The Hungry Bear

project life | 2015 plans and goals.

As we're nearing the end of 2014, I have started thinking and planning for Project Life 2015. Some of you may be asking yourselves, "What is Project Life?" Project Life was created by Becky Higgins, an ultra-simple, über-stylish solution for getting your photos off your phone and computer, out of boxes, and into albums. Gone are the days of cutting, pasting, buying oodles of supplies, and spending hours on an album. Or even hours on just one page.

As part of my 30 before 30 list of things to do, I wanted to document this milestone year! At first, it sounded overwhelming because I would be documenting 52 weeks (52!). But I think after working on December Daily all month long, it was good practice and getting me geared up for the new year. 

Since this is my first attempt at Project Life, I wanted to share some plans and goals that I had in mind. Throughout the year, I have been reading up from fellow blogs and looking at inspirations on pinterest. Jotted down some ideas on what I believe would work best for me.

PLANS AND GOALS:

Albums: I went with the traditional 12x12 Binder. A tip that I had seen was that the full 52 weeks does not fit into one binder and needed to be divided up. I had lucked out when I went to Michael's and it was buy one get one free. 

Kit: Yup, to help assist this first timer, have bought a kit. I went with the Midnight Edition Core Kit. I just love the polka dots, stripes and pop of yellow! 

Planning: I am a very visual person so I constantly find myself jotting things down. To keep myself organized and on track, I did a play on Caylee Grey's planner. Created a blank design layout where I can jot things down for the week or tack post-it notes to it.

Posting/Sharing: My goal is is to post/share on a weekly basis, maybe on Wednesdays, nice way to break up the week.

Excited to see what 2015 has to offer! Hope to draw out more of the creative side in me and be inspired and to inspire! How are you kicking off 2015?! Would love to hear your plans/goals/stories!

diy wooden coasters.

Around this time last year, I was finishing on some DIY Cozy Handwarmers. Took a simplier approach this year with some homemade wooden coasters. I was inspired by West Elm Shanna Murray Coasters and thought this would be a wonderful holiday gift that anyone would love! Now you can make your own with these steps.

MATERIALS:

• Wooden Coasters (Ordered 2"-3" slices from JTL Creations)
• Paint Brush
• Kitchen Twine
• Chalk Pen
• Gift Tags (Cute printable from Hello! Lucky)
• Pine Branches
• Polyurethane Paint (Can be found at any craft store or Home Depot)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: With a chalk pen, write down sayings that you like. You can get creative with this, can personalize it anyway you want. The four I went with were:

• Welcome Home
• Cheers
• A Happy Toast
• Enjoy

Step 2: To protect the coasters, apply a coat of polyurethane. Following the instructions, let dry for 2 hours. 

Step 3: Once the coasters are completely dry, stack the coasters. Tie with it with kitchen twine. I was on Instragam and stumbled across Hello!Lucky and had such cute printables! Added that and a piece of pine branch.

december daily album | week two.

Week one of December Daily done. Now for Week two! I have to admit, keeping up with the daily photos and journaling is a lot more difficult than I thought. You can definitely fall behind fairly quickly. 

Here is a look at Week Two:

Day 6 (Continued) and Day 7

To continue with Day 6 Party photos, on the top pocket, inserted some wrapping paper. Then added a red Martha Stewart Craft Label. On the bottom pocket, added a 4x6 photo of the buffet table from the holiday party.

Went with a four pocket view for Day 7's layout. For the upper left corner, used some leftover kraft polka dot wrapping paper from Target. Inserted a simple date/month on cardstock created in Word. At the bottom, printed out a 4x6 photo from "Run with Santa 5k" and cut it in half and inserted it into the remaining pockets.

Day 8 and Day 9

 

Mixed up the type of photos by adding a polaroid for day 8. On the upper left corner, took a picture of our mini christmas tree and added some embellishment with a gold safety pin. Added a pine tree left to the back of the kraft polka dot paper. Bottom left, inserted the same wrapping paper in red. Lastly, I took a picture of the wreath I have up on the door and added a glitter number 8 top.

Day 9, Hot Chocolate Bar day! Added a 4x6 photo from that day. Then in the bottom pocket, wrote a little about the hot chocolate bar (second year doing it!).

Day 10 and Day 11

Back to a two pocket view for Day 10 and 11. Continuing with trying to keep some white space and clean lines. For Day 10, on the top pocket, kept with the simple date/month and wrote a little bit about addressing cards for the first time. Then added a photo of addressing cards with a side of oraments and coffee!

Day 11, inserted our actual holiday card for 2014 from Artifact Uprising. We really wanted to feature Bear this year with the card saying, "Wishing you a "Beary" happy holidays!" :]

Day 11 and Day 12

Used a mailing label and date stamp and added to the envelope and secured it with a red/white paper clip. 

For Day 12, found these kraft bags earlier in the year at Target (Dollar section) and added some stocking prints. These are from cards I had from a while back (also Target) and just took them off the card and adhered it the kraft bag. Inside the kraft bag, I printed out Bear's wishlist on a smaller scale and punched a hole and added some ribbon.

Day 12 and Day 13

Back of the kraft bag, added a simple date/month for Day 12. 

Ended the week with a day in dog sitting Bear's brother, Miso! Wild night, I tell ya! ;] Printed a 4x6 photo and cut it in half for the upper pockets. For the lower left pocket, found this wonderful free christmas tree printable. For the last pocket, cut out simple cardstock and adhered a mailing label with a date stamp.

first holiday photo card.

Prior to this year, have never done a holiday photo card before. Since this is Bear's first Christmas, Robert and I wanted to take some holiday photos. Wanted to share with you a few photos (very hard to choose just a few, there were so many great ones!) from the holiday session. These AMAZING AMAZING photos were taken by my very talented sister, Julie! (Julie Shek Photography!) If you are still looking have some photos taken, let me know, I can forward her contact information :] 

We had lucked out that it was clear skies over the weekend. It was quite cold the few days before but luckily it wasn't too bad when we were out there. Tried to keep it nice and simple, went to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Lots of open field space and trees around. To add some festive elments to the shoot, got a wreath from target and put one of my scarf on Bear! Enjoy!