Happy Holidays!

Just stopping in quick today to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season! I personally will be celebrating Christmas with my family tonight and tomorrow so for those of you that celebrate Christmas - I want to wish you a VERY Merry Christmas! I know I have been a bit MIA lately - but life has just been insane (good insane but still insane!) and honestly I have lost a bit of my excitement with blogging lately -but I think this bit of a break has renewed my energy and I am looking forward to a new year with new changes and lots of exciting things to share with everyone!

I will leave you all with a picture of my kiddos this was part of our Christmas card this year:




I hope that all is Merry and Bright in your lives and I wish you all the best going into the new year!

How to make faux snow

I have lived in several different parts of the country during my life and no matter where I am there's one thing that always puts me in the Christmas mood - Snow!

So today I want to share with you a little secret on how to make your own faux snow to add to all of your altered projects this winter!

Supplies Needed:
~ White paint
~ Salt - Coarse salt works and looks best in my opinion so think Kosher Salt
~ Disposable paper plate
~ paint brush - any kind will do

Step 1: pour a good amount of salt on your plate.

Step 2: Add white paint and stir with your brush until it looks like mud (when it looks like mud it's perfect)



Step 3: Apply it to your altered project and allow it to dry!

Yes - it's that easy!

Here's my finished altered bird house with my added snow!


Now what are you waiting for - go make your own snow!

'Tis the season

Can you believe that the Christmas season is almost upon us again? It seems like time just keeps moving faster and faster - crazy.

We all get really busy during this time of the year and since I'm not perfect I sometimes forget someone on my "list" - not that I mean to but it just happens. So when Heidi challenged us this month to make something that we would give as a gift I added my own twist to it by adding "using things that can be found around my house". This way if you are anything like me and you need a gift in a pinch - here's an idea for you.

Using a recycled tin that use to hold chipboard I turned it into a hot chocolate gift set. Simply grab some cute GCD Studios Christmas papers, some embellishments, hot chocolate and marshmallows and you're set!

Here's my completed gift set:





Have a super day everyone!

Simple way to Distress and a Halloween project for you!

Hi Jen here with a really quick tip/trick for you when you are distressing your altered projects. First tip is to save those make-up sponges ladies! That’s right they can become your best friend when it comes time to distressing your altered art and it’s also a great way to re-purpose something that was going to hit the trash can.

All you need is an old make-up sponge and some distress ink (I used black). Simply tap your sponge into the ink and then rub lightly onto the edge of your project – it’s that simple! For those of you that like visuals – here’s some photos ;)

For the finishing touches I used the cricut Mini Monsters cartridge, some GCD Paper (backsides from various lines) some vinyl and googley eyes. Here's my completed project:

Happy Fall Y'all with GCD!

Are you all decorated for Fall yet? I plan on getting my Fall decorations up this weekend – I can’t wait! I love everything about Fall!

This month each design team gal at GCD was asked to create two tags – one for Halloween and one for fall. Halloween through Christmas is my favorite time of the year! Not only do I love the weather but I also love creating cute little gifts for friends and family.

Tags for me pull a gift together – so that’s the spin that I ran with for these two tags.

Here’s a gift idea for Halloween. Simply grab your favorite sparkling apple cider, cover it with some cute paper (I used several back sides from various GCD Lines), add some cob webs, a spider, ribbon and of course a tag and you have one pretty cute gift! I created this simple easy “BOO” tag using the Chipart tool – so many uses for this tool!






I created my fall tag using the Chipart tool as well. I also used my copic markers and some vinyl to complete the project. I have wanted to make one of these paper pumpkins forever – and this just seemed like the perfect way to tie in this tag.




Well if you weren’t already in a fall mood – I am sure you are now! So let me be the first to say “Happy Fall Y’all!”

Happy Labor Day Everyone!

If you landed on my blog today because of the GCD Blog Hop – welcome! If you are a regular reader of my blog – you need to check out the GCD Blog hop today! Not only will you see a lot of beautiful necklaces using the ChipArt tool and Melody Ross ChipArt necklaces but there are also 10 prizes up for grabs from GCD Studios! Woot!!! Sooo much fun!

I am having a hard time letting go of summer – so I was inspired to use a fun shade of yellow on my necklace. I then added texture to the chipboard using the GCD ChipArt tool! I love how this little tool can add so much texture and dimension to chipboard. To finish off my necklace I sprayed it with some tattered angels misting diamond misting spray and attached one of the sweetest little buttons from GCD.

Here’s my necklace:





If you would like to be entered into the drawings for the 10 prizes from GCD all you have to do is leave a comment on EACH of the designer's blogs today! Heidi (from GCD Studios) will be drawing out 10 winners from the comments left on the all the designer's blogs. Good luck!

Okay so the fun does not end here – you will want to hop on over to Diana's Blog to see her beautiful necklace! But before you leave make sure to leave me a comment so you will be entered into the drawing!

Have a super day everyone!

Monogram letters with the GCD ChipArt Tool

We’ve caught the Jewelry bug this month at GCD and why not?!? – I mean jewelry truly is a girl’s best friend! If you don’t believe me ask my daughter she will concur -jewelry truly is the best thing ever!

Well since my daughter thinks it is and she has an ever growing collection I decided to make her a little jewelry box this month to match her room. Her room is blue, pink and white with butterflies everywhere – so the homespun line was the perfect touch for this little jewelry box. However, before I show you my completed jewelry box I am going to show you a technique that you can do using your ChipArt tool, some embossing powder, versa mark ink pad and of course you heating gun.

I love monograms so I decided to make one using the ChipArt tool this month. If you haven’t already thought of this – here’s yet another great thing you can do with this tool!


Supplies Needed:

1. Versa Mark Ink Pad
2. ChipArt tool
3. Embossing Powder
4. Heating Gun
5. Chipboard (I attached mine to a scrap piece of paper so it would be easy to hold and I would not get burned.)


Step 1: Cover chipboard with versa mark ink.

Step 2: Cover chipboard in Embossing powder and heat until it melts (will look like metal)

Step 3: While it’s still hot quickly add another layer of embossing powder and heat – repeat this process 3 more times




Step 4: Now take the chipart tool and stamp it into the versa mark ink – set aside and cover the chipboard 1 last time in embossing powder and heat.

Step 5: While the embossing powder is still hot take the chipArt tool and place it into the center of the chipboard and press down lightly and wait until it cools to remove it and you will have a nicely monogrammed chipboard piece.

And here's my finished jewelry box with my little "A" monogram:


I hope this gets your head spinning about all the possibilities of this tool!

Have a super crafty day everyone!

Who doesn't love Jewelry

This month we are going crazy with Jewelry at GCD! We were each challenge to create a piece that we would wear using our ChipArt tool! A few weeks ago I was at my local craft store and I came upon this little silver bracelet. The bracelet had open slots where you could add in beads but when I saw it I thought Chipboard! I knew it would work perfectly with the Chipart tool making something similar to an Italian charm bracelet.

I decided to use my damask chipart stamp, some chipboard, and some paint. I then used some glossy accents to finish it off.

After painting the chipboard black I stamped my damask stamp into white staz-on ink. I then stamped the image onto each piece of the chipboard to finish the look. After letting them dry I added each peice into my bracelet using some E6000 glue and sealed each piece using glossy accents.

Here's my bracelet:




I hope that you will give this a try! Have a super day everyone!

. . . and they are off

My two oldest headed back to school today! I have to admit that I was looking forward to the school year starting. Not that I do not love my kids to pieces because I do - but I think I am a better mother when I have a little time to myself.

That being said it's now 11:30 and Gavin (my youngest) is at a playdate and my house is soooo quiet and I secretly have to admit that I miss them like crazy right now. But I will let that be our little secret - shhhh don't tell ;))

So bright and early this morning we headed out for some pictures. My kids are starting to not like the crazy Mom with the camera everywhere they go - but I keep reminding them that one day they will realize just how lucky they are to have a crazy mom that cares to document their life moments. This statement is usually then followed up with "and until then you're just going to have to deal with it!

Jackson is in 5th grade this year! It's so crazy knowing that this will be his last year before he starts middle school! Poor kid - never fails he comes down with allergies right as school is starting (note the red eyes). Jackson is a little "TC" (too cool) for the school picture scene so I snapped a few (okay like 50 or so) before school. Here's a couple SOOC (straight out of camera).

Ashlee is growing like a weed and starting first grade this year. This is her first year attending school all day long. I am pretty sure she is going to come home pretty tired today. I took so many photos of her today because she's not "TC" (as defined by Jackson too cool) yet - LOL. However, because these are my kids and I am a protective Mama I have decided not to post any of her photos at her school. But here's a few SOOC (straight out of camera) shots of her this morning.


This last one makes me giggle! I told Chad that I am going to start sharing more of our "real moments" here - and this was such a real moment this morning. Not always smiles but it's all good :)

So after dropping the kids off for their first day Gavin, Chad and I headed to McDonald's for breakfast! A little "celebration" of sorts if you will :) Gavin was sure happy to have alone time with Mom and Dad - what a treat! He even pulled it over on Chad convincing him to slurge $2 on this little McDonald's toy (insert eye roll here).

Well it looks like I am going to have to get moving so I can actually accomplish something today.

Have a great Monday everyone!

How to make a Taffy Pin Wheel

Summertime is the perfect time for getting together with family and friends! I love hosting parties and my kids love having their friends over – to me there is nothing better.

When we host a get together – I love to have something extra special for the kids! Today I am going to share with you a quick and fun idea to make ahead for the kids for your next get together.

Taffy Pin Wheels:

Supplies Needed:
~ Taffy
~ Craft or floral wire
~ 3mm clear beads
~ GCD Pattern Paper
~ Scissors
~ Ruler
~ Skewers
~ Ribbon




Step 1:

Cut your pattern paper into a 4x4 inch square.

Step 2:
Using your ruler find the center point and draw a line from one point to the opposite point and then do it again to the other side (so you end up with and x on your paper) (oh and do this on the side that will not be showing ;))

Step 3:

Cut along the lines making sure to leave enough space in the center to fold up the sides.

Step 4: (optional) I found it useful to cut the corners off the end you are going to fold up to the middle because it's attached to a wire and putting a hole at the end can make it tear.

Step 5: Punch holes in the center and on one of each of the opposite corners.




Step 6:

On the non-pointed side cut off some floral wire and wrap it around the top. Add a round bead to the top (this is how your pinwheel will spin).

Step 7:

Put the wire through the center of the paper and fold up the corners by putting the wire through the holes to secure.

Step 8:

Attach another round bead to the center and pull up the remaining wire and then tuck back into the bead to secure.

Step 9:

On the pointed end add on the taffy by poking a hole into the taffy and "threading" it up onto the stick. When you are done adding the taffy cut off the pointed end with your scissors (to prevent small children from getting hurt). Tie a ribbon on the bottom and you are done.

There you have it - a super simple idea to brighten someone's day!

Have a super day everyone!

All through the town . . . and CHIPART tool giveway!!!

Before I share my project I have to tell you about the GCD Studios Chipart tool giveaway! I know you will love this tool - and guess what here's your chance to win one! woot! Check out all the details HERE

But wait . . . before you leave check out this layout about my town :)

For some reason I have the “wheels on the bus” song playing in my head today. Perhaps it’s the fact that I use to sing it for hours on end when my kids were toddlers or it could be that today is my turn to show you “all through my town”.

That’s right this month each of us will take a turn to give you a glimse of our town! I am really excited because it’s like a month of travel – virtual travel :0

So, how about “traveling” with me to Greeley Colorado:

While I might not be able to convince you to move to my town anytime soon – I think it’s a great place to raise a family and I may be partial here but Colorado really does have the most magnificent scenery and sunsets! Not to mention that we have 300 days of sunshine a year – I know snow plus sun!

My journaling reads:

We have lived in several different parts of the country during our 12+ years of marriage but Greeley, CO has been where we have called home now for the past 8+ years. While it took some getting use to (the smell of Montfort Beef) for the most party we have really enjoyed living here.

Some of our favorite things about Greeley include the closeness of the mountains, the small knit community, the beautiful parks and ton of outdoor activities. We also enjoy the local bakeries such as Eileen’s cookies and as well as local restaurants like Red
Dogs and Doughnuts.

Education is important to us (with 3 small children) and we have been very happy with the schools and teachers. Our three active kids also enjoy the various sports that the city leagues offer and I enjoy photographing them – so it’s a win for everyone.

While it’s true that you will not find any amazing theme parks or crazy local attractions in our community – the trade off is that it’s a safe and beautiful community to raise a family and that’s what’s most important to us. 7/2010


Thanks for letting me share a bit of my community with you today! Have a super day everyone!