Evidence of Creativity

Summer Sun

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Fancy Pant is showing off more creations on their blog today. There are tons of projects there using their new Wave Searcher collection. Here is a layout that I created using this line.

I love everything about this collection—the wave designs on the patterned papers, the rich, beachy colors, and the Glitter Cut hibiscus flowers and those little x's! Fun stuff! I can't wait to play with this range some more!

:-)

Grant Studios: Blossom & Hello Sunshine

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm back again with a one more post showcasing some of Grant Studios product lines.

I created this wreath using the Blossom Scrapbook Pad and Diecut Shapes. I love the colors in this collection.

This layout uses Blossom as well, but has a totally different look. Love that.

I had a lot of fun creating with Hello Sunshine too...

The coordinating Adhesive Pockets are super cute too! Perfect for little photos, tags, or any other little bits you want to save with your page.

The colors and patterns in this range are great too! I loved putting some of the papers together from the Hello Sunshine Scrapbook Pad together to create this card. Love the lime, orange, raspberry and aqua together. Yum!

Thanks for stopping by again!

Grant Studios: Party Time & Fashionista

2012-01-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm back to share some more Grant Studios projects with you. This time my projects are using the Party Time and Fashionista collections.

Here's Party Time!

And here is a fun and funky layout using Fashionista!

I hope you are enjoying seeing these projects as much as I am enjoying sharing them! Thanks for stopping by!

Grant Studios: Vintage Collection

2012-01-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of creating a few projects for Grant Studios, a company based out of Australia. This was my first time working with their product and have to say, I love their stuff! Their collections are really versatile, and their patterned papers aren't too matchy-matchy, which I love. I also adore their coordinating embellishments—so unique and fun!

The first projects I'm sharing today are created using their Vintage collection.

If you visit the Craft Projects section of the Grant Studios website, there are Project Sheets available for download. My projects will be available there soon. So, check back soon.

If you are headed to CHA this weekend, and want to see these projects in real life, stop by booth #1601 and check out Grant's Studio great product! Oh, and say hi to Steve, Natalie and Susan! Tell them Amy sent you!

Penny Pony

2012-01-26T09:57:00.001-05:00

If you are from the mid-west, you may just be a fan of Meijer stores. They were founded in the town I grew up in and I have found memories of visiting these stores as a kid. Whenever I would go to Meijer with my grandmother (she called it Thrifty's), she would let me get an ice cream cone at the Purple Cow, the in-store ice cream counter. I remember always asking for the Superman ice cream, although I never really liked the taste of it. The best part of the store was Sandy. For only a penny you could ride her for a couple minutes, or longer if no one was waiting a turn and you had a handful of pennies to spend. Every Meijer store had a Sandy, and they still do today! My girls are growing up on this tradition too. So I, of course, had to document their love of Sandy with photos and scrapbook pages. I had created a page for Hattie several years ago (you can see it here) and recently, when Fancy Pants sent me their newest collection, Childish Things, I knew I had to use it for Josie's page.

I love this collection. The colors, the patterns, and that cute sparkly horse is absolutely perfect!!!!

I know the rest of Fancy Pants Pocket Chicks love this collection as much as I do. You'll have to see what they've created using it. They have tons of inspiration on the Fancy Pants blog.

Thanks for letting me share. These are sweet memories of childhood that seems to go by faster everyday!

Briar Rose Fibers Giveaway Winner!

2012-01-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry it took a couple days to post this. I had to do a little celebrating this weekend with a certain 3 year old, turned FOUR year old! :-)

Isn't she cute?

Okay, enough about my kid! Here is the winner of the Briar Rose Fibers $50 online store credit!

Lisa said...
I have been knitting since high school when my mom made me take 4-H. I'm so glad she did because I love it!

3:13 PM

Congrats, Lisa! Please send an email to chris@briarrosefibers.net with the following info:

1. Name of Contest (BRF $50 online store credit)
2. Your full name

Happy knitting!

Hats For Friends + Giveaway!

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

I recently finished a couple of hats and gifted them to my dear friends Don and Stephanie, who came for an always-to-short visit this week. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting both of these hats and I think they both fit the recipients' personalities quite well.

Stephanie is classic and stylish and loves anything vintage. So, this little flapper-inspired hat was perfect for her.

I knitted it in Briar Rose Fibers Glory Days dyed in dark tones to contrast and compliment Stephanie's beautiful hair. The hat pattern is the Welted Toque in the book Weekend Hats. I knit this up on size 6 needles.

Don is artsy, fun and a little bit quirky. He was the perfect candidate for the Wanderer Cap by Jared Flood (also in Weekend Hats), since Don was still wearing a simple ribbed hat that I made him almost eight years ago. That poor hat was stretched out and very "loved". It was just time for a new hat. So, I knitted this one up in Briar Rose Fibers Abundance in burnt orange tones.

I also gifted the remainder of the Abundance hank to Don, with which he is learning to knit his first scarf to match his new hat. I love it when people embark on learning the skill of knitting. I especially love it when guys try it out. It's just cool.

Are you a knitter? Not a knitter, but always wanted to try it? Maybe it's a goal you've made for 2012? Well, Briar Rose Fibers wants to wish you a Happy New Year and support you in your knitting goals with a little giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post. Tell me how long you've been knitting—or if you'd like to learn—and I'll choose one person (by random number generator) to receive $50 in credit in the Briar Rose Fibers online store!

Leave comments until 12:00am, midnight (Central Time), Friday, January 20th, 2012. Winners will be chosen and announced January 21st, 2012.

Good luck and happy knitting!

Love Love Love

2012-01-11T15:28:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and while I'm at it, Happy Valentine's Day ... a little early!

As you can tell by my lack of posting, I got a little busy in December. And even though I had every intention of keeping up with my December Daily and posting it here, I totally fell off the cart with that one. I DO plan to finish it though and I WILL post it here when it is finished. Better late than never, right?

So, what kept me so busy lately? Well, Christmas, of course! I was busy, busy, busy creating some gifts for my sister-in-law, whose name I drew (I finally drew a name other than my dad or my brother!). I had fun knitting her a hat and some slippers. I also made her a wreath and a photo/wood transfer. I was also busily creating with Fancy Pants' newest collections, Winterland and Love Story. I love those collections! Here's a little peek at a swag I made for Valentine's.

If you go to my Fancy This post on the Fancy Pants blog, I explain a couple of the techniques I used when I created it. If you want to know how to create the paper badge on this project, go to this post. I give step-by-step instructions on how to make them there.

Amongst the busy-ness of creating, I also had every intention of doing a little giveaway right around Christmas, but the little pile of scrapbooking goodies I was going to give away is just sitting here. So, to make it up to you, I'm going to add to the pile and do that giveaway soon! Stay tuned!

Also, to all of my knitting/crochet friends ... I might just have a little giveaway for you soon, too! And I'll give you a little hint ... Briar Rose Fibers. Come back again tomorrow for details!

December Daily: Days 3-6

2011-12-08T10:53:00.001-05:00

Hello again everyone. I hope you are enjoying your December. I sure am and I am so glad I am documenting it! Here are a few mores pages in my December Daily album.

Day 3: Today, the girls helped Jason put up a few Christmas lights outside, while I hung some garland and a wreath. Having moved into a brand-new house this summer, we don't have much for trees and landscaping, but we do have one little weeping cherry tree that Jason and the girls covered with lights.

Day 4: I spent a little time tonight playing around with my camera. I've never been able to get a good shot of our Christmas tree all lit up, so I did a little research online (I found this great tutorial) on the best ways to get good tree photos. They still aren't the greatest shots, but with a little practice, I'll get there.

Day 5: Starbucks and Christmas shopping. How do I take my coffee? A peppermint mocha with skim and no whip! I got a good chunk of the Christmas shopping done today. We're trying to scale back again this year and not buy so much stuff. I hope that by doing this it will help us focus on the real meaning and joy of Christmas—the celebration of the birth of our Savior—Jesus Christ!

Day 6: I'm ready for some Christmas partying now! I got a new do today. I feel like a new woman. It's amazing what a new hair cut can do to a girl!

Thanks for stopping by again today! See you soon!

December Daily: Days 1 & 2

2011-12-03T14:14:00.001-05:00

I'm off to a good start on my December Daily Album. I've completed the first couple days. My goal is to stay on top of each days pages, while the memories are fresh in my mind.

Here is my cover again.

The album itself is a Fancy Pants Brag Book and I used lots of Fancy Pants goodies to embellish it. The cover uses one of the Artist Edition Metal Frames and a Saint Nick Filter Embellishment for the background to the year. I took apart my album for the ease of working with it. Plus, I imagine I will add a few things here and there and then I will put the spiral back on or I may do this (I like how Kim took the spiral off hers and added the rings).

Here are my pages for Days 1 and 2.

Each day has a "page opener" that is a decorative page announcing the day. Then, each day has a page with photos and journaling that follows.

I'm having so much fun creating this little album. I hope to show you more in the days to come. So come back soon!

A Finished Sweater

2011-11-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

Finally. I finished this sweater.
The pattern is Remember by Norah Gaughan. It's a free download from Berroco. The fiber I used is Briar Rose Fibers Pilgrim. I love the way this pattern knitted up. The bodice pattern was fun and easy to do, creating a smocked look.

This has been a work in progress for almost two years. It's been one of those projects that I have picked up off and on, in between smaller projects, and I was beginning to think I might not get it done. But, as of today, I blocked this cardi and sewed on the buttons, just in time for the next cold snap. I really do think there's nothing like a warm wool sweater during frigid months of winter.

Now that this sweater is completed, let the Christmas knitting begin!

December Daily

2011-11-25T17:34:00.000-05:00

Now that I have had my fill of turkey and pie (mmmm!), I'm getting in the Christmas spirit! We went and cut down our Christmas tree today and we'll get started on decorating soon. I love this time of year!

Last year, I completed my first December Daily Album. I loved how it made me slow down and really become aware of everything going on during the most wonderful time of the year. It also helped my take time to document the season like I never have before. I'm always so busy during December (aren't we all?) that I usually forget to take photos until Christmas morning and then I am bummed because they don't turn out. But last year, I actually got those holiday photos that told the story of our Christmas.

So this year, I am embarking on this adventure again. And I can't wait to get started. I have already completed my base pages for my album. Here are a few. I hope to post the completed pages as the days go by during December.

Does this look like something you'd like to do this December? If you head on over to the Fancy Pants blog, they're having a challenge. All you have to do is post a few photos of your December Daily Album to you blog or online gallery, and post a comment on this FP blog post with a link to your photos. Fancy Pants is giving away a Brag Book (this is the book I used for my December Daily) and some of their Saint Nick collection to the winner!

Hello Fall!

2011-11-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! I hope you are having a great Fall season. I am enjoying it and looking forward to spending time with family for Thanksgiving next week. I'm especially excited about making a pumpkin pie from scratch. Ever since Josie learned a new song at school, "The Pumpkin On The Vine", she's been asking me to make a pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin. So, I'm going to honor her request. It should be fun having her help me. I look forward to the memories we'll have from that experience.

This is such a great time of the year for making memories. It's also a wonderful time of year to stop and take note of all the things with which we are blessed. In order to help my family make giving thanks a priority, I created this Family Gratitude Album. I am honored to have been asked to be a part of Little Yellow Bicycle's Cycling Team, and this is one of the projects I created using their Hello Fall collection. (You can see my projects on their blog today).

I tied a bit of ribbon to the binder rings on this album, as a way to display it. It hangs at our front entryway, welcoming guests who visit our home. I absolutely love the rich autumnal colors in this line, and aren't those felt flowers yummy?

Each spread includes envelopes I created using a printable envelope template I got from Mel Stampz (I used the 4.75" square template and scaled it down slightly to a 4.5" size). I used Tombow's Fastener Tabs on the inside of the envelope flaps. These self-adhesive hook and loop fasteners are great for keeping the flaps closed.

Inside the little envelopes, is each family member's list of things for which they are grateful. I used some pre-printed journal cards from Little Yellow Bicycle (Say What? Journal Tablet: Gratitude), but you could print your own, or have family members write a personal note on coordinating patterned paper.

This project really helped me remember all the ways God has blessed me and my family. Over the past several years we've been through a lot of changes, moving around, and up and downs. And, through it all I've learned to be thankful for those basic things that many times I take for granted.

So, what are you thankful for? I challenge you to take time to put it in writing.

Fun with Markers

2011-10-24T15:07:00.001-04:00

This week, Fancy Pants is participating in a blog hop with Tombow. I had the honor of getting to work with some of Tombow's products for my post on the Fancy Pants blog today. While I was creating and preparing for my post, I did a little searching on YouTube for some fun ways to use Tombow's Dual Brush Pens and I was excited at what I found.

This video taught me how to use the brush pens almost like a mist when used with canned air! Such a cool technique, I just had to try it!

Here's a little peek at what I created using this technique. You can see the entire project on the Fancy Pants blog today.

I also thought this video and this video, were both very informative.

Want to get so more ideas for using these fun markers and Tombow's awesome line of adhesives? Head back to the Fancy Pants blog everyday this week. The Pocket Chicks have a lot to share!

World Cardmaking Day

2011-10-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

Did you know today is World Cardmaking Day? Who knew there was such a holiday! It's pretty cool to think that there are people all over the world making cards today! Here are a few cards I made to celebrate!

I used some Fancy Pants goodies on these from the Summer's End and Baby Mine collections.

Speaking of Fancy Pants, if you head on over to their blog, they are celebrating World Cardmaking Day too! They are having a card challenge and you could win some Fancy Pants goodies by entering a handmade card of your own. You can get the details here.

Have a great day everyone! And happy cardmaking!

School's In Session!

2011-09-07T14:56:00.000-04:00

School is in session and boy, am I glad! Not just for the fact that I get a few mornings a week to myself, but mostly because my girls are loving it! They started a week and a half ago and so far, so good. They've been waking up ready to go and excited for school. Hattie has even gotten up early a couple mornings so we would could have enough time to walk to school. It's also been fun picking up Josie on her preschool days. She talks a mile a minute and has to tell me about everything she did that morning, including what she had for snack (for the record, today she had crackers with cheese AND peanut butter, she was quite proud that she got to have both).

On the first day of school, we did what is tradition every first day of school ... photos on the front porch.

I loved the way the photos turned out so much, I quickly created scrapbook pages with them using Fancy Pants' Off To School collection. I did a layout for Hattie and one for Josie. Hattie's layout is on the FP blog today for the Product Spotlight on the Off To School Rub-ons. I had fun using several of the rub-ons to create this fun apple shape. Here's a little peek.

You can see the full layout here.

And here is my little cutie, Josie. She is now a preschooler! ... Sniff, sniff! ... Okay, I'm over it. She was one excited little chick and that makes me so happy. No screaming or crying when I left her. She just went right in, hung her bag in her cubby, smiled and blew me a kiss from across the room ... okay, I'll shed one more little tear, just because she was so sweet! ... Sniff!

The chalkboard Josie is holding (Hattie has it in her photos too) was my grandmother's, from her grade-school years. I'm so thankful to have it and plan to use it every year for my girls 1st day of school pics.

So, have you gotten a chance to scrapbook your kids first day of school photos? Well, Fancy Pants is having a Back To School challenge on their blog. The deadline is Friday, so there's still time to enter. Here are the details. The winner gets some of the Off To School products I used on my layouts! And if you need a little more inspiration to get you going, while you are on the FP blog, check out what some of the FP Pocket Chicks created when they took the challenge ... some super cool stuff!

Fanciful Creations

2011-07-20T16:33:00.001-04:00

This week is CHA in Chicago. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's the bi-annual convention and trade show for the Craft & Hobby Association. It's were all the latest and greatest products are released for retailers to ooo and aah over. It such a cool event.

Fancy Pants Designs is there showing off their BRAND NEW releases, Off To School, Oct. 31, Summer's End and Saint Nick. I was honored to be able to work with some of this new product before it was even released and I had tons of fun with it. I wanted to share my creations with you today.

Ready 2 Learn
Uses the new Off To School collection, which I am in love with! It's the perfect combo of old-school elements, classic patterns and today's trendy colors. And, who wouldn't love those printed Filter Embellishments and that fun flocked transparency (alphabet overlay)?

Oct. 31
Uses the new Oct. 31 collection and I was totally geeked when I saw this line for the first time. I LOVE it's vintage vibe and that TEAL! Swoon! These papers and embellishments (the chipboard elements, printed filter paper embellishments and rub-ons - LOVE!) were perfect match for these photos of my daughter, is her peacock costume.

So Very Thankful For You 2 (cute photos of Hattie and Josie by COA Photography)
Oh my goodness! I can't get over this gorgeous collection—Summer's End! The amazingly talented owner of Fancy Pants, Jodi, knocked it out of the park with this one. So much to love about it ... the doilies, the colors, and those printed Filter Embellishments ... I loved pairing them with the Strips paper (which I cut the little doily banner from). Perfection!

I hope you've been inspired. Want to see more layouts and projects using these new collections? Head on over to the Fancy Pants blog. The Pocket Chicks have been busy. Also, be looking for these new collections online and at your local scrapbook store soon!

Pen Pal Calling Card Printable

2011-07-07T13:27:00.000-04:00

So, I hope all of you are having a great week. I'm getting a little more settled into our new home. I got a good chunk of my studio unpacked now and it feels good to have a space to create again.

Today, I wanted to share my art with you, for the Pen Pal Calling Cards (finally!) You can download these for free (simply click on the link below each image to download a pdf). I set them up to print 8up on letter size paper with crop marks to show you where to trim them. I also included versions with and without text, so you can add your own greeting or quote (wouldn't these be cute for Valentines?).

Here you go! Enjoy!

Pen Pal Calling Card Front

Pen Pal Calling Card Back

Pen Pal Calling Card Front (no text)

21 Years Ago

2011-07-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

Twenty-one years ago, two young kids met at a campground.

And their lives would never be the same.

I love you, Jason.

Sharing

2011-07-01T08:00:00.006-04:00

Happy July! Just doing a little sharing today and getting ready for some family fun this weekend. Here are some published works and some layouts that I had only shared peeks of previously. Enjoy!

Made With Love
As seen in the Love Birds ad for Fancy Pants in Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbook Trends and Paper Crafts.

So Very Blessed
A Fancy This project, as seen on the Fancy Pants blog.

Crazy Love
Me + my hubby. ♥

First Day in the 1st Grade
Created for the Product Spotlight (spotlight was on chipboard alphas) on the Fancy Pants blog.

Here & Now
Sharing a little about me on this one. Created for the Designer Spotlight on the Fancy Pants blog.

Hello Summer

2011-06-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

I'm so thankful that summer is finally here! I love all the seasons, but summer holds a special place in my heart. I have a summer birthday and wedding anniversary, and met my hubby while camping with our families over 4th of July weekend. This Sunday, my hubby and I will celebrate the day we met 21 years ago.

Yes, I love summer! So, I had a blast creating this project for the Fancy Pants blog, using their Beach Bum collection. Head on over to the FP blog to see the full layout and to see some of Yuki Shimada's creations using the line too.

I also wanted to share a little snippet of the project I created for Monday's Fancy This post on the FP blog. I show you step-by-step instructions there on how to make the little Filter Paper yo-yos. They are super easy and fun to make.

Thanks for stopping by again. Oh, and the Pen Pal printable art download is coming soon ... I promise!

Pen Pal Calling Cards

2011-06-21T13:59:00.001-04:00

We recently moved (again!). So, in case you've been wondering where I've been, I've been buried in packing paper and bubble wrap and am just now starting to see some light (and I'll feel a lot better once my studio is unpacked). Amidst all of the craziness of a move, I did find some time do a little something special for my daughter. She was pretty bummed about having to say goodbye to her school friends, so I created these little Pen Pal Calling Cards for Hattie to hand out her last day of school. She loved them and so did her friends and teachers! As you can see, the front of the cards ask so sweetly, Please be my Pen Pal and then the backs have Hattie's name and new address.

I also modified one of the cards to read, Hattie's Pan Pals and adhered it to the front of a small journal purchased at Target (gotta love Target!), so she could keep it as an address book.

Would you like to make your own calling cards using this art? Well, I'd love to share it with you! Come back on Thursday for the free, download-able, printable art, created by me! :-)

Happy Spring!

2011-05-09T08:00:00.004-04:00

Celebrate with me over at the Fancy Pants blog today! I'm sharing a home decor project there, with step-by-step instructions on how to make it. Come join the fun! Happy Spring!

A Chain Reaction

2011-04-08T09:00:00.013-04:00

I love being inspired by others. There is an abundance of creativity and talent in this small, yet not-so-small community of scrapbookers and it's refreshing to see how others approach a subject matter, photograph an event, or use a color scheme. Sometimes a quick browse online or through a magazine launches me in the direction I need to go with a layout.

Not only do I love being inspired by others, but it's pretty cool to think that they may have been inspired by someone else when they created their layout ... like a chain reaction. Last Friday, my Pocket Chick Pick was on the Fancy Pants blog, showcasing Tracie Hudson, who posted her layout on the FP Facebook wall. Her layout totally inspired me and I created a layout based on her design. Here's a little peek...

I was inspired by her and she was inspired by a sketch on the Pencil Lines blog. Pretty cool, huh? A chain reaction. So, what/who inspires you? Maybe you'll start a chain reaction too!

Where's Spring?

2011-03-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

This morning, Josie asked me if it was Spring yet. I said, "Yes, but it sure isn't acting like it, is it?" And then Hattie chimes in, "Yeah, spring is confusing!"

With temps in the 20s as we get closer to April, scrapbooking some spring/summer photos is good therapy. Warm weather will come eventually, won't it?

Here's is a peak at a layout from a recent therapy session. It's on the Fancy Pants blog today. They're talking about their new Element Stickers. You can see how some of the Pocket Chicks used them in creative ways.

So, tell me, what's helping your get through these chilly spring days? What's your therapy?

And now, I'm off to put on my sweatshirt and slippers. I'm freezing!

Tombow Blog Hop

2011-03-15T17:13:00.000-04:00

Tombow has partnered with Fancy Pants this week in a blog hop. I'm been a big fan of Tombow adhesives for a while now, and now I've had the pleasure of working with some of Tombow's The Craft Collection products. Here's a little peek at a layout I create using some of their awesome 3D Foam Tabs.

You can see the full layout, along with some other inspiring projects using Tombow's great products, over at the FP blog today, tomorrow and Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by!

We Have A Winner!

2011-03-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

The winner, chosen by a true random number generator, for all the Fancy Pants goodies is ....

Congrats, Amy! I hope you will be inspired by all of your new goodies! Email your contact info to me at petermandesign@gmail.com. I'll send your prize out next week! Enjoy!!!

I'm Not Lucky

2011-03-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Valentine's Day decor has been taken down around the house ... a couple weeks late. I'm realizing the need for some in-between-decor—some cute things to put up until I can get out my spring decor. St. Patrick's Day decor would be the obvious choice, but I'm not really into the whole "Kiss Me I'm Irish" thing (although I think my mom's side of the family may have some Irish in them) or the whole lucky shamrock thing. I really don't believe in luck. I like to say I'm blessed. God never leaves anything to luck. He has it all in His hands. Yeah ... I'm blessed.

So, with that in mind, I created this little wall hanging.

It's got a St. Patrick's Day vibe to it, but as you can see, the little birdie sitting on the shamrock says it all.

I used the bottom from a Laughing Cow Cheese package for my center circle and two chipboard circles at the top and bottom. The papers, buttons, brads and other bits are all Fancy Pants—most of it from the new It's The Little Things collection.

I also used a few of the new Filter Paper Embellishments, from the Artist Edition collection, to create my flowers and shamrock. The paper roses were created using this technique. I love the way they turned out, especially that black and white, stripey one!

I hope you enjoyed my wall hanging! Thanks for letting me share it with you!

A Little Peek

2011-03-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Fancy Pants is doing their Product Spotlight today, showcasing their new chipboard alphas. Here's a little peek at a layout I did using them.

These alphas are adhesive-backed and oh-so versatile! I love using them and can't wait to get the rest of the colors (I only have white at the moment). To see my full layout and to get lots of inspiration from some of the other Pocket Chicks, head on over to the Fancy Pants blog!

Oh! And don't forget to leave a comment on the post below to have a chance at winning some Fancy goodies!

Because I Feel Like It!

2011-03-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

I'm going to do another giveaway!

Everything you see in this photo could be yours!

Just leave a comment on this post and tell me why you scrapbook. The giveaway is open until Friday, March 4, 2011 at midnight EST. (Sorry, this giveaway is only open to continental US residents) I will announce the winner some time on Saturday!

Open

2011-02-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

Open. That is my One Little Word for 2011.

The past couple years I have joined many, who choose a word for themselves for the year. A word to reflect upon, focus on, and learn from. This year I am taking Ali Edwards, One Little Word, online class at Big Picture Classes, as a way to explore my word more fully. So far, I'm really enjoying it. The class assignments are simple, but rewarding. I am already learning more about myself and why my word is my word.

Here's a little look at my first couple pages.

The quote above really struck me. It describes how I want to live ... without fear and to pass on what I have learned. I love that I found this quote shortly after church on Sunday. The message was on Luke 8, in which Jesus tells the parable of the sower. I want to have a heart that is open and full of good soil. I want my heart to be ready to receive the Seed, let it sink in, and blossom.

Part of the class assignment for February is to explore my word through the lens on my camera, to "cultivate an awareness of my word in the world of photos". I have already taken a few photos and my eyes are open and seeing more and more of all that is open around me. I'm loving it. Can't wait to share them with you soon.

Have you chosen your One Little Word for 2011? I'd love to hear what it is.

Valentine Cards

2011-02-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

Need some inspiration for some last-minute Valentine's Day cards? Why not include a photo on your handmade card? I love including photos on my cards. Putting the time and creativity into a card is special, but there's something about putting a photo on them that makes them just that much more touching. And by adding a photo, it simplifies the card-making process. Your photo will the focal point, and all you need to do is add a few extra touches!

My love will get this card from me. The photo of us was taken by our six year old daughter, this summer. I love how she caught us at one of those silly moments.
Products used: felt, patterned paper, stickers, trim (Fancy Pants) • paint (Making Memories)

The girls will give their dad this card. On Friday, I had the girls sit out in the snow on an old sled, holding some paper hearts that they had written/drawn on. I had to take the photos super quick, because they were getting cold, but I think I got a good one! Such cuties, those girls! I know this will make their dad's heart melt.
Products used: felt, patterned paper (Fancy Pants)

I hope your Valentine's Day is a sweet one! XOXO!

A Little Bit of Me

2011-02-09T13:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it was my turn for the Pocket Chick Spotlight over at the Fancy Pants blog. I got the chance to share a little bit of myself with some answers to some interview questions and a layout I created about my life right now. Here's a little peek.

I hope you'll head over to the FP blog to see the entire layout. It's one I really put my heart into and enjoyed creating, using the new It's The Little Things collection.

Hope you are all having a great week! Happy Wednesday!

Fancy Pants New Releases

2011-01-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

CHA is this weekend and with that comes all of the fun new product soon to be in stores and online. I think Fancy Pants hit it out of the park this time. I love all of their new collections (check out their blog to see them all), but I especially love Beach Babe, It's The Little Things, and some of the fun artsy media and embellishments in the Artist Edition collection. Below are a couple layouts I created using some of the new Fancy Pants goodies.

Summer Sweeties
I used patterned paper, flocked transparency (polka dot) and Glitter Cuts (flower and flips flops) from the Beach Babe collection and some of the Filter Paper Embellishments from the Artist Edition collection. Those Filter Papers are made from the same paper that coffee filters are made of (genius!) and are way fun to work with. They take spray inks really well. I sprayed a couple of mine with a denim blue and then folded them and tucked them between the patterned paper and transparency. I also layered them with various elements for my title and the little embellishment at the top of my page. I love the added depth these give to my layout!

Live Laugh Love
I used patterned paper, Glitter Cuts, buttons and some of the Design Embellishments from the It's The Little Things collection on this layout. I also used the Filter Papers again (I can't resist them!).

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at this new product! To see more great project ideas using all of the new collections check out the Fancy Pants blog. Oh, and they've been doing some giveaways over there and on their Facebook page! So, you have even more reason to check them out!

I Flipped a Coin

2011-01-24T16:05:00.000-05:00

And the winner is ...

Congrats Angela!!!!

I'm totally cracking up that only two of you commented. Angela, I think I still have your mailing address, but can you email it to me just in case? Jing-Jing, email me your address too—I want to send you something as well. petermandesign@gmail.com

Don't miss it!

2011-01-23T21:08:00.000-05:00

My giveaway goes until midnight EST tonight for the Love Birds goodies. Post a comment on my giveaway post below to enter!

Love Birds Giveaway!

2011-01-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

Guess what? Valentine's Day is less than a month away! Yes! And to get you in the mood for Valentine creating, the Fancy Pants Pocket Chicks have some super-cute ideas on the FP blog today, using their Love Birds Valentines Cards (they can be used for so much more than just Valentine cards!).

Here's a little peek at the project I have over there today.

So, how would you like your own set of Love Birds Valentines Cards? And maybe a few other love-themed items by Fancy Pants?

Leave me a comment on this post by Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, 12:00am EST, and one lucky winner will be chosen randomly to receive everything pictured below! (Continental US only please)

Good luck! Come back again on Monday for the winner! Oh! ... and I think I have finally finished my December Daily album (almost a month late!) and I'll have photos to post soon! Better late than never, huh?

December Daily

2010-12-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

Just sharing my first few spreads with you of my December Daily album. I am really enjoying this process as it is helping me slow down and realize just how very special this month is. Since this is my first time doing a December Daily, I purposely made my album small (approx. 6x6), so that I wouldn't feel pressured to fill it with tons of stuff. But as I create each page, I'm finding that I really could have gone larger. I feel like I want to include more photos and journaling for each day. So, I will keep that in mind for next year. Yes, I am definitely doing this again next year.

One of the other things I am enjoying about this project, is that it's motivating me to do some things I've wanted to do in the past during this season, but never got around to. For example, my husband trims the extra bows off the bottom of our Christmas tree each year and I always to tell him to save them, so I can make an arrangement with them. Well, I never actually got around to creating those arrangements until this year. Something about documenting each day of December made me want to use those pine bows, so I could photograph my creations for one of my pages. As you can see on my Day 2, I filled some galvanized metal buckets (found at most hardware stores) with sand and then pushed the pine bows down into the sand along with some artificial berry springs that I got from a craft store. I love the way they turned out!

Well, I hope that all of you are enjoying your December. I'll be sure to update again soon with my next few spreads.

December is Here!

2010-12-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited it's December 1st! I'm looking forward to all the fun things my family has planned this month and recording our daily routine. I'm going to compile a December Daily Album (thanks for the inspiration, Ali Edwards) and create a page for each day leading up to Christmas day. I created the cover and interior pages of my album a few weeks ago. You can see parts of it on today's Product Spotlight over at the Fancy Pants blog. I tried to keep the inside pages simple, so there is room for more creativity as it presents itself. I'll be sure to post my progress throughout the month.

I also have another fun thing to share! I am a guest designer on the Scrap in Japan blog today. Here's a little peek at my layout. You'll have to check out the blog to see the full layout.

I think it's so stinkin' cool that there are scrapbookers on the other side of this Earth, that love scrapbooking as much as I do. It really is a small world, isn't it? I am honored to be able to share my sketch and design with them today.

Thanks everyone, for stopping by! Happy December!

Free Christmas Card Template

2010-11-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

Recently, I entered a little contest over at Becky Higgins' blog. It was a holiday card contest in which she chose five designs to be posted on her blog for readers to download. Unfortunately, my design wasn't chosen (there's some super great talent out there!) ... but, rather than keeping the designs to myself, I thought I would post them here for all of my readers to download and use. A gift from me to you, to say thanks for reading my blog.

So, here you go. Each design comes in a 4x6, 5x7 and 6x7.5 version. All you have to do is click and drag (PC users right-click) the design/size you want to save it to your desktop. You can use the design in a photo-editing program in which you can place your own photo. You can then upload your card design to an on-line photo printing website (like snapfish.com), burn a disk and take it to your preferred photo finisher, or print them yourself on your home printer!

Merry Christmas 4x6

Merry Christmas 5x7

Merry Christmas 6x7.5

Joy To The World 4x6

Joy To The World 5x7

Joy To The World 6x7.5

I hope you enjoy the cards and that this helps you check off one more thing on your holiday to-do list! Thanks for stopping by!

Blessed

2010-11-15T08:15:00.002-05:00

Life isn't about who your friends are, where you live, or the stuff you have. What is important are the eternal things—sharing life with others and giving of yourself. This month, I am remembering all the things I am thankful for. The things that really matter. On the top of that list are Jason, Hattie and Josie—my blessings—for I know that no matter what comes our way, we will always be family. A dad, mom and two little girlies that can learn together, laugh together and cry together. Thank you, dear God, for my little family.

Family photos by Center of Attention Photography.

With this very thing on my mind, I created a little something to hang in our dining room. You can see the full project and instructions for making one for yourself at the Fancy Pants blog today. I hope you enjoy it and remember your blessings!

Love Birds

2010-10-29T09:15:00.001-04:00

Did you know Fancy Pants just released two NEW lines? Here's a little peek at a layout I created using Love Birds, a lovey dovey collection full of sweetness. You can see my full layout and more projects from Fancy Pants' talented design team, at the Fancy Pants Blog. Go check it out! And while you are there, take a look at some of the projects using Hot Chocolate, a collection full of warm fuzzies.

Oh! ... And Fancy Pants is giving away a sampling of these two new collections to three people, just for leaving a comment on today's post on the FP blog. So, now you really have to head over there and check it out. Go! ... Go now! :-)

Life Is Good

2010-10-19T14:20:00.000-04:00

Did you know Fancy Pants now has monthly layout kits? I had the honor of designing the October Fancy This! kit, Life Is Good (shown above), featuring the Happy Together collection. Want to get one of these exclusive kits every month? Visit your local store to find out how—your store will need to carry this item and Fancy Pants has great plans in place to make it easy for your LSS and YOU!

Terrific Trims!

2010-10-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

I love, love, LOVE ribbon and trims. Do you love them too? Want some ideas for using them on your cards and layouts? Head on over to the Fancy Pants blog. Last Thursday's Product Spotlight was on It's Your Day Trims and I have a few projects there that I hope will inspire you.

B is for BOO

2010-09-20T09:04:00.000-04:00

There's a new Fancy This post up at the Fancy Pants blog today. And here's a little peek at the project I created. Go to the FP blog for instructions on how to make your own Boo Ornaments.

1st Grade

2010-09-08T11:58:00.002-04:00

Now Billy Joe McGuffrey was a really clumsy kid
On the first day of first grade, I'll tell you what he did
He tripped over a pencil box, flew up in the air
Landed on a kangaroo who pulled out all his hair

First aid in the first grade
First aid in the first grade
First aid in the first grade
You could buy a zoo with all the doctor bills he paid ...

I can't get this song out of my head. It's from Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie. A really great kids film. If you haven't seen it, put it on your Netflix list. :-)

Hattie's first day of first grade was today. In case you can't tell, she was one super excited chickie. I can't wait to hear about her day when I go to pick her up. I'm sure she will jabber all the way home.

Photoshop actions from Maggie Holmes and digital photo frames are from Rhonna Farrer (not sure where I purchases these, but she has some other super-cool frames at House of Three).

The Things Kids Say

2010-08-26T09:09:00.000-04:00

I need to be better at writing down some of the things my girls say. Every now and then they come up with the cutest, funniest things.

When Hattie was almost three, we were on our way home from a family Christmas gathering. Jason was taking a different route than he normally took and didn't realize the speed limit there was 25 mph. He was going faster than that and got pulled over. The officer came to the car and spoke with Jason briefly and went back to his squad car. When he returned he told Jason he would be giving him a warning and the have a safe holiday. Jason rolled up the window and I exclaimed, "Thank you God!" Hattie, being at the age to repeat everything she heard, says, "Thank you Bob!"

Now Josie, at two and a half, is coming up with her own funny moments. Recently, she requested to be put in time out. Apparently she recognized that she was being naughty and that a time out was probably coming her way. It was so cute and sweet to me that I had to create this layout.

Supplies: Acrylic die-cuts, brads, buttons, clip, rub-ons, patterned paper (Fancy Pants Designs) • letter stickers (Karen Foster Design) • paint (Making Memories)

The journaling reads: You were getting tired and you started to throw a fit. You stomped your foot and announed, "I wanna go time out!" I didn't argue with you. That's just what you needed. I little rest on the bench and you were in a much better mood. I know how you feel little Josie. Sometimes Mama needs a time out too.

So, what's the cutest thing your kid has said lately?

A Sweater From Grandma

2010-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you didn't already know, my mom has her own business (Briar Rose Fibers), hand dying yarn. I am in awe of her talent. She is truly an artist when it comes to her use of color, as she paints on her "canvases" of fiber. And not only does she have a way with color, but she can seriously knit! My girls and I have been blessed to receive hand knitted creations by their grandmother on several occasions. Aren't we spoiled?

Here is one such creation. A beautiful raspberry pink sweater made of Fourth of July, one of the many fibers in Briar Rose Fiber's inventory. My mom dyed the yarn especially for Hattie since she loves pink!

To create my layered background, I cut some of the strips from Fancy Pants Wishful Thinking Strips patterned paper and stitched them down with my sewing machine. I then pulled up the edges of every other strip to add dimension. I also used one of the strips (the green Simply Delightful strip) as a ribbon of sorts, by cutting it in pieces, pleating it and trimming Vs in the ends.

Can I brag about my mom a little more? An article was written about her recently in the Grand Rapids Press! You can read it here. If you can't tell, I am super proud of my super-cool mom.

Life Moves Too Fast!

2010-08-12T09:45:00.003-04:00

I was reminiscing the other day. Going through some older photos and thinking about how my Hattie girl is going to be a first grader this fall! I came across Hattie's preschool graduation photos and created this layout with them. I used Fancy Pants' My Family Flocked Transparency for the background and a little piece of it over one of my smaller photos. I also used one of the vintage fabric yo-yos that came with my birthday goodies my mom gave me, to make the fair ribbon.

What a minute, did I just say Hattie is going to be a first grader?! Seriously? That can't be right. People always say "they grow up so fast!" It really is true. Sometimes I think if I stopped feeding her, maybe she won't grow and just stay my sweet little Hattie forever ... Sigh.

Needless to say, Hattie is super geeked about school starting soon and I'm pretty excited for her too. I'm looking forward to hearing about what she learned on the rides home from school each day. She always has lots to say ... about what she worked on that morning, what funny things the teacher said, and silly songs she sang, and what creative play she participated in at recess. On one particular day last school year, when I asked Hattie what she did at recess, she said she and her friends made sand sculptures and then they "judged the art". You can imagine how extremely proud this made me! Gosh, I might need to create a scrapbook page about that!

My Grandmother Scrapbooked

2010-08-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Recently my dad was going through some old family photos and stumbled upon a box of items he hadn't seen before. He immediately called me, and was excited to explain that "Grandma Scrapbooked!" and that he had a couple of her old scrapbooks for me. You can imagine how excited I was to learn this, to have this in common with my grandmother, who passed away several years ago.

I have enjoyed pooring over these "relics". Her scrapbooks consist of saved birthday cards, invitations to weddings and birthday parties, old napkins, graduation cards, and a few newspaper clippings. One of the clippings described that my great-grandfather was a builder, something my father, who is also a builder, never knew.

Here are a few of my favorite things from Grandma's scrapbook.

A few of the birthday cards she received as a young girl.

A fun card that I especially love. The little skier's snowsuit is flocked!

This card is a sign of the times, back when they rationed everything.

This one still has the little button attached to it.

Along with the scrapbooks, there was a class autograph album too (the little green book shown in the first photo). I'm not sure how old my grandmother was when her classmates signed it, but it is full of funny little poems. My favorites read:

"When you get married
And your husband gets cross
Get out the rolling pin
And show him who's boss."

"I love you little
I love you big
I love you like a great big pig!
-Yours until Lake Michigan gets too dry"

There was also a note written from my great-grandfather, who was the one who gave the little autograph book to my grandmother for Christmas. It reads:

To Nellie-
When you are tempted and tried
go then to Jesus and he will stand close to your side;
And fight bravely against sin and wrong,
and Jesus will help you every day long
And that is my wish
Your Father
dated 1-14-1936

And the sweetest treasure of all? This little envelope.

It holds bits of lace and fabric from my great-grandmother's (Grandma Hattie, whom my daughter is named after) wedding gown. Someday when my little Hattie gets married, I will do something special with these to give to her on her wedding day.

Birthday Goodies (Updated!)

2010-08-06T10:05:00.001-04:00

A few years ago, I attended the Handweavers Guild of America's Convergence in Grand Rapids, MI. I was there to help my mom with her booth and got a little time to walk the floor. I came upon a booth that I could have spent all day in. Full of THE COOLEST vintage trims, buttons, pins, sewing items—it was total sensory overload for me. The colors and textures and the way the items where displayed was amazing. So much to look at and fondle and drool over. I was tempted to scoop up armfulls of the delicious notions, but I chose to walk away for a bit and then come back and select a few ribbons, pins and accessories for myself and for my friend Cindy (I gave them to her for her birthday that year).

Well, this year, my mom attended Knitter's Connection in Ohio and down the hall in the same building was a national quilt show where she came upon the SAME BOOTH from Convergence. My mama came home with this lovely set of embellishments and gave them to me for my birthday.

Aren't they yummy? So beautifully coordinated and textural. My mom and I can't remember who the woman was that ran that booth and now I am wondering if she has an Etsy shop or website, because her stuff is amazing and I think I may be addicted. If I find out, I'll post a link later. Stay tuned...

UPDATE! My mom found the website for this amazing stuff. It is Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods! They have an online store (check out the Embellishment Assortments page - YUM!) and a schedule of upcoming shows they will be attending.

Happy

2010-08-04T19:21:00.001-04:00

Okay, I know this is my third post in one day. Are you sick of my yet? Sorry, it's just that I have so much to share today! Well ... and the fact that Jing-Jing told me I needed to update my blog more often (how am I doing Jing-Jing?).

I wanted to share another Fancy Pants layout with you.

I took this photo of Jason and Josie a couple weeks back, while on a family walk at the fish hatchery and I have fallen head over heals in love with it. This photo just screams "happy" to me and so I had to scrapbook it immediately with Fancy Pants' new Happy Together collection. I love the papers in this line—they are great mix of patterns and tones—and the rub-ons are so classic (I used one of the rub-ons on the bottom edge of my main photo before trimming the photo to size).

Okay, that's enough for today. I should probably turn my attention to the neglected laundry.

Driveway Art Party!

2010-08-04T16:18:00.001-04:00

What do you get when you combine...

1 giant roll of paper
40 feet of ashphalt
12 tubes of finger pants (in various colors)
15 paint brushes
6 kiddos in bathing suits

A Driveway Art Party!

Messiness was allowed and encouraged here. And after the little artists tired from all the creativity they ran through the sprinklers to clean up. It was a perfect morning!

Playing Catch Up!

2010-08-04T15:28:00.001-04:00

Where has the summer gone? Is it really August already? I guess that's what happens when you celebrate, camp, travel, create, do mountains of laundry, travel, grieve, create, and travel some more. Hopefully, the rest of the summer will be a bit more laid back.

Last week I was in Chicago for CHA and can you believe I only took a total of like NINE pictures? How pathetic is that? So, here are a couple for proof that I was actually there.

Cindy, Jing-Jing Nickel and me in the Fancy Pants booth. This was the first time I had met the super talented Jing-Jing and she is a hoot! So fun to be around!

Here is Cindy and me with fellow Fancy Pants design team member Vicki Chrisman . I love this girl. She is super sweet and oh-so creative.

Okay, so I lied about only taking nine pictures. Cindy and I ran the photo booth at the Fancy Pants booth, so of course we had to take a few of ourselves. Check these out.

Such awesomeness, right? I bet you never knew we were so hip?

Another Peek

2010-07-23T12:59:00.002-04:00

Here's another sneak peek at some BRAND NEW Fancy Pants.

This is from the It's Your Day collection. Check out the FP blog again for more peeks and a GIVEAWAY!

Lookie Here!

2010-07-21T14:44:00.003-04:00

Check out what Fancy Pants is up to!!! Here's a little sneak peek at what they'll be releasing at Summer CHA next week! This is from their Lilac House collection by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Go to the blog for more eye candy! And if you'll be heading to CHA, stop the booth to see more and say hi!

In the Mood for Camping

2010-07-08T17:02:00.001-04:00

I am in the mood for camping. And the next time I go, I will be hanging this new little number in our camper. I used the felt page from the Fancy Pants Artist Edition: Mixed Media Album. I love this album, because it is so versatile. Check out the Fancy Pants blog for another idea, from Anne Jo Lexander, using this album.

20 Years Ago

2010-07-04T09:29:00.000-04:00

... a 14 year old girl met a 15 year old boy at a campground.

They became pen pels and friends. They dated off and on.

Then they decided they couldn't live without each other. And so they got married.

And had two kids.

And are now celebrating the day they met 20 years ago. Thank you God for sending me my soul mate. I love you honey. Forever.

A Boy Page (for a change)

2010-05-28T13:35:00.005-04:00

This is my nephew. I like to "borrow" him every now and then when I need a little break from all the frilly, frou-frou, pink-ness I've got going around my house. After scrapbooking girl pages for so long, I find I need to change it up every now and again, and create some boy pages. It's very refreshing. So yesterday, I created this page with the new Like Father Like Son collection from Fancy Pants and used photos of my nephew. I had so much fun. Thanks, Nate and Christy, for making such a cute kid.

Oh, want to see more of this new FP product and get a chance to win some for yourself? Go to today's Fancy Pants blog post and leave a comment.

The Product of the Mess

2010-05-27T12:40:00.002-04:00

So the mess is the studio was not in vain! Here are my creations using some of the new Wishful Thinking collection from Fancy Pants! To see more great ideas using this line, check out today's Fancy Pants blog post. The FP Design Team really blows me away with their creativity!

Now, I'm playing with some of the new Like Father Like Son collection and I think it may be a while before I see the top of my desk and floor again.

Creating

2010-05-25T21:15:00.001-04:00

Did you see the new spring release from Fancy Pants? I got my box of the new product last week and I've been having a blast playing with it. Can you tell?

Come back on Thursday and I'll show you what I've been working on using the new Wishful Thinking collection from Fancy Pants.

Now, can someone please come clean up my mess?

Mya's Shadoxbox

2010-05-24T11:08:00.001-04:00

I had such a fun time taking photos of this little lady the other day. What a riot she is! The photos were taken on a white backdrop, which made it super easy to trim around Mya's silhouette. And Hattie was my little assistant. She helped keep Mya looking toward the camera, by jumping around behind me and pretending I had something on my head. You can check out today's Fancy This at the Fancy Pants blog to see how I created this shadowbox, complete with a list of supplies and step-by-step instructions.

Roll It Up!

2010-04-19T14:51:00.001-04:00

For the Fancy Pants Product Spotlight last week, they featured their new Artist Edition Notebook. It's a cool 12 x 12 spiral bound book full of gorgeous patterned papers. You can tear out the papers to use on your projects or use the notebook as an album or journal. I chose to tear out a couple pages and use them on this layout. For a fun twist, I rolled up the bottom of one of the papers and used brads to hold it in place. Check out the Fancy Pants blog to see how Brenda Hurd, Ronda Palazzari and Kay Rogers, used the Artist Edition Notebook.

More Party Decor

2010-04-12T21:45:00.001-04:00

Here's another item I created for Hattie's princess party. Head on over to the Fancy Pants Designs blog for step-by-step instructions on how to make this Welcome Sign.

Party Banner How-to

2010-04-01T13:36:00.004-04:00

For Hattie's princess party, I made all sorts of frilly decorations. I'd like to share one with you today and tell you how you can make your own!

Party Banner
Here's is what you'll need:
• Fancy Pants Road Show: Journal Book
• chipboard letters (I used Fancy Pants: Lotsa Letters and Say It Simple)
• gilding leaf (I used Gilding Bitz)
• rough sponge brush
• liquid adhesive (for letters, I used Duo Adhesive)
• ribbon
• dry adhesive (I used glue dots)
• tissue paper
• spray ink (I used Glimmer Mist)
• staples and/or sewing machine

Instructions:
1. Apply liquid adhesive to letters and allow to dry until clear. (Duo Adhesive works great because once it's clear the surface will still be tacky enough to hold the leaf.)

2. Apply leaf by laying bits over tacky adhesive.

3. Burnish each letter with a rough sponge to remove excess leafing.

4. Remove desired pages from Fancy Pants Road Show: Journal Book. Trim to size if needed (I cut one page in half using scalloped scissors).

5. Stitch, with a machine or by hand (or you could staple them) the journal pages to your length of ribbon.

6. Adhere gilded letters to journal pages with glue dots.

7. To make a tissue flowers, I followed these instructions, except I used small tissue paper circles instead of coffee filters. I traced a pop can and cut out my circles with pinking shears.

8. Once you've made your flowers, spray them with ink, allow to dry and glue or staple them to the ribbon.

9. Party!

(The garland above the party banner is made with muffin liners, using the same method as the coffee filter flowers)

Princess Hattie is Six!

2010-03-30T14:16:00.003-04:00

love my life

2010-03-25T13:13:00.007-04:00

I am so thankful for the life I have. Even though the past couple of years have been a crazy roller coaster ride with some very frustrating times, I know that I can always lean on my God. Despite my circumstances, he has blessed me. I created this layout to express my thankfulness for the blessings in my life — family, friendship, true love, my hope in Christ — these are the chips on my life's Bingo Board. And thankfully, at the center of it all, is the FREE square. Freedom. I praise you God for giving me freedom. Freedom to worship you, freedom to be who you created me to be, freedom to choose you.

Have you ever thought to create a scrapbook page as a way to praise God? If so, post a link in a comment. I'd love to see what you've created.

Note: This layout is featured on the Fancy Pants blog this week for the Product Spotlight on the My Family: Rub-ons. Check out the blog for more ideas for using these rub-ons.

Supplies used: patterned paper, rub-ons (Fancy Pants Designs) • bingo card, chipboard, spray ink (Tattered Angels) • other: lace trim

Create Well Create Often

2010-03-23T17:07:00.000-04:00

Create Well Create Often is an inspiring blog that encourages the creative spirit. Jen, author of this helpful blog, invited me to be her guest designer this week. You can see my post here. Thanks Jen, for letting me share with your readers.

Fancy Pants & Tattered Angels

2010-03-04T14:03:00.004-05:00

Fancy Pants is participating in a blog relay with Tattered Angels! That means all this month, projects posted on the FP blog (and TA blog) will combine some Fancy goodness with Tattered Angels products. What could be yummier?

Here is a layout I created using product from the FP Road Show collection along with some TA Glimmer Glass (snowman, snowflakes, and icicles). I love how the FP product works so well with the Tattered Angels product. The Glimmer Glass is especially fun—I painted the back of the snowman and scribbled into the paint with the opposite end of my paintbrush. I love the extra texture it adds.

Fancy Pants CHA Release: Artist Edition: Mixed Media Album

2010-01-27T14:24:00.005-05:00

Here is another new release from Fancy Pants Designs! I used the Mixed Media Album — just one of the new items in the Artist Edition collection. Take a look!

Included with each Mixed Media Album is: 2 brown felt and 2 chipboard sheets; 1 printed acrylic, 1 canvas, 1 mirror and 1 corrugated board sheet. Such fun textures to play with!

Head on over to the Fancy Pants blog to see how Brenda Hurd and Ronda Palazzari used this album too, and to see the other cool products in the Artist Edition collection. Oh! And you know what else you'll find there? A chance to win a sampling of Fancy Pants BRAND NEW product. Just leave a comment on the post that applies to you (one is for US residents and one is for international residents). Good luck!

Fancy Pants cha Release: Road Show

2010-01-22T14:30:00.001-05:00

Here's another peek at some of Fancy Pants Designs new product that's going to be released next week at CHA. This layout uses Road Show. Mmmm, such gorgeous papers, rub-ons and FLOCKED transparency. So cool. Check out the Fancy Pants blog again today and the next few days for more project inspiration and a GIVEAWAY soon!

Fancy Pants CHA Release: About A Girl

2010-01-21T10:45:00.002-05:00

Fancy Pants Designs is releasing brand new product again at CHA next week! They always come out with the coolest product and this release is no exception. Take a look at a couple projects I created using About A Girl. I had way too much fun!

To see more cool projects using this line, check out the Fancy Pants blog. The design team members are rockin' the new product there. And if you keep coming back to the FP blog, you'll see some of the other new collections over the next few days. Woo hoo!

Fridge Calendar

2010-01-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

I love calendars. I've found some really cool ones the past few years, but didn't get a chance to shop for one this year and didn't want to order one online. So, I decided to make my own! I created this mini calendar for my refrigerator, so I could keep it in our kitchen where it will always be in sight. I downloaded a free calendar template online and added in my own dates. To get complete instructions on how to make your own, along with more photos of this project, you can check out today's Fancy This post on the Fancy Pants Designs blog.

A Handmade Wreath

2009-11-28T18:47:00.007-05:00

This is what my man and his girls made today.

They spent the entire afternoon cutting and bending limbs from my parents grapevines for the wreath shape and then they cut pine bows and holly from the yard to fill it in. I love that the girls created something so beautiful with their dad and they did it all without my knowing. It was a wonderful surprise when they came in the house with this beautiful wreath! So fun!

Unfinished quilts ... finished!

2009-11-19T14:10:00.003-05:00

These quilts had been sitting in a bag, unfinished, for several years (gasp!) and are now, finally getting to see the light of day. I recently passed them along to a friend who finished them for me (thanks a ton, Linda!) and I picked them up from her this morning. Yay! Now to find homes for them on my walls.

This is the first quilt top I ever made. Circa late 80's. Gotta love pink and green and black. I started to hand quilt it, but Linda finished it for me and put the binding on. I think I may hang this in Josie's room.

My mom made this quilt top and gave it to me to finish, which I then passed along to Linda to finish. :-)

My mom made this quilt top for Hattie when I was pregnant with her. I machine quilted it. Linda added the binding. I love the chicken fabric in this one.

This one is my favorite. It's string quilt top I made when we lived in Muskegon. Seeing this quilt brings back sweet memories of sewing in my little home office/studio. Linda added simple wavy machine quilting and binding. Love it.

A Little Bit Vintage

2009-11-17T13:38:00.003-05:00

I've been hoping to share photos of my sweater that I finished recently, but I have yet to sew the buttons on. My aunt is firing some up for me, since I didn't have enough in the set I had already picked out. So, in the mean time, I've started another sweater and knitted up this fun hat. It comes from The Yarn Girls Guide to Knits for All Seasons. I love how quick and easy it was and I LOVE the little button on the side. Just adds a little bit of a vintage look to it. I used two strands of Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July (one hank).

Stay tuned ... sweater photos to come soon.

A Year In Yarn

2009-11-09T11:04:00.005-05:00

Have you bought a 2010 calendar yet? If you haven't, why not get a Year In Yarn calendar? This full-color calendar displays Briar Rose Fibers among many other amazing yarn artisans. With each calendar purchase $3 is donated to Doctor's Without Borders. I had the pleasure and honor of taking the photo for Briar Rose for the month of June.

And speaking of yarn ... I've been knitting again ... and it's been too long. I've been working diligently on a Christmas present for a family member (I can't say who!), but have to put it on hold since the rest of the yarn to finish it is in storage! I am also very close to finishing a sweater I started when I was pregnant with Josie (2 years ago! - photos to come soon) and I recently finished these hats for my girls.

Hat pattern is the Fourth Of July Family Hat made with Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July.

Fresh & Clean

2009-11-05T13:35:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe Josie is going to be two in a few short months! While I worked on this layout yesterday, I kept thinking about how times flies and how she is turning into a little lady. Sigh... Anyway, I created this layout for today's Fancy Pants blog post that features their Little Sprout Notebook Journal. I used several pages from the journal, one as a background for my title (which I cut out from the journal page), and a couple others to create the layered decoration at the bottom of the layout (I cut the journal pages into pieces and stitched them in place).

Fresh & Clean
Supplies: Little Sprout: Welcome Baby patterned paper, Little Sprout: Notebook Journal, Little Sprout: Fresh Title and Lace Border Glitter Cuts, various trims and buttons by Fancy Pants.

You Look Boo-tiful!

2009-10-15T13:55:00.000-04:00

This week's Product Spotlight at the Fancy Pants blog is focused on their Trick or Treat Transparencies. I created this mirror using the Web Transparency and a couple items from the crafts store. Here's how you can make your own.

Supplies:
• Fancy Pants Trick or Treat: Web Transparency
• Fancy Pants chipboard letters
• Fancy Pants Trick or Treat Notebook Journal
• Fancy Pants Trick or Treat: Skull paper
• Fancy Pants Trick or Treat: Ghoul Talk
• Fancy Pants ball trim and ribbon
• Fancy Pants felt shapes
• Slick Writer
• Acrylic paint
• Mirror (mine is one of those chargers that you see under centerpieces at wedding receptions. It was cheap and even cheaper this week, since they are on sale at Hobby Lobby. Gotta love Hobby Lobby.)
• Plate Hanger
• Glue dots and pop-dots

Instructions:
1. Cut Web Transparency into a 12" circle (I used a large bowl as a template). Adhere to mirror with glue dots.
2. Cut out shapes from page in Trick or Treat Notebook Journal and Ghoul Talk paper. Layer with pop dots and adhere to mirror to create a background for your "Boo-tiful" letters. (optional: I also layered a couple felt shapes in between the papers)
3. Paint chipboard letters and adhere to background.

4. Cut stars from back side of Skull paper and adhere to mirror with pop dots.
5. Write "You Look" on transparency with a Slick Writer.

6. Attach plate hanger and hang with coordinating trim.

Fancy Pants Glitter Cuts

2009-10-01T13:26:00.001-04:00

Have you seen Fancy Pants Glitter Cuts? They are printed transparency, die-cut into cool shapes with a hit of glitter. Now what's not to like about glitter? Here I used the Pink Scallop Frame from the Dancing Girl Collection. I simply tacked it down over my photo with a small amount of clear adhesive, to keep it in place, and then I used my sewing machine to stitch it in place permanently.

Want to see more ideas for using Fancy Pants Glitter Cuts? Check out today's blog post. It has some great ideas from the FP Design Team.

Get Fancy!

2009-09-29T12:36:00.001-04:00

There has been a new addition to the Fancy Pants Designs website that I just have to share ... the Get Fancy Studio! Now you can purchase some of the Fancy Pants products you know and love, directly from the website. They are offering special product sets, scrapbook and home decor kits and soon-to-be-available DIGITAL downloads!

There's also a gallery section where YOU can post and share your own creations using Fancy Pants Designs product. All you have to do in register to be a member in order to post.

Girl, interrupted.

2009-09-14T15:23:00.000-04:00

Just had to share this cuteness.

Remembering

2009-09-11T09:27:00.000-04:00

Remembering that day.

I remember I was in our little one-bedroom apartment in Antioch, Tennessee, just getting ready to check email and start work for the day. I turned on the radio and heard something about an airplane crashing into one of the twin towers. I remember quesitoning if I heard it correctly ... What? An airplane crashing into a skyscraper in NYC? I turned on the TV and sat on the bed for the next couple hours and throughout the day. I will never forget the sound of the alarms of the firefighters who were lost in the rubble. If I hear anything remotely similar to that sound today, I immediately think of that day and it's gives me terrible feeling in my stomach.

I remember feeling oceans away from my family and wishing we didn't live in Tennessee. I remember calling my mom and crying. I remember being worried about my dad who was on a hunting trip in Alaska, wondering if he even knew what happened (he was out deep in the wilderness with no connection to the outside world).

Today, I remember again and am thinking of the all of the families who lost loved ones that day.

Girls in Shades

2009-09-11T09:13:00.003-04:00

I recently created these layouts using some new Fancy Pants products. I realized after I created these that I had a little theme going on here with both girls sporting sunglasses.

Lil' Supa Star
This layout uses papers and ribbon from the new Rough and Tough Collection. I wanted to show that it can be used for more than just boys. I used part of the Strips paper (orange striped paper) as a place for my journaling and added some stitching to make look like the stars strings continue up the page and over the photo. Gosh, I love what a sewing machine can do to paper. I also used the Cards paper to frame my smaller photos.
Journaling reads: Hattie - You thought you were hot stuff when you got these cool shades from Ethan's birthday party. When we got home you put them on and started struntin' your stuff.

Summer Shades
And here's Josie looking her coolest. :-) I used the papers from the Dancing Girl Collection for this layout. I love the quirkiness of the design of these papers. Very cute and sassy - perfect for these photos!

Revamp

2009-09-10T15:03:00.002-04:00

Please stay tuned. I am working on revamping the look of my blog. Sorry if it's a little hard to read, but if won't be like this for long. :-)

Really?

2009-09-10T12:47:00.005-04:00

Really? Has it been since July that I last posted? Wow.

Well, we have had a lot going on in the past few weeks. God's been doing some amazing things. I'll fill everyone in when I'm able. But for now, I'll post a few pics I took of the girls while we were camping in Muskegon last week. I love these girls SO much! I had such a blast photographing them and have renewed my love of photography and Photoshop again, but I suppose that has a lot to do with having such cute subjects!

Another peek at new Fancy Pants

2009-07-22T15:35:00.002-04:00

Here is a layout I created using Fancy Pants Designs new Christmas Magic line! I'm loving the new product! So much fun to work with.

Santa Baby featuring my adorable nephew Dillan.

CHA Sneak Peeks

2009-07-20T21:01:00.003-04:00

It's that time again. CHA is right around the corner and Fancy Pants has come out with some great new product again! Woo hoo! Here's a little look at the new Trick-Or-Treat line (one of five new lines!). You can also check out their blog for more peeks.

Fancy This

2009-06-15T16:28:00.004-04:00

Check out today's Fancy This post on the Fancy Pants Designs blog. You'll find step-by-step instructions there on how to make this guest book I created for our new home. Now who will be the first to come visit me and sign it?

Home Sweet Home

2009-05-28T08:35:00.004-04:00

We are SO thankful to be in a house again! And here it is...

Front of the house (Memorial Day)

Back of the house. Jason and Josie cooking some hot dogs.

The girls playing in the little playhouse in the back yard.

We are so very blessed.

Nostalgic

2009-05-19T10:35:00.005-04:00

It's no wonder I love mary janes. My mom started me young. She saved this pair of black patent leather shoes that I wore when I was about 3 months old. Josie had a chance to wear them at the same age with her Easter dress last year. So sweet. It's fun to think that maybe someday Josie will have a little girl who will wear these mary janes too. Thanks mom, for saving these little shoes.

Fancy Pants supplies used: Delight Journal Book, Lotsa Letters Chipboard, All Fall Printed Chipboard Letters (I peeled the printed top layer off), My Valentines Overlay

Fun stuff

2009-05-12T11:06:00.002-04:00

I am so giddy! Go check out what Fancy Pants has been up to! Click here to go their blog! I can't wait to get my hands on some of the new goodness.

It's Girl Friday

2009-05-01T17:39:00.000-04:00

Here's a little peek at my creations using the Girl Friday kit from scrapbookdeals4u.

Check out their site to see my full layouts, read my review of the Girl Friday kit and order your own kit to play with (and you WILL want to order a kit, both of May's kits are the bomb)!

Kit Reveal

2009-04-28T12:47:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know Martha at scrapbookdeals4u has revealed the May kits. Go here to check them out! I'm having lots of fun with the Girl Friday kit and can't wait to post my projects to their site. I'll be posting between May 1-5.

It's been a while

2009-04-22T11:13:00.006-04:00

Gosh! It's been quite a while since I've posted. Sorry for being away for so long, especially when I have really no excuse for being absent.

I got another box of Fancy Pants goodies the other day, so I've been having lots of fun creating. Check out my Josie girl! I still can't believe she turned one almost three months ago. Where does the time go?

Josephine Grace Peterman thoroughly enjoying her first taste of cake.
Products used: On A Whimsy Cards paper, Splendid Titles and Tags, All Fall Titles and Tags, On A Whimsy Journal Book, Bright Alphas rub-ons, Celebrate rub-ons, mini folder and clip from embellishment kits, Double Alpha rub-ons, Say It Simple and Lotsa Letters chipboard.

I love the way this layout turned out. I focused on just a few photos from her party, but I still had some photos I wanted to include in her album, so I did this...

I used one of Fancy Pants refill pages with the 4x6 photo pockets to create a complimentary page to my more involved layout. I love this and plan on doing more of this in my albums. It's a great way to get more photos in your album without having to create layouts using every photo for an event.

I got another box of goodies the other day from Martha at scrapbookdeals4u.com. I am honored to be their guest designer for May. I'm really looking forward to working with one of their kits (they have two to choose from each month and they are amazing). You'll have to check out their website and in early May, to see what I've created.

Now that I have two girls..

2009-03-09T07:51:00.003-04:00

... I feel like that whatever I do/buy for one, I need to do it for the other. So, since I made this for Josie a few weeks ago, I just HAD to make this for Hattie.

Me Right Now

2009-03-05T10:04:00.003-05:00

I recently created this layout about myself for the Fancy Pants Design blog (you can go there to read my answers to some interview questions they had for me). It's a layout about where I'm at in my life right now.

It reads...

Studying Fireproof
Loving my hubby and two girlies
TRUST - my word for 2009
Reading The Last Battle
Giving up pop for Lent
Finding my daily strength is God
Learning to drink green tea
Dreaming of having a house
Facebook fan
Wanting a grain mill so I can bake healthier bread

I used some of the new Kraft Kuts on this layout and I have to say, I'm in love with the stuff. I love the muted tones on the recycled craft paper. Yum.

First steps

2009-02-20T08:03:00.002-05:00

A little more Fancy Pants

2009-02-01T21:08:00.002-05:00

A little door hanger I made for Josie. Made using one of the printed transparent pages from one of the Mixed Media Book Sets (Half Bracket).

CHA video

2009-01-30T10:26:00.004-05:00

I'm back from CHA and I had a great time. As always, I met the nicest people and I enjoyed showing everyone the super cool new products Fancy Pants has come out with.