My system of scrapbooking

I was reading Aussie Scrapbooking the other day and came across an interesting article on Scrapbook Planning and Goals. Anyway, the article was basicall a link to Becky Higgins' blog - to a post about planning your scrapbooking. She talked about everyone's different systems of scrapbooking, and how everyone is different - and no two are alike. She then posed the question and asked what her readers 'core system' was.

This article also provided me with some more food for thought, if I scrapbook the way I am right now for however long, I'll end up with hundreds of layouts!! :( eep!! And where do I store them all? Will people ever read them??

While doing my usual blog reading I also came across Nicole Southall's post about a photobook of hers. She explained that she does a family 'yearbook' for her parents and parents-in-law - and how's she's just made a photobook of her 2009 photos using snapfish and photoshop! I totally love the idea of having a small, neat photobook to capture the events of each year - and is much smaller to store! Here's a little peak at her photobook:


I loved this idea, and after reading through these articles over the last couple of weeks, I thought it was about time I documented my system - and my changes I want to make to how I scrapbook....

1. How I have scrapped:
Up until now I have been keeping my printed photos sorted chronologically, and I scrap my photos into albums that way. I sometimes go back and scrap old photos, I also scrap new photos, and also other pages that I call 'free' scrapping. I have also been keeping photos aside and notes to keep a 'monthly review' page. Here are some examples of all of these:

Chronological/event layouts:


'Free' layouts:


Monthly review layouts:


2. Right now I have the following albums/storage for layouts:

• ONE 8.5x11 Album documenting photos from 2005 (not pictured)
• ONE 12x12 Creative Memories album from photos prior to 2005 (not pictured)
• THREE 12x12 Albums: Each broken into the following:

1 x Album with photos from 2006 & 2007 (purple album)
1x Album with photos from 2008 (black album)
1 x Album with photos from 2009 (not complete) (black album)

I store my layouts (that can't be stored in an album yet ) the little blue box sitting atop of these albums.

3. Here's how I want to start scrapping - from NOW:
1 x Photobook per year - around 30 - 50 pages. Includes monthly review type pages and special events and 'traditional' type event photos.
An ongoing scrapbook album to scrapbook those 'free' kind of layouts and special photos/events I want to scrapbook. I plan to keep using print blocks albums (3 ring binder ones that I buy from here).

So, how do u scrapbook. Do you have a system of storage?

Breakfast with good friends

Good friends. Good food. Good times.

I spent most of Sunday relaxing with Skye, Marnie (and her boyfriend Ryan) in Fed Square at a cafe enjoying a yummy breakfast!

I hadn't met Marnie before - only through forums, blogs etc. But it certainly didn't feel that way when we met on Sunday. Her and Ryan were so lovely and friendly, and I will certainly be catching up with them when I'm in Brisbane in June!

And Skye and I hadn't caught up in months - it had been WAY too long! So it was great to spend a relaxing sunday spending time with them both!

How did you spend your weekend?

on the road to recovery

I'm back on the road to recovery from my back injury...

Yes.... those are my legs and my shoes - my new runners I bought in the US in January!

I got to try them out this week! I went for a 5.5km jog/walk last Sunday, I went back to the gym for a weights and cardio session on Monday and pilates on Tuesday. I had a new program written up last night - and I love it!!

It's a mix of core work, things like planks, sit ups, using a lot of cables and weights on the fit ball (swiss ball). My trainer has also incorporated squats, arm and leg weights. I'll aim to do this three days a week, plus a body attack class, a run, as well as indoor soccer on thrusday, along with pilates to stretch.

Here's how my routine will look:

Sunday: rest day/ 5pm body attack

Monday: 5.30 gym program

Tuesday: 5.30pm pilates

Wednesday: 5.15 gym program AND 6.30pm body attack

Thursday: soccer

Friday: gym program

Saturday: run / rest day

I'm looking forward to getting into a routine and feeling fit and healthy again.

My next aim is to run the Great Ocean Road Marathon (15/16 May).

My aim is to run in the 6.5km run.

On a blog hunt.....

While reading going through my Google reader...reading blogs, updating my inspiration bank etc.

I came across a "BLOG HUNT" on Martawrites.com...

Here's how it works:

choose thirty subjects and link it up.
spread the love.

link a blogger who...

makes me smile: ..............
makes me go ooh la la: Oh, hello friend
posts charming photos: Tina Wilkinson
features pure eye candy: Larissa Albernaz
i adore: Skye Johnson
has incredible taste: Amanda Johnson (in design/furniture)
posts fun finds: How about orange
is a new-to-me blog: Rose Eckford's blog, r's adventure
discusses deliciousness: Design Sponge
is downright darling:Debee Campos
blogs life beautifully: Pip Prosser
is completely creative: Elsie Flannagan
is a daily must: (for work) Kaisercraft blog
has a new baby: Tanya Tahir (quite literally!)
i've bookmarked: Zakka Life (tissue paper flower tutorial)
has an online shop: Vol25
takes fantastic photographs: Promise Tangeman Art&Design
is a storm of style: Lady Melbourne
blogs 'bout brides: once wed
is oh so unique:Skunkboy Creatures
is a new favorite: Ally Louise
is an old favorite: Marnie Sanford and Nicole Denuke
has an eye for design: Victor Fox
features fabulous tips: Young House Love (home DIY)
posts prettiness: Poppytalk
makes me laugh: Post Secret
recently subscribed to: Keiko Lynn
inspires me: Elise Blaha
features sweet downloads:...........
is awesomely artistic: Amy Lapi

What are yours?

For sale...

FOR SALE

'Freedom' Furniture frosted glass top desk.
Model is called Apex.
2.5 years old.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: 153cm length, 72cm wide, 74cm high.
RRP $249

$140


Freedom Furniture Zero modular 3 seat RH, Chaise LH RRP $1799 3 years old. In good condition, no tears, rips etc. Comes with BONUS ottoman Colour Pepper (Black/tan).

$600



(Freedom photo)

For pickup in Geelong/Melbourne region.

Email me at ali_180586hotmailcom if you're interested.

a new layout

During the weekend I managed to "schedule in" some scrapping! Yay!!

I firstly made my first 'canvas' 8x8 page for a collaborative album I am working on this year - it's called the "Bakers Dozen + 1". 14 ladies from Geelong, Australia are swapping photos for a year and scrapping each others on canvas pages.

The first page I did was surprisingly easy, thanks for the tip Al!!

Here's a sneak of the page, more picture of the Bakers Dozen + 1 blog!!


I also scrapped a layout! Sorry for the bad lighting, these were taken last night!!


Materials: Cosmo Cricket, Scenic Route & Kaisercraft patterned paper, Maya Rd and Kaszazz stamps, Scenic route chipboard and stickers, October afternoon stickers, My minds eye journal spot, KI memories lace paper.

Wanna see some close ups?



Oh - and want a scrapbooking tip?
You know the sheet of holes you have left over from a used packet of foam dots?
Dont throw them out! Use them, like I did on this layout!!


Do you have any clever scrappy tips?

My tree tattoo

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/utterlyutter/4347687120/

The other week I did a bit of research for my tattoo I'm planning on getting.

I also played around with my Wacom tablet I bought last year.

The below image I drew in photoshop - just playing around. Since then, I've drawn a better more 'tattoo-able' image of a tree I'm planning to get in the next month or so.

I'm not getting the text, but I love the idea of it. You see, I'm getting a tree done, as my family's home (where I grew up) has a huge elm tree in the yard, and it's very old and to me it represents home. As I enter this next stage of my life, buying a house with my boyfriend, I want to get this tattoo to represent my heritage, and home - and the "building" of a new family home with my partner.

'Real' scrapbooking

To me, there is two types of scrapbooking (well I have two different ways I scrapbook).

One is called 'crafty', or 'now' scrapping, the other is 'real' scrapbooking.

Want to know the difference?

The first type is a more free flowing kind of crafting where I use my newest papers, favourite photos and new photos too. Sometimes I'll utilise challenges, ideas and inspiration.

These are the majority of the layouts I share on my blog.

Then there are the 'real' scrap pages. The ones that I've already slotted into a album ready to scrap, the older photos.

This layout below is a prime example. They're pages I scrap quickly to document the who, what, when, where and why.

Paul & Larn engaged layout: Loire Valley, American Crafts stickers.

Five things on a Friday 12 March

1. Clothes.
Although I'm trying to save at the moment - it's so hard too - with Autumn and Winter around the corner - I need warm clothes BAD!

I love this top from Sportsgirl:


This tunic from Anthropologie (yay for shipping to Aust):

This shirt dress from Urban Outfitters:

And this boyfriend jacket from UO:


2. Lovely bedrooms

Source: Amanda Johnson. More images of her gorgeous home can be found here

3. WANTED Buffet/sideboard preferably vintage/danish/eames, in good condition.


Oh my gosh, I have wanted one of these for SO long! And I'm op shopping this weekend in order to find one. Although if you know of any, or are trying to dispose of one similar to these in the Melbourne (Victoria) area - email me! x

From here.

4. Great blog posts - that are truly useful.

Like this one from Young House Love. I have been following this blog/website for quite sometime now, and has the most amazing DIY project, house and interior design ideas, giveaways and more. This post on de-cluttering your wardrobe was a great find, as I just threw away about 1/2 my entire wardrobe (hold your gasps)! I've bundled up some to sell on ebay, some to give away and some for the salvos....

I love in their 2nd post they cleaned out of spare wardrobe and turned it into a wrapping station!!

How cute and practical!!

5. Yoga

I went last night, after having a couple of weeks resting (after I injured my back) - and my oh my have I missed my gym!! Yoga was a great way to get back into light exercise and I ended up falling asleep! Next stop - buying a yoga mat! I'm going to incorporate yoga into my weekly fitness routine as way to de-stress, stretch and relax! Have a great weekend folks!

Home is where the heart is.....

Just a quick post today.

They say home is where the heart is...

Print from Vol25 etsy store (love this print!!)

I'm lucky to now have two homes....

Two places where my heart lies. One is at my parents lovely farm in North-East Victoria. And now another place to call home, one in Geelong. Brad and I bought a house!!

We move into this cute little place in just over a month and I'm so excited to have taken this next step in our relationship!


You can expect before and after decorating photos, decorating ideas and interior design blog posts here over the next for weeks (months)....

Fashion update 4 March

I found Polyvore last year and haven't got around to actually publishing anything until last night!!

I was inspired by this gorgeous tank on the Anthro site... loves....

Right now I'm also loving....

* Almost having payed off my Wish faux leather jacket (tan) from Myer....
* Looking at buying some boots to match.....

* This look from Anthropologie!


You'll be seeing more fashion inspired posts around here.....

3 new scrapbooking layouts

I have been a busy girl of late... despite a taped up back I have been busy at work and scrapping of course!

My physio has instructed me to do only light exercise (swimming, yoga, pilates).... so while I can't go to the gym or run like I have been, I've been busy catching up on my favourite TV shows, scrapping and catching up with friends!

Here's my first layout using Kaiser's new Devonshire collection (just the papers). I also used some gorgeous basic grey rubons, 7 gypsies tag, some cheapo lace and that's about it!

My next layout is just a little one on how I'm feeling RIGHT now - which I hardly ever do. I loved this photo of Brad and I (a selfie taken at my little brothers 21st back in January). I used some new Kaszazz patterned paper and rubons, heidi swapp alphas, and some Kaiser black rhinestones.

The next layout is one where I go back in my album and scrap some older photos. These were taken last February at the cricket. I've used mainly Studio Calico product here (papers, alphas, stickers and fab rips.

I worked on another layout last night (one of those 'scrap your older photos/slap it together' type layouts), but I'll share that later.

Tomorrow a more fashion inspired blog post!