Tutorial Tuesday

I don't know that I will make this a regular thing, but for at least this Tuesday, I'm going to offer a fun, free tutorial. I'm still going through piles and piles of my stash, trying to use everything up. I have WAY too much stuff. I started making these little flowers on Sunday as part of a banner that I am making for one of Hazel's Christmas gifts. They are so fun, cute AND totally addictive! Plus, they use up lots of left-over bits you'll have lying around. So, let's get started, shall we?

Start off with a piece of fabric...any fabric...cut to 5" square.

Fold it in half on the diagonal.

Fold it in half again.

And, again.

Now, using a *sharp* (that's A LOT of fabric you're cutting through...pull out the good snippers!) pair of scissors to cut the folded fabric into a petal shape.

You'll end up with something that looks like this:

And, when you open the fabric up, it will look like this:

Now, take a large brad (these are the 18mm size from Bazzill). It doesn't matter what color the brad is...you're not going to see it. Put a glue dot smack-dab in the middle of that sucker.

Position the brad in the center on the BACK side of the fabric. Press down so that it adheres firmly.

Go hunt through your daughter's drawer for some tiny rubber bands. Don't have kids? You can buy a box of these in the hair care isle of the grocery store for pretty cheap. They need to be SMALL rubber bands, otherwise the band will hang out the sides. We don't want that. It wouldn't look as pretty. ;0) Anyway, fold the fabric back over the brad; secure with the rubber band.

Kinda' looks like a shuttlecock for badminton, huh? Wrap that rubber band as many times as it takes to get it tight around the brad. Now, you should have something that looks like this on the front:

And, this on the back:

You'll have to tug on the edges of the fabric, and fiddle with it until you get the flower to look just the way you want it. After you get it looking all pretty and proper, go ahead and get to decorating. First, I started with a felt Prima flower. Cut a slit halfway up the middle of the flower.

Then, wrap it around the center of the flower, and secure with a dot of hot glue. You should have something that looks like this:

Then, I took a softie charm from KI Memories, and adhered it to the center of the flower using a little hot glue.

Add a pretty little jewel on top with another dot of hot glue.

Voila! A pretty little flower. Bend the back prongs of the brad if you intend to glue the flower in place like I do. Or, punch it through your paper, then secure the prongs:

Here is another one I made.

Fun. Addictive. Pretty. I'll try to come up with something for next week. Maybe I can do a fun little tutorial every week. We'll see. Here's a little peek at my LO for the next prompt at So Tell Me Your Story. Stay tuned on August 1st for this challenge:

I've been so insanely busy the last couple of days. I had a ton of deadlines pile up all at once, and I'm desperately trying to bang them out. I got 2 projects picked up for publication, so I have been writing up all of the instructions, supply lists and getting them ready to ship off to the publisher. You'll have to wait a few months for details on that. It's hush-hush. ;0) Other than project deadlines, I painted half of our deck (it got up in the 100's again, so I had to take a break from being outside for a couple of days). We've already started planning the Halloween party, and out annual Thanksgiving dinner that we host for the single soldiers and a couple of our married friends. I got to skip out on that last year since the guys were deployed. But, people have already been asking if we are going to have another one this year. I was only planning on a couple of people coming this year, but it looks like we'll have WAY more than a couple. Eek! Busy, busy, busy...and it's only Tuesday!

Several days later...

Geez. I really didn't think it would take this much time to finish up these projects! But, I'm finally done. From an unfinished wooden box that I got at Hobby Lobby, I made this for my little niece's birthday...

It is filled with all kinds of goodies from here and here.

And, inside that little envelope in the lid is a hand-bound journal that I made for her. The guts are made from several pages of vintage handwriting paper that I've been hoarding for several years.

I must confess, this gift idea was not my own. It belongs to this insanely talented lately. Her original project can be viewed here. Oh, to have one ounce of her creativity!

The best part of the whole package, though, was this:

I had it commissioned from the talented Miss Mushroom Meadows. My niece, Madalinn, obviously has a unique spelling to her name. Forget ever finding any kind of tchotchky with that spelling on it. So, I had a special little stamp made just for her! And, I love the little octopus fellow! Anyway, I worked out a trade for this little cutie, and this is what I made in return:


A little Christmas in July...I know. But, I was at a loss for another cute project to make. Unfortunately, it's dull and gray outside here today, so the light wasn't the best to capture all of the sparkle on this little house. There is sparkly fake snow all over the base that the house rests on, and lots of sparkly Stickles on the scalloped roof. You'll just have to take my word for it...it's much prettier in person.

I've really been trying to use up my stash lately...not buy anything new. This project was great for that. I used up a lot of bits of my favorite Love, Elsie papers, some vintage Christmas images that I've had for years from ARTchix Studio (the images inside the windows), and some Krausbouillion (old-fashioned krinkle wire...looks like teeny-tiny tinsel). I've had that Krausbouillion for years. I bought it here years ago simply because I thought it was pretty. When I finally had it in my little hands, I had no idea what to do with it. So, there it sat, hidden away, in my drawer full of ephemera and altered book supplies. When I was making this house, I thought it needed something draped along the roof. Some miniature plastic Christmas lights from Michael's? No. That would take away from the vintage look of the house. Then, I remembered this stuff that was stashed away in my craft room. Perfect! It's kind of hard to work with...very springy...so be forewarned. The house was one of those Doodlebug Designs blank houses. So much fun to make! I'm definitely addicted.

Anyone have fun plans for the weekend? Not much here. There is lots of yardwork needing to be done, and I have a couple of scrappy projects that are due. I hope to have some time to dive into some Halloween crafties that I have been dying to get started on. So, hopefully, I'll be back sometime this weekend with some pretties to look at. In the meantime, we'll be doing lots of celebrating around here. I just found out that Bryan passed his promotion board with flying colors. So, as of Sept 1st, he'll be an E-6! Yay! A step in the right direction while we are patiently waiting for the warrant officer packet to go through. :0) Happy weekend, loves!

What a weekend!

Okay, so I had my little pity party on Friday night. Hey, everyone is allowed one once in a while. But, I'm over it. And, how could I not be? I had a pretty fabulous weekend! Rather, more of a LUCKY weekend. First off, I won some of the fabulous new Halloween line from Making Memories. It's called Spellbound, and it's fabulous! Definitely my favorite Halloween line this time around! In case you missed it, take a peek...

(All images from the Making Memories blog)



Good stuff, right? So, after I got over the high of winning that, I went to check my Bloglines. Lo and behold, I won Lisa Garay's yummy "Rainbowliscious" RAK. Thanks, Lisa! And, as if that wasn't enough, I scored a Fiskar's prize pack from 2Peas! Talk about luck! And, they couldn't have gone to a more grateful girl. Seriously. With the price of, well, EVERYTHING skyrocketing lately, the crafty budget was the first thing to get nixed off the spending list. I haven't bought scrapbooking or craft supplies in I don't know how long. Months. So, I truly am grateful. Unfortunately, my luck doesn't extend beyond winning scrappy supplies and purses because we didn't score a single number right on Saturday's Powerball.

Don't go yet! There's more good news! I received an e-mail last week from the amazingly talented Heather Bailey requesting to use one of my projects to advertise her new paper-crafting line for Autumn Leaves! Of course! Did she have to ask? Tee hee! You can find Sake's mini-book from last month's Label Tulip kit on Heather's new paper-crafting site here. And, be sure to check out her brand new shop! Lots of fun sewing patterns, fabric, paper crafting goodies, and her famous trash ties!

And, to end on another good note, I have been asked to guest design for Lotus Paperie" for the month of August. So honored to have been asked...thanks Vanessa! Check back there on August 1st to kick off a month full of challenges!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start. If you were lucky enough to go to CHA, I want to hear all about it! And, I promise to keep my jealousy to a minimum. ;0) I'll be back in the next couple of days with some fun projects that I have been working on!

it's been a bad day. please don't take a picture.

"We're sick of being jerked around. We all fall down." Indeed. I *heart* Michael Stipe. Hope you're all having a better Friday than I.

the girl effect

Something to believe in (turn the volume up before you view it - the music is beautiful)...


Want to help? Click here.

And, something to inspire. I could seriously stare at that blog post all day. So many pretties!

One more thing...who wouldn't want to win this?

Go. Sign up. Quick. Just click on the image. It'll take you where you need to go.

Happy Thursday loves!

In all their goodness...

Time to share the whole sha-bang for my Label Tulip LO's! This month, instead of doing the usual GDT lift, we did a fun little photo swap instead. I got to scrap the crazy-talented Alexis.

Forced myself to scrap with some of the papers in the kit that weren't my typical color palette. Pretty happy with how it turned out!

FINALLY played with some spray ink. Boy, that stuff is a MESS, and it takes quite a bit of practice!

Our challenge this month was to use song lyrics as the title or journaling of your LO. Being the huge Dave Matthews Band fan that I am, I had to pick a DMB song...Rapunzel. I guess I could have picked a song with a more manly title, but it's the lyrics that really remind me of Bryan.

Speaking of Bryan, it was his turn for the "Family Canvas Project" as I have now officially titled it. For this canvas, I went with a fairly simple design. Bryan's a pretty simple guy, and a fru-fru canvas just doesn't suit him. Now, all I have left is to make a canvas of myself. Ugh.

And, I can't have a month without some sort of little project. Right? So, I made a little book about Sake from the Autumn Leaves/Heather Bailey mini-folders that I cut in half. You can view the rest of the book here.

I'll keep adding to this book as the year goes on. It is a GREAT way to use up old supplies, and bits of this and that that you have lying around in your stash. I've been in a real purging mood lately. And, it feels good to clean out my scrap room!

Now, for something that I am really excited to share! Here is my first LO for the new challenge blog that I am designing for: So...Tell Me Your Story. The first (well, actually second...but first for me) was to scrap about your name. How you got it. What it means. A nickname. Whatever.

There's actually a funny story behind the LO. I never really knew why my parents named me Holly. I just figured it was because I was born the day after Christmas. Guess not. First, I called my dad and asked him, "So, why did you name me Holly." His response was, "You'll have to ask your mom. I wanted to name you Trixie." You did not! My dad has the weirdest sense of humor. "No, I didn't. But, I really don't know. Your mom just picked it out. Actually, do you remember that dog that your mom had when you were born." I did. Her name was Heidi Noel. She was a mean little schnauzer that totally hated the fact that I had come along, and stolen her attention. Anyway, my dad says, "I always thought Holly Nicole sounded a lot like Heidi Noel. But, that was just me." YOU NAMED ME AFTER THE DOG!?! My dad just kept chuckling, and told me to ask my mom. So, I did. "No, I did not name you after the dog! Where does your dad come up with these crazy things? We picked out the name together. We both just liked Holly I guess." Okay, so how I go my name wasn't all that interesting of a story in and of itself. But, my dad's crazy sense of humor certainly made for a fun LO. Funny guy. Well, that's all for today. Time to settle in, and catch up on my blog reading. I'm only a day behind this time (as opposed to weeks or months). TTFN!

Last of the sneaks...

So, that's the last of my Label Tulip sneaks for July's kit. Be sure to check out the full reveal tomorrow! And, don't forget to stop by LT tonight for a chat with myself and my fellow Tulip Girls. It starts at 6:30 pm PST/9:30 pm EST. Be there, or be square! ;0)

U.P. to the D.A.T.E.

So, I promised you a peek. Unfortunately, I still haven't finished up the last of my good for Label Tulip. But, I did get my first LO done for So...Tell Me Your Story. The challenge will officially be posted on the 15th, but here's a little peek to tide you over...

Lots of October Afternoon yumminess goin' on there. Probably my favorite line right now. Well, aside from the ever-loved Hambly and American Crafts goodies. Speaking of Hambly, the tutorial for my mini-book is up at Label Tulip, and can be viewed here. You have until 10 am PST on July 15th to post up your version of the mini-book to the Label Tulip gallery to be entered to win a 6 month subscription to Label Tulip. In addition, I will be selecting one participant to receive this sweet little RAK.

More details can be found here.

Ahhhh...the weekend. This was a weekend filled with favorites. My favorite breakfast (warm blueberry muffins).

My favorite portrait of Bryan that I've ever taken. He hates having his picture taken, but I NEEDED it to wrap up the last of my LT projects. You'll see. It was just a total bonus that it came out so well. It just looks like him.

Plus, I had to take a new self-portrait of myself. Ugh. I've not been into the whole self-portrait thing lately. Just feelin' the ickies about the way I look lately. But, whadda' ya' know...it didn't come out half-bad.

I've spent lots of time scrapping today. And, lots of time with my favorite little snuggle bug asleep under my scrap table.

Isn't she adorable? I love how her little tongue just pokes out all the time. At first, it was because she lost all of her baby teeth at once. But, they've grown in now, and it's still a hangin'!

And yay for me! I finally bought this:

It isn't the treadmill I had originally wanted. But, after years of riding horses when I was younger, I've got some painful knees. They don't bother me often...unless I'm running. Then, they pop like crazy, and it's a wincing pain. So, it probably is best that I found some sort of alternative to jarring them along on a treadmill. Bryan convinced me to try this elliptical machine, and I LOVED it. So happy I decided to get one. Although, I have to wait about 3 weeks to get it. They were sold out at the PX. Must be popular. So, I had to order it. *sigh* Oh, well. I've waited this long to get in shape. What's another couple of weeks? Knock on wood.

So, how was everyone else's weekend? Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!

sundays...

Okay, so I never got around to posting anymore sneaks on Friday. That's because I still haven't had any time to scrap. But, that's about to change a soon as I wrap up this post. Today is the day for the hubs to take the little ones off my hands for a few hours. So, I will leave you with promises of sneaks to come later on this afternoon. And, this...

Please join me over at the Label Tulip challenge forum at 3 pm EST (12pm PST) for my class Use Your Scraps: Hambly Mini-Book. It's from those sneaks I showed you a couple of posts ago. The book in its entirety can be viewed here. Bust out those Hambly scraps I know you all hoard, and meet me over there to learn how to make this quick little mini. It's the perfect size to toss in your purse, and use as a handy little brag book. You have until the end of the anniversary party to whip it up, post it up, and earn yourself an entry into the drawing for the 6 month subscription to Label Tulip's fabulous kits! Plus, I will pick one winner from all the participants in my mini-book project tutorial to receive a sweet little RAK that will be featured on my challenge post going up this afternoon. For now, I'm off to put some glue to paper. I'll meet you back here in a few hours!

PARTY TIME!

So, I mentioned Label Tulip's big anniversary party a couple of posts back. Well, let the fun begin! The first challenge will be posted today on the forum at 12 pm EST, and is being hosted by the fabulous Waleska. Your participation in the challenge will earn you an entry to win a FREE 6 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO LABEL TULIP! So, what are you waiting for? Head on over, and check it out! It's worth the trip anyway just to see the fabulous new look to the site. Cindee did such a great job with the design:

This is just the beginning of the 5-day anniversary celebration, so keep checking back...here or there...every day for new challenges and events. I'll keep ya'll posted! And, don't forget to enter the first challenge. All you have to do is lift any one of the Tulip Girls' layouts, and post it to the gallery. Have it uploaded by July 15th with "TG Lift Challenge" posted in the subject line, and you will be entered to win one of 3 one-month subscriptions to Label Tulip. There's so many fabulous layouts to choose from at the Tulip Girl Gallery. Just pick one, and get to scrappin'! All of the Tulip Girls will be working together to choose the 3 winners. And, don't forget to check back on the forum at 12pm EST today for Waleska's challenge.

I'm thinking you might find a couple more sneaks here today, so be sure to check back. TGIF, and I hope everyone's weekend looks promising! Mine will be a busy one filled with lots of scrapping. How about you? Anything exciting?

Maybe just a couple...

of sneaks? Just two? Okay, okay...



Lots of playing around with some Label Tulip goodness goin' on around here lately. July's kit is yummy! I have a mini-book, my monthly canvas, and at least one more LO to finish up before Monday. So, I should have some more sneaks in a couple of days. Plus, I have to get started on my first LO for So...Tell Me Your Story. I'm so excited to work for this new challenge blog, and I hope you will all play along!

Other than tons of scrap deadlines, we've been busy as a family as well. Hazel started her cheerleading summer camp yesterday, and loves it. I love the fact that I've only got Luka to worry about for a whole 4 1/2 hours! We got to play without anyone fighting over toys, and I got a TON of cleaning done while he took his nap. So, it's a win-win situation all around!

Sake got spayed yesterday. It wasn't quite the ordeal I remembered from when my mother's dogs were spayed years ago. They don't use stitches anymore (just glue), and the incision is smaller. So, she is pretty much back to her old self today. Although, she does want to snuggle an awful lot.

I bought some digi elements for the first time yesterday. I will never be a digi-scrapper, but I thought they would be the perfect thing to spruce up the old blog. So, be on the look-out for a fresh new look around here pretty soon! Well, I have lots of scrapping to do while the kids are napping, and I think I might catch a few winks myself. The warm little doggie nuzzles in my lap are too much to resist. I think we could both use a good nap. *sigh*

P.S. Thanks for all the congrats, and the well-wishes for the Chatterbox call-backs. Your sweet comments really made my day!