My First Project Life Week

I am really excited to start Project Life - Digital.  This is a system created by Becky Higgins to scrap more of the everyday things in life instead of just events.  I like the concept and I love the way it looks.  Some people have mentioned that it is not creative enough for them and they like the regular 12 x 12 srapping instead.  That is totally fine but I don't seem to get anything done and finished.  So, I am committing to this for the year.  If I get behind....well then I get behind.  But, I won't have to print out my pictures because they will all be digital.  This works better for me.

I purchased the Original kit from jessicasprauge.com  Then I have been downloading some freebies that I see on Pinterest.  I have even created my own 3x4 and 4x6 templates and have created a few of my own cards.  I have not included those on these pages though.  I am just creating a few for future use when I have time.  I also purchased the stitched lines to make it look like page protectors.  I think they are fun.  Those I got at designerdigitals.com

First I created a title page:

I would like to have a family picture or something on the title page so I will think about it.  I can change it anytime!

Here are my week one pages:

What do you think?  Are any of you doing Project Life?  And how long have you been working at it?  I think I am hooked!

Until next time,
Michelle

A Muse A Palooza Blog Hop - Musically Inclined

Welcome to Moxxie's January Muse-A-Palooza Blog Hop!  This month you could win the entire Musically Inclined collection, which captures a wonderfully vintage feeling in shades of cream, maroon, brown and teal.   It is perfect for any of your music themed projects.

To have a chance at winning, you need to follow the hop through all eleven participating blogs, check out the beautiful work of the Moxxie Muses, and leave a comment for each of them. Comments will close at midnight CST on Tuesday, January 8th. Winner will be announced the next day on the Moxxie blog. International fans are welcomed to play along if they agree to pay shipping in the event of their win. 

Ready to hop and be inspired by the rest of the Moxxie Muses?  Remember to leave your comments along the way for your chance to win the Musically Inspired collection!  
   

 Got Moxxie        

Susie Bentz  

 Patti Hamil   

Cathy Harper 

     Michelle James 

  Rebecca Price 

    Misty Rushlow 

     Mary Pat Siehl 

    Dana Tatar   

    Rhonda Van Ginkel 

    Ange Weisback

I had fun with this layout of Brian in Marching Band during the St. Pat's Parade in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  

As well as the Musically Inclined papers I added brown swirls from the Forever Family Die Cut sheet and two of the mini die cut papers that Moxxie offers.  I think they all go well together and I even managed to match some of the greens that go along with St. Paddy's!

I hope you like my layout and all of the rest of the fabulous projects from the Muses.

Next you will hop to Rebecca's Blog.

Until next time,

Michelle

Are You Stress-Free?

I know that the Holidays are not quite over, but most of us have our gifts purchased and mostly wrapped by now and are working on baking and planning the meals.  My question to you is, "Have you had a stress-free holiday season?"

I wanted my friend Peggy to have just that, so I made her the best countdown to Christmas ever.  She is a wine lover and I thought this would be the perfect gift for her.  She started on December 13 and gets to have a glass/bottle of wine each evening through Christmas Eve!  Nice, right?  It would be fun with beer for a guy or with wine coolers or Mike's Hard Lemonade...anything would work.

I purchased three of the single serving four-packs of wine and covered them with labels I made from the "I Believe" digital kit from Mindy Terasawa shown below .  I love this kit and have used it a lot.  I think I purchased it from designerdigitals.com 

It was a lot of fun to make and I think she really liked it.  I suggest this next year for any of your friends who love wine or beer and may have a little, or a lot of stress!

Until next time,
Michelle

Moxxie Winterland Blog Hop

Welcome to our December hop! This month, you could WIN the gorgeous Winterland collection, composed of frosty shades of blues and purples:

To have a chance at winning, you need to follow the hop through all eleven participating blogs, check out the beautiful work of the Moxxie Muses, and leave a comment for each of them. Comments will close at midnight CST on Tuesday, December 11. Winner will be announced the next day on the Moxxie blog. International fans are welcomed to play along if they agree to pay shipping in the event of their win. Ready to hop and be inspired?


       Got Moxxie
       Susie Bentz
       Patti Hamil
       Cathy Harper
       Michelle James - You are here
Rebecca Price
       Misty Rushlow
       Mary Pat Siehl
       Dana Tatar
       Rhonda Van Ginkel
       Ange Weisback

I love this time of year and I always, always make my Christmas cards.  The last couple of years I have made digital cards with Photoshop Elements and some holiday kits.  When I had my store I always made them traditionally with stamps and everything.  LOL!  I love to put my kids pictures on the front so my relative and friends from California can see how they grow each year.  As the years pass, they are not as cooperative (well, one of them isn't).    Anyway, I may have to forget the pictures if he doesn't smile or something.  Or, I guess I could just use the grumpy picture that I do get.

The point to this story is that I love making the cards to send.  And I love to come up with fun ways to give gift cards.  So, I made one of each to show you today and hopefully inspire you to create your own cards and gift card holders.  I hope you enjoy them!

Gift Card Holder - Front

Back

Inside

Keep hopping.  You will go to Rebecca's blog next.

Until next time,
Michelle

A Heck-of-a-Deal!

For all of you Moxxie fans out there (and how could you not be) or any of you who would like to try some Moxxie products here is a wonderful cyber deal they have going on through December 11th or while supplies last.  Click on the pictures to take you to their site.

There is a Holidays and Seasons Assortment

A Boy Assortment

and a Girl Assortment

Look at the value of these...$175.00 all for $30 and a flat rate shipping of $5.  WOW!  You could give a lot of gifts with these or use it for yourself.  (no one will know)  LOL!  Head on over the the Moxxie Blog to get the full scoop!

They usually don't sell to the public (only to wholesale stores) so this is an awesome opportunity.  I hope you will check it out and share with your friends too!

Happy shopping!

Until next time,
Michelle

Holiday Planning and Organizing - Tis the Season

I love a Holiday Planner.  I need lists in my life and this really helps me. Especially when I am shopping.  I started making a planner for myself in 2006 I believe.  The first one I made is still my favorite and although I have not kept the calendar up to date, I still like to use it because it fits in my purse and it is pretty durable.

It is made from a small book of index cards that I purchased at an office supply store in our town.  I used My Minds Eye papers and embellishments and a Hero Arts Chipboard letter.  I made the tabs with a sharpie marker and some clear contact paper before adding them to the pages.

I made pockets for coupons, receipts and a special section for gift lists.  I love, love, love it!

Two years ago, I really wanted a planner to house all of the addresses I use for sending cards.  This was a digital download from jessicasprauge.com.  It is adorable and works really well for my address list.  I have not used the other pages but they are nice.  I printed the pages and used some chipboard for the front and back covers.  All I had to do was punch holes and put it altogether.  Easy Peasy!

The next one I made for a class that I taught last year with the Moxxie Party at the Pole line.  I used lunch bags for pockets and it was super cute.  I also made sections.  What is nice about making your own is you can customize each section of your planner to fit your needs.  I love that.

So, these are the planners I have made and used over the years.  I am thinking about making another one this year just because it is so fun!  There are tons of ideas out there and if you are on Pinterest you can search for  "holiday planner" and you will get a ton.  These are just a few links I found that caught my eye.


http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2011/10/my-2011-holiday-planner.html


http://christmas.yourway.net/christmas-planning-ebook-printables/


http://mymindseye.typepad.com/blog/2010/12/1st_designer_of_christmas_tamara_jensen.html


http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/10/18/10-in-10-guest-bloggers-the-sisters-behind-eighteen25/

So, there you have it...tons of ideas for being totally organized this holiday season.  Now, take me advice and have some fun too.  An organized season is a more stress-free season!

Until next time,
Michelle

My New Adventure

I am excited to announce my newest adventure.  I was chosen as one of the new Design Team members at Practical Scrappers.  I will be designing on the Specialty Team.  That means I get to use Frugal Finds, design mini albums, altered art and the like!  My term starts in January and goes through June 2013.

If you get a minute, check out the website and some of the other designers blogs.  I am amazed at the talent and am honored to be listed among them.



Have a great weekend!  Until next time,
Michelle