inspired by Ali Edwards' December Daily, Katherine spun the album concept into November and titled it "Daily Thanks." The album is to-die-for-adorable and feautures none other than my Finally Fall products! (I know I'm not shy----sorry but I love the earthtones in this color palette!) And I'll even be giving away the collection here soon too!

 

After a relaxing morning of what I like to call scrapbooking-without-thinking my album is prepped and ready. Each day I'll jot something down I'm thankful for, maybe a sentence, a paragraph---who knows and I'll try to take a photo each day. 

(photo credit)

November is definitely the month of blessings. I plan to give thanks for all of them daily this month. Stay tuned for random updates and progress on my album.

(photo credit)

What are you thankful for today?

Inspiration for Mini Album Workshop

I found this cute book of advice in my local Anthropologie early in the summer and have been carrying it around in my purse for months. Every now and then I take it out and catch up on some fun little facts/advice. 

The book is full of fun little notes from Moms all over the world. It's also separated by categories like Housework, Love, Laundry, etc. Some of the notes I know are so true and really kind of funny.

So why am I telling you about this book?

Well, it was my inspiration for this Mini Album workshop that I'll be teaching in 2012.

My version is titled, "Mother Knows Best."

I shared a peek into this album recently and just wanted to tell you a bit more about the "story/idea" behind it. The class description goes something like this...

I've learned many important life lessons from my mom and other moms that I know. Their life experiences offer wisdom beyond measure and have helped mold who I am today. This mini album is designed to document and hold safe all that special advice from moms whom I adore. Each page is an envelope to hold letters, notes and golden rules on the very important subjects of love, friendship, honesty and more. Maybe you are a mom that would like to leave behind important notes and advice for your children....this is the perfect workshop for you also. Include hand written message in this mini album along with photos of you & your children. This sweet & sophisticates mini album is approx. 5.5" x 7.5"

I will be working on finishing this mini album and it's envelope contents in the next couple months. I know it's going to mean a lot to me to have all the advice from some of my favorite moms, include my own, my sister and aunts, plus lots of my scrapbooking friends too, inside the album-all in one safe place!

What's inspiring you lately?

New Portraits

Can you believe that Steven, my love took these photos? I know, I know I guess I don't give him enough credit! After all I've been handing him my camera for years now...goodness knows he should be well-used to taking photos with it ;)

I've been using the same portraits (these below) for nearly 3.5 years now!  I'm so happy to have something new and fresh! I need to remember to do this more often!

The good things about these 2 versions is that you totally missed the "fat stage" in between the three years! Thank goodness I don't have portraits. Phew!

Anywho, today is my Friday Blog post day over at the Bella Studio Blog! Be sure to stop by for sneak peeks of the newest Bella Buzz newsletter that will be released on Monday. I didn't create anything for this month's issue...but it's totally awesome and inspiring. I PROMISE! Here's one of the layouts that prevoius Artista Michelle Clement created for a homework challenge.....

If you haven't already signed up to receive the e-newsletter for FREE, be sure to enter your name + email address here and we'll take care of everything else!

Over at the studio blog I shared some peeks at new class projects. Here are some additional photos of the mini albums I've completed for both Puerto Rico and Italy trips next Spring!

This everyday Home album is full of pockets, tags and more to document your everyday life and what you've built ont the foundation of your home/apartment/abode/loft....

The "Mother Knows Best" album was inspired by a recent book I've been holding onto and carrying around in my purse. I know, if you know me, you know I'm not a book reader---this is isn't a novel---it's a book with tidbits of advice and tips from moms all over the world!

Why not create your own mini album with advice you'd like to leave behind for your kiddos. Or in my case, because I'm not a mom yet, I'm putting great lessons I've learned from some of my faovrite moms and friends!

Each page of the album is an envelope. I can't wait to fill it up.

Last but not least I designed a mini album with my brand new Spring Flings & Easter Things product collection....

The book is approx. 6x10" and is an abc album. 

I don't know about you, but it sure is super easy for me to come up with a list from a to z of things I love about Spring....

a= April, b=blossoms, c=candy, D=dye (eggs), E=Easter, F=family....

Start making yoru list today....

I'm sorry that I can't quite share the entirety of these mini albums...but that would be no fun, right? You can see more images, including full-front views of the mini books over at the Bella Blog!  I hope you have a fun weekend...I'm doing some scrapbooking today...wha-hoo!

Album Storage Solutions: Part 2 + giveaway!

Just in case you think I am crazy after seeing part one of my everyday album storage (yesterday's post), today I'll keep it short and simple. My home scrapbooking room was recently published in Creating Keepsakes' special issue, Creative Spaces:

One of the reasons (Megan Hoeppner stated) why she liked my space was the display solutions for mini albums. Again, not my original idea. I must give credit to the infamous Ali Edwards for tipping me off -back in 2007- to this "pretty" way of displaying my mini albums.  

Back in 2007 Ali shared that she displays seasonal mini albums in her living room inside a narrow basket, and then switches them out for the appropriate season (ie. Christmas mini albums are put in the basket during December, etc.)

Gosh, why didn't I think of that?

  So I was on the hunt for the perfect basket(s) for months and months -even telling my girlfriends about the idea so they could keep an eye out for me too- and finally found some nesting ones at Homegoods. I'm still constantly on the look-out for more as I create new mini albums for workshops, gifts, trips, etc.

As you see I'm overflowing around here. This basket sits on the window-sill in my scrapbooking room here at home. There's no rhyme or reason to it right now, and there's about 3.5 baskets full throughout my room. This is the largest and my favorite.

How do you store your mini albums?

Do you think when they get really "old & dated" you'll give them away to people (those family or friends that are featured inside the minis' pages?)

Is it possible to have too many mini albums?

Tell me your thoughts and you can win this stack of mini albums I have sitting around and haven't used! I know someone can put them to good use!

Kolo (4x6"), American Traditional Designs Accordian Album (4x6"), Punky Sprouts mixed media album (aprox. 6x6") Creative Memories strap-hinge 6x6" Triumph Album with heart on cover.

Creative Memories produced the Triumph Album for a purpose. A portion of all the proceeds from this album were dedicated to the Alzheimer's Association, inspiring hope for a cure for those afflicted with the disease. Preserve your memories in a Triumph Album and support Alzheimer's Association in finding a cure for the disease that takes away one of life's most precious gifts: memories. 

For once, I don't have too much planned this weekend....I'm hoping the weather is nice so I can enjoy the last days of summer around here in Southeastern Wisconsin.

 

My December Daily

Today's the day that I will start taking a pictures each day of the month, and truly start enjoying the Christmas season that's yet to come.

My December Daily mini (okay-it's not so mini-and I still haven't found a way to bind this thing yet) inspired by Ali Edwards is ready to go and is being shared today over at The Bella Blvd Studio Blog.

The Bella design team joined up with Elle's Studio for a great week of inspiration and giveaways. Today pages from my album are being shared. My hope is that once the album is completed I will share every page here with you.

Some of the traditions I'm really looking forward to this year (new & old) are:

1. Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Polar Express & Home Alone. 

2. Writing a "family" Christmas letter 

3. Taking a drive to see the Christmas lights  

4. The Cookie Exchange with the Smokovich family 

5. The Bella Blvd Christmas Treat Exchange 

6. Attending church on Christmas Eve 

7. Opening one present on Christmas Eve

8. Cutting down our very first Christmas Tree @ a local tree farm (thanks to Angela)

9. Decorating Steven's house 

10. Advent by candlelight at Star of Bethlehem

Here's to December! Let's make the most of it and cherish those people that we love so much that are both here in our lives on earth and those that are up in heaven smiling down on us and we enjoy our time together!

Be sure to visit Bella Blvd to see more of my December Daily.....AND THERE's A GIVEAWAY OVER THERE TOO!!!   ;)

 

Excited for Next Week

I took the plunge and spent 20 hours creating a December Daily album for 2010 using Bella and Elle's Studio! I created a Dec. Daily in 2008 and told myself "never again" because it was such a big undertaking, but seeing what our family has endured the past couple months I thought it would make for a great opportunity to document how our family stuck together and made it through the holidays (because I know we will.)

So next week, my Dec. Daily will be featured on the Bella Blog. I got to play with a ton of Elle's Studio products and totally fell in love. I have to have all her stuff! It's so versatile and easy to use!!! You can see in my sneak peek, just how easily a lot of her elements can become tabs on the page edges....

 

"Forever Friends" Kit from ScrapScription

After Lori from ScrapScription so generously donated some kits for a Bella Blvd giveaway, I had to have one for myself! I was so inspired by the mini album kit that she created! The "Forever Friends" Mini album kit featured a TON of Bella's Estate Sale products. Here's the June kit promo. 

I had to change up some things to make it work for me and the photos I had. Instead of Friends I made a "You & me" mini with all the photos from Steven and mine's 4 anniversary. The color directions included in the kit were great. Here's my take on the mini album:

I can never get enough of the Blooms A Bella flowers so they are all over this album. I added them to the kit contents for more texture.

Cover:

Pocket Tag on front cover:

 

Here I made a list of things that we have done, and some that we still do together that make us "US".

One of my favorite things about the Blooms A Bella is all the layers. I usually cut them apart, fold and staple them, and here I added a bit of paint too. 

 

This pocket page was a great addition to the album. I thought that was a super cute idea from ScrapScription. Inside on the tags tells the story of when Steven first said, "I love you." 

 

 

 

This weekend we leave for Chicago, where Bella will release SIX new collections! I can't wait for the world to see them! I hope you'll continue to follow the Bella blog for the full product reveals and lots of giveaways this week!

Wedding Excitement

With my sisters and I now planning my youngest sister's wedding, it seemed only appropriate to get going on this mini album I've been dying to put together from Jenna and Justin's wedding last September. I've been so inspired by flowers and details lately that this 6x6" mini came together pretty smoothly!Steven and I both stood up in Justin and Jenna's wedding last September.Bella's Flirty collection was girly and frilly, including enough green and sky blue (Jenna's colors) to make it all flow... 

 

 

 

 

 

I used nearly 4 packs of Blooms A Bella flowers, snipped them apart, layered them, and folded them throughout the entire album. 

 Justin and Jenna's thank you cards, post-wedding, were these super fun photographs taken on the wedding day! Loved that idea! The back cover of the book says it all!Welcome to wedding season everyone! We have a couple family weddings coming up in the next month or so, and are in full swing of wedding planning with Nicky. I sure am going to be paying attention to all the details around me!