Box-o-scrap winner!

The Random Integer Generator says that Sue Thomas is the winner of the scrap goodies. Email me your mailing address, Sue (marci@makearteveryday.com). If I get it today, it will be shipped to you tomorrow. Otherwise, it'll go out sometime next week.

And there is no deadline on becoming a fan of Marci Lambert Photography. Just click and sign up.

December journal, days 24 through 31.

And here's the last of it!

Pages 24 and 25. Page 24 is a little tough to see: it's four photos adhered to a transparency with the title, "charades". No other journaling other than "a new tradition", which we hope this will become. Our friends made us a box of charade topics that our relevant to our lives. It was hilarious!

Here's a close up of Christmas day journaling. Love those Hambly tree rubs.

Pages 26 and 27. Pretty simple, but good memories. I think that postcard is from a sheet of them from Making Memories.

Here are pages 28 and 29. Page 28 is another transparency, so you can see some of the early pages through it. Page 29 shows off a bug creation made by Margret, from a gift of modeling clay.

On Page 30, I once again pulled journaling from this blog, although I edited it down a bit. The photo of the ornaments is another favorite of mine. Click to make larger to read the journaling.

Finally, here's the final day: New Year's Eve. I love this picture of John, roasting marshmallows. Journaling is on the left.

I would say that this is not my most creative project, and there are parts that perhaps should be redone. But I'm just content to have it finished, because when I'm in the old lady home, I'm really going to enjoy it.

December journal, days 18 through 23.

It's really not the most important thing on my to-do list, but I really wanted to finish the December journal I started. Someday when I'm in the old lady home, I'd like to be able to relive some happy memories.

Last I posted, I had finished through page 17.

Here's the page 18-19 spread.

If you click on any of the pages they will get larger. Here's a close-up of the journaling.


Page 19 has a flap, and I pulled the journaling straight from this blog.

When you flip the journaling over, you see one of my favorite holiday photos and a title for the pages. The right hand page is a Hambly transparency.

On the back of the transparency is page 20: a simple page with just a photo and strip of journaling. Page 21 is also plain: photo, title, small journaling spot.

Here is the page 22-23 spread (the "25" is showing through some pages).

This detail shows the journaling.

And this side of this flap also goes with page 22.

When you flip the red flap, you get an elf photo, along with another elf photo on the right. In a few minutes, I'll post the final pages. Please feel free to ask about any of the supplies I used.

I really am scrapping today.

Despite having two girls at home today because of the snow (and one who would have been home anyway because she's puking), I have been fairly productive. Off and on I've been archiving photos. I'm not going to say how far back I had to go, because I know you are supposed to back up frequently. All client stuff gets backed up right away; it's my personal photos that take a backseat. Anyhoo. I'm caught up.

I've squeezed in laundry and baked some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and have given the girls suggestions on spending their time wisely. And I finally scrapped the cover page for my planner. "Essential" is my word for this year. I want to focus on the essentials: family, business, friends, home. Next up? I'm going to finish that December journal. I swear it.

This is for you, Tracie.

I'm quite dedicated to wrapping up loose ends this week, and I finally got Tracie's journal completed. She was the winner of the one word contest in December. I keep up with her on Facebook, and I think she's doing okay with her word. It'll be in the mail in a few days, T.

Because I just can't stop promoting myself.

In the next few weeks I'll be sending out a newsletter about the photo biz. If you'd like to get it, click here and fill out the form. You'll need to confirm your subscription through email. John's busy working on my new site; this link goes to the old one.

Box-o-scrap giveaway!

So, you may have seen a thing or two about me working on business planning this month. In fact, that's pretty much all I've been doing. Part of that process was to rearrange my office and go through years of scrappy goodness so I could weed out the good, the bad and the giveaways. I've got a box of all new products that need a new home. It includes:

• cardstock
• patterned paper (Ki Memories, Basic Grey, Scenic Route, Love, Elsie and American Crafts)
• stickers
• chipboard
• ribbon and fibers
• glitter and flocking
• metal embellishments
• acrylic alphabet
• and more

What do you need to do to win it? Simply go to my photography page on Facebook and become a fan, and post a comment here letting me know you did it. If you are already a fan, just leave a comment here that you are. I'll pick one winner at noon on Friday, January 30th (and I'll be checking your fan status!). Good luck!

Scrappy giveaway...

...check back on Tuesday for a box of goodness.

Fresh.

I've spent a great deal of this week focused on my business. I rebranded myself as, well, I think you can tell by my new logo above. I've sketched out a complete redesign of my website and consulted with my webmaster. I've written long to-do lists to cover my marketing plans and changes in operation. And I've set up a fan page on Facebook (and I'd love for you to click here and become a fan). In fact, if I've taken your photo, you should go check out my albums and see if you are in them. New photos will be up on the new website and I'll let you know when that's finished.

One of the best things I've done is rearrange and declutter my office. It has not been easy at times, because frankly, it was a big mess. Over the years I've gathered lots of scrap crap; some of it I've bought myself, some was sent to me by manufacturers and design teams. I finally decided to go through every single thing and decide whether or not I really wanted it. A lot of it I didn't. So I'm going to package up what I didn't throw out for a future garage sale or maybe some blog RAKs. We'll see. I just know how great it feels to be happy with what remains. Later, I'll do a photo essay on the new office and show you how I combine photography with scrapping.

I still have one giant office-related project: putting away layouts. I haven't put a layout in an album for years! I just have giant stacks of them everywhere. I did buy new albums and I probably need more page protectors, but I'm committed to getting this wrapped up by next weekend.

One more piece of business-related news: I don't plan to raise my prices this year. So that means you can still get a family session for $200. Headshots and Newborn sessions are just $85. Baby's First Year is $125, and Couples and Maternity are $150 (all sessions +tax). And I can do gift certificates for any of these. Feel free to call/email me to schedule a session.

In case you have the winter blahs.

This is for you, Paula.

Snowy day.

Shortly after I sent John and the girls packing this morning, I looked into the backyard and saw this. Giant snow flurries. A big surprise. I knew the little girls would love it, and John called after he dropped them off to confirm it. By the time I got back from my annual mammogram appointment this morning, the dusting was gone.

I haven't done much this morning except watch the inauguration on this historic day. Then I decided to write a letter to Margret and Audrey telling them my reactions to watching it all. I'll add it to their scrapbooks (which, by the way, sorely need my attention; I have tons of loose layouts). Seems like it will be cool to reread it many years from now.

It's been a quiet weekend.

I have loved this past weekend. No big obligations. Just hanging out together.

Friday night started with two other families joining us for pizza night. The kids run around and play while the adults stand in the kitchen and talk. After they left, we rushed the kids to bed so John and I could watch the new Battlestar Galatica episode. We're seriously hooked. And it was intriguing.

On Saturday I finished up some NILMDTS editing (if you aren't familiar, I'm a volunteer with this group, which provides free photography for parents who have lost a newborn) and delivered the disk to the family. They were so appreciative and they have been on my mind a lot.

Next on my agenda was to rearrange my office. My new computer was too big the desk it was on and I have a pile of stuff I'd like to chuck. The room serves as both my office and scrap studio (even though very little scrapping is taking place) and it was getting too full. So John and I moved some things here and there and the new layout is great. But, I still have to go through the scrap stuff and eliminate duplication.

When I got as far as I could, we stopped for a quick soup and grilled cheese dinner. After that, we snuggled on the sofa and watched "The Princess Bride". It was the first time the girls had seen more than a few scenes. And they loved it like we do.

On Sunday morning I was up early, working on grocery lists and checking Facebook. We had all a leisurely breakfast; John and I read the paper. Then he took the girls outside to rake and clean the gutters. Well, I think he did the gutters by himself. I did the shopping. And now I'm about to make some potato soup for dinner and perhaps do a little more work on the office. We'll see. I think I'm just having too much fun doing mostly nothing.

Scrap with Shimelle.

Shimelle is a crazy-talented scrapper. I've followed her for years and was so honored to be asked to be a guest artist in one of her online classes a few years ago. Now she's doing a free mini-class as a thank you to everyone. Check it out here. This is a great little class if you need a scrapping boost.

Morning Margret.

Just when I was thinking that I had been posting too much Audrey and not enough Margret, Margret went and put these magnetic letters on the back of her chair. So why not take a photo and put it on the blog? I used Pioneer Woman's Seventies action to tone down the color. I'm usually into boosting color on photos, but I'm starting to notice that inside shots lit by light bulbs could stand some toning down.

More on Facebook.

So as part of developing more of a business plan, I've been playing around more on Facebook. I've set up some advertising and I have a page devoted to my business. You can find that here (please feel free to become a "fan"). While I'm redesigning my website, I'll be directing people to the Facebook page for pricing info. It was very easy to set up. It won't replace my site, but it is a good way to have a presence on a built-in community.

This morning I'm meeting with a friend so we can help each other plan and promote our businesses. Let's see where this takes us...

Decisions.

I feel like I'm facing a million decisions right now. Do I need to rebrand my business? In what way? How quickly can I get it done? How do I get new clients? When will I declutter my office? How can I rearrange it to better suit my needs? Should I get a fulltime job? Will I be able to declutter the rest of the house by the end of January? Will I ever have time to scrap again? How can we get that last credit card paid off? How do I keep convincing the girls to eat their five fruits and vegetables? What should I do with my blogs? Consolidate? Write posts ahead of time instead of just winging it? Who's going to rake all those leaves and clean the gutters? Why is the house becoming a mess again?

Basically it all boils down to: what is the best way to spend my time? It's the question I ask myself all the time. I always have more on my to-do list than I can ever accomplish. Yet I always think I can do it all.

I think I'll start with an office declutter. This is the room that gets the messiest and I think that if I can whip it into shape I'll gain some much needed clarity. What do you do when you have nothing but questions?

Note: that's Audrey above, getting ready to paint some pottery at a friend's birthday party.

It took me a week to clean the house.

Is it because I'm older? Why does everything take longer than I want it to? After the kids being off from school since December 19th, I was really looking forward to this week. I could get my office organized and get the house cleaned up and then get on to the business of some planning for my business. During the fall I was operating on full speed and just trying to meet all my obligations. I really want to rethink the way I do things and I need some quiet time for that. My plan was to get the house cleaned up and spend the rest of the week working on the business.

So Monday started with a case of pinkeye for both me and Audrey. Calls to the doc, picking up prescriptions, blah blah meant no work then. On Tuesday, John was home sick. I was able to start working on the office and managed to process all the random pieces of work, school and personal papers that had been hiding there. No cleaning happened.

On Wednesday I had a list of errands to do, including some grocery shopping that helped restock my freezer (very much needed). Small amount of cleaning accomplished. Once the kids are home from school I get busy helping with homework, snacks, etc. I did manage to change the sheets on all the beds though, and do some laundry.

On Thursday I had a few more errands (found a great sale at Schnucks and stocked up with cheap, healthy food). I also worked on cleaning the girls' playroom. Normally we make the girls do it, but let's face it. Sometimes when you want something done you really need to do it yourself. I also undertook the huge task of culling their books. We have a large bookcase in their room and it was overflowing. I pulled everything out and tossed books that were torn up and put aside a big stack of baby-ish books for a friend. To help facilitate my young readers, I made a shelf of Audrey-friendly books, another of Margret favorites, then I alphabetized the rest! How long do you think that will last?? Still. I was compelled.

On Friday I finally got to finish putting away random things, dusting, sweeping and vacuuming. I actually had a clean house. Next week I have a more ambitious decluttering plan in mind. If I think I can do it in a week, I'm sure it will only take a month.

Audrey learns to read.

There has never been a big sister as devoted to her little sister as Margret is to Audrey. She just plain loves her. Evidence above. Audrey has been doing great in kindergarten and her reading skill has kicked in to where she can read most simple books. It's right about the same age that Margret could read more than just a word or too.

So when Audrey started to read her book from school while I cooked dinner, Margret was all over it. She truly wants Audrey to do well, and even asked to sit in the same chair with her so she could follow along and correct any mistakes. It's hard to see, but her right arm is wrapped lovingly around Audrey's shoulder.

Sometimes Audrey does not want the attention and pushes her big sister away (and I lecture her on how happy she should be that her big sister wants to be with her; not every little sister is that lucky). But today she relished the attention as she read every word perfectly.

Happy Birthday, Ella!

We like to refer to Ella as our "third daughter." Because we love her so much.

Well, after the holidays and back-to-school and a multitude of illnesses, we seem to be back on track here. My next big project is to restore order from chaos in our house. Back later.

Washing doll hair.

Last year Margret got Nicki, an American Girl doll. Nicki has been well loved, and like most dolls her hair became a rat's nest. It's a curly style and you are supposed to use a metal pick to style it. Well, we didn't have the metal pick, so her hair kept getting worse and worse. I finally did some research and found this great site. And on Saturday I decided to undertake the task of washing and restyling darling Nicki.

I did not take a 'before' picture, either because I forgot or it would just be too embarrassing for the doll. Trust me when I say it was bad.

I started with a mild shampooing with Dawn. Then I did the Downy dunk for an hour. But the thing that really worked was using loads of detangler and a metal pick while her hair was still wet. During this very long episode, I continually composed an angry letter in my head to the AG people about how wrong it is to make an expensive doll with such difficult hair. At first I really thought it was hopeless, but kept plugging away anyhow. Then it became a challenge. It still felt hopeless but there was no way I would be beaten by doll's hair. And after at least an hour of combing, I finally finished.

Even though her natural curl was returning, I decided to set her hair by using drinking straws and bobby pins. I'm not sure Margret loves the look, because it's not the same, but I would kill to have this kind of curl! I mean, seriously. Look at that.

The process really was big pain, but for a doll like Nicki I think it was worth it. And now I have the confidence to try it again on her or any other doll. I do suggest that if you try it that you put cotton balls over the eyes (if they move) and tape them down with painter's tape. Also wrap the doll's body in a few plastic grocery bags if she has a soft body.

Have you ever tried washing a doll's hair? How'd it go?

Goals for 2009.

We had a little talk the other day (maybe it was New Year's Day, maybe not -- I've been sick and can't remember). I asked everyone what they wanted to improve in the year to come. Margret wants to learn to play the piano (my in-laws gave us theirs this weekend), go back to ballet class in the fall and use the WiiFit most days. Audrey pretty much said the same thing. John and I both want to use the WiiFit (honestly, we love that thing) and make improvements to our work environments.

Yesterday I threw in the idea of everyone trying to eat five fruits and vegetables every day and the whole family said okay. I started by having the girls review their favorites so they could visualize what they are taking on. And today I made sure to stock up at the grocery store. Five servings a day (which equals one cup of fruit or one half-cup of vegetables) means I need twenty servings a day and 140 a week! And I will report success today -- we all managed to get five.

John and I also have talked about trying to spend as little money as possible this month. We've just left behind a month of excess and we have plenty to keep us busy here. We'll still keep our weekly dinner date on Saturdays but will look for ways to save money (this past Saturday we went to a "kids eat free" place, and we have a gift card for one of our favorite places). And while I have many thoughts of buying things (I really should write down everything I have the urge to buy -- I'm noticing that feeling a lot), we've been good about saying no or finding alternatives. Today, we had a minor setback when my minivan battery died. Fortunately, John was able to get it to Autozone and get a new one that he installed himself.

And just a little more about the Wii. Santa was so generous to send us a Wii and WiiFit. On Christmas day we made our virtual characters and have taken body tests nearly every day. I love that there is so much to choose from, and it is more fun than work. Of course, we are crazy competitive so that means we are trying to beat each other's scores. Wait, maybe that's just me and John.

What are your goals for 2009?

What I haven't done.

I still haven't finished my December journal (although I have taken photos for it). I still haven't put the Christmas boxes in the attic (although they are nicely organized now). I still haven't helped Margret with her new microscope (although we do have batteries for it now).

Basically, I'm still feeling like crap. Just a bad cold. No energy. No drive. It sucks.

But I'm sure in a few days I'll feel better again and I'll be all over this new year with plans and goals and projects. Just give me a few days...

We have a winner!

I meant to post sooner, but I have caught myself a nasty cold which had me asleep before midnight last night (but I did get up to view the fireworks on a nearby building), and had me back in bed for the majority of the day. Bleh. Not a great way to start the year.

So, I used a random integer generator, and the number three comment for the "What's your word?" post came up the winner:

Tracie said...

"THRIVE"

1. grow well -- to grow vigorously and healthily
2. do well -- to be successful and often profitable

After a rough 2008 (particularly the 2nd half) that I feel like I only SURVIVED, I'm looking to THRIVE in 2009.

Tracie, please email your mailing address to marci@makearteveryday.com and I'll send you a homemade journal within a few weeks. And thanks to everyone who played along.

The word I have chosen for myself is "essential". I want to focus on the essentials of my life: family, home, photo business. This morning at breakfast my whole family talked about things they'd like to do for self-improvement. It was fun to get the girls thinking about this, without the trappings of resolutions. We just each said some things and now we can help each other along.

Happy 2009!