August Card Swap, Card

This months card swap theme was "folds". When I originally heard the theme my mind went directly to card shape folds. And, I totally had to try out the stair step fold. Also, I knew I wanted to use my cricut to decorate the card. There is a slide out tag on the right side of the card for writing a small note. Here's what I came up with:

To make the eyes pop I painted them with white acrylic paint. And, the apple on the tree is painted red...because I was to lazy to cut such a tiny cut and layer the apple :)

And, I have to share the coolest swap I did with my sister and friend Monica! We all shared in the purchase of twine!! My sister had the arduous task of dividing the spools into 3 ways. And, now we all likely have a life time supply of twine ;) I get so much enjoyment over just looking a the colors! It's like a crafters candy bowl!

Scrapbooking Layouts, China

Here's a LO during our trip to China. We are in Olympic Village. We were amazed by the constructions. Simply awe inspiring. A memory that stands out in my mind are the kites at the end of our walk. There is a plaza at one end of the Village and there were hundreds of Children flying kites, running, playing. And, of course some locals selling these kites. What was unique was the kites were grouped together on one very long rope. I'm not sure how they didn't get all tangled up together.


This double page LO will not be going in our China album but rather Zachary's toddler album. Yes, every scrapbooker will tell you they have all kinds of albums- some in use and a lot empty waiting their turn. These pictures of Zachary are of him playing in his room for the first time home from China. To this day he loves to put a hat on his head when he is playing inside. These papers are from BoBunny, currently one of my favorite sb lines.

Painted Pottery

I was working in my kitchen and I looked over on my counter and noticed my painted pottery pieces I made and thought to myself, "I need to share these on my blog"! My mind is just slipping because pre-baby I would have thought of all the crafty things I've done and want to share them immediately! But, now-a-days I rarely remember to brush my own teeth.

This Summer, sometime soon after arriving home from China, I took Zachary to a nearby paint your own pottery store to imprint his hands for keepsakes. A little bit of help from my friend Monica, who patiently kept Zachary quiet while I painted away...and a few short hours later and these are what I created and will cherish forever.

Those are Zachary's little feet next to the sides of the beach ball.

And, here Zachary used his fingerprints to make the watermelon seeds.

Finally, this is a coffee mug Zachary made for his Daddy. His hand print is on one side with the saying "Hands down, you are the best Daddy". And, on the other side I painted a man with one arm on his hip and the other in a Popeye stance. Matt does not have a mustache. However, the mustache is what started my inspiration for the entire cup design.


I have so much fun at the pottery store. I have so many more ideas swirling around in my head! I can hardly wait to go back!

Scrapbook Layouts

I started organizing my recent scrapbook Layouts into a "put in album" pile, I realize I have not shared any pictures of scrapbook layouts in some time! OMG, I surprised myself...especially since scrapbooking is my main crafty hobby! All I seem to post are cards! Hmmm...note to self, post more layouts!

My focus with scrapbooking has certainly shifted to our recent trip to China. And, with over 1,500 printed pictures I feel the pressure to get them in albums. Now I struggle with the day to day events, holidays, celebrations - right now I have not printed a single picture since we've been home from China. Zachary's birthday occurred a few days ago. I think to myself is it better to keep up with current events rather than a trip that happened 3 short months ago? Well, I am keeping up with taking pictures but I'm still working through scraping those China pictures. I am not sure how much longer I will stay on this track. I just don't want Zachary to be 20 years old before I scrap a layout of his 2nd birthday party! But, then maybe that will always be the deli ma for any scrapbooker.

Along that same vein of a scrapbookers deli ma...I have been scrapbooking China in order of the trip. Starting with our arrival, working through Beijing (I'll be sbing Beinjing for a long time, since we were there for 2weeks). But, then I yearned to scrap layouts of certain special events. Thus, I began grabbing the pictures of locations/events that I felt drawn to. My Mojo seemed to work best this way! Out of order, but still in Beijing, my most recent LO's are of The Beautiful Summer Palace. One of my favorite excursions.





















This picture was actually taken in the hotel room in Guangzhou. I love Zachary's smile! He was coming out of his shell and showing his personality

August SU Hostess Club, Cards

Hello blogger friends! I am excited to share the cards for the August SU Hostess Club! Oh, how I had fun putting these all together! Mostly because I was determined to make cards with the NEW SU InColors 2011! I did my best to spread the colors from the collection around in the two club cards to show how lovely the colors are.

This card is relatively easy to make. And, simply beautiful! It uses the new Doilies stamp set. And, the In Color Stampin' Write Markers.

We didn't make this look alike card...but, I made it during my class design stage. I wasn't sure which color scheme I would prefer. But, ultimately I chose the top card because it utilizes a different card color base and the ribbon matched better.

Stamps
• Delicate Doilies
• Well Scripted
Paper
• Card Stock, Crumb Cake
• Card Stock, Island Indigo
• Card Stock, Calypso Coral
Ink
• Classic Ink, Island Indigo
• In Color, Stampin’ Write Markers
• Versa Mark
Accessories
• Grosgrain polka dot ribbon
• Textured impression folder, Dots, The Big Shot
• Heat Gun, White embossing Powder

Finally, the Petite Pennant Card

Oh how I love it!
Stamps
• For A Friend
• Alphabet
• Pennant Parade
• Birthday Bakery
Paper
• Card Stock, Calypso Coral
• Card Stock, Lucky Limeade
• Card Stock, Whisper White
• Card Stock, Wisteria Wonder
• Card Stock, Pool Party
Ink
• Classic Ink, Basic Black
• Classic Ink, Pool Party
• Classic Ink, Wisteria Wonder
• Stampin’ Write Markers
Accessories
• Petite Pennants Builder Punch
• 1” Circle punch
• 1/16 circle punch
• Oval Scallop Punch
• Jewelry Tag punch
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Scallop Trim border Punch
• Eyelet Border Punch
• Wet Glue, glue dots & Double sided tape
• Stampin’ Write Markers New in colors 2011
• Textured impression folder, Square Lattice
• The Big Shot

Man oh man how I need to get busy making more birthday cards! I organized my ever growing handmade card stash & realized I need Birthday cards! I have had to resort to store bought cards the last few months (shocker!, URGH). Maybe with all the cards I made in July I will be safe for a few more months from having to browse the isles of the drug store/grocery store/hallmark (yuck, dirty words).