Monthly Archives: April 2010

DT: A mini from the Mini

Posted on April 20, 2010 by crazydaisy

Creating with the April Mini Kit

By Kelly Hansen



This month mini kit rocked! I was so excited when I opened the kit and found a great mix of papers(Crate Paper & October Afternoon) and fun embellishments. Four layouts and three cards later, I still had enough of paper left over to put together this adorable mini album of my little girl.

I picked up a chipboard mini album from my local craft store in the dollar bin. Added a few embellishments I already had in my stash, mixed with the embellishments from the mini kit and still walked away with a lot of cute project for under $20.00.

Mini Kit – $17.00
Chipboard mini album – $1.00
Memories to last a lifetime = PRICELESS



For more photos of this mini book, check out the Crazy Daisy Gallery here.


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4 Things: Wanna Try

Posted on April 19, 2010 by crazydaisy

Today I wanted to share/explore some of the things I am dying to try right now. I was working on this blog post in my head while I was on an airplane, so I took notes on my boarding pass. I think I really need to scrap that boarding pass, since it tells the story of my crazy, busy life. But, that’s a whole different post and a whole different project!

Four things I want to try:


1. Layout a Day (LOAD)

Have you heard about Lain Ehmann’s Layout A Day challenge? Three times a year, she leads a month-long layout a day challenge (LOAD). As a writer I always heard “If you want to be a better writer, then you have to write.” Write more. Write about different things. Just write. When I became an editor, I told my reporters the same thing. I assume it works the same for crafting. The more you do it, you unleash your creative beast within. I want to unleash that best. In March I took an online class from Shimelle and it was the best month ever. I created more and was happier with my work than I have been in a long time. For me, I just need a little push and a challenge like this seems like the perfect answer.


2. Spanx Swim suit



Not to toot my own horn, but in the last year I’ve lost some weight. I had a baby, so that helps (you lose a lot of weight when you drop that baby!). But I also managed to lose all the extra weight I’ve put on from having two children, living a chaotic life and not caring if I was eating healthy (I adore ice cream more than just about anything). Since my son was born a year ago I have lost just over 60 pounds. Still with all that weight gone, I’m a little nervous about swimsuit season. Enter Spanx. Ever tried Spanx? Best invention ever. These body shapers suck everything in and make you look amazing. And they just came out with a swimsuit line.  I also like how modest they are. I’m not a skimpy bikini kind of girl. Never have been. Never will be. These suits are cute, modest and figure flattering. What could be better than that?


3. Auto Collage

I was listening to the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast on a flight the other day and Stephanie Howell mentioned FotoFusion by LumaPix. It’s photo editing software and the offer a scrapbooking specific solution. What made me curious to try it is that Stephanie mentioned that this particular software has an auto collage feature. You can select the 5 or 10 photos you want to use, click on auto collage and it will generate a photo collage for you. From there you can add digi background papers and embellishments … or just print out your collage and scrap it traditionally. I thought this would be a tool that would allow me to quickly scrap a lot of photos that I love, but no feel compelled to spend a lot of time on. This would allow me to spend more time on the stories I REALLY want to tell, but also find a home for some of the cute photos that I want to look back on year after year.


4. Under Eye Cream


I saw an ad the other day for this under eye cream. It says that it will take away my dark circles. I have had dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember.  Getting more sleep, eating right … all those things don’t help. I hear it’s genetic. Whatever it is, I’m tired of it. Id like to buy a wonder cream that takes ‘em away. Maybe this is it? Who knows, but for $59 it’s worth a try … if anyone knows of a cream that really works or a home remedy, send them my way. I’d love to get rid of these suckers.



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A digi layout

Posted on April 18, 2010 by crazydaisy

I was surfing the Web a little bit ago and saw this challenge from Shimelle.

The challenge was to create a layout with the theme “Happiness is … “ She posted a free digital template that could be used, but it was required. I used the template, along with a bunch of Spring Junque goodies from House of 3(my current favorite place to shop for digi and hybrid items).

Here is my interpretation of the challenge:





I used some fun techniques on this page that I learned in a brush class from Jessica Sprague. I highly recommend taking a class from her if  you are interested in trying out digital scrapbooking.

I think after my kiddos go to bed tonight, I’ll create an all paper layout using the same template as a guide. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a small book the was all about the things that make you/me happy?





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April Eye Candy

Posted on April 17, 2010 by crazydaisy

Happy Saturday. Since it’s the weekend … I wanted to do something fun. Here’s a little something I want to call fun April Eye Candy.

This kit is so cute. Here are some layouts from Katie Turner:

 



Now, here are some layouts from Amber Zimmerman:





Now for your viewing pleasure … some goodies from Mara Campbell:




I love how different each design team member is and how these difference translate into fun and diverse layouts. It’s so refreshing to see what everyone can have a different style, use the same products and do what ever they please with their tools, stories and photos.

 

 

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On a personal note … my little girl is 6 today! Where has the time gone? It still feels like yesterday when I held her in my arms for the first time.  She has been such a wonderful little life partner. We have so much fun together and I am blessed to have her in my life. I hope we are as close as we are now when she’s a teenager and beyond!

 


Happy Birthday my sweet girl. You are loved!

 

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DT: Frame Tutorial

Posted on April 16, 2010 by crazydaisy

SCRAP YOUR OWN FRAME

By Amy Kingsford



Supplies:

Wooden Frame
Coordinating Patterned Papers and Scraps
Misc. Elements, Alphas, Ribbon
Decoupage
Adhesive (such as Hot Glue)
Scissors or Exacto Knife
Paint, Ink, other medium (to treat your edges)
Paint Brush

Step 1- I like to approach my frames much like a scrapbook lo and do a brief sketch before beginning…this may or may not help you…but give it a shot. You can use a collage technique or a block design, or you can use a simple layered design like the one I’ve used here.

Step 2- Once you’re set on a design begin by treating the edges of the frame (inside and out). You can use ink, paint , wood burning or leave them unfinished…its up to you. But you’ll be happy you completed this step first, once you get your frame all put together.

Step 3- Cut out the paper pieces of your design, using an exacto knife or scissors, and have all of the embellishments you wish to use ready to go.

Step 4- Now because some of the frame will be coated in decoupage and other parts like your elements and ribbon will not need to be sealed, consider working in order as far as your layers are concerned.

Step 5- Apply each of your paper layers, by first applying a thin coat of decoupage directly to the surface you wish to adhere your layer, using a medium to large size paint brush. Then carefully position the layer, so it corresponds to your design and flatten it out, making sure to remove all bubbles and allow it to dry. You may find that you need to do some trimming on each of your layers…this should only be done only after each layer is secured to a surface and before you have applied decoupage over the top of the paper, to avoid tearing.

Step 6- Now apply a generous layer of decoupage over the top of the layer, making sure to seal your corners and edges and paying close attention to any puckering along the way. After the decoupage is dried you can continue with your other layers.

Step 7- Once you’ve applied and sealed all of your paper layers, use adhesive to apply your ribbon, flowers, embellishments, and alphas. If you too are using paper elements that will not be sealed, but you are concerned about their durability (like the two children in my frame), then coat them in decoupage before hand and let them dry before applying them to the frame, this will give them a bit more stability.

Step 8- Often wood frames that you buy at craft store, etc, do not come with glass in them but you can use glass from an old out-of use frame of the same size and it will likely fit the opening.

Step 9- Now Your ready to place your photo inside your frame and put it out for everyone to see!


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Grace’s Place: April Mini

Posted on April 15, 2010 by crazydaisy

Good Idea pocket book

By Grace Tolman



This mini was inspired by the GCD studios tag. Because of how sturdy the book was and having that tag, it was just necessary to put them together and create a little pocket book that I can put in my purse for those times when inspiration strikes.

I covered the book with the papers in the main kit and added the tag as my title and main focus.I also added a butterfly to the front, just because it was so pretty.



I was inspired by Heidi Swapp’s take on the mini for this month that I created cascading pages in the inside of my book as well. I divided them into categories like- titles, journaling, design, color and others. This way when inspiration strikes, I can write it down in the appropriate area so when I need to look back, I know exactly where to find the specific idea.



To create my tabs, I used some pattern papers and different types of border punches. I also did some machine stitching with them then used a letter rub on pack (from my own stash) to create the section headers.

I added a doile rub on to the back of the book and added my name and date.



I decided to make this a flat mini since it’s going to be stored in my purse. I’m also thinking of putting it in a plastic (Ziploc type) bag for extra protection from dirty hands, lipstick smudges and all sorts of messes that can be found inside my purse. :)



So that’s it. Hope you were inspired!



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I love these thougths

Posted on April 14, 2010 by crazydaisy

I have been getting the daily emails from the Brave Girls Club for a few weeks now. I love them. It’s such a thrill to open my email each morning and see what wonderful thoughts they are going to share.

Here’s the thought I got today.



Focus on what you CAN do. Is that not the best advice ever? Go over to their Web site. Subscribe. Be inspired.



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Day late and dollar short

Posted on April 14, 2010 by crazydaisy

Lately, I feel like I am constantly digging myself out of a hole. Sadly, I never can get to the top! I just keep climbing and never reach the top. The last few weeks have been CRAZY. Seriously. CRAZY.

I have neglected this blog. I have neglected my personal log. I have even been so swamped I had over birthday party planning for my daughter to my hubby (yikes! I can only imagine what this party is going to be like!) Some days I’m surprised I even remember to brush my hair!

But. I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. This might very well be the week that I catch up.

I wanted to start something new on this blog. I’m hoping it will help me organize my thoughts better. Four Things. Every so often, I want to talk about four things. I picked the number four, since that’s the size of my family (mommy, daddy and two kiddos). I have a tendency to be all over the place. I’m not a linear thinker. I bounce all over the place.  I call it multitasking, my husband calls it nuts! So, in limiting my chaos to four things, I am hoping my blog adventures will be more manageable.

For today, I want to share the four things I am doing right now:


1. I am reading this book.

“The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery.

I was introduced to this book thanks to my book club. I never made it to the book club meeting at which they talked about the book. Good thing, since I’m not done with it yet! However, I really appreciate having a group of women with whom I can occasionally hook up with and talk about interesting things that have nothing to do with my children, my husband or my work. It’s a nice escape and it’s oh so intellectually stimulating. I highly suggest joining a book club. Look online, I’m sure you can find one in your area or maybe your church or moms group has one. Real Simple magazine has one I have been thinking about joining. Check it out here.  What are you reading right now? I always love book suggestions. I am one of those people who can’t say no to a good book. I have stacks of books all over my house. The more books the better I say. I’ve found it thrilling to watch my daughter learn to read and develop a love of books. She’s turning into a miniature me when it comes to that and that makes me smile.


2. I’m working on this layout.



Since coming home from Disneyland, I have been wanting to scap our photos of the trip. Well, life happened. Cooper got sick. I had to go to Europe. And no scrapping of Disney pics has been done. Today I decided to do some digital pages using pictures from the trip. This is the first one I finished. I used all House of 3 goodies for this layout.  I heart House of 3.


3. Preparing for a trip to Brazil.



I have never been to Brazil, but I’ll be going there in May. I am excited and nervous. Brazil is pretty exotic in my book, so that part is exciting. But it’s also a little dangerous in some parts of the country and that of course scares me. I’ll be traveling with a group of people, so I’m sure everything will be just fine. I bought myself a new swimsuit for the trip. It’s not a “Rio” swimsuit (that’s a super skimpy swimming suit if you were wondering what I mean), but it’s still a new and cute suit. I am excited to see all the touristy things and also just relax in the beach.


4. I’m listening to Paperclipping Roundtable


I know. I’ve talked about this before. But I love this podcast. It’s so relevant. It’s fun. And it’s inspiring. The episode I was listening to today, titled “Get Inspired” was especially good. In this episode they invited a “real world” scrapper to the table and she said something that really stuck with me … “Done is better than perfect.” How good is that? I spend a lot of time trying to make everything just perfect and that means a lot of things are never done. Isn’t it better to get things done and stop being such a perfectionist? I think this is going to be my new mantra – Done is much better than perfect!


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DT: April Mini Kit

Posted on April 13, 2010 by crazydaisy

I got an email from Kelly Hansen today. She’s on our design team and she creates projects with the mini kit each month.

I love what she had to say about the April Mini Kit.

“I got a lot with this months mini kit. 4 layouts, 3 cards and I made a mini album out of the scraps.”

Is that not awesome? Seriously, can you find a better deal than $17 for all that and then some?

Here’s a look at what Kelly created (minus the mini book … I’ll show that later). Be aware … this is a photo heavy post!



For more goodies from Kelly, closeups  and the April 2010 Mini kit, check out our Gallery.

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Cool stuff, according to me

Posted on April 9, 2010 by crazydaisy

I really am not sure what day it is. I’m out of the country right now … in Europe for some meetings. Since I tend to keep my brain on Arizona time, I feel a little lost right now. What day is it? Who cares, right! I do have some goodies to share.

First of all. I stumbled on this very amazing and inspirational blog. It’s the “I Am Enough” project by Tracey Clark and can be found here. Basically, Tracey Clark has invited all sorts of cool women to share why their thoughts on why they are enough. I was especially touch by story Amie Adam shared.  What an awesome idea and an awesome place to go when you need a reminder that you are indeed enough.


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Have you heard of The Brave Girls Club? The “club” is a art and life retreat for woman. It’s designed to empower woman, unleash their creativity and harness the strength within them. How cool is that? I so want to go on one of these retreats. In the meantime, I’m subscribing to their daily emails, “Daily Truths.”

When I opened my email today, this is what I saw:

 

I can’t wait for tomorrow’s message!

 

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I get Gwyneth Paltrow’s email newsletter “Goop.” In today’s newsletter she shared some of her favorite children’s books. I personally want to order this book for my daughter.


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Finally, I just had to share these cute layouts from Amy Kingsford.

They are adorable and should get you excited about your April Main Kits. Those kits will be shipped out on April 10th, so you are just days away from getting our April goodness in your hands.




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