c'est la vie

Clean and Simple Cards Round 1

2012-01-16T18:32:00.001-08:00

Hello Sunshine Hybrid Card

jessicasprague.com supplies: Hello Sunshine Patterned Paper and Candy Candy by Cosmo Cricket.

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz scallop On The Edge die by Sizzix; brad, eyelet, and twine; 1-inch round punch.

Just For You Hybrid Card

jessicasprague.com supplies: Clementine Patterned Paper by Cosmo Cricket; Meet and Greet Wordart by In The Making Designs

Other Supplies: Just A Note Cricut Cartridge (Cosmo Cricket); sewing machine/thread; Hero Arts/Basic Gray Out of Print Flower Dot Pattern Cling; Tim Holtz Evergreen Bough Distress Ink, and Imaginisce i-rock gems.

You’re Precious To Me

Supplies: Versafine black onyx ink; Hero Arts/Basic Gray Out of Print Flower Dot Pattern Cling; Hero Arts You’re Precious To Me rubber stamp; DCWV cardstock; Tim Holtz tiny attacher; brad, circle punches, and twine.

It’s All About Love

Supplies: Tim Holtz Festive Berries Distress Ink; various stamps by Technique Tuesday, K&Company, and Unity. Cricut CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge (to make mask); red ribbon and EK Success border punch.

My Heart Sings: Happy New Year to you All!

2012-01-01T13:43:00.001-08:00

My Wish: Keep crafting, smiling, and loving the ones you love.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner . . .

You Make My Heart Sing ATC & Card Supplies

jessicasprague.com: Pink Paislee’s Spellbound Paper Pack and Elements Pack—COMING SOON (Monday, January 9, 2012)

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz ATC Sizzix die and Iced Spruce Distress Ink; twine; Stampendous Music Score Rubber Stamp; Inkadinkadoo Music Notes stamp wheel; Ranger Glossy Accents; CTMH cardstock

Santa Struck! & Not enough time or tags

2011-12-23T10:53:00.001-08:00

(Santa Struck Supply List below)

Even though I got most of our shopping done on Black Friday, it still seems like Christmas snuck up on us again and with a vengeance. We did manage to get our Christmas tree up the first week of December, which hasn’t happened in a very, very long time but not all the decorations were hung or placed to my liking—oh well! Next thing I knew, it was time to make batches upon batches of Heavenly Layered Bars (my husband refers to it as my Christmas Crack), volunteer for kids’ Christmas parties at school, and manage to get to school Christmas programs by 6 p.m.—all in one day—oh and work, feed the kids, and go to the bathroom (LOL!). It happened but barely, even the bathroom (LOL) thing. Me and the kids are off for the next couple of weeks and we plan to hug, craft, and be merry! I’m sure it’s just as hectic if not more so for everyone else on the planet. How did we get ourselves in such a jam for the holidays? I still haven’t wrapped any presents nor found a gift for my mother-in-law. That, I hope, will happen today. On Christmas morning, as always, I plan to make Monkey Bread, grits, and this year, start the crock pot using a recipe of scalloped potatoes and ham. I really don’t want to make things difficult. Relax and be merry. Just have fun and be with our family. Simplicity is key. I really don’t know how other families deal with and accomplish as much as they do for Christmas—cheers to you all for your hard work and I hope your families treat you with the respect and love you deserve.

The layout above was inspired by a visit to see Santa last weekend. My children, just like your children I’m sure, tell you all year what they would like Santa to bring them for Christmas. When my children were presented with Santa’s lap and his ear, I could not believe what I heard! They were star struck and stunned by the legend himself. Couldn’t even utter the words they had been telling me for a full year. My son is a full-blown video game fanatic. What did he tell Santa he wanted? A car and a plane—I’d never heard that a day in his little life. My daughter, on the other hand, took the crowd by storm (and might be a future candidate for Miss USA), “I just want my family to have a merry Christmas.” It warmed my heart to hear them utter such cute nonsense and reminded me of one of my favorite holiday movies, “A Christmas Story”. I still have not found time yet to see it this year—I’m adding THAT to the list.

I used my circle punch to punch bottle caps from Carina Gardner’s element collection for the middle of the rosettes. Also, when I die cut the rosettes from the digital kit papers, instead of folding a couple of them and using them as rosettes, I used them at the bottom of the photo/journaling block as scalloped borders.

Jessicasprague.com Supplies for Santa Struck! Hybrid Layout

Vintage Christmas Element Collection--COMING SOON!
and Essentials Plus Mega Collection by Carina Gardner.

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz Rosette and Mini Rosette Sizzix Dies, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink, small circle punch, sewing machine/thread, printer, etc.

Did I tell you I happened to squeeze in some time to get some tags done? I just couldn’t help myself. This year I noticed a big trend online--tag making. In noticing that, I went searching the internet and found it’s been a trend for quite some time now—thanks to Mr. Tim Holtz! I’ve had his Vintage Photo distress ink for years but really didn’t know what wonderful, cool coloring tools these distress inks were until I took an online card class, “Inspiration Showcase” by Jennifer McGuire a couple of months ago. Since then, I’ve purchased quite a bit of Mr. Holtz’s inks, dies, tools, stamps, etc. Thanks, Jennifer. If you haven’t taken this class, I suggest you do so. My fingers haven’t been this inky in years! It really revitalized my love for stamping. Have you seen Unity Stamps? Soooo cute! Have you seen the new Hero Arts 2012 stamps—amazing! Oh my wallet hurts but my tags have never looked so good!

Celebrating Spring in December?

2011-12-11T14:10:00.001-08:00

With holiday colors in my children’s clothes, holiday decorations abound in the house, and holiday-themed aisles in the stores, etc., I felt the need to just take a break from it all today and design with some spring colors and patterns. It helped.

“Lovely Day With You” Scrapbook Layout

JessicaSprague.com supplies by Carina Gardner:

The Ultimate Album Mask Set V2
Fresh Picked Spring Collection
Daisy Jane Paper Bits
Daisy Jane Flowers

Other Supplies: Various punches, brads, twine, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo and Spun Sugar Distress Inks, sewing machine/thread, and CTMH cardstock.

Now back to your regularly-scheduled holiday cheer!

Boo To You!

2011-10-29T11:27:00.001-07:00

The above door decor was inspired by a project I’d seen at simplykellyb. The door decor rosette is a whopping 18 inches in diameter! I had to put my hybrid spin on it by printing some papers and elements from the Cosmo Cricket Haunted Paper Pack Collection and Haunted Candy Candy available at jessicasprague.com. The word art was matted by a die cut from the paper collection using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. Some Tim Holtz Walnut Distress Ink was applied to the rosette and perfect pearl pigment powder (spray) applied to activate/accentuate the distress ink. A 3D flower was die cut from the paper collection using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge with a black sharpie using the Cri-Kits insert.

This year I thought I’d have some fun with die cut paper on my pumpkin! I die cut from the Cosmo Cricket Haunted Paper Pack Collection using the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge. The “ribbons” were made by ripping some white cotton fabric and coloring them using glimmer mists.

Hope you all have a boo-ti-ful, happy, and safe Halloween!

The Raven ATC (artist trading card) Set

2011-10-28T22:01:00.001-07:00

For the past few weeks, I’ve been researching the joy of making ATC’s and decided to jump in the hybrid way using The Raven Mega Collection by Carina Gardner (available at jessicasprague.com) coupled with the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge. I’ve been working on these little babies, little by little, all throughout the month of October and have enjoyed every minute of it. If you haven’t tried this venue of paper crafting yet, I DARE you to! Instant crafty gratification.

I even die cut boxes using the Spring Holiday Cards Cricut cartridge to hold my Raven ATC collection.

The ATC is a good size to experiment with different paper crafting/stamping techniques you’ve been wanting to try.

What?! It’s October already?! YIKES!

2011-10-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

September flew by! Here’s some projects I’ve been working on during the month. Also, I’ve discovered the joy of ATCs and will be posting some soon. I can’t wait to share. They’re so fun and addicting.

Happy Halloween Hybrid Card

Creativity by Crystal: Crystal's Too Cute To Spook Papers and Crystal's Too Cute to Spook Elements available at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Tim Holtz Rosette die by Sizzix, buttons, brads, and embroidery thread.

My Beautiful Girls Hybrid Bracket Album

Jodie Lee: Gorgeous Hybrid Bracket Album available at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Tim Holtz Rosette Die by Sizzix, Martha Stewart Embossed Button Punch and flower punch, and Zutter Bind-it-All and 1/2-inch O-wires.

Comic-Book-Sized Panel Home Decor Frame

Splendid Fiins: Splendid Tutorial 6 Super Comic Photos, Super Elements v1, and Super Comic Book Size Panel Layouts available at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies: Frame stand made using Fancy Frames Cricut Cartridge, chipboard, and pop dots.

Halloween Rosette Ribbons

Just thought I’d make something fun to wear this Halloween Season!
Creativity by Crystal: Crystal's Too Cute To Spook Papers available at jessicasprague.com.

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz Rosette Die by Sizzix, Stampin’ Up label punch, EK Success Circle Punch and Scalloped Punch, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Ribbon Die by Sizzix, felt, ribbons, chipboard, and recycled pins and crochet coasters from the thrift store.

Splendid Finds!

2011-08-31T22:23:00.001-07:00

I’m in love with these Feedsack papers by Splendid Fiin’s (available at jessicasprague.com), my Cricut, and the spontaneity of finding something that can be useful and made for me personally. This shelf was found at my local thrift store but needed some drawers to make it more useful. I printed some Feedsack papers onto thick cardstock, die cut them using the box from Cricut Sweet Tooth Boxes cartridge (fit to page), added a “handle” using a label from CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge (cut at 1-inch), which was embossed using my Cuttlebug, and attached to the box using brads. A circle punch was used to cut a half circle at the top of each box so that I can peek at the contents of the boxes. Voila! In less than half an hour I had something I was proud to display. I love craft technology!

Recent Favorite Photos

2011-08-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

There were lots of pictures from various sources like my cell phone, my husband’s cell phone, my SLR, etc., that I wanted to print out and place somewhere. This mini album kit by Carina Gardner helped me do it in no time!

Recent Favorite Photos Mini Album

Carina Gardner

LE PETITE PAPERIE ALBUM and LE PETITE PAPERIE Mega Collection

Kitschy Digitals

Vintage Cameras Kit

Splendid Fiins

Evidence Paper Pack

Other Supplies: Cricut Street Sign Solutions and Going Places Cartridges; chipboard and cardstock; Bind-it-All; Various punches, i.e., extra large scallop, wavy circle, border, and embossed button.

Spiral-Bound Summer Junk Journal Tutorial

2011-08-16T09:34:00.001-07:00

My tutorial is up over at Mouse Paper Lovely. Clicking the above picture will take you to the tutorial where you can download the PDF that will give you the full details.

Monthly Inspiration Binder

2011-08-08T14:13:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by a scrapbooking tool/embellishment that it completely spins you into overdrive?

I was so overwhelmed with inspiration using Splendid Fiin’s Evidence Notes and Frames that I spent most of the weekend putting together a handmade binder I didn’t know I even needed!

It became so clear to me. Every month, I complete about four to six projects, either scrapbooking, papercrafting, sewing, or home decor. Quite often, I find inspiration everywhere—online through tutorials, on my phone in apps such as craftgawker, looking through home decor or scrapbook magazines/sketch sites, or looking at products in a catalog. It occurred to me that keeping a tangible binder with these ideas might make life easier for me. I can actually PLAN to do them.

For each one of the above subjects, I’ve made a divider using the note frames as a prompting tool in my binder. Each divider contains information and a picture of the inspiration I’ve found. The information includes the tutorial or origin of inspiration, the month I’d like to complete it, why it inspired me in the first place, and what products I would like to use to complete that project, etc. Each month, I am going to print out the note card and place it in my binder with hopes of completing it. If I don’t get to it that month, it stays in the binder until I complete it—then onto another inspiration note card prompt. A lot of times, I find some pretty good inspiration out there and save it to my browser, phone, etc., only to find I’ve forgotten about it. At least if I print out these prompts and save them some where tangible, I can actually DO them and keep the inspiration alive by planning to do them. I’ve included plastic pockets in my binder, so that I can store/save sticky notes for those ideas that pop in my head from time to time.

The binder itself is not cumbersome, small but not too small, and was made using a lot of the tools/mediums that inspire me in the first place. It was binded using principals from this tutorial by Francine Clouden. I used loose-leaf binder rings so that I could add to my binder instead of using the Zutter O-wires. Also, I discovered that my Cricut will cut canvas sheets. I pressed Heat-n-Bond to the back of 1 canvas sheet, trimmed to 12-x-12, that I had previously painted on. I cut 2 of the bracket cards from this canvas sheet using the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge (fit to page), one for the front of the album and one for the inside of the album, using fabric settings on my Cricut Expression 2. I then cut the same shape again from chipboard, using chipboard settings and my deep cut housing with blade. I pressed the canvas die cuts to this chipboard piece, one on each side. You would not believe how sturdy it feels. It’s going to last. As you can see from the picture, I can keep a pen in the binding. I’m hoping to replace the pen with one of those smash book pen/glue sticks by K&Company. That would be more useful, I think for something like this. The pen is attached to the binding by sewing and tying one hair tie, cut in half, to the holes that were placed by the Bind-it-All. A hair tie with button was also used to make the closure. Paper bag pockets were included to store sketches, magazine clippings, etc. All in all, it was a lot of work but didn’t seem like it at the time because I really wanted to see the idea come to fruition. I’m very satisfied with the outcome and hope it inspires someone to make an inspiration binder of their own. Here are some pictures of he outside and inside. TFL!

The doily and colored label (seen on the back) are from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. “Craft” is from the Word Collage Cricut cartridge. The Ohh-LA-La! mat is from the kit of the same name available at jessicasprague.com by Jodie Lee. The folder pages you will see in the binder is also available in this kit but will be full 12-x-12 pages. I printed and then cut them using my Sizzix folder die. The dress form is a rubber stamp, stamped on the paper, then cut and attached. The heart was a chipboard shape I had lying around, embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder, painted with red acrylic paint, and then UTEE was applied in several layers to add dimension.

Here’s a peek at the inside paper bag pocket where I included Becky Fleck sketches that inspire me.

Above is the scrapbooking inspiration prompt.

Plastic pocket that holds some sticky notes for those inspirational a-ha moments.

Above is the home decor prompt.

Another sketch pocket and plastic pocket to include magazine clippings, etc, that may come and go with my binder.

Above is the papercraft inspiration prompt.

Card sketch inspiration pocket, perhaps I could add some quotes/sentiments that might inspire me as well.

Above is the sewing inspiration prompt.

I’m sure ideas will pop in my head following the printing of the prompt, so I can jot them down in the back of each prompt. Also, another pocket for sewing projects I may find in magazines, catalogs, etc. In this plastic pocket, I might include color inspiration, like paint chips, palettes, etc.

Hybrid Patches Tutorial at MPL

2011-08-04T08:57:00.001-07:00

I’ve shared a new tutorial at Mouse Paper Lovely on how to make hybrid patches. This was a big hit at my household—just in time for school, too. Click on the above image to take you to the tutorial.

July Projects with Art Philosophy!

2011-07-31T14:18:00.001-07:00

I’ve been having quite the good time exploring Close To My Heart’s new Cricut Cartridge. It’s got a ton of useful shapes and banners, an appealing and useful font, cards, borders, 3D flowers, and quite a few boxes that aren’t available on other cartridges like the French fry box pictured below. Plus it coordinates with stamp sets made by CTMH. The cartridge even comes with three stamp sets and chipboard shapes that coordinate. This partnership has got me thinking about using stamp sets I already own with my Cricut. I've probably done this in the past but this has inspired me to try it some more, also some computer journaling with it as well. Anytime I can use things I already own with my Cricut makes me a happy crafter!

TIP: When using stamps with Cricut shapes, I’ve found it easier to outline the shapes with my Cricut pens, run the cardstock back through the Cricut, cutting the shapes, and then while the shapes are still stuck on the mat, I stamp the appropriate images. Also, the sizes are listed on the stamp sets, but I’ve found I like cutting the images 1/4-inch and even 1/2-inch larger so that I have a bit of a border around the shape.

a la carte just for you French fry box jessicasprague.com supplies

Gourmet Paper Pack and Gourmet Word Art and Labels Pack--COMING SOON; Meet and Greet Wordart Pack by In The Making Design

Other Supplies: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and Large Scallop Punch, white eyelets, and jewels

Cosmo Cricket No-Sew Iron-On Patches (Tutorial Coming Soon to MPL) jessicasprague.com supplies

Social Club Elements, Cogsmo Elements, and Material Girl Elements by Cosmo Cricket.

Other Supplies: Heat-n-Bond, Scissors, Felt, and PhotoFabric

Big Trees Hybrid Layout jessicasprague.com supplies

Its A Start Templates Set 5 and Retro Mango Paper Pack by In The Making Design.

Other Supplies: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, string, Autumn Leaves stamps, and black ink.

Hybrid Embroidery Hoop Wall Art Tutorial

2011-07-29T19:32:00.001-07:00

I’ve shared a tutorial at Mouse Paper Lovely showing you the process of making hybrid embroidery hoop wall art. Click on the link above and go take a look-see!

Evidence of the Disney Magic

2011-07-01T11:45:00.001-07:00

(jessicasprague.com supplies: EZ-PZ Template 08 by liv.e designs)

We decided this year, instead of spending money on some elaborate birthday party for Gwen in our hometown, that we would put money toward a family Disneyland vacation on her birthday instead. This was the best decision we’ve ever made for a birthday party. The above picture was taken on Gwen’s 8th birthday at Ariel’s Grotto inside Disney California Adventure Park where Gwen had lunch with her favorite princess, Ariel. We also got to meet and take pictures with all the other princesses as well. Her birthday marked the opening day of the new Ariel Undersea Adventure Ride. We didn’t plan that but what a nice surprise. She also received a complete Disney Diva makeover that morning at the Bippity Boppity Boutique in Fantasyland at Disneyland. Towards the end of the night, we watched the new World of Color water attraction on the California side which was brilliant by the way and she got to pick out a new Ariel costume at the Disney store on our way back to our hotel. It really was a magical birthday--one she will never forget and neither will our family. The downside—well, what the heck are we going to do next year?

Check out the new family portrait with Mickey—this will probably only happen once in a lifetime—ALL of us looking at the camera and smiling—SO worth this trip!

(jessicasprague.com supplies: EZ-PZ template 09 This Is Love by liv.e designs.)

4Ever Birthday Blog Hop 2011!

2011-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

All links for this bloghop have been disabled. Thanks so much and hope you all had a good time this year—I know I did!

Welcome to my blog, Stop #15!

1. Below you will find the game rules and a preview of my printable card available for download.

2. I created a printable card using items designed by Liv.e Designs, Cosmo Cricket, The Queen of Quirk, In The Making Designs, and Carina Gardner Studios. Print and use the card as is or add your own hybrid elements like I did.

(Hint) Print it twice to cut out an extra key. Poke a hole at the top of the key and bow-tie string to the hole. Use pop-dots to elevate the key. Sew on a button and add some zigzag stitching to make a border!

Click on the image to download my printable card 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 Carol’s Blog (link disabled) for the next goodie.

The blog hop ENDS promptly at 10 PM EST on Sunday, June 26, so be sure to visit all the blogs before then. Use those goodies and continue the fun 4EVER! I can’t wait to see what you do with them. Thanks SO much for stopping by.

Hybrid Pillow Tutorial at Mouse Paper Lovely!

2011-06-24T09:28:00.001-07:00

I shared a tutorial at Mouse Paper Lovely showing you how to print digital papers/elements onto Photofabric to make a pillow. It’s a perfect project for beginners. Click on the above picture to take you to the tutorial. Hope you enjoy!

Annual JessicaSprague.com Birthday Bloghop Info!

2011-06-21T06:59:00.001-07:00

Summer Sale!

2011-06-11T09:15:00.001-07:00

jessicasprague.com is FOUR! To celebrate, they're (we're) throwing a HUGE Birthday Bash & Summer Sale. From June 14-26, you can save 20% off of every self-paced class, and 35% off of ALL digital products. In addition, grab all 27 episodes of Jessica's amazing Photoshop Friday tutorials for just $1 each before they're retired on June 26! As part of the celebration, starting on June 24, you can participate in an incredible 49-person blog hop, picking up a sweet digital freebie at each stop! Best of all, on June 26 Jessica will be making a special announcement of a brand new class coming up in July. We only put our site on sale two times a year, so don't miss out on this GREAT savings opportunity! For all the info on the Summer Sale, Photoshop Fridays, blog hop, and the new class, just click here!

Yipppeeee! It’s Summertime!

2011-05-30T22:39:00.001-07:00

Well, not exactly. Our weather hasn’t been cooperating but the school year is coming to an end and we’ve made plans for a little family trip excursion. Photos will follow, I’m sure. Lots of things have been happening lately. Brandi has graduated community college with her AA and is transferring to State this Fall; Jake will be graduating from high school pretty soon, in about a week and a half; Raiden is READING! Gwen will be turning 8 by the end of this week (hence the family trip excursion). I’ve been playing (quite frequently) with my new Cricut Expression 2 (Anniversary Edition). My hubby got it for my birthday/Mother’s Day present. It cuts like a dream and I love all the content that came preloaded. Here’s a sample of the things I’ve been creating with it, especially with all the lovelies I’ve been printing from jessicasprague.com.

Fleuriste Frame Collection Supplies from jessicasprague.com

Fleuriste by Cosmo Cricket—COMING SOON!

Other Supplies Used: Cricut Happy Hauntings, Elegant Edges, Carousel, and Mother’s Day Bouquet; Cuttlebug/embossing folder; Red River Paper Company photo paper; ModPodge; chipboard; brads.

Thank-You Card Supplies from jessicasprague.com

Fleuriste by Cosmo Cricket—COMING SOON!

Other Supplies Used: EK Success scallop punch; sewing machine/black embroidery thread; pearl brad.

Teacher Appreciate Gift (Desk Ensemble with Card)

Retro Kids Paper Pack by Kitschy Digitals.

Other Supplies Used: Cricut Mothers Day Bouquet, Makin the Grade, and Elegant Edges cartridges; sewing machine/thread, ModPodge, Cuttlebug/embossing Folder.

Smile (Calaveras Big Trees Fieldtrip) Layout jessicasprague.com supplies

Kitschy Digitals/Paislee Press Collaboration Curated and Vintage Cameras Kit by Kitschy Digitals.

Other Supplies Used: Punches, stamps, Cricut, MM jewel brads, sewing machine/thread.

Hybrid Tips and Tricks and Digi-Templates, Oh My!

2011-03-30T11:55:00.001-07:00

This past month, I shared a tutorial at the Mouse Paper Lovely blog on the hybrid uses of UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) and how it can make those digital papers/elements pop and shine. It’s worth a look-see. Here’s a link to the tutorial: Tips and Tricks 3-22. Head on over to the Mouse Paper Lovely blog every Tuesday to find hybrid tips and tricks shared by the CT. Then stop by the Digilovely blog for a free template! On Fridays, Digilovely offers a freebie kit—Yes! Inspiration and goodies galore.

Below are some hybrid projects I’ve been working on this month, some using UTEE, along with my Cuttlebug and Cricut, and, as always, digital loveliness from jessicasprague.com, of course!

Take Note You’re Invited Hybrid Card Supplies from jessicasprague.com

For The Record Paper-Element Pack 1, and For The Record Paper-Element Pack 2, Echo Park Design Company
Meet and Greet Wordart Pack by In the Making Design

Other Supplies: Scalloped chipboard shapes and rosette (Cricut cartridge), sewing machine/embroidery thread, and UTEE supplies.

Be Silly/Be Honest/Be Kind Fashion Pin Supplies from jessicasprague.com

Lil' Girl and Lil' Boy Elements by Cosmo Cricket

Other Supplies: UTEE supplies, chipboard scallop shape (Cricut cartridge) doily, Prima flower, and bar pin.

My Life Is So Beautiful Because of You Hybrid Card Supplies from jessicasprague.com

Shabby Photo Textures, Vintage Paper Textures, and Sweetheart Kit—by Gypsy Chick--Coming Soon!

Other Supplies: Mother's Day Bouquet and Sentimental Cricut cartridges, Cuttlebug embossing folders, cardstock, sewing machine, and embroidery thread, and ornamental brad.

Sweet Love Hybrid Card Supplies from jessicasprague.com

Shabby Photo Textures and Sweetheart Kit by Gypsy Chick--Coming Soon!

Other Supplies: Cardstock, Cuttlebug/Embossing folders, sewing machine, embroidery thread, and UTEE supplies.

Hope you all have a warmer, sunnier, and craftier April—Happy Spring!

I need some warmth!

2011-02-28T11:31:00.001-08:00

It’s been a cold couple of weeks here in Jackson, CA, and I’m sure throughout the country. If I were daring, I’d post a picture of the attire I’ve been wearing lately—sweats with long-johns underneath, my husband’s thick t-shirt, followed by hoodie, followed by flannel, followed by lap quilt. Did I mention my Amador County slippers—Ariat Fat Baby boots with slipper socks, so the cold can’t penetrate to my toes. If that happens, I will be trapped on the couch for sure. I’m a sight and not an attractive one. We had two full snow days here in our school district, but the snow never got to my front door—just the biting cold that accompanies it which makes me feel like we got jipped this year. Oh well—the winter’s not over yet Puxatony Phil! If I weren’t such a penny pincher, I’d use the wall heater, but that’s not going to happen. To all of you East Coast gals, I must sound like a whiny baby, but hey, 25 degrees when you’re not used to it is COLD. To help beat the cold, I thought I’d scrap some summer pictures. It didn’t help much, but my eyes liked playing with the hybrid Cosmo Cricket goodness that will arrive at jessicasprague.com VERY SOON!

Summertime 2010 (You Make Me Smile) Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Hello Sunshine Candy Candy and Papers by Cosmo Cricket--COMING SOON!
Carnivale Photo Booth Frames by Kitschy Digitals

Other supplies used: Cricut Sweet Treats Cartridge, sewing machine, buttons, and embroidery floss.

The Road Ahead Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Template 1.10 by Jessica Sprague
Mini Wanted Collection by Cosmo Cricket
Wanderlust Mini Kit by In The Making Designs

Other supplies used: Cricut Sweet Treats Cartridge, sewing machine, buttons, and embroidery floss.

100 Days Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Two-Page Template+ 12 by Jessica Sprague
For the Record Element and Paper Pack 1 by Echo Park COMING SOON!

Other supplies used: Cricut Sweet Treats and Give A Hoot cartridges, sewing machine, buttons, and embroidery floss.

The Sweetest Day Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Template 1.08 by Jessica Sprague
Jack's World Paper Pack, Jack's World Elements, & Jack's World Candy Candy by Cosmo Cricket

Other supplies used: Cricut Lacy Labels, Sizzix Tim Holtz Rosette Die, sewing machine, buttons, and embroidery floss.

The scrapbooking didn’t help heat the house, but it warmed our hearts—stay warm out there!

A little change in my schedule . . .

2011-01-27T13:18:00.001-08:00

After five years of being at home with my children, I am delighted to have found a job with our local school district as a substitute school bus driver—Yes! After taking the necessary training, I obtained my Class B Commercial Drivers License, with proper endorsements, and the CHP Special Drivers Certificate earlier this month---whew! It’s a part-time position in the afternoons, so I am still able to get my youngest children off to school, get some chores done around the house before clocking into work, and so far, it hasn’t gotten in the way of my creation time, either.

Here’s a look at some projects I’ve made this month using hybrid supplies from jessicasprague.com.

Always Card Supplies--(jessicasprague.com)

Everafter Paper Pack & Everafter Elements by Cosmo Cricket

Other supplies used: Cricut Paper Lace and Lacy Labels cartridges; Tim Holtz embossing folder; embroidery floss with sewing machine.

I Love . . . Forever and Always Layout Supplies (jessicasprague.com)

Design 365 Journaling 1 by Carina Gardner
Artisan Labels #2 by Creativity by Crystal
EZ-PZ Template 6--Fotocentric No.1 by liv.e.designs
Decorative Circles by Splendid Fiins

Other supplies used: Cuttlebug/Victoria Cuttlebug embossing folder; Cricut/Plantin Schoolbook and Graphically Speaking cartridges; embroidery floss/buttons; pop dots.

iPhone Cozy supplies--jessicasprague.com

(iPhone Cozy Tutorial located at Dog Named Banjo--iPod tutorial)

Design 365 Color Kit 2 & Design 365 Journaling 2 by Carina Gardner
lovely little photo frames by Splendid Fiins

Other Supplies Used: Fabric Stick, felt, white cotton fabric, button, thread/sewing machine, Velcro.

Camera Strap Makeover Supplies--jessicasprague.com

(Camera strap tutorial located at Make it and Love It)

Material Girl Paper Pack by Cosmo Cricket.

Other Supplies Used: Fabric stick, black cotton fabric, fusible fleece, black thread, and sewing machine.

Also, don’t forget: Registration for the NEW hybrid Heidi Swapp/Jessica Sprague class MOUSE, PAPER, SCISSORS is OPEN!

This BETA Class is 20% off!

Happy Hybrid!

Looking Forward to a New Year—Happily!

2010-12-31T15:28:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-11-22T10:16:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-11-09T05:22:00.001-08:00

October Card using Echo Park Abundance!

2010-10-28T06:35:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-12T11:47:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-11T09:49:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-09-28T05:16:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-13T15:14:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-13T14:51:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-08-28T14:29:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-16T06:22:00.001-07:00

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?

2010-08-10T13:56:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-29T06:19:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-26T16:47:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-26T13:26:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-07-05T07:22:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-06-21T08:26:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-14T08:14:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-03T21:33:00.001-07:00

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

{i}NSD – International Scrapbooking Day!

2010-04-27T17:44:00.001-07:00

This wonderful day for celebration begins over at JessicaSprague.com on Thursday night. There will be a whole weekend full of challenges, freebies, prizes and sales.

Young and Fancy Free

2010-04-26T12:19:00.001-07:00

This layout features photos from Brandi’s spring break trip with Max and Kim to Santa Cruz, CA, this past March. I thought the Kamari Beach Papers/Elements and A Wonderful Day template would best showcase the pictures. Also, I just had to get my hands on the Vintage Cameras and Fabric Covered Buttons Kits from Kitschy Digitals. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be using the date strip from iKari Designs on a regular basis—so versatile. To give the layout a hybrid touch, I used some pop dots to add a dimensional feel to the vintage cameras. Also, once I printed the fabric-covered buttons, I applied them to the tops of real buttons and actually stitched them to my layout. In addition, I pleated a piece of the Kamari Beach papers with my sewing machine and stitched that to my layout as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Credits:

JessicaSprague.com

The Queen of Quirk--Kamari Beach Paper Pack

In the Making Design--A Wonderful Day Template

Kitschy Digital Designs--Vintage Cameras Kit

& Fabric Covered Buttons

IKari Designs--Save the Date Vol.2--Date Strips

A New, Creative Adventure

2010-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, I held my breath, took the plunge, and submitted some projects below to a Creative Team Call put out by the Jessica Sprague (JessicaSprague.com). If you’ve been scrapbooking for a while and use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, you probably know the name. Jessica Sprague has been a leader in the digital and hybrid scrapbooking education for the past few years and is responsible for any success I’ve accomplished in using these two programs to create my projects. She also writes a monthly column for Creating Keepsakes and special digital scrapbooking issues, which I own all of and will continue to purchase when new ones become available. These issues have been a constant resource for me over the years. She also teaches live classes around the country. Her website features classes, forums, a fun-loving, sharing community, and digital products from brilliant designers that I can’t wait to get my hands on—yes—hands! I can’t wait to print these papers/elements out and introduce them to my scrapbook room, home, friends, relatives—well you get the picture. I’m beyond thrilled for my new adventure and hope you come back often to see what I’ve done with these new goodies.

(I used Give-A-Hoot, Street Signs, Winter Woodland Cricut Cartridges, DesignStudio, and the basic black Cricut Pen with Digital Papers to make the above layout. Also, incorporated my Singer Futura-250 for the embroidery stitches)

(The above is a picture of my new Kindle Case I made to hold the Kindle I got for my birthday—Thanks Kids!. I used the custom shape tool (the grid) in Photoshop Elements to insert various digital patterned papers, printed it onto Fabric Stick, and used a combination of a couple of tutorials from The Sometimes Crafter and One Pearl Button to help me put it all together.)

(There’s that Fabric Stick again. I printed a dingbat font (Crowns and Coronets from Fontspace) image on some Fabric Stick and made a pillow; printed the same image on some white cardstock and adhered it to chipboard, cut other chipboard pieces to the same size, covered with black cardstock, which I then binded using a Bind-It-All, to make a photo book for a coffee table; printed the same image again, onto white cardstock, and adhered it to black coasters and sealed it with outdoor modpodge to make coordinating coasters).

Color Combo #141

2010-02-03T06:38:00.001-08:00

Max and his new guitar. This weeks color combo inspired me to do a valentine-themed layout. While perusing photos, I stumbled upon this picture of Max, Brandi’s boyfriend, from last November. Low and behold, his shirt and hat were a good match for the color combo AND he was professing his love on camera for his new guitar—sometimes it just happens that way.

Mocha, french vanilla, navajo blue, and red heat are the color names for the combo which were inspired by a cute handbag. The picture of the handbag is posted at Color Combos Galore as well as inspirational layouts posted by the designers.

On this layout, I used the Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge for the scallop border and the Pagoda Cricut Cartridge for the Love rectangle that were embossed using Sizzix texture plates coupled with Core’dinations cardstock. I also used my Singer Futura to blanket stitch the layout—that’s gotta be one of my favorite everyday built-in stitches so far—and to attach the buttons. Teresa Collins patterned paper were used for the journal strips, ticket, and red heart strip. An Autumn Leaves stamp with CTMH ink were used for the little birdies towards the bottom of the layout.

If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the link to Color Combos Galore http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/ and post your layouts there. Make sure you label your layouts with the color combination number.

Color Combo #140—Sweet Sunshine Rejoice!

2010-01-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hello! Head on over to Color Combos Galore to check out what inspired this week’s color combo--chiffon, white lines, copper brown, and sun’s grace--and to grab some inspiration from the designers.

This picture was taken last week when we had an exceptionally nice, sunny, but cold, winter day. Dixie and Dottie were soaking it up in the backyard. I realized after putting this together, that this was my third consecutive layout utilizing puppy pictures--hope it continues.

I used lots of Cuttlebug texture on this--starting from the left, victoria embossing folder, ornamental iron embossing folder, floral fantasy embossing folder, and moroccan screen embossing folder. The heart die coupled with swiss dots embossing folder was used for the heart. I pieced the ornamental border together to make an almost 12-inch border at the bottom using a border die from the ornamental iron set. Also utilized were some built-in embroidery stitches from my Singer Futura, along with some straight and zigzag stitches. That machine is such a dream come true! Autumn Leaves stamps with CTMH ink make the title.

Happy New Year! New Color Combo #139

2010-01-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Color Combos Galore is back! Janet’s son received a Christmas card which inspired this week’s color combo: blue skies, misty blue, tranquil green, and toasted olive. I added just a touch of red in my interpretation. The pictures were taken on our first Snow Day of the year, during the first week in December. We don’t get many snow days as we live in California, but this Snow Day turned into two official Snow Days which hasn’t happened since we’ve lived in Jackson. The snow stayed on the ground for nearly a week. We used these days to play in the snow, decorate our Christmas tree, introduce snow to our puppies, and we kept warm by drinking lots of hot chocolate and baking Christmas cookies. I used my Cuttlebug to die cut a vinyl snowflake, some quilted-back snow balls, and embossed these snowballs as well. Then I used the Winter Woodland, When It’s Cold Outside, and Snow Friends Cricut Cartridges, to help make the title which was welded and brainstormed in Cricut DesignStudio. The title was drawn first using the basic brown Cricut color pen, then cut out, and layered with the cuts. A light blue Cricut color pen was used on the snowflake as well. The blanket stitch, snowflake stitches, and buttons were added using my Singer Futura.

Singer Futura with Cricut, Round 2

2009-12-03T16:26:00.001-08:00

I've been successful with the above union again--like a match made in heaven. Just a quick rundown on how this is accomplished, I die cut the desired images using my Cricut with the respective layers. Then I scan it into my computer and retrieve it in the software that came with the Futura--Autopunch. Then I embroider it onto the desired material. For the sweatshirt, I embroidered it onto white canvas, trimmed it out with microtip scissors, applied Fray Check to stop any fraying around the edges, applied heat-n-bond, and then ironed it onto Gwen's pocket of her sweatshirt. She loves it--as do I! Thanks for stopping by to take a peek. If anyone has any embroidery tips, please share--I'm a newbie.

Happy Thanksgiving! Color Combos #136 & 138

2009-11-26T05:37:00.001-08:00

My turkey is in the oven as we speak! Perfect time to blog and share some layouts with color combinations from Color Combos Galore. My house is still very quiet this morning--the only sound being the pitter-patter of puppies' feet.

For the first color combo, #136, I used the boy, time, and scalloped circle cuts from the Graphically Speaking Cricut Cartridge. That's my husband, Rodney, showing our little boy, Raiden, some things about the drill press--it wasn't on of course. I couldn't help snapping some pics of their time together.

The second color combo, #138, put together by the very talented Jennifer Barksdale, features the two newest additions to our family. We got them the weekend right after Halloween, eight-week-old Pomchi's, Dixie and Dottie. Believe it or not, they are both from the same litter. They've captured our hearts! We named Dixie after my mother-in-law. She doesn't know we even have them yet--that will be one of the surprises Thanksgiving will bestow upon her this year--LOL! My husband used to have a dog he named after his sister, Carrie, that passed away a few years ago. I thought it must be time to have a puppy named for his mother--such a cute name. For this Puppy Love layout, I used the Sweethearts Cricut cartridge for the title, border, and shaped tag, and my Futura 250 for the blanket stitch and decorative stitching on the border.

As always, thanks for stopping by, Happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping Black Friday!

My new Futura and my Cricut!

2009-10-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

Recently my husband purchased for me a Singer Futura CE-250--my early, early Christmas present. It's an amazing sewing machine, but more importantly, it's an embroidery machine. It came with software that will digitize images you download from the internet or scan into your computer. Well--ding-ding--I started thinking how many ways I can mingle my Cricut with my Futura. This was my first attempt. I scanned in the "Daddy's Girl" die cut from one of my daughter's favorite cartridges--Hannah Montana.

The second image was my very first tshirt done with my Futura. I used a dingbat font for the snowflake.

If anyone else has used a Cricut die cut image with their embroidery machine, please let me know. I'd love to see what you've come up with using the Cricut. Also, I'm very new to machine embroidery, please share any tips you think I might benefit from after viewing these images--thanks in advance.

Happy Fall and CCG#135!

2009-10-14T04:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't visited my poor little blog in weeks. Fall has definitely crept up on us. I've found myself busily crafting away, making things for the coming holidays, utilizing every crafting tool I own. That's not a bad thing--it's a very good thing actually. I'm hoping to be posting some of those projects soon, but until then, here's some color inspiration for you thanks to Janet from Color Combos Galore.

When browsing through photos from last Fall, I came across these pictures of Rodney and the kids carving pumpkins. I just couldn't resist making a layout using that photo of Gwen posing for her daddy. Quite the likeness don't you think? I used the Street Sign Solutions Cricut Cartridge with the basic black Cricut Color Pen for the title. Also, I very happily got to utilize some decorative stitches from my new Futura. That tool has been a lot of fun. I've even embroidered some t-shirts for Gwendolen which will hopefully be posted soon as well.

CCG#131 with the new SpongeBob and Stamping

2009-08-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been over a month since I've posted. Lots of things going on at home, kids starting school, exploring new hobbies, and trying to stay up on some old ones, too. Janet has a new color combo up at Color Combos Galore featuring the following colors: tropical teal, sweet vanilla, lipstick red, and glorious gold.

In this layout I used the new SpongeBob cartridge for the wordart--Best Day Ever cut. The big arrow-shaped speech bubble used for the photo mat is from the new Stamping Solutions Cricut cartridge. Also, I used my basic black Cricut pen to help outline my design. DesignStudio helped me sketch out my ideas and set my layout in action. I thought this would be a good opportunity to throw in some Sassafras Lass, some Prima flowers I've been hording for the past year or two, and an Autumn Leaves stamp I purchased recently on sale. The pictures feature my daughter, Brandi, with her good friends, while on a rafting trip.

Challenge #131 will extend to September 6. If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the link to Color Combos Galore http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/ and post your layouts there. Make sure you label your layouts with the color combination number.

As always, TFL!

CCG#129 & A Child's Year

2009-07-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

New color combo + new Cricut cartridge = inspiration! And my favorite kind, too.
Janet from Color Combos Galore put these colors together for July 4th or summer-themed layouts. I couldn't resist using the 4th of July silhouette cut from "A Child's Year" along with the pinwheel and the beach ball cuts from the fun+fabulous new cartridge. The title cut is from Lyrical Letters. These are pictures of Raiden sporting his mohawk given to him by his big daddy and some of the things he's been doing this lazy summer--relaxing, having fun with sparklers, and floating in the pool. Challenge #129 will extend to August 2. If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the link to Color Combos Galore http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/ and post your layouts there by next Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK. Make sure you label your layouts with the color combination number.

Color Combo #128

2009-07-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

It's Player's Challenge week at http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/. Luisa Dugas has created the above color scheme for our enjoyment. It really sparked a fire in me to create a layout I've been wanting to do for quite a while. These two love to sit, cuddle, and laugh it up. Gwendolen has always been a "Daddy's Girl". I caught the two of them sitting in the back yard catching some shade about a week or two ago and just couldn't resist capturing the moment. I used the new Hannah Montana Cricut Cartridge for the title, some Heather Bailey patterned paper, Autumn Leaves and Maya Road stamps, and had to add a little embroidery around the edges. These two crack me up and I'm glad I got a chance to put it down and will keep it forever. If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the above link to Color Combos Galore and post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK. Make sure you label your layouts with the color combination number.

Color Combo #125

2009-06-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's Designer's Challenge Week at Color Combos Galore: http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/. The color inspiration for my layout came from CCG#125 created by Color Combos Galore designer extraordinaire, Janine Koczwara. Leeann Pearce is the featured member--YAY! Leeann! If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the link and post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK.

Let me explain this layout. Disneyland is our family's favorite place. The last time we went, in December 2007, we had planned and saved for months and stayed almost a week at the California Grand. It was also the week of my husband's birthday. This was his present to us--he's such a sweetie--really looking forward to this trip as you can tell. We took the kids out of school for the week. As soon as we got there, one-by-one, starting with Raiden, each of us got extremely sick. To top it off, it rained for two days straight--I mean RAINED--notice the ponchos my husband and Raiden are wearing in the middle picture? We still managed to have a good time, it was Disneyland during the holidays after all. To this day, I have not been THAT sick. When our family gets sick now, I ask the question, "Are you Disneyland sick?" That way I know just how sick they are. HA! I hope we can go back someday . . . and not be sick.

For the title, I used the Hello Kitty Font Cricut cartridge, cut from chipboard, and outlined using the basic black Cricut pen. The flowers are from the Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge, outlined with the basic black Cricut pen, and cut in different sizes for layering.

Hope you all are enjoying the weather and having your kiddies at home for the summer--I know I am.

Color Combo #123

2009-05-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

That's a layout featuring my oldest daughter and son--they're the middle two. They are almost three years apart. I never thought I'd ever see them at the same prom. My daughter's boyfriend, Max, is a bit younger than Brandi, a senior, and Jake's girlfriend, Richelle, is older than Jake, a senior. This picture was taken last Saturday--I must have taken at least a hundred pictures. It was Jake's first prom and Brandi's last prom. These four are the beautiful people in my life, therefore the title.

The title was created using the Tinkerbell and Friends with Opposites Attract Cricut cartridges, and the photo corners are from the Storybook Cricut cartridge. Also involved, the basic black Cricut color pen, which outlined "Beautiful" and the photo corners. I had help making the background using a brush I found online in Photoshop CS3. The color inspiration came from CCG#123 created by this week's Guest Designer, Jennifer Armentrout at Color Combos Galore (http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/). Yumi Takasaki, aka marimari, is the featured member. Be sure to head on over for the inspiration from these talented ladies and CCG's design team. If you want to participate in the color challenge, follow the link and post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK.

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday. I've been doing a lot of sewing and surging lately and have some projects to get caught up on. Thanks for coming by and see ya next time!

Color Combo #122

2009-05-13T07:10:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Mother's Day. My husband surprised me with mookies in the morning, which doubled as snacks throughout the day. For dinner, he presented a coleslaw, provolone, and grilled Korean tri-tip sandwich on potato bread. That was yummo! My littlest ones drew portraits of me all day long. Brandi, my oldest really outdid herself. She got me a Singer Ultralock machine which is something I've had my eye on for quite a little while now. I just love it. It's much easier to operate than I thought it would be and it's pretty quiet, too.

The very talented Debbi Tehrani is the color combo creator for Designers Challenge Week at CCG. I always love to see what she's come up with using the weekly challenges, and I was very pleased to see her own color combo--very pretty. You'll enjoy the inspiration from the rest of the CCG designers and our featured member this week is Esther Andrews--I adore her style with the digi: http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/

This layout features recent pictures taken of Gwen and my hubby enjoying a few cups of tea together on a Saturday evening. My hubby is not a small man. He's about 6'2" tall and is a good size. He's sitting in Gwen's "Dora the Explorer" chair--isn't he adorable. He even poses for my camera. He always makes times like these special for our children and really goes the extra mile for them. I love him for so many reasons.

Again, lots of fun with my Cricut on this layout. I used a lot of my favorite cartridges, and a shape from a cartridge I got recently--the chipboard mat with the circles came from Locker Talk--lots of good cuts on that cartridge that I hadn't noticed before. Soon I think I'm going to utilize the album on that cartridge to make a keepsake for Gwen's teacher. I've been taking photos of the class all year when visiting--I think she might enjoy that. I also got to use my Cuttlebug with textile embossing folder for the tea set, etc.

Thanks, Debbi for the combo! If you want to participate in the challenge, follow the link and post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK--Good luck!

Color Combo #121

2009-05-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Emilie Ahern is the guest designer at Color Combos Galore this week. She has created quite the inspirational combo--by far this one is my favorite. There's just something so invigorating, yet feminine about the orange and pink together--I just love it. You'll enjoy the inspiration from the CCG designers and our featured member this week is Anthea Peterson: http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/

I got to play with the connected alpha from the new Lyrical Letters Cricut Cartridge. Love it! Lots of choices on this cartridge for alphas and card fronts, sentiments, and goodies.

If you want to participate in the challenge, follow the link and post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK--Good luck!

I hope all of you mothers have a fabulous Mother's Day.

Color Combo #120

2009-04-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Janet Perafan-Babar, CCG's DT coordinator, provided this week's brilliant color combination. It was just the combo I needed to complete a layout featuring pictures of my oldest taking the plunge and moving out on her own. It's bright, funky, and I love the results. These are just a few of the pictures I could get of Brandi's big move day. Our youngest had the hardest time with it, but thankfully, in the end, he had accepted it better knowing he was getting his big sister's old room. I used quite a bit of Cricut die cuts from various cartridges, i.e., Doodlecharms, Wild Card, Going Places, My Community, and Storybook. This was a very fun color combination--I really needed that yellow this week and it went well with the photos--for us that was one of the hottest days this year. I also used some Heather Bailey patterned paper, Sassafras Lass buttons, and MM tiny alpha stickers with Heidi Swapp journaling spot.

Check out what the designers and featured member, Lisa Saunders (Lisa Funky Fairy), did with this combo--http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/. If you want to participate in the challenge, follow the link. Post your layouts there by Sunday to be eligible for the monthly RAK.

April Provo Craft Projects

2009-04-29T14:38:00.001-07:00

Hello, all! Hope you've been enjoying your area's springtime weather. It's been a little chilly here this week, which I enjoy, but I think the kids want it a bit warmer. This month's Provo Craft assignment was to use the Home Decor Solutions Cricut cartridge. I made a stacked box set, some framed art, and a card. The stacked box set and frame were found locally in a second-hand store. The stacked box set was originally decorated with a Christmas theme. I used a 2-inch square from Plantin SchoolBook Cricut cartridge with my Cricut Expression set on autofill mode, and cut out several pages of squares, so that I could decoupage the squares over the Christmas theme. Then I used wordart from the Home Decor cartridge with shadow and blackout to decorate each box. I really like the look and feel of this wordart--something I think is appealing to everyone's eye. Now onto the framed art--Because the frame had a metallic edge to it, I chose to use some foil cardstock by American Crafts. This cardstock is really great to use in conjunction with the Cuttlebug and embossing folders. I found a package of it at Michael's--about 30 sheets, three each of 10 metallic colors--great bang for your buck. The inner window of each panel was embossed using orange foil cardstock, embossed using the Paisley embossing folder with Cuttlebug. I then used the Home Decor Cricut cartridge to cut some bugs and wordart, again using the blue, gold, black, and red foil cardstock. I think this would look really great in a boys room, a garden patio, a green house, etc. Those bugs are too cool! For the card, I used Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge and DesignStudio software to weld the scalloped square into a card base. Then used Home Decor for the elegantly embellished frame and wordart. That's a picture of Raiden when he was about three days old. It was originally taken using my son's cell phone, so I played with it a little in Photoshop until I liked the way it looked and printed it out for the frame of this card. Hope you like my projects--I sure had fun making them.

Color Combo #118

2009-04-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

It's Designer's Challenge week at CCG. Yours truly was the designer and I had a blast coming up with this combination. I so hope you like it and hope it inspires you to scrap those Easter photos taken this past weekend. The featured member this week is Angelica Turner. Angelica and the designers did a fabulous job with my combination. Head on over to CCG and take a peek at how they interpreted the challenge (see sidebar for link). In my layout I used pictures taken of Gwendolen a couple of years ago, before and after an easter egg hunt. The cuts were from the Graphically Speaking, Home Accents, and Stretch Your Imagination Cricut cartridges with basic brown Cricut pen.

Well, hope you all have a wonderful, carefree week. Things are going to be a bit hectic around here. My oldest daughter, Brandi, is moving out on her own this week and we'll be helping her ease into her new apartment. We're very proud of her. She's not moving too far away, within a couple of miles, so it won't be too bad.

Color Combo #117

2009-04-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

The very talented Revlie Schuit is the guest designer this week at CCG. She's come up with a tasty combo. I love the soft blue and edgy green meeting up with that fun shade of red. The names of the colors are spring green, blue easter egg, white bunny and tsourgrisma red. Here's the layout I came up with. When the kids were out on spring break this year, we took a short trip to Fairy Tale Town. This is a beloved, affordable local attraction that has been around for fifty years. The attractions there are based on fairy tales and nursery rhymes. When I was a child, every kid in the Sacramento Area would go to this park on a field trip with their school--it's right across the street from the Sacramento Zoo. I went there, my husband went there, I guess every adult I know in this area went there, too. Then when I had children, I took them there. It was quite the nostalgic trip. Not only for me, but for Brandi. She's going to be 19 this Easter. She jumped at the chance to go with me again and dragged her boyfriend along who actually hadn't been there. I hope you all have a happy, fun-filled, magical Easter. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Color Combo #115

2009-03-24T06:31:00.001-07:00

It's Designer's Challenge Week at Color Combos Galore! Belinda Venables created this lovely, soft, vintage palette for our challenge this week. Don't you love it!

These pictures of Gwen and Raiden were taken a couple of years ago for a school project Brandi was doing in her French class. She wanted to take pictures of Gwen in pigtails and Raiden in overalls. While I was taking photos, my husband, being the good sport that he is, was in the background goofin' off, making them laugh. I've got quite a few of my favorite things on here--some BoBunny and Basic Grey patterned paper, Sassafras Lass button/flower embellishments, a Designer Digitals quote, embroidered border, SLD designs (the felt journaling spots), machine stitched/gathered ribbon, and tiny alpha. Hope you like--I know I had fun putting it together.

There are so many possibilities for this color combo and already, quite a bit of inspiration in the gallery over at Color Combos Galore. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. Remember: You must upload your layouts to the gallery at Color Combos Galore by 11:59pm Sunday at the end of the challenge week to be eligible for the monthly drawing. Here's a link: http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/

Provo Craft Projects for March

2009-03-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

I was asked to make a 3D project for Mother's Day. Here's what I came up with using Cricut vinyl, alcohol inks, and the new Calligraphy Cricut cartridge. I cut the images from the latte-colored vinyl. While the images were still on the Cricut cutting mat, I applied alcohol inks, allowed time for them to dry, and then applied the images to the cup using the Cricut transfer tape. I really like how this turned out. The application of the alcohol inks came from necessity. I didn't have any colored vinyl that would coordinate with the cup I had. The cup was purchased from that local thrift store I like to frequent.

For my second March project, I was asked to use the new Sesame Street Cricut cartridges. Again, I used another item found at that local thrift store--the plain black frame. This frame holds a picture of Raiden last month and his current "favorites" list. I think I like this so much, I'm going to have to do another one to keep.

For the third March project, I was asked to use the new Sports Mania Cricut cartridge. As a family, we don't play a lot of sports, but we do play a lot of Wii Sports games, so I took this opportunity to make a layout using pictures I took of our Mii's. Looking through the images of this cartridge, there are a lot you can use even if you don't play sports. I love the clipboard image, which would be quite useful for cards and mini albums. There are also a lot of background images, like overlays, and layout-looking images, as well. This fabulous cartridge was designed by Art Warehouse's Danelle Johnson. It's pretty cool.

I had a lot of fun completing my assignments this month. Thanks for looking!

Color Combo #114

2009-03-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw this week's color combo from Color Combos Galore, I knew exactly what pictures to use. This layout's pictures are of my youngest little girl enoying a drumstick on our front porch last Summer. I love the little dress she's wearing and how pretty pink her lips and cheeks are. I used the Hello Kitty Font cartridge for the title--"A Scoop on the Stoop". Using the deep-cut housing with blade, I cut the welded title (using Cricut DesignStudio Software) from layers of chipboard, then assembled it, and finally, adhered a white piece of cardstock that was first outlined with the basic black Cricut pen. The ice cream cone was cut in the same fashion from the Indie Art cartridge, and then further embellished with Stickles. This was done for CCG#114 at Color Combos Galore challenge blog: http://colorcombosgalore.ning.com/

Egg-cited!

2009-03-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

I'm getting there, especially after completing the past couple of layouts. Spring is in the air. Brandi's birthday will be on Easter this year--there will be a lot of celebrating to do. She'll be 19--YIKES! I do not feel like the mother of a 19-year-old (well, sometimes--ha!). Recently I submitted a couple of layouts to Color Combos Galore's Design Team call and was accepted! I love that blog's inspiration factor--it's a hot spot for creativity. Lots of talent there and everyone is so friendly and eager to share. It's definitely a blog you want to visit. Check my sidebar for the latest activity. Also, I was recently asked to contribute another layout to the Got Sketch? blog. Another favorite blog of mine for inspiration. I'm always looking back to this blog for sketch inspiration. Valerie Salmon's sketches are very user friendly. Most of them allow multiple pictures, and if just using one picture in your layouts, they're easily adaptable. Check my sidebar for the latest activity at the Got Sketch? blog. The above layout is my contribution. These were pictures taken of my family when we visited Daffodil Hill last spring, just one day before Easter. Later that spring, we visited again for Brandi's 18th birthday. It's a place you can take lots of pictures, have a picnic, and just run and play with your family. Definitely an Easter-ish spot for us. I used the Hello Kitty Font cartridge with basic black Cricut pen to help me create the title. I couldn't decide which color to use on the title, the red or the yellow, so I just gave up and used both, and in the end, liked using both.

This second "layout" is a faux french memory board I used to hang on my wall. These pictures of Gwen and Raiden were taken on Easter 2007. I used the Wild Card Cricut Cartridge to help make the faux memory board. It's the Icon Feature using the Argyle shadow cut. While in the Cricut DesignStudio software, I stretched the cut to fit a larger canvas than a card, outlined a piece of white cardstock with the yellow Cricut pen, cut, and then cut the image again using a double-sided patterned paper by BoBunny. The white cardstock pieces were embossed using my Cuttlebug/Houndstooth embossing folder. Then, I assembled it onto a blue cardstock base on top of a very thin piece of chipboard, stitched it for texture, added the pictures, embellishments, etc., and then attached the ribbon for a hanger. To give it more structure, I attached another sheet of very thin chipboard to the back. Can you believe my sewing machine stitched through all of these layers? Well, it did--it's my new hero this week. I've also been taking the Sew Scrappy Happy class over at 2Peas. I've been stitching for a little while now on my projects but could never master the zigzag stitch while taking corners. Thanks to Jennifer Johner's help, it's finally happened. Here's a photo to prove it!

World Thinking Day

2009-02-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

Do your brains hurt from using them SO much this past weekend? Well, if they don't, maybe you didn't know this past Sunday was World Thinking Day. Each year on February 22, Girl Scouts participate in activities, games and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries. The theme for World Thinking Day 2009 was girls worldwide said "we can stop the spread of AIDS, malaria and other diseases." Gwendolen is a first-year Daisy, so we didn't provide a project, but we eagerly got to participate. This layout features a picture of Gwendolen (in the middle) participating in her first friendship circle with fellow troop sisters. If you look closely, towards the top of the picture, you'll see the legs and feet of the other participants in the circle. There was quite a big turnout, at least for our county--over 100 Girl Scouts. For the layout, I used the Hello Kitty Font, cut from a couple of layers of chipboard and multi-colored cardstock, with black Cricut pen. I also used Going Places for the globe. Again, I just had to use that Cuttlebug butterfly die/embossing combination, using ink to get that double-color look. If you're interested in the cutfile to see how this layout was put together, here's the mediafire link--enjoy!: http://www.mediafire.com/?nznyyzqzwtw

Kindergarten Cutie

2009-02-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

Isn't she cute? Here's a layout featuring pictures of my youngest daughter, Gwendolen, when I helped her class put together some projects (Cricut, of course) at her school last Halloween. That was a lot of fun AND a lot of work! Hello Kitty is also pretty cute herself. On this layout, I used the Cricut Hello Kitty Font--such a versatile font. The title was cut from a couple of layers of chipboard and cardstock and then embossed using the Houndstooth Cuttlebug folder. Kitty was also cut from a couple of layers of chipboard (the shadow) and then put together using cardstock, Stickles, and Making Memories brads. Again, I used the Cuttlebug buttons embossing folder with ink to help achieve a double-colored image. I then cut them out which made the border at the bottom and up the right side of the photo collage--it might be a little hard to see, but it's such a fun technique! Again, I utilized that typewriter for the journaling. If you're interested in this cutfile to see how it's put together, here's the mediafire link--enjoy!: http://www.mediafire.com/?kyiewmyax1z

Brandi & Max Relax

2009-02-24T06:43:00.001-08:00

I guess we take a lot of couch pictures. As I was reviewing the past few months' photos, that's about all I could see--either in the background or our family on it. This picture sums our couch up pretty well. Notice the my-size Barbie kickin' it? It must be tough being Barbie. Anyway, this picture is a favorite "couch" picture of mine. Look from the left--it starts with the dollhouse next to the couch, pillows and Barbie follow, and then you come around to the two of them, Max and Brandi. It's rare you see her feet up anymore--she's been so busy with school, work, and taking care of all the little things. When I do see her, though, she's with Max. They are practically inseparable. Love is in the air.

For this layout, I used the Cricut Calligraphy cartridge and Cricut DesignStudio Software to weld the white decorative background. I then employed the basic blue Cricut pen to draw that decorative background on the aqua-colored cardstock and then placed the white mesh on top of it. (If interested in that cutfile, which includes two other welded backgrounds from that cartridge, please follow the mediafire link below). The butterflies were cut (one felt and a few chipboard) using the Cuttlebug and then embossed using the Cuttlebug with different inks/glimmer mist to enhance the embossed image. The curly border is a Sizzix border die--so cute and fun! For the little journaling I have, I employed that typewriter again.

Mediafire link for cutfile--enjoy! http://www.mediafire.com/?d1mydyyml2z

His First Dance & A Little Peace in My Heart

2009-02-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

It finally happened. Jake went to a school dance, and he allowed me to take pictures before he and his pretty girlfriend, Richelle, left for Winter Formal. This is of particular importance because, if you notice my gallery, there are very few, if any, layouts with Jake. He is my teenage boy who detests being in front of my camera, EVER. So here are a couple of shots of the happy couple and a layout featuring the two of them before leaving for the dance.

For the layout, I used the new Cricut Calligraphy Cartridge. With the help of Cricut DesignStudio, I welded the decorative tag to help make the two borders. Also, I used the basic black Cricut pen to draw "Jake and Richelle" on the large tag, and then used a red Galaxy Pen to fill the names in. The basic black Cricut pen was also used to draw around the leafy-type decoration on either sides of the large tag before finally cutting them out. Remember the typewriter I found at a local thrift store a couple of posts ago? I used it to type some journaling on the tag located just below their names.

I made a cut file that includes small, medium, and large borders using the decorative tag from the Calligraphy Cricut Cartridge. Here is the mediafire link--enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?zg4dyfvgmgd

Finally, a little peace in my heart. That's what I must be feeling. The other day, I wanted to create a bag that would hold all of my things. I'm a pocket freak! There are 12 found in this bag. Out of necessity and in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I created this bag using fabric found locally at my favorite thrift store and some of my scrapbook supplies--my older Sizzix dies created the felt heart with peace sign located on the front.

Sweet & Recycled

2009-02-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

Today I played--thanks to Alisa Burke's Cloth Paper Scissors article entitled Paper & Plastic. Here are the pictures to prove it. Basically, I fused these plastic bags together by turning them inside out, placing them between two pieces of paper, ensuring the pieces of paper were larger than the bags to avoid a melting mess on my iron, and fusing them with my iron on a medium-heat setting.
Once they were fused together, I cut the fused plastic down to a 12-x-12-inch piece. Then I was like a kid again--I got to play with my acrylic paints, foam stamps, rubber stamps, Cuttlebug/Cuttlebug dies, Sizzix dies, black staz-on ink, glimmer mists, heat tool, embroidery thread/needle, and sewing machine. I even got to use my favorite buttons! It was a blast and a project I was jazzed about--I just couldn't stop until it was completed. Then I got out some black/white polkadot material for the lining, cut it to about the size of the piece of fused plastic, and sewed the wrong sides of the fabric and fused plastic together. Then I just had to fold the fabric into three panels, like a letter, and stitch up the sides of the lower panel. It was actually pretty easy. I think I got ALL of my tools dirty on that one, and my hands, and my desk . . .

Here's a card I made last Sunday just before the Super Bowl. My daughter's BFF, Katie, was turning 19 on Tuesday, and I was inspired by a card I had recently seen in Paper Crafts' Card Creations, Quick & Easy, Volume 2, designed by Courtney Kelley. Here's my take using the Cricut with Indie Art Solutions Cartridge, some chipboard, the Cuttlebug with Houndstooth Embossing Folder, and October Afternoon pattered papers I had recently got in a Scrapbookloversdream.com kit.

If you're interested in the cut file, here's the mediafire link--enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?wn0mqmzjmnm

Because You Never Know . . .

2009-01-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

when you might misplace your Centro or Blackberry and need a hard copy of your contacts. That was the inspiration for this project I completed as one of my Provo Craft assignments for January. I used my Cricut Expression with deep cut housing/blade to cut this chipboard phone book using Wild Card, Fabulous Finds, and Street Sign Solution Cricut cartridges. I also used my black Cricut pen to draw the letters on the tabs. The cardstock used was from Close to My Heart (orange, white daisy, black, crystal blue, orchid bouquet, sweet leaf, sunny yellow, and baby pink). The patterned paper used was the new Fashion District by Me and My Big Ideas. To bind the book together, I used my Bind-it-All and black 1-inch Bind-it-All rings. This project was brainstormed using Cricut DesignStudio.

If you're interested in the cut file, here's the MediaFire link--enjoy! http://www.mediafire.com/?q0glmhe5njr

If you're interested in the contact entry template (jpg) that was printed on each cardstock page using photo-editing software, here's the MediaFire link--enjoy! http://www.mediafire.com/?njzmd3jjtkx

Look what I found!

2009-01-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

This is my very first blog post! From this blog, I want to post pictures of my family and friends, my craft projects and design team assignments, and my favorite day-to-day things that inspire me the most. Also, from time to time, I will be posting pictures of items I've found at a local thrift store I frequent--that's another passion of mine--I think this one fuels the others. This will be one of those posts. I found this little gem, a Royal portable typewriter, circa late 1950's, last Sunday. I wasn't looking for a typewriter, but for some reason, when I laid eyes on it, I just had to have it! The price tag was $6.50, it was still in fine working condition, and it was just SO cute! Enough said--it was mine. We located a place online, http://www.typewritersupply.com/, that sells the ribbon for it, ordered some, and they arrived just yesterday afternoon. Later today, I'm going to prompt my kind hubby, Rodney, to install a ribbon--I'm just too scared to touch it that way yet. I think it's going to be a great addition to our family and my hobby for so many reasons. Think of the possibilities--instead of running small tags or journaling spots through my printer, I can just put it through this and hope for the best. No more having to use those rubber stamps that look like typewriter fonts, I'll actually be able to use this. I'm sure I'll still use the stamps, too, but this might just be more convenient. Don't you think? Also, from time to time, I might have to complete a form or two that I don't have stored on my computer. I do have experience typing and using typewriters in my previous lifetime as a medical transcriptionist. Most of that experience was using a computer, but my very first position involved using the good ol' typewriter. I'm very thankful for that experience and thankful for this find! What do you think?