Making Gifts for Life

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Rose - Flower Tutorial


Here is the flower tutorial that I promised when I did my daughter's first day of school layout.
This is how I made the small rose looking flowers, it's very simple and you only need a couple of supplies.

Here is the supply list (so you can make one while you watch the video):
ruler
pencil
strip of  cardstock or double sided paper - 1/4 inches wide by 12 inches long
water paintbrush or a small cup with water in it and a paint brush
quilling tool
and
glue, either liquid or glue dots will work 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

October 31st

October 31st - I made this layout for the Dusty Attic Monthly Challenge. I have been waiting to come up with an idea to use the Spooky Border. The flourishes are made with the Making Memories Slice machine. The flowers are all made by Recollections.

The papers are a mixture of My Mind's Eye, Paper Loft and plain cardstock. I love the halloween papers that MME put out last year, they were all in one pad of just craft paper with different designs on them. The sheet I used on the background has a very light design in white. It's simple and subtle enough to work with the layout, without overpowering it.

The Recollections brand has some pretty new embellishments out, whether it's flowers or jewels, they have some really nice extras that are fairly reasonably priced. I love the flowers, the big ones come in a can, with glittery,  sheer or different shape paper flowers.

To age the papers I used the Zutter distressing machine. Then I inked the white and pumpkin color papers with black ink, and the black cardstock with white ink.

For the moon, I used vellum paper. And to cut a perfect circle I used my circle cutter by Memory Keepers. I love that thing so much, I use it so often for a lot of my layouts, in some way, shape or form. I thought about inking the edges of the moon, then decided against it. I like the crispness of it and didn't want to ruin that. Sometimes, I think, not everything needs ink on it. Ha!

I hope you enjoy this layout.
Please post a comment and let me know what you think.

And since tomorrow is Halloween, I hope you all have a very Happy Halloween. To those of you still trick or treating, get loads of candy and stay safe. I hope the weather stays dry for you.

"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way."


Sunday, October 21, 2012

Beware Altered Tag

Beware Altered Tag -
I submitted this for the Dusty Attic Design Team call, along with 3 of my previous layouts with DA chippies. I really like how this turned out. I used up some products that I bought last Halloween for a book I made, plus I got to use Stickles! I love glittery things, they make me happy :)

This tag represents what a perfect Halloween night would be like. Witches and bats flying in the moonlit sky. While little ones trick or treat for a bag of goodies.

I hope you enjoy this project.

We are taking the kids to this weekend coming up to Sleepy Hollow, NY. The town has a Headless Horseman Haunted Hayride and Cemetery Walk. The kids and I are so excited. I can't wait to get scared. I will let you know how it is and share all the pictures when we get back.

Have a great day. Give thanks for everything you have, because someone somewhere is wishing they were you.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Last game

Last game -
Last night was Brandon's last game. It's sad to see something he loves so much end. I really enjoyed watching him play. And as we drove away, after the final play had been run, I started to tear up. This is it. My son's senior year in high school. His last year playing football. His last year being a kid. Next year starts adulthood and responsibilities. (I know he has them now also. But you get what I am saying.)

Oh, how I have loved every second. Watching how strong he is, and praying he doesn't get hurt. Watching him learn and grow, as a player and a teammate. Especially watching him connect with other people and grow friendships. That is something, when in high school, you don't realize is so important. But ends up being  a great memory.




Saturday, October 6, 2012

Homecoming...

Homecoming, Senior Year -

Brandon's senior year of high school. This weekend is homecoming and tonight is the dance. We lost the football game, so hopefully the dance is more fun. Brandon isn't too excited about the dance. But he is going to go for his girl friend. I am sure they will have a lot of fun.
I won't reminisce about my senior year of high school because mine is long gone. But I wish that I could show Brandon how important making all these memories is. You don't really realise it until you are older, that high school was about the most fun you are going to have as a kid. And all those friends and memories, whether you stay friends or not, will get you through some pretty lonely times when you get older. Embrace each moment, they pass too fast. <3

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Toga Day

Ahhh, senior year of high school, I forgot how much fun it is to participate in all the fun activities that it has to offer. Toga Day is today. Brandon woke early enough for me to wrap him in his toga, put pins in all the right places, so no butt showed and he could get himself and sister off to school on time. He is taking very good care of her. He takes Vanessa to school 4 out of 5 days and I take her the 1 other day. And every day when he drops her off, he tells her, he loves her.

Doesn't that melt your heart?

I can't say enough about my kids, they are frustrating and sometimes push me to the edge, but I love them more than anything. They are two amazing people and most of the time I watch in awe as they are growing up right before my eyes into two amazing adults. Since they pretty much parent themselves and have since they were little, I am just here to guide them. They know the value of work and the difference between right and wrong. If they know it would make me mad, they don't do it. That was probably the best thing I ever taught them, besides every action has a re-action. I wish some adults understood this....

Well, I hope the kids are taking loads of pictures. I will share when I have some.

Feel free to share any thoughts in the comment section.

Have a great day all. Smile =)

Monday, October 1, 2012

Brandon's First Day of Senior Year

Brandon's First Day of Senior Year Layout -

This layout is for the Dusty Attic September challenge. (Sorry the picture is not that great, my son has my good camera, so I ended up scanning this.)

The paper line used is My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two. The Dusty Attic product is the two corner flourishes, I left them naked. I just like them like that. And it matched the layout. :)

The flowers are from Prima, and I have to say, I love them. If you didn't notice I tend to use them on a lot of layouts.

The teal strip behind the photo pulls out to show another photo of Brandon rubbing his eyes, because he was tired. I desaturated the photo, because after many attempts of sepia and black and white, I settled on this.

Please let me know if you like the layout in the comment field below.

Have a great day all!