Fall Scrapbook Pages

I LOVE fall! I love taking photos and scrapbooking fall events. Here are a couple of recent pages that I completed at a scrapbook retreat last month.

 Using a "reverse matting" technique as taught by Becky Teichmiller of Scrap-Tastic. Products: Scrap-Tastic kit, Glimmer Mist, CM circle punch, Prima butterflies.

 

Also using a Scrap-Tastic kit. I won the orange bling during one of Becky's weekly classes. Love those Prima flowers with the feathers. Other products include stamps by Unity, Martha Stewart border punch, Chocolate Chip ink from SU, Glimmer Mist and Glimmer Chips.

 Thanks for stopping by today and seeing some of the fun I've had this fall!

The Happy Book: Happy Feet

Here is a picture of my favorite pair of shoes:

NOT!!!!

For someone who is ordinarily fashion un-conscious, I spend a lot of time picking out and trying on shoes. For one thing, I am in and out of people's homes to work with their children on a daily basis. I usually take off my shoes to be polite. So, my shoes have to be easy-on, easy-off. Secondly, Comfort is King.  If my feet hurt, the rest of my body hurts. If my body hurts, I am grouchy and unhappy. If I'm not happy, ain't nobody happy!

Here's a real picture of shoes I actually own and wear: 

Today's Happy Book assignment is a part of The Next Chapter book blogging group, led by Jamie Ridler. Here are some happy questions to ponder about shoes:

• where did you get your favorite pair of shoes?
• what do your shoes say about you?
• love or hate shoe shopping?
• how long have you had your favorite pair of shoes?

Wishcasting: How Do You Wish To Grow Older?

The ever-creative and insightful Jamie Ridler has posed this question for her weekly Wishcasting session. The idea? Answer the prompt, link up, then visit fellow wishers to encourage them in their dreams. The power of wishing en masse!

This is a great question for me, as at 34 I already feel old. I have more than one chronic illness, and many days my body hurts or just plain doesn't work right. It hurts even more on those days when I feel too ill to play with my kids, go to work, or make dinner. I'm a type-A personality, and being unable to do what I want, when I want, is tough on my ego and spirit. One of my diseases, Relapsing Polychondritis, is a progressive disease, so I know as the years pass it will get worse. This is a fact. So in light of this sobering news, how do I wish to grow older?

I wish to grow older healthy and with a continued love for life, despite my body's limitations.

Even though the cards are somewhat stacked against me, I know there are things I can be doing to promote my physical well-being. Things I'm not always so good at, like eating healthier foods, exercising, and getting enough rest. The added benefit of these actions is that they not only help physically, but mentally, too.

It's a great question to ponder, so spend some time with it. How do you wish to grow older?

Related articles

• Live well with a chronic disease (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• The 'Facing Your Fears' Edition of the Patients for a Moment Blog Carnival (ohmyachesandpains.info)

Project 365: Week 45 (ish)

My daily photo taking has been reduced to a once-in-a-while event. I have been inspired by those of you who have persevered, and promise to do better for the remainder of the year! Here are some photos I did manage to take over the past couple of weeks....

Math night at school- here Vivian is measuring the weight of a small pumpkin.

Bi-annual Girls Weekend. It was really nice outside so we took the festivities onto the hotel patio.

Spent a few hours at Trader's World flea market. Lots of good stuff!

Three witches and a...butterfly. My girls, my niece, and a neighbor had tons of fun trick-or-treating together!

This train set has not been played with in probably close to a year. This week it has been out every day!

We see where Vivian's loyalties lie. Herself and grandma. Go figure.

So I hope this is enough to get me back in the 365 "club". I'll be seeing you next week, promise!

The Happy Book: Star Gazing

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." 

 Vincent van Gogh

I am running about a week behind on my Happy Book projects, but it's getting to be that busy time of the year again... school meetings, hayrides, and costume preparation have been taking up a lot of my evenings, so my blog (among other things) has been suffering a little. I'm ok with that. Go with the flow, or get stressed out? I've decided to lower my expectations of myself in the name of sanity!

This week's Happy Book assignment, as led by Jamie Ridler, was to fill our book pages with stars, and "collect them for wishing". I chose to cut and paste the astrological signs of my kids, my husband, and myself. It was fun getting out the glue stick and colored pens!

What's your sign? Do you think the characteristics associated with that sign fit your personality?

Alphabet Block Halloween Craft from Rook No. 17!

I am so excited and honored to be featured here at Reflections...on Living Creatively!  I'm grateful to Bekah for giving me the opportunity to do my very first guest post!  

Oh, now wherever shall I begin?

Perhaps introductions are in order?



I'm Jenn, and I'm the "bird" behind  the creative living blog Rook No. 17.  I draw on my experiences as a mother, chocolatier and pastry artist, teacher and lifelong crafter to share original crafts, recipes and ideas for making every day special.  I hope you'll drop by some time and say 'hi'!  You're sure to find something yummy, quirky, curious, crafty, or inspiring!  

Today I'm pleased to share with you one of the Halloween crafts I put together for my "Virtual Halloween Open House" this year.  It was inspired by my love for vintage toys and indulges my weakness for glitter!  

This A-B-C block set is an inexpensive & versatile craft that you can adapt for other holidays and purposes.  A pastel palette and some whimsical children's book illustrations would yield some charming decorations for a nursery!  If black birds aren't your bag, you can top the blocks with any sort of vintage style Halloween knickknack to suit your taste.  

HALLOWEEN ALPHABET BLOCKS

Materials:

3 2x2 Wood Blocks (purchased from craft store for approx. $1/ea)

3 Faux Crows (Dollar Tree Stores)

Printed Images (1.7x1.7)  ~ I've included a free download below

Black Paint ~ I like DecoArt Americana "Black/Ebony"

Fine Sand Paper or sanding block

Matte Mod Podge

Glitter ~ I used PK Glitz "Glitter Glitz" in Black

Wooden Spools (salvage or craft store)

Mask download (see below)

Hat Band download (see below)

Scrap Paper or old book pages (for hat embellishment)

Hot glue gun

Step 1:  With a piece of sand paper or a sanding pad, sand block to remove any rough surfaces/edges.

Step 2:  Paint entire block.  Dry.

Step 3:  When block is dry, sand corners and edges to give an aged look.

Step 4:  Apply Mod Podge to the back of printed image (free download below).  Affix image to block.  Dry.  Repeat for all 6 sides.  You may seal the blocks if you wish.  I chose to leave mine unsealed because I felt that it was more consistent with the look of the vintage alphabet blocks I've seen in antique stores.  

Step 5:  Remove plastic legs and eyes from the bird.  Didn't know you were going to be learning a little taxidermy today, did ya?

 Step 6:  Paint the spools black.

Step 7:  Mod Podge the back side of the printed hat bands, then wrap around spools.  Cut a small circle (a little less than the diameter of the top of the hat) out of scrap paper and affix with Mod Podge.

(Click the image above to download a printable .jpg)

Step 8:  Using a hot glue gun, affix bird to the block and hat to the bird.

Step 9:  Brush Mod Podge on to the head, back and wings of the bird (everywhere that there are feathers).  Dust with black glitter.

Step 10:  Cut out mask and attach with glue.  I did not put the plastic eyes back in.  The plastic seemed to take away from the vintage look of the piece.  

(Click the image above to get a printable jpg of the masks)

Here is a free download of images you can use for the blocks:

ABC Block Images

Related articles

• Ways to save this Halloween (theglobeandmail.com)
• Halloween Witch Crafts: Kids Milk Jug Pinata (cathiefilian.blogspot.com)

Heat Wave- A Layout

Thanks for stopping by on this Scrappin' Silhouettes Thursday! Today we have SS18, a great sketch featuring circles!

I added another large circle as the background to add to the theme.

To play along, just create a layout based on the above sketch and link up to Scrappin' Silhouettes. While you're there, check out the other DT members' creations!