The Time of My Life

It's hard to believe that we're about to start the month of February...wasn't it just 2012?  Time has a way of moving ever so quickly, and while I can't stop it, I'm trying my hardest to capture bits and pieces.  I think all of us, as memory keepers, are working toward that same goal: to preserve our family's memories before they get lost or forgotten.

That's why I love making calendars - they're the best of both worlds; I get to preserve moments while planning and making new ones!  Over the past several Christmases, I've made calendars for my husband to hang in his office, and they've become cherished gifts for him.  (Of course, this year, I forgot to take pictures before he took it in to work!)

At the end of each year, I cut apart the calendar, and save the monthly layouts in an album that sits on a table in our foyer.  It's fascinating to skim through this scrapbook and see how our family has grown over the past few years (my first year making a calendar was 2008).

Here are a few glimpses of our calendar scrapbook:

This year, I ended up making three calendars: one for my husband, one for my Dad (which is in his office), and one for my kitchen. The one in my kitchen is from a My Mind's Eye kit that I found at Michael's.  These pages are 8.5 x 11, so I'll need to start a new album next year to hold the layouts:

I also just created a mini-album/calendar from a Teresa Collins kit.  I added lots of inking and glimmer mist (though I'm not sure they show in the photos), and I'm really loving this little book:

In a house full of boys, a little bling makes me happy.  This album has over 30 pages - there's a mini-calendar for each month, plus tags, pocket and journaling pages.  I'm looking forward to filling it in as we move through 2013.

And one last mini-album before I go.  (I actually meant to share this one last week, but I got an unexpected call asking me to fill in for a sick co-worker, and I've been busy planning lessons and schedules for two math classes.)

This is another one made from a Teresa Collins kit.  My boys are big fans of Christmas countdowns, so this is right up their alley:

The papers are cut down to 4" x 8", and they were designed to be bound with a single ring at the top, but I switched to double rings on the side because it's so thick. The idea is so simple...I think it could be adapted for just about any holiday. If only I could squeeze a few more hours out of the week, I'd make one for Valentine's Day.  :)

Are you a calendar maker?  Or do you make year-in-review albums? I'd love to tackle Project Life one year, but I'm not quite there yet (though I'd love tips if you've made one!).

It's that Time Again...

I have enough scrapbook and crafting supplies to last me at least a decade, but I still get excited when the CHA show rolls around twice a year.  This year, I'm really making an effort to buy less, but that doesn't stop me from checking out the new product being released. :)

I'll be honest...I don't follow the blogs of any of the scrapbook manufacturers (maybe it's me, but I just don't have the time to keep up with them all!).  Thankfully, the gals at Scrapbook Update kept a running list with all the previews (they're also posting pictures and updates from the show.  

And I'll admit, I did make the time to go through almost every sneak peek on the list.  However - much to the delight of my husband - my personal "wish list" is on the small side this time around.  I thought I'd share with you what caught my eye from the winter releases.

First up is a long-time favorite, My Mind's Eye.  I am really loving the Collectable collection...especially Remarkable and Notable.

I'm also digging the Photo Freedom collections from Echo Park.  I've already put in pre-orders for both of the Photo Freedom Volume 1 collection kits and the Happy Go Lucky kit.  What can I say...they make me really happy.  Plus, I'm a huge fan of Stacy Julian and her approach to scrapbooking - anything that can help save time is a win in my book!

The last two collections have a common theme: they're both nautical.  I am in the process of decorating my boys' bedrooms.  A few weeks ago, we made the decision to go with a nautical theme for my oldest son's room.  You can imagine my happy surprise when looking at sneak peeks and finding TWO nautical collections!

The first is Down by the Shore by Fancy Pants.  I absolutely love the color scheme - it makes me smile every time I look at it.

The second nautical-themed line is Uncharted Waters from Glitz. I mean, how cute is an anchor roller stamp?

Save a small stamp set and a couple stencils, that's my wish list for Winter CHA.  (I told you it was small this time!)

Have you been following the sneaks for this CHA show?  Which companies and/or collections have caught your eye?

Happy 2013!