Summer revisited... Play!

I found this Layout that I hadn't shared from summer.  It is using Authentique Lively.

The colors and patterns of the paper are perfect for the sunshiny photos of my daughters and their best friend playing in the yard.  These photos are not the most perfect shots, but I love that about them because it shows how energetic the girls are when they are playing together.

This layout was based off a sketch, I believe by Van Nguyen.  It was such a fun sketch to work with.

This time, it is about me

I don't usually do layouts only about myself, but recently, I have been rethinking how I am spending my time, and came to the realization that the balance in my life was a little off (anyone notice a blog hiatus)? I've decided to take the jump and do something about it.  Many people have thrown their two cents in about my decisions.  Those close to me all think this new direction is the right choice, and that it was a long time in coming. Those close to my work think I am making a mistake, and giving up a great opportunity.  Ultimately, I want to live more creatively, spend more time at home, and make things I love, especially for people I love. 

Weaving- My process.

Sometimes when I finish a layout, I get asked how I came up with that.

This layout was inspired from the weaving on baskets, and another take on the quilting idea.  The idea had been tossing around in my head for a bit,so I decided to give it a go with this sweet picture of my snuggly girlie.

I wanted to contrast two patterned papers against each other, and still try to keep the cohesiveness of the two.  When I finished, the edges weren't what I hoped they would be, so I framed the weaving with a 1 1/2 inch border, and angle cut the edges at a 45 degree angle to give it a finished look.

With just the weaving and the frame, the layout was too much for that photo.  I selected a blue mat to contrast with the pink, and that helped the photo some, but not enough.

I added the flowers to help anchor the picture into the layout.  The weaving made the layout "busy" so I had to balance that with larger embellishments.  When I was fussy cutting the paper, there were not a lot of whole flowers, so I added some scallop punches.  On a couple of them, I copied the patterned paper by tracing some circles in the middle of the scallop and adding dots around the edges.

Ultimately, I ended up with this layout, which is one I adore.  I hope you like it too.

My Take on Quilting

I wanted to try the quliting trend, but I wanted a unique look to my layout.  I stumbled across a lazy log house quilt square pattern on Pinterest, and the inspiration for this page was born.  I adore how the paper and the picture work together to create a square.  I also adore the contrast of the warm/cool colors on this layout and the sunshine feel it gives, mirroring the sun/shade contrast in the photo.

What has inspired you lately?

Ribbon!!

I adore May Arts ribbon. Here are my favorite projects using ribbon. I love how ribbon adds a classy and fun touch to any project, and can change the personality of a piece. Of course I couldn't pass up a try for a Design Team Spot! Wish me luck! And if you are applying too, then share your link!
http://www.mayarts.com/blog/may-arts-ribbon-blog-design-team-call/

 

How to with May Arts Ribbon

Enjoy this kissing ball how to. It feels like cheating because this project is super simple, but time consuming. Before you get started, check your supply list, and gather your patience. This one takes a while, but is worth it!

Supplies:

• Styrofoam Ball

• Floral Pins (100-300 depending on your ball)

• Double Sided Paper- I used Authentique

• Flower Punch(es)

• Ribbon- I used May Arts

Once you have your supplies, decide which paper is going to be your base, and if you are doing a double flower, which will be your top. Punch out a bunch of flowers. This ball was 5 1/2 inches, and it took over 300 flowers.

I punched all my flowers and placed them in a container to hold them.

Place your styrofoam ball on top of a glass, so it does not roll around.

Pin down your ribbon. The amount of pins may be overkill, but that ribbon isn’t going anywhere.

Expect your little helpers to stop by during the process. I suggest markers as a distraction.

Once you have your flower supply, place your smaller flower on top of your larger flower. Then, pin it to your styrofoam ball.

Circle the flowers around your first flower, and continue around the ball. Try to cover all the foam. Repeat until your ball is covered, and remember to cover the pins that are holding in the ribbon and the ribbon edges.

“Fluff” your ball by squeezing the flowers around the pin to give more dimension. Pull some of the flowers above the others and adjust the placement. If there is foam showing, add a fluffed flower to cover the area.

Add a bow to the riboon, and amaze your recipient.

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Rosette Gifts

I am the luckiest person to be able to work with amazing support staff. For Adnimistrative professional's week, I made each of them a rosette. I was excited to see how lovely they turned out.I used a Marths Stewart Scoring board, and a butter knife to create the rosettes. I lost my scoring tool, and a butter knife is the closest substitute I have found. I used Authentique Blissful, free bird, and Gathering paper. The ribbon is May Arts and American Craft.Please comment if you like!

Sleep?

Time for sleep is not a happy time with Budgie.  She is so happy to be awake that trying to get her to relax is an impossible task, every day.  Her lovely teacher, Mrs. Pam, snuck these pictures of her avoiding naptime.  Sometimes, an expression says everything, and her little smirk in the top picture really makes me laugh at the futility of putting her down to rest, and her little pout on the bottom picture really reflects her distaste for the entire notion of going to bed, whatever the time may be.  Apparently, my baby likes to wear her heart on her face, and her thoughts aren't far from her little, bright eyes. 

Paper: Authentique Delightful.

Our 3rd Anniversary

Creating something for the purpose of giving it to someone sometimes makes the process of creating easier. The emotions, memories, and thoughts you have around that person brings a depth of history to the creating process. I share this collage canvas because it captures a simple statement, a moment and celebrates my 3rd anniversary. A simple gift, a heartfelt gift, for my love. I used Authentique Celebrate, Free Bird, and Uncommon for the papers, and this little canvas says a lot without actually saying it. 

The background is a floral, but it looks a little like the large snowflakes that fell after our wedding, large and wet, which was a perfect ending to our day. The flowers remind me of the way he was always working in the yard when I would stop by, him wearing a cowboy hat and cursing at not being able to tell the difference between the weeds and the flowers.  They also remind me of the statment he made to me after we had been dating for some time, "I've been known to give flowers." The funny thing was, he may have been known for it, but had never given any to me.  To this day, I have recieved flowers from him once.  We still laugh about that. He told me he loved me the first time by saying "I could fall in love with you." The photo, taken at the swap meet, really captures the fun we have together, no matter the setting.

Happy 3rd Anniversary, I am looking forward to many more.



Valentine Canvas

I am loving making altered canvases.  This one was made for my husband on Valentine's day.  There is something fun about mixing media, and I adore how this turned out.

Supplies:
Paper- Authentique Journey
Paint- Daniel Smith Acrylic
Ribbon: May Arts

I love my Valentine

I made this sweet valentine for my husband.  I wanted something that was not too girly, but still looked like a valentine.  I hand stitched the heart that I freehand cut out.  The pattered paper needed a rougher edge, so I went and backstiched around my stitching.  This left a rugged feel to the card that I felt fits my hubby just perfect.

Paper:
Authentique
Free Bird
Journey

Spring

I have wanted to do a canvas for a while, and I got the inspiration to honor my favorite part of spring, the cherry blossom.

I collaged the background and the branch, and punched the blossoms.

Paper:
Authentique
Free bird
Uncommon
Gathering

Be Mine?

Valentine for a co worker. I wanted to try to crochet on paper. I punched the heart and then pierced it. Next I went around the edge and blanket stitched. I used that stitching to single crochet around the heart. It was fun to try a new technique.

Papers: Authentique Uncommon, Splendid and Free Bird.

Opposites

My girls are polar opposites. My oldest is carefree, clumsy, and full of unbounded joy. My youngest is reserved, graceful, and precise. The youngest greets the world with a glare, the oldest, a smile.

They went to a local high school auto show and had a glorious time. Orange is the oldest's favorite color and the owner was happy to oblige a snapshot. The outcome of which is this photo which illustrates their contrast so well. They both were happy, but together, their personalities contrast each other so clearly.

The photo I haven't been able to get is the expression of my youngest's grace. She doesn't walk, she dances, and it's hilarious to watch. It is so sweet and lovely. For now, it's just ours to see. So baby, you keep glaring at the world, and share your grace as you see fit.

My best friend

Heather is my best friend. This layout is a tribute to our friendship. This post is a nod to her, but there's a secret. This sweet layout has an evil side...

"You're my best friend. If you fall I will pick you up." What a true sentiment. We've been there for each other in good and bad, and overcome some huge obstacles together. But, this layout is not about that.

Page two reads "as soon as I get done laughing." Wait! Where's page two you ask? Well, I had to pinky swear not to post it online.

Heather and I went on a trip to Utah. It was a great few days, and we were happy, tired, and glad to be home. As we waited for our bags at the carousel at Sea-Tac, Heather decides to take a seat on her luggage. Her rolling luggage. Apparently, rolling luggage is aptly named, as it does in fact, roll. This makes for a very poor choice on Heather's part, because as soon as she sits, it rolls, and she's on her ass at the baggage claim at Sea-Tac.

Now, a friend would help you up. A good friend would throw themselves on the ground to draw attention away from their embarrassed friend. I am neither of those things. What I find fit to do in my friend's moment of need is pull out my phone and snap a few pics all while laughing hysterically. Now, the baggage claim is full of families, and grandmas, and people far less horrible than yours truly. These people immediately did not like me. The air hung charged with the anticipation for Heather to tell me off. Their voyeurism rewarded with her looking at me "Are you KIDDING me?" and then busting up laughing.

There's a reason Heather us my best friend. She gets me.

Snow Day!

I used Authentique Journey for this layout of Greg. I just love him grinning with the girls playing behind him in the snow.

My little one hated snow and cold, and could barely be drug outside by her older sister wildly professing her love for the winter scene. B would be out for a minute or two and then beg to go inside. A, however would be happiest staying outside until her fingers are completely numb.

Greg loves his little girls and indulge me by taking them out while I make the crew homemade hot cocoa. Our house is rarely calm and these brief moments in front of the fire with cocoa make me feel blessed. I love our crazy life, it makes the sweet moments so special.

Authentique Splendid

Authentique's 1st Sketch Challenge. All the papers are theirs, and most are from their "Splendid" line.  The sketch is on their blog, and I decided to turn it upside down because my pictures needed the anchoring from the top.  Don't you just love the little cherry blossom accents?  They are from K and Company.  I picked them up at Scarlett Empress, the best scrapbook store in Olymipa.  I love that place, mostly because it is a block from work!  But the owner is so sweet, and she can do amazing things with glitter. I should probably take a class. 

Check out Authentique, their papers definitely stand out!