Category: Uncategorized

Let’s Wander: A travel journal cover

The “planner trend” that has been taking hold of the craft world has really made me realize how much I do love to make a good plan. My personal favorite? Travel planning! From sorting out the best routes to take to finding the coolest stuff to do – one of my hobbies is definitely planning adventures! We have just put a deposit down on a Mediterranean cruise (2018), and that has got me way overwhelmed just thinking of the possibilities!

Ah, but no stress! You see as I have 30 minutes here or 15 minutes there I will watch travel shows, look at websites and build a plan, and through it all take notes. Loads of notes. Tons of notes!! This process lets me work ideas out and figure out what works, what is ridiculous, and what is downright genius. Also when I see something totally random like a Paris bistro (should we enter Europe via Paris) or a tapas bar in Barcelona on a travel or food show – I’ve got a place to jot it down!!

if you’ve got thoughts, notes, ideas – please do share in the comments!

I find sitting down and having massive planning sessions overwhelming – on any kind of project or subject – so this also keeps me from wondering “wait what was I working on?!”

If you’re wondering ok May, what does this have to do with crafting?! Well friends I created a video on how I decorated this cover. I really like how this turned out and I’m loving the way this will work. Unlike a normal journal, I can add and remove pieces from this one.

Here is a link to my YouTube video.

Here are some of the products used. I found (affiliate link used) this notebook on Amazon – VERY expensive! It must be older/discontinued? I want to say I found it on clearance on Target but I can tell you I paid less than $10 for it! I also used matte finish gel medium, Tim Holtz chipboard and stencil, and embellishments from my “Let’s Go” embellishment kit. I haven’t seen the embellishment kit yet in any online stores- but you can get it online directly if you’d like. Here’s a link to the kit.

Whether you call it brainstorming, planning, preparing – once in a while a bit of thinking ahead is a fun break for me. Strange hobby? Maybe- but I do enjoy it. In fact this weekend I’m heading to “planner con” a conference with some exciting classes and speakers. Excited to try something entirely new to me and meet new people – I’ll be sure to report back and let you know how it went and what I learned!

side note: if you have tips/suggestions/recommendations for me and my travels I’m always happy to hear them! I have a personal tips & recommendations section of this book.

Dwell in (mixed media) Possibilities

I have a new online class launching (info coming next week- early reg page is here!) – it’s all about embellishments and I think you’ll really love it. I’ve been working on it a long time and can’t wait to share even more info. What inspires me to mention it? I just made a canvas that was inspired by class lessons that I’m going to share with you here today.

This is a SUPER easy 3-step canvas mixed media project.

Step 1:  black embossing on a gesso coated canvas. Heat set, then color as desired!

Step 2: add stencil (with distress ink), gold flecks of mist.

Step 3: Add embellishments working big to small

Step 4: Don’t forget the buttons!

Was that the easiest, fewest words needed tutorial ever? Pretty much! Want to win some 28 Lilac Lane buttons and goodies? This project is featured at the Mixed Media challenge blog this month HERE – and I’ll be giving away a box ‘o goodies as well as a spot in the class I mentioned before.

Looking for the supplies I used? Here are a few affiliate links where you can find my button mixes and more-

Christina Adolph stamps at Blue Moon Scrapbooking

Fruity Fun embellishment bottle (28 Lilac Lane) at Ellen Hutson and also available at Simon Says Stamp

Tim Holtz chipboard words at Simon Says Stamp

I am so in love with these new stamps – you’ll be seeing them again from me! This is such a fun project to kick off March (national crafting month!) with – I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for loads more.

Now I’m off to seek some new creative possibilities…

Ready for spring: four beautiful new paper collections

As the rainy days continue I can’t help but think of spring days ahead. I recently placed an order of four bright happy paper crafting lines, and since it’s been a long time since I posted about product favorites (and I got a heads up on a great discount code!) I thought it would be the perfect time to share some faves.

There are affiliate links for Scrapbook.com in this post – using affiliate links supports this site should you make a purchase, but of course there’s no obligation! (thank you in advance for support and keeping the lights on in the studio)

First up, Paige Evans has a new line and it is my favorite of hers so far! I ordered the book paper, puffy stickers, and the charms. I already did share one tutorial with the charms (see it here). I’m loving the playful florals, bright happy colors, and patterns and designs I find useful for my own style of crafting.

Next up, the Oasis. This Crate Paper line will be great for summer, for tropical vacations, and just for happy projects! I only got the sticker sheet and 2 papers – a mistake I mean to fix!

If you’ve been reading my blog for line, then you know I LOVE Maggie Holmes! Her collections always coordinate with past ones, as well as being unique in their own way. This new one Chasing Dreams has me so happy that I’ve already broken open the stickers & die cuts and gotten to work!

How do I pick what items I’ll buy? I look for patterns I’ll use, and for product types I use up or am in need of or feel are unique. I also set a budget, and a limit. Usually 3-4 items from any one line to begin with. If I use it all up quick, I can then order more!

Last but not least, Amy Tangerine wowed me with this pineapple paper and these ‘inflated’ embellishments. Oh Happy Life is a line full of great colors and bright color that she’s known for. Oh yes, and these items do blend nicely with older Amy Tangerine lines making them extend the life of older stash and why she’s long been a favorite of mine as well.

Speaking of cool – Scrapbook.com has a discount code that is good for a very limited time on all these items (and everything else in stock)!

Use code SAVETEN to take $10 off any purchase of $100 or more. This offer ends Tuesday 2/21/2017 so it’s a good time to stock up! I’m heading back in for a few more items as well as some new inks and more paper – my stash is running low and I’ve got a lot of creative projects in the works…

What products are your favorites these days? Anything new got you excited to craft? Let me know!

3 ways my ScanNCut helps me scrapbook

I’m beginning to work on my 2016 scrapbooking, yes, pretty much all of it.

I will be doing a series of posts on how I’m breaking the task down. Right now I’ve got everything in pocket page protectors though that could change to a mix of traditional pages + pocket pages. Ah but today, I want to share a video with you where I go over 3 of the best ways my ScanNCut is assisting me in this epic project.

disclaimer, as always that I do work with Brother as a paid consultant, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Here is a link to my YouTube video on the three ways I’m really enjoying the ScanNCut right now with my scrapbooking.

In the video I mentioned a type converter tool – here’s a link to that video.

If you are a pocket page type of scrapbooker I could really see the ScanNCut being so valuable! When I know exact dimensions as you saw in the video I am able to cut exactly what I need in the right size. I’m also able to position my cut files to get the best possible spot and really make something lovely, as well as cutting out shapes as decorative elements to tie pages together. This is also allowing me to work in a few cut files while I’ve got the machine out and am already working on other assignments. It’s helping me “sneak in” bits of work on this big project just a few minutes at a time.

This is vital, and so very key to me succeeding in a quick album! Sneaking in bits of time here or there, and breaking the process way down so that I can work on things in between other appointments, assignments, and otherwise the details of this busy life. I will be back to share more scrapbooking ideas and you’ll see these ideas progress of course. For now, I hope if you’ve been meaning to get some photos out and some stories told that you’re inspired to just begin.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Planner charm

Valentine’s Day is coming right up, but I adore hearts all year round! Today I’ve got a video tutorial for you (and note – affiliate links are used in this post). I had so much fun making this!

So I wanted to create a custom charm with one of the new Paige Evans charms (link to Blue Moon Scrapbooking and link to Scrapbook.com) + some of my new beads (and basic skills!) for my travel notebook. I am working with the (links to scrapbook.com) Webster’s Pages traveler’s notebook cover in rose gold as well as a new notebook from Webster’s for my travels. I absolutely LOVE the Webster’s covers and notebooks!! Anyhow, there’s a spot to attach a charm so I decided to bead one up!

Here’s a link to my YouTube tutorial, if you’d like to see the full how-to.

I absolutely love how this turned out – and that I can re-use everything here if I ever grow tired or want to change things up. This is definitely a great year for fun new supplies already-  off to create more!