Everyone has a story to tell, here's mine sprinkled with some creative projects along the way.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you come back again.



Friday, March 30, 2012

Fabric Projects

so I've been enjoying sewing lately. It's like playing with paper only I need to be more accurate with my measurements. Below are two of my latest fabric projects.....

Remember when I shared my latest camera stap here? Well I told you that I wanted it to be longer to go from one end of the stap to the other. Well last week I got some neat fabrics from the clearance bin of the fabric department of Walmart and made this.
I'm obsessed with ruffles as well so I added that here. Looking for tutorial for this? Check out this girls' blog. I didn't follow her tutorial exactly because I didn't need a pocket but she has some great foundational instructions that could be adapted with whatever strap needs you might have. :)


and then I have so slacked at my goal of having a different wreath for every month  for my front door. But since we were changing seasons, I decided that it's time to change out the wreath. You can see my winter wreath here.
this one was inspired by this ribbon wreath I have pinned. I used fabric instead of ribbon. I think it's cheaper and I've had this "bunny" design for a while.

I added paper blocks for my welcome sign. This project was super easy, it only took me an hour to make. The bulk of it was tying the fabric on the wreath. I used a floral wire wreath therefore it's thinner. I'm sure you can easily translate this project onto foam wreath, you'll only need to change the length of your fabrics making it longer since the foam wreaths are thicker.

So there you have it. If you have some fabrics you've been hoarding, make something with them this weekend. Check out my pinterest board for more sewing/fabric project ideas.

Have a great weekend.

Till next time,
Grace

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Evidence of a life with children

Ok so last week while cleaning up the family room for the nth time, I find myself smiling instead of getting upset. I saw toys on the floor, beds unmade and little lined up Snoopy toys on my fire place mantle. Then I started thinking....how blessed I am to have children in my life. They are a source of joy and unlimited learning experiences.

So that made me think of documenting the many little things in my home that shows a true evidence of children living here. I grabbed my camera and started snapping away. I wanted this little experiment/documentation to be as real as possible so I didn't make any beds and cleaned up. So sorry for photos showing our "messy" side BUT that's our reality right now....with children....

Finally framed the kid's ribbons from their school's field day. We have yet to find a spot on the wall to hang them up
My son taped all of these posters on his room's wall. I wanted to scream when I saw this up without my permission but then stopped myself because IT IS his room and I wanted him to feel that there's a spot in the house that's totally his.
My dear loving daughter NEVER makes her bed without us telling her to do so. Makes me cringe! Today's a school day therefore this bed won't be made till after she comes home from school.

My kids have an obsession with anything stuffed and is an animal. These little doggies is sitting pretty in my daughter's night stand.
Books, books and more books. This basket in the front room is always filled with books borrowed from the library. Thank goodness for libraries where we can appreciate books without burning our wallets.
You won't see our family use our "finest china" on a regular basis. Over here, you can usually see cups like these on the counter.

My mantle had been overrun by little snoopy figures. It's funny how all in a row. I wonder who decided to display these on my mantle today?
After a quick 5 minute clean up of the family room, I've gathered these things that needs to be put back in their rooms. It's interesting how many odd things I gather up in five minutes.

and finally our family room couch that never ever stays clean. Today it is littered with kids' blankets and more stuff animals. Sheesh!!!

So today instead of getting upset that I have to endlessly remind my kids that their stuff belongs in their rooms and not in every other corner of the house, I'm feeling grateful. Grateful that I have a home where my family can live comfortably; Grateful that I have kids that brings the spice in my life; and Grateful that I have the thought (even if just for a few seconds) to stop and appreciate this stage of my life. Even if that means I'm surrounded by chaos and piles of kid's stuff!

When you look around your home today, what do you see? Document those evidence of a good life. :)

Till next time,
Grace

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Creative Memories layouts

This past weekend,  Creative Memories had a very fun and successful Virtual Crop. As I was looking at the facebook page where people shared their projects, I was so inspired by everyone's takes on the challenges that I decided to play along and so here are three layouts I made inspired by the crop challenges...

Field Trip
this one is for Challenge #1 which is a sketch challenge. You can see the sketch here.
Supplies Used: Enchanted Embossed Paper; Enchanted Designer Print- Paper; Enchanted Story box; Enchanted Title stickers; Enchanted Decorative ABC Stickers; Enchanted Epoxy Stickers; Enchanted Paper flowers; Tag Maker; Corner Maker; Border Maker Systen; Frame Chain Border Maker Cartridge; Dual Tip Pen Black; White Simple Monogram Sticker; Tape runner, Mini Foam Square

Riding Again
this next page was made for Challenge #2 which is to visit the CM Pinterest board and find a digital layout to lift. Mine was this one. I replaced the hexagon shapes with flowers.

Supplies Used:
White Cardstock; Fabulous Tone on tone; Fabulous Designer Print Paper; Fabulous Paper Ribbon; Fabulous Paper Flowers; Fabulous Photo Album Accents; Fabulous Title Stickers; Simple 123/ABC Sticker white; Black Dual tip pen; Blossoms Place N' Punch; Corner Maker; Border Maker system; Scallop stitch border maker cartridge; Tape Runner; Mini Foam adhesive

Kindle
this last one is based on the challenge #4 which is to use your scraps. We were to use about 3/4" lenght of scraps and place them on the top left of the page. I used them as a banner for my title.


Supplies Used:
Enchanted Embossed Paper; Enchanted Designer Print- Paper; Enchanted Story box; Enchanted Title stickers; Enchanted Decorative ABC Stickers; Enchanted Epoxy Stickers; Enchanted Paper flowers; Enchanted Die cut Paper Ribbon; 12-inch Rotary Trimmer; Deckle rotary blad; Dual Tip Pen Black; Tape runner, Mini Foam Square; Others- Twine, Source Unknown

To learn more about these challenges and all the other ones posted for the crop check the Creative Memories blog here.

Till next time,
Grace

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Project 365 Week 12

It always amazes me how much I accomplish in a week when I edit my project 365 photos. So are you doing your own photo documentation this year? Whether it's Project 365, Project life or the more low-key Take Twelve Challenge, I hope you are trying to make some kind of documentation of your life right now. With the boom of digital photography, we really don't have any excuse not to "click away". Here are my latest ones..







Till next time,
Grace

Monday, March 26, 2012

Giveaway winner announced...

Hi all and happy Monday. This week is my kid's spring break and I intend to join them in the "break" part. I'm looking forward to some much needed quality family time and rest. How about you?

But before I go and have my "break", let me share with you a few things...

Did you participate in the Creative Memories Virtual Crop this past weekend? I hope you at least took a peek because there was some great challenges to try out. I joined in and made three layouts. How cool is that? I'll post them soon here. If you want to see what everyone did and maybe try out the challenges yourself, check out the CM blog here.

Over at Paper Bakery kit blog, I have a tutorial up as my post today. check it out here and learn how obsessed I was with the vintage newspapers included in the March Add on kit. I used them on pretty much all of my projects this month. They are super fun.

and finally, Thank you to all that came and stopped by to check out the Stamping Secrets giveaway last week and the official winner is...

Phamil

but since there was only two official entries, i don't want to leave Connie empty handed so if both ladies can email me (graceelainetolmanatyahoodotcom) your info and I'll get your prices to you asap.

thanks for stopping by guys and have a great day.

Till next time,
Grace

Friday, March 23, 2012

What are you planning this weekend?

Happy Friday everyone. Glad you can stop by here today. So what are you planning on doing this weekend? I heard that the weather's going to be nice for us here in southern Colorado. I'm thinking it might be the perfect time to start working on getting the garden ready. There's also a few thrift stores in town I haven't been to and a "shopping" weekend sounds good too. Whatever you are planning on doing this weekend, I hope you spend sometime checking the following links out...

Creative Memories is holding their first Virtual crop this weekend. Sounds like a lot of fun. I know I'd be popping in between my weekend plans. I'm sure there's lot of inspirations to be had in this event. Find out more details here.

My stamping secrets ebook giveaway closes today (midnight, mountain time) so make sure you check it out here and put your name in the hat for the giveaway. Lots of great ideas in this book as well.

PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION
and finally, Glue Arts got to team up with Tsukineko this week. Check out this card that I made for the blog here. I used a few stamping techniques here and you can read all about them on the blog post.

So that's it. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend and we will see you back here, bright and early Monday morning.

Till next time,
Grace

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Project 365 Week 11

***before we continue, just a quick plug that my Ebook giveaway closes tomorrow. Check it out here and put your name in the hat. :) ***

Here are my latest project 365 photos. After I pick my photos for the week, I always go back and see what I've done and make a mental note of what to try next or what to master and after going through these week's photos, I'm seeing that I take a lot of "close up" shots. I'm going to try more landscape ones next week. Let's see how that's going to look.








Till next time,
Grace

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Thank you card + Leprechaun trap

Happy Hump day everyone. How often do you say Thank You? I hope you're not like me that the answer is- not enough. Well over at Ella Publishing, we started a 3 day event that ends on Thursday which they are dubbing to be Thank You Thursday. Here's a peek of the card I have contributed for today's blog post. This event's premis really made me think on how many times I show my gratitude to the people around me. Make sure you check out the full view of this card along with more "thank you" card inspirations here.


Speaking of gratitude, I'm grateful for having an ample "craft" stash that when my children comes home and gives me a paper from school that states that they are invited to make a leprechaun trap, that I have enough supplies at home to help my kids build their projects without having to run to the store.

Such was the case last week. Granted Maddie and I (well mostly me) procrastinated till the day before the project was due but it's still a blessing to not have to rush to the store everytime the kids are in need of a craft supply.

Last Thursday, after school, Maddie and I made a trap with the idea I had pinned and supply we already have on hand. Here's Ms. Maddie showing off our project....

She helped me every step of the way. She even had the idea of sprinkling the top of our hat trap with jewels.

I had some glittered cardstock in my stash and we used that to make some walking step/blocks.

I have to say that my favorite part of it was our ladder. I had to bust out the saw to cut out the small branches that Maddie and I collected in our backyard.

All the kids left their traps at school sine St. Patrick's day was a Saturday and today they got to take it home. The steps leading up to the stairs had green tiny footstep marks and the trap had gold chocolates in it. Those darn leprechauns can never be trapped but Maddie was delighted with the gold chocolates they left that she doesn't mind at all if they're trapped or not. :)

Till next time,
Grace

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

PBK new sketch plus a layout

The latest sketch at The Paper Bakery Kit went live yesterday. Lookie look...


and here's my take on the sketch....
Pulled out for publication

 I used the large photo spot and filled it up with smaller photos. Here are more close ups...

Pulled out for publication

Pulled out for publication

Make sure you check out the sketch and play along with us this time. More info in this post.

Have a great Tuesday.

Till next time,
Grace

Monday, March 19, 2012

Stamping Secrets Ebook Giveaway

Happy Monday everyone. I hope your week is off to a great start. Today I have a special blog post. It's rare (which I'm intending to change soon) that I have a giveaway in this blog and today's "price" is a special one. This month Ella Publishing came out with a new ebook called Stamping Secrets. Here's a quick run down on what this ebook offers...


Stamping Secrets: 7 sensational stamp sets used 21 ways
By stamping experts Nichol Magouirk, Ashley Cannon Newell, Lea Lawson, Nancy Burke, Robyn Werlich, Shari Carroll, and Shemaine Smith
Ready to make the most of your favorite stamps, and learn new tips and tricks along the way?
In 28 packed pages, you'll enjoy 21 gorgeous projects, 35 expert stamping tips, 6 step-by-step written tutorials, and 20 minutes of exclusive video instruction—all for just $10.99.

We hand-picked seven sensational stampers and invited each of them to:
  • choose a favorite stamp set from a favorite stamp company
  • create three versatile projects using that set (scrapbook layouts, cards, and more)
  • share their expert stamping tips, tricks, and tutorials with you!
With stamps from Stampin' Up!, Hero Arts, Technique Tuesday, PaperTrey Ink, Lawn Fawn, BasicGrey, and Unity, this eBook truly offers the best of the best. No matter your skill level, Stamping Secrets will put you on the path to stamping success!
and here's a little peek inside...



I've seen the ebook and my favorite part is the 4 video tutorials that come with this stamping ebook. Nichol Magouirk and Ashley Cannon Newell provides some great tips which is useful to any level of stamping. I mean I've been stamping for a while and I still got some fantastic tips from them. Speaking of stamping, I'm going to share a couple of cards that I made myself with some stamping techniques...

Celebrate card- in this one, I used one single stamp. I love it when I find a great image, I can use over and over again on a project and it wouldn't seem boring. With this card, I stamped the star and sentiment image using blue ink on my white cardstock. Then I stamped the same image on a separate white cardstock, using red ink. I then punched out those shapes and then adhered them on three specific blue stars to create a visual triangle on the card.


Thanks a bunch card- Here I used a single flower stamp to create my background then I used the eraser part of my pencil to create the purple centers. This shows that you can pretty much use any object as a stamp. :)

Ok so for the fun part....
wanna win your very own copy of this ebook???

You can get your name in the hat for this giveaway by...
1. commenting on this blog post. Tell me what your favorite stamping technique is.
2. add another chance by following me :) Just sign up on my Google Friend Connect on the side bar to your right>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
3 want a 3rd chance?  LIKE Ella Publishing on Facebook.

*When you leave your comment, make sure you leave a seperate comment on each one of the 3 chances so it's easier for me to tally the total entries.

The giveaway will be open till Friday, March 23rd, Midnight (Mountain time).

And if you can't wait to win the giveaway, you can always purchase it here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.

Till next time,
Grace