Make Something (Mini Scrapbook Album)

One week after I officially decided to quit scrapbooking, including mini albums, I went on a shopping spree at my local scrapbook store.

Go figure.

I came home with a bag full of cute papers and embellishments.  And a brain with inspiration overload.

I quickly sat down and pulled out a stack of photos from our last trip to San Diego, a Moleskin book, a white gel pen, and a few gold embellishments.

And I got busy gluing down photos and adding some journaling.

By bedtime, I had completed my mini album and starting thinking about what project to do next.....

Do you still scrapbook? Or print your photos and display them in some way? Or are they trapped on your computer?

Slippery When Wet

Tater's first time swimming.

(technically, she has swam naked. This is her first time in a proper bathing suit)

Overall, she didn't mind the water. But didn't love it either.

And that last photo where she looks so content....yep, that's me holding her. I'm nice and squishy.

Photos taken in our backyard. June 2013. Tater Tot at 8 weeks.

Today I wish...

Today I wish:

That this little baby would come for a visit. It's been 2 weeks but it feels like forever. She's been running a fever. But I'm not sure if that's a valid reason to keep her quarantined at home. I'm sure some Grandma love would help. Just like chicken noodle soup. No, better than chicken noodle soup.


That there was 1 month left of summer vacation, instead of 1 week. We got derailed and there are many items on the Summer Bucket list that we have not done yet. Fun things. Family time. Relaxing time. I'm not ready for back to school shopping and haircuts and textbook distribution and meet the teachers and immunizations and..... That's what my week looks like.


That I could survive on less sleep. I just get wiped out on less than 8 hours. And yet, I could use that extra time to get more done. I promise I would cook dinner every night if I could function on 6 hours of sleep a night. I would vacuum more. I would update my shop with new items. Aren't you supposed to need less sleep as you grow older? I'm waiting for that day.


That I could plan a trip for my birthday. I'm thinking Portland. Just me and the mr. For a long weekend. Probably not gonna happen, since we just went to Cape Cod in early July. But a girl can dream.....


That my dog never leaped over the wall in the backyard. Yes, Daisy jumped over the 5 1/2 foot wall. Now she has to be supervised at all times. And since we are in the middle of brutal summer weather, that means quick potty breaks. No chasing lizards time. No sniffing grass time. No playing chase through the bushes time. It makes me feel mean. I don't like feeling mean. To my furry babies.

What are you wishing for today?  Something big? Or something little?

A Decision, a Judgement, and a Promise

quote by Simone Wood.

photo by me. July 2013

Six on Saturday

Every week I pick a theme and share things I found out in cyberspace relating to that theme.

Hope you enjoy!

This week's theme: back to school


1.  Reusable Sandwich Bags
 


2.  Binder filler set
 


3.  Pencil case



4.  Banner



5.  World Map Backpack



6.  Apple Necklace

Friday Wrap

 

This week I:

 

 

1.  Looked for everyday beauty during some routine shopping trips.

 

 

 

2.  Spotted Miss Zoe out and about the house. She hates the dogs and is rarely seen during waking hours.

3.  Paid off this kids braces and promptly had them removed. After 2 years of seeing colored bit of metal on his teeth, plain white looks a bit odd...

4.  Stumbled across this show and thought I'd see what all the buzz is about....was hooked by the 2nd episode. Think we've watched 7 episodes now, thanks to a marathon. 

5.  Got a new haircut. Hoping the shorter length means I will sport a ponytail less often. Liking it so far.

Again, a week full of ups and downs. A week full of life.

But the focus of this little blog is to pay attention to the little things in life that make my heart happy.

What's making your heart happy right now? Do share!

Linking up with Jeannette at Life Rearranged.

Color

 

Retailers are very good at catching your eye with displays featuring pretty colors.

The trick is to not fall for the temptation and buy all the pretties!

Taking photos helps.

Photos from Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, and Fry's. July 2013.

Make Something (Map Letters)

 

I had a bit of fun recently with some giant chipboard letters, map pages, and modge-podge.

 



 

I bought the letters at Hobby Lobby, and ended up going BIG. Like HUGE. They were on sale, so I paid about $2 per letter. I had the Road Atlas from a while back. Picked it up at a Goodwill for around $1. And I always have podge on hand.

 



 

 

I picked out states that had some meaning for me. Arizona (of course), along with Washington, California, and Massachusetts.  Then I traced around the letters, and cut.

 



 

 

Next, a layer of podge to adhere the paper to the chipboard, smoothing out the crinkles and bubbles with my fingers. Then a final coat of the podge to seal the map and add some gloss.

 



 

 

After drying for a day, I added some removable sticky strips and slapped those puppies on the wall. In my kitchen. Why maps in the kitchen?

 



To go along with my globe collection, silly.

Easy Peasy. Just the way I like to get my craft on!

Now go make something and get a little glue on your fingers while you're at it!

More Phoenix Zoo

 

Random thoughts:

1. Why would I take a picture of zebra butts? Cause I wanted to.
2.  That's a nasty meal the hyena is munching on.
3.  Why are the flamingos so pale? Shouldn't they be more pink?
4.  See how happy my family looks? We never get a family pic where someone doesn't look completely miserable!
5.  Tater loved the zoo so much, she slept through the entire visit! Doesn't she know that these are BIG moment...first trip to the zoo...first toucan outfit...first time watching Grandma (me) turn tomato red because she is about to pass out from the heat...
6.  See all those animals looking at the camera? They are all hoping that I will set them free. So they can migrate to Alaska. Where it's not so hot! And I may join them!

Hankering for more pics? There's an entire post on giraffes. Yep. I'm loving giraffes right now. Just click here.  Come on...you know you want to!

photos taken at the Phoenix Zoo. June 2013.

Target Love

Throw pillows. Towels. Shower curtains. End tables. Curtains.

How can a girl be expected to pick just one???

In the end, I just came home with the school supplies. But even they were pretty darn cute!