An Altered Pringles (as in chips) Can!

I'm joining in on First Wednesday of the Month Party over at Cottage Paper Crafts, part of Etsy Cottage Style found here: Cottage Paper Crafts.   This party is dedicated to all of us who love to create with paper.

A month ago, I created an altered Pringles can for a swap over at Your Paper Pantry for the "Populart" group.  I loved making this for Emma.   So, this is perfect to share over at Cottage Paper Crafts.

I used paper from the Die Cuts With A View paper pack The Primrose Stack.  I used a border punch to cut a trim for the top and bottom of the can.   I also used flat faux pearls to hide the raw edge of the border, plus it dressed it up as well.  The script paper is from Recollections and over that is a scrap piece of paper I had on hand.  Other layers I used was a doily with a label that reads "Shabby" (Emma loves the shabby chic look), flowers, leaves, a vintage key from K&Co., an ephemera ticket, bling flourishes and a butterfly.

The above two photos show the cover.   I used a large crystal 'knob' along with an assortment of flowers, a crystal beaded stem along with a punched 3D butterfly that is actually 'flying above' the can.  I attached it to wire so it 'floats' in the air.   I also used a Tim Holtz adagio ticket.

These pictures show the back of the can.  I wanted to hide the seam of where the papers meet in the back so I punched this piece using the same punch as I did for the top and bottom of the can.  I inked the edges (along with the other papers) to give it that vintage look.   The scrap of paper which is the layer with the label "shabby" on it is the 'corset' for this can.   I saw this on line and had to use the idea.

Here are some close ups of the front showing the layers of flowers and the butterflies I added for a whimsical touch.  I hope my partner enjoys her can.    Oh, we had to fill it with lots of goodies, but I didn't take pictures of those items.

Thanks for stopping by!   I'll be sharing more creations later.

Envelope Mini Album--Kathy Orta style!!

I am thrilled with this mini!  I created it for a swap over at Mini Album Scraps and it's so hard to give it away, but I know I'll get a beauty in return.   Although I've made several, actually dozens of minis, I had never made one in this style that Kathy Orta of Paper Phenomenon does.   Her tutorial found here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeAuRf-Zk-A on YouTube is in four parts and is quite easy to follow.   There is tons of  'real estate' for photos and journaling which is what I love about this mini.

So, here's my Envelope Mini now finished and ready to mail:

 If you want to see more photos of the pages, you'll have to go to my YouTube page and watch the video.   There are waaay too many photos to put in one post.  Here's the link to my video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AMAWLaHboI

Stop by soon.  I'll have a post on an Altered Pringles Can and another set of Altered Cards.   Hope to see you back.

A Couple of Projects Just Completed

I finished off two swaps for Your Paper Pantry and they've been mailed.  I can't wait to see what I get back!

These pockets I made are for the "Pockets For Your Thoughts" swap and the theme was Vintage Valentine.  I made three nearly identical pockets--they do vary a bit---and I'll get three different ones back.   I'm thinking of making a very small mini out of them.  We'll see.   I also did a video of the pockets that can be found here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3E1e14iYA

Here are the pictures of the pockets:   They are jam-packed with tags and we also had to send in a small goody for the receipient.  I sent each one a small package of flowers from the dollar bin at Michael's.

The other swap I was involved in was the "Artful Inspirations Deck".  For this swap we had to alter 14 playing cards and use a creative prompt for mixed media or for art journaling on one side.  My prompt was "alter an image from a magazine or book" and then I created a 'mini page' using that technique on the other side.

And here are all of them:

I'm now working on a travelogue, another set of cards for the Artful Inspiration Deck swap and will be making altered salt shakers for the February Romantic Cottage swap in the "For The Home" group at Your Paper Pantry.   I'll post those once I get them done.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Back to Scrapping and Swapping!

I haven't scrapped or swapped anything in a year!   Well, I did attend a scrapping event for one day in November and I finished a mini album kit which had been sitting on a shelf for 2 years.   I was busy last year making bouquets for my daughter's wedding and planning a bridal shower as well.   On top of this, my husband and I were dealing with some behavior issues in our teenage grandson/adopted son.   Even as I write this post, we're still dealing with a lot of issues with him.  He's currently living in a residential treatment home about 40 minutes away.   That, in itself, is another very long story.

Anyway, I'm now involved in a couple of swaps over at Your Paper Pantry and it feels good to be creative again.   I'm now making three altered file folders for the "Love is in the Air" Pocket for Your Thoughts group at YPP.   I just started altering some playing cards using homemade Gesso for the Artful Inspirations Deck Swap where we alter 14 cards and decorate them, think mixed media, adding a quote to one side and on the front of the card we're to add a prompt--something that will inspire creativity.  My prompt is "alter a page from a magazine and use it on a journal page".   As I complete the projects, I'll post pics with more explanations.

I'm also trying to get my scraproom organized.   It is a total mess!   As the holidays approached, I just 'tossed' everything into the room and pretty much ignored it.  Plus, with the bitter cold we've been having, I don't even want to go into the basement and clean it---it's just too cold.

And, I just realized that I haven't posted since before Christmas!  I think I should share some pics of how we celebrated:

Only a small portion of my snowman collection sitting in front of the fireplace.

Jackie made these Candy sleighs for her ETL group.  

My great-grandson, Bentley--3 months old

My oldest daughter, Valerie, with Bentley

Angelina (Nina) who just turned 10, my youngest granddaughter

Me with Jazmine (my granddaughter) and her son, Bentley (my great-grandson)

My Santas---only a small portion of my collection

Another view of the fireplace with the tree

My mom in the middle with me (on the left) and my sister, Sherri.

My mother-in-law's hutch filled with my Santas I've collected over the years.

My tree (artificial) loaded with an assortment of ornaments that tell a story over 30 years of marriage.

Christmas Eve

Zachery on a home visit on Dec. 22nd, opening his gifts.

My son-in-law, James, with the quiver I bought him.

Jackson, my great-nephew, opening a gift.

Me, playing Santa, because I'm the oldest and had to take the place of my dad.

Valerie and James with a rustic birdhouse made by my sister, Sherri.

Michael (my husband) with the birdhouse from Sherri.

A tradition, playing a game after the gifts are opened.

Results of a storm (one of three) in a week

Two Swaps to Share

Hello bloggers,

I've been busy finishing up some swaps and finally got them in the mail on Monday.  Both of these swaps were at http://yourpaperpantry.ning.com">Your Paper Pantry .  The first one was in the Correspondence group titled:   "Pocket for Your Thoughts".  We had to make 3 file folder mini albums, preferably all different and we will received three different ones back.  I had alot of fun making these and they hold ALOT of photos and/or journaling spots. 

I used three different paper packs--to the far left I used the Bo Bunny "Gabrielle" collection-- in the middle I used the 12x12 Colorbok "Rosewood" paper pack which can be purchased at Walmart and

the far right mini uses the 7 Gypsies 'Conservatory" paper pack (6x6). The tutorial by Michelle of The Paper Addiction, was very easy to follow and can be found here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZMxfvLOJtc   (Part One)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay_hVYS_nno  (Part Two)

Here's my video of my three completed minis:

The other swap I sent out was for the Embellishments group and the swap was March Grab Bag Embellies--Steampunk.  I made flowers and journal spots, five of each.  

I used the Sizzix Tattered Flower diecut (a Tim Holtz product) and cut the flowers from copper cardstock and foil especially made for crafting.  I then embossed the flowers and 'aged' the foil ones by smudging black ink, gold rub n buff and copper ink to get rid of the shine.  I then coiled some copper wire for the flower center and added a TH ideaology mini gear.  I also added a TH ideaology memo pin and glued a gear onto that.  I attached a clip and I apologize that I can't remember who makes the product, but I used that to attach a smaller flower.  I had some screening left over from a Tim Holtz class I took last year and I used it to make the leaves.  Perfect!  I like how they came out and am hoping the girls who receive them like them too!   

 

Above is the journal card I made.  I embossed steampunk clocks and gears over an entire sheet of 12x12 black cardstock that had a bit of a shine to it.  I believe the paper is made by Recollections.  The embossed a butterfly, added some wire for the antennae.  I had some bolt style brads and added them for effect then glued on a spiral paper clip, a large eyelet, an eye screw, a TH mini gear and a TH memo pin.  When the card is opened it looks like this:

The inside left is covered in copper embossed paper with a stamped Steampunk lady.  On the right is a spot to journal with stamped gears.

I have one more swap to complete and then I won't be swapping until the Fall.  I have bouquets to make for my daughter's wedding and a bridal shower to plan.  

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again to see what else I've been crafting!

Happy New Year (although a bit late) and Stuff to Share!

Happy New Year fellow bloggers!

I bet you thought that I had fallen off the face of the earth or perhaps been abducted by aliens, right?  Well, the last two months have been quite busy around here and I did my best to post, but obviously wasn't keeping up like I wanted to.  At first, I felt guilty, but then told myself that I shouldn't--that I deserved a break.  I needed the time to recoup, to spend quality with my family and with myself!   I love to create and share them with you as well as sharing the ups and downs of my life, but I was getting too overwhelmed and decided that blogging had to wait.  So, I'm back and hoping to keep to a better schedule.

I've put away the Christmas decorations and am still trying to get the house in order!  LOL!  

Now with the new year upon us, I've decided to make a few resolutions.   Ahhh, that forbidden word---"resolutions".   Okay, maybe I should change it to New Year Plans or New Year Projects.   Hmmmm......

So far my list reads like this:
1.   Join a gym
2.   Lose 30 lbs by July (my daughter's wedding is in August)
3.   Help my daughter lose 30 lbs.
4.   Be consistent with keeping my blog up to date
5.   Get rid of unwanted items and donate to charities or to thrift stores
6.   Make a list of 'renovations' to make to the house and yard
7.   Spend less!!
8.  Learn to be more thrifty
9.  Do not sign up for more swaps than I can handle
10. Work on Valerie's flowers for the wedding

and the list will get longer, I'm sure.   Of course, after the top 3 on the list, I can't guarantee the rest, but I'll try.

So, what have I been up to lately?  
I've completed and received a few swaps in the last couple of months.   At Mini Album Scraps, I was involved in a "12 Days of Christmas" swap with Nancy S and I received some great goodies (pictures to follow in a separate post).  I also won a prize package from Merry at MAS as well!  LOVE my goodies!!!  Thank you, Merry!

 On Your Paper Pantry, I got back the "Pretty in Pink" mini album which is very nice :

and a "Snow Days" mini album from Sarah E. on MAS. I'll be taking pictures of the inside pages and will post later.

 I got tons of goodies as 'extras' from these gals as well---lots of laces, trims, tags and assorted embellies.  Thank you so much, ladies, for these wonderful items!

Also, I've been sick--awful head cold along with some nauseau and a low grade fever.   I'm feeling better now, but still have a 'stuffy' head and minor cold symptoms. 

Thanks for stopping by!