Photo Garland

I've made several of these photo garlands in the past week, and they've been quite fun!

Started off with Home Depot formica samples as my base.  Then I positioned my 4x6 photo where I wanted it, and glued it to the front of the tile...

I sanded the photo down on the edge of the formica, causing it to tear from the tile.  Perfectly fit photo on the tile sample every time...

Like I said, I made a bunch.

Next, I placed them out and arranged them the way I liked.  Using my Crop-a-Dile, I put holes into the tiles.  And then I hung my creations!!

Enjoy your weekend!

July 4th Freebies

This one is from The Crafting Chicks and can be downloaded here.

Found this one at Landee See here.  Too cute!

And this one is from Tip Junkie and can be found here, along with 20 July 4th Printables.  Too fun!!

Enjoy your day!

Project Life--Week 22

Haven't posted any Project Life layouts lately, so I thought I'd share one today...

I've been finding my iPhone to be incredibly handy these days.  I don't know what I did before that invention, that's for sure.  Way convenient, and super creative.  Most of the other elements I used have been included in past WIP Kits.  I blurred out a photo of a personal letter from my daughter to her favorite teacher (last week of school), per her request.

Enjoy your day!

Public Service Request...

Today, a simple request to all my photographer friends out there...

SHARE YOUR WORK. 

When you're around town, and you snap a photo of your public library, or your city's water tower, or the local high school, SHARE IT.

Now, I know, because you're here and a reader of this blog, that you have a giving heart.  I'm sure you're the kind of person that shares photos of family and friends all the time.  Today, I just ask that you expand that gift and share with your local service workers.  Share your photography with a fire station, a school, the mayor's office, city council, the police station, library or safety town.  Perhaps frame it and present it to them, or send a it to the local newspaper for publication.  These days, many of us are busy and don't have the time to volunteer in our communities.  This is something you can do from the comfort of your own computer, and it doesn't cost that much to share your appreciation for your local service workers.  Just food for thought...

Enjoy your day!

DIY Flip Flop Ideas

I plan on having a crafty week, people.  And here's what's up on my list of to-do...FLIP FLOPS!!

This is an awesome tutorial on how to alter a plain ole pair of flip flops. 

These flip flops from Dollar Store Crafts is too cute!!  A combination of the existing shoe and ribbon!!  Imagine the possibilities!!

And these beaded flip flops from Trinkets in Bloom are beyond FUN.  I'm all over these, and can't wait to not just make them...but WEAR THEM!!

These are just beyond adorable.  There are a lot of other flip flop tutorials, including this one, on the Mother Huddle,

These are feminine and versatile...

And these cute sandals are too cute to miss.

Can't wait to get started!!

Enjoy your day!

GNO Planning...

I saw this on Pinterest and had to laugh.  Making plans for a Girls Night Out to see this movie with a bunch of friends, and laughing a lot.  It doesn't come out for a week yet, but the movie trailor can be seen here.  Looking forward to laughing a lot with friends, regardless of the plot!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Perfect Summer Pasta

Back in 2008, I blogged about our family's favorite summer pasta.  Our daughter made it the other night, and it was fabulous.  So I wanted to share again with you today.  Here is the link to the recipe.  You won't be sorry!!

Enjoy your day!

July 2012 WIP Kits!!

July WIP Kit--$30 ($28 for subscribers)

Contents of this kit include:  9 sheets of patterned paper (1 Bella Blvd., 1 Simple Stories, 1 Little Yellow Bicycle, 1 American Crafts, and 5 9to5 October Afternoon), American Crafts Thickers, Jillibean Soup green alphabet, 2 yards green twine, 2 yards white twine, American Crafts Amy Tangerine Flourettes, 25 die cuts,8 mini posters, two jump rings and 4x6 acrylic sheets for "Hello Summer"  mini book.

A few layouts made with this kit:

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Summer Layout kit--SOLD OUT

Contents of this kit include:  18 sheets of paper (1 sheet of embossed Coordinations cardstock, 2 sheets Basic Grey paper, 6 sheets Echo Park Sunshine paper,and 9 sheets of cardstock that coordinates with the kit), Jillibean Soup red alphas, Cardstock stickers from Echo Park Sunshine,  Jillibean Soup red coordugated cardstock alphas, 8 die cuts, and 2 sheets of printed cards that coordiate with the kit.

___________________

Let's Ride Kit--$15

Contents of this kit include:  7 sheets of paper (2 cardstock and 5 Echo Park), Echo Park Enjoy the Ride Elements paper, Echo Park Enjoy the Ride cardstock stickers, 5 shipping tags, 3 yards hemp, dark brown Jillibean Soup alpha stickers, American Crafts Thickers, and XL die cut.

To order any or all kits, please email Trish at Turay413@gmail.com with your Paypal information, and you'll get an invoice ASAP! 

Enjoy your day!!

July Sneak

The full reveal will be here at noon EST today!!  Can't wait to share...

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my two favorite men. My husband Chris, the father to our three kiddos...

...and to my dad.  I don't know if I've ever met two finer men, and I'm incredibly blessed to have had your love, support and guidance in my life.  Thank you for being examples of kindness, humility and nobility to me and to our children. 

I love you both very much, and I hope you have the best day EVER. 

And I hope you all do the same sort of spoiling to the men in your life today as well.  :)

**WIP Announcement**

Hello Friends! Happy Friday to you!!

Today, I want to make a special announcement, one in which I'm pretty excited about. I had intentions of writing this blog post a couple of months back. But with a few major changes in my life, I had to put family first and keep things at WIP at status quo for a bit.

First up, I'm not going anywhere, and neither are the kits. I'm here, I WANT to bring you fun and creative things every month, and I still love doing them. I'm still doing crops locally, and of course, the Fall Retreat at the Bertram Inn (which is only 2 people away from being sold out for the 5th year in a row!) I am still available for teaching classes to groups, although I have cut back on that a bit this year. And the photography side of my business has grown in ways I never even imagined--leaving me incredibly humbled, excited, and sometimes overwhelmed. It's all good--every morsel of it.

One of the things that has always frustrated me about doing the kits is the business end of things. Truthfully, I've struggled with that the most these past 5 years. Trying to bring you the "latest and greatest", get it ordered and shipped (and sometimes begging and pleading to do so), and get it turned around to the DT and to YOU as quickly as possible takes some of the fun out of things. Many kit clubs, local and online stores and manufacturers have closed their doors during these past 5 years, and I've seen a lot of change. Digital and hybrid scrapping has grown in the industry and in my own style of documenting life. Project Life has had a major impact on our hobby, which has left many satisfied in streamlining their process (but has also left people like myself scrapping the older, traditional way, a lot less.) I've seen and felt the change--both personally and in the business.

So knowing this, I've struggled with how to adapt and change and still grow along with the times, rather than fight change.  And here's what I've decided...

I want more freedom.  Freedom to share a kit or idea with you that is availabe NOW, not on the 15th of every month.  The time constrains and the stress that has been weighing me down puts a serious cramp on the creative side of things, so I'm changing my ways.  How will that work?  Well, I'll tell you.  I'll tell you here, and on our Facebook page, and via email, just like always.  I promise, I'll keep you informed.  Pinky swear.  If I spend the weekend working on a cool garland, I don't want to wait to tell you about it for 3 weeks--I want to share it and make it available to you when it is available.  Freedom.

I don't want to sell you stuff unless I love it and show you what to do with it.  I want to use what I have, just like you do.  If it means using a paper line that is a year old, I want the liberty to still include it.  The constant need to have the latest and greatest has left many scrappers overloaded with product, myself included.  Don't get me wrong--I love new, fun things.  They will still make an appearance here and there.  I just want the ability to not be beholden to release dates, ship dates, UPS, and the theory that having that stuff will make your work of the heart better.  Freedom.

I want to invite people to join me, and keep things fresh.  Instead of a standard design team, I want to have guests join in with some of our older friends.  I want to be able to go in one direction one month, and do something totally different the next if a project takes me in that direction.  I want to hear from designers about what interestes THEM--not just send them a set kit and ask them to work within those confines.  (And if that sounds appealing to you in any way, please contact me because I'd love to work with you and feature you here at WIP!!!)  Freedom. 

Now, with that being said, I know change is hard for some.  I've had the best, most amazing and loyal customer base--and I'm truly grateful for YOUR inspiration.  Please, hang in there with me.  Stay tuned for what we have coming these next few months.  I promise, there is so much more to come!!

And on Tuesday, June 19th, you'll get a look at the July 2012 WIP Kit, along with a few other pleasant surprises.  Here's a sneak of some of it...

A breath of fresh air, just like SUMMER.  :)

Enjoy your weekend!!

Foam Core Backdrop

After reading this article on foam core backdrops, I took the liberty of investing in a few XL pieces myself.  I bought one huge piece (shown here below in the middle), and then two pieces that were half the size of the larger one (shown below on either side). 

For the Teacher Appreciation lunch in May, I tacked them up to a bulletin board, and used the setting as a backdrop for the buffet.  I cut out hexagons from sheets of yellow and black/grey scrapbook paper, to help carry out a bee theme.  All the desserts were light in color, or yellow.  We served lemonade, lemon bars, white chocoloate covered popcorn, etc.  Simple and timeless.  The best part?  I plan on using the exact backdrop for an upcoming bridal shower "The Bride to BEE."  I plan on reusing the foam core background over and over!!

Enjoy your day!!

Finally got around to posting Jamie's June gallery today. Enjoy!!

Tool Box Gift

Looking for a neat idea to give your next bride-to-be? Try a tool box!

You can doll it up and use your Silhouette to cut vinyl, to give it a personal touch.  Then ask people at the shower to sign the top of the box for a truly special gift.  Fill the tool box with essentials, or a simple gift card.

Thanks for sharing this great idea, Jen!

Enjoy your day!