String Art

Remember the String Art projects from when you were a kid? I took one look at Amy Tangerine's Summer CHA booth display, and I knew I had to try one on a HUGE scale. So I went to work...

I got a 48" sheet of 1/4" thick finished ply wood at Home Depot, and traced letters out by hand, using a pencil and eraser with a yardstick.  Yes, I free-handed a lot of the work.  But honestly, it was totally doable, and I know many of you could just as easily do this project!!


After all the letters were traced, I started inserting the nails, about an inch apart.  It was FUN.  Nothing perfect--just enough to hold string.  I placed an old sheet of foam core underneath the wood, so it wouldn't scratch up my table...

Here's how it started out.  And...

Here's the finished project.  Thanks so much to Monika Wright, for her particularly brilliant light bulb idea!  I love how it turned out.  On to more words!  Stay tunded!

Sneak Peek Project

This banner project will be part of the September Extras kit, available on Wednesday. I'm fond of how it turned out...

Enjoy your weekend!

Taking Photos

I've been in a photo taking mode for a few weeks now, and it feels good. Crazy good. For me, my creativity ebbs and flows, and I have learned to go with the flow...

I've been reading and trying to push myself.  It hasn't been easy, because my life has been dictating other things that need my attention.  But I've made the time to try a few new things, even if what I try doesn't work out.

It's easy to get stale.  To do the same old stuff.  I get comfortable in my shoes, and to do what is expected of me when I do local shoots.  But if I want to grow, I have to be willing to fail, and to try new things.

I have 4 photo shoots scheduled next week, and as my calendar fills up, I'm grateful to those who have asked me to take pictures of them.  I'm nervous and excited, and look forward to trying a few new things.  I'm going to use that energy to get me through whenever I feel anxiety about a shoot. 

“ You’ve got to push yourself harder. You’ve got to start looking for pictures nobody else could take. You’ve got to take the tools you have and probe deeper. – William Albert Allard

For 9 other inspirational photography quotes, check out these...

Enjoy your day!

Give with Target

Last week I posted about Target and their awesome program, Give with Target.  I also asked you to vote, and promised I'd give away 3 WIP Kits in the spirit of giving.  And you guys voted.  I'm SO THANKFUL for this little blog, and I'm always amazed that people out there actually stop by here and read this...

I didn't forget about the give away, I just didn't announce the winners.  My apologies.  I won't go into details, but my family needed me, and when duty calls, sometimes you have to prioritize.  That being said, I thank you for your patience!!

I want you to know that we're currently at 121 votes, and that is SO awesome.  My goal is to get enough to purchase a couch for the entrance of the school, outside the nurse's office.  I will personally post pictures of this if we can make it happen.  You can still vote WEEKLY--so if you voted once, feel free to check in and vote again today!!  Here is a direct link to our school, Wilcox Elementary.

Without further ado, here are the winners!!!

Deanna Misnar

Laura (Sunnygirl)

Heather S.

*Please email me at Turay413@gmail.com, and your kit will be mailed out ASAP!!

Again, thank you SO VERY MUCH!!  The kids, teachers and parents of our school appreciate you!!

Congratulations, Jamie!!

So very happy for my sweet friend and amazing WIP designer, Jamie Pate!!  Congratulations on being named on the Heidi Swapp Media Team!  I'm thrilled for her, and I know she will ROCK all things beautiful that Heidi puts out.  We will miss her face here, but I know she's going to FLY!!

You can check out the announcement here, and Jamie's blog here.  Be sure to send your congratulations!! 

And on a personal note, THANK YOU for all you have done for WIP Kits from DAY ONE.  You were one of my first loyal customers, and then DT members, and you have always been a class act professional.  Nothing but love for you, girlie!!  xo

Corn Salad

Oh, my. I made this yummy salad because I tried it at a party and LOVED IT. Had to share. You will love this one. Seriously, I'm warning you. :) You can find the recipe here.  And you're welcome.



Enjoy your day!

App of the Week

My pick this week is Bubbleframe for Android and iPhone.  This app is awesome for creating geometric designs to enhance your gorgeous photos, and it is fun to play with the options!

Enjoy your day!

a really simple card

Hi again... Jamie here with what I call 'a really simple card'.

So I was sorting through the August kit to get an idea of all that was included. I am sure you do the same thing. I looked down at everything, and one of the chevron die cut stars was sitting precariously on the 'kindness' mini poster. I was really attracted to the simplicity of the composition. Not only are Mark Twain's words of wisdom so very apropos, but it all just looked right.
So was born this really simple card.

I attached the mini poster to a cardstock card.
Then sewed the chevron die cut star at a bit of an angle.
And a card was made.

I hope you too can appreciate the simplicity of this craft at times. It takes so very little to put a bit of handmade love into a card and then send it on to someone you love.

Enjoy your day.

Anatomy of a Lilac Layout

Hello Everyone!

Jamie here with a new layout from the August WIP Kit.
When I first came upon the lilac cardstock I thought...'eek! But I don't do purple.'
And then a personal challenge was born: making lilac work for me. My own personal challenge.
So today I wanted to share that project with you, and include a bit of step by step on how it came together.

1. Make confetti from your scraps. Mine are made with the swiss cheese border punch. But I have also used a regular hole punch in the past to make colorful confetti.
2. Punch a border around white 12x12 card stock. This is the background piece.
3. Trim the lilac card stock one inch on two sides. This gives you an 11x11 piece so that the punched white becomes a frame.

4. Use mist or paint to add some painted splotches to the lilac background. I used a green as I knew this was going to be a contrasting color on my page.
5. Fill glassine bag with confetti and the cupcake stickers from the kit. Sew the bag to the lilac background.
6. Adhere lilac card stock to the white card stock background.

7. Add adhesive to the middle back of the 6x4 photo. Place on the lilac card stock in your pre-determined location. Now take punched, die cut, or hand trimmed pattern paper and tuck into place behind the photo on the edge, adding adhesive as you go.
8. Add smaller photos in and around the main photo and the confetti bag.
9. Trim a letter from the October Afternoon Kazoo paper and add to page.

10. Sew one of the chevron stars atop the cut out letter. I also added sequins...just because I love them so.
11. In addition, two strips of the washi tape from October Afternoon were added below the confetti bag.
12. Don't forget to add your journaling and date.

Thank you for letting me share with you today.
Enjoy!

Homemade Refrigerator Pickles.

I can't describe how wonderful these pickles are. I've made pickles for a few years (this post  of different recipe.) But this recipe for Refrigerator Pickles are the BEST and the EASIEST, by far. Go ahead, do yourself a favor, and try them. And when they're all gone, you can cut up more little pickle cukes and add them to the same mixture-again and again for about a month. How cool is that!!??

Enjoy your day!