I'm headed to the Beach! We are renting a house on the Southern Washington coastline. The temperatures are supposed to be warmer than home so hopefully the kids will actually get to see the ocean, lol. We are meeting up with my mom and all three of my siblings and their families. It is the one time of year we are all in the same place at the same time.
In the meantime, if you are looking for some fun home decor ideas, or something fun to do with your kids today, check out my blog post today at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog. I love memorializing my kids' handprints. The reindeer is Morgan's from when she was 3, and we made Santa the other day with her 5 year old hands.
They would make a great gift!
Be sure to check the SCT blog on Friday as well. The new issue goes live. You can see a peek at the cover on the blog today as well. Super, super cute!
Enjoy your week!
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
On a Christmas Tree hunt
Saturday morning we were invited to join a group of friends up in the woods on a Christmas tree hunt. Last year we went solo so were excited to try something different, as many of our friends have gone to fake trees but we still enjoy the real thing.
We had heard there wasn't snow, but we still packed the snowsuits and bundled the kids up for cold weather. And of course, as we drew close to our destination, there was an inch or two, which made Morgan very disappointed that we didn't bring a sled. However, it didn't take her long to find a different way to do it:
Don't you mind her capri snowpants either, lol. I am trying to stretch them out for one more year. Kids grow far too fast for me! Her coat is new and I bought it a size up, but it seems to fit her now too! What are the chances she'll pause for a minute and her jacket will make it through next year, huh?
We were up in the Ochoco mountains and hiked up and down this gully, looking for the perfect tree. Out in the forest it's difficult to find one, and in the right size. It seems you always see the ideal tree in the distance, but after you get up close you realize it's 20 feet tall or it's actually three trees really close together. ugh.
I did manage to get a couple of photos with the girls looking at me though. It's a miracle!
And after hiking around for an hour or so we finally found what we thought was the perfect tree.
Payton had a hard time navigating in her boots so she was holding my hand, but Morgan was content to trail in daddy's footsteps, as usual.
After our hunt we built a fire and settled in for hot dogs and hot chocolate for lunch. What a great idea!
After that it was time for the tree shot, which was when we realized how big our tree was. You really can't tell until you are back at the truck, what with the snow and nearby trees when you are in the forest.
In fact, our tree was so big, we couldn't even fit it in a horizontal photo!
We went vertical and that's where we see.... hmm.... our roof is probably right about where the tag is.
LOL! Oops!
Suffice it to say a lot of trimming was had in getting the tree to the right dimensions.
Early in the afternoon we started getting really cold, so we buttoned up and went home, and then spent the rest of the afternoon putting the tree up and the exterior lights. We are still in the process of getting the last of the ornaments up and organized, but I gotta tell ya... I need a squirt bottle to keep the 5 YEAR OLD out of the tree. Forget the cats, the dog, or even babies! I can't keep Morgan Paige Fiero out of the dang tree! She's relocating, organizing by type, picking out her favorites, HER ornaments, it really depends on the moment. But every time I turn around she's knee deep in tree branches and ornaments. That kid. It's all well and good until something is broken!
When we are out all day as a family, doing fun stuff, I like to recap the evening and ask the girls what their favorite part of the day was. It's always the most interesting answer. Saturday, out of all the things we did, this was their favorite:
The small layer of snow covered a very slick sheet of ice on the dirt road. The girls somehow convinced our friend Dan's brother to aid them in some ice sledding, bless his aching back. He would send them down the road a good 15 feet or so. When he finally gave up they did it on their own, treating it like a slip n slide. They had a BLAST.
All in all, a very fun day! And I took photos and documented it well so when I eventually catch up on my December Daily, I'll remember everything, lol. Yes, I'm behind. In fact, while I have supplies gathered, I haven't done anything yet. But I'm not worried. I've been taking photos and really good notes every day, and even if it isn't until the first of the year before I document our month, I feel confident that I'll be able to do it and not forget any of the details.
I've also been trying to do festive things every day too. Yesterday we made sugar cookies, and today after school we tried our hand at Rice Krispie treat houses. These houses were a BLAST. They were really quick and easy to put together and the kids had a lot of fun decorating them. I will say that they didn't taste that good to me, way too sugary, but the kids were bouncing off the walls, so they liked them! lol
They were basically rice krispie cereal and marshmallow mix with a house shaped tin pan. You could have equally as much fun with cookie cutters and candy. In fact, there are a lot of cute ideas on the Rice Krispies website here.
As for scrappy.... I do hope you've been checking the Pink Paislee blog, right? Yesterday was number 7 and they gave away 7 packages of pressons. 7 packages! And that's in addition to 6 of this 5 of that, etc. etc. This is going to go on for a few more days so be sure to enter for a chance to win some scrappy goodness.
Lastly, Monday was my first post on the Scrapbook and Cards blog. Below is a closeup of my layout:
I issued a little challenge, so if you are looking for scrapbooking inspiration, please check there. There are little challenges issued every Monday.
Be sure to check the SCT blog on Friday too. I hear the Winter issue is ready to share! You can see a little peek at the cover on the blog as well.
Have a great Tuesday! Davinie
We had heard there wasn't snow, but we still packed the snowsuits and bundled the kids up for cold weather. And of course, as we drew close to our destination, there was an inch or two, which made Morgan very disappointed that we didn't bring a sled. However, it didn't take her long to find a different way to do it:
Don't you mind her capri snowpants either, lol. I am trying to stretch them out for one more year. Kids grow far too fast for me! Her coat is new and I bought it a size up, but it seems to fit her now too! What are the chances she'll pause for a minute and her jacket will make it through next year, huh?
We were up in the Ochoco mountains and hiked up and down this gully, looking for the perfect tree. Out in the forest it's difficult to find one, and in the right size. It seems you always see the ideal tree in the distance, but after you get up close you realize it's 20 feet tall or it's actually three trees really close together. ugh.I did manage to get a couple of photos with the girls looking at me though. It's a miracle!
And after hiking around for an hour or so we finally found what we thought was the perfect tree.
Payton had a hard time navigating in her boots so she was holding my hand, but Morgan was content to trail in daddy's footsteps, as usual.After our hunt we built a fire and settled in for hot dogs and hot chocolate for lunch. What a great idea!
After that it was time for the tree shot, which was when we realized how big our tree was. You really can't tell until you are back at the truck, what with the snow and nearby trees when you are in the forest.In fact, our tree was so big, we couldn't even fit it in a horizontal photo!
We went vertical and that's where we see.... hmm.... our roof is probably right about where the tag is.
LOL! Oops!Suffice it to say a lot of trimming was had in getting the tree to the right dimensions.
Early in the afternoon we started getting really cold, so we buttoned up and went home, and then spent the rest of the afternoon putting the tree up and the exterior lights. We are still in the process of getting the last of the ornaments up and organized, but I gotta tell ya... I need a squirt bottle to keep the 5 YEAR OLD out of the tree. Forget the cats, the dog, or even babies! I can't keep Morgan Paige Fiero out of the dang tree! She's relocating, organizing by type, picking out her favorites, HER ornaments, it really depends on the moment. But every time I turn around she's knee deep in tree branches and ornaments. That kid. It's all well and good until something is broken!
When we are out all day as a family, doing fun stuff, I like to recap the evening and ask the girls what their favorite part of the day was. It's always the most interesting answer. Saturday, out of all the things we did, this was their favorite:
The small layer of snow covered a very slick sheet of ice on the dirt road. The girls somehow convinced our friend Dan's brother to aid them in some ice sledding, bless his aching back. He would send them down the road a good 15 feet or so. When he finally gave up they did it on their own, treating it like a slip n slide. They had a BLAST.
All in all, a very fun day! And I took photos and documented it well so when I eventually catch up on my December Daily, I'll remember everything, lol. Yes, I'm behind. In fact, while I have supplies gathered, I haven't done anything yet. But I'm not worried. I've been taking photos and really good notes every day, and even if it isn't until the first of the year before I document our month, I feel confident that I'll be able to do it and not forget any of the details.
I've also been trying to do festive things every day too. Yesterday we made sugar cookies, and today after school we tried our hand at Rice Krispie treat houses. These houses were a BLAST. They were really quick and easy to put together and the kids had a lot of fun decorating them. I will say that they didn't taste that good to me, way too sugary, but the kids were bouncing off the walls, so they liked them! lol
They were basically rice krispie cereal and marshmallow mix with a house shaped tin pan. You could have equally as much fun with cookie cutters and candy. In fact, there are a lot of cute ideas on the Rice Krispies website here.
As for scrappy.... I do hope you've been checking the Pink Paislee blog, right? Yesterday was number 7 and they gave away 7 packages of pressons. 7 packages! And that's in addition to 6 of this 5 of that, etc. etc. This is going to go on for a few more days so be sure to enter for a chance to win some scrappy goodness.
Lastly, Monday was my first post on the Scrapbook and Cards blog. Below is a closeup of my layout:
I issued a little challenge, so if you are looking for scrapbooking inspiration, please check there. There are little challenges issued every Monday.Be sure to check the SCT blog on Friday too. I hear the Winter issue is ready to share! You can see a little peek at the cover on the blog as well.
Have a great Tuesday! Davinie
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Project 12 - December
By now you've seen the news..... Scrapbook and Cards Today and BECKY FLECK are going to be helping me with my Project 12 challenge! I'm dyin' here. Dyin'! I couldn't be more excited about 2010.
This doesn't change how things will work with the challenge though, or my monthly blog post. I will still be hosting the challenge here as well. The difference will be the prizes, you will now have two chances to win if you link here and at SCT... and BECKY FLECK is going to be offering fresh and new sketches every month to help inspire your layouts, and help you to create a cohesive album for 2010.
Fabulous, yes?!
This month, my banner looks like this:
And in 2010 it will look like this:
I might add something to it for the banner I use for this blog, but when you see this icon, you will know what we are talking about. I think this is going to be made into a blinkie for your personal blog too.
I very much look forward to 2010!
As for 2009....
We are almost finished! This is the last challenge of 2009 and our albums are almost finished. I don't know about you but I have had a lot of fun with this challenge and just love how organized my album is this year. I hope to play catch up this month and should have two layouts to share with you.
And as a reminder, the challenge is this:
Scrap your month. Whether you use one photo, 31 photos, or no photos, do a layout that highlights a month in your life. I am working on recent months. I hope to get caught up with both October and November.
To be entered for the prize, just link your layout to this thread. I post this challenge at Studio Calico as well, but this blog post is where you need to link your layouts if you want to be entered for the prize.
What is the prize this month, you ask?
That's right. What could be better for your future albums than a set of month stamps? If you have the Storytime alphas or numbers, you will appreciate what fun this set would be (ooh. The numbers will be fun to use on my albums as well, to highlight specific dates or note the year, etc.)
You have until December 20 to link your layouts to this thread. I am going to draw a name bright and early December 21 and shall have them wrapped all nice and pretty for you to open up under the tree on Christmas Day (that could mean an extra goodie or two from me too, you know). You can submit any layout you haven't submitted before in order to enter the drawing.
I hope you will play along! And even if you haven't played along before.... did you have a busy summer month, etc? Highlight it. I hope you will play along! The monthly stamps are sold out so this is a great opportunity to pick up a package.
Speaking of stamps.....
Be sure to check the Pink Paislee blog today! For the next 12 days there will be daily giveaways and you don't want to miss out on the generosity of Pink Paislee and the products they have! The prizes get bigger as we get closer to Christmas, but it looks like the giveaway today is a stamp set, and that's a great prize!
Have a great day! Davinie
This doesn't change how things will work with the challenge though, or my monthly blog post. I will still be hosting the challenge here as well. The difference will be the prizes, you will now have two chances to win if you link here and at SCT... and BECKY FLECK is going to be offering fresh and new sketches every month to help inspire your layouts, and help you to create a cohesive album for 2010.
Fabulous, yes?!
This month, my banner looks like this:
And in 2010 it will look like this:
I might add something to it for the banner I use for this blog, but when you see this icon, you will know what we are talking about. I think this is going to be made into a blinkie for your personal blog too.I very much look forward to 2010!
As for 2009....
We are almost finished! This is the last challenge of 2009 and our albums are almost finished. I don't know about you but I have had a lot of fun with this challenge and just love how organized my album is this year. I hope to play catch up this month and should have two layouts to share with you.
And as a reminder, the challenge is this:
Scrap your month. Whether you use one photo, 31 photos, or no photos, do a layout that highlights a month in your life. I am working on recent months. I hope to get caught up with both October and November.
To be entered for the prize, just link your layout to this thread. I post this challenge at Studio Calico as well, but this blog post is where you need to link your layouts if you want to be entered for the prize.
What is the prize this month, you ask?
How's about a set of these:
That's right. What could be better for your future albums than a set of month stamps? If you have the Storytime alphas or numbers, you will appreciate what fun this set would be (ooh. The numbers will be fun to use on my albums as well, to highlight specific dates or note the year, etc.)
You have until December 20 to link your layouts to this thread. I am going to draw a name bright and early December 21 and shall have them wrapped all nice and pretty for you to open up under the tree on Christmas Day (that could mean an extra goodie or two from me too, you know). You can submit any layout you haven't submitted before in order to enter the drawing.
I hope you will play along! And even if you haven't played along before.... did you have a busy summer month, etc? Highlight it. I hope you will play along! The monthly stamps are sold out so this is a great opportunity to pick up a package.
Speaking of stamps.....
Be sure to check the Pink Paislee blog today! For the next 12 days there will be daily giveaways and you don't want to miss out on the generosity of Pink Paislee and the products they have! The prizes get bigger as we get closer to Christmas, but it looks like the giveaway today is a stamp set, and that's a great prize!
Have a great day! Davinie
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Studio Calico Orchestra - the December kit
Check out the December kit from Studio Calico, Orchestra:
A non-traditional mix of colors that was really fun to work with. This is what I did:
I am busy organizing my scrapbook room, and came across one of the 900 newspapers I purchased because Morgan was on the cover of the Local section with Santa, lol. In an effort to declutter, I decided to trim the article out and use it on a layout. Morgan isn't mentioned anywhere in the article except for the photo, so I layered the title and the journaling over the article. The article itself is about the reindeer that were with Santa that day, but Morgan was all about her Christmas list, so my layout focuses on that part.
We live down the street from this Reindeer ranch, so seeing the animals was nothing new to her. She wanted to ask Santa about the sleigh that is sitting out back of the ranch all year long. Seems to me Santa had a lot of explaining to do, lol.
This layout used product from the second add-on, Percussion.
ETA: I meant to say... I was a little worried about acidity of the newsprint and what it would do to my layout/photos. I used Super Seal on it. It seals and also protects the newsprint. It made the print a little darker but it dried "clear".
This next layout was inspired by the Gingerbread tag from Elle's Studio. I used a lot of product from the first add-on, Strings, for this layout. I love that fun Jolly by Golly line from Cosmo Cricket. The Joyride line from Collage Press mixed really well with it!
This last layout used a lot of product from the Main kit. I wanted to steer away from holiday layouts for this one.
My flowers are made with Fiskar's circle punches. If I didn't have the size I wanted, I traced one with my circle template, courtesy of Staples, and trimmed it out. I then layered them and added a JB button, from the Woodwinds kit, and tied a bow with Karen Foster floss.
My project from the Woodwinds Project kit is by far my favorite thing from my gallery this month. I wanted a wall hanging with myself and my girls to stare at all year long. It currently isn't hanging anywhere. I have been toting it with me from room to room since it's completion because I love it so much and don't know where to put it. It might stay in my bedroom, but I'm not in there very much, so I might relocate it to a more visible place.
My girls, they drive me nuts, but I love them both to the moon and back, several times, and wouldn't have my life any other way. I had to create something to let them know that.
For one of my squares I found a quote that says "A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts the world has to give" which I found appropriate for my message with this project, and the photos that I got.
As far as design, you will notice several visual triangles with my paper choices and placement, which makes this project very easy on the eyes.
I've had a wild last couple of weeks, so that is all I managed to complete with the kit for the slide show. That said, I have one last project to show you. At least part of it anyway.
My turn came up on the Creative Therapy blog and I used the Orchestra kit for my project. A little sneak peek is below, it hasn't been posted yet. It was inspired by some of the techniques I used on my printer's tray.
That's it! Thank you for all of your sweet comments regarding my great big news. I am really excited about all of it and can't wait to get started.
Davinie
A non-traditional mix of colors that was really fun to work with. This is what I did:
I am busy organizing my scrapbook room, and came across one of the 900 newspapers I purchased because Morgan was on the cover of the Local section with Santa, lol. In an effort to declutter, I decided to trim the article out and use it on a layout. Morgan isn't mentioned anywhere in the article except for the photo, so I layered the title and the journaling over the article. The article itself is about the reindeer that were with Santa that day, but Morgan was all about her Christmas list, so my layout focuses on that part.We live down the street from this Reindeer ranch, so seeing the animals was nothing new to her. She wanted to ask Santa about the sleigh that is sitting out back of the ranch all year long. Seems to me Santa had a lot of explaining to do, lol.
This layout used product from the second add-on, Percussion.
ETA: I meant to say... I was a little worried about acidity of the newsprint and what it would do to my layout/photos. I used Super Seal on it. It seals and also protects the newsprint. It made the print a little darker but it dried "clear".
This next layout was inspired by the Gingerbread tag from Elle's Studio. I used a lot of product from the first add-on, Strings, for this layout. I love that fun Jolly by Golly line from Cosmo Cricket. The Joyride line from Collage Press mixed really well with it!
This last layout used a lot of product from the Main kit. I wanted to steer away from holiday layouts for this one.
My flowers are made with Fiskar's circle punches. If I didn't have the size I wanted, I traced one with my circle template, courtesy of Staples, and trimmed it out. I then layered them and added a JB button, from the Woodwinds kit, and tied a bow with Karen Foster floss.
My project from the Woodwinds Project kit is by far my favorite thing from my gallery this month. I wanted a wall hanging with myself and my girls to stare at all year long. It currently isn't hanging anywhere. I have been toting it with me from room to room since it's completion because I love it so much and don't know where to put it. It might stay in my bedroom, but I'm not in there very much, so I might relocate it to a more visible place.
My girls, they drive me nuts, but I love them both to the moon and back, several times, and wouldn't have my life any other way. I had to create something to let them know that.
For one of my squares I found a quote that says "A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts the world has to give" which I found appropriate for my message with this project, and the photos that I got.
As far as design, you will notice several visual triangles with my paper choices and placement, which makes this project very easy on the eyes.
I've had a wild last couple of weeks, so that is all I managed to complete with the kit for the slide show. That said, I have one last project to show you. At least part of it anyway.
My turn came up on the Creative Therapy blog and I used the Orchestra kit for my project. A little sneak peek is below, it hasn't been posted yet. It was inspired by some of the techniques I used on my printer's tray.
That's it! Thank you for all of your sweet comments regarding my great big news. I am really excited about all of it and can't wait to get started.
Davinie
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Some Exciting News and Project 12 in 2010
Check out this news: Great big Huge News Here
EEEK! Can you believe it! I am so honored and excited and over the moon and happy and all that. It is an absolute dream to work with the team at SCT so I couldn't be happier.
And Project 12! Holy Toledo, Project 12 has a blinkie!
I just love it! You will be seeing this around the web, on the SCT blog, and even in the SCT magazine! How awesome is that!?
And Becky Fleck! Becky Fleck of PageMaps is going to be creating sketches as an option for your Project 12 albums! Becky Fleck and my baby!
I'm dying here!
For those who have played along with me or were hoping to in 2010, it will stay the same. I am going to be hosting the challenge on my blog too. The difference is you have two chances to win a prize, the prizes will be better (thank you SCT!) and if you are looking for a sketch option, you will have monthly sketches designed by Becky to choose from. But you don't have to use them. You can still do your own thing and link them for a chance at a little prize. The most important thing, though, is that at the end of 2010 you will have a recap of your life to be proud of. Isn't that great!
In honor of this great big bad news, I am giving away a subscription to SCT, starting with the fall issue. This magazine can be downloaded for free, and you might have an LSS that carries it, but just in case you don't, this would be a great addition to your idea book collection. This magazine is very high quality, very well put together, and full of tons of great inspiration, every issue.
This is what the cover of the fall issue looked like. (The cover layout was designed by Lisa Dickinson, super talented chicky that she is).
And these are the layouts I had in this issue. I wrote an article about using border punches in your layouts:
As a fun bonus, I also had a layout in the Reader's Gallery that included some of Morgan's super cute artwork. Isn't she brilliant! I really loved what they said about her in the blurb for this layout:
If you are interested in a subscription to this magazine, leave a comment on this blog post. I'm going to leave the comments open until Thursday of next week, 12/3, and then will post the winner here and the SCT blog for that subscription.
It's almost time for the winter issue (so excited to share this one too, I did the Easy, Detailed, Expert article) so if you are the winner, two wonderful sources of creative inspiration will be headed your way soon!
Have a great Saturday! Davinie
EEEK! Can you believe it! I am so honored and excited and over the moon and happy and all that. It is an absolute dream to work with the team at SCT so I couldn't be happier.
And Project 12! Holy Toledo, Project 12 has a blinkie!
I just love it! You will be seeing this around the web, on the SCT blog, and even in the SCT magazine! How awesome is that!?And Becky Fleck! Becky Fleck of PageMaps is going to be creating sketches as an option for your Project 12 albums! Becky Fleck and my baby!
I'm dying here!
For those who have played along with me or were hoping to in 2010, it will stay the same. I am going to be hosting the challenge on my blog too. The difference is you have two chances to win a prize, the prizes will be better (thank you SCT!) and if you are looking for a sketch option, you will have monthly sketches designed by Becky to choose from. But you don't have to use them. You can still do your own thing and link them for a chance at a little prize. The most important thing, though, is that at the end of 2010 you will have a recap of your life to be proud of. Isn't that great!
In honor of this great big bad news, I am giving away a subscription to SCT, starting with the fall issue. This magazine can be downloaded for free, and you might have an LSS that carries it, but just in case you don't, this would be a great addition to your idea book collection. This magazine is very high quality, very well put together, and full of tons of great inspiration, every issue.
This is what the cover of the fall issue looked like. (The cover layout was designed by Lisa Dickinson, super talented chicky that she is).
And these are the layouts I had in this issue. I wrote an article about using border punches in your layouts:
As a fun bonus, I also had a layout in the Reader's Gallery that included some of Morgan's super cute artwork. Isn't she brilliant! I really loved what they said about her in the blurb for this layout:
If you are interested in a subscription to this magazine, leave a comment on this blog post. I'm going to leave the comments open until Thursday of next week, 12/3, and then will post the winner here and the SCT blog for that subscription.
It's almost time for the winter issue (so excited to share this one too, I did the Easy, Detailed, Expert article) so if you are the winner, two wonderful sources of creative inspiration will be headed your way soon!
Have a great Saturday! Davinie
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Pumpkin Pie Playdough, thanksgiving crafts, and CKC-Portland with Studio Calico
It's the week of Thanksgiving and here in the US, the kids are out of school. I don't know about yours, but mine aren't necessarily in need of a break, so I've been pulling my hair out a bit, entertaining them while trying to get work and other projects done at the same time.
I did search around on the internet for some fun Thanksgiving craft projects, and the other day, we made these:
Turkey Paper Plate Craft
I'm a huge sucker for paper plate and toilet paper roll crafts. I buy cheap packages of paper plates just to use for fun seasonal home decor projects for my girls. They LOVE art this type of project works for a variety of age groups so I am able to keep them entertained.
If you want to do a different kind of craft project, try pumpkin pie playdough. The kids will feel like they are making their own thanksigiving edibles, and will stay out of your hair while you make the real pies:
Pumpkin Pie Playdough:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 t. cream of tartar
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 T. vegetable oil
1 cup water
food coloring
Combine ingredients in saucepan and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a spatula, until a ball forms.
Turn onto the counter and after it has cooled a little, knead until smooth.
Be sure to store in an air-tight container if you want it to last!
I also found some fun Thanksgiving worksheets here.
We are headed to Steve's parent's house for Turkey dinner, and I'm bringing the usual, Pumpkin Roll. I plan on making 3 or 4 and sending one to my sister's house for her Thanksgiving feast as well.
Libby has a really good recipe here. Speaking of which, I heard on the news that all of the Libby canned pumpkin is on store shelves. The warehouse is empty and there won't be any more once it has run out until August 2010. So if you plan to use canned pumpkin in your holiday baking between now and then, you might want to stock up!
In addition to my pumpkin rolls, I'm also bringing dinner rolls, and am going to use this recipe for that.
As far as Black Friday goes, I don't normally get too hyped up about getting out and getting the great deals. In fact, Steve saw a newscast last night that said that you can be tricked into buying below grade product on Black Friday, so be sure to read the fine print if you are on the hunt for computers and TV's, etc. It might seem like a good idea for a low price, but you might be purchasing low quality goods as well. So know what you are looking for! Me? I'm on the hunt for towels and knit pants for my kids, lol. I'll probably be okay purchasing them for 60% off. ha!
One last thing before I go:
If you live around the Portland area and love CKC's, tomorrow is your day! Registration will be open first thing Wednesday morning for classes and the vendor faire. Portland is as close to my stomping grounds as I can get, and I'm totally honored to be teaching a class at CKC! I'm going to be representing my favorite scrapbook kit club and teaching a class on masking and misting. The class is going to be a lot of fun! It looks like there will only be two opportunities to take this class that weekend, so be sure to sign up quickly before it sells out! Check out the Class list here. The Studio Calico class is being offered at 12:30 and again at 1:50 on Saturday. Sign up and come play with me!
Have a great week! Davinie
I did search around on the internet for some fun Thanksgiving craft projects, and the other day, we made these:
Turkey Paper Plate Craft
I'm a huge sucker for paper plate and toilet paper roll crafts. I buy cheap packages of paper plates just to use for fun seasonal home decor projects for my girls. They LOVE art this type of project works for a variety of age groups so I am able to keep them entertained.
If you want to do a different kind of craft project, try pumpkin pie playdough. The kids will feel like they are making their own thanksigiving edibles, and will stay out of your hair while you make the real pies:
Pumpkin Pie Playdough:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 t. cream of tartar
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 T. vegetable oil
1 cup water
food coloring
Combine ingredients in saucepan and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a spatula, until a ball forms.
Turn onto the counter and after it has cooled a little, knead until smooth.
Be sure to store in an air-tight container if you want it to last!
I also found some fun Thanksgiving worksheets here.
We are headed to Steve's parent's house for Turkey dinner, and I'm bringing the usual, Pumpkin Roll. I plan on making 3 or 4 and sending one to my sister's house for her Thanksgiving feast as well.
Libby has a really good recipe here. Speaking of which, I heard on the news that all of the Libby canned pumpkin is on store shelves. The warehouse is empty and there won't be any more once it has run out until August 2010. So if you plan to use canned pumpkin in your holiday baking between now and then, you might want to stock up!
In addition to my pumpkin rolls, I'm also bringing dinner rolls, and am going to use this recipe for that.
As far as Black Friday goes, I don't normally get too hyped up about getting out and getting the great deals. In fact, Steve saw a newscast last night that said that you can be tricked into buying below grade product on Black Friday, so be sure to read the fine print if you are on the hunt for computers and TV's, etc. It might seem like a good idea for a low price, but you might be purchasing low quality goods as well. So know what you are looking for! Me? I'm on the hunt for towels and knit pants for my kids, lol. I'll probably be okay purchasing them for 60% off. ha!
One last thing before I go:
If you live around the Portland area and love CKC's, tomorrow is your day! Registration will be open first thing Wednesday morning for classes and the vendor faire. Portland is as close to my stomping grounds as I can get, and I'm totally honored to be teaching a class at CKC! I'm going to be representing my favorite scrapbook kit club and teaching a class on masking and misting. The class is going to be a lot of fun! It looks like there will only be two opportunities to take this class that weekend, so be sure to sign up quickly before it sells out! Check out the Class list here. The Studio Calico class is being offered at 12:30 and again at 1:50 on Saturday. Sign up and come play with me!
Have a great week! Davinie
Monday, November 23, 2009
Catching up with sneaks and a Project 12 winner
Oh my. The last week has been a blur. I have been busy with work and kids and Kindergarten Thanksgiving feasts (which was amazingly well executed for 40 5 year old kids with everything from turkey (chicken, lol) to the pies for dessert, with topping!)..... and then on Friday my weekend plans totally changed.
My sister's BFF lost her 2 year old in a tragic accident, and it was yet another reality check on how fragile life is. Between thinking about her, and then going back in time and thinking about Aleida, it almost makes you want to curl up in the fetal position with everyone you hold dear, you know?
My Mom flew down late Friday night so that she could help watch my sister's kids while she then turned around and drove to be with her friend. I just can't imagine such a tragedy. I am comforted in knowing what a strong woman that mama is, and that I have no doubt that someday, someday, she will pull through this and be okay.
Crafting goes out the window when your life takes hold, you know. But this tragedy was a reminder to get out and get more photos, and because of it, I walked away this weekend with photos of myself with my girls that I will always, ALWAYS treasure. I dragged everyone outside in the backyard, in the freezing cold, in the wind, and had Steve take our pictures.
These are some of my favorites:
I've been meaning to do this for a while, but the timing wasn't right, someone was in a bad mood, we weren't all together, etc., etc. All the more reason to get the photos taken, right? I only tempted the girls with one lollipop in order to get them to cooperate. We chatted, told jokes, and for that last one, I may have resorted to a wee bit of tickling. I love that photo. Steve needs to work on his composition skills, but overall, did great. I was kneeling and had the girls sitting on my legs, so I would probably change the pose next time too. But I still love them!
And since we were all together, we set up the tripod and got a family photo too:
These will be in a Christmas card, soon! The only thing I'm not sure about is my left hand, the way it's "perched" on Morgan's head. Does that bother you and should I edit it out? Or leave it? It IS my hand. And this is real life. But does it need to look like part of my daughter's melon? A flesh colored hair bow, per se? heeeeeeee.
While I'm here, and have your undivided attention, I have a few things to share.
First, the Project 12 winner is:
Zorina. Yahooie! I'm sure as certain you will find plenty of uses for those MR sheers. Glad to see they are headed your way, my sweet! I'll be getting your address again. I do believe you have won a challenge before, yes?
Second, some Studio Calico sneaks. You can basically say I got all three add-ons, because I had a majority of product in the second add-on, the one with the Cosmo Cricket. We are at the deadline for projects in the slide show, but I'll have a couple more projects to share after the reveal because I didn't get the quality time I was hoping for with this kit last weekend.
And there you have it. Happy Monday! Davinie
My sister's BFF lost her 2 year old in a tragic accident, and it was yet another reality check on how fragile life is. Between thinking about her, and then going back in time and thinking about Aleida, it almost makes you want to curl up in the fetal position with everyone you hold dear, you know?
My Mom flew down late Friday night so that she could help watch my sister's kids while she then turned around and drove to be with her friend. I just can't imagine such a tragedy. I am comforted in knowing what a strong woman that mama is, and that I have no doubt that someday, someday, she will pull through this and be okay.
Crafting goes out the window when your life takes hold, you know. But this tragedy was a reminder to get out and get more photos, and because of it, I walked away this weekend with photos of myself with my girls that I will always, ALWAYS treasure. I dragged everyone outside in the backyard, in the freezing cold, in the wind, and had Steve take our pictures.
These are some of my favorites:
I've been meaning to do this for a while, but the timing wasn't right, someone was in a bad mood, we weren't all together, etc., etc. All the more reason to get the photos taken, right? I only tempted the girls with one lollipop in order to get them to cooperate. We chatted, told jokes, and for that last one, I may have resorted to a wee bit of tickling. I love that photo. Steve needs to work on his composition skills, but overall, did great. I was kneeling and had the girls sitting on my legs, so I would probably change the pose next time too. But I still love them!And since we were all together, we set up the tripod and got a family photo too:
These will be in a Christmas card, soon! The only thing I'm not sure about is my left hand, the way it's "perched" on Morgan's head. Does that bother you and should I edit it out? Or leave it? It IS my hand. And this is real life. But does it need to look like part of my daughter's melon? A flesh colored hair bow, per se? heeeeeeee.
While I'm here, and have your undivided attention, I have a few things to share.
First, the Project 12 winner is:
Zorina. Yahooie! I'm sure as certain you will find plenty of uses for those MR sheers. Glad to see they are headed your way, my sweet! I'll be getting your address again. I do believe you have won a challenge before, yes?
Second, some Studio Calico sneaks. You can basically say I got all three add-ons, because I had a majority of product in the second add-on, the one with the Cosmo Cricket. We are at the deadline for projects in the slide show, but I'll have a couple more projects to share after the reveal because I didn't get the quality time I was hoping for with this kit last weekend.
And there you have it. Happy Monday! Davinie
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Homefront winner is.....
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
106
Timestamp: 2009-11-18 20:49:12 UTC
And that's.......
Heather Prins said...
Love the layout sooo much!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
My Fixer Upper - The Downstairs Bathroom.
First, the Homefront Giveaway is still on! Leave a comment here and check out another layout from this Collection on this post.
Now, as promised, I am going to share part of my home.
First, I was 6 months pregnant when we moved in, so all I really cared about was a nap, which means I was really annoyed, because the bed was in pieces and the couch was in the back of a trailer being moved, you know? Everything was in upheaval so I didn't really care about anything else. AND in order to even move into this house, a lot of things needed to be done to make it livable. The house was previously heated with solar heat, but it was inefficient, so the previous owners also had a woodstove, which was old and in a terrible spot for young children. So the first thing we had to do was buy a heat pump, which came with air conditioning, which was a big chunk of money. And that was only one of the zillion things we had to do in order to live at the house.
I did manage to take a few before pictures though. I wish I had taken more detailed shots, but at the time, my pregnant self took a photo and was done with it, lol.
Without further ado, this is the before photo of the bathroom downstairs:
You'll notice linoleum, a rusty metal shelving unit of sorts over the toilet, an old icky vanity mirror with those sliding doors. And a 1980 sink. I know this bathroom could be much worse, but the thing that turned me off the most was the rust and general lack in cleanliness. ick. I didn't get a photo of it, but the door needed replaced too. The whole house had those cheap hollow core doors, meant for mobile homes, I think? They didn't even fit properly in a standard door frame. There was major air space underneath... which certainly wouldn't have made any quality time in the commode very comfortable, you know? heeeee.
Okay, I will say I am extremely disappointed in the upcoming photos, because they don't do the room justice. But it's extremely difficult to photograph a bathroom without a window or a 360 degree lens, ya know?
First, the bathroom door:
To the left is a guest bedroom.
Solid pine doors, full of knots and bumps. I love love love these doors. This is what all the doors in the house look like (as soon as we get them all hung, anyway). No more hollow core doors for us!
This next view is the from the open doorway, looking at the shower. There is no tub anymore. Steve laid tile floors, and a tile shower, with these really cool rocks on the floor. The floor is not even and it feels heavenly on your feet. It's almost like a foot massage when you take a shower.
I didn't get a photo of it, but the shower head is huge and is one of those "raining" shower heads. So when you go into this bathroom, shut the door and turn on the shower, it's almost tropical. You just have to drown out the sounds of the small children banging on the door, lol.
This next photo is my favorite part of the bathroom. I was at an antique store and saw these matching windows, so we backed them with mirrors and used them in the bathroom over the sink, as we bought a double sink. They still have the window latches on them, the paint is scruffed up, and I love these window/mirrors a lot.
Lastly is a view of the double vanity from the shower.
You can also see a niblet of the bathroom floor from that last photo. Steve laid tile floors as well.
The walls are painted a very light shade of grey.
So that's that! My downstairs bathroom!
I think the next tour I'll do is my scrapbook room and the mud room. Before, it was a single car garage and a separate room that housed an 800 GALLON water tank. A HUGE tank. Imagine THAT transformation!
:)
Have a great day!
Now, as promised, I am going to share part of my home.
First, I was 6 months pregnant when we moved in, so all I really cared about was a nap, which means I was really annoyed, because the bed was in pieces and the couch was in the back of a trailer being moved, you know? Everything was in upheaval so I didn't really care about anything else. AND in order to even move into this house, a lot of things needed to be done to make it livable. The house was previously heated with solar heat, but it was inefficient, so the previous owners also had a woodstove, which was old and in a terrible spot for young children. So the first thing we had to do was buy a heat pump, which came with air conditioning, which was a big chunk of money. And that was only one of the zillion things we had to do in order to live at the house.
I did manage to take a few before pictures though. I wish I had taken more detailed shots, but at the time, my pregnant self took a photo and was done with it, lol.
Without further ado, this is the before photo of the bathroom downstairs:
You'll notice linoleum, a rusty metal shelving unit of sorts over the toilet, an old icky vanity mirror with those sliding doors. And a 1980 sink. I know this bathroom could be much worse, but the thing that turned me off the most was the rust and general lack in cleanliness. ick. I didn't get a photo of it, but the door needed replaced too. The whole house had those cheap hollow core doors, meant for mobile homes, I think? They didn't even fit properly in a standard door frame. There was major air space underneath... which certainly wouldn't have made any quality time in the commode very comfortable, you know? heeeee.
Okay, I will say I am extremely disappointed in the upcoming photos, because they don't do the room justice. But it's extremely difficult to photograph a bathroom without a window or a 360 degree lens, ya know?
First, the bathroom door:
To the left is a guest bedroom.Solid pine doors, full of knots and bumps. I love love love these doors. This is what all the doors in the house look like (as soon as we get them all hung, anyway). No more hollow core doors for us!
This next view is the from the open doorway, looking at the shower. There is no tub anymore. Steve laid tile floors, and a tile shower, with these really cool rocks on the floor. The floor is not even and it feels heavenly on your feet. It's almost like a foot massage when you take a shower.
I didn't get a photo of it, but the shower head is huge and is one of those "raining" shower heads. So when you go into this bathroom, shut the door and turn on the shower, it's almost tropical. You just have to drown out the sounds of the small children banging on the door, lol. This next photo is my favorite part of the bathroom. I was at an antique store and saw these matching windows, so we backed them with mirrors and used them in the bathroom over the sink, as we bought a double sink. They still have the window latches on them, the paint is scruffed up, and I love these window/mirrors a lot.
Lastly is a view of the double vanity from the shower. 
You can also see a niblet of the bathroom floor from that last photo. Steve laid tile floors as well.The walls are painted a very light shade of grey.
So that's that! My downstairs bathroom!
I think the next tour I'll do is my scrapbook room and the mud room. Before, it was a single car garage and a separate room that housed an 800 GALLON water tank. A HUGE tank. Imagine THAT transformation!
:)
Have a great day!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Studio Calico blog hop on the Homefront!
It's an exciting day! For the past couple of years, Studio Calico has dabbled in the manufacturing world, creating stamps and papers exclusive to the monthly kits, as well as a few embellies handmade here and there, and available to purchase with the kit, only.
It's exciting and a true honor to work with them as they decide to jump into the manufacturing world with both feet and their debut line, Homefront. To celebrate this new line, the designers from Studio Calico are each giving away the entire collection on our blogs, starting tonight. While introducing this new line, we were also asked to share a little bit about ourselves and our personal "homefronts".
Me? I live in a fixer upper. My husband and I bought our first home in 2001 right after we got married. We lived there for a few years until the fall of 2005, when Steve's desire for a bit of breathing room and the right market led us to a home on 2 acres outside of town. To be honest, I still wonder why we bought it, as to me it's a huge eyesore. But it has the "location, location, location" and my girls have lots of room to run and play, we now raise our own beef every year, and this spring, and we even took on chickens (and yes, I know, I am long overdue a Days of our Chickens post).
You can read about my dirty birds here, here, and here.
The biggest thing we took on, though, was the house. The house is 2200 square feet, but it was appraised at 1100 with an unfinished basement. The previous owners were living in the first level, but it was concrete floors and unfinished walls, so I am not really sure why, lol.
Steve is a handy man to have around the house and has all the skills to upgrade it. How he learned his mad skills must have been through osmosis from his dad, a contractor in his day. In the last few years that we've lived here, we've doubled the square footage, as we now inhabit both levels of our home. But there is a ton of work to be done, and by a ton I literally mean not a single room is finished yet. I take that back. The downstairs bathroom is fabulous. And my scrapbook room is just about done. I mostly need to clean it and purge so I can share it with you, lol. I'm also busy redoing the girls' bedroom. It was time to update it for the more girly and less baby phase they are in.
This house is very "green" so it has solar panels and has a manmade "hill" against one side for energy savings. In fact, the previous owner and builder was into ham radio, and our address is 5473, the 54 because we are between 53 and 55th street, and the 73? Well 73 means hello in ham radio talk. You learn something new every day.
We have plans to rip off the roof, vault the ceilings, add a master and a two car garage, etc etc., but we didn't sell our last house, we rent it out, which means we didn't have a lot of cash into this house when we bought it, which means we don't have a lot of cash to spend to do that sort of thing. So for now, we fix it up as we fix it up.
Would I recommend it? Especially if you are young family having babies in your fixer upper? I was 6 months pregnant with Payton and Morgan was 20 months when we moved in. NO, I wouldn't do it again. But we did and we'll be here forever and someday I'll be ready to share a photo. lol
For now? The top of the bookcase in the living room. Decorated for fall.
(frames by Katie Pertiet for Designer Digitals).
You know what? I'm actually embarrassed by my lack of enthusiasm and pride in my home. Sometimes I'm so focused on what needs to be done, more of the glass half empty than the glass half full sort, and I forget how much work we actually have done.
Tomorrow I'll be back with that bathroom. The transformation is actually very cool, and Steve did it all himself.
Anyway, that's MY homefront. And a novella about the rest of it. ha!
So without further ado, let me introduce you to the giveaway, the HOMEFRONT Collection from Studio Calico.
Here's a little something I whipped up with this Collection:
I thought the Bazzill Just the Edge strips were a fun mix with the scalloped paper. I also had to use that great big ribbon, and I used my edge punch on the journaling box I trimmed out to match the scallop as well.
I love the little sentiment stickers on the sticker sheet too.
And that stick horse? My mama made that for me on my 19th birthday. We had a few when we were kids and I think I was feeling homesick or nostalgic or something, so when she asked what I wanted when I turned 19, that's what I said. I love that dang horse. She used the 20 year old pattern to create it too.
I think it's the most well made, and cutest stick horse I have ever seen. I'm thinking of setting her up with an Etsy shop. Can you imagine if that was Amy Butler, or Joel Dewberry, or even Cosmo Cricket fabric? Yummilicious. Would you want one? Let me know. Both of my girls have a few now, lol.
Enjoy the rest of the hop! You have until Midnight EST Tuesday night to submit a comment to be entered. We will be drawing names on Wednesday morning.
Have a great night! Or day, my Australian friends. Davinie
It's exciting and a true honor to work with them as they decide to jump into the manufacturing world with both feet and their debut line, Homefront. To celebrate this new line, the designers from Studio Calico are each giving away the entire collection on our blogs, starting tonight. While introducing this new line, we were also asked to share a little bit about ourselves and our personal "homefronts".
Me? I live in a fixer upper. My husband and I bought our first home in 2001 right after we got married. We lived there for a few years until the fall of 2005, when Steve's desire for a bit of breathing room and the right market led us to a home on 2 acres outside of town. To be honest, I still wonder why we bought it, as to me it's a huge eyesore. But it has the "location, location, location" and my girls have lots of room to run and play, we now raise our own beef every year, and this spring, and we even took on chickens (and yes, I know, I am long overdue a Days of our Chickens post).
You can read about my dirty birds here, here, and here.
The biggest thing we took on, though, was the house. The house is 2200 square feet, but it was appraised at 1100 with an unfinished basement. The previous owners were living in the first level, but it was concrete floors and unfinished walls, so I am not really sure why, lol.
Steve is a handy man to have around the house and has all the skills to upgrade it. How he learned his mad skills must have been through osmosis from his dad, a contractor in his day. In the last few years that we've lived here, we've doubled the square footage, as we now inhabit both levels of our home. But there is a ton of work to be done, and by a ton I literally mean not a single room is finished yet. I take that back. The downstairs bathroom is fabulous. And my scrapbook room is just about done. I mostly need to clean it and purge so I can share it with you, lol. I'm also busy redoing the girls' bedroom. It was time to update it for the more girly and less baby phase they are in.
This house is very "green" so it has solar panels and has a manmade "hill" against one side for energy savings. In fact, the previous owner and builder was into ham radio, and our address is 5473, the 54 because we are between 53 and 55th street, and the 73? Well 73 means hello in ham radio talk. You learn something new every day.
We have plans to rip off the roof, vault the ceilings, add a master and a two car garage, etc etc., but we didn't sell our last house, we rent it out, which means we didn't have a lot of cash into this house when we bought it, which means we don't have a lot of cash to spend to do that sort of thing. So for now, we fix it up as we fix it up.
Would I recommend it? Especially if you are young family having babies in your fixer upper? I was 6 months pregnant with Payton and Morgan was 20 months when we moved in. NO, I wouldn't do it again. But we did and we'll be here forever and someday I'll be ready to share a photo. lol
For now? The top of the bookcase in the living room. Decorated for fall.
(frames by Katie Pertiet for Designer Digitals).You know what? I'm actually embarrassed by my lack of enthusiasm and pride in my home. Sometimes I'm so focused on what needs to be done, more of the glass half empty than the glass half full sort, and I forget how much work we actually have done.
Tomorrow I'll be back with that bathroom. The transformation is actually very cool, and Steve did it all himself.
Anyway, that's MY homefront. And a novella about the rest of it. ha!
So without further ado, let me introduce you to the giveaway, the HOMEFRONT Collection from Studio Calico.
Studio Calico is sharing part of their home with you by sponsoring a giveaway of their brand new line, Home Front. Imagine June Cleaver styled 1950s domestic bliss. Featuring optimistic colors and smooth vintage inspired patterns. You’ll find fresh stained wood grain, retro home décor, an exclusive SC cardstock alpha set, and much more. Home Front is versatile, colorful, and beautiful (can we say that?)….I think you’ll love it.
Patterned paper, rip strips, a sticker sheet, and two alphas. What more do you need to complete a fabulous layout?! Or 5?
To win this collection, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know what you are most excited to get, and to increase your chances, visit the rest of the design team below. Each blog will be giving away the entire collection!
Here's a little something I whipped up with this Collection:
I thought the Bazzill Just the Edge strips were a fun mix with the scalloped paper. I also had to use that great big ribbon, and I used my edge punch on the journaling box I trimmed out to match the scallop as well.I love the little sentiment stickers on the sticker sheet too.
And that stick horse? My mama made that for me on my 19th birthday. We had a few when we were kids and I think I was feeling homesick or nostalgic or something, so when she asked what I wanted when I turned 19, that's what I said. I love that dang horse. She used the 20 year old pattern to create it too.
I think it's the most well made, and cutest stick horse I have ever seen. I'm thinking of setting her up with an Etsy shop. Can you imagine if that was Amy Butler, or Joel Dewberry, or even Cosmo Cricket fabric? Yummilicious. Would you want one? Let me know. Both of my girls have a few now, lol.
Enjoy the rest of the hop! You have until Midnight EST Tuesday night to submit a comment to be entered. We will be drawing names on Wednesday morning.
Have a great night! Or day, my Australian friends. Davinie
Friday, November 13, 2009
Book Winner and my Project 12
And the winner of the planner is......
Stacy Hamby said...I pre-ordered all the Homefront line. So exciting. I am intrigued by the planner too. I am off to go check it out.
Congratulations Stacy! I promise you will be organized and inspired by this planner!Thank you so much for playing along, and thank you so much for your nice comments about my layout. The Homefront line is available for purchase and I hear it's even shipping in some parts. Again, I'd head to A Million Little Things or 2peas if I were you and you don't have an LSS!
__________________________________________________________________
7 days before my deadline, I also have my Project 12 layout to share tonight. This one is September. I think this design may be my favorite yet, but I think it's because I like the photos so much. I do think I've learned something in doing this challenge this year, and that's that I prefer larger photos, so look forward to that from now on.
Before I go I also wanted to share my Cardalicious card for this week. It looks like Janelle has finally posted the challenge. This week we needed to make a thank you card, using red, black, and flowers. I used some leftover bits from my November kit for this one, with some rubons from my stash. fun fun!
Have a great weekend! Be sure to check back for the blog hop on Monday! Remember, all of the Studio Calico designers will be giving away the Homefront line!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Studio Calico's Homefront in action and a Giveaway!
Over the weekend something very delicioso made it's way into my hands.... Studio Calico's debut release, Homefront. Such a smart, saavy, sophisticated group of products, I must say. I immediately started thinking about cutting it up, but took a moment becuase my initial box only came with one of each paper, and I needed to be very methodical. We are going to be having a blog hop on Monday the 16th where you will have a chance to win this collection from each of the Studio Calico designers, and I needed to make sure I trimmed so that I could create at least two layouts.
I do have one layout to share with you today from this release. I used the papers, fabrips, stickers, and sticker alphas on this one.
The fabrip is the woodgrainpiece. One of my favorite pieces in this collection are the scallops, so I trimmed a couple of rows to use on this layout so I could hoard the rest of that paper. Love it. I also used the B side of the Floor Plan pattern as the base of my layout design, and used bits of the A side for my flowers.
This photo of Payton really cracks me up. If she's vegging on the couch, it's in the middle, with the back of the middle cushion out and on the floor. For some reason, this day she was being very sassy with this cowgirl hat she got somewhere, and I had to snap a photo of her sassiness, my little cowpoke.
I've seen Homefront on preorder on several sites, but if I had my choice, and you don't have an LSS nearby, I'd head here. Jill is offering a discount if you order the entire collection, but it says she'll be offering the pieces individually after she receives her shipment, which should be any day now! So get over there! It will be available to purchase at the Studio Calico site in January.
With all that said...... how about that giveaway!?
I recently stumbled on a really cool idea for 2010 and wanted to share it with my blog readers. It's a desk calendar, scrapbook inspiration, a place to record ideas and design ideas, all in one book. The site is called Log your Memeory.
And the book is the Scrapbookers All-in-one Memory Logbook for 2010
The perfect tool for busy scrapbookers- a planner, idea book, journal & sketchbook-all in one, including: • Spiral-bound pages for ease of use. • Monthly & daily calendars, complete with US holidays & room to jot down your activities. • Space to document daily memories, jot down ideas, or create lists. • Your own personal “Story List” so you can track those pages & stories you know you want to share but haven’t had a chance to create yet. • Weekly pages for sketching layout ideas. • Weekly challenge questions to get creative juices flowing & help you tell the “real” story of your life. • Examples of “real life” scrapbook layouts for added inspiration. • Annual & monthly questionnaires to help track how life changes over a year. • Monthly worksheets for documenting family holidays, plus extra pages for birthdays and other celebrations. • A handy list of 2011 holidays, plus a place to jot down birthdays and other important family dates.
I am very excited about this planner and am even more ecstatic to have an opportunity to give one away (Thank you Kristin!). I have the wire-bound edition waiting right here to be sent to it's new home (US residents only, please. Unless you want to pay the shipping.)
Please leave a comment if you want to be entered in the giveaway. As always, followers of my blog already have their name in the "hat", but if you leave a comment as well you will have two chances to win.
I'm going to leave the comments open until midnight Wednesday night, PST, and will draw a name first thing Thursday morning.
Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday! Be sure to celebrate Veterans and go to your local parade tomorrow, if you have one. The kids don't have school and that's what we hope to do in the morning.
Davinie
I do have one layout to share with you today from this release. I used the papers, fabrips, stickers, and sticker alphas on this one.
The fabrip is the woodgrainpiece. One of my favorite pieces in this collection are the scallops, so I trimmed a couple of rows to use on this layout so I could hoard the rest of that paper. Love it. I also used the B side of the Floor Plan pattern as the base of my layout design, and used bits of the A side for my flowers.This photo of Payton really cracks me up. If she's vegging on the couch, it's in the middle, with the back of the middle cushion out and on the floor. For some reason, this day she was being very sassy with this cowgirl hat she got somewhere, and I had to snap a photo of her sassiness, my little cowpoke.
I've seen Homefront on preorder on several sites, but if I had my choice, and you don't have an LSS nearby, I'd head here. Jill is offering a discount if you order the entire collection, but it says she'll be offering the pieces individually after she receives her shipment, which should be any day now! So get over there! It will be available to purchase at the Studio Calico site in January.
With all that said...... how about that giveaway!?
I recently stumbled on a really cool idea for 2010 and wanted to share it with my blog readers. It's a desk calendar, scrapbook inspiration, a place to record ideas and design ideas, all in one book. The site is called Log your Memeory.
And the book is the Scrapbookers All-in-one Memory Logbook for 2010
The perfect tool for busy scrapbookers- a planner, idea book, journal & sketchbook-all in one, including: • Spiral-bound pages for ease of use. • Monthly & daily calendars, complete with US holidays & room to jot down your activities. • Space to document daily memories, jot down ideas, or create lists. • Your own personal “Story List” so you can track those pages & stories you know you want to share but haven’t had a chance to create yet. • Weekly pages for sketching layout ideas. • Weekly challenge questions to get creative juices flowing & help you tell the “real” story of your life. • Examples of “real life” scrapbook layouts for added inspiration. • Annual & monthly questionnaires to help track how life changes over a year. • Monthly worksheets for documenting family holidays, plus extra pages for birthdays and other celebrations. • A handy list of 2011 holidays, plus a place to jot down birthdays and other important family dates.
I am very excited about this planner and am even more ecstatic to have an opportunity to give one away (Thank you Kristin!). I have the wire-bound edition waiting right here to be sent to it's new home (US residents only, please. Unless you want to pay the shipping.)
Please leave a comment if you want to be entered in the giveaway. As always, followers of my blog already have their name in the "hat", but if you leave a comment as well you will have two chances to win.
I'm going to leave the comments open until midnight Wednesday night, PST, and will draw a name first thing Thursday morning.
Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday! Be sure to celebrate Veterans and go to your local parade tomorrow, if you have one. The kids don't have school and that's what we hope to do in the morning.
Davinie
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The Home Front line and it's Whacky Wednesday at Pink Paislee
Have you seen this ad from Scrapbook Trends?! Why yes, that would be Home Front, the debut collection by Studio Calico.
That lamp paper? It's called Blown Fuse and I about did that when I saw it. That B side is going to be my new kraft, I swear to Pete. I canNOT wait to get it. I hear a box is headed my way as we speak.
I'm beyond excited to have an opportunity to play with this product, and can't wait to share it with you. We will be working on projects and are planning a blog hop, which means GIVEAWAYS soon. As in, the next few weeks.
After you are done drooling at the Studio Blog, you can see closeups of some of the product here, be sure to then meander on over to the Pink Paislee blog. It's my turn to host and I made a winter layout with some photos I've been saving. Here's a peek at the layout.
You see the whole layout and read the post here.
Speaking of the Mistletoe & Co. line, are you planning to make a December Daily album, a la Ali Edwards? Last year I started one and didn't finish it, but this year I'm determined to get one done. We have a lot of fun things planned in December and it would be fun to have it all documented in one place.
Anyway, just like Ali, I plan to use a fabric album from Prima. I bought one just for this purpose back when it was part of a project kit for Studio Calico. The product line that I am going to use for my album will be the Mistletoe & Co. line from Pink Paislee, with other bits mixed in. It's a clean classy line, I love the postage influences, there are a lot of embellishments to utilize, like the fun patches and die cut tags, and I'm determined to make it work this year.
Enjoy the rest of your day? Is Glee on tonight, or are they still on hiatus? I hate when shows do that!
Davinie
That lamp paper? It's called Blown Fuse and I about did that when I saw it. That B side is going to be my new kraft, I swear to Pete. I canNOT wait to get it. I hear a box is headed my way as we speak.
I'm beyond excited to have an opportunity to play with this product, and can't wait to share it with you. We will be working on projects and are planning a blog hop, which means GIVEAWAYS soon. As in, the next few weeks.
After you are done drooling at the Studio Blog, you can see closeups of some of the product here, be sure to then meander on over to the Pink Paislee blog. It's my turn to host and I made a winter layout with some photos I've been saving. Here's a peek at the layout.
You see the whole layout and read the post here.
Speaking of the Mistletoe & Co. line, are you planning to make a December Daily album, a la Ali Edwards? Last year I started one and didn't finish it, but this year I'm determined to get one done. We have a lot of fun things planned in December and it would be fun to have it all documented in one place.
Anyway, just like Ali, I plan to use a fabric album from Prima. I bought one just for this purpose back when it was part of a project kit for Studio Calico. The product line that I am going to use for my album will be the Mistletoe & Co. line from Pink Paislee, with other bits mixed in. It's a clean classy line, I love the postage influences, there are a lot of embellishments to utilize, like the fun patches and die cut tags, and I'm determined to make it work this year.
Enjoy the rest of your day? Is Glee on tonight, or are they still on hiatus? I hate when shows do that!
Davinie
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Project 12 challenge - November
On my last Project 12 post I asked what you thought about a few of the calendar ideas I've been seeing for 2010. Responses varied but the constant addition to my choices were small calendars from Elle's Studio.
The choice I made can easily work for those who like those small cards. Yes, I chose the sheer calendars from Maya Road.
The beautiful thing about these is that they are sheer so you can mount them on patterned paper and make them any color you want.... just like Elle. (I will say I liked the Jenni Bowlin cards too, but as I've used the 6x6 cards for 2009, I felt I needed a break from that large size).
One tin contains 36 pieces, three different calendar shapes. I think it will be a fun change for 2010 and I look forward to being able to alter my design a little bit, depending on the number of photos, while still keeping my layouts cohesive as a calendar of our life. I still plan to make it two pages as well.
The rules of the challenge are simple. Create a layout highlighting what you did during one particular month. Use one photo, 31 photos, 100 photos, or no photos. This challenge is simply about capturing a month in your life on a layout. You don't have to use Maya Road sheer calendar cards. You don't have to use any calendar cards. That's just what I'm using.
You have until November 20th to link your layout to this thread. After that I will have one of my lovely little ladies draw a winner, and this month, they are going to be taking home one of those 2010 calendar tins from Maya Road.
Easy enough? I hope you'll play along! I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Davinie
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Studio Calico November at last
Wow! It's Halloween week, which means I've had my hands full with little kids and costumes and parties and egg carton bats (thanks for the idea Laura), and soccer snack and toddlers with attitude, an urge to purge kid toys, and a whole host of other excuses that have kept me from my blog. ACK! But here I am, with my November layouts from Studio Calico to share.
For the first time ever, I created a layout the same day I took the photos, and I used 8 pictures, and made a two-pager.
I knew I wanted to use the pumpkins in a row, just like they are displayed on the stamp package. At first I was going to do a different fall themed layout, but after we went to the pumpkin patch, I decided I had to scrap those photos immediately. We had a lot of fun that afternoon and I didn't want the good feeling to end. Plus there was a halfway decent photo of both myself and my hubby. All of us on a layout. Perfect!
If you take a close look at the stitching you will notice I did not use my sewing machine. I didn't use a needle to hand stitch. Those are Hambly stitch rubons, and I am IN. LOVE. Really. The color is so vivid, they went down like buttah, and I just love the different stitch styles so I used a few different strips on this layout. I like the homespun detail it adds. I HAVE to get more of these too. You shall see more rubons from me!
I had a story to tell with this layout. Payton has this thing where she trots around on all fours and you have to listen for a "neigh neigh neigh?" or a "meow" to know what animal she is that day, and she often will not answer you, except with the above, if she is in character and you want to speak to her. Actually, I take that back. She will talk to mommy, which is Morgan, but she won't talk to me, lol. It's actually quite amusing. Morgan never used to play make-believe like this so it's been a fun experience.
The design on this layout is really quite simple. I did hand stitch three different rows for texture, but there isn't a lot of wow to this one.
In an effort to amp it up a little bit and add some texture, I punched some circles and inked the edges, and then layered them at the top.
The photos are black and white because the top left photo was taken with my camera when I first picked it up and the setting were all wrong, so it was quite grainy when I made an attempt to fix it in photoshop, so I changed them all to black and white because I really liked the composition and overall photo and wanted to use it. Like Tim Gunn from Project Runway would say..... I made it work! (I'm watching it right now, lol).
This is the first layout I made this month and it came together really quickly. My DT package this month was delayed so I was twiddling my thumbs a little bit, but the weekend before it arrived I was also sick, so really didn't feel like doing anything besides lay around with my kids. Morgan kept bugging me for a scarf, so at the last minute I made some scarves for my girls and it wasn't until my kit arrived that I realized how well planned it was, if I had thought about planning it, lol.
The little Maya Road houses were made to sit next to the trees, and I covered them with mist which is my favorite way to use Mist. It's much faster and clean looking to use Maya Mist than to paint or ink them, I think. I used orange and brown for these houses. I then layered a piece of veneer that I trimmed with my rotary trimmer, and a strip of that yummy May Arts ribbon for a base to ground my houses and trees.
3 and a Half was all about the journaling. At first I thought I had written too much and would have to make the font too small to appreciate, but then I had a reality check and reminded myself that this is what scrapbooking is all about, preserving my memories, and I didn't want to cut anything I had to say, so I made it work. I really adore this photo of Payton, I'll probably scrap it again, and thought this look really described her at this age so I had to use it.
I thought the floral OA paper was really pretty and girly and childlike and perfect to use for this subject, so I had to add it as the main background. I also really wanted to showcase more than the use of kraft as a background, so I added that dark brown woodgrain pattern that Cosmo Cricket has perfected.
After I was finished with my layouts I did a quick card that I think I will create over and over again, thanks to Studio Calico and the new stamps, the sewing machine and the {handmade with love} sentiment. I guarantee this idea will be used over and over again, and I'm considering it as the design for some Christmas gift sets.
With that I'll leave you with our pumpkins. The girls each drew the face on their jack, Payton was on the left, and lucky for them, the pumpkins were forgiving and our tools were sharp so we were able to bring them to life. :)
Have a great day! Davinie
For the first time ever, I created a layout the same day I took the photos, and I used 8 pictures, and made a two-pager.
I knew I wanted to use the pumpkins in a row, just like they are displayed on the stamp package. At first I was going to do a different fall themed layout, but after we went to the pumpkin patch, I decided I had to scrap those photos immediately. We had a lot of fun that afternoon and I didn't want the good feeling to end. Plus there was a halfway decent photo of both myself and my hubby. All of us on a layout. Perfect!
If you take a close look at the stitching you will notice I did not use my sewing machine. I didn't use a needle to hand stitch. Those are Hambly stitch rubons, and I am IN. LOVE. Really. The color is so vivid, they went down like buttah, and I just love the different stitch styles so I used a few different strips on this layout. I like the homespun detail it adds. I HAVE to get more of these too. You shall see more rubons from me!
I had a story to tell with this layout. Payton has this thing where she trots around on all fours and you have to listen for a "neigh neigh neigh?" or a "meow" to know what animal she is that day, and she often will not answer you, except with the above, if she is in character and you want to speak to her. Actually, I take that back. She will talk to mommy, which is Morgan, but she won't talk to me, lol. It's actually quite amusing. Morgan never used to play make-believe like this so it's been a fun experience.
The design on this layout is really quite simple. I did hand stitch three different rows for texture, but there isn't a lot of wow to this one.
In an effort to amp it up a little bit and add some texture, I punched some circles and inked the edges, and then layered them at the top.
The photos are black and white because the top left photo was taken with my camera when I first picked it up and the setting were all wrong, so it was quite grainy when I made an attempt to fix it in photoshop, so I changed them all to black and white because I really liked the composition and overall photo and wanted to use it. Like Tim Gunn from Project Runway would say..... I made it work! (I'm watching it right now, lol).
This is the first layout I made this month and it came together really quickly. My DT package this month was delayed so I was twiddling my thumbs a little bit, but the weekend before it arrived I was also sick, so really didn't feel like doing anything besides lay around with my kids. Morgan kept bugging me for a scarf, so at the last minute I made some scarves for my girls and it wasn't until my kit arrived that I realized how well planned it was, if I had thought about planning it, lol.
The little Maya Road houses were made to sit next to the trees, and I covered them with mist which is my favorite way to use Mist. It's much faster and clean looking to use Maya Mist than to paint or ink them, I think. I used orange and brown for these houses. I then layered a piece of veneer that I trimmed with my rotary trimmer, and a strip of that yummy May Arts ribbon for a base to ground my houses and trees.
3 and a Half was all about the journaling. At first I thought I had written too much and would have to make the font too small to appreciate, but then I had a reality check and reminded myself that this is what scrapbooking is all about, preserving my memories, and I didn't want to cut anything I had to say, so I made it work. I really adore this photo of Payton, I'll probably scrap it again, and thought this look really described her at this age so I had to use it.
I thought the floral OA paper was really pretty and girly and childlike and perfect to use for this subject, so I had to add it as the main background. I also really wanted to showcase more than the use of kraft as a background, so I added that dark brown woodgrain pattern that Cosmo Cricket has perfected.After I was finished with my layouts I did a quick card that I think I will create over and over again, thanks to Studio Calico and the new stamps, the sewing machine and the {handmade with love} sentiment. I guarantee this idea will be used over and over again, and I'm considering it as the design for some Christmas gift sets.
With that I'll leave you with our pumpkins. The girls each drew the face on their jack, Payton was on the left, and lucky for them, the pumpkins were forgiving and our tools were sharp so we were able to bring them to life. :)
Have a great day! Davinie
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Help me pick out my Project 12 calendar for 2010 !
First, I have a Project 12 winner to pick for the October challenge. That winner is.....
Leslie Davis said... Finally got mine in on time!
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/15917
Thank you for playing along Leslie! Get me your address and I'll get you $5 and some Studio Calico journaling cards.
Speaking of Project 12, while I have already picked out what I'm going to use for 2010, I wanted to share a couple of options for the Project 12 challenge and get some feedback. You don't have participated in the challenge, nor intend to do so in 2010, but if you had a choice, which would you prefer:
Option A, 6x6 calendar cards from Jenni Bowlin Studios. This time they are round instead of the die cut shape:
Option B, JBS calendar cards size 2 1/4 x 4 (these come in a couple of colors):
Or Option C, sheer calendars from Maya Road (there are a few different shapes to choose from and these are 2.2 x 2.7 inches)
As I mentioned, I already know what I will be using, and I may be giving some away with the November Project 12 challenge....... but I wanted to get some feedback first. Also, if you've seen some other options for 2010 calendars that you think would be a good option, please let me know. I'm still trying to decide for certain.
Before I go I do have a couple more sneaks for the November kit from Studio Calico. Boy how I wish I had more time. I bought all three add-ons so I have a ton of product at my disposal. I just got my kit a little later than the other girls, and I've had sick kids and room mom duties that took away from my scrappy time this week. That said, I'm still busy creating away and will be sharing more layouts after the kit goes live. One of these layouts here was made the same day I took the photos! I had intended to do something else with those pumpkin stamps, but I was really inspired by some of the photos I took so I put my other page on hold so I could make this layout in time for my gallery. I can't wait to share it! It even has, dare I say, a photo of ME in it! :)
Have a great weekend! We have a soccer game today (next week is the last one!) and have plans to carve pumpkins tonight.
Leslie Davis said... Finally got mine in on time!
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/15917
Thank you for playing along Leslie! Get me your address and I'll get you $5 and some Studio Calico journaling cards.
Speaking of Project 12, while I have already picked out what I'm going to use for 2010, I wanted to share a couple of options for the Project 12 challenge and get some feedback. You don't have participated in the challenge, nor intend to do so in 2010, but if you had a choice, which would you prefer:
Option A, 6x6 calendar cards from Jenni Bowlin Studios. This time they are round instead of the die cut shape:
Option B, JBS calendar cards size 2 1/4 x 4 (these come in a couple of colors):
Or Option C, sheer calendars from Maya Road (there are a few different shapes to choose from and these are 2.2 x 2.7 inches)
As I mentioned, I already know what I will be using, and I may be giving some away with the November Project 12 challenge....... but I wanted to get some feedback first. Also, if you've seen some other options for 2010 calendars that you think would be a good option, please let me know. I'm still trying to decide for certain.
Before I go I do have a couple more sneaks for the November kit from Studio Calico. Boy how I wish I had more time. I bought all three add-ons so I have a ton of product at my disposal. I just got my kit a little later than the other girls, and I've had sick kids and room mom duties that took away from my scrappy time this week. That said, I'm still busy creating away and will be sharing more layouts after the kit goes live. One of these layouts here was made the same day I took the photos! I had intended to do something else with those pumpkin stamps, but I was really inspired by some of the photos I took so I put my other page on hold so I could make this layout in time for my gallery. I can't wait to share it! It even has, dare I say, a photo of ME in it! :)
Have a great weekend! We have a soccer game today (next week is the last one!) and have plans to carve pumpkins tonight.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Project 12 and some Studio Calico sneaks, and my weekend.
NO. I am not pregnant, lol. I have had a couple of family members and friends call me up asking if the "news" I alluded to on my last post had to do with another member of the Fiero family. No. lol. That is not the way I would tell anyone. Secondly, we are content to be a family of four, so except for fur babies that will come and go, there will be no more Fiero babies in this household. I'll have to content myself with my brother's blossoming family for now.
My news is craft related and something I am really excited about. But I can't share anything yet!
Yesterday I went to the second crop I've ever attended, but first I went to Morgan's soccer game. It's been so fun to watch her team play that I didn't want to miss it, and I'm glad I didn't. They played very well and the score was pretty close (although I think we did win). Morgan's been very assertive, more assertive than other girls that we've played, and I couldn't be more proud of her. Plus, she hasn't cried since the first game. She's been doing much better with her team skills... well, except for when she had a hold of one of her teammates shirts to keep him away from the ball, lol. She needs to work on the skills a little bit, I guess. ha!
The crop I went to yesterday was a lot of fun, but even though I was there for more than 10 hours, I didn't technically finish a single layout! I worked on two projects, but neither were buttoned up before I went home.
The first one was my Project 12 layout for August. I guess it was mainly done, but I did my journaling this morning.
I used Basic Grey's June Bug for this one, with some Just the Edge strips from Bazzill to dress it up. Easy enough, yes? Why did it take me so long then! lol I had the pictures printed already!
Ah well. Anyway, there is still time to submit a layout for the Project 12 challenge for October. The deadline is the 20th. If you are interested in Studio Calico goodies, you might want to play along! Details here.
Today we are just home doing fall lawn care (and that chore belongs to Steve, lol), and laundry (mine. ick). I swear Payton changes her clothes 6 times a day, so I am never near the bottom of the hamper and always grateful for the 2 rollaway carts and 6 total hampers we have in the laundry room. Good grief, I know!
Because it's fall and we are getting close to Halloween, I decided to do something fun for lunch. We had these:
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Davinie
My news is craft related and something I am really excited about. But I can't share anything yet!
Yesterday I went to the second crop I've ever attended, but first I went to Morgan's soccer game. It's been so fun to watch her team play that I didn't want to miss it, and I'm glad I didn't. They played very well and the score was pretty close (although I think we did win). Morgan's been very assertive, more assertive than other girls that we've played, and I couldn't be more proud of her. Plus, she hasn't cried since the first game. She's been doing much better with her team skills... well, except for when she had a hold of one of her teammates shirts to keep him away from the ball, lol. She needs to work on the skills a little bit, I guess. ha!
The crop I went to yesterday was a lot of fun, but even though I was there for more than 10 hours, I didn't technically finish a single layout! I worked on two projects, but neither were buttoned up before I went home.
The first one was my Project 12 layout for August. I guess it was mainly done, but I did my journaling this morning.
I used Basic Grey's June Bug for this one, with some Just the Edge strips from Bazzill to dress it up. Easy enough, yes? Why did it take me so long then! lol I had the pictures printed already!
Ah well. Anyway, there is still time to submit a layout for the Project 12 challenge for October. The deadline is the 20th. If you are interested in Studio Calico goodies, you might want to play along! Details here.
Today we are just home doing fall lawn care (and that chore belongs to Steve, lol), and laundry (mine. ick). I swear Payton changes her clothes 6 times a day, so I am never near the bottom of the hamper and always grateful for the 2 rollaway carts and 6 total hampers we have in the laundry room. Good grief, I know!
Because it's fall and we are getting close to Halloween, I decided to do something fun for lunch. We had these:
(photo from pillsbury.com)
They were really easy to make and a huge hit for the kidlets. Payton ate her lunch for once, lol. We had macaroni and cheese with some apples as well. Calories much?
Recipe and bake times here.
I also saw the cutest craft project on the Angy Chicken blog here. Duh! My girls were very entertained, especially Payton. She really enjoyed taking her scissors to the paper. I can't believe how easy this craft project was. That Amy Karol is a genius, lol!
I did work on one Studio Calico layout while at my crop yesterday. I can show you a sneak of the finished part, lol. Combined with a layout I finished up the other day, and I have two sneaks to share with you this lovely Sunday.
Recipe and bake times here.
I also saw the cutest craft project on the Angy Chicken blog here. Duh! My girls were very entertained, especially Payton. She really enjoyed taking her scissors to the paper. I can't believe how easy this craft project was. That Amy Karol is a genius, lol!
I did work on one Studio Calico layout while at my crop yesterday. I can show you a sneak of the finished part, lol. Combined with a layout I finished up the other day, and I have two sneaks to share with you this lovely Sunday.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Davinie
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A latte and a cold......
The dust on this blog is not helping my nasal cavities, lol. I didn't intend to neglect it for so long, but my family has been under the weather, and I just haven't felt compelled to blog about it, I guess. It seems like everyone is getting sick. Do you need another person to share their symptoms?
Steve has been gone deer hunting too, so it's been just the girls. We are used to it, but we've missed him. I got a text that he's headed home a day early because they filled their tags, so the girls will be excited about that.
On Saturday I had to go to the store for a gallon of milk, darn it, but as we were traversing the aisles the girls reminded me that they've been wanting scarves, so we found the fabric/yarn aisles and I picked up chunky pink and purple yarn. I've taken a single knitting class, so scarves are the extent of my repertoire. To showcase my mad skillz, though, I lost one of my needles somewhere, and ended up using a partially sharpened pencil to finish my work. Pretty MacGyver of me, huh? I actually finished both rather quickly and my girls couldn't wait to wear them to school on Monday:
I should have made Morgan's as narrow as Payton's, and both are a little long. I forgot about the stretch, and I forgot about what a toddler would do to their scarf to create additional length, lol. But they love them and I love my girls, and knowing something I made is going to help keep them warm just makes my heart happy. I think I'm ready to learn how to make something else now, lol! They look like they need sweaters. Knit hats! Maybe even gloves or warm socks. lol
Tonight is sneak night at Studio Calico! I've been chomping at the bit and just received my kit yesterday, so I don't have anything in the sneak slide show. But I'm busy working on projects now, and will have sneaks of my own to share later this week. There's also some big news at SC that will be shared soon too. I hear it might be via the newsletter. But there's been a lot of change at Studio Calico, and we all look forward to the next chapter.
Speaking of change, I have big news of my own to share, but I can't quite yet. I hate to tease about it, and it's a secret I'd love to shout from the rooftops, but I don't think I can do so yet.
I've also been busy crafting when I can, but they are all projects I can't share yet either. What type of inspirational blog is this, anyway? lol Hey, maybe you can take on knitting! Oh, I did post a tutorial at the Studio Calico blog on recreating my Unplanned Harvest layout and the quilted blocks. You can find that here.
Keep checking the blog, because there is always a sneak night giveaway too. I'm sure it'll be posted soon.
I also found that Making Memories is having a vintage findings giveaway. Comment to enter here.
Happy Tuesday!
ETA: I just received the product I'm going to use monthly for my Project 12 challenge. I'm so excited and inspired by it! I can't wait to share. I'll be giving some away soon, so be on the lookout!
Steve has been gone deer hunting too, so it's been just the girls. We are used to it, but we've missed him. I got a text that he's headed home a day early because they filled their tags, so the girls will be excited about that.
On Saturday I had to go to the store for a gallon of milk, darn it, but as we were traversing the aisles the girls reminded me that they've been wanting scarves, so we found the fabric/yarn aisles and I picked up chunky pink and purple yarn. I've taken a single knitting class, so scarves are the extent of my repertoire. To showcase my mad skillz, though, I lost one of my needles somewhere, and ended up using a partially sharpened pencil to finish my work. Pretty MacGyver of me, huh? I actually finished both rather quickly and my girls couldn't wait to wear them to school on Monday:
I should have made Morgan's as narrow as Payton's, and both are a little long. I forgot about the stretch, and I forgot about what a toddler would do to their scarf to create additional length, lol. But they love them and I love my girls, and knowing something I made is going to help keep them warm just makes my heart happy. I think I'm ready to learn how to make something else now, lol! They look like they need sweaters. Knit hats! Maybe even gloves or warm socks. lol
Tonight is sneak night at Studio Calico! I've been chomping at the bit and just received my kit yesterday, so I don't have anything in the sneak slide show. But I'm busy working on projects now, and will have sneaks of my own to share later this week. There's also some big news at SC that will be shared soon too. I hear it might be via the newsletter. But there's been a lot of change at Studio Calico, and we all look forward to the next chapter.
Speaking of change, I have big news of my own to share, but I can't quite yet. I hate to tease about it, and it's a secret I'd love to shout from the rooftops, but I don't think I can do so yet.
I've also been busy crafting when I can, but they are all projects I can't share yet either. What type of inspirational blog is this, anyway? lol Hey, maybe you can take on knitting! Oh, I did post a tutorial at the Studio Calico blog on recreating my Unplanned Harvest layout and the quilted blocks. You can find that here.
Keep checking the blog, because there is always a sneak night giveaway too. I'm sure it'll be posted soon.
I also found that Making Memories is having a vintage findings giveaway. Comment to enter here.
Happy Tuesday!
ETA: I just received the product I'm going to use monthly for my Project 12 challenge. I'm so excited and inspired by it! I can't wait to share. I'll be giving some away soon, so be on the lookout!
Monday, October 05, 2009
WCMD Giveaway Winner
Thank you so much for playing along! And wow, those candle ideas. I'm excited to try a few of those out! I've always been a Yankee girl, but am going to have to check out Bath and Body Works and maybe Scentsy too! Thanks for the ideas.
Without further ado, the stamps are headed to:
Virginia said...
Without further ado, the stamps are headed to:
Virginia said...what a fun question - i was just thinking yesterday that i LOVE fall candles and got a few for thanksgiving gifts (canadian thanksgiving is next weekend) - my fave is "fall leaves" from bath and bodyworks.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Sunday blah
Good Sunday morning to you! It is very dreary here, very dark. It makes me want to get back in bed, but alas, the kiddos don't seem to want to settle in. hmmph.
I hope you got some crafting done yesterday for WCMD! I have family in town interfering with my chi, so I wasn't able to do what I had hoped. Oh well. Maybe tonight, after they leave, lol. If you haven't already, leave a comment on this post or become a follower of this blog for a chance to win some stamps. The only way you are going to get an opportunity to get the star or the frame stamp is here on this blog or in a CKC class with April. Maybe Maggie. If you already have the alphas you can give them away as a Christmas gift, or heck, sell them on ebay, lol!
I do have a little something to share with you today. It's my day to post on the Pink Paislee blog, and the topic is stamping. I thought I'd take the time to make a quick and easy Christmas card for those who like to make their own. I'm sharing a sneak here. If you'd like to see the whole thing as well as instructions, please check the blog post here.
And if you are feeling even more crafty, be sure to check out my Project 12 challenge here.
:)
I hope you got some crafting done yesterday for WCMD! I have family in town interfering with my chi, so I wasn't able to do what I had hoped. Oh well. Maybe tonight, after they leave, lol. If you haven't already, leave a comment on this post or become a follower of this blog for a chance to win some stamps. The only way you are going to get an opportunity to get the star or the frame stamp is here on this blog or in a CKC class with April. Maybe Maggie. If you already have the alphas you can give them away as a Christmas gift, or heck, sell them on ebay, lol!
I do have a little something to share with you today. It's my day to post on the Pink Paislee blog, and the topic is stamping. I thought I'd take the time to make a quick and easy Christmas card for those who like to make their own. I'm sharing a sneak here. If you'd like to see the whole thing as well as instructions, please check the blog post here.
And if you are feeling even more crafty, be sure to check out my Project 12 challenge here.
:)
Saturday, October 03, 2009
It's World Cardmaking Day (WCMD) and I have a Giveaway!
Happy Saturday Morning! Today is World Cardmaking Day!
![3615275578_3f9ac8b2be_thumb[1]](http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ef2e29988330120a5e023fe970c-500wi)
What a great day to celebrate crafting! It's the first weekend in October so the leaves are changing, weather is chilling (in North America anyway, my Australian friends), and fall football is on. What a better day to have a holiday and use as an excuse to create.
I'm honored to be part of the blog tour for Paper Crafts today, and if you go to the World Card Making Day website, you can see hundreds of links to creative blogs that are celebrating this crafty day. Check out the tour here.
One of my favorite magazines on the planet, Scrapbook and Cards Today, is also hosting a WCMD party, so be sure to check their blog for fun card making inspiration. There are 12 different card designs with sketches and instructions, so be sure to soak up the inspiration!
I have a fun fall card to share with you today.
This card was really easy to make, and the stripes are the B side to the Jillibean Sunflower paper, so it was inexpensive too! Most supplies from this card are the October kit from Studio Calico. The ribbon is from my stash.
In honor of all the crafting, I wanted to have a giveaway! Studio Calico has generously donated some very fun stamps which should help inspire you along your way. The frame and star stamp are very exclusive. April used them in her misting class at CKC-Nashville, I believe.
The alphabet stamps are great for cards and scrapbook layouts. This is the Storytime alpha. It is a nice size, and a great font. They are the outline of the alpha which is fun because you can then make them any color you want to match any project. I used this set on my "Little School Girl" layout with Studio Calico's October kit:
Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite scented candle during the fall months for your chance to win. Followers of my blog are already entered in all giveaways, but if you are a follower and you leave a comment, you'll have two chances. I'm going to leave the comments open until midnight PST on Sunday the 4th, so enter away!
I hope you have a wonderful day of crafting! It doesn't have to be cards. And be sure to check back tomorrow. It's my day to post at the Pink Paislee blog, and I have some quick and easy Christmas card ideas to share.
Off to the soccer game! Davinie
I'm honored to be part of the blog tour for Paper Crafts today, and if you go to the World Card Making Day website, you can see hundreds of links to creative blogs that are celebrating this crafty day. Check out the tour here.
One of my favorite magazines on the planet, Scrapbook and Cards Today, is also hosting a WCMD party, so be sure to check their blog for fun card making inspiration. There are 12 different card designs with sketches and instructions, so be sure to soak up the inspiration!
I have a fun fall card to share with you today.
This card was really easy to make, and the stripes are the B side to the Jillibean Sunflower paper, so it was inexpensive too! Most supplies from this card are the October kit from Studio Calico. The ribbon is from my stash.
In honor of all the crafting, I wanted to have a giveaway! Studio Calico has generously donated some very fun stamps which should help inspire you along your way. The frame and star stamp are very exclusive. April used them in her misting class at CKC-Nashville, I believe.
The alphabet stamps are great for cards and scrapbook layouts. This is the Storytime alpha. It is a nice size, and a great font. They are the outline of the alpha which is fun because you can then make them any color you want to match any project. I used this set on my "Little School Girl" layout with Studio Calico's October kit:
Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite scented candle during the fall months for your chance to win. Followers of my blog are already entered in all giveaways, but if you are a follower and you leave a comment, you'll have two chances. I'm going to leave the comments open until midnight PST on Sunday the 4th, so enter away!I hope you have a wonderful day of crafting! It doesn't have to be cards. And be sure to check back tomorrow. It's my day to post at the Pink Paislee blog, and I have some quick and easy Christmas card ideas to share.
Off to the soccer game! Davinie
Friday, October 02, 2009
Halloween Inspo
Happy Friday! The first weekend of October is here and if you haven't already, it's time to dust off those fall/Halloween decoration boxes and make the house festive. If you don't do that already, you should, because it really sents a fun festive tone for the remainder of the year. Lighting a candle helps a lot too. Right now my house smells like Dutch Apple Pie. No wonder I'm hungry, lol.
I wanted to share a couple of Halloween projects with you today. First is my layout for my October article for True North Parentine Magazine. My article is about using a single photo on a layout. Last year at Halloween I took many, many photos, but this single photo encapsulated our day so well, that I thought I was the perfect photo to use to summarize our day.
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket and Pink Paislee
Alphas: Pink Paislee/American Crafts
My girls have been trick-or-treating with the same friends since they were born, and for the last couple of years, we've been getting photos of them against this brick wall near the parking lot of the shopping center where they trick or treat. I love these photos so much that I made a home decor item with a piece of barnwood and the photo I took in 2007:
You can find a photo and instructions on recreating this project on page 32 of the September/October issue of Paper Crafts magazine. Don't have it? You can pick it up at the Paper Crafts/CK online store and get 25% off until 10/12. Details here.
Lastly I wanted share a little peek at a class I'm going to be teaching at my LSS, Scrappin' Along, on November 5 at 6pm. It's a two page Halloween layout using the new Halloween line from American Crafts.
Haunted Halloween layout class by Davinie Fiero
Using the newest techniques including border punches, misting, and hand stitching, create a two page layout using American Crafts new Halloween line to showcase those spooky holiday photos of your little trick-or-treater.
This class will be a lot of fun! If you are interested in signing up, please give Sherry at Scrappin Along' a call at 541-389-8187.
Have a great weekend! And be sure to check back tomorrow. It's World Cardmaking Day and I have a really great giveaway to go along with some card inspiration.
Davinie
I wanted to share a couple of Halloween projects with you today. First is my layout for my October article for True North Parentine Magazine. My article is about using a single photo on a layout. Last year at Halloween I took many, many photos, but this single photo encapsulated our day so well, that I thought I was the perfect photo to use to summarize our day.
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket and Pink Paislee
Alphas: Pink Paislee/American Crafts
My girls have been trick-or-treating with the same friends since they were born, and for the last couple of years, we've been getting photos of them against this brick wall near the parking lot of the shopping center where they trick or treat. I love these photos so much that I made a home decor item with a piece of barnwood and the photo I took in 2007:
You can find a photo and instructions on recreating this project on page 32 of the September/October issue of Paper Crafts magazine. Don't have it? You can pick it up at the Paper Crafts/CK online store and get 25% off until 10/12. Details here.
Lastly I wanted share a little peek at a class I'm going to be teaching at my LSS, Scrappin' Along, on November 5 at 6pm. It's a two page Halloween layout using the new Halloween line from American Crafts.
Haunted Halloween layout class by Davinie Fiero
Using the newest techniques including border punches, misting, and hand stitching, create a two page layout using American Crafts new Halloween line to showcase those spooky holiday photos of your little trick-or-treater.
This class will be a lot of fun! If you are interested in signing up, please give Sherry at Scrappin Along' a call at 541-389-8187.
Have a great weekend! And be sure to check back tomorrow. It's World Cardmaking Day and I have a really great giveaway to go along with some card inspiration.
Davinie
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Project 12 challenge - October
It's that time again! The Project 12 challenge, October edition.
Create a layout about a month in your life. I'm working on August. Maybe even September, so that I'm caught up. Use 1 photo, 100 photos, no photos. Just summarize a month in your life.
Link your layout to this thread. You can post it to any gallery, to your blog, etc. Just link me here.
You have until the 20th of the month to link your layout to this thread. This is the only place I check for layouts for the giveaway, so while it's great to link your layout at the thread I start at Studio Calico, the most important place is right here.
What's up for grabs? I've decided to keep things easy, and am offering another $5 gift certificate to Studio Calico, and a package of SC journaling cards:
The shop at Studio Calico is very inspiring, and some future product is going to rock your socks off, so you are going to want the cash. Trust me. :)
See you on the 20th!
Davinie
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Studio Calico October - Yearbook
Hi all! I'm taking a break from volunteering in Morgan's Kindergarten class, scrubbing paint off Payton after preschool, hanging out at the library, hanging out in the car, driving to gymnastics, driving to soccer.... to share the October kit from Studio Calico. It's about time, eh? Hey, it takes me a minute to resize my photos so that I can fit everything in one blog post. Anyway, this is what I came up with this month.
I know I'm not helping anyone with my add-on choices, as I had to buy all three. But Studio Calico is the best scrapbook kit club on the planet, and I don't really feel the need to shop anywhere else. The shop is always full of fun goodies too. If you haven't, check it out sometime!
This kit was great for summer photos, school photos, fall photos, so it was great to wrap up some fun summer moments and also celebrate what's happening this week.
My first layout was Slip 'n Slide.
Normally the graphic patterns scare me to death but I really liked the color palette, thought this Monstrosity Sassafras paper would work great with these photos, and so I decided to showcase the pattern in this layout.
I used my favorite Fiskars punch on the blue Crate paper and layered it at the top. Then I punched circles in the blue cardstock and layered them across the paper . After all three patterns of paper were layed out I stitched around the border of the layout.
Oh, I almost forgot about the mist! I misted! I'm not much of a mist user but I liked the idea of an orange border, so I trimmed a retched shade of purple cardstock at 11.25 x 11.25 and layed it on top the cream cardstock and then misted in orange around the outside edges.
After that it was flower layering and alpha stickers.
I really liked this new patterned paper from SC. I wanted to showcase it as well but the pattern is a little busy for my photos, so I put Steve and his mower on cream cardstock. After I did that it seemed the opposite, a little plain, so it was after the fact that I decided to hand stitch circles. I'm not very good at spinning my sewing machine in a perfect circle, and I wanted them to be perfect, so hand stitch it was. I punched a circle out of a scrap piece of cardstock that was the same size as the woodgrain, and made pencil lines marking the circles on the cardstock. Then I pierced and stitched.
I was telling Steve that this seemed to be the favorite from my gallery this month and he was a bit upset that people seemed to like the stitches more than his photo. Silly man.
The ribbon was hand stitched to the layout as well.
This layout, this one right here, is my favorite layout from my gallery this month. I was completely inspired by the whole thing. When we were in Seattle last month we stayed at my dad's house. More specifically, we stayed in my stepmom's quilt/craft room at my dad's house. In this humungous craft room are quilting machines. And quilts. Everywhere. Every night as I went to sleep and every morning as I woke up I was overwhelmed with patterns and color and inspiration. She has so much fabric that she even has some on the bolts from the fabric store!
Our first night there, after dinner, as I mentioned in my journaling, Morgan noticed their fruit trees dripping with apples and pears and plums and begged to harvest some of them. We've never been apple picking, so the girls had a lot of fun climbing trees and picking fruit.
After I took the photos I knew I had to do a layout that incorporated where we were with what we did, and this is the result.
I had a lot of fun with this layout too. I was really happy to see how well the kit matched the photos of my girls on their first day of school, so this layout came together really easy.
I should first mention my photos. I saw a photo at 2peas of some little girls and a desk out in their backyard and just LOVED the idea. So I jumped on Craigs List and wouldn't you know it, there was a desk just like one I had in my first years of grade school, and it was $15! I nabbed it within 15 minutes of being listed and it's now in my living room. My girls love doing artwork and homework while sitting there. And of course, on their first day of school, I dragged it out into the yard. Of course, we had about 2 minutes to snap photos because we started running late, and as it was the first day of school, nobody wanted to sit there and let me take photos, but I did get a couple and you get the idea.
Most of the time I am more inspired by my photos, but lately I've also encountered patterned paper that really inspires me. Bo Bunny did that for me this month. I really really liked the patterns in the paper line that we used. For this particular layout, I knew I really had to include the fall tree patterns with my photos. I loved that the trees had pink in them.
I needed a pink felt tree to match that Bo Bunny paper, so I tore apart the Basic Grey feltie so that my tree matched. I then used the fun house stamp from Studio Calico to represent a little school house.
Another item in the main kit that I really enjoyed were these fun Maya Road envelopes. I wanted to use it on this layout but at first struggled with what to do with it. Write a note to the girls about my thoughts? No. I had just recently journaled about my fears regarding school. So instead, I had each girl draw a photo of herself on her first day of school on the Jenni Bowlin notepads. Boy are they cute! And now they are tucked away in envelope so that they will always be preserved! I love that! I save as much artwork as I can find a place for, but this was a fun way to include something else. It also has their signatures on it, and I am anxious to see how it changes from the first day to the last week. Maybe my PJ will graduate to Payton! :) Now, doesn't Morgan in her floral dress look cute? Those are flowers and sleeves, btw. Not bosoms. That girls knows where she came from, lol.
I posted the card I made with this kit here, and I made one more project for this kit before I ran out of time. I decided to make one of the envelopes into a mini album, an interview of Payton as she starts her school career. After doing the last layout, I couldn't stop! I had to carry on with school. I was also very inspired by Cosmo's pencils and the hop scotch on the B side of the Studio Calico paper. I thought the yellow and blue needed to be together.
I used the Jenni Bowlin memo notebook pages to determine the size, and trimmed the patterned paper the same to match. I also kept the design very simple, letting Payton's answers and artwork be the focus.
To create the album, I trimmed three pieces of cardstock, and then hand stitched them in the center to create the album binding. I was worried it might not hold so used glue as well, but as you can see on the very first page, I got a little sloppy, and in the end, I don't think I needed the glue.
I was happy with the photos I used, and included this last photo because it showcases her first backpack, and it shoes her headed out on her journey for education.
This was a very long post and if you made it this far, thank you very much! If you have any questions about my process, please let me know and I'll answer on my next post.
Have a great day! Davinie
I know I'm not helping anyone with my add-on choices, as I had to buy all three. But Studio Calico is the best scrapbook kit club on the planet, and I don't really feel the need to shop anywhere else. The shop is always full of fun goodies too. If you haven't, check it out sometime!
This kit was great for summer photos, school photos, fall photos, so it was great to wrap up some fun summer moments and also celebrate what's happening this week.
My first layout was Slip 'n Slide.
Normally the graphic patterns scare me to death but I really liked the color palette, thought this Monstrosity Sassafras paper would work great with these photos, and so I decided to showcase the pattern in this layout.
I used my favorite Fiskars punch on the blue Crate paper and layered it at the top. Then I punched circles in the blue cardstock and layered them across the paper . After all three patterns of paper were layed out I stitched around the border of the layout.
Oh, I almost forgot about the mist! I misted! I'm not much of a mist user but I liked the idea of an orange border, so I trimmed a retched shade of purple cardstock at 11.25 x 11.25 and layed it on top the cream cardstock and then misted in orange around the outside edges.After that it was flower layering and alpha stickers.
I really liked this new patterned paper from SC. I wanted to showcase it as well but the pattern is a little busy for my photos, so I put Steve and his mower on cream cardstock. After I did that it seemed the opposite, a little plain, so it was after the fact that I decided to hand stitch circles. I'm not very good at spinning my sewing machine in a perfect circle, and I wanted them to be perfect, so hand stitch it was. I punched a circle out of a scrap piece of cardstock that was the same size as the woodgrain, and made pencil lines marking the circles on the cardstock. Then I pierced and stitched.I was telling Steve that this seemed to be the favorite from my gallery this month and he was a bit upset that people seemed to like the stitches more than his photo. Silly man.
The ribbon was hand stitched to the layout as well.
This layout, this one right here, is my favorite layout from my gallery this month. I was completely inspired by the whole thing. When we were in Seattle last month we stayed at my dad's house. More specifically, we stayed in my stepmom's quilt/craft room at my dad's house. In this humungous craft room are quilting machines. And quilts. Everywhere. Every night as I went to sleep and every morning as I woke up I was overwhelmed with patterns and color and inspiration. She has so much fabric that she even has some on the bolts from the fabric store!Our first night there, after dinner, as I mentioned in my journaling, Morgan noticed their fruit trees dripping with apples and pears and plums and begged to harvest some of them. We've never been apple picking, so the girls had a lot of fun climbing trees and picking fruit.
After I took the photos I knew I had to do a layout that incorporated where we were with what we did, and this is the result.
I had a lot of fun with this layout too. I was really happy to see how well the kit matched the photos of my girls on their first day of school, so this layout came together really easy.I should first mention my photos. I saw a photo at 2peas of some little girls and a desk out in their backyard and just LOVED the idea. So I jumped on Craigs List and wouldn't you know it, there was a desk just like one I had in my first years of grade school, and it was $15! I nabbed it within 15 minutes of being listed and it's now in my living room. My girls love doing artwork and homework while sitting there. And of course, on their first day of school, I dragged it out into the yard. Of course, we had about 2 minutes to snap photos because we started running late, and as it was the first day of school, nobody wanted to sit there and let me take photos, but I did get a couple and you get the idea.
Most of the time I am more inspired by my photos, but lately I've also encountered patterned paper that really inspires me. Bo Bunny did that for me this month. I really really liked the patterns in the paper line that we used. For this particular layout, I knew I really had to include the fall tree patterns with my photos. I loved that the trees had pink in them.
I needed a pink felt tree to match that Bo Bunny paper, so I tore apart the Basic Grey feltie so that my tree matched. I then used the fun house stamp from Studio Calico to represent a little school house.
Another item in the main kit that I really enjoyed were these fun Maya Road envelopes. I wanted to use it on this layout but at first struggled with what to do with it. Write a note to the girls about my thoughts? No. I had just recently journaled about my fears regarding school. So instead, I had each girl draw a photo of herself on her first day of school on the Jenni Bowlin notepads. Boy are they cute! And now they are tucked away in envelope so that they will always be preserved! I love that! I save as much artwork as I can find a place for, but this was a fun way to include something else. It also has their signatures on it, and I am anxious to see how it changes from the first day to the last week. Maybe my PJ will graduate to Payton! :) Now, doesn't Morgan in her floral dress look cute? Those are flowers and sleeves, btw. Not bosoms. That girls knows where she came from, lol. 
I posted the card I made with this kit here, and I made one more project for this kit before I ran out of time. I decided to make one of the envelopes into a mini album, an interview of Payton as she starts her school career. After doing the last layout, I couldn't stop! I had to carry on with school. I was also very inspired by Cosmo's pencils and the hop scotch on the B side of the Studio Calico paper. I thought the yellow and blue needed to be together.
I used the Jenni Bowlin memo notebook pages to determine the size, and trimmed the patterned paper the same to match. I also kept the design very simple, letting Payton's answers and artwork be the focus.To create the album, I trimmed three pieces of cardstock, and then hand stitched them in the center to create the album binding. I was worried it might not hold so used glue as well, but as you can see on the very first page, I got a little sloppy, and in the end, I don't think I needed the glue.
I was happy with the photos I used, and included this last photo because it showcases her first backpack, and it shoes her headed out on her journey for education.This was a very long post and if you made it this far, thank you very much! If you have any questions about my process, please let me know and I'll answer on my next post.
Have a great day! Davinie
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sketchfest Saturday and Studio Calico sneaks
Today is the last day and the last sketch for the Caardvarks Sketchfest challenge. It was an honor to be part of all the fun! For this last sketch I decided to sneak in an early peek at the October kit from Studio Calico, Yearbook, for my card.
Isn't it fun?! I loved those little felt trees from American Crafts. The alphas were fun too.
Speaking of Studio Calico, as promised, I have the remainder of my projects for October to share today. Just some sneaks, you know.
I had a lot of fun with this kit!
Have a great Saturday. We are getting ready to head to another Saturday soccer game. Gotta love 5 year old in action.
Today also would have been my Grandjack's birthday, which is wonderful because early this morning my brother became a daddy! Welcome Miss Lilly Cooper! I can't wait to meet you!
Davinie
Isn't it fun?! I loved those little felt trees from American Crafts. The alphas were fun too.
Speaking of Studio Calico, as promised, I have the remainder of my projects for October to share today. Just some sneaks, you know.
I had a lot of fun with this kit!Have a great Saturday. We are getting ready to head to another Saturday soccer game. Gotta love 5 year old in action.
Today also would have been my Grandjack's birthday, which is wonderful because early this morning my brother became a daddy! Welcome Miss Lilly Cooper! I can't wait to meet you!
Davinie
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Cards with a side of Scrapbook and Cards. Today!
Well, it's Friday which means we've made it through our first full week of school! And except for the fact that Morgan ALREADY has a case of the sniffles, everything went off without a hitch and the school year is going to be a lot of fun. Woot!
I do have a few cards to share with you today, the next three cards I made for Caardvarks Sketchfest challenge. There are a lot of great prizes up for grabs and there's still time to play along! Again, I only used Studio Calico kits for these cards, and some of them were a struggle, because I only have little scraps left! That worked out well for this first card:
And today's card features the current kit, Cotillion. As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I had to use the square frame stamp.
There is still one more sketch for Saturday, so you still have more sketches and more time. I also have Studio Calico sneaks to share, but I'm going to wait until Saturday, because the card I made with Saturday's sketch was made with October's kit, Yearbook (shhh, don't tell April, lol).
Before I go I did want to direct you to one of my very favorite crafty publications. The Fall issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today is up and ready. If you don't have access to it at your LSS, you can download this issue for free here. This is what the cover looks like:
It is full of such great content. I am very inspired every time I pick it up. The pages are nice and thick, and it goes on the shelves with other idea books at my house.
I had the honor of writing an article for this issue, so I have a few layouts in it. I also have some artwork by my favorite 5 year old on the planet, and I really loved what Catherine and Kerry had to say about her talent. That was my favorite part!
After you download the issue, head on over to the Scrapbook and Cards blog. They are hosting a great big giveaway today (but you should check the site often, because they are always doing giveaways).
Have a great Friday! See you tomorrow.
I do have a few cards to share with you today, the next three cards I made for Caardvarks Sketchfest challenge. There are a lot of great prizes up for grabs and there's still time to play along! Again, I only used Studio Calico kits for these cards, and some of them were a struggle, because I only have little scraps left! That worked out well for this first card:
And today's card features the current kit, Cotillion. As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I had to use the square frame stamp.
There is still one more sketch for Saturday, so you still have more sketches and more time. I also have Studio Calico sneaks to share, but I'm going to wait until Saturday, because the card I made with Saturday's sketch was made with October's kit, Yearbook (shhh, don't tell April, lol).
Before I go I did want to direct you to one of my very favorite crafty publications. The Fall issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today is up and ready. If you don't have access to it at your LSS, you can download this issue for free here. This is what the cover looks like:
It is full of such great content. I am very inspired every time I pick it up. The pages are nice and thick, and it goes on the shelves with other idea books at my house.
I had the honor of writing an article for this issue, so I have a few layouts in it. I also have some artwork by my favorite 5 year old on the planet, and I really loved what Catherine and Kerry had to say about her talent. That was my favorite part!
After you download the issue, head on over to the Scrapbook and Cards blog. They are hosting a great big giveaway today (but you should check the site often, because they are always doing giveaways).
Have a great Friday! See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Project 12 September winner
The number of the day was 4 and that means:
Shelly is the winner! Woot!
Thanks again to all who play along! I'll be back on the 1st with the October challenge, so if you are behind, keep plugging along! No worries!
Davinie
-
I got one done..
http://www.studiocalico.com
/forums/galleries/show/14529 - 5:51 PM
Shelly is the winner! Woot!
Thanks again to all who play along! I'll be back on the 1st with the October challenge, so if you are behind, keep plugging along! No worries!
Davinie
Sketchfest Tuesday and World Cardmaking Day
The Tuesday sketch for Sketchfest is up at the Caardvarks blog, and I wanted to share the card I made. I used July's Documentary kit for this one. I love those little pins from Making Memories!
Speaking of cards, you may have heard a few rumblings around the web, but I wanted to direct you to a fun event happening the first Saturday in October. It'll be World Cardmaking Day! What a perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday cards and other card related tasks you may have been dreading and avoiding.
In honor of the big day, Paper Crafts Magazine is extending a discount to each of you! You can get 25% off your entire purchase subtotal at the Paper Crafts/CK online store -- just by enter the following code: NB84-TKMS-TAUJ. The coupon will be valid from midnight (MDT) on 09/21/09 through 23:59:59 (MDT) on 10/12/09. Be sure to check out the World Card Making Day website for all sorts of activities and you can even check out the Blog Tour. Some of my favorite card makers and crafters in general are listed there. So honored to be part of it.
And not because I'm partial or anything, but if you are looking for Christmas ideas I would absolutely jet over to the store for a copy of this:
I am really excited to have a couple of things in this issue, but honestly, in general I have never been so inspired by a magazine for holiday projects. So if you are looking for decor ideas, or gifts to give, and even ideas for those pesky Christmas cards, this is a really great issue to pick up. Here's one of my projects:
(Some of you might remember this from Studio Calico.)
You can check out this issue here.
Enjoy your Tuesday! The girls both have school today, and then it's off to soccer practice this evening. A busy day at my house!
Davinie
Speaking of cards, you may have heard a few rumblings around the web, but I wanted to direct you to a fun event happening the first Saturday in October. It'll be World Cardmaking Day! What a perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday cards and other card related tasks you may have been dreading and avoiding.
In honor of the big day, Paper Crafts Magazine is extending a discount to each of you! You can get 25% off your entire purchase subtotal at the Paper Crafts/CK online store -- just by enter the following code: NB84-TKMS-TAUJ. The coupon will be valid from midnight (MDT) on 09/21/09 through 23:59:59 (MDT) on 10/12/09. Be sure to check out the World Card Making Day website for all sorts of activities and you can even check out the Blog Tour. Some of my favorite card makers and crafters in general are listed there. So honored to be part of it.
And not because I'm partial or anything, but if you are looking for Christmas ideas I would absolutely jet over to the store for a copy of this:
I am really excited to have a couple of things in this issue, but honestly, in general I have never been so inspired by a magazine for holiday projects. So if you are looking for decor ideas, or gifts to give, and even ideas for those pesky Christmas cards, this is a really great issue to pick up. Here's one of my projects:
(Some of you might remember this from Studio Calico.)
You can check out this issue here.
Enjoy your Tuesday! The girls both have school today, and then it's off to soccer practice this evening. A busy day at my house!
Davinie
Monday, September 21, 2009
Card Challenge Monday!
I'm starting the week with some cards to inspire you. This works out great! Maybe it'll help get you card ideas for World Cardmaking Day, maybe it'll help inspire you to get ideas ready for those Christmas cards you hope to make this year. Either way, I have cards to share.
First is my Sketchfest Monday card. Be sure to check out the Caardvarks blog for details on this challenge. Remember, Studio Calico is a sponsor.
For my card, I used April's kit, Jack and Jill. Cosmo Cricket's Element cards make a great design element for this type of sketch.
Next up is my card for the challenge this week at the Cardalicious card challenge blog. The challenge? Make a birthday card using red, blue, and yellow. This is what I came up with:
Easy enough, yes?
Have a great day! Davinie
First is my Sketchfest Monday card. Be sure to check out the Caardvarks blog for details on this challenge. Remember, Studio Calico is a sponsor.
For my card, I used April's kit, Jack and Jill. Cosmo Cricket's Element cards make a great design element for this type of sketch.Next up is my card for the challenge this week at the Cardalicious card challenge blog. The challenge? Make a birthday card using red, blue, and yellow. This is what I came up with:
Easy enough, yes?
Have a great day! Davinie
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Studio Calico October sneaks
No beating around the bush with this post. I have a couple of Studio Calico sneaks to share. I was going to wait until I had one of my other projects finished, but I just can't help myself, I want to share.
This kit is very versatile. I've got a fall layout finished, some summer photos scrapped, a mini almost done, and other projects in the works as well. A very versatile kit, it is!
See you tomorrow!
Davinie
This kit is very versatile. I've got a fall layout finished, some summer photos scrapped, a mini almost done, and other projects in the works as well. A very versatile kit, it is!
See you tomorrow!
Davinie
I'm a soccer Mom now!
The first week of school went off without a hitch, despite my concerns, and Morgan's transition into fall sports went better than expected too. No tap this time. Obviously, running off the stage at the recital one year, and refusing to go to class the next.... was a sure sign that tap and ballet dancing and spring recitals are not what Morgan's into, lol.
This fall I decided to try soccer. I did ask her what interested her, and soccer was her answer. The first practices were a little rough, because she spent a majority of her time upset when somebody else on her team scored a goal, because it wasn't her. I had no doubt that teamwork was something she was going to learn by participating.
Her very first game of her very first year, Morgan scored the very first goal. I was busy making friends with another parent at the goal line, had a big lens on my camera, and wasn't ready for the very first play of the very first game to have a goal made by my very first daughter, lol. I didn't get a great picture. She was so excited though, and I was so happy for her. And she only cried a few more times when other players scored, lol.
This week she did much better, and yesterday, she scored a goal all by herself. She muscled that ball down the field and into the goal and didn't even need one of the Superstars on her team to help her (they play 3 on 3 with no goalie at 5 years old).
It's been a lot of fun to watch! She's grown so much as a person in the last two weeks I can't imagine what she'll be like at Christmas! And because I'm an all-over-town driving soccer mom, I had to get me a new phone. It was time to enter the 21st century so I picked up a Blackberry. Apple is not in my area, so no Iphone for me. I took baby steps and upgraded to the Tour. So far, I like it. LOVE that I have the internet and I'm not at the computer! I can now keep up with the world while waiting at practices, waiting at gymnastics, waiting for school to get out, etc. I like the option.
I have a couple of scrappy things to share before I go. First, today is the last day to participate in the Project 12 challenge this month. Below is my layout for July.
If you are interested in playing along, read the details and link your layouts to this thread to be entered for the prize.
Lastly, this is my card for the first of 7 card challenges this week at the Caardvarks blog. Studio Calico is sponsoring the prizes, so be sure to check it out! I used 6-7 previous Studio Calico kits for these challenges, and even used the current kit (but don't tell April). Check out the Caardvarks blog for the Sunday sketch and how you can play along.
This fall I decided to try soccer. I did ask her what interested her, and soccer was her answer. The first practices were a little rough, because she spent a majority of her time upset when somebody else on her team scored a goal, because it wasn't her. I had no doubt that teamwork was something she was going to learn by participating.
Her very first game of her very first year, Morgan scored the very first goal. I was busy making friends with another parent at the goal line, had a big lens on my camera, and wasn't ready for the very first play of the very first game to have a goal made by my very first daughter, lol. I didn't get a great picture. She was so excited though, and I was so happy for her. And she only cried a few more times when other players scored, lol.
This week she did much better, and yesterday, she scored a goal all by herself. She muscled that ball down the field and into the goal and didn't even need one of the Superstars on her team to help her (they play 3 on 3 with no goalie at 5 years old).
It's been a lot of fun to watch! She's grown so much as a person in the last two weeks I can't imagine what she'll be like at Christmas! And because I'm an all-over-town driving soccer mom, I had to get me a new phone. It was time to enter the 21st century so I picked up a Blackberry. Apple is not in my area, so no Iphone for me. I took baby steps and upgraded to the Tour. So far, I like it. LOVE that I have the internet and I'm not at the computer! I can now keep up with the world while waiting at practices, waiting at gymnastics, waiting for school to get out, etc. I like the option.
I have a couple of scrappy things to share before I go. First, today is the last day to participate in the Project 12 challenge this month. Below is my layout for July.
If you are interested in playing along, read the details and link your layouts to this thread to be entered for the prize. Lastly, this is my card for the first of 7 card challenges this week at the Caardvarks blog. Studio Calico is sponsoring the prizes, so be sure to check it out! I used 6-7 previous Studio Calico kits for these challenges, and even used the current kit (but don't tell April). Check out the Caardvarks blog for the Sunday sketch and how you can play along.
I used the current kit, Cotillion, for this card.
Have a great day! I have so much more to share, including some Studio Calico sneaks.
Davinie
Have a great day! I have so much more to share, including some Studio Calico sneaks.
Davinie
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sketchfest with Caardvarks
Wow it's been a busy week! This marked the first official First Week of School at our house. Morgan in Kindergarten and Payton in preschool. Boy were they excited. I expected hesitancy and a few tears as I dropped them off in new and unfamiliar surroundings, but they couldn't have booted me out there fast enough, lol. I guess *I* was the only one worried about the new routine.
They couldn't even stand still and keep a smile long enough for a photo, but this is what they looked like on their first day:
Searching for backpacks turned in to a bit of an ordeal, but after looking everywhere Morgan liked this sparkly pink backpack with stars on it that we found at Old Navy of all places, and while at first she was insistent that her backpack have a horse on it, Payton eventually settled for Hello Kitty.
*phew*
Anyway, my week has been swamped, but I have managed to get out my scissors and glue as well. I will have Studio Calico sneaks soon, maybe later today or tomorrow, Project 12 layouts too, but I did want to direct you to something else I've been working on that's rather cool.
All sort of prizes on this one, from Studio Calico, and from what I hear, the Grand Prize for this event is a DT spot on the Caardvarks team, so if you like challenges, like making cards, this is the challenge for you! I hope you'll play along.
Enjoy your weekend!
Davinie
They couldn't even stand still and keep a smile long enough for a photo, but this is what they looked like on their first day:
Searching for backpacks turned in to a bit of an ordeal, but after looking everywhere Morgan liked this sparkly pink backpack with stars on it that we found at Old Navy of all places, and while at first she was insistent that her backpack have a horse on it, Payton eventually settled for Hello Kitty.*phew*
Anyway, my week has been swamped, but I have managed to get out my scissors and glue as well. I will have Studio Calico sneaks soon, maybe later today or tomorrow, Project 12 layouts too, but I did want to direct you to something else I've been working on that's rather cool.
All sort of prizes on this one, from Studio Calico, and from what I hear, the Grand Prize for this event is a DT spot on the Caardvarks team, so if you like challenges, like making cards, this is the challenge for you! I hope you'll play along.
Enjoy your weekend!
Davinie
Monday, September 14, 2009
Like Maya Mists?
GET ON OVER to the Studio Calico blog. It was the Sneak Night Giveaway but they are leaving the comments open until Midnight tonight! 8 colors! woot!
Speaking of sneaks.... oh my. I don't have any yet as my box *just* got here. I took part in the combined kit shipping promo to save shipping costs for local kit delivery for a friend of mine, and along with some shop items, my box got too heavy for USPS and was sent UPS. It took forever and I almost took out the man in the brown truck when he pulled up.
He will NOT have to say "left package by front door" or "met woman in yard" or even "left package in tree", lol. He'll need to say "she took it right out of the back of the truck!"
heeeeeeeeee.
Off to scrap. And get my backlog of Project 12 layouts finished. And a few things I can't share yet. And then I need to feed kids. And bathe 'em. And all that.
:)
Speaking of sneaks.... oh my. I don't have any yet as my box *just* got here. I took part in the combined kit shipping promo to save shipping costs for local kit delivery for a friend of mine, and along with some shop items, my box got too heavy for USPS and was sent UPS. It took forever and I almost took out the man in the brown truck when he pulled up.
He will NOT have to say "left package by front door" or "met woman in yard" or even "left package in tree", lol. He'll need to say "she took it right out of the back of the truck!"
heeeeeeeeee.
Off to scrap. And get my backlog of Project 12 layouts finished. And a few things I can't share yet. And then I need to feed kids. And bathe 'em. And all that.
:)
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