Life on Lee Avenue

Simple Scrapper: March Pages

It's no secret, I love to journal. At any given time, I often am ripe with thoughts and feelings - just ask Aaron! Ha! However, there are times when I can't find the words to express myself.  During times like these I often look to others for inspiration. Why re-invent the wheel when I can "borrow" someone else's words right?

Take for example the page below for Simple Scrapper's March Template. Inspired by Robert Munsch, a Canadian children's author, I used a famous line from his book "Love you forever" as my journaling. It was the exact sentiment I wanted to use on a page for a photo of Rowan and me. Combine it with Jennifer's awesome March Template and viola: 

"It's a mama thing"

Template: Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

Cardstock: White: Recollections

Pattern Paper: Basic Grey, Picadilly; SEI Kris Kringle; Basic Grey, Out of Print

Brads: Recollections

Letters: American Crafts Naturals for Studio Calico

Journaling: I'll love you forever; as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

I love this line. It makes me cry. Every single time I read the book!

Supplies Used: 

InLinkz.com

Happy Tuesday!

Project LIfe : Week 7

Hello Project Life, Week 7!

This week's layout is not short on colour. Generally when I scrapbook, I perfer to use two or three "go-to" colour combinations. With Project Life, I am breaking out of my comfort zone and that excites me.  

This week, I included journaling cards reflecting on Whitney Houston's death, Valentine's Day and my new obsession with Downton Abbey. I also included two of my favourite products right now: Instagram photos and Martha Stewart labels. 

As always, I included a "Week In Review" card. Any given week, I look to my blog and tweets for stories. This week, I included this summary of Rowan turning three months old. I love that I am keeping up the stories that are most relevant to my family today. 

Good thing I have been hoarding American Craft Thickers. I have used more left over bits including numbers and astericks in the past few weeks that I can remember. I love using up my stash.

Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

Happy Monday!

Five on Friday

1. Seriously, what did I do before Instagram?  I snapped this purdy pic of Rowan-girl on our afternoon walk yesterday. It is the first picture that I can see some resemblance. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that she looks like her daddy 99% of the time. However, I am adopted and the fact the she kinda looked like me for a split second makes my heart skip a beat. 

2. I signed up for this Alt Summit course yesterday and I am super excited to see what Nicole has to say. 

3. After devouring/watching the first six episodes in season 1 of Downton Abbey, I am stuck. I don't want the first season to end. I am in the middle of the last episode and I am a little afarid of what is going to happen to Mary, Anna and Mr. Bates. Damn you Downton Abbey, damn you, for making me love you so much!

4. I have a hot date this weekend. It's with Oscar, you may know him. We're pretty close. Or at least I hope we are close enough so I can win the Oscar pool at my work.   

5. Forecasters predict that 47 inches of snow are going to fall on Toronto today. This may be my last post I write for a while. Good thing I've stocked up on adhesive :) 

Until Monday, Happy Weekend!

What She Wore

I have often joked that Rowan has more outfits than Diana Ross. Since she is growing like a weed I wanted to capture her wonderful wardrobe before she outgrows it. Below are some of the fashionable items Rowan recently wore: 

1. The Grey Owl Ensemble

 

This cute three piece outfit includes a matching bib and has white polka dots and multi coloured owls ~ what more could a girl want!?! These items are for the baby who has a distinguishing eye and may or may not help your three month old to discover their feet.  

2. The Purple Crowd Pleaser

                                                           

This three piece outfit comes with a furry stole that hids any spit-up. Comfortable and cute ~ it is for any stylish baby who is throwing a tantrum or sleeping. 

Happy Thursday!

Project Life : Week 6

Hello Project Life, Week 6!

Tbere is so much photo + word goodness in this week's entry. Since I participated in Day In The LIfe, I was not short on material for inspiration. Enter in my first 6x12 page protector. Bonjour!

I used the page protector to house all the photos and words related to February 8th, Day In the Life.  Using 12 of my favourite Instragram photos, I made a simple 4 x 3 grid in Photoshop Elements. I sized it to 6" and printed out the pictures. Next I attached it with adhesive to a piece of 6 x 12" white cardstock. I added thickers to emphasize the date and draw the reader's attention in. 

On the back of the white cardstock, I used one of Ali Edwards Photo and Words Layered templates. I simply cut and paste journaling from by blog and printed it out. I then attached my three photos across the top and used a glitter border for a title. I chose "Enjoy Today" border to remind me of my One Little Word for 2012. 

Here is another shot of my layout from Week 6. Not only does the page protector highlight Day In the LIfe, it also covers up some personaling journaling related to this family event. I like that this sensitive story is not in plain view. 

Did you include Day in the Life in your Project Life Album? Did you add a separate page protector or incorporate it into the exist one?

Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

Happy Wednesday!

Project Life: Week 5

Hello Project Life, Week 5!

Just as countless other scrapbookers have said in the blogoshere, I too love Project LIfe. It is really helping me to embrace my handwritting. As you can see from the double page spread, this week, I had alot of things to say... And it's not just about spit-up or laundry. Who knew!?!  Stories captured this week include: meeting friends for brunch and dinner, working out and jumping in the  jolly jumper. Aaron made it in too!

Another week and still no date stamp! I did get a little creative with Martha Stewart lables that I picked up at my local office supply store. I like to use them for a pop of colour and to explain the story behind the picture. They are easy to use and match my Amber core kit well.  Here are a few examples: 

Although it doesn't seem like I am keeping up with Project Life, I am. I do my best work on the weekends. I am happy to say I was able to finish and complete weeks 5, 6 and 7 over the long weekend. Come back tomorrow to see Week 6. 

Supplies Used: 

InLinkz.com

Happy Tuesday!

Five on Friday

1. I bought the above lovelies at my office supply store on Monday. I love using them in my Project Life Album. I am starting to save for my addiction now. Look for updates on my Project Life Album next week, starting Monday.

2. Rowan and I went to see two movies this week! How extravagant are we? Wednesday we saw The Vow; Thursday we saw the Artist. Bottom line: I loved The Artist; I wanted to like The Vow more.

3. I am proud to say that I've consistently gone to the gym these past two weeks. I have lost all the baby weight, but now I'm focusing on toning my body. Things are more squishy than I remember them to be!

4. Valentines Day came and went for us this year. It was a quiet night in, just what the doctor order. We ate sushi and watched tv.

5. Monday is a holiday in Ontario. I'm excited to have Aaron at home and to have more family time together.

Happy Weekend!

Sent from my iPhone

Three Months

Yesterday Rowan turned 3 months old. Three months old, people!?! Time seems to be flying by. This month she hit some major milestones. They include discovering her hands and tongue, grabbing and holding on to objects as well as rolling over from her tummy to her back. Just in the last week she no longer sits contently as I work in the kitchen she likes to be jumping in the jolly jumper. Yes, she like to be always be on the go! She may get this trait from her mama...

As you can tell from the pictures Rowan is filling out nicely. I can't believe how much she has grown in these last 4 weeks. Currently she is over 12 pounds and measures 23.5 inches in length. She has a cute double chin and lots of rolls on her strong legs. She changes in her looks daily; but overall, continues to have blue eyes and looks like her daddy. When she smiles she looks like me. I like to think that I contributed to her genetics somehow...Did I mention the drool and spit up? Every article of clothing I own has a reminder that Rowan exists.

Rowan is much more interactive with the world. She has her favourite toys. They include: a multi-coloured Flutterbug from Nanny and Bopa, a Peppa doll from C + I and of course her hands. When she sits still, she is the most engaged with the book "Hippos Go Berserk!". 

She is generally a content baby. For the past couple of days she has been wanting Mama over Daddy, but we are standing strong and trying to ride this through. 

It's been a wild ride, Rowan-girl. I can't believe how you are growing!

Happy Thursday!

Pregnancy Album : Month 7

Hello Pregnancy Album Month 7!

I have a whole new appreciation for scrapbooking. Although these pages contain random thoughts and feelings, I love that it captured a period of time in my life that seems to have gone by way too fast. I wonder how much I will love this album in say 10 years. Hopefully love grows. 

Belly Shots|

Summary |

Quote: My pregnancy experience. My journey to you. 

Monthly Highlights

• Officially entered my 3rd trimester!
• OB appointments have increased from once a month to every two weeks!
• Baby H is moving more forcefully and now sitting on my bladder
• I am misjudging how big I actually am and keep running into things
• Organizing the house: including the kitchen and the office
• Hanging out with Beth doing prenatal yoga at Woodbine and Danforth
• Attending the Baby Sprinkle 
• Having a BPP ultrasound - You are in the 45th percentile and on track to be 7 pounds

Layouts |

Shower gifts: list of gifts from attendees

Your Labels: 

Journaling: Here are just few of the tags from the gifts Mama and Daddy got from the baby sprinkle. You will be well dressed and obviously are well loved. 

   

Everyday Bits |

Paper

Tags from maternity clothes

Journaling Cards

• Doing - Baby bump pictures with Trina Koster in Guelph, ON on the labour day weekend
• Eating - Nutella straight from the jar :)
• Happening - Remember the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
• Remembering & Celebrating - The anniversary of Mama and Daddy's first date in Guelph at the Bookshelf on Friday September 13, 2002
• Doing - Relaxing with friends at Kate's cottage north of Kingston
• Feeling - A bit anxious, hoping that we get everything done before you arrive!
• Thinking - The days, weeks, and months are flying by! I love being pregnant with you and that I am so lucky to feel so good!
• Doing - Putting together the crib in the nursery. Figuring out the bassinett bedding. Putter the shower gifts in the nursery. 

Thanks for looking! Happy Wednesday!

Pregnancy Album : Month 6

Hello Again!

Today I am showing you month six of my pregnancy album. Looking back, this was my favourite month of pregnancy. I had a ton of energy and I could still move around with ease. My skin started to glow and my hair became thick. The anxiety of becoming a parent had yet to seep into my consciousness. I spent many hours dreaming of Rowan and whether she was a girl or a boy. Below are my layouts: 

Belly Pictures |

Summary |

Quote: There is nothing quite like the anticipation of new life

Monthly Highlights: 

• Planning a "baby sprinkle" with Auntie Megan and registering for gifts online
• Attending prenatal yoga weekly
• Researching cloth, hybrid and disposable diapers
• Attend multiple appointments at Mount Sinai Hospital
• Celelbrating Daddy's, Grandpa's and Uncle Ryan's birthday at Mohawk Races
• Moving furniture around the house with the help of Beth and Chris
• Attending prenatal class and learning about labour & breastfeeding and the hospital room

Layouts |

Boy or Girl

Journaling: During a visit to Toronto over the August long weekend, Auntie Megan did the "necklace test" to see if you were a girl or a boy. The necklace didn't know whether to spin around in the circle or to sway side to side. Although we don't know if you are a girl or a boy, it is fun to think about you will become. August 2011.

Quote:

Journaling: My friends Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful, and optimistic. And we'll change the world. - Jack Layton, August 20, 2011-

Baby Sprinkle Invite

Journaling: This month, Auntie Megan began organizing a baby shower for you. Mama was so excited! I decided to make these invitations in PSE8. I aslo had fun registering for gifts online. 

                        
                        

Everyday Bits |

Paper: 

Prenatal Class Papers

Street car reciept

Baby on the Hip business card

G diapers card

Journal Cards: 

• Doing - attneding many appointments at Mount Sinai - doctor's think Mama may have gestational diabetes, so mama does alot of blood work. 
• Happening - Opposition leader, Jack Layton, NDP, does from cancer
• Feeling - Great! realzing how much I love being pregnant and feeling you move inside of me
• Reading - "The baby whisperer" 

Thanks for looking! Happy Tuesday And Happy Valentine's Day!