Summer Storm

Phoenix usually doesn't make national news unless it is in regards to some crazy political person or topic that has risen to prominence and suddenly becomes the object of discussion.  Okay, maybe that is a little extreme, but with the shiny vastness that is California so near, it sometimes feels true.  Either way, Phoenix made national news this week for our Haboob- ABC covered it, Yahoo News! covered it, I could go on.  However, my Timothy decided to take some pictures out in our front yard just minutes before we were enveloped.  During the worst of the following dust storm, we could not make out the telephone pole (definately not the wires) seen in the first photo.  Taken so close and in an enclosed neighborhood, these pictures don't accurately provide an indication of the massive size of the Haboob which stretched some 5,000 feet into the sky and spanned somewhere near 100 miles wide.  When temperatures rise to 110 degrees, we look for any reason to take our minds off of the temperature.  Apparently even dust will do. 

Harley Davidson Mini Album

Born to Ride

I will apologize up front for the number of pictures and how long this post is going to be, but this Harley Davidson paperbag mini album has been quite the project and I have quite a few people to thank for the inspiration: 1.  Laura Denison (Following the Paper Trail), if you don't know about Laura, all I can say is, pure genious, between her and Tim Holtz I can't quit thinking of new projects! I just wish I had time to create them all.  Laura (like I know her personally), inspired this by using paperbags to create the pages in this album and the fantastic use of canvas for the cover as well. 2. My friend Cecilia and the Arizona Bike Week.  Other than Cecilia, I have no one my immediate social or family circle that ride motorcycles so without her this would have just been a random project.  Cecilia and her husband were going to bike week and for some reason I got this type of book in my mind as perfect for a Harley Davidson album; of which I gave her as a gift and I hope she enjoys it. 3. "My cousin Shannon, Shannon, you know the rest.... (inside joke, not a mistake)". When I  started this project I thought I would have no problem finding Harley Davidson items and not have to spend a lot of money, WRONG!, that is a very expensive brand!  So, when I couldn't find Harley Davidson scrapbook items, and Harley store prices were not in the budget, Shannon suggested we hit the thrift stores, and that resulted in quite a few items, most significant, is the outside cover; which is cut out from a Harley Davidson t-shirt. 4. The wonderful lady at Mystic Paper in Mesa.  When I was at my end on trying to find items to include in the book, she offered me what she had from a Harley Davidson themed book she started a while ago and didn't finish, at no cost, not to mention she went and looked for it from her storage for me, that is customer service. 5. The nice girl at the Chandler Harley Davidson store.  I bought a few items there and when I explained what I was doing she gave me their gift box, which resulted in the inside covers! 6. Last, but no least Andie, who encouraged me to finish this project each time I thought I would give up because I was busy or frustrated,that is a good friend. I guess you could say it took a village to make this book.

The eight (8) pockets are made from an organge lunch bags (Michael's Crafts) being glued together. Each  has a large tag that can be used as a photo mat or for journaling.  No two are the same and some are stamped with black or silver ink flourish desings.

Some of the tags in the pages.

That pocket for the tag is a Harley Davidson post card ($3.99).  The concept of sliding tags behind pockets, etc. is done throughout this book and is a great idea for extra space in mini albums.

My favorite tag is the three stars with the orange motorcycle.  When Shannon and I went to the thrift store we stopped to get a scoop of Thrifty ice cream, and they had that keychain for sale ($1.99), FANTASTIC, it was perfect and much less expensive than the ones at the HD store.

The book closure was the biggest challenge because I had a completely different idea, that just simply didn't work.  So, I got a black ring and just ran it through the stitched twine from the back cover to the stitching on the front cover and close. 

I think this is my favorite page!  Behind the photomat you can slide in a tag, and the flowers are cut from vellume with gray accent.

The picture frame is open at the top so a photo can be slid in.  The pocket on this was made from a scrap of leather, stamped with white Staz On and the Harley Davidson embellishment is a hatpin ($9.99) and no, I didn't realize I was paying $10.00 for one pin that broke when I put it in the canvas and had to be moved to the pocket.

 This is the front inside cover with the giftbox mentioned above.  I really like that it worked out, it is a quality giftbox and cost $0.00.  The front page is cut from Cricut's Blackletter cart.  I had to recut the "r", it was fixed before I gave it to Cecilia.  I absolutely loved making this album! The one thing to make sure of is to make sure the canvas fits the final project, I had to measure mine several times and even with allowing for shrinkage when the paint dried, it barely covered the flaps.  Check out Laura's paperbag mini album tutorial on Youtube, she makes this all easy!  This book can be used for so many different themes, enjoy.  Brandy

Oh Tim!!

Miss Andie may have already posted this, but I have to have my say too!  First, we all know Tim Holtz is amazing and that he has a way to teach you a technique and let your imagination create the final product unique to you!  In, I believe February, I was invited to the Michael's Crafts, first Gold Member awards event (sorry if that isn't the exact marketing term), and Tim Holtz was the featured special guest! Since he is the rockstar of scrapbooking, it was akin to meeting the Beatles!  I also want to give Michael's props on the event and how we were treated.  I was so happy they allowed Andie to share the moment I met my creative idol!  It was great, we got Ranger product and best of all, my best friend and creative partner got to share a great memory.

Christmas In July

Merry Christmas in July! I know Andie has been very creative and has kept you all interested in her beautiful creations!  I however, have not kept up with posting my creations...so, there is nothing like Christmas in July!

These are three (3) of the five (5), yes I said 5 different versions of the Christmas cards I made last year. These are tri-fold cards inspired from Splitcoast Stampers video, great instruction, the images on roughly eight (8) Cricut carts, and amazing paper from Bo Bunny, Graphic 45, and Bazzil! I found so many papers, I couldn't stick with just one.

 I absolutely LOVE the purple, aqua blue and light green, it made for a very unique Christmas card.  The middle sections were perfect to handwrite a message and not take away from the design.



 This is probably my very favorite, I fell in love with the Santa and his list.  You may not see it very well, but the boots, beard, and trim of the had and coat are layered in flock.  Be careful when using the tri-fold design that you make sure the larger elements will fit over the zig zag fold without getting bent.  If you choose this style for your cards, and need to make more than 10, start now! 

Andie, thanks for reminding me why we did this and getting me to post. Brandy

Summer Card Camp- Week 2

This week's card camp colors are definately a challenge to me.  I'm not a fan of the color orange and it's variants.  So, this means that I am being forced to stretch outside of my comfort zone.  I guess that is why most of us go to camp- the unusual experience outside of our everyday.  So, I wade in confident that I can rise to the challenge and combine the colors to create something to be proud of.   

I have been playing with the idea of using tissue paper.  Many of the trendy new card ideas incorporate tissue paper.  I went to the Stash to see what patterned papers and/or cardstock that I had to match the color combos.  I came up with slim pickings so I went to the tissue paper mini-Stash.  Sure enough I had the colors I wanted.  I loved the look of these little circle flowers that I decided to go very minimalist and make the flowers the center of attention. 

Cardstock Card: White, untextured cardstock
Tissue Paper: Cream, Orange, Pink, Green with polka dots and lime green

Dies:  Quickutz stem and leaf and Sunshine Alphabet H and I