Project Life - December

 This month was very photo heavy. With that in mind, and running out of the usual page protectors, I decided to do another month of mini squares.

There's no journaling this month - most of the photos explain themselves. I also got some xmas paper and the December calendar in there.

I'm looking forward to this project in the new year but I'm  planning on changing up focus a little to 'tell the story' more. I'd like to get back to a good mix of photos and journaling telling the stories that make up life, and getting our family portraits in too.

Project Life - November

 Finally getting caught up with this. November was actually pretty short but sweet. Isabella started to be more mobile and we packed, got our keys and started renovating.

I'm actually almost out of my usual page protectors but I liked trying new formats. I like the photo heavy balance. I like that Isabella takes centre stage for this spread too and the colours tie in nicely.

Favourite series of 2014

The Newsroom:

Love this series. The dialogue is brilliant, the events are current and the characters are lovable. The episodes are longer but packed full and enjoyable.

Grey's Anatomy:

Got this one for my birthday and binge watched nine series. It's a good medical drama. It differs from others because there's no one character I identify with but the cast as a whole works and the stories are very good.

Blue Bloods:

Another good crime drama. I can't help but love a series with Tom Selleck.  Ever since he starred in Three Men and a Little Baby - he brings a certain avuncular quality to his shows. The storylines are good and the characters strong.

Will & Grace:

A blast from the past, one of my favourite comedy series growing up kept us going when we finished our other series. It's almost a guilty pleasure but I love it.

One Tree Hill:

Another guilty pleasure I enjoyed on maternity leave, I used to watch this as a teenager. I love that they jumped forward in time for the later series, which made it more relevant for me. Jamie's still my favourite character.

2014 Goal Review

Last year I set myself six big goals for the year. Here's how I did:

• Complete the quilting course - done! I loved that course and am still planning future quilting projects based on these.
• Learn Turkish - in progress. I am using Babbel to practise little and often. I'll never be at the level I am in my other languages but it's nice to pick bits up at work and in public.
• Pay off credit cards - in progress - still working on this but getting there.
• Complete three sewing projects - done! I did almost two per month last year and with our new hobby room, I hope to do even more this year as well as knitting and crochet.
• Continue Project Life - done! Admittedly, I need to get November and December done but I did continue this and enjoyed it and plan to continue in 2015 too.
• Grow our family - done! I still can't believe it! What a difference a year has made.

I'll be sharing my 2015 goals soon, based around my One Little Word.

Currently...

...packing and unpacking boxes like a machine.
...painting walls.
...enjoying being a homeowner.
...getting cosy in front of the log fire.
...watching Isabella enjoy her advent calendar.
...camping at the new house.
...feeling grateful for helping hands.
...trying to get ready for Christmas.
...being ready for a break.
...drinking hot lemon.
...discovering our new town.

December Goals

• Move house.
• Enjoy Christmas with family in England.
• Catch my breath!

November Goals Review

• Sort out the christening guests - done!
• 3 of my 30 things - 1 done, may get another done this weekend, watch this space.
• Clear out my wardrobe - done!
• Start on the Christmas presents - done!
• Zumba once per week - done!

The most successful month for a while - roll on December!

Currently...

...dreaming about the near future.
...filling boxes.
...enjoying baby giggles.
...feeling refreshed.
...watching birds on the balcony.
...socialising with other mummies.
...preparing for some fun family events.
...clearing out my closet.
...eating healthily again.
...cosying up on these dark nights.
...making plans for a quieter but fun 2015!

Starting to feel like Christmas...

October Project Life

I really enjoyed this project again this month. We were pretty busy so it is quite photo heavy.

This month, instead of printing all the photos I like and trying to fit them in, I planned out the spread and cropped some photos to make them fit. Unfortunately, this meant that some quality was lost but it did mean I could experiment with filters too.

At the end, I added a square insert for our Harz trip and I love the look. Embelishments from the Seafoam kit and tourist information.

November Goals

First up a review of my October goals:

• Plan Isabella's christening - we have a date! Just the guests and food to plan.
• Repot the lemon and avocado plants - done!
• 3 of my 30 things - 2 done, still on track.
• Clear out my wardrobe - not yet done - see November.
• Start planning for Christmas - plans made, action to start in November.
• Put out the Autumn decorations - done!

Now my November goals:

• Sort out the christening guests.
• 3 of my 30 things.
• Clear out my wardrobe.
• Start on the Christmas presents.
• Zumba once per week.

Sewing Project 2014: 19 - Changing Bag

 Here's my latest baby sewing project. I really enjoyed it - it was probably the most complex one yet. I decided to use the same materials as I had for the changing mat even though the PVC made it a little more difficult.

There were a couple of new techniques with this project too - box pockets and pleats so I feel like I'm learning lots too!

Currently...

...enjoying family time with grandad.
...loving watching Isabella progress.
...getting excited about the future.
...starting to prepare for Christmas.
...drinking lots of coffee.
...trying to get out every day.
...reading the classics.
...(still) devouring DVD boxsets.
...listening to wonderful baby giggles.

Sewing Project 2014: 18 - Door Stopper

This was a really quick and easy project from the baby crafts book that my friends bought us. It stops the door from slamming when there is a draft or if someone is a little careless. This one is on the nursery door but I plan to make some more and in differet colours. Love it!

Project Life - September

A fairly short spread this month. It was a quiet one as we found our routine again. There are lots of pictures of our babies.

I used the seafoam kit again and tied in the beige theme. There are also some cafting photos in there.

Short but sweet this time.

Project Life - August

 This month had lots in common with July - I used the Seafoam kit and it was very photo heavy. I also included the usual typed journaling and calendar card.

 August was much busier though so there are more pages, lots of people photos and some new kinds of hand written journaling from the new kit. I love the what, where, who... card.

 I also love the colours this month. The blues are really light and summery. Really excited to be back on top of this project again!

Currently...

...enjoying maternity leave.
...feeling grateful for my health and family.
...catching up with good friends.
...filling up on delicious seasonal produce (hello pumpkin soup).
...getting the creative urge back.
...being addicted to One Tree Hill and Breaking Bad boxsets.
...stepping things up with the pedometer.
...planning big things for the next six months.
...snuggling with the babies.

Project Life - July

Clearly, I was a little behind on this project and have been playing catch up this month but I am still really pleased with the results.

July was a quiet month so there isn't too much going on but I did manage to get a nice mix of photos and journalling in there.

New this month and next is the seafoam Project Life kit which I finally managed to get my hands on (it had sold out when I started this album). I love the colours.

July was mainly our early adventures with Isabella, getting back to crafts, and Mum's flying visit.

September Goals

August was a slight wash out as far as goals are concerned. I was quite poorly and am just now feeling back to my normal self so I am carrying last months goals over. As a reminder, they were:

• Complete July's (and now August's) Project Life
• 3 of my 30 things list - actually managed one in August but still want to do three this month
• Complete a baby sewing project
• Take some family time out - did this. This month I need to plan a christening.
• Build back up to 10,000 steps on the pedometer

Here's to a more productive, successful and healthy month!

August Goals

Despite the hectic month and Nico going back to work, I did quite well on my July goals. The only thing I didn't cross off was 3 of my 30 things but I did do two and have more in the pipeline so I'm still on track there. Here are my plans for August:

• Complete July's Project Life
• 3 of my 30 things list
• Complete a baby sewing project
• Take some family time out
• Build back up to 10,000 steps on the pedometer