big city quiet: August 2014

August 31, 2014

35 / 52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

No one ever said it would be easy being a mother. In fact, these past 17 months have been the hardest of my life. But no matter how difficult life is now, how tired and impatient we all can become, I really cannot imagine my life without him in it.

August 25, 2014

Project Life 2014 | August Three

I mentioned a few days ago that I'm going to be experimenting a little more with my project life spreads. This week I used some new designs from the project life stampin it up collaboration along with my own title card design and included ephemera from my canada vacation.

August 24, 2014

34 / 52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

We were back in Canada visiting with family when I spotted this car. It had been mine. I handed it to him, unsure of what he would do. Needless to say it came home with us, and he is constantly pushing it along any flat surface that he can find. It makes me oh so happy.

August 23, 2014

Around here

Here's what's been going on around here.

Around here I'm feeling overwhelmed by the new chapter that begins just around the corner. Me back at work and DJ beginning daycare. My mama heart is lighter and heavier at the same time.

Around here I'm wanting to have another cup of coffee, but three before 3pm is probably a little much, don't you think?

Around here I'm trying to picture myself not living in this house anymore, and I simply can't.

Around here I am constantly thinking about how I can ramp up my business.

Around here I'm accepting that I'm in another one of my phases where I simply can't find the time or energy to open a book, no matter how much it saddens me.

Around here I'm loving watching DJ play with all types of cars and trucks, especially the yellow beetle that his papa gave him.

Around here I'm wearing my hair curly more and more, and learning to embrace what I was born with. Yes, that means embracing the frizzy hair days and all.

Around here I'm learning what my breaking points are, and how to gracefully step back from situations and people that are causing me stress or making me unhappy.

Around here I'm absolutely absorbed in Ali's new site.

Shop Update | 8.23.2014

Happy weekend everyone!

I'm excited to say that I have two new digital products in the shop today. You can see more at my shop, but here is a quick preview.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/200403887/digital-word-stamp-no2-project-life?ref=shop_home_active_2

Oh So Great journaling cards

Word Stamps no.2

Have a wonderful weekend!

August 21, 2014

Project Life 2014 | It's time to experiment

Lately, when it comes to my Project Life spreads - and really creating anything creative - I've been feeling as though I'm in a rut. I'm taking the same photographs each week and telling what appear to be the same stories. I want to be able to look back on these albums years from now and feel as though I truly represented my life at this time, and I don't think I'm doing that justice.

So, what now?

I think it's about time to experiment.

What does this mean? Well, it means I'm going to give myself permission to try something new, or ten new things, if I feel like it. It means I'm going to get messy. It means I'm going to try new products, new designs, new techniques. It means I'm going to open myself up to ideas I had previously pushed aside. It means that, when my printer is going on two days of not communicating with my iMac, I can still create in other ways, without being tied to technology.

It means that, hopefully, I will find new inspiration and motivation to get things back on track.

It's time to experiment. I am oh-so-ready!

August 12, 2014

#abigcityquietreveal

8.12.2014... the day is finally here!

What's the big secret I've been hiding?

August 11, 2014

project life 2014 | august one

With this spread I was very inspired by the blue skies in the rainy photos that I shot through the car windshield. When I pieced it together with the 8.12.14 photo I knew I was putting together a spread that I would absolutely love.

August 10, 2014

32/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

Keeping his hair in check has always been a struggle, then I saw more photos of my husband when he was younger and his hair looked just like DJ's. Now I embrace the crazy, knowing that it's all just another link to his daddy.

August 8, 2014

one little word 2014 | august one

I like to think that the past couple months were quiet (in terms of my one little word album) because I was taking the time to really think about what's important to me and focusing on getting to the root of what really brings me joy. I truly believe that each week that goes on, i'm discovering more and more.

So, I thought I would share a recent spread with you all.

August 7, 2014

I was going to write about something else but then this happened, so i thought: to hell with it, and hit 'publish'

As far as writing goes, really writing, it's been a while
and I really don't have anyone to blame but myself.
Each year I feel as though summer has this way
of knocking me off my feet (both in good ways and bad)
and boy did it hit me this season.
My head is as clouded with thoughts as ever and yet
I can't seem to ever get them down on paper.
So they just sit there, all these thoughts and words,
swarming around beneath my skull,
pushing me deeper and deeper into the ground.

I'd love to share my thoughts with you,
if only you would listen,
if only my hands would get to work.

xo,
rdg

August 4, 2014

project life 2014 | july six

I needed a little creative break and so went back to a style i've done in the past (see here and here).

August 3, 2014

31/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

there has always been this intense desire to capture the everyday moments in life. lately i find that i'm pulled towards capturing these kinds of moments in DJ's life; like lunch time.