My Crafty Life

One Little Word: January

2012-01-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

This month, I've written about how I'm using my OLW to guide and shape my decisions in my everyday life. Here are the pages I've completed in my mini book. It's a book, that I started in a class that I took at the Creating Keepsakes Scrap 'n' Play event in 2010. Here are the first three pages in my book. Thanks for stopping by.

"Little" Album

2012-01-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

I've decided on an album. In keeping with my concept of "little," I've picked a mini album. And to make it a "little" easier, it's one that I started at CK Scrap & Play in 2010. I still have the kit, including all of the directions. Believe it or not, the tag that we made fro the cover says, "Life: The Happiness is in the Details." Perfect.

Little

2012-01-05T12:08:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! This year I have decided to focus on "One Little Word." Although I was inspired by Ali Edwards to choose this one word that will guide me through the ups and downs of 2012, I will not be taking her class. It's just too structured for me, and I don't need to feel any more pressure to get yet another thing done. So I will "do my own thing" with my little word - which is, in fact, little.

I don't know how often I will post, but I'll pop in for a little while this month. I will be taking little steps toward bigger things, making a little more time for the people and things I value and love, and taking a little more time away from things and people who need to occupy a back seat in my life. It should be an interesting journey.

See you soon!

Christmas Photos to Take

2011-12-25T09:21:00.006-05:00

Here's a list of the photos I've either taken or plan to take over the next few days. You can adapt this list to include the photo ops you don't want to miss. Merry Holidays!

Photos to Take

1. Tree
2. Gingerbread House
3. Cookies
4. Presents
5. Christmas Eve
6. Opening Presents
7. Lego Village & Calendars
8. Work Presents
9. Village
10. Family
11. Family Portrait

Christmas Cookies

2011-11-30T21:17:00.002-05:00

Making Christmas cookies with the kids. Mmmm ... I love the smells and tastes of Christmas! And I love doing things with my children, especially at this time of year. I'm so lucky that they still enjoy baking cookies with me. (Most of the time, anyway. :) )

A Quick Question

2011-11-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. In an attempt to prioritize my life, I've been wondering whether or not to continue this blog. I don't even know if anyone reads it anymore. According to Blogger, I have 21 Followers (just lost one); but hardly anyone comments, and I'm not getting a lot of visits.

Since time is precious, I'd really appreciate your letting me know if you're still reading this blog. Just leave me a comment, and that will help me decide whether or not to keep it going. I don't want to put a lot of effort into posts, how-tos, and videos if no one is interested.

Thanks a lot!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T06:51:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to attempt a Christmas Tags video soon, so check back after Thanksgiving for it. Enjoy your turkey!

Holiday Tags Class Next Week at The Ink Pad - Photo Added

2011-11-02T07:38:00.001-04:00

Hey guys, don't forget to sign up for my Holiday Distressed Tags class that will be held next Tuesday, November 8th, from 7:15 to 8:30 at The Ink Pad. You'll need to call the store at 212-463-9876 to reserve your seat. There is limited seating, so please sign up ASAP. Directions to the store can be found here. If you like Distress Inks, you'll love this class.

I hope to see you there.

Scrapbook Those Summer Layouts: A Fun and Simple Beach Layout

2011-10-22T08:42:00.001-04:00

If you're like me, you take lots of summer photos. You also want to fit as many photos on your layouts as possible. You want those layouts to be easy and fun, and you want to make good use of those tools in which you've invested your hard-earned money. I'm going to show you how to make the two-page layout below with just a few sheets of patterned paper, cardstock, buttons, thread, and one foot of ribbon, as well as your Cricut machine. (If you don't have a Cricut, you can certainly use another machine or other pre-made embellishments.)

Use solid cardstock as the base for your pages.

Cut coordinating cardstock into two 12" x 6" panels, and adhere two inches from the top of each page.

Adhere your photos to the panels, which will serve as mats for your photos. This will allow you to include photos of different sizes and orientations, yet have them look cohesive and organized.

Cut patterned paper into eight 3" x 4" rectangles, and adhere directly below photo mats. I alternated both sides of double-sided papers.

Punch decorative border strips from remaining patterned papers, and adhere to the bottom edge of each page.

Using the Cricut with the Jubilee cartridge, cut your title from your choice of papers. I cut "summer" at 1 ½" and "FUN" at 2".

Cut three 3" scalloped circles from kraft cardstock.

Adhere the title "FUN" to scalloped circles, and outline with a white gel pen.

Adhere the title to the right side of the layout, placing "summer" on the top and "FUN" on the bottom.

Add the journaling circle to the left side of the layout.

Freehand cut three circles at approximately 1 ½" and three at approximately 1" in size, all from patterned paper. The circles should NOT be perfect. Layer one of each size to create a flower.

Tie twine through the buttons and attach to the centers of the flowers.

Add ribbon (cut into two 6" pieces) and the flowers to your layout for embellishment.

Here is a list of the supplies I used for this layout:

Brights Cardstock Stack by Die Cuts With a View

Little Yellow Bicycle Journal Tablet by Deja Views

summer-themed patterned papers, such as Barefoot and Bliss by BoBunny

Cricut machine and Jubilee cartridge by Provo Craft

Scalloped-edge punch by E.K. Success

twine, such as this Baker's Twine by We R Memory Keepers

striped ribbon

buttons from my stash

Ghost Earrings (Revisited)

2011-10-18T22:51:00.000-04:00

These were such a hit last year that I thought I'd re-post this video. Have a fun and Happy Halloween!

November Classes at The Ink Pad

2011-10-11T07:52:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd pop in and give you the info. about my upcoming classes at The Ink Pad. On Tuesday, November 8th, from 7:15 to 8:30, I'll be teaching Distressed Holiday Tags. Then on Tuesday, November 29th, from 7:15 to 8:30, I'll be teaching Mini Book Ornaments. You can find all of the details on the store's website (http://www.theinkpadnyc.com/) within the next week or so. I'll probably be posting photos soon, so stop by and check them out.

Until next time, remember to be your crafty self.

J

Two Thumbs DOWN for The Scrapbook Showgram

2011-09-29T22:08:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. I've been busy working at the Fab Ink Pad in the West Village. You really should stop by if you love paper crafting. And that's all of you, right?

Now on to something that isn't so fabulous. It seems like The Scrapbook Showgram with Sandi Genovese is going the way of so many other "free" shows on the Internet. Now they are forcing anyone who wants access to past "free" shows to pay a Gold Membership fee. Of course, this special membership includes access to exclusive forums and a gallery where you can share your projects (be still my heart!).

When I expressed my feelings to Sandi and Jim (the producer), Jim replied that they are doing this because they can't get sponsors for the show. What a lame excuse for charging a fee for access to "free" shows! Yes, they will still continue to air a free show every week; but if you want to watch past episodes, you have to be a Gold Member (Oh, behave!).

Oh, well. There are still plenty of free shows and videos on the 'net. And I'm off to watch some now! Thanks for stopping by, and remember to always be your crafty self.

Echo Park's Summer Days Collection

2011-09-16T07:18:00.000-04:00

Echo Park's Summer Days Collection

Price: The whole collection is $13.99, but individual double-sided patterned papers are available for $.89 each. You can also purchase double-sided solid cardstock for $.79 a sheet. Other add-ons include: cardstock stickers (including alphabets) for $2.99 a sheet, rub-ons for $2.99 a sheet and decorative brads for $4.99 a package.

Product Description:

The Echo Park Summer Days Collection has just about everything you will need to showcase all of your summer vacation, beach, and outdoor photos. The collection includes a dozen 12" x 12" double-sided patterned sheets of cardstock, one 12" x 12" sheet of alphabet stickers, and one 12" x 12" sheet of element stickers. All of the classic summer images are included: ice cream cones, ice pops, flip-flops, flowers, birds, trees, grass, roller coasters, ferris wheels, suns, pennants, and bicycles. There are stripes, checks, polka dots, scallops, clouds, balloons, and circles. The colors are bright, festive, and fun and just looking at them will bring a smile to your face.

In Use:

It's very rare that I love all of the elements of any scrapbooking collection, but Echo Park's collections are the exception, especially the Summer Days Collection. There isn't a single thing that I don't love about the papers, stickers, and embellishments. The best thing about Echo Park's collections is that the papers are so versatile. You can use them as the base paper for your layouts, or you can cut them apart into large pieces or strips. Some of the design elements are large enough to cut out and use as additional embellishments. One of the cardstock sheets has journaling spots on one side and a bright, summery print on the back. The journaling spots help you to incorporate your journaling into your layout seamlessly and easily. I've also been known to cut apart the display sheet that comes with the collection and use the pieces on my layouts and cards. Even the small sample on the bottom of the cardstock sheets, showing the pattern on the reverse side, can be used. You really get your money's worth with Echo Park!

Tips and Techniques:

Use the papers and stickers in this collection to make bright, fun scrapbook pages for all your summer photos and cards.

Use edge punches to create your own border strips and decorative edges.

Die-cut or punch shapes to use as embellishments for your pages and cards.

Make party decorations and invitations with the colorful, fun summer designs.

Use the papers and embellishments for birthday pages and cards too.

Haunted Window Card

2011-09-01T10:42:00.001-04:00

I just have to share this awesome video from Hero Arts! Enjoy!

Cute Cards for Kids

2011-08-28T16:55:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I hope that everyone has weathered Irene well, and that you are all safe and sound. We seem to be doing fine, although the wind is kicking up now.

Today I'd like to share with you the details for the cards I showed at the end of my last video. These cards were inspired by one of Gina K's videos.

Instead of using sponge daubers to make the circles, I used the Round Designer's Block Cube by JudiKins. In the centers of the circles, I stamped elements from the Circle Sampler set by The Angel Company. The adorable dolphin and octopus stamps are from the dollar bin at one of the major craft stores. I don't remember which one, but the stamps are made by Imaginisce.

I punched the corners with a punch from Fiskars. For a finishing touch, I added a few small punched flowers and a little ribbon.

Thanks for visiting, and happy crafting!

Just Popping In to Say Hi!

2011-08-24T21:18:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I've been busy working. :) What a cool store The Ink Pad is! If you live in or near NYC, you really have to stop in to check it out. We get new "stuff" in every day. It's like Christmas! Here's a heads-up for you too. I'll be teaching a Christmas Tags class in either November or December, and space is really limited. I'll post the actual date as soon as it's finalized, which won't be for awhile. In the meantime, you can check out the other classes that are going on now. Here's the link: http://www.theinkpadnyc.com/.

Exciting News!

2011-08-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

I have a new job! I'll be working and teaching at The Ink Pad http://www.theinkpadnyc.com/, New York City's only "real" stamp store, starting next Monday! I hope those of you in the NYC area can stop by and say hi. I'll let you know what classes I'll be teaching and when. Happy Crafting everyone!

Making Cards From Scraps

2011-08-05T16:04:00.000-04:00

Thanks for watching! Check back soon for another fun project.

Journaling About Your Childhood

2011-08-02T16:43:00.002-04:00

What would you say is the most important element of a scrapbook layout? Probably the photos, right? Well, that’s not entirely true. Of course, without photos there would be no scrapbook page. But think about this: If there were no journaling, all we would have is a fancy photo album. It’s the journaling that brings the photos to life and tells the story behind them. Then why do so many people leave out the journaling? Because most of us find it difficult to put our thoughts down in writing, especially when it comes to writing about ourselves, Childhood memories can be some of the most difficult to document. I mean, for some of us, that was a long time ago. (Not for me, of course.)

In this article, I’m going to give you some ideas that should make journaling about some of your childhood memories easier. I’m fortunate to have lots of photos from my childhood, since my family has always been a photo-happy bunch. Even if you have only a few, these techniques will work for you too. My layout is about my favorite summer memories, but you can use these ideas for just about any topic. First take a look at my layout, and then I’ll tell you how I approached the journaling.

The journaling reads:

“When I was a little girl, Nanny Connie would take the whole family to the beach every Monday during the summer. She would close her yarn store, and off to Rye Beach we would go.

“If I close my eyes on a hot summer day, I can almost smell the salt water and the suntan lotion. I can almost taste the meatball sandwiches that we would bring and the ice cream that we would buy on the boardwalk. I can almost feel the hot sun beating down on me as I played in the sand.

“But most of all, I remember Nanny swinging me around in the cool, refreshing water. I remember her smiling and laughing almost as much as I was. I remember her black bathing suit and the dark tan she always had. And I remember that Mondays were the best part of summer when I was a little girl.”

When I sat down with these photos, I knew that the journaling would be a very important part of my layout. I also knew that I wanted to use my own handwriting. I therefore chose a paper that already had a lot of journaling lines on it. These papers by The Crafter’s Workshop are no longer available; but their Circle Circle Dot Dot Journaling Template would work just as well here. Then I looked at the photos and closed my eyes.

I let my mind go back in time to the 1960s … to the summertime … to the sounds, the smells, the tastes … to everything I could remember about those days. Then I opened my eyes and wrote them down in no particular order. I didn’t pay much attention to punctuation or complete sentences. I just wrote down what came to mind. And what came to mind was a flood of memories that took me back 40 years.

I finished with the most powerful and happy memory of all: my grandmother. Yes, I saved the best for last, because that would be the one that stayed in my mind (and my readers’ minds) whenever I (they) read my journaling. I still get tears in my eyes when I read it, and I’ve read it many times.

The most difficult part in writing this journaling was stopping. I had so much more that I wanted to write about my grandmother, but I decided to write it down and save it for some of the other childhood layouts that I’m going to create.

Now, I’m not promising that you’ll have an overabundance of ideas and thoughts to write about the first time you try this exercise. It takes practice and patience. The more you do it, the easier it will get. Start by setting a timer for two minutes. Close your eyes, and let your mind go back to the event or time about which you want to write. Then set the timer for five minutes, and just write. Write about what you see, smell, feel, taste, and hear. You can organize it and spell-check it later. Just write. Don’t stop until the timer goes off, even if you repeat yourself. If you want to keep going, and you just might find that you can’t stop, then keep writing.

When you’re finished, step away and do something else for a little while. Then go back to it and start fine-tuning it. Put your ideas in order; check your grammar and spelling. Decide on whether you want to hand-write your journaling or type it. Make sure that you leave enough room on your layout. Or place your journaling on your layout before you do anything else, like I did. The choice is yours.

Remember that your words are just as important to your layout as your photos are. Don’t let them take a back seat, or, worse yet, have no seat at all. If you plan ahead, you won’t run out of room. And if you practice the stream-of-consciousness technique I’ve just described to you, writing will become easier and easier for you every time you do it.

Other products used for this layout:

Cardstock – Die Cuts With a View, Brights

Alcohol Inks – Ranger Industries

Daisy die cuts and borders – Cricut by Provo Craft, Walk In My Garden cartridge

Use Your Scraps

2011-07-27T15:47:00.001-04:00

I've been reading so many questions about what to do with your scraps lately that I decided to do a video to show you what I've been doing with mine. These little memo books are so easy to make that you'll be looking for scraps all around the house so you can make more. Thanks for visiting and watching!

Piggy Bank Card

2011-07-20T10:52:00.000-04:00

How adorable is this? I just have to make one for some special little ones in my life! Watch the video here: Video
(This isn't my creation, but I thought you'd love it as much as I do.)

Watercolor Greetings Class at Not Just Scrap

2011-07-17T10:57:00.000-04:00

Sunday, August 14, 2011
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Not Just Scrap in Centereach, NY

In this class, I will show you how to create beautiful watercolor backgrounds that will provide the backdrops of 3 lovely greeting cards. You will be working with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Martha Stewart punches, Stickles glitter glue, fabric, and more! You will need to bring your basic class kit, especially a good paper trimmer and strong adhesive. Please bring a small spray bottle/Mini Mister filled with water (if you have one). If you don’t want your hands to get messy, you can bring craft gloves too. It is strongly recommended that you do NOT wear your best clothes for this class. We’re going to have lots of fun in this one!

Keeping It Edgy: The Paper Trimming Buddy

2011-07-15T21:15:00.000-04:00

Uchida RPT900 Paper Trimming Buddy Portable Paper Trimmer

I love decorative edges! I’ve been a scrapbooker and stamper for 10 years now, and one design element that has remained popular since I started is the decorative edge. The Paper Trimming Buddy by Marvy Uchida ($20.99) makes adding a decorative edge to your project quick and easy.

Unlike decorative-edge scissors, the Paper Trimming Buddy cuts straight and accurately. You don’t have to line up your cuts, because the entire cut is done in one sweep of the blade shuttle. There are eight interchangeable blades, which are available separately for $5.99 each: Straight (comes with trimmer), Wave, Scoring, Scallop, Victorian, Pinking, Perforating, and Rhythm. The blades are very easy to change. A simple twist opens the shuttle, and the blades pop in and out. The back is labeled, so there is no way to insert the blade incorrectly. The sharp edges are retracted, until you press down on the shuttle, so there is no danger of cutting yourself.

Mats for the cutting channel are inexpensive and economical. The narrow mats can be flipped and used four times, and replacements are available at $3.99 for two.

Measurements on the trimmer are in increments of 1/16 of an inch, and the swing-out arm extends to 16 inches. (Be very careful when folding the arm back down. It’s easy to catch your finger – at least it was for me!) The locking paper holder keeps your paper secure while you’re cutting, but I find that you do need to hold your paper down as well.

Although the shuttle prevents the trimmer from being stored flat, there is a convenient carrying handle for portability and a hanging loop, making the Paper Trimming Buddy easy to take to crops and friends’ houses.

Here is an example of the cuts I made with the blades I have (Pinking, Straight, Perforated, Scallop, and Wave):

And here is the most recent card I’ve made using the trimmer (Pinking and Wave blades):

The Paper Trimming Buddy by Marvy Uchida is an inexpensive, quick, and simple alternative to border punches and dies. The blades take up little storage space, and the trimmer itself is light-weight and portable. And for an extra added bonus, you usually receive a free-style handle along with the trimmer, which allows you to use the blades to cut any free-hand shape you’d like. The blades simply pop in and out, just as they do in the trimmer. Have fun!

Product Review: The I-Bond Cordless Glue Gun by Imaginisce

2011-07-03T23:46:00.000-04:00

I-Bond Cordless Hot Glue Gun-Product Description:

The I-Bond by Imaginisce is a cordless glue gun that is powered by four AA batteries (not included). It is made of two shades of smooth pink plastic and has a small light at the tip of the nozzle to indicate that it’s on. Using standard mini glue sticks, the I-Bond operates at a low temperature and has a fold-out stand on which to rest when not in use.

In Use:

Imaginisce has done it again! The I-Bond Cordless Glue Gun is portable and easy to take to crops, to a friend’s house, or to different rooms in your house. There’s no cord to worry about, and you don’t have to find an outlet in order to use it. The light on the end of the nozzle has a dual function. Not only does it indicate that the glue gun is on, but it also adds a little bit of light to your work area as well. Now you can get into small dark areas of your project and still be able to see what you’re doing.

The I-Bond heats up in about five minutes, and the nozzle shorter than other glue guns I’ve used. That makes it easier to reach into smaller areas of your project, and the nozzle stays cleaner too. It’s compact, cute, and pink!

A word of advice: Be sure to use rechargeable batteries, because the I-Bond “eats” batteries. Especially if – despite the fact that there is a light on the nozzle – you leave the gun on for an extended period of time. (Ask me how I know this!) The only other drawback I found is that the I-Bond is a bit heavy, due to the four AA batteries that it requires.

It’s not terribly heavy, though, and the advantages of using a cordless glue gun are worth a bit of weight. This is a very convenient little tool. Now you can bring your glue gun right to your project, even if your project is already hanging on the wall!

Tips & Techniques:

• As mentioned earlier, use rechargeable batteries for a more economical operation of this tool.

• Even though the I-Bond has a stand, use it with a heat-resistant pad or mat.

• Remember to use the stand, or you might melt something. (Trust me on this!)

• Adult supervision is highly recommended. Although it is a “low-temp.” heat gun, it still gets very hot and can cause burns.

• Work quickly, as the glue dries fast. Have everything you need close at hand while you’re working.

Project Ideas & Examples:

I used the I-Bond for many projects this month, from jewelry to home décor to scrapbooking and card-making. Here are a few of them:

These adorable medallions will make a wonderful Easter or spring banner, or fun and festive decorations on cards and scrapbook pages. Hot glue is perfect for holding these medallions together and attaching the centers.

This crumpled paper flower will look cute on a headband for my daughter that she can wear on the Fourth of July.

Paper roses are easy to hold together with hot glue, and the I-Bond gets into the tight areas under them to create a strong, solid base for them.

Happy crafting!

"De-Stressed" Background Cards July 10th

2011-06-25T13:47:00.000-04:00

There are still some spots available, so sign up now! I'm teaching this class at Not Just Scrap on July 10th from 1-3. We'll be playing with Distress Inks, sprays, stamps, and die-cuts. See you there!

Class Photos and Details

2011-06-13T14:51:00.002-04:00

Here are the details and photos for the classes I will be teaching at Not Just Scrap in Centereach (Long Island), NY. I'm so excited!!!
Summer Fun Layout - Sunday, June 26, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

In this class, I will show you how to create a fun 2-page layout using your favorite summer photos. You’ll need to bring four to six 4 x 6 photos with you. If you don’t have the photos yet, don’t worry. The pages can be completed just fine without them. You will also need your basic class kit, a pencil, a good eraser, and a journaling pen. Beginners are welcome, but you should have some experience using a paper trimmer.

"De-Stressed" Backgrounds Card Class - Sunday, July 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

In this class, you will make four stunning distressed background cards suitable for all occasions. Using Tim Holtz’s Distress Inks, a few background stamps, and your imagination, you will see how easy it is to use the “coolest” inks on the market. Bring your basic class kit. Beginners are welcome.

Scrapbook Layout Design I - Saturday, July 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Have you ever wondered why certain colors go so well together, or why your eye is drawn to a particular page or design? In this class, you will learn some of the building blocks of design, including color theory, balance, and the basic elements of a scrapbook page. You will also create a 1-page layout, so please bring three 4 x 6 landscape photos with you. This is a beginner class, but more advanced scrapbookers are also welcome.

Exciting News!

2011-06-07T16:35:00.001-04:00

I have some fantastic news! I'm going to be teaching scrapbooking and stamping/card making classes at Not Just Scrap in Centereach, NY! I have 3 classes on the calendar (so far): Summer Layout (Sunday, June 26), Distressed Cards (Sunday, July 10), and Elements of Scrapbook Design (Saturday, July 16). More information is forthcoming, so check back soon for details and samples. In the meantime, take a trip to the store and visit Diana. She'll be happy to show you around and help you choose the perfect paper and embellishments for your next layout or card. And while you're there, sign up for one, two, or all three of my classes!

Copyright Laws for Stampers

2011-05-31T22:29:00.001-04:00

There is a very interesting (and sometimes heated) thread on a forum of which I'm a member regarding the copyrighting of rubber (and digital) stamps. I'm getting so tired of stamp companies and designers trying to tell me what I can and can't do with MY stamps once I've BOUGHT THEM. Here is my post in that thread:

Well, I know that people will disagree with my feelings on this subject, but this is how I see things. When I buy a stamp, I can do whatever I want with it, as long as I don't try to pass it off as my own design. A stamp is a tool, not a work of art that is bought to be hung on a wall or placed on exhibit solely as an artistic piece. If that's the case, then the stamp designers shouldn't have their designs made into stamps. (I'm not saying that the designers aren't artists, though, and I don't mean to de-value their talents.)

If I want to lend my stamps to friends or family, I will. If I want to stamp off some images to give away or trade, I will. If I want to sell cards or other hand-made projects, using hand-stamped images, I will. If a stamp company has nothing better to do with its time than come after and sue little old me, then it can go right ahead. I don't have time to research and keep track of each and every stamp company's Angel Policy (which I don't believe is enforceable anyway). If they feel that strongly about it, they should include their policy with the stamp so that I can make an informed decision about whether or not I want to buy their stamps.

There are plenty of stamp companies out there that don't have a problem with any of the things I've mentioned. I've refused to buy stamps from some companies who have made it very clear that they are very proprietary about their images and don't even want you sharing stamped images. That's my right as a consumer.

As I said, I know others will disagree with me, but that's how I feel. With all of the things I have to worry about in my life, this is very small stuff. And I try not to sweat the small stuff.

And, by the way, shame on those stamp designers and companies who are asking us, the consumers, to do their policing for them. I refuse to rat out my fellow crafters if they aren't following "the rules." It's not my job to study your (unenforceable) rules and then monitor my friends and family for you. If you want that done, you're going to have to do it yourself. Big Brother is NOT going to be watching. Sorry.

My Review of the Gypsy by Provo Craft

2011-05-25T18:19:00.001-04:00

Here's a link to my newest article on Scrapjazz. Check back soon for some cool card ideas for Father's Day. Thanks for visiting, and remember to be your crafty self.

Newest Additions to My Etsy Shop

2011-05-14T15:01:00.001-04:00

I L-O-V-E Swarovski Crystals! Here are the 2 newest additions to my shop. Hope you can drop by for a look!

Die-Cut Daisy Card

2011-05-13T12:54:00.002-04:00

(I've been trying to post this project for two days, but Blogger has had issues that are hopefully resolved now. I hope you find it was worth the wait. You can also find this article on Scrapjazz.)

Die-Cut Daisy Card

Daisies are one of the easiest flowers to die-cut and layer on a card or layout. You can keep it simple by using only one layer, or you can add as many layers as your heart desires. Here is a fun, quick card that you can make for spring birthdays, Easter, Mother’s Day, or whatever occasion is coming up in your life.

Here are the materials you will need for this project:

Sizzix Big Shot/Big Kick machine

Daisy Die (any medium-sized daisy die will work)

Circle Die (if your daisy die doesn’t cut a separate center)

Spellbinders Impressablities Flowers Template

Patterned paper

White core cardstock

Birthday stamp (lots to choose from at www.scrapbook.com)

Adhesive

Black inkpad

Directions:

1. Create card base by cutting white cardstock to 8 ½” x 5 ½” and folding in half to 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

2. Cut white core cardstock to 5 ¼” x 4”, and emboss in Big Shot with Spellbinders die.

3. Sand lightly to reveal white core.

4. Adhere to white card base.

5. Cut 2 daisies out of patterned paper, using daisy die in Big Shot machine.

(Optional Steps: If your die doesn’t cut a separate center, cut a flower center using a circle die. If it doesn’t cut a leaf, you can either cut one with a die or cut one by hand. Another option is to simply leave the leaf out.)

6. Layer the daisies and leaves, and attach them to the card in the upper left section. Gently curl the tips of the daisy petals around a pencil, and fold the leaf in half vertically, to add dimension.

7. Add another half circle or other shape to the lower right section of the card.

8. Attach ribbon just below the daisy.

9. Stamp a greeting on a scrap of patterned paper with black ink.

10. Adhere greeting just below ribbon.

If you want to add even more dimension to your card, you can use foam tape or dimensional dots to your layers. Don’t be afraid to add your own embellishments and personal touches to this project. Happy crafting!

Color Pencil Technique

2011-05-02T13:57:00.001-04:00

Here's a fantatic video by Shari Carroll from Hero Arts, showing how to color with Prismacolor pencils without using mineral spirits to blend them. I love it!

Toilet Paper Roll Flower

2011-04-27T21:49:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! In celebration of the long-awaited arrival of spring, I made these cute flowers from materials that you probably have around the house. Sorry the angle of the camera is a bit off. I think I bumped into my tripod right before I filmed the video. I hope you enjoy it anyway, and thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T09:50:00.000-04:00

Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Easter!

A Sketch For You

2011-04-06T09:09:00.001-04:00

I’ve been scrapbooking for more than nine years now, so I’m very comfortable with my own style and design. I know what I like and what I don’t like, what works for me and what doesn’t. I’ve found that there are certain designs that I tend to use over and over, because they offer so many possibilities for adapting them to various photos and themes. Here is a four-photo sketch based on one of my favorite design schemes, and a few of the scrapbook pages that I’ve made using it.

In this scrapbook calendar layout, I staggered the photos because I was working with different sizes and orientations. I wrote the journaling next to each photo, instead of using a journaling block. One large embellishment in the upper left corner replaced the three in the sketch that create a visual triangle.

The “LEGO Fun” layout also has staggered photos; but this time, I did make use of the journaling block and the visual triangle of embellishments. Also, in both this layout and the calendar page, I moved the borders around a little bit.

For my final example, I’ve shown how you can apply this design to a title page in a scrapbook. This is the first page in one of our holiday albums, and it provides a wonderful introduction to what is inside. Since I replaced all of the photos with die cuts that I made with my Cricut, no embellishments were necessary. A centered title looked better in this layout, and a stitched border framed the design nicely.

This is one of my favorite design schemes, and the funny thing about it is that I never really sketched it out until now. I guess I never realized how many times I’ve gone back to it without even thinking about it. It simply looks good to me. I hope that you will find it as versatile as I have.

If you'd like to share your layouts based on this sketch, please comment here. Email me your layout, and I'll post it next week. (There might even be a surprise in it for you!) Thanks for stopping by, and remember to be your crafty self!

Sympathy Card For My Sister-In-Law

2011-03-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

I made this card for my sister-in-law, Diana, and her family. Her grandmother passed away last week.

The background was made with alcohol inks, and the stamps are from the Gina K. Spring Mix set. I used Lovely Lilac ink, by Stampin' Up. The mini flat-back pearls, which I found to be the perfect touch on this card, are from Martha Stewart.

I highly recommend small pearls on a sympathy card, as they soften the card's bright colors. I don't like dark colors on a sympathy card, but I didn't want it to look like a birthday card either. The pearls did the trick.

Please keep Diana and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for that, and for stopping by today.

Cute and Fun Easter Bags

2011-03-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

If you need to make little Easter goody bags for friends and family, I have a great project for you.

These Easter bags are not only cute, but they’re also easy and fun to make. Here are the tools and materials you’ll need:

• 12” x 18” heavy printed cardstock for your bags

• Scraps of cardstock for your embellishments (brown, white, pink, etc.)

• Acetate

• Glue Dots Craft Dots and Glue Lines ®

• Paper trimmer

• Scoring tool (e.g. Martha Stewart, Scor Pal)

• Cricut machine and cartridges (I used Create a Critter and Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More.)

• 12” x 24” Cricut mat

Step 1: Cut out bag in desired size. I used my Gypsy to make the image the largest possible size for my cardstock. I also selected the Window feature on the TBBM cartridge.

Step 2: Score and fold tabs.

Step 3: Measure and cut acetate to appropriate size for cut-out window.

Step 4: Using Glue Lines®, attach acetate on the inside of the window.

Step 5: Assemble bag, using Glue Lines® and Craft Glue Dots®.

Step 6: Lay out scraps of paper on mat, and cut embellishments.

Step 7: Layer embellishments, and attach to bag with Glue Dots.

The last and most enjoyable step of all is to fill your bag with Easter grass, confetti, and lots of candy and treats. Happy Easter!

(I made this project while on the Glue Dots ® Design Team)

Proud Mommy Moment

2011-03-01T21:27:00.000-05:00

We interrupt our regular crafts schedule for this special announcement:

Haley was accepted into the private school she applied for earlier this year! She's also been invited to the second round of admissions at the other private school she applied for. We're so proud of her!

We now return to our regular programming....

My Crafty Life - Making Heart Earrings.wmv

2011-02-11T07:21:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's a quick video showing you how to make really cute heart earrings, just in time for Valentine's Day. They take less than 10 minutes to make. Last night I made 4 pairs in under an hour. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, and thanks for stopping by!

10 Must-Have Christmas Embellishments

2011-02-03T16:40:00.000-05:00

I know you're probably just as sick of this snow as I am, but have you scrapbooked your Christmas photos yet? Check out my latest article at http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Themes/Holidays/Christmas/3102.php to see 10 embellishments that will jazz up your layouts and add just the right finishing touches.

(I know that I usually post my articles here on my blog, but there are so many links and pictures that it would have taken a very long time to write up this post.

Enjoy, and remember to be your crafty self!

Holiday Card Collage

2011-01-13T18:33:00.001-05:00

OK. It's time to take those holiday cards down. Yes, if you're like me, you haven't quite gotten around to that yet. But what are you going to do with all of them? Make a card collage to add to your holiday decorations next year (and the years that follow too). It's not hard at all.

Over the past few years, our family has grown significantly. My nieces and nephew have all married, and two of them now have children of their own. That means lots of pictures, especially around the holidays. The Christmas cards I enjoy receiving the most are the photo cards. They not only showcase my adorable great-niece and great-nephews, but they also lend themselves to many holiday crafts. This year, I decided to create a collage with the photo cards that I have received for the past three Christmases. It will hang on our living room wall this holiday season. Putting together a collage like this isn’t difficult. Just follow these simple steps:

Supplies:

12” x 12” sheet of green cardstock

8 ½” x 11” sheet of white cardstock

Creative Imaginations Christmas/Holidays paper [double-sided]

14” of coordinating ribbon

Jolee’s Boutique Christmas/Holidays dimensional stickers

scalloped-edge punch

Instructions:

Use the green cardstock as your base.

Cut one sheet of double-sided paper to 6” x 12” and 2” x 12”.

Use the scalloped-edge punch to create a border on one long edge of each cut piece.

Alternating sides of double-sided paper, attach the 6” x 12” piece to the left side of the green cardstock and the 2” x 12” inch piece to the right side, being sure to line up the edges.

Trim photos and attach to the white cardstock, overlapping and layering as you go.

Attach the white cardstock about 2 inches down from the top of the page.

Attach ribbon over the top seam and secure on the back.

Cut your title from a photo card, and add to the layout.

Finish with Jolee’s embellishments.

Frame and hang on the wall.

What a wonderful way to enjoy those cards year after year and see how the children grow! Now it’s your turn. I'd love to see what you create. Post a comment, and I'll send you my email address so that you can email a photo of your photo collage to me by January 31. I'll enter your name into a random drawing for a little prize from me. Have fun!

Snowman Card

2010-12-20T10:18:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas! I thought I'd share a card that I made for my son this year, using a technique that I saw Jennifer McGuire use in one of her videos. It's really easy to do.

You use 2 coordinating colors of Distress Ink (I used Peeled Paint and Broken China), and an acrylic block. Start with the first color, and apply it to the whole block. Then apply the darker color to just the edges. Spray it with a little water, and press the block onto your paper. (I used watercolor paper.) Gently lift the block from the paper, and blend any concentrated pools of ink with a paper towel. Just dab it gently. Then, as a optional step, you can spritz it with some shimmery sprays. Although I used some that I made myself, any of the commercial sprays should work. To minimize curling, use a heat gun on the front and back of the paper.

For the images on the card, I used my Christmas Cheer Cricut cartridge and E.K. Success snowflake punches. Any border punch you have would add a nice touch as well.

I hope to post one more time before Christmas; but if I don't, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

David's Speech At The Hilton

2010-12-16T21:40:00.000-05:00

Holiday Quick Tip #3: Tiny Tags

2010-12-13T16:09:00.000-05:00

Hi guys! Hope your holiday season is going smoothly and you aren't too frantic. I'm doing OK, and I'm a little ahead of schedule actually. So I had a few minutes to record one more Holiday Quick Tip video. I'm going to show you how to make the most adorable little tags from scraps of plain white cardstock. Please leave a comment if you like the video. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Explosion Box

2010-12-03T19:08:00.001-05:00

Create this quick, easy Holiday Explosion Box using your favorite holiday cardstock and Glue Dots ®.

Materials:

7 ½” x 7 ½” piece of heavy cardstock for box base

3 7/8” x 3 7/8” piece of coordinating heavy cardstock for lid

Glue Dots ® Craft Dots

Scoring board

Paper trimmer

Bone folder

Embellishments (optional)

Directions:

For the Base:

Score the 7 ½” x 7 ½” piece of cardstock 2 ½” in from all 4 sides.
Score a diagonal line from each outside corner to the matching corner of the interior square (see photo).

Cut off the corners on the diagonals.
Fold along score lines to form box. Crease with bone folder. Do not adhere the box together; the lid will hold it closed.

For the Lid:

Score the 3 7/8” x 3 7/8” piece of cardstock 5/8” in from all 4 sides.
Cut along one scored line per side, as shown in photo.

Fold along score lines to form lid. Crease with bone folder.
Using Craft Glue Dots®, adhere tabs. Be sure to apply the dots on the top side of each tab.

Embellish as desired.

Happy Birthday Banner

2010-11-30T16:19:00.000-05:00

Here is a project I just completed for the Glue Dots (R) Design Team. It's a very versatile banner that can be used for boys, girls, and even adults. I made it for my son's birthday and plan to use it for my daughter's in January. You can change the colors if you want to make it more masculine or feminine, or even use baby shapes for a baby's birthday. Have fun!

Materials

· Cardstock: black, red, blue, yellow, green, light green, purple, patterned

· Craft Glue Dots ®

· Cricut machine and cartridges (I used Sure Cuts a Lot software to cut the letters and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge to cut the scalloped circles and triangles. You can find similar images on other cartridges.) – Provo Craft

· Sizzix machine and dies (candle, balloon)

· Souffle pens – Sakura

· Glitter gel pens – Sakura

· Gold brads

Directions (Refer to photos for placement of all pieces.)

1. Using Cricut machine and cartridges of choice, cut the following:

· 14 scalloped triangles at 4” from red, blue, yellow, and green

· 14 circles at 3 ½” from black cardstock.

· the letters “H-A-P-P-Y-B-R-T-H-D-A-Y” AT 3” from purple cardstock.

2. Using Sizzix machine and dies, cut 4 candles and 2 balloons from yellow, light green, and patterned papers. Add details with glitter gel pens.

2. Using Souffle pens, add dots and dashes around the edges of the circles and triangles.

3. Adhere circles to triangles, following pattern in photo.

4. Stamp owl onto white cardstock using permanent black ink.

5. Using the photo as a guide, adhere letters and shapes to black circles using Glue Dots ®.

6. Punch holes in top corners of triangles, and attach with brads.

How to Make Snowman Earrings

2010-11-24T14:21:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! To kick off the holiday season, I've made a video showing how to make these adorable snowman earrings. You can make them in about 5 minutes, or you can buy a pair at my Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrapjanny. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving; and, if you make these earrings, please email me with photos. I'd love to share them here. Thanks for stopping by, and remember to be your crafty self.

Fall Wreath

2010-11-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

Red, orange, yellow, green . . . . No, I’m not reciting the color spectrum that you learned in school. These are the rich, brilliant colors of fall that make it the most spectacular of all the seasons. It’s truly a feast for the eyes, and it’s quite simple to bring some of that splendor into your own fall home decor in the form of a paper-leaf wreath.

Here are the supplies you will need for this project:

die-cut machine and dies/cartridges with leaves (I used Cricut Doodlecharms, but there are many other cartridges that have leaves on them.)
leaf punches
chalks or inks
embossing stylus
cardstock in your choice of colors
mouse pad or foam mat
adhesive
circle cutter (optional)

The first thing you need to do is die cut or punch a variety of leaves. For my wreath, I cut leaves with my Big Kick Big Shot and Cricut, and supplemented these with some smaller leaves punched with a leaf punch. You can also cut acorns, walnuts, or any other shapes that represent autumn.

After you’ve cut all your shapes, add some details by scoring veins into your leaves with an embossing stylus and foam pad. I used a real leaf as a model.

Apply chalk or ink to the embossed areas to add dimension and make them stand out.

Using a die-cut machine, a circle cutter or a plate, cut a doughnut shape to create the wreath base. Adhere the leaves and other shapes to the wreath, layering as you fill up the wreath.

This is a great project to do with the kids. Don’t limit yourself to only fall scrapbook paper and cardstock. You can use any paper that will work with your tools and machines, including your children’s construction paper. Happy fall, y’all!

Holiday Quick Tip #2: Use Digital Stamps

2010-11-18T10:28:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my second Holiday Quick Tip. There are so many free digital images on the Internet, why not grab some to use for your holiday cards this year? And you know I can't resist Snoopy! Happy Holidays, and check back soon for the next tip!

De-Coloring Your Photos

2010-11-11T09:40:00.001-05:00

I have a new article up on Scrapjazz. It's all about how to convert your color photos to black-and-white, using Photoshop Elements. Check it out here: De-Coloring Your Photos.

Happy scrapping!

Birthday Card

2010-11-09T12:21:00.002-05:00

This is a card that I made for a Gina K. Sketch Challenge. I cut the ovals using my Coluzzle and outlined the mailbox and the inner oval with a Stardust Gelly Roll pen by Sakura. Happy Stamping!

Stamps: Gina K. Spring Mix

Paper: White Ultrasmooth (TAC), aqua blue, Rust textured (The Paper Company)

Ink: Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Lime Green and Ruby Stickles, Fiskars border punch, E.K. Success corner rounder (large purple)

Techniques: Colored pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits

Holiday Quick Tip #1: Make Tags From Scraps

2010-11-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the poor quality of the video. This was done SUPER quickly, and it's straight from my Blackberry. Check back soon for another Holiday Quick Tip. Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi Genovese is back!

2010-11-04T08:50:00.001-04:00

I just found this site via Scrapjazz. Sandi Genovese has a new scrapbooking webshow: The Scrapbook Showgram. Check it out!

Halloween Projects

2010-11-01T08:48:00.000-04:00

Hi there! I've been so busy making Halloween projects that I seem to have neglected my blog lately. Sorry about that! Here are some of the reasons I've been so busy. The toppers would make great embellishments for those Halloween pages. Have fun, and I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Skittles Treats

Peppermint Patty Treats

Little Ghost Earrings (Part 2)

2010-10-18T12:01:00.000-04:00

Here is the second part to the Little Ghost Earrings video. Have fun, and Happy Halloween!

Little Ghost Earrings

2010-10-14T13:16:00.000-04:00

This is a fun project that you can do with your children, or make a pair for yourself. Believe me when I tell you that just about everyone who sees you wearing these will want a pair. Have fun, and be sure to check back soon for Part Two. Feel free to email me with any questions you might have, and I'd love it if you'd leave a comment if you like the video. Thanks!

Haunted House

2010-10-13T22:12:00.001-04:00

Here's the second project I did for the Glue Dots (R) Design Team. The house is by Doodlebug Design, and I used Glue Dots (R) to assemble and decorate it. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Halloween Banner

2010-10-03T09:16:00.001-04:00

Materials

· Cardstock: white, orange, purple, green, black, yellow, orange glitter

· Craft Glue Dots ®

· Sparkly Fluff - Our Craft Lounge

· Cricut machine and cartridges (I used Sure Cuts a Lot software, the Happily Ever After Cricut cartridge, and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. You can find similar images on other cartridges.) – Provo Craft

· Souffle pens – Sakura

· Stamps: Everyday Character Faces – Peachy Keen Stamps; Owl – Hampton Arts

· Ribbon

· White gel pen

· Clear glitter pen

· Chalk

· Black permanent ink

· White ink

Directions (Refer to photos for placement of all pieces.)

1. Using Cricut machine and cartridges of choice, cut the following:

· 15 scalloped triangles at 4” from orange, green, and purple cardstock.

· 14 circles at 3 ½” from black cardstock.

· 1 circle at 3 ½” from yellow cardstock.

· 1 circle at 2” from green cardstock

· 1 scalloped circle at 2 ½” from orange cardstock

· 1 pumpkin (blackout) at 2 ½” from orange cardstock

· the letters “H-A-P-P-Y-H-A-L-L-W-E-E-N” AT 3” from orange glitter cardstock.

· 1 spider at 3” from black cardstock.

2. Stamp face onto pumpkin using black ink and onto spider using white ink. Color whites of eyes with white gel pen.

3. Using Souffle pens, add dots and dashes around the edges of the circles.

4. Adhere circles to triangles, following pattern in photo.

5. Stamp owl onto white cardstock using permanent black ink.

6. Apply Glue Dots all over owl’s surface, being careful to avoid the eyes.

7. Sprinkle Sparkly Fluff and press gently to adhere to owl.

8. Layer the owl, the green circle, and the scalloped orange circle.

9. Using the photo as a guide, adhere letters and shapes to black circles using Glue Dots ®.

10. Thread triangles on ribbon and hang.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

(I made this banner while working on the Glue Dots (R) Design Team. with products supplied by Glue Dots(R).)

Is Your Daughter a GeekGirl?

2010-09-22T19:32:00.001-04:00

Answer these 10 Questions from my post on GeekMom to find out.

Stamp Scrap Art Tour, Rhinebeck, NY

2010-09-20T09:15:00.000-04:00

Art Gone Wild had some fabulous display boards.

Yesterday I took a 2-hour drive and went to the Stamp Scrap Art Tour in Rhinebeck, NY; and, although I had a great time visiting with my BFF, Tina, I have to honestly say that the show wasn't really worth the trip. Yes, I bought some cool stamps and other goodies that I can't find in my local craft stores (I don't have any local scrapbook or stamp stores); but some really big names in the stamping and scrapbooking world were missing.

I wasn't expecting many scrapbook vendors, because this is primarily a stamping expo. It makes me wonder why it's called the Stamp Scrap Art Show in the first place, but I'm not going to get hung up on the name. It was still disappointing not to see Marco's Paper and Outlines. Those are two booths that I always look forward to visiting.

There were 18 vendors in all, and you can find the links to these vendors on the Stamp Scrap Art Tour site: Custom Wood by Dallas, Heartfelt Creations, Repeat Impressions, Just For Fun, Motivet Rubber Stamps, ScrapDazzle, Darcie's Country Folk, Stampers Anonymous, Inky Antics, Art Gone Wild, Stamp Camp, Lost Coast Designs, Seaside Stampin' Ink, Central Perk Scrappers, Rubber Cottage, Stamp On It, Sweet Stamps.com, and Purple Daisy Designs.

It was good to see some new companies (e.g. Central Perk Scrappers, Just For, Fun, and Stamp On it). In fact, some of the demos were very well done. The make 'n takes left a lot to be desired, though, and we didn't try any of them. I believe that there shouldn't be a charge for make 'n takes, but that's another story.

I don't know if Saturday's turnout was better than yesterday's, but I doubt it. Most of the vendors seemed disappointed and unenthusiastic. Some traveled quite a long way from home and invested quite a bit of money, time, and effort in this show; however, the exhibit hall was depressingly deserted. You would think that Tina and I would have won one of the door prize drawings, then, right? That might have made the trip worth it, but no such luck.

I have the sinking feeling that we've seen the last of the Rhinebeck SSAT. The loss of some of their biggest vendors and the decline in consumer attendance don't bode well for this venue. I will miss it, as there aren't many expos of this type in New York as it is. Oh, well, hopefully the Greater New York Stamp Show will have a better turn-out, in terms of both vendors and consumers.

Thanks for checking in, and remember to be your crafty self.

Scrapbook Sketch

2010-09-17T08:45:00.000-04:00

Sketches can be a very useful starting point for both scrapbook pages and cards. For this sketch, I’ve kept things pretty simple. The main part of the sketch is a photo collage, which allows you to vary the size and placement of your photos. You can crop as little or as much as you want, and you don’t have to worry about lining up all of your photos perfectly. Then write or print your journaling on strips of cardstock, and arrange them on your collage.

A punched or die-cut border at the bottom and (optionally) at the top is an effective way to focus attention on all the photos in your collage. An oversized die-cut behind the mat under the photos breaks up the solid color background paper. Finally, add a simple title and three embellishments to form a visual triangle, and you’re done!

I chose to create a double-page Christmas layout with a “present” theme. Brenda Walton’s Peppermint Twist patterned paper was just what I needed to add some pizzazz to my solid background. The large die-cuts and bottom borders were cut with my Cricut Expression using the Walk in My Garden cartridge. I used my Fiskar’s Threading Water border punch and Martha Stewart's Gingerbread Trim edge punch to create unique embellishments out of coordinating scraps of paper. I cut the title using the Alphalicious cartridge and added a few buttons as a finishing touch.

I hope you are inspired by this sketch to create your own fast, fun, and easy layouts this month. You’ll be finished so quickly that you’ll have more time to spend making memories than trying to scrapbook them. Happy scrapping!

I'm a Dottess!!

2010-09-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

Yes, you read that right. I've been chosen to be on the Glue Dots Design Team, and my title is Dottess. I'm so looking forward to being on the team and working with all of the talented folks there. Check out the blog for the complete list of Design Team members, as well as some fantastic craft projects and ideas. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll "see" you soon.

You can try them for yourself by clicking here:
Glue Dots Office/Home Variety Pack Contains Permanent, Removable and Poster Dot 'n Go Applicators (85111)

3-D Cards With the Crafter's Companion

2010-09-04T11:34:00.000-04:00

Are you tired of making the same old standard-sized cards again and again? Well, get yourself the Ultimate Crafter's Companion , and you’ll be able to create some of the most eye-popping cards you’ve ever seen. Follow the easy steps in the manual, and you’ll never make a plain card again.

This is a pop-out card that I made for a dear friend for Mother’s Day. Following the directions on p.9 in the manual, I started with two sheets of 8 ½” x 11” cardstock. I used solid cardstock and added layers of patterned paper to the front and inside. To create the hanging focal image inside, I sandwiched a piece of nylon fishing line between two identical punched shapes. Then I secured it behind the top crease with a piece of tape, making sure that it didn’t extend beyond the edges of the folded card.

    I made this accordion card for an adorable two-year-old girl’s birthday. Following the directions on p.4 in the manual, I began with a sheet of cardstock that measured 4 ¼” x 11”. After creating the base of the card, I used the embossing design on the board and cut out a scalloped border. Finally, I inked all of the edges with pink pigment ink. This card is quite easy; and you can decorate it with die cuts, patterned paper, or just about anything else you’d like. This type of card also makes a wonderful gift card holder. Simply adhere the front and middle panels together, leaving the top end open, and this will create a pocket that is just the right size for the gift card.
    These are only two of the many different styles of cards, boxes, and envelopes that you can design with the Ultimate Crafter's Companion. With this all-in-one crafting tool, never again will you be limited to single-fold, standard-sized cards.

(I did not receive any compensation from Crafter's Companion for writing this article.)

Easter Layout with Accent Essentials & Pooh Font

2010-08-20T22:04:00.001-04:00

My Crafty Life, Episode 8: Metro Card Earrings

2010-08-16T21:12:00.001-04:00

This is a great project to make with your 'tween and teen girls. Not only does it provide for some quality mother-daughter time, but it is also a fun and educational recycling activity. Not to mention that they're making something cool and funky that they can wear. Wickedly awesome! (If you would like to purchase these earrings already made, please visit my Etsy shop at Wednesday's Dream.)

Half a Layout

2010-08-10T13:19:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy. Here's half a layout I did for my son David's school album. I didn't post the other half because his classmates are in it, and I don't post photos of others without permission. On this layout, I used patterned paper from a stack by DCWV. The title has metal letters from Making Memories that I painted with acrylic paint to match my papers. I used some star brads and some chipboard shapes from Basic Grey to complete the page. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.

I have 2 New Articles on Scrapjazz

2010-07-31T09:37:00.001-04:00

This one is a Cricut Tutorial using the Create a Critter cartridge. The card was featured on this post..

This article explains how to make 2 types of step cards. I taught this at my last workshop. Happy crafting, and remember to be your crafty self.

Scrapbooking Tip: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

2010-07-26T10:17:00.003-04:00

     For Haley's 4th Grade school layout this year, I decided to change things up a little bit. I've been using the Brenda Walton Citrus Neopolitan collection up until now, but I saw the most adorable school papers by Creative Imaginations last month. I just had to use them. Because I didn't have a lot of photos, I copied and reduced the certificates she earned this year, and I used them instead of photos on the left side of the layout. I focused on Science and Chorus, because those were Haley's favorite subject and activity this year.
     The music transparency is from Hambly, and I made all of the embellishments with my Cricut (Locker Talk). I jazzed up some plain white circles that I had cut awhile ago, and they are behind the die cuts. I colored them with Bic Mark It markers and added dots with Sakura Souffle Pens and Crystal Lacquer. This was a lot of fun for me, because it was a big change from the other school layouts in Haley's album.
     The next time you're in a slump, or you just don't feel like doing the same-old-same-old, step out of your comfort zone and change things up a bit.  And remember to be your crafty self. Thanks for stopping by.

My Crafty Life, Episode 7.wmv

2010-07-20T12:33:00.000-04:00

My Crafty Life, Episode 6: Customize a Plain Scrapbook

2010-07-12T19:43:00.003-04:00

10 Questions With Wendy Smedley

2010-06-30T21:12:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! Check out my latest article at Scrapjazz. I interviewed Wendy Smedley! And, as always, remember to be your crafty self.

New Earrings on My Etsy Site

2010-06-26T18:24:00.006-04:00

Hi! I've decided to re-open my Etsy site (http://www.scrapjanny.etsy.com) and list some new earrings. Please stop by for a visit. Thanks!

Painting My ATG, Part 1

2010-06-22T11:02:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! I've had some requests asking me how I turned my orange ATG into a blue ATG, so I decided to make a video to show you. It's in 3 parts; and in the last part, I also show you how to load the ATG. Enjoy, and remember to be your crafty self!

Painting My ATG, Part 2

2010-06-22T10:35:00.002-04:00

Here's Part 2

Painting My ATG, Part 3

2010-06-22T10:06:00.004-04:00

Here's the last part.

9 x 12 Scrapbook Layout

2010-06-16T15:49:00.003-04:00

In this video, I will show you how to create a 9 x 12 layout that can easily be adapted for an 8 1/2 x 11 layout or other non-standard size. Thanks for stopping by, and remember to be your crafty self.

Teacher Gift: Mini Scrapbook

2010-06-07T18:41:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! Here's an idea for a quick, easy, and inexpensive teacher gift. Enjoy!

Create a Critter Phrases

2010-06-04T19:25:00.003-04:00

Most of you already know this, but for those of you who don't: Create a Critter is my newest favorite Cricut cartridge. I've been using it so much that I thought it would be a good idea to make a chart for the words and phrases on the cartridge, much like the charts I made for Paisley and Wild Card. Follow this link for the chart; and, as always remember to be your crafty self.
Create a Critter Phrases

Hip Hip Hooray!

2010-06-02T21:56:00.002-04:00

Here's another card that I made with the Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge (Try saying that 5 times fast!). My husband's co-worker recently had a baby girl, and he asked me to make a card for her. Sorry the photo is a little blurry. This card was so much fun to make. I think the next one is going to be a little piggy for a 2-year-old girl's birthday. (Les, pretend you didn't read that, OK?) Thanks for stopping by, and be on the look-out for another video coming soon. And, as always, remember to be your crafty self.

Road Trip Scrapbook

2010-05-27T18:48:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone! Here is the second episode of My Crafty Life. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!

Scrapbook Expo in Edison, NJ

2010-05-22T16:38:00.002-04:00

I just got back from the Scrapbook Expo in Edison, NJ; and I have to say that, of all the expos I've attended, this was by far the smallest. This is the 6th one I've been to, and there were so many big vendors missing. No Provocraft, no Sizzix, no Ellison, no QK or EK - among many others. Even SEI was missing from the vendor floor, although my friend Zaida and I did see their truck outside. We assumed they were only there to teach classes.

Most of the make-'n-takes were $5.00, so we didn't do any of those. A few booths had very high prices, but most vendors kept their prices reasonable. I even got a buy-2-get-1-free deal on Nestabilities - yay me! We got some very good deals on paper - like I needed more of that. She bought some CTMH kits, and I bought some Core'dinations at 30% off. Then there was the Scrapbuck stand, where everything was $2 or less. Although I didn't make any purchases there, that was the busiest booth at the show.

All in all, we had a good time. There weren't too many people, so the crowds weren't bad. We were able to walk the entire expo twice in a few hours, which was kind of disappointing, though. I hope the low attendance and decline in vendors aren't a sign of things to come, because this is the only scrapbooking show that is a reasonable driving distance for me.

Happy scrapping everyone, and remember to be your crafty self.

Happy Moo-ther's Day!

2010-05-07T08:45:00.007-04:00

I just couldn't resist making this card for my dear friend, Leslie. She and I have been friends since high school. (Don't worry, Les. I won't tell them how many years ago that was!) As soon as I got the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge, I knew that I had to make this for Mother's Day.

I began with a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white card base, and I cut a piece of patterned cardstock from the DCWV Pocket Full of Posies matstack to 4" x 5 1/4". Then I cut out a grass border with an extended border die from Sizzix for the grass. Next, I tied a piece of double-sided ribbon (from May Arts, I think) around the patterned cardstock and tied a knot. (In an upcoming post/video, I'll show you the bowmaker I "created" to make adorable bows for cards.)

Now it was time for the FUN. I cut this sweet little cow at 2 1/4". All of the layers were cut at the same side, but here's a tip for you. There is a little mix-up on the CAC cartridge. The layers for the cow are reversed. Layer 1 is Layer 2, and vice versa. I wrote a little note in my manual and adjusted the colors for the cow accordingly. Since Leslie prefers brown cows, I used light brown and dark brown for the body and pink for the face (and udders, of course). As a final touch for the cow, I added a metal flower and a baby button from my stash. I cut out the word bubble, which is also on the cartridge, at (I think) 1", and I used my printer to print the greeting.

To get the greeting centered, I cut out the word bubble first. Then I printed the greeting on scrap printer paper. I held it up to the light and layered the word bubble on top of the printer paper, adhering it with temporary adhesive. Then I ran the whole thing through the printer again and removed the printed-on word bubble. This is a great way to create your own sayings if you don't have a stamp or Cricut greeting that works for you. A tiny flower and some Stickles glitter glue, some foam tape to pop up the cow, and I was done.

Well, that's it for now. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day with your families. And, as always: Remember to be your own crafty self.

Stop Beating Yourself Up!

2010-05-01T09:48:00.003-04:00

I just had to share a reply that I made to a post on a popular stamping forum. It was in response to several posts about looking back on older cards. So many people place so much unnecessary pressure on themselves when it comes to crafting that I felt the need to reiterate how I feel about crafting. I'm looking forward to your replies on this:

Well, I've always been the one to look at things differently, I guess. When I look at my old scrapbook pages and cards, I don't cringe at the "out-of-date" designs and techniques. I enjoyed making those cards and layouts, and I used and did what made me happy then. Sure, my style has changed over the years; but we as human beings are in a constant state of change. Almost everything in our lives reflects that. I also don't feel pressured into keeping up with the latest and greatest. Sure, I love trying new things; but I don't feel as if I have to have what everyone else is buying, nor do I need to make my cards and scrapbook pages look like everyone else's. The second scrapbooking and stamping become a source of stress for me, I won't be doing them anymore. Right now, they are a source of calm and sanity for me. I hope that all my fellow stampers and scrapbookers can find the enjoyment and joy that I find in these hobbies. Happy National Scrapbooking Day, everyone!

As always, remember to be your own crafty self!

LEGO Fun at Lyndhurst

2010-04-25T11:00:00.006-04:00

What a blast we had yesterday at the Lyndhurst mansion in Tarrytown! There were contests, building activities, games, and the coolest robotics and LEGO structures you could ever imagine! David & Haley enjoyed checking out the Mindstorm robots and machines - and so did Dad! My favorites were the earthquake scene, created by a 13-year-old boy, and the Beatles on stage. What a wonderful family day!

April Color Challenge on Scrapjazz

2010-04-20T20:20:00.003-04:00

I created this month's color challenge over at Scrapjazz this month. Pop on over and give it a try! If you do, please post a comment here, and I'll send you my email so that you can send your layout to me. I'll try to post them here on My Crafty Life, since there isn't a gallery for them on Scrapjazz. And, as always, remember to be your own crafty self.

Get More Bang for Your Buck

2010-04-17T00:15:00.007-04:00

This is the first episode of My Crafty Life videos. It's a little rough around the edges, but it's the first craft video I've ever done. Sorry it got cut off at the end. What's missing is: "I used my Quickie Glue Pen and crystal glitter. Thanks for visiting, and remember to be your crafty self."

Welcome to My New Blog!

2010-04-11T19:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new Blogger Blog. You should be able to see all of my former Typepad posts, although some of them might look a little strange. The file conversion wasn't perfect, but I'm not going to sweat it. Typepad was becoming more and more troublesome and annoying, so I decided to move to Blogger. Plus, Blogger is free! Thanks for visiting; and, as always, be your own crafty self.

The Crafter's Workshop Templates

2010-04-02T07:18:00.000-04:00

(Please note that I did not receive any compensation or products from The Crafter's Workshop for writing this article.)

Product Review: The Crafter’s Workshop Templates

by Jeanette
Giancaspro
(Mar 31, 2010)

When
I first started scrapbooking in 2001, I didn't even know about die-cut
machines. In fact, it wasn't until 2004 that I bought my first Sizzix
machine - the original one that weighs about a ton! Back then, I relied
on templates for all of my lettering and shapes. Some of my favorite
templates were, and still are, the ones from The Crafter's Workshop. In
this article, I will focus on some of my favorite doodling templates.

The first template I used was Dots & Circles.
In this Easter layout, I colored in the dots using a
white gel pen to add a fun, playful element to my pages about my
children decorating Easter eggs. Then I used a purple gel pen to create
a smaller circle of dots around the egg that I had quilled. The dots
also coordinated perfectly with the dots that were already on the
patterned paper, which added cohesiveness to the overall design.

I guess I really like dots
for my Easter pages, because I used this same template for another
Easter layout. Here I used the larger circle again, but this time I
used a black journaling pen to fill in the circles. You do have to be
careful when choosing a pen or marker to use with these templates,
because some will bleed under the template. I recommend testing them on
scrap paper first. Another alternative is to trace the circles with a
pencil, and then fill them in with a pen or marker.

This
time I used the template to create an element that connects my photos
and creates movement on my layout. Adding a few rhinestones kept the
mood playful and added a little sparkle. As you can see, you don't have
to use the entire template or shape either. Since I added the circle
after I had adhered the pictures, I didn't have to use the whole shape.
Another option for this template is to use it as a guide for perfect
placement of eyelets and brads, which I easily could have substituted
for my rhinestones.

Circle
Circle Dot Dot is another of my favorite doodling
templates by The Crafter's Workshop. This template has half-circles, a
dot border, a flower-burst design, and journaling lines, making it one
of the most versatile of all the templates this company makes. In the
Disney World layout below, I used the template to mimic the Magic
Kingdom sign in the photo. I used a pencil first to trace the dots and
flower bursts. Then I filled them in with a glue pen and added glitter
one color at a time.

Although I now have two die-cut machines, I
still like the portability and flexibility of TCW templates. The Doodle Flower
template is several templates in one. It is, obviously, a large flower
that can be traced and cut out. Within the flower, however, there are
lots of little designs that can be traced to use either with or without
the outer flower. In this layout about the many facets of my daughter's
personality, I traced and cut out two flowers and then cut each of them
in half. I followed that with some doodling inside the flowers and on
the page itself. A few metal flowers were all I needed to add to make
this one of my favorite layouts to this day.

These are only a few of the
many doodling and shape templates made by The Crafter's Workshop. There
is probably one that's perfect for the layout that you're working on
right now. Even if you have one of those sophisticated die-cutting
machines that are currently on the market, it's still easy, fun, and
very convenient to use templates to add that special something to your
layouts.

Another Scrapjazz Article

2010-03-31T16:24:00.000-04:00

Check it out here: The Crafter's Workshop Templates.

Revisiting my son's scrapbook

2010-03-30T09:05:00.001-04:00

You know, there are just some layouts that remain my favorites, and it's usually because of the photos. Such is the case with this layout of David's first birthday. Looking at this layout, and the photos in it, brings me back 14 years. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. That's what scrapbooking is all about, though, isn't it? Documenting and preserving and celebrating the people, events, and memories that make up our lives.

O.K., I'm getting all teary-eyed now, so I'll just post the layout and go get some tissues. Thanks for stopping by!

Haley's Disney Layout

2010-03-11T03:17:00.001-05:00

A few summers ago, Haley (my daughter) attended a scrapbook day camp for a week. They created the most adorable layouts. All they had to do was add photos when they took them home. Here is one of the layouts that Haley completed. I hope she finishes more of these, because this one is so cute! She really has a talent for this scrapbooking thing!

This was such a wonderful experience for her. Unfortunately, the store that held the camp has since closed. Maybe we'll do our own scrapbook camp this year!

Fun in the Snow

2010-02-26T09:44:00.000-05:00

New York City & Westchester schools are closed today, so we took advantage of the Snow Day to go out in the backyard and play with the dog. She absolutely loves the snow, as you can see in this video.

Cheering myself up

2010-02-20T19:26:00.001-05:00

Today wasn't a very good day for me, so I decided to cheer myself up by making a card with my newest stamp: Snoopy's Plane by Stampabilities. How can you not have a smile on your face after seeing Snoopy? I've loved him since I was a little girl. In fact, "Snoopy's Christmas" is my all-time favorite Christmas song. Is it any wonder that I just had to have this stamp of the World War I Flying Ace? Although I'm still feeling kind of down, just looking at this card brings a smile to my face. I hope he makes you smile too.

{I can't give you any specifics on the papers or brads that I used, but the ribbon is actually seam binding by Martha Stewart. I used my Sizzix Texturz plate to emboss the base of the card front, and I cut the shape for the greeting with my Cricut. I believe I used Accent Essentials. The greeting is from TAC (Feel Better), and the blue ink that I sponged to create a background is Prussian Blue, by Palette (Stewart Superior). The coloring was done with various markers.}

Christmas 2009: My First Video

2010-02-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

Christmas Morning with the family. This is my first attempt at putting together a video. Thanks for watching!

A "Vintage" Style Layout

2010-02-01T15:45:00.001-05:00

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I don't "do" vintage. I'm not into the distressed, aged, or otherwise heritage look. I never liked Shabby Chic; 7 Gypsies just doesn't do it for me; and, while I think he's very talented, Tim Holtz simply isn't my style. All of that being said, I kind of surprised myself with this layout. I made it for a contest that Becky Fleck was having over at Page Maps, using one of her sketches. While I didn't win the contest, I did create what has quickly become one of my most favorite layouts. I hope you are inspired by this layout to create your own special memory of when you were very little.

My first article is on Scrapjazz!

2010-01-20T09:47:00.000-05:00

Check it out! 52 Pages About You

Halloween Layout Using My "Stash"

2010-01-17T08:04:00.000-05:00

We all want to use up our "stash," whether it's to clean out our craft space because we just don't have anymore room, or it's to make room for all the new stuff we want to get. My purpose here was a little bit of both. I've had this stuff for so long that I just wanted to use it and not have to look at it anymore. As you'll see, by jazzing it up a little bit, and by adding a few new elements, I was able to make good use out of old materials. Here's the layout, and below it is an explanation of what I did to my stash to make the old products new again.

Cardstock: I used what I had on hand. I have a lot of cardstock. To make it a little more interesting, I drew lines with a ruler, using my gel pens to make a border around the pages.

Patterned Paper: The circles are from a pack of 4 that I bought for $1 in JoAnn's several years ago. They're made by Colorbok. I sliced each one in half and made a zig-zag edge with my pinking-edged scissors from Fiskars. The circle paper is from a K and Co. 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 pack that I also bought several years ago.

Embellishments: The circle embellishments and tab are from a sheet of punch-outs that coordinate with the circle paper, also made by Colorbok, and also purchased for $1 at JoAnn's. I glued the circles onto chipboard circles and sanded the edges even. I added a decorative eyelet to the tab and used it as part of my title. I've had that green ric-rac for a few years, and the transparent ribbon is from Hiedi Swapp - found in the clearance section of one of the big craft stores last year. Layering them added interest and dimension. I bought the spider brads at a craft show last year, and I they are from Eyelet Outlet. Those are probably the most expensive products on this layout! :) The ribbon sticker words are so old that I'm not sure who made them. I cut one of them apart to adapt it to my layout.

Title and Journaling Block: The words in my title are from a sheet of cardstock stickers that I found in my holiday stash. The journaling block is relatively new, and I think it's from Basic Grey. Although I usually hand-write my journaling, I had too much to say, and it didn't fit. So I typed it on my computer, printed it onto regular printer paper, cut it out, and adhered it to the block.

Border: Finally, we come to the border on the bottom of my pages. I created this in Cricut Design Studio and cut it out of some very old Basic Grey paper. I'm not a big fan of BG paper; but when I bought it, I thought it would look very good on a Halloween layout.

It felt great to use all of these products from my stash, and it was a quick and easy layout to complete. I hope I've inspired to you to put some of your older products to good use and to make some old stuff new again. Happy crafting!

Scrapbooking Tip: Make Some Lists/Charts

2010-01-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

I am the proud owner of a Cricut Expression that I got back in August for my birthday/Christmas. Before that, I had the original small Cricut, so I've had a Cricut for about 2 years. That means that I have a lot of cartridges, and it's kind of hard to remember what's on which cartridge. To keep track of this, I've printed out sample sheets that can be found at Cricut.com. Today I went a little further. Since the Paisley and Wild Card cartridges have a lot of words and phrases, I decided to create charts with all of the words. I listed them by page and included all of the words and phrases, plus the keys where they can be found. (I number all of my booklets so that I can easily find what I'm looking for on the keypad.)

Here they are in both .doc and .pdf format, in that order. Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Crafting!

Download Paisley Words

Download Paisley-Words

Download Wild Card Words

It's official. I'm no longer an Angel.

2010-01-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

Well , those of you who know me know that I've never been much of an Angel to begin with.

I've been thinking about this for quite awhile now, and I've come to the conclusion that I no longer wish to be a demo. for The Angel Company (TAC). I've tried to make the best of the ever-changing policies that TAC has been trying to implement for months, but I just can't do it anymore. I cannot be a demonstrator for a company that will not pay me for sales that total less than $100 per month. Many demos are trying to work the math so that they can get around this part of the new compensation plan, but I take issue with any policy that expects me to work for free. If you are going to accept a small order, then you need to pay your demo for that order.

There are several demos on the demo website to which I belonged (up until about 20 minutes ago) who have criticized me and other demos who have voiced our concerns, chastising us and telling us that we should keep our negativity to ourselves. After having one of my posts deleted because of "flaming," I have decided that I want nothing to with this company anymore. I don't think the moderators on that forum actually know what flaming is, because my post wasn't a flame. I was merely answering a snarky post with a fact, and that fact is that one of the demos found it necessary to take her criticism to the blog run by the owner of TAC.

Anyway, this opens up another door for me. Now I can pursue teaching classes that aren't tied to The Angel Company in any way. I will no longer sell another product for that company, so I can feel completely free to use so many of the other wonderful products that are out there. Please post here and let me know what classes you'd like to take, and I'll do my best to schedule some within the next month or two. Please note that your post might take a little while to show up, because I will be approving all posts to this blog from now on.

It's a great time for new beginnings. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T03:49:00.000-05:00

I know, I know. I haven't posted in awhile. The only excuse I can offer is that things have been very hectic for us these past few weeks. After the holidays, things might be a little calmer (I hope). Anyway, as a little thank-you for visiting my blog, I'd like to share some Cricut .cut files with you. I've designed these myself. I hope you like them. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Download 3 Inch Scalloped Circle

Download 5 Inch Scalloped Circle

Download Scalloped Border 1