month-in-review | january

This is what I'm working on today. And I don't know about you, but I love the first page of anything. A new book, a new planner or a new mini book..oh, yeah!

 tag tied Marschino baker's twine from The Twinery

Yes, another year, another month-in-review for the Wright family. And, wow, we finished off the month with a bang - our little {all 6'2" of him} boy came home for a visit. Finally. 

Wonder what February has in store for us?

EDITED TO ADD | 2013 Month-In-Review mini books are now available!

Month-In-Review 2012 Archives

January  |  February  |  March  |  April  |  May  |  June  |  July  |  August  |  September  |  October  |  November  |  December

grateful | enjoying the time

It's a good thing when your little sisters like your girlfriend {almost} as much as they love you!

Fighting over who sits next to who. Waking up at 4am because you're so excited and then going to  wake up your big brother, too. Helping to make breakfast and making a big mess. Lots of tickle time, tent-making, Scooby Doo watching and tons of silliness. Worrying about whether he'll still be here when they wake up in the morning. 

Already missing him. 

Grateful for the time AND the visit.

together again

we {heart} felt hearts | the twinery

I admit it, I love any excuse to put on my thinking cap and create a project. While I had my Maraschino baker's twine and red felt out the other day creating this project, I thought to myself, "What else can I do with all the supplies I already have out?"

Well, I'm here today to show you what some felt scraps, a little baker's twine and some patterned paper scraps will reward you with. I made this heart pin for my Mom, but I'm thinking that I should have made one for myself as well!

I began with my two felt hearts and stuffed it with a small bit of a cotton ball because I didn't have any polyfill. After using my craft glue to adhere the two layers together, and becoming impatient with the dry time, I resorted to stitching the heart shapes together with my sewing machine. Probably the best choice, really. The baker's twine is adhered with Glossy Accents atop the line of machine stitching.

After adding a pin closure to the back of the felt heart, I attached it to the patterned paper insert I made for my hinged tin and added a bit more twine {Maraschino and Lemondrop} to add a fun touch.

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Supplies Used

Maraschino Baker's Twine | Lemondrop Baker's Twine

Hinged Metal Tin | Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Alphas | SEI Cardstock | pin back | Crop-o-Dile

52Photos | community

my 52Photos capture

A blog button? Odd, right? But, not really and here's why. It's all because of this little blog that I've had the opportunity to make some friends that I would never have met if it were not for the world wide web. Some people I know by name, but have no idea what they look like while others have a photo attached to their profiles. There are those that I have e-mail conversations with and those that I owe long, overdue e-mails to. Some friends don't even live in the same country I live in. Or speak the same language. Luckily, I've met one of my virtual friends in real life and perhaps will have the chance to again this Summer and sneak in a visit to CHA while I'm there. 

It's all of you that make up a community that touches my heart by your kind comments and continued visits and make me smile and warm my heart. And to think we might never have met if not for the interwebs. Now, let's finish our coffee, shall we?

next week's theme

rest

the wrap-up

I'm so looking forward to some warmer weather when the capture of our weekly themes outdoors is a little more pleasant. Not complaining, just reiterating that I do find Spring and Fall to be the most glorious of seasons. And can I just say...how will it already be February next Thursday?

clean and simple | practical scrappers

I'm honored to have been asked to be a Fresh Face Designer through March over at Practical Scrappers. 

I shared this card for their Clean and Simple assignment using some happy ❤ day tags I designed, similar to these all-occassion tags and this holiday-themed collection, which I popped on top of a metal-rimmed tag from the shop. Using my Top Note die from Stampin' Up {love} and some Blossom baker's twine from The Twinery {love, love and more love}, this card could not have been any simpler to create.

I'm a big fan of pink and green, probably due to the fact that I was a preppy girl back in my High School days {Hillwood High School Class of '82}, so forgive the throwback feel to the photo shoot!

bag full of love | the twinery

There's love in the air for young, old, single, married...and of course, the wee ones in our life! 

Being a crafty mama, I always have random art project supplies on hand and thought I would share with you this rather easy, but charmingly cute, under 10 minute project. Have I mentioned yet that I am a proud returning member, and now Senior Designer, from the 2011 Design Team for The Twinery? Cause for celebration, right?

Here are my supplies:

So, let's get started. Using some die cut hearts, but you could also use a hand punch or even free hand draw them and trim them yourself, I wrote a message that spans about 9 hearts to Isabella. After punching holes, I threaded the hearts together with Maraschino twine and loosely knotted it to hold the little booklet together before slipping it inside the canvas bag {similar bag, but not the same as shown in  this post}.

Then, using a hand cut felt heart, I used my Glossy Accents {I find that this product does an amazing job of adhering The Twinery twine to fabric, felt and cardstock} to embellish the felt heart with more Maraschino twine and again used Glossy Accents to adhere the felt heart to the canvas bag.

Sweet. Easy. Packed with lots of happy love. Excuse me, I need to go make one for Victoria now.

Supplies Used

Maraschino Baker's Twine | Canvas Bag | Glossy Accents | Sizzix Heart Set #2 | Accent Opaque Cardstock - International Paper

guest blogger | creating keepsakes magazine blog

You can find me guest blogging today over on the Creating Keepsakes Magazine blog featuring a brand new mini book created with a free page template I designed for you. Yeah, I know...pretty cool, right?

And, yes, that is one of the four brand new colors from The Twinery you see on my cover below. Hello, Orchid, so nice to finally meet you. 

Be sure to head over to the Creating Keepsakes Magazine blog to get the download for the mini book page template and leave a comment there for your chance to win a $20 shop credit to the I Love It All Etsy shop.

wrapped in the arms of love

52Photos | shine

join me on Instagram {monikawright} or on instagrid

my 52Photos capture

What a difference a few days can make. Well, a few days and a new way of thinking. This brand new year has a shine to it that I am welcoming with open arms. And it feels good.

next week's theme

community

the wrap-up

It's so great to see how many new photos are being uploaded, to greet our new members and to welcome back our original members.

guest blogger | big picture classes

Big Picture Classes is a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas. I'm a fan of both their self-paced workshops and hands-on classes. At this moment, I am participating in the One Little Word class taught by Ali Edwards, Grateful Every Day with Mou Saha and tackling a few projects with Aly Dosdall in her Doable DIY Decor workshop. I just love it when I get to be inspired and learn, all in the comfort of my own home at my own pace. 

I invite you stop by today, over at Big Picture Classes, where I'm sharing a few sweet Valentine's Day projects...all made with crafting and scrapbooking supplies you probably already have on hand. Oh, and there might be a coupon code waiting there for you as well!

And speaking of inspiration, today I am giving away one seat in May Flaum's newest online adventure with Big Picture Classes, The Curious Scrapbooker's Field Guide. It's 12 weeks of techniques and creative play just for you.

Class Description

During each of the 12 weeks of class, there will be a focus on specific techniques and products. Adding texture, stitching, mists, stamping and everything else she could think of. May has created a class full of information and inspiration. Students will find scrapbook layout project examples each week as well as projects such as cards, tags, altered projects and mixed media canvases. This class features a new colorful PDF handout and videos each week, and an A-Z basics library of 26 videos.

Want to learn more about how Big Picture Classes works? And here's May's Teacher Top Ten, so you have a chance to get to know your instructor a little better.

TO ENTER  

Leave a comment telling me which Big Picture Class most interests you right now. I'll leave the comments open until Friday evening at 8pm when I'll draw a winner and post here. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner. No way to contact you...I'll have to award May's class to another lucky person. 


AND THE WINNER IS...

it's just around the corner

In 28 days, Valentine's Day will be upon us. I tend to approach the celebration in a lighthearted way with just a smidge of seriousness. My thinking, "Why wait for this one day to declare your devotion and gratitude for having the luck to be loved and to have loved and loving ones in your life?"

Stuck for ideas? Let me help with a few from that cute little Etsy shop, I Love It All {wink, wink}.

 Because I Love You coupon book

10 Things I Love About You mini book

the alphabet of our love mini book

   red LOVE print                       pink LOVE print                   denim LOVE print

so happy together art print

 Have I Told You print | 4 colors

Date Night Coupon Book

me+you=we | gray                 me+you=we | aqua                 me+you=we | red

all you need is love 5x7 print

Love Makes The Ride Worthwhile print | 4x6 and 8x10

Use the coupon code ILOVEITALL at I Love It All to enjoy your 15% purchase discount!

rain on the windshield

via Instagram {search for monikawright} | also on instagrid if you don't have an iPhone

gratitude journal | a new year

Hello 2012! You have been a very fine year these 12 days and I so appreciate your bing bang bam ending to 2011, I needed that.

So, yesterday was the first day in about forever that it was a little slow for me. Crazy. I finished up a few outstanding Etsy orders, completed a Journal for a friend and also my very own Journal, which I'm going to share today. Now, as you look at my Journal, it's a mish mash of all the leftover bits and pieces from the first Journals I made for the shop and the second version of Journals I made for the shop and then, of course, I added in a few "just for me" pages.

My 2012 Gratitude Journal with pink o-wire binding...adore my Bind-It-All and use it all. the.time. One of my most used crafty tools.

Managed to sneak in my one little word, too. Each day when I open my Journal, I'll have this little reminder to just be...

Isn't that a cute photo with all those colors and patterns and bits and pieces of patterned paper, found paper and ephemera all bound into a "good thoughts" book!

Week 1:52, Days 1-7

I used some colored pencils to add a bit of color to my kraft page. Why not make it fun and bright if I can.

Nothing drastically thought provoking or earth-shattering in my gratitudes to date, but all are daily reminders of how extraordinary an ordinary day can be.

Week 2:52, Days 8-11

If you weren't able to purchase a Gratitude Journal, I do have a few little mini books {will be adding more soon} that you could use for this purpose by adding in few of your own papers and doo dads. And, in case you missed it, here's what the girls are using for their daily grateful thoughts and you could do the same thing as well.

Happy Friday the 13th!

drumroll please | the 2012 twinery design team

With great pride, I'm pleased to share with you {half} of the 2012 Design Team for The Twinery. 

The rest of the team will be announced tomorrow, so be sure to drop by at The Twinery for the rest of the gals! With nearly 400 applications, here's your first peek at 10 members of the Team. Take some time to drop by their blogs and browse around will you're there...and, by all means, become a follower of our team members as well as a follower of The Twinery blog! 

You can connect with The Twinery on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and be the first to know about breaking news, coupon codes, sales and inspiring project links, too.

and now...meet some members of our 
2012 Design Team for The Twinery

Julie Ranae - Design Team Coordinator

http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com/

Angelica Suarez - Senior Designer

http://www.typicalaquarian.com/

Monika Wright - Senior Designer  {that's me!}

http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/

Teri Anderson          

http://terisplace.wordpress.com/

Dorangela Bobet      

http://www.twoprincebakerytheater.com/         

Helen Bird               

http://www.curlybirds.typepad.com/

Lauren Brewer          

http://www.laurenscreative.com/

Natalie Clause          

http://www.southernbellescharm.com/

Amy Crockett          

http://www.scrappingmommy.com

Tifany DeGough (returning as a 2nd term designer)

http://www.inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/

Carolyn King         

http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com

Kathy Skou          
http://kathyskou.blogspot.com

Kellie Winnell          
http://www.kelliewinnell.com.au/

The announcement of the second half of The Twinery Design Team is here.

Race over to The Twinery now to enter your name into the giveaway for the Ultimate Sampler Pack you see below!

Quite a team, don't you think? You can see my own projects for The Twinery here and here.

52Photos

my 52Photos capture

I jumped ahead of schedule and posted my 52Photo last week.

next week's theme

shine

the wrap-up

I am honored to be continuing on this journey of discovery with Lisa. Did you know that she's participating in another photo project...find out more here and be sure to drop by and congratulate her. Oh, and don't forget to add your captures to the Flickr group, we have166 members already!

5 on the 5th | january 2012

Welcome to the first installment of a new family project using my Instagram photo.

Why 5? Because we have 5 family members for one and for another, it seemed much more do-able for me than the more common 12 on the 12th that so many people participate in. Ideally, I would adore if Zach would snap a pic with his iPhone and e-mail it to me so that I could include his take on the 5th along with our experiences for the day...maybe next month. Guess what?  Zach sent me a photo...although I'm not sure he knew I was going to use it for 5 on the 5th, but I'm using it anyway.

I thought it would be fun to capture a year's grouping of 5 photos taken on the 5th day of each month. You know, photos that I probably would never think of taking or think to silly to share, but that define our life at that moment. Like we all need another project to keep track of. But, I've been having so much fun with my new phone and all the apps. Instagram is one of my faves and you can follow me by searching for me: monikawright or you can follow my Instagrid feed if you don't have an iPhone.

1 | girls headed out the door to their 2nd day of school in 2012 

2 | ironing the duvet cover which takes for.ever.and.ever. but which makes Gordon so very happy

3 | our almost daily stop at the Post Office to mail I Love It All on Etsy packages

4 | loyal, getting older and with the saddest look he could give, Duke the dog

5 | the two of them on the beach in Charleston

See you next month {on the 6th} when I'll post February's 5 on the 5th family update! Here's a rough outline on what's in store for 2012.

note: seeing my collage now, I need to stick with one filter for all the photos for a more cohesive look, but that's just the Type A perfectionist coming out in me. Can't help it and I'm not going to apologize.

one little word | january

A sense of accomplishment this morning. I'm already 100% ahead of where I was last year at this time. OLW 2011 was a bust as all I did was to print out the title page and read the pre-class assignment. 2012 already has me excited, it's a new year and a new me.

fabric strip from Little Yellow Bicycle | chipboard letters from Studio Calico | Classic Laid Linen in White

And since it was already printed, I wasn't going to waste it. Adding the small portion of the much longer fabric border to the top adds texture and the placement of my OLW {be} hides the year 2011. I used pop dots to lift the b off the page and just adhered the E directly to the page.

You probably already know this, but I'm not much of an innovative or technique-y scrapper. Case in point, I just purchased a heat gun and embossing powder 3 weeks ago. Yeah, it's been out for ages, but I'm just now giving it a go. I first stamped the butterfly image in turquoise ink thinking that I had bought clear embossing powder {nope, it's white} and the colored ink would show through. I like it anyway, though, and will probably find some clear embossing powder to give that "technique" another try!

paper and cardsock sticker from Studio Calico | butterfly stamp from Jenni Bowlin

Later in the post you'll see my painted foam stamped letters unembellished and this is what they look like now. I had red in my machine and was too lazy to rethread or to spin another bobbin. The paper I used was from product packaging and I didn't trim my threads so that I could use them to tie on the letter m for Monika.

chipboard letter, cardstock sticker and product packaging from Studio Calico

The January Assignment

the cover page | 5x7 size

invitation | invite myself to just let it be

thesaurus | exist . subsist . live . breathe . {existence} being . survival . life . prevail . endure 

because | i want to revisit the me i remember...i want to be joyful, spunky & in the moment

definition | present indicative: i am - as a substantive verb, be is used ----> to mean | to have existence, 

                  truth or actuality

quotation | learn to enjoy every minute of your life. be happy now. don't wait for something outside of 

                 yourself to make you happy. think how really precious is the time you have to spend. every 

                 minute should be enjoyed.

invitation | introspection . reflection . fun . joy . growth . awareness { a new me } 

January assignment | baseball card size page protector

Looking for a be quote ended up being quite a chore. There are tons of quotes with the word be in the text, but very few actually about "be"ing. I kind of paraphrased the quote I ended up using, and if I find another that better suits me, I can always make a change. But, right now, this one seems to fit.

You can see how my Be cards originally looked before I added stitching to them.  The embossing also shows up a bit better here, you can see the shininess and texture of the technique. Both the cover and ATC card pages fit into page protectors, but it's difficult to get a good photograph with a page protector in the shot.

I realize that I have two invitation cards. I want them both included. Not knowing what February's assignment is yet {don't want to peek, which is very unusual for me} I don't know whether to expound further upon some thoughts I haven't included here. I may just do it anyway, but not sure I'll share. Did you notice, I snuck in my 2011 OLW, joy.

cardstock sticker from Studio Calico

I punched holes into a print I offer in the shop and decided to add it here, without a page protector. 

BE art print from I Love It All

Why did I choose be? Because I am tired of not being happy with the way things are. Not that I'm  unhappy, I'm not. I have a good, good life with wonderful people in it. But, I'm not happy with how I've let circumstances that you may or may not remember {other people, other situations, other things}  have control over me. And that affects my family, my relationship with my husband and essentially me as well. It's time for me to release those feelings and JUST LET IT BE. Just let life be and accept it and move on. I wish that I could better articulate what I'm feeling in my heart, but just let me tell you that I feel a difference already, on this 9th day of January, and things can only get better with time.

Participating in OLW as well? Posted about it or added it to Flickr? I'd love to come visit...leave a link in the comments so I can stop by for a peek. Find my other one little word posts here.

And read Andrea's blog post here.
Here's what Kate created.

Want to join in?