Foundation Pages

To try and keep on track this year for JYC /  December Daily, I decided to do some pre-prep work. I was planning to make the pages ready to just add photos and journalling, however I have real trouble committing without the photos to work with. So I have just decided to cut down all of my papers and slip them in the page protectors so they are ready to work on daily. I have also cut and added in some journalling cards in to the divided page protectors which are going between each layout.

I am all ready to go (I think) just waiting for December 1st to roll around!!

December Daily / JYC 2012

Ok, lets try and get this blogging idea going again....

It's nearly December, which means it is time to try another December Daily /  Journal Your Christmas! I tried to create one last year, however the month of December just got out of control and I think I only managed about two pages, epic fail! This year I have tried to do some more pre-planning and preparation and I think have already done more than I achieved last year so that is a good start.

Here are all the supplies that I am thinking of using.

I am using a Red SN@P 6x8 binder, which seems to be a popular choice for this project from what I have seen online. My supplies are a combination of items from Simple Stories, My Minds Eye, Pink Paislee and Echo Park. I have also mixed in older supplies from Elle's Studio, Prima and Making Memories. Then I have included some non Christmas items that I thought would work in well including smash clips, Amy Tan paper flowers and Jenni Bowlin butterflies.

I am also going to include these gorgeous buttons from Finding Nana, I haven't used these before so I am excited to try them. I also added all of the buttons and flowers that will go with my Christmas colours and have included them in my December Daily basket of goodies.

And of course there is a whole bunch of alphabets to include in the album such as Thickers, Prima Alphabet stickers and Mini Market from October Afternoon.

So lets have a little look at how the album is unfolding beginning with my title page...

I know that I live in Australia and Christmas is all about summer, warm weather and the beach, however I just can't seem to get past the more traditional idea of Christmas including snow! I just don't think this page would have looked the same with suns instead of snowflakes!!

I decided to create this second page about the things I see, do and hear during the holiday season. This idea was scraplifted from Ormolu. Across from that I added a divided page protector which really serves as another into page of sorts. The star is sewn in to the page protector and then it is also sewn closed at the top. This was the first time I have used confetti and I think I could have used a bit less, but oh well, I'm happy with how my first go turned out, especially since it was my first time sewing as well,

As far as a page layout goes, I think I am going to have a full page 6 x 8 on one side and then a divided page protector on the other for the daily spread. Some times I may decide to have a double page depending on the day and story I want to tell. I was thinking of making some of the pages now, however I have real trouble committing without the photos to be able to lay things out. So instead I will just have to try and fit it in throughout December. I have cut down all of my papers to 6 x 8 and will slip them in protectors ready to go. I have also added a few journalling cards throughout.

I am SO excited to do this project this year, I just want December to start already so I can start adding my photos and stories!!

Shimelle's Sketch

This is the first time that I have taken part in a sketch challenge, or actually any challenge. I have also rarely posted any of my pages online, so this is a bit of a step for me! I always say I am going to take part, but never quite get around to it. 


Here is the sketch : 

This sketch inspired me to scrapbook some daily pieces of my life right now. I have been on holidays, so life has been very relaxed and easy going around here. After a very busy term, I decided to take it easy these holidays.  I don't often create pages about myself (they usually include my nieces and nephew), so there is a lot of steps outside my comfort zone here!!


Here is my page : 

I lightly misted one side of the patterned paper with grey glimmer mist before adding the other items. I am really enjoying using mists on my pages at the moment. The colours are a bit brighter in real life than they show up here, still experimenting with photographing my layouts!

I loved taking part in this sketch challenge, and am hoping I can keep it up once term starts back and everything gets busy!

The 30 List

This year (actually in a few short months), I turn the big 3-0. I came across the idea from other blogs of creating a list of activities and events I wanted to achieve and participate in before my birthday. Since completing this list I have realised that maybe I was a bit ambitious, as I haven't achieved as many of them as I wanted, although I do still have a few months left. I have a very busy life as a Kindergarten Teacher, and the hectic days and out of hours work take their toll on getting this type of thing done, but then who doesn't have a million things going on in their everyday life!! And isn't it good to be ambitious and strive for the best!! I have decided that this will now be a working list, that I will continue to add to over the next year or so, and will continue to slowly mark of the events and achievements. 

Below is the list and what I have completed so far. 

1. Go back to Bootcamp (did this and added Personal Training as well)
2. Take a photography class (took an online class with Maggie Holmes)
3. Submit a page to a scrapbooking magazine
4. Begin a blog
5. Attend the Bright autumn festival
6. Create and sell framed scrapbook pages
7. Go to the Geelong Adventure Park with my mates
8. Run 5km's without stopping
9. Take a scrapbook class (online with Elizabeth Kartchner)
10. Plan my ultimate adventure trip through the USA (an ongoing process as I research new places to visit)
11. Host a cupcake tasting party
12. Participate in a fun run
13. Purchase a beautiful summer dress (actually bought a few of these this Summer)
14. Try stand up paddle boarding
15. Go to the top of the Rialto
16. Create a life soundtrack
17. Attend a country horse race event
18. Learn the guitar
19. Go to the snow
20. Attend at least one musical if not more (mary Poppins and Hairspray)
21. Take a random trip through the country towns of Victoria, pulling of the highway when I feel like it
22. Take a dance class
23. Send flowers to someone for no apparent reason (send flowers to BF Alana)
24. Completely update my ipod (updated, then Itunes decided to delete all of my music :(
25. Go hiking at Wilson's Prom (loved this!! So glad this one is marked off)
26. Reach Goal Weight 1
27. Reach Goal Weight 2
28. Visit my cousins in Sydney and Canberra
29. Learn spanish 
30. Go on a Ghost Tour

When I look back at list I am dissapointed, I definately could have achieved more. Well, no dwelling! I am going to put this list on display in my room, so I can see it every day, and will continue to mark activities off!!

# 25. Hiking at Wilson's Prom with best mate Alana

This is my life of dreams...

Where do I begin??

This is my first attempt in to the world of blogging, and I want to start by discussing why. In a few months I am turning the big 3-0. This may not sound big to some people, but for where I am in my life right now, it is a big one for me. Last year, when I turned 29, I made a list.... 30 things to achieve before I turn 30. All of a sudden, without realising, this date is getting extremely close. One of the items on that list was to begin a blog and post on it regularly. I tried to think of a specific topic that I could blog about, however my life has so many different elements, that I decided to just go with the flow and blog about whatever is happening. This could include scrapbooking, early childhood education (I am a preschool teacher), travel ideas, photography, anything! These are areas that I love and am passionate about, so I am just going to see where they take me.

The title of my blog, 'This Life of Dreams', reflects not only the constant daydreaming I do, but also the dreams I have for my life. They are large goals and dreams and I am trying to work hard to achieve them. I am also always daydreaming about what my life could be, where I could go and what I could achieve. This can include life goals, work thoughts and travel dreams. I want to document it all so that hopefully in the years to come I can look back and see that I have achieved so much of what I once dreamed about.

This is my life of dreams...