Commitment

It's that time again ... time for resolutions, a clean start, a new year. Once again, I'll be participating in One Little Word.

I had to look back on this blog post to recall my past words:
2007: BELIEVE
2008: FOCUS
2009: BALANCE
2010: SIMPLIFY
2011: LOVE

And drumroll... my word for 2012: MORE!
I originally was going to go for LESS (stress less, weigh less, eat out less...) but wanted a positive spin on my word, so I'm going with MORE. I decided I want to love MORE, save MORE, move MORE, enjoy MORE, forgive MORE, and live MORE this year.

Since I couldn't even recall my 2010 word let alone remember doing anything with my word in 2011, I decided to make a commitment to making MORE a part of my life in 2012. I joined the One Little Word class, and look forward to documenting my word this year.


Oh ... but that's not all! I also just decided to do Project Life in 2012. I've enjoyed capturing my every day with past projects (Week in the Life and December Daily), but struggle with putting it all together. I want to stress less and document MORE! There are so many awesome Project Life ideas out there - but I'm aiming to just do it with less stress! It won't be perfect, but it will be my life!

Stay tuned to how Project Life and One Little Word impact my year ... maybe I'll even blog MORE in 2012. ;)

Week in the Life

Once again, I'm participating in Ali Edwards' Week in The Life ... only this time, I'm hoping to actually do something with the pictures I take. ;) I printed Ali's daily sheets, have started to take pictures ... and am trying to document more of the every day. Sure my life isn't super exciting right now - but I try to think how cool would it be to see my grandma's life at 33, or my great grandma the month after she was married.

An inspirational quote found on Amy Tan's blog:
"In this world, somehow an ordinary life has become synonymous with a meaningless life. And so often we are missing what is truly important because we are on the quest for what is extraordinary. Not understanding that in our ordinary lives, in the ordinary moments of our lives, is really where we can find the most joy. " -Brene Brown

This is my life, right now ... off to document it.

Cleaning out my Stash

Local ladies ... are you looking for some discounted crafty goodness? Several of my friends are on design teams (and get lots of extra product!) and we're having a scrapbooking garage sale on Saturday, March 20. There are over ten of us participating, so you're guaranteed to get a wide variety with a bunch of great stuff.

My word this year is simplify - so I'm working on organizing, purging and using my stash! And since the sale isn't held at a LSS, I'll actually get cash and not just store credit (to buy more!!)

Wish me luck with sorting and pricing ... :)

Good Grief: Use the Alphabet

A new challenge was posted at Good Grief: to use the alphabet in my layouts.

I took a different alphabet interpretation to both my layouts. I decided to use the alphabet as a springboard, and tell the story of how Kath changed her last name several years ago.

A True Family Name
Journaling: Kath & Grandma went to Sweden in June 1999… the trip changed their lives. After she returned home, Kath decided she needed to honor her Swedish heritage, and her Grandpa. She went from a Waters to a Johanson.

I have always called my Grandma, “Grandma Em”, so this was an easy letter to pick! I wanted to document the story of how she became Grandma Em (despite not being an Emily!), so it worked well for this challenge. This was inspired by a Studio Calico class I took at CKC.

Grandma M
Journaling: Before she was a Mom & Grandma, she earned a degree from UW and worked at a dairy. Story goes that she wore an extra jumpsuit, embroidered with “Em.” She was never Grandma Marion or Finnegan, always Grandma M. And I’m proud I made her a Grandma.

Thanks for looking!

Good Grief: Scrap without Photos

The current challenge was posted last week at Good Grief. This was challenge #13 ... hard to believe we've been at this for 6 months already! This challenge was to scrap without photos. I managed to finish both layouts at a retreat a couple weeks ago with some girlfriends ... it's so nice to get some quality crafty time in.

Auntie Bugs

I've been wanting to tell this story for awhile ... this was the perfect opportunity!

Journaling: The story: When I was a toddler, Kath babysat me … I was crying. To try and make me stop, she shrieked about a spider. The giggles started and we went searching for buggies. And she’s been my Auntie Bugs ever since.

Raisin Love

This was just another story I wanted to document and remember.

Journaling: Every week, Grandma would pick me up from Jo Anne’s house on Fridays. Waiting for me in the car was a snack … always raisin, sittin on the dash. I see raisins now and smile, thinking of her.

You can see more here.

Circle Journals

Last Fall, I signed up to participate in a circle journal over at SIS. For you non-scrappers, a CJ is where you create a mini-album with a topic, send it throughout a group of people to complete a layout and pass it on. By the time it comes back to you (full circle), the book is complete!

The theme of my book was Favorite Cause- I wanted to know which charities are most important to everyone. So far I've received 3 different circle journals for this group.

And here are the layouts I've completed so far:

A Christmas Tradition
The theme of this one was Favorite Recipe. Journaling: This casserole is a Christmas morning tradition. So good to enjoy once a year. After presents, enjoy with some orange juice, before a holiday nap. Delicious!

So Many Quirks So Little Time
This book's theme is to document our quirks. As you can see, I have too many to pick one! :) Journaling: I admit it ... I'm pretty quirky! Whether it's out of habit or reason, I definitely have my fair share of quirks. Trouble is identifying something that's not an idiosyncrasy! Here are just a couple of my quirks: I always clean my home in the same order, I make my bed every morning, I go to Starbucks almost every day, I look at my bank accounts daily. (and the list goes on!)

Grey
And this CJ was about our favorite color. Journaling should be clear, but just in case: My favorite color right now is grey. I like wearing it, scrapping it, decorating with it ... it's my go to color right now. Love it!

It's kind of a fun project - taking on various challenges & subjects, and in the end you have a full album from a variety of scrappers!

Good Grief: Word Association

A new challenge was posted today at Good Grief! This challenge was to use word association - it's fun to see the different takes on the challenge.

My layouts and explanations:

This picture isn’t the best of Katherine, but it was a wonderful moment I wanted to capture. Exactly one year ago, I was on a cruise with Katherine (and some of my family). We were all aware that this would be her last vacation, but tried to enjoy each moment. This picture was on the bus from the airport to the cruise terminal – Katherine was singing, laughing and clapping while talking to a smile child sitting nearby. This was exactly how she was all the time – always connecting with everyone around us. :)

Joy

Journaling: Daughter, sister, aunt, partner ... but she was so much more. Funny, loving, giving, focused, generous, forgiving, story-telling, present. But the word that best describes her: joy.

This next layout didn't start the way I had planned, but when I saw this patterned paper, I thought it would be perfect for word association. I made a list of words I thought described my Grandma, and started adding the words to the different shapes. Once it was finished, I realized one important word missing: “missed” so added it to a pop-dotted label to the picture.

She Is...

Journaling: She is... faithful, organized, gentle, sensitive, patient, unselfish, poised, devoted, efficient, endearing, grandmother, hospitable, honest, loyal, helpful, fair, loved, caring, independent, nice, tender, beautiful, sweet, practical, trusting, loving, smart, genuine, mom, dedicated, missed.

Thanks for looking!

Catching Up

After the craziness of the holidays (and a broken pipe - what a mess!) I'm finally able to catch up on my to do list! I have a couple of Good Grief challenges that I'm just getting around to posting:

Resolve to Make a Tradition
Jubilee

Journaling: For Katherine’s birthday, I needed to find a way to honor her … to turn our grief to celebration. I planned a group dinner at Jubilee Women’s Center – nearly a dozen friends & family showed. After a quick speech, we ate our spaghetti dinner and talked to the residents. This cause was perfect … and I know she was there with us.

I resolve

Journaling: To take more pictures just because, to document the little moments, to capture candid shots, and to not worry what others think. I wish I had more pictures of Grandma, but I cherish these ones.

You can also see the layouts here.

Capture a Favorite Place
Right Here

Journaling: My favorite place was anywhere, as long as we were all together. I love our family gatherings, and I know you did too. We'd laugh, cry, play games and tell stories. Some of my best memories were during these occasions. And its not the same without you.


Journaling: You loved being on Maui, with all of us there. We went twice as an entire family. So much fun from synchronized swimming to the daily 5:00 conch shell, it was nice for us to all be together. This picture at Bubba Gumps in Lahaina cracks me up I still smile looking at you in Forrest Gumps shoes. :) I miss those happy times.

I have one and a half of my two layouts done for the next challenge (will be posted on the 1st). It's really nice to be caught up ... I need to do these layouts, not only for my commitment to Good Grief, but it's quite healing and therapeutic for me.

Good Grief: Preserve Handwriting

Yes, it's time for a new challenge at Good Grief! This challenge was an easier one for me: to document and preserve handwriting.

Without further ado:
{1 of a Kind}
Journaling: Kath’s handwriting is truly one of a kind. Beyond her fun scrawl, the words she wrote were filled from her heart. Envelopes were filled with doodles – a bright ray of sunshine in a stack of bills. Her last card is my favorite, though. Hardly legible, it took several tries … but it says it all: “I love you Jenny”.

Lovingly
Journaling: These are it – the last bits of her handwriting on cards I received before she passed away. I love seeing her even script – it brings back so many memories. The best touch? Her closing: always ‘Lovingly’. (Hidden on tag): When she was admitted to Overlake back in 2000, one of the first things I did was look for cards from her. I sat on my closet floor, crying, just wanting to see her handwriting, hoping the cards wouldn’t end.

Over the next couple days, you will see a closer look at the layouts, as well as learn the story behind each one. Please let me know if you join us in this challenge!

Good Grief: Favorite Foods

It's that time again at Good Grief! This challenge was to "list her favorite foods". I chose to take a different twist on this challenge, and focus on a couple of favorite food-related memories.

Most Favorite Cake Ever

Journaling: This was a birthday I will never forget. For the first time in days, Kath was able to leave the house. We went to Dad & Peg’s for a tiny celebration. She wanted to get me a cake with bugs – and that’s what I had! She endured pain to join the party – I felt the love. Having her was my greatest gift.

Family Tradition

Journaling: Several years ago, Grandma started making her soup on Christmas Eve. We never needed an entire, huge meal … and all the grandkids were too excited to eat (since presents were after.) Split pea soup became our tradition. Grandma kept notes of just how much we needed, year after year, so we always had just enough. Grandma’s Split Pea Soup – a favorite family tradition.

As a reminder, a closer look at my layouts, along with the stories behind them, will be posted in a couple of days over at Good Grief.

Send Love Today

This morning I saw a post on Write.Click.Scrapbook that immediately caught my eye.


Send Love Today is "an organization whose goal is to create hope and happiness for people suffering with any type of brain cancer and their families. Volunteers sign up to do one of two things: 1) send out a certain number of cards per week to an assigned patient (aka: friend) or 2) make cards at their leisure which they send to Send Love Today who distributes them to friends as needed."

This is a charity I can certainly support! A couple years ago, I posted a request on scrapbooking message board Two Peas in a Bucket to send cards to Katherine to brighten her days. I was overwhelmed with many cards; here are just a few:


And the response was just what I was hoping for:


In 2009, one of my resolutions was to send more cards, especially one "just because." {You may have been a lucky recipient! :)} I thought this charity is perfect - I can spread joy AND send more cards!! I just signed up and I'm looking forward to sending cards to someone in need of some cheer.

As a side note, over the past two years, I have tried to volunteer with a different organization each month. (2009 was a bit more sporadic, hoping I get back in 2010!) If you know of any charities looking for help, please let me know. I'm always interested in helping a new organization, and learning about different charities.

So many challenges...

Yesterday I didn't have anything major planned, so ended up participating in a few online scrap challenges. I had a blast - it's good to push outside my comfort zone every now and then!

We had an online crop over at Good Grief yesterday. I posted three challenges: an advice challenge, a cardstock & story challenge, and a re-challenge challenge. The last two are layout challenges, so I'll pick random winners next Sunday (which will hopefully give me time to complete the challenges myself!) I was able to do 2 layouts for other challenges though.

This challenge was to document a trip taken with a lost loved one - I scrapped a picture of Kath & I from the cruise I went on with my family in February:

Journaling reads: I want to remember this moment forever. The cruise was so perfect: laughing, smiling, making memories and trying to forget about cancer. The timing couldn't have been better - we celebrated life before we would lose Katherine a mere 4 months later. I cherish these memories.

This challenge was to use only chipboard & cardstock ... it was HARD! That's what challenges are for, right? I was inspired by Tania Willis with the tone-on-tone cardstock.

Journaling: This is my family... with marriage, divorce, non-blood relations, untraditional relationships ... but lots of love.

I also completed 3 layouts for another group of challenges - this was just a group of scrappers emailing each other different challenges.

The first challenge was to only use scraps and products within reach. This is Andrea and me at a local scrap retreat.

Journaling reads: So much fun hanging with this girl. She inspires me, makes me laugh, _and_ knows the importance of self-portraits!

Next was to use a fun color combo ... I'm loving gray & orange right now! Earlier this year I went to a trivia fundraiser with a few friends in Seattle - this picture was from that night.


The last one I did was to use white as a background ... another tough one! When I was in CA last year, Christina and I went to Sprinkles ... YUM!


Thanks for looking ... hoping I get the chance to do some more challenges this week!

Good Grief: Document a Game

It's time for a new challenge at Good Grief! This challenge was a bit light-hearted, a nice change from the tear-invoking layouts! We were to document a game we had played.

First up, my layout for Katherine:

She Likes...

Journaling: (on envelope) She likes: puppies but not dogs, books but not magazines, giggles but not smiles, jogging but not walking, butterflies but not ladybugs, Halloween but not Christmas...

(on tag, in envelope) Kath introduced us to this fun game without telling us how to play. We just had to listen & guess what was next. If we were correct, we played along until everyone ‘got it.’ The game would start randomly, as someone else thought of more things that ‘she liked’...

Can you figure out the game??

And my layout for my Grandma:

Wheel of Fortune
Journaling: A favorite memory I have is watching Wheel of Fortune with Grandma. We’d try to guess the puzzles, as Grandpa sat in his chair, reading with his pipe. Not quite sure why this memory sticks out, but it’s one I’ll cherish from my childhood, especially now that she’s gone.

I apologize for the lack of picture quality - I recently got a new laptop, and my Photoshop Elements isn't cooperating. I had to be creative for photo editing (I used Picnik) but it looks like I sized the layouts too small!

Please link me to your layouts if you play along - I love to see how everyone interprets the different challenges!

Making Memories

Scrapbooking manufacturer Making Memories recently requested stories from those impacted by breast cancer, in honor of October being breast cancer awareness month.

I'm honored that my story is posted today!

I like to tell my friends and family "we're making memories" and I'm touched that Making Memories allowed me to share my story.

On a related note, my sweet friend Andrea Ancich recently used Making Memories' slice and Think Pink slice card to create a layout of us at the 2008 3 Day, as well as some cards for her design contribution at Lasting Memories. Aren't they beautiful?

Good Grief: Have a Conversation

It's that time again ... a new challenge is up at Good Grief! This challenge was a bit difficult for me - we documented what a conversation with our loved one would be like. I just jotted down some thoughts of what I would say if I were to talk to either Kath or my Grandma.

WWKD

Journaling reads: Note to Self: I wonder all the time what Kath would do. I’m more understanding & sympathetic… I give money to the homeless, I’m present. She continues to make me a better person. I miss her so much.


Heaven

Journaling: A few questions: What is it like? Beautiful & light? Have you seen your relatives & friends who have passed? Did you give Michael a hug for me? Are there just spirits, or does everyone look like they do on Earth? Do you realize how often I think of you? I see a butterfly float by and smile … almost like you’re checking in with me. I hope heaven is as magical as I imagine it to be … and you’ll be waiting.

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbooking Extravaganza!!!

I was out of town this weekend at a camp out on the peninsula, for a weekend of scrapping, laughing, snacking, and hanging out with some of my fave girls! Friday was a *crazy* day at work (meetings from 7:30-4:30, straight!) so right after work I headed out. It was fabulous to spend the weekend with the craftiest girls I know - it's always too long between our visits. :)

We did something different this time around, and completed 3 Round Robin challenges. The short of it: you start with your own picture and background paper, and every 5 minutes, you pass it on to the next person to embellish the layout. After 10-12 people work on the layout, it comes back to you! I love these challenges... so much fun to see how everyone interprets your picture, tries new techniques, and how the layouts change since you worked on them. I LOVE how my layouts turned out (although I can't take credit - since I all did was pick out the background paper and the pictures!):




I also worked on my layouts for the next Good Grief challenge, some cards, layouts made from page kits, as well as a couple layouts just because. (The Good Grief layouts will be posted on the 15th.) Here are a couple of the other layouts I did:


And here are my ATCs for the favorite drink ATC swap at Scrap in Style:


Such a fun weekend ... we already have started planning our next one - and I can't wait!

Forever a student

I always have enjoyed learning, and even now that I'm done with my education, I still like to learn. I've taken a couple online crafty classes recently ... fun because I end up with a beautiful project AND I don't have to think at all! :)

Last month I took Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class, and although I haven't made the mini book yet, I did journal something I learned each day throughout the September. I'll get to the mini eventually!

Right now I'm taking a class by Christina Clouse called Bits and Pieces. I love Christina's style, so quickly registered when she listed the class for sale. The album is cute so far (just have the foundation of the album done!) I bought the kit that corresponds with the class so it's super simple to follow along and do exactly what she does! Sure, we have creative flexibility to 'make it ours' ... I just like to follow directions and not have to think too much. If it worked for her, why mess with it?! :P I'll show the mini book once I'm done ... also, it's not too late to join if you're interested.

Good Grief: Ask A Child

Time for another challenge at Good Grief! This challenge was to ask a child about your loved one. Since I don't have any children in my life that I could talk to about my aunt or Grandma, I thought I'd journal to myself as a child. My layouts for this challenge:

Did You Know?
Journaling (on tag): Did you know? She would change your life more than you could ever imagine? She was more than an aunt, but an inspiration? You would later cherish these times, wondering what you two were thinking? You would wish you could spend just one more day with her?

Remember
This layout didn't include anywhere I could put journaling. So I'm going to be including the story of this picture on the back of the layout: This picture of my Grandma and me represents a day where one of my very first memories happened. We were taking a ferry to visit my granparents' good friends, the Becks. I remember sitting on Isabelle Beck’s countertop as she painted my toenails ... and years later, I still referred to her as the lady who painted my toenails. At only 27 months old, I don’t remember many details of the day, or the ferry ride, but I love this picture, knowing that one of my first memories at that time was later documented.

Thanks for looking - and be sure to link up your layouts if you play along. I'd love to see them!

Good Grief: Favorite Photo

I was late in posting my layouts for the last challenge at Good Grief. I skipped a week - and actually did the challenge that was to launch on 10/1 instead of the 9/15 one. So I'm just catching up! This challenge was to use a favorite photo. Here are my layouts for this challenge.


George
Journaling: Just looking at this picture cracks me up! Kath was always so funny. I remember laughing until I could hardly breathe as a child - she's always been hilarious. Here she is, impersonating George Washington at her birthday talent show. We laughed so hard cherishing these fun memories together.

I want to be loved like that
Journaling: I love this picture of Grandma & Grandpa a little kiss, caught on film. Married for 57 years, he still called her Princess. He worked hard out of the home, and she worked raising 3 daughters. Im sure it wasnt always perfect, but their love withstood the hard times, and the love showed with nicknames and little kisses after nearly 60 years.

You can click on the layouts to see them better, or read 'my story' behind the layouts on the site.

Thanks for looking!

Good Grief: Spill It

It's time for another challenge at Good Grief!

This challenge was to Spill It ... just write what you feel. I again did two layouts. I'm really enjoying these challenges; I hope you are too!

My layouts will be shown in greater detail later this week, but I thought I'd post them here with the journaling.

This Moment


Journaling: I will never, ever forget this moment. I had walked 60 miles, and was exhausted, mentally and physically. I wasn’t sure she’d be there. It was hot, she was in the middle of radiation treatment and was two days away from her mastectomy. I would understand of course. But then I saw her, my motivation and inspiration, & the tears flowed. The emotions were raw. She was there to celebrate me, as I honored her. We took this picture, both of us in pain but celebrating the moment. I will continue to fight for her until I’m no longer able. And I know she’ll be there, cheering me on.



The Place to Go
Journaling:
I love having a place to go, a place to talk to you. Some times I just need to talk to you … I stopped by to tell you about my life – what was good, what scared me. I told you I met someone, and I was falling in love. I still hear your voice, calling me Jenny. I go here to remember you, to recall the memories we’ve shared. Wearing your apron, taking ‘orders’ for dinner – watching Wheel of Fortune – eating raisins out of the box. I miss you, and I hope you know how much I love you. You brought our family together. I find an old card, signed ‘Lovingly, Grandma’ and I ache for you. I knew I would lose you eventually – but I still wasn’t ready. I wished you were at my wedding & would be a great grandma. I see a butterfly float by, and it’s you, giving me a sign. Just when I needed it. Just like you used to do. I love you, Grandma. Lovingly, Jenny


I'll be honest, quite a few tears fell while I worked on these layouts. It was a comforting, therapeutic cry, though... just writing from the heart.