Did you remember? It's Shake Friday...

So did everyone remember...it's shake Friday!! So who out there is participating with us on this? How can shake Friday be a bad thing, right? For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about, go check out last Friday's blog post.

Did you all realize that Melissa Frances has a blog now? I just adore this company...such feminine and romantic products. Unfortunately, they are rather hard to find so I don't have much of their stuff, but I hope to change that in the near future. But anyway, back to their blog...they put up a journaling challenge yesterday and I decided that I simply had to play (you guys know me and challenges!)

Like I said, my supply of M. Frances stuff is rather slim...basically, I have one of their Christmas lines and a sticker sheet based on love. Sitting on my table, I also had some extra photos that I had printed out when I did this layout of Ben and that is how this layout was born.

Yes, that base paper is part of the Christmas line, but you would never guess it on this layout.

Supplies used:
-Melissa Frances stickers and polkadot paper
-7gypsies script paper
-flower punch (EKSuccess)
-Autumn Leaves buttons
-Making Memories journaling papers.

ETA... those gorgeous stamps (how could I forget those? thank, Rita!) The stamps are by Technique Tuesday.

The journaling says, "17 years together, 15 years married, 2 kids, 9 homes, 6 bases, 4 states, 1 foreign country- We've been through so much together, but one thing remains the same- your face makes me smile. I love you more than ever..."

smiles,

Christi (now go out and get you a shake too!)

My Two Kids...

Ever since Ben left, these two have become pretty inseparable whenever Jacob is in the house. They are so fun to watch. Jacob loves to play with her...games like peekabo and tickling her and her little giggles just echo throughout the house. I love that sound!

For this layout I was inspired by Creative Prompt #32. All of the papers on here are those fun, new Pink Paislee papers. I love that they are feminine enough to work with all her pink, but still fun and bright so that they work with Jacob too.

Supplies used:

*Pink Paislee papers, die cuts, and circle stamp

*CTMH alpha stamps (you)

*American Crafts thickers (2)

*Making Memories flowers

*Prima flowers

*buttons

BTW, there is a new creative prompt up today and it features cute little Miss so you may want to go check it out.

smiles,

Christi

Step It Up...

I had created this set of cards for a magazine call, but they didn't get picked up. That's okay, now I can share them with you.

The idea behind this is how you can step up your card design. You will notice that all three of these cards have the same basic design...the details just go up a notch in each card.

Supply List:
Patterned Paper- Marcella by K
Stamps- Unity Stamp Company (dandelion); Cornish Heritage Farms (background); Kim Hughes (sentiment)
Black Inkpad- StazOn
Black brad
Small Circle Punch- Paper Shapers by EK Success
Cardstock- The Paper Company
Bling- Heidi Swapp

Card #1- Simple:

It's a pretty basic, straight-forward card.

Card #2- Intermediate:

For this card, I added more layers to give it more visual depth.

Card #3- Advanced:

Added a bit of bling to make this card POP!

Design tip: To create those ticket corners, you can use a small circle punch and cut out a 1/4 circle. It's a fun detail.

smiles,

Christi

Good Morning!

I don't know what happened yesterday...the day got away from me before I did any of my blogging business. I didn't get to make my blog post and I didn't get to check on any of my blogs that I normally read. So, I am hoping to rectify that early this morning.

Here is another layout that I did this weekend over at the CMK cybercrop. The challenge was product-based....it had to have a shaped base paper, 1 photo, 2 or more words in the title, 3 different patterned papers from 3 different manufacturers, and paint.

Of course, you know me...so I had to add in some other embellishments as well.

Supplies used:

shaped paper: rhonna farrer
patterned papers: fancy pants, creative imaginations, urban lily

chipboard hearts: melissa frances

alpha stickers: doodlebug

journaling block: daisy d's

paint: making memories

stamps: ctmh, inkadinkado

buttons

ribbon

smiles,

Christi

Internet Happenings...

Hey everyone!

I have a couple of projects to share today.

The first is one that I created yesterday as part of Create My Keepsake's Spring Fling cybercrop. All the classes and challenges were posted yesterday, but the deadline to participate isn't until tomorrow morning...so if you are looking for something creative to do today, go check it out!

Yesterday, I was only able to complete one of the challenges. I hope to increase that today, but here is the layout that I did yesterday. It was based on Patter Cross' sketch challenge.

For this layout, everything (except the buttons---you know I have to add those!) came from the Work in Progress March kit. I received it yesterday morning and just had to immediately dig in. The more I work with these kits, the more that I love them. I am so glad that I discovered them. These are the first kits that I have ever bought that just fit me and my style...they're perfect for me!

I have also been having fun using a sketch from Janelle over at Card Studio Designs.

Supplies used: *Pink Paislee papers*Prima Flowers*Studio G stamp*Lil Davis ribbon

And speaking of Pink Paislee, they have a very fun new forum...go check it out and join in the fun! Live Pink.

smiles,

christi

"Yay, It's Shake Friday!!!"

That's all the first email that I received from Ben today said. It's made me smile all day. I love his goofy sense of humor. He says that the opportunity to eat a lot and not very healthy over there is way too tempting so he has enacted 'Shake Friday' and for a sense of camaraderie we are holding the same tradition here. So today when Jacob got home from school, we loaded up the car and headed to Burger King. Kat even seemed to think that this was going to be a good tradition...she was sucking down on my shake! LOL!

I have several projects that I need to share, but the debate right now is which ones to share. I think that I just share my layout today. This is a layout that I created for the Create My Keepsake Guest Design Team contest for this month. The requirements were that it had to have a spring break, easter, or time-change theme, have 2 journaling blocks, use 2 or more photos, and that you had to use felt and buttons on it.

This is what I came up with...It's definitely not going to get me a guest DT spot, but I am okay with that. It's not a brilliant layout, but it will do. I can't fall in love with everything that I create and I am okay with that. :)

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper- American Crafts

Stamp- Unity Stamp Company (Beautiful Morning); 7gypsies (Journaling block); Autumn Leaves (Journaling Block)

Felt trim- Queen&Co

Bracket Die Cuts- Making Memories

Glitter Rub-ons- K&Company

stickers- Making Memories

I hope that you have fun things planned for the weekend!

smiles,

christi

My Heart...

I am working on lots of misc. projects around here so I will probably have several things to show over the next few days (as long as my muse continues to cooperate.) Ben is settling in and the nice thing about his schedule right now is that he is working nights and since he is 8 hours ahead of us, we are usually on the computer at the same time. It almost makes it seem like I am closer when we are emailing back and forth.

This is my latest layout...

Almost everything on here is from Work in Progress kits (mainly the Feb. one.) If you have never checked them out before, you need to...Trish puts together the most gorgeous kits that suit my style perfectly!

smiles,

Christi

A New Heart In Hands Scraps Class Remix...

Hi, all!!! Today I have one of my re-mixes from Heart In Hands Scraps to share. This is a class that was created by Tracy Gossard and wow, I really LOVE the concept behind this project!!! This is just a composition book (you know, those black/white pebbled notebooks from school) and a cheap $1 photo album from the Dollar Store altered to create a new album. How cool is that? And the best thing...the class is only $3 so the entire project just costs $5 and you can totally use your stash from home. I think that this would make a GREAT gift for someone.

Originally when I started this process, I was planning to make this album for Kat so that I could fill it with photos of everyone from home so that maybe they won't be so much strangers when we go to visit in March. But you know me, I got to starting on it and just kept adding embellishments and ribbons and now it is one great big choking hazard. LOL! Plus I really love it and think that I would have a conniption fit the first time that she stuck it in her mouth. So now she gets to look at it from a distance (across the coffee table) while I point out who the people are inside of it. I know, I am an awful mom! LOL!

Supplies used:

patterned paper- Fancy Pants

family die cuts- Daisy D's

flowers- Prima and Making Memories

epoxy stickers- Making Memories

ribbons- Making Memories, May Arts, and Hobby Lobby

smiles,

Christi

Playing with Pink Paislee...

Pink Paislee is Rebecca's (former owner of Create My Keepsake) fun new paper company and I was lucky enough to get my new order of it in over the weekend so I have been playing a bit.

This first project was their Make N Take kit for CHA. I altered it a bit from their original version so that it would work for this cute photo of the kids.

This second project is an altered journal. I think that this blue paper is very reminiscent of Creative Prompt #29. I am loving that cherry blossom look this year.

smiles,

Christi

For the Love of Buttons

You may have noticed a trend lately with my projects...I have fallen in love with buttons! They are the perfect little embellishment to finish off a project. They add a bit of dimension and texture to a project, are super-cheap, and work for both masculine and feminine projects. Here is my button collection. To give you an idea of how cost effective buttons are...those bags retail for $5.99 before they go on sale and that tube of cream buttons came from Hobby Lobby (the sewing area) for $2.47 so you get a LOT of effect for pennies.


It was requested that I share how I add buttons onto my projects. There isn't anything earth-shattering about my method, but it is super-fast and easy so I thought it would be worth a quick tutorial.

Step 1. Figure out your placement for your buttons on your project.

Step 2. Place a push pad or mouse pad under the area where you want to attach your buttons and hold them in place while you pierce your papers using a paper-piercer (if you don't have a paper-piercer...go buy one now!!! They are available from Making Memories for only $2.99 and I would easily pay 5 times that for as much as I use mine...it's an invaluable tool and sooooo much easier than trying to pierce your papers with just your needle.)

Step 3. Remove your buttons from your project, but line them up over to the side the way that they go onto your project so that you don't forget which button went where.

Step 4. Thread your needle. Personally I like to double-thread mine because it creates a stronger presense to the threads showing on top of your buttons. (hint: all you need is white thread...you can always color it with inkpads if you need something a different color.)

Step 5. Place a knot in the end of your threaded needle. Because you have used a piercer on your papers, your hole is bigger than a normal needle hole. As a result, you will need a large knot like is shown here...I knot mine 3-4 times.

Step 5. Sew on your buttons. Once through each button is plenty to hold it.

Step 6. Place a knot at the end of your work. Once again this will need to be a big knot so do it 3-4 times.

Voila, you are done! Some people don't like their threads to show, so if you are one of those, you could add another piece of cardstock to the backside of your piece. Personally, I am not that much of a perfectionist. ;)

BTW, this card was inspired by Creative Prompt #28.

-patterned paper: MME Tres Jolie

-buttons: MME Tres Jolie

-cardstock: Bazzill

-butterfly punch: Martha Stewart

-square scallop punch: Marvy Uchida

-lace: Hobby Lobby

-text paper: old dictionary from flea market

And now a little teenage angst story for you. Thursday afternoon, Jacob and I were in the car and he was telling me about his day and the horror of being a 7th grader. The conversation went something like this:

Jacob: "In social studies today, we learned that bull private parts are a delicacy in some 3rd world countries. That's just wrong!"

Me: "They do that in Texas too...remember to never eat calf fries."

Jacob: *shock-horror look*

---aside...I have raised Jacob right...he thinks that Texas is a kind of Utopia and if anyone asks, that is where he will tell you he is from although he has never actually lived there. I think that Texas has shrunk a little in his mind now...as have a few of his body parts with the thought about it all. LOL!---

Jacob: "Then we went to science and spent the day talking about male reproduction organs." *nervous laugh* "It was not a good day for the guys."

LOL! You have to love being in 7th grade.

Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the lock-in last night. I got a call yesterday morning from the school nurse and Jacob has the flu. Poor kid has been quarantined to his room. He is feeling a bit better today so hopefully he is on the road to recovery. I have to admit I am feeling a bit nervous and agoraphobic (that's the right word isn't it...scared about germs...) If there was ever a time when I cannot get the flu, now would be it. Kat is too active and in need of constant attention so that she doesn't get hurt and as a single parent right now, I am the only person to do it. *eek*

I hope that you are having a fun weekend!

smiles,

christi

Finally Friday...

This week has seemed so long. I am sure that it is because we have had so much upheaval in our lives this week, but I have to say that I am happy that it is finally Friday. Jacob is thrilled too. Tonight he has a lock-in at the school...not an event I would want to chaperone...a bunch of 7th-9th graders all night. LOL...it sounds like a migraine in the making to me, but that is why I am not a teacher. I am sure that he will have a fun time!!!

I have a couple of projects to share. PaperTrey Ink has a contest every month using their new sets. Last month I decided to enter and although I didn't win, I really love these projects. This first one is a card and I based the design of it off of Creative Prompt #26.

Supplies used:

*PaperTrey Ink Out On a Limb stamp set

*K&Company Smitten papers

*K&Company Marcella glitter

*buttons

*pink, natural, and brown cardstock

*pink and brown inkpads

This second project uses photos, that if you have been around for awhile, then you have seen them before, but they matched what I wanted to do and they were already printed so it worked. This stamp set was entirely words, the Mixed Messages stamp set so I was working with limited design elements here.


Supplies used:

*Amy Butler paper

*PaperTrey Ink Mixed Messages stamp set

*Bazzill cardstock and scalloped cardstock

*Heidi Swapp bling

*Marvy Uchida scallop punches

*brown inkpad

*buttons

*ribbon

I will be back later today or tomorrow with a button tutorial. Alison Gibbs had asked me how I attach my buttons and while there is nothing too exciting about my technique, there is definitely a set method on how I do it...and it might help someone out there.

smiles,

christi

Happy Valentines Day!!!

awww, thanks guys for all the sweet words and support. It means a LOT to me!! (((group hug)))

The good news is that I heard from Ben this morning. He isn't there yet, but he is getting closer. He is in Qatar and thinks that he will make it into Iraq tomorrow. After 2 days of airports and airplanes, he is exhausted so I know that he just wants to get there at this point. It was awesome to start my day hearing his voice...a wonderful Valentines surprise.

I got a layout done yesterday from some of the photos that we took the day that he left. When Kat wakes up, I will hang this on her wall (at least until her daddy gets back.) We are trying to put photos of him all around the house because she is petrified of strangers and I don't want her to get that way about him.

This layout was inspired by Creative Prompt #30. The papers here are Collage Press and the embellishments are Making Memories, Prima, and just some random buttons.

My weekend was pretty eventful, but so was the craft world. The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) show was this past weekend and was officially, Unity Stamp Company's first debut. It sounds like they were a huge hit which is so exciting. Angela is amazing, the images are beautiful, and the system is ground-breaking. Over at Craft Critique, Unity was chosen as one of their day 1 picks of the day and there is a video on the site which shows the booth and how the stamp system works...go check it out!

smiles,

Christi

Sharing Photos...

It's been an eventful week so far and I wanted to share some of my photos from the last few days.

We started first with Jacob's 13th birthday...*aack* I have a teenager now!


Kat was all ready to help.

She REALLY liked the wrapping paper.

Then Ben started packing up to go to Iraq.

She obviously doesn't know what all these bags mean.

Some quality time with Daddy yesterday morning.

At the airport yesterday. He should be almost to Germany right about now... We are sad, but one thing about living next door to the army...it makes us realize how lucky we are. He is only going for 120 days, not 12-18 months. Now, we just pray that the time goes quickly and that he stays safe.

smiles,

christi