Sunday, January 15, 2012

February Kits

February Main Kit--$30 ($28 for subscribers)
Contents of this kit include:  8 patterned papers (1 Echo Park, 3 Bella Blvd, 1 My Little Shoebox and 3 October Afternoon), October Afternoon red snowflake rub-ons, Jillibean Soup white and red alphas sticker sheet, Martha Stewart doilie chipboard, Bella Blvd. 12" cardstock stickers, 3 #5 shipping tags with punched out mittens, snowman and heart, january 2012 die cut in kraft, Echo Park label die cuts, 3 mini posters, and 2 yards of  stitched snowflake garland, as shown below:
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February Project Kit--Valentine Projects & Love Always Garland--$30
Contents of this kit include:  3 Jillibean Valentine 12 x 12 papers, 1 red corrugated chipboard alpha set from Jillibean, 5 XL chipboard conversation hearts, 1 yard of fringe, 6 gold patterned paper pennants, 1 XL white doilie, 1 vintage white and yellow doilie, 2-4" foil doilies, 2-4" white doilies, 3 plain white french fry containers, 2 kraft mini bags, 1 red chevron mini bag, 1 Martha Steward chipboard printed doilie die cut, 1 yard ivory tulle, 2 yards cream twine, 1 Martha Stewart kraft polka dot envelope with pink scalloped card, 1 #8 shipping tag, 1 silver hard bound book cover, 3-9.5" heavy chipboard cones, 2 yards red festooning, 2 red pipe cleaners, 1 red fold out cardstock, and die cut letters that spell out "LOVE ALWAYS", as seen in the banner below:
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February Card Kit--20 Cards & Envelopes for $12.00
Contents of this kit include the cards, pieces parts and envelopes for 20 Valentine cards, sized 3.75 x 3.75" (white envelopes are 4" square.)  An email with photos of all the finished cards will accompany the purchase of this kit!

If you have any questions, please email Trish at Turay413@gmail.com.  Thanks so much!


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Resolutions and goals


Have you set a goal or resolution for 2012?

I read how making and keeping goals is an important aspect of developing and improving ourselves. New Years is the perfect time to reevaluate our lives and select
new goals to work on.

I decided this year that I wanted to work on several goals

for 30 days I will concentrate on one positive change, goal or resolution


One is to write more in my journal, including a grateful journal, an art journal and an everyday journal


This month is NO MADE IN CHINA. With that, I'm trying to make a conscious effort to see where the things I purchase are coming from and its even got the kids involved!

Of course I will always keep my running goals throughout the year, and this years goal is to reach 1200 miles. What are you reaching for?


Friday, January 13, 2012

There's a New Challenge in Town

Do you like scrapbooking challenges? I just love them! Challenges always get my mojo going, and I always love seeing what others create using the very same challenge.

Trish gave me permission to share this exciting news: I just launched my new challenge site, CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration, and I hope you'll come check it out. It's a color challenge, but it has some interesting additions to it, one of which focuses on journaling.

One of the things I love about a color challenge is that it really gets me digging through my stash to find just the right colors. I find myself rediscovering papers I forgot I had that I bought long ago and never used. Also, I always have papers and embellishments leftover from the WIP kits because Trish stuffs the kits full of scrappy wonders, so CSI is a perfect opportunity for using up some of those leftovers.

I gave the site a fun "CSI-vibe." Our design team is known as the CSI Detectives, our members are Suspects, our challenges are Case Files to be solved, and our gallery is called Framed.

Our challenges are revealed on Friday, and they run a week from the Sunday following the reveal, which gives players an extra weekend. Here's our current Case File:

And the layout I made (I swear I didn't plan this challenge for these pictures--it was completely serendipitous that I came up with this page):


And here's a top-secret sneak peek of the upcoming challenge, which will be launched tonight:


(Yes, we have an Alice in Wonderland theme running in January, in honor of Lewis Carroll's January 27th birthday.)

I do hope you'll come play. It's such a fun challenge and we have a really friendly bunch over there! We have prizes from monthly sponsors (The Dusty Attic this month), and Trish has promised that WIP will sponsor an upcoming month, so I'm very excited about that! I hope to see you appear at CSI as one of our Prime Suspects!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Valentine Button Canvas

Working on a few Valentine projects around here...
I took a 6x6 blank white canvas, and made a homemade heart template by folding a 5x5 white square and shaping it into a heart.  Using the negative of that paper, I ventered the template over the canvas and began using red buttons and glue dots to secure them.
I worked from the bottom up, and did the edges first.
I took red gingham ribbon and glued it to the edges of the canvas for a finished look, and that was it!
The project took less than an hour, and I love how it turned out! 

Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Upcoming Crop Dates

I'm happy to announce upcoming crops locally at the Waterbury Community Center in North Ridgeville, Ohio...

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
and Saturday, May 12, 2012

All crops start at 10am and go until 11pm and include lunch, dinner and beverages. Thirteen hours of uninterrupted crop time and two meals, all for $25!! If you'd like to register, please email Trish at Turay413@gmail.com to reserve your spot. I hope to see you there!!

And just because I can't do a post without a photo...

(taken with my iPhone, using the PicFrame app)

Enjoy your day!

Monday, January 9, 2012

25 Rules for Mothers of Sons


These two houligans keep me on my toes.  They are high-energy, non-stop and LOUD.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.
If you get a moment, take the time to read this blog post about being a mom to boys today.  Put a lump in my throat, and got me thinking about a mini book on the topic, for sure.
Enjoy your day!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

8 Things

Eight things that are putting a smile on my face this week, in no particular order.
I can't help but bust up watching our dog sleep like this.  And his leg twitches from time to time, which always makes me laugh.  I love this pooch.
Spotted this pillow while shopping last week, and I plan on lifting it.  My love affair with felt continues...
He's a real bad guy in those pj's, staring me down.  He backed up and stepped on a lego, and it was all over.  I didn't have to lift a finger.  Karma, dude.
Went to see "We Bought a Zoo" and LOVED IT.  Go see it and take the fam.  But be careful of the "she still believes in the Easter bunny" part.  The only bummer.
New washing machine is awesome.  Good thing, too--we can dirty some clothes in this house.
Can't bring myself to take the last of the decorations down.  Hatching up a plan for Valentine's Day, using those two big frames again.  Looking forward to creating it.
If you live anywhere near northeast Ohio, RUN to the B-Spot and have a burger.  Michael Symon, I love you.  Seriously--you will not be disappointed.  Their fried bologna, brats and milkshakes are awesome, too. 

And last but not least, feeling very grateful that Serge and Monica Bielanko, along with their two kiddos and two dogs, made it out of their house alive last week.  You may have seen me mention them here on the blog--they're both amazing freelance writers and bloggers.  The internet community raised $10,000 for them in less than 12 hours yesterday, and that kind of thing should be something we all smile about.  You can read about it all here.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

T-Shirt Lariat

I have really been into crafting lately. I'm kinda loving it, too. Here in Ohio, that's what I do to get by these winter days. It's all good...

I knew this project had my name on it when I saw there was a way to use what I had.  I quickly raided the hub's t-shirt drawer and a pair of scissors and got to work...
I love the versitility!  And they stretch over your head, so you can be really creative.
Here is a link to these t-shirt necklaces.  I had so much fun, I hope you'll try this at home!!  Simple knots and loops.

There's a great tutorial here for cutting your t's up and leaving them plain.  Kinda cool that way, too.

This strange yellow will come in handy on school spirit days (our local school colors are blue and gold), so the daughter was tickled to wear this one.  It is actually two necklaces--one is extra long.
They can be dressed up, or worn plain jane.
Up next, I plan to add beads like this one hereSo pretty!
Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

my 365 app

Have you heard about the "my365" app for iPhone? It is free and fun, and I happen to be on there. I'd love to follow you along in your photography journey this year, too! I'm Turay413 if you are so inclined. Hope to see you there!

I'm hoping this will help me with my 4th year of Project Life!!  Do you have any helpful tips you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear those, too!
Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Scarves & Lariats

Today, I want to share a project I did in a couple of hours. Thanks again, Pinterest. :) I LOVE how it turned out...
I made this felt scarf for a dear friend, and gave it to her for Christmas.  I had my daughter model it before I wrapped it.  I plan on making many, many more.  Oh, how I love felt!!
I've also had a thing for lariats these days.  Especially crocheted ones!  Aren't they cute??
I have a thing for grey ones!
I did a search for "crochet lariat" on Etsy, and came up with so many more that I want!  You can see my search here.
Enjoy your day!