Silly 'ole Elf...

In 2013, I got this bright idea to get my children an Elf on the Shelf.  Shelby, of course, chose a female Elf and named her Hazel Marie.  Even now my daughter still believes in Hazel 100%.  I really should have thought this through because it's exhausting.  lol

Here's a layout I created with some of the pics of Hazel and her antics.



The Want2Scrap Elf Overlay helped this layout come together super quick!  I printed one 4x6 and two 3x4 photos and adhered them into their places.  Next, I sewed a pocket protector to create a snowy pocket and tucked it into the bottom left opening and added the Want2Scrap North Pole Sign.  For the remaining opening, I added a Project Life 3x4 Grid Card then created Santa's belt with some black felt ribbon and a Want2Scrap Rectangle Ribbon Slide.  Next, I colored a Want2Scrap Chipboard Speech Bubble with my red Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Pen and added some tiny alphas to read "naughty or nice".

In the pic below you can see some of the details of the snowy pocket I created.



I simply added in some white Flower Soft and chunky glitter before sewing the pocket closed!  I LOVE how it turned out!

So, does your family have an Elf on the Shelf?  What's the craziest thing your elf has done?

Nothin' But Net with Want2Scrap

Last year was my youngest son's first year to play basketball.  To be honest, I've never really been a basketball fan and I didn't know what to expect.  But I have to say, I fell in love with the game pretty quick!  This year he got to play for the school and every game I can see improvements in his technique and it is so exciting watching him grow!

Here's a layout I created with some of his pics from last year using the Want2Scrap Nothin' But Net Overlay.

One of the things I love most about Want2Scrap's overlays is that most of them come with a title already so all you have to do is add some pics and embellish!  I printed off the pics with my Selphy printer, choosing a 4x6 for the top photo and 3x4 pics for the others.  I left the white background sheet in place and added a piece of royal blue cardstock, our team colors, in between the two horizontal 3x4 photos and topped it off with a Want2Scrap Chevron Bling Strip.  I seriously think the chevron bling is my number one fave!  Using my Silhouette Cameo, I created a basketball border strip that would fit inside the rectangular opening under the title then cut the team name out of the same royal cardstock.

Here's a closer view of some of the details...



I really love how the basketball border worked out!  Do your kids play sports?  What's your favorite?

Want2Scrap Overlay SALE!!

ALL 12x12 and 6x6 overlays are on sale at Want2Scrap!  Buy 1 Get 1 Free through 1/8/2016!!

Hello 2016!!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year!  Obviously, I have taken some time off over the last year from blogging.  In late 2014 I decided to leave Scrap-Mart and take a different direction.  I was offered a position with a new company as an Office Manager.  I will say it took me longer to get used to working 40+ hours a week again.  But, I'm settled in and ready to get back to my crafting!

Here's a layout I created of Shelby at a retreat I attended back in November.



This layout came together rather quickly.  I started with some layered pieces of Stampin Up! cardstock and added 2 3x4 pocket page cards and a pocket.  Then, I printed the pic with my Selphy (my BEST purchase of 2015!!).  The scallop border was actually created by using a 2" circle punch and trimming the circles down.  I added some hand journaling, something I'm trying to incorporate more into my projects, and finished it off with a few sticker embellishments.

Here's a closer view of some of the detail...



I love the glitter on the top card!  We had an unfortunate incident that ended up with my baby girl's head getting shaved.  So I took her to get her ears pierced (again!) and this pic was taken just after she got them.

So, do you guys have any crafty resolutions for 2016?  For me, I just want to create!  Even though I remained on the design team for Want2Scrap last year I don't feel like I really got to create.  So that is my goal.  No specific numbers or projects.  Just be crafty!

Getting Organized

I don't know about you but I am not always the best at staying organized. Especially when I finish a project. I was browsing Pinterest a while back and found THIS post about organizing scraps.  Here is what my scrap bin looked like at the time...

And yes that is a layout WITH pics on it inside.  Sigh.  I am not a slob, I promise.  lol  It is just that sometimes, in the midst of work and kids and travel I just don't keep up with my scrap room the way I should!  I immediately unloaded this bin and went to trimming, just like in the article.  I trimmed all larger pieces to 6x6.  And everything smaller than that went in the trash.  Yes, the trash.  I know, I could have saved it to make cards or die cut or whatever, but that is what got me in this situation to begin with.  I happened to have a basket on hand like the ones she used in the post.  So I pulled it out, cut down chipboard pieces for my dividers then used the SCRAPS and punches to cut tabs and color dots.  Here's the finished product...

Isn't it beautiful?!  You might be shocked to learn that this was done back in like April 2014 and as of today (November 30, 2014) it is still in tact and being used, properly!  I have pulled some pieces out and used them, and I have added to it too.  I have caved and kept smaller scraps of papers I really, really liked so that I can use them to make some cards.  And I tucked all my Thickers and alpha stickers in the very back.  This sits right on top of my embellishment drawers at my work space for easy access.  Here's a closer view...

Everytime I cut a piece of 12x12 paper, I trim the scraps and add them to the basket.  I have been guilty of leaving a pile and trimming after multiple projects.  But, for now, I am happy that I have managed to keep this going for almost a year.  My plan is to take a day and work through the scraps and make a bunch of cards up at once...basics like Thank You, Get Well, etc.

Do you have a special way to store your scraps?

 

Altered Printers Tray

I had seen an awesome altered Printers Tray WAY back in like 2010 and I knew I wanted to make one for our oldest's baseball pics from through the years. I finally picked up a Printers Tray and dug out all the pics and would you believe that the pics sat in the tray on a shelf in my scrap room for TWO years before I actually completed the project?! I could make all kids of excuses for why it took so long, but I'll spare you that. I am happy to say that it IS now complete and I LOVE how it turned out! Way better than what I thought or maybe expected.

   























I had some patterned paper I purchased WAY back at Hobby Lobby.  I cut them into 3x4 rectangles and decided placement of the paper and photos.  Next, I gathered my embellishments.  My sweet friend, Susie  is on the design team for Paper House Productions.  She introduced me to their products and sent me home with some to play with too!  I absolutely LOVE their Canvas Stickers.  In addition to having those to play with Susie also gave me a sheet of their Baseball Cardstock Stickers.  I cut the Home Run, 28 and batter silhouette with my Making Memories Slice Machine and the Sports Design Card.  I added a few of the Prima Sports Flair Badges that I had picked up from Nicole Petersen Designs at one of the shows I worked and a few Dress It Up Buttons I am sure I have had like forever!  Here are a few closeups of the embellishments...

I did add some dimensional adhesive under the cardstock stickers in the center photo, but as you can see, the Canvas Stickers are very dimensional on their own.  And here's one last peek...

From this view you can also see that I added dimensional adhesive under the 28.  I think this is my favorite project of 2014.

Final Mail Art Project

Here is my final mail art project. It was really fun to receive the projects each month. You never knew exactly when they would arrive and it never failed to put a smile on my face when I opened the mailbox.

My last mail art project went to my dear friend Joyce. I wanted to make something special for her that she could hang or display in her craft room.

I started out with a chipboard shape from my stash, but you could easily use a page from one of Want2Scrap’s Chipboard albums…the Grand Album Series would work especially well for this project.  I covered the chipboard piece with the polka dot side of Quick Quotes Dream Big patterned paper then I cut a 3.5″ wide strip of the striped side of Sheer Joy and adhered it to the center.  Once the adhesive was set I trimmed the edges of the paper around the chipboard.  Next, I chose my quote from the Sentiments Quote Bundle Pack and adhered it at a slight angle on the left side, leaving just enough room to add my Want2Scrap Frilly Flourish Swirl on the right.  I added a mixture of green and pink Mulberry Paper Flowersto finish it off.  Here’s a close-up view of the embellishments…

The edge of all the papers were inked with new chalk inks by Quick Quotes…Orange Slice and Caribbean Blue.  After it was all assembled, I covered the entire piece with two coats of Mod Podge so that it would be easy to dust off and keep clean.

Joyce notified me that even though this was mailed by itself with NO envelope that it arrived safely to her in GA!

Katie