4.22.2015

spring motivation: getting things done...

The first of our daffodils bloomed yesterday so, in our area it is finally spring! It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything related to our home and decor. We had a big push to get some projects completed before hosting Christmas and then, well, winter. With the weather warming up and finally seeing the light at the end of our first year of owning our home, it is time to really focus and get things accomplished.


Our entry way is something I've thought about for some time. While we have a traditional center hall Colonial home, the entry way is rather small. The one wall available for a table is narrow and finding a piece of furniture that I loved and that would fit was a challenge. Then, a few weeks ago while in Home Goods, I spotted it from across the store. It's possible that I sprinted across the store. Maybe. The table was exact color I'd been imagining (and figured I'd need to paint) and, as luck would have it, was even on clearance!


I'd hoped for something with drawers for keys, sunscreen, and to keep small decor pieces to rotate, along with a shelf that could hold a basket for odds and ends, if needed.. Done and done! I did not have the wall measurements with me that day but, winging it worked out perfectly. The "hello" sign is a piece I won in an Instagram giveaway last year and tucked away in a closet until it came time to decorate this area.



I love walking in the front door now. This little spot is the perfect, colorful welcome home. We added the runner to the hallway last week to pull it all together. The pattern is the same as in the hall light fixture, pulling it all together.

Next up: the formal living room. Some of the furniture has arrived and the rest ships next week. I cannot wait to share this next transformation! If you'd like to see sneak peeks, you can follow me on Instagram: @jenboom and/or #mrsboomdecorates

SOURCES | Accent Table: Home Goods, Hello wood sign: Letter Craft, Runner: Threshold for Target, Vase: Tiffany & Co., Canvas Monogram and Wood Bird (painted by me): Michael's, Sunburst frame, Pitcher: Home Goods

4.20.2015

project life monday :: love you more...

Happy Monday! I'm starting off the week on the Paper Issues blog with my favorite...pockets. This page is documenting week nine which included our wedding anniversary so, I went with a love inspired theme of pinks and corals with mint and gold accents.


While my husband and I never managed a selfie (us-ie?) on our celebratory date night, I documented some thoughts on our 6 years of marriage in the embellished bitty bag on the top row and again with the Date Night card on the bottom row. Oh, and that bottom left list? Remembering my eldest son's first head injury requiring a trip to urgent care. The plus sign - from the MME On Trend Gold Foil Sticker pack - and a staple were quite fitting. Here's a closer look at some favorite bits:


For this page, I used mainly Swag Bag pieces, MME On Trend and the March Scrapbook Circle kit from our current Prints Charming Issue (hint, hint: LINK UP HERE!).

Grab some goodies from the Paper Issues shop for your own pocket pages and creations at 20% off with code JENBOOM. Happy creating!!

4.15.2015

Hello Bronx Zoo :: Elle's Studio Cienna Spotlight

Today, I'm joining in the Paper Issues Product Spotlight on Elle's Studio Cienna collection. This is one of my favorite releases this year! It is bright, playful and works with so many different themes. My initial impression was that it lent itself more toward girly photos but, not so at all! My share today is a photo of all three of our children taken on our first trip to the Bronx Zoo this year.


For this page, I used a few of the 12x12 patterned sheets as well as the Bits & Pieces, Cutouts and Hello Stamps, all from the Cienna line. Lots of pieces and fun layers! Once I was nearly finished with my design, I stepped back and decided to play up the yellow a bit more. I pulled a sheet of colored vellum from my stash, cut off a strip and hand pleated it to tuck under my journaling strip. It was a new technique for me (also super simple!) and one I think I'll end up using again and again.


Need some of this collection for yourself, or other scrappy supplies? Use code JENBOOM for 20% off your next Paper Issues order!
Supplies:
Patterned papers, tags, stamp, ephemera: Elle's Studio Cienna; Kraft alpha stickers: Elle's Studio; Kraft heart stickers: Studio Calico; Other products: vellum, colored pencil, roller date stamp, black pen, black ink

4.14.2015

batter up! :: april pinspire me...

Good morning! Today I'm playing along with the April Pinspire Me board at Paper Issues. As George started his first year of TBall just recently, the baseball stood out right away and I had to run with it.


You have until May 17th to link up in the Facebook Group - Paper Issues {Friends & Fans}, you'll find an April Pinspiration Post there! If you link up to the post, you have a chance to win one of two Pinspire Me Grab Bags inspired by the Pins you see in the link above! What are you waiting for? Play (ball)! 

4.13.2015

New Issue Monday :: Prints Charming's Beautiful Papers...

It's new Issue Monday at Paper Issues! Today starts the Prints Charming's Beautiful Papers Issue sponsored by Scrapbook Circle. I was thrilled to work with the March Scrapbook Circle kit for this Issue, especially once I spotted this gorgeous Webster's Pages background paper in the mix! My layout features a photo of myself and my little princess playing a bit of dress up with my necklace.


If you play along and link up to this Issue on today's Paper Issues blog post, you'll be in the running to win a March Scrapbook Circle kit for yourself! Look at all of the pretty things...


Here's how to play along:
  1. Create a project (or, even pull out an OLD one!) around one or more of these suggested themes: use charms, Disney trips, castles, stamping, animal and paw prints, pets, animals, princes and princesses, dress up, use your favorite patterned papers, especially the ones you've been hoarding. Go ahead, cut into them and showcase them so you can enjoy them and document a memory, use Scrapbook Circle kits
  2. LINK UP! Link your project to the Issue blog post HERE for a chance to win. You can even link an Instagram photo if the project isn't blogged. Simple! 
And, if you need a little something extra to get you going? Take 20% off any PaperIssues.com order using code: JENBOOM

4.07.2015

in my bag :: #hashtagthisweek

Yesterday, while scrolling through my Instagram feed, a feature caught my eye. A fellow Project Lifer had posted a nicely laid out photo of the contents of her bag for something called My Selfie Scrapbook. Curious, I followed the hashtags and came to the Record Life blog.

As a scrapbooker I take plenty of photos and many of them a selfie of one form or another - even if just my hand holding something important or my feet where I stand - as a way to get myself in the family album. This concept meshed well with the way I already document.


My bag contents tell the story of life right now. A little of me but, mainly child centered. The life of a stay at home mom toting loads of stuff. But, also that of a third time mom trying not to carry the world on her shoulder - literally and figuratively! As it so happened, I came upon this prompt after I had just cleaned out my bag, vacuumed it of crumbs and tossed a zillion receipts. This is a far neater version of my everyday:
  • wipes for diaper changes, messy hands and faces, etc
  • wristlet wallet
  • coupons
  • headband for baby girl
  • measuring tape for on-the-go home improvement planning
  • my favorite lightweight scarf, also the most fashion forward item I own
  • diapers, in two sizes
  • preschooler sunglasses
  • pen assortment
  • learning game cartridges
  • fruit snacks
  • squeeze fruit/veggie pouch
  • goldfish or other snacks
  • incentive sticker from a pediatrician visit
If you would like to play along, look for  #hashtagthisweek on Instagram and/or follow the Record Life blog. Want to see more of my photos? You can find me on Instagram: @jenboom