New Free Graphic 45 Project Sheet

I am really enjoying all of the pictures from the CHA floor, and love seeing random pictures of some of the things that I had the chance to create coming through with all of the other inspiring projects. It makes me feel better about not having the opportunity to go this year.

This particular picture is from the fantastic people at Paper Crafts, I handmade all of the hibiscus flowers and leaves for the Tropical Travelogue line, and even though they were difficult, I am so pleased with the results!

Graphic 45 is giving people a chance to win their favorite collection before it is even in the stores, go check out the details at their blog, and while you are their, pick up a really fun Le Cirque Project Sheet for free!!! Doing a little creating is a nice way to spend our time if we can't be in Anaheim!

I have spent quite a few hours doing searches for this particular type of domed lid rustic lunch pail, but didn't have much luck with retail. But what I did find might even be a better fit for truly special family memories. If you have a relative with a pail that has a story to tell, perfection! If not, I did do an ebay.com search and there are some spectacular vintage pieces there, or maybe a trip to your local thrift or salvation army shop will result in a delightful find. The pail needs to be at 10 1/2" on the width or at the diagonal for this project to fit inside.














I am working on a fun tutorial with the newest metal butterflies from Graphic 45 and hope to have that ready to share soon! In the mean time, I hope everyone is enjoying their winter crafting time!!

B-

All of My CHA Projects Are On Their Way!

Oh what a relief it is!!

Project sheets, booth samples, and eye candy all either left last week in crates or tomorrow in suitcases with the fabulous Diane Shultz! There have been some really long days/nights to get everything prepared to Diane's exacting standards, but trust me when I say that the Graphic 45 booth is going to be "the place" for eye candy and inspiration! And I am not just saying this because I am biased, having the insider track on what happens and how with the in house team is amazing! I seriously feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I get to work and be mentored by Diane, she is class, grace and genuine kindness rolled into one itty, bitty, elegant body!

Over on the Graphic 45 blog they are sharing a project sheet that I designed for them. ABC Primer is one of my all time favorite releases, and I had a blast creating this project! And with the new releases coming out this show I have a couple more all time favorites! The Olde Curiousity Shoppe is clever, witty and a wonderful color combination, and the Kraft Reflections just makes me weak in the knees it is so beautiful!! All of this is why I am THE luckiest girl in the world!!

(I did not cover this clock, but I did get to add the butterflies on the spiral wires to embellish it. Not sure if it was James or Briston who covered it, but it is perfect!)

Signed with much sincerity,
B-
(aka the luckiest girl in the world!)

Stamp It! 3 Ways is Moxie Fab!

Do you ever visit Moxie Fab? You know, the trends blog written by the delightful Cath Edvalson? The one with exciting challenges, gorgeous eye candy and inspiring projects? If you don't, then trust me and head there at least once a day for a large does of chirpy and cheeky crafty happiness, you won't regret it.
Today one of my projects from Stamp It! 3 Ways was featured, and I am thrilled to be included with the other Moxie-tastic people who were highlighted as well. Even though I really like my card and it is one of my fave color combos, you have to head over to see Julia Stainton's, it is divine!!

Also on the Ruby Rock-It blog there is a fun challenge to use old and/or new elements in a project.

Head on over for the details, and some more great inspiration from the team members.

I am off to go catch a few zzzzzzzz's before tackling a busy Saturday, but thanks for stopping by!!
B-

Oh my!

Just a few minutes to share something fun between crafting my little heart out, eating a few bites for sustenance and closing my eyes so they won't bleed when I start crafting again tomorrow.

I made this gorgeous mini album with Graphic 45's Tropical Travleogue. I can't wait to put pictures in it from the trip the hubbers and I took to Jamaica a couple of years ago. The pages are made by covering chipboard with paper, punching holes with a Crop-o-Dile and then threading it all together with a beautiful Graphic 45 Doorplate as the binding.

I wish like crazy I could share what I have been making, but it is all headed to CHA with Graphic 45, and I haven't even had time to snap a few pics for sneak peeks! But if you are interested, and you happen to be going, stop by the booth and ask Diane for a tour, she knows every detail of every little thing in that will be on display. It is going to be a beautiful booth, very worth a looksee!!

And with that I am off to read the road maps on my eyes!

B-

Paper Craft Reject

Even thought they weren't picked up for publication, they sure are fun!!

All of the product is from Tropical Travelogue. I really wish I could take a trip to the sun and sand right now, but since I can't get away, dreaming and playing with paper so lush and beautiful gets me pretty close  :o)

It is a bit of a cheeky card, but the stamps made me do it   ;o)

I wish this frame had photographed a little better, but the dimension in real life is wonderful. The picture is from our honeymoon in Jamaica almost 25 years ago. I looked so much better in a swimsuit then, lol!!

If you had a project that didn't get selected, leave a link to your blog and I will be sure to come by and leave some love!!

Happy Crafting!
B-

Pretty Little Card with Tropical Travelogue

I am neck deep in crafting for CHA, and one of my favorite lines right now is the Tropical Travelogue from Graphic 45! It is so lush and elegant but has a wonderful casual feel to it as well, so versatile!!

Some Memory Box and Spellbinder dies, a Prima flower with Midori ribbon and my Tropical Travelogue paper has turned into a pretty little card that is ready to head out the door to brighten someone's day in the middle of winter!!

There are also some very fun releases from Ruby Rock-It that I am loving!

Having a lot of fun creating, and my studio is beckoning, so off I go!

B-

Wow!!

Okay, 2012 has come out swinging, and I have been dodging and diving while trying to get my to do list done!
The week has been filled with work on CHA projects a class at Heartland and even a little tennis so I can claim to have exercised at some point during the new year!
I have a ton of things to share, so hope you are willing to stick with me!!
First, Ruby Rock-It is sharing sneak peeks of their products that are set to debut at CHA at the end of this month, and having this product in hand to play with I can assure you that it is must have stuff!!

If you are interested in winning it before it is even released, go to the blog and leave a comment on one of the posts from the week, if you want to improve your odds substantially leave a comment on all of them! The team has worked hard to inspire and intrigue, so why not share a little love with all of them? <3

Also, I taught a really fun class at Heartland last night and am so relieved to be done with it! It was nuts of me to schedule a class right now, but we all had a great time and everyone's projects got completed and were all fabulous!!!

And the newest special issue of Paper Crafts is called "Cool Tools" and I had the opportunity to contribute five projects to it! One of my faves was a calender made using Hambly, Studio Calico and a Bind-It-All for this year. I am excited to have something on my desk that I love so much that I made!!

Of course the pics in the magazine are so much better, but in this one you can see a little more detail on the inside. I designed it so the page opposite of the calendar can be used for pics, notes and organizing memorabilia! I plan on using Hambly's washi tape to attach stuff, and tying a fun pen to the binder so it will be ready to use at a moments notice! I highly recommend purchasing Cool Tools if you have tools at home that you had to have because they looked so useful, but haven't used because you aren't sure where to start.

Lastly a quick thanks to all of you that stop by to see what is up! I love that my life is filled with creativity, and having others join me for the journey makes it so much more interesting and enjoyable!!!

B-

Graphic 45 Le Romantique Necklace Gift Box

One last post to say good bye to 2011, and prepare to ring in 2012!

A project sheet is available from Graphic 45 on their blog for a beautiful necklace and gift box that I designed for them. It would be a fantastic gift for a friend or family member that is sure to be enjoyed and appreciated because of its unique style.

Wishing everyone a very safe celebration for New Year's Eve tonight and a very blessed and prosperous 2012

B-

Another Sneak Peek From Ruby Rock-It!

Really enjoying these peeks through the keyhole for hints as to what is coming next!!

I promise you are going to LOVE this line!

B-

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and thank all of you who come to visit, I really appreciate the company and comments!

May your spirits be bright and your homes filled with love <3

B-

(Card was created from the Basic Grey Advent calender Blitzen product)

Joy of the Season

The gift that will bring me the most joy this season arrived on Sunday night. It was tied up with love, delivered with a knock on the door and the delivery person disappeared into the night. Attached there was a hand made card that had a very thoughtful note written inside, that read:

 (outside of the card)

"Merry Christmas Sister Olsen"

(inside the card)

"Dear Sister Olsen,
Thank you for teaching us how to be more like Jesus. Please be fragel with this.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you enjoy my brothers."

Sami

p.s. Do not let dogs chew!

I have been teaching the same children in primary at church for almost three years, and I love them very much and appreciate the lessons that we have all been learning together for that time. They will be getting a different teacher in the new year and I will be getting different children, some will even be the siblings of the children I have been learning with. If you want to know what pure love is, give love freely to a child and they will share that rare and precious gift with you. And I think that this is the best gift you can receive during the holiday season.

B-

Ruby Rock-It Sneak Peek and Holiday Projects

It is paper crafting heaven when the sneak peeks start to fly, and Ruby Rock-It is sharing their first with us!

If you look into the keyhole closely you will get a very good idea of what is to come!

Also on the Ruby Rock-It blog the design team is sharing projects about their holiday traditions, and the projects are beautiful and very inspiring!

I also share a fun and easy recipe for white chocolate peppermint coated popcorn, yum!!

B-

Hambly Transparency Christmas Card Tutorial

About a month ago a made a set of cards to donate to the Festival of Trees, a yearly fundraiser for the Primary Children's Hospital. It was one of my favorite cards I have made using Hambly transparencies and I wanted to share how it was made here.

These cards were easy to make a bunch of in a short time and looked beautiful when bundled together and tied up in a big white tulle bow. They would make a wonderful gift as well!

Start by picking your card stock and ribbon colors, I wanted to have a bright and fun combination that was a little different than the traditional so I went with an lighter green and vibrant pink.

Trim out a panel of the deer, cut the card stock to the same size.

Then stitch around the left, top and right edges.

I then put in two colors of glitter, a pretty light pink and a white by Doodlebug.













The bottom was then stitched closed to create a shaker panel.

Tie the ribbon around, mine is a delicious Midori pink bias, and then adhere to the card base with dimensional foam adhesive.

I did stamp a beautiful Graphic 45 greeting in black ink on the inside of the card to finish it off.

B-

My Mind's Eye Christmas Trees and Card

I have so much fun stuff to share it is going to be overload, but that is what happens after a terrifically crafty week!
First I wanted to share one of my Paper Craft rejects from the Card Creations 10 call. I just love this card, and there are some other fun things that I have crafted that match so it seems like perfect timing!

It is mostly My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Christmas, but that delicious red gingham is from ABC Primer by Graphic 45 and tied up with some gorgeous Midori metallic ribbon, yum!!!

This cute card will hold a gift card in the front pocket and a sweet holiday greeting on the inside.

The trees are made from turning the tussy mussy cone upside down and then punching out lots and lots of circles and adhering with a hot glue gun. Die cut stars from hot drink wrap for a vintage looking topper. These coordinate perfectly with the projects from this post.

And if you still need a little inspiration and like tutorials, Ellen let me share a guest post in the CLASSroom for the 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist. You will find the step by step for the tag I created there.

I hope you are having a Fa-La-La-La Saturday, we went and picked out our tree and Laurel has begun putting on the lights. It has been one of those days that has been filled with the spirit of the season for me, a sweet nativity by the primary children at our church's Christmas breakfast, everyone singing Silent Night after the children's performance brought tears to my eyes.

Blessed and grateful!
B-

Graphic 45 Gift Box Tutorial

I know there are a lot of tutorials going into the posts right now, hopefully you aren't sick of them!
It is just that time of year where we have a lot going on and every little bit of help makes a difference and can save a lot of time!

This box can be used to share goodies or even light weight gifts, and the little window shares a peek of what is inside.

1) Cut the paper for the bottom of the box at 12” x 12”, score at 3” and 9”. Turn paper and score at 3” and 9”.
2) Trim into horizontal scores to vertical scores, apply adhesive to top of flaps and adhere to back of side flaps.
3) Cut the paper for the lid of the box at 8” x 8”. Score at a little less 1” and and a little more than 7”. turn the paper and score at just a little less than 1” and and a little more than 7”. (Remember with a lid we need barely a titch!!) To make this easier for the titch purposes, you can turn each edge as you score and just move it barely away from the left edge and use the 1” channel to get that tiny titch adjustment.
4) Trim into horizontal scores to vertiacl scores, carefully use die cutting system to cut window. Apply adhesive to the flaps and adhere to bakc of side flaps. Apply dry adhesive to inside of lid and adhere tranparency piece in place.
5) Cut 4 1/2” x 12” strips and adhere around box and lid to resemble gift wrap.
6) Remove tag from sheet and adhere to lid with dimensional foam adhesive.

I hope this inspires you to share the holiday spirit with those around you!!

B-

Graphic 45 Gift Tag For a Gift Card Tutorial

It is easy, cute and is the perfect size for holding a gift card! I made one in Graphic 45 and one from My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas. Whimsical or vintage, same instructions work for both!!
























1) Cut tag base at 3 1/2” x 7”. Cut card pop out at 4 1/2” x 3 1/2”, score at 1/4”, 1/2”, 4”, 4 1/4”. Turn paper and score at 1/4” and 1/2”.
2) Fold along all the lines, trim into the corners and remover the corner pieces. Punch hole with circle punch. Adhere transparency to back.
3) Place Score Tape along the left, bottom and right edges. Start with bottom and adhere edge to back of tag. Adhere left and then right edges to back of tag, careful to maintain box shape of the popped out piece.
4) Remove tags from sheet and adhere underneath window, on top of tag, and below window. Trim top corners of tag at an angle.
5) Punch hole in the center at the top of the tag, tie bow with ribbon.

Today is Chloe's 19th birthday, so hard to believe!! The time has certainly flown, she is an amazing young lady and I am very blessed to have her in my life!!

Here she is just four short years ago when she was almost 15.




















And this is her at a scholarship award ceremony this spring sporting a similar do!

I know I am biased, but she has always been completely adorable, but she has matured into a beautiful, kind, generous and intelligent person who is always completely amazing me! She has recently started a blog that is intended to be a place that she can share her creative spirit, thoughts and some insight into her mind and life experiences. 

Anyway, happy Friday! Happy December and Happy Holiday preparations!

B-

Christmas Emporium Gift Bag

I love the gift bag from this post so much, that it only made sense that I use the same directions for the base and just use a different die cut for the front and make it out of the Christmas Emporium collection.

Add some gorgeous Midori ribbon, a tag for a to and from and it is all set to fill with goodies.

Easy Peasy!!
B-

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