I ♥ being a girl.

But sometimes being a girl is torture, don't you agree? This layout was created for the Sep 15 #43 challenge over at Gutter Girlz which I just may have missed - they have a new one posted already today.

THE PROMPT: Torturing Myself
THE SONG: Like it Rough by Lady Gaga
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: Rope

When I first saw this challenge it made me wince but then immediately realized that I and many other ladies torture ourselves on a daily basis all for the sake of vanity. And it must say, it's totally worth it.



The journaling reads "High heels, hot iron, shaving, waxing, bleaching. Just a touch of all the hard work that goes into being a girl."

If I may draw your attention to the pink feather on the page, there is a funny story behind it. My husband, his family and I visited the Omaha Zoo a few summers back. We were there all day, I was pregnant, it was hot and I was so so tired. Our final stop was in aviary, just before closing time. To cheer me up and to get an awesome souvenir, my husband jumped down into the flamingo area to scoop up a couple of pretty pink feathers. Of course it sent the birds into a tither (the poor things) but he didn't get caught and the feather lends a touch of exotica which seems appropriate for the subject of this layout.

Also added a bit of stitching and misting to fill that empty upper right hand space without overwhelming the already busy page. Was so happy to use some new products I picked up in a swap with a nice girl from Studio Calico. Used on this page are the tiny pink ledger alpha, black acrylic die-cut, "wild" chipboard, and the chipboard flower. Thank you MandyK for the excellent trade!

And thanks GutterGirlz for taking me outside my normal realm of scrapping. xo

All Girl

Little Leah is such a girly-girl. She loves dresses, pigtails, dolls and nail polish and is growing up to be such a nice young lady. These pictures were taken with her new quilt which was sadly ruined by a bloody nose!

Tried a few new techniques on this layout such as the paint smear with a credit card. I love the way it looks on others layouts but it doesn't stand out as much on a patterned backgroud. Also stitched the journaling lines onto paper which you can see in the close-up photo below.

This layout was based on the 9/25 Sunday Sketch over at Studio Calico by Vee Jennings. She is so amazing with the paint techniques and I really just love her style!

Supplies: Sassafrass, Making Memories

Fall colors

Nearly completed the little boy's quilt I've been working on this past Sunday and likely would have had it all done other than the binding if the stinkin' batting wouldn't have been too small. Somehow this quilt grew an extra 5 inches length and width-wise without me changing the original dimensions. Clearly my math skills are leaving me along with my short term memory. Sigh.

Still so ORANGE but I can live with it. Orange is usually a color I steer clear of, but for little boys it is so cuuute! Hopefully I'll hit the fabric store this week to pick up a new batting, although my mind is swirling with halloween costume ideas so this project may have to resume its place on the back burner.

Until tomorrow...

Floatin' Middle River

These photos were taken earlier this summer when my sister and her boyfriend came down to visit for the weekend. We floated down Middle River for 7 hours, camped overnight, and finished the rest of the float the next morning. Besides me forgetting to pack the burgers and dogs (and dropping my camera in the water), it was a really fun and relaxing trip.

 

This layout is based on an older SC Sunday Sketch from Jamie Waters. I love how 4 large photos are included on the layout but it doesn't look too busy. Picked out a bunch of random papers, including one from a christmas line, but they all look all right together.

Supplies: Basic Grey, Sassafras Lass, October Afternoon, Bella Blvd, Jenni Bowlin, Studio Calico, Maya Road, Fiskars

Cherry Bomb Mini

After renting The Runaways awhile back, I just had to dig out this micro mini skirt that I made 7 or 8 years ago. Most people either hate or love the 80's and I confess to be a big fan of the fashion of this era. Acid washed denim and shoulder pads? Yes, please!! I recall digging through the thrift racks to find the perfect pair of high waisted, back pocketless jeans only to get them home and discover they were made to fit a short prepubescent boy. The jeans into layered skirt trend was going on back then so I turned them into this super short creation. In my carefree teenage days, I wore it with brightly colored tights and band t-shirts and now I love the way it looks layered over dresses - almost like an oversized belt.

Do you have a piece of clothing from your adolescence that you've given new life in your current wardrobe? Do share.

The Most Wonderful Thing

You might remember these pics from the Fairytale Garden dress tutorial but they were so darling I just had to use them one more time. The journaling reads: "Two little girls, running around the yard in pretty dresses made by mommy, sniffing flowers, giggling and sharing their secrets. That is the most wonderful thing."

I'm so happy that the girls have a sister in each other. My own sis is nearly 10 years younger than me and though we are close now that we're both grown, we just didn't have that sisterly relationship that I see growing between the girls. Like all girls, they fight and get jealous of one another but at the end of the day, they are still one anothers first choice for playmate.

And it just so happens that one of the challenges at Studio Calico this week was to use two of your own sources for outside inspiration. I completed this layout on Sunday but I did use two things as a jump off point to creating the layout.

1. The cover of the September 2010 issue of Real Simple:

(source)

2. This dahlias from my own garden, which you can see in the photos of the girls. They are also very lovely in white, I'll have to look into this variety:

 (source)

And just so you know, I fully intended to participate in the Kid's Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley, but for some reason I just can't stop scrapbooking. The plan was to start the kid's Halloween costumes - I drew out the designs and got the material together, does that count for anything? What are your kid's going to dress as this year?

Hank Jr.

This sweet photo of my little baby Hank was taken three years ago just after I brought him home. As the smallest of the three pups left, he could fit completely underneath his brothers and was hiding and shivering beneath them on that fridgid March day. His coat was much thinner than the others and his temperment completely submissive (test the disposition by rolling the pup on his back to see how much of a fight he puts up - Hank gave no struggle at all) but I fell in love with the little guy on the spot. He might be a runt, but he's my little runt. Rat terriers range from 10-20 pounds on average, but as an adult he weighs just 7 pounds.  He runs free on our acreage but never strays far from the house, barks excessively to let us know when anyone pulls up the drive and is the best snuggler a girl could ask for - yes, he sleeps in the nook behind my knees at night.

I thought this Studio Calico sketch by Stephanie Wheeler with the triple photo did his cuteness justice. For the mask, I used the plastic holder piece that comes with my husband's bullets - I love rescuing garbage to be used in scrap projects and the best part is I'll have a different mask for every gauge size he has in the gun cabinet!

Love all these layered bits under the title and really wish it had been my own idea! Journaling reads, "The sweetest, most loyal, cutest pup ever...Hank Jr."

P.S. There was a Hank senior, but he was stolen from our yard several years back.

Lilac Headbands

Phew. Last night I stayed up way too late working on these headbands and I am definitely feeling it today. But when inspiration strikes, you just have to stick it out. These will be sent to the daughter and cousin of a couple girl friends back home and I can't wait to ship them out.

The rosette band is for a 3 month old baby girl and the pleated one is for a six year old. I think the zipper makes it a little punk rock, like her mama. Secured with a covered elastic band in the back.

Anyway, I've got lots more big plans for tonight and only a little time to do it before my own bedtime, so I'd better get busy. Goodnight!

A Night Owl

Its amazing what you can do when you move outside your comfort zone - this layout was created using Vee's monochromatic challenge over at Studio Calico this week - this may be my favorite layout to date. I had these pictures of my daughter playing on the kitchen table, far past her bedtime, with terrible lighting. When I saw this layout by Emily Pitts, it took me back to my high school collage days and I knew just what to do with them. Despite the lack of vibrant color, it still turned out fun and maybe even a little sophisticated.

I'll have to try these sort of challenges more often, in all areas of my life - you never know what delightful surprises might be waiting just around the unknown.

First Day + Funny Guy layouts

Love these photos from the twins' first day of preschool - they were so excited waiting for the bus and that excitement hasn't waned one bit. Even on Saturday they ask "are we going to school today?" This layout is based on the 9/12 Sunday Sketch over at Studio Calico. The original layout is by Jen Jockish - one of my all-time favorite designers.

I am still practicing my misting technique and achieved the border on this layout by misting around a die-cut sheet of paper. Its fun to experiment but I don't like the way the paper curls after it has been wet. It has something to do with the water-based mist I think - other brands don't seem to have this problem as much. That's okay - nothing a hot blow dryer can't straighten out.

PS - did you check out the sale at Michael's this week? Punches are 50% off - as you can see on the strips above, I stocked up.

Supplies: September Studio Calico Kit - Back 40, EK Sucess & Recollection punches, K&Co owl sticker, MM journal card

Also based on the 8/21 Studio Calico sketch by Emily Pitts, I completed this layout last weekend. So many of my layouts include three similar photos from the same setting so I snuck in one extra at the bottom. These are the silly faces my stepson makes when he's displaying his emotions. In order, they are: mean face, surprised face, happy face and at the bottom is my favorite - sad face. He looks truly in anguish. I thought the border paper was a fun shape - its the leftovers from cutting out an envelope.

 The other thing I like about this layout is the two instances of added girlishness  - glitter and jewels - that doesn't hinder the masculinity of the page. Hooray!

More layouts to share tomorrow, I can't believe the week is almost over.

Ruffled rose tank

Saw this cute tutorial over at Adventures in Dressmaking this past weekend and couldn't resist whipping one up right away. I had the perfect ill-fitting, boat neck 3/4 quarter sleeved top that was already destined for the donation pile and am so glad I could rescue it as I love all things sea-faring related. It was so simple and a project you can complete in just under two hours. Here is the original from Kate Spade:

The original almost looks like a seashell rather than a rose, but perhaps the material was a little thicker. The thin, super stetchy fabric I used had my rose so wilted so I had to topstitch it down in a asterisk shaped pattern. Nonetheless, a great way to dress up a plain, striped top. Thanks for sharing, Suzannah!

Seamstress Thank You's and a Giveaway

First off, I just have to brag - the hubs let me sleep in until noon today! That never ever happens and I don't feel one bit guilty. Sometimes all those early mornings followed by late nights really catch up and the body needs a full 12 hours to recharge. And they don't call it beauty sleep for nothing - my complexion hasn't looked this clear since well, I can't recall.

In my defense, this past weekend was super productive and I completed all the projects I want to post this week. Starting with this new set of sewing-related thank you cards.

The little banner card on the left is cute but nothing spectacular, I just really wanted to make one using the banner trend before it becomes completely old news. (Although my daughter and husband said this was their favorite.) The thank you on the right was really fun to make with all the colors and the frame. Its really hard for me not to use black as a "grounder" but I think the navy and brown do pretty well in it's place. You probably can't tell from the picture, but the dress from is double layered and elevated off the page with dimensional adhesive. Foam sticker centers that would otherwise be thrown away work so well for this!

These cards are my favorite! Red and blue is just a classic color combo that never fails plus the doilies and vintage sewing machine make my heart flutter. They were simple to make but I find them very striking.

In other news, oh golly miss molly I am very excited to say this blog has reached 3000 views! Seriously I appreciate everyone who stops by to check out my creations and to thank you I want to try another giveaway. The prize is this simple but elegant tablecloth and place setting pattern from McCall's. I bought it before realizing just how much three toddlers can spill in one sitting and now I am passing it on to one of you.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post and become a follower of this blog. I'll post the winner on Friday!

Tiny Serger! + a card

My husband came home from his grandparent's the other night with an excellent surprise! This tiny Tiny Serger from Singer. It uses three threads, weighs just 5 pounds and is so perfect for someone like me who is just learning to serge. I have been wanting one for some time now and am just so so thrilled! Will hopefully figure out how to thread the thing this weekend - thankfully it also came with the manual.

As a token of appreciation, I sent away this card to my grandmother-in-law's twin sister and also have another in the mail for GIL herself. Hopefully she doesn't read the print too carefully - the page came out of an old war novel and is littered with trash talk - am not too worried about offending her - she has a healthy sense of humor.

Hope you all have a marvelously relaxing and productive weekend!

Memorial Weekend layout

Here are some photos from our Memorial Day weekend. I just got around to scrapping them last night and had every intention of finishing and posting last night, but gosh darnit I was too tired. That seems to be my process - starting a layout at night, gettting to a point where something is missing but I can't figure out what and coming back to finish it the next morning, when my mind isn't so foggy.

My favorite part of this page is ring border at the bottom, which sort of looks like those life-saving tubes. I punched out the center of the circle and meant to use that but that the negative area left over looked much better. Love it when things work out that way.

Supplies: Sassafrass Lass, October Afternoon, My Mind's Eye, Belle Blvd, Fiskars, Basic Grey, buttons, thread

Cancelled Coffee Date with Alexander Dress

Just wanted to share a photo of my nearly completed Frock by Friday before the sun went down and it gets too dark for picture taking. I ended up using completely different fabrics than originally intended - there was not enough of the top material to put together the blouse, so I used some plain white fabric to make the coffee dress style top with a vintage Valentino bodice pattern and improvised on the ruffle. Then last night while testing out the dress before sewing in the zipper, I discovered my Kardashian proportioned behind is too large for the skirt and it ripped out when I sat down! The horror! In my despair, it occurred to me to just give up after absolutely nothing working out on this project but instead I chose a different, more season appropriate fabric and spend naptime today picking out the seam that attached the skirt to the top and sewing on the new version. I even added belt loops! Tonight I will attempt the zipper and hopefully can share some real world photos with you tomorrow. I'll add them to this post so check back.

EDIT:  The zipper turned out okay, a little lumpy in the back but not bad for a first timer. The top fits well but the skirt shape is a little bland. I like that from the front, the dress looks like something you could wear to work but the bold black zipper from the back side makes it a little more edgy. Here they are, my camera phone quality pics:

Sick day(s)

Hello again! Yes, I have been MIA for the last few days, but I swear there was a good excuse! First and foremost, I had to spend some quality time with my dearest camera before I laid it to it's final rest last week. There was a brief recovery period after that awful river plunge a few months back and I really thought everything was going to be okay. Then last week, photos were turning blurry and finally the darn thing just stopped turning on. I mourned for a few days, and then after the suggestion of a friend, decided it was time to upgrade to a newer model. I really want to be better at taking photos, and although I know a fancy camera can only take you so far, I believe an SLR will help a lot.
Has anyone had luck with the Canon Rebel XT? It's a bit out of my price range but I did find one for half the cost on Craigslist. Buying used electronics does make me a bit leery though. I suppose as long as it can be tested and then upload some photos before the cash is exchanged it will be okay. That's what I'm telling myself.
So until the 15th we are going to have to make due with camera phone quality images. Sigh.

Secondly, I have picked up a terrible bug and have been coughing, wiping noses and also a tad feverish for the last few days. Between my daughter and I, we used 3 boxes of kleenexs since Friday. The worst part is that when I lie down to actually get some sleep, I start wheezing and can't get a deep enough breath. So I can't sleep except propped up in the recliner which just isn't that comfortable anyway. Sorry to complain - I just hate being sick! The worst of it over though and last night I managed to get about 12 hours of much-needed sleep.

The energy I did have this weekend was spend rearranging and now I have a whole room to call my own for crafting, sewing and daydreaming without interrupting anyone! Before, I had a little section in the living room all to myself but the lights would keep the kids up during nap and bedtimes (prime momma time), the sewing machine would interfere with the TV reception and when I did get to work on a project, my supplies would be spread out throughout the living room and covering the kitchen table. But no more! I can't wait to have everything up on the walls and to share pictures with you!
I'll be back tomorrow (promise!) with some sub-par photos of my new room and hopefully, if my zipper adventure goes well, possibly a completed frock by friday. Night ♥

Floral Ponytails

Just wanted to share these cute ponytails I whipped up yesterday morning while my little miss was taking her time eating breakfast. The flowers are made from this fantastic tute by not martha. You may recall I made several of these earlier this year (here, here and here) and its still one of my favorite projects. If you haven't already, you should definitely try it.

To attach the blossom to the elastic hairband, all you need to do is sew some embroidery thread around the metal attacher and through the felt on the back side of the flower. Cover the metal completely and to keep the thread in place, sew through the elastic at the beginning and end of the thread. Can't wait to send these to the daughters of one of my girl friends back home! She sent us a whole envelope full of pretty grosgrain and satin ribbon hair clips earlier this year so some reciprocity is well overdue.

On another note, I was too busy working on my Frock by Friday last night to post and regret to say it is not working out as planned. Turns out a men's size large shirt does not have enough material to make the JJ top I wanted to use in size 38. Bummer. Instead I finished the skirt and then used the shirt material that was already cut to make a little matching vest. I am thinking about using the sleeveless bodice from the coffee date dress in brown. The vest is a bit plain and I think the large ruffle will help contrast that. Now I just need to find the material.

Now back to work! ♥