4..

You know, I really should catch up my little count going on (not really) over there ---------------->
2010 is well on it’s way out (already) and I have been lacking in my counting and recording skills.
(Blame it on the fact that math and I don’t usually agree..  or that I am just usually really, horribly wrong.  I blame it all on Roy High.)
I did manage to get FOUR layouts done, in TWO days.
Yup, I am pretty cool!
(Not really, it is just cool by my standards lately.  I’d be REALLY cool if my Christmas cards were out..  it would be even better if I had the pictures taken for aforementioned cards.  I do have the clothes picked out!)
Anyway (after a lot of distraction on my part..), here they are!
(New products will be released this upcoming week!)
This is a printable kit from Kitschy Digitals, but I used it for a layout all about Lynnie-lou and her summer reading goal.
Isn’t that gnome cute?!

I also used Kitschy Digitals Vintage Photo Frames, Crystal Wilkerson’s staple and woodgrain paper, rick-rack and stitching from Splendid Fiins.
(Kitschy Digitals also has a darling die-cut kit that matches this stuff..)

This is a template and quick page from In the Making Design.
I was looking for an excuse to use her “Sassy Season” papers and elements (they are cute!), but also relied on some of my favs..Crystal Wilkerson’s staple (told you I loved it!), and that stitching from Splendid Fiins.

Liv has come up with this incredible template to help showcase your photos.  They really take center stage here.
I got sucked into all of my summer pics (cold it be because of the cold?), and wanted some fresh, calm colors to go with.  Crystal Wilkerson’s “Sweet Summertime” papers, elements and label fit the bill.  Splendid Fiins stitching (heart) also helped to finish this one off well.

Last, but not least, Carina Gardner has an awesome kit coming out this week as well.  I have learned one thing about her: she does what she does well!  Her kits are incredible!  They have so many pieces, totally worth it.  Then there’s the same old stuff I love..  that same staple from Crystal Wilkerson, from my splendid friend, the rick-rack and the lovely stitching!
Don’t forget that the WHOLE STORE in on sale for this month, not to mention, if you spend more than $20 you will get the collaborative kit for FREEEEEE!!
(Did you hear Adam Sandler’s voice in that?)

Fun new products..

I love seeing what fun new stuff the designers come up with at Jessica Sprague..
Just a couple of things new to the store tomorrow:

Okay, so part of this one isn’t new, but it’s newish.
Splendid Fiins put out a “Splendid Tutorial” on how to make Silhouettes, from beginning to end, and making them into your own brush!  Pretty incredible, I know.
Tomorrow, new to the store, will be these alternate borders.  You can color them, but I am just boring and left them black.
I made mine into ornaments, and if you click on it, you can see the name and age of the little girl whose silhouette is on there..
I just printed off the finished product, cut it out, rounded the corners, and glittered the edges of some chipboard before I stuck down my silhouette with craft dots.  Add a little rick-rack and you have a cute little ornament!  I would have liked to have diamond glazed it, but ran out of time.
My mind is just racing with all the possibilities with this one!
Queen of Quirk (I love all things quirky..) has “Reindeer Games” coming out tomorrow.  I wanted to use all of the elements and papers on one page, but that wouldn’t have looked too great.  It is all so fun though!

Papers.
Elements.
I also used her template.
Stitching, Splendid Fiins.
Fonts, Marcelle Script and Caviar Dreams.
Don’t forget, the great holiday sale is going on there, and prices are slashed by 20%!!  With any purchase over $20 you get a free comp kit, that is pretty fun too..  need to find more time to play with that one…
Oh, and the FREE class starts TOMORROW!

One buck Wednesday!

As usual, on Wednesdays, there are some fun deals at Jessica Sprague..
Just a couple of those are:
Elle’s Studio Christmas Gift Tags…

These are so fun!  I usually make my own every year, stamping and punching, coloring sometimes too..
These guys are already all dolled-up for you.  They come in three different colors, different sentiments too.  I layered mine with a scalloped center piece.
Another beautiful product available for one buck today are Christmas card templates from In the Making Design.  She has used her “Frostbite” papers to make these lovely cards.
I LOVE Linda’s stuff.. it is always so gorgeous!
  There are five to choose from, all for one dollar!
With a bunch of fun sales coming up, don’t forget the one at Jessica Sprague, going through December.  20% off most products, not to mention a bonus with $20 purchase.
Ohhh!!  AND the FREE class!

Hello Monday…

It is Monday (yet again)..

Some people don’t really care for Mondays, but they aren’t so bad.

- It’s cleaning day!

- It’s the start to another list of to dos..

- And there’s new goodies in store at Jessica Sprague!

Today there’s a bunch of darling quick pages from Crystal Wilkerson…

This is Quick Page #1 from “Merry & Bright”.

And new goodies from Echo Park.

I made these magnet clips with papers and elements from their “Dashes Through the Snow” paper and elements 2 packs.

Head on over, find something new, cute, and fun. 

Don’t forget to register for the FREE class that begins the 29th!!  It will be fun for crafters/creators of all types.

There will also be the annual holiday sale beginning Black Friday (what better time, eh?) and going through December 31st.  It’s 20% off, plus a free collaborative pack for FREE with $20 purchase.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Not just because of our lovely (yet typical) Utah weather!!
No, it is this darned designer I am working with at Jessica Sprague!
She has me seeing Christmas.
(It is only fitting for our weather though!)
Another yummy creation from Elle’s Studio:
Meet, the Advent Calendar…

Cute, fun, stuff!
It is brand new in store today!!
Of course, I embellished the heck out of it..  that’s what I do!
I used glitter and flocking powder this time, but used my Xyron sticker maker instead of wet glue.  Much easier on bigger areas.  I also got to raid my ribbon/fiber drawer to tie these cuties up.  (Using remnant supplies that I can’t bear to throw away is a huge plus.)  Other than that, I used the typical glue dots (both regular and craft) and scissors (large, medium, and small tipped), a hole punch, and rhinestones.
Elle makes it easy and fun for you.  She even includes a list of activities for you to use as ideas for your calendar activities.
We decided on ours, calendared them in, so when that day comes, we know what we are doing, that and we can re-use this again and again and again..
Or you could write or tack on your own activities on the pieces.
(I have to admit that it was more than a little weird working on this, cutting it all out while watching Halloween movies!)

More in Store..

Monday’s a Jessica Sprague, designers release new products, fresh and hot, usually at an introductory price.  There are lots of cute new stuff over there today! 
I suggest you go check it out…
Just a couple of the newest:
Christmas Photo Cards from Elle’s Studio.
Set 4-

(Above photo by Brooke Pitcher.)
Set 5-

They are cute, quick, and easy!  All you have to do is plug in your pic, add your personalized text, send them off to print, and your Christmas cards are taken care of!

One Buck Wednesday.

So I know I gush about Jessica Sprague like, ALL THE TIME.  But I do for a reason (or more than just A reason..). 
Just like always, there is some good stuff over there today..
FOR ONE BUCK!!
(Or $1 if that is more clear.)
Two products for you to get excited about from Elle’s Studio:
This fun Hybrid “Merry Christmas” banner.
 
My goal this year was to be ahead preparation-wise by one month.  This has helped me with my December decor!
One buck people!
($1.)
I printed-off the goodness, cut, rounded corners and inked away while my glitter-edged letters were drying.  Punched holes, added hole reinforcers (inked with the same ink), added more sparkle by adding sticky rhinestones to the little dips in the letters, then put it all together using Craft Glue Dots.  I strung it up using twill ribbon. 
Cute, I know!
Supplies:
-Elle’s studio “Merry Christmas” banner.
-Martha Stewart is the bomb!  I used her glitter glue and “sterling” microfine glitter on these babies.
-I used Stazon “Brown Timber” ink.
-Craft Glue Dots placed on 3 points on top and bottom and  one on either side middle.  Seriously, get 2 boxes.
-Rhinestones.
-Ribbon of your choice.
-Hole reinforcers (optional).
-scissors, hole punch, and corner rounder

This little ditty is based all around that little journaling block..  see it? 
This also comes from Elle’s Studio, “These Moments at Christmas”, and comes with MORE little journaling blocks.  So cute..  and just one dollar!
The rest of the page is thanks to:
“In The Making Design”
-“Spotted & Dotted”, “Striped & Checked” papers from the “Basically” collection.  (Brand new in the store as of Monday.)  Template, “It’s a Start 2, page 3”.
-Stitching by Anna #1 White.
-Font, “Caviar Dreams”.

Christmas in July #2..

Yup..
I am ever aware just how far away July is.  It is so far in the rearview at this point, but now is when I also have the time..

This sweet little block was inspired by a craft idea I saw on “How Does She”, but this version has a couple of twists to it.
(But gotta give credit where credit is due!!)
I simply took a 4x4 post, cut it, with some help ;), down to 12 inches.  It also works great in other lengths.
I painted the edges that would later peek through the paper and let it dry while I cut my scrapbook paper.  I chose to round the corners on this one, I like the way it turned out.
Next, I modge podged that cute pre-cut scrapbook paper onto the block and let it dry while getting all the wrinkles and bubbles out.
When the modge podge and paper combo. was thoroughly dry, I marked on the top, very lightly, 12 staggered little dots where I drilled with a 1/16 inch drill bit.
(You might want to distress it by sanding and staining here a little too..)
I cut wire in two lengths, 8 and 11 inches, curled half (sometimes a little more), and kinked the base of the curl. Those got stuffed in the drilled holes (and can be glued if your kiddos are like mine…  I used E6000).
So cute to display cards, pictures, notes, or even activities for the holidays, snowy days, or even birthdays..
I have a Christmas one too..  this one is for my January Snowman theme.  But I will be making many more!  A birthday display block is next on my list.  Let me know if you want to play too!

Christmas in July series: Part 1

Yes, I know, it is no longer July, but it was when I made these…

I love Nativities, LOVE them.
I like even more, when they are virtually indestructible.
(Three very excitable little girls helped teach me to love that aspect of a good Nativity.)
So here’s your supply list:

- 2x2 cut into 3 separate lengths; 5 inches (Joseph), 4 inches (Mary), and 3 inches (manger).
- 1 2-2 1/2 inch wooden infant (I bought the old school clothespins and cut them down to 2 inches).
- 3 6x6 squares of cloth
- hemp or other fiber (optional)
- paint, paint brushes, and sandpaper.
- Hot glue.
(My specific paint colors were: Light Foliage Green, Wedgwood Blue, AC Flesh, Light Ivory, and Burnt Umber; all Delta brand.)
I only did one coat of paint, and distressed all the pieces but the heads after they dried with the sandpaper.
Glue on the heads too.  You don’t want to miss that step!
See, they are cute..
But we’ll add to that.
 
For the fabric head dresses, take and fold down about 1/2 inch, then do it again to hide the raw edge.
Once..

And again..

Place a dot of glue in the center top of the head, and position the folded section of the fabric on top.

Dot some glue in the middle back to attach the fabric.

Repeat for the other half of our pair.
If desired, cut some fiber and tie it around the head after the fabric is attached.

And now for our little guy…

All you really see is his little head, so you don’t HAVE to paint the body, unless you are obsessive like me…  and this is how we swaddle him.
Fold the fabric in half diagonally and place your little guy in the center, the top of his head at the fold.

Fold down, one corner at a time, and securing with a dot of glue, so it looks like this:

And then like this:

The next fold makes a tighter wrap against the body.  Secure these with a dab of glue too.
 
So he looks like this:

And then, dabbing some glue on the bottom “V”, fold the tail up to meet the “V” in the neck.
 
Glue your little bundle on the manger, and re-unite the happy family.

seven..

They are even traditionally scrapped...
You can count them!

Good news, I am getting caught up...
Better news, I can now do 6 more digital pages. :)
I do wish you could touch this paper..  it is flocked paper by Making Memories..  I saw it over a year ago, bought it, and love it!  I knew I had to use it on a Christmas layout.
The journaling:
memories..
this Christmas, the hotel was under construction so our pjs were Best Western themed.  everyone loved them!  brooke & austin were expecting tyler.  it was peyton’s first Christmas!  we were excited for that.  our Christmas was transportation theme it seemed..  lynn got a bike, ash got a scooter, and peyton got a ride on rolling horse.  we enjoyed our new gift, a cocoa maker.  we enjoyed spending the afternoon at mom and dad’s where the girls got another toy and we gave mom a new memory quilt to replace the one that got lost (kind of).  this one featured artwork from the grandkids.

Christmas 2005...

I am almost caught up... there are a missing couple of pages. I need to get more pics printed!

Memory Quilt...

So, I know I am safe to post this... mom isn't on the "blog scene" very much, if at all...
This is her Christmas gift... em and my "sisters" (sisters-in-law, really... I have ALL brothers...) put together...
Let me explain..
In October, mom, dad, Kevin & Randee, went on a little trip to Yellowstone. While there, it was cold and rainy, and thus, icy. They took a little drive and soon came upon a woman, waving them down in the middle of the road. As mom was trying to slide to a stop, Kev jumped out of the car; there were two vehicles upside down in the river. He helped people out of their vehicles and up the steep river bank. Dad was up the road stopping on coming vehicles, and mom and Randee were wrapping what blankets thery had around those who were coming out of the freezing water. When the people were transported to the hospital, the blankets went with, one was a memory quilt that mom made for Christmas a couple of years age. She made one for each of us, and one for her.
The idea behind the memory quilt, is to find patterned fabrics that represent memories. She called all of our spouses parents to get some memories, and added to our own, and made the quilts. On the quilt that she made, there is a square with kids in capes, I think we all loved to pretend to be superheroes at one point in time; cherries, for grandpa and grandma's cherry tree we loved to climb and eat cherries from; Elvis, that's for me! A Christmas square to represent Christmas our individual memories; a soccer square for Randee; peppers for mom and dad's salsa making ventures; Strawberry Shortcake, me, again, well, granddaughters now too... so you get the idea?
We made her one to try and replace the one she lost. We made it with a twist though... the grandchildren drew a picture on some of the squares of something they love to do with grammy... and what fabric I could find, was incorporated in it. I know mom did some major hunting... I had a hard time finding more than I did.

Sit, Chat, and Finish THAT...

Today, we had an impromptu "Sit, Chat, and Finish THAT"... basically an afternoon of finishing projects with a bunch of friends, a variation of a "crafternoon". It all snowballed because of Brooke and her "foster child"... we are all using her sufficiently! Once others found out the whereabouts of her location today, they all converged here, eventually. The snow made for a fun, cold, chatty day.
I got my Christmas cards all done! After Peyton's ordeal was over, I finally felt in the mood to get these cranked out...
So, if you get one, be surprised, act like you've never seen it before... ;)
Christie was working on a few things... this darling tutu being one of them...
Peyton's not sad, just shedding a few tears of joy over how cute she is...
Ashley lived-up the part of being tutu model...
As did I...
Jaclyn suggested that we form our own type of "Red Hat Society", but, instead, wear tutus... I live the idea!
We made so many other things... many of which cannot be shown until post-Christmas wrapping thrashing...

QUICK!!! A gift...

I thought I was on top of it all... snack for Ashley's pre-school Christmas party: check. Green shirt laid out for her "wear green day": check. Then I came across a well-timed e-mail from her teacher....
GIFT EXCHANGE!!!!
It was nearly 11 pm... I had spent the latter part of my afternoon running errands, and I did not want to go back out. What did I have at home?
Think, think, think...
Triangle crayons... (did you know they aid in the development of small children and their writing skills?) I bought these for one of Peyton's gifts, like she can really use the crayons, yet...
What to go with the crayons...
I had these little notebooks on hand. Cut cute paper, used the Xyron to attach it to the little book, ink the edges, tie a ribbon, and punch a cute little name plate...
There it was... my LAST MINUTE gift.
P.S. The little girl who got it, put both items to her cheeks and said, "I love them!!" She was even more excited when she discovered she could put HER name on it. And I was afraid it would be lame-o...