so there i was ...

Stepping away from the computer

I am going off the grid for a few days taking time away from the computer. I will be back later in the week with my latest Color Suite and more projects.

Happy Crafting

 

 

Another Covered Notebook

I kind of went on a little kick with these covered notebooks awhile back. You can check out my tutorial on how to make you own here. The basics are the same but the papers and embellishments are different.

(Supplies Used: Notebook, Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper/Ribbon/Diecuts/Stickers/Stick Pin Jillibean Soup, self adhesive velcro and Fiskars Punch)

Happy Crafting

 

 

Custom White Balance PSA

I am going to start this by saying I am not a professional just a mom with a camera and a little bit of knowledge I want to share.

Back story ... last year when I went to Scrapfest in Minnesota Kimber and I met up with the Michele Skinner. I adore Michele she is talented, genuine and super funny (why doesn't she doesn't live here I will never understand). During our evening of shopping, laughs and great food I picked Michele's genius photography brain. What I learned ... get a grey card and set your custom white balance. Per Michele's instructions I got a collapsible grey card similar to the one shown below.

What does setting you white balance accommplish ... check out these photos I came across the other evening while working on a project. The first photo was taken without setting the white balance. Can you say yellow.

The photo below was taken after I realized I forgot to set my white balance.

Both of these photos were taken indoors with an ISO of 1600 and no flash. Photoshop was only used for resizing I wanted to leave the colors as they were straight out of the camera. 

Thanks Michele for the tips ... I listened and followed your instructions which if you ask around I don't do often much.

Happy Crafting

 

 

Ramlings of a semi-crazed crafter

• Hi my name is Summer and I am addicted to Pinterest 
• Because of said website I have so many creative ideas bouncing around my head I can't sit still thus resulting in an affliction known as creative ADD
• I found a cool Fabric Store in Sisters OR and I am going to go there next time I am driving thru to Bend
• I love Project Runway, Tim Gunn is my hero ... need I say more

 

• Another Mexico project can be seen in a post from last August

• Can we slow down time ... when did we hit August
• My current favorite layout ...

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill/Jillibean Soup, Patterned Paper/Alphas/DieCuts/Corrugated Shapes Jillibean Soup, MC Gill Punch, Buttons from Fancy Pants/Crate Paper, Metal Flair American Crafts, Scallop Punch Stampin Up, Floss DMC, and font Traveling Typewriter downloaded from the internet)

Apparently I have embraced the 2 page layout in full force. I guess I will just go with the creative flow of things because it seems to be working for me.

I have a bunch of stuff on deck right now ... more projects from Jillibean Soup, my August Color Suite for Scrapbooking & Cards Today and freelance work for Technique Tuesday.

Happy Friday :)

 

 

More photos from Mexico

Yet another project showing off some of my many photos from our trip 2 years ago to Mexico. This one is all about the scenic photos from Tulum. Notice the 2 page trend ...

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper We R Memory Keepers/Bo Bunny, Stickers We R Memory Keepers/October Afternoon, Alpha Stickers Sassafras Lass, Twine Jillibean Soup, Decorative Brads Creative Cafe/Basic Grey/My Minds Eye/American Crafts, punch from Stampin' Up, and Fonts (journaling) Arial Narrow, (title) Headline Two and Lauren Script)

Here's a close up where you can see how I dressed up the We R Memory Keepers embossed border with a bunch of decorative brads.

I feel like it's been weeks since I crafted although I know that's not true. I am hoping to dust off my paper trimmer tomorrow. Total over exaggeration here LOL ... Happy Crafting

 

 

Dreaming of Mexico

Hey Michele would you please stop taunting me on Facebook with photos of you and the family in Akumal. Oh how I wish we were sitting right next to you on the beach, waking up at all hours to see the turtles, eating fish tacos and having a grand old time.

So if I can't be there I guess I should start scrapbooking some of the hundreds of photos I took 2 years ago. I have just a couple of projects completed with a fraction of my photos. These photos were taken at this great outdoor restaurant under a giant palapa right on the beach. This layout was from the summer issue of Scrapbooking & Cards Today.

(Supplies Used: Cardstock from Bazzill, Patterned Paper Pink Paislee, DieCuts Pink Paislee, Stamp Technique Tuesday, Spellbinders Banner Die, Corrugated Shape Jillibean Soup, Tag DieCuts Jillibean Soup, Tag Punch Martha Stewart, Bakers Twine Jillibean Soup, Making Memories Paint, Rhinestones Doodlebug, misc corner rounder, misc alpha title Jillibean Soup/basic Grey/Girls Paperie/Scenic Route/Chatterbox/Making Memories/Little Davis Designs and font Arial Narrow)

I have a drawer full of leftover alphas I just can't seem to part with no matter how old the they are. Here's a little peek at how I created my mixed up title on the layout shown above. I like to first start by pulling out all the letters I might need. Then I play around until I get a great balance of letters. Then I applied a top coat of spray paint to the letters before I painted the letters their final color orange.

I know you have tons of left over letters just waiting to be used. Don't throw them out instead mix them up, paint them and they will be right at home on your next layout. 

Happy Crafting

 

 

The Color Suite ... let's try this one again

It seems with my last internet explorer upgrade my ability to upload images into typepad left the building. So 2 weeks after my original post I am finally revisiting the color suite.

Catherine from Scrapbooking & Cards Today approached me awhile back and asked if I would take on a monthly color challenge for the magazine. I love color and combining colors in unexpected ways so Catherine knew she had come to the right place. Thus the Color Suite was born.

Here is July's challenge ... it is bright and bold representation of some of my favorite colors.

How you interrupt the challenge is up to you. My layout is really a literal translation of the challenge. Remember this is a guide use as much or as little of the color as your heart desires.

(Supplies Used: Cardstock Bazzill, Patterned Paper Technique Tuesday, Chipboard Alphas/Words Bella Blvd., Buttons Fancy Pants/Crate Paper, Bird Accent October Afternoon, Mcgill tab punch, Basic Grey Brad, DMC Floss, and font Traveling Typewriter downloaded from the internet)

How does the challenge work? On the 15th of each month take the challenge and send your layout to ideas@scrapbookandcards.com. Scrapbooking & Cards Today will feature your layout in their Color Suite gallery and you will be entered to win a subscription to Scrapbook & Cards Today each month.

Now it's time for you to take the challenge.Happy Crafting

CHA Picks

As busy as we were at the show I managed to sneak out to pick up a couple of catalogues and peek at all the crafty goodness. One little item that has been on my radar since the winter show is chalk board paper embellishments. I really dig this idea and I think it's catching on because a few more manufacturers have take off with the idea.

These tags are from Canvas Corp. I also spotted (but not pictured) chalk board stickers that coordinate with Fancy Pants new back to school line and stickers, paper and chalk from American Crafts new line called Nightfall. I think chalkboard paper is catching on.

With my new little adventure with Scrapbooking & Cards Today I have become a little obsessed with doors. So I couldn't resist this paper from Webster's Pages.

Lily Bee has a couple of adorable new lines but hands down my favorite new release was their rolodex cards.

I really like this new release from Studio Calico called Memoir. It's a unique mix of color and pattern.

These are only a few of the new releases that caught my eye at the show. I have a huge wish list of goodies I'd like to have cluttering up the corners of my office.

Happy Crafting

 

 

 

CHA the final day

I always like to say better late than never. So here are a few more photos from the last day of the trade show.

Laina getting ready for the last day of the show.

New design team member Linda Barber and former team member Cindy Liebel pose for a quick shot. These 2 were super entertaining always coming to the booth with huge smiles.

The Jillibean Soup crew plus one (Carson Young from Lily Bee). Who knew I was so tall.

The side of the show you rarely see ... the tear down. I often forget to photograph it since we are always so busy clearing the booth out so the workers can take down the walls.

Jen Harkin sorting product. It seems I get this same photo of her at every show.

The infamous make n' take island making it's way to the crate.

This was our 3rd show being near the Bella Blvd. girls. Jill couldn't resist a little tear down silliness. 

Good times ... thanks for joining me. Check back tomorrow for some of my show favorites besides Jillibean Soup.Psst ... can you spot Gnomeo in any of my photos?

Happy Crafting

 

 

 

More from CHA

Greeting from Chicago where I dare not go out side for fear of melting. It's been insanely hot and humid here.

What's a show without a headband? I made this one last night from Jillibean Soup's brand new felt flowers. Only a crafter packs a hot glue gun on a trip.

Here are some more random booth photos taken over the last few days. Jill and Jen taking time out to pose for a few shots at our make n take table.

I have to share the Homemade 6 Bean Soup display board, Julie Bonner's layout is my favorite in the booth.

 

I think Gnomeo was sleeping on the job today and I really don't think he made an appearance in any of my photos. He's such a naughty gnome.

Happy Crafting