life is good!

we are in the midst of summer!  the weather is really kooky this summer... hot, cold, hot, rain, cold, hot.  but we are enjoying all of it!  hot days mean more time in the pool, running through sprinklers, journaling in the shade, ice cream and eating out (too HOT to cook!) :)  the rain and cooler temps come just in time to rescue us from the heat.  and then it starts all over again!

been journaling up a storm, too.   above is a journal spread i did without any glue or adhesive!  all i had was my japanese masking tape and stickers and labels! but i did my best and a wonderful grid appeared! it just goes to show that you can do wonderful things with limited supplies!  just use what you have. ;)

i've been asked about my journaling method and i'm thinking it would be fun to do a whole tutorial blog post about it.  i've taken a lot of online courses that really helped me just get started.  i've taken several classes with hope karney and she really helped with fun prompts and ideas for layering and using fun materials like tape, labels, old paper, etc.

when it comes to what i journal about...usually i just spend a while creating a spread in my journal, not worrying about what will go where.  then i just start to free write.  usually just all about my day, what i'm doing or thinking at that exact moment.  nothing too complicated!

i journal a lot about my girls!  my journals have become a lot like scrapbooks (without photos--i'm working on that, though!)  i find it's just fun to document my everyday life.  it's the little details that we tend to forget over time.  

i must have a million different journals, too!  when i get bored or stuck in one, i move onto another.  so sometimes there are big gaps in between journal entries but that doesn't bother me.  and some journals get filled up really quick! i picked up the new smashbook by k & company.  it's spiral bound with a hidden spine and hardback cover.  it lays flat (a must for me!) and it comes in several different color schemes/themes.  they are loaded with all different kinds of paper and vintage inspired images.  it also comes with an awesome pen/glue stick so you're never without one or the other! :)

my older daughter loves to journal with me.  i picked her up a matching smashbook and signed her up for "kidding around" on big picture classes.  she wrote the note below for me to put in my journal.  so sweet!

summer is also a great time to take colorful photos.  there is so much daylight to enjoy and plenty of afternoon (de)light to take advantage of.  our outdoor picnics often include a cold, fresh fruit snack! yum!

what else can i say? :) life is good!!