Announcements!!!

Well, I have two announcements for you!!

First, I still have a surprise for you all, and it is going to be soooooo COOL!!  

It was going to start today, but the Sassy 6 needed some time to get it ready, so we are shooting for sthe 20th!!  

What is it? 

 I can't tell you yet, that would spoil the surprise!  

But, we should be ready to show you what we are all excited about starting on the 20th!  

Be ready, be prepared, it will be AWESOME!!

Here's the second announcement, an invitation type announcement!

I found these Sizzix dies at the craft store, and I had to get them!  They are supposed to make a mini album, but I thought that they would make a unique mini album for some shower invitations I was making.  

 Stage one, cutting all of the pieces.  My invites were 4 panels long, so with all of the pieces, it meant 12 different pieces per invite.  I made 20 of them.

 Assembly.  You have to assemble all of the panels before you adhere them to each other.  I printed the information on white pieces, then cut them out using a Spellbinders die that fit perfectly into the gray square cut out with the second die I used.

 Here is what it looks like all adhered.  I blurred out the information, sorry.  I also failed to get a picture of the cute front of the card.  It had a stamp with an elephant on it, that I colored yellow.  (Her colors for her baby shower are yellow and gray).  Around the elephant said "Sweet Baby".

 They all folded up nicely, then I had to create envelopes using my We R Memory Keepers envelope maker, the cards were about 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" square.  You can see the Spellbinders die under the edge of the box.

We R Memory Keepers also has washi tape sheets out, I used them to punch hearts with a yellow design to close the envelopes.  

So, that's that for today.  Here's a list of the supplies that I used.

Cardstock:  Bazzill and AC

Ink:  Memento 

Stamp:  Fiskars

Dies:  Sizzix and Spellbinders

Pens:  Chromatix

Envelope and Washi Tape Sheet:  We R Memory Keepers

Punch:  Unknown

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK BACK ON THE 20TH!!!

Stay Crafty, My Friends!

Happy Father's Day!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the 2013 Father's Day Blog Hop!!!  All of us in the Pride have been feverishly scratching and clawing in our dens, coming up with  the perfect card projects for the special Dad's in our lives!  We are so excited you are here, and we hope you love the creations that we have to share with you!

You should have prowled on over to me from RJ's Den.  The beginning of this hop is with our
Den Momma, Elsa!  I have the full list of all of the Pride members in this hop at the bottom of this post.  Now...let's get started!

Our mission was to create the purrrrrfect Father's Day card.  This is what I came up with for my awesome, wonderful, caring, loving Husband.

 I used the DCWV line called "The District Stack".  I loved this line, because it looked so regal.  I had this stamp in my stash.  I put three keys on the card  because we have three children.   The candy dots are by My Mind's Eye.  I used a variety of punches as well.

Here is the inside of the card.

Then, you know me, I just couldn't stop.  I made him an album as well.

 I wanted to match the album to the card.  I modeled it after a brochure fold called a "Stepped Double Parallel" fold. I will do a tutorial on how I made it in a few weeks.

 It closes with a simple ribbon closure that I threaded through the "spine" of the book.

 I didn't put the pictures for this post, because I didn't have permission from our kids...but the pictures are all of my husband with our kids at various times through the last several years.  I also did sentiments that I will put on the pages after I put the pictures in.  This picture above is the first opening...

 Then it folds out like this.

 Here is the other side.

The "spine".  He can put it on the shelf and look at it whenever he wants, or he can open it and display it.  I think he will love it!

I would usually direct you to a link on my YouTube channel for a video to show this project off.  I actually did make a video.  But, being the brilliant person I am, I deleted it off of my phone thinking I had already uploaded it to the computer.  NOT SO! Sorry about that.  Note to self for next time, MAKE SURE IT'S ON THE COMPUTER FIRST!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this project.  Happy Father's Day to all of the guys out there!!  Now, please pounce on over to Sherain's Den and see what wonderful project she came up with!

Elsa       http://justafewdesigns.blogspot.com

Krystal   http://krystalsnight.blogspot.com

Kimi     http://uniquescrappiness.blogspot.com

Suzie   http://scrappingsuzieqtt.blogspot.com

Linda    http://simpleandsassycreations.blogspot.com

Rj       http://thriftycrafterdude.blogspot.com

Michelle http://www.creativeoperation.blogspot.com/

Sherence http://proudmommy702.blogspot.com/

Yvette http://daileyscrapper.blogspot.com

More Planner Pages for my ARC!

 I just thought I would show you a little more of my planner pages that I do to try to keep things in order and together.  This is kind of turning into a "Smash-esque" kind of thing, as I am decorating and using different themes for the weeks.  I am having fun with it, and I am definitely not getting bored with it.  And, believe it or not, it is working!

I do want to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ARC by Staples notebook system, it really is awesome!  I love how easy it is to add and remove pages!  I now have 5 more notebooks.  One is the project notebook that I made.  Another small one is going into my purse so that any notes I may take if I leave my planner at home may be inserted into my planner without problem!  I love that!!

This is my June master task list.  I just brainstorm (or brain dump) whatever needs to be done for the month.  I hope to get these all finished! I just simply used some washi tape to make the title stand out a little.  

 On this weeks layout, I just used an assortment of sticky notes that I had to create "boxes" to write stuff and things in.  The notes are by Cavallini and Co.

This page layout is inspired by nostalgia, brought to you by Studio G, Tim Holtz, and Teresa Collins.  

This is the layout for next week.  I usually wait until Saturday to figure out my "mood" for the upcoming week, but I saw these Monopoly Stickers at the craft store, and they were on clearance, and I knew they had to be the theme.  I love Sunday, I really don't want to pass "Go", because that means I would have to go to work, HAHAHA!  I also used the thimble, because that is the piece I always use when I play.  

Well, that's it for this time.  Stay tuned for next weekend...our BLOG HOP IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!  The folks with Just a Few Friends have some super awesome stuff in store for you!  Until then, stay crafty, my friends!!

Mother's Day Cards, better late than never! And...Announcements!!!

Before I get started with this blog post, I have a couple of announcements that I want to share with you all.  

First, Father's Day will be celebrated with the creative geniuses of "Just a Few Friends" On June 8th.  Please make sure you stop by and see what we all have done for the Daddy's in our lives!

And Second, on June 15th there will be another special blog hop.  I can't divulge all of the details, but to say that I am now also part of a group called the "Sassy 5" and we are going to be celebrating a brand new and AWESOME release of something you won't want to miss.  We are working with Elsa, of Just a Few Designs, and she has a super special, awesome and wonderful surprise for us all!

And now, for the blog post!

 Here are the Mother's Day cards I came up with this year.  Yes, between me and my hubby, we have 4 mom's!  We love them all so very much!   I bought a card kit from my local scrapbook store,
A Joy Forever.  Follow the link and you will get her directions for the cards on the blog that they just started!  Joy created the designs, made the kits, and I LOVED IT THE MOMENT I SAW IT!  I did some tweaking to the cards for the Mother's Day cards, buying some dimensional stickers that matched the paper line.

 The paper line is Knee Highs and Bow Ties by Basic Grey and it is soooooo cute!  I also found out, because of the goodies in this kit, that the "candy dots" by My Mind's Eye are a MUST HAVE!  I went out and bought 4 packages of several different colors!

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day, and remember...Stay Crafty, My Friends!

Craft Supply Inventory.

OK, so I made an inventory notebook for my craft supplies.  

That's not weird is it?  

I mean, I just got a little tired of not remembering what I had and didn't have.  Buying doubles is fine for some stuff, but not for others, you know what I mean?  

I have been working on this for a couple of months.  I think I have everything in here now.  (Oh, yeah, except for all of my paper stacks and collections).  I think it is awesome.

I just have to remember to use it when making supply needs lists and to take it with me when purchasing certain things.  

Here it is...TAA DAA!

 I made the pages on classic sized papers, because a full size three ring notebook would have been too big to handle in the store.  I wanted to use my ARC disc binding system, but they don't make rings big enough for all of this stuff.  (I have a lot of stuff, but I have been crafting since before I can remember learning how to do it!!!)

 The side tabs are the main categories.  The top sticky notes are the temporary way I am dividing the main categories.  I still have to tweak things.

 The following are just examples of what's in my book.  Not only are some pages an inventory, but also a nice sample of what the product looks like.

 I found a bunch of printables on the Ranger site.  Go check it out!  The link will take you to the page where there are a ton of color sheets and label sheets to print out and use to help organize your stuff.

 A list of my Cricut Cartridges.  I double spaced it so that I have room to add more.

 Pictures of my dies...all divided into categories of company.

 I had some folders that I could not find the names of.  So, I put a sample in the book, I can use it when I shop.

 I also knit and crochet.  I need the information for that also!

 Punches...

 ...Scissors...

 ...and Stamps, OH MY!

 And, you have to have a washi tape collection inventory.

I made the dividers using the tutorial I found by Paper Phenomenon.  It uses the EK Success envelope maker to create the tabs.  I just cut the card stock into pieces that were 8 1/2" x 6", did the punching and cutting, and I had custom dividers for my book.  The video tutorial is here, she shows how to make half sized file folders using this technique.   I also played with the paper size she uses in the video to create her file folders.  If you use a paper that is 8 1/2" by 12" to start with, and score the fold at the 5 3/4" mark from the "bottom" of the file folder, you will get a folder that perfectly holds 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" papers.  If this is confusing, let me know, I'll show you!

What do you think?  (Not about how much stuff I have stashed in every nook and cranny of my craft room!  What do you think about my book?  HAHAHAHA!)

Stay crafty, and ORGANIZED, my friends!

Planner Pages For Your Viewing Pleasure

I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY ARC BY STAPLES PLANNER!!!

 I just wanted to show you a couple of pages for the last couple of weeks.  I was raiding my sticky note stash for the page above, along with some Creative Imaginations stickers.  I am continuing my "Stuff. Things." titles for my page of to do's.  I like it.  

 This page sported some stickers by Simple Stories.  

Like a goof that I can be, I threw away the paper for these border stickers...I have no idea who made them.  I did like the quote I added to the right page.  Sometimes I use that blank box for quotes, sometimes for my weekly check boxes.  Oh, if you were wondering...The E is for exercise, the J is for journaling, and the V is for vitamins.  I want to do the journaling and vitamins daily, the exercise at least three days a week.

 This page is the current week.  I tried stamping on this one.  I made a MESS of it!!!  One would think that simple stamping would be easy, I CAN'T DO IT WELL!!!  ARGH!!!  I made a mess of the middle of the page, so I covered it with a page from a notebook I have on my desk.  I think it worked well to cover it up, and give me lines to write on!

 These pages show my page of sticky quotes that I like, and then my master task list for the month.

I hope you enjoyed looking at this.  I just love this book and I use it every day.  I love to decorate it.  I usually spend some time on Saturdays figuring out what the "theme" will be for the next week.  I don't really have one for this week.  Maybe next week will be better!

Stay Crafty, My Friends!!!

Graphic 45 French Country Album

 Hi, All!  I wanted to share this with you.  I was at the Creating Keepsakes convention back in March and at the Pine Cone Press booth they had this kit.  I. HAD. TO. HAVE. IT!  I love Graphic 45, and this kit was beautiful.  It made a pretty large book, with lots of space to add stuff.  I, of course, had to add more stuff and embellish it with more things.

 Heres the cover, I added bling by ZVA Creative, and the sunflower embellishment is by K and Company.

 The spine is 3" wide.

 The pages are 8" tall, 6" wide, and spaced 1/2" apart.

 I went to craft warehouse and grabbed some of the embellishments that come with this line of paper.  I did the kit exactly as they said, except I used black card stock instead of the cream they sent.  Then I embellished with more things.  The flower is by Bo Bunny, the leaves are 7 Gypsies.

 The little envelope opens and two tiny tags are in it.

 The page on the right is built with a cd envelope.  It makes for a lot of room for pictures and such.

 All of the little picture embellishments are adhered so that pictures can slip behind them.

 The cd envelope window.

 More Bo Bunny flower embellishment ideas on that pocket.

 I adhered this flap so that a tag (on the left, black with the face on it) could be tucked behind it.  I also did the right page a little different, creating a bother pocket.  The Bon Appetit card is a tag, everything else created the pocket.

 On this flap on the left side, I also adhered it different so that a tag could be placed behind it.  I used the file folder method that Kathy Orta showed in this video, the idea came from her friend Diane.  Go check it out, if you have an EK Success envelope maker, you need to see what else you can do with it.

 This sunflower is also from K and Company.

 I added some stuff to the back cover.  I created a pocket on the back cover using an envelope/tag and die cut from the paper line.

I also created extra pockets in the pages.  The album is constructed with black card stock pages.  After making these bases and putting them in the book, you cover them with the papers.  Before I covered them, I added large envelopes to the card stock pages.  I sealed them, cut off the end, adhered them to the card stock, then covered them, thus making a top pocket for these large tags. There are 5 base pages, so I made 5 pockets for large tags.

After I finished with this album my brain went haywire with ideas...I am currently working on another mini album of my creation, and will be bringing it to you all very soon.  That one will also have another set of tutorials that I will do on video to show you how to create one for yourselves!!  I'm super excited about it, so stay tuned!

Stay crafty, my friends!