Starbucks with Mommy

Well...this is something you haven't seen from me in a while, but I am excited to have a layout to share today:

This sweet photo was from a night out that I had with my youngest son - we went to Starbucks and got drinks and talked. (He got hot chocolate, I got coffee.) I love these sweet times that I get to share with my kids and knew I wanted to document it.

I am not a big fan of pictures of myself, but I knew since it was part of out night out, I wanted to include it in the layout somehow. A hidden pocket behind the main photo was a great way to accomplish it.
Here's what it looks like when you pull the extra photo out:

I really love how this layout turned out and I am excited to be documenting our memories again. 

Thanks for dropping by today!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design (Lovely: Charm; Memorandum: Office Blue; Happily Lost - 6x6);
Embellishments: Studio Calico (Die Cuts); Maya Road (Bingo Circle);
Trim: Heidi Swapp (Color Magic: Scallop Ribbon);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); 

Love U Mini Album

Today I wanted to share with you the cover of a mini album I created. I haven't added any pictures to the inside of the book yet, but I had a lot of fun doing the cover.

For this album I cut my own covers from chipboard, then covered it with a vintage ledger paper and some various embellishments. The houndstooth on the bottom is fabric (FabRips from American Crafts) - it's the first time I've used FabRips and I love how easy it is to work with! It's already sticky on the back, so the pleating was simple to do. I cut some various patterned papers for the pages inside and bound it all together with my Cinch. 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies: 
Embellishments: Vintage (Mini Playing Card, Sunshine Candy Co. Paper); Recollections (Peach Flower); Seam Binding; American Crafts (FabRips); Studio Calico (Wood Veneer Hearts, Grid Label); Maya Road (Envelope);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Believing Butterfly); 
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Other: Canvas; Chipboard;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); We R Memory Keepers (Cinch Binding Tool, Cinch Binding Wires);

ValenTWINE Jar {The Twinery}

Hello!

I hope you are joining in on the big Be Our Valentine Blog Celebration over on The Twinery's blog - there are lots of great Valentine ideas being showcased AND some great giveaways!

I still haven't let go of the idea of Christmas/winter (after all our snow did just finally melt away this week) - so for my Valentine decor project I wanted to create something inspired by all the fun snow globes that were popping up for the Christmas season. 

For my "ValenTWINE Jar" I started with some basic crafting supplies:

• Plain white cardstock
• The Twinery's twine
• Washi tape
• A Mason jar
• Punches

I started by covering the plain white cardstock in strips of washi tape. Once the cardstock covered enough area, I used a variety of heart shaped Fiskars punches to punch two of each heart.

I punched holes in the lid of my canning jar using my Crop-A-Dile Big Bite and threaded The Twinery's twine through each of the three holes. I used Platinum Shimmer, Strawberry, and Blossom twine. I triple-knotted each strand of twine to hold it in place, but I also did add a bit of tape to make sure it would stay. 

{We will be covering up the top of this...so it doesn't matter how it looks right now.}

I adhered each heart (back-to-back, with the washi tape covered side out) to each strand of twine that was hanging below the lid at a length that would work well inside my canning jar. Then I added some plastic "diamonds" in the bottom of my jar and added my lid. 

To finish off the lid I cut a cardstock circle the size of the lid insert and covered it with strips of washi tape. I just placed it on top of the lid and used the outer ring of the lid to hold it in place, but you can also glue it to the lid insert to keep a steady hold.  

I added a bit of washi tape to the outer ring of the lid and topped it with a twine bow and a bit of bling.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by The Twinery's blog to see today's great giveaway!

Supplies: 

Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Twine: The Twinery (Platinum Shimmer, Strawberry, Blossom); 
Washi Tape: My Craft Channel;
Embellishments: Maya Road (Vintage Bling); eBay ("Diamonds");
Other: Kerr (Mason/Canning Jar);
Tools: Fiskars (Heart Squeeze Punches, Scissors); 

Mitten Mini Album

I combined two of Maya Road's coaster albums to create this Christmas mini album. It is a combination of chipboard pages and clear acrylic pages - and all together it creates a beautiful little spot for our Christmas pictures. 

I guess I should get those pictures printed, shouldn't I?

I used a non traditional color scheme here - black and white with a splash of green - and totally love the result.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Album: Maya Road (Clear Acrylic Mitten Coaster, Chipboard Mitten Coaster); 
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found Two: Rosy 6x6); Crate Paper (Portrait 6x6); Lily Bee Design (Picket Fence 6x6); 
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Snowflake from Snowflake Kisses);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black); 
Paint: Apple Barrel (White, Black);
Accents: Maya Road (Snowflake Transparencies - Black, Christmas Words Mini Chipboard Set);
Rubons: Hambly (Sewing - Black, Elegant Labels - White); Basic Grey (bel-489);
Tools: Fiskars (Craft Knife, Scissors); 

Pumpkin Mini Album {The Twinery}

Around our house we've been getting into the holiday spirit...and while I can't deny that the new shimmer twines from The Twinery just beg to be used on your winter projects - I wanted to show that they are not just for the holidays. 

I've used The Twinery's new Platinum Shimmer twine to add a bit of sparkle to a Halloween mini album I created.

I started by using the twine wrapped around the cover and then wrapped the twine in various ways around each page of the album. 

I am relatively new to making mini albums and for now my secret weapon for easy albums is consistency. I will choose a few elements to use on each page (in a different arrangement) and it then all comes together very quickly.
(Tip: When wrapping twine around the edges of a mini album make a small notch where you want to place your twine with your scissors so it will be easier to keep in place.)

Thanks for stopping by - and I hope your holidays (and beyond) are filled with shimmer!

Supplies:
Twine: The Twinery (Platinum Shimmer); 
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Indie Chic - Nutmeg 6x6);
Chipboard: Maya Road (Pumpkin Squash Coaster Album);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (October Calendar from October SMAK Kit);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Accents: Maya Road (Country Gingham Posies, Kraft Large Ticket Strips - White);
Paint: Apple Barrel (White);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Craft Knife, XXL Tag Lever Punch); We R Memory Keepers (Crop-A-Dile);

Paint The Town {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another Paint the Town challenge at Market Street Stamps!

Here is the color palette:

And here is the card I created using the palette as my inspiration.

{I used the Doily stamp (inner circle) for the background and finished it off with a sentiment from Simple Salutations.}

Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog today to see inspiration from the Design Team and get in on the challenge!

Stamping with Grace {Market Street Stamps}

{As seen today on the Market Street Stamps blog}

I was inspired by this tutorial to mix it up a little bit and add some subtle texture to my card...and now I can't stop stamping on tissue paper! I love the effect.

The first card was created with the Grace background. I added only a few small accents to finish off the card so that the beautiful stamped panel takes center stage. 

Again, using the Grace background, I stamped on tissue paper and added it as an accent panel on this Thinking of You card (the sentiment is from the Simple Salutations set):

Thanks for stopping by today!

Thank You Supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzill (Bling - Spoiled Brat); Georgia Pacific (White);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Grace); 
Ink: Memento (Tangelo, Cantaloupe); 
Ribbon: Etsy (Vintage Seam Binding - Snow White);
Pins: Jillibean Soup (Sugar Picks - Orange/Turquoise); 
Other: Tissue Paper; Michaels (Charm - Thank You);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);
Adhesive: ModPodge (Matte);

Thinking of You Supplies: 
Cardstock: Core’dinations (Lake); Bazzill (White); Georgia Pacific (White); 
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Grace, Simple Salutations); 
Ink: CTMH (Lagoon, Pacifica ); 
Ribbon: Etsy (Vintage Seam Binding - Sapphire Blue); 
Pins: Maya Raod (Trinket Pins - Star);
Other: Tissue Paper;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);
Adhesive: ModPodge (Matte);

Scrap Patchwork

Today's card is all sorts of DIY/scrap projects rolled into one:


I used scraps to create the patchwork-style background, created the canvas flower with strips of scrap canvas...and even used the leftover pieces of a larger pre-made pearl flourish that I had used previously on a layout.

The background was fun to make and I had hoped to share a tutorial, but unfortunately somewhere in the middle of a computer crash and a new computer I lost the tutorial step-out photos. :o(

Thanks for stopping by today!


Supplies:
Cardstock: The Paper Company (Kraft);
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Free Bird - Blush 6x6);
Embellishments: Maya Road (Mini Transparency Tickets - White); ZVA Creative (Pearls); Prima Marketing (Sultan Gem);
Canvas: CT Publishing;
String: May Arts (SM17);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Challenge Entry For: Moxie Fab World - The Paper Scraps Challenge {Background created from paper scraps}

Challenge Entry For: Moxie Fab World - The DIY Embellishments Challenge {DIY canvas flower with gem center}

Challenge Entry For: Moxie Fab World - The Don't Throw It Away Challenge {Used end piece/scrap of canvas to create flower and used left over sections from a pre-made pearl flourish}

Canvas Mini Albums

Back in early January when I was creating projects for CHA I decided to create a mini album for each of our kids featuring an overview of the first weeks/months after their birth.
Our kids love to look at pictures and since I've started making mini albums I've seen a bit of extra joy when they pull one off the shelf.
I wanted to create something easy enough to create in triplicate, yet still make them individual for each of our kids.



I started by creating a canvas cover for each album - each with a similar basic idea, just with a bit of difference in the stitching.
Each album is created using a combination of papers that have been cut to 6x6 or cut to 6x12 and folded in half to create a 6x6 pocket.



Each album also carries a few elements throughout, which helps pull it all together (and also made it easy to create in a timely fashion). If each page had been done with it's own theme/scheme as a traditional 12x12 page these albums would surely still be sitting in pieces.



Each album was then punched and bound using my Cinch...love that thing!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Various Collections);
Embellishments: Maya Road; Ranger (Tim Holtz);
Mists: Ranger (Perfect Pearls Mists);
Other: Canvas; Washi Tape;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Rotary Cutter); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Silhouette Canvas

Wow! I can't believe it has been more than a week since I posted last! I've been crafting, but time to post my projects has gotten away from me.


This is a project I created for the Authentique Paper booth at CHA. I used a picture I had taken of my daughter when she was probably 2 or 3 years old and created a template from it for the silhouette image.
{I cut out the silhouette image using my Fiskars craft knife and scissors.}


I misted the canvas first with some Perfect Pearls mist, then added the silhouette cut out, then topped it off with a few trims and pins.
It was a very simple process once I created the template and I love how it turned out.


Thanks for stopping by today!


Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper;
Mist: Ranger (Prefect Pearls Mist - Interference Red);
Ribbon: American Crafts (Rose Ribbon - White);
Seam Binding: Hug Snug (Chalk White);
Pins: Maya Road;
Template: Tifany DeGough (Silhouette);
Canvas: JoAnn;
Tools: Fiskars (Scissors, Craft Knife);

Paint The Town Challenge {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another Paint the Town challenge at Market Street Stamps!

Here is the color palette:


And here is the card I created using the palette as my inspiration.
I used two Market Street Stamps background stamps (Houndstooth and Paisley) and one of the newly released sets (Home Sweet Home).


If you saw my frame project from Monday, you might notice that today's card has a similar layout. I took the basic layout from the frame and rotated it and used it for my card's front panel.

Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog today to see inspiration from the Design Team and get in on the challenge!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Houndstooth, Paisley, Home Sweet Home);
Ink: Tsukineko (Thatched Straw); Ranger (Archival - Black); CTMH (Lagoon);
Other: Maya Road (Trinket Pins); Etsy (Vintage Seam Binding - Sapphire);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Time to PARTY! {Market Street Stamps}

The NEW January release stamp sets are now available for purchase from Market Street Stamps!
{And even more exciting...they are debuting at 15-25% off!}

The shipping is super speedy...but while you wait - be sure to join in on the Block Party!
{Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog to get all the details about how you can join in on the Block Party...where you can win some fabulous free stamps and have a shot at being a Guest Designer for Market Street Stamps!}


You can create ANYTHING for this challenge...no color requirements, no specific project types...just follow your heart. :o)

Thanks for stopping by today - and if you are headed to CHA, be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps booth (#2611).
See you there!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White); Bazzill (Pink);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Vintage Wallpaper, Follow Your Heart);
Ink: Ranger (Mustard Seed); Tsukineko (Thatched Straw);
Mist: Ranger (Perfect Pearl);
Ribbon: (Yellow Sheer);
Dies: Spellbinders (Labels Eight);
Other: Maya Road (Flower Trinket Pin - White);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Sketch Challenge {Authentique Paper}

{As seen today on the Authentique Paper blog}


Authentique Paper has a new sketch challenge (starting today) - you have the option of playing along with the card sketch:


Or the layout sketch:


Here's the card I created using the card sketch and papers from the Gathering collection 6x6 Bundle:


For this card I actually used a manila folder for my card base and for my stamped panel. I colored the image with some very light colored Copics to match the beautiful oranges and blues in the Gathering collection.


Be sure to head on over to the blog to get yourself in on the challenge!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Gathering - 6x6);
Other Paper: Manila Folder;
Stamps: Hero Arts (Make Your Own);
Ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa);
Markers: Copic (BG000, Y32);
Ribbon: Best Value by Jo-Ann Stores (Sheer - Brown); Maya Road (Lace - Brown);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Paint The Town Challenge {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another Paint the Town challenge at Market Street Stamps!


I can honestly say I struggled with what to create for this color challenge. I love the color palette, but I had no idea where to take it. I decided to pull out the colors of solid cardstock that I thought matched it best and I pulled out a few embellishments in the same palette.

I used the new Grace background stamp as the star of the show.
{My jaw literally dropped when I saw this stamp. It is gorgeous!}


The "JOY" sentiment on the mini ticket is from the new Essential Holiday Elegance stamp set (I masked it from the "Comfort & Joy" sentiment).


Thank you for dropping by today...and don't forget to play along in the challenge!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (Cinder, Love Potion, Iced Cocoa, French Vanilla);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Grace, Essential Holiday Elegance);
Ink: Tsukineko (Eggplant);
Accents: TIm Holtz (Mini Pin); Maya Road (Mini Ticket - Kraft, Trinket Pins - Triple Pearl);
Other: LittleRedCottage - etsy (Twill);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);