Cards 1.28.10

Now that my Journal Your Christmas book is complete, I finally have some time to do non-Christmas layouts and create cards once again! I'm finding that I have lost some of my creativity, so these cards are pretty simple. I'm hoping I get a little more creative the next time I head to my scrap room!

A quick card created using the Big Shot scallop die cut (dress) and a few punches (purse and border)...

Three cards created using the "Out of the Box" stamp set.....

Layouts 1.28.10

A few recent layouts I did. I had plans of doing layouts for all Cheryl's challenges, but lost focus and did my own thing. I did manage to get a couple of the challenges done though.

Challenge: Create a layout that shares highlights 2009Challenge: Create a layout using only patterened paper and embellishments (It's hard to tell, but the paper is black with tiny white dots)

SU projects - January

Projects from this months Stampin Up class....

Cute notepad set - the outside is a file folder

You may remember that in early December I won a spot in the "Journal Your Christmas" on line class. I love Christmas....so I knew documenting it would be fun! I decided to do the class on my own terms though....no one needs extra stress during the holidays!

• You receive a prompt a day for 37 days starting on December 1st.
• There are some "super women" that managed to keep up with the prompts and complete a page each day. I am not one of those women. Instead, I printed off each prompt and would work on a few at a time on the weekends, during Christmas break, and even after break. I finally finished today!
• Some of the prompts I liked and used as the basis for my page. But, there were some I did not like, so I made up my own prompt. :)
• Some of the pages are really involved and contain a lot of journaling....some are ultra simple.....and I'm ok with that.
• I am officially tired of working with red and green!
• I used 8x8 pages - not too big, not too small...but just right for this project.
• The prompts started on Dec. 1st and continued until Jan. 6th. I decided to stop on Christmas day.
• Lots of people do this album every year. For the most part, mine is non-year specific and just a general Christmas album. I just don't think it is something I would want to do every year.
• The photos of my pages have a yellow cast to them, so the colors are kind of wonky. I was just too lazy and tired to fix all the pages in photoshop.

Here are my 25 pages from my Journal Your Christmas album. It really is a fun project and I would recommend it!

Creating Stencils with Cricut

Last Tuesday's Cricut Club project was my favorite so far! We used the Cricut to create stencils. We made these cute tote bags using an image from Graphically Speaking.

1. Use Reynolds Freezer paper to cut a shape using the Cricut

2. Use an iron to adhere the freezer paper stencil to the fabric. We used tote bags, but you can use anything fabric. I think it would make cute baby onesies or burp cloths, t-shirts, tote bags (lunch bag, library bag, dance bag). I've also seen winter scarves and blankets personalized on line using this method.

3. Use fabric paint and a foam brush to fill in the stencil.

4. Remove freezer paper stencil and allow paint to set (we used a hair dryer and it was set in 30 seconds)

5. If you want to add embellishments (we added a bow), use "liquid stitch" fabric glue - it's permanent and sets quickly.

I can't wait to try more projects using this technique!

Christmas goodies

This year we did goodie bags for each family at the Covey/Baxter Christmas. Usually I make several baked goodies, but this year I came up with several other fun ideas.

First, I made homemade hot chocolate using this recipe. I put them in jars I found at Hobby Lobby, cut a snowflake from vinyl using my Cricut, and then added a red fleece scarf and a tag with the instructions.

I also made a CD of Christmas music, including a new song I just heard this year. I used this digi kit to make the CD covers . So easy and fun!

This was my favorite addition to the goodie bags - small desk calendars (4.75x4.75) using my photos for each month. I went through my photo files and searched for a photo just right for each month. I realized as I went through my photos that I need to take more landscape and nature photos instead of always focusing on people. I am going to make another calendar for myself using some of my favorite NYC photos to put on my desk at school.

Cricut creations....

Last month I was asked to join "Cricut club" by a friend. We get together once a month to share ideas using the Cricut. Each month 2 people share projects for us to make. This month it was a recipe tin and a gift box.

Not sure what's up with the colors on this photo....in real life the green behind "recipes" matches all the other greens.

We also had a gift exchange (each gift had to be homemade). I made a jar with a painted chalkboard label and filled it with "white trash" (I'm sure there is a better name, but that's what my recipe says). I tied a Christmas ribbon around it and attached a little tag and of course a piece of chalk. I love how it turned out.

I received these JOY letters from my friend Rosannah. LOVE them!