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My Scrap Home

• February 05, 2012
• 16:24

  Studio Calico love - Winter 78

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  cameo   [edit]

  Even though I'm only 29 (snort), I stumbled upon these photos of me with my dad in Alaska where I was born in the winter of 1978 and had to get them down on a scrapbook layout.
  
  My project:
  
  
  
  My favorite part about my Cameo is not the number of shapes it can cut, but the size.  I've mentioned before my love for the large doily.  I'm digging the snowflakes too.
  I print my own photos so trimmed them to look like polaroids because of how old the images are.  My sister has been scanning old photos to get them in a digital format and emailed me these.  I think they look pretty good, considering.  
  
  
  I'm starting to dig the look of splattered Huey, so used Clay and Dewey on this layout, along with a prints from all three of the last release from Studio Calico.
  There was an issue with shipping, so only a couple of ladies and those going to CHA have had a chance to work with the newest product.  I can't wait to play with it myself!  I had to satisfy my craving by fondling what I already have, and a nice Chevron has a way of calming a girl down, lol.
  
  I also added veneer asterisks, because they have always been snowflakes for me.  I love 'em.
  
  Products:
  InLinkz.com
  
  a little something I'm working on:
  
  
  
  Thanks for taking a peek!  Davinie
• January 29, 2012
• 16:28

  Blogging my projects: Studio Calico's Daydream Believer

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  cameo   [edit]

  Hi there!  Busy weekend in these parts.  I had an all day workshop for school on Saturday.  Can I tell how how validating it is to be in this program?  I was in class all day and came home energized, not exhausted.  It's so great to actually FEEL like I'm doing the right thing.
  
  My wish for you is to feel the same, no matter what it is you are doing.
  
  Studio Calico's Daydream Believer went on sale on Friday, and I hope you had a chance to peek at it or pick up an add-on if that's your inclination.  I got all of them.  I loved that there was new CHAW12 product in this kit, and I don't have an LSS, so letting April choose what I'll be working with is perfectly fine by me.  I have enough going on, and no scrapbook store.  It makes sense to do one-stop shopping, because as a working mom, my free time is precious.
  
  Check out the kit:
  
  
  
  My Projects:
  First I wanted to share my main kit only project for the month.  We were in a really big time crunch for sneaks, so I created a card.  I'm fortunate in that cards are easy for me to create, so this didn't take a lot of time, which was good.  
  
  
  
  
  
  This main kit is full of new and delicious products, with custom pieces as well as new CHAW12 product from Dear Lizzy and Pebbles.  The main kit is still available, so I encourage you to check it out here.  That butterfly is from an Etsy shop.  Isn't it sweet?  I also adore the SC woodgrain with the hearts.  Such a great shade of brown too.
  
  
  
  
  This next one was obviously in honor of the New Year.  I was trying to get a photo of the kiddlets in those fancy New Years party hats I made, and the result was a glimpse at their personalities that I just adore so much I had to use them all on a layout.  
  I stamped with the alpha in Stepping Stone, #4, and I also took advantage of the fabulousness that is my Cameo, and created the title with it.  I am in love with the thing.  I know there are tons of die cut machines out there, but this seriously is the most user friendly thing I have ever purchased.  I can utilize any shape I want, make it any size simply by dragging out the corner, and click and drag to move it anywhere I want it to be printed on my paper.  SO easy to use.  I think the font I used for this title was "this and that" from the Silhouette store.  
  Some extra fun on this layout?  Stamping with JBS ink and using my Cropadile to add a confetti effect.  Super easy.
  
  
  
  This next one was my favorite layout of the month.  A lot of products from the main kit, that Dear Lizzy polkadot being the definite favorite.  THAT is my favorite shade of brown.  Oh my, love it and the gray undertones.
  Obviously with Morgan's birthday being last week I had to do something birthday related.  I haven't had a chance to edit and share tutu and handmade leg warmer photos yet, or the roller rink party either, but I did get a photo of her that day to use in a layout to summarize her special day.
  This layout was actually inspired by this pin:
  
  Nana-luluLiving
  Can you see where I was starting from?  
  Last up is a bit of home decor.  I really need to do this to share here more often:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yes, that's my living room!  That's my sideboard.  I adore this piece but someday there will be a true fireplace there.  
  This garland was easy to create and I'll be back with a bit more on that.  Know that none of it was done on the Cameo though.  I hand cut or used a punch.
  And that's it!  Those are my projects for the month.  Before I go I did want to share a couple of shop items that I just ordered Friday morning and am excited to have in my crafting arsenal:
  Knock Outs:
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  I have heard of these but they only very recently appeared in the SC shop to pick up.  My Fiskars mini scallop punch has finally reached it's end, so I've been on the hunt for a new scallop.  The starter punch set comes with something akin to the Apron Lace, which is also fine, so during one of my multiple checkouts on Friday (oh yes, I do it too), I picked this up as well.  That and the tiny attacher, because it's about time, and the MME and new SC stamp sets that will work great in my Project Life and Project 12 album, which I need to get around to sharing with y'all too.  Oh my.
  
  Have a great day!  Back to the books.  Davinie
  
  Kit product and store stuff used:
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• January 25, 2012
• 9:03

  Wordless Wednesday - Be.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  Pinned.
  Just trying to keep things in perspective.  In the online world, it's easy to get distracted.  
  Happy Wednesday.  Davinie
  
  
• January 22, 2012
• 14:58

  Stretch your kit winner and some Sunday Studio Calico sneaks

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  And the giveaway (or givewaway, if that's what I type, lol) goes to:  
  
  Hi all!  WOWee, exciting weekend at my house.  Miss Morgan turned 8 and it turned into quite the extravaganza.  Yesterday she had a roller skating party with friends, and I can't wait to share the details of her party.  I asked a friend to make her a roller skating tutu, and then another friend generously volunteered to make her the coolest pair of leg warmers I've seen, we partied hard, and now our house looks like Christmas Day, covered from one end to the next with birthday party loot.  This morning she's already made a pot with her new pottery wheel, and right now she's working on a poster for her room  "Girl's Rock!" and all that.
  
  Anyway, I need to choose a winner for the Stretch your Kit class taught by Amy Tan for Studio Calico.  That winner is:
  
  
  
   Allison said...
  
  
  It's sunny and 70F the only emergency is whether or not to bring a sweater along ;) Stay safe!2:34 PM
  
  
  Congratulations Allison!  Amy will put on a great class and I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it!
  Friends, there's still time to register if you think it would help you.  I'm sure it'll be full of inspiration!  You have until the end of the month.  Class starts February 1.  Check it out here.
  
  On to sneaks:
  
  
  I have a few Studio Calico sneaks to share today too.  I'm busy plugging away.  LOOOOVE the Neopolitan goodies from American Crafts/ Dear Lizzie.  She hit it out of the ballpark on that one.  This new CHAW12 product will be in the kits this month.  I had a lot of fun with the new prints that were in the main.  You can see that here:
  
  
  
  The color on that polkadot is beyond delicious.  Be sure to add the MORE paper add-on to your cart this month if you are shopping away.  So fabulous.
  I'm a mixer so there are bits from other kits in this photo, but the base polka, and the floral and pink at the top (with the numbers) is all Neopolitan from the main kit.  The mistable trim is too.  The aqua polkadot and the garland are from add-on 2, Lady Lane, and the card is from #4, Stepping Stone.
  
  I put my Silhouette to work (LOVE that thing), and used the stamp set from Stepping Stone (another declaration of mad love for that).
  
  The blue polkadot is a background stamp from add-on 1, Clarksville.  I think this is my favorite background stamp because it's a polkadot and really can be used on every layout.  I also like that I just have a nibble of it showing here.  I don't want to have to see the whole 4x6 stamp set.  Another reason I love it?  I needed a blue color for this layout, so I created it myself by stamping on cardstock and trimming it out.  So with that said, I'd definitely recommend Jenni Bowlin Speckled Egg ink as the one shop item to add to your kit purchase. It's a great blue for this kit.  
  
  
  This last one was made with the main kit only.  Compared to the first sneak I shared, isn't it amazing how versatile this kit is?!  I just love it all.  And that heart woodgrain?  The SC paper?  LOVE.
  Don't forget, lots of exclusives in that main kit as well as the new Dear Lizzie products.  This is a good one.
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• January 19, 2012
• 13:42

  A givewaway - Stretch your Kit!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  
  
  Are you ready to jumpstart the way you look at supplies?  Tired of letting your kits pile up month after month without touching them?  Ready to pull out the tools you have on hand and put them to use? Amy Tan is here to help show you how to see the Studio Calico Main kits in new ways and get those supplies onto your pages.  She’s ready to share tips and tricks on making your kit supplies stretch to create beautiful page after page.
  Known for her playful and innovative pages, Amy is the perfect teacher to help you stretch your kits.  She’ll walk you through ideas for breaking open those brown paper bags and seeing your kits in a fun new way.  Amy and Studio Calico kits... what a great combination!
  Amy is joined by creative powerhouses Kelly Goree, Celine Navarro, and Jen Jockisch who will all share inspiration for using ONLY the Studio Calico Main kit.  You’ll see their process for getting started on a layout, selecting which supplies to pull from the kits, and tips for using their favorite tools and techniques.
  
  START DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2012          
  REGISTRATION ENDS: JANUARY 31, 2012                                           
  PRICE: $30.00
  Check out Stretch your Kit in the Studio Calico Classroom section of the shop.
  
  
  
  Want a chance to win a spot in the class?  Just leave me a comment on this post.  Maybe tell me a bit about your weather.  Experiencing anything inclimate?  A State of Emergency is being declared all around me but we are still okay in Redmond.  It's super super windy though.  But after being short on snow all year, our local ski hill Mt Bachelor had to close today because they got more than 24 inches yesterday and it was wreaking havok.  yikes!  
  I'm going to draw a name tomorrow night.  That would be Friday, January 20, the day I became a mother.  Yep, Morgan is turning 8.  I am in a state of emergency about that.  I can't hardly believe it.
  have a great day!  Davinie
  
  ETA:  When you are finished here, be sure to check out the CHAW12 sneaks from Studio Calico!
  
  Stamps
  Abroad
  Take Note
  Calico Volume 2
  
  YUM.  That is all.  
• January 15, 2012
• 7:00

  Project 12 January

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  
  
  Oh yes.  It's Project 12 January.  In January!  Finally!  I know you have been anxious for the details of the new way of doing Project 12.
  
  
  Project 12 has always been about capturing the moments of our everyday life, to use the less than perfect photos that capture our stories, and to tell those stories in our journaling.  One of my favorite thing about the sketches Becky Fleck has created for this challenge was the great big journaling box.  I’m addicted to that large space and love using a large journaling block on most two page layouts I create.Life has a way of changing, and with the new challenge in this new year, it was time to make that change.  
  The first one is a change to the 15^th of the month instead of the first.  That’s doable.  That change is easy enough to adhere to.  The new challenge itself is easy as well.
  Scrapbook your life.  Whether you take 1 photo, 100 photos, or no photos, get it down on paper.  But this year, let’s include our memorabilia as well.  Let’s declutter our world of those things we save but don’t have a place for, tickets and receipts and programs and race running bibs, and lets incorporate them into our work.
  Taking a photo a day has always been an overwhelming task for me to take on.  There are 365 days in a year (366 this time).  I could never do it.  But I do like the concept of Project Life, developed by Becky Higgins to incorporate your daily life in page protectors and journaling cards.  I’ve taken on that challenge for 2012.  I like the idea.  I also think it’ll be fun to involve my husband and my kids and have them tell their story with their own words.
  But I still think an album like this has a place for art on a larger canvas.  So I think it’s perfectly fine to mix the two.  I also don’t think it’s necessary to do something to document every single day.  That’s too much pressure.  My life isn't always that exciting!  
  For 2012 we don’t have a new sketch to work from every month.  Becky has created sketches for this challenge the last two years, and SCT has done a great job capturing all of them in one place on the website.  You can see them all here.
  For my layout this month, which incorporates memorabilia and random photos from the first week in January, I chose to work with the August 2010 sketch:
  
  
  Another twist on the challenge is to utilize a colour palette.  Revealed on the 15^th every month at SCT, this works great with the new challenge.  You can check out the the color suite for January here.  (and now that I'm on my blog in Oregon and out of Canada, I can type color instead of colour.  heeee).  So with the sketch I chose and the January color suite in mind, this is what I came up with:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As you can see, I included receipts, coupons, my racing bib from a 5k I did that weekend, and even a snippet of a letter I got in the mail regarding Orientation for grad school.  All of these are elements that will be fun to look back on down the road, as part of my history.  There will be a time when loading your Starbucks card for $20 will barely cover the cost of a latte.  J
  You’ll also notice more random photos, like the one of my husband’s suitcase.  This is part of the new challenge to myself to document even more of the everyday than I usually do.  By the way, did you see how we mark our luggage?  I have a fabrip wrapped around the handle. It's been there a few years now.  Love it.  
  TIP:  See the “splatter marks" on my layout?   If you are like me and want more control on where the mist splatters, especially when your photos are already adhered, try this:  dip a pencil eraser into a bottle of mist or stamp it on an ink pad, and stamp the splatter onto your page.   I also used the end of a Basic Grey file.  There are a lot of tools in your stash that would double as a quick and easy stamp.  Try it! 
  One last thing.  I LOVE the large journaling cards.  Have I mentioned that?  I love them so much that I asked Marcy to create some Project 12 projects for me, and she has.  And they are gorgeous.  And I think you should get some.  Check them out:
  Number badges and 2.88x8 journaling cards here here, and here.  The one I used on this layout was a prototype but the rest will be here, LIVE, asap.  Fun times.  Cut them in half and they look pretty on your Project Life pages too.  See?  Multi-functional. :)
  The new Project 12 challenge is to document more of your every day on a layout.  Because some days we take more photos than the last, you can choose your own sketch among all the fun sketches that Becky has created for this challenge.  Utilize the colour suite as an additional challenge for yourself, and enter that monthly challenge for a subscription to the magazine, the best and most inspiring craft publication available, if I do say so myself. 
  The Project 12 challenge is supposed to be easy to incorporate into your life and your albums.  I have to have some easy in my life, lol.  I wanted to be able to share an inspiration piece each month when I list the new challenge, and I love that I can do that with this new format.  The jumping around that you had to do in the previous challenge on the SCT blog was always something I didn't care for but we couldn't find a way to work around it if I was to live through the month like the rest of you.  
  The amount of time you choose to document is up to you.  For this layout, I chose a week in our life.  Maybe next month it’ll be just a few days, or maybe 10 of them.  The point is to grab a piece of time in your life and get it down on paper for future generations to get a glimpse of your life, one layout a month.
  I hope you will be inspired and play along!  Link me up too.  And then come back to see what others are doing, just like you used to do.  I'm going to do better about commenting too.  I used to be good at that.....
  Thank you so much for supporting this challenge!  It has meant so much to me, knowing you do.  I've had emails directing me to various talk around the web about this challenge, and I hope that you are happy knowing it is still going strong.  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• January 12, 2012
• 13:53

  I {heart} Project 12 - November and December in January

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  
  I'm here!  Project 12 is here!  If you've visited the SCT blog, you've seen that changes are in store for 2012, with a different series taking that 1st of the month spot.  That is fine by me!  
  I wanted to wait until I was scheduled to share my November and December layouts on the SCT blog before I posted them here.  I know you have been emailing, posting, asking questions.  Project 12 IS still here.  You can still win prizes for November and December.
  Project 12 in 2012 is a wee bit different.  This isn't a bad thing!  I am going to be posting about the new challenge on the 15th, so I hope you'll check back, look at the new twist, and play along if it works for you.
  In the meantime, this is what I came up with the November sketch.  I don't mind telling you this sketch was a doozy, and to have it during the holidays made it even more difficult to work with.  That said, I really like how my layout turned out, so the challenge was good.  This was the sketch:
  
  Bam!  This is what I came up with:
  
  
  You can still see the basic idea of the layout, but I definitely ran with my own version.  
  
  The title is long for this month, so I layered the alphas a bit to fit it all in over my journaling block.
  
  I had these fun fall themed embellishments, so I clustered a few things, used some stitching, and added small photos around.  Just about everything comes from Studio Calico kits, but in particular, I was still playing with County Fair, which had the best color palette (still loving the leaves from the Handmade kit).  
  
  I had fun with the edges.  I used stamps from previous Studio Calico kits, and I also used tags and bits of paper before stitching it all down.  Tragically, I canNOT find my Fiskars mini scallop border punch.  It's like losing a child!  But I found a backup that worked just fine (although I really need my baby back, baby back).
  
  The large doilies?  Yep, my Cameo.  I adore that thing.
  
  Normally this would be late for sharing November, but early for sharing December.  That said, I have my December layout to share with you today as well!  bonus!
  
  **Please note**  Those playing along in 2011, please link your December layouts to this post for the December prize.  
  
  Check out the December sketch:
  
  
  Becky went easy on us for the end of the year, and my layout came together really quickly:
  
  
  I used Brooklyn Flea this time.  I thought this color palette was perfect for Christmas type photos. 
  
  I liked the embellishments Becky used with her sketch, so recreated my own with a circle and snowflake punch.  They created large shapes, so the layout really didn't need much else besides strips of paper and a few Crate Paper brads.
  
  See that photo of Payton in that box?  It's a horse costume.  We converted a cardboard box into a horse, she painted it, even the face, trimmed it's hair, and starred in Humpty Dumpty in her Kindergarten class nursery rhyme play.  She was....  all the kings horses.  Her part lasted all of 20 seconds but she was so cute.  She was also a stage hand for a few other numbers.  I see performing in her future!
  
  As I mentioned, I will be back on the 15th to reveal the new twist to Project 12.  Project 12 started as a way to document the every day, without the pressure of 365 photos, and it still remains.  I've also taken on Project Life this year, which was Becky Higgin's updated concept on memory keeping, and on the 15th, I'm going to share how you can combine the two, or still continue Project 12 on it's own, without the pressure of daily record keeping.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• January 04, 2012
• 14:27

  Words on Wednesday - a new perspective

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  Pinned via Laura Winslow Photography / blog
  A new year.  A new you.  A new perspective.  A chance to renew, reflect, and start over.  ::sight::  2012 is going to be great!
  Happy Wednesday!
  Davinie
• January 01, 2012
• 13:57

  a New Year. a Fresh Start

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  challenge   [edit]

  (a few of you may wonder what's happening with Project 12. No worries!  SCT and I have plans and will be sharing them shortly.  In the meantime, hold on to your December layouts for a wee bit).
  
  On to 2012.
  
  2012.  Many changes coming my way this year.  It feels like I've been reborn, if that makes any sense.  I've been defining myself in a certain way for a long time, but that all changes this year.
  
  Sometimes that's very scary.
  
  But in the end, change is good!  Change is a chance to refresh.  Renew.  To evaluate your like and make changes when you need to, or carry on if it still feels right.
  
  Tomorrow night is orientation for Grad School.  Oh my, I can't believe after graduating in 1999 with my BA, I am headed back, but it feels right.  I've always wanted to finish and head into the classroom as a teacher.  Payton is in Kindergarten, which would put her in first grade when I'm finished with the program, which means I won't have to worry about who's caring for her during the day.  My time is now.  And I'm taking hold and running with it.
  
  A Challenge:
  
  I issued a challenge on the Studio Calico blog this morning.  I hope you will check it out.  It's all about writing a letter to yourself and sealing it up tight, not to be opened until 12/31/12 when you can evaluate the changes you've made, the goals you've achieved, and what you thought you'd be doing at that moment.  It was a great challenge for myself this time of year.
  
  I'm also doing Project Life, so I wanted to include it in my album somewhere, in a safe place, so I used a 12x12 page protector and stitched it up tight.
  
  My project:
  
  
  
  
  
  Making confetti for a page protector is great fun!  So is my new Cameo (that doily was my very first cut.  Isn't it fabulous!?)
  
  Happy New Year!  Davinie
  
  
  
  
  Supplies:
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
  
  
• December 31, 2011
• 16:04

  Happy New Year!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Wishing you and yours a safe and blessed New Year.  I know I have a lot of changes coming to my life next year, and I'm really looking forward to it.  Change is good!  It replenishes the soul.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Back tomorrow with some fun things to share!
  
  Davinie
  
  
  Party Hat Supplies:
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• December 27, 2011
• 21:00

  Studio Calico Reveal - County Fair

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  ack.
  Every time I write it I type fairy.  Someone has an excess of estrogen in their household.  heee.
  
  It's December 27.  9pm my time.  That means it's reveal night at Studio Calico and time to share what I managed to put together between wrapping gifts and making cake pops.
  
  The kit:
  
  Say hello to County Fair:
  
  
  My add-ons of choice were Ring Toss, Kissing Booth and Photo Booth.  Shooting Gallery is equally as lovely, but I was trying to hold myself back. 
  If I had to choose just one add-on this month, it'd definitely be Photo Booth I think.
  
  I adore the corrugated alphas, and I think I used the buttons on every layout.  I also love the stamp and the Kesiart paper.....  the list goes on and one.  Unfortunately for the DT, the product is new enough we didn't have a chance to play with either alpha in this add-on in time for reveal, but if we had, you would have seen more projects from me.  I loved this one.
  Another great add-on is the Kissing Booth add-on.  I used bits here and there.  It's the most affordable add-on this month too, at under $20.  So that's great!  I have plans for those envelopes, just ran out of days (I am one of those girls still in denial that we've already passed Halloween, let alone all the special holidays at the end of the year).
  Anyway....
  The projects:
  This first layout was made with the main kit only:
  
  Payton is in Kindergarten this year, and the class pet is this stuffed dog named Daisy.  Payton was the lucky girl who got to take her home for her first week-long play date.  Daisy came in a carrier, and had a toothbrush, a book, and a notebook to jot down your adventures.  Oh my, we had fun with her while she was here.
  Such a great idea for a class pet for a Kindergarten class!
  
  I loved the BG chipboard ribbons, and had to use the #1 friend circle for a layout about this pup.  I also ADORE this woodgrain paper.  I'm so glad I got the more paper add-on because I definitely needed another piece, and it's OA which means I definitely needed to get the add-on in order to get it in my hands.  The B side of that paper is the blue polkadot that I trimmed with a scallop punch.  Loved both sides.   I also loved the PP wood alphas!
  
  This next layout put my sewing machine to work:
  
  
  
  
  My sister zipped by and snapped some photos of our family to use for our Christmas cards, and this general pose won by a landslide so I had to use it on a layout.  I wanted to keep it simple yet interesting, and knew exactly how that was going to work out when I saw this quilt:
  
  
  (West Elm)
  
  This is a chevron/herringbone.  It's actually chevron but they are calling it a herringbone.  It's a chevron print because the vertical line meets up, and a herringbone print wouldn't.  But there you go.
  Anyway, I adore this quilt.  I want the blue one very very much.  I was just about to hit buy on a nice one for my own bed when I saw the color is called Wedgewood, which gave me pause.  In the photo it has a teal/gray color to it.  But Wedgewood is definitely a blue that I'm not interested in.  What do you think?  Does it look teal/gray to you?  Because if so I want it very very bad.
  As for the layout, I trimmed out other pieces and stitched them before adhering just to add some additional texture to the layout.  I really love the look of it all.
  As it was a busy month, I only have three projects to share, and the last one kept my sewing machine working and is a bit on the festive side.  On this one I made a wee booboo, but I hope you will forgive me:
  
  When I got my kit the OA miscellany pack was in my box.  I was thinking it was an additional shop item for this month that I had purchased, so I used it on my layout.  But I'm a scatterbrain.  It was a shop item LAST month.  So....  it isn't in the shop anymore.  The good thing about this is that if you are a shopper at SC, you may have purchased it, which means that you have it on hand right now and may need ideas on how to use it. So here you go!
  
  
  I was inspired by the red SC paper and the greens in the main kit for a Christmas layout.  And I made this layout while listening to holiday music, so it worked out really well and I had fun with it.  I wanted to use circles because of that KesiArt paper, so trimmed them out and then adhered them with plenty of stitching in a pattern for fun.  I then bent the edges up a bit to help them pop off the page.
  
  This chipboard piece (from that darn OA pack) is nekkid except for some Calico Shine.  LoVE.  Who can't use a little sparkle in their life?
  I hope you've found some inspiration here and that if you are an SC subscriber or shopper, you get what you wanted this month!
  Davinie
  Products that made it happen:
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
• December 23, 2011
• 22:26

  it's almost Christmas - and Studio Calico sneaks!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Oh my.
  T-minus the big guy is already on the road!
  Don't forget to track his progress:
  
  [www.noradsanta.org]
  
  Back in the PST, it's time for some Studio Calico sneaks.  May you receive a gift certificate, money tree, Christmas bonus, and a discount so that you can purchase crafty products to your hearts content.
  
  Sneaks:
  
  The kit is County Fair.  Here are a couple of sneaks:
  
  
  This first is my main kit only sneak.  I loved the BG brads and this OA woodgrain is just divine.  The circles were punched but I used an even larger circle on this layout, and that was made tracing a Fiestaware plate.  Fiestaware is not required in order to replicate that circle, but neither is a die cut machine.  I did purchase a Silhouette recently but it's been too busy to set it up.  That said, there are a lot of handy bits around the house that make for great embellishments on a layout, right?
  I used the sewing machine a bit on the first layout, but that started a frenzy for the rest of my work this month:
  
  I'm excited to share my inspiration piece for this second layout.
  
  I was feeling festive for this last one!  
  I don't need to share how busy I've been.  We are all busy this time of year.  I will say I adore the kit and have plans for it next week when things slow down, but for now, this is it.  I hope you are inspired!
  Enjoy the holidays!  We are going to do something different this year...  brunch with Grandma and Grandpa and then we are going to the movies.  I think the consensus is "We bought a Zoo" because we are not cartooning with the chipettes with the whole family, and we want everyone to have fun.  Then it'll be home for an early night as it'll take a bit to wrangle kids into bed in anticipation of Christmas Day excitement.  I'm looking forward to it, even though I'm still in denial that Halloween has already happened.  Oh my, the end of the year came up quick.
  Side note:  TOTALLY behind on my December Daily album, BUT I have been taking notes and taking photos and WILL finish it.  I started it which is a good thing!  I have been working on it but have decided the pressure of getting it done daily was not worth it, and enjoyed the time instead.
  Enjoy your weekend!  Davinie
• December 20, 2011
• 8:59

  crafTuesday - baking Neopolitan cookies

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  My sister and her hubby came down from Seattle last weekend for my grandmother's surprise 80th birthday party, and while she was here, I took advantage of the extra baking bod and put her to work in the kitchen with my kiddos, baking Christmas vittles.
  
  I let the girls go through the cook books and cookie magazines, and Payton's choice were these Neopolitan cookies.  They wouldn't normally have been something I would have gravitated towards, but since I happened to have the ingredients on hand we went for it, and it turned out to be a great cookie and a lot of fun to make.
  
  
  
  
  The recipe:
  
  Neopolitan cookies (from a Taste of Home cookie book)
  
  1 cup butter, softened
  1-1/2 cups sugar
  1 egg
  1teaspoon vanilla extract
  2-1/2 cups flour
  1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  1 teaspoon almond extract
  4 drops red food coloring
  1/2 cup flaked coconut
  4-1/2 teaspoons chocolate syrup
  1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  1-1/2 teaspoon shortening
  
  The process:
  
  1.  Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with waxed paper; set aside.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
  
  2.  Divide dough into thirds.  Add almond extract and red food coloring to one portion; spread evenly into prepared pan.  Add coconut to second portion; spread evenly over first layer.  Add chocolate syrup to third portion; spread over second layer.  Cover with foil;  freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
  
  3.  Unwrap loaf and cut in half lengthwise.  cut each portion widthwise into 1/4inch slices.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool.
  
  4.  In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth.  Dip one end of each cookie into chocolate; allow exce4ss to drip off.  Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.
  
  Yield:  5-1/2 dozen
  
  
  
  I loved that this was a two day process.  We did steps one and two with the kids before bed on Friday, and Saturday morning after breakfast finished things up.  They turned out delightful, much better than expected.  I highly recommend this one as a great cookie to bake with kids.  Payton in particular really had a lot of fun with it, as did Alyca.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• December 03, 2011
• 10:58

  Scrapbook and Cards Today - Winter issue

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Did you see it?  The winter issue of SCT is LIVE!  Check out the gorgeous cover:
  
  
  I just love the tree Summer made with those brads.  So cute!  (Download it here, subscribe to get a copy in your hands here, or ask your LSS to carry this publication.  It's fabulous!).  
  edited to add:  ALSO, leave a comment on the SCT blog here and you could win a copy of this issue plus a fun holiday prize pack from Bazzill.  Check out that link and you can also get info on the giveaways at SCT coming later in the month.  
  There's a lot of fun projects in this winter issue.  Vicki Boutin is all over it with Christmas gift and tag ideas.  I really like what Emily did with her Eye Spy layout this month too.  I must get that background paper and use some inks and mists.
  This is what I came up with for this issue:
  
  
  The three designer challenge had fun products from Pink Paislee, Jillibean Soup, and Maya Road, to name a few.
  
  I also created this card based on a cardmap sketch from Becky Fleck:
  
  
  
  This card was made with Studio Calico products, Autumn Press in particular.  I intentionally snipped some of the weaving out of my heart to add more texture and allow more of the background paper to be seen.  I had fun with this sketch!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Check out the December Countdown of inspiring holiday projects and ideas after you check out the winter issue.  Today is Day 3 but you can view all of the projects here.
• December 01, 2011
• 21:02

  Project 12 November in December

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Woah.
  Shocking that today is December 1.  I just had to put it out there.  We started all of our advent calendars today and it's a bit surreal, lol.
  
  
  Welcome to another edition of Project 12!  
  I somehow found the time to work on the October sketch and I loved the results.  As a reminder, this is what the October sketch looked like:
  
  And this is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  I used my Brooklyn Flea kit from Studio Calico, with the exception of a couple of leaves.  I really like how this one turned out!  I love the photos especially.  
  December is such a crazy month, but this is the sketch we have for November photos:
  
  In a word, terrifying.  But I'm going to step back and look at the sketch, and it'll inspire the design, I'm sure.  Those photo spots might not all be photos (for real.  I'm not sure I took this many photos in November, lol).  
  So my challenge to you is to find the TIME to participate, and carry on.  This challenge is a good one.  You know your albums will be glad you did it!
  Until next month, Davinie.
  (Questions about P12, see the Project 12 page above).
• November 30, 2011
• 7:00

  Studio Calico love - Fall Fun

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I know yesterday was Advent ideas, and tomorrow is Project 12 and DECEMBER 1, oh my, but I didn't want to let November go without sharing a fun fall layout with Studio Calico products.
  
  Fall Fun:
  
  
  
  One of Payton's preschool friends is now a Kindergarten classmate, and they spend a lot of time together as his Mom and I swap playdates back and forth.  She watches my PJ a lot when I have to work and Steve isn't home, and I take him home when the kids both demand macaroni and cheese and some trampoline time.  :)
  ON this particular day, the kids had scooped leaves onto the trampoline and were having the best time jumping in the leaves and throwing them at each other.  I must say, I don't think Mr H knew what hit him when he put out the challenge to Miss Payton Jayne.  He never stood a chance.  :)
  
  
  I love that there are 5 photos on this layout! 
  
  
  Supplies:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
  The Autumn Press products are currently on Last Call at Studio Calico, so if you want a good deal, you'd better check those out.  They'll ship free with your kit or add-ons if you purchased any of the December kit this month.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• November 29, 2011
• 18:03

  crafTuesday- Countdown to Christmas, Advent ideas

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  So it's going to be a blog posting blitz for me this week.  There are a few things that got away from me, and a couple of things I want to post before December.
  
  Aren't you lucky?  :)
  
  
  Advent #1 - Santa's Beard
  
  Counting down to Christmas is something fun in our family.  As I was yarding out the Christmas decor, I noticed we actually have several different ideas for counting down the days, and I wanted to share a few with you in the event you were looking for ideas.
  
  This first one came from Pinterest.  I didn't see any reason to stray from the original.
  
  
  Of course, I had to make two little santas, for my two little elves.  I made them last night while watching the finale of the Sing-Off (dont' worry, I want spoil it for you if tonight is your night to DVR).
  
  I used some old MM sticker numbers from my stash.  Ran out of two's so utilized the Z's a bit.  But it turned out great!  This is going to be a fun little project for my girls.  They are both artists, so don't need the help, but this would be a great preschool craft to teach scissor skills.  Maybe someday with a snowman.  hmmm.
  
  #2 - Starbucks advent tree
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A couple years ago I got this Starbucks tree full of chocolate, and had to keep it to reuse.  I think this is the 3rd or 4th year for this one.  When you turn the box around you reveal bits of a scene, and it's Christmas when the full scene is revealed.  Payton saved me a few bucks this year.  I was going to use some little candies or tiny little gifts, but when she heard the word "advent" the girl went to town on said scissor skills, and it's full of tiny bits of paper in tiny shapes, and who knows what else.  I'm actually really looking forward to checking out what she came up with, especially for number 11.  Number 11 is important because it's her favorite number, she "likes the way it looks, and the way it sounds".  I'm sure she put something good in that one.....
  
  
  
  
  #3 - Christmas books Advent
  
  
  
  
  My absolute favorite advent idea is the countdown to Christmas book idea.  I heard about this a few years ago and think it's just genius.  I've always been baffled at the idea of Christmas books.  What do you do with them the rest of the year?  Are they just stacked amongst the other books?  I love the idea of wrapping them all up, to be opened during the holidays.  Starting 12/1, each night the girls will take turns choosing a wrapped book, and then we'll read it before bed.  We usually read a couple each night, so they will get to choose a wrapped book, and then we can choose one of the favorites that were already opened.  On the 24th, we read Twas the Night Before Christmas, so I don't wrap that one.  This particular one has the fold out pages where the paper jumps out at you as you turn the pages.  Love this version.  We got it several years ago from my Aunt.
  
  The smartest idea I had was to purchase wrapping paper after Christmas last year, and then wrap the books before packing them away.  This helped with the let down post-holiday, and also saved me a ton of time this year.  It also keeps all the books a surprise from even me.  What fun!
  
  These books are kept in a big basket with other holiday fodder, things like reindeer headbands, a snowman jack-in-the-box, a stuffed ornament that plays jingle bells when you squeeze it, light up reindeer noses.  Fun things to entertain the kiddos.
  
  Tomorrow night, the 30th, is when we are going to introduce our little elf to the kiddos.  I wonder what they'll name her?  I'm actually excited about the antics she'll come up with.  I think it'll be fun for the hubby and I to take turns wreaking havoc.
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• November 27, 2011
• 21:00

  Studio Calico Brooklyn Flea kit - it's reveal time!

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The kit:  
  
  It's that time!  The December kit called Brooklyn Flea is up for sale at Studio Calico.  While I'm bidding on some vintage Shiny Brite ornaments on Ebay, I ended up purchasing Salvaged, Snow Cone, and Printer's Drawer to play with this month.  And I had to get More Patterned paper, because this main kit is my favorite in a long time and I wanted to make sure I'd have extra papers to play with.  Here's a peek at that one:
  
  
  The A side
  
  And the B side of the More Paper Add-on contents.
  My kit stash is out of control, but I couldn't help myself.  The contents were irresistible!
  
  My projects:
  
  
  We left for the beach on Saturday the 19th and didn't get back until Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so most of my projects were made before we left.  I brought my kit with me to play with but it's always hard to do that when there's family from out of state and holiday bonding to do.  As always, I wish I had more time!  That said, I was able to ekk out 4 layouts and a card this month.
  
  
  This first one was made with the main kit only and is my favorite main kit only layout to date.  As I was creating it I never had the desire to reach for products from any of the add-ons I purchased.
  
  
  #1
  
  
  
  
  
  When I first spied the main kit stamp it spoke of a flower center to me, so that's how I used it this month.  I could have used the leaf stamps, but chose to cut up the canvas green leaves instead, because I love the texture.
  
  
  I wanted to create a banner with rectangular shaped pieces, and the "wire" was made but stitching back and forth with my sewing machine. No trims needed for this one.  
  
  
  The punch is a scallop punch from Stampin' Up.  
  The Ormolu tag was rubbed with the Prima Moss Lawn chalk.
  The small yellow flower punch is from EK Success.
  
  
  The journaling is inspired by Shelly J's Project 12 contributions.  I LOVE when she does her journaling this way and it had just the right amount of texture I wanted for the bottom of my layout.
  
  
  The alphas?  The Ali alphas designed by American Crafts exclusively for this kit?  LOVE.  
  
  
  #2
  
  
  
  Obviously, this is my 2pager contribution to my gallery this month.  I always like to have one.  I'm on a pennant kick this month, and this time, used the pennant shape just for pops of color, not to hang on a line.  
  
  The addition of the Amy Tan tags was fun texture.  I like natural elements to left my snowflakes bare.  The fact they are wood is fabulous as is (They are in the Snow Cone add-on, along with the pink Crate paper, the tape.  Other Papers are from the Salvaged and Printer's Drawer add-ons).  
  
  
  
  I would also like to profess my adoration of the Ormolu tags from the main kit, as well as my MIL's typewriter.  It made it so much easier to write more extensive journaling, and I love the overall look too.  
  
  
  Isn't Charlotte the snow girl cute?  I thought so.
  
  
  #3
  
  
  Brace yourself for this next one.  She's not happy.  Not happy at all:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Because of the orientation of the photo, I decided to make it a large one for this layout.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I just felt like layering rounded rectangles for this design, topping them with the Crate border stickers and some tape too.  I had to use another Amy Tan tag for this one too (found in the Salvaged add-on).  
  
  #4
  
  
  
  I had this photo I took of the kids the other day sitting around, and as I looked through the kit contents, thought it would be fun to put the twine to good use. I wrapped it a few times, tied it in knots, added brads, and then stitched it all down and added some snowflakes.  I thought it was a fun and easy way to embellish this layout about the anticipation of snow.
  
  
  
  
  Most of the twine and hat snowflake tape came from the Snow Cone add-on.  The Peppermint brads are in the shop.
  
  I love this photo.
  
  #5
  
  Lastly is a little card I whipped up because I had a hankering to use the main kit stamp again:
  
  
  
  
  I really adore this color palette.  And I really love that stamp as a flower.
  
  Supplies:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  Let me know if you have any questions about my projects this month.  I hope you liked them!  Davinie
• 20:24

  December Daily workshop winner

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Weekend Giveaway   [edit]

  Giveaway winner:
  
  
  And the winner of the spot in the December Daily workshop by Maggie Holmes is:
  
  
  Cheryl Leong said...
  I Like your sneaks! TFS!
  
  cheryl131091 at yahoo dot com8:13 AM 
  Congratulations Cheryl!  I'm sending you an email!
• November 25, 2011
• 11:51

  More Studio Calico Sneaks and a Weekend Giveaway

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  December daily 2011   [edit]

  Hi all!
  
  
  We got home from the beach, survived Thanksgiving, and my sweet hubby got up with me this morning at 4:30 am to brave the crowds in search of those great deals for Christmas.  We stocked up on several boxes containing games and accessories for our very own Wii.  I swear we must be the last family to own one, but it's finally time and my kids are going to be so excited!
  
  
  With the weekend here and Studio Calico's December kit reveal around the corner, I wanted to sneak in and share snippets of more of the projects I created this month.  Check it out:
  
  Sneaks:
  
  
  
  
  
  I really enjoyed working with my kits this month.  I know you won't be disappointed when this kit is revealed!
  While the weekend awaits and before Reveal gets here, I wanted to share something I'm going to be participating in, as part of my Tis the Season (December Daily-ish) album (speaking of which, I'm buttoning up week 1 as we speak since I started mine the day we left for our beach vacation).
  Weekend Giveaway:
  Miss Maggie Holmes is offering a workshop in December with prompts and ideas for taking photos over the holidays.  Check it out:
  
  Isn't that great!?  The holidays always get away from me.  This is why I have never finished a December Daily album.  Getting a daily prompt with inspiring photos and ideas is just the ticket to making this happen, I do believe.  I'm very excited to play along!  I really want a record like this for my girl.  
  You can read about it out again and check out Maggie's site here.
  Maggie has generously donated a spot in this workshop for one of my blog readers, so if you'll leave a comment on this post telling me about how you are spending the weekend, I'd be happy to draw a name Sunday afternoon before SC reveal so that she can get you in the system and ready to go for her first post on December 1.  Sound good?
  In the meantime, check out the Black Friday deals at SC (some fun holiday stuff on page 2 for that DD album), and enjoy some couch time while you are at it!  
  Enjoy your weekend!  Davinie
• November 18, 2011
• 21:42

  Brooklyn Flea sneaks

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Tomorrow morning (or today.... depending on where you live, lol), we are headed for our annual trip to the beach with my side of the family.  Good times ahead, but a long drive, because it snowed last night, is supposed to snow tonight, and the first part of our journey is a trip over the Cascade Range, so a normal drive from my house to Portland OR that would take 2.5 hours could take as much as..... 4.  Maybe more, depending on what pass we take.  So wish me luck in the truck with antsy kids!  
  
  
  My December Daily is already packed up with a crop bag full of goodies, ready to be filled while at the coast.  Saturday is the first day of my "Tis the Season" adventures to-be-documented (I liked that title too, Jen).  I'm anxious and excited to get started, because then I'll know how prepared I am for a daily type journal.  I'm sure the gas receipts from the initial drive will be a treasure someday (you know, when the grandkids are laughing because gas was *only* $3.85 a gallon).  
  
  
  In the meantime, though, I do have a couple of sneaks to share of the Brooklyn Flea kit from Studio Calico and those projects I finished before I left town.  I was going to finish up and leave my kit behind when I headed to the beach, but I still have time and inspiration left, so while I do have my assignments done, there could be a few extra pieces in my gallery this month.  
  
  
  Here's a bit of what I've come up with so far:
  
  
  
  This first one is the main kit only.  I thought the main kit stamp would make a great sunflower.  I stamped it with black Stazon and used Prima chalk in Moss Lawn for the Ormulu tag.  I also ADORE this layout.  I can't wait to share the whole thing.  
  I made it while watching Water for Elephants.  I didn't care for the movie so much, it was nothing compared to the book, but the layout is great!  :)
  
  This layout is a mix of a lot of things and makes me smile big time.  This is a nibble of a two pager, 8.5 x 11.
  And that's all I can share for now.  I have more projects finished so will have another sneak post soon.
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
• November 16, 2011
• 8:30

  For the Front Door - Yarn and yoyo fall wreath

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  Tags:  For the Front Door   [edit]

  The details:
  
  
  I'm obsessed with yarn wreaths and I'm not afraid to say it.  I think since the moment I first signed on with Pinterest and started seeing them, I've been pinning and dreaming of making my own.  I used to work at a flower shop in college and would make wreaths for clients on occasion (and not always with fresh flowers).  It is such a treat to revisit this craft.  
  
  A couple of months ago I got a wreath form and wrapped it with yarn, and a couple of Studio Calico kits ago, I became obsessed with wood doilies and had to get some more, and the two combined to create a lovely little accent for my front door:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Maya Road doilies and buttons, Divine Twine, an embroidery hoop, and fabrics from Michael Miller and Heather Bailey, I think.  It's close to Thanksgiving and almost time for a more Christmas inspired wreath, but for the next couple of weeks, I plan to enjoy it!
  
  
  Davinie
  
  
  Supplies:________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• November 15, 2011
• 19:56

  Brag Book Winner, and my December Daily album cover

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  December daily 2011   [edit]

  And the winner is..... 
  
  Barbara said...
  
  
  
  Well I wish I could say I was doing something great at 11:11 but the truth is that I was at a conference. I was going to try to take a photo of what I was doing but totally forgot because I was learning at the conference. It was an exhausting day as I was on a panel discussion for the first hour and a half. My plans to take photos of the girls at 11:11 p.m. fell through also because I fell asleep. I guess I just have to become better at journaling.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  6:49 PM
  
  Barbara!  Congatulations!  Send me an email at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get you in touch with Fancy Pants Designs to get your brag book.  I promise you won't be disappointed with this album.  It is so versatile and there are so many things you can do with it.  Enjoy!
  
  I was going to post the winner yesterday but didn't want to leave a post with just the winner's name, so took some time to finish up my December Daily cover.  I need to think of a good name for it, though, as I'm going to start filling it on Saturday the 18th when we head to the beach to celebrate Christmas with my family, as that's the official start to my holiday.  Anyway, check it out:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As I mentioned, my album is all about utilizing my stash.  You may recognize a few things from very old Studio Calico kits on this cover alone.  I'm excited about that.  I'm so glad things will come to good use.  It make saving it all worthwhile, and it's been fun to "shop" in my own stuff. 
  Davinie
  
  Supplies:________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• November 11, 2011
• 9:54

  Tis the Season - Documenting the holidays and a weekend giveaway!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Weekend Giveaway   [edit]

  The details:
  
  Around my house are a couple of half finished December Daily albums.  Every year I make this big plan to do it, and then the holidays get here and I'm too busy enjoying them to document them daily with photos journaling.  Then the holidays are over and it's that post-pardum period, and then it's on to something else and the album cover gathers dust.
  
  Last year I made a commitment to myself that 2011 was the year.  I HAD to do one this year.  I had several winter assignments in the winter issue of SCT, so I had a lot of Christmas/ winter product.  I decided to save the leftovers for my 2011 album, and as the year has gone by, I've been gathering products to my stash to use.  I'm already off to a great start!
  
  Again, SCT set me up with another great idea when I was asked to do a mini album for the summer issue using the Fancy Pants brag book.  For the summer issue, I used it to document all the fun we had in the summer of 2010, and as I put it together, I knew I had to use it again. 
  
  The album:
  
  The Fancy Pants brag book is the ideal December Daily album, in my opinion.  It has journaling pages, pages with pockets, and page protectors.  It has a thick chipboard cover, and coil binding.  Coil binding with perfectly spaced coils which just so happens to work beautifully with my much neglected Bind-It-All.   I'll be able to add color and fun with my envelopes and memorabilia.  The coil binding also allows me to arrange the album as I think best. 
  
  
  
  You could say it is a match made in heaven.
  
  I am SO excited.
  
  
  
  I'm calling my album "Tis the Season" because I plan to start it next weekend when we are at the beach for a few days with my family celebrating Christmas, just before Thanksgiving.  This yearly gathering always speaks the holiday season to me, and I didn't wnat to exclude it just because it didn't happen in December.  With my kids in public school now, it was getting difficult to schedule a December date that worked for everyone, so I think a late November gathering will be the norm from now on. 
  
  I'm keeping the cover simple, using stamps and minimal embellishments.  I my experience, my mini albums get used and abused, and I wanted the cover to withstand the test of time.  In saying that I also wanted it to be timeless, so didn't want to get too crazy with the cover.
  
  I plan to share my progress with this album here.  I'm hoping it'll go as smoothly as I envision, because I also plan to carry on in 2012 and do better about documenting the day to day.  I'll share more about that with my next Project 12 post. 
  
  In the meantime, I wanted to share my excitement about this album with a blog reader.  Leave a comment letting me know what you did at 11:11 on 11/11/11 and I'll draw a winner for your very own Fancy Pants Designs brag book and announce a winner Monday morning.  Sound good?  My girls were in the Veteran's Day parade at 11:11.  They are Girl Scouts and were really excited to carry flags and waive to the crowds. 
  
  Speaking of the holidays, though, there is something else new in my home that I'm also pretty excited about:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you haven't heard of it before, it's called The Elf on the Shelf, and I can't wait for him to join our family.  I have wanted to use him in year's past, but I always forget about him until it is already into the season.  Not this year.  He's already found his way to our home and he's going to be the first book in our book Advent for December.  I can't wait to have fun with him.  If *I* am this excited to create mischief with this little guy, I can't wait to see what my kids think.  I have pinned zillions of hiding place ideas on Pinterest already.  Fun times ahead!
  
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
  
  Supplies: _______________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• November 08, 2011
• 21:24

  Sketchpad winner

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  Tags:    [edit]

  The winner for KP's Sketchpad class is: 
  
  
  
  
  Ellie A. said...
  
  
  SUPER DUPER Love Kelly & I would love the opportunity to be able to take the class thanks for the chance.
  
  
  
  7:18 AM
  
  
  Congratulations Ellie!  Send me an email at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get you Sketchpad!  I know you won't be disappointed!  :)
  
  Davinie
• November 06, 2011
• 20:26

  Studio Calico Handmade kit love - Post Alley Gum Wall

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  (the giveaway is still open for the Sketchpad class here.  I have to go into work early on Monday, so I won't draw a name until late afternoon).
  
  As I've mentioned before, just before school started for the year, we made a mad dash to the Washington area to get the kids to the beach and visit family. 
  
  One of the places we visited at the end of our journey was my sister in Seattle.  We went to the aquarium and walked around downtown, doing the touristy thing.  When I was shopping around for t-shirts I happened across a lot of periphernalia for the Gum Wall, and had to check it out, as I'd never heard of it before.
  
  Around the corner from the flying fish at the Pike Street market is an alley.  It's FILLED with gum.  Gross, yes.  But it was actually pretty cool.  We all added to the pop culture art, and of course, had to get a photo or two. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I broke my "new to me" trusty Royal for the journaling.  I love how much more journaling I can add to a layout with this thing, and how I can type right where I want without formatting a shape in photoshop, etc.  I love that thing.
  I told you I loved the SC paper that was available for November.  I really dig that gray print.  And that's a bit of the More Gray add-on too.  
  I wanted the layout to be dark because we were in a back alley in the evening, but it was about gum, so I had to use circles and pops of pink.  I really liked that OA paper which was key in deciding to use these photos, but ended up with only a strip of it.
  The title was inspired by the sign for the alley:
  
  
  
  
  Strangely fascinating, isn't it?!  Your kids would love it.  :)
  Davinie
• November 04, 2011
• 7:00

  A weekend Giveaway - Sketchpad from Kelly Purkey and friends

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  Tags:  Weekend Giveaway   [edit]

  Hi all!
  
  I have a really fun giveaway for you today.  I was previously asked by miss KP to contribute to her Sketchbook class, so when she decided to do an updated version called Sketchpad, and asked me to contribute again, of course I jumped all over the opportunity.
  
  Kelly has graciously donated a free "copy" of this class for one of my blog readers, and I'm very excited to share it with you!  Here's a little more about Sketchpad:
  
  
  
  
  Sketchpad is a brand-new class from Kelly Purkey, spinning off from her series of successful Sketchbook classes.  Sketchpad is a downloadable, self-paced class featuring 12 original sketches, 35 exclusive layouts from Kelly + and her talented contributors, 35 MORE sketches made from those layouts, and 12 amazing cards based on the sketches from the talented, Kristina Werner... all in a full-color 75 page PDF.  Visit Kelly's blog for more details on the class and how to purchase. 
  Here's a little sneak at some of the layouts from the sketches in the class:
  
  And ssshhh.  Don't tell Kelly I shared, but here's a little peek at my layout:
  
  The concept is really cool, so I hope you get a chance to check out this publication.  And because this blog post is for a giveaway, how about you leave a comment and let me know if you've taken a class from KP before, and I'll draw a winner Monday morning.  How does that sound?
  Good luck!  Davinie
• November 02, 2011
• 18:21

  Project 12 October in November

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  
  
  
  Uh oh. I'm human. :)
  
  WELCOME to Project 12, November edition!
  
  When we've found time, we've been working on our scrapbooking, right?!  I'll tell you, I'm in shock that it's November.  I can't believe Halloween already happened.  Talk about a whirlwind!  Why is life doing that?  I feel like it's zipping by too fast to even enjoy it.  oh my.
  
  We've been working on our September layouts, so I wanted to remind you of the September sketch:
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  
  
  
  As in all things, I was behind on my Project Runway...  so one night while watching the final four battle it out, I took out my sewing machine and stitched random grids to mimic the fun grid in the background paper.  I just adore the texture it adds.  (I also did that a wee bit on my layout for the Sketchpad class that KP is offering now.   Check it out!). 
  
  September was busy too.  We were in the Seattle area at the beginning of the month, doing the beach, ocean, city thing.  And then we dashed home for school to start.  Since September speaks School to me, I decided to use that photo for my main photo this month.  But we also did random things like watch hula dancers, celebrate my mother in law's birthday, and go to the lake to catch frogs.  Random things need documented too, right?  It's fun to document the random things, with art. 
  
  Most products used were from the November kit from Studio Calico, Handmade.  But that's my ribbon, the blue buttons are from my stash, and the blue alphas are from the Field Guide main kit (which is still available)
  
  I did end up catching all the submissions, and these are a few that caught my eye:
  I LOVEd Natalie's (vegatablog) layout this month. I know I highlighted it at SCT too, but I couldn't help myself. I really like the color palette and that background print works great with the design. And the stitching! I love the stitching!
  
  I love the way Shelly does her journaling. Always do.
  
  In love with the doilies here.
  
  Be sure to check out the SCT blog post to see if you are a winner of the latest prize offering from Xyron!
  
  And now, the October sketch:
  
  
  
  
  Nicely done Becky Fleck!
  As always you have until the 28th to link your layout here or at SCT if you want a chance at a prize (check out the Project 12 page up top if you have any questions or send me an email).
  And now....  a few questions I want to ask about Project 12.  Please answer them, whether you participate in the challenge or not, if you have time.
  1.  What do you like about Project 12?2.  Do you like using sketches?  What about having 2 page layouts?3.  Is there anything in particular you'd like to see going forward, that might entice you to play along?4.  How much does the prize influence you?
  I have a few things rolling around in my head, and would love to hear what you think about this challenge.  I have been hosting it for a long time, and using this format for a while too.
  That's about it!  Now I'd better get to work on October before Santa comes down the chimney (because that is how quickly the world is spinning these days).  :)
  Davinie
  
• October 27, 2011
• 20:56

  Studio Calico November - Handmade kit

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  You know what time it is.  It's reveal time, of course.  The Handmade kit is up for grabs.
  
  I got three add-ons this month:
  
  Pin Cushion
  
  Thimble
  
  Tatting
  
  Add-on paper
  
  I also HIGHLY recommend:
  
  MORE SC
  
  MORE GRAY
  
  The gray (or grey) is fabulous.  I also ADORE the yellow/orange chevron in the SC paper, along with that gray (or grey) ledger, so it's definitely a must have for this time of year, no matter the hemisphere, really.  And don't forget the leaf pattern!  The leaf pattern is divine as well! 
  
  I didn't get the December Daily kit, but I KNOW it's fabulous!  I just had to focus on my stash. 
  
  On to the kit.
  
  This first one was made with the main kit only:
  
  
  
  
  I am feeling Halloween ish,and I really liked the sparkly MME paper, so mimicked the pattern of the circles with my circle punch and the black paper for this design.  I'm also a fan of the layered BG flowers.  And the SC paper.  LOVE. Whenever something fun is around the corner, my kids are always saying "how many days?"  Sometimes it's in reference to their birthday, NEXT YEAR, so it's often quite the math problem for the mama, lol.I was really inspired by a Pinterest pin for this next one:
  
  
  
  
  That's right people.  That's a brown paper package, tied up with a brown brad, lol.  Recognize it from this?
  
  
  
  aplaceforusblog.com
  
  
  Click that link and you can read the tutorial on how to make them too.  Pretty cool stuff, and I'd love some for my wall, lol.  Can you see how my layout was also inspired from this pin?  You really can find inspiration everywhere.
  
  
  
  My Pink Paislee wood alphas were misted with Pony, which was the perfect mist to match those brown BG brads.
  I did something I've never done since I was first on the team in 2007 with this kit....  I only made two layouts for my gallery work.  I just ran out of time!  I have a two pager almost finished, which has a completely different feel from how I used the kit otherwise, and I'll be sharing that shortly.  In the meantime, I did make a couple of cards with this kit, using the stamps, and I actually had a lot of fun with it.
  
  I'm telling you, being on the PTC  (aka PTA, PTO) for the elementary sucked the life right out of me.  From what I understand, Pumpkin Carving night is the most stressful event, but just wait until Valentines Day gets here!  We are doing a craft night/bake sale, etc., and it's going to be CRAFTY.  Oh my. 
  
  Anyway.... 
  
  The stamp used on this first card is my favorite SC stamp so far.  I think it's because of that little tiny stamp you can use inside.  I don't know.  It's not normally a design I'm particularly drawn to, but I adore it.  The stamp is in the Thimble add-on, which is a must have.
  
  
  
  
  
  I used JBS Stick Candy and Lemon Drop inks here. 
  
  
  
  This last card also had an inspiration piece.  I really wanted to use the butterflies on a card, and then I was peeking at the Crate label stickers, and saw this:
  
  
  
  
  It worked perfectly, don't you think? See that little butterfly in the middle of a scallop?  Voila.  Embellishment idea.   JBS Spice Tin ink here. 
  
  
  And that's it!  I'll post on Saturday with that last layout.  I promise.  Really!  Now go pick up Thimble, for that stamp set and the OA. 
  Supplies ______________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• October 24, 2011
• 15:20

  dusting off the blog with some SNEAKS

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Ever go to school functions with your kiddos? 
  
  Ever notice the mayhem that surrounds you as kids are running amok?
  
  Ever feel sorry for the harried woman behind the cash register or announcing raffle winners or taking tickets or serving popcorn?
  
  I was HER.
  
  I coordinated a Pumpkin Carving Night for the elementary school, and it has rocked my world, lol.  It was lot more work than I thought it would be, and then half the volunteers were a no-show, so I was superwoman, and forced to clone myself and be in several directions at the same time. 
  
  Why on earth would you volunteer for a school event and not show up?  Why can't you call?  I wonder if this was some sort of hazing initiation.  I wish I had been punked, because then Ashton could have dashed through the pumpkin guts and chili dogs to save my day, but alas, just kids wielding carving tools and dancing to Monster Mash, lol. 
  
  And then they left and I was surrounded by orange and purple butcher paper and the aforementioned guts. 
  
  Fun times.
  
  Glad that's over, because now we can get back to CRAFTS.
  Studio Calico.  November Kit.  HANDMADE.
  yum.
  
  Here's a few sneaks:
  
  
  
  This first one is my main kit only layout this month.  Had fun with this one.
  
  
  
  I was inspired by the Crate paper for this second one (the butterfly stamp is one of a few in the Tatting add-on, stamped with JBS Spice Tin).
  
  
  
  
  Love this one.  Had a fun with the details on it (and that's Pony mist on my Pink Paislee alphas, which match the brown in the BG brads from the Thimble add-on perfectly).
  
  
  
  More stamping!  JBS Stick Candy and Lemon Drops here...  and that stamp from Thimble is an all-time fave, I think.  I don't know what it is about it, maybe that little stamp that fits inside, but I could use this stamp all day. 
  
  Let me know if you have any questions!  I did get add-ons 1-3, Pin Cushion, Thimble, and Tatting.  I didn't get the December Daily project kit because I wanted to utilize my stash (but I know I'm going to wish I had that album for sure.  I went back and forth on whether to splurge and decided to be good). 
  
  Supplies __________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• October 17, 2011
• 15:23

  Field Guide Blog Hop winner!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  SusieQ said...
  
  
  The Field Guide kit look really great. Your layout surely does show off the kit well. Thanks for a chance to win.
  
  
  
  7:23 PM
  
  
  Congratulations Susie!  Send me an email at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get you squared away with this great kit!
  
  Thank you to everyone who left a comment.  I really do read them all, and was laughing at a few of them...  what, a bachelorette party and wine tasting instead of the pumpkin patch?!  haaa!  :)
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• October 13, 2011
• 21:00

  Field Guide Blog Hop!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  Hello Hello!  Thanks for stopping by!  If you've landed here, you either got lucky, or you heard we're having a blog hop with Studio Calico.  Each month I get a box of delicious goodies delivered, and do my best to create projects I enjoy and hope that I inspire others with ideas for their projects when the kits arrive.  This last month, one of the things we decided to try was to create projects using the main kit only.  Normally I get my kit and the add-ons I purchase, and toss them all together, as the often play well together.  It was fun to play with one package at a time, and create a layout using just the main kit.  There's also paper, embellishments, and an alphabet too, so you really don't need more than that.
  This is what the Field Guide kit looked like:
  
  Delicious exclusive patterns from Studio Calico, a stamp set, and the chipboard butterflies from Sassafras for Studio Calico are FABULOUS.  I don't know what it is about them, but they are fabulous.
  
  This is the layout I created with the main kit this month (if you didn't get a chance to check out my projects at reveal):
  
  
  
  
  
  My hubby and I recently celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary, so I wanted a simple layout with a lot of journaling.  We took advantage of a friend's wedding to dash out of town for the weekend, so I included a photo of us just before the ceremony with my iPhone and the Instagram ap. 
  The journaling was made with my "new" old typewriter.  I. am. in. love.  I'm definitely including more typewritten journaling on my projects. 
  The butterflies for this project were fun.  On another layout I created with this kit, I used clipart from the computer, trimmed it out and used it on my layout.  With these butterflies, however, I used the new butterfly masks manufactured by Studio Calico, and some Clay mist.  I misted the butteflies, then hand stittched them before trimming them out.
  I hand stitched them first as I was close to the edge of the shape, and didn't want the paper to tear as I was sewing.  I stitched around the edge of the masked image.  After the butterflies were trimmed out i splattered some dewey just for fun.  I stitched the shapes before adhering them to the layout because I wanted more dimension, and the wee bit of lift that the thread on the back of the shape allowed was the perfect amount.
  I was inspired by the Sassafras butterflies to use this shape, so I had to include some of the chipboard pieces on my layout as well.
  I REALLY like the Basic Grey alphas that were in the main kit.  I adore the font and used them for a few of my projects this month.  I also like that there were shipping tags.  My vote is to have a couple in every kit!
  I used most of the papers in this main kit for my projects this month.  And I'm so excited.  We like to have giveaways when we do blog hops, and the giveaway this month is VERY generous.  If you haven't had a chance to check out Studio Calico kits, and like the looks of this one, each Design Team member is going to be GIVING it away!  woot!  (check out my sidebar for links). 
  If you would like a chance at the Field Guide kit, leave a comment here! (if you already subscribe and are the winner, you could gift it to a friend or have twice as many butteflies.  woot!).  Leave a comment and I'll draw for a winner and announce it on Monday. 
  My question?  Do you have a pumpkin patch where you live, and have you or are you plannin to go?  We have plans to head to [www.pumpkinco.com]  tomorrow I think (although I hear they are charging for the petting zoo now.  boo).  i LOVe a good pumpkin patch though, so I'm excited.  This one has a big corn maze, and the theme this year is Star Wars.  Fun times.
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
• October 02, 2011
• 10:20

  Project 12 September in October

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Hi Friends!  I hope you had a wonderful Worldcardmaking Day and did something crafty, something you enjoy.  We are posting a day late because of the events, but Welcome to another edition of Project 12!  ha!
  
  
  
  
  
  Here's what the sketch looked like for August. 
  
  And this is what I came up with for this month:
  
  
  
  I used my Studio Calico Field Guide kit for this one. 
  
  Becky's sketches are a whole new world for me now that I see mist when I look at them.  Again this month, I misted around the edges instead of using patterned paper, and used the same mist for my chipboard butterfly on the left.  The color choice was Estate Green. 
  
  This month my hubby and the girls spent a lot of time at Grandma and Grandpa's, working on a big landscaping project. They usually went on the days I went to the office all day, so I wasn't part of the "fun".  We had a photo of the project along with their new pond and dock, so I printed a 5x7 photo of our dog jumping for a toy.  It's not the best photo, but someday those trees won't be that big, the landscaping will be done, and it'll be fun to look back and into the background of that photo.  It would never end up on a layout otherwise, so it was the perfect choice for this sketch.
  
  Here's a few things that caught my eye:
  
  I like the patterned paper Kayla chose and how her scalloped frame matches and brings the layout together.  The embellishments work together really well. 
  
  I like how Vanessa went back and looked through previous sketches for her layout, to find the best sketch that worked with her life.  That's a great way to do it.
  
  I had to share Jen's.  I love that Cosmo paper in this sketch, and the visual triangle of embellishments she created with the layered flowers.  It brings your eye straight through the layout, which makes it even more appealing. 
  
  Agata and her handstitchery and that multi-colored journaling block makes my heart SING!  :)
  
  Now that we are on to October, while in the midst of creating Halloween costumes (aaaaackkkk.  already?!!), making the final push on some quilts I'm making for the girls (and should have given them LAST year), I've got a layout to make.  Check out the September sketch:
  
  
  
  
  Ooh.  This is interesting.  It's similar to the last sketch, only the reverse.  I like this one a lot.  See the visual triangle created with the three main embellishments?  It'll bring the eye straight through the photos, which you won't consciously think about, but you'll find when you are finished with your layout, you'll just like your layout a lot, not realizing it's because you used that rule of design.  :)
  
  Have a great October!  I'm going to be crafting about the first day of school while visiting the pumpkin patch and getting Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks.  That's the fun of scrapping a month behind.  :)
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Be sure to check out the SCT blog to see if you are the winner of the latest prize (but post your layouts here)!  and as always, check out the Project 12 page above if you have any questions about the challenge, or send me an email to cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com.
  
  :)
• October 01, 2011
• 10:29

  Happy World Cardmaking Day!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Cards   [edit]

  (Project 12 September in October will be posted later today)
  
  Happy WCMD!  Whether you paper craft or not, I hope you get a chance today or this weekend to do that creative thing that makes your heart go pitter pat.
  
  I have sweet friends who knit and crochet (oooohhh how I envy their talents), quilt, bake, hike, bike, and even hunt (that's for you, Steve, lol), and I hope today is a day you get to do what you love.
  
  I worked on a quilt last night for my girls.  I'm making two for Christmas and have been working on it for far too long.  Today we'll be headed to Joann's for supplies to create Halloween costumes, so while it isn't cardmaking today, it's still crafts, and I love it.
  
  If you are making cards today, SCT has a great sketch from Becky Fleck with several interpretations, as well as a fun card kit giveaway from Jillibean Soup.  check that out here. 
  
  I created a card for this challenge, using the new Autumn Press line from Studio Calico:
  
  
  
  I used the last I had of that brown striped ribbon.  I must get more because I think it's my favorite trim to date.  I can't remember who makes it though, or where I got it.  I'll have to add that to the search list for Joann's.
  
  In case you are interested, supplies used:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
  
  
  
  Have a crafty Day!  Davinie
• September 27, 2011
• 20:58

  Studio Calico - Field Guide projects

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's reveal time, the October kit is up for grabs.  Field Guide.
  
  I got all the add-ons.  Perennial, Greenhouse, Meadow Lark, and Almanac.  AND I got allll the shop items.  I know.  I couldn't help myself.  It's all new product and I have no LSS. 
  
  The SC paper is really cool this month too.
  
  And I didn't get to play with it this month, it's a new addition, but you can now get MORE GRAY.  woot! 
  One of the new things were up to as a group is to create layouts using the main kit only for the gallery every month.  This first layout about my eleven year marriage to my hubby was that main kit layout for me this month:
  
  
  
  
  The butterflies were created with the new SC butterfly masks, using Clay mist, droplets of Dewey, and then hand stitched and trimmed out. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
  
  
  
  I was a bit inspired by my recent circle challenge on the SC blog for this one. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I wanted an apple to make this layout more "school" themed, so I found one on the computer and printed it out.  No mask, die cut, or chipboard element there.  Just scissors.  :)
  
  
  All the little alphas in this kit begged for a card.  There's just so much you can do with them!
  
  Another fun thing we did for the gallery this month was to create a project inspred by something pinned on Pinterest.  This is my inspiration piece:
  
  
  
  When we were vacationing in Washington, I was soaking up inspiration at my dad's house with my stepmom's quilting magazines.  I came across that quilt and was immediately inspired by the circles stitching offset from the colored pieces. 
  
  
  
  I adore that layout.  It must be said.  That everywhere punch is da bomb.  :)
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  
  
  
  
  Here's all the fun shop items this month too:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  InLinkz.com
  
  And that's it!  If you have any questions about my work this month, let me know.  Mini coming soon!  There was a lot of great inspiration this month.  Enjoy it all!  :)  Davinie
• September 25, 2011
• 10:27

  It's Field Guide Sneak time....

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  IF blogger chooses to allow me to publish a post when I want on my own stinkin' blog.....  then there shall be sneaks.  October kit, Field Guide named sneaks.
  
  
  
  
  I got everything this month.  I was drawn to the color palette and each add-on contained something I couldn't live without.  I know that doesn't help the budget conscious, but you should know each girl on the team has created something with the main kit only, and this is my sneak for that project:
  
  
  
  I did use a new Studio Calico butterfly mask and some Clay and Dewey Huey (my FAVORITE color released, except for white), but you could print something from the computer to trace and cut out (I actually did that for one of my layouts this month), or use other objects or chipboard negatives, etc., in your stash.
  
  I also got to use my new typewriter on this layout, which I am really excited about.  She's a Royal.  She's gray.  And Steve's Mom got her as a gift for High School graduation and passed her on for me to play with.  So she has history in my family.  LOVE that.
  
  
  
    
  
  
  The wood doilies are from Perennial, love those, and there's a nibble of the hand cut embellies I was referring to earlier.
  
  
  (The birdie stamp and those Prima alphas are from Meadow Lark, #3.  LOVE those Prima alphas - and you can take the centers out of those alphas.  I just didn't).  The background paper and the other alphas are from the main kit.  I used those Basic Grey alphas on several layouts this month.  I love that font.
  
  I'm still working with the kit, as I like to use it for my latest Project 12 layout, and am having fun with it. 
  
  I have huge plans for the Amy Tan mini in Almanac....  it's the perfect type of random album for our trip to Washington, where we played in the sand on the beach, in a boat on the ocean, and in the big city of Seattle.  The Ormolu date tags, perfect (we were there Tuesday to Monday), the Amy Tan bits and pieces, fabulous.  Love it all.  But I am not the fastest mini maker.  So you'll see that later. 
  
  Have a great Sunday!  Davinie
  
  P.S.  My friend Alison has a great big giveaway on her blog that you need to check out.  Head here and good luck!
• September 23, 2011
• 7:00

  The Fall issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today...

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Good Morning friends!
  
  It's mid-September and that means the fall issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine is available for download if you don't have a subscription or a scrapbook store that carries it.  TODAY!  :)
  
  Check out the cover of the fall issue, created by sweet Kelly Goree.  Isn't it gorgeous?!
  
  
  I've only had a minute to peek at it, but as usual it is full of great ideas and projects.  I have a couple of things in this issue, including a really great frame that my daughter is going to have a lot of fun with.  I hope you'll check it out (it's on page 37).
  
  I also wanted to share a peek at the upcoming 2012 calendar being put out by SCT:
  
  
  
  
  If you didn't purchase this calendar in 2011, I encourage you to consider a calendar for 2012.  They are available for preorder on 10/14.  Each month will include a sketch of the layout, as well as closeup shots for each project to make it easier to lift or be inspired.  If you have a 2011 calendar, my sweet peach just happens to be on your wall right now.  Very cool indeed (I just love that photo).  I have the honor of participating in the next calendar as well, and I can't wait to share the final product.  It really is a great resource to have, for crafty purposes as well as organizational ones.  ;)
  
  I hope you have a wonderful Friday! 
  
  P.S.  Ever wanted to be published in Scrapbook and Cards Today?  The winter call is out now, with a deadline of October 3 for submissions.  Check out the current winter call here. 
  
  Davinie
• September 21, 2011
• 14:28

  Wores on Wednesday - Love your life

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  Pinned
  
  
  
  Pinned from AbsolutelyWhite
  
  I'm in the process of pushing send on an application for grad school, and these quotes are helping me keep my end goal in perspective.
  I have fears.
  It's a big student loan.Will I get a job?What if I am not good at it?What if I can't get hired locally?  We can't move!Am I organized enough to do this?Will I still be able to do the things I love to do now, the commitments I have already made? 
  It's a BIG student loan.  Is that the right thing?
  HOWEVER.  I do not want to live my life with any regrets.  There are things I have already wanted to see and do, and it is up to me to make it happen.  I'll always regret it if I don't go for my dreams, so I'm about to take a leap.  The deadline is 10/1, and then the nail biting will begin on whether I'm accepted to the program.  Oh my.    Anyway, I hope your Wednesday is filled with steps towards your goals, happiness, fulfillment, and love with your life.  It is the most important thing. 
• September 16, 2011
• 11:05

  foto Friday - a new tradition

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  Tags:  foto friday   [edit]

  On top of having issues with Payton and Kindergarten, one of our external harddrives may or may not be kaput.  This means I may or may not have lost some valuable photos, which may or may not lead to an insanity plea.
  
  Because of that, I'm more determined to send more of my favorite photos to the cloud, and one way to do that is via my blog.  I don't share a lot of photos here, but I like looking at them, so I've decided to throw caution to the wind and share more of them.  It's my blog, after all.  With the kids back in school I don't know if this will happen every week, as I tend to do a photo blitz and then the camera gathers dust for a few days, but I'm hoping to gather photos all in one post for the most part, and Friday is my day to share them I think.
  
  The excitement this week in photos would be the beginning of the school year.  Morgan started school last week, but I'm going to share her photo here too.
  
  They both started school on different days, but Payton's first official day with her permanent teacher was this morning, so that was the first opportunity to take a photo of the two of them together.
  
  This was today:
  
  
  
  (chicken dance. I don't know why, lol).
  
  (love that one).
  
  And this is Payton on Monday when we thought she was going to have to be in PM Kindergarten (but Mama did NOT want PM Kindergarten):
  
  
  She's such a nut.  She learned that face from Grandpa Fiero.
  
  There's my beautiful girl.
  
  When we went to the meet and greet with her teacher earlier in the week, she got her first homework assignment; to make a self doll.  This is what she came up with:
  
  
  
  When she was first drawing this little brown strip on her hand, I thought it might be a bracelet or something, but no.  It's pizza.  ha!  (apparently she was hungry when doing her homework).
  And these are photos of Morgan last week on HER first day of school.  Even though I knew that a ponytail wouldn't make for the best headshots, it's what she wanted, along with curls, so the night before after bathtime I braided and braided.  It's a bit crimpy, but she loved her hair on the first day:
  
  
  
  
  
  My squinty girl.  She has her mama's light sensitive blue eyes.
  And of course, after she got off the bus at the end of the day, it was time for jumping photos! 
  
  
  
  
  
   She loves school.  Can you tell?
  I hope you have a great weekend!  I'm going to be busy crafting up a storm so if that's your inclination, I hope you have tons of mojo and little interruption!
  Davinie
  P.S.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here, but my photos look better in Photoshop than they do here in blogland.  They look grainy here.  ack.  Whey can't this techy stuff be obvious and more user friendly?  bleck.
• September 14, 2011
• 7:38

  Words on Wednesday - don't worry

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned
  
  
  
  One of the many things that has had me preoccupied in recent weeks was a mailing from the school district with an assignment for miss Payton Jayne in PM Kindergarten.
  
  This mama does NOT want PM, for a million reasons, including:
  
  

  • I work in the morning
  • I put Morgan on the bus in the morning.  I don't want to have to then wait @4 hours before Payton gets to go to school.  She has zero patience.  And neither do I.  It's a nightmare, lol. 
  • Kids are fresh in the morning.  School doesn't start until after lunch?  NO.  Not doing it.

  
  I called the school and learned that they were really Kindergarten heavy, and eventually assigned kids based on their bus route.  Yes, we live in a PM bus area for Kindergartners.  There is no AM bus available to bring her home.  But she could ride the bus in the AM to school with her sister, and I could pick her up, etc.
  
  I got put on a waiting list, and have been twiddling my thumbs for WEEEEEKS.
  
  School is already in session for the older kids, and it wasn't until "emergency" funding was released this evening that I finally got the word:  A new teacher has been added part-time.  And she's AM.  And she happens to be the same teacher that Morgan had in Kindergarten.
  
  I'm not kidding.  I started shaking and almost cried.  Hallelujahs were definitely in order.  I know this sounds silly, but that reverse schedule was going to make this school year extremely difficult for me to organize.  I work part time but I work 8 hours some days, and if Steve isn't home (he's gone for 48 hours at a time), I don't feel comfortable asking my sister or a dear friend to watch her if she was going to have an opposite schedule from their Kindergartner.  This makes me feel so much better.
  
  Anyway, a dear friend told me not to worry, and it turns out, she was right.  I could have saved about 7 gray hairs that recently sprouted if I had just listened.  It all worked out in the end, and it also turned out much better than I could have hoped.  I love it when that happens.  And now I can make a hair appointment  to wash that gray right outta my hair because I now know when I'm free. 
  
  Have a great Wednesday!  Davinie
• September 12, 2011
• 7:00

  Scrapbook Love - New Dungeness Lighthouse

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Over the Labor Day weekend my family went on a weeklong family/ Washington tour.  We spent two nights at the beach with my brother and his family, spent two nights in Sequim with my Dad and Stepmom, a night with my sister in Seattle, and then a night with my Mom in Portland before coming home.  Wowwweeeee.  On paper it seemed perfect, but the drive between destinations was a bummer.
  
  When we visited my dad in Sequim, we took his boat out across the bay so the kids could check out a lighthouse.  That was tons of fun.  There were seals watching us along our route, we could see all sorts of sea life like large seaweed, jellyfish, etc. from the boat as we travelled along, and we jumped in this wee little skiff we had been towing in order to get to shore.  Steve and I even went sea kayaking before heading back, which was a bit scary and FUN at the same time.  I think we are going to get ourselves a couple of two seaters so we can take the kids out.
  
  Anyway, overwhelmed with photos from our adventures, I turned to my latest kit from Studio Calico, and immnediately knew I had to use photos from our lighthouse adventure first.
  
  As always, when new products are released after CHA and April is able to snag them for our kits, the Design Team is often left without them when our kits are sent, because we receive product a month ahead of everyone else, and that can cut it close when it comes to new stuff.  In fact, even the Studio Calico exclusives are often sent in the digital slick version, because they haven't been printed for kits yet.  For the September kit, it was much of the new Pink Paislee goodies that missed our boxes.
  
  The main reason I chose Pep Squad (which is still available) was becuase of the hexagon shapes from Pink Paislee's new Nantucket Collection, so now that I have the product, I wanted to get it on a layout.  I also really wanted to include the die cut shapes that were in Debate Team.  This is what I came up with:
  
  
  I'm a bit obsessed with the monochromatic texture of these hexagons.  It must be said.  :)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm also a fan of layering those die cut shapes, just like I did with a few of them for my latest Project 12 layout, which also utilized the Glee Club kit. 
  With this layout that brings my current total for Glee Club to 2 12x12's, 3 2pagers, and a card (which will be on the SC blog).  Not too bad and I still have a lot of kit left. 
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  
• September 11, 2011
• 6:37

  Where were you?

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  Tags:    [edit]

  It was 6:30 in the morning here on the West Coast and I was driving to work.
  
  I stopped at the coffee stand I frequent for a  vanilla latte (grande, of course), and the gal at the window told me that a helicopter had hit a building in New York.
  
  At first, I didn't think much of it.  She seemed confused by what she had heard, and crazy things happen all the time, right?
  When I got to the office, people were a bit frazzled.  They kept talking about the helicopter, or was it a private plane, or was it a news helicopter or...  what was it?
  
  And then we heard.
  
  We heard the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane in New York City.
  
  And life as we know it, as I know it, changed.
  
  On September 11, 2001, I had just recently celebrated my first wedding anniversary to my firefighter hubby.  We had started dating 5 years prior when we were just about 20, and for the first few years, we didn't know what we wanted to be when we "grew up".  At first, Steve was having fun working on the ski patrol at Mt Bachelor on his snowboard.  We talked about moving to Boulder Colorado so he could get on a mountain there and I could finish with school, career path undertermined. 
  
  Steve had some experience fighting wildfires with hot shot crews in the summertime, and realized that line of work appealed to him, so changed plans and found focus, spending the next few years of our dating life getting his dual paramedic / fire science degrees.  After living at the Sunriver Firestation as a student for a few years, he was eventually lucky enough to be hired there, and that was where he was working on that weekday in September, 2001.
  
  I eventually left work that morning in a bit of shock.  There was just no way I could focus on health insurance when something like this was happening.
  
  September 11 changed all of us, but it really changed me.  It changed the way I think about firefighters, in particular.  Being a firefighter was no longer "cool" as people often think.  It was never about the flashy truck for Steve, it has always been about service to his community and helping others, but the reality of where the pretty fire trucks will go became real to me on that day.  On September 11 I came face to face with what it really means to be a serviceman to your community.  I hadn't really thought about what his career path meant before then. 
  
  There's a huge part of me that feels guilty about how happy I was that we were on the other end of the country.  Steve is a Boy Scout.  He believes in helping others.  If we were in New York, I know he would have been in one of those buildings.  I just know it.  While the rest of the city was running out, there is a community of brothers that will run IN.  It is their job.  It is their way of life.  And he is one of them.
  
  September 11 scared me in many ways.
  
  10 years later, I remember it like yesterday.  10 years later, I know I will never forget.  10 years later, I have two little girls that weren't here on that fateful day, and it's my job to tell them what I remember.
  
  I had the TV on non-stop watching footage and hoping that out of the piles of rubble, more people would be found.  As time went on it was a desparate feeling.  I really wanted all of those rescue workers to find someone.  Maybe just one person.  Something.  But they rarely did.
  
  That was a huge day in our history, and I think about it all the time.  But I kiss Steve goodbye every 5 days, and then watch for him to come home 2 days later.  And I'll keep doing that for the rest of his career, because we need people like him in our world and in our communities.  When we need help, I know he'll be there, just like 343 of his brothers in NYC who rushed to help when all instincts were to flee. 
  
  So hug your kids.  Get out the camera and get in a photo with them while you are at it.  And grab your hubby too before football comes on or the lawn needs mowed or you need a gallon of milk from the store.  If anything, this day is a reminder of how precious and fragile our lives are.  Davinie
• September 09, 2011
• 15:39

  Out for Pub - CK's Budget-Friendly Scrapbooking issue

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  Tags:  published   [edit]

  Happy Friday!
  
  Months ago I was asked to contribute to a special issue for CK called Budget-Friendly scrapbooking.  I think CK has a lot to offer the crafting community, so of course I said YES!  I'd be crazy not to!  :)
  
  My assignment was to use multiple rubons on a layout.  I immediately dashed to my stash of butterflies in various colors, from Studio Calico, and went to work on a two page layout.
  
  The theme was literal.  A couple years ago when we went to visit my sister in Seattle, we went to the Pacific Science Center which has a great butterfly exhibit.  You get to be in with the butterflies, and there are several different kinds in many different colors buzzing about.  You need to watch your step, because they land on the ground and everything.  The girls thought it was very cool.  It was definitely the best part of the show.
  
  
  
  I was thinking of those bug display boards where you pin down the specimens when contemplating this layout design.  Lots of circles here, with some butterflies adhered here and there.  I also used pop dots and raised some of them to flutter about.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This issue of CK is out and available to purchase!  There are a lot of great designs and cost saving ideas there so check it out! 
  
  
  
  Supplies:Bazzill KraftCrate Paper RestorationStuido Calico Countryside and butterfly rubonsSassafras alphasMaking Memory alphascircle punch
  Have a great Friday!  Davinie
• September 01, 2011
• 8:00

  Project 12 August in September

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  ETA:  Oh my goooooodnesssss!!!!  I was out of town and thought I had this scheduled to post on the 1st!  Gal dang!  I just realized it's still in Draft!  I was so on top of it too!  ACK!  Anyway.....
  
  
  Hello Friends!
  
  Another month has just FLOWN by, and now the fun begins.... documenting it all on a layout!  I'm glad that July's sketch was full of photos.  My month was certainly full of adventures, and I'm glad to have a place to put some of them.  Some of the photos on this layout may not have made it on to a traditional layout if it wasn't for this monthly sketch.
  
  As a reminder, this is what the July sketch looked like:
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  
  
  
  I used the September kit from Studio Calico for this layout, Glee Club.  I misted the edges of my layout with Lemonade mist.  It looks a wee bit orange, but I love the overall effect.  Very cost effective to mist the edges rather than use paper too, right?   
  The tags are from my stash.  Staples.  I think they need to be a constant for the shop.  Wouldn't you agree?
  This sketch was fun because I could use just bits and pieces of scraps from my kit to fill the spaces and add more color.  I also loved the fun grid.
  Here are some things I particularly liked about the projects linked to my blog this month.
  LOVED the die cut shape that spanned the layout.  Such a great interpretation of the sketch. 
  diggin the banner on pop dots. 
  Very cool background on this one. 
  
  Looking ahead, I'm itching to try out the next sketch for my August photos.  Oh my.  I've been wanting to try this design for a while:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As always, it's really easy to play along and I hope you will.  Use the sketch, or don't.  Use 100 photos or none. Just recap your month on a layout, and link it to the P12 post by the 28th of the month to enter for a prize.  Increase your chances by linking to the Scrapbook and Cards blog too.  More info on the Project 12 page up top.
  
  I'll see you back here on the first.  And hopefully, I'll be able to leave comments along the way before then.  I've been having a problem with blogger lately (there's a chance I'm going to make a switch quite soon) so I can't always sign in to post.  Sometimes I post anonymously and sometimes I can't even do that. 
  
  Have a great month!  It's school time and I have a second grader and a Kindergardner!  Things are a'changin' in the Fiero house.  :)
  
  Davinie
• August 27, 2011
• 20:58

  Revealed - Studio Calico's Glee Club

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's Reveal time and I have projects to share for the Glee Club kit.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I bought two add-ons this month, #1 Pep Squad, and #2 Debate Team.  I should have bought #4, Thespians, and will be in line to pick it up with all of you because I simply must have it now, lol. 
  
  
  
  I used 10 Instagram photos on this layout.  i thought it would be fun to do the banners across the top with the stitching, and then layered my photos and some pennant pieces across the two pages to make a banner from the pictures.  I really like the story of this layout. 
  
  
  
  
  
  Obviously a fun technique on this layout was the use of the Sew Easy tool.  This is the first time I used the pennant head and it was much easier to use than I thought.  I'll be posting a quick tutorial on how easy it is to use this particular head in a curved path.  I love it and will use it again.  I also previously bought the banner head, and will be using that one too.  I almost used both of them on this layout. 
  
  
  The growing season has been terrible this year and I'm also not the best gardener, I'm still learning, lol, so things like these wee carrots are the best I've done.  Morgan thinks it's FABULOUS though, so I can't complain.  She even ate some, and almost got a serving of Vitamin A for the day.  ha!
  I tore off the perforated heart strip but as I was designing the layout, realized how well it matched the colors in my layout, and Morgan's shirt too, so stitched it back on the bottom.  I actually like the added texture of having it adhered on top of the base paper with the stitching. 
  
  
  I liked the birdhouse and birdies (they are misted with Bonny Blue and  Warm Calico), and thought they could use a bit of skyline to balance against the pattern of the base, so I went with clouds.  I'm a bit obsessed with clouds lately.  I also wanted the title to stand out a bit more. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This layout is fairly simple but that's because it's all about this photo.  I adore this photo.  I mentioned in my sneak post that I need to go back and purchase the Thespian add-on, and that's because last Halloween I took a zillion photos and love them all.  I need to do a mini album.  Ooh.  This is a personal challenge.  Mini Album.  Halloween 2010.  Thespian Add-on.  Stat.  As soon as the new Studio Calico albums become available, GAME ON.  :)
  
  
  
  A technique I used to do all the time but haven't for a long while is to tear my paper.  It felt good to utilize it for this layout.   I also distressed the fabric paper by stripping away some of the threads from the edges to make the fabric stand out.  I also went a la Jen Johner and made a pink photo corner, but I layered it under my photo rather than on top. 
  And that's it!  I wish I had more time to play but August was a busy month and family was the priority.  I can't wait to have more time in September.  The kids are *almost* back to school.  woot!
  Davinie
• August 24, 2011
• 21:28

  Sneakalicious

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Hey all
  
  Kit arrival timed with the work week timed with the lack in Pink Paislee goodness combined to create a narrow window for kit work this month.  I do have some sneaks to share with you though, of the upcoming September kit from Studio Calico, Glee Club.
  
  
  This layout is a 2 pager with 10 Instagram prints.  Woot!  I have to say, having my phone at the fair sure made it more fun.  I left my Canon at home, so it was one less thing to worry about.  My kids are too old for the double stroller now, so I didn't want to lug it around and worry about damaging it somehow.  Amy Tangerine's camera stamp was fun to use with this layout too (the camera stamp is in the main).
  
  
  
  I'm excited about this layout because of the photos it has on it.  Lately Morgan has just not been interested in the camera, and I haven't felt the photos I've been taking really represented who she is.  I got a good smile on one of these pics, and it makes my heart smile because *that* is what she looks like.  She's adorable.  I think having so many teeth pulled (we are currently at 12) has bothered her a bit.  In recent weeks, she had to lose her "fangs" and she wasn't happy about it.  But she's so super cute.  She has a beautiful smile and deserves straight teeth.  That's what I keep telling her as we brave the dentist over and over (but I'm so glad to be done with that for a while.  It's time for the girl to pull one out on her own).
  P.S.  The Sassafras chevron print in that gorgeous yellow?  I need 100 more of those.  You know I'm a kraft girl.  I usually need a neutral as my background.  But not this time.  :)   (this is in the main kit too). 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The same thing happens to me every year.  Last year it was Harvest Moon that did it to me.  I decide I don't need the Halloween themed add-on, and then I get my kit and start looking for photos to use and determine I HAVE to have it.  Last year I purchased Harvest Moon with the following kit and add-ons, and I'm going to do it again this year.  I didn't purchase Thespians, but I'm going to be jumping in line to do so for reveal.  I need to remind myself that SC does a fabulous job making a themed kit without a lot of themed product, which allows it to translate to other projects.   That said, this last sneak is Halloween themed, so I didn't really HAVE to have the Thespian add-on, although I still plan to get it. 
  
  As it is I purchased two add-ons this month, #1 Pep Squad and #2 Debate Team. 
  
  Shop Items:
  
  Be sure to check out the Sew Easy tool and attachments.  I used the pennant for this sneak here (also part of that two pager above), and really adore it. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It must be said that I have developed a love affair for the Glue Art Glider Pro, my scrapbook room is beginning to thank me for page protectors and AC albums because I'm finally getting a handle on the organization, and my stamps are finally getting a proper home thanks to these panels, which are now back in stock.  It's amazing how much more inspiring it is to create when your space is in some semblance of order, you know?
  
  I'm still rearranging my space and can't wait to share.  I decided to move my girls in with me, so I've created a space for them in my room.  It's nice to be able to contain the "craft" in one room as opposed to the whole house.  Their former craft space, which was this hideout room under our stairs, is going to be the new reading/homework/quiet space.  I'll be sure to share pics when we are finished with that makeover.  I recently pinned this chalkboard contact paper and am anxious to check it out and see if it'll work.  The only thing I wonder about is the havoc from chalkboard dust.  I see chalkboards getting more and more popular and nobody ever mentions the dust.  Has chalk changed much in recent years? 
  
  Davinie 
• August 22, 2011
• 13:41

  BOARDWALK winner

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Happy Monday!  I'm busy with swimming lessons and sneaks and a back to school PTC meeting and the sprinkler and I'm trying to climb back on the laundry wagon, but I have a winner to announce!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It slooks like #116 comment is:
  
  
  
  Jessica said...
  
  
  wow what amazing stitching! Lovethesneaks& would love to win the kit!
  
  
  
  12:17 PM
  
  Congratulations Jessicaaaaaa!!!  Email me at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get your info to SC headquarters for this kit.  Yay!  You will not be disappointed!
  
  Enjoy the rest of your Monday, friends!
  
  Davinie
• August 19, 2011
• 16:09

  a Weekend Giveaway and a snippet of a sneak

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  Tags:  Weekend Giveaway   [edit]

  Hello Friends!
  
  We had a blast in Idaho.  The water park was a hoot, and except the part where I was tossed from the boat on the biggest rapid of our float, rafting down the Payette was a blast too!  :)
  
  The week has flown by and my blog has gathered dust, but I'm here today with a couple of fun things to share.
  
  FIRST:  If you are not a subscriber from Studio Calico, then you may not have taken the opportunity to purchase the current Studio Calico kit, Boardwalk:
  
  
  I have to tell you, I adored everything about this kit and ended up with all the add-ons as well, so this is defintiely a must have in my book.
  
  Let's talk exclusives:
  
  2 double sided papers designed by Studio Calico. 
  2 double sided papers designed by Crate paper for Studio Calico (LOOOOOOVED these).
  That Sassafras sticker alpha?  An exclusive color, just for us.
  The brown chipboard alpha?  That's the same font as our summer CHA release, but it's a different color, just for this kit.
  There's also an SC exclusive stamp.  It's that round frame.
  
  All of the above is only available if you get the Boardwalk kit.  Isn't that fabulous?!
  
  The Sassafras prints in this kit as well as that Pink Paislee mistable trim had my heart so it's a shame to see any crafter miss out on an opportunity to get their hands on this one.
  
  As for add-ons:
  
  More Color - who doesn't want more cardstock to match?
  Tide Pool, one of the add-ons for this kit, is available. 
  So is the more add-on paper add-on.
  
  I definitely recommend that add-on paper add-on.  We had a couple of prints from Simple Stories, a new company to me, and it was just delicious.  Just look at the beautiful color palette:
  
  
  
  YUM.
  
  Lucky for you, Studio Calico has been gracious enough to pass me a main kit to give away on my blog.  That's a $34.50 value! ($29.50 if you subscribe).  I love that!
  
  If you are interested in getting your hands on the Boardwalk kit, simply leave a comment on my blog, and let me know if you've ever hand stitched on a layout.  That's all.  I'll leave comments open until Sunday and draw a winner Sunday evening.
  
  Hooray!
  
  And with hand stitching in mind, SECOND: check out this snippet of a sneak of the September kit, Glee Club.  I'm still working on this layout, but wanted to share my progress:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You can see bits of one of the main kit prints from Studio Calico here, as well as the main kit stamp.  That camera is going to be in a few places on this layout.
  
  I have 10 instagram prints!  I sure love my phone.  That phone and that app made it much less stressful to capture fun at the fair a few weekends ago.  FUN times.
  
  Obviously, this sneak is more about hand stitching than anything else, but i just wanted to share how easy the Sew Easy tool was to work with, especially that pennant roller.  SO fun.  (You can pick up the banner roller, as well as other shapes, from the shop too). 
  
  More sneaks coming soon.
  
  Good luck on the giveaway!  And have a great weekend!
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  You can only win the giveaway once, but you have multiple chances.  Check out the DT blogs (listed on my sidebar) for more chances to win.  This isn't a blog hop, but most of the girls should have a kit to give away so check them out.  :)
• August 11, 2011
• 7:35

  Words on Wednesday - have fun

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned from Someprints.com
  
  Man, we haven't camped as much as we usually do in the summer, but have filled this one with so much fun stuff that it's just flying by.  Last weekend we went to the County Fair and had the best time.  Today, we are headed to Idaho to see some cousins before school starts.
  
  We plan to have lots of fun.
  
  We are headed here. 
  
  And then if we can get a raft we are going to do a day trip down the white waters of the Payette.  My brother in-law used to be a guide and can get a raft from his church.  But if we can't, we are going to float the Boise River on blow up tubes and rafts. 
  
  FUN.  TIMES.  Really looking forward to it.  It's a 5 hour drive but should go fast. 
  
  Enjoy your Wednesday!  Davinie
• August 09, 2011
• 7:00

  StoryArt on CrafTuesday - Olivia

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  Tags:  StoryArt   [edit]

  
  
   My girls are of an age where sibling rivalry is abundant.  They are very competitive, especially Payton, and whenever they are doing something, it's not long before the question of "which one is the best" comes up. 
  
  Because Morgan is older and therefore has more experience under her belt, whenever we are working on art, especially, she often has a hard time complimenting her sister and her latest drawing or creation, thinking she could do a better job.
  
  I'm always saying "all art is beautiful".  There is ALWAYS something nice you can say about a piece of art created by someone else.  This would apply to scrapbooking too. 
  
  With art in mind, creativity in mind, and freedom to create, the next story for StoryArt is
  
  
  
  
  Olivia, by Ian Falconer.
  
  Who doesn't love this little pig?
  
  Olivia is another constant character in our bookshelves.  Love her.
  
  Olivia is the first book in the series, and is in black and white, with little touches of red.
  At one point in the story, Olivia visits a museum and spots paintings by Jackson Pollock, determines she can do that on her own, and proceeds to get in trouble by creating an inspired painting on the wall of her home.  whoops!
  
  Because it's summer and my girls have low attention spans these days, preferring otter pops and a sprinkler here and there, I thought this would be a fun, but quick and easy art project to celebrate the freedom to create with wild abandon, and to celebrate art for the sake of art.
  
  I was googling around for Jackson Pollock info to bring more art history to my girls and came across this lesson plan:
  
  [www.storyboardtoys.com]
  
  Payton has done something similar to this in preschool when making spider webs for Halloween crafts, so this is a fun option to try.
  
  Supplies:
  Cookie sheet
  Cardstock
  Poster paint
  marbles (we robbed Chinese Checkers, but I considered Hungry Hippos too, lol)
  paper bowls
  
  
  Start by putting some paint and a marble in each paper bowl  I was going to do just black and red, like the story, but figured in the end it was about the process, and more color is better anyway.  :)
  
  
  
  I used a glue dot to hold their paper down on their cookie sheet so they wouldn't float around.  Then it was a matter of dropping a painted marble onto the paper, and picking up the tray to move it around as they chose.
  
  
  
  
  They both ended up with a little finger paint, which was totally fine, and had fun with their projects.  Payton actually did a couple of these prints and enjoyed the process and freedom of not quite knowing how things were going to turn out. 
  This one is Morgan's:
  
  
  
  
  And here's one of PJ's:
  
  
  She called this one "Rainbow Angel".  Cute!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It was a fairly quick and extremely easy project, but it lasted long enough for the girls to ask me to do them more often.
  
  After we were done we read a few more Olivia books, just because.
  Visit this website for some fun computer artwork you can do 'a la Pollock'.
  
  [www.jacksonpollock.org]
  
  I got a bit distrcted there myself, lol.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• August 03, 2011
• 16:00

  Words on Wednesday - What if?

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned from LittleMinchArt
  
  The problem with the WWW is that you eventually find yourself with people who share the same interests, which is great, but unfortunately can make for worldwide friendships.
  
  If I were a millionaire,
  my girls would go for lemonade and playdates with Steph's girls
  We'd dash to Omaha to head the zoo with Lisa and her crew
  check out the corn with Jen and take Nik to lunch on one of her long shift days.
  then I'd make a dash to see Dani, because we hug the opposite coastlines.
  Payton would have a playdate with Ashleigh in Australia for sure.
  Then we'd check out Kelly and have her take us out for icecream.  Or donuts.  Or both. 
  
  And that would just be on a weekend while dad was at work (well, if he took an overtime shift.  That'd be a long flight in the lear, lol)
  
  Meanwhile, the house would be totally renovated because I would have hired out for that.  And it'd be full of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.  Fo.  Sho.
  
  What about you? 
  
  Have a great Wednesday!  Davinie
• August 01, 2011
• 7:00

  Project 12 July in August

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Why Hello August.  While you snuck in I was up at the lake with the family, soaking up the sunshine you FINALLY decided to bring to Central Oregon.  But before I left, I recapped June before I forgot, in the exciting adventure that is Project 12 (details here). 
  
  As a reminder, here was my sketch:
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.  I mostly used my August kit from Studio Calico, Boardwalk. 
  
  
  
  I was trying to choose a base cardstock or patterned paper but was having a hard time deciding, as the kit papers are so delicous, when I decided to channel my inner Nic and use white mist around the edges. 
  
  
  
  Hello fabulous!  What an inexpensive way to completely change a layout!  I just used a scrap piece of cardstock as a mask, and an old piece of die cut Bazzill for the scallop on the right, and then misted over it.  I was at the tail end of this bottle, so coverage isn't as even as I'd like, but with the teal stitching at the border, I am in love!
  
  
  One little extra from my stash for this layout are some wood buttons from Maya Road that I picked up at the recent CHA sale at 2peas.  I left them nekkid, because they better match kraft, and what's the point in purchasing wood buttons if you are going to paint or mist or alter them somehow?  I prefer them au natural.  FYI - that twine from My Minds Eye that's in the kit this month is FABULOUS.  So are the Pink Paislee mistable trims.  I only had three wee scallops left of this length and had to use it.  I am a huge fan of the stringy bits on my layout.  I love the homespun look.
  
  
  
   Another extra from my kit on my layout was this veneer frame.  I already had the package of frames out for an assignment, and as the sketch called for a frame around this photo, which just happens to be a last day of school-ish photo of my two cuties, I had to use the veneer so they'd stand out.  It went well with the wood buttons too.
  
  And GUESS.  WHAT.  I just happened to check and holy toledo, you can get this package of veneer frames from Studio Calico for a buck.  $1 !!!  They were hiding in the Elementary section!  There are two sheets and several sizes of these frames.  $1 is a great big steal.  Kit subscribers, you still have time to add something like this to your cart without an additional shipping fee.  I'm just sayin' .....
  
  I had a lot of fun with the sketch and the square photos and general design.  Square photos are great because it makes more photo files available when it comes time to designing your layout, as it doesn't matter as much what the orientation was when you took the picture (except that your subject needs to be a bit close together for cropping).
  
  On to some favorites this month.  FYI - Of course I am trying to prepare a blog post before I head out of town at the last minute and this is the night that Google decides to REFUSE my login info...  it won't let me comment or even post anonymously.  I'll be back to post properly later.  It's really important to me to leave comments on your posts when I can.  Grrr. 
  
  Anyway...... 
  
  Red. Seriously WOW
  Love the border on this one!
  I love the minimal use of product and the perfect use of mist on this one. 
  FAB. U. LOUS. 
  Love the tilt on the frame on this one.
  Mary, I LOVE how you can fill up a layout.  Must. try. digital.  (left, right).
  I love how the stars spill off the patterned paper here.  I also adore the ElfQueen. 
  Is this blue flower made from trims?  I love it!  I also love that you chose P12 as your only crafty venture for July.  Honored. 
  
  Thank you as always for playing along with me!  I am seeing new faces and I'm so excited that this is a challenge that inspires you.  I am a bit biased, yes, but I think it's the best.  :)
  
  With that said, this is what's next for July:
  
  
  
  Hello grid pattern.  Ruched trims.  I am going to have a lot of fun with this one, I'll tell you that right now.  I took a lot of photos in July, so choosing the perfect pictures to use here is going to be fun.
  As always, you have until the 28th to play along for a prize, and for July it's the PK4 from Picture Keeper.  I'm anxious to get reviews on this one, so get to crafting ladies!
  I'm going to be commenting around the web, and then I'll see you back here on the first!  Davinie
  P.S.  Don't forget to link your July layouts on the SCT blog post here.
• July 29, 2011
• 15:22

  It's Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's Friday.  Woot!  As soon as Steve gets home from work Sunday morning, we are taking the trailer up to the lake for a few days.  It's only about an hour+ from home, so I'm taking my Dingo with the boat up, staying a couple of nights, and then coming home to work.  Steve and the kids are going to stay up all four days he has off and coming home Wednesday.
  
  The bright yellow orb in the sky is finally sending down some heat, so it should be sunny and warm and tons of fun.  I can't wait.
  
  In the meantime....  it's Friday.  And that means that I need to have already picked a winner for the Studio Calico 6x6 Memoir pad from the blog hop.  That winner is......
  
  Lane said...
  
  
  
  I love the way the white zing woodgrain pattern compliments the blonde wood penants! I also really love the way you've been using the anywhere punches lately! :D
  
  
  
  
  
  
  8:49 PM
  
  Congratulations Lane!  Send me an email to cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com with your info and I'll get you set up with this 6x6 pad.  I have to say, I have been using mine quite a bit lately, for cards and for regular layouts.  I'm definitely going to need more than one.  :)
  
  Speaking of Studio Calico and the blog hop which makes me think of the projects I shared, check this out:
  
  [scrapbooking.about.com]
  
  I didn't know anything about this until it was pointed out to me earlier this week.  How cool is this?  Who hasn't come across an idea at about.com when trying to google something?  I think it's pretty neat.
  
  On another note, the girls just buttoned up their second session of swimming lessons this summer, and both passed.  I'm so happy for them!  We are going to take a little break but then they are signed up yet again before school starts.  They are both enjoying it so much!  We have considered keeping them at the pool throughout the school year.  When asked if they want to do soccer or softball or basketball or, or, the one thing that gets an enthusiastic YES is swimming.  So I guess we will (oh my, being indoors will certainly be fabulous on nasty weather days rather than being outside at the soccer field!  woot!).
  
  So that's that.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Davinie
• July 27, 2011
• 20:57

  on the BOARDWALK - Studio Calico's August kit

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's project time for Studio Calico's August kit.  I have to admit, I bought it all and should have added time to my cart as well, because I needed more of it. 
  My favorite part of the kit was the exclusives this month, especially the color palette of the Crate Paper designed for the main kit.  My #1 recommendation would be the More SC paper add-on this month.  I just adored this color palette so much.
  Here's what I came up with:
  
  
  
  This layout was inspired by this shirt I saw while shopping online at Old Navy:
  
  
  
  I liked how the ruffles went at odd angles, so decided to try that and utilize the monochromatic prints in the main kit. 
  
  
  
  This is the month to try mist because the Pink Paislee Mistable trims in the main kit are just begging for it.  I used bluegrass which matched pefectly for this layout. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As I mentioned in my sneak post, the main kit comes with AC chalk journaling stickers, and one of them has this big cloud on it, that inspired my hand cut embellies this month.  It was appropriate to make dark blue/green clouds for this layout as it was a bit overcast when we were camping at Mt St Helens, which is where these photos were taken. 
  
  
  
  Payton was so cute with her cousin Lilly while we were camping.  Lilly kept following her around and trying to hold her hand, but that was because she wanted to place her at various places around camp and keep her there.  it was super cute. 
  
  
  
  
  I like sewing in those crazy circles, so it was fun to trim a big circle and do it a different way. 
  
  
  This particular cloud was made with that Claudine Hellmuth sticky backed canvas.  I LOOOVE the texture it offered. 
  
  Did you notice how this layout was a bit of a scraplift of the previous one, down to the base paper?  That's how crazy this month has been, and that's house much I loved the More SC paper add-on, lol.
  
  After three layouts, I came up with a couple of cards this month: 
  
  
  
  
  LOVED the Simple Stories paper from add-on 4, Sandcastle. 
  
  
  The chipboard alphas from the main kit are just a different color from new chipboard alphas that were released at CHA summer. 
  
  This main kit is so fabulous!
  
  
  
  
  
  I had fun with stamps on this last card.  That Basic Grey paper was begging for the cute apple stamps from Sandcastle, as well as the sentiment stamp on the label sticker. 
  
  
  
  One last thing to mention is how fabulous twine is from My Minds Eye.  It's thicker than other twines I have tried in the past.  And the package includes a lot of twine, so it's a good deal too.  Loved this addition to the kit this month. 
  And that's it for me, except to mention that I ran out of adhesive this month after my this and that threw a spring, and i had to try and use the refill without it, so when I saw that we were adding these to the shop I jumped on the chance to try it out.  40 feet should last until next month, right? 
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• July 26, 2011
• 23:30

  In a word: SNEAKS

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  Hello July, as fast as a lightning bolt. 
  It's already reveal and I haven't shared sneaks yet!  For pete's sake!  And I bought everything because I couldn't decide!
  I wish July hadn't moved so swiftly.  Maybe it was that combined with family campouts combined with CHA madness, but I have a lot of product left to play with. 
  
  Here's what I came up with:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I was a wee bit obsessed with clouds.  There are chalk label stickers in the main kit from AC, and one of them has a cloud shape that really inspired me this month.
  
  
  
  Pink Paislee Mistable trims in the main are DEEEEElish.  And you can see, Bluegrass is the PERFECT mist for this kit.  This sneak uses a lot of the main kit.  The blue/green patterns are the Crate exclusives and I'd definitely recommend more SC paper this month.  This color palette is my favorite. 
  This next layout is certain proof as to my obsession with Crate Paper, and how busy I was in July.
  
  
  
  
  When I was working on this layout I didn't like my original design so I pushed things around and cut things up until I was happy.  And then when I put my layouts away, I realized I had SCRAPLIFTED MYSELF.  This layout shares some similarities to my first layout, including the cloud AND the base paper it's mounted on (which is more Crate exclusive paper).  See how much I was inspired by the Crate AND the clouds?  As seen, I could use it on every layout, lol.  That cloud was made with Claudine Hellmuth canvas for fun texture which worked great with the trims, and misted with more Bluegrass.  Again.  haaaa. 
  
  
  
  I really liked the patterned papers from Simple Stories that's in add-on 4.  Pretty and a lovely color palette too.  Those chipboard alphas from the main are the same style as new CHA product, just a different color.  LOVE. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One more share with stamps from add-on 4.  Such cute apples! 
  
  So that's that.
  
  Recommendations are:
  
  bluegrass mist
  white zing (did you see it on the second sneak with the blue zig zag?  Because the zig zag stamp works with that Crate paper, so it was fun to zing).
  claudine hellmuth sticky backed canvas
  MORE SC PAPER
  and some adhesive.  Because I ran out. 
  
  And that's that.  Have a great day!  Hopefully I'll be able to pop into chat Wednesday night.
  
  Davinie
• 4:00

  Studio Calico Summer Release share! And a giveaway!

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Good Morning!  I'm happy to be here to share my projects for the summer show at CHA for Studio Calico.
  My layout assignment was to use the Calico Collection, the veneer flags, and the chipboard alphas.  With those requirements in mind, this is what I came up with:
  
  I love the veneer but it was a challenge for me personally to use the pendants.  I guess I don't use pendants as much as oggle them online!  ha!  I wanted to keep the woodgrain look but wanted to alter them, so tried something different and I LOVE the result.  Say hello to the woodgrain stamp from the new Home Sweet Home set being produced by Hero Arts, and some white zing:
  
  
  I love how they turned out and will definitely be zinging some veneer with a woodgrain stamp again quite soon.
  I grounded the pendants on my layout with a touch of color, specifically, Scraps from the Memoir line.  I just love this shade of blue.
  I snuck in a bit more color with some blues from Memoir as well as some delicious chipboard clouds, and got lucky with plum colored cardstock from my stash. 
  I also made some cards primary with the Calico line, but I was only able to find images of one of them....
  
  
  
  You can still pick up the Addy alpha stickers, so I used them in green on this card.
  Here's that card I made for the SC/Hero blog hope using Memoir.  Might as well share that again:
  
  
  
  That also uses that Home Sweet Home stamp set. 
  Inspired by cardmaking and the Memoir line and small scale prints and multiple pieces of paper, I wanted to give away the Memoir 6x6 pad:
  Pure deliciousness, friends.  Pure.  This is definitely my favorite line from the CHA Summer release for Studio Calico. 
  Be sure to check out the other blogs for chances to win more Studio Calico goodness!  I'll be drawing a name later this week.
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• July 25, 2011
• 15:06

  Giveaway winner. :)

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  Thank you for your fun comments on my giveaway post!
  The winner of the Brag Book and the summer issue of SCT is:
  
  Rebecca said...
  
  
  
  Have fun at the balloon festival! What a fun giveaway! Thank you so much for the chance! We had a big family gathering last night with my dad's extended family. And oddly enough, tonight we have a big one with my mom's side of the family! We very rarely have these family gatherings, so two in one weekend is crazy! But fun! I am also looking forward to starting Ali's Week in the Life next week!!
  
  
  8:20 AM
  
  
  Congratulations Rebecca!  Shoot me an email at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get that prize to ya.
  
  Be sure to tune in tomorrow...  I will be participating with this and have a layout to share, and new product from Studio Calico to give away.  Fun times! 
  
  (P.S.  the balloon festival was fun.  Night Glow was AWESOME).
  
  Davinie
• July 23, 2011
• 7:00

  A little weekend Giveaway - Scrapbook and Cards with a side of Fancy Pants

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Weekend Giveaway   [edit]

  For the summer issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine, I was assigned the Fancy Pants Brag book and decided to make an album about the summer of 2010 and all the fun adventures we had.
  
  This has turned into one of my favorite keepsakes.  I really like everything together in one place, in a compact little album that also has photo pages to add more photos, you know, those silly photos that don't make it on to the scrapbook layouts but still tell stories of amazing adventures, and lines for lots of journaling about it all.  It's a fun alternative to the traditional way I scrapbook.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As I was contemplating buzz about albums for a week in the life that Ali is doing, or Smash books, or mini albums in general, I came back to this Brag book and how fun it would be to fill one up again.
  
  Contemplating that made me think of the WWW and a recent thread at Studio Calico about the once elusive Brag Book (but you can now find it here, for one).
  
  I happen to have one right here, and was thinking it would be fun to share the love by giving it away this weekend.  And to give you ideas on what to do with it, I thought I'd add a summer issue of SCT so you can see a bit of the innards to the book I made.  Yes, Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine, IN. The. Flesh.  You did know you could subscribe if you can't find this at your LSS or prefer fondling a hard copy over the online version, didn't you?  You can. 
  
  So there you have it.  I am in the giving mood and wanted to spread the wealth on documenting your life in different ways (you could also try Project 12, hint, hint). 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Simply leave a comment on this post about what you are up to these days.  Easy as that.  I'll leave the comments open and choose a winner first thing Monday morning.
  
  Sound good? 
  
  Have a great weekend!  I'm taking my girls to a Balloon Festival.  I am so excited!  Hopefully we'll get to see them launch this year......     Davinie
• July 20, 2011
• 7:17

  Words on Wednesday - Travel

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned from PinkPatentMaryJanes
  
  Last weekend we took the trailer @5 hours North and camped near Mt St Helens, a place I have never visited.  I was a little girl living in Alaska when it blew in 1980, but Steve remembers fishing on a local lake with his family and hearing what they thought sounded like a sonic boom, only to later learn on the news that the volcano erupted (you know, because it was the stone age, long before Iphones and the Internet, lol).
  
  Morgan could barely sleep the night before we left, just like her dad when he was a kid, becuase she was so excited and could hear Mom and Dad getting the trailer loaded with food and supplies.  Even though this means a kiddo was rustling around after bedtime, that makes my heart happy, because I know that it wouldn't matter where we were headed.  Our kids LOVE camping and I think it's becuase it's 1000% family time without the distractions.  Sure, we only had 1 bar of service on my cell phone and I would have loved to utilize my Pinterest App or receive an email once in a while, but in general, it was so great to get away with our family.  We met up with other family from my side, and even though it rained the whole time, we ended up having a great time!
  
  On Monday before we came home we drove up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, and if you ever get a chance to travel to Washington and want to check out the only volcano eruption in the lower 48 in our lifetime of this magnitude, I'd definitely recommend this observatory in particular.  It's practically in the mouth of the volcano and very awe inspiring.  When we were there we had a bank of cloud cover cutting off the middle section, but even with that it was quite breathtaking.  There's an @15 minute movie you can watch in their auditorium that was entertaining and quite educational about the actual event too. 
  
  Anyway....  travel.  Even if it's just camping in the backyard, or taking the kiddos down the road for a picnic, I think all families should unplug and get away from the routine once in a while for family bonding.  It makes me smile, thinking of the memories we are creating for our kids, and hoping that when they are grown up, these trips and fun adventures we went on when they were young are something they'll always remember.
  
  Have a great Wednesday!  Davinie
• July 15, 2011
• 7:15

  Layout Share - My Butterfly

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook Love   [edit]

  I was really excited when I got an email from Miss Kim Watson (a rockstar and the next Guest Designer at Studio Calico, I can't wait to see what she comes up with!).  She asked if I'd contribute a layout to an article she was writing about handmade flowers for a special issue of CK.
  Of course I said YES!
  My layout was on page 47, a simple handmade flower, called 'Sweetly Snipped Blooms'.  It was in a special Tips and Tricks issue for Fabulous Flowers, and you can still pick it up HERE. 
  
  Anyway, on to my layout:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used a lot of fun products here.  Lots of strips, which was fun. 
  There's Vanilla cardstock trimmed with a scallop, alongside Claudine Hellmuth sticky-backed canvas in NATURAL (woot!) for added texture.  I hand cut the scallop on the canvas after tracing a scallop ruler I bought at the Dollar Tree eons ago. 
  There's tons of Crate paper, Snow Day and Restoration for color.
  American Crafts mixtape (LOVE) and foam alphas,
  my Martha butterfly punch.
  And buttons.  Lots of buttons.  With stitching too.
  Here's a closeup of the snipped flowers I made for this assignment:
  
  
  Obviously I'm obsessed with the scallop, and Morgan is obsessed with butterfly face paint.  I swear every time face paint becomes an option, she metamorph's into one.  (Is metamorph a word?  I'll have to check with Words With Friends, lol).  Anyway....  Guess what? There's a pre-CHA sale at Two Peas in a Bucket for 15%-75% off Select Products. The sale runs July 14-22, so go check it out!
  
  Crate Paper is part of that sale, so you could recreate the above layout at a discount.  woot! 
  I also saw lots and lots of Thickers.  Bestill my heart. 
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• July 13, 2011
• 8:11

  Words on Wednesday - it's been that kind of week...

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned from DudeCraft
  
  I hope you have a great Wednesday!  Davinie
• July 11, 2011
• 2:00

  It's a Studio Calico and Hero Arts STAMP blog hop!

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  Tags:  hero arts   [edit]

  
  Good Monday Morning!  The CHA madness has commenced, and today is the start of a three day blitz with Studio Calico and Hero Arts to share some of the new stamps in this new collaboration.  Hero Arts makes such high quality stamps and Studio Calico designs such high quality images that it's a perfect match, yes?
  I used a house and sentiment from the Home Sweet Home set, and created a card with brand new papers from the upcoming release of the Memoir line, with a little nibble of the Calico Collection. (I just love them both!).  The chipboard clouds are in the upcoming release as well:
  
  
  I used brown stazon ink and it picked up the details really well.  I used this same sentiment on a card for the booth at CHA and embossed with white zing that time.  I'm really impressed with these stamps!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you are following the path of the hop, then you probably showed up here from Jennifer McGuire's blog.  If not and you want to start at the beginning, head to the Studio Calico blog for the details. You don't want to miss out on the fun...  Hero Arts is giving away stamp sets every day during the event, AND Studio Calico will be giving away paper Collections!  You are going to want some of this!
  
  Next on the blog list for today is Shari Carroll.
  
  Have a great Monday!  Davinie
• July 08, 2011
• 7:11

  Scrapbook love - Guest Star at JBS

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  Tags:  scrapbook Love   [edit]

  Happy Friday to you!
  
  I pin, I craft with kids, but I still scrapbook, lol.  A lot.  I just can't always share everything.  I DO have something to share today though!
  
  The wonderful and talented Doris sent me some new JBS goodies to play with, and I really enjoyed playing with Haven.  Check it out:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Collection is a bit monochromatic so I decided to go with a black and white photo from Mother's Day and used a fairly neutral background.
  
  I also chose this photo because I loved the house print and the girl silhouette's.
  
  
  There is a 12x12 pattern with the house photo on it, but I had a hard time figuring out how to use it so I was happy to see the 4x4 size mixed in with other prints, and trimmed a 4x8 piece to use here.  That 4x4 print size is great for cardmaking!  
  
   I stamped with watermark ink and used white Zing on an older JbS print to bring in a bit more red and add this flower to my design.  It worked really well!  JBS makes great stamps.
  
  I stamped again with black Stazon and the really cool torn notebook paper stamp above.  I really liked that stamp.
  Everything on the layout is JBS, I think.  Thank you to the JBS team for having me as a Guest Star!  I enjoyed playing with these delicious goodies.  
  Have a great Friday!  Davinie  
• July 06, 2011
• 9:36

  Words on Wednesday - love your life

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  Pinned from Etsy
  
  
  
  Pinned from Lollipops
  
  
  
  
  Pinned from MaryRuffle.tumblr
  Have a great Wednesday!  Davinie
• July 05, 2011
• 8:19

  StoryArt on crafTuesday - Elmer the patchwork elephant

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  Tags:  StoryArt   [edit]

  Earlier this spring I participated in a fun ATC swap for kids and my girls just loved it.
  
  While blog hopping for this event I stumbled upon this great treasure of a book, which I immediately snagged at Amazon.com and have decided to turn into a summer series to share on my blog (and to play with my kiddos).
  
  I'm passionate about a few things:  Art.  Art with kids.  And teaching.  So the idea of doing art AND educating the kiddos, making those little brains grow, just makes me happy.
  
  Enter Story Art.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  On crafTuesday for the next few months, I'm going to be doing craft projects with my girls (and any friends I can wrangle) based on illustrations in a children's book.  We are going to mimic the process used to create famous illustrations, and get some summer reading time in while we are at it.  S
  
  For this first "Art class", we decided to go with a classic in our household, Elmer.
  
  
  
  
  We love these books.  They are well written, entertaining, and Elmer has many storybook adventures, so it gives something for the girls to look forward to when we head to the library for a new story to bring home.
  
  In Elmer's world, except for relatives, all the elephants are the typical gray except for him, so one day he covers himself in berries to match everyone else, which makes him blend in with everyone else.  His sparkling personality is hidden amongst the crowd and everyone misses him.  When his identity is revealed it becomes a big joke, and the elephants  decide to have a special parade each year where he "dresses up" like typical elephants, and they dress up like Elmer.
  
  That's the premise for this art project.
  
  I printed out elephants for the girls to trim out, and then we grabbed poster paint (I learned from my lesson with our last project..... one of my fingernails was red from that acrylic paint for a week!), and some household items to create fun effects while we painted our elephants in different patterns and colors for our own parade (on butcher paper).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Supplies consisted of:
  poster paint
  plastic fork
  unsharpened pencils
  dish sponges
  foam brush
  pastry blender
  toilet paper rolls
  decorative roller
  etc.
  
  I just wanted to use household type products that might create a fun effect with paint.
  
  Then it was just a matter of decorating the elephants.
  
  To make it easier I put one color per object, fearing that all Elmers would be brown if they got to take their supply to a different color.  This worked out well.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (I got those nifty Aprons at the Dollar Tree).
  
  Payton really liked the project and her favorite supplies were the fork, the pencil, and the dish sponge.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Morgan liked doing her own thing with the foam brush, but also liked the toilet paper roll (I liked the toilet paper roll too).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We had our furboy Cooper watching the action so had to get a photo of him too.  :)
  
  Then it was a matter of lining the Elmers in a row for a parade on paper.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For some reason, at one point in her presentation of the parade Payton broke out into chicken dance.  I don't know why.  But it's my job to document it all.  ;)
  
  
  
  
  
  I was going to use google eyes but couldn't find the huge bag I got at Michael's, so used two circle punches with white and black cardstock.  That worked well.
  
  
  
  
  We read the book first, and then focused on the artwork before starting our project.  That night, I read another book or two about Elmer, so that we could continue thinking about him and look at the art in a different story.  
  My girls just loved it so I will be doing this again!  I'm already excited about the possibilities of this type of project in a future classroom someday.  I'd love to see a whole classroom wall lined with Elmer's in a parade.
  I'll be back with another StoryArt project next week.  Have a great Tuesday!  Davinie
  P.S.  Download a .pdf to make your own Elmer here.
• July 01, 2011
• 19:48

  Project 12 June in July

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Welcome to the July edition of Project 12!  Those familiar with the challenge don't need the schpiel but if you are new to playing along, check out the Project 12 tab up top for details.  We'd love to have you!
  
  Becky had a great sketch to play with for our May photos.  I really liked the use of squares.  It made it easier to choose the photos to play with.  As a reminder, here's that May sketch:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with for May:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I mixed a couple of Studio Calico kits on this layout.  It's fun to play in the stash a bit.  I am still a huge fan of using different patterned papers for my background with kraft on top.  I sometimes have a hard time putting a photo on a busy piece of paper, so like the neutral quality of kraft to separate everything.
  
  May was busy but not in the photo department, so this sketch worked perfectly for me!  I also had a lot of fun with some washi tape from a past SC kit....  I need to stop forgetting to use it, lol.
  
  
  I like using my pendant pieces, so used them en lieu of flowers on the lower right, and grounded them on a piece of tape.  I chose this shape because of the zig zag border punch I used.  I like to keep that part consistent on my layouts. 
  As for submissions this month,
  LOVE the kids on this one.
  The Secret journaling box on this one is a super cute idea for that Crate chipboard!
  Facebook updates for journaling!  So smart.Perfect sun rays.
  LOVE this one.  I love she was inspired by the patterned paper border for her orange circles.  DElish. 
  Hand stitched flowers!  With french knots!  I'm so glad someone tried to replicate the flowers from the sketch.  They are so perfect for May.
  It's a busy time of year, well, every day seems to be busy, but I hope you are enjoying the challenge and I thank you again for playing along!
  Now that it's July it's time to scrap those June photos, so check out the sketch:
  
  I love the square photos on this one.  That means i won't have to think about orientation when taking photos which will make it easier to choose which photos to use.
  As always, you have until the 28th to leave a post here or at the SCT blog if you want in for a prize.  I'm going to try REAAAAALLY hard to get my layout posted on the 21st, so you can see what I've done if that'll help, and then you'll have another week to get your layout in (if you don't beat me, and sometimes people are making layouts and posting them on the first, so some of you are bound to do so!).
  Take care!  Have a great July!
  Davinie
• June 29, 2011
• 15:39

  Words on Wednesday - Take time

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  So true.
  Pinned here.
  
  Happy Wednesday!  Davinie
• June 27, 2011
• 20:59

  Mind the Gap! Studio Calico's July kit

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Oh my.  In 1999 I spent my last term in college with a host family in London, England, for 10 weeks.  It's definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done and the July kit from Studio Calico brings back fond memories of my time there.
  
  When you are in the tube station, there's a constant reminder of the loudspeaker to "Mind the gap.  Mind the gap, please"  as the trains pull in and out, as sometimes they don't quite hug the platform and there's a wee gap you must be sure to step over as you board the train.
  
  One of the exclusive Main Kit papers includes an aerial map of London, which inspired the kit name, and because of that, all add-ons went British.
  
  I bought myself a pair of Knickers and some Petrol this month.  :)
  
  And this is what I came up with.  This first one uses mostly Knickers:
  
  
  
  
  These are Instagram pics of my girls just before their Spring dance recitals.  Morgan was in Jazz, Payton in ballet.  They both did so well and I was extremely proud!  I told Payton not to be nervous and she said "Oh, I'm not nervous Mom.  I love dancing."
  Morgan was a rockstar too.  A huge hurdle was crossed for her!  I dont' know if she'll sign up again next fall, but she really had a great time.
  
  
  
  
  I stamped the chevron/zig zag stamp on my cloud and then used white zing.  Love. 
  I added the 7Gypsies tape, which is my #1 pick for shop items this month. 
  This next one is my two pager for the month!  A fun day out in our little fishing boat on the lake.  My girls LOVED the adventure: 
  
  
  
  I used my new punch to add fun for thisone.  I punched smaller circles with a Fiskars squeeze punch to layer inside, and then stitched all over it.
  That green is SC paper for this month.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Sass alphas are in Petrol.  Can't get enough of Sassafras!  I swear!  I need a separate account just for these alphas.
  I'm really digging the gray in this next layout ( and yes, that punch again!  heeeeee)
  
  
  
  I really wanted to do something with the MME tag from the main kit, so put it on this layout with gray SASS alphas!  woot!  (This time they were for the Knickers add-on).
  I've been asked about my sewing machine and stitching in circles.  Here's the deal:  I have a Kenmore from Sears that I use for scrapbooking.  I have had it a lOOONg time and haven't ever maintained it or anything.  It's still moving strong.  As far as stitchign in circles, I do not fret.  I just put the foot down, put my foot on the pedal, and keep it moving.  The cirlces aren't perfect, because sometimes the layout gets hung up against the machine, so the circle isn't smooth, but I just keep turning and stitching until I'm finished.  I also try to keep a lot of spacing, my machine is set about 3.5 on spacing.
  This last layout was just for fun, just for the memories.  Morgan has a few words that she says "wrong".  Thinger for finger, Renember for remember, Oling instead of only, Aunt Tabean instead of Auntie Bean (my sister), naybe for maybe....  but she sounds so cute and now Payton does it which tells me she listens to her sister, so while I try to correct her sometimes, for the most part, I just let it go and know she'll eventually figure it out.  But I wanted to do a layout about it: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I stamped the main kit stamp with JBS chewing gum and used a gray pen with my Sass letters and outlined those silly words.
  Inspired by the main kit stamp, I used circle punches and made the pattern with paper.  it's a lot like the cathedral quilt pattern, which I did a tutorial on here. 
  
  
  Let me know if you have any questions about my work this month!  If June had a few more days before reveal, I would have had more done, as I had grand plans, but with the end of school year commitments, it just got away from me.
  Have a great night!  Davinie
  P.S.
  
  
  
  Add-ons.  Get some. 
• 8:40

  Studio Calico's On the Gap July kit - presale starts now.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Good Morning!
  The kids and I are about to dash to the second week of swimming lessons (they are turning into little fish!), but I wanted to share a couple of last sneaks before you check out the Presale and Shop items available this month.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As I mentioned, I purchased two add-ons this month, Knickers an Petrol, and they are divine.  Here's a couple more sneaks:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You can see a bit of the main kit stamp above with JBS Chewing Gum as well as a paper version of this image.  It's very cathedral quilt pattern to me, only a single row this time.  I love this pattern.
  
  (And yes, it's that punch yet again.  I used it on 2 of my 4 layouts this month.  It's an addiction and I can't stop).
  
  If we are talking embellishments, I'd dash straight to the 7Gypsies victoria paper tape (the Lille tape looks very cool too!  I don't think this was an option for me when I placed my order.  I really like the red and the words.  hmmmm).  The 7Gyp tape is wonderful.  It is not like masking tape where it's stuck to the back of the print.  It has adhesive backing which makes it....  repositional.  woot!  I just tore of strips and moved them around until I was happy, and then peeled off the backing and stuck it down.  Love.
  
  More sneaks here.
  
  Have a great day!  I'll see you back here tonight.
  
  Davinie
• June 24, 2011
• 8:12

  The Scrapbook and Cards Today summer issue..... it's live!

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Good Morning!  The first Friday of summer is here, and the Summer issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today is Live.  Check out the cover:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Isn't it gorgeous!?
  
  I'm really proud of my projects in this issue, one of them being a summer recap mini album using Fancy Pants Designs products, including their Brag Book (which was perfect, by the way, and would work great with SMASH stuff (Two Peas / Studio Calico).  Here's a nibble at one of the inside pages:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  That photo was taken at the Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho.
  
  And here's a peek at a layout I created for this issue:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I told you I was obsessed with that Fiskars punch, didn't I?
  
  Be sure to check out the Summer issue here.  Spread the word!
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• June 22, 2011
• 7:00

  Words on Wednesday: Today I will......

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  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pinned
  
  Have a beautiful Wednesday!  It's supposed to be in the mid '80's here for the first time this summer, and the Otterpops are at the ready!
  Davinie
• June 21, 2011
• 7:30

  crafTuesday - Patriotic rockets, or lanterns, as the case may be.

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  Summer is here which means Mom is on full entertainment alert.  That means craft time. 
  With the 4th of July coming in a few short weeks, I was on the hunt for a patriotic, summer craft to do with the girls, and when I came across this, I knew I had my answer:
  
  
  Pin- Factory Direct Crafts
  I don't know about you, but we hoard our toilet paper rolls for craft purposes, so after going on a hunt around the house, it was easy to come up with the supplies to do this craft at home.
  
  
  
  
  Crepe paper, ribbon, a star craft punch, red, white, and blue jewels, glitter...... and paint. You'll notice I used acrylic paint here, but post craft I gotta tell you, GO BUY SOME POSTER PAINT. Small children and acrylic paint don't mix, lol.
  
  I went with paint because kids love paint.  I went with glitter because my girls are obsessed with glitter.  I went with jewels, because, for pete's sake....  they are obsessed.  And it all started easily enough:
  
  
  
  
  
  They got three rolls each and started by painting and embellishing all of the rolls before putting it together.  Everything was fine until Morgan started doing this:
  
  
  
  
  And it seemed like there was more glitter than paint.
  And then this one got her hands on the giant glitter shaker, and some Elmer's glue:
  
  
  
  And she ended up looking like this:
  
  
  
  
  Oh my.  Glitter.
  Did you know that the glitter in the jumbo glitter shaker from Walmart has a static quality to it?  And that the flakes are huge?  I do believe I shall be carrying glitter on my person for at least the next month and a half.
  This project?  We were at this project for about an hour and a half, so even though I'm going to be carrying glitter on my person for the next month and a half, it was well worth it, because my girls had a great time, and even though our rockets more look more like patriotic lanterns, we had a lot of fun with the process.  The girls did anyway.  I'm still sweeping.  ;)
  
  
  
  Give it a try, at your own peril.  Ha!  Davinie
• June 19, 2011
• 16:27

  The weekend collective.....and some Studio Calico sneaks.

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Happy Father's Day Steve! The sun is out today and I hope you enjoy your special day.  You know we think you are the best and are lucky to have you.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (the night before Elk Season, November 2010)
  
  
  
  
  School is finally out, and if the weather would just turn summer-like, it would feel like summer vacation had begun.  We have already made our first summer visit to the library to pack up on books (Morgan's first choice was a Junie B Jones, Payton was on the hunt for anything with a horse for the subject).  We've also already started getting our hands dirty with summer craft projects, so be on the lookout for CrafTuesday's from here on out.  I have been lax in posting the crafty (well, posting at all, really), but I have a lot on my list to share.
  
  I went to my last board meeting for the preschool this week, and a board retreat to pass the wand to the next Registrar, and of course, I bawled my eyes out.  I adore the teachers we've been so fortunate to have for our girls so much, and will miss this special set of preschool families as our kids branch off to different elementary schools in the area (I know we will keep in touch, and I'll eventually make it to Knit Night!)  But I also know that the tears were mostly for the end of MY preschool experience.  No more babies. We are all the elementary school level now.  bah.
  
  I moved from preschool to elementary, so am now on the PTC as the Family Fun Night Coordinator, so have a lot of fun things up my sleeves including a big crop for National Scrapbook Day in May.  Oh boy.  I hope I can pull that off!  When I first approached the board, the female principal didn't know what the word crop meant.  I've got my work cut out for me.  That said, I'm excited to do what I can to kids the "extras" that they need, and want, to make the most of their elementary school experience.
  
  
  Summer means keeping organized and having things to do for the kids but also keeping away the lazies.  I don't want my girls to spend all summer in a hammock with a popsicle or in front of the cartoons.  I was pinning (have I mentioned I'm obsessed with Pinterest????), and came across this really great To Do list you can download.  I have already been working on chore lists for my kids to keep their rooms cleaned and offer a little incentive for extra chores for cash this summer.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Aren't they great!?  I just add the chores in Photoshop and then print it out.  I have just started playing with it, but I might also consider laminating a blank chart and just filling it in so that the kids can mark it off with a dry erase marker and we can start over again the next day.  I haven't decided yet.  I don't want it to get messy, but I don't want to waste paper and ink either.
  
  You can get the download and the other chore charts here.
  
  ::sigh::  I love Pinterest.  I'm on it every day with my Iphone.  ::sigh::  I love my Iphone too.  Totally worth the investment.  I'm not a huge fan of tweeting though.  Tweeting on my Iphone or Tweeting off the desktop.  Seems to me all my tweeting peeps are East Coast so I'm always 3 hours behind, lol.
  
  I also love Words with Friends AND Hanging with Friends, but alas, am more focused on making words than getting points, so if you are looking to cream someone, look me up.  I am either Davinie or JustDav.  For a good time call.....   lol.
  
  Anyway, I've been crafting too.  I got my July kit from Studio Calico and have been rolling around in paper bits for a few days now.
  
  Here's a couple of sneaks:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I've rearranged a couple of things from this first one post the Sneak show, but this photo here is from add-on 1 product, Knickers, and I think you need to put it on your list for July.  Hello Chevron stamp.  Hello Crate Paper.  Hello blue and gray alphas.  LOOOOOVE this add-on so much.
  
  After creating for the Sneak slide, I throw all of my July purchases together, so this next sneak is a bit of this and a bit of that:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This one is a bit of a tease because it also includes a couple of things that will be in the shop, namely the tape, and it also uses my new favorite circle punch.
  
  The green and the yellow papers are the two SC exclusive papers from this kit.
  
  I will be back soon with more sneaks, as well as more crafty, and a bit of family too.  :)
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  
  
  P.S.  I've seen Studio Calico's summer CHA release.  You are going to LOVE it.
• June 15, 2011
• 7:00

  Words on Wednesday: Never changing...

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Words   [edit]

  One of my favorite Pinterest boards I've called "Words".   I seem to find inspiration, support, and a lot of laughs as I wade through the www looking to feast the eyes for home decor ideas and craft inspiration.
  
  I thought I'd start sharing some of my favorites.  A lot of blogs do Wordless Wednesdays, but I am going to go with Words instead.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Source.
  
  Love that.  So true. 
  
  Have a great Wednesday!
  
  Davinie
• June 11, 2011
• 6:00

  As promised: Elmers Craft and Tell Blog hop

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Today's the day!  I hope your little commenting fingers are at the ready, as Elmer's and X-acto have gone above and beyond to provide prizes galore to celebrate crafting and want to share their products with blog readers and papercrafters on the WWW.
  
  
  I was sent a box of goodies to craft with, and this is what I came up with for the hop:
  
  
  
  
  With the 4th of July just around the corner, I decided to use bits from my June Studio Calico kit, Paper Moon, and some of my stash, and make a flag canvas.
  
  I started with the foam core 9x12 bifold, used my X-acto blade, and trimmed it to the desired shape.  After that I mounted it to cardboard for displaying.  Then it was a matter of adhering photos and bits.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Elmers, X-acto products used:
  
  
  9x12 bifold foam
  X-acto Stainless Steel Scissors
  X-acto knife
  Elmer's Craft Bond tape runner
  Elmer's Craft Bond Fabric and Paper Glue
  Elmer's Craft Bond Memory book Glue Pen
  
  The fabric glue has a permanent home in my stash.  I did stitch down the center of my fabric first and then ruffled it, but adhered it to the paper with this glue, and you can't tell.  It didn't bleed through and turn hard.  It's a thick white paste as opposed to a clear glue.  LOVE.
  
  The Glue pen also worked wonderfully.  I adhered the buttons just before standing up the piece for photography, and they held well.  So did the paper, which was adhered with the permanent tape runner.
  
  In short, I'm a fan.
  
  In my first post I shared a glimpse at some of the things you can win by participating in this hop, but our generous sponsors have added more to the mix:
  
  
  GRAND PRIZES (x2)
  
  Two lucky hoppers will receive this incredible prize bundle exclusively from Elmer's + X-ACTO! Take a look!
  
  Products included in EACH of the (2) GRAND PRIZE bundles include:
  3  X-ACTO Retract-a-Blade knives
  3  CraftBond Extra Strength Glue Sticks
  3  CraftBond Tape Runners 
  3 Mini Bi-fold 9x12 Foam Board packs 
  1 Painters Markers pack
  1 X-ACTO Decorative Edge Scissors pack  
  1 Circle Cutter 
  1 X-ACTO Self-Healing Mat 
  1 Glue Dots pack
  2 Photo Corners packs (various colors) 
  1 Gel Pens pack
  1 Tacky Glue bottle.................................$140/retail 
  
  AND
  Here's a look at what I will be giving away in addition to the Elmer's packages! 
  
  Prize Pack #1
  1- XACTO Cutting Mat
  1- XACTO Gripster
  1- XACTO Circle Cutter
  1- Elmer's Foam Board Pack
  2- Elmer's Photo Corners 
  1- Elmer's Glue Spots
  4 Gel Pens.................................Approx. $50/retail (US)
  
  Prize Pack# 21- XACTO RotaryTrimmer- 
  1- XACTO Scissors
  2- XACTO Decorative Scissors 
  1- Elmer's Glue Spots
  1- Elmer's Craft Bond
  5 Gel Pens.................................Approx. $50/retail (US)
  
  
  It comes down to this.  If you leave a comment on each blog, you will be entered to win a great big prize from Elmer's and X-acto.  
  
  
  If you want an additional chance at a prize, leave a comment on the Facebook page, or tweet using the hash tags #CraftandTell as well as#CraftandTellBlogHop and naming @Elmers in your tweet.  
  
  
  So, make sure you "Like" Elmer's and Xacto on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  
  
  Facebook
  
  Elmer's :  [www.facebook.com]
  
  X-Acto :  [www.facebook.com]
  
  Twitter
  
  Elmer's :  [twitter.com]
  
  If you started at the beginning, I am near the end of the hopping list, and the next person is Deanna.  But if you landed here first, no worries.  Leave a comment here and head to Amy's blog and check out the list to get on your way if you want to win a prize.  The comments will be open until 11:30pm Sunday the 12th.  Let me know if you have ever used Elmer's or X-acto products in your papercrafting, and if so, what?
  
  Enjoy the hop and have a great weekend!  Morgan and Payton both have recitals today, and if all is well, I will be gushing with pride and sharing youtube video's asap!  They just had rehearsals last night and are so excited!  If Morgan can do it this will be her very first finished performance on stage and with her fun personality, I just know she can do it!
  
  Davinie
• June 07, 2011
• 17:36

  Crate love: a wedding event

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  Because it's that time of year, and because in my opinion, Crate Paper designed a wedding collection so perfect it makes me want to go back to the year 2000 and change my color scheme, it seemed only appropriate that we celebrate the wedding season with a Wedding event.
  
  We started yesterday with invitations, and today's post included wedding table decor and decorations.  These ladies are so talented and the projects that have been shared so far are extremely inspiring! 
  
  There are projects to share all week so I hope you'll keep tabs on the Crate Paper blog to see what we've done.  I've created a project for this event too, and it's something that could be used as decor in many types of situations, so I'm excited to share it!
  
  Have a great Tuesday!  Davinie
• June 04, 2011
• 6:00

  a little something fun: Elmer's Craft and Tell blog hop, coming soon!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  giveaways   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I was recently contacted by Miss Amy Heller to participate in a fun event being sponsored by Elmers.  I was honored to be asked, and of course I jumped at the chance to incorporate Elmer's products in my crafting projects.
  
  For fun, Elmer's has provided a couple of really fun giveaways and a blog hop event scheduled for June 11-12 to share different ways of including Elmer's + X-ACTO's specially designed adhesives and cutting tools products into your papercrafting.  Check out the goodies:
  
  Giveaway 1:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Giveaway 2:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm one of ten crafters creating projects for this event, so I hope you'll mark your calendars and check us out on June 11-12 to see what we came up with and enter for a chance to win a prize.  So far, the list of crafty contributors includes:
  
  Amy Heller
  Amy Parker
  Deana Boston
  and me.....
  
  Each day leading up to the event another face will be added to the list.  Some talented ladies here!
  
  So, make sure you "Like" Elmer's and Xacto on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to see Amy's Elmer updates:
  
  Facebook
  
  Elmer's : [www.facebook.com]
  
  X-Acto : [www.facebook.com]
  
  Twitter
  
  Elmer's : [twitter.com]
  
  And have a great weekend!  I'll see you back here for the blog hop on the 11th! 
  
  Here's a little hint at my project....  it involves paper, fabric glue, foam board, an Xacto knife, and the cutting mat.  Curious?  Sneaks soon! 
  
  Davinie
• June 01, 2011
• 8:48

  Project 12 May in June

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  I was doing some reflecting on how busy my life has become these days, which has made me even more grateful that I stop and document my world with Project 12 each and every month. Sometimes it’s a chore and I’m putting together my layout at the last minute to make it in time for the 1st post, but the fact I have made it a priority, on top of jazz and ballet and gardening and renovating and camping and barbecuing and volunteering and mothering, really does fill me with pride. My scrapbooks are such a treasure to me, and nothing makes me happier than to see my girls flipping through the pages to see their lives mapped out with patterned paper lovingly cut into bits.
  
  In April our house was busy with Spring Teas at school, an early camping trip to the hills, a new trampoline, and our annual Easter weekend bash. I had a lot of fun things to document, and the April sketch was perfect for it.
  
  As a reminder, here’s the April sketch:
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   I used my current Studio Calico kit again this month.  It was handy because I still had it out!  I had to also use my new favorite Fiskars punches, the everywhere punch set, to add some depth to my layout. 
  This sketch was filled with horizontal photos, but as I went through my files, I realized I am more of a portrait girl, so had to alter the sketch a bit to get my photos in. Note to self: take more of both, so I’ll always have choices.
  
  As always, I wanted to highlight a couple of submissions this month, and first I wanted to start with Sonya:
  
  
  
  I was really drawn to her color palette. I wouldn’t have normally been drawn to using the Crate floral background with that black houndstooth, but it looks FABulous on this layout. I really really like the two together. I also really like the use of the birds and butterflies for the embellishments on this one. It really speaks Spring to me. (I hope you have had Spring at your house, Sonya!!!! It SNOWED last week here). I also like the touches of red because it really draws that color out of the photos she used. Really nice layout.
  
  The next one I wanted to share is from Jennifer. Jennifer and I go way back on this challenge and it’s always an honor and a pleasure to see her playing along.
  
  
  
  The first thing that made me smile on this layout was the banners. SO cute. The next thing that caught my eye were the mushrooms and other corrugated shapes. You don’t often get a chance to use mushrooms on a layout, but it works perfectly for this layout and this challenge! I love the title card and how she changed the sketch to fit her photos too. I like that number paper too. I need some of that.
  
  Lastly, is one from Ruby.
  
  
  
  Project 12 is about celebrating your life and getting it down on a 12x12, (or two of them, or an 8.5 x 11, etc). Sometimes that means documenting all the little things, and sometimes that means documenting the big things. April is a month to celebrate Spring, but it is also a month to celebrate Easter, which is what Ruby did with her layout.
  
  I love the color combo here. It’s so soft and feminine and I love all those pretty photo corners. The dimensional butterflies and use of trims here is really nice too.
  
  Thank you so much for playing along!
  
  Now that June is here and May is over, it’s about time for Spring before Summer gets here (at least at my house, the kids are chomping at the bit to utilize sprinklers under the trampoline). It’s also time for another challenge.
  
  As a reminder, this is the May sketch we are going to be utilizing this month:
  
  
  
  I really like this one. I love those flowers. I may have to dig in my stash to see if I can find some SEI Dill Blossom. I loved that line.
  
  Remember, though, that you can use whatever sketch works for you. You don’t even need to utilize a sketch, if what Becky came up with doesn’t work with your photos. Just document your life and leave a comment here for a chance to win a prize.  Link your sketch at Scrapbook and Cards to have another chance to win. 
  
  As always, you have until the 28th to leave a comment linking your layout to the appropriate blog post.  See the Project 12 page at the top or email me if you have any questions. 
  I’ll see you back here July 1! Davinie
• May 27, 2011
• 20:56

  My Paper Moon projects

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Good evening!  The kit is live and add-ons are up for grabs at Studio Calico.  I got Star Dust and Countdown.
  
  Product is in the shop too, and the hype this month is for SMASH.  Finally Smash has reached the store!  A ltitle tip on the Folios....  I loved the pink cover the best at CHA, but it was not my favorite when I opened it up.  I think blue is pretty too, but the Black and Red folio books were my favorite.  I need a few, one to rip up, the other to use as an inspiration book, but I was just inspired to get a third to take on our travel adventures this summer.  Perfect!  Smash is perfect for memorabilia and random notes, which is perfect for ticket stubs and receipts and thoughts on the go.  Can't wait!
  
  This is what I came up with for this month's kit:
  
  
  
  This one was the first layout I created this month and my favorite of the group too.  They got hula hoops at preschool and Payton was determined to get some good hip action.  It's been great because she's been able to see how her hard work can pay off as she's really improved in a short while.  I'm so proud of her! 
  
  
  
  
  I used my new favorite tool on this layout too.  It's the circle everywhere punch from Fiskars.  I've certainly heard of this tool before, and had to try it out.  I LOVE it.  I love that you can punch in the middle of the layout, and that you can be strategic and punch exactly where you want to punch.  Heaven.  I only have the square and circle punches, but we also got a scallop in the shop, and that one is coming home to mama next.
  Also?  GET the MORE SC add-on!  That green bubble paper is fabulous.  Both sides.  You will love it. 
  Morgan is in school all day and really busy these days.  She's also not a huge fan of the camera anymore.  I've noticed that I'm creating more and more Payton layouts, so when an opportunity comes up to document my eldest, I grab the camera for sure.  Last weekend she went on her very first campout, with her Girl Scout troup.  They have a wekeend campout coming up in a couple of weeks, so her leaders had a "practice" campout at one of their homes to give the girls an idea what to expect and help alleviate any fears.  Morgan had such a good time.  She didn't miss me at all.  :(  It's hard to be too sad about that when this means I've done a good job raising an independent, responsible, confident girl.  It makes a mama proud.  And it hurts too.  My baby really is going away.  ::sigh::
  Anyway....  here's a layout I came up with about that:
  
  
  
  I trimmed out a star and used lemonade mist to create a mask.  A campout needed a stamp too so I used the moon stamp from the main kit.  That's Schoolhouse red for the chipboard alphas. 
  This next one showcases how fabulous that square everywhere punch is.  I created a grid using kraft cardstock and a punch.  The square comes with the starter set and was a lot of fun to work with:
  
  
  
  I layered paper above and under the grid and stitched some of it down. 
  This layout makes me smile.  Payton's preschool teacher had been going on and on about her self portrait for weeks before I actually saw it at the Spring tea.  I did concur.  It was the best on the wall.  :)  She even drew the pet rat on her shoulder (may Marshmallow rest in peace).  Super cute.  Such a good artist. 
  I loved the prompts given by the smash in the kit, which is what inspired this next layout.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We are so ready for summer to get here!  It's taking forever!  It's almost June and shorts and even capris haven't been on my radar.
  The banner was made with the #3, Countdown, and was inpsired by the Girl's Paperie paper in add-on 1, Star Dust with the banners all over it, (the reverse side to this plaid on this layout).
  Lastly, there's that card again with my flag picks:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As I mentioned before, I REALLY wanted to do a mini with #3 and will have that to share soon.  I also think this kit will be great for 4th of July photos with all that blue, so will be saving it to use in the next couple of months (as if I file away my kits anyway, lol.  I have kit bits everywhere!  :)  ).
  
  
  If it's a kit or add-on you are after, I wish you the best of luck snatching it up!  I'm so fortunate to have been with SC since the beginning.  It would hurt my crafty little heart to have missed out on any of this scrappy goodness, and of course, if you love October Afternoon and EK Success Smash, you will not be disappointed!
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• May 26, 2011
• 21:29

  A long weekend ahead and last minute sneaks

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  We had several options for Memorial weekend including a few camping trips, but the weather forecast helped make the decision easy, and we've decided to stay home instead.  I got gung ho to do some painting  in my main living area, but it has somehow turned into a complete overhaul which involves drywall and sledge hammers, so I'm here amongst the muck to post some last minute Studio Calico sneaks before it's too late and Steve's either shorted out a power outlet or I'm up to my elbows in grey paint.  heeee. 
  
  I purchased two add-ons this month, Star Dust and Countdown.
  
  I purchased Start Dust because I loved the Maya Road kraft doilies, the chicken wire stamp, and I'm a sucker for all that Girl's Paperie goodness.  It's also one of the girliest add-ons this month, which compliments the main kit well. 
  
  I purchased Countdown #1 for the film strip stamp, and because I REALLY wanted to make a mini out of the Jillibean file folders.  I know how I want to bind them and everything, but the mini didn't make it to reveal time, so it'll be something I share at a later date.  I have been wanting to do more mini books lately, my kids just love them, so was on the look out for an add-on that would allow me to do so, and #3 is it.  I can't wait to use the film strip stamp with it!
  
  Another thing I loved about Countdown, #3, was actually the Pink Paislee borders.  There are a ton of them, more than one of each style, and I had a lot of fun cutting them up and using them here and there on my projects this month.  You'll be able to go a long way with your pages if you take advantage of this add-on and these border stickers. 
  
  If I were you I would go for the More SC option again this month too.  KP did it again and made another set of papers I needed.  I adore the bubble paper with that green. Love.  Had to have more.  It was hard not to use it on every layout, so I'm glad I had more than once piece. 
  
  Shop items in the way of ink this month would definitely be the JBS Spice Tin.  You really need a blue.  I tried using Soap Powder which is a nice blue (and would actually be a nice fit for the future.....), but a bit subtle for the look I was going for with Paper Moon.  A blue ink is going to be perfect for this kit. 
  
  One reason I didn't use my film strip stamp is because I canNOT find my Black Stazon, and I was out of time to order something to ship in time for sneaks.  I have no idea where it went, but I have two ink pads, so if small girls are hiding them somewhere, oh my, let's just hope they aren't, because black Stazon will NOT be good anywhere outside my scrapbook room.  So Stazon is currently in my cart.  Where on earth can it be?  Am I revealing too much about the current state of my craft area?  Maaaaybe.  ;)
  
  The circles background stamp is in the shop, as is the super cute bee, two cute stamps that are a fun addition to the stamp collection if you didn't purchase that add-on in previous months.  That bee is super super cute. 
  
  Also new to the shop in the morning will be new Sew Easy heads.  Get them!  I have the banners and pennants coming to me.  I tried them out at CHA and they were a lot of fun so I can't wait to add them to my collection.  Remember, you need the mat if you want to use this tool.  It's a thick foam which you need to get the heads to pierce all the way through your paper.
  
  This is random, but there was a discussion on unfiled layouts on the Studio Calico boards the other day, and I had an aha moment when Keshet mentioned having a scrapbook as a holding area for her layouts before she puts them into their permanent album.  For pete's sake!  I have this huge pile of layouts waiting to be filed, which becomes more intimidating each day as I pile more and more on the stack, so this idea, which is so simple, is really going to help me!  So....  American Crafts page protectors are in my cart.  I have a few unopened albums already, which makes my pile of layouts even more pathetic, but I do need more protectors to get this ball rolling. 
  
  ANYWAY.....  enough rambling, how about a couple more sneaks:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This card was just on the SC blog as part of a tutorial I did on making flags:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  and just so you don't have to dig back through my posts, here are my other two sneaks I previously posted:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used my new favorite favorite punch set on these last two sneaks.  It's the Fiskars Everywhere punch.   Oh my.  I have the square and the circle punch, and will soon have the scalloped circle too.  I am In LOVE with this punch.  To be able to punch a shape out of the middle of a 12x12 is like a dream come true, lol.  PLUS it has a guide on it, so you can punch EXACTLY where you want to punch.  Heaven, I tell you.  I'll be able to share more about it at reveal, but suffice it to say I think this is a must have.  It should be in the punch section on Friday morning, so be sure to check it out.  YUM. 
  
  And that's it! 
  
  Wishing you could chat on the SC boards from your Iphone.....
  
  Davinie
• May 24, 2011
• 8:26

  Layouts to Card and Cards to Layouts

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  On National Scrapbook Day I created a cards for the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog based on a layout I had created for their 2011 Calendar.
  
  As a reminder, this is the calendar page:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lots of Studio Calico products here.  Some Crate Paper too.  Also?  The cutest Miss September on the planet! Ack!  She doesn't look like that anymore.  boo.
  
  This is the card I made based on my layout (which was inspired by a Becky Fleck sketch):
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You can find instructions for this card on that blog post here.
  
  The following week I hosted the blog and there I did the reverse, first creating a card, and then using the design AND the supplies to create a layout.
  
  This is the card I came up with initially:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used a lot of my favorite products on this card....  paper from Crate Paper, Studio Calico labels, Sassafras alphas, fabric, my favorite Fiskars punch. And buttons!  Gotta love some buttons.  ::sigh::
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Supplies:
  Crate Paper patterned paper
  American Crafts patterned paper / thickers
  Sassafras sticker alphas
  October Afternoon buttons
  Studio Calico tag
  Karen Foster floss
  fabric
  
  Instructions on recreating that card are here.
  
  I thought it would be fun to use those same supplies to create a layout, so with the leftover bits, I came up with this:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Does anyone else have a child like this one?  She has a really hard time accepting responsibility for her actions, and likes to play the victim big time.  A martyr, that one.  If she hurts Morgan on accident and Morgan cries, she'll immediately have a fit and say "now you are making me feeel baaaadddd!" which is so crazy because at the moment, she hurt someone and that person needs some attention.  
  She says that statement all the time and I admit to sometimes telling her, "maybe you are SUPPOSED to feel bad when you do something like that".  For pete's sake, she isn't an innocent little lamb, the victim of abuse.  She's headstrong and independent and taking advantage of us, that one.  But I love her to bits.  I'm just scared of what lies ahead in the teen years, lol.
  
  I followed the same design as my card for my layout, with the strip of ruched ribbon, the arrangement of my different patterned papers, but instead of the title at the bottom, I put my journaling there.  I also used a Studio Calico tag instead of a label sticker.
  
  This layout came together really fast because the design was already mapped out.
  
  I challenge you to do the same when you are stumped.  Create a card first.
  
  Have a great day and thanks for taking a peek!!  Off to let Payton out of the closet.  ;)
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Only a few more days to meet the Project 12 deadline for May!  :)
• May 22, 2011
• 15:23

  Sunday Random + Studio Calico sneaks

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I'm sorry.  I'm distracted.  Blessed be....  Mama got an Iphone.  Steve cut out a tiny picture of a phone and put it in my Mother's Day card, lol, and then a few days ago, it came in the mail.
  
  I can't seem to put the thing down.  I'm going to have to either separate myself or get some sort of Domestic Intervention.  Really, the only time I don't have it is when Morgan is busy playing with it.  She likes Pictureka, but she also spends a lot of time with the Angry Birds.  If they'd just call it "onery pigs" I'd feel a lot less guilt about letting her play with it though.  Just sayin'.  I also prefer the free Rio version because they are usually saving birds or messing with the monkeys in that version and not trying to kill something.  Anyway....
  
  Another love is the Instagram app.  Check out my week in Instagram pics:
  
  
  
  
  Yes, amazing isn't it.  A self portrait.  I hope you were sitting down when you saw that.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Movie night.  Dad was away and it was the weekend, so the girls and I rented Ramona and Beezus (or is it Beezus and Ramona????).  They liked it.  They also like popsicles.  DelMonte fruit popsicles are an almost nightly dessert after dinner.  Payton often takes hers with her into the bathtub.  She prevers Grape while Morgan loves cherry or strawberry.  FYI.  :)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I love this one, except for the fact that Morgan looks almost tween in this pic.  NO.  Stop that!  We got a spring day and both girls wanted to jump on the trampoline in swim suits with the sprinkler underneath.  It was a great idea....  but it was only 60 degrees outside.  What is it with little kids and their core body temperatures?  Crazy, I tell you.
  
  All of the above photos used the Early Bird wash.  So far, that's my favorite one.
  
  Another app I love?  PINTEREST.  Holy Hannah.  While I do prefer pinning on my desktop over my phone, you can easily get very very lost in the WWW if you get on that app.  Oh my.  Very inspiring.  I've got my living room and kitchen renovated in my mind already.  Lovely ideas for the craft area too, and for some reason, I could explode and land softly on all the pillow ideas I save.  And food.  And crafts.  Oh my, it doesn't stop.
  
  Anyway....
  
  When I haven't been playing with my phone I have actually been spending time in the garden.  Another unbelieveable sentence I just posted there.  So far I have some spring goodies like peas, lettuce, carrots, radishes, and Payton planted some flowers.  There's also pumpkin starts inside.  I'm not an educated gardener, AND it's cold zone gardening here with frosts this time of year, but I'm learning.  I saw this great post on Sherelle's blog recently that I actually printed out.  It's a great reference if gardening is something you are interested in (she has a great blog for gardening/baking ideas too).  She doesn't remind you to wear sunscreen, though.  So unless you want a sunburn from your elbow to your wrist, be sure to lather up before baring down to a t-shirt with your garden gloves.  I'm just sayin'......
  
  I've also been scrapbooking!  Hallelujah!  I've had some fun with some new punches we'll be getting in the shop and have been enjoying my girls and their story this month.  Last night I rented "No Strings Attached" with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman while I was crafting away, and it was pretty good.  I've also been listening to a lot of Adele.  I'm a bit obsessed with her lately, actually.  Scrapbooking means Studio Calico June kit sneaks!  Check them out:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I still have time to button up more projects so I'll have more to share before reveal.  This was another great month for SC exclusive papers, though.  Make sure you add the more Studio Calico add-on to your list.  You can see the green bubbles above.
  
  I'm working on a mini album as well but I don't know if I'll get it finished in time for the slideshow gallery at Reveal.  But that's the reason I bought #3 so be sure to check out that one!
  
  Have a great Sunday!
  
  Davinie
• May 11, 2011
• 14:06

  Crate Love - Spring rose vase

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  tutorials   [edit]

  I had the pleasure of posting a sweet project for a giveaway on the Crate blog over the weekend, and wanted to take the opportunity to share it here as well.  I just love it!
  
  Inspired by the garden gate chipboard piece in the chipboard accents from the Neighborhood Collection, I wanted to make a spring/summer décor piece.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   I white washed the wood vase with gesso and then covered it with a strip using the Picnic Pattern, a bit of Block Party, and the delicious felt trim from the same Collection (the Emma's Shoppe trims, especially that pink, would have been pretty too). I topped it with the white gate, and then wrapped it in twine and added an Eclectic Button to top it off.
  
  The flowers were made using the rolled flower technique as well as some buttons.
  
  
  
  
  
  You need one circle punched from a 3 inch circle punch, and a green circle punched from a 1.5 inch circle punch I used the Festive pattern from the Snow Day line for my “leaves”)
  
  To start, I threaded two button on floral wire.
  
  
  
  
  
  After that, roll a rose flower from the large punched circle. If you need a reminder on creating these flowers, check out my tutorial here:
  
  http://davinie.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-make-paper-roses.html
  
  
  Thread the rose onto the floral wire below the two buttons, add a large third button behind that, and finish with your smaller circle “leaf”. What you have is a rose for you bouquet.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Fill in the vase with several flowers, and finish it with finely trimmed strips from the Block Party print, and you have a beautiful vase to treasure.
  
  
  
  
   I made a vase using this same wood container (which I picked up from Michael's for $1) on this post.  I can't believe it's been 3 years since I did it the first time!  It was fun to revamp the idea with new product. 
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• 13:56

  Crate Love - Spring rose vase

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  tutorialscrate Paper   [edit]

  I had the pleasure of posting a sweet project for a giveaway on the Crate blog over the weekend, and wanted to take the opportunity to share it here as well.  I just love it!
  
  Inspired by the garden gate chipboard piece in the chipboard accents from the Neighborhood Collection, I wanted to make a spring/summer décor piece.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   I white washed the wood vase with gesso and then covered it with a strip using the Picnic Pattern, a bit of Block Party, and the delicious felt trim from the same Collection (the Emma's Shoppe trims, especially that pink, would have been pretty too). I topped it with the white gate, and then wrapped it in twine and added an Eclectic Button to top it off.
  
  The flowers were made using the rolled flower technique as well as some buttons.
  
  
  
  
  
  You need one circle punched from a 3 inch circle punch, and a green circle punched from a 1.5 inch circle punch I used the Festive pattern from the Snow Day line for my “leaves”)
  
  To start, I threaded two button on floral wire.
  
  
  
  
  
  After that, roll a rose flower from the large punched circle. If you need a reminder on creating these flowers, check out my tutorial here:
  
  http://davinie.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-make-paper-roses.html
  
  
  Thread the rose onto the floral wire below the two buttons, add a large third button behind that, and finish with your smaller circle “leaf”. What you have is a rose for you bouquet.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Fill in the vase with several flowers, and finish it with finely trimmed strips from the Block Party print, and you have a beautiful vase to treasure.
  
  
  
  
   I made a vase using this same wood container (which I picked up from Michael's for $1) on this post.  I can't believe it's been 3 years since I did it the first time!  It was fun to revamp the idea with new product. 
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• May 07, 2011
• 6:00

  Happy National Scrapbook Day!!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Happy National Scrapbook Day!  Happy Scrapbook Day to my International friends as well!  There is a lot of fun and challenges and prizes galore all over the WWW and I want to make sure you know right where to go.  I mentioned a couple of things on my last post too. 
  
  I want to make sure you head to the Crate Paper blog and leave a comment for a chance at a gift basket.  While there you will see this super sweet vase I made which includes a tutorial to recreate it: 
  
  
  I have created a bouquet in this type of vase before and had a lot of fun doing something different with it.  (You can check out my original project here). 
  As I mentioned in my last post, Studio Calico is having a great big huge NSD Celebration with tons of challenges, prizes, and inspiration. 
  I created a make n take for this celebration, a card which you can create for Mother's Day, should you be a last minute girl like myself:
  
  (Supplies:  Studio Calico Countryside / State Fair patterned paper, sticker alphas, chipboard alphas, label sticker). 
  There's also that stitching challenge which can be found here.
  I hope you have fun checking out the blog and all the fun in store!
  Another place I want you to check out today is Scrapbook and Cards.  There's a very very cool giveaway on this post. 
  For NSD I created a card with instructions.  This is what I came up with, inspired by the 2011 calendar put out by Scrapbook and Cards, specifically, Miss September.  Here's the layout:
  
  
  And here's my card:
  
  I hope you will check out the blog post for today, and peek at what the other designers came up with as well. 
  Speaking of Scrapbook and Cards, in addition to providing inspiration today, we have a big announcement to make, of particular interest to my Canadian friends:
  
  
  Isn't that wonderful?  Maybe you'll see me at a crop someday!  I don't think I've ever been to Canada!  I'm so excited to see these types of events come up.  We don't get much in Oregon.
  I hope you have a wonderful wonderful day!  Davinie
  
• May 06, 2011
• 8:24

  Five on Friday - NSD prequel

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  five For friday   [edit]

  Tomorrow is National Scrapbook Day and I have several things to share, so I thought I'd start a day early and split up what would be a long blog post as part of my Friday "every once in a while" fives.
  
  1.  Studio Calico wants to be YOUR NSD destination.  We have challenges, chats, make n takes, and inspiration galore.  The post of events has gone live, so be sure to check the Studio Calico blog for what's happening this weekend.  Kimberly and I have a stitching challenge and I also have a make n take to inspire you (especially if you still need something for Mother's Day). 
  
  2.  TwoPeas wants you to shop shop shop this weekend and has a lot of fun deals going on:
       Free Gift with Purchase
       Offers over $25 will receive a free 6x6 paper pad (ooh.  Maybe they'll be on of the new Crate Paper lines).
       Free shipping for orders over $30.  Use code NSD511 at checkout.
       An extra 10% off sale and clearance items.
  
  If nothing else, stock up on basics like kraft cardstock and adhesive.  I had to race to Walmart the other day because I was OUT of glue dots.  Out out out.
  
  3.  Crate Paper is having a great big giveaway tomorrow, and I am so honored to have created a really fun project for it.  Here's a peek:
  
  
  (Featuring the Neighborhood line)
  It's going to be a sweet prize and my project includes a tutorial so I hope you'll check it out.
  4.  I will have something fun to share from Scrapbook and Cards tomorrow as well.  Some fun things are in the future for my Canadian friends so I can't wait to share! 
  5.  That's it for scrappity!  Tomorrow morning I'm running in a 5k that supports a sweet little girl in her battle against leukemia, and then tomorrow afternoon I'm headed to town to take Morgan to a slumber party and take Payton to Red Robin and then to the movies for a mama / daughter date.  The plan is to see Rio.  Dad is working and will be home Sunday morning. 
  Not much crafting will be had, but I'll be blogging! 
  Have a great night and a wonderful weekend!  As I said, be sure to check back here for NSD fun!  Davinie
• May 01, 2011
• 9:23

  Project 12 April in May

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Must it be May already?  For pete's sake.
  Let's talk about March.  Steve had a birthday in March.  Payton had a birthday in March.  Our furbaby Cooper had his birthday in March (he turned 10). 
  Payton can now stop asking me why daddy is taller than me, but I am older than him.  In March we became the same age again.  :)
  
  In March Becky provided us with a fun sketch.  Here's a reminder:
  
  
  
  And this is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  
  I used the May kit from Studio Calico, Lawn Party.  Very convenient, as it has been out on my desk all month. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  When I first got my kit this month, I trimmed out all the doilies from one piece of the SC paper (you can get more in the patterned paper add-on here - it's the B side to the chicken wire paper above).  When it came time to put my Project 12 layout together, I had a couple of spare doilies lying about, and they worked perfectly in this design. 
  
  The chicken wire worked great for a March / Spring layout which also included chickens, wouldn't you agree!?  The 5 cent ticket also had double meaning, as March brought Payton's 5th birthday as well.  I love when embellies can work like that on a project. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used the same journaling block technique I snagged from ShellyJ a couple of months ago.  Love her.  This was another month where the journaling was random and worked better blocked off.
  
  My title was misted with Applejack to stand out more.  That is my favorite Mister Huey green, that Applejack. 
  
  
  Here are some fun layouts linked on my blog this month.  I love how you've interpreted this fun sketch:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I love this one from the Paisley Petals blog.  I am really digging that Cosmo Cricket.  I need to get more of that line.  I adore the banner across the top and am really inspired by how she did the top left block, and trimmed the clouds rather than letting them hang over.  That just really inspires me. 
  
  I highlighted this next one on the SCT blog for this month, but had to share it here too so I can have it as a reference.   I LOOOOVE this one from Agata: 
  
  I am a huge fan of stitchery and clean lines, so this one speaks to me like nobody's business.  LOVE the yellow threads.  I also really like the punched flowers for the border.  Such a smart idea.  I also love that you can see her LIFE on this layout.  A new couch in March?  Love that.  It's something that needs to be documented.  The kids are going to refer to memories down the road based on the couch they were sitting on or the house they were living in.  These things need to be in your layouts!  :)
  
  The winner on my blog for the March prize is:  Megan A.   Megan, be sure to send an email to ideas@scrapbookandcards.com and note that you are the winner for the March sketch.  Congratulations! 
  
  Now that March is over, April is over, and now it is May, it's time for that April recap.  Check out the April sketch:
  
  
  
  This will be a fun one.  With Easter and other fun family events this month, I have a lot of photos to play with.  I can't wait. 
  
  You have until May 28 to leave a comment on my blog or the SCT blog with your layouts if you'd like to play for a prize.  Do that!  I want to be able to leave a comment, and I know other P12 participants would love to check you out.
  
  Have a great month!  Davinie
• April 27, 2011
• 20:57

  I'm having a Lawn Party..... my May Studio Calico projects

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's that time again!  The May kit is live and the shopping carts are at the door at Studio Calico.  Lawn Party, it's called.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I picked up Pink Lemonade and Clear Skies, but the add-on you definitely need to add to your cart this month is definitely More SC Paper.  Miss Kelly Purkey designed them for the first time and I do believe they are my favorite to date.  Then again, I'm partial to spring colors, doilies, butterflies, polkadots, and chicken wire.  But that's just me.  ;)
  If More SC paper sells out, there's always the More Patterned Paper add-on. 
  This month we decided to do member lifts, so I dug my way through the gallery, looking for inspiration, and came across this layout from Stila.  I later learned that this dear lady lives in Japan.  Her family is doing fine, but obviously there is a lot going on over there, so I was honored she let me lift her layout, and happy to be able to give her a shoutout.  She has some fun things in her gallery so check her out. 
  This is what I came up with, based on her work:
  
  I adore this photo.  I want to hang this photo on my wall.  The only bummer about it is that it doesn't include my youngest neice, otherwise, all the Cooper cousins would be together.  I took this photo of them just before Payton opened all her presents on her birthday.
  As you can see, I am a bit obsessed with the number stamp from the main kit.  It's such a great size and such a crisp image.  I love that you could stamp it on patterned paper and would still be able to see both the image and the paper underneath. 
  And you guessed it.  That's white zing.  On kraft!  White on Kraft!  I am in heaven. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I really enjoyed the process and the art that went into this layout.  I used the Epiphany products together for buttons, (you can purchase the button accessories and use them without the tool).  I enjoyed the stamping and layering with the corrugated frames and the krafty base and the pop of color with the photo against the border of the base paper.....  ::sigh::Check out this other fun technique with the stamp:
  
  
  That's the main kit stamp plus Zing plus the Zig embossing pen.  I could have spent more time heating the powder for a smooth and even 5, but in general, I'm a huge fan of the embossing possibilities.
  I love this next one, a majority of which came from the Main kit. 
  
  
  
  
  
  I trimmed the doilies out of the SC paper.  That was the first thing I did when the kit arrived on my doorstep.  It was fun to layer them with patterned paper and filters from the main, mist them a bit, and stitch all over them.
  These photos slay me.  I can't believe how much she's changed, and how obvious her personality is conveyed in the pictures. 
  This last layout was made on the same day I took the photos.  I never do that, but was inspired.  It came together really fast and was fun to mix various products from the kits. 
  
  
  I told you to get More SC paper, right?!  Chicken wire and easter photos and 5 and Dime tickets and ephemera.  Fun!
  Lastly, a card, and SC paper again! :
  SC paper and those alphas from BG were made exclusively for Studio Calico, and can only be found in the main kit. 
  And that's it!  Another fun shop item that would work with this kit?  Countryside tags.   They are springy too, which is nice.  That egg tag will be fun on an Easter layout!!!!  There are a ton of different tags in different sizes in this pack so it's a good deal and a fun embellishment to add to the stash.
  
  Lastly, while supplies last, there is a BOGO offer (buy one, get one free) on the American Crafts precision pen sets in Brown and Black.  This is a great offer if you are into stocking up on basic supplies.  10 pens for $10.  NOT bad.  Just had to share.
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• April 26, 2011
• 20:44

  Easter recap and SNEEEEEAKS

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Anyone else on board with requesting an extra day for each week?  I am starting a petition.  I could really use a few these days.  I'd settle for a couple hours each day spread throughout the week.  I'm just sayin'......
  
  I had family here last weekend to celebrate the Easter holiday.  Every year we host brunch because we have property for a proper egg hunt and it's a nice time of year to gather family we haven't seen since Christmas.  We had a lot of fun and the weather even held out one more day so that the girls could enjoy the outdoors with their cousins and friends.
  
  
  
  The Easter bunny brought them sparkly Converse shoes and hoola hoops. They also got nets and little containers for catching polliwogs and other fun creatures now that the irrigation water has been turned on for the year. 
  Good times!
  I realize I'm getting further and further behind in keeping this blog from getting old and moldy, but I'm just still having a hard time getting organized.  Instead of working at home part-time as I have been for the last 8 years, I've been working in the office instead, and it's been taking some adjustment.  I'll get it sorted out eventually!  At least, I hope!  :)
  That said, I came, I saw, I played, and have some Studio Calico sneaks to share:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Things to note:
  You want MORE SC PAPER.  You do.  There are some nice shots of it in my last two peeks.  Really delicious stuff, my favorite SC paper to date.
  White Zing.  That stamp in the main kit requires it.  You will want some.  Don't forget the ink pad!
  Epiphany Crafts.  The vintage settings in #4, Clear Skies was made for the tools but you don't have to use them.  I used the smaller 14mm buttons and the punch for my sneak above, but you can also use other embellies in the kit, as shown in my other sneak. 
  And that's it!  Reveal is on the 27th, and shop items will be loaded in the store at 12pm EST (that's 9am my time, woot!).  I'll be back with my projects on Wednesday night!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• April 18, 2011
• 8:46

  a winner and a sneak

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Good Monday morning!
  The sun is out, a great weekend was had, and now it's time for another week. 
  I was blown away by the comments for the Studio Calico blog hop, and pleasantly surprised by the number of new misters who landed here.  I am SO glad you did!  Thank you for all your encouraging words!  Here's my winner:
  
  Sarah said...
  
  
  
  I love misting and I can't wait to go try that technique! I just LOVE how you stitched around the white butterfly for dimension! Thanks for the inspiration, and the chance to win!
  12:27 PM
  
  Congratulations Sarah!  Email me at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll get you in touch with Christine for your 2 bottles of mist. 
  
  Thank you so much for playing along!
  
  Now I've got to get back to my to do list, but first I wanted to share a wee peek of what I've been working on:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  This was made entirely with the May main kit from Studio Calico (plus a little bit of lemonade Mister Huey on my filter - FYI - the new mists are not in the Mister Huey section of the shop.  They are in with the collection they were created for, Countryside or State Fair.  Lemonade is a State Fair mist). 
   
  Have a great day!  I'll see you back here soon.
   
  Davinie
• April 15, 2011
• 8:41

  It's Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  five For friday   [edit]

  (Studio Calico blog hop in the last post).
  
  Payton had her Spring Tea yesterday.  I've gone to Spring teas every year the last three years and this was my fourth.  It was the same things... a program, a flower in a vase, a print, a self-portrait, but this one was more special than the rest. 
  
  
  
  
  
  It's the last one.
  
  No more preschool Spring teas after this.
  
  Is it odd to break out into tears during a school wide singalong of "you are my sunshine?"  Because after they sang the song with sign language, sang "You are my Mommy" and "You are my Daddy" versions, and then the parents were asked to chime in on one last run through, my waterproof mascara almost gave out. 
  
  And then her teacher asked if she could skip Kindergarten and spend another year at preschool, and I wanted to go home and make a baby right then just to drag it out.  heeee. 
  
  Oh my. 
  
  I'm just wondering if this feeling is totally normal?  We are done having kids.  If I had another one there would be more than a 6 year gap!  I can't do that!  We are trying to renovate!  We don't have a bedroom for any more babies!  I don't want to be an old lady before the kids are in public school.  Right?  I just want to know if these feelings are totally normal.  Tell me it is.  :)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Of course *my* kid had the best self-portrait in the class.  Every mama thinks that about their kid, right?  And look at Payton.  She drew herself with the former class pet rat Marshmallow on her shoulder (Marshmallow, may he rest in peace). 
  
  Even Daddy was able to come to this tea.  He came last year too which was wonderful.  I'm so glad he was there to share this with me one last time. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ::sigh:: 
  
  OH.  A couple of things.  What do you do when you have a recycled bottle decorated with washable paint as a faux vase?  I have had 3 of these and they have never lasted, because inevitably, a small child decides to use it as a REAL vase and the artwork washes off.
  
  You use....  are you ready?  Wait for it, wait for it.....  SUPER SEAL.  Voila!  For Pete's Sake!  A miracle!
  
  
  
  We used to sell Super Seal at Studio Calico, but I don't know where you can find it now.  If you have it, though, I found another great use for it.  Preserve kiddo projects!  I am so happy to have figured this out before this gift was damaged.  It's an aerosol protectant sealant spray.  I hope it lasts a long long time.  We still have paper face daffodils here and there around the house. 
  
  And what do you think of Payton's dress?  I got my order from Zulily and am totally happy with the quality of the goods.  This dress has a curdoroy feel to it.  Just love it.  I'm still a weeee bit obsessed with the site.  I think I've ordered 3 times since that first order?  Earlier this week I bought something for ME even.  Board shorts to cover up my lily white tush in the hot summer sun.  heee.  $13.99!  I think there are some great deals and it's nice to have something besides Old Navy and the Children's Place, and Target, and JC Penney, etc., so if you are like me and have limited places to shop, OR are like me and love to browse from home, check out Zulily.  They have daily deals. 
  
  Ooh.  Another great place to shop?  Down East Basics.  I'm sorry, but my small children took any mammary my glands possessed, so I was really excited to get the Spring catalog with some swimming suit options that actually looked like my body type.  I got this top.  I also got this dress, because it's super cute! 
  
  Anyway.....  believe it or not, but with the arctic winds and occasional hailstorm during this Oregon spring, the Fiero clan is headed to the hills to camp our lives away.  Lucky for me, I have a trailer with a generator, so I may or may not be inside it, heater on, music blaring (or maybe it'll just be kids yelling), and a fruity beverage in hand.  All weekend.  Hopefully the sun comes out so I can kick the kids out though.  ha! 
  
  Note to self:  You have two children, but one of them spends a lot of time at this place called school.  Get some photos of Morgan this weekend. 
  
  Enjoy your day!  Davinie
• April 13, 2011
• 21:00

  Countryside and State Fair Blog Hop with Studio Calico!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

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  Hello Friends!  It's that time again!  State Fair and Countryside are available at Studio Calico, and to celebrate, we are having a blog hop to share some of the fun things you can do with these products.  You may have landed here from Celine's blog.  Maybe you came from the Studio Calico blog.  Maybe you were googling DaVinci.....  either way, Hello there! 
  
  I made a layout for the hop and mainly used the Countryside line:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you are able to get to any of the CKC events this summer, one of the classes being taught is a misting class offering several different fun misting techniques to try.  One of them is masking and I've done so in a couple of ways on this layout.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  First I placed a butterfly shape on white cardstock and misted with Lemonade Mister Huey.  Then I hand stitched around the perimeter to help it stand out.  Doesn't that look fun?  I've used this technique before and need to do it more often because it's such an easy way to make a big impact.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After misting with Lemonade, I took Bonny blue and the negative chipboard piece from the butterfly, arranged cardstock to keep blue off the rest of the layout, and misted the inside of the shape.
  
  This layout also has pink fabrips, label stickers, some State Fair, and some Studio Calico chipboard alphas. 
  
  Because it's a blog hop it means I can give away some Studio Calico goodies.  It was tough to decide, but in the spirit of my layout and the recent CKC event in Portland, I'm going to give away two bottles of mist.  I used Lemonade and Bonny Blue on this layout, but if you leave a comment on this post and are a lucky winner, you can choose any two Mister Huey's you'd like to add to your stash.  Sound good?  White always sells out first at the CKC events, if you are new to misting and am not sure what to try.  My other suggestion would be light colors like Lemonade, until you are more comfortable with misting. 
  
  I'll be drawing a winner on Monday the 18th.  Good luck!
  
  Okay, head on down the list, next stop, Emily Pitts, for more Studio Calico inspiration and an opportunity to win more SC goodies.
  
  Have a great day!  Up next....  SNEAKS.  Oh, and make sure you leave a comment on the SC blog for the Sneak night giveaway....  it's Crate Paper!  
  
  
  Davinie
• 7:17

  Crate Love - Baby All Gone

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  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  My poor little neglected blog needed a little Crate paper love.
  
  On the days leading up to Payton's 5th birthday, I asked her several times what gift she thought she'd like to have.  She mentioned DRUMS  (hahahahaha, NO WAY), and she kept asking for Baby All Gone, one of the Baby Alive dolls.  Oh my.
  
  First of all, I thought she was a bit old to be asking for dolls.  My kids don't really play with dolls anyway.  5 seems old to start.  But then I reminded myself it was her birthday, and she wants what she wants when she wants it......  so when Grandma and Grandpa called and asked for suggestions, that's what I gave them.  They delivered.
  
  Payton was really excited to get her baby girl.  In the end, though, I think she was fooled by the "magic" of disappearing bananas more than the idea of motherhood.  What cracks me up is the amount of talking this baby does.  The poor thing is starving to death!  What's also funny is Payton's reaction to her baby.  When she's done feeding her, she will hide her away so she doesn't have to listen to her anymore.  Oh, the luxury.  heeee.
  
  I decided to mix a few of my favorite Crate products for this layout, and this is what I came up with:
  
  
  
  
  
  Supplies: 
  Crate Paper's Toy Box paper   (the woodgrain, alpha paper as base)Crate Paper's Neighborhood paper, (blue dot, yellow stripe) border stickers, chipboard house, bradPink Paislee's Hometown Summer (pink gingham paper)American Crafts thicker alphasBasic Grey sticker alphasStudio Calico bee stampFiskars tag punchVersamark watermark ink  (2peas - Studio Calico)American Crafts white zing  (2peas - Studio Calico)Uniball Signo pen um-153  (Jetpens)
  Order a zillion of those pens, will you?  Jet Pens is located in Japan.
  
  
  I just adore white.  My favorite Mister Huey is white, and my favorite Zing is white.  I'm also a fan of the white Uniball Signo pen.  A girl needs quality basics in her crafting wardrobe don't you know.
  I also think that bee stamp is delicious.
  I had fun with the design on this layout, thinking some big clouds would be neat to trim and pair with my little chipboard house and that picket fence border sticker, and that a feeling of home would go with my girl and her baby doll who she named....  Baby All Gone. 
  Have a great day!  I'll be back TOMORROW with something exciting to share!  Be sure to check in for some fun!  ;)
  Davinie
• April 11, 2011
• 17:11

  Babble

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  five For friday   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm a wee bit obsessed with barns, and have been wanting a print for my living room, but just haven't stumbled upon what I was looking for until I came across this print while pinning the other day.  Oh my word, I am in heaven with this woman's work.  I am going to have to think long and hard about what to purchase and may or may not purchase more than one print.  I think these are just heavenly.  Mystical and serene, a touch of whimsy, a bit country.  LOVE.  Love the birds on the wire.  Love the post processing.  I'm a huge fan.  I hope I can get it in super size because 11x17 will not be big enough!  :)
  
  When I was in Portland for CKC a few weeks ago, a trip to Ikea was also on the list ( in addition to Pier 1, and the dreaded Chuck. E. Cheese.  bleck).  While there I purchased a 4x4 Expedit in white for my living room.  I chose white because it really brightened up the place.  The plan is to open up our kitchen/ living area upstairs to one big common room, and I want my kitchen to have white cabinets and granite countertops, so they will all match.  I didn't care for the baskets at Ikea, so I'm going to keep shopping, maybe at Target, but think I made the right move, getting the shelving.  I had a heck of a time fitting the packages in my car, though.  Good thing I have an SUV!  And I had to laugh when KP got in the car and said, "I thought it smelled like Ikea in here".   ha!
  
  Other than some home improvements we've got going on at the house, it's been work, work, work.  Oh, we did surprise the girls with a great big trampoline for our backyard last weekend, and they practically moved in.  I can already tell that it was worth the purchase.  It's going to be such a great addition to the backyard for the summertime.  I don't foresee a lot of "I'm bored!" comments now that we have this! 
  
  This weekend we are going camping for the first time in 2011 (well, except the night we had to sleep in our trailer when the power went out for 26 hours, anyway).  We are going to load up our 4wheeler and head to the hills with friends.  I've never camped like this before, but I'm sure my girls will love it.  It's actually nice to get away from the house for a while, so I'm actually looking forward to it.  Something must have happened to me this year because in years past, while I'm always glad to go, I also have a bit of dread when we camp.  Not this time though.  Maybe it's because I see the girls losing their baby faces, and want to make sure they have a lot of fun family experiences to cherish, times when electronics and distractions like the television don't interfere.  That might be it.
  
  I'll be back before I go, though.  Sneaks are this week and I've already been playing with my Studio Calico May Kit.  I also have some Crate Paper to share. 
  
  Davinie
• April 01, 2011
• 18:50

  Project 12 March in April

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Hello ladies!
  
  In an attempt to make things a wee bit easier, at least for a short while, I'm going to post the challenge without including some of my favorite layouts.
  
  I LOVE looking through all the comments and will continue to do that, but I am getting overwhelmed with some of my to do lists in real life, and in an effort to keep on track with posting the challenge as well as my layout, until I have things organized, I'm changing it up a bit.  Focus was my word for 2011, and a to do list is in order in an effort to make things a little less hectic.
  
  I hope you understand and I hope to be back on track soon! 
  
  February was a stinker of a month because my birthday was looming at the end of it, lol, but I still managed to have many fun things to document.
  
  As a reminder, here's what Becky's sketch for February looked like:
  
  
  
  and this is what I came up with:
  
  
  I needed a new headshot, so decided to include it on this layout in order to avoid the guilt from not doing an about me layout.  ha!  I actually do need to do more of those, but now is not the time.
  
  See that cake?  Those cakes?  All the candles?  My kids felt I needed a double helping in order to reach the appropriate number.  sigh....  I changed the sketch a bit in order to better tell my story with an extra photo, and I shuffled embellishments a bit. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This layout was made with the April kit from Studio Calico.  I still had it sitting out, and a monthly kit turned out to be a perfect idea for creating this layout, as the kit and the timeframe will be, at least for me, appropriately themed in colors and embellishments.  ish. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I have no shame in admitting that I completely stole the journaling idea from ShellyJ, a frequent contributor, and plan to do that again.  I just love how it looks and it was a great way to do the choppy journaling that comes from highlighting unrelated events.  Because of these journaling spots, I turned up the edges outside my stitching around my whole layout, and I love how that looks.
  
  I'm working through the comments from this sketch and love the different interpretations I've seen, the use of white space, filling it in with extra photos...  I love how a sketch can take you somewhere else.
  
  With that in mind, check out the March sketch:
  
  
  
  Embellishing this one shall be fun! 
  
  As always, you have until the 28th of April to link your layouts to this post for a chance at a prize.  I hope you are checking the SCT blog to see if you have won on previous months.  If you are a winner, and haven't contacted SCT or received your prize yet, can you send me an email at cooperdees (at) yahoo.com ?  I just want to make sure all winners get their goodies.  You deserve it!  I appreciate you!
  
  Take care!  I'll see you back here soon.  Off to comment in a more timely fashion.  ;)   Davinie
• 16:29

  Five on Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  I'm actually posting today.  No foolin'.  I've got a mixed bag of things to update and relate, so let's see if i can keep it at five, lol.
  
  1.  Cardmaps!  Your enthusiasm is contagious.  I'm so happy you are excited about this publication.  It's card sketches, but the whole issue is so inspiring you'll feel like making layouts and altered projects with it too.  The winner of the Cardmaps publication is:
  
  Carole Stirrat said...
  Darling card and your grid of trims is genious, love it!!
  8:16 AM
  
  Congratulations Carole!  Email me at cooperdees (at) yahoo.com and I'll get you that issue plus a few goodies from me.  :)
  
  You can pick up that issue of Cardmaps and download the Spring issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today here if you are still interested in checking it out. 
  
  I did want to share one of my projects from the Spring issue on this post.  I used a bunch of Studio Calico goodies on this one:
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   Hand cut butterflies.  Basket weaving.  Flowers.  ::sigh::  It just feels like spring. 
  
  Speaking of SCT, I hope you've been landing on their blog this week to enter for prizes.  They are giving a prize away today that I'm really curious about.  It's called a Picture Keeper.  Have a jump drive sized photo storage is VERY appealing to me.  You can comment on the blog for one chance, and you can get a second chance at one of those via their Facebook page.  good luck!
   
  2.  Studio Calico.  The newsletter went out last night, but just wanted to send and FYI that
  Documentary is on it's final sale.  50% off and when it's gone, it's gone.  You can never have too many label stickers and journaling cards, can you?
  
  Zing has been restocked too.  That darn Studio Calico and their enabling.  I used to emboss prior to scrapbooking and all the hype is inspiring me to break out my heating tool.  I'm all for white and clear to add dimension, I think.  I have the clear but white was sold out the last time I peeked.  hmmm.....
  
  Epiphany Crafts and the WRMK Sew Easy tool.  Hard to find?  It's in the Supply section. 
  
  Lastly, remember, if you are a subscriber at Studio Calico or have recently placed an order, you have till the 3rd to add to your cart for the flat rate shipping fee, and then the kits are on their way. :)
  
  3.  Sketchbook 3 starts Monday!  I had a lot of fun with my layout.  I still can't believe KP asked me to be part of this class, especially when I go down the list of contributors.  Wow.  I hope you'll check out this inspiring class!  Here's a sneak peek of my work.  You'll only see the whole thing if you take the class:
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For some reason, the straight stitch head on my Sew Easy tool has disappeared.  Luckily, I hand stitch anyway, so I took care of it freehand.  My stitches aren't perfectly spaced, but I'm not perfect either, so we are happy together.  lol.  That said, that tool would have made this layout come together much faster than what I did instead.  Also?  Note to self:  don't use a piercing tool and attempt to make straight lines while working on a layout and watching Black Swan On Demand.  Holy WOW.  That was not what I was expecting.  Did I mention Steve was on shift so I was downstairs watching it by myself at about 11pm?  Oh dear.
  
  4.  Got Spring Fever???? 
  
  
  
  
  If you check out the Crate Paper blog today you will see some fun Spring inspired projects.  You'll also have a chance to leave a comment and win some new product.  If you don't have the new Crate you are missing out, so jet on over there and leave your digits.  :)  I didn't have time to create a project for this hop, but will have something springy to post this weekend so be sure to check back. 
  5. Lastly, it's number 5.  She's 5.  I have a 5 year old.  My youngest.....  is five.  It is almost too much to fathom, lol. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  She's almost finished with preschool, and then it will be public school and Kindergarten in the fall.  No more preschool playdates.  No more Mrs Rau and Mrs Wilber and the weather person and the pet feeder and the hungry caterpillar and Marshmallow the Rat.  She was antsy the night before and didn't sleep well, so woke up on her birthday morning with a room filled with balloons and her mama whispering the birthday song in her ear.  When her eye's opened I asked her how she felt and she responded with "taller".  So we had to get out the chart and sure enough, she may be taller at 5 than Morgan was at 5.  WAH. 
  
  I'm terrible about uploading videos on YouTube, but I did find a couple:
  
  Reading @2 - actually, she had this book memorized, and if dad had started at the beginning, she would have been able to tell the whole story:
  [www.youtube.com]
  
  Payton's 2nd birthday.  This video slays me because of Morgan crying and throwing a fit.  Payton does that NOW.  It's comforting to know she'll eventually grow out of it because Morgan certainly has:
  [www.youtube.com]
  
  
  What do you get for a 5 year old girl on her birthday?  For some silly reason, she decided she wanted this:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Baby. All Gone.  Commit me now.  This baby spends all day saying "I'm thirsty", "I'm hungy", "I love bananas" and it just drives me nuts, but what cracks me up is that it also drives Payton nuts.  HA!  Now she knows what it feels like for Mom's to be harassed all day for snacks!  She'll stop mid-meal and say she's done with her, and then grabs her by the leg, drags her to her room, wraps her up and leaves her there.  oh my.  I can't wait for this kid to have kids of her own someday.  heeeeeee.  SWEET revenge.  love her.
  
  I did ask her what she wanted to name her baby and she looked at me like I was crazy and said, a bit sarcastically, "um, Baby All Gone".  uh.  Okay.  :)
  
  I hope you have a great day!  It's the first which means a new month for Project 12, and I'll be back with the new challenge in just a bit. 
  
  Davinie
• March 28, 2011
• 6:00

  Happy Birthday SCT!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Thank you for celebrating SCT's 5th birthday with us! You may have just arrived here from Summer’s blog, midway through the birthday hop.  If not, head to the Scrapbook and Cards blog for a list of designers celebrating this special milestone with SCT. 
  SCT is giving away a lot of fun stuff this week.  Be sure to check out all the fun prizes up for grabs.
  
  Today, I'd like to share a birthday card I made in honor of SCT's birthday.  I created this card using the Singin' in the Rain kit from Studio Calico that just debuted last night!  (The blue trims were from the MME Stella and Rose ribbons in the Mossy Knoll add-on from the Into the Woods kit). 
  
  I was inspired by one of the Bonus Sketches in the special CardMaps issue using a bingo card for this birthday card.  I didn't have any in my stash but I liked the general grid pattern of the squares so recreated that idea using trims. 
  
  
  Now head over to Lisa's blog and enjoy the rest of the celebration. Happy birthday, SCT!
  P.S.  If you are interested in winning the new CardMaps issue full of wonderful card sketches and inspiration, just leave a comment on this post. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Since this is an SCT post, I hope you have checked out the Spring issue.  It's available now!  I really enjoyed my assignments this month. 
  
  Have a great day!  Today is SCT's birthday, but in two days, my sweet baby will be a five year old.  Oh my!  I am not ready yet.
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  PSSSSSt.  This is the last day to submit a layout for the Project 12 challenge for February in March.  FYI!  :)  More info on my sidebar or the Project 12 page link up top.
• March 27, 2011
• 20:58

  Singin' in the Rain - Studio Calico's April kit

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Hey!  Studio Calico's April kit is live and I don't know what you should do first, go for add-ons, or go for Shop items.  Shop items weren't added to the shop at 12pm today, so everything will be up for grabs at midnight. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I know there are a few coveted stamps that are going to disappear in minutes, so if you want the honeycomb or the lightbulb, or the background stamp, you'd better run to the stamp section.
  
  I did see that some of the Zing has been added.  We didn't have the watermark stamp pad in the shop last month, a must have, so if you've jumped on the zing wagon, you might get that.  I'm a big fan of using the Clear Opaque too because you'll be adding texture and dimension without adding a lot of color.  I like that idea a lot. 
  
  ETA:  HELLO!  The Sew Easy tool is back in the shop, in the supplies section.  Woot!
  If you can't do an add-on this month but would still like a few extra embellies, my suggestion from the shop would be the Stella and Rose brad pack from MME.  There are a lot of different choices there which will make for fun extras on your pages. 
  
  The Crate trims will be a great addition too.  Crate Paper is all over the kit this month and that makes me haaaaappy. 
  
  Now on to my layouts:
  
  I got #2, Make 'Em Laugh, and #3, Moses Supposes this month. 
  
  That Bella Blvd paper from add-on 2, Make 'Em Laugh spoke to me right away.  It had a subtle purple tone to the gray, and I had some photos I had just taken of Miss Payton Jayne in her new ballet ensemble, so that paper combined with the chipboard "snapshot" from the same add-on, made my first layout come together really easily.  It's a two pager, and really was all about the photos. 
  
  It didn't take much to embellish it.  I am really liking the look of cardstock mixed with patterned paper as the base for a two pager, so I had a good base to work with when it came to embellishing. 
  My mom sent Payton some new ballet clothes in her favorite color, so I wanted to get a couple of photos to send with her thank you.  I got in before class and her teacher had her do some poses for me.  Super cute! 
  
  
  I wanted to add some pink, so used the Crate paper on the left side of the layout, but carried it to the right by adding a punched circle to my flower.  The flower was made with the canvas shapes from BG and some punched circles from other patterned papers.  The leaves are Cosmo.  All of this is in add-on 3, Moses Supposes. 
  
  
  P.S.  the Pebbles brads are fabulous.  I used most of them and wish they had been added to the shop so I could have picked up a second package.
  This next layout was definitely inspired by the green print in the main kit.  I love the A side, but that green perfectly matched my fleece jacket that I was wearing at the beach when my sister took some fun family photos.  I had to use it.
  
  
  
  This layout used a lot of product from the main kit.  I liked the subtle cloud print on the exclusive Cosmo Cricket paper, and the green polkadot was a good tone to use.  I made an accordion flower and I have to say....  I wanted a gluber.  I could have used a couple of glubers.  I can honestly say I had previously thought I'd never need a gluber, but alas, either a gluber, or a third arm, was definitely needed while creating thsoe flowers. 
  
  
  
  
  The flowers were definitely inspired by the paper as well.  Don't those garlands look like accordion flowers in half?  I thought so. 
  
  
  
  
  I really, REALLY love that peach Pink Paislee print with the music notes.  I was tempted to hoard it but am really trying to actually use the stuff I really love, because otherwise.....  what's the point?  That print is also in the main so if you can pick up the More Paper add-on, I would run to that section of the shop.  I know I need some.  I punched circles in it.  :)
  
  I loved the Pink Paislee ephemera pack from #3 and added a few pieces to this layout as well.  There are a TON of ideas in that little pack.  It is well worth the purchase. 
  
  My last layout used a bit of mist and a bit of journaling.  I love these photos of Morgan in some dress up clothes, but while she's a lover, she actually isn't in her room playing dress up all day.  So while the title is called dress up, the AC tag and the journaling are about everyday moments in general, and not just about dress up.
  
  I used white and Bonny Blue mist on this one.  I just got back from CKC Portland, and we completely sold out of white mist.  The masses have been inspired.  White is definitely my favorite!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I created a card with the kit too, but can't share it until tomorrow.  I hope you will check back!  I have a little giveaway and it's all part of a fun blog hop with chances for a lot of fun birthday prizes.  :)
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• March 23, 2011
• 18:16

  ... and the Sketchbook winner is......

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  Olivia said...
  
  Hope to take part in sketchbook 3. Got some free time coming up when my university course breaks for the holidays, so a placein this class would be great :)
  3:56 PM
  
   
  Congratulations Olivia!  It looks like this class will work out perfectly for you!
   
  Off to pack for CKC........ 
   
  Have a great night!
  Davinie
• March 22, 2011
• 6:32

  Got Sketchbook 3?

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  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  I was extremely honored and excited when Kelly contacted me to participate in her next round of Sketchbook classes.  I had a lot of fun with my contribution last time and knew her sketches would inspire me to play along again. 
  
  Kelly was generous enough to offer a free spot in this class for me to giveaway too.  If you have already paid, you can still win.  Either your money will be refunded or you can gift the class to a friend.  Here's a little more about the class:
  
  Join Kelly Purkey and friends for Sketchbook 3! This is a self-paced four week class filled with fresh sketches, easy instructions, beautiful examples, and lots of fun. From April 4th to April 29th a PDF will be delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. By the end of the class, you'll have a complete sketchbook of 12 original sketches, 38 layouts, and an additional 38 sketches based on those creative pages. All of the examples are brand new layouts, exclusive to this class... you won't see them anywhere else. The best part is that you will be receiving an example layout from Kelly for each of the sketches, along with two (or more) example layouts from a very talented contributor. Each PDF for Sketchbook 3 will also include a card designed by the amazing Jennifer McGuire based on the daily sketch.The class will also include a private message board for questions and sharing ideas on the Studio Calico website. Visit Kelly's blog  for more information and to see the full list of contributors.
  
  I checked out the contributor list and was BLOWN.  AWAY.  It is so humbling to be included in such talented company.  I can't wait to see who is working with the same sketch as I am!  This should be fun!
  
  I'm also really excited to see cards included too.  What a wealth of inspiration!
  
  If you'd like a chance to take this class, simply leave a comment on this post and let me know if this will be your first time participating in a Sketchbook class.  I'll leave the comments open until Wednesday 12pm PST and announce the winner shortly thereafter. 
  
  Be sure to check out the other ladies' too.  There may be more chances to win.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• March 20, 2011
• 21:25

  Weekend Recap and some Studio Calico sneaks

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Last week was filled with the flu here, the flu there, and topped with some hacking coughs, but as the weekend reached our house, we appear to be on the mend.  Luckily, Mama never got any of it.  I am SOOO happy about that.  Having the flu is the worst.  Especially since we are officially on Spring Break now.
  
  Next weekend I will be taking the girls to Portland with me.  They'll do the zoo, etc., while I'm teaching and working the Studio Calico booth at CKC Portland.  Will you be in the area?  I've checked out the class lists and the CKC's are consistently improving with better and better classes.  I'll be teaching a 2 page layout using misting techniques.  The general design and technique ideas for this layout were mine so I'm excited to teach this particular class.
  
  Pre-registration is now closed but you can get the schedule and info about this event here. 
  
  As I mentioned, while there my kiddos will get to go to the zoo.  Because it's Spring Break of course I want them to have fun, but a little project Morgan was working on tonight inspired me to try and make this an educational experience too.  She was making an alphabet book and drawing photos of different zoo animals.  I'm hoping to maybe send the girls with little pens and notebooks to draw pictures while there, or take "notes" on things while there, or maybe send them to the park with some questions to answer later, like "what was your favorite animal" or "did you see the baby elephant", things like that.  I might actually take something from the homeschool curriculum conveniently located on the Zoo website and go from there.  They will be going mostly for fun, but it never hurts to stretch your brain a bit while you are at it. 
  
  One night next weekend we are headed to Chuck E Cheese.  Ugh.  Help me.  My mom actually lives just down the street from one and the girls always want to go when we are in town.  Actually, last year at this same time we tried to go, but the line was too long so we went somewhere else.  The kids have never let us forget it.  So, with Payton's 5th birthday next week, I figured I could suffer through it.  (I can't believe my baby will be five....  but that's a whine for another day).  I did find some coupons on the Chuck E Cheese website, so pizza's and tokens for all that "fun" won't cost as much as it could.  That's good.  I'm sure Payton will be thrilled.  And i'll live.  :)  I'm just glad we don't have one in Central Oregon.  heee.
  
  Speaking of the girls, I just learned about a cool website that sends out daily deals for kids clothes.  It's called Zulily.  Maybe I have been living under a rock, but either way, it was new to me, and the other day the daily email prompted me to buy a couple of super cute spring dresses for my girls for $15.99 each.  Not too shabby!  I got these two:
  
  
  
  I got the pink one for Morgan.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And hopefully the purple-ish bow sways Payton to love this one, because I do!  :)  It's never warm enough in these parts for Easter dresses + Easter egg hunts, but they need some new dresses, so with this great deal, I got them a couple anyway.  They can wear jeans underneath.  ;)
  
  Anyway, check out Zulily and sign up for daily deals here.  You get a daily email that shows a few different manufacturers of kids clothes, accessories, even mama clothes too, and if you see something you like you click through and can view the products available from that brand.  Apparently things go fast, though, and the emails are sent out at 6am EST (but don't fear.  I bought these two dresses at 2pm PST and got the sizes I wanted).
  
  These days I've got a lot of things on my mind and my plate, with Girl Scouts, Preschool registration (I only have a few months left as Registrar.  Woot!), PTC events, WORK, trying to WORK OUT, that I've been preoccupied and out of sorts.  I feel like I've been that way since January.  I'm hoping that taking a few things off my plate will help restore order and a bit of sanity, but until then.....  Studio Calico April sneaks are in order.  ha!  I could never give up crafting! 
  
  I bought two add-ons this month, Make 'em Laugh (#2), and Moses Supposes (#3).  I just recently had to purchase more Ziploc 2.5 gallon bags to house kits as I am having a hard time parting with my stash, so 2 add-ons is my max lately, although I love it all.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The papers from this first sneak were from the main and I should have gotten more.  I really liked the peach and how the green pulled from those music notes.  I had a hard time cutting into that one (but I had to.  It matched my fleece!  :)  ). 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This one has some precious photos of my baby girl.  It's a 2pager too.
  
  I have more projects to share but wanted to get some sneaks about before the deadline this month, an amazing feat these days.
  
  I hope you have a wonderful day!  Working on your Project 12 layout?  You have about a week left.  :)
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Happy Birthday to my hubby.  We are finally back to the same age.  Those few weeks between February and March are pure torture for me.  Payton keeps asking how I can possibly be older if he's taller than me.  She also marvels that we were in our mama's belly's at the same. time.  Steve, I hope 2011 brings you nothing but happiness, because when you are happy, I am happy, and when I am happy, you are happy.  LOVE YOU BABE.
• March 14, 2011
• 7:03

  Sketched: Studio Calico love - Crazy Sock Day

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  Tags:  sketched   [edit]

  Hallelujah!  Girl Scout cookie selling season is over!  Just had to get. that. out.
  Good Monday morning to you! 
  I have a lovely Studio Calico layout to share made with the State Fair line.  I was going to give instructions on how to recreate it, but then I got carried away in Photoshop and decided to create a sketch as well.  It's been a while since I shared a sketch and as I planned to do more anyway, I figured now was the time!  :)
  
  I've learned some things since the last time I shared a sketch, so I hope you like it.  First, however, the layout:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used the State Fair line for this one.  Morgan loves the themed days at school and really gets into her outfits.  For Crazy Sock Day she wore two different knee socks, we cut the ends off a pair of my old valentine socks, and she had socks tied in her hair.
  Please note:  I have a 50mm fixed lens for my camera, which works in the often low light situations in my home.  That said, I have a hard time getting a full bod in the photo.  Her shoes are cut off on these photos.  Bummer, but you get the idea.
  This is also why my next lens shall be the Canon 28mm 1.8 lens.  I have a little envelope where I stash cash here and there, saving up. 
  After I get that lens, I think my next splurge will be a fun Epiphanie camera bag.  Right now I have my eye on Miss Lola, but who knows what they'll come out with by the time I have my kitty stash replenshed.  ha!
  Anyway, back to the layout:
  I used the State Fair line to create this layout.  This isn't quite available at Studio Calico yet, but you can pick it up at some of my favorite online stores, like 2peas and AmillionLittleThings  if you don't have access to a local scrapbook store that carries it.
  The base paper is the Sideshow print.  I used both the A and B sides of this fun print.
  Next was red cardstock trimmed with a scallop punch, layered with fabrips.  To ensure a fabrip is straight I usually trim it with my rotary trimmer, but afterwards I take a needle and pull at the edges a bit to fray it.  Because it was a day of the week type of theme, I thought it would be fun to use the day of the week rubons.  I adhered them to a bit of the Pie Contest print and layered that over the fabrip.
  For the title, I used some fun AC alphas from the Campy Trails line (Campy Trails, which plays very nicely with both Countryside and State Fair, by the way).  I also added some Elementary alphas (did you forget about those???  2peas/Studio Calico) and that was that.
  
  
  
  I used a 2 inch circle punch on the Pie Contest print to fill in some of the spaces for fun, and at the bottom, added a label sticker and a button for some detail. 
  
  
  There you have it!  And how about that sketch:
  
  I'd love to know if you like the sketch and if you ended up using it, so if you do, please link me up so I can check you out. 
  I think that's it for now!  I hope you have a wonderful day!  Davinie
• March 11, 2011
• 17:37

  Sunday Random (or Five on Friday, as that's how long it took me to write this post)

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  What's up?  Where has Davinie gone?
  Pre-Registration for Preschool next fall (I'm the Registrar and my time isn't up until Payton "graduates" from preschool in June).
  
  Work.  I work part time.  In health insurance.  As much as I'd love to blog and pin and craft all day, it just isn't in the current cards.
  
  Assignments.  Holy toledo.  I've actually been crafting more than you've seen.  I've just been unable to share it at this time.  I am truly grateful for every request I've received lately, though.  I just need extra hands and more hours in the day.  Anyone willing to share?  Donate?
  
  Girl Scouts.  In case you live under a rock (or are outside the US), this is the time to buy cookies.  My little Daisy has kept me quite busy.  Yes, I've been that mom sitting at the table outside the grocery story, toothless blond cutie in tow, selling cookies.  Buy some from a Girl Scout.  The money goes back to the troop and allows girls to do a lot of great things.  One things on our agenda is to spend the night at the Zoo.  I hope that one pans out because I WANT TO GO.  :)
  
  
  With that, here's some Friday random.
  1.  This winter I was asked my Fancy Pants Designs to be their first Guest Blogger.  Of course I said yes.  Fancy Pants was one of my original loves in the scrapbook industry.  I was also quite anxious to get my hands on some of their CHAW11 release.  Now. 
  I was sent the "It's the Little Things" line, with all it's fun embellies and fresh, new color palette, as well as their new Brag Book.
  You can check out my projects here.
  A note on the Brag Books:
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There's a lot of hype regarding the upcoming Smash Books from EK Success.  I was at CHA.  I handled them.  I am one of those people who thinks you need at least 2, with all the embellies.  ;)  But I also adore the Brag Books from Fancy Pants.
  
  The Smash books are more "alternative".  They are a fun place to jot thoughts or inspiration.  But I wouldn't necessarily use them to document the lives of my little girls the way I plan to do with my Brag Book (and I'm REALLY excited for Payton's birthday so I can get started on hers). 
  
  What I'm saying is that you need both for different reasons.
  As for the Smash Books, the word is they are shipping in April and as mentioned before, Studio Calico bought just about everything for the shop (and maybe upcoming kits).  I hear you'll need to be fast though.  It is so hard to determine popularity, and while I know the quantities purchased at CHA seemed to be great at the time, the hype from this books has me wondering how fast things will sell out. 
  
  2.  The calls have been posted for the summer issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today.  If you'd like a chance to have your work posted in this high quality, inspiring magazine, check them out here.  I've mentioned this before, but working with Catherine and the team at SCT has been a dream, so if you haven't worked with them before (and even if you have), take a chance and submit to this call.  It looks like the deadline is April 5. 
  
  
  3.  Have you seen the latest catalog for Pier 1 Imports?  I think I dog eared every page.  As I've mentioned, we are busy renovating, and I'm now tackling the kitchen/dining/living room area.  I decided to paint some walls in my kitchen blue and just about everything in this catalog compliments that idea.  We are hoping to bust some walls down and create a big kitchen island, so my living room, dining area, and kitchen all need to work together.  I am sooo inspired.
  
  4.  Speaking of renovation and inspiration, I recently subscribed to Country Living.  I wanted to find inspiration for decor with antiques, etc., as well as ideas for our home and changes that we need to make.  Imagine my delight when my first issue arrived on my doorstep, and I didn't have to look past the bonus cover to confirm that the subscription was totally worth it.  Say hello to my future mud room:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I am a huge fan of an apron sink, so loved this right away. The fact that I could tuck this unit into the exact same spot in my single car garage turned mud room is like the skies parting and the sun coming out.  I adore everything about this.  We will need plumbing for a sink, but had plans to get that done anyway (because for pete's sake, a mud room, especially a huge one like ours, NEEDS a sink).  I am so excited to actually visualize something that will actually work in my home.  It's so pretty! 
  
  This will go adjacent to that bench that my mother has actually volunteered to make for me.  How cool is she!  I'm so excited, because it finally feels like I have a direction with regards to my crooked house.  ::sigh::  I am so glad I finally took the plunge on that magazine and am now wanting to check out back issues for other things I may have missed.  It has craft projects in it too!  The girls and I are going to be busy with eggs and nests soon.
  
  5.  Speaking of eggs, for number 5, I wanted to share one more thing we are up to, because my list isn't long enough? 
  
  
  Meet Crystal, Zena, Sunshine, and the almost elusive Ringpop.  They will soon be joining Betty and Flowerbelle in the coop outside. 
  Please let them all be girls.  Please.
  Urban chicken farming is becoming more and more popular, and while this early stage is just gross because they are, well, dirty birds, farm fresh, organic, free range, natural eggs are very appealing.  It is also TONS of fun for the kiddos.  I'll probably start popping in to report on the chickadees and their antics, should you be interested.  I actually have several stories from our first set that I need to share too.  Holy fowl.  They certainly keep us entertained.
  Since I'm turning into a Martha and have plans to make use of our great big garden, we'll be getting cows after Easter for butchering this fall, and now I have eggs, it looks like all I need to do is perfect the art of making cheese and we may never need to leave the house.  My car is a gas guzzler anyway, and since we live a couple miles from everything and I get probably 12 mpg in town, it's too expensive to go anywhere anyway, lol.
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
  
  
  
  
• March 01, 2011
• 10:38

  Project 12 February in March

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  I am so lucky to have you!  Here we are in the beginning of March (and we are going to pretend there were a few more days in February so this post actually happened on March 1, as it should).  I can't believe my girls have Spring Break in a few short weeks.  It doesn't seem like it should be time for that yet.
  It's the beginning of March but we just finished documenting our lives in January and are ready to talk February.  You can check out my layout for January here.  And as a reminder, here is that January sketch:
  
  As always, I wanted to give a shoutout to a few submissions on my blog that caught my eye this month.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ChristyR added a few more photos, and I love her use of patterns and embellishments this month.  You don't even have to read the journaling to know she had a busy January.  I want to go to Paris!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Marci is actually a sweet friend of mine, and I wanted to share her layout for two reasons. One.....  I actually know someone locally who scrapbooks!  This may seem odd to you, but I often feel like I'm the only person in Central Oregon who does it (that might be why all the scrapbook stores closed?????).  So I wanted to give her a big shoutout.  The second reason is because I really like the distressing she did to her page, the pink cardstock as the frame to her layout, and I love the polkadot trim with the buttons  Love the texture here. 
  I also wanted to give a special shout out to little miss Elf Queen.  While leaving comments on your work I have seen her among many others ahead of me and it really means a lot of me that you are taking the time to support each other on this challenge.  Everyone loves blog comments and encouragement!  THANK YOU.
  
  One last layout share is January without a sketch:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kasey is new to the challenge this year and I am SO excited to see what she's going to come up with.  She plans to use the KI stitched border papers on all her layouts for the challenge this year.  What a FUN album this is going to be!
  
  Thank you to everyone for playing along with this challenge, supporting each other, and getting the word out.  Be sure to check out the SCT blog here to see if you are the lucky winner of a prize this month.  I LOVED this prize so a great big congrats to the lucky ladies!
  
  And now....  the February sketch:
  
  
  
  FUN!  I love the white space here.  This will be a fun one.
  Remember, you have until March 28 to link your layout to THIS thread if you want to play along.  If you want a second chance, link your layout to this thread from SCT.  As a reminder, SCT will be drawing a winner from submissions on the thread where the sketch was revealed, so we are looking for that January post and the February sketch. 
  If you are ever confused, be sure to check out the Project 12 page at the top of my blog.  I'll have all the links posted there.
  Have a great month!  Davinie
• February 28, 2011
• 7:00

  Introducing... Cardmaps Today!

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Good Monday morning! 
  
  I had to tell you about a little something I've been working on.
  
  I have had the honor to be part of a really exciting new venture with Scrapbook and Cards Today.  It's a new cardmaking issue called, appropriately, Cardmaps.  Here's a little blurb about it:
  
  PageMaps and Scrapbook & Cards Today have teamed up once again to bring you “CardMaps Today.” This brand new, limited edition, special issue includes 50 never-before-seen CardMap sketches from Becky Fleck and 80 beautifully designed cards from 16 fabulous designers, including Kelly Goree, Vicki Boutin, Marla Kress, Kimber McGray, Melissa Phillips, Roree Rumph and many more. Full of techniques and the latest trends in paper crafting, this 84 page, full colour magazine comes with complete instructions for each and every card!
  
  
  Hmm.  They forgot to include my name as one of the fabulous designers.  heeee.
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  And here's a peek at the inside pages:
   
   
   
  If you have access to Scrapbook and Cards today via your local scrapbook store, make sure they have this issue on order to pick it up locally.  If you are anxious to get it or don't have access locally, however, be sure to check it out and preorder it here:
   
  [www.scrapbookandcards.com]
   
• February 27, 2011
• 20:59

  Studio Calico March - Into the Woods Reveal

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The kit is live for regular sale time! 
  
  Things to note from the morning:
  
  #1 Babbling Brook sold out first.  It was probably that super cute stamp and the KI pockets.  If you are familiar with the frenzy that is SC at kit time, I would make this one a first purchase if you are after it.
  
  Next to sell out was #3 Sunny Clearing.  I picked this one up and am a huge fan.  This had the number stamp set, the delicious trims from Stella Rose, the button clips, and the fun Cosmo butterfly and doilies.  It also adds a bit of pink to the color palette.
  
  #2, Mossy Knoll sold out as well.  I also picked this one up and am happy to have that AC Paperback alpha, more trims from MME Stella Rose, and the KI stitched paper.
  
  I think #4 Wildflower was still available but I can't see the presale screen so I don't know for sure.
  
  
  The Epiphany Crafts products are under supplies, not Punches.  There are the three different tools, as well as the buttons and epoxy shapes.  I'm looking forward to making these a staple to my projects! 
  
  If you want more of the exclusive Crate label stickers from the Candy Shoppe kit, there are a few in the embellishment section of the shop tonight.  Get them now because they won't be restocked and are expected to sell out. 
  
  Ever get More Calico?  I've noticed more dark brown as part of the color palette in our kits lately, so I definitely think getting more Kraft, Black, white, vanilla, and delicious coffee is a great way to stretch your kit.  Only $5 for 10 pieces of cardstock is a great deal too. 
  
  On to my layouts:
  
  I've been obsessed with hexagons.  It started when I first noticed these shapes in the designs on some of my favorite scrapbook papers.  When I got my CHA assignment for the Countryside Collection from Studio Calico, I knew immediately that hexagons were going to be part of my layout (along with that cute Betsy pattern with the cows on the B side).  You can check out that CHA layout here.
  I've seen the hexagons trimmed out of the patterned paper, but I hadn't seen hexagons trimmed from different patterns.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that the Basics cartridge that came with my original blue Slice HAS a hexagon shape.  For pete's sake.  Isn't it interesting how focused you can be on one shape, maybe because of a trend, and totally overlook things that have been staring you in the face all along?  It makes me take a second look at a lot of things that inspire me.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I adore the bee stamp in the main kit and see myself using it a lot.  I also used my WRMK Sew Easy tool and that zig zag stitch for this layout.  I am usually a scallop girl, but I'm a huge fan of the zig zag, for some reason.  I'm also having fun doing random stitchery on my projects rather than using it to hold down a piece of paper or frame something.
  
  My next layout was inspired by the MME Stella Rose (from add-on 2).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I loved the color palette here.  I chose a strip of pink scallop on the bottom to match the pink in their matching girlie helmets. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I love hand stitching the circles.  When Basic Grey had a similar design in the Bakers Dozen kit, I hand stitched the circle.  This time it was all about the machine.
  
  I also used new Studio Calico mists.  Barnwood (a grey/brown), and white, a staple.  I had to dirty the layout up a bit since it's about my girls being tomboys and playing on the 4 wheeler. 
  
  P.S.  2peas now has the mists, Countryside, and State Fair.  Check it out!
  
  
  I also had fun being creative with the numbers stamps from #3 Sunny Clearing. 
  
  
  Misting!  I did some misting!  Bonny Blue and Pickle used here, blue over the Sassafras alphas in the main kit.  I wanted to use this paper from KI (from the main kit), but the alphas matched the paper too closely, so misting over them and then peeling them off was a great alternative.  It also made the layout more fun to create.The chipboard alphas came from #3 Sunny Clearing.  I was happy to have a yellow alpha to use.
  
  I hope you can tell what this is supposed to represent at the bottom here, fishies in the ocean.  Fishies and water are also made courtesy of the #3 add-on, Sunny Clearing.  To make the fish I snipped an X alpha in half for their tails.  The ric rac makes the perfect water, don't you think?  The yellow in the fishies also balances out the use of the yellow alpha on the upper right which brings the design together.
  I finished the kit up with a quick and easy card.  As I mentioned, I'm digging the bees.  The bees and the paper all came from the main kit, but the alphas and buttons come from #2, Mossy Knoll.  Those crochet yellow doilies?  They are in #3 Sunny Clearing, and they are handmade by one of our members at Studio Calico!  I love that we had a touch of handmade in the kit, and the fact that we used one of our own members to do it is just awesome. 
  That's it!  Good luck tonight, and any questions about my work, just let me know!  Have a great night!
  Davinie
• 8:55

  Now on Sale

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Good Sunday morning to you.
  I survived my birthday!  I honestly don't feel different, and that's a relief.  I can pretend I'm only 29 for a bit longer, I think.  :)
  So with that, let's shop!  :)
  
  Into the Woods. 
  
  #1 Babbling Brook has a stamp.  A 4x6 bubble type stamp that is reminiscent of a chipboad piece we had in the Granny's Cupboard kit a long while back.  A fun background stamp.
  There's also KI pockets which will make a great mini and fun embellies from Cosmo Cricket that match the main really well.
  
  #2 Mossy Knoll does not have a stamp.
  It has the Paperback alpha from American Crafts in blue, which I LOVE, stitched paper from KI, beautiful trims from MME Stella Rose, Glitz tags, and the color palette compliments the main very well.
  
  #3 Sunny Clearing has a really great number stamp set, which also includes year stamps for 2010 and 2011 and is a great font.
  There is KI stitched border paper in this one as well, in the scalloped yellow.  It is a fun spring palette which will also be fun paper in a beach theme, and brings pink to the color palette.  This one has more fun trims from MME Stella Rose including a great big blue ric rac, and more shaped embellies from Cosmo that I can't wait to get a chance to play with.
  
  #4 Wildflower has a woodgrain circle stamp.
  This is a very feminine add-on with pinks and yellows and white which is a fun contrast to the main.  It has KI lace paper and more Glitz die cut shapes with fun girlie themes as opposed to the more boyish, circus related theme of the Glitz die cuts in #2. 
  There's a great shimmer alpha from making memories in this add-on as well as some pretty floral embellies.
  
  Epiphany Crafts
  This is a tool that will be a great staple to your craft room.  Buttons are the perfect embellishment.  We are always wanting more in our kits.  Now you can make your own!  For now I'm starting with the small button maker and coordinating shapes, but the floral punch is next on my list.  As I mentioned in my sneaks post, I did have an opportunity to play with this tool at CHA so I can attest to the fact that it works and is fun to play with.
  
  Zing
  This is the new trend.  I added clear and white to my cart to try, because I like texture and I LOVE white, so if you want a subtle white but haven't had a chance to add white Mister Huey to your projects, try Zing because you can control where that goes.  Don't forget the heat gun!
  
  Stamps
  Don't forget the Stamp sale!  Natalee, jetsetter, time flies, doilies, and the labels are on sale for $2 off!
  
  Embellishments
  Cosmo Cricket sticker and ready set chip are new to the shop.
  
  Also, don't forget to enter for the Reveal night giveaway - Pitter Patter from Making Memories.
  Have a great day!  I am going to be crafting the whole day and will be back tonight with my March projects. 
  
  Davinie
• February 25, 2011
• 18:25

  Five on Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  tutorials   [edit]

  1.  So....  last week we had a snow storm that unexpectedly brought about 8 inches of heavy, wet snow in the space of a few hours.  I worked in the office that day, so I was up, showered, and out of the house around 6:30am, got my Starbucks and my pumpkin scone, and was sitting in the office when I heard Morgan's school had closed, there were busses in the ditch (with no kids on them, thankfully), and later, that my house didn't have power.
  
  When I left the office around lunch time, I picked up coffee for Steve on the way home, because the power had gone out about 8am and I knew the kids were outside playing in snow, so I figured they might need coffee and hot chocolate to warm up.
  
  At about 2:30 we all got tired of being without electricity.  I'm a girl who likes silence, but I had no idea how comforting the hum of electricity was.  Silence with no electricity is an uncomfortable silence.  I didn't like it.  After pondering ideas of things to do, I decided.....  "HEY!  Let's make a tutorial for Studio Calico!"  And out came the video camera.
  
  I had planned to do a hand stitching tutorial with the WRMK Sew Easy tool already, so it worked out pefectly.
  
  Things to note:
  
  1.  How do you tell your husband to ZOOM OUT without coming across as a nag?  That is something I need help with.  heeeee.
  
  2.  I am easily distracted.  So when I have one kid snaking my m&m's and the other throwing snowballs at the window, a mama can lose focus on what she was talking about.  Yes, we are having a snow ball.  pffft.
  
  3.  When we bought our video camera, we had a new baby, and we paid @$900 for it.  So, even though it's now 7 years later and things are much improved, I am a girl with a hubby who doesn't want to purchase a new one, even though Flip camera's are at Costco for $129.  I'm still working on him.  That said....  the video on the camera looks fine.  It also looked fine in my video program.  But somehow the transfer to YouTube looks terrible, and for that I apologize.  You didn't really want a clear, close up look at that hangnail, did you?  No, probably not.
  
  4.  My hubby was filming me, and I was talking about hand stitching.  Awkward. 
  
  5.  I think the fact that Payton ended up eating all my m&m's deserves it's own bullet point. 
  
  With that, here's a video tutorial on the WRMK Sew Easy tool, as well as some hand stitching.
   
  Please let me know if you need something clarified, have a question about my technique, etc., or would like future tutorials, zoomed out, and in clear form.  I'm all ears.
  
  
  
  
  In general, I am only going to post craft related videos and tutorials on this account, so if you want to click the link at YouTube and follow me you will get a notification email when a new video is posted.  I don't know how often that will be but, you know, just in case....  :)
  
  2.  Speaking of crafting, today is the 25th.  That means you have 3 more days until Project 12 layouts are due.  If you are still wanting to play along, this month you need to link your layouts to this post. 
  
  I had to break out my creative thinking cap, because I didn't take a lot of photos in January.  I was up to my neck in crafting and prepping my life for CHA, so as I looked through my digital files, all I was coming up with were layouts and closeups, lol.  The bright star to my month, though, happened to be my baby girl, who turned 7. 
  
  With just two big events to summarize the crazy month, I modified the sketch a bit to use fewer photos:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kelly was nice enough to share some photos taken with her camera at CHA, which worked perfectly to highlight that experience.  The two themes were so different that I was worried about what the design would look like, so to make it fun, I carried Payton across the layout and put her on the right, carrying forward the birthday theme.
  
   This photo cracks me up.  Daily, all year long, my girls like to ask "how many days until my birthday", so that thought comes to me immediately as I look at this photo and her wearing her sister's birthday hat.  Her birthday is in March.  Not much longer!  Only 33 days, PJ!  :)
  
  
  I took out a photo so I wanted to fill it with something fun.  Recognize these frames, and most of the other products, for that matter?  Yes, it's a previous kit from Studio Calico.  Baker's Dozen, to be exact.  I bought extras that month but haven't had a chance to use it all yet.  That's a blessing and a curse!  It means I have a backlog of stash, but it also means I get to play with Scenic Route, which I haven't seen in a while.
  
  
  
  I had a lot of fun with this layout and really like how it turned out.  I like the changes Becky made for the sketch, and I'm doing something different with my titles this time too, taking more creative liberties each month.
  3.  In two days, it'll be time to head to Studio Calico if you want to purchase March goodies.  April posted March prices and shop items on this thread.   In an effort to get the latest and greatest we are cutting it close with some goodies from Cosmo Cricket, etc., so watch that thread to see what we are able to get our hands on.  I am also in line for some of the goodies that are new to the shop.
  4.  Tomorrow is the anniversary of my birth, lol.   I'm not really looking forward to it.  When I turned 30 I was 8 months pregnant with Payton.  Steve took me to dinner and I came home with heartburn.  heee.  On my 33rd birthday I broke my driver's side mirror on my way to work.  That means 7 years of bad luck.  Guess what day it'll be when that runs out?  oy.  So, there's a wee bit of dread in what tomorrow brings.  I'm just not ready yet.  When I was at my yearly physical my doctor told me that at the advanced maternal age of 35 they like to start weaning women off birth control pills, which led me to think "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME".  This is something I would expect to hear from my mother.  I'm just not ready to be hearing this type of talk directed at me.  A great big ugh.
  5.  With that, I'm out.  After the kiddlets are in bed hubby and I are going to maybe rent a movie.  The Academy Awards are on Sunday night so I'm hoping to see something nominated.  Is Black Swan available On Demand?  hmmmmm.
• February 24, 2011
• 17:10

  Into the Woods Sneaks

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The March 2011 kit from Studio Calico, appropriately called Into the Woods, is very earthy.  Browns, golds, yellows, and a touch of blue and green.  The main kit immediately made me think of the outdoors.  Camping, etc.  We do a lot of that in these parts. 
  
  The main kit stamp is one of my favorites in a long time.  The buttefly is everywhere, and now there's a cute little bee to compliment it in your embellishing.  I stamped it a few times this month and can see myself using it quite a bit. 
  
  As for add-ons, I purchased two this month.  #2 Mossy Knoll;, and #3, Sunny Clearing. 
  
  I purchased #2, Mossy Knoll to get more of the blues to compliment the main, but I also liked the neutral colors.  The trims from MME Stella & Rose and the AC Paperback alpha confirmed the purchase.  If I were to only pick up one add-on this month, #2 is the one I'd go with.  It also included some fun cards and frames from Glitz Designs. 
  
  I purchased add-on #3, Sunny Clearing.  I was really excited about this add-ons but unfortunately wasn't sent the doilies and butteflies from Cosmo Cricket so the projects I was going to create this month changed in theme a bit and were less girly as a result.  I look forward to playing with these little embellies when they are sent to me.  This add-on has pinks, yellows, and light teal, and includes the number stamp set. 
  
  In retrospect I wish I had picked up add-on #1, Babbling Brook because there were pockets perfect for a mini album, and I like the colors in the Cosmo butterlfies and doilies with this add-on.  I also like the fun bubble stamp.
  
  #4, Wildflower, is very girlie, very feminine.  The embellishments from Glitz are very pretty as is the lace paper. 
  
  On retrospect, now that I've described everything, I should have purchased it all.  ha! 
  
  This is what I made this month:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used some new Studio Calico Mister Hueys, shockingly.  Barnwood, Bluegrass, and Bonny Blue.  I also used white.  Timber brown for my bees.  In my opinion, Stazon is the only ink you should buy if you are wanting Jet black or brown images (my brown is really old.  A new, fresh pad is in my cart for next kit).
  If you are saavy to the layout of the Studio Calico store, you may notice a new section for Embossing.  Studio Calico will soon be carrying just about every color of Zing embossing powder from American Crafts, if you are of the embossing pursuasion.  The funny thing about this new trend is that embossing and cardmaking is how I got started in the scrapbook industry.  I made fancy Christmas cards with detailed embossed images of Santa, etc.  I still have my heat gun but it's been a while since I've done too much with embossing.  I do think I'll consider clear and white though, when they hit the shop.  Those colors alone will add great texture to projects, I'm thinking.
  Anyway, I'll be back with my projects after Reveal!
  Davinie
• February 18, 2011
• 13:01

  Five for Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  How are you friends and blog readers?!  I hope everything is going well in your world.  I missed my 5 last week but am back on track and ready to carry on. 
  
  1.  One of the things I've been doing lately is obsessing over Pinterest.  One of the reasons I like it better than my tumblr account is that you can use different "boards" to sort the things that interest you.  I had to share what I stumbled across last night.  I have been pinning a little of this and a little of that, and I literally gasped when I saw all of my favorite things lumped together on one post.  It came from the House of Turquoise blog. I should have known.  I love that blog and it was only a matter of time before she posted about something I wouldn't be able to live without:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I swear if Steve wasn't working today I'd have him down at Lowe's picking up wood and Benjamin Moore Wythe blue paint right now.  I am so excited.
  
  We have a mud room downstairs which we use most often to get in and out of the house.  It used to be a single car garage, so it's a huge space for a washer and dryer.  Just as described, what a functional, pretty piece to decorate it.  I MUST have the magazine rack and the little knobs for my purse too.  I don't see much that I would change (although I think I will do baskets underneath for shoes rather than the drawers).  Good thing I have a handy husband!  I'm putting him to work asap.  :)
  
  
  2.  Another thing I have been doing lately (but not often enough, having been sick) is continued training for my upcoming 10k and later the half marathon.  As I've said, I have done 5K races before, but these longer distances are new to me.  Oh my, I hope I can make it.  My birthday is coming up and I will be really disappointed with myself if I don't follow through with this goal.  Any playlist recommendations?  I ran for an hour on the treadmill today, because of the icky weather, and I. got. bored.  And when I get bored, I want to get off.  Steve has this uncanny ability to just zone out when he's running.  He runs his half marathons without headphones.  Not moi.  I need a distraction, or the entire time my head is beating to the drum of my footprints, saying,  "get.  off.  this. is. dumb. get. off. get. off" over and over.  oy.
  
  3.  On another note, today is February 18, which means you have 10 more days to submit a layout for the first Project 12 challenge of 2011.  I have noticed many new faces to this challenge which has me very excited and looking forward to the challenge this year so much more.  THANK YOU!  (and if you are still curious, check out the Project 12 page at the top of my blog, or click on the Project 12 button on my sidebar).
  
  4.  Crafty related, there was some buzz on the message board at Studio Calico, so I wanted to share a little bit about a company that was new to me.  They are called Epiphany Crafts, and involve some of the same faces that were involved with Li'l Davis back in the day.
  
  At CHA I was obsessed with their booth and their button making tools.  Basically it's a punch, etc., for making your own acrylic buttons.  They have different shapes and sizes and I am very excited to get some of them in my hot little hands.  Make my own buttons?  Any color, pattern I want?  Forever?  SOLD.
  
  Here's what one of the button makers looks like:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Here's the how to on creating your own button:
  
  I know that April loved them too and we may or may not have plans to include them in the future kit (the acrylic buttons, anyway.  I think.).  So you'll have to keep your eyes peeled the punches and various button sizes / shapes in the Studio Calico store. 
  
  5.  Lastly, speaking of Studio Calico, check out the layout I made for the product spotlight blog post highlighting the new State Fair line:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used my Sew Easy tool in abundance!  Check out the blog next week too.  I created a tutorial on how to use it.
  
  And with that I'll leave you.  It's family fun night at Morgan's school tonight.  We are watching Toy Story 3.  And eating pizza.  And popcorn.  The kids have been looking forward to it all week!
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• February 17, 2011
• 13:55

  Crate Love - a li'l bit Country

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  As I've mentioned, I'm a huge fan of all the new lines from Crate Paper this winter, but when it came time to create something for my January assignment for the Crate Paper blog, Emma's Shoppe won.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm a huge fan of tone on tone designs lately, so I took the two yellow patterns in the collection and weaved them for a basket affect on this layout about my country girls.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Supplies:
  Crate Paper patterned paper / die cut / buttons / brad / sticker alphas / trim
  Studio Calico veneer alphas and new Mister Huey in Piglet
  Uniball Signo pen
  
  You can see this layout and a break down of the technique on the Crate Paper blog here.
  
  Have a great day!   Davinie
• February 14, 2011
• 21:04

  [nt]

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I hope you had a fantastic Valentines Day, whether you celebrate or not.  I volunteered in Morgan's classroom this morning and we made pipe cleaner bracelets, magnets, heart flower wall decor, and decorated goodie bags.  She came home with a bit of loot, so all was well.
  
  Payton doesn't have school on Monday's so she celebrated last Friday.  I love this time of year and the cute little projects kids come up with.  (Payton came home the other day with a new macaroni necklace too.  yay!)  She did have ballet today and got to dance in the big girl room which still had Vday decor from a recent party.  She was in hog heaven.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Last night was sneak night at Studio Calico.  The kit this month is called Into the Woods and is filled with fun woodgrain textures (a lot of MME Stella Rose in the add-ons, especially).  Here's a peek at what I've done so far:
  
  
  
  
  
  This layout was made with the main kit (I am in lOVE with that bee stamp) and the bold fresh colors on this sneak are prints from Cosmo Cricket.  I used my WRMK Sew Easy tool here too.  I am currently having a love affair with the zig zag even though I have most of other heads, including the scallop.  I can't wait for the new fun designs from CHA to land at the Studio Calico shop.  I'll be there to snatch it up and try those out eventually.  While at CHA I did make a card at a make n take with a new banner head, and I'd love to share it, but I can't find it anywhere.  hmph. 
  As for sneaks, I'll be back with more of those to share soon, I promise you that! 
  In the meantime, if your honey got your some V-day cash, head to 2peas.  They have a promo for 15% off your $25 total purchase.  Keyword is VDAY11.  It expires midnight CST on 2/15 so dash over there (that's Tuesday night).
  
  I'd pick up the Wizard of Oz from the Classics Collection as well as Dorian Gray, two of the prettiest papers I've ever seen and a gorgeous shade of blue.
  
  I would also zip right over to the Campy Trails line from American Crafts.  I was able to bring some of this home with me from CHA and Oh MY, it is delicious.  A really fun woodgrain.  (It also mixes very well with new Studio Calico product coming soon).
  
  Another new line I'd look at is Echo Parks "For the Record" line.  It was a fun mix of prints and I fondled it a bit at CHA too. 
  
  
  
  I also think everyone should bone up on their altering skills and get a mini album done.  I'll do one too.  I'm looking at the Lush albums from MME.  I love this orange polka dot and the blue damask.  My kids have more fun looking through my minis than my actual scrapbooks so I have GOT to make more of them, starting with a look back on the last 7 years with Morgan.  Or maybe something with Payton and preschool as this is her last year.  Or maybe even something about our pets.  That might be fun.  hmmmm.  Off to ponder that.
  Having a rootbeer float and watching the Bachelor (dadgum, he's a cutie)......
  Davinie
• February 08, 2011
• 13:21

  crafTuesday - Paper Bracelets

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  crafting with the kiddo is back!  I've taken a break from routine craft projects with my girls, not that it's stopped them from doing it on their own and covering the house in paper bits.
  
  I wanted to share what Payton recently came up with on her own.  This would make a GREAT party craft, it's inexpensive, and it's a great way to use your crafting stash and get some work out of those punches.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Payton came to me, wanting to make a bracelet.  Morgan had received this rock 'n roll leather bracelet kit for Christmas that is a similar idea, but what a smart cookie, to think of doing it with paper.
  
  Paper bracelets.  Making them is easy.
  
  I trimmed 1.5 inch strips from 12x12 pieces of patterned paper.  I cut one pink strip, and one purple strip.  Payton then proceeded to cut the purple strip into little squares.
  
  After that it was a matter of adhering squares to the pink strip with a glue stick, and adding punched and hand cut shapes and a little bling.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We left a couple of inches blank, and attached it with a glue dot or two.
  
  What a fun craft for kids at a theme party, a girl scouts meeting, or a no school / indoor / snow day?!  It was very easy to put together AND to clean up.
  
  Before I go I wanted to share this little game my girls got for Christmas.  We are obsessed with this game, and it's been a lot of fun.  Payton enjoys it, and even I enjoy it.  It's a challenge for everyone.  The best part for me is it's tiny size.  It doesn't take a lot of room on our game shelf.  It's called Spot It.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Each person is dealt one of these circle cards, and then one circle is placed in the middle.  It's a matter of looking at your card and the center card, and finding the image that both cards have on them.  Seems easy, but there are several images on each card, and they are different sizes, so it's actually quite a challenge.  Whomever points out their matching shape first wins the card in the middle, and the winner is the person with the most cards once the stack is empty.  We've been playing this game daily and it's a fun time filler, it stretches your brain a little, and I'm a fan (obviously, lol).  Check it out!
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• February 04, 2011
• 8:45

  Five on Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  1.  CHA was a blast!  I was sick as a dog going into the trip but decided to go for it anyway, and while I didn't have my voice the entire trip (I still don't have it) I had the best time.  It was great to spend time with the Studio Calico crew, bowling at Lucky Strike for Nik's 29th birthday (wink, wink), walking the floor and kit shopping, working those orders in the booth, eating at Lawry's and the ESPN Zone during a Laker game.....  memories to cherish!  Seeing Catherine and Becky and having dinner in a converted fire station with the SCT crew was loads of fun too (I had some delicious crab cakes and my signature Arnold Palmer). 
  
  On our last night as a group we even took one of KP's famous jumping photos:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Greg was standing there holding a few cameras and several purses, and while April was back at the hotel with baby Claire, her mama joined us for bowling and a few jumps.  (l-r, Vee, Emily, Kelly, KP, me, Lisa, Nik, and Joy, April's mom).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It was so nice to spend time with people you only know from an avatar.  I can't wait to do it again.
  
  2.  If you are sick and heading out of town anyway though, should you decide to go for an herbal supplement and try Airborne, my advice to you would be to please drop the tablet in a glass of water for one minute so it dissolves, and then drink, per the package directions.  Don't look at what appears to be a large vitamin C chewable, pop it in your mouth while sitting at the gate for your plane, basically foam at the mouth, and then try to covertly spit the dang thing into one of the 10 napkins you thankfully picked up while at Starbucks when you bought your latte and maple almond scone.  I'm just sayin'........
  
  3.  While I was gone my hubby cleaned the house, scrubbed out a few closets, and read some articles regarding a few child raising issues we are having.  Where else can I go so he can do that again?  heeee.
  
  4.  As for product, the hit of the show was definitely Smash.  You won't be missing much if you head here in the next few months.  We were obsessed with this booth and not much missed a checkmark on the order form.  I also liked the Crate lines, of course, the new Sassafras basics line,  Pink Paislee Junkue Drawer, the new OA, and some of the new Basic Grey lines too. 
  
  5.  The only other thing I wanted to mention today was to make sure to check out my February 1 post for Project 12.  If you are new to Project 12, or anxious to start your 2011 year in review album, now is the time! 
  
  Have a great weekend!  Still trying to get better and get organized.  I need to travel more often so it isn't such a big deal to get back into the routine.  Back soon.  Davinie
• February 01, 2011
• 7:00

  Project 12 2011 - January in February

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Good Morning!  Happy February!  I've prescheduled a post while I am in LA at CHA so that we can get 2011 going with our Project 12 layouts!
  
  If you are ever curious about Project 12 or need more information, there is a tab at the top of my blog that is full of links and FAQ's.  If you have any questions, please post them here and I will try and answer them there to avoid any confusion.
  
  On to the challenge:
  
  Normally each month I go through and pick out some favorites from submissions to share, but you will have to forgive me this month.  Christmas hangover, my daughter turning 7, CHA projects, and then the anticipation of leaving my family for 6 days to go to the show, combined with a last minute head cold, has sapped the strength right out of me, and I didn't have the time to do it.
  
  BUT.  When I get home I will go through every comment left on my blog and every link, and leave a comment if I can.  I love looking at your work.  I really do.
  
  If you are new to Project 12 I'm sure you are anxious to get started, and if you are carrying forward, I'm sure you are ready to see what kinds of changes Becky made to the sketches for 2011.  In a word, they are...  FUN.  They will stretch your creative brain this year.  I am SO excited.
  
  As a P.S.  You are under NO obligation to use the sketch in order to play along.  Just capture your life.  That's it.  The sketches are for fun.  I use them, and you can if you'd like.  You also do not have to do a 2 pager.  It's totally up to you.
  
  Without further ado..... the January sketch:
  
  
  
  
  I feel like there are more details this time around and I'm excited to give my own interpretation.  What are your thoughts?
  
  As always, you have until the 28th to link your layouts to this post (last year it was the 20th).  I'll draw a winner amongst those submissions for a prize.  For a second chance to win, link your layout to the appropriate post at the SCT blog, or email it to ideas@scrapbookandcards.com to be added to the Facebook album.
  
  Please note:  SCT wants you to link your January layouts to the blog post where the January sketch was revealed.  For this month, that post is this one.  I know this may be confusing.  I guess the best way to remember it is to link your layout on the month the sketch is revealed for both blogs.  I'm revealing the January sketch today, February 1 (because you can't document January until you have lived January, right?!)
  
  If you are ever unsure, head to the Project 12 tab at the top.  I will always have the appropriate links for you so you can simply click and post if you are interested in a prize.
  
  Sound good?!
  
  THANK YOU for joining me!  I am so excited by the increasing response in this challenge.  My husband in particular LOVES to look at these layouts.  I take the photos, look at them all the time in my digital files, but often my family doesn't see much unless I create a layout.  This challenge also provides another opportunity for people like my hubby, who aren't around the house all day, to see what else is happening.
  
  Enjoy the process!
  
  Davinie
• January 28, 2011
• 7:00

  Five for Friday

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  1.  As you read this post, I am sailing in a tin can in the sky, through the clouds and down to California for CHA.  I will also be heavily medicated, because guess what?  I'm dadgum sick, that's what.  I woke up Thursday morning feeling like I'd been run over by a truck, and even medication hasn't cleared the nasal passages for proper oxygen inhalation.  I decided to power through and go anyway, as I am pretty tough and never stay sick for long.  That said, please excuse the glazed eyes and manly voice.  I'm doing the best I can!  I'm excited to go!
  
  2.  Today is the 28th, and that is also the new deadline for the Project 12 challenge.  This is what I came up with for December:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was far too much math with this layout to stray far from the original sketch.  I followed the measurements very closely, except I took 1/4" off each side of the photos so I could trim my white border.
  
  I had been sent the Traditions line from Fancy Pants for my winter SCT projects, so I used that for this layout, along with some Stampin Up buttons and my Studio Calico calendar stamps. 
  
  I'm excited for the 2011 process.  I am really digging the use of two different patterned papers with cardstock for my 2pagers.  I did this twice more with my Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit work.  I just think it is a fun look.  The kraft cardstock ties everything together without the layout looking choppy.
  
  Don't forget to link your month in review layouts here for the Project 12 challenge.  As I mentioned, today is the deadline for December, etc.  I will be posting a new challenge on February 1 for everyone participating in 2011.  It's almost time to get out those January photos! 
  
  3.  Have you ever seen the Back up Plan with Jennifer Lopez?  On one of my scrappy late nights last week I watched this movie, and oh my.  The delivery scene with the lady and the blow up pool?  That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  So if you haven't seen this movie, check it out.  It was pretty good.
  
  4. Still on the subject of crafts and CHA, one of my assignments was a blog layout for Crate Paper using Emma's Shoppe.  This is the layout I created for the blog:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Everything on this layout is Crate Paper.  Since creating it for the blog I've been asked to bring it to California with me, so hopefully you'll be seeing it in the Crate booth as well!    I used the patterned paper, chipboard frames and flowers, die cut frames, sticker alphas, and that delicious trim is Crate Paper too.  Yum.
  
  5.  I don't have much else to share this week except that it's hard to leave my babies for 6 days so I've been preoccupied with it all month.  I always miss them so much and feel refreshed when I come home, ready to take on motherhood again, so it's good for me, but it is still hard for me to go.  That's one of the reasons I like to take early morning flights...  I can't stand the goodbye.  Tears.  Can't do it. 
  
  With that in mind, I can't be held reponsible for any outfit or hairdo that should present itself on a Fiero child in my absense.  They are with their daddy.  And they LIKE wearing clothes that are mismatched and too small, and Payton is growing out her bangs.  Steve can't always capture them all with his man hands, apparently.  So don't judge.  Please and thank you.
  
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
• January 27, 2011
• 21:00

  Studio Calico Candy Shoppe!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The Candy Shoppe is open for business.  If I were you, I'd dash to Lollipop first if you are after an add-on.  I think it sold out first this morning (it was also my favorite add-on).  Licorice Twist and Jawbreaker have GREAT stamps though.  I actually got all four. 
  Don't forget more SC paper.  It was another great month, AND it includes the Crate exclusives for this kit.
  While you're at it, get more kraft.  It's a staple with my orders each month (I'm sure you are shocked by that too, lol).
  And then get this.  I needed one when working with the little bits this month.
  On to the layouts:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It took a year to make this layout.  A school year.  2009-10, to be specific.  Payton has color days at school where they dress in the color, bring something from home, have craft projects in a specific color, snacks....  color days are her favorite days of the year.  I managed to grab my camera and snap a photo of her each morning on her color days, just so I could do a layout about it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lemon Drops ink on my clouds and then punched with the Large and XL Cloud punches from Fiskars. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I mixed a bit of the goodies for some fun embellishing.  Too bad I didn't have anything in purple (although I had considered misting something, I do have a purple).
  
  I think it's funny how at the beginning of the year, she was more demure, with a closed mouth smile, but as the year went on, the smile got bigger and so did the sass.  Cracks me up.
  
  I did two 2pagers this month.  One 12x12, and this next one, 8.5 x 11.  Both were inspired by Miss Payton and preschool:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This was actually the first layout I made this month.  In the past I have pulled these photos out several times, but just hadn't found the perfect kit to compliment that necklace.  With Candy Shoppe finally came the perfect opportunity. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Don't you love macaroni necklaces?  I've had this one for a year and it's still intact.  I'm sure pieces will crack and I'll eventually have to throw it out, which is one reason I wanted to make sure to get photos and create a layout about my necklace.  Payton was so cute when she gave it to me.  I just love it.
  
  Again I went with multiple patterned papers for the background, loving this look, and I also used that WRMK tool I've been raving about.  If you missed it in my last post, I will be checking out the 8 new heads at CHA and hope to have them added to the shop as soon as we can.  I'm a fan of this tool!  I'm so glad April decided to stock it.
  
  For the design, I snippped hearts, circles, and tags and lined them up in rows, inspired by the necklace.  The stitching was a way to bring those elements together, as a play on the necklace theme.  I didn't want it to be too striped, so I broke it up and didn't stitch on every line. 
  
  For this last layout, I had fun with the Crate exclusives and the main kit:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My mom made me a pair of overalls with this pattern 29 years ago (couldn't have been more than that, wink wink).  I thought it was so sweet when she carefully opened up the pattern envelope and created a jumper just for me to pass down.  Morgan wore it when she was little, and then I saved it for Payton to have a turn.  I love having these photos next to each other.  I wonder if they would have played together, if they had been friends, you know, the same age.  The idea always fascinates me.
  
  I loved the delicious color palette this month and tried to stay away from the kraft a bit to juice up my work. I'm happy with how it all turned out.
  
  If you have any questions about the Sew Easy or anything else I've shared here, please let me know!  :)
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• 8:55

  Today is Reveal Day!

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's time to head to the Studio Calico store for new goodies. 
  
  I recently had the pleasure of working with WRMK's Sew Easy tool and suggested it to April for the shop.  She happily complied, and you need to dash RIGHT NOW to the Supply section and pick it up.  The initial order did not contain a large supply of these tools, and while Lorie did call about placing a second order, the main tool is backordered until March.  So if you are thinking of getting one, do it now.
  
  
  
  
  Also?  Word on the street is that WRMK is coming out with 8 additional designs at CHA, and I'm going to be dashing to their booth to let Lorie know my favorites.
  
  You know I love stitching.  I've hand stitched on layouts since the beginning of time.  I'm a fan of this tool.
  
  Is it perfect?  No.  If you have layers of thick cardstock it won't be able to pierce through them all.  But it WILL leave marks in the appropriate places and when you go to stitch them all, they will be easy to identify and pierce through.  It's quick and easy, and the stitch patterns they have out now are really fun so I can't wait to see what else they have in store.
  
  I'm just sayin'.  :)  You saw that middle sneak in my last post, yes?  I used the zig zag stitch all over the place on that layout. 
  
  So pick up the Sew Easy Tool.  And then pick up Lollipop because it was my favorite add-on this month.  And get some chewing gum and cough syrup, and some soap powder (because I don't have soap powder but really wanted a good blue). 
  
  Sound good?  I'll be back tonight with my projects for the month.  I am happy with them and can't wait to share!  Davinie
• January 26, 2011
• 8:57

  Blog hop winner and Candy Shoppe Sneaks!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  AlissaG said...oh my! those 2 lo's are gorgeous! i can't wait to play with these 2 lines! thanks for the chance to win!
  6:57 PM
  
  
  Alissa, email me at cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll set you up for your prize!  :)
  Now, on to some Candy Shoppe sneaks!
  This first one used a new tool that will be in the shop this month: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'll share more about it when I can reveal the whole layout.  I am excited about the possibilities!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  These last two use a lot of the exclusive products designed for the kit this month by Crate Paper. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I had a lot of fun with this kit and really like my projects.  I just wish I had more time to create more.  But CHA is this weekend and I'll be gone for several days, so I've been up to my neck in crafting project and laundry/groceries so that I can leave and not worry.  You know.   Because hubby won't really be able to do it all without me.
  
  Right?
  Right?
  
  Have a great day!  I'll be back later with my Project 12 layout.  You have until the 28th to finish your December layout!  And then it'll be on like donkey kong for 2011.  :)
  
  Davinie
• January 24, 2011
• 7:00

  Studio Calico Blog Hop!

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  
  
  
  Good Morning!  I hope you are up and ready for a chance to be inspired by new product at work, and are raring to work your way around the web to get some for your stash too.
  
  One thing I love about Studio Calico is how well their products work together.  Take a little bit here, put it with that there, and voila, you have a project you can be happy with.  With that philosophy in mind, I took a little bit of State Fair, added a dash of Countryside, and created a layout about Easter:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  With the State Fair line, my favorite print is this green patchwork grid pattern, called Midway.  This print is the B side to the paper.  The A side looks like this: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I just turned the print sideways and looked at it as spring grass.  I made Easter eggs using the pink Cotton Candy print as well as vanilla cardstock from American Crafts (my favorite vanilla). 
  
  I wanted to bring in more blue and other spring colors, so I grabbed the die cut from the Countryside Collection and used just the fun border edge, and then I had to use the pretty Wildflower print and it's lovely B side (although it was hard to hide that woodgrain):
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Embellishing my layout was easy.  I used the super cute chicken egg tag from the Countryside tag set, some veneer butterflies, and the Addy alpha in pink for my title.  I also added blue label stickers, and the finishing touch were some buttons from an old Studio Calico kit.  I picked up an extra set during the Black Friday sale.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is my second layout using these new collections.  The first one will be in the Studio Calico booth at CHA next week.  My assignment was the Countryside Collection and this is what I came up with:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As soon as I saw the winter release I knew I wanted to do something with hexagons.  It was tricky learning how to cut the properly though.  I also didn't have a lot of spare paper to play with, so made due and had fun with it.  This layout also features the fun new pink houndstooth fabrips, and look at the B side to the Betsy print and those cows.  FUN!
  
  This layout also features the Countryside chipboard alpha set.
  
  I've also made cards with these two lines and have shared them on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.  You can check out State Fair here and Countryside on this post.  Both posts also give instructions to recreate the cards I made. 
  
  Thank you for visiting my blog for the Blog Hop!  If you leave a comment, you will be entered for a chance to win a prize! 
  
  Inspired by my blog hop layout, I'm giving away the wood veneer butterflies, and a package of tags.  These products offer lots of fun possibilities for your projects!
  
  
  Just leave a comment letting me know what your favorite product from the new Studio Calico release might be.  Good luck!  The deadline to enter is 12:00 AM EST on Wednesday.  :)
  Now be sure to head to the next stop, Miss Emily Pitts. 
  Have a great Monday!  Davinie
• January 22, 2011
• 19:18

  7 this Friday (well, Thursday). On Saturday

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  I'm overwhelmed with CHA prep but wanted to do my Friday fives.  But then my eldest daughter went and turned 7 on Thursday, and then had a slumber party on Friday, so my Friday Five post ended up a Saturday evening random. 
  1.  Morgan is 7.  I canNOT believe it.  I can still smell her, that baby smell.  When we moved into this house there was a countertop in our kitchen that hung out a bit and we were so thankful she wasn't tall enough to bump it yet.  She's shoulders above that spot now.
  She complains her legs hurt all the time.  Growing pains.  I think she just likes to shop for new pants!  :)
  She reads.  She writes.  She's an artist.
  She's also growing her hair back out.  Not super long, but longer.  Mama is happy about that.
  She lost those 4 teeth in September, and goes back next month for 4 more.  This time on the bottom.  It's time to work on that future mouth (although I might get an Orthodontic consult before having the bottom teeth pulled).
  She loves to bake.  She tells me she wants to be a chef when she grows up.  She also tells me she wants to be a rock star, a doctor, and a teacher.  Her future is bright!
  
  
  2.  Speaking of birthdays....  this is random but I love shopping at amazon.com.  One of the reasons I love doing so is because of that brilliant marketing tool where they offer suggestions of things you might like to purchase.  I often add things to my wish list based on these suggestions.  There are such fun products out there!The suggested purchasing led me to buy this book last week:
  It's called Your Birthday Book.  It's a keepsake journal.  It has pockets to store memorabilia or invites/cards, it's like a baby book where you can jot down details about the birthday party, but the part I was most interested in was the interview.  It has a question and answer section that is going to be so fun to fill out and look back at over the years.Yes, I'm a scrapbooker, and yes they have baby books, but I thought this would be a fun addition to the memoirs, so I picked one up to check it out.  I love it so much I'm going to get a second one for Payton's birthday.  It doesn't bother me at all that I"m starting on years 5 and 7.  The first three are just records of the party, etc., and they are still young enough I can fill in some details for the other years.  But it goes to age 18.  Check it out!   
  3.  As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I'm knee deep in crafty.  Morgan's birthday and her slumber party put a hitch in my craftalong, but she had such a great week that I'll just go without sleep until next Friday.  ha!  I'm busy with my Studio Calico kit, Countryside and State Fair too, Scrapbook and Cards Today Spring assignments, and new lines from Crate Paper.    Have you seen the new Crate Paper?
  I'm busy working with Emma's Shoppe right now. 
  
  
  Check out Emma's Shoppe and Toy Box.  Themed without being themey, with plenty of neutral options and fun new embellishments too. 
  Two more lines from Crate Paper this Spring are Portrait and Neighborhood.  Portrait is the most beautiful wedding Collection I have ever seen.  Hands down.
  
  
  Check out Portrait and Neighborhood in this post.  My projects will be shared on the blog next week, but I'm also sending work to CHA.  I'm SO honored to be working for this talented company.  It's a dream for sure. 
  4.  I've been Tweeting.  I feel weird talking about crafty play by play and what my kids are doing on Facebook.   Does anyone else feel weird doing that?  I feel like my dad and real life friends aren't going to care about that stuff, so I feel awkward mentioning that type of stuff there.  Working on it.  I'm actually suffering in all aspects of social networking.  I don't blog like I should, post family photos in a Facebook album like I should (note to self, start winter album before spring!).  It's often hard to balance and organize everything.  Part of that is because my kids are busy.  Part of that is also because crafting doesn't pay my bills.  Health insurance does.  Gotta work for the man and earn that paycheck too.  Balance.  A companion to my word for the year, Focus, I do believe.  I have to find a way to balance the haves with the wants.  NEEEDS.  Crafting is definitely a need.
  5.  Finally, to sum up random....  we are already thinking ahead to what we want to do as a family this summer.  We've been going to the Northern Oregon Coast for the past few years with friends, but this year we are doing things a bit differently.  My family plans to hitch up the trailer and head South.  We want to go to the Southern Oregon Coast, maybe play on the sand dunes, and then head to Northern California and check out the Redwoods, take the kids to the Trees of Mystery and meet Paul Bunyan.  :)  My girls are getting old enough that the fun educational adventures can now begin.  I'm excited to teach them about our world.  Next year we plan to head back to Disneyland, but we are thinking to drive this time.  Take the trailer again.  Head to San Diego and Sea World and the Zoo while we are at it.  San Francisco too.  A very a la Griswold type adventure.  I'm actually looking forward to it (and saving my pennies now).  Even though they were barely 5 and just shy of 3 when we went to Disneyland the first time, the girls still talk about it, and we are anxious to go back.  If I get into the Master's program I'm looking at, I'll probably be ready for a break by then too.  In the end, we deserve it! 
  That's it, for this Friday turned Saturday evening post.  You should know I will be back very soon.  I have Studio Calico sneaks to share, CHAW11 product to share, Project 12 to share, lots to share.
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• January 14, 2011
• 7:07

  Fiver for Friday

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  I've decided to jump on the Friday Fives.  It gives me a place to talk about the scrappy and family random.  :)
  
  1.  I'm feeling more confident with my goal to run a half marathon this year.  I was touched by the comments left to me, and the support of my hubby (he's going to train with me and run one too).  I was a little overwhemed by 13.1 miles, so figured the easiest way to keep focused, was to start small.  I already  run a 5k to exercise, so I needed something a bit longer than that to work towards.  My plan is to run the Grin and Bear it 10k in March.  This will work great, because the half marathon I've chosen is at the end of May.  It's the inaugural Happy Girls Half.  Looks like a great course!  (ooh, and there's a sterling silver necklace for your medal at the end.  And a schwag bag.  And handsome pacers.  Sweet!)  There's also a little girls 1.5k which I think is a GREAT way to include my kids as I'll need them to ride bikes to train with me sometimes.  1.5k might be too far for Payton though. 
  
  2. Okay, I'm going to talk more about this when I share my Project 12 layout for the month, but suffice it to say, I'm fairly obsessed with the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology Album Refill packs.  They flew off the shelves at Studio Calico but you can still pick them up at 2peas.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Here's the deal.  Down the road, I don't want to have to look in this album for 2011, that album, and that other special album over there.  I fear if I spread myself out too thin I'll never be organized enough to remember what I did where.  And there *will* come a time when I won't be able to look at a photo and note age, location, etc.  So I put it alllll in one place.  I have one album.  It has my Project 12 layout in it for the beginning of the month.  Then any layouts I've done with photos taken that month go next, and then the next Project 12 layout marks the beginning of the next month.
  
  These protectors?  They offer the pefect opportunity to include memorabilia that didn't get on a layout, like the button we got a Disneyland marking our very first visit, or the program from Payton's recent ballet recital.  And it's all together.  I scrap both 8.5 x 11 and 12x12 and I keep them all in the same place.  I can't think of a better way to carry on with that style than these fun little page protectors for different tidbits, notes, thoughts. 
  
  I'll share more about my album and other page protectors to use in that Project 12 post.  But I'm excited about my albums this year! 
  
  3.  Let's see....  number 3.  Oh, I really want to know what the new release for Crate Paper is going to be.  4 lines!  Have you seen the wee sneak?  Looks delicious!  I'm going to be working with it for CHA but I haven't seen a peek of it yet.  It's torture, I tell ya.  But I'm excited. 
  4.  I just had to share how we practiced Morgan's spelling words for the week.  Chocolate syrup on a cookie sheet entertained the kiddlets for a good 20 minutes (even though it was a bugger to get out of Payton's white.  shirt.  WHY mama?  Why?  Next time she needs to go topless).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And of course their faces became pretty itchy during the process, hence the puppy dog noses (imagine that  :) ).
  
  5. Last thing, I couldn't leave ya without a Studio Calico sneak!  I had a LOT of fun with this layout.  Can't wait to share the whole thing.  (This one was made with Lollipop, #4). 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Happy Friday!  I'm going to be doing these more often!  Enjoy your weekend and stay warm and dry!
  
  Davinie
• January 12, 2011
• 10:45

  Studio Calico Love - At the Parade

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Did you do anything fun yesterday on 1/11/11?  I took photos of myself at 11:11 driving home from work, then a photo of my Payton at 1:11 making cookies (although my dad was quick to point out that it was actually 13:11, thanks Dad), but I was snug in my bed at 11:11pm so missed that photo op. heeeee.  I hope you did something fun!
  
  The other day while at work a coworker was showing me some photos of her sweet little granddaughter.  Amidst the long blond curls I couldn't help but notice the cute little top she was wearing.  It was white with horizontal ruffles and had some stars on it. I was immediately inspired to break out some of my Studio Calico products and create a layout about the 4th of July, and turn that design into a flag of sorts.
  
  
  
  I took apart the notions flowers, sprayed them with Mister Huey in Schoolhouse, and then added them to bazzill just the edge strips to create the stripes in my flag.  I broke out the red thread and then scrunched and stitched it all down. 
  Then I took my veneer stars, misted them with Mister Huey in Atmosphere, and put them on the top of my flag.  The same Schoolhouse mist was used on my veneer alphas too.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Then it was just a matter of adding photos and journaling.  A really easy layout to put together.
  
  Speaking of Studio Calico, have you checked out the blog?
  In the last couple of days, the two lines being released at CHAW11 have been debuted.
  
  Check out Countryside
  and State Fair
  and the new Fabrips (LOOOOVe this change) and notions here. 
  
  Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win the collection of your choice. 
  
  Have a great day!  I'm back to my desk, slaving away with my wonderful Studio Calico kit, assignments for SCT's Spring issue, and some other tricks I have up my sleeves.
  
  Davinie
• January 04, 2011
• 7:44

  Got goals?

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I did a recap of 2010 projects, talked about my Resolutions, so it only makes sense to do a layout about it!  One Little Word is a popular thing in the crafting world, and now there's a class, but I'm terrible about keeping track of online classes so I'm not going to take it.  My thoughts on things I wanted to accomplish in 2011 did lead me to a word to sum it all up though:
  
  FOCUS
  
  Obviously, that says it all. 
  
  I happen to be hosting the Studio Calico blog challenge this week and thought the timing would be a great opportunity to focus on that little "focus" word...   I upped the ante though, by adding a self portrait, something I do not do often enough.
  
  I had Morgan take the picture and she was quite a clicker finger, so I was surprised anything remotely turned out:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Most of this layout is the Who's Who kit from Studio Calico.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used Studio Calico wood veneer for the title, with a dash of Mister Huey in Classic Calico to darken the wood and bring out the grain.  I misted and then blotted with a paper towel. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I also added some Maya Road chipboard windows from the On the Easel kit for some dimension, and sprayed them with Maya Road cream mist.
  
  I hope you'll check out the challenge and play along! 
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• January 01, 2011
• 14:07

  Project 12, 2011 (and December in January)

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Hello my friends!
  
  January 1 marks the 3rd year in the Project 12 challenge.  Woot!  I am so excited about the longevity of this challenge, the participation, and sketches from Becky Fleck.  Hooray!
  The great news is that this challenge will carry on, and Becky has created a whole new set of sketches that will stretch your creative brain this year.  So much FUN ahead!
  
  If you are new to the challenge, I have added a tab at the top of my blog that will give out all the details on participating, and where to post if you want to enter for a monthly prize.  My Project 12 button will also link to that tab page, where I will keep links updated so you will know where to link your projects at the appropriate time.  Clear as mud?
  
  Take this challenge to your local scrapbook store.  Make it a monthly crop!  At the many events that Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine has attended, there has continuously been buzz about local scrapbook stores taking this challenge and creating a way to bring customers together in their stores.  I am a huge fan of this idea!  So go forth, and craft!  hahaha.
  
  For those who have been participating in 2010, our year is not over.  This is the post where I will highlight some favorite layouts and ideas submitted since the last challenge, and share the next sketch.  Right now, we are talking about layouts created in December that highlight the month of November.  Does that make sense?  You can't talk about your life until you have actually lived it.  And then I've given 20 days to create a layout about it.
  
  A big change for 2011 is an extension of the deadline, from the 20th to the 28th.  This was made to make it easier for SCT and their blog posting the prizes too.  More time to procraftinate, I say!  :)
  
  With all this said, first, some favorite layouts:
  
  Shelly J
  
  ::sigh::  someday I hope to be as good as Shelly with the two page layouts.  LOVE.  Two things to note here.  That title work.  I'm going to be more creative with my titles in 2011 and not stick to one idea, and I'm absolutely using this title idea for one of my layouts.  Love it to bits.
  
  Another thing about Shelly's work that has always inspired me is that in 2010, she has been documenting 2008, I think.  This is a great way to go back in time and summarize things before the memories are lost.  2006 was that year for me.  It's really hard to get anything done when you have little bitty babies, and I had Morgan, 2, and new Payton.  I need to go back to that year. 
  
  LOVE the use of the Restoration line from Crate on this one from Stephanie: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I love love love the way the doilies were used on this one in the white space.  I am doing this myself.  Such pretty detail.
  
  JENNIFER: 
  
  
  Okay, this one is full of details I am currently obsessing over.  I get excited when Jennifer participates because I adore every little thing she does to her layouts.  The zig zag stitching around the perimeter is divinte.  Those leaves that are stitched on there... heavenly.  And Lily Bee!  Now I know what to do with those 12x12 rubons sheets from Lily Bee.  It looks so great here!  I love the punch of color with the orange on the right with the dark and textured green ribbon on the left.  I also love her use of extra photos on this one.  I had to include it!
  
  The last one I wanted to share is Jen's: 
  
  She called it "rushed" and "simple" but those tickets, hearts, and clouds have my heart.  Such a simple and easy detail that just pop off the page and are perfect along her journaling column in the right side where you have the least amount of photos.  I Love this!
  
  I hope you are inspired by the the little details I shared today.
  
  You should know that I read every comment and go to every link that is posted on my challenge post.  If you don't see a comment from me, that means I wasn't able to leave one.  Linking from a gallery at another site is totally fine, but if I don't have membership, I can't leave a comment.  But one of the goals for myself in hosting this challenge is to take a peek at everything I've been linked to, and I hope to keep doing that.
  
  For those who are still working on 2010, here is the sketch that Becky created for December, if you'd like to use it:
  
  Lots of photos on this one.  Looks like fun!
  
  If you are just starting the challenge, here's a peek at the January sketch for 2011 (which will be made in February and linked to my February blog post by February 28)  Take a peek at this sketch and if you'd like to use it, think about it as you take photos of your life this month:
  
  There are some fun details here!  I'm digging the idea of border punches on one side.  I definitely like that part the best.
  
  I have seen all the sketches for 2011 and think we are going to have a lot of fun this year!  I hope you will make time to play along! 
  
  As always, link your layouts to this thread.  This time, by the 28th.  On the first of the month I'll post the next challenge, and there will be a link on my Project 12 tab for SCT and the prize winners.  There is always a winner chosen from participants on my blog, so be sure to check out the SCT blog posts to see if it's you. 
• December 31, 2010
• 11:41

  Craft Love - my top 10 for 2010

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  Tags:    [edit]

  I've been in the mood to go through my project files for 2010, so I thought I'd also share some of my favorite things made in 2010.  I actully had to edit this a few times.  I love several layouts and projects created in 2010 that I didn't even add here!  I also have a couple things out for publication that I just adore but can't share at this time.  Maybe next year!
  
  The first is this layout of Morgan at age 6:
  
  
  
  This was one of the very first layouts I made in 2010.  I was feverishly preparing for CHAW10 and had to create one more layout for my Studio Calico gallery, when I gazed at this Crate paper print and those pretty roses.  I experimented with scraps and then recreated them myself.
  I've submitted this layout a few times but, alas, it has never been picked up.  That said, I've seen tutorials in the big magazines a few times on how to recreate these flowers, as well as products from manufacturers with templates, etc.  There's even some canvas flowers in the current Studio Calico kit.  You can find a tutorial I posted on my blog here. 
  
  One of my summer assignments for Scrapbook and Cards Today was to create a mini album with this canvas pendant album that had to do with Mom.  I admit, the shape of the album threw me off a bit when trying to come up with something, but what I ended up with is a treasure for my girls that I'll always be grateful for.  (this is the only photo I have.  I just snapped it really quick for editorial approval before dropping it in the mail.  You can see it and a few inside pages in the summer issue of SCT). 
  I don't know if it's normal for mother's to do this, but I sometimes have bad dreams about something happening to me that takes me away from my kids.  It's such a scary thing to think about, a worst fear, so I don't know why I do it, but creating this album helped a little bit.  It's full of advice and love for my kids.  It even includes vintage items, like that buckle and glass buttons given to me in a large box of baubles from Steve's grandmother's estate. 
  This next one is all about the photos, and it's a 3 page layout too:
  
  
  
  
  Payton had outgrown this bouncy seat, but after I donated it to Goodwill, I wanted to go to the store and take it back so bad.  It's filled with so many memories for me of my sweet girl as a baby.  She was in or around it for her first 3.5 years.  So I went back through my photo files and picked out just about every photo that included both her and this chair in it, even if it was just in the background (like a photo of her on her first birthday with her dad, opening presents. You can see just a wee peek of the "blue chair").  I used every photo I could find.  It's not the prettiest chair, so most of the time, it would be moved out of the way when a photo opportunity came along, but I'm so happy to have all these photos that included it. 
  
  ::sigh::   babies. 
  
  I'm in love with this photo so this layout had to be included:
  
  
  We live on 2 acres and have a pond that was full of polliwogs (tadpoles.  Baby frogs).  My girls grabbed this wee net from their goldfish bowl, and decided they were going to go down and catch a couple.  So they grabbed the net, a bucket, and a gallon bag, and headed out.  This pose is all Norman Rockwell to me, and that day made me laugh so hard.  Those polliwogs were sure hard to catch!  But the kids had a blast.
  This was made with a Studio Calico kit and when I saw that WRMK paper with the little characters on it, I knew I had to use it.  I was also inspired by a quilt I had seen, as well as an old piece of OA patterned paper, so recreated the cathedral quilt technique with paper for this layout.  This is another layout that has been submitted but not picked up, but I pulled my own strings to ensure this technique was published with my name on it first after the flower incident.  I know you put your work out there for other people to use, I know, and I'm happy to do so, but if it's going to get published, it should have my name on it first.  I'm just onery about that, I guess. 
  I had a lot of fun making this layout: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Fiskars apple punch and Studio Calico's Elementary line were meant to work together!  I also really wanted to use these photos together, of Morgan's first and then last day of Kindergarten.  Boy is the sass that she learned quit apparent in that photo, lol.  I had fun with this one so it had to make the list. 
  I just recently made this layout, for the Crate Paper blog. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I combined my favorite line from Crate in 2010, Brook, with the Snow Day line on a very fun layout. It's fresh and juicy and I love it all the more because that day was fun and fresh, so it captured it so well.  I loved my falling snow and the hearts which lead you to that cute chipboard snowman.  I had fun with my stitched scallops too, which I used to carry the scallop from the patterned paper down the page.  That was a really fun day, and this layout came together really fast.
  
  Another fun day, and a layout that mixes Crate's Restoration with a Studio Calico kit, was this fun fall layout:
  
  This one came together easy too, and I was able to use punches of color with that scalloped square punch and Crate's Restoration line.  I have been wanting to use more maple leaves in my work this fall, and found this template deep in my stash, so I traced it on the back of Claudine Hellmuth canvas and trimmed out the leaves.  I then used some JBS ink on a couple of them to change their color.  I just love the whole feel of this layout.  That was another fun day we had this fall too. 
  
  This next one was made for the SCT Calendar.  This is little miss September:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The stitched grids and the birdies melt my heart.  I also ADORE this color palette, and have always loved these pics of my girl.  I was so honored to be included on this calendar and had a lot of fun with the sketch I was given.  I was really able to make it my own. 
  Earlier this fall I was asked to participate in a Halloween event at 2peas.  I needed to create a Halloween layout, but didn't have a lot of Halloween product in my stash, so purchased one of the previous add-ons from Studio Calico and only used it and the polaroid stamp for my layout:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I had taken hundreds of photos that Halloween, and actually enjoyed going through my files and choosing those that told the story of that day the best.  That little buttefly fairy princess.  And her dog, Spot.  Spot even drew a great big spot on her dog tag, because she didn't believe me when I told her that it said Spot on it.  ha!  I love how this layout looks Halloween with only having a couple of themed products on it. 
  This last one is my favorite project of 2010:
  I was assigned to do the Christmas/winter projects for the winter issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today.  I LOVE getting assignments because it gives me the creative freedom to do what I want.  The first thing I knew I wanted to make was a pretty canvas for a mantle to display over the holidays.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to use that Cathedral quilt pattern technique on an altered project, and also a chance to use some Christmas photos I took of my girls in 2006.  I am in love with this project. (you can see a better photo of it in the SCT too).  And now Christmas is over and I'll be taking this down soon.  It is such a treasure and I can't wait to get it out year after year to display in my home. 
  One of my favorite decorating ideas these days is to display themed photos of my family.  I have a couple of frames in my living room that I've been changing out as the seasons change.  This fall it had a photo of me pregnant with Morgan, showing my belly and holding a pumpkin in October.  Then it had a photo of Morgan sitting with Santa in 2004.  These photos get a lot of lookie loo' s from family and I love that.  Now it's time to find a winter photo to put in that frame.  hmmmm.
  So that's it!  Some of my favorite projects created in 2010!
  Happy New Year!  The kids are going to the dentist this afternoon, and then we are going to party at a friend's house, at least until 8:45!  Steve is on shift today so it's just the girls, out on the town.  Be safe and have a great night!  Davinie
  P.S.  I'll be back tomorrow with Project 12, 2011!
• 9:15

  I'm running a half marathon in 2011

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  Tags:    [edit]

  There.  By making it my title it'll live in blogland forever, so there's no way I can back out now.  I turn 35 in 2011 and to celebrate my early midlife crisis, I have big plans.  Big plans for "changing the world".  My world, anyway.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  via idea-obscura
  
  I am absolutely 100% getting this framed and putting it where I can see it everyday.  Thank you Francesca (and Ghandi).
  
  What kind of goals do you have for 2011?  I have a few things I talked about in a previous post, but my main goals for the new year are:
  
  Run that Half-marathon
  Enroll at George Fox University and work towards that Master's Degree and Teaching Certificate
  Use a container of baking powder before it expires.
  
  I wanted to do 13.1 miles last year, but in the end, laziness at preparation got the best of me. 
  I was going to enroll in school in 2010, but I got scared of the process, and then decided it would be best if I was doing student teaching when Payton was in first grade so I'd have one less thing to worry about with her in school all day vs. trying to find child care.  Steve's schedule is inconsistent. 
  Baking Powder?  I'm still using an OLD container of baking powder.  I keep forgetting to add it to my grocery list, so I haven't had the courage to toss it out yet.  ha!  But in general, my kitchen *really* needs updated, so I am uninspired, but I really need to do better about cooking and baking, so that's my goal.  We all loved fresh baked goods and dinners made from scratch anyway, right?  I hope to do better.
  
  I have other things I'd like to accomplish too, as I said, but they say most people don't follow through with their Resolutions, and these goals will be tough for me anyway, so 3 it is.
  
  What are you hoping for in 2011? 
• December 30, 2010
• 8:19

  the rest of Who's Who

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I just have two more layouts to share from my Who's Who Gallery at Studio Calico.  I'm working on another right now using the kit, but I won't able to share it until next week (I'm hosting the SC blog and have a fun challenge for ya). 
  
  First is a Morgan layout.  Halfway to Seven:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I used JBS chewing gum ink on my butterflies for this one. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This was made mainly with the Dear Abby add-on.  I also added that natural canvas I keep talking about, and sprayed it pink with mist.
  The title was cut from cardstock after printing it out on my computer.  My Slice can't handle this detail (but most others can). 
  
  Note to self:  Do not wait almost 6 months to do a layout like this.  If she is 6.5 in July, do the layout in July.  For pete's sake.  My sweet girl turns 7 in January.  Oh my.  I can't believe it.  Did you know she was only 3 when I started working at Studio Calico?  My how times have changed.
  
  I'm hoping to document age 7 with a mini.  That's one of my goals for the new year.
  
  Next up is An Angel:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I was so sososososo proud of my girl that day.  She wasn't nervous at all and had the best time. 
  
  I rubbed the alphas on this one with some Stazon ink.  I love the JBS inks, but the dark brown has got to be Stazon.  The gold alphas matched the paper so I needed my alphas to stand out more and this was the simplest solution.  I simply stuck the alphas to the outside of the packaging and inked them, and then placed them on the layout.
  
  That's the Martha Stewart punch (I think it's the himalayan snowflake) mounted on kraft (you can never have tooo much kraft cardstock!) punched with the real estate punch.
  
  The More SC patterned paper add-on sold out in a flash, but you can actually still snag an extra piece.  The SC exclusive paper is in the more patterned paper add-on.  This is a low cost way to beef up your kit (and matches previous kits too). 
  
  And that's it! 
  
  I've already placed my order for February and hope to have a very productive month in January (although I'll be super swamped for CHA).  I think we may have figured out what's wrong with my printer and hope to get it fixed asap..  I'm hoping for tomorrow.
  
  In the meantime, prepare for next month with this, this, this (I need to try one of these), and of course, more kraft.  :)
  
  Have a great day!  Back soon.  Davinie
• December 29, 2010
• 7:37

  Dear Toth Fare

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The Who's Who kit is live!  Looks like all the add-ons are still available (Dear Abby is my fave this month, FYI). 
  
  One of the layouts I made this month utilizes the main kit from Metropolitan, so I thought I'd share it in it's entirety first.
  
  Last month one of my layouts was about *my* traumatizing experience at the dentist with Morgan as she had four teeth yanked out. 
  
  This month I did a layout about what she and Payton did the night before the "toth fare" arrived.  I walked into the kitchen to find the two of them with their art supplies out, feverishly writing notes and drawing pictures for the little waif.  It was so cute.  Crazy too.  They hid under the tables at Disneyland when the princesses came to visit, run from Chuck E. Cheese, and the Red Robin, but were completely bedazzled by the idea of the tooth fairy.   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Morgan's letter to the "toth fare" read: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My girl had her four teeth in two treasure chests,  There were so many and they were so large it took two. 
  
  Not to be left out, how dare we even consider it, Payton had her own letter to write.  She asked for help at first, but then got tired of it so she dictated the rest:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning, amongst the pile of (Pink Paislee....  ) Pixie Dust was a gold coin, a balloon, and a card from the tooth fairy.  Inside it read:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This isn't her mama's handwriting.  The tooth fairy has different A's.  (wink, wink). 
  
  I knew I needed to save all of this and document it in a layout for sure. The icing on the cake was when Payton came up to me later and asked if she could touch the fairy dust.  When I said yes she dashed to the kitchen and then came dragging her feet back, upset because "Mom, I touched the dust but I didn't fly". 
  
  Oh my.
  
  As for the design of this layout, when I saw the two kits with these two different KI pockets, I knew I wanted to use them together.  The big one was for the letters, of course, but I thought it would be fun from a design perspective to use the little one on the opposing page.  I started with the SC paper from the main kit this month, but only used one piece.  I trimmed out the middle, @10x10, and then used it inside the big KI pocket.  I then stitched the kraft over the top of the pattern on the first page.  An easy an economical way to stretch a single piece of paper to a 2 pager layout. 
  
  I also trimmed four tags and used them to represent the four teeth that were pulled.  The little fairy (or fare, I guess)?  I photo copied her from Morgan's artwork and trimmed her out.
  
  This isn't the fanciest of layouts, but what fun it will be to look at in the future with those little notes and artwork from my girls too.  LOVE that.
  
  Now what am I up to?  I'll tell you what.  When Morgan had x-rays of her teeth, there was nothing happening.  But I swear to Pete, in the last week, a bottom tooth has decided to make it's way North, and she has a loose tooth up front down below.  Good grief!
  
  That leads me to my next project:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is soon to be a butterfly fairy princess tooth pillow.  I thought it would be fun to make, and a fun thing to save for her hope chest.  She wants to help me make it which will be fun too.
  
  Mama better get on it, though.  These teeth are falling out faster than anticipated, lol.  I'd best get started on Payton's butterfly fairy cowgirl ballerina while I'm at it.  :)
  
  I'll be back later with the rest of my kit work!  Davinie
• December 27, 2010
• 8:52

  You did know .............

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  what day it was, didn't you?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Holy deliciousness, it's the January kit from Studio Calico, Who's Who.
  
  I picked up Mary Jane and Dear Abby.  I was hoping to have another project to share with you today, but I've had this layout on my desk using Elementary products (with lots of the stars and notions), and I needed to get it finished so I could put it away. 
  
  My favorite add-on was definitely Dear Abby, as I mentioned before.  I LOVE the BG Curio Bloomers and I really liked the little pages from Glitz. 
  
  I will be using my kit for my challenge on the SC blog next week, so be looking for something there soon (think New Years and Resolutions, hint hint). 
  
  The only other extras I'd definitely recommend this month are:
  JBS Chewing Gum ink - I used this ink on the sneak image in my last post, the first one, using the butterfly stamp set.  It's a really pretty pink. 
  Natural Sticky Back Canvas - this is my new favorite thing.  It's natural, which matches my kraft love quite well.  I also used it on the same sneak as above, and I misted it to make it pink.  It took the mist really well and is a fun new obsession. 
  MORE SC patterned paper (you can see one of them in the trees for the Who's Who image above.  LOVE.  If nothing else, add some of this to your cart this month).
  
  While you are surfing the site be sure to head to the blog for the Reveal Night giveaways:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And have a great day!  We are taking the kiddos to see Tangled at the theater.  My sister saw it a few weeks ago and declared it her favorite Disney Princess, so Mama is actually pretty excited to see it.  Dad will just have to suffer through.  :)
  
  Happy Monday!   May your first day back to work, the day you take your tree down, head to Target to hunt for LED lights on sale (got some of those yesterday), or gorge yourself on the plates of candied treats brought to you by neighbors, (maybe all of the above?) be filled with love and happiness. 
  
  Davinie
• December 25, 2010
• 7:00

  Merry Christmas!

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Merry Christmas, all my blog land friends!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with friends and family, and that your days are filled with fun memories to cherish.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm taking time for my hubby and my kiddos, reflecting on 2010, and making plans for how I envision 2011, so that I'm all set to make that resolution on 12/31 and actually follow through with it.  Things on my list so far:
  
  

  • Train and run a half marathon (maybe 2!)
  • Register for school
  • organize my craft space to be family friendly
  • organize my to do list and actually make a to do list and follow through with a to do list
  • menu planning
  • make the quilts for the girls' room
  • make a quilt for the master bedroom
  • follow a pattern I found on ravelry and knit something besides a scarf
  • repaint the upstairs
  • Project 12

  I have a lot of things to think about and prioritize.  I'm trying to do my best to make this my best life and haven't felt like I've been doing my job on that front for a long while.  It's time to make a change. 
  
  Enjoy your weekend!  Davinie
• December 24, 2010
• 10:24

  Christmas Eve Sneaks

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  What a holiday!  I hope you are having a wonderful time with your family as I am, and creating fun memories too.
  
  I'm about to go dashing through the snow.  Payton either got the flu from the mist she was administered the other day (NEVER again will I do that to my girl), or she had a reaction to the booster shots she also received at her well girl checkup...  but we missed some sledding fun with friends.  We are doing a mini adventure today instead.  We have a sledding hill at our house, but this is a bigger butte and should be fun.
  
  Before I go, I wanted to share....  SNEAKS.  If you haven't noticed, I'm having some major fights with printers at home and in the area, so I haven't been happy with my photos lately, but what do you do, buy a new one?  I need to get my $$$ Epson serviced before I do that, but in the meantime, craftiness is due.
  
  So...  you keep calm and carry on.  Right?  This is what I came up with for Who's Who:
  
  I did add some canvas for this layout.I wish that the bloomers from BG's curio were being added to the shop.  These colors are so me and I wish I had more.  You can get them in the Dear Abby add-on, along with some fun faux vintage book pages from Glitz, which we've been trying to use for several kits. 
  
  
  I was pretty punchy this month and had fun with it.  The above layout is actually a two pager but I can't share the second page in my gallery because I used the KI Pocket from the Metropolitan kit for the base of the second page.  LOVE this one.  Steve was supposed to be on shift for Christmas Day but a fireman with no kids offered to work for him which was so nice.  That said, he has to head to the "office" on the 26th which means if I don't decide to brave the crowds with the kiddos, there will be time for craftiness, which means I may have another project to share at reveal time.  We shall see.  The best time to buy wrapping paper and holiday decor is the day after Christmas when it is 50-75% off, don't you know.... 
  
  In the meantime, enjoy the season! 
  
  Davinie
• December 16, 2010
• 16:00

  My November

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  The holiday season is in full swing but I'm still here, recording the memories.
  I didn't want to get carried away with December without taking note of November, so I made sure to make a priority of my Project 12 layout.  This is wha I came up with this month:
  
  I kept things simple this month.  Since it was out, I used my Metropolitan kit from Studio Calico (but I did add some SC buttons that I picked up at the Black Friday sale.  My layout needed a touch of pink.  You just never know what might show up under the SALE tab).
  
  One of the beautiful things about the SC paper add-on is that if you do it, you'll have more than enough to create two page layouts (the green here is the B side to the pattern book print).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  What we did:  I am married to a hunter, yes I am, and since he supports me in the art forms I'm passionate about, I support him in his endeavors.  I like to remind him about that too, lol.  He left for about 11 days to camp in the woods during the colder months and hunt the elusive elk.  He has done so every year for several years.  In the past it hasn't been an issue, but the girls were having a hard time this year, so we made sure to give them a special date night with only daddy where they could spend quality time together.  I let them wear whatever they wanted and Steve took them to a local diner.  They loved it, were treated like loyalty, and it helped a lot.  We'll definitely do that again next year.
  
  We have steers butchered every year.  This year, I was at work when the butcher came, and Steve didn't shield Miss Payton Jayne's impressionable 4 year old eyes from the process, but in the end, he didn't need to.  She was completely fascinated by the whole thing, asked some amazing questions, and wasn't phased a bit.  A future doctor or veterinarian on our hands maybe?  hopefully not a butcher, no offense.  heeeee.
  
  This sketched worked for me because I have layouts and projects planned for many of the things we did in November, so just want to touch on them with a single photo in my Project 12 layout.  Just before Thanksgiving we spent a week at the beach, and I"m going to do a beach layout already, so I summed it up with our annual family photo.
  
  After sewing it up, photographing it, and putting it away in it's page protector, I realized I had left off our Thanksigiving happenings, so I have penciled them in at the bottom of the page, for prosperities sake.  Steve was on shift so we had a low key holiday and had a full turkey meal at the firestation (although *just* as Steve took his first bite of turkey, he had to leave on a call for choking, which was appropriate, I guess).
  
  We also got snow!  We barely got any snow at our house last year, so the kids were super excited.  They dashed out and made a quick snowman before it all melted away.  They named her Charlotte.
  
  So.  That's what my family did in November.  What about you?  You still have a few days left before the deadline to link your layouts to the Project 12 post for the month. 
  
  Happy Holidays!  Davinie
• December 14, 2010
• 8:56

  Holiday giveaways

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Scrapbook and Cards Today is on day five of 12 days of holiday giving.  Today it's Studio Calico.  Mr Huey, doily stamps, wood veneer.  yum.  You can leave a comment for the Studio Calico prize pack here and check out the rest of the list here. 
  
  Crate Paper is doing a Happy Holiday blog event and today's giveaway is $100 in Crate Paper products.  Check out the lovely inspiration and enter a comment for your chance to win at the Crate Paper blog here. 
  
  Up next?  Studio Calico Who's Who sneaks.... 
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• December 11, 2010
• 19:01

  Silent Night

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Mama was saved from endless boo hooing by Daddy's lack of focus on our girl.  But I am so glad I was there.  She loved it, and did a great job.  Grandparents and her Great Grandma as well as some cousins and her Aunt were there to watch her too. 
  
  SO proud.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Payton Jayne in Silent Night / 12112010 from Davinie Fiero on Vimeo.
  
  
  You can see Morgan's 2 attempts here:
  
  When she didn't know what to expect
  And when she DID know what to expect
  
  
  Hence my current excitement.  :)
  
  She got a rose from her sister, lunch at the Black Bear diner (her favorite place) and then dessert at Baskin Robbins.  D'ya think I hyped it enough, lol?! 
• 17:09

  Decorating for the Holidays - fabric and paper wrapped wreath

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  tutorials   [edit]

  I had several projects in the winter issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today, and one of my favorites was this fun wreath I made.  It came together really quickly and was actually really easy to make too.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The holiday line from Stampin' Up
  I Believe line from My Minds Eye
  Tradition line from Fancy Pants Designs
  
  All three lines worked so well together, and I was blown away by the Stampin' Up fabric.  It was a lot of fun to work with!
  
  For this wreath, I picked up a foam from from Michaels.  It was simple to embellish.
  
  I tore thin strips of fabric and wrapped them around, tying a knot in the front.
  Then I trimmed 1/4 inch + strips of patterned paper and wrapped that around the wreath.  I pulled it tight in some spots, and let it get loose in others in order to provide a more dimensional look.  I mixed different patterend papers on this part.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My paper flowers are called Kusudama and I followed the basic tutorial on this site to make them.  They'd make fun ornaments for the Christmas tree too! 
  
  
  
  Let me know if you have any questions about this project!
  
  Speaking of Scrapbook and Cards, though...  I hope you've been visiting the site the past few days.  They are doing 12 days of holiday giving, which started on the 10th.
  
  Here's:
  DAY ONE - Sizzix Elips
  DAY TWO - Pagemaps 2 book
  
  There are some great prizes to be had, so be sure to check it out.
  
  P.S.  Did you see the sale at 2peas?  Orders placed 12/11 and 12/12 for $35 or more ship for free.  Code word HOLIDAY.  (wink, wink)
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• December 06, 2010
• 14:57

  Decorating for the holidays

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Steve is outside, making noise and hanging up Christmas lights.  There was a mad dash last night to the store for LED lights for the tree inside when we went to dress it and found several non-working strands.  boo.  But hopefully LED will last a long time.
  
  We've got Christmas shopping almost done.  I've used amazon.com more than I thought I would this year.  We  Santa is picking up Leapster Explorers for the girls, but after some suggestions, I picked up Olive, the Other Reindeer (how did I miss this book?  There are movies starring Drew Barrymore and advent calendars and plush toys?!!) and Cakepops by Bakerella.  I'm slipping Olive into the book basket and after seeing the snowmen on the cover, think making Cakepops with my girls might be a fun festive holiday idea. 
  
  We've had snow the past few days and the kids have LOVED it.  Steve has dragged them around on their sleds with the 4wheeler a few times.  As much as renovating my homestead irritates me, I wouldn't trade what our neighborhood gives to my girls for anything.  I need to keep that in mind.
  
  He's doing lights, I'm working on the inside.  Organizing the mantle on the landing between up and downstairs with preschool projects, my reindeer print, and my canvas.
  
  
  
  Have you seen the winter issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today?  I was asked to do the holiday project article and had a lot of fun.  By far my favorite piece was this canvas.  I'm so glad I'll be able to moon over those photos of my babies year after year.  Check out page 39+
  Interested in learning how to recreate it?  I shared how to do the cathedral window quilt pattern on the blog. 
  While you are at the site, check out the spring 2011 issue call.  You can check that out here.
  When the winter issue came out I posted a giveaway for the new 2011 calendar I was honored to be part of.  The winner of that calendar from my blog is michelestamps2.  Email me or SCT at ideas@scrapbookandcards.com and they'll get you the calendar.  I just got mine over the weekend and it is soooo cool.  Those ladies who won a calendar earlier in the week, you should receive your calendar this week. 
  See you soon!  Davinie
• December 03, 2010
• 4:00

  A Calendar, an idea book, and a Sketchbook too.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Check it out:
  
  
  The 2011 SCT-PageMaps Sketch Calendar is here! From the beautiful design to the stunning artwork, from the techniques to the bonus sketches, from the sponsors that provided our designers with great product to the wonderful practicality of the calendar itself—SCT and PageMaps are thrilled to share it with you!
  
  This limited edition calendar will be on your bookshelf long after 2011 has come and gone with its 26 never-before-seen PageMaps sketches that will keep you inspired for some time (including CardMaps, too!). This calendar makes a great gift, too! Order by December 14th to ensure your copies arrive in time for gift giving.
  
   And the best part? A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 2011 SCT-PageMaps Sketch Calendar will be donated to both Canadian and American breast cancer research charities!
  
  If you'd like a chance to win a copy of this awesome calendar, leave a comment on this post.  When you do, let me know what your favorite size to scrapbook is.  12x12? 8.5 x 11? 2 pagers?  I'd love to know!
  
  I'll leave the comments open until midnight PST tonight. 
  
  Thanks and have a great Friday!  Davinie
• December 02, 2010
• 15:44

  Crate Love - Finding Fall with Brook and Restoration

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I really liked the color palette of the December kit from Studio Calico, Metropolitan.  It really reminded me of an earlier release from Crate Paper, Brook. 
  
  
  
  I'm still thinking about fall, so I thought it would be fun to mix some of the Metropolitan kit with some of the Brook line, as well as the newest release, Restoration.  I came up with this:
  
  
  
  There's a new product in the shop I forgot to tell you about.  It's Claudine Hellmuth's sticky backed canvas, but it's in neutral, not white.  Oh my stars, I'm in love.  Neutral is my signature color, don't you know.
  To make the maple leaves I traced a leaf on the back of the canvas and trimmed them out.  Other ideas on what to do with maple leaves can be found on my 11/30 Studio Calico blog post here.  I did a reverse applique with the leaves on this layout, which includes another photo from this same day.
  
  
  
  I had fun with ink on these leaves.  With the first one, I rubbed the JBS malted milk.  I wanted to change the color a bit and bring out the texture of the canvas too. 
  I experimented a bit with my color.  On this next leaf I started with the malted milk, but then decided to try out Lemon Drop.  I was worried it'd be too yellow, but the color I got was perfect for the color palette of my layout. 
   
  
  
  Love.
  Next up is the title.  I just got my wood veneer alphabet from Studio Calico, so wanted to use that along with some classic calico ink to help them stand out more against my background.
  
  
  
  To make sure I got the woodgrain texture, after misting I blotted each letter with a paper towel. 
  
  
  
  
  I'm developing a love affair with mixtape, so I used some of the tape found in the Metropolitan kit on this layout too.  It's barely adhesive, and I"m a girl who loves repositional things!  :)  I just tore off strips, placed them as needed, and then sewed over the top.  The light adhesive didn't bother the needle on my sewing machine at all. 
  
  
  
  I also used a square punch with pieces from the Restoration line to add bits of color.  I just love the look for this layout. 
  Additional supplies include Crate Brook chipboard elements, some very old American Crafts felt flowers, and some fun sentiments from 7 Gypsies (found in Mass Transit, an add-on that's still available, might I add). 
  See you back here tomorrow!  I may or may not have another calendar or two from SCT to give away.  (wink.  Wink wink).
  Davinie
  P.S.  I know my photos have been all over the place.  Center, left, big, small, rounded corners, no.  I'm still trying to decide which look I prefer.  Let me know what you think! 
• December 01, 2010
• 22:54

  Project 12 November in December

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  
  Tis the season!  December is here!  We almost have a full year captured!
  
  Here are some favorites from the October sketch:
  
  
  
  
  I LOVED this interpretation of the sketch.  She made a pumpkin out of that circle shape in the design!  I adore this one from eClaire:
  
  
  I also like the brown framed photos, it helps them pop, and the overall color palette is delicious.And Jennifer has my heart with her stitchery and the row of buttons on her layout:
  
  Check out what we have for the November sketch:
  
  I love this sketch.  Super simple which means there's a lot you can do with it.  I do NOT want to be swamped like I have been the past two months, so I've already got the sketch printed and have been sorting through photos.
  Stick with me here.
  Last month I mentioned that I wanted to give 5 of the new SCT sketch calendars away based on the participants in the October sketch.  I asked my hubby to throw out 5 numbers under 30, and the lucky girls are:
   #9 -  Andi#11 - Alison Day#13 - Ally#18 - theelfqueen#24 - Melanie
  and to reveal how completely whackadoodle the boy is, when asked why he chose what he did, 4 of the 5 are Nascar drivers.  Sorry ladies, lol!  #18 is because he just likes that number.  What a cheeseball.
  Email me girls!  I will be sending you calendars as soon as I get them!  It should be sometime this week!
  I am SO glad to have you participating in this challenge.  I'm so excited that some of the calendar winners are ladies who have been participating all year!  I wish there was something I could do to thank you all!
  As always with the Project 12 challenge....link a layout highlighting your month to this thread by December 20.  You can use the sketch, but you don't have to use it, nor do you have to create a 2 page layout.  Just document your life.Link your layout here and for a second chance at a fun prize sponsored by SCT magazine, email a link to your layout to ideas@scrapbookandcards.com.
  I'll see you with a layout in a few short days!
  Enjoy the process!  Davinie
• November 30, 2010
• 16:02

  My October and how I'm keeping track of Christmas.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  First things first.  October. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I got my thoughts and photos down on paper.  I used some fun bits from the Metropolitan kit from Studio Calico, some new star veneer shapes (LOVE these), and some MME from my stash for the base.  I'm really liking the change from kraft to patterned cardstock as the base, with kraft on top.  I'll probably do it next month too!
  
  Our family has nothing extra planned in December (although we are hoping for a lot of snow this year so we'll actually get to play in it!), so I am ahead of the game for my November layout.  I promise.  Boy, this challenge is sometimes super tough to fit in.
  
  I've already posted my layout on the SCT blog along with my winner (you need to check that out, Lisa Spiegel).  I'm going to announce the calendar winners tomorrow with my 12/1 post.  Good grief.  December.
  
  Moving on.
  
  For the past few years I've greatly admired Ali's December Daily album, and each year I give it a go, but it never pans out.  I am bound and determined to do it this year, and found a concept that finally works for me.
  
  I'm calling it "Until Christmas".  I bought these tags from Elle's Studio, but didn't intend to go until 12/31.  I just loved that each were different and they had a vintage feel.  I also really liked the color palette.
  
  The kids and I shopped for Christmas on Black Friday, and then Saturday night we had a Starlight holiday parade, so I really wanted to start my album before December 1.  When I saw that Friday was the 26th, I knew it was meant to be.  When all is said and done, I'll only have a lonely 31 tag from the package.  Maybe I can use it later on a New Year's layout!
  
  Another thing that has always held me back is my journaling.  If I have to make time every day to use the computer and print something out, I'll eventually get behind, and then I won't finish the album.  This year I'm embracing my handwriting, and doing this album like a daily journal, with memorabilia and photos thrown in.
  
  
  
  For my front and back cover I'm using an old Melissa Frances Bingo album.  The pages are super thick.  I've been saving this album for a long time.  At this point my plan is to use cardstock for the interior pages, but if the album needs it, I'll throw in another piece of chipboard. 
  
  I didn't like the cover I originally made, so for now I'm sticking with naked.  I do plan to call the album "Until Christmas 2010" when I have a chance though.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm trying to utilize my blue, green, and red stash for a bulk of the album.  What else is a person supposed to do with their stash?!  I have no interest in having this album published.  It is all for me.
  
  You can see I included random photos of what we are up to.  I also included a super cute note that Morgan and Payton made me.  I woke up Sunday morning to a picnic breakfast.  I love when they spoil me (and I'm not going to fret about this gold color with my blue green and red album either.  Not.  Going.  To.  Fret.  :)  ).
  
  This album is more than a holiday album to me.  It's almost along the same lines as Ali's week in the life.  I'm just documenting it all.  I think it'll be fun to look back on.
  
  In fact, last night my girls put up a small Christmas tree in their room, and at bedtime they told me that they had to sit in front of it, with their palms together, and say a little chant before bed to make their Christmas wishes.  It goes:
  
  Star light
  Star bright
  We are here
  To make a wish
  We close our eyes
  and then we start
  to make a wish
  with all our heart.
  
  And then you move your prayer hands in a circular motion towards the tree and say:
  
  Sparkle hearts.
  Amen.
  
  I mean seriously.  How cute is that!  And of course I wrote it down right away.  I kept saying it wrong, lol.  This is the fun stuff I want to remember.
  
  I don't see this album interfering with my plans for my Project 12 layout either.  It's like a P12 layout, only more detailed.  It's also an album that will be put out with the decor every December. 
  
  Let me know if you have any questions!  See you tomorrow!  Davinie
• 14:49

  crafTuesday - Holiday book share, and a reindeer face

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  In the past I never bought Christmas books.  I've always felt they were a bit silly in our bookcases during the rest of the year, and it took away from their meaning.  We have a Barney Halloween book that my kids had me read all the time and it got old reading about halloween candy and costumes in July.
  
  A couple of years ago my friend Nic shared a FUN idea involving Christmas books and I jumped on that wagon so hard I think I went to Goodwill the next day to forage through their stacks in order to get 24 books.
  
  
  
  It's an advent of sort.  Wrap 24 different Christmas books and put them in a basket.  Each night, my girls take turns and one of them chooses a package, unwraps it, and we read a Christmas book every night.  It takes the edge off the urge to open gifts under the tree, and is a fun alternative to something candy related in a calendar (although we have one of those too).  I just loved the idea.
  
  Some favorites that we've added to the stack are:
  
  Merry Christmas, Splat (Splat the Cat) - Have you ever read the Splat books?  The artwork is fun, the message is heartworming, and they are funny books too. 
  
  The Poky Little Puppy's First Christmas (Little Golden Book) - Who doesn't love the Poky Little Puppy?
  
  
  How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - Of course. 
  
  My aunt bought the girls The Night Before Christmas Pop-up when Morgan was a baby and that's a fun one to set aside for Christmas Eve, outside the gift book box, simply because of it's fragility. 
  
  The Polar Express - Of course
  
  Mooseltoe - A moose with a big mustache.  Of course there's pandemonium around the holidays. 
  
  
  Russell's Christmas Magic - I'm a huge fan of the artwork in this one.  Russell has other books and they are all fun.
  
  A Pirate's Night Before Christmas - this one is a TON of fun to read. 
  
  Walt Disney's Mickey's Christmas Carol (Big Golden Book) - reading the Christmas Carol in some form is always a must because of the message it gives.
  
  
  The last one I wanted to share was Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas.  We are huge Nancy fans at this house and have all her other books.
  
  
  Doing this project every year has certainly changed the way I feel about holiday themed books.  I look for new books to update the stack all the time, with the intention of keeping the 24 best that are appropriate at the time (for example, we are done with touch and feel and those pop up style books).
  
  After the holidays, the books are tucked away with the Christmas decorations, that way they are fresh again the following year.  So far, my girls have loved the tradition.
  
  I didn't want to end this post without a fun holiday craft project to share.  This particular project was made with a an almost 2 year old Payton's foot and handprint. 
  
  The first time I was inspired to make this I was watching TV and I saw a little reindeer on the fridge in the background during a commercial.  It goes to show you can find inspiration everywhere.
  
  Simple trace each hand on a piece of brown cardstock.  Trim them out.
  Trace a foot on a piece of light brown cardstock.
  Put them together with a red circle and some google eyes, and voila:
  
  
  
  I love my reindeer.  I bring him out each year for Christmas decor.  Something like this would be really use to do for Grandparents, and what a precious keepsake.  Kid feet certainly grow fast!
  
  Have a great night!  Back in just a minute with my Project 12 for October and my December Daily, of sorts.
  
  
• November 27, 2010
• 21:00

  Metropolitan, Studio Calico's December kit

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Hi there!  The site is live with reserve kits so if you missed your chance this morning, now is the time to head to Studio Calico.
  
  This is what I came up with this month:
  
  
  Polar Express was made entirely with Park Bench.  If you are interested in this add-on, get to SC fast as I know it was the first to sell out this morning.  As I mentioned on my last post, I'm in love with these kraft doilies.  I loved that I could turn them into snowflake like embellishments for this layout about our trip to the Polar Express last year.
  
  
  
  
  I really like how this one turned out.  I have to say...  I wasn't a fan of any of the photos I took from this adventure, but it was something I really needed to document.  With that in mind, I reduced the size on my photos, made some of them black and white, made sure to get in all the people who were with us that day, and got them all on a layout.
  
  Speaking of which....  we went to the Polar Express in Hood River.  The only thing I will say is this....  to each their own.  I have friends who loved it.  My kids thought it was a fine time.  But the weather was miserable, it was raining really hard, we ended up in the ghetto car, Santa needed a new suit, etc etc.  The video they share on the site looks lovely, but that's not the car we were on.  It might have been more fun if we'd had a table to set our hot chocolate on.  We just had benches.  So if you loved it?  Great.  But I'm saving my $300+ for something else this year, lol.  So if you plan to attend, my advice would be to map out the cars to know which one you want, if you have a choice.  That might make a difference.
  
  Back to the layouts.  Next up:
  
  
  
  I sprayed and splattered white mist and then used JBS Stick Candy ink with the stamp from Front Porch on my kraft cardstock, and then turned it into this layout about our Christmas Tree hunt last year:
  
  
  
  
  I'm surprised with how much I loved these fun AC Bones alphas from the Mass Transit add-on.  I love how fun and funky they are, the perfect green (Christmas was misted with Applejack). 
  
  
  
  And I played with the new week stamps from the main kit for this one about Morgan and homework:
  
  
  
  
  
  The patterns I chose were a wee bit too busy for the stamps on this one, now that I look back.  I just really wanted to use that custom Sass paper with my photos, and I liked the print in relation to the subject, for the other. 
  
  I also made a card this month:
  
  
  
  This card came together in just a few minutes after I decided I wanted to use that border sticker on one patterned paper and have another print below it.  Easy peasy.
  
  I shared my Toothless layout on my last blog post.  Right now I'm working with the KI Memories pocket papers and will have something to share from the tooth fairy soon.
  
  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  Davinie
• 9:00

  Metro Love - we are go for launch

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's 9am PST and that means it's time to put your fingers to the keyboard and head to Studio Calico for your kit and add-ons.  Good luck!
  
  My last couple of posts have had sneaks but this morning, I wanted to share the layout I made last night with the November kit.  I was going to move on to other assignments, but I simply can't buy a kit and three add-ons, do 3 layouts and a card, and move on to the next thing.  My stash can't handle it.  I'll post it here....  I'm going to try REALLY hard to only get one add-on with January's kit.  I haven't seen anything yet, have a feeling it'll be hard to do, but seriously.  I'm drowning in product here.
  
  Anyway.....  my layout:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I added purple mist to my butterflies, and the Jett alphas with JBS Stick Candy ink for my stamps.  Flowers and butterflies don't really go with a story about teeth, so I wanted to use the SC number paper and the word 4 to go with the story about the 4 front teeth she lost. 
  
  
  And as promised, the story.  It's long, but I must document the event:
  
  This summer we went to the Silverwood Theme Park in Couer D'Alene Idaho.  We pulled into the park and were waiting in line to pay to park when we became overwhelmed with the smell of diesel.  Lo and behold, it was our truck, and before we could zip through and pay and get to our parking spot, I'm sure we dropped at least $20 in fuel all over the parking lot (we sincerely apologize to those surrounding us at the time, lol).
  
  Steve stayed with the truck to wait for the tow, and the rest of us headed into the park. 
  
  Fast forward about an hour.
  
  We decided to do the water park first.  It is hard to juggle a lot of people, so I eventually took charge and just left them behind so that my kids could play.  And we were doing exactly that.  Morgan was toodling around a kiddie area with slides and this big bucket of water, and I decided I could get some really fun water shots, so got out of my lawn chair to head back to the lockers to get out my Canon when I heard my name, turned around, and my sweet girl came towards me, crying, blood in her mouth.  I had no idea what happened.  I tagged Grandma to watch Payton, and then took her to the bathroom to clean her up.
  
  Long story short, her upper lip swelled up a couple times it's size, but she wasn't bleeding and no teeth were lost.  Steve finally walked in at about the time I exited the EMT room with Morgan and a bag of ice.
  
  We managed to have fun the rest of the day.  Morgan earns a serious gold star here because she didn't take any kind of medication but she was bonked hard and still managed to play.  It turns out there were two little water slides next to each other and she thought it would be fun to sit between them so that when people went down she'd get splashed.  She was climbing up the slide when someone decided to go down it and accidentally kicked her right in the mouth.  oh my.
  
  The next day her lips were purple and so were her gums, but everything else still seemed fine.
  
  (oh, and our truck had some sort of gasket blow or something, lol.  We had it towed and then split our family between the two cars left (there were exactly 4 seats available, amazingly), and then picked it up at the dealership the day before we headed home to Oregon).
  
  Fast forward to Labor Day weekend.  My family was visiting and my sister Alyca approached me and said she thought one of Morgan's teeth looked gray.  After checking it out I agreed, one did look a tinge dark, so I made a dental appointment and then felt like a heel for not noticing myself.
  
  We went in, the hygenist took some x-rays and said she thought things looked fine, but when the dentist checked them out, he pulled me in and said he could see infection draining outside the two front teeth so he wanted to take them out, because he didn't want any infection affecting the two permanent teeth he could see in the x-ray above them.  And then he said that the two front teeth coming in were rather large, and because they'd push out the two teeth on either side, he wanted to pull all four front teeth.
  
  Insert internal panic attack....
  
  My sweet girl, who has not had so much as a wiggle, must now lose 4 front teeth?  This small child, who was pulled out of school after lunch and fully expected to waltz back to class before school was over and then take the bus home?
  
  I immediately phoned Steve in a panic, but after discussing things more we decided to go through with it.
  
  Morgan didn't know what was going on.... and they didn't tell her.  But while she didn't know the specifics, she certainly knew *something* was going on, and I swear to pete, I seriously had to contain myself.  I was so nervous and scared for her.  She looked so small on that chair and I have a lineup of scary stories from when I went through dental and orthodontia work as a child.  I think I had 8 teeth removed over time.  I know I seem melodramatic here but no mama likes to see her baby in pain. 
  
  They used the gas but she was getting nervous and started crying but was breathing through her mouth which made me scared she wasn't going to get enough meds.  I held her hand and was rubbing her palms but then I was worried she'd know I was worried.  It was a nightmare, lol.  I left the room and went to the bathroom 3 times, I think.  I facebooked a couple of times, trying to distract myself. 
  
  Dentists have changed so much though.  She had no idea she got a shot.  She never saw a needle.  And later, while she'd say she wanted to go home, wanted him to stop, etc etc, the dentist always looked over to me and pointed out that while she was saying these things, she wasn't actually fighting him, because her arms and legs were both relaxed.
  
  When we finally revealed that she'd just had 4 teeth removed and handed her the two little plastic treasure chests (because they were so big that they didn't fit in just one, for pete's sake!), she was really excited.
  
  Mom immediately took her to the store for the unicorn Pillow Pet she'd been coveting, lol.  I felt so bad.  And then we called school and told them she wasn't going to be back.  ha!
  
  So there.  I have a great story on the tooth fairy too, it was like scrapbooker heaven, but I am still trying to locate all the memorabilia for that one.  Oh, the letters.  And the card....  oh my.  Wait until you see.
  
  And that's it!  I'll be back tonight with more layouts!  Davinie
• November 26, 2010
• 16:13

  Metro Sneaks

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I bet you've been wondering where the heck my sneaks are.  Truth be told, I've been wondering myself, lol.  I took my kit with me to the beach with every intention of scrapbooking, and I did, but we were staying in a very old house that had no overhead lighting, the days were dark and dreary, and it takes a special kind of inspiration to scrapbook by candlelight.  That said, I finished my projects and have sneaks to share.
  
  As I mentioned, I bought Park Bench, Busy Sidewalks, and Mass Transit.  Check out my sneaks:
  
  
  
  White mist and Stick Candy were the inks of choice for my cardstock on this one.  I used Applejack on my chipboard which matched the alphas in Mass Transit perfectly.  The snowflake stamp and the kraft doilies come from Busy Sidewalks. 
  I have another sneak using that add-on in particular on this post.
  I'm actually working on another layout right now and hope to have it to share in the morning.  I adore the color palette from this kit.  I adore all the products too.  The kraft doilies in Busy Sidewalks is one of my new favorite things. 
  Have a great night!  And don't forget......
  
  
  
  There are several good deals left.  Did you see the Addy alpha stamps for $4.50?  whoa.  I also saw that my favorite SC paper to date, this one from Homefront, is on sale for 21 cents.  It also compliments the Decemberk it perfectly, if I do say so.  The Anthology alpha stickers too.  That might be an option if you want to beef up the main kit but can't afford an add-on this month. 
  I should note that if you can order as many times as you want between now and the 3rd and you will only be charged shipping once.  It will be charged on the first order you place and then the computer system will adjust based on your username at the time it actually posts charges.  This is the case for SC subscribers as well.  One shipping charge.  Not to enable you or anything.....  :)
  See you in the morning!  Davinie
• November 19, 2010
• 16:37

  Beach Love - Back in time

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Well shoot.  I was trying to schedule this for the AM and hit post by accident.  lol.
  
  As you are reading this, we are toodling along on our way North to pick up my mama in Portland and then head to the Southern Washington coast for our annual winter gathering.
  
  This gathering started as a way to get all 4 kids together with my mama for Christmas, and it's become a fun tradition our family looks forward to every year.
  
  Thinking about it inspired me to look through my digital archives and I wanted to share some of our beach history.
  
  2004:
  
  
  My baby!  Morgan was 10.5 months old here.  She took her first real steps in the rental house.
  
  
  We stayed on the Northern Oregon Coast this year. 
  
  2005:
  
  
  We were in Twin Rocks this year (would you have figured that out with this photo?  heee).  I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Payton.  Morgan was such a ham.
  
  2006:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Oh my.  Payton was about 6 months old and barely sitting up on her own, if I remember right, and my chipmunk cheeked girl was 2.5. 
  
  
  
  
  
  I could have another baby right now.  Look at her...  oh dear.
  
  We were in Lincoln City that year.  I liked this house and the beach was nice too. 
  
  2007:
  
  
  
  
  This year was a bit of a bummer.  There was a huge storm and flooding so we didn't have access to the beach that year.  We had no power at the beach house either (we were going to go back to that Lincoln City house), so everyone came to Bend and we stayed at Steve's parent's house.  It's big enough and they were out of town.  We still had a great time even though a couple of us didn't have to travel very far.
  
  2008:
  
  
  
  
  We were back at the beach this year.  Oregon Coast.  This was the year of the gingerbread house.  My sister Alyca was able to coordinate 4 kids 4 and under to make a gingerbread house and they had a blast.
  
  It was also super super cold that year and the kids didn't believe we were at the beach because the house was a block or so from the beach.  So we bundled them up and took them down there, spending approximately 10 minutes before we all turned to popsicles and headed back to the house.  But we had our proof!
  
  2009:
  
  
  
  
  
  Last year we tried something new and went to the Southern Washington coast.  The weather was nice and we had a great time.  This was the year that Lilly joined us.  SO excited to get to hang out with her this year too.
  
  This year we are headed back to Washington to try a different house from the same vacation rental agency.  We just have a big group and need a big space.  I'm looking forward to it!
  Note to self:  Wear mascara.  Davinie, you are on vacation, but for pete's sake, there are camera's around.
  There is supposed to be some ugly weather on the pass.  I'm not worried as I have my hubby to take care of us, but wish us well!
  I will be home on Wednesday but in the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!  Davinie
  P.S.  The deadline for Project 12 was today.  I blame my photo printer.  I really wanted to have something to share. 
• November 18, 2010
• 9:42

  Chaos and a sneak

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  CKC Seattle was a success!  I had a lot of fun in my classes and had a blast with my sweet friend Joy.  We don't have Container Stores and Paper Source in my neck of the woods, so she took me on the Bellevue tour while my sister finished up a couple of classes she was taking, and then we gorged ourselves at Chipotle and didn't complain one bit.  LOVE YOU JOY.
  
  I was worried about the pass, but the snow came and went just for my trip. 
  
  Being worried about traveling alone and getting bored, I got an audiobook and I have to say....  I'm a weeeee bit obsessed with it.  I may or may not be plugged in to an Ipod with it streaming in my ear right now. 
  
   The Hunger Games Trilogy: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay
  
  
  These aren't books I would normally search out, but they are so well written I can't stop listening.  Normally I don't do audiobooks at all, but in addition to the compelling story, it also sounds like Mrs Wilber, Payton's preschool teacher, is reading them to me, and that just makes me all warm and fuzzy.
  
  If you are looking for a gift for a teen, and they haven't already devoured these, I highly highly recommend them.  Get all three though.  They keep ending in a cliffhanger so I can't stop until the end, and I'm just crossing my fingers that the story wraps up at that point or I don't know what I'll do with myself, lol.
  
  As far as crafting goes, I've been having some major printer issues, the quality has NOT been good, but when I contacted Epson about my Photo 1400 they indicated it needed to go in for service.  The two qualified to do so are in Portland, though, and that's 3 hours away.  SO I've been franctically sending my odd sized photos to various 1 hour developers, and haven't been happy with a thing yet.  I tried Walgreens, Fred Meyer, and the best so far has been Costco but I'm still not happy with them.  I don't have time to wait for Scrapbookpictures.com or one of those sites, so I have been pulling my hair out.  We bought my MIL a portable HP printer for Christmas a couple of years ago (she LOVES it, another gift idea for mom and dad) and she brought it over yesterday, but it's printing everything pink.  So.....  in a bit I'm going to spend $30 on a new ink cartridge and see if I can make it work.
  
  It's putting a big hitch in my Studio Calico and Project 12 AND scrapbooking in general, for pete's sake.  It's like losing an appendage!
  
  I did get something done when my kit first arrived but it must not have been slideshow worthy.  I Love love the layout, though, and wanted to share a sneak today:
  
  
  This was made entirely from the Busy Sidewalks add-on.  Check back on reveal day to see the whole enchilada.  And in case you are wondering, I got three of four add-ons this month.  The only one I didn't pick up was Holiday lights.  I don't normally take a lot of Christmas photos and figured I could make the other products work for Christmas themed layouts if I wanted to do so.  That said, this add-on does come with what will be a coveted stamp (you do have this punch, right?)!
  
  I'm hoping to be back soon with a sneak or at least my Project 12 layout, but my family is trudging back over the hill on Saturday for my annual family gathering.  Because our kids are getting older and we have to take their school schedules into consideration, our Christmas gathering has been moved back to just before Thanksgiving.  We leave on Saturday and will be home from Wednesday.
  
  Take care!  Davinie
• November 11, 2010
• 20:39

  Sketched: Wicked

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  Tags:  sketched   [edit]

  Oh, I know I promised a layout with my Crate tag, and I have it sitting right here.  It's just not quite done yet and I am a bit overwhelmed this week, so it'll have to wait.
  
  Steve is off in the hills, elk hunting and trudging through snow with his buddies, and I am headed to CKC Seattle tomorrow morning, so I have been preoccupied with my to do list and my girls to wrap my brain around too much craftiness.
  
  That said, I actually have a layout to share today.  I made it last week.  I was rummaging through a box of memorabilia and stumbled upon a theater ticket stub.  I then remembered I had the playbill in another room.  Because I also knew a photo had been taken to further document the event, I figured it was high time a layout was made before any piece was lost.
  
  
  This is my sister and I last fall when we visited her in Seattle.  She and I went to see the theatrical production of Wicked at the Paramount Theater.  If [www.broadwayacrossamerica.com]   come to your neck of the woods and you have a choice, I would highly HIGHLY recommend seeing this show.  I am a theater lover, and this is by far my favorite show to date.  I thought the story was brilliant (It has to do with the Wizard of Oz, in case you didn't know).  SO good.
  We were standing outside the theater and for some reason I had my camera (I don't normally tote it everywhere).  A fellow patron snapped this shot before we crossed the street.  I love that it included the marquee in the background!
  I purchase the official playbill but I always bring home the free one you get at the theater too.  The cover worked really well as a design element on this layout.  Here's some closeups:
  
  
  I didn't want to layer anything over the fun cover, so I decided on a block type pattern for this layout.
  
  
  I'm happy I still had the ticket to document the date.  It's also nice to have so I can remember my seat for future performances (we were next to the aisle and fairly happy with these, but obviously, I'd love to be several rows closer if I could).
  
  
  I also made use of my label punch.  I love layering them in a row like that.
  
  
  Wicked supplies:
  Bazzill kraft cardstock
  Jillibean Soup patterned paper (purple)
  Crate Paper Snow Days patterned papers / brad
  Basic Grey patterned paper (white basics pack)
  Cosmo Cricket chipboard alphas
  EK Success label punch
  Modern #20 font
  machine stitching
  
  
  Another thing I want to try is to include sketches when I can. My work is fairly clean and linear, which makes for a good sketch, I think. I need baby steps before doing anything fancy anyway. I tried, but couldn't figure out how to make a scallop to save my life, lol. Here's the sketch:
  
  
  
  
  
  Please let me know if something like this interests you!  I had a bit of fun making this one, simple as it may be.
  
  Have a great night!  Davinie
• November 09, 2010
• 10:15

  crafTuesday - paper plate owl

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  Payton and I are back on the craftwagon.  Because she's 4, there really is no excuse not to come up with some sort of craft project for her.  4 year olds are fairly easy to please.
  
  I decided because it was November and still fall, it would be fun to break out the paper plates again, and this time, go for an owl.  We haven't done that one before. 
  
  This is what we came up with:
  
  
  And these are our supplies:
  
  
  Paper plate
  brown cardstock
  black cardstock
  white cardstock
  leaves
  glue
  scissors
  paint (optional)
  
  And here's my little cutie, hard at work (she sits on her knees like her dad, toes overlapped).
  
  
  
  Because I wanted this project to take a little while and give her plenty of time to get her hands dirty, I suggested she paint her paper plate the color of an owl.
  
  She said it should be rainbow.  Who am I to judge?  I'm seeing a little trend here.... 
  Rainbow it is. 
  
  
  
  After we finished painting it was time to adhere the owls feathers.
  I had originally intended to get fuzzy colorful feathers at the craft store but couldn't find any.   Then I was going to buy fake leaves.  And then I had a reality check and remembered I have leaves in abundance, for free, all over my neighborhood, so saved a couple of dollars.
  For scissor practice, I had her snip the stems.
  
  
  And then we worked on moderation, and I had her glue her "feathers" all over her owl body.
  Notice the white plate?  As soon as she realized her rainbow was going be covered with feathers she wanted none of it, so we set aside the rainbow plate for a fresh one.  *maybe* if she'd gone with the fall tones I had originally suggested, she wouldn't have had an issue.  But then again, she also told me that snow owls were white, so she didn't need to paint her plate.
  
  Smart chicky, that one.
  
  
  After the plate was covered with leaves, it was time to adhere the details.
  I trimmed large black circles, and then smaller white circles for the eyes.  I couldn't find my big bag of google eyes, so I had her color the eyes.  She chose blue, just like hers.
  I then trimmed a triangle for the beak, and trimmed a 4 inch square on the diagonal for the wings, and two 2 inch squares on the diagonal for the ears and feet.
  
  Adhere, and then you have your owl:
  
  
  Payton had some different ideas on how these triangles should be adhered, but I had my way for the most part (although I did negotiate a bit on the ears.I would have turned them to the left once more).
  
  After we were finished Payton's eyes lit up and she said she knew exactly what to do with her rainbow plate, and immediately trimmed a heart out of it.  Then she adhered it to one of the owls wings.
  
  
  
  
  I'm not sure how we are going to hang this one up, but you certainly can't argue with the cute factor here, can you?  My kids blow me away on a daily basis with their creativity.  Love that.
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• November 08, 2010
• 5:00

  Crate Love - Autumn Blog Hop

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  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  Good Morning!  Today I'm happy to hop with you for the Autumn Blog Hop with Crate Paper.  If you are here then you are in search of a special letter.  After you have it, head back to the Crate Paper blog for directions to the next destination.  Once you have your letters, unscramble them to spell a special phrase.  Once you have your phrase, send it in an email to info@cratepaper.com and you'll be entered in for the blog hop prize, which is a $100 gift certificate to [www.scrapbook.com] - think of all the product you could pick up with $100!
  
  First, though, as part of the hop I wanted to share a tag I made with some of Crate Paper's current product, the Snow Day line.
  
  
  
  I was inspired by this piece of paper, the Mittens pattern:
  
  
  
  If you are familiar with my work you know I have a huge crush on scallops, so I decided to clean up my stash and trim several scallops in different prints with different punches to create my tag.  I just layed them out, adhered them, and then trimmed the excess.  Afterwards I embelished it with the snowflake, brad and some sentiment rubons. 
  
  
  
  
  And if you are familiar with my work, you also know I stitch on everything.  I just like the finished look.  Working with a tag was fun because it provided a small space for a lot of fun and details. 
  
  Check back tomorrow and I'll share my tag on a layout. 
  
  Now that you've seen the tag and picked up the letter (mine is on my sidebar, in case you missed it,  :)  ), head back to the Crate Paper blog to find your next destination. 
  
  Have fun with the blog hop and have a great day!  Davinie
• November 03, 2010
• 8:07

  Crate Love - Family Carving Night

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Happy Wednesday to you!
  
  I just wanted to send you to the Scrapbook and Cards blog today.  I'm hosting the blog this week and shared this layout and the process.  I used the Restoration line for some pumpkin carving photos.
  
  Go HERE to see that post. 
  
  
  
  
  As always, click on the layout to see it larger.
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• November 01, 2010
• 16:56

  Project 12 October in November

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Happy November, Happy Fall!  I have a delicious holiday latte from Starbucks in hand and am ready to face the holiday season.  Halloween with my kiddos was a blast!  I hope you had a great day!
  
  My sweet friend Scarlet has challenged readers with "30 days of Gratitude".  What great timing to reflect on what you have and who you are and what you can be grateful for.  I hope you'll check out her blog and play along. 
  
  Me?  Today I am thankful for everyone who has carried on and played with me this year.  It has been fun peeking into your lives and your creative process and being inspired by you.  THANK YOU. 
  Moving along to the challenge, I have a couple of inspiring layouts to share that were submitted in October.  First up is my favorite favorite favorite layout of the month.  We all know and love her...  it's Shelly J, of course:
  
  
  I could go on and on about each detail, every month, but I'll just summarize it with this:  EYE CANDY. 
  
  I also adore this one from consistent contributor Jen:
  
  
  I'm a huge fan of the red base for the journaling box, as well as that super cool red stitching.  LOVE.
  Lastly, I wanted to share this one from Vanessa:
  
  
  I thought this layout was really interesting this month.  No photos.  Not a single one, yet she followed the sketch.  I adore Indie Girl from Sassafras, and what a great way to showcase the product!  Combined with all the other layouts she's created this year, her September layout is going to fit in just fine in her albums, and it still tells her story.  Very cool indeed.
  On to the October sketch:
  
  
   I think is the perfect sketch for October!  Halloween, the pumpkin patch...  it's all going to look great on this layout.  I can't wait to get started.
  As always, if you link your layout here by the 20th, you'll be entered for a prize.  But I wanted to up the ante this month with something I'm really honored to be part of:
  If you've visited the SCT blog today you may have noticed a great collaboration between SCT and 14 designers in the industry to make a calendar.  I am so lucky to have been asked to contribute!  I'm lucky September!  I can tell you that this calendar is fabulous, worth every penny, doubles as an idea book, is a great place to keep track of the Project 12 challenge....  and that I want to give a few of them away! 
  In addition to being entered in the monthly prize from SCT...  5, count that.  FIVE lucky readers will win a calendar from me.  I am so honored to have had your support over the year.
  So.  Play with me this month.  Create a layout for Project 12.  Comment on this post linking your layout.  And then you might win something!
  Have a great month!  Davinie
• October 29, 2010
• 12:20

  CKC Seattle - Masking and Misting with Studio Calico

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  It's that time again!  Studio Calico and the CKC event have landed back in the Pacific Northwest.  In February I made the trek to Portland to teach at that event and had a lot of fun.  The kit boxes have landed on my doorstep, and I'm now gearing up to trek even further North and make may way to Pottery Barn, Bellevue, and the CKC Seattle Event.
  
  
  This is your last weekend to register for CKC Seattle!  The event takes place November 11-13.  I will be teaching on Friday evening as well as two classes on Saturday the 13th. 
  Please check out this blog post from my February visit for details on picture sizes and some of the product you'll be using in class.  I should tell you that since that February class, several other CKC events have taken place, and I have a lot of fun examples from other designers for your layouts, so be prepared to have fun, learn a new technique, and bring home two finished layouts!
  
  
  ALSO.  Take note of this.  I was opening my boxes to make sure everything was there, I'm a double checker....  and stumbled upon a couple of boxes:
  
  
  If you are a subscriber at Studio Calico, you may be familiar with the packaging in this blurry photo.  And the answer is YES.  Those are kits and add-ons.  And I am to GIVE them away during class.  Can you believe it?
  After opening these boxes I immediately emailed April.  I thought in her pregnant nesting phase she may have gotten carried away with her tape dispenser and sent me far more than intended.  She confirmed that yes, these were to be given away to our class participants.
  
  
  There is a ton of product in these boxes.  That means that not only will you get a crop bag full of fun class supplies, chances are you will walk out with additional product to add to your stash, and some of it may include kits and add-ons from SC. 
  Sign up!  Class sizes are limited, I only have so many kits, so please come spend the weekend with me in Seattle.
  Head to www.ckscrapbookevents.com/seattle to register.  If you register online you will also receive free vendor faire passes, (I think these cost about $8 at the door).  I have code SEAT1003A on the flier I was sent.  I don't know if you need that to get the free vendor faire pass or not, but there you have it, just in case.
  I'm going to be honest now and share the weee bit of nervousness I feel.  I just need to get it out.  I live in Central Oregon and there is a great big Cascade Range in between me and Seattle.  Normally it takes me about three hours over the mountain to get to Portland, and then another 3 hours to get to the Seattle area.  HOWEVER....  a few days ago it SNOWED on my fair city which has me all nervous about the weather in a couple of weeks.  Don't worry about me, I drive a gas guzzling SUV with 4 wheel drive, but ack.  If it's 6 hours on a fast day, how much longer is it going to take me to get to Pottery Barn there!  I'm going to get bored!  So, if you have any suggestions for books on tape that'll thrill and entertain during my journey, please share. 
  And chime in here if you've already registered! 
  Have a great weekend!  Davinie
• October 27, 2010
• 22:11

  Studio Calico November - Napa Valley

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I'm anxious to share what I created for the DT gallery at Studio Calico this month.  Anxious because after I do so, I can get back to my kit, where I have more projects in the works.  October was such a crazy month and I can't wait to share what else I've been up to, but let's talk 12x12's and 8.5x11's, shall we?
  
  
  This is the first layout I made this month.  And check it out...  except for the base paper, there's not patterned paper here.  Just photos and some embellies.  That great big journaling spot came from the Marjolaine chip pieces in the shop. 
  
  
  
  I really liked how the photos and the brown butterflies popped off the page.  I'm not a bling person, but I had fun with the MM bling strip too (it's part of that ribbon package in the Sonoma add-on).  The base paper , corrugated alphas, and the flowers are from the Mendocino add-on. 
  
  
  
  This next one isn't full of amazing technique, but they are photos I wanted to remember and a story I wanted to tell, so I'm happy to have done so.
  
  I had my neice and nephew for the day, and there was a point when I was sitting in my house, listening to them play outside, and thought about how lucky I am to live where we do.  We have a couple of acres outside of town, and the kids were all over the place, exploring.  In fact, we had this tree in our pasture that had these odd pieces of fruit that never ripened.  We didn't know what they were.  There are several non-native trees planted here so we figured it was something that was having a hard time in our climate.  Maybe a plum?  Turns out....  we have a great big walnut tree.  This year it had a zillion walnuts on it for the first time ( last year, I think there were 3) and it became an expedition for the kids to pick them all and sort them out.  So fun.
  Anyway, my girls are lucky to have cousins who live so close.  They are thick as thieves.  They like to fight over who is friends with whom, but in the end, they are there for each other and I think it's so cool.  It's also cool that Kael, who's the youngest by a few months, is a tank.  I feel so much better knowing we have a moose of a boy to protect all these blondies when they grow up.
  
  
  I did have fun with the banner stamp (from the Sonoma add-on) and put it on it's side as a fun detail on this layout.  I was hoping it would even match up with the zig zag punch, but no luck.  That said, they look good together! 
  
  
  
  This is my favorite layout of the month.  It has that lagoon cardstock that I covet, as well as the SC patterned paper.  Seriously.  GET MORE.  I adore both sides.  It is great for fall layouts, it is great for summer layouts (for my friends down under).  That bike print on grey is heavenly.  That yellow with the polkadots.  ack!  Love it all.  Ordered more. 
  If you click that link, you'll see the opposing sides to this paper.  The yellow polkadot in my layout is the B side to the bike paper, and the stripes are the B side of that reddish paper.  YUM
  
  
  I just adore this photo of Morgan.  It was taken right after she lost her teeth on a fun fall day in our backyard.  Speaking of which, I'm almost finished with the layout about that backyard adventure AND I'm about finished with my layout about the dental adventure we had, so be patient.  I know you are waiting on pins and needles for the story of her mouth.  ha!
  P.S.  That super cool technique with the maple leafs is slated for a blog date in November.  I'll be sure to link you when it's up so you can see how I did that.
  Have a great day!  Let me know if you have any questions about anything I did here.
  
  Davinie
• 8:08

  TODAY~

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  I've noticed some confusion about reveal day....   but today is the day!  12pm EST, or 9am my time on the West Coast.  Check it out:
  
  
  Shop the Napa Valley kit here.  Mendoncino (I got this one).  Santa Cruz Monterey (I had most of this one because of the Crate)Sonoma (got this one!)
  More SC Paper (GET THIS)
  I also wanted to shout out to this little punch promotion here: 
  
  
  I used:
  zig zag
  postage edge
  
  I didn't use it but I also bought the himalayan snowflake for my December projects and my December Daily album, so that would be good to get with a coupon or two. 
  
  I also waffled BIG TIME on cloud punches, so put me out of my misery and buy them all.  I keep going back to those. 
  
  
  
  
  I used the Marjolane chip pieces on two of my three layouts, so I would definitely recommend those from the shop.  I already had the Crate chipboard so didn't order them, and because of that.... forgot to break them out this month!  ack!  But I've already hunted down lagoon cardstock to create more layouts, so you'll be seeing them on something soon.
  
  Don't forget those number stamps!  They coordinate well with the alphas in the main kit!
  
  And JBS ink.  I have already put 4 in my cart.  I have seen what they look like stamped and they are crisp and full of color so I need to build my stash!
  
  Happy Shopping!
  
  Davinie
• October 26, 2010
• 20:43

  crafTuesday - quick and easy Halloween treats

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  A quick trip to the Supercenter and the holiday treat aisle.....
  
  
  
  
  
  and Payton was set with Halloween goodness for her classmates.  She has a preschool party on Friday, and while treats aren't expected, it's always fun to have something to pass out.
  
  
  
  
  
  Thank you to Ali for creating free Halloween treat tags.  I printed 20.  1 for each kid in the class, Payton included of course, and two for the teachers.  I made it easy and printed these on Staples white cardstock. (Payton's favorites were those going pink as my printer ran out of ink, lol). 
  
  I then dug around my craft room for supplies suitable to crafting with a preschooler, and away we went.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  pumpkin stamp in the Harvest Moon add-on from Studio Calico. 
  I think this was the medium sized star punch (and THANK YOU to Fiskars for making squeezable punches that my 4 year old can wield herself).
  
  I just tied up my treats in a knot with the ribbon, and then looped the vampire teeth through and tied a bow around the tag, so that those stinkin teeth are easily reached by her classmates but the treat stays tied up.
  
  Payton signed the back of each card.
  
  done.
  
  I wasn't going to share this today, but I figure I'm not the only person putting these things together at the last minute, and there might be someone out there more desparate for inexpensive and easy ideas than I was.
  
  So enjoy!
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Go with the vampire teeth.  I wavered and almost picked up spider bouncy balls, plastic rats, bubbles, pencils, but these teeth have been a HUGE hit with my girls so I'm sure it'll make them quite popular come Friday.  :)
• 10:09

  Create a faux fabric edge on your scrapbook pages

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  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  
  Head over to the Club CK blog for contest #35 where you can learn how to make the scalloped faux fabric edge I used to create this layout: 
  
  
  
  
  There's sweet Lilly again, with her daddy, my great big little brother.  She came to visit last Spring and he tried to tell me she was fussy.  A sweeter girl I have yet to meet!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• October 25, 2010
• 15:22

  what else but sneaks?

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The problem with a creative hobby or a creative job is that you have to be in the right frame of mind to get something accomplished.  If you try to create when you aren't in the right frame of mind, there's a chance you'll hate what you made when you have a chance to look at it with fresh eyes later. 
  SO...  being extremely busy, and also very tired in the evenings lately, finding that right frame of mind was a struggle for me when it came to my November Studio Calico kit.
  In fact....  my sneaks for you today are late because I made all three layouts in my DT gallery on Saturday.  SATURDAY.  The deadline for the DT to turn in our work for the DT gallery slideshow was on Saturday.  And I made all of my layouts in one day.  One day.  One day people!  3 layouts in one day!  It's a record, I tell you. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I am a huge fan of two of my three layouts, but with the third, I am happy I got the random story told, so in the end, I am happy with everything I created.
  
  Now that I met the deadline, I feel more free, which has enabled me to keep that kit out and keep creating, so I will have more work to show you on reveal day that didn't make the gallery.  I am excited about that! 
  
  You know what else I'm excited about?  The color Lagoon:
  
  
  
  It's looking more green in this photo, but I'm telling you, this piece of cardstock MADE this kit for me.  I need to call Bazzill and order 25 more sheets.  To have this color mixed with the traditional fall color palette of browns and oranges was so divine.  Oh my. 
  April mentioned wanting to use this color previously but having it unavailable, so in addition to the add-on(s) of your choice, the first thing I'd recommend doing is dash over and see if it has been added to the MORE COLOR add-on for this kit.  Because it's heavenly.  And I'm going to email April right now and order some while placing my order for the December kit (and holy toledo, don't even get me starting on the divine display of December goodness I just witnessed!  I'm ordering it alllll!). 
  I have other things to share as well, but I see that we are closing in on reveal night here, for pete's sake, and I'd better share some sneaks before it's too late! 
  Before I go, I did want to give a quick Halloween foodie shoutout.  I was dashing through the aisles and stumbled upon the Pillsbury Halloween Funfetti Cookie mix, and had to buy it. 
  
  Cookie mix in a box is the easiest way to bake with the Divine Miss P when I'm trying to do a million other things at once and don't feel like mopping the kitchen floor after a flour disaster, and this was a tasty treat.  Morgan's going to be really excited about her festive snack when she gets home from school!
  The best part is that it looks festive with the funfetti sprinkles so it didn't need dressing up with frosting (although I bought two boxes and will be making frosting for the second batch later in the week). 
  Davinie
• October 20, 2010
• 19:02

  My September

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  It almost didn't happen.
  It's been a busy month but I'm the host, this is my challenge, my baby, so I made the time and worked out my layout.
  THEN I went to upload it to share, at the last minute, and see that blogger won't upload photos for 2 hours due to maintenance.
  So I had to wait.  Drummed my fingers here for a little while .... 
  In the meantime I smiled.  So many people were in the same boat as me this month and I have had several last minute links to the Project 12 post for this month.  I'm happy to see I'm not alone, and I hope you all have been having a great October!
  
  Eventually, I was able to share my layout.  This is what I came up with for our family's September adventures:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You'll notice I strayed from the usual kraft cardstock.  This is for two reasons.  1.  I knew I wanted to stamp those apples, and  needed something plain so they'd stand out.  2.  When you are asked to do the Designer challenge for SCT and are working with specific products, these products are requested for you from the manufacturer.  I needed a piece of Coredinations cardstock as part of my kit choices, but they can't send one piece of paper.  They have to send 25.  So I have a 25 pack of the brown Coredinations cardstock taking up space in my craft room, and I wanted to use some of it up. 
  
  I didn't take a lot of photos and I didn't think a lot had happened in September so I was happy with the sketch.  Lo and behold, when I finished my journaling spot it filled the whole page.  I love it when that happens.  Memories being recorded here!
  
  With the brown, red, and orange going on, I was worried the layout was becoming overwhelmed with fall, so I added some blue which I pulled from the stripes and used this color as the visual triangle to the layout with the flowers and strip of cardstock.  I pulled in a bit of the remaining summertime. 
  
  Supplies:
  Studio Calico's Elementary line
  Months stamps
  apple stamp from the Drafting table add-on  (which is full of Crate and still available!)
  
  
  And speaking of Studio Calico, 2peas is having a great big sale right now with free shipping for orders of $25 or more.  It goes until the 24th.  If it were me, I'd dash straight over there and load up my cart with all the Mister Huey's and veneer I could handle.  You don't want to argue with free shipping.  I haven't even had a chance to play with the veneer yet, but I have heard such great things!  So take advantage of that, okay? 
  
  Oh, and when you search in online stores, never search for Mr.  It's always Mister.  It's mist.  Of a different hue.  Get it?  Mister.  Huey.  They are so clever over there in Bowling Green Kentucky, aren't they?
  
  That's it for Project 12.  Back SOON with Studio Calico peeks as well as a couple of peeks at some Christmas projects I made for Scrapbook and Cards Today.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Have a Twitter account?  If you participate in Project 12 and tweet about it with the hashtag #Project12 you should know I'm on the lookout.  You never know when tweeting may lead to a little prize from me.  :)  This might be a way for those who don't upload their layouts to a gallery to have a chance at a prize too.  It will also give you a chance to meet other P12 participants. 
  
  Sometimes being really annoyed can lead to something fun.  This only happens in crafty situations.  I'm never this lucky when it comes to the kids.  ha!
• October 15, 2010
• 7:07

  Halloween, 2peas, and my spooks

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  I was honored and excited when I received an email from Jamie at 2peas asking if I wanted to participate in an upcoming event: 
  Recently 2peas had a Back to School event, but I was actually glad I was asked to create a Halloween layout.  I don't often take the time to make them, and I've been needing to.  It seems once November hits I am extremely busy with the holidays and other things, and holiday-type layouts get put on the backburner.
  With my layout, I decided to focus on my puppy Spot, and the Butterfly Fairy Princess, and go with Halloween, 2009:
  
  You might not be able to tell by the photo, but Payton put a great big purple spot on her "Spot" nametag, because she wanted people to know her name.  That sweet girl.  P.S.  Don't you love Old Navy costumes?  It gets cold at night here in Central Oregon, and it's so nice to have a costume they can wear all day and not have to cover up with a big coat.  I am so sad my girls are outgrowing them.
  
  I don't do Halloween layouts so I didn't have any Halloween product in my stash.  Lucky for me, I know where I can find a great mix of products, and dashed to Studio Calico for the Harvest Moon add-on, a recent addition to the Back 40 kit.  (and there's still a few left!!!!  GO!)
  
  I loved how non-themed this kit was, yet still included a couple of emebellishments to help tell my holiday story, namely the JBS chipboard buttons and the MM alphas. 
  For my polaroid photos, I stamped on the patterned paper, trimmed it, and then applied my photos on top. 
  
  A tip:
  I used the same black Stazon ink that I used to stamp the image on the edges of my photos to help them blend in with the stamps and stand out more.
  
  Something else I learned, and a valuable stamping tidbit to know?  Rubbing alcohol, but more importantly, the Magic Eraser....   takes Stazon ink off stamping blocks!  This may be old news to you, but learning this today has changed my life.  Who knows, maybe I'll stamp more now that I'll be able to see precisely what I'm doing!  :)  Seriously.  I was about to toss out a block and buy a new one.  I wish I could show you a before, but in the after, my block is completely clean.  In the before, it was almost completely covered in various black, fushia, and brown inks.  That magic eraser really is magic!  :)
  
  Anyway, be sure to check out the SpookCRAFTular event page here.  Several projects have already been shared but we are only halfway through the month.  There is still a lot of Halloween inspiration to come, including home decor ideas. 
  
  Before I go...  I wanted to share a Halloween 2010 preview:
  (taken with my Blackberry)
  You'll notice that someone has finally moved on from the butterfly fairy princess phase which has dominated our Halloweens the past 3-4 years.  Hot pink Batgirl it is. 
  I usually order them something from somewhere, but this year both girls got what they wanted a couple weeks ago at the local Supercenter.  Hooray for cheap.  I do need to find Payton some good cowgirl boots though.  That might get spendy unless a friend has some size 10's we can borrow....   Oh my.  The cheesiness is almost too adorable to handle.  Payton stood posed like that for a good 30 seconds.  It was totally planned by her.  Morgan? She slays me with her cheesy cuteness. 
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• October 10, 2010
• 11:54

  Cheap Entertainment

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  Tags:    [edit]

  What once was a brown paper bag with a November add-on kit from Studio Calico.... 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  has turned into a pinata providing fun and entertainment in the backyard for two little girls.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I swear, Morgan has more creativity in her pinkie finger than I do in my whole body.  She constantly amazes me. 
  
  I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!  Today is 10.10.10.  Document it!
  
  Davinie
• October 05, 2010
• 17:11

  crafTuesday - Paper Plate Sunflowers

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  Tags:  crafTuesday   [edit]

  I'm a huge fan of crafts for kids that involve paper plates.  I used to do them all the time with Morgan when she was little.  Paper plates can be purchased in bulk, are cheap, and are sturdy enough for a multitude of ideas.
  I have done a variation of this particular craft project before, but with the leaves startng to turn and Payton at 4 years old, I thought it would be a fun thing to break out for our craft time today. 
  Today we went through a couple different steps and techniques to make a sunflower to hang in her room.
  
  The cast of characters in our supply list:
  
  I couldn't find plain old sunflower seeds when shopping for this project, but I also didn't see the harm in having a snack, so bought some David's.  We ate, spat, and were happy, lol.
  
  You start by having them paint the back side of the paper plate.  Payton decided she wanted a rainbow sunflower. 
  
  While she was painting, I got started on the petals.  I trimmed leaves from both yellow and orange construction paper to give her a choice, but she wanted only yellow.  I'll save the orange for something else. 
  
  My girls are both really good with scissors so while the paint was drying, I gave her a few petals to cut out while I took care of the rest.  She would have lost all interest in the project if I had made her trim all of them.
  
  
  
  Once the petals were cut it was time to glue them to the edge of our plate. 
  
  Lastly was to much sunflower seeds and adhere some of them to the middle of the sunflower.  Be sure to keep the ones you intend to eat away from the glue and little fingers, lol.
  
  And voila!  When the glue dries on this project, perhaps next week sometime, we are going to hang this in her room.  She just informed that she wants her sunflower to also have a stem, and she'd like it to be purple.
  Alrighty then.  :)
  Have a great day!  Davinie 
• October 04, 2010
• 17:35

  Ready for Fall

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Yesterday afternoon the girls came dashing in from outside with a request that I help gather leaves for a great big leaf pile. We don't have any diciduous trees in our yard, but we do have several on the outside of the fence in the pasture area where the cows hang out. 
  
  I grabbed a bucket and helped them make a little pile, and they had a ball jumping and playing around in it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Do you notice anything.....  missing from my eldest child?  I have a harrowing and traumatizing story (for me anyway) to share about my baby and her 4 front teeth, but that shall be revealed once the layout is finished, lol. 
  
  I'll just say that we now think she's an even cuter now, and we ask her questions with answers that start with "s" just so we can hear her talk.  lol. 
  
  It was actually okay wearing jeans today.  I am SO ready for the fall weather.  Speaking of fall, I wanted to share a fall related layout I created for the fall issue from Scrapbook and Cards (available now). 
  
  
  
  
  
  I used some Crate Paper School Days with Studio Calico's Elementary line and my apple turned pumpkin punch from Fiskars, as well as that In Stitches punch that I adore.  That's Payton last year.  Isn't she adorable?  And there I am, curved title, yet again.  I can't help myself. 
  Tomorrow is Tuesday and I'm back on the CrafTuesday bandwagon.  Payton is home from 8:30-4:30 while Morgan is gone with nothing on the agenda, so unless I want to be subjected with the hula again, I need to come up with something else.
  See you then!  Davinie
• October 02, 2010
• 21:33

  Changes at SC equals good things for YOU.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Check it out.  Studio Calico's blog has a new home:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You want to get over there right now.  You really do.  There are some HUGE giveaways.  Check it out:
  [studiocalico.typepad.com]
  And since you now have Studio Calico on the brain, check out this great big sale that is for one day only:
  
  
  
  Still Life:  this add-on is gorgeous.  The AC tape didn't come in time for me to use it with my kit this month, but if the color palette hadn't sold me, that tape would have.  As would the fun buttons.
  
  Drafting Table:  Do I have to say anthing except Crate Paper?  What about those cute apple stamps I was tlaking about in this post?
  
  En Plein Air:  The Sassafras Mix and Mend line was a LOT of fun to work with this month, and I was actually surprised by that.  There's also that fun herringbone border stamp in this add-on.
  
  After you have checked out the shop and the new blog, be sure to head to the SCT blog for the WCMD post.  They are giving away a ton of SC products there, including Mister Huey and the Elementary Collection.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• October 01, 2010
• 23:59

  Happy World Cardmaking Day!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  Cards   [edit]

  Today is a holiday for all papercrafters.  World Cardmaking Day!  A day designated as a kick in the hiney for all holiday cardmaking, and an opportunity to get together with friends and spend your weekend getting your hands dirty.
  
  Check out the World Cardmaking Day website for challenges and fun.
  
  Check out Scrapbook and Cards Today!!!!  There you will find sketches, supplies, and instructions for 12 cards for each month of the year.  I was assigned September:
  
  
  
  Crate Paper's Restoration line here with some Cosmo Cricket birdies.  So cute! 
  
  Also Check out Studio Calico's celebration of this day.  There are challenges, a sketch, and opportunities for prizes there too.
  
  While you are there, be sure to check out the main kit if you haven't purchased it yet.  There has been a lot of interest in the main kit stamp, the polaroid, but policies have changed and Studio Calico will not be placing any future orders on stamps.  There are only a few available to be added to the shop in December, so if this is the stamp for you, your best bet is to get the main kit (which is gorgeous, by the way).   In addition to that stamp, I'm a huge fan of those Maya Road windows.  There are so many things you can do with them!  I used them as a window, and as a random shape for my layout. 
  
  This weekend I'm making a card or tow, and I'm thinking Christmas.  I have Christmas projects for SCT due soon, but I really really want to get a handle on a December Daily this year.  I have all the product picked out.  I just need to decide on an album and get it ready.  I've learned from previous experience that if I'm expected to make it as I go along, I will never get it finished.  December is too busy for that.
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• 20:37

  Project 12 September in October

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  It's that time again!  Time for the next sketch and challenge for Project 12.  But as always, first I wanted to point out some fun things I saw along the way amongst the submissions on my blog: 
  
  I loved this one from JimJams:
  
  
  
  You can immediately see how she was inspired by her patterned paper choice in her take on the sketch.  I really really like the circle element.  I also like how she punched her punched circles with that fun new swiss cheese border punch.  LOVE the texture it gave to the design. 
  
  It reminded me of a recent gallery layout I saw at Studio Calico using a fun border punch:
  
  
  
  Jen
  
  I am seriously digging that vertical row of circles.  Call me inspired.  You'll be seeing it on a layout soon.  (Jen tells me that she used a Quickutz border die here).  I just love what punches can do for a layout!    :)
  
  I loved the color palette and am so glad Jill saved her tree for this layout:
  
  
  
  I'm especially digging the placement of the black polkadot border here.  I'm so glad you are joining the challenge, Jill!  It's never too late to record your history.  You don't have to wait until 1/1 to start.
  
  
  Lastly is this one from Karen.  I love how she arranged the letters for her month, how she added in an extra photo on page two, and I adore that cute tree.  I also really like her color choices for the patterned papers.  I love how she chose that pink strip on the far right to balance out the color from her pink journaling strip. 
  Keep it up!  The year is almost finished.  Here is the next sketch:
  
  
  
  I'm diggin the change with the horizontal photos on this sketch.  I might have to break these up and put in more photos, but I guess I'll have to go through my photo files.
  As always, link your layouts by the 20th of the month if you want to be entered in for the prize!  And be sure to link your layouts to the SCT thread if you want two chances.  As always, you can email your layout to ideas@scrapbookandcards.com and you'll be added to the Facebook album.  Oh, and another thing.  Please email me if you have won a prize in a previous month but have not received it yet. 
  Have a great October!  Morgan has already made up a countdown calendar to Halloween.  Oh boy.
  
  Davinie
• September 29, 2010
• 8:50

  Halloween preview and a bit of my scraproom

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  First, thank you!  Thank you for your kind comments about my work.  It means a lot to me to know that I'm doing something that inspire someone else, while also telling our story.  I often worry that I'm old news at Studio Calico as I've been on the team since 2007.  I'm glad to see that my work is growing with my kids.  So thank you! 
  
  I was over the moon honored and completely freaked out when Cindy from the Cartwheels in my Mind blog emailed a month or so ago to ask if I'd be willing to share my craft space.  I've never shared my craft space before!  I am renovating!  We bought this house and kept our first house, which means we didn't have a lot of cash on hand, so we do things month to month.  Things change moment to moment.  My room has moved around the house a couple of times, but I am finally home in my space so thought I'd share a few pics. 
  
  
  I have a lot of work to do, it's definitely in progress, but I am thankful to have my own refuge, so I'll take it, unfinished and a mess it may be.
  
  You can check out the rest of the photos and a little interview with Cindy here.   
  
  I also wanted to share a sneak peek at a project I'm working on, and maybe do a little enabling.  I've been asked to create a Halloween layout for an upcoming online event.  I didn't really have anything in my stash, so immediately dashed to Studio Calico to see if the Harvest Moon add-on from the Back 40 kit was still available.  I bought too many add-ons last month so had to sacrifice something.  Silly me.  Anyway, it was still there so I picked up a kit. 
  
  The only thing I added to that kit add-on was a manilla folder and my polaroid stamp from the On the Easel kit that's for sale now.  I just wanted you to know that the polaroid stamp is fabulous, and the inside square to that stamp is 2 inches, so break out that square punch! 
  
  I had fun with the process with this layout and those fun photos.  I can't wait to share it with you sometime soon.
  
  I also wanted to point out the pumpkin stamp in the Harvest Moon add-on, and how well it works with the apple stamps in the drafting table add-on in the current kit.  
  
  
  Think of all the fun these two stamps could have together!  Drafting table has a lot of Crate Paper's School line, which is great for school layouts, of course, but the add-on has a fun color palette for fall photos.  Maybe even your non-traditional Halloween pics.
  Well, it's back to my table I go.  I am up to my neck in Christmas projects, Studio Calico, Crate Paper, and I just finished a card for World Cardmaking Day, which is this weekend.  Have any plans?  It would be a great opportunity to get those Christmas cards out of the way or prepare your December Daily album. I am totally on board with that project this year!
  Davinie
• September 27, 2010
• 22:29

  On the Easel

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  The October kit is live, and I'm excited about it!
  
  I picked up:
  Watercolor- loved the polkadot stamp and the OA
  Still Life - adore the color palette with this one.  Shipping was behind so the DT did not get the tape with our kits but am looking forward to playing with it when it ships with the next one.
  En plein Air - SASSAFRAS
  
  The only reason I didn't get Drafting Table is because I work for Crate so I have all of that product. 
  
  I also picked up the MME chipboard elements (which I used on 3 of my five layouts) as well a the MME ABC cards for girls (which I used on 2 of my five layouts, and had to purchase a second set so I could turn it into a memory game for Payton - see my previous post).
  
  And this is what I came up with!
  
  
  I misted the cream cardstock with Classic Calico, and then stamped the polkadot stamp on top with white ink from American Crafts.  I just made a textured kraft colored background.  I am in love.  And I'm going to run out of my Classic Calico hueys fast. 
  
  We get new stamps every month so it's easy to forget about our favorites from the fast, but I didn't totally forget and had to grab a house stamp for my window here. 
  This window "display" is stamped in apple jack, atmosphere (the blue/green/grey) and my banner is in Calico white.  Found here. 
  
  
  
  I was going to use my Calico white for the stamping, but ended up using white ink from American Crafts. 
  
  My banner was inspired by the OA paper in Watercolor, as well as the Sassafras Mix and Mend line and the border I used on this page. 
  
  
  This is the first layout I did this month.  I was COMPLETELY inspired by the Sassafras Mix and Mend line, but I'll be honest.  It was a love/hate thing.  I canNOT stand the flatness.  I do not care for the digital look to some of the papers.  BUT.  But.  If these paper were live and they were really laid out the way they were designed, I would be in heaven.  So I decided to bring out the dimension.
  
  
  I used a blade and spliced the paper a bit so that I could insert other prints to add that dimension.  You can see the orange Crate paper in this photo.
  
  Inspired by the dress pattern paper, I trimmed scallops from the brown paper packaging and slipped it in too.  Then I machine stitched over it.    Also inspired by this line was the use of hand stitching.  I saw those three green stitches at the top and had to find my DMC floss.  I'm not normally one to use floss and machine stitching on the same layout, but I couldn't help myself with this one.  This fun print is in the main kit.  In fact, I think most of the items except for the butterflies and the bird stamp were from the main kit for this layout.  I had originally simplified it for the sneak show, but when it was rejected, I mixed kits and embellished as needed.  :)  I'm just here to play with the paper.  :)
  
  I used warm Calico mist on the windows, and trimmed out some of the shapes in the die cut paper. 
  
  
  
  
  I've been thinking Payton hasn't changed much until I saw these photos, and then I wanted to crawl back into bed and cry like a baby, as I seem to have NONE left, lol.  I thought the bangs were the only difference!  :)
  
  
  
  This chipboard apple is from the MME chipboard elements in the shop.
  
  
  I love doing these side by side comparison of different photos.  They will be fun to look at years down the road.  This curved title was brought to you by a CD.  :)
  
  
  
  
  I had fun with this one!  First and foremost, my neice Lilly is the most adorable baby on the planet.  Next to my own, anyway.  She came down with her Mom and Dad over Labor Day weekend and I fell in love all over again.  Move to OREGON Jobie!
  
  Here's those ABC cards and the MME chipboard put to work.  I simply adored the back side of those ABC cards.  That's part of what inspired the title for this layout. 
  
  This is how I misted the background.  I used a linen looking paper from Sassafras.  I took some old Heidi Swapp heart masks and layered them on my page, and then lightly misted Calico Cream over it.  After that I added drops of pink grapefruit over it. 
  
  After I removed the masks, I hand stitched around the edges of my hearts to make them stand out a bit.  Lovely effect, isn't it?  I'm going to have to do that again.
  
  
  
  I really enjoyed the process on this one.  My kids were sitting with me when I created it and I don't want to forget how fun it was to have them participate and offer their thoughts on what I should do.  I used both the MME chip pieces and the ABC cards on this one too (I told you I fell in love with some shop items this month).
  
  
  I also developed a love affair with mist.  I used it so much with this kit!  Some windows turned scalloped borders are misted with applejack, but I also added my staple, hydrangea, and my new favorite, pink grapefruit on this one.  This one was fun and girly and fresh and cute.  I love it.  I love the girls' artwork too.
  
  WOW.  So this is a photo filled post.  I hope you didn't have trouble loading it!  Let me know if it gets bogged down.  I try to size my photos to reduce that problem.
  
  If you have any questions, please let me know.
  
  Have a great day.
  
  Davinie
• 8:58

  The kits are up for all presale ...

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  The kits are up for all presale eligible subscribers!  go now!
  There were a couple of shop items that I used a few times this month on my October projects.  I don't normally do that, but for some reason, I kept reaching for the same two things, namely the MME Alphabet Soup ABC cards for girls and the Alphabet Soup girl chipboard shapes.
  Both sides of those ABC cards are adorable, but one good thing about that is that there are two of each design.  It's the only way I was able to put one on a layout!  One thought led to another, though, and I ordered myself a second set of the ABC cards.  Namely because of this possibility:
  
  The deck comes with 52 cards.  26 designs.  A perfect opportunity to play memory with my four year old lass (it might reduce the number of hula dance days.....) and this set also provides a good opportunity to work on the alphabet.  I say it's a win win!
  
  The only downside I see to this cute game idea is the number of hours I spent making this one for her third birthday.  We still have it, I must add.  And it gets used.  And it will be saved.  It's a treasure.
  
  Good luck with your purchases today!  Be sure to check out the punch section too!  April finally got me the zig zag border punch I've been wanting!  I can't wait to play with it on future projects! 
• September 26, 2010
• 17:02

  Crate Love and a goodie box winner

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  Happy Sunday afternoon!
  
  
  Have you seen this layout yet?  I shared the process on how to create it as well as some machine stitching tips at the Crate Paper blog here. 
  
  
  
  These alphas are BG in chocolate, sprayed with white Mister Huey.  Nicely done, eh? 
  
  The kids are watching the newest Tinkerbell movie and I'm getting a few things ironed out.  It's almost reveal time at Studio Calico!  I hope your fingers are ready for the madness of reveal day.
  
  Anyway, on to my winner:
  
  
  michelestamps2 said... 
  
  
  thanks for the generous giveaway. Love your work
  
  
  Michele, you are my lucky winner!  You will not be disappointed with the amount of craft love headed your way, as well as the latest issue of Scrapbook and Cards magazine.  Send me an email to cooperdees (at) yahoo (dot) com with your address and I'll get you your box!
  
  See you tomorrow!  Davinie
• September 25, 2010
• 21:41

  More Studio Calico Sneaks and the Hula.....

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Goodie Box Giveaway in the next post down!  :)
  
  I have a few more sneaks to share from the October kit at Studio Calico.  I'd better share them before the kit goes live, eh?  I have enjoyed the process this month and feel good about documenting a story or two.  I still have the kit out but have 5 layouts in my gallery this month. 
  
  
  
  
  I used Mister Huey a LOT this month.  A LOT.  I misted a background, covered chipboard, used it on a mask...  I had a lot of fun with it, and the basic line that Studio Calico will always carry, with the browns, creams and white, are a staple for sure. 
  
  Speaking of Studio Calico, here's a couple announcements you may have missed:
  
  
  
  April and Co. are very firm about no refunds on the above discount, so be sure you have that code when you are ready to shop!  As she put it, if she had to pay someone to go through the process of issuing the refunds, she wouldn't be able to do these types of sales.  Makes sense to me!  Wait until the 27th (that's Monday!) and go here. 
  A huge reward for loyal customers with the following news: 
  Don't we all love rewards cards to our favorite places to shop?  I know I do. 
  
  You should also enter to win the sneak night giveaway that has already been posted on the blog.  I ADORE the MME Lost & Found line.  It is a must have!  Enter to win it here. 
  
  
  
  Before I go, here's a snippet of my life lately and reason number 437 why I miss Morgan during the day now that she's in first grade....  poor Payton has been so bored that she is talking me into the most outrageous adventures.  The other day she demanded that we do the hulu.  After refusing to tie a belt or a scarf "around my boobies" as she suggested, I finally caved and put on this floral dress that I never wear, and a hulu we did do for about an hour and a half!  lol!  She told me I wasn't doing it right, that I had to follow her moves, that she was the best hula dancer ever, and then it was HER idea for us to get a photo together, at which time she also directed our poses.  good.  grief!  lol.  It only ended when I then suggested we make chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. 
  
  
  
  
  
  I can't wait to see what she's going to have me do next!  No, I'm lying.  I can totally wait!  :)  But then again, it might be an opportunity to do some more baking.  :)
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• September 24, 2010
• 7:01

  the new.... Scrapbook and Cards Today! and a giveaway.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  After months of hard work, on behalf of the team at Scrapbook and Cards Today, I'm proud to share their brand spanking new website.  
  
  
  Isn't it gorgeous?!
  You can easily learn about Project 12 and the sketches.  And of course you want to do that!  :)
  There will be an interview with a special guest designer (first up is Stacey Julian).  There is also a section for an interview with a featured reader (Barb Wong, love her work).
  You can also easily find the weekly giveaways! 
  
  And of course you can also be directed to the blog, as well as to the latest issue for download.  Speaking of which, check out the fall cover:
  
  
  (designed by Lisa Kisch)
  And here's one of my layouts, on page 19:
  
  This layout was for the 3 designer challenge, using some fun Basic Grey Oliver.  My baby boy!  ack.  Can't believe he's 9. 
  Would you like to have a peek at the rest of the issue?  What about your very own copy?  Leave a comment on this thread and I'll choose a winner on Sunday.  And because I love SCT so much and am honored to be part of the family, I wanted to add to the prize, so the lucky winner will receive a nice goodie box in addition to this fall issue.  Sound good?  You'll see some Jenni Bowlin, Studio Calico, American Crafts, and even some Scrapbook Adhesives in this goodie box. 
  If you visit all the Design Team blogs, you'll get additional chances to win a copy of this issue.  Who knows?  Maybe they'll be offering goodie bags too. 
  AND you be sure to check out the SCT blog!  There's a great big prize being offered there in celebration of the new site!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  P.S.  If you checked out the site, and took a peek at the issue, you'll see what a great source of inspiration it is at Scrapbook and Cards Today.  In fact, we are in the midst of creating for the winter issue (you should seeeeee what I am working on!).  If you'd like an opportunity to be published at SCT, be sure to check out the latest call here.  The deadline is 9/29 so you still have a few days to create something and send it in!   
• September 19, 2010
• 13:42

  Today I am....

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  feeling:  sneaky.  I have a couple of Studio Calico sneaks from the October kit at the bottom of this post.
  wondering:  if Morgan will go to school tomorrow.  Unmedicated, she has a temp of 103.  She says her legs are tired.  But after she gets some grape Tylenol in her, she's bouncing off walls.  um.  okay.
  thinking: about Christmas already.  I got my winter assignments for Scrapbook and Cards Today, and oh my word, I hope this article I'm doing will knock your socks off.  I can't wait to share!  I'm going to see if I can share some sneaks at my projects just like my kit work.
  reading:  the Beekeeper's Apprentice.  This is not a new release but I was at the library the other day and there were a couple of these stacked up on the bestseller's table so I thought I'd check it out.  And for the first time in a long time I was tuned in to Oprah when she revealed the next book on her book club list, and it's called Freedom.  In recent years I've done much better about checking books out from the library rather than purchasing them.  I hear great things about this one but will wait for my turn at the library (I'm currently 93rd on the list) before determining whether I should purchase it or not.
  I'm also reading 1-2-3 Magic.  Parents trying to figure out what to do with onery kids?  You need to check out this book.  I feel like I finally have some tools for parenting that make some sense.  I checked this one out from the library too but know I'll need to keep it so already have it on preorder from Amazon.  The newest version is released 10/1. 
  eating: roast beef sandwiches for dinner.   We have some roasts from last year's beef in the crock pot right now.  I'm also going to chef up some au gratin potatoes and fry up some zucchini as well.  Did you know that grass fed beef are higher in Omega 3's than grain fed beef?  Go organic, and go with grass fed cows, okay?  They are better for you.
  
  Right now it's raining buckets and a good day to stay cozy at home.  What are you up to? 
  
  And how about them sneaks?
  
  
  
  
  I got 3 add-ons and several shop items this month. I couldn't help myself!
  
  Have a great Sunday!  Davinie
• September 13, 2010
• 15:35

  Where in the world was I in August?

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Post your layouts for the current challenge here. 
  August was busy!  The month started with my family on the Oregon Coast where we camped with friends for a week.  We went South to Newport to the Aquarium, and north to Seaside to play on the boardwalk, and did everything in between.
  We got home and it seems less than a week later we were off again, this time to Couer D'Alene Idaho and the Silverwood Theme Park.  We spent a few days at the park and some time in Couer D'Alene as well.  (We loved it and have to go back!).
  Before checking out the sketch for August I was worried as I took several hundred photos this month.  How am I going to recap it on a layout! 
  The simplicity of the sketch and the few photos used was perfect for my layout. I chose one photo from each of our adventures, as well as a kid photo and a family photo taken on our last day at the beach.  Perfect! 
  
  
  
  I used some MME from my stash for the background, but then I went straight to my Back 40 kit from Studio Calico for most of the rest.  It came together so fast! 
  
  I am in love with these MR chipboard tags.  I have used alllll of them.  You can see another layout I created using these tags here. 
  
  I couldn't find anything to use in place of the tree, and wasn't in the mood for paper piecing this month.  So I filled the space in a different way.
  What better time to use adorable squirrel chippies than after spending weeks in the open air!?  These are from the Togetherness ready set chip and can be found in the shop.  Aren't they cute?  I like the flowers and banners that are also part of this sheet of images.  I almost used the bunny and the fox, but they had one of each, and this mama would have needed two bunnies to finish our family. 
  
  
  Those chipboard birds are totally going on another layout.  love those!
   
  On hindsight I wish I had used a darker thread, maybe brown, instead of this yellow, so that it would stand out more, but overall, another happy month!
  You still have time to play along!  Deadline is th 20th.  Here's the post to read allll about it! 
  Davinie
• September 10, 2010
• 20:59

  Crate Love - Treasured Notes cardkeeper

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  tutorials   [edit]

  
  Did you see it?  I made a cardkeeper as my tutorial for the Crate Paper blog.  Check it out.  Isn't the Restoration line gorgeous?  I chose it specifically for *my* card keeper.  :)
  
  To answer a question I received, the chipboard I used was thick.  Thicker than a cereal box.  I'm not sure what weight it is.  I just used some sheets I had in my stash.  But it's pretty thick.  It's probably twice as thick as a cereal box weight.  Perfect for a book cover. 
  
  Davinie
• September 08, 2010
• 20:41

  Creative Escape - Wish you could be part of it???

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  Tags:  scrapbook and Cards today   [edit]

  Creative Escape.  Just those two words sounds heavenly, doesn't it?  I could use a creative escape right now.
   Creative Escape  
  
  If you weren't able to head to Arizona, but you would like a piece of the action, head to the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog NOW.   Bazzill Basics has generously donated a prize box with ALL of the Creative Escape kits, the Creative Escape idea book, all the Creative Escape giveaways, and all kinds of other goodies from the 2010 Creative Escape event. 
  
  That's pretty generous.
  
  You only have until Thursday, September 10 at 6pm EST to enter, so check out the giveaway and leave a comment ASAP.
  
  Good luck!  Back later with projects.  Busy week.
  
  Davinie
  
  EDITED:  I am a moron.  I looked at the blog and it didn't look like things had happened yet.  I told you I've been swamped!  You mean it isn't still August?  egads!
• September 01, 2010
• 19:21

  Project 12 August in September

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  FINALLY.  It is finally September and that means only a few short days before a routine is back on the calendar and I can settle down.  I have decided that the chaos of the summertime is almost too much!  I need order!
  
  With this new month comes a new challenge for Project 12.  But first, as always, a shoutout to a couple of layouts that caught my eye this month:
  
  I had to include this one from Jen.  Had too!  The design is wonderful.  I love the clustered butterflies with the buttons, and I really like that blue cardstock with the Cosmo. 
  
  
  Another thing I loved was the collage.  On Jen's blog she said she usually prints her photos at places like Costco, so to get around the odd sizes in the sketch photos, she created a collage in Picasa.  She did and she did a great job too!  I like the use of black and white photos as well.
  
  As always, thank you Jen!
  
  
  I liked this one from Cynthia for a few reasons.  One:  she used her stash.  LOVE that.  I have been cleaning out my scrapbook room and it's just a sad shame to get rid of your stash sometimes, so I'm glad to see someone using theres, lol.  She used two different patterned papers, one family themed, one cousin themed, and I like the way she trimmed her strips.  Both papers represent what her family experienced in July, which is why she also changed her title to something besides "July" as a title, but still representative of July in the US.  Very clever!
  
  Thanks again for playing along!  I don't know about you, but I was running around all over the place this month so am lucky to have even completed a layout.  I'm glad I've kept it a priority.  So much has happened I might forget all the details!
  
  Let's get to that August sketch:
  
  
  Fun!
  
  Now.  Be sure to post on this thread by the 20th (here at SCT) if you want a chance at the prize this month. 
  
  What's the prize, you say? 
  
  
  Sweet Becky Fleck, the go to gal for all of my sketches this year, has offered her yet to be release Pagemaps 2!  What a great resource for your crafting arsenal!  It'll even be signed.  woooot! 
  So have fun this month, don't worry too much about it, don't follow the sketch if it doesn't work for you, but highlight your month, and link it here so I can take a peek inside your house.  :)
  Have a great September!  Davinie
• August 31, 2010
• 21:24

  Check this out:

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  
  Check out the rubons here!
  
  Free Range is still available.  Free range?  That's a really pretty add-on and has some yummy new product from Cosmo Cricket, among others (JBS butteflies and delicious butter yello buttons).  And lets not forget the stamp!  Check them out here.
• August 30, 2010
• 18:51

  Crate Love - Mermaid Horse

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  I'm busy playing with all the delicious new Crate Paper, so I thought I'd share a layout.  This is Restoration, and Payton on the Mermaid horse at the Carousel by the Sea in Seaside Oregon.  While camping at the beach, we took a couple of day trips, and one of them was up North to Seaside.
  Payton is a bit obsessed with two things:  horses, and carousels.  So when she saw this "mermaid horse" as she called it, she couldn't see anything else.  This was THE animal to ride.  Lucky for US she managed to snag her choice.  We may or may not have held her back in line just to ensure she got it a time a or two as well, lol.
  
  
  
  
  For perspective, I trimmed the medium/large doilies with my 3 inch circle punch.  I also tried, I really did, but I had to do it again and put the title on the circle.  I can't help myself!  (I also glued those alphas DOWN as soon as I saw this photo up close, lol.  They aren't going anywhere).
  My advice to titles on a curve....  have some sort of line to follow.  In this case, there's my yellow doilie.  The second piece of advice is to put each letter perpendicular to that "line".  It makes the title look less messy and more structured, and makes this "line" look more apparent.
  You can actually draw a line and later erase it.  I didn't need to in this case.
  
  I hand stitched a couple of circles as part of my design as well.  I just wanted the extra texture.
  
  Supplies:
  Crate Paper Restoration
  Refinish pattern
  Doilies pattern
  Flea Market pattern
  Border stickers
  Chipboard accents
  
  Sassafras' Apple glitter alpha was a nice pink compliment
  Kaiser Scrapbooking pearls were a nice accent too.
  
  Thanks for taking a peek!  Davinie
• 11:53

  Inspiration challenge

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Hi!  Just wanted to pass along that I'm cohosting the Studio Calico blog this week and chose to do an inspiration challenge based off the following collage:
  
  
  (from the Creature Comforts blog, post and photo credits here).
  Check out the challenge post here.
  Have a great day!  It's raining outside right now and I hear that we got SNOW on Mt Bachelor, which is @30 miles away.  Wha????  Isn't it still August?
  I'm also twiddling my thumbs for school to start.  Morgan is the 7th, and her teacher is "New Teacher, name to be announced".  okayyyyyy.   Payton starts the following Monday.  It can't come soon enough!
  Davinie
• August 27, 2010
• 21:03

  Back 40 - Studio Calico's September kit. YUM.

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  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  
  It's live!  Get your kits and add-ons now!
  Me, I picked up Fresh Cut and Free Range.  I also picked up the In Stitches and Postage edge punches this month, and cherry mist. 
  Check out the new punches from EK Success!  That great big apron lace and the swiss cheese punch look fun!
  On to my layouts:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We were asked to create a layout inspired by Maggie's cover layout for CK this month.  I thought it was one of the most artsy and abstract covers I'd ever seen with CK, so I was excited to play along.  I ended up going with the use of mist, as well as random paper placement.  I had a lot of fun with this layout. 
  Next up was a two pager using only 4x6 photos.  You'd think I'd create a layout with beach photos from our recent trip, but even more recent was a trip to Couer D'Alene, so I immediately worked with some fun photos I snapped at the lake.  It was also overcast an my photos had a lot of gray in them, which matched the kit better.
  
  
  
  
  Instead of using my boundary waters punch, I decided to go with the postage edge punch as a form of "choppy waters".  It works, yes?
  The green scallop was used to balance the placement of the title on a curve.  I don't know why, but I'm a bit obsessed with making my titles this way lately.  So far I did it with two layouts this month.
  
  
  
  For this one, I used a fun camp pic of all the kids.  These faces crack me up!  I was out of E's, but a 6 worked perfectly in it's place, what with 6 kiddos, and all.
  
  I used brown mist on that chipboard piece and used my upper crest punch, which is a little smaller than the bracket punch currently in the shop. 
  
  
  
  Joy was my favorite layout this month (and I thought of my sweet friend Joy when I was making it too).  I used my cherry mist here.  I stamped using walnut ink, a great dark ink to use for stamping or distressing. 
  
  
  
  Last up was a card with Cosmo's Togetherness line, my favorite of their new release.  Love that JBS button too. 
  I just realized I never received the Cosmo Cricket chipboard elements from the shop.  I need to get some and add it to my next box!  :)
  
  If you have any questions let me know!   I will be sharing the design process in creating one of my layouts later this weekend.
  
  Davinie
  
  P.S.  I would love to know what size my photos need to be to share them in blogger under the new picture format where I could post them at the large size without being pixelated.  I cannot for the life of me figure it out.  I have two different computers with different monitors and it looks different on each one.   Please and thank you.  :)
• 8:59

  I hope you get what you want!

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  
  Fresh Cut is going to go fast because of that stamp set that matches the Classic and Royal butterfly punches, just like in this sneak:
  
  (Actually, the punch used here is the 3 -in -1 from Martha, but the Classic and Royal butterflies fit the stamp).
  
  
  Good luck!  And don't forget to check back tonight at 12AM EST  (9 PM my time) for more chances and the DT reveal!
  
  ( I got Fresh Cut and Free Range this month).
  
  :)
• August 26, 2010
• 11:28

  Back 40 sneakage

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  Tags:    [edit]

  I'm slowly working my way down the to do list, and next up are sneaks.  I suppose I should probably get them posted before reveal, yes?
  I had a lot of photos with many themes this month, so had fun going through them to choose photos to use for this kit. 
  This kit was very moody to me.  I had gray's to choose from, as well as bright happy colors.  It was a moody month, so it all came together perfectly.
  
  
  
  The In Stitches border was used on this layout.  That Indie Girl strip of paper needed just a little something and this punch was perfect.  I also used my upper crest punch, because I don't have a zig zag punch (yet) and needed the point to match another element in my layout.  The bracket border punch in the shop is a lot bigger than this punch. 
  Call me crazy but I have this thing about my decorative borders matching something else I am using.  I used a pinked circle in this layout and needed a point somewhere to match it.
  
  
  
  I just about grabbed my boundary waters punch for the above layout, but I just went to the beach a few weeks ago and have plenty of layouts planned for it.  I thought using my postage edge stamp (back in stock on the shop!) would be a fun alternative, also representative of choppy water, and matched my double embossed lace border punch well.  Lots of strips on this one.
  
  That chipboard frame from Cosmo will be in the shop this month......
  
  
  
  I had a LOT of fun with that layout.  I'm also in love with mist, if only for the sole reason it sure makes changing the color of chipboard super easy.  This is cherry mist in action. 
  
  
  There's that In Stitches punch again.  LOVE how fun it is!  I played with turquoise floss there.  You can also see a nibble of the butterfly stamp set that will be in an add-on this month, my favorite scallop punch, and the Martha Stewart butterfly punch set. 
  And yes...  that's mist!  Splattered cream mist.  You can also see a nibble of hydrangea on this one.
  Purple thread too!
  Reveal is tomorrow!  See you there!
• August 23, 2010
• 15:09

  FINALLY. home.

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Oh, I have tales to tell!  We had a wonderful time at Silverwood and the beautiful city of Cour D'Alene Idaho, but it is so nice to be home.
  I have so much to do!  I haven't done a thing to prepare my kids for school, and Morgan will be in first grade!  We have gym shoes to buy and a lunch box to choose!
  
  I have a lot of photos and stories to share, but for now, I'll leave you a glimpse of the theme park.  We really did have a blast.
  
  
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• August 18, 2010
• 8:29

  On the Road again.......

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Check it out:
  
  That would be me, in the front seat, on Splash Mountain at Disneyland.  January 2009.
  When I headed to California for CHAW, my hubby and I decided to do double duty and bring the family so we could also do Disneyland in between working the floor at the show. 
  I love Disneyland.
  I'm not a huge fan of big rides though.  I'd just prefer my belly to stay encased within my ribs, and not in my throat, my toes, or left behind me at the starting gate at California Screamin'. 
  That's just me.
  With Splash Mountain, though, I didn't think it'd be scary, so I decided to go on it in an effort to show Morgan it'd be just fine and she should do it too.  At the time she had just turned 5, and Payton was just short of three (and therefore...  FREE). 
  I was focused on Morgan and yippity yappin' the whole time we were in line, so it wasn't until that moment when we exit the building and do what appears to make a 90 degree dive to the ground that I realized how stinkin' silly it was to sit in the FRONT. 
  Truth be told I wasn't too scared.  It's just that it was January, not super warm, and it looked to me like I was going to get very very wet!
  And I did, a fair amount.  Keep that in mind if you go!
  We got our souvenir photo afterwards and my first thought was, "phew, at least I don't look as dorky as that chick behind me."
  But that chick just so happens to be my sister.  Her name is Alyca. 
  And my relief was only short-lived, because right after I made that declaration she clued me in.
  She's a faker.
  That was a fake reaction.
  There are people in this world who focus on the signs that tell you where the cameras are going to be when you go on roller coasters, just so that they can act dorky for the camera.
  whatever.
  Suffice it to say I'm not a huge fan of roller coasters, and probably won't be pitching $14.99 towards any fake souvenir photos anytime soon.  heeeee.
  Another thing I'm not a fan of?  Wearing a swimsuit in public, surrounded by what'll feel like a zillion people.  I'm not a fan. 
  It's a wonder, then, that while you are reading this, I'm actually making the long trek here:
  Silverwood Theme Park
  I hadn't even heard of this place until last year when some friends went, but since then it has become the chosen location of a family gathering with Steve's family.  His sister's kids are tweenish (some older, some younger), and they are skipping part of their first week of school in order to go.  We had very busy summers and this was the only time that worked. 
  Ayiyiyiyiyiyi.
  Wish me luck.  I do anticipate having a lot of fun.  There's a kiddy park.  And we aren't going to be at the theme park the whole time.  We are renting a house in Couer D'Alene and plan on checking out the area while we are there too. 
  I'll be back on Sunday night!
  Davinie
• August 17, 2010
• 11:24

  My July - and a shoutout to Bella Blvd

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Link your layouts to this post if you want to play along this month.  You'll also see the link to SCT and the appropriate blog post for the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.
  July.  Oh July.  I loved the sketch for July this month and had a lot of fun going through my photos.  Check out what I chose:
  (click it to enlarge the photo).
  Now let's talk design.  I adjusted some of the sizes per the photos I wanted to use.  I only had horizontal photos of Steve, so he had to be in the middle there, and I didn't want all the lake photos to be together, so I switched places with the photos at the top, because I really wanted MY mug to get in the layout this month (I'm going to do better about making that happen every month, in fact).
  When I had them all printed out and lined up, my first thought was that I needed to redo them, because the photos seemed too big to me, and that they'd take up all the space, not leaving much room for the embellishments. 
  And then I told myself I was a complete moron and to leave them alone.  The point of a scrapbook layout is SUPPOSED to be the photos, not the embellishments!  Especially for this particular challenge, for pete's sake!  You can focus on pretty paper in another layout!  I agreed, and I told myself to chill out.
  For the title I used the usual, my month stamps from Studio Calico.  Those butterflies?  Those are a little sneak peek at a stamp set in one of the add-ons for the September kit from Studio Calico.  I'm a bit in love with them and this particular shape works beautifully with the classic butterfly punch from Martha Stewart.  There are a couple different designs in this set with this shape, and they are also a few designs for the royal butterfly shape.   Lovely, huh? 
  
  Those tags?  Those tags are 7gypsies.  I checked the label and I have had them since 2003.  These tags are neverending and I love that I am utilizing my stash, still.
  Those flowers are Dear Lizzy crochet blossoms.  They worked perfectly with the paper.
  The paper?  That's the Hello Beautiful line that debuted at the summer CHA show from Bella Blvd.  The team from Scrapbook and Cards Today will be hosting the Bella Blvd blog in the coming weeks and I was sent oodles of new product to play with.  The Hello Beautiful line is my favorite and the color palette was perfect for this July layout.  I loved that red print but used part of the paper for one of my blog layouts, so mixed it with another red print for the left side of my layout here.
  The design thought for that idea is this:  the left side of my layout is heavy because of all the large photos.  For that reason, I needed to balance the right side of the layout, so carried the darker, heavier print to the right.  Then on the far left side, I used the print that had more color in it.  This balanced out the page more.  There's also balance in mind with the placement of the flowers and butterflies on this layout.  The far left one is in the middle, it carries you through the photos and up to the title and larger flower, which is there to bring weight to the right, and then the last bloom is on the lowest point of the layout, on the right hand side, to carry your eye through the rest of the page.
  Make sense?  I just love that Becky keeps that type of thing in mind.  I think that's why people gravitate to her sketches without thinking about it.  Balance.  She has it.
  With days to spare I am finished!  You still have time to play along!  The deadline is the 20th if you want a chance at a prize.  The prize this month is adhesive from American Crafts!
  Davinie
• August 15, 2010
• 12:18

  Isn't it a breath of fresh air?

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  Tags:    [edit]

  I still have a few tweaks to make, but I'm ready to move right on in my blog.  I should have had a hammock set up in front of that barn there, just for me.  :)
  
  My friend Jenn helped me.
  
  The digital products came from here:
  
  [www.designerdigitals.com]  (specifically anna aspens for the stitching)
  
  [www.digitaldesignessentials.com]
  
  She's not ready to yet, but there may be a time when she'd be willing to revamp other blogs, so send her an email if you want to get on a list for that. 
  
  Be back soon!
• August 12, 2010
• 15:55

  Crate Love - Snow Days

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  Tags:  crate Paper   [edit]

  I wanted to share one of Crate Paper's New lines, Snow Day, and my layout for the CHA booth.
  
  
  It turns out, the color palette in this line is perfect for me, because my girls wear a lot of purple and blue in their winter wear, along with the pink.  It was really fun to work with.
  
  
  I added a little bluster to this particular day by hand stitching some "wind" on the snow.  The white scallop is actually scalloped Bazzill, but I hand cut the scallops from two sides so I could cut it down from a 12x12 and make it fit my layout.
  
  
  I loved the chipboard circles and the layered snowflakes, so I made dimensional pieces with circle punches and ink to create faux snow falling.  I love the texture that it added.
  You can see all the products available for this line here.
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• August 10, 2010
• 21:05

  crafTuesday - Geocache

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  Tags:    [edit]

  With plans to camp at the beach for a week, I knew there might be an opportunity for craft projects.  I was looking for something inexpensive and fun to do outdoors when I decided it was a great time to try Geocaching.
  Ever heard of it?
  Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.
  It's free and I've always wanted to do it.  There are hidden treasure everywhere.  You'd be surprised how close you might find one to where you live.
  I registered at the Geocaching site and printed off a couple of cache's in the campground we were staying at as well as the nearby beach.
  Going with the treasure hunting theme, I went to Michael's and picked up a bunch of $1 wooden boxes, treasure chests, for the kids to decorate.
  I then loaded up on markers, some washable paint, some sequins, etc., and let the kids decorate their boxes.
  
  Our week ended up really busy so we only had time for a cache or two. 
  Geocaching.com has an Iphone app, which is great, but Marci doesn't have an Iphone and our campground has spotty service, so we were glad to have Steve and his Magellan GPS thingy.
  
  You just enter the coordinates and start heading in the right direction.  We had a lot of fun searching for this one.  If you are getting lost there are hints and a decoder to help you find the cache, and we needed it this first time.
  Eric was the lucky one to find this cache.
  
  The kids had mixed feelings on that idea.
  
  
  
  But they had a blast, I swear.
  As long as you have access to a GPS system of sorts, you have an opportunity to search for treasure.  This particular cache didn't come with a prize but many of them do, so save those Happy Meal treasures or something else fun to leave behind.
• August 09, 2010
• 19:10

  Cathedral Quilt pattern on paper tutorial

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  Tags:  tutorials   [edit]

  I have had several requests for a tutorial on one of the layouts in my August gallery at Studio Calico this month.  In particular, for this layout:
  
  
  I have LOVE loved this pattern ever since October Afternoon put it on a patterned paper at CHAW10.  It was my favorite print from the show.  But I didn't know what it was called.  I have googled "quilt pattern" many times, but the number of patterns that type of search comes up with will boggle your mind, so I figured that quilt was meant for another bed.
  Enter Kendra McCracken.
  I just happened to stumble upon a tutorial she did for the Fiskars blog using the Cathedral Quilt pattern to make a picnic blanket.  At first I was elated because I had finally located that pattern which meant new bedding for the master bedroom!  But after looking at the pattern I also realized.....
  I can totally make that with paper.
  And I sounded just like my mother.  ack!
  When I received my August kit I immediately knew what patterns I wanted to play with, and quickly went to work.  This layout looks involved and difficult, but these quilt squares are really quite easy!  This is how it works:
  1.  Trim circles from a patterned paper of your choice.  Something to note:  If you are using a two sided piece of paper, you will cut a lot of time and paper out of your project.  You just need to determine if you would like to see both sides, and which side you would like to be the window, and which side you would like to have as the frame.
  If you are using a single sided pattern, as I did, that's fine.  Just choose prints that you like, and trim circles from the print that will frame the window (in reference to my layout, trim a circle from the pattern that will be the manilla print).
  As for punches, I chose my 2 inch Marvy Circle punch so that I could have 6 across and have room on the outside edges, but odd numbers are usually more visually pleasing, so for this tutorial I chose to use my 3 inch circle punch.  I wish I had used this punch or the 2.5 inch initially so you could better see the pattern of the paper in the window, but at the time, I was winging it, and wasn't sure what to do, lol.
  Edited:  I measured and I actually used a 2.5 punch on my Polliwog layout, not 2.  The squares inside are 1.5 inch squares.  I apologize for the oversite on that 1/2 inch and hope i didn't mess anyone up!  You can still use 2 inch squares!  :)
  
  
  
  
  2.  After you have trimmed several circles, it is time to score them.  A 3 inch circle means a 2 inch square, and this is the long and drawn out way I did it.  I trimmed a square out of a piece of chipboard, and traced it on my circles, which for me seemed much faster than lining things up and measuring.  The outside corners of the square should meet an edge of the circle.  I traced it on the side of the paper that will be the window (ie, if that piece of paper in my Polliwog layout was double sided, I would be tracing on the side with the little creatures).  Keep in mind the orientation of the pattern on the paper, and make sure to trace the square so that the pattern has the correct orientation (the flowers are straight, stripes aren't crooked, etc).
  
  
  
  
  If you have a ScorPal, yay!  If you have a scoring blade for your rotary cutter, yay!  If you have a ruler and a bone folder from Making Memories that you have had since 1997, you will do just fine!  I don't have a ScorPal, and couldn't find my scoring blade.  So it was a ruler and a bone folder for me.  And it worked just fine and dandy.
  Score the line that you traced.  Folding the paper over takes away some of the width, and you want to try and match up corners on all four sides.  If they don't, don't worry about it!  I didn't!  I made more circles than I needed and sent the bad ones to the round file, or hid them under my photo.  Or I stitched on them.  Quilts are homespun, handmade, and imperfect, so I can't expect my scrapbook layouts to be any different.
  
  
  3.  If you have a double sided patterned paper for this technique, skip this step.  But if you didn't, or you want to create different patterns in your windows, at this point you need to trim squares out of those prints.  Make them 2x2, if you used a 3 inch circle.
  
  
  4.  Now we need to use that bone folder, if you didn't have it out already.  Simple fold over the little flaps to the front of the circle, and score them.  After scoring all four sides, it'll look like this:
  
  
  
  Do this with all your circles.
  5.  Once you are ready to put your layout together, line up your squares next to each other on your layout.  If you trimmed out squares, this would be the time to put them in their place on your layout.  You simply slip the square under the folds and push them down again.  After doing that you can add a glue dot, or a dab of glue under each flap, to adhere it. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I stitched some of my squares down.  I didn't want the layout to look too complicated, so I only did it a wee bit, for effect. 
  
  Voila!  The Cathedral Quilt pattern is now on a scrapbook layout, and it wasn't hard to make.  It's cushy though.  I like how the squares, all lined up, actually felt quilt-like.And if you are interested in the quilt pattern, like I still am, here's Kendra's tutorial:Kendra's picnic blanket tutorial
  Have a great day!  Let me know if you have any questions about this technique and I'll try and answer them in the comment section.
  P.S.  If you use this pattern on a scrapbook layout, please be sure to give proper credit.  Thanks!Davinie
• August 07, 2010
• 13:17

  Help Wanted

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  Tags:    [edit]

  
  Just.  Thought.  I'd.  Ask.  .....5 loads done and this heap still remains.  I'm not even finished mucking out the trailer yet.  ack.
  7 nights at the beach.Sand everywhere.2 kids who are convinced that long sleeves double as a napkin.4 mice (more about that later).One hairy dog.S'mores every night.Two cats who missed us greatly and are certainly letting us know.....
  
  Laundry.  That's what I'm doing.I'll be back soon with beach photos.  I also have tons of crafty to share, including a long overdue Crate love post.  There's also that quilted paper tutorial I promised.
  
  
  Davinie
  
• August 01, 2010
• 6:59

  Project 12 July in August

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  Tags:  project 12   [edit]

  Happy Summer, friends!  It's your August installment of the Project 12 challenge.  tada!  :)
  I had this post scheduled because I'm currently dipping my toes in the Pacific Ocean, which means I can't link the SC&T blog, but be sure to check my July 31 post at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog to see if you won the prize for last month.  That is also the spot to link your layouts if you want to enter for a prize this month (in addition to linking your layout to this post, anyway).
  As always, a reminder of the June sketch:
  
  
  And here's some June favorites:
  
  I loved this one from Margy.  First of all, it's baseball.  Baseball!  Perfect for summer.  I adore the color palette and the stash papers she used.  I also like the extras she added to the sketch.  I like that she carried the diamond paper all the way across the layout, and I like those little red photo corners to add detail to the white space and bring in the red from behind the photos.  Great visual triangle there.  Thanks for playing along this month, Margy!
  
  
  I love this one from Ashley!  I love the interpretation of the sketch with the bling and the arrows, the visual triangle with the circle elements, the numbered bullet points, and I'm diggin' the apron lace border too.  I also like the non traditional base paper color for this layout.  I'm very inspired by this one!
  Jennifer blew me away this month!  I adore the use of banners on this layout and love that she included extra photos, and that she chose to do so with extra photos on the left side, rather than the right.  There's so much to look at! 
  
  I am always so inspired after checking out what people have done with the sketches, and what people are doing en lieu of the sketches.  I am so honored to have so many playing along, want you to know how much I appreciate you, and hope you get a lot out of this monthly challenge and are happy to be participating.  Keep it up!
  And now on to the next sketch:
  
  
  I adore this sketch.  Every little inch.  As soon as that first load of laundry goes into the wash following our beach trip, I'll be on it.
  Be here by the 20th!  Davinie
• July 30, 2010
• 8:44

  At the beach.

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  Tags:    [edit]

  I'm off.  A crazy busy July culminated in 14 new gray hairs but the trailer is packed and we're off to the beach.  And because I think Tina is super cool:
  
  hoping....  for blue skies.  PLEASE.
  praying...  that this break from routine will be just what the doctor ordered for Miss Payton and this very stressful phase she's in right now.  I seriously can't do it anymore, so crossing all fingers and toes that some fresh air and 100% 1/1 24/7 is what she needed.
  eating...     the dutch oven recipes we are trying this trip are pizza and ravioli soup.  The tried and true German Pancakes are also on the list, and I'm also bringing ingredients to bake cookies and brownies, amongst other things.  We'll be there a week.  I'm thinking I may have the opportunity to bake (which sounds crazy because we are camping but that's where the blessing of a trailer comes in).
  excited...    to take the kids to the Newport Aquarium.  I don't think Payton has ever been and Morgan would have been very young.  They want to see Free Willy, but unfortunately, Keiko passed away a number of years ago.  They also wanted to swim with the dolphins. 
  prepared....   to anticipate dissapointment, lol.
  anticipating....   more time for PJ on her bike without training wheels.  My guess is she'll have helmet hair the entire week.  She gets frustrated, easy and FAST, so we'll see how long said helmet hair is actually on a bike and not writhing on the ground in some sort of fit.
  
  heeee.
  
  TOTALLY excited to go.  NEEED this quality family time.  Until I return..... a glimpse of last year's crew:
  
  
  Well, this photo cracks me up.  That swimming suit lives to tell another tale because I just packed up that green number as an extra suit...  for miss Payton.  Oh how I love the hand-me downs!
  
  Have a great week, friends!  Davinie
  
  P.S.  Project 12 post is still scheduled for the first. 
  P.P.S.  Polliwog layout tutorial upon my return.  I know you will be waiting with bated breath.
  P.P.P. S.  It is really good to take a break for a bit!  It'll be nice to take a step away from the paper and glue but I'll be ready to jump right back in when I get back!
• July 27, 2010
• 22:32

  Summer Camp!

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  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  First things first:  The winner of the Sketchbook 2 spot is:
  
  KristynG said...
  
  
  
  great sneaks!
  
  
  That looks like a great class! Thanks for the chance to win a spot!
  6:16 AM
  
  Congratulations Kristyn!  You won a seat in Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 2 class!  Email me at cooperdees (at) yahoo.com and I'll get you the info you need.
  
  Moving on.
  
  Summer Camp.  For sale.  Now.
  
  I've had a busy month and it almsot killed me to turn in less than 4 layouts, but that's what happened this month.  I loved the photos I chose to play with though, and that added to the fun in creating the following layouts.
  
  I purchased two add-ons this month, Sugar Woods and Footpath.  I'm in the process of finishing a layout right now for Morgan's half day (she turned 6 and a half on the 20th) and am busy using those super fun Sassafras cards that was in Footpath, but my layout isn't quite finished yet.  I LOVE what April did with them in her gallery.  Did you see that?  Get those cards! 
  
  Anyway....  on to the layouts.
  
  
  
  
  I surprised myself and was a bit obsessed with the WRMK papers in the main kit this month.  The colors were so vibrant and fresh!  The first thing I did this month was to trim out this big bloom. 
  I've been hand stitching since the beginning of my scrapbooking, and it was nice to do that again this month.  I needed some texture and extra detail to this layout about my girls and their relationship.  Fighting like cats and dogs right now.....  but mama is crossing her fingers that someday it blossoms into something great.  Somehow.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I was looking at these photos of Payton and having a hard time choosing which ones to use, so decided to use them all.  I love the story they tell all lined up together.  That's how she is.  She has a beautiful smile, a crinkly nose, and an adorable laugh. 
  Between these two layouts I pretty much used all of the super cute blooms from the Footpath add-on.  I loved the Studio Calico exclusive papers from the main so had to use it on this layout, but needed a dash of pink, so I painted the chipboard alphas from that add-on with Claudine's pink paint.  It matched perfectly and is so easy to use in that little paint tub.  
   
  
  
  This one was pretty time consuming, but a lot of fun.  Again, I used the WRMK paper from the main, and mixed it with some BG Basics from my Manilla paper pack.   I've been obsessed with this pattern ever since October Afternoon came out with this paper at CHAW10.  It was my favorite paper from the show and when I saw a tutorial to create the quilt I realized I could do it myself using paper, and voila, the layout was born.  That photo?  I LOVE this photo and am going to frame it for my wall.  My girls just crack me up.  I love how they are princesses with dirty feet.  Every day.  On this particular day they were on a mission to catch frogs, baby frogs, or polliwogs.  Did they?  Morgan caught a few.  Payton just toodled around the pond in her lifejacket.  But they had a blast....  until Morgan dropped her fishing net.  ayiyiyi.
  Each month I try to do at least one of each, a 12x12, an 8.5x11, and a 2 pager, but this wasn't the month.  I went with what felt right with the photos I chose, which I guess is how it should be.
  I'll be back soon with my Morgan layout!  I need to finish it and hope to do so before I leave on Friday.  My family is headed to the beach and I have several things to get buttoned up!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
  
• 7:59

  Be there or Be square!

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  Tags:    [edit]

  Not at CHA?  No problem!  That means you have a better chance at add-ons, lol.  Check out the August kit from Studio Calico:
  
  
  I picked up Sugar Woods and Footpath.  I'm regretting not picking up Elk Lake, and we have an Elk Lake here in Oregon! 
  The stamps are great this month. 
  In the shop this month we have Documentary, the mid-release, as well as coordinating Documentary cardstock packs.  See the bodacious bovine?
  
  
  Also in the shop are some new punches I'm really excited about:
  
  
  I have the stitched border punch and the postage stamp punch coming with my next kit.  I've been eyeing the postage stamped edge ever since those K&Co. frames that were in...  Granny's Cupboard?  Anyway, I'm excited about those punches.  I can't wait to actually stitch with that stitched edge too.  That should be fun!
  
  Before I go I did want to shout out regarding some of the retail goods coming to a store near you soon.
  
  
  A lot of the stamped images of the past are back and will be available soon at places like 2peas, Scrapbook.com, and one of my favorites, amillionlittlethings.com - so be sure to look for them soon!
  Have a great day!  Davinie
• July 26, 2010
• 12:12

  Ridin'

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  Tags:    [edit]

  
  
  
  It happened so fast I didn't even have time to get the camera on the right settings.  First try.  Just like Morgan, only a year younger than she was.
  And just like that, training wheels are out, and it's time to get a couple of kick stands (we've been meaning to get Morgan one for a long time too....  ).
• July 25, 2010
• 18:25

  Sneaks and Sketchbook 2

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  Tags:    [edit]

  My plate is full!  CHA is next week, my kids have been busy, I've been busy with work gearing up for a week at the beach, so to say I'm a bit swamped is a wee understatement.
  I do have sneaks to share of the August kit from Studio Calico.  I'm also working on another layout or two and hope to have them to share at reveal as well, although they won't be in my gallery this month as the deadline has come and gone.
  
  
  
  
  I got add-ons 1 and 2 this month.  Sugar Woods and Footpath. 
  I just wish I could have ordered more time, lol.  July was a busy month, family wise and crafty wise.  You just can't quite tell because I can't quite share everything, lol.
  I can share this though:
  
  
  I had a lot of fun contributing to Kelly's second Sketchbook class.  This time, I also contributed two layouts. 
  Sketchbook 2 is a four week class filled with fresh sketches, easy instructions, beautiful examples, and lots of fun. From August 2nd to August 27th a PDF will be delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so you can work at your own pace. By the end of the class, you'll have a complete sketchbook of 12 original sketches, 36 layouts, and an additional 36 sketches based on those creative pages. All the examples are brand new layouts, exclusive to this class... you won't see them anywhere else! The best part is that you will be receiving an example layout from me for each of the sketches, along with two example layouts from a member of the incredible Studio Calico design team. The class will also include a private message board for questions and sharing ideas, as well as two scheduled chats - all on the awesome Studio Calico website.
  the link to registration on Kelly's blog:
  [kellypurkey.typepad.com]
  These peeks are the only thing you'll see from me on the internet unless you sign up for the class:
  
  
  I used some leftover kit contents from previous Studio Calico kits.  I had a lot of fun with these layouts so I hope you'll take the class so you can check them out along with the other projects!  Here's a peek at what the setup looks like:
  
  
  A very cool thing to have in your crafting arsenal.
  You may have noticed that the other participants are giving away a seat in this class. Of course, I am too.  Leave a comment on this post if you'd like to take this class and I'll draw a winner on Tuesday (good grief, I am giveaway queen these days... ).  You can find their blogs on my sidebar if you want more chances to win.
  Already registered?  If you win a spot Kelly will happily give you a refund, because she's cool like that.
  Sound good?  Now you have yourself a great day!  Stay cool!  It's bloomin' hot here!  Davinie
• July 23, 2010
• 19:38

  Studio Calico winner is.....

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:  studio calico   [edit]

  Wowee!  Methinks we have some Studio Calico fans!  Without further ado...  random.org chose:
  
  
  and that's:
  L said...
  Window Seat paper. My husband is a pilot, and so is my best friend and scrapping buddy, Rachel. We both collect airplane supplies and buy in doubles so we each have one. In fact, we recently ended up with four airplane stamps from Michael's because we both saw it and both bought one for ourselves and one for the other! :)
  
  
  7:05 AM
   
  Congrats L!  You are the winner of my ST box from Studio Calico!
   
  But guess what!?  There was a deleted comment there at the end, and I don't know if blogger takes that comment into consideration or not when it's doing the counting.  So.....  I'm also going to give number 261 a prize, because she might BE 262, right?  If I'm counting from the end?  And if I should have chosen 263 instead, forgive me, 263.  I have a Bachelor of Arts.  Not a Bachlor of Science degree.
   
  So......
   
   
  Leslie said...
  
  
  
  How do you choose ONE favorite SC product, or collection even?? Impossible. Every time a new one comes out, it was as drool-inducing as the last one! LOL!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  6:30 AM
  
  Leslie, you are a winner too!
   
  Thank you for all your wonderful comments!  I made sure April from Studio Calico took a peek and I know they all appreciate the feedback.
   
  I am REALLY looking forward to the opaque mists, and I'm not a mister, so I was happy to see you excited about it too!  The Notions as well!
   
  Have a great night!  I'm going to be right back with some Studio Calico  August sneaks.
   
  Davinie
• July 20, 2010
• 20:53

  Great Big Fat Studio Calico giveaway HERE.

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  EDITED:  Time's Up.  Thank you!
  
  
  
  
  At just around dinner time the dog started barking which told me my favorite man in brown was at my door.  I opened it to reveal my latest goodie box from Scrapbook Trends.  Upon opening it, though, I gave a little giggle.  The goodies that went with my layouts and magazines were all Studio Calico. 
  
  As much as I'd love to hoard every little last inch of the Studio Calico goodness, it immediately became apparent that I had to give it alllll away.
  
  
  Well, almost all of it.  I am reeeallly tempted to keep the buttons.  And the sticker sheet.  And the Homefront alpha stickers.  And the journaling cards.  But I already have the stamp.  And then I read the cute little card attached to the stamp, and I restrained myself.
  A little Home Front.  A bit of Anthology.  Some exclusive kit product.  DEEEElish.
  If you would do me the honor of leaving a comment on this thread declaring your favorite Studio Calico product, either currently out on the market or soon to be released at CHAS10 in Chicago, I'd love to let random.org choose a name and send this little bit of Studio Calico stash to you.  You did see the wood veneer, notions, and mists, right?  The stamps and rubons?  Elementary?
  That little card?  It contains a coupon code for $10 at Studio Calico.  I certainly can't keep THAT to myself!  It must be shared!
  You could pick up Documentary, AND the coordinating cardstock.  You could get the latest mists or save your $10 and hold out for Mr Huey, because that white mist is going to ROCK my world here in a couple of weeks. 
  I'm going to leave comments open until I draw a name on Friday.  I'll send the code right away should you wish to shop this weekend, and then put your package of SC goodness in the mail.
  Woot!  Now spread the word!  Or don't....  to increase your chances and all that.  :)
  XOXO
  Davinie
  
  
• 14:22

  crafTuesday - Balancing Butterflies

   » ‎ My Scrap Home

  Tags:    [edit]

  This week's craft was actually made last week.  The craft I had originally planned turned out to be a waste of Dawn detergent and karo syrup so I had to find something else.....
  
  I just happened to be surfing some craft blogs on my google reader and came across this great idea through the Crafty Crow and had to try it out. 
  
  Balancing butterflies:
  
  
  
  
  
  You can find the template and instructions here. 
  
  I printed my butterflies on white cardstock and then got out the watercolor paints. 
  
  Morgan and Payton both did the rounded butterfly and I took on the two smaller butterflies template.
  
  
  
  After the paint was dry I trimmed out the butterflies and glued on the pennies.
  And despite the look on her face when we took the photo...... 
   
  both girls really enjoyed this craft project and even now, almost a week later, those butterflies still exist.  *I* had fun painting my butterflies as well, so it's an easy project, not very time consuming, and can be fun for the "supervisor" as well.  :)
   
  Davinie