Take 12 - February Photos

It's time again for Take 12, a monthly photography challenge hosted by Ella Publishing Co., where participants take 12 photos of the 12th of each month to scrap and share. For 2012, I am two for two on this project and feeling pretty darn good about it.

As February 12th fell on a Sunday this year, my day was a mix of puttering around the house and helping out with a fundraiser to benefit a family friend. It was a lovely mix of everyday and special occasion, home and friends, introverted and extroverted, me and others.

Like I said, it was a lovely day.

As I did last month, I will be sharing the words + photos today. Once completed, I will also share a finished layout featuring my Take 12 photos. I am working from a sketch that was included in EPC's Take 12 Kit. My mind is percolating with ideas on how to best document these memories.

I woke up at a leisurely hour on Sunday 2/12. What a lovely feeling. Threw on a sweatshirt and headed into my craft room.

Worked for 2.5 glorious hours on a Valentine's Day mini as a gift for my husband. I am loving how it is turning out. It's almost complete. The photos are printed, the embellishments are collected - I just need to adhere everything into the book. Stay tuned for a dedicated post (with photos!) on this mini later in the week.

Loved seeing this guy as I was leaving the house. I enjoy seeing the little signs of winter around the neighborhood.

I spent most of the afternoon and early evening working a fundraiser to benefit our friend, Casey, who is battling pancreatic cancer. I am in charge of a multi-week raffle so I sold raffle tickets and t-shirts for a few hours. One of the neighborhood's favorite hangouts, The Dundee Dell, hosted the event. Casey has worked there for over a decade. The owners of the Dell donated 25% of the day's total to benefit Casey and his family so Jim & I had dinner there with friends. We had an amazing turnout. I was even interviewed by a local news crew to promote the events.

Jim & Bowers in "Go Big For Casey" t-shirts

Deana & I

Princess Izzy sporting Mardi Gras beads/mask

Kozy & I at dinner

I am the raffle queen

Mr. Sam "borrowed" my iPhone and took a series of self-portraits. Too cool.

Home again, after a long day, I notice a spectacular view from my bedroom window.

I threw on my warmest jammies (with matching slippers!).

And settled in to watch the Grammys.

Good day. And good night...

Lovely Things

I am so *loving* the fabulous digital Valentine's kit, Kiss Me, by Rhonna Farrer. The above word art is only a small bit of the available fabulous-ness. There are also brushes, borders, backgrounds, printable tags and flags and mini Valentines to send out. Rhonna's blog is always chock full of inspiration so be sure to check it out.

For the past three years, I have made my husband a mini-book for Valentine's Day. I am super stoked to utilize this kit for this year's project! I am excited to create and share this year's mini with you, dear blog readers. Here's to a wonderful and lovely February.

xoxo,
Jenn

Valentine's Mini-Book Revealed

So it's been a really low key V-Day around this homestead. Jim worked all day and the winter weather interfered with Grand Master B's plans. He had hoped to have a special girl come over for the afternoon but it was all for naught. I felt so bad for him. On the plus side, his ride back to school in Seward was canceled due to snow, snow & more snow so he gets to stay for another night.

B brought home a beautiful silk rose for me and Jim picked out the loveliest card. I feel so special today. In return, I made both of them mini-books celebrating my love for them. As promised, I am sharing the finished product.

 

It's hard to tell from the (poorly) scanned photo but the cover is actually an acrylic piece shaped like  a bracket. It allows the reader to see through to the patterned paper underneath. I used elements and pages found in the House of 3 printable sweetie mini book and then added bits & pieces from my stash. 

The reverse of the acrylic page has the same element grouping as the front so as to completely hide the adhesive. I love how these Pink Paislee chipboard letters mix with their mini sticker letters. I am going to post the remaining pages below. If you have questions on technique, check out this great tutorial the Heidi Swapp posted on her blog.

 

  

  

  

I don't have a great supply of crepe paper or thick ribbons to place in between the folds along the spine, but I did have a super cool roll of gaffer tape by 7 Gypsies that features handwriting. It looks all fancy & vintage-y - very cool. I used this to strengthen the binding folds. Thanks for looking & let me know what you think. 

Here's looking ahead at the next week. Despite it being President's Day, I will be working bright and early. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday

Valentine's Inspiration

 

Courtesy of Flickr

Preparations for Valentine's Day

I am so excited that Grand Master B will be coming home for the weekend! We haven't seen him in two weeks & I've really been missing him. This whole 'sleep away school' concept is overrated...but I do see positive changes in his attitude and behavior which is the whole point. I will just be glad to have him healthy and back at home.

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. To celebrate B's visit, I am making a cool garland to hang over the doorway in the dining room. I am also making mini-books for both of the men in my life. When I talked to B on the phone yesterday, he told me that he had a present for me - which is nearly unheard of! I cannot wait to see what he has come up with. The design of my projects is complete. I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon putting it all together. I am also distributing cards & treat bags to the Bad Mommies plus children. Should be a totally great weekend.

Stay tuned. I'll post the finished products later. I'm using this as the base for my mini-books.

xoxo