What You Make It

Still Thankful - although I forgot to post this prior to Thanksgiving!

2011-11-28T23:12:00.003-06:00

Ok...so you probably are totally laughing at me - since Thanksgiving was LAST week...but perhaps you will still enjoy this video and find some techniques that you could use on some holiday gifts...(except for the quirky turkeys).

I LOVED seeing Tim Holtz make those cute turkeys... you can check his blog out here....I made a few modifications because my computer is off being fixed and I couldn't print his pattern out to make the heads...so I had to just "punt" and draw my own. I think they turned out cute.

I also have an idea for a way to use the rosette die for some Christmas projects so I will be back with a tutorial on those soon. Also - I totally will be using this basic card design with some of Tim's Mover and Shaper Dies that are Christmas themed...

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...and for those of you that reside outside of the US...I am sure that you have days (perhaps not a holiday specifically) where you stop and focus on all the blessings you have in your life. I am thankful for each of you!

Before You Were My Dad

2011-11-21T11:06:00.003-06:00

Here is a video I did showing a gift I made for Dad a few years ago. He was a professional baseball player...and had quite a collection of pictures and news stories that I was able to use in making the mini.

I used a medical file folder...it's construction is VERY sturdy...and I love the long fasteners that make it easy to add additional pages...I think I am going to have to create another project with a medical file folder as a base so I can do a tutorial for you guys.

Hope you are all headed towards a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be grateful for...and know I count you as a huge blessing in my life!

{{hugs}}

Jann

Dad

2011-11-19T19:34:00.001-06:00

I love this picture of my Dad. It was taken soon after he graduated from college...and around the time that he and my mother married. Dad finished his freshman year of college and then was drafted into the Army...and served in Korea. He finished up college when he returned...I think he looks so dapper!

My Dad was always super healthy. He played professional baseball - and even as he got older he had the physique of an athlete. I think that is what has made the past 10 months so hard. At 84 he was totally embracing life...traveling, hunting with his brother and playing golf several times a week. Back in January he had a regular doctor's appointment and his bloodwork came back with a total surprise...Dad was diagnosed with leukemia. He was referred to an oncologist - but the doctor sent word to Dad's doctor that he didn't really need to see him - the leukemia was so advanced that he would not recommend any chemo therapy for someone as old as my Dad. Even today, that both makes me smile...and a little MAD! *smile* Just goes to show that none of us know EVERYTHING! (I especially need to be reminded of that myself on a regular basis).

We insisted that the doctor actually SEE Dad before he made his final prognosis. When he walked into the examining room and took a look at Dad, his first words were, "you certainly are not what I expected!" Dad began a journey that day ... and he approached it much like he approached teaching me math! "This isn't going to be FUN - but we're gonna do it the right way!"

Dad continually surprised his doctors - he withstood three rounds of chemo...and began to get stronger. They would just shake their heads...he wasn't doing what they expected - but my sister and I were not really all that surprised...Dad always did the unexpected!

Because Dad was a fighter...we were blessed to have 10 very special months with him. He lived in Dallas and I live in Nashville - but I was able to make several trips home to see him...and we spoke daily on the phone. We had some priceless late night conversations...and every night we would end the conversation with me saying, "good night Dad - I love you!" and he would respond, "I love you too sugar!" Those words had the ability to take this 50 year old woman and transport her back to an eight year old little girl.

Dad finished his journey on Thursday morning - November 3rd. We were blessed to have home hospice there for the last few days of his life. I will always remember one of his nurses, Quinita. She is a very special lady. Her care for my Dad was gentle...like she was caring for her own father. She was always aware of what was going on...and just took care of things - allowing Ruby (my Dad's wife), my sister and me to just spend our time together loving on him. Very precious hours.

I know I have been absent for a while but I am hoping to be back soon with some fun projects to share with you. Life just got a bit overwhelming between the death of Jess (husband to one of my best friends here in Nashville) and then Dad's health deteriorating so quickly. I hope to have some quick last minute Thanksgiving projects to share...I made some fun cards, Thanksgiving dinner place cards and a little accordian mini with tags for each person at dinner to share what they consider their greatest blessing of the past year. I made them prior to heading to Dallas because a friend of mine and I were going to to have a booth in a local craft fair. She was super sweet and took the projects that I already had completed and sold them along with her own delightful home decor and holiday gifts. I have the BEST friends!

I have missed you all - and I am looking forward to being back with you in my studio soon! Hope you are headed towards a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am certainly counting my blessings...and you all are right there on the list!

We are sad....

2011-10-15T01:17:00.001-05:00

My very dear friend and co-worker lost her husband yesterday. He was a young man (remember I think you are still "young" if you are within 5 years of my age...yes it is a sliding window - but I'm ok with that!) - and full of life and love for his wife, his children, his grandbaby girl and his work.

In fact, he was in the middle of a presentation at work - and collapsed. Such a shock to everyone - and we will all miss him very much. Jess played soccer on one of the teams in Spain when he was younger - and I enjoyed learning a lot about the sport during the World Cup - Jess was a very patient teacher (up until I met Jess and Carole - I only had a working knowledge of Football and Baseball and a willingness to watch Basketball with my nephew) - but Jess sucked me into this sport that was totally foreign to me. I am sure I will be tuning in the next time the World Cup Tournament is being played - although it just won't be as fun since I won't have Jess available to explain the difference between yellow and red cards...and why certain guys on the team can't go past some of the lines on the field!

Jess always had his priorities straight. He loved God (he was a pastor for many years and then worked to equip and resource pastors around the US). He loved his wife (he would just pop into the office to say hi or to surprise Carole for lunch) - and they were married for more than 30 years. He loved his kids. His eldest is a policeman and is married to a wonderful woman and they have a precious little girl whom Jess adored. He has two beautiful daughters...and they are a reflection of their Mom and Dad - caring, sweet lovely girls. And then there was the bond between Jess and Buddy...his dog. Yes - Buddy was clearly Jess's dog.

Jess will be missed. We know that He has gone to spend eternity with his God...and we know we will see him again. But for now - we are sad...we miss him...and there is a Jess shaped hole in our hearts.

I also need to let you know that those of you who have purchased items from my previous blog post that I did not get them packaged up yesterday or today - everything that was on my "to do" list just needed to be set aside so that I could spend time with Carole...love on her and support her in any way that I could. I am hoping that I can get things packed up and shipped out on Monday or Tuesday. Thank you for your patience - I appreciate it!

I have been especially reminded over the past couple of days that I want to live every moment of every day as if it might be my last. I want to tell the people that I love - that I LOVE THEM! So - dear blog following friends - thank you for hanging out with me - for encouraging me - for challenging and inspiring me. Know that I love you...and feel blessed to be your friend.

A Few Things That Need A Good Home!

2011-10-12T16:27:00.001-05:00

Ok...this post is long overdue...but I finally have taken all the pictures. It is going to be a bit long - so hang with me here.

When I was doing the BIG STUDIO overhaul - I found a few kits or collections that were left over from classes that I have taught over the past year. As you all know, I teach at local scrapbook stores and scrapping retreats, and I almost always end up with an extra kit or tool because someone cancelled or I had to buy a certain number of a product. I am getting ready for the fall and spring round of classes - and need to move these things out to make room for the new inventory. I would love for them to go to a good home...could it possibly be yours? *smile* I only have one or two oftmost of these kits... If you click on one of the Buy Now Buttons and I have already sold it, you will get a message that it is sold out - and you can come back to this post and keep shopping. (shipping will be added at check out)

Good Things Come In Small Packages

2011-10-02T20:21:00.000-05:00

Hello sweet friends...

Hope you have had a great weekend - and are looking forward to the week ahead!

I just got a notice on my phone that middle Tennessee is likely to experience frost tonight! Woo Hoo - I think that may mean that FALL is actually on its way here! YEAH!

I was able to re-tape the video tutorial on the mini canvases - it was a little frustrating having to tape it with the camera off to the side - so I am really hoping to get back to using my computer and the overhead camera again soon! I apologize for the number of times I was demonstrating something out of frame or the goofiness of telling you to "look at something" that you clearly COULDN'T see because my left hand wasand was in the way! LOL. Oh well - I learned a lot by doing this one and hopefully will do better on the next one.

This afternoon, I got to start on the project I told you about in the video...the mini album that we want to send to the family of the kidney donor Royce received last October 8th. We want to share with them our gratitude - but want to be mindful that the gift we received came at the cost of the life of their loved one. We take that sacrifice to heart - and want them to know that Royce cherishes that gift - and throough his life, their loved one is continuing to influence the lives of others. This is one of those opportunities where I can use my art to express what is in my heart! I hope that you find an opportunity to do the same! Have a great week - and I will be back to share the progress I am making with our mini albums.

I am SO NOT scared of small canvases

2011-09-27T22:38:00.000-05:00

So they are a GREAT place to spend a little Creative Play time. These first two tiny canvases ended up being small thank you gifts for two sweet friends. I found several of these small canvases (they are approximately 2.5 - 3.5 inches) back in the art department at JoAnn's - I think they were no more than $1. They are wood framed and are basically square or ATC (artist trading card) sized. Small...and totally un-intimidating.

I used Distress Stain (yeah - I can't seem to stop playing with that stuff) on the blue one and on the autumnal version, I used acrylic paint and acrylic washes. The dandelions were stamped and then I used Sakura gel pens to add some dimension to the canvas. I stamped the pumpkins with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored them with Copics - but you could use colored pencils or Bic pens - hey - you might even try crayons...remember we're just playing so anything goes! I cut the pumpkins out and popped them up on dimensionals. Even when working on something small like these canvases - remember to use the same design principles you would incorporate on a scrapbook page, a card or larger canvas. Even though there is plenty of room to center the pumpkins on the canvas - I felt that letting them hang off the right edge created a lot more visual interest. What do you think?

I had no idea where I was going when I started out - but these two little canvasses with splattered paint began to take on a life of their own. Once I had added the butterflies and the dandelion stamp I just knew that it needed to be a little "thank you" for a sweet friend of mine. I so liked the pumpkin version (the stamp is by CC Designs) that I think I will do a season series so I can change them out with the seasons. Stay tuned for those - I will share them when I get them done. I added a loop of thin satin ribbon so they can be hung or placed on a small easel.

The thing is - a big canvas somehow makes me think I have to do something SIGNIFICANT with it - but now that I have had some fun playing on smaller versions, I don't think I will be as intimidated when I get around to doing something with a larger version. So the Creative Play Principle is: Start small and gain confidence.

Now I want to give you a sneak peek at my other small canvas.

This one was OUTRAGEOUSLY fun to create....and I am going to do a video to show you what all I did to create all the texture on the basic canvas. I actually taped the process of making this one - kind of like I did on the painting faces video...but didn't get it edited before my computer died...and I am afraid all of that is lost...so I will be recreating it with another canvas to share with you. Again - I just stayed in "creative play mode" and when I stopped playing - I liked the end result enough to add a few embellishments to make it into a piece of art that I now have sitting on my desk in my studio reminding me to "Be Courageous!"

Friends, I do apologize for the delay in our Creative Play Series. I am working on an alternative method to shoot and edit videos until I get my computer back. Don't you hate having to deal with the "downside" of technology!?!?! I mean - I love all that computers allow us to do, but when they stop working it puts a real kink into my productivity! Grrrr!

I hope you all are having a great week...and that you are finding time for some Creative Play! See you soon!

Digi Me...

2011-09-10T22:51:00.001-05:00

Happy Saturday...

I had a great time seeing many of my scrappy friends here in Nashville today. Once a year, I do a scrapbook yard sale to help me clean out my studio and guest room (affectionatly named "the warehouse!" *smile*). Because I teach classes throughout the year and at retreats, I often end up with an extra kit or two...from someone who cancelled at the last minute or I just ended up with more product than I needed.

It was a gorgeous day! I even ended up with a bit of a sunburn...I didn't notice the time passing - you know how it is when you are hanging out with other creative people...you just start sharing ideas and before you know it an hour has passed. What a great way to spend a Saturday.

One of the ladies that came out to the yard sale challenged me to do some digi scrapping. I love a challenge...so I decided to work on a project I think is going to be part of our next series after we complete the Creative Play Series. So many times, those of us that create the family scrapbooks forget to include pictures and stories about ourselves.

So here is my idea (yes I know we have a LOT more to accomplish in our Creative Play Series - but I love letting an idea run around in my head for a while before we actually start on it): I want us to create an "All About Me" album. I have talked with Scott at BlueMoon Scrapbooking, and he has said that he is happy to put together a kit that is just available here through my blog - for those that want to use the same supplies...but of course you will be able to use any products that you want to - and I will be creating some templates that will be exclusives for those that are participating in the series. I am planning on using the "All About Me" paper crafting kit from Webster's Pages. I got a pre-release kit - and WOW is it gorgeous. I will take some pictures and post it for you when I get back from my trip towards the middle of the week. I am also looking into maybe doing the "All About Me" via UStream...so that we can talk and interact while we are doing it. Let me know what you think about the idea...and if it sounds like something that would be intriguing to you.

I thought I would also let you know that I have six or seven kits (each one of them is from a different class that I taught) that I didn't sell today. I will take some pictures of them and post them in the next few days. You know I am not about using my blog to SELL stuff...but they are pretty cool kits - October Afternoon 5 & Dime (lots of embellies from the line are included), Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends, Melissa Frances (Fall project kit) and a 7 Gypsies mini album kit - and they need to go to nice homes - LOL. I know there are a couple more so I will take some pictures and let you know more specifics!

Ok...I need some sleep...so I am gonna head to bed. Hope you have a good rest of the weekend - and for sure...save time for some CREATIVE PLAY!

Creative Play Series: Doing What You Think You Can't

2011-09-09T12:41:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!

I am super excited to be sharing this post with you today... because it is an opportunity for me to be totally TRANSPARENT and show you that I am on this journey to creative freedom right along with you!

Today's video is about learning to BE BRAVE and try the things that you think you can't do -- or can't do as well as others! Success is in the trying! And I clearly will show you that if you watch the video. The thing I chose - was painting faces...because that is something that I see other people do and do WELL and I just KNOW that mine wouldn't come out that cute. So having said that...and because I can't encourage YOU to do something I am not willing to do myself...I decided to share my VERY FIRST attempt at painting a face. Ok...so I am not even going for a Mona Lisa - kind of face...I just want to make one of those whimsical - mixed media kinds of faces....and I am even going to give myself a boost by using a STENCIL as a starting point! Hey - the point is to TRY... and to use Creative Play as a safe place to try new things. Did it turn out PERFECTLY? ummmmm that would be a NO....but do I love it? Yes, I do...in fact I stayed up last night in order to finish editing the video so you could see it today! I am going to keep using some of my Creative Play time to practice - and I will come back and show you the kind of progress I am making. Even though it is FAR from perfect, I am really pleased that I tried. I feel stronger and more confident...I feel BRAVE! I hope that you will be a bit brave this week and try something you have been hesitant to try as well - and then please come share it with us on Mr. Linky!

I will be traveling over the weekend...and into the first part of the week...so it will be next week before I can do another episode of Creative Play - but I will be watching for your posts on Mr. Linky and can't wait to see what you do! And I will be planning our next adventure!

If you are interested in the stencils and paints I used, you can find them here:
Stencils
Paints

Have a great weekend!

Jann

Creative Play Series: Playful Backgrounds

2011-09-05T23:22:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends...

I am really glad to be back with another installment for our Creative Play series.

If you are just now joining us...skip down a few posts and catch up with us...or just jump in where we are...it is all good! *smile*

Last time we talked about overcoming the paralysis of perfection by asking the question - "What if...?" and letting your natural curiosity take over.

Today's method for helping you find that 5 year old that is hiding inside of you that just wants to CREATE is to spend some time "Creating for No Apparent Reason." Sometimes the pressure of having an end product in mind shuts down our freedom...and when that gets shut down, we are less likely to create our best art. So one of my ways of keeping myself "playful" is to take a few minutes when I may not have time to create a whole project - and use it to just make some backgrounds that I might use on another project....or not!

Have fun watching the video...and then GO PLAY! When you are done, please come back and leave us a link to what you have made down on the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post. Have fun - I can't wait to see what you create my dear ARTIST friends!

Products I used:
Tim Holtz Distress Stains
Crafter's Workshop Stencils
Pumice Distress Ink
Acrylic Paint
Watercolor Paper

Webster's Pages Seaside Retreat Mini-Album

2011-09-03T15:03:00.002-05:00

Hello friends...

Are you enjoying the long weekend? I am for sure. I can feel that I am getting stronger every day - so am hoping that this third round of antibiotics will be the ticket to no more pneumonia for me! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers...I sure appreciate them!

So wanted to share this fun mini-album that I created for a friend of mine. I have been saving these gorgeous papers and embellies from Webster's Pages (seaside retreat) for just the right album - and this was the PERFECT use for them.

The idea behind it is to make a mini that can hold lots of pictures - simply by putting two 4 x 6 pictures back to back and punching holes in them...and using the pages of the mini as a place to do the journaling. All the decorating is done - you don't have to wait until you have added the pictures to finish it up...put the pictures in and add your journaling, and you're done! I make quite a few of these...here are some of the kinds of albums I have made with this design:

1. Baby or Bridal Shower gifts - The Mom or Bride is always pressed for time - but they have a TON of pictures to deal with after their showers...giving them a place to put their pictures and add some journaling is a PERFECT way to help them document that special time in their life.

2. Year in Review: I do this for our family...and have started using this format for our year "overview." I made 12 tabbed dividers with the month on them, and then all I have to do is take the stack of pictures from each month, put them back to back and add them to the album...I can then journal about that months highlights - and I never feel "behind" in my scrapbooking. (Yes I do lot of scrapbook layouts - but I use them to tell the stories that I want to remember - the "story behind the picture" - this mini album is just a way to keep up to date with the on-going stuff...both are important to me).

3. Trip mini - when you have MORE pictures than you can fit into a regular mini...this is a great way have fun with those great travel papers and enjoy the process of making a great mini and not have to worry about resizing my photos.

4. Holiday Mini: I gave lots of these for Christmas last year....there are always MORE pictures from the holidays than we have time to scrap or photo mats in a mini can accommodate.

5. This is a great mini to share with a friend who is not a scrapbooker but loves to take pictures.

The ideas are endless....let me know how you use this idea.

Here are some of the products I used in this mini:

Tim Holtz Alterations Baroque Die and Mover and Shaper Die.

Adirondack and Jenni Bowlin Paint Dabbers

Silver Rub N'Buff

Webster's Pages Papers and Embellishments

Prima Lace

Prima Flowers

Tattered Angels Mists

Creative Play: What If

2011-08-28T13:21:00.004-05:00

One of the best ways I have learned to get over the paralysis of perfection is to ask "What If...?" The key to it working is to just let your natural curiosity come out to play. The purpose for asking the question is not a perfect answer...it is knowledge....finding out what happens IF you try something.

To begin with try asking one of these questions:

1. What would happen if I used watercolors on different types of paper?

2. What happens if I tear an edge on my paper by hand, with a straight ruler or a deckle edge ruler?

3. What would happen if I put this kind of ink on acrylic paint?

4. What happens if I mix this color with that color?

You just turn your desk into a Creative Learning Lab. And later, you can start asking more complicated "What If " questions... just by following your natural curiosity.

As you will see in this video, I started with a simple comparison question. I am new to working with Distress Stains, so I began with a simple question "What if I put the same stain on different types of paper?" Once I did that, my curiosity took over...what happens if I add water? What happens if I add Perfect Pearls, What if I tried to use them for watercoloring a stamped image? (trust me...the questions were flowing longer than I could keep the camera turned on).

So now it is your turn. Remember...NO FEAR! You don't have to use Distress Stains...that was just what I wanted to play the "What If" game with - because they are a new product to me.

Here's your challenge:

A. Pick something that YOU are curious about...and just go and PLAY!

B. Keep playing and trying new things as they occur to you.

C. When you have finished take a look and see which of the things you created should go on your refrigerator. It is ok if you want to stamp it, cut it or add it to something else...these are just building blocks...but be sure and find something to go put on your refrigerator because it will act as your reminder that YOU ARE AN ARTIST!

D. Share it with us. We are all learners here - and I can't wait to see what new adventures YOUR curiosity inspires in those of us that are on this art journey together. If you can - create a video and share it with us as a video response to this video on YouTube. If you have a blog, create a post and give us the link down here in Mr. Linky. Or just take pictures and post them on Flickr...and give us a link down below. The point is - we want to encourage each other on our creative journey.

Most of all...HAVE FUN! I have to tell you that even though I am spending most of my time in bed recovering from pneumonia...I am SO EXCITED to see what you create. Be sure and click on the links of the others who have posted - we could all use some encouragement as we seek to become FEARLESS ARTISTS!

Creative Play Series: Introduction

2011-08-27T23:02:00.004-05:00

I want to invite you to come into my "virtual classroom" where we will throw off the things that keep us from creating with abandon and just have some FUN! Here is a quick introduction to the series:

And here are some of the things that I will be using in the first Creative Play Series:

Magnetic Storage Boards Tutorials

2011-08-21T18:56:00.002-05:00

I did finally get the video edited for the tutorial on how I made the storage boards. I broke it up into two videos so will post both of them here.

Part One:

Part Two:

Materials used:

Metal Board: You can purchase one on this post on my blog

7 Gypsies Kraft Preprinted Tissue Paper

Claudine Hellmuth Matte Medium

Stazon Ink

Movers and Shapers Dies

Hope you all enjoy this tutorial...and please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Have a great week!

Magnetic Storage Boards

2011-08-20T20:06:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends...

Hope you are having a great weekend! I have been working my way through a "to do" list that is clearly longer than the weekend will allow for me to get done - but it is still very satisfying to put a check in the box next to an item. Even though I am a great fan of technology - my "to do" lists are still old school...a handwritten list with little boxes next to them - stuck up on my refrigerator for easy review!

Three of the items on my list were to 1) Finish shooting the tutorial on how I made my magnetic storage boards, 2) Get the tutorials edited and posted on YouTube and 3) Figure out a way for you to purchase a blank magnetic board or order one that is already made.

I have finished taping the tutorial...and will get it edited and posted tomorrow - actually it will be two videos...I wanted to give you a LOT of detail on the techniques that I used...even if you don't want to make one for yourself, the techniques are FUN to play with so I thought you might enjoy seeing them in detail.

And now, I have figured out how to let you order your own magnetic board in the format you choose.

The first way is for you to just order a blank so you can make your own. I realize finding a board with enough iron in it for it to hold these heavy dies is actually pretty hard to locate. A cookie sheet (I tried using several different versions of these a couple of years ago when I was creating a magnetic Advent Calendar for a class I was teaching) almost always has too much aluminum in it to hold the dies securely. I have several blanks still available from that project class and thought I would make them available to you. The blank is bare steel with rounded corners and a pre-drilled hole for hanging.

The other two options are Magnetic Storage Boards that I will make for you...based on the two versions that I created for the tutorial.

One is made with pre-printed tissue paper...I will use some 7 Gypsies kraft tissue paper and a make each one unique with tissue tape and stamping. I will not be adding the shapes sillouettes like you see in this picture because you will want to arrange those for yourself or may not want to add them at all.

The second version is made following the steps I show in my video tutorial...stamped and collaged tissue paper with additional stamping done to add depth to the finished board.

If you would like to order one, please just select the version you would want from this drop down menu - during check out you will have an opportunity to add a message - so please use this area to tell me if you have a color preference and I will try and match it as closely as possible. Remember, each one will be unique and one of a kind.

I still have five Flat Rate Shipping Boxes filled with scrappy goodness that you can purchase as well...Each box is different, filled with paper, embellishments, stickers, trims and anything else that will fit!

I have heard from some readers that the PayPal buttons are not working correctly and others are finding they work fine - so I will do some research. If you have a problem, please leave me a comment with a way to get hold of you and I will send you a PayPal money request. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am sure there is just a setting that I have wrong...will do some research.

Ok - so I am off to go put a check box on my To Do list...and call it a night! Have a great Sunday! Will be working on getting the tutorials posted tomorrow...so be sure and check back!

Benefits of Creative Play

2011-08-18T15:13:00.007-05:00

Do you consider yourself an artist? When I first started getting interested in scrapbooking, cardmaking and other paper crafts...I thought of myself as a CRAFTER....not an artist. And when I think back on it - it really seemed like there was a difference...a crafter was someone who just likes to MAKE stuff....and an artist was someone with SKILLS!

I so don't believe that anymore!

I think almost everyone I come in contact with is a CREATIVE person...and most are ARTISTS. My definition of an artist is anyone who gives free expression to that part of themselves that is creative. Maybe you are an ARTIST who makes music. Maybe you are an ARTIST who bakes cakes. Maybe you are an ARTIST that paints pictures. Maybe you are an ARTIST that paints pictures with words...or a camera...or with paper and glue.

The biggest hurdle I had to get over in order to see myself as an artist was fighting the paralysis of perfectionism. Everytime I sat down to create, I found myself worrying that I could make a mistake...that if I weren't careful, I would MESS IT UP! Hogwash! I finally had to say - "you'll never be an artist if you don't ever CREATE anything!"

If you have taken one of my classes, you know that I start every single one of them with "the pledge!" It goes something like this (it is never EXACTLY the same way twice)...picture everyone with one of their art tools held up in the air.

I am an artist. For the next few hours, I pledge to forget about perfection and focus on having FUN! I can spill paint, smear ink and tear my paper and I will STILL be an artist. I can't make a mistake...it is all fixable and when I am done I will have a work of ART....because I AM AN ARTIST!"

Just those few simple words seem to help both me and my students to lighten up and change our expectations. See it really is as simple as that...it is all about the expectations. Are you EXPECTING what you make to have to meet some standard of perfection....or are you focused on expressing that creative part of yourself in a way that tells a story or expresses an emotion?

I love a quote by Pablo Picasso...."all children are artists...the trick is remaining one when you grow up!" Oh yeah...that is so true. When we were five we thought everthing we made was refrigerator worthy...but somewhere we lost that idea that the very fact that we created it makes it art....now it has to be PERFECT! Honestly, I rarely am moved by a piece of art that is perfect...it usually doesn't tell me a story....and rarer still is a perfect piece of art that reveals the heart and emotion of the artist. So I am a fan of "imperfect" art...it is so much more interesting!

One of the ways that I battle the paralysis of perfectionism is to set aside time for intentional PLAY. If you watch my YouTube videos, you know that I often end with "and I hope you will find some time this week to PLAY!" Trying to make ART is hard...playing is very freeing! I sit down and have no intention of creating a finished product. I just want to see how this ink reacts with that paint...or how a particular tool creates texture on the page. Whatever I make, may end up in the trash...or be put aside to be incorporated into another project at a later date. The point is, because I don't have any expectations other than to just "see what happens" - I can't be dissapointed. Most of my tutorials have come as a result of some creative play - an hour or two that I just sat down in my studio and messed around with tools and products to see what they do. It is like PRACTICE for an artist. You end up with new "tools in your artist's toolbox" that you can pull out when you need to get a certain result...and because you have played around with the technique on something that has no consequence...when you try it on the "REAL PROJECT" you can use it confidently.

The other thing I do is to try a new technique on something SMALL...like an ATC (Artist Trading Card) or a tag. Nothing scary about something that is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. If I don't like it, I can just paint over it or tear it or paste something down on top of it. No worries! I recently visited the blog of one of my FAVORITE artists Julie Fei-Fan Balzer...and saw that she was doing this same thing...only on CANVASES! oh yeah....she took a canvas that she made last week and just reused it...some of it showed through...some of it didn't....but she just boldly went right over it....NO FEAR! Check out her post on her blog about that here....you won't be disappointed.

Here is a video I did last year showing you some examples of things that I had created during some Intentional PLAY. As you will hear in the video, I hadn't had much time for creativity - so instead of denying my artist's heart ANY expression because I couldn't really create a MASTERPIECE, I just took a few moments every night to go and PLAY! Check it out...

I do hope that you have a great rest of the week...and will take some time to PLAY! Because you, my friend...are an ARTIST!

Sizzix Shapers Die Storage - Sneak Peek

2011-08-17T21:44:00.002-05:00

You may remember my post a few days ago where I showed you how I have been storing my Sizzix Movers & Shapers Dies...and there they are in one of my FAVORITE enamelware dishes...but that dish slides onto a shelf...and well....out of sight really is out of mind with me...and I LOVE these dies and want to use them more. So I have been working on a solution...and I now have the "prototype" completed. Because the Movers and Shapers Dies are magnetic...I realized that I could make a metalic board for them that can hang on the wall beside my desk...totally in view when I am working. Here s what it looks like.
This really is just a sneak peek....because I am working on a tutorial...and after showing it to a couple of friends, they have said they would like to buy one...so I am working on how to do that in case you want one too. The trick is that your "board" has to be metallic with enough iron in it to allow the magnets to stick to it...and I have a few of them left over from a class I taught a couple of years ago (An Advent Calendar with magnetic dates)...thin enough to not weigh too much and with a hole predrilled for hanging from a hook or adding some ribbon.

So...I will finish up the video and edit it in the next day or so. I like how it turned out....hope you do too! Have a great second half of the week!

New Goodies and An Idea

2011-08-15T19:26:00.003-05:00

Can you believe that these yummy Ranger goodies were in my mailbox when I got home today? Me either! I got my design team package today...and these were part of it! I think I actually let out a "WHOOP!" This Summer's CHA was filled with so many products that I fell in love with...but in the category of paint and ink....these three have been at the top of my list. If you haven't seen them before....the big tub - is Rock Candy Crackle Paint....it gives a clear crackle effect to anything you paint it on....LOVE it for making tags and adding some OLD looking shine to them. Also there is the new Snow Cap Alcohol Mixative....I cannot wait to play with it. Just like the metallic mixatives (gold, silver, copper) it will ADD to the depth and texture when you are using your alcohol inks on acrylic, glass, ceramic or metal. Fun stuff....am sure I will have some ideas to share soon! And finally...the Picket Fence Distress Stain just makes me almost GIDDY! I have had fun playing with a few of the new Distress Stains - and they are super fun. You can check out my YouTube video here where I used them to create some tags that I am using on the cards I am sending to a friend in Afghanistan.

As you know I have been working to clean out my studio and get it organized and a great place to be inspired and creative. One of the things I have needed to find a new organizational solution for are my Movers & Shapers dies....as you can see in this picture, I have been piling them into a long skinney vintage enamel ware dish. Because they are "out of sight" I am less likely to use them....and tonight I had an idea of how to store them in a way that I will see them, enjoy them and definitely USE them more. I am off to go finish that project...and will do a tutorial video in the next few days to share what I came up with....so be on the look out!

Hope you are having a FANTABULOUS week. Over the weekend, I also received several packages of cards to send to my friend, Jason, over in Afghanistan. I talked with his sweet wife and he is doing well...but continues to realize that so many of the young soldiers over there need encouragement. I love when there is something tangible I can do to help and I so appreciate the kindness of those who have said they want to be a part of it too! I am still planning on sending the box of cards to Jason the first week of September...so there is still time to send me your cards.

Long Overdue

2011-08-11T18:09:00.003-05:00

I had a great surprise on Saturday night. Some of you know that I was doing a Scrappy Yard Sale on Saturday...since I have so many wonderful goodies that need to go to a good home. What you may not know is that inspite of the fact that we have had NO RAIN for weeks...although we have had a 30% or greater chance of rain quite often...it still has not rain. So I was not the least bit concerned when on Friday the weather report called for a less than 30% chance of rain....silly me! We were not set up more than an hour before the rain began to fall! I was blessed to have set up under a car port...but everyone else was out in the open air...so we all scrambled to get multiple tables of everthing from ski jackets to CDs to antiques either covered up or pulled under the car port! It was CRAZY! And of course the sky would fool us...it totally cleared up - making us believe that we should drag everything back out again! I am laughing now - because we were quite the comedy show if you had had a front row seat to watch all our antics! By the time we decided to call it quits, we had lugged rain sogged boxes and bags back and forth a dozen times! Of course, all the folks that would normally have come to the sale had the sense to stay home! So - needless to say, when I got home I was exhausted - wet - tired and cranky! LOL I wanted to go take a shower and crawl into bed....and I ALMOST got to! But Royce had a surprise....he had gotten us tickets to go to the Grand Ole Opry! When he told me...I didn't even hesitate....I said 'Let's go!" See, I have lived in Nashville for a LONG time...but we have just never gotten around to going to the Opry and it is high up on my "bucket list!" High enough that even as miserable as I was - drenched through to the skin and aching all over - I asked, "do I have time to dry my hair!!?!?" LOL Add to that, it was the night that the Oak Ridge Boys were being inducted into the Opry! Can you believe that they hadn't been already?!?!? I know this will date me - but just hearing an ORB song takes me back to my college days! In my humble (but accurate opinion) - this was long overdue!

And - I want to share a new artist that we heard that night. His name is Jacob Lyda...and check him out - he will be making a splash on the Country Music Scene. I am going to share one of the songs he sang on Saturday...I hope you enjoy!

It was just so much fun...and I quickly recovered from my totally NOT FUN Saturday yard sale! I am resheduling the yard sale for a week from this Saturday (we are supposed to have rain again THIS Saturday too -- and I am NOT taking a chance!). I do still have a few "Surprise Boxes" that are available and ready to be shipped....so if you haven't gotten one - and still want one, let me know as I have 5 that can be shipped out at a flat rate.

Finally, I apologize for not being a good blogger this week...but I have been working some long hours - and when I have gotten home, I have been working on a commissioned work for a dear friend. Her granddaughter is PRECIOUS...and she wanted me to do some projects for her before her trip this weekend. Below is a VERY bad picture of the framed collage (I took it with my phone) - and I didn't get a picture of the other project...sorry!

I am also finishing a mini album that I am doing for a friend with THIS beautiful paper...I LOVE IT! - so hopefully will have a new video to share soon! Hope you are having a great week!

Every Card Deserves to Be Unique

2011-08-08T09:35:00.003-05:00

Materials you will need:

Ink: I used Distress Stain - but you could make your own with water and Distress Ink ReInkers

Stamping Ink: I used a couple of colors of Archival Ink by Ranger and Vintage Cream from Papertrey Ink

Tags: A small to medium tag will fit on an A2 size card

Stamps: I used several Tim Holtz stamps to create background texture and a focal image

Cardbase and Scraps from your stash

I was trying to come up with a way to make a LOT of cards without them looking like they were made with a cookie cutter - and this is what I came up with! Right now I am using this technique to make cards for a friend of mine who is stationed in Afghanistan to share with fellow soldiers that do not get mail or cards from home. I am writing a personal note in each one - and will trust Jason to know which one is meant for the particular soldier that needs it.

I know that there is a program called Operation Write Home...and it is terrific...but the focus of it is to provide the troops with cards that they can send back home...and what I want to do is send cards to soldiers that are scared, discouraged or homesick and just need a word of encouragement. My friend that is there will personally deliver them to whomever he feels is in need of a touch of kindness from "home." I am honored to do this - because I feel so very blessed to live in a country where men and women are willing to risk their lives so that we have the opportunity to live free, worship as we choose, work hard and have that hardwork pay off and where we don't have to fear reprisal for an opinion that is not popular with a government we didn't elect. I know I rarely sound this solemn - but I was reminded again over the weekend as I heard the horrible news that a helicopter crash took the life of more than 30 soldiers who were in the prime of their life. Our freedom isn't cheap...it comes at a great cost...and I don't ever want to take it for granted!

So if you are interested in helping me with these cards, please leave me a comment and be sure and give me a way to get hold of you. I will send you my address in an email. My goal is to ship a big box of them on September 1st...and would love to include any that you would feel led to make. Please make sure and write a personal note....they can be birthday, thinking of you, or thank you notes...and they don't have to be long - just a personal note that when the soldier gets it, they will know that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE thought enough of them to take the time to write them a note.

On a lighter note - this technique would also be great to use when making a year's worth of birthday cards, a set of thank you notes to give as a gift to a friend, invitations, or any time that you need to make "several" of something that you still want to be unique and one of a kind.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a FANTABULOUS week...and will find some time to engage in some CREATIVE PLAY!

Scrappy Garage Sale

2011-08-04T15:02:00.002-05:00

I am making great progress on "Project Clean Studio!" I have managed to pull EVERYTHING out of my studio and the guest bedroom (where my What You Make It - kit inventory is kept) and have sorted it into three piles:

Keep (only my very favorites, tools I use regularly, new things to share with you this fall).

Share/Sell (Lots of yummy things here...some of you have already been sent boxes via RAKs and Goody boxes that you have purchased)

Toss: These items either went in the trash or a box to take to Good Will or our Community Center.

I got braver the longer I worked on it...kind of like that tv show "Clean Sweep" - my "sell and toss" piles got larger and larger. I finally realized that I want to only have those things that inspire me - or I intend to use available in my newly organized studio and office...and that it would be great to let others enjoy the items that didn't make the keep pile. So, I hope to be able to do a video soon of my reorganized space...I am keeping that as incentive to keep working on it a bit day by day.

I am having a Scrappy Yard Sale on Saturday....with lots of themed collections, embellishment collections, stamps, ribbon/trim samplers and tools. If you live near Nashville, you ought to come out and find some goodies for yourself. We will be starting at 7am - Adams Auto is located at 15115 Lebanon Rd, Old Hickory TN 37138.

I still have a few Grab Boxes available too...filled to the brim with papers, trims, embellies and mini album base boards ($50). If you want one, please let me know before Saturday (give me your email address so I can send you a PayPal invoice) as I will be taking them to the Garage Sale to sell as well.

I am going to be so glad when this project is over and I can get back to my "regularly scheduled" creativity. Ahh - but most good things require work...so I will be back at it tonight. I also want to say a HUGE "thank you" to all of you who have written me notes of encouragement - and left me ideas to keep me motivated during this process. I have tried just about ALL of them! And will certainly be using several of them AGAIN as I push towards the finish. I will be announcing the winner of the give away later this week...so check back!

What is that ONE project that you keep putting off?

Stippled Distress

2011-07-30T23:33:00.001-05:00

Well...I am making progress on the studio...and decided to take another little break to share one of my all time favorite techniques...STIPPLE DISTRESS.

Check it out:

Selective Embossing Video Tutorial

2011-07-28T23:45:00.004-05:00

Here is the tutorial I promised. I just needed a bit of a break from my self-imposed "creative lockdown" until I get the studio cleaned out and reorganized...so I thought I would take a moment and do something fun to share with you. This is a very fun and easy technique that I think you will enjoy it too. Remember the giveaway I will be doing over the weekend. To be eligible go see my blog post here...and leave a comment telling me what you do to keep motivated when you have to get something done that is less than fun! I need some new ideas to keep me moving on this overwhelming project of cleaning, sorting, purging and reorganizing my studio!

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Saving An Imperfect Picture

2011-07-27T20:02:00.005-05:00

The two main reasons that I got into scrapbooking were my love of photography and my love for storytelling. Scrapbooking was the perfect marriage between the two. Some pictures tell the whole story...and some stories don't need anything added other than the listener's imagination. But most of the time - you don't get the PERFECT picture and there are details of a story that need the help of the picture for the whole story to be told.

So what do you do when your picture is less than perfect? Here are a few ideas.

1. Crop out unnecessary parts of the picture...if there are things that are distracting from the focal image - just cut them out.

2. Get in close...this is a suggestion that I actually believe helps you GET the perfect picture. We tend to stand back from our subject and take the picture from a distance. I find that I love my pictures more - even if they are a bit too over/under exposed or fuzzy if I have zoomed in close and just captured the emotion. This picture below is a great example of this principle. It is too light, and my focus wasn't good...but how precious is the interaction between these two...I LOVE it! So if you can...get as close as you possibly can or crop out everything but the part that you NEED to be seen.

The layout at the top of this post, is another example of me using these two picture saving ideas. I needed a strong image that would support the journaling that I wanted to share - a quote that I had fallen in love with - "Write it on your heart that every day will be the best day!" I felt that if I had used my whole face, it would have detracted from the quote - which I wanted to take center stage...and besides that, the background was TOO busy...so I just cut out the part of the picture that worked...my eyes and went with it. It was a little scary getting the exacto knife and ruler out and cutting major parts of the picture out. But I don't think it would have worked if I hadn't.

3. Turn it into a black and white. Sometimes changing a less than perfect picture and removing the color from it can make a big difference on the impact the picture has on your page. Before you lose the picture....lose the color and see if it helps. Here is an example...the top picture is super sweet...but it is ORANGE...and even my photo editing software didn't help much (this example is AFTER I tried to color correct it)....but I was able to salvage it by turning it into a black and white photo.

Now I love it - and on top of it all - a B/W Photo works with ANY paper that you might want to use....BONUS! *smile* Hope these ideas help you find a way to use those pictures that captured something important in a perhaps less than perfect way!

Hope you have a great second half of the week. I am making progress on cleaning the studio. I have been able to create some FANTABULOUS boxes of goodies to sell on Ebay or at the Garage sale I am participating in on August 6th - so if you want me to reserve one for you...let me know now...I am headed to the Post Office on Friday with a group of boxes for folks who have already purchased some and will be happy to add one for you as well!

Sometimes More Isn't Better

2011-07-26T21:26:00.003-05:00

Can you believe I actually said that?!?!?! LOL If you have followed my blog or watched my YouTube videos, you know that this page is unlike most of my designs. Where's the patterned paper? Where's the paint splatter? Where are the dimensional embellishments? Nowhere to be seen...and yet, this is still one of my FAVORITES.

I actually think the simplicity is what makes it work. The picture of Weston checking his phone for messages was the entire inspiration for the page. The simplicity of the Pepsi logo is what inspired the gentle flourishes that I hand stitched. And because the title needed to be simple too, I just used a very clean font in two sizes (American Craft rubons) to follow the stitched lines. The little bit of journaling that I did do - I simply handwrote it and followed the stitch lines once again.

When I decided to share this page with you, I was reminded that it is a REALLY good thing to sometimes to get outside our creative comfort zones, and try scrapping or crafting in a style TOTALLY different from our norm. I actually can't wait to get back in my studio and try another page that is unlike my regular multi-layered, multi-mediumed style. What style would be the total opposite of your norm? I would love to see what you come up with!

I Love Clarity!

2011-07-25T22:34:00.002-05:00

Don't you? I remember a saying that my grandmother (I talk about her a LOT - I called her Jammy Jane and she is still who I want to be when I grow up) used to say..."That was as clear as mud!" When I was little, I never failed to say, "Jammy Jane...mud isn't clear!" And she would always laugh and say "I KNOW!" So much about life is "clear as mud" - perhaps that is why I love clarity. I love when I can see my way clear in a decision. I love when the answer is clear, the sky is clear, my mind is clear and my conscience is clear! I LOVE CLARITY!

So it probably comes as no surprise that I also love a little clarity in my scrapbooking! A few years ago acrylic elements were REALLY big....and I acquired quite a stash. This is a layout I created with some pictures of my dear friend's twin sons. It was one of those unbelievably good "photo moments!" I was standing on a chair and one of them just squatted down to grab an apple and looked up at me just as I snapped the picture....later they both worked together to pick up a big cast iron pan filled with apples...and perhaps the funniest thing was when we were all done with the photo shoot I looked down at the pan of apples and the twins had taken a single bite out of EVERY last one of those apples....it was PRICELESS!

I used a couple of acrylic elements on this layout....the flower that is tucked halfway behind the largest picture -- and the word "apples" down on the bottom were both Heidi Swapp "ghost" elements that I just put some black acrylic paint on the edges to make them stand out a bit more. I really do like the way you can see through them - and yet still have a real sense of the role they play on the page. Even though acrylic elements aren't necessarily the latest craze...I still reach for them often. I did a series of YouTube videos about techniques I like to use when working with clear elements. I thought I might share the first one here...and then if you want to see the rest of the series be sure and check out the remainder of the tutorials here.

So - try a little clarity in your scrapbooking! Or is that "clear as mud?!?!?" *smile*

In The Meantime

2011-07-24T20:18:00.003-05:00

So I told you yesterday that I am on "creative lockdown" until I get my studio cleaned, sorted and purged! But that doesn't mean that I can't share some creative ideas...right? So for the next few days, I am going to pull some of my favorite layouts - either for the story they tell, the technique I used, or just because! *smile*

This one I called Heaven's Canvas....and I still love it! Let me point out a couple of things about it. First, the picture at the top - that looks like a "canvas" was actually a picture that I printed onto a transparency and then transfered to the cloth with gel medium. It is a great distressing technique because the full image rarely transfers completely. This layout was created after Royce and I took a trip to New Mexico. It was my first trip there and I was absolutely overwhelmed with the beauty I saw. I loved all the rich warm colors....and took TONS of pictures. I did eventually create a mini to hold them all - but I wanted to have a layout for my scrapbook that captured the feeling of the culture, the scenery - the beauty.

I created the weathered edge with a piece of torn paper, a stipple brush and distress ink. Since I shared a project with you yesterday where I used distress ink and a stipple brush, I better put that on my list of technique videos to share with you since it is one of my "go to" techniques.

Two other quick things that I did that you might want to try....I printed out four wallet size pictures and then punched out part of each picture with a 2" square punch. I crimped a piece of kraft cardstock and placed all four pictures together in a group to make them function more as one element. I like the effect and have used it in several other layouts. Put that one in your bag of tricks next time you need to get a LOT of pictures on a page...here is another way I used pictures punched out with a 2 " square.

This layout was called "Favorite Things" and I used the 2" punch to get lots of pictures on the page...by lining them up they also form a block. It was a quick page - but still one of my favorites. I even doodled a bit around the edge...something that used to intimidate me! No telling what I might do when I get back to creating in my studio! Looking through these layouts has reminded me that I really need to do more pages to share with you all...so I will add that to my list as well.

Hope you all are ready for a great week...I am determined to put some time in every night after I get home from work on the studio. I have been finding some really yummy things - so the scrappy surprise boxes are getting filled with lots of goodness. I even am putting some kit club projects in - since I figured I have too much to get done and will not get back to working with them - that I will share them with you all....so let me know if you are interested. (see my previous blog to learn more about the scrappy surprise boxes!)

Project Clean Studio

2011-07-23T22:49:00.003-05:00

Well...this card is the last project I will complete until I have sorted, purged, cleaned and organized my studio! It was the birthday card I made for Weston's 21st birthday...seriously -- how can I have a son that is 21?!?!?!?! The large compass was made by using a Tattered Angels Glimmer Screen, Distress Ink and a stipple brush. I added some dimension to it with Copic Markers and my white Signo pen. I promise I will work on a tutorial once I get the studio straightened up. By the way - BlueMoon Scrapbooking has a sale going on a set of 12 Copic Sketch Markers...it is a really good way to get started with them, if you haven't already. Just click the link above and it will take you to the sale page.

Over the course of creating projects for What You Make It, I have accumulated duplicates of many things and have lots of partial paper packs and embellishments...and while I LOVE all the products, I need to get ready for all the projects I will be doing this fall. So, I am seriously doing a MAJOR purge - I am being ruthless so that I don't have to do this again for awhile...and will be creating some "Scrappy Surprise Boxes" to post on Ebay....but I thought I would make them available here first. Each box will be unique...so I won't be able to show you what is in them...but I promise I will fill a flat rate USPS box to the brim with paper, stamps, ribbons, ink, trim, embellies, alterable items....who knows what all. Let me know if you might be interested...They will be $35 and $50 with shipping included. I can send you a PayPal invoice.

Ok...I am headed to bed....am looking forward to church in the morning...and then I will be back in the studio to once again plow through the sorting and purging. This is my least favorite thing to do...but I will put some really "happy" music on and keep thinking about how much fun these goodies are going to have being used by another artist!

I may even do some give aways on my YouTube channel...so please check it out next week as well.

Ok...I tell you what...let's do a give away here to start out! I have a 7 Gypsies ATC and Photo Display that I will send to the lucky winner.

I love mine - I change it out with the changing of the seasons - just a fun way to display pictures, cards and items from swaps. To enter, leave me a comment and tell me what you do to keep yourself motivated when you have to do something you don't enjoy! I will probably need ALL of your suggestions to get through this week! *smile* I will do a drawing next Sunday night July 31, 2011.

Selective Embossing

2011-07-21T11:45:00.003-05:00

Happy Thursday! How is everyone doing? Hope all is well, wherever you may be...we are surviving the heat wave here in Nashville, Tennessee! I have given up working on "outside" projects...and that has given me a bit more time in the studio -- no complaints there! *smile*

Wanted to share a new technique with you that I used to create this Cheeky Nurse card. As most of you know, Dad has been in the hospital since the end of February battling Leukemia. He is finished with Chemo and doing well...in fact, he is now at a Rehab Center working on regaining his strength. We are so blessed that he was not only able to withstand the chemo - but is doing so well. He had great care from all the nursing staff...and many of them have become like family in the process....so before he left the hospital to go to rehab, I wanted to send them a Thank You for all the care they had given him....and this Cheeky Nurse seemed to be just perfect.

I wanted the nurse to be the focal point of the card...so I decided on doing just a simple medallion or label of some sort as her background. I cut out the label with a Spellbinder Die from 120 lb white cardstock. And then I had a little idea....and decided to see if it would work. I knew that I could run the whole diecut piece through an embossing folder - but I really only wanted to emboss the INSIDE part of the die....and then ink it. So I opened up the embossing folder....and put the diecut - still inside the die - face down (meaning the cutting edge of the die was pointed UP...this is REALLY IMPORTANT). I put a tan embossing mat on top of the cutting edge and DID NOT close the embossing folder. You don't want to put the cutting edge down against your embossing folder or plate as it will cut a groove in your folder and you won't be able to use it again....so just be certain that your cutting edge is UP! Use your regular sandwich for embossing and run it through your machine. Viola! Your die will be embossed on the inside but have that nice smooth unembossed edge framing it! To make it stand out even more, I used some distress inks and inked up the the embossed part....and OF COURSE, added some Rock Candy Stickles to give just a bit more SHINE! (yeah I know - I am ALL about the SHINE!).

I think she not only looks Cheeky.....she looks a bit Sassy!

I will work on a Tutorial Video for this technique if you are interested...just let me know!

Copic Coloring Tutorial

2011-07-19T23:31:00.003-05:00

Hi friends....hope you are surviving the heat wave! I am trying to move as quickly as possible from my car to whatever building I am going into...since being "a woman of a certain age" means that I have my own personal summer going on - and the heat wave is NOT helping! I so would not have made a good "prairie woman!"LOL

I am blessed to have plenty of cool air (and extra fans going) in my house - so it is a joy to get to spend some time in my studio! Life has been so crazy of late - that time in my studio is even more precious!

I actually created this card (and taped the process) quite a few weeks ago for my sister's birthday...but I have just gotten the editing done....trust me - you didn't want to watch the un-edited version! Working with Copics is a lot of fun for me...but the blending process is a bit time consuming....so I edited it down to the major steps...and sped up the coloring process so you could see it - without being bored with the "real time" version of it.

Hope you enjoy it - and please leave me a comment letting me know what you think...since this is really the first time I have shown what my Copic coloring process is like, I would love your feedback on what I could do to make this type of tutorial more useful for you.

Have a great rest of the week...and STAY COOL!

What a Blessed Woman I Am

2011-03-23T00:03:00.002-05:00

Have too many thoughts to document for today - so will put them in a NOTE...and start the list!

1. What a blessed woman I am!

2. Loved hangin' out with my Dad at the hospital - actually going out for a walk around the oncology floor and thought to myself "I better pick up my pace - it won't look good to be "lapped" by the cancer patient!" Dad thought that was pretty funny too!

3. Loved hangin out with my sister and family tonight...am so blessed to have ALL of them in my life. My brother-in-law is incredibly smart - and I enjoy our conversations. Added to that he is a man who is passionate about living out his faith...love that about him.

4. Am so blessed to have Royce and Weston back home making it possible for me to be here....I miss them a lot - but am thankful that they support me even when I am gone.

5. Got to read through my nephew's Senior Thesis and was really impressed with his insight and focus on making our faith REAL and ACTIVE not passive. (Much more to it than this - but then...he was writing a THESIS whereas I am writing a blog post. Here is one of his Senior Pictures...love it....love him MORE!

6. My youngest niece drew a picture of me today. My favorite two details were my eyelashes (very black: which is prompting me to perhaps go see someone about updating my "look" as it appears that according to her picture I am stuck somewhere in the 80's. On the other hand...her details included me on - wait for it - "ICE SKATES!" Yes...she sees me as still being capable of gliding across the ice on two thin blades of steel. God bless her!

7. I have a sister and older niece who were able to talk me down from the ledge when I decided to color my own hair tonight....and as I washed it out the sink was filled with PINK water...Now whether they are being absolutely candid or not - they have me convinced that my hair is NOT PINK...that it merely added some "undertones" of red....which is definitely better than PINK hair.

5. So I end where I started....What a blessed woman I am!

Some new cards, a tutorial and an update

2011-02-18T18:04:00.004-06:00

Hi everyone:

Hope you are headed towards a great weekend! I have a few cards to share with you - and a tutorial for the Box Card. This first one was created with a dress form stamp and some paper piecing.

The dress form stamp actually had a "stand" printed with it - but I cut that off and added some wire behind it to give it a more dimensional look. It was really pretty easy and I think added a nice visual POP to it.

I used:

Jenni Bowlin Ink

October Afternoon: Thrift Shop

Copic Markers to add shading

Rock Candy Distress Paint: Ranger or Rock Candy Distress Stickles: Ranger

Liquid Pearl Dimensional Paint: Ranger

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die

I stamped the dress form stamp multiple times on different patterns of the 8x8 paper pad (I like the smaller version of the papers for cardmaking, as they patterns are rescaled/resized).

I shadowed the edges

of the various pieces with Copic Markers to give a bit of visual dimension to the dress too. For a little added sparkle, I added a bit of Rock Candy Distress Stickles. What a love about the Distress Stickles is that it is TOTALLY OK to speed up the drying time by zapping them with the heat gun. WARNING: don't try this with any other type of Stickles as it will ruin your project. Here is a closer look at the dress form.

This is another card I did with paper piecing.

I used Basic Grey: Curio 6x6 paper pad for the patterned paper. So pretty.

Here is a totally different look on a card....more of a COLLAGE.

I love these stickers and buttons from Jenni Bowlin. You will also see just a bit of tissue tape by Tim Holtz....love that stuff...feel like I could use it on just about everything!

This is a close up (and perhaps clearer view than on the video) of the Box Card Valentine that I made.

And what it looks like when it is open.

Yes...there is a little Distress Stickles in there too (I can't help myself!). The vintage valentine is from Tim Holtz Seasonal Sticker pack...so much goodness in that particular product...I keep going back to it again and again!

Finally, I want to give you a bit of an update on my Dad. He visited another doctor today and we got some encouraging news about his prognosis with the Leukemia. This doctor walked in the door of the room and said, "Well, you are certainly not what I expected to see based on your test results!" He went on to explain that prior to meeting Dad and just looking at his results he expected to see an 84 yr old man that was VERY frail and VERY sick. Dad may be 84 - but he is robust and energetic...having played golf very recently. This doctor did say that Dad has a very aggressive form of leukemia - but because he seems to be MUCH stronger than he expected, that he wants to pursue a couple of treatment options. We will not really know which one he will recommend until he conducts some more tests - but this was enough encouragement for us - and more importantly - for Dad. Prior to today, we had just felt like the doctors were saying there were no options and that we just needed to ready ourselves for saying good-bye. Those of you that know me well, will understand that I have no fear of death...as I am confident that I will see my Dad again and that if he were not able to be here and healthy and active that I KNOW he would be in a better place. However, it just seemed too strange to go from one extreme (he has LOTS of options) to the other (sorry, but he is just to sick for us to try anything more) in the space of 10 days. His health had not seemed to deteriorate AT ALL, in fact he had no adverse reactions to the chemo and had been feeling BETTER. So - we just wanted to hear what had changed...and make sure that the bad prognosis was really true. After today, we all feel that we are on solid ground to move forward with more tests...and perhaps pursue treatment options. If after these tests, Dad decides that he does not want to pursue treatment - then my sister and I are ready to support him in that decision and help make his transition as easy as possible. We also want to do whatever we can to support his dear wife, Ruby through this process as well. Those of you that have dealt with the health of your parents, know that there are times you want to be "the kid" and need to be "the adult!" Not my favorite - but a role we must all eventually take on...right? Thank God for His continued presence, support and PEACE!

Thank you all for your love and encouragement. I am so blessed to have friends like you! Have a great weekend!

For the Love of Teal and Copper

2011-02-14T15:13:00.002-06:00

I am going through a “phase.” An obsession with all things Teal and Copper! I can’t seem to NOT use them…even on VALENTINES (which everyone KNOWS should be Red, Black, Pink and White). Ok…so I have never felt that I had to stick to the “rules” when it comes to art…so really no surprise there – right?!?! LOL

Anywhooo…thought I would share a few projects with you. I did a little video – so you can hear me ramble on about the “story” behind the art….here it is.

I do feel totally blessed to have had a “Jammy Jane” (the name I called my grandmother when I was in a “I can’t say things right” phase when I was 2 – and the name stuck). She always seemed to know when I needed some extra loving – or when I needed a kick in the pants! I miss her – a LOT.

When I was in a “I don’t FEEL like it” phase, clearly a kick in the pants is what was called for…but she just loved on me and shared the phrase “Actions Precede Attitudes.” Now let me be clear – there was NEVER anything fake about Jammy Jane….she wasn’t a “fake it ‘til you make it” kind of gal. Oh no…honest and real are just two of her character traits….but she also knew that we don’t always have the luxury of wallowing in self pity! (She would have pronounced it WAH-ler-ing). She would say – “you may not FEEL like smiling…but do it anyway. You may not FEEL like being kind…but do it anyway. You may not FEEL like being outgoing…but do it anyway – and just watch and see what happens to your attitude!” She was right…by behaving the way I should – the attitudes would follow. Smart lady!

Playing in my art journal seemed like a way to capture one of those long ago conversations….a good reminder that while I may not FEEL like being strong…I can choose to ACT strong and wait and see if the attitude shows up. I believe it will.

For those of you that know about the guys in my life – you know that we have been facing some tough days recently….so thought I would share an update with you.

Royce is doing really well! He is getting stronger every day. I love seeing his “spark” returning. He still is on a LOT of medication…and it does wear on him…but we continue to just take it a day at the time…and are grateful for the progress. He has been having a hard time hearing out of one ear so he went to the ENT Doc – and that doctor feels that he may have some nerve damage from some of the transplant meds. We are believing that “this too shall pass” and that his hearing will be restored. It is driving him a bit batty because it is messing with his balance and as he says “makes watching TV a chore” as he has to continually turn his head towards a different part of the “surround sound” depending on where the audio is coming from…poor guy!

We got some bad news about my Dad today. He has had his first round of chemo, and whatever result the doctors were hoping and expecting just wasn’t there. They are sending him to see another doctor this week for a second opinion…but said that the cancer was accelerating and that they didn’t believe there was a good prognosis. I am not a “polly anna” – but I just have a hard time believing that things could change that dramatically in a week. They had told us that if this particular round of chemo didn’t do what they thought – that there was a different more aggressive treatment that could be pursued…and now a week later they are saying that he is in final stages?!?!? I wish I had been there to ask a few more questions…but am unshaken in my belief that God not only CAN…but WILL heal him. Will keep you up to speed as we learn more. Thank you for your prayers on his behalf. They mean a LOT to us.

Product List:

Pearl Turquoise Acrylic Paint: Lumiere

Pearl White Acrylic Paint: Lumiere

Adirondack Copper Dabber: Ranger

Embossing Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Pad

Verdigris Embossing Enamel: Ranger

Embossing/Glitter Tray

Carribean Blue Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels

Patina Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels

Walnut Distress Ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger Ink

Damask Sticker: Heidi Swapp

White Flowers: Prima and I Am Roses

Book Plate: Tim Holtz Idealogy

Steampunk Debutante Paper: Graphic 45

If you would like me to email you a copy of the Letter from God that my doctor gave me, please leave me a comment with an email and I will be happy to send it to you!

Hugs to you all…and Happy Valentines Day!

This is what happens when I watch the SuperBowl while I am out of town....

2011-02-06T19:35:00.010-06:00

What happens is I am surfing and scoping out all the new scrappy product hitting the stores...and keeping one eye out for the commercials and the half-time show. LOL That leaves pleanty of time to fall in love with some products I think I HAVE to have....what did you do during the SB?

I know you all have seen these fantabulous Configuration Boxes by Tim Holtz - and I have seen some of you create amazing pieces of art with them. I've decided to jump in with both feet and see what I can come up with...in fact I am considering creating an on-line class focusing on fun paint, ink and paper techniques along with this Configuration Box - starting some time in March.

If I do it - I would probably use either this fabulous 7 Gypsies paper collection called Lille...

and all the lovely embellies....I am DROOLING over these paper tapes that go with it.

or maybe this grouping of papers from Webster's Pages....the triple pack (of 6 x 6 papers - 36 pages) from their CHA Winter release....Spring Market, Yacht Club and Country Estate. Oooo so yummy and the smaller papers perfect for doing a project like the Configuration Box.

There are some l ovely laces and fibers that go with these paper lines that are equally yummy!

Anyway....that is what I am thinking about while I am watching the SuperBowl....in Macon, Georgia....with my honey and laughing at all the great commercials! What do you all think? Do you like the idea? How do you feel about the paper selections? Or would you rather do a smaller version of the configuration box?

If we decide to do it - I have talked with Scott from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com about you being able to get any extra supplies that you need for the class...so if you think it would be a good idea or you have a preference about paper lines - let me know, and I will get with Scott. He did say - that it would be possible for you to use whichever (or another one completely) paper line you like and still get the core group supplies.

I also want to give you an update on my Dad...

He has made it through the first week of chemo - and says that he is not feeling any significant side effects from the treatment. He had a chest cold going into it -- and is still hacking from that - but is encouraged by how good he does feel overall. He will have two weeks off...and then an appointment to see if he is "A-ok" to go on to the second round. We are believing he will be and just continue to ask God to be his HEALER...whether that be by miracle or through the wisdom of the doctors as they apply the chemo therapy. We will rejoice regardlss of the pathway! Thank you friends and family for joining with us!

Ok...I guess I better hop off - although I will leave you with one more picture of one of the new floral sprays that are part of the new Webster's Pages lines.... It just made me itchy to get this cold weather gone....and spring ushered in! How about you?!?!?!

Hope you all have a great week....

Wax Resist Technique

2011-01-28T15:38:00.002-06:00

Here you go on the tutorial vid...hope you enjoy it.

Wanted to let you know that our family received some difficult news yesterday. My Dad (84 yrs old) has been diagnosed with AML (leukemia) and will begin chemo therapy on Monday. We have had great conversations as a family about this - and as my dad has been an athlete and very healthy all his life - we are all in agreement that he should take this course of treatment. He has a good prognosis - and while it will no doubt be VERY rough on him - we believe the outcome will be for him to eventually return to all the things that he loves doing - playing golf (he had played 14 holes of golf just prior to getting this news), hunting with his brother, and hanging out with family - particularly his grandkids.

We would appreciate your prayers. We know that God carries us through even our DARKEST hours - and makes the way clear. Royce and I can attest to His faithfulness in these kinds of moments from very personal and recent experience. Thank you friends for your love and support....you are loved and appreciated, every one!

Blessings....Jann

It's a "Texture" kind of day!

2011-01-25T17:13:00.007-06:00

I went into my studio with the intention of making some Valentines...and well - I ended up playing around with some texture fades, paint and crayons! I had the best time...and wanted to share the results with you. I am going to do a video tutorial in the next day or so - but thought I could whet you appetite with a couple of pictures. I love how these turned out...and I just kept on playing (more "scraps" to go into the pile to be used for the Stash Diet Challenge)

The Valentine Card at the top of this post was created by adding some dictionary paper to a piece of thin chipboard (like a cereal box kind of thickness) with gel medium. Then I ran it through my die machine with the Houndstooth texture folder. The next step for all of these was to use a really CHEAP crayon to rub and add color to the raised portion of the embossed surface. The wax from the crayon will resist just about ANY paint or waterbased ink that you rub over it - so from there it was just "Katy Bar The Door" and "All Bets Are Off" kind of fun. I used paint dabbers, colorbox ink, distress ink and mists to stain the background...and just wiped off the excess medium from the waxy surface with a baby wipe. Here are some other examples of what I created using variations on this technique.

I promise I will get the video tutorial done in the next day or so -- but wanted to get you "thinkin about the possibilities!" I had a blast and hope you will too!

Stash Diet Challenge Intro

2011-01-16T02:01:00.001-06:00

Hey Friends...Happy Sunday to you!

I made a fun little video to introduce you to the Stash Diet Challenge...

You can come be a part of our first round starting today and running through January 30th.

The first challenge is to use up PAPER scraps....I have a whole drawer full...and I think some of the paper is just GORGEOUS...but I need to USE it! I am planning to do a quick video to show you some of the ideas that I have come up with to use up my stash of paper pieces. Do you have some extra scraps that you want to try and use up -- AND get some projects done? Come join us on Your Paper Pantry. It will be fun.

Hope you will join us!

Jann

Stash Diet Challenge

2011-01-07T12:19:00.002-06:00

Hey Everyone!

Ok...so the New Year probably saw each of us making resolutions (re: family, personal, spiritual, financial....um perhaps even losing weight or getting back in shape)! I set some crafty goals too! (See how I skipped right over the losing weight/getting in shape option!?!?!? LOL)

I have already done a studio clean up and purge...and am now ready to work on a couple of my other goals for this year....

1. Reduce the stash (let's not call it hoarding)

2. Complete more projects (including page layouts).

3. Think outside the box when using tools and materials I already have.

I always do a LOT better with my goals (still not talking about weight loss or working out) when it is FUN and I have friends to do it with...so I talked to Roxy on Your Paper Pantry about doing what I am going to call the STASH DIET CHALLENGE (a little play on a "crash diet" - but am STILL not acknowledging the lose weight option of New Year's Resolutions *smile*)

The goal is going to be to use things we ALREADY have to COMPLETE a project in whatever format you are most interested in doing.

My goal as the moderator will be to put out some new ideas of ways to use older tools, papers, and products - and challenge each of us to complete one or more projects during the month.

Let me give you a "for instance" - the Stash Diet Challenge item might be vellum....or brads....or old pattern paper. I will post a video with some ideas of ways to use the item...and then set a challenge date. Anyone can play along....and become eligible for a drawing/give away, by posting their project here on YPP either as a photo or a video before the end date of the challenge. You pick the project - it could be a card, a mini, a mixed media piece or a layout...whatever helps YOU complete a project that you would like to get done...and as long as it contains the Stash Diet Challenge item - your name will go in for the drawing.

I will be posting the first Stash Diet Challenge on the 15th of this month on Your Paper Pantry: Stash Diet Challenge. I want to give people time to sign up and to give me some feedback on how often you would like to to this...perhaps even a couple times a month. Because it doesn't take a HUGE project to qualify -- we could do new items every couple of weeks if you are interested....so let me know what you think by signing up and leaving me a comment below.

Hope you all are ready for some FUN!

Jann

Shooting the Cricut DVD Series

2010-12-05T12:59:00.006-06:00

I had the best time working with the folks at Provo Craft on the new Creative Inspiration DVD Series. I felt totally honored when Cathy Miller asked me if I would be willing to be one of the Creative Coaches for the series...and OF COURSE said YES! *smile*

Cathy asked me not to share it with you until the product was ready for release. So, I kept the secret until she said it was ok...and now the DVD Series is up and "coming to a tv" near you!

Kent Findley (the producer/director) of the DVD series took my camera and got some behind the scenes footage for me and I have put it

together into a short video. Would you like to see it?

The projects that I demonstrated were for the Fabric Arts DVD. Did you know how easy it is to use your Cricut to create projects with fabric? I love all the projects I had the opportunity walk the viewers through...and am pretty sure you would too. My DVD has 10 projects on it...and we managed to get the ALL shot in ONE day! Ok - so it was a VERY long day...but still - the fantabulous crew I worked with made it really easy to keep going!

A few weeks after shooting the DVD series, Cathy asked if I would come back and make a guest appearance on the new Infomercial Provo Craft was shooting to promote the Creative Inspiration DVD Series! Uhhhhh...SURE! So I got to fly back out to Provo and shoot my part of the Infomercial. If you would like to check out the whole DVD Series, you can check it out here.

Ok, am off to finish up the projects for some classes I will be teaching next weekend. Have to get them done and kitted so that I can ship them off to Scrap Attack in Lumberton, Texas tomorrow. One class is a Christmas mini album made from Jenni Bowlin Studio product line - the other class is a "techniques" class . I will share a video of both the projects as soon as I can get it shot.

Hope you all are ready for a great week!

Simplicity Journal Giveaway

2010-03-18T20:38:00.003-05:00

Two posts in one day....can you believe it!

I wanted all of my blog readers to also have a chance to win this journal...so if you haven't yet subscribed to my YouTube channel please do so here....and leave a comment on the video before Sunday for a chance to win!

Good luck!

Make Your Own Vintage Looking Wallpaper Samples

2010-03-18T17:20:00.002-05:00

I had the best time playing around with this technique using my Cuttlebug, white cardstock, Glimmer Mists and a little bit of Rub n' Buff (by Amaco)...you can do it too...

Let me know what you think!

Paper Doll Mini Album - Tin Purse

2010-01-05T22:13:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year!

I hope this new year finds you well and filled with anticipation for 2010. I am really looking forward to what this year will hold. I have started creating some inspiration and instruction videos -- and am hoping to keep them coming throughout the year.

To start off, I wanted to share a fun project that I just finished for my niece, Kati. You can see the YouTube video here. I made a mini-album and a set of Princess Paper Dolls. I also decorated a tin purse for her to keep them in -- all using the Cricut Cartridge - Paper Doll Dress Ups. It is a really cute cartridge that I have seen lots of people use to embellish their scrapbook pages. That really isn't my scrapping style -- but it has a lot of cute elements that will be fun to use even if I don't use the dolls on my pages.

However, as I was looking through the booklet -- I was totally taken back to when I was a little girl and loved to play dress up with my paper dolls. Making this set of dolls for her allowed me to revert back and play again -- it was a LOT of fun.

My sister and brother-in-law have been working to adopt her for the past two years -- and she got to come home with them in July. This was her very first Christmas here in the states...and it SNOWED!

They live in Dallas and there has not been a white Christmas there since 1929 -- so it was a REALLY special event. She will probably expect it to snow every Christmas...and I hope she gets her wish! We are all super excited that she has come to be a part of our family. She is a bright energetic four year old...and I am pretty sure she will have fun creating all kinds of stories to go with her very own paper dolls. I know I will have fun making new outfits to send her as little surprises throughout the year.

Check out the video -- and let me know if you have any questions about the project -- I will be happy to help you out.

Mini Album Made from Medical File Folder

2009-12-30T22:19:00.006-06:00

FINALLY! I am finally getting around to creating some YouTube videos to share creative ideas and tutorials on some of the projects I have done for our What You Make It television show. Here is my first video...so be kind -- but seriously, give me feedback and let me know what you think...or what kind of projects you would like to see.

You can watch the Searching for Winter - Mini-Album video on YouTube.

This project entitled "Searching for Winter" was a mini-album that I created as a Father's Day Gift for Royce about the time he arranged forWestonto be in a local independent film (when he was in the 6th grade. The film was shot over several months and there were LOTS of stories and adventure associated with the project. Not everything we want to remember will fit neatly into a scrapbook album -- and I LOVE mini-albums for those kinds of projects. Using this medical file folder gave me LOTS of places to add tons of pictures and journaling...and at the back -- a place to keep a copy of the final DVD version of the film.

I think this kind of album would be great to use to keep track of a recurring event....like a birthday -- or the first day of school. You could created the basic album...and then add one page every year to keep the album current. I will be creating some more idea and tutorial videos over the next few weeks...so let me know if there is a particular technique you would like to see. I love your feedback.

Hope you are ready for a wonderful New Year! We certainly are!

In Character

2009-11-15T16:27:00.003-06:00

I love the new cardstock that Jenni Bowlin has created with Coredinations. It is embossed and is made of two contrasting colors -- this one is red behind black. When you sand it -- the red is revealed in the pattern of some of her papers. It is delightful!

I used my cricut to cut out the large label shape -- and then used some temporary tape to tack it onto the page. Then I took some sandpaper and wrapped it around a stamping block so that I would have a fairly large flat surface with which to sand. The die cut kept me from sanding the cardstock where it was sitting so it left a great place to put my photo. I thought the background had a bit of a stamped leather look -- so decided to use it for the picture of Royce when he was headed out to PowWow (Royal Rangers -- camp) -- the men always go as guys from the 1800's -- and the character he has developed over the years is Trader Gray. The boys love to come up with something to "trade" with him for -- so he has amassed quite a collection of pointed sticks and arrowhead shaped rocks!

I loved this whole collection from Jenni Bowlin this month...her papers and embellishments always inspire me -- and this one really did too. I will be busy with November's kit for a while!

Wanted to show you a close up of this flower...I saw a tutorial here and had to make one....the 4 inch mini papers were perfect for this technique. Go check it out and make some for yourself.

You Have My Heart

2009-11-12T20:29:00.002-06:00

I have had this picture of my niece and nephew for awhile -- but haven't been totally sure how I wanted to scrap it....so it has been sitting on my table for me to look at until I knew.

When I finished this background (as part of my techniques class) -- I just knew that this picture would finally find its home! The background was created with Adirondack Color Wash and Sea Salt....I KNOW -- I never would have dreamed that one up -- but Julie (our teacher is FANTABULOUSLY creative! You can still take this class from her -- and I would highly recommend it. You can learn more about her art -- and her class HERE.

I wanted you to see a bit closer detail of the "rose" I created for this page. Are you ready for another shocker?!?! That is made from a baby wipe! I bet you are thinking "Is there NOTHING she won't keep and try to use?!?!?" *laughing* The answer is "probably not!" The baby wipe got saturated with color wash during my "technique session" because I got it ALL over my hands. Once the wipe dried (I was scared to set it anywhere other than my craft mat for fear of spreading the "color joy), I thought it was really pretty...so I cut it into strips -- thinking I might use it as ribbon. The flower was made by twisting and turning the strip and sticking it down to a piece of paper that had LOTS of sticky adhesive on it -- starting at the center and working out -- tucking the edge under as I went. When I was done -- I trimmed the paper away and glued a button in the center. I would definitely make a flower like this again -- it is really simple and could be made from ribbon or seam binding.

Hope you are having a great week...

Practically Perfect

2009-11-05T17:16:00.002-06:00

I am taking the MOST fun class with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer!

She is Amazing! You know the kind of artist that just makes you sit and stare at their work...well she is one of those. You need to check out her blog.

Anyway -- as I said, I am taking an on-line techniques class with her -- and I am finding I am ending up with lots of yummy bits and pieces. So what do you do with bits and pieces? Well -- they kind inspire me to quilt. Even when they are paper pieces. So this is a layout I created with several of the scraps of paper I have created during my class homework assignments. I love this picture of my sister...it captures the JOYFUL side of her -- and that is just ONE of the many reasons that I think she is PRACTICALLY PERFECT in every way....kind of like Mary Poppins!

Have a lovely rest of your week!

Just a Minor Baby Step Blog

2009-11-01T21:05:00.005-06:00

This year started out so strong -- so many creative ideas....that needed exploring....and then -- well....then LIFE -- the big ole capital letters version of LIFE stepped in. So much of it it...all at once...and then it felt lie it did a big ole DOG PILE on top of me.

Those of you that know me well -- know that being creative is an outlet for the stresses and the strains of life....and the fact that there hasn't been much creativity to show for the past few months should tell you that I have not been in a place to be doing much creativity. But I do truly Believe that is going to begin to change! I have been back in my studio -- bit by bit...and it feels GREAT.

I am taking a wonderful on line class from Julie Fen Fan Balzer. She is amazing Check her out here...and has gotten my inspirational brain in gear....so hopefully you will be seeing some more creative activity from me soon.

One other thing of note...my very favorite camera producer...THE POLOROID...has a new printer/camera combination....but you can also just get the printer....which is what I am thinkint about doing. It will blue tooth pictures from your cell phone and print them out 2 x 3 -- with sticky backing. Great for scrapbooking! It also doesn't require ink...everything is in the paper you use. You have have to check these out! Of course you TOTALY maniacs will want the kind that is the camera AND printer all in one!

Chosen

2009-04-28T22:30:00.003-05:00

There are so many reasons that I love scrapbooking...the fact that I know I am creating a collection of pictures and stories that are important to our family...and the those family members that are not here yet -- and some I may not ever have the privilege of meeting. They will know more about us than I have been able to find out about my ancestors....I think of it as my gift to them. And while that is the BIG motivator for me most of the time...another thing that I love about scrapbooking is the fact that sometimes it gives me the opportunity to create a meaningful gift for someone else. This shadowbox is an example of that...I created it for a baby dedication we were doing this past weekend at our church.

"Champ" is the little boy -- and what a cutie, huh?!?! He was adopted when he was just almost a year old....so we didn't really have "baby" pictures to work with....but I think the ones we chose to work with were just precious. I used three pictures and cut various parts of each one out and then used some foam square adhesive to pop each one up a bit higher...for a dimensional effect.

I also took some letters and used them to mask the child's name and painted on the backside of the glass....and then added some rub-ons to the front of the glass. The mom liked it -- and it got me thinking about what a super baby shower gift something like this could be....I found this frame at Hobby Lobby.

Hope you all are having a great week. I am spending the week finishing up paperwork from this semester -- and getting my grades filed with the University. Also, I have my niece's daughter here with me while her momma and daddy go to Gatlinburg for a few days. We are having an absolute BLAST. Ella is 18 months old....and just as sweet as sweet can be. I had a meeting away from the house today -- and had a friend come and stay with her for a few hours. When I returned home, Ella just sprang off of the couch and threw herself into my arms....gotta tell you it melted my heart instantly....such sweet joy....just happy to see me. WOW -- makes me want to give that same feeling to the people I care about....I may look a little silly -- but if it makes them feel as wonderful as Ella made me feel it will be totally worth it. Just a little mid-week pondering of "deep things" going on here. What are you pondering? What brings joy in your life?

On-line Gift Certificates

2009-04-21T12:32:00.003-05:00

Ok...so today is a bit non-craft/scrapbooking related -- but it could help you get some new crafty stuff....so read on!

I know we are all looking for ways to save money in these economic times -- and I found one way I wanted to share with you. It is called SWAGBUCKS!

Here is how it works...you use their search engine (powered by Google) for the internet searches you would be doing anyway...and each day you are awarded or win a certain number of SWAGBUCKS. (You must be signed into your Swagbucks account) but it is really simple -- and each day you have to potential of winning 1-5 Swagbucks...I haven't ever won more than 3 -- but I see others get 4 or 5 -- so know that it is possible. Honestly -- once you win for the day -- you can continue to use it or go back to your normal search engine because you only win once a day. Your account accumulates your Swagbucks...and then you can redeem them for gift certificates or other items. Pretty cool -- and TOTALLY FREE!

To get started....go register for your own Swagbuck Account HERE.

Have a great day...

Tear It Up

2009-04-13T21:59:00.003-05:00

I had so much fun in Houston last weekend visiting one of my best friends, Mona. She has a lovely home -- and three beautiful grown daughters that love to come over and spend time with their mama. I love spending time with them too -- and they brought their absolutely precious kiddos with them. It was beautiful weather (which if you know Houston -- is a rarity due to humidity) and we spent time sitting on the porch talking and laughing...and almost as much time around the kitchen island cooking and talking and laughing. It was just the best few days...so good for my soul. One afternoon I had the opportunity to take a few pictures of the newest member of their family...NASH. With beautiful natural light on the front porch, we just threw some blankets down and started snapping pics. He is so beautiful.

I just had to scrap a few of them -- and will post a few more later this week (gotta get those dreaded taxes done before I can play!). The page above was created by using some scrap KI Lace paper as a mask (the flowers) and spray painting the green cardstock. I then tore it into strips and then sewed them back together and pressed the seams to the front and side. I like how it kind of ended up having a soft worn feel to it. I added few swirly stamps (Autumn Leaves) and some glitter (Art Institute) berries.

Isn't he just beautiful?!?!? Babies just smell so sweet (well -- most of the time!) And he is a "snuggler" so I took full advantage and held him as often as possible. Great memories...I am so blessed to have such a sweet friend -- and love that her daughters have become my friends too.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

Pictures aren't ALWAYS necessary

2009-03-28T21:19:00.002-05:00

I know that is almost scrapbooking heresay, right?!?!? Seriously, if you have a story to tell, but no picture to go with it -- you STILL need to tell the story. I decided to let a bit of my "artistic" self emerge to create the setting for this particular story. So I had fun with paint and stamps...making sure to leave room for the STORY. Do you have a story to tell? I can't wait to read it! Go for it.

Letting your cardstock take Center Stage

2009-03-26T12:05:00.002-05:00

You know me...I love the layered page...I love techniques...I love distressing....but every once in a while -- I want to get back to the basics. These two pages were really about letting the cardstock be the basis of the page....and I like how they turned out. They are from two extremes of Weston's life -- but in both -- he clearly knows how to work the camera...

In this first one, I tried to make the Mickey Ears reflect the "REFLECTION" of weston in the pictures.... I think that the red pops off the page a bit more because I outlined the letters....just an idea. If you are using a Cricut, you can use the Cricut Color Markers before you cut out your shapes and they will come out evenly outlined...a time saver and a nice touch.

On this layout, I used one of the Cricut Shapes from the Graphically Speaking cartridge. It is an element that I think was intended as a "foundation" shape for a mini-book...but I resized it to FILL THE PAGE....and I love the rounded edges and all the little holes down the side....very graphical -- and would be fun to also add other colors of paper behind it. The largest I could get it to cut was about 11x11 -- so I could have put it on another piece of patterned paper or cardstock to make it a 12x12 -- but I liked the "see through" element so just kept it as is.

Hope you are having a good week. I would love to see your projects where you let your cardstock take center stage....link them here for us to see.

Fun with Embossing

2009-03-21T17:50:00.002-05:00

I have used two different kinds of embossing on this layout. The birds and the script underneath the tag are both stamps that I then used embossing powder on and then heat set.

The tag is something new that I just discovered you can do with your Cuttlebug. If you will ink your Cuttlebug Embossing folder(any kind of ink other than permanent ink like Stazon) prior to running your paper or tag through the Cuttlebug you will get a very interesting embossed background. I tried inking both sides of the embossing folder and found I like the results best on the side that actually has the Cuttlebug logo printed on it. When you are done, just use a baby wipe to clean off any remaining ink. My mind is spinning with fun new ideas...and will be sure and post them here. Hope you have had a good Saturday...is it Spring where you are?

A Couple More Edgie Ideas

2009-03-17T08:43:00.002-05:00

I had a great time Friday Night with my scrappy girls! It was cold and messy outside -- but as usual it was warm, fun, friendly and full of encouragement inside! I had a couple more ideas about how to add an "edge" to your page and thought I would share them with you. In the layout above (ok...how funny is that picture of me and my sister putting on a "show?") I used a piercing tool to prepare my layout for some hand stitching (I wanted to add a bit more orange to the layout). Then before i did the sewing, I used some distress ink in a similar tone to the background cardstock to darken the edge...then went ahead and added the orange stitching.

On the layout below -- I simply used a pencil and a scalloped edge ruler to mark the scallops onto my background. I then painted with white paint on the outside of the scallops and finished it off with a sharpie giving a good thick line to the edge.

Create an Edge to Your Layout

2009-03-02T09:07:00.002-06:00

I love this picture of my two nieces. Lindsey got to go visit her new sister in Guatamala.

I wanted a little bit of an edge to the page -- but didn't want to distract for those cute little owls or the picture -- so I stitched close to the edge and then used a bit darker distressing ink and rubbed it into the edge. I like the effect...an instant subtle border. Try it...and let me see what you come up with.

Create a Stamping Mask

2009-03-01T14:54:00.004-06:00

I love the special look of a die cut edge...but I also like them in smaller sizes than they usually come in -- so I decided to try and make my own. I used a corner and edge punch by Fiskars and then trimmed along the shapes to create the wavy edge.

To set off the edge, I used some distress ink to darken the outer edge.

I also wanted to stamp just on the inside part of my card. To do that -- I created a mask out of a piece of scrap paper. I placed the mask over my decorative edge and stamped with my script stamp to fill in the center. This is an easy technique to use anywhere on a layout. You can create a shape and then stamp inside of it on your page. Lots of possibilites.

Have a great week.

Paint Rags as Art -- the color of GREEN

2009-02-28T10:07:00.003-06:00

I wish that I could give you a huge list of things that I am currently doing that would be considered "green." But, in reality, I am taking baby steps. A layout that you will see later this week was inspired by a moment of exasperation when yet ANOTHER yellow pages book showed up on my doorstep. It feels like these HUGE books get outdated faster than they can be printed -- and with competitive books -- it just means that the number you are likely to get is doubled. I hate the idea of throwing out pages and pages of paper into a landfill...so I looked at the book a little and decided there were at least TWO uses I could repurpose it for.

The first was as a leaf/flower press. I am going to try and do some mono prints with natural materials...and having them FLAT is a key part of that....so now that book is my official press. I took a few minutes and added some wax paper between several spaced out pages...and it is ready and waiting for spring and my mono-printing project. The fact that it has become a TOOL makes me feel better about it.

Secondly, (since in face TWO yellow pages books showed up on my porch simultaneously) and I never use them -- I hop on the internet when I need a phone number...that was just driving me BATTY seeing all that wasted paper -- probably headed to a land fill. So -- with the second one I started tearing out sheets of the white pages (number listings)....you will see what I made with those in a day or so. But an idea for you Moms would be to save the yellow pages books and do a paper mache project with the kiddos...you could make a pinata around a baloon using the paper and some flour paste as glue. Fun stuff...good messy fun -- and GREEN!

Ahhhh but I digress. Today's card was created from a paint rag. One of my things I have been trying to do in my studio is to not use so many paper towels or baby wipes. I have several old hand towels that I use...the same way I would use a paper towel...wiping up paint or glue or whatever (When these get dirty, I can just throw them in the washer with bleach and they are good as new)....and then I have torn some strips of muslin and have them in a tub for when I need to blend inks on a page....This background is the result of one of those strips of muslin being totally soaked with color. I don't wash these...I just set them aside to make flowers or something else out of....but this one just ended up as my background because I thought it was kind of interesting.

Just as a fun side note...the "artificially colored" stamp is one Royce found for me at the Nashville Flea market. Actually, he found about 50 old stamps from a meat packing house...they are AWESOME....and I am determined to use them....although it isn't just ANY layout that you need a stamp that says PORK SAUSAGE or "FRESH GROUND LAMB!" but I am sure that if I just think about it for a bit, I can find the perfect way to use them. I just LOVE them....worn almost to the nub from use...and the fact that he KNEW me well enough to know that I would adore having the stamps. Oh -- and he also got the huge lidded box that they came in (pictured above) -- ink stained...I just love it...clearly going to be a stamp storage solution for me when I get my studio a bit more organized. My other treasures seen here is a huge old family bible, a turkey cookie cutter and some Chandelier crystals. Am I blessed beyond measure or what!?!?!?!

Happy last day of February...hope you enjoy it -- and are ready for March to "come in like a lion."

Gel Medium Transfer

2009-02-26T17:05:00.002-06:00

Journaling: Serenity on the face of a woman captures a sense of eternity in a way that beauty never could.

I have tried lots of ways to take an image and transfer it to paper or fabric -- and this is one of the easiest. One of the things I like, is that you can print the image out on your own ink jet printer -- on a transparency. Remember that it will transfer "backwards" so if there is writing on your image, you will want to select print mirror image on your printer settings. Here are the steps for doing the transfer:

1. spread a generous amount of gel medium (gloss or matte) onto your paper or fabric. I really can only tell that I have enough by spreading it out with my fingertips. It needs to be very moist and "slickery."

2. Quickly put the image (printed side down) into the gel medium and let it sit for at least 30-45 seconds.

3. Take a spoon and begin to rub from the center to the edges fairly firmly. Because it is a bit slippery, use one hand to hold the transfer in place.

4. Peel up a corner and check to see if you are getting a good transfer. If not, rub a bit more -- if so, go ahead and peel back the transparency.

Each transfer will turn out different -- I think that is part of the beauty of them. Enjoy!

Working With Embossing

2009-02-24T19:20:00.002-06:00

For this card, I really wanted the leafy background -- but I also wanted to make sure I had room for the stamped word "passion." First, I stamped the word "passion" with red ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I used clear embossing ink and stamped the background and sprinkled espresso embossing powder. Before I used my heat gun to melt the powder, I took a soft paint brush (soft works much better than stiff) and holding the card upside down, I brushed away the powder that was covering up my previously stamped word. Once I had removed the extra powder, I heated the background. The embossing powder acts as a resist so I could then rub distress ink into the cardstock and stain the paper with various colors to create the multi-hued background.

It sounds like a lot of steps...but it really is very simple...try it!

Stamping on Acrylic

2009-02-12T10:20:00.002-06:00

Similar to the stamping we did on the buttons a few days ago -- you can also stamp on a sheet of acrylic or a transparency to give added dimension to your embellishments or pages.

You will need to use solvent ink (like Stazon) and give it a few minutes to dry before handling -- but I love the look of stamped images over other elements on my page. On this page, I stamped the tree and the butterfly in white and then put the piece of acrylic on pop-dots (in the corners -- hidden by the eyelets and twine) to raise it up off of the sheet of butterflies. I also used rubons (American Craft -Jane) to add the word, flutter. Below is the finished page.

I saw an ad in Anthropologie that showed a window with this pale blue color behind it -- it was filled with butterflies and was totally inspired to try and recreate it a bit.

Journaling reads: It is my nature to worry and when things are not going quite right, my heart begins to flutter with anxiety. I am so glad that my Father in heaven has told me that He cares about the things I care about -- and that I can trust Him to take care of me. Be still my heart.

Gesso-ing Book Paper

2009-02-11T11:26:00.002-06:00

I am just a fan of words...in all shapes and forms....so using book pages as part of a background is a natural for me. However, sometimes your images can get lost on the page because of the strength of the words on the book pages...so what do you do to "tone it down" a bit? Gesso.

Gesso is slightly chalky -- but is very opaque (which is why it is good for covering things up as a primer)...so you want to be a little careful how you use it or you will totally obliterate the words from your background. I have found that if you load your brush with gesso and then use a paper towel to "brush off" most of the excess gesso -- you will get a nice "dry brush" effect that softens the words or images on your background papers -- still allowing them to be visible, but not dominant.

The other thing I did on this card was to dry brush just a touch of cream color acrylic paint over the gesso -- I could have put the acrylic paint into the gesso to tint it (which I probably would have liked better -- but I just forgot). Then after that was dry...and dripped some watered down acrylic paint at the top of the card and let it run down to give a bit more visual interest.

Thanks for stopping by -- hope you are having a great week.

Inking with Embossed Resist

2009-02-10T19:56:00.002-06:00

This technique has so many variations, it could keep you busy for WEEKS! hee hee I think you will be seeing it from me several times in the days to come because my mind has been having fun thinking up new projects to try out -- so hopefully I will have some to share soon. Let me share with you the basics...and then I would love to see what you come up with.

Basic Embossed Resist Technique:

1. Ink a stamp with embossing ink.

2. Sprinkle the stamped image with embossing powder (clear or tinted).

3. Heat the embossing powder with a heat gun until melted. Let cool.

4. Apply distress or chalk inks in multiple colors to background.

5. Wipe the excess ink off of the embossed image with a baby wipe.

A few variations you might want to try:

1. Use colored ink for your stamped image.

2. Used tinted embossing powder (or put different colors on different areas of the image).

3. Collage multiple stamped images.

4. Use Distress Embossing powder -- and rub the release crystals off prior to inking your background.

Have fun...and let me see where you go with your creative muse!

Stamping on Buttons

2009-02-09T10:03:00.002-06:00

I am so excited about this Monday morning...I think there is something fresh and new about the beginning of a new week. Hope you are anticipating a great week too.

Today's card started from a scrap of vintage wall-paper. I sometimes think I am an "old" lady stuck in a young woman's body -- just because of the things that I love!

There really wasn't much needed for this card after I glued the scrap of paper to my card...just wanted to pull out some of that red and green in the embellishments...and chose a couple of buttons to do that. They looked too "modern" on the page...so I decided to stamp a bit on them.

To stamp on plastic you need to use solvent ink (Like Stazon or Archiver Ink by Ranger). Because of the rounded surface on buttons, I have found that small stamps work best. You can stamp and turn the button several times until it has been covered with the image the way you like.

Just tie a bit of twine through the buttons and add to your page...and you have a lovely embellishment!

Have a superb week...filled with lots of creativity!

Stamping on Material

2009-02-07T10:30:00.002-06:00

Add stamped images or words to a card or layout by putting them on material. I like the frayed edge of this label (I ripped the fabric rather than cutting it to give it the frayed edge).

To get a crisp image don't use chalk or water based inks...they will absorb and blur when printed onto the fabric. I use solvent inks like Stazon on Archival Inks by Ranger.

Faux Marble on Acrylic

2009-02-06T12:36:00.002-06:00

I am having so much fun playing with acrylic scraps these days. I used a left over piece of Hambly Clearly Heavy overlay to for the foundation of this card. I put the piece through my cuttlebug and cut out the flower shape...and stamped the petals with Stazon Opaque White.

To create the look of marble I used three shades of blue alcohol ink (with a bit of liquid extender) on a felt pad and pounced them over the acrylic card...leaving the flower blank. Let the ink dry and then repounce. Finally, I backed the card with a piece of white vinyl. The vinyl has texture and adds depth of color to the ink stained card.

Embelish with doodling and liquid pearls.

Faux Wax Seal

2009-02-04T12:44:00.003-06:00

This is another fun "faux" technique.

To create this faux wax seal I used embossing ink, UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) powder, heat gun, small piece of chipboard, Perfect Pearls, a bit of acrylic paint or some alcohol ink -- and finally a rubber stamp or wax stamp. It is also helpful to have a pair of tweezers

Begin by cutting a circle out of chipboard slightly smaller than the size you want your finished "seal" to be and covering with a good coat of embossing ink....and sprinkling UTEE powder to cover. Sprinkle a mound of UTEE powder on a scrap piece of paper for dipping. Melt the powder with your heat gun (holding it with tweezers) and then immediately dip the chipboard in the little mound of powder while it is still warm...and then melt that layer as well.

Continue this process -- along with sprinkling a bit of Perfect Pearls onto the top dipped chipboard in between meltings. Let the UTEE melt over the sides. When you get a thickness that resembles a wax seal, use a small rubber stamp or wax stamp to create an impression in your melted UTEE (do this immediately after your last melting). Leave the stamp in place for a couple of minutes and let the UTEE cool...then remove the stamp. You can highlight the impression by brushing across it with a dry brush of metalic paint...or use alcohol inks to stain it the color that you would like.

When I am doing this -- I make several faux wax impressions and keep them for future projects.

Would love to see any projects that you are creating...so please link me to them in the comment section.

We finished up the first round of speeches this semester today...and I have to say that I am impressed with this group of students. These were some of the most creative speeches I have heard...and I am sure they will only get better as the semester goes on. I feel so blessed to get to work with these University students...they sure keep me on my toes -- but I get to the end of each class and feel like we are making progress...and hopefully are helping prepare them to accomplish great things in their futures.

Masking Tape Technique

2009-02-03T12:54:00.002-06:00

I love the look of old book papers...or printed leather...and I think this technique gives me a feel of that with just a couple of steps.

First begin by covering your substrate with torn pieces of masking tape. Overlap them at odd angles for the best results...

Next brush a thin layer of mod podge over the surface and let it dry.

Finally, create a tinted glaze by adding water to acrylic paint. If you want it to stain darker use less water...the lighter you want it -- use more. Brush the glaze over your background and let it stand for a few moments, then use a paper towel to wipe it off. Repeat to add depth...and maybe even change the color of the glaze to give it even greater depth.

It's as easy as that.

Creative "Something" Day Thirty

2009-01-30T13:15:00.002-06:00

I am feeling the need for a little sunshine today. Actually, when I woke up this morning -- the clouds were gone...and there was just the hint of a sunrise. The birds were certainly taking advantage of it. Oh, I know that winter still has many more days ahead -- but I love when you get a hint of the spring to come.

Today's card is my only little bit of sunshine. It is a gesso - resist technique. You first put the gesso down on your background...I used white...but you can tint gesso with acrylic paint to make it whatever color you like. Gesso has a chalky base...which makes it resist the Distress Inks (by Ranger and Tim Holz). After you rub in two or three colors of the distress inks (I chose shades of yellow, orange and red) -- spritz with water...it gives a water stain effect...and the bit of dampness lets you wipe away the bit of ink that is on the Gesso. I then stamped with archival/solvent ink (like Stazon) and embellished.

Hope you have found a little sunshine in your day too...you deserve it -- even if the weather is not cooperating -- create a spot of it for yourself! Have a great weekend.

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Nine

2009-01-29T14:33:00.002-06:00

Oh Yes...is it cold indeed here!

This is a fun little technique I thought I would share with you...putting a picture under an embossed transparency! Am having so much fun with my cuttlebug lately...since I discovered that you can put thin acrylic through it...Like I did on these Heidi Swapp letters....

on this layout about my new niece!

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Eight

2009-01-28T10:55:00.002-06:00

I love my old typewriter. I love the sound of the keys striking the ribbon and making their mark on the paper. There is something very satisfying about touching the key and knowing that touch will actually CREATE words on a page.

Don't get me wrong...I love all the things that my computer does for me...but one thing I like BETTER about my typewriter is that the INSTANT gratification of the printed word it gives me...yeah -- I am a bit "old school."

Today's card started out as a thin piece of cardboard...to which I Mod Podged some scraps of a sewing pattern...If you look closely -- I was REALLY going for the SIMPLICITY theme because that word was actually part of the pattern...but in the end...it needed this little blue tree and the words, "Let go for a moment...Just Be."

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Seven

2009-01-27T09:44:00.004-06:00

Brrrrr! It is veeeeery cold here today -- and rainy...just the kind of day to stay in, bundled up and sipping a hot cup of tea! That is exactly what I am going to do. I had three wonderful sections of classes yesterday -- but am so glad that I do not teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays...and that I work at home...cause I just don't want to get out in this mess today.

This card's background is created by doing a paper basket weave like I did to create this Christmas stocking out of Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding paper.

In order to make the stocking -- I created a 12 x 12 sheet of woven paper so to make the card I just did the same process in miniature.

Here are the instructions:

1 Cut scrap papers into twenty-four (24) .5" x 6" strips. Ink edges, if desired. (if doing a big background I recommend using 1" x 12" strips of paper)
2 Arrange 12 of the strips vertically along a piece of scrap cardstock and lightly tack just the top with removeable adhesive. This pattern works best if you alternate between lighter and darker strips of paper for nice contrast.
3 Arrange the other 12 strips in a similar pattern but horizontally. Taking the next strip, begin to "basket weave" it through the 12 vertical strips (going under and over each vertical strip with a horizontal one).
4 Repeat this process for all 12 strips until you get a full, woven, 6" x 6" (or 12" x 12") sheet.
5 Seal strips with Mod Podge and let dry for a few hours or until it is no longer tacky (you may apply two coats, if desired). I also misted with Glimmer Mist while the Mod Podge was wet to give it a bit of shimmer.
6 Once dry, flip project over and trace card pattern (or whatever shape you want) on the back of the cardstock sheet at an angle (so the basket weave is diagonal rather than straight across).

7 Cut out and embellish to your heart's content!

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Six

2009-01-26T16:45:00.002-06:00

Today's card is made from Tyvek...you know the paperish/plastic-ish material that mailing envelopes like those used by FedEx are made of? It really is both paper and plastic...and if you put a little water on it before you start -- it will absorb acrylic paint where it is paper -- and resist it where the little threads of plastic are...which makes for a kind of tie-dyed effect when you wipe the paint off... Just another idea to "re-use" those envelopes rather than put them in a landfill. Hope you are off to a great last day of January!

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Three

2009-01-23T08:37:00.002-06:00

I have gone outside the last few mornings to find "Frost" on everything...brrrr! The trees, the grass and even the windows on the North side of my house -- all covered with a sheer coat of icy sparkly ''FROST." Seeing this inspired my card today....Hope you are warm whever you may be!

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-Two

2009-01-22T10:48:00.003-06:00

Ok...I admit it -- I am a distress "fiend!"

There...I said it...and I am proud!

We tear our paper....scratch it....stab it.....why not PUNCH it!?!?!

I liked how this turned out -- this technique is DEFINITELY going to show up on a larger page.

Technique Tutorial:

1. Save up a bit of frustration. (ok -- don't save it up -- it will still work, it just makes it more fun)

2. Use heavy weight cardstock, card board...or a tag.

3. Use your cropadile (I used my Big Bite so that I could just move the paper and punch) or any where hole punch and randomly put holes into your paper. Punch a LOT...don't be shy

4. Make sure they overlap in some areas...and let some of your punches go off the page.

5. Use distress inks (starting with your lightest color) to add color to your background in swirly motions.

6. Stamp an additional image in Archival ink (most others will react to distress ink and not print so test your ink before your work on your main piece.

7. Run a distress tool along the edges to fray them a bit more.

8. Use distress ink (Walnut Stain or Frayed Burlap) to stain the edges....because you have distressed the edges the ink will absorb into the fresh paper edge, giving it an almost BURNED look.

9 (optional) take a Q-tip or edge of a makeup sponge and dab the punched holes with the same ink you used to stain the edges....just to give them the same aged look.

Enjoy -- and punch away -- I think you are gonna like it!

Creative "Something" Day Twenty-One

2009-01-21T10:40:00.002-06:00

Maybe I am the only one who needs to be reminded of this. I am always having to speak the truth to myself that the grass ISN'T greener on the other side -- it just looks that way from a distance. Life is a journey -- and even if I LOVED everything about where I am at the moment (and I honestly, don't) -- I am not STAYING there...but I do feel that I need to make the most of wherever I find myself at the moment.

Creative "Something" Day Twenty

2009-01-20T09:45:00.003-06:00

Innauguration Day! I feel so blessed to live in a country where "We the People" are given the chance to say who we want to be our leader. If your guy (or gal) wins or loses...you still had the chance to speak up and have your voice counted. That is an amazing thing. Today holds much promise for our country. I pray for our new President that he will be a strong, good and wise leader. There are a lot of problems facing the United States right now -- but even still, because we have a choice in our leadership -- there is HOPE.

Today's Creative "something" was created with a collage stamp and some water colors...Be sure and use Stazon ink if you want to watercolor after you have stamped your image.

Have a great day!

Creative "Something" Day Nineteen

2009-01-19T18:31:00.002-06:00

We had snow today -- ok...it was really just a "skiff of snow" -- but snow nonetheless. Hope you have had a good day wherever you are!

Creative "Something" Day Seventeen and Eighteen

2009-01-19T11:40:00.002-06:00

Day Seventeen: Had some fun with aluminum tape (got it at Loews -- I think it is used to seal airconditioning duct). Stuck a couple of widths down to cardstock...and then rolled it through the Cuttlebug in an embossing folder. Love love LOVE all the texture you can get with that. Then I dripped some alcohol inks onto the surface. They work GREAT with metal and acrylic -- really any slick non-porous surface. Am going to have to try this again.

Sorry for the delay in posting...was just super busy with the What You Make It crop on Saturday. We had sooo much fun. I totally loved getting to know the ladies I had never met before that were able to attend. And I have to say that it was equally fun to get to spend some time with friends from the past too! I will be posting pictures later.

This little card came out of another project. I was working on staining some other tags, and got huge drops of Walnut Stain (in eggplant color) all over my craft sheet. Just dipped this tag in the eggplant stain before wiping the rest up. A few spritzes with Glimmer mist -- and viola -- the background was created! I have had this little bird charm for theLONGEST time...and decided yesterday was the day to use it. I love the sweet little birds peering into their nest...Momma and Poppa birdies are anxious to see what is up with their chicks....I can TOTALLY relate!

I will be back to post my daily creative from today a bit later...but I have to go take a walk in the snow right now...I think it will energize me -- I love snow and think there is nothing like taking a walk when there is actually SNOW falling down on you! Have a great day....if you are where it is cold...snuggle up and keep warm!

Creative "Something" Day Sixteen

2009-01-16T07:45:00.001-06:00

What do you do when you can't sleep? Ummm...make a card?

Creative "Something" Day Fifteen

2009-01-15T11:30:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, when I have REALLY big things I am trying to accomplish -- I need to remind myself that the best way to get there is to concentrate on the small things...and just keep doing them one by one!

Creative "Something" Day Fourteen

2009-01-14T14:16:00.002-06:00

"BELIEVE" is my ONE LITTLE WORD for this year -- am trying to do lots of creative things and keep them around me. What word have you chosen to represent what you want most to be or do this year?

Creative "Something" Day Thirteen

2009-01-13T10:12:00.002-06:00

While "Seize the Day" is one of my all time favorite quotes -- probably because I have a tendency to get lost in the details -- and miss the splendor of the wonderfulness of the ENTIRE experience...I had to laugh when I saw THIS particular version of it...if only it were this simple!

Have a GREAT TUESDAY...and look for those "handles that are provided" and SEIZE THEM!

Creative "Something" Day Twelve

2009-01-12T12:43:00.002-06:00

The idea for this little card came to me in the middle of the night -- seriously! I have been in the process of sorting through stuff to put together all kinds of yummy goodness for the ladies attending the crop on Saturday (there are a few seats left -- if you want to come -- just email me)...and I found some embellishments that my friend, Dana, and I came up with a year or so ago! I had some plastic table cloth material (from Walmart) -- you can buy it by the yard -- and it is fairly thick, but still pliable and totally clear. I do think they make a frosted version -- but for this technique you want to use the clear kind. We stamped with StazOn ink on one side -- and then painted in the back -- some with a fair amount of detail -- like this poppy -- and some totally simple. You really can do ANYTHING that is a stamp and has some open space in it for you to paint. When it dries...you trim close to the edge of the stamped image and place on your page. I think it would also work to trace a pattern that you like with a sharpie and then paint the back of it the same way you would if you had stamped. Fun ... and totally versatile -- because you pick the paint colors you can totally make it match whatever you need to go with your page.

School started today! I really wasn't prepared...I knew it was coming -- but the reality of walking into three classrooms -- with a total of 87 students was a bit overwhelming. Each semester the first few days are the hardest, because there are SOOO many faces and names to get to know. I instantly know the faces -- would recognize them on campus -- but I am SOOO bad with names. Always have been. My mom actually made me sit on the couch with a guy I had a date with rather than leaving because I couldn't tell her his last name...and I didn't want to ask him because I had known him for three years! I did finally figure it out by casually mentioning that I love to see people's driver's license pictures! Woo Hoo -- I thought I was pretty SMART! Hee Hee...here it is thir--ehm years later -- and I still am not good with names!

Oh well...will work on it -- and by next week will be closer to knowing them. Hope you are having a great Monday....

Creative "Something" Day Eleven

2009-01-11T15:46:00.002-06:00

Hope you have had a great Sunday. Am a busy little bee getting things ready for next Saturday -- but took a bit of time out to create a little "something." I love this quote from the Talmud...reminding me that contentment is indeed a source of RICHNESS.

Creative "Something" Day Ten

2009-01-10T22:36:00.002-06:00

Ok...so today's quote was REALLY appropriate for me. I was feeling a little guilty that I didn't get something posted YESTERDAY for you -- and then I worked on this little card -- and reminded myself that my "Creative Something" everyday is a goal -- something to keep me motivated and REMINDED that I want to be creative every day -- not something to kick myself over if I don't get it done. I did get the show taped yesterday. (lots of creativity there -- for my viewers you are gonna have FUN...trust me on this one!).... I did get to go scrap with my Friday night cropping friends...Oh my stars I laughed so hard... I actually did some knitting...which I will post here when I get the project done.

So...hope you will steer for the stars!

Creative "Something" Day Eight

2009-01-08T11:54:00.002-06:00

You just never know what you might be able to use when scrapbooking. This background is a CD label (printed with woodgrain) sticker...to sew the piece of chipboard down the side, I just used my cropadile to punch some holes...and then did a couple of rubons for decoration. I really kind of liked the sewing on the chipboard...will have to try that in a bigger format at a later date.

Off to Kentucky to tap What You Make It. Hope to see some of your daily inspiration when I get back.

Creative "Something" Day Six

2009-01-06T23:11:00.002-06:00

Just got this one in under the wire! It has been a crazy day here. Been working on getting ready for taping on Friday -- woo hoo (am super excited about the projects we are going to be doing!), working on technique classes for our All Day Crop on the 17th (for more information on attending CLICK HERE -- we still have a few spots left) and on top of it all being DETERMINED not to let the headache that this rainy weather brings stop me!

This card was a fun one. I learned a new technique that uses clear packing tape to transfer images....sounds hard right?!?!?! Well it isn't. All you need is something printed with INK (not from an inkjet printer) -- I found magazines -- old or new with shiny pages work really well...but really ANYTHING that is printed will do -- you just have to work with it a bit more. You also need packing tape and a shallow dish or pan with warm water. Here are the steps:

1. Put tape over the entire image that you want to transfer. If it is wider that your tape -- overlap the edges of the tape slightly.

2. Press and burnish the tape to make sure all creases or bubbles are out.

3. Trim the image leaving about a half an inch to spare around the edges of the tape. This gives you a bit of a handle to grab the backing when you are done soaking it.

4. Place warm water in your pan or dish and submerge the entire image (tape and all) into the water...let it soak for at least 2-3 minutes.

5. Grab the edge of the image and peel back the paper (the image will stick to the tape and the paper peel off). I found that with glossy paper the back comes of REALLY easily...if I used somewhat porous paper -- I had to rub the paper off the back under water. This takes a little more time to remove -- but is still very simple and leave ALL the ink behind.

Nothing is safe in my house anymore. I have done image transfers from old dictionary paper and sheet music, picture books, comic books, magazines (old and new) and postcards. They will be showing up soon on some pages. I just figured while I had the basin of water out I would do several images...and got a bit carried away! Go try it for yourself...I think you will have fun!

Happy Wednesday!

"Cheater Quilt" - Tutorial

2009-01-05T16:27:00.000-06:00

the entire surface is painted...you kind of want to seal the muslin with paint... Here is the step by step:
1. Draw your pattern (maybe on scrap 12 x 12) and trace onto muslin with sharpie. (I knew I would add a picture at the end so created a "framed" space on my pattern)2. Stitch over as many of the lines as your sewing skills allow. Make sure your thread has cotton in it (not all polyester) so the stain will absorb.3. Paint with base color -- not much detail.4. Sand the entire surface...be a bit rough with it.5. Mix 2 parts burnt umber acrylic paint with one part water to make a glaze...it will be goopy but don't be afraid of it.6. slop the brown mixture all over your nice prettily painted "quilt" -- wipe off excess...if it is too dark wet a paper towell and wipe off more -- if not dark enough throw some more paint on there.7. Let dry....then sand again.8. Add details and embellish with beads, buttons, pins, ribbon, paint or pen details.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions....this is my first one -- but they are very fun -- so I would be happy to help if you want to make one.

2009-01-05T13:59:00.002-06:00

Just a little fun with fabric and trims....

Creative "Something" Day Four

2009-01-04T16:13:00.001-06:00

This was one our "family phrases" growing up. I recently saw Heidi Swapp talking about this same phrase on her blog (she is working on this concept with her kiddos this year) -- and was reminded of just HOW often I heard it -- particularly from my grandparents. I think this would be a great year to put it back into practice in my life!

Ok...the background is a little "tongue in cheek" -- I emptied out my hole punch and since I made a LOT of minis over Christmas I had all kinds of tiny circles in there...it seemed like the ultimate way to "use it up and make do."

TFL....hope day "four" of the new year is great for you!

Creative "Something" Day Three

2009-01-03T18:42:00.002-06:00

Been reading in Hebrews chapter 11 (aka the hall of faith chapter) and noticed the number of times it reads -- " BY FAITH so and so did such and such" (ok that last part is jann's interpretive version)....meaning that these people TOOK action before they knew the outcome! I need to do that more during 2009!

Creative "Something" Day Two

2009-01-02T17:09:00.002-06:00

Ok...the good thing about trying something SMALL -- you can decide if you want to do it BIGGER! I had seen this concept in my latest issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine and thought it was cool. So I tried it on an ATC for today...

You draw your design on plain muslin -- Make a muslin and felt sandwich...stitch it -- paint it -- sand and distress it and then embellish it. I love how this turned out so much, I am working on a 12 x 12 version. ok...so that will take a bit longer -- but I know I will love it -- because I tried it SMALL!

Happy New Year and a Little Daily Creativity

2009-01-01T19:59:00.003-06:00

Am going to try and do SOMETHING creative every day. This was my "something" for today -- a little ATC.

I also worked on my current Stash Diet Challenge. This challenge is (as always) to use things you already have in your stash...to reuse, repurpose and fall in love with stuff you haven't used before or have been HOARDING! The prompt was "This Time Next Year" which fits for the new year....and the bonus item...was to CREATE your title...(really anything other than chipboard letters)....if you would like to play along....post a link to your Stash Diet entry here on the blog. You have until Midnight Sunday night January 4th. For every time you post -- your name will be entered in a drawing for a few of these Loom Blooms I have been making. If you use the "bonus item," your name goes in again! Here is to a little creativity in the new year.

Where does he get it?

2008-12-25T22:46:00.002-06:00

We don't know!?!?!? He just came out of his room this afternoon with a George Washington wig, a spear and a shield. I thought he looked like a Zulu Amedius! He just cracks me up... Life is never boring around our place! This will be a fun "scrapable moment."

Hope you've had a GREAT Christmas! Ours has been wonderful...and full of many strange moments...stranger than the picture of Weston! Remind me to tell you about it someday.

So many :good: things

2008-12-22T17:36:00.003-06:00

First of all -- I had a delightful "spontaneous" evening with some girls from my church the other night. One of them called and said she wanted to have us over for some scrapping...then the weather turned bad and we decided not to do it...and THEN -- the weather seemed to pass north of us -- so we went anyway! Because by the time I knew I was going I just needed to "grab and go," I took my tool bag, a handful of pictures and a small bag of random things that were sitting on my scrap table (ok -- one of them was a kit from Jenni Bowlin) and went. It was good to sit and chat with the girls -- scrap a little and laugh a lot. What an unexpected blessing. I finished the layout titled, "It's Good."

I have also discovered the BEST stamping tool ever! It is called a Stamp-a-ma-jig. It is the perfect tool for placing your Stamps exactly how you want them. I have been intimidated by stamp sets that required "perfect placement" like this PRECIOUS vintage stamp (by Pink Persimmon) set I used above...but with the Stampamajig (what a name right?) I was able to put that Christmas tree into the wagon perfectly! Here is a tutorial on how to use the Stampamajig, if you haven't used it before.

And these fun gift tags....so easy to make -- punch a scallop oval (or let your Cricut do it for you) in red, also punch a plain cream colored oval at least .25 - .5 inches smaller. Cut three small strips of ribbon (green) with angled tips. Use glue dots to secure them in place onto the red tag as shown here in the picture. Layer the cream oval on top and secure with adhesive. Use three self adhesive red crystals -- placed as close to the ribbon as possible. Cute, cute!

I hope you and your family are having a wonderful Christmas season!

Let's Have a Scrappy Holiday After Christmas

2008-12-10T13:38:00.004-06:00

Christmas is my all-time favorite time of year. I love celebrating Jesus’ birth. I delight in the decorations, the smells of Christmas baking, the chill in the air and of course the wonderful time with family and friends. But as busy as December gets – I sometimes feel like I need a holiday AFTER Christmas – to recover and catch-up. Do you? Well, I have the perfect day planned for you and some of your friends.

Saturday, January 17th Come and crop all day!
Once the packages have been opened and all the pictures taken (and maybe even printed) – come spend the day with me and a few friends. We have scheduled an all day crop at the Holiday Inn Express located near Providence Marketplace in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. This newly opened facility is beautiful and will provide a wonderful place to relax and be creative. It is also located very close to JoAnn’s, Staples, Target and lots of yummy restaurants.

What is included?

The cost for the day is $50 and includes one technique class and lunch. What is a technique class you ask? Throughout the day, Jann Gray will be providing mini-classes to teach you a new scrapbooking technique. When you arrive, you will sign up for the technique class of your choice. Sample classes might include:
· Hand Sewing on your layouts
· Distress Embossing
· Layered Embellishments
· And others

Want to take an additional class?

Yes you can. Jann will also teach an additional class called Christmas Memories (2-page layout). This class will be limited to the first 25 registrants and will cost an additional $15.
Make your reservations now!
I anticipate that this crop will fill up quickly, so please email me as soon as possible to let me know if you would like to attend. I will send you a PayPal request for funds and your seat will be reserved when I receive your payment. Please also let me know if you would like to attend the additional Christmas Memories class.

What else?

You can come early. We have arranged for you to make it a TRUE retreat! You can arrive on Friday night so you will be ready to go first thing Saturday morning. The special What You Make It room rate is $89/room for up to four people. You will need to call the Holiday Inn directly to make your room reservations (615-553-5200). Your hotel reservation includes the hot and cold breakfast bar.

Questions?

Please send me an email at jann@janngray.com or call 615-496-2206.I look forward to seeing you there!

Give Her An Inch

2008-11-27T08:31:00.005-06:00

This is what happens when a friend gives you a box of inchies a few weeks ago and they sit staring at you on your work table ....day...after ....day. And finally, in a move to conquer the staring of the inches you wrestle them out of the box and make them do what inchies do....make small things....lots of them. Ahhhh...but the dilemma doesn't end there....are inchies just inchies -- for the sake of being an inchie...or is it proper and polite once you've conquered them to sweep them back together -- and make their small parts part of a whole bigger "thing" once again? See this was my dilemma as I baked pies and bread today...do I just work on a couple and say..."ta done!" and move on...but in the end...my inchies told a story....and the story was told better by letting each little inchie play his or her part. (you know they do all the voices -- they don't just read it in a monotone voice -- if you haven't heard an inchie performance you are in for a treat -- that's all I've got to say about that! So...once completed (and the pie in the oven) -- the following journaling is what brought the entire experiment together. "Mom used to say, 'You give that girl an inch...she'll take a mile. and as I thought about it I decided...."you know...she might be onto something!" Ok....sorry for all the silliness. Just had so much fun playing for an hour this afternoon....just PLAYING...not trying to create anything...just stacking and painting and cutting and pasting....just for the sake of covering up a box of inchies. As I laid them down on the page....the story line kind of came together. From a design point of view I think it needed some softness -- which I tried to do with paint on the edges....don't think that is it...will go back to it tomorrow while some football game is playing and see if I can't punch it up a bit. Any thoughts on how to add softness to this very linear design about a very NON-linear person.... Oh....and if you haven't ever played with inchies...you need to. They tell GREAT stories...but in very small packages!

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. I count you among the tremendous blessings in my life.

Do You Chirp?

2008-11-24T19:46:00.003-06:00

I do! Well...what I mean to say is -- I LOVE my Cricut Expression. It stays out on my work table -- and I find all kinds of ways to use it in my scrapbooking and just day to day projects. I was fortunate enough to have ProvoCraft (the creators of the Lil Bug and the Expression) ask me to be in their infomercial. I flew out to Salt Lake City and just had a blast with the video crew and the team at ProvoCraft. I have had a few friends start to see it on TV and have asked -- so YES...that is me...in the flesh -- telling everyone how much I enjoy my Cricut Expression. I have provided you a link to see two of the testimonials that they pulled out of the commercial -- if you are interested (you will probably recognize my face on the first one -- the second one is a picture of a pillow *smile*). I think if you go to the home page there is a way to watch the whole thing if you want to -- and have the connection speed.

Ok...so I am not quitting my day job -- nor am I likely to get a job as the SHAM-WOW girl...but it was fun...and it was easy to tell people that I love the product -- because I do...and I use it a LOT.

Drop me a note and let me know what you think.

Deep Thoughts...

2008-11-20T09:27:00.006-06:00

I have recently begun attending a women's Bible Study here in Mt. Juliet. I wish you could see the HUGE smile on my face as I type that. I have missed studying God's word alongside other women. When I lived in Dallas, this was so much a part of my every day life -- it was almost like breathing. But with my travel schedule being what it has been the past 5 years -- it has been virtually impossible to make the kind of commitment to bible study group that one should when beginning a new study. It might have been different if there had been a group of ladies that I was already grounded with -- and they could have pulled me back in based on our past relationships -- but, well -- enough about the past...because I am NOW studying with a group of ladies that are just a blessing from God to me.

We are studying the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120 - 134) with Beth Moore...and these Psalms are just so perfect for me (well each of us actually)...because they were originally written for pilgrims...those going to Jerusalem for one of the feasts...or captives returning from exile. They were to be sung as they walked....WHOA! As Beth Moore says, "I don't get in my car for a long trip without a compilation CD!" Psalms -- which are the songs from the Bible were meant to be sung...songs of praise, songs of remembering, songs of lament...songs of joy, songs of need --- well, in truth there is a Song just about EVERY EMOTION. These days, I seem to have LOTS of those various emotions rolling through me...and the words that I wish to say back to God are right there on the pages of HIS WORD....how cool is that?!?!? Well, to me it is awesome...

Beth said something during our lesson this past week that just stuck with me. In referring to the power of songs she said, "Song is the language our soul speaks most fluently." WOW -- yes...YES! We teach children to remember things with songs (ABCDEFG....you can finish it if you need to -- I can't start that song without going all the way to the end). You can finish a line to a song that you don't even listen to completely...it is just playing in the background on your car radio. I think she is really onto something. When I have traveled to other countries where I didn't speak the language -- but was able to share a song with someone...we had a moment of bonding. Common language. I guess this brought about a LOT of thought on my part -- so last night I had to sit down and create a layout to express it all....here it is... (Used Crate Paper papers, Bazzil Swiss Dots, Tim Holtz masks and a couple of stamps).

a little close up of the "rambler" letters....they are all kind of whacked out....cause I felt like they were on a bit of a "journey" or pilgrimage too...

Thanks for letting me ramble....are you thinking any "deep thoughts" lately? Wanna share? Hope you are headed towards a good weekend and a wonderful holiday next week. I do have a couple of spots left open in the Advent Calendar Class I am teaching on Tuesday, so let me know if you have time or interest in attending.

New Christmas Yummies

2008-11-13T22:53:00.002-06:00

I have to confess...I have Christmas music blaring at my house. Ok...so, as far as I am concerned Christmas is fair game as soon as Halloween is over! And the music got me in the mood to create Christmas yummies...and I thought I would share them with you. I especially love my little Snow Angel.... She just looks joyful...so I had to put her on a JOY-ful tag!

I really started out making these yummies as part of a gift exchange -- Jars of Whimsey with some girlfriends... So Zorina...or Terena...don't you be peeking here! Just look away! But I found that is was more fun to make them in MULTIPLES...seriously -- as long as you have the clay, glitter, glue and paint out -- you might as well make MORE...right? So I have put a few of them in my ETSY shop...just some fun little embellies for the Christmas scrapbook pages -- or maybe gift tags. I ended up creating special tags for each one too...yes, I know -- I am a bit obsessed with Christmas....it is my favorite time of year. Not that I won't enjoy Thanksgiving...now that is a wonderful holiday too -- smoked turkey, cranberry sauce...stuffing and family....but I digress....this is about Christmas. So this little collection is of four different shapes....there are actually different combos....cause I made, Snowflakes, Gingerbread Men, Stockings, Christmas Trees (with pink lights), Candy Canes and Ribbon Candy.Wouldn't these be fun photo corners? Or....just.....FUN?

And last -- but not least -- "sugar-coated" buttons. I love the sugared fruit that you decorate with for Christmas...so wanted to carry that look over to some of my Christmas pages....

Well...if you're not in the holiday mood yet....it isn't my fault! hee hee! I did just look at these pictures and see that the repositionable double sided tape I used to attach them to the tags is showing up....I don't like that....grrrrrrrrrrr! May have to re-take the pictures in the morning. Oh well. For now -- I am happy they are made...and packaged...and up on Etsy. I am off to do my Bible Study and head to bed. Hope you have a great Friday!