Spring forward!

It wasn't easy to get up this morning. Even though I "sprung forward" before bedtime Saturday night, that extra hour seemed to hit the very hardest at about 6 a.m. today. Delayed reaction, I guess.

But I had a very productive weekend, and maybe I'm still recovering. My mom was in town, and we had a crafty whirlwind of catching up to do. I wanted to buy some fabric to try out my new Cameo, so she took me to her favorite fabric outlet. It's amazing how many out of the way places there are in Dallas that I don't even know about, and this was one of them. I walked out with 7 cuts of fabric for $17. Score!

My first actual project with the Cameo was some t-shirts for the girls, and they turned out great! Very easy, and I'll share some photos of them later this week.

But my first paper Cameo project was this layout.

I cut the flowers from three different papers, at two different sizes, and ended up with all these fabulous layers. I topped them with Epiphany Crafts round bubble caps and a resin flower from The Girls Paperie. The papers are from My Little Shoebox, and I cut the center out of the round die-cut paper so that the blue border would act as a frame around some of my page elements.

For the journaling, I took a glassine bag, folded it in half and created this journaling card to slip inside. I really like how my handwriting shows through behind the photo, and you can pull out the tab to read what I wrote.

And I think I should mention that I used the very LAST doily in my supplies, so I guess I'm now done with doilies.

Unless, of course, I buy more. Never say never.

There's still time to enter my FRAK giveaway from last week -- the Stamping Secrets idea book from Ella Publishing. You can enter here.

Express Yourself

The universe sent me a message this weekend. It happened as I was sitting in the pedicure chair on Sunday, reading an old O magazine. The focus of the issue was self-expression, and I was completely swept away with the different articles -- I think I read almost every word of each one. I loved the story of a chalkboard artist who went from a corporate desk job to creating chalk murals all over town. But the article that really spoke to me was the one that talked about what happens when we create.

The author explained that when you make something, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel happy and energetic. So if you're feeling stressed or worn out, you can boost your mood by simply doing something creative -- doodling on paper, writing a haiku, trying a new recipe. Or playing with paper and glue.

I've known this for years -- whenever I need to relieve stress, I head straight for my craft room -- but it was validating to read the science behind it.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty for isolating myself in a room while my kids are playing Barbies or doing cartwheels in the living room. But I think it's all about balance. I spend a healthy amount of time with my kids, taking them on "adventures," teaching them to ask questions, encouraging them to do the things they love. When I head to my "room," that's my time to revive my energy and restore my sense of peace. And I'm a better mom for it.

A few things I've been creating lately...

 

These are my last official projects for Epiphany Crafts. I'm so honored that I got to work on their design team for the past year, and I know I'll be using these products for a very long time.

I created the lacy effect by punching designs into white cardstock and allowing the negative space to show through the clear bubble cap. I love how the texture of the denim paper comes through.

And this is a very old photo, but one I've somehow never scrapped.

I loved the whimsical feel of the paper and wanted to incorporate a few of the graphic elements as charms.

Hope your week is off to a great start and that you're finding plenty of ways to express your creativity.

Ode to a short week

I had Monday off for President's Day, which made for a wonderful 3-day weekend. But even better, it resulted in a 4-day work week this week. And this is how I feel all weeks should be set up: 4 days on, 3 days off. Wouldn't the world be a lot happier with that arrangement? I know I certainly would. Maybe I should start a petition...

But back to blog business. Today I have a few more layouts to share from my scrapbook retreat weekend. These two were created with the February kit from JBS Mercantile.

I love the color combo in this kit -- rich primary colors with some grays mixed in. And all the circles! That vintage record reminded me of a sun peeking from behind a cloud, so that's what it became.

The vintage key is so cool -- my immediate tendency was to hoard it. But I loved it too much not to give it a happy home on a layout.

This is another that mixes in elements from the mini album kit and the artisan add-on. Most of these papers are from Studio Calico and they are gorgeous! I like the neutrals with just a pop of red here and there.

I used the Jenni Bowlin blue ribbon punch to make these flowers. I love that this punch is so versatile -- you can do a lot more than blue ribbons! I added an Epiphany Crafts Round 14 to the top of each flower for some shine and dimension.

I'll be back tomorrow with another F.R.A.K. See you then!

Staying positive

Positivity is the word I chose as my one little word for 2012. I talked about the reasons why and some of my goals in this post. But it's now February, and I don't have much to show for it. Well, that's not exactly true.

For the past few months, I've been pinning inspirational quotes on my Pinterest board. All kinds of memorable sayings that speak to me and the person I want to be. When I have moments of negativity, I remind myself of these sayings and they help bring some perspective to what's good -- actually great! -- about my life.

I've been thinking it would be fun to start a journal about the ways these quotes have inspired me to be more positive. So I built my own Positivity Journal for a feature on the Epiphany Crafts blog. (Check out the post for your chance to win the tool I used.)

It's a pretty simple concoction of chipboard, patterned paper, graph paper (for writing on) and images from Pinterest. To be clear, I did not invent any of these quotes or create any of the artwork. I simply pinned them, downloaded them and printed them onto photo paper. Then I added some patterned paper and stickers -- 'cause that's what I do -- and bound it all together.

And to give myself a little further structure, I created some tabs for the different sections using my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Round 25, layered onto a tab die cut (from Papertrey Ink).

 

There are six sections, and my goal is to write at least once a month for the next six months. Each month, I'll let a new set of quotes inspire me.

Thanks for letting me share my approach to one little word. But now I'd like to hear your approach. Did you choose a word for 2012? And if so, how are you keeping it top-of-mind?

Just curious.

Looking forward

This week is dragging. I knew it would. That always happens when there's something to look forward to for the weekend. I'm heading out to a scrappy retreat -- my first in many years!

The girls I'm going with are so good at planning out what they want to work on and putting together all their supplies into matching kits, etc. Me? I'm just going to throw a bunch of stuff in a bag and hope I get there with something I can work with. It'll be a Tim Gunn "Make-It-Work" weekend. Hopefully, they won't kick me out.

Before I begin my packing frenzy, here are a few projects I created for Epiphany Crafts, but never posted.

I used the Epiphany Crafts metal settings with the Round 14 shapes to top the layered punched flowers on the banner. The silver settings add a very vintage feel to the page.

On this one, I used the Epiphany Crafts Square shapes in between the hexagon chipboard shapes from Pink Paislee. The square tool is so versatile for creating borders!


Be sure to check back tomorrow for another F.R.A.K. -- I think you'll like it!

Simply fabulous

Sometimes I think (okay, I know) I don't give my kids enough credit. Especially Cecily. As the second-born, she's subject to all sorts of comparisons to her older sister. It's usually unintentional. I don't mean to compare them, but it sneaks into my mind and I feel so guilty for it. They are two completely different children. I want to celebrate their differences, not compare them.

Supplies: Ruby Rock-It patterned paper and chipboard, Epiphany Crafts
felt flowers and Round 14 shapes, My Little Shoebox alphabet stickers,
October Afternoon mini alpha

This layout celebrates the Cecily I know and love. I jotted down five examples of what makes her amazing and unique -- little things that I think are simply fabulous and so completely Cecily. There are many more examples, but I will save them for another day and another layout.

And I will keep reminding myself that there is nothing that can compare to her.

Hot and cold

It doesn't feel anything like winter here. Not that I'm complaining. I'd gladly take this over the ice/sleet/snow mix we had around this time last year.


Ironically, after taking bunches of snow photos during that big, nasty storm, the last thing I wanted to do was scrapbook them. I was sick of looking at snow and ice and ready to see some green grass and spring flowers.

In the spirit of catching up, I dug out (no pun intended) last year's icy, snowy photos for a couple of pages about what winter really should feel like.

I used Little Yellow Bicycle's Winter Twig collection, and I mixed in some die-cuts -- doilies and scalloped circles to play off of the snowflakes in the collection. I don't do a lot of black and white photos lately, but I liked the way the snowflakes really stood out in Cecily's hair in the black and white version. 

This is a page I did for the Pretty Little Studio blog, using the new Winter Wonderland collection. I don't use a lot of pale colors, but I have to say that the soft pale shades in this line have made me rethink my need for color. I love the way this turned out!

The layout was for an inspiration challenge, and the photo I was working from was gray-striped straws. I translated the straws into the diagonal strips of paper to form the background, and I mixed in a few strips of washi tape.

On top of the doily tag is an Epiphany Crafts Scalloped Circle, topped with a button. I think that Scalloped Circle has become my favorite Epiphany Crafts tool. It's a great shape!

Thanks for stopping by!

Love Is in the air

Have you spied all the heart-shaped chocolate boxes and bouquets of roses that are popping up at every grocery store, drugstore and gas station this week? Guess that's our not-so-subtle reminder that Valentines Day is approaching.

At least this holiday has a fun color scheme for decorating. Red, pink, black and white are pretty fun to play with, so I created this little banner for a feature on the Epiphany Crafts blog this week.



I used square coasters, turned to become diamond shapes. At the bottom was a perfect spot to hang a charm. Just a few jump rings, hooked to a die-cut circle, then an Epiphany Crafts Heart 25 on top.



I used the Love Me collection from My Minds Eye -- beautiful doily prints and vintage themes with pinks, reds, gray and pale blue.

 

You may have noticed my blog got a bit of a makeover. I was ready for a fresh look. What do you think?

Wrapping It Up

Just a few more days until the presents under the tree transform into a mound of shredded wrapping paper, busy kiddos and happy faces. It's always right about this time each year when I'm feeling pretty confident about having all the gifts bought and wrapped, that I realize: the stockings are completely empty. Oops.

I whipped up this stocking stuffer idea for the Epiphany Crafts blog. It's quick. It's easy. And hopefully, it will bring a smile to my mom's face when she finds it in her stocking.

You can use them as paperclips or bookmarks. Coupons, stacks of bills, homework assignments...wherever you need a clip or placeholder. 

Full instructions and supply lists are on the Epiphany Crafts blog, but if you don't have the Epiphany tools and charms, feel free to be creative with bottlecaps, scrabble tiles or whatever else you might have on hand to top your clips.

I also made a simple foldover card with a wrap to package the clips (for easy stocking-stuffing). 

One last bit of holiday cheer...a card I made for the Pretty Little Studio blog's Outside the Box challenge this week. I used papers from the Scaredy Cat collection. (Who says you can't use Halloween papers for Christmas cards? Certainly not me!)

I hope you have a very merry Christmas, happy Hannukah and joyous holiday with your loved ones!

Where's the fun?

The girls are away for a few days hanging out with my mom and aunt while school's out. And I miss them. A lot.

As much as I love having the house quiet and more time and space to get things done, the house really isn't the same. No one is laughing. There's no tears to comfort or fights to break up. And no one is repeatedly popping into whichever room I'm in to say "whatcha doin?"

Yeah, I miss 'em. Their energy, silliness and laughter are what make our house fun.

A little diversion

We interrupt this onslaught of holiday-themed red-and-greenery to bring you...

...Easter?!

Yes, I know I'm getting WAY ahead of myself by posting spring-themed projects. But Imaginisce just released a brand-new collection: Hippity Hop. After four weeks of December Dailies, cards, tags, ornaments and holiday-themed layouts, it was a welcome change to play with something pink and blue and springy.

The idea for this layout came from a sketch I saw on the October Afternoon blog. When I saw the birdcage die-cuts, I thought they'd look cute hanging along some twine. Then I added some patterned paper flags, a canvas Maya Road banner and an Epiphany Crafts heart. The twine is hanging from two iTop medium brads.

 

I've had the mini clothespins for a while, but kept forgetting to use them. They were the perfect size to clip on the photos.

One of my favorite things about this collection is the kites. I hand-cut some clouds to play into the kite scene on this layout.

Be sure to "hop" over to the Imaginisce blog each day this week to check out more projects with this fun, new collection -- and a chance to win it all!

Peppermint-obsessed

Peppermint is my favorite flavor of the holiday season. Especially when you mix it with chocolate. And if you throw some espresso in there? Well, that's just a little shot of heaven in a cup!

Yes, Starbucks discovered this several years ago -- the Peppermint Mocha -- and I love them for it. I truly do. But this year they got smart and made a "skinny" version. Even better. I can drink this heavenly concoction and not feel an ounce of guilt.

So thank you, Starbucks. You've found yet another way to suck money out of my wallet and put a smile on my face while doing so.

Now, about the layout: The paper, stickers and trims on this layout are from Crate Paper. Ironically, the line is called Peppermint. I couldn't resist.

I added some Epiphany Crafts Round 14s, Vintage Settings (Clubhouse and Cabana) and a Heart 25 shape (in place of the letter "o"). Letter stickers are from October Afternoon and American Crafts.

I also tried out a new tape runner from Scrapbook Adhesives, called MyStik. Not only can you customize it with a photo (so no getting it mixed up with someone else's at your next crop); it also has three different positions that click into place, so you can choose the one that feels best in your hand. Very cool!

Finally, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the new Epiphany Crafts blog (and change your bookmark): www.epiphanycrafts.com/blog

Lots of inspiration and, best of all, GIVEAWAYS!

Take two

I try not to use the same photo on more than one layout. While some of my favorite photos do end up getting repeated in mini books and altered projects, it's very rare that I will use the exact same photo on two separate layouts. I made an exception for this one.

Why? First, because I love the photo. It so perfectly captures Cecily -- how her mood can change in the blink of an eye and you can sense it immediately by the expression on her face. And second, because I felt that the layout I did with this photo a few months ago really didn't do it justice. It didn't say anything about me as the maker or her as the subject.

This is the layout I wanted to do. Everything about it, from the color combinations to the slightly messy style, feels right to me.

Supplies: Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Round 14; Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Round 25; Epiphany Crafts Vintage Settings – Tea Room; Epiphany Crafts Vintage Settings - Cabana; Epiphany Crafts Star Flowers - Mint; Tattered Angels Chalkboard Mist – Inchworm; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist – Pearl; Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam – Bordeaux; Pink Paislee patterned paper, ephemera, journaling spot, twine and wood letters; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type stickers; American Crafts journaling pen

Yeah, I love this one.

Timeless

It seems only fitting that my first post (after taking a considerable break from blogging) would relate to time. But I've been thinking a lot about it lately. My girls are growing so fast. A few days soon turns into a month and, before you know it, the holidays are approaching and the year will soon be over. I think that's what keeps me taking the photos and creating more pages for the scrapbook -- because I know that every moment is soon replaced by another and another.

A few weeks ago, the girls had an early release day. It was a beautiful day, and I needed photos for the holiday cards, so we headed over to the lake. The light was so warm and perfect, and I took some of the best photos I've ever taken.

Some of them went into this layout for Epiphany Crafts, which spotlights the Shape Studio Round 25 tool:

Supplies: patterned paper, chipboard elements and spool buttons (Pink Paislee), alphabet stickers (October Afternoon), chipboard letters (American Crafts), sheer doilie (Maya Road), Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Round 25 tool and epoxies

I'm sure some of these same photos will be making it into this next project. It's a class I created for Scrapville using the Bo Bunny Et Cetera collection.

Last year, I created a "Favorite Moments of 2010" mini, and I love looking back at it. I'm not sure which photos will make it into this year's version just yet, but at least the book is done -- and hopefully, it will inspire others to start their own "favorite moments" books.

A couple more peeks:

The class will be December 3 at Scrapville, so give Kerry a call if you want to sign up!