Unlike my week 10 spread, I'm very happy with how this one came out. I put a little more time and effort into the planning before printing, which made all the difference in my mind. Here's a closer look at the spread.
March 30, 2015
Project Life 2015 | Week 11 + Day in the Life
Unlike my week 10 spread, I'm very happy with how this one came out. I put a little more time and effort into the planning before printing, which made all the difference in my mind. Here's a closer look at the spread.
March 25, 2015
Project Life 2015 | Stamping Pt.1
I'm happy to say that I'm now a stamp convert.
Being on the Kellie Stamps creative team helped a lot, and I've started branching out a little bit using Kelly Purkey stamp products as well.
I have been getting a fair amount of questions about the stamp products I use, so instead of answering everyone separately, I thought it would be a great idea to write up a post about my experiences. So, here we go.
I've discovered that the brand of ink pad I use depends entirely on the type of paper the photos are printed on. For example, I usually print at home, but this time I decided to have my photos printed at Walgreens on glossy paper. I tried stamping on a list from Kelly Purkey using the SC Color Theory ink pad and.... smudge. Not good:
In the following example, this photo was printed at home on a semi-glossy paper using the StazOn ink. As you can see, the ink didn't stick to the photo very well.
I hope this helps you guys out!
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I show you how I've been using stamps lately.
March 23, 2015
Project Life 2015 | Week 10
I've debated over and over whether or not to share this week. You know why? Because I'm very unhappy with how it turned out. BUT, there's a lesson in that: that it's done, and that's better than nothing. So, I decided to share it and move on.
Here's a closer look.
Right side:
++
March 19, 2015
All I want is some resemblance of normal
“You’re going to have to muster all the mommy patience you
have,” my father in law said, as he headed towards the door on Tuesday night.
And I knew in that instant that all I wanted to do was crawl under the covers
of my bed and cry.
Cry for the past month. Cry for the pain and discomfort and
frustration that my son is going through. Cry for all that I haven’t done, and
all that I have yet to do. Cry for all of the weight on my husbands shoulders
these days. Cry for the feeling in my gut never letting me forget me how
painful and ridiculously hard motherhood feels.
As I write this, I’m sitting at the kitchen table, exhausted
as it is long past the time my head would normally hit the pillow, afraid to
give in and close my eyes. Because I was up with my son four times last night.
Because he won’t stop hitting and throwing things. Because I’m having terrible,
anxiety-ridden dreams. Because I’m afraid of how many times I will again be
awakened before morning. Because of how I will feel tomorrow, and the day after
that.
I’m trying so hard to be thankful in the midst of all this
crazyness, to embrace motherhood no matter what shape it is taking at the
moment, and to remember that everything is a phase and we will eventually come
out on the other side of this.
But it’s hard.
And I know there are other parents out there right now, nodding along as they read these words, wishing they too could get a grasp on their lives. I know they too, you too, have wanted to raise the white flag and surrender, the way I do tonight.
And I know there are other parents out there right now, nodding along as they read these words, wishing they too could get a grasp on their lives. I know they too, you too, have wanted to raise the white flag and surrender, the way I do tonight.
Let’s all admit right now that it’s okay to feel that way.
The last thing we need is more judgment.
What we so need is more honesty, to hear our thoughts and
feelings echoed in others around us.
To know that we are not alone.
To know that everyone is human.
To know that it’s a bad day, not a bad life.
To know that it’s okay to be crying alone in your kitchen at
11:21pm on a Wednesday night.
To know that it’s time to go to bed and turn off the light,
and replenish that mommy patience we all so desperately require.
March 12, 2015
Excerpts from my Journal | 06
These pieces are anywhere from 1 month to 2 years old, but upon re-discovering them + finding strength in them, I knew that I wanted to share them.
Sunday. It was gloriously beautiful out. The kind of day where everyone is suddenly outside. your neighbors are cleaning their cars, trimming their hedges and stepping out for a long walk. The air was buzzing with excitement. Children were running the streets, filling them with laughter. The sun shining on our faces.
It was glorious.
I wore a dress, the first one of the season. Pink and black striped, a gift from my mother-in-law this past christmas. The dress, and me in it, were a perfect indication of how I was feeling. Carefree. In love. Relaxed.
Sunday. I will never forget you.
++
I haven't cooked anything lately that I'm terribly proud of.
There was a cabbage roll casserole (my aunt's recipe) that I made this past week
but beyond that, I've been sticking with the basics, read: easy.
Today I thought back to when I first moved to Las Vegas
before marriage, before the baby,
when my favorite thing to do while Dom worked all day was try new recipes:
chicken piccata, apple turnovers, lemon cake with an orange glaze, jambalaya.
I'm so boring now.
I come home from work, from picking DJ up from daycare,
and put together whatever I can with an anxious toddler nipping at my ankles.
And I'm tired, I'm always tired when I get home;
I just want to lay down and close my eyes for a few moments,
shake the work day from my body
maybe have a small glass of wine.
++
I'm great at starting things. I mean really great. I'm overflowing with inspiration, excitement and resolve. i dive in head first. Let the projects swallow me whole.
And oh, do i ride the wave for a while. I'm happy, and why wouldn't i be when I'm creating? I'm in my element when I'm creating, no matter in what form. writing. crafting. knitting. scrapbooking. painting. it's all the same. they all make me feel as if i can breathe better.
But. (yes, there is always a but, isn't there always?) somewhere near the halfway point the wind dies and my sails drop. the excitement wanes. hanging on to my resolve is like trying to hold sand in the palm of my hands.
This is when I push the project aside and sometimes even begin a new project that is all shiny, new and exciting.
Sometimes i back up and pick up an old project, but (too) often, they sit, unfinished.
My mom tells me that I get that from her.
All of these unfinished projects, these unfinished thoughts... they could fill a stadium.
++
it was after dinner,
our bellies full of pasta
that i sat at my computer
engrossed in someone else's life and words
(like i'm doing often these days)
and it occured to me:
i'm missing out
on sitting on the couch next to my husband
while i sip my coffee
and we watch our son
run circles around us.
off i go.
++
I'm great at starting things. I mean really great. I'm overflowing with inspiration, excitement and resolve. i dive in head first. Let the projects swallow me whole.
And oh, do i ride the wave for a while. I'm happy, and why wouldn't i be when I'm creating? I'm in my element when I'm creating, no matter in what form. writing. crafting. knitting. scrapbooking. painting. it's all the same. they all make me feel as if i can breathe better.
But. (yes, there is always a but, isn't there always?) somewhere near the halfway point the wind dies and my sails drop. the excitement wanes. hanging on to my resolve is like trying to hold sand in the palm of my hands.
This is when I push the project aside and sometimes even begin a new project that is all shiny, new and exciting.
Sometimes i back up and pick up an old project, but (too) often, they sit, unfinished.
My mom tells me that I get that from her.
All of these unfinished projects, these unfinished thoughts... they could fill a stadium.
++
it was after dinner,
our bellies full of pasta
that i sat at my computer
engrossed in someone else's life and words
(like i'm doing often these days)
and it occured to me:
i'm missing out
on sitting on the couch next to my husband
while i sip my coffee
and we watch our son
run circles around us.
off i go.
++
Dom's aunt was over recently and in between giggling over whatever dj was doing at the moment she turned to me and said: "it's sixteen years ago today that my mother passed away."
It was so out of the blue that i didn't know couldn't think what to say in response. somehow I managed: "i can't even imagine." and i can't.
It made me wonder if, living so far away from all of my family, it would make it easier or more difficult if something were to happen to my parents. would the physical distance equate distance from the tragedy, or would it make it that much worse?
It's all twisted and odd to be thinking about such things, i understand. but when someone tells you about how they lost their mother when she was thirty, and you've just turned thirty yourself, a little piece inside of you thinks "uh oh."
It made me want to kiss my parents, which of course i can't because they're thousands of miles away. such is life, i suppose. but do me a favor: give your parents the kisses that i can't give mine. and never take them for granted.
++
2015.
Smile more. Wear whatever you want to wear. Leave your hair curly more often. Wear comfortable shoes. Stop comparing yourself to others. Text less, call more. Put your phone down. Better yet, leave it upstairs. Get outside more. Ask for help when you need it. Take it when it's offered. Wear more red. Stop buying clothes. Assert your worth. Don't settle. Know when to say no. Be okay with saying no. Stand up for yourself. Give yourself a break. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Wear more red lipstick. Tweeze your eyebrows more often. Tell the truth. Be open. Have more sex. Don't stop writing about your life. Let go of the past, look forward to the future. Be more patient. Enjoy the present. Be thankful for another year...
++
Each time I drive away from my son, having dropped him at his grandparents, I have what can only be described as a moment of mania. I am so momentarily stunned by the myriad of options I have in regards to how to spend my toddler-free hours, that I am almost unable to move or think anything beyond how incredibly lucky I am to have in-laws who have not only the time and energy, but the desire to spend so much time with their grandson. I know not every mother can say the same.
Excerpts from my Journal | 06
These pieces are anywhere from 1 month to 2 years old, but upon re-discovering them + finding strength in them, I knew that I wanted to share them.
Sunday. It was gloriously beautiful out. The kind of day where everyone is suddenly outside. your neighbors are cleaning their cars, trimming their hedges and stepping out for a long walk. The air was buzzing with excitement. Children were running the streets, filling them with laughter. The sun shining on our faces.
It was glorious.
I wore a dress, the first one of the season. Pink and black striped, a gift from my mother-in-law this past christmas. The dress, and me in it, were a perfect indication of how I was feeling. Carefree. In love. Relaxed.
Sunday. I will never forget you.
March 11, 2015
Meet the Creative Team
I'm so looking forward to sharing their projects with you over the next six months and can only hope that you all find inspiration from them the same way that I do. You can find out more details about all of the members of the team – including links to their blogs and social media channels – on the Creative Team page.
March 9, 2015
Project Life 2015 | Week 09 + March CT Blog Hop
Week nine is in the bag. A lot of big changes happened over the span on this week, like my applying for, interviewing for, scoring and starting a new full-time job within the span of four days. Phew! Because I was a little short on photos and because I fell in love with the print when I saw it, I decided to blow up the amazing "Make things happen" freebie from Whitney Rae.
March 4, 2015
Shop Update | 3.4.2015
I've got another big round of releases in my shop now, including some journal cards to document your road trips this summer and your (hopefully few and far in between) bad days. Also available now is a set for documenting your daily happenings, and my first go at digital photo templates. All are available in the shop now and are 10% off today only! For only $3.85, they're a steal!
As always, I love seeing what you do with my collections. If you post on instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #bigcityquietdesigns so that I can see your lovely creations!
March 2, 2015
Project Life 2015 | Weeks 07 + 08
I'm feeling a little like Stella these days, friends. As in: Stella got her groove back. I mentioned previously that I was struggling a little with my weekly spreads, and creating work I wasn't entirely proud of. Speaking of which, did you hear my podcast with Jess a couple weeks ago? I touch on how I got over my third year burn out. Here's week seven!
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