Project Life 2016 Week 26

Project Life 2016 {Week 26}

Hello there!
I've been away from my blog for so long.  It seems so many things just keep getting in the way. And now my camera is broken. UGH! Hoping Santa will bring me a new one. So until I get a new camera I will be using my phone camera. I'm apologizing ahead of time for the poor quality of the photos.

Let's take a look at week 26.

This week included mussels, and lots of games. A game of catch, a baseball game and a lacrosse tournament. 

I used the Studio Calico Film Club Documenter Kit.  

Actually I used it to complete several spreads.  With the 6x12 album and my new simple approach I have been able to really extend the life of the kits.  I took advantage of a couple of sales and purchased a few Studio Calico and Gossamer Blue kits.  I'm so tempted to renew my subscription to Studio Calico but I am resisting.  

The yellow utensils card was sized at 4x6; I trimmed it down to fit in a 3x4 pocket and used a circle punch on the "Good Eats' card and it gave me a cool circle embellishment.  

I really like the chipboard embellishments. Simple and quick with a big impact.

As we get closer to the end of 2016 I have been reflecting a lot about this project. I'll share those thoughts and my 2017 Project Life plan in another post.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and Love,

Marisol

Project Life {Week 12}

{Week 12}

Let the photos tell the story. That's what I decided to do this week.

With the exception of one journal card, I let the photos tell this week's stories.

I did add text directly on some of the photos before printing.  It's one of my favorite ways of adding words.  Mostly because adding text to the photos doesn't distract from the story the image tells.

I used another DIY label for the title card.  I used the same alphabet stamp from Kelly Purkey as in other weeks...because I like it. So clean. Note how the patterned paper on the title card mimics my daughter's bedding...I love it when that happens.  The two journaling cards were also a perfect match.  They are from a very old Citrus Twist kit.

See the letter M?  I added that because it helps me remember which kid is in the photo!  My two youngest boys look VERY similar and recently they came to me arguing about who was in a picture they found in my photo box. And guess what? I didn't know either.  

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Marisol

Project Life {Week 10}

{Week 10}

Long time no post...I know. I have been working on my pages slowly, and am caught up through Easter.  I have even photographed the spreads.  I just haven't had much motivation to share on social media.
Alright, enough of that. Let's take a look at Week 10.

This week includes a honor society induction, a doggie hair cut, art and a Mickey Mouse birthday party.

Here's a closer look at Week 10.

I was thrilled to find the 'one in a million card' in my stash because it complimented Minnie's dress.  I cut down the Honor Society Program to fit in the 3x4 pocket and stamped my son's name right above the date. 

There never seems to be enough 4x6 cards in the  monthly Project Life kits.   So I have created my own.  I used a DIY label and stamps to create this week's title card.  

The cards in this weeks spread are from the Gossamer Blue October 2013 Life  Pages  Kit.  I swear that kit is endless. I have created so may pages with it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Heat embossing with pigment ink

Hello there.  

As soon as I saw the Concord and 9th Brushed Blossom stamp set I knew what I wanted to create and the set jumped right into my cart the day it released.

I stamped the flowers and sentiment with Avery Elle's Pigment ink and then heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder from Simon Says Stamp.
Initially I heat embossed the flower image after stamping them all and quickly realized that the ink was not wet enough for the embossing powder to stick to. So after using the pigment ink I restamped with Versamark--the Misti tool made this super easy and quick. This extra step made all the difference, giving the entire image a subtle shiny look.

The stamp set includes splatters, but I was too chicken to use them on this set of cards.

The Online Card Class Heat Wave featured advanced heat embossing techniques on day 3.  One of the lessons was to use multiple colors of embossing powders with layered stamps.  Well I don't own many colors of embossing powder and 'adjusted' the lesson with the supplies I had on hand.

Heat embossing with clear powder over pigment ink also solves the issue of drying time. Pigment inks take FOREVER to dry because they aren't absorbed by the paper.  Clear heat embossing locks in the pigment ink and eliminates the drying time. The end result provides an image with subtle shine.

Thanks for stopping by.
Marisol

Heat Wave Day 1 Continued

Hello,
I spent some time yesterday getting to know the properties of the different types of embossing  powders.

First is the Ultra High Metallic Silver Embossing powder by WOW!

The granule's are much bigger than the traditional powders.  The finished look gives a dimensional look to these die cut words.  Initially the powder was not as smooth as in the photo and so I added more heat and the end result is smooth and fabulous.  The stars look like metallic embellishments.  

 The second powder I tried is a sparkle powder with a clear base (purchased at a local craft store).  The detail of this powder is very difficult to capture on camera.  The sparkle looks holographic in real life.  The final result is very textured to the touch.

And then there is my favorite. The Black Sparkle by Ranger.  Initally I thought this powder would fly everywhere, but it didn't.  The sparkle is awesome.  I used white cardstock for all the die cuts and was impressed with the coverage of the powder.  The glitter is smoother than the previous example.

I used Versamark as the sticky ink and applied tips offered by Yana, an instructor in the class.  She offered a bunch of tips yesterday...really awesome ones.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 9}

{Week 9}

This week included a PromPosal, haircuts, a cute sweater dress, and the hard decison to rehome our cat. 

Here's a closer look at Week 9

 

Lots of stamping this week. Lots of stamping.

I used StazOn Ink in both black and white to stamp directly on the photos.  

I got creative with the Kelly Purkey Greenpoint and Williamsburg Alphabet Stamps for my Weekly Title Card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 8}

{Week 8}

Here's a closer look at Week 8

Our February break happened during week 8.

SNOW!!!!

We finally got snow.  We have been waiting for a really heavy snow fall and boy did we get it.

We spent lots of time indoors, played lots of Skip-Bo and went a bit stir crazy at one point but overall enjoyed the time off.

The highlight of the week was the snow storm and the visit from my dad and step-mom.  

I used my typewriter this week...I have to remember to use it more often. 

Lots of pictures in this week's spread.  The top left photo is of the box of chocolate's I received for Valentine's day. I slapped a DIY label, a flair button and a heart shaped paperclip onto to the photo and called it a day!

Keep it simple...those three words are helping me stay up to date.

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 7}

{Week 7}

Here's a closer look at Week 7

I didn't take many photos this week.  And it didn't stress me out. YAY ME!

I simply spelled out the word 'WEEK' added the number 7 and the dates with a roller date stamp and called it a day.  

I stamped directly on the top right photo and added a clear overlay to the bottom photo.

Supplies:

• Plastic clear overlay// Becky Higgins
• I love this moment // 100% Me stamp set// Clearly Kelly 
• Greenpoint Alphabet Stamp//Kelly Purkey stamp set
• Project Life Design H Page Protectors//Becky Higgins 
• Journaling cards//Studio Calico

I'm really liking the 6x12 album size.

I am no longer feeling pressured to 'fill the pockets'.

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Project Life Week 6

{Week 6}

Here's a closer look at Week 6

This week I used a 'baseball card' page protector and cut off the third row to make it fit into my album.  I trimmed the photos and adhered them to a Studio Calico journaling card. I'm so glad I stocked up on those because they are no longer available.
As per the usual I used a couple of Kelly Purkey Alphabet Stamps.
The 'It's a colorful life' card is layered over another card.
The musical notes stamps under the word 'Kareoke' is from an older Studio Calico Project Life kit.
I'm working my way through my stash and loving it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 5}

{Week 5}

Here's a closer look at Week 5

I included a 6x12 insert of a fun picture of my son as Dracula.
The stamp on the title card is from Gossamer Blue {October 2013} and the Alphabet stamps are from Kelly Purkey.

The back of the insert includes another picture of my 4 year old.

The right side of the spread includes a picture of a colored sand rangoli my daughter made.

Supplies:

• Project Life Design H Page Protectors and 6x12 
• Scraptastic This Life Noted Kit// September and August 2013 
• Clearly Kelly New Adventures Stamp set
• Greenpoint Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey
• Southport Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey

There you have it quick and simple.
Thanks for stopping by.
Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 4}

{Week 4}

With a family as large as mine we are constantly on the go and when we don't have anything going on during the week we are so thankful. A very simple and uneventful week 4 in 2016. I like simple.

Here's a closer look at Week 4

All the cards are from the Heidi Swapp Favorite Things Core kit. As in other weeks I have used several stamp sets by Kelly Purkey.

I chose the Favorite Things core kit because the colors are bright and playful.  I felt like they complimented the photos of my kids playing together.

• Project Life Design H Page Protectors
• Project Life Core Kit// Favorite Things
• Heidi Swapp Black Epoxy Buzz Word Stickers
• Clearly Kelly Stamp Set //100% Me 
• Greenpoint Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey
• Southport Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey

Thanks for stopping by.

Marisol

Project Life 2016 {Week 3}

{Week3}

Week 3 tells the story of family.  We celebrated my son's 17th birthday and visited my brother and his family. On the drive home we hit a winter storm that delayed our trip and make us grateful to arrive safely. 

Here's a closer look at week 3.

I used a couple of cards from the Midnight Edition and stamps from Kelly Purkey.  I used bits and pieces from the October 2013 Gossamer Blue Life Pages Kit which has made several appearances in my album for the past couple of weeks. I'm down to the very last bit and pieces from this kit.  I really extended it's life especially considering that I used some of it back in 2013.  

I created the TRAVELOGUE card myself with the Clearly Kelly New Adventures set.  I have always loved Kelly Purkey's stamp sets and her latest realeases have not disappointed.  

I added a flip pocket to hold a couple of 3x4 pictures and a tab from the Gossamer Blue kit.  I used the WRMK Fuse tool to adhere the flip pocket. I swear that tool has been the best invention for PL. 

This week's spread was quick and simple. 

I like the repetition of the red stickers and the black epoxy word stickers.  I was reminded why I liked receiving a new kit every month.  I spent less time looking for prouducts in my stash because I was committed to 'killing the kit' 

Supplies

• Project Life Design H Page Protectors
• Project Life Core Kit Midnight
• Heidi Swapp Black Epoxy Buzz Word Stickers
• Clearly Kelly New Adventures Stamp set
• WRMK Fuse Tool
• Greenpoint Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey
• Southport Alphabet Stamp Set by Kelly Purkey

Thanks for stopping by.
Marisol

Documenting our Life in Photos

Memory keeping with Project Life 

Project Life 2016 {Week 2}

This year I am going back to documenting.  After a 2 year hiatus I am ready to capture the stories of 2016.

Over the years most of my Project Life spreads have been elaborate and detailed.  I notice however that my eye is always drawn to spreads that are simple.  I also notice that my family hardly ever reads the journaling.  They focus on the pictures.  And that will be MY focus for documenting 2016.

Pictures.

Project Life 2013

Back in the fall of 2015 my son was looking through the 2013 PL album and looked up at me and said 'Remember when you used to scrapbook our life?' 

My heart was full of joy and at the same time was crushed.  It was full of joy because his comment was validation. Validation that my family DOES appreciate the albums.  My heart was crushed because I realized that I missed out on two years of scrapbooking our life.  

I spent the last couple of months in 2015 organzing my craft space to accomodate my supplies for the 2016 Project Life album. (It had been set up for card making) And I'm so excited to report that I am up to date with 2016!

Here's a  look at Week 2

Supplies

• Project Life Design H Page Protectors
• Project Life Core Kit Midnight
• Heidi Swapp Black Epoxy Buzz Word Stickers
• The camera 3x4 card is from Gossamer Blue

Switching to a smaller format has NOT been an easy transition.  In 2014 I  tried 6x8 and quickly realized that format was too constricting.  I haven't finished it.  In 2015 I switched to 6x12 and didn't finish. This year I have finally gotten into a nice groove with the 6x12 size. 
2016 will be the year that I get back to documenting our life in photos.

During the month of February  I did a 'walk through' of my PL albums.  What a joy.  I took note of what worked and what didn't work.  I took note of how many completed weeks were in each album.  I took note of the products I used. I took note of what I liked and didn't like.
I created a 'Do's and Don't' List.

I'll share my organization and the do's and don'ts  list in another post later this week.  

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs 
Marisol

How I am documenting 2016

My Grand Master Plan

2016 Title Page

I was inspired by Kelly Purkey to downsize to a 6x12 album.  The larger 12x12 size has become cumbersome, difficult to manage and almost impossible to store.

I have many bits and pieces left of  'Project Life" kits from Studio Calico, Gossamer Blue, Citrus Twist and Scraptastic.  I plan on choosing a kit and using it all up! I already tried this method for the month of January and Febraury and I was able to 'kill' a couple of kits.

Along with the kits I have chosen some products that I will use throughout the year.

Kelly Purkey Stamps

Alphabet Stamps from several different companies

Ali Edwards White Letter Stickers

Project Life Core Kits :
Midnight

Favorite Things

Dreamy

and these 4 Value Kits by Heidi Swapp

The Overlay Value Kit, the Glitter Value Kit, the Color Magic Value Kit, and the Gold Foil Value Kit.

I'm currently up to date for 2016 and feeling very accomplished.  Especially considering that I did not complete 2014 nor 2015.  

Here's a closer look at my 2016 Title Page.

I'll be sharing completed spreads here and on my Instagram account

Hugs

Marisol