Project Life - I gave in!

Last year I went back and forth about getting into Project Life. It seemed intimidating and while reasonably priced, it would end up being expensive if I didn't use it. By the time I decided to bite the bullet, it was sold out for good. There goes that. Then I decided to look into Memory Works' Simple Stories. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I enjoy the flexibility of mixing in a 12x12 layout with a 12x12 pocketed sheets of varying sizes that support the 12x12 layout (or not). In that way it seemed similar to Project Life. So I am a Memory Works Consultant as a result and have really enjoyed the Simple Stories system immensely.

2011 comes along and Project Life is all over the airways. This time there is a Turquoise edition which was much for male friendly in its design. I have boys...well, a boy, a man and a dog! I hemmed and hawed again...should I or shouldn't I? I've already joined LOAD 211. I'm enrolled in a couple Big Picture Classes; One Little Word with Ali Edwards and I enrolled in Karen Grunberg's class, Embrace Imperfection. Let's not forget I am trying out some Art Journaling Everyday with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Only 24 hours in the day - so what! LOL. Ok. I decided to bite the bullet again and went to Amazon.com. WHAT? SOLD OUT? Sigh. Wait, finally back in stock and click, I purchased the Turquoise edition. Well I have to say, it's been a few hours and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. That doesn't replace my love of Simple Stories...au contraire! There is plenty of love to go around.

February is Coming! February is Coming!

Can you believe February is almost here? It was a snowy start to the new year but without January there would be no February...no Valentine's Day and OMG no LOAD 211. Perish the thought. So thank goodness for January and thank goodness it's almost over. Now on to the LOAD blog hop random drawing:

Lee Currie said...

Such a good idea to filter your e-mail! Looking forward to seeing you over in the group :)

January 24, 2011 10:25 AM 

Congratulations Lee. Thank you for your post. Please contact me with your mailing information so that I can send you your goodies.


I've managed to (de)clutter (my one little word) my scrapbook space in anticipation of LOAD. A (de)cluttered work space will hopefully mean a (de)cluttered mind open for all kinds of inspiration. It's still got some stuff but it's as clear as it's going to get at this point. (Please ignore the Kit Kat. I haven't been so successful in (de)cluttering my body. But I'm ready for LOAD 211. Adhesive? check! Magazines and sample layouts for ideas? check. Clear work space? double check.

I've also been sharpening my scrapping chops in order to get my groove back. I haven't done a ton of scrapping since right before the holidays (October LOAD) and I was finally able to complete a project I've been wanting to do since the end of the summer. It was a digital download from Elle's Studio called Summer 2010 Documented. I just really loved the palette and it fit in perfectly with all my summer photos.

I was even able to get a layout done for the Sketch Inspiration challenge site.

And I am sure that Lain's daily prompts will be all the inspiration I'll need to complete my layouts. But just in case, I am prepared with my secret weapon.

That was easy!

Gimme an L. Gimme an O. Gimme an A. Gimme a D

WHAT DOES IT SPELL?

 LOAD, LOAD, LOAD! Yes, you heard it here. I LOVE blog hops and I was so excited when I read the email call for blog hop participants for LOAD. So start with Lain Ehmann's Layout a Day blog first, if you haven't already and make your way through the list. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome!

LOAD 211 is only a week away and I started getting my foundation ready early. Knowing that LOAD was quickly approaching, I took advantage of a 99 photos for 99 cents sale at snapfish.com at the beginning of the year. So keep an eye out for sales like that on the many photo sites. I always start with the pics. Don't have your photos yet? That's ok. Take the time to get some real journaling down. Who says you need a photo to scrapbook a page? Not me!

Even Ethan is excited!

Next I  shop my stash. I have so many great papers and kits that I have no need get new stuff. The only thing I plan to buy is adhesive. I think I have enough already, but better safe than sorry. I would rather have a little more than not enough. And glue never goes out of style! I have my Michael's coupons and heading over this week.

Finally, I surround myself with my various magazines and memory-keeping books for a little help. I will anxiously await the daily prompts and emails from Lain Ehmann on the shiny new iPad I got for Christmas. In fact, I created an email filter just for my LOAD emails so I don't miss any of them. Oh and don't forget to sign up for the Flickr group so we can send you some virtual love. See you on the other side.

Leave a comment and be entered to win a Memory Works Ele.men.tary kit by yours truly. Interested in more Memory Works products? Send me an email and let me be your consultant. Enjoy LOAD and now head on over to Gayle's blog to continue the hop.

START HERE: Lain http://www.layoutaday.com
Danielle H. http://scrappindanielle.blogspot.com
Margie http://www.xnomads.typepad.com
S http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com
Lisa http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com
Laura http://www.mom2nick.typepad.com
YOU ARE HERE: Rosann http://brooklyngirlnextdoor.blogspot.com
GO HERE NEXT: Gayle http://lifeonlilypadlane.blogspot.com
Jennifer http://atthebluebarn.blogspot.com
Heather http://www.heathersdragonsden.blogspot.co
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Niki http://thepaperpeddler.blogspot.com/
Janet www.khashabfamilymusings.blogspot.com
Lee http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife
Danielle T. http://dani-adayinthelifeofacoffeeaddict.blogspot.com/
Junelle http://www.yes-and-amen.com/
Julie Http://www.juleshollis.com

Baby Steps

The (de)cluttering saga continues. It's only Day 17 of this 365 day journey and beyond. So I continue to take baby steps.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 
 

Life's More Fun When You're Organized

is the motto for The Container Store. Well my goal is to find out. I already took a leap in the right direction at my office. The place is close to pristine and you know what? i've been more productive. So now I have moved on to the house. We have a reconstruction going on in the 1st floor apartment that will eventually double our square footage. In the meantime, I need to find some sanity in balance in our one-bedroom.

I started simply with the tupperware cabinet. It's in good shape and it's been that way for over a month. It's like keeping the weight off. Yesterday was a snow day and I decided to take my (de)cluttering to another level. I have been very unhappy with the configuration in the living room/ Everyone sings the praises of the open floor plan. Personally, I like to have rooms that let you close a door. It's kind of like the junk drawer. You need a place where mess is irrelevant and unseen. Well not in an open floor plan. Our living room is the dumping ground. It's sort of divided into 3 areas. Ethan's play area. My scrap area and then the traditional TV/living room/family room area. Then there's the laundry area, the shoe area, the coat rack and on  and on. Admittedly, on some level, the clutter has just been moved around. So the mess is only going to get worse before it gets better. But prior to moving all the furniture around, I did throw away a lot of stuff. So it was a start.

I can't even believe I'm sharing this photo on line. It's so embarrassing. But this house has hit clutter rock bottom and it's time for an intervention. Maybe a little online in embarrassment will help me get this house into shape. If only my husband read my blog. :)

Here's the before scrap corner at the other side of the room.

Here's a small peak at a somewhat recovered scrapbook corner moved to the opposite side of the room. Again, it's a work in progress. Stay tuned for more over time.

Once I get the multi-purpose living room together, the next goal is to follow Peter Walsh's advice. Flat spaces need to stay clear. We're doing ok with the kitchen counter tops. More to come.

(de)cluttering

So now that I have chosen my one little word for the year, of course I see it EVERYWHERE. Or maybe it's because it fits in with resolutions. Either way, I am committed to the word. To the actions that is its meaning.

 

 

 


When i went to read Becky Higgin's blog today, what did I see? A post about decluttering titled, what else, "decluttering (and other stuff).

Here's my post to her blog:

OMG decluttering is my one little word. So i am all over decluttering this year. I actually started with my office at work. It’s in great shape. I’m now moving on to the house. I haven’t done big things yet but I did organize my tupperware cabinet.Have you ever noticed that tupperware lids are like socks after you do laundry? MISSING? LOL.

Everyone's is busy. I'm no different. So I'll be taking baby steps as I declutter during the year.

BEFORE - MY CHRISTMAS SCRAPPING SUPPLIES

 



AFTER - THE BOX FINALLY CLOSES

 

Finally - My One Little Word

I finally decided on my one little word. I wasn't sure if I would participate in this "call" because I just couldn't click with any one word. Adventure? Nah! Try? Eh! Then today it hit me. I've been working on this my whole life but have made some strides in 2010. AND I have some things happening in 2011 that will really push me further toward this. DECLUTTER! I am striving to declutter and not just in the traditional way. Yes, the first and primary decluttering goal is the real way to declutter - organize the house, the closet, my office, my files, etc. Great. We're getting there. We, meaning ME! Hubby ain't on board. But I also want to declutter my body. So yes, it's a round about way of saying I want to get healthy, but hey it's my one little word right! So in ernest I have already begun the decluttering physically and spatially. Wish me luck.

START HERE: http://www.oprah.com/home/Peter-Walshs-10-Tips-to-De-Clutter-Your-Home