Saturday, November 30, 2013

Small Business Saturday

Hello, one and all!  It's "Small Business Saturday," a day to promote local small businesses.  In that vein, I want to share with you a card that I made, using items purchased at my LSS (Scrapbooks Too).
 
Supplies: milk cap & tickets from Jenni Bowlin True Vintage; upcycled book page; alphabet stickers from Doodlebug; ribbon from Scrapbook Fantasies; corner punch from Creative Memories; ink from Clearsnap; paint from Ranger; cardstock from Neenah Paper.

On a recent trip to Scrapbooks Too I was overjoyed to find packs of Jenni Bowlin True Vintage milk caps and tickets.  As the name suggests, these are actual antique items.


The book page comes from a reproduction Dick and Jane reader, purchased at my local library's used book sale.  The cute, imaginative illustration was perfect for a child's birthday card.


I think that Small Business Saturday is a wonderful idea, and I'm happy to support the unique businesses in my local area. 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Treasured Trinkets

Hello, all!  Are there art fairs, craft bazaars, or other events that you attend on a regular basis?  The Fall Twin Cities Bead Bazaar was this past weekend, but, sadly, I missed it for the first time in years.  I love this event.  When I attend it, I of course buy beads for my jewelry-making, but I also pick up interesting buttons, charms, and other baubles to use in my paper crafting.  Although I missed the show this fall, I want to share with you a scrapbook page that I made with an item purchased at the spring bazaar, which I did attend.
 
Supplies: photorealistic ruler paper from Kaisercraft; file folders, pocket, & all other paper from Teresa Collins; die cut typewriter keys from Graphic 45; flair badges & die cut labels from October Afternoon; word stickers from My Mind's Eye; all other stickers from Basic Grey; thread from DMC; cameo from Olla Podrida; pen from Creative Memories; crackle glaze from Ranger.

The page above, entitled "Graduation," features a vintage cameo from a Twin Cities seller named Stephanie Gard Buss (aka "Olla Podrida").  I always make sure to visit her stall at the bazaar, because I like buying her vintage items.  I could buy made-in-China, vintage-looking cameos at the scrapbook store. But why do that when I can buy genuine vintage, pre-loved trinkets from Stephanie?  There's nothing like the real thing!


This scrapbook layout has photos of my graduation from the University of Minnesota.  Since I double-majored in Russian and English, I thought it fitting to use papers with Russian text on my layout.


To hold notes and smaller photos, I used a twine-wrapped pocket.


This layout appeared in the May, 2013, issue of Scrap n' Art e-zine.  I have a Thanksgiving card in their current (November, 2013) issue--if you're a Scrap n' Art subscriber, please be sure to check it out.


Here's hoping that I'll be able to attend the Spring Twin Cities Bead Bazaar, when the time comes.  Until then, I still have lots of fun little trinkets from past bazaars to incorporate into my work, so I'm sure you'll be seeing more of them on my blog.  Thanks for your visit today!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Colors! (T-Tues & CPC)


Hello, all!  It's going to be a colorful post today.  First off, since it's Tuesday (well in most of the world it is; we still have a few more hours of Monday here in Minnesota), I'm joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard's virtual tea party.  Today I'm not drinking tea; instead I have a tapioca dessert/beverage.  It's made with coconut milk, passionfruit juice, pineapple juice, tapioca pearls, mango chunks, and a maraschino cherry.


To consume this treat, first you drink the liquid at the top, then you spoon up the fruit and tapioca from the bottom.  This dessert is my own concoction, loosely based on the tricolor dessert/beverage that is sold at Twin Cities Hmong markets.  (To see an example of real Hmong tricolor, I recommend this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRhMYhZQBtA)  

Moving on to scrappy topics...

Supplies: assorted scraps & stickers--too many to list individual manufacturers :) ; flair badges from October Afternoon; upcycled netting from fruit packaging; upcycled postage stamp; faux brads from Craftwork; pink flower from Petaloo; black flower from We Call Her Happydaks; stamps from My Mind's Eye; ink from Hero Arts; pen from Zig; household paperclips.

The 8.5 x 11" layout above is my take on the "xylophone" challenge at Child's Play Challenges.  Here is the image prompt:

image source: http://childsplaychallenges.blogspot.com/2013/11/team-c-november-classic-toy-challenge.html

I was inspired by the rainbow colors of the toy.  To replicate that rainbow on my page, I collaged a background of scraps and other tidbits.  (This was a great way to use up stash!)  I also used a quote sticker ("The lovers, the dreamers, and me") from Bo Bunny with lyrics from the song "The Rainbow Connection."

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Hope that your day will be filled with color!  :)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

T is for Ten on the Tenth: October Afternoon

Hello again!  If you're a returning visitor, maybe you've noticed that I have done something different on my blog this month.  Normally, I kick off odd-numbered months (January, March, May, etc.) with a post about art journal and/or mini album pages.  This month, since my three most recent mini album pages all showcase October Afternoon products, I decided not to make a separate post about them.  Instead, I've rolled them into my "Ten on the Tenth" post, where in I'm focusing on using up October Afternoon stash.
 
Project 1: clear plastic sleeve, paper, die cuts, & stickers from October Afternoon; stamps from My Mind's Eye; ink from Tsukineko; ribbon from Scrapbook Fantasies; faux brads from Craftwork; party confetti from Pipoos; pens from Zig; paint from Ranger; fabric scraps; Dr. Who trading card from Cornerstone Communications.

This month, I'm geeking out with pages from my Doctor Who mini album.  For my first page (actually a two-page spread), I upcycled some clear plastic packaging to make a pocket for my Dr. Who bookmark, a trading card, and some festive confetti.  Below you can see the bookmark (a reading tally that I've had for a very long time) and some of the confetti.

project 1 detail--front
project 1 detail--back

Next up is a page that houses a 1980's Dr. Who Fan Club of America membership pin.  :)

Project 2: journal page & die cuts from October Afternoon; chalkboard & floral papers from My Mind's Eye; tape from 3M/Scotch; pen from Ranger.

Project 2 detail: the pin changes color like a mood ring!

My third mini album page has a solemn tone.

Project 3: chipboard album page, flair badge, die cuts, grid paper, & "unforgettable" sticker from October Afternoon; pink & red stickers from Echo Park; canvas strips from Canvas Corp.; ink from Hero Arts; paint from Ranger; pen from Zig; mini stapler.

Project 3 detail: I used a half-dollar coin to represent President Kennedy.

Next up, I have three 12x12" scrapbook pages that use nearly 100% October Afternoon products.

Project 4: stickers & patterned paper from October Afternoon; cardstock from Wausau Paper; chalk from Stampin' Up; wire from Artistic Wire; paper clips.


Project 5: previously blogged here.


Project 6: previously blogged here.

For the following two layouts, I found ways to use up scraps of October Afternoon products by placing them against background paper from other manufacturers.

Project 7: previously blogged here.  Background paper is from Bella Blvd.


Project 8: background paper & "Raven" tab from Glitz; fussy-cut hexagon paper from Authentique; all other designer paper from October Afternoon; yellow cardstock from American Crafts; flower from Petaloo; tape from Scotch/3M; alphabet stickers from Bella Blvd; pens from Zig; photo collage service from Walgreens; netting upcycled from fruit packaging.

For my final two projects, I reused the negative pieces from October Afternoon "Mini Market" stickers in interesting ways.

Project 9: previously blogged here.

For the layout above, I tucked pieces of the sticker negatives amongst the layers.  For a rustic feel, I randomly bent and cut the sticker pieces.

Project 10: previously blogged here.

For my tenth (and last) project, I used the sticker negatives as a mask with Liquid Pearls paint.


Thanks for sticking with me through this long post!  Before I sign off, I just want to remind you about the Scrap for Help challenge for this month.  The T(ea) is for Tuesday crew, in particular, may be interested in this one: the challenge is to use upcycled bottle caps (perhaps from a bottle of iced tea, LOL?) in a project.  You can make anything--a card, altered art, a journal page, or, of course, a scrapbook layout.  For inspiration/ideas, see here and here.   


Take care and enjoy your week!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

All You Need Is Love (T-Day, SA, & TCR)

Guess what day it is!  Guess what day it is!  Nope, not Hump Day.  :)  Well, actually, in Australasia and the Far East it already is Hump Day.  But here in the States, it's Tuesday...which means that it's time for T-Day with Elizabeth and Bleubeard!


It's also Election Day, so today I'm joining the virtual tea party with treats purchased at an Election Day bake sale.  My polling place happens to be an elementary school, and the PTA there raises a little money by selling baked goods and hot drinks to the voters.  Everything was delicious!

Supplies: stickers & background paper from Bo Bunny; starry paper from Studio Calico; chalkboard paper from Simple Stories; old book pages; fabric scraps; stamp from Paper Inspirations; black ink from Hero Arts; merlot ink from Clearsnap; flair badge & grid sticker negative from October Afternoon; buttons upcycled from old clothing; clock faces & decorative tape from We Call Her Happydaks; paint from Ranger; thread from DMC; pen from Zig; mini stapler.

As usual, I also have some artwork to share today.  I've played along with the current sketch challenge at Scrap Africa...

image source: http://scrapafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/sketch-no23.html

...only I've rotated the sketch 180 degrees.


I've combined the Scrap Africa challenge with color inspiration from the Color Room.

image source: http://www.thecolorrooms.com/1/post/2013/10/tcr-palette-162.html

On this layout I used a photo of my husband.  This photo is left over from the Uno layout that I made this past summer.  Since I didn't need to retell the story of how our family likes to play Uno, I decided simply to let this page be a sort of visual love letter to my husband.


I had fun using some artsy techniques.  To create the swirl patterns on the felt, I placed a background stamp face up, draped the felt over it, and rubbed the felt with an ink pad.  It's kind of like the grown-up version of crayon rubbings.  :)


I made the most of an alphabet sticker sheet by repurposing the negative piece as a mask.


Liquid Pearls paint in "Bisque" gave the masked image a creamy, shiny, almost mirror-like look.

That's all from me for today.  Hope that your day is going well.  Happy T-Day!  :)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Swing, Swing (LPS + B71B + OUAS)

Hello, everyone!  I'm writing this post on Sunday evening, just as the weekend is winding to a close.  Did you get a chance to do something creative over the weekend?  As for me, I had a lot of fun on Saturday scrapping with friends.  Scrapping at the beginning of the month is especially fun, because all kinds of new inspiration is rolling out on the challenge blogs.  Here is the layout I made this weekend, using inspiration from three different blogs.
 
Supplies: background paper from Bella Blvd; all other paper, journaling card, & large alphabet stickers from October Afternoon; small alphabet stickers from Echo Park; ink from Tsukineko; pen from Zig; sequins upcycled from old jewelry.

I played along with Berry 71 Bleu, drawing inspiration from their mood board (see below).  I was inspired by the image of the exultant lady (so I used photos of my son looking exultant).  I also liked the floral imagery on the mood board, so I made flowers a prominent part of my page design.  To go along with the "change is beautiful" theme, I wrote about a change in my son's feeling about swinging.
 
image source: http://berry71bleu.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-challenge-change-is-beautiful.html

My brown/blue/yellow color scheme came from Life.  Paper.  Scrapbook.  This site is a new discovery for me.  There are still a few days to play along with their October Color Challenge.
 
image source: http://www.lifepaperscrapbook.com/2013/10/october-colour-challenge-team-a.html

Finally, I used the November sketch and theme ("My Happy Place") from Once Upon A...Sketch.
 
image source: http://onceuponasketchblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/journalling-theme-my-happy-place-you.html

Here are a few detail photos:


Journaling: "A. never used to be very interested in swings.  But suddenly, this year, they're his favorite piece of playground equipment.  I think he would swing all day if we let him.  Swings are his 'happy place.'"  :)


I fussy-cut three large roses to use in my page design.


I also fussy-cut the banner, as well as the scalloped border on the yellow paper.  Aside from the fussy-cutting, it's really quite a simple page.  That simplicity seems appropriate for the subject matter: the nearly effortless joy of swinging.


I grunged up all the page elements with light swipes of brown ink.  But then, for contrast, I threw in a few shiny sequins.  And that's it--done and dusted!  Thanks for dropping by to check out my sunny, happy layout.  :)
 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Just for Fun!

Hello, friends!  I hope that the first day of November is treating you well so far.  And, if you celebrated Halloween yesterday, then I hope it was fun for you.  Speaking of fun, today I'm going to show you a project that I made just for fun.  Not for any challenge.  Not for any design team work.  Just because I wanted to.  :)


So, you may ask, what are these things?  Do you recognize them?  Perhaps you played with them as a child?


They are paper fortune tellers.  I made a whole bunch of them for a Halloween party that my son had over the weekend.  Actually, the ones that you see in this post are just the leftovers.  I made extras, so that the kids could have a variety of styles and colors from which to choose.


The 6x6" Crate Paper "Pretty Party" pad worked a treat for this project.  The papers are printed on one side but plain white on the other (so that the kids can write in the fortunes), and there is a good mix of "boyish" and "girlish" patterns.  These fortune tellers are quick to make, plus they are lots of fun.  Want to make your own fortune teller?  A simple search will show that instructions and examples abound on the web; there is even a Wikipedia article!

It's always nice to make a "just for fun" project.  I hope that the upcoming weekend will bring some fun, creative time for you.  Have a good one!