December Daily 2012: Days 1 & 2

Hey, everyone!  I hope your December has started off nicely!  I am popping in to share the first 2 days of my December Daily.  I decided to keep it really simple this year, which I think will make it easier for me to keep up with the project.  However, I am going to have to find a way to incorporate tags, tabs, ribbons, etc, because I really love having all the stuff hanging out the side, like I did last year.

Day 1 focused on my "Noel" shelf. 

Day 2 covered my Dad's and my shooting adventure.  It's one of our shared hobbies, so I figured I should document it.

 

 

Supplies: Day 1: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Journaling card: Simple Stories; Alphas: Lily Bee Designs, October Afternoon; Die cuts, Washi tape: October Afternoon; Label stickers: October Afternoon, Simple Stories; Brads: Making Memories

 

Day 2: Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn; Banner stickers, "Details": Simple Stories; Die cuts, Washi tape, #2: October Afternoon; Alphas: Lily Bee Designs

Dec at The Studio - Layer it up!

Good morning, everyone! And happy December!  Where has the time gone this year?!  I can't believe how fast the year has passed, but I am excited to jump into the month and begin sharing my December Daily with you all soon. 

But for today, I wanted to share my layout for the current challenge at The Studio.  We were supposed to use layers in our page.  Here is what I created:

I am attempting to use more layers in my pages, but it is definitely an acquired skill.  Sometimes it can be quite difficult to actually make all the layers look good.  However, the other ladies did a remarkable job, so head on over to The Studio to check out what they did, to participate in the challenge and to win a prize for your entry ;-)

Layout: Cardstock: Bazizill; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Lily Bee Designs, My Mind's Eye; Vellum: American Crafts; Frame: Studio Calico; Stick pin: Fancy Pants; Calendar: Jenni Bowlin Studios; Tag: Ranger Ink; Mists: Tattered Angels; "Noted" diecut: Chic Tags; Tab diecut: October Afternoon

In the "Christmas-y" Spirit...

Hello, everyone!  I hope your week is going well.  I just wanted to pop in real fast and share a layout that I made recently.  In the spirit of the season, it is very Christmas-y!

I recently purchased Doodlebug Designs' 6 x 6 paper pad from their North Pole collection.  I loved all the fun patterns so much that I crammed in as many as I could without it getting too busy.  I have a feeling you may be seeing a lot of this paper pad in the next month...

Thanks for stopping by!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas: Doodlebug Designs; Label Sticker: Echo Park

December Daily 2012

Hello, everyone!

If you had a long weekend, I hope you enjoyed yourself!  It was nice to have a much-needed break from work.  I took advantage of the time off and began work on my December Daily for this year.  This is, by far, my favorite project of the year.  This year, I began planning for it in October.  Ha!  Here is my cover:

And a close-up:

I also did a few foundation pages, but not a lot.  Last year I found that I really enjoy working on my pages day-by-day instead of doing the foundation pages ahead of time.  It makes each page more unique and I thought the end results were much better.

This year, I will be using Studio Calico multi-pocket page protectors.  I love confetti pockets, so that is all my foundation pages consist of right now:

Are you participating in December Daily this year?  Have you begun work on your album yet?  If so, please leave me a link...I'd love to see!

Cover: Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Designs; Alphas: American Crafts; Journaling Card, Wood shapes, Badge, Mist: Studio Calico; Starburst: Chic Tags; Punch: Paper Source; Other diecuts: October Afternoon

Currently Craving: Fun Gift Wrap Ideas

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can get in the Christmas spirit without feeling too guilty.  One of my favorite things about Christmas is buying presents for people..and then wrapping them.  My paper and embellishment obsession carries over into this holiday nicely :o)

Sources: 1. Simple envelope packaging via "Oh Hello Friend"  2. Monogram tag via "Older and Wisor"  3. Don't peek tag via "craftedbylindy on Etsy"  4. Flower wrapping via "greenbugmarketplace on Etsy"  5. Happy holidays pocket wrapping via "Card Blanc"  6. Candy Cane gift wrap via "Katherine Maries"  7. Personalized gift wrap via "Green Horned Unicorn"  8. Simple name gift wrapping via "The Haystack Needle Online"  9. DIY paper bow via "Ellinee"

November's Studio Sketch

Hey, everyone!  There is a new sketch posted on The Studio blog today.  As always, it was another fun one:

Here is my take on it...I stuck pretty close to the sketch and even though this layout is not done in my normal bright and colorful style, I'm still happy with the results:

I hope you can play along with us for a chance to win some fun goodies!!

I'm beginning Thanksgiving preparations over here.  Should be a fun week with lots of time to be crafty!!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Alphas: Girls' Paperie; Tags: Ranger Ink; Patterned Paper, Diecut Frame, Wooden Stars, Mist: Studio Calico; Tab, Label: October Afternoon; Border: Doodlebug Design; Twine: My Mind's Eye; Staples: Tim Holtz; Washi Tape: mt

Just for fun...

I made a layout just for fun today!  Here it is:

I LOVE this picture, and have been wanting to scrap it for awhile...don't be surprised if you see it again some time.  I know the pic is blurry, but it's still just so much fun.  We took the photo at E's sister's wedding. They broke out the sparklers at the end of the night and we just started playing around with them...and we were lucky enough to have the photographer catch it on camera!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Simple Stories, Jillibean Soup; Alphas: Lily Bee Designs; Diecuts: Studio Calico, Evalicious, October Afternoon, Chic Tags; Badges: Studio Calico, Evalicious

The Studio Die Cut Challenge

Hey, everyone!  The newest challenge is up at The Studio today and it's a fun one: use your die cuts on your layout/project.  These can be pre-cut from certain manufacturers or cut by you using a machine.

This challenge was great for me because I am currently enrolled in Studio Calico's "Cut It Out" class, taught by Susan Weinroth.  I haven't used my silhouette too much since I got it because I haven't really known how, but this class is helping a lot.  Here's my layout:

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you can play along with us this month.  Check out what the other fabulous ladies created here.

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Queen and Company, Crate Paper; Cuts: Studio Calico, Ali Edwards for Studio Calico; Printables, wood shape: Studio Calico; Date/Place Label: Evalicious; Tape: K & Company, Queen and Company; Staples: Tim Holtz

Punky Scraps Recipe Challenge

A new challenge went live at Punky Scraps yesterday.  This time it was a recipe challenge.  Here were the "ingredients" that our layout/project had to include:

1. use of 3 different punches

2. staples

3. masking

4. chevrons

5. 2 patterned papers

6. 1 photo

 

I had so much fun with this challenge because I adore every "ingredient" on the list.  I also decided to scrap this super fun photo of my adorable niece and I:

I hope you can play along with us this month.  Head on over to Punky Scraps to see what the other girls created and to link up a project of your own!

 

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Lily Bee Design; Alphas: Heidi Swapp; Wooden shapes, Mask: Studio Calico; Punches: EK Success, Paper Source; Diecut heart, Shipping Tag, Coat check tag: Paper Source; Chevron Envelope: Whisker Designs; Twine: My Mind's Eye; Label Sticker: Heidi Swapp; Mist: Tattered Angels

The Studio October Sketch Challenge

One of the coolest things that has happened to me creativity-wise this year was becoming a member of The Studio's Design Team.  I've only been on the team for three months, but I've already been hugely inspired by the other girls and pushed to create new, unique layouts. 

I used to hate being forced to create layouts from sketches, because I didn't always find them inspiring.  It's one thing to find a neat sketch on a blog or another challenge site.  It's entirely different to be told, "you must create something based off of this."  And while I understand that is the point of being on a design team, it can be really hard.  However, our sketch designer, Valerie, has a knack for creating AWESOME sketches, which I love to create from.  Today's challenge is no exception.  Here's the sketch:

 Here is what I created:

And here is a close-up:

As you can tell, I kept pretty close to the sketch.  I adored it...and why should I mess with a good thing?  :o)

I hope you can play along with our challenges this month.  You can check out the other ladies' wonderful creations here.

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Studio Calico; Alphas: Echo Park; Sticker Phrase: Making Memories; Diecut Frame: Studio Calico; Wood Shapes: Studio Calico, Sodalicious; Washi Tape: Target; Mist: Tattered Angels

Halloween layout

Hey, everyone!  I wanted to pop in real quickly and share a layout that I made for Halloween.  I always love playing with Halloween-themed products.  The colors are always so awesome: orange, purple, lime green....LOVE!  Here is what I created:

Thanks for stopping in.  I hope you enjoy your work week.  :o)

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Border stickers, Ribbon, Dimensional stickers, Alphas: Doodlebug Design; Stamp: Hero Arts/Studio Calico; Paint: Apple Barrel

Punky Scraps October

Hey, all!  Happy, happy weekend!  :o)

As of yesterday, a new challenge is up at Punky Scraps.  It is an image-based challenge.  The image featured a lot of fun make-up products.  Here is my layout:

Fun fact: my polka dots and border details are painted on with fingernail polish.  I didn't have any paint with me when I made the layout, so I had to get creative!

I hope you can play along with us.  To see the image and the other ladies' wonderful creations, view the challenge post here.

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Simple Stories; Wood shapes, Word bubble: Studio Calico; Alphas: Echo Park

Let's Go Hokies!!

Hey, everyone!!!  If you had a long weekend, I hope you enjoyed it.  I used some of my extra time to scrap a bit.  Here is one of the pages that I created:

E & I have been to a few different college footall games over the years (Iowa a few times, Duke, Tulane (our alma mater, which is not a school really known for its sporting abilities)).  He has a good friend who is a VA Tech grad, so of course when we we offered to tickets to the game, we had to go.  And it was a blast.  Blacksburg, VA is absolutely gorgeous - especially this time of year.

What fun fall activities have you been up to recently??

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Echo Park, American Crafts; Alphas: Echo Park; Wood Shapes: Sodalicious, Studio Calico; Diecut frame: Studio Calico; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eyes; Button: Bella Blvd

The Studio - Family Challenge

Good morning, everyone!  The first October challenge for The Studio is up this morning!  Today's challenge is all about family, which is actually a pretty broad category, if you think about it.  Here is my layout:

I decided to focus on the fact that I added four amazing people to my family the day Eric & I got married: Eric, his parents and his sister.  And then his sister got married 3 weeks after us and I added 2 more awesome people to my family: her husband and his daughter...but I don't have a picture of that whole group that also includes my parents.  Needless to say, though, I am blessed with awesome people in my life!

I hope you can play along with The Studio this week.  The prize this month is from Teresa Collins!  And, as always, the design team's layouts are all inspirational.

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill, DCWV; Patterned Paper, Diecuts, Alphas: October Afternoon; Paper Borders: Doodlebug Design; Felt Flowers: Queen & Company

Currently Craving - Halloween Edition

Seriously?!  I cannot believe it's October!  Where on Earth has the year gone?  Oh, well.  I might as well embrace it.  Here's a collection of some fun Halloween-y projects to try this month:

 

1. Brightly colored pumpkins   2.  Witchy cupcake   3. Ladybug costume   4.  Paper straws   5.  "Boo-nilla" shakes   6.  Spider lantern   7.  Front door   8.  Argyle pumpkins   9.  Mason jars

Cards!

Hey, everyone!  A few weeks ago, I decided to delve into the wonderful world of card-making (I was applying for the Jillibean Soup design team).  I've been to that world before, but I never stay for long. Ha!  I made 2 cards:

For this one, I used cut files from the Studio Calico trendspotting class that I took last month and just layered them all on top of one another.

 

 

For this one, I punched out the zig-zaggy circles (I think they are called pinked circles?!?!) from one piece of cardstock and layered it on top of a card so that the tiny telephones showed through the punched out portion.

 

I forgot how easily cards come together.  And while I probably didn't make the team I was applying for, I'm still happy with the results :o)

 

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy the work week!

 

Card 1: Cardstock: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup; Cut Files: Studiio Calico

Card 2: Cardstock: DCWV; Patterned Paper, Twine, Sticker, Wooden Banner: Jillibean Soup; Punch: Martha Stewart



Giftwrap Goodness: Creative Gift Wrap

Hey, everyone!

I have something a little different to share with you this evening: a recent gift that I gave for a birthday.  I decided to be all creative-like in my gift-wrapping and do something a little more fun.  I have a whole Pinterest board full of gift wrap ideas, so I figured I should put it to good use :o)  Here is what I came up with:

 

What do ya think?  I can guarantee the gift wrapping is probably just a tad more exciting than the gift (a book).  It felt so good to be creative in this way...is it terrible that I am ready for Christmas now because I want to come up with more creative packaging ideas?!?!

Kraft Paper: Scotch; Patterned Paper, Ribbon, Twine, Diecuts: Jillibean Soup; Alphas: October Afternoon, Jillibean Soup; Doily: mypapershop

The Studio September Sketch Challenge

Hey, everyone!  I hope your weekend is going well so far.  Mine is, but it seems to be flying by rather quickly.  Since it is Sunday, that means there is a new challenge up at The Studio.  This week it is a sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch we had to work off of, designed by Valerie: 

Here is my take.  I flipped the sketch on its side to create my layout:

On this layout, I used one of Toni's blooms - they are always perfect when you need some color :o)

Hop on by The Studio to see what the other wonderful ladies created.  As usual, I am in love with everything that everyone did.

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Alphas: Doodlebug Design; Diecuts: October Afternoon, Chic Tags, Jillibean Soup; Flowers: Queen & Company, Green Horned Unicorn; Bling: Prima

A Pin-spiring Layout!

Studio Calico recently had a challenge on their blog to create a layout inspired by a pin found on one of their Pinterest boards.  I was inspired by this pin:

And here is the layout that I created:

It actually was a really quick layout to put together once I cut out the diamond shapes...I probably created it in about 30 minutes.

Thanks for dropping by...I hope hou have a wonderful weekend (TGIF!).

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Twine, Alphas, Sticker, DieCut, Tag: Jillibean Soup

Final Trendspotting Layout

Hi, everyone!  I hope you had a nice holiday. 

I wanted to stop in real fast and share the final layout that I made for my trendspotting class, although, it will porbably not be my final layout using these trends.  I loved the class and actually really like all the layouts that I made for it.  In addition to the Trendspotting class, I also used a Studio Calico sketch as the basis for my layout:

Thanks for stopping by!

Layout: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Pebbles, Jillibean Soup; DieCuts, Stickers: October Afternoon; Alphas: Basic Grey, October Afternoon; Wooden Shapes: Studio Calico