Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas to ALL!

I would like to take minute to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! The Christmas tree theme at the White House this year is:

"Reflect ... Rejoice ... Renew"

I loved this!

So, take a momoent to Reflect on the past year...it's highs and it's lows. By looking back, we learn how best to move forward!

Rejoice in the day to spend with family and friends, whether in person or in our hearts!

And Renew our commitment to be the best person we are able to be!

Thank you once again to all my Scrappin' friends! You have brought me laughter and tears in these past 5 months...but mostly you have brought me a spirit of FRIENDSHIP!

CHEERS and HUGS to ALL!!
Laura

Sunday, December 20, 2009

THANK YOU!!!

Well, the 12 Days of Christmas Projects has come to an end! The winners of the drawings are::

The Poinsettia Mini Album goes to: uniquelyella!!
The mini album kit goes to: Ya Buggin' Me!!
And the match book mini goes to: Coleen Franks!!

Send me you mailing address so I can send you your prizes!!

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and support! I hope I have inspired you to try something new or think outside your box! I have had a blast!

I will have something new starting the day after Christmas. I am also considering starting a kit club in the New Year with a mini trade as well, if there is interest.

Have a wonderful Holiday...no matter what Holiday you celebrate! Also, have a wonderful and SAFE New Year!!

Laura

12 Days of Christmas Projects Drawing UPDATE and Preview!

I will be doing the Poinsettia Mini Album giveaway at 6pm PST. Check out the video for a preview!

Friday, December 18, 2009

on the TWELTH Day of Christmas....

...I am working on the Give-Away mini! Here's a sneak peek...



I'll be finishing it up tomorrow and giving it away to one of my subscribers/followers on Sunday with a video of the finished album. Thank you all for your more than kind and generous comments. I love what I do and I love to share. I am so glad you have enjoyed it!!

Hugz to ALL of you!

Laura

Thursday, December 17, 2009

On the ELEVENTH Day of Christmas...

... I've got a different method to bind a mini!



This is the method I used to bind Bona's Haunted House mini (a trade mini for Deux Shabby Chic Kit Club). To make this binding you will need to cut your paper 1/2" wider than the inserts you want to use. Cut the length 10 1/2". You will need two of these. Score 1/2" from one inch and then at 1" intervals. Fold in an accordion fashion.



Attach the folds in pairs with brads, eyelets or tie with ribbons/fibers. The two pieces will attach together in the middle.



Attach the paired folds to the spine of a covered chip board album. (see the "FIRST Day of Christmas" for how to cover chipboard to create an album).



Add insets such as photo mattes, tags, decorated envelops, paper bags, or what ever you can think up! Be creative!



Check in tomorrow to get a peek at the Mini Album I will be giving away! The actual drawing will be on Sunday, December 20!

Thanks for all your support!!

Laura

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

On the TENTH Day of Christmas....

...I got ready to set my Holiday table!









Here is a great way to use creative flowers made of paper, ribbon, fabric and lace. Make your own as I show you here or purchase ready made.

I have shown you the materials needed for this project in the photo's here. Watch the YouTube (click the top video on the right column) video for how to make them. Make one or make a bunch!!










I'm off to finish my Christmas shopping. I'll put a smile on my face and my patience hat on and hit the mall!! Today I will try to wear the same color of shoes. I was out yesterday for about 3+ hours. At the 4th store (my fav LSS) one of the gals that works there teased me with "creative shoes!" I looked down and this is what I saw! I guess I'm a bit tired. It was a good laugh though!



Enjoy your DAY!!

Laura

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

On the NINTH Day of Christmas....

...I made a Gift Card Wallet!



Gift cards are the way to go for those hard to shop for people on your list. You can make this cute wallet to hold not only a gift card but photo's as well. What a great idea for Grandpa!! Decorate it in any style....classic or funky...it can go in any direction! Re-cycle the used gift cards by attaching cute paper to each side as a tag!

To make the wallet you will need two rectangles 4" x 11" for the inside pockets (score at 1 1/2", 2 1/2", 4 1/2", 5 1/2", 7 1/2" and 8 1/2" from one end), a 5" x 10" rectangle for the cover (score down the middle and 1/2" from each end), and a 3/4" x 5" cover for the inside spine (score down the middle).



Fold the inside pockets on the score lines. run adhesive on the underside of the folds.



Attach pockets to the inside of the cover 1/4" from center fold. Attach the 3/4" x 5" folded strip to the center, covering the edge of the pocket folds. Fold over the 1/2" scored ends of the cover to cover the other end of the pocket folds.



Decorate the outside cover, add gift card(s) or make tags from card stock or covered used gift cards. Enjoy!

Sorry to be so late with this post! Today was the first flight of the Boeing 787. My husband has been one of the engineers on this airplane (the upper part of the tail is his work) It was a successful flight and an exciting day here in Seattle. What a beautiful airplane!!

Got your shopping done? I'm about half way there! Off to the mall with Mom tomorrow, so may be another late post!

Laura

Monday, December 14, 2009

On the EIGHTH Day of Christmas....

....a Poinsettia EXPLODED on my scrap table!!




This is my take on the classic exploding box...holiday style! This box starts with an Octagon shape. The dimensions are as shown here on the diagram. You will need two green octagons for the bottom and one green one for the lid. You will also need 2 red octagons for the lid. For the petals, I suggest making a card stock template to cut the petals. Make 8 each of two reds or from a double sided red. Score as shown in the diagram. You will also need a 2 1/4" square and a 3 1/4" square from the reds. From your lower box paper, cut eight 2" x 3 3/4" rectangles. Score 1/4" from one end. Cut eight 1 3/4" x 2" green rectangles for the walls of the lid. Score 1/4" from from one of the ends (2" is the width) Also cut two 1 1/2" x 12" strips for the lid band.





Attach petals to underside of squares as shown.


Attach smaller square to larger square,w ith the smaller square forming a diamond on the larger square


Attach remaining petals to one of the octagons.


Attach Lower box rectangles to the top side of the other green octagon.


Combine inner flower, outer flower and lower box as shown


Attach the lid sections to the last remaining green octagon. Attach 1 1/2" band to outside, splicing as needed. Attach the red octagons to the outside and inside of the lid. Trim inside octagon if needed.


Fold up petals/lower box sides and slip lid over the top.



Your box is done!! This would be a great "wrapping" for a small gift or gift card. Add small photo's and journalling if your choose.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

On the SEVENTH Day of Christmas....


...I made a Gingerbread Train Card Holder!

Add as many cars as you want to hold the Christmas cards you receive or photo's of friends and family. Decorate it as you would a real Gingerbread Train. Choo Choo!!

The engine and Caboose are cut from chip board. The cars use #10 envelopes attached to a 4" x 9 1/2" rectangles of chipboard. Seal envelope and trim off one long edge so that the envelop measures 4".



Cut the engine and caboose chipboard from 6" x 6" squares. Cut the "Moose Gooser" (as we call it in Alaska!) and the smoke stack from the scraps.



Attach the "Moose Gooser" and the smoke stack with thin paper (I use a piece of lunch Bag). It is easier to splice these pieces on than it is to cut in one piece.



Apply paper to the Engine and Caboose chip boards.




The wheels of the train are cut from black core chip board and are applied to each side. Attach to one side so that the bottom of the wheel is 1" below the train. Flip the chip over. Apply foam adhesive dots to the lower wheel and apply the other wheel. Use this technique for all the wheels of the train.




Decorate your train any way you wish. Have fun!!




Make one car or many! This would be great on a mantle or dining table!




Have an awesome week!!

Laura

Saturday, December 12, 2009

On the SIXTH Day of Christmas...


a Butterfly flew in and landed on a Tag Ornament!

First, the Butterfly.


To make this you will need a large skeleton leave and two smaller leaves.... any color! You will also need Judikins Glass Micro Beads, an oval Tim Holtz fragment, some tiny dewdrops or bling, Glossy Accents or similar, and a Xyron sticker maker or some sort of adhesive to attach the micro beads.


I cut my larger leaf to make the two upper wings as I show you here in the diagram. Trim them to the same size/shape if you need to. Remember, nature is not perfectly symetrical!


When you are happy with your wings, Run them through the Xyron machine or apply adhesive.


Remove backing and dip you wings in the micro beads. Brush off excess.


Glue the wings to the TH fragment with Glossy Accents.


Add tiny dew drops or bling for the body

.
Outline and accent wings with stickles in the color(s) of your choice. Add ribbon or cording for antenae.


While the butterfly dries you can work on the tag ornament....

Score three tags, 1/4" from each long edge.


Color, distress, emboss, and/or embellish your tags.


Attach tags together at 1/4" wide flange to form a triadic shape.


Add flowers, butterfly and accessories till you are happy with your ornament.





Hang it on your tree and ENJOY!

ENJOY the Holiday Season!!

Laura