Better late than never...

Wow. The settled dust is literally inches thick around this joint. I've had so many people ask me lately why I stopped blogging. Stopped crafting. I think everyone has those creative glitches... for whatever reason. Life gets in the way. You lose your mojo. You forgot why you started doing it in the first place. You turn in different directions.

I had a conversation with a really good, old friend the other day. She said I inspired her. She asked me what stopped inspiring me. Life. People. I lost myself somewhere along the way over the last 6 months. How do you find yourself again? You stop living your life for other people (except your kids... they always come first). You stop worrying about what other people think so much. You do what's best for you... not for them. You pull yourself up by the boot straps, and carry on. You rediscover the things you used to do that made you happy. You rediscover the things that got you by.

I've spent much too much of my life being a people-pleaser... family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. As I get older, I realize it never got me anywhere. It might have made someone else happy along the way, but it certainly didn't do much for my own well-being. Enough of that. Life is too short. I refuse to spend the rest of mine walking on eggshells, and worrying more about everyone else than I do myself.

WIth that said... I am diving back into crafting, scrapbooking, cooking, decorating head-first. And, I'm thrilled. I have some VERY EXCITING projects, guest designing spots, and news to share with you all over the next few weeks. We'll start with some American Crafts projects today.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it, but Dear Lizzy is one of my FAVORITE product lines of all time! I love creating with it. The variety of embellishments is amazing, the fabric paper... SWOON! It all came together to make a spectacular spring banner...



















The fabric paper is fun to cut into strips, fray they edges, remove the adhesive backing and tie into little fringes between each banner piece. I really had a blast making this banner. Okay, so I didn't finish it in time to actually hang up for spring. But, it'll be at the ready for next year. NOW... if I could just get my hands on the upcoming Dear Lizzy holiday line. *le sigh* It's beautiful. I'm crossing my fingers to have my American Crafts DT contract renewed for another year just so I can get my Christmas crafting on with that line!

Another one of my favorite American Crafts supplies is their selection of 3-Dimensional stickers. I stink at making cards... it really isn't my forte. But, the dimensional stickers make it SO easy! Here's a quick card with some Dear Lizzy and dimentional stickers...



And, if you haven't had enough of a Dear Lizzy fix... head on over to the American Crafts blog to check out the page I made. It's punches week at American Crafts! So, break out your punches and play along! Our designers have some fabulous projects for you. You won't want to miss Paige's AMAZING altered purse featuring punches! See you there!

One for Mom, one for Dad, and one for everyone in between...

With all of the holidays swirling around us lately, I have been busy making A LOT of cards. And, fortunately, I have A LOT of American Crafts goodies to play with! I'm finding that their 3-dimensional "Remarks" stickers are the PERFECT thing for making cards!

My mother absolutely adores bird-watching. So, this one is especially for her...



And, this one is perfect for that special man in your life on Fathers Day...



Last, but not least... I'm sure we all know someone with a birthday coming up. This card is bright, playful, and just right for the young ones in your life...



I encourage you to check out the entire line of 3-dimensional "Remarks" stickers from American Crafts. There is literally something for EVERYONE. Cats, camping, circus, snowflakes, birds, Matroyshka dolls... you name it, and they probably have a sticker for it! And, like I said... these are great for cards (or to add that little extra pop to your layouts)!

I will be back on Wednesday with a "Dear Lizzy" spring-inspired banner. Hey... better late than never! ;0)

xo,
Holly

Welcome to my abode...

How does this thing work again? I can't believe it's been nearly two months since I last updated the blog. What happened? Oh, yeah... a hectic cheerleading schedule and life in general. But, I thought there was no better way to get my blogging feet wet than to participate in today's American Crafts blog hop!

Today, we are working with the new Abode line... so adorable and lots of fun embellishments to play with! Next to scrapbooking, home decorating/DIY is one of my favorite hobbies. I am constantly tearing pages from magazines, collection wallpaper and paint samples, and bookmarking ideas on the internet. So, I figured it was high time I made a little binder to keep all of my ideas and inspirations in!

I bought this album as part of a kit from Studio Calico over a year ago with the intention of using it for this very project, but I never came across the right product to work with this project... enter American Crafts "Abode" line!





I divided the insides of the book up into four sections: Living, Bed, Bath and Yard...



Each section is marked with these really cool, thick acetate tabbed dividers. They take rub-ons perfectly!









Inside each tabbed acetate sheet, there are thin chipboard dividers that I covered with patterned paper and embellishments that are used to further divide up the book. For the living area, it is divided into "Living Room," "Game Room," "Kitchen and Dining," and "Entryway."







The "Bed" section is divided into "Hazel's Room," "Luka's Room," "Master Bedroom," and "Guest Room."









The "Bath" section is divided into "Kids' Bath," and "Master Bath."





And, finally, the "Yard" section is divided into "Front Yard" and "Backyard."





And, now you have a fun little binder to stuff full of all kinds of home decor inspiration! There are even lined pages that fit into each section for you to write notes, room measurements, etc. on! It's a handy thing to toss into your purse so you'll have it at the ready the next time you're shopping for ways to improve your house!

I'll be back on Wednesday for some fun, alternative ways to use your scrapbooking supplies to make all kinds of team spirit projects... perfect to support your favorite little sportsman!

In the meantime, be sure to hop along over to all of the other talented American Crafts designers' blogs that are participating in the hop. There is sure to be lots of inspiration out there!

Kim Arnold
Moon Ko
Kathy Thompson
Katrina Simeck
Melanie Louette
Piradee Talvanna
Loredana Bucaria
Martha Bonneau
Nichole Duenke
Shannon Zickel
Beth Proudfoot
Paige Evans
Wendy Sue Anderson
Doris Sander
Mary Jo Johnston
Elizabeth Carney
Dusti Nakamura
Kim Watson
Danielle Layton
Kelly Purkey
Amy Tan

*sweet as candy*

Today, I have a fun little shadow box project to share with you. These are super-easy to put together, and make for a lovely gift. This particular shadow box was made for my daughter as a gift for her birthday next month. She has the biggest sweet tooth I have ever seen, and will just love this little candy shoppe wall hanging...





First, we'll start of with the lid to a papier mache box and we'll paint the outside and inside edges...



Once that dries, we'll adhere a piece of glittered cardstock inside. American Crafts makes some wonderful glittered cardstock that comes in a wide array of colors...



Now we'll start making our candy "shelf." This particular box lide measures 4 3/4" x 6 3/4." So, I cut a piece of patterned paper that measures 5" x 6 3/4." Get out your bone folder and a ruler so that we can begin scoring. Make your first score 1/2" from the edge of the paper...



Your second score will be made 7/8" from the previous score...



Now, repeat the same scores on the opposite end of the paper...



Fold along your scores, and apply adhesive to all but one tab. Leave one of the 7/8" sections without adhesive. This will be the top of your shelf...



Adhere the shelf to the inside of the box...



Next, add a silver pipe cleaner around the inside top edge of the box...



Take your stickers (these are made by American Crafts), and adhere the to a piece of white cardstock. Trim around the stickers, leaving a little tab at the bottom...



Use a bone folder and ruler to score the tabs of your candy jars. The tabs will then be adhered to to top oof the shelf. I used small dots of hot glue for adhesive. Then, add a little piece of trim along the edge of the shelf...



Use more of the American Crafts stickers, some of their mini jewel brads, and pop dots to create your store's sign...



Almost done! Run around the edge of the box with some decorative tape for an added touch...



Finally, make a hanger for your shadow box. I used more of the same scalloped velvet trim and some American Crafts pearl brads to create mine...



And, we're done! I hope that you enjoyed this fun project, and that it inspires you to create your own shadowboxes.

Hello... is this thing on?

Wow. It has been quite a while since I've ventured out into blog land. But, I had to come out of hiding to share with you an awesome opportunity that I had this month. The insanely talented (not to mention totally sweet) Kerry Lynn Yeary invited me to be the guest designer for February over at Kenner Road!

I had a blast playing with all of the beautiful, inspiring product that she sent my way. Lots of new Crate Paper goodies! And, I would like to share with you! So, here they are...

















Stay tuned later this month to the Kenner Road blog for a special project tutorial that I am working on!