Altered Tin

I had a few tin boxes from my local craft store and they were just too plain jane for me. So I decided to turn one into this...

This took a little bit of time to make. First I painted on two coats of gesso. I made the flowers next, three large and six small. Once I got going on those they went pretty fast. Then I used my handy silhouette to cut out all the leaves from two solid sheets of cardstock and one sheet of patterned paper. I painted on some green to the bottom portion, used my silhouette again for the picket fence (love that!) and the grass. Used my favorite butterfly punch for some detail. Then it was just adhering everything down...which I did with glossy accents (holding everything in place very nicely!)!! I am going to use this to hid the candy in my studio...love having m&m's and reeses' pieces near by!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

Christmas in July

I have a Christmas card today...I know it's very early for a Christmas card. I made this little gem for the AC Design Team Application. Notice a trend this week?? Yep, I'll be back tomorrow with my other project. You're going to love that one!! Maybe I'll through in a sneak peak of that after the card. But for now, my Christmas card...

I love using pink and green for a Christmas card. So untraditional, but looks really nice and cheery! Everything on this card is AC except for the ink.

And now for the sneak of tomorrow's project...

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

True Love

This is the second layout I submitted with my application for the American Crafts Design Team. I love the simplicty of this layout! This has to be my favorite picture of my dear hubby and I as I have used it on a few different projects in the past few weeks!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Locks of Love

This was the layout that I sneaked a few days ago. I sent this in as part of my American Crafts Design Team application. I finally scrapped the pics of my getting my hair cut off (chopped off would be a better way to describe it) to donate to locks of love.

I tucked the journaling behind the post cards I received for my hair donation.

The jounraling reads:

I have never been attached to the length of my hair. I have grown it out many times, just to cut it off really short. I love the shock value doing something this crazy has. Most people would not do something this drastic. If you know me, you know I am not most people. I had been growing my hair out for quite a while, then I watched Anne Curry cut her hair off on the Today show and donate it to Locks of Love, which must have been  a few years before I cut mine, but watching her do that gave me the idea to do it myself. I figured that this time, I would at least be cutting of my hair for a good purpose, not just to end up in the trash. So I started to research how many inches I needed so I would have an end point. You need to have 10 inches of un-processed hair (natural, free from dies, perms, etc). I qualified since I cut off and had re-grown out my natural hair from my last dye job. I think at that point I was somewhere near 8 and a half inches. I talked to my hair dresser who suggested I get a quarter inch trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the hair strong, so that is what I did. By the time July 31, 2007 rolled around I knew my hair was long enough. I woke up that morning not knowing if it was the day or not. My parents both asked me, but I had not made the decision yet. That ws very un-like me. Usually I knew when I was going in to the hair dresser what I wanted, but not this day. I told my mom to bring the camera just in case. I did not actually decide until Aggie, my hair dresser, asked me what we were going to do with my hair today. At that moment, I knew it was time, and I replied "we are going to cut it off and done it to Locks of Love." Of course she asked if I was sure, which I was. So, since she had already washe dmy ahir, she dried it, then braided it. She asked me one more time if I was really sure, which I absolutly was, and she proceeded to cut the hair off. I ended up donating over 14 inches. For most women, going to such a drastically short length would have been hard, but for me I loved it! And knowing that my hair was going to go to help someone made it feel even better! I am currently in the process of growing my hair out again, to donate again, though I do not think I will go this short nedt time, but with me you never know. I am a woman, and I reserve the right to change my mind!!

Here's a good shot of the before. Also, I love the Martha Stewart butterfly punch layered over the Dear Lizzy fabric paper! So cute!!

And this is a good shot of the after. It was REALLY short!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

It's that time of the month again...time for another Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. I loved the challenge this month - using office supplies!! In early June, I went to a workshop at my LSS given by the fabulous Margie Romney-Aslett. In that class, she showed us how to take an ordinary file folder and turn it into a mini album. I have been addicted to doing this ever since! This is the third of these little albums I have made, including the one I made at the workshop.

This is a good shot of the hybrid part...the patterned paper I used for the Balloons is from the July Color Couture Download. How have I not used these downloads before?? Love the patterns and for $5 I have an endless supply as long as I have some good white cardstock on hand!!!

Love the Crepe Paper!! I didn't have the right color, so I just took some white and sprayed it with my glimmer mist...pretty good match if you ask me!

Yep, this is one file folder...folded a few times. This one is still a work in progress. I basically have only finished the front cover and the bones of it. It's still waiting to be filled with photos, notes, embellies, and other fun stuff. This is what the bare bones of the inside looks like. I used pattern paper on the bottom fold portion, then just solid cardstock on the upper portion. Also, I should note that I only used enough of the cardstock to go behind where the bottom portion is folded up. This way you're not using paper that no one will see anyway. You can see where my pattern paper wasn't quite the right size, but I didn't want to use another sheet...so I just cut a scrap piece, added some stamping, and I've got the perfect little embellishment on that last page. Oh, and this is also my first Hybrid project (Color Couture Download).

This is what the back of the book looks like. It's not going to have too much more added (no one will really look back there), but I may add a few more flat items. Again, the ticket strip was added because my patterned paper was a little short. Just needed to be a little creative a few time...nothing new for us paper crafters is it??

Here's a better shot of the ticket strip! Love that I could use Just the Ticket and It's Official on this strip!! I left the lines blank figured I can add a date when I actually put things in the little mini album.

And finally back of the mini book with the spiral note die, library card die, and stamps from It's Official. Added my name as well.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the Blog Hop tonight! If you're headed to CHA, have a safe journey!!

Deb

Supplies: (all Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Office Supply: File Folder

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores

Pattern Paper: Library Ledger, Color Couture July Volume 6 Download

Stamps: It's Official, Just the Ticket, Up Up & Away, Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs, Take Note, Fillable Frames #5

Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up!)

Dies: Up Up & Away, Cloud Collection, Large Scallop Border, Library Pocket, Spiral Notebook Page, Just the Ticket Border, Scalloped Circle (Nestabilities)

Other: 1 3/4 ince Circle Punch (Stampin Up!); Electric Blue and Patina Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angles); Crepe Paper

American Crafts Card

I really wanted to make a simple card with minimal supplies and I knew I wanted to use some Dear Lizzy products that I adore, so...I came up with this:

I die cut the fabric paper with a butterfly die from Papertrey Ink, then I used my Martha Stewart butterfly punch with some of the Friendly Fern Dear Lizzy patterned paper. I attached them together with my tiny attacher (one of my favorite tools)!! I then took the swirl from the Warble Dear Lizzy stamp set and put it on my acrylic block in a curve instead of using it as a straight swirl and stamped it with some Punch Hero Hue's Chalk ink. The sentiment is from the same stamp set stamped in Grass Hero Hue's Chalk ink. All on some basic white AC cardstock. Love the simplicity of this!!

I'm going to be posting my American Crafts Design Team submissions next week so keep an eye out. Right now I am finishing up my project for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop tomorrow evening.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

Sneak Peak

I have spent the last few days working on some projects with lots of American Crafts products and I wanted to sneak peak one of the layouts I did. I will post everything soon, but for now this sneak will have to do.

Oh and by the way, I am loving the American Crafts adhesive found here. I was looking for a new permanent adhesive so I gave this a try...

I picked up the three pack, and I like them all, but I LOVE the dot runner. Going to have to get refills very SOON for this!! Here's more info from American Crafts on all of their adhesives that were released at Winter CHA 2010.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Saturday!!

Deb

Boo

I am back with another layout today. I made this layout of my sister's dog, whom she lost around Memorial Day. He is a Great Pyrenese-Lab mix who lived to be 12 years old (quite old for such a large dog). I am planning to frame this and give it to my sister (so I am hoping that she doesn't see it here)!! I know he is missed and I am hoping that she and her family will like this!

I used lots of Papertrey Ink buttons. The stamping is from the Fresh Alphabet set by Papertrey Ink, stamped with Smokey Shadow Ink (also by Papertrey Ink).

Thanks for stopping by today!

Deb

Just me writing today

No card or scrapbook layout today. Just wanted to type today and explain how one goes from a Secondary Education-Chemisty major to a History Major-Political Science Minor. Here's how:

Flash back to Spring semester 1997 (my freshman year). I had an appointment with my education major advisor to set up my fall semester for my sophomore year. I had it all planned out Organic Chemistry, Physics 1, Calculus 3, and a few electives. I was going to stick with the Chem major, I was not a quitter when the going got tough (as it had gotten...mainly in Calc 2). That spring semester of 1997 I was taking Calc 2, Chem 2, US History, and something else I quite honestly can't remember. So to my appointment I went and I waited for my advisor to arrive since I was early. But then the appointment time came and went, and I still waited...waited...and waited some more. I think I waited almost 30 minutes, but then it happened. I looked up and actually whispered "is this a sign?" I picked up my bookbag, which by then I had set down on the floor, and left...headed back to my dorm room. I grabbed the phone and called my future roommate (who worked in the admissions office) to have her bring back a change of major form. Yes, this was still the time of forms, before everything was computerized. That was when I decided to change my major to History.

Thanks for listening to me blabber on today and thanks for stopping by!
Deb

Celebrate Sunshine

Used two American Crafts stamp sets on this one - Warble from the Dear Lizzie line and Glee from the Blue Skies line. I like how these two sets worked together on this one. I think I am going to get a lot of use out of these stamp sets!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

fun and quick card

Back with a card today. Just wanted to make a fun and quick card with not a lot of stamping. Used some of my favorite Girl's Paperie On Holiday papers, a Tim Holtz stamp, and some Papertrey Ink Ribbon. Quick and easy!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Deb

Sometimes you just need a SKETCH

So yesterday I was in the middle of making paper flowers and grass and picket fences and butterflies...when I just needed a break and needed to create a scrapbook page...but my mind was too fried with the aforementioned to really be creative with the layout. Do you ever have one of those days?? So cue Rhonna Farrer's 100 Creativity Exercises sketches! I recently got the kit from her blog (found HERE) and just picked a sketch to use. It's pretty much spot on to the sketch...I was totally mentally drained! Here is what I came up with...

Not sure I've posted a scrapbook page yet! This is one of my neices. Used some old supplies from my stash (the Heidi Swapp Flowers and clock) with some new supplies (the letter stickers from American Crafts and the label found in Rhonna's kit). Overall I am pleased with how it turned out...even if it's totally based on a sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

U Rock!

Wednesday was my 9th anniversary and I got a lovely watch from my dear hubby. I mainly wear a men's watch that I had gotten from Target a few years back...just love the look of men's watches. It really started many years ago when my watch broke, and I borrowed one of my dad's...I've had a love affair with men's watches since. I am allergic to fake jewelry (LUCKY me) and break out into intense hives if I wear anything by real gold or stearling silver, so I wore my dad's back in the day because it was an athletic watch on a cloth band...no worries about having a reaction. When I found that the particilar watch I have in the present day didn't cause a reaction, I just stuck with it. Well, my dear hubby wanted me to have a nice feminine (meaning made for women) watch that I could wear...bless his sweet heart!! It's both silver and gold, so it will go with everything!! Just like him to be thinking about how I am all matchy matchy when it comes to the small amount of jewelry I wear!!

Anyway, along with the watch, I received a box of Papertrey Ink goodies I had ordered, and a Live with Prima kit I had ordered!! Great day Wednesday!! And it was Papertrey Ink's release night too boot!! What a great anniversary!!

With my new goodies I made this card...

Used my new Say It With Style stamp set (how did I not get this set when it first came out??) some Summer Sunrise ink, ribbon, and paper from the Bitty Box paper collection. Loving Summer Sunrise!! Can't wait to get my latest order with the new Harvest Gold!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

Mahalo

Not sure if I've posted this one yet. Broke our my Aloha stamp set from Papertrey Ink a few weeks ago and made a fun thank you card with the Mahalo sentiment. Love the surf board and the post card stamps!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Happy Anniversary

I just wanted to wish my hubby a very Happy 9th Anniversary!!! Here he is with our nephew, Matt...

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

Ten Years

Next Wednesday, my hubby and I will celebrate our 9th anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been 9 years. To celebrate, I made a mini album totally inspired by Liz Kartchner's fabric paper scraps mini album she showed on her blog a few days ago. You can check it out here. I made mine a 6x6 and kept it pretty simple. I used just one wallet sized photo (matted of course) and punched journaling spot (for the place and date) and a flower embellishment. I used some ribbon trims too, but not too much. I still have two photos to add - one from this year and one from next year...then it will be just a quick glance back at us over the first 10 years. Such fun putting it together - boy how we've both changed!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Supplies:

Fabric Paper: Morning Melody, Peony Party (Dear Lizzy by American Crafts)

Pattern Paper: Peonies (I Do by American Crafts), Friendly Fern (Dear Lizzy by American Crafts)

Cardstock: White (American Crafts)

Flowers: Paper Route, Velvet (The Girls Paperie); Green, Pink (E Line by Prima)

Brads: White Pearl, Baby Girl Pearl, I Do Pearl (American Crafts)

Ribbon: Butterflies, White Woven Gathered Edge (American Crafts)

Silhouette Shapes: Celebrate Banner (House of 3); Picket Fence (American Crafts)

Other: Black Precision Pen (American Crafts), Label Punch (EK Success), Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz), Glue Dots, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart); Light Pink Pearl Gems (Hero Arts); Pink Tiny Type letter stickers(Cosmo Cricket); Fabritac

My Messy Desk

Oh my word my desk is messy today!!!

This is what my desk looks like when I am working on a project! How can I work like this?? I pull everything out as I need it and don't put anything away until I am completely done with the project. Working on a mini album that I should have up tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb