An ABC Primer "Thank you" Page

Hello there my blogging friends! Today I want to share a simple, but sweet little "Thank You" keepsake I created for my son's Kindergarten teacher. I wanted to create something for her to thank her for all that she has done this past year with our son Logan. She is an advocate for creating keepsakes and I thought a little scrapbook page would be the perfect gift to say "thanks" from Logan.

Here are some photos -- all products aside from the cardstock are 100% full-grade Graphic 45!

For more details about this project, including products used, visit the Graphic 45 BLOG where this project is featured today!

xoxo,

12x12 Graphic 45 Communique Shadow Box

Hi everyone!

Here's a shadow box I created over the holidays that I had forgotten to share here on my blog. I was so happy how this came out in such a short amount of time. Last minute (literally made this on Christmas Eve!) I decided to put a Shadow box together for my younger brother and his wife. I used Graphic 45's Communique paper collection and stickers from the G45 Staples collection. These GORGEOUS papers make it so easy to create. So much inspiration is drawn from just the papers alone! I created this shadow box in just under an hour and a half! It's wonderful when a company like Graphic 45 creates products that inspire you when you create. Graphic 45 does that for me. :-) And aren't my brother and his wife the cutest couple ever?! LOVE them. :-)

Below are some detailed pictures of this 12x12 Shadow box. Thanks for stopping by to peep. I'll be back here later tonight for MFT's VIP Blog hop and shop, so be sure to check back! :-)

hugs!!

Thanksgiving Gatefold Mini Album

Hi everyone! TGIF! :-)

Here's another project I've been working on... I shared this gatefold die-cut album in a previous YouTube video and I decided to use it to make my Thanksgiving mini album. I LOVE my AccuCut and AccuCut dies. Because it's a larger machine than my Sizzix Big Shot, it doesn't limit the possibilities I can have to die cut. My BigShot can only cut die-cuts no bigger than 6x6/6x12. My largest Accucut cutting mat is 15x18, can you imagine! This makes it great for making box favors, layout backgrounds, etc. I love the mini album dies they sell and have a few. I can cut 2-3 different style of mini album pages in one shot, I love it! I've also been collecting (little by little cuz it's quite an investment!) tag and pocket dies and frames. None of which you could find for the BigShot or Cuttlebug.

So before we get into the mini album, I thought I'd answer some of the questions I've been getting about the AccuCut machine. I'm not an AccuCut consultant, nor am I certified on AccuCut products, so if you have specific questions, I recommend speaking with AccuCut Customer care (they are awesome!) This is just my take/feedback on being the proud owner of an AccuCut die-cutting machine. :-)

Which AccuCut machine do you have?

I have the "GrandeMARK."

About how much does a GrandeMARK cost?

It depends. I purchased mine when AccuCut was having a site special. My machine was discounted (can't remember exactly how much) and it came with a couple dies, all the different sizes of cutting mats and more.

Do your Sizzix dies work with the GrandeMARK?

YES! And I love that they do! You can purchase the Tray Adaptor that allows you to use your Sizzix dies with the GrandeMARK.

Do AccuCut dies work with my BigShot or CuttleBug die cutting machines?

Unfortunately, no (unless someone else has managed to make it work.) The AccuCut dies are substantially thicker, wider and bigger than Sizzix dies. They would not fit into the roller feed of a BigShot or CuttleBug.

Does AccuCut create custom dies?

YES they do! I haven't tried the custom die service myself yet, but I've been thinking up a butterfly design I'd like to turn into a die cut. :-)

How do I get more information on AccuCut?

Visit their website at www.accucutcraft.com.

Hope this information helps!

Now onto the gatefold.... hehe! I used the S.E.I. "Windsor" paper collection. I purchased a "Windsor" paper pack at the Scrapbook Expo in 2009. The pack includes 24 sheets of 2 sided paper, coordinating tag/die-cut sheet, brads, large fabric brads, ribbon and buttons. I forgot I had this in my stash and it worked perfectly for my Thanksgiving mini!

Do you know how to create a gatefold mini album? Let me know if a video tutorial would help. It's super easy and super fun! :-)

Check out the YouTube video of this Thanksgiving gatefold mini album HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT weekend! :-)

Altered Charger

Hey everyone, just a "quickie" post today. It's been another one of those crazy weeks and with Christmas around the corner and no Christmas cards complete... well, you know how the story goes. I'm stuck in my craftroom creating for the next several weeks. LOL! In addition to all the other holiday and DT projects I'm working on, I'm hoping to keep up with the vids and my blog! I'm definitely on Facebook these days though... hehe! Great way to wind down and keep in touch with my craftin' sistas! :-)

Anywhooo.... here are some pics of the altered charger I made last week. Be sure to check out the video HERE for a tutorial on how I made it. This was a quick and easy project & makes a great gift! Hope you give it a try. :-)

Some of the products used:

Plate charger from Michaels

Webster's Pages trim

Flat back pearls from Joann Fabrics & crafts

Anna Griffin "Calisto Christmas" paper collection & Embellishments

Tim Holtz "Seasonal" paper

Iamroses.com flowers

Lindy Stamp Gang Starburst Stains/Sprays (www.lindystampgang.com)

Have a great week everyone!!

40 Years and going strong!

My mom and dad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on January 10th and it was so amazing celebrating that milestone with them. It takes a very special couple to make it to 40 years and we are all holding on for the 50th! :-) Here is a pic of the happy couple and the card that I made for them.

I embossed the front of the card using my Cuttlebug french script embossing folder and my Sizzix BigShot. Then I took Distress Ink in Scattered Straw and blended it to give the card some color and texture. On the Sizzix Decorative Heart die, I colored it with Gold acryllic paint then sprayed gold glimmer mist, then added Versamark and clear embossing powder then heat set it. I hand made the paper flower using Tim Holtz's grungepaper flower technique. I used regular white cardstock, build the flower per Tim's instructions on his blog. I then sprayed the flower with Tattered Leather and Gold glimmer mist. I heat set it. Then with my finger, I applied distressed Stickles in Scattered Straw, then heat set again. The chipboard plate embellie is by Making Memories, from a wedding collection. I printed out the sentiment on my computer, then punched it out using my SU! Wide Oval punch. I then edged it with Distress Ink in Scattered Straw.

Hope you like the card and thanks for stopping by! :-)

Thanksgiving in Vegas!

Hi everyone! I have been MIA again... and my poor blog has been dated. I'm so sorry! Work has been super busy as we approach the holidays... and the holidays approaching has made things even MORE super busy with just everything! :-( But yet I still manage to find the minimal time I have to scrap and relax. ;-) Oh... and shop. hehe! :-)

I just got back from a long weekend in Las Vegas. We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents' "2nd home" out in Las Vegas. It was a GREAT time! I love being with family and just "disconnecting" from life for a few days. :-) My younger brother, Rico, got engaged during the Thanksgiving dinner prayer/toast. It was soooooo exciting to be part of the "planning TEAM"... hehehe! My soon to be sister-in-law was soooo super surprised, it was priceless to see the look on her face when her parents "popped" in the room during the proposal. She was literally in tears! Her parents traveled in from Southern California to celebrate the occasion with us. What an AWESOME time! Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving in Las Vegas! Oh, and I received my mini album swap from Veronica Torres, which was part of the November TWS swap hosted by Kathryn. I can't wait to throw some pictures up on this blog once I fill up the gorgeous mini with our Las Vegas pics. Stay tuned for that! :-) Have a great week everyone!

hugs, Arlene :-)

Me and my littlest man, Logan.

Jay, Logan, me, Jarrod & Dylan.

I attached the ring to the charm on Sharon's champagne glass. She didn't even notice it. I told my little bro to do something different other than poppin' open a ring box. You should have seen Sharon's face when Rico spinned the ring on the glass stem... she didn't have a clue it was there! LOL! :-)

The happy couple, Sharon & Rico! Congrats guys! Love ya!!


Sharon, Rico, Mom & Dad.


Rico, Sharon, me & Jay.

*Not pictured: my older brother Rodel... who couldn't join us, due to work. We missed you bro!! :-(

Disneyland Vacation

Our long awaited vacation to Disneyland arrived last weekend and hubby, myself and the kids had such a blast! It doesn't matter how old you are, Disneyland is for EVERYone! I was telling our friends and family we are "taking the kids to Disneyland"... but the reality of it is... we are taking "us" to Disneyland... I'm just as in love with Disneyland as the kids are! lol! It's like... once you enter the park, you are a kid all over again... it's such an amazing place to be... it's no wonder they call it "The happiest place on earth!" It truly is... and what's so funny is we ran into Corey Feldman (from "Lost Boys" and "The 2 Corey's")... we ran into him at the park AND at our hotel later than night... how weird is that?!

We met my brother and his girlfriend at the park on day #2. Hubby isn't a roller-coaster kind of guy and my eldest son Jarrod just hit 48 inches and was old enough to ride everything! We had hopper passes so we rode all the roller coasters at Disneyland (minus the Matterhorn) and California Adventure... "Screamin'" was AWESOME... 0 to 60 MPH in 2 seconds -- gotta love it! :-)

Anyhow, here are a few pics of our vacation. I just uploaded to Facebook for those of you who follow me there! :-)

Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by!

hugs,
Arlene :-)