Midwestern Girl

Color Fever...

2013-06-18T06:56:00.000-05:00

Today I’m sharing my Color Fever project over on the Heidi Swapp blog! Woo hoo!

Head on over to see what I've done with these gorgeous colors...

Image sources (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Mint Green & Yellow. Yep. Awesome, right?

Here's a little sneak...

So, are you inspired? I sure hope so! And I’d love to see that you’re making something using these amazing colors as your guide! If you do, post your project on IG with the hashtag #heidiswapp and tag me @MidwesternGirl5…

A Father's Day Layout...

2013-06-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

In less than a week, a lot of us will be celebrating the wonderful men in our lives...our fathers and husbands.

And today I'm sharing a non-traditional Father's Day layout over on the Heidi Swapp blog...

My layout is all about my Dad long before he became my Dad...

My Mom recently received some photos of my Dad as a toddler and, because she knows how much I love vintage photos, she immediately shared them with me via Dropbox. I printed out a few of them on some 8.5"x11" photo paper, cut them to size and got to work.

To see more photos and see how I created the little photo openable, head over to Heidi's blog...

I've displayed this layout in my living room, and my kids are getting such a kick out of seeing their "Papa" as a little kid...and I've loved remembering this amazing man...

How do you plan to celebrate those special men in your life?

How are you celebrating National Scrapbooking Day?

2013-05-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Over on the Heidi Swapp blog we are celebrating National Scrapbooking Day (May 4 - THIS Saturday!) with some new layouts and some of our favorite older layouts!

Today I'm sharing a layout I made to celebrate my daughter's 10th birthday...

As soon as I took this photo I knew just the colors I wanted to use for my layout...the Color Pop Grey Pop paper was just perfect for my background. I knew some Georgia Peach accents would be fantastic to highlight Kate's strawberry-blonde hair...so I taped off a section of the Grey Pop with some wide washi tape and sprayed just that small area with the GP Color Shine. I love how it provides a base/mat for my photo...

I added a No Limits Maps paper banner from the No Limits Paper Pad under my photo and a length of black & white striped Color Pop Banner Delights over the photo...a few scallops of Color Magic Ribbon sprayed with Mustard Color Shine and the Epoxy word "love" finish off my photo embellishments.

For the journaling on my layout I grabbed a scrap of Vintage Chic Bookkeeping paper and wrote a list of 10 things about Kate right now. I stapled the acrylic "frame" that once housed a Clear Pop Tag over my list...I love the way it adds another layer of texture without being overwhelming.

I found a little scrap from a print-out of the {Mo}tography class that Heidi taught with Jessica Sprague that was the perfect color orange...so I added it to my layout. But something was missing...that side of the page needed something else, so I started searching through my stash and found this awesome gold star stencil/embellishment/placemat (from Pink Paislee's LUXE collection), cut it down to size and added it over the orange scrap. I adore the way it looks and I love love love the gold!

I knew I needed more stars (because you always do, right?) so I cut a few from some parchment paper (and a scrap of Vintage Chic Textbook paper) with a punch - stapled them together and adhered them to a small wood stick...then I simply stapled the stick to the page. Again, I felt that I just needed a little something more so I took a Color Magic Star, sprayed it with Tropicana Teal Color Shine (I love the pop of blue against all of the other more muted colors!) and added it to the top of my other stars.

The Clear Pop Alphabet in Grey is the absolute BOMB! I stapled the letters KATE and the @ symbol to the page and used some Color Magic Chipboard letters (to spell out TEN) colored with Georgia Peach Color Shine to finish my page.

I have to say...I am LOVING the colors on this page...I think I want to work with some the orange/grey/gold combo again...it makes me so happy! And I really love how all of Heidi's collections work together so seamlessly...I never have to worry about keeping within them to create a project I'm proud of...

What will you be doing for NSD? Me? I'll be working with more Clear Pop, Color Pop and Color Shine. The possibilities with these are endless! No go! Create! Make Pretty Stuff! And don't forget to Google "National Scrapbooking Day" to find out about tons of fun things going on this weekend!

Products used in this layout:

New DETAILZ dies by Lifestyle Crafts!

2013-04-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

Lifestyle Crafts has just introduced the next big thing in dies!

And, you guys, these new DETAILZ dies are sooo cool!

With these new dies you can cut, emboss & stencil! What?!?

This is what the dies look like...

And this is how they work...

You just cut the shape out with your die cutter (I used the new Lifestyle Crafts Genius Ultimate Platform [it's MAGNETIC! so that your dies don't slip around...awesome] and some Letterpress Paper to cut my shapes with my Epic die cutter...) and color in at the stencil lines...it's THAT EASY!

**NOTE: The new DETAILZ dies will emboss at the same time the shape is cut as long as you are using thicker paper - like the Letterpress Paper. In order to cut and emboss thinner paper at the same time you need to use an extra rubber mat during your cut**

Last week was Kinsley's birthday, and I put together these fantastic cupcake toppers and this little card for her...

First I sprayed some Lifestyle Crafts Letterpress Paper with some Heidi Swapp Color Shine (in Georgia Peach, Tropicana Teal & Mint Green)...

...then I simply ran the paper through my Epic die cutter, folded the banner around a toothpick, adhered the two sides and look what I got!

See the embossing? Cool...

AND, as you can see on the cake die-cut above, you can also use these dies to STENCIL your die-cut! Before you remove your paper from the die, you simply color in the "open" spaces on the die and voila!

I made this little card using the candle die...I simply cut the candle out and then colored it in...

The little banner ("happy 10th birthday") under the candles was made using the same die as the flag cupcake toppers above. I added the black outline around the shape using the stencil marks on the die...

I love love love the look of the soft colors on the embossing...

So, what do you think? Pretty awesome, huh???

These new DETAILZ dies are available in 10 different sets...perfect for any spring or summer occasion! And, as always, use the promo code MIDWESTERN to get 20% off your entire purchase (including sale items!)...woo hoo!!!

Fun, versatile banners for every occasion! Heidi Swapp Wood Albums

2013-04-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Today on the Heidi Swapp blog I am sharing this fun & super-versatile banner...made from Heidi's new Wood Albums! Head on over to Heidi's blog to check out all of the fun details on these banners...including a detachable flag!

And don't forget to grab your Memory File Album from your local scrapbook store so that you can create along with us on our Memory File Adventure!

Fun paper treats for your Easter basket...

2013-03-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

Today on the Heidi Swapp blog I am sharing a really fun (and easy!) little paper craft you can make for Easter baskets this year!

Head on over to check them out!

The basic tutorial for these fun little carrots is here...please note...this tutorial is for the sour cream container only...to make little carrots, simply add a strip of cut paper to one of the ends before you close it to make the leaves...

Have a fantastic weekend! My kids are on Spring Break next week...oh my gosh...kill me now. Here's to good weather, non-crazy kids and tons of coffee...(smile).

Did you know...? #DeliciousPairings #cbias #socialfabric

2013-03-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

...that, like wine, different coffees can be paired with different foods to enhance the flavors of both?

I never knew that. I guess I just figured that coffee was coffee and you either liked one brand or brew or you didn't...and that was that.

But I've been schooled...let me explain...

Recently I was given the opportunity to try some Starbucks Willow Blonde brew-at-home coffee to see how it paired with a bakery item found at Walmart. Well, they had me at Starbucks...

Just an aside...I don't usually buy Starbucks ground coffee...I get my fix at the shop itself. I love when all my kids are at school and I'm out running errands (by myself!!!)...I'll swing through a Starbucks drive-thru and grab my Grande Non-Fat 2 Sweet-n-Low Latte and enjoy my alone time. The smell of that coffee just fills up my whole car and makes me so happy...(that's not weird, right?).

But how fantastic would it be if I actually found a Starbucks roast I enjoyed that I could brew at home? Then that smell could fill up my entire home...yeah - I think that's something I would love.

So off I headed to Walmart to pick up some coffee and something sweet.

The Stabucks' Mermaid was prominently displayed and is completely identifiable, so I had no trouble finding my way...and the display was directly on top of the doughnut cabinet...just perfect.

I was to grab a bag of Blonde Roast Willow Blend grounds and some Gourmet Chocolate Donuts from The Bakery at Walmart...however, I couldn't find any Gourmet Chocolate Donuts so I chose to get some Lemon Sliced Creme Cake. The display gives a brief explanation as to which roasts should be paired with which flavors, and the complimentary notes for the Willow Blonde are citrus...how cool is that? I mean, really...did you ever think that coffee could be so deep and complicated?

I grabbed a bag of the Blonde Willow Blend (I realized after I had put this in my cart that I had picked up the decaf...so as I was traveling through the store exchanged this bag for the caffeinated variety)...and the Lemon Sliced Creme Cake and a few other little things I needed and headed home...anxious for my kindergartner to get on the bus so that I could have some relax time.

The minute that bus pulled away after lunch I opened up the bag of grounds...that familiar Starbucks aroma filled the air and I turned on my coffee pot.

Just a few minutes later I was pouring myself a cup.

Now, I'll have to admit...I was a little skeptical about this whole thing...first of all I like dark roasted coffee...the darker the better, actually. So the idea of drinking and enjoying a blonde (or light) roast seemed a little strange. I also really thought that there was very little chance of actually increasing my enjoyment of a dessert just depending on which coffee I drank with it.

I took my first sip and, I have to say, it was really good! I took a few more sips and realized that this was a roast I could really enjoy. I stopped to smell the coffee before I drank again and I was really surprised that I actually smelled a citrus aroma coming from the cup...are you kidding me?!? It was so cool! It was really pretty neat because the coffee itself didn't taste citrus-y and it didn't make my house smell like coffee with lemon or anything, but there was definitely an underlying citrus-y scent to the coffee...so super cool. I was already feeling myself start to unwind. Now was the time for some cake...yes, please.

I wanted to really concentrate on how the Lemon Cake tasted with the Blonde Willow Blend, so I actually shut my eyes while I took my first bite (I hope my neighbors couldn't see me). Then I took a sip of coffee and the flavor was just out of this world! The coffee was really good by itself, but with the cake it took on a whole new level of awesome. The cake and the coffee paired together really was just delicious!

I slowly finished my cake and my coffee and had a wonderful afternoon just relaxing and reading.

My husband and I finished off the rest the rest of the Lemon Cake over the course of the week and each time I brewed some Starbucks Blonde Willow Blend to enjoy with it. We actually finished off the bag of Willow Blend over the week, too (we are really big coffee drinkers around here...), but I just couldn't stand to throw that beautiful bag away...(again, that's not weird, right?). So, as I was brewing our final pot I decided to recycle that lovely little yellow and silver container.

With just a zipper and a few lines of stitching, I transformed the coffee bag into a little pouch that I now keep in my car to hold my Starbucks cards and extra change...and each time I open that little bag I'm reminded of my new coffee and food knowledge. And I think that coffee during craft time is now a must...

And you can bet that the next time I'm having a dinner party...or even a special night at home with just the family...I will be consulting that Starbucks Delicious Pairings display at Walmart to help me figure out which coffee to serve. And I challenge you to do the same! Next time you're in Walmart, find the display and create your own delicious pairing...you will not be disappointed...

DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #cbias #SocialFabric

color inspiration thursday...

2013-03-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Time for another edition of Color Inspiration Thursday! This is really one of my favorite times of the week...I am soooo enjoying creating layouts using magazine ads as my inspiration...it's so much fun for me!

Today's photo comes from the January/February issue of Click magazine...have you seen this magazine yet? It's absolutely gorgeous...and it's packed with tons of information.

link

And here's the photo...oh my gosh...I just adore this...

This photo was taken by Shannon Sewell...you really must check out some of her work...it's absolutely beautiful...

And here is the layout I created...

I really loved the black, white and red of the chicken (OK..how cool is that?) mixed with the pinks, purples & yellows...these are colors I would NEVER have thought to work with together, but they look really neat...

Because I wasn't using tons of each color (like in the photo), I wanted to busy up the layout a little, so I added a bunch of different patterns...I love they way they look together...there's a lot going on - but not so much that you get distracted from the photo...

I challenge you...take a photo or ad and let it inspire you to create...I would love to see what you come up with! Tag me @MidwesternGirl5 with the hashtag #cit with your projects!

Items I used for this project:

color inspiration thursday...

2013-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun with last week's color inspiration self-challenge that I decided to do it again...yay!

Here is where I took my inspiration from this time...

The beautiful, fun, bright spring colors are just so much fun...they caught my eye right away...

Now here's what I made...

The day I took this photo of my daughter it was about 4:00 in the afternoon...a gorgeous October afternoon...and the sun hit her strawberry blonde hair in such a way that it made it look pink. The oranges and blues in the photo make it the perfect fit for this challenge...

I used a few embellishments from the new Dear Lizzy "Lucky Charm" line, as well as some from the new Maggie Holmes line with Crate Paper. I think you can also see a little Amy Tangerine tucked in there...

The background paper is from the The Girls' Paperie...and see my ever-present wax paper? It was a scrap I had left over after I had been using my Tropicana Teal and Mustard Color Shines.

The bottom paper piece is a scrap of Color Magic colored with Chartreuse Color Shine and the "LOVED" sentiment is made from Color Magic Chipboard Alphas...I sprayed the bottom of each letter with Primrose Color Shine and the top of each letter with Georgia Peach Color Shine...I love the sunset quality it gives the letters...and the Color Magic Banners and Arrow are also sprayed with Georgia Peach.

If you look closely you can see a piece of the new Heidi Swapp Serendipity Lovey Dovey paper behind the photo (it's the pale pink one with the hearts)...I can't wait for this whole line to be released in March!

And that paper "slide" to the right of my photo? Oh my gosh...you guys. This is from Maggie Holmes' line with Crate Paper. If I could have 20 of just those I'd be satisfied...I adore them.

I think this my absolute favorite layout right now...the colors just make me soooo happy...

I challenge you...take a photo or ad and let it inspire you to create...I would love to see what you come up with! Tag me @MidwesternGirl5 with the hashtag #cit with your projects!

Items used in this layout:

1, 2, 3 SKETCH! My Memory File...

2013-02-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today I'm sharing a project that appeared on Heidi Swapp's blog last week...

This was so much fun. Jennifer Evans created a super-fun sketch designed specifically for Memory Files and both Lindsay Bateman and I were to create a File based on this sketch...first, here's the sketch we used...

And here's my version...

I had so much fun with this assignment. I really do love using sketches…especially if I’m running low on creativity. I don’t always follow a sketch EXACTLY, but they sure do give me ideas from which to start a project.

To start, I grabbed 2 different full-size Memory Files…one of the Vintage Chic collection and one from the Sugar Chic collection. I decided to use a black & white photo for the front of my Memory File…I just love how the blacks and white from the photo coordinate so well with the Color Shine (Tropicana Teal, Mint Green, Tinsel & Black Velvet) I wanted to use. Right around Christmastime I made a couple little wallets using white fabric that I copied Heidi Swapp paper graphics onto. I had some of this fabric left over, so I cut out some pieces and sewed it to the front of my File (those are the turquoise and white chevrons you see…from the Sugar Chic Sparkle paper/fabric).

I matted my photo with a scrap of Color Magic paper (already sprayed with Tinsel Color Shine) and some wax paper (big surprise). Then I sprayed a Color Magic Note with Tinsel Color Shine, cut it in half and tucked one piece under each side of my photo.

I cut some banners from Heidi Swapp packaging and layered them with a little arrow sticker (So Happy Together) from the Black & White Buzz Words and a Color Magic Arrow. I sprayed the arrow with both Mint Green and Tropicana Teal Color Shine…and together, they make the most lovely turquoise! The “fabulous friends” graphic is from the Jessica Sprague/Heidi Swapp {Mo}tography class…

My inside front cover is adorned with some Color Magic Banner Delights sprayed with Black Velvet (short section) and Tinsel (longer section) (I am sooooo happy these are back!!!), a Colorful Instaframe, a Vintage Chic Note and some Epoxy Alpha Stickers…

And, on the opposite page I used a page from a Fotostack as the background for my photo. I let it hang off the bottom of my page and used a “like” rub-on from the the Colorful Instaframes on the tab. Another Vintage Chic Note and a Mini Instaframe make up the little “frame” that holds Heidi’s name.

Chipboard Stickers (“fun” and the arrow in the circle) as well as a Color Magic Arrow are affixed to another black & white photo. And up on top of the page another Color Magic Banner Delight (sprayed with Tinsel), a Vintage Chic File Tab Sticker, a Paper Banner, a Definition Sticker and an Epoxy Sticker (sparkle) round out the embellishments.

My next page features the inside of my second Memory File. On the left side of the page (Jen’s side), I used a Color Magic Album Tab as the mat for my upper photo, sprayed some Trimmings Seam Binding with Tinsel Color Shine, and tied it around the top two holes of the album page. I cut off the bottom of another Memory File that had the same shape as the file I used and glued it just above the bottom of the page (sooooo much easier that trying to cut a piece of paper to fit over the pattern…).

Another Vintage Chic Note contains my journaling and a Sugar Chic Pennant and Definition Sticker express the “sparkle” sentiment. A Black Velvet-misted Color Magic Heart encircles the word “greatness” on the back of the tab hanging below the bottom of the file.

For “Lindsay’s page,” I used another page of a Fotostack as the mat for my photos…a Mini Instaframe, an Epoxy Sticker (SO SWEET arrow) and a Definition Sticker (adorable) are used to embellish sweet Lindsay’s sweet face. I tucked a Color Magic Note (sprayed with Black Velvet) behind the black & white photo of Jen & Lindsay, and used a Mint Green-misted Color Magic Arrow to point out the journaling on the page.

Finally, I stamped a length of Color Magic Scallop Ribbon with the line of arrows from the Clear Stamps and StazOn Ink in Jet Black (thanks so much for the inspiration, Jen & Heidi!). When that dried, I sprayed the ribbon with Tropicana Teal Color Shine and glued it to the page. I took a Banner Cluster, removed the “love” sentiment from the front and stuck it over the top of the ribbon. I have to tell you, the more I use these Banner Clusters, the more I love them.

Then I added a little green Chipboard Sticker arrow and a “like” rub-on from the Colorful Instaframes.

For my “Kim page” I used black & white photos, so that I didn’t have a lot of color competing with the cheetah pattern on the Memory File.

I cut a Vintage Chic Mini Memory File in half and used it as the mat for my photos on this page. 2 more Vintage Chic Notes (one for my journaling & one tucked behind my photos), some Color Magic Banner Delights (sprayed with Mint Green Color Shine), a couple Mini File Tab Stickers, a little Paper Banner, and a Color Magic Arrow (misted with Black Velvet) provide all the embellishment on this page.

The final page of my Memory File features 2 of my very favorite photos. I matted the black & white photo of Heidi and Jamie with a 4″x8″ Jumbo Tag (one of my favorite Michaels’ products!). I sprayed the tag with Black Velvet and tied a little piece of tulle to the top. The “best DAY ever” graphic is from the {Mo}tography class, and the “love” cutout is the sentiment I removed from the Banner Cluster on Lindsay’s page. I added both a regular-sized File Tab Sticker & a Mini File Tab Sticker to the tab on the back page of the File, and yet another Vintage Chic Note holds the journaling for the page. To finish off the page I sprayed a Color Magic Paper Pennant with Tinsel Color Shine and tucked it behind the “bestDAYever” arrow.

My final step in creating this file was to bind the two files together. To begin, I closed both folders (one inside the other) and arranged them together the way I wanted them to look from the outside. Then I punched 3 holes along the spine (making sure to include both folders when I punched). I grabbed a length of industrial string, and, starting with the middle hole, threaded the string through both folders, around to the other two holes and ended with both ends of the string on the inside of the files…again in the middle hole. I finished the binding off with a knot and then a bow.

I really love the way this Memory File turned out…and having the sketch was just awesome for me. It really helped start me out on the right path!

OH! And one more thing! All the materials I used to create this project can be found at Michaels! That's right! Michaels! How awesome is that?!?

To see Lindsay's version of this Memory File, click here.
To see Jennifer's version of this Memory File, click here.

Now, go make something!!!

our family room mini-makeover with GE Reveal Light Bulbs #CBias #SocialFabric

2013-02-26T15:20:00.000-06:00

***As part of my partnership with GE, I received coupons for my GE light bulbs. All opinions posted about my GE Lighting experience are my own***

Yay! It's almost spring! I can hardly believe it!

And while the calendar says it's only about 3 weeks away, here, in the Midwest, it will be another 2-3 months before we actually feel like it's spring.

During these dog days of winter, the house seems especially dark...we are all experiencing some heavy-duty cabin fever, and we are just generally in a funk.

So, when I got the opportunity to do a mini-makeover in my home using GE Reveal Light Bulbs, I jumped at the chance! How fun to brighten things up indoors even if we're still in the dark cold outside!

I decided we needed to change things up a bit in our family room. It's definitely the darkest room in the house. We live in a split-level home, so our family room is half-way underground...any light we get is dampened some by the ground outside and our only real view out of our family room windows is the grass in our backyard or the lower 2 feet of our neighbor's home...weird, right?

My craft space is in our family room, too, and I could ALWAYS use more light...especially for photographs, matching colors, etc...

So when I received my GE Reveal Light Bulb coupons in the mail, I grabbed Tyler (my 5-year-old) and we darted out to Walmart to get started. You can view our entire shopping trip here on Google+.

We brought our new purchases home and got started on our little renovation. This is the lamp I ended up with during our trip...

...and these are the bulbs I bought to brighten up our space...

I was so encouraged by the photos on the front of the Reveal packages...they show how you can really transform the light just by changing out the light bulb...definitely what we needed. AND, because a 100W Reveal bulb uses only 26W (!!!) you save energy and money! Sounds like the perfect deal to me! And get this...the GE website has a great energy smart® Calculator you can use to find out exactly how much you can save!

We put our lamp together (easy peasy...just screwing the pieces to each other), and set it up in it's new location. Now it replaces a small table lamp we had in the same space. And my, oh my! I can't believe the difference this lamp makes!!! Here...let me show you the before and after...

These photos are COMPLETELY UNRETOUCHED. I wanted to give you an idea of exactly the difference these bulbs made. Now...keep in mind that I am not a professional photographer (ahem), but you can definitely see the difference. The shadows are so much more heavy and prevalent in the "before" photo...see how the lamp lights up only the area right around it? Dark and uninviting. BUT, the new bulbs and the new lamp really make such a huge difference! The lamp lights up the entire wall and space around the easy-chair. And it also lights up the blue couch next to it! And folks, these photos really don't do the space justice. The light from the Reveal bulbs is not so yellow, it's a more clear, more true light...and I love it.

Here's a shot of just the new lamp...you can see just how much light it sheds...

Beautiful light, right? Love love love it.

Here's the before and after from the other table lamp in the room (please ignore the Lego mess/monstrosity/ever-present craziness on the table...).

Again, notice the different color of the light...and just how much light is spread over the coach and surrounding area. I wish I could invite you all over to see for yourselves...it's really quite lovely.

NOW, here is the grand finale. The absolute biggest change we had in the family room...the change I can hardly believe...my little craft space. I had no idea I was working in the dark until I saw these photos...take a look...

OK...can you see that difference??? I am still astounded. And that's just from changing the little lamp bulbs I had in place with 40W GE Reveal light bulbs. So awesome...I may even be able to take photos of my work after the sun goes down! Now that would be a miracle.

So what do you think? Did you ever imagine that just changing up a few light bulbs could really change the look and feel of a room? I have to admit that I was a skeptic until I saw it with my own eyes. So, why don't you give it a try? Grab some new GE Reveal Bulbs and add them to the lamps you already have...or buy something new and use them there! Either way you're sure to improve the looks of your space. Not sure exactly what lighting would be right for your home? Well, click here for some help from the experts at General Electric.

Want to connect with GE even more? It's easy! You can find out all the latest here...

GE on Twitter

GE on Facebook

DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and GE Lighting #cbias #SocialFabric

color inspiration thursday...

2013-02-21T11:14:00.000-06:00

The moment I received the March issue of Martha Stewart Living I was struck by the colors on the cover...and I was immediately inspired by them...

Seriously gorgeous, right?

So I sat down and pulled out some of my supplies and got to work...or, rather...play.

These are the supplies I grabbed...

I wanted to keep it simple and just let the cover guide me, so, after I chose my photo, I grabbed a sheet of 8x8 Color Magic Paper, Color Magic Chipboard Alphas, Color Magic Letterbox Alphas, a couple of Color Magic Paper Roses and the bottles of Color Shine I thought would work well...Amethyst, Primrose, Chartreuse, Tinsel & Black Velvet.

Then it was all of about 45 minutes of work (including the time it took to color everything with the Color Shine) and I had this...

To get the colors of the Color Magic Chipboard Alphas as close to the colors on the cover as I could, I mixed a bit of Amethyst Color Shine with the Primrose and applied it with a Q-Tip to each letter...I did the same on the little flowers.

What I love about taking inspiration from the things around me is that, more often than not, I see a color combination I may not have thought of on my own...for example, including Chartreuse with hot pink, black & silver...but it's lovely.

I challenge you to do this today...find something that inspires you...an ad, a magazine cover, anything...and use it to create. I would love to see what you do! Tag me on IG! @MidwesternGirl5 with your creations...

And just a little fyi...Happy House was what we called my Great Grandmother's vacation home in Vermont...and that's my little nay-nay bottom in the photo, circa 1974...(smile).

101 Ideas Media Team Blog Hop!!!

2013-02-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

Well, if you came here from the Heidi Swapp blog, then you already know the BIG NEWS!

BUT, if you haven't already been there, then I have something to tell you...are you ready???

Wait for it...

Heidi's amazing products are now being sold at Michaels!!!

You heard me right! Now people ALL OVER THE COUNTRY can just run right out to their local Michaels in order to get their Swapp-fix! Woo hoo! Honestly, you guys...this is HUGE! HUGE, I say! And I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for Heidi!

To kick of this celebration, Heidi is having a 101 Ideas party on her blog!

Each day (for 101 days!) Heidi will be showcasing a different project, using products you can find at your local Michaels...pdfs will be available for download and will give you step-by-step instructions on how to create each project. Really?! How awesome is that? Totally awesome...that's how awesome.

This is the first project available for download RIGHT NOW!

Every. single. item you see on this project is available at Michaels...RIGHT NOW!

And, in celebration of this amazing news, the girls on Heidi's Media Team are giving you the low-down on their favorite new Heidi Swapp/Michaels products!

Here are mine...(the instructions for these projects will be available via pdf sometime during the 101 Days...keep an eye out!).

The new Color Magic 4x8 Jumbo Tags are da' bomb!

They come 8 to a package and they are PERFECT for minis, layouts, gift-wrapping, anything! And because they are Color Magic, you can customize them with any Color Shine color you like!

Here's a little mini-book I made with 5 of the tags...(I sprayed mine with Gold Lame Color Shine)...

And see that tag up there? The one with the "confetti" on it??? That leads me to my next favorite new product...Heidi's new Color Magic 8x8 Paper Pack...especially the Confetti design.

Here I used it to make an easy little birthday card...

Seriously...how adorable is that paper??? I absolutely LOVE it and can't wait to use it on everything! And the chipboard paper "happy" I used on the above card comes from another of my favorite products! The new Chipboard Stickers!

So exciting!!!

And, if that wasn't enough...Heidi is having a GIVEAWAY!!! Woo hoo! Here's Heidi to give you the run-down...

SO... WHO's on INSTAGRAM?? WHO lives by a MICHAELS!?? WHO would LOVE to WIN goodies to MAKE PRETTY STUFF?? i will be giving away several prize packages coming up next week to celebrate the launch of these products! here's what you need to do to ENTER:

1. go to Michaels and take a photo of the Heidi Swapp display!! (no purchase necessary... but i'd love to see what you are picking up!)

2. post it to instagram and TAG ME @hkswapp AND post with hashtag: #HeidiSwappatMichaels

3. tell me what Michaels you are at!

i'll be looking for winners in the #HeidiSwappatMichaels gallery!!

Now head on over to the rest of the girls' blogs to see their favorite products! And don't forget to "like" Heidi's Facebook Fan page so that you can stay up-to-date on all of her new happenings!

And while you're there, wish Heidi a huge CONGRATULATIONS! Then, run, don't walk, to Michaels to get you some Heidi!!!

Heidi Swapp's Facebook Fan Page

use what you got, baby...

2013-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

I suppose it's fitting, what with Valentine's Day just 3 days away, that I admit to something.

Right around Christmastime I developed a new love affair.

Yes, it's true.

And that love affair is still going strong.

I'll explain how it happened...I was searching desperately through my scrap stash for some vellum. Yes, vellum. Just one little piece is all I needed...a piece just large enough to provide a mat for a photo. But alas, no vellum. After the panic receded, and I took a deep breath, I decided I would look for something else to fit my needs. Hmmm...copy paper? No, too opaque. Parchment paper? Hmmm...better, definitely, but still too opaque for me. WAX PAPER? Oh yeah, baby - that fits the bill PERFECTLY! And guess what? I haven't been able to get enough. I know this doesn't come as much of a surprise to a lot of you...I haven't been exactly discreet about my new love. But now I'm letting the world know. It's OK to use NON-SCRAPBOOK items in your SCRAPBOOKING! Woo hoo! Wow, that feels good.

In fact, my projects today use a few non-scrapbook items...they're just plain old household items and they work so well! So here's what happening today...here are my supplies:

Wax paper, some toothpicks and a sandwich bag...oh yeah...I said a sandwich bag.

...gorgeous Vintage Chic paper (Textbook and Just Dots), some photos, embellishments (Sentiment Stickers & Definition Stickers and Disco Arrows & Hearts) and my wax paper scraps...

...I usually use wax paper to cover my work area when I spray my Color Shine, too. So, when I'm done with my spraying, I just let the Shine dry and use that wax paper in my layouts. Sometimes I love having those colors pop through under my photos...

I want to show you why I love the wax paper so much...and why it has come to replace vellum for me as a layer in my paper crafts...

First, here are the photos I want to use on the paper I've chosen for my projects...(without the wax paper base):

They look OK...right? Sure, they look OK, but I think they can look even better...a stark white mat under the photos would provide too much of a contrast, and may be distracting to the beauty of the papers and to the subjects in the photos...

...but the wax paper, with it's soft white color and it's near translucence, makes the perfect middle layer between the bold paper pattern and bold colors in the "lab" layout. And it softens the bottom photo and paper even more...making them look dreamy and light.

I usually use a stapler to attach the wax paper to my background paper and other layering papers...after all, we use wax paper in the kitchen because it doesn't stick to much...soooo...a stapler takes care of that...

But I have found that foam adhesive dots work perfectly to attach my photos to the wax paper...

Cool, huh?

Now, how did I use the other items in my supply photo? Let me show you my finished "lab" layout...

I ran out of "banner sticks" for my Travels Destination Pennant, so I just substituted a toothpick, and instead of washi tape, I used plain old masking tape to hold down my "&" No Limits Stix - I just stamped it with an arrow from Heidi's Clear Stamps, and voila! deco tape.

I also grabbed an old monthly file tab (January) and used it as another layer under my photos...

And there's another little toothpick...adding dimension and texture to a Disco Arrow. Love.

Now here's the other layout - BEACHCOMBER -...and a little surprise...have you been wondering what happened to the sandwich bag I had in the supply photo?

Do you see it? Here, let me show you a little more closely...

As I layered up my photo and wax paper (along with another piece of patterned paper and some vintage wallpaper), I grabbed the sandwich bag...

I had a couple of other photos I wanted to include on this layout, but I'm basically a one-photo-scrapbooker. So I used the baggie to hold the other photos that were relative to my layout. I cut the top off with pinking shears (to add a little texture), glued the baggie to the paper and sewed around the edges with a zig-zag stitch.

Practical, inexpensive, adds another layer, and does the job just perfectly...

And here's the rest of the BEACHCOMBER layout...I just love this one...probably because it brings back wonderful memories of this fantastic restaurant and the people I shared the morning with...

And just another quick note...don't throw away the info strips on your patterned paper! These little strips from both the Vintage Chic and Sugar Chic papers made the PERFECT little embellishments for this design...

And the Gold Lame Color Shine is so subtle and beautiful against the colors in this paper...

SHAMELESS PLUG WARNING: See the "Made my day" graphic up there? That's available in Heidi's class {Mo}tography...which is going on again THIS weekend! February 15 & 16. If you missed it the first time, make sure you sign up this time around! I printed it out on a transparency and simply glued it to my background paper.

They say Necessity is the Mother of Invention...so true. Next time you're stuck without something, try substituting something you already have on hand. Simple, everyday household items can really add to your work...just don't be afraid to play! That's what it's all about...

happy mail monday...

2013-02-11T10:15:00.001-06:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to send more mail...not email or text messages...real mail. So I'm starting...today.

I found an article in Martha Stewart Living that I knew my Mom would enjoy...so I tore it out, wrapped up some Valentine's Day treats with it and I'm putting it in the mail today...I hope she is surprised...and I hope she loves it.

Are you doing anything special today? Maybe you could surprise someone with a little snail-mail...

A fun layout with Lifestyle Crafts...or: how I can't get enough arrows...no really...I can't.

2013-01-31T10:17:00.001-06:00

For the past week or so I've been giving you guys the lowdown on some of the fantastic products that were released at the CHA Winter 2013 show...but today I'm going to show you something I made with some product I was actually able to get my hands on...woo hoo!

Lifestyle Crafts released an amazing amount of Core Products at the show...and, as always with their new releases, they have really outdone themselves. I got to play with these two dies...

...and, because I've been so hooked on scrapbooking lately, I decided to make a layout with some of my favorite photos from, where else? California...

I don't usually scrapbook in grids, but after moving around the pieces and photos that I wanted to use for this layout, I thought the grid was really the way to go. And you know what? I'm reeeeaaaalllly diggin' it...I just may try to scrap this way again...soon.

I used some fantastic kraft/wood veneer graphic patterned paper to cut out my arrows...and, I have to admit, I had no idea just how many things I would be able to do with them! The die actually cuts three shapes, an inside arrow and an outline (!!!) and one differently shaped arrow. And as soon as I cut my first row I knew that I wanted to use the paper from which the arrows were cut as a design element in my layout. You can see it there along the bottom of my page...seriously awesome.

I thought it would be cool to add the arrows that I had just cut back into the piece they came from, but I wanted to make them stand out as well...I love the way they turned out...

For the pockets, I used the same paper I used for the arrows...

The are the absolute PERFECT size to hold little journaling tags, and, for those of you who do Project Life, they are the perfect size for your pockets! Woo hoo! What I love most about this die is that you can cut the perfect little pocket out of any paper you choose! Need just one, cut one! Need 50? Cut 50! Love...

On the above pocket I attached one arrow with one patterned side up, and the other one on top with the other patterned side up...I love the dimension and texture and look that they give the layout. Then I just tucked a little vintage toothpick behind the arrows to give them a banner-type look.

I have been NUTS over arrows lately...if you've seen some of my recent scrap work, you will see that I simply can't get enough of them. And with this die, all I have to do is run a few sheets of patterned paper through my Epic and I have enough arrows, in enough different sizes and shapes, to last me at least a little while.

OOOOH! I just thought of this!!! How cool would it be to cut out some hearts and a few of these arrows and then use them and 14 of these pockets to make a Valentine's Day countdown calendar?!?

I wish I'd made one! Maybe I still will...

my friend, Lindsay, took this really cool photo of me, so I made a layout with it...

2013-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

If you are my "friend" on Facebook, you may or may not have noticed that I recently changed my profile photo...oh, yeah...and my "About Me" photo here on the bloggity-blog, too...

My dear friend, Lindsay (whom I hadn't met until earlier this month, but with whom I formed an instant bond with and love for), took a photo of me when we were in California for CHA. I adore this photo. It's been a loooooong time since I've had a photo of me that I'm not embarrassed/scared/upset to look at, so when I saw this one, I was so excited. And I'm going to use it wherever/whenever I can. Be prepared.

While I was looking through some of the photos I had developed from my Cali trip, I happened to notice that the colors in this photo are gorgeous...aaaaand they look wonderful with the new Heidi Swapp collections, Serendipity and Clear Pop...

Here, take a look...

Awesome, right?

The main patterned papers I used were Softness & New Day from Serendipity...I love love love the multi-colored chevron...

I had a large piece of wax paper that I had used as a base for some Color Shine spraying and it also had the perfect colors all ready to go...Tropicana Teal & Mustard. I cut some of this and used it as a base for my photo. Then I added my matted photo (which contains a SURPRISE...more on that in a minute).

I attached some Clear Pop & Sugar Chic Banner Delights and a string of Destination Trimmings under the photo...

...and I used one of Heidi's new Clear Pop Printed Pockets to hold my Vintage Chic journaling Note...oh my heck, you guys...have you ever seen a cooler pocket??? Well, I have not. Some more Clear Pop Banner Delights and a little quote bubble from the set of Sugar Chic Stix make this little pocket just perfect...

At the bottom of my layout I included a Definition Sticker, a Pink Paislee Artisan Heart (sprayed with Tinsel Color Shine) and one of Heidi's little Black & White Buzz Words...I also tacked on a couple wax paper stars...cut from the same paper I used under my photo...

Now, remember the little surprise I mentioned? Well, here it is...

If you lift up the little Clear Pop journaling pocket...

...the photo lifts up to reveal 2 more photos and more journaling! Yay!

***Quick tip...these photos were printed by Persnickety Prints on metallic paper...the photos are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and I highly recommend Persnickety...BUT, the metallic images do NOT hold stamp ink well at all...not even StazOn ink. I tried to stamp the photo on the bottom, but nope...all the stamp did was slide over the photo...that's why it looks all crazy-like...the ink dried just fine, it just wasn't crisp and neat.***

Pretty neat, huh?

And don't these colors just make you long for spring??? Yeah...me, too.

The new Heidi Swapp Collections will be in stores this March...don't miss 'em!

PRODUCTS USED:

50% off at LIFESTYLE CRAFTS!

2013-01-24T10:11:00.001-06:00

So, guess what???

LIFESTYLE CRAFTS is giving 50% off ALL orders to readers of Midwestern Girl!!! Woo hoo!

Just use code: MIDWESTERN when you check out! The 50% off even applies to sale items! What the what??? Awesome!!!

Click HERE to see just a few of the projects I've made with products from LC...

now get to shopping...this offer ends at midnight MST on January 27.

a whole bunch of photos of me with super-cool people...and a layout with some of Heidi's new products!

2013-01-23T10:18:00.001-06:00

So, as many of you may already know, I got to attend my very first CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Trade Show last week. Holla!

For those that may not already know, let me give you just a quick little rundown. Twice every year, manufacturers and designers in the crafting world get together at a big ol' convention to show off their new collections, designs, products etc. Retail stores and shops that sell crafting items come to the convention to see the new collections and to decide what to buy for their businesses. Cool, huh?

The Winter show is held in Anaheim, CA (my first time in CA!) and it was a blast! Not only did I get to meet the girls on the Heidi Swapp Media Team for the very first time (and let me tell you, these girls are 4 of the most amazing people I've ever met), I got to meet Heidi herself! I don't even know what I can say about Heidi. She has this quality where, as soon as you meet her, you feel like you've known her forever. She is EXACTLY in real life the way she is in her videos and on her blog. So genuine...so real...so beautiful...so hardworking and driven. She's really spectacular. I adore her...

I was also so priveleged to have met and worked with/for Rebecca Cross, the owner of Pink Paislee...she is the business end of the Heidi Swapp empire and she is beyond fabulous.The rest of the team and I worked in the Heidi Swapp/Pink Paislee booth during the show, taking orders and meeting tons of people...and it was the coolest!

Heidi released a few new collections at this show - particularly her Serendipity, Color Pop and Clear Pop lines, and they were received with over-the-top great reviews! Woo hoo!!! It was really just so neat to see how buyers went crazy over her products and how she really is an innovator in the scrapbooking industry. Her work is so completely different than anyone else's and that really stands out when you see all of the new products in one spot.

Here is just one of the layouts I completed with a some of the new product (which will be shipping to stores in March!).

The background paper is "New Day" from the new Serendipity line...I love the different patterns/colors going on here...

The banners are from the Clear Pop collection, and they are beyond cool...talk about subtle with a huge impact...

And here are some more of the Clear Pop Banner Delights and a Clear Pop Tab.

So perfect, right? Yep.

Aaaaand, lest you think my trip was all work and no play, here are some photos I got with all of the amazing people I got to meet at the show! ...if you've ever wondered what I look like under terrible lighting, let me show you...a whole bunch of times...

Here is our whole Media Team...Lindsay Bateman, Jennifer Evans, Heidi Swapp, Kim Jeffress, ME!, Maridette Cachola & Jamie Pate...

And here is the team the very first morning of the show...at breakfast...

And now, a closer look at just a few of the people that had me completely starstruck...it's sooooo cool to meet people you have ~~stalked~~ followed, bought product from, dreamed to be like...

Here I am with Ali Edwards...yes, THE Ali Edwards...creator of December Daily and One Little Word and the just the sweetest girl...she was so humble and so cute and she had on the most adorable jacket and skirt...;)

Next up is Christy Tomlinson (here with me and Jennifer Evans)...of Scarlet Lime and She Art fame...she is the most adorable, liveliest, most darling person. She has a line of products with Pink Paislee and it was so neat to see how excited she was to see her work on display...

Amy Locurto (Living Locurto and I {Heart} Faces)...what can I say about Amy...she is just beautiful inside and out. She has a new line of scrapbooking and party supplies with Pebbles Inc. that are so darling and she was just so kind to us. We were passing by her booth and I happened to turn and see her out of the corner of my eye. I immediately stopped and ran back to her and gushed to her over how much I love her blogs...I'm a dork, I know...but she was wonderful.

Here is the team (minus the dear sweet Kim Jeffress, who had a family emergency and wasn't able to be with us during the show) with Tim Holtz. Tim is an amazing talent and is one of the coolest guys I've ever met. He was all smiles and jokes and he really made us feel welcome in his booth. We caught him at the very end of a very long day and he was just kind and solicitous...it was really great. Plus, he is caaaaa-ute!!!

Maggie Holmes of Maggie Holmes Design is definitely "the real deal" - I still can't get over how fun and sweet she was. I have taken a couple of her online classes, and have been reading her blog and drooling over her scrapbook layouts for years and I was seriously in awe of her. She has a brand new line, too, with Crate Paper, and let me tell you...this is a line I WILL own ALL of...it's just that amazing.

Elizabeth Kartchner (Dear Lizzy) is another designer I have been following for years. This girl is so adorable and so talented...and she has the absolutely MOST DARLING family. She, too, has a new line with American Crafts that is right up my alley...take a look at the video her husband, Collin, shot at the show...so cute.

And finally (well, I have tons more photos, but I can tell you're getting a little antsy...) I stumbled across a few of my favorite bloggers at the show, too!!!

Vivienne Wagner (The V-Spot), Bev McCullough (Flamingo Toes) and Katie Waltemeyer (Sweet Rose Studio) were all at the show doing demonstrations. Some seriously awesome talent here, folks...it was soooo fun to meet them in real life!!!! Love these gals...

I'm still trying to process all of the amazing things that came from being at that show - it's pretty overwhelming...truly. Don't be surprised if I think of more to share...

And, I'd love to know...who are your blog/craft world crushes??? Have you ever met them???

Valentine's Day Paper Candy Cones

2013-01-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Warning...this post has A LOT of photos...and by "A LOT," I mean excessive...(smile)

I'll admit it...I'm not a super-huge fan of Valentine's Day. Not because of any bad experiences...I've just never been all that "into" it. I don't decorate my house for it, I don't bake cute little heart-shaped brownies and cookies, I don't send darling little love notes to my husband and kids. And, if the truth be told, I'm the Mom that doesn't buy my kids' Valentine cards for her kids' friends until the last possible moment (and yes, I said "buy" the cards...I don't hand-make them).

This year, however, I decided I wanted to do something a little different (you have to keep 'em guessing, right?). So I whipped up some really fun little paper cones for my kids and their teachers and a few of their friends...cute little paper cones that hold yummy yummy Valentine's Day CANDY! Yay!

For each of the cones I started with a piece of Heidi Swapp 12"x12" paper and cut it to 8"x8".

I wrapped the paper into a cone shape, hot-glued the bottom flap and stapled the top to keep the cone's shape. I grabbed my wax paper (my absolute favorite), made another cone and slipped it into the first cone. I folded any excess wax paper over the top of my cone and hot glued it down.

I cut a variety of Digital Banner Delights out of a number of different papers and hot-glued them over the wax paper at the top of the cone.

On each of the cones I added a Vintage Chic Note with the name of the recipient, and then I just embellished those babies up...

I punched a hole on either side of the top of the cones and tied on a length of seam binding that can be used to hang the cone.

On a few of the cones I attached a fun little dangle to the bottom. To do this, I first threaded a length of monofilament cord through the cone (before I added the wax paper), I attached my little embellishment to the bottom of the cord and then hot-glued the top of the cord to the inside of the cone.

I had so much fun making these little cones...

...and I'm amazed by the possibilities with this project...

...I switched things up a bit on Owen's cone and put the Banner Delight on upside-down...

...honestly, these can be made so easily for boys or girls, for any occasion, in any combination of colors. I dare say this may be the very first Valentine's Day I've been excited about in years...

How about you? What are you making/buying for the the kids and their teachers this year? Anything special?

PRODUCTS USED:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!...and my "one little word"

2013-01-01T13:49:00.001-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow! Can you believe it’s already 2013? Christmas seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye…and, while it was fun and exciting, I have to say I am soooo ready to start a new year.

This year (2013) is the second year I’ve chosen “one little word” to focus on for the next 12 months. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of “one little word,” you can check out the back-story here…

For 2013, the word I have chosen is STRONG. This year I am all about making some big changes…and I am going to have be really STRONG to do that. I know that I have let a lot of things “go” in the past few years and it’s time to turn those things around. It’s time to be STRONG. And, while I am super-excited about what may be the end result of my endeavors, I am NOT super-excited about the steps I will need to take to reach my goals…that is one big reason why I need to be STRONG. One of my biggest struggles this year will be to lose weight (please tell me I’m not the only one)…but, this time (yes, I’ve tried more than once), I don’t want to just be thinner. I want to learn how to eat better…how to use food as fuel instead of just eating for taste…how to stay thinner and healthier. I want to learn to be STRONGER.

To help me along my journey, I have created a layout using my “one little word” as the focus. I propped this layout up on the shelf over my desk so that it is front and center whenever I enter our family room. I am hoping that this constant reminder will serve to help me along my way…

I started with a sheet of Heidi Swapp's Vintage Chic paper in Worldwide. First, I cut it down to 8.5×11, rounded the corners and added some drops of Primrose Color Shine. I absolutely love the combo of the mustard with the pink…it’s just so vibrant and full of life. I misted some chevron Color Magic paper with the Primrose, and, because I LOVE this look (and I’ve been using it on EVERYTHING I’ve been creating for the past month or so), I cut a piece of wax paper, scrunched it up and placed it on top of the Color Magic paper.

***Just a little side note: I’ve found that if I add a sheet of wax paper in between two bold patterns, it sort of breaks up the boldness without detracting from the colors, patterns, etc. It also adds another layer (!!!) and a little texture…huge plus. And did I mention that I LOVE this look???***

I sewed the two background pieces (the chevron & the wax paper) to the Worldwide paper for two reasons…1. I love the way the stitching looks on the paper and 2. wax paper doesn’t stick really well to ANYTHING (I mean…that’s what we use it for in the kitchen, right???).

Then I cut a small banner out of a scrap of Vintage Chic Just Dots paper and adhered that to the Worldwide paper (NOT the wax paper). I sprayed some Chipboard Alphas with Black Velvet Color Shine and stuck them to my banner. A couple of little Vintage Chic Paper Banners across my word and banner add just a little extra touch of detail.

The chipboard arrows are from the Pink Paislee Artisan Collection and have been misted with both Primrose and Mustard Color Shine. I am soooo loving arrows right now and I love the way they give the feeling of forward motion on this layout.

In the bottom corner I sewed a few highly inspirational Sentiment Stickers…and I stamped a little gentle “remember” reminder…along with another arrow, using Heidi’s Clear Stamps.

Aaaaaand, that’s not all. I’ve also included a little hidden pocket that holds a small journaling book.

First let me show you how I made the book…

I re-sized some of Heidi’s digital printable Sugar Chic note cards to about 2×3. Then I added washi tape to the front and back of the left edge of each card. Then I lined the cards up and sewed down the washi tape to create the little book.

***Note: the washi tape covers only about 1/8″ of the edge of each card…use tape on both the front and back of each card so that the cards don’t stick to each other…and make sure your stitch line does not go over any of the paper…you want to be able to turn the pages with no trouble at all).***

And this is how I made the “pocket…”

I cut a small piece of extra paper and adhered it to the back of my layout (leaving the middle open to form a little space for my book).

Easy peasy, right? I tried to make the back look fairly decent because this layout will eventually become a page of a larger book I am using to track my goal progress for the year (the book I’m using is my “Show Stopper” Project from Heidi’s Memory File class).

Here’s just a little sneak…

So, there it is. The start of what will hopefully be a big book full of goals met, chances taken, and strength gained. I’m so looking forward to this beginning…wish me luck.

silver shoes...

2012-12-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of my post yesterday, I decided to scrap a photo of something I love...something completely frivolous and ridiculous and self-indulgent...

my favorite silver shoes...

Silly? Yes.
Fun? Definitely.

And guess what? I skipped folding the laundry to create this layout. That was the best part.

Slowing down...and enjoying...

...and creating.

Items used:
American Crafts 5th & Frolic Treasured Terrace Vellum
American Crafts Dear Lizzy Letter Stickers
Crate Paper On Trend Swanky paper
Heidi Swapp vintage large flowers
Heidi Swapp Trimmings in Sunshine
Rhonna Farrer digital designs

slowing down...

2012-12-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have a secret.

This time of year can be crazy.

Yep. That's my secret. Oh, wait...you already knew that?

Well, here's another secret.

It's OK to just stop for a minute. Just stop and breathe and relax.

It's OK if the house isn't decorated perfectly. It's OK if the Christmas card photos aren't spectacular. In fact, it's OK if you don't even send out Christmas cards this year...what?!?! Gasp!!! Yes...I know. But it is. It's OK.

We (me included) tend to forget that Christmas is going to come no matter what...so we may as well be calm and happy and ready to enjoy it...every single minute of it...whether the boys have their hair cut, or the lawn lights get put out, or 20 kinds of cookies get baked, or whatever...(insert your pressure situation here). Just because it's on Pinterest and it's gorgeous and your favorite blogger has already made 274 of (whatever) doesn't mean you have to...it's OK.

This year I am vowing to slow down. Just. slow. down.

And breathe.

And enjoy.

And so far, it's working. I'm happy. I'm not stressed. I'm enjoying the season.

Two weeks until Christmas and all is well.

How are you doing?

my december daily...the first 5 days...

2012-12-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm doin' it.
Yep. For the first time ever, I'm doing a December Daily.

Never heard of December Daily? Click here for the info...

I'm am sooooo loving this...and it's been such a wonderful way to document our first few days of this years' holiday season.

Wanna see what I have so far? Sheesh, I sure hope so...because today I'm sharing a few photos of the first pages...and by "a few" I mean "tons and tons."

Note: I'm not sharing the cover today, because, although I did finish it a week or so ago, I decided it wasn't really "me" and I'm re-doing it...

I'm using the 6x9 Portfolio Chipboard Album from Pink Paislee...and I love love love that it comes with dividers and photo sleeves in varying layouts.

OK...so here is the first page...

I used one of Heidi Swapp's digital freebies for the first page...I also used one of her calendar printables and an old-school Heidi Swapp "december" rub-on.

The back of the first page is covered with a page from a magazine...and opposite is an acrylic page decorated with sequins...

Peeking out behind that acrylic page is my "mission statement"...decorated with digital designs I received with my Studio Calico 25 days December Daily class...I cut these out with my Silhouette onto white cardstock and sprayed them with Mint Green Color Shine.

The next set of pages features some little Santas that filled a page in Martha Stewart Living a few years ago...and some photos (during the decorating process and a stack of cards).

The backs of the photos include some journaling and some ephemera from Pink Paislee's City Sidewalks collection. I've also used Pink Paislee's Portfolio collection papers as the basis for a number of my pages.

The opposite page includes a little bag I made from parchment paper...I tucked in our current Christmas card, sealed the bag with washi tape and added a few little elements to the bottom...

The "sparkle" was printed out onto a transparency, cut and adhered to the bag and is from the {Mo}tography class that was taught by both Heidi Swapp and Jessica Sprague.

The back side of the card pocket and a photo of some tree lights...

...and finally we get to Day 1...

For this day I've used more City Sidewalks elements and ephemera...

Here are Days 2 & 3...

I've kept these pages pretty plain...I love they way they look...

...and moving on to Days 4 & 5...

I've been using a bunch of wax and parchment papers in this book...and I love them. Especially the wax paper. It's so much softer and more flexible than vellum and I love the way it feels...

I did something fun for Day 5...I included a little flap, and tucked it under a little snowflake (thank you, Heidi Swapp for the inspiration!)

On the flap I included an Instax pic that I took yesterday morning...

...aaaaaand, when you open the flap...

...and lift up the page with the snowflake...

...you'll find more journaling and a few more Instax photos. I adhered the photos to wax paper, added some washi tape to the sides, punched a few holes and added them to the album...

I hope you like my pages so far! I'll share more next week...

Are you doing a December Daily? Or are you documenting your holidays in any special way?

Semi-Handmade Christmas Cards...and a holiday digi-freebie from Heidi Swapp! yay!

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There was a time when I envisioned myself sitting at a gorgeous desk with a stack of handmade Christmas cards on one side and a stack of envelopes on the other, lovingly writing each and every card a personal message...

...a time when I envisioned my children sitting at my feet while I wrote, quietly putting together puzzles and giving each other words of praise and encouragement when one of them fit in a piece...

...a time when I envisioned the magic of the holidays filling our home until we were full to bursting with love and peace and faith.

And then I actually HAD children and realized that, yeah...none of that other stuff was going to happen. Ever.

Of course, I still send out cards each year, but they are ordered online, and are usually just shoved into an envelope and addressed with a pre-printed sticker (anything to save a minute or two, right?).

Not exactly the gorgeous handmade beauties of my dreams, right?

So the past few years I have done something just a little different with my cards...I've made them Semi-Handmade. Sure, I still order the basic cards online. Sure, I still use pre-printed address labels (usually). But I've started adding just a little personal touch to my cards...a little something that makes them completely unique and memorable.

This year Heidi Swapp made my job super-easy with her 12 Days of Digital Freebies. Seriously? What a fantastic idea! All I had to do was print and cut out the graphics!

Then I just played around with different ways to dress-up my basic cards! Woo hoo! Here is our Christmas card for this year...

And here are the ways that I used today's "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" freebie to make them extra special...

In this example, I simply printed out the graphic onto cardstock, cut it out and rounded the corners, and attached it to my card with baker's twine. So simple! But really, doesn't that little extra touch just make the cards stand out? It's almost like a little gift that your card recipients get to open in order to see the card. Here's another idea...

For this one, I printed the graphics out onto vellum, cut them to fit around the card...

and attached them in the back...again with baker's twine.

If you're not into changing the look of your card, you can also add a little something to your envelope to make your card one-of-a-kind...

I left the actual card alone in this example, and added the graphic to the back of the envelope (after I inked the edges and added little "ribbons" to the bottom). I love this look...wouldn't that actually make a darling little gift-topper, too?

Now what if you already make your own cards? (and, if you do, I salute you. and worship you. and want to know how you manage to get it all done). Do you buy your envelopes? Or do you make them? What if you suddenly run out of envelopes? Or you just want to change things up a bit? How about something like this?

Little paper bags are a fun, easy way to dress up your card at minimal cost! Here I just printed out Heidi's freebie onto the bag, and sealed it with some baker's twine and washi tape. This would be a great idea for cards you can hand to neighbors or teachers or friends...OR, simply seal the bag a little better, address it and send it in the mail!

**for an amazing tutorial on how to print on a paper bag, check out this post from hellobee.com**

Now, if you are not a card-sender, you can still give your neighbors and friends something special...a "card" of sorts...

I used the paper bags again, but this time I used my photo-editing software to add our family name to the bottom...and then I filled the bags with yummy treats.

Now, when you give these away, you'll be giving a gift AND a card in one! Awesome...

So there you go...a few easy ways to make your cards (and even gifts!) using digital graphics. I hope you love them! And don't forget to visit Heidi's site to download your very own set of holiday freebie!

**For more ideas for Semi-Handmade cards, you can check out my blog post from last year, too**

**In order to download Heidi's freebies (which are in .pdf format) you will need to first have Adobe Reader on your computer. After that is installed, just click on the link to the download and save it to your computer. Once it is saved, you can open it and print...if you have any questions at all regarding the process, please contact me**