March Cocoa Daisy project shares.  It was a good month except for the part that got away from me, lol.

February Cocoa Daisy Project Shares!

It's project "get caught up on the blog so I'll be more motivated to blog" time.  WHEW!  These are my February Cocoa Daisy projects (yes it's been that long).  It's ironic that my son just came back from Spring Camporee.  I'm pretty sure this first layout is from his very first Spring Camporee as a Boy Scout last spring.  I was so overprotective and nostalgic then, watching him pitch his tent and hang out till it was too dark to see then going back to visit the next day.  This year I was all, "bye!  have fun!"  It's so bittersweet and awesome to watch them grow up. 

Cocoa Daisy March!

Well, I have been struggling with the old blog lately.  I have a backlog of things that need posting.  It's that whole "you can't do everything" thing going on.  Spring Break is on the way though and warm weather is already here, so maybe I'll be more productive soon.

 

Here is one of my pages from the March Cocoa Daisy Kits.  I have lots more in the gallery.  I'll also attach my unboxing video below in case you're interested in a closer look at the product.

 

So far I've made 6 cards, 2 pocket pages, 2 layouts, and my DaisyDori, of course.  Hoping to squeeze out a few more projects before April arrives. 

Unboxing video:

Tips for Repurposing Planner Dashboards

i made a little video sharing some tips on how to use up all the amazing cocoa daisy dashoards (like the one hiding on this layout . . . :).

thanks for watching!

YouTube: January Hobonichi

i finished january in my hobonichi!  it's basically a peek into my month illustrated with doodles.  if you'd like to see more, please check out my video below.  :)

realized that i never posted part 1!  oops!

YouTube: Honey! I shrunk Project Life!

I accidentally started another year long project.  Oops!  It's a mini version of Project Life in a Midori Traveler's Notebook insert.  I really love it lots.  :)

YouTube: Plan with Me February

A little peek into my weekly planning process . . .

YouTube: Goal Setting with a 12 Year Old Boy

If you know how to get a 12 year old boy to remember to put on deodorant and wash his face every night, I am open to suggestions.  :P

YouTube: Smartphone Photo Processing Apps

I've had several people ask me how I got the small pictures that I often use in my Midori pages.  This video pretty much explains it.  90% of them are edited and printed from my iPhone.  :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from our new little snuggle bunny!

Plus my very first pocket letter!

good-bye, dear friend

we said good-bye to this dear soul today.  he was my constant companion during my hardest times and then became my son's first best friend.  our hearts are filled with his many treasured memories, but our arms are feeling so empty tonight.

Pepito

2002 - 2016

YouTube: February Daisy Dori Set Up

are you ready for february?  i am thanks to cocoa daisy!  i have my planner all set up and simon, our cute little mascot, tells me we even get a bonus day this month as it's leap year!  hooray!

here is a rambling 30 minute version of me putting together my daisydori, but if you'd like the short version . . .

then skip to this one which is a flip through in half that time plus a little storage solution for my midori inserts.  :)

january cocoa daisy designer's challenge

This one was for the January Designer's Challenge over at Cocoa Daisy.  The prompt was to journal around a page element - a fun one.  Still proud of my boy and his Arrow of Light.  :)

You can see a couple of the other designers' takes on this challenge HERE.

february cocoa daisy unboxing video

lots of fun stuff this month!

cocoa daisy february reveal chat happening NOW!

we're having our february reveal over at cocoa daisy tonight!  here are some peeks of my projects.  you can see the full monty in my gallery (or wait and i'll get them posted next week ;).

February Cocoa Daisy Planner Kit Unboxing Video

get it scrapped! midori love

i've started yet another project in my midori traveler's notebook.  this one is a midori sized take off on project life.  basically, each page will be a week of my memories this year with room for monthly headers.  i'm 2.5 weeks in so far and loving every minute with this collage of fun.

tomorrow i'll be chatting with debbie hodge over at get it scrapped! about my newest obsession.  the seminar is for members only, but there's still plenty of time to join!  i think you will find that masterful scrapbook design is just packed with inspiration each month.

youtube: january plan with me #2

another plan with me video!  hope you enjoy the extreme close ups of my hands.  HA!

quality literature: these is my words

although it is typically not my style to rate books, i would give this one a three out of five stars.  it's a typical settling the west (non trashy) romance written in diary style.  the characters are engaging and enjoyable.  it's entertaining for the most part.  there is an excessive amount of traumatic death, even for a settling with west novel.  it ends abruptly without really saying much.

on a side note, the random spelling errors drove me bonkers.  as an english teacher of beginning english writers, this is just not how it goes.  students do not spell everything perfectly except for a random word now and then.  nope.

quality literature: tell the wolves i'm home

i don't know when i've ever read a book with so much heart.  i can already tell this is going to be a great year for reading.  goodreads book summary can be found HERE.

YouTube: Plan with Me January 2016

Here's a little rambling "Plan with Me" style video sharing this week's week at a glance in my Cocoa Daisy Daisydori planner.  I am especially amused by my inky finger antics after the shopping cart makes an appearance.  ;)

good blog reads

we have had the best weekend!  g played "don't starve" and "battlefront" while i played with my hobonichi and midori.  we got a little work done.  i cooked twice (spaghetti and cranberry pork loin).  we both had friends over.  g discussed "the force awakens" theories with his guest while i looked at cruise pics with mine.  life is good.  speaking of good.  here  are a few new "good blog reads" to enjoy.

brilliant hobonichi artist: http://penguinscreative.com/blog/

very inspiring art journaling blog: http://daisyyellowart.com/

bullet journaling and more: http://www.tinyrayofsunshine.com/

bullet journaling and more: http://www.bohoberry.com/

bullet journaling and more: http://prettyprintsandpaper.com/

hobonichi and midori planner: https://inkycauldronblog.wordpress.com/

home organization: http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/blog

quality literature: night circus

the night circus was an excellent read.  i highly recommend it.  i felt like it was the most interesting and compelling novel that i'd read in a while and one of the most well written that i've ever read.  the characterization is amazing.  i was immediately invested in each circus member as he or she was introduced and was completely intrigued by the antagonists.  the plot was also stellar.  each page gave a new small bit of information, but only enough to keep me wanting more from beginning to end.  plus the entire story concept was just so unique.  beautiful, beautiful writing.  a really, really good one.

YouTube: January Midori Set Up

Getting ready for the new year in my Midori Traveler's Notebook!

Youtube: Hobonichi December Flip Through

Say hello to my newest journaling love, the Hobonichi.  :)

Winter Mantel

i got my christmas mantel swapped out for a wintery one.  can you tell that i'm hoping for a few snow days soon?  maybe my decor will have an influence on mother nature.  ;)

this one was an easy transition, too.  i kept the same basic bones and just swapped out a few things, the holly for baby's breath, the christmas ornaments for snowflakes, the cocoa daisy "seasons grettings" kitty for a "let it snow" one, and a few other small touches.

and, of course, i've already got plans to transition it again into a valentine's mantel come february.  :)

YouTube: December Daily 2015

I finished my 2015 December Daily today!  That's right!  Today as in the first day of 2016 as in I won't be packing it up to finish next December!  I know!  I'm as shocked as you are!  Here's a little video in case you want a looksee at the rest of it.  Happy first day of 2016 to you and yours.  Hope you're off to a fabulous start!  :)