Month: October 2011

dreaming of Maui…

After much discussion and consideration, it has been decided that in 2012 the Flaum family will make our first trip over an ocean… to Maui, HI. Previously the plan was Disney World, however after much debate it was decided that WAITING yet another year until 2013 when the FantasyLand expansions (or the Cars land expansion in CA) are done before attempting a Disney visit. In 2011 we didn’t do a big trip… we kept it local and low key…

I think we’ve got the hotel decided (going to stay up in West Maui, costco travel has AMAZING packages!), and yes we’re going hotel. I have no desire to cook thankyouverymuch and don’t plan on staying in-room much either so hotel/resort is how we’re rollin’.

Why am I sharing? Well, I want to know if you’ve been, and if so any activity or restaurant suggestions. Thanks much my friends!

[if you haven’t been, but have a trip planned somewhere or a dream vacation you’re wishing for feel free to share that too!]

2011 search for a new sweatshirt

I just want a hooded sweatshirt that is NOT a zip-up, that is thick and cozy and has pockets, and that will allow me to take off my BEST THING I EVER PURCHASED FOR $20 Army sweatshirt off longer than just to wash it this winter.

*sigh*

it’s actually hard to find!!  I will find one I like that is cuter than my Army one… I hope… here’s some of the better findings I’ve seen so far…

Life is Good

Life is Good  <not a sweatshirt. just adorable>

Disney Store <arg, darn that zipper!>

wait… but maybe this is perfection for me?

Disney Store 

Any good ideas on sweatshirt finding? Places to search?

Fall craft project | Spooky House

I have a thing for altering those cheap wood birdhouses that craft stores LOVE to carry…

Just give me some paper, glue, and an idea and I’m off! This is one I did with a lot of Tim Holtz goodies (full supply list at bottom of post).

The great thing? You can use whatever. Paper, paint it, keep it simple, get crazy complicated… endless possibilities!

Mostly mine is covered with grungepaper or kraft resist paper (inked with spiced marmalade – above the roof looks more yellow than it is!) and edged with distress stickles. Some bits of grungepaper were dry embossed and cut out to form my ‘fence’ and my tree.

The tree is inked with brushed corduroy + coated in glossy accents. I do LOVE creating with grunge paper! It’s flexible and tough. A perfect choice for me.

I didn’t record any details of my creative process on this project, but I *WILL* be recording a Christmas gingerbread house inspired video soon. I do love my holiday crafting…

Here’s a list of all the supplies I used:

Have questions? Feel free to ask away!!!

Want more fall? Be sure to check out my fall leaves article I did for Scrapbook Update.

fall project | Trick or Treat layout

I’ve got a layout [as seen at CHA-Summer in the Tim Holtz Idea-ology booth] to share with you today! I *love* this one, and had so much fun playing with the kraft resist papers…

 All the paper used here is kraft resist + spiced marmalade ink pad EXCEPT the strip across that is un-inked/treated. That shows you what a difference ink makes! Of course, distress stain would be even easier to do this with – I just didn’t have it at the time!

I did use some perfect pearl mist spritzed around here and there to add some droplets of sparkle. LOVE that spray!

Supplies used:

All supplies used on this project can be found at simonsaysstamp.com 

iScrapbook: how I use my phone as a tool.

Today the Scrapbook Update staff (Nancy, Melissa, and myself) are all talking about our phones + scrapbooking… what a great topic!

When I first got my iPhone just over a year ago I figured that I might as well make the most of having a fancy phone, and guess what? I have.

The first, most obvious way I have done this is to simply utilize the photos that I take with my phone on scrapbook pages! I have posted a LOT of projects using phone photos! Most of the time you would not recognize the difference even. I love that I can have random pictures that are from REAL moments when I didn’t have my camera. LOVE.

link to original project post: http://mayflaum.com/2011/08/28/sc-boardwalk-kit-layout-1/

Speaking of pictures- I also kick it up a notch and create cool & funky square hipstamatic photos using my iPhone.

I think it’s fun + I love to print them out 4×4 (www.scrapbookpictures.com is the best – they print darn near any size!!) as that size works great with my 4×6 printed regular photos. Here’s a layout made with a hipstamatic picture:

link to original project post: http://mayflaum.com/2011/02/17/tim-holtz-project-fashion/

Another application I have for my photos is to take pictures of things that inspire me! Whether it’s something I want to recreate, an idea I don’t want to forget, a pattern or color combo… my camera captures all!

Speaking of inspiration – the pinterest app lets me ‘pin’ new things, review my boards, and more! LOVE having this form of instant inspiration at my fingertips!!

Of course I’m also able to stay connected to websites, approve blog comments (or if it’s a short post, post from my phone!), answer emails, and make videos… but the real heart of how my phone has been good creatively is in the pictures.

I can’t tell you how many great candid shots of my daughters, how many times I’ve been able to snap a photo of something I didn’t want to forget, or something mundane that just captures our real life right now… yes.

my phone has changed my crafting. It’s made everything even more accessible, and I love that. Here are a few more links + images of layouts I’ve crafted with phone pictures:

link: http://mayflaum.com/2011/09/22/6775/

link to layout + video tutorial! http://mayflaum.com/2011/08/17/victoria-gardens-video-tutorial/ 

link to layout: http://mayflaum.com/2011/02/01/tim-holtz-project-pirate-love/

Do you use your phone? have questions about mine? feel free to ask/comment!!

and remember Melissa and Nancy also have posts up on the subject today – so check ’em out!