Happy thanksgiving

It's been a tough year for our family. At this point, I feel as though we're just rolling with the punches. Even faced with so many obstacles, we still have to look at the good. We have to continue to be grateful for what we still have and even more grateful for those hard moments. They serve as a valuable lesson and I have certainly learned from them. These moments have brought us closer for sure. I appreciate more. I need less. I've learned to love unconditionally.

I am thankful for SO MANY things in my life. My husband and son...the family I dreamed of having...I am thankful for them EVERYDAY. I am thankful that I am married to my best friend even though after many many years I still find dirty socks laying around. I am thankful that after 4 years of struggle, I am now a mom to a 3 year old crazy, loving boy. I am thankful that I now make a living doing what I love. It's a small living but still, I AM THANKFUL (coming from a job that made me miserable everyday.) I am thankful for the friends who have become a big part of my life. Something I never allowed before. I am thankful that for our home, food in our fridge, our vehicles, healthcare....all those things we take for granted.

It's easy for me to get caught up in the stress and negative thoughts that drown me some days. But I realized that's it's simple...BE THANKFUL for what we have. Doing so makes all that bullish*t seem almost non-exsistent. The stress still lingers but it doesn't overwhelm me.

So be thankful. Really be thankful. Look around you, take it all in and smile.

Before I sign off, I wanted to give thanks to my followers. I know I don't blog like a pro but I am here and I do read each comment. I can't tell you how much it means to me when I read..."you've inspired me!". It's the highest compliment a maker/crafter can receive. Thank you for that.

Here's a printable to add to your walls and/or scrapbooks. It's my motto, sized at 5x7, 3x4 and a 2x2 circle. Download it here.

Happy Thanksgiving Tina

coming soon//shop update

I sort of jumped the gun when I mentioned a shop update on my IG feed last week. I really wanted this particular update to be a preview of what's to come for LLP and needed a little extra time to fine tune a few things.

There will be a new print, greeting cards, packaging, holiday inspired digital printables and of course, a printed paper pack. That has been the most fun to put together. I'm going through and printing on some of my favorite found papers and ephemera that I've collected this year. Can't wait to show you!

Shop update will be Sunday, November 24th.

xot

 

Jubilee!

Here are a couple of snippets from behind the scenes of the projects I completed for Studio Calico's first e-book, Jubilee. I just looked through the completed pdf. IT IS AMAZING. So many beautiful layouts, cards + spreads all created using the exclusive Jubilee kit. This e-book is full of techniques from beginner to advanced. I love it simply for the inspiration. It's on presale now for $34.95 (normally $39.99) + free shipping. Love that.

Random facts

-I mean serious creative business when I wear my green AG skinnies. -I like working on the floor in front of our french doors. -I'm working on a piece of plywood painted with chalkboard paint. My portable desk. -My dog is laying right next to me in both photos. -Still haven't found a good storage solution for my Peerless waterpapers. They remain scattered in a box.

xot

Paper banner wall hanging

I created a simple paper banner for the Basic Grey blog using the RSVP line. I'll be honest and say that that was a challenge in itself. The line is super feminine but it didn't stop me from creating something I now have hanging in my studio. The challenge was welcoming and it was just the sort of thing I needed to get me out of my creative slump.

I created a second banner using the leftover flower cut outs as stencils with watercolor paint.

I'll have more detailed instructions on how to recreate the banner later this week.

xot

inspired by the weather.

I had been struggling with my December Daily kit since it arrived on my doorstep. Maybe it was that I had no desire to start thinking about Christmas or the fact that the red of the spine had me stumped on what to do with the cover. Whatever it was left in an instant once the snow fell yesterday. I've also been struck with some kind of (what I'm calling) the Walking Dead cough. I've tried every natural remedy and copius almounts of Vicks. I'm trying to avoid anything stronger but I'm at my wits end.

So imagine me, coughing up a lung, inspired as sh*t remembering that I just picked up a roll of the raddest Christmas paper not only because it's kraft but because it's covered in deer and I've fallen head over heels with the whole deer motif craze. LIGHT BULB. I covered my Handbook in lightening speed and grinned from ear to ear when I saw it finished.

I love that moment. When that spark hits you? It's a good feeling.

And now I'm all amped on Christmas with the help of my 3 year old son who can't stop mentioning Christmas + Santa.

In case you're wondering about the adhesive I used to cover said wrapping paper, I used my big ol' ancient Xyron machine. Easy peasy. The wrapping paper is by Paper Chase which I purchased at Target.

xot

Cuppa Reveal

Did you score everything you hoped at the November reveal? The Cuppa scrapbook kit and Chamomile add on were my favorites this month (and are still available). I could probably use about 20 more of those acetate lightbulbs I used in the above layout. So cool. It's those little things that get me so excited each month. You can see the rest of my layouts here + here.

The Studio Calico website is also completely redesigned. It's beautiful and clean and bright. It's pretty awesome and there are a ton of new features. I still haven't gone through everything myself but I do love the new dashboard and the addition of following members + threads.

Happy Sunday! xot

oh Monday

 

+beautiful sweater +very appropriate quote

You know how I feel about sweaters + fall. I think it's pretty much all I've been pinning as of late. Don't forget to grab your fall time LLP printables! Use code SWEATERS13 to recieve 10 percent off your purchase now through Wednesday.

Did you get a peek of Studio Calico's November kit? It's pretty amazing and has made my top 3 kits of 2013. It definilty has a cozy, slightly masculine feel.

Well....it's another Monday but I have a feeling it's going to be an epic one. Or at least I'm hoping for an epic Monday. xot

I'm bringing cozy back.

New printables in the shop this morning and I'm clearancing out all stamps. They will no longer be availlable for purchase. Once they're gone, they're gone!

I also have a new fun freebie for your fall documenting or just to pin up on your board.

You can download it here.

I also cannot take credit for the "I'm bringing cozy back" art print. Of course it's a play on that song we all know but it was my husband that actually came up with the slogan. I was scrapping at my table completely bundled up in slipper socks, fleece pants and an oversized sweater last week. It gets chilly in our home ( I have become my father in that no one touches the thermostat ) Jeff took one look at my get up and said, "damn, you're bringing cozy back". Yep, that's my clever guy.

Enjoy and share! Tag me in IG, pin away....I would love to see how you use the LLP fall printables!

xot

autumn13

I'm sitting outside on one of the most beautiful fall days, taking in deep breaths of the cold autumn air. I watch Tyler run in his little boots...back + forth across the fallen leaves. Our dog is sitting against my legs as I pat her side and rub her ears. My husband is standing in the doorway, smiling at me from across the yard where I'm sitting, wrapped in my favorite grey sweater under the birch tree. I'm reminded of this quote, "I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'" -  Kurt Vonnegut 

This...this is nice. xot

 

Hello there.

It's been a long while but that's not unusual for the LLP blog. I serisouly have no clue what to do here anymore. I use to talk about my everyday office antics but now it's all toddler fits + Instagram.

So, I'll do just that. Begin. (in bullet points)

  • Screenprinting will be picking up (hopefully) this month. I've got several designs I'm super stoked about. I'm switching things up again for LLP and clearing out all stamps I have in stock. They will not be restocked the remainder of the year. Sale will start this Friday.
  • I have a new gig. I'm now a member of the Basic Grey team and I'm very stoked about that. I've been a long time fan of BG  and I'm anxious to get start in some projects.
  • I had the pleasure of chatting virtually with Catherine Davis and Kinsey WIlson for the Big Picture Class, Process.  (I hope I didn't sound too much like an awkward dork.) "The beauty is in the process" I love that. You can read more aobut the class here.

 

 

  • I was given the chance to be apart of Project Life 365 this week. The prompts given are well thought of and were actually quite challenging. It was inspiring to have these prompts in the back of my mind while I was doing the usual "remember this day" photo quest. Thanks PL365.
And I'm now going to indulge in quiet time with the October issue of Martha Stewart Living. That's what I call a good Monday night. xot.

 

December Daily 2013

Woah. Can you believe we're already planning for DD13?! Ali Edwards + Studio Calico have created a beautiful December Daily kit for 2013. Here are some drool worthy sneaks....

There will be a few LLP items in there as well (transparencies....yes!)

Here are the deets on making sure you get your DD13 kit. Kits are on PRESALE right now. All you need to do is put down a deposit of $25 and pay the remainder when kits are ready to ship. The total cost is $99. This kit has everything you need to create your DD13! Digital downloads will also be included! Hop over to the Studio Calico blog to see what the dt has planned for their own DD's.

I am SO looking forward to using some letterpressed items in my own DD. Sign ups are sill available! I can't wait to use these holiday plates to go along with my Christmas memeories. December is coming up quick. Don't wait!

xot

weekend desk

I had a lot of projects going on this weekend and felt the need to fit in some PL time. I always feel more inclined to catch up when a new month begins. Keeps me on track....I figure if I don't get more than a month behind, I'm ok. I started with the current week and now working my way back.

I wanted to do a quick tutorial on my most recent Instagram post.  I think this is a really cute way to add these types of photos into your scrapbooking. I do this before deleting all them because who needs 20 photos of the top of your child's head.

Hope you had fabulous weekend full of good things. xot

Toolbox Blog Hop!

Happy Friday!
Studio Calico has a great offer for the Toolbox class! Here are the details.....

Pretty amazing, no? The teachers leading the class are PHENOMONAL in every way and they have so much creative info + ideas to share with you. I'm honored to be sharing my tips on Typography and using fonts + journaling in PS. There are also some pretty sweet EXCLUSIVE digital items that are only available to Toolbox students.
The digital stamps + cut designs....they make me so very happy. You can view the rest of the class items here.
Stop by Shanna Noel's blog for a chance a to win a spot in the class and then to the Studio Calico blog for more links to the class sneak and giveaway. You can see more peeks from the Toolbox teachers + contributers.
Amy Tan | Stitching
Celine Navarro | Mixed Media
Geralyn Sy | Mist
Shanna Noel | Digital

STITCHING CONTRIBUTORS : Patricia Roebuck | Sasha Farina | Jen Jockisch | Becky Novacek MIXED MEDIA CONTRIBUTORS : Stephanie Bryan | Lisa Spangler | Marcy Penner | Anna-Maria Wolniak MISTING CONTRIBUTORS : Dana Fleckenstein | Jill Sprott | Nicole Reaves DIGITAL CONTRIBUTORS : Catherine Davis | Barbara Picinich | Stephanie Washburn | Emily Branch

xot

Photo Prompts!

Hey guys! I've got a week's worth of photo prompts for you to try over on Studio Calico's blog. Check them out here!

I am a huge huge fan of the Afterlight app. I've downloaded + tried many photo apps but this one is it for me personally. I love all the film textures + edits. I've been a long time lover of Polaroid but pretty much gave it up after 600 film went extinct. I feel like this has replaced that void a little plus it costs next to nothing whereas film can fetch a pretty penny. A good thing for a girl on a tight budget.

xot

 

Must Haves

These are the tools + embellishments that are always near by when I'm working on my PL. They are especially helpful when you're playing catch up.

Currents cards (spruced up with a simple wash of watercolors ) Peerless waterpaper ( choice of watercolors right now ) Nigi waterbrush ( this tool went to school. holds water right in the handle of the brush ) stapler, washi tape, pencil, scissors ( no brainer ) Pebbles date stamp  Stayz On stamp pad my vintage Stampfransisco red ink pad (I've never found a red like this one) a couple of graph lined note pads ( I picked these up in Portland. so worth the investment ) blank ticket stubs labels from BananaFishStudio journal ( holds my jotted down daily notes ) various items collected from Studio Calico's Project Life kits 4x6 Grid cards Taylor cards wood veneer calendar cards Moments cards by Nicole Reaves Splendid Fiins Evidence labels Paislee Press Hey There Handsome digital kit

I'm finding that I like the mix of digital + paper elements. I wasn't too sure if it would look too out of sorts but this combo is me. Very imperfect.

xot

 

 

JUNE//DONE

In order to not fall too behind on my PL, I decided to work backwards. The idea of starting where I left off was in no way motivating. So I started where I wanted which was June. I indulged in nothing but PL for a whole weekend. So nice. And now I'm starting in on July and will go back to April + May when I get around to it. Not going to sweat it.

xot

Happy F O U R T H!

The LifeLovePaper shop is having a sale this weekend! Everything is marked down, including digital items. Trying to make room for new goods coming soon. I've also just added a new printable for the summer holiday. **sidenote** thanks to those who emailed me about my big fat typo. It's kind of like walking around with your fly open or having a crusty booger at the tip of your nose. I always appreciate the one person who quietly lets you know. So thanks. 

 

Hope your fourth was a great one! xot

Valley High

Studio Calico's July kit, Valley High is now available for your making pleasure. They have worked diligently to provide more inventory on all kits and add ons including the Project Life kits. I know those are a hot commodity. :) Studio Calico is now offering $5 off to all NEW SUBSCRIBERS. This deal is good now through June 30th. Use codes:

 
 

Just sayin.

LifeLovePaper designs are sprinkled throughout most of the kits and add ons this month. My fave is the Let's Do This 3x4 card in the Valley High PL kit. It's also available as a wall print in my Society 6 shop.

Here are my gallery layouts.....

Kind of obsessed with this Hello graffiti paper above. Also new this month... patterned papers in 4x6 pads, wood veneer calendar cards and Tayler journal cards.

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I should be back next week in full swing with blogging and printing. Hoping to reveal my new screen prints by mid July. So excited.

Happy Friday! xot