Never Ever

It has been hard finding my mojo when it comes to layouts, spending my time working on altered items and cards.  But since the Tallyscrapper Sweet Summertime Crop is ending tonight, I just had to get a couple more layouts added to the challenges. 

The challenge, "What's in a Word," is as follows:

You know I love words - so this is a nice simple challenge - a page about your (or someone in your family) favorite slang, weird, trendy or stupid - word or saying
My step daughters favorites are "like" and "ya know whatta I mean" both drive me crazy !!!
I want to see all bright colors on a white background and a BIG title

My daughter has a thing about saying "Never Ever" when she is mad.  It drives me insane!  It was hard finding a picture that captured that, but this one from our Christmas photo shoot was perfect. She is such a little Grinch!

The pink circles are made from those non-stick drawer liners you can get at Dollar Tree.  I loved stamping JOY on it because it is anything but when dealing with her tantrums.

After I took the picture I did add a bit of glitter glue to the top trees and as dots under the long strips of paper.  I like how this turned out.  And no new products were used in the making of this layout! Yea! I have more pictures from this photo shoot that I will use these KI Memories paper with.  So fun!

I also used a sketch from Pencil Lines, from before they closed up their blog.  It worked so well with what I had in mind. Sketches help find mojo, so yep, I use them.

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Birthday Cards

Stayed up way to late on Monday night creating these cards, but they turned out great. I like to do that after another project, while the scrap papers and embellishments are still out.  It helps to use up supplies that might sit in a scrap drawer for a very long time. Here is the project that I worked on before the cards:

Very simple altered frame. Well, since I still hadn't cleaned up my mess, a frequent occurance for me, I decided to use the leftovers and some inspiration from one of my favorite blogs, Cherry's Jubilee, who, like me, creates late at night! I just loved her cards in this post, so I used them as a starting point for my own cards:

One of the things that Cherry does on her cards is sew.  I am not set up to use my machine so easily, so I used my new Scor-Buddy and Scor-Bug tools to pierce the paper in nice even lines on the edges.  Then I used a needle and thread and backstitched the entire outline of the purple paper. Took some time but worth it.

The banners are an image from Gecko Galz B is for Banners collage sheet that I resized much smaller. I added some pearls by Darice between each one. The images of the women and the frames are also from Gecko Galz, from the Girl Friends collage set, the Frames collage set, and the Birds & Bees collage set.

Other supplies include:

Stampin' Up cardstock
EK Success Punch
Darice Pearls
Anna Griffin Pattern Paper
Misc Ribbon and Lace
Misc flowers
Distress Ink Pumice Stone
Stampin' Up Pen
Stampin' Up Happy Birthday Stamp

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess



Another Great Goodwill Trip

Went out to the local Goodwill yesterday to see what I could see. Would have searched for more but the kiddos were restless.

My major find was the library catalog drawer mail sorter. It was a whopping $4.99, which is high for Goodwill, but it is sturdy and a great color. I don't know yet if I will alter it, but it works as is.

Other finds include a spice rack ($1.99), metal index card box ($0.99), two tins ($0.99 each), a plate stand ($0.99), a package of 36 cool metal buttons ($0.99), and a cute prayer plaque ($0.99). Include books for the kiddos, new ballet tights, and a dinosaur origami kit, grand total was less than $24.00. Love filling up 2 bags for so cheap!

So head out to your local thrift store and let me know what you find!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Frame Redecorated

I decided to make a gift for my friend Penny, who is a new grandma of a beautiful baby girl, Ariana.  I took that 13 opening frame that I got from Goodwill (which I didn't take a good before shot of) and transform it into a beautiful frame to remember Ariana's 1st year.  The cost was only $1.99 for the frame, and I only used things from my stash.

This shows the frame in the background. Just a plastic scalloped frame.

Supplies:

• Goodwill frame
• Modge Podge
• Exacto Knife
• Sandpaper block
• Distress Ink Pumice Stone
• Anna Griffin Papers (all three coordinated nicely)
• Ivory cardstock
• Pen
• Chipboard butterflies
• Pretty stickpins
• Flowers
• Metal Frame
• Banner pieces (mine were printed from Gecko Galz B is for Banners collage sheet)
• Pearls
• Baker's Twine
• Rhinestones

I wanted to keep this simple because it will be filled with beautiful pictures of Ariana.  I am entering into the Banners Challenge at Gecko Galz, which is where I printed the banners out from. 

Sorry for the messy background. I really need to set an area to take pictures of my work, something cute with doilies or jars of cute stuff. But I need to clean and organize a space for that first!

Have you found anything wonderful at the local thrift stores??  Leave a comment and let us know!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

New Swap at AlphaStamps!

I was so excited to find out about the new swap at AlphaStamps!  I had such a blast with the Birds in Hats swap, so challenging and rewarding, getting me out of my comfort zone, that I knew I had to sign up for the next one.  What is the theme you ask??

Gypsy Fortune Teller!!

Here are just a few details:

Gypsy Fortune Teller! You could make your Gypsy Fortune Teller a palm reader, tarot card reader, tea-leaf reader, part of a traveling show, or...?!



This swap will be 3 for 3: create 3 different "pages" and receive 3 in return, all by different artists! Please do not send in more than TWO sets (aka: maximum of 6 pages). Must use Concertina Chipboard Pennants and at least 1 image from AlphaStamps.

For more information (and/or to sign up by August 5, 2012), visit the Yahoo Group. Artwork will be due September 4, 2012.


They have created a sale for this swap as well, so that you can stock up on goodies to create your miniature pieces of art!
Remember, swaps are a good way to challenge yourself, and to score artwork and ideas from others!

Happy Scrappy Savings!!
Jess

The Garden of the Birds

I made an altered canvas for the Summer Garden Challenge at Gecko Galz Yahoo Group, which I will also link up to the Brag Monday party at Graphics Fairy. I made it for a friend, but now that I am finished, it is hard to part with it!  Don't you hate that! But I know she will love it and appreciate it as I do.

Here are the challenge details for Gecko Galz:

As Summer draws to an end we want to see what your vision of a summer garden is...is it sunflowers and dragonflies? Or is it seashells and seaweed? Use your imagination and create a project that dipicts your vision. Once your piece is finished just load a picture in the file marked "Summer Garden" in the "Photo" area of this site. The winner will get their choice of 5 collage sets from Gecko Galz.

I started with a canvas that I had painted burgundy for a past project, covered the sides and the birdhouse with a Gecko Galz Great Adventures Paper called Belfast. The front of the canvas was covered with a Jenni Bowlin bingo card.  I love those things! I used some mesh on the right side to mimic a trellis, and took a string of pearls and wound it around the trellis.  There is lace on the birdhouse roof, lucite flowers on the green flowers, glitter glue on the edges and centers of flowers. Perfect Pearls were used on the clock hands, and Distress Ink was used as well. The light blue card behind the birdhouse and the red-breasted bird are from the Gecko Galz Birds & Bees collage set, and the front bird is from Graphics Fairy. Oh, and the cool birdhouse shaped chipboard is from AlphaStamps!  Love them!

You can really see the shine on the clockhands above. I love using Perfect Pearls!  I just don't own enough metal things that this makes it handy to achieve that same look! There are $19.99 here in Hawaii, so I wait for Jo-Ann Fabrics to have a sale.

I don't know yet if I will add hardware to the back, or buy and easel, or attach ribbon as a hanger.  We'll see.



So head over to the Gecko Galz Yahoo Group to join in the awesome challenges!  The prizes are great!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Altered Comp Book Challenge

There is a challenge over at Gecko Galz Yahoo Group to alter a composition book.  The challenge ends July 22nd, so plenty of time to enter your work of art!

For this book, I did not cover the black binding.  I plan on using this book a lot that I didn't want it to fall apart from frequent use.  One tip if the black doesn't work for your design, use colored duct tape to match your project. 

Next, I used Modge Podge on the cover and glued patterned paper to it, with about an inch overhang on 3 sides. I then opened the book and wrapped the edges, using more Modge Podge.  Be mindful of the corners.  I cut slits into corners and wrapped it first then did the other edges.  Then, to cover the edges inside, I glued another piece of paper to give it a clean edge.

On the cover, though you can't see it in this light, I used metallic Perfect Pearls on the hinges, mermaid, crown, and shell.  I just love Perfect Pearls!!

This was a lot of fun to do, and I have plans for more, since I will be giving them as gifts this year.  Just have to keep in mind that if there is too much stuff on it, it won't get used.  Simple is best here!

I will be back to leave a detailed list of supplies.  I have to track some of it down.

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Birds in Hats Swap

I have finally finished my pieces for the Birds in Hats swap over at AlphaStamps.  I had so much fun making these!  I used a combination of things from AlphaStamps, Graphics45, Vintage Hawaiian Postcards, Echo Park, Ranger, and Gecko Galz.

Now I can't wait to see what I get in return!  These will be in the mail tomorrow! Yea! TFL!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Pinterest Trials Part 1

I love Pinterest. I have been pinning so much stuff, from cool art projects to recipes and organization tips. But what good is pinning if you don't try to use the inspiration it provides? So I am planning on trying out the ideas that I pin, and posting the results here.

Here are a few that I have tried so far:

Using embroidery hoops as frames for stitching and patterned fabric. I have had some old embroidery, stitched by my Great Grandma Ida and her mother, which were in the form of tea towels.  I did use them for a bit but that felt wrong.  You never know when a hubby or kid will stain them or damage them forever.  But since the designs were stitched on the corners, it was hard to just frame them.  Well, I saw on Pinterest about framing fabric this way, so I tried it out for these.  The hardest part for me was cutting the fabric.  Once it was done...that was it.  Very hard.  But I am pleased with the look.  I have a few more to put up.  These are currently hanging in my daughter's room, right next to a quilt that my Great Grandma Ida made as well.  With embroidered panels.  So it all ties in nicely!

Using Priority Mail boxes as magazines boxes. It was so easy to do!  Just follow the tutorial and you will get two magazine boxes from one Priority Mail box.  I plan on covering these as well as making more.  No more store bought ones! The tutorial isn't for boxes that hold scrapbook paper.  You will have to make it taller so that the paper won't flop over.  A friend of mine is planning on using plastic envelopes to hold her scrap paper, then put them in these boxes.  Great idea! You could color code the envelopes or boxes to match the paper stored there.  So many ideas!

I have a few more projects for next week so stay tuned for more trials!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

ScrapFIT Workout #71 Home Sweet Home

There is an awesome challenge over at ScrapFIT, Workout #71 Home Sweet Home, where you show off your home accent crafts that you have made. I wanted to show off my daughter's room plaque again, since I love it so much! She is into ballet right now and this just seemed to match that perfectly. Now if I can just get one done for my son, something with a circus lion.  We'll see!



I used a cheapo wooden plaque from Wal-Mart, some old lace I have had forever, some pink pearl trim, paper from Foofala, some pre-cut letters covered in Perfect Pearls, some hat pins from Heidi Grace, some misc. flowers, and a flower that I made using the Cricut. Very cool!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Birds in Hats Swap Teaser

So far I have finished 2 of my coasters for the Alpha Stamps Birds in Hats Swap.  I wanted to share a snippet with you because I am in love with them!  I am making a second set just for me because I love them!

The first one is my Surfer Birds in bathing caps.  I have redone the caps to be more noticeable, but this gives you an idea. It is hard to see the shine of the Perfect Pearls on this, but I love that stuff!

Next is my Big Chief coaster, where a chief is welcoming newcomers.  When I finish this for myself, I may make the little birds have pirate hats.  We'll see!

My last one will involve Hula Dancers.  Will be lots of fun!  I can't wait to post the full project and what I plan on doing with mine for a wall hanging!  Also, when I get my swap coasters back, I will post them here and show you how I plan on displaying them!  Yea!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess



4th of July Fun!

Here are 2 cards I made last night, both for challenges on my favorite sites, Gecko Galz and Tallyscrapper.

This first card has an image from the Gecko Galz owner's blog, Fripperies and Butterflies. I love using Hawaiian images! There is a Bathing Beauties challenge on the Gecko Galz Yahoo Group, which I had already done, but this card was perfect. I don't need to win since I already have the products she is using as a prize.

The next card is for Tallyscrapper, a Blue Skies Sketch challenge. I love how it turned out. Pinwheels are hard, especially with card stock. Glad I scored the lines first so I could fold it better. Used plenty of strong glue dots for it too. Besides the sketch, you had to use the color blue, some bling (which I did with glitter glue), and one of these words: sweet, summertime, or happy.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Gecko Galz July Guest Designer!

Last month I had tried out for the Gecko Galz Design Team, which I did not make, but I was asked to be their guest designer for July!!  I was so excited to hear, and to get a chance to use the July products since they are fabulous! Here are the samples that I made.  I tried to use everything she gave me, to get the most out of it.  Check out my spotlight on the Gecko Galz Page! I still plan on making more, but this is what I have so far:

I made a series of tags using the Monday's Child set, because I wanted to play with some Tim Holtz type backgrounds.  This tag was stamped with a script stamp, then I used a mask over it and inked the uncovered areas.  I loved out it turned out, and can't wait to try more masks.  I even have stuff to make my own masks, which I bought by accident, but a happy one.  I love how the flower turned out.  What a great way to use those little flowers, which are so old, in a new way.  I love hydrangeas!

This tag I mod podged a dictionary page onto the tag, and cut around it.  Then I used masking tape and blotted it all over to peel up a layout of the page, making it look old and torn.  I love this technique! Then I just used a few embellishments and voila!

This take screams Autumn to me!  I inked the tag by spritzing ink on my craft mat.  I used some patterned paper behind the label, which is from Bo Bunny, of library drawers.  The frame is from another Gecko Galz set, Fantastic Frames, which I cut down to fit my picture.  Added script stamp on label, a beautiful fall flower, used Perfect Pearls on some chipboard, as well as the frame. Beautiful!

This is a 3D ATC that I made using a TWA Travel Poster from the Vintage Travels collage set.  I printed two, so I could cut out the buildings and pop them on the other.  I covered them in Perfect Pearls, which is hard to see in this picture.  The flag and the Queen are from the London Calling collage set.  I used some Martha Stewart glitter to give some sparkle to the Union Jack, and some gold Perfect Pearls to the edges of the Queen.  Add a pinwheel and a plane, and Voila!  I love how it turned out!

This card was made using a background paper from the Gecko Galz Great Adventures Paper Pack, some banners from the B is for Banner collage set, and some images from the Yankee Doodle collage sheet. Add some lace, ribbon, script stamp on a Top Note die, buttons and chipboard.

This is a postcard or card, using the Seaside Beauties collage set, as well as a background paper from the Great Adventures Paper Pack.  I also used a doily, some gold Dresden borders, and the Surf's Up collage set.  Perfect Pearls were added to the green swimsuilt and to the water drops for some shine.

I have a thing about library cards, being a librarian, and love to use them as backgrounds for ATCs. Here I made a Monet subject card, using the Monet Dreams set as well as the Fantastic Frames set.  I used Perfect Pearls on the frame, on the scroll stamp, as well as the edges.  It came out so lovely!

I wanted to use one of the banners from the B is for Banners set to make a Christmas card.  I embossed the background with a music folder, which is hard to see except what is gilded with gold Perfect Pearls.  I used some paper lace around the tree, used Pearls on a chipboard stump, and inked and stamped.  So simple.

This card started as a bookmark for my niece, who loves horses and cowgirls, and became a card as a means for transporting the bookmark.  And having lived in Texas for a few years, I have a drawer full of Texas/Western themed stuff!  I used the Wild West Dominos for this, just lining them up, inking each one, and gluing them to cardstock.  Then I used removeable adhesive and attached the whole thing to the card.  Add some twine for accent.  Done.  Very cute card for a budding reader.

And last but not least, another card using the Wild West Circles.  I rolled a stamp in the background, added Perfect Pearls (can you tell I love them???), punched out several circles and added a button and a gear that looked like a wagon wheel. Perfect! And simple!

I had fun making so many things, I still have a million ideas for more! Thanks Gecko Galz for inviting me to be the Guest Designer!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess

Getting my Scrap on!!

I have been busy this past month creating things for Gecko Galz, which I will post later, and for Tallyscrapper.  I am loving all the scrappy time I am getting!

Tallyscrapper has a month long crop going on, Sweet Summertime Crop, with a ton of challenges, games, prizes, and if you participate in every challenge, you could win a super prize.  Here are some of my creations that I have entered:

 This layout, "Look I'm 3," is for the "Punch It" challenge, where you have to use a punch to create a background.  I used a ticket punch, adding in a few real tickets for fun, to make this birthday layout of my daughter.  I love how it turned out, so bright and colorful.  I love the balloons too, an idea I found on Pinterest.

 This layout, "Sibling Love," also a birthday party picture, is for the "Sketch Some Summer Fun" challenge.  As you can see, I am trying to get the birthday party pics scrapped.  So if I can do it, I will make every challenge about this! lol!

This one is the funniest, and most fun so far.  You know those ecards floating around, the sarcastic ones with victorian people, etc., on them?  Well, this challenge collected 4 friendship quotes from those and you had to make a card using one as the sentiment.  The first quote was probably made because of the Hunger Games, and being a librarian, I just had to use it.  I know exactly who I plan on sending this to.  They will love it.  I used Perfect Pearls on the edge of the card, on the clock, and on the gold parts of the Mockingjay symbol.  Then I used a cheap-o Studio G letter stamp set to do the sentiment, which was the most perfect set for this, giving a ransom feel to it.  I love it!

So head over to Tallyscrapper and check out the challenges, the crop will be going on all month!  And stay tuned for my next post with my Gecko Galz work!

Happy Scrappy Savings!

Jess