Aaron's Nepal Journal!

Some of you may remember a post a few months ago on my little old Blog about a friend named Aaron who had an unexpected opportunity to go to Nepal and Japan and China for a week! So I made him a travel journal for his trip. He's a doodling, writing save stuff kind of guy so I was pretty sure the journal would be loved and used. Boy was I right!!!

I am so excited to share a couple of snap shots of how Aaron used his travel journal. He used every piece of paper, envelope and paper clip that I included. And it looks super neat! He did a ton of journaling which is what really counts in a journal like this. It's about capturing those moments, thoughts and feelings that a simple photo alone in an album years later can't recall. It's about being able to look at those pictures and read the stories that went along with them. There's something special about being able to temporarily put yourself back in your own younger shoes. And it's fantastic!

Whipped Up

I whipped a couple of these up last night. All day I had been fidgeting with creative energy that needed to be released. So I started trolling the Internet looking for some type of album to put together while I not so patiently wait for my adhesive and chip board to arrive at my door so I can make this album I mentioned last week. While snooping around I came upon Amy Tangerine's Day Book. Which seemed super simple to make on your own without having to purchase her kit. So I did!!!

These little books are about 6x5. A little squarer than I normally like but I hate wasting paper!!! And I can make two at a time from the same 12x12 sheet this way. They each have over 24 pages (50 front and back). I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out and they were very easy to make!!!

Just fold pages in half and stitch. Basically making a book out of one signature of papers. I left them minimally embellished. I might list a few in my shop. Whatcha think? I think it was an evening well spent.

A Spring Garden

Just thought I'd share some pretty snap shots of my Father In Law's budding garden. Maybe next year I'll be brave and start a small one of my own!!!

Lovely Day

Today has been a lovely day. One of those days that is both productive and wonderfully relaxing. I love days home. I can't wait to one day be able to spend the mojority of my time working from home. Whether it be in crafting or photography or part time teaching or hopefully a combination of all three! My goals are starting to become a little more foreseeable. I only wish that maybe I started ten years ago. But alas I would most likely not have the family I have now which is my world and joy. I am enjoying this journey so much!!! And it really is lovely outside today. Even if it's sunny and not raining. Cheers!


P.S. Has anyone else used PicFrame on their iPhone or iPad?! It is so neat!!!

Quick Update!

The little Paper Packs I have in my Shop have been going so fast that I've bundled up some more and listed them!

You can find Pink, Yellow, Orange, Black & White, Neutral, Blue and Purple!

This Has To Be

The absolute BEST Wedding Proposal Ever! It had me laughing and crying right before work yesterday. I'm talking tears streaming down my face. If anyone ever needed a pick me up this is suretly what would be prescribed!

Late Lunch

This is my final day job lunch break for three whole glorious days! Needless to say I am a bit excited. I have so many things I want to do!

First. I think I am getting my iPad tonight. Yippie! Then a pool party tomorrow and lots of crafting while relaxing on Monday and Tuesday. I love Summer! It's so nice to not be in school AND working.

Oh! And I managed to acquire some chip board and book binding adhesive so I can make some of those neat albums next week! Cheers for fun crafts and days home from work with the family. Life is wonderful.

I Happened Across!

I happened across this really neat and beautiful tutorial for a super simple album via The Creative Place who found it on Crate Paper Blog which is quickly becoming a favorite!!! The pictures are full of colorful detail and the instructions are super simple to follow. I cant wait to try and make one for myself!!! It involves using pretty paper and chipboard. Everything is sized to 4x6 to accommodate little Polaroid sized snapshots while leaving enough room for pretty accents and journaling. The whole thing is then bound with a book binding adhesive. Which I am super excited to try for the first time! You should pop over and take a look. The Crate Paper Blog is filled with lots of fun and pretty ides!!!

30 Day Journal Challenge!

Run With Scissors: 3rd Annual: 30 Day Journal Challenge

Janel over at Run With Scissors is such a fun girl to journal along with. I've taken two of her online classes and they are so much fun!!! Anyone can join her in this challenge. So get your journals and pens ready for June 1st!!!

Days Go By

Time goes by so quickly! Especially when you have a day job that you're not passionate about. I am thankful for it though. It's given me the ability to have a home and a family. But the work days start to blend. So I am promising myself to do the things I love more often. To waste less time being idle (unless that's what I'm passionate about at the moment...)

I love quiet mornings while my little family is still asleep. So I am vowing to get up early every morning to take advantage of that time. To craft. Read. Relax. Take photos. Drink a cup of tea. It's going to be my way of stealing time. Because who really needs nine hours of sleep? I think seven would suffice.

Today in Southern California is beautiful. Life is beautiful.

Is It Still Spring?

Because I'm still Spring Cleaning. I've decided to let some of my paper goodies go to good homes. I'm trying to hoard a little less... Any who! There are now six paper packs available in my Shop! They are grouped by colors. Purple. Blue. Yellow. Orange. Green and Red/Pink. They look so pretty all together!!!

Mail Fun!

I just discovered via the Missive Maven the neatest mail Blog! It is called the Elevated Envelope. It is chalked full with mail related fun and photos. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. And best of all there is a mail exchange project every few months where participants will receive ten recipients to design envelopes for and mail off to each other each while receiving ten in return. What could be more fun then the expectation of ten pieces of artwork in the mail! Yes, I am a little excited. I've already signed up for the next one that begins June 1st. Happy Dance!

Letters To My Daughter

This is a project I've wanted to start FOREVER! And I think I'm just about ready. I'm going to put a special hybrid book together for it like the ones in my shop. And try to write a letter a week.

I want to include precious moments we shared together. Things about myself and about life I don't want to forget to tell her about. Maybe include the goings on in today's world. I've even asked the hubby to contribute and he was super excited!!! I can't wait to start!

I wish I had something like this from my grandparents. They were two really important people in my life who I unfortunately know next to nothing about. And they've been gone for quite a few years.

I want to pass on something tangible to my family. Pics to follow soon! Hopefully tomorrow.

Does anyone else do something like this for their children or family? I'd love to hear about it!!!

Mushroom Madness!

So I finished up my Mushroom books. They are officially in the shop!

And I've added a coupon. So if anyone enters Simply at checkout they get 10% off! Neato huh. I love paper.

Mushroom Art

I decided to watercolor some mushrooms for my Fungi Journals. Neato huh!

Can't wait to finish them and put them in my shop!!! Or hoard them for myself...

Mushroom. Mushroom. Whose Got the Mushroom

A sneak peek of my Mushroom. Butterfly. Moth Journals!!! A piece of personal Fungi art will also be included. Who loves Fungus?! I know I do. Cheers!

Journal Snap Shots

Here are some of my recent journal pages! I've been using a lot of Washi Tape.

And a whole bunch of mini Polaroids!!!

Impromptu Lunch Post

I'm bored! Today is my first day at a new branch. I'm sitting in a little Chinese Food place all by my lonesome. The weathers beautiful outside. I wish I had thought to bring something crafty to do with me. I have a dreaded paper to write when I get home this evening but then i'm free for the summer!

I have plans for at least ten more journals as well. Harvest. Summer. Space. Gothic. Fungi. Birds. Wedding. I can't wait to start them! And I LOVE that so much of the new scrapbook paper is printed on Kraft brown. I dislike a stark white back. Is anyone else picky about such silly things?!

I Am A Washi Tape Addict

It's true! I admit it, I have over fourty rolls... But I just can't get enough! Washi Tape just brightens up any crafty project and makes it so much more special! I use the Japanese inspired masking tape for cards, journals, packaging, scrapbooking, journaling. Its uses are endless! And I have some really neat ones.

My newest two rolls are about an inch thick and look as though they are old dictioary pages. One has Flora and Fauna and one has the solar system and Planets. Seriously, isn't that the neatest thing ever!

Remember I'm a Trekkie. I aquire most of my tape from Etsy, these are a few of my fvorite Washi Tape Shops Pretty Tape and Little Happy Things And now even places like Michaels and Target are staring to carry it! The tape I acquired at Target, in the office supply section works great. It has perfect stickyness. Sadly the tape I bought from micheals, while cute isnt as good. It doesnt seem to stick as well. At least the things I collect are usable and take up a rather small amount of space! Right?

My First Sale!

Whoopie! I just sold my first handmade journal! Super exciting. I just LOVE sharing things that I find so much delight in. I love giving gifts and sending things off that I find beautiful and special and unique to others!

I got to speak with the girl who bought this journal and I'm excited because I was asked to personalize it a bit more for her. It's going to be used as a scrapbook for her anniversary with her boyfriend who is a Steampunk fan. Isn't that great?

I'm back at my day job as of seven minutes from now. But that's OK! I'm going to take a lot of deep breaths. Smile. And focus on all of the wonderfulness in my life. Have a GREAT Monday!

Shop Re-Opening!

I am sooo excited to announce that my Etsy Shop is officially back open and stocked to the brim with new Journals! I've been a busy Journal making monkey on my lovely week long vacation. I have to admit if I don't sell a single one I wont be disappointed that I have to keep them all for myself! So far I have six themes?

Travel, Nautical, Love, Vintage, Steampunk and Spring and I am sure I will be adding a few more every day. I am having SO much fun making them. You can take a peek in my shop front on the right or click here to be magically transported to Willow Mucks Shop!

Today is The Day!

Hello! I am so excited to launch the newest phase of my "Lil Old Blog". This week has been so amazing! In really the simplest ways. I have had the luxury of being home all week, no day job. It has been fantastic! Monday looms but I am trying desperately not to think about it. I have gotten to do so many lovely thing this week! I finally began my Project Life book. I know, I'm a bit late to the game but alas I am in it now! I figured Vacation Week was a great time to start and get the book going. We went to the Zoo this week and had a lovely time. Winnie is closer to three now than two and she had such a great day! I think the Choo Choo Train ride was probably her favorite thing at the Zoo though. My girl loves trains! I also have surpassed my Journal making goal for this week! At the beginning of the week I set myself goal of making a journal a day for my Etsy Shop and was hoping to have eight finished, though truthfully I though of it as a stretch goal. Well, at this very moment I have 12 made! And I will probably make a few more before tomorrow when I officially re-open my Shop. I have just had SO much fun putting them together this week. I've really gotten into a rhythm with them. I make two at a time and they are just coming out so lovely and unique! I can't wait to share. Well I suppose that is it for now! I will have a permanent link back to my Original Blog here to the right and one as well over there for easy access. I hope everyone is having a relaxing and wonderful weekend!