Project Life Cards

I did my first set of homemade Project Life (or pocket page) cards. It's fun working with the small spaces. Kinda takes the pressure off filling the big 12X12 space. I did these for another 2Peas swap :) I signed up for a "Family" themed group and "Holidays" group. For the family themed one I used my Silhouette to cut out the card outlines and then used Amy Tangerine paper to embellish a little bit.  I did the holiday themed ones with Heidi Swaps' Christmas "Believe" paper (which i totally love!). They were so much fun to make.

happy creating,
melissa

Thankfulness Scrapbook Journal Completed!

I made some changes to my original "28 Days of Thankfulness" book. I was at Archivers and got a Heidi Swapp album for only $13. It was just the book and pages, but I thought that was pretty cheap. I even used my coupon so it was cheaper :)  I decided to go with a 3 ring binder so I could put more pages in and I also like the sturdiness of a 3 ring.  I took the pages out of the original book and viola here is what I came up with. I have to say it was much harder to keep it up than I thought it would be. I started out really good, but then slacked off and ended up finishing it this week. It was really fun do to though..it made me really think about what I appreciated in my life and just how darn lucky I am! Now to start on my Christmas projects tomorrow! I have a December journal/scrapbook to make. Although this one will more than likely be a weekly thing..not quite a daily thing.
Happy Creating,
:) Melissa

 

Christmas Tags





I went to my monthly crop yesterday and had a great time as usual! I planned to work on swap tags , swap PL cards  and my Thanksgiving thankfulness scrapbook. But I only got as far as the swap tags :) I signed up for a vintage group and sliver group. Somehow it's a bit more fun for me to make something for someone else in a swap! I bought some snowflakes a few weeks ago at Michaels on clearance..so I planned to use them when I signed up for the silver group! I started out by cutting silver corrugated paper into my tag shape, then adhered it to white cardstock (so the back would be blank white cardstock). I stacked the snowflakes on top of each other and spaced them by using a pop dot. I cut one blue snowflake out on my silhouette and glued that one on top of the stack, followed by a gem on top.  I then printed out "merry & bright" on the same blue paper as the top snowflake. For the vintage tag I used Heidi Swaps Christmas paper stack from Michaels. I started out with numbered pattern background, and added a snowflake/flower shape patterned background paper strip and to the bottom of the tag. I then glued ric rac to the top and bottom of the snowflake/flower patterned paper strip. It reminded me of a Christmas  or winter sweater!  I used plaid pattern paper for a large circle, then I scalloped punched the "25" and glued that on top of the plaid pattern circle. I then cut two strips od music paper and stamped Dec 25 on one and glued them underneath the scalloped 25. I really like how they both came out! I may make a few more to keep for myself. I promise to post next on my Thankfulness scrapbook!

Happy Scrappin,
melissa

Daily December

I'm so jazzed right now...I just completed my second swap project on 2 Peas in a Bucket chat forum. I'm totally addicted to swaps now! I made a Daily December page front and back. My friend Wendy gave me the idea for the free standing envelope. She was working on her December daily book at the last crop I went to. She had some really awesome pages, and a big free standing pocket. It was as big as her pages, and really cute! I had some velum so I made the envelopes out of that. I just hope everyone likes them! I went to Michaels last Friday and couldn't believe they did not have any Christmas..I couldn't believe it!! I am actually AHEAD of myself and the season--it's unbelievable and feels GREAT!). So I ended up getting red glitter paper, green lined paper and white cardstock.
I didn't have time to go to Hobby Lobby or Achievers before my crop so I thought I would make that stuff work. I used the red glitter paper to make the rosettes, the green lined paper to make a pocket and the white cardstock to print out the 25s for the rosettes. I used sheet music boarder punched to go on the pocket. The sheets of paper in the pocket are lined note book paper, sheet music and black cardstock. I typed out "Makin my list and checking it twice.." on the lined paper and stamped Dec 25 2013 on the sheet music. On the second page I started out with green ledger paper I had and a red snow flake boarder at the bottom. I  cut little strips of dictionary paper, washi tape and the green lined paper (that's on the other side) to go with a red button in the left corner. For the velum envelope I folded a 8 1/2 x 11 piece in half and sewed the top flap on, then sewed around the edges. Turns out velum is not fond of the sewing machine. On the envelope I put a library card pocket with 3 coordinating cards. I also cut little strips of the same paper and washi tape to put under the Merry Christmas Santa circle. To finish it all up I inked the sides. I can't wait to see what I get in return! I just need to make myself 11 more pages. I want to record something everyday..ambitious I know..but my 28 days of thankfulness will get me going..happy scrappin!

28 Days of Thankfulness Scrapbook Journal

I saw a post last week on Two Peas in a Bucket forum asking if anyone was going to be doing a Thankfulness journal/scrapbook. Hmmmm...what exactly? So after reading what others had posted on the thread and looking at a few blogs, I thought what a great idea! Start on the 1st of November and then each day leading up to Thanksgiving, journal/scrapbook something you are thankful for. Then I thought why not make a kit and have a class at the OLL Craft Club that I go too? It was such a fun class! I even made kits..I kept it simple so that each day pictures and more embellishments could be added. To create the book I started in Microsoft Power Point.  I like Power Point because you can arrange blocks of text and pictures anywhere on the page. I created 14 slides with  "I am thankful for.."  twice on each slide. After I printed them on 81/2 x 11 white cardstock, I simply cut them in half. I adhered 14 pages together to make 7 stronger pages that were two sided. I used a (waiting-to-be-recycled) cereal box  sandwiched between white cardstock for the covers.   After misting, inking and embellishing the book I used a bind-it-all  for the class books (I used twine to tie the pages together on mine). I'm looking forward to Nov 1st! Here's my template as a PDF...happy creating!

28 Days of Thankfulness Template

Halloween Crow

I was at the Dollar store recently and saw a big box of black crows. They were begging to be bought and decorated! I saw some at Walmart a few days later for a little more $$. I'm always so happy to find good deals at the Dollar store! First I measured out the little party hat and glued it together. The orange glitter boarder came on the 12x12 paper I cut the hat out from. I glued black Tim Holtz garland around the bottom, curled up a little of the garland to make a pom-pom for the top. I then printed out "Happy Halloween" on some orange paper and threaded orange and white twine around the crows neck. the "potion 45" is from the Streampunk Graphic 45 line. The party hat template is below..you can really print it out to make any size party hat. I'm more of a simple kind of gal, but I have seen the rows decorated with rosette collars, and super cute bases. Halloween is such a fun time for crafts and decorating!



Halloween House Made out of Playing Cards

 

 

I got several decks of playing cards at a thrift store recently and wondered what I could make with them besides a banner. I saw some little houses made out of book paper for Christmas and that gave me the idea for houses. I made this one a little busy, but I would like to make a few more to put on my mantle that aren't decorated on every side. I thought black was appropriate for Halloween and red for Christmas. First I decorated the front of each card. I used Graphic 45 Steampunk Halloween line. I then took some scrap paper and cut it into 2 inch pieces. I scored the middle of each and then adhered it to two cards until I had the house frame. I took one card and scored it in the middle for the roof. I took black paper and cut out a triangle to fill in the roof. I used Tim Holtz black garland to line the roof. You could also layer scalloped boarders on the roof. I did a window with a flower box and door to make it a little more like a house. I will definitely be making some more for Halloween and Christmas!

 

Paper Grocery Sacks made into Gift Bags

I met my Aunt and Sister at Scrapfest in the Mall of America this past weekend (had SO much fun). I had some goodies for them and I decided to put them in paper grocery sacks. I was thinking of ways to decorate the bags and came up these. First I used brown mist and plastic stencils to make a design on the front of each bag. Then I sewed some lace around the top. The thicker one first and then the smaller one second. I also sewed (cotton Ribbon) handles at the same time as the lace. I used hearts cut out of book paper, a flower made out of vintage clothes pattern paper and buttons. My Sister and Aunt really liked them.

Food Coloring Kids Fun

 



My boys are pretty energetic, so trying to find something to hold their attention is tough. I filled clear cups with primary colored water. Then I gave the boys little cups, and some other stuff leftover from a science kit . They had a ball mixing and pouring. The fun lasted for at least an hour..to my amazement!

Back in the Game with Chirstmas Tags

Wow, nay I say it's been a QUICK three months since I last posted. I didn't create much this summer. We started out just busy with outdoor stuff and little fun trips here and there. Then I had surgery in the beginning of Aug and here we are in Sep! I'm quite busy at work and will be right up until I leave for Scrapfest at the Mall of America in two weeks. I'm SO EXCITED to see my Sister and Aunt! It's going to be a fun (and too fast) weekend. I joined 2Peas in a Bucket website and will be participating in my first "swap".  I joined a Christmas tag swap. I signed up for one Vintage group. I stared out with some vintage post cards I got off of eBay. Really cool, as some have writing on them and are from 1914. I then did a blanket stitch to make a boarder. My first attempt..not too bad I hope! I sewed some buttons, then glued some mini vintage plastic holly and then tied a piece of twine on top. I sprayed some sheet music with peal mist and cut out to match the vintage post card tag. Then I found a cute vintage looking gingerbread man and glued the image to red card stock. I wanted the little guy to be a bit thicker than just plain card stock. After I fussy cut him out, I colored him a little bit more with my Stampin Up Markers. Then tied it all together with some vintage off white lace and ric-rac.The picture is of the front and then the back. I'm pretty happy with how they came out. I just hope the other swappers are happy too!  

Creating a Wall Photo Gallery

 

It all started when I picked up a super cool vintage jump rope (complete with wooden handles and the cardboard packaging!) at my fav thrift store. I really wanted to figure out a way to display it. A wall in my boy's "playroom" was begging for something other than the tan paint I had painted it a while back. My style is vintage, homey and sort of country...so of course I couldn't find the right pictures to hang on the wall. So, I decided to create my own using some frames I had bought a long time ago at Walmart...I added October Afternoon paper, a vintage children's record, flash cards and some other little bits and pieces. I also hung one Crayola crayon box and a chalk box. I used 3M Velcro strips to hang everything so I could remove the sticky stuff later. The hardest part was trying to take pictures of my finished project...glass frames are a bit tricky!



Starbucks Paper Treat Bag Scrapbook





I am a die hard Starbucks fan (especially Fall & Christmas times of the year) so when the yummy pumpkin spice and gingerbread latte season approaches I get really excited! This year was no exception, but one change was that I am now gluten free so I didn't get any treats :( But happy to say my kids did! Brownies, cake pops and cookies oh my! I started to save the bags that the treats came in and I finally had enough to make a couple mini scrapbook albums with big pull outs. I used a little of this and that, but mostly Amy Tangerine (of course one of my favs).

Recycled Starbucks Paper Sack Mini Scrapbook Album



So..paper sacks are my favorite..but Starbucks paper sacks are even better (or any cute bags from stores for that matter!) I did this one in Amy Tangerine "Lets Go" stuff from American Crafts. It's so easy to create when you have cool stuff! I sewed two pocket pages into this book. Before I sewed the pages as the book I took two pieces of card stock half the size of my page and put them back to back on one of the pages, then sewed the pocket. One sew for two pockets!

Pocket #1...

 

Turn the page to pocket #2!

 



 



 

Just a quick pciture to show my "boy" themed tea light birthday cake. I did a little sliver key, the little ones that come with the kids diary (although it doesn't show up that great in the angle I took the photo) and a button. It's so hard trying to come up with stuff for boys..or masculine type do-dads!

Tea Light Birthday Cake

This was really fun to make. My sister sent me a picture of a couple she made and they really inspired me! I only had to wait until I could find the tea lights on the cheap. I checked all the local craft stores and they were pretty expensive.  I went to the Dollar Store and I found a 3-pack!! This was a few weeks ago and I only picked up two packs (dummy). I wish I had grabbed the lot, cause I love making these little cuties.

The first one took me a long time because I had to get the measurements just right with the scallop circles. I cut two 2 in scalloped circles on my Shilouette. I took one of the circles and folded it in half , and then in half again. I then snipped the point with scissors to make the hole for the flame. I inked the circle before I put it over the flame and gave it a good rub down to make the crease around the top part of the cake.I glued ric-rack to the bottom along with the other scalloped circle. The roses are mini paper ones that I inked with the same ink as the scalloped circles. The butterfly I punched from white card stock and inked with same ink. The banner I printed out in lollipop font size 11 on my printer and inked with the same color.  Now to make a boyish one....

Paper Lunch Sack Album-- Boy oh Boy What Fun!

 

 

 

 



I just can't get enough of the paper lunch sack albums! It's a blah canvas waiting to be tunred into something awesome! I sewed diffrent size paper into this one..lined paper and patterned paper. I even did a flip page. Now, on my next one I'll have to add a pocket page for tags!

Simple Scrapbook Pages Contiued..

Who doesn't LOVE scrapbook paper right? I do have quite a lot of it..I especially will buy it if it's masculine or boy themed. I find that kind of stuff is few and far between. Most of the time I like to buy my paper based on the photos or the story I want to tell. I went on an extended scrapping weekend and found, that it forced me to use the paper I had on hand, and not over think a layout. For me it's about the story I want to relay rather than the photos or the stuff I put on my layout. Sometimes I do have just one great photo I want to scrap or  really cool supplies I want to use. But the majority of the time I want to tell the story of what was going on. For this layout I ended up cutting up two pieces of patterned paper and using letter stickers for the title. One of the patterned papers had large alphabet letters and the other had coordinating designs. Kind of a vintage circus feel. I think it was perfect for our favorite vintage candy store we love to visit!  

Simple Scrapbook Pages Using Your Stash

 

 

I'm coming to realise that I am a pretty simple scrapbooker and crafter.

I love simple clean lines most of the time. It's what appeals to me and what I am drawn to. I also think that in my quest for the inexpensive I try and make good use of my supplies and the stuff that I already have. I'm always trying to re purpose and see if something can be used in a different way. For this layout I wanted to capture the quietness of my son playing. I couldn't find the right red patterned paper so I ended up using a sewn calender page I had in my stash. I covered up the days of the week with strips of paper at the top. The star (with the button on top of it) was from a Heidi Swap sequenced pack I had gotten, I just turned it over and used the non-sequence side. I also roughed up the photos by using a sanding block and "scratching" along the photos edges. I always love the feel of old vintage :) So, here's to using your stash and old stuff made new again!  

 

 



Chocolate Bird Nests



This is such a fun and easy treat to make with the kids. Although there will be lots of licking of chocolate fingers in the process! Start off by covering a cookie sheet or counter top with wax paper. Put one 12 oz bag of chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 min, then 10 seconds thereafter until chips are melted. Be sure to stir in between the 10 second intervals and not over cook. The chips will get clumpy if you over cook them. Stir in the Chinese chow mien noodles and mix until coated with the chocolate. Depending on how chocolaty you want your noodles will determine the amount of noodles you add in. Start off with fewer noodles than you think, because you can always add in more if you don't want the nests too chocolaty. Once you have the noodles all coated scoop out some from your bowl and mold into a mount on the wax paper. I use a big kitchen silver tablespoon, but the kids love using their fingers of course! Once you have the mound, take the tip of the spoon and tap it in the middle to make the nest center. Then take candy robins eggs and place in center while the chocolate is still wet. Let stand overnight or for several hours until the chocolate is "dry".  I place one nest in a clear plastic bag, tie with ribbon and give to my kids teachers for a Easter treat. This year I'm going to include a tag that says "Happy Easter~From Our Nest to Yours"..enjoy!

Homemade Coffee Syrup Pumpkin & Caramel

I love, love, love coffee. I am a fu-fu type of girl..i love it sweet, flavorful and milky.
I REALLY miss the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Creme Brule at Starbucks. So sad that I will have to wait until next fall/winter to enjoy them again. I searched the net for recipes and then came up with a mixture of several to fit my cravings. Here is what i like best..
Add to a saucepan:
3 C Water
2C Turbano Sugar (sugar in the raw)
Bring to a boil until sugar is completely dissolved.
Add in:
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1-2 T Whole Cloves
1 Small Piece of Peeled Ginger Root or 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 T Ground Nutmeg
Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat pour mixture over a metal screen strainer (or strainer with extra small holes)  Let cool. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
Hints..if you boil it for too long it will become a little bitter.
If you want Pumpkin flavor add in 2-4T Canned Pumpkin
(or for extra sweetness Pumpkin Pie Filling)
The Pumpkin will make the mixture slightly thicker with a tiny bit of texture. If you want a totally smooth mixture blend the mixture in the blender for a few seconds.
I also LOVE caramel. I make this recipe and store it in the fridge. I scoop a big helping when I want some in my coffee or put a bit in the microwave to melt it and drizzle on top of my whip cream.
Add to microwave safe bowl:
1/2 C Butter
1 C Sugar
1C Brown Sugar
1 C Karo Syrup
1 C Sweetened Condensed Milk
Microwave for 3 minutes. Stir. Microwave for 3 more minutes.
Pour into an airtight container. Let cool, store in refrigerator.
Enjoy!

Childrens Art Display Idea

 

My boys are always doing "art" projects that I love to display. I loved the idea of putting them in frames and displaying them on the wall, but found it was sort of a hassle to change out the projects since they do new ones so often (practically every week). I LOVE vintage anything, and i am always on the look out for vintage games. I especially love children's games like scrabble. (If you weren't into vintage, you could use any game like newer Life, or Scrabble) I started out by making sure the board didn't fold on itself. I did this by hot gluing a piece of sturdy cardboard (or you could use anything thin and sturdy) to the back fold.  I let that dry and turned it over to the front and hot glued the clips. I used wooden clothes pins, but you could use any clips you want. Make sure you place the clips the right space a part in order to hold your child's work. Mine do as small as 81/2 X 11, so I put them close together. I used the game pieces to spell out each child's name at the top. You could add holes to each top corner for a hanging string/ribbon. I didn't do that because I use the 3M wall Velcro for my plaster walls.