My Life In Pictures The story of my life and family one frame at a time...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Homemade Glimmer Mist Part 2
I tried to make homemade glimmer mist last weekend and it came out with mixed results. I bought some re-inker over the weekend and tweaked the recipe a bit. I am very pleased with the results.
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Recipe:
1. fill bottle 1/2 to 3/4 with water.
2. add a small scoop of perfect pearls. (perfect pearl was used for the pink and green patina was used for the green)
3. add 1-2 droppers full of reinker (tattered rose and peeled paint)
4. shake and enjoy!
Coverage is much better than when I tried it with acrylic paint and the shimmer also shows through a lot better.
Recipe:
1. fill bottle 1/2 to 3/4 with water.
2. add a small scoop of perfect pearls. (perfect pearl was used for the pink and green patina was used for the green)
3. add 1-2 droppers full of reinker (tattered rose and peeled paint)
4. shake and enjoy!
Coverage is much better than when I tried it with acrylic paint and the shimmer also shows through a lot better.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Cards
I was looking through pictures this morning and realized that I never posted a pic of the birthday card I made for my friend Jen.
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Gearing up for the retreat
I am going to another weekend scrapbook retreat at my favorite scrapbook store this weekend. There is so much to do to prepare.....(and in no particular order)...
1. decide what I'm going to work on
2. print pictures
3. figure out what embellishments/stickers/paper I may need
4. pack everything else anyway
5. try to stuff everything into bags
6. pack up the car
7. buy more stuff at the store that I probably don't need
8. try to find inspriation
I'd better start packing and planning tonight.
1. decide what I'm going to work on
2. print pictures
3. figure out what embellishments/stickers/paper I may need
4. pack everything else anyway
5. try to stuff everything into bags
6. pack up the car
7. buy more stuff at the store that I probably don't need
8. try to find inspriation
I'd better start packing and planning tonight.
Busy, busy, busy weekend
I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. I know my weekend was busy and FUN!
Me and little buddy spent Saturday hanging out with my best friend at her mom's pool. The weather was beautiful and the food was delicious. Friend came back home with me and made her very own decorated birdhouse. I think I have her hooked :)
Sunday was spent cleaning house and waiting to entertain guests with a cookout, baseball, and fireworks. The fireworks were great (thanks to the huz), the food was great (I'll take some credit for that one), and the company was great too. The baseball diamond was a big hit. I'm still sore from playing.
Monday was spent at the parents house swimming and eating...and swimming and eating some more. It was such a nice day without a cloud in the sky. We went to the riverfront and watched the fireworks then spent almost an hour trying to get back home.
We are all tired and a little sore but I couldn't ask for more...spending time with friends and family.
Me and little buddy spent Saturday hanging out with my best friend at her mom's pool. The weather was beautiful and the food was delicious. Friend came back home with me and made her very own decorated birdhouse. I think I have her hooked :)
Sunday was spent cleaning house and waiting to entertain guests with a cookout, baseball, and fireworks. The fireworks were great (thanks to the huz), the food was great (I'll take some credit for that one), and the company was great too. The baseball diamond was a big hit. I'm still sore from playing.
Monday was spent at the parents house swimming and eating...and swimming and eating some more. It was such a nice day without a cloud in the sky. We went to the riverfront and watched the fireworks then spent almost an hour trying to get back home.
We are all tired and a little sore but I couldn't ask for more...spending time with friends and family.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Success!
I love Glimmer Mist. There, I said it.
I love to spray it on everything to give it a hint of shimmer. I love that it gives me the chance to make custom-colored ribbon and paper. What I don't love about it is the price ($7.00+). Glimmer mist is nowhere to be found in the craft stores of the greater Peoria area. That means I either have to order it online and pay hefty shipping costs or else I have to drive to St. Louis and go to the greatest scrapbook store known to man...Archiver's. Now don't get me wrong...I love going to St. Louis because that means I get to see my BFF and go to Archiver's but it isn't exactly a short trip or one I can take very often.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it is possible to make homemade glimmer mist! Today I did a little shopping to buy just a few items needed to make my own. I really like the fact that I can make the colors I want because I can't for the life of me find a shade of orange that I like. As soon as I got home I decided to run upstairs for a few minutes and whip up a batch of my own.
How did it turn out? Well, the first bottle wasn't the greatest but I think that was due to the fact that I used a pale paint color which doesn't give very bright or vibrant results. I tried a darker color and voila! Success! I really, really can't wait to get home and experiment more with it this weekend. I'm thinking a bright red and maybe a shade of turquoise?
I love to spray it on everything to give it a hint of shimmer. I love that it gives me the chance to make custom-colored ribbon and paper. What I don't love about it is the price ($7.00+). Glimmer mist is nowhere to be found in the craft stores of the greater Peoria area. That means I either have to order it online and pay hefty shipping costs or else I have to drive to St. Louis and go to the greatest scrapbook store known to man...Archiver's. Now don't get me wrong...I love going to St. Louis because that means I get to see my BFF and go to Archiver's but it isn't exactly a short trip or one I can take very often.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it is possible to make homemade glimmer mist! Today I did a little shopping to buy just a few items needed to make my own. I really like the fact that I can make the colors I want because I can't for the life of me find a shade of orange that I like. As soon as I got home I decided to run upstairs for a few minutes and whip up a batch of my own.
How did it turn out? Well, the first bottle wasn't the greatest but I think that was due to the fact that I used a pale paint color which doesn't give very bright or vibrant results. I tried a darker color and voila! Success! I really, really can't wait to get home and experiment more with it this weekend. I'm thinking a bright red and maybe a shade of turquoise?
Friday, June 24, 2011
Things I love today
1. a nice, quiet office all to myself
2. the internet
3. leaving early to watch my son play t-ball
2. the internet
3. leaving early to watch my son play t-ball
Giant Mess!
I decided to finally go through the stacks and stacks of pictures and duplicates, triplicates (is that even a word?) just to try and get them in some sort of order. The primary reason was to get little buddy's baby pictures together and finally start on his baby book.
I have made two observations:
1. I order WAY too many of the same picture.
2. I should have done this project a lot sooner. I'm going to have to do some research and figure out when some of the pictures were taken.
On the plus side...at least I'm starting to get some of the extra pics in actual photo albums.
I have made two observations:
1. I order WAY too many of the same picture.
2. I should have done this project a lot sooner. I'm going to have to do some research and figure out when some of the pictures were taken.
On the plus side...at least I'm starting to get some of the extra pics in actual photo albums.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Why I Scrap
I started scrapping back in 2002. I originally did it to make a book of my wedding. Now I do it mainly to document my son's life. I also make gifts and cards. Mostly it is just nice to sit down without a clue as to what I'm going to work on or do and just create something out of the blue. It is an amazing stress reliever and is about the only time I get to myself.
I like to work with different styles and different products. I have no hard-and-fast rule to my creative process. Sometimes I like to use sketches and see how they transform into an entirely different layout.
I am obsessed with stamps...and ribbon...and buttons.
Other things I love:
1. my scoring board
2. stickles
3. glossy accents
4. fiskars non-stick scissors
5. glimmer mist
I like to work with different styles and different products. I have no hard-and-fast rule to my creative process. Sometimes I like to use sketches and see how they transform into an entirely different layout.
I am obsessed with stamps...and ribbon...and buttons.
Other things I love:
1. my scoring board
2. stickles
3. glossy accents
4. fiskars non-stick scissors
5. glimmer mist
More projects
Little Buddy helping me with his father's day card.
Finished product
Organized paint drawer!
Thank You cards from the bridal shower order I had last month
Anniversary card - work in progress
My partner-in-crime
Project Birdhouse
I made this cute little birdhouse for my friend Jen. I bet it looks great in her sun room. My plan, and I am actually working toward it, is to whip up a bunch of these cute birdhouses and sell them on Etsy.
My Craft Room - Before and After
One of the reasons I waited so long to work on anything was my mess of a craft room. I had stuff everywhere. I finally figured out some storage solutions that would work better than the system I had in place. I stumbled on some 3 drawer Sterilyte carts that I found in the storage room. I used them back a long, long time ago when I sold Tastefully Simple. Anywho, I thought I'd spray paint them a light pink, Ballet Slipper, to be exact. They looked good but I decided that I wanted something a little darker.
That is where my plan was temporarily derailed. I bought some Jade spray paint and tried to paint a few other carts that I bought. For some reason the paint just dripped everywhere (hands were covered...and don't let me get started on how hard it is to get spray paint off of your hands...). After a strongly worded letter to Krylon they finally sent a reply. They think the cans froze during shipment causing defective cans. I'm waiting for my replacement cans to come in the mail. :)
Anyway, enough of my blabbing. Now for the before and after pictures.
Before - disclaimer: I had already moved the carts to the side of the room and pulled out all of the drawers so it really wasn't this messy.
After: I moved some stuff from this corner of the room that we weren't using. I decided to move the entertainment center that I had been using as storage to this corner so that there was more space in my working corner (you'll get it after you see the other pictures)
Before - this is the space that I actually work in. I decided to take down the table I was using because I wasn't using all of the space and the open areas I did have seemed to accumulate junk.
After - I used the desk that was also storage and took off the top shelf. It worked out much better than expected.
I absolutely LOVE it. It is organized, uncluttered, and I have so much more room now.
That is where my plan was temporarily derailed. I bought some Jade spray paint and tried to paint a few other carts that I bought. For some reason the paint just dripped everywhere (hands were covered...and don't let me get started on how hard it is to get spray paint off of your hands...). After a strongly worded letter to Krylon they finally sent a reply. They think the cans froze during shipment causing defective cans. I'm waiting for my replacement cans to come in the mail. :)
Anyway, enough of my blabbing. Now for the before and after pictures.
Before - disclaimer: I had already moved the carts to the side of the room and pulled out all of the drawers so it really wasn't this messy.
After: I moved some stuff from this corner of the room that we weren't using. I decided to move the entertainment center that I had been using as storage to this corner so that there was more space in my working corner (you'll get it after you see the other pictures)
Before - this is the space that I actually work in. I decided to take down the table I was using because I wasn't using all of the space and the open areas I did have seemed to accumulate junk.
After - I used the desk that was also storage and took off the top shelf. It worked out much better than expected.
I absolutely LOVE it. It is organized, uncluttered, and I have so much more room now.
Since I've Been Gone....
I have no excuses as to why I haven't posted in about a month. Life has been busy with t-ball games twice a week, gardening and yard work, and work....and I keep forgetting to upload my pictures...
Well, get ready because I have a ton of things to post...new projects, new cards, and other fun stuff. I apologize in advance :)
Well, get ready because I have a ton of things to post...new projects, new cards, and other fun stuff. I apologize in advance :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
As if I don't have enough to do already...
....I have decided that I'd like to learn how to sew. Of course this would mean that I'd have to get a sewing machine and all of the stuff that goes with it. I don't want to make clothes or anything but it would be nice to make curtains and stuff. I hate buying curtains because I can never find any that I like.
The problem with wanting to make all of this stuff is that I don't know what to do with all of it!
The problem with wanting to make all of this stuff is that I don't know what to do with all of it!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A Productive Day
We put our garden in today. It's a lot of work but it is so nice to have fresh vegetables during the summer. I always shudder at the thought of having to eat a store-bought tomato that has no flavor and has the consistency of cardboard.
Here are a few highlights...
All-in-all we planted 5 rows of sweet corn, 3 types of tomatoes with a total of 5 plants, cucumber, 1 row of green beans, 3 eggplant, 4 peppers, 2 broccoli, 9 sweet potatoes, 1 row of yellow onions, 1 row of red onions, a row of lettuce, and green onions will one in once I get some seeds. We visited our local nursery and they have great stuff. Red potatoes and pumpkins will be planted in a few weeks.
The herbs consisted of mint, basil, dill, chives, cilantro, parsley, lavendar, rosemary, and oregano.
Now we're all tired. Little Buddy woke up early and spent the entire day outside. I'm waiting for him to pass out any minute now. We need a good nights sleep. A picnic and Wildlife Prairie Park await us tomorrow!
Here are a few highlights...
The huz planting sweet corn
hmmm...somehow these got out of order. The huz and little buddy fixing the hose.
It doesn't look like we did much but there are lots of seeds in there!
Tomatoes in the far back. Cucumber, peppers, broccoli, eggplant, and sweet potatoes.
Herb garden. Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, lavendar, rosemary, and oregano. Smells wonderful!
Chive flowers
Soon-to-be strawberries!
The huz and little buddy washing the tires to the bike.
All-in-all we planted 5 rows of sweet corn, 3 types of tomatoes with a total of 5 plants, cucumber, 1 row of green beans, 3 eggplant, 4 peppers, 2 broccoli, 9 sweet potatoes, 1 row of yellow onions, 1 row of red onions, a row of lettuce, and green onions will one in once I get some seeds. We visited our local nursery and they have great stuff. Red potatoes and pumpkins will be planted in a few weeks.
The herbs consisted of mint, basil, dill, chives, cilantro, parsley, lavendar, rosemary, and oregano.
Now we're all tired. Little Buddy woke up early and spent the entire day outside. I'm waiting for him to pass out any minute now. We need a good nights sleep. A picnic and Wildlife Prairie Park await us tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Weekend fun
We spent an hour or so at the campground today. The plan was to swing by Chandlerville lake and meet up with C & E but they called it a day earlier than we thought. Buddy's first fishing trip will just have to wait a little longer...but it was a little cool...
La Tigra
The captain pose
Blue Steel
More stuff
I made this card for my mother-in-law. I figured I'd save my husband a trip to the card store. I also made my mom a card but I can't reveal it until next weekend.
Stay tuned!
I need to add some stitching or something to it. I feel like it just needs something more.
Stay tuned!
I need to add some stitching or something to it. I feel like it just needs something more.
Stuff I Made
Just a few pics of what I've been working on this weekend...
The cocktail glasses are covered with star dust stickles (love them!) so it gives them a shimmery look like they are filled with glittery martinis. Yes, each card was hand sewn and yes, my fingers did hurt after finishing 40 of them. I think that was actually what took the longest. I made my own rub-ons which I will never do again. They were a pain in the butt and I didn't like the finished look but they worked for this project.
The invitations will be delivered tomorrow and I'm already working on 40 thank you cards for the bride-to-be. The inside just has the party info on a piece of yellow cardstock.
Overall I am very pleased with these cards.
The cocktail glasses are covered with star dust stickles (love them!) so it gives them a shimmery look like they are filled with glittery martinis. Yes, each card was hand sewn and yes, my fingers did hurt after finishing 40 of them. I think that was actually what took the longest. I made my own rub-ons which I will never do again. They were a pain in the butt and I didn't like the finished look but they worked for this project.
The invitations will be delivered tomorrow and I'm already working on 40 thank you cards for the bride-to-be. The inside just has the party info on a piece of yellow cardstock.
Overall I am very pleased with these cards.
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