Life From the Passenger Seat// Winter Sparkle

Sometimes I'm editing photos and I just have to share my favorites right away. The couple with the oversized umbrella, the shiny wet pavement, and a smattering of sparkly bokeh raindrops... these captures just make me happy! Reminds me of Paris, and a rainy evening on the Champs Elysees. Oh, I want to go back and wander the streets snapping photos to my hearts content. SOMEDAY.

Looks like the sun is making an appearance today, so I can finally shoot my latest pages... Those sparkly raindrops are quite lovely, but I'll take any ounce of sunshine I can get!

PS: I spoke too soon yesterday about finally getting over being sick. Coughing all. day. long. sigh.

L

Around Here

I promise... I have project life pages pending, I just need a little sunshine and a dry spot of ground to photograph them. Alas, the snow just keeps falling, and indoor photos may have to suffice.

Around here:
Loving feeling my little Max kick and move. He is an active little bug!
Stretching and growing. 24 weeks along.
Enjoying ice cold lemonade and orange juice. Still can't get enough citrus.
Finally getting over being sick for pretty much the entire month long. Run down.
Excited to be taking a photography class in February.
Trying to appreciate the beauty of this snowy winter.
Grateful for wonderful neighbors and home teachers who've shoveled our walks.
Happy to be cavity free. Unhappy to find out that I have a wisdom tooth that needs to be removed after Max comes. Delivery and oral surgery. Looks like we'll be meeting our deductible this year.
Wondering if we will be moving this Spring, or staying put a little longer than I thought. Want to start decorating a nursery.
Listening to Danny's Song and the Glee Homeward Bound/Home Mash-up. Both very fitting for our lives right now.
Anxiously awaiting Spring. Overwhelmed and excited all at the same time.

L

Scrapbooking// Hello Vegas Sunshine

This page was so much fun to make! I love highlighting a small photo on a 12x12 page. I wanted to draw the eye to the photo with a fun element, so I created a simple chevron with double stick tape and Martha Stewart glitter. I kept the rest of the page pretty simple with a bit of layered patterned paper, misting, and simple embellishing. A while ago my mom gave me some vintage buttons from her old sewing notions. I love incorporating them onto pages whenever I can, so it was the perfect chance to use that large gold button I've been holding onto.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazill Basics, CTMH// Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye, American Crafts, Studio Calico, Fancy Pants// Thickers: American Crafts// Alphabet Stickers: Jilibean Soup// Spray Mist: Studio Calico// Glitter: Martha Stewart Crafts// Soup Brads: CTMH// Pearls: CTMH// Doily// Vintage Button// Double Stick Tape

Life Through the Lens// Sunny Snapshots

Snow. Freezing rain. Icy roads and pavement... I really can't wait for winter to hurry up and be done already! Since today is miserably cold and dangerously icy, I thought I'd share some warm and sunny photos from our trip. Oh, how I relished in that golden sunshine! Knowing that we'd be coming home to another few months of chilly weather made me really excited to capture the feeling of warmth we experienced in Vegas. Sunshine makes me happy!

And... lest you think that I've already fallen off the Project Life bandwagon, I am just finishing up printing photos for the last two weeks. Being sick and out of town set me back a bit, but I'm determined to keep on top of it. Can't wait to share!

L

Life Through the Lens// Sunshine

Last week Danny had a business trip in Vegas and I got to tag along. Though I didn't feel very well during the trip, it was well worth it to spend two glorious days in the sunshine. Happy to be home, but very much missing the sunny weather.

In case you were wondering: I shot this photo using my sunglasses as a filter in front of the camera lens. Such a simple way to create a really cool effect. Just dreamy.

More photos to come!

L

Scrapbooking// Home is with You

We've been on the lookout for a new home for several months now. I guess we started looking seriously when we found out about the baby. Looking for a home has taught me a lot about myself--about the things that really matter to me. First and foremost, I want to live somewhere that feels safe. Somewhere I can leave the blinds open and let in a bit of sunshine. I would love to have a little yard for Dolly and Max, a room for a nursery, a room for my studio, and a nice big garage for Danny. Ideally, we would love a little modern farmhouse, with a bit of land and charm, but our picket fence dreams may have to wait a bit until we can afford them. With just four months to go until Max comes, I am hoping something works out soon. One way or another, home is wherever my little family is.

Supplies used: Cardstock, Patterned paper, Vellum: Crate Paper, American Crafts, Pebbles Inc, Echo Park// Brads: CTMH// Pearls: CTMH// Buttons: CTMH// Stickers: Crate Paper// Thickers: American Crafts// Washi Tape: American Crafts// Typewriter// Thread// Font: Silhouette Cameo (Pacifico)

 L

Scrapbooking// 3 Years

January 10th is a special anniversary for Danny and I... it's the day he picked me up from the airport, swept me off to Temple Square, and surprised me with a proposal. Romantic, yet simple and heartfelt--just the way a proposal should be! So glad he asked, and so very glad I said yes. (Well technically, first I said, "Are you serious?" Then I said, "YES!")

Supplies used: Cardstock: CTMH// Patterned paper: American Crafts; Making Memories; Fancy Pants// Tag: Dear Lizzy for American Crafts// Thickers: American Crafts// Date Stamp: American Crafts// Mist: Studio Calico// wood veneer airplanes: Studio Calico// Pearls// CTMH// Buttons: from a little market in El Salvador// Doily// vintage lace// thread// typewritter

L

Crafting// DIY Cupid's Arrow

Chevrons, arrows, and feathers are super trendy right now... so with Valentines Day coming up, I think old Cupid and his arrow are going to be making a come back! I was inspired by these cute ideas here and here.

Supplies:
Wooden dowel
Washi Tape
Paint
Ink
Feathers
Ribbon and Lace
Patterned paper
Felt
Pearl embellishments
Doilies
Adhesive

Directions: (If you're into that sort of thing...)

Paint your wooden dowel and allow to dry. Adhere washi tape in a variety of colors and patterns to the top 4 inches of the dowel.

For the heart: I already had a die-cut heart in my stash so I simply inked the edges and embellished with a little felt heart and some adhesive backed pearls. (If you don't have a die-cut handy, simply hand cut a heart or use a die-cutting machine.) Attach the embellished heart to the end of the dowel and adhere a doily to the back for a little added cuteness.

I used my trusty Silhouette Cameo to cut the feathers in a variety of shapes and sizes. You could easily pick up some feathers at the craft store or hand cut your own out of paper or felt. (see the cute inspiration links above for examples) Attach the feathers to the end of the dowel with the washi tape. Embellish with a little ribbon and lace.

Products used: American Crafts// Martha Stewart Crafts// Cosmo Cricket// Close To My Heart// Silhouette Cameo

I think I'm going to make a few more arrows and place them in an apothecary jar... They would also look really cute next to a framed photo of you and your special valentine. Photos to follow.

L

Project Life: Week One// It's a Boy

Week one of Project Life, and I totally remember why I love scrapbooking again! A new year & a new little life on the way... I can tell this is going to be an exciting adventure! I've got 20 weeks to go until little Max is due, and I don't want to miss out on any of the moments before or after he arrives. I want to embrace everything 2013 holds for my sweet family, and I'm excited to keep a weekly document of all the little moments along the way. Finding out the gender of our baby on New Years Eve--I really can't think of a more awesome way to start off the new year.  

Let the fun begin!

Products via: American Crafts// Studio Calico// and Echo Park.

Scrapbooking nerd moment of the week: totally giddy when I realized that the creater of Project Life, Becky Higgins liked my Instagram of this week's spread. Awesome. 

L