I loved celebrating your happy second birthday together with our neighbors

In June, I had the honor of guest designing with Little Yellow Bicycle’s Sweet Summertime collection. Here is one of my layouts:

Journaling Reads:
My sweet boy, even though you can’t tell from the pictures, we celebrated your birthday in the little common area outside our house with all the neighbors and their kids. Ths was the second year we did it and it was so much fun to see all the kids more grown up than last year. I hope we can continue some form of this tradition every year. I love you o much my son. HAppy happy second birthday.

And some details:

August 15, 2011 | Layouts, Little Yellow Bicycle, Scrapbooking | One comment

Daily Diary – August 14 2011

Another weekend day means another set of family photos. I often get kisses during the shoot which is one of my favorite parts.

Jake said to leave the TV on today so the kids would look at the camera more. Even he’s looking at the TV!

Nathaniel insisted that he carry the new case he got with his knights toy.

there was tickle time of course.

and then when Nathaniel went to nap, Jake showed David a present one of his friends gave us: a playstation 2. David was so very happy and grateful.

they played for a bit and I scrapped a page and did some sketching. Then the little boy woke up.

And David let me take a photo before he ran to his room to create with his legos.

I spent the afternoon mostly dozing on and off. I’ve been tired and in pain. My jaw seems to be acting up today and four Advils did nothing so far. Let’s hope it’s gone soon.

This week promises to be a bit more hectic than the last few. But not too much. I plan to buckle down and get a bunch of items crossed off my list early in the week. But tonight I get to relax. I am going to read and if I feel better I can do some art later in the night.

I hope you’ve all had a fabulous weekend! Here’s to a great week.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another layout I finished.
2. I am grateful for feeling centered and organized.
3. I am grateful for a possibly busy (but hopefully not hectic) week.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a playstation two. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my legos.
3. I am grateful that mommy and i finished our book.

August 14, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

Reading with David – The Tilting House

David says:
I gave this story five stars because I liked that their house had many secrets. Each chapter was a new secret.

I thought it was sad when the dad accidentally killed one of Mr. Daga’s children, the baby rat. I thought it was funny that The Talker talked nonstop and thought it was cool that he turned out to be Hanson.

I thought it was interesting that the person who did grandpa’s leg also built the house they lived in. I liked that the box had growth powder to make the key grow. I also liked how Mr. Daga trained the dog and he could get a soda from the fridge. It was cool that the dimmer switch made the house invisible.

My favorite part was when they found the treasure because it meant that they could keep the house.

Reading a book a week with my six-year-old son David is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

August 14, 2011 | Family, Reading with David | 3 comments

Art Journaling – Strathmore – Pacific Beach

Ok, now that my Moleskine is finished, I wanted to change things up a bit so I decided to use a Strathmore Visual Journal in 9×14. Instead of using the pages in the book, though, I ripped them and used them individually so I could stitch and do other things that the spirals wouldn’t let me.

I’d originally told myself I can take my time and do a page a week but I’ve been making a lot of them and I don’t want to post just one page a week because I will then be posting these pages I did in August all the way into November. Instead I decided to make four posts a week which will keep things a bit more current. I apologize in advance if this gets annoying.

For the first page, I wanted to make a watercolor drawing of this photo I took in Pacific Beach, California

I am not so great with watercolors but I went slowly and did my best. I didn’t do the person cause I really just wanted it to be a scene. (and I wasn’t sure i could do it!)

Here’s what I ended up with:

After I colored, I did add a bunch of stitching around the border and in the waves and then I journaled all around the edges as well.

There we go. Something different.

August 14, 2011 | Art, Watercolor, Weekly Art Journal | 10 comments

Daily Diary – August 13 2011

Happy Saturday! We had a quiet day of course. We got up early and took family photos after exercise-time. I snapped one of my boys.

and there was remote-related conversation of course. Nathaniel had it.

when I tried to take it, he insisted that Daddy take the photos.

then we just gave up and dove into tickle time.

which was awesome, of course.

Afterwards Jake and David rode bikes for a bit and then played soccer together while Nathaniel and I hugged on the couch. And then I went to lunch with my neighbors and David played wii and Nathaniel napped. (and so did Jake.) When I came back I sketched. Then it was time to watch a movie. Nathaniel played as he watched, of course. (see the red box reflecting off of the sun to his face? that’s the red tint of the photo)

And David gave me less than one second to snap this one.

Now they are settling down for the night and I am trying to decide whether I should scrap, art journal, or just cuddle up with a book. Maybe a little of each?

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a fun lunch with friends.
2. I am grateful for snuggle time with Nathaniel.
3. I am grateful for one more day of vacation.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched a movie. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii.
3. I am grateful that I played soccer with daddy.

August 13, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

Us Right Now – August 13

jake
Jake had a great week. Some important meetings and big potential possibilities. It’s amazing how resourceful and bold he can be. I am so awed by him and so proud of him. I pray every day that his business becomes exactly what he wishes it to be because I truly do not know anyone more deserving. This is truly his passion and he puts his all into it. He spent a day in Marin and one in Berkeley and a lot of time down here with the interns. He even worked at home one morning so I could go have breakfast at work. I love him so.

karen
It was a relatively uneventful week for me. I did a lot of work and some art journaling and sketching. I’ve made some changes in my food intake and routine. I read a book from start to finish. I took Christy’s Color Inspiration class and watched all of her videos while I exercised. I did a bunch of journaling (though not as much as I would have liked to.) and I spent time practicing multiplication tables with David and reading to him. We read a lovely book called The World According to Humphrey. All in all, a peaceful and wonderful week.

david
David has been playing with legos. I think they give him more joy than anything. Even more than the Wii or the computer. When he’s on the computer, he looks at galleries of what others have built with legos and gets ideas for his own creations. He’s doing excellent at the multiplication tables. He has also changed his handwriting so it’s super-tidy and really a joy to look at. His swimming and soccer are both improving. Last week we checked out a few books from the library and he’s already finished several including Alvin Ho. I love that boy madly.

nathaniel
Nathaniel is completely obsessed with a library book called Dig. He asks me to read it to him every time he goes for a nap or down for the night. It’s his very favorite thing. I read and he points at the photos and tells me the name of things. It’s one of my very favorite moments of the day. I might have to end up buying the book.

Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

August 13, 2011 | Family, Us Right Now | Leave a comment

Daily Diary – August 12 2011

I actually scrapbooked today. It had been a long time. But I had a lot of fun and there were so many things that it ended up spreading over to the little boy’s table. So he took a look at them, of course.

He was quite fascinated.

The big boy played quietly most of the day and then wrote in his gratitude journal.

He was already dressed for his soccer class.

and the little boy kept playing with the containers of my scrappy goodies.

I have been on fire with the art journaling ever since yesterday’s big revelation. I’ve made 3 pages and have already thought of my fourth. I am so thankful and excited. Let’s hope it lasts.

Plans this weekend include at least one more layout and a bunch more art journaling. That’s about it. Reading, playing, hugging the family, too, of course. Happy weekend!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for some pastel pencils I just got in the mail.
2. I am grateful for some scrap time. It felt wonderful.
3. I am grateful for getting my license renewed. I was dreading the DMV but it was relatively painless.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched some lego movies. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with Nathaniel’s new knights playmobil toy.
3. I am grateful that I had my last soccer class.

August 12, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

Healthy For Life – Week 32

Well, this week’s not anything to be excited about but I am thankful that I have at least not gained any weight. I would like to see some better results after all the effort I’ve been putting in but I will be patient. I will see this through. Whatever it takes.

I’ve made quite a few changes in the last week or so. I have stopped drinking the coffee and drink tea instead. Also no more peanut butter and no snacking randomly. I’ve also started making sure I eat chicken and beans every day. And sometimes eggs. I try to make sure I am eating as much fresh food as I possibly can. The only other thing I really need to cut out is the graham crackers but we’re not there just yet. Soon.

I’ve changed the exercise around slightly as well. I now walk one of the three miles at a small incline. I plan to increase it slowly. I know this is not a big change but at this point all I feel comfortable with is small changes. I figure they are better than no changes.

One day at a time. That’s what I keep reminding myself.

and here’s this week’s card:

Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

August 12, 2011 | Health, Healthy for Life | 2 comments

I Love How You Told me It’s a Flower

This layout was for Maya Road CHA Summer show. It’s not a favorite of mine. I actually really do not like it but I wanted to be honest and show you that I make many pages I don’t like. Having said that, I love this story and since it’s more about the story than anything else, I am still glad I have it.

Journaling Reads:
You were sitting on the floor and drawing on your magnetic toy when i asked you what you were drawing i don’ know what answer i expected but it certainly wasn’t the one i got. you turned to me and signed flower. and i was floored. “are you drawing a flower, Nathaniel’ 0a asked and you said yes. I couldn’t believe that you understood me and that you were drawing something specific you never cease to amaze me.

Details:

August 12, 2011 | Maya Road, Scrapbooking | 5 comments

Daily Diary – August 11 2011

Today was a day without great photos. Just the way it goes sometimes. there was staring.

there were more silly faces.

and little boys imitating.

little boys who are just too cute.

going on tippie tippie toes to reach way above his height.

and a big boy who was super-delighted to make it to level two in his swimming class. rock.star.boy.

Things are still going swimmingly here. Life is full but not stressful. I am thankful. I am grateful. I have more to say but I have about 14 posts to schedule (a LOT of art journaling coming up in the next few weeks) so I better get started. I will be posting so much in the next few weeks, you might get sick of me. I hope I don’t scare you away permanently.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a good dev release despite a few hiccups.
2. I am grateful for finally finally finally having found my art journaling voice….maybe.
3. I am grateful for my husband who is always always always the light of my life.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with my lego men. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I had a treat.
3. I am grateful that I moved to level two in swimming.

August 11, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | 3 comments

Daily Sketching – Week 18

Here are the sketches from this week. ALL of them this week are by the awesome amazing Abigail Halpin.

Wednesday, I made this girl.

the next day, I did this girl:

Friday I did this girl quickly cause i had no time:

on Saturday I wanted to do something more involved so I did this girl in a boat:

on Sunday, I did this girl in profile. I love this one.

Monday was these this cutie pie.

Tuesday I fell in love with this girl so I tried it:

Isn’t Abigail Halpin truly amazing??

and here we are. as always some are ok others not so great. let’s see what next week brings.

August 11, 2011 | Art, SG, Sketching | 3 comments

Daily Diary – August 10 2011

I am trying to post early today because I have guests coming today and a meeting later so I am just sneaking this in. I love this photo of Nathaniel with his blanket. Look at those eyes.

I love David’s smiles.

especially the huge ones.

then I told him to make a funny face.

within minutes, the little one was making it too.

I love how he’s looking at his brother to make sure he has it right.

And this, my friends, is life with boys.

I love my boys. Crazy as they are.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for good, solid work today.
2. I am grateful for guests tonight.
3. I am grateful for my wonderfully clean house.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a rocks and minerals sticker book. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got a pokemon book.
3. I am grateful that I played with my legos.

August 10, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

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