Altered Wood Box

Tuesday is here and today I'm sharing an altered wooden box I made for Braelyn's room. I'll put my complaints about the IVP at the bottom so you can easily ignore them! ;)


The wooden box is actually from Melissa & Doug - a playdough set. I love their toys, and so do the kids! :) The box was cumbersome to store the supplies in though, and I knew it would be perfect for altering. I just didn't know what. LOL!

So I painted the box white and it suddenly dawned on me that Braelyn needs some extra stuff in her room. Since Grayson already has his name in his room (and various other stuff) I decided to do something fun for Braelyn.

I have these huge letters for years, so I figured that would be a great way to use one up. The papers are from Momenta and go perfectly with the color scheme in her room.

So after the wooden box dried, I cut the background paper and attached it using the xyron 900. I also ran the B through the 900 and attached it to the paper. After I trimmed and sanded the B, I wrapped some beading cord around it for dimension.

Next thing was putting the name on there. I decided not to center it since the big letter wasn't going to be centered.

Since I didn't want the B flat against the back, I used helmar liquid glue dots. Not the best picture, but hopefully you can see what I mean in this picture. I let that sit overnight (I am notorious for putting my fingers where I shouldn't and squishing that to nothing).


The next day I added some layered flowers, a flourish and some random gems around. Nothing too much though because I didn't want to overpower the emphasis on the huge B. And if I'm being completely honest, it means more to dust.



So that is it - cute project that came together quickly. The only thing left right now is to get it hung up. Wonder how long that will take me?!



Now, in case you are at all interested in my kidneys and IVP I had yesterday... feel free to read on. The IVP wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. It took a little over an hour and I didn't have to be completely still, only while they were actually taking the x-rays (huge plus). The original girl who tried my IV (notice I said tried, LOL) completely missed the vein. Now I'm not afraid of needles, and I'm completely willing to let people learn... until it hurts! Thankfully another girl stepped in and got it sorted out. And she wasn't lying when she said I would get a warm feeling in my throat and then in my bladder. How does that happen, you would think it would flush through my veins but it doesn't.

So I finished my exam and had an appointment with the urologist yesterday afternoon. Turns out I've managed to form another kidney stone. That makes three right now. The only good news, they are small and if I can get them to move they should pass without problems. Getting them to move seems to be the problem though. So I think total I'm up to 14 now, all in the past few years. I have to have some more lab work done in a few weeks to see if the new meds are working... it is possible this stone formed prior to me starting it.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Tuesday! See you tomorrow - and I plan to share some of the things I've done from my pinterest boards. :)

Easter Monday, just a week late

Here we are, the start of a new week. I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Ours was uneventful, and honestly that is just fine with me!

Today's layout is of Braelyn on Easter. She had ripped out her pigtails and honestly needed a nap, but she was quite happy once she got the basket and could trompse around my parent's yard.





Lots of fun things on this layout - The butterflies were cut out of on the wishblade and the top one was held up with Helmar's Liquid Scrap Dots. The flowers and buttons came as a RAK from a friend. Machine stitching around the edge, liquid pearls around the butterfly and to make the butterfly trail. I choose the pink flowers and blue butterfly to sort of mimic the design on her dress. :)

Hope everyone has a great Monday, I'll see you tomorrow (be forewarned, I'll probably be complaining about my procedure today)!

CTS December Kit {Altered Reveal}

Earlier in the week I shared the layouts I created using the Christmas Potpourri kit from Citrus Tree Studio. Today I'm sharing the altered goodies (and a card) that I also created using the kit.


Seriously, this kit was lots of fun to work with and made for great holiday stuff. I highly suggest you jump over and pick it up. You know you are going to have holiday pictures... so why not be ready to scrap them when the mood strikes?

Thanks for stopping by - hope you enjoyed the creations!

Helmar Halloween Howler Hop

Today is the day - it is the Helmar Halloween Howler Hop!



There are tons of great projects (and tips) from the Helmar Design Team, not to mention a bunch of prizes! So head on over to the Helmar Design Team Blog and 'hop' through to the various designer's blogs.

And then, be sure to check out Helmar's Facebook page for other fun prizes and contests today!!

Dirty Scraps Blog Hop & CTS Crop

I posted a few days ago about the Dirty Scraps blog hop that is coming up October 23 & 24. I just finished up my project, so I wanted to give you a preview... Lots of product used, including some fun mists, bling and LOTS of helmar glue!

And a glimpse of the prize I am offering up to one lucky participant...

It is also the weekend of the Citrus Tree Studio Scraptoberfest Crop. CTS Crops are awesome - with tons of great challenges, prizes and lots of fun conversation. We would love to have you join in the challenges (and the great message board too)!

These are definitely *DO NOT MISS* events, so mark your calendars, send the hubby's away, pack the kid's for grandparents and consider yourself booked up!

Dirty Scraps Challenge 19 & Blog Hop

Have you heard the news? Dirty Scraps is hosting it's first blog hop on October 23rd and 24th. So not only will there be awesome eye candy from the designer's at Dirty Scraps, but there will be some great prizes and fun giveaways too!

Here's a sneak of the prize I am providing... A pack of Momenta goodies - all ready and waiting to be played with!

And on to the current challenge (#19) at Dirty Scraps...

"You thought I didn't know....but I do"

This challenge is all about lies. I decided to scrap about the feeling of betrayal that you get after you discovered you have been lied to. I'm sure we've all experienced it.

Supplies:
Fancy Pants Papers, Bazzill Cardstock, Prima Flowers & Leaves, American Crafts Felt Accent Pieces & Thickers, Kaiser Craft Pearls, Maya Road Sheer, DMC Embroidery Floss, Helmar 450 Glue, Misc Buttons and Doodlebug Designs Alphabet Stickers.



Journaling: I opened my heart and soul to you. I trusted you completely. When I find out you lied, I feel betrayed. It became a quick realization that I don't matter to you. That my feelings aren't important. The trust has been broken and I don't know it can be re-gained.

And here are a couple of close-up shots of the embellishment gatherings...

Be sure to stop by the Dirty Scraps blog and participate in the challenge. You can't win a prize if you don't play along!! And the prize is from Paper Wishes, so hurry up!

Hand Tree from Momenta Papers

I would first like to say that this project was not my idea. I found it done somewhere (I'll look for the link to add) with fabric and of course, I had to turn it into a paper project. :)



I really thought this project would be MUCH harder than it was. As it turns out, it was really easy - except tracing G's hand/arm.

• He is 2
• He doesn't get that he should stand still EVER
• He wanted to do the tracing
• He wanted the 'hand'
• He wanted the ink pen once we finished (smart choice mom)
• He then drew all over his belly
• He had to be cleaned up

But, it's all in good fun ... so it's no biggie and if that is the worst that happens today, after yesterday I will count my blessings.

Now, onto the project.

For this one, I used the following papers from Momenta:
Earthtones Textured Cardstock PA-0659
Relax Textured Cardstock PA-1035
Occasions & Celebrations Paper PA-1992
Metallics Paper Pad PA-1161

Other supplies include an old frame, Helmar 450, a burlap scrap and my Xyron Cheetah.
All these things I had on hand in my overstock room (have I mentioned I'm trying to clean that out?).

So, here's the tutorial, which probably isn't needed at all since the project is so simple.

1. Pull apart frame and discard any unwanted materials (the paper picture, the mat, etc).

2. Apply adhesive to the front side of your frame back board (this is where I used the Xyron Cheetah for a wider coverage area).



3. Lay burlap over the 'sticky' and be sure to smooth it out.


4. Turn piece over and trim next to the edge.

The finished back board piece should look like the picture below. Go ahead and set it to the side for a few mintues.



Now... onto the actual tree...

5. Trace your victim's hand & arm up to the elbow (sorry, no picture as it was hard enough to get the tracing down).

6. Place the traced hand onto your brown cardstock and cut it out.
* If you are good enough to do the tracing directly onto you cardstock I go ahead and bow down gracefully.
* And my son's forefinger is really not deformed and that much skinnier than the rest - he just likes to squirm.

7. Cut all of your leaves from the various patterned papers/cardstock. I went with freehand, but you can easily do this with your cutting system.

*If freehand cutting, stack your papers and staple in one or two corners to keep them from sliding as you cut.

8. Using your glue (I used the Helmar 450 for the following steps) begin attaching your leaves in an upward & outward motion. You may want to leave the hand sitting gently on the burlap so you have an idea of where to start.

9. Finish attaching your leaves and then attach your hand.

10. Reassemble your frame and hang it up! And, if your child is like mine... smile at the fact that he recognizes it is a tree (and a hand) as he tries to climb the wall to exclaim and share his knowledge!

Treasured Scrapbooking Treasured Hunt {Round 2}

I was lucky enough to make it to Round 2 of the Treasured Hunt! The challenge this round was lots of fun. You needed to use a book title, use a particular phrase in your journaling, have at least 3 layers of paper somewhere and use something school related.

Here is my lengthy journaling...

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease somewhere around the age of 20. When the diagnosis finally came in I was convinced I would spend the rest of my life alone. I mean, after all, who would want to love someone with a bag on their side? Luckily, with the help of medication, I have been able to hold off that procedure. I am now a wife and a mother, which is something I was convinced I would never get to do. These two things have been the far most rewarding events in my life thus far, and I am thankful for every minute I get to spend in those roles.

For me, significance has come mostly from being a mom. It has been one of those things that I didn’t know what was missing from life until it was given to me. As a mom, the things I’ve learned about myself never cease to amaze me. The moments when my son says ‘bless you’ after a sneeze, ‘thanks’ when you hand him something or ‘sorry’ when something doesn’t go the right way make it easier to handle the harder moments (like when he is pounding his head on the floor because I told him no).

I can’t say that I am the best of the best at being either a wife or a mother, but I can say that I try to give it my all. Yes because of my disease there are days that we can’t go do something – but hopefully, through time, my son will learn that having a disease does not mean a person cannot continue to live life to the fullest.

Supplies: SEI Bridgeport Bordeaux, Love Elsie Toby Culture, KI Memories Pop Culture Feather Boa, AC Thickers & MiniMarks, Kaiser Pearls, Martha Stewart Glitter, Flowers, Leaves & Butterflies - Prima (I believe), Brad, Hat Pin & Ribbon - Unknown

For my school related item - I made the compass point out of paper and I also have a paper clip near the title.

Treasured Scrapbooking Treasured Hunt!

I couldn't decide if I wanted to participate in the Treasured Hunt over at Treasured Scrapbooking. Well, I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it...

The requirements for Round 1 are patterned paper from 3 manufacturers (fancy pants, scenic route & fiskars), 1 sheet cardstock (bazzill), 5 and only 5 buttons, something handmade (quilted stars), at least 5 words in your title and 2 pictures taken by you.

The title thing stumped me for a bit, as sometimes I don't even use a title. But I finished it today and am pretty happy with how it turned out. :)

The quilted stars were really easy and I'll be doing a tutorial post on them in the next day or so.

And if you like a good challenge - you can still play along with the Treasured Hunt just for fun, even though the deadline for the actual contest has passed.

Citrus Tree Studio June Sketch

I fell in love with the sketch on Citrus Tree Studio when I saw it! It's a great sketch from Julie Bonner, one that is ensured to inspire and wow you. There are a few days left to get your page in, so definitely come by and check it out.

Here is the page I created for the sketch, some pictures of Grayson in the chair lift at Sci Works over Memorial Day weekend. Poor little guy, his arms weren't quite long enough to reach the buttons so he had to have help, but I think once he figured out what was going to happen that he enjoyed it!

Daisy D's Paper, DCWV & Creative Memories Cardstock, Rusty Pickle Chipboard Shapes, Chip Chatter Chipboard Alphabet, Kaiser Pearls, Reminisce Alphabet Rubons, Martha Stewart Label Sticker & Helmar Adhesives

First Professional Haircut!

So this makes me realize that the boy is growing up. He did so well though, he didn't fight (unfortunately he does fight me and that's why I quit cutting it). But I'm glad that he isn't shaggy anymore!

I decided to double up on my challenges. I did Tricia's primary color challenge at Citrus Tree Studio and Ginger's 5th Month challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking. I pulled out the eyelets for my 5 of something - cause you know, I've got LOTS of those sitting around! And Of course this page has been 450'd! I used the Helmar 450 & Zapdots on the embelly cluster. I also used my Sakura pens to do the doodling on the pictures and my doodle flourishes (along with help from a Crafter's Workshop template). The background paper is some really old Bo Bunny & the cardstock is all Bazzill!


Now, I'm off to dive into a HUGE box of momenta supplies that arrived yesterday! Hopefully I'll have something to share tomorrow!

Mother's Day

Since my recliner broke, I was forced to move back to my craft table (probably a good thing since all I've been doing the past 2 days is watching sappy tv and crying). Of course, I can't sit there and NOT do something, so I pulled out my challenge cards and decided to go with Eva's challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking.

It was to use scallops, flowers & birds together on a project. So here's my page, a picture of grayson & I from Mother's Day this past weekend. Not the best picture, but the best one we could get with a 2 year old that didn't want to be still!

I used a soft vintage action to tone down the orange of grayson's shirt. Went with a peach-ish background (I believe DCWV), Bazzill Cardstock, AC Thickers and used the date spot to cut the shape for another flower and twisted ribbon in the center. The other flower was created by simply punching a circle and layering a doodlebug sticker in the center. I used the helmar 450 on the flowers & the gemstone glue to adhere the crystals to the scallops. Added some ribbon for the flower stems, a KaiserCraft pearl for the birds eye and this is what I got...

Dirty Truth (Dirty Scraps Challenge)

The challenge at Dirty Scraps this time around is "The Facts of Life". Well, I've got lots of facts about me, so I thought I would share just a few (yes, there are more, LOL).

Supplies:
Scenic Route Papers
RP Alpha Stickers
Pink Paislee Journaling Spot
DCWV Cardstock
Making Memories Metal & Brad
Two Chicks Designs Chick'n Noodles & Chick'n Feed
Embroidery Floss
Flourish - unknown


Journaling:
I am not perfect. I am overweight, I can be grumpy. I cuss, I get angry. I will tell you when I think there are better ways to do things. Despite my faults, I am true to myself & those whom I love.

Here is a close-up of the Donna Salazar style flower. I wound ribbon up and then put a ribbon flower & brad in the very center.

Sketchy Thursdays May GDT Challenge

Sketchy Thursdays has a May GDT Challenge due this Friday (4/23). The sketch is so cute, I knew I had to do something with it. The sketch was easy, it was the celebration aspect that threw me. We don't do a *ton* of celebrating around here (aside from the boy's birthday, which we just did this past weekend), so I decided to take a little different angle on that part of the challenge. Of course, the green was easy since I love it so much.

I did get a little more time to myself today, so I did get a little embellishing and 'extras' put on this page. I chose a yellow background b/c we don't often get to actually use yellow and have it look right - but this matches the slide perfectly! And the background doesn't look like green, but it really is.

Supplies:
Bazzill Cardstock
Helmar Adhesive Runner & 450 Quick Dry
Green Smooch Spritz (on yellow cardstock & chipboard plate)
American Crafts Felt
Rose Moka & Making Memories Alpha Stickers
Buttons, Chipboard & Paper Scrap from my stash
Gold Glimmer Mist (on corrugated star)




For the smooch spritz effect I simply did a couple full sprays on my paper, followed by a couple half sprays. The half sprays leave the big, heavy globs of color and the full sprays produce the nice even 'masked' look. The faux stitching is simple - draw your line and poke holes with your paper piercer (excellent release for frustration from cranky, sickly toddlers)!

Helmar & Paper Popsicles

So we celebrated Grayson's 2nd birthday with our families this past weekend and I took a ton of pictures (of course). Jeff was on vacation last week and we had a great trip to the NC Zoo. Monday morning came, jeff went back to work and grayson woke up with some sort of snot & cough infestation. And today I'm feeling kinda icky. Man, do I ever hate allergies!

That being said, I haven't had much time to scrap any extra stuff the past few days. I did manage to accomplish this very simple layout for the Helmar & Paper Popsicles Spring challenge. Yes its simple, but its all I've gotten done in the past few days. So I thought I would share...





I used my Helmar Adhesive Runner, Liquid Scrap Dots & 450 Quick Dry. This is a cardstock only page, using 1 sheet of 12x12 bazzill for the background and a larger piece of gray cardstock from my scraps to mat the pictures and do my journaling. The letters are Marcella from K&Co that I've had for years. I love it when I can use up some older supplies!!

Sketchy Thursdays (on Tuesday) and Lawn Fawn

Lawn Fawn sponsored a second chance challenge over at Sketchy Thursdays and the sketch was so cute, I couldn't resist! There is still time to get your entry in for the awesome Lawn Fawn stamps, but you gotta hurry. Check out the details here.

So sorry for the bad picture, I just couldn't get it right... but irregardless, here you go!

Supplies:
Helmar 450 liquid adhesive
Buttons: London Tierney (Etsy) and misc.
Cardstock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: scraps from stash (prima I believe)
AC Thickers
Offray Ribbon
MM Alpha Stickers