In a Scrapbooking Groove

Do you go through phases where you just cannot get enough of a certain activity?  I am currently in one of those with scrapbooking.  Maybe it's because I've moved my supplies so they're clustered in one space, or because I am keeping my supplies out in that same corner, or that there's more sunlight in the evening, or it could be that I'm using it as an escape from all things wedding related that are burning me out. ha!  No matter the reason, I have in the past week been scrapbooking non-stop. 

Last weekend Shimelle hosted a bunch of challenges and I stole a few minutes away to participate.
This challenge was to go back to an 'older' collection, Shimelle's first.  I actually did have half the paper pad and a few embellishment bits sitting around - sweet!
These photos are slightly gross out of focus ones from my phone, so the layouts look better in person, but better blogged than perfect!

This first layout is about the very first time my brother and I were in a photobooth.  I love how the looks on our faces change as we "get it."  I think everything on this layout is from the Shimelle collection, with the exception of the tiny "yay" circle, which I think was from one of my Studio Calico Project Life kits.

This next layout was a fun one because I found an old teeny print from the Oldies Dance we went to in 2013.  The whole thing is made with the Shimelle collection.  I will add journaling later, but for the purposes of sharing on Instagram, etc.  I'm going to keep personal notes private. :)

 

 

This last layout is one from my 2015 Project Life album, which I am still chugging along at.  The 6x8 pocket has more Shimelle stuff, but the rest is a mish-mash of Studio Calico and the We Are Memory Keepers Love Notes collection by Amanda Rose Zampelli.  I have been making Project Life style albums since 2012 and I really love it.  This spread is from a not-so-ordinary 7th anniversary/day we got engaged, but normally I really enjoy capturing life's smaller moments in an album.  I am usually a little bit behind, but currently the lag is epic! This layout is from July 1st.  But I have been scrapping a lot lately, so I feel like I can catch up before long. 

 

 Do you scrapbook?  Have any questions about scrapbooking or Project Life? I'll try to post more layouts again soon!
Mel

Scrapbooking on a rainy day

It was rainy and gross outside on my day off yesterday.
I was really looking forward to swimming, but have to settle for scrapbooking instead.
Can you tell that I'm still very much in a summer mood?
I think I always am, really.  I don't buy fall coloured papers or clothes for that matter.
Super saturated is great for me.

This is an old photo, but a favourite.  Me & Shan, hanging out in my backyard - Summer '08.

This photo of K & I is a newer fave.  From the night the Radiohead concert got cancelled, when we picked a random restaurant and the special was 2 entrees and a pitcher of sangria for $24.95.  That's insane pricing.  The food sucked, but the sangria was perfect. 
I miss this gal - she's in France for the summer, lucky duck.

I have gotten to hang out with this lovely lady this season.  Here we are trying on glasses just to see how they'd look.  I look like Thelma from Scooby Doo.  But we are quite cute.

This last one is just so funny to me.  It was on the way home from a friend's stand-up comedy show, we decided to stop at the 24 hour grocery store to get some things.  We were giggly, a little drunk and it's the most fun I've ever had in a grocery store. 
When you need milk for breakfast, you've just got to do it!

How's your day?  Is it raining too?  What's your preferred rainy day activity?

Project Life Weeks 1-10

I am hooked on Project Life.  I don't know if you scrapbook, or used to do it, but this is a whole new way about it.  It's faster, simpler and a better capsule of time in my opinion.
Basically, for every week of your life you make a 2 page layout.  Document the everyday things that you do, say, see, etc.   These things wouldn't normally make it into a scrapbook layout, but all together in a book they come together to give a full picture of your life. 
I started in March, so I'm a bit slow on sharing the progress with you, but here are the first 10 weeks, ha.
I especially love it because it's got me scrapbooking again.

Week one: Honey Shreddies are delicious, fire alarms, work, boggle, construction, laundry.

Week two: new hair colour, the gym, neigborhood walks, hanging with friends.  (A lot of hanging out, there's an extra insert this week. )

So you can see the hair ;)

Week three:  boudoir photoshoot, my family cat died, etsy shop opening, St Patty's day, Mexican food.

Week four:  My Papa (grandpa) died.  I can't think about anything else.

Week five: I'm in my hometown for his funeral.

Week six:  Easter, grilled cheese on the waffle iron, we leave for Chicago.

Week six part II:  Hanging out in Chicago.

Week seven: More Chicago, back home and sick with a cold, new bedding from Ikea.

Week eight:  A friend does stand-up, watching hockey, tasty food, first Blue Jays game.

Week nine:  I start a new class at school, lunch with a friend, work, a creative photoshoot.

Week ten: Supermoon, craft diy, bridal shower.

Week ten insert:  Bridal shower/best cupcakes ever.  (Lemon popyseed w lemon curd and cream cheese frosting.)

Week ten part II: studio lighting in class, Canadian Shield at the Horseshoe Tavern, hair dyed again, strawberry rhubarb pie.

It's funny to see 10 weeks summarized in one blog post.  Are you doing Project Life?  Are you interested/would you like to see more posts?
I hope you're having a fab Wednesday!

Crafting in Toronto - Papercrafting at Bizzy B's Stamp & Scrap

My documentation of the best craft shopping in Toronto continues.  (See the first post here.)

A few years ago, when scrapbooking was at its peak - I worked in a scrapbooking store and had a great time.  There were also at the time several store options for us paper-lovers to shop.  However, the recession hit these boutiques hard, and well, hobbies are the first to go when people cut back.

Thankfully Bizzy B's is still around.  
(At 2100 Bloor St West, between High Park and Runnymede subway stations)

I can (and do sometimes) spend hours here.

I love slowly looking at all the pretty papers, planning projects, cards, scrapbook pages and gifts. 
These are my fave things at the store right now.

Amy Tangerine's Sketchbook Line for American Crafts - LOVE!

Oodles of ribbon

Cardstock as far as the eye can see...

Pens in every colour

pretty patterned papers

and velvet ones

Clearly I like things organized in rainbows. 
I should also note that the store has loads of stamps, papercrafting tools and if you need something specific they'll order in for you. 
If you do stop by Bizzy B's, make sure to stop at High Park and enjoy the breeze in the trees.  It's lovely, you'll be glad you did.

P.s. I bought most of the papers in the first photo ;)

This was not a sponsored post.  I just want to feature some of my fave places in the city before they disappear, like some from the past already have. 

Do you have any fave places to craft shop in Toronto?  Anything you can't seem to find?

If you don't live in Toronto but want advice before you visit, let me know :)

In love with Scrapbooking Again

3 years ago, just before starting this blog, I quit my job at the Urban Scrapyard to move to a new city so Steve and I wouldn't be living long distance anymore.
At the Urban Scrapyard (now closed, sadly) I worked full time with everything scrapbooking.  I made sample layouts and kits for the store, taught classes, and designed and planned for customers.  I loved it.  At the time I was also going home at night and scrapbooking a book for Steve about our first year together.  It was great, until I got burnt out.  And then I didn't scrapbook a single thing for 3 years. 

But now I'm back to it and loving it again.  It's amazing how liberating it feels to create without rules and make a mess of our dining room table.  And! printing pictures and doing things with them instead of stashing them on hard drives!

Here are some pages I've made lately.

With the girls - did you know that at a party, if you talk with your glass in front of your mouth, no one will hear you?  ;)

What colour is blush?  While my mom was in Toronto we went hunting for blush coloured lace for my aunt - but what colour is that exactly? (in the end - it's the one on the top right)

What's in my bag.  I used the photo of my bag contents from when I was working in France.  I need to take another shot like this soon - my purse contents have changed a lot.

Vintage Enamel Flower Pins.  About my obsessive need to look for these at every yard sale, flea market or thrift shop I ever see.

Happy Reading.  All of the little mini paper books along the layout are what I've read lately. 

2 peas in a pod.  An old photo of my friend Shannon and I -  when I saw this paper, it was perfect for a page about us. 

Thankful for having my grandpa around as a role model while I was growing up.

Do you scrapbook?  Have you ever?
If you have questions about it let me know!