Pinboard :: Grey Days

Credits :: clockwise from top left

terrarium; fudge; cards; kitchen; beauty.

Project Life :: Week 23 (and a little behind the scenes)

Almost halfway through this project and I can't believe how easy it is to stick too. The only hard part lately has been finding enough daylight to take photos and get a blog-post up!

Most of this week's spread is thing that happened in the weekend, but I'm starting to embrace the fact that that really is the way our life happens. SO thats what I'm going to document, rather than trying to force something out of the ordinary weekdays.

And now for a little behind the scenes...

More often than not, this is how my set-up looks when I'm working on Project Life. Because my desk is usually quite full of stuff very important things, I have a little fold-up table that I put my albumor page protector on to work out my card placement. My wee typewriter table gets pulled over when necessary and there is awlays something playing on my computer while I work (this week it was the Ricky Gervais Show). Its messy but it works. Thats what I love about my Project Life.

Another year, another list

Another year older and another list of things to try...

1. Get married!
2. Take a class.
3. Try a new restaurant.
4. Go on holiday.
5. Create some self-care policies.
6. Pay of $5000 of debt.
7. Complete Project Life.
8. Paint a feature wall.
9. Reupholster a chair.
10. Get my licence.
11. Paint a dresser.
12. Finish paying off my computer.
13. Sell a painting.
14. Fill my Smash Book.
15. Upcycle my cabinet.
16. Have professional photos taken.
17. Fit my wedding dress.
18. Find my passion for blogging again.
19. Finish my portfolio site.
20. Have an Arrested Development marathon.
21. Fill my art journal.
22. Finish my Secret Project Life album.
23. Find wedding shoes.
24. Start running.
25. Put all my old photos in an album.
26. Decorate the hall.
27. Make a vege garden.
28. Get more indoor plants.
29. Go offline for a while.
30. Find a ritual to enjoy this winter.
31. Have a massage.
32. Buy myself flowers.

Project Life :: Week 22

There was a real lack of photos this week, crappy weather and a super busy week at work resulted in a pretty dull and cold week. So I decided to show the week according to the animals. They spent an incredible amount of time snuggled up trying to stay warm this week so I managed to get quite a few photos of them – even one of them both together on the couch! I love this solution and think there'll be a few more weeks from their perspective in the future.

I also managed to get my birthday insert finished this week, I'm so glad I made a separate insert because I had such a great day and didn't want to miss out a single photo!

Project Life :: Week 21

It was a fun week this week, my birthday week. So I managed to pack more into than usual. This page is just about the week and I have an insert which covers my actual birthday (will share that soon). Used up the rest of my Studio Calico Grab Bag but luckily my subscription has started so I will get my first kit soon (fingers crossed!).

I also have another Project Life Project to get started on but I am just waiting for my new supplies, including the beautiful Midnight edition, to get here. Hopefully soon. I need something to keep me busy on the cold, rainy night we've been having lately!

Before & After :: A little refresh

Now the days are getting darker and the sky is a little bit duller each day, I decided it was definitely time to lighten up a little. Literally.

Nothing like a fresh colour to make you feel a bit more pulled together.

I've been feeling the effects of the "winter blues" lately, which is worrying as we are only just beginning to head into winter so this is a good reminder to keep up the habit of actively finding ways to be happier.

I'm excited to join in Vivienne's new class in June. I'm looking forward to setting some self-care policies that will help me take care of myself this season.

What little things do you do when you need a little pick-me-up?

Project Life :: Week 20

I'm really happy with how this week turned out. Once again I didn't have a lot of photos (which is a reoccuring theme around here) but I did have a cool panoramic picture of my bathroom post-makeover (more to come soon). I kept the other photos black and white and used the colours in my main photo to choose a colour scheme. Plenty of washi tape and some handmade embellishments later and it was all done in a couple of hours.

Shop news :: 32% off!

32% off all items in my shop this week in honour of another year flying by! Use the code 32CANDLES to redeem this offer.

31 Things List :: report

With one more week until my birthday, I can't believe another year has flown by. My list this year has been steadily checked off but the reality of owning our own home and a few other life curves has meant that a few of the high-ticket items have had to take a miss. And the rest, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get done in the next 6 days either.

So here it is, my 31 Things List...

1. Go on a road trip
2. Let the cat out
3. Paint and complete a room
4. Get another tattoo
5. Fill an art journal
6. Go soda-free for a month
7. Get a bike and ride to work
8. Send an unexpected gift
9. Read all the unread books
10. Have a massage
11. Start baking again
12. Go to Stewart Island
13. Take a class
14. Go somewhere new
15. See a movie alone
16. Pay off a loan
17. Get stronger
18. Disconnect for a week
19. Paint another room
20. Fly to Wellington for the weekend
21. Grow a garden
22. Do something brave
23. Go swimming
24. Take a photo walk
25. Make a big decision
26. Spend the day painting
27. Try macarons again
28. Be more grateful
29. Try 12 new recipes
30.  Complete a photo challenge
31.  Have a progressive dinner

I've only missed 10 things and I'm pretty proud of that. Although there are some pretty simple things in there that I could easily have accomplished, if I hadn't allowed my fear and anxiety to stop me.

I've been umming and arring about what I want to do this year. Do I want to carry on with a list that is only going to get longer and longer each year? Do I want to change the format? Or do I just want to give myself a break?

So far, I'm still not sure. I've written a new list of 32 but I'm still not sure. Watch this space.

Secret :: Project Life Project #3

I'm still busy filling up my other project life album. But I'm finding that as winter descends and the light fades I'm taking less photos and spending less time making. Must remedy that, quick smart.

Project Life :: Week 19

Still the best project I've ever done (and managed to continue)! This week I made my own "kit" to work from. 12 different cards and a few extra embellishments. I still have heaps left over and will do next weeks as well. I made a few extras so will list them in my shop in the next few days.

Beaded Ombre Necklace

I was picking up some beads to make my wedding jewellery and I saw these beautiful blue ones. I couldn't resist and I bought them home to make a necklace. Here's how I did it...

1. Gather your beads and preferred beading medium. I used nylon string but you can use what ever you prefer. You'll need beads in at least three shades of one colour.
2. Start by tying a knot a little bit back from one end of your thread.
3. Thread on half of your lightest coloured beads.
4. Then thread on half of your medium coloured beads.
5. Add on all of your darkest coloured beads and then thread the remaining medium coloured and light coloured beads.
6. Tie both ends of your string tightly together and you have yourself a pretty ombre necklace!

 Wear it and enjoy!

Project Life :: Week 18

I'm running out of words for this project but I really still love it. This week I used a lot of cards from my Studio Calico Grab Bag. Not much left in there now. But luckily my subscription to the Project Life Kit became active so I should get next months kit! Yay!

Project Life :: Week 17

After being sick all week, there was very little to put in the album this week. And I actually forgot to do it on Sunday night! SO I quickly threw this together on Monday instead. Super simple, I used all the yellow and grey coloured cards from my Studio Calico Grab-bag, printed all my photos in black and white and added a few embellishments. Simple and easy and I really like the result.

Etsy Favs

1 :: Birch ring
2 :: Geo necklace
3 :: Wrap dress
4 :: Autumn Ensemble Print
5 :: Paper Mache Fox

Now in the shop...

I finally got my shop updated with all the paintings I've been doing in the last few months, including the two that I did in the weekend.

I get some much joy from creating things and these wee paintings always end up with a message that I need at the time. I'm sure everyone else needs them too!

Project Life :: Week 16

Week 16 and even though I'm fighting a cold, I still managed to pull this together. I'm really enjoying using my Silhouette to create embellishments for my Project Life. I'm also tying the page together by using one or two colours or papers. So fun. Now I'm going to lie down.