Monthly Archives: June 2009

Folded Flowers

Posted on June 18, 2009 by crazydaisy

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Yesterday I was looking through various layouts our design team has created for the month of June. I noticed a cool flower on JJ’s layout that she created using some fabric from the June Main kit. You can see just how cute the flower is in the photo above.

I decided I wanted to make a similar flower and went searching for a tutorial. Kimberly Sherrod of the blog Calamity Kim  was kind enough to allow us to reprint her direction on how to make folded flowers. The flowers that Calamity Kim makes are a little different than to one JJ has one her page … but they’re pretty close. Both are stinkin’ cute if you ask me.

Directions for Making Fold and Twist Fabric Roses

Step 1: Cut fabric in to 5″ squares and then fold 3 pleats towards yourself. Iron in place and pin on each side. This feels kind of awkward at first but keep practicing the fold so that it is even. Each pleat is about 1/2″ inch.

Step 2: Stitch with matching thread on each side using a 1/4″ seam. I sew them one right after the other, and then cut them apart.

Step 3: Fold 3 pleats in the other direction and iron and pin. You must iron each step down to help hold it and make sharp pleats.

Step 4: Sew each side down being careful not to let fold get caught in seam.

Step 5: This is the fun part- while holding the fabric in one hand, use your finger to push up and make a bubble or balloon. Fold under the squared off points on the bottom. Place the puff on the palm of one hand and gently pinch the top center and twist in a smooth motion (either direction) until you can’t twist any further and push down. Then quickly iron down with a hot iron to hold rose in shape.

The final product ... isn't it just so cute? (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Sherrod)

The final product ... isn't it just so cute? (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Sherrod)

If you go to Kimberly’s blog, you can see photos of each step. It’s relatively easy and the results are super cute.You could use these flowers for all sorts of things … on scrapbook pages or to jazz up  a plain tank top.

I’ll be making some of these tonight!



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Our design team inspires us

Posted on June 17, 2009 by crazydaisy

Jennifer and I talk just about every day. If we don’t talk on the phone, then we email or text each other. One of the reoccurring themes of our conversations lately is how impressed and inspired we are by the ladies who make up our design team.

I wanted to share a few things they’ve been working on using Crazy Daisy’s June Main kit.

A layout from JJ Sobey, using the June Main kit.

A layout from JJ Sobey, using the June Main kit.

Let’s start with JJ Sobey. She created and amazing layout about being a mother. I can so relate to her title, “Both Arms Full,” now that I have two kids to fill my arms.

Here’s what JJ had to say about her layout:

“The lovely large flower in the kit was begging to be used as much as possible, so instead of using it whole, I cut it in half, so I could use it twice!  I rolled it up, and put it on it’s side, so it would look more like a bud about to burst into full bloom.  As a stem, I added a chipboard shape from kit, which I inked with ‘Peeled Paint’ Distress Ink, and coated with Diamond Glaze.  That colour of Distress Ink is perfect with this kit.

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I love to trace around my letter stickers with a marker, to get my title to pop just a little bit more.  It’s easy, and adds a bit of definition.  Of course, with my love of ink, I had to ink around all the other paper pieces, which also adds a little more definition.


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The journaling reads: ‘My first Mother’s Day with both kids.  My family is now complete, mar arms are full, and my heart is overflowing.  This is what I was waiting for.’ “

Now for something inspiring from Kim Whitten. Here’s a layout I might very well   (wink and smile). It’s just that  good.


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“The Big Hair is a 12×12 pretty simple & quick LO.  I had used my ‘I’ cardboard monogram for the other LO so I got resourceful and used the ”L’ and ‘O’ thicker to make the ‘I’ in BIG.  Also added some distressing to the edges and Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink.  I cut down one of the ‘Brilliant Idea’ sheets for a journaling spot and added several other elements from the June kit”

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Are there any layouts you’ve found surfing the Web that inspire you? Tell us, we want to know!

 

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Win a kit with Cathy Zielske

Posted on June 16, 2009 by crazydaisy

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Cathy Zielske is giving away one of our June Main kits over on her blog.

Enter in for a chance to win. The giveaway closes tonight, Tuesday June 16, so don’t wait too long to check it out.  

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Finding inspiration

Posted on June 16, 2009 by crazydaisy

in·spi·ra·tion (ĭn’spə-rā’shən)  n.   

  1. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
  2. The condition of being so stimulated.
  3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
  4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.
  5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

On any given day, we’re all in need of a little inspiration.  Who inspires you? There are a lot of things and people I find inspiration in. As a writer, I’m especially drawn to words and other writers. As a crafter, I seek out inspiration in other crafters. There is nothing better than seeing an amazing layout and feeling inspired to tackle your own projects. Here are a few places I find inspiration on a regular basis.

American Crafts: I love American Crafts products, so it’s no surprise I feel inspired when I go to their blog. This is also a helpful site when I’ve run out of fun and creative ways to use the American Crafts’ products.

Tim Holtz:Seriously, this is one talented dude and I think he brings a totally different and fresh perspective to crafting. I love using inks and distressing my layouts, so I find a lot of great ideas on Tim’s blog. You can also watch cool demos on his site, which will show you how to use the various products he’s got out there.

Donna Downey: Wow. Need I say more. I read her blog every day and I’m always amazed at both her talent and her constant flow of new ideas. When does this crafty lady have time to do all the amazing things she does? Right now, I’m really impressed with these canvases she painted. I want to do something similar for my office.

Tara Whitney: Tara is an amazing photographer with a unique perspective. Perusing through her photos always sparks my imagination. This post in particular made me feel both inspired and grateful for all the blessings I have.

What sites or people inspire you? Tell us, we want to know. We sure hope you have a creative and inspiration filled day!


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Journaling and inspiration

Posted on June 15, 2009 by crazydaisy

I want scrapbooking to tell my story. When I look back, I want to be reminded of where I’ve been, who’s been on that journey with me, and what I’ve learned along the way.

This is the essence of why we scrapbook, yet finding the words to tell that story is often the most difficult part.  I have the pictures, and they tell a lot about what’s going on. But what about the journaling? How does a scrapper work through writers’ block?

I’ve started looking around for inspiration to help me better tell the stories of my family in words. I found this cool site, The Creativity Portal, which has some Imagination Prompts.

The prompt I got when I stumbled onto this site was “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?” Holy cow, memory lane! Most of my teenage shenanigans involved my Crazy Daisy partner in crime. The prompt made me think about just how far we’ve come in 17 years. And that got me writing down what was on my mind.


Jennifer (left) and me, not too far from our 18th birthdays. Jen doesn't know I'm posting this!
Jennifer (left) and me, not too far from our 18th birthdays. Jen doesn’t know I’m posting this!


Also on the Creativity Portal are a variety of links to other prompts such as seasonal writing prompts (at a loss how to scrap your Christmas photos yet again?). I personally liked the Thanksgiving writing prompts. Who knew there were so many ways you could approach that wonderful day of gratitude? My Turkey Day layouts will never be the same.

I’ve also found that one of the best ways to be a better journal keeper is to actually start keeping a journal. How can you add relevant and meaningful journaling to your layouts if you aren’t recording the adorable things your children say each day? Often, you won’t remember them when it’s time to commit them to your pages, and that’s lost content out in the ether.

Finally, one of the best bits of advice my editor ever gave me was that if I was going to be a writer, I need to read. With each book finished, the easier it became to share my ideas. And if I’m going to share my ideas through scrapbooking then I need to be reading about scrapbooking. I make I part of my daily media diet to peruse the blogs of scrappers I admire to constantly fill my mind with crafty ideas. The words and inspiration will come. I promise you that.


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CHALLENGE: How would you scrap it?

Posted on June 12, 2009 by crazydaisy
My very own Crazy Daisy, my DD Shelby Rose.

My very own Crazy Daisy, my DD Shelby Rose.

Last Friday, I posted a picture of my daughter Shelby and asked you all how’d you scrap it.

Here’s what I did.  Using the June Main kit, I printed out the picture of Shelby with her hands on her hips as a 5×7, so it would be the major element on the page. It’s such a cute picture, so I wanted it to be the focus. I painted the large monograms (CRAZY) white, leaving a lot of the natural color visible and then stapled them onto the page. Then using some rub-ons, I added “daisy” near the letter “C.” Since I wanted Crazy to stand out more, I used the huge lettering and chose small rub-ons for daisy.

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My journaling came directly from last week’s blog post and I just cut it into strips. Finally, I added some felt flowers and the adorable owl/flower pebbles.

This page is rather simple. Lately I’ve been trying to create pages that are less cluttered and focus more on the photos or the story. I often have a hard time stopping myself from adding just one more embellishment. The end result for this page is pretty clean and cute (I put my embellishments down and walked away … otherwise you would have seen a much more cluttered page). I love it and my daughter liked it too (she’s the real judge since the page is all about her!).  

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So what do you think? What should I have done different? How would you have done it? Submit a layout or a sketch, so we can see how you would scrap it. We’ll pick a winner next Friday.

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Creative Envy

Posted on June 12, 2009 by crazydaisy

Confession: I spend hours perusing the Web looking at other crafters and what they’ve created. I pore over any and every crafty technique I can find. And when I’m all done, do I scrap, sew, paint or write?

Nope. I just feel hopelessly inadequate. I have a paralyzing case of creative envy.

I know.  This sounds totally silly. I only share because I’m there are other out there that are just like me. We are creative. We want to be more creative. But because this creativity doesn’t come as easy to us as the Donna Downeys and Ali Edwards of the world, we beat ourselves up and quit.

We shouldn’t. And here’s why.

I don’t want to quit. I want to create.  By profession, I’m a writer. My degree is in journalism. When I started, I compared myself to the greats, and my editor told me to stop doing that, find your voice, and you’ll excel.  And I did. 10 years later, I’ve seen my byline attached to thousands of pieces, and now I know that was great advice.

I don’t have a scrapping editor. I’m still finding my own voice. But that’s okay. As long as I keep scrapping. As long as I keep creating. It will come.  And the less I compare myself to others and beat myself up over not being “as” talented as I’d like, the more likely it is my creative juices will flow.

Give yourself a break today. Just enjoy what ever creative activity you’re doing. Go with the flow and I know you’ll find your own voice.


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A different kind of scrappy project

Posted on June 10, 2009 by crazydaisy
Kim's latest creation

Kim's latest creation

Are you a little bored with scrapbooking these days? Need a little inspiration? Or do you want to try something new?

Check out this really cool canvas/wall hanging that Kim created.


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How exactly did she do it?

“This project is 8 1/2 x 11 wall hanging using an awesome paint technique I learned from the multi-talented Lucy Folch in a National Scrapbooking Day challenge she did over at Scrap In Style TV.  I cut down a piece of chipboard (or use cardboard), placed several pieces of the Basic Grey chipboard stickers down and Gesso’d the whole thing.

After that dried, I selected several colors of acrylic paints and added enough water to start painting over the layout. (The consistency should be thicker than water color). Then using an old rag, I blotted around on the paint so that the white gesso would show through to give it that weathered look. If the paint dries you can dip the rag in some water and blot. If you decide you’ve blotted off too much just add more paint!

After all that dried, I took my trusty black Sharpie and started outlining. Then I used the negative part of the chipboard shapes to cut out pieces of patterned paper from the kit to embellish those. Added my picture and used some gesso and more outlining on the cardboard monogram letters & Thickers. I added the ribbon and some buttons to turn this piece into a wall hanging.”


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What kind other crafty projects are you working on? I’ve been working on a collage for a couple of months now. I think it’s time to finish it up. What about you?

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Last Chance

Posted on June 10, 2009 by crazydaisy

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If you’re reading this and haven’t joined our club yet … We have a special offer for you. If you sign up before the end of the day and select a membership of at least three months, we’ll send you a free Crazy Daisy scrapbooking bag. It’s adorable and perfect for taking your supplies to crops and such. Don’t hesitate, join today!

This is one of the best months to join, as the mini-book with this kit is beyond cute.

The June mini-book

The June mini-book

If you aren’t ready to take the plunge and order the main kit, then check out the add-on kit for this month. It reminds me of the ocean, full of lots of glitter and blues. Check out our gallery for more photos.


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Our Rockin’ Design Team

Posted on June 9, 2009 by crazydaisy
A layout by Kim Whitten using the June Main kit from Crazy Daisy

A layout by Kim Whitten using the June Main kit from Crazy Daisy

I am so in love with our Design team. They do awesome work. Seriously awesome work. Have you looked at their blogs? If not, I suggest you do. They are constantly posting all the cool things they are working on … and really, they are some talented ladies. Here are the links to our Crazy Daisy Girls.

Kim Whiten

JJ Sobey

Trace Geworsky

Grace Tolman


A layout by Trace Geworsky with the June Main kit

A layout by Trace Geworsky with the June Main kit

One of my favorite things to do is surf craft blogs. When my hubby and kiddos are asleep, you’ll often find me sitting on my computer looking for inspiration. I love to read about what people are doing, how they’re doing it and come up with ways to incorporate their techniques into my crafting. There are so many talented people out there, which blogger do you find the most inspiring? Leave a comment and tell us who you’re checking out these days.


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