The Story of the First Day of Prep

Wasn't it only just a week or so ago I was spouting my resolution to stick to my Handbook for any of my Project Life adventures this year? Yes, yes I think it was ;-)

And then this happened....

So I'm pretty sure I was talking about how the larger 12x12" size of Project Life freaked me out. You know, there's just soooo much space to fill. And that's usually too much space for just one story (which is the way I tackle my Handbook currently). But when I sat down to start documenting this story I just knew I would have way too much to say about it for a 6x8" spread.

Not by the time you take into account the 4 photos I wanted to include, plus some pretties, as well as the story. So after playing around with it for an hour or so the genius idea finally occured to me that I should just take it over to a 12x12" spread.

And honestly, this page then came together quickly and I enjoyed the process so much! Granted it was made way easier by the fact that I subscribe to the Studio Calico PL Kits and by using the January Far Far Away Kit I didn't even need to think about things. I just slipped cards into pockets! I think it's safe to say that you're definitely going to see more of these from me this year. I'm still contemplating how I tackle it exactly. I still don't think I can commit to the idea of doing it traditionally with a spread a week, but I also know that I have lots of little stories I want to get down, and they certainly won't all have a whole page to themselves. So I'm thinking my process might be somewhere in the middle where I just fill in a different amount of pockets for each story as I go along, and when a page is full then it's done!

Meanwhile, I don't think I could have started my 2015 Project Life adventure with any better story! What a big year this is going to be for Moriah as she started Prep last week. As you can see it wasn't all excitement and smiles, especially not in the morning as she nervously prepared. There was certainly a tear or two and it was really difficult to leave her there, although I knew that it would only take a few moments after I was gone before she settled in.

I was right of course. By the time I picked her up at the end of the day she proclaimed, "I don't like school Mum.... I LOVE it!!" So here we go! 2015.. Adventure Awaits!

The Story of the Travel Diaries

If you're one of my Instagram followers then you would have been forced to see all my recent holiday pics. A spot of annual leave combined with my sun-seeker nature lead us to a week by the beach which is always my favourite type of holiday. But travelling with young kids also has the hazard of a thousand "I'm bored"s and "are we there yet?" so it's always a sensible precaution to pack a few activities to keep them entertained.

If there's 3 things that my girls like to do for fun then it would have to be reading, playing on the iPad and crafting. Any of my recent You Tube videos will attest to that!
Figuring all of these were viable options for entertainment on the road, but the latter would be pretty darn fun I just needed to work out how I could pack some craft supplies that would keep them busy and not prove to be too messy :-)

Step one was to fill a small case with some basic supplies. Supplies that would spark their imagination, that have unlimited possibilities, and that (most importantly) won't run out half way through our trip! Scissors, pens and double-sided tape are essential to start off with.

To this I added:

• A stamp set (from the still-available King's Cross Add On) that's perfect for diary keeping
• A Color Theory Ink Pad to use with it. These are water-soluble so less likely to stain clothes and hands and tables.
• Peerless Transparent Watercolour Papers which I punched a hole in so I could keep them all together with a binder ring.
• A Water Brush because it's way less messy than a regular brush and a cup of water. 
• A travel pack of baby wipes because despite my mess-limiting options - they're still kids!

Before I left home I also whipped up a travel diary for each of them. This was a simple case of binding together a bunch of plain paper with a pretty cover. Did you hear them going ga-ga over the rainbow paper in the Alcott Add On from September's kits in the unpacking video? I saved it up for this special project!

They each packed their travel diaries in their backpack which went everywhere with them. And whenever the threat of boredom was announced I would suggest they get them out and fill a page. For Moriah this mainly consisted of drawing pictures and painting with the Watercolours - she loves these things. I think it's something to do with the 40 choices of vibrant colours that come alive with a mere drop of water. I have to admit, there really is something that seems magical about it!
 

The Watercolours initially come in a packet of these loose sheets that are unlabeled as far as their colours are concerned. Apart from punching the holes and binding them together so I don't lose any, I also cut up the insert that describes what each of the colours are and glued them onto the appropriate sheet so I can see at a glance which is which. I'm also thinking I need a little sample paint swatch underneath too - but that's another project for another day :-)

For Bethany it was more about actually writing a diary. Or at least that's where she started. But once she saw Moriah with the Waterpaints then it took an entirely new direction where she decided to illustrate her journaling as well. Pretty awesome idea I think :-)

She also used it for keeping the ephemera from the trip which is where the tape came in handy. Ultimately these travel diaries kept them busy for hours and have become a treasured piece of memorabilia that I'll pop into my Project Life Handbook for safekeeping. Win-win I'd say!

In other good news, Studio Calico have just released the last 6 colours in their Color Theory Ink Pad range. I'm in desperate need to complete my collection and so this was a no-brainer for me. But where it gets even better is that right now if you purchase the bundle of Inks (found here) then you'll get free shipping, including for whatever else you buy at the same time! And YES... this includes international postage!!!

Here's some other new products that have recently hit the shop that are on my wish list:

Holiday Craft Die Ashley Goldberg Papers Kelly Purkey Christmas Stamp Set Mint Hint Handbook So Fancy Stamp Set

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The Story of Thanksgiving

November is a great month for reminding ourselves to be more thankful of the blessings in our life right? And even though we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia, I find that it's still such a fabulous reminder to take the time and get a little bit of perspective on some of the things we might otherwise take for granted. 

Munchy is 7 now, and is at that stage where she really loves to write things down. She writes little stories, and lists of things she wants to remember, and letters to her grandparents and so on. This month on the Jenni Bowlin blog the DT members have been sharing the different versions of their gratitude albums. It inspired me to decorate a version of the same idea for Munchy to fill in.

I used the October Papercrafting Kit which is full of the Basic Grey Persimmon and Crate Paper Close Knit collections. The warm colour scheme is perfect for this heart-warming project (!!)

The inside is filled with blank pages which prompt her to think about what she's feeling and to list a few things she's grateful for. She's already filled out a handful of the pages, and trust me... she's not always feeling "fine". Here's a few of my favourites which I'll promptly translate for you since her writing is a little hard to read.

The one above says,
"I am thankful for my whole family, my washing machine and food and water. I am also thankful for clothes. Also money. Don't forget houses! I am also thankful for toys. I just adore them!"

This one is when she's angry, and she says,
"I am thankful for my school and class mates. Also my church friends including Michaela, Amber, Lara and Adah. Also I am thankful for horses because they don't give stinky air like cars do."

And lastly, this one from when she's feeling super happy.
"I am thankful for my friends that care for me and that play with me. They keep secretes when I ask them to. I am also thankful for God and Jesus. And the roof over our head."

Not a bad effort for a 7-year-old right? I love the sweet innocence and sincerity of these.
What are you thankful for?

The Story of Great Expectations

Did I just throw a whole bunch of supplies onto a page to create this page? Why, yes I did!

I have a lot of trouble actually 'killing' a kit because in my definition it does actually mean using up everything. Or at least using up all the large chunks of paper and making a big dent in every packet of embellishment and alphas that you received. I find it easy to make the first couple of pages where you're able to carefully pick and choose what will coordinate together, but when it comes to using up the last pieces it becomes a little more tricky for me.

Ultimately, I'm not 100% sure all these elements work well together on the one page. It feels a little bit like 'product vomit' but guess what? I sure killed that kit!! I'm not entirely unhappy with how it turned out, and I think every layout gives me a chance to learn something different. Here I learned that I like blue, white, yellow and kraft as a colour scheme, so I might try that again for some beachy photos in the future.

And even more importantly, I still scrapped an important story in our lives. Here I'm documenting some of my daughters personality traits and characteristics through a simple example. The story goes that she's been learning about what 'tempt' and 'temptation' means in her kids group at church. And when she's come home she wants to actually apply it to her life, so she's emptied out her bedroom of all books. You see, she finds one of her greatest 'temptations' is to read books when she's been put to bed and the lights are out.

The story says so much about my little girl. She's strong-willed and disciplined. She's willing to learn and grow and self-improve. And the fact that she thinks one of her biggest faults is her love of reading.... well I'll take that any day!!

The Story of 3 for 3

There's no doubting that I'm not always the world's best mum. My family often pays the price for my career. The Man came into this arrangement willingly, but the kids didn't have a choice. And whilst I try my absolute hardest to make sure they never lack attention, it's simply not possible to spend 100% of my time with them.

I miss out on things naturally. Award ceremonies at school, taking them to friend's houses, dinner-time conversation, putting them to bed, milestones and new words (and those are only things I've missed out on this week). I overhear Munchy saying "I hope God doesn't ask me to be a doctor when I grow up because it's too much hard work", and I overhear Moodles praying "Please God let Mummy stay at home all day tomorrow." It's heartbreaking stuff.

But there are some things which will never be sacrificed. Birthdays of course are always a time for family celebration. A time for parties and lollies and gifts and cake and laughter and fun. Neither set of the kid's grandparents live in Melbourne with us, so an extended family gathering requires travel from at least some of us. On the occasion of Moodle's 3rd birthday we celebrated in stages. She ended up with a party here at home with us, then at The Man's parent's house, and thirdly at my parent's house too.

So sometimes I guess I allow some over-compensation! She had an absolute ball at each and every occasion. I don't mind that they spoil her rotten! 3 parties means an aweful lot of gifts, not to mention candles and cake but she didn't complain one bit ;-) She's growing pretty fast which is scary... and starting to talk about wanting a baby sister which is even scarier!

The inspiration behind this numbers page came from the current challenge at Pages of My Book. Check out the blog post and challenge details here. And thanks for listening to me blog.

xxx

The Story of Following in my Footsteps

For a large portion of the school year last year Munchy was learning about 'people who help people'. There was a least a week dedicated to us health professionals, as well as times spent finding out about lots of other vocations. She got to do fun things like dress up, and she made her own First Aid kit.

At the end of it all they got to write about whether or not they wanted to be a 'person who helps people' and which one it might be. She's never before had any inclination towards being a doctor. Usually she declares she wants to be a teacher. Or the closest she's ever been is when she decided she would rather be a nurse because "the uniforms are better".

In fact, once I even overheard her praying "please God don't make me be a doctor like Mummy because it seems like a lot of hard work, and you don't get to spend a lot of time with your family. Also I don't want to get blood on my shoes." Ahem. There's a reason why I no longer wear suede shoes when I'm on labour ward. But that's a story for another time!

So when she wrote a letter at the end of term stating that when she grows up she would like to be a doctor I was quite surprised. Granted, the letter went on to say she wants to be a doctor so she can drive pretty shiny Ambulances.... but hey... it was a first!

I've never been one of those parents who dreams their kids will follow in their footsteps - I would prefer that she listen's to God's calling on her life and follow her passion. And I obviously know with experience all the downfalls of this profession (as I sit here on night duty writing this!) so I certainly won't be disappointed if my girls don't become doctors.

 

But it was a story worth documenting, a fleeting moment captured. I put my page together using the inspiration of the latest sketch challenge at Paper Stories. What a super-fun sketch! It sure pushed me out of my comfort zone, and whilst I'm not 100% happy with the outcome I'm happy with the process, and that's gotta count for something ;-)

The Story of What She Wants to Be When She Grows Up

It's one of those questions that inevitably gets asked a lot around kids isn't it? The dreaded "what do you want to be when you grow up?" question. I know we're just doing it out of polite conversation, or curiosity to know what interests them. But do we really expect a sensible answer out of a 3-year-old?!! LOL!

Munchy (who's 6) has a little bit of insight actually. She's stopped saying she wants to be a doctor ("because all you do is look up people's bits all day Mum!") and has started saying she wants to be a teacher instead. That sounds pretty reasonable to me...... and far less messy.

But I had such a heart-warming moment just the other day when the question was asked of Moodles (who's 3). She looked straight at me and said "I want to be you Mum". Not, "I want to be like you", but "I want to be you".  OOOoohhhhh!!! So sweet! I guess I must be doing something right to have inspired that answer :-) It certainly inspired me to go ahead and make this layout to commemorate the moment.

I picked this series of photos of Moodles "driving the Fire Engine" as she says, because it highlights her technically-oriented mind. Something I think we've got in common. Once I had my photos chosen I knew there were a couple of key embellishments I needed to use to enhance the theme.

I started with the FWAB Black Luke flourish because it's strong and dominating (whilst still bringing a slightly feminine touch) which I think describes me perfectly ;-) And nearly the whole packet of Evalicious School's In V1 buttons because clearly my history of studying for the last 25 years straight demands an excessive amount of school-themed products!!



Supplies:

Evalicious Buttons: Schools In V1	Evalicious Documented Cloud Tags	Evalicious This & That Large Tags	Evalicious This & That Miscellany Tags
Evalicious Stamps: Arrows & Words	Evalicious Stamps: Here & Now	Evalicious Stamps: Love This Banner	Imaginarium Designs Circle Border
FWAB Luke flourish: Black	FWAB Bella Rhinestone flourish: Silver

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