currently// 7.18.14

loving// bamboo paper for iPad. i downloaded it a few days ago, picked up a stylus, and spent 4 hours last night (like 10-2am), and another 2 this morning (shh!), just doodling. it reminded me of the crayola color studio i had when i was about 11 or 12 that used to hook up to the tv & let you draw on it. i sat on that thing for hours.

(i think my friend nita was ready to stage an intervention this morning if i didn't stop doodling!)

& also the babe (who i guess really needs a new nickname, since he's almost 4) has been coloring up a storm. i picked him up one of those color wonder travel kits when we took a weekend road trip, and he's been coloring up a storm since. went through the first pack, had to pick up a second for the ride home.. he made me print out a ton of coloring pages monday, and then made his dad do the same tuesday. i love it, because the dude never really liked coloring...

loathing// cooking. i'm just so over it right now. i don't even want to think about food. i just want someone to fix a plate & put it in front of me. i'm bored with food for the most part...i guess?

drinking// water. not enough, but a lot. & yes. iced. freaking. coffee. i give up.

eating// about the only thing that looks appetizing these days is avocado. on my burger, in my chicken salad, on a sub, in a car, in a plane, on a train.. oh, wait.. that's green eggs & ham.... just generally eating it on everything that sounds like it would go well with it. and i want some salsa from this restaurant in town, latinos, so badly, i have half a mind to make the 20 minute drive just for a jar of it!

watching// investigation discovery!!! due to a rather sad & tired computer chair, and a requirement of many hours in front of the computer for school, i've been rotating my time between the bed (where there is a tv, and no kids) & the computer room (where there is no tv, and often 2 noisy kids). it's no secret i'm a big true crime tv junkie. i'm a die hard city confidential, & forensic files fan, and seek out reruns often.. well somehow i landed on investigation discovery & was hooked. it's all day everyday of csi type shows. warning: it will make you terrified to leave your house, question everyone you come into contact with, and make you worried that the most bizarre things could quite possibly be happening inside your very private next door neighbors house.

SO GOOD.... BUT YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

listening// i don't have anything i'm particularly attached to at the moment. except maybe this paramore song..


catching up on// project life.. i have 4, that's right FOUR more spreads until 2013 is finished & i can move onto 2014. so so so excited about this.

until next month..

xo-k

currently// 6.23.14

a random list of things i'm currently crushing on: 

found here

this poster from emily mcdowell. i'm STILL in love with hand-lettering.. don't think that will pass anytime soon.. and this quote is something i so need right now. i often have to remind myself i'm in the middle of this design process, and not to be so damn hard on myself. making mistakes is part

of fine tuning your tastes, and knowing where your talent/strength/interest lies. 

found here

came across this set of stairs on pinterest from funky junk. oh my. this is so totally right up my alley. with yardsticks as risers.. i just have to convince the hubs that this is a good idea... i think that'll be harder than getting it done! 

here

above: the best chocolate chip cookies i have EVER made. below: death by chocolate cookies my friend Nita swears are the best cookie EVER (seriously, she couldn't stop talking about them for weeks) i made two batches of each of this cookies for the family gathering after my grandmother's service, and they lasted less than 24 hrs. all the other desserts were still hanging around when these guys were gone. if you make them, i PROMISE you will not be disappointed! 

here

found here

this bracelet from bourbon & boots. here's the thing.. i know some people don't consider anyone from florida to be 'raised in the south' (i.e., my husband) i was born in miami, and have lived in a sleepy little horse town since i was 7. i always considered myself from the south, and was proud of my southern roots, until i became an adult, and realized that more often than not, people from the south are classified as bible thumping intolerant individuals. that is the farthest from the truth in my case. i know that i live in a area where people fear change, and struggle to accept anything that may go against what they were taught in the bible, but i'm hoping that i can strike a balance between being proud of my southern heritage (which spans back to my great great great grandparents on my mom's side, and on 1/2 of my dad's side, back just as far) and being forward-thinking. 

Tina Aszmus @ Studio Calico

i'm so ready to jump into the smaller sized album for my project life style scrapbooking for 2014. i opted for the smaller size because last year the 12x12, weekly format just became to overwhelming with school.. even though the organized part of my brain loves that chronological "everything has it's place" approach, i needed something less 'strict', and smaller, so that i didn't get stuck when i had weeks with not nearly enough content. so i have  3 SC handbooks patiently waiting to be filled. i haven't printed a single picture for 2014, and i'm still buying. i am on school break next week, and i have vowed that i will finish up 2013, and start 2014 in the midst of mini-day trips with the kids! 

otherwise.. i'm currently obsessed with planning out my menu and attempting the whole 30. i'm scared, and excited and so so ready. i feel a little like i did when i cut gluten & started doing my best to eat clean... it's soooo much info to take in! 

oh, and there has been lots of drinking of this: 

until next month..

xo-k

currently// why i am deleting facebook

so.. in lieu of my 'currents' list for may, i'm just going to explain why i'm deleting Facebook.

(borrowing & modifying from the campbell house)

reason #7: the game requests  all from family. i dearly love these people, but i want to strangle them over game requests. i mean seriously. i promise, if i played any of the crazy time sucking games people play on Facebook, i'd be annoying you will all the same requests and notifications you are sending me. daily. and sometimes hourly.

reason #6:  the comparison trap you know, someone posts that they went somewhere and did something, or someone did something for them, etc, and you find yourself comparing some aspect of your life. as someone who spends 98.9 % of my time at home, either cleaning or doing homework, i've found myself falling into the trap more and more frequently. i was aware of the sacrifices i'd have to make going into this deal, and i know it's all worth it in the end...but somehow watching everyone have more fun is just a big bummer. i don't expect everyone to stop posting, it's not their problem, it's mine. deleting Facebook prohibits me from throwing weekly pity parties that are just lame, and totally embarrassing.

reason #5: the false friendships this is one of the big ones for me. people 'friend' you on Facebook and then say NOTHING. are you stalking me? if you aren't going to talk to me, then why are you here? i always saw Facebook as a way to reconnect with people who maybe you lost touch with, but if your just gonna stare at my pictures, and then act like you don't know me when i see you in real life, expect to get deleted. and no, it wasn't an accident, so don't try to re-friend me.

reason #4: the martyrs  i'm a realist. i posted a picture of the dude on the first day of school & said my kids back to school picture is better than yours. i talked about my kid chowing down on money, and pooping it back out. life sucks sometimes, i get it. i try to deal with it through humor. i NEVER expect a sympathetic comment. i expect you to laugh at my misfortune, cause life is crazy, and i need you to laugh with me. with that said... the 'oh whoa is me' people SLAY me. the vague "i just can't deal with life, i can't believe this happened to me" posts, and then the "what's wrong" comments with replies of "inbox me".. i'm sorry.. you just blasted your issues, and NOW it's private. so you just wanted someone to ask. OF COURSE someone is going to ask, people are nosy and just wanna know your dirty laundry. if they really care, they'd be finding out some other way than Facebook. just saying. this is one of the biggest reasons i'm deleting. it's everywhere, and i'm way over it.

reason #3: the time suck so, remember when i said i'm at home with kids 98.9 % of the time? ya. so i get bored. i crave social interaction. i get on Facebook to kill time, and before i know it, i've jumped from one link to the next, and 3 hours are gone and i've got nothing to show for it but some random gossip, and useless information about why shailene woodley worldly possessions all fit in one suitcase. cause i really needed to know that one, right?

reason #2: the negativity i'm totally guilty of this one too. politics and religion are best left off Facebook. i read a study a few months into my classes about how many people unfriend people on Facebook because of posts related to one or the other. i wasn't shocked, people are passionate about what they believe in on Facebook, myself included. i got so worked up over people posting crap supporting that damn duck dynasty guy, talking about how a&e violated his first amendments rights, i almost deleted Facebook then & there. i never cared much if someone deleted me because i posted supporting marriage equality. i'm not afraid to speak up for what i believe in, but that means i have to accept that i will get upset by people on the other side of the fence doing the same. deleting Facebook means i lose a platform to share my thoughts, but i also don't have to bite my tongue and fume over things others post. it's worth it to me.

reason #1: the human connection everyone i interact with in real life will still be there. they are the ones i'm most concerned about staying in touch with. i have phone numbers, and can call or text. someone will have to pick up the phone to invite me to a birthday party or family function, but i'm looking forward to that. so much of our relationships have been delegated to technology, i've decided i'd rather hear about your trip from you, than read your status updates, or look at pictures where i have no idea what's going on.

so there ya have it. i'm not completely social media free.. i don't think i could live without instagram. it's just too darn pretty :) so you can find me there. my husband still has his Facebook account, but he is way less interested, and treats it more like an old email address he forgets to check more than once a month. i've made sure all family members are friends with him, so i can continue to update pictures to those family members who live far away.

i deleted Facebook from my phone two weeks ago, and haven't even been tempted to put it back on. i think that's a good sign.

here's to a Facebook free life. :)

xo-k

spring break// 2014

i had high hopes for my spring break...

catching up on my project life
catch up on this season of vampire diaries & the originals
doing some diy projects around the house
getting pictures up on the walls (something i am absolutely horrible about doing)
and reading a book or two

so what did i actually get done?

well... i think i cooked dinner 3 nights this week. it was a great break from the scheduled 'norm' around here. i'm an average cook, and i don't at all enjoy doing it, so anytime i can NOT do it, is awesome in my book.

i didn't touch my project life. i did rearrange some supplies after getting my raskog cart in order. big excitement there :) i have three beautiful woodgrain chevron studio calico handbooks just staring in me in the face, but i couldn't get into it. i think it's the photos. i'm going with a non-weekly format, and just throwing photos in (i think, since i haven't started yet) in chronological order. i was aiming for low-maintenance, low-stress.. and so far.. there is no stress.. ha!

i didn't watch a single episode of vampire diaries or the originals. bummer. i did however watch don jon, and exorcisms, and a few other non-new, but definitely favorites, like love actually, ghostbusters, and a few more that i can't even remember right now. basically i spent monday & tuesday in bed.. not sick, just totally enjoying not having to DO anything. (i didn't even make my bed most of the week!)

i didn't do a single project around the house. i think i burnt myself out last week scrambling to get the house in order for easter, and after easter, i was done. i do have some that i'd like to tackle soon, and maybe i actually share those instead of long type filled posts in the future. it'd be a change of pace, right? (since there isn't even anyone out there anymore)

i did read two books. the mortal instruments 1 & 2. i'm sure i'll get flack for this.. but i think jace & clary are the new edward & bella. i love this storyline, i love the characters, i love the twists & turns, and triangles. maybe i just loved reading again since it's been so long.... but the book was different than the movie, and i was okay with both. i'm going to try and tackle #3 while juggling school work. wish me luck! :)

re-dyed my hair pink. i used this ion hair color in magenta in october. my hair was still the slightest shade of pink now in april. its a slow fade over time, but i think this brand will be my go to from now on. it doesn't rub off, or dye all your clothes after the initial dye. april has been a real, excuse me, shit month. between my grandmother passing, rance swallowing a coin, and general disasters around the house like the hubs truck getting hit by a neighbor, and the fence snapping in half and falling down (which means we can't let the dog out back by herself anymore).. i just needed some distraction and something to make me feel better. hair color seems harmful enough. the alternative was a new tattoo, but i don't have the money, and i haven't found a tattoo artist in the state of florida who does a fine art style, so that has to wait.

(all taken with my iPhone, and edited in pictapgo)

i've always had a terrible time defining my style and myself. i've felt on the border between so many types of dress, and personas. i like tattoos & piercings, i like the colored hair. i like graphic tees & converse, and smart mouths. i like metal & 80s hair bands. i'm not big into drinking, and i don't get to go to many concerts. my mom tries to help me dress, and while i love her, and her help, so often her style is not my own, and i end up with a mix of her style and my style (and all of that limited given my body style) and clothes that i don't feel like myself in. have you ever felt that way? i would be tattoo'd from head to toe, ok not really, were it not for my fear of future jobs. perfect example. there is a disney internship (which i live too far to partake in anyways) but the dress code is 'disney style' which apparently means 'wholesome un-tattoo'd american'.  i mean.... really? creative types are more inclined to push the boundaries of social acceptance sometimes... at least that's me.. 

but i'm rambling.. anyways...... 

xo-k

currently// 4.17.14

it's crazy how much life changes in 1 month. 4 weeks. 30 days.....

drinking// iced coffee. i've given up the attempt to cut it out again. it's the one non-water beverage a day i allow myself, so i'm just going to embrace it.

watching// i really wanted to read the book first, but the hubs convinced me to watch the movie 'the mortal instruments: city of bones' & now i can't get it out of my head. i'm hoping that next week while i'm on spring break i can sink into the first book in the series. you say teen lit? i say so what.

listening//i'm really obsessed with neon trees 'sleeping with a friend', and bastille's 'pompeii', as well as a great big world's 'say something' (the non-christina version)... although i've been listen to a lot of oldies.. think dirty dancing soundtrack, billie holiday, & my fair lady soundtrack. it's a weird mix i know.

reading// lots of information on marriage inequality. my class this month is not design based, but presentation. speaking. gah. i hate it... but our one big project is a persuasive speech called and ignite presentation. i choose to talk about how same sex couples shouldn't be fighting for their right to marry, they should already HAVE the right. i've long been an advocate, but the information is still interesting.

wanting// to get some house projects tackled. i've hit a mine of creative energy it seems, and i'm desperate to create something, anything... and house projects seem as good as any these days. maybe one day i'll stop buying project life stuff, and start using it again. i'm really sad about the state of my album this year (and lack of completion on 2013).

thinking// a lot about my Oma. she passed away unexpectedly april 6th, and while i have little regrets left with unsaid words (she was one of the recipients of my grateful heart letters last november), i'm sad because i didn't get more from her on her life. i bought her this book, but i have no idea if she finished it.. and i'm kicking myself for not going over there & helping her tackle it. i miss her so much everyday. i think about all the ways she filled me up, and changed my life. i think about all the ways she helped me see beyond my own circumstances, and recognize the plight in others. i have so many thoughts, so many words, some days are past hard and into unbearable. i hate death. i hate that our time is limited.

loving// the weather. i'm desperate for a hammock swing for the tree out front before the weather becomes unbearable. this is the florida i love. sunny & high 70s... i wish it would last all summer!

xo-k

currently// 3.17.14

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

It's the one day a year I can get away with force feeding my husband corned beef & cabbage. The rest of the year he makes a stink face.. so here's to holiday eats!

drinking// irish creme iced latte from dunkin' i've gotten attached to my morning coffee again, and it's a habit i'm working to kick. i feel much better without all the sugar first thing in the morning, but i miss the caffeine for sure.

watching// i'm still so far behind on all my shows. last time i got caught up was over christmas break. i see a marathon of vampire diaries watching come spring break next month. i'm also super excited that the great gatsby is now on HBO, and in 3d, so I totally have an excuse to break out the 3D glasses for our tv.

listening// lately, i've been so focused, i forget to start up my music while doing homework, so there is a lot of paw patrol, rabbids, & mickey mouse clubhouse in the background.

reading// lots of design blogs, and books associated with school. that book i started in january? ya, still haven't picked it back up. :(

wanting// to get some kind of handle on time management. most days i feel like i'm running from one task to the next, throwing laundry in & running back to make a few more tweaks on a design for school, then running to pick the dude up from school, and before i know it, it's 10pm, and i feel like i haven't gotten a single thing done, and i'm exhausted mentally & emotionally.

dreaming// about having all our diy projects done. ha. my best friend told me that a 'fixer up' house is always in a state of 'fixing up', and though we've only been here a little shy of a year, and have gotten a tremendous amount done, i know what she says rings true. i read a statement on young house love that said to love the process, and learn to live with the constant state of improvement, and you will be much happier. i'm trying to embrace this, but it's definitely work for me.

anticipating// easter. for YEARS, stephen & i (well maybe mostly just me) has wanted to take some of the burden of hosting holidays off my mom & aunt. the two of them share hosting duties at easter, christmas, and thanksgiving. our old house was just way too small to accommodate my rather large family (mom's 1 of 6 + spouses, kids, and grandkids, you do the math ;) last year we had a housewarming party (at the insistence of the hubs co-workers) & the babe's 3rd birthday, both of which were successful at holding the majority of our family & friends, with overflow to our covered back porch, so we volunteered to host easter at our house this year. i'm excited & nervous!

loving// despite a pity party i threw myself on saturday when i felt like like i was left out of several happenings around town, i am loving the challenge of school. some assignments i loathe, but i'd rather be doing it than pretty much anything else, school-wise. i know that those around me have just gotten so used to the 'i can't's', they don't ask anymore for me to do stuff.... but it still sucks.

loathing// the fact that i haven't finished my 2013 project life yet... and haven't even started on 2014. it's a good thing i opted for monthly this year, cause weekly would probably leave me so overwhelmed i'd never even start.

until next month ;)

xo-k

currently// 2.18.14

time// 8:47am

eating// just finished a bowl of frosted mini wheats, which i will probably pay for later. i've been eating far too much gluten lately, and man is my stomach telling me about it.

drinking// water, & i just realized i haven't had coffee in close to a week.

watching// still on the forensic files kick. i honestly don't watch much tv these days. i turn it on when i get into bed at night, and i'm usually out before the half hour is up.

reading// bloody lessons. i started it... now let's see how long it takes me to finish it. & also reading an ENORMUS amount on graphic design for school.

needing// to get the house cleaned. i ran around last friday like a crazy person trying to get everything clean for my sister in law & her family who were coming into town to visit... and now that they are gone, i'm almost certain i'm right back where i was on friday. five kids does not a tidy house make!

loving// the weather, when it decides what it's going to do for a few days, it's actually pretty nice outside. the other 50% of the time it's 80 and humid, and i'm wondering if it is in fact still just february.

thinking// about one of my old bosses at the pediatric office i worked at. he lost his battle with cancer on friday, & i am brought to tears every time i think about it. he was hands down one of the best bosses i've ever worked for. he was kind, generous, and always wore a smile. he treated those of us in the office with as much grace and respect as those in the office with medical backgrounds (which is NOT common practice, though it should be) i graduated high school with his daughter, and though we didn't run in the same circles, my heart is breaking for her, as she is due in 2 weeks with what would have been his first grandchild. i just can't even put into words how special this man was, he truly touched so many hearts.

listening// say something is at the top of my repeat list, as well as pompeii, and of course happy.

TWELVE MONTHS // I survived

Today (well technically it was Sunday, but whatever) marks one full year in school. I'm actually sort of shocked that it went by so quickly. At times it felt like the months were dragging on. Other months flew by. (That month I had science, I SWEAR the month had 80 days.) I have increased my knowledge regarding design ten-fold. I still get excited about what a new month holds. It's a good thing, and a good sign I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I'm still worried about what I'll actually do when I get done, but I'm trying to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

In honor of my one year school anniversary, I thought  I'd share a few of my favorite things I've designed...

This is was the first thing I did in Photoshop. It was a tutorial that walked you
through re-creating your own Andy Warhol-ish composition. 

This was one of my first projects using Adobe Illustrator. We had to
illustrate a movie poster, using only 5 colors. This thing about
kicked my butt with all the stars, but I was pleased with my efforts in the
end. Illustrator is not for the faint of heart! 

I thought I was afraid of Photoshop & Illustrator, and then I had my first class
where I was expected to draw two objects found in my house. I read the class
assignment & immediately freaked out, & called my husband, who was
completely sweet & reassured me I COULD do this. His exact words were
that he has always had faith in my abilities, that it's me that doesn't.
Checked my attitude at the door & got to work.  (And now of course
Rance thinks I'm capable of drawing EVERY Toy Story character under
the sun!) 

Same class as the one that required the sketching. We learned
about hierarchy in design, etc. We were instructed to create
an advertisement using the color schemes, tag lines, and logos
provided to us, along with several design elements. I was
pretty excited about this design out of the three I did. (Looking
at it now, I would rather have a vector set of glasses vs. the
photo.. but ya live & learn right?)

Next up was Color Theory. We learned about how color
conveys mood, etc. Our month long project was to work on
re-branding a sports team. We had to pick a pro team, change
the city, redesign the mascot/logo, and the color scheme. I moved the
Chicago Bears to Tacoma, and recolored them as Polar Bears.
I choose the typeface, color scheme, and did the new mascot logo,
as well as the uniforms. It was a TON of work, but I have to
admit, I was really excited about the end package. 

December was Digital Story Telling, and MAN it was a busy
month. In addition to a weekly illustration, in conduction with
the prompts at illustrationfriday.com, we had another
multi-step project due. I spend most of December with
my butt planted in a computer chair & my family
doing there best to not disturb the angry bear. It was
a nightmare, but of the best kind. I really pushed myself, and
my skills. The first illustration prompt was "Shadow". 

The second prompt for December was "Refrain".  I had two
ideas, so I worked on both of them, and submitted my favorite
for grading, which you see above.  

This was my second submission for "Refrain", going on the music interpretation.
The birds are positioned in the fashion of a segment of music from the song
"Blackbird" by the Beatles. 

My fourth prompt was "Spirit". At this point in the month I was way
burnt out, and had no Christmas Spirit. I was grumpy, but pretty pleased
with how this guy turned out. He may have been my favorite the entire month.
Sorry for the poor quality. Obviously I have something to learn about saving
for optimal web-viewing. 

Our first project in December was to create an info graphic. I bit off way more
than I could chew, but I got it done, and I totally am in love with it. I won't tell you
how many times I had to stop & rewind Goonies to be sure I got all the numbers
right, the kids thought I was nuts. 

And here is my final project for my class last month, History of
Visual Communications. The object was to create a poster
inspired by a period in art history. I went with the Art Deco
period. Clean lines, exaggerated perspective, etc.

 So here's to another 12 months. Another year of pushing, and learning, crying & falling apart, then getting it together, and coming back stronger.

Thanks for hanging with me ;)

xo-k

currently//1.17.14

Life is a bit of a whirlwind these days. It's a delicate balance between house & school & hobbies. If I'm honest, some months it's a struggle to keep my head above water. My best intentions sometimes fall short. I have to say no to invites, stay up late to finish assignments, and ask for help. I'm not good at asking for help.. what I am good at is getting mad when the hubs doesn't offer, like he can see into the rolodex of my mind and know everything that has to be done. Fortunately, I'm also really great at knowing when I'm wrong & apologizing.

I'd like to say 2014 will see me re-commit myself to blogging.. but that'd be a stretch of the truth. I spent some time over my holiday break re-reading past entries, and I'm sad I don't have entries like that to look back upon for 2013, but I'm giving myself a break. Life is a liquid mass, it moves & turns & shapes itself around whatever you stick in it. Right now, blogging regularly isn't something I'm dedicated to, nor do I feel it's something that needs precedence in my life.

Instead, I'm vowing to do one currents post a month, on the 17th, as a sort of 'checking in'. I'm cutting back in other areas as well, making room for what's important. I am still absolutely head-over-heels madly in love with project life... but I can't keep up. Sitting at my computer for several hours throughout the week doesn't leave me with a whole lot of material to work with. (And when I say several, we are talking like LOTS) So I'm cutting back to a 6x8 album, just for 2014. I'm also going chronological/monthly vs. weekly. It's my compromise to keep my hobby, and not have the frustration that I'm not getting it done in the time that I'd like.

My one little word for 2014 is breathe. I could have chosen calm... but I do better with words I can chant as a mantra, or words I can stick in my ignition hypothetically. Last year my word was fierce, and let me tell you, it took on a whole new meaning for me. I thought 2013 would be a year of getting my butt in shape, I wanted to fiercely go after my goal. I had no idea in January when I choose it, that come February, I'd be in school. But let me tell you, I attacked my schooling in a way I don't think I ever have before. At the beginning of every month I started a new class, and every month I'd stare at my assignments and think. "HOLY CRAP! There is NO WAY I can do this! I can't do this! I CAN'T DO THIS!!" Sometimes there were tears, or texts to my husband lamenting the tasks ahead.. and then a day or two would pass, a deadline start to loom, and I'd pull myself together, sit down, and kick the crap out off the assignments. I ended 2013, and my first year of school, with a 4.0 GPA, shocking no one but myself.

So yes, my 2014 word is breathe. I've already proven to myself I CAN do this, I just need to remember to not get so stressed out trying to maintain every aspect of life during the process. Sometimes there will be dirty dishes, and toys strewn everywhere. Sometimes a bed won't get made until right before we get in it. Sometimes clothes will wait 3 days to get hung up. But baths are had, and bellies are full, and we are healthy. The rest can wait, the rest I CAN get help with, it only takes asking.

So. 2014. Let's do this.

time: 10:25 am
eating: applesauce & oatmeal pancakes with a side of bacon
drinking: homemade iced coffee
watching: trying to catch up on episodes of the vampire diaries & american horror story: coven, but more interested in watching the first 48, and forensic files.
reading: i have this book downloaded, and i'm trying to make time to read it.
needing: to get back to work on home improvement projects. little things here & there that have just gotten lost in the shuffle of day to day life.
loving: the sense of calm i have right now... hoping i can remember it & reign in back in when needed.


Until next time :)
xo-k

project life 2013: weeks 40 & 42

it feels like i've got a bit of a rhythm going for myself these last two weeks. 

that kidney stone really threw my game, and i'm ready to get back on a roll. 

i finished up a good bulk of my schoolwork early this week, & took the chance to play this weekend. 

i don't think my husband would buy it, but the scrapbooking process helps my school work. 

it's a chance to be creative without being graded, and i never thought that'd be a relief. 

i stress so much about meeting criteria, and succeeding, it's annoying, though necessary. 

i don't like stress. it makes me eat. and that obviously, is counterproductive to all my walking! 

anyways. so i'm using my scrapbooking as a exercise in learning photoshop.. 

and having S O  M U C H  F U N! 

week 40: 

first week of october, tail end of september. 

i never got around to getting calendar cards i really liked this year, & i've just rolled with it. 

i like that i'm not confining myself to something, if something else will work better. 

so, the 30/06 card is actually a date marker. above it says september, below october. 

i didn't have enough pictures to fill all the 4x6 pockets this week

(have a horrible habit of forgetting to flip my phone) 

& couldn't make anything work for me, so I just enlarged a photo of one of the decorations we put up that week & slapped an october 'to do list' on there. 

the picture is one taken from my iphone, and printed from my epson picturemate. 

i gotta say. i was pleased with the quality. i only lost a tiny bit of shadow detail at the bottom. no big. 

i've tried hard not to be a color coordinated scrapper, but i can't pull it off. this weeks color cues came from the pumpkin illumination, and the yeast rolls (which were a first for me, and deserved to be in color!) 

i've had a few people ask about how i split up the 12x12 photo, so i'm going to attempt to write that up sometime this week, and hopefully it's something that makes sense! 

supplies: midnight core kit card (top right), studio calico: kit card (orange/yellow), 'oh yes' stamp, orange alphabet stickers, basic grey 'check it out' clear overlay, american crafts white foam thickers. 

 week 42: 

i'm working all out of order, and i'm okay with that this year.
not sure what my hang up was last year. this works for me.
work on what i'm inspired by, and leave the rest for later.
this also includes spreads with an overwhelming amount of pictures.
(the weekend beach trip, the trip to the carnival, etc)
the goal is to get all the 'easy' spreads done, and go back to the photo heavy ones.
not sure why, other than it hurts my head to have to eliminate pictures!

i really wanted that picture of myself to take prominence in the spread,
since it was my birthday.. i dyed my hair pink... and i rarely get in front of the camera any other time of year.

color cues came from my hair & my shirt. i think the color pink grows on me at certain times of the year. you'll never catch me in baby pink.. but hot pink.. that i can do every once in a while ;)

supplies: project life midnight & blush core kits, studio calico: calendar card, 'tuesday' black epoxy sticker, rhinestone star, american crafts: silver glitter thickers, white foam thickers, & 'that's what she said' sticker, basic grey 'look at this' clear overlay arrow, cloud 9 heart brad sticker.

so there ya have it. another 2 weeks in the books. 

(and 4 more with pictures printed, just waiting for journaling) 

happy monday! make it a good one! 

xo-k