"Love You" door

Recently I signed up to take a scrapbook class from Stacy Julian, called 20 in 20. It started in January but she offered a discount to join in July and all the proceeds were donated to charities for Black Lives Matter. One of the first optional projects she gave us was to create something using photos and a "new medium". So something other than paper products.

Here is my "new medium" project for July. I used wood, paint and magnets. I was inspired by Stacy's own garage door. While she decorated the door inside the garage I did something a little different. My "love you" is on the inside of the garage door.  

Whenever we leave the house I like to make sure that we tell those staying home that we love them and give kisses (just in case, you never know).  

Sometimes though we may not be around to say it or give kisses so I put this on the door as we leave the house. I used pictures of the three of us, our dog and grandparents. I also included some fun quotes as well.  

We have very subtly decorated our living room with an "UP" theme (a Paradise Falls jar on a shelf, a small painting of the house and the falls and other things) so the magnets I made were Ellie's bottle cap badges.

I love it so much!!!

UP, up and away!

Prince Charming and I have a dream to one day retire and spend it traveling the world.  We have decided that when the time comes we will most likely sell our home in Ohio and buy a condo in Orlando, FL and use it as our home base.

Why Orlando, you ask?  Well, we love Orlando mostly because we love Disney World.  We are Disney Vacation Club members and we visit at least once a year.  Bug-a-Boo also loves it there and we hope that by the time we retire she will be in college and then if we are lucky she will one day have a family of her own and what better place to be for our future grandchildren than Disney World.

Every once in a while Prince Charming and I will check out the real estate websites to see what types of properties are out there and to get an idea of areas, etc. that we may enjoy.  While searching one day I saw several properties that people rent out while they are out of town.  Some of these properties are heavily decorated in a Disney theme and marketed towards families looking to rent a place for their Disney Vacation.  I thought this was a great idea and started dreaming about a magically, tastefully, Disney decorated home in our retirement.

As the days went by I couldn't stop thinking about bringing the magic of Disney into our home and started wondering why I couldn't do it now.  If I was going to do this now though it had to fit with what we already had and it needed to be tastefully and subtle.  Unfortunately, all I kept finding online was extremely bold Mickey Mouse type stuff.  Then one day while on Facebook I saw this post from Disney Pixar (which I am a fan of):

It's not the adventure that matters as much as who you spend it with.

I immediately sent it to Prince Charming.  We love the movie UP because of the wonderful love story between Carl and Ellie Frederickson (we purchased Grape Soda pins the last time we were at Disney World and we wear them on our coats) and because of their love for adventure and travel.  Carl and Ellie are very reminiscent of Prince Charming and me.

This was the inspiration I needed.  Our Family Room is decorated in a travel theme already, so I thought what more perfect movie to use as inspiration than Disney-Pixar's UP!

I started a mad search online for ideas on how to incorporate elements of the film into our decor.  I started with artwork.  In the film, Ellie paints a mural of Paradise Falls above the fireplace.

We have a large map framed above our fireplace with pins in it marking the places we've been so instead I printed out a 4 x 6 photo of Ellie's mural and it sits on our mantel.  We didn't have binoculars but we did have a very old telescope that belong to my grandfather during the war and I found a decorative camera that also fits with the vintage travel theme.  In addition, I found an artist on Etsy.com that makes fantastic replicas of Ellie's Grape Soda badge.  I have that along with Russell's Wilderness Explorer Assisting the Elderly Badge and I plan to frame them in a small shadow box frame.

Our mantle

Ellie's mural

Ellie's Grape Soda Badge and Russell's Assisting the Elderly Badge

The other artwork I found were in the style of vintage travel posters.  There were several out there but I made sure that the four I chose had an element of the movie in it, primarily Carl's house being floated by balloons.  I printed them out 5x7 and bought frames at Michael's and hung them up among our personal travel photos.

you can see silhouettes of Carl, Russell and Kevin in this print.

The final two prints I found fit the theme perfectly.  Charles Muntz was Carl and Ellie's hero and the reason they wanted to travel to Paradise Falls.  Even though he turned out to be the villian in the story I felt like he needed to be represented.

Charles Muntz concept art

This 5x7 print sits on top of a chest that sits on a ledge.  I also found a concept print of Ellie that I just loved.  I am a lot like Ellie, even have the red hair, so I really liked this print.

made by Rogie

Carl and Ellie are always saving their pennies in order to one day go to Paradise Falls.

In order to make a Paradise Falls jug I needed the jug.  I looked at about 5 different stores and had no luck.  Finally, I knew I would have to break down and go to the grocery store.  I bought a 1 gallon jug of Carlo Rossi wine.  We now have our own Paradise Falls jug.

Another important element of the film is Ellie's Adventure Book.  Being a scrapbooker and a traveler I knew that we needed to have a replica of the book that we could fill ourselves.  I found an amazing artist at Etsy.com who makes them.

Along with the Adventure Book I also purchased The Art of Up by Tim Hauser and the Wilderness Explorers' Guide by Ellie O'Ryan to use as "coffee table books".

Another simple thing I did was to take some photo coasters that we already had and I printed out stills from the movie.

My final project for the family room involved Russell's Wilderness Explorer Badges.  In the movie, Russell has one more badge to earn in order to become a Senior Wilderness Explorer, the Assisting the Elderly badge.  It is what brings him to Carl and a huge part of the story.

I knew that I wanted to do some how incorporate the badges into the room but I just couldn't figure out how.  I knew how I was going to make them so that they looked real (thanks to Chariots of Ire blog).  I purchased 8-1/2"x11" transparent sticker paper by Avery and 1-1/2" felt pads (used on furniture).  I printed out the badges, cut them and stuck them to the felt pads.  Since the stickers were transparent you are able to see the texture of the felt through them and they really look authentic.

Now I just had to figure out how to display all 47 of them.  I was stumped and then one night as I was drifting off to sleep it hit me.  We have a storage ottoman in our family room that serves as both a place for Bug-A-Boo's toys and a coffee table.  In order to actually use it as a table I had to purchase trays that could sit on top of it.  I could line the bottom of the tray with the badges and have a piece of plexiglass cut to set on top.  It came out awesome!  (You may notice this empty space, that's for my Assisting the Elderly badge)  I love it!

I absolutely love the little additions to our family room to bring the love, adventure and magic of UP into our home.

The best part is that nothing is obtrusive.  Everything is very subtle and most people probably won't even notice.

Next up...Ratatouille kitchen!

Mudroom Closet

Back in January I was reading my Better Homes and Garden magazine and I came to the last page of the issue.  it was a woman who had turned a small closet into a mini mudroom for her kids for less than $100.

I loved the idea and immediately started thinking about how I could do it in our house.  I realized that I hated our coat closet that was near the front door.  The doors always came off of the runners and it was mostly just packed with junk, while our shoes, bags, etc. were out in the family room near the garage door.

I had a vision and I was on a mission.  I would transform our average coat closet into a cute little mini mudroom.

The first thing to do was to empty the closet and figure out where to hang the out of season coats.  I found a closet in the basement that was perfect.  Then I had to remove the old wire upper shelf.  No problem.  Next was patching holes from the shelf and painting the trim and walls to match the hallway.

Once the paint was dry I needed to figure out how to make a bench.  I searched for plans on line and found a few that were pretty simple and I figure I could build it myself.  The problem was two-fold...I've never built anything from scratch before and none of the plans worked for our space and had to be modified.

I started to think about other alternatives to building a bench and realized that one was staring me right in the face.  Target has the wonderful ClosetMaid Cubeicals that hold the fabric bins.  We have several of these throughout our home.  After some measuring I knew that the 8 cube shelf when placed on it's side was a perfect bench with cubbies.

Once I figured out the bench the rest was easy.

I headed to Target and purchased the 8 cube shelf.  I also found three adorable white bins with chalkboard fronts that would be great as decor.  Then I bought a small rug (to cover the holes in the floor left by the closet door brackets) and an indoor/outdoor shoe mat that I planned to cut to fit the cubes for shoe storage.

Home Depot was my next stop.  I bought a piece of White Melamine for the upper shelf and some really cool Silver Celtic Step Brackets to hold it in place.  I then got 6 silver 3-pronged hooks for coats, bags etc., 4 Martha Stewart fabric bins for the cubbies and a piece of plywood for my bench seat.

Joann's and Michael's were the final stops for the project.  At Joann's I purchased a 47-1/2" x 16" piece of 2 inch foam for the bench seat and some fabric.  I planned to take the foam, place it on top of the plywood and wrap both with the fabric and then use a staple gun to attach the fabric to the plywood and just set the whole thing on top of the shelf.

At Michael's I found 2 really cute frames and some potted daisies (fake) for decoration.

I started the project on a Saturday morning.  Prince Charming had taken Bug-A-Boo to her French class and then was taking her to the zoo.  I figured this would be the perfect time to get this project done.  I started by hanging the upper shelf.  I knew that this would involve a lot of swearing, cursing and throwing of materials and it was probably best if I did it while Bug-A-Boo was gone.

Finally, after about an hour or so the upper shelf was hung and I was ready to put together the shelf/bench.  This took all of 15 minutes and I was cutting the rug and getting things organized.

Due to some traumatic disasters while putting up the upper shelf I waited for Prince Charming to come home and I asked him if he would hang the coat hooks.  He was happy to and then it was just about putting the finishing touches on and getting things put away.

I was able to finish the entire project in one weekend and I did it all for around $295.00.

I love how it turned out!

Completed mini mudroom

I had Bug-A-Boo write her own name on her bin.  So cute!

Tom had the idea for each of us to write our own names.  I loved it!

Cute little frames hang by a ribbon from the brackets.

My shelf/bench with cubbies.

First Responders Park

I am so proud to live in a city that has such a beautiful park dedicated to the First Responders and victims of 9/11.  The park was opened and dedicated on September 11, 2010 and is a cornerstone of the community.

First Responders Park Memorial

Why First Responders Park Memorial?

Vowing that "we will never forget", the City of Hilliard, Ohio is installing one of the largest memorials in the country to pay tribute to first responders everywhere and to insure the events of 9/11 are remembered forever.  With this theme as a focal point, the city will install the park like setting at the southwest corner of Main and Center Streets in Old Hilliard, an area representing a typical American City.

"We will never forget" is a theme that resonates with so many Americans as the great sacrifice of those who died in the shadow of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.  While the Memorial will be located in the Midwestern city of Hilliard, it will be dedicated to the first responders nationwide and carry the message that no matter where one lives, all Americans are stakeholders in the events that unfolded on 9/11.  Features of the memorial will include a reflecting pool, three memorial walls, personalized pavers, and more.  The focal piece will be a unique sculpture combining elements of light and shadow so that images depicting 9/11 will be cast.  A new element will be added to the sculpture each year, making it an ever evolving piece of art that stays fresh in the public's mind.

Who it Honors

The Memorial will honor first responders of every branch who responded to the tragic events on 9/11 and to honor them as individuals who offer up their own safety and security in order to protect our citizens.  The commemorative park is being designed as a destination spot where residents from across the nation will be invited to visit and remember.  First Responders Park will allow every person in every walk of life to view the memorial as his or her own personal tribute to those who defend, protect and display acts of heroism for the people of America.

Funding

The City of Hilliard First Responders Park Memorial Fund was established in 2008.  The fund was created to provide financing and generate funding specifically earmarked for the First Responders Park Memorial.  Your donations to the Fund make this project possible.  Please stop by our Municipal Building offices to make a donation.  To purchase a paver or other engravable fixture to be placed in the park, click on the Order Form - Engraved Fixtures in Park link.

I was there for the dedication in 2010 and I visit the park often.  We have taken Bug-A-Boo several times and it serves as a way to open up a discussion with children about the horrible and world-changing events of that day in a way that focus on the bravery of the not only the First Responders but also the victims.

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11 we will be at The First Responders Park to reflect and honor the brave men, women and children who lost their lives on that day.

My Scrap Space

I love my Scrapbooking Room!  It makes me happy to just be in it.  I love the colors and the way it's organized.  Most of my favorite things are in this room.  When we first bought our house we realized that the first room you saw when you walked in the front door was supposed to be for a formal living room.

Well, we didn't have furniture for a formal living room and we knew we would never use the room.  We decided it was a perfect space for my scrapbook/craft room.  I had this fabulous chair that I had bought years earlier for my apartment in Michigan and I absolutely loved it!  I had no idea though where in the new house I would use it.  I seemed a perfect fit for my new scrapbook room.

I called my cousin, Kristin, who was majoring in Interior Design and asked her to come down to Ohio from Michigan and design my room.  She saw my awesome chair and used it as the inspiration for the color palette of the room.  We painted the walls an awesome yellow and I bought my fabulous desk from IKEA and the unpacking/decorating began.

It seems as if the room is constantly evolving.  Here it is in it's latest incarnation.

I collect Disney figurines and those are in the cabinet.  My Cricut is on the credenza behind my awsome IKEA desk along with my smaller embellishments and tools.  I used to work at a scrapbook store that went out of business so that is how I got the paper trays.

On top of the paper trays is where I keep my School of Life storage box and some clean pizza boxes I wrapped with paper, which serve as Material Files for larger theme album projects.

I also use the Karen Foster Snap Boxes to hold pages that are finished and waiting for a home (ie.  I ran out of page protectors for my albums).  I have also recently received Becky Higgins Project Life for my birthday which I am planning on using starting next birthday to chronicle my 40th year.

This bookshelf between the windows is kind of Library of Memories Central.  (more on Library of Memories in a future post).  This five shelf bookcase holds my Category Drawers, Memorabilia Notebook, embellishments, patterned paper, class notebooks and inspiration notebooks as well as my Storage Binders and Material Files.

These are my Category Drawers.  The drawers that Stacy Julian uses and recommends were a little to pricey for me so I decided to just by photo boxes in the colors of my Library.  Green=Places We Go, Pink=Things We Do, Red=People We Love, Brown=All About Us.   On this same shelf is a 3" binder that I use to hold Memorabilia that I have photos to go with and want to scrap.

Two other shelves contain these glass vases that hold embellishments like pieces of ribbon, flowers, and other miscellaneous items, sorted by color.  Another inspiration from Stacy Julian.  Not only does it force me see all the items I have but it also provides some color decoration in my room.

Last but certainly not least are my Storage Binders and Material Files.  The Storage Binders contain all of the photos from 1970 until today that I want to scrapbook.  Seems like a lot I know but there are only 6 binders and Binder 6 only contains photos from Fall 2010 until now.

These are my Material Files.  These folders contain paper, stickers, embellishments and photos that are specific to a theme album or project I'm working on.

This is my wall of color.  My favorite chair occupies a corner and then some cube shelving from Target takes up the rest of the wall.  This is where all my little toys, red-haired dolls, Emerald City and more Library of Memories stuff resides.  The colored bins are again inspired by Stacy Julian's Scrap by Color system.  All of my other scrapbooking supplies like ribbons, die cuts, chip board, pens, paint, ink and more are organized by color and stored in these bins.

This is my Family Words File that lives in my cube wall.  This is where I store favorites quotes, lyrics, poems, etc. to be used as inspiration for scrapbook pages.

This is my Cultural Memorabilia Box (also stored in my cubes).  This is where I store things like tickets, fortunes, tags, etc. that I would like to use as ephemera on a scrapbook page.

This is my large Memorabilia box.  This stores things that are too big for the Memorabilia Notebook.

These are my Family Tree Drawers and my Square-punch Picture Drawers.  I have nine Family Tree Drawers.  #1 is for Me, #2 is for Prince Charming, #3 is for my mom and her family, #4 is for my dad and his family, #5 is for Prince Charming's mom and her family, #6 is for Prince Charming's dad and his family, #7 is for People, #8 is for Places and #9 is for Professional Portraits.

There are three Square-punch drawers, one for each of us.

The final LOM element that is stored in the cubes are my Cold Storage Boxes.  These contain photos that I don't want to scrapbook or do anything with but at the same time I don't want to throw them away.

That's it.  That is my scrapbooking room.  Eventually, I will do posts that explain each individual element and the way I use it to help me tell our stories.  Hope it's been inspiring.