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Lots of good stuff....

I'm really glad to be sharing with you the photo book cover and few pages of our family vacation. One of the few books I have finished in a reasonable time after the vacation. It ended up being 31 pages, although I should get to count the cover and back of the album because we have to design those too.

So what do you think?
I'm really happy about using an infographic for a road trip, because it seems to tell our story. So much repetitive things happen that don't necessarily define the trip but are an intricate part of the journey. I haven't ever really put all the parts together before, adding up the numbers but it turns out to be interesting. (During the trip, before I knew I was going to do a infographic, we were laughing about how many burger are we were eating because the kids kept getting burgers. While driving, we were purposely taking routes that would maximize the number of states we drove through.)

>> Please don't feel like you have to plan the infographic before a trip (or whatever), you can make it work. Shh, don't tell my family, I actually don't know how many hamburgers we ate. I'm not the type to keep a journal, so I did a rough count in my head and called it good.

>> Don't stress about the accuracy of the numbers, do your best but give yourself a little creative freedom then treat as if they are accurate.

About the photo book

I think this time, I was able to actually get a photo book completed, and in a reasonable time frame, due to a few things:

I had a scope of work. The photos were defined and the quantity wasn't overwhelming but decent.
I had inspiration. After the trip, surfing Pinterest, I saw a road trip info-graphic from Studio Calico here. This motivated me.
BIGGEST reason: creative freedom. I had some templates to get going, but I didn't restrain myself to these. Sometimes, I feel like I have to keep it consistent (like there's some kind of scrapbook rule) but this time I just put photos on a page.

I'm not sure if you care, but the album is 8"x11" - yeah, not square (I'm breaking another scrapbook rule?!?!). I really love My Publisher and they run free book specials and often, $35 specials. My Publisher uses the 8"x11" size but their quality is just too amazing to get hung up on the size thing. Plus, I like the idea that I could print these on my own. The last photo, show how you can still use the typical Project Life design, even in a non-square format (gasp).

Thanks for visiting!

All the best, Jessica

The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog.

Updated Craft Room

Welcome to My Happy Place

Designing your craft room makes a huge difference! You're worth it! I hodge-podged pieces as inexpensively as possible because I thought I shouldn't waste money but you know what it was worth every penny. I'm so happy and inspired now.

My initial room was... eclectic... although, it really looked like a garage sale. It was not functional, it was unsightly and it was always a mess! I don't get much time to craft and when I did have time, I spent all of it organizing or shuffling stuff from place to place. [*That being said, I still kept some of the pieces, the ones that fit and make me happy.]

Still in the works... the glass doors for the wall cabinets. They have been on back order for months but I'm patiently waiting because this will be the icing.

The corner desk is a nice piece of 1" thick wood painted white and cut to shape then mounted to the wall with wall brackets. Below, I stored wrapping paper and a bar stool with a trash can. This is the spot my kids love the most. And I couldn't be more happier, having them sit and create (with their own supplies -- don't touch mine :)

On the wall, is baseboard painted Teal and nail gun attached to the wall in order to smooth the transition of the Chevron wall liner. The wall shelves also keep the Chevron wall liner from falling down.

The dressers are counter-height which is taller than normal but very functional. In addition, I specifically chose these dressers because the drawers at the bottom could be modified into 12x12 paper filing. I use "hardboard" (it's the mdf wood, typical on the back of entertainment units - Home Depot knows) cut to 9" tall and the depth of the drawer and hung filling folders. The hardboard just sits in the drawers separated and held up by the folders with paper. Also the middle drawers are quite sizable, so I have used fabric storage cubes inside to separate the storage items. The bright pink fabric storage cubes were purchased at Walmart, I couldn't find them online. But, I do have the Kohl's storage bins, I linked below, and those are great but tapered, so you may want to get cube ones.

Craft Desk - so many drawers and large enough to spread out the work

What's in this room:

Macbeth Shelf Liner - Amazon

Stoney Creek White Dresser (2)

Sketion [Kitchen] Corner Wall Cabinet - Ikea (1)

Sketion [Kitchen] Wall Cabinet - Ikea (4)

BESTA Glass Shelves - Ikea (4 + 1 corner pk)

Malkolm swivel chair beige - Ikea

Alex Drawer Unit (NO caster) - Ikea (4 - make Desk)

Linnmon Table top - Ikea (2 - make Desk)

Kallax shelving unit - Ikea (1)

Ribba picture ledge - Ikea (2 - in corner)

Recollection Desktop Carousel - Michaels

Fabric storage bins - Kohl's

Kvittera Serving tier - Ikea

Thanks for visiting!

All the best,
Jessica

The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog.

Baby Monthly Growth photos, The Easy Way

I bet you've seen them, the baby growth photos. But, I have to share a super easy twist. These photos always perk my friends' and family's interest every month on Facebook, so I'll reveal the magic.

He's adorable, isn't he ;)

My Facebook peeps love the text at the bottom.

I shield them from the real stories. I really had, at 2 months, he has peed in my face as least once a week and month 3: by far the poopiest month - hands down. That's another perk of using a blank "canvas," the text changes when you add it later. Because, one day Brandon will get this beautiful baby growth photo book and on the last few pages - the real stories behind these photos. One day... I will have time to make these into a photo book.

Well, the truth is, he is a baby and like most babies', photos are taken on his/her schedule. He isn't going to stand for much posing. So I take a bunch of photos when he seems his best mood, easy is the only way we play this game.

The trick:

He is actually lying on a form poster board I painted with chalk paint. It's the blank sign idea I wrote about in this post for school photos signs.

Supplies:

Blank foam board - 2'x3' or 8x10 or really whatever size you prefer
...LATER.... Computer using Picasa or PicMonkey.com to add text (when you have time)
Font in this photo: Eraser Dust available on PicMonkey or free download

Picasa is free software you download and PicMonkey is free online software (no download required)
read more about PicMonkey here (I'm not an affiliate, just a big fan!)

Steps:

1) Lay baby on blank foam board or place a blank foam board next to baby

2) Take as many photos as possible before enough is enough.

3) LATER, and I mean LATER (days, months, years ...and if you manage hours or minutes, great job!) - use the computer to add text.

Every month passes by quick so don't over think it.

Thanks for visiting!

All the best,

Jessica

The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog.

Super Easy School Sign

I have to share my secret to easy and great-looking school/milestone pictures.
If you are like me, I have great intentions and a fleeting memory. Everything seems to be last minute (despite my best efforts).

And it's not too late to get a couple great school pictures! Get the backpack, lunch boxes or whatever they bring to school and don't forget to grab these supplies (it's really just one thing).

Supplies List/ Steps:

1. White Foam Board - 8x10 or whatever size you prefer
2. ...LATER.... Computer using Picasa or PicMonkey.com to add text (when you have time)

Picasa is free software you download and PicMonkey is free online software (no download required)
read more about PicMonkey here (I'm not an affiliate just a big fan!)

So What's the Story...
The first day of Kindergarten approaches, I search Pinterest for first day of school ideas and find some great free printables. Pin it, swear I'll go to work and print them out. Then, I blink my eyes and it's the morning of Kindergarten. We are scrambling. Breakfast. Pack lunches & a snack. Draw a note for the lunchbox (the way my mom used to). Get dressed. ...and, remember I did NOT print the sign!!! There is absolutely no time to find it now. I go to my craft stash and on top of a pile is a perfect 8x10 white foam board that came in the mail as an insert to protect a 8x10 photo. The board would have been trash, but I kept it. Thinking, this would be good for something (my husband thinks I'm a hoarder - I kind of am). Hey, my stash saves me on occasion. Like this...

Benefits:

Add text or whatever on the computer later, when you can actually think!
Change the sign many different ways
The kiddos all hold the same sign - it doesn't matter, it's blank
Bonus: the sign doesn't have to be held any particular way!!

Addition {fancy} Ideas:
Use a colored blank foam board
Use a chalk board with no writing (there's a great chalk font on PicMonkey called Eraser Dust, see the photo title)

Bling out or add a border to the blank board

I also use this idea for the last day of school and my baby's monthly growth photos (every month up to one year - see this post).

2012 Project Life Photobook Vol 1

My book finally came in!!

Omigosh it took forever. Forever to hit the order button and forever for the shipping/production. It's definitely all worth it. I ordered a 10x10 and a 12x12 from Shutterfly. They are both amazing.
To see my work, my photos, in hand; especially in my kids' and family's hands. I enjoy others looking at all the photos and saying, 'oh yeah I remember that.'

If you're like me, I had to watch Shutterfly for a while to get the best deal with a coupon so I don't feel guilty spending the money. But now that it's in hand, my thoughts went to, heck this is a spectacular deal. I didn't have to pay for prints + album + wasted prints... I think the photo book is a win in so many ways. Whenever you order your photobook, just make sure you do, you're worth it - it's worth it!

Photos coming soon

Freebie Project Life - Month in Review Cards

This were designed just for you. Thanks for the idea Amy.

This is a full set of month cards that match the Week in Review freebie cards. (There are an extra August and November for no other reason than I couldn't decide which color looked the best.) These Month & Week in Review cards are designed to leave plenty of space to journal or add a photo.

Hope you guys like them! I would love a link to see how you used them :)

Please let me know what you think and share with your friends. Just point them back using a link.

Jessica Hines Designs: Freebie Month in Review journal cards #ProjectLife

To download, click here or on the image above.

Project Life is a back-to-basics approach to memory-keeping created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. To learn more about Project Life check out Becky’s Website. The pieces used in my album are available through Jessica Sprague here and Lettering Delights here. My Project Life is all digital, I'm using MyMemories Suite. Simple.

Thanks for visiting!
All the Best,

Jessica

The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog. Downloads are for personal use only.

Copyright

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