Utterly Splendid

February Projects

2012-02-29T20:06:00.006-08:00

Thank heavens it's leap year! It gave me an extra day to get my February projects up to share :).

Liv.E Designs has been my focus this month and I am so very glad because Liv has some amazing doodled heart products!

For my little girl's valentines I decided against sugar and went with bouncy balls. I used the {i heart doodles} brush set and created this:

For a page about my daughter's favorite loves (her cousin and dressing up) I used the {a whole lotta love} Rub-on and Brush Set. I love them!

My next layout was in honor of my grandparents--two people who have shown me what love is all about. I used Samantha Walker's {Day by Day Paper Pack}.

And since love seems to be the theme this time around, I did a layout about my baby girl's love of taking off her shoes. Or at least, one of her shoes. I used the {Go Big Template 4} by Splendid Fiins for this page.

A full listing of credits for all of these projects can be found right {here}!

Love is in the air...

2012-01-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day approaching there are a bunch of fun kits that have come out. I searched products old and new to find the right stuff for my photos and am so happy with how the layouts turned out!

Carina Gardner's {Affectionate Megakit} was perfect for this layout--I used both papers and word art from the kit.

Carina Gardner also has a new Mega Collection out called {Love Nest} with adorable papers, frames and quotation clouds.

And although this next project wasn't made with a Valentine's specific product, I will be using it as a Valentine's Day gift for my hubby. The {Chalkboard Paper Collection} by Kitschy Digitals is so fun. I found this quote and decided it would make a good cover for a CD of songs that are special to the two of us.

I love the Chalkboard collection so much that I actually did a layout using one of the other papers as well.

External Flash Class!

2012-01-16T18:54:00.001-08:00

I bought an external flash two years ago when I was asked to take photos at my grandma's 80th birthday. I had no idea what I was doing. I set it to auto and snapped away. Registration opened up tonight for "A Flash of Brilliance: An On-camera External Flash Class" by Candice Stringham at JessicaSprague.com! The class starts on January 30th and runs through March 2nd. I am thrilled to really learn how to use my flash. And because this class is brand new they are offering 20% off!!!

Another quote

2012-01-01T19:37:00.001-08:00

Here is yet another great quote that I will be displaying shortly in my home! I used Echo Park's {Victoria Gardens Elements 2 Pack} and the Parma Petit Font.

Wall art

2011-12-31T21:48:00.000-08:00

I am really loving the inspirational words you can find on Pinterst. I think this has got to be one of my favorite quotes I've come across lately. It's been attributed to Dr. Seuss and Robert Fulghum. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out for sure who it was, but it seems it is up for debate all over the web. I used Kitschy Digitals {Chalkboard Paper Collection} as the background for my own wall art creation, along with the font called Chalk Dust.

Jodie Lee

2011-12-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

This month to showcase Jodie Lee's products from {JessicaSprague.com} I decided to create one layout and one hybrid.

I used tons of Jodie Lee's products for my layout, but my main focus was to showcase the fun {Vintage Postcards}. If you want a full credit listing you can click {here}.

While perusing the Pinterest boards I saw some clothespins that had been made into magnets with scrapbook paper. I decided to make some myself and added a metal embellishment to each one with the initials of each my mother-in-law's grandkids. I used Jodie Lee's {French Market Papers}. So perfect for a project like this!

Another quote

2011-12-14T20:40:00.000-08:00

Love this quote

2011-12-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

I saw this quote and remembered that I had taken a photo of rope this summer. Put them together and voila!

2 Christmas gifts

2011-12-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

I have two projects to share tonight. One is a gift I will wrap and one is gift packaging itself.

My first project is a name book to help my preschooler spell the names of people she cares about. Saves us both time! I used {Splendid Fiins (Faux)laroids} (which are on sale for $1.94 during the holiday sale!) to create a 4x6 page for each individual. I had a coupon code for 25 free prints from Walgreens and found a clear album for $1 at Walmart! I was going to give it to her for Christmas, but the little stinker found it. I've gotta start finding better hiding places!

My second project is a Christmas tag that I attached to a take-out box with a gift inside for my nephew. I used Echo Park's Holly Jolly Elements {Pack 1} and {Pack 2} (both of which are on sale right now for $2.59).

It has been fun to create homemade gifts this year. Our limited budget has really left me no choice, but even so I have really enjoyed using my digi-stash for all kinds of things!

Inspired

2011-12-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Pinterest has inspired me lately. I especially love the quotes people are pinning. I decided I want to create some of my own! Here is one I threw together this morning.

I think I'd like to create one or two a week to throw out into cyberspace and maybe someone else can be inspired just as I have been to keep on trying everyday.

Free Class!

2011-11-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

Jessica Sprague is offering another FREE class this holiday season! You can click {here} to find the registration page. Last year's class was AMAZING--sign up because it starts December 5th!

Black Friday!

2011-11-25T06:13:00.000-08:00

{JessicaSprague.com} has some awesome announcements this morning. There is a FREE holiday class to sign up for as well as 20% of classes and 35% off digital products! Go on over and check it out, you won't be sorry :).

More Holiday Goodness!

2011-11-14T07:45:00.001-08:00

I know Halloween is way over and we're on to Thanksgiving and Christmas planning. But today Pink Paislee released some fantastic Halloween products. I used the {Hocus Pocus Paper Pack} for this layout of my family in our costumes.

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas cards. In The Making Design came out with the {Be Merry Photo Cards Pack} that you can just plop your photos into and presto! Cute 5 x 7 holiday cards to send to everyone you love :). What I love about the set is that there are cards for photos that are oriented vertically or horizontally!

Tis the Season

2011-11-07T08:28:00.000-08:00

I already have some really fun stuff to share this month. Most of them will be holiday ideas--today's happen to be Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In the spirit of gratitude, I decided it would be fun to try out an idea I saw somewhere online (which I could remember). I created a "Thankful Tree" with papers by {In the Making Design}. I used both the {Retro Mango Paper Pack} and the {Budoir Solids Paper Pack} for the "leaves". Each day we write down as a family something we're thankful for and hang the leaf back on the tree. My daughter looks forward to it everyday!

{Elle's Studio} came out with a bunch of cute tags today. They would work on scrapbook layouts or for attaching to Christmas gifts. I decided to use her new {Christmas Circle Tags} to make a countdown to Christmas activity jar. They are 25% off today at JessicaSprague.com!

Gratitude Journal

2011-11-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know already, {Crystal Wilkerson} is hosting "30 Days of Gratitude Quotes" during the month of November. Each day she posts a quote and a journaling prompt. It has been quite inspirational for me and something I look forward to doing each night after the kiddos are in bed.

Carina Gardner

2011-10-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

I've had a blast working with Carina's products this month. I have three layouts to share :). Below each layout is a link to the main product I spotlighted and a link to the JessicaSprague.com gallery with the rest of the credits.

{Carina Gardner Raven Collection}
{Full Credits}

{Italian Soda Shoppe Blackberry Blueberry}
{Full Credits}

{Carina Gardner Baby Safari}
{Full Credits}

I am always so excited to see Carina's new releases. You never know what you'll see next!

BIG photo templates

2011-10-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

I love templates. I've said it before. Splendid Fiins just came out with three templates for really big photos and they are amazing. Here is a layout using the {GO BIG #1}. I can't wait to play with the other two!

Other supplies used:

Splendid Fiins At the Office Paper Pack 1
Splendid Fiins Feedsack Papers
Carina Gardner Daisy Jane Borders
Misty Cato Write Stuff Journaler
Fonts: Impervious and CK Windsong

Red River Paper

2011-10-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

In the last few months I have been trying out papers from {Red River Paper} for my hybrid projects. Up until now I will sheepishly admit that I was mostly using Walmart cardstock. I ended up frustrated with my printer each and every time I printed. Well, I have really enjoyed seeing how my printer works with many of these Red River papers. My favorite is the {60 lb. Polar Matte}. It has this silky smooth finish that made the colors really pop off the project. I am thrilled with this new discovery and can't wait to get my hands on more of it!

I used the following products:

Echo Park’s {Little Girl Element Pack 2}
Echo Park’s {Little Girl Paper Pack}

Carina Gardner

2011-09-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

My aunt lives and works on an alpaca farm. We visited her a few weeks ago and I had a blast taking photos of those funny animals. I did a fun layout of the alpaca visit this month using Carina Gardner's new {products} from {JessicaSprague.com}. I love the {Essentials Plus Mega Collection} that just came out--the papers are wonderful and versatile and there are plenty of little extras in the collection featuring days, weeks, months...even a family tree!

Carina's stuff is just so great--I am excited to work with it more and share what I've done during the month of October!

So excited...

2011-09-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

...because I just discovered an awesome blog! {Reverie} is a blog for photographers--specifically child photographers. It is ah-mazing. I can't wait to explore more than I have so far. But before I do, I wanted to share that there is an amazing giveaway this week on the site! It is a MAJOR giveaway too, with tons of vendors that all have the coolest stuff to offer. Click {here} to see what is going on and enter for yourself!

Labels!

2011-09-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am trying to organize my life. I have good days and bad days but I keep at it. I decided having cute containers for my daughter's toys would be a great way to keep them in her room and off the living room floor. I used elements from several designers at {JessicaSprague.com} to accomplish this and I'm happy with the way they turned out!

Wood grain from Cosmo Cricket’s Mr. Campy
Tea Set: EP Little Girl Elements
Doll Clothes: CC Jack’s World and Material Girl
Purses: CC Upcycle
Dress Up: EP Little Girl Elements
Little Books: EP Sidewalk Chalk
Bugs: CC Delovely
School Supplies: CC Material Girl
Cars: EP Country Drive
Food: CC Early Bird
Instruments: CC Early Bird
Font: CK Fraternity
Lori Whitlock Essential Shapes

The Queen of Quirk

2011-09-18T20:38:00.002-07:00

I've mentioned before that over at {JessicaSprague.com} there are amazing designers. This month I have been working with the wonderful products by The Queen of Quirk. I love the simple and chic way she designs. I created some really fun layouts using her kits--here are two of my favorites.

Using her {Kamari Beach Paper Pack} and other products I did this page:

For full credits click {HERE}.

And using her {Love Me Paper Pack} along with other fun products I did this page:

For full credits click {HERE}.

Spraguefest

2011-09-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

It's time to sign up for Spraguefest--a few days of fun with other digital scrapbooking junkies :). Read all about it {here}.There will be so many great things going on that weekend--and so many fun people to mingle with. I so wish I could go and be a part of it, but maybe next year!

Echo Park Paper Company

2011-08-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to really get to know all of the Echo Park products this month that I've actually completed several layouts and it's only the 4th!

Be Mine Paper Pack by Echo Park
Be Mine Element Pack 1 by Echo Park
Be Mine Element Pack 2 by Echo Park
Be Mine Alpha Pack 2 by Echo Park
Jodie Lee Artistic Photo Frames 3
Fonts: Roxy Girl, Scriptina

Dots and Stripes Metropolitan Paper Pack by Echo Park
Dots and Stripes Metropolitan Element Pack 1
Dots and Stripes Metropolitan Element Pack 2
Distressed Collection: Whites by Carina Gardner
Splendid Fiins Circle Decorative Stamps and Brush Set
Font: Pea Noodle’s Girlfriend
Inspired by Page Map Feb 2010 by Becky Fleck

Splash Papers by Echo Park
Splash Elements by Echo Park
Splash Borders by Echo Park
Country Drive Tags by Echo Park
Fonts: Bosshole, CK Child’s Play and Wmsymbols

I have to say that sometimes I just get scrapbooker's block (like writer's block, but in Photoshop instead) and I just need to grab a template and make it my own rather than starting from scratch. Here is what I did with Jessica Sprague's Template #12.

Jessica Sprague Template 12
Cosmo Cricket Ever After Papers
Cosmo Cricket Ever After Elements
Fonts: Angelic War, Claudia Jean, Century Gothic

Template Tuesday

2011-07-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday again! Time for a {free template}! Here is what I created with mine!

This template is wonderful because the photo really is the focal point. I prefer layouts that take up a lot of room with photos. So great!

Action fun

2011-07-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here is another photo I worked on using MCP Actions.

Before:

After 1 (Desire):

After 2 (Lemonade Stand):

With each I also used:

Enclosed
Frosting
Dodge Ball
Exact o Sharp

Template Tuesday

2011-07-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to {JessicaSprague.com} to grab your free template today. Here is what I did with it!

I used Echo Park's Sidewalk Chalk Paper Pack and Word Art.

Cosmo Cricket

2011-07-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

I love how every designer at JessicaSprague.com has a unique style. I have been using a lot of Cosmo Cricket's stuff lately and wanted to share.

For this layout I used the new {Salt Air Paper Pack} and {Candy Candy}

For the next layout I used the {Lil' Girl & Lil' Boy Paper Pack} and the {Ten Tiny Toes Candy Candy}

This last layout I used the Chemistry Paper Pack and Elements {coming soon}.

I have just loved getting to work with all of Cosmo Cricket's products!

Tutorial

2011-07-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to the {Mouse, Paper, Lovely} blog to see a tutorial I did to make this!

New class!

2011-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

I honestly can't express how excited I am for this! Jessica Sprague is teaching a new class starting July 18th. Advanced Portrait Editing! Wahoo! Can't wait! Click below for all the info!

Click {here}

Happy 4th

2011-07-06T09:43:00.001-07:00

Two days late.

Just having fun with my photoshop actions...

New stuff

2011-07-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday on JessicaSprague.com there is a new template that you can download for free. It's called Template Tuesday--so fitting :). This week I used the template by Mindy Pitcher to showcase Crystal Wilkerson's {Rainbow Sherbet Collection}

Jodie Lee has come out with some fabulous overlays. I used her {French Floral Overlays 1} to create this layout about my new baby girl.

I love Echo Park's new Dots and Stripes Collection. Below I used the {Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe Paper Pack} and the {Elements Pack}. They went perfectly with the picture I had of my daughter on a ride at the carnival.

This last layout I used Cosmo Cricket's {Earth Love} Paper, Elements and Candy Candy. Although they are not new releases, they are new to me and very lovely!

Happy Birthday to me!

2011-07-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

I was given a Photoshop actions set for my birthday this year from MCP Actions and am so thrilled to start using them. Here are a few photos I've worked on so far.

I still have a lot to learn, but I am so excited! And to top it all off, Jessica Sprague announced last week that she will be teaching a class on Advanced Portrait Editing! The class starts July 18th and runs through the 31st. Join me!

Wowzers!

2011-06-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last post! I guess when you are on bed rest and then recovering from having a baby time just gets away from you. I am so excited to get back into the swing of things. There are some great things going on at JessicaSprague.com this June. There is a major summer sale going on!

In addition to the big sale, members of the creative team are hosting speed scraps until June 25th!

I will be posting some layouts using the new products coming out...as long as my cute one month old can take a nap long enough for me to finish a page!

Major GIVEAWAY!

2011-04-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Crave Photography is giving away a 2 day all expenses paid private workshop! That would be just about the coolest thing ever! Visit the {BLOG} to get the details and enter!

Attention procrastinators!

2011-04-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have been on bed rest for the last few weeks of this pregnancy. I just couldn't seem to pull it together for grandparent Easter gifts. Until I remembered there is a cute template by iKari Designs for just such an occasion. It's the Perfect Packaging Egg-ceptional Egg Cup. You can find it for yourself {HERE}. All you have to do is drop in your own papers, cut, score and glue and you have your own handmade treat baskets. I made mine to fit a single Dove chocolate truffle.

My love of templates

2011-04-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

With a three-year-old running around, sometimes it's tricky to find time to scrapbook.

When I do find the time, I often find myself staring at a blank screen trying to figure out where to start.

This is why I LOVE LOVE LOVE templates. They give you a great place to start. Sometimes I use every element of a template, sometimes I really give it a makeover. Either way, I am able to get a page done in a decent amount of time. And I still get my creative fix with choosing paper, elements and fonts!

Linda Roos of In The Making Design at JessicaSprague.com has some AWESOME templates. They are so simple and yet so chic! I created two layouts this week using her templates and I have to say, I am very pleased with them.

For a list of full credits, go {HERE}

For a list of full credits, go {HERE}

There are so many great templates to choose from--one could definitely go a little CrAzY!

I love spring!

2011-03-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Seeing all the new spring scrapbook stuff coming out is making me so excited for warmer weather! I loved the Springtime Paper and Element Pack 2 by Echo Park that recently came out. I used it to make a frame for one of my favorite pictures of my daughter. Cute, eh?

3 layouts

2011-03-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

Some really cute stuff came out at today at JessicaSprague.com!

One of these items is the Click Elements by LivE Designs. Of course I love it--anything with cameras has got to be for me!

For a full list of credits, go {here}.

Carina Gardner also came out with some great stuff today, including her Back to Basics papers. I chose to work with her Rosy Red Papers because I remembered I had cute pictures of my daughter in red.

For a full list of credits, go {here}.

And last but not least, I have a springtime layout using products that came out very recently. It's always fun to dig into my digi folders and find pictures I never created a page with. This is Easter 2 years ago. I used LivE Design's Circle of Life Template, along with Splendid Fiins' Think Spring Papers and Elements.

For a full list of credits, go {here}.

Oh my cute girl stuff!

2011-02-21T19:29:00.000-08:00

Echo Park released a new collection today called Little Girl. It is now hands-down one of my favorite kits for my daughter. It is so girly! Click {here} to go to the gallery and see the credits so you can have this stuff too. :)

Fruits and Photo Masks

2011-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

I had fun this month playing with the Kawaii Cute Fruits Kit by Kitschy Digitals.

Click {Here} for the credits on Jessica's website!

I also had a blast using Carina Gardner's Photo Masks that will be coming out on Monday!

Click {Here} for the credits on Jessica's website!

Cute frames

2011-02-07T14:11:00.001-08:00

Kitschy Digitals just came out with a new set of frames today at JessicaSprague.com. I used the pink one to frame my little girl's latest obsession--her ballet slippers. You can find the frames {here}. My other supplies:

Flowers from Candy Coated Garden by Kitschy Digitals
Background paper from Granny’s Attic Kitschy Digitals
Scallops by Crystal Wilkerson from Sweet Vintage Charm Elements
Braid from Braided by Kitschy Digitals
Pink Paper from Cherry Kit by Carina Gardner from Santa’s Sleigh Basics,
Swirly Doodles pt. 1 by Heidi Larson of Little Dreamer Designs,
Page Design inspired by a sketch by Becky Fleck

Valentine Postcard

2011-01-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is almost February! Time goes by way too fast! I used the cute {XOXO Papers} from Elle's Studio to create our Valentine postcards to send out next month.

And I'm so excited. Crystal Wilkerson is coming out with a Valentine line in February!

My latest

2011-01-14T11:42:00.001-08:00

Here are some projects I worked on this month. They were really fun!

Created using {Carina Gardner's Fresh Picked Full Collection}. Font: Pea Neat Freak. Stitching by Lindsay Jane

Created using Crystal Wilkerson's A to Z {Stickers & Rub-ons from August 2009} as well as the {Alphabet Flashcards} and {The Jumbo Lowercase Polkadot Alphabet}.

{Love Bird Circle Tags} from Elle's Studio, craft box, chalking ink, tulle; Fonts: CK summer and CK Chick.

Save the Date!

2010-12-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

My little brother is marrying his sweetheart in February. I LOVE these {Save the Date Blocks} by iKari Designs. They were the perfect templates to use with the pictures we took of the happy couple in my dad's backyard.

Joy

2010-12-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

I created this layout using Carina Gardner's {Happy Holidays Masks} and {Happy Holidays Kit}. I love this pic of my little munchkin!

Catching up

2010-12-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

Yikes! That's all I have to say these days! I feel so behind at times on feeding my creative side. So now it's catch up time! Here are 3 projects I put together this week...all at Jessica Sprague's website and all so fun to work with!

Stationery Box

I made this cute box using the {Perfect Packaging: Stationery Box} Template by iKari Designs as well as Echo Park's {Merry Christmas Paper Pack} and {Merry Christmas Elements Pack}

Next I made a Candy Wrapper

I made my own template and used Echo Park's {Everybody Loves Christmas Paper Pack #1}

2 Templates

2010-11-22T19:26:00.001-08:00

Jessica Sprague has the most amazing templates. I used to think that using templates was cheating somehow, but I just love using them now. What a time saver! And you still make it your own with pictures and paper. Here are two layouts I just recently put together using some of Jessica's templates.

Jessica Sprague Template +1.07
Jessica Sprague's Aroo! Paper Pack

Jessica Sprague's Template +1.06
Cosmo Cricket's Oh Joy Paper Pack

Christmas Gift

2010-11-17T08:47:00.001-08:00

I got started early on neighbor gifts this year. Making sugar cookies together is one of my favorite things to do with my daughter. So I thought I'd make a sugar cookie bag ready to add wet ingredients to. I loved Crystal Wilkerson's Merry and Bright Collection and just had to use it for the recipe cards. I tied it off with a cookie cutter and some cute ribbon.

New Layout

2010-11-16T09:12:00.001-08:00

For this page of Syd I used Echo Park products from Jessica Sprague's website.
Sleigh Ride Paper Pack 1
Sleigh Ride Element Pack 1

Free Class!

2010-11-08T14:30:00.001-08:00

Jessica Sprague is offering a free class at the end of the month! Check it out by clicking below!

Click here to find out more

One Buck Wednesday

2010-10-27T12:38:00.001-07:00

Lots of great stuff at Jessica Sprague today for One Buck Wednesday!

Here is a layout I re-vamped using Crystal Wilkerson's November Eye Candy.

And here is a layout using Jessica Sprague's 1.04 Template.

Go check out all the great finds you can snatch for a dollar!

2 Announcements

2010-10-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

My first exciting announcement of the day is that I am now a member of the Jessica Sprague Creative Team! Wowie wow is still all I can say. I am so honored to represent such a wonderful community and give a little inspiration too. Part of why it has been impossible for me to blog lately is because of my second announcement. I am pregnant with baby #2! I have barely felt able to sit at the computer to check my emails for the last little while, but today for some reason I am feeling pretty great (hence these announcements actually getting posted)! There will be so much to share in the next week, so stay tuned! :)

Creative Team Search

2010-10-01T08:05:00.001-07:00

Jessica Sprague is holding another creative team search! Here is what I submitted. There are so many great things in the gallery there, I'm not sure I even have a shot. But you never know if you don't try!

October Kits

2010-10-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Owl Tree Studio October Kits are out! Here are some pages I created from them! You can find them {here}. (And this month you can get all the goodies for 7.95).

You Look Like A Monkey Kit

Fall Fancy Kit

Spooktacular Kit

This week's layouts

2010-09-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hybrid Tutorial

2010-09-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Over at OTS today is my very first hybrid tutorial post! Here it is below as well:

I don't know about you, but I love bags. I have a bag for my swim stuff, my sewing stuff, my church stuff, my work stuff. You name it, I probably have a bag for it. My daughter inherited my love for bags and will not leave the house without one. With her 3rd birthday coming up and with all the stores full of school supplies, I decided to make her a bag to stuff with paper, crayons, scissors and glue. The September School Collaboration Kit was the perfect thing to decorate her bag and I am so excited to give it to her!

Here are all of the supplies I used:

OTS September School Collaboration Kit
Canvas bag
Iron-on Transfers (I used the Light Fabric Transfers from Avery because I had a light colored bag)
Scissors
Ruler
Iron

Instructions

1. Create a new blank file in PS/PSE at 300 pixels/inch. I decided to make a 6 x 6 inch design for the size bag I had. I arranged (and rearranged, you know how it goes) the elements from the kit and added my daughter's name for a more personal touch.

2. DON'T FORGET THIS STEP! When you are happy with your design, click on image> rotate> and then flip horizontal. If you don't do this, the image will be backwards when you iron--a definite problem, especially if you used text in your design!

3. Print your design onto your transfer paper and cut it out. Make sure you trim close to the edges, especially if you are using a dark bag with the dark fabric transfers.

4. Grab your bag and a ruler and center your transfer paper on the bag with your design facing down.

5. Iron down your transfer, following the directions on the fabric transfer package. Peel off the backing of the transfer and...

...ta-dah!

There are so many possibilities with fabric transfers. You can use t-shirts, aprons, onesies, whatever! The Sup and Grungy Bots kits this month would make some great toys bags for boys. Let's get busy! We would love to see your creations in the gallery, so don't be shy! Show us your stuff!

Diaper cake

2010-09-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

This seems to be my thing now. I've made 3--one for each of the baby showers I've been to in the last six months. This happens to be the only one I assembled completely on my own!

So I guess this is it. I am now the diaper cake lady.

Layouts

2010-09-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest challenge

2010-09-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

We were asked to do a page about someone we wanted to spotlight, complete with a portrait and journaling. I created this page about my sweetheart. He is the best!

Credits: DaddyO Kit by Nancy Kubo of Little Dreamer Designs
Fonts: A Little Pot & Stampede

2010-09-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some other onesies I made for my cousin who's having a girl in January. I got the idea for the flowers on the hats from my sister in law. I think they're cute!

Baby Boy Gift

2010-09-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is having a boy and I wanted to make her something special for the shower. I decided to make a onesie using Crystal Wilkerson's Oh Boy! Kit and I think it turned out pretty cute. I had a tin I bought that I thought would be cute to wrap it in, so I ended up making something to go on the front.

Hybrid Project

2010-09-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter is having a Tinkerbell party next week for her 3rd birthday. At the party we are decorating foam cans that I felt would be perfect for housing crayons. So crayons are the party favors that I will pass out as everyone leaves. When I saw the hybrid challenge at JS for this week, I thought it would be fun to make a little "thank you" wrap for the crayon boxes to go along with the theme of the party.

Credits: Fairy Tea Party Kit by Studio Flergs from Scrapbookgraphics

Owl Tree Studio September Kits

2010-09-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

They are out! And they are WONDERFUL! Here are a few pages I created using Owl Tree Studio's new kits. You can join the site {here} and download them all!

Recent Layouts

2010-08-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've been staying up way too late the past week or so, working on these. Even though I feel like I'm never quite rested enough, it's worth it when a page is finished.

Another freebie

2010-08-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

Members of Owl Tree Studio can download Template #3 for August {here}. I can't wait to use it!

Bows

2010-08-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

I have been feeling on the crafty side. As the beginning of school approaches and I realize I am not part of that anymore, I want to be productive at home. Last week there was a 50% off sale at my favorite craft store and I stocked up on ribbon. Here is what I worked on yesterday. I am not the best at bows, but I am getting better. And it's ultimately sooooo much cheaper to do them yourself.

Denim Project

2010-08-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

I am finishing a denim quilt that I started years ago. Storing so many old jeans has been a pain! I'm trying to get rid of all of it, including pieces I won't be using in the quilt. Late at night I was thinking about getting ready for bed, but I just had to make this little purse for my daughter to put all her tiny toys in. I cut out the pocket along with the layer underneath it. I used a small waistband as the handle. She loves it! (Especially that there is a hand on the front--she thinks it's her handprint).

Freebie!

2010-08-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

Owl Tree Studio has occasional freebies and here's the latest!

You can grab it {here}

OTS Challenge

2010-08-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

To read the challenge, click {here}. It was a fun then and now challenge and I hope others will contribute!

JS Challenge

2010-08-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

Random.org picked me as the winner this week over at Jessica Sprague for the laughing layout! And here I am again with another challenge layout. The challenge was to keep the layouts minimalistic, with lots of white space, one photo and a word beginning with Mm. I used the Owl Tree Studio Beach Breeze Kit with a clipping mask by Torta Gialla.

Hooray for challenges!

2010-08-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so now I am going to be doing more than one challenge a week because Owl Tree Studio is up and running! You can find the first challenge by Patti {here}. Here is what I did with it.

P. S. There is an August template available now for members, so register for the site and join the party!

Laugh Challenge

2010-08-12T07:20:00.001-07:00

The challenge this week at JS is to use laughing photos in your layout. Sometimes I have a problem finding everything I want in one kit, so here's an example of why I don't always post credits with my layouts! It's a lot to keep track of!

White Flower: Kari Hentzelt’s Bitty Blossoms
Blue Stitching and Heart: Count My Blessings Kit by Julie Marie Designs
Fonts: (Title) Horseshoes & Lemonade; (journaling) Vaguely Repulsive; (date) Vani
Blue Paper/White Paper: My Little Artist Kit by Creations by Rachael
Red Border Paper: Keaton’s Closet by Splendid Fiins
Inner Red Paper: Sailor Kit by Heidi Larson
Bracket Shape: Layered Up In You Edges 2 by Lauren Grier
Ricrac: Sunbeams & Daydreams by Connie Prince
Staples: Girl Boy Girl Designs
Film Strip: Photographics by Julia Makotinsky
Page Border: Page Frame Templates by Penny Springmann
Brushes: Michelle Coleman’s Whimsy & Charm

Dandelion Darling and Our Little Star

2010-08-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Credits: Albums to Remember Template #13 (Elemental Scraps), Paper by Je Vous Aime Kit by A+ Designs

Credits: Template from Connie Prince's Gotta Grab It March 2009 Templates, Papers from Lavendar Lush by Project B Designs, Elements from Urban Funk by Bella Gypsy Designs, Fonts: Ma Sexy, A Star is Born, Smiley Monster

JS Challenge

2010-08-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Here is my challenge entry for this week. The challenge can be found here.

Credits: Sunshine Kit by Suzy Q Scraps of Scrap Orchard; Fonts: Pea Double N Jenn & Hyland Rule

Owl Tree Studio!

2010-08-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

Owl Tree Studio is a new scrapbook and crafting website. As a member of the creative team, I get to use fabulous products from the site and show them off!

This page was created using the Sweet Baby Kit by Wild Blueberry Ink

This page was created using the Feeling Good Kit by Girl Boy Girl Designs

Both kits (as well as a few others) are available for the month of August only at This page was made using the Feeling Good Kit by Girl Boy Girls Designs available this month only at Owl Tree Studio. Go take a look!

Owl Tree Studio and a Giveaway!

2010-07-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

You may know that I am on the design team for Owl Tree Studio, a digital scrapbook kit club. The design team has put together an incredible August lineup (while you check it out on Facebook, go ahead and like OTS so you stay up to date on all things OTS and important) and the creative team has put together some incredible quick pages, blog posts, scrap challenges and page templates for you to enjoy.

As we get closer to opening day, the Owl Tree Studio crew wants to give you an opportunity to try them out for FREE.

That’s right...F-R-E-E!

On Sunday, August 1st, 2010 Owl Tree Studio plus each of the three resident designers will be giving away free memberships to Owl Tree Studio. You can enter to win as many times as you want between now and July 31st, 2010 at 10am (EST). Everyone’s contest rules are different, so you’ll have to visit each designers’ blog to find out exactly what you have to do to enter their portion of the giveaway.

Enter to win a free membership from the official Owl Tree Studio blog by:

Following OTS on Facebook - 1 Facebook follower will win a free 1 month membership

Follow OTS on Twitter and ReTweet:

"Follow @OwlTreeStudio & RT this for a chance to win a free month of great digital scrapbooking goodies http://bit.ly/aib6cA #digiscrap"

- 1 Twitter follower will win a free 1 month membership

Join the mailing list (and get a free beach themed digi kit) - 2 mailing list subscribers will each win a free 3 month membership

Sometimes, the studio owls get a little over excited and rumor has it one commenter on the Owl Tree Studio blog contest post might win a 1 month membership as well.

Follow OTS on Facebook; and Twitter AND join our mailing list for the biggest chance of winning, then visit the incredible designers’ blogs to pick up more chances to win through the designer contests!

[Fine print: Winners will be selected using Random.org. You can only win one time. If you win, you will have to sign up as a paying member to continue accessing the OTS members’ area AFTER your free membership period ends].

Meeting Minnie

2010-07-19T20:28:00.001-07:00

I just had to post this--another Disneyland page that I just finished. I pulled supplies from all different folders for this one and didn't keep track of any of it. I'm sleepy, so I'm posting it without the credits.

Challenge

2010-07-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the challenge from Jessica Sprague's website for this week:

"Your challenge this week is to:
1. Use the colours in this colourscheme.

You are more than welcome to use other colours as well but these three need to be in the layout somewhere.

2. Get stamping! You can use a stamped font like in the inspiration image, or use some other stamped image. But it has to look stamped, ok?

3. Post your layout in the challenge gallery on Thursday at the latest and then come back here and let us know you posted."

Here is what I did:
-DJ Horses by Strat at Dafont.com
-Text Path and Shape from Text Pathapalooza by Penny’s Miscellany at Sweet Shoppe Designs
-Photo Overlays from All Worn Out: Photo and Paper Overlays 3 by Penny’s Miscellany at Sweet Shoppe Designs
-“Giddyup” in Old Stamper font from Dafant.com
-Journaling font is CK Child’s Play
-Month Brush from Grungy Month Brushes by Michelle Coleman at Little Dreamer Designs

Photo Shoot 2

2010-07-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

Today I took pics of my stepsister's kids in my dad's backyard. It was fun to try a few things with them. With it being as warm as it was today (100 degrees), it was cool this morning since they live at the mouth of the canyon. Aidan was a natural born subject, posing himself and everything, but Baby Tessa wasn't too thrilled with the cool air, so there weren't tons of great shots (especially because we were battling the sun and shadows). Here are a few.

Doorknob Hanger

2010-07-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

My 2 year old loves to close the door to her room and play. Thus I was inspired to make this for her. It is 4 x 9 inches--if I were to do it again, I would make the circle a little smaller. To make it more durable, I used wide clear tape over the top (I was too impatient to go laminate it somewhere). Then I stapled ribbons to the top.

Credits: Paper/embellishments from "Bloom" kit by Lisa Sisneros (Little Dreamer Designs); Crown from Piffle Princess Brush (Deviantart.com); ribbon by American Craft

Layouts

2010-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few layouts I've worked on this week. I love summer because we're always on the move, always playing, always taking pictures.

A gift for my grandparents

2010-07-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

My grandparents have been married for over 60 years. I am giving them this picture I just finished working on. I took it last week on our fishing trip.

Garden/Nature challenge

2010-07-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

The challenge was fun this week. I was able to use a poem that my great grandfather wrote back in 1952. I think it turned out nice for such a quick page.

Fonts: Unnamed Melody, 3 Dates One Night, Vaguely Repulsive
Paper created using Laura Berger’s Just the Backs set 13 (Gotta Pixel) in screen blending mode
Flower and Ribbon: Lisa Sisnero’s Bloom Kit (Little Dreamer Designs)
Photo overlay: Penny Springham’s Frame Masks Set #5 (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Journaling Label: Kit for Kate by Crystal Wilkerson

Photo Shoot

2010-06-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

We took family pictures this weekend. It was stressful for me because I always get stressed out on picture day, but especially so because I was also taking the pictures. I'd love to do this for money at some point, but I still have a lot to learn. I think they turned out okay for my first time--there are a few I hate, a few I really like. I have been messing around a lot with different editing techniques and have really enjoyed it. There are so many more pics, but this will have to do for now.

Some more before and afters for Grammy

2010-06-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the cute skirt! She loves it!

Daughters

2010-06-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

My friend Rachel and I took our daughters to farm country yesterday. It warms my heart to watch Syd and Shelby walking hand in hand. In some ways it seems like only yesterday Rachel and I were in Algebra class looking for locker partners. I'm glad we chose each other.

Yesterday

2010-06-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Syd wanted to draw with chalk outside. I couldn't pass up the photo op.

Birthday Challenge

2010-06-19T07:40:00.001-07:00

Jessica Sprague is celebrating the website's 3rd birthday with all sorts of fun things going on. This morning I worked on a birthday challenge using:

Template by Jessica Sprague, 40 Small Things
Papers from Keaton's Closet: Coordinates by Splendid Fiins
Brushes: Twirl Borders by Kuschelirmel stock (Deviantart.com)

We had to use at least 3 pics, one that was imperfect (blurry, funny face, etc), 50% had to be from JS website. The page also had to include something from the party (balloons, gifts, etc).

More editing...again

2010-06-18T20:58:00.002-07:00

I really just put before and afters on the blog so I can see them next to each other. Here is one I worked on today. I was trying for a more dramatic look, so I fooled around with lighting, contrast, and sharpening.

Pages

2010-06-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

Messing around

2010-06-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

Layout

2010-06-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here is that picture in a layout.
Template called "Sunlight" by Christine Newman of Listgirl Designs
Kit called "Baby Brights" by Misty Cato Designs

More editing

2010-06-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

More from my class

2010-06-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

It's fun to see how subtle changes can make a difference in a photo.

The winner

2010-05-28T14:19:00.001-07:00

I was picked by random.org again for my page this week! Here is what Kristen Creech from jessicasprague.com said:

"The Winner: Now before you look at this week's winning layout, I feel the need to remind you that our winners are random each week. But I have to say, Random.org, like me, must be a die-hard Lost fan. Got to be ;-)

Congratulations Lauren (laurmadsen)!! You are this week's Spraground Superstar!! It's nice to know something good could come from the heartache that has been this week for the millions of Lost fans as we said goodbye to the Best. Show. Ever. (If you must know, I cried shamelessly watching it. After my Lost party ended, I watched the last 30 minutes again, so I could cry even more shamelessly in private. Re-watched it with my husband, and you guessed it, cried my little eyes out. I was starting to think there was something wrong with me, until my brother came over yesterday and we discussed the show and both of us teared up again. Must be hereditary...)

Thank you Lauren for your awesome, awesome layout!! I heart it! Long may you reign Superstar!! Don't forget next week's challenge (HYBRID!!) is already posted in the General Forum. Submit your project and you could be the next Superstar and winner of 5 Spraguebucks to spend willy nilly in our Digi Shoppe!"

How fun! I love the challenges!

Challenge for the week

2010-05-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

So here was the challenge at JessicaSprague.com:

"OK, so now on to this week's challenge.
Those of you who have followed our challenges for a while know that I love to challenge you to scrap about yourselves. Hee! Well this week I am going to torture you a little further. I am a firm believer in the notion that the little things tell more about us than we think.

So because of that, this week I want you to scrap about a favourite in your life. Here are the challenge requirements:

1. Pick a favourite thing in your life. Just one. This can be a pair of shoes, your favourite TV show, a piece of fruit, cake, poem, place in the sofa - pretty much anything! The only thing you cannot choose is a person. (Aww, there she went and ruined it, right?)
2. Create a layout about your favourite thing of choice.
3. Your layout must include at least one photo of said thing.
4. You must also include the following things in your layout: stitching, scallops, and no less than one flower.
5. Post your layout in the challenge gallery and then come back here and let us know you posted."

Here is what I did with it:

Colored Paper: Kari Hentzelt (Little Dreamer Designs) Color Wash Soft Seas
Frame: Tape It Up! by LivE
Flower: Pea Fruit Salad Doodle Font, Letter P
Black Paper: Urban Kiwi (Shabby Princess)
Fonts: Franklin Gothic, Simplified Arabic Fixed, Thinking of You
Stitching: Crystal Wilkerson Doodley Doo brushes
Bracket Shape layer: Layered Up In You by Lauren Grier (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Scalloped Circle: With Love by Mushy Coasters 1 (Little Dreamer Designs)
I couldn't find a way to take a picture with the TV that looked good, so I found this pic online to use. I created a box inside the TV and clipped the pic in.

Normally I wouldn't spend time scrapbooking about something like a favorite TV show, but it was perfect because it fit the challenge and was on my mind because it ended this week!

Pages

2010-05-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of pages I worked on this past week.

Wow!

2010-05-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

I used the money I got for Mother's Day to pay for a Jessica Sprague class called Good to Great Workflow. It's a photo editing class and I am amazed at how much I still have to learn! Here is a sampling of what I worked on today. I have been wondering for a long time how to fix a photo with shadows on the faces and bright back light! Wahoo!

Handtinted look

2010-05-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

I found a free tutorial on Jessica Sprague on creating a "dreamy/handtinted" look to photos.

Before:

After:

I love that technique!