project life week three

clearly i am still figuring out the best way to photograph my completed layouts. exhibit a: the dorky cropping job in the first picture, which i gave up trying to fix. last week i used my cell phone to photograph it. i wasn't impressed with the results. then again, i haven't been too impressed with my camera's results either. geesh.
plugging right along, we are in week three. i haven't lost steam on this endeavor, but, admittedly, it is a lot of work. i have to change my mindset and CAPTURE moments with my cell phone. ideally it would be with my camera, but baby steps.
putting it all together in the final layout is a snap. but the photo lab tech at sams club is going to get really familiar with me and my family!
i haven't figured out if i like more pics and less "filler/cute stuff". i guess if i am being true to the spirit of really documenting my life, than more pictures are appropriate.

this week ashton turned 5. i should have lots of cute professional looking pictures of him opening beautifully wrapped gifts, and getting ready to blow out five waiting candles on a gorgeous birthday cake.
full disclosure: he was sick this week. we took him to a restaurant where they brought him a tiny dessert, and the bored wait staff sang a lifeless version of happy birthday. the day after his birthday i took him to target and let him pick out his presents. fortunately he is five, and didn't feel slighted at all. not one of my shining parenting moments, but hey, we pulled it together in the end.

i have discovered the joy of gold thread! you will probably be seeing a lot of it. i made that simple little card with the sequins. i love how it adds some much needed blank space to the layout.

on the opposite page, a clear heidi swapp insert (think happy thoughts) adds a break to all the pictures and information happening there.

i found it necessary to sew an add-on insert to tell a story i wanted to include. i love the somewhat hidden journaling.