My Favorite Quick Project March 6, 2009

This fun project is called an exploding box.  If you want a quick and easy craft for a weekend or a crop day try this.  They have been around for quite awhile but seem to pop up from time to time.  They make a great gift.  This one sits on my desk at work and makes me happy with the bright colors and pictures of my family.

 

I found that brightly colored birdy paper and had to make something with it.  I’m like a kid in a candy store with paper.  Love it!!

The butterfly was on this bright paper, too.  So I cut it out with my Fiskars micro-tip scissors which are prefect for intricate details like this.  I used a sponge to ink the edges of the butterfly slightly so it would stand out more and bent the wings up just a little.

 

For some dimension and interest I embellished some of the pages without adding a photo.  I also embellished some of the photos with a flower or tag.  Just mixin’ it up.

This was my first attempt at this project and, as with any new skill, I learned something for the next time.  First, decide which direction you want the pictures to face.  I think I turned them all around at least once and they still don’t face the same direction.  Second, make the top of the box and place it on the box before you decorate the outside.  I made this cute “Family” square and then discovered that the top of the box covered up the F and most of the a and m.  Oh well.  I still love it.

Happy Crafting!

Amy

Black and White Album -Part I February 3, 2009

One day I was shopping at a scrapbook store and came across a sample layout that jumped out at me.  It was done in black, cream and red papers with all black and white photos.  I have kept that vision in my head for quite some time.  I decided to complete one whole year as a seperate album.  I started buying little things here and there in preparation.  So after awhile I had a substantial stash and was ready to put it all together.  

This is the inside cover page: 

 

I enjoyed planning out the theme almost as much as I enjoyed creating the pages.  The process of imagining a layout or design and bringing it together is so fulfilling.  Here are a few more pages from the B&W album.

I think the contrast came out wrong on this photo, it’s supposed to be a dark red and black.  The background looks almost brown here.  that’s what I get for using my phone to take pictures.  hmmm…must get Photoshop…

 

Here are two of my rugrats on ice.  We spend so much time with hockey and I was grateful to get some outdoor pics without helmets and jerseys!!  Aren’t they cute?

 

This layout is one of my favorites.  It is unique for the following reasons:  I have a photo of all five us; I used a new-to-me technique (off center – I actually cut through the pictures *gasp*); and I painted on swirls with a stencil and a sponge.  Came out pretty good, don’cha-know.

 

Look for Part II  of this album coming soon…  Now that I can use my new camera I’ll be sure to have better images to show you. 

Happy crafting!

Amy

Tools, Tools, Tools… January 20, 2009

I have a new craft tool that I am in love with..

 

 

It is the Fiskars Premium Crafter’s Trimmer.  The perfect size to travel to crops with and the markings are clear and easy to read.  They have also mapped out the most common sizes like 5×7, 3×5, etc. to make it completely idiot proof.  Pick this one up asap!

 

I’m also coveting a new item…

 

Fiskars Border Punch – Upper Crest.

This classy little punch looks like it would fit perfectly with my style of scrapbooking.  I’ll be searching this one out at the local scrapbooking stores right away.  Although, it may be as elusive as the threading waters punch was when it first came out.

 

By the way, if you haven’t gone crazy over Fiskars tools head over to http://fiskateers.com/ and see what the fuss is all about.

a DECISIVE beginning January 16, 2009

I am taking liberties with my word of the year:  DECISIVE

I have decided it to also mean “take charge”, “can’t mess with me” and “I am right”.  This is my interpretation of “displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined” 

Since my New Years Resolution to become DECISIVE I am off to a good start.  My first plan of attack was my personal finances.  My husband and I have tried many ways over the years to tackle our bills and lately we have been splitting them down the middle.  Our incomes are almost the same now so it’s a lot easier.  But the drawback is  it was easy for me to lose track of the balances on things he took care of, out of sight-out of mind.  I have decided to rein it all in. 

I used to keep track on the computer with a budgeting template in excel (thank you free excel templates on microsoft.com).  But it was easy to hide in a file and forget about updating it.  I took charge and went to Office Depot and bought the old fashioned column pads  http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/930564/Office-Depot-Brand-Columnar-Pad-4/.  Writing everything down and putting it in my face on the desk everyday will keep me on track.   I am also cutting back on unnecessary purchases

like Caribou Coffee

and Einstein Bros bagels.

and potato chips..mmmm

 

and HBO

I know I can do it.  I have decided!

Resolultions January 8, 2009

I’ve been reading so many blogs lately about New Year’s Resolutions.  But there is a twist.  Many people are choosing a word of the year.  Something to inspire and focus them for the whole year.  I love this idea and am jumping on the bandwagon. 

What word to choose??  hmmm..  let me think about it.  What do you think?  Maybe Happiness?  No, too broad.  Maybe Inspired?  No, also too broad and that is what I want to the word to do…inspire.  um, maybe Focused?  Now we’re getting there.  I like the direction we’re heading.  I’ve got it!!  Decisive.  That’s what I need to be.

According to Dictionary.com:

de⋅ci⋅sive /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/  [di-sahy-siv] 
–adjective

1.	having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.

2.	characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined: The general was known for his decisive manner.

3.	indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.

4.	unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.

I like decisive.  It’s like positive, but more definate.  No more missed opportunities because I failed to act.  My resolution for 2009 is to be DECISIVE! 

What’s your word of the year?

Santa came through for me January 5, 2009

Santa was a good boy this year and brought me a new Nikon Coolpix digitial camera.  Isn’t is pretty?  I love it!!  My last digital camera bit the big one about a year ago (see my woeful blog post https://birdsofafeather19.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/digital-camera-diaries/).  What is a scrapbooker and parent of rapidly growing children supposed to do without a camera??!!  Thank goodness for the jolly fellow who was tired of my whining. 

Now it’s time to buckle down and read the manual.  Or I could just continue snapping pics on the default setting.  It’s working for now.  Once I figure out how to download the photos I’ll be back in the scrapbooking saddle again.  Do you have this kind of camera?  Do you have any digital photo tips for me?  I can use all the help I can get!  Thanks and happy picture taking. 🙂

A different kind of scrapbooking December 22, 2008

Recently my father passed away and I ended up making some very difficult decsions.  Mostly funeral arrangements.   One of the things I knew he would have wanted was a memorial service that showed him as he really was; fun, full of life and a little on the mischievous side.  He alwasy said “don’t play that song How Great Thou Art.  Everyone I’ve ever known my whold life plays that at a funeral.  Play some Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard at mine.”  He loved to ride his Harley, he loved to hunt with his dog and he loved his grandchildren.  I knew that I would not be able to get up at a podium and properly convey how I felt so I decided to use my skills in scrapbooking to create picture boards of happy times in his life.  I know this is a very common practice these days, but I know my talents are more artistic expression, than verbal. 

While creating the boards I had to keep telling myself  “don’t look at the pictures”.  Because each time I did tears would come to my eyes and I was afraid of ruining them.  However, as  I kept working, I found myself smiling at some of the goofy pictures and marveling at the ones where he was a child.  So the process turned out to be therapeutic as well.  We did play Merle Haggard and we did have pictures of him on his Harley, too.  I’m glad I was able to fulfill his wishes and I will miss him every day…

(boards were laid out side to side on easels)

Twilight is here November 21, 2008

 

Being the crazy mom I am, I thought it would be fun to take my kids to see Twilight.  But not just any trip to the theatre, we went to the 12:01am showing last night (this morning???).  I ordered advance tickets online and the kids were so excited.  Well, the girls were.  My son decided not to go; that his beauty sleep was much more important.  So my girls and I left home at about 11pm on Thusday not knowing what was in store.  The thought crossed my mind that there might be only about ten people there  – visions of goth chics danced in my head.  But when we pulled into the parking lot it looked like the mall on the Saturday before Christmas!  Wow, I couldn’t believe the lines we had to stand in and we had already purchased our tickets!  TEN theaters full of Twilight fans filled the AMC last night.  It was the kind of night where people laughed out loud, ooh’ed and ahh’d at the cute boys and cheered when it was over.  Overall very enjoyable.  I’m anxious to read the series of books now that I’ve had a taste.  What a fun experience.  Now I’m going to take a nap….

Sammy the Cat Album…plus, need your help RAK October 18, 2008

We had a wonderful cat named Sampson.  He was a farm cat that we adopted and grew to love very much.  He was such a character.   Sammy loved to run and if we didn’t let him outside he would literally bounce off the walls.  Like a toddler, Sammy would play and play until he dropped.  Then sleep like the dead for the rest of the day.  He loved to curl up in your lap for these long naps, but heaven forbid if you tried to move or get up.  You would get the “what do you think you are doing?” look.  When Sammy died last year I had a very difficult time.  At the age of 2-1/2 I never expected to lose him.  However, he got into something outside that poisoned him and he died in my arms as we were taking him to the vet.  I recently pulled myself through the emotions of losing him by creating this memorial mini-album. 

 

 

 

 

Now this last page is where I need your help.  This picture is a typical, sleep all day cause I was prowling all night, picture.  And on the facing page I want to say something about cats, or pets, or something.  Just a cute sentiment to end the book.  But I drew a blank.  Please help me to finish this album by commenting here with your suggestions.  I’ll choose my favorite and send a RAK of scrapbook supplies.

Back to the regularly scheduled programming… Challenge with a RAK September 24, 2008

So, if you know me, you know that I have two out of three children involved in ice hockey.  We live and breathe hockey most days. 

In the summer the schedule seems to wind down a bit so we have multiple days in a row without having to drive to practice or a game.  It’s heaven!!  However, this week we start tryouts so we’re back to the regular chaos.  My husband and I try to divide and conquer but it means a lot of time seperated as a family.  With my impending craziness I have come up with a new challenge.  Being gone at dinner time most nights, I have decided to drag out the old crockpot so I can start meals before work and have them ready to eat when the kids and I get home.  We also hold several pasta parties throughout the year for our kids to ramp up on the carbs the night before a big game so that darn crock pot gets lots of use this time of year. 

The challenge:  Please share your favorite all-day in a crock pot recipe and I will choose a random winner.  The prize:  some fun kitchen related items that will be a surprise!!  Thanks for playing along.  My kids thank you from the bottom of their little stomachs!!