January 31, 2013

My Heart


So glad today is finally Friday and this super busy, snowy week is over with! And so glad the kids are finally old enough to really help with chores - it has been a life saver. Plus they love getting to earn a little money too.

But anyway, Liz and I are posting our final projects for the "Have A Heart?" challenge on the Pink by Design blog this week. It's been a long time since I've made a layout but as soon as these photos came in the mail I'd been aching to put this one down. Such a great memory of my sweeties lying in the grass on a warm fall day. Her waiting for a turn on the rope swing; him experiencing the sights and scents of the outdoors for the very first time.


I pulled out the Instantly stamp set even though I used an honest to goodness real 4x6 photo on this page rather than a fuzzy phone pic. It's still got a few great bits for making journaling cards and of course the arrows!


This challenge requires that you use a heart on your project. Link up by Saturday for a chance to win a stamp set from Pink by Design! PBD stamps are not required (but we do love to see them).


My heart. Love them so so so very much.

I am also linking up to the following challenges:
Two Peas In A Bucket - Seeing Double
Scrapbook Steals.com - Monday Craft Madness #8

January 30, 2013

Classroom Valentines Tutorial


Hello! I have another project to share today for the Pink by Design blog and our "Have A Heart?" theme. These boy valentine's for the classroom were created using the Rockstar stamp set. This set is so perfect for boys - lots of cool sayings (hope your day rocks!, you rock!, you're a superstar!) that are not at all mushy or sappy.


I left the images blank so he can color them in and on the right side, under the candy, he signed his name.


The front is pretty simple (between the 3 kids, I'll be making 70 of these!) - just a patterned paper panel, a heart and a rhinestone. They are also pretty quick to make once you get going in assembly line style.

Since we are sharing our rhinestone tips today on the blog, I'll put it down here too -
If you use a lot of bling or have to make a project in multiples, it can be much cheaper to purchase the loose rhinestones in the kiddie craft aisle rather than the pre-adhesived scrapbook specific kind. Had I bought the latter, it would have cost around $15 just for bling, while the loose rhinestones were $5 and there are still lots left over. A pop dot or just some score tape is an easy way to adhere them down. Chances are the kids will peel them off anyway. 

In case you are interested, I'll share the dimensions for creating these:
1. Cut cardstock panel to 8 1/2" wide by 3 3/4" tall.
2. Score the width of the cardstock at the following inch marks: 2.75, 3.00, 5.75, 6.00.
3. Stamp sentiment/photo on lefthand panel of cardstock. Have child color.
4. Adhere wallet size photo (2.5" x 3.5") to center panel.
5. Flip cardstock over and adhere patterned paper (2.5" x 3.5") and heart to rightside panel.
6. Flip cardstock back over and have child sign name on righthand panel. Staple candy to top of panel. 
7. Fold score lines and fold valentine together. The patterned paper should be on the top.
8. Glue down rhinestone to heart to complete. 






January 28, 2013

Call Me, Maybe


Hello there and hope your week is starting off right! Me and Liz are up on the Pink by Design blog this week with a new theme - Have A Heart? We know you're getting started on your valentine's cards and all we are asking with this challenge is to include a heart on your project.

Enter your heart projects for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the Pink by Design store - maybe you could pick up the cute "Call Me" stamp set that I used on this card. We'd love to see your PBD but it is not required.


I am also linking this card to the following challenges:
Moxie Fab World - Use 10 different embellishments
Studio Calico - Weekly Challenge
Elle's Studio - Sketch Thursday
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Valentine's Day/Love

Have a great day!

January 27, 2013

I'm Fawning For You




Welcome to the latest Paper Issues hop - Fawning for You, so generously sponsored by Lawn Fawn!
You should have arrived here from the lovely Nina's blog, Waffleflower, but if this is your first stop, be sure to head over to Paper Issues and start at the beginning!


I put together this card using the Flutter By stamp set and an amazing chalkboard art technique from Betsy Veldman. Oh my gosh, so excited about this technique and am wanting to try it on every stamp set I own! I won't distract you from the hop with links but seriously, Google it when you're done hopping if you haven't already seen it!

I used Colorbox Pigment Ink in Frost White - it's the perfect opaque shade of white ink and works great for this technique!


Anyway, I thought the sentiment from this set would be great for a teacher - with the chalkboard, paper clip, file tab and staples. Lots of bright color and fun little bits. Maybe for an art teacher or just a colorful friend.

And that's all from me :)

Since this is the last stop on the hop, click over to the PI Facebook page and do the following to win a stamp set of your choice from Lawn Fawn.

1. Like Lawn Fawn on Facebook (tell them we sent you!)
2. Like Paper Issues on Facebook
3. Leave a comment

Thanks for hopping with us today! And if the hop is leaving you so inspired you want to pick up some new product to play with, drop by the Paper Shop and use my code STAMP for 20% off your entire order. :)

Also linking up to the following challenge:
Moxie Fab World - 10 Embellishments

January 22, 2013

Ombre - Here to Stay


Hi! My posting here has been so sporadic lately. I've kind of accepted that the old bloggo is going to be neglected for the time being and that's okay. I'll just pop in to let you know what I'm up to on other people's blogs :)

Like today, I'm up on the Clearsnap blog with a technique video for creating an ombre background. Love this trend and hope it never, ever goes away.

Okay, see you soon!

January 11, 2013

52 Wishes


Hi and happy Friday! We have one final day of inspiration to share over on the Pink by Design blog for this week's challenge. I created this wishing jar using the Fresh Goodies stamp set. The tin once held jasmine tea but I repurposed it by covering it with patterned paper and twine. The inside will hold tiny scraps of paper with wishes for the coming year - both big and small, one for each week.


To decorate the tag, I stamped the jar onto vellum, cut out and layered over white paper for visibility. And of course, I can barely make anything these days with out adding in some glitter and a bow. That's going to have to change now that we have a new man in the house.

Link up your inspirational/motivational projects here for a chance to win a $10 GC to the Pink by Design shop!

Speaking of the little guy, I have some 3 month photos to share:


Such a happy little fella. He loves to be held and be doted on and I can't help but oblige. Loves his bath and being naked. Loves watching the big kids play. Smiles at anyone and everyone who looks his way.


He also discovered his little hands this month. We were hanging out the moment he noticed them and a big grin came across his face and he's been playing with them ever since. Delight.


I couldn't be more in love. <3


January 9, 2013

The Key to Happiness


Hello! Today is day 2 of our team's challenge on the Pink by Design blog - use motivational or inspirational quotes in your projects. Whether you're documenting your goals for the new year or simply sending some encouragement via a card - we want you to link up for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the PBD store.


Today we are also sharing techniques for bow tying. Liz has a great one for creating a flat ribbon bow and I am sharing how to make a double bow using the 3 Girl Jam bowmaker. Check out the video below.



I am also linking up to the following challenges:
Play Date Cafe - PDCC163
The Deconstructed Sketch - Sketch #83

Have a great day!

January 7, 2013

Dream Big


Hello! I have a project to share today for a new challenge over at the Pink by Design blog. This week we are challenging you to use inspirational/motivational themes in your projects.


I created this card by combining a sentiment from Subway Art with a premade sticker for a one of a kind greeting. 

You can link up your projects on this post or at the linky below for a chance to win a $10 gift card from Pink by Design. 



I am also linking up to the following challenges:
Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger // Sweet Dreams
Two Peas In A Bucket - Scrap Your Stash // Brads
Studio Calico - Sunday Sketch

Have a great week!!

January 5, 2013

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013

Tiers Of Joy Christmas Card
Create unique Christmas cards with Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.

Hoping you had a very merry Christmas! I am running about 2-3 weeks behind on life in general around here, but will be checking in again with some new projects and photos next week!

Enjoy your weekend!