Hey, just wanted to share some projects I made this summer. I keep thinking that I haven't done much but then I find pics of my projects that I totally forgot about. I made this care using my silhouette, scraps, and stamps...that's it.
The sun shape was made using my Silhouette. It was a single piece (white cardstock) but I wanted to layer it. I need to do a tutorial (someday!) on some tricks I use but basically I duplicated the sun, then erased the inner lines on the second so I had just a solid background. I scanned my Studio Calico letter stamps and made a shadow cut so I could stamp my letters right on the cut pieces. Such a great way to use your letter stamps for titles and cards.
This album is to hold Aydan's birthday cards...not only for one year, but for as many that will fit. Used chipboard from Ranger to make the covers. It was too narrow so i added a 2" strip to each side, painted it, then covered up the seams with the cheveron paper strips. Those and the title were made using my Silhouette as well. I took of those brown buttons, just seemed too small.
Added some holes on the sides for the rings and there you go, a quick album that only takes a short time to make and all your cards are filed away. This would be a great idea for showers and weddings as well.

This layout above and below were make from CKC St Louis. My friend Laura was teaching some CK courses and these are just two examples of the layouts. When I came home I added pics and some other embellies. Super quick way to get some pages done!

Been super busy this week in my craft room. I can't believe how many pages and projects I've done. First up, this 7 gypsies artist tray:
I was inspired by this idea here . I pretty much lifted most of it. There were some products I didn't have so I changed those squares to my own design. Used a ton of October Afternoon Papers and a lot of Maya Road chip boards and stick pins. Lots of misting going on and also used a lot of Making Memories Vintage Findings. I have a whole drawer of that line...got most of it for 80% off last year at Michaels. And when I went to photograph this my flower was missing on the upper left hand corner so pretend there's a large flower there.
The tray took forever to complete but I've been working on it here and there for a few months.
This is a pic of my dinning room. Its part of our front room and the place that people see first when they walked in. The room used to be yellow and the table was pine. I painted the table and the walls, added the mirror, changed out the light, put a medallion on the ceiling, and changed out the curtains. The curtains and the mirror are from Ikea. The whole project cost me less than $300. Its been going on for a few months now. The table took me forever. I'll post some how-tos soon on that.

I also took profile pics of Kendall and Aydan and my sister worked her magic in photoshop. Had them printed at Walgreen's-even though I have 2 printers, the amount of black ink used was worth paying them to print. The frames are 9x12" and are from Michael's.

This layout if a lift from my friend Laura Vegas. You can see her layout here. I love her style and this layout was perfect for 2, 4x6 pics.

See that rosette under the heart? I've tried to make those with no success, this was made with the Tim Holtz Rosette Die for Sizzix. I went to my LSS just in search of that and when they had it, I ran to grab it. It was on 2 peas before but was sold out. Lovin his dies!

And the title? Its just a nickname that I've had for both kids since they were born. Just a term of endearment. Used mostly KI papers here (pink and brown and the border diecut), lovin their products lately. I wasn't a fan before. And just a layout of Maui when she was a pup. She got real sick and had to be in the hospital. These are pics that I had printed out for my trip with Heather but didn't have a chance to finish. This was a super quick layout!

I've also worked on my california album last week. I have 12x12 page dividers that divide the page into 6x12 pockets, with 3, 4x6's. they are made by We R Memory Keepers. I made 9 of these pages using October Afternoon and Jillibean Soup papers. The diecuts are also from OA.

I used some AC letter stamps (Ginger) on the title page above on the diecut.

Aren't those letters cute? I got them at Michaels and I love the size of them. I also used my new Fiskar's postage border punch. Love. Love. Love!!!

If you're still with me, thanks, lol. That was a lot!

Teacher's Gifts

Teachers are so important in our kids lives. We depend on them everyday to teach our kids right and our kids need people like teachers to look up to. I am actually very sad that my daughter is finishing first grade in a few weeks because we love her teacher so much.

I was searching around for some handmade gift ideas when I came across Jennifer McGuire's Blog and found exactly what I was looking for. You can see the cards in the last picture in this entry here and the product in its entirity on the Hero Arts blog here.

I used some Stampin Up cardstock in Very Vanilla and a Memories inkpad in brown. I first did a test stamp on a piece of computer paper and measured where the sentiment would need to be typed on the page. Using photoshop, I typed the text and moved it in the correct location. I had the grid on for guidance. I did a few test prints and worked it out. The flowers are vanilla HA art flowers so I sprayed them with some Glimmer Mist.

The folder was made using the technique found here. I used some Stampin Up cardstock Chocolate Chip to make the folder. Before I assembled it, I used a HA background stamp and heat embossed it with some Ranger clear embossing powder. I strung it with some ribbon and added a title. I didn't have room for the "s" in notecards and its killing me.

I made 10 notecards and tomorrow I'm heading to Hobby Lobby to get some colored envelopes. I have some white ones but they don't look so great next to the vanilla. Hobby Lobby has a great stock of AC envelopes in different colors.

I'm not sure if I want to add anything else to the front. Would love any input that you might have. Have a great week!

365 is done!!

So I finally, finally finished up my 365 album. I had a few filler pics to print and I had to fill the spots on the front and last page. I was so stuck and I searched and searched for ideas but couldn't find any. I had kept most of the index prints from Costco so I cut them up in slices and just pasted them to the cards from the kit...kinda like a summary. I also journaled the front and explained what this album is and added the date, my name, and then added the 2009 stickers. The pics might be kind of cheesy but its done. If I see something better, I can always change it.
So glad I did it but will be taking a break this year.
Next year I'd like to do the digital version of it.

The pic above and below are from the first page.

The one above is from the back page...the one below are my last two pics of the year.

A chipboard coaster I made for Valentines Day...Used Bo Bunny pink dotted cardstock, Hero Arts Stamps, SU Ink, Ranger Embossing Powder, and the Slice Calendar Card for the title. That Calendar card is one that I thought I wouldn't use but seem to go to a lot.

And Maui, who is nearly 4 months old now. She is a beast in everyway. I love this monster!

The kids were having fun with their tunnels and they put one up on the love seat. Maui ran up it to the top of the couch. It was so adorable.

Thanks for looking...

A framed collage

Long time, no post...oh my!! I had to quickly share this. I've been dying to make a collage in a frame to hang in my house. I've been learning bit by bit from my good friend Laura, who is a professional collager! She emailed me some tidbits and advice about making these in photoshop and I was so excited to get started but then my computer broke.

So Laura posted some awesome info HERE on her blog and then she was featured in the CK blog for an educational step by step into collaging (you can see that entry HERE). When it comes to PSing, I have a grade of about a C-. I can do basic stuff but I always had a problem with resizing, so Laura gave me some hints and it just opened my eyes! Then after seeing the CK blog, I learned from her how to copy and paste the pics by using the rectangular marque tool. I always had a problem moving my pics on my canvas and that hint really helped. Make sure your pics all have a 300 dpi. Super important or your pics will not be the correct ratio to the canvas.

I made my collage on an 8.5x11 canvas and resized my pics to 2" wide by 2.5" tall. For the background I used Contact cork paper (from Michael's) and stuck it right to the back part of the frame. I found this frame is a closet that I was cleaning...good find!

The year and the photocorners were made using the Slice. Perfect tool since everything needs to be flat here. I used repositionable adhesive on everything here so that I can take everything off and replace the photo and embellishments next year with. Then I'll take this photo sheet and scrap it...probably using everything here. Thanks for looking.

Supplies Used:

11x14 frame (Hobby Lobby?)

Cork Paper: Contact

Patterned Paper and Flash Card: October Afternoon

Letter Stickers, Slice Machine (Studio Findings card): Making Memories

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug

Halloween Topiary

Right now all I can say is that my scraproom is a terrible mess...counters are covered in crafting supplies, stuff all over the floor, yet I didn't even scrap this weekend. I did make a decorating project, however, but I made it at the kitchen table.

I've seen so many Christmas trees on 2peas lately using styrofoam and folded patterned paper. I literally made an emergency stop to Michaels on day this past week just before they closed because I was dying to make the Christmas tree. Problem was that I couldn't find any double sided Christmas paper...LOL. I was thinking about it more and came up with an idea to make a tree for Halloween but different. I'm pretty happy about this tree, what's even better is that everything here came from Michael's or Hobby Lobby's general crafting section. Its so fun to take some basics and turn it into something of your own. OK, I'm going on...but here's the supplies and instructions:

Supplies: Terra Cotta Pot, 2 different sized styrofoam balls and one square one, a wooden dowel, black and purple paint, glittered modge podge, wired glittery ribbon, straight pins, potting grass, double sided halloween paper, small foam black and orange glittery balls, wooden fence, and Krylon glitter spray.

Instructions:

Paint the terra cotta pot with black metallic paint, let dry and add a coat of the glittery modge podge, hot glue the square piece of foam inside of the pot. Let dry. Spray paint the styrofoam balls (this is where I messed up, I let my kids paint them black and it took hours to dry). Use a skewer or other tool to make a hole in one end of the smallest one and push through until you reach the middle.

Cut the dowel rod to size and paint purple or any other color.

Cut up the patterned paper. I used 12x12 sheets and cut about 16 pieces that were 12" long. I stack 4 of them on top of each other and wound it around the pencil to curl it. Cut the curled piece into 6 segments...don't measure, just eyeball it, you don't want all the pieces to be the same lenthwise or across. Start pinning the curled pieces with normal length straight pins. Leave the area around the hole bare until later. Take the second, larger ball and skewer a hold through the middle all the way through to the other end. Cover the ball with the patterned paper leaving space around the holes again. Put a hole in the middle of the square styrofoam and pour some hot glue into the hole. Put the rod into the pot, then feed the larger ball, then the smaller one, leaving space in between, do not feed the smaller ball all the way through the rod. Fill in the bare spaces with more PP strips and add ribbon and small ornaments with hot glue. Take project outside and spray the PP with glitter spray. Fill in the pot with the potting grass and add a broken fence.

Hopes this helps...if you have any questions, please ask.

Check out this party happening at Be Inspired Party at Rooms to Inspire!

In a couple of days I'll be sharing some more infomation about my trip to California and also a great piece of furniture I got for my scraproom!

Week 15: Project 365 and a Fun Project to Share

I have had this Making Memories photo cube for a while. Today I decided that I would get it done no matter what. Its going on my desk at work so I decided to go with an office theme. I covered the box with cork contact paper and used a bunch of Making Memories "Noteworthy" papers and embellies. I like how it came out!

this is just a view from the top and side. I covered the bottom square with the cork and left it blank.

I wanted the top to have a frame so it would look unique. i also used a definition transperancy over the photo and added a frame and some ribbon, tag, and a charm. The charm is flipped up in this picture. Not supposed to look like that.

I added a lot of felt as well. There is supposed to be a button on that second star. It fell off!

Also added some noteworthy journaling book pages and cut them to size. The buttons are tied with some jute.

Another view from the top. I gotta add that you can get the cork paper by the roll at Michaels in the art section. Its nice because it already has adhesive on the back and it sticks very well. I also suggest that you cut it with a craft knife. I used scissors at first and it leaves a rough edge.

Supplies Used:

Photocube, Paper, transperancies, frame, journaling pages, paper flowers, ribbon, staples, epoxy letters, charm: Making Memories

Cork Paper: Contact

Felt: Fancy Pants Design

Buttons: Hero Arts

and now to the photos for week 15...

Sun, April 5: Kendall went to Anthony's birthday party. They are the best of friends and have known each other since they were three...they go to school together.

Mon, April 6: Tonight Aydan asked to sleep in Kendall's bed...i let him but now its becoming a habit. I don't mind but they each have their own room. It is cute though. Yes, and Aydan is addicted to his Cars again...has to hold them all the time.

Tues, April 7: Our tree by our house...it finally has buds on it. Hopefully spring will decide to make its appearance here soon!

Wed, April 8: I really didn't feel like taking Kendall to the birthday party Sunday so Ozan made a deal with me. I take her and he would finish up painting my scraproom. This picture really can't capture how nice it looks. I am using this small part of the counter for my cuttlebug and my Slice stuff. My printer is below that counter. Its really big!

Thurs, April 9: My kids go to an early education school at the college my husband works at. A police officer made a scheduled appearance to Aydan's classroom to show them about his job and they even got to sit in the police car. This happened at the end of their day, so Aydan was wiped out and fell asleep on the way home. Ozan brings them to and from school. When he pulled up at the house, he ran inside and yelled, "Carla get your camera"...he knows that I love to capture this stuff! {note the car in the hand again} And I love how his lips look pouty when he sleeps.

Fri, April 10: Kids just "hanging around" in the backyard. Yes, we are still in winter coats! Ugh!

Sat, April 11: This was an easy day for my project...coloring Easter eggs! Have a great Easter!

Week 11: 365 Project

Another week here and I'm so excited that I will receive my 365 album this week, thanks to my friend Laura!! It will be so awesome to have that album in my hands and actually start it! I have a lot of work to do but I'm up for it. Been a good creative week as well...its feeling more and more like spring and our moods are picking up. I think it also helps to have more sunlight in the evening. I didn't add Saturday's shot from last week so I'm adding it here.

Sat, March 7: Kendall is always saying that she wants her hair short like mine, so I finally caved. We got our haircuts at the same time and she's happy! This is a gorgeous pic of her! We actually took this pic today because we didn't take one last weekend.

Sun, March 8: OK, terrible quality here!!! The kids built a tent in Kendall's room with sheets and made quite a mess. They asked me to join but it didn't last long. I'm too uncomfortable. LOL! And my kids look really funny here, as do I, but it was the only shot of us all looking at the camera.

Tues, March 10: My junior xray students. This was taken at 8:00 AM at the hospital I work at and we had terrible weather outside. It was pouring and it looked like night-time out there. I'm definitely planning on taking more pics in the future. I like this location because its a brand new building and there's tons of windows facing east.

Wed, March 11: Just starting giving the kids a shower rather than a bath. Its easier on me so I don't have to stretch over the tub. We have a glass shower stall in our master bath so its easy for me to watch them. They have so much fun in there.

Thurs, March 12: My favorite shoes...wear these all the time. I think I got them in Dec or Jan but I had to take a pic. Love them. These are Dansko shoes, which are very popular with health care workers...and I don't wear my jeans that high, lol, just pulled them up for the shot. We switched to these terrible gray scrubs so I like to wear fun socks and shoes with them.

Fri, March 13: Made this for Kendall's room. I purchased an open stock frame on clearance, spray painted it white, added cork and some chicken wire, then added some butterflies. Most of them were made with my Slice. And I added the "Dream" with the Slice using some of their vinyl paper. I have to add that some of the butterflies fell off before I took this picture and I didn't realize it.

Sat, March 14: Ozan is very much into his bike riding...he'll ride about 20 a day. He hasn't purchased a new one in almost 9 years. He finally got a new one today and don't ask me how much it costs, we'll be paying this off for about a year. At least he uses it or I wouldn't have agreed to it!

OK, now for a few extras. I made this layout of when Aydan was born. I had these photos printed out a while ago. I trimmed them down and layered them on white cardstock. I did blur out two of the pics in this picture...not that there was anything bad, just don't want my bare belly shown nor a picture of my son before he was cleaned off. Used KI Memories sheer 12x12 sheet and then used a lot of Making Memories products on it...tons of Animal Crackers here.

This was my project this evening. I've been wanting to make jar labels for my scraproom for ages. I finally just grabbed some generic shipping tags, cut off the end a bit, stamped a journal background on it and wrapped some ribbon around it. I have a TON of American Craft ribbon so I used that for all the jars. I completed about 25 of them tonight and still have 27 to go. I actually ran out of the tags, so I'm stuck until Monday. But I liked how they came out.

And this is how I've been storing my clear stamps lately...use a Making Memories stamp folder and just put it in this Kassett box from Ikea. Its so much easier to flip through this and just pull out what I need. I have 17 sets in here and its only 1/3 filled. I know they make a binder to hold these in but it only holds so much.

OK, been a long enough post, right?? Have a good weekend.