Layout-a-Week Banners

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to swing by and let you know I am still here...still working away...today, over at the Layout-a-Week blog with a fun layout.  Be sure and check it out.  Lots of banners and some fun photos from out day at Six Flags in Valencia last summer.

Hugs.

Circles of Fun - Photobooth Backdrop

Hey everyone!  I wanted to share with you this project I made a bit ago for Core'dinations.  A photobooth backdrop.  It is super easy to make, and looks fabulous as a background.

Circles of Fun Photo Booth Backdrop Supplies:

• Core'dinations Color Cardstock-Brights
• Dazzle-it Rattail cord
• Circle Cutter
• Sewing Machine, glue, tape or staples

Step 1:  Select four colors of cardstock and cut large circles from two of each color.  I cut 16 circles from each 12x12 sheet of paper with my Cricut, but you could use a manual die cut machine, or even hand cut the shapes.  I ended up with a total of 128 circles which was more than enough to create a five foot wide backdrop.

Step 2:  Mix all shapes together to form a random pattern.

Step 3:  With sewing machine create garlands of eight to twelve circles by running machine with empty thread between each shape.  If you don't want to sew, you could glue, tape, or even staple the circles onto cording.

Step 4:  Tie garlands to cording using a simple knot across a cord.

Step 5:  For a five foot backdrop I cut the cord to approximately 6 feet, giving me enough cording on the ends to tie to my structure or tape to the wall.

I chose to hang my backdrop from tent poles, but you could easily tape it to a blank wall in your home.  There are many software packages available to take the photo booth photos for you, or you can have someone man the camera.  Whatever you decide, your friends and family are sure to have a great time.

Oh, and when packing it up till next time, gather each string and hold with a binder or paper clip so that the strands don't get tangled.  Trust me, that is no fun.  hee hee

If you are wondering what software to use?  I use Sparkbooth.  It is super simple to set up and run and we have used it many times with all ages to great success.

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone!  Stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas, from our house to yours.

Didn't get a photo of the fifth tree this year....but....

Hugs.

Gift Bags - SvgCuts

Hey everyone!  Hope all is well with you.  Can you believe it is just days till Christmas?  Eeek...well, to get ready for the holiday I made this fun trio of bags I found over at svgCuts.  Super cute.

Now, I didn't cut the actual bags, I just added the embellishments to some existing bags I had from Darice.  Made the whole process super quick and easy with my Cricut.

Of course I added a bit of stickles and a jingle bell to each.  Then, one for each child...of course I wrapped the gifts inside the bag.  Some people think I am crazy to wrap in a gift bag, but if I don't, they will see what's inside.  So....do you wrap the gift inside the bag?

Believe Christmas Banner- Clear Scraps

Hi everyone!  Today I want to share with you a simple little banner I made for my niece.   I love the cute Believe Banner from Clear Scraps, and knew it would be perfect for her room.  (I did remove two of the pennants to make it fit better in her space, and no...the fence is not in her room.  lol)

Filled with vintage, childhood images and papers from October Afternoon, I knew she would enjoy this piece for years to come.  My sister is always asking for me to make things for her home.  hee hee

Sweet little stuffed animals, buttons, bling, and snowflakes, which were die cut from a Simon Says Stamps die,

and of course Santa coming down the chimney with his bag of goodies to place under the tree.

How will you decorate this holiday season?  Do you do anything in your children's rooms?

Gift Bag Trio - Core'dinations

Hey everyone!  Hope you are had a great weekend.  Things here are crazy, between swim meets, the holidays, and getting ready for CHA.  Well, sorry if I haven't been around much.

But, I wanted to let you know that I have this trio of gift bags up on the Core'dinations blog today with complete tutorials.  So easy to make and they look totally adorable under the tree.


Hugs.

Holiday House Mini Album

Hey everyone!  I wanted to pop by today and share with you this little holiday house mini album I made using the fun House Mini Album from Clear Scraps.

I chose the House Album because I thought it would make a perfect winter theme.  With bits of "snow" made from ric rac and a holiday color palette, Pink Paislee papers,  this mini came together in no time.

I am not nearly organized enough for a December Daily, but with this sweet little mini all that I need to do is add a few photos to document my month.  Thanks for stopping by.

Holiday Paper Lantern - Core'dinations

Hey everyone!  Things here are crazy!!!!  With prepping for CHA (not to self, get new business cards), dt work, CHA projects, and the holidays...eeek!

Just a quick drive by to share with you this paper lantern I made for Core'dinations!  I have had a project like this pinned forever and finally found the time to make one for myself.  Of course, I put a holiday spin on it, and with the use of the Core'dinations papers was able to add additional texture.

Be sure and check it out.

Clear Proof

Hey everyone!  A little something different today to share with you.

About a month ago we received the ClearProof skincare system complimentary from Influenster to try for 30 days.  Mackenzie had been using another system for a while and wasn't getting the results she really wanted so we figured, what the heck....We will give it a go.

Well, the proof is in the results...

Here she is on Day 1...before starting the system.

Here we are about a week later....

You can see her face is starting to clear. 

And here we are after 30 days (or so...tyring to get her to pose for photos is not easy).  lol

In this photo she has a bit of eye makeup on, but you can see how much her skin has cleared.  Overall she has been very happy with the system.  It is multi-step...and sometimes she just doesn't feel like dealing with it all (don't we all feel that way sometimes?), but she has been happy with the results. She had a bit of flakiness and dry patches, but the moisturizer took care of that with time. 

So, now I ask her....do you want to go back to the other system, or stay with this one...knowing that we will have to pay for it of course...and she says ClearProof...the choice is clear.  

Anyone know where I can find a MaryKay consultant?  

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

Mixed Media Tag Love

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Sorry I am a bit late here toda....with the crazy, rainy weather we are experinecing, dt commitments, CHA commitments...just haven't had much time for my poor negelected blog.  Sorry.....

Anyway....a little something to brighten your day?  Way back when, October, I went to the educator day at Prima marketing...I have shared with you a few of the things we did in Anna's section, Julie Nutting's section...so today....Jamie's section.  you know I love Jamie!  She is so mondo talented and just about the sweetest thing ever.  In her section we played with her stencils and stamps.  loves!!!!  Anyway....here are a couple of tags I made.

Of course I love the stamps...and I had to turn summer into a blonde...  Love my watercolor pencils...

 I mixed in a few flowers, chipboards, and trims from my stash....

 And added bits of the new texture crackle pastes, and mica from Prima's mixed media line.

So much fun.

Hugs.

Let the Countdown Begin

Hi everyone!  First day of December, and you know what that means...time to start the countdown to Christmas.  I hve a fun way to countdown those days uo over on the Core'dinations blog....take a peek.

Pinecone Turkeys- Kids Craft Tutorial.

Hi everyone!  Happy almost Thanksgiving!  I wanted to share with you today a fun project you can do with your littles for Thanksgiving.  I originally made this for Core'dinations, and you can see it here.

Pine Cone Turkey Supplies:

• Core'dinations Vintage Collection 6x6 Paper pad
• Core'dinations Core Basics White Cardstock
• Core'dinations Core Basics Black Cardstock
• Pinecone
• Google Eyes
• Red and Yellow Chenille Stems
• Brown Acylic Paint
• 2 Inch Foam Ball
• Gold Glitter
• Scissors
• Glue

Step 1: Paint foam ball with brown acrylic paint.  Helpful hint: insert a skewer or small stick into the ball to keep fingers out of the way.  You can even keep the ball on its stick while it dries.  

Step 2: While paint dries, trace and cut out two hand prints on Core'dinations Vintage Collection papers.  I let my little friends cut their own hand prints out...good practice with the scissors, but keep some tape handy...jic.  lol

Step 3: Glue handprints to the stem end and foam ball to the top of the pinecone to create  the basic turkey shape.

Step 4:  Assemble the face of the turkey by inserting a 1/2 inch piece of yellow chenille stem in center of ball and wrapping a 1- 1/2 to 2 inch piece of red chenille stem around it.  Attach google eyes with glue.  Look how easy making a turkey face is.  Who knew.

Step 5:  To create the male hat cut a 3 inch circle from black Core Basics cardstock.  Draw a 2 inch circle about 3/4 of the way around and cut out.

Step 6:  Cut edges out of the semicircle and fold up to create hat shape.

Step 7:  To embellish hat cut a small piece of white Core Basics cardstock approximately 1 1/2 inches by 1/2 inch and add a little glitter to the center to create the hat band and buckle.

Step 8:  Place hat on turkey head, glue if desired.

Now, you know my little friends wanted kerchiefs for their turkeys as well, so that they could have girl turkeys.  lol

To Create the kerchief

Step 1: Cut a strip of white cardstock 2x4 inches, cut along solid lines to create the kerchief shape.

Step 2:  Fold edge of cardstock up 1/4 inch to create kerchief.

Step 3:  Poke small holes in ends of kerchief to create laces that you can then tie.  I used just a small piece of baker's twine knotted on either end.

Step 4:  Place kerchief on turkey head and tie in a bow.  I tied it loosely so my little friends could easily slip it off and on.

Don't they make the cutest little couple?

I am sure your little ones will enjoy their turkey friend for many years to come.