Hello Happy Scrappers!

It has been so long since I took the time to blog.  Mostly I have been on a journey to down size and organize.  First was the organizing, then, because of that, came the downsizing.  This is not my first time to downsize (nor will it be my last).  Within the last year I have also changed departments at work.  It has been very challenging, but fulfilling.  So here is a "taste" of what has been going on.

I made an acrylic album for a friend.  It was a calender album.  I allowed for her to put pictures on each page. 

Two things to help you with if you do an acrylic album:
1-ALWAYS use Glossy Accents for the glue or another type that dries clear like that one
2-NEVER EVER forget that you can see what is on the opposite side and design accordingly.  You will need to realize that you have to design FRONT AND BACK at the same time.

Hope May is finding you guys happy!  Keep scrapping!

Altered Art-Domino Minis

Hello Happy Scrappers!

I have been trying to get this post up forever.  OK, maybe only a month, but it still seems like forever.  Last month I joined a swap over at Art and Sassy.  It was to create two minis from dominos.  Check out what I made!

One was to be a historical iconic figure and the second was to be modern iconic (i.e.  Disney, TV show, movie star, Coke, etc).

My historic domino was about Elizabeth I of England.  I used old wooden black dominos for the foundation of both my minis.  To “cover” the dominos for this one, I embossed the dominos with silver embossing powder.  I choose to not make it a complete cover of silver as I wanted some of the black domino to show through.  I felt this would give it a distressed feel.  I used silver charms (from Michael’s) throughout the mini.  I used a picture of her on the front and a cross of the back. 

On one side I put a picture on every other “page” with pattern paper between.  I added pearls and small flowers for embellies. 

On the opposite side of the mini, I had small tags that have quick facts about Elizabeth I on them.  Pictures of Elizabeth I are on every other “page”.

For my modern iconic domino mini, I choose the Statue of Liberty.  I painted the dominos with two colors of green and one of aqua.  Once that was dry, I mixed Copper Perfect Pearls with glossy accents and brushed that over the dominos.  Once that was dry, I sanded some of the copper finish off so the paint below would show through giving it the aged copper look. 

I decided the closure should be a copper chain, but was unsure of how to get it to stay on so the chain would not get lost.  I knew I could not glue it between the paper and domino as it would be too bulky.  I choose to get a screw in eye.  Luck had it that the smallest drill bit I have for my Dewalt was just the right size.  I was soooo relieved about that!

I embellished the inside with copper brads, star brads, pattern paper, and tiny tags that, again, had quick facts about the Statue on them.

All in all I was very happy with how they turned out.  Please visit artandsassy.ning.com.  They have some great site open and the owners are supper talented!

For videos on how to do domino minis, please visit Cara’s (one of the owners) video here.

P.S.  I got my swaps in the mail today.  I will try to get pics up of them this weekend!  Loved 'Em!!

Long Time No Post

Hello Crafters!

It has been a while since I posted.  Sorry about that.  I have been busy with lots of goodies and work.  Just a sample....

A jewerly Box from a second hand store.

This was the end result and a gift for my SS from work.  Well last year's SS. 

Altered box







Close up of top.



Envelope Mini I made to go inside the box.


























I have recently joined a swap group.  Join and have fun with us!
http://artandsassy.ning.com/

This will have me working on lots more projects for the year.  One of my New Year's Resolutions is to blog and craft more frequently. 

I am happy to say that I completed a New Year's Resolution for the first time (that I can remember).  I got my apartment organzied!!!  The whole thing.  That is part of the reason I did not craft as much as I wanted last year.  But, it was all for a good reason.  I believe that I might just post periodically on some of the ideas and things I learned during my year long organizational journey.  Ended up, that I got rid of/gave away (almost) a bedroom full of "STUFF".  That had been the goal, to downsize a bedroom.  I got very close.  Just one walk-in closet short of my goal.  And I have to say, I am OK with the closet being full.  "A place for everything and everything in it's place".  That was my motto through out last year.

So, here is to a new year!  Lets see if I can keep my two goals....1) Craft and blog more, and 2) Save MONEY.  Doing good on number 2 so far.  I have my first test on saving this weekend.  I have to go shopping.   Wish me luck!

Happy Scrapping!
Amanda

My French Beauties!

Hello Scrappers!

As promised, here are my French Country Beauties! (Please forgive the picture positions.  For the life of me, I could not get these things to line up right.)



Aren't they beautiful!

Thanks for the tag fellow scrappers!  And thanks to Laura for all the hard work!



LD French Tag Swap

Hello Scrappers!

My LD French tags are here!  I will get some pictures up tomorrow.  Some of the names on both sets have only Ustream names.  I would love to thank each of you.  So if you look in, please send me an email if I don't catch you on Ustream.  I have a hard time watching Laura and reading the chat, so I tend to not sign in and just watch Laura.  What can I say, mutiltasking like that is not my best trait....

Both the French and Grunge tags turned out to be awesome!  You guys did a great job!

I AmOne Super Happy Camper Tonight!

Feeling Blue-So Sharing to Cheer Myself Up

Hello Scrappers,

I am feeling a little down today.  So...I thought why not share what I made and gave to my Mom on Mother's Day.  I would love to take credit for the idea, but I can't.  This is my version of Laura Dennison's Vintage Suitcase Mini.  I was too lazy to make the suitcase, so I found a smaller suitcase in a second hand store for less than $10.  It had some damage to it, but I just felt that added to the "Vintage" feel.  The paper cover on the inside was coming apart, so I did repaper the inside (which ended up being more of a chore than I thought it would be).  I then made a "larger" mini (Basic Grey Papers and some odds and ends from other lines) for mom's Ireland trip. 

Before:                                                                         After:



For details on Laura's Mini, Visit:  Laura's Mini

Mini:

This is an envelope mini with one of Laura's "Stack The Deck" binding methods.

Inside of Suitcase:













As my dad pointed out to me when I was so excitedly showing this to him, "You got the pocket on crooked."...Thanks dad for that encouragement.  The inside top is taken straight from Laura's.  I cannot take credit for it at all.  Well, I did the cutting and staining...  ;)  If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

LD Tag Swap Grunge is in!

Hello Scrappers!

A couple of months ago I joined a tag swap.  I did two groups.  One had a French County Theme and the other was a Grunge Theme.  The hostess was wonderful to put up with what she did (there were a lot of tags)!  I wanted to take a moment and show off the ones I got back.  I think I was dumb and forgot to take pictures of mine.  I can't find any on my camera.  And I have to admit.  I am in an organizing mode right now so finding the ones I kept for myself...Well you can imagine.

Anyways, to the good stuff.  Sorry in advance for quality of pics.  I will try to get better ones with sunlight this weekend.  Here are my pretties!!!