Chasing Paper Dreams

A New She Art Canvas

2011-09-15T21:55:00.000-06:00

Remember the She Art Workshop I took a few month's ago? Well I finally got around to making a girl. (So far I've only made one boy canvas). This one is for a friend who helped us out with our youth conference and girl's camp this summer. It's a small canvas (6"x6") and a super fun size to work with!

I basically copied one of Christy's girls from class. I loved the layered skirt she taught us to make and I wanted to give it a try. I love all the dimension you can see on the actual canvas. It makes you want to reach out and touch it!

I started out with the sky (which is Cerulean Blue Hue Liquitex Acrylic Ink) brushed across the canvas. Can I just say how in love I am with these inks?? A little bit goes a long way and the colors are so vivid! They do stain your hands (and anything else they touch) very badly so you'll want to be careful with them. I had blue fingers for a week!

The grass is made from strips of green patterned paper cut with pinking shears that are layered across the bottom. They are highlighted with Vivid Lime Green acrylic ink.

The sun is one of the funnest parts to create! I love all the rub-ons and stamps and colors and doodling!

I cut the flowers from patterned paper, then highlighted them with Pitt Big Brush Pens and a little doodling.

Then the entire canvas is embellished with paint and stamps and rub-ons and more doodling. So much fun!!!

Christy Tomlinson is offering a She Art Workshop No. 2 this fall. She will go more into depth on how to create details on your girls as well as using different mediums on canvas as well as other materials. Both workshops are on sale for $35 each until October 1st. After that they will be $44.95. I'm so excited about this new class! I needed another reason to get artsy!

Cindy's Fall Scrapbooking Conference

2011-09-14T17:31:00.002-06:00

Wow! I have totally neglected my blog! I have lots of fun things to share, but today I will concentrate on my new classes for Cindy's Fall Conference. I'm not sure if she has her full schedule of classes up yet, but keep checking for updates.

My first class is "Beautiful Life." This summer I have kind of set my scrapbooking aside and played with art journals and mixed media instead. It has been so much fun to explore new creative play! I wanted to incorporate as many mixed media techniques as I could on this layout.

I used tinsel glitter, embossing powder, paint, mist, tulle, chipboard, and fabric. Fun, fun!

Here are some close ups:

Painted and doodled border.

Glimmer Mist on a paper doily.

Tinsel glitter on a chipboard bird.

Handmade muslin flowers. To see a tutorial, click here.

Heat embossed chipboard bird with tulle wings.

My second class is actually two one-page layouts. Here's a look at the first one:

I did not start this layout with the intention of fitting 14 photos on it. But that's what ended up happening! I printed each row of photos as one solid piece for a couple of different reasons. First of all, it was a lot easier to attach 5 photos to the background instead of 14 small ones. Secondly, it cut down on "clutter" by eliminating the gaps between each picture.

Because the layout was filled up with photos, I didn't want to clutter it up with lots of embellishments, so I kept it simple and just added basics like die cuts and buttons. The exposed white edge of the patterned paper also adds a little contrast.

This star stamp reminded me of fireworks! It is heat embossed with Zing embossing powder.

I created a little pocket for my journaling tag and added a sub-title to the front.

Now, here's a look at the last layout. The big #1 was inspired by a layout that was in the September "My Mind's Eye" newsletter.

There's a first time for everything and this layout is a fun way to document it. I used a faux stitching technique that is easy and sewing-machine free! (But you will have to come to class to learn how to do it). :)

Since this layout is flat, I didn't take any closeups of it.

I'm excited for conference! Hopefully I will see some of you there!

Art Journal

2011-08-05T22:35:00.000-06:00

After taking Christy Tomlinson's "She Art Workshop," I decided to sign up for her art journaling class. It has been so much fun! If you are interested, you can still sign up. Since it's an online class, you can go at your own pace and you have three months to complete it. Click here for more information.

I've had quite a few friends ask me what an art journal even is. So although I'm new at this, I will try to explain.

Art journals are not a new thing. They have been around for years. Think of if as a diary with art in it. Basically they can be used a few different ways. You can use it as an outlet for trying new art mediums and techniques without worrying about messing anything up. Some people create a page that is very symbolic to them but don't necessarily include journaling. Others incorporate their art into a journal and record their thoughts and feelings in words and art. There's really no right or wrong way to do it. Just create what feels right for you.

You can use many different types of books and any size to create your art journal in. Here are a few suggestions:

Artist's sketch book (hardbound or spiral bound).
A mini album with paper, chipboard, or canvas pages.
An actual book (like an old novel or something from the thrift store). You can glue 2 or 3 pages together to create a stronger "canvas" to work on. Then you can paint, mod podge, and layer over them so you never really end up seeing the words on the pages of the book (unless you want to). Some people have actually glued several pages together, then cut the center out to create a "window" of sorts.
Again, there's no right or wrong...just get creative!

The thing I've loved about this leap into art journaling is how imperfect my pages can be. As a scrapbooker, I'm a huge perfectionist and sometimes agonize over a small detail here or there that I feel is going to make or break the whole page. But with Christy's art journaling class, I feel like I have been given "permission" to just get messy and creative. It's so much fun and I'm having a blast NOT being a perfectionist.

In Christy's class, I have also learned how to use many, many art mediums (some I had never even heard of before). For example, she has demonstrated water color pencils and crayons, different acrylic paints, pan pastels, liquid acrylic inks, distressing inks and stains, gelatos, paintsticks, pens, brushes, sprays, etc., etc.

OK...enough talking about it. Here are a few examples that hopefully will give you a visual of what art journaling can be. Keep in mind, I'm very new at this and am definitely not an expert.

My first page was very simple. I used watercolor crayons for the background, then used paint and glimmer mist over a few different Crafter's Workshop templates for the background:

I didn't do any journaling on this page, but it's symbolic of the relationship between my husband and I. Our initials in the center of the heart were clipped from a magazine. I stamped 4 birds on a wire representing our family. I stamped a "friend" definition in a couple of the corners since he is my best friend.

By the way, that huge heart stamp is by Donna Downey and quickly becoming one of my favorites!

I clipped the word "Perfect" from a magazine. Although my husband and I are total opposites, he is perfect for me. :)

The blue heart is cut from an old book. I painted liquid acrylic ink over it with my finger, then stamped white ink over the top with bubble wrap.

I found a whole stack of these tickets at the dollar store. I highlighted the "Keep this Coupon" part to symbolize our eternal marriage. Kind of fun, huh? :)

OK...next:

On this page, I used a lot more mixed media stuff. The background consists of various patterned papers, a dictionary page, a piece of piano music (I purchased a piano book at the dollar store), and some leftover butterfly squares from another project I made earlier this year (glass tile pendants for my Young Women's group).

The tree trunk was cut from a magazine. The tree top is a paper doily I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. I painted around the edge of the page with watered down acrylic paint. When everything was finished, I stamped some texture around the edges.

I purchased an old dictionary at the thrift store for $3. It was kind of hard to tear it up, but that's what I did for the "Faith" definition.

Again, the hearts were cut from book paper. I also found the phrase in the book which I cut into strips and layered along the edge of the tree trunk. As a side note, I love how mod podge crinkles up magazine paper. I think the texture is cool!

Here's a page I did tonight. I love how it turned out!

The paper with the clocks was pulled from a magazine as well as the piece with the birds. I mod podged those in along with a piece of music and a Webster's Pages journaling card (the one that has "Listen" on it). I printed the "Time Flies" phrase on my computer and highlighted the edges with paint, Glimmer Mist, and a border stamp.

I stippled over a piece of puncinella to create the dots.

I cut a heart from a piece of cardboard and peeled the top layer away. Then I painted the edges and sprayed some glimmer mist on it. The acrylic wings are some old Heidi Swapp ones I had in my scrapbooking stash. The yellow heart is cut from patterned paper and highlighted with a Faber Castell Pitt pen.

I stamped over the corner of the bird picture with a foam stamp from Michael's and white acrylic paint.

I made this a two-page layout so I could journal on the left side. Once the journaling is done, I might end up adding a few more things...we will see. :)

I hope this helps those of you who were asking me questions about art journaling. I'm really loving it and have tons of ideas floating around in my head!

My First "He Art" Canvas

2011-07-09T14:49:00.003-06:00

A few months ago, I won a spot in Christy Tomlinson's "She Art Workshop." I was so excited to start but life kept getting in the way. Most of May and all of June I was consumed with planning and carrying out a youth conference for teens in my area. It was an amazing experience! However, it left me with no time at all to be creative and I have missed it a lot. So this week I decided I was just going to do it and I'm so glad I did!

I ordered a few art supplies online that Christy suggested, but they hadn't come yet and I was too impatient to wait. So I decided to gather up what supplies I had on hand at home and I was so surprised with what I was able to find. Part of Christy's objective is finding miscellaneous items that can create texture and add dimension and interest to the canvas. I was able to see things in a new light and that might have been the most fun part about this class for me!

I was totally going to start with a girl on my first canvas, but when I sat down to create, I decided, "Why not make one for each of my boys?" So here is my very first attempt at canvas art:

There's lot of symbolism in this canvas. The background consists of copies of a story Cam wrote, his sheet music, Yu-gi-oh cards, Harry Potter memorabilia, and a heart he drew. Most of it got covered up, but we know it's there. :) I painted over the heart again, which you can see along the right edge.

One of the things I love about Christy is the way she creates art so freely without worrying about whether or not it's perfect. She layers paint, ink, paste, rub-ons, stamps, and doodles and it all ends up looking fabulous! I really tried to not think about what I was doing and just go for it. It was actually very liberating!

Lots of stamps and rub-ons here.

I wanted to add something meaningful with the phrase. This describes Cam to a T. He's so friendly and gets along with everyone.

Last week we lost our Sadie dog who had been part of our family for nearly 14 years. She was crazy and spastic and often in trouble, but we will miss her dearly. Cameron was especially broken hearted.

I really wanted to add some freckles, but was a little scared to. I still might do it...

Well, that about sums it up. I'm going to make one for Taylor next and then we will see what else pops into my head. I have lots of ideas! :) Thanks for looking!

Photogenic Family

2011-05-16T23:06:00.000-06:00

My niece and her family are so photogenic! I swiped these pics from their blog and added them to my latest class kit for Lucky Lark Designs. They dragged her mother's settee across the street to the park (which I think makes a wonderful setting for some family photos). Love it!

I'm in love with these "Bloomer" style flowers. They are so soft and feminine and make a wonderful accent on a page. And after being squished in a sheet protector, they still just pop right back up. :)

I heat embossed the "Family" title with black powder as well as a couple of other accents of the page. I've had the Scenic Route papers around for awhile just waiting to create something with them. They are so bright and pretty and remind me of summer. (I *think* I remember what summer is like...)

Thanks for looking! I have some fun Echo Park layouts I've been working on and need to get them posted soon.

3-D Layered Flowers

2011-05-04T21:22:00.000-06:00

October Afternoon has posted a wonderful tutorial for making this gorgeous 3-D flower. Check it out here. So pretty!

Christy Tomlinson's She Art Workshop

2011-04-11T19:03:00.000-06:00

Guess what? I am soooo stoked! I just won a spot in Christy Tomlinson's She Art Workshop! I have been eyeballing this class for a few weeks and watching her free videos about altered canvases. She amazes and inspires me! I love how she creates with such freedom and abandon and doesn't worry about things being perfect. For those of you who know me, I am a perfectionist and sometimes drive myself crazy that I can't just go with the flow. I'm hoping this class can help me embrace a little of that freedom.

Class started today, but it's not too late to sign up if you are interested. It's all online, so it's easy to catch up. If you aren't familiar with her work, take a few moments to check out her blog. Christy owns Scarlet Lime and has started selling mixed media supplies in her online store.

I will definitely make time for this class and share my creations with you here (as long as I can get past the perfection part). :)

Accordion Folded or "Lolli" Flowers Tutorial

2011-04-04T21:11:00.001-06:00

I've been on a "Lolli" flower making kick lately and thought I would share with you how to make them. They can be made easily from any size strip of paper. It's a great way to use up some of those scraps!

Start by cutting a 1" x 12" strip of paper. (You can make them wider or thinner than 1". The diameter of the flower will end up being a little more than double the width of your paper strip).

Next I scored the strip every 1/4" using my new Martha Stewart Scoring Board.

(I have to say that having a scoring board makes this process SO much easier!). Scor-Pal also makes a scoring board. However, I decided to purchase the Martha Stewart one for a couple of different reasons. First, it has scoring lines every 1/8" while the Scor-Pal seems to have more random measurements. Second, the MS board was much less expensive, especially after using a 40% off coupon at Michaels. Third, the MS board has a handy little add-on tool to help you easily make envelopes. There are many You Tube videos comparing the two if you would like to take a closer look.

After the entire strip is scored, fold back and forth like a fan.

NOTE: I wanted the green side of the paper to show after the flower was complete, so I made sure the first fold was pointed down. This way, when you get to the end of the flower, it finishes off nicely.

This is what is should look like when it's all folded up.

Next, use a strong glue along one edge as shown.

(Use something like Diamond Glaze, Red-Line Tape, etc. Glue dots don't work so well. They can't hold up to the tension the flower causes once formed into a circle).

Glue the two ends together and hold for a minute or two until dry.

(You could also hold it closed with a clothes pin or office clip).

Punch a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" circle from any color paper.

This won't show as it will be attached to the back of the flower.

Add strong glue to the circle, but not enough that it will squish out of the sides when pressed down.

This is the part where you sometimes need more than 2 hands. :)

Flatten the flower, top side down. (The orange that you see is the back of the flower).

While holding the flower in place, attach the circle glue side down, to center of flower.

Press down for a couple of minute while it dries, or place a heavy object, like a book, on it.

The back should look something like this when done.

Flip it over and embellish with coordinating paper, buttons, brads, ribbon, string, rhinestones, etc.

Another fun way to jazz them up is by using a border punch along the edge first. Then instead of scoring every 1/4", score in between each scallop.

Here's an example of a completed flower with the scalloped edge.

Here's a peek at some completed layouts I recently used Lolli flowers on:

"Eggcellent"

This small pink flower started out as a 1/2" x 12" strip.

"4 is my Lucky Number"

Thanks for looking! If you have any questions about making these flowers, there are tons of tutorials on You Tube that show you a few different methods. Give them a try!

Lots of Layouts to Share

2011-03-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

Wow! When did life get so crazy? I mean really, really crazy? It's all good...I'm just staying busier than normal.

So here is one great big blog post about some of the projects I've done in the last few weeks. Ready?

2010 YEAR IN REVIEW

This layout was inspired by Jana Eubank on 2 Peas using My Mind's Eye "Fine and Dandy" collection. I love how there is so much room for journaling but the photos are still the main focus (14 tiny photos, in fact)! I don't have any close up shots of this layout, so hopefully you can pick out the details.

EXTREMELY WONDERFUL

Can I just say that I love, love, love this color combo?! Maybe it's because I'm so tired of seeing white snow everywhere I look, but this layout just makes me happy. :)

The title is printed onto a transparency. And notice the fun paint splatters? Those are some stamps I picked up at Michaels. Oh the possibilities!!

A little chipboard makes the perfect accent.

Have you ever tried stamping with bubble wrap? Well it's fun and almost as addictive as popping it. I painted a little acrylic paint with a foam brush directly onto the bubble wrap. Then "stamped" it onto the journaling block and a few other places on the layout. So fun and grungy looking!

IT'S A GOOD THING YOU'RE SO CUTE

This is my latest layout for Lucky Lark Designs. It's pretty simple, but I like all the details.

(Can you believe that mischievous baby boy is now 10!!! Where does the time go)?

I was having a hard time finding the "right" paper for this layout, so I decided to make a simple modification to something I already had. I cut the ledger paper into a bracket shape, then thinned some acrylic paint down with a little water. I painted a border around it without worrying too much about it being perfect. It added a little splash of color to break up the red/black/white theme I had going on.

I love texture on a layout! Adding tiny details, like the hand-stitched star, can make all the difference on a project.

Ahhh...time to dust off the ole' Silhouette machine again. The ticket design really caught my eye in their online store and I just couldn't resist!

Well, I still have more layouts that I made for the "Grandkids" album for Christmas. My goal is to have those posted this week. For now I think I'm calling it a day. Thanks for looking!

Dear Spring, Please Hurry Up!

2011-02-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

Spring could come any day now and I would be a happy girl! But since it's still a winter wonderland here, I thought I would share this layout I created for Lucky Lark Designs last month.

I was inspired by a fun Thanksgiving layout where Cindy Tobey cut up bingo cards to create a border on her page. I loved the idea and thought I would try it out. I found the cutest digital crossword puzzles and bingo cards here! Check them out!

Have I ever mentioned how much I *love* Glimmer Mist? Well I do...a lot!! I sprayed the entire background with "Frost." I think it's the perfect color.

I also love the crepe paper craze that's so popular right now and decided to create my own ribbon. I just made a few pleats, then added gingham ribbon at the top.

***

While on the search for digital bingo cards, I found this tutorial for a darling hybrid mini album. The pages are made from the same printable crossword puzzles I used on my winter layout. Check it out here!

Rolled Felt Flower Tutorial--Super Easy!

2011-02-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

To continue on with my flower craze, here is a super easy way to create a felt flower for cards, layouts, headbands or other fashion accessories.

1. Start by cutting a circle from felt. Mine is almost 4" in diameter.

2. Then cut into a spiral. This doesn't have to be perfect. The wider your cuts are, the taller the flower will be.

3. Roll from the outer edge to the inner.

4. Hot glue the end underneath the flower.

Easy Peasy!

I used 3 rolled felt flowers on this layout. I accented them with some crumpled paper leaves and Maya Road stick pins.

Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Chipboard Bird: Scenic Route; Dies: QuicKutz; Stick Pins: Maya Road; Stitching Stamp: See D's; Ink: ColorBox; Other: Baker's Twine, Buttons, Lace, Floss.

Cutest Valentine Mailbox Ever!

2011-02-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

I remember as a child having mailbox decorating contests at school for Valentine's Day. Everyone would vote for their favorite one and then we would all exchange valentines.

Now that I'm older, I still have a tiny obsession with cute little mailboxes. Take a look at this one from Mouse Paper Lovely. It's ready for you in an easy-to-print format for only $2.49 here. It is made to fit the darling little mailboxes from the Target dollar spot.

Don't you just love it? Super cute!

Crate Paper Toy Box

2011-01-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I gave myself a little vacation over the holidays and now find myself busier than ever! How does that happen? I've been scrapbooking in the meantime and have quite a few projects to share. BUT...not today! :)

However, it is that CHA time of year again, and I've been looking at lots of sneak peeks at The Scrap Review. Here is a boy-themed collection by Crate Paper that I absolutely love! It has the retro/vintage flair that is so popular right now. Love it!!

Check it out (along with lots of other scrappy goodness) here. What do you love?

Travel Games Gift Idea

2010-12-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I've enjoyed taking a break for awhile and getting ready for the holidays. My Christmas shopping is done and now I'm down to finishing the homemade gifts.

I ran across this fabulous idea on JessicaSprague.com for creating a Travel Game Book. I think it's perfect for a stocking stuffer or to use while you're traveling for the holidays. You can download the printables here for under $3!

I'm not sure when I'll post again. Santa is keeping me very busy. ;)

Free Jessica Sprague Class!

2010-11-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

If you have never taken an online class from Jessica Sprague, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! She is an amazing teacher and now you have a chance to try a class for FREE! Click here for all the details.

Folded Paper Flower Tutorial

2010-11-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Interested in learning how to make this beautiful folded flower? Click here.

ReThink Your Stamps

2010-11-03T21:11:00.000-06:00

Studio Calico has a fabulous tutorial full of unique ways to use your stamps. Check it out here.

Pleated Paper Star Tutorial

2010-11-02T21:51:00.000-06:00

Here it is...my version of the pleated paper star!

STEP 1:
Cut a 1 1/2" x 12" strip of patterned paper. Score vertically every 1/4". (Notice that's a scoring blade, not a cutting blade). You will have five 12" long scoring marks when you are done.

STEP 2:
Cut the strip into 1 1/2" x 2" pieces. This will give you 6 pieces. You only need 5. Using a fine-tipped red pen and a ruler, draw three lines across the top of each small piece.

STEP 3:
Fold each piece like you would a fan. When the green side is up, the two folds on the ends should be pointing down. This gives you 3 peaks and 2 valleys.

STEP 4:
Using a tiny stapler (like a Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher), staple the end closest to the red lines. Repeat for all five pieces.

STEP 5:

Arrange pieces into the shape of a star and attach to background with glue dots.

STEP 6:

Cover the hole in the center of the star with punched pieces placed on pop dots. Embellish as desired.

Enjoy!

A Holiday Layout

2010-11-01T18:27:00.003-06:00

As hard as it may be to believe, Christmas is only 54 days away.
(I KNOW!!)

In anticipation of the upcoming festivities, we are already designing our holiday classes at Lucky Lark Designs. Here's a closer look at what's in store...

"Believe"

I saw a layout in the November 2010 issue of "Scrapbook Trends" by Tonya Dirk that had a beautiful pleated star and a folded border. I fell in love and decided to try it out. This is my version of the star:

Here's a peek at the folded paper border. (According to "Scrapbook Trends", cut squares or circles from double sided patterned paper, then fold the corners in slightly to reveal the other side. Top with jewels).

I found these beautiful flourish stamps by "Inkadinkado." They have spaces ready for you to place rhinestones of various sizes. I ran out of gems, so I filled in the remaining spots with stickles. I love the final result!

A Santa layout isn't complete without a wishlist. Here's Cameron's:

I will try and post a tutorial for the pleated star tomorrow. Stay tuned!

So Loved

2010-10-26T22:31:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago, my brother and his family welcomed a new baby girl into their home. As Baby #6, she had 3 older sisters and 2 older brothers who were anxiously awaiting her arrival.

A few days after her birth, her dad emailed me some photos. As I was scrolling through them, I was delighted in each pose that was the same, except for a different face smiling above hers as they each cradled Baby Lucy in his or her arms. It struck me how lucky she is to be loved by so many people right from the start!

The pictures prompted this "So Loved" layout which I pieced together in a patchwork quilt style. The muted tones and rich colors feel warm and welcoming. I kept the embellishments to a minimum so the focus would remain on the photos.

p.s. The layout really isn't crooked...I just can't take a straight picture.

I've been looking for an excuse to use these beautiful paper roses on a project. I cut out the scalloped peach flower (shown below) using my Silhouette. But you can also create one easily on your own like I did for the ivory flower. Here's a quick tutorial for a spiral cut flower on the Fancy Pants blog. (Scroll down until you seen "Spirals").

I love the dimension they add to this layout!

Here's my new "Plants" die from QuicKutz. It's simple and elegant...love it!

Yes, Lucy is definitely loved. Don't you agree?

Supplies Used: Cardstock: DCWV; Patterned Papers: My Minds Eye; Dies: QuicKutz; Border Punch: Fiskars; Journaling Stamp: WRMK; Pin: Making Memories; Butterfly Punches: Fiskars and Marvy; Flower: Prima; Pearls: K&Co.

Layout #2

2010-10-06T18:28:00.001-06:00

As promised, here is a look at the 2nd class I'm teaching for Cindy's Scrapbooking Conference on October 15th & 16th. It's pretty simple, but our class time only lasts for 1 1/2 hours, so simple is good. :)

One of the hardest things about designing a class is making it versatile enough for everyone's photos. On this layout, you could use six horizontal 4x3 photos (as shown), three 4x6 vertical photos, or a combination of these.

It doesn't really show in the photo, but the striped paper has just the right amount of glitter for a little something extra. The chipboard stars add some dimension and I even popped one of them up further with foam squares.

Banners are always a fun and festive embellishment!

Can I just say I love these colors! So fresh and fun!

If you are in the area, please join us for a fun-filled Girl's Weekend Out!

Scrapbooking Conference Coming Up!

2010-10-05T19:12:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again!

Cindy's Scrapbooking is hosting their semi-annual scrapbooking conference in Pocatello, Idaho on October 15th and 16th. If you are in the area, please come join us for a super fun girl's weekend out!

Here's a look at one of the classes I'm teaching there:

I created two one-page layouts with product from the Life Stories collection by My Mind's Eye.

Influence

This is a photo of my grandmother with some fellow school teachers. (She's the one on the left). She was a wonderful teacher and loved by her students.

I used the "Water Distressed" technique for the flower shared here.

I used some of my favorite things on this layout such as the beautiful crocheted lace, some old paper doilies, and my Magnolia Quickutz font.

The colors are showing up a little strange on the picture of this next layout. It is looking a little like smooshed peas, and that is not attractive at all!

Lucy's Homecoming

I have a new niece and she is greatly loved!

Here's a super easy burlap flower I will show you how to make in class. I love the natural touch it adds to the layout.

Love this "Birds on a Wire" border punch by Martha Stewart!

Isn't this "Happiness Meter" so fitting? Love the lace cardstock too.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a look at my next class!

{Not So} Spooky Halloween Layout

2010-10-04T19:15:00.001-06:00

Leaves are falling, crops are being harvested, and there's a chill in the air. That means Halloween is on its way!

I created this {not so} spooky layout for my October 14th class at Lucky Lark Designs. It's the perfect design for using up scraps of paper (although I ended up cutting into 12 different sheets of brand new paper). :) You could also use some horizontal 4x3 photos in place of the vertical 4x6 pictures shown on the example.

By the way, in case you couldn't tell, Taylor was a Quarterback that year.

When I design a layout, the details are my favorite part. I love adding small accents like the googly eyes and tiny letters.

This is my new Michael's date stamp. I *LOVE* date stamps!

And since we are seeing banners everywhere, why not add one here complete with spooky Halloween icons?

Our classes have been filling quickly, so if you are interested in attending, please sign up. All the information is available here at Lucky Lark Designs. I have some completed kits for sale as well. That ordering information can be found here.

Happy Fall!

Beautiful Distressed Paper Flowers

2010-09-25T21:07:00.000-06:00

Bo Bunny posted a tutorial today on making these gorgeous "Water Distressed Blooms." Be sure to check it out here!

Back to School Layout

2010-09-20T18:07:00.000-06:00

I had two purposes for creating this layout:

I never know what to do with the kids' school portraits when it's time to replace them the next year.
If your kids are like mine, you always have a plethora of school papers waiting for a home.

So I decided to create this page to solve both of those problems.

I made a large pocket using a die cut paper to hold progress reports, newsletters, etc. The 2nd page showcases Cam's spring portrait. This layout is something that can be added to as the school year passes.

As you may have figured out by now, I love adding little details like the button and string. A project just isn't complete without them!

This layout is for a class I'm teaching this week for Lucky Lark Designs. If you are interested in any kits, just send an email to orders@luckylarkdesigns.com. If you can't attend the class, you have the option of purchasing a completed kit, which means all the stamping, punching, and die cutting is done for you. All you have to do is assemble the pieces. Easy Peasy!

Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

2010-09-05T09:00:00.001-06:00

As promised, here is the tutorial for making the crepe paper flowers I used on the layout I posted about yesterday.

I purchased a package of crepe paper that came in a big sheet (8 ft x 20 in). I found it in the same section of the store where the tissue paper and gift bags were.

Start with a strip that measures 4" x 20":

Fold it in half:

Then fold again into thirds:

This is what it looks like folded into thirds and lying flat:

Cut all the layers into a circle. I didn't measure (can you tell?) but it's OK...they don't need to be perfect:

When you are done, you will have 6 circles. (Keep them together in a stack, though).

You can leave them in a circle, or cut a scalloped edge. Again, I just free-handed the scallops:

Punch a 1" circle from cardstock. Add a dab of hot glue or a strong liquid glue (like Diamond Glaze). If you use hot glue, work quickly:

Gather the flower up:

Snip off the bottom:

Press the cut end of the flower into the glue. Let dry:

Spread the layers out and fluff them:

If you want to add a touch of color, sponge a little bit of pigment ink onto the edges of the flower:

Done!

Here's a tip: Don't use a spray mist to color your crepe paper flower. The water content will take the crinkles out of the crepe paper and make a big mess! It might work on tissue paper, though, but I haven't tried it.

Speaking of tissue paper, here are some similar flowers my Mom helped the kids make this summer. She cut circles from colored tissue paper. Instead of gluing them to a base, she poked a hole in the center and threaded a pipe cleaner through. She folded the tip of the pipe cleaner over to keep all the layers into place and covered that up by fluffing the tissue paper in the center.

Don't they look pretty? I love the different colored layers the boys created. See what you could do on a layout or card?

My Class Layout

2010-09-04T17:05:00.001-06:00

Here is my layout for my upcoming scrapbooking class through Lucky Lark Designs.

I needed a quick family photo one day for a project I was working on. So we set the timer and headed down our little country lane. I love how it turned out and decided to use it on this layout as well.

I created the background by laying a paper doily onto white cardstock and spritzing it with Radiant Rain Mist. Then I removed the doily. (It still looks like it's there, doesn't it??) I love the look this created!

I tied some hemp string around these side tags for a little added texture.

I don't normally mix this many manufacturers together, but I really liked it on this layout. (Creative Imaginations, Cosmo Cricket, Pebbles Inc.).

Do you like my new QuicKutz flower dies? I love them!! (Travis said they looked like weeds. LOL!)

This crepe paper flower was pretty easy to make and, I think, adds the perfect touch. Once it's inside a sheet protector, it does get a little smooshed, but it still looks pretty! I will post a tutorial tomorrow.

If you are in the area, please stop by our class next Thursday night! Details are on the Lucky Lark Designs blog.

My Big Announcement!!!

2010-08-31T00:38:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to announce my big new adventure! My friends (and fellow designers) and I have started Lucky Lark Designs. Through this, we will be offering scrapbooking classes and events on a local level as well as offering kits for sale online.

Our first class starts Thursday, September 9th. For more information, visit our blog at Lucky Lark Designs. It's a work in progress, but all the important information is there for now.

So if you are in the area, please feel free to join in! We are so excited about our new adventure!

Look! I Made Cards!

2010-08-24T23:16:00.002-06:00

I don't take time to create cards very often, but here are some I made for my Bo Bunny DT entry.

For the first one, I hand drew all the elements, then cut them from double-dot cardstock. I love this paper because one side has subtle polka dots and the other is solid.

I used chalk instead of ink on the edges of everything for a softer look. The tiny flowers are made using a Quickutz die.

The tire swing hangs freely from the tree branch.

This next card was so much fun to make! I formatted the text in Word and printed it directly onto more double-dot cardstock.

I hand stitched the divider lines...love the texture this creates! The little spinner is by Tim Holtz. Everything else is Bo Bunny.

I love the dimension a few little pop dots add.

Since I rarely make cards, I'll be a little reluctant to give these babies up!

Paper Roses Tutorial by Webster's Pages

2010-08-22T23:04:00.002-06:00

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love flowers, and there are so many fun ways to make them! Here is a great tutorial on Webster's Pages for making beautiful paper roses. Enjoy!

Wall Art

2010-08-16T22:44:00.005-06:00

I wanted to create a piece of meaningful art to hang in our family room. I have always loved this quote (which was taken from a Hallmark card) and decided to incorporate it into this project. The three canvases of varying sizes are displayed on a metal plate holder. I used pretty papers and chipboard from the Bo Bunny "Flower Child" collection.

Admire the moon.

Be silly.

Take risks.

Look on the bright side.

Listen to your heart.

Don’t fear love.

Remember, it’s never too late.

Share!

Don’t run...face your fears.

Be an optimist.

Open a new window.

Laugh often!

Live today!

Speak straight and true.

Reach out!

Take time.

Be brave.

Life’s too short to be ordinary.

I formatted the quote in Microsoft Word and printed it directly onto patterned paper. I layered chipboard embellishments and accented them with jewels and decorative brads:

More chipboard pieces are layered over "grass" hand cut from "Free Bird" paper and nestled inside a machine-stitched frame. I love the 3-D effect of the layered canvases.

I attached the photo and papers to the canvases with spray adhesive. This was much less messy than trying to use Mod Podge. I hot glued the small 4x4 canvas with our family photo to the larger 10x10 canvas. This made the the bottom canvas a little top heavy and it kept tilting forward off of the plate holder. I remedied that little problem by simply tying the canvas to the plate holder with a piece of ribbon on the back.

This project was fun to make and it was so easy to use the coordinating product from Bo Bunny. Hope you enjoy it!

A Boy and His Covered Wagon

2010-08-04T16:14:00.007-06:00

Our summer has been full of so many fun activities for the kids! In celebration of Pioneer Day in July, Cam participated in an around-the-block parade. He wanted to make a covered wagon, so we put on our thinking caps and came up with this:

We borrowed Grandma's gardening wagon and tied some large dowels in each corner. I gathered two edges of some muslin I had lying around the house (see...I knew it would come in handy some day!) and stretched it over some kind of flexible noise makers scrounged from the boys' toy box. Voila! A covered wagon!

So, here's the funny part of the story. The kids were walking around the high school...that's it. Just around the high school. No big deal. Cam starts off at a brisk pace. He was excited!

Here he is back at the beginning 5 minutes later. He looks a little tired. Even the wagon looks tired and droopy. This is probably why we weren't born 150 years ago. We wouldn't make very good pioneers.

We'll just let big brother pull the wagon back to the car...

A Week in Our Lives Mini Album

2010-07-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't made a mini album for awhile, so I thought it was time. I decided to document one week of our summer just for fun. I used this super cute layered album by Bo Bunny. It has an acrylic cover and chipboard pages.

I decided to keep the pages fairly plain and just use accent pieces to embellish. I used more of the Tree House Pebbles collection that I showed to you yesterday.

Journaling cards from My Mind's Eye "So Sophie" collection worked perfectly in this album.

I started with Saturday and Sunday...

Pebbles clear embellishments are really fun to layer and they have the cutest little flower brads ever! Check out this flower:

Yes, that's me pretending to play Guitar Hero. I don't do so well...My kids, of course, rock!

There was a big wildfire on Tuesday of that week. The sky was so smoky and I thought it would be interesting to include a picture of that.

Isn't that little owl sticker the cutest ever??

Wednesday was the busiest day ever! We had work, 4-H, and piano lessons. Travis started digging trenches all over the yard for a sprinkler system. AND we had to build a covered wagon for the kid's "Around the Block" parade in celebration of Pioneer Day. (I will have to post more on that later).

The one thing I DIDN'T get done this week: Washing the car.

Hope you enjoyed it!

New Pebbles Collections

2010-07-26T22:00:00.011-06:00

I got to play with some of the newest Pebbles collections last week. The papers and embellishments are so fun! Here's Tree House...it's probably my favorite of the two:

I made this layout for the purpose of displaying it in a frame, so there's no journaling...just some fun pics of the boys and me. I found the perfect 12x12 frame with a darling beaded edge at Porter's.

The chipboard embellies (or "Chips" as they are called) are so super cute! I thought the bird was irresistible! Most pieces have a little glitter on them.

One of the things I love about Pebbles is how affordable their pieces are. These little journaling stickers come in a small package and retail for only $1.49. You can't beat that! I didn't even journal on the one I used here...just placed it in the corner to balance the page.

I love the matching paper flowers and decorative brads. You can mix and match them to your heart's content. I also used a package of "Love You" rub-ons to create a border near the bottom of the layout.

This next layout was made using the same "Tree House" collection. We surprised Cam with a new bike earlier this summer. He was so excited!

Love the cloud paper! I cut it apart and just used pieces here:

I cut out the bike using my Silhouette. However, the spokes were too tiny and kept tearing, so I just ended up cutting some by hand.

In case you've never noticed, I always love to add some stitching and maybe throw on a couple of buttons to most things I make:

Here's a peek at more of the cute chipboard:

Now here's a look at the May Bouquet collection. The colors are so bright and vivid! Love it!

The tiny set of matching rub-ons are perfect for cards and layouts alike:

Look how you can layer the flowers. I think they are so pretty with a brad in the center. (Also notice the new Martha Stewart punch? It's kind of fun I think)!

Well that's it for now. Tomorrow I will post a mini album I made. Happy Scrapping!

Maya Road's CHA Reveal!

2010-07-23T22:53:00.002-06:00

Wow! Wow! Wow! Check out all the luscious new goodies Maya Road is releasing at CHA! So much inspiration here! I love the trinket pins and the flowers and the stamps, and the chipboard, and the canvas albums. OK...so I love it all! Excuse me while I drool!

New Bo Bunny

2010-07-21T21:40:00.002-06:00

Check out Cambridge, a great new collection Bo Bunny is releasing at CHA next week! The style is quite a bit different from their current products, but still has that Bo Bunny flair. Scroll through their blog post and see all the goodies and embellishments that accompany this fabulous masculine line. It keeps going and going and going...

So what do you think? Do you like it? It reminds me of a cross between vintage Ivy League college meets Harry Potter. Haha! I think it's great!

Another CHA Sneak Peek

2010-07-19T23:38:00.002-06:00

STUDIO CALICO ELEMENTARY

The Scrap Review is doing an awesome job of keeping up with all the new releases that will be debuting soon at CHA. There are lots of them I love, but this one caught my eye. See more of it here.

On a side note, we just got back from another weekend at the lake. I have some projects to post and will try to get them up later this week in between the mountains of laundry we always seem to bring home with us.

I also have some new and exciting adventures in the works. I can't wait to share them with you! Until then, Happy Scrapping!

Easy Paper Flowers

2010-07-11T21:16:00.003-06:00

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love finding different ways to make flowers for cards, layouts, and other projects. So when I run across another idea, I just have to share!

Today's idea comes from Cards magazine. Hannah shares this fun and easy technique for creating these lovely vintage-looking flowers:

Image from Cards blog/Northridge Media

I wonder how this technique would work using tissue paper? Might have to try it...

Stamping with Acrylic Paint

2010-07-09T12:00:00.000-06:00

(Image by Northridge Media)

I love stamping on layouts (although I haven't done it for awhile). There is a great little tutorial on the Scrapbook Trends blog on the perfect technique. Be sure to check it out here.

BIG Teresa Collins Reveal!!

2010-07-08T22:15:00.004-06:00

UPDATED!! The winner has been chosen and sadly it wasn't me. :(

But, Teresa Collins has posted a demo video on YouTube showing how her stampmaker works. It looks so easy! Check it out here. This machine will retail for $169.99 What do you think? Would you get one?

Check this out! Teresa Collins just announced on her blog today her new machine debuting at CHA that allows you to make your own stamps! Really!! How cool is that? And to top it off, she is giving one away free on her blog. Make sure to leave a comment and she will draw a random winner. (Hopefully by the time you are reading this, it's not too late). Check it all out here. Good luck!

Photo Ideas-Road Trip

2010-07-06T23:30:00.000-06:00

Going on a road trip this summer? Becky Higgins has some great suggestions for some fun photos you can take to document the experience. Check it out here.

Photo courtesy of The Tahoe Guy on Flickr.

CHA Sneak Peeks!

2010-07-05T23:25:00.009-06:00

Well, it has begun! I love seeing sneak peeks of beautiful new products that lead up to CHA. I find it so inspiring to see the latest and greatest from a variety of manufacturers and the anticipation really makes me want to create something fabulous! Many websites are posting sneak peeks from a number of manufacturers. The Scrap Review is a great place to see up-to-date peeks. Here are a few of my favorites so far...

3 Bugs in a Rug

Pink Paislee

Glitz Design

Tim Holtz Stamps

Prima

I can't wait!!!

Unity Stamp Co. Giveaway!

2010-07-02T14:02:00.001-06:00

Hey! Hop on over the the CK blog where you can be entered for a chance to win $500 worth of product from Unity Stamp Company!

Have a great weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

I love America! As the celebration of Independence Day approaches, I realize I don't have many layouts documenting my patriotism. That's gotta change!

In the meantime, here's a layout I made last year based on a sketch I saw on The Scrap Revie w. Emilie Ahern wrote the article, but I'm not sure who to credit the sketch to. (I can't find the post now). Emilie created a digital version of this sketch...

...I created mine with paper (and ribbons and stickers):

The photos are 2" square, so it allows you to fit lots on this page (9 to be exact)!

All paper, stickers, and ribbon are Adornit by Carolee's Creations.

I love adding texture to a layout, even if it's subtle, like a row of stitching or a snippet of ribbon.

A Making Memories clip finishes it off...

So, how about you? Have you documented your love for your country? If not, I challenge you to do it this month.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July everyone!

Paradise

2010-07-01T20:03:00.003-06:00

Bo Bunny just announced auditions for their Design Team here. Hmmm....should I or shouldn't I?

On another note, I ran across this super cute summertime layout today. It reminds me of where we are going this weekend. I can't wait! I will give you a hint...

Mmmmmm....Paradise!

#1 Dad

2010-06-29T21:44:00.001-06:00

In honor of Father's Day this month, I made a layout featuring the 3 men (big and little) in my life. I used the "On the Boardwalk" collection by Graphic 45. It's a super fun line and I love, love, love the color combo! Even though it has a beach theme, I managed to use it on this masculine page just fine. :)

Papers: Graphic 45, My Mind's Eye; Journaling Card: My Mind's Eye; Die Cuts and Cork: QuicKutz; Filmstrip Ribbon and Memo Pin: Tim Holtz; Heart, Photo Corner, and Scalloped Circle Punches: EK Success.

Tim Holtz products always go perfectly well with Graphic 45, so of course I had to throw some in...

These little memo pins are one of my new favorites and the filmstrip ribbon adds a fun bit of flair.

I asked the kids to do the journaling and write what they love about their Dad. I think it's so fun to include them in documenting our family memories. How priceless is that handwriting...misspelled words and all!

It's easy to find pennants/banners anywhere you look in the crafting world right now, so I thought it would be fun to include a miniature version here. A diamond punch comes in really handy for that.

We all know how entertaining it is to play with bubble wrap. But did you know you can stamp with it as well? That's exactly what I did to create the subtle background pattern shown here. Give it a try! You'll love it!

Fun Website!

2010-06-15T19:49:00.003-06:00

I ran across this super inspirational crafty blog today. This gal isn't afraid to try anything! Check it out!

Show & Tell

On a side note, I feel like I'm still trying to catch up after the scrapbooking conference I attended a couple of weeks ago. I have some kits and fun things to post, so stay tuned. Maybe tomorrow I won't need a nap. ;)

2 More Fabric Flower Tutorials

2010-06-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

It's funny how these fabric flowers keep popping up in my life. :) These are too cute not to share! So as promised, here is another tutorial.

Start with a 3 1/2" fabric circle and a tiny rubberband (made for little girls' ponytails):

Find the center of the circle and gather it up. Then place the rubberband about half way up:

Snip the end off:

Lay the flower out flat, creating a double layer:

Attach a medium sized brad through the hole in the center. Rough up the edges of the fabric with your fingers. I ironed my flower so it would lay flat. Super cute!

Here's an easy variation...Cut a 2 1/2" fabric circle. You will also need a brad (I used a larger one) and a tiny rubberband:

Place the brad in the center of the fabric circle:

Fold the fabric around the brad and wind the rubberband around it from the outside:

Flatten out the circle, rough up the edges, and iron . These are fun to leave as is or to add some color with Glimmer Mist:

Enjoy!

My Classes for the Weekend Scrappy Conference

2010-05-31T20:55:00.004-06:00

Here's a peek at the two classes I'm teaching this weekend at Cindy's Scrapbooking Conference in Pocatello. If anyone out there wants to attend, please join us! It's so much fun (not that I ever seem to get much scrapping done). :)

This year I'm doing a "boy" class and a "girl" class.

The first one is "On the Go." I used Fancy Pants papers and some punches and die cuts.

To make the tire marks, I ran my son's Lego car through a black ink pad, then ran it across my page. Easy! (Although Taylor wasn't sure what to think of my technique).

I love all the cute Fancy Pants elements that match the paper...

Here's the girly layout. These are 3 of my nieces:

Remember the rolled flower technique I linked to here? I used a QuicKutz scalloped border die and cut it in half lengthwise. Then I rolled the paper tightly before letting it come undone a little. I finished it off by gluing the end. It's a really easy technique and oh so cute! (I think it looks super cute with double-sided paper because you get a glimpse of both patterns).

Then in my class at Porter's last week, one of my customers showed me how to make this darling muslin flower. I'll post a tutorial tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Well, back to the kit making! See you tomorrow!

Things We Say Everyday

2010-05-29T16:39:00.003-06:00

This layout was so fun to make! I involved the kids in trying to figure out what phrases we all say on a regular basis. I kept notes in a small tablet, and throughout the week we would add something else we thought of. It was so fun! We would be in the middle of a conversation, and suddenly one of the boys would point and say, "You say that all the time!" LOL! Good times!

I used the new So Sophie line from My Mind's Eye. Love, love, love this collection!!!

I used lots of die cuts and punches. I die cut one of the conversation bubbles from felt to add texture.
And I even dusted off my Silhouette to cut the "Days of the Week" border and the "Everyday" title. I forgot how much fun that machine is to use! (Note to self: Must use it more often). There are so many (as in hundreds and hundreds) of designs you can download from the Silhouette website to cut out. They can be re-sized to custom fit your project and are very affordable.

For a finishing touch, I made big 12" long stitches along the edges of the layout. I think the red color really pops against the black background.

So how about it? Why not document habits or sayings or anything else that's part of your "everyday." I think those are some of the funniest things to look back on and remember...

Miniature Banner

2010-05-26T14:55:00.004-06:00

I'm really in love with all things Maya Road right now. Here's another darling project by Melissa Phillips that I swiped off the MR blog today. Check it out here.

I'm feverishly working on more projects at home, both for Porter's and for Cindy's scrapbooking conference coming up on June 4th and 5th. I'm so excited for the conference, but there's always lots of work to do to get ready. I am teaching some classes there and will also have some kits for sale. I will post those over the next few days. So until then, happy scrapping!

Super Cute Storage Idea

2010-05-22T10:20:00.001-06:00

Check out this darling idea for storing trinket pins designed by Jennifer Beason. For more pics and full instructions on how to make it, head on over the the Maya Road blog. There's lots more scrappy goodness, so be sure to browse while you're there. :)

p.s. I love how Jennifer made the rolled scalloped flowers. How cute would those be on a layout or card?

More Free Vintage Clip Art

2010-05-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

Check out The Graphics Fairy for some cool FREE vintage clip art and wonderful project ideas. I'm in love!

Tulle Flowers Tutorial

2010-05-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

We just received some new 7 Gypsies papers in the store a couple of weeks ago and I could hardly wait to play! I love the shabby, vintage feel to them.

Here's a close up of the tulle flower I made in under 10 minutes:

I started with a roll of pink tulle which I found in the wedding section of Porter's. You can also find tulle by the yard in fabric stores. You will want to use clear or matching thread for your project.

1. Cut 5 ovals that are all the same size:

2. Fold the first oval in half lengthwise.
3. Thread a needle (double your thread) and tie a knot in the end. Make a stitch through the tulle, but don't pull it all the way since the knot would just pull through the holes in the tulle. Loop the needle through the opening in the thread near the knot and pull tight:

4. Make a basting stitch along the curved edge:

5. Then pull tight. This creates one petal:

6. Without knotting or clipping your thread, repeat steps 2, 4, and 5.

7. Continue adding petals until all 5 are gathered:

8. If desired, add some beads to your thread and sew them to the center of the flower:

9. Knot the end of your thread when finished:

These flowers make the cutest hair bows as well as accents for many crafting projects. You can make them as large or small as you like. Experiment and have fun!

Fabric Flowers Tutorial

2010-05-19T09:00:00.001-06:00

Fabric flowers are all the rage right now. You can see them practically everywhere you look whether they are adorning someone's hair, tote bag, or crafting project. So why not add some to a layout or card?

I made one from muslin and colored it with Glimmer Mist for this layout. To find out how to create one of your own, read on...

Click on any of the pictures for a larger view.

I started with a piece of torn muslin approximately 1" wide and 1 yard long:

Fold the muslin in half so both torn edges are together. (You don't have to fold the whole length in half at once...just fold as you go):

Start rolling from one end and roll 4 or 5 times. This will be the center of the flower. Since I'm right-handed, I started rolling from the right end with the raw torn edges at the top :

Holding the roll firmly, flip it to your other hand with the raw edges still at the top:

Create a half twist in the fabric and then wrap it around the small roll you created: Continue twisting and wrapping as you work your way around the flower center:

Here's what mine looks like from the top after a few times of twisting and wrapping:

Continue twisting and wrapping until your flower is the size you want it:

When you reach the end of the fabric, your flower should look something like this:

Temporarily pin fabric into place with a corsage pin or long needle:

With the large pin still in place, take a needle and thread and stitch back and forth across the back of the flower. Be sure to catch all the loose layers so they stay in place. (I've used dark thread so you can see what I've done. You will want to use white or ivory thread so it doesn't show):

Here's a look at the very ugly back of my flower, but hey...it's all secure! (p.s. make sure you leave yourself enough thread to tie a knot). ;)

Spritz the top of the flower with Glimmer Mist. Don't overdo it...just 2 or 3 sprays is all you need:

Ta da!! I added a couple of beads to a corsage pin and used it to adorn my flower:

Check back tomorrow for a tutorial on tulle flowers. These are perfect for hair bows as well as scrappy projects!

Monograms

2010-05-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

I was inspired by a layout in Scrapbook Trends to create a layout using a large monogram. We have a giant set of alphabet dies at the store that I used, but you could also create your own in Word or by using an electronic die cut machine, stencils, etc.

I used some paper by Cosmo Cricket and Jenni Bowlin. The journaling card is by My Mind's Eye.

I love little Tim Holtz charms, especially for boy layouts. The metal accent adds a touch of masculinity.

I haven't used my "Binding Edge" punch for awhile, so I thought I'd dust it off for this layout.

This layout ended up being pretty fast and simple. Sometimes that's nice. :)

Scrapping Collections

2010-05-17T09:00:00.000-06:00

Cameron has been wanting me to make a layout about his collection of Webkinz for a long time. So we finally decided to do it and set up a little photo shoot.

I was completely inspired by a layout on 2 Peas by Nichol Magouirk. My layout pretty much ended up being a scraplift of hers because it worked out so perfectly!

I created the conversation bubbles in Word and had Cam write about his pets in his own handwriting. He was so excited to help! This layout would be a great way to document the different things your kids collect. You could also scrap about your daily routine and what activities you participate in on a weekly basis. Just some fun ideas to maybe jump start your creativity a little...

As a side note, I want to share this fun collection I used from We R Memory Keepers called "72 and Sunny." I LOVE these bright colors! The color palette, designs, and fonts are so retro and remind me of when I was a child.

There are also clear acrylic stamps, 3-D chipboard stickers, pre-stitched matching cardstock, shaped papers, and some coordinating paper kits. Be sure to check them out!

Springtime Banner

2010-05-16T16:42:00.001-06:00

Many of you may be thinking Summer is just around the corner. But here in Idaho, we are still trying to figure out if it's done snowing or not. To help brighten up my home (despite the weather outside) I created a simple banner for a project at the store for National Scrapbook Day.

The Quite Contrary collection from My Mind's Eye was one of my favorite releases this spring. The colors are bright and the patterns are so sweet and easy to work with. Here's what I came up with:

I used lots of punches and die cuts, which makes for a fast and each project!

The letters are die cut from glitter paper. It is the cheaters way out of a big glittery mess! ;)

I placed many of the layers on pop dots to create lots of dimension.

You could easily substitute letters to spell anything you wanted and also add more pennants to make it longer. It would be a fun decoration for a child's room or your creative corner.

Cool Stamping Technique

2010-05-15T16:04:00.000-06:00

Hello Friends! Long time no see! Life has been crazy as usual, and I know I have lots of posts to catch up on. So watch over the next few days for some updates on what I've been working on.

I wanted to share a cool stamping technique with you that isn't new, but is fun nonetheless. Did you know you can turn nearly any die cut into a stamp? Here are two ways:

You can use the large AccuCut machines available at many scrapbooking stores (some charge for the use of their machines...just ask what their store policy is). To start, simply die cut images from fun foam and attach them to an acrylic block with double stick tape.
For personal die cut machines, such as QuicKutz, pull the sticky foam from the metal die and use as your stamp. You can re-foam the die with QuicKutz replacement foam available in 4x4 or 2x2 sizes. Attach the sticky foam to a QuicKutz Rocker handle or acrylic block. Then stamp your image with paint or ink.

On my "Sisters" layout I posted last month, I die cut a flower image and a bird image from Kraft colored cardstock. Then I created a stamp of each image from foam using the technique explained above. I dabbed some off-white paint onto my foam stamp and placed it over the die cut flower. Some of the cardstock still showed in some places where the paint hadn't touched. It left my die cut with a shabby look that I loved!

I repeated the technique with the bird, only this time I used brown paint:

It's so simple and fun to do and adds a little touch to an otherwise boring die cut. Think of all the possibilities! You could create your own custom alphabet stamps, border stamps, and smaller images too.

Things Sisters Do Together

2010-04-17T13:19:00.000-06:00

A couple of years ago I made a mini album with little pictures of my sister and I from a long, long time ago. It's called "Things Sisters Do Together." I was trying to come up with an idea for my next class and decided to turn the mini album into a layout.

I started with some yummy new product from Little Yellow Bicycle's "Fresh Print Clothesline" collection and some 2x2 photos. Here's what I came up with:

Although purple and green are not normally colors I use, I love, love the nostalgic feel to these papers.

I wish I had some close up shots, but I don't because the layout is currently hanging in the store. But here's a look at the album I made that was the inspiration behind it:

Things Sisters Do Together

Go shopping.
Share secrets.

Enjoy a girl's day out.

Sometimes, on the other sister's birthday, she steals the spotlight.

Protect one another.
They laugh and dream together.

Borrow each others clothes.

Have dress-up days.
Play "Mommies" together.

Love each other from the start.

Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!

Flower Techniques

2010-04-15T13:24:00.003-06:00

Click on over to the Fancy Pants blog to see some way cool flower making techniques! A couple of these I have never seen before.

Album designed by Jolene Pienaar.

Mother's Day Tin

2010-04-10T18:46:00.002-06:00

Created by Lesley Langdon
Featured in April/May Simply Handmade

I just got an email from Scrapbook Trends magazine featuring this beautiful project by Lesley Langdon. I love the fabric flower on top of the tin and have added this to my long list of things I would love to make. I thought I would share their blog post here since I will most likely never get around to making one for myself. :)

Heartstrings

2010-03-31T21:45:00.001-06:00

We just finished celebrating Quilt Week at Porter's. We couldn't let the fabric department have all the fun so we decided to have our own make and take in Scrapbooking. I made this project from a small shadow box frame.

The Graphic 45 papers worked beautifully to create the look of a pieced quilt. And I think the quote about heartstrings finishes it off nicely. I purchased a couple of extra kits since I thought they would make great gifts. So you never know...some lucky family member or friend just might be receiving one someday. :)

Happy Spring

2010-03-30T21:42:00.001-06:00

Here is a very busy, but very happy layout based on a sketch from the Feb 2010 Creating Keepsakes magazine. I love the bright colors and although red is not a traditional Easter color, I thought it added a fun surprise.

By cropping some of the photos down, I was able to fit 9 pictures on this layout. I'm always looking for way to incorporate lots of pics, especially for holiday events where I seem to end up with way too many!

In the CK article, Kayla Lamoreaux created a digital layout using clothespins to display her tiny pics. I thought it was so fun for a spring look, that I recreated it with actual clothespins from the craft store.

I seem to be getting away from inking all my edges lately. Because there were so many patterns on this page, I decided to define the edges with a journaling pen. It's kind of a fresh, fun look.

I unearthed this little Pebbles bee die from the forgotten stash at the lss. Isn't he cute? I tried to mimic his flight path with gold wire which I curled and looped. There's also a bee on the 2nd page of the layout. Can you see it?

My Nearly Perfect Life

2010-03-13T21:39:00.003-07:00

I had so much fun making this layout for a class! These are my all time favorite colors, and it makes me happy to look at them. :) The idea for the theme evolved a lot as I was designing it. But in the end, I think I achieved what I was after.

Still photos from Flickr.

Sometimes I get very overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that come from being a wife and mother. It seems so hard sometimes to juggle all the day-to-day tasks between a job, housework, and all the activities in between. I look in magazines and see beautiful homes with sparkling kitchens and think, "That's what I want." However, I don't think those things are real. Not in my world anyway. What IS real to me is my family and the peace I feel in my tiny haven I call home.

Hopefully, my layout conveys a little of all this. I wanted clean lines mixed with shabbiness to symbolize the difference between my idea of perfection and reality. It was fun getting a little messy with the Tim Holtz mask and my favorite color of Glimmer Mist...Olive Vine.

Here are some close ups:

The flowers are super simple to make. Just punch a few different sizes of circles from various patterned papers, spray them with a little water, then crumple. You can speed up the drying process with a heat gun. Add a button or other embellishment in the center and sew all the layers together with a little floss tied into a knot. Voila! Wonderfully shabby flowers!

I crumpled the tags too and then sewed them on with my machine.

These Heidi Swapp stamps are some of my favorites. I embossed the title with American Crafts Zing embossing powder.

I printed my journaling onto vellum, then crumpled it all up. Vellum kind of tears when crumpled, but it just added to the shabbiness. I cut my journaling into strips and machine stitched them directly to the background. That eliminates the never-ending problem of how to attach vellum without seeing the adhesive.

Well, that's my version of my nearly perfect life. What's yours?

Family Tree Shadow Box

2010-03-09T09:23:00.005-07:00

A couple of weekends ago I got to work with the beautiful new "Lush" collection by My Mind's Eye. I *Love* the gorgeous flocked papers, the classic patterns, and the rich looking embellishments. (My favorites are the flocked alphabets and the velvet ribbons). This line comes in 6 colors...black, brown, blue, green, pink, and red.

I had so much fun mixing the green and blue collections together for this family tree project! The hardest part was finding and editing all the photos. After that, the rest came together pretty quickly.

I used three different sizes of circles punches for the photos. The leaves started out as circles too, and then I just hand trimmed each one into a leaf shape, folded them down the center, and inked. Some of the photos are on pop dots and others aren't (in a random sort of way). ;)

*Here's a little tip: I have always kept a scalloped paper on hand to use as a pattern when needed. Many different companies make them in various shapes like this or this.

I decorated some wooden photo blocks that measure 2x2. I thought they could stand alone or be displayed next to the shadow box. I covered all 6 sides of each block with paper, then inked around the edges. The "knob" was made by threading beads onto a corsage pin. Then I drilled a hole in the top of the block by pounding a nail into it and removing it. I glued the pin with the beads into place with Diamond Glaze and finished it off with a little ribbon.

Here's what they look like displayed all together:
I have plans for a very girly layout using the pink collection and the Donna Salazar flowers. Hopefully I will be able to work on it soon!

Gorgeous Paper Flowers!

2010-03-05T17:34:00.004-07:00

I am soooo going to make these flowers by Donna Salazar! Check out a video tutorial here. I will post my results soon.

Something's Missing

2010-02-26T16:48:00.008-07:00

I had to dig back through some of my older photos to find these of Cameron's 1st lost tooth.

I decided that I'm really behind with organizing my pictures from my film camera days. I used to be really good about it. In fact, I was doing great until 2007. I don't know what happened, but I think I need to take a weekend and write on the backs and file them before I forget (even more) of what they are all about.

This layout is for a class I'm teaching at Porter's in March. It's pretty simple and uses the super cute Lil' Robots line from My Mind's Eye. I used lots of QuicKutz dies and border punches on this one. It came together pretty quickly and would be a great way to use up scraps of paper left over from other projects.

I love the little Robot guys...

There are die cut ones on cardstock weight paper:

and some chipboard pieces that are similar:

I blacked out a tooth on this little guy so his smile would match Cam's.

More October Afternoon

2010-02-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this layout I had started a few weeks ago. Yay for me!!

I love this Report Card collection from October Afternoon. I could use it again and again!

This layout idea is a great way to use up scraps left over from other projects:

Love the tiny Tim Holtz paper clip!

Buttons are one of my favorite "go-to" embellishments. Notice I also used my new favorite "Upper Crest" border punch?

Here are some more "Report Card" layouts I blogged about last month.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Life Stories

2010-02-18T23:25:00.003-07:00

It's official! I am totally in love with this collection! Life Stories by My Mind's Eye is all printed on kraft cardstock making for muted tones and an all around vintage look. There is a blue collection and a pink/red collection. I can't tell which is my favorite...I love them both!

Here's a story I've been wanting to document for a long time. When I was small I accidentally "stole" a spool of blue thread from a fabric store. After playing in a large bin filled with colorful spools, I didn't realize I still had it in my hand when we left. This is the story of the life lesson I learned from that experience.

Photo courtesy of lepiaf.geo on Flickr.

I got pretty messy with all of these layouts. For the title, I painted Tim Holtz grungeboard letters with crackle paint and then inked over them with dark brown.

I sponged blue and green distress inks onto the grungeboard butterflies, then finished them off with a spritz of Pearl Glimmer Mist.

I love making hidden journaling on a layout, especially if I have a lot to say. ;)

I saw the basic design for this next layout somewhere and now I can't figure out where it came from. (I think it was somewhere in the 2 Peas gallery). If anyone knows, please tell me so I can give them credit.

For my tree, I punched various sizes of circles from plain white tissue paper and sprayed them with Olive Vine Glimmer Mist. When I dried them with my heat gun, they kind of crinkled up, especially around the edges. Some of the circles were hit directly with the Glimmer Mist and show a gold shimmer. The colors soaked through to others when they were layered together which gave them a little different look. I think they turned out great! I attached each "leaf" with a tiny dab of Diamond Glaze.

The tree trunk was cut from a recycled piece of cardboard. I sprayed everything with an acid-neutralizer when I was all done.

This next project is a class I designed for Porter's.

These are a few of my girls who attend our scrapbook classes regularly. Some have been coming for as long as I've been teaching there (7-8 years?? I've lost count!). The idea for this layout was inspired by this video that I thought was way cool.

I've decided that Tim Holtz products work fabulously with this collection! The flowers were die cut from grunge paper. Then I colored them with a variety of alcohol inks, curled the edges, and added tiny beads to the centers. Check out Tim's beautiful grunge paper flowers here.

More Tim Holtz...grunge paper bird covered with crackle paint.

I tried cutting out paper dolls the old-fashioned way, but it was way too hard because they were so small. Then I discovered these cute little stamps by Autumn Leaves. Each girl is stamped individually onto patterned paper with...you guessed it...Tim Holtz Distress Inks. Then I cut around the entire row by hand.

Thanks for looking! I have another project I will post tomorrow.

Change in Schedule

2010-02-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made plans and they didn't work out? So you made plans again...and they didn't work out? And...well you get the idea.

So I've been working with the new "Life Stories" collections from My Mind's Eye for over a month, and so far I've managed to complete just one layout. There are 3 others in progress, but other things seem to get in the way. In fact, it was my turn to do demos at Porter's Saturday and I was working with these very products. Guess how many layouts I got done in 3 hours? ZERO! It was very busy in the store (which is good) and I spent lots of time helping people at our die cutting center (everyone seemed to be cutting lots and lots of hearts that day) and showing products to customers. It was fine, since my job is to help customers and sell products, but it really interfered with my plan to scrap. ;)

I was going to finish all my projects and show them to you all at once, but since that's not happening, here's the one I did manage to complete (and it's a partial scraplift anyway). Hopefully someday, I will finish the rest! :)

So without further ado, introducing Life Stories by My Mind's Eye:

Papers and Die Cuts: My Mind's Eye; Alphabet Dies: QuicKutz; Stamps: Great Impressions; Embossing Powder: American Crafts

I am constantly amazed at how quickly my kids are growing up. So I decided to document Taylor's journey from a boy to a young man. Notice the picture of the hands? His is bigger than mine now. It's kind of sad!

I was browsing through the gallery at MME and loved how Amber Packer cut apart the "Trip Information" paper and used just the compass from it. I also used the journaling lines to write a letter to Taylor and enclosed it in the large envelope.

The brown lace is actually made with a stamp and then heat embossed with American Crafts Zing powder. It's the perfect way to use as much ribbon as you want without breaking the bank!

Here's some detail on the journaling envelope that was stamped with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with clear powder.

Maybe by next week I will have more to show you. Keep your fingers crossed!

October Afternoon Report Card

2010-01-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

I love this school themed paper from October Afternoon and our scrapbooking store finally got some in! I've always been drawn to school and office supplies. School shopping at the end of summer is the best! So I especially love scrapping papers and embellies that look like that too. :)

I love how these papers can be used for non-school layouts and projects. Here's what I've been working on all week...

I've been wanting to make this layout for a long time but was waiting for the perfect product to come along. I hand stitched the red "emergency" lines in the center of the page with floss.

Papers: October Afternoon, Teresa Collins; Stickers: October Afternoon; Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug, American Crafts; Dies: QuicKutz.

Click here for the journaling in case you want to know. :)

Here's my sweet niece who always seems to find trouble. She had been dressed for maybe 5 minutes before we found her looking like this:

Papers & Rub-ons: October Afternoon; Dies: QuicKutz; Border Punch: EK Success; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts; Angel Wings: Heidi Swapp; Journaling Stamp: Autumn Leaves.

This is a layout I designed for an upcoming class at Porter's. I love how it turned out!

Papers: October Afternoon; Dies: Quickutz; Punches: Fiskars, EK Success, Martha Stewart.

By the way...here's one of my new favorite border punches. It's called "Upper Crest:"

And I love this one called "Diamond Lace." It makes large scallops:

Catching Up

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

I actually got to spend some time scrapping the last couple of nights, so I thought I would finish up some projects I started a few weeks ago. Here's the last layout I made using the new Bo Bunny collections, Persuasion and Love Bandit.

This is my niece. She and her husband are expecting their first baby, which they affectionately call Curbug...so cute!

I love the packaged buttons that Bo Bunny has been releasing with their latest collections. No more searching for the perfect colors to match your paper! I paired them up with one of my favorite QuicKutz dies to create a fun accent.

Well, I've actually completed 3 more layouts that I will post later. So stay tuned for a little Life Stories from My Mind's Eye and some October Afternoon.

White Space

2010-01-11T21:24:00.003-07:00

My goal for my scrapbook classes this year is to challenge myself (and hopefully my students) to try some styles and techniques that they don't normally try. One of the things I personally struggle with the most is leaving a lot of "white space." I like the look of it when I see it done, but I seem to think I need to fill up the entire page with something. So here is my attempt at leaving some wide open spaces...

My biggest problems with this page were:

a.) it has to be a 2-page layout for class and
b.) I had lots of journaling but only one photo.

I solved the journaling problem by printing snippets of my story onto tags and slipping them inside pockets created from swatches of patterned paper. Then I mounted the photo onto a large matte and placed it on pop dots so it would receive the attention it deserves.

I still had to add some little elements here and there...I mean HAD to! (I really don't know how to leave a layout alone.) I'm not sure I'm 100% in love with this page, but it's done and I'm moving onto the next.

"Life Stories" by My Mind's Eye is coming up...I can't wait!

New Bo Bunny Valentine's Collections

2010-01-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this new paper from Bo Bunny! There are 2 collections...Persuasion and Love Bandit. You can see them in Bo Bunny's catalog here.

"Persuasion" is my favorite. I really like the fact that this paper doesn't scream lovey dovey. In fact, I made a layout about the latest shopping excursion with my mom, sister, and sis-in-law. The photos were taken in the dressing room at one of the bazillion stores we visited while we waited for Jaci to try on some clothes. This is my mom and my sister...

I even made a tiny shopping bag with an even tinier JC Penney receipt. (I just photocopied an actual receipt and shrunk it down A LOT).

Here's the journaling that pulls out from each of the little paper bags along the side:

"Mom is the energizer bunny...we have to make sure we have explored every inch of the store before we can leave (you can't miss any good deals, you know). And if you don't believe you can spend 8 hours in one store, just shop with her once...you will be convinced!

Heather takes pictures of all the cute shoes she likes but doesn't buy, just because there's not room for 20 new pairs in the car and she wants to remember them all.

Jaci gets her fix by loading lots of things in her shopping cart then putting them all back, leaving the store with nothing. (Although one day we did convince her to buy two shirts for herself AND open a charge account so she could save 30%. She paid it off 60 seconds later).

I live vicariously through Mom and Heather by showing them all the cool things they should buy...and of course they do. That way I get my retail therapy without having to spend any money."

I know...we are silly. But we had lots of fun!

Now, onto another layout. This is my niece and her husband. I took the photo from their blog because I thought it was so cute. Don't ask me what Curtis is doing. :)

Some people wonder what to do with such a busy background paper. I think you should just let the paper do all the work and fill in with minimal embellishments. This is one of the fastest layouts I think I've ever made:

I have another one started, but haven't finished it yet. Hopefully it will be done by this weekend.

Cool Typewriter Font

2010-01-04T17:57:00.001-07:00

Here's a link to a cool (and free!) typewriter font called VT Portable Remington. Give it a try!

Free Layered Template for Digi Pages

2009-12-29T17:12:00.003-07:00

Ok...so I have to admit that making digi pages is kind of fun! I was browsing through Oscraps today and found a link to this free Layered Template by Paislee Press. It's a super easy way to make a layout in Photoshop, especially with her fantastic tutorial as a guide. I added a texture and some brushes and it still looks way too "clean" for my normal type of layout. I like it though...

This is my friend's oldest daughter, Ashley. Isn't she beautiful?

Home Sweet Home

2009-12-28T17:08:00.006-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Now that Christmas is over and things have begun to slow down a little, I thought I would share some of the projects I made this past month.

The first one is a home decor item made from a wooden board. I painted it and added the vinyl saying. Then I made the little houses to hang from each of the three decorative knobs. The base of the house started out as a die cut. Then I covered it with paper by Graphic 45, some trims, and other embellishments. I thought it would be fun to create a set of houses for each season and change them throughout the year.

Here's some extra houses that I turned into large tree ornaments:

Here's some mini versions (also made using an AccuCut die) that I used as gift tags as well as smaller tree ornaments. I love how they turned out and they added an extra special touch to everyone's presents.

I was thinking of this quote from Winnie the Pooh the other day and decided to make it into a hanging plaque for my friend. I created the print in PhotoShop and decoupaged it onto a small board. I thought it would look really cute hanging from a peg or shelf. She loved it!

I made some 8x8 calendars for the grandma's for Christmas. I will post those later this week. Thanks for looking!

My 1st Digital Page!

2009-12-22T00:55:00.003-07:00

OK, so I'm still not sure this will become a habit, but I decided to try my hand at creating a digital layout to give to my husband for Christmas. There were parts of it that were frustrating (especially since I don't really know what I'm doing), but it was still faster than creating a paper layout.

I have been downloading free digi kits from 2 Peas and Oscraps and other places for a long time "just in case" I ever figured out what to do with them. Well, here is the result:

Embellishments: Erica Hernandez "Feeling Bookish" from 2 Peas in a Bucket; Paper: Erica Hernandez "November 2010 Freebie"; Frame and Paint Swatch: Jessica Sprague; Textures: Flickr; Fonts: Adler and Karabine.

I used a lot of the techniques I learned in my Jessica Sprague photo editing class...adding textures, masks, text, etc. It was kind of fun and I like how it turned out. The project was inspired by the StoryPeople quote shown on the page. I'm going to print it out in an 8x8 size and frame it for one of his gifts.

So, what do you think for my first attempt?

Porter's New Year's Day Crop

2009-12-15T14:11:00.003-07:00

In between working, chasing kids around, Christmas shopping, baking, and a million other things, I have been helping to plan our big New Year's Day crop at Porter's.

I am so excited about the products we get to share in the paper crafting kits for that day! My Mind's Eye designed an exclusive paper pad that is not available in stores. It is one of my all time favs!! The colors are perfect and reflect something for every season. So as a design team, we decided to create some 1-page layouts AND an 8x8 calendar. It was so much fun to design!

Here's a peek at my part of the assignment:

Here's my 12x12 layout. The little quote says, "No matter the weather I'm glad we're together." I wanted to imitate all four seasons by using vertical strips of patterned papers across the top half of the layout. The swirl at the bottom is lots of fun and anchors the whole page. The little yellow heart is made from felt that is stapled into place. (Felt is my new favorite)!

Now, on to my 8x8 calendar pages. I made one set and then decided they were way too complicated for the short amount of time we had to create all of them. So I redesigned them to be more simple. The die cutting will be the most time consuming, and I will already have some of that done for our customers.

here's March...

June...
(It really needs a title. Mine is going to say "Relax." They can add whatever they want there).

September...

...and December. (More felt!!) :)

I'll post my "complicated" pages later.

If you are in the Idaho Falls or Rexburg area, please join us on New Year's Day. It will be so much fun and it's a great bargain too!

Free Scrapbooking Fonts!

2009-12-10T15:35:00.003-07:00

I was searching for a certain font (PeaMissy) and just stumbled upon the motherload of free scrapbooking fonts! Have a look here.

Click on either the "Fonts for Peas" link or the "Free Scrapbook Fonts" link. There is a button down the right side of her blog where you can download them all at once or you can pick and choose which ones you want. Each of the two links has different types of fonts, so you can really stock up!

Have fun!

AMAZING Paper Piecing on Ebay!

2009-11-28T22:03:00.003-07:00

Quick! Look at this amazing paper piecing on eBay before it's gone! This woman truly has a knack for details. I looked and looked at her photos but was still surprised with the tiny details still to be discovered after reading her descriptions of each page. It's a beautiful piece of art! I think it would be cool if this was photographed and made into a children's book with peek-a-boo flaps and hidden elements. It could keep a child busy for hours!

St. Nick is Here!

2009-11-23T23:57:00.005-07:00

As promised, here's a look at some fun Christmas projects I made this weekend using Bo Bunny's St. Nick collection. I love the vintage Santas and the pretty patterns as well as the rich colors.

Maureen Wilson, a member of the Porter's design team, created a project last year using a wooden "Joy" and a mat and frame. I was assigned to make another one this year using a different collection of papers and stickers. Here's how it turned out:

Surprisingly, this project was easy to make and only took a short amount of time. You can easily alter the look by using different papers and stickers or changing the mat and/or frame.

My next project was this fun Christmas banner. (Check out the December issue of Simply Handmade for step by step instructions for making a similar one).

I love how versatile banners can be. You can create some for holidays, birthdays, and other family celebrations. Here's a brief overview of how to make one:

Start with a chipboard base and cut into as many triangles as you would like. I found the perfect triangle pattern on the Maya Road website here. (Just scroll down until you find the "Book Templates." Then click on the triangle shaped book and a PDF file will pop up that you can print out).

Decorate the chipboard with bits of patterned paper, rick rack, and ribbon. Die cut stars (or any other shape) and letters to spell anything you would like.

I discovered a super easy way to attach glitter to the die cut letters without making a big mess. First, die cut your letters from cardstock. Then, run them upside down through a Xyron sticker maker. This will attach adhesive to the front of the letter.

Then sprinkle them with glitter and shake off the excess. It's as easy as can be and virtually mess free! (I loved the Martha Stewart glitter for this project).

Attach the banner together with wire or ribbon. You can leave a little space in between each pennant for tying bits of lace and ribbon if desired. Attach part of a Christmas pick to each end and finish off with some more pretty ribbons.

(I apologize for the quality of these photos. They were taken in the basement of the store and the lighting there was horrible)!

My last project for today is a simple layout I made using some scraps of paper:

Bo Bunny's "Buttons and Bling" were perfect for creating this little tree embellishment. There were still plenty of buttons left over that I plan to use on some Christmas cards later.

Happy Scrapping!

Jamestown

2009-11-23T13:18:00.005-07:00

I know I've been horrible about blogging regularly, but I have a good excuse. It all boils down to the chaos of being a mother to my 2 boys. :)

One of the many projects we've been working on at our house is a model of Jamestown for my 13 year old's History class. He had less than a week to complete it from start to finish. It's made mostly from popsicle sticks, cardboard, and poster board. Throw in a little paint and sand, and you've got a 3 foot model of the first permanent English settlement in the United States.

The fort was shaped like a triangle which might be great for defending itself against attacks, but not so great when trying to build it out of popsicle sticks. We finally got it to work out and Taylor was happy with the results.

Here's his Jamestown sign and the front gate.

A close up of one of the cannons with a cannon ball shooting out of it. (He loved that part the best).

We took the project to school last week for grading. It wasn't easy to maneuver because it was so big. (Taylor didn't mention it could be smaller than 3 feet. His was the biggest one there!) We had to turn it sideways just to get it through the door.

I thought for sure they would keep all the models on display for a few days at the school since all the kids worked so hard on them. But no...we got to bring it right back home the same day. Now it is sitting in the middle of my living room floor. What do you do with a giant model of Jamestown? After all the hours of labor he put into it, you can't just throw it out right away. Besides, I will most likely end up helping with another one in a few years when Cam is old enough...I wonder if we can just use the same one?!

So I promise there will be some Christmas project ideas posted tomorrow. I worked on some this weekend for Porter's and they turned out really cute. So stay tuned!

Using Scraps

2009-11-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

We have a neighbor lady who has been very sick for a long time. We decided to cheer her up with a big, bright, happy card from all the Primary children in our ward. I was trying to get this made at the last minute and only had scraps to work with. But I love how this turned out! It's amazing how a little of this and a little of that can turn into something that makes me happy to look at! :)

Papers: Bo Bunny, Cosmo Cricket; Dies: QuicKutz
This is the outside of the card. It's 12x12, just like a regular sized layout, because we needed lots of room for all the kids to sign their names inside.

This is a shot of the inside of the card before they wrote in it. It looked so cute when it was finished with all their little kid handwriting! We delivered it to our neighbor on Sunday since it was her birthday. She loved it!

28 Photos!

2009-11-08T22:47:00.001-07:00

I've been working on this fun Christmas layout and trying to find a way to put lots of pictures on one page. (I can't be the only one out there who takes a bazillion photos during the holidays, right)? If I counted right, there's 28 pictures on this layout altogether! How do you ask? Well read on...

I started out with little 2x3 photos (Read my last post to find out an economical way to print this many pictures). I created a grid that spanned a two-page layout and filled in the space with 2x3 bits of patterned papers as well as my photos. Then I created a large flap that lifts up to reveal even more!

I was able to showcase everyone in the family this way. It was a lot of work, but I love how it turned out! I used the new Christmas collection by My Mind's Eye and the matching die cut page turned out to be really handy. It included the journaling blocks, title, and little punch-out embellishments that I could fill in empty spaces with. I also used stamps, QuicKutz dies and other flat embellishments. Ultimately, I ended up with lots of journaling space, lots of photo space, and lots of places to embellish. What more could a scrapper ask for? :)

This type of layout would work great for any event where you take lots of pictures or want to summarize a period of time. Think "Year in Review," school, or holiday themes.

Photo Cropping Made Easy

2009-10-24T22:36:00.000-06:00

I love creating "Gratitude" layouts. Even though the things I'm grateful for stay pretty constant from year to year, I think it's fun coming up with new ways to express them.

This layout was inspired by the phrase "Counting my Blessings." I thought it would be fun to substitute falling leaves with numbers to symbolize the abundance of blessings we receive each year. I also wanted a way to include lots of pictures on the page but keep the layout linear. My solution came in the form of 2" x 6" photos. This way I was able to add 7 photos without overwhelming the overall feel of the layout. I left one photo in color, because I wanted to showcase the beautiful autumn colors as well as the temple, and changed all the rest to black and white.

Papers: Pebbles; Dies: QuicKutz; Stamps: American Crafts, Hampton Art; Border Punch: Fiskars; Cork: QuicKutz; Other: felt, buttons, pins, ribbon.

PHOTO TECHNIQUE:

While reading through the September 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes, I ran across an article by Jessica Sprague about a cool technique for getting multiple photos on one 4x6 print. She taught how to create six 2x2 photos on one print and I used the same technique to get two 2x6 photos on one print. I have looked all over the internet for a link to this and haven't been able to find one. So I will share with you how it's done. Please keep in mind that I am NOT a Photoshop expert at all, but this is what worked for me. (This tutorial came straight from the Creating Keepsakes magazine...I have just changed the dimensions to create the photos for this particular layout).

1. Open two photos. Go to File>New>Blank File to create a new document. Set it to 4" wide, 6" tall and 300 pixels per inch. Click OK.
2. Double-click on your first photo in the Project Bin to switch to it. Select the Crop Tool. In the Options bar at the top of your screen, type 2" for the width, 6" for the height and 300 pixels/inch for the resolution. Click and drag over your photo to select a crop area. Double-click inside the selection to commit.
3. Select the Move Tool. Click and drag the cropped photo down onto the thumbnail of your new document in the Project Bin at the bottom of your screen. When Photoshop Elements switches over to your blank document, click and drag your photo to position it as desired. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each photo.

This is what your 4x6 print will look like when you are done. Simply cut them apart to attach the photos to your layout.

I love using this technique for printing wallet-sized photos as well. It's a real money saver and takes the guess work out of cropping manually. Give it a try!

Celebrate Fall!

2009-10-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. I love putting on sweaters, drinking hot chocolate or hot apple cider, and snuggling up in my Minkee blanket with a good book. I am inspired by the vivid array of fall colors that surround the beautiful area we live in. It really puts me in the mood to scrapbook!

Orange has never been a favorite color of mine, but I have to say that when it comes to fall, I make an exception. We always have to take the traditional photos of carving pumpkins and the kids playing in the leaves, and orange seems to be the perfect accent!

I created this layout using the new "Boo to You" collectio n by My Mind's Eye. I loved that these papers were not just about Halloween. The owls were the inspiration behind this layout. I thought they were too cute to resist and matched perfectly with the QuicKutz owl die I had sitting around.

The idea for this layout came from a sketch I found online. I changed it up a little and spread my photos across the bottom of the layout. There's room for up to 10 photos and lots of journaling.

Here's a few more Fall layout ideas I have created over the past year...Enjoy!

We R Memory Keepers

2009-10-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I got to play a little bit with some new papers from We R Memory Keepers. I only wish I had time to create some more! I have a half-finished layout on my desk that I wanted to post along with these. But maybe it can be a bonus idea in a few days.

First off is the Geo-Hectic collection. It's great for all things boy! I love the die cut edges and lined papers, but I especially love these giant metal brads! I used some of them to create my title in this simple layout:

Also included in this collection is some cute foil tape in the shape of gears, 3-D stickers, glitter brads, acrylic $1 stamps, and matching textured cardstock. Cute, cute, cute!

Next is the "Twirl" collection. Who wouldn't love this? The colors are bright and vivid and although a bit girly, I was still able to use them on this page about me and my boys.

I used the 3-D stickers for my title and some of the embossed cardstock stickers to embellish throughout. The little bird, song notes, and journaling block were all created with the cute $1 stamps.To see more of this collection up close, click here and scroll down a little bit.

Great "How-to" Blog

2009-10-15T18:18:00.006-06:00

This is just a quick post to point you in the direction of a great crafty blog I found today. The Pursuit of Craftyness has contributions from some well known designers in the industry. I LOVE the tutorial index you will find down the right side of their blog where you can link to some great step-by-step instructions for anything ranging from how to color felt to making cards from recycled materials.

I really love this post about how to make your own journaling labels. I might have to try that with my QuicKutz dies.

There's some great inspiration there, so take a peek when you have some time! You can also become a fan on Facebook. They have a link on their blog for that as well.

Enjoy!

Halloween Treat Bucket

2009-10-12T18:17:00.004-06:00

I made this Halloween Treat Bucket awhile ago and thought it would be fun to share it now.

I started with a 1 gallon clear paint can and some double-sided paper. I trimmed a sheet of paper to the same height as the can and carefully slipped it inside. By placing it inside the can instead of attaching it to the outside, it solves two problems:

1. You don't have to figure out how to cut your paper around the round metal deals that hold the handle into place.
2. You don't have to worry about any adhesive showing through the can...either on the inside or the outside. See? Easy, peasy!

Next, I created a label on my computer that says, "Place treats here. (No tricks allowed)." I framed this with some chipboard that I cut by hand and attached it around the can with some thin ribbon.

Finally, I added some matching chipboard embellishments to the title and also hung some from the handle with twine. I placed some arrow rub-ons on the outside of the can, pointing the way to the opening where anyone can drop in some candy (just in case they needed help finding their way there)!

I like how the can looks dimensional with elements on the inside and the outside. It was fun to make and Cam used it for trick-or-treating last year. It was a real hit!

Fancy Pants Halloween Collection

2009-10-01T09:00:00.002-06:00

I'm in denial that it could possibly be Autumn already. Where did the summer go?

One thing I like about the changing seasons is the new collections that start rolling into the store. Among the many Halloween lines out there, Fancy Pants "Trick or Treat" is one of my favorites!

For one of my classes at Porter's, I wanted to show people that you don't necessarily have to use these papers for a Halloween layout. So instead, I created a boy page that's all about the weird things they do!

I used the Tim Holtz chains to "hang" some of the photos from and to give the yellow monster something to dangle off of. I love all the different sizes of googly eyes too! It was a fun layout to make and has space for lots of photos or some more over sized monsters.

My boys aren't excessively noisy or dirty, although if you saw their room today, you would wonder. However, there have been days I've come home to things splattered on the ceiling (imagine Olive Green Glimmer Mist on my vaulted living room ceiling..."I don't know how that got there, Mom!") or bicycle tires floating in the bathtub (that's a story for another day). They do have some funny quirks, as I'm sure most kids do, and they seem to be oblivious to dirt. But I can't imagine my life without them...dirt, slime, noise and all!