An Encouraging Sign

Work has been filled with stress lately- pressure to get things done, pressure because things aren't going right... all kinds of pressure.  I've been doing my best to ward of the inevitable lapse in creativity that often comes with this kind of pressure.  One way was to sit down (after making no time to craft at all this weekend) and make this sign for my desk.  The quote comes from a lecture given in 1976 by Clyde Kilby.  It's like he knew what kind of being I would become and decided to make me a list (I like lists!).  Of course, he didn't know me and wouldn't necessarily know what I'd become- just that we are all so similar.  There's comfort in that too.

The quote was created using Word. I have previously spoken about the process I use to create this kind of word art.  I found a tutorial on the web that explains how to use the text box feature.  I use all these methods for my word art.  Here's an image that shows the text boxes used to create the quote:

I used four different boxes set to "No Fill" and "No Line" so that when they overlap they don't obscure the box next to it.  I simply play around with font type and size until I get a feeling that the quote looks like art.  I'm not super pleased with the "forget" box placement here- a little too high.  However, I didn't notice until I had the project together.  After everything is just right, I print out the quote onto white cardstock to make the frame.  Here's the other details on the project:

• The quote frame was cut using my Spellbinders Labels 18 die and then some Worn Lipstick Distress Ink was applied using my Ink Blending Tool while the die was still in place around the cut.  
• The flowers were cut out of the MME Ooh La La 6 x 6 paper pad using my Tattered Blossoms dies. I used a combination of pearl accents and flower shaping techniques to shape and 3d those flowers.  
• The light green lattice die cut was made using my Heartfelt Creations Raindrops on Roses die.  
• The leaves are a combination of Holly Berry stamped and die cut leaves that I distressed with Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo Distress Inks and from my Our Daily Bread Designs Fancy Foliage, Spellbinders Foliage and some other dies I've long since forgotten where they came from.
• The background dark green was punched using my Mini-8 Flower punch and edged with a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
• A little pink vintage seem binding bow finishes off the top and a couple of pearl swirl accents add some depth to the project.    

What do you think?  Should I forget about myself and get back to work?  I'm going to take that to heart and try to set aside some crafting time this weekend.  Crafting can be the best kind of work, yes?

I'm linking this project up over at the Shabby Tea Room's Week #212: Pretty in Pink challenge, Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge: Anything Goes, and the Inspiration Journal's monthly challenge: A Few of My Favorite Things.   These are some of my favorite places to go and see inspiring creations that should light my creative fire.  Come join me!

Handmade Christmas Gift- Crafty Coupon Book

I struggle with giving Christmas gifts to the folks at work.  You don't want to make them feel uncomfortable with something excessive, inspire a "return" gift attitude, or be a dork.  O.K. I am clearly not afraid of being seen as a dork so scratch that last part.  My solution for the two ladies at work that I wanted to single out with a special gift was these coupon books.  Here's the details:

• The cover is cut out of cardstock and embellished with some scraps from Basic Grey's Sweet Threads collection.  There are a combination of patterned paper scraps and cardstock stickers (pendant, buttons, flowers, swirls and boarder). 
• The title was printed out of Word where I combined the picture from my blog header with some titles.  I created the coupons and the title in a table in the word document.  I tried to share the document but the table kept being saved in a weird manner.  Here a picture showing how I did it:

I first created a table in Word that had two columns and six rows.  I modified the row size and column size to fit five rows per 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.  Everything was approximate, but my first column is 2.25" wide and the second column is 6" wide.  You'll notice I have the margins extremely narrow (since I won't be printing to the edge).  The row height is 2.1".  I left the top and bottom borders of the table in place so I would have an idea of where to cut.

Next, I created individual text boxes within the second column containing the words/font/colors that I wanted.  I tried to pick colors out of my blog banner to match the Cover Page Title.  Here's a picture showing the individual text boxes.  I really just eyeball this part- sometimes using a Pinterest image or other internet image as a guide.

I realize this is complicated and assumes a certain amount of expertise with Word.  Inserting pictures in text boxes, editing font/color/size of text within a text box, and positioning/moving text boxes within a Word table are all expertise that I haven't explained.  However, there are tutorials online to help you and I would encourage you to play around with these options to create your own "art" for use in your projects.  Here's a clean copy of the text box image to help you sort out what is going on:

I ended up gifting these coupon books to ladies at work.  Wendy already turned in a coupon for an engagement card.  I'm still catching up on all my photographing and editing.  Coming soon... 

Thanks for your patience as I catch up and for a couple of picture heavy posts.  I'm off to Colorado to visit my grandma this weekend.  I don't think I'll have much time to catch up on photo editing and posting, but if I do you'll be the second person to know :)

12 Days of Christmas- Kids Style

I have created the 12 Days of Christmas as a gift for the past several years.  The idea was initiated (like all my ideas) by some wonderful friends (the Jackmans) who mysteriously left gifts on our doorstep for the 12 days preceding Christmas.   We had never experienced this before and it was so wonderful we couldn't control ourselves.  I know a few crafty folks (Brandy anyone?  Keri?  !!!!) so there was much speculation as to the gift givers.  When my neice and nephews became old enough to enjoy- and maybe even a bit sooner than that :)- I decided that this would make the best gift.  These kids have everything they could want, so one more Christmas gift just gets lost in the shuffle of present opening on Christmas day.  However, 12 gifts to be opened over the coming 12 days most of which are consumable... that appeals.  

I repeated the same error that I have over the last couple of Christmas'.  No pictures of the finished product.  Actually, not exactly zero pictures.  I did find this one picture that is really only half a picture.  This is usually the result of having just finished packaging all gifts by Christmas Eve and in the rush and excitement of all the other activities- no pictures.  I *smartly* grabbed only a few pictures of one of the gifts this year.  Truly, this was intended to be a well documented year.  But, alas, it got away from me again.  Pardon the wordy post, but this will act as record keeping for me as much as inspiration for you so I'm trying to really get it down.

I usually start with an internet search to see if any new ideas for the 12 Days has been blogged/chatted or otherwise documented out in the world.  I use keywords like 12 Days of Christmas gift ideas, etc. This begins a list of the gifts I plan to purchase or give.  I've created the lists below that identifies some of the ideas I've used or heard of.  The key that I try to narrow my ideas to- keep it simple, consumable (if possible), entertaining (sometimes, but usually only for the young or slow witted amongst us), and inexpensive (if you are doing this for multiple families like I do, costs can rise quickly).  I try to keep in mind that these aren't the kinds of gifts kids long for all year, just something to look forward to and anticipate for 12 days.  

On the first day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

If you are rich, this is where you're buying a pear tree and a partridge.  I wouldn't like either so we've given canned pears, bird ornaments, real pears, pear jelly (This can be hard to find.  I found mine at Whole Foods) etc.

On the second day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Normally two turtle doves.  I've given a box of turtle candies, Dove soap bar, Dove chocolate candies, etc.

On the third day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Normally three French Hens.  I've given a can of chicken noodle soup (the family size so everyone can enjoy).  This year I purchased a copy of Anne Hathaway''s I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables and made a cd.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Normally, four calling birds.   My favorite gift for this day was for dear friends where each of our family members wrote out notes as to why the friends were so precious to each of us.  Kay has since gone to be with her Savior.  My sentiments written are still very true, she and her husband Chris are truly precious to me.  I've also created (I am a paper crafter at heart) notecards as the gift.  Thus the lone picture from this year. The card base (cream cardstock) was distressed using Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint and Faded Jeans Distress Ink and an Ink Blending Tool.  The frame and bird were cut from Cricut's Straight From the Nest, image Brdcge2 using the same cream cardstock. 





I think these were cut at 3 3/4 in. to fit the card perfectly.  
I used Tim Holtz' Rusted Enamel technique to give the frame and bird some texture and to make the color rich.  The ink used in this technique was Vintage Photo.  Inside I stamped the sentiment (meaning "It's Very Nice" I think?) and the bird using my Glitz stamp set.  I've made other renditions and included them in years past always trying to keep the sentiment very notecardish so they could be used as a variety of purposes.







On the fifth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually five golden rings.  I've given a can on pineapple rings, candy rings (I like the sweetart kind like these),  and this year a knitted mitten ornament kinda like this (purchased, not made, but could easily be handmade). 

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually six geese a laying.  Yuck!  Definitely have to change this one.  I pretend that eggs only come from a plastic carton at Sams Club and have nothing to do with stinky, smelly birds.  I have given chocolate egg candies, Cadbury egg candies, and this year was Silly Putty eggs.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually, seven swans a swimming.  I have given bubble bath, inexpensive bowl (make your own small pond), beach ball (the swans left behind in the pond), and this year some Goldfish crackers (also left behind in the pond).

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually eight maids a milking.  I have given a small container of Quik chocolate milk mix, drinking straws (for the milk), and this year some milk caramels.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually nine ladies dancing.  This is where Cricut and I have a problem.  The cart Joys of the Season has nine drummers drumming.  This almost always trips me up since conventionally the song has nine ladies dancing.  I'll speak in a minute about the cuts I've used from the cart, but this is fair warning in your planning if you choose to use the cart and follow my suggestions (you'll have to switch it up with the 12 drummers drumming below).  I have given candy canes (those tired ladies need it to get home) and this year, blown glass ballet slipper Christmas tree ornament.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually ten lords a leaping.  Again, I believe Cricut got it wrong with ten pipers piping (on the Joys of the Season cart).  Switch it out, but adjust your planning.  I have given Ben Gay cream (they have tired muscles) and this year, a frog puzzle (tired Lords wanted you to follow someone else for a while).

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually eleven pipers piping.  I have given bubble pipe, hot (piping hot!) chocolate mix, and this year I purchased a bagpipe song and cut cds for the kids to listen to.  More than eleven pipers piping!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love (or true friends) gave to me....

Usually twelve drummers drumming.  I have given Christmas cookies, purchased Relient K's 12 Days of Christmas and made cds, and this year gave a bottle of sparkling cider to celebrate with.

I've made tags with the statements for each day and fussy cut them out.  You can get the templates here.  This is an example of one year's version.  When I've used these tags, I put the tag with the info inside a lunch bag with the gift and staple the bag closed.  In these cases, I have cut the Ornament feature for each day using Cricut's Joys of the Season cart layering a solid cardstock between the two ornament cuts (one with the image and one with the number representing the day).  This was a fair bit of gluing work, but looked great using a cardstock pack of four Christmasy colors (forest green, rusty red, cream, mustardy yellow).  I have also cut the image for each day using both layers (i.e., Partridge sitting on pear branch, turtle doves in their cage, etc.).  Again, I used a Christmasy cardstock paper pack and simply cut each image out of an appropriate color using color to add to the dimension for each layer.

This year, I used my Word trick to print into a template and then cut using the Cricut- like I've mentioned here before.  I used on the 12 Days of Christmas cards.  This is what that printout looked like:


The frame  was cut at 3 in. using the AutoFill and SetPaperSize features so that the cuts would be in approximately the same location every time.  The Word template is purposely left with room on the edges for error (no tight fits here!).  The image used is from Cricut's Sophisticated cart using Creative Feature Font1 image Frame3.  I cut additional layers 1/4 in. bigger of patterned paper and solid cardstock to make the tags.


In either case, I adhered a tag to the outside of the bag and indicated which day so that the recipient could open them in order.  I almost always included an opening tag to explain the gift and give minor instructions along with a Christmas sentiment.  We've given the whole set all at once both 12 days before Christmas and on Christmas Day to be opened each of the following 12 days.  We've given this gift to nieces and nephews, family friends with children and family friends whose children are grown up and on their own.  It is a very special gift and always brings delight to us as the giver of the gift.

Whichever way you intend to do this- even if it is a gift to your own children, I am sure that it will bring Christmas joy.  After all, isn't that one of the best parts of Christmas?

Andie

Champions

I had mentioned before that my daughter Katie was finishing up her fall softball season.  Last night was the team party and what a good time had by all.  The typeset on this frame was created using Word and text boxes as I recently discussed in several blog posts.  After printing, I used the Cricut to cut a square frame out of the cream cardstock to make the picture frame.   I used Distress Ink to alter the frame and soften around the edges.  The girls obliged by signing the frame making it unique and special. Each of the four coaches received their own picture.  This has been a running gift for the 12 or more seasons that Katie has been in softball.  Dan's pictures are hung on Katie's bedroom walls along with her medals earned.  It makes for a nice decoration and good memories.

I once again created picture books for each of the girls.  The photo albums contain pictures taken during the games and are a smattering of individual shots along with group photos.  This year the team was fortunate to work hard and pull together to win the end of season tournament.  In a hard fought battle, the Angry Birds overtook the AZ Heat in a 5-4 nail biter.  The win took at least one good play from each of the girls and definitely spoke to the coaches and girls about the importance of team play. 

 There is a considerable amount of work involved if you consider that I have to take 10-12 pictures to get one good action shot.  Besides the sorting of the pictures, I also create the front and back covers that are inserted in each book.  However, the fun of looking through these memories and the joy at capturing that picture that *looks* just like each girl more than pays for any effort expended.  The album is also a tradition, so Katie has a whole box full of albums to go along with her wonderful memories.  My hope is that in the years to come these girls will cherish and enjoy the albums as much as I had fun and joy at making them.

Congratulations to the Tempe Ladyhawks 14U Fastpitch softball tournament champions!

Andie

80th Birthday Celebration

My MIL asked me to put together a save the date/invitation for my FIL's 80th birthday celebration.  What an honor!  I have been so inspired by Stephanie who blogs over at Burlap Kisses that I just knew that I wanted to incorporate burlap into the final product.  This is my final result.














The stripped patterned paper comes from open stock at my HL. I hand-folded the strip of brown cardstock after scoring the paper using my Score-Pal.  Brandy (brilliantly!) pointed out that I should have scored the 8 1/2 x 11 brown cardstock and then cut strips to 1 in.  That's why she's the best friend, ladies and gentlemen!  Needless to say, I only made about 20 of these cards and mailed them out a few weeks ago.  The sentiment was printed onto non-textured white cardstock using my computer.  I used the Word trick of placing text boxes with the images/sentiment inside. 

I use Office 2010.  The "lovely" Drawing Tools ribbon (in orange above) and the Picture Tools ribbon both provide the commands to manipulate the text boxes.  I'm a fan of moving them around on the page and printing a test version until everything is in the right place.  You can click and drag to highlight certain words and change the font or size to mimic any scraplifted image.  If you don't have a large variety of fonts on your computer, stop by Creating Keepsakes each Friday and download their free font over at Free Font Friday.  It may take a few weeks to increase your selection, but most word processing software come with a variety of fonts that can create a close approximation.
 

I use the same method to create this menu selection and instructions for RSVP that was adhered to the back of the Save the Date card.  My MIL, Pat, decided that since almost every single attendee was family who was already aware of the event she wanted to combine the save the date with the invitation and save a little postage.  The border came straight out of Word's Clip Art-another source of images that are free!

I found this YouTube video that explains text boxes using Word 2007.  I believe much of the instruction is similar and works for 2010.  The key here is to play around and make things work.  I find it easier to make several small text boxes that I can size and place with my mouse rather than one big text box with lots of different formatting.  Give it a try. It is a cost effective alternative to purchasing lots of stamped sentiments and gives you the flexibility to make your own invitations with instructions for your guests.

I've used this technique a couple times before.  You can see some examples:

Using clipart and words on a autumn card

Making place cards using Word and Fill the Page cuts with the Cricut

Using watermarked images to make a background

Using the text box color to make an image


I've entered this card in Our Daily Bread Designs (ODBDS) challenge- Make a card or project for the men.
 
Andie

Angry Birds Softball

As I mentioned last week, our daughter Katie's recreation softball came to an end.  Each season we celebrate with some mementos for coaches and players alike.  One such tradition is the coaches picture framed and signed by the team members.  It is real fun to look back over the seasons (we're going on, like, seven years now) and see how the girls have grown, the wonderful players we've had the privilege to play with, and the kind and caring coaches who have trained our daughter and her friends.  I can tell you that each of these fine young ladies is a pleasure to know.  It is my great fortune to be able to create crafty things to celebrate their seasons.  This might just be the only acceptable, public outpouring of crafty affection allowed now that my daughter is thirteen.



One such crafty outpouring is the photo albums that I create each year.  They start with a cheapo plastic 4 x 6 photo album that has pockets to let me slide in my own cover art.  I've even been know to buy the kind that has the cover sealed in and cut them open to slide my own art in.  Nonetheless, I typically print an image that I create using Word because time is of the essence (though I have been know to pull out the Cricut a time or two).


Each girl has a unique nickname although some are growing out of them.  I try to personalize the albums and make them special to each girl.  Some team members join us for just one season and others have been around for years.  I am the photographer for a large quantity of the photos- it is what lets me be in the dugout and working the bench.  I find that I need to take 8-15 photos to get just the right one for the album.  There's not a lot of finesse to my strategy, but it works!

 Each album has one or two of my favorite photos.  I am sure that half the girls roll their eyes at me when I ask them to find my favorite photo in their album.  However, I truly do always have that one shot where I capture the essence of who that child is to me and why they are so dear.  My number 3 (daughter Katie) coming into second base as the second baseman misses the throw- this is a close second to my favorite this season.  I've taken the strategy to not publish head shots of the children here on the blog and my favorite photo is a fully identifiable view of Katie laughing hysterically at a teammate's joke in between innings.  A close third is the group photos where I can catch the girls cheering each other on.

All these things are the reasons why crafting is so important to me.  Crafting gives me a way to increase the beauty that exists between me and those around me.  Crafting gives me an outlet for my stress and opportunities to express my creativity that is not on a schedule.  Crafting ultimately gives me an opportunity to express love and appreciation and trust me, these girls are a very deserving and ultimately rewarding place to heap both onto.

By the way, the team chose Angry Birds as a tongue-in-cheek name.  It has stuck even though there is nothing particularly bird-like or angry about the way they play ball.  This year they took 4th place, honorable and noteworthy even if they didn't earn a trophy.

Wishing you happy crafting for all reasons you do it,

Andie

Softball- it's almost over

This is just a preview of fun to come this week.  My daughter, Katie, finished her spring recreation softball season this past week.  We always have a ton of fun and I've let you in on a preview of the celebratory action.  I used my Scor-Pal to score some thin purple cardstock (1 1/2 in x 12 in piece) every 1/4 in. and fan folded the pieces.   I snipped off one end of each fold to mate the two ends perfectly together.  I used Scrappy Tape to adhere the two edges creating the rosette.  I sealed the rosette in place by using a glue gun and a 1 1/2 in. circle cut from my Cricut.

The pictures were easy to make.  I imported the picture into Word.

 I selected the image by clicking on the image which creates the box with circles at the corners you see on the left.  The I selected the Picture Style indicated on the Picture Tools ribbon.  Selecting this Picture Style will display the picture image identified in the image on the left.

After this, we need to size the picture appropriately.  Again, using the Picture Ribbon I modified the height to the size I wanted for my rosettes.  In this case, I cropped to 2.2 in. or slightly smaller than 2 1/4 in. circle.  This leaves an oval image.  We're not done yet. 

I then used the Crop option (shown in the image above) to create a circular crop (rather than the oval previously shown).  To do this, click the Crop button on the Picture Tool ribbon.  This displays black crop corners as seen in the image to the right.  I pull each corner in until the circle surrounds the portion of the image I want to highlight.  You can also move the mouse around in the picture area until the four arrows are displayed.  At this point, the image can be moved behind the crop to adjust positioning.  Play with it until you get what you want.  I made 33 different pictures for use on these cupcake toppers.  I printed the images on 8 1/2 x 11 photo printing paper and cut out the images at 2 1/4 in. circle on my Cricut using the centerpoint cutting option.  You can see that they aren't all symmetrical (there is more white in the upper right quadrant of the image I've cropped).  However, I bet you didn't immediately notice this.  Everyone is so happy to see their face on a cupcake (or their daughter's face) they don't notice.

I've made a few more goodies for the girls.  I'll post them once the party has been enjoyed.  That's enough secrets released for now.  More to come...

Updated:  I posted this project on The Paper Variety's Anything But a Card or Layout challenge.  This is certainly not a card or a layout.  It sure is fun to see all the projects being entered.  Check them out!

Andie