Belinda Jane

Memorykeeper. Mother. Maker

Recent(ish) Layouts Share

While tidying up my study / craft room I came across a folder of layouts that I had completed mid-2017 and not yet done anything with. One of my goals for 2018 is to work on more traditional scrapbook layouts and to use my Ali Edwards story subscriptions more consistently to get my stories told. I’m hoping that as part of that process I will also start sharing my work online so that it doesn’t spend the majority of it’s life tucked away in an album on a shelf that rarely gets looked at!

These were all put together using old Studio Calico kits that I’ve had in my stash for a very very long time and am now trying to start using.

Living It Up

I really love the way the photo grid turned out on this. I could have just created the grid in photoshop and printed the whole thing out but I wanted the added dimension of having each photo individually stuck down. The white ink under the journalling didn’t work out the way I had hoped it would. I was planning on journalling straight onto it in pen but I used the wrong kind of ink and it just wouldn’t dry enough to be able to write on so I ended up using my typewriter and going with some strip journalling instead.

 

Celebrate

This one was really clean and simple. When I first looked at the bird paper in the kit I didn’t know how I would use it so wanted to challenge myself a little bit. 

 

Surprise

This layout uses the large acrylic “Surprise” word from an Ali Edwards story kit. A good surprise of course!

I want to remember: Part 2

Life lessons right now

 

I want to remember to take more photos. More photos in general and more photos that include me.

I want to remember to take time and make time for fun.

I want to remember that this hectic, busy and stressful season I’m in right now isn’t going to last forever. There will come a time when life can slow down and become a little more simple and easy.

I want to remember what it feels like to have a tiny human being moving around inside me.

I want to remember how excited I can get about what I’m studying and how much I’m looking forward to becoming an early childhood educator. I especially want to remember that on the days and weeks it feels like it’s all too much and too hard.

I want to remember rolling over in bed each morning to hug Lee when his alarm goes off, before he gets out of bed.

I want to remember that it’s okay to have unfinished projects.

I want to remember that it’s okay to have a to-do list that is never fully checked off.

I want to remember that it’s okay to have some clutter and to let the housekeeping slip. There are more important things in life that I should be enjoying.

I want to remember that it’s okay to dream. To dream about what the future is going to look like. To dream about family holidays we’re going to take. To dream about how I would spend a large lotto win.

I want to remember what it’s like to spend my evenings with Lee once Violet has gone to bed. Eating dinner together, making lunch, doing dishes, taking a shower and then watching TV. I know that these days are numbered.

I want to remember to make time to spend quality time with Lee. To prioritise our relationship and not always get caught up in the responsibilities of parenting and being adults.

I want to remember to make time for myself and to do things that I enjoy. To not feel guilty about putting myself and my needs first sometimes.

I want to remember how much I love living right near the Swan Valley. And to take advantage of it as often as possible.

I want to remember to make more time for friends and to make an effort to be a better friend.  I suck at it right now.

I want to remember that time spent writing, making and reading is far more productive than time wasted scrolling through social media or online window shopping.

I want to remember to be present in my life. To enjoy all that I have and all that I am able to do.

I want to remember: Part 1

Life with Violet

 

I want to remember how this morning she spontaneously said “I love you” to me during breakfast.

I want to remember her crazy hair and the cute little curls that are nearly impossible to tame.

I want to remember her inquisitive and adventurous nature. That she wants to climb everything, run everywhere and jump off everything. That she wants to get into everything, pull everything apart and put things inside other things.

I want to remember that when she says her name, it sounds like she’s saying “Pirate”.

I want to remember how much she loves to sing and dance. I hope she always will.

I want to remember how caring and kind she can be. The way that her little face drops when someone else is sad or crying and how she responds by touching or offering a cuddle.

I want to remember how much she loves to play with Ella and how they chase each other around the house.

I want to remember how much she needs me right now and so often wants to me to pick her up. Even if it drives me a bit crazy. I know that it won’t be long until she doesn’t need or want me at all and I’ll wish for this time again.

I want to remember that the first thing she asks most mornings is “where Daddy gone?”

I want to remember the smell of her breath.

I want to remember how she has randomly started dropping the f-bomb in perfect context and how hard it is for me not to giggle or react when she does.

I want to remember how much she loves to read books and how quickly she’s learning to read along with them.

I want to remember how much my heart swells when I check on her at night before I go to bed.

I want to remember listening to her in her room when she’s supposed to be sleeping or has just woken up and sings at the top of her lungs. Especially “allll dayyy yyong”.

I want to remember all the funny little mannerisms she’s already picked up. The sideways glance. The cute little head nod when she thinks she’s getting her way. The finger wagging at me when she’s trying to get me to do something. The “huh?” when she’s asked a question she doesn’t understand or doesn’t know the answer to.

I want to remember how much she loves her pink glitter gumboots.

I want to remember how she has started kissing and cuddling my belly as it has gotten bigger.

I want to remember how precious this time is, where it’s just the three of us and she is our entire world.

 

 

Photo credit: Rachel Roscoe of Milky Art Photography

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