project life {2014}

Well, I am extremely EXCITED to begin my Project Life journey this year!

I was able to keep up with my album last year for the most part.  I did have a few months here and there where I did not work on the album, but I was able to catch up quickly because it's so EASY to do!

This is my title page for 2014.  I used 5th and Frolic cards for this page.

And these are the first 2 pages of the first week of January.  I thought I loaded these in order, but apparently not, and I'm too lazy to fix it.  So this is the 2nd page....

And this is the first......

I do a mix of different cards throughout the year.  I think it gets boring if I have to stick to one core kit for the year.  I just pull from all the sets depending on what my pictures look like and what we are doing that week. 

I think I've found a system that works great for me.  I've decided to post a list of helpful tips that I use in an upcoming post.... for my 2 readers out there!

The next few weeks will be busy trying to get ready for Carson's birthday.  Hopefully, I can try to get some blogging done also......

Blackberry Creek Retreat with SOL {2013}

Last weekend was my annual trip to Blackberry Creek Retreat with Scrap Out Loud!

It was just wonderful. 

I was sick with a sinus infection the entire weekend, but I still managed to have the best time.

These were the goodies that I had waiting for me at my spot when I arrived. Thank you to our cruise directors- Cara, Pat, and Janelle!

My spot for working.  I learned from Pat last year, and brought my own chair. 
It.  was.  perfect. 

I usually have trouble with my back hurting after sitting on a hard folding chair all weekend.  Not this time!  Definitely a must for all future events!

We had our welcome to Blackberry Creek Spritzer on our first night with our meal.

Getting it done!

I can't even describe how good the food is.  We used to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner....
Needless to say we ROLLED home that first year because it was so much food!

Now we do breakfast, a soup or salad at 2:00 pm, and dinner about 6:30 pm.
And we always eat a dessert later that night.

We had my absolute favorite thing they serve..... Blackberry Creek Signature Chowder.  It's the second picture below.  And it's amazing....

The table is changed for each meal.  It's always a treat to see how they have it put together.

I was able to get done ALL of 2012.  I had stopped last year in February.  So, I finished 10 months and then also finished 2013 through March. 

Using Project Life has CHANGED MY LIFE!  I am able to documennt and preserve all of our memories in such a shorter amount of time.  And with all of Becky Higgins' neat products, it still looks FABULOUS! 

This is my 2013 title page.  I'm in love with Clementine.  I think I've decided that I am going to purchase a few other kits and mix them through the years.  This will add a little variety to my books and keep it fresh and interesting, I think. :)

I do love doing special projects that are more of the scrapbook feel, but those are more individual and short term.  I feel like documenting our life this way will help me to enjoy those projects more, and I don't have to feel overwhelmed...... WHEW.......... That is me, sighing a great big breath of RELIEF!

Kel and I stayed in the room called Dixie's Garden this year.
I just love how each room is decorated with so much country cottage detail.

This is Dixie and Mark Dawson.
They are such lovely and kind people.
I can not express the hospitality and kindness and care they show to us when we are there.
If you ever need a little getaway for some peace and relaxation..... you must check out
Blackberry Creek Retreat!

 

Scrap Out Loud ladies, Thank you for such a great time.  4 days always seems to fly by so quickly!

We missed you, Leslie H, but next year will be here before we know it!!

 

 

January Photo a day! {2013}

This has been a whirlwind of a month!

January used to drag on for me.  But since I had Carson, it is a month spent trying to get ready for his birthday on February 2.

I'm still pondering what I'm going to to with my Photo a Day pics from last year.  Of course many of them are in my Project Life album.  But I'm going to make a special project with every picture of 2012!  Can't wait!

I kept all the pics organized in the my365 app so I could make sure I don't leave any out when I am choosing them all in instagram to make my project.  And if I screen shot the app, I can get 2 layouts with all the pics from each month which is handy!

Many more friends have joined me this year with #fmsphotoaday, and I am loving seeing everyone's pictures each day!  I think it's a great way to connect with friends.

And, I love that if I'm not feeling the word of the day for whatever reason, I just change it to fit what works for me.  It is surprising though how many of the prompts work out perfectly for whatever I'm doing that day....

October Photo A Day! {2012}

31 more pictures....

It has been a whirlwind of a month...

I had {2} girls weekends planned IN A ROW!

 

The first, was Tara's BIG 40th celebration.

We went to dinner that evening, and had a great meal. ;)

I'm all about the food.

 

Tara and me...

The next weekend, I went with my sister-in-laws to Rogers, AR for some shopping and fun!

I was a little excited about this pic of this cool store front.  So. fun.

 

And the last weekend in Oct was all about being at home and relaxing.

 

We even made Star Wars pancakes!

 

Of course, we ended the month with Halloween and our own little Darth Vader...

 

I'm linking up at A Night Owl Blog and Little Inspiration.

april photo-a-day challenge

I am happy to report that for FOUR months I have taken at least ONE picture every day! 
Using my iphone as a camera has made it EASY to do.

Some of my favorite memories include:

...........my weekend retreat to Blackberry Creek Retreat for a scrapbooking (project life) get away.

...........my trip to see Beth Moore in KC and getting to visit Anthropologie!

...........getting a great new Bible for Carson.

...........my first PEDICURE of the summer!! YAY!

...........and a birthday dinner with my mom and dad.



This month has absolutely flown by, and I'm eagerly awaiting the end of May.  I am so ready to be out of school and on the BEACH!  Those pics a day will be FUN to take. :)

I'm linking up with House of Smiths and Pefect Imperfections!

{march} photo-a-day wrap up

I am still loving taking a photo a day!  I feel like it's helping me to record more of the everyday events that I don't always think to record. 

As I look back through all the pics, I'm overwhelmed at how much happens each month.  NO wonder time goes by so quickly! 

My plan is to use all of these pics at the end of the year to make an instagram poster!  I can't wait. 
I think it will be a great piece of art in our home for 2012 memories!!!

I'm linking up at House of Smiths!

Scrap Out Loud @ Blackberry Creek Retreat {2012}

Last weekend was my annual scrapbooking retreat at Blackberry Creek.....
Every year, seems to be even more amazing than the year before.  Mark and Dixie (Blackberry owners) are such kind and welcoming hosts.  Every time I pull into the estate, I just feel peaceful....

The meals are simply amazing.  I didn't post every meal on the blog this time, like I usually do... but I did post a few of my faves.  I love how Mark always sets the table with a different design of plates... so each time it's a treat not just to see what we're having but also how it is presented.... Love. it.

Somehow, I didn't get a closeup of Leslie H and Keri, but they are in this pic... so I at least got them in.

And, Sandee wasn't able to stay the weekend, but she did meet us for breakfast.  I'm glad she is in this pic.

Every year, I request his famous Corn Chowder... It is my absolute favorite soup I have ever tasted.  I will be emailing him to get the recipe this year.  I can't even describe to you how fabulous this soup is.

 We do a hearty breakfast and dinner.... Breakfast is so filling that most of us save half of it to eat for lunch.  And I don't normally have juice for breakfast, but I just love it here.  It finishes the meal perfectly.

Our last night, he always sets the table EXTRA specially. 

And we just happened to have the BEST meal I've ever had at Blackberry Creek on this night.
The first course was a bacon dressing egg and spinach salad.  The main course included a pork tenderloin with Parmesean broccoli and mashed potatoes and cauliflower.  Also a roll and the famous Blackberry Spritzer!  Words can not convey to you just how amazing it was.

I did a pretty good job of not cleaning my plate this weekend, because I was trying to be sensible, but this evening.... I CLEANED it.  We Scrap Out Loud ladies like to call this a "happy plate."

And for dessert that evening, chocolate eclair cake.....

That's right- cake that tastes like a donut.. Need I say more?????

Saturday night, Kelly, Keri, Leslie, and I went to see Marshfield's Little Theater production of "Steel Magnolias"  Our Scrap Out Loud pal, Sandee, played the part of Ouiser (Shirley McClain's part in the movie)  Sandee and the cast were wonderful.  We laughed so hard, and some of us cried, too. :)

I don't know why I didn't take a pic of us or of Sandee, but this is a pic of the church where we saw the play.

My view as I worked.  Cara and I have both begun using Project Life by Becky Higgins.  And we are sold!  I completed a whole album for 2011.  It was easy, quick, and looks great too.

Our completed albums....

 My workspace..... lots of room to spread out and make a mess!

This is a page from my 2012 album...

 The land around this bed and breakfast is beautiful.  There was a bicycle built for two on the back porch, so Cara and Kelly decided to try it out.

                                            Kelly and me in front of one of their flower beds. 

 Cara and Janelle.  Janelle is the lady who turned us on to Project Life, and now I'm thinking I may follow her lead and do some digital layouts. :)

Christy and JoVon...... pretty ladies.

Joan and Pat sporting the red hats!!

I can't believe how quickly the weekend passes. 

As usual, a grand time was had by all.

I'm so thankful for this group, and can't wait until

SOL @ BCR 2013!!!!!

Some of these pics are from Cara's camera! I hope you don't mind that I used them for the blog. :)