Christmas Mini Book and Layout!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Frosted Designs blog hop this past week. You still have until noon today to submit a project for the prize and to get the phrase you collected emailed to Diana! If you want to go to the blog hop post, click HERE!

 Today is my day to share a project over at She's a Sassy Lady blog... Here is what I shared....

With the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to make a quick yet meaningful gift to give my parents when I head home for the holidays. Here is what I came up with.....

I decided to make a mini out of tags! I am going to fill this book with pictures of my parents with all the grandkids during Chrismas the past few years. I know my parents will love it and so will the grandkids... a  gift that will give for years to come!

Now for the details... I started with an empty cereal box.

 I used my Gypsy to design the tags I was going to use. There are many choices out there but I used the Plantin' Schoolbook cartridge and made all the tags 4 in. x 7.5 in. I wanted to keep this as a mini but wanted it big enough to add photos to!

I cut the tags with my deep cut blade set at 6 on max. pressure. I cut them 2 times and they cut perfectly....

After the tags were cut, I changed my blade on my Cricut back to the regular blade and cut out several coordinating papers. I used DCWV Tis the Season stack. I liked that they had fun, non-traditional colors and the papers are thick. 

Once the papers were cut, I brushed some glue onto the tags I had cut and lined up the patterned paper and pressed down. I was careful not to let it wrinkle or get air bubbles... which is pretty easy to do with these thicker papers!

Here is a tag that has been glued together. I covered both sides of the tag. By the time you get both papers glued on, the cardboard becomes pretty sturdy.

I decided the order I wanted the tags to be in...and then I started to decorate! That's always the fun part!

Here is my cover! I used some Martha Stewart border punches on the white background paper that I sprayed with Perfect Pearls (along with the white Prima flowers!) The Merry Christmas title is from Celebrate with Flourish cartridge. I used various ribbons to hold the book together and added a charm just for fun!

Here are a few of the pages... all ready for the photos to be added!

I have kept the inside of the book pretty simple because I want to be able to add the photos and still have some room to journal. My parents have 10 grandkids and I need to have room to add pictures of all of them! I also want to include some of our family traditions!

It is also time for a new sketch challenge at Sketches in Thyme! This week we are using a sketch from our very own Diana!

How great is this?! I decided to do a LO from Christmas last year! I wish I could say that now I am caught up on my Christmas photos but that would not be true at all!!! I do like this photo though... it was the last year my whole family was together in Indiana. (Now 4 of us live in Texas, one in Missouri and one in Indiana) I am getting excited to go back to Indiana over the holidays to see everyone!

This month we are being sponsored by Charlenes Button Box and she was so sweet to send all of us some of her buttons to work with!

I used these darling reindeer buttons and layered them on top of some crocheted flowers that I made! Yep... I am learning how to crochet!! (There is a reason why those flowers are hidden behind the buttons!!) lol!! 

Be sure to stop over at Sketches In Thyme to see what the rest of the Design Team did with this challenge! Have a great weekend! God Bless!

Barb  :)

It's a BLOG HOP!!

I am so excited! Today is the first day of the Frosted Designs blog hop! Yep you heard correctly... we are having a blog hop!! And I am your first stop!

Let's start with this week's challenge at Frosted Designs.... the challenge this week is to use GLITTER! Seriously... this is a challenge I can really get into! Here is the LO I made.....

And I used the current sketch at Frosted Designs that our very own Debbie created!

Isn't it fabulous?!

There are many ways you can win prizes with our blog hop. The first way is to collect a word at each of the design teams blogs. Once you have collected all the words in the correct order, you will have a phrase. Email that phrase to Diana (danica4us@yahoo.com) and you will be entered to win one of the prizes! Here is the word you are looking for on my blog....

How cute is that?! The next way you can win a prize on the Frosted Designs blog is by completing a project that has bling on it and linking it up over at Frosted Designs! Easy Peasy!! 

Here is the order of the blog hop. If you get lost along the way, head back to Frosted Designs, we have everyone listed in order with links to each of the blogs!

Next you are headed to DIANA's blog!!

Barb

Diana

Debbie

Esther

Joni

Angela

Cassie

Fern

Libeeti

Jessica

Lori

Kim

Now, I couldn't participate in a blog hop and not offer a prize of my own! Here is what you can win from me...

You could win the Cricut Designers Calendar cartridge along with paper and embellishments with themes for the entire year!! (Sorry for the glare on that first photo!) Would you like to know what you have to do to win? 

1. Become a follower if you aren't already. Leave me a comment stating that you have done this.
2. Tell me the top gift on YOUR list this year! 
3. Complete a "Glitter" project and submit it at Frosted Designs. Come back here and leave me a comment telling me that you have done this.
4. Share the news that we are having a blog hop on your own blog and then come back here and leave me a comment saying you have done this.
5. The final way to enter is to complete a card or LO using this weeks sketch at Frosted Designs. (The same sketch I used at the beginning of my post) Once you have linked up your project, come back here and tell me that you did! 

So.. you have a total of 5 ways to be entered into the drawing for my prize. You have until noon (central time) on Thursday, Dec. 9th to complete these things. Isn't it great that you can do a bling project using the sketch and it gets you two chances for my drawing not to mention that you will also be entered into the Frosted Designs drawings for those prizes!?! So many ways to win!! You better get hopping along!! Have a great weekend and happy scrapping!!  Your next stop is Diana's blog... you can get there by clicking HERE!

Hair Clip Tutorial

Last week, I sent this picture of the hair clips I had been making to Lori Allred at Imaginisce. I had won a prize on their blog and I wanted her to see how I was using the i-top tool that I really, really, really love! Well, to my surprise, she posted them on the Imaginisce facebook page!! I was so flattered! And even more flattered by the sweet things some of the ladies said about them! A few had asked for directions so I decided to do a tutorial! Here it goes.... (Sorry it is so picture heavy!)

The supplies you need are:

*Hot glue gun (Can't wait for the new cordless one to come out!!)

*Small felt circles (I used 1.5 inch circles)

*Fabric strips (I used 22 in. x 2 in.) I also tore the fabric instead of cutting it to give it that "tattered" look

*An i-top brad covered with coordinating fabric

Start by making a circle of hot glue in the center of the felt circle. Do not put the hot glue in the very center because you will not be able to get the brad through at the end!

I twisted the fabric loosely and laid it on top of the hot glue.

Continue to put hot glue on the felt and then wrap a little more fabric. I don't try to make my fabric lay perfect because I like the "messy" look of it being wrapped loosely.

When I run out of felt to put the glue on, I add the glue to the bottom edge of the fabric that has already been glued together. By keeping the glue towards the bottom, you are less likely to see it on the top when you are done... you just have to be a little more careful that you don't burn your fingers!

Here is the finished circle with the brad I am going to put in the center.

Push the brad straight throw the center of the circle. It easily poked through the felt for me!

Here is what it will look like when you are done!

I put a little drop of glue on both ends of the hair clip (you just have to be careful that you don't glue the clip together!! Check to be sure that it opens!

And then stick the clip onto the back of your circle on the felt part.

I also glued some of my circle flowers to a headband... which of course Lauren wanted to model for all of you!

I hope you found this tutorial helpful!

Be sure you stop back Friday! Frosted Designs is having a blog hop and there are going to be some prizes you will want to win!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope you are having some quality time with your family and friends and are eating lots of yummy food!! I am celebrating Thanksgiving for the first time in Texas and my inlaws have made the trip from Indiana to be with us! And we have some amazing neighbors who are going to deep fry a turkey for us (apparently this is a big deal in Texas!) It is sure to be a great day!

Even though it is Thanksgiving, we still have a new challenge for you at Sketches in Thyme!! And this week.... we made it super easy for you! It is an open challenge week so you get to pick the sketch you would like to use!! And, if you can't find a sketch you like, you can create your own! Here is the layout I created this week....

I used sketch #131 from Creative Scrappers....

I loved this sketch  but by the time I finished my LO, it really didn't look much like the sketch any more!! But that is okay because I really love the way this one turned out!! This picture is of my darling daughter Lauren when she was about 5 years old! This picture totally captures her spirit! And I love the way the background paper matches her dress so perfectly!! Here are some close ups of the layout....

 I was able to punch this cute little fox out of some coordinating paper! Isn't it darling!?!!

And check out this darling little bird!! I used a border punch to create the edge on the pleated part and my itop tool to make the bird into a brad!! Too cute!

Supplies used:

Paper: Imaginsce (Twitterpatted), Bazzill, Co'ordinations

Itop Tool

Border punch - Fiscars

Cricut - Create a Critter, Everyday Paper Dolls

Flowers - Queen and Company

Alpha stickers - Thickers from American Crafts

And... I am so thankful for the good friends I have made through my blog and design teams! Three of those wonderful ladies have passed this award on to me this week....can you believe I received this award 3 times?! I feel sooooo loved!! I really, really do!!

Crystal was the first to pass this award on to me!! She is such a sweetheart and always takes the time to stop by my blog and say really nice things about me!! And she has an adorable little girl that is usually the star of her scrapbooking layouts!! Her blog is called Crafting for Caitlyn!

Audrey was next to pass this award on to me! Her blog is called Cute and Some... and I have to say... everything on her blog IS cute and some!! She has the best gift ideas and is soooooo incredibly sweet!

And last night, Becky passed this award on to me! She sent me the nicest email that totally made my night! If you haven't been to Becky's blog, Scrappin' Becky B., you need to check it out! Not only does she do beautiful layouts, she has the most amazing recipes!! (I have the Easy Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe on my counter to make!! YUMMMM!!)

So... now that I have accepted this award, here are the rules....

1. Thank and link back to the person (or people) who awarded you this


2. Share 8 things about yourself


3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered


4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards

Well... it just so happens that Kristin (my 19 year old daughter) is home for college break. I asked her to help me with my list of 8 things....this is what she said about me!!

  1. I hate buffets (So true.... knowing that other hands have touched all the serving spoons and food totally grosses me out!!)

2. I can fix just about anything...from broken hearts to dishwashers

3. I have way toooo much clothes and jewelry (Seriously... is that even possible?!!)

4. I have a serious sweets addiction.. and I love to make desserts for family get togethers (very true... chocolate is a major weakness for me!)

5. I love to decorate (Especially around the holidays!! My husband thinks I am over the top at times, but it makes me happy so he leaves me alone!!)   :)

6. I prefer to wear dresses (And finally got Kristin to wear dresses too!)

7. I am always cold... that is why I love this move to Dallas (We just had three 80 degree days that made me very happy!!)

8. My sisters and my mom are my best friends (This is soooo true! I love my family!!)

Now I need to pass this award to 8 blogs.... in random order....

1. Momma Said (Anne)

2. Scrap it Girl (Kimberly)

3. JessicaLynn

4. Gaby

5. Isay

6. Melissa

7. Wendy

8. Kelly

Please visit these ladies and show them some blog love.. and also stop by and check out the three incredible ladies who passed this award to me! Each one is unique and has great things to offer!

I really do feel blessed by all the friends I have made through scrapbooking and blogging! I know I have not been a good blogger this week (with my inlaws in town I am way behind on my blog visits but promise to get caught up soon!) But even though I am not being a good blog friend right now, three of you still thought enough of me to pass me this award, and that really means a lot!! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!

Off Road in St. Maarten

It's Friday!! And we all know what that means.... a new Challenge at Frosted Designs!! This week our challenge is Distressing! This is one of my favorite techniques and I didn't hold back on this LO!

I used my Tim Holtz paper distresser for most of the edges, then I inked several of them, and then I even added Glimmer Mist (with a stencil) to a layer! This was so much fun to do! And... I am super excited to get to play along at Stuck On U Sketches for the first time in a few months! I used their sketch for this LO... isn't it great?!

Supplies used:

Paper: DCWV Mi Casa stack

Metal, grungeboard letters and flourishes: Tim Holtz

Cricut: Create a Critter (flowers), Storybook (lg. die cut behind photo)

Journaling Sticker: American Crafts

Mini Stickers: Making Memories

Lace - from my stash... also distressed that!! heehee!!

and of course I used my irock to place all those fabby little metal glam rocks!

We have a wonderful new sponsor this week at Frosted Designs.... Memorable Seasons!! Have you checked out this store yet? Jill has the best sales... go check it out!! And by submitting a project, you are eligible to win a $20 gift certificate to the Memorable Seasons store!! Head over to Frosted Designs to see what our fabulous team did this week to inspire you!! They seriously rocked this challenge!! Thanks for stopping by and being so kind to say nice things!! I love reading all the comments you leave! Have a great weekend and I hope you get some time to create!!   

I'm old and I have an attitude!!!

I don't know about your weather, but the weather here was gorgeous today! It was 60+ degrees and sunny! I love it! I was able to get one LO done today..... and be ready.... it is actually a LO of myself!! yep!! I know I never scrap pictures of just me, but the papers I was using were perfect for my 40th birthday!! Yikes! I am getting old!!  heehee!!

This LO is for the Imaginisce blog November Sketch challenge.  I only used 3 photos... I figured that was plenty!! And (my favorite feature) I framed the middle photo! I took paper that had the stripes and squigglies on it and cut it in strips, folded and cut at the exact angles to create the frame around the photo! Gotta love it!!  :)  I used almost all imaginisce products on this one: Birthday Bash line, irock, and itop tools as well as some rub-ons, stickers and stamp! I also used Bazzill cardstock and the kraft paper was from my stash! I added a little of my own doodling and it was done!!

Apparently I am full of attitude these days because I received TWO of these awards this week!! I love it!! My entire family will confirm that some days, I do have a bit of an attitude!! But that's okay because I think a little attitude makes a person fun!! (That's my story and I am sticking to it!)

The first award is from my good blog buddy... Abusybee!!  Thanks Abusybee!!

 Here are the rules for receiving this award....

All I have to do is tell you 3 things that make me different and nominate 5 blogs. So here I go...

1. I am a germ freak! I can't take it when my kids reach their dirty little hands into a bag of chips! Yuck!!

2. I learned how to stain furniture last week! Yah... I know... I couldn't believe it either!! I stained our built in entertainment cabinet in our great room... and it looks great!! Who knew?!!

3. I love to shop! I know... not a big surprise there!! lol!!

I would like to pass this award on to....

1. Diana

2. Leah 

3. Denise

4. Jocelyn

5. Sheila

I also received the My Blog Has Attitude Blog Award from my dear friend Kim! Thanks Girl! It was so sweet of you to pass this on to me!

This award comes with a fabulous $5 gift certificate from The Digi's with Attitude Store. Here are the directions for this award....

In order to qualify for the $5.00 Digi’s With Attitude! Gift Certificate you must state 3 things that makes you different from everyone else and you must nominate 5 blogs. Lastly, you must display the Blog Award Badge (above) in your sidebar and link it back to the Digi’s With Attitude! Challenge Blog.  

Since the rules were pretty much the same for both awards (List 3 things about yourself and nominate 5 people) I am just going to do it once! (Besides, I would feel bad telling 5 people they get a chance to win a $5 certificate and not offer it to the other 5! I am kind of silly that way!!) I hope you are okay with that! So... all the lovely ladies who I gave the first award to, you also get the second one!! I know I am such a cheater!! Gotta love me anyway!! lol!!  

And before I go, I want to remind you that we have a new sketch challenge going on at Frosted Designs! You can win an amazing prize that our very own Debbie put together!! Hope on over to see all the details!! We would love to have you play along!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting today!

Barb  :)

 

Sketches in Thyme and a Sassy Tute!!

I have a new LO to share with you today! Here is a LO of my princess the night she had dinner in Cinderella's castle a few weeks ago!

I had sooooo much fun making this one! It was based off our our new sketch at Sketches in Thyme.....

I know the sketch really only calls for one photo, but I thought this was the perfect opportunity to use the picture of the castle that I took!! I decided to use that photo more as a background and put the title right over the top!

I cut the out the title on a transparency using the Storybook cart. On this cart, the words are attached and stacked one on top of another. That really didn't work the way I wanted to use them so I cut them apart. Once the transparency was cut, I wanted to add some color to it without filling it in all the way. I decided to mist the back of the transparency with bubble gum glimmer mist. This added a nice pink color to it, but it was still too transparent for the photo I was placing it on. So... I got out some white acrylic paint and painted over the top of it and then topped the entire thing with Crystal Stickles! I LOVED the way it turned out!! I also stamped some flourishes directly on the photo to soften some of the bright blue sky!

I received these yummy flowers in my November Lucky Girl kit. I normally try to keep my embellies with the papers that came in the kit but these were just too perfect for this LO! I had to use them!! The journal block was stamped and then heat embossed. I thought the framed area looked too white so I covered it all with Perfect Pearls. I really like how it softened the stark white! I still need to add my journaling to this!

I was looking back at some of my posts and realized that I have gotten pretty bad about skipping the supply list... so here it goes!

Paper - My Minds Eye

Ribbon - Stash

Flowers - Lucky Girl Kit

Stamp - Kelly Panacci (Sandy Lion)

Glimmer Mist - Bubble gum

Title - Storybook Font

Gems - Paper Studio

Stickles - Crystal

Ranger Ink

Brads - Karen Foster

Misc. items - Perfect Pearls, doileys, white acrylic paint

Be sure to stop by Sketches in Thyme to see what my amazing design sisters did with this challenge!! 

Now.... here is the tutorial I am sharing over at She's a Sassy Lady blog! 

 I was at a flea market a few weeks ago and I saw these fabulous flowers that someone was selling as a hair accessory. It was darling and I thought to myself... I can do that!! Now, I am not one to come home and research for hours to find the official directions for anything!! I would rather just jump right in there and get to it... and that is what I did!! heehee!!!! Here is a peek at the rose we are going to make today....

Do you like it?! Would you like to see how I made it?! Well... before I start, I am just going to go ahead and apologize for the quality of the photos. I enlisted the help of my teenage son since I was using a glue gun and couldn't take the pictures while making the rose. Some of the pictures were too blurry to use but I think you will get the basic idea......

You will need a circle punch, a glue gun and some satin ribbon that does NOT have wire in it! Punch a circle from a coordinating piece of cardstock.

Start by rolling up a small section of the ribbon, then place a small amount of glue in the center of the circle and place the rolled part of the ribbon in the glue.

Continue to put down a small amount of glue using your hot glue gun while wrapping the ribbon around the circle. You will want to wrap this loosely. If you get your layers too tight, you are going to lose the look of the rose. The picture above gives you the general idea of how you should wrap the ribbon.

When I get to the end, I cut off the remaining ribbon and tuck a small piece under the circle. I like to turn the ribbon at this point so that it looks more like the outer layer of a rose in bloom.

Now... this is the fun part!! I used a long lighter and I brought the flame close enough to the ribbon to start to melt it. Be careful though... if you get too close it will burn and could even catch fire!!

If I am using a thick ribbon, like I did on this rose, I also take the flame to the side of the flower so that the sides melt a bit and curl in like a real rose petal would.

I decided to place my rose on a card. The paper is from My Mind's Eye. The chipboard piece was something I had laying around my room along with the ribbon. The leaves for the rose were taken from some silk flowers I had in my stash. the leaves were huge so I cut them down to fit the size of rose I made! The fun little gems on the chipboard were done using my iRock tool!! I love my new toy!! I hope you enjoyed my tutorial today and that this little project gives you one more embellishment that you can make yourself to add to your cards, layouts and other altered art projects!!