i just noticed that the mom & me pj crop at SCRAPBOOK 911 was not on their web calendar, i’m not sure if it is on the paper calendar or not. i apologize for not catching that sooner, but i DID want to let anyone who was interested know that we WILL be having the pj crop so PLEASE sign up if you’d like to come and crop with your child{ren}! it will be on thursday, july 8th from 5 to 9. snacks are included {but dinner isn’t so please eat before you come or bring something with you!} the crop is priced at just $5 per person. moms must stay, and they can bring as many kids as they can supervise! so your kids can invite friends to crop with them if they like.
the wearing of your PJ’s is optional, but we sure had a lot of fun cropping in our jammies last month, here’s some photos…
there are also 2 other mom & me classes coming up in july:
first up is the “regular” mom & me class on saturday, july 10th from 10:00 to noon. you and your child will work together to make a set of card for various occasions. they will be SO proud to give these cards because they made them themselves!
then, on tuesday, july 20th from 10:30 to 12:30 will be mom & me “our day out”. “our day out” is a special class for summer; by special request from the KIDS! BOTH you and your child will EACH have your OWN project to work on for ONE low price! this month, the kids will be making an altered composition book…
while the moms will be making a summer themed 2 page layout…
please e-mail me if you have any questions about any of these special “kid” classes!
my very first blog post went up this morning! i’m very excited about this, and i hope YOU will be excited by the new blog! i’ll be posting 2 new projects every week, and each project will have a complete supply list and directions. projects for all skill levels – newbie to die hard stampers – will be covered.
i would appreciate it if you would pass the word AND if you’d stop by to take a peek. visit OFTEN if you like what you see. and please – leave me a comment, i’d LOVE to hear what you think!
thanks for letting me share my news with you, i’ve been waiting to announce it for a LONG time!
it’s not too early to start thinking about mother’s day gifts!
i have 2 classes coming up on april 3 that i think any mom would appreciate…
first, i’ll be at SCRAPBOOK 911 to teach my “blessings book” from 10:00 to 1:30. this book has lots of little pockets, some of which are “secret”! there is also plenty of room to journal in this book. i designed it with the thought that you could write down the GOOD things that come your way, as well as tuck special little bits of inspiration in it – letters, cards, articles, even fortunes from fortune cookies! just anything that gives your spirit a little lift. then, when you needed that pick-me-up, you could reach for your blessings book! make it for your mom, grandmom, sister, friend or even YOURSELF! this class is almost full, so if you are interested, please contact SCRAPBOOK 911 to sign up.
then, i’m off to STAMP ANTONIO, where we’ll be making a 6 X 6 mini book with canvas covers for mother’s day. featured products are by GECKO GALZ {formerly Harlee-Quinnz} and by CLEARSNAP. you’ll learn a few techniques for painting, inking, stamping and collaging on canvas {to create the cover}, and then i’ll show you how to apply and blend Smooch Accent Inks on your stamps to create shimmery “watercolor” images. there are spaces for photos and journaling so you can personalize it for your special mom.
if you are interested in this class, please call STAMP ANTONIO to sign up, i’ll have to have a few days to get all the canvas covers made!
my “home lss”, scrapbook 911, got some of the new REAL WOOD “papers” by creative imaginations in the other day.
i was wondering how easy they would be to work with so i decided to make a tag as a “test sample” and try out a few different techniques on it. i selected one of the lighter colored pieces in the thinnest weight.
first i cut it out in the shape of a tag – that was pretty easy, and it did just cut like a thick paper. then i used my crop-o-dile to punch a hole at the top – again, real easy to do and no splitting.
then i decided to spray it with SMOOCH SPRITZ to color the tag, i used the GINGERSNAP color, and it came out wonderful! nice and bright with LOTS of shimmer. i wanted a little contrast color around the edges, so i used the SMOOCH ACCENT INK in gold lame to dab and smudge around the edges. it added a nice touch of shading and went on nice and easy. i set the tag aside to dry a bit and then decided to try some other techniques while i waited.
first, i thought about stamping and embossing on the wood, so i tried that – i wouldn’t recommend it! the wood started splitting and separating from the paper backing before i even got a small bit of the embossing powder melted. you might have better luck on the thicker wood papers, but it did not work on the thin!
so, i tried stamping using my VIVID ink in black; it worked pretty well, there was a little “running” of the ink in the wood grain, but that was to be expected. i didn’t think it ruined the design. so i used a stamp set by basic grey to stamp a cute little frog, lizard and bee as well as the sentiment for the tag onto some leftover wood. then i filled in the designs using SMOOCH ACCENT INKS. they worked wonderfully on the wood, they were easy to apply, covered well and gave a pretty bright glimmery look to the designs – and the SMOOCH ACCENT inks were thick enough that they didn’t run into the grain of the wood. i used GREEN APPLE, KIWI, POOL, OCEAN SOUL, SASSY PINK, SUNDANCE and TUXEDO. i used the SMOOCH ILLUMINATE to do the wings of the bee with. the ILLUMINATE just adds a layer of shimmer to whatever you apply it over, so you can still see the wood through the ink. i set all the “smooched” pieces aside to dry also – they do dry pretty quick though.
having a few minutes to wait, i wondered if i could cut the wood with decorative edge scissors, i had a few on hand, so i gave them a try. the first ones i used were a mini scallop, and i was REALLY surprised at how well they worked. i got a nice clean cut with nice definition. the large zig zag scissors i had went through the wood a little easier and again gave a clean cut. i decided to smooch both of the with the SMOOCH SPRITZ, i used the GOLD GLOW on the scallop cut piece for my sentiment, and used the FROSTED GRAPE on the zig zag cut pieces for trim.
then i assembled all the parts on the tag using my trust ZIP DRY glue; i used dimensional dots to raise the piece with the sentiment. i added some dots as a “flight trail” for the bee and a few dots to the zig zag pieces to accent them, then a ribbon tied at the top finished it off.
here are a few pics of the supplies and finished project:
this month, CLEARSNAP is featuring one of my projects as “the project of the month” on their website.
the project is called “smile, it’s spring” and it is a 8 X 8 layout featuring a photo of laura e’s daughter, maddie {thanks laura!}.
the layout is simple, but features several different techniques using the new SMOOCH SPRITZES. if you have been wondering what to do with these terrific spray inks, you might want to check out the project over at Clearsnap. complete directions and a product list are included.
in celebration of st. patty’s day, i have 3 cards to share with you for this happy go LUCKY holiday! i love ANY holiday that features the color green {especially of the LIME variety}!
all 3 cards feature printed papers by REMINISCE, ephemera by GECKO GALZ {formerly Harlee Quinnz} and inks by CLEARSNAP.
all 3 of these cards are quick and easy to make…
here’s a slide show of each of the cards shown individually, and a list of the supplies required for each is listed below…
i started with a piece of the COWGIRLS ephemera; the wanted poster was just asking to be filled in, and the cowgirl looked so “christmas-ey” in her green shirt and red boots! i stamped “gifts” under “wanted” on the poster using dark brown chalk ink. then i took a piece of the LUCKY STRIPE printed paper and used Smooch accent ink in Siren to color the darker stripes red creating a “peppermint” effect. i adhered the ephemera piece over the paper at a angle and cut out leaving about 1″ around all sides. then i tore around the edges, inked them with dark brown chalk ink and adhered it to a piece of kraft cardstock; which was also inked around the edges. i added some vintage sequin trim around the ephemera piece, and some ribbon and pom trim along the bottom. then i added 3 velvet flowers with black button centers and the word “shop” in some glittery silver letters. the piece was then ready to be adhered to the gift bag. i removed the cord handles from the bag and inserted 3 pieces of twine through the holes, bringing them to the front to tie in a bow. a piece of vintage tinsel to hold a tiny bell at the center of the bow added the finishing touch.
since it IS the season for thanks… i have a little “thank you” card to share!
i wanted the colors of the card to “seasonal”, but still soft and pretty, so i chose to use yellows and oranges with just a touch of brown to add some contrast…
I started with a muted orange cardstock for the card, then added a warm brown block as a backdrop for the rest of my elements.
Next, I sprayed another piece of white cardstock with the GOLD GLOW spritz, and stamped 2 “wood grain” flowers and 3 “thank you print” flowers from the PRINTED FLOWERS set using the SUNBURST ink. Then i stamped 2 “solid thank you” flowers and 1 “large thank you” flower from the same set onto white cardstock using YELLOW OCHRE FLUID CHALK INK. when the ink dried, i spritzed them lightly with the GOLD GLOW spritz. when all the inks and spritz had dried, i cut out the background and the flowers.
I added the background piece first and topped it with a piece of ribbon near the bottom. i then arranged and adhered all the flowers, having the large “thank you” flower at the lower right.
i hope you are in the mood for a halloween project…
i can’t believe halloween will be here in a week or so; it seems like i was just putting the finishing touches on my boys Halloween costumes, but that has been a WHOLE YEAR ago! time sure has a way of sneaking up… especially holidays. so if you are in need of a “little something” gift for a friend, co-worker or teacher, why not make this vintage-inspired treat can?
i collect vintage holiday décor; i just love the time-worn look of vintage pieces and really enjoy decorating for the holidays with my collection. so i REALLY like the ephemera sheets from HARLEE QUINNZ DESIGNS. they have several different themes, each with fabulous vintage images. i used one of the images on the halloween ephemera sheet as the central design element. then i paired her with some stamps and papers also by HARLEE QUINNZ DESIGNS to create my treat can…
if you would like to make your own can; here’s the supplies and basic directions:
SUPPLIES:
HARLEE QUINNZ DESIGNS: Halloween Ephemera Sheet, Butterfly Garden: Summers Garden, Sunlight Bower and Garden Light printed papers and Garden Journal Clear Stamp Set
Clearsnap: Top Boss: Tinted Embossing Pad and Gold Sparkle Embossing Powder, Smooch Accent Inks: Taffy, Grape Soda, Green Apple, Snickerdoodle and Gold Lame and ColorBox: Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan
Other: True Value Hardware: Qt Paint Can, Prima: Flowers, Darice: Buttons, American Crafts: Thickers – Rockabye, EK Success: 3D dots – 1/16″, Making Memories: Word Stickers and October Afternoon: Letter Stickers
Directions:
1) Measure height and circumference of can and cut a piece {or pieces} of HARLEE QUINNZ Sunlight Bower printed paper to cover can.
2) Cut out the girl in the pumpkin costume from the ephemera sheet. Tint her using Smooch inks. Ink edges using brown ink.
3) Stamp oval journal block from HDQ Garden Journal set on HDQ Garden Light printed paper using tinted embossing pad. Sprinkle with gold embossing powder and heat set. Adhere to a scrap pieces of cardstock and then cut out; discard center section.
4) Adhere a piece of HDQ Summers Garden paper to center of stamped image from backside.
5) Cut strips of HDQ Summers Garden paper and use scissors to fringe one long edge; ink edges using brown ink. Then pleat and scrunch fringe, gluing it as you go to back of stamped image. Use fingers to bend and separate fringe.
6) Use 3D Dots to adhere Pumpkin Girl to center of stamped image.
7) Ink and adhere “pumpkin”, and “girl” stitckers below ephemera image.
8) Add flowers and buttons for centers at lower left.
9) Adhere “O Hallows Eve” using black sticker letters around upper left hand corner.
10) Adhere finished embellishment to the left front of can.
11) Adhere “TREATS” chipboard letters along the right side of embellishment.
12) Trace around can lid on HDQ Summers Garden printed paper. Fringe and ink edges, then adhere to top of lid. Use your fingers to bend and separate ends.
13) Add flowers and button centers to top of can to finish.
thanks for stopping in to see what i’ve been up to! i’d LOVE to see what YOU’VE been up to TOO! especially if you have some cute little critters in some costumes you’ve made or spruced up. or any halloween papercrafts that you’d like to share!
i just started designing for a brand new company and wanted to introduce them to you…
Harlee Quinnz Designs is a new scrapbook company based right here in Texas; it is owned by Cindy and Leanne. their company features an eclectic mix of products and styles. right now, they have just released 2 lines: BUTTERFLY GARDEN and SCENTS I REMEMBER. BUTTERFLY GARDEN features bold, bright papers with subtle images; butterflies, swirls and flowers. and SCENTS I REMEMBER would be a perfect line for those of you who have fond memories of a father, grandfather or uncle who loved his pipe or cigar.
HARLEE QUINNZ was at the CKC in San Marcos, so those of you who went probably had a chance to see their products in person. in addition to papers, Harlee Quinnz also has some BEAUTIFULLY designed stamps! they also carry fibers, embossing powders and glitters.
i took pics of the booth so you could get an idea of what all they had:
and here are two projects i made using both lines:
first up is a layout featuring a photo by laura e. {thanks laura}; i thought the butterly was absolutely GORGEOUS, so i wanted the layout to be fairly simple to really set it off, the layout is titled “flutterby” and has a few lines from the poem “all things bright and beautiful written around the edge of the photo…
i cut down the printed papers 1/4″ on all 4 sides and adhered them to a base of white cardstock from PRISM, then i matted my photo on another piece of white cardstock and added it to the layout. then i cut the butterflies from BUTTERFLY GARDEN, mounted them on cardstock and added them around the photo. the butterflies at the bottom right were adhered with 3D dots, and for the one at the upper left, i bent the wings up and adhered it by the body only. the “flutterby” letters are by AMERICAN CRAFTS. as a finishing touch, i added the first few lines of the poem around the edges of the photo with a black pen.
here’s my other project, it’s titled Fashion {west} a; my play on the word fashionista! i thought my blinged up cowgal was pretty glam! LOL!
i used a wood plaque i found at the dollar store as a base, then inked the edges using Dark Brown and Warm Red Chalk ink from ColorBox. then i cut a piece of PAPER INDIAN as a base, it’s about 1/8″ smaller on all sides than the plague. i inked the edges with dark brown chalk ink, then adhered it to the plaque. next, i cut a piece of LUCKY STRIPE and adhered it to the right side at an angle. i cut the cowgal out of a piece of COWGIRL EPHEMERA, and blinged her up a bit with some Prima flowers on her hat and a rhinestone one as a brooch, as well as some Queen & Co. pearls around her neck. i inked the edges with dark brown chalk ink and added her to the left side also at a slight angle. for the fence, i used a row of cigars stamp from the SMOKIN’ SENTIMENTS stamp set. i just stamped it in dark brown ink on a piece of the CIGAR BOX paper and cut it out. i added a piece of vintage lace trim to the bottom and a piece of jute close to the top edge, then adhered it to the piece using 3D dots. i added a trio of Prima flowers to the lower left and placed vintage buttons at the centers. the “fashion {west} a” canvas letters are from American Crafts, and i just inked them with Warm Red and Ochre Chalk Inks. a piece of jute threaded through the holes at the top of the plaque finished it off.
i hope to have more projects up from this company soon. if you liked what you saw, PLEASE be sure to ask YOUR LSS if they will be carrying this line!
