Time Together - Dabbling In Digital

This is a layout I made some time ago using a free template I got from my Jessica Sprague class and papers called 'So Lucky' by Tricia Chapman.

These photos were taken when my oldest daughter was home from university for spring break.  My youngest daughter had already had her spring break, but we all managed to get together for the St Patrick's Day parade in Denver.

Fun times.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle

Clover Box (and a little something else.)

Hi Everyone, today I am guest designer over at The Bugbytes.

I know that last time I was there my project was the Pyramid Boxes, and I find myself there today with another box.  But I make no apology for it, because it is so stinkin' cute, and so stinkin' simple.  I am on the Creative Team for Kelleigh Ratzlaff over at The Digichick, and when she asked the team to use her file to make this box I fell in love.  Here are the boxes I made.

Aren't they sweet?  Just two pieces to cut and score - and only the lid need a little glue.  Here is a look at the inside (with the little something else that my post title mentions.)

The inside of the box is just folded, and held in position with the lid.  How easy is that?  The contents of the box are Hershey's nuggets, I used a strip of paper (1" x 3") and stuck it around the wrapper - really dresses up some everyday chocolate don't you think?

I used K&CO double sided paper for this project - having the inside of the box decorated just finishes it off nicely.

Here is another box I made, this one I cut slightly larger (so I could fit a few more chocolates in.)

I think I may have gone a bit over the top with the lace, but I needed something with that Cameo Silhouette on top - strangely enough I cut that with my Silhouette Cameo!  Here is a look at the inside.

The paper I used for this project I actually printed myself, it is from the Comfort Cafe Collection DVD from Stampin' Up.

The file for these cute little boxes is available here.

Thanks for taking a look at my project today.

Michelle

Dabbling with digital - You Are Truly Amazing

I am really getting back into playing around with Photoshop, and I am loving it.  I have mentioned before that my youngest daughter is a member of the Denver Roller Dolls, this picture of her was taken at practice by Joel Giltner (Shutter Up).  I was immediately struck by how that red bandanna around her head reminded me of 'Rosie the Riveter' - this is the original colour photo.

After playing around in Photoshop for a while, and thanks to a great tutorial by Jessica Sprague, this is the page I ended up with.

 I really love the way this page turned out, usually I finish a page, save it, go back, tweak it, save, go back - you get the picture.  Well I did this page yesterday and I'm so pleased with it decided to post it today - without any further 'messing'.

The template I used was a freebie designed by Cathy Zeilske - more of her templates can be found at Designer Digitals.

Thanks for taking a look at today's project.

Michelle

Thinking "outside" the cutting file

Today I am using a Baby Themed cutting file by Kelleigh Ratzlaff - don't go all pink/blue and lemon on me now, my projects may not be what you are expecting.  Kelleigh has been updating her store on The Digichick, (after the server crashed) and she asked if her creative team could come up with some projects.  I have to admit that I was initially scratching my head over this one - I have nothing and no-one to create baby stuff for.

I took a look at the files for the rattle and diaper, the old cog-wheels started to turn and this is what I ended up with.

Now I'm sure all of your are scratching your heads and wondering 'what the heck?'  Well, I took the rattle file and just interpreted the shape in a different way.  Here is the first project.

 I cut the center out of the rattle, added some vellum, twine and a tag - now it's a magnifying glass.

This second project is a looking glass.  I added some shiny silver for the mirror (yes that reflection is me taking the picture), a crown, some gems and ribbon.  When you open it up here is what is inside.

And my final project - I think this one speaks for itself.

And inside this one.

These would all make cute little notes to pop into the kids lunch box or backpack to find later in the day at school.

I used my Cameo to cut all the files, and Amy Chomas pen holder to write the sentiments.

I hasten to add here that these files are adorable to just make up for what they are intended a 'rattle' and a 'diaper' - take a look here to see some of the cute projects.  But next time you look at file you feel you have little use for challenge yourself to 'think outside the cutting file.'

Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle

Love is in the air

A couple of weeks ago I went away to a scrap-booking retreat with a few friends here in Colorado - knowing these friends as I do I didn't think I'd actually get any crafting done.  This by no means is a poor reflection on my friends - quite the contrary we have so much fun 'shooting the breeze'.  Knowing this, helped me to decide what I should actually take with me to craft - one of the things I decided on was a simple card kit to make up. This is what I came up with.

 

Like I said a very simple card with just a couple of details.  Here are the details.

(Oops sorry that is blurry!)

Here is a list of 'ingredients'

Black card stock (Bazzil)
Black and White pattern paper (Recollections)
Silhouette couple image (Silhouette online store) - cut with the Cameo of course.
Small faceted gem
Jewelry tag punch (Stampin' Up)
Tiny Tags stamp set (Stampin' Up)
Versamark ink
Silver Detail Embossing Powder
Dimensional pop-dots

Here is a look inside.

The sentiment I used inside is from a set called 'Happy Harmony' (Stampin' Up).

Until next time.

Michelle

Layering Heat Transfer Vinyl

My post today is pretty quick and simple -a little project showing layered heat transfer vinyl.  I should have posted this last night, but was too busy having my own 'pity party' about some 'hiccup' in my life.  Anyway on with the project.

These are the items I altered.

I am altering these items for two very special children who are having a HUGE celebration later this month - they are celebrating their new family name.  Maybe not a big deal for most, but for these guys it really is huge.  These children have been though a lot (a whole heap) and are currently being fostered by an amazing family.  I cannot imagine a better celebration than something like this, our family name that gives us a real sense of belonging.

So here is what I did.

I layered the silver HTV on top of black to make the name really stand out.  It really is not too difficult if you are patient and take the process slowly.  My HTV is from Nick at Craft Vinyl.  I thoroughly recommend buying from him, he has excellent service, great colour selection and prices.  He sends out very detailed instructions with his vinyl, and as long as you follow the steps you can't go wrong.  Here is a close up.

The font that I used is called 'Superheterodyne' and is available for free here.  I  cut all the HTV with my Cameo on their recommended settings for T-shirt vinyl -that machine sure makes it a breeze, but DON"T FORGET to do a test cut to make sure you don't cut all the way through the vinyl backing.

Here are the altered Hello Kitty sweatshirt and bag.

This font is called 'Bebas'.  Again I cut all the HTV on my Cameo, the only change I made was increasing the blade depth for cutting the glitter vinyl.  Here are a couple of close-ups.

After this project I can honestly say I am in love with glitter HTV - the pictures don't do it justice, it looks fabulous.

I hope when you have a 'hiccup' in life, (mine by the way was my daughters car getting broken into, stuff was taken but at the end of the day it was just 'stuff',) you will spare a thought for children in tough situations.  A good friend of mine who I greatly admire took time to point out to me that it "isn't all juvenile delinquents in the foster care system, there are children too many of whom who have been hurt or traumatized through no fault of their own."

So here's to two very special children on their very special day.

Michelle

Dabbling in digital - Reason to Smile Layout

Hi Everyone

Hope everyone has been enjoying this holiday weekend.  Today I decided to play around with Photoshop, which I haven't done in ages.  I did some online lessons with Jessica Sprague, the basic class is excellent for complete newbies like me - but I soon realized that I had forgotten a lot!  No problem as the online lessons are always available to you once you purchase them.

I have collected quite a few paper packs, kits and templates since starting digital scrap booking, so thought that it was about time I pulled them out and played with them.  Here is my layout.

These photos were taken on a recent road trip we took over the summer to New Mexico.  My oldest daughter, Lauren was home for a few weeks from university, she is up in Tacoma, WA.  It was a hot sunny day, we were waiting in a shady spot for everyone to decide what we were going to do next - the perfect opportunity to have a silly 5 minutes.  My other daughter Phoebe, with camera in hand, managed to capture the moment.

For this layout I used a template called Half Pack 43 by Cindy Schneider available here from Sweet Shoppe Designs.  The paper I used is from a kit called Remember to Smile by Kristin Cronin-Barrow, also from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

I'm quite pleased with the way this page turned out - I may tweak it a little and play around with some of the other digital elements in the kit, I will be sure to post the 'final' page before I print it out.

Michelle