Saturday, November 29, 2014

a post-thanksgiving project…

You all know how much I LOVE working with paper, but I was recently invited to try out a new type of crafty project, and I have to tell you, it was a LOT of fun!  I wanted to share my finished project with you – and then I’ll tell you a little bit about it.

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The cute ruffled wreath hanging on my front door is the “Ruffled Harvest” wreath.  It came to me in the form of a super fun kit by a new company called Apostrophe-S. On a side-note…how fun is that name?  I wish I knew the story behind it…I bet it’s a good one!

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Anyway, when my crafty friend, Megan, asked me if I’d like to give the kit a try, I was super excited to give it a go…it was shipped to me and arrived in plenty of time to create the project and have it ready to enjoy for Fall…which is likely what it’s intended for with a name like “Ruffled Harvest.”  Unfortunately, life got in the way and I didn’t get a chance to sit down and dive in…lucky for me, the soft felt in natural colors (and bonus - with pine cones too) works perfectly with some of my woodsy holiday décor – so yay for me…it’s ready to put out with my winter decorations!

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Here’s what the kit looks like with all of the pieces (this image is from the Apostrophe-S website…but looks identical to my kit contents):

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After watching the short instructional video (here), I spent about an hour pinning, gluing, and anticipating the finished project.

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There’s a bit of excess glitter on the brown felt, I wasn’t as patient as I should have been when it was time to add my glittery pinecones – I was able to brush most of it off though.

The fun project is only one of many kits Apostrophe-S offers – you can find all of the details about the company and their products here.

Friday, October 17, 2014

scrapbook surprise boxes for sale again!

The boxes are sold...thanks again to everyone who purchased one (or more)!
Enjoy your Goodies!! :)

I’ve been cleaning and organizing in my scrapbook room again in preparation for the holidays and I’ve put together several more “surprise boxes” (medium flat rate priority mail boxes) full of scrappy goodness! And, just like before, when I say full, I really mean full – there’s no room for peanuts or crumpled up shipping paper – these babies are packed tight – and they are HEAVY!
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It’s a great time to purchase these surprise boxes – with the holidays right around the corner, you could use these products as gifts for others – or for yourself! ;)
If you are interested in purchasing a surprise box, please e-mail me (wendysueanderson@hotmail.com).
It’ll work just like before:
  • Boxes are all different and all random – they may include: patterned paper, cardstock, stickers, stamps, misc. embellishments! I am not going to take photos of all the product in each box (thus the term “surprise boxes”), but I promise there will be a lot more than $40 worth of product in each and every box. A lot more. Much of the product is brand new in it’s original packaging. Some things have been opened and I’ve used a portion (letter stickers, rub-ons, etc.). A few of the stamps might be stained, but a majority of them have never been used – regardless, they all work perfectly. :)
  • $40 per box (which will include flat rate USPS shipping) Unless you are local, of course, you won't have to pay shipping and we can arrange for you to pick up your box.
  • US Shipping only (sorry international friends – it just gets too complicated (and expensive) for these boxes)
  • I will accept payments by PayPal only
  • E-mail me if you’re interested…I will sell them on a first come, first served basis
  • The boxes are packed and taped and ready to go…so as soon as your payment hits my PayPal account, I’ll print your label and ship off your box!
Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions!
Thank you!

Monday, September 08, 2014

favorite scrapbookers blog tour…

I feel so honored to have been tagged by one of my own favorite designers, Jen Gallacher in a fun "favorite scrapbooker/blogger" tour that has been going around blog land recently.  I’ve been a big fan of Jen’s for a very long time and have been honored to work with her in several different capacities over the years.  Right now we’re working together for Echo Park/Carta Bella Paper…and it’s awesome!! 
First, the Q&A:
1. What am I working on right now?
A better question might be…”what am I not working on right now?”  Seriously, I have so many projects that are “in the works.”  I usually don’t multi-task with my design work – I’m normally a “start one project, finish it, and clean up before I start the next project” kind of girl.  But right now – it’s chaos around here.  Don’t believe me?  Well, just take quick look at my work area:
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I won’t say it’s not organized…because, believe it or not, I know exactly which pile contains what I need – I just haven’t taken the time to put the piles away yet.  This is unusual for me – but this is real life…and a glimpse at what I’m working on right now. ;)
2. How long does it take me to create a project?
I am a slooooooooooooow designer.  I feel like Speedy Gonzolas when I’ve completed a project in 3 hours or less.  I tend to overthink things and take longer to get started than I should…but I don’t know how to change that.  So that’s that. 
3. What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?
Oh goodness, that’s almost like asking me to choose my favorite child!  It’s too hard to choose one or two – so here are several things I’m loving right now (some old, some new):
My Cuttlebug.  I’ve had this thing for years and hardly ever used it, but we’ve been doing a lot of bonding over the last several months and now I can safely say that I LOVE it. :)
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My Silhouette Cameo.  Seriously, I LOVE it!  I use it mostly to create bags and boxes and things like that…but I also love cutting shapes and letters with it.
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I recently made a pillow at the Doodlebug Design Team Retreat, we used a Silhouette to cut iron-on transfers…and now I want to make more fun pillows..you can never have too many, right?
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And all of the fun AUTUMN and CHRISTMAS collections I get to work with right now!

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@PebblesInc and Jen Hadfield's newest collection: Home + Made featuring a stylish palette of coral, aqua, yellow and gray with dazzling gold and black accents.
4. How does my writing/creating process work?
This is a hard one to answer.  Since this is my “job” and a lot of my designing is based on assignments, it’s most likely that I will start with product.  Then I will chose photos based on the collection I am working with or the theme that I am assigned.  However, when I am creating something JUST FOR ME, I start with a photo or a story…something special that I want to remember…and work forward by choosing products that support my photo or story.  The second way is my favorite way, but I am flexible. :)
5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?
I find inspiration everywhere!  Magazines, books, food packaging, the talented women I work with and so many other talented crafters that I admire from afar.  I love perusing Pinterest and other online galleries.  I find that more often than not, if I just sit down with either a story I want to tell, or a product I am really excited about using, the inspiration will just come.  I guess that is why I love this hobby so much – it’s not a “stretch” for me and I truly enjoy it so much!
6. What is my signature style?
I don’t really know what my “signature” style is…but I will definitely say that I fall in the “cute & simple” spectrum.  I’m not technique-driven…and don’t do a lot of complicated things on my projects.  I like bright colors, clean lines, and straight-forward designs.  I admire ALL styles of scrapbooking and paper crafting, and I’ve tried my hand at many different things, but I always come back to my clean, cute, and simple ways.
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I have decided to play by the “three strikes” rule for this blog hop.  I tried to tag some of my favorite scrapbookers to be next on the tour – and they had all been asked already.  SO, here’s the deal…I am tagging ANYONE who is reading this right now. If you would like to hop on board and share a bit about you, please consider  yourself tagged!  If you want to leave a comment, I’ll edit my post to add a link to your blog right here:

Taunya Butler!

Thanks again, Jen, for tagging me to take part in this fun blog hop.  And thanks to everyone else for reading my blog and following along on my scrappy/crafty adventures!
Happy Monday! :)

Monday, August 04, 2014

some things change…and some things stay the same, but different…

It’s definitely been a season of changes for me lately.  I’m making some BIG changes in the amount of work I’m doing in the scrapbook industry and looking forward to working outside of the industry (and my home) again!  I’m scaling back my design work, but this is one team that I am THRILLED to be joining again for another year!

New DT Collage

The announcement went live on the Pebbles blog this morning…and I honestly couldn’t be happier to be listed amongst these amazing designers! 

Amanda Coleman | Becki Adams | Eva Pizarro | Holly Gagnon
Mendi Yoshikawa | Renee Zwirek | Wendy Sue Anderson

I’m looking forward to sharing lots of fun Pebbles projects with my friends very very soon!! 

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

an evening out…

Last night I had the opportunity to get out and join a fun group of creative bloggers for an evening of fun, food, and craftiness!

My Craft Channel and Canon sponsored the event and I felt so lucky to be included in the group of gals attending!  It was pretty casual, and we were able to discuss something we ALL have in common – our passion for making memories and then saving them in a tangible way!

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We were served yummy food, creative flavored sodas, and fun little swag bags full of goodies we could use to make our own little instagram albums!  They even had pages of photos ready for each of us (from our OWN instagram accounts) ready to tuck in the album for safe keeping!

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I already own a Canon printer (this one) that I love, but after seeing the brand new printer in the studio, and learning about the technology available (what…download an app and “click and print” from your phone?!?), I want an upgrade!  Maybe something like this:

PIXMA PRO-100

So I can print huge photos on this:

Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, 13 x 19 Inches, 20 Sheets (2311B026)

Thanks so much to Kristine and Lori from My Craft Channel and to the reps from Canon – I had a great evening catching up with old friends, making new friends, and sharing our passion for getting those photos safely printed and saved so they can be cherished forever!

Thursday, July 03, 2014

we love america…

I’m sharing this layout today on the Bella Blvd. blog (HERE), where all week long the design team has been sharing patriotic projects!wendysueanderson_bellablvd_patriotic_layout

Here are a few of the fun details (don’t you love those little crocheted hearts?!?

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You can find my complete supply list, lots of fabulous patriotic projects, and a chance to win this awesome package of patriotic goodies by clicking HERE and leaving a comment!

PATRIOTIC GIVEAWAY

Friday, June 27, 2014

a reason to smile…

How can it be Friday already?  Is anyone else wondering how in the world a single day can drag on for so long, yet an entire week simply flies by?  It’s been a crazy summer so far with kids going all different directions – but by tonight everyone in our little family will be safely tucked back into our little nest, which makes this mama bird VERY happy! 

Yesterday I had a layout go live on the Bella Blvd. blog – it’s title, appropriately, “find a reason to smile.” 

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I was challenged to create this layout based on an inspiration piece found on pinterest – click over to the Bella Blvd. blog to see the inspiration as well as several more projects inspired by the same piece.  I always love to see how other designers interpret photos for these types of challenges, don’t you?

Here are some details:

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I was going to include a supply list – but the list is HUGE – that’s what happens when you go rifling through an entire stash to find a few specific colors! So instead, click over to my gallery at Scrapbook.com (here) and you can find links to all of the products I used!  :)

Have a happy weekend – find a reason (or a hundred) to smile! :)

Thursday, June 26, 2014

june paper smooches blog hop…

It's Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches July/August release with you!  FIVE new stamps and EIGHT new dies are releasing soon.  Our new stamps and dies will release at midnight (eastern time) on June 30.  (12:01am on July 1st EST) You will find our new releases HERE.
To add extra fun to our blog hop...we are offering up a prize!
The prize - a $25. gift code to choose what you like at the PS online store.
Here are the details:
  • FOUR winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS Blog to win the $25. prize.
  • Just leave a comment on any of the design team blogs listed below or the PS blog for your chance to win!  (you do not need to comment on all blogs to qualify but it increases your changes)
  • Deadline: You have until midnight MT on Sunday, June 29th to leave a comment.
  • Please check the Paper Smooches blog on Monday, June 30th to see if you are one of the FOUR lucky winners. 
Ashley Marcu
Betsy Veldman
Emily Leiphart
Erin Lincoln
JJ Bolton
Jocelyn Olson
Kalyn Kepner
Kim Kesti
Laura Bassen
Laurie Schmidlin
Michele Boyer
Mou Saha
Pamela Ho
Summer Fullerton
Teri Anderson
Wendy Sue Anderson <<------you :="" are="" here="" p="">To increase your chances of winning:
  • Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop
  • Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop
  • Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop
(which means that you have up to three extra chances to win on each blog)
I used the new “Blossoming Buds” and “Kudos” stamp sets as well as the “Seasonal Tree Dies” and “Large Leaf Dies” to create my layout:
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I used my favorite color of subtle ink – Prima Attic Dust to stamp the “grateful” block:
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The tree and leaves are all die-cut from Pebbles Inc. papers – one of my favorite older collections, “Front Porch.”
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Thanks for stopping by – enjoy the hop! :)

Monday, June 23, 2014

a final top dog dies project…

Well, you know the old saying, “all good things must come to an end.”  I’m a little bit sad to be sharing my final project as a member of the Top Dog Dies design team.  I’ve been reevaluating my priorities (again, isn’t it a constant thing?!?) and decided that it’s time to phase out some of my design commitments.  This contract just happened to be the first (of several) that was up for renewal (or not).  I’ve really loved working with the team at Top Dog Dies and will miss the fun interactions – but this is what’s best for me right now.  I’m still a big fan – and I’ll still be using their awesome products – just not in an official capacity!

Okay, enough about me – more about this fun card:wendysueanderson_topdogdies_circle_card

I decided to use one of my favorite Mini Album dies from Top Dog Dies – the “Circle Mini Album” to make this card.  I just love shaped cards and this circle die makes it so easy to make round cards!

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I just fold my background paper or cardstock – in this case I used awesome silver foil paper from Chickaniddy Crafts – and place it over the die blades.  Instead of leaving the entire binding edge, I place the fold closer to the inside, making the flap less visible.

Thanks for the ride, Top Dog Dies, it’s been fun! :)

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Top Dog Dies Circle Mini AlbumChickaniddy Crafts - 12 x 12 Foil Paper - Silver SurferChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - 12 x 12 Cardstock StickersChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Awesome BlossomChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cutest CoupleChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Together is Better

Friday, June 20, 2014

my guy…

One of my assignments for the Chickaniddy Blog this month was to create a layout  with the topic “Men in My Life.” Well, there's only one MAN in my life - my awesome husband.  (Yes, there are little men, our sons, but this one is all about my main squeeze!)  It's hard to get him in front of the camera, but I was happy to find these three photos from Spring Break last year. 

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He truly is my best friend - he has been for over 20 years now.  I'm so blessed to have his love and respect! And I'm super lucky that he supports my passion for scrapbooking, paper-crafting, and photography!  I'm the luckiest girl I know! ;)

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Okay, less mushiness and more about this awesome paper!  I love using the foil papers to die-cut shapes with my Silhouette.  I wanted to cut a big heart to use on the background of my layout - but after I cut it out, I decided that I liked the negative space best - so I opted to use the silver foil paper for my background and let the patterned paper peek through the heart shape.

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Of course I had to add machine stitching around the edges - the foil paper is lightweight, so it's easy to stitch right through it!

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I also added lots of stickers - many of them have a bit of added dimension with foam dots behind them.

Be sure to visit the Chickaniddy Crafts Blog for loads of fun ideas – and some really great ways to use their new foil papers!

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[click on the product image for more information]

Chickaniddy Crafts - 12 x 12 Foil Paper - Silver SurferChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - 12 x 12 Collection PackChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - Enamel HeartsChickaniddy Crafts - Date Night Collection - Bradssilhuette_cameo_bundle