Page Kit Count Down - Page Kit #4

I had 5 page kits left at the end of my recent clean up. I'm working to get all of the layouts finished up.  Now I'm using page kit #4, the We R Memory Keepers Snapshots 12x12 Page kit.

Inside I had 4 photos for 3 different layouts.

 For this layout, I only pulled out some gelatos to create one of the background papers, some printed acetate, wood veneers, and enamel dots.  I really love the way the background turned out that I had my dd make for me. She enjoyed playing with the gelatos. She also made another one while playing.

For this one, I pulled out some mulberry!! I know, crazy! I also pulled the enamel dots, a piece of white cardstock, vellum, ink for the edges of the embellishments, and a punch.  I love the layers with the mulberry. I also love the triangle piece in the bottom corner which is covering up the small cut out of the corner piece of the background paper.

For this, I just used the leftover white piece of cardstock, the white enamel heart, ink for the edges, the rest of the vellum, and some HS color shine in black and gold.

All of these layouts are very simple using very little extra embellishment, but I still like the look of each one. I created a 1page layout previously plus these 3 which equals a total of 4 layouts.

And this is what I have leftover in the kit. Easily enough for another layout before getting added into the stash and scraps.

Page Kit Count Down - Page Kit #5

When I cleaned up, I found I only had 5 page kits left.  When I make page kits 85-90% of them are collection kits that I just toss photos into that I think the kit would complement. The other 10-15% are kits where I've actually gone through my stash of papers and found coordinating papers. I might throw in other things I know I want to use, but I mainly leave embellishments out. That's the fun part of scrapping the page for me. I really dislike the photo editing. I find the paper picking to be a chore. This is why I've taken to doing these things in batches.

These are the 5 page kits I have left.

Pulling out my Carta Bella All American Collection Kit which had photos from July 4th 2015 left in it, I set to work.  This kit actually had some ribbon thrown in as well.  I pulled out the mass of photos from the day, figured out the best arrangement. I would create a double page and 2 single pages. The singles could go side by side if need be or one could go before the double and the other after. This will give me some flexibility when putting them in the album. (I scrap whenever but store close to chronological.)

I used the ribbon. I also pulled in some red hemp, the white cardstock, enamel dots/shapes, ink, vellum, a couple of punches, and some red small tab alphas.  Everything else was from the kit. The pages came together quickly, which I liked.

I had already created a layout with my great niece from this kit as well. Plus there is still enough for a couple of more pages. I put the collection back into my stash. Another reason I love using collection kits for page kits is the ease of assimilating the items back into my stash, since I keep the kit together and place all kits together. ha. With individual papers I have to go to each section to put them away - feminine, masculine, vibrant, polka dot, office, specialty, wood-look, etc... It's cumbersome.

Clean up, Clean up, every body, every where...

Clean up, clean up, every body do your share.... Yeah, I used to sing that with the kids when they were little.

I've accomplished not one iota of crafty goodness in the past TWO weeks. However, the light is not only visible at the end of the tunnel, so is the tunnel structure!  Hurray!  Yes, I'm been cleaning, sorting, and organizing my craft room over the last 2 weeks.  Definitely, not the fun things to do in life, but the necessary things.
 
Before I share, if you're new to my blog, my disclaimer: When we purchased this property it was for a place to hunt for my husband. The house was given NO value, which tells you the shape it's in. This craft room is not the color I'd choose. It will be redone eventually.

That said, two things brought about the cleaning of the craft room.

First, past my standing craft desk against the wall and 2nd (back) door is my stamping station (a kitchen island cart), which is piled so high that even I didn't know what's on it nor could I get to my stamp blocks when I wanted to stamp.

Second, my husband found and purchased this at a garage sale. I really want to get it in my room, even if I haven't painted it yet.

So after some sorting, organizing, cleaning, and moving some furniture.  I have this set up.

I took my craft desk which was 2 - 9-cube storage organizer units placed back to back, and moved them side by side. This means I'll need a longer table top. It also means I'll need support for the table top hand off in the back.  I'm thinking another 9-cube unit on the back with only things I need infrequently and some rudimentary leg at the very end next to the wall. That way the printer stand can still roll in and out on that side. Also that unit hubs found at the garage sale should set on the table top against the wall. The stamp desk was moved so it will form an L with my craft desk.  The tall white boards are the sides of white shelving that are placed back to back. The shelf facing the stamp desk is scrapbooking supplies. The other shelf faces out and makes a walk way to the bathroom. This shelf houses various supplies from medical, health, extra soaps/shampoos, light bulbs, with the bottom shelf being my craft books and my page protectors.

The above is directly to the right of the entrance.  I cleaned off and moved that shelf next to my computer desk. It was going out from the corner against the side wall. 

 Behind the entrance door, I moved my embellishment drawers and paint tower and my paper cubes. That cardboard box needs to be moved to the save until Christmas wrapping pile.  The blue bag is supplies I bought to make the kids school albums with long ago, before we were led to homeschooling.

There is still much organizing and cleaning that needs to happen. I still have to get my stencils taped around and put some J hooks on them to hang on the pegboard and organize my stamps, to name a couple of things.  

Also this whole corner needs to be cleaned out. The brown cabinet is my sewing cabinet. The electronics that pull the sewing machine into the usable position is broken. I don't even know who to call to fix that. But if I can't get it fixed, it will be replaced. My mixed media cart will roll into the spot in front of the window. There is a bathtub toy container there now that isn't used anymore.

Although it's definitely an improvement, there is still more that needs to be worked on. However, I feel so much better, I think I'll pull out a page kit and make a page.  ...ok, it's been TWO weeks, I'm getting twitchy....

WOYWW 387

Apologies to all those who left a comment here last week, as I didn't get back to anyone.  I did finish my swap on Friday. Hubs returned from work that afternoon and proceeded to get sick on Saturday morning. This led to my computer being in use most of the day and always when I wanted to surf the net. Today he is back at work though. Then whatever he brought in had my son and daughter both sick by Saturday evening. I held out until yesterday. Fun stuff.

Today, I will be making as many rounds as I can. Here is my desk. Yesterday, my stamping desk was piled high with stuff, and I decided it was time to clean it off. So my craft desk is the sorting zone of stuff that has yet to be put away. This is a combination of newly purchases, recently and not so recently used, and ephemera for pages yet to come.  There is still a small pile on the stamping desk to get through and A Lot of Stuff was already put away which gives you an idea how deep the pile on the other desk really was. Hoping I can make some progress cleaning in the craft area this week.

Linking over to Julia's.  Happy Wednesday!

WOYWW 386

It's Wednesday's workdesk sharing day! Our favorite day of the week.

Today my photo is not of my desk as this Wednesday morning caught me a bit off guard. Funny how the days of the week can sneak up on you like that. 

I have been working on my swap items. I showed my altered rolodex card last week. This week I finished the accent cards with a halloween theme.

 The moon was wiped with wink of stella for a sparkle and the windows filled in with glossy accents.

I still have Accent cards with a snarky saying, Accent cards with a hexagon and a handmade embellishment using a ticket to all be finished by Friday.  So I will be visiting desks over the weekend since I'm down to the wire on my swaps. (I really wish real life wouldn't get in the way of my crafting time.)

Linking up to Julia's.

Have a wonderful week!

WOYWW 385

Good morning to all! I'm hoping that this year hasn't rushed past you as it seems to have me. I'm a little in awe this morning that there is only 2 plus a little less than 1/2 a month left of the year.  But you are not here to listen to complaints of time slippage or my laments over the fast pace of life.  You came over today because Wednesday is the day we show off our workdesk in the crafty world.  My desk this week was all with stolen pieces of sporadic seconds. Here is my desk.

The 4 page layout I finished was put to the side as I rushed to create some altered rolodex cards in a fall theme for a swap due in 9 days. Nothing like jumping in early to get things completed! lol. They are in the middle section of the desk (another photo is below) . Then late into last night I started pondering the rest of the swap components which my ideas are in the smattering of the desk middle.  On the left you will see some banner kits from Target. I thought I'd put together a Halloween Banner. On the far right is some pattern papers a cardstock that I picked up at the local hardware/grocery store. Yes, I said hardware/grocery store!  Blew my mind too! I've already used a few of those sheets before and love the colors.

Here are my rolodex cards in all of their glory.  I like how they turned out.

Thanks for visiting my workdesk. I've had a lot going on over the last few weeks and have been late to several desks, not even hitting them all. Hope to hit everyone this week, however, it still may take a couple of days. 

Linking up to Julia's desk hop - Here.

WOYWW 384

Hello, deskers!  Today I have quite the mess for your viewing pleasure!

While we were away last weekend for the Art Prize viewing, I received a message from a swap host. I guess I had signed up for a swap when she was needing 1 more person and had forgotten about it. Yikes. So this desk shot is the frenzy of activity that arose from me trying to complete the skinny border and title swap items to get in the mail this week.

I had over a month if I would have remembered. I kept feeling like I might have signed up for another swap somewhere, but for the life of me couldn't find or figure out where it was. I thought it was another ATC swap.   Oh, well, they are done and I'm actually fairly happy with them. So today, I get to finish off the grape jelly and start making applesauce -- Two things I've been putting off whilst working on swaps.

Linking up over at Julia's. Have a great week everyone!

WOYWW 383 - When You Think You're Finished, But You're Not

When I wok this morning, my immediate thought was to finish my current crafty project. With the horrendous mess, I then decided I should clean it up so I could start my next layout. As my baby wipe is wiping my non-stick craft mat, this thought ran through my head, "YIKES! It's Wednesday! I should have left the mess!" 

Sorry! I know it's so much more interesting to see the mess than a clean -ish desk.

I've been a crafty fool this week. I had 2 projects where I thought I was finished, but the more I looked at them, the more I wasn't satisfied and had to add to it.
First was my 8x8 calendar swap.

It was ok looking in the above form, but it was just missing that little extra. So I reprinted the calendar smaller and matted it and used Thickers for the month and year. Much Better!

 

The next one was this layout. It was part of a challenge. I had to use the layered top element and the ribbon border with it attached to something. It just didn't scream done to me. So I added the stamp next to the ribbon, the tag under the burlap banner, and the string in the banner. Much better.

Our uncle is getting an honor flight to DC today. It's related to his service in the military. So I made 3 quick cards to send to him with thanks.

 

I finished my journaling spots for a swap this morning.

 

 Busy, busy, busy.  I will be visiting desks later this week, but I won't have time today.  Linking up to the Stamping Ground's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

WOYWW 382

I can't believe how little I've accomplished in the week it's been. Yet, I've been busy. Today, you see the clean desk from last week in it's first throw-up mode. If I can keep it cleaned up between projects that stays in first throw-up mode. If I work on top of remnants of other project we move on to 2nd and 3rd throw-up mode.

Since last week, I received some happy mail and put it away. Finished a layout and put away the stuff to make said layout. The layout is under the pile of stamps at the far left of the desk. Shared in my last post if you want to see.   This is mainly my 8x8 calendar swap in progress. The little leprechaun's probably give away that my month is March. My dd watched me add glossy accents to little parts of the fussy cut figures yesterday and exclaimed her love for me after ahhing over the bottle.  It ROCKS having a person who gets and enjoys crafting living in the same house!!!  The kid's Bible memory work box ended up on here too since yesterday. My "has to be completed by Sunday layout challenge information" is in the top right corner of the desk. I'm struggling with the exact concept to take this one, so it sets there as a reminder to mull it over in the back of my mind.

That's my desk. Linking to the Stamping Ground so I can be off to see all the other creative desks this week.

One Stylin Girl enjoying the process

The balance between quickly telling my stories in the limited bits of time I have, and creating pages with creativity that I releases my happy endorphin's that I desperately need is a struggle to say the least.  On a facebook swap group, we have been having a craft war. Each week our hostess puts up a new challenge, and we play along.  If you complete the challenge by the allotted time, you move forward. Instead of my 90% methods of either pick and stick speed scrapping or doing just the bare minimum to get it done. I've been challenging myself to get creative with these layouts. To enjoy the process even more.

Here is this week's page.

We had a sketch: The layout needed to have at least 4 layers, a large page flag, and a layered title.

What I like:
 The page flag is super cool as a sequin pocket that used my fuse. I love that I have glitter, sequins, wood veneer stars, the pipe cleaner flowers and the wood veneer glasses that I embossed with silver to match the ones my dd is wearing in the photo.
The hand stitching on the title layer. I love stitching but am too lazy to do it.
The blue flower in the bottom right cluster was actually made by my dd and given to me on a birthday gift in 2012. I love that!!
My silver bow! I am THE WORST at bow tying. I used youtube and a video that showed you how to tie bows with a fork to get this one. It worked!!

What I didn't like/learned:
The stitching was difficult on the smaller parts of the lettering even when I used only 3 strands of embroidery thread and a smaller needle. After welding the word together my silhouette software would not let me edit points. Maybe you can't within letters. If I were to do this again. I would read up and see first about edits or use a thicker font.
I liked using the small sequins on the N and R of my San Serif font, but it was so difficult to get a straight row. I'd do less of them and take more time.

I still have my journaling to do. Typically I'd just write on the pattern paper at the bottom and be done. But.... I really like the look of the layout and don't want my bad handwriting to detract from it, something I don't care about on a quicker page. I'm thinking of telling the story on the back side. Still debating.

Happy, OH, So Happy

* Photo Heavy Post *  Just giving you a warning up front. 

My desk yesterday mid-morningish. The bottom box is the Fancy Pants Design Warehouse Box.

It says so right on the label!!

 

The WRMK scallop die was ordered with the circle die during the making of a scrapbook layout where I was afraid I was going to have to stop and actually execute what I wanted on my cameo.  Look at all those Feed Your Craft Flairs!!!  They make me so happy. I've wanted so many that I waited for the latest sale to purchase.

It led to a conundrum though.  I tend to keep the flair with the original packaging, at least until there is only a couple left. My bin is full.

The answer - a new bin which I already had. New conundrum - I NEED more flair. It only comes up to the "scientifically" in the bin.

 Next up: The Fancy Pants Design Warehouse Box which was $39 shipped.  Right out of the box the side view and the top view.

 7 rolls of washi (3 Millie and June, 2 Good Fellows, 2 Atwells -but the Atwells coordinate with my sets in the box nicely), the Atwell pens, the collection kit of Millie and June including the bows and an ephemera pack, the Good Fellows collection kit including wood veneers and tags, Life is Beautiful 6x6 pad and alphabet set.

I'm always nervous about purchasing warehouse boxes. I purchased in the past and ended up stuff that I don't use. Probably because I order from a company that had many things I loved but many things I didn't. I just got the didn't package.  But I don't think I've ever not liked anything from FPD, so I'm super glad I ordered with all of these new goodies to play with.

Quick and easy post.

See You Later,

WOYWW 381 - Waiting to Get Messed Up

Hello deskers and other friends,

Today is Wednesday, which means I share what's on my workdesk. You can also see other desks by visiting Julia's blog here.

After weeks of mess, I finally cleaned up after the mess of last week.  Well, as clean as this desk gets. This is what it looked like Tuesday afternoon.

So on the top is a line of essentials that are always left out. My hot glue gun, a couple of inks, my current drink (today's black cherry sparkling water), a printout of my current challenges, my atg, and bits that seem to stay on the far  right upper corner, usually embellishments that didn't get used or have just a bit left get put here to see if they make it on the next crafty session things. In between my inks and my water are a few supplies that I took out for working on my 8x8 calendar swap. I need to get started so thought having these out would help me along. The layout in progress has been stuck under a pile for - I can't even remember how long. It's awaiting me to cut with my silhouette. I have my ATC's there as I was getting ready to mail them off. Here's the close up.

 I started with a shaving cream ink print, used an orange-ish paint with a stencil, then gesso with a different stencil, then distress ink with a different stencil and then distress ink with a rubber stamp. The image was stamped on tissue, colored with copics, and cut out. Then adhered. After drying, I applied wink of stella to the hat feathers for sparkle and the gem earring and neck brooch.

Last thing on the desk is the book in far bottom right corner, I had searched the upstairs closet, the shed, and every place I could think of looking for this book. It's the science book we were going to use this year. I found the Astronomy book that we never did. But not this book. I gave up on finding it and was researching another option online. Luckily I did not purchase anything. When I went to wake my son this morning, it was right beside his bed. He reads science and history books for fun. He reads other stuff as well - as he says he's a geek not a nerd. lol. So I took it down to start prepping the material.

It's good to have a clean desk to mess up again!  Look for next week's messy desk!

Thanks for visiting!

I'm On A Roll!

Today I'm sharing a short video as to why I love collection kits for my page kits. I still have bit to learn about taking videos. Plus my iphone keeps telling me I'm out of storage and shutting off while taking the video?!?  Yet I have 46 GB free of a 50GB icloud storage. So why do I pay every month if it's not going to help!?!

I also have a layout I finished for the Monthly 2peasrefugee Sketch/Scraplift Challenge.

Two days in a row for blog posting!  I must be I'm on a roll! Just don't expect it to continue like this. ha.

I Must Be Crazy!

I've been so busy with summer projects that I've been neglecting my crafting. I get uptight when I've been away from crafting too long. You too?  So what's a crafter to do?

Well, this crafter decided to sign up for a bunch of swaps and a group Craft War - 1 layout a week for 8 weeks.  I must be crazy!  I thought it was the perfect prescription to get me back into the crafting habit or at least make me set aside time for it.   Fast forward in. I'm looking at what needs to get done in my house and what I'd like to get finished in crafting. The list is overwhelming. My blog has sat really only touched on Wednesdays through the summer. With September, my thought was to make my blog more productive.  I must be crazy!  How did I think I had the time. I know that I'm not alone, right? Everyone, some others go through the same bouts of busy and have to put their crafting aside.

I've decided to not fret about my blog and just post when I can for September.  I will share my 2nd week layout of the Craft Wars with you, this also fits the September Bonus Challenge over at 2peasrefugees.

I used Shimelle's collections. I created the pattern in my silhouette and cut out a template. Yeah, I'm too lazy to separate each ray and to run each paper through individually. It was just easier to take the pieces put them on the pp and cut them out.  I did run the yellow cardstock through to get the Sonshine part of my title. It has really little on the embellishment side of things, but with the amount of pp across the page and they design which I wanted to highlight, I'm really very pleased.  I've been wanting to do a "Sonshine" page for a while.

The jouranling: "Ever since you were a baby, I would sing, "You Are My Sunshine." But I always meant Sonshine. You have brought so much happiness and love into my life and my heart. I am so very blessed! Love you, Baby Boy. -Mom"

I must be crazy, but it's a good crazy!

WOYWW 380 - Back in the Saddle Again.

Hello Deskers!  I've missed 3 whole weeks of posting and desk viewing as I took a ONE week vacation with my family. What? Yes, it took me a week to prepare for vacation, a week to go on vacation, and a week to get things back to as normal as they seem to be in my house. Oh, plus we started school. (I homeschool.)

OK, so you're not here to hear me bather on, but to see the state of my desk.....cringing.....
so here it is.

So I'm currently working on an inspirational quote ATC swap (yes, the deskers got me hooked with their annual ATC swap that I joined this year.) There is such a small work space on this big ole' desk. The left side has a stamped image on tissue paper still resting on my stamping pad which is laying on top of a pile of stamps and ink and stamp blocks and my trimmer and part of my tape gun. The far right has a pile of things brought back from vacation: maps, brochures, postcards, etc. There is a book in the far right upper corner which I haven't read in years and for some reason is now in my craft room. In the middle sets the background I've been working on.

After coming home, I did work and finish a new layout as well.

So, that's it for me. Hop on over to Julia's to view the other link-up's or to join in the fun. And have a great Wednesday!

WOYWW 376 - Finally some play

Hello Deskers,

I'm happy to share my desk is back to a  pile of papers. No time for mixed media play, but I've finally had some time to scrapbook. I use page kits that I put  together myself with just paper and no embellishments to work from so it makes it super easy. I've also been working on my least favorite part of scrapbooking -- the dreaded photo editing. I am developing a worksheet to let me know what size photos I have, whether the photos are for a layout, a pocket page (and which design) or a double page spread. Also if the photos go into a pocket page but with multiple smaller stories (I guess this would be my equivalent of PL). It's a work in progress.

Sorry on to the desk. As of yesterday evening, I have a page in progress. I had to go work on the journaling. My wine from last week is traded out for the giant water. Yesterday was  a mowing day - needed to hydrate.

and the layouts I've completed.

 I often don't include titles if I put it in the journaling.But I do think I'll go back and add "Beating the Storm" to this one.

So that's it for my desk. I'll catch up with you later over at Julia's, as it started thundering which brought both of my children downstairs at 6am, and I have them laying on the couch and chair to see if they'll go back to sleep. Of course, puppy thinks he's up for the day and being a terror, so I don't know how that'll work out for them.

Have a happy Wednesday!

WOYWW 375

Hello Deskers,

For the last 2 weeks, I hit every desk listed at Julia's blog. Well, except for those that I couldn't find a comment section (I think there was 1 person 2 weeks ago. And last week, there was one that I couldn't figure out which post was their WOYWW post.  Still Crazy that I've hit almost every desk! Crossing my fingers I can do it again.

You are here for crafty endeavors for the week. And let's face it: to see what happened to that mess of a desk from last week. Well as for crafty endeavors. Not a smidgen of creative activity.  However, the desk is cleaned up. The view yesterday evening, complete with a wine to sip.

Mere days ago, I spent some time putting my digital layouts into my daughter's albums. Yesterday I worked on my son's. You can also see the watercolor paper on the top section of the photo. I had used this to demonstrate the salt technique for an AJ class and think that this will be the first layer for new ATCs which I still have yet to work on. Since this photo, the desk is actually cleaned off again - to be nice and tidy.  AWE.  Now if I could get some time where I'm not exhausted by the other activities of life.

Wishing you all a craft happy week!