project life

#megsboringlife – March Part 1!

March 18, 2014 by Meg Bateman 2 Comments

Hey there! This site is no longer being updated. I'm leaving some of the content up just because. If you'd like to follow what I'm currently up to, please head over to my new site. Thanks! – Meg.

Yep, I’m still going at it!!! I’m totally sold on this project, it’s probably been bad for my budget because I keep buying more pocket scrapping stuff… but I’m excited by my results. If you’re new, head over here to read all about how I have ditched the preconceived notions about pocket scrapping (like a double pager has to equal one week,) to just do my own thing and LOVE IT!

This is just through the 9th. On the 10th, I came down with a terrible head cold that I’m *still* trying to shake. It took me a whole day just to scrap one page when I was at my worst with my head cold, but I did it!

Like I said in my last update, pocket scrapping relaxes me now that I don’t worry about keeping to a time constraint or other pocket scrapping notion. And for the first time in my digiscrapping LIFE — I have been consistently mixing products. Normally I stick to one kit or collection, now I’m mixing in these awesome journaling cards by LJS Designs to make up for the lack of journaling cards that “work” for me in the kits I’m using.

And… I totally love using internet memes like in the page above. It fits Holly perfectly, the whole family got such a kick out of it that we’re still referring to Holly’s “organic diet.”

It’s the journaling cards that have been my biggest hang up. Even in Mommyish & Just Jaimee’s recent pocket scrapping collabs (like the one in the page above,) there just aren’t enough 4×6 journaling cards in them for me in the orientation I need or a design that works for me. I settled for the two cards in the above layout. Which is why this set by LJS Designs has been so invaluable, the colors go with almost any kit and they’re fun while still being basic enough to fit the design style of the kits… I just feel like using something different every few layouts. I hope she makes another set soon!

Even though I’m using lots of different kits, I am trying to keep to using the same kit per “double pager” — if that makes sense. If I do get these printed, I want the pages to match the ones opposite of them in colors and kit. I totally failed at that with these last two pages… oh well! Messing up once in a while with keeping to that, isn’t a big deal.

But did you notice what’s special about that last page?? I got to see Studio Romy and Crafty Button Designs on the 9th!!! Amber posted about going to the Celtic Festival… and I knew Jeff would love going to something like that (even though we think he might be german/polish) so we did! And Romy came along too!

It was awesome, we have to get back together again soon!! I love meeting my digi-friends in real life!

That’s it for March so far, I’ve been so busy with the Oscraps Birthday celebrations and working on new products… that I haven’t had a chance to catch up!

#megsboringlife – February is finally over!

March 7, 2014 by Meg Bateman 4 Comments

Well, I can’t stop pocket scrapping now. It’s a relaxing thing to do in the evenings when I don’t want to read or work. Since I last blogged about my pocket scrapping issues, I have finished scrapping February!

February was a really crappy month, for reasons I couldn’t scrap, so I’m glad to have it completely behind us.

I’m glad I decided to throw away the preconceived notions for pocket scrapping, I think this is the longest I have managed to stick to a scrapping project.

Here’s my pages for February — along with the few you’ve already seen.

: Made with the February 2014 Storyteller products by Just Jaimee.

: Using the February Storyteller ultimate bundle by Just Jaimee.

: Kit: Candid by Mommyish and Just Jaimee Template: Project Grids V 2 by Amy Martin

: Kit: Candid by Mommyish and Just Jaimee — Template: Project Grids V 2 by Amy Martin

: #megsboringlife page 5 – Made with the February 2014 Storyteller Ultimate Bundle by Just Jaimee, and the Project Grids V 2 by Amy Martin

: Youtube link for third square: http://youtu.be/zLrA7aKxt3I — Products Used — Template: Project Grids Vol. 5 by Amy Martin, Doily Journaling Card from Everyday Moments 2014 by LJS Designs at Oscraps, other kit stuff from the February 2014 Storyteller Ultimate Bundle by Just Jaimee, and the word arts from Candid by Just Jaimee and Mommyish.

: Template: Project Grids Vol. 2 by Amy Martin. Journaling cards are from Everyday Moments Basics 2014 by LJS Designs — Other kit stuff is from “Project Live, Laugh, Love” by Pink Reptile Designs and Mommyish

I surprised myself with sticking to the same handwriting font for my journaling cards, The Short Caps. I tried to use a different one on my last page, but I ended up switching back. I don’t know if I’m going to keep using that font, but it is definitely my current favorite handwriting font. I’m also totally in love with these versatile journaling cards by LJS Designs. I actually have several sets of journaling cards that would *seem* they would be versatile, but Lorie’s is the only set that I have fallen in love with and ALWAYS am able to fit in with whatever main kit I’m using.

I’m trying to be good and remember to upload all the #megsboringlife layouts to this set on flickr. I also need to give myself a budget and go through my stash more — because I’m having a VERY hard time resisting buying more pocket scrapping-friendly kits and products. And I haven’t even looked at this weekend’s new releases!!

Well, that’s it for now — March is already looking up, so I’m somewhat afraid I’ll have more to scrap this month, hehe!

Project Life: Abbreviated

March 4, 2012 by Meg Bateman Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, I still haven’t caught up on my Project Life pages. I think Jeff and I need a vacation for me to get caught up… probably the coast, for him to go on an overnight fishing trip… with a cozy hotel room for me to scrap! Things are just too busy, and crazy, for that to happen now. We’ll be lucky if we can go turkey hunting in a few weekends!

The chickens are still molting — Well, Patty and Baby are. Selma still is as fluffy bottomed as ever! To help the girls grow their new feathers in, I’ve been supplementing with protein rich treats. Today they got one of their favorites — yogurt! I finally grabbed the point & shoot camera to get them in action, I really don’t want to have to clean yogurt off of my DSLR!

Later, after they had gobbled up all the yogurt, they came begging for more! As you can see in this instagram shot… they’re not very good at keeping themselves clean when it comes to their favorite treats.

Speaking of treats, Riley has been finishing off her Christmas cookies that Santa left in her stocking. She’s been hoarding them… doesn’t want to eat them right away when she gets one! So, she carries them around in her cheeks until she can find a suitable hiding spot.

After Jeff’s betta fish died, we decided to get a variety of new fish. Here’s my Creamsicle Molly!

We had a low-key Valentine’s Day, at home with a steak dinner. Jeff got me chocolates and these lovely potted tulips!

Earlier in February, we survived the flu. Jeff got hit harder than I did, which was a huge surprise! Last year I was sick for two weeks, with a high fever more of the time. This year, I had an average fever on and off until I was better.

Well, there’s the highlights of the last few weeks, other than what I’ve already posted about! Crossing my fingers that we get that vacation, or brief break away from the daily grind, ASAP!

Project Life | Week 3

January 24, 2012 by Meg Bateman 4 Comments

Another busy week in our home! I promise – I really do more than drink and eat – even though my Project Life pages seem to be showing differently. I’m just too busy and occupied to capture things, which I’m hoping to work more on this week.

Thank you so much for all your comments on last week’s post! They really mean a lot and keep me motivated to keep up with this project. If I haven’t already, I’ll be returning your comments soon!

Katie asked if I’ll be using the same materials throughout the entire year. Probably not, because I can’t commit to one kit for long. I almost did this week’s pages in the same kit as last week, but I felt like I needed more color – so I finally used a collection I’ve had sitting on my hard drive for a while – Bloopers by Pink Reptile Designs and Studio 68.

On to the details from this week…

Ok, I might of drank a bit this week — but it was all yummy! We’ve meant to go to the bar at the restaurant that one of Jeff’s cousin-in-law manages, and we had a great time. Josh made me an amazing drink! The next few nights I had a class of this wine – Pink Dreamstone – a sparkling moscato. Definitely a nice way to unwind with a book before bed!

Finally, on to something that wasn’t booze! Here’s one of my favorite meals – I don’t really have a name for it – but it’s basically Sour Cream and Onion Chicken. I’ll be sharing the recipe for that soon, as soon as I have time!

Also, an OK picture of some of the contents of this week’s CSA box! I had a hard time grabbing a picture without setting the box on the floor, and I don’t have a good space to unpack and photograph everything. I haven’t been very good at cooking with everything we get in the box, but that’s changing! I’m getting used to it! It’s just hard trying new recipes on things that are completely new to me — it seems to double my chances of a failed recipe. Which isn’t a good thing when I have a picky eater to feed!

Lastly, we finally got some rain! It’s been a pretty devastating fall and winter — zero rain! After a sixty day dry spell, we finally got a decent storm! As you can see in the radar screen capture 🙂

That’s it for this week — feel free to ask me more questions in the comments, I’ll be sure to answer them!

Project Life | Week 2

January 17, 2012 by Meg Bateman 6 Comments

It’s been a busy week! I don’t have much variety in my double page, there just wasn’t much time for anything but work and eating. But, I can promise that Week 3 is already showing more variety! For more information on what I’m doing with Project Life, head over to this post.

This last week started off with a trip up to Shaver Lake to see it emptied for the dam restoration/protection. Since the lake is empty, the original dam and saw mill were visible again! You can somewhat see the original dam in the center left photo. The opposite photo shows the current dam.

This week, food was kind of a big deal. It was our first week as trial members with a local CSA. I was so excited to unpack our box that I didn’t snap a photo, so I will give you more details on that this next week. With all the new veggies we’ve been exposed to in our first CSA box, I tried out several new recipes. I also have a new philosophy on eating, which is to eat mostly veggies and lean meats — cutting out my vices like breads and desserts. So far so good! I have more energy and am already seeing results.

Oh, I also included a photo of my desk where I do my appraisal processing. I figured since work plays a huge part in my life, I need to include it! But it’s boring, and I can’t share much about it, except that I spend a lot of time dealing with all kinds of numbers.

About the products in my pages this week – I spent an evening modifying Becky Higgins’ templates to allow me to pick where I want the different sized cards. I also made squared corner versions, since I got sick of the rounded corners pretty quickly! The kit I used was the 365 Today Collection by Kitty Designs.

Project Life | Week 1

January 10, 2012 by Meg Bateman 1 Comment

I made it! A whole week! Grabbed pictures every day! Currently I’m on day 10 and have kept it up! Sunday I wasn’t too happy with the photos I tried to grab, so I might redo them. I’m optimistic that I’ll keep up with P365 and Project Life this year.

Here’s my whole spread for Week 1, using Template A (heavily modified) by Becky Higgins and This Day by Ocean Wide Designs (me!) Click the image to make it larger…

It definitely was an interesting week — with Baby laying her first egg, the chickens trying to one-up each other in laying, my friend’s baby shower…

Even though it’s just the first week — I’ve already realized I need to scrap both pages side by side to keep it flowing well. I changed things up on the second page, so it doesn’t really match the first. Hopefully I’ll get the hang of this soon! I’m thinking about hooking up my scrapping & designing computer to my giant monitor I use for appraisal processing, it might help… A LOT!

How are your projects for the new year going? What are you doing to record memories? Make sure to stop by the Zig Zag Scrap Fun-Place to share!!!

Here we go again…

January 3, 2012 by Meg Bateman 5 Comments

Every year I try to do something to document our lives, whether it’s P52 or P365. Every year I lose interest and give up. This year I’m going to try to be different, and keep up with it. This year is different, I have a support group!!! And, I’m going to try to do Project Life to help me keep up with everything.

Here’s my plan for my binder:

A cover page for each month.
A “calendar” page after the cover pages with the photos for each day of that month. I’ll be using these templates by Jen Maddocks. She also has a set for 2011 that’s free with purchase of the 2012 ones!
Then, Project Life pages… I’m not planning on keeping the page spreads to one a week, one a day, etc… Just going to fill them out as I go every few evenings.

I’m doing everything digitally, using the Project Life templates from over here. I haven’t decided if I’m going to print pages every few weeks for a binder, or get a bound book at the end of the year. I’m leaning towards a binder, so I can use these pocket pages to hold little knick knacks like tickets, travel brochures, etc, at the end of the month.

After two full days into the new year, I’ve already got my first page done!

I used my “This Day” kit (releasing this Friday, but you can grab it early over here if you want!) and the Project Life Template A (modified quite a bit.) I used the same kit for my 2012 cover page (at the top of this post.)

I’ve also signed up for Oh Life!, a free email service that provides you with an easy way to journal your day. You can set it to email you every so often and at a certain time. You just reply to the email and it goes to their website where it’s recorded as part of your private journal.

What are you doing to document your family’s life this year? Do you need some help with inspiration and motivation? Come join us over at Zig Zag Scrap. You don’t need to be a scrapper to join in, we welcome anyone! It doesn’t matter what you’re doing either, everyone is doing something different! But we all have the same goal – to document life.