project lifin'

I've documented about half of 2013 and would like to finish it up and move forward with 2014 in the same, simplified manner I adopted late in the year. One of the things I did in my 2013 album that I really loved and want to duplicate this year is the title page.

For each of the kids, I created a flip up card insert with their photo on the outside, and inside, a mini questionnaire. I love that it not only captures their likes and goals but also, their handwriting and signature. I tweaked this list for my version. I added/subtracted a couple of things and shrunk it down to fit my baseball card style pockets.

So, tomorrow, I'll work on these with them. I don't know when they will actually be turned into my 2014 PL opener, but it WILL happen.

Someday.

Oh, hey there!

Long time.

I wish I had a giant post about all of the handmade holiday crafts that have kept me away over the past month. But I don't. Just life, and work, and maybe a little Seasonal Affective Disorder. Yeah, it's a thing. Sometimes, I just go away for a bit. Not because anything is wrong but just because keeping up can be exhausting.

I took the most minuscule number of holiday photos ever. BUT, we had a great, relaxing holiday that I loved. This year, Santa nailed it. I mean, absolutely kicked Christmas' ass.

The poem is kinda weak (I suspect an intern elf was tasked with the job) but the stationery was fantastic and the idea, though it took a few minutes for the kids to wrap their collective brains around it, has taken hold and energized us all.

Santa filled the kids' stockings, obviously, but the only other gift was twelve wrapped boxes, each with an "open [month] 1" date. I don't know what's in them but I suspect that based on the poem, each contains some type of lead in to a family activity for the month. Maybe tickets or gift cards...movies, bowling, putt-putt, a Tigers' game, a trip to the zoo or planetarium or pottery place. Maybe even reservations for a little overnight hotel getaway. Who knows, These are all just speculative, you know, but if I were forced to guess...

In other news, I've put all of my 2014 calendar items on sale for 25% off until midnight January 1st - go stock up! Izzy has been loving her coloring calendar. In 2015, I may need to do a monthly style coloring calendar.

And I'll be sending a shop newsletter out later today with a download link for this freebie (which is also in my shop along with a 3x4" version:)

so if you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Looking forward to 2014 :)