“2 Years & Still 2 Cute”

Yellow.  That is my current mission.  I will conquer and triumph over yellow.  And 5 layouts later, I think I’ve got a good grip of yellow! 

I took it even farther on this page and used some number thickers.  It’s always annoyed me when so much of a pack of alphabets is numbers.  I rarely use numbers.  I think it goes back to elementary school and the constant badgering of Mrs. Malcolm to write out any numbers less than 10 as a word!!!!!   I can just hear her tone now!  AHH!!!!  So that has carried over and I rarely use numbers because when I do, I spell out the word.  Normally, this page would be “Two years…..”  But this pack of Thickers was 1/4 numbers!  And so annoying to me, I just couldn’t let them go to waste.  Now, I still think it looks “wrong” because it is a number rather than the word, but for this title, it wouldn’t have fit well  if I spelled it out. 

Not much for journaling on this page.  I did a similar page that I’ll post in a couple days that has some heart felt journaling.  These will go next to each other in the album, so I didn’t feel this one needed more journaling of the same thing.  Just the pictures and title tell the story enough.  “Hallelujah carnival 2009 & 2011” is it for journaling.

I also used some foam dots to give lift and depth to the photos & orange circles. 

 

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstock (burntish orange), American Crafts cardstock (cream) & Thickers, Basic Grey paper (Picadilly), misc (buttons, floss & burlap), Cuttlebug embossing folder

“Happy Birthday”

I haven’t done much scrapbooking lately.  Lots of other creative projects, but not may layouts.  I didn’t realize how much creative energy the holidays and my “list” of to make for the holidays were zapping!  I was beginning to feel discouraged that I hadn’t wanted to work on any layouts. 

So I cleaned of my desk and found some new inspiration.  I had a few pictures from the kids birthdays that I haven’t scrapped yet.  Wait, I hadn’t scrapped any of their birthday pictures yet.  Have I ever mentioned I don’t do “theme” well?  I have this problem of purging photos down to just one or two.  I love the sequence of them as we sing “happy birthday” and blow out the candles. 

 

Supplies:  Simple Stories, American Crafts, Misc:  buttons, bling & floss.  Design completely by me. 

“You Are So Charming”

Yellow.  I’m afraid of yellow.  I’ll admit it.  But this Fall I bought a few sheets of beautiful Authentique papers in yellow.  What was I thinking?  And they sat taunting me in the front of my paper files.  Everytime I opened the drawer, they said to me “you’re afraid of us..ha ha ha ha.”  Wait, you mean, talking paper isn’t normal?  Well, then forget I said that.

Now fastforward to last night.  My friend Ashley was the creator of the sketch at Frosted Designs this week.  It was a sketch that was much more “me” so I was very excited to do it.  I pulled out a couple photos and decided to give it a whirl.  Then I opened the paper drawer to pull paper and again those yellow papers started to taunt me “you’re afraid of uh……………………..” But before they could finish their little taunt, I snatched them out and decided I was going to put an end to that.  No more unruly papers in my stash. 

I set to work, and an hour and a half later, I’m extremely happy.  I don’t normally spend that much time on a LO because, well, I’m not very patient.  However, if I’m always that happy, I’m going to start spending that much time! 

Oh, and Yellow, I’m not afraid of you anymore (at least not as long as you’re paired with grey & black).

Oh, oh, I have to share this!!!  See that alpha for “charming”…..I bought a new set of dies from PaperTreyInk they are AWESOME!!!!!  I LOVE the scale of the letters.  I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of these bad boys….The die set was $16, but because it will give me near unlimited cuts and possibilities, move over thickers.  Sorry, but you’ve been replaced.  (and $16 is actually very affordable for an alphabet die set).

Supplies:  Authentique, Paper Trey Ink (die & buttons), misc bling & floss, American Crafts Cardstock, My Little Shoe Box (ledger letters), Basic Grey stitching templates, Fiskars punch

Simple Winter Card

A couple pieces of paper, some ink, a button, floss and flower can work together to carry a pretty good simple elegance.

A perfect winter card!

Supplies:  My Minds Eye, misc

Jewelry frame

I've had a wonderful season so far. It's a blast watching Christmas through the eyes of my kids and the magic they see in everything.

Part of Christmas to me is making gifts for family and friends. When I received a recent circular from Craft Warehouse, I saw something in it that I just knew I had to do!! It was a hinged frame jewelry "box". I thought it would be the perfect gift for my hard to shop for mother in law. So I hightailed it to Craft Warehouse in Wenatchee and got my quick little hands on one of the frames. I absolutely love this idea because you can interpret it any way. The possibilities are endless.


This is the frame I picked up. I bought the 12x12.


First, open the back of the frame and pull out the piece of foam. I used this in my project, I just flipped it around so the cloth was in the back. Then I adhered my piece of 12x12 paper to it. I put it back in the frame, closed the back and began to work on the front. For the earrings (and to add some decorative touches) I used my favorite adhesive, Beacon 3 in 1 quick dry adhesive to apply a crotcheted ribbon. (Yes, the jewelry is made from elements and crystals from Craft Warehouse as well)


I then measured equal distances and use the same 4 pins that came in the frame as the "hook" for the necklaces. I put them in at an angle equally spaced.


Supplies:  Hinged Frame, My Minds Eye Laundry Line Two paper, American Crafts Crocheted ribbon
The finished project came out just as I had expected. And if my mother in law doesn't like it, she's always welcome to give it back to me because I'll gladly put it to use!
Have a Merry Christmas, and Happy Crafting!

Gifts of Heart

Merry Christmas everyone.  The night is winding down, my little ones are nestled in bed.  It was a blessed day, a day we spent together as a family.  We were all fighting a virus this week and none of us felt healthy, so we stayed home yesterday and today and just spent the wonderful time together.  We played some games, watched a Christmas movie and just had a great time being together and remembering that we celebrate to remember our Savior leaving Heaven to come to earth as a meek baby, to live a pure and blameless life so that he might later sacrifice himself to save us from our sins.  What a glorious majestic event! 

Of course, part of our modern celebration is to give gifts to those we love.  As I shared last week, our tree was blossoming with abundance.  We opened all our gifts and enjoyed the blessings.  After the kids unwrapped their gifts, we unwrapped all those little packages of love under the tree.  The kids (especially A) had been so busy making little gifts the last few weeks.  It was a treasure to watch them.  I knew that each gift was made full of love.  And I think from her excitement in making them, love is her love language. 

Well, when all the presents were unwrapped and the wrapping paper in the receptacle, we were left with more than 50 of these precious drawings.  Priceless, but what was I to do with them?  Then I realized it’s moments like this that I’m so grateful I’m a scrapbooker and have this abundance of tools.  I gathered up all the papers and set to work to make a mini album.  I figure that one day, I’ll treasure these pictures. When they are teenagers and don’t want to talk to me, or in some of the misunderstandings I’m sure we’re bound to have as they are adults, or even when they have kids and I’m seeing grandkids the age they are now.  I’ll treasure these.  And this became my favorite gift this Christmas.  Better than the iPhone (although it’s pretty darn cool), better than the bamboo cutting board, better than the Starbucks (well, depending on the day). 

I put a picture of them this Christmas and told the story “This Christmas was such a special Christmas.  We spent the day together as a family.  There were many presents under the tree, but the best were the tiny 50 plus wrapped gifts.  You two (especially A) spent hours and hours, multiple rolls of wrapping paper and scotch tape to provide many abundant gifts of Love.  Each work of art was a work of heart.  Little gifts that aren't’ so little when you realize how full of love they are.”

 

Supplies:  Bind It All, Echo Park, American Crafts Thickers, My Little Shoebox, K & Company

Photo Coasters

One more little last minute gift idea.  I used some photos I took of the munchkins and made some photo coasters.  Same principle from previous posts.  I printed them on my home printer, let them dry a bit.  Trimmed to 3.75 x 3.75”.  Mod Podge but then just for a bit more protection, I sprayed then with a clear glossy acrylic spray (like the acrylic sealing finish coat that’s with the acrylic paints in the craft section).

So Much Love

Our tree is overflowing.  I’m going to be grateful and view it as a year of abundance and blessing.  I truly believe it is only because of the good Lords provision that we are as blessed as we are, so that is how I’m going to look at my tree.  In spite of all the struggles we’ve had this year, it’s been a fabulous year.  And I will count each and every blessing. 

 

This  year, my tree is very symbolic of that to me.  The tree itself, well, it will go to the goats the day after Christmas (did you know goats love to eat trees?  they do!)  The tree itself is looking pretty sad, it’s very dry and the branches are getting weepy.  It’s fighting to make it to Christmas.   Sometimes, that is life.  We get up, and we fight and struggle to make it through the day.  We push forward because we know we have to, not necessarily because we want to.  Just as my tree is barely hanging on, so sometimes we do in life. 

But if we look down, to the bottom of the tree.  There is blessing and abundance.  Both material and simply love.  This year, more than ever my tree is blossoming with love.  You see, at the bottom, there must be at least 60 little handmade, handwrapped gifts.  Three large rolls of wrapping paper and two rolls of Scotch tape later, it’s spilling over.  Yes, there are many material gifts as well.  More than usual in fact (thus the abundance) but just as importantly, are these little gifts of love.  Little trinkets that say “to Mom” or “to Pa” that just make my heart happy.  And it’s those things that remind me why when I feel droopy and tired like my tree, I pursue on.  To provide shelter, a home, and protection for those little gifts of love.  And the joy they return back to me, makes every day worth the battle that is life! 

I am so truly blessed.  Blessed beyond belief!  Thank you Heavenly Father for my loving gracious husband, for my two little gems of children, for the abundance, blessing and love you shower upon us day after day, minute after minute.  Help me to see them for what they truly are!

“Santa 2010”

I’ve had this picture of the kids and Santa from last  year taunting me for over a year.  For some silly reason, I don’t feel the holiday “spirit” to scrap Christmas in February or August.  So it has continued to sit on my desk.  And maybe because I hand’t found the “right” papers for it yet either.  Not sure, but anyway, I checked out Frosted Designs yesterday and saw their sketch.  I thought it might work to finally get this photo scrapped.  So I did.

Supplies:  Simple Stories (all papers & stickers), Paper Trey Ink (buttons), Misc floss & bling

My Newest Favorite Product

Just wanted to share for a quick moment what some of my newest favorite products are.  I am loving the 6x6 patterned paper stacks.  I didn’t “get” it for a while, but now I’m gaining quite a collection (and I’ve been buying these instead of 12x12 sheets for the most part).

I wanted to share it today, because if you have any last minute “what do you want” requests or last minute gifts for scrappers, these stacks are perfect for stocking stuffers.  But here are the reasons I am loving them so much lately:

1)  Affordable.  They’re a great way to get the entire paper collection on a budget.   I did the math, and per square inch, every collection I’ve bought, the price per square inch is the same in the 6x6 stack as the price per square inch of the 12x12 papers (individually).  So you can get much more design variety for the same price per square inch.

2)  Smaller Scale.  This used to be the part I didn’t like.  However, my scrapbook style has changed and now I rarely use a full 12x12 sheet as my background.  I didn’t previously like the small prints on a full 12x12 sheet (and I still don’t).  But when I cut down a 12x12 sheet into say a 4x4 piece, often the print is then too big for a smaller piece.  Because I’m now using many more small pieces rather than full sheets, these are a perfect fit! 

They are also a much better size & scale for making cards (and we all know how I feel about cards – anyway to make them easier, and I’m on it )

3)  Less Waste.  When cutting them down for a smaller piece, I a) don’t feel guilty about that I’m cutting a 12x12 sheet for a 2” square, b) I’m wasting less paper overall if I do only use that 2” square and don’t end up using the rest of the paper.

 

I’m finding these are a fantastic option for many reasons!!  I’ve been working on a few projects to focus on them in use, so stay tuned to my blog after the holidays to see them in action!!

And Santa, if you’re reading, I wouldn’t mind a few more, e-mail me if you need to know what collections …..LOL

 

 

***Oh BTW – Hilary, if you’re reading this, can you e-mail me again.  I’ve had e-mail and computer trouble, and I’ve lost your address….***

Ruffle Bag Tutorial

I have a confession. I have an addiction. To bag. Cute bags. Frilly bags. Simple bag. Charming Bags. Sophisticated Bags. I pretty much like them all. If only I could carry 20 at a time, I'd be happy. Of course, I might end up on "What Not to Wear" because of my major fashion faux pas, but I'd be happy!! 

A couple weeks ago, my addiction was tempted....we were walking through downtown waiting for the Christmas parade to start and I saw an adorable whimsy ruffled bag. SO cute! I almost bought it until I realized I could probably make it on my own. Now, I'm not the best seamstress in the world (not even sure I qualify for the name "seamstress"), but I knew that even my basic skills would allow me to make this adorable bag. So I set out. And I did! And today, I'm going to share the pattern with you.

 

 

Before we begin, let me say, I am a self-taught sewer (wait, that isn't the right word, I guess I will have to call myself a seamstress, because I'm most definitely not a sewer! LOL).  So as you are reading these directions, if you know a different way to do this, them please do! I've just figured out what works for me (aka a lazy seamstress), whether it's "proper" or not, I have no idea because everything I know I've figured out on my own. Fabric:

Cut pieces of Fabric: (note – no printable pattern because these can all be cut easily with scissors and tape or rotary cutter, or a sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper can work great as a pattern)

3  4 x 22 pieces of patterned fabric (2 or three patterns)

2 squares 12x12 of patterned fabric (should be same pattern as one of the 4x22 strips)

2 squares 12x12 solid coordinating fabric

2 strips 4 x 16 solid fabric

(For shopping, purchase 1/4 yard patterned fabric, 1/2 yard coordinating fabric, 1/2 yard solid fabric)

The first thing we'll do is gather the ruffles. Stitch a long stitch and gather.

Note: I didn't hem the ruffles. Part of the charm of the bag is that they'll fray and be more whimsy. If the perfectionist in you can't allow that, then hem away.

Stitch along the gather stitch. Repeat with additional two ruffles, placing each on 1" above previous.

When all layers are stitched, stitch down the side to keep the ruffles in place for assembly.

Now we will move on to the straps. Fold one piece in half and stitch the open side together with a 1/4 seam allowance.

Repeat with second strap.

Turn the strap inside out. 

Stitch strap flat using an 1/8" seam allowance. Repeat on second strap

Next, begin assembly.  Pin back to font with right side of fabrics facing each other.  You will see the wrong sides.

 

Stitch together left, right & bottom.

Now we need to pin in the straps.  I have a picture for visual, but PLEASE don’t assemble it exactly as seen.  The straps need to both be placed inside the front & back just as you stitched it.  Do not do anything to the front & back you stitched together. Leave it exactly as is and place straps as seen here except between the two layers instead of outside. 

 

Stitch the handles to the outside. 

Now, we need to stitch the lining together.  Place the two right sides of fabric together.  Stitch around sides & bottom with a 1/2” seam allowance.

On the lining only turn right side out.

Now slide the lining (with the right side out) into the front/back piece with the right side in.  You should have the two right sides looking at each other, while you are seeing the wrong side. 

Pin together.

Stitch the two pieces together using a 1/2” seam allowance.  Stitch nearly around the entire thing, but leave a 3” opening so you can turn it right side out.

Fold the lining and the outside down where the hole was that you left for turning it. Stitch.

Pull the right side out.  If you’re not comfortable getting it to lay right, now is a time you can use the iron to iron the bag into the “shape” you’ll want it to be.

No, to finish it off, after you have the bag laying correctly, stitch around the very top with a 1/8” allowance to hold everything (including the straps) in place.

Enjoy!!