Sometimes it can be painfully obvious to myself that I might be a little too serious.

Last night Anna I and climbed onto her bed to read some of her new library books.

The first one she picked out is called Walter The Farting Dog.

Okay, ha, ha. Sounds funny and silly and perfect for my three-year-old who loves nothing more than saying any number of phrases related to poop.

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

And I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard with her.

And I know she liked that because I could see the surprise and delight on her face at seeing my laughing so effortlessly.

I bet we’ll read it again tonight.

As I mentioned in my Project Life post this past Tuesday, getting back into the practice of creating layouts has been on my mind.

So I’m making it happen.

Here’s the result of my play from yesterday:

A birthday page that doesn’t really scream, “Hey! I’m a birthday layout.”

And here’s a run down of how this one unfolded:

I knew I wanted to use some of Rhonna’s new 6×6 papers for My Mind’s Eye.

The simplest arrangement was to have 2, 6×6 papers + 2, 6×6 photos in opposite corners.

First up was stamping out a sentiment in the top left quadrant. I used two different Educational Insights stamp sets - the blue one and the green one (jumbo). The blue ones had some red ink left over on them so when I stamped them into the Close To My Heart ink (Bamboo) it came out a mixture of colors (totally fine with that).

Here’s what that area ended up looking like:

Under the stamped words I drew lines with a .01 black pen.

The “love” piece is from one of those custom tags from Amy Tangerine & Two Peas.

Here’s what it looked like before:

For a little something different I decided to paint it white.

Here’s what it looked like with one coat of antique white paint:

I did a second coat before cutting the stitched portion from the tag and adding it to my stamped journaling.

As I was working on that I decided that I wanted to use journaling from this post. The easiest way to add that to my page seemed to be to print out a new photo and add the journaling right onto the photo in Photoshop:

Journaling font is Garamond.

Because of the visual “weight” of this photo (heavier on the left) I decided to move the other photo of Anna up to the top and put this one in the bottom left corner.

My next thing to tackle was the bottom right corner. I started with another sheet from Rhonna’s new 6×6 papers for My Mind’s Eye.

I decided to play around with using my Silhouette to create a stencil. In the Studio software I created a 6×6 square and added text that said “you are three” using Arial Bold.

Remember the other day when I said that something’s up with my machine not making “clean cuts”? It’s still not cutting right (even with selecting heavy cardstock, double cut, cleaning out the blade with a pin, and using a new cutting mat).

But because I experimental play-mode anyway I was willing to see what this would look like as a stencil. Here you can see how messy the cut was (which is actually a “look” you could go for):

Here’s where I laid it right down on my page and painted on top:

For the sake of experimentation I also wanted to see what it would look like if I used this same idea right on top of a photo. I just grabbed the one I ended up not using on this layout:

Okay, that’s kinda cool. Needs a bit of work but with the right photo, hmmmm, I think I’ll be playing with that idea a bit more.

Back to the layout.

Here’s what it looked like after I removed the stencil:

From there I drew some more lines with a .01 black pen and added more stamped words.

As you can see more clearly here, the cream paint ended up being too light.

When I came back into my office tonight I ended up adding a new of layer of cream paint and then a layer of pink paint using the stencil again to make the words stand out a bit more.

Here’s a close up look at the details along the bottom right edge:

On top of a label from Studio Calico I added some of that great love tape from KI Memories.

On top of that I added Anna’s initials with little letter stickers from Dear Lizzy and an American Crafts foam 3. The chipboard butterflies are from Sassafras and are available here through Studio Calico.

The final thing I did was add a painted border all the way around the layout. A simple way to do this is to put a little dollop of paint on your work surface and drag each edge of the page through the paint in one motion. Love that.

You can find that “love this” word art as part of a digital set here.

Here’s a look at the completed page again:

SUPPLIES

Click on the images to link to the products.

One of the things I’m working on around here is getting into a consistent meal planning routine.

I’ve made attempts in the past and it’s ebbed and waned. I’m feeling ready to put forth some real effort once again – not only in the actual act of meal planning but in the ritual of sitting at the table together.

For meal ideas I’ve been loving Pinterest (here’s a look at the recipes I’ve pinned), Melanie’s Menu Plan Mondays, or just asking what people are cooking for dinner on Twitter. I’m also loving re-reading (and trying recipes) from The Family Dinner: Great Ways To Connect With Your Kids One Meal At A Time.

I actually made this PDF dinner menu planner awhile ago and then could not for the life of me find it on my computer again. Well, I found it on Monday and I was so happy because it’s just what I needed to get going.

For our family the planning I mainly need to do is for dinner during the week. Along the bottom I included space for planning meals on the weekend as well. For me the weekends have become a time to plan for the upcoming week, make something ahead if possible, etc.

I also included a little note about “new food” for Simon. He has a bit of a block (okay, more than “a bit”) against anything “new.” He calls just about anything “new” when it’s not a part of his list of “preferred” foods. Having a “new” section helps me highlight what is really new and helps me to be able to visually show him that I don’t actually give him new foods every single day.

Download the Weekly Dinner Menu Planner here.

Here’s to hoping this will help some of you as well.

One person will receive a class kit and a spot in Maggie Holmes’ upcoming Happy Little Moments class at Studio Calico.

#63 • Sherry Eckblad said…my happy moment is now! I am learning to enjoy all of life’s little moments and would love a chance to document them.

Congratulations! Please email me me giveaways@aliedwards.com your contact information.

GIVEAWAY | One person will receive a class kit and a spot in Maggie Holmes’ upcoming Happy Little Moments class at Studio Calico.

Join Maggie Holmes in the Studio Calico Classroom March self-paced class Happy Little Moments. Life is full of happy little moments that we often don’t scrapbook. This altered book is the perfect place to tuck them in along with a few sentiments and beautiful hand picked embellishments.

Maggie will walk you through the creation process and show you some fun techniques for making a magical and unique album.

The Happy Little Moments Class Kits are available right now in the Shop - SOLD OUT. You can also follow along with the PDF using a hardcover book, patterned paper, and your favorite embellishments.

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Seven.

I didn’t take any photos this past week with my big camera (except for photos of that layout I did last week) but was happy to find a few from my phone. I ended up using the entire second page of the spread to cover the story of my weekend with Anna. It’s a nice reminder of the way I’m approaching this project. It’s not a photo a day. It’s not a story every day. It’s a collection of things from a certain week in time.

One of the biggest things on my mind right now is getting myself in the groove to make some more traditional scrapbook layouts. Here’s the bottom line: I love this project. I miss that process. So I’m making time and finding time and making assignments for myself. It’s a topic that really deserves it’s own post and as I get myself in gear I’ll share what I’m planning and what I’m learning.

Just a quick note that some of the main products I use for Project Life are back in stock: 6×12 Page Protectors, Big Variety Pack 1 of Page Protectors, and Big Variety Pack 2 (Design A + Design D).

Here’s our Week Seven:

Lots of Valentine’s Day goodness this week.

The “YES” card is from the Smash Blank Journal Pad. The little stitched heart on the top photo is from Pebbles. The large “3″ heart is on a card for Anna from our friend Kim. She hand-stitched that and I love it.

I decided to go this route again this year with the Valentine’s. It’s simply a 9-pocket divided page protector and this year I included both Simon and Anna’s cute little cards from their classmates. You can check out what I did in 2011 here.

The second insert holds some of the bigger Valentine’s and a list of the kids in Anna’s class.

On the back is her drawing of two cats. I might actually frame this one. I love it. Maybe I will just ask her to draw some more for me.

The last page this week includes photos from the weekend.

I decided to take all that journaling on my post from yesterday that details our adventures and print them on four cards to fill in those 3×4 pockets. Each photo includes a digital element (Life Banners, Love Something, and I Heart Stories) or a little bit of text added to the photo before printing.

I added a self-adhesive index tab to the first card as a bit of a title.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 7

Click on the images to link to the products.

Three new releases from me this past weekend. First up, Hello Story Layered Template.

This is a digital version similar to a paper layout I created last week. See the paper version here.

Photo Love Outline

You’re Invited Collection

Hope you guys had a great weekend!

Simon asked to go spend some time with my parents at the coast so Anna and I had a whole weekend by ourselves.

I’m actually pretty sure this was our first weekend all on our own. It was pretty great. Great to just hang out with her, great to let her pick out things to do and watch and eat, great to listen to her laugh and great to just have her upsets to deal with vs. two.

Here’s a run down of our adventures:

FRIDAY NIGHT | Ate mac & cheese and watched Babes In Toyland (Katie picked it up for us a the library earlier in the day). I let her sleep in bed with me and we read a couple stories before she finally fell asleep and I read until I finished Mockingjay.

SATURDAY | George the cat wanted to wake up earlier than Anna and I and he kept walking over us and purring really loud right in our faces. We finally woke up and Anna asked to watch The Princess & The Frog on my phone. I went downstairs to grab it, fed the animals, picked up my laptop, the newspaper, and some goldfish + apple juice and headed back upstairs. We lounged in bed for the duration of the movie.

Stripped the beds, carried the bedding downstairs to the laundry room and started that process.

Made some eggs and toast and Anna played legos and washed dishes in her little play kitchen (which is basically in our kitchen). I unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the pantry, kept the laundry moving, cleaned out a couple drawers and she “helped” and chatted and worked on her own dishes and drawer.

We drew cats. And ate more goldfish and some Skittles. We watched Babes In Toyland again (I did a bit more sorting in the kitchen during the second half). Right near the end of the movie she had a melt-down, hit Lily, and ended up in her bedroom for some “quiet” time.

I left her up there for 20 mins or so and went to check on her and she was quietly playing with her Playmobil people.

We cooked together. Sausage and bean soup. To have someone interested in the food being prepared was awesome. Soundtrack was Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto. We ate together (she had yogurt, oranges and a couple bites of the soup). Soundtrack was Dave Matthews on Pandora.

Did the dishes. Anna played doctor with one of her barbies. I love listening to her stories and conversations.

And then popcorn. And a cup of milk for her. And a couple rounds of Olivia on the DVR.

A meltdown on the way to bed. Stall tactics. Lots of crying. I get her in her PJ’s and get her in her bed. In and out of her room a couple times in-between making my bed and she finally gets that she’s in there for the night. I get ready for bed, check on her again and turn off the light, take a shower and start reading 1000 Gifts.

SUNDAY | When she wakes up we repeat Saturday mornings ritual. Iphone movie, banana muffin (+ a few crumbs) and reading the paper in my bed.

Bath-time for Anna in the big tub.

A trip to Sears to deal with a microwave that’s becoming an expensive fix (with a quick stop for a latte & kid’s hot cocoa – only she was very insistent that it was a “girl’s” hot cocoa vs. a “kid’s”). The microwave is one of those that’s built in above an oven and it’s only sold as a set with the oven. Awesome.

A stop to look for a new coffeepot, two stops at thrift stores. Come home with four new barbies, including two that have pink and purple hair and sparkly bodies. All barbies get a very good bath in the kitchen sink.

Lunch of left-over mac & cheese and strawberries.

A couple Dora episodes for Anna and magazine reading time for me in-between laundry folding sessions. Lots of “potty talk” – right on target for a freshly minted three-year-old.

Head outside for some weeding and picking up dog poop and dreaming about what that space could be. Thinking this may be the year that I really invest some personal time in that space.

Play soccer. Shoot a couple baskets out in the driveway. Lots of laughing. Clean up the yard stuff we got out.

Feed the animals.

Inside for edamame. We both love it. Black Butte Porter for me and apple juice for her. Watch a little TV.

Carry the baskets full of clean laundry upstairs and she helps me put clothes away in Simon’s room, in her room and in my room. Her interest in domestic stuff makes those sorts of chores just a bit more fun. She picks out her jammies. I help her put the top on and she does the bottoms.

She crawls up into my bed for some snuggle time and falls asleep playing a matching game on my phone.

I finish up this post, read a bit more of the paper, and then say a really big thank you prayer.

25 people will receive Stella Workshops on the Go™ from Close To My Heart. Please note that this giveaway is only open to residents of US and Canada.

1. #715 • Doreen said…CTMH has the best papers and acrylic stamps! I’m looking forward to seeing how Ali uses this set. Thanks for the oppty to win!

2. #548 • Judy Ray said…Wow. I love CTMH worshops on the go. Would love to win one. Thanks.

3. #900 • Tracey O said…Great to have products to make a reason to scrapbook!

4. #1101 • michele herzog said…Ctmh has great paper packs. Would love to win this giveway

5. #761 • Nancy said…I love CTMH products. Thanks for the chance.

6. #489 • Natalie Murphy said…what a great way to start the new year with a prize. hope to hear from u

7. #815 • Sarah K said…pick me pick me

8. #245 • Alison said…Looks cute! Thanks for the chances to win!

9. #826 • Kathi said…I love the CTMH “workshops on the go” They are the best..

10. #360 • Melissa said…Thanks for the opportunity!

11. #1137 • Lilie said…CTMH has excellent products. This giveaway has it all. Thank you for the chance to win.

12. #962 • Heather S. said…What a fun kit! Thanks for the chance to win.

13. #1003 • Christine said…Wow, I would love to win this prize!! The workshop looks fantastic. Thanks CTMH and Ali for making this giveaway happen!! Have a great day! xoxo, Christine

14. #75 • Bec said…Love CTMH! Thanks for the opportunity to get another great CTMH kit.

15. #1019 • amy zanin said…CTMH rocks……thank you !!!!

16. #879 • Kim said…On of my favorite paper packs! Thanks for the chance!

17. #327 • Liz Gellaty said…Love that scrapbooking and stamping is combined with Workshops on the Go! What a fun giveaway!

18. #58 • Debbie said…Love CTMH products!

19. #789 • Happy Hearts said…Wow, this would be great! 25 people will be very happy.

20. #93 • Jenny McGee said…I have yet to try any of the CTMH Workshops on the GO. But, I do love their paper packs and stamps. Thanks for a chance to win.

21. #244 • mary said…CTMH stamps are great! Thanks for sharing. Mary

22. #258 • Anna said…Loved using their paper! Would be fun to use again.

23. #474 • Sharon said…Great giveaway. Thanks, Ali.

24. #573 • Amy H said…I’m curious to try an online workshop and see if I will click with the format. Thanks for the chance to win.

25. #960 • Celeste said…CTMH

If you see your name above, congratulations! Please email me giveaways@aliedwards.com with your contact information.

GIVEAWAY | 25 people will receive Stella Workshops on the Go™ from Close To My Heart. Please note that this giveaway is only open to residents of US and Canada.

Close To My Heart is giving away 25 Workshops on the Go™ featuring their brand new bohemian paper packet, Stella! Each Workshop on the Go comes with everything you need to create two beautiful 2-page layouts (seen above) – patterned papers, an exclusive My Acrylix® stamp set, cardstock, accessories, and an instructional brochure. Each kit has a $29.95 retail value, but 25 lucky winners* will get their very own Stella Workshop on the Go kit FREE and shipped right to their door!

Each Stella Workshop on the Go™ comes with:

• 1 – My Reflections® Stella Paper Packet
• 1 – My Acrylix® Stella Workshop Stamp Set
• 2 – Colonial White Cardstock Sheets
• 1 – Bohemian Assortment
• 1 – Dimensional Elements Hearts
• 1 – Instructional Brochure

*Giveaway winners must be from the US or Canada.

Close To My Heart is dedicated to showing you how to celebrate relationships through discovering your creativity, to preserve and share the moments that matter most. For more information about Close To My Heart, visit www.closetomyheart.com.