What pregnancy is teaching me....

1. This body no longer belongs to me. 

I am host to a human being that decides when I eat and if I like it or not, when I go to the bathroom, the position I lay in, and how much sleep I get. And I didn't know that my stomach could stretch as far as it has but guess what....it's still stretching!!!!!  

2. My husband is uh-may-zing!!!

He is so attentive and is always singing/talking to Baby O.

3. My belly is a hand-magnet.

I am always getting "touched." If I wasn't pregnant, would you still rub my belly. UH-no!

{Side note: I don't always mind, but the old man in the mall was a little much.}

4. My brain has gone on a hiatus.

I can't form sentences, and sometimes I can't find words, and I NEVER make sense.

5. My back has become demon-possessed.

It hates me. For realz. Can someone say chiropractor?

6. Sometimes, it looks like I have an alien living inside me.

My belly moves like an anaconda is inside there sometimes. Now I love it, but the first time, it really creeped me out!

7. Even 5th graders have pregnancy stories to tell.

My kids at school are convinced they know exactly how my baby is going to be born; and they tell me in great detail all the good and all the horrifically bad of every pregnancy they've ever been around. Fun stuff I tell ya.

8.  Stairs. Suck. Period.

9. Wanting the gender to be a surprise is a bigger deal than I ever thought! 

No one can believe that we decided not to find out the sex of the baby.  It's been so much fun though to hear people guess and give reasonings behind their guessing. 

and lastly 

10. Even though pregnancy has its ups and downs, it's the most wonderful thing on Earth!

I love the movements, I love the conversations, I love the bond being created between me and this baby, and Landen and this baby, and Landen and myself.  It's the most exciting time ever! 

Come on March!

Project Life: Jan 15-Jan 21

These kinds of weeks are the reason that I love doing Project Life.

It was full of rewarding e-mails, and fun adventures that otherwise would have gone forgotten if I hadn't had the subconscious reminder to "snap that picture for Project Life."

It was also full of boring, mundane, routine things.

And I took pictures of those too.

Two things that I incorporated into my album this week that I am loving are Ali Edwards Words and Photos templates and Cathy Z's new Tiny Templates. They added so much to this weeks layouts.

Here are the pictures for this weeks layout. I used my iPhone again so the quality is rather cruddy but it works. 

In this photo you can see the Ali Edwards insert that I added. I just printed it onto 6x12 paper in my printer and then added my picture to it with adhesive. I did the same for the story insert on the back. These are great for getting those longer stories that you might have into the album.

A close up of the two inserts:

And then the right side of the layouts:

I also included two emails from my husbands old Cross Country coach telling him that he will honored at a ceremony remembering their State Championship win 10 years ago. Can't wait to get those photos into my album!

So there you have it.

Week 3.

Holy smokes, it's almost February folks!

How are your weeks coming?

I am linking up here:

Products I am using:

I need a pintervention

So I had this big long blog post planned for today about my baby shower.

And as luck would have it, 

I am now sick as a dog, and I don't feel like typing said post.

So I will do something that it just as enjoyable for all of us and that will make me feel less awful for spending mindless time checking for new pins on Pinterest and pinning them.

I'll share them with you!

Here are some of my favorite pins this week

{Notice the crafty theme? Yeah, it's where my head is right now...}

Project Life pins that I am loving:

                                                                          Source: tumblr.com via marcypenner on Pinterest

                                                                Source: huffordhouse.blogspot.com via marcypenner on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: twopeasinabucket.com via Lynn on Pinterest

and many more that I won't bug you with.

Scrapbook Layout inspiration:

                                                                    Source: twopeasinabucket.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                                 Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                               Source: twopeasinabucket.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                                             Source: flickr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

and finally some random things that I think are just pretty stinking cool!

                                                                            Source: etsy.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                                              Source: tipjunkie.com via Amanda on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: content.photojojo.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Isn't pinterest just so inspiring {pinspiring???}!

I just feel all giddy/slightly overwhelmed every time I let myself hang out there too long!

What are you pinning? 

You can follow me here.

I am linking up today over at 

Take the L.O.A.D Challenge!

This year one of my New Years resolutions was to take more time doing things that I actually enjoy, and one of those things is scrapbooking and documenting the life that we are living right now. 

Not yesterday,

not tomorrow,

but now.

I am extremely blessed in our new house in that I have an entire loft space where I can set aside time to scrap and yet still be able to watch TV (well listen anyway) and communicate with my husband. This has given me more incentive to spend the time up there doing things that make me happy because I don't feel like I am wasting precious time with him.

Change is comin' y'all. 

The crying, pooping, staying-up-all-night kinda change.

And my time with my husband is very near and dear to me in these last few weeks of "just the two of us".

So with that being said,

I decided to bite the bullet and do something that would allow me to use my creative juices, spend time with my husband, and still document our life.

I searched and searched for a class, a workshop, a club, ANYTHING that would challenge me creatively while allowing me to stay at home, and by golly I found it!

Enter...

The {LOAD212} Challenge.

That's right.

A LayOut A Day.

I stumbled across this challenge through another blogger friend and after doing some quick researching, and intense soul searching, I decided to go for it.

I can do this.

I can scrapbook one layout everyday for the entire month of February.

I can do it 8 months pregnant too dang it.

And I can do it with a stinking smile on my water-retention-swollen face!

And since it's leap year I can do all 29 layouts instead of 28.

Boy oh boy...

these hormones are getting me all worked up.

But I'm just so excited!

Lain Ehmann has such a passion for scrapping and for teaching and it became evident immediately upon watching some of her videos and reading her blog.

She made me excited to do this challenge and she made me believe that I can do it.

Even with all of the crazy stuff going on.

So here is my question:

will you take the challenge?

Will you join me on this crazy adventure to scrap not one layout in the month of February.

Not two.

Not even 10.

But 29 layouts!

One LayOut a Day???!!!!

If you would like more information on this challenge check out Lain's {LOAD212} website and get all the juicy details.

Here are just a few of the things you can look forward to:

-
28
29 daily prompts on the topic of Past Perfect: Looking Back to Look Forward
-28 29 daily videos
-Private message board
-Private gallery
-Interviews with cool scrappy folk (guest stars announced soon!)
-PRIZES
-Inspiration, fun, and companionship galore!

...and I just noticed something...I've said the word "juice" in some form twice now in one blog posts...

weird.

Happy Scrappin'!

Project Life Week #2 and the gift card goes to......

Holy Smokes!

Let me first of all begin by saying...

THANK YOU!

I had no idea that so many people would have so many encouraging things to say about my PL album and I am so thankful for each and every one of you!

I'm saving the good stuff for last...

...you know, who won the giveaway and all...

I'm mean like that ;).

So this week's layout is a lot simpler than last weeks.

I added some digital elements straight to some of my pictures and I made my title card much simpler. The biggest reason is that we were in KY for our first baby shower and I wanted to spend a little more time on some traditional layouts for that specific event. 

I love how it turned out.

Here is the left side for this week:

I will link all of the products that I have used down at the bottom of the post so that you don't have to read all about them here. I'm loving the new Inlinkz Link Manager. It makes doing something like this soooo much easier! 

As you can see, it is pretty simple. I used the date stamp and everything came from the core kit except for the title card, a button, and some digital elements. The little camera on the journaling card is from a digi-stamp kit I bought. It's also linked below. 

Here is the right side:

Again, pretty simple. I included the "Wishes for Baby" card that we had guests feel out at our shower and everything else is kept very true to the traditional Project Life system. 

Now for the fun part:

I scrap-lifted two different layouts that I found on Pinterest because I loved the textural elements and the basic layout styles. I forgot how much I loved to paper scrap...oh man! I almost cried when I finished these!

Layout #1:

This is scrap-lifted from Vicki Boutin and you can find the original here.

Layout #2:

I scrap-lifted this layout from Kelly Purkey and you can find this original here.

I think they add so much to my album already!

So here is the overall view of this week in my album:

And that's it. 

Project Life Week #2 is in the books{---er---book}! 

And it feels so good!!

So, without further ado...

...the winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is.....

Carla J from Arkansas!!!!

(Randomly selected using Random.org)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Send me an email before midnight tonight or I will be forced to draw another lucky name.

And that would pretty much stink.

And I'd love to hear what Becky Higgins products you are going to spend it on!

Again, thank you so much for all of the kind words, encouragement, and support! I am so excited to be on this journey with all of you and I love how the Project Life community is bringing so many people together!

Here's to another week of documenting life! 

I'm linking up over at 

Project Life: January 1-January 7

Woohoo!

It's done!

I am sorry that I didn't have this posted yesterday when I promised but like I said here, growing a human in HARD WORD!

When I started my layout for this week I decided right away that it was important that for each week I had a title card. I also decided that I wanted to use as much of the layout I could to include scrapbook elements and techniques that I have been wanting to use for quite some time.

I will apologize however for the lighting. Getting home after dark each day makes it extremely hard to use the natural light to capture good pictures.

So let's get started:

Week 1 of Project Life, the full spread:

You can see that it looks mostly like a traditional layout, the only difference is that I am not taking a picture a day, but doing a weekly overview.

The left side:

The "Hello 2012" came from one of Ali Edwards brush set that you can find here. The font is a free Ali handwriting font that you can find on her blog. I also used a SmashPad journaling card from the Blank Collection. I love how they fit just perfectly into the journaling spots.

The right side:

I love how the title card turned out! I used a bunch of different elements to create a very vintage feeling look with that bold burst of blue.

I used some of the Clementine Cardstock for the base of the page. The blue ribbon was from my stash but I'm exactly sure where it is from or what the color is. It was the perfect color though! I used some Kraft Cardstock from Hobby Lobby for the pennant and the date was stamped using a stamp that was included in an older Project Life kit. I inked all the edges using Crumb Cake ink from Stampin' Up! The tag was made using a small creative tag from Recollections. The paper that I collaged onto the tag it from the Linen Closet collection mat-stack from DCWV.

I wanted to include another small mini-layout so I used one of the 3x4 journaling cards from the kit and added a Tim Holtz stamp from his The Journey stamp set, stamped it in the same Crumb Cake ink and then used a new Stampin' Up set called Vintage Fresh {not available yet} to stamp a little flower in the corner using Baja Breeze Stampin' Up Ink. The heart is from Hobby Lobby and I couldn't find the packaging but I know I got it during Christmas time in the mini-tree section.

The last little extra that I included was two journaling cards that included 2012 goals from both Landen and myself. I love that both of our handwriting is stuck right there in the first pages of the book.

I LOVE how my first week turned out! I've already started preparing my pictures for this week. Be on the lookout for extra inserts though since my first Baby Shower is this weekend {can I get a woot woot?!}

And now for the fun stuff:

The thing that I love most about Project Life is its versatility. My album already looks so different from last years album and yet I love them both in different ways.

I hope you all have a great weekend and good luck with the giveaway!

A GIVEAWAY

In honor of Project Life and how much it has done to renew my love for scrapbooks and documenting my memories, I am giving away a $25 Amazon giftcard! This will cover the cost of any of the Project Life core kits. Shipping is free too if you select the free super saver shipping option!

Here are the rules:

1.) Please follow my blog. I work hard to keep this thing updated and somewhat interesting and I love to meet new people.

2.) Leave me a comment telling me your name, where you are from, and what you look forward to most about doing/starting Project Life.

3.) Cross all your fingers and toes and check back Tuesday, January 17 to see who the lucky winner is.

All comments must be submitted to THIS post by 12:00 midnight EST on Monday January 16, 2012.

So good luck finishing up week 2 of your albums! I hope things are going great and that you are enjoying it just as much as I am!

Tomorrow

Hey everyone!

I wanted to give you an update about my week one layout and the giveaway I mentioned.

I did not get to finish my layout today.

Turns out that growing another human being is very exhausting and I came home and had to go straight to bed because of some back pain and being just plain tired!

I am feeling a little wired now

{fabulous since it's 10:45}

and I am headed upstairs to try and finish up.

So, check back tomorrow for photos and all the info on the give-away!

I'm so excited!

Project Life: A video and a title page

Siighh

It's 10:00 on Tuesday night and I am just now getting my Project Life post up.

See what I meant when I said I laugh at the word "plan"?

But I am learning that it is okay to have to do things a little later than planned.

I have been busting my tail at work.

And last night I came home all motivated to finish things up only to fall asleep on the couch at 7:30 and wake up this morning.

So anywayz, here is the much-later-than-planned post.

First of all, I finished my 2011 album this weekend! After about 40 tries at recording it I finally got it recorded and uploaded and you can view it here:

I also finished my title page ---{uh-hum} ---today.

I know, I'm a slacker.

But the important things is that it is done.

There are still a few things that I need to add to my first week's layout so I will be posting it tomorrow...so puh-lee-zzeee come back tomorrow so I don't feel so bad for not posting it tonight.

Here is the full title page. Please excuse the photography. I was using my phone because honestly I didn't feel like getting up to walk downstairs and grab my camera.

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. I'm pretty sure this baby is going to be a genius because since I have been pregnant, my brain is totally insane! I think of things I never would have before and I am totally kicking Landen's tail in Hanging with Friends. It's like I see the letters and my brain does this whole "Beautiful Mind" type thing where the letters twist and twirl and create 50 point words.

...I digress...

I knew that I wanted to stick with a color scheme of yellows and grays while still adding touches of color here and there. The purple in the photos provided just the opportunity!

I used some American Craft Thickers for the letters and I love how the chunky look turned out! I also love how it gave added dimension to the page. I used some lace from Michael's Recollections and sewed it along the top for the first 4x6 card in the layout. I also stuck a Recollections gray brad in the middle of the clock. Along the top of the lace I used Basic Gray cardstock and the border eyelet punch all from Stampin' Up. You can order any of the products you see from Stampin' Up directly from me by clicking on the link. They take you straight to my own personal store.

Here is a close up of the bottom right corner card:

For this card I used the Thickers again and then used some Basic Gray ink from Stampin' Up and a blender pen from Stampin' Up to color in the words Remember for the basic card. I used some So Saffron ribbon as well as a big Basic Gray Corduroy Button brad that are also from Stampin' Up. I love the layered look of the card!

For the 3x4 photo pocket I used one of the journaling cards that came with the Clementine kit and a Ali Edwards brush from her Mini Line Stacks kit and printed it straight onto the journaling card.

My last little element was a Smack Stickies sticky note from K&Company. I love how the lightbulb ties in with the vintage feel of the kit. I snipped it into a pennant style shape and wrote our names on it. I love what it added to the page.

This page turned out more perfect that I imagined it! I am so in love with it and I love the mood that it sets for the rest of the album! I can't wait to show you the layouts each week.

And BTW:

I am planning a super cool giveaway to be given out next week!

I'll have more about that tomorrow!

The only requirements are

1.) You have to be a follower

and

2.) You have to leave a comment on either this post or tomorrow's.

So be sure to check that out tomorrow!

{Hint: it will have Becky Higgins' name on it....:D}

Also, check out my pregnancy journal here. If I have enough people interested I am considering making the templates available for free. You can find out more in the post.

How is project Life going for you?

See you tomorrow!

Linking up here:

Pregnancy Journal

I cannot believe that I will be 29 weeks pregnant on Thursday.

Where has the time gone.

At times, it feels it was just yesterday that I was freaking out in my in-laws bathroom with a pretty pink-positive-sign-bearing-stick in my hand.

And then at the same time, it seems like the next 11 and a half weeks are going to be the longest weeks of my life.

I am so ready to meet this little person.

When I found out I was pregnant I knew that I wanted to do something to document the pregnancy experience and all of the things that I felt and how our families reacted, etc. I also knew that I did not have enough time to commit to some big scrapbook or mini-book type project.

I also knew that I wanted to use my love of journaling, and digital design to create some kind of a book that could be printed off once the baby was born.

So out of all this was born my pregnancy journal.

I designed my own templates which makes the process so much easier,

and then I picked up a few digital elements:

a wonderful Ali Edwards Pregnancy Word Art and Pregnancy Week-by-Week digital elements kit, as well as an amazing Katie Pertiet digital paper kit called Bunny Trail. All of these can be purchased at Designer Digitals.

Here are just a few examples of the pages I have completed so far.

*Note* I haven't created a cover page yet because I honestly don't know what I want it to say.

Any suggestions?

Should I wait for baby to be born and use one of those or use a maternity photo?

Here is the title page:

And the first 3 weeks. (I started with week five since that's how far along I was when I found out I was pregnant.)

I love that the paper pack has a great mixture of both girl and boy colors. That was really important since we aren't finding out what we are having until the big day!

Once Baby O arrives I will probably use Inkubook for printing. I have used them for a couple other books and they turned out okay. I think I'll probably choose the hard-cover option though because I want them to last for a loooonnnggg time.

I am considering making my templates available as a free download if enough people are interested.

This could easily be modified for any kind of book or random digital scrapbook page.

I'd love it if you shared this idea with your friends and asked them to let me know if they would like to have the templates.

As of right now there are three:

A left side of the spread template

A right side template with a vertical photo &

A right side template with a horizontal photo.

What method did you use for keeping up with all the crazy things that happened during your pregnancies? It has been one of the most exciting times of my life, but to be honest...I'm ready to have this little person in my arms and out of my belly.

And before you say it:

I know, it only gets worse.

:)

Our home

As promised, I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of our house.

I spent the entire Christmas break organizing, deep cleaning, straightening, laundering, and even doing a little bit of painting (with a mask of course!).

I didn't take pictures of each room (because well...honestly, there's nothing interesting about them), but I did get all of the main living areas for us.

*disclaimer*

our house is a story and a half (it has a loft), which means really, REALLY, high walls and ceilings, which makes painting the whole house virtually impossible without scaffolding and we don't feel like tackling that project right now. So for the time being I have painted a few focal walls and we are making it work.

Don't worry though, come rain or shine, these walls will eventually have color on them!

So I hope you enjoy a tour of our new home. If you have any decorating suggestions please let me know! I am all up for some fresh ideas!

Our bedroom. Remember when we made this bed last year? It's just the look I am going for. Hoping to add some kind of an armoire in there soon. I found the idea for the art above the headboard here.

Our entryway

Our eat in kitchen and kitchen. Yes that is outdoor furniture. We don't have a good table yet and it is working for now. How's that for reusing things!

The view from the living and family room of the loft. I need decorating ideas here folks. It's sooo much white and sooo much wall space. What would you do here?

I llooovveee my kitchen! I still have empty cabinets!! The section of countertop where the coffee pot is holds our household station (our maintenance binder, planner, etc).

The morning room (a.k.a, Abbey's room for now). We are constantly searching for wicker furniture on the internet to add into here. I love the view of the woods outside our house and all the natural light that comes in through the windows.

Our family room.

This is the view from our entryway. Now do you see what I mean by all the white walls? I'm also looking for inspiration on what to put on the half wall you see when you walk in. I'm thinking a country star? What do you think?

The nursery is under construction. We still have trim to go up, curtains, wall decor, and of course the furniture! Can't wait to see it all put together!

This is at the top of the stairs. The loft overlooks the living room and kitchen. At the end of the hall is where my scrapbook nook is. I'm looking for ideas on what to put on the half wall here.

my little piece of scrapbook heaven. I am working on a wall photo gallery but I still have a few more picture frames to collect. This room is my getaway place. I spent 2 whole days up there over break catching up on my 2011 and 2012 Project Life albums.

So there you have it.

Our humble abode.

I hope you like it,

and for realz folks...I need ideas for decorating. I know you all beautiful homes. So let me know!

I am linking up here:

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/