Tangled up in red tape

This month's prompt at A Year in the Life of an Art Journal is "tangled". This immediately reminded me of the feeling of being tied up in red tape at my job. So many rules and regulations get in the way that sometimes I feel like I'm not able to fully support the families with which I work. Sometimes it's not even actual rules, it's just my supervisor's mood for the day. Frustrating!

So I created an art journal page using---red tape! I painted over masking tape and wrote an open memo to bad bosses who get in the way of innovation, progress, and success.

alpha stamps- Unity

staz on jet black ink

journaling card- Lucky Me kit from Scraptastic

Literacy Night Layout

In the spring Morgan's school hosts a Literacy Night. This year they had crafts based on popular children's books, and each class had published a book that we could all look at and buy. We all had a great time!

I used School Papers and School Rules

digi stamps from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.

Other supplies:

DP- Creative Memories

Unity alpha stamps

Tim Holtz distress inks

colored pencils

Glimmer Mist- Sweet Clover and Sunshine

Challenges:

SplitcoastStampers sketch challenge 239

Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges- Anything Goes (with a digi)

Ooh La La Creations- Bright and Cheerful

I love how versatile digi stamps are! This week I made a scrapbook layout,

 and I used the same stamp sets last week to make a teacher's gift.

Be sure to stop by Lindsay's blog to check out the other DT member's projects,

and I bet she has a freebie, too!

Gutter Girlz art journaling

My crafty online friend Glenda introduced me to the Gutter Girlz- an art journal challenge/prompt blog. This month's prompt was "Not I" and the lyrics to "Not the Doctor" by Alanis Morrisette. Here is what I came up with:

Materials:

various shades of blue acrylic paint

gesso

jar lid

jet black Staz-on ink

alpha stamps- Inkadinkadoo

sticker- October Afternoon

heart doily

SU! Stamps for Sale!

SU! stamp sets DIRT CHEAP! I am spring cleaning my craft room and YOU can benefit!




$5
Simple Wishes
Eclectic Backgrounds
Lexicon of Love
Loads of Love accessories

$7
Very Punny
 Noteworthy
A Little Love
Riveting
Much Love
Trick or Treat (new, unmounted)

$10
Loads of Love
Be Happy
unk Christmas Tree set (you add tinsel, etc with the stamps)

$15
Simple Sketches
Treat Yourself



See SU website or message me for a picture. All are slightly used unless otherwise stated. All come in the clear plastic SU box.  Shipping will be extra, and depends on how much you buy. I use the USPS "if it fits, it ships" deal.

Decadant Dreams

Here are a couple of layouts I made using Scrap-Tastic's Decadant Dreams monthly kit. I am in love with this kit! Gorgeous papers, Prima flowers, stamps.... I highly recommend checking it out!

(Gotta love Glimmer Mist, too!)

Teacher Appreciation gift with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

I can't believe my daughter's last day of school is Monday! She has had a great teacher this year, so I made her a little something to say "thanks".

Supplies:

Stamps- Lindsay's Stamp Stuff School Papers and School Rules!

Ink- Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Sharpies

misc. ribbon

misc. buttons

gift bag filler colored with Glimmer Mist

foam adhesive

dowel rod

flower arrangement foam (in the bottom of the bucket)

I love challenges! This project qualifies for the following:

"Anything Goes" - Dare U 2 Digi Stamp

"Anything but a card" - One Stitch at a Time

"Use 5 buttons" -  Craft Your Passion

"Ribbons" - Digi Doodle Shop's Best

Be sure to stop by Lindsay's blog for a freebie and links to the other DT members' projects.

Check out her mygrafico store to see and purchase all her digi goodies!

Wishes...

less haste
less waste
serenity
less clutter
simplify
peaceful mornings
restful slumber
color and beauty
joy
creativity
fresh
clean
ways and means
travel
health
respect
cool breezes
warm sun
laughter
song


love

You're invited to a tea party!

Ok, maybe you're not invited, but six little girls are! My youngest daughter is turning 5 and we are celebrating with a backyard tea party. I turned to Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Teariffic set and coordinating freebie tea pot to make the invites and Viv's card.

This is the card I made for my daughter. I did some paper piecing using some cute patterned paper from Creative Memories and Worn Lipstick distress ink.

Supplies:

Teariffic digi stamp set

nesties

crocheted lace trim

distress ink

stickles

foam adhesive

sketch challenge: Taylored Expressions #112

color challenge: Craft Your Passion (pink and green)

Here are the invitations. I used the teapot freebie and put the sentiment inside:

"You are cordially invited to afternoon tea, to celebrate my 5th birthday with me!"

Supplies:

LSS teapot digi stamp

glimmer mist

Fiskars decorative corner punch

CM micro punch

stickles

Now head over to Lindsay's blog for a freebie and links to the other Design Team member's creations. Check out Lindsay's store to see all her great images!

Project 365: Days 122-128

Day 122- playing Twister Hopscotch

Day 123- desperately needed haircut

Day 124- High school art show

Day 125- Luna checking out the birds in the front yard

Day 126- Lunch at Mimi's with my friend Jeni

Day 127- Bendaroos ALL over my livingroom walls- I hate these things

Day 128- bowling- taking advantage of http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

Sundays in My City: Mimi's Cafe

It's been SUCH a long time since I've joined this meme, but it's one I truly enjoy. Check out the Unknown Mami for deets and a list of all players this week.

Ok, so Mimi's isn't really in my city, but it's close. Thursday I was stuck at the car dealership getting my car worked on and needed a ride home. I called one my best friends, Jeni, and she came right over to pick me up. Not only that, she took me out to lunch! Mimi's is a cute little French-inspired bistro kinda place. Great food and atmosphere. Great company. Beautiful day.

Thanks, Jeni  and Jamie!

Skate Stars

This January my daughters went skating for the first time. Man, that brought back memories! Thursdays were my school's day at Skateway...I remember waiting in the gym for the bus to take us over there...Thriller playing on an old pull-down movie screen...the song "Elvira"...doing the Hokey Pokey in the middle of the rink...

Anyway, the girls had a great time. They surprised me, though. Morgan is usually more timid and less coordinated than Viv, but the opposite held true at the rink. Morgan kinda got the hang of it, but Viv could not stay on her feet to save her life! Of course, pics went on to a scrapbook page. All papers are from the March Scrap-Tastic kit. (Love these kits).

Just a little punching, inking and layering. The large star was hand cut from chipboard and wrapped with paper. This page was completed for a challenge at SplitcoastStampers, which was to base a page on a cake from Charm City Cakes (the TV show Ace of Cakes). This was my inspiration piece. See any resemblance?! I really liked the off-set scallops and how one layer of scallops had cut out shapes. 

Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for looking!

Thursdays with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

Here's another Mother's Day Card I made using Doodle Flowers. After coloring portions of the image with Sharpies, I covered it with Ranger's Distress Crackle Paint. After that dried I rubbed Tea Dye ink over it to enhance the cracks.

Supplies:

Doodle Flowers- LSS

sentiment- Unity

blue & cream CS

Tea Dye Distress Ink

Ranger Rock Candy Crackle Paint

ribbon

Be sure to stop by Lindsay's blog for links to the other design team member's projects!

Take Flight

I remembered to take my camera last week when I registered Vivian for kindergarten. I wanted to document this big event- my baby is growing up, and boy is she ready! This is a very bittersweet time for me, I am having a harder time dealing with this than with my first daughter.

I used various papers from the Kenner Road and Scrap-Tastic March kits, and I fussy cut the butterflies from paper from OTC. I added a little glimmer mist to them for shine. Alphas are AC Thickers.

Project 365: Days 115-121

Sorry I was MIA over the weekend- I was busy scrapping for National Scrapbooking Day! I completed 11 layouts and 3 cards-- pics to come later this week!

And now, here is a peek into my life as it happened last week.

Day 115- last day of Girls Weekend- me and my best friends from college.

Day 116- one my new favorite candle scents- Fresh Bamboo- great in the kitchen!

Day 117- me at the computer- actually working here- I'm taking an online class to maintain my Early Intervention Specialist certification.

Day 118- Panera for lunch. my computer is seriously freaking out here- no matter what I do I cannot get this picture to show up on my blog in the right orienation!

Day 119- Vivian has discovered PBS Kids online. I may never get my computer back!

Day 120- won a cake at the school carnival.

Day 121- as I said, busy scrapping this weekend. Here's just one.