Green Horned Unicorn

Project Life - April Wrap-up

I figured it was about time I got around to sharing the last few weeks of April from my Project Life album, being June is just around the corner. I've actually had the pages completed for sometime, but wasn't able to capture any photographs in decent lighting until this past weekend.

These two layouts represent mid-to-late April. Some of the highlights included:

• My hibiscus in bloom
• Dinner at Vito's
• A trip to my favorite spice store, Penzys
• Selling the Mazda CX-7 to Nate's sister
• The start of 100-degree temperatures in AZ (that photo was taken on April 20th - I saw 111 on my car temp gauge this week!)
• A work trip to Charlotte to participate in and present at the Airline Personelle Directors' Council meeting
• My fun April Guest Design spot at Echo Park

The final week of April was spent with my sister Molly, who was visiting from Nebraska. Highlights included stops at many of our favorite eateries:

• Evening drinks by the fire pit
• Dinner at Redendo's pizza (Nate and my favorite pizza spot)
• Pool time! Molly was the first one to brave the water this year. I jumped in for about one minute so we could snap a photo together (not shown here) and then hopped right back out! Too cold for me.
• Shopping at Scottsdale Quarters followed by sushi at RA
• Ice Cream Sundaes at Sweet Republic

So many more fun memories are now down in the books, thanks to the Project Life concept. I love it!

See more of my Project Life album here or read more about my approach to the project here.

Reigniting the Creative Spark

We've all had those moments where you feel the need to release some creative energy. You know, those moments when you want to do nothing else but sit in your studio and create? But, when you actually sit down to do so, you realize your creative edge is no where to be found. Yeah, those moments.

Recently, I came down with a bad bout of the flu. A high temperature, body aches and dizziness kept me in bed for days. When the fever finally broke, I had the urge to get out of bed and do something. I decided I would make something. I wandered to the studio and sat at my desk. And, there I sat. Then, I sat some more. Suddenly, I realized that although the life inside of me was slowly returning, my creativity was not. I needed something to reignite my creative spark.

I turned to my Sketchy board on Pinterest where I browsed the many wonderful sketches that I've pinned. I started to feel somewhat inspired, although not ready to commit to making a full layout.

So instead, I did something I've never done before. I began scrapping without reason. I didn't have a photo, I didn't have a story. What I did have was a bag full of lovely October Afternoon Sidewalks scraps (leftover from Project Life) and a Pinboard full of sketches. I started cutting and gluing like it was nobody's business.

By the time all was said and done, I had six layouts (four shown below) all ready for photographs, journaling and embellishments. I set them aside to be completed some other day.

That day arrived this past weekend when I was gathering supplies for a crafting night with my friends. I discovered that, aside from Project Life, I really didn't have a lot I wanted to work on. So, I grabbed my pre-created layouts and printed a few photos. At the crop, I added the photos, embellishments and journaling and had four completed pages in a snap! Below are the final products.

HARD AT WORK | I love this photograph of Baxter, napping away on my desk as I spent the day working from home. It's fun to have a furry friend as your sidekick to keep you company as you work away.

To complete the layout I added washi tape, Thickers, a label with journaling and some handstitched buttons. Layout inspired by this sketch.

ALL DRESSED UP | Although the photograph is overexposed, I really like the dreamy look it gives this image of Bugsy, all dolled up in my sister's wedding garter. Who knew garters made such cute collars?
To comlete this layout, I added a row of handstitched buttons, a lable with journaling, Thickers and an additional paper strip. So easy! Layout inspired by this sketch.

FEELING BLUE | Our dog, Shawna, has a very strong bond with Nate (he rescued her when she was three). Since he started working from home, the bond has grown even stronger. Recently, Nate had to spend seven days in Texas for work. Shawna spent those seven days looking like this.
To complete this layout I added machine stitching, handstitched buttons, ribbon and dimensional glitter stickers. Layout inspired by this sketch.

WHAT THE FLUFF? | A few weeks prior to Nate travelling for work, I had to spend three days in Charlotte for work. After I finished presenting one afternoon, I opened my phone to find this photo of Shawna, which Nate had taken. Apparently she slept and hung out like this for quite sometime. A very strange, yet comfy looking position.
To complete this layout, I added machine stitching, mist splatters, handstitched buttons, a chipboard arrow covered in pattern paper, Thickers and washi tape. Layout inspired by this sketch.

WHAT I LEARNED | Although I wasn't in search of any learning experince or lessons, this creative experience taught me a few things:

• Creating blank layouts (with no photos or topic in mind) is a really great way to kickstart my creativity, even when I'm not feeling 100%
• It's a great way to use extra papers in my stash that may otherwise go unused
• When it comes time to glue down some photos and journal, premade pages make the process quick and easy
• I'm certainly going to try this again when I find the need to reignite my creative spark!

What's your secret to reigniting the creative spark?

Project Life - Making it Mine

I thought it was time to share a little bit about my approach to Project Life. I've received quite a few questions from friends and readers about what exactly Project Life is and how I make it work for me. To read all about the Project Life concept, check out Becky Higgins' website here. Becky is the brilliant mastermind behind the whole Project Life phenomena. For my approach to the project, keep reading!

CAPTURING LIFE | For me, the most important part of the process is keeping it simple. No pressure, no stress. In order to do so, I've made a few decisions about how I'm going to make Project Life work for me.

I'm not setting unrealistic expectations to record something each day or even every other day, for that matter. Instead, I'm choosing to capture life as I see fit. If that means I have no images from one day and five from the next - I'm totally OK with that.

I'm also choosing to not force myself to fill a page (or two or any set number) for each week. If one week only takes up half a page and the next fills up two, so be it. Life is unpredictable; therefore, I should never expect the pieces of it to fit into some sort of project "mold" that I dream up. 

THE ALBUM & PAGES | Another choice I made to keep the album simple was to select just one page protector design and stick with it. If left with unlimited possibilites, my brain will run unlimited miles deciding just what do do with all the options. In order to give my poor brain the rest it deserves, I chose to use just the 10x12 Design G page protectors.

I like the unique size, which is slightly easier to handle than a standard 12x12. I also like the variety in the pocket size and pocket orientations (3x4, 4x6, portrait and landscape). No matter what photos or memorabilia I choose to incorporate each week, I know there will a pocket for it. I find irony in the fact that I enjoy using varying page sizes in my normal scrapbooks, but for this project opted to go with just one size and pocket design. But, like I said, it's all about simplicity.

GATHERING & ORGANIZING PHOTOS | Because much of our everyday life is captured in the moment, most of my Project Life photos come from my iPhone, as opposed to the DSLR. Each time I capture a photo on my phone that I think I may want to inclue in Project Life, I quickly email the image to myself and inclue a few notes about the photo and the memory surrounding it. This way, I can remember all the details while they're fresh on my mind.

I've created a folder within my Gmail where all the photos and notes are automatically filtered and stored until it's time to incorporate them into my album. So far, this process is working really well for me. It helps me record the details as they happen and ensures the memory, and the photo, will not be forgotten.

SKETCHING IT OUT | To keep myself organized, I designed template in Illustrator to mimic the design of the Design G page protectors. I print out blank copies of the template and, throughout the week, I jot down the photos and moments I want to include in the "Notes" section.

Before I start creating, I sketch out the layout, and sometimes the design, of each pocket. This method is working well so far in both keeping me organized and also ensuring that Project Life comes together quickly and efficiently each week. Here's a sample of what one looks like while in progress:

While it's certainly not pretty, it does get the job done. Here's the completed spread that was based upon the sketch above:

As you can see, I swapped a few things around but, for the most part, followed my plan. It makes it easy and I love that.

GOING WITH A THEME | Another decision I made to create cohesiveness in my album is selecting a paper line (or combination of papers) and sticking with the same theme throughout an entire month. This way, there is a natural "break" that can be seen from month-to-month and everything from a particular month all goes together. For March I chose the origninal Amy Tangerine line from American Crafts, for April, I chose the Sidewalks Collection by October Afternoon. May is yet to be determined :)

As this post is getting a little long and wordy, I'll save the other pieces of my process for another day. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments! Happy Monday :)

PS. .For even more insight on different approaches, check Project Life week at Write.Click.Scrapbook. 

April Creative Team Projects + a Winner

Although I'm a day late, as it is already May, I thought I'd pop in to share my last two April creative team projects for JessicaSprague.com. My other projects were part of my Echo Park Guest Designer feature and can be seen here.

First up, a layout titled, "Pounce":

PRODUCT CREDITS: Echo Park - Woof Mini Theme + In the Making Design, It's a Start 5 Template Collection. Click here for full product credits.

This photo was too cute to not be scrapped. I love how Shawna's front paws are both in the air! Journaling reads: 

Shawna caught mid-pounce as she ran to follow Nate inside. She isn’t a fan of the outdoors, unless there is a human around, so she usually scurries as to not be left outside alone. She’s such a sweet, little pup who wants nothing but to love her humans and for us to love her back. 4.3.12

PRODUCT CREDITS: Pink Paislee - Stella Collection + In the Making Design Foto Template Collection. Click here for full product credits.

These are a few photos from my Mom's visit back in March. Journaling reads:

A trip to Sas & lunchwith Nate at the SDL Airport were just a few stops on a busy day filled with shopping and crafting during Mom’s visit. 3.10.12

And now for the moment you've been waiting for - the winner of the Green Horned Unicorn giveaway from Diana's blogiversary hop is:

Patricia, please email me at greenhornedunicorn {at} gmail {dot} com with your address and choice of two embellishment kits listed in the GHU Shop. Congrats!