Thursday, October 31, 2013

Project Life Week 10

I'm back again with another page for our Project Life book using the Becky Higgins Honey set.


It's amazing how colorful our life is and I thought we were boring!  LOL

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Beauty Rest with Bella Blvd

I was given the assignment to use the Trick or Treat collection, feathers and crochet hearts.  So where did this lead me?  To some pictures of my daughter sleeping, one of the activities she is really beginning to enjoy!


I used strips of paper haphazardly placed to imitate her disheveld bedsheets and a bed of feathers left from cutting my other feathers to a smaller size.  I thought the 2Day paper piece made the perfect sunshine to complete the scene.

I continued to run with this theme and also created a sleeping mask with my leftovers.


Make sure you stop by the Bella Blog to see some close-ups and more projects from the other DT members!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Project Life Week 9

I worked on our Project Life album this weekend and thought I'd share our Week 9.  Hard to believe our Rocky has been with us for 2 months here in the pictures, we are coming up on 3 months and he is such a cuddly big boy!


I decided to use the Becky Higgins Honey kit for this week as the colors were so bright in my pictures.  I used Simple Stories Snap to embellish the page.

See you tomorrow with yet another page of PL!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Project Life Week 8

Just dropping by real quick to share my week 8 spread.  I have 2 more weeks all printed out and ready to put together as soon as time permits; so far I am staying up-to-date!


I found these cards at my local JoAnn's and thought the colors were wonderful, they are from We R Memory Keepers.  I also used some stickers from Simple Stories Snap collection.  

See you on Monday with a fun layout and project I created for Bella Blvd!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Manufacturer Design Teams, The Inside Story (Day 2)

So now what happens when you receive your first congratulations - is it worth it?  YES!  First you scream and call your hubby and try to explain why you are so excited.  Then you send back a calm and composed e-mail thanking the company for the opportunity along with all the paperwork they request.  Next comes filling in that calender with all of the dates that you are now responsible for.  Then the panic sets in because you start thinking maybe I'm not good enough.  :)  Yep, even people on design teams still feel this way.  Oh and when the mail carrier rings your doorbell with your first ever box of goodies you drop everything to tear open the box and pour everything out and just look on in amazement!

Then the work begins...
1.  Creating...You usually are required to create two to four layouts each month depending on the teams.  You have specific guidelines for each layout that is created which I find to be a really fun way to challenge myself and push myself not to just create any old page, but a page that makes people sit up and say cool!

2.  Paperwork...One thing I do struggle with is writing down everything I use on a page!  I finally learned to keep a pencil and that team's calender beside me when I create so that I can write down all the products included on a page.  I also keep Fridays set aside to do computer work - which includes editing my pictures, doing write-ups, loading my layouts to my galleries, and whatever else needs to be done for the week coming.  I have also started writing up my blog posts for the week so that my blog stays active.

3.  Teamwork...The biggest thing to remember is you are a part of a team now and only teams that work together can survive.  So, visit your team member's blogs and leave some love.  Promote your company in their different endeavors.  Submit to magazines to get your company's name out there.  And continue to grow in your skills so that you remain an asset to the company that gave you your big chance.  They deserve it!

These are only my thoughts on Manufacturer DTs - so far I have been blessed to work with Bella Blvd and Pebbles, both amazing teams to work for, and yes both of these teams were on my whiteboard!  Thank you for joining me and if you have any questions feel free to comment and I will answer them as best as I can.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Manufacturer Design Teams, The Inside Story

I had a scrappy friend ask me lately what I thought about being on manufacturer design teams.  As I started to answer, I soon realized I had a lot to say about this topic, so here it goes!

The reason I wanted to share this with those that are interested is because I also asked these questions just two years ago and hunted all over the web for answers.  I am grateful to those who did share what they knew with me Patricia Roebuck, Izzy Anderson, Elizabeth Hellum, and Janna Werner's online class.  Here I am to pass that on to someone else.

I am the kind of person who sets goals and then will pour everything into those goals with practice, research, classes, and whatever else I can find to help me learn more about what I want to achieve.  I also really do believe in the power of prayer, I had dreams and who better to go to than my Heavenly Father who made me and knows my heart.  You can read more here, about how my scrappy career started and has progressed.

So, here is what I've learned...
1.  Don't try out for everyone's team!  Pick your favorite company (or three) and work with their products, enjoy their products, and make sure you really can represent them with joy, not the feeling that your assignments are a chore.  Not everyone is created the same and we all create in different ways, so don't try to fit into a mold that another scrapper does, be your own person.  While I love many scrapbook companies' products, I also know that certain ones just are more difficult for me to work with; so while it might be fun to be on their team, this would become too difficult.

2.  Be prepared!  I have a whiteboard hanging on my wall with my calender on it that has all my due dates, and it also holds the names of the three companies that I want to design for and the dates that they have their last open design team calls.  As those dates approach in the following year, I get my submissions ready so that when the call finally comes I am ready and not throwing stuff together.  This way I was able to turn in work that I am thrilled with and that is really me, instead of a last minute submission.

3.  Do your homework!  No one wants to do homework, why not just wait until it is time...  Nope!  Get those resumes ready now, get your gallery set up and filled on a weekly basis, work on your blog, see what social media you are comfortable with and try it out.  Do a write up about yourself that you keep on file so that you can have the groundwork all ready to send in when you need it.  So what should your resume look like?  Check out the resumes of those scrapper's you look up to, see how they set theirs up and then make your own, but don't copy.

4.  Consider the timing!  Even after you've practiced and have all of your ducks in order, consider the timing.  Do you really have time in your life right now for assignments?  Will you really be able to give your all to the companies?  They do deserve your very best.  Someone who is overextended and frazzled won't be giving their best.  If it isn't time, then continue to practice until the next call.  As a SAHM of six and homeschooler, I run my family's life on a tight schedule so that everything we need to do is accomplished.  So I know for me, I need to work about two weeks ahead of the schedule so that I can do my very best and be proud of what I've created.  I know how many pages I tend to create each month and so I can't exceed that amount or I will be stressed.  Be realistic.

5.  Practice your photography!  One of the biggest things you will need to know is how to take a good picture.  No matter how well you scrap, if you can't portray that online, your efforts are in vain.  There are many good tutorials out there that show tricks to photograph your artwork well and also how to edit your pictures for the online world.

No matter how much you prepare it still takes time, and an open door, to enter the world of manufacturer design teams.  Each team is different, diverse, well rounded, and with many different styles.  Teams are made up of scrappers from a variety of walks of life - some card makers, layout designers, altered people, and now even Project Lifers.  So don't give up, keep trying and practicing until a door opens for you, but most of all, don't ever forget why you scrapbook!

Stop by tomorrow for what happens when you get your first e-mail with the words, CONGRATULATIONS!


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

You & Me - Elle's Studio

So you know I love the Cameron collection, but have you see the Penelope collection by Elle's Studio???  Wow!  I added in some pieces from the You & Me collection for even more wow factor.


I made the ampersand using my Cameo and some Gold Foil sticker paper from Silhouette, that is some cool stuff!  To continue the bling idea I used some glittered cardstock from AC and my Martha Stewart all over punch and a tag from Crate that I found in my stash.  The hearts were cut from another page of the Penelope collection and isn't that teal flower tape gorgeous?

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, October 21, 2013

This is How We ROLL - Elle's Studio

Welcome back everyone, hope you had a great weekend!

Today I am back with yet another layout created with Elle's Studio Cameron collection, this line is so fun for my boys!


I started with the BOYS and orange paper strip and laid my bits around the page.  I really don't know how the title came up, but once it did I was on a ROLL, lol!  I added some lines drawn with mist and watercolors and a few sprinkles.  I added a stamp from Scraptastic using some leftover mist that was on my mat.  To finish up the layout I added some thread to continue the idea of being on a roll and somewhat unraveling!

See you tomorrow with another fun layout!

Friday, October 18, 2013

my boys

Did you ever start a layout and then put it down because it wasn't going anywhere?  I had put this picture of my boys on this journaling card from Elle's Studio and then I stopped, I couldnt figure out where the layout was headed until the other day when this piece of star paper and green were sitting on my desk.  I loved the energy they added to this photo!  I used the Kraft colored chevron paper as a background so that nothing would compete with my bright colors.  My favorite embellishment a trail of stars made using my Martha Stewart punch and a stamp from Scraptastic and a cut from my Cameo!  Instant success, just a few months later.


I love the Cameron collection - the colors are perfect for my boys, but I just got a hold of the Penelope collection, wow, another good one!  I'll share more next week, see you then!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Friendship with Bella Blvd

This layotu was created from this inspiration piece
When I looked at this I saw orange, black and a little green with stars and circles which became the following layout using the Trick or Treat collection for an everyday layout!


Stop by Bella Blvd to see some close-ups!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Love This Life - Elle's Studio


Don't you love when a layout comes together in a matter of minutes?  This one did and I love it!  I had just taken these pictures of my hubby and son on a bike ride and I had been playing with this cut file from Echo Park.  To me the black circles reminded me of wheels and so this layout was born.  I knew I wanted some primary colors that were vibrant so I pulled down my collection of Cameron by Elle's Studio and this is what became!  



I still can't believe my hubby rides a bike and especially with an infant carrier attached, lol!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Smarty Pants cards

Welcome back!  
Today I have a few cards to share with you using the Simple Stories Smarty Pants collection.  


This card was made for a challenge I issued to use up your stash of chipboard!  I really have a thing about school supplies and I thought this made such a cool card.  I love the pockets that are included with this collection and the twine finishes it off.

My next card is made for a challenge I am issuing to alter embellishments.  I loved this pocket with the chalkboard look, but I didn't want the front of the pocket as it was created.  So...  I opened up the pocket and refolded the pocket!


This pocket was large enough to be the base of my card and of course you know I love using the PL cards for my projects!  The chipboard paper clip and books with the red bow were the perfect finishing touches.

Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Smarty Pants layouts

I had the pleasure of working with Simple Stories Smarty Pants this month for Memorable Seasons.  Since we homeschool our pictures of school are a little different than some - no school bus, no first day of school, no teachers, but plenty of weird school days and outfits!

I just had to scrap these pictures of our 2nd grader, he does wonderful on his schoolwork as long as he is tuned in, which is about 5 minutes!  I spend most of my mornings sitting with him and keeping him on track.


In the picture at the table he had cookies spread out helping him study.  On the small picture he is wearing his sunglasses, go figure!  This layout was made for Memorable Seasons, it was a lift of one of our members, Colette.  I don't tend to embellish so heavily on my layouts, so I knew that I wanted to practice her signature style - layering of embellishments, details, and as we've deemed them, Colette circles.

Here is another layout I made with this same line, 


I made this for a challenge to include a building of some sort on your layout.  I used my Cameo to sketch out the school building and then I used some watercolors to add color.  I had never used this feature of my Cameo, but it is so fun to watch!  I can't wait to play with it some more.

Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow for more Smarty Pants.


Sunday, October 13, 2013

PL Prize Winner!

Congrats go to ...
Such wonderful ideas Wendy!! I so love that you have started doing PL too - love seeing the snippets of your everyday life!

Congrats Megan, please send me your mailing address so I can get your prize out to you.  Thank you all for stopping by and leaving comments, I really enjoy reading everything you have to say!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Non-traditional use of Halloween collections (Day 3)



Welcome back friends! 

I was assigned the collection Thirty-One for this month's projects, but this created a problem for me because we don't celebrate Halloween.  So, what did I do?  I created to my hearts content with this collection, but I looked at things with different eyes!

I was so excited about how the bag worked for my Girl canvas, I had the idea to use another bag on a layout about me and what I am enjoying/doing right now...


I used the bag as the block for my pictures and then I slid some of my favorites right now into the bag to document where I am at.  I fussy cut pieces from the chevron design paper to give my layout movement.  The schedule paper was a perfect page to show that this is my everyday.  We grow together was the perfect sentiment because my hubby walks with me each morning and night and we take our 2 month old along who is growing really fast!

Thanks for joining me as I look at non-traditional ways to use Halloween collections!

Supply List:
Thirty-One
Echanted (732299)
6x6 Paper Pad (732339)
Phrase & Accent stickers (732304)
Printed Bags (732308)
From Me to You
Phrase & Accent stickers (732272)
Memo (732257)
Front Porch
Phrase stickers (732328)
Welcome (732315)
Twine (89423)
Glitter Dots (744245)
Basic Thickers - Ash (732162)
Basic Clothes Pins (747205)





Friday, October 11, 2013

Non-traditional use of Halloween collections (Day 2)



Welcome back friends! 

I was assigned the collection Thirty-One for this month's Pebbles projects, but this created a problem for me because we don't celebrate Halloween.  So, what did I do?  I created to my hearts content with this collection, but I looked at things with different eyes!

My next project started with the cute little bags that are apart of this collection...


I decorated the bag thinking I would bake cookies and take them to our neighbor, but it turned out so cute that I decided instead to turn the bag into a canvas to display!





Thanks for joining me as I look at non-traditional ways to use Halloween collections, see you tomorrow for another project!

Supply List:
Thirty-One
Printed Bags (732309)
6x6 Paper Pad (732339)
Mystical (732293)
Phrase & Accent stickers (732304)
Basic 12x12 Paper Pad
From Me to You Rub-ons (732274)




Thursday, October 10, 2013

Non-traditional use of Halloween collections (Day 1)



Welcome back friends!  Today I am showing some projects I made for Pebbles.

I was assigned the collection Thirty-One for this month's projects, but this created a problem for me because we don't celebrate Halloween.  So, what did I do?  I created to my hearts content with this collection, but I looked at things with different eyes!

My kids and I really love candy (actually I probably love it more) so we always head to Target the day after Halloween to buy some clearance candy - each kid gets to pick a bag of goodies to bring home.  I decided I would make a treat box to hold all of our goodies (or at least some of them) and decided it probably should be filled now, lol!


I began with my new favorite drink, IBC Root Beer and altered the container with some papers and mod podge, it makes a perfect container to hold things!






Thanks for joining me as I look at non-traditional ways to use Halloween collections, see you tomorrow for more projects!

Supply List:
Thirty-One 
Witch's Brew (732296)
Witching Hour (732301)
Spider Webs (732292)
Mystical (732293)
Chalkboard stickers (732305)
Phrase & Accent stickers (73234)
Banner Kit (732310)
From Me to You
Clothes Pins (732279)
Knock Out Punch (63013)
Basic Thickers - Apricot (732181)
Twine (89423)




Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life! (day 5)

I'd like to invite you to jump on over to Shimelle's blog for a guest post from me called, Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  I will also be showing extra projects here on my blog for the next few days showing you my fool proof plan on using up all those pretty cards that I just had to purchase.

So, here are some ideas on how to use those gorgeous cards even if you don't have a life!

1.  Journaling on your scrap pages - The PL cards that are out there might be made for pocket scrapbooking, but they are wonderful to use to journal on your pages (or for title purposes).  

2.  Papers on a scrap page - Why would I cut up a perfectly good piece of 12x12 paper when instead I can layer these adorable PL cards and create a quick and easy page that fits my Simple yet layered style?  I am hooked!  

3.  Projects - These cards are perfect for embellishing notebooks and a variety of othe projects!

4.  Cards - I love using the 4x6 PL cards to make cards because again, I don't have to use up my 12x12 sheets of paper.  (I am beginning to think I might be a hoarder!)  

5.  Traditional Project Life - I finally decided that I would break down and buy some of the PL sets, I figured I could use them in a variety of ways and just maybe I would begin to document our everyday life!  I started documenting our lives when our little boy was born August 2013 and so far, I am enjoying it.  I only use one page and I'm not very specific about the dates so that some weeks might really be 2 weeks in one.  


This is week 4 of our little Rocky's life - these pictures came from one day, but it sumerized our whole week.  Its okay to just spotlight one day!



Stop by Shimelle's blog to see our Week 5.

Week 6 only had a few standout moments, Sunday afternoon at the beach, dinner at a new favorite restaurant, and first smiles.



Week 7 - family time, love of technology, and a new habit, walking.


To me I needed to know that purchasing the Project Life items would be cost efficent and not just a purchase sitting in my closet waiting for my next box of donations to go out.  Needless to say, I am hooked!  Thanks so much Shimelle for having me, it has been an honor! 

To thank you all for joining me in this series of blog posts, like me on my facebook and then leave a comment here on this post for a chance to win some PL goodies, this giveaway will end Friday.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life! (day 4)

I'd like to invite you to jump on over to Shimelle's blog for a guest post from me called, Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  I will also be showing extra projects here on my blog for the next few days showing you my fool proof plan on using up all those pretty cards that I just had to purchase.

So, here are some ideas on how to use those gorgeous cards even if you don't have a life!

1.  Journaling on your scrap pages - The PL cards that are out there might be made for pocket scrapbooking, but they are wonderful to use to journal on your pages (or for title purposes).  

2.  Papers on a scrap page - Why would I cut up a perfectly good piece of 12x12 paper when instead I can layer these adorable PL cards and create a quick and easy page that fits my Simple yet layered style?  I am hooked!  

3.  Projects - These cards are perfect for embellishing notebooks and a variety of othe projects!

4.  Cards - I love using the 4x6 PL cards to make cards because again, I don't have to use up my 12x12 sheets of paper.  (I am beginning to think I might be a hoarder!)  Both of these cards were made from the 4x6 Simple Stories Say Cheese line.




I hope you will join me again tomorrow for another idea on how to use up PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  Stay tuned for the giveaway!



Monday, October 7, 2013

Ideas on how use PL cards, even if you don't have a life! (day 3)


I'd like to invite you to jump on over to Shimelle's blog for a guest post from me called, Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  I will also be showing extra projects here on my blog for the next few days showing you my fool proof plan on using up all those pretty cards that I just had to purchase.

So, here are some ideas on how to use those gorgeous cards even if you don't have a life!

1.  Journaling on your scrap pages - The PL cards that are out there might be made for pocket scrapbooking, but they are wonderful to use to journal on your pages (or for title purposes).  

2.  Papers on a scrap page - Why would I cut up a perfectly good piece of 12x12 paper when instead I can layer these adorable PL cards and create a quick and easy page that fits my Simple yet layered style?  I am hooked!  

3.  Mini Album - These cards are perfect for making mini albums!  This is the album I showed on Shimelle's blog, but I am showing close-ups here.








I hope you will join me again tomorrow for another idea on how to use up PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  Stay tuned for a giveaway on the final day of my series!


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life! (day 2)

I'd like to invite you to jump on over to Shimelle's blog for a guest post from me called, Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  I will also be showing extra projects here on my blog for the next few days showing you my fool proof plan on using up all those pretty cards that I just had to purchase.

So, here are some ideas on how to use those gorgeous cards even if you don't have a life!

1.  Journaling on your scrap pages - The PL cards that are out there might be made for pocket scrapbooking, but they are wonderful to use to journal on your pages (or for title purposes).  

2.  Papers on a scrap page - Why would I cut up a perfectly good piece of 12x12 paper when instead I can layer these adorable PL cards and create a quick and easy page that fits my Simple yet layered style?  I am hooked!



I used the Studio Calico, Marks & Co Project Life kit for this layout.



I hope you will join me again tomorrow for another idea on how to use up PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  Make sure you keep following along because I have a giveaway on the final day!


Saturday, October 5, 2013

World Cardmaking Day with Bella Blvd


Welcome!  Here are some cards I made for this fun event...







Make sure you stop by the Bella blog to see even more wonderful creations from the other ladies!  And stop back tomorrow for Day 2 on my series - How to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  :)  I have a giveaway planned for the final day of my PL series.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!

I have shied away from Project Life for years; I mean really I am a SAHM of 6, a homeschooler, I design on various design teams, plus the everyday life involved with 8 family members, I didn't need another project!  I tried doing PL in 2008 for about a week and that was it.  I just wasn't cut out for documenting my everyday, but the products kept getting prettier and prettier and I really had to have some of them.  

Our 6th child was born August 2nd, 2013, and so I decided I was going to document his first year through Project Life.  But, what if I failed?  What if I bought all those pretty cards and then I stopped yet again?  I knew that I needed to have a fool proof plan so that I would be able to use my purchases no matter what!

I'd like to invite you to jump on over to Shimelle's blog for a guest post from me called, Ideas on how to use PL cards, even if you don't have a life!  I will also be showing extra projects here on my blog for the next few days showing you my fool proof plan on using up all those pretty cards that I just had to purchase.

So, here are some ideas on how to use those gorgeous cards even if you don't have a life!

1.  Journaling on your scrap pages - The PL cards that are out there might be made for pocket scrapbooking, but they are wonderful to use to journal on your pages (or for title purposes).  



I used the Studio Calico, Valley High Project Life kit for this layout and a few pieces from the main kit.  I didn't do a lot of journaling on this page, but I did use the cards to house my title and to provide the splash of color on this page.  I don't normally do a grid design, but these pictures were given to us by the couple that watched our children while I was in the hospital and all I had to work with were the original 4x6 pictures.  Sometimes it is fun to shake up your normal!

I hope you will join me again tomorrow for another idea on how to use up PL cards, even if you don't have a life!


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Bella Blvd Intro Time


I am thrilled to be joining Bella again for another year, I had an amazing 2012-2013 with the team learning all about what it means to be on a manufacture DT.  This year I am excited to be a layout girl!  When I received the new collections, I just sat and created, these collections are amazing and mix and match so well together!  Here are some of the projects I created...

When we moved to FL my daughter made an amazing friend, right across the street!  After years of living out in the sticks, this was such a wonderful thing for her.  And then came the news, that her dear friend was moving away!  Needless to say, there have been many tears, so I made these for them to help remember their tea parties and good times.



I had these pictures lying on my desk while I was creating, the Hello happiness card and the chevy peep were the perfect colors for these pictures.  I love the ampersand card and decided it would be the perfect title for this layout.  With the addition of a few bubbles my layout was complete!


Make sure you stop by the Bella blog and see 2 other projects I completed, one stole my heart, completely!