currents: december edition

 

time: 11.08pm location: in bed weather: getting colder, snow is in the forecast. ( we had some nasty wind and rain this past weekend. looks ugly out now) watching: Top Chef (not really into it this year but there's nothing else on) loving: white twinkle lights (I should say obsessed) thinking: about how awesome I am for getting the majority of my Christmas shopping done early and online. wondering: if the dress I ordered will show up in time for next weeks office party. (MYHABIT is addicting) enjoying: this quiet time by myself. (I love my boy and my mans but I've really grown to appreciate the little time I get to myself.) drinking: water eating: nothing. (tummy is a little upset from the pulled pork. I over did it but it was so tasty!)

I was going to explain why I love this quote so much but I'm getting teary...in a good way and in a sad way. The good? Knowing that vacancy in my heart is now occupied with kisses and full belly laughs and the tightest hugs from my baby boy. The way he wraps his arms around my neck makes me week in the knees. The sad? Knowing this will be the first Christmas since my Grandmothers passing this fall. I pray that my family, mostly my Grandfather will be able to cope with her absence. This was her time to shine with the numerous recipes under her belt  apron that made so many people happy. I miss her Divinity...that stuff was so sweet and fluffy. I see it at the grocery store but I know it doesn't come near what my Grandma made. I've been doing what I can in her honor. Like bake Tyler's first birthday cake from scratch. No way I would buy a cake. She would be so dissappointed. I wore one of her vintage aprons while I mixed and frosted. She's here with me, I know it. I feel her, I can still smell her distinct smell, I hear her voice in my head like she were in the other room. "Tina!" in that thick Georgian accent. It's strange and comforting at the same time. Leave it to the Holidays to bring out this range of emotions. You miss loved ones who are gone. You find happiness in the loved one who are here. You reconnect with friends. Your heart feels lighter but heavy too. Christmas is so much more than decorations and presents. It's certainly a state of mind. Hmph. Guess I ended up explaining myself after all. :) xot.

p.s. the "currents" method of journaling is a quick and easy way to add to your December Daily. Give it a try, especially great on days when your mind is buzzing with all the holiday to dos.

feeling a bit uninspired at the moment.

When you live for shooting in natural daylight and you reside in a state where it's pretty sparse several months out of the year,  it kind of puts a damper on ones mood. Every time I try to take a photo, it's too dark or too yellow. And with all the lovely December Dailies out there, it's been hard to be fully inspired to go forth with the project when you dislike everything you upload from your camera. Thank goodness for my Iphone and Instagram app. Seriously.I'm not giving up though. Just waiting for that aha moment. I'm sure it'll come soon. :) Some examples of unispired photos: Failed photobooth attempt at Tyler's first birthday party. In hindsight, I should have started at the beginning of the party. I also should have placed the backdrop in a different location and I needed to be back farther. All things I've noted for the next round. My undecorate tree. Partly because I know Tyler will tear down any decor I put up and I'm afraid he'll break the glass balls. I'm in the process of fringing up some felt for the garland. I want a simple tree this year. For now, star shaped bokeh will have to do.

Let's go Monday! (this is my attempt to be positive this morning. not working so much) xot.

a year?

It feels like I just brought my guy home from the hospital just yesterday. I know time goes by too fast but I'm happy to say that I've enjoyed and documented almost everyday of his first year. At a year old, he's walking. Not like walking walking but taking about 5-6 steps. His vocab consists of Dad, Mom, Jesse (our dog), baba (he babbles this a lot) and nini (night night) Clothing size is 18-24 months. His limbs are long and I already foresee the same problem his dad had with clothing. Eats just about anything I make him. Loves Chicken and Peas. Favorite toy is his walker. Has grown very attached to his boo (gray elephant his cousin gave him) Loves watching Sid the Science Kid in the mornings with his dad. Loves his dog. Loves making silly faces and sounds. The boy in him is really shining through. He makes car sounds when he plays with his cars and roars a lot. Our little photoshoot didn't go off as planned but I'm all about improvising and loving the end result of what's really going on. He's not the kid that sits still, even for a brief moment. All he wanted to do was rip apart the felt garland I worked on for 2 days.

He's such an awesome little man. How did I ever get to be so lucky? xot.

make it work

Confession: Baker's Twine is not an easy embellishment for me to work into my scrapbook layouts. Doesn't mean I don't like it. I use it in my packaging and gift wrapping but when it comes to scrapbooking, I'm always at a loss. I adore the twine that came with the Snow Cone add on and I had to make it work. Here's how I did it. First, ***tape down your letter onto some scrap cardstock. Straight lines work best but I'm sure if you're careful and determined enough, you can manage a curvy letter. :) Snip pieces of twine and place onto your taped letter as shown above. You want your twine to extend beyond your taped letter. Get your sharp scissors out (Honey Bees work great for this) and snip out your letter. Fun, right?

xot.

Ha...did you think I forgot about choosing a winner for Maggie's class?? Fooled ya.

NANCY - This is my first attempt at a Dec Daily!! Need all the help I can get. Can’t wait to see your full reveal!

Nancy, please email me at lifelovepaper@gmail.com by Tuesday at the latest to claim your winnings. The Studio Calico blog is giving away another spot so be sure to comment there for another chance.

**The ProGlide Tape Runner is great for this. It's nice and tacky. I wouldn't recommend any other plain tape runner for this. You can also use that redline tape as well...will probably be better if you are creating O's and S's.