Katie Stories {Scrapbook + Crafting Blog}: spring

Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Day in the Life {5.12.2015}

Did you participate in Day in the Life with Ali Edwards this year?

I love this project so much. Although last year I never quite figured out how to incorporate my pictures along with Project Life.

This year, I have no idea what I am going to do with the pictures because most of my scrapping supplies are still in my parents' garage waiting to be shipped out here to Chicago. Apparently when U-Haul recommends a 20 foot truck for a three bedroom home, they don't mean a three bedroom home that also includes a scrapper!

So for now, so I don't forget before my papers and everything arrive, I'll share them here!

Now to just finalize a moving quote so I can get everything here and scrap my photos!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 21}

Happy Friday!

Week 21 | May 19 - May 25

This layout really focuses on Memorial Day weekend. Its the official start of summer, and I couldn't wait for this weekend. We hung out in our backyard Friday night + went a crawfish boil on Saturday (our first!) On Sunday, AJ got me tickets to Bayou Country Superfest for my birthday. I love Eric Church and have been waiting to see him in concert for a long time. And it was so so worth it - he was awesome!

Just like last week, I wanted to include the tickets + schedule in my layout. Unlike last week, I could have put these into a page protector, because being able open/read them isn't as important. But, I had the hole puncher out, and I decided to just punch holes and put them directly into my album. Simple, easy and done!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 20}

Happy Friday!

How is your summer going? I am just loving every second of being off from work and recharging for the new school year. But seriously, let's not talk about the new school year yet.

Let's talk about Project Life instead :)

Week 20 | May 12 - May 18

This was a pretty crazy week for everyone in my family! My brother graduated from law school on Saturday! We are all so proud of him :) Unfortunately, AJ and I couldn't attend because it was halfway across the country on Saturday morning and we couldn't make it in time due to work. But, everyone kept us in the loop with lots and lots of pictures (thank you Mom + Dad + Jamie!)

We also had a bit of drama this week. Monday night, we attended Confirmation at our church. Everything was going great - right up until the very end of Communion! I passed out! Fortunately, we were surrounded by good friends, including two nurses, who were able to take charge of the situation and were so so helpful.

Although I did end up in the emergency room until 1am! Fortunately, everything seems to be okay, but we had to get it checked out.

I was feeling much better on Tuesday. Better enough to bake cookies for AJ's plant's crawfish boil. Of course, AJ helped me too. He was great at icing the Andes Mint cookies {recipe found from Becky Higgin's blog - and is definitely a new favorite}

And Wednesday was my birthday! We celebrated twice - once on my actual birthday with dinner at a local restaurant + cake + presents. And again on Saturday with dinner in Baton Rouge. I loved celebrating all week long :)

Since we had lots of "things" from this week that I didn't want to cut up - the Confirmation program + my birthday cards - I decided to just punch holes in them and put them right into my book. I could have included them in protectors, but because I want to be able to easily open and flip through these items, I decided to just punch holes directly into them and leave them out of the page protectors.

Do you include "things" - cards, maps, programs, etc. - in your albums? How do you like to display them?

Friday, June 6, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 19}

Happy Friday!

I'm officially on summer break (yay!) But something crazy is going on. I keep waking up at 5:30am every day! Part of me likes getting up early because I get so much done...and part of me hates it because its summer.

But it worked out well today, because the summer I-have-no-idea-what-day-of-the-week-it-is mind set is already here, and I almost forgot to post my Project Life layout! Silly me.

Fortunately, I remembered and I was up early enough to post it now!

Week 19 | May 5 - May 11

This week got off to a bad start. On my way to work I was in a very very minor car accident. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Unfortunately, the side view mirror broke off my car. Just the mirror part, not the holder or anything. It was pretty weird, to be honest. AJ ordered the part on Amazon for $20 and tried to put it on himself when it arrived, but neither of us could get it in to stay put. It was pretty frustrating!

But, we also did some fun things this week - a shopping trip to the new Costco, walked outside, AJ got a new "engineer" shirt, and I tried a new bread recipe. I actually didn't love the recipe, but it was still fun to do!

Well, since I'm up super early, I should go do something productive so I can relax this weekend. Maybe clean, maybe do some laundry, maybe take a nap ;)

What are you up to this weekend?

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, May 8, 2014

Day in the Life {2014}

Happy Thursday!

I'm really excited about today - I will be playing along with Ali Edward's Day in the Life! This is one of my favorite projects all year long, and always ends up with me looking forward to Week in the Life (starting September 8 this year).

But for now, its just about today. I'll be sharing on Instagram all day {you can see those pictures here}

I'm thinking this year I will add my photos as an insert in Project Life...or maybe a separate traditional layout...obviously I haven't thought it out yet!

Are you playing along today? Let me know in the comments where you will be sharing your pictures - I'd love to check them out :)

Friday, May 2, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 12 + Week 13}

Happy Friday!

I'm so looking forward to this weekend! Its supposed to be beautiful weather, and we don't have anything to do. Except maybe drive to New Orleans to see Bruce Springsteen at the Jazz Festival. I lost count of how many times I've seen it but it would be around my 16th time if we went.

I'm just not sure if I'm up for all that the Jazz Festival is {hot, outside, packed} because my allergies have been wreaking havoc on my heading + sinuses this week...but I do love seeing Springsteen, so we will have to see!

Week 12 | March 10 - March 16

This week started off with St. Patrick's Day. I went all out this year with my clothes (green shirt + shamrock headband + these adorable socks from my mom), our food and our drinks. Its so fun to make "little" holidays feel special too. To really make it stand out in my Project Life, I used the Holiday Mini Kit for the lucky card + the little green triangle + labels (cut from another journaling card in the kit).

We also flew to Baltimore for our friends' wedding. It was a very full weekend - we spent Friday with friends we haven't seen since our own wedding, Saturday celebrating and Sunday visiting with my parents and aunt who came down to Maryland for lunch since we were on the east coast.

I found the dirtiest snow pile in history while we were in Baltimore. I so missed snow this year. And I couldn't help but jump in and a take a selfie. And then I had to send my extremely muddy pants to the laundry at the hotel!

We had a bit of a mess up the morning of the wedding. AJ + Jim got ready at the hotel, and Katey (Jim's girlfiend) + I were going to drop them at the groom's house for pictures. Well, we get there, and there is no one at the house! The boys were wandering the block in their tuxes (and us girls were in our pjs!), looking for the house, and frantically calling the groom and the best man! Fortunately, the best man finally answer the phone and told us we had the wrong house number and were up the street.

Week 13 | March 17 - March 23

This was a pretty regular week at home. Rainy days + brownies + crafting. I accidentally put the Mets opening day pictures on this week. They accidentally belong to the next one. I'm not sure if I'm going to change it, or just add a date stamp and move on.

I so love this wreath {tutorial here} and I love that my mom and Nonni made the same wreaths this same weekend in New York. I love when we do the same crafts, even when we are far apart :)

By the way...have you entered the giveaway for $30 off any purchase at BurlapFabric.com? All you have to do is follow Burlap Fabric on Facebook and you have a chance to win!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 10 + Week 11}

Happy Friday!

Today is the last Friday before Spring Break! Next week is a short week, and we are off on Friday. I can't wait!

And, for the first time in three weeks, AJ and I are both home + not working for the weekend!

In fact, its been so long that these Project Life layouts are from the last time that we both had the weekend off together!

Week 10 | March 3 - March 9

This week was Mardi Gras break! I guess it wasn't too long ago, but it feels like it was months ago right now! I mostly stayed close to home, cleaning, unpacking, cooking and planting flowers. It wasn't a very exciting week, but it was a relaxing one and I loved it!

Week 11 | March 10 - March 16

It was back to school this week. But we also had some exciting things going on. Our new dining room table was delivered, and I painted the accent wall behind our mantle - until I ran out of paint! I did finish it though, and posted it here. I also got a new charm for my bracelet. My mom gets me a charm from every city that we live in. So far, I have one from New York, one from Chicago, and now a Louisiana one!

I guess that is all for me. I better start getting ready to start my Friday, so I can finish my Friday and start my weekend! What are your plans for today?

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 28, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 9}

Happy Friday everyone!

We are getting a ton of rain over here. The thunder and lightning are crazy and I'm just hoping that the lights stay on at the house while I'm showering (because that would be scary!) But if the lights want to go out at school and get us a day off, I'd be fine with that! I am so not looking forward to driving on easily flooded roads, and I definitely don't want to get stuck in Baton Rouge if they do!

But I do love rainy days like this, they just make everything seem so cozy. Its the perfect day to hang out in the craft room with a big cup of tea!

I guess I'll have to settle with just sharing a few pages instead. And hoping I don't get stuck in any puddles on my way home so I can craft when I get there!

Week 9 | February 24 - March 2, 2014

This layout is a little "backwards" the pictures on the left side are from the end of the week - our first Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge. We celebrated by going to the Spanish Town parade, which was awesome! At first I thought the whole throwing/catching beads thing was odd, until I started catching a whole bunch of them. Then I realized how fun it was! We will definitely add "celebrating Mardi Gras" to our list of fun things we learned while moving around the country (see also: deep dish pizza, dying the river green, lakes)

The right page highlights my mom and Nonni's trip to Baton Rouge in the beginning of the week. One of my favorite parts about the trip was my Nonni teaching AJ how to make meatballs. I don't eat - or even cook! - anything with ground meat, so he was very excited to learn how to cook meatballs, one of his favorites, on his own! And I thought it was just so sweet to watch him and my Nonni cook together. And to take pictures from the other side of the kitchen when they weren't looking ;)

Because I used the Design C (6 4x6 pockets) for the right side, there wasn't a pocket to fit any of my 3x4 cards, and I really wanted to use the "This Makes Me Smile" 3x4 card for the picture of AJ and my Nonni.

So I used my favorite trick.

I lined up two 3x4 cards next to each other, and used some washi tape on the back to hold them together. Then I slipped my new 4x6 card in the pocket :)

It also works great for pictures that might not fit into the pockets you have available. Like this horizontal picture of my beads...there was no way it would fit into the portrait sized pocket. Sometimes turning the picture sideways works, this time it didn't. So I taped the "love this" card above the picture, and trimmed the picture + card down to 4x6. I love that I got to use an extra card and could still include my favorite picture from Mardi Gras!

It also works great to add a little bit of journaling + a pretty design card to a 4x6 pocket. Seriously, the possibilities here are endless. And its super easy. Probably why I love it so much!

Do you have any Project Life secrets to share?

Monday, March 17, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green today? I am totally rocking my new St. Patrick's Day socks from my mom (and a green top and shamrock headband too!)

Even my house is wearing green!

You know I had to make a St. Patrick's Day wreath - and this one was so easy! All I did was wrap burlap ribbon around a wire wreath form. It didn't have to be neat and perfect, because I was going for a rustic look here.

And added some green ribbon to make it extra St. Patrick's Day-ish. Plus it was just hanging out in my ribbon box, so why not throw it in?

And of course, a big bow with a pin from Target's $1 Spot :)

And now my house won't get pinched today. Seriously though, I never heard of the whole pinching-someone if-they-aren't-wearing-green" thing until I was in college, or maybe even teaching. But it seems that everyone at my school knew about it!

Do you pinch people if they aren't wearing green?

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?

Friday, July 19, 2013

Project Life 2013 {05.27.2013 - 06.02.2013

Happy Friday!

So, I had to take my pictures with my phone today, because my cameras are all packed up! And its like, 6:45 and I'm trying to do this before I need to shower and leave (and while I'm watching Boy Meets World...did you know it is on every morning?!)

Well, that's everything for me! This has been quite a quick post...I'm going to go shower before I miss my plane!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Paper Flower Topiary Centerpieces

Happy Weekend Eve! So excited for Thursday :)

I recently made these centerpieces for a friend. She was hosting a party and wanted something small but spring-y for the tables.

She also wanted something she could give to the girls who helped her plan that party (and the guest of honor) as a keepsake.

These Paper Flower Topiaries worked as both centerpieces and thank you gifts!

Fortunately, these are the easiest to put together.

For each centerpiece, you need:
1 terra cotta flower pot (mine is 5 inches in diameter)
1 small wooden dowel
1 floral foam for inside the pot
1 styrofoam ball (mine is 5 inches in diameter, just like the pot)
Ribbon
Straight pins
Moss
Paper flowers (I cut mine with my Sizzix, which was a tad time consuming, but to make this even easier, you could use pre cut flowers!)

1. Place the floral foam inside the pot. You can hot glue it in there, but mine was so snug, I didn't worry about it.

2. Wrap the wooden dowel in ribbon. I secure my ribbon with glue dots at the top, middle and bottom to make sure the ribbon stays put.

3. Push the dowel into the floral foam. Put the styrofoam ball on top of the dowel. A dab of hot glue may also help here.

4. Begin sticking the paper flowers into the styrofoam ball with the stick pins. I usually start at the bottom and work my way up, being sure the cover any blank spots. Continue around the ball until all the spaces are filled.

5. Place the moss around the top of the pot.

6. Enjoy your centerpiece!

Find more from Katie Stories on:

Pinterest ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Google+ ♥ BlogLovin'

Friday, July 5, 2013

Project Life 2013 {05.20.2013 - 05.26.2013}

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great 4th of July! We just sat by the pool and relaxed.

I hope you didn't have to go back to work today. I think its a little silly to work today, since everyone was off yesterday for the 4th of July!

Since its Friday, its Project Life day!

I will actually be back tomorrow with a Find Your Voice layout! I know - on a Saturday! This might actually be a first!

Find more from Katie Stories on:

Pinterest ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Google+ ♥ BlogLovin'

Friday, June 28, 2013

Project Life 2013 {05.14.2013 - 05.19.2013}

I am so glad that it is Friday! There were good things about this teacher training, like visiting Santa Fe, and then there were not so great things, like being stuck in the middle of nowhere and being away from AJ.

So, I am so so happy to be going home today!

And since it is Friday, its Project Life day!

This is the beginning of my new Project Life book. My last album went from my birthday last year to the day before my birthday this year. Except, I don't want to use the same time period this time. So, I'm going to start where the last one left off and go through December 31. Then, I'll be on track to start documenting one calendar year per album!