Thursday Thought To Ponder

"Never miss the rainbow because you're looking down"

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CD Cover Tutorial

This is such an easy and quick project I almost feel silly posting it. It can also be made with fabric or felt and would be great for a valentines gift for your sweetheart with a mix CD!

Materials:

(2) 5" by 11" sheets of main paper

(1) 2 1/2" by 12" sheet of coordinating paper

(2) 6" lengths of ribbon

optional embellishments

5" Xyron machine or adhesive (double stick tape, glue)

craft glue

First I ran one of the main sheets through the Xyron machine to cover it with adhesive (you can also just use double sided tape or glue). I then attached the ribbon lengths to each end.

note: the back side of my main paper is light blue

Then I secured the other main panel on top. The double thickness not only holds the ribbon, it also creates extra sturdiness to protect the CD.

I then folded the assembled main piece and the coordinating paper in half.

I glued along the bottom and side edges and at the crease making sure to leave a pocket open for the CD and the song list.

I then lined up the bottom edges of coordinating paper strip and the main paper and secured the two together. Once dry, you can insert the CD in one pocket and the playlist in the other. On this case, I chose to glue the playlist on one side instead...just depends on my mood!

For a variation, you can also use an jumbo brad and elastic for your closure. A few tips on this are:

1. use an eyelet to secure your elastic so it doesn't pull or rip the paper when used

2. align your brad and eyelet closer to the bottom (versus center) so that the coordinating panel will cover the brads/eyelet backs

3. cover the backs of the brad and eyelet with a sticker or square of paper so they don't scratch the CD!

i HEART Robots!

Okay, do you ever have one of those great finds that you just want to shout out to the world? Well, today I am gonna! I bought this great I HEART ROBOTS stamp by Sassafras Lass and it is sooooo much fun! For the multi colors effect, you just need to stamp in layers. I have used it on tags, packaging and I am going to use it for an altered journal idea for the kiddos (stay tuned).

I found mine here on clearance!

I am also LOVING my new Donna Downey stamps, they are like instant works of art!

Paper Bag Album -LOVE theme-

This was my first attempt at a paperbag album and I must say that I am happy with the way it turned out. At first it was overwhelming to stare at a blank mini book but I found it quickly addicting!

Hopefully my swap partner will have plenty of photos and/or goodies to fill it up with and I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it!

Thursday Thought To Ponder

Be KINDER THAN NECESSARY , for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

Mad About Inchies

Okay, I have fallen head over heals in love with inchies! I am not an artist by any means but I love using these mini canvases as embellishments for my paper crafting. Here are a few love-themed inchies I have been working on for an inchie swap. Sorry if the picture is a little fuzzy! Once you start playing with inchies, it is hard to stop! They add such a great dimension to your crafts, here is an example of one I used for a paper bag album I am working on.....

For some beautiful inchies that truly qualify as works of art, you can check out the Flickr Pool here .

Drawing Room Sale

I think my favorite home decor weight fabric line of all time is Anna Marie Horners Drawing Room. Everytime I have a pattern that calls for decor weight fabric I run to it. Forunately for me, J Caroline Creative is having a spectacular sale on Drawing Room and Joel Dewberry's Ginseng just in time for the We the People Swap, Amy Butler Weeekender Bag. All Drawing Room fabric is only $9.00 per yard (usually $14.90). I grabbed mine right up!

Dark colors........check

geometric...........check

bold contrast.....check

Deep Thoughts by Chase the 5 year old

So I thought these discussions on Martin Luther King Jr. would be fun to share! The other day when we were driving home from the park, Chase asked if we could see a graveyard (he has been in to ghost stories lately).

So, I took him by our local cemetary. First he asked which grave was Jesus', when I told him Jesus wasn't buried here, he proceeded to ask which grave was for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s. I then told him that Poppa had met Martin Luther King Jr, to which he replied that so had Michelle in his class, who is 5 years old :o)

When I told his teacher, she laughed and told me that when she finished her lesson on Martin Luther King, Jr. she told all the kids that he had been shot and died. All the children were silent and in shock then Chase spoke up, " If he is dead, then why are we celebrating his Birthday?"


Ahhhhh....to be five again!

Thursday Thoughts to Ponder

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."

"Grief looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks ahead."

Be INSPIRED

I have been fascinated by book making and journaling lately. I have been creating altered journals (4 a day) for an upcoming enrichment dinner for the last few weeks but I needed an inspirational outlet and boost.

What better way to achieve this then to create my own inspiration journal? So, I carved out some time for myself and made one on Sunday. I used a scrap of fabric left over from my Pop Garden Quilt for the cover and I added odds and ends from my crafting collection to the pages. I love that even with no writing yet, the journal already looks full and captivating (and with just one signature so far)! Here are some pictures of the journal and a few of the pages just waiting to be filled:

My Creative Space

I always find it fascinating to see where crafters work so I thought I'd share my studio makeover "work in progress" with you! I was banished to the garage which isn't too bad in San Diego because it doesn't get very cold. You won't see shots of everything since it is a garage and some areas (like the daybed and toy storage) will wait until it is more finished and less embarrassing.

I wanted something styled completely for me. I don't get to use florals, reds or pinks in the main house since I am highly outnumbered by the boys so I had to make my space especially feminine. As a mom (and foster mom) I also had to make room for the kids to play and craft as well although they still like to get into my shelves....so much more fascinating. All my fabric bolts and pieces are tucked away in the cabinets behind me. I keep my larger bolts of ribbon on fun paper towel holders and I use jars, baskets and other items I pick up to store different types of crafting items.

The desk and shelves I salvaged for just $50 from a private school 3 blocks away that was closing. A little paint and this great tutorial from Brassy Apple and they were done. I made a matching quilted pad for the top of my desk for my sewing machine (which is getting adjusted at the shop right now) and viola...it was done!

Clone Trooper in Training

With a house full of boys, there is no shortage of Star Wars paraphernalia in our home at all times. From Lego Star Wars and light sabers- to talking Yoda's and robotic R2D2's, this one took the cake!

Donna Downey is Coming

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know I am a BIG fan of Donna Downey. She is an artist of mixed media, painting, and scrapbooking. Scrolling through her website, and her blog, Simply Me, are like stepping into a bustling artist's studio, with projects going on all about you! The first book I purchased of hers, Fabric Scrapbooking, was so creatively inspiring that I posted several finished projects I made such as the photo apron , wall hangings, tote bag, and my favorite pillow!

Imagine my excitement when I discovered she is teaching four classes this month right up the street at Stamping Details! I immediately signed up for my top two and here is what I get to make with her:
This album is an over the top mixed-media experience blending traditional scrapbooking products in uncoventional ways that results in a collected scrapbook of memories that is artistic, personal and rich with vibrant color! I am really crazed by journals and book making right now and this book combines my two favorite materials- fabric and paper.....what more can you ask for!
Thanks to my early birthday present from my parents, I also will be taking her Paint. Watercolor. Doodle Class. This album mixes and matches sizes, shapes, textures, colors, and mediums to create a bold and beautiful hand-painted and collaged mixed media scrapbook. Each page is like a mini-masterpiece and since I haven't used watercolors since I taught preschool, I figure this is a great way to advance to the next level!

Stay tuned for pics, the classes are on the 22nd and 23rd, I can not wait!!!

CLEARANCE SALE-40-50% OFF

I have had a wonderful time running my online boutique for the last year and a half! However, our life has drastically changed and my interests and passions have also changed and grown. Sooooo, what does that mean? It means more changes are a comin' complete with a makeover and a new direction therefore out with the old!

I have just gotten done updating inventory and EVERYTHING in our store is now marked at 40-50% off (mostly 50%) which means HUGE savings for you and more room in my studio for me! Please pass the word, I appreciate all of your support and HAPPY SHOPPING!

A little Bit of Sunday Sewing

I recently received this fabulous fabric from Jen (swap-bot id "whiteway") for the Amy Butler Fabric Swap on Swap-Bot. I have never used the Peony or Lotus Lace in this colorway so I was really excited about making something with it.

So as a simple and quick Sunday project, I made this runner -which is actually long enough for my dining room table but for now I am enjoying it on my sideboard!

Paper Crafting 101

I thought I'd share a few pictures from my Paper Crafting Class that I taught last month. First, let me say that there was an L in the word FAMILY.... it had fallen off and I did not notice until after the pictures were taken!

I had a blast with this mid-week activity! There were 24 attendees and we made paper banners, clothespins, glass magnets, paper poppies, gift tags and checkbook covers. Nothing fancy or complicated just a great way to learn a few techinques and get the creative juices flowing!

As a little side note, in response to some of your emails, I will be posting a tutorial on the Poppy Picture Frames some time this month so stay posted!

Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap

Sugar, Spice, & Everything Nice!

Head on over to Lucy and Shawnee's joint swap event! The hosts of the Sassy and Flirty Apron Swaps have teamed up for this fun event

The Last Day to Sign Up: January 9, 2009 or when 200 participants reached

Last Day to Mail Packages: February 2, 2009