Michelle's Little Creations

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Project Life Week 6

Week 6 is another week of weeding, reorganizing and party prepping at our house. Painting Megan's room really started a "chain of events" here. In the end, I am very happy with where things ended up, and the stuff is moving right along. For this week I used My Minds Eye's Christmas Wish. The greys and blues worked well with the party stuff and the snow.



For this week I used the Lily Bee, Fancy Pants and October Afternoon alphas, a winter wonderland card from a previous set, some Elle's Studio tags, some Project Life journal and grid cards, a glassine bag, a Jenni Bowlin butterfly sticker, "Let it Snow" chipboard letters and a snowflake both from AC Moore's clearance bin. I included confetti from Megan's Cabaret and I used an overlay from Ali Edwards.





I have some close ups of a couple journal cards to share as well.





I also have some inserts, one is the program from Megan's Cabaret on the front and a map of our Price Chopper now that it is FINALLY complete on the back, one of Hannah's "Great Poetry Race" sheet that had the poem on one side and the signatures of the 25 people she read it to, and the final insert is of Megan's Cabaret itself. That insert is not yet complete so I will show that at a later time. Enjoy. I still have much to catch up on, so keep watching.
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A New Addition

After much time waiting for it to be available for order (cheaper than driving the 2 hrs to my "nearest" Ikea) and waiting for shipping, (almost a month!) my Raskog cart is finally here! The color is even more beautiful in person. Didnt really get the "Turquoise" vibe even in the pic. It's much like the Robin's Egg Blue from the Annie Sloan chalk paint.



I've moved some things around. The top shelf holds my most used alphas, the second shelf holds my current unused 6x6 paper pads, and the third shelf holds my previously used 6x6 pads as well as my box of misc. items for my December Daily that is not complete yet!
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Project Life Week 5

I know its been a while since my last Project Life post. I have been running around trying to do party favors and decorations for my MIL's 80th b-day. Also I was going to a crop, so I saved up weeks 5 and 6 to do there. I have been really struggling with printing this year. I wanted to print all of my pics with white borders, but we have no Costco, and Walmart can not seem to grasp the consept of doing the white borders on all, they do the first pic in your order and thats it. I do most if not all of my printing normally on my Canon Selphy. I like being able to print when the mood or opportunity hits me. Borders on the Selphy are huge, so they alway need to be matted. I started my first week by trimming an 1/8" off all four sides and mounting pics on white paper, thinking I would find a solutions by week 2. I did not, and I dont want all the bulk. I have now switched to just full bleed pics. I recently got Photoshop Elements 11, but I have not figured out how to do white borders and to put more than one pic to a 4x6 to save on printing. But enough about my "issues" and on to my layout.



The week consisted of alot of cleaning and rearranging of furniture. I love how one decision to redecorate will spark the urge to do things in other rooms. For this week, I decided to use Pink Pasislee's Portfolio. I knew with the week being mostly about the redo of my daughters room, that there would be alot of grey, and pops of red. The set had little bits of red that I could pull out and that it had other colors so I was not just on red and grey overload!. Since I buy the 6x6 paper packs, I tend to also buy the coordinating journal card sheet in a 12x12, I also got the tabs, ephemera, and labels to this set as well. I had just received my Studio Calico order, so I had my new Oh Snap! alphas to use. I also used alphas from Lily Bee, October Afternoon, Thickers, and Basic Grey. I used journal cards from the Seafoam collection, some grid cards, and a couple others from where I'm not sure, and various washi tapes. I save some of my envelopes bills since I dont use mail, and used my old Fiskars alpha hand punches (I know, can you believe I still have them!) and punched the day into it for the journal card. I think it turned out great. The house stamp is from Amy Tan. I dont remember where the game card came from, I want to say it was a school themed pack.





I have 2 photo page inserts, a program and a play rehearsal schedule. I will just show you the 2 photo insert pages. The first insert is of my daughters room with journaling about time frame, and paint colors. I used an Ali Edwards journal card, and Jillibean Soup alphas. The second insert is of my daughter in the All County Music Festival on the front, and fun with our friends on the back. I included a couple tickets, and a grid journal card with a label from the Portfolio collection and Thicker alphas. The card is intented to hold the codes from the videos I took of the three songs they sang. Both inserts are just cut down Design A sleeves. This is the front of the first insert.



This is the back of the first insert and front of second.



This is the back of the second insert.



I have week 6 done and ready for upload as well as some pics of the things made for the party, so keep an eye out.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Project Life Work Area Part 2

So Im back with part to of my room. Like I said, I wont show the whole room, its still in "stamp mode" and needs an overhaul! But here are more pictures and descriptions.

Picture #5
The left bowl holds the seasonal items (winter). I got this and my next idea from www.michellewooderson.blogspot.com I love her blog and she has given me more inspiration that I can tell you. The right bowl holds items from whatever holiday is coming up (Valentine's Day). Behind that is a basket that hold my flat alpha stickers from companies like October Afternoon, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, Fancy Pants, Jillibean Soup, and Pebbles. The small milk glass dish holds some journal cards Ive made and am waiting to use. The bowl next to it holds DOILIES, I love doilies! There is another Ikea metal baset in the back that holds journal packs from various companies, Martha Stewart labels, a Grid book and some other things. Above these things is another Ikea rod holding less used punches.


Pictures #6 & #7
These two pictures are of my pegboard wall. Probably the best thing I did in this room. I am very visual. I need to see what I have or it gets forgotten. The first picture is of all of my Thickers, glitter, foam, chipboard, fabric, you name it! Also in this pic is my collection of baker's twine. The rest of the stuff the stuff in this pic and the next are just all the rest of my stuff that is hangable.



Picture #8
I have two of these wall racks, this one has my washi collection on it. I am still trying to come up with a better set up for the washi so I can see it and get to it better. Had it in bowls, needed to many and couldnt see them, had them on the actual rod that was on the shelf, but you cant get as much on them and you cant remove them without alot of work, bought the thread holder like I saw on pinterest, but the pegs are way too short and too close together so only two fit per peg, and they couldnt fit on every peg. So, if anyone has any ideas I would LOVE to hear them. Anyway, I also have my misters and other things on this.


Picture #9
This shelf holds my basket of stamps from Technique Tuesday, Hero Arts, Studio Calico, Ormalu, Kelly Purkey, Elle's Studio and Pink Paislee. In the little basket is my roller date stamp collection.


Picture # 10
Phewww! Last picture, this is directly behind where I stand to work. My two current Project Life kits, Seafoam and Olive.


In a previous post I showed you the 3 baskets I store my 6x6 paper packs in, as well as the 3 boxeds I use for my prepped sets. So, thats it, hope you enjoyed the tour and maybe even got some storage ideas. Come back again.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Project Life Work Area Part 1

I had mentioned in a previous post that I would share my craft room. I used to sell Stampin Up! and my room is still somewhat set up with alot of "stampin stuff". I have been over the last few months since I stopped selling it, moving things around, removing some things, and getting rid of some things. I still make cards, but now I have the freedom to use whatever items I want on them. So, here we go, I will show the part of my room that I use for Project Life. I will break it down into pictures, so I can explain what is in each picture. I must first say that I am a lover of milk glass, and it is what I try to use to store my things. I feel the white really helps with all the other busy colors in the room. I will be breaking this down into two post due to the amount I want to show you, so come back tomorrow to see the rest!

Picture #1
It is an Ikea paper holder. I keep index cards of all sizes, lined and blank as well as white labels in the front pocket. The outer pockets hold colored markers. Next I have my October Afternoon label and word sticker sheets on the left, and all other brands of label, word, and border stickers on the right. Behind those I have all of my Lily Bee alphas and after that are all my other 12x12 alpha, element, and accent sticker sheets.


Picture #2
The big bowl holds misc tags from different companies. The small is tags and label from one set. The hanging dish holds pens, pencils, markers, and some random tools. I also have a bowl of my date stamps of different sizes.


Picture #3
The 3 wire baskets are actually hanging baskets from Ikea.
Basket 1:
Has all my 4x6 cards in it. They are Project Life as well as purchased cards and pre cut cards. I also have the day/arrow sticker sheets from PL.
Basket 2:
Has all 3x4 journal cards. They are Project Life, grid, index, and any other lined/grid papers I have found and cut to have on hand.
Basket 3:
Has 3x4 cards in it as well. They are purchased cards, free printable and pieces I have cut myself from paper I had.

Above the baskets I have an Ikea rod that holds my most used punches on it. In front of the basets I keep my inks, stamp blocks and corner rounder handy.


Picture #4
I have a bowl that holds some of my most used single or small size stamps. The pot behind it holds common hole punches as well as my stapler. The bowl to the right holds alot of decorative cards from companies like October Afternoon, and many other pieces. The two small bowls hold my Elles Studio journal cards and little tid bits. In the back is another paper holder from Ikea. In the front pockets I keep all my label stickers. The side pouches hold more markers. In the back are more random sticker sheets.


Dont forget to come back tomorrow to see the rest of my Project Life space!




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Monday, February 4, 2013

Journal Cards

I thought I would show you some of my favorite journal cards from 2012. I love to surf pinterest for ideas and build from them. Sometimes it just inspires my very own.

For the 1st card I used many kinds of washi, some Thickers, and Lily Bee alphas. The second uses the Fiskars tab punch, a clear bag (holding my receipt and gift card for Dunkin Donuts), October Afternoon alphas, Tim Holtz tiny stapler, and a Studio Calico wood veneer heart.





These next 3 journal cards are from our Disney week. The 1st journal card uses a Project Life folded journal card, circle punch circle that I cut in half, washi tape, October Afternoon and Thickers alphas, and a Studio Calico arrow. The 2nd uses a Project Life folded journal card, paper for that week (October Afternoon Woodland Park), October Afternoon alphas, and the Fiskars tab punch. The 3rd card also uses a Project Life folded journal card, more paper from the Woodland Park Collection, tiny attacher, and Studio Calico wood veneer arrow.







The next 2 are from the same week, I just love how they turned out. The 1st is a My Minds Eye paper, Fiskars tab punch, a grid lined baggie cut down) ( holding my journaling and receipt for Staples, a Project Life arrow, and Lily Bee alphas. The 2nd is a Project Life grid card, more MME paper, Ooctober Afternoon alpha, and another alpha I do not recall.





This last one documents the 1st day of Winter. I used paper from the Festive collection, made a flag, October Afternoon and EK Success alphas, and wood veneer snowflake from Studio Calico stapled with the Tim Holtz stapler.



From Nov 26th thru Dec 30th I used a different Christmas line for each week.
Week 1 - Very Merry by October Afternoon
Week 2 - Tinsel & Twig by the Girls Paperie
Week 3 - 12 Days of Christmas by My Minds Eye
Week 4 - Festive by Authentique
Week 5 - Make it Merry by October Afternoon






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Saturday, February 2, 2013

Project Life Process

I thought I would give you a peek at how I organize my Project Life stuff. Hold tight now, this is a very lengthy post! Hopefully you will find it useful to you though. First off a dear friend and I split 6x6 paper packs so we can get double the supplies. When I get a 6x6 pack they go into a Target basket. I have 3. I keep like company packs together, the one on the right is strictly October Afternoon due to size.


If I decide to prep one I put them into quart size bags and label them with the company name (My Minds Eye, October Afternoon, etc) then the collection name. I will cut them down to 4x6 and sometimes if I know I want a certain card for journaling I cut it down to 3x4. I keep all the scraps in the bag incase I need them. After cutting them, they go into a Stampin Up! card box and await my itchy fingers!



If I find that I have the itch to be crafty and am caught up on Project Life, I will then pull one of the cut sets out of the box and prep even further. I will decorate some of the 4x6 cards, make journal cards etc. I ink all of my edges with Creamy Brown chalk from Color Box, this year I have decide to not round my edges. For the individual times I use a Project Life card in a week I dont mind that rounded. I would have it the other way around last year when I had rounded. Some cards did not work being rounded so they had to be left squared. I may choose to go back to that again next year, who knows. There are some events that I know will always happen, and I may have "the perfect set" for that week. I will prep based on that event. Since I do not do any traditional scrapping anymore, I know a big event will lead to 1 or more inserts. For those weeks I will prep even more, and gear some of my journaling cards toward that event.


Here I have pulled a set to show you, called "Christmas Wish" by My Minds Eye. I split the set into 2 groups so I could use this for just a snowy week. Knowing my daughter Hannah LOVES playing in the snow, I knew there would be another snowman and more snow pics. I had a card that worked great with these colors so I put it in the baggy. I think it will be part of my Title Card. I then pulled journal cards from my various Project Life kits (Clementine and Seafoam) to add. Sometimes I do nothing to the journal cards but ink them, sometimes I add scraps of paper from the collection, washi, alpha stickers, doilies ( I have to hold myself back on the doilies or they would be on a card every week!). I know that I will have some full 4x6 pics on each side, and some cropped square that will need to be mounted on paper, so I put in 4x6 papers. I also know that their will be a full 3x4 pic or two on the layout. My guess for this week is that if there is snow, there will be a snow insert! I leave all of my scraps in the bag so I can add more if needed. I wont stamp anything on the journal cards until I see how much space is needed for the journaling.


I have one more set I will show you, and that will be it.The set is called "So Happy" by Echo Park. Our previios snow had all melted and all we had was brown mud. I needed a little pick-me-up, and this set was perfect to play with. If you have any of the origianl Project Life kits, you know the journal cards are much smaller. I mounted a couple of the older journal cards on patterned paper to make them the right size, and it also gives them alittle kick. I have baskets with precut journal cards from other sets that with grid or lines that are left over, so I keep them handy. (I will show my Project Life set up in another post) I used a manilla tag for my Title Card, added date washi to a card that will hold a smaller square pic on it, "friends" in Ovtober Afternoon letters, knowing there is always a friend over for one of my girls!, and then pearls to a journal card so I can list something for that week, maybe a recap, errand list, etc.


With the amount of supplies I have, I try very hard to keep myself organized. I am constantly moving things, pulling things out to an easier spot, putting things further away, based on what I am using most at the time. I mostly keep up on my Project Life, but I do like to have something to work on, so this is how I work that out. Hopefully this was helpful to some of you. Thanks for stopping by.







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Friday, February 1, 2013

Project Life Week 4

Well, here we are week 4. This week was alot of running around and errands. I love this set from Crate Paper.


For this week I used Crate Paper On Trend. Oh my, it is a beautiful line. I used the paper, chipboard, phrase and border stickers, and alphas. I also used October Afternoon, Basic Grey, and Lily Bees alphas, Project Life journal cards, Studio Calico scrap pads (tan arrow), and Kelly Purkeys stamp set. Here is a close up of the left and right sides.



This week I have 1 insert. Steve and I got Megan tickets to see Jeff Dunham for Christmas. The insert is strictly that event. I love that I can include tickets and clothing tags with my pics, that is one of the things I love so much about Project Life! I have always been a saver of tags, labels, stickers, business cards, used gift cards, appt cards, you name it!


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