Valentine's Mail + Art

HELLO LAST MINUTE VALENTINE CARDS!

I set reminders for myself in my calendars and day timers and all those places, and I still leave it until the last possible second. But that's cool. Cause that's my jam and I know it.

Also, I might have a few crafts supplies at home or whatever.

Check it out!

SUPPLIES USED
- Hand carved stamps
- Archival stamping ink, black
- Assorted washi tape (hearts! crowns! llamas!)
- Neon Sharpies
- Old paper bags...

So! I didn't have enough envelopes to go with the cards, but that has never stopped me. What I do have is a collection of every single paper bag I have ever received from Treasured Memories and a sewing machine/

Enter handmade envelopes!

Cut paper bag. Stitch 3 out of 4 edges. Insert card. Tape the last edge. Easy peasy.

Lucas came to watch me finish up and got really excited when he saw my stamps! He asked if I was carving again, and I said no. And he told me: "Y'know, stamp carving isn't just for 100 day project. You should carve more stamps."

Damn straight Buddy. Why are you so smart?

xo

FURTHER READING
All of the stamps I used are from my 100 Days of Stamp Carving Project, and those posts can be found here.
I don't do a lot of Valentine's "Crafts", but here's a fun mini! Valentine Mini Book
My post from Valentine's Day 2011 was a real blast from the past...life is so hard and wonderful.

Stamp Carving

Now THIS is a hobby I can throw my whole body into! Specifically my back. And by "throw my back into" I mean this hobby really hurts my back.

Like, seriously. All that hunching over and concentration on fine motor skills is tough.

But very rewarding.

I have started following a bunch of carvers and lino cutters, and block printers on IG and the gorgeousness blows my ever loving mind. This is something I want to practice.

Here is what "Lisa Getting Back Into Carving" looks like...

This next one I am creating for AN ACTUAL COMPANY! Wheeeee!

And cause I'm a dork...

A foul mouthed dork...

xo

Layout Flashback

Layouts for TM. I handed them in late, but I hope I won't get in trouble! Hi Nadine! I used the paper like you wanted! I hope it's okay...please don't fire me....

I had to go back to last year to print photos that worked. It really made me want to go camping and go to the lake! Summer, you better bring it this year!!

Cute!! Oh Bestest Best, I heart you.

This was Dude's "birthday party" last year. Camping at the lake, with some cake and presents and family time thrown in for good measure. He could spend everyday at the lake and be the happiest kid in the world. Hmmm....point taken....

Note to BFF: I want to go on an adventure here.......I'm serious. Just name the date, and I'll be there.

Any adventures planned for this summer? Close to home? Across the Universe?! I want to hear about it!!

later loves

Layout Catch Up

Even though I'm not technically working for them anymore doesn't mean that I've stopped creating lovely things for Treasured Memories! Nadine keeps giving me kits, and I keep using them! Here are some of the latest...

Hello Cutie! I should put some words on here or something.

There was a weird drunk lady sitting behind us who kept cheering for the Oilers, but we were at an Oil Kings game. Dude was really bored, but we stayed for the whole game, which we lost. But it was still a fun afternoon!

Hi. I'm a dork.

I love those Fancy Pants tiny paper bags! I plan on adding some "private journaling" to this one.

The ampersand button/badge on this one is a Treasured Memories Exclusive, designed & created by "Mr. TM" Daryl Benson.

I usually cheat a little with my TM layouts...I have a hard time confining myself to one company, and I'm always cutting everything up in to tiny pieces so a lot of the product becomes unrecognizable. And that, my friends, is why I could never be on a design team!

Happy Monday! 

later loves

When something isn't working...

It's okay to scrap it and try and again.

While that green (yellow?) card is cute, it just doesn't work on the layout.

So let's make it work in my Project Life spread!

And with a little tweaking...much better!

please note: This lesson applies to scrapbooking as well as real life.

Today is my first day at my new job. Wish me luck.

later loves

P.S. I am selling the extra April kit Studio Calico sent me last month...and charged me for. Nerts! The kit is pictured below. I am also throwing in a bunch of extra goodies from my collection!! The kit was originally $29.50 (USD) with my subscription (shipping extra). I'll give you this one for $20. Send me an email if you're interested.

Colour Me Happy

I love colour...like, love it. In my clothes, in my house, and most definitely in my art. Here are some of  my recent colourful layouts!

I will never ever get tired of watching these two play and interact with each other. Even though there is a huge age difference, they are great friends! Also, if I've learned anything since getting it, an iPad brings together people of all ages (wink!)

We made a special frozen yogurt treat at home after our Valentine's dinner (sushi). Dude had a good time adding gummies & butterscotch chips (only 3?!) & sprinkles. And I made sure to get some actual strawberries in there as well!

It's a funny coincidence that V & I were wearing similar coloured shirts...makes for much easier scrapbooking! HA!

Veronica's birthday party was Toy Story-themed, and there was tasty pizza, and I saw an old pic of BFF and it was totally fun! AND I got to snuggle with a baby...yay!

That's all for now...how do YOU add colour to your life?

later loves

p.s. Shout out to Candace's blog, inspiration for this post's title! Love your face Hun!

p.p.s I realize this is the second scrapbooking-related post in a week and these just aren't proving to be that interesting to my readers...but that's just too bad! Cause I've got loads of these on deck and not much else to talk about lately....so.....

Double or Nothing

I realize that I already shared these photos and these layouts on my blog (here, if you want to re-live it with me!), and the layouts also appeared on the TM blog (here...cause I need to get more traffic to that site ;) But I really love these layouts, and these memories so I am dedicating a full post to them. And if you scroll all the way down, you'll get a bonus layout as well! AND if you hit up the TM link you'll get an additional bonus layout! I'm really in a giving mood today...

@the Arden, January 25 2013 Ben Sures

I am really loving tone-on-tone stuff for scrapbooking lately. And triangles. (And chevrons...but that's another story)

 Live & In Person, Ben Sures

(I totally had my camera on the completely WRONG settings for those photos....these next ones are better, I promise!)

Dear BFF

Please note: I never scrapbook in this size! 12x12 is just too much for me. But if you notice, I pretty much just made an 8.5x11 page on a 12x12 sheet of paper. I'm clever that way. Also, like the "Nadine & Lisa" layout I made (see this post), this one is going to have some mushy journaling in the glassine envelope as well. Awwww....

I hope you enjoyed this monster of a post. I realize that many of my readers are not scrapbookers, but some of you might have a hobby that you enjoy more than anything. And that you use to de-stress and relax, and create something beautiful. For me, that is scrapbooking! And I enjoy sharing my passion & hobby with you, even if you can't relate directly to the specifics. I have a feeling that you still "get it".

later loves

STAMPS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Remember those stamps I was talking about before? Here...

Well, I've photographed and prepped enough that I think I can start putting them "out there." I've still got loads to go through, and will keep updating the page as I go.

Please read the info at the top of the page for all the "ordering" info. If you have any questions, please email me.

I am mostly focused on selling these locally, but if you really want one (or more) and you live out of town I will arrange shipping with you on an individual basis.

Here's the link again: not ladylike stamps. I will put it up in the top menu as well, for easy access! HA!

Thanks!!

later loves

Best Friends Make For Best Scrapbooking

Yessirree...they certainly do!

This one's going to have some mushy journaling in that glassine envelope...awwww!

Can you tell I am in love with turquoise-red-grey right now as a colour combination?!

I also love stamping on pattern paper, tiny sticker letters, and mixing fonts. And BFF...awwww! Oh, and giant beers with funny names!

I originally wanted to add more glitter to this next one, but we'll see. It's already got me out of my element quite completely - PINKS & BROWNS?! - so I don't really know what to do with it! HA!

I did forget to add that fourth picture though. Oops!

This reminds me, I really need to do one up with those photos of Nicole in the Button Dress from Beyond....hmmm...give me a minute...

And done! She's such a cutie! And I still cannot get over that "dress"-thing...it haunts my dreams.


Using some oldies but goodies on this one. And some new stuff too. Apparently, arrows are where it's at yo!

And that is all for today! Scrapped on Lucas' last sick day off from school (way back on January 24). But I got the day off too, so it all worked out in the end?! It's a super fake Friday though, so it feels very very strange to be out and about. In fact, Lucas & I just drove halfway across Mill Woods to get to a Tim's with a drive-through, only for him to tell me he wanted to go inside and look at the donuts! And then once we got inside he said he only wanted an apple juice, and when I told him we had apple juice at home, he said "okay, let's just go home." And then I got trapped by some giant plows....and, well...at least we got his homework picked up from school. Y'know. The school that's next door. It's Adventure Time!

later loves

Tradition!

Date: Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Location: Boston Pizza, Mill Woods

Event: Traditional New Year's dinner out

Cast of Characters: Arlene, Heath, Lisa, Russel, Lucas, Amy, Sean, Jacob & Evan

This is a three year old tradition (I think...well, maybe only two...Mom?) and usually involves all of us heading out to the local BPs with our recently received Christmas Gift Cards! We gorge ourselves on appetizers and pizza/salads/sandwiches/burgers/pasta!

Mmmmm.....bacon wrapped steak.....

Yeah...we're the rowdy table.

We play with our super heroes & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and need Coke - and Diet Coke - refills every 7.35 seconds, and order funny things like noodles with no sauce and pizza with no cheese.

But we bring a cute baby, so that makes up for some of the nonsense!

I can't wait to see what happens next year when this little man can get in on the "Big Boy Action" on the other side of the table! And order off the menu!!

later loves