Guest Designer: Rebecca Grinder

I have asked Rebecca Grinder back this week to share her calendar project with us...

                                                  

I love to give calendars as gifts. Especially, to those who don’t papercraft. A mini book or album may be pulled off the book shelf and looked at now and again, but a calendar is a gift the receiver will look at every day. I created this kit for others to purchase at my etsy shop at One Bright Spot.

The Me and My Big Ideas 6x6 Mini Album kits are perfect for this type of project. I cut the patterned paper and chipboard in half, creating 2 mini books for the price of one. These kits also come with matching embellishments. I did have to pull out an additional peice of patterned paper to have enough pages for the covers. I print wallet size pictures (4 per sheet for 39 cents) at Costco for this 3x6 size calendar. It works well if I am making duplicate gifts. I printed the actual 2010 calendar months off onto cardstock from a free Microsoft Office Online template download.

Variation - Instead of only 12 pages, create 31 pages. Each page numbered for the day of the month. Although this calendar is much more teatious of a project, the calendar is reusable year after year. Use photo corners for the pictures so when they become outdated, they can be easily replaced.

In order to hold the silk flower:


1. I punched a hole in the front cover chipboard.


2. Then, I trimmed the silk flower stem, keeping between 1/2-3/4 inch of stem to feed into the front cover.


3. Next, I took the layers of the flower apart, using half or more for the outside front cover. After feeding the stem through the hole, I placed the remaining petals on the stem inside the front cover.


4. Then, using a long tailed brad, I stuck the brad into the stem to hold the flower in place (along with some adhesive on the petals should do the trick!).

To check out more of Rebecca's holiday gifts and designs, go to her blog, Outside the Box.

My Little Angel

I have had this project finished for a few days but have been sick. Today, I dragged myself to the camera and computer so I could share it with you. This sweet piece was created with Layers of Color's Regal Wings clear art stamp. I love being able to use stamps in so many different ways.

I stamped the wings onto shrink film and cut them out. I then used my heat gun to shrink the wings. They were the perfect size for this charm with original artwork from a vintage children's reader. This piece will be at our Open House too!

Create Well: Think of different ways to use your stamps. Use them with shrink film for a sweet mixed media piece.

Open House Reveals!

I wanted to share with you some things I have been working on for our shop's Open House on Sunday! These pieces are using photos of our own family. I used fabric behind the glass and I love the way they turned out. If you see a piece that you can't live without and are unable to make it for our Open House email me at davenjen@wbcable.net.

Best Wishes

I love this wedding card that I created for Craft Warehouse. Mind you it took me a month to finally get it down. ;) Cards don't come easy for me. I did a few new techniques on it...

Supplies - Paper, Stamps, & Buttons: American Crafts; Cardstock, Silk Flower & Chipboard: Bazzill; Alpha Stickers: My Little Shoebox & Making Memories; Ink & Glossy Accents: Ranger Inc.;  Other: thread, acrylic paint, ribbon, twine, & recycled cardboard

I traced and cut out a flower from cardstock. I also love the look of the chipboard plain with a thick layer of Glossy Accents on top. I used ink to color the edges when it was dry. I also used the stamp with acrylic paint to match the paper perfectly. The photo is of us on our wedding day. It is my favorite picture and one that I don't have a problem using over and over! ;)

Create Well: Use recycled cardboard for your card base. It's always good to reduce and reuse!

Thanks

Here is another card for Craft Warehouse this month. I love the idea of using bright papers and creating something unexpected. This "thank you" card could pass for a holiday card, couldn't it?

Supplies - Paper, Stamps, Buttons and Alphas: American Crafts; Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink: Ranger Inc; Other: thread, twine, & recycled cardboard

Create Well: Challenge yourself to use paper you wouldn't normally to create a holiday card.

Evans Photography: Seattle Edit

My sister and brother-in-law went to Seattle at the beginning of the month for their anniversary. When Becca got home she gave me her memory card and asked me to edit her pictures. ;) I don't get to go on the trip but I get to edit it. Becca shot all of these photos with her point and shoot...

Create Well: Swap memory cards with a friend and see what they can do with your photos. Be inspired by how they edit your photographs.

Guest Designer: Melissa Phillips

Your eyes are in for a treat! Today's guest designer is the ever so talented Melissa Phillips. The first time I saw Melissa's blog I couldn't sleep for a week with layers and glitter in my head! Melissa designs for Melissa Frances, Papertrey Ink, & Heartwarming Vintage. She also designs kits for The Scrappy Gourmet &  Frost it Pink and Emma's Paperie, an online store.

 How would you describe your scrapbooking style?

I always struggle to define my own style….I know what it’s not though….it’s not clean, not simple, not graphic, and not bright and playful. I seem to continually to pile on the things I love, focus on soft colors, distress every inch of what I’m creating, and usually finish off with glitter…sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I am drawn to the shabby, vintage side of crafting…it warms me through and through and even though I’ve tried hard to stray from it and create something just a bit funky and ever so trendy…it is transformed back into the shabby style I adore.

What makes your style your own?

I suppose my trademark touches or things that I notice consistently throughout my work are machine stitching, book print, sheet music, tea-stained trim and twill tape, glitter, buttons tied with hemp, bows, distressed chipboard, acrylic paint, and adhesive pearls or gems….mmmm they’re just like candy to me.

What inspires you to be creative?

I wake up ready to create…fall asleep wishing I didn’t have to sleep and could still be creating…and work on projects throughout the day when I can…creating is a part of me that I have nurtured in myself and it is so rewarding and essential. I am inspired by other artists, by fabric, by other crafts such as quilting and decorating…the colors I see as the sun is setting at night or as the earth comes to life in the spring…inspiration abounds and I search for it and it finds me everywhere.

Who are your favorite scrapbook designers and why?

I could never, ever name them all…I continually seek out new artists and love the unique and inspiring styles I find and fall in love with my favorite artists over and over again. I have loved Carolyn Peeler since the beginning. Ranjini Malhorta is always inspiring me to try new things with the same beloved supplies. Roree Rumph's style is very different from my own but I am drawn to it. It’s always filled with detail and perfection. It’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Teri Anderson is always on the verge of trendsetting and trend spotting. Again, our styles differ, but her creativity has no end. Lastly, a beautiful new discovery, Jill Geraghty-Groves. I don’t think words can adequately describe her artistry. Her work just makes my eyes happy and my fingers itch to create.

What are your favorite color combinations to design with right now?

I look around my craft room and I am surrounded in projects in cream, pinks and pale blues….I will always love this color combination first and foremost.

What is your creative process?

I really don’t have a creative process…sometimes it’s just a new product that is sitting and waiting for me to begin working with. Sometimes I want to string a group of my favorite buttons together and use them as my focal point. A lot of the time, it’s just the way my scraps have been thrown to the side and just seeing the combination of something unlikely together draws me in and it becomes the beginning of something new and beautiful to me.

What is your story that you are trying to tell? How can this inspire others?

The story behind my little bits of creativity is always the same….the love I feel for others is transpired into a shabby, little card, a mini album about the things that make a happy home, or a page all about my favorite little being. The sweet memories and thoughts that flow through my mind come tumbling out the tips of my fingers and it’s all put together with paper and glue.

How can you inspire others to create well?

To “create well” you must first allow yourself to create. You deserve to do something for yourself whether it’s spending time outside in your beautiful flower beds with the sun shining on your shoulders; playing the piano or violin to bring beauty to those around you; sharing your delicious home baked goodness with those you love; or creating art for others to enjoy. It’s all so rewarding and part of who we are. Do what you love.

I don't know about you, but my head is swimming with inspiration! You can follow Melissa and her stunning designs at her blog, Lily Bean's Paperie.

Create Well: You deserve to do something for yourself. Do what you love.

Evans Photography: Oberlander Family

Today I was out visiting family in Salem for the Evans Genealogy project while my husband was in Eugene meeting the Oberlander family. Isn't Oregon beautiful in the fall?! Today's weather was perfect for a fall shoot. My dear husband took all these photos and edited them for me to post this sneak peek.

Create Well: A perfect fall day + the Oberlander family = beautiful photographs

One Bright Spot Holiday Open House

I am looking forward to November 1st! It is One Bright Spot's Annual Open House from 1pm-5pm. It is the only time of the year that we open our Etsy shop to the public! It's a great time to look at homemade art, cards, mini books, jewelry right in time for the holidays! We will also have a free make-n-take so that you can have an opportunity to play! ;)

If you would like to come, email me at davenjen@wbcable.net to get a formal invitation and directions to to show! As the time gets closer I will share with you some more items to be released (our holiday items won't go into the shop until our show is over). We would love to meet some of our online friends! Come on out!

Smile... No Matter What Comes Your Way

It was about this time last year that I started swearing, ok, maybe not swearing, but yelling at my computer. My husband uses Photoshop for our photography business but it was his thing. I never touched it. I then started to see digital elements I wanted to be able to use in my scrapbooking. I tried to figure it out but I was in tears and close to pulling my hair out! I would spend my evenings crying to my husband to show me, but even he couldn't. Digital design was just not what he did with Photoshop.

I figured if I wanted to learn this stuff that I had to do just that! Study! So, I first learned how to edit photos, since I should be helping my husband with that in the first place. I then studied how to create a digital layout and now I am learning how to use templates.

My husband was just talking to me about how blessed he has been having me edit our shoots now. Since he has three jobs (day job, church, and Evans Photography) he feels like I have taken quite a bit of pressure off by doing a bit of the computer work.

The best thing about the online community is that you can meet and learn from some amazing artists. Michelle Filo inspired me to learn more about digital and hybrid scrapbooking. If you can learn from reading a book, you can learn even more from reading a blog! With Michelle's encouragement I kept at it. It is nice knowing that someone believes in you! This layout is using several of Michelle's designs.

Supplies - Adobe Photoshop CS2; Digital Template: Lili Scrap Box 1 - Designs by Lili; Digital Paper: Believe-  Designs by Lili & Homework Fun - With Love by Mushy by Michelle Filo; Digital Elements: Believe by Designs by Lili & Homework Fun Elements - With Love by Mushy - Michelle Filo; Border: My Chalk Borders by With Love by Mushy - Michelle Filo; Alpha: Homework Fun Alphabet Cream - With Love by Mushy - Michelle Filo; Retro Frame: Ella Publishing Company; Font: Courier

Create Well: Have faith in others when they have no faith in themselves.

Life

I was able to do another digital layout today. I am hoping to get into my studio this week and finish some mixed media projects that I still have to do. Although, it all depends on if the men of the Evans household get over being sick. Ahh! The change in seasons! ;)

Supplies - Adobe Photoshop CS2; Digital Template: Designs by Lili – Scrapbox1; Digital Paper: Designs by Lili – Believe & With Love by Mushy – Love Fall by Michelle Filo; Digital Elements: Designs by Lili – Believe; Polka Dot Alphabet: Designs by Lili; Paint Brush Set: Anna Aspnes with Designer Digitals; Tape Frame: Ella Publishing Company

Create Well: Sick? Hop into bed with your laptop and do a few digital pages. Everyone else sick? Hop into bed with your laptop and do a few digital pages. ;)

Evans Photography: Mueller Family

I can't help but have fun when taking pictures of my best friend! We get to take pictures of the Mueller family every year. It's tradition! I guess having best friends that are photographers is a plus too... ;)

There are more favorites of the whole family, but I couldn't help but put these on today! Fall brings out such beauty in God's creation. It makes me want to get my sister to make me a scarf like the one in the above picture. It was funny. We looked at each other and Alyssa said, "I like your scarf." I said, "I like your scarf." She then said, "Becca made it for me." Ha! "Becca made mine too!"

Create Well: Get out this fall and take photos of the season!