Monday, January 31, 2011

lots of projects to share…

I just wanted to share a couple of projects I’ve created and haven’t shared here on my blog yet.

This card was made with Cosmo Cricket’s Togetherness line.  The “togetherness” on the top of the card is actually cut from the tear strip on one of the papers…you know, the 1/2” strip that you usually cut off and toss in the garbage?  Don’t forget to consider the text/colors/designs on these strips – sometimes they add the perfect touch to your finished project!

togetherness_us_card_wendysue

Last week, I put together a quick little tutorial for the Cosmo Cricket blog.  It involved turning a cute little gift box (created with THIS paper and THIS machine) like this:

cc_box 

Into a cuter little DECORATED gift box like this:

cc_flower13 cc_flower12

If you’re interested in seeing how to make this little flower/bow embellishment, click over to the Cosmo Cricket blog HERE.

And here’s one of the projects I worked on for Cosmo Cricket’s booth at CHA.  It’s all about their gorgeous CIRCA 1934 line. 

circa_2006_layout_wendysuecirca_2006_layout_detail2_wendysue circa_2006_layout_detail3_wendysue circa_2006_layout_detail4_wendysue 

In other news…for the first time since we moved EVERYONE is healthy.  The kids are ALL in school right now.  I’m finishing up a few projects that I haven’t been able to work on.  Of course, there is still lots of unpacking and organizing to do – and I finally feel like I have enough energy to start tackling boxes again.  (that darn cold really knocked me out – I’m not used to being so sick for so long!) 

My garage is still full of boxes to unpack…but my sweetheart surprised me last week when he brought home these two shelves for me to fill up with fun stuff:

DSC_9509

I know – he’s the best.

(please ignore the clutter/boxes/mess in the photo…I’ll share a better photo when these shelves are full of colorful goodness!)

Happy Monday! :o)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

holiday art…

Did your kids draw 7,437 pictures during the holiday season?  Mine did. They spent hours drawing, coloring, cutting, hanging their art on the walls, in the windows, on the tree…anywhere they could.  I thought it would be fun to create a little scrapbook page featuring some of their art.holiday_art_layout

This layout was on the Pebbles blog a couple of weeks ago, but with our move, I didn’t get it posted on my blog to share…better late than never, right? ;)holiday_art_detail1 

I used bits and pieces of several collections on the layout.  Instead of traditional Christmas colors, I took a cue from Seth’s art and used lots of bright, fun colors. holiday_art_detail2

I wish I had taken some pictures of them working on their art…it would have been fun to include them.holiday_art_detail3

And while we’re talking about Pebbles, Inc….have you had a chance to peek at their new CHA releases?  I am SO excited for these three new lines. 

Click on this image to see the new Ever After line…be sure to leave a comment on the Pebbles blog for a chance to win it!

Click on this image to see the new Happy Go Lucky line – and leave a comment on the Pebbles blog if you’d like a chance to win it!

And to see the new Mr. and Mrs. line, click on this image – and, you guessed it, leave a comment on the Pebbles blog for a chance to win this line!

They will be choosing the winners next week, so hurry over and leave your comments then be sure to check back next week to see if you won! :o)

supplies2  

Cats & Dogs Catnip (751051)
Cats & Dogs Kitty Condo (751050)Cats & Dogs Sassy Cat (751049)
Cats & Dogs Cat’s Meow (751048)
Tree House Adventure (751032)
Tree House Trunk (751034)
Tree House Chips (744114
Tree House Rub Ons (735002)

Twitterpated Sweet (751002)
Twitterpated Chips (744112)
Chirpy ABC Stickers (732009)

Chocolate Brown ABC Stickers (732023)
Red Glitter Candy Dots (744228)
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Pen (American Crafts)
Crochet Thread

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

organized & inspired…

no…not me…although I’m working on it!  I used to be organized (once upon a time) and you might even remember my scrapbook area being very organized not too long ago…when it was featured in an issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine.  I can tell you, though, that I am having a lot of fun going through all of my things, as I unpack the boxes from our move, organizing as I go.  It’s fun having a new space to put everything in…even though it’s all the “old” stuff I had in our last house. ;)  Eventually I’ll be all organized again and maybe I’ll even share some of my ideas here on my blog. :o)
 
But today, I’m actually referring to this book:
LAOIScover1
This is a reprint of an older book that sold out pretty quickly as I recall.  I was lucky enough to purchase the book when it was printed first – it was hardback but now it’s a soft cover, which I am sure reduced the cost…that’s always a good thing! :o)  Anyway, this book is full of beautiful and inspiring photos, tons of ideas, and even checklists (you know I love my lists) and quizzes to help you find your organizing style – then tips on how you should organize based on your style! love that!
 
Here are a couple of quick peeks – these photos are all in the book:
LAsection-2-11-AG05
I love the pretty green walls and crisp white desk and trim…such a happy combo!
 LAsection-2-12-BP1257
Organize by color – I love how this looks…and it’s how I had my embellishments organized, until recently.
LAsection-2-13-KJ5
This is a peek into a home that doesn’t have a dedicated scrapbook room – which I sure is WAY more common than those homes WITH a dedicated scrapbook/craft/office room.  I love that this book is so versatile, no matter what type of space you use to scrap.
 
And here’s another little peek:
 
You can purchase the book from the Scrap & Paper Shop – and you can still use the discount I mentioned last week:  enter DS25DT at checkout which is good for free shipping on orders of $25 or more, expires 2/11/11. 
 
OR…if you’d like a chance to win a copy…Creating Keepsakes has generously allowed me to give one away here on my blog again!  Aren’t they so nice?!?  So, for a chance to win a copy for yourself, leave me a comment telling me which item or area you’d like to see organization tips for.  Is it your ribbon stash?  Or your buttons?  Maybe it’s the huge stack of patterned paper.  And if you’re all organized, tell me your favorite organization idea or tip!  I’m deep in the process, and I’d love to hear what you have to share!  Also, when you leave your comment, please, please, please, leave your e-mail address so I can contact you when you win! :o)
 
I’ll choose a random winner Monday morning! :o)
 
This week is organization week on the CK Editors’ Blog and Club CK. If you are interested, you can check out their fun and inspiring ideas all week long!
 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

and the prize goes to…

Sorry I’m a day late choosing the winner – with the kids home from school yesterday I got busy and didn’t get a winner posted….

CRKP-1042-CV-FINAL2

Thank you all, so much, for following my blog and participating in my giveaway!  I loved reading about the things that have made you all smile – thank you for sharing some of your happy moments with me!  I wish I could send all 22 of you your very own copy of this book…but since I can’t, I  used the trusty random number generator this morning to find our winner:

011811_winner

Comment # 15 belongs to:

 

Stephanne said...

I would love to win this!! Let's see... something that's made me smile? Just one?
That would be my 4-yr-old walking around our living room in hokey winter boots and her Tinker Bell costume last night while I made dinner.

Friday, January 14, 2011 9:11:00 AM

Stephanne, please e-mail me with your mailing address and I’ll pass it along to the super nice gals at CK so they can get your book right out to you!

**Please be sure to check back later today – I have another fun giveaway to tell you all about!!!**

Friday, January 14, 2011

excited about this deal…

Is it wrong to feel absolutely giddy about something like this?

deal_100

I hope not…because I am feeling just that way!  I’m having tons of fun organizing ( i know…that sounds crazy…but it’s so so true!) every little thing in our new home, and I am super excited to purchase several sets of these labels to make my organization cute too!  

I’ve seen these chalkboard vinyl labels “around,” but never at such a great bargain – four labels for only $4!

Here are a few more photos of items they’ve used these great labels on:

deal100a  deal100b

In their description, they say the vinyl will stick to any clean surface.

I think they will be perfect for labeling the plastic drawers that house some of the boy’s toys…and there will definitely be some in my kitchen pantry…and possibly my laundry room…and my office…man, I may have to go order a few more sets!!

It says they work with regular chalk, but I think I’m going to order some of these chalk pens to use! 

They write like a marker, but wipe off like chalk…fun, right?!?

I’m definitely getting white:

But I think I’m going to have to buy this fun colored set as well:

I just LOVE Groopdealz!  I’ve already made several purchases and I love finding their e-mails in my in box each day.  If you haven’t heard of them, be sure to check them out! :o)

(and if you decide to order these, I’d love love love to see what you label with them!!)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

i’m back (and with a giveaway too!)…

hello!!!  We are finally moved and somewhat settled in our new home.  I’ll have to share some photos and fun stories about our first week in our new home, but not quite yet.  We still have plenty of unpacking and organizing to do, but at least the internet is hooked up and my computer is set up…that’s all I needed for today’s fun post!

My very first piece of mail at our new address came in the form of a package from Creating Keepsakes! (yay!)

I was excited to open up the package to find this inside:

CRKP-1042-CV-FINAL2

The Best of Digital Scrapbooking!

Now I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve done nothing beyond the very casual “dabble” into digital scrapbooking…but I want to learn how to do it.  And I’m thinking this just might be the book to really get me going.  It’s full of great digital scrapbooking tips, ideas, tutorials, and more.  Not only that, but it includes tips on photography and organization too! 

Here’s a peek at some of the great projects you’ll see inside:

DIGITAL_CH302 DIGITAL_CH508 DIGITAL_CH511 DIGITAL_CH519

Even if you’re a traditional paper scrapbooker, you’ll find loads of ideas and inspiration in this book!

Want to see more?  Check out the sneak peek below:

Those are some pretty fun peeks, right?  Want to see even more?  I have two ways to help you out:

1.  Purchase a copy here at the Scrap & Paper Shop and use this coupon code: DS25DT (free shipping on orders of $25 or more)

2.  Leave a comment here on my blog for a chance to win a copy of your own (courtesy of the nice – and generous - folks at Creating Keepsakes)!  Just tell me one thing that has happened to you since the beginning of the year that has made you smile! :o) 

(please remember to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you’re the winner) 

I’ll choose a random winner on Monday morning! :o)

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

from a house to a home…

…and with one last night of sleeping in this house, we are off. 

We never meant for this house to be anything more than a short stop-over for us.  We purchased it with the intention of selling it after two years of living here.   Who would have ever guessed that the housing market would tank and we would be “stuck.”  We didn’t love it.  We barely even liked it.  When we couldn’t sell it, we tried to make it into more than just a house.  We tried to make it into our home.  We tried.  Oh how we tried.  We decorated, we remodeled, we tried to change our attitudes.  We were grateful to have a home that was large enough to accommodate our family.  We were grateful for a warm place to come to home to.  We were grateful to own a home we could afford when so many people were struggling to keep theirs.  We made memories here.  We lived a good life while we were here.  We learned SO many lessons about life while we were here.  Our last little baby doesn’t remember any other home before this one – he had so many of his “firsts” here.  We’ve spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to sell our home, all the while trying to make this a place we could love…all the while, keeping an eye on the market, looking at other houses and trying to decide what to do.

We finally found another house that instantly felt like “home” the minute we walked through the door.  It was crazy.  Seriously, when we came home after looking at it, I felt homesick for it.  Literally.  I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.  After some time, we decided we wanted to make it OUR home officially, so we wrote up an offer and after a lengthy process, we are excited that it is now ours.  Everything seemed to fall into place – one thing after another just “worked out” for us – we jumped through every hoop, met every qualification, found renters to live in this house, etc., etc. etc.  It just feels like this is what is supposed to happen.  It feels right.  It feels good.  :o)

We’ve spent the last few weeks celebrating the holidays, making our final memories in this house, and packing up our belongings.  We finally got the keys last night and we’ll be living there officially after today. We can’t wait.  It surprised me, though, this morning, after waking up and sending one child off to school, when a sudden feeling of sadness came over me.  I still haven’t processed it and I”m not sure where it’s coming from…but I will admit that I am a teensy bit sad to leave this house…the house that never quite felt like home.  I suppose it’s just the idea of change, the recognition of all the “lasts” in this house (last Christmas, last New Year, last Birthday, last time sleeping here, etc.).  Hopefully it’s all normal…I think it likely is.  And so, as the sun lights up this room, I’ve just typed my last blog post from this house.  And now I must pack up my computer, along with everything else we own, and move it from this house that has treated us just fine, to a new home that has just been waiting, very patiently, for us to find it…