Still dreaming of Crafting...

It has been a while since I posted.  We've been doing a lot of household stuff to get ready for a big party next weekend (Super Bowl :/ ), so I haven't been very crafty lately, but I wanted to blog.

For Christmas, I got this Michael's Recollection Binder/Album.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but I knew I really needed it.

It is similar to a Smash Book, but instead it has binder rings so you can add more papers to it or move the pages around--which I really like!

I did think about using it to put my Instagram photos in it, but I had over 500 pictures since I started in June 2011 and I knew I wouldn't be slowing down on my photo sharing anytime soon.

Then I thought I would use it as sort of a portfolio for my crocheting.  Perfect way to remember everything I have done, sold, given away...

Persnickety Prints has a template for either 2x2 or 3x3 photos (marketed for Instagram) that print on a 12x12 photo.  Perfect!  I have some of my yarn work on Instagram, but the ones I don't I can still print in small squares.  I choose the 2x2 just because you get more for your buck :D

I realized that I have made a lot more than I remember in the past 3 years that I have been crocheting. I also realized I haven't shared everything on my blog.  So I want to share 3 bags I made in 2010 from this Lion Brand Yarn "Circle Dance Bag" pattern.

I like this one because it reminds me of Raspberry, Orange, Pineapple Sherbert :D  (I still have it--to be sold someday.)

This one I didn't change the color so much in order to avoid weaving in the ends.  In 2010, my husband's work had a charity event and this was given as a prize (along with a scarf and a pack of cards--all individually raffled off--people got to choose if they wanted it and they were a big hit!  Who knew?!?!)

And this one was made for my niece.

The first two bags were made from Lion Brand Cotton-Ease Yarn (Azalea/Maize/Almond and Almond/Lake/Charcoal) and the 3rd Bag was Lion Cotton (Black & Purple) and Sugar N Cream (Mod Blue).

The one change I made to the pattern was at the top of the bag, I used all 3 colors for the "rim" of the bag (the last 3 rows of the project).

I am thinking of doing another one for me in this pattern

The pattern on the pillow...not the bird (ha ha ha).  It is the pillow from The Big Bang Theory and I just love the pattern.  It will be quite a project to attempt, but I think I can do it--when I have some extra time.

Small update to my Roller Stamp Collection

I would like to share my two newest additions!  

I had emailed my local scrapbook store Scrapbook Island and asked if they could put me on a list to know when they got the "instagrammed" Studio Calico Classic Vol. III roller date stamp and she called me on Thursday--I had to pay over the phone to guarantee that I got 1 of the 4 that they had!

Over the past week, I visited a total of 6 Target stores and was failing sadly to find the American Crafts Valentine edition roller date stamp.  I had just about given up on hope and was not going to search any longer--I mean I didn't need one!!!  But Saturday I HAD to go buy shampoo so I peeked in the scrapbook aisle and I got the last one!  I was so excited (my daughter not so much--ha ha ha).

Now I am complete...well actually, I am thinking if American Crafts does come out with a Halloween version, I may need to buy that one :D  But by that time I will be done with my Project Life album and won't need one, right?

Playing with Cricut Craft Room Freebies

I've mentioned before that Cricut has weekly freebies in their Craft Room program and this week they had Don Juan for free!  The past month or two they have had free cuts that I wouldn't really use so I was excited that this was a whole cartridge for free (until January 9)!  This cartridge only comes free with the Cricut Create machine and on eBay the cartridge goes for lots of money because it is rare.

After checking out what the cartridge had to offer, I realized I didn't need it :D (my resolution thanked me!)

Instead of boxing up Christmas today, I played with my Cricut and made some cuts using the free program.

  

Various Colors of "Thanks" to be used on cards.  (they are 5.5" wide by 1.75")

 

They had an envelop and even though my Cricut isn't big enough, I tried it out.  It is cute, but would only hold a 3.25" x 4.5" card (if that).  Still cute.

Some basic 2.5" snowflakes :) (and I saved the negative--maybe to use for a card background)

Some 4" high whimsical trees.

This one, I should have saved the file to share, but since I don't own Don Juan I didn't see a reason to save the file, now I do :/

I will try my best to explain.  First with the Cricut Craft Room Basic, I used the rounded square (Basic tab/Shift/last row/first cut) and unlocked the ratio aspect to make it 3x4.  I added another of the same cut, but this time made it 2.75x3.75 and centered and welded it.  Now you get a basic rounded rectangle frame.  This can be saved for future use!  

The "OH Happy Day" is a phrase on the Don Juan cartridge and I just added and stretched it to weld to the top, bottom, and sides (the ratio aspect has to be unlocked).   The O actually has a smiley face in it but I didn't want that so I just used an "O" from the font and welded that on top of the O from the phrase.  

I plan to use the basic rounded rectangle frame to make my own cute phrase like Ali Edwards makes.

(photo from aliedwards.com)

And just to be clear--I don't work or get paid from Cricut ha ha ha.  I just am starting to love this machine again--although I need to start using the cuts instead of just storing them!!!

Project Life ~ Weeks 15b-19 (December)

I am about 1/3 the way through my Project Life album...The past 2 months have been easy since I took the Gratitude concept for November and the Daily December concept for December.  I hope the next 8 months are a breeze.

I went through 12/31 with the holiday theme and I probably could do a few more pages with all the decor (and meanings) I have in my house.

Week 15b (part a was in November)

Saturday - Ugly Sweater (according to my kids)
Sunday - Christmas movie Love :)
Monday - Christmas music!
Tuesday - Holiday Barbies

Week 16

Wednesday - Snowman (white) tree
Thursday - Food Donation for work
Friday - Work tree trimming party
Saturday - Got our tree (from Home Depot)
Sunday - Our "pretty" real tree
Monday - Our fake traditional with ornaments from both mom's houses
Tuesday - Charlie Brown tree (White Elephant score!)

Week 17

Wednesday - Parts of my Snowmen Collection
Thursday - My daughter's tree (5th tree in the house)
Friday - Santana Row tree
Saturday - Store Decor while shopping
Sunday - Toys bought for others
Monday - Cards I sent out
Tuesday - Cards we received wall

Week 18

Wednesday - Wreath (made in 1997)
Thursday - Nativity set
Friday - Snowman Nativity set
Saturday - gifts from 1st Christmas Celebration
Sunday - Decor in the Family room
Monday - Christmas Eve at 2nd Celebration--Chaos 
Tuesday - Christmas Day--Kid's loot

Week 19

Wednesday - My Christmas Loot :)
Thursday - Ceramic Tree that belonged to husband's mom
Friday - Outside decor
Saturday - Trip to San Francisco
Sunday - Last Starbuck's red cup of the season
Monday - playing Apples to Apples & Monopoly on New Year's Eve 
Tuesday - My kids with my 3 nieces & nephew...finally getting a picture this season.

Obsession--Roller Date Stamp

My name is Linda and I am addicted to...wait, haven't I started a post like this before??  ha ha ha.

My latest obsession is Roller Date Stamps.  In 2011, I had 2 and I didn't know why I even had that many.  I had the green SMASH and pink Dear Lizzy.  That was it...that was plenty.

Then CHA 2012 came along and the enablers at 2peas had me drooling over some new Amy Tangerine and Dear Lizzy stamps.  Plus, in August I had just started Project Life and these were perfect to stamp my daily journal cards.  And so my collection began.

Starting from the top:

1. Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go Photo Op

2. Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go Today

3. SMASH date stamp

4. Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic

5. Dear Lizzy Studio Calico (limited edition with kit)

6. Dear Lizzy Neapolitan

7. Hello Kitty (at Michaels)

8. American Crafts Christmas

9. Knock Knock (exclusive to J.Crew--sans date)

I have a funny story about the Hello Kitty one...it is kinda scary though--ha ha ha.  I guess I should have driven myself to rehab instead of Michaels!  I had gone to Michaels on a Sunday and seen the cool end cap with Hello Kitty stuff.  I like Hello Kitty, but I am not that big of a fan (at least not now--30 years ago, I was).  So I took a picture, flipped through the cute Smash like book and went on my way...well a couple of days later, the ladies at 2peas posted something about the Hello Kitty Roller Date Stamp--what!?!?  Why didn't I see that?  It was lunch time, so I drove the the closest Michaels near my work and all the way over there I am thinking..."what if I missed out?" "what if they are all gone?" "what if I don't get one?"  Seriously, I should have went to the hospital at that point :)  They didn't have it, but they also didn't have that end cap up at that store yet.  So after work, I stopped at the Michaels near my house and searched the store (because they moved the end cap!).  I was lucky and found the stamp.  I have yet to use that dang roller date stamp!  ha ha ha

The Dear Lizzy Studio Calico stamp (center in the photo) was a limited edition stamp that only came with a kit in March 2012 via Studio Calico.  But I had to have it...it says "Happy Birthday" among other things (no, I cannot just write happy birthday--ha ha ha).  So I went to the For Sale or Trade Board at 2peas and someone graciously traded $10 to send me this stamp.  I am one to be frugal and always use a coupon--Roller date stamps run about $5 or so dollars...and I was willing to pay $15!!!!  Serious problem (shaking my head).

Late August, I had pre-ordered the Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic, the Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go Photo Op, and the Studio Calico Classic Calico 3.  Well they have still not shipped and it is December.  Let me correct that.  So I seen that 2Peas had the Amy Tangerine in stock so I bought that one (again) and finally the online store (I won't smash the company, but I won't buy from them again) sent me 1 of the 3 stamps...the one I had just purchased.  It is now 4 months later and I have not received the last 2.  I do understand the problems the small home business had, but other places have these stamps in stock now.  Anyway, for Christmas, I asked for the Dear Lizzy stamp (which I had seen at my Local Scrapbook Store) and Santa brought it to me :)  The same store should be getting the Studio Calico one soon and I have asked the online company to cancel and refund the rest of my order.

Not making a case that I don't have a problem, Cathy Z and my bestie Liz had instagrammed a photo of the J.Crew Holiday Phrase stamp.  Well they sold out online really quick.  There are a few brick and mortar stores near me, but I was like I am not going to spend $12 on that--I don't need it and it doesn't even have a date on it.  So I thought I finally won, but while my husband and I were shopping at the mall a few weeks before Christmas, I seen J.Crew and thought...hey, why not, I found 1--woo hoo!  I asked the cashier if there were any more for my bestie (and she looked in the back even though there was a line).  But I got the last one :/  I let Santa give this to me as well.

That was it...I was done, (well except for waiting for the Classic Calico one--did I mention that it has an Instagram phrase on it?)

Well a few days ago, the nice enabling ladies at 2Peas let the world know that Target is carrying the cutest American Crafts Valentine Roller Date Stamp.  Since I read that post on Thursday, I have visited 5 Target!!!  The last 2 had Valentine stuff in their scrapbook section, but no roller date stamp!!!  I am frazzled :(

That is it!  After I find those last 2, no more roller date stamps for me! (Please scrapbook companies, do not come out with cuter ones at the Winter CHA, please!)

Thank you for reading and stopping by :)

Gift Card Holder via Pinterest

Every year, I give out gift cards for Christmas.  Not because it is easy (I mean fighting the mall traffic and standing in those crowded lines isn't easy!), but because it allows the recipient to choose a gift they truly like/want and not have to either return the gift or give it to goodwill.

Normally I just wrap the gift card by placing it in a cute box or bag.  This year, I thought I could make some cards!  So off to Pinterest I went and found lots of ideas.

This idea came from Inking Idaho.

I used white card stock as the base.  Then I dug into my Christmas paper stash and everything else I used are papers/stickers from the Holiday Slab by Rob & Bob Studio (back from 2006!!!).  I rounded all the edges because I am currently into that look.

Here is a peek inside--this is not the gift card that will be accompanying this card--just the only one I had on hand.

Dimensions of the card:

White Card Base- 6.5 x 5

Striped paper-6 x 4.5

Green solid-5.5 x 4

Burgundy/Pink-4.75 x 3.75 (made from the Cricut Elegant Edges Cartridge) Here is the link

Plaid paper-5.75 x 3.75 (made from the Cricut Elegant Edges Cartridge)  This time I only put paper in 1/2 the size of the cut so that the paper fit--you can always just trace and cut the plaid paper without the Cricut machine though. 

One down...(I haven't even started shopping yet--shhhh!)

My Christmas Paper Collection

This year, I swore I wasn't going to buy any Christmas paper because I have too much Christmas paper!  But then this beautiful Kraft Christmas Theme paper followed me home from Michaels :)

Even though I have yet to make a Christmas scrapbook layout, I have used the Holiday paper to make some cards and also used it to make albums to store past Christmas cards received.  

Then there was this one time I went through my stash and gave some of the paper (from Christmas Slabs--not the good stuff--ha ha ha) to my niece for her daughter's girl scout troop.

But other than that...it just sits there waiting...wanting to be used.

I had an obsession with the Slabs and Stacks for a while.

In addition to those, I have a few single papers from various collections--aren't they so awesomely pretty!!

Basic Grey-Figgy Pudding & Blitzen

Love Elsie-Noel

Various papers

My Mind's Eye-Be Merry

Bo Bunny-Snowfall (not all that "Christmasy" but oh so yummily pretty!!!!)

I did not add links since most of these papers are so old that they are no longer available to buy.

Like my November Project Life, I plan to combine my December Project Life into a December Daily // Journal Your Christmas format.  Ali Edwards has done the Daily December for years as a mini album, but again, just like November, I don't have time or enough items to take double pictures of every day for an entire month (and why have scrapbook the same thing twice).  So this is my solution.

I tried using up my Christmas//Holiday papers that I had for my journal cards and hoped to not buy any more Christmas paper, but after going through all the papers I had, I was a few papers short of a full month (I mean I can't use the same papers twice, right?)

So I HAD to stop at my Local Scrapbook Store--Scrapbook Island for a couple more sheets.

"Week" 4x6 cards (4 weeks)

"Daily" 4x3 cards (35 cards--31 days, plus 4 date cards)

Now I am all ready for my Daily December/Project Life-December :)  I just have to take some pictures and journal :D

Project Life ~ Weeks 11-15 (November)

In the Blogosphere, there are lots of scrapbookers out there that do a gratitude album during the month of November.  This year, Cathy Zielske did a "30 days of Thankful" on her blog.

Instead of doing a whole other album with daily thoughts/pictures, I have decided just to incorporate my Thankfulness into my Project Life album.  Some of my Thankfuls are silly, but others are serious.

Week 11

Wednesday - (still October) Even though it was Halloween, my kids don't dress up and plus they went to the SF Giants World Series parade!!!!  FUN times
Thursday - Thankful for Online Stores
Friday - Thankful for Corn (my daughter) and No more Braces (us)
Saturday - Thankful for Medical Insurance
Sunday - Thankful for drive thru Starbucks
Monday - Thankful for Daylight Savings Time (because getting home when it is dark sucks!)
Tuesday - Thankful for being American and Voting

Week 12

Wednesday - Thankful for Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday - Thankful for Freebies!
Friday - Thankful for our sense of humor
Saturday - Thankful for my grandma (her birthday!)
Sunday - Thankful for Veterans that keep our country safe
Monday - Thankful for No school days
Tuesday - Thankful for the Internet

Week 13

Wednesday - Thankful for a Home Photo Printer
Thursday - Thankful for my Morning Radio (Sarah & Vinnie)
Friday - Thankful for Target
Saturday - Thankful for My Daughter
Sunday - Thankful for My Son
Monday - Thankful for My Husband
Tuesday - Thankful for my Job!!!  (17th Anniversary here!)


Week 14

Wednesday - Thankful for My Home
Thursday - Thankful for Family (Thanksgiving Meal)
Friday - Thankful for Black Friday Deals
Saturday - Thankful for Leftovers
Sunday - Thankful for My Keurig Machine
Monday - Thankful for my son getting his license!!
Tuesday - Thankful for Small Shops (especially my Local Scrapbook Store)

Week 15 (Wednesday-Friday only)

Wednesday - Thankful for Days off from work
Thursday - Thankful for my husband being able to work from home
Friday - Thankful for Dental Insurance

It was nice to not really have to think of something to take a picture of each day.  I knew at the beginning of the month most of the items on my list, but I just had to fit them into the month. 

My month of December will be similar in that I will just be talking about the Christmas season and not really having to think of things to take pictures of...they might not even be pictures I took on that day! (shhh!!) :D  I already have 20 of the 31 days figured out--woo hoo!