May 18 2009

Here I am… one year older and am documenting the next year in photos.

Why not?! I was so intrigued by the Project 365 concept that I decided to document the next year this way..

Basically this entails taking a photo a day for one year. For me that also means a bit of journaling about each photo and combining it into a project binder/scrapbook. I was lucky enough to find the CK Becky Higgins 365 project Kit of the Month (from another scrapper who received several by mistake in that whole CK KOTM order fiasco). I just got mine in April and decided that MAY is a great time to start. That is the beauty of your life… there is no "right" day to start a project or documenting your everyday life. It just happens my birthday is May 17th, so I felt like what a great way to see my year unfold in photos.

I added a Project 365 album here on my blog so you can browse what actually makes up my everyday life and see the progression with me on my highlighted photos. I encourage all of you (scrapbookers or not!) to take on this type of challenge/project. It has really opened my eyes to how fast a week goes, how fast my son keeps changing, and compliments carrying over my "Little Things that Make Me Happy" philosophy that I started on my blog not too long ago. 

Yep, it is a bit of work to remember to take the photos, etc. in the beginning, but I am an avid photographer anyhow, and with the help of my iPhone there is NO excuse not to get the one shot I need… I carry it everywhere, and it is so fun to see the candidness that the iPhone allows me to get. Honestly it is about capturing the moment for me, not so much the perfection of the photo – although I am stickler for quality it makes it hard to just let go of that in my process so far. I am overall impressed with the quality of my iPhone photos that I have gotten processed and try not to play with them in Photoshop too much. It is really a challenge to take the photos in landscape format, so sometimes I have to roll with what I have and edit it later.

So, here's to another year of my thirties – I forecast this year will be less stressful, more grateful, and hopefully a new beginning in how I look at myself through 365 days of photos. 

Cupcakesphotosh


May 15 2009

Keeping on top of the big and little things…

My "Little Things That Make Me Happy" this week are:

Bailey's band concert last night. Trevor was able to take a day off during the middle of the week to come (good thing, because everyone we invited bailed on attending – lots of legit stuff, just a bummer that no one could make it.) I just downloaded the photos and the video off of my Nikon and for some reason the sound did not record. I guess it was one of those days. That is why you always do photo AND video to cover your butt just in case. :)

I love the way the kids smile and laugh as soon as Mr. Robles turns to them as they prepare to start a piece of music. I remember all of my favorite music teachers doing just this. It was like an ice breaker, a quick reminder of unique things on this song to remember, a goofy smile or face, or a wink. A total "inside joke" for all of us that practiced so hard to preform. I loved that closeness and smiled (inside and outside) when I realized Bay is having that same experience. Makes me happy and warms my heart to see us have that connection.

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Had a great Mother's Day. The boys fixed me some cookies, a handmade card, and I got to visit with my mom. I don't need a lot to make me happy… just some time with family, good food, and time to laugh and relax. I also snuck some scrapbook shopping at Michaels in there, too. :) That always makes for a great weekend.

Had time to create. I did some quick thank you's for teacher appreciation week at Bailey's school. He has a lot of teachers to remember now that he is in Middle School. I grabbed my www.paperposies.com May kit, cut out "thanks" with my Cricut and went to town. I had Bay jot down a few things on the notecards and tucked them with a candy bar inside a library pocket, attached them to a paper band around some monogrammed notepads, and wrapped it up with ribbon. The only male teacher (the music teacher) got a symphony bar (appropriate, right?) and a more manly version. It wasn't much, but wanted them all to know we appreciate everything they do.

5.3.09

Bay also had a Young Chautauqua project at school that was so fun! He had been working on this major project for weeks and finally had his presentation (in costume) at the Celebration of Learning night at school. I was stoked he did it at night with the parents so I could attend and take pictures, etc. My mom and Ron came as well, so that was fun they could watch him. Here he is with his buddy, Luke, all dressed up in character (Reginald Fessenden – inventor of the modern radio)…

5.7.09

On a side note – it was scary to do the mustache on him that night. We laughed when I drew it on and I said that soon he would have his own (literally) and we would look back on this and laugh. He is not a little kid anymore!


May 4 2009

Things that make me happy… Feels like summer… Finally!

Just snapped this shot if my shopping cart while waiting to check out at Lowe's. They make me happy. So much rain and snow lately that I decided to pick these up and get started on some planting. :) Happy Monday!

Things that make me happy... Feels like summer... Finally!


Mar 6 2009

No. 13 – a BIG thing that makes me happy!

No. 13 – is no little thing… it is a BIG thing today!

Bay got straight A's again this year for the 1st and 2nd trimester (of 6th grade)! He rocks! I went to parent-teacher conferences today with him and brought my mom along… she loves to come and hear the teachers comments on Bailey. He never ceases to amaze me. The teachers have nothing but positive things to say, and I am blessed!

I am sure some think it is "just" 6th grade, but the consistency of his grades, personality, and traits are what really impress me… It feels SO good knowing he has done so well in the middle school transition. He is in a gifted and talented class which works at an accelerated pace (they work 1 year ahead of normal classes). It is a struggle as a parent to know your child is GT and to try to keep them challenged. It is even harder when they start to get older and have all the other distractions with girls, friends, and social stuff. We ALL remember those middle school days!

Here is a handwritten sheet they gave us during the conferences with notes and grades. (We get the official one with all his core and elective classes in the mail.) Seeing the comments and grades means so much more handwritten by his teachers, and I totally appreciate the time it takes for them to do this for each kid.

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High five Bay!

Mar 5 2009

Details No. 12 – things that make me happy!

Ok, No. 12… getting good mail! Who doesn't like a great mail day? 

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I love getting a new magazine or something good to read in the mail (or scrap or craft related is always a plus).
I sub to CK and Martha Stewart (got her sub for free instead of using my tiny bit of frequent flyer miles that were going to expire last year… which was totally fine by me). I have subbed to Creating Keepsakes FOREVER and have been sad that Simple Scrapbooks is not publishing any longer. 

You should have seen Bailey's face as he grabbed the mail for me and was SO disappointed that it was a load of girly stuff for me instead of his beloved Lego Brickmaster subscription and new Lego set... and he just said, "Maybe tomorrow?!" with a pitiful (but cute) half-smile. Gotta love being the only girl in the house.

Totally not an exciting post, but definitely one of those little details that made me a happy girl today. :)


Mar 4 2009

Details No. 10 & 11 – things that make me happy!

Two posts in ONE day?! Guess I am extra grateful today. Or maybe it is that the little things are everywhere once you start looking for them… and it is fun capturing everyday stuff on the iphone because it is just handy?!

No. 10 & 11 –  These two things are very much a part of my daily life: IZZE and my laptop. 

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I happily found my beloved IZZE Sparkling Clementine drink at Natural Grocers after a need to fill in my hole that Starbucks left when I kicked that habit to the curb. It is an all natural pure fruit juice (70%) and sparkling water mix. It is like a bit of sunshine drinking it. Totally an excellent substitute to pop (which I rarely drank anyway) and don't mind sharing it with Bay. Just yummy… and healthy to boot! 

My laptop… pretty self-explanatory. Yes?! I don't do any work (except to answer emails) on this baby… and I will bring it along with me if I need to meet clients for a consultation, etc. for web design. 

I lust after a brand new Mac, but for now a Dell will have to do. Used daily to separate myself from work and my own social stuff/fun stuff I want to do online. I crank up pandora.com, do facebook stuff, scrapbook networking, watch my ustream buddies stream their live shows each week, chat, watch youtube subscriptions (you'd be amazed at how many great projects I see on there, tutorials for work or papercrafting, etc.) What can't you do online anymore?! The beauty of the web… still passionate about it after all these years. Grateful we live in this wonderful age of being able to keep in touch everyday so easily with friends and people we love.

Side note… notice WHO is on my desktop background?!

Mar 4 2009

Details No. 8 & 9 – things that make me happy!


No. 8 - Today on the local radio station Alice 105.9 is having a contest to win a trip to attend "An Inside Look at No Line on the Horizon" hosted by Shirley Manson in Los Angeles, CA on MONDAY.Bradfordwebdesigns-1.com

SOO… I am happily listening all flippin' day (wanted to go for a walk but might miss them playing the two songs to call in!). It makes me happy knowing I have to focus and get a few things done around the house like getting my scrap area back in order after the busy weekend of kit launches. Glad the morning show is over and they are starting to play more music. I was trying to find an FM application for my iphone so I can get outside, but there isn't one I can find (and their online application on the station's site is delayed and needs flash, so that won't work).  Here's my little alarm clock radio that is pounding out the tunes…

Bradfordwebdesigns.com
No. 9 – Here's the stash of supplies I need to put away from the scrapbook kits I got to photograph for the kit clubs I work with for March.
I actually may do some content video's first (for scrapclubs.com), or actually CREATE something! I love to see them all in their own bags, all coordinated, and screaming to be used up. The patterns and textures stir up images of projects I want to use them on. Or I may let them linger a bit longer since I only have a few hours until Bay gets out of school today (it is early release on Wednesday's). I think sometimes the DECISION is the hard part on where I want to spend the few hours I do have to create… there is always so much I want to do!! 


OMGosh… gotta go! A U2 song is ON now on the radio and need to get my game on! ;) SO appropriate it is "Beautiful Day" with our gorgeous 70 degree weather today in Colorado.


Mar 3 2009

Details No. 7 – things that make me happy!

No big surprise if you are following my blog that my No. 7 today is: U2's big album release of NO LINE ON THE HORIZON. Very happy girl today! I so love to see them everywhere on TV (like David Letterman, etc.)… it makes me giddy. I am a nerd because I like to buy the hard copy CD or deluxe box/limited edition sets to collect, and this is one of the only bands I will still do that for! 



Horizon



Feb 26 2009

Details No. 6 – things that make me happy!

No. 6 – Comcast on demand has U2 video and live performances in HD (available until April!) I am beyond flippin' happy!
Good thing football season is over or else Trev would lock up the remote! I am in total heaven.

Details No. 6 - things that make me happy!

Feb 25 2009

Details No. 3, 4 & 5 – things that make me happy!

U2site
No. 3 – A new U2.com website makes me happy…
even better than you can listen to the ENTIRE NEW ALBUM if you are a paid subscriber at www.U2.com

Next Tuesday is coming up fast (the album launch)… and I can't wait to see my favorite band of all time on talk shows like David Letterman EVERY NIGHT next week! I know they are on the Today show on March 6th and rumors about that they are going to announce their new tour. You are going to have to peel me from our TV!

There is nothing better than seeing U2 live! Their new album is definitely different in so many ways, but leave it to U2 to change it up and make you really listen and soak in the music. Not completely 100% in love with the whole thing yet *gasp*! My fav's so far are Get on Your Boots and No Line in the Horizon.

No. 4 – Bailey's picture day and new haircut. No explanation there since most of you know I am an avid scrapbooker… can't wait to see how the turned out. The class photo was a combined 6th grade (3 classes: Gifted and Talented, Young Scholars, and Connections) so that will be a lot of kids instead of his normal GT class only. Here's a photo of him right before leaving for school on picture day 2/24/09 (gotta love the iPhone for a quick photo on the go!)

Bay022409


No. 5 – the new Paper Posies March kit - scrap goodness! Check out the latest new kit I just updated today for Michele at www.paperposies.com.

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Got it in the mail last week to photograph and it is super fresh and fun. I LOVE the new chips from Pebbles. The packaging is just like a bag of chips! So fun. The flowers in this kit are plush and I can't wait to use them. I will probably do a contents video soon for www.scrapclubs.com, so check there soon to see it in more details.