Project 52: Week 4

I am definetly a dog person. Love all these stinky, shedding, snuggling babies. The little guy in front is my #1 man, Hank Jr, to the left is Bud, my husband's car chasing hunter who is constantly leaving his kill by the front door step and to the right is Duece my MIL's growly old man. These are our other kids.

Classmates

Ah school pictures. The good, the bad and the hilarious. There are a few of each expressions on the faces of my step-daughter's classmates but they are all adorable. Like my husband who attended a small country school, she will going to school and birthday parties with most of these kids for the next 12 years. Small schools seem to be more close knit - since most graduating classes are fewer than 50 students kids are forced to be friends with or at least learn how to get along with people from all different backgrounds. That's a comforting feeling.

I created this page using the January sketch at Sweet Peach Crop Shop. The original had two photos but since I wanted to use this class photo I turned the sketch on it's side and made it work. The photo is so large it's a little heavy visually but that's all okay.



These mix and mend papers are so gorgeous but a little hard to use, for me at least. I misted in a couple different areas and added some little bits and buttons here and there. Those JBS rub-on leftovers have been on my desk forever so I scattered the leftover numbers and letters on the page.



I'm definetly no expert at layering but it was fun trying out a new style at least. If anything the page looks like toddler artwork - little bits of this and that pasted all over and random numbers and letters scribbled on the page.

Have a great weekend!

Grandma Teeny

The kids and I celebrated my husband's grandma's, ahem, 29th birthday with her a few weeks back and it occured to me that we didn't have a scrapbook page just about her. The challenge last week at Studio Calico was to use fabric on a layout and it just so happens that Grandma Teeny is a fellow fabric lover so using the Sunday Sketch I created this page about her birthday. Around the edge is actual bias tape too.

I measured and cut out squares on the cardstock then trimmed the fabric on the back. I stitched around it, quite similar to what Waleska did on the original layout, and gave a spritz of mist to finish it off. Nice and simple and colorful - just like I like it!

Pintuck Anda Dress

I am so excited to finally share this dress with you, regardless of how well the pics turned out! It came together Saturday evening after almost 5 straight hours of sewing and ironing. Phew, but I didn't even realize til my husband told me it was nearly 11 pm.

The difference between this dress and the original Anda (which can be made during one afternoon's nap, for anyone who might be interested) is the row of pintucks I added down the front center of the dress. I saw the full length pintucks on a Ferragamo resort 2011 dress and knew I wanted to make something similar, although that was more of a tank dress.

Here is the tutorial used to create the pintucks - you were supposed to make the pintucks before cutting out the pattern piece but I didn't listen and the shoulders ended up a little funny but nothing that will keep me from wearing it.

The leopard print fabric came from the clearance aisle at Joann's and was a steal at only $1.50/yard. The green satiny material and white lining came from a garage sale this past summer - a whole bag full for 25 cents.

The lining is in white cotton. I also added pintucks to the front of the lining and an elastic casing on the back. Both the side and shoulders seams were sewn using a french seam. There are no seams showing at all so I think it just may be reversable. Bonus! That is if I ever have the courage to wear a white dress - between the dusty cars and messy little people it wouldn't be long before that bright white was as spotted as the reverse side!

Both the lining and printed material are too sheer to be worn on there own, but together they give the dress the perfect weight - it almost feels like a designer dress, expensive and well made. But in reality it was really cheap and is, well, decently well made. Definitely the nicest thing I've made so far.

So 12 dresses, 1 down and I feel ready to get started on the next one! The pattern and material are ready to go - now if only I can find the time. Can I let you in on a secret? I love sewing at least as much and maybe more than scrapbooking. Working with paper is just so much faster and I like the instant gratification. But taking the time to sew a dress and to have it turn out well is satisfaction that lasts for seasons to come. I hope to be spending a little more time at the sewing machine in the coming months. I hope you'll join me!!

PS. Check out my Woodland Nymph Anda too.

No Rhyme or Reason

Valentine's Day is coming up soon, so I suppose it's about time I made a page about my own sweetheart, huh? The title came from the idea that no matter your background, interests, job or political views, when chemistry is there, it's there sometimes without reason at all. My husband and I have very little in common but for some strange reason, we really like each other :)

This page was created using my January Lucky Girl Crafts kit, Forever Love and incorporates a challenge from the Sweet Peach Crop Shop - use multiple alphas on a page. That one's easy - I almost always do!

Enclosed in the envelope is a little note to my hubby. Since nobody ever uses the Q's in an alpha set anyway and it won't be much longer until the kids realize the leftover letters I give them will never be able to spell words, I used them as a little platform for the brads. It feels good to get a little use out of something once thought useless.

Stop back tomorrow, I promise to have the pics of my new dress up, scout's honor!!

Kid at Heart - LGC Feb 2011 kit!!

From baby blankets and booties, dolls to dress up, amusement parks and after school activities, our "Kid at Heart" kit covers it all. Whether you've got kiddos of your own or you're a kid in your own right, the brilliant colors and celebratory prints are perfect for capturing your favorite memories.

Check out the new, upcoming February kit from Lucky Girl Crafts - it's chock full of brilliant colors and celebratory patterns that make it a perfect match for your kiddo's albums, your "me" book, or cards for all occasions.

These exclusive, limited kits are available for preorder starting now! Rush on over to the store to get your hands on one before they fly off the shelf!!!

Project 52: Week 3

Every day is a new adventure and should be approached as such - this picture from week 3 helps remind me of that.

PS. I did finish my dress this weekend but haven't had a chance to photograph it yet! Look for it in the next couple days - it turned out great!!

elements of a new dress

This weekend I plan to to use this dress pattern

with this fabric

to make a dress somewhat similar to this one from Ferragamo's resort 2011 collection.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to spend some time perfecting my pintucks :) Hope you take time to do something you love this weekend!

Saccharine Dreams

Normally I don't make a card or layout specifically for a pub call - because it's especially disappointing to not have it picked up - but when I saw SNR was looking for cupcake shaped cards I knew just had to make one! This card was created by printing out a cupcake clip-art image and using it to trace on some pretty patterned paper. Inside, the sentiment says, "Saccharine dreams and cavier wishes, " which made me giggle for like an entire day. Honestly, I don't wouldn't be a bit disappointed if no one else liked it.

I'm really happy with the color scheme on this thank you card - brown and teal complement one another so well! Both of these cards were created using the Lucky Girl kit, Forever Love, plus a few extras.

So glad tomorrow is Friday!

Girly Girls

Just wanted to share with you a couple girly layouts created using February's Lucky Girl Crafts kit, Forever Love. This first page, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, is about our girls and their cousin Kady hanging out during the holidays. We hardly ever get to see her and the girls love playing with her so much!

Can you tell the inspiration for this page came from a wallpapered photo wall? Love the mix of the the Glitz, Pink Paislee Sweetness and Dear Lizzy Enchanted - I am such a sucker for super girly collections anyway!

The next page is just a little snippet of fun from my daughter's 3rd birthday party. She loves pink and blue and I had to add in a little leopard print too cause she's such a wild child, ha!

Transparencies are another product I am really growing to love - the subtle design and texture they add really gives a layout that extra wow factor. Am also really loving small photos lately - since I'm not very good at double-pagers, its such a good way to get a lot of moments on one 12x12 canvas.

Gotta run, it's lunchtime!

Project 52: Week 2

Am just feeling so much joy in my life right now. There is no better way to spend the day than playing outside in the pure white snow with the kiddos, making snow angels and climbing up snow mountains. This year is going to be an amazing year, I can feel it already!

VDay Issues

Hey, hey! The latest issue is up at Paper Issues and it's all about Valentine's Day!! Stop by for some inspiration from our lovely contributors and link-up your own creations for a chance to win some goodies from our generous sponsor SEI! You can see a close-up of my wedding mini-book here. I will also be linking up this card:

It's my first time writing with thread - it didn't turn out perfectly but is definitely a technique I'll be using again!

Doily Pillow

Here's a project I've been wanting to make forever and finally got around to this week. I am trying to get my courage up to do a little quilting so practiced by sewing material from an old pillowcase to some fleece leftovers to make it extra cushy. I sewed a pretty thrifted doily to the front with embroidery thread to hide my crooked stitching ;) and to give it that shabby granny look. It's 20x20 and stuffed super full so I can use it in to prop myself up in bed and read.

Have a great weekend!

OLW: Forward

After much deliberation and going back and forth between words, I chose forward to use as my one little word in 2011. I have a tendency to live in the past and often let it cloud my present but this year I amend to keep moving forward, toward the things I want and not settling into old patterns and bad habits. This layout is about that word with some fun pics from my project 52 shoot and a few 'notes to self' to keep me on track. It will be hung up in my studio to serve as a reminder.

Here's a close-up of the title and little stamped birds (I am getting so much more comfortable with stamps, finally!).

Used a combo of the PencilLines #220 sketch and the Sunday Sketch from Studio Calico.

Gotta run, it's been a busy day!

Such a Lucky Girl!!

Good morning everyone! Am so thrilled to share the news with you that I have been invited to join the Lucky Girl Crafts design team! Owner Jessica hand selects these gorgeous kits each month for your scrapping pleasure - I have had the chance to work with her kits in the past and must say some of my very favorite projects were created with these kits! I hope you'll stop by the store to check out January's kit Forever Love - there are still a few in stock - or if you are in need of a little inspiration, hop over to the blog to check out the Friday Fun Day challenges! Say hello to the rest of the team - I am really looking forward to creating with them starting in February:

Jessica (owner)

Emily

Natalie

Ana

Ruth

Stacy

Hope you have a great day!!

Project 52: Week 1

I really wanted to do a photography challenge this year to improve my picture taking skills, but Project 365 just seems so daunting, ya know? Then I heard about the 52 Week Project via Odd Girl Kristy and decided it was the right fit. This challenge is about capturing yourself on camera once a week, something I rarely do. It's just so hard to get a picture of yourself that you like.

Technically my 3 year old step-son took this photo, but it's still me right? I've been setting up the camera and have the kids push the shutter button a lot recently and have found I am much happier with the results than just posing to get a good picture. It's a lot easier to have fun with a little goofball behind the camera.

This picture seemed right for the first week - to me it conveys finding peace and inner harmony. Oh and balance. And isn't that what we are all on a quest for this time of year?

XOXO Challenge #15 - You Showed Me The World

The first challenge of the year is up over at XOXO!  Head on over to the blog to check out what the other Lipstick Chicks have put together to inspire you this month. Here is my creation:

I was digging through some old photos in the computer when I came across this sweet moment from my daughter's first few weeks. I do not normally do single photo layouts but this picture warranted it's own special page.

They say to help build the bond between mother and child, you should have lots of skin on skin contact. Just one of those things about being a new mother that really gives a new perspective on the world. I included a little hidden journaling to my daughter in the pocket.

Me and Mr. Huey had a little fun creating a misted polka-dot background (don't tell my husband!) and while I don't really love the results, it was fun to do a little experimenting. I'll get the hang of the misting thing eventually.

To enter this month's challenge, scraplift one or more of the Lipstick Chicks creations and don't forget to link up! You could win a juicy Second Semester kit from Sweet Peach Crop Shop! It is chock full of goodies from Crate, Cosmo, AC, Jillibean, and more! If only I could enter too! *sigh*

What I Wore: December

Wow December must have been a busy month because although I recall deliberately putting together several cute outfits, it seems only 3 were photographed and none of them are quality. Bummer! But I'll share them with you regardless, if only because I have nothing other to post about today, hee hee!

Look 1: Grocery shopping

cropped turtleneck - Express, denim tunic - Miley Cyrus for Max Azria, skinny jeans - Converse, messy hair - au natural

Look 2: Preschool PJ Party

blue nightgown - aerie, grandpa cardigan - thrifted, puffy vest - Blue, scarf - Burlington Coat Factory, leg warmers - Victoria Secret, boots - Rocket dog

Look 3: Birthday Dinner

wool maxi dress - thrifted, belt - thrifted, bauble necklace - Walmart

Hmm, perhaps I should make it my goal this month to move beyond my standard color palette of gray, black and navy blue! There are so many other colors in my closet that are being neglected - why do I always reach for the gray sweater? Do any of you have this problem as well?

Have a colorful weekend!

snapshots

This layout was created last week for the Sunday Sketch and the weekly challenge at Studio Calico. The sketch was based on a page by Susan Weinroth. The challenge was to use photos off of your camera phone. I don't take too many pics with my phone but these ones worked out well for a snapshot of our late summer/early fall.

There were some gorgeous Ferragamo dresses from the resort collection that caught my eye and I wanted to use the color and vertical/horizontal stripes on a page. You can see the solid dress on the left is represented on the lower level of the page and the top level represents the dress on the right with the patterns and colors going this way and that. I stitched each piece together to give it a patchwork look.



And here are a couple close-ups. Had to throw in a little sky blue, grasshopper green and a touch of pink to give it that feeling of late summer just before the leaves start to turn.
 

Gotta go, I believe the UPS man just pulled up!!

one last handmade gift

I have just one more photo book to share with you from Christmas - 2 more really but didn't get photos of the second before handing it off - oops! This one was for my wonderful MIL, who is so helpful with the kids and helps me keep my sanity:

A simple cover misted with white Mr. Huey and bound with my wonderful but seldom used Bind-It-All. The cardboard was the back piece from an 8x8 paper pad and worked perfectly with 8x8 page protectors.

Included a title page since the cover was so plain.

My husband's lifetime XL catch from the past spring.

Had a little fun with the punches here.

Notice the double Double title? Perfect for twins!

Channelling a little Jen Jockish here with all the strips.

Love this picture of our gravel road and my little speed-walker.

My fav photos ever with a little note to Grandma.

And his first catch.

Adoring their new baby cousin. Love the butterfly swarm layout by Elizabeth Kartchner and had to make one for my own.

Girls love to shop, what can I say.

The title has it covered. What a stinker.

I love an over-sized sun!

Sure it's Halloween, but you gotta thrown in some pink!

That's all for today folks! xo