February 27, 2012

LAYOUT SHARE: Good Times

I am continuing to use up some of the items on my desk this week.  I used the green cardstock and white geometric patterned paper strips that were sitting on my desk, and a scrap of green filigree from a project that didn't work out, and the "Good Times" chipboard that has been sitting in my stash for a long time.  Sorry for the shadows, those Jenni Bowlin buttons are very dimensional.

Title:  Good Times
Journaling:  You are so beautiful!  (A message that all women should remember!)


February 25, 2012

HOW TO: Decorative Flower Balls


Skill Level:  Easy
Time to Complete:  4+ Hours

Supplies Needed:  
  • Patterned Papers
  • Scallop or Circle Punch
  • Scissors
  • Hot Glue & Glue Gun
  • Foam Ball
  • Fishing Line
  • Glitter, Mists or Ink (optional)
  • Ribbon (optional)
I have made several of these balls to put in my shop, but wanted to get this how to up before listing all of them.  It has been a long labor of love as each ball has taken me at least four hours to complete and many stops and starts with each of them.  One of the great things about this project is that some of the steps are easy enough to do in front of the TV or when you have just a few minutes here and there.

Step 1:  Grab an assortment of patterned papers and punch at least 175 scalloped circles.  This will cover approximately 4" diameter foam ball.  Whether the paper is single or double sided does not make a huge difference.  My color scheme here was teal and lime green for my base colors.

Step 2:  Use a nice sharp pair of scissors and cut a spiral in each scalloped circle.  Try to keep your spiral even if you can, but having some parts thicker than others will be fine in the end.  You can stack a few of these at a time for faster cutting.

Step 3:  Roll up each spiral starting from the inside out.  Make sure your roll is very tight.  Once you've completed the roll, squeeze it between your fingers to make sure you have a tight round cone shape.  This will make the spiral keep its shape as we move on to Step 4.

Step 4:  Once you have all of your spirals rolled up tightly, go back and loosen each one up just a bit until you have a nice flower shape. 

Step 5:  Take your foam ball and tie fishing line around it.  Create a loop for hanging and keep it visible.  I have used a few methods here, including tape to help secure the fishing line, and hanging my ball while moving on to the next step.

Step 6:  Using a hot glue gun (mine is low temp), simply add a dime sized spot of glue to your foam ball and firmly press a spiral flower into it.  Repeat this step until your ball is full, trying to vary the color so that you get a nice mixture in the completed project.  

Step 7:  Check to make sure all of the flowers are secure.  If there are any loose areas, carefully insert the glue gun in that area and add a small amount of glue to secure them.

Step 8 (Optional):  Spray your ball with glimmer mist, roll in ink or add glitter to the edges of your flowers.  

Step 9 (Optional):  Tie ribbon at the top of your ball.  Enjoy!

The ball shown above is 5" diameter. 

To see the selection of balls I have available for purchase, click here.  Thanks for looking!


February 24, 2012

FABULOUS FINDS: Shutter Wall

I just adore the creativity in this and I love the color scheme.  Found on the Recyclart website.  
Would you consider doing this in your home?

February 23, 2012

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Big Update...Whew!

It has been many weeks since I've posted a proper update and I hate that.  I think it is so important to keep some sort of journal documenting life.  It passes by so quickly and now weeks have gone by and many moments have already been forgotten.  Here's a little recap of the past several weeks.

My daughter...
  • had her first boyfriend, Jake.  The smile on her face was beautiful when she told me.  I think she was very happy to finally be able to say that she had a boyfriend because they were the first words out of her mouth when she saw my brother the next day.  Her friends had already had boyfriends, and I was dreading the day it would be her turn.  That weekend she spent glued to her phone sending so many texts, that I asked her to put the phone away and later, read her texts.  I was surprised to see that these texts were including "I love you."  After that we talked for about 45 minutes.  I think I really crushed her spirit at that time because her enthusiasm was much less from that day forward.  In the end it turned out to be a non-event.  He "broke up" with her one week later to move on to greener pastures.  I am breathing a sigh of relief, until next time. 
  • went from an A/B student to a B student this quarter.
  • is loving her dance team and is very excited for the variety show.  It has been a long time since she has shown passion for any thing in particular so this is a welcomed attitude.  (She is even trying out for the pom squad next fall.) 
  • got to tour the high school she will be attending in September.  It was a chaotic cluster of adults and snotty teenagers trying to navigate using a small photocopied map that I could not read at all.  That meant my daughter was the navigator and, well, that didn't work out too well.  
  • sent 5,653 texts last month.  
My son...
  • has continued to amaze me with his viola skills.  I am wanting to find some more music for him to try playing because he seems to know the others almost entirely by heart.  He LOVES to play for anyone who will listen.
  • may be attending a charter school next year.  We went to meet with the lead teacher at Badger Rock and think the school would be just what he needs.  They offer a lot more hands on experience, outdoor activities (including an on-site garden), and skills that are not just your typical math/science/reading in a classroom setting.  We will know late March if he has been accepted, but it is a lottery system so it's up to luck and fate whether or not he gets this opportunity.
  • has been forgetting about the homework in his backpack, again, and leaving some of his work at school so it can't be completed at home.  These past few weeks have been rough for him.
My hubby...
  • treated me to lunch as an early Valentine's present.  We ate the Med salad at Noodle's, then walked down State Street for a cupcake (the favorite for me, and cookies and cream for him) and coffee (black forest mocha, yum!!).  It was very decadent, especially for a weekday lunch.
  • has been working like a dog.  Days, nights, weekends, events...  For awhile there he was slow and now it is just non stop work.  (That means NO massages for me.  It's probably been three months since I've had one.)
I am...
  • creatively insane to the point of impairment.  I can't accomplish all that I'd like to and somehow my brain keeps coming up with more ideas and projects.  I have been neglecting my clay work, which needs improvement (not gonna happen when I'm not even doing it!), but I finished up several of my decorative balls and photographed them, now just need to list them and I will be showing a how-to on my blog as well.  I have completed several layouts and cleaned up my scrap room.  My next projects include a banner and my new found obsession - coloring with Copic markers.  I'm sure I'll be talking about them plenty here in the future.
  • still dealing with stomach issues.  Had my physical last week and everything looks good.  My doctor thinks I may have an abdominal wall muscle issue so for now I'm trying to do some light strengthening exercises to see if that might help.  
  • sad to learn that my Grandma will be gone soon, but happy that she will soon be free of suffering.
The chickens....
  •  have been busy.  All four of them are laying now.  Average 2-4 eggs a day.


    February 20, 2012

    LAYOUT SHARE: Madison Mallards

    This week I tried to grab things that were on my desk and use up some of my stash.  I used one of my mini Polaroid style frames (in my Etsy shop here), the journaling paper, the Heidi Swapp photo corners and the heart punch from my desk.  The big bracket was an older Daisy D's sticker, and of course the green vellum.  That has been unloved for ages - but I'm giving vellum a comeback in my crafting!

    Title:  Madison Mallards
    Journaling:   Our first time at a Mallards game as a family.  It's too bad they lost but we still had fun.

    February 14, 2012

    HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

    Started off my morning with a physical and pap.  I came into work to this:  
    Ahhh...breakfast.  It is looking like a great day after all.

    February 10, 2012

    FABULOUS FINDS - Let There Be Light!

    Found this totally to-die-for light pendant.
    How gorgeous is that?  $199 at Pottery BarnI'm going to follow the light to springtime heaven.

    FABULOUS FINDS: Love is Simple

    Came across this on the Moxie Fab blog.  What a clever idea!  

    It reminds me how complicated life can be.  I think it's so important to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life:  food, good health, and family.  If you are so lucky to love someone let them know it.  That emotional connection is one of the most precious and pure emotions we can ever experience. 


    Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!


    February 8, 2012

    FOUR EYES DESIGNS: Shop Update

    I added two brand new cards to the shop today.  1+1=2 Wedding Card and My Sister is My Friend Card.  They are listed at $3.00 each.  Click here for more pictures and description or to purchase.



    February 6, 2012

    LAYOUT SHARE: Every Day for 16 Years

    I created this layout for a Studio Calico monochromatic layout challenge.  It documents my general commuting experience over the past 16 years.  This layout features hand misted, punched and rolled flowers, and paint!  Love that I pulled that out.  I truly love this monochromatic look too.  Must try this again soon.
    Title:  Every Day for 16 Years

    Journaling:  Since moving to Madison in 1995 I have taken the bus to work every day.  I started on the "E" route from Park Street to downtown.  Now I take the 38 bus from our house.  I leave the house at 7:07 AM and get to work around 8:00 AM.  It can be a cold, wet, smelly and bone-jarring commute.  But it is my reality.  The saving grace is being able to listen to music that I love and that I can't play at home around the kids.  For all of that, I get to pay a $2 cash fare for a one-way ticket.  Thankfully though my job has been covering the expense for several years.

    February 3, 2012

    FABULOUS FINDS: New Scrapping Goodness

    It's that time of year again for the release of new scrapping goodness at the Winter Craft and Hobby Show.  There is nothing more inspiring to me than to browse new goodies on a regular basis.  I so wish I could be there to see it all in person.  Ah well...maybe someday I'll get back into a sponsored design team position.  Until then, pictures will have to do, and there are plenty that I've seen so far that I've just GOT. TO. HAVE.


    So here's my current wish list:



    Prima's Songbird Collection.  I especially love those flowers and that floral patterned paper on the bottom.



    BasicGrey's Plumeria line.  I also love the Vintage Buttons included in this collection.


    Studio Calico's Chevron Stamp and Mister Huey Mask


    Another of my pattern obsessions is honored with the Hambly Screen Prints honeycomb papers and overlays.

    From the GCD Studios Oh Happy Day Collection by Heidi Sonboul.  I love this chevron patterned paper.


    Love the whole American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection.
     (layout from the American Crafts blog)


    Webster's Pages Clean & Simple Collection Trims.  (There are many more lovelies on their blog too.)


    More new goodies featured soon?  Perhaps...

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