CKC Projects

I attended my very first Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC) ever and, holy cow, was it a blast! The shopping: did you know that there are entire scrapbooking stores where everything is a dollar. Yeah, no kidding! I had to exhibit some serious restraint. The deals were unbelievable. And then there were the classes. I took two, and I TA'd in two. So much fun. Here's a look at the two albums I made. Love them! Can't say when I will fill them with pictures, but I will surely share them when I do.

sei Acrylic Album:
Peek into my Week mini album (various sponsors)

I met this wonderful person (the Creative Editor at CK Magazine) and this hilarious one (Contributing Editor at Simple Scrapbooks). It was an experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone who scrapbooks or makes cards (or just likes to shop for supplies!).

You Rock

A quick birthday card for one of Logan's friends (they're in a "band" together). Never underestimate what a scrap of paper can do. This card is made entirely of leftover scraps and I barely needed to trim any of them. Love making what I have work for what I need!

Stamp Set: Ink a Dink a Do

Colors: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue

Scrapbook Club Layouts {part deux}

Here are the other two layouts for this month's club using the Hoppy Memories SSK.

These photos measure 6x4 and just under 4 1/2 x 4 (I actually didn't measure when I cut, I was just lobbing off a building in the background).

This layout is sized for a 4x6 photo. I know I will use a b&w one of the three boys, but wanted to get these up here for you, so didn't bother looking for and printing one. This page includes lots of layering--I just kept adding a little here and a bit there until it seemed complete. It was a little different to build a page without a photo.

Scrapbook Club Layout #1

This month's meeting has completely crept up on me. This seems to be a recurring theme for me lately, hmmmm. Here is the first of 2 (or maybe 3) layouts for Monday's meeting. We will be using the same kit used in April--for me it was Hoppy Memories. This page features a photo collage in the center with strips of DSP and adhesive strips down the sides.

My photo collage includes 11 photos, and for those of you who like the exact measurements: 1- 4x6, 2- 3x6, 2- 3.5x3.5, 5- 2.5x2.5 (I have a punch for this), 1- 4.5x4.

I'm off to CKC tomorrow, but will post the other layout(s) ASAP.

A Christening {and how to use a font to write your title}

All I asked for this Mothers Day was a bit of time alone to scrapbook. I didn't get as much time as I had hoped (does anyone?!), but I did manage to get one layout done. That was enough to make me happy.

Of course, as I often do, I had laid out this page and even glued things in place before I thought to print my title onto the background paper. Not a huge deal, though, since I have a little trick up my sleeve I learned in sixth grade art class with Mr. Paquette. This little tutorial may come in handy for those of you that scrapbook 12x12 and don't have a wide format printer.

First measure the space on your layout for the title and create a text box in that size in Word. Format your text to fit the box and print out on regular printer paper.

Scribble on the back side of this printout with a pencil being sure to cover all areas of text (hold it up to a window or lamp to double check).

Place the printout in the desired place on your layout and carefully trace over the title. The scribbles on the back will transfer to your layout--magic!!Use a pen or marker (or thread, or puffy paint, or...) to trace over the words. Erase any stray pencil marks.Isn't that so easy, and so fantastic! Thanks Mr. P!!

Spreading a Little Art Love

I just came across this idea on Patti Digh's blog. How wonderful would it be if we could all spread a bit of Art-Love around?

Here's the specs:

I will pick 5 people at random from the comments left on this post and each one will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully…

I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (No refunds… no exchanges!!!!) What I create will be just for you, with love from me. It’ll be done this calendar year (2009) and when you get it, you have to let me know it arrived.

I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! It will be handmade and may be any medium I choose. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

You must live in the US (so sorry to all my overseas readers, I'm so thrilled you're here, but the international shipping thing scares me a bit and some of the items may be somewhat bulky).

The original meme requires you to post this text into a note/post of your own and make 5 things for 5 people who respond to it. Though I can't make you do that, I hope that you will consider it and help spread a bit of "Artfilled Love" or "Lovefilled Art", however you see it.

I will choose five random commenters on the 15th of May and post them here. Those 5 people will be asked to email me their addys so I can mail them their art. Oooh, I'm giddy with the excitement of it all!

Wedding Package

I finally got around to taking some photos of the wedding package I've been working on. It was quite an ordeal with my little apprentice (3 1/2 years old) and I on our deck waiting between periods of sun and clouds to get these photos. And just as I was poised and ready to push the shutter button an ever so slight breeze would blow by and knock the cards off the easel. It was a bit funny. . .at first. Anyway, here they are with names and pertinent info blackened to protect the innocent :)

The Save-the-Date:

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye; the green ribbed paper is from Bazzill; all other solid cardstock is from Stampin' Up!

The Invitation:

The pocket folio is from Cards & Pockets, and is held closed by adhesive backed magnets from Basic Grey concealed under the band that runs across the front and inside flap of the folio.

The Inside:

All the details of the day are on layered cards in the right-hand pocket; the invitation is showcased on the left side.

The Program:

The program is three layered and staggered pages to mimic the inserts of the invitation. There is additional text printed on the back of the green paper (Bazzill)

The Table Number & Placecard:

The fonts used on everything are CK Ali's Writing (script) and CopperplateGothic BT (block print)

The Guest Book:

The bride found this album with unlined pages from Kolo. I embellished the window to match.

Teacher Gifts

Here are the three completed clipboards:

and a super easy, super simple thank you card:

stamps: SU! Contempo Alphabet, Spring Solitude (you)

In the stUdio: Altered Clipboard

I'm feeling a bit behind the 8 ball these days. Teacher Appreciation week seemed to pop up out of no where, but thank goodness for inspiring blogs like this to save the day! Here's what we're making:

Ready? Let's get started!

The stuff:

• a clipboard (mine is from Walmart, but you can get them at any office supply store)
• a small writing pad (also from Walmart and measures 5"x8")
• a 3"x3" Post-It note pad
• a 3"x3" piece of cork (I think I picked these up at Home Depot? They were tiles that measured 6"X6")
• 2 sheets of 12"x12" coordinating patterned paper
• ribbon
• 4 flat glass marbles
• 4 thumb tacks
• a clothes pin: the spring kind
• 1/2" circle punch
• acrylic paint and brushes
• hot glue gun
• Mod Podge
• craft knife and mat
• double sided adhesive

The How To:

1. Paint all edges and 1" or so on the top and bottom front and back of the clipboard. This is the most time consuming part of the project as it took 3 coats to get descent coverage (I'm not good at the waiting-to-dry-between-coats thing). You can skip this part, but I like a nice finished edge for where the paper will not quite cover the board.
2. Use the Mod Podge (although I like to pronounce it Modge Podge like my Mom does, it's more fun to say that way, don't you think?) and paint on a nice thin even coat to the back of the board. I was out of the regular Modge, so I had to use this brushstroke kind--it's a lot thicker, and harder to spread--don't recommend it for this project but it's great as a sealer over your paintings or photographs to give it that oil painting texture. I digress; onto step 3.
3. Use a brayer to smooth out the paper and any air pockets and ensure good adhesion. I think I have the world's smallest brayer. I purchased it at a speciality stamp store in Kennebunkport, Maine back in college. Goodness, I think my ADD is coming out in this post! Anyways. . .step 4 is next.
4. Use a craft knife and mat to cut off the excess paper (don't throw this scrap away, we'll be using it soon). Repeat on the front side of the board. I allowed my paper to cover right over the hardware clip at the top of the board. It saves me from having to trim carefully around it.
5. Embellish the clothes pin: disassemble a clothes pin and use a piece of paper from that scrap and some more Modge Podge to cover one side of the wood.
6. Use your craft knife to slice out the little strip of paper where the spring will fit.
7. Reassemble the clothes pin and give yourself a pat on the back if you are not bleeding. You just completed the very most difficultest part of this project. If you are bleeding, get a BandAid and hang in there--it's all coasting from here!
8. Make your marbles: Using one of the paper scraps leftover from step 4 and a 1/2" circle punch, punch four circles. Adhere these to the underside of the marble (I like to use the mini Xyron for this). Be sure to put your adhesive on the picture side of the paper.
9. Use a glue gun or some other strong adhesive (ie. Gorilla Glue) to afix the marbles to plain thumb tacks.
10. Cut a strip of that same scrap to cover the top binding on the note pad. Adhere in place.
11. Using a hot glue gun adhere the cork, Post-It pad, and clothes pin to the bottom part of the board. Clip the note pad into the clipboard.
12. Last thing--Make the pen: cut a piece of that same scrap about 1" wide and as long as the pen barrel (mine was 3 1/2"). Curl the paper and slip into the barrel of a clear pen.

Isn't this too cute? One down, two more to go!