Quick Cards

Here are just a couple of quick cards I made awhile ago using limited supplies.
The poinsettia card uses only one set of stamps-Studio 490, make it merry? (I would go find out for you, but my handsome cat is currently lounging across my lap!)
The snowflake card was made using the negative from a sheet of grunge snowflakes as a mask for the perfect pearls spray.
And the stamp is an old one from Stampin Up.
They were quick.
They were easy.

Merry Christmas!

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O Christmas Tree

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finding the adventure

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So In Love

Here is the finished wall hanging I made for my recently engaged brother and his fiancee.
And I'm happy to report that they loved it.
I used a page out of a grungeboard book for the base and inked it with tumbled glass, broken china & brushed corduroy. Then I used the negative of a Tim Holtz mask for the broken china swirl behind the photo.
The grungeboard wings were inked with wild honey, rusty hinge & vintage photo.
The Maya Road & grunge words were inked with aged mahogany, painted with rick candy distress & reinked with brushed cordury.
The metal charms were courtesy of my friend Muffy. I filled the dangly hearts with UTEE and dropped the stamped phrase into it before it fully set. (The picture for that will be in another post because my phone won't publish two photos this time.)
And it was all glued together with 3in1 glue.
Enjoy!

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Do you recognize it, Muffy?

Here's a sneak peak at a project I made for my brother and his fiancée
There are no less than six pieces of jewelry on this.
Thank you for the treasure, Muffy.

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Craft Heaven?

Ok.
I just found this really neat, really luxurious craft room on the internet. 
It's really more of a paradise.
I should be so lucky to have this room in my home.
Check it Out here.
Then again, with this much to choose from,
and this kind of beauty to start with,
wouldn't it be hard to get started making a mess--I mean, a project?
But, I'd love to try!

A Cropping Opportunity

Fall Fling

12 Hour Crop

A Fundraiser for the Beasley Playground

Beasley Elementary

3131 Koch Road

St. Louis, Mo 63125

Saturday November 6

8-8

$25 a person in advance

$30 registration day of the event

Crop includes:

Space

Breakfast

Drinks

Lunch

Make and Takes!!

To sign up, please contact Dawn Townsend at beasleyplayground@gmail.com

We would love to reserve a spot for you and your girls!

The Real Beauty

So happy!
I've had this wall of frames for awhile,
just waiting for the perfect photos.
There are a few odd sized frames in there (8.5 by 14, 11 by 17).
And then it hit me--
I've got photoshop & Costco does large prints...
why not try it out?
First I cropped my photo to the odd size.
Then I opened a new document in the print size Costco does.
Next I added the cropped photo to the new document as a new layer.
Last I made sure the cropped photo waa the size I needed before saving as a jpg and uploading to Costco.
And then the real beauty is that Costco trimmed away all of the white space for me!!!


And yes, I added spooky hats to my babies
It is Halloween you know

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Scrapper's Throwdown

I won the September Scrapper's Throwdown layout contest at For Keeps Sake!
Thank you to everyone who voted for my layout.

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Fall is in my house

I've been playing around the house this week and came up with a few fall scapes I like.
Thought I'd share a few.

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my latest jewelery obsession

I've been making these little beauties left and right. So easy. Just add Graphic 45 paper, ink, and glossy accents. Lovely. Fun. Retro.

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BBQ results

1st in Brisket!!!
Go Smokin Brothers!

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and on your left...

We were fortunate to have time for a drive by of one of my childhood homes. This is not it.
(I wasn't quick thinking enough to get a pic of that!)
But this is a road around the section I lived on.
It was bordered by corn on both sides.
For a great stretch.
A little like Children of the corn.
When I grew up, the field to our right was mint and the one behind our house was alfalfa.
Mint was tasty.

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Mile Slide

He rode this waterslide 52 times.
That's One Mile of slippery, splashing good fun!

And yes, I did it, too...

But not for one mile!

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Half Way

We're halfway across the longest suspension bridge I've ever been on.
So cool.
Lake Michigan to the left.
Lake Huron to the right.
Upper Peninsula straight ahead.

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And a Good Time Was Had by All

Tonight was our Secret Santa Reveal at For Keeps Sake. 

The Secret Santa was part of Christmas in July at FKS. 

Fourteen ladies signed up for a holiday trade. 

Sue K assigned a Secret Santa to each of us.  

Over the past week we delivered two little gifts for our Santa and tonight we learned who had our name and received a 6X9" holiday collage.

We also had tons of yummy food.

Take a look at the holiday boards we all made for each other.

I am astounded by the creativity these ladies exhibited. 

For several of us this was our first trade.

And even a first attempt at a collage.

Artists are:

Sue N, Muffy P, Mary W, Karen B, me, Sue V

Julie O, Mary B, Patty K, Bonnie H, Vickie M, Carolyn K

Carik B, Susie N, Carol B

I didn't get pictures of all the "little" trades the ladies created, but please enjoy these:

Vickie sculpted these fairies herself! 

Look at the detail--the toes, the wings, the skirts--all hand made.

And please excuse the photography, I am learning.

Isn't Karen's domino fabulous?

I might just have to get some Copic markers now.

Thanks again, ladies, for a wonderful night.

Secret Santa

Thank you, thank you!
I love it & I can't wait for the party tonight.

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New Phone

OK, ladies!
I got my new phone that let's me blog on it.
Let' see how well it works for me.
Happy Weekend!

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As Promised

Here is what I have been contibuting to the store at For Keeps Sake recently.

Each piece is unique and currently available for sale exclusively at For Keeps Sake.

I slave over every set and am only satisfied with them once they reach the stage of making me seriously consider keeping them. 

Seriously. 

You have no idea how many sets I have kept for myself.

So much so that I really need to start selling these beauties!

Earrings are just $10.

Bracelets average $20.

And necklaces usually sell for $35.

And do you see that rhinestone and pearl one on the mirror?

It's a departure from my usual crochet style.

I hope you like it.

And here is what sucked me into artsy heaven last night:

I started with a piece of grunge,

added some more,

added some ink,

found some trinkets,

did some stamping,

and just got really messy.

So glad I didn't have the manicure I had considered getting.

(Who has time for those anyway?)

These cuff bracelets are so fun to make!

There is no limit to what you can do with them.

Do you guys want one?

New Stuff

So I sat down at the computer today.
I uploaded some photos.
Then I got an idea.
A grungy idea.
A painty idea.
An inky idea.
You get the idea.
So,
two hours later,
I realize I uploaded the wrong photos.
But I now have two other projects I might show you now, too.
Well--tomorrow, anyway!

For now I will send you to The Nesting Place for a look at my favorite site for home decorating inspiration.

Ticket please!

OK.
I have to have the 100th collection.
It is calling my name--see that ticket there that looks empty, it's not...really, it's not.
I have my name right there. I can see it. And I can see many fun things I will make with it.
And I see my son selling tickets for family events, too. He's a little entreprenuer, you know. Just like his papa.
So go check it out.
Tim's Blog
But who am I kidding.
You guys have already been there.
But go again.
And look at the leaves from yesterday' post.
Can you feel them crunching under your feet?

Basic Grey Layout and Cards

It's been awhile since I've had time to post anything.

So here's a quick snapshot of some classes I'm teaching at

For Keeps Sake in July.

Tuesday July 20

6 pm

Best Friend Forever

$18
Sunday July 25

1:30-3:30

"Oliver" cards

$20

If you're looking for masculine cards, then this is the class for you!

Busy, Busy, Busy

52 Book Marks for the teachers at my son's school.

A second class on how to make word art on your Silhouette.

June 7

6:30-8:30pm

It's a great class to learn how to use your Silhouette,

or learn how much you really, really need one.

A Friday night out with the girls to learn how to turn your grunge scraps into wearable art.

Or fun page accents.

Friday, June 4

6:30-9pm

All this and more at For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Store

314-487-8131

Who's Got Talent?

He does!

He rocked the school with his rendition of "Your Touch."

Way to go, dude!!!

One Fine Day

All right, let's do this thing!

My son's school is short one very important playground. We've been struggling all year to raise the funds to purchase the first phase--for a whopping $25,000, before installation. We've dined out for it several time. Purchased many pretzels. And today, he walked for it.

Fourteen people agreed to sponsor my son as he walked his whole recess away to raise money for the playground he so desperately wants. THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who helped him raise $271!!!!!

And sweet boy that he is, he started the sponsorship process with himself. He pledged $10 of his toy money to the cause. All he had to do was find the key to his lock box so he could put the money in the envelope.

When he couldn't find the key, he was heartbroken. I told him how proud I was of his decision to support the children at his school. I would pay his $10 and match it with $10 of my own.

He was ecstatic.

Then I found his key.

He opened the box to find $14 in it. He pulled it all out and put it all in the evelope.

I was stymied.

Hadn't I agreed to pay his $10?

"I knew I'd have to pay you back, Mom."

I was touched. I had never mentioned a pay back plan. I had no intention of him paying me back. I told him so.

But still he wanted to put it all in.

And I probably made a mistake here, but I didn't let him. I was so proud of his ability to give up all the money he had that I talked him out of it. I didn't want him to suffer. I told him how responsible he was being, how generous he was being, but as his Mom, I would pay the $10 I said I would and he could keep the $10 he had.

He put the $4 in the envelope and the ten went back into his lock box.

At least until the next Walk-A-Thon.

Adventures

Yeah!

My son has created his Flat Stanley.

He and his Aunt Julie have both read a Flat Stanley book.

They are ready to take Stanley on their summer adventures.

I just have to buy the envelopes.

And maybe find some nice paper for Justin to write his stories on.

But that shouldn't be too hard.

I have to tell you, he had such a fabulous time designing Flat Stanley at For Keeps Sake.

We went through all of the dies to find just the right ones for the body shape, sandals, jeans, shirts, and hair--my son was very particular about the hair. Flat Stanley has the hairstlye I think Justin wants.

And the best part, the part I love the most, is that my son wants to send snacks along with Flat Stanley.

"He might get hungry, you know," he said with a straight face.

"But they're really for us!!" he laughed.

So look out, Aunt Julie, Flat Stanley should be winging your way any day now!

Happy Mother's Day

Weekend Blitz

Lots going on this weekend:

For Keeps Sake is hosting Sally Lynn MacDonald in a Copic Marker workshop bonanza.

CKC is on at the Gateway Center. FKS has coupons for discounted admission.

My guys are in Sikeston at a BBQ competition.--Go Smokin' Brothers!!

And I'm having a few friends over to crop tonight.

Can't wait!

As You can See, I have set a Leprechaun Trap

He carefully laid a trail of golden coins from the front door, down the hall and into the office/scrap room (THE messiest room in the house, by the way).

The trap was set right under the office chair, near the web of computer cables, which would prove to be a tactical error.

We rigged a coin to act as the trigger for the trap. We theorized that when the unsuspecting "lepperchaun" picked up the last golden coin, it would pull on the attached string which would then pull on the stick propping up the box and--POOF! We'd have a trapped leprechaun!

So with the Trap set, we set off for the Dogtown St. Pat's Day parade with some friends.

"Do you think we caught a leprechaun, Mom?"

"I hope we caught a leprechaun." "Can we check the trap as soon as we get home?"

Well, when we got home we found out a few things.

The trail of coins was gone!

The trap was sprung!

But no leprechaun.

The box had landed on the computer cables when it fell.

Oh my, this was huge disappointment for my son. He was so sure he'd catch a leprechaun. He just knew it. He told me this about 20 times before his dad got home about 2 hours later. And he met his dad at the door with

"As you can see I set a Leprechaun trap."

My Sister

My sister is flying in from San Francisco tomorrow night!


We have great plans for the weekend starting with a visit to the Science Center with my son.

Followed by a dinner and probable night out with our siblings.

And then Saturday comes around--

Girls Night Out.

Nana is Here

My mom is visiting for the week to help my brother represent Double D BBQ (http://http://doubledbbq.com/Default.aspx?categoryid=1) at the St. Louis Home & Garden Show.

My husband will also be there, partying after--I mean--helping with the show.

But when Mom's not at the show, she's shopping with me or playing games with my son.

Right now we have a mean game of Rummy 500 going.

I am not winning.

And neither is Nana.

Oh, well, there's always tomorrow!

Basic Grey Amy

Well, today I learned I have a new title.

Basic Grey Amy

You see, I teach and prep all of the classes at For Keeps Sake that are sent to us by Basic Grey.

And I love them.

They are so sweet and grungy at the same time.

And I've noticed that you guys have been signing up for the classes even without samples posted!!

Thank you!

But never fear, the page of the month layout is now finished and hanging in the store for you to drool over.

As always with a Basic Grey class, you will receive enough stuff to make the class as you see it and even more stuff to change it up or make another whole new thing!

And I think you know the extra fun part of the class is that when you take the next consecutive 12 months of layout classes, you will receive a scrapbook album from Basic Grey at the end of those 12 months.

See call the store now, cuz I only have a few spaces left open for March 16 at 6 pm. (314-487-8131)

Oh yeah, class is just $18.

See ya

the Little Black Album

So the other day at For Keeps Sake I found a lovely little black album from Cosmo Cricket, just lying there, looking lost and lonely.

And then I found the perfect paper and embellishments, also from Cosmo Cricket. (I love Cosmo!)

This little black album became a book about what I see everyday, but don't always recognize as the miracle that it is: the transformation of my little baby boy into the amazing 7-year old he is today and the wonder of who he'll be.

The idea for the album started with a picture I found of my boy as a baby. He couldn't have been more than 6-months old, and there he was "reading" a little photo album I had put together for him.

As sweet as that is, the sparks really started flying when I remembered another picture I have of his 6-year old self sitting on the couch, devouring a Star Wars book--and not just any Star Wars book--one from his daddy's childhood collection.

And I got to thinking about all of the things my son does now that have roots in the baby he was. And in the people who love him.

I had to get it in this book.

Well, some of it anyway.

Once I started looking there were so many photos and subjects to choose from! Do I put the picture of him riding his trike next to a photo of him on a two-wheeler with training wheels he named Flame Monster or next to the photo of him riding Flame Monster to the library (with no training wheels!) or next to the photo of him on the back of Babu's motorcycle?

So I made room for all of those with a mini book within a mini book!

And there was basketball, soccer, swimming, legos, Halloween, football, guitar, board games, Wii games, computer games, friends...

For those I just narrowed it down to five broad topics that I thought suited who he is today, made the left page be a "then" and the right page be a "now" page.

And I made lots of room for journalling and photos for each page.

Cuz I'm not known for my brevity.

Now,

just for you,

I have made this labor of love available as a class at For Keeps Sake.

on Monday February 22

at 6 pm

for $20

I will teach you how to make this album, and maybe you'll use some of the same titles I've used in my book cuz you'll have some of the same themes, but most likely you'll alter them to suit your child, your memories.

And that is what this wonderful hobby of ours is all about.

Making your memories come alive for those you love in a way that only you can do.

Welcome

I am so glad you stopped by.

I'm finally joining the world of blogging, and we'll see how it goes.

For those of you that don't know me, I like to create--scrapbooks, mini books, jewelry, purses, and whatever I can get my hands on and my brain wrapped around. The list is really endless.

But what I really enjoy is creating for others. I mean, really, what's better than taking something out of your head and making it come alive for someone else?

I love it.

And I love playing with new techniques, too.

And new media.

And old media.

So, take a stroll through my blog (ha! this is the first post!) and see if what I find From My Window is something you might like, too.