Make This Album this Weekend!!

 

Looking for a unique way to scrap photos of you? Last year while I was sorting through my triathlon pics (yes, I have finished a Sprint Triathlon-CRAZY, I know!) words describing my emotions of the event began to overcome me. I was reliving my training, my friendships as well as the race. I wanted to get everything I was {feeling} down on paper.

That's when I decided to find the one word that described the event most and use that as my base for the layout both in title and in my journaling. I really love my results and now have these pages in my "Words of Me" Album. 

The photo at the top was taken by my darling husband on my 38th birthday. That's my friend Cody with me flying 180 feet above the ground. It was an amazing experience! Instead of journaling here I just used a definition "JUMP"...because that is exactly what we did [twice]!

This one was taken the morning of my Triathlon in Denver, Colorado back in 2000. It had taken me so much to get here.

The word is DRIVE. The journaling was done on a 7 Gypsies stamp. I also used my horoscope from a newspaper I had been saving. It says..."Today is the time for you to begin to raise your sights and establish loftier goals. Desires and objectives that have appeared out of your reach are now within the realm of possibilities." 

WOW, that really fit the moment I think!!

This page is my favorite. The word is OVERCOME with a photo of the dozens of ladies swimming during the first leg of the race. (a triathlon consists of swimming, biking and running). I use the word overcome for 2 reasons: 1) Water scares me to death and 2) I had to learn to swim before I could do this  race.  I am proud to say I did learn how to swim however, I never have overcome my fear of water.

Along with words that described my own actions I wanted to include my friends and family in my album. This is Holly. She not only raced with me but she taught me how to swim and was my training buddy for months. She gave me so much comfort during the morning before the swim.

The layout below that is just a reminder of how good a friend she was to me.

The layout above is me and Holly making our way to the race area. It's about 5 in the morning here. We had to walk down this super long hill to get to the start line. We have our bikes. I used the word BELIEVE to describe what was running through my head on that long walk. I was petrified here. I knew the swim was less than an hour away and I was truly scared to death. I was trying so hard to believe in me and my ability!

Back to the 180 foot drop I made with Cody...

 

Here we are putting our gear on for the "fly". The word I used was {"daring"}. One of the most daring things I've done!

Here are some tips for creating your very own "Words of Me" album:

*gather at least 10 photos of yourself, friends and/or family that bring out strong emotions in you

*choose a size for your album [this one is an 8x8 my personal favorite size for projects like this]

*use just one photo per page

*along with words you can use phrases. On one of my pages I use "Can Do" and on another "All is Well"

*gather all your pages, stickers, flowers, buttons, (whatever you are going to use) into one place. This just makes it so much easier to work on your album

*keep a thesaurus handy for word ideas

If you have time this weekend why not take an hour or so, gather your photos and supplies and begin thinking about your album. You can do this and you'll be so glad you did!! 

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Wanted to share my photos from yesterday. My mom and I traveled to KC for a dinner theater show...

I really love this photo of us!!!

Then check out what I had for dessert and it was only 180 calories!!

 

It was this strawberry, frozen mousse thing and it was DELICIOUS!

Also, yeah, I changed my Blog look again. This one is just so fresh and summery. LOVE IT!

A Break from the Ordinary and SNOW!!

So today I get a {break} from routine. No cleaning, sorting socks, emptying dishwashers, dusting, scrubbing toilets or shaking rugs. Nope. Not today. Today I get to ride a big bus to Kansas City with approx. 60 other folks for an afternoon dinner theater. My wonderful mom goes on these trips every other month. This month she surprised me with a ticket!! I am so excited!!:) AND looking forward to the lead actress in today's performance...it's Hot Lips from M*A*S*H!! [Loretta Swit] We leave in 2 hours...can't wait!

On another subject...the weather. My goodness. I don't know what it's like where you live but here...

 

This is ALL WE'VE SEEN FOR MONTHS!!!

Yesterday when I took the kids to school I really took time to {see}. And wow, even though I'm sick of the white stuff...it truly was beautiful. I took these photos so I could share.

  

I couldn't resist this one with my sweet little Pooh peeking his head above the now...

So, yeah...I am exhausted by all the snow, the ice, wearing bulky sweaters and coats and I miss going outside for my workouts...but truly, these were some awesome moments to capture.

Before writing this post today I stopped by one of my favorite Blogs on the Web, From Chaos Comes Happiness. Click here to see what I found. Too funny:)

What kind of WORD is that?!

It's Monday...time to post my WORD from last week. Honestly I'm a bit hesitant to post it simply because I'm embarrassed. Why?? Would  you feel confident if your word was

LAZY

Yes...LAZY! Now anybody that knows me KNOWS I am anything BUT lazy. Oh, sure I can lounge around on the couch for hours on a Saturday watching old movies {or Tuesday nights when my fave shows are on...American Idol and Biggest Loser}but for the most part I'm constantly on the move. Picking up the house, running Jacks and Em places, working on church projects or hanging out on my Blog.

But seriously, folks...last week was just a tiresome, lethargic, sloth-like life for me.

I was sick a few weeks ago but this is getting ridiculous! The energy and "get up and go" I've had in months past seems to have got up and left. I think it's all this darn ole SNOW! We got like a FOOT over the weekend...will it ever end???

What about you? Does the weather affect your mood, your energy levels? I'd like to think I'm not alone with this lazy attitude of mine!

3 Layouts (YES, 3!!!)

As my journey through the book "What about the Words" progresses I'm finding myself getting more pages done and more stories told than ever. I am so{ loving this} Scrap2010 project I've given myself!
I am on Challenge #3 in the book. Here is an excerpt:

"Create your own definitions written in classic dictionary style to express sentiment that cannot be summed up in a single word."

This sparked an idea in me I hadn't done in over 2 years. I decided to journal on my computer again and had so much fun. I picked out 2 photos of Emma taken 3 years ago on a school field trip. I just loved how innocent and darling she looked here. Here are the definitions I came up with...

*sweet

*thoughtful

*creative

*loving

I enjoyed coming up with my definitions of each word that so perfectly described my daughter at 10 years old.

The next challenge inspired me a bit differently than the example they showed in the book. Here was the topic...


"With definitions, you can stick with the classic dictionary varieties, but you can also add spice by incorporating the name of a special person who embodies those characteristics." [taken from What about the Words?]

I was inspired to find a poem that best described my girl when she was 3 and 4 years old.

The poem is called "Being a Girl". I found it on Scrapbook.com which is an excellent resource for finding poems, titles and more. Check it out.

My third layout involved another way to use a definition. The suggestion was to expand on a standard dictionary entry, adding bits and pieces of your own words. Here's what I did...

 

The word is "Photogenic"

The journaling reads:

"Forming an attractive subject for photography or having features that look well n a photograph: a photogenic face. Two siblings known as "Jackson" and "Emma" Ackman. Every time a camera is brought out each child assumes a model position, posing for the camera with a big, cheesy grin. Best known for their ability to spread love adn joy to all they meet, Jackson and Emma are the two best kids any family could have. Beautiful, Handsome and full of charm these children were born to be stars!!"

This page was so simple! Took me like 5 minutes!! I printed my journaling on a piece of 8x11 cardstock, adhered both my 4x6 photos onto it then placed that on a piece of 12x12 patterned paper. I wanted to add a bit of something so I found that "you are a work of art" rub-on, put that on then finished with a felt shape at the bottom of the photos. Super easy!!

Really, all my pages were simple and quick to create. I have found the older I get the more simple I want things...including my pages. Scrapping is my hobby, {telling the story is my passion.} The simpler I make the pages the more stories I can tell.

Truly, I just let the photos and the story "speak" to me. Sometimes the pages are more intricate, other times not so much.

I am looking forward to the next few pages. They involve using my favorite quotes, phrases and poems. Should be fun!

How are your creative projects coming along? Did you set a scrapping goal for yourself that you need to work on? Take some time this weekend to play, enjoy and get those [memories] down on paper!!

PS. And one more thing!! I am sooooo tired of looking out my back door and seeing this.

So ready for SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring on the T-shirts!!

Try something old

So today I've been working on Scrap2010. Initially I had gone downstairs to my craft area ready for an hour or so of scrapping. But then I remembered something I had wanted to try but kept putting it off...journaling on my computer!

I know, I know...there is so much talk about journaling by hand and trust me I DO...{A LOT}! In fact most of my projects over the past 2 years have all been written by hand. It's all good and it's so easy but seriously I was ready for something different. So after looking back through pages from a ways back I decided to try computer journaling again. So glad I did....I forgot how much fun it is and how cool it makes my pages look!

I'll be working on putting the pages together later today and tomorrow. I wrote enough for 3 layouts...pretty excited! At least one page will be posted here by Thursday. Can't wait to share.

The Real Thing and Valentine's Day 2010

Last week was a doozy for me. Instead of feeling vibrant and full of energy I was lethargic, queasy, sick and weak. I had a head cold which made me so sleepy. Not only did I miss most of my gym workouts but I barely had the energy to keep up with housework and meals. Anyone that knows me KNOWS it's hard for me to sit still...but sit still I did. Friday afternoon I even laid down for a nap! My word for the week is

Weak

Gosh, I hate to admit that. Weakness doesn't settle well with me! Despite my cold I managed to create a few Scrap2010 pages and work on my Project Life.

Can't remember what Scrap2010 is? Follow along as I journal my way through this book...

 

I just got started last week and am loving it. If you remember last week's layout was inspired by an advertisement. The whole goal was to look at the physical layout as well as where to place the title and journaling. 

This challenge I finished up yesterday focused entirely on the ads slogan or jingle. You know like "Have it your way" from Burger King or "Just Do It" from Nike.

The first idea that popped in my head for this challenge was "Coke, it's the real thing". Maybe it was because I drinking a Coke Zero {i don't know}.

Whatever it was, no matter how hard I tried to think of something else that just seemed to stick And the really cool thing is I had an idea for a page almost instantly.  

This is my friend Lisa. We met 4 years ago and hit it off instantly!! The one word I think of every time I'm with her or talking on the phone is "Real". Hence the title...

"Lisa the real thing"

I then placed other words around our photo that I think fits her perfectly.

Another close-up...this time the journaling along with a cute heart.

 

The journaling reads "We have been friends since 2006. Lisa has always been the most loving and caring person I've ever known. She is a good friend." 

What I loved about this project was how fast I came up with an idea. I may not have scrapped this photo without this inspiration. {I'm always surprised how by thinking a bit differently can help us remember stories or help us tell them in ways we never thought possible}. That's what I love about this book I'm scrapping my way through.

Here's a photo of the darling card Em created for Thomas.

My sweet son surprised me with these Saturday night!!

A photo of me and my honey....

How was your Valentine's Day? What scrappy or craft projects are you working on? I would love to hear about what's going on in your life:)

Fun Friday

So much fun stuff to share today! First off...did you happen to notice, up in the right hand corner of my blog...it says "Words of  Me" message board? I created it yesterday just for FUN. I'll spend more time on it next week...get it all set up. Thought it would be a great way to share pages, journaling ideas and more. Stop by , register and tell your friends.

How cute are they?!

This is my WONDERFUL, amazing, CuTe husband and daughter last Friday night. They were headed out the door for the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance. Sadly this is their last one. Emma will be 13 by next year.

Lovely girl getting ready...

What the back of her hair looked like. This took me forever...

And my very favorite photo...the two of them being silly while getting ready.

Dave is such an incredible father. Truly. We are very blessed to have him in our lives. I've always said he was my angel. I was right.

I have such a GoOD feeling about today. It's Friday! Whoo Hoo! Taking time to work on Scrap2010 this afternoon and Project Life. Two very creative and inspiring projects I've got going on at the moment. Love this feeling.

So thankful I can create, clean my house and just enjoy the day. Here's what I see when I look out my front door...

*Next week I'll have several new pages to share, more Project Life and some journaling ideas and layouts on our message boards. Lots of good stuff happening.

Happy Weekend. Take time to enjoy.

Project Life

First off you'll notice a different Blog look for me. I've tried many different backgrounds with the latest being hearts for Valentine's Day. Truly I'm in love with all things brown, pink and blue plus I adore flowers so when I found this darling background at Aqua Poppy I had to have it!! I think this one will stick around awhile:).

Do you remember a few weeks back when I shouted out with glee that I had purchased Becky Higgins new kit Project Life? Well, I got it and I love it! Here's what I'm doing with it so far.

My Title page

Now, honestly I'm not finished with the title page but I wanted to give you an idea what Project Life is about.

Here's a closer look

The kit came with DOZENS of 4x6 papers like this one (just different colors). I decided to have "Project Life" on my title page simply because I love the way the that describes what I'm doing this year. The foam letters are from American Crafts

I added a family photo taken Thanksgiving. Above that is a journaling card with what we want more of this year. The blue card to the left of our photo is a place for our family goals.

What I LOVE about this kit is how SIMPLE it is. I mean everything is pre-cut...you just choose which one you want and  slip it in the page protector. I plan on adding my own little tidbits like that chipboard heart and family sticker. Also throughout the year I will put receipts, ticket stubs, clothing tags, favorite family recipes, grocery lists-any little bits that will help tell the Ackman Family story this year. You can go here for more great ideas!!

Have you purchased the kit? What do you think about it? What are ways you plan on personalizing it to make it uniquely yours?

Scrap 2010 and My Word

So, I just gotta say how much FUN I'm having with my NEW "Scrap 2010" project. Inspired by the "Julie and Julia Project" I decided instead of cooking my way through a book I would scrap my way through the book "What about the Words".  You can read all about it here. I have also decided to scrap in order. I had considered jumping around and scrapping what struck my mood at a particular time...but I really think going in order is more challenging and fun.

The first challenge in the book is called "Ad-inspired". The challenge is to find inspiration in your local paper or magazine advertisements. I happened to find mine in an old Creating Keepsakes magazine. 

What jumped out at me were the flowers in the corners. Loved that! I have sooooo many flowers and am always looking for a way to use them. I also loved the fact that 3 smaller photos were used. Here's what I came up with.

These are photos of Jackson when he was just a year old back in 1995. Wasn't he a cute little guy? Notice how I used circle stickers in the lower right corner rather than flowers and a journaling sticker on the left.

I just LOVE how the flowers add so much to this layout. And see? You CAN use flowers on a boy page!

This layout was super quick to make. Once I knew the photos I wanted to use it took me just 20 minutes to put together. 

Feel free to make your own "Ad-Inspired" layout. This was so easy and fun to do!!  Leave a comment and a link with your creation. I would love to see what you come up with!

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It's Monday so it's time for My Word from last week! I'm gonna have to go with

Spiritual

–adjective

1.	of, pertaining to, or consisting of spirit; incorporeal.

2.	of or pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature: a spiritual approach to life.

3.	closely akin in interests, attitude, outlook, etc.: the professor's spiritual heir in linguistics.

4.	of or pertaining to spirits or to spiritualists; supernatural or spiritualistic.

5.	characterized by or suggesting predominance of the spirit; ethereal or delicately refined: She is more of a spiritual type than her rowdy brother.

6.	of or pertaining to the spirit as the seat of the moral or religious nature.

7.	of or pertaining to sacred things or matters; religious; devotional; sacred.

8.	of or belonging to the church; ecclesiastical: lords spiritual and temporal.

9.

of or relating to the mind or intellect.

Not only was Sunday a spiritual day in church but my entire week was spent thinking about ways to incoporate peace and the spirit into our lives. My husband and I are working together to ensure our family draws closer together this year like never before. You can feel it in our home, in our speech and in our habits. It is a magical experience so far!

I would love to hear about your word? Please let me know if you're playing along.

I am a Collector of Be's and a NEW Project

"Be grateful. Be smart. Be clean. Be true. Be humble. Be prayerful."
- President Hinckley

This piece of advice was given by one of my favorite men that walked the earth-Gordon B. Hinckley. He was a great leader in my Church...respected, loved and cherished by everyone who ever met him or heard him speak. Sadly, he died a couple of years ago...but his memory lives on in the hearts of so many.

The first time I came across Hinckley's famous "Be" quotation was back in 2006. We were visiting our friends in Utah and I saw the quote hanging above their sink in the kitchen. I LOVED it! It spoke to me on so many levels. "Be grateful. Be smart. Be clean. Be true. Be humble. Be prayerful." It was a like a compass for my life. A reminder of how I envisioned myself to be. The qualities I wanted to pass along to my children.

It was during that summer I became a fan of "Be's". I found myself searching for not only that quote on a plaque but anything with the word "Be" in it.



I've always enjoyed the song "Let it Be" by the Beatles. It's my favorite. That summer I found a shirt with that on front of it! I was thrilled. I wear it often especially on those days I want to feel inspired...like today.

Two summers ago, during one of our Utah trips, we ended up at the Ogden Mall, like always. We hit all our favorite stores like Franklin Covey (yes, I'm a nerd), Aeropostale, American Eagle and Down East Basics. As we were heading out, we happened to go through a HUGE gift type store. There, right by the door was the most amazing grey granite tile I'd ever seen. It said in bold letters "Just Be". Without hesitation I bought it and smiled all the way home. It now sits on top of my armoire in our bedroom. Every morning I'm reminded to let it go. Enjoy life, all those little moments. Don't get uptight over the little stuff. Just Be.

Last fall while back to school shopping with the kids I sound the most perfect "B"...it was a silver necklace...very simple. Just a letter "B" on a small silver circle with another circle (this one gold) that says "Love". Inside the box was a note that said, "Whenever you wear this "B", be reminded of who you are and where you are going. Love the journey." I wear it almost daily. It might sound funny but when I'm wearing it I'm reminded of all those "Be's"...Hinckley's, The Beatles and my "Just Be" plaque. It keeps me calm and on the path I've set out for myself.

Now, it seems, wherever I go I'm in search for more "B's". The letter, the word...it doesn't matter. I just want more. Be's speak to me.

Oh, I did find this website the other day. Of course I had to check it out. She must love "B's" just like me:)

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On a whole other note....

I have a FUN NEW project I'll be starting and want to share with you!!!

See this book?






I bought it a few years ago from Amazon. I keep looking at with every intention of using the ideas to create amazing, story filled scrapbook pages...I just haven't yet. So it hit me today. Why not take a cue from "Julie and Julia" and instead of cooking my way through a book...scrap my way through one! So that's what I'm gonna do!

Beginning Monday I'll be scrapping my way through "What about the Words?" from the Editors of Memory Makers. There are dozens of creative ways to journal your stories from using definitions on your pages to song lyrics and fairy tales. I can't wait to get started!! I'll have my first layout Monday!!:)

If you want to play along go here. They are super cheap on Amazon.

I'm off to work on my Book Project. As I get farther along I'll let you know what I'm doing.

Have an amazing weekend:)

My word and a bit of silliness

I have never been an "orderly" person. It seems throughout my life I've always had piles of books I'm going to read, piles of papers I want to keep and piles of mail I need to go through. There were plenty of times when I still lived at home my Mom would have to get after me to clean up my room. When you think of "order" you never think of me!

However, with the New Year that is slowly but surely changing. I made a promise to myself that this would be the decade I got my act together. This would be the year our home would be clean and stay clean. Every last little nook and cranny.

We all know without a plan, a set of goals not much can be achieved, right? RIGHT! So last week my darling hubby and I sat down, pen and paper in hand to create our goals for 2010. On the top of our list was "Order".




For the past 31 days or so we have got up early (along with our children) to pick up the house before sunrise. We have been working together as a team to do laundry, pick up the living room and clean our rooms. Our home has never looked this good!

Along with having our stuff in order we have made plans to put our business life and spiritual lives in order as well. Just knowing where we're going and having an actual plan to get there has given our home peace.

On another note here is a silly photo of me and Em from a month ago. We had a blast snapping goofy shots of ourselves one afternoon!!





What about you? Do you have things in order in your life? What is one thing you could do today to get more order in your day?