Chevron Challenge

I never knew these were called chevron, but I knew when I saw the challenge on Let's Scrap, that I'd be using the photos from Jori's swim meet.  These chevron strips remind me of water.  Go to Let's Scrap for instructions on how to make these strips or check out this website that I used.  They were so easy.  I'm going to challenge myself to use some scraps for cards.  I think these would be wonderful on a smaller scale and to use some scraps.  (Ya know that's my main goal, right?)

Title from P.S. I Love You Scrapbooking

No Hubby Weekend = Lots of Crafting Time

When Kenny said he was going to be out for 2 1/2 days for a coaching retreat, I thought "oh no, I'm gonna miss you" and then I thought "oooh...yay!  what can I do during that time".  Carly and I went to a friend's party on Friday and spent most of the day on Saturday in The Command Center.  I got lots of layouts done!

Using the titles I received from P.S. I Love You Scrapbooking.  (Click on the website name to visit her blog and ebay store.)  I came up with these pages:

Gino and Gigi

Jori and friends at Camporee

Aamen and Jori with Santa at Disneyland

Jori's Swim Meet

I also did these layouts using pre-made scrapbooking layouts from a swap that I had participated in on SCS:

I also started a baby shower gift for one of my cousins, Isabel.  The shower is in August and she's having a girl.

Layout Challenge

I finally did a layout with my Apricot Fiesta photos of the canvas that I won the ribbon for.  I followed this sketch on Let's Scrap:

and came up with this layout:

I know it's a little busy, but I wanted to include some of the flowers that I used for the canvas and a "using scraps" kinda feel.

Check out the Let's Scrap website here.

July Pink Pajama Slumber Party Group Challenge

The challenge for this month is make a Fancy Fold card.  I don't know if this stair step card counts, but I've been wanting to make one for awhile so it seemed like the perfect time.  It actually took longer than I thought and wasn't as easy as I was thinking it would be.  The samples I've seen are great and I'm not in love with what I made, but it'll do...

I don't know why they never stay right side up when I do this from my work computer.  Probably because I'm doing it at work and technically shouldn't be (except I'm on my break so it's not actually work time).

Turn your head to the right and view...

To kill two birds with one stone, I also used this opportunity to make this for the Scrap Fit workout color challenge #72.  Use brown, sage and coral. 

Enjoy!

Three Sons and a Star

I made this sign for the craft room because this is going to be my business name if I ever get off my lazy butt and get an actual business license.  Don't you love the play on the word "sons"?  For those that don't know, I have three boys and one girl.

I kept saying I wanted to do this, but with this week's challenge on Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, was to have a sun in your project, I knew it was the right time to make it.  The sign is on an 11x14 canvas.  I used the cricut to make all the cut outs except the borders right under "sons".  They were made with border punches.  This also is my project for Workout #71 on the Scrap Fit blog.  Check out this blog.  It's so fun!  and the challenges (I mean workouts and warm ups) are awesome!

Gift for Carly

I love going to thrift stores and yard sales to buy frames.  Let me rephrase that...I love going to thrift stores and yard sales for anything I can upcycle. 

I bought this pretty frame at the thrift store for $2.00.  Popped out the old needlepoint panel; replaced it with an old piece of chalkboard that I found while cleaning out an old classroom; hot glued a layered paper flower in the corner and

Viola!  A cute gift for Carly...

Isn't Carly an amazing artist?  The drawing is so lifelike!  LOL

Keep It All Together Swap

I'm in a swap on Splitcoast Stampers for decorated clothespins.  I make decorated clothespins for my boutiques so I knew they would be pretty quick and easy to do. 

Even tho they are clipped together on the same piece of cardstock, they are obviously two different sets of clothespins.  I made the "peace" charms with Shrinky Dinks.  I don't even know if they are still called that, but it's the 70's girl in me that wants to name them Shrinky Dinks kind of like all diapers are called "Pampers".  LOL

I also use Shrinky Dinks for the baseballs. 

See what a little bit of scrap paper and ink can make?  I'm excited to see what I get back.

The Nifty Fifties

Wow!  I am having a very productive weekend.  Yesterday, Carly and I finished the decorations for her friend's 50's themed birthday party. 

Here's a peek:

This sign will hang on the front door.

These are the table centerpieces.

This sign will be propped up on the food table.

McKenna will be serving hamburgers and later rootbeer floats.  I still need to frame two other signs that say "Hot Eats" and "Cool Drinks".  We also made small records for the 1x8 candy bag favors.  Carly will take photos at the party and I'll post those later.

All the cutouts were done with the Cricut and the Nifty Fifties cartridge.  It is so cute and I love that font! 

Horsing Around Layout

Here's another layout I did using a title from P.S. I Love You Scrapbooking.  I absolutely LOVE these titles and they have been great for my layouts.  I hate coming up with my own titles on my pages so this takes away this problem.

This is Jori during one of her trainings:

I didn't do much journaling because I figured my sis can do it once she receives the pages.  There are many photos of her training so don't be surprised if you see more of these photos in future layouts.

Check out the website to purchase titles of your own.  The variety is awesome!

A Crown for the Bride to Be

I did it!  I've been wanting to make a crown for so long and I finally pushed myself to do it and I LOVE it!  First of all, thanks to Burger King for the crown base :).  Kenny thinks I'm so nutty when I grab these things, but I knew one day...

So my good friend, Susan is getting married and we're having a gathering for her on Monday night.  I thought this would be fun for her to wear at the restaurant. 

Side View

Back View

Oh my gosh, do you love it?  Here's what I did:

First I decoupaged old dictionary paper all over the front and then a layer of white tissue paper and then some cut up doilies.

Then I painted the back a combination of pink and creme paint.

Trimmed the edges, of course.

Then I layered two of each pink crepe and white crepe party streamers and topped with two pages of old dictionary paper.  Sewed down the middle and then folded and cut strips just before the sewed line.  Crunch that all together to give some body.  Attached the strip to the bottom of the crown.

Made a paper rosette out of pink scrap paper and topped it with a rolled crepe party streamer flower.

Cut spirals out of the dictionary paper to make the rolled roses and put a dot of glitter in the center of all the flowers.  12 flowers total.

I found the pearl stems that I had stashed from who knows where or from what project.  I cut that apart to get the solo stems and placed them on the sides of the rosette and top of rosette.

Glued some cheap rhinestones to the front and sides.

Cut and inked a heart for the top of the front.

Stamped "BRIDE" on a piece of white paper and then put glitter on the edges and made it a banner and attached it to the top of the rosette. 

 

Cool Stuff on the Horizon!

I've got a lotta stuff on my plate right now but I love it!

1.  Carly and I were asked to create some birthday party decorations for a 50's themed birthday party - almost done with this one! 
2.  One of my good friends is getting married next week and I'm making her a "Bride to Be" crown to wear for her bridal shower/bachelorette party.  (I've always wanted to do this and I'm finally leaving the Procrastinator Zone on this one.)
3.  I started a Secret Sister Page Swap with my scrapbooking group. 
4.  Carly's Outdoor Movie Theatre birthday is coming up in a few weeks.
5.  Not to mention the two swaps I'm in at Splitcoast Stampers.
6.  I'm trying to contribute to three different challenge sites on a regular basis.  (Scrapfit, Let's Scrap and Fantabulous Cricut)

Photos will be posted as soon as projects are complete.