Hello 2017!

We’re up and running with a new year ahead of us, and the thought that keeps coming back to me is how thankful I am for fresh starts! I’m excited!

I’m looking forward to a year of getting stuff done and that includes continuing to document our family’s story, getting our photos off our phones and camera and computer, and getting the stories down on paper. I don’t have a grand plan to change things up, but what I do have is a mindset to not make things any more complicated than they need to be and continue to do “what works” for me.

That means creating pocket pages (or doing “Project Life”) and hybrid scrapbook layouts to capture a mix of our big and little stories. I’ve got a 12×12 album and a variety of page protectors. What’s working for me right now is the 9×12 pocket pages! Love them! But I haven’t made the full leap to a 9×12 album yet. I like knowing that I can use a combination of sizes and formats as big as 12×12 when I’m up for it.

My album will be chronological and monthly, but for the sake of getting it done, I need a bit more structure to guide my process. Working one week at a time as I put the spreads together really helps, along with a little bit of flexibility to add more pages or take them out as needed.

So, having said all that, I’ve got my first spread done for 2017!!

I love our stories. Love them!

I think that’s probably a huge factor in why I choose to include so much journaling in spreads. I start each spread by looking at the photos I have to choose from for the week and picking my favourites. I usually end up with waaaaay to many, but I start to narrow down which ones are keepers based on the stories I want to tell.

This year, I’ve started something a little different to help jog my memory when I’m playing “catch up” or making spreads way way after the time frame I’m trying to document. I picked up a really cute planner/organizer from Chapters and I’m using it to jot down a few notes about the events of the day. It might include quotes from my kids, reflections on something I saw or read or heard, observations about our habits or the things we’re loving (and not loving), the highlights and/or the challenges from the day, etc. It’s like a journal, but with just a few point form notes. Just enough to remind me about why I took a certain photo or to remind me to include the stories that don’t have photos (which I would have otherwise forgotten).

One of the thoughts on my mind this year is creating spreads using the stuff that I love for no other reason than because I love it. There are so many amazing products out there, but my favourites are the journaling cards and embellishments that match in some way with the stories I’m trying to tell. So maybe the spreads won’t always include the super trendy, most recent supplies, or fit a certain “look”. They might look busy at times, and they will pretty much always have lots and lots of words. There might not be a lot of filler or “fun stuff”. I’m okay with that, because that’s not my goal here. My goal (the most important one for me !!) is to tell our stories in a way that makes me happy.

Favourite quote that I discovered on Pinterest last week: “When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with cries of “me too!”, be sure to cherish them. Because those weirdos are your tribe.” I have no idea who said it, but it makes me want to cheer “YES!!”.

A little off topic here, but the way our kids will experience technology in their life is astounding! My kids were totally spoiled with the incredible gift of iPads this Christmas and it has totally opened up a whole new way to communicate with their world. Liam had a sleepover at Grandma and Papa’s house over the weekend. In the few hours he was gone, there were at least 4 FaceTime phone calls and he learned to text message us. Loved waking up to find that he had sent me some of his artwork. He’s been “Facetiming” everyday since with his people 🙂

This spread came together with a few cards from the Studio Calico December and January Documenter kits, digital templates by Paislee Press, and the chipboard embellishments are from Freckled Fawn. (These are not affiliate links, just here for your reference 🙂 )

I’m so incredibly happy to be joining Ali Edwards’ Creative Team for my 3rd year!! When I talk about using products that prompt me and inspire me to tell our stories, Ali’s stuff is EXACTLY what I’m talking about 🙂 Be on the look out for some of those projects coming to this space soon.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!