13 Days of October Madness

There are those who eat, breathe & sleep Christmas - red & green all year round. I'm one of the growing number whose favorite holiday & time of year is Halloween & fall. To celebrate my favorite season, I'm throwing a party...13 days of craft & decor fun & I hope you'll join me!

Today also happens to be World Card Making Day, & even though I'm not much of a card maker, I couldn't pass up the chance to make a Halloween card. Here's the final product:

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Here's how I did it:

Materials Needed:

Premade card (5x7, black from Hobby Lobby)

Lace & Ribbon trim

Strip of patterned paper

2 pages from a hard back book, cut into 4 squares, 2 3/4" each

Hat pin

2" Circle punch & black cardstock

Halloween sentiment stickers
Black ink pad

Tattered Angels Black Magic mist

Double sided tape, ribbon glue, pop dots

I knew I wanted a rosette made from book pages, (an old Edgar Allen Poe book I bought cheap from a used bookstore - Perfect!) so I cut my 4 squares & assembled the rosette. I inked the edges & creases with black Staz-On ink. Then I determined the background, settling on a fairly monochromatic scheme with one pop of color. Going with the Poe scheme, I went with blacks, grays, and faded white. I adhered the harlequin strip of ribbon horizontally across the card, & added the lace for texture. The lace was white, but I sprayed it w/ the Tattered Angels mistingspray to turn it grayish black. (An easy fix btw!) After gluing on the lace beneath the harlequin ribbon, I used pop dots to glue down the rosette on the right edge of the card. The large orange flower is a Bazzill product, which I understand they've discont'd to my dismay. I love the size! All I did to add the bling was use Tim Holtz' Crystal Stickles along the embossed parts - and instant bling! More pop dots to hold the flower down. Punch the black cardstock circle, adhere the Happy Halloween sticker (from Michaels!) & use pop dots & glue to center of flower.

The hat pin is an embellishment I'm still learning to make, but it's perfect for a Gothic/Victorian Halloween look. Spear the hat pin between the flower & paper rosette, and that's it! What do yoy think? I'd love to see what Halloween cards you come up with! Leave a comment with a link to your blog & I'll stop by!

Happy Crafting ~

Stephanie

Dog Days of Summer Blog Hop

A new month calls for a new blog hop with the Creative Scrapbooking Divas! Did you know the CS Divas have a blog hop the first Saturday of the month? They are so much fun and there are usually several fun prizes to be won! This month's blog hop is inspired by summer, and so are our projects!

If you're just joining us now, you can start at the beginning by going to Luisa's blog & visiting each site on the hop so you'll be eligible to win the CS Divas Grand Prize!

Here's how you earn your chance to win:

a. leave a comment on each site of the hop

b. leave a comment on the CS Divas web site when you're done!

You can earn extra tickets to win by also -

a. becoming a follower on our blog

b. become a fan on our Facebook page

c. add your own summer project on our website using Mr. Linky.

One more thing before we see my project - our blog tour list -

Luisa's Blog: Creative Designs by Luisa: http://creativedesignsbyluisa.com/

Sandy's Scrapbook Blessings

Stephanie: You are here!

Pam: Dreams and Memories at http://dreamersklub.blogspot.com/

Jessica's Craft Shaque: http://jessicascraftshaque@blogspot.com

Alecia's blog: http://freakalecias.blogspot.com/

For me, summer brings to mind the carefree and innocent images of the past as well as some of my favorite summer activities. I combined both of these in a quick and simple banner. Here's the project as a whole -

The images I saved from the internet at Plan 59, and the flash cards are from a downloaded set of 12 flashcards I purchased from an Etsy Store called Hudson's Holidays. (if you've never heard of etsy, you're missing out! Etsy is an on line market place for individuals to open their own cyber store fronts & sell handmade goods) The kids and I went through the flashcards and they picked out their favorites. Then I simply punched holes in each card/pic, strung them together and raided my ribbon stash for colorful bits that I tied between everything. My kids and I have had the best time this summer enjoying everything from our banner: sunshine, popsicles, swimming, & summertime! What do you love about summertime? Create your own project and and link it up by August 9th 7pm Eastern time on our Creative Scrapbooking Divas Blog to get two tickets and be entered to win our blog hop prize!

Thanks for visiting, now let's go see what Pam created!

Twilight Time!

Reminder: I am offering a chance to win blog candy (free stuff!) for new followers and comments through tomorrow!

Many of you share my love for all things Twilight (and if you don't, you're missing out!) and even though I prefer the books to the movie, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join a Twilight Tag Swap over at MAS (Mini Album Scraps). This swap takes place over the course of several months and focuses on only one movie at a time. The first swap took place in June and of course focused on Twilight, my favorite book, but least favorite movie of the series. Although we were only asked to make one tag design, but six actual tags, you'd think it would be easy. Alas, I have to make everything harder on myself. There were so many scenes from Twilight that I had to make six different tags!

Here is what I came up with:

The papers are a variety of combinations for the front, pics are all from the internet. The backs had to be decorated too, so I actually took my beat up, well read paperback copy of Twilight, scanned the pages from which the pics on each tag were taken, spritzed them with Candy Apple Red glimmer mist, added a rub on and the Twilight obsessed tag.

This was my first tag swap at MAS, and I'm so proud of how they turned out! I am working on my New Moon tags now, due August 23rd, so come back and visit to see how they turned out!

Happy Crafting!

~ Stephanie

Divalicious Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Christmas in July blog hop!
It may not feel like snow outside in the Northern hemisphere, but if we start our holiday projects now, we just might be ready by December! We would love for you to plan and play along! Please join us as we share with you the wonderful holiday projects of CS Divas.

If you are just now joining us, you can go to Luisa's blog to start at the beginning so you won't miss a hop stop and be eligible for the blog hop prize.
Our blog hop list:
Luisa: Creative Designs by Luisa
Sandy: Scrapbook Blessings
Stephanie: The Magic of Ordinary Days (you are here!)
Jessica: Jessica's Craft Shaque
Yolie: Just Yolie, Just Create
Vanessa: Creating Sensations
Pam: Dreamer's Klub
Alecia: Welcome to Alecia's

Don't forget to comment on the main Diva blog here when you are done for a ticket to be entered for the blog hop prize!!! I am also offering blog candy for new followers & comments!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was the advent calendar my mom bought every year with little pieces of chocolate behind those magic paper doors that every day my sisters and I couldn't wait to open! Advent calendars have come a long way since then, & for quite awhile I've wanted to make a muffin pan countdown calendar like the ones I've seen on line.
So, let's get started!

Supplies:
1 - 24 count mini muffin pan (got mine from Wal-Mart!)
Scraps of paper (however you choose to make yours; I used 24 different patterns, but you could do a repeating pattern of the same papers)
Magnets (from your fridge or craft store)
Alpha stickers/rub-ons
Pencil/pen
Scissors
Glue (Elmer's Craft Bond Rubber Cement
Punches, embellishments
Let's Get to Work:
1. First I measured the opening of the muffin wells (2") & made my circles a little bigger (2 1/4") so they would clearly fit over the opening instead of falling in.
2. I picked my papers & cut each circle by hand instead of using my Cricut so I could place the patterns exactly where I wanted them.
3. I decided to make my calendar vertical instead of horizontal, choice is yours!
4. Next I figured out the layout of my circles & numbered them on the backs so I wouldn't forget or lose my place.
5. Once all my circles were cut, I set them aside & grabbed my magnets. Using the same 2 1/4" circle pattern, I traced 24 circles from the magnets. Cut around the circle two times, making the circumference just a bit smaller so the edges don't show once glued to the patterned paper.
6. In order to protect your work surface, place a mat (I use a large sheet of foam from Hobby Lobby) on your table before you start gluing.
7. Use the rubber cement to glue the magnet to the patterned paper. Important: always make sure you're placing the glue on the non-magnetized side! (when you're gluing 24 circles it's easy to just glue without thinking!)
8. Lay your glued/magnetized circles on your muffin pan & choose your alphas for each circle.
9. Embellish
10. Display: You can either place your advent calendar on a stand or drill a hole/holes in the top to draw ribbon through and hang wherever you choose.
What I'll be putting in my calendar:
1. Candy placed in one well per row. (hey - it's for the kids!) 2. Write your wish list to Santa & mail it. 3. Hop on one foot & sing Jingle Bells. 4. Send Christmas cards to troops overseas. 5. Read the Angel visits Mary (Mark 1:1-8). 6. Drink Hot Chocolate. 7. Watch Polar Express. 8. Create a mural of the nativity scene. 9. Buy a new Christmas book to add to our collection. 10. Bake Christmas cookies! 11. Wear Christmas pajamas & take pictures by the tree. 12. Memorize Bible verses from Luke chapter 2. 13. Visit a local Christmas tree farm & buy fresh boughs to make the house smell good. 14. Drive around neighborhoods & look at Christmas lights. 15. Make family Christmas ornaments for 2011. 16. Build a gingerbread house. 17. Make food for Santa's reindeer. 18. Attend Christmas Eve services at church.

I would love to see what you come up with! For two tickets to win the CS Divas blog hop prize, please post your entries using Mr. Linky by July 12th, 7pm eastern, to be entered to win the hop prize.
Thanks for hopping and have a Divalicious Christmas!
(Remember - post a comment at the Divas blog letting us know that you've left comments on all the Diva blogs for a ticket to win! Thanks for stopping by, leaving a comment or becoming a follower! Winner of the blog candy will be announced in one week! (going out of town next week!) Let's head over to Jessica's blog now!
Happy Crafting!
~ Stephanie

Blog Happy

Hello Friends and Family!

Just wanted to take a moment and let you know about an exciting event in my scrappy life - the new blog for the Creative Scrapbooking Divas! I'm in my second term on the design team with these ladies and I have to tell you, it's so much fun and they are all so friendly! I hope you'll follow us on our new blog http://creativescrapbookingdivas.blogspot.com/! We will continue to have awesome challenges, prizes, tutorials, tips and inspiration here and we hope you'll come play along with us!

I will still be working with the Fun Techniques and Products group, and my bio. goes up July 13th. The fun has already begun and gets even better with a Divalicous Christmas in July blog hop set for July 9th. Please visit our blog for all the details. I know there will be prizes and blog candy involved. :) Leave us some love on our new blog and come get creative with us!

Happy Crafting ~

Stephanie

50 Days of Summer Fun Project!

Say the word "summer" & it usually conjures up images of fun in the sun & lazy carefree days. Most summers that's just fine with me. This summer is a little different for our family in that my DH, Cass, will miss the first month due to 23 days of Army Reserve Annual Training at Ft. Carson, CO. Our 3 yr. old tends to handle daddy's absences better than our 5 yr. old son, who is a bit more sensitive & very attached to his daddy. I was wracking my brain trying to come up with ideas of how to overcome Cass's long trip, when I came upon the perfect idea over at The Crafting Chicks blog. I love this website & visit it regularly. They have some great ideas of things to do this summer with your kids including science camp & making summer achievement badges (much like Boy Scout achievement badges) which I would love to make, but think I'll tackle that project next summer! But I digress - 50 Days of Summer Fun is the perfect solution to summer's inevitable "I'm bored". I love that you can make up your own activities and create your own chart, or download a free, (but blank) copy of the vertical chart above. Being the scrapbooker that I am, of course I had to make my own! Here's what I came up with and how:
I started by opening both a blank Word document & Jamie's chart on the Crafting Chicks website. I copied the 50 items onto my Word doc. & began to edit.
First I changed the page layout to landscape (horizontal) & then formatted the text into three columns. I added the title 50 Days of Summer Fun using the font Marcelle. (download for free here.) The hardest part was actually reading through the list & deciding what I wanted to add & delete.

When I was finished with the list, I printed it out on a piece of pink Basic Grey cardstock from Michaels. (original size was 12x12 so I cut it down to 8 1/2 x11) The background papers & stickers all came from the Echo Park 'Summertime' paper kit available from Hobby Lobby in the paper kit aisle. The blue paper is 12x12, but the argyle is cut down to 4 four inches. I placed them side by side, flipped them over & ran a strip of double sided tape down the sides & across the top. Then I adhered them to a heavy piece of cardstock for added thickness and stability. I glued the list to the blue/argyle, added the stickers, and used a 2" square punch to add Cade & Macy's pics to the right corner. I printed & punched the Marshall Summer 2011, added four banner stickers (Echo Park "A Walk in the Park" kit from Hobby Lobby), topped it with white embroidery thread, buttons, and voila!

The plan is to do as many of things as possible throughout the entire summer, check them off as we go, take lots of pictures, and have a fun-tastic summer! Check back regularly to see how many we've done! Better yet, make your own & leave me a link in the comments section so I can see!

Here's my list:

1. backyard campout 2. finish a chapter book 3. family movie night 4. go to the bookstore 5. go to the movies 6. backyard swim party 7. go to Bouncin' Bears 8. go to a baseball game 9. Pop Pops & Gma Linda's house 10. Read/tell scary stories 11. go to the Farmer's Market 12. make a craft 13. run through the sprinklers 14. have a sleep over 15. go on a nature walk 16. go to a parade 17. fireworks show 18. blow bubbles 19. walk to Mike & Sam's 20. Decorate/rearrange your room 21. water gun fight 22. play flashlight tag 23. celebrate an unbirthday 24. family picnic 25. sidewalk chalk art 26. go bowling 27. make s'mores 28. eat snowcones 29. play at a friend's house 30. make homemade ice cream 31. go on a road trip 32. night stargazine 33. make a summer collage 34. Children's Museum 35. Build a fort 36. Family Game night 37. go on a treasure hunt 38. build a sandcastle 39. Pizza Party 40. Ice cream sundae buffet 41. Grammy & Grampa's 42. plant flowers 43. play at the beach 44. airplane museum 45. kids take pictures 46. chart animals/birds in yard 47. visit a historic landmark 48. play at the park 49. perform a random act of kindness/volunteer 50. visit daddy at work
What's on your list???

Happy Crafting!

~ Stephanie

This project has been linked to:

A Crafty Soiree & Yesterday on Tuesday

Feeling Crafty

If you haven't checked out my scrapbooking home online, The Creative Scrapbooking Divas, I urge you to go to their site (after reading my post first!) One of the things I've enjoyed most about their site is the Create and Swap group. Each month there is a different challenge of something to make and then swap with another member. In April, the challenge was to make inchies and twinchies - which I'd never head of before. They're basically objects (tags and such) an inch or two inches in diameter. May's challenge was to make ATCs - Artist Trading Cards, which I'd always wanted to make so I was really excited! I loved both challenges and what I created. Here's how my everything turned out - The ATCs were inspired by my love for the holidays, and the twinchies were inspired by a 40s beach party scene in my scrapbook room.

They were so much fun to make - don't you want to make some too??? Have fun and happy crafting!
~ Stephanie

Diva Mansion Tour RAK Drawing

And the Winner is.....Angela R.! Thanks to everyone for visiting my blog and playing along with the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Mansion Tour on National Scrapbooking Day weekend. Angela - I'll be sending you a lovely RAK!
Thanks!
Stephanie

Long Time Coming

Seems like it's been forever since I had a chance to blog! Two birthdays have passed, Easter, and a trip to my parents in Austin means I've been a busy bee! This weekend I got a chance to do some scrapbooking with my friends at Creative Scrapbooking Divas' online crop. (http://divascreativas.ning.com/) If you haven't been to their site, go check it out! Here's what I made from one of their challenges. A sketch from the site Sassy Lil Sketches (http://sassylilsketches.blogspot.com/) gave me an opportunity to scrap some of my favorite pics of my son from last year! Here's the sketch, and how I interpreted it.

I used new western papers by Adorn It, blue plaid strip by Hobby Lobby, silver charms from HL as well, tags are really old from K&Co. Loved this sketch & had a lot of fun using it! Thanks for looking!

The Perfect Picnic

The weather this past week has been gorgeous - and definitely has me seeing spring colors everywhere I go! Of course I had to translate these feelings to paper! This layout is actually a combination of inspirations - a color combo challenge from the Creative Scrapbooking Divas (http://divascreativas.ning.com/) and a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays (http://sketchythursdays.blogspot.com/). It's a LO of the kids in one of our simple pleasures - a backyard picnic complete with Happy Meals and sunshine. Here's what I came up with:

I used new American Crafts paper for the background, polka dot & tree paper. Flowers are all cut from last spring's Cosmo Cricket De-lovely collection. Yellow thickers, rub on alphas, Jilly Bean sprout journaling circle, buttons & white acrylic paint. TFL!

He Said...

Here is a layout I designed using a page map for the Creative Scrapbooking Divas design team call. I've been wanting to do a layout based around this idea for a while now. First, a little context:

My husband works a lot of nights at the airport (he's an agricultural specialist with Customs & Border Protection) so I do most of the bed times with the kids. Last year in March of 2010, one of Cade's favorite books was called "Mommy's Little Boy" and the idea of course is that no matter how old or how big Cade gets, he will always be my little boy. I started telling him that I wished he would stay little and not grow up and he would always giggle. Then one day from out of the blue, we're driving to preschool and this little voice from the backseat says, "I'm sorry mommy, but I can't stay little. I have to grow up and get big like daddy." Well, you can imagine how this affected me. I got so choked up I didn't know what to say. When I walked him in to his teachers, I cried telling them the story - and they cried too! We're just softies I guess. But that one incident has stuck with me and I will always remember it. Here's what I did with it...

Valentines Blog Hop Day 3

Good morning ladies! So glad you made it back my way and hope you're enjoying today's creations! If you're here from Brenda's blog, you're in the right place! If you're new to our hop, Welcome! We're hippity hopping our way across the internet with the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Valentines Day Blog Hop! If you'd like to start at the beginning, scroll down and check the list for Sandy's blog and then hop to the next!

Yesterday I issued a challenge to use a vintage image in your next project. I use vintage images all the time, and love the fun, whimsical and sometimes sophisticated look they add to a project. Upload your challenge entry by 2/17 to the CSDivas website http://divascreativas.ning.com/ the discussion threat VD Hop - Stephanie's Challenge Entries to win a grand prize! As a RAK for completing my challenge, I'll send you 6 vintage tags just like the ones I made for Day 2's project HOWEVER, since Valentines will be over by the time the challenge is complete, the tags you'll receive will be made with Spring/Easter images. I used another vintage image in today's layout, can you find it?

I love this layout! My husband is a great Dad to both our son and daughter. In these pics he's painting her toes (or piggies, as they're known in our house!) Patterned papers by Girls Paperie are distressed and inked (Tim Holtz Antique Linen, Vintage photo) encyclopedia page is stamped, inked and I used a crackle glaze on the right side to make it a little distorted, flower trim by Dear Lizzy, transparency with song lyrics by Paul Simon. Movie ticket and pretty brads by My Minds Eye. And...drum roll please...the sweet vintage girl is actually from an old Simplicity pattern that belonged to my Grandmother! No telling how old it is, but it was well used! I simply scanned the pattern, sized the images, and trimmed the little girl. I just love her!

Thanks for stopping by! Please take a minute and leave a comment, they are very much appreciated! Now, let's see who's next:

Sandy: http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/

Denine: http://www.pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/

Brandi: http://joyfullycreative.blogspot.com/

Pam: http://www.dreamersklub.blogspot.com/

Angela: http://tealfullycuttinup.blogspot.com/

Maryanne: http://www.scrappy-gifts.com/

Lori: http://scrapmomsmusings.blogspot.com/

Katie: http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Ann: http://www.annlenth.blogspot.com/

Brenda: http://www.brendasjoy.blogspot.com/

Alecia: http://freakalecias.blogspot.com/

Stephanie: http://todaysmagical.blogspot.com/

Cheryl: http://www.tickledpink04.blogspot.com/

Luisa: http://creativedesignsbyluisa.com/

Valentines Blog Hop Take 2!

So I am really late getting my blog hop post up today! Sorry ladies! Crazy morning with my 2 preschoolers - both having their Valentines class parties & standing in line for an hour to get them registered for next year - could not believe how many people had arrived super early to get in line for a spot! Wow. But, the show must go on and here we go!

If you're new to my blog, or missed yesterday, I am taking part in the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Valentines Blog hop (check them out here: http://divascreativas.ning.com/) and am posting my project for Day 2 of the Blog Hop! You can go to the beginning of the hop by visiting Sandy at http://www.scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/ and then follow along until you get back to me. Next we'll visit Alecia at http://www.freakalecias.blogspot.com/. Got it? Good!

This is my first blog hop with a challenge and give away, so it took me an extra day to figure out my challenge, but here it is:

Use a vintage Valentine's image in your project: card, layout, banner, etc. There are some great royalty free vintage images on the web, and I do adore all things vintage! So, find a few that you like, use them in your project, then head over to the Creative Scrapbooking Divas and upload your project to the discussion thread: Valentines BH - Stephanie's challenge entries by Thursday, Feb. 17th. The CSDivas will award a grand prize and I'll be giving away the creations that I've made for today's blog hop. Check it out --------->

I used old Junior Encyclopedia pages and cut them into tags, inked them w/ Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo ink, backed them with white cardstock, printed vintage Valentines card images from the internet, adhered them and used stickles for glitz and pizzazz. Ribbon at the top makes them complete and ready for you to send to your special Valentine! Hope you like them - they were fun to make and I think would be a very special touch on your gift, or write a loving note on the back as a card.

Please leave a comment, remember my challenge, and head over to Alecia's blog to see what she has going on today! Thanks! Stephanie

Welcome Blog Hoppers!

I'm so excited to participate in my first blog hop with the Creative Scrapbooking Divas! They are such a great group of ladies to work with! If you've never been to their site, check it out here - http://divascreativas.ning.com/. If you're joining me from Brenda's blog (http://www.brendasjoy.blogspot.com/), you made it to the right place and I'm so glad you're here! If you'd like to start at the beginning of the blog hop, go to Sandy's blog at http://www.scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/.

Now on to the show!

My creation for today is a Valentines inspired banner I'm calling "One Boy + 1 Girl" that I made using my cricut Storybook cartridge, papers and vintage images from Pretty Little Studio and Making Memories, Bazzill cardstock, stickers by American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin bingo card, Stickles and a lace heart from Michaels. The "LOVE" stickers are from Target's 99 cent scrapbooking section. Probably my favorite part of the banner are the pictures of my husband and I when we were kids. Please leave a comment if you're new, follow me, and head back here tomorrow to see another lovely Valentines creation! When you're done here, head over to Alecia's blog at http://freakalecias.blogspot.com/ to keep your blog hop moving along!

Thanks for looking! Please leave a comment and follow my blog! I love making new creative friends! Head over to http://freakalecias.blogspot.com/ now for the next diva's blog!

Monday's Project: Modern Homemaker

It's been crazy busy here for the last two weeks - Snow Day and Doughnuts with Dad at school, American Legion Auxiliary events, and MOPS spring semester kick off. On top of it all, we found out my grandmother is terminal, so we spent the past weekend in East Texas saying goodbye. I need something to make me happy!

Scrapbooking always does the job! Here's my latest project:

A layout featuring two of my favorite lines: October Afternoon and Echo park Paper. I love, love, love the Modern Homemaker line from O.A. - right up my alley with it's retro 50s housewife images and prints! I wish I had bought more of their patterned papers, but found that some of E.P.s papers worked really well with the look I was going for. The stickers are so much fun too!

The journaling is actually from one of my blog posts last summer, "Full Circle Summer" about completing my first year as a stay at home mom. I had a lot of fun making this layout, and hope you enjoy it too!

I'm getting my first impressions of the winter CHA show and will be posting my reviews soon! Until then - be creative!

My Minis

Well it's been a few days since I've posted - but I've been keeping up w/ Project 365 and living life. Just taking a few minutes to post some albums I finished for a friend of mine. I love the way they turned out!

Thanks for looking and let me know if you'd like to see pics of the entire album(s)~