School Pictures

Wow! It has been almost a year since I blogged last. So I tried this blogging thing last summer...and didn't really know what I was doing...and to be honest...not really sure what I am doing yet. I teach middle school and when school started last year I just never posted again...so I am going to start again..and will try to continue throughout the year. So with that in mind...this blog post is dedicated to my friend Marla who has harassed me throughout this year because I stopped blogging. :)I recently returned from a scrap retreat with my BFF this week. Three nights and 4 days of scrapping, eating, sleeping, laughing.  I worked on a little of everything...but will share a couple layouts that I did of my daughter...I am sooooo symmetrical in my scrapping...and always tend to scrap the same way...guess they call that "style"...anywho...I tried this time not to be that way...I used colors from her shirt to pick out paper. Then I used Ranger-peeled paint-distress ink to give the paper a different look. Then I added some different colors of flowers to dress things up a bit. Happy scrappin!

Anything Goes Blog Hop

Welcome to the Anything Goes Blog Hop celebrating the one year Blog Birthiversary of our hostess Stephanie from Once upon a Paper. You should have come here from Michele from www.michelegreen.com. If not, you can start at the beginning of the hop at Once upon a Paper. Stephanie is celebrating her Blog Birthiversary with Seven Days of Giveaways so make sure you check it out each day for the next week.

 I have created an album for my daughter.  It is an album of the Taylor Swift concert we saw together this summer.  I felt that a couple page spread would not do it in our family album...so I decided to create an entire book.

One thing new was  using the Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks and blending solutions.  I created all the little flowers, etc. throughout the book.

It was really fun to experiment.  I didn't really know how to use them...but watched a couple of videos on YouTube and just tried it. I used glossy cardstock paper for the ink and then stamped images in archival ink.

Ok...I know these are sideways...but I couldn't get them to flip...I tried and tried...it is driving me nuts. 

I used the Hannah Montana Cricut Cartridge for this cute guitar. Sorry about it being upside down.Somebody tell me how I flip them.

These flowers were made using the inks...just used a slightly different ratio of colors.  I then stamped them with archival ink.  I love the Rock and Roll stamp.  I added a dew drop in the center of each flower.

Here is the guitar again...and I just added dew drops around the base. 

Outline of the guitar.

Obviously I am not going to post the entire album.  I hope if you have not tried using the alcohol inks you give it a try.  They were really fun. My daughter loved the album and will always have this to remember the fun we had that night.

Thank you for stopping by the next stop on the hop is Carla from OCD Scrapology @ http://ocdscrapology.blogspot.com/

In Case you get lost here is the rest of the line-up:

Stephanie from Once upon a Paper @ http://onceuponapaper.blogspot.com/

Kristi from Craftin’ on my Door @ http://craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com/

Txscrappermom @ http://www.txscrappermom.blogspot.com/

Scraplette from Around the Block with Scraplette @ http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/

Renee from I Came, I Saw, I Created @ http://icameisawicreated.blogspot.com/

Michele from Green Girl Scraps @ www.michelegreen.com

Ali from Scrapping with Alicat @ http://scrappingwithalicat.blogspot.com/

Carla from OCD Scrapology @ http://ocdscrapology.blogspot.com/

Amber from My 3 E Scrapbooking @ http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Cassie from Scrappin’ Palace @ 2 http://scrappinpalace.blogspot.com/

Blog Candy Winner

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments made on my project for the blog hop.  The winner of the blog candy goes to Debbie from http://debbiebakk.blogspot.com


Congrats to her!  I will contact Debbie by e-mail and get it sent out right away!

It's a Wrap Blog Hop

Welcome to the "It's a Wrap Blog Hop" hosted by Cool Beans by L.B.

This hop is all about wrapping gifts.  We were given instructions to create something to wrap a gift in.  We could use a bag, box, basket, and/or more.

There are 22 stops on this hop and we hope you can visit them all and see the creative wrapping ideas.

You should have arrived from Michele from Green Girl Scraps http://www.michelegreen.com/
    
If you are just finding our hop in the middle you can go to the beginning at Cool Beans By L.B.
http://coolbeansbylb.blogspot.com/

I am going to a baby shower in a couple of weeks for my sister-in-law.  I thought it would be fun to wrap her gift in something she can keep.  I decided to use a can.  After opening this could be used to store precious memories or items from babyhood for their new daughter.  This is my finished product.

I bought the canister at JoAnn Fabrics for $4.80.(Used a coupon) 

Here are the steps I used to create this gift can.

1.  Used DCWV paper and covered can.  The hardest part was cutting around the handle.

2.  Used a brown ribbon with pink flowers to separate the brown paper from the patterned paper and then added a pink button where the ribbon came together.  I also added an embellishment right below the button..."A daughter is..."

3.  I cut a thin strip of coordinating DCWV paper and added it to the bottom.

4.  I used the Cricut "Stamping" cartridge to cut out the pink connecting flowers around the top of the can.  Size =2 inches.

5.  It is probably hard to see...but I sprayed those connecting flowers with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold to give it a little bling.  Then I added the pink dew drops in the middle of each flower.  I wanted to give the can some dimension...so I popped them out.

6.  On the side of the can I stapled two pink tags together and then covered them with coordinating papers, ribbon, a flower, and button.  I wanted to create a pocket for the paint can opener.  I tied some ribbon to the top of the paint can opener and then placed it into the pocket.

7.  I decorated the top of the can with coordinating paper.  I made another tag.  I stamped and embossed "dear Baby" on the tag and sprayed it with glimmer mist.

8.  I then cut a bunch of ribbon and tied it to the handle of the paint can.

 There are so many ways you could decorate a paint can.  Birthdays, holidays, wedding, showers, etc.  If you think about it...the can was not much more than buying a bag and tissue paper.  This is so much more personal and cute! 

This is the first blog hop I have participated in and since I am jumping right in I am going to offer some blog candy.  I bought another pail (smaller) and filled it with all of the scraps from my project.  Maybe you will be the lucky winner and will get to create a fun project. In order to win please leave a comment and a way to get in touch.  I hope you win!

I am also new to blogging, so you do not have to be a follower in order to win but....skim over the rest of my posts and if you are interested become a follower! 

Thanks for stopping.  Your next stop on the hop is...
Everything Digital Scrapbooking http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com/

If you get lost, here is the whole list for this hop.

IT’s A WRAP BLOG HOP LINE UP

Cool Beans By L.B. http://coolbeansbylb.blogspot.com/ (HOST)
Debbie from Deb’s Eclectic Thoughts http://www.debseclecticthoughts.blogspot.com/
Cindy from In Love With Paper http://www.inlovewithpaper.blogspot.com/
Amy from Amy’s Digi-Scraps http://scrap-pix.blogspot.com/
Cindy from Scrap Obsessed http://www.scrap-obsessed.blogspot.com/
TX Scrapper Mom http://www.txscrappermom.blogspot.com/
Scrapalette from Around the Block with Scrapalette http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/
Suzelle from http://www.craftsandmorebysuzelle.blogspot.com/
Confessions of a Scrapoholic http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/
Stephanie from onceuponapaper http://onceuponapaper.blogspot.com/
Brenda from Random Thoughts of a Scrapbooker http://happyscrapper64.blogspot.com/
Maria from Stamp Cut Create http://stampcutcreate.blogspot.com/
Terri from http://scrappinwiththebug.blogspot.com/
Lori Apgar from http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
I Came, I saw, I Created http://icameisawicreated.blogspot.com/
Anabel aka cricutaddicted from http://scrappingformorefun.blogspot.com/
Michele from Green Girl Scraps http://www.michelegreen.com/
Alicat from http://scrappingwithalicat.blogspot.com/  You are here!
Everything Digital Scrapbooking http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com/ Go here next
Robin, The Scrappin' Delta Diva http://scrappindeltadiva.blogspot.com/
Gamma's Creative Corner http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Paper Crafting Chic: http://www.papercraftingchic.com/

School Days

Do you make scrapbooks of your child's school years?  I do a pretty simplified book.  I do not do a book for each year.  I keep each child in a separate book and highlight certain parts of their year. 

These would be:

1.  First day
2.  Class picture
3.  Artwork
4.  Writing samples
5.  Awards
6. Special Activities or field trips
7. Picture of them with their teacher
8. Christmas program
9. Homecoming
10.  Report cards/yearbook

I also include misc. pages like their handprint...a poem...a list of things they remembered about the year...etc.  But the above list is typical for each school year.

One thing you need to know about me is that I am a hodge podge scrapbooker.  Which means that I do not by any means create in order.  I might do a layout of my 13 year old son and then do a layout of his 2nd Halloween.  So many of my book are partially completed.  At the beginning of every year I tell myself I am going to scrap as I go...but does not happen...ugh!

Anyways I have been organizing both of their books the last couple of days...and will show you some of the things I do. 

First day and teacher pics...

Special events...Dr. Seuss turns 100...a project he was proud of...a play he put on.

  Homecoming...Go Tigers!  For the top page I used the tiger Ryan made and carried in the parade.

Christmas programs...for this pic I used the poinsetta she made in school.

I use the clear uploaders for writing samples...and just fill it with some of my favorites...can't keep everything.

 Again...just like the writing...I put a title on a clear uploader and fill it with artwork that will fit in the pocket. If it does not fit...see below...

 If the artwork does not fit...I take a picture of it and then add it to the folder...or I scrap it like I did for these 2. 

I do the same thing for report cards and yearbooks that I do for writing samples and artwork.  When they graduate they will have a k-12 sampling of their school years. 

I am guessing that the high school book/books will be more elaborate because of the activities. 

Disney Princess

If you ever go to Disneyworld you have to take your little princess to the Bippity Boppity Boo Boutique.  They have one right at Magic Kingdom at Cinderella's castle and also have a shop at Downtown Disney. 

We went to Disney at Halloween...so Cassidy dressed up as Cinderella.  We made an appointment for her to be made into a princess.  They did her hair, makeup, and nails.  At the end she even was sprinkled with pixie dust.

After she was done we went to a meet and greet with Cinderella and then went to the trick or treat event at the Magic Kingdom!  Really fun!

The top picture shows Cassidy looking at herself for the first time all made up.

Pixie dust time and then off to see Cinderalla.

Disney

 I used the Mickey Tag from the Mickey Font for the title on these pages...

 At Epcot we ate at the Nine Dragons restaurant...the kids had fun discovering China.

Hope you enjoy!