Scrapbook Saturday: Out of the Pocket

Pocket Page Scrapbooking hit the scene a few years ago and is enormously popular. It is an excellent entry point into scrapbooking because it really is a simple system of cards, pictures, and a pen. Without too much effort you can slip cards into a pocket and record your family's memories. I scrapped all of 2014 using this system which was really fun. I decided to return to mostly doing my regular layouts. I do use the Project Life App and still make pocket pages.

Because I have a couple core kits from Becky Higgins, I try to use them in my regular scrapbooking. Here are a few fun and interesting ways to take the cards out of the pocket and onto a regular layout.

Cards as Journaling and Title Spots

It is a pretty obvious use of the 3x4 and 4x6 cards as journaling cards on a regular layout. In both these layouts, I use 3x4 cards and 4x6 cards to frame a title and journaling. I think it keeps the page organized and clearly delineates the journaling.

In this page, I cut out the word "Happy" from a 3x4 card, used foam adhesive to pop it up to give dimension. I cut down another 3x4 card and then put it in the middle of four pictures to share my story.

In this layout, the 4x6 journaling card provides a nice space to share my thoughts. It keeps my journaling focused and organized and leads the viewer directly to the story.

In this page, I use 3x4 cards for block journaling and to easily organize the many aspects of my day that I records. Because each block is slightly different, it is easy for the reader to read the different blocks without getting confused.

In this page, the 4x6 card serves as the title and journaling, all in one. It is bold and stands out to tell the story.

Cards as Frames and Mats for Photos

I also use Project Life cards as frames and mats for photos. This will require some trimming of standard size photos. I think it works really though.

In this layout, I drew a circle and then layered 3x4 cards around the circle to form an interesting photo mat. I also used a card as the title element.

In this layout, I layered 3x4 cards under the photo and then used a 4x6 card for the title and journaling. I like the look of layered cards because the card coordinate well and add a depth and texture to the page.

I used 3x4 and 4x6 cards extensively throughout this layout to layer embellishments, provide a title, and mat and frame the photo. 

Using cards like this seems pretty natural, saving one from cutting up big sheets of paper for smaller pictures. The cards are beautifully designed and offer endless possibilities.


Do you use project life cards on regular layouts? If so, how? What are your best tips for the cards? 

© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Friday Favorites: My Favorite April 2016 General Conference Talks

I am still listening to the talks from the April 2016 General Conference. So far, these are my favorite talks.

What Shall We Do? by Neill F. Marriott
I loved what Sister Marriott said about being a mother. This talk made me ponder on how I could improve the way I nurture others.

"Mothers literally make room in their bodies to nurture an unborn baby—and hopefully a place in their hearts as they raise them—but nurturing is not limited to bearing children. Eve was called a “mother” before she had children.4 I believe that “to mother” means “to give life.” Think of the many ways you give life. It could mean giving emotional life to the hopeless or spiritual life to the doubter. With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can create an emotionally healing place for the discriminated against, the rejected, and the stranger. In these tender yet powerful ways, we build the kingdom of God. Sisters, all of us came to earth with these life-giving, nurturing, maternal gifts because that is God’s plan."

Refuge from the Storm by Elder Patrick Kearon
I have been so concerned about the massive refugee crisis that afflicts 60 million people around the world. Elder Kearon's remarks about the refugees and our responsibilities toward them really touched my heart. I'm working on ways to become more actively involved in my community.

"Being a refugee may be a defining moment in the lives of those who are refugees, but being a refugee does not define them. Like countless thousands before them, this will be a period—we hope a short period—in their lives. Some of them will go on to be Nobel laureates, public servants, physicians, scientists, musicians, artists, religious leaders, and contributors in other fields. Indeed, many of them were these things before they lost everything. This moment does not define them, but our response will help define us."

The Price of Priesthood Power by Elder Russell M. Nelson
Elder Nelson's stunning story about the girls he operated on who died and how he reached out to their family is one that will stay with me forever. I was really touched by his humility and desire to help this family who had lost so much.

"To bear means to support the weight of that which is held. It is a sacred trust to bear the priesthood, which is the mighty power and authority of God. Think of this: the priesthood conferred upon us isthe very same power and authority through which God created this and numberless worlds, governs the heavens and the earth, and exalts His obedient children."

What were your favorite talks from General Conference?

© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Throwback Thursday: 9 years of May

I was scrolling through photos trying to find a trigger for a Throwback Thursday when I decided to just sample some May pictures from 2007-2015. It is a fun illustration of my life.

2007
Our family is living in Sweden. We have four kids--ranging from seven years to one year old. At the beginning of May, we explored the beautiful Skane countryside. We went to Ale's Stenar and to an old castle. I remember that day well.

2008
At this time we are now living in New York. I got my hair cut and it has never been so long since then.

2009
I was pregnant and also barely recovering from a long, sustained, and unexplained illness. That was a hard time. This is also a really bad picture of me because of the angle and the lighting, making me appear bigger than I was.

2010
A much better year. Two of my sons performed in our ward Talent Show. I sang and played the piano as well.

2011
I took my two youngest children to a toddler park. And yes, my baby was wearing his PJs.

2012
We are living in Saudi Arabia. My toddler and I would spend time outside on our backporch where he had a sand box. I would hose him off when done playing. We all spent a lot of time playing outside and enjoying the freedom of the compound.

2013
Still in Saudi Arabia. I took my daughter to a princess party. My oldest son broke his thumb.

2014
Back in New York. We had pictures taken of our precious baby, Winter. She is so beautiful!

2015
My sister came to visit me in New York and our babies both enjoyed and tortured one another.

2016
The day is cold and I have been relaxing. The flowers in my yard are beautiful.

That was ridiculously fun to look back on the last nine years. What a fun snapshot of my life.

© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Wondering Wednesday: Presidential Panic

Soon the political junk will begin in a horrible spectacle as the presidential race begins in earnest. This is my first and last political post of the season.

I have never, in all my life, and in all my years traveling abroad been ashamed of my country or my fellow Americans, until the day that Donald Trump was essentially declared the Republican nominee. I want to crawl in a hole and hang my head. THIS is what my country and its people have become and I am so embarrassed.

I will never vote for him. I will never advocate for him. I think that handing presidential power over to man of unspeakable ego as Trump is akin to handing a child the keys to a sports car. It will end in unparalleled disaster. 

© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Travel Tuesday: Israel Flashbacks Pt. 4

This is a series of blog posts recounting a family trip to Israel in 2007.  You can find Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 in the archives. 

Pizza in the Jewish Quarter

Our sightseeing list was long and time short so we decided on pizza for lunch. Josh knew a great place in the Jewish Quarter.

But we had to take a detour to the Jewish quarter because there were roadblocks up. Josh said this is fairly common on Friday. It generally is a higher security day. I’m not sure why. It happens to be the Muslim holy day. And Friday sundown marks the beginning of the Jewish Shabbat. But seeing the roadblock and the scores of policemen and policewoman signalled to me that this is a country that has its challenges. I’ve been living in this wonderful, peaceful bubble. I don’t even read or hear the news. So it was a bit sobering to see the roadblock and remember that Israel isn’t a country that is entirely peaceful.

(But before you get nervous, please remember that the U.S. has a lot of crime. The problems in Israel make the national news, but think about how many murders are committed in various cities and small towns around the U.S.)

Back to the story. So we had to take a detour route. Our guide drove back to the Mount of Olives and then took a paved switchback path on the narrowest and steepest street I have ever seen. I kept wondering if we were going to scrape one of the walls on the side. But we made it. Luckily, no cars came up the other way. Otherwise, we would have been toast!

Finally, we arrived at the Jewish Quarter–or the outskirts. As far as I know, you can’t really drive in the Jewish Quarter. There is apparently a road that allows delivery of supplies or perhaps emergency vehicles. Otherwise, you walk and walk and walk to get to the Quarter. First, we had to walk up a hill and then we climbed several flights of stairs, passing a few vendors on the way selling jewelry with the Star of David and some Jewish clothing and accessories.

It’s really hard to describe the feeling you get as you climb up all those flights of stairs. As you climb, you start to feel the city grow around you. Below, at the entrance of the quarter, lies the Western wall and archealogical excavations. And above and around you are all of these amazing buildings.

When you finally get to the top, the streets are busy and crowded with people walking and talking. Cafes, pizza shops, falafel stands, ice cream freezers are packed with people eating. The smell of food–good food–fills the air. Young men brush past you carrying large boxes of bread. Small shops are crowded with souvenirs. The sounds of classical music mix with the talking. I never saw a pianist or piano or violinist, but the music was everywhere. It sounded like it was live, but it could have been played on a cd player or radio.

I heard and saw scores of American tourists–with Jersey accents walking around. From their appearances, many of them were Jews returning to the ancient homeland. That gave me a really nice feeling. I understand the need to go and find your roots. I also felt this this sense of rightness that after all the centuries of being exiled from their homeland, that the Jews are returning home.

Josh led us through what looked and felt like a maze to get to the pizza parlor. I honestly doubt I could find my way back.

We had delicious kosher pizza (no meat with the dairy). It was fun to just take in the sights and sounds.

Then we walked back to the Western Wall.

© 2007-2016 TIFFANY WACASER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Mothering Monday: Being Present

It's twilight and the kids are jumping wildly on the trampoline, reveling in the warm weather and late sunshine. My husband and I are running around on the yard, throwing balls over the trampoline net as the kids shout and laugh. The moment is serene, relaxed, and, with the filtered light of the sun as it sets in the horizon, magical.

Until I ruin it. As the kids play, my mind goes to the green brier patch in the back I am fighting. If I start now, I could eradicate a few of the beasts before the sun fully sets. I run to the laundry room, changing into my heavy, protective clothing and attack my consuming foe. My phone rings and it is my husband, asking why I left the family as they play.

Sadly, this isn't a one time event. I get consumed by my personal projects, household responsibilities, and my interest in whatever is playing on my screen.

I'm not a natural at playing with kids. Heck, I wasn't even a natural at playing when I WAS a kid. I would lose patience with games my sisters and I played and I would invent very imaginative ways to get out of playing so I could go back to my solitary interests of reading or being alone. In many ways, I am an extrovert, but I also crave solitude and space to work on my own interests. I don't enjoy board games or sports. Playing with toys makes me want to poke my eyes out. And I totally loathe watching animated films. All of this conflicts vastly with today's parenting methods.

A recent conversation on a radio show about parents getting too consumed with their phones, email, and social media and how that impacts their relationship with their kids made me really stop and think.

I wasn't being present with my own children. I have a 16 year old son who will be leaving home in 2 1/2 years. My baby will go to school in 3 years. What am I missing about my kids?

(This is me, holding my daughter's hand as we walk around.)

That evening, I made dinner and brought a quiz game to play while we ate. We joked and laughed as we tried to guess the connection between three things. Instead of the colossal chaos and noise usually present at the table (and from which, I usually try to escape, because I feel utterly overwhelmed by the sound).

The next morning my daughter was buried in a game and I asked her to come and help me make muffins. She turned me down and I realized, I had caused that. She was used to me turning her down so I could do something else. I insisted that she come and help me. After a few tears, we spent the next 20 minutes making muffins.

That afternoon, I took one of my daughters and one of my sons to a music video shoot. As I watched them interact with the other performers and play with carefree abandon, I realized that I have actually been missing a lot.

It's embarrassing to admit this. I want to be a good parent. I want to nurture and raise my children so they grow to be happy and productive adults. The good thing is that I have time to correct this and I will.

Have you ever realized that you were making big mistakes as a parent? What did you do to fix the problem? What difference did it make for your family?

Spiritual Sunday: Serving

My stomach knotted with worry as the name of a woman came to my mind. I knew I had to call her and ask if we could meet. Would she accept my call and allow me to visit her? Nervously, I dialed the number and spoke with Molly. She hesitantly agreed to allow me to visit and we scheduled an appointment.

The day came for our meeting arrived. What would I say? Would she understand my desire to see her? Would she take offense if I said the wrong thing? My questions began to take on the cadence of a prayer as I asked for help from Heavenly Father in speaking to Molly. 

Molly greeted me shyly with a smile when she answered my knock. We spoke of happy things as she shared with me some of her successes. We both relaxed into our conversation as I turned it to ask how she was really doing. 

Tentatively she began sharing her struggles, her feelings of darkness and despair, and her fears for the future. My heart ached as I listened to her very real challenges. But I also felt a great swelling of love and compassion for her--it was love and compassion that was more divine and true. Without much effort, words of reassurance, kindness, compassion and love spilled out of my mouth. We spoke for a long time. 

When I left Molly, I felt filled with light. The words I shared with her did not come from me, but from God. Somehow, in that moment, He had allowed me to transmit thoughts and ideas to her. My poor friend had felt so isolated and separated from God but in some small measure that day, was able to feel God's love. I felt awed to be a part of something so miraculous. 

There are parts of serving as Relief Society president that are enormously grueling and difficult. Sometimes people are difficult and their problems are hard to bear. But then, there are those moments when you are serving and the moment is transformed by something greater. To be a part of those transforming moments is humbling and uplifting.