new school year, newly organized: parent school binder

Last year was our first with two children in school. Our oldest son went off to Kindergarten, while our middle child started his first preschool year. Thankfully, their school calendars matched up as far as holidays and no school days. Still, there was a lot to manage with different teachers, lunches, school programs, homework, incoming papers and well, you get the idea!

I knew I needed some sort of system for important papers. I added a handful of page protectors to a letter size binder, slipped in the district calendar and pertinent papers and called it done. Did it work? Not really.  It just wasn't organized in a way that made sense but, I didn't put much thought into it beyond that.


Last month, I came across this video by AtHomeWithNikki where she shared a complete binder system, sectioned off for each child. It all made so much sense! I hit my own stash for some of the supplies and Staples for the rest. The genius in this system is that it is a one shot project. All that needs to be changed out yearly is the school and monthly calendar section. Everything else is reused year after year. I love that!

While I have yet to assemble my own (we still have three weeks of summer break to go), I thought I would share the video here along with a photo/written supply list to help other families who are searching for a better system. I spent far too long in the office supply store pulling together bits and pieces as, the only thing missing from the video was a comprehensive list. This should eliminate that hiccup for you!

Parent School Binder Supply List:

8.5x11" binder (video uses a Martha Stewart for Staples, aqua striped design)
Clear binder pockets (Staples): 4 per child + 2 extra
Tabbed dividers
Zip-It binder pockets (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child + 1 extra
Snap tab 2 pocket folder (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child
Monthly Calendar (I printed my freebies HERE)

Optional:
3 hole punched sprial notebook (my addition for note taking)
Label maker

I have enough supplies on hand to create sections for all three of our children, even though our youngest will not start preschool until 2017. During the coming year, I'll use her portion for the Mommy & Me schedule and any activities, such as swim classes.

I'm looking forward to using this system and will share photos (or, maybe a video?) once the project is complete. I hope that this has been helpful!

Cheers to a new school year!
Jen

handmade christmas: ornament from scraps...

Every year I make handmade gifts and decor for the holidays. Some for us and some to give. This year has been no exception. The little die cut snowman in this ornament came in my special edition Merry Swag Bag from Paper Issues. As soon as I saw his cute little face, I knew that I couldn't just use him on a scrapbook page that would live in an album. He needed to be displayed!

Earlier this month I had picked up a few clear, fillable plastic ornaments at the craft store for $1 each. I had no clue what to do with them at the time but, this idea struck this morning and within minutes it was done. Glitter paper circle, die cut snowman and candy cane and a teeny bottle brush tree on a bed of cotton ball. The backside holds one of our family photos taken this fall.

I'm linking this up to Monday's Pinspire Me at Paper Issues. We want you to show us what you've created! You can link up to this Pinspire Me in our Facebook Group...Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} You have until January 11th to add your creation to the Pinspire Me post/picture on our Facebook Group for a chance to win one of 2 awesome prizes!

Use code JENBOOM to take 20% off of your entire Paper Issues order...swag bags included! 

five minute autumn wreath :: a tutorial

Last week I made a fabulous new wreath for our front door. I saw the design on Pinterest, clicked immediately over to The 36th Avenue blog and read the instructions. Within two days, I had gathered my supplies and the wreath took shape. It turned out even better than I imagined! Sadly, I'm not sharing that project here today. You see, I was all excited to decorate for fall on Tuesday, took out the wreath, hung it on our front door, shut the door...well, no. I couldn't shut. the. door. The wreath is too thick to fit between the storm door and our interior door. Who would have even thought to measure for that? Ahem. So, that lovely wreath now hangs in our kitchen where I see it 100+ times a day. See, not a fail at all!

Today, I looked at our unadorned white door and grumbled. It is September. Autumn decor must be displayed. It's my favorite season. Everything apple and pumpkin and lovely warm colors! So, off to the craft store I went to try again and on the cheap. I saw one ready made wreath I loved but at $50? No, not happening. Armed with a coupon and keeping an eye out for sale signs, I picked up bits here and there, brought them home and got to work. FIVE MINUTES later, I was done and happy. You read that right. 5 minutes.

I made the wreath using very simple supplies from AC Moore, the nearest craft store to our home. Prices will vary at other stores but every big box craft store will have similar supplies on hand right now, likely at a discount. I did not pay full price for one piece of this project:

You will need:

Grapevine wreath // $2.50 (regular $4.99, used 50% Michael's mobile coupon)

Leaf Garland to wrap around // $3 (on sale, regular $5.98)

Berry Picks x 4 // $0.50/ea (on sale, regular $1.00)

Burlap bow // $3.59 ready made in the floral design section (on sale, regular $5.99)

Instructions:

1) Wrap the garland around the wreath, attaching it to the back with wire or pins. Or, since my garland had lops at either end, I just hooked it on a cut piece of the grapevine on the back and started wrapping, then did the same for the ending.

2) Add bow with wire. Mine came with a tan pipe cleaner as a stabilizer so I just twisted that around the wreath. 

3) Add two berry picks to either side of the bow. Just stick them into the dense grapevine.

4) Hang your finished wreath.

Totally do-able in 5 minutes while your infant eats puffs next to you and your toddler runs circles around your feet with a toy truck, yelling, "beeeeeep, beeeeeep!" Oh wait, is that just my house?

dreaming of decor...

Last weekend, Mr. Boom and I had HGTV on in the background as we played with George and did some things around the house.  As a Cash and Cari marathon came on, I casually mentioned that I would like to find and refinish a few pieces of furniture once we are find a larger space. I have an itch to take old discard pieces with good bones, sand them off, paint them interesting colors and give them home and function once again.

I want to walk into our home and see things that we have done together, created, made our own.  Just a few of numerous pieces that inspire:

I've been collecting images on Pinterest (not on Pinterest yet?  You need to be!) for the future, looking at blogs of crafty, talented refinishers and reading how-to articles on stripping paint, sanding and painting techniques.  Enamoured.

three rhymes with squeeee!!!!

Yesterday I finished work until a week after the wedding so, today was the official start of the wedding marathon and I've been running slow and steady. I slept in just a bit, did some laundry and finished up a few DIY projects before I headed out to run my errands. And, here's the last of the projects and stuff...

Table numbers with a different love quote on each. I made these double sided so the numbers can be seen from either direction. So happy with the results:

Silver clutch - matches my reception shoes perfectly:
Sign for the guest "book" table (signature mat):

Our completed card box:

Top of the box:

And, the front:Cocktail menu for the bar - thanks to knottie kwynn for the fabulous inspiration:

Our completed chocolate favor boxes. Each guest will receive one on their plate:

Our next task (by far one of our largest) is packing up everything we need for the reception to bring to the hall....tomorrow at 2:00 pm! A daunting task but, I'm so excited to get it all out of the house and into the capable hands of our Maitre'D and Bridal Attendant. One step closer to seeing all of the work and effort realized!

THREE DAYS!!!

single digits...

Us. Nearly eleven months ago and just moments after FI proposed during that beautiful late March sunset. Within days we had decided to plan our wedding in less than a year but, even that amount of time seemed endless. Now, here we are with nine days to go until we are married couple.

Another 2/28 bride (kwynn) posted her proposal story on her blog this week and I thought it would be a sweet idea to follow suit so, here goes:

Elias and I traveled upstate to spend Easter weekend with my family. We had talked about a timeline for engagement for months and I knew it was coming in the next few weeks but, knew he wouldn't do it on a holiday. A proposal that weekend was the farthest thing from my mind. We had a nice weekend with my family. On Saturday, my grandmother was visiting my parent's house for the day and while my mom was preparing dinner, my sister and I went out to the grocery store to buy ingredients to bake brownies for dessert. As it turned out, this was a ploy to get me out of the house so that Elias could ask my parents and grandma for their blessing to propose.

The next morning was busy, taking Easter portraits of my nephew and then heading out for brunch at a restaurant with my large family. Elias later told me that my grandma almost ruined the surprise by leaning over during brunch and asking him, "So, when are you going to ask her?" After the meal and saying our good-byes, Elias and I got in my car for the two and a half hour drive back home. When we finally pulled in to our complex, he suggested that we get changed and go down to the park on the water, just a few blocks from our house, to watch the sunset and enjoy the rest of the day (it was unseasonably warm that day). He quickly changed and off we went.

At the park, we sat on a bench facing the water and bridge and talked about the weekend. He was flipping though a folder of grad school brochures and telling me that he would like to pursue a second Master's. Then, he said, "Oh, I just found your Easter card in here. Close your eyes because I did something cute with it." I did and, when he asked me to open my eyes, he was down on one knee holding the ring box in one hand and a scrapbook page the read "Will you marry me?" in the other. He said what I'm sure were some very sweet things that I was unable to comprehend and asked me to marry him.

I cried. I said "yes." I took the scrapbook page and pored over it until he said, "Don't you like the ring?" YES, yes, it was (and is) breathtaking and I just couldn't wrap my mind around everything at once. He put it on my finger and well, here we are today...

NINE days from our wedding.

NINE days until the day we have planning and designed and saved for becomes a reality.

Just a few details remaining:

• Print escort cards and table numbers - DONE!
• Add a couple of e-pics to our card box and attach security hinges to the front
• Assemble bathroom baskets (already have all supplies) - DONE!
• OOT bags (water bottle labels below!)
• Finish making the chocolates for our edible favors and decorate the boxes (will finish all these tonight) - DONE!
• Wrap BP/Parent gifts and write cards to all

heading down the aisle...

I decided against one (yet another DIY project).
I thought I wanted one.
Our priest told us we needed one.
I ordered one...in October.
I was thrilled when it came and I thought about painting it.
I thought about it some more.
FI plotted our monogram...in December.
We knew if we didn't do it soon, plain white would just have to do.
We traced out the design...in January.
This weekend we committed to (finally) starting it.

He painted half.

I painted half.
And, together, we finished it!

A couple of hours on a Valentine's Saturday night, exactly two weeks until our wedding.

2 weeks.

Two weeks!

TWO WEEKS!!!!

details, details...

This week I finally had a minute to take photos of some of our completed DIY projects. Although it was a lot of work doing these things ourselves, it was also very rewarding to see it all come together. I'm hoping these little touches will make our ceremony and reception very personal.

Our cake topper - ordered from Crafty Eddy and "blinged" by FI:

Our completed programs:

Ring pillow. I saw a similar pillow on a wedding blog post months ago and knew I had to have one. I found the material online, purchased all of the supplies and FMIL generously offered her time and impeccable sewing skills to come up with the final product. Just need to add a white ribbon under the button to tie the rings. L.O.V.E:Our dinner menus, one per place setting. Our venue does table side ordering with a choice of three entrees. To help our guests make their meal choices I thought these would be a nice touch. They were printed on our home inkjet printer on heavy, textured cardstock:
A closer look at our monogram on the menus: Flower girl's pomander. 3" styrofoam ball, many white and ivory silk carnations, heavy green Martha Stewart ribbon and a hot glue gun. Took about a half hour:

Bridesmaid gifts - Vera Bradley Purse Cosmetic, Small Bow Cosmetic and Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries. One other thing will accompany their gifts but, I'm keeping it under wraps in case my MOH peeks in (I'm giving her one, too):

And, not DIY at all but, after a long, long search for green reception shoes that were not meant to be, I ordered these silver ballet flats. Cute, comfy and I'll be able to wear them again:
CHECKS:

• Seating chart is DONE!!!
• Final count has been called in to our reception venue
• We had our final meeting with the DJ on Wednesday night and got our music squared away
• Photog/Video appointment is tomorrow morning

Then, other than a few little details (aisle runner, bathroom baskets, OOT bags, escort cards), we're done!

keeper of memories...

For the past 13 years, I have been a scrapbooker. It started as an innocent little hobby and a way to document some of my college memories on the verge of graduation (okay, go ahead and do the math if you must!). Then I found a local craft store that was on the cutting edge of the hobby and I was in fast and deep. Within a month of finding that shop, I started teaching scrapping classes to adults - a part-time gig that lasted seven years and evolved into product design, online design teams and even having my work published in 4 major national magazines.

This "hobby" is just a part of who I am now. So, of course, I knew I would document our wedding planning process with both photographs (another passion) and scrapbook pages. I haven't shared my work here before but, being so close to the wedding, I thought it would be fun to post a few pages that I completed at a day long event with some of my friends yesterday (click on images to enlarge).

My make-up trial on 11.3.08:

Invitation assembly on 12.26.08:
Hair trial on 1.24.09:Getting our marriage license on 1.30.09:

you're invited...

Looking through some photos on my computer today, I realized that I'd never shared from our invitation assembly at the end of December. Clearly, I'm committed to documenting all details of the planning process when I share photos of myself without make-up (ouch!). Check out the assembly line we had going on my parents' dining room table the day after Christmas:

Our reply cards:

Doing it together, layer by layer (FI is not as thrilled about photo-documenting this experience as I am):

Our best decision in all of this turned out to be coding our response cards. We wrote a little number on the back of each response that corresponded with the guest's name on our excel spreadsheet. When some of the responses came back illegible, we knew exactly who they belonged to.

It's hard to believe that this all took place over a month ago and that we are now so much closer to the finish line! 24 days to go...

we're legal...

We did it! After inclement weather cancelled the town clerk's evening session on Wednesday night, we decided to go in this morning and get it taken care of. About ten minutes after entering the clerk's office, we walked back out with our marriage license...it's all legal!
Yesterday was a happy mail day - part of the bidesmaids gifts arrived, as well as our personalized napkins ordered from the knot shop. How cute are they? They are a very pale blue and we'll alternate them with plain apple green napkins to incorporate both of our colors.
Our cake topper is coming along, courtesy of FI. I ordered the custom letter from Crafty Eddy and purchased the 3mm, flat back clear rhinestones at a local craft store. I had planned on doing it myself but, FI volunteered and he's been doing a great job!
A close-up. He painted both sides with metallic silver acrylic paint before starting in on the stones. This photo was taken the first night and he finished tonight (pics to come)! As for the guest list, I think we finally have it down (with the exception of the still missing response from our priest and his wife) and will be able to start working on seating soon. I think I may just go with the February knotties suggestions of using an online chart so that we can easily move people around on screen. Wish us luck!!!

Lastly, I have been truly struggling to find the perfect wedding gift for FI. He says he wants a watch but isn't specific about what type (not helpful), has shot down other thoughts I had (custom Steelers jersey) but, by fate, tonight I came across anthoer knottie's bio that gave me an idea. FI is a bridge engineer and is, well, obsessed with bridges. She had these in her bio with a link to the etsy seller - a silk tie screen printed with an image of the G.W. Bridge: I just convo'ed the seller and and hoping that they get back to me telling me a custom print job is possible before the wedding. Now, that doesn't solve the whole gift issue but, it's a start!

*UPDATE* They can get the tie to me, on time! Wheeeeee :-)

picking up the pace, moving it along...

#1 - Our honeymoon is booked!!! We are scheduled to fly out of NY to GREECE on Sunday, May 17th and will return on Thursday, June 4th. I could not possibly be more excited about this trip! I've dreamed of traveling to Greece my whole life. Though I am well-traveled, I hadn't had the opportunity to make it there before now. So. very. excited.

#2 - FI and I finished the RD invites on Tuesday night and sent them out yesterday. I just love how they turned out.

Chandelier detail with rhinestone accent:#3 - Another "something blue" that I hadn't gotten around to sharing yet. FIL's gave me this beautiful blue topaz ring for Christmas. I adore it and am so grateful to them!

#4 - My wedding band!!! We had it custom made at a jeweler upstate and my parents brought it to me this past weekend when they were in town for the shower. It's a perfect fit with my e-ring. I cannot wait to wear it in just 36 days...

On my hand, with my e-ring. The bands nestle together like puzzle pieces.

#5 - Tonight, FI and I have our big appointment with our reception venue to finalize the menu, cake, linens, chairs, timeline...everything! I am just about to type up a very lengthy list of questions. And, crud! I just realized I never printed a pic of the cake! Argh. Need to do that when I get in from work tonight right before we leave. Here is the inspiration photo, though we will ask for round layers:

practice makes perfect...

After much searching and debate, FI took the reins and booked our rehearsal dinner this weekend. After seeing how wonderfully everything worked at my shower and how great the food and service were, it was not a difficult choice to book the same restaurant and room for the RD. I had designed the invites for the rehearsal months ago, just waiting for the correct information to be added and now, they are ready to go!

Tonight, I'll print them on textured cardstock, mount them on black stock, round the corners and add just a single tiny clear rhinestone to the center of the chandelier for a little sparkle. With any luck, I'll have them in the mail by Thursday.

We've accomplished a few things in the past week:

1. RD booked
2. RD invite design done (today's accomplishments count, too!)
3. Details of rehearsal and ceremony confirmed with our priest
4. My Chrismation scheduled (being blessed into the church)
5. My ring came in (cannot wait to wear it!!!)
6. FI's ring came in
7. FI plotted out the aisle runner design

I think there are a few others but, that's what I can think of off the top of my head. What's planned for this week? Even more big things:

• 1st fitting (tonight!)
• Call Riviera Bakehouse to discuss design of RD cake
• Finalize menu, linens, decor and day of timeline with venue (Thursday)
• Finish assembling programs
• Paint aisle runner
• Order girl's bridal party gifts
• Hair trial (Saturday)

38 days to go!!! It's all feeling much, much closer and more real now. SO excited!

making a list, checking it...well, all the time!

1. My ring is in!!! Mom picked it up today and is delivering it to me this weekend.
2. FI's ring is en route and should arrive tomorrow!
3. Our cake topper arrived today...love it! Crafty Eddy rocks.
4. My bridal shower is this Saturday! Woot! My sister flys in to town tomorrow night and I can't wait to see her.
5. My first fitting is next Tuesday. I ordered my corset for underneath and am hoping it shows up on time.
6. Appointment to finalize our menu and other venue stuff is next Thursday.
7. The programs are all copied and about 1/4 are assembled and finished. Hoping to get more done this weekend with a little help from my friends and family.
8. Cocktail napkins have been ordered.
9. Last night, I assembled all of the thank you notes I'll need after my shower and I have new pens standing by.

We are getting there. No where near the end of the list yet but, we're making progress little by little. I am really looking forward to this weekend and my shower but, at the same time I know that the weeks are really going to fly after that! Thank goodness this coming Monday is a holiday and I'll be able to stay home and get through a lot of thank you notes and I'd also like to get the flower girl's pomander made.

So much to do but, I'm feeling in a much better place right now and not stressing as much. I'm exercising (go Shred!), eating right and trying to really take time out each day to relax with FI and have moments where there is NO wedding talk. It's all good :-)

Now, if the last 90-something people would just send in their rsvp's...

what's one more little project?

My shower is scheduled for January 17th and, earlier this week, gifts already started arriving. I wasn't prepared for this. I know full well that mailed gift protocol is to:

1. open the box
2. unwrapped and check for damage
3. send thank you note immediately

That would be all fine and good IF I had anticipated early gifts and had thank you notes ready. I did not. So, I designed these yesterday and will be printing up a batch tonight. I present...my shower thank you notes. I fully admit to falling prey to ridiculous matching color/theme mania hence, the colors and the vine flourishes match our menus and programs covers. Yes, I am slowly, but surely, losing my mind. However, they are still less expensive than a trip to papyrus or Hallmark to purchase pre-mades.

the countdown...

... until i marry the love of my life and become a Mrs! And in the time I still need to:

• re-learn calligraphy
• so that I can address 78 wedding invitations
• assemble and mail said invites
• find a hairstylist and book a trial
• order my ring
• order FI's second ring
• figure out transportation and book it
• book our mini-moon
• finish shopping for BP gifts
• print program interiors and assemble
• attend a food tasting (Dec. 3rd) and choose the menu
• make the ring bearer pillow
• make the flower girl's pomander
• buy pashminas for the bridesmaids
• print and cut table menus
• print and cut table numbers
• make chocolates
• assemble chocolate favor boxes
• table arrangements
• design and print placecards
• dress alterations
• get my arms in shape!
• find more lingerie
• buy undergarments for wedding day
• buy jar for "wish jar"
• cut and emboss wish jar cards
• paint the aisle runner
• paint the sweetheart table runner
• paint the cake table runner
• paint monogram on the cardbox
• bathroom baskets
• choose linens

And more...there is a lot more and I'm not even sure how much right now! It will all come together. I just have to believe!

On the DONE list...

• Picked up invites yesterday
• FI's first wedding band arrived yesterday
• E-pics will be ready for pick up tomorrow!!!

he who carries the rings...

...must have them tied to something pretty!!!

I am a green fanatic and, even though I am controlling myself on how much we use the color in our wedding, there are some things that I see and MUST have. This was one I spotted on a newlywed's blog:
I left a comment asking where she got the fabric and, lucky for me, she posted again with the designer and fabric style - Michael Miller Dandy Damask in Avacado. Putting Google to work, I found the exact fabric on e-Bay and pressed the "Buy it Now" button immediately! That was Thursday - my yard came in the mail today in all it's green and white glory. I heart that seller...she is getting some fabulous feedback from me today!

FI's ring (1 of 2) has been ordered and should arrive by Friday!

And, KUDOS to my darling FI. I was away this weekend and he took it upon himself to go shopping and to purchase the main gifts for his groomsmen (deluxe Leatherman-type multi tools). Handsome, sexy & on top of wedding stuff. Love it.