Day 6: Travel Journal

Before I left for vacation, I had some time to throw together a little travel journal for the trip.

I wanted to make a mixed paper journal, but there wasn't time. So! I'm a crafter by golly! was able to snag a good-sized spiral bound sketchbook and I went to work on the cover! Covered it in some of my favorite paper, reinforced it with chipboard, and painted it! I didn't bring hardly ANY craft supplies on the trip, so I'm really just using found paper and a few key supplies to create the journal. The key items are glue stick, colored pencils, Thickers, washi tape, Project life journaling cards, & the Travel Smash Pad.

After the trip I'm going to make a real scrapbook, but this was a nice art project while on the trip. Also, I think I'm going to continue it as an... event journal? I'm not exactly sure yet but we shall see! Happy to share peeks into my journal and I'll be posting some inspiration images for making your OWN travel journal soon! <3 E

Ghost of Journals Past

This is the haunting of the Ghost of Journals Past! Unlike some of the people in the crafting community, I kept a journal LONG LONG before any RVA online class. I started keeping a daily journal the FIRST day of freshman year of high school. Mostly writing, but the more I journaled, the more I wanted to paste things in and keep them forever. When I went off to college, I put most of my journals in a box, duct taped it closed, and put it in storage, but I have a few still left sitting out in my room. I thought I would share some of my pages where I taped fun things in and pasted my memories down. It's fun to get a peek into my high school self.










I hope you enjoyed seeing some thoughts from my teenage self. Oh how times have changed... and then again, not at all. :)
I challenge you to look back and reminisce a little.
<3
E

oops...

I maaaaay have gone to Archiver's yesterday and bought some supplies. I just couldn't fight the urge any longer. :/ I felt guilty afterward, but what's done is done. lol

I walked away with a bunch of sale items:

clockwise from top left:
*k*i "just married diamonds"
*Cosmo Cricket... i forget the name. lol
*TPC Studio "Mediterranean Summer Whitewash"
*TPC Studio "woodland whimsy owls"
*Cosmo Cricket "early bird" sticker sheet
*Hambly Studios "kraft frame stickers"
*Basic Grey "nook&pantry" chip stickers and take note blocks
*Pink Paislee tapes in "Lime, Bayberry, and Orange"
*Cosmo Cricket "Ready, Set, Chip" letters in "Red line"
*Making Memories "Puffy Alpha" stickers in green
*Cosmo Cricket "Ready, Set, Chip" letters in "Paul Bunyan"

so needless to say, I'm gaga over it all. Mmmmm. I actually made a layout last night using some of my new chip stickers and borders last night for the Kara challenge week:


Also, I had a pretty large amount of feedback about the scrap supplies swap, so I've decided to organize a small swap between several people! It will be open to anyone and will be tons of fun! I'll do a post about it soon, but when I do, you will be able to comment me with your email address, I will pair you up with someone, you can email each other, and do a fun little swap! Everyone wins!!! Who's excited!?

side note: I'm exercising outside today because it's 63 degrees and BEAUTIFUL here! YAYYYYY!
<3
E

A Layout a day keeps the crazies away.

This week I've decided to take Kara's "Every day" challenge and try to create a layout every day this week! So far, so good! It's been a long time since I've been in the swing of making lots of layouts. It's really horrible how much I've fallen out of it, but every time I go back to it, it's as if I never left. :)

Here's Sunday:
*about my uncle ryan. Dad gave me this picture over Spring Break and I thought it would be the perfect candidate for a layout! Plus i love me some Cosmo Cricket!!!


Monday:
*an old pic I took at anthro one day and never did anything with. I was inspired by Alice for this one of course. I have lots of layouts inspired by Alice in Wonderland actually!


All this newfound scrapping makes me EXTREMELY thirsty for some new designer scrapbook supplies. Ahhhh!
Must.
Resist.
Shopping.
Online.
I wish I had someone to swap scrap stuff with. Anyone out there interested in doing a scrap supplies swap? I would love that! Let me know! Until tomorrow,
<3
Elaine

Manifesting the seasons

My current quest is to manifest springtime. :) I really really really want it to be warm! I've put efforts in the past few days to really make my life very warm and comforting, like a spring hug. :)

I bought a new candle for the candle warmer in our dorm. I got the Yanlee Candle Beach Party and it smells SOOOOOO good! Like a mixture of warmth, sunscreen, and ocean breeze.


I've also been brightening up the room with pretty colors and wearing gorgeous vintage florals. :) They're just so girly and quirky. love!

I got this cardigan at Goodwill this week, took the buttons off, and sewed on new pretty ones. I've been streamlining the wardrobe, trying to make it very... me. I know that sounds silly, but so much of the clothes I have, I don't even wear! So I've been purging, donating things, and just...make it more cohesive. It feels good to simplify and get rid of things that I truly won't use.

Been doing a little art journaling too which is unheard of since about July! Pretty spring colors:



In other news, my Fuji Instax came today! I about DIED! So much fun!

I'm excited to take all sorts of fun little pictures! New favorite hobby I think. It needs a name though. I'm thinking Wynn. What do you think?

OH!!!! Everyone should go check out my mini Valentine's etsy update too! I put in a few new things this weekend including some cute fun soft bangles!



alright. Out for the night. Hopefully back for some Valentine's inspiration tomorrow afternoon!
<3
E

sunshine and hourglasses

Just came back from seeing My Sister's Keeper and I must say that I was a tad disappointed. They didn't end it the way that she did in the book!!! I read the book my Junior Year of high school which was-- count em --5 years ago! I guess I was just a little upset that it wasn't really accurate. The movie had a little too much closure. ALTHOUGH i must say that they did a fantastic job in the rest of the movie, just not the end. :] you should totes go see it.


Some other happenings:
New Layout for the Ad This challenge that's up right now. It was a really fun one to make for sure. I got these CUTE new robot stickers today at the ole H.L. haha


new flickr faves! Click here for creds.


new lovlies from the sunshine today:
just tried a little self-exploration in photography today. lots of good light and good ideas.





hope everyone is enjoying THEIR sunshine. There are so many exploration opportunities. Carpe Diem.

as*promised

this is my new word for the summer. Explore my surroundings. explore the unknown. explore the ordinary. explore even when I'm standing still. I think it will help make my mundane workdays more exciting and thrilling.

You guys should head on over to Scrap Outside the Box and check the newest challenge! CLOTHING TAGS! love it. I'm going to say that my DT girls never fail to make me jealous. haha
Here's what I busted out a few days ago! It's a work in progress and not yet bound but I'm loving the creative mood it's put me in lately. So sunny and wonderful.


I also made this little guy this afternoon while listening to Harry Potter book on tape. (I've read it a million times, but Ian has been wanting to listen to it and i love it, so... haha) I just thought this tied in nicely with my new word for the summer. I'm going to tuck it in my moleskine (Drawing Book No. 3) as a reminder I think.


some untraditional materials include cardboard, plastic packaging, confetti, and masking tape)

This is the masking tape I used! I got my happy tape in the mail WEEKS ago and am JUST NOW blogging about it!? what's this about!? It's soooooo amazing. I got it here and am 100% completely positively satisfied and I want more. for sure. I want other color combinations. Mmmmmm


This lifelong book fetish is getting out of hand I think. I bought Along for the Ride and Peter Pan over the past few days. I really need to get a move on reading both of those.

Another new obsession? GOODREADS.COM!

so if you have an account, ADD ME AS A FRIEND!!! yay. love*love

alrighty. well there's the post I promised. <3 i hope you're all inspired and working away on something wonderful. What's inspiring you lately? tell me. :]

where have you been all my life!?

i'm so sorry. you all are going to forget all about me by the time this summer is over. :[ i have no internet at home. *sadness*
I've been very busy since school's let out:

*spending time with boyfriend bear. <3
*my best friend's wedding. seriously. I planned her reception and it was gorgeous. *pics to come soon.*
*cookouts.
*helping Mom around the house.
*trying to get a kick start on exercising at home.
*trying not to spend too much money.
*thrifting. (omg i got some of the cutest shoes today. must take pictures tomorrow.)
*getting cute. :]]]

Check out the newest challenge over at Scrap Outside the Box which is toilet paper! Not just for the tushie!!! Win a freaking HUGE and AWESOMEEEE prize pack from the Jelly Bean Joint! Here's my take! I used the TP as a ruffle on top!


sooooo I got an asymmetrical pixie cut with peek-a-boo low lights today that i LOVEEEE:

I got it done at the Beauty Academy in Ian's town and it was a LONG process. It took 3 hours for a cut and color, but totally worth it. :]

Currently inspired by:
*Disney's Up
*Wii Fit
*patio tables and umbrellas
*mango color
*asymmetry
*zoo animals
*numbers
*Elise Blaha's summer kits
*knitting still (it's coming along!!!)
*salt & pepper shakers
*wedding receptions
*pug puppiesssssss
*hot air balloons
*cake slices
*vintage sailor dresses
*Wear Palettes


here's some other summer inspiration pics i love:


and i really really really want this:


the rest of this week I'm planning on doing a lot of painting, photo-taking, photo-uploading, planning, and time-spending. I'm sorry for my absence. I'm really going to try and remedy that from now on. <3

Holla if you missed me! :]

6ers

6 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
-the announcement of the Studio Calico contest
-being done with finals
-down time to craft, read, and spend time with ian
-pancake night next week
-getting my Creating Keepsakes prize pack in the mail
-painting my bedroom at home and rearranging

6 Things I Did Yesterday:
-went to class
-worked
-painted pottery
-ate cake with ian
-watched Into the Woods (the stage version on DVD)
-SCRAPPPPED

6 Things I Wish I Could do:
-grow my hair long
-subscribe to a kit club
-find a pair of cheap cowboy boots
-skip college and open my business
-have a bigger wardrobe
-more stitches in knitting

6 Shows I Watch:
(I don't have tv.... but I occasionally watch if we're at our parents' places)
-Biggest Loser
-America's Next Top Model
-Big Bang Theory
-Ace of cakes
-The Office
-Survivor

6 Favorite Fruits:
-pineapple
-bananas
-apples
-red grapes
-oranges (in juice form)
-sliced peaches

6 Places I’d Like to Travel To:
-London
-Italy
-Ireland (for Ian)
-Costa Rica to the rainforests
-Springfield, Missouri
-Japan

LAYOUTS I HAVE FINALLY MADE THIS WEEKEND!!!




sometimes when I don't scrap for a really long time, I forget how much i actually really love doing it! This was perfection as far as weekends go so far.

ALsooooo PLEASE check out here and here for two awesome giveaways by my girl Sarah over at Red Oak Lines!!! She's going RAK crazy!!!!

have a good sunday, y'all!