Katie Stories {Scrapbook + Crafting Blog}: house

Showing posts with label house. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Scrapbook Room {Our First Home}

Happy Wednesday!

So, I planned to share this yesterday, but life happened. If you follow me on instagram, you probably already saw this.

AJ and I are moving back to New York! We are so excited to be going back home and being close to family again. And I don't think its been a big secret that we didn't love Louisiana.

But part of leaving is saying goodbye to this house, which does leave me feeling a little sad. We've only lived here for a few months,but it was our first house. So my goal before we leave is to photograph all the rooms so I don't forget them.

I started with my scrapbook room.

I love this room. All of my scrappy things are here, and when I'm mid project, I just shut the door and no one can see the mess. Its such a huge change from when my Expedit bookshelves were our tv stand and my desk was in the corner of the living room (where people put drinks on it during parties...don't even get me started on how much that drove me crazy!)

I'm really hoping we can continue to have a space for my scrap things, because having them (and all the clutter they create!) out of our main living area has been awesome!

Where do you keep your craft things?

Friday, September 19, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 26 + Week 27}

This week was a whirlwind - we had visitors, we were in New Orleans, I had the worst cough ever and lost my voice, I shared a new layout over at Julie's, and throughout it all, I was teaching

It was so amazing to see our friends though, it had been way too long now that we are all spread out all over the country!

I can't wait to get the pictures printed, but I'm trying to work chronologically, so I need to get through June and July and August first!

So that's what I worked on when I got home from work last night :)

Week 26 | June 23 - June 29

Things got a little stressful this week because it was the start of all of this drama. I chose not to journal about it here though. Instead, I focused on our impromptu overnight trip to New Orleans. We had a great time staying in the Garden District - it was the first time we visited there. And we got beignets, my absolute favorite!

And I also finished up my scrap room. Its a bit messy right now, as we had to turn it into a third bedroom while our friends were visiting, but I'm planning to clean it up this weekend and share pictures on Tuesday!

Week 27 | June 30 - July 6

Fourth of July week was pretty quiet around here. I basically only had pictures from 4th of July! So I decided to go all out with my Project Life page and my holiday kit. I am totally loving how it all came together. And I also love the top left pocket - it is see through with just a card in the middle. When it lines up with the pages behind it, you can see part of a baseball game and part of a vineyard.

I've been using see through spaces in the pockets more this year, and I'm really liking them! What are your go to design elements lately?

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Summer Goldfish Yarn Wreath {Home Decor}

Happy Wednesday!

This summer, I really wanted to make a goldfish wreath. It was partly inspired by goldfish crackers, and part by my new fish doormat from Target (that I totally forgot to photograph and now its dark outside and the bugs are there...so I'll try to add one after work when its light out!)

I actually started it in May, but then life happened and I got sidetracked.

So while my mom was here and I was hanging out on the couch, we finished sewing the fishies and stuffing them with polyfil!

I used matching thread for two of the fish, and contrasting thread for the third one. I like how simple it is, but from far away (like when I'm driving up to the house after work), it looks like the fishies are swimming on my door! And it makes me smile :)

Do you dress up your door for summer?

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Update + Some Around the House Decorations

Hi everyone!

How are you?! I know I've disappeared without any real explanation for a few weeks now. Things here were a little crazy, and I had to put away the computer + kindle fire + iphone for a little bit. Basically, anything that could get me on google had to be limited.

Let me explain why.

I had a little medical scare this summer. Not the whole fainting in church-wearing heart monitors for a ridiculously long time-finding out everything is okay scare. Another one. Its been a fun summer. (Actually, despite all this, it has been a fun summer!)

In a nut shell, I had to have a biopsy done on a tiny little lump. Fortunately, the results came back benign. Unfortunately, the tiny little lump still needs to be removed completely just to be sure its all okay. Which is actual real surgery. On Friday.

And that's why I needed to be away from google. As soon as I found out what type of lump it was, I started googling everything I could think of. I'd try to write a blog post, or answer emails, or go to bloglovin, and the next thing I knew, I'd have 85 tabs open about this instead. And I was driving myself crazy. So I just took a break from the internet all together.

And it helped.

But I missed all my blogging friends. So I've been on the internet for 17 minutes now, and not one thing has been googled, so I think I'm good to go! Right?!

While I was taking my internet break, I did a whole bunch of other things to keep myself busy though.

hanging out in New York | finally finishing our bar area with a picture collage and large mirror | making a set of shelves for the foyer | changing up the mantle from 4th of July to summer | wine tasting | seeing the Brooklyn Cyclones for the first time | {not pictured} remembering my snap.scrap.share post for Julie (although it took me over an hour longer to write than it should have thanks to google...)

Okay, I'm off to go clean up the house while I've got this great burst of energy, since that kind of didn't happen during my internet break either ;)

I'll be back on Friday with a Project Life layout and then next week I will resume my Tuesday layout + Friday Project Life + random projects and things from around the house when I have them to share on Wednesday schedule!

Yay!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 18}

Happy Friday!

Are you looking forward to the three day weekend? I am! We have lots of fun plans - a crawfish boil, a concert, some crafting and, of course, relaxing!

I'll be working on this wreath and of course Project Life! I'm all the way done through Week 18...now I just need to order the rest of the pictures so I can get moving on the next weeks!

Week 18 | April 28 -May 4, 2014

This was the first week back at school after Spring Break. We had Super Hero day at school - and I wore my neon pink tights (I didn't retouch that picture at all - they are THAT pink!) And the Mets played the Phillies, so we were able to wear our awesome 10.5 Phillies/Mets shirts (thanks T&J!) We also did some fun things around the house - like tapas date night, made a chalkboard burlap runner, sealed all the windows (okay, that wasn't so fun!) and relaxed with some Corona (that was fun!)

And I made a whole bunch of waffles to freeze for breakfasts later in the month (one is heating up as I type!) I love making waffles and bread and granola bars for us. It just makes me feel like I am doing something really really good for our little family. You see, I used to be the pickiest eater. And I'm so excited whenever I try something new (like homemade waffles vs. Eggo!)

But, I'm still a little bit picky. Like, I don't eat ground meat or seafood. I just don't like the texture. Usually, its not an issue, but I'm a little nervous about it this weekend. Remember how I said we were going to a crawfish boil. Well, I don't eat seafood.

So, usually I just quietly eat other things - like the potatoes and corn and desserts! - but sometimes people notice and some people make a huge deal that I don't eat seafood. And it kind of drives me crazy. And I never know what to say, because I don't want to be rude, so I just sit there and don't say anything at all. Or I apologize that my tastes aren't to their liking. But there has to be a better response!

Which leads me to a question for all of you...what do you do when someone comments on your eating habits?

Friday, May 9, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 14 + Week 15}

Happy Friday everyone!

Just this week, AJ was telling me that he couldn't remember what our apartment in Chicago looked like. I was so happy to have a Project Life album from when we were living there. There were so many pictures of the apartment - dinners, parties, hanging out watching tv, the view from the big window {oh man do I miss that view!}, even the entrance way + the outside of the building.

It just reminded me how much I love documenting our lives right now, because one day right now is the past, and it can be hard to remember all the little details.

Week 14 | March 31 - April 6

I flew to California for a wedding this week. It was my first time there, and the first time I'd seen some of our friends from Chicago since we left. It was so great to catch up and to celebrate our friends' marriage. The last wedding I included in Project Life was pretty detailed. But I only included an overview here, since I will probably be making a traditional layout about this one.

Unfortunately, AJ couldn't join me on this trip. There are two weeks every year that he is not allowed to take off from work called turnaround. He has to work every day, not even a weekend off, so taking off four days to fly to California was just not an option. He was very disappointed to miss this special occasion. And I missed having him there, but I was very proud of myself for flying across the country and navigating the LA freeway all by myself!

Week 15 | April 7 - April 13

The next week was a big contrast from all the celebrating + catching up + beach going of the weekend before. It was just back to normal around here, going to work, hanging out outside and doing chores around the house. We bought a lawn mower + cut the grass, put together our new grill + cooked dinner on it, and watered the lawn (most areas with a sprinkler, but one by hand).

I also left some empty space in this layout. Under the picture of the tree right page, bottom left pocket I am going to add these cute star sprinkles I have, but I want to wait until I create the other side's pocket so I can seal it up. I am going to leave the space next to the 4x6 vertical card empty so you can see through to next week...at least, that is the plan right now!

Seriously, I cannot get over this picture of him watering the grass by hand. In his socks. With gardening gloves hanging off the side of his belt. And aviator sunglasses + a baseball cap. He looks slightly bad-ass, and slightly like an old man who yells "Hey kids! Get off my lawn!"

But he won't have to water the lawn this weekend. Its been raining here all morning! Hopefully the weather gets nicer this weekend though, I was looking forward to spending some time outside. What are you up to this weekend?

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Easter Egg Wreath + Mantle {Home Decor}

Happy Thursday!

I am thrilled to report that this week is almost over! Not that its been a bad week, I'm just really looking forward to the weekend. AJ had to work the past two weekends, and last weekend I was in California, so it will be nice to have a regular weekend together!

Its also Palm Sunday weekend, which means that it is almost Easter!

Easter is the first "big" holiday that we've had the house, so I was really excited to decorate for it. Seriously, if I was this thrilled over Easter, Christmas is going to be insane!

I've never actually decorated for Easter before, so I started with making a wreath for our front door.

This one was super easy. I followed this tutorial pretty much exactly.

I had glue sticks and cardboard laying around, so all I needed were the eggs, which I got in a big giant bag from Target for $2. Oh, and the Easter grass. I had some, but it was blue and I wanted purple, so I got some of that at Target too.

I really wanted to create a pattern, so I laid everything out to make sure I had the right number of colors.

And then I started gluing everything down.

And before I knew it, we had a pretty new wreath for our front door.

And I had about a zillion eggs left over. So I decided to fill up my Ikea lanters + create an egg garland for the mantle. I love how cheerful it looks.

Now I just need to hold off on making the Easter baskets for another week. I've been dyyyying to make it for a while now, ever since I bought the candy for it!

Also, in an entirely unrelated to Easter comment, I just wanted to point out the artwork on the mantle. One of the things I love about it is that it was all handmade, and all give to us as gifts! The awesome monogram frame is from Jules, the maps were a bridal shower gift from a friend and the wedding frame was a Christmas gift made by my brother and his girlfriend!

Do you decorate for Easter, or do you just do a general spring theme? I am going to switch everything over to spring during my spring break!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 8}

Happy Friday!

This is another one of those weeks that I am happy is over! I thought last week was the longest week of the school year - until this week! I think everyone is starting to get spring fever!

Fortunately, my scrapbook room is almost entirely done, and my Project Life station is complete so I was able to start making some new layouts. I shared Week 7 yesterday at Julie's, and I'm sharing Week 8 today here!

Week 8 | February 17 - February 23

This was our first full week in the house! We did a lot of unpacking, and building furniture and setting up the house just how we wanted it. And I even made dinner in the new house for the first time - and made AJ take a few pictures, of course!

We also had a huge surprise this week! My mom was coming to visit us, and as a surprise, my Nonni came with her! We had no idea that she was coming for a visit, but it was so fun to have them both in Baton Rouge :)

And I just had a add a close up of this picture. I just love this shot of AJ building the tv stand. He was handling it well on his own, so I was looking for something else to do. Taking pictures of him while he built it just seemed fun - and it was!

I am so glad that (for the most part) the boxes are gone and we are all set up in the house. There are still a few with odds and ends that I haven't placed yet, but that's not too bad. After all, we've only been in the house for 5 weeks, and we've been working all that time too!

How long did it take you to unpack when you moved?

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 7}

Hi everyone!

Today I'm sharing my Week 7 of Project Life over at Julie's :)

But I'll give you a little sneak peek...

And the rest of the layout is over there!

I'll be back here tomorrow with Project Life Week 8 :)

Friday, March 14, 2014

Around Here {March 2014}

Hi everyone!

I know today is normally my Project Life day, but yesterday, I decided to spend my evening with AJ instead of making my Project Life layout.

But I still feel like I need to recap. There is so much going on in my head about what's been going on around here lately, that I just feel like I need to do another one of these posts.

Around here | we are celebrating our first Mardi Gras in Louisiana.

Around here | I am back at school. March is always a dreaded month in the school calendar. I don't know why, but it always feels like the longest, most complicated month. I've learned that it doesn't matter if your school year ends in May or June, or if you have a week off in February + April or March + April, March is the longest, most tiring month.

Around here | I am planing. I've never been a big gardener - the bugs and slugs and worms in the ground totally creep me out. But there is something I love about having our own herbs growing in the backyard.

Around here | we are ready for grilling. These were made on our grill pan though - it was cold and raining and the grill isn't assembled yet.

Around here | we are snacking healthier. Yes, I know Goldfish probably aren't the healthiest choice, but keeping them portioned out already, and keeping lots of fresh fruit in the fridge, is a much better way to snack.

Around here | the days are longer and perfect for walking around the neighborhood after work. I so love living in a suburb again.

Around here | we are getting new furniture. This bed, a dining room table, a new comfy chair.

Around here | we are making the house ours. Starting with this new accent wall. Would you believe that I ran out of paint at this point? Guess I just underestimated how much I would need!

Around here | we are enjoying our lives right now. And counting down to summer break :)

You know what I love about posts like these, I know I can so easily (and often do) turn them into scrapbook layouts.

Do you ever use your blog posts as inspiration for scrapbook layouts or for your journaling?

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Closing Drama {Our House}

Happy Tuesday!

Did you have a good weekend?

We did - after a super rocky start!

On Friday, there was a chance we weren't going to close on the house on time because the mortgage company procrastinated after approving us (and confirming the closing date several times) and didn't get their paperwork together to send to closing. I thought that people handing in their work late was just a problem with students, but apparently it is a problem everywhere!

After lots of stressful moments on Thursday "yes, we are" "no, we're not", which left us looking and feeling like this.

And Friday was more of the same. The closing got delayed more times that I really want to count, but finally, we were at the title company!

And after an hour and a half signing a million and a half papers, we found ourselves here!

We originally wanted to stay at the house Friday night, but because we closed so late, we didn't have time to go get any blinds, and all of our windows are super visible because the house next door hasn't been built yet! So we decided to stay at the apartment one last night, but not before we celebrated with some prosecco in our new kitchen!

Even though we had to leave Friday night, we were back bright and early Saturday morning so the movers could come. They were awesome! They had everything unloaded and ready to be unpacked in just over an hour!

Then, it was time for our first trip to Home Depot as home owners! AJ didn't understand why I needed to take so many pictures to document this trip...

But you guys get it, right? What we really needed was blinds, because none of the windows had any! We spent the rest of the day putting them up - it took practically all day. I think it might be AJ's least favorite thing to do, ever.

But its done now, and we can walk around our house at night without feeling like everyone can see everything we are doing!

Sunday, would you believe AJ had to go to work?! So I spent the whole day unpacking. And putting up window film on our front door. But that's a story for a different post ;)

There is still a lot more to do - like finish unpacking, get the rest of our furniture delivered/built, and getting the internet installed. But we still got a lot done this weekend!

What were you up to?