Valentine's Day Inspiration

What is there not to love about hearts, surprises, cupcakes, love letters and all that resembles love and Valentine's Day? I love this holiday! I love the feminine beauty of it. I love the red and pink. I love hearts. And...let's throw in a little aqua for good measure! :) What do you love about Valentine's Day?

Enjoy these inspirational finds from flickr!

1. Color Me Pretty, 2. Turquoise Seam Binding, 3. rose cupcakes, 4. A corner of my office, 5. Vintage Bottles, 6. Vintage Pink Push Button Phone, 7. Pink Malabar Balloon "Hevea's Blood", 8. Butterflies and Spools, 9. tiffany blue, 10. Jade 21st Cupcakes #2, 11. pretty in pink, 12. All we need is love ..., 13. Cupcake assortment, 14. Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons., 15. Discarded, 16. Untitled

Quilting, Sewing and More!

Things have been so busy with the move, lots of birthdays, projects due and more! On February 13th, Madisyn will be baptized and I have had her fabrics for her special quilt picked out for months...and a plan of what I wanted to do. I wanted to do a fun quilt with lots of circles cut out of her fun fabrics on a neutral pattern and with me just trying to come up with the pattern on my own...I kept getting stressed out. So, I found a simple pattern that I liked and spent the entire day yesterday...cutting and sewing!

I have loved the look of the Coin Quilts for awhile and I've heard that it is really easy and quick to do...so I thought it was perfect. A few quick links:


Coin Quilt Pattern via Moda Bake Shop
Inspiration on Flickr
Information on Squaring up your Fabrics via the Purl Bee (I needed a good tutorial on this)

I used fabrics from Heather Bailey's Freshcut Line (which I always loved but never used), some Amy Butler favs, some corduroy and some other fun pieces thrown in.

The cutting took me all morning and then I started to lay out the 5 patchwork lines for the quilt. Then, the sewing began. I finished up all the 'lines' this morning at 9:30 a.m. Super fast for me! So, now I am cutting the sashing for the middle and the border and will get it all sewn together.

I hope that she will love this quilt. I was going to do something much more simpler and 'rougher', but in the end, I want it to be something she can really have forever...possibly pass on to her own little girl someday.
 
On a side note, my projects are up at Studio Calico using the February Kit. You can check them out here. There is also a fun challenge on their blog this week using one of my layouts as the sketch - check it out and play along!

I'm off to watch LOST! So excited that it is back...so sad that it's the last season. Bachelor...anyone watching? I always call it from the first night (or at least to the last 2 standing) and I totally think Tenley is awesome! We'll see! :) Have a great night!

Studio Calico February Kit!

Tonight at 12:00 EST, the February Kit at Studio Calico will go up for purchase and trust me...you don't want to miss it! If you don't subscribe to their fabulous kits, be sure to stop by tonight and check out the beautiful new kit and the add-on kits. I have such a fun time playing with them! With our move and the holidays...it had been awhile since I sat down and did a scrapbook page and I was so inspired! I absolutely loved it and it reminded me of how much I love this hobby!

I am thankful for the opportunity to be the Guest Designer this month! I've always loved Studio Calico and so it was super fun to be able to play along this month! Their stamps are some of my all-time favorites! I just threw this one and this one (been waiting to get this one! Love it) into my bucket and checked out! They will be added to my Studio Calico stamp collection on my desk! :) Watch for them on a project - really soon!

Here is a peekie of a layout that I did with the February kit...

Look for the full reveal tonight, Jan. 28th, at 12:00 EST. I'll be up and waiting!

And THANK YOU for all the wonderful Birthday wishes you posted here, Facebook and via email! You are all so wonderful and it meant a lot! We all had a great Birthday and we have plently of cake leftover for anyone that wants to come and get some! :) Thanks again!

A Weekend full of Birthdays! And Giveaway winner...

Hi everyone,

Sorry about the delay in announcing the winner of the fabulous ebook from Ella Publishing! The random winner is:

Cathy said...

Oh this book sounds like a good one to have. My goal for this year is to scrap a page a day... or at least 365 pages this year... so far I'm ahead of schedule!

January 21, 2010 7:31 AM

Congrats Cathy! Please email me so I can get the code to you for the free ebook! :)

And thanks for all the great comments - I loved reading what you want to be better at capturing and what stories you want to tell this year! I need to be a lot better about capturing myself in the photos too - that's a great one that will be important to my kiddos down the road. :)

***

It has been a crazy few days!! Yesterday, my dear, sweet daughter, Madisyn, turned 8 years old! Yep...8!! We had a big party here with lots of her friends and she had a fabulous day! It was a lot of work but I'm so glad that she felt special and that we were able to celebrate her! She will be baptised in 2 weeks - I'm just in shock that she is now 8! My little baby girl...

Today...is my Birthday! And tomorrow, my little baby boy, Jaxon, turns 2! Three birthdays in a row makes for a crazy, crazy weekend! LOL! My sweet parents are having us over for dinner tonight to celebrate and that will be nice. I just want my kiddos to each have a fabulous birthday and to feel celebrated! It's hard having us all together! I think I'm gonna start celebrating my bday in July! LOL!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to eat some more cake! Hugs!

A great 2010 Giveaway!

Sometimes when I get that urge to be creative and I sit down to scrapbook...I don't know what to scrapbook about! LOL! I am always inspired by product and that usually makes me want to sit and create...it's then the hard part to find photos that fit my 'vision' for that project and an important story that I want to tell. Does anyone else do it 'backwards' like me? :)

Last week, I came upon an amazing new ebook from Ella Publishing called A Year in the Life. As I was going through the fun format of the ebook (love that I can flip through the pages on my computer whenever I want!), I was instantly inspired. Inspired by wonderful ideas shared in this ebook about things to scrapbook and capture in 'a year in the life'. Wonderful ideas!!! It is filled with layouts and fun projects..but most of all...I love the ideas and content of this book. I am so inspired and want to tackle some of the great ideas for pages right away!

Thanks to the amazing people over at Ella Publishing (THANK YOU)...they want to give away a copy of this wonderful ebook to one of you...Be Creative Everyday readers!

To be eligible to win, please leave a comment about something you want to be better at capturing this year in your life...the more ideas the better! You will love this ebook - I promise! Please leave your comment by Friday, January 22nd. I will then draw a random winner! Good luck!

Sugar & Spice Layout

Hi everyone! Whenever we move...it seems like there are always a few very important things that we can never find...they mysteriously disappear! I cannot find my card reader for my camera pictures - I have lots to share and cannot find it! And, I can't find some must have scrappin' stuff too and it's driving me nuts! LOL! Since I can't share any of the photos that I was planning on posting, I thought I would share my Cover try for the Nov/Dec issue of Better Homes & Gardens Scrapbooks, etc. magazine.

I thought this photos was just darling! And ironically, the same day I sat down to work on the layout, I received a box from Basic Grey with all their new products...which included the new Nook & Pantry line which wasn't even available at stores yet. So, I was thrilled! I used those beautiful papers, the cute spatula rubon and some brads. (Thank you Basic Grey - it was perfect! Love that line so much!) I used Quickutz die-cuts for the title 'sugar', die-cut the word 'spice' with my Cricut and the '&' is from this yummy set from Studio Calico. I added some ribbon, scalloped circle with journaling, button, coarse clear glitter to a circle (to look like sugar), sewing and it was done. Anyone know who's little girl this is in the picture?

Speaking of Studio Calico...did you see this fun news? Check out the amazing sneaks for the February Kit here - I'll tell ya - I'm in love with it!!

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I have a yummy giveaway coming up - stay tuned! You won't want to miss it! :)

Some more favorites from 2009...

Thanks for your sweet comments about the layouts - you are all so nice! :) 2009 was a busy and FUN year! I feel so blessed to be able to work with the amazing people at Hero Arts...and here are some of my top layouts that I did for their site during 2009...using all their stamps.

 

 

 

 

 

If you post your 'Top 10' or your favorites from 2009, be sure to link here...I'd love to see! Hugs!

My Top 10 from 2009

As I was packing up my craft room this week, I came upon my huge stack of layouts that I completed in 2009. It was so fun to look through all the layouts, to remember the photos, the memories, the techniques and things I did on each layout...and I found some favorites in the pile as well. A new year is a great time to sit down and enjoy a few moments going through your creative projects from the past year! Do it! Share your top 10 layouts/projects on your blog...if you do, link here in the comments...I'd love to see! :)

SO, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from 2009. All of these layouts were done when I was a Garden Girl at Two Peas in a Bucket. I'll have to do another post with other favorites as well.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

I did so many layouts during the first half of 2009 - the rest of the year is kinda bare. I think I got burned out a bit! LOL! I'll be back to share some more! Happy January 2nd!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Here we are just hours from a new year...2010! I can't believe 2009 is almost gone! It has been a crazy year for our family - lots of changes, two big moves, new job, new schools, new friends and so much more. I think all of us have had our highs and lows this year and have grown so much through it all.

Right now, I am sitting in our new home...surrounded in boxes and a super duper long list of to-do's. There is so much to do and so few hours in each day. But, I'm working working working and in time, we will get it all settled and make this beautiful house...a home. I have so many fun plans for decorating and have been sooo inspired - so I am excited to work on lots of fun projects - soon!

We had a wonderful Christmas - the kids had a blast and got lots of fun toys to keep them occupied while Mom and Dad moved all our stuff to the new house. What a crazy time to move! :)

I have so many plans and so many goals...all which I plan to get off the back burner and put front and center this year. When I started this new blog...I had a fun vision of what I wanted it to be...and I just haven't been able to do it with all the changes the past few months. So, this blog is going to be a big part of 2010 for me and I look forward to sharing lots of inspiring ideas and projects with you. And...the 'ABC Inspiration Challenge' will come back in full force - shortly! :)

In the meantime, Hero Arts posted a layout I recently created using their new designs for Silhouette (digital die-cutting machine). I LOVE my Silhouette! Love it! And I have been so inspired...even more...by all their amazing releases lately! Some of my favs are definitely the new venture with Hero Arts - and the exclusive Hero Arts designs that they have and will have throughout 2010. They are having a great deal, through tonight, on their subscription so be sure to grab it for the new year. Trust me...you'll use it lots! :)

On this layout, I used the Hero Arts Heart Winged butterfly die-cut design and cut it big and backed it with a contrasting cardstock. I punched out a few circles of different colors of paper and added them behind the Hero Arts clear buttons (a must-have!). Two of my boys - I love them! :)

I hope you have a fabulous New Year! We have been sleeping on the sofa for 3 nights and finally got our bed over here - so glad! :) Hugs everyone!

Hero Arts 2010 Catalog Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Hero Arts 2010 Catalog Blog Hop! I am excited to be participating...the new stamps that I have had a chance to play with (and those that I've got to peek at) are amazing! Although it always seems impossible to out due the last release...they always do! So, sit back, grab a Diet Coke :) and enjoy the hop as wonderful artist share their creations, with YOU, using many of the new Hero Arts 2010 stamps.

Let's get started!

As I mentioned in my last post, we are moving (craziness!) and I wanted to do something fun to introduce us to our new neighbors. I always hear people say how their new neighbors brought them treats...or their new neighbors haven't stopped by to say hello...and I just don't want to deal with all that pressure. So, I'm gonna be the first to break the ice and take over these 'Just Saying Hello' notecards to our new neighbors (with a little treat) and introduce ourselves. Yes, this is brave for me to step out and do...but I thought it would be fun.

  Supplies: 

H5328 Row of Houses

CL380 Truly Appreciated

PS517 White Notecards with Envelopes

CH117 Assorted Crystal Gemstones

Other: ink, thread, pop-dot

I instantly fell in love with this row of houses stamp when I received it - bold, graphic and simply darling! I cut a white notecard down to 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square and sewed around the edges with a silver metallic thread on the top and a bobbin below with pink thread (it looks so cute with the pink thread pulling through the card). I then stamped the 'Row of Houses' stamp numerous times with different colors of ink, cut them all out and applied 4 to the card front (the pink one is up on a pop-dot).

Using two colors of ink, I stamped the title from the fabulous new clear stamp set, 'Truly Appreciated', added some clear gemstones and moved on to making more. I love the color scheme and the simplicity of the card...it portrays my message just perfectly!

* * *

For the second project, I made some small gift tags to take to my neighbors right now, with a gift to say thanks for all that they've done for us. I simply cut a bunch of circle designs out with my Silhouette Digital Cutting machine, added a cut out house from the 'Row of Houses' stamp, a gemstone on the door, some ribbon and a stamped 'hello' from the same stamp used above. I tied a little string around it to tie it to some goodies.

Supplies:

H5328 Row of Houses

CL380 Truly Appreciated

PS517 White Notecards with Envelopes

CH117 Assorted Crystal Gemstones

Other: ink, thread, green ribbon, staples, string, Silhouette Die-cutting machine

 * * *

For this third project, I used a new Hero Arts clear stamp set called 'Speckled Ornaments'. It is a beautiful set that has all sorts of classic images that can be used over and over again...for any type of project. Love sets like that! 

Supplies:

CL401 Speckled Ornaments

CL380 Truly Appreciated

PS517 White Notecards with Envelopes

CH117 Assorted Crystal Gemstones

Versamark Ink Pad

Other: ink, thread, green ribbon, 

Mustard Embossing Powder (American Crafts), Label punch, scalloped edge punch

I took a regular white card and stamped the beautiful damask stamp with green ink on the right hand side. I then ran the card through my die-cutting machine with a dot embossing folder. I took another saying for the set, 'Truly Appreciated' (I love those scripty words in this set) and stamped it with Versamark Ink on the pink paper and then embossed it with mustard embossing powder. I used a paper punch on the edge of the paper, punched out a label from blue cardstock, tied a bow with green ribbon and sewed it to the title. Rounding the corners on the card finished it up!

I had so much fun playing with these amazing new stamps from Hero Arts! Be sure to check out their new catalog today - I can't wait to see everything!! It is a true honor to design for such a wonderful company...they are the amazing!

Thanks for coming by my blog! Leave a comment and say hello! I'd love to hear from you! 

 * * *

The next stop on the Hero Arts 2010 Catalog Blog Hop is...

Karen Piskor

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If one of the Blog Hop links don't work, you can always hop back to the Hero Arts Blog for a list of direct links to all the blogs in the hop!

Have fun!!