Looking Forward to a New Year—Happily!

On a personal level, of all the holidays, New Year’s Day, creates a round-eyed optimism and brings the most hope to me.  I think it’s one of the holidays I look forward to the most.  We usually relax, eat what we want, and ring the year in casually while discussing the year’s events and what we look forward to in the year to come.  How cool is that?!  What are you all looking forward to?  What will you miss about 2010?  One thing I will miss about 2010 is just how well the year looks in print or written in your own handwriting.  Silly, huh? 

Best wishes to you all, be safe, and happy crafting!

Happy New Year, Friend Card Supplies

The Boyfriend Paper Pack, Early Bird Candy Candy, and
Early Bird Paper Pack by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies Used:  cardstock; Cuttlebug/Clockworks embossing folder; and buttons/embroidery thread.

Dashing Through the Snow Card Supplies

Reindeer Games Paper Pack and Reindeer Games Accent Pack by The Queen of Quirk at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies Used:  Cuttlebug embossing folder and die; embroidery floss and sewing machine; Making Memories brad.

A Sweet Dream Scrapbook Layout Supplies

Scrap Canvas Sectional, Reindeer Games Paper Pack, Reindeer Games Accent Pack by The Queen of Quirk at jessicasprague.com.
EZPZ Template 06-Fotocentric by liv.edesigns at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies Used:  AC letter stickers; Cricut Stand and Salute cartridge for chipboard stars; Embroidery floss/sewing machine; button; chipboard embossed using Cuttlebug and Tim Holtz Alteration Texture fades by Sizzix; MM acrylic paints; random found knotted bow.

Parade of Lights Scrapbook Layout Supplies

Reindeer Games Paper Pack and Reindeer Games Accent Pack by The Queen of Quirk at jessicasprague.com.
Snapshot Beauty Template by In the Making Designs at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies Used:  Cricut Paper Lace Cartridge; Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folders with Cuttlebug; embroidery thread/sewing machine; CTMH cardstock; MM glitter brads.

Happy Turkey Week!

And what a happy week it is—the kids are off, it’s wet and rainy here, and lots of goodies to play with from jessicasprague.com.  Inspiration really IS everywhere right now. 

Here are some projects I’ve been working on through the month of November.

In the past, I’ve created a few of these cozies for my daughter and friends using traditional fabric following this very fine tutorial from The House on Hill Road blog.  Great tutorial.  This time, I decided to print some Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Candy Candy and Early Bird Paper onto some Fabric Stick.  I then cut out the pattern, attached it to some felt by stitching, and then followed the above tutorial.  This one is for ME!

Early Bird Coffee Cozy Supplies List

Early Bird Candy Candy and Early Bird Paper Pack by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies used:  Fabric Stick, red felt sheets, fusible fleece, sewing machine thread, button, and felt flower.  

For the above I got to use the Sentimental Cricut Cartridge with DesignStudio software to design the pattern for the card.  I’m still loving the software.  If you have a Cricut and don’t have the software, trust me, you should get it.

Merry Christmas Card Supplies

Merry Christmas Patterned Paper Pack Kit 1 and  Merry Christmas Element Pack Kit 1 by Echo Park and jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies used:  Cricut Sentimental cartridge; Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder; Making Memories Ribbon; snowflake brad, unknown; Embroidery thread and sewing machine

Jackson, CA, doesn’t get much snow—maybe a couple of times each wintery season—but that’s about it.  Last December, the snow actually stuck for about four days.  Two of those days were snow days for the kids from school.  I took the above pictures of our little ones enjoying their winter wonderland—even our pom-chi pup, Dixie, got caught in the action.  You can barely see her next to Gwen making angels in the snow.  I hope it happens again this year.  We also took those few days and decorated the inside of our house for Christmas, made cookies and drank hot chocolate, and just enjoyed the magic of the snow and the spontaneity of it all--TOGETHER.

December Brrrr Layout

Everybody Loves Christmas Element Pack and Everybody Loves Christmas Paper Pack #1 by Echo Park at jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies used:  Cricut Give-A-Hoot & Winter Wonderland Cartridges; CTMH cardstock; buttons/embroidery floss

Do your little ones ever express this giddy emotion from time to time? Well, ALL of mine do.  In fact, it’s part of the genes because I do it, too.  I’m tickled, no giddy, that I captured it finally for at least one of my children.  For the above layout, I included the definition of the word “Giddy” under the chipboard Cricut cut of the word.  I love matching a picture to its definition.

Giddy Layout

jessicasprague.com supplies: 

Daisy Jane Flowers, Daisy Jane Paper Bits, and Daisy Jane Solids by Carina Gardner.

Mask Me Photo Masks and Warm Wuv and Soft Hugs Elements by liv.e designs.

November Collection Journaling Snippets by Creativity by Crystal.

Other supplies:  Cricut Cindy Loo Cartridge; misc. craft buttons and sequins; Making Memories brads; embroidery floss and sewing machine; CTMH bamboo cardstock

I hope that you have had a chance to sign up for Jessica's FREE class, Inspiration Everywhere. Class begins in one week, so spread the word.  Click below for more information.

Black Friday starts the store-wide 20% off sale at jessicasprague.com.  Starting November 26th until December 31st, everything on the site will be 20% off, including self-paced classes. Also, with a $20 purchase during the sale, you will receive a special collaboration kit created just for you by the jessicasprague.com design team at no additional charge.

I hope you all have a loving Thanksgiving with your family and friends.  Here’s to cooking way too much, eating way too much, and spending way too much on Black Friday!  Be SAFE out there.

Register Now!

October Card using Echo Park Abundance!

It’s finally crisp and cool outside.  My favorite time of year, so I thought I’d take the time to count my blessings!

Counting Our Blessings Supplies List

Abundance Paper Pack 1 and Abundance Elements Pack 1 by Echo Park Digitals at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies Used:  Cricut Heritage Cartridge (label); Cuttlebug A2 Ornamental Iron Die/Emboss Combo; Embroidery thread/sewing machine/buttons/ribbon.

Jeepers Trick or Treat Felt Bag

I couldn’t help falling in love with The Queen of Quirk’s Jeepers Accent and Paper Packs from jessicasprague.com.  The images are to die for.  It was just the kit I needed this Halloween to inspire me to make a trick or treat bag.  I’ve always wanted to but this was the kit to do it with and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to make another one.  Gwen has her mind set on this one, Raiden is going to want one, and I think I want one for me, too.  Using Crystal Wilkerson’s Tons of Scallops Template Kit helped me put together a pretty decent design for which to insert the images.  All around, this project was a joy to put together.

I found a pretty easy tutorial to follow online to construct the bag.  I changed things up a bit here and there, like measurements, and using images printed on Fabric Stick instead of the felt shapes.  Also, I like using my pinking shears whenever possible when using felt.   Here’s the link to the tutorial:  kristamaurer.com. 

Jeepers Trick or Treat Felt Bag Supplies

Jeepers Accent Pack and Jeepers Paper Pack by The Queen of Quirk at jessicasprague.com.

Crystal’s Tons of Scallops Template Kit by Creativity by Crystal at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies used:  Fabric Stick, Black felt, white felt, black embroidery thread, sewing machine, and pinking shears.

That Boo! Time of Year

Lots of Boo! seasonal goodies at jessicasprague.com  I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them.  Here are a couple of project pictures utilizing the goodies of the season—I plan to do more.  These projects are so much fun and the kiddies love to get involved, too.

Haunted Candy Basket Supplies

Haunted Paper Pack and Haunted Candy Candy by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com

Other Supplies:  wooden basket or crate from thrift store, buttons, embroidery thread, and adhesive.

Happy Halloween Door Greeting

Haunted Paper Pack and Haunted Candy Candy by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

Jeepers Accent Pack and Jeepers Paper Pack by The Queen of Quirk at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies:  Sign found at thrift store and then covered with Cosmo Cricket (mentioned above), Basic Grey bookplates, Prima Flowers, sequins, Cricut shapes using Cindy Loo and Plantin SchoolBook, Twine, HS Bling, and adhesive.

How are your Boo! projects coming along this year?  We’re having a blast with ours and we cannot wait for the pumpkin patch trip.

JessicaSprague.com CT Search!

Click on the above image to get all the juicy details—it’s an awesome opportunity!  I’ve enjoyed every minute and have learned a lot since becoming a CT member.  I can’t wait to see what you share—hybrid and digital—it’s all good. 

September Home Decor Project

Oh!  How I love to find things at my local thrift store—Amador Hospice Thrift, especially during their half-off sale—it’s sublime! 

The coffee table pictured below I procured during their last half-off sale, for $3, brought it home, and eagerly got started with the Mod Podge.  I’m absolutely in love with it! 

TIP:  When printing digital elements/paper for decoupage projects, it’s best to print them on paper that is fast-drying, smudge resistant, water resistant, and fade resistant.  I use Epson’s Presentation Paper, Matte.  After applying several layers of the Hard Coat Mod Podge, I also use a few layers of varnish, specifically DecoArt’s DuraClear Varnish, Gloss. 

Girl Friday Conversation Table Makeover Supplies

Girl Friday Candy Candy, Girl Friday Borders, Girl Friday Elements, Girl Friday Paper Pack by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

Crystal’s Rounded Corner Templates by Creativity by Crystal at jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies:  Hard Coat Mod Podge, DecoArt DuraClear Varnish, Gloss, and Epson Presentation Paper, Matte.

September Cards & Layout

Well we’re just starting to get used to our new schedules and routines.  I’m definitely looking forward to the fall season for a couple of reasons—a change in weather AND the new fall lineup for television.  I can’t wait for my shows to come back! 

Below are some projects I’ve been working on this September using products from jessicasprague.com.   I hope you like . . .

Thanks A Bunch Supply List

Girl Friday Paper Pack, Girl Friday Candy Candy, and Girl Friday Borders by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies: Buttons (my button jar), Embroidery Thread, American Craft Ribbon, and Cricut Die cut (Cindy Loo).

Happy Supply List

Nutmeg Paper Pack by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com

Card Couture, Labels and Brackets, by IKari Designs at jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies:  Create-A-Critter and Straight From the Nest Cricut Cartridges; Cuttlebug D’vine Swirl embossing folder

Have A Haunted Halloween Supply List 

Apothecary Halloween Paper Pack #1 and Apothecary Element Pack #1 from jessicasprague.com.

Other supplies:  Doodlecharms and Sentimental Cricut Cartridges; American Crafts Ribbon; Embroidery thread/Sewing Machine.

Big H—Happy Supply List

Girl Friday Paper Pack and Girl Friday Candy Candy by Cosmo Cricket at jessicasprague.com.

It’s a Start, Templates 3, by In The Making Designs at jessicasprague.com.

Warm Wuv & Soft Hugs, The Elements, by liv.e Designs.

Other Supplies:  Embroidery thread/sewing machine, craft supply button, and Dr. Seuss quote freebie from designerdigitals.com

Hope you all are adjusting to the season transition and looking forward to Halloween—my favorite time of year!

Father Time Accents & Butterfly Magnets Tutorial

Recently when perusing Woman’s Day Easy Decorating Magazine, I came across a magnet set entitled, “Butterfly Cascade” by The HomePort Collections.  I was so inspired by the image of this product, that I had to recreate them, with the added challenge of using supplies I had on hand.  If you are interested, please feel free to download my tutorial by clicking here. 

The following links will take you to the products I utilized from jessicasprague.com:  Enjoy!

Butterfly Magnets Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Father Time, The Accents, and Father Time Paper Pack by The Queen of Quirk

You Are Here Full Kit by The Queen of Quirk and Paislee Press

Happy Birthday, Pop!

This past week we celebrated my dad’s 84th birthday.  I had the opportunity to put together a lap quilt for him as a gift and thought using a print from Kitschy Digitals’ Calico Dream Kit would be a nice touch for his card.   iKari’s new date labels are versatile, so graphic, and fun to use.  We had some Boston Cream Cake and enjoyed spending time with him. 

Celebrate 84th Birthday Card Supplies

In addition to all of the lovely digital supplies, I used some UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) with my heat tool to give some dimension and shine to the middle of iKari's label which was layered on chipboard. A Close To My Heart white organdy ribbon was attached.  The scrollwork embossing folder and Cuttlebug were also used to make the dark blue border around the edges.

supplies used from jessicasprague.com:

iKari Designs
Save the Date, Volume 5, Curvy Labels

Kitschy Digitals
Calico Dream Digital Kit

Continuing the School Theme

Elle’s Studio released a few sets of hybrid banner letters last week at jessicasprague.com.  I used the dark pink set to monogram a notebook I put together for my second grader, Gwen. 

Monogrammed Notebook Supplies

I used a Bind-It-All to bind Gwen’s notebook which consisted of chipboard, cardstock, and printer paper that I cut to size.  A Cuttlebug embossing folder was used to give some dimension to the Cricut scalloped die cut that was placed under the Prima flower.   All other fabulous products from jessicasprague.com:

Banner Letters Hybrid Kit by Elle’s Studio, Dark Pink

Card Couture, Volume 4, Rounded Rectangles by iKari Designs

Crystal’s {Back to Basics} Paper Pack by Creativity by Crystal

Cirque du Ciel Accent Pack by The Queen of Quirk

Knotty Girl Paper Pack by The Queen of Quirk

Are You Ready for School?

Next week my little ones return to school.  The week after that, my oldest returns to her college studies.  I feel like this summer went by way too fast.  Luckily for me, Jake doesn’t return until September—it’s his last year of high school.  I think that’s more of the schedule I’m used to—school starting in September.  That’s how it was for me when I was going to school.  School consistently commenced the day after Labor Day.  My children going back to school always brings back memories from when I started school every year.  I was always so sad to see summer leave and was so anxious the night before school started. Most likely not at all sleeping, nervously biting my nails until dawn, worrying whether or not my teacher was going to be nice, were my friends going to be in my class, how much homework will we be forced to do, and hearing that dreaded sound of the alarm clock once I did worry myself to sleep—yuck!  Guess I’d better keep this to myself.  With all of those dreaded memories flooding back, I did have some good memories, too.  New clothes, new friends, lunch, and new school adventures!  Hence, the making of the card.  I love that chalkboard paper! 

The layout of the card is an oldie but goodie original—sweetly offset-- from the CTMH Card Confidence Program.  I paid quite a bit for this program about five years ago and didn’t really take advantage of it.  Hopefully, this will spark a new card making journey for me.  I’m going to try really hard to make one a month from the program and post a sample on my blog with the tag “CTMH Card Confidence Program”.  There are a ton of card patterns in there! 

Cherish These Moments Card Supplies

The ribbon for this card is from American Crafts, the white cardstock scalloped edge is a die cut from the Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge, and everything else that is goodiness is from jessicasprague.com!  Clicking on the links below will take you to the exact product:

Kitschy Digitals Chalkboard Paper Collection

Kitschy Digitals You Are Awesome Minikit

Orchard & Broome’s Bleecker Street Paper Collection, Set 2

Creativity by Crystal’s The Playground Collection Element Pack

Good luck to you all this new school year!  Remember to cherish the good times by snapping some photos that first day but try not to embarrass them too much.  My older ones remind me of that often.

Craft Apron Tutorial

Click the above picture to download the PDF to make this hybrid apron.  To purchase the digital products used in the making of this apron, head on over to jessicasprague.com and/or select the links below:

Templates by Crystal V.01, Creativity by Crystal

Brilliant Paper Pack, The Full Collection; Delicious Sweet Pea Paper Pack, and Delicious Grapetastic Paper Pack by Splendid Fiins

Chalkboard Paper Collection by Kitschy Digitals

Sitting Pretty, The Accents, by The Queen of Quirk

Summerific Labels Element Pack by liv.e

Happy printing/sewing!

July Cards

In the above card, “Happy, Happy Summer”, I used iKari Designs’ Card Couture, Volume 4, Rounded Rectangles.  Clicking the above picture will take you to the exact product at JessicaSprague.com.  That cute graphic with the cloud, banner, and wordart came from In the Making Designs’ Summer Bites Mini Wordart Set.  Also from In the Making Designs, I used the Tricolor Paper Pack and Sweet on You Paper Pack. 

This card was a lot of fun to make and easy, too.  I used iKari Designs’ Build-A-Banner, Rectangle, for the layout of the card.  Clicking the above picture will take you to the exact product at JessicaSprague.com.  I also used Spendid Fiins’ @ The Office, Patterned Paper Pack #3.  The ice cream cone was a die cut using the Straight From the Nest Cricut Cartridge and was embossed using the swirly Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The sentiment is a dingbat font entitled DB Hello Cupcake.   The brads are by Making Memories and the ribbon is American Craft.  I really enjoyed how it all came together.  TFL!

July Cookie Swap Idea

Most cookie swaps occur during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  I think it would be a good idea to have one in the summertime, too, to kick off all that “Christmas in July” business.  Who doesn’t love cookies?  I used the mondo sized boxy bag curved by iKari Designs.  I’m pretty sure you could get three good-sized cookies in this bag.  Clicking the above picture will take you to the exact product in the JessicaSprague.com store.  I also used Orchard & Broom’s Bleecker Street Collection Recipe Cards, Set One, and Bleecker Street Collection Paper, Set One to decorate the bag. 

ReD, WhiTe, & BLuE!

Here are some pictures showing how we celebrated our country’s Independence Day.   Pictures not shown:  Grilling and eating some yummy cheeseburgers (in Paradise), digging into potato salad, and enjoying dirt dessert!  Hope you all had a safe and sane one.

   

Some Digital Card Inspiration and Something that can Travel with You

The above class started today and I’m already inspired—see!

I used Crystal Wilkerson’s You Are Awesome Mini Kit.  Clicking the above picture will take you to the exact item at JessicaSprague.com.

I get a lot of inspiration by visiting blogs and finding new tutorials.  Recently, I was inspired by this lined zippered make-up bag tutorial by FlossieTeacakes' blog and could not wait to try it.  I’ve done quite a few make-up bags in my little time of sewing, but this one was different—see the covered ends to the zipper—in the tutorial?  Well, I tried the tutorial, but I didn’t get it exactly right—I’m thinking my zipper was not exactly 8-inches, which was recommended in the instructions, so I will try it again.  Below is how mine turned out the first time.  Not too shabby.  Also, I put a spin on it.  I printed one of the papers from the The Queen of Quirk’s Sitting Pretty Paper Pack onto Fabric-Stick and used that for my fancy fabric in the tutorial.  I’d been keeping my eye out for a tutorial that would use that particular print.  Clicking the below picture will take you to the exact item at JessicaSprague.com. 

TIP:  When using Fabric-Stick, I like to iron fusible fleece on the back as my interfacing—I love how the finished piece feels.  

This little bag will be going places . . . right into my purse and along for the ride. 

Look what ModPodge and Digi Can Do!

We’ve been doing some late spring/early summer cleaning around the house lately and sprucing things up a bit.  It’s really improved my family’s mood and is helping us get ready for the coming Summer season with all of the activities we have planned for the kids’ time off from school.  The reward for me has been updating things here and there using ModPodge and digital products from jessicasprague.com.

We started by updating  the look of Gwen’s activity table in her room. We printed some of the Gingham Paper Pack in Crystal Wilkerson’s Funky Fresh Paper Collection #2, cropping them in different sizes, and then ModPodging them to the table in a random fashion.  Gwen got a kick out of watching me add the papers and helping me do the layout of the pieces.  I wish I had snapped a before-and-after picture, but I was so excited to get started, I completely forgot.  Before, it was just a plain white table, so now it’s much more fitting for the princess that is Gwen—LOL!

After updating for Gwen, we had to do something for Raiden, too.  He was feeling a bit left out.  I found the shelf below at EcoThrift for $1.75—can’t beat that.  We took it home, printed paper from Crystal Wilkerson’s Oh Boy! Papers The ABC’s, and ModPodged them inside the frame of the shelf.  My little boy, Raiden, was thrilled helping me create this shelf custom-made just for him. 

Clicking the above pictures will take you directly to the paper kits we used in the store.   I’ve got a lot more planned for our home, so be on the look out for more home decor posts.  Hope you’re enjoying your summer vacation with your children—we are!

You Are Awesome! Birthday Blog Hop 2010

Welcome to my blog. If you are just joining in on the fun, please start the blog hop from Jessica Sprague’s blog (link removed).

1. Below you will find the game rules and a preview of my quick page available for download (link removed).

2. I created a 12-x-12 PNG quick page using items designed by Splendid Fiins. Just add your own photos and journaling or hybrid elements like I did. Click on the image to download (link removed) my quick page as well as the quote strip you will need to enter the special raffle (see Rule #4 in the flyer). Please post your creations in the gallery at JessicaSprague.com. I would love to see what you do with it!

3. Now--head on over to Miki’s blog (link removed)  for the next goodie.

The blog hop ENDS promptly at 10 PM EST on Sunday, June 20, so be sure to visit all the blogs before then. JessicaSprague.com is still having a store sale with 20% off until Monday June 21, 2010. While you’re there, register for Jessica’s new FREE class, Computer Tricks for Cards.

Thank you so much for hopping by—YOU ARE AWESOME!

Oh Yeah!

Registration is open for Jessica's BRAND NEW, FREE class,Computer Tricks for Cards. Registration will run from today, June 14th, through the first day of class, June 28th.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!  Three days of challenges.  Fellow CT member, Chrissy aka TheScrapGirl, will lead one of the birthday challenges.  Read on for the details.

It's our very first blog hop at JessicaSprague.com.  I cannot wait for you all to see what the designers have come up with.  Trust me--you’ll want to participate by collecting this mega collaborative free kit—so fun.

Sweet Summertime & Mother’s Day

Lots of fun crafting done over the weekend, and with Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to break out this Perfect Packaging/Dress Me Up template by Kari Holt—so cute and versatile.  I added a cut—the apron—using my Cricut and From My Kitchen Cricut Cartridge.  I printed the template on 12-x-12-inch cardstock.  The template will fit quite a large item.  In this picture, it’s holding a Clinique Happy perfume box.  Gwen wants me to make some for her upcoming birthday party.

Being so inspired by the new Sweet Summertime Elements/Paper/Labels by Crystal Wilkerson, I wanted to spruce some things up I got at the local thrift store.  Below, in it’s previous life, this tray was a brown calendar frame.  I spray painted it white, decoupage some papers, elements, and label on it, and added the knobs.  It’s a hit at my house.

And, again, another thrift store find . . . plate racks and blocks were brought home.  The blocks had some not-so-pleasing images on them.  They look much better now and have brightened up the living room.  I think these would be really cute in a nursery. 

Some scrapbooking, too—I must have been inspired.  These are photos of Brandi, Gwen, and Raiden (minus Jake—always minus—he’s just not always into picture taking but he’s coming around).  They were enjoying fireworks, shade, the pool, and the gigantic sunflower we grew in our front yard last year.  It’s getting that time again—I LOVE gigantic sunflowers. 

We’ve been enjoying the weather at our house, but I know what’s to come—H E A T !  I’m not too pleased with that, but it’s only four months out of the year.   I hope you all have a good Mother’s Day!

Credits from JessicaSprague.com:

Perfect Packaging: Dress Me Up

August '09 A-Z Alphabet Stickers & Rub-ons

The Funky Fresh "Oh Happy Day" Elements

Crystal's {Sweet Summertime} Paper Pack#1

Crystal's {Sweet Summertime} Elements

Crystal's {Sweet Summertime} Labels

Crystal's {Doodley-Doo} 12x12 Borders

Storyboard Album Template Pack

Sitting Pretty Accent Pack