Myth-busting and Creating Color

Sometimes you need to create something that's just fun, and this is one that I've had my eye on a long, long time.  But of course, there is a story (I love a story) and this one must be told.  It includes my own version of Myth-busters. 

So I know this amazing, creative person . . . Queen Vanna (Queenie or Vanessa as I like to call her).  She is awesome and crafty, and she makes me smile.  She is spectacular in ways that I cannot explain.  A year or more ago she had a blog post on ice balloons . . . you can find that here.  I highly recommend you peruse it. 

So I had always though I might like to try this colorful, fun idea.  Let's face it . . . those are just fun. 

A few weeks back, there was this lengthy blog from a woman who provided pictures from and a link to Queenie's blog, and went on to explain the debacle that was her experience making "ice orbs" and you can find that here. 

I had already purchased my balloons and some gel food paste, and I was waiting for the temperature to cooperate when I read the "debacle post."  My stomach was a little tense . . . not that it's rocket science, but I was afraid I could fail.  I had doubts.  So I needed to become a Myth-buster.  Because Karen said you had to have a Martha Stewart gene (which I don't).  Sure, I'm crafty.  But Martha Stewart . . . NOT!  Not even close.  I could be her next charity case for help, but I'm no Martha Stewart.  The clutter in my house is a dead giveaway on that one.  

Well, I'm here to tell you that it can be done.  I was suspicious of my efforts, because I didn't have liquid food coloring . . . mine was gel and not behaving nicely with my water.  I could see the gel floating inside, acting as a miniature orb of color all on it's own.  So it required some effort (because of the gel factor). 

Now I'm not sure why I chose to do this project at 12:02 a.m. this morning.  I had to be up to work at 7:00 a.m.  But the dog wanted out, and when I put her out and felt the cold air, well from that moment on my brain could not disconnect from the idea that it had to be this day.  That moment! 

When I went to bed, this was on my deck . . .

Twelve hours later, this was at the base of my birdfeeder . . .

The birds are going to cover these with seed (among other "stuff") but I thought they would look nice at the base of the feeder.  

And a few hours ago before the sun went down . . . a new crop of ice balloons is in preparation. 

I will not lie . . . my fingers look like they've lost circulation.  They're not cold.  They're just blue.  But that's o.k.  Because I brought some color to a dreary winter. 

You do not have to have a Martha Stewart gene.  You just have to channel the Queen for a bit.

Heart 2 Heart - All Framed Up

I've been absent from my blog the last week or two, as I've been working hard on filling the gaps in my tree (if you read my last post, you know what I mean).  In reality, I've been creating some items that I can't share on my blog, because it would spoil the secret of gift giving.

I did find some time to play with the All Framed Up Challenge at Heart 2 Heart.  I've had one of those awesome wired frames hanging out in my stash, intending to make a countdown calendar.  Now let's be honest . . . had the challenge not come up, my countdown calendar would have been done next year.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON . . . my walls are not as red as what's in the picture.  These photos make the wall look "glaring red".  This is actually an accent wall in my stairway, and it's a dark red, but not glaring.  I promise.

So here is my countdown calendar, and in this view it's showing all the tags hanging at the bottom.  I hung them there for the photo, but don't intend to keep them there all the time (I have a little box for them).  I decorated both sides of most of the tags . . . except for the tags that say "Christmas".
 

Here are the tags.

   

 And once you've done your countdown, you can reverse the top row of tags to just say Merry Christmas for the remainder of the season. 

This was a lot of fun to make, and I love that I can now remove the tags and design something else perhaps with family photos or another seasonal item.

Loving the frame . . . my one wish would be another wire closer to the top . . . yes?!?!

Happy Holidays! 

All product is Close To My Heart except the embossing powder used on #25, which is American Crafts. 

Can You Wobble on a Tag?

If you haven't met up with Action Wobbles in your paper crafting yet, you're missing out!  I've been wobbling a lot of things lately and a few weeks back I had wobbled a stamped image on a mouse trap.  If you didn't get the chance to see it . . . check it out here.  I was the winner that week and was asked to guest design for Action Wobble this week . . . so I wondered . . . what have I not wobbled yet?

And then it hit me.  I have these decorative blocks that I created a few years ago.  They are just 2 x 4's cut into varying sizes that I covered in pages of an old book using Mod Podge.  I added a screw at the top of each for hanging, and then I create seasonal decorative tags that hang from them.  I wanted to create a new set for Halloween.

There are six blocks, so I typically will pick a six letter word and include some embellishments.  But sometimes I will include an image and use a shorter word.  I decided to go with "EEK" which would allow me to use some fun Halloween characters.  Here is what I came up with . . .

So the wobbles appear on two of the tags . . . the vampire and the owl . . .

Check out that wobble action (or rather, check out that blur!).  

Love the added effect of the wobble action on these, as it adds dimension.  Just one problem . . . my cat has discovered the darn wobble and one block has hit the staircase below!

Hmmm . . . the blocks are indestructable, and paper and creating can be done on a yearly basis.  It's a win-win situation.

Here are the other blocks up close and personal . . .

Two little tweeks that I did on these . . . I included the stamped "eek" on each one!  On the far left and far right tags (the vampire and the pumpkin) I included a curl of ribbon that made me think of quotes.

LOVE these blocks.  LOVE the wobbles . . . and I plan to use them on my next set, which will be Thanksgiving.  I definitely need to find a short word so I can wobble a turkey! 

Any suggestions for a Thanksgiving word?  Send them along.

Can you Wobble on a tag?  Yes, you can.  Imagine your holiday gift tags with wobbles.  Amazingly cute opportunity awaits . . . now, go create! 

Supplies Used
Action Wobbles
Bazzill Cardstock
Authentique Pattern Paper
Spookalicious Stamp from Paper Smooches
Stampin' Up Ribbon
The Twinery Twine
White Signo Uni-ball Gel Pen

Memento Black Ink 

Trick or Treat Mousetrap

I'm giddy with excitement.  This was in my head for years. 

The intended use of a mousetrap scares the bejeezers out of me.  I just can't think about it, and I'd rather pay $30 for a trap that will save the mouse (and likely bring him back into my house two days later) than 4 for $2.00 at the local discount store for a trap that would harm a cute little mouse. 

I do reserve the right to scream if I see the mouse . . . not from fear but from surprise.  But I just can't bear to kill the little guys. 

But come on . . . 4 for $2.00 . . . metal and wood.  You know those have to be awesome for crafting. 

And they are . . .mouse trap meets Action Wobble challenge.  Challenge was Halloween, and nothing says TRICK or Treat like hanging candy from a mouse trap so the recipient has to wonder if their hand will be slapped from taking the candy.  But . . . it's safe!  Traps was never engaged.  So I took the trap, and I used pliers to make a hook at the top.

I decorated using pattern paper, cardstock, ink, stamps and washi tape.   What's awesome . . . the medallion with the washi tape is a wobble (which is why it is slightly blurry.  It was awesome to use the wobble because there is a sturdy wire underneath that I would have had to lift if I was putting this medallion flat on the trap.  And because this was hanging . . . there was lots of wobble action. 

 And it really does hold candy (best I could do was a Nestle Skinny Cow).  It is hanging, and it is holding!  Quite a grip. 

So . . . the task at hand . . . I need to find the mouse traps that I bought.  I literally pulled one out months ago and left the other dozen or so in a bag.  Somewhere . . . but where. 

Supplies Used
Cheap mouse trap from discount store
Bazzill Cardstock
Doodlebug Pattern Paper and Washi Tape
Close To My Heart Stamp
Action Wobble
Memento Black Ink
Sizzix Die

Magical Memories

I was recently charged with creating something decorative for displaying pictures of Disney memories.  It is for an upcoming class at my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. in Canton, Connecticut.  It is a Disney Sampler Day, meaning that there will be three Disney projects . . . a layout . . . a countdown calendar . . . and a piece of wall art.  

I eventually decided to do a 7 Gypsy Artist Printer Tray for my wall art, which if you've not done before, are SUPER FUN!  I have done a few in the past, most recently was a Girl Scout one to honor a leader in our town who was getting an award.  I've done a Christmas one.  I've done a Family version.  So many possibilities (wedding, baby . . . whatever suits the mood).  But for this one, I went Disney all the way.  I used photo snippets of a trip we took in the 90's when my girls were little.  Such sweet magical memories.

I will admit I stressed over this project . . . getting it just right.  The end result was worth it . . . and hopefully the folks signing up for the class will enjoy putting their memories in the blocks of the tray.

Look at my little cuties . . . 

Some fun things I did within the design of the tray . . . embossing a stamped image in silver on the top left Mickey head . . . that sweet little picture of my girl on the steps of one of the houses in Toon Town . . . my younger daughter almost looking up to her older sister as they ride the carousel) . . . a tiny vial of "magic" with a stamped Mickey that was paper pieced . . . my Jar of Magic (very intense stuff there) . . . and my Mickey hand on an Action Wobble . . . one of our favorite pictures of my youngest hanging on a pole near the castle at the Magic Kingdom, which I put into another Mickey Head to balance out the first . . . and I topped it all up with torn fabric strips.  

The magic on the tray matches the magic of my photos!  I can't wait until this makes it back home and hangs on my wall.

And the best part . . . as I said . . . there are three projects.  The other two designed by others on our team are a layout (here is a snippet of one page - fun, fun, fun page) . . .

And a countdown calendar that can sit on a desk, shelf, etc . . . it has flip pages and the BEST PART . . . put photos on the back side and it doubles as a mini album on your shelf.  When you are not counting down to your next trip you've got photos.  But when a trip is a month away, flip the pages and start your countdown.  How fun for the kids to flip day by day!  A snippet (my bad photo taking skills cut off the number 31) . . .  

Each page is a different color and has a different design . . . all Disney!

Looking forward to the class.  Kits are also available while supplies last . . . so you can call the store if there is interest.  Best part about a kit . . . pieces with no thought, and your done. 

Happy Scrapping!  

Weekend Getaway

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Imagine a little weekend getaway cottage.  It seems foreign to me, the woman with two jobs, four dogs and two cats.  Let's face it, the dogs are the real anchor.  Cats can fend for themselves, and jobs can be left behind.

But if I had a little weekend cottage that I could run off to . . . it might look a little like the Saturday Collection from Little Yellow Bicycle.  

I had this little wooden birdhouse, and I painted it white.  And it sat for perhaps a year awaiting the perfect paper.  And then there it was . . . Saturdays.  I cut and pieced, almost like laying one board at a time.

 I was so careful to keep the designs in line and not lose the look of this great paper. 

 

Cut, trim, align, paste . . . repeat . . . 

 

One side at a time . . . 

Until it was time to move in.  

The only thing missing is the rocking chair on the porch.  

Creative Blocks

I have seriously had a creative block lately.  Creative blocks for me usually stem from being way too busy at my 8 a.m. to whenever job (the term 9 to 5 job is ridiculously off base).  But there was this one project set before me that I was completely stoked about.  It was a challenge to figure out how to do it, where to find the product to do it . . . but I couldn't wait to figure it all out.

I think one of the reasons I was super stoked about this project goes back to my sewing years . . . many, many years ago . . . I made this cloth covered wreath.  It was a solid white wreath base with Velcro where you would attach different pieces.  Each month you remove the old and replace with the new.  There was a ruffle you would attach to the back with a braided hanger.  There were three or four decorative pieces that you attached to the front.  You would swap everything out and you'd have a whole new look each month for years to come.  My velcro pieces didn't hold up to well over the years, and that awesome wreath is probably in a box in the basement.  So sad.  I didn't realize I missed it until this project came along.  Here is a little sneak peak . . .

Creative blocks . . . a set of tags . . . and you swap them out whenever you want!

I am in love!  I cannot wait to create another set of tags. 

My creative block is solved by a set of creative blocks. 

We'll be offering this at workshops at my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. in Canton, Connecticut.  So exciting!

I Forgot I Was Crafty

Wait . . . I think I said I had not been crafty.  But wait . . . I was crafty.  I forgot.

I made these boxes and tags with my Stampin' Up stash and stamps.  (I love making boxes.)

There are five boxes (the picture shows six, but one failed inspection because it was too small to hold a gift card).  They are in graduating sizes and will be filled with gift cards and then filled with each other as well.  A box with in gift card, in a box with a gift card, in a box with a gift card, in a box with a gift card, in a box with a gift card! 

Hmmm . . . I spot some American Craft brads in there too!

And then with the leftover scraps and some additional cardstock, I made these little gift card/chapstick holders using more of my Stampin' Up stash. 

I forgot that I had been crafty one day!

Phew!

Back to those Christmas cards.

Random Numbers

I will tell you for a near fact (is there such a thing as a near fact?) that when I make cards, 196 times out of 197 (how random) I will start with cardstock and add pattern paper.  I rarely will ever use pattern paper as a base for a card.  

This is the 100th time!  I picked the busiest paper!  Check out this busy, pattern paper, with a scallop of another busy paper, and a small circle of white cardstock on which I placed my sticker.  It looks like that one house is the spotlighted house on the street!  A little sentiment sticker, and one of the Wonder & Wishes Poinsettias . . . the outside of the card is complete.  

 

And so I moved to the inside of the card!  I wanted something to pop.  The reverse side of my

Wonder & Wishes paper was a busy dot print.  The likely candidate for the inside is always white.  An estimated 93 times out of 94 (random) I will put a piece of white on the inside of the card.  But only one time (1 time) in an estimated 412 (super-random) will I use pattern paper for the inside!  

So I cut another piece of that dot paper . . . I folded, I made some cuts and scored, and suddenly I had a neat little pop up!  I split a sticker in half, and wallah!  A pop-up message!  "At Christmas, All Roads Lead Home!   

 

Instructions?  Indeed! 

1) Make your regular card base mine was a piece of pattern paper (pattern paper!) measuring 4 1/4" x 11", fold in half to make your card.  
2) Cut another piece for the "pop factor" that measures slightly smaller upward to 1/2 inch smaller around (you can do 4 1/8 x 10 3/4" . . . or 4 x 10 1/2 . . . or 3 3/4" x 10".  Trust me, it all works.  Fold this piece in half equally. 
3) Take this "pop factor" piece and follow my cutting/scoring instructions below.

4) Adhere the "pop factor" piece into the card base.  IMPORTANT:  Glue the center first, and then hold the card slightly close when you glue the ends.  If you glue everything flat, the card is stiff and doesn't open quite right. 
5) Cut a piece of paper (pattern or cardstock) into a strip to put your popping piece onto the card.  See more instructions in the photo below. 

 Instructions confusing . . . give a shout! 

Wonder & Wishes x 4 = Perpetual Craftiness

I made a card today that reminds me of the energizer bunny.  The card is perpetual . . . it keeps going and going and going.  I still marvel over it every time I make one.  It's like it is being turned inside out!  But it's paper!  They're like magic.  You always end up back at the beginning again. 

My very first version was a 9" x 9" version made for a Girl Scout skill aid.  It wasn't very decorative, and it was done to reinforce camping skills with tasks representing steps of a skill on each fold.  I recently saw them as 6 x 6" cards and caught the fever to make them again.  Today was my first Christmas version, and let me tell you . . . the pictures and the video do not do the card justice.  It is really, really cute!  REALLY!

I used pattern paper and stickers from Little Yellow Bicycle's Wonder & Wishes line.  It is beautiful stuff, with so many choices for backgrounds.  I was ready to go Christmas crazy!  Keep in mind there are four sides to this card.  There has to be a little planning in place because you have four separate canvases to work with, a few areas that carry over to another part of the card.  And some of them have to be split in half to complete the folds.  Confused?  Don't be.  Once you've done one or two they are a breeze!

I've included instructions further below.  So here are my four canvases . . .

Two pattern papers.  I popped the smallest gift box.  I added some of the pom poms to the elf shoes and hat.

Two different pattern papers, ornament stickers, and twine.

The brown dot paper carried through . . . added angel and tree to center panel.

Built the gift from pattern paper, border and other stickers.  Notice how I pieced it around the folds.  

 And on to the video!  The quality is not great, so apologies in advance, but you'll get the idea of how the card works in action . . . 

 

I hope you'll try it!  I did include some instructions below.  So many possibilities!  Have fun!  

Oh - and keep in mind that they are great learning aids for kids!  Worked like a charm for those "Girl Scout Kapers."  

How'd I do it . . . 

Start with four pieces of cardstock measuring 3 x 6" (just a 1/2 sheet of cardstock). I scored 1 1/2" in on each end (on the dotted lines below).  If you change up the size, just be sure that you score a quarter of the way in on each side.  Be sure to crease the folds before you put your adhesive on.  You will want to use a really strong adhesive (I used tacky tape) in the areas marked "glue" below.  Once you've glued the horizontals to the verticals, just work through the motions of the folding, trimming any areas where "it gets stuck."  Once everything is moving the way you want it to . . . decorate! 

Spring is Springing Up Everywhere

I work at my local scrapbook store - New England Scrapbook Co. - and I've had numerous customers lately tell me that all of the new product is "girlie" and feminine.  That is 100% accurate, and the only reason is because everything coming in is all about Spring.  Spring is flowers and flourish the whole way . . . so yes, everything is full of butterflies, birds, and flowers.  It's Spring!  


I designed this cute tray for a class I'm teaching.  I have this idea that there is one spot in my house where I will always have a tray hanging reflecting the time of year and some photos.  For this particular tray depicting Spring, I used Jillibean Soup paper which I adore.

I made my own butterflies using bazzill cardstock and corner punch!  They turned out really cute, and they just pop off the tray (as you can see in the photo further below).

I used my Cricut to cut the flowers which shower from the handle and also for the title in the top left corner.  I used Twinkling H2O's to add some color to the title and the stamping in the lower right!  The stamp is a Unity Stamp (love Unity).  It all tied together.  These trays are super easy and fun to create.  I just need to add some Spring photos . . . but that's for another day (it's still a little brown out in the real world here in Connecticut). 

I am sure there will be a summer tray in my future, and I'll be sure to post it.  I also have my eyes set on a tray to depict my love for all of my four-legged friends.  Stay tuned!

Defining Disorganization

O.K. - Study these words, because I'm about to tell you a story that includes them. 

Idea . . . a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern

Excited . . . to call to activity


Product . . . something that is marketed or sold as a commodity


Fizzle . . . to fail or end feebly especially after a promising start —often used with out

Organize . . . to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts

Lesson . . . something learned by study or experience

Dang . . . damn



Once a upon a time there was a paper crafting girl who was wandering through her local scrapbook store (NESC) and saw some paper that she thought was adorable.  She grabbed a few sheets, not knowing what would become of it, and continued to wander the store.  Her eyes fell upon a chipboard shape that completely and totally sparked an IDEA.  It was as if fireworks had gone off in her head.  She was so EXCITED that she could barely contain herself.  She saw a vision in her head of what the end result could be and she ran through her LSS buying PRODUCT to complete her item.  Yet something was missing.  So the paper crafting girl took her items home and set them aside until she could find the missing items to pull it all together.

It was in preparing for a weekend crop in South Carolina that the girl decided to at least cover her chipboard with her paper and ribbons.  From there it fell into a bag until many months later.  The paper crafting girl found the perfect little floral embellishments for her design and purchased them.  And another several months down the road found the perfect stamps and purchased them.  And because everything was in multiple places, the IDEA seemed to FIZZLE out yet again.   


Why?  Because the paper crafting girl did not ORGANIZE appropriately.  Perhaps her Monday to Friday job left her little time to organize?  Perhaps she had too much stuff in her scrapbook cave and was far too confused at where to begin. Perhaps she was always committing herself to other projects and just never had the time. 

LESSON learned!  Paper crafting girl has begun organizing PRODUCT for her IDEAS into bags with a note as to what her IDEA was so that it never can FIZZLE again.   (Of course, paper crafting girl wonders how long it will be until this IDEA to ORGANIZE will FIZZLE.)


Said project could have been completed so much sooner.  But . . . DANG it is so super cute!  

The Answer: Nothing

The Question: What's been going on with your blog?

I have been feeling so uninspired to scrapbook. I haven't quite been able to put my finger on the problem. But today I found a combination of things that led me to my crop room at home. First, my kids are back from college, so I found myself retreating to my "woman cave" (my crop room). Second, I felt that a little organization was in order and bought some wire stackable shelves to give myself a little more cropping room.

Let's talk about my crop room for a minute. It started as a room that was going to be for scrapbooking, sewing, and whatever other crafts I might want to work on. It ended as a crop room only, and in the process of getting it set up I learned that I have way too much stuff. Not only that, but I managed to trash another spare bedroom in the process of setting it up. I have sewing stuff stacked and now have to face the fact that I will need an additional room for sewing. Hobbies are tough.

As for the "way too much stuff", I have high hopes that I will sell some of it on Ebay someday, or perhaps at an NESC Tag Sale. However, first I need to have an intervention with myself because I clearly have way too much paper that I can't part with. I made a promise that I would not buy more, and then I bought more. We all know the rule. If you don't get it while it's there, you won't get it when it's gone.

So my crop room can be a basic disaster. My most recent task was to get the shelves up and to make die cut tools more accessible. I also had to clear an entire shelf on my wall (my wall has three utility shelves that house Rubbermaid containers of embellishments and fabric, scrapbooks finished and unfinished, and the Art Bin 12 x 12 containers of paper (I love Art Bin's containers . . . no one else's come close). Clearing a shelf was no easy task, but alas the Cricut is out of the box and needed a home. Provided I stick to cutting 12 x 12, the shelf will work. If I ever decide to cut wall art in a larger size, I'll clearly have to find a new home for it.

With organization done, I finally got around to making some new bags. I thumbed through a few magazines, ripped out a few pages, got a few ideas and was reading to scrapbook.

That said, I successfully finished a layout for an upcoming class at New England Scrapbook Company. Many years ago I purchased a Quickutz die that looks like a lego block. My intention was to do a "Downtown Disney" layout. After five or six years I can finally check that one off my list. Talk about procrastination.

I'll be home tomorrow and will hopefully keep my creativity flowing enough to design our one more page for the Disney class. I'm looking to do a page on Magic Kingdom (I've got this castle die cut that is just begging to be constructed, stickled and adhered to a page.

And then perhaps our family's Christmas cards. Better late than never! I can spread holiday cheer the day after Christmas just as much as before. Remember . . . it's the holiday season, not just a day. It will get done.