Altered Journal

During a recent trip to Michaels, I found several wine journals in the dollar bins. So the journals weren't the prettiest things; personally, all I noticed was a blank canvas.



So, what do you do with a not so pretty journal? Add a bit of paint, some stamps, rub-ons and voila, a very cool altered journal. And super simple to make too.

Start by removing the binding ring so you can work with the top cover by itself. Then, cut a piece of patterned paper to the size of the journal cover. Add a couple layers of paint to give some dimension to the background. Using a dry brush, I first painted on white, let it dry, then added the blue. Stamp the background once the paint is fully dry. Next, adhere the paper to the journal cover with Mod Podge and also add a layer of Mod Podge on top of the patterned paper to seal and protect the paper. Using a Spellbinders die, I cut a piece of patterned paper and added some rub-ons. The last thing is simply to put the book back together.

Start to finish, I think it only took about 90 minutes to complete.



This journal will make a nice addition to a gift set. Maybe add in some small note cards, or even a pen/pencil set.

For a lot more ideas and tutorials, join us at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

Fun In The Sun

So I'm finally getting around to scrapping some of the pics from Tybee that were taken back in October. What can I say? I've been busy. :) The papers are Fancy Pants and fit perfectly with the pics, even if the paper is green (ick).



Who knows? Maybe I'll find some time to get the rest of the Tybee pics scrapped.

Layouts For A Friend

So I'm finally finishing an album that I started over a year ago. A friend of mine is trying to get into professional photography and we worked out a deal. She would do newborn pictures of the twins and I would complete an album for her to showcase her pictures. Fourteen months later the album is done! And Lisa if your reading this, I totally love how the beach layout turned out!

Since all of these are for someone else, I made sure to leave plenty of room for journaling. All of the pictures have a story to tell.

One Year Old

Ok, so I'm just a bit behind. They were a year old on February 19 but I just now go the pictures from my sister. I spent the afternoon yesterday with her and all four of the kidlets.

What a difference a year makes though! They have both grown so much.

This is Emily.


And this is Sheyla.


Now compare this to just a year ago. This was taken about three hours after they were delivered. Emily on the left and Sheyla on the right.

Fun With Watercolor Paints

So I tried something completely new and absolutely loved it! Ok, so technically I tried it because a project for Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, but once I finished that project I immediately jumped on another using the same technique. And I just got a package of Queen Kat Designs stamps in the mail that I had ordered. So even more goodies to play with!

Check this out? Isn't that fairy stamp awesome? To me, her face just has a very mischievous look, so it was perfect for my project.



The background was made using watercolor paper and watercolor paints. Super simple, just add a few colors of paints to your paper (be sure it's good and wet, learned that the hard way) and then take some plastic wrap (yes, go raid your pantry now) and crumple it up and place on top of your watercolor paper. Set it aside until completely dry.

While the paper is drying, stamp the fairy on watercolor paper with a waterproof ink. Once the ink is dry, color in the image. One of my fave ways to color images is using Distress Ink pads and an aqua pen brush. It's an easy way to blend the colors together. I also use some Perfect Pearls for lots of added shimmer.

Once your background watercolor paper is dry, adhere the cut out fairy. The white flames where heat embossed then all the sentiments were stamped. Last, pierce a line of holes across the bottom and add the shells.

This was made for a friend to use as a door hanger to hopefully forwarn people of a bad mood. I'm liking it so much she may not get it though!

A Few Cards To Share

Here are just a few of my recent cards that were in the February issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. It's funny, I started off making only cards, gravitated into layouts and did those almost exclusively for awhile, and now it seems like all I do now is cards. Go figure.







And I also want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and hope you are enjoying the weekend. The weather here has been wonderful here this week! Nice warm afternoons and the nights still have a slight chill in the air. I love spring, just wished it lasted longer before the HOT summer days arrive.

Inchies, Twinchies, and Squares

My oh my. What is the crazy lady on the other side of the computer talking about? Inchies, of course :) They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and can be decorated any way you want. For my project, I used an Inchie (1 inch square), Twinchie (1 1/2 inch square), and Square (2 inch square).



I used the same stamped image for all three and simply cut the cardstock to a smaller size each time. All are stamped with a Queen Kat Designs stamp, heat embossed, and then colored in using an aqua brush and distress inks.

The Square is sandwiched between two pieces of Memory glass. The edges of the glass are covered with Memory foil, which holds everything together.

The Twinchie and Inchie are sandwiched between pieces of thick plastic. This is a great way to re-purpose those plastic clamshell containers. The edges of the plastic are also held together with Memory foil.

Then, using an all purpose glue, adhere the ribbon to backs of all three and form a small loop at the top. Project complete!

Valentine's Tag

Here's a quick tag created especially for a special loved one. I tried lots of fun techiniques with this project.



For more details and step by step instructions, check out the 14 Day of Valentine's Day Tags at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. While you're there, you can also check out all the other wonderful tags.

So what special plans do you have for Valentine's Day?

Earrings and More

I hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year! My New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were spent working, but I can't complain as the overtime does pay for all my scrappy supplies.

A few months ago I had purchased a pack of Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas by Ranger and since then have been trying to come up with fun little projects to make with it. And these earrings were the perfect project - quick (because I'm all about instant gratification!) and easy. And I have to say a big thanks to my "model". I made these especially for Taylor because they fit her personality.



Start with a piece of canvas 3in x 5in, multiple stamps, and several colors of acrylic paint.

Take your stamps and using a waterproof ink (I used Ranger's Archival Ink) stamp random images on the canvas.

Next, paint the canvas. For this example I used five colors. In a small plastic cup, take a small amount of paint and thin it down with water to an approximate 50/50 mix of water and paint. You want more of an opaque color for this project versus full coverage with the paint. Same as with the stamping, just mix your colors randomly over the canvas. To speed drying time, use a heat tool to dry the canvas.

Once the canvas is completely dry, remove the baking and fold in half to make a piece of canvas 1 1/2in x 5in. Press the canvas to ensure there is a good bond. If you have a Cuttlebug, you could even run it through a couple of times to make it easy.

Next, cut out the individual pieces. I cut two circles at 1in and two circles at 1/2in. Using a paper piercer, make a hole just large enough for jump rings at the top and bottom of the circles approximately 1/4 from the edge.

Starting with the larger circle, add the first jump ring and earring hook, then add the bottom rump ring and connect it to the smaller circle, then add the last jump ring and beads to the bottom of the smaller circle. Repeat this process with the second earring.

Just imagine the possibilities using different shapes and sizes! Have fun!

Merry Christmas To All!

Wishing each and everyone a very Merry Christmas! We had our family Christmas celebration yesterday and everyone had a wonderful time! Because of everyone's schedules these days, it's not often we are all able to get together at once. The twins are 10 months old now (gasp!) and we able to open a few gifts.

And of course I have to share a short clip of little miss Sheyla laughing and dancing. Such a cutie!

Christmas Ornament

I've had a pack of Ranger's Sticky back canvas for a while now and have been trying to come up with different ideas on how to use it. And since it is holiday season right now, what better way to use it than to make an ornament?



This was so simple to make too, which is the best part. Simply cut a piece of canvas to 2in x 2in and cover with acrylic paint. Next, take several different shades of ink (I used two different greens and a brown) and ink on top of the paint, then stamp your image. Remove the backing from the canvas and adhere to a 2in x 2in piece of Memory Glass then add a second piece of glass on top. Insert the glass into a 2in Memory frame and add the rub-on and ornament hook. And voila, completed ornament!

Join me again in a couple of days and I'll have another idea for using Sticky back canvas.

How Quickly Time Flies

Hard to believe the twins are nine months old and the holidays are just right around the corner. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year and the arrival of the babies.

Yesterday the twins were Baptized and of course there was a huge party afterwards. I wasn't able to attend the Baptism so I'm waiting on someone else to send me picstures so I can share but I do have a few pics from the party.


Mom and Sheyla


The entire clan. It's not very often we are all together.
Myself, Mom, Felix, Pollo, Grandma, Emily, Taylor, Cristy, Sheyla


Mom, Sheyla, Grandma, Emily, Felix, Taylor


Mom, Emily, Sheyla, Grandma

I forget to pics of the cake once it was finished so by the time I had a chance it already had a few places in where where people were tasting and the top of the cake was a bit lopsided because people were bumping the table. Oh well, it was stll yummy.

A Few Goodies To Share

I've been so busy lately that I just haven't had time to post so I thought I'd share some of the items I've made.







I spent the past three days at Tybee Island, Ga for a friends wedding. So of course there will be more pics to follow of that.

Playtime

I got in some playtime with the twins yesterday. Gotta love baby time! Hard to believe they are now almost five months. I love this age, they are laughing, smiling, cooing, so much fun to play with.

Emily and the closeup. This pic rocks! Taylor was holding her and got a bit close to the camera and this is the outcome. For sure this will be on a layout in the near future.


And then there's Miss Chubby Girl (aka Sheyla). This child is a bottomless pit and it shows. She has the chubbiest cheeks that you just can't help but pinch.


Why did I have a house full of family yesterday? Just having a little early birthday celebration for me. I admit it, I'll be 21 this year! Come on, surely you believe that? OK, so I'll actually be 33, not afraid to admit it.

Life At 1,600 Feet

Ok, maybe not life, but a day. I took my niece and nephew to Stone Mountain yesterday. Despite the triple digit heat and humidity, it was a really fun day.

Ready for a history lesson? Who are the figures carved into the face of the mountain? President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (and their favorite horses, "Blackjack," "Traveller," and "Little Sorrel," respectively). The entire carved surface measures 3 acres, about the size of three football fields. The carving of the three men towers 400 feet above the ground, measures 90 by 190 feet, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. The deepest point of the carving is at Lee's elbow, which is 12 feet to the mountain's surface.


The top of the mountain is a landscape of bare rock and rock pools, and it provides views of the surrounding area including the skyline of downtown Atlanta, often Kennesaw Mountain, and on very clear days even the Appalachian Mountains. On some days, however, the top of the mountain is covered in a heavy fog, and visibility can be limited to only a few feet. It was a bit cloudy yesterday but what a view!

Stone Mountain is a granite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground 9 miles at its longest point into Gwinnett County.

In addition to the historical and antebellum sites, there are plenty of child friendly activities - rock climbing, miniature golf, boat rides, 3-D shows, and lots more. And on a side note, I was amazed at the level of courtesy the staff showed, despite the heat and crowds. Kudos!

Growing Babies

I have to share some updated pics of the twins. They are really getting big now and seriously chubby with cheeks that you can't help but pinch. Hard to believe they are almost four months old now.

This is Sheyla.


And this is Emily.

From Cute To Devious

A friend of mine is having a birthday and I just found out it's the BIG one, yes 50. Those of you that know me know that I cannot let it pass silently, I must have my fun. So, to honor the occasion, I have made her a cute little card (at least cute on the outside). I just got the deer stamp from Sideshow Stamps this week and knew immediately how to use it.

What starts off really cute and sweet take a drastic turn once the card is actually opened. Another friend (thanks Beth) gave me the idea to use a boxing glove and it worked out really well.

And for added dimension on the inside, it's attached so that when the card is opened it pops right out of the card. And just for an added bit of humor, there will be a saying on the inside that says "A younger person would have seen that one coming".

Ah yes, gotta love a birthday!

First Holy Communion

No, not mine but my oldest niece's. It was a beautiful ceremony and all the girls were stunning in all white. Taylor is only 11 and looks all grown up and almost as tall as me. Where has the time gone?

This is Taylor and Cristy outside of the church.

Myself and Taylor outside of the church.

Taylor and the twins who are now 11 weeks old (Sheyla on the left and Emily on the right).

Taylor at home just before leaving for the church.

Coloring Images With Distress Inks

I'm sure this is not a new technique, but I have just discovered it and love it! I found a Zig Aqua pen at Michaels a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try. For this technique you really need to use watercolor paper. It's specifially made to hold up being wet and not curl and the colors do not bleed. You can find the paper in the artist section of any craft store.

Just stamp your image using a waterproof ink (I like Ranger Archival Ink) and then take the aqua pen and swipe it across your distress ink pads and fill in your entire image. It's so easy to blend and layer color this way. Once the image is colored, just cut it out and you're ready to add it to your card or layout. Super easy!

Products: Strathmore watercolor paper; Ranger distress inks, archival ink, and stickles; Zig Aqua pen; Prima stamp

2009 Robins AFB Air Show

We all had a blast! It was hot, but still a gorgeous day for the annual air show. Many of the planes were open where you could walk through; there were several exhibits, and 8 hours of aerial acrobatics. And who could resist all the single GI's. Then there was the security - metal detectors, x-ray machines for all bags - and that was just to get in the gates. Once we were actually on the air strip, there was no shortage of MP's and local police.

Here are just a few of the groups that performed:

Golden Knights
Sky Soldiers
GEICO Skytypers
Thunderbirds

Here are just a few of the pics. Warning: these are all raw images and have not been cropped or edited. Haven't had time for that yet.

Airshow pictures