Papercraft Sublime

Listen to papercraftsublimes Playlist

2010-11-16T14:54:00.001-05:00

Heritage Spring Fling Crop

2010-02-01T10:39:00.001-05:00

sponsored by the
Heritage Homeschool Co op FR Committee

March 13, 2010
10 am to 8 pm

Valleyview Chapel 1391 State Road Wadsworth, OH 44281-9457

Need some time to catch up on your papercrafting? Is inspiration lacking? Are you looking for some new friends? Want some time to catch up with old ones? Interested in learning more about how to get started scrapbooking? Whatever your reason, this is the day for you!

Join us for a fun filled day! Goodie bags, lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks provided. Visit our consultant tables to do make and takes. Door prizes and games throughout the day!

Seats are $25 at the door. To reserve yours, please contact
Doretta Bilbrey
(330) 336-7193
dorettab@neo. rr.com

Prepay by February 26 to save $5!

Want some new goodies for the crop? The following consultants/ stores are taking preorders and will be donating a portion of their proceeds to Heritage Homeschool Co op. Please contact the consultants by February 26!

Lissa Gerwig, Close to My Heart
www.papercraftsublime.blogspot. com
L_gerwig@yahoo. com

Christmas Cards and the start of something....

2009-12-08T11:03:00.004-05:00

Believe it or not, even though I haven't been posting, I have been creating (which can be attested to by the ginormous pile of half finished scrap pages hoevering over me at the moment). My Christmas cards are done although I don't think I ever shared them, here's a random sampling of what might show up in your mailbox if you are on my nice list ;)

And a tag I just made, forgive her lips, I just don't quite know how to erase copics and my hand slipped...I'm on a mission to use up my scraps and collaging them to make tags seems like a darn good way to do so! This little lady is one of my fave stamps currently, she's from the CTMH set Ms Holiday Cheer ansd seriously, I cannot get enough of her! And bling, always the bling!

Trim a Tree

2009-12-08T09:41:00.006-05:00

One of our favourite places is Wolf Creek Environmental Center. It is part of the Medina County Parks and they do awesome programs! Sunday was their Trim a Tree Open House and the girls were so excited! They love creating (hmmmm....wonder where they get that?!) and there is cocoa and cookies for after plus a visit with Santa (which Trin decided she is too big for...silly girl!)

I love the inspiration I get here, they put out tons off all natural products....chinese lanterns, pinecones, dried flowers, cedar snippings, shells, buckeyes and so forth and then let you have at it with the hot glue gun. This year I attempted an angel, she is actually quite pretty, but she doesn't photograph well.

Hope you can get some inspiration as well....go out and take a wander in the woods and see what you can find! I'd love to see!

Origami Wreath

2009-12-07T11:43:00.004-05:00

Okay, so how cute it this? I have had so many people ask me for the directions for these, here it is (I know, FINALLY! LOL)

I can't get it to link directly, but if you go to the link before, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on CHristmas crafts it will be on the second page.

http://www.activitytv.com/default.aspx

Hope you have as much fun making these as I have been! This one is made using Creative Basics paper from CTMH from the Boom di Ada and the Christmas collection fromm 3 years ago (totally blanking on what it is called) then some cranberry grosgrain ribbon and the connection club pearls that I coloured with my copic in red.

And a HUGE thanks to my upline Tina Sutton for passing this on!

Scrapbook Day at Mapleton

2009-11-04T09:54:00.003-05:00

Gather your pictures, memories and creative ideas and join us for a fun filled day of scrapbooking and senior memorabilia projects!

Sponsored by the Mapleton Girls Basketball and Swim Team

Date: Saturday, November 21

Place: Mapleton High School Commons

Time: 9 am to 9 pm

Cost: $15 and a covered dish to share (snacks and drinks provided)

Reserve your seat by calling:
Tammy Pelton (419.651.9236) tammypelton@clearchannel.com
Denise Patterson (419.651.1612)

Scrapbooking and Treats Party

2009-11-02T15:02:00.002-05:00

For all you local gals!

This will be a great time, Karen is a fellow homeschooler and avid scrapper and cook. She decorates her house beautifully for the holidays and there will lots of specials, fun and great people!

I'll also have lots of new ideas for you and previews of my upcoming card workshop at the Medina County Park in December!

Please feel free to pass the invite along to anyone you know might be interested!

Looking forward to seeing you!
Lissa

You are Invited to a Scrapbooking and Treat Party

Please be my guest at my Scrapbooking and Treat Party

On Saturday, November 7, 2009

4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

At Karen Gower’s Home

6622 Cobblefield Drive in Medina

Come and learn new scrapbooking techniques and test new products.

Also sample some food from our food vendors and test new gadgets made for the kitchen!

Close to My Heart

Make and take a Christmas card and learn how to make your own glitter mist at the same time!

~ Book a party and get a FREE gift

~ 10% off Idea Books

~ FREE Shipping on all orders

~ Make it Shine package special

~Stampzganza

~Stamp of the Month - find out how to get it free!

Creative Memories

~ FREE Shipping on all orders

~ 20% OFF your total purchase when you book a party

The Scrap Queen (www.theScrapQueen.com)

~ FREE Gift with any $25 or more order

~ FREE Shipping on all orders

Stampin’ Up

~ Spend $30 or more get a FREE bottle of “Shimmer Paint” from the Holiday Mini Catalog

~ Learn how to add a touch of elegance to your holiday projects with glimmer paint!

The Gourmet Cupboard (www.TheGourmetCupboard.com)

~ Book a show and receive a FREE mix (value $5) at your show.

Pampered Chef

~ Take 20% OFF of all the Simple Additions Collection

Tastefully Simple

~ FREE Bountiful Beer Bread with any $50 order

~ FREE Bucket Drink when you book a party

24 Ways to Use Reinkers

2009-10-31T12:30:00.001-04:00

For those of you coming to the Scrapbook and Treats party next week, a preview of what I am featuring....this will come in handy!

1. Re-ink your stamp pads. (The obvious one)

2. Shaving Cream Technique: This requires shaving cream and reinkers. It is a bit messy, wearing rubber gloves and putting down newspaper is a good idea.
-Spread the bottom of a shallow 9x12 pan with a layer of shaving cream. Spread it out with a spatula to about 3 / 4 inch thick
-Take a couple of coordinating reinkers and put a couple drops in a random pattern all over the shaving cream.
- Use something like a chopstick, knife or pencil to swirl the shaving cream around until you get a nice swirl effect.
- Now press a piece of cardstock down into the shaving cream. Press from the center and be sure all is touching.
- Gently peel up scrap off excess shaving cream with a clean paper towel.
- You can reuse the shaving cream several times. When the cardstock is dry, the surface will have a velvety feel.

3. Paintbrush technique: Select a paintbrush and palette. You will actually paint with the reinkers. This method adds more vibrancy to your finished project and you have the ability to apply undertones and highlights right where you want them. It works best to first emboss your image. Embossing gives a nice edge for the ink to blend to. You can also mix the reinkers and come up with your own designer colour.

4. Christmas ornaments: Take clear glass ball ornaments and remove the top. You will need to put about 10 drops of one colour into each ornie. (Add only one colour or you will have sludge) When you are done, turn the bulb upside down and let the excess ink drain off into a paper cup. Pour approx. 1 / 2 tsp of glitter into the bulk. QUICKLY SHAKE! (This needs to be done quickly so as not to form a big glob) Pour excess dyed glitter into a container (you can reuse). Put top back on ornament and tie on an organdy ribbon! These are beautiful!

5. Paper clay and reinkers: Mist to make your own specialty colours. Will leave a swirl pattern.

6. Liquid Glass and reinkers: Add a drop or 2 of reinker to liquid glass. Use it to give a raised effect. Add a bit of prisma glitter for extra wow factor!

7. Easter Egg background: Use a paper towel that you have wadded, dip in ink and pounce all over white cardstock. Use 2 or 3 colours and you will have cardstock that looks like dyed Easter eggs.

8. Resist technique: There are several products you can use to do this technique: waxed paper, white crayon, rubber cement, versa mark with clear embossing powder, white daisy ink. The results are pretty much the same regardless of medium. After stamping your image on paper, use an eyedropper to put some drops on the page. Hold the paper slanted down and let the ink run across the page. The ink is resisted in the areas that you have placed your wax or other resist product. You can also use your brayer to place re-inkers on your cardstock.

9. Batik: Use the reinkers to create cards that will have the look of this ancient art form. There are two methods to batiking that use reinkers.
- -Mulberry Batik Method: Emboss on mulberry paper using solid bold stamps, a resist pap, clear embossing powder and heat tool just until the image is clear. Then crunch the paper into a ball to crack the embossing. (ßOptional step) Place on one side of a newsprint and spritz with water until it is soaked but not drippy. Drop reinker of one colour in several places. Using brush dribble more water on to spread the colour. Clean the brush. Now drop another color and repeat process. Carefully unfold and transfer to a couple of clean sheets of newsprint in a flip-flop fashion. Fold the newsprint over and with an iron set on medium press for about one minute.
- Tissue paper batik method: Stamp a pattern using versa mark ink and a bold stamp onto tissue paper. Emboss with clear powder. Use reinkers and drop ink onto the tissue paper. Ink will absorb into the paper where there is no embossing.

10. Watercolor Brayer: Drop several reinkers onto a piece of plastic wrap. Fold wrap in half to spread ink around. Then unfold and ink your brayer by rolling it across the newly created palette. Spritz with a water bottle and roll out onto your card for a pretty watercolor look.

11. Liquid applique: Use white Liquid Applique. Squeeze a bit and mix with your choice of reinkers. Air-dry or puff up.

12. Soused suede: Taking 11 a step further. Squeeze applique on your cardstock. Now take a used gift card and scrape over cardstock like you are spackling. Randomly add drops off reinker and tilt card so that it spreads. Heat the liquid applique for a truly unique look (I LOVE this technique!)

13. Dye mulberry: Use the reinkers to change white mulberry into any colour!

14. Bubble background: Add reinkers to dishwashing soap and water in a 9x12 shallow pan. Take a straw and blow bubbles (don’t inhale!) Quick dip the surface of your cardstock into the bubbles.

15. Dye Ribbon

16. Foil paper technique: Emboss an open image without a lot of detail onto front of card. Use black ink and clear embossing powder. Stamp the same image onto plain foiled holiday gift wrap and colour in using reinkers. You can cut the whole image or parts of it…depending on the look you want to achieve. Cut the inside line of the image. Glue the foiled pieces inside the embossed image on the card.

17. Paper casting: Place stamp with image side up on table. Select up to 8 squares of toilet tissue and stack them. Dampen them with water and lay them over the stamp. Place a hand towel on top and gently press down expelling some of the water from the tissue and molding it to the stamp image. Now paint on the colour you want using your reinkers and a paintbrush. Carefully remove all the tissue at one time from the stamp and lay it aside to dry. The image will appear similar to paper casting!

18. Tissue paper/Window Sheets: On a sheet of window sheeting, squeeze out a blob of liquid glass. Spread around with your finger and leave it fairly thick. Drop a few different colours of reinkers on glass and spread around. Add more drops to achieve a marbled look as desired. Cut a piece of white tissue slightly larger than the glue/ink and set aside to dry (peel back a corner to check that ink is dry) when dry, peel tissue away from window sheet and use whole or in pieces for a cool background. Finished paper has the look of stained glass. (I have also used transparencies and page protectors)

19. Aluminum Foil: Fold a piece in half and reopen it. Squirt some of your reinkers on the foil. Fold the foil in half again pressing together (with hand or brayer) allowing the ink to mix around. Open up and lay a blank card in the inked foil. Fold the foil over the card. Smooth your hand over the foil allowing the ink to get on the card. Open the foil and look to see if you need to add any more, if so, repeat process.

20. Reinkers and Glue with tissue paper: Stamp all images on transparencies. Colour stamped images on reverse side of tissue paper. TO highlight use metallic markers. Put drops of white glue on reverse side (once marker is dry); add drops of reinkers. Use your fingers to smear glue and colour as desired. (Work carefully over marker as it will flake off – it is worth the effort as the metallic markers are what really make this pop!) Crumple white tissue paper and adhere to the glue to seal. Layer with background papers onto card.

21. Caught in crystal: This is a very clever use of an ordinary household cleaning product, clear acrylic floor finish (I use Future) Stamp the design of your choice onto a transparency (or page protector) with staz on ink. Heat fix. Spray with clear gloss fixative and heat to dry. Tape transparency, stamped side down onto a sheet of paint white paper. The tape will act as a barrier to keep the inks and future from seeping under the front of the transparency. Pour a puddle of future on the transparency and spread evenly over background. Add a light sprinkle of glitter. Tear a piece of tissue paper a little larger than your transparency. Crumple, open and smooth onto transparency. Add more future-you want the surface wet so the dyes flow easily. Add drops of dye from reinkers. Blend edges of colours together using a soft paint brush. Blot with a paper towel. You control how deep the colours will be at this step. If the tissue tears, don’t panic! Tear off a small piece of tissue and patch with more floor finish. Heat to dry. Hold the heat fun about 6-8 inches from the transparency- you don’t want it to melt! Add another layer of future0this is what will turn the piece crystal clear. Again, heat to dry. Cut out the inside of the taped area. The finished piece is now ready to be applied to your project.

22. Other objects for crating backgrounds:
Kooshballs: dab in reinker and pounce.
Marbles: put in a shallow dish and roll
Rubber ball: bounce it in reinker and then on cardstock
Piece of mesh: dye it or use a sponge and reinker to create a cool grid on cardstock
Bubble Wrap: dab in reinker and press into cardstock
Sandwich baggie: crumple and pounce
Sponges
Try any household object!

23. Reinker plus Pearl Paint makes a wonderful custom shimmer paint.

24. Add reinker to homemade glitter mist (this takes a lot equal amounts of reinker to alcohol so unless you want a specific custom colour, I honestly think it is just as cost effective to buy glimmer mist)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:22:00.005-04:00

Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged (well, yes I do, it comes from a slightly new time sucker called facebook lol, but realized it was the end of October and I couldn't let a month go by with NO posts!

We are off tonight to trick or treat for the second time, the girls went to Norwalk Thursday night to T or T with their cousin and tonight he is coming to return the favour.

They also costumed up last weekend for Pumpkin Palooza at the Milan Historical Museum and had lots of fun...this year the costumes have definitely gotten their monies worth out of them!

The girls...Iron Man and my Punk Vampire

And Andrew as Scooby Doo

Thorns in my side

2009-09-08T11:12:00.002-04:00

Hey, I didn't pick the title! My friend Linda did! Yes, I caved to peer pressure! lol ALthough, there are days...... My little beauties can try the patience of a 1000 saints, but then again, they can also be the sweetest most considerate children in the world as well. I just have the advantage of having mine with me 24/7 since I homeschool them and with that much togetherness there are days that make me question my sanity about that decision.

ANyway....again with the Cosmo Cricket papers....I really do love this cherry paper. Seems so summery and yummy!

Home Suite Home

2009-09-08T11:05:00.004-04:00

Judy at Simply Scrapping sent the design team an awesome pack at the beginning of summer. I LOVE getting her goodie boxes and I went crazy using up most of it right away. The Cosmo Cricket Early Riser papers (or something like that, totally blanking on the lines name right now) were a bit cutesy for my taste and I had a heck of a time using them.

See, we are SO not morning people here. Actually, as I type it is 11 am and I am still in my jamas and Livy just rolled out of bed about 15 minutes ago. Early Riser? There are NO morning pics or breakfasty kinda things in our world. And like I said, a bit cutesy and well, I'm not really a cute kinda gal.

But, they did have a fun homey feel and I decided they were perfect for our hotel pics from vacation. We got a suite and the girls never wanted to leave...they loved the little kitchen, having cable (major novelty in our world) and that said cable was on a tv inches from their sofabed.

You Enchant Me

2009-09-08T11:00:00.002-04:00

I'm not totally sure if I am done with this page...something is just off (suggestions are welcome). I took some June Bug papers and teemed them up with this great Glitz Designs cardstock sticker from Simply Scrapping. I LOVE these colours....the purple and orange just look so exotic yet fallish and fun.

I Ain't Mis'bee'havin'

2009-09-08T10:52:00.004-04:00

Okay, seriously, how freakin' cute is my nephew?! Livy snapped this pic of him getting into my purse one day when we were out shopping. I found it on my camera and laughed. My purse is a hugely fascinating place to the little guy, prolly because there is always some little goodie that I picked up for him stashed away in there (currently there are 2 sesame street figures and 4 mini Elmo board books, just goes to show)

Beauty Seen

2009-09-08T10:49:00.002-04:00

Another layout using the BG June bug papers...these are so fun! I did 4 different layouts using these papers and they all have a really different feel! Love when you can do that! This paper was a bit busy though (I LOVE the patterned papers that have these kinds of designs, but they are soo hard to use as you don't want to cover anything!) so I just doodled a bit where I covered the design and then threw on a huge chipboard butterfly. A bit of liquid pearls to show his path and it was done.

Just my youngest chickeepoo with her puppy in front of the roses

Focus!

2009-09-07T14:39:00.002-04:00

There is a new look over at "Shoe" blog but the challenges are just as awesome as ever! The current Fashionista Friday challenge is to use the colours Red, Yellow and Orange in your layout.

Here's my take, the BG June Bug papers that are part of The Scrap Queens June Bug kit fit the bill perfect along with the matching stickers. I didn't have any yellow flowers...but no worries, I did have some light tan ones and my sunflower glimmer mist! A bit of spraying and the problem was not only solved, but I got a bit of shimmer to brighten my day as well!

Thanks as always for the inspiration ladies!

New Fall Idea Book is online and products are available!

2009-09-01T10:30:00.003-04:00

I have to tell you, I have been waiting for today! Not only is the fall idea book ready for you to order from, but there is a gorgeous new stamp of the month and we are in the midst of our national stamping month celebration!

Want to see the goodies? Click on the catalogue picture to the right. You'll be drooling, I promise! My personal favourite paper pack is Twitterpated, but Jingle, Grace and Sweet Home are beautiful as well! And the new bag line is very cool and the new embellishments and well, just sign me up for one of everything! The fall catalogue is always my favourite and this one did NOT disappoint!

Want more info on our current special? It is awesome! If you spend $60 on stamps, you will get it free! This uber cute kit makes 16 cards and everything is included...a stamp set, inks, paper, card flats, embellishments...it's a $39.95 value. You can also get it free if you become a consultant this month or have a qualifying gathering. I have one spot open, email or call if you want it!

More info on it can be found here:
http://www.closetomyheart.com/PDF/0909_ContantCampaign_Flyer.pdf

And didn't I promise a super gorgeous stamp of the month?
Check this out! I LOVE it!

Have fun exploring all the new goodies, looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Now for something glam!

2009-08-29T09:36:00.008-04:00

My friend Lisa is a HUGE Adam Lambert fan. Which totally cracks me up. When my daughter saw this, she said "THAT is for Miss Lisa? Wow! That doesn't seem like her at all!" Which just goes to show that my nature loving, straightforward, sensible, station wagon driving friend has a dark side! lol

She went to the recent AI concert and snapped these photos and they totally inspired me! I don't get to play with concert pics, so I totally jumped on this and made her a mini album out of altered CDs and lots of bling! It was so much fun to make and it went together so fast! (Of course, I love any excuse to throw alcohol inks on things and the glimmer mist on mulberry shines soo cool...love my black gold!)

Hope you like it Lisa!

(And my 9 fell off, I have another but wanted to get this up, I'll dig for it in my huge mess later. SO just ignore that for now)

Just some quick cards

2009-08-25T11:09:00.003-04:00

I needed a card this morning, for some reason I really don't enjoy making cards. I'm the worlds WORST card sender so that is probably the reason why...instead of sharing them, I have a HUGE pile of cards that I made and do nothing with. Of course, since I made them, most likely they have been posted and when I do need one, I have to make a new one, since I feel like if I send one someone might have seen, then they feel like I didn't care enough to make them one that was new.

Anyway, that was more than you needed to know, right?

What I do love are my glimmer mists and screens. When I need a card, these are the QUICKEST way to get a something uber fun looking quick. And they look so impressive. Not like something it took seconds to create.

I grabbed 4 card flats this morning that I had sitting here, my basket of glimmer mists (yes, I have a basket full of them) and my pile of glimmer screens and a tattered angels stamp set (they only have a handful of designs but what they do have I LOVE) and 5 minutes later, I had not only these 4 cards, but everything was put back away.

Awesome, quick and easy and they turned out quite pretty, imho!

I finally scrapped!!!!

2009-08-25T10:56:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was literally the first day I had scrapped in over 2 months. Wow! For me that is unheard of. But, I was too busy making memories this summer to preserve them. So, now I have a HUGE pile of photos to scrap!

This was a quick page to get me started. Just some pics from a park in downtown Sandusky on the Lake Erie shore.

Then, yesterday I got my CTMH card kit. The papers are sooo cute! I'm not a card maker for the most part, but I loved the papers so I used them to make this page. The card kit is a special this month, it makes 16 cards, comes with a stamp set, papers and everything you need for embellishing plus 2 mini inks in two of my fave colours dutch blue and chocolate. If you spend $60 on stamps, you get it free or you can earn it by hostessing a show through the end of September or signing up to become a consultant during this time. Contact me if you want more info!

In the meantime, here is my family at Tofts ice cream at their factory shop....it's sooo good! Ice cream is a major no no for me, but this stuff is soo worth the pain I suffer!

Altered Book - Fairy Theme

2009-08-25T10:35:00.008-04:00

Well, it's been a busy summer, so that's why I haven't posted much.

We've been camping, to fairs, I don't know how many museums, played with my nephew, been town saling...you name it, seems like I crammed it in somehow. And in the midst of all that, my mom came to visit and I got my upcoming class/event schedule done along with my curriculum for this year.

Oh yes, I also joined an altered book group.

THis is an ongoing project and the group meets monthly so hopefully you'll keep seeing more and more of them.

I had never done an altered book and wondered if there was some special trick to them...for some reason they intimidated me. So, I figured the class was a great place to start.

Guess what? They are just like altering anything else. You just need to take into account that paper buckles a bit more than wood or chipboard or so forth.

I was trying to think what to work on and I have a small collection of fairy stamps and ephemera. With the fairy garden workshop I had taken as inspiration and a pile of Cecily M Barker books to spur me on further plus a nice pile of glimmer mist for sparkle (must have the sparkle and I so love my glimmer mist!) I got started!

Materials: CTMH Paper Garden papers, ephemera, Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist (for making ephemera aged), CTMH stamp, sticker hinges, grungeboard, copper adirondack dabber, DCWV chipboard, random flowers, lace doily, dusty concord distress ink, ctmh black archival ink, K& Co sticker

Materials: Juneberry Wine and Patina glimmer mists, glimmer screens, Tattered Angels stamp, K& CO stickers, Cecily M Barker colouring page, Tim Holt tag, Smooch ink, CTMH rub on

Materials: Sunflower and Juneberry Wine glimmer mists, felt lace, ephemera, Darice flowers, CTMH sparkles, Coffee filter flower I made covered with oriental poppy glimmer mist

Blog Candy....we have a winner!

2009-08-25T10:32:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I'm a little late! Sooo sorry!

Using a randomizer, the number picked was.....

6!

That made me smile, as it is always fun when someone you know wins! Congratulations Adina! I know I had your address at one point, but if you can send that to me, I'll get your goodies out to you.

And, for all you others, be on the lookout...I have a brand new set of CTMH stamps here that need a home and I'll be posting another blog candy soon!

A Perfect Day

2009-06-28T10:47:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was my birthday!

Aside from the present the dog left me in the morning (he threw up on the carpet) I had the best day. The girls got up and we headed to my sisters house, I opened my presents from her (she spoiled me rotten...a new swimsuit, umbrella, scrap supplies, burts bees, chocolate and a shoe bookmark...all the things I love or needed) and then we loaded up the car and took off.

First stop, the Merry Go Round Museum in Sandusky. The kids LOVED doing the rubbings and riding the merry go round (my nephew is into Toads, so he picked the frog to ride).

Then we headed over to the shoreline to see Lake Erie and wander around a bit at the park. Livy loved that Cedar Point could be seen...she cannot wait to go back there!

After that, the girls were after ice cream (they are ALWAYS after ice cream. I'm not a huge ice cream fan so was trying to find Trin's logic for saying it was a birthday present for ME). Amyway, we were headed to Port CLinton on Route 6 we passed Toft's so we had to stop! Omgosh, they have lots of choices and a small cone is like 4 scoops!

Happily sated, we got in the car and drove the rest of the way to the Great Lakes Popcorn Company in Port Clinton:

http://www.greatlakespopcorn.com/

We tired lots of flavours at their tasting station and came up with a few favourites. Trin was all about the Columbus mix and Livy the jellybean, but Mindy and I both went crazy over the salt and vinegar. Omgosh, it is awesome!!! I think I found a new favourite junk food!

Afterwards, we headed back to my sisters, where my BIL made us dinner on the grill and the kids played in the sandbox. Then, we went over to Big Lots where I found the much sought after thickers for $2 a pack!

When we left, standing by the road across the street, we saw her...she was nice enough to stand still and pose for me. We looked at each other awhile and then she went back to eating and we drove back to Min's.

My mom called as we were leaving, so I talked to her on the way home and Stan was waiting here at home for me with tiramisu! The best birthday cake ever! And a great way to end a perfect day!

Go Fish

2009-06-28T10:42:00.002-04:00

The girls went to Columbia Reservation earlier in the month and heard a talk on fish and they also took fish molds and covered them in fabric paint and made decorated shirts. They got very creative!

Challenge was from Adina, who wanted us to take our scraps and use them in a new way. I made a bunch of prima flowers out of mine (about 30 of them actually, this was my favourite)

Scraplift Challenge

2009-06-28T10:36:00.004-04:00

I took the inspiration from this card from another posted by Tamara and knocked it off using a rub on and some stickles. If you don't know what a scraplift challenge is, it's where you take someone elses work and duplicate it, putting on your own spin.

Childhood

2009-06-28T10:32:00.003-04:00

Tanisha posted this challenge...you had a use a Michael Jackson song title.

I watched my nephew last week and he is soo fun to have! I really enjoy seeing how easily amused he is and how everything is new to him since my girls at, 8 and 9, are pretty blase about common things these days.

It's a Midwest Thing

2009-06-28T10:29:00.003-04:00

This one if for my friend Stacie who is THE BIGGEST polar pop junkie I know!

For those of you NOT from the midwest, soft drinks are called pop in our neck of the woods. Not cokes, not soda, no fizzy drinks....POP! And if you get it from a fountain they are sublime.

THis is a sketch that was posted for the crop this weekend.

U Rock card

2009-06-28T10:23:00.003-04:00

This was a color challege from Lesley...to go with the vampy theme, the colours were black and white and one item of red.

Here's my card....

I need to play with this one a bit, I'm not real happy with it, I found some vintage film images that I want to try and work in somehow and some black and white ribbon.

A Year of Cards

2009-06-28T10:07:00.008-04:00

This was Lesley's challenge...to create a year of cards in one weekend, you had prompts to use for each month.

January: CELEBRATE good times...C'MON! A celebration card

February: Let's Get it ON....Valentine's card

March: a little bit louder now...JUMP! A jump into SPRING card...Spring themed card

April: In the Easter parade! Easter card with the color yellow
May: Mama...something something something...Mama! Mother's Day card with the color purple
June: Poppa was a rollin stone! Father's Day card with the color brown

July: Born on the 4th of July: Patriotic Card with a heart on the card somewhere
August: Sittin on the dock of the bay....end of SUMMER...so a peaceful Summer card...with a piece of yellow ribbon
September: We don't need no education! Back to School Card with an apple on the card

October: We did the Mash...the MOnster Mash: Halloween Card using orange and black ribbon
November: ummmm....ok...how about a Thank y ou card of some sort including three flowers
December: O Christmas Tree! Christmas (or Hanukah) card featuring at least 2 circles and something with polka dots

Race Challenge Cards

2009-06-28T10:01:00.004-04:00

Tracey is doing her famous race challenge...I love that challenge and omgosh, her commentary gets SOOO hilarious. The girl cracks me up! I dropped out awhile back as I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up since I had errands to run and would be gone most of yesterday (all day it turned out). But, I did the first few.

Here's some cards I made for various laps:

4H Public Speaking Competition

2009-06-28T09:56:00.004-04:00

Livy participated in the Cloverbud category of the 'speech meet' last week. Her group did so great and despite being hugely nervous, she delivered her line perfectly and loud enough we could hear her from where we were sitting in the back! Yay Livy!

She was soo excited about getting her ribbons and presidential gold dollar. But, the best part was at the end of all the awards they had prize drawings and Livy won $20! She was thrilled!

This page was done for the Simplify challenge, where we were to try and use only a third of our page and leave the rest of the space empty!

Cigar Box Purse

2009-06-28T09:46:00.005-04:00

Karmyn was responsible for this challenge...it was called Busy, Busy, Busy! The point was to make something and have NO negative space left. Fill the entire thing up. So, I had gotten this cigar box at a garage sale a week ago and decided since I hadn't made a new purse in awhile, this was a great way to answer this challenge.

THen, I went crazy with the flowers. I used the chipboard (that I had been hoarding for years) as a starting point (and yep, it is shoe themed, I'm a suck up! lol)and then threw in stickles and bling and a few other odds and ends. THere are primas, just blooms, crocheted flowers, a big grungepaper one I made...if I could find it in my hoard and it was black, pink or white, on it went! (consequently, I'm now completely out of flowers in all those colours...this is a great way to use things up!)

Here she is, I just need to add a beaded handle. THe other sides are covered in a black dewdrop print handmade paper that has a swirl pattern on it in silver. (I guess I should probably take a pic of that too...oh well, another day)

Vamp ATC

2009-06-28T09:41:00.003-04:00

Kristy posted an ATC challenge with a Vamp theme. How fun!

I used this corset stamp I have had forever and again hadn't used for inspiration. And I thought the Madonna quote was perfect! Since I had my alcohol inks out, I had to play with them to make the background!

Ad Challenge inspired card

2009-06-28T09:33:00.003-04:00

Tracey posted this ad as a challenge this weekend. You had to use it as inspiration for a card, page, etc.

I LOVE this ad!!!

Here's what I came up with using an awesome stamp I have had sitting here for eons (angel) and a background of Bright Orange, Red Pepper and Yellow alkie inks, then I add pearl alkie ink in the middle for the glow. The flourishes are a Heidi Swapp stamp and then I did the oval over the angel with orange peel stickles.

I LOVE it, this is one of my favouritest things I have done in awhile!

Endeeringly Cute

2009-06-28T09:28:00.002-04:00

A couple weeks ago, the girls participated in the Clan of the Caves program at Wolf Creek. It was a program where they learned about the earth through various clans (elements) using interpretive dance, art and so forth. They really enjoyed all 4 days of it!

On our way one morning, we were delayed a bit by this little fellow. He was sooo little and after he crossed the road, he collapsed into the weeks exhausted! Fortunately, I had my camera (of course I did! lol) and was able to take pics of him since he was so accomodating.

The page was done for the Vintage challenge (had to use nautral colours, lace, a vintage image and distressed and inked edges.

Knuckle Down

2009-06-28T09:20:00.003-04:00

This weekend is an online crop at If the Shoe Fits ning site. Awesome! I got soo much done!

These pages were done for 2 different challenges, the first page a sketch and the second an elements. I needed 2 pages as I took lots of pictures at the American Toy and Marble museum at Lock 3 in downtown Akron. We went there for a field trip earlier this month and the girls learned the history of toys and how Akron was such a huge part of that and how to officially play marbles. Then, they each got a bag of marbles to take home.

Blog Candy

2009-06-12T10:20:00.004-04:00

How would you like to win some cool fun stuff?

This cool fun stuff to be exact:

This is what you have to do:
1. You must be a follower, so if you aren't a follower, become one!
2. Please leave a comment on this post.
3. Link this blog candy on your blog or webpage somewhere that I can see!

I'm going to run this candy through August 16 and in that time, I'll keep digging through my hoard to find things to add!

Currently the package contains:a Scrappy Cat stamp set, R&L Birthday Rub Ons, jumbo paper clip, Mrs Grossmans vellum flowers stickers, pkg of ScrapALopes, heritage alpha stickers, sheet of grunge, Karen Foster scrapper's floss, Martha Stewart coarse crystal glitter, ScrapNMoms magnet (these are an exclusive collectors item y'all! lol You can only get them from me or the admin I've shared them with), Petal Pebbles, MM tags, Copic marker, heritage ribbon, a sponge dauber, Jolee's shoes and a bottle of alcohol ink!

Oodles of Doodles

2009-06-12T10:07:00.004-04:00

That is the name of a class my friend Michelle is teaching over at the Debbie Hodges site. It starts June 15th and runs Monday and Thursday for three weeks. There are 7 lessons and prizes and fun. The classes include lessons in doodling, hand cutting, and sewing techniques.

I had the pleasure of taking the first class with Michelle in person before she moved from Ohio and it was awesome! It really inspired me to start doing my own art in my layouts more.

You can check it out here:
http://debbiehodge.squarespace.com/oodlesofdoodles/

Here's the layout I did with Michelle's inspiration:

Hope to see you there!

Instructions for Hollowing out a Light Bulb

2009-06-11T09:37:00.002-04:00

Emily asked for instructions for the vase below....this is super detailed and a great link!

http://www.teamdroid.com/diy-hollow-out-a-light-bulb/

Once you have your bulb hollowed you just go to town. I used glass stain on mine, then doodled flourishes on it with a gold paint pen and then wrapped it in think copper wire and added beads around the top.

Recycled Lightbulb Vase

2009-06-10T16:55:00.004-04:00

Okay, I love learning new things. Aristotle wrote "Wisdom begins in wonder" and some days I take that to heart a little too much. I get so excited everytime the new class list comes out at the parks or libraries or at the LSS and so on.

But, I love the inspiration and the motivation it gives me.

Monday night I took a Recycled Art class at the library and Susie showed us how to hollow out a lightbulb and turn it into art.

We painted them there, then I brought mine home and added my own wire and beads.

This is what I got and the chickeepoos were kind enough to go out and pick me a few daisies for it.

Now, maybe it's just me.....but can you imagine these with alcohol inks? Ooooohhhhh.....pretty! I'm gonna have to find me some more lightbulbs and play!

Artist Trading Cards

2009-06-10T13:54:00.003-04:00

Those fab girls over at If the Shoe Fits blog posted a challenge this week to make masculine themed atcs....well, it wasn't all that long ago that DH got promoted at work and his desk and bb looks pretty empty...so I thought I'd make a couple for him to cheer him up and brighten his space.

Here's my takes (now mind you, honey HATES having his picture taken, so I had to do some serious digging for that little pic below...it's from about 8 years ago and he was half asleep, the only reason I even got it)

And they just posted the Wednesday card challenge so get on over there and check it out!

Happy Birthday You're 8!

2009-06-10T10:21:00.005-04:00

Oops! So, I see I forgot the "you're" part on the layout....quick rub on fix in my future.

This was made with the Scrap Queen Summer Fun kit as well, I really love the date paper, at first glance, it isn't something I'd pick out, but with some judiciuosly applied key lime glimmer mist (my answer for everything these days) I really love the paper. Plus, how perfect for a birthday!

Watching Liv open gifts is SO fun....everything is "Just what she wanted!" and as you can tell, her expressions are priceless and she gets SO excited!

Uh Oh it's magic

2009-06-10T10:13:00.003-04:00

We went to a magic show on Mother's Day at Columbia Reservation and the girls loved it (so much we are going to another magic show elsewhere this week).

Papers are Core'dinations cardstock and Jillibean soup. I was basically just trying to use up my scraps on this one.

Mom I'm bored!

2009-06-10T10:09:00.003-04:00

Oh, how often I hear those words from my eldest. Ironically enough, while I was scrapping this page, in she walked and uttered those words (and of course, when I started laughing my butt off, she got very dramatic and did her patented eyeroll and sigh....so nice that my 9 yo thinks I am the biggest idiot on the planet, I was hoping it would take her a few more years to figure that one out).

This is for a challenge at The Scrap Queen this month, we were to use 4 different fonts on a layout. I sketched the "Mom" and then cut it out and faux stitched it, the "I am" are thickers, the "so" and "Bored" were made using CTMH alphabet stamps.

WIth the the exception of the yellow paper which was from my scrap hoard, the rest is from TSQ Summer Fun kit from this month.

Love challenge

2009-06-10T09:56:00.004-04:00

Simply Scrapping has LOTS of great challenges up this month! I have been trying to work my way through them, it's a great way to get motivated and caught up!

The June 12th challenge must be about a loved one (I think my darling nephew and the girls fit the bill) and have LOVE in the title.

The papers are from Judy, they are by scribble scrabble and soo fun for summer/warm weather layouts.

Sparkle plus grunge makes for some interesting tags

2009-06-10T09:45:00.004-04:00

The current colour challenge at the If the Shoe Fits blog is green and pink. I didn't really have any pictures to scrap in those colours, but I did have tags and LOTS of ink of various kinds and I unearthed a huge pile of manila tags yesterday soooo

into my stash I went.

I used Peeled Paint distressing ink and Tim Holtz Fairytale Frenzy stamps. Then, I grabbed some leftover thickers, lime green stickles and some Tattered Angels products....Juneberry Wine and Key Lime glimmer mist and the nature themed screens.

The LG is for me cause hey, why not, I deserve it right? lol And the other is for my dear friend Sarah who has a birthday this week. Oh, by the way, over on her site, to celebrate she is running challenges...get over there and check it out (scrap queen link at the right)

Free Vintage Wallpapaer Download

2009-06-10T08:29:00.003-04:00

Just got this in an email from Stampington & Co. There are 5 patterns to choose from and soo great! And if you love to do vintage artwork like myself, this is an awesome find!

Link can be found here:
http://www.stampington.com/html/postscript_06092009_download.html

Be sure to check out the rest of the site as well, they have some really cool products and great inspiration!

Scrapping Across Ohio

2009-06-09T09:38:00.002-04:00

So, I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner!

One of my favourite things about homeschooling is the field trips! We go on a lot. And I'm sure I'm not the only homeschooler that feels that way.

I also LOVE Ohio and am always looking for fun new places to explore. Then, I take lots of pics and scrap them.

So, if you are looking for something fun to do and you are in Ohio, be sure to check out the Scrapping Across Ohio tag, that's where you'll find my fave places in Ohio.

Over the next week, my goal is to get up layouts that I have done of Ohio vacations and field trips so that you can join in on the fun and maybe find a few new hidden gems in this state yourself.

I'd also love if you'd share your own Ohio layouts!

Artsy Fartsy

2009-06-09T09:27:00.002-04:00

Trin's my artsy girl and she gets so excited about field trips to art museums. While daddy was on vacation last month we finally found time to go to Oberlin's art museum.

Small, but packed with great art! Definitely worth checking out if you haven't been there! And they have great little activity books for the kids to go with their self guided tour.

Trin's favourite was the giant plug (off to the right of the bldg outside behind the ginormous tree). She also loved the dragon statue.

Field Day

2009-06-09T09:24:00.002-04:00

I had such great memories of field day when I was a kid, that I was totally excited when I saw that Lorain County parks was doing one for homeschoolers. It wasn't quite the day we had growing up, but it gave me some great ideas for next year.

The girls love any chance to go out and explore so they loved it. And we learned about galls, which are something we had never noticed before this year. Amazing thing that you can go through life 30+ years and not see something that is apparently pretty common.

Natural Beauty

2009-06-09T09:19:00.004-04:00

I still love this photo! I blogged about it back in May. My youngest chickeepoo took the photo and I couldn't wait to scrap it.

I really wanted to set it off and not overpower the photo, but I also had to get all my fun embellishments in! Plain flowers with Theresa's great batik paper (augustartpapers.com) seemed to fit the bill perfectly. At least I think so.

Beautiful photo taken by a beautiful little girl plus beautiful papers. Does it get much better?

Oh, and the great flower was made by my friend Sarah, she layered mulberry and tipped it with smooch ink (I LOVE these little bottles of fun!). Isn't it pretty? She is soo talented and such a great friend.

Cousins

2009-06-09T09:13:00.003-04:00

How fun is this paper?! I got this from Judy at Simply Scrapping...online I wasn't so sure I liked it, but IRL it is awesome! It is made by Cherry Arte and I love it!

It really has a lot of movement to it and that is perfect for a layout of the chickeepoos and my darling nephew. I kept trying to get these great posed pictures of the three of them together and they were NOT having it! It was like trying to herd wildebeasts! I'd get one to look at the camera and the other two would be distracted.

Oh well, they are all seriously cute and I love them so I'll forgive them!

The flowers are ones I made myself...my beloved pop cans embossed with my cuttlebug and alcohol inked and coffee filters. Prima just has nothing on them! lol

Gnome Much Fun

2009-06-09T09:06:00.004-04:00

It was a gorgeous day back in April and the first after a LOOONG winter. I tried to find any excuse possible to keep us outside....

Sketch is #34 from Simply Scrapping. I love Judy's sketches, they are so great! And have fun details.

Papers are Kaiser Craft from her store. Stamps are SU (I just love the gnomes, it is like my one SU token set).

Crazy for Critters

2009-06-09T09:03:00.001-04:00

One of the things we came home with on Entrepreneur Night were Cosmo and Panda. The girls fell in love with these too. I have always sworn NO Rodents but they just had to have them.

And, their final argument for getting them (and how could I POSSIBLY say no to this and I swear they came up with this on their own) "Mom, we HAVE to get the hamsters! You haven't scrapped us with hamsters yet!"

So, we have hamsters.

Okay, I have to admit, they ARE super cute and the girls take such delight in them.

Speaking of Simply Scrapping......

2009-06-09T09:00:00.002-04:00

We are looking for new members! If you have not checked out this site, get over there ASAP! The design team (not including myself here, I am truly humbled by the creativity of these ladies) is just awesome! I get sooo much inspiration from these ladies.

ANd challenges...well, anytime I can find challenges I am sooo happy. I need some direction some days and they give me the extra push I need to get motivated!

Get on over there and be sure to tell them Lissa sent you (okay, yeah, there is a prize for those who recruit new members, it isn't something I really want, but it will be great to be to share with the teens I work with, they love gadgets, so I'm in this for them!)

http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/

Akron Zoo...

2009-06-09T08:51:00.004-04:00

The recipe challenge going on right now at Simply Scrapping (link is to the right) focuses on zoo animals! Seemed like a perfect excuse for me to work on our Akron Zoo pictures from Livy's birthday!

Recipe is:
You must use everything in the recipe. You can use more of one item, but NOT less.
1. Use an animal you will find at the zoo. Must be an outside animal either a photograph, on the paper, or embellishment.
2. 3 buttons, 2 hearts, and 1 tag
3. 2 different Alphabets-One must be from chipboard
4. 1 Square & 1 Circle
5, Color Black
6. Stitching either rub or real
7. Minimum 2 styles of papers

Deadline is June 11, so get scrapping!

There's also a great prize involved, go check it out!

Hiker Chicks

2009-06-09T08:47:00.003-04:00

We spend a lot of time at the county parks. They just opened a new trail over at Buckeye Woods and we had a great time exploring it, I think we now know every inch of that trail...all the flowers and critters. Well, maybe not, that's the great thing about nature...it is always surprising you!

Entrepreneur Fair

2009-06-09T08:43:00.003-04:00

My girls hate math in all its forms it seems (can't imagine where they get that! lol) so when the homeschool support group I was a part of this year offered an Entrepreneur Night for the kids I jumped on it!

The girls made up little business plans, approached daddy with it to be a backer to help them buy supplies and they set up their little booth and sold their wares. In the end, both made about $15 profit (which quickly went to buying new webkinz). And the best part, they didn't realize they were doing math by making change and figuring profit margins.

It was a fun night!

Papers are from The Scrap Queen Jillibean Soup kit from May.

High Flying Fun

2009-06-09T08:25:00.003-04:00

We got on a kite flying kick this spring. The girls loved it and what a great opportunity to get some science lessons in!

Unfortunately, even though there weren't many trees around, it seems that kites have a propensity to find them! But, it also meant I got to get a few great shots of my DH climbing up into a tree to detangle the lines!

Basic Grey Lime Rickey papers (Scrap Queen kit) for the layout and my own thickers from my hoard (LOVE thickers!)

We (heart) Mom

2009-06-09T08:21:00.002-04:00

Or so my dds say. We had a great time on Mother's Day at Wellington Reservation on the paddleboats. The girls weren't a big help paddling so I got a great workout, but it was nice to be out in the middle of the lake, away from all the craziness of everyday life.

And we got some really cute photo shots. It is such a beautiful park. I am so lucky to live in an area that is gorgeous and have counties that take steps to preserve it. And offer fun opportunities to take advantage of it as well.

Papers are from CTMH's Tickled Pink promotion from May. They were exactly the feel I was wanted to evoke on my page...girly!

And challenge was a sketch from ScrapNMoms

I scream 4 ice cream

2009-06-09T08:17:00.002-04:00

My daughters are ice cream freaks! Which is great for them, but it isn't so fun for mommy who cannot have ice cream. They do however have an aunt and cousin who are all about it as well.

So, when Aunt Mindy mentioned ice cream after we went to the Akron Zoo for Livy's birthday they were more than happy to oblige. We hadn't been to Elm Farm Dairy here in Medina yet and they had just opened for the season, so we went to check it out.

The Chocolate Mud received big smiles (and muddy smiles) all around, with the exception of Trin who opted for Lemon Dream or something to that effect.

I love how fun Basic Grey's Lime Rickey collection is, it went perfect for my sunny day ice cream photos. It was from the kit at The Scrap Queen last month.

Battle!

2009-06-09T08:09:00.002-04:00

Ah yes, the big fun thing at our house! My family are Star Wars fiends....and DH is the biggest enabler of buying toys for the girls (Trin only collects female jedi...she's such a girl power chickeepoo! Go Trin!). Anyway, Stan has been collecting toys as long as I have known him.

Trin was in looking at his collection not long ago and asked "Daddy? Why don't you play with your toys? I would play with you." Kinda tugged at the cockles of his heart and all and thus Battle was born. I'm not sure they accomplish much more than lining up all their respective figures and ships (and there are A LOT) but they spend lots of time together doing this and THAT warms the cockles of my heart seeing them laugh and be silly.

Challenge was from awhile back at If the SHoe Fits, it was black and white only on a page (or something like, like I said, it's been AWHILE). Papers are scraps of CTMH Silhouette collection (I think my all time favourite!)

Walk - SNM Sketch Challenge

2009-06-09T08:06:00.002-04:00

One of my favourite new finds are the American Crafts 6x12 page protectors. Sarah just got them in last month at The Scrap Queen. I love being able to add mini pages throughout my album and these so fit the bill!

Coincidentally, Emily posted a great 6x12 sketch as one of our challenges on ScrapNMoms, so I had an awesome excuse to get my butt in gear and use them!

Just a few shots of the sights when we were out walking on Mother's Day at Wellington reservation.

You R Simply Wonderful

2009-06-09T08:03:00.003-04:00

I LOVE this die cut paper! I'm not sure of who makes it, but it is from Simply Scrapping as are most of the elements of the page, except the fringe. I have been on such a trim kick lately, I have been finding lots of great trim at garage sales and I made a trip to Zinck's in Berlin (where awesome trim is .25 a yard!!!!) and have really accumulated some fun stuff!

This piece was white, but that is my favourite colour lately. Why? Because white ribbon, trim, etc is awesome to play with glimmer mist! I sprayed this piece with black gold (which is one of my favouritest colours!)

Happy Belated Friends Day!

2009-06-09T08:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Best Friends Day and we had a card challenge on Simply Scrapping to make one for your friend.

Here is what I came up with

It is made with my scraps from the Piggytales paper in the Summer Fun kit from The ScrapQueen this month. The gnome is an SU stamp and I coloured him with my copics and then highlighted his beard with a sparkle pen, that doesn't photograph well, but IRL makes him really pop.

Book of Me Topic Ideas

2009-05-20T12:25:00.002-04:00

I had the opportunity to teach a group of very special kids last night. We worked on Book of Mes....if you don't know, this is one of my favourite projects. I love getting others to work on Book of Mes....I think it is such a great way to share yourself with your family.

If you haven't started a Book of Me yet, I challenge you to start today and here is a list of topics I have compiled from various sources to get you started:

1. Love...do a page about your DH/BF/SO. How did you meet? Why is he/she special? What are your dreams for your future together?

2. Motherhood.... are you a mom? How do you feel about it? Did you always know you wanted to be a mother? How do you feel about your own mother?

3. Vacations.... What is your dream vacation? What has been a special vacation memory?

4. Your name.... why were you named what you were? What does your name mean?

5. What is your favourite movie?

6. What is your favourite book? Author?

7. What I love about me.... this can be a challenge; I know it was for me. I made mine into a top 10 list to really challenge myself (and because I needed a top 10 list for a journaling challenge on one of my groups)

8. If you go back and visit any era in time, when would you pick?

9. You get to have dinner with ANY 5 people (dead or alive) who would you pick? Why?

10. Animals...are you a dog person? Cat person? If you could be any animal what would you be? Have you had a special pet over the years that you loved above all others?

11. When were you born? What was special about that day? Era (there are some great "you know you were a child of the 60s, 70s, 80s" lists on the web)

12. Music.... do you play an instrument? Have a favourite song you love? What is "your song" What is your ultimate mix?

13. Food.... what is your favourite? Do you have a special family recipe? Family traditions pertaining to food?

14. Seasons.... what is your favourite memory of a particular season? Do you have a favourite season?

15. Colours.... what is your favourite? Has it stayed the same over the years? What does that colour signify, is it appropriate for you? (I did my favourite colours page of all the colours that have been my favourite over the years and what they are generally thought to signify.... sort of a retrospective)

16. Clothes.... are you a clotheshorse? Love purses? Shoes? Have a piece of clothing that you have had forever? What's your style?

17. Do you have a favourite magazine?

18. TV...is you a Grey's junkie? Live for Food Network? What's your favourite?

19. Education...did you have a favourite teacher that really touched you growing up? Did you love/hate school? How do you feel about how education has changed? Do you home school?

20. Fictionally speaking.... is there a particular character in a book, movie, on TV that you really relate too? Why?

21. What is something about you that would surprise people?

22. Technology.... love it? Hate it? Is there one thing you couldn't live without?

23. Dreams...what are your dreams for the future? How have your dreams maybe changed over the years? Have you accomplished something you set out to?

24. What is the one thing about yourself you wish you could change?

25. Friends.... do you have a great group of pals? Just one best friend? Tell about them.

26. Tell about your ‘perfect' day

27. What is the best gift you have ever rec'd?

28. You have $20 to spend on YOU.... what do you buy?

29. Cars.... what is your dream car? Your first car?

30. How are you different than you were 10 years ago? 20 years ago?

31. What do you wish you could go back and tell your teenage self?

32. Home...what is home? How many times have you moved over the years? Where would you live if you could live anywhere?

33. Shopping.... do you have a favourite store? Do you love to shop? Hate it with a passion?

34. How do you cure boredom?

35. What do you do when you are feeling blue?

36. Housework...what is your daily chose list? Do you hate to clean? Are you a bit obsessive?

37. What is the last thing that made you smile?

38. Sports.... are you an athlete? A sports fan? Did you participate in sports as a child?

39. Who is someone who has been very influential in your life? Why?

40. Do you have any tattoos? Piercings? Do you want one? Hate them?

41. What's in your purse right now? Do you carry a purse?

42. What is your can't live without scrapbook supply?

43. Why do you scrapbook?

44. Reality TV...if you could be on any show (including makeover ones) which one would you pick?

45. Not so current events.... what have been the defining events that you have experienced in your lifetime (the Challenger exploding, 911, an assassination)

46. What is the coolest thing you have ever done?

47. What is something that your parents taught you that has stuck with you?

48. What are some things you find yourself saying as a parent you never thought you would say? Swore you would never say but do?

49. What is in your refrigerator right now?

50. Married life...is it what you thought? What was the one thing that surprised you most?

51. Weddings...did you have a big wedding, small one? What was something special about the day?

52. Family cure alls...do you have something your family swears by?

53. Your family...why are they special? What do you love to do together? Do you have a special tradition?

54. Your career.... what do you do and is it something you love? What is your dream job?

55. Where did you grow up? What was special about your town? Was it rural, the big city? How does it compare to your lifestyle now?

56. What is your greatest accomplishment?

57. What has been your greatest sorrow or regret?

58. Health...what has been your most serious accident or illness?

59. What were chores you had to do as a child? How does it compare to what your own children have to do?

60. What would you like to be remembered for?

61. What was your childhood like? What did your father do? Your mother? How did you get along with your siblings?

62. What is your favourite childhood memory?

63. How has your life changed since you had children? Since they left home?

64. What is something that you learned as a child that you hope to pass on to future generations?

65. What do you know about your ancestors? Are there any that are unique or famous?

66. Boyfriends.... who was your first? Who did you go to prom with?

67. What is each of your parent's best traits? Do you share it with them? What is something you inherited you wished you hadn't?

68. Success.... how would you define it?

69. What is your philosophy for raising children?

70. Do you have a phobia?

71. Siblings...are you part of a big family or an only child? Do you like things that way or do you wish you had more/less?

72. What was your most embarrassing moment?

73. What was it like at your grandparents' house? Were you close?

74. Are you the oldest, youngest, middle child? What did you like/dislike about it?

75. Tell about your most humourous memory.

76. Describe a typical day in elementary school.

77. What did you do that got you in the most trouble as a child? How did your parents handle it?

78. Tell about your first crush.

79. What was your favourite birthday? Did you have parties every year?

80. What is something you have always wanted to learn how to do but never have?

81. Did you go to college or have vocational training? When and where?

82. What was your favourite TV or radio show as a child?

83. Are you superstitious? What is something you always do?

84. What is your guilty pleasure?

85. If you were stuck on a deserted island and had to have one person with you...who would it be?

86. Do you have a crush on a celebrity?

87. If you could ‘live' in a TV show, which one would you pick?

88. What is your favourite beverage...do you need a caffeine IV?

89. Nature.... are you a fan of the great outdoors? Do you like to camp? Fish? What about nature do you love? Hate?

90. What is the farthest you have traveled from home?

91. Art...what do you consider to be art? Who is your favourite painter, sculptor, etc?

92. You are deserted on an island.... what 3 things do you have to have?

93. If you had to pick one food to eat every day, what would it be?

94. Handwriting.... do you like yours? Has it gotten better, worse over time? How often do you actually have to write anything?

95. Do you have a collection? Why does it exist? What is your favourite piece?

96. Is there a certain smell that brings back vivid memories?

97. Faking it.... have you done anything to radically change your appearance? Surgery, coloured contacts, dyed your hair? Why?

98. Jewelry.... do you have a piece that is special to you?

99. What is something you have tried to teach your children that you hope sticks with them throughout their lives?

100. Make a top 10 list of anything.

101. What are some words that are specific to your family? (Like in our house, loose teeth are wigglers and the Wiggler Fairy visits)

102. Do you have a favourite quote?

103. When is the last time you ROTFLMAO? What was it about?

104. Go on the web, take a silly quiz, is it right?

105. Are you a morning person? Night Owl?

Beauty Captured

2009-05-11T10:22:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, for Mother's Day, it was girls day out. The girls and I hopped in the car first thing and headed off to Wellington Reservation in the Lorain county parks for breakfast and paddleboating. Afterwards, they played on the playground a bit and we then went for a hike. I was talking to my mother while we hiked so the girls had the camera.

I found this photo when I went through it later. Livy (my just turned 8 year old) took it. What an awesome, unexpected gift! I LOVE this photo!

After we were done hiking, we went home and grabbed some lunch, then headed off to a magic show at the Columbia Reservation and then grabbed ice cream at Sundaes in the Park. We were sooo tired when we got home, but it was a perfect day.

And DH brought home gifts for me too....chocolate and some dvds I had been wanting!

Give me the Presents and No one gets hurt!

2009-05-11T10:10:00.003-04:00

Ah yes. my children, that includes my oldest 'child' my DH. It is because of him that my dds are superhero and comic book freaks. Fair enough I suppose since I have my share of things that aren't his thing that I expose them to.

So, it isn't unusual to see Livy playing superhero or transformers or whatever. I had to get this shot on her birthday though as it just made me laugh. Here is this pretty innocent faced little girl in a party dress running around playing GIJoe or whatever (she has a broken air soft).

The colours challenge over at If the Shoe Fits this week was grey, black and yellow. PERFECT! Livy's favourite transformer is bumblebee.

The challenge this week at SNM is a song challenge, along with faux stitching and using a page out of an old book. I grabbed one of Livy's beat up graphic novels.

Family Sewing Box

2009-05-08T17:35:00.007-04:00

My oldest chickeepoo was old enough to do projects in 4H this year. It has been MANY a year since I have done any sewing so this is going to be a relearning experience for mom and who knows where all my supplies are?

So, since this is hopefully the start of a lifelong passion (and an excuse for me to tack on yet another hobby!) when Trinity said we needed a sewing box I decided I would make a family one that we could treasure.

I had some Basic Grey Stella Ruby paper that I had been hoarding for something special and here it was! The pattern designs on it made it perfect! I added some inspirational words, a cute little title (done with thickers that were inked over with a copic marker) and asst embellies and a great grunge latch that I inked and then scratched the heck out of and then painted. And for the base, it was just a box that I had sitting around, it was a nice size so I set it aside and saved it a few weeks back.

This is what I got:

I'm thinking I might add a couple of photo hangers on either side and make a cute ribbon handle for it too.

Congrats to Kamryn!

2009-05-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

She was the winner of the April challenge! She made the cutest doodle card!

Get me your address lady, I have a prize for you!

Thanks for playing!

Altered Canvas for May 30th Class

2009-05-07T08:29:00.008-04:00

Yep, so instead of trekking to CK Buffalo, a few of us have decided to teach our own classes here in Akron Ohio. Full information to come, but in the meantime, here is the canvas that I will be teaching how to do on May 30th at Cafe 41:11.

You'll get to play with stamps, inks, paints, copics, glimmer mist and learn some fun techniques.

I had so much fun creating this and I hope you will join me for the fun!

And how awesome is that Marblehead Lighthouse stamp? I just picked it up from Grey Wolf Graphics at Adventures in Stamping! They have the coolest stamps! The rest are from my beloved CTMH hoard! Here's a close up of that area of the canvas:

And the 'sun' is another glimmer misted coffee filter flower....I LOVE making these!

As I said, full class listings and updates to come! Be sure to check back and wait til you see what I have planned for upcoming months!

And another opportunity to make life sweeter!

2009-05-04T13:46:00.001-04:00

My friend Emily has an awesome blog and she is offering up an opportunity to score this blog candy right now:

You can find the details HERE!

More blog candy!

2009-05-04T13:40:00.002-04:00

How awesome is this?

You can find out how to be the lucky recipient of this awewome collection of products from Simply Scrapping here

Blog Candy

2009-05-04T13:31:00.002-04:00

This is a RAK that I found on a couple blogs I follow. The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Could be a card, an altered object or something else altogether!

Now for the RULES:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will!

2. What I create will be made with you in mind, I will look to your blog to find out more about you! I'll take hints if you want to leave them. ; )

3. I will create your item as my schedule allows...in a timely manner but not tomorrow..lol..So only sign up if you are willing to wait a bit. : o)

4. There is a catch - you must offer this same blog candy on your blog! Let me know you're in, email me your address to L_gerwig@yahoo.com, then re-post this on your blog (you can change the wording) and offer something you make - your choice - to the first 5 people who respond to your post. Add my name to the #1 slot on your list - I am your first participant. When you create your giveaway, you will become the first participant on the lists for the people who participate with you. Got it? :-)

1. Amy

New CTMH Catalogue and Tickled Pink! our May promotion is too cute!

2009-05-04T10:22:00.005-04:00

It's May, that means the new Close to My Heart summer catalogue is live and full of exciting new products! You can see it by clicking the link on the right!

Also, May is national scrapping month and CTMH has an awesome promotion! You can get this set for 34.95 OR you can get it free with a $60 stamp purchase or hostessing a qualifying party. New consultants will also get one this month!

A new month also means a new stamp of the month and I am COMPLETELY in love with the May set!

I hope you are excited by all the new CTMH goodness this month as I am!

Spring Scrap Sale

2009-05-04T10:21:00.001-04:00

It is that time of the year! The biannaual Scrap Queen overstock and crop group scrap sale! We did this in Sarah's home last fall with just her items and the space was so packed, that this year we got a storefront space. We had people drive down from Toledo and Youngstown last year and they said it was well worth the trip!

Please feel free to pass this on to any groups you participate in or any scrapping friends you have.

On Saturday there will also be a plant sale with all kinds of plants from sun to shade loving. Proceeds will benefit the work of Cafe 41:11.

Also, for those not crafty but looking for cards or mini albums to give as gifts, we will have a ready made section featuring these items and more.

If you are a Scrapbooker or Stamper (or homeschooler.....this is a great way to stock up on craft supplies cheap!), this is one sale you don't want to miss! Stickers, stamps, albums, tins, chipboard, mini books, kits, paper packs, tools, dies, handmade paper, digital camera and much more. Our local scrapbooking group consisting of individuals and online store owners is clearing out LOTS of stuff!! There will be both new and gently used item. Prices will be marked down 50-90% off retail. Tons of bargains!

Sale dates are Friday May 8 (10am-2pm) and Saturday May 9 (8am-2pm)
Location: 4111 Cleveland Massillon Rd., Norton OH 44203
The sale is in the upstairs of Cafe 41:11. Please use the door on the south side of the building. There is plenty of parking behind and next to the building.

This is a cash only sale and all sales are final. Come early for the best selection!

A Bug's World OARDC

2009-04-27T15:40:00.006-04:00

The colour challenge at If the Shoe Fits was Brown and Pink. I had these BoBunny My Darling papers and it seemed like a perfect excuse to use them.

That was SUCH a fun day, the girls are still talking about eating the bugs (you can see what Trin thought of it from the photo)and the classes they took. I can't wait til next year!

I didn't have room on the layout for all the pics I took that day, so these are 2 6x6 pages that go in between the spread.

Scrap Card

2009-04-27T15:35:00.004-04:00

The challenge for Earth Day (yes, I'm playing catch up) on If the Shoe Fits...Scrap It was to make a card from scraps (recycle people!!!).

So, since I've been playing with Marakesh a lot, I had scraps! And the stamp, well, it was sitting on the table, so I grabbed it, but I love this stamp!!! I also glimmer misted and added bling!

And while you're out there......

2009-04-27T15:25:00.004-04:00

The ScrapNMoms 2nd challenge for April was a song challenge. You had to use the lyrics, title, whatever from My Wish by Rascal Flatts and incorporate it into your layout. Along with stars and paint.

Here's what I came up with:

Everything on this page with the exception of the little piece of background paper I used as a matte was originally white. I used my Tim Holtz mask (that Tracey kindly RAK'd mine as she felt bad that I melted the last one!) and twlight, patina and huckleberry glimmer mist. Then, I glimmer misted the stamp (I just picked this up this weekend, it's a new design from Stamping Sensations and I LOVE it!) and 'lace' and added some glimmer misted coffee filter flowers I made awhile back. Then, I love how the lyrics came out....I cut thin strips and ran them through my dymo labeler and then painted it with a metallic blue dabber, then highlighted it with a silver marker. I needed the stars so I took a jelly pen and freehanded some little ones all over the layout, but they don't really photograph.

discover - ScrapNMoms April Challenge #3

2009-04-27T10:37:00.005-04:00

Noticing a lot of Marakesh papers going on? lol The papers are so vibrant that a little on a page goes a long way!

This was such a great sketch that Tracey posted.....it was 6x12 which is very different, I loved playing with it and since I had all that white space left, what a better opportunity to use my a new glimmer mist colour and my new glimmer screen?

And I love this photo of Livy looking into the water. She is my nature girl and has to check out everything outside. We have a pond behind our house and I think she knows every inch of the land around it by heart. She can tell you what all the different tracks are (ducks, heron, canadian goose, raccoon, deer, our dog, etc) and when the tadpoles are due to hatch and all the plants and so forth.

Earth Day

2009-04-27T10:30:00.003-04:00

The Medina county parks puts on a great Earth Day celebration. The girls had such a great time making and flying kites, playing in bubbles, eating kettle corn, watching movies on the Nasa bus, checking out the bookmobiles, seeing the raptors and reptiles and insects, fishing and just taking advantage of everything they had to offer. It was such a fun day!

The BG Marakesh papers I had were perfect for this layout (from Pagemaps), then I had to use my new Tim stamps!

Gym-tastic

2009-04-27T10:26:00.002-04:00

It is sooo nice to finally have sunshine here in Ohio! It was a looong winter! The kids at co op the other day were so happy to have it that they were a bit restless. The regular teacher was away so we took them outside to play for gymnastics instead of staying inside.

Oh and how fun are these papers?! They are from the Jillibean Soup Minestrone collection. I LOVE her paper designs!

I Love Your Funny Face

2009-04-27T10:18:00.003-04:00

So, we were a little bored waiting to catch our train at Lodi Station last week (we road the train after our Auntie Anne's field trip....it's so fun being a homeschooler!) so the girls started hamming it up for the camera. I had to scrap these pics as they were SO hilarious!

Sisterly Love

2009-04-27T10:13:00.002-04:00

This was a kit from thescrapqueen this month. I totally LOVE these Kasiercraft papers! And the embellies that came with it were too fun as well!

And I love pictures of the girls like this. I have to immortalize these moments because usually it's "MOM! I HATE having a sister! Why couldn't I have been an only child?!!!"

Waiting

2009-04-27T10:10:00.002-04:00

Judy at Simply Scrapping has been posting some awesome sketches and I LOVE how this one from last week turned out!

Tattered Angels Rock!

2009-04-27T09:41:00.013-04:00

I had the BEST time on Saturday at Adventures in Stamping. Tattered Angels were there and I was so looking forward to their class, I registered like 3 months ago! They did not disappoint! The make and takes in their booth were phenomenal (where I hung out for like an hour lol) and the class was awesome! I highly recommend taking them if you get a chance! Wendy and Allison did a great job!

We put together their kits. I did the Nature kit and it is soo awesome! I am totally dying to get my hands on my next one! And for those of you local and crop with thescrapqueen, well May 2nd is Glimmer Mist day and I'll be sharing with some of the cool stuff I learned!

In the meantime, here is a sampling from the book I did:

And, I have to say, I was so impressed by the products. Okay, I LOVE glimmer mist, I have been using that for awhile now, but I hadn't seen the chipboard or glimmer glass. Wow, they are SO gorgeous! I will be getting some more for sure! I was impressed by the kit books too, the one I did had 24 PAGES plus the covers! And the tattered traveler kit book has all these great fold outs. And you'll definitely be seeing more glimmer mist on my art, I picked up 9 more bottles this weekend!

Playing with Card Challenges

2009-04-19T08:51:00.005-04:00

The ladies over at If the Shoe Fits posted some great card challenges this week. I finally sat down this morning and finished them up.

First, a joy fold card (if you go to their site...link is to the right....there is a link to the tutorial). I was trying to use up scraps, this is way brighter than what I normally do so not sure I am crazy about it, but I tried to get out of my box:

The next card was a small square pocket card (again, link to tutorial on the If the Shoe Fits blog), this one I love! Papers are from the BG Urban Prairie collection along with some cardstock scraps I found to match.

Yep, I will take pictures anywhere.....

2009-04-16T12:52:00.003-04:00

So, as I whipped out my camera at the library to take a picture of my dd sitting reading a comic book, I'm sure the other patrons there thought I was crazy.

Well, we do spend A LOT of time there (homeschoolers....we go through 40 or 50 movies and books a week) and just sitting reading comic books is one of the highlights for Trin. So, why not take an everyday picture in an every day place?

Papers are Kaisercraft (LOVE this company!)and I got a bunch of the Tim Holtz metal so had to start playing with that!

Big Blue Eyes

2009-04-16T12:48:00.003-04:00

This is the sketch from Motivational Mondays on Simply Scrapping this week. It was really fun to use! Thanks Judy!

The papers are all CTMH, flowers are prima and Imaginescence. Asst chipboard letters and an ocean ctmh marker and turqupoise stickles to make them match.

Love how the sketch really brought out the picture!

A Bug's World

2009-04-16T09:47:00.006-04:00

Omgosh! We had SOO much fun yesterday! We participated in A Bug's World at the OARDC in Wooster. Sooo awesome! They put on all kinds of great classes for the kids. I had never been before so had no idea what we were in for. They do this annually and if you ever get the opportunity, I highly recommend it!

We took:
Busy, Busy Bees
Cafe Insecta
What's Eating your Lunch?
Aquatic Insects
Insect Olympics
Critters up Close

The hit of the day was Cafe Insecta....why? Because it was a class where you ate bugs! Yum, huh?
This is Livy with a mealworm....

And chomping on a cricket:

Trin wasn't so keen to try the bugs but she had fun balancing water droplets on a cabbage leaf:

And they loved the Critters up Close class and looking at the bugs under microscopes:

And just in case you are wondering....yep, I tried the crickets. They are just crunchy and don't taste like much of anything at all. They made chocolate chip cookies with them in them and it was just like having nuts in them. Just added some crunch. So, not gross at all.

WooHoo!

2009-04-14T08:59:00.002-04:00

I am sooo proud to announce that my guy got promoted yesterday! He is now a super store manager for Oreck.

However, it means a schedule shift, starting today, so bear with me if I owe you things or seem to be behind. Our life is going to be a bit off kilter (but it's a good thing!) for a few!

The Sugar Shack

2009-04-10T12:21:00.006-04:00

Lorain County Parks puts on a great maple syrup field trip! And the reservation they do it at is nearby! Even better (I live in the middle of nowhere, when I don't have to drive 40 minutes I am excited! 20 minutes is a short trek to me)! So, when we had the opportunity to see how maple syrup is made I quickly signed us up. This was back in March and I finally got around to scrapping the pictures today.

Syrup season is over, but if you get a chance to go in the future, take advantage of it. THe kids loved it! They learned all about it during a short presentation by the ranger inside. Then, we grabbed buckets and a drill and went out and the kids tapped a tree. We found one that was flowing, so they all got to taste syrup right from the tree as well and take what had already dripped out to the sugar shack to be make into syrup.

Papers are from Kaiser Kraft and I LOVE them! Bling from K&Co and asst felt.

Vintage Image Challenge

2009-04-10T10:56:00.003-04:00

The ladies on the If the Shoe Fits blog posted a fabulous vintage image for this week's card challenge. Just had to use it in a card. Here is my contribution....I love the look of kraft paper with the vintage image and then I just threw on a circle scrap, a rub on and a piece of transparency along with some K&Co pearls.

Splash 16 Invite

2009-04-09T11:52:00.003-04:00

My friend's daughter is turning 16! Yipes! Seriously, I have known this girl since before her tween days! How can she be turning 16? I volunteered to make invites to her pool party, this is what I came up with. Hope she likes them, special cards for a special young lady!

All materials (except bling) is CTMH. Info is on the tag which goes down into the little pocket. And that lady is not swimming, but she is one of my favourite stamps and if any of the girls at the party are like me, I'd be hanging out poolside anyway since I hate water.

Sketch Challenge

2009-04-07T16:22:00.002-04:00

Boy, they certainly know how to keep a girl busy over at If the Shoe Fits....Scrap It! This is for this week's Sketch Challenge. Papers, Stickers and Dies are by SEI from Simply Scrapping.

Kristy did a great job on this sketch. I love that it calls for a big ole flower since I am loving playing with my coffee filter flowers....at this rate, it is going to be time to brew another batch!

Design Team Call

2009-04-07T13:16:00.003-04:00

This was posted on the Simply Scrapping Blog this morning, if you are looking for something new and fun to do, check it out!

With much excitement, Simply Scrapping is looking to expand Our Design Team. We are looking for 3-4 that will shine with our team of Scrap Artists. Applications will be accepted through 4/30/09. If we feel we do not enough interest, it will be extended through 5/31/09. You will be notified that your application is received and when application closes who and if someone was selected.

Scrapbooking is about preserving memories, being creative and of course having fun.
Now what are we looking for but not limited to.

**Crafters who can work with the Beginner’s
**Scrapbookers who would like to help with our Sketch Challenges and other designing.
(Plan: Each week a sketch comes out what is needed 2 or more takes on the sketch) This is where you will come in.
**Card Makers
**Altered item gals

We are prospecting scrappers who can bring your personality to the team with your outgoing & fun attitude. We need ladies who can think outside of the box, work quickly if needed. Participate in our forum, give praise, create challenges, computer and some photography, and support our Sketch Program.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, then we would love to hear from you..We look forward to hearing from you.

Need more info? Go here: http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/profiles/blogs/design-team-recruitment

Tim Technique Inspired Card

2009-04-07T10:50:00.003-04:00

This is for a challenge on the If the Shoe Fits ning site. There is a Tim group and I'm a member (big surprise there, yeah?)

Challenge was to make a card using the technique from Tim's blog here:
http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/september-techn.html

I used my CTMH inks and stamps and this is what I came up with:

A ticket, a tasket, a cute little cardstock basket!

2009-04-07T10:39:00.003-04:00

In exchange for the rooms we use at co op, the extemporaneous people volunteer for the church. Now, you NEVER quite know what you are going to do those days. I am free 3rd period and have put up bulletin boards, stuffed snack bags, cleaned rooms, washed toys, shredded papers, stuffed bulletins, etc. Last time we were there, the volunteers worked on Easter baskets for the kids. We made up kits and all they would have to do was assemble.

They were so cute and I thought how could I adapt them. Theirs used 2 paper plates per child and about a yard of ribbon.

We had a template about 4 inches across with 8 lines drawn on it as a template. We laid this down in the middle of the plate and then cut down to it lining our cuts up with the lines (I really needed to take a pic, this sounds far more confusing than it is).

Then, we punched holes in each wedge. 2 per. Scalloped the edges of each wedge a bit.

Then, on the second plate we just cut out the center section for a handle. You would then run the ribbon through the holes to connect it all and gather it up like a basket and then staple on the handle.

So, my adaptation:

I just used one piece of cardstock (CTMH sorbet) and used a dinner plate to trace my circle. Then, I used a sour cream container to mark out my template. Made my cuts and punches and that was it.

I didn't leave eough room to make a handle, but it is still pretty cute. You could stamp it first or cut pieces of patterned paper to size to decorate. Possibilities are endless! Sooo simple!

Coffee Filter Flowers

2009-04-07T10:24:00.003-04:00

Okay, these are soo fun and who doesn't have coffee filters laying around?! These are so cheap to make, a little time consuming (well, my friend Sharon would say they are, I was able to stitch up all of these during an episode of House so I didn't think so), but the result is well worth it!

All you need it coffee filters and a needle and thread.

Directions are here:
http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/coffee-filter-yo-yo-flowers/index.html

The ones on the left I did with glimmer mist. Instead of getting them all wet, I just sprayed. It was a bit quicker and they are GORGEOUS! The ones on the right I used my mica paints (found here: http://www.thescrapqueen.com/product/USJEWELMETAL/METALLIC_Jewelz_Mica_Watercolor_Paint_by_US_ArtQuest.html) and I got a great glimmery water colour effect.

I used one of my glimmer misted ones on this card (I haven't quite decided what the sentiment will be) but I was dying to start playing with them.

You can also see another one on the WTF layout challenge below.

Punk Rock Scrappers Challenge.....WTF?!

2009-04-07T10:16:00.002-04:00

Okay, so a few of my friends turned me onto the Punk Rock Scrappers blog, there are some awesome designers there and some fun challenges. Currently, there is a WTF challenge.

Well, how perfect for a snowy day in April. Snow? April? Yeah, WTF exactly. I know welcome to NC Ohio, if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes and it will change and all that. But, I am sooo sick of snow! I was sooo sick of snow back in November.

I took this photo of this poor defeated daffodil this morning. It was the one spot of colour in our currently otherwise white world. I love this photo, I think it sums up how I am feeling right now. It waited all winter to come up and bask in the sunlight, only to be dealt this. So, it hangs its head.

Wedding Purse and Guest Book - Altered Cloud 9 Chipboard Book Set

2009-04-07T09:59:00.006-04:00

I got this and was playing around with it, I wanted to do something different and couldn't figure out what. I found my inspiration from SEI. These papers are SO gorgeous and elegant, yet they are a bit funky (which I love). I also thought, who would give a mini album in a little box, how can we use them both as seperate entities but that still go together? I love making purses, but who the heck uses a small purse? And would need a book as well?

Elegant papers....small purses....hmmm, maybe a bride? Not just any bride, of course, it would have to be someone a bit nontraditional, but how fun would this be for someone with a sense of kitsch?

So, I made up a cute little purse for her to carry and a matching guest book.

As I said, papers are SEI, for the purse though, I just made it to match using Ranger dabbers in silver (dab indeed, don't paint and you'll get the great texture) and pool and then, I covered the front with reinforcements after first painting them silver as well. Added some random sparkles and it was done.

Papers, stickers and die cuts in the book are all SEI.