it is what it is

project life (week five)...

2012-02-07T18:13:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Project Life Week Five. Week five was light on photos and heavy on "stuff" which is perfectly okay with me. (Week six is turning out to be the just the opposite. :))

I included a copy of certificate that Jack earned for completing an online course, a copy of the JCrew catalog (purely for its beautiful colors), and a paper that I found in my printer tray. (Kate must have been practicing her typing skills. :)) I also included a journaling card describing a service project that the kids' school did this week (bringing in a bagged lunch for a local soup kitchen) and the accompanying brown bag that Sam decorated for his donated lunch. (Still loving the layered look with the 4"x12" page protector.)

On the other side of that insert I added a picture of Sam from the local newspaper and some of Sam's artwork pre Super Bowl. (Yay Giants!)

The right side of the spread includes some artwork and a quote from Kate and a picture of the cutest Groundhog's Day treat from her teacher. I also included a picture of the Air Bud movie because it has been on repeat in the car all week. (I've never actually seen the movie but I can quote it verbatim at this point.)

And that's week five--a colorful mish mash of everyday life. One of the things I love about Project Life is that it allows me to gather, in addition to family pictures and mementos, bits of pop culture--books, movies, magazines, music, food, etc. These added "slices of life" will be so fun to look at in years to come.

Moving on to week six!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

on the nightstand...

2012-02-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Can you believe I've never read this or even seen the movie?! I actually know very little of the story which makes me all the more excited to read it.

And I LOVED The Kitchen House. I highly recommend it!

Are you reading something great? I'd love to hear!

project life (week four)...

2012-01-31T13:04:00.001-05:00

Welcome to week four of Project Life!

This week I added a 4"x12" page protector (divided into 4"x6" sections) to accommodate a few extra pictures and notes. This was cut down from an American Crafts 12"x12" divided page protector I already had. This week I also used more of the cards from the kits (I mixed the Clementine and Cobalt) than in previous weeks. I mounted pictures and "stuff" on them and printed quotes and school work directly onto the cards instead of plain cardstock or photo paper. I think this gives the spread a more cohesive look and feel.

In addition to our everyday family pictures and quotes I included a few odds and ends. On the left side of the spread I included a scan of a shopping bag from Kate's favorite store, some writing that I found laying around in the playroom, a pic of Max and Ruby (a current fave right now), and a screen shot from the Lululemon site.

On the right side I included our grocery receipt from the week (which I think will be really fun to look at in several years), a valentine printable I posted here this week, and a copy of a duck that Kate colored at school. (I scanned the art, printed it on photo paper, cut it out and mounted it to one of the cards from the kit.) I also included a screen shot of the weekly weather forecast, which I wish I had done from week one. On the opposite side of the 4" x 12" page protector, I included a copy of a sheet that Kate did at school and a copy of a note from Kate to Daddy (that she dictated to Sam to write).

And that's week four! One of things I love about this project is seeing the finished layout come together at the end of the week and then turning the page and having a fresh, clean slate for the next week. Are you doing Project Life? How's your album coming along? I'd love to see!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

valentine's day roundup...

2012-01-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

Here are three of my favorite Valentine's Day projects/printables from 2011.

valentine subway print with multiple uses

Valentine lunch bags and jokes

Hugs and Kisses

For more Valentine's Day ideas from this year and last, go here!

Have a great weekend!

project life (week three)...

2012-01-24T14:15:00.005-05:00

Welcome to week three of Project Life. I am officially hooked!

My week three layout is comprised of lots of photos and not much journaling, and I am perfectly okay with this! I started to type out a "week in review" card and realized that the photos were already conveying that information on their own and there was no need to repeat myself. Do you know how liberating this was for me?! I did include one journaling card with a cute quote from Kate that I might otherwise forget if not documented here.

I am in love with the Cobalt kit! That date card in the top left corner was intended for the title page and didn't have a space to include the date. I just typed and printed the dates on a sheet of white cardstock and adhered it directly to the card. This side includes some photos of the kids enjoying the first snowstorm of the year, a screenshot of the weather from my phone and a picture of THE BEST ice cream ever made (and the saboteur of my fitness plan might I add).

The lower left corner is a scan and print of a piece of writing from Sam's schoolwork. I could've just popped it into an 8x10 page protector but it was small enough and legible enough to size down. I love that it fits into one of those pockets and I love that I have a record of his thoughts and feelings on receiving his 1st Reconciliation.

In addition to more pics of the kids, I included a pic of Reese Witherspoon from the Golden Globes (one of my favorite TV nights of the year), a pic a Victor Cruz (Go Giants!!!), and a pic of the boys' current favorite XBOX game.

I also scanned and printed a drawing that I found laying in the playroom. (That room is a treasure trove of Project Life fodder!)

If you've been on the fence about jumping on the Project Life bandwagon, it's not too late! Jump in and get started. The beauty of this system is that you can make it whatever you want it to be. You have everything you need within the kit to document 2012. Admittedly, I was overwhelmed and intimidated initially with the influx of Project Life ideas out there. I admire the people who are adding their own custom cards or treating each pocket as a mini layout, but it took me a good week or two to release the intimidation and admit that that approach is not for me. I am committed to keeping Project Life simple. I think I scrapbooked a total of maybe two layouts in 2011. While I still believed in the documentation of photos and stories I had become disenchanted with the art of scrapbooking. Too much stuff, too much pressure to use the latest and greatest, too much reinventing the wheel. Basically scrapbooking had lost all its fun. But with Project Life I am returning to my scrapbooking roots with lots of photos, some words, bits of our everyday life, and, best of all, simplicity. Documenting our lives is fun again.

If any of this resonates with you, I encourage you to just jump in and get started. I think you'll be glad you did!

Now on to week four!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

you're out of this world...

2012-01-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

Here's another quick and easy Valentine idea...

You can download the file here. Simply download, print and trim!

Hope you're having a great weekend! I'll be back Monday with week three of Project Life. :)

project life (week two)...

2012-01-16T17:16:00.004-05:00

I feel like I'm starting to find my groove with Project Life and I'm loving the process! Here's week two:

I worked throughout the week, printing photos and placing things in the pockets. This was much more effective and efficient for me than waiting until Sunday to put it all together. The only thing I did yesterday was print my date and journaling cards. (I had originally picked two cards from the Clementine kit and then at the last minute switched to these two cards from the Cobalt kit. I liked how they complemented the colors in Sam's plaid shirt. :)) I also cut an AC page protector to include two more photos of Sam and Kate. I like the layered look more than I thought I would!

Kate celebrated her 50th day of preschool this week with a 50's style party so I included some pics of her and her poodle skirt (Thanks, Nanny!). I also included a scan of a painting she created this week as well as funny note that I found laying in the playroom. (Evidently, Sam thinks Kate should attend a clean up camp. I don't know what clean up camp is, but I sure do like the sound of it! :)) Of course I also had to include a pic of the Giants beating the Falcons. :)

Sam received his 1st Reconciliation this week, so there are some shots of him and the family in there. I also added pictures of the book I'm reading and the Lego set that Jack's working on. I included a Valentine printable that I designed in one of the pockets and a copy of my current workout playlist.

Two weeks in and I am so happy that I've made the commitment to this project. This album will be a family treasure someday!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

on the nightstand...

2012-01-15T17:33:00.000-05:00

I just started this last night. Forty pages in and I'm really liking it so far. Will keep you posted!

Are you reading something great? I'd love to hear!

you're a star...

2012-01-14T11:18:00.001-05:00

Looking ahead to Valentine's Day, here's a new printable for you! (I love that Starbursts come in little packages of the FaveReds this time of year.)

You can download the file here! Simply trim, (round the corners if you like), and add a package of starbursts. Quick and easy!

project life (week one)...

2012-01-09T17:14:00.008-05:00

One week down, and I have to admit that I think I might be too OCD for this project! lol With some items too small or too thick, it was hard for me to just slip everything into the pockets without organization. I'm thinking I need to "let go" a little bit and embrace the lack of unity most of my spreads will have. Did anyone else feel this way when they first started?

This week I headed back to the gym after a two week hiatus, so I included a pic of the stair machine and a tag from some new workout clothes. I also included a pic of a lego set that Sam built. I was originally going to use the clipping from the box "as is" but it was too thick and ragged, so I scanned it and printed a photo. (This is the OCD I'm talking about, people!) I did the same with the mac and cheese box (a lunch treat this week) and the packing tape from the Container Store (lots of organization this week). In addition to the Clementine kit, I used a couple elements from the Cobalt kit.

And I know I said I wasn't going to stress about the photos (which I'm not), but I definitely need to take more than I did last week. Also, I waited until yesterday to start putting everything together, and it took me much longer than I expected. This week I'm going to try create my spread as I go, adding things here and there throughout the week. We'll see how that goes. I think there's a definite learning curve with this project!

Edited to add: After getting into the groove with week two and embracing the process more, I went back and tweaked week one. I added a couple more basketball pics and an outtake from our family photo "shoot". I also added a pic of an art project I'm working on with the 2nd grade classes at the kids' school (more on that later), and a pic of my iphone screen right after midnight on the 1st. And then I just moved a couple things around to maintain some semblance of balance.

Here's the original:

And here's after tweaking:

All the original elements are there, I just added more "stuff" from the week.

How about you? What's your progress? Are you struggling with anything? Any suggestions or tips? I'd love to see/hear!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

project life (title page)...

2012-01-07T21:41:00.003-05:00

With one week down and my title page completed, I am loving Project Life!

1. I'm using the Clementine kit, although in a moment of creative weakness/excitement I ordered the Cobalt kit too. Once I had the two kits together I was definitely more drawn to the colors of the Clementine kit. There are a few pieces in the Cobalt kit that I might use, but for the most part I'm going to stick with the Clementine kit. And I'm using an American Crafts cloth album that I bought at Michael's for 40% off. :)

2. I'm using the Design A page protectors for the bulk of my album, but may slip in an odd size here and there if I need more space. There's no shortage of page protectors here. Some I bought via Project Life (envelopes, 6x12), a few I bought at Michael's (8x8, 8x10), and many I already had in my collection of supplies (thank you, AC).

3. I'm taking the week at a glance approach to the process. There's no way I could commit to taking one photo a day. In fact, I'm making a conscious decision not to stress about the photos.

4. I've had fun collecting "stuff" this week. I've been saving tags and clipping the packaging from our favorite foods and snacks. These will be good fillers on the weeks that I don't have many photos.

5. I have a big wooden box that I've been tossing things in--supplies, fillers, photos, etc. As you can see, there's no real organization to the box right now, but I like that everything is contained there in one spot. I'm sure as I progress through the process I'll develop a more systematic approach to my organization, but for now this works for me. :)

4. I have a feeling I'll do most of my journaling on the computer. While I like the idea of handwritten journaling, my handwriting just looks messy to me. Printing on the cards in the kit will take some trial and error as I learned today while trying to print my title card. My printer kept "spitting out" the 3x4 card without printing anything on it, so in the end I taped the card to a piece of printer paper and ran it through the printer that way.

5. This will definitely be a work in progress. I'm sure I'll tweak things as I navigate through the process, but for now one thing's for sure--I'm excited about scrapbooking again!

This post is participating in Project Life Tuesday at The Mom Creative.

project life (i'm jumping in)...

2011-12-26T23:13:00.004-05:00

I've been intrigued by this approach to memory keeping for a couple months now, and with the new year approaching I've decided to jump feet first into Project Life. I haven't created a layout in over a year, but I'm hoping this no fuss philosophy will rekindle my love of storytelling. I'm excited to mix photos, memorabilia and words to create a simple but meaningful record of our daily life. Here's what I ordered today...

(I'm also planning to order the black Signature album and the dividers when they become available. And I have to find a good journaling pen.)

I'm kinda nervous but mostly excited to commit to this project. My plan is to share my weekly spreads here. Is anyone else doing Project Life? Do you have any tips or advice for me? I'd love to hear!

from our home to yours...

2011-12-24T12:17:00.000-05:00

card by Simply Stated Designs

See you in 2012!

cheers...

2011-12-20T16:09:00.002-05:00

For those looking for a simple hostess gift this holiday season, here's a quick and easy tag to add to a bottle of your favorite party beverage. It's the same tag as last year--I just printed it on patterned paper this year. I love how the patterned paper gives it a whole different look.

You can download the tags here. Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-12-12T23:10:00.000-05:00

I haven't read a Grisham book in a loooong time, but I recently read (I think in Entertainment Weekly) that this latest novel is a throwback to his earlier books (which I loved), so I thought I'd give it a shot.

And I wouldn't recommend The Adults. I usually love coming of age novels but this one was too dark for me, definitely not a favorite.

I love hearing your recommendations. I've added a couple books to my nightstand pile thanks to you, so keep them coming!

december subway print...

2011-12-08T16:31:00.000-05:00

I feel like December is already getting away from me! I've had this December subway print done since the end of November and am just getting around to using and posting it now. Better late than never I suppose!

As always, you can use these subway prints for more than just a decor piece. I like to cut them up and adhere them to the front of standard brown lunch bags...

...or wrap them around a bottle of spirits:

Here I slipped a piece into a simple CD envelope. This would be a great way to wrap gift cards this holiday season. And the print coordinates with my holiday tags from last year. :)

You can download the subway print here and the coordinating tags here. Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-12-04T09:42:00.000-05:00

First let me say that I really liked The Murderer's Daughters. While the story is heartbreakingly sad, it grabbed my attention from the get go and didn't let up until I finished. Not overly suspenseful, it's a story of survival, hope and love. Check it out.

And here's what I'm reading next:

I'll keep you posted!

Have you read something that you just couldn't put down? Please share!

thanksgiving 2011...

2011-12-03T09:10:00.001-05:00

You know the good times are rolling when I start taking iphone pics (mostly with arm outstretched), as was the case this Thanksgiving.

We hosted my family, and it was the most fun we've had together in a long time, maybe ever!

Now moving on to Christmas!

And I promise this isn't turning into a blog of grainy, instagrammed iphone pics! I have a Nightstand post as well as a December Subway post coming up in the next couple days. Until then, enjoy your weekend!

iphone pics (fall edition)...

2011-11-20T14:20:00.000-05:00

This has been the craziest fall to date for our little family, but we've managed to squeeze in a little fun here and there.

Dinner with friends...

Our annual trip to Panera with our best friends on the first day of school...

A trip to the apple farm...

One of the most amazing rainbows I've seen...

Lots and lots of dance classes...

A much needed girls night out...

A date at Giants Stadiums :)...

A trip to the pumpkin patch...

Brunch with one of my childhood friends...

And, just last night, dinner and a campfire with our best friends.

Thank goodness for iphone pics, Instagram, and good times that outweigh the crazy. :)

on the nightstand...

2011-11-18T21:03:00.001-05:00

I've had this is my Amazon cart for at least a year, and I think I'm finally ready to read it. I'll keep you posted.

I liked Close Your Eyes. The writing was somewhat cliche and it read like a young adult novel at times, BUT the storyline held my interest and I appreciated the short chapters (perfect for reading at the dr. office, in the car line, at basketball practice, etc.). This book was JUST WHAT I NEEDED to jumpstart my reading again. :)

Hope you have a great weekend!

on the nightstand...

2011-11-12T08:33:00.002-05:00

An especially hectic fall + a book that took me nearly 2 months to get through=a very long overdue nightstand post! This is what I just finished:

It was sloooow to get into. It probably took me 2 months to get midway through the book and the last two weeks to read the last half. Not my favorite although it's listed as one of Amazon's best books of 2011, so what the heck do I know?! :)

I'm hoping to jump into this today:

I read two of Amanda Eyre Ward's books years ago (Sleep Towards Heaven and How to be Lost) and remember liking both so I thought I'd give this one a go. I'll keep you posted.

Please tell me something great you've read recently. I'm in need of some good titles!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

november subway...

2011-11-08T13:14:00.003-05:00

Keeping with the monthly theme, here's a subway print for November. Like the others, it's designed to be printed on 8x10 paper.

It can be used for cards, scrapbooking layouts, treat bag toppers, candy bar wrappers and more! (Check out this post for more ideas.) Wrapped around a bottle of wine or sparkling cider, it would add just the right touch to a hostess gift this Thanksgiving season.

And don't limit your printing to plain white photo paper or cardstock! For the wine bottle, I printed on brown cardstock, which added a more subtle, vintage feel to the print.

You can download the file here.

Enjoy!

ETA: Thanks to one of you sweet readers, I realized I misspelled potatoes. Oops! The PDF has been edited to reflect the correct spelling. :):):)

house of fifty...

2011-11-07T20:51:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the holiday issue of House of Fifty yet?

I'm still pinching myself that my advent countdown bags were actually included within the pages of this gorgeous online magazine.

You can check out the entire issue right here!

and I'm back...

2011-11-04T22:58:00.000-04:00

After 5 days without power, we're finally returning to life around here. I have never appreciated running water, lights and heat as much as I did last night when the power was finally restored. Thank goodness for my parents and friends who provided warm showers, dinners, loads of clean laundry and play dates for the kids. I have lots to share over the next few weeks including some Thanksgiving printables and a nightstand post, but for now I'll leave you with a pic from Halloween. Despite the storm and power outage we managed to squeeze in some fun.

Go Giants! :)

monster favor bags...

2011-10-27T22:40:00.000-04:00

Looking for a quick, last minute idea for Halloween treat bags? Head on over to Michael's and pick up a book or two of these:

I was in Michael's this week and they were fully stocked (in aisle 10). :) At a $1 price point, you might want to pick up two or three books. They're super fun...

(You can pick up those cute little bags at Michael's too.) These would be perfect for classroom favors. Even Kate got in on the fun...

I think this guy is my favorite...

The Halloween festivities begin Friday night with our annual school-wide trunk or treat. Pics to follow! Have a fantastic weekend!

monster eyes 2011...

2011-10-15T08:54:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist doing another monster eyes favor idea this year, and I think I found a product that will be easier to find than those elusive eyeball stickers of last year. :) Enter the Spooky Wiggly Eyes from Creatology.

Found in the Halloween craft section of Michael's, these little googlies are the perfect size for adhering to the tops and bottoms of Rolos candies. Toss the candies in a snack size ziploc, add a simple bag topper, and call it done!

Quick, easy and eerily adorable!

You can download the toppers here.

(And if you can't find the spooky wiggly eyes, standard googly eyes would work too.)

Enjoy!

one more use for the monthly subway prints...

2011-10-10T15:16:00.001-04:00

The monthly subway prints can also come in handy for creating super quick scrapbooking layouts! If you can find the time in your hectic schedules to make one of these per month, you'd have a completed album of monthly photos by the end of the year. And if you're looking for additional journaling, simply jot it down on the back of the layout.

You can download the October subway print here and the September print here. :)

projects of halloween past...

2011-10-08T17:23:00.001-04:00

Before I share some new ideas and printables for Halloween 2011, I thought it'd be fun (and helpful) to recap last year's ideas and links in one post.

easy monster treat bags

monster eyes

giant monster eyes

spellbinding witch hats

halloween lunch bags

rotten pumpkin teeth

tempting treats and sinister sweets

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weekend!

october subway print...

2011-10-05T18:22:00.001-04:00

What better way to usher in a new month than with a new subway print?

Designed to fit an 8x10 frame, this print can also be trimmed and used for cards, treat bag toppers, and candy bar wrappers. (To see these ideas in action, check out this post.)

You can download the file here.

Enjoy!

carolina in my mind...

2011-09-30T16:57:00.001-04:00

Today the kids were home from school and the weather was unseasonably warm, which had me pining for summer. Some of our best memories were made down in North Carolina this year, first on Sunset Beach with my family and then in the Outer Banks with our best friends.

(I totally snagged some of these photos from my best friend, Tracy.)

Needless to say, I'm already counting down the days until we're right back down there.

september subway print (5 ways)...

2011-09-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

We're almost halfway through September but I have a free printable to share with you! Inspired by my Valentine poster, this print can be used several different ways. Simply print it on 8x10 paper ( I prefer glossy photo paper) and go to town!

It can be framed...

adhered it to the front of a paper bag...

added to cardstock...

folded in half...

or wrapped around candy bars...

You can download the print here. Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-09-09T17:22:00.000-04:00

Turn of Mind was okay. The concept was interesting (woman with dementia under investigation for the murder of her best friend), but it was definitely slow moving for me.

The End of Everything, on the other hand, was a book I couldn't put down! It's a dark, coming of age story that was almost as good as Room. I'd definitely recommend this one.

And now I'm about 2/3 of the way through South of Broad which I'm enjoying. I've always loved southern literature, and this story about a group of unlikely friends is no exception. I'm thinking after I finish this one, I might want to reread Beach Music or try a new Conroy book, it's that good.

So there you have it! Three books to check out for yourselves. What have you read lately? Please share!

and there she goes...

2011-09-07T13:36:00.000-04:00

Despite the chill and rain, this little girl barreled into preschool this morning with nary a backwards glance.

And, just like that, our family is back in full school mode. (Reluctantly, but back nonetheless.) :)

More to come!

ready or not...

2011-09-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

The uniforms and shoes were purchased, the supplies were labeled, and the summer hair was trimmed, but I still wasn't ready to send the boys back to school this week. In fact I think every year it's getting harder and harder to say goodbye to the unscheduled, lazy days of summer.

I have lots to share here in the next month--more pics from our summer vacations, a couple book recommendations and a brand new printable just in time for fall. I hope you'll stay tuned!

exciting news...

2011-08-19T07:29:00.004-04:00

My smartie pants printables are featured in the September issue of Parenting!!!

To read more about the printables, go here and here.

Happy Friday, everyone!

on the nightstand...

2011-08-15T17:01:00.002-04:00

I'll be starting this tonight:

And if you read only one book this summer, let it be Room. It will grab you, take you on a crazy rollercoaster ride, and then drop you at the end wondering what the heck just happened. It's a heart-racing, page-flipping story that will have you thinking about the world we live in and, ultimately, the bond between mother and child. Go read it!

you're one smart cookie...

2011-08-14T16:01:00.005-04:00

With school starting in just 2 1/2 weeks (eeek!), it's time for another lunchbox printable! Designed for prepackaged bags of cookies, these tags can be adhered to ziploc baggies as well. Simply print, cut with a 3" scallop or circle punch and add to your child's lunch box for a fun "first day of school" surprise!

You can download the printable here.

Enjoy!

This post is participating in link parties at some of the following sites:

Skip to My Lou

Craftomaniac

Today's Creative Blog

Be Different, Act Normal

I Heart Naptime

This Blessed Nest

Just a Girl

Fingerprints on the Fridge

Lolly Jane Boutique

Tidy Mom
30 Handmade Days
J & M's Eye Candy

on the nightstand...

2011-08-14T10:09:00.002-04:00

I've gone back and forth with this one, but then yesterday I found a lone copy sitting on a shelf in Borders, and I figured that was as good a sign as any that I should read it. I'm about 80 pages in and it's good. Strange and dark, but good. I'll keep you posted. (I'll also keep you posted on South of Broad which I never ended up starting but still plan on reading. :))

Are you reading something great?

farewell, old friend...

2011-08-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

We made a trip to Borders yesterday and I don't think I was prepared for how sad I'd feel. Over the years, we've spent many, many hours at Borders. I'll admit that online book buying can be awfully convenient, but nothing compares to walking a bookstore, perusing the shelves, finding a book I've been wanting to read or, better yet, discovering a brand new title. I love the feel of the books all stacked in my arms as I go to check out, the anticipation of a good book on my mind. No Kindle or iPad will ever replace holding a book in my hands, flipping pages, smelling the fresh paper and ink, marking my place with a bookmark made by one of my kids.

Needless to say, we walked out of there with two big bags of books. :)

Farewell, Borders. We'll miss you.

Happy National S'mores Day!

2011-08-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

Head on over to write.click.scrapbook to read more and grab a free printable!

cape cod 2011...

2011-08-09T17:21:00.001-04:00

Lots of lounging and card-playing together by the pool with yummy food and drinks thrown in for good measure. Needless to say, a really good trip.

in my beachbag...

2011-08-07T17:38:00.004-04:00

I just returned from two weeks in NC (more on that later) where I found some good reading time!

I finished Never Tell a Lie before I left. Relatively predictable, but a good, quick read nonetheless.

Silver Girl was my first Elin Hildebrand book, and it was perfect for the beach. A story of friendship with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure, I found the ponzi scheme story line particularly interesting.

Bossy Pants was a really quick read--entertaining and really funny at times. I especially liked reading about her time with SNL and how 30 Rock started.

I previewed Sworn to Silence a couple years ago and put it down because I was nervous it would be too graphic. There were definitely parts that turned my stomach, but it was a good mystery nonetheless. If you like this one, there's two more in the series.

And I'll (hopefully) be starting South of Broad tonight.

There's nothing I love more than summer reading! Have you read anything great this summer? I'd love to hear!

National Milk Chocolate Day is tomorrow!

2011-07-27T09:36:00.002-04:00

Don't forget! Tomorrow, July 28th, is National Milk Chocolate Day!

(digi paper by Crystal Wilkerson)

Why not celebrate by handing out some Hershey bars to kids/grandkids, coworkers, or even random strangers!

The wrappers are designed to fit the Hershey's bars that come six to a package. You can download them here.

Enjoy!

book labels...

2011-07-20T17:58:00.001-04:00

Summer is for reading and reading is for sharing! I love to pass along books to family and friends. With that in mind, I designed some labels to make sure all those books eventually make it back to me.

(That's one of my all time favorite books, by the way.)

They come in three colors...

(digital paper by Crystal Wilkerson.)

Printing the labels directly on label/sticker paper makes them super easy to trim and adhere, but cardstock and a little adhesive would work too!

You can download them here.

Happy reading!

ice cream is love...

2011-07-16T11:00:00.005-04:00

Did you know that tomorrow is National Ice Cream Day?! Sounds like the perfect opportunity to indulge to me! Head on over to write.click.scrapbook to read more and to pick up your free printable!

Enjoy your weekend!

on the nightstand...

2011-07-15T17:44:00.001-04:00

I'm starting this one tonight (thanks for the recommendation, teachermom!)...

I couldn't put down 13 Reasons Why. It was heartbreaking and frustrating and thought-provoking and downright frightening (as a mom) to read. Not a light read, but a good one nonetheless.

What are you reading? Please share!

And stay tuned...tomorrow I'll be posting a free printable!

Happy Friday!

oh my heart...

2011-07-11T15:47:00.000-04:00

I found these notes on Sam's bookshelf a couple days after his pet tadpole died. Poor kid! The tear stains on the picture just about did me in.

on the nightstand...

2011-07-08T17:12:00.000-04:00

I generally don't reach for young adult books, but this has been getting a lot of press so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'll let you know what I think!

And I really liked Fragile by Lisa Unger. It's a great summer read. Check it out!

Summer reading is in full effect and I couldn't be happier! Have you read anything good lately?

on the nightstand...

2011-07-06T11:13:00.000-04:00

I'm more than halfway through this one and loving it--a great beach book for sure!

Tainted started out a little slow but picked up about midway through. Set on the Cape, it was the perfect read for our Cape vacation this past weekend. :)

What are you reading? I'd love to hear!

national milk chocolate day...

2011-06-28T16:13:00.004-04:00

Did you know that July 28th is National Milk Chocolate Day?! It's not like I don't enjoy something chocolately EVERY day, but I think it's kind of fun to have an "official" reason to indulge in a little extra one day a year. And naturally, I had to make a printable to celebrate...

(digi paper by Crystal Wilkerson)

The printable is designed to fit the Hershey's bars that come six to a package. That way you can spread the love! These would be fun to give to kids/grandkids, coworkers, or even random strangers!

You can download the file here.

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-06-28T11:11:00.001-04:00

Recommended here by one of you, I'm excited to start this today...

And if you're looking for a good beach book, I would definitely recommend Firefly Lane. I don't want to give away too many details but it's a great book of friendship and love and family.

So what are you reading? I'd love to hear!

iphone pics...

2011-06-26T23:12:00.002-04:00

I don't take nearly as many photos as I used to. This was evident today when looking through iphoto. It seemed entire months were missing from 2011. And then, with relief, I remembered my phone pics.

There was "Take Your Child to Work Day"...

...a couple Broadway shows...

...a ride on a pony named Sam (which Kate found hilarious)...

...a gymnastics exhibition for a special little someone...

...and a typical spring evening in rural NJ....

Thank goodness for phone pics! They're grainier and blurrier, but they tell our story nonetheless!

firecracker favors...

2011-06-21T15:06:00.009-04:00

Looking for another use for my 4th of July printables? How about some firecracker favors?

In addition to the printable, you'll need an empty paper towel roll (trimmed to 6.75"), tissue paper, ribbon and some wrapped candies.

Fill the paper towel roll with candy, wrap in tissue paper, and secure the ends with ribbon.

Trim the printable, wrap around tube and adhere with tape.

You can download the printable here.

stars and stripes...

2011-06-19T17:18:00.007-04:00

Just in time for July 4th, I have some festive bag toppers up for grabs. :) They're designed to fit standard ziploc sandwich or snack bags. Simply cut, fold and adhere.

They can also be used as candy bar wrappers, small bag toppers or simple embellishments for cards or scrapbooking layouts. (The stars can be cut with a 2" scallop or circle punch.)

(digital paper by Crystal Wilkerson)

Go here to download your copy. Enjoy!

woooohoooo!!!!

2011-06-16T14:51:00.005-04:00

School's out for summer and we couldn't be happier!

Welcome back, summer vacation. We've missed you!

dreaming of disney...

2011-06-15T15:03:00.009-04:00

We watched a Disney feature last night on the Travel Channel and it had us all pining for a vacation. We were there in December and it was unusually cold. Can you tell how freezing I am in this pic? Freeeeeezing.

The next day we arrived better equipped with hats, gloves and scarves.

And by the end of the week we were down to just one or two layers of clothing.

Despite the chilly temps, Jack got to celebrate his 11th birthday there...

and this little girl got to meet her favorite princess:

All in all, a really good trip. :)

free summer printable...

2011-06-07T09:15:00.009-04:00

Here's a little peek at the first of several printables I'll be giving away this summer:

Head on over to write.click.scrapbook for a full tutorial & download OR grab the printable here as well.

Happy summer!

look who's two...

2011-06-01T13:26:00.005-04:00

I'm proud to be a part of this collective of talented women and super excited for what's in store this year. Head on over there and check it out!

on the nightstand...

2011-05-22T16:43:00.004-04:00

Despite the lack of summer weather here in the northeast, I'm kicking off my summer reading with this:

I'll let you know what I think!

The Scent of Rain and Lightning was good--it had an element of mystery and moved along fairly quickly.

What about you? Are you reading anything good? You know I'd love to hear!

smartie pants (end of year)...

2011-05-17T16:24:00.006-04:00

With the end of the school year fast approaching (yippee!), I thought it might be fun for us to have some love notes to slip into the kids' lunch boxes.

Simply cut with a 3.5" scallop or circle punch and add a roll of smarties for a fun treat. Don't have a 3.5" punch? No problem! Simply cut a 3.5" square and round the corners for an equally cute note!

You can download the tags here.

Enjoy!

PS You can find the first day of school version of these tags here and here.

on the nightstand...

2011-05-03T16:37:00.003-04:00

Will keep you posted! I really enjoyed The Bird House--a good story of family secrets that moves between past and present. I definitely recommend it!

Happy Tuesday!

we have a winner...

2011-05-02T16:19:00.003-04:00

First let me say that I LOVED reading all of your comments. Thank you for the book suggestions! I printed all of them and plan to spend some time this week on Amazon getting my summer reading list compiled. :)

The winner of the giveaway is Stacy Simpson! Stacy, email me your mailing address at beth.proudfoot@earthlink.net and I will get this package right out to you!

Thanks again, everyone!

it's time for a giveaway...

2011-04-28T12:51:00.003-04:00

It's spring break, and we're having a low key week here at home. In between mini golfing, ice cream runs, sleepovers and a trip to the local skateboarding park, I've been purging and organizing. That means I have another box stuffed with scrapbooking/crafting supplies to share with one of you!

All you need to do is share one book title I should add to my summer reading list, and I'll randomly pick one winner on Sunday morning.

Ready, set, go!

on the nightstand...

2011-04-27T10:08:00.002-04:00

(Thanks for the recommendation, Kristin!)

I definitely enjoyed Night Road and will be adding a couple more Kristin Hannah books to my summer reading pile. (Tell me you have a summer reading pile too?!)

What are you reading? Anything you're looking forward to reading this summer?

Please share!

teacher appreciation week...

2011-04-18T17:30:00.007-04:00

As a former teacher, I knew I wanted to create a printable to use for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2nd - May 6th).

These tags can be attached to bags, jars, boxes, etc, or taped to sticks and placed in a potted plant or even a yummy cake.

(all digital supplies are by Crystal Wilkerson)

You can download the tags here. (Simply trim and leave "as is", or round the corners as I did.)

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-04-17T20:08:00.003-04:00

I've yet to read Kristin Hannah, but this one sounds good to me. I'll let you know!

I definitely recommend The Virgin of Small Plains--it was a quick, engaging read. Definitely give it a try!

Are you reading something good? Please share!

totally eggcellent...

2011-04-12T15:43:00.010-04:00

As you may have guessed by now, I may or may not be completely enamored with the Darice sticker books, and this latest edition is no exception...

At $1 a pop, I can't resist scooping them up and creating something with them. This time I added them to Rolos, put the candy in a pretzel rod cellophane bag and added a simple topper:

You can (hopefully) find the stickers and bags at Michael's. And you can download the toppers here. (There's an orange and blue version too.) Simply trim, fold in half and adhere to top of bag with tape runner.

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-04-10T20:10:00.003-04:00

Looking forward to starting this one tonight...

Pictures of You was so so, definitely not as fast moving as I like.

What are you reading this week? I'd love to hear!

Lil' Luna Baby Daze...

2011-04-09T09:15:00.007-04:00

I had the privilege of participating in Baby Daze over at Lil' Luna last week. I wanted to share the post here as well...

There's nothing quite as sweet nor exhausting as those first weeks at home with a newborn. Amid the snuggling and coos, there's an endless cycle of diapers, feedings, laundry and, occasionally, an elusive nap. Add siblings into the mix and striking a balance can be difficult to say the least! That's why it's important to find simple ways to make a big brother or sister feel extra special. How about surprising them with a little treat bag adorned with a personalized tag?

1. Download the tags here and print on your choice of paper. (I prefer glossy photo paper for its finish and durability.)

2. Cut tags with 3" scallop or circle punch.

3. Using glue gun, adhere a bar pin to the back of each tag.

4. Fold over top of small paper bag and punch two holes approximately 3/4" apart.

5. Fill bag with treats and add custom tag.

6. Relish in the fact that you've just made an amazing big brother or sister's day!

:) Hope you all have a great weekend! And, no, I am not expecting!

handle with care...

2011-04-05T13:58:00.007-04:00

As mentioned before, my favorite treats this time of year are the Whoppers Mini Robin Eggs. I can't resist them! They're so yummy, in fact, that I thought they deserved their very own printable:

I simply removed the handle from a Chinese takeout container (found at Michael's) and folded the flaps into the box, added some crinkle paper (also found at Michael's), and filled the box with those yummy eggs! I cut two tags with my 2" scallop punch, adhered a toothpick between them, and stuck it right in there between the eggs. Quick, easy and delicious!

You can download the tags here.

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-03-31T12:20:00.003-04:00

I LOVED These Things Hidden. Each chapter was short and told from a different character's perspective which kept the story moving. I couldn't wait to get back to it each day. I definitely recommend giving it a try!

What's on your nightstand? Please share!

sweet tweets...

2011-03-27T14:27:00.011-04:00

I couldn't resist making a printable for those adorable little Peeps...

(Digital paper, banner and bird by Crystal Wilkerson)

Once you've downloaded and printed the file, simply trim and fold in half. Using double sided tape, adhere to the top of a Peeps-filled ziploc bag. Quick and easy!

You can download the file here.

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-03-26T08:35:00.003-04:00

(Thanks for the recommendation, Kristin and Liz!)

Sing You Home was okay. I thought the legal aspect of the novel was interesting, but I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. Definitely not one of Picoult's best.

So tell me, what are you reading???

hello spring...

2011-03-21T12:20:00.019-04:00

We woke up to snow this morning, but I'm still hopeful that spring weather is on its way. And when it gets here, I'll be ready to greet it with open arms...

Want to make a few of these for yourself?

1. Download the tags here and cut with a 2" circle or scallop punch.

2. Using double sided tape, attach one of each design to the top of a green pixie stix. (Notice how I attached them at different heights.)

Here are those green pixy stix (found at my local Stop and Shop)...

3. Attach two more tags to the back of the previously attached tags...

4. Fill a small terracotta pot (59 cents at Michael's) with brown candy pieces. (I used Hershey's Drops but m&m's, raisinets, goobers, reese's pieces would all work too!)

Here are those Hershey's Drops (yum)...

5. Add your "flowers" and call it done! I like to keep things simple, but you could tie a ribbon around the pot for an added embellishment. These would make great party favors or simple teacher gifts. (Place in cellophane bags for easier transport.)

Happy spring!

st. patty's day (circa 1995)...

2011-03-17T12:48:00.010-04:00

The holiday is in full swing today! The Lepreguy (as Kate refers to him) turned our house upside down leaving gold coins in his wake (and green peeps in our toilets), and we're heading to my parents tonight for a traditional St. Patty's Day feast. Yum!

AND I received two of the best emails today. One from Anne, who told me she thinks of me every St. Patrick's Day and smiles (we may or may not have had a raucous St. Patty's Day celebration together in downtown Richmond 1997ish), and another from Sarah (2nd from left) who sent this photo along:

The year was 1995, we were seniors at the University of Richmond, and we spent St. Patrick's Day in Savannah, GA without a care in the world! I can't get over how young Kevin and I look!

Anyway, Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wherever you are, I hope you find some way to celebrate this fun holiday!

on the nightstand...

2011-03-12T08:53:00.004-05:00

Because I can never resist a new Jodi Picoult novel...

I'll keep you posted. And I definitely recommend The Distant Hours. As I mentioned earlier, it was slow going, but once the story picked up, the book was hard to put down. Give it a try!

Have you read anything great lately? I'd love to hear!

lucky...

2011-03-02T15:49:00.007-05:00

Looking for another easy but festive option for St. Patrick's Day treat bags?

(Use a 3" scallop or circle punch to cut the tags and a 3/4" circle punch to cut the candy toppers.)

You can download both right here. Enjoy!

oscar weekend...

2011-03-02T08:38:00.006-05:00

If you've been reading for awhile you know that I love Oscar night. Before having kids, my husband and I were huge moviegoers, viewing the list of nominated films before the big night. While we don't get to do that anymore, I still love to watch the awards and, even more so, the pre-shows scanning the red carpet for my favorite looks of the night. This year the weekend was made all the more fun with an Oscar-themed fundraising event at my kids' school. Needless to say, we had a blast!

(Pics were snagged from my real-life bestie, Tracy. Go here to see the beautiful invites, brochure and signs she designed for the event.)

Hope you're all having a great week! I'll be back tomorrow with another St. Patty's Day idea!

you're my pot o' gold...

2011-02-22T14:10:00.015-05:00

Looking for a quick and easy favor idea for St. Patrick's Day?

Simply fill pretzel cellophane bags (found at Michael's) with some rainbow twizzlers and gold foil-covered chocolate coins, add a custom 3" tag, and call it done!

You can download the tags here. Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-02-21T11:45:00.003-05:00

I'm about 150 pages deep into this book, but held off on posting it here because I wasn't sure I was going to stick with it. Slow at first, it's finally starting to pick up and I'm intrigued to solve the mystery. I'll keep you posted...

I didn't love Deep Down True as much as Shelter Me, but it still kept me entertained. If you're looking for some thirty/forty-something chick lit or an easy beach read, then it's a good option.

What about you? Have you read anything good lately?

looking out for you...

2011-02-16T12:34:00.010-05:00

Remember the monster eyes from this Halloween post and the elusive sticker book that people couldn't find?

Guess what I bought last week at Michael's for $1.00 and stashed away in my Halloween drawer for next year?

They're not exactly the same, but we can adapt! They'll still be perfect for those monster eyes, and we can use them to make more of these bags too:

Go stock up now before they're gone!

valentine's day roundup...

2011-02-14T12:41:00.009-05:00

Just in case you didn't make it over to write.click.scrapbook. last week, here are the five ideas and printables I shared, altogether in one post.

1. Paper Chains

2. Hugs and Kisses

3. Valentine treat bags

4. You Rock Valentines

5. Sweet Treats

Happy Valentine's Day!

valentine week (day five)...

2011-02-12T08:14:00.005-05:00

Happy Saturday! Head on over to write.click.scrapbook. for one last Valentine idea and printable!

Enjoy your weekend!

valentine week (day four)...

2011-02-11T11:48:00.005-05:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm back at write.click.scrapbook. today sharing a fun valentine idea. Here's a peek:

Head on over there for your free printable!

valentine week (day three)...

2011-02-09T11:58:00.005-05:00

Looking for a simple but elegant way to package Valentine's treats this year? Head on over to write.click.scrapbook. for your free printable!

Enjoy!

valentine week (day two)...

2011-02-08T08:19:00.007-05:00

Don't forget to visit write.click.scrapbook. today for another free printable! Here's a peek:

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

valentine week (day one)...

2011-02-07T11:58:00.004-05:00

I'm counting down to Valentine's Day all week at write.click.scrapbook. Head on over there to see today's project and get your free printable! Here's a little sneak peek:

Enjoy!

stay tuned...

2011-02-04T21:13:00.008-05:00

Monday begins "Valentine Week" over at write.click.scrapbook. and I have five days of ideas and printables lined up to share with you. I hope to see you there!

on the nightstand...

2011-01-27T19:49:00.005-05:00

First and foremost, you have to read My Name is Memory. I LOVED it. It's one of those books that I couldn't wait to get back to each day, one that I wished wasn't over when I read the last page, one that I couldn't wait to recommend to you! (And the best part is that it's the first book in a trilogy so there's more to come!) Read it and let me know what you think...

I'll be starting this one next:

(By the same author as Shelter Me, which I loved.) I'll keep you posted!

Happy Friday!

valentine lunch bags and jokes...

2011-01-25T16:05:00.019-05:00

You knew I couldn't resist creating a printable lunch bag for Valentine's Day, right?

In addition to making lunch time extra fun for the kids, these would be perfect for party favors and for holding all those classroom valentines too. (Maybe you'd want to print a whole set for your child's class?)

For a detailed tutorial on printing directly on standard brown paper bags, go here to my Halloween Lunch Bags post.

And to make the kids' lunches extra special, how about throwing some silly Valentine's Day jokes in the bag?

You can download the lunch bags here and the jokes here.

Enjoy!

on the nightstand...

2011-01-22T09:51:00.006-05:00

I feel like I'm regaining a part of my reading self that I lost somewhere in the middle of Pillars of the Earth. Don't mistake me, I liked Pillars but it just took me TOO LONG to read it and I lost some of that excitement for reading that I crave and thrive on. Left Neglected helped me out of my slump. It was good, and I'd definitely recommend it. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a good reminder to slow down and focus on what matters most.

I'm going to dig into this one today:

This was recommended by my friend, Anne (remember, she introduced me to Jodi Picoult and The Other Boleyn Girl). We don't get to chat too often but, when we do, our conversations always lead to books. I imagine when we're 80 years old, we'll still be sharing titles with each other. (Miss you, Anne.)

Anyway, I'll let you know what I think, but I have to say, I'm intrigued already. One reviewer compared it (lightly) to Time Traveler's Wife, which I loved. We'll see...

Have you read anything great lately?

just in time for the super bowl...

2011-01-18T16:11:00.018-05:00

Here's a little something for those of you who are hosting a football party in the next few weeks.

Like the Valentine poster, it's designed to be placed in an 8 x10 frame or trimmed down for other uses.

You can adhere it to the front of a standard brown lunch bag...

...or fold it over a cellophane bag of football-shaped oreos:

You could also adhere it to a simple card and top it with a chipboard shape...

...or cut it into strips and add to the top of an M&M-filled CD sleeve:

You can download it here, and may the best team win! :)

on the nightstand...

2011-01-14T20:22:00.006-05:00

At long last, a nightstand post! Four months and 973 pages later, I have finally finished Pillars of the Earth. Whew! Overall, I really liked it but, admittedly, I was ready for it to be over at about page 700. I'm definitely ready for a new genre and a shorter read, which is why I'm excited to start this tonight:

I loved Still Alice and I have high hopes for this book by the same author. I'll keep you posted...

What about you? What are you reading? Have you read something great in the last four months that you want to share?

I'd love to hear!

valentine poster with multiple uses...

2011-01-11T20:27:00.026-05:00

I started out creating this 8 1/2 x 11 poster...

...and realized it could be used for more than just framing!

Print it on kraft paper and trim down to size for the perfect candy bar wrapper:

Or print, trim and adhere to the front of a simple white lunch bag...

...or a simple piece of cardstock:

You could also fold it over for a custom treat bag topper (hello, yummy fudge-covered oreos)...

...or cut it into strips for favor tags...

I'm calling it a multi-use printable and you can download it here! :) Have fun and come back and share how you use it--I'd love to hear!

this and that (winter edition)...

2011-01-08T16:55:00.010-05:00

1. I'm still reading Pillars of the Earth. When I started it back in September, I kind of made a joke to myself that I'd still be reading it at Christmas and, sure enough, I am. With only 200 pages left, I've loved reading it, but I am ready to move on to something else. I already know what I'm going to read next and I'll let you know the day I start it. :)

2. It's January, which means one thing around here...organization! I've been purging and tossing and organizing all week and I love it!

3. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a bound book of my 2010 blog posts courtesy of my husband and Blurb. I'm up to volume two (he created volume one last year). I'm grateful to have a hard copy of my ramblings here, and I think our kids will enjoy flipping through the books someday.

4. We spent Christmas vacation at The Happiest Place on Earth. More pictures to follow soon...

5. While there, this little baby boy turned eleven (11!). We're only eight years away from dropping him off at college...this FREAKS ME OUT.

6. As we were (sadly) driving to the Orlando airport to head back home, Jack spotted the most amazing rainbows. They stretched across the sky, end to end, and I couldn't help but feel my spirits lift just a little bit. :)

7. I have a project and printable to share with you as soon as I can get it photographed and posted...my goal is Monday.

Until then...

from our home to yours...

2010-12-25T11:56:00.004-05:00

(card by Simply Stated Designs)

See you in 2011!

a new year's printable...

2010-12-23T08:39:00.012-05:00

If you're heading out this New Year's Eve, a bottle of bubbly dressed up with a simple tag and ribbon would make the perfect hostess gift.

You can download the tags here. (Simply print on your choice of cardstock, cut within the black lines, and round the corners if you like!)

another printable bag...

2010-12-20T17:06:00.015-05:00

Looking for a more elegant, vintage-styled bag to wrap those last minute gifts? (These would be perfect for gift cards btw....)

Just follow the instructions in my previous post for printing on a small bag or run a 3.5" x 6.75" scrap of paper through the printer, fold, and you've got a simple gift tag!

Download the printable here!

printable holiday gift bags...

2010-12-13T16:22:00.024-05:00

Looking for another wrapping alternative? How about some printable gift bags?!

1. Head to Michael's and pick up a package or two of these bags (The large bags are 4 5/8" x 2 7/8" x 8 5/8" and the small bags are 3 1/2" x 2" x 6 3/4"):

2. When you've gotten to the end of this post, download the printables. (There are four different designs in two different sizes.)

3. Prep your bags for printing by gently taping the top and back flap of each bag with scotch tape. (Fold the tape over the top of the bag onto the other side.)

4. Get ready to print! I fed the bags into my printer top end first (the end that's taped), with the flap in the back. There may be some trial and error here since all printers are different. When printing the smaller bags, customize your paper size to 3.5" x 6.75". When printing the larger bags, customize your paper to 4.6" x 8.75". Click "no automatic page scaling" and unclick "automatically rotate each page".

This is what my print window looked like right before printing a smaller bag:

And here's what it looked like right before printing a larger bag:

5. Hit print, cross your fingers, and watch as generic bags are transformed into festive holiday bags! If your printer is temperamental like mine, you might get a smudge or two. It's OK!

6. Gently remove tape, trim with border punches, add ribbon or simply leave as is!

You can download the printables here.

Enjoy!