August Project Life

I hope you're ready for seasonally inappropriate Project Life pages! I've been behind in PL all year, and have only posted through July. I recently completed August and September and will show you those this week. I took advantage of a big snowstorm this past weekend and completed October, November, December, and some 12x12 layouts. When it rains, it pours - or snows, in this case ;)

This first page of August goes beside my washi tape yoga teacher training layout. I picked coordinating colors since the pages face each other. Joe and I took a day trip to Dollywood where we rode all the rides and panned for gemstones, and I completed yoga teacher training.

Full spread: 

Left side: a day trip to Boone, cotton candy, my best friend moved back home, and random tidbits from the month.

Right side: hubby and I went out to Cootie Brown's and to the Appalachian Fair, and I was taking salads to work all the time.

Are you caught up on PL?

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Monogrammed Vinyl Cups

I have another vinyl project to share with you today! I used Oracal 651 vinyl and some double-walled tumblers to make these personalized cups for my coworkers.

I downloaded a phone app called Monogram Lite. I made my monograms, opened them in Silhouette Studio, traced them, and sized them. I used the rhinestone feature in the Designer Edition of the software to make the dotted rings on some of the cups. 

I love how these turned out. I need to make myself one with the script font overlay!

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Blue and Green Pyrex

I've been collecting vintage Pyrex for many many years. About 10 years ago, I bought a restored Hoosier cabinet to display my Pyrex and I love it! About 2 or 3 years ago, I picked out my most favorite pieces and displayed them like this:

I've been wanting to sort my Pyrex by color so I could change out the display more often. I've been inspired by Instagrammers like Vampyrex and The Aqua Owl to create displays with coordinated colors for a holiday, a season or just my mood! Mom helped me sort and organize my collection this past weekend.

Here's the full cabinet: I store extra dishes and things in the bottom cabinet.

Do you collect anything?

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26 Books - December

1. A book you own but haven't read

2 - a book that was made into a movie

3 - a book you pick solely because of the cover

4 - a book your friend loves

5 - a book published this year

6 - a book by an author you've never read before

7 - a book by an author you love

8 - a book at the bottom of your "to be read" pile

9 - a book with a color in the title

10 - a book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit

11 - a book you started but never finished

12 - a book with a lion, a witch, or a wardrobe

13 - a book with a female heroine

14 - a book set in the summer

15 - a book of poems

16 - a book you learned about because of this challenge

17 - a book that will make you smarter

18 - a book with a blue cover

19 - a book you were supposed to read in school. But didn't.

20 - a book "Everyone" has read but you

21 - a book with a great first line

22 - a book with pictures

23 - a book from the library

24 - a book you loved... read it again!

25 - a book that is more than 10 years old

26 - a book based on a true story 

Guess how many books I read in December - ZERO! The busyness of the holidays got me sidetracked. I stopped reading as much on my lunch break. So I didn't end up reading 26 books this year, but the important thing is that I am reading on a regular basis again! Reading brings me a lot of joy, and provides an escape and some much-needed "me time".

In 2016, I'm committed to reading more - I'm shooting for 30 books! I've got a few titles on my "To Read" list and will definitely be getting back into that lunch break reading. That's where I read the most during 2015. I'll be sharing a Book Report every month in 2016. Any books on your "To Read" list for 2016?

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Vinyl Cutting Board

I have a fun new project to show you today! Ever since Mom and I went to the first All Things Silhouette Conference, we've been wanting to try cutting vinyl with our Silhouette Cameos. We've had our machines for 3 years but have only cut paper up to this point.

The cutting board is textured on the front, but smooth on the back. I mirrored my image and text and applied them to the back of the cutting board. I used Oracal 651 so the cutting board can be washed. I I gave it to my mother-in-law for Christmas. She loved it and is mostly going to use it as decoration in her kitchen!

Have you tried vinyl? I don't know why I waited so long!

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Christmas Pocket Letter

One of the Facebook groups I frequent had a little Pocket Letter swap. I used one of my favorite paper collections, Kringle and Co from American Crafts, to make these letters.

This is my favorite patterned paper from the collection!

I tucked embellishments, a note, and some tea behind the decorated inserts.

I used little words from an October Afternoon sticker sheet to make this pocket.

I'll be back soon to show you some non-Christmas themed gifts I made. I hope you and your family has a very Merry Christmas!!

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26 Books - November

1. A book you own but haven't read

2 - a book that was made into a movie

3 - a book you pick solely because of the cover

4 - a book your friend loves

5 - a book published this year

6 - a book by an author you've never read before

7 - a book by an author you love

8 - a book at the bottom of your "to be read" pile

9 - a book with a color in the title

10 - a book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit

11 - a book you started but never finished

12 - a book with a lion, a witch, or a wardrobe

13 - a book with a female heroine

14 - a book set in the summer

15 - a book of poems

16 - a book you learned about because of this challenge

17 - a book that will make you smarter

18 - a book with a blue cover

19 - a book you were supposed to read in school. But didn't.

20 - a book "Everyone" has read but you

21 - a book with a great first line

22 - a book with pictures

23 - a book from the library

24 - a book you loved... read it again!

25 - a book that is more than 10 years old

26 - a book based on a true story 

I'm getting close to my 26 book goal! It's been fun doing this challenge. I've done more reading than I have in years. Time is running out a little bit - hope I read the rest before the year is up, but we shall see. The holidays are so busy!

For book 20, a book "everyone" has read but you, I chose Yes Please by Amy Pohler. It was funny but I just couldn't get into it. It's a collection of short essays so it's something you can pick up and put down any time though.

I started Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It really doesn't fit into any of the categories... so I'm changing the criteria for book 19 to "a book that teaches you something". That works for me! This book is pretty neat - she discusses inspiration, finding your creative flow, how to be in the moment and recognize those moments of pure genius.

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