What I Like About Me

Recently I created this album I titled: "What I Like About Me." All photos in the album were taken last summer by my friend Ben Kusler (No Threat Photography). I wanted to document how hard I worked on my body and my confidence and this album seems perfect to highlight that part of my life.

I find it important to scrapbook about myself and not feel like I'm conceded about it. It is empowering, a tribute to myself, and a documentation of a time in my life. So why not, I think everyone should scrapbook about themselves!

I used my favorite product line, Pink Paislee (Queen Bee), Unity Stamps (Brave Girl) and a BasicGrey Mini album.

















Products Used: Pink Paislee (Queen Bee), Unity Stamps (Brave Girl), 7 Gypsies (rubons), American Crafts (Whistle Stamps), Fiskars Squeeze Punch, White acrylic paint, and Tattered Angels Glimmer Screen

Happy Memorial Weekend

YEAH FOR 3-DAY WEEKENDS!!! However, can't figure out what to do! There are MANY tentative plans...but nothing finalized.

I ordered my Donna Downey "She Said" stamps today! I can't WAIT to receive them!!! (see image in previous post). I also went to K&Krafts and got some stuff for a blog post for MemoryWorks that I have coming up on Wednesday.

This weekend I need to finish up my newsletter project, which is turning out pretty darn cute!!! Kind of a little different then I envisioned, but hey that is okay...sometimes projects take on a mind of their own when you are working on them! Here is a sneak peek of what I'm working with.


Oh and I want to share some photos from race weekend! Let me just say - my calves hurt all week... I need to train more next time! I'm hoping to run 2 -3 more races this year and hopefully one in Indiana the weekend of July 4th! We'll see!
Getting ready to run

Me & Ali!

After running - TIRED! I seriously fell asleep at 9pm


On another note... (Fitness)
If you are looking for a great workout this summer, but don't want to spend a lot of time at the gym... check out my trainer's (Monty Moran) Tabata classes! They are a 1/2 hour long workout that will kick your butt into shape! Also, no gym membership fee is required (now that is awesome!!) Contact him for more information. Feel free to join in at anytime this summer... I say the sooner the better though!


If you have a child(ren) and are looking at keeping them active this summer or building their strength & endurance for sports, check out Monty's youth classes. They take place 3 days a week for one hour! The workouts are geared toward kids ages 8 - 12! It's never too late (or early) to teach your child a healthy lifestyle (both in fitness & nutrition). Let Monty help you put your child on the right path!

Oh and did you see the SUPER DEAL!!! If you sign-up for a 4-week session you are saving $80!! So even if you have to miss a few sessions - this is a GREAT DEAL!

It's a blog day

I love checking out others blogs for ideas, inspiration, or just to waste some time. I love LOVE my google reader, but sometimes forget to keep up with it. I'm glad it is there though and if I want to skip reading something, I can. So today here are a few posts that inspire me or I just like.

1. Scrapbook Update - Simple Stories Review. Okay, so I like this one because (a) I'm a MemoryWorks Consultant and have access to this line and (b) because it is a great system and I love seeing other peoples take on the kit as well as their creations with the product. OH and there is a GIVE-AWAY!! You could win the Simple Stories Kit - Life Documented!!!

2. MemoryWorks Blog - well now that we are on a MemoryWorks kit - you may check out their blog too. All blog posts are by TeamWorks (Design team) Members. :) I'm proud of my team (I'm the team leader).

3. TomKat Studio - Talk about inspiration central!! Party decor! But the color combos, themes and just the classy decor is more then mouth watering (as are all the deserts that are in the photos - yummy!!)

4. Donna Downey -she is just super creative!! So many great projects. And her new stamp set (by unity) is to die for!! Seriously, this set is in my shopping cart right now on the Unity site (I have to activate my new debit card to get it). It's called "She Said" (see images to the right). LOVE IT!!! And check out the Unity Blog hop today for a bunch of inspiration.

5. Maya Road DT Blog - If I EVER want some GREAT inspiration, I head over to the Maya Road DT Blog. Seriously, these gals have TALENT! They come up with the most darling projects and I'm so inspired every time I view their blog! SO if you are looking for a little inspiration today, head on over :)

There is simply a LOT of inspiration out there, it is hard to keep up with everything! What blogs & sites inspire you?

I love looking at photography blogs too :)

Obsession

I love to scrapbook. It is a creative release for me. I love paper patterns, color combos, textures, scissors, piecing and adhering. So obviously I will not be a digi scrapper :) I currently finished a mini album called: What I like about me. I used photos from my photoshoot that my friend Ben Kusler took (No Threat Photography) - which Ben, if you read this... how about a beach photo shoot soon?!?! I used various stamps, including Unity Stamp Company - Melody Ross, Brave Girls.

I will take photos of this album soon and share them!

Here are a few things in the MW Catty I really want:
Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist - Heidi Swapp

7 Gypsies: Clear Stamps - Avignon

Pink Paislee: 365 Degrees (6x6 paper pad)


Here are some Etsy finds that I love
Candy Beads - Crystal Bracelet
I adore this and have had it saved for awhile... the colors are just so beautiful together!!

Modern Art Every Day- The Mae collection


There you go - hopefully it is some inspiration for you today or something you also want for your stash.

Fargo 5K

Well I have a post pretty much ready for today, but I haven't had time to complete the layout and take pictures. Yesterday was a busy day, I took photos of an all boy dance class at the studio to add to our 2010-2011 brochure, I ran to K & Krafts to get one of the NEW Tim Holtz embossing folder sets, I had hip hop, ate some chicken at Buffalo Wild wings, made a play list for the 5k run and went to bed!

It's still not stopping today. Busy morning at work, I NEED to eat lunch (with no food at home... any suggestions for someone who is running a 5K tonight at 6:30pm?), I need to put my 5k playlist on to Matt's ipod (he has a smaller one then I do) and figure out what to wear at the race (yes, such a girl thing!).

Tim Holtz Embossing Folders: Collage & Notebook Set

And I bought this DARLING Cling stamp by Hero Arts (Make Your Own)!!


I hope to have another post today/tonight (after the 5k run) or at least tomorrow!! :) Maybe I will use the two items above in the project!

Tissue Paper Garland

Well this project has been sitting around my apt for over a month now, so I thought I should probably finish it and post pictures! So here it is my Tissue Paper Garland! I made Tissue Paper flowers and sprayed them with Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist (Adventure). This is not my original idea, I got it from (BLAH BLAH BLOG). I was so inspired I HAD to have my own!!

Also, if you are looking for more ideas for parties, room decor, etc. - check out The TomKat Studio...there is FABULOUS items up there and she suggests: Pom Love for these fantabulous paper flowers!

Here is my finished project

I cut my tissue 5" x 10", I used 4 layers of tissue paper.

Start folding it in an according

It should look like this when you are done folding



Wrap a piece of wire around the center. Twist a few times. I used white flower wire.

You can either round your corners or put them to a point. (or any other shape you want to try). Keep it simple if you are making a bunch of them.

Fan out the layers and fluff to make the flower.

Hang on string or decorate a room as you please.


Now anyone can do this project!! It is very simple and would look great in any room. I have added some directions on how to put this together for yourself! Please share with me your versions of this garland! I love to see it!

I found this project and was so inspired by a project on the Tattered Angels Blog (scroll down in the post). Linda's garland is so beautiful!!

FM Ballet - Children's Show "Firebird"

This past weekend the FM Ballet put on their final performance of the season "Firebird"!! And of course, it was amazing. The FM Ballet is a professional ballet company here in Fargo that my boyfriend is the artistic director. I am fortunate to be their "photographer". I photograph their headshots, productions, group photoshoot and rehearsal photos. I do it for fun, because I enjoy it. So here are a few photos from this weekends production: "Firebird".

{FIREBIRD Photos}

My Nephew Turned ONE!

My little guy is growing up too fast. My nephew turned ONE in March! He is the cutest littlest red haired boy ever! Not joking. I made a 6x6 album of photos from his "kids" birthday party & family birthday party for my brother & sister-in-law. They have no clue I did this, but they may now. I wanted to share a few pages from the album.

I used all 4x6 photos (no cropping). I kept the album simple and used a BasicGrey line Offbeat with matching stickers and chipboard stickers. I actually bought this paper before he was born and created some wall hangings with it for his room.







Talking about BasicGrey - they have showed 2 new lines they are releasing: Oliver & Olivia. OMG I need the Oliver line - for, of course my Nephew!! I can tell you right now, that I'm 99% sure MemoryWorks will be carrying these lines. They carry everything BasicGrey since I started with them back in 2005. Below are some images of one pattern paper in each collection!









These papers should be avail. middle / end of June!

Don't forget to check out We All Sew's website!!

Thanks Mom

I have to thank my mom for always introducing me to new crafts and supporting my ideas when I wanted to try something new! Also, for teaching me how to knit, sew, make candles, braid, play in sand and much more. You are definitely a crafter I look up to and will always go to you for ideas on how to do something I'm dreaming up in my head! (The picture at left was taken a few years ago of myself, mom & dad - love you guys!)

So today! Lets talk knitting. My mom is an AWESOME knitter. She taught me two years ago how to knit and now I can knit in the round, work with cables and read patterns! And I owe it to my mom! (Now if I could only master crocheting...) I really enjoy knitting, well of course, fingerless gloves and coffee cozies! I just added a bunch in my Etsy Shop! (If you don't see the color you want, just email me and let me know what you are looking for.)

Here are a few things I just added to my shop!

Erasable Tags (Tutorial)

Recently I created a clipboard using the MemoryWorks May 2010 Express Kit. With the clipboard I created some tags in which I added page protectors so I could write erasable messages.

These tags are quick and simple to make and could be used for a variety of different things. I use mine to write reminders or to-do lists!


Supplies
Paper
Tags (either make your own or buy pre-made ones)
Page Protectors or transparencies
Sewing machine (or needle & thread)
adhesive of your choice (I use liquid glue)
Wipe-board marker(s)



Instructions
(1) Cover front side of your tag with pattern (or solid) paper of your choice. Pick a pattern that is not too busy.

(2) Cut out a piece of page protector that covers the lower half of the tag (or the entire tag). I first cut mine apart so it was easier for me to cut the size I wanted.

(3) Adhere the page protectors with a dab of adhesive in the corners, so it stays put when sewing. Sew the page protector to your tag. Note: I have found that sewing it on will keep it in place. I did not find a glue that would allow the page protector to stick to the tag for a considerable amount of time. If you find a glue that works, feel free to use that and leave me a comment to let me know what worked. Thanks.

(4) Cover the backside of your tag with a coordinating piece of pattern (or solid) paper. I use liquid glue to adhere this piece.

(5) Decorate as you please. You can use buttons, ribbons, etc.

Keep these tags in your car, around your phone, near your desk or give them as gifts! I plan on making a few for my knitting projects, since I sometimes need to write what row I left off on.

I created the ones above for my mom. When knitting often you have to write down notes or when you left off. I thought these were a cute option to do so.

I have also put these directions together in a PDF that you can print out and keep for your reference. Access the PDF here. Let me know if this link does not work. It is the same as the directions above.