Little Elf

>> Saturday, February 25, 2012

I was planning on playing along with all of Lori's birthday challenges over at the Apron String's blog this week, but unfortunately I wasn't nearly as productive as I had hoped to be.  Instead of six layouts, I only completed one.  


The "ingredient" I used for this one was: 2 different types of ribbon 

Have a wonderful weekend, 


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Isaac @ 3

>> Saturday, February 18, 2012

This will be a really quick post to show you the quick page I put together this afternoon for Lori's timed layout challenge.  This page took me about an hour and five minutes, including picking out my photo and supplies, and dealing with an uncooperative sewing machine.


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Scrappin Patch : Valentines OTP Inspiration


Even though Valentines is a few days past, I wanted to share with you a project that I created to help my husband and I celebrate our first Valentines day! As soon as Adrienne asked me to join the Off the Page design team I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to create some projects that allow me to express my creativity outside the realm of layouts and cards, though there will be lots of cards coming up too!


I had so much fun with this project. While I tailored this "Love Potion" for Valentines (really just Sparkling Blood Orange Juice from the grocery store), I plan to re-use the idea for other holidays or special events. What fun you can have with re-labeling your favourite drinks! My husband loved this.


The first step to creating this project is removing the labels from the glass which I did by soaking the bottle in warm water and a little white vinegar. After about 10 minutes, the label peeled off very nicely. The adorable kit that Scrappin Patch sent all the way to wintry Canada consisted of everything except the alphabets I used in the "potion". I loved how the ruffled ribbon and metal locket added to the look that I was trying to create.


I'm so excited to be part of this incredible team and looking forward to sharing more in the month of March. I'd love to see any projects you might create inspired by this! Thanks for looking.



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Honored

>> Friday, February 17, 2012

I've been playing along with some of Lori's challenges over at the Apron Strings blog, and today's challenge was to give yourself permission to do something you haven't before.  I chose to do a few things that I don't normally do on my layouts -

1.) I used a picture of myself that I do not particularly like because it is means a lot to me.
2.) I used a color that I virtually never use in any of my crafting endeavors: Purple
3.) I employed some techniques and a style that I love (shabby/vintage), but have never been able to pull off to my satisfaction.
4.) I wrote my journaling out by hand. 

Basically I gave myself permission to create a layout that I knew I probably wouldn't be happy with; and I am also giving myself permission to get this picture reprinted so that I can redo this page.


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{These 2}

>> Thursday, February 16, 2012

I am a huge October Afternoon fan, and I think that their "Sidewalks" collection may just be my favorite one yet.  I just love the gorgeous colors and patterns, and of course, with four little people in the house, the theme is perfect for about 90% of my pictures. 

Here is the layout that I created last night. I was inspired by this beautiful layout and created my own flower embellishments for Lori's challenge



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Vintage Valentines

>> Wednesday, February 15, 2012

With the coming of Valentines Day I admit I was crafting maybe a little more than normal, but I wanted to make our first Valentines as a married couple extra special! Turns out it was a good thing I put a lot of effort into the day because even my attempts were very dwarfed by the enormous bouquets of flowers that my husband scattered throughout the house, amidst a myriad of other special things. I've decided I rather like being married, especially to this man!

There is another post coming up in a few days (courtesy of Scrappin Patch's newest design team kit) with a another Valentines project, but I wanted to share the card I made. I struggled a little with keeping it masculine, but in the end the butterflies still found a way onto the card. Hubby didn't seem to object though, I think secretly he likes butterflies almost as much as I do.

SUPPLIES
Recollections "Love Letters" Paper
Martha Stewart Punch
Vintage Ribbon
Misc Dewdrops
Making Memories "Sweetheart"

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Bingo Card Entry #6

>> Sunday, February 12, 2012

Well, I actually did it -  6 layouts in 6 days!

For my final Bingo Card challenge I had to use bling on a layout.  In theory I like bling, I mean, who doesn't like shiny stuff? But in practice it is not something that actually finds its way onto my layouts very often.

At first I intended to use the requirement of having bling on my layout to create something completely ridiculous and over-the-top blinged up, but I quickly realized that I don't really have any papers or embellishments in my stash that lend themselves to that type of style.  So, instead I finally cut into some of my favorite papers that I've been hoarding (MME Fine & Dandy) and added a bit of subtle sparkle.  What can I say, I guess I'm just not very adventurous.

Saturday - Bling


In addition to meeting my final bingo card requirement, it is also based on challenge #32 over on the MME blog.

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Animal Parade

>> Saturday, February 11, 2012

There are lots of little kids in our families, which means that I have plenty of excuses to make cards every so often that are just plain fun! This little card was no excpetion. It was an idea I scraplifted from a card I saw years ago in one of my magazines with some of my own variations. As soon as I saw the button balloons, I knew that this card was going to be recreated for the Polkadot Door :)

I used very little paper on this card and instead raided my sticker stash for the adorable little Sassafrass Lass felties. I've been saving them because they've been to cute to use, but am beginning to realize, I can't save things forever!

SUPPLIES
Vintage Buttons
Sasasfrass Lass Felties
Misc Paper from my scrapbox


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Bingo Card Entry #4 & 5

>> Friday, February 10, 2012

Well, I must say, I am kind of shocked.  When Lori first posted the Bingo Card challenge over at Apron Strings I figured there was absolutely no way I would be able to complete 6 layouts in one week.  It is day 5 of the challenge, and surprisingly I have managed to keep up so far.  Five down, one more to go by Sunday.

And the really shocking part is this - not only have I completed five layouts this week, but, my house is not a mess, my kids are not neglected or hungry, my laundry is done and I've also completed a couple other crafty projects that have been on my to-do list for a long time!  I don't know what is going on here....

Thursday - Transparency


Friday - 3 Tags

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Bingo Card Entry #1, 2 & 3

>> Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Lori over at Apron Strings is hosting a week-long challenge to celebrate Apron Strings 7th Birthday and I decided to play along.  My photos have been stacking up quickly because I haven't been scrapping very much lately, so the "one project" per day format is just what I needed to get me back in the groove.

I am playing along using the Bingo Card that Lori provided - hopefully I can keep up the pace and get an entire row of 6 squares completed (and photographed) by Sunday evening.  I think that I am off to a pretty good start though as I completed three layouts yesterday.

Here are my first entries for the challenge:

Monday - Baker's Twine


Tuesday - Hand-Cut (the No. labels and pennants are hand-cut)

Wednesday - 5 Patterned Papers



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A Card for a Birthday Party...

>> Thursday, February 2, 2012

It was Emma's birthday last month but we were not able to have a party due to a persistent flu bug so we are having a girl's tea party and craft afternoon on Saturday to make up for it.  I am actually very impressed with Emma's patience - she hasn't even complained about waiting to receive her birthday gifts!

I saw a sweet card on the Apron String's Blog and thought that it would be a great inspiration point for cardmaking on Saturday.  I quickly did up my own version and can't wait to see what creativity it inspires in our little artists.



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