Saturday, July 31, 2010

Easy Cards

Adding a circle, a scallop, a strip of sparkle paper and some stamps is a quick and easy way to decorate cards. These cuties are from the Target dollar aisle!! Making a personalized card doesn't require lots of effort, and is great for a busy gal.


Friday, July 30, 2010

Accessories are the Best!

Sometimes, it is all about focusing on something little, like our photo! My sister made us matching rings in metals class at UW-River Falls. We wanted to feature our specialness.



I love polka dots, and used this American Crafts halloween paper to make a belt/ribbon, and cricut cartridge for the buckles...I like because it goes with accessory theme.

The stamp is "For the Record" by Stampology. I like encompassing the details neatly in a small space.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Simple and Sweet

Sometimes, I like to blow up the group photos to see everyone's faces and outfits better. This was post Pink Carnation Tea, and I just accented the page with some sweet bars of paper, and a cute little tea pot I found at Archiver's in the card section. It is not too over board and just right.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

almost 8 years...it is great to be greek!

It may not look like much...3 DVDs w/music, 2 8x8 scrapbooks, 3 mini photo albums, over 200 scrapbook layouts across 3 12x12 scrapbooks...and piles of birthday cards, thank you notes, wedding invitations, baby showers and stacks of pictures...but this is about what 8 years of being in a sorority looks like!

2 in college, 6 as an alumnae member...and it keeps getting better!






ps, 3 gigs of pics on my hard drive :)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Cheerful + Colorful Cards

Here are some cutie patootie cards, just for the right someone special!

All of the paper is American Crafts, and the stamps are random. Top left/bottom right stamps are Fiskars. Bottom left is Hero Arts. Polka Dotted alphabet--is something about cats?? Unsure of the bird in the upper right. The cute felt flowers were a quarter from Michael's.

Monday, July 26, 2010

"the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

"the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
Eleanor Roosevelt

From my lovely godmother--I have it hanging in an open doorway. Piece of my home.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A Quick Card

One of my extra circular activities is serving on advisory council for my sorority, and I am so proud of them! Over half the chapter was above a 3.0 for spring 2010, so to recognize those girls, they will receive a cute card/door decoration to recognize their hard studying and work.



The owl is from American Crafts from the Craft Fair line, and the apple sticker was from a border that I cut up...and can't remember the brand, but purchased at Micheal's. Polka Dotted stamps are from Achiever's. White shape is Cricut Design Studio.

Window Cats

Boba + Kaylee LOVE sitting in the window. They usually share nicely and watch patiently :p

I like stacking photos up and down, or left and right, to make a layout. The flower paper is Basic Grey, and I think it looks so sweet (just like my kitties!). I folded the paper border because there was a tear in the middle, and it seems like ruffles are in, the periwinkle bow is from cards from the infamous Target dollar aisle, so I have some found-object action going on. The 3 birds cut out add some bright colors and interest to the bottom edge, and that is the #1 reason the cats are in the window.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Locks of Love

My cousins, Julie and Katie, participated in Locks of Love, so my sister Kara and I and some of our friends did as well. Kara and I have both donated twice, and we want to continue donating, as Kara's best friend past away shortly after graduating high school to honor her memory. I teach 15 water fitness classes a week, and my ladies think it would be the best thing in the world to get one of my "pretty blonde pony tails."

Most recently, I cut in August 2009. My hair grew much longer than the first time, and we cut 2 pig tails instead of hacking 1 big pony so I could have more hair left for my head! I recommend that strategy. I LOVE this hair length on me.



My first cut was 2006. My sister, and our friends Sarah O. and Julia (not pictured) joined us in our adventure. To be honest, I totally cried during and after this haircut because the stylist kept making my hair shorter and shorter in the back!



Thursday, July 22, 2010

BFF

My BFF (Best Friend Forever!)has been my bestie since 2nd grade. We had desks next to each other, she had a new baby sister, and she had a really cool eraser collection...and our friendship blossomed from there!

Anyways, my mother is a professional seamstress, and was doing the final alterations on Sarah's wedding gown in 2007. While I was over, we thought it would be fun to be like the FRIENDS episode when Monica, Phoebe and Rachel all are hanging out in Monica's apartment wearing the wedding gowns, so I put my 2005 Jessica McClintock gown on for some pictures. This is one of my favorite pictures of us together.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

American Crafts Layout--Portrait of a Portrait

This photo best describes my family--zaney, raw creativity, to the beat of our own drummers.

All paper products used are from American Crafts "Craft Fair" line. I loved cutting out the little frames and making a gallery, under the self-portrait portrait. One of the mini frames reads "family is the thread of life." One of my other loves is the rainbow of polka dots. One thing that never gets old, to me, is polka dots, and Craft Fair offers a variety of sizes and colors of fun dots.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Scrapfest Sign Up started Today!

September 17th-19th, 2010 @ MOA
http://www.scrapfest10.com/

Girlfriends

Here is a simple + FAST layout for 2 4x6 pictures. Side by side, nothing too fancy, used my rubber stamps, which brought some charm to our girl's day in Stillwater, MN.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Kitty Collage

This is my kitten, Boba. She is all grown up now-almost 2.5, but she has always been a ham for the camera. She is especially fond of the wrist strap.

Here she is, waking up from a nap. Down the side, I wrote all of her cuteness in some pink flowers, cut from the GEORGE cartridge of the Cricut. Some of the noises, she doesn't make now, so it is fun to look back and read.



A couple months later, she had the joy of being dressed like an elf!! She tolerates outfits for a bit, but after 5 minutes, she just starts rolling around.



We decided to get Boba a friend in June 2009! My husband surprised me with an 'older' cat, Kaylee. She was a stray and believed to be about 3 years old.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Opening Day, Star Wars, Our Honeymoon!

Scrapbook Challenge #36: Base a Layout on a Memory

We road our bikes down the beach to the movie theater to see Star Wars!

I feel like it is easy to just have 1 photo sometimes. I was going through my photos 3-4 years after our honeymoon, and was trying to decide what to keep and throw, when I remembered why I took it--to commemorate the last Star Wars movie!! I had also kept the ticket stubs, as I love saving those.

Not wanting to purchase Darth Vader paper and wanting to stick with ocean colors, I scraplifted from BHG Scrapbooks Etc. The lacy pattern underneath is actually pink, but I flipped it to the white side for the page, and used the brackets from my Cricut Cartridge, Basic George and my stand-by white paper. I *always* have a supply of 25 sheets white cardstock, and 25 sheets black cardstock from JoAnn in my supplies.



Over 5 years later, and the force is still strong with us.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Bird House!

My sweet afternoon enjoying the air conditioning during this 102 degree day (temp + heat index + humidity = Minnesota) was using Modge Podge, turquoise acrylic paint and covering my little birdhouse, from the dollar aisle at Micheal's.

All the paper on the house is from American Crafts line, Craft Fair!


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Esmae's Stuff--Hidden Message Baby Blankets and More...

Check out one of my pool friend's etsy site:

www.EsmaesStuff.etsy.com


This is the home of the original Hidden Message Blankets (among other things..). These little blankets feature a hidden message from Esmae. Although she is frequently vague with her messages, she assures us that the recipients will know what the messages mean. A copy of each message is sewn inside the binding - where it will stay forever (and can't be seen) - and the second copy is stitched on the outside of the binding where it can be seen by the recipient and then removed so the message remains an heirloom "secret". Enjoy these little blankets and their messages. They are a gift from Esmae and a pleasure to make!

A must-see is the "Sock Snob Section." Since grandma has started making these, we can't imagine ever having store-bought socks again. They are a perfect finish for a baby shower gift and they're completely washable and dryable!

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words. -Goethe

Scrapbook Challenge #21

Scrapbook Challenge #21, Design Your Own Paper Piece Accent

I decided to cut out 5 flowers and piece them around. One of the flowers is raised on the foam stickers, and I like the extra depth and fun colors.



This is my first time consciously making an effort to know where all my papers and supplies have from, so...
Cardstock--Gray from Achiever's...all paper from American Crafts! Pink Ribbon-from packaging from the dollar aisle notecards from Target. Journaling piece--from BHG Scrapbook Etc (see post from July 9th to download your own!)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Inspiration--Scanning in Objects

We love Las Vegas! Whenever we go, we seek out new poker chips to add to the collection...this scan is missing a few.

My intention is to print them, cut them out and use them in a layout...I am thinking a 2-page spread that is shaped like a poker table.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Back in the Day

Since high school in the late 90's, I have been scrapbooking and have improved in so many ways!

Because I always printed doubles from my film, after giving photos to friends and making other pages, I would make a collage for the first 'page' of each year of high school.

Here is my senior year collage:



Band Trip to Disney in 1999, a page from Universal Studios. I know--the corner holders are awful!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Too many photos for one page?? Here is a trick...

Too many photos for one page?? Here is a trick from my friend, Vicki! It makes the page interactive and creative...but it can make your scrapbook thicker quick.

From the top of the page, or from the outer edge (use a craft knife), chose an easy access spot to mount some scored cardstock, and fold out spots for your pics.

Pics are from Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Page one:



Opening the spread:


Inside of the spread:



As you can see, they work both horizontal as well as vertical...and my orange cat, Boba, is always near to whatever I am working on.

Here is another one, from the top of the page:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvJGUpZo8uxDuydIQwyiXsXjUQSdHO5fhD7m62roI_vnPU5W5uOO29YTzunLcjHTNJgNSxcSBgVLTWQLk-hoDurXrcd-m2WR0wRQCLRYuHpZmxj6hRLtAjM1k950FVmoLWbVw9F3pnFAK/s1600/DSC02043.JPG

Friday, July 9, 2010

Free Printable Journaling Cards from Scrapbooks Ect.

These are fun tags to print off, especially for trips!

Sweetest Cards

The Supplies


Polka Dotted Cards from my beloved dollar aisle at Target, 8/$1.00! Came with magenta envelopes.

The Glitter Sweet Stack from DCWV, with '72 delicious printed papers.'

Pink sparkle cardstock, corner rounder, black ink for the sides of the quatrefoil/1.5 inch fancy square shapes.

Group


Close Ups



Wednesday, July 7, 2010

From 1993, When I Grow Up...

Birthday Card

Sometimes, I love the act of stamping. Pushing the stamp into the ink, then transferring the image onto the paper. over and over. repeat.

ColorBox has a beautiful rainbow of colors...I used Glacier Ice for the card, and alternating by using 100% color and partial color for the background, then the little bird on a separate piece of paper, with a piece of scrap cardstock to emphasis and draw the eye towards the bird and message.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Strappy Dress

This past spring, I purchased myself a new sewing machine for my birthday. I have already hemmed my curtains and affixed the satin ribbons to the edges, and I decided I was ready for my first dress.

It turned out within 2 hours looking cute and great on the hanger, but my mom is going to fix the pattern (and the dress) by adding some darts in the sides.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Scrapbook Challenge #6

Scrapbook Challenge #6
Let a Song Lyric Inspire a Layout
"Victims of Fun" from Starry Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold

Julia's Bachelorette Party, Winter 2010



Starry Eyed Surprise Lyrics
Hey DJ!
Tonight..stars
Tonight I’m seein stars
Tonight..stars
Tonight I’m seein stars
Tonight..stars
Tonight

Once again
I found myself with my friends
Dancin the night away
It’s like the party never ends
Then again, we don’t want it to stop
‘Cause tonight’s the night
It goes sweat box, laser beam, flashin lights
Wild cards, men from Mars
Dressed in stars and stripes
Eclectic Electric
Ladies at the evenin
Drinkin booze and mingilin
Mashin through the music
I can do anything
Freaky deaky, star speckles and pink butterflies
And life is nice, so nice
I walk into a club and I found paradise
I’m seein stars, I can’t believe my eyes
I’m seein stars

[CHORUS]
Oh my, starry eyed surprise
Sun down to sun rise
Dance all night
We gonna dance all night
Dance all night to this DJ
Now sugar, dance all night to this DJ
Oh my, starry eyed surprise
Sun down to sun rise
Dance all night
We gonna dance all night
Dance all night to this DJ
Now sugar, dance all night to this DJ
Dance all night to this DJ
Now lover, dance all night to this DJ
A ha ha

Now the record always spills on the trails we blazed
The walls are closin in, but that’s ok
‘Cause I been waitin all week to feel this way
And it feels so good, so good
I’m on top of the world
The coolest kid in the neighborhood
So let me be a sparkle one night, that’s right
Sweat box, laser beam, flashin lights
You got to
Feel the rush, feel the spice of life
Thug life
Shifty rolls the dice
Snake eyed surprise
Izing, mesmerizin
The mic, the sick ones
‘Cause what we are are victims of fun
C’mon, c’mon, the fun has just begun
C’mon, the fun has just begun
Ha ha

[CHORUS]

Hey DJ!
Tonight..stars
Tonight I’m seein stars
Tonight..stars
Na na, I see stars
I’m seein stars [6x]

[CHORUS (2x)]