12 tags of 2016-August & One Little Quote

The nice part about a tag is that it's a little but you can totally get your bling on in a small space. In this case I managed to add a die cut, fussy cut stamped flowers, and a fussy cut butterfly, not to mention paper flowers, a scallopy metal piece, and some crinkle ribbon!

Of course insprired by the Tim Tag of August, but using colors more suited to the little airplane baggage ticket I upcycled which happened to be hot pink. Betcha can't tell. Gesso works wonders for most everything!




























Tim was using a honey comb die cut that I didn't have, so I substituted the trellis one instead. Added a few pieces to fill in spots of the trellis in burgandy, but then left the rest of it empty to show off the pretty background on the tag. Of course I had to stamp some flowers that looked similar to the one he used. I also added one of the words from the One Little Quote I'm following this year. Only four more months to go and it will be revealed! ;-)

That little dangle was upcycled off a necklace and I thought worked well with the colors I used. And check out those adorable little flowers from the Funky Junky Botique. Only two months to go before the 12 Tags of Christmas that she hosts...not to scare you!!! 

Well, we still have a smidge of summer left to enjoy so I'm off to make the most of it before the snow flies! Happy Hump Day!

Lake George Layout: I like big boats I cannot lie

Ah the smell of paper, the feel of a roller running over the paper & adhering down pretty scraps! How I've missed you! I thought I'd start with a simple layout to get me back in the grove after being away for a week! I used a really big photo that I took out the back of the boat printed out on plain white paper as a background to my boat photo of THE MAN and Uncle Don. Aren't they cute? I had that song I Like Big Boats running through my head as I made this....oh wait, I think the song is a little different....

Are banners still a thing? I never know. I like them though. They work really well for scraps and by the time I was making this page, I had gotten down to those from my paper packet. I thought the photo of Lexi with her hair blowin' in the breeze worked well as a banner so I could fit three photos on my layout...

Incidentally the one photo that didn't make the layout was the floating tiki bar...Kinda wanted to try that at some point! Doesn't it look fun?

The epic part of this page is that it will actually fit nice and flat in a book. I know, it seemed weird to me as I made it...But I ran with keeping it simple!

Happy Tuesday! I'm back tomorrow with my Tim! Tag for August...again, nice and simple!

Memorandum Monday: Back to Normal and Big Ass Blooms

I'm actually giving you a sneak peek of a project I'll be blogging about this week...it's a real rock star if that helps give you a hint!

I just got back from a week away in Detroit, Michigan for NeighborWorks training for my new job. I hung with my boss and some peeps we collaborate with. Lots of learning and a tour of the city. As much fun as it is to be away, it's awesome to get home and back in your groove. I turned into a homebody and spent some time working with my hands.

This weekend was spent doding raindrops and I hung out mainly in the garage! I did venture out for some grocherying, but only because the kids claimed we didn't have any food. Really I think they felt we were out of cookies, but anyhow...

While I worked on my project, THE MAN worked on building a bike rack for the truck. We'll use it camping and he picks Luke up a lot after track. Part of Luke's workout is to ride down to the school from the house.

I did also want to show you a photo I took for you peeps. Big Ass Blooms. Are they not epic? Check out the floor and the wall for scale. I spotted them while touring a revitalized church. They decorate the former nave which is now used for Zumba. Three generations of women come daily for a Zumba class and the building is full of energy.

Detroit is a tough place to visit. It's a city in decline and so many houses, businesses and big buildings are in decay. I leaned that 200 houses a week are taken down. Others are burned out and schools sit empty. Yet, there is hope as places are rebuilt and rehabbed. I could feel that hope as I walked through the former church where women now meet and work their body as well as their spirit. I'll leave you with these happy flowers and hope you have a most awesome week!

Waving to Sian From High in the Sky who is off on Holiday for a bit but I am sure will be around at some point to see what we're sharing.

You Look Fabulous Mirror for the ReStore

Yes the very fugly Meant to Be Frame  now has a home and a purpose! It's off  to the Corning Library who is hosting the artists for the Corning ReStore contest. John from the ReStore hooked me up with a very old mirror for $8 and I retaught myself how to cut a mirror to fit in the frame. It wasn't pleasant and in fact, next time I will go to Lowes who I learned later was able to cut mirror. (did you read yesterday's post where I mentioned mirror shards on the floor, lol!)

What WAS pleasant was watching this MakerBot Replicator 3 D printer make those letters. It was humming to itself as it worked along. I imagine the little robot was thinking to itself, WHY YES I AM FABULOUS! I did add a coat of spray paint but as I learned after gluing down the first letter, I should have also done the backside...as I get a smidge of pink showing up now with the mirror. 

Part of the contest allows artists time on the Bot to make their own stuff. I went with letters as I thought they would be similar to chipboard...not really honestly. They are plastic so are a class of their own and much harder.

One more photo of my frame and Duncan, the wonderdog. I am pretty sure he was thinking his dog mommy IS fabulous! Happy Thursday and wish me luck! There is a $100 ReStore Gift Cert up for grabs! Pretty sure I can't win, but hope this frame makes them a little money!

Memorandum Monday: Toes and Traveling

I had great plans of writing this post on Sunday night, which is when I always write it. It would be really hard to write something about the weekend say like on Friday night when it's still looking bright and shiny and full of promise.

Instead our plane got in late (thanks Delta!) and then we ate and then I crashed hard on a hotel bed full of white blankets and pillows. Of course I tossed and turned a little since a big dog wasn't helping me sleep and I knew I had to register and go across town on the PeopleMover. We've got a conference here in Detroit and it's already Wednesday! See this is how you know something is really going well, when you have to think about what day it is.

It's not been all busy though. I am enjoying the various rooms where I have my training session. We get long breaks and time for chatting and coffee. So far I've learned a ton of things. I'm working in a new industry and it's all new to me. Pretty awesome.

Talking about Trump, not that I want to...but he was here in Detroit and at the same hotel some of the training is for our conference....Hilary is here tomorrow for good measure. So anyhow, tell me the truth...I am sure all you peeps not from the US are having a bit of a chuckle at the Hot Mess Reality show our elections are here....It's OK, I think we deserve it.

This past weekend we were camping, because yes normal people would schedule a big camping trip and then go away for a week. To be honest, camping was scheduled before the trip or job for that matter, but we could have moved it around a smidge. No need though, it has all worked out.

Got to relax there too! We were on the bank of West Canada Creek and the sound of the rushing water was the most enjoyable part. Anyhow I'm off to hit Wednesday hard. I am missing the boys back at work who are painting today but I'll try to struggle through it!

Waving a little toe at Sian From High in the Sky who hosts us for Memorandum Monday.

Rock Star Guitar and Mommy is a little Nutz

Everyone needs two large art projects in the week before they are leaving for camping, trying to do a new job to the best of their abilities, and also leaving the week after to go to Detroit for a conference. I mean, don't they? Lexi and I took over THE MAN's garage, left black feathers on the work bench and mirror shards on the floor up by the tractor. Not to mention, there is still the other Hot Pink Mess (which is now black) yet to finish up. The fact I am still married is an ode to the long standing fortitude THE MAN has. So, let us give him a brief moment in the spot light here and thank him for sharing his space and abilities...

Let's not get too crazy though, we have pictures to look at....

So they are having a contest at the Corning ReStore. Basically the gist of it is that they allow you to pick out items for free that you then make into something lovely that they auction off. They have prizes for the winners, so Lexi was ALL IN when she heard the word prizes. And when I mean in, her Dad actually mentioned that there wouldn't be a lot of time and all that but she was on it like a bulldog on a hot dog with ketchup.

John helped her pick out this guitar that was really nothing special. A student model with a broken string. She decided to spray paint it silver and then do a galaxy theme painted front just like the Be A Rock Star container she painted a while ago. It's pretty epic...including the Tim Holtz clear stars...so pretty! She even went as far as asking at the local music store Marich Music how much it would cost to restring the guitar and he donated his labor for free! So, this guitar is ready to rock and roll!

She tried to add black wings on it too, but due to some issues with rivets and timing, we kinda gave up. It still looks like a crow exploded in the garage so I think she has some shop vac work to do on the work bench...

I have a project that I worked on...I'll share that in a bit...that is where the mirror shards on the floor came in!

Happiest of Hump Days and a huge hug to THE MAN who puts up with squirrel behavior the week before camping & conferencing...and also feathers on a work bench.

Knoebles Layout: One for me and One for Teri

It's always nice to make a page for someone else. In fact, it's even nicer to just steal their photo, print two of the same background photos and then fancy them up a smidge differently so you don't get bored...Of course finding the same set of letters and having enough isn't likely so you'll have some variation there too...

I made the page with the pink for Teri as that is her little person in the middle sitting between Lexi and her friend Kayla. Just a simple flat page, but I used a bit of that shimmer spray that you can't see that makes it sparkle...so pretty!

I figured out later that I used the purple to match Lexi's shirt on mine...isn't that weird. I do love that paper. It's a pack from Close to My Heart that I have been hoarding with all the berries...so delicious!

Hope your Tuesday is awesome! I'm off to class today at this conference in Detroit!

Happy Mail for THE CUTTING CAFE

I really do enjoy making Christmas cards. Each year I tell myself I'm going to start them a little earlier so I don't have a marathon session of cutting and gluing. Is August early enough? Thank you Regina from THE CUTTING CAFE for giving me a little kick in the pants and asking for a Christmas in August project! The little mitten shaker is from the Christmas Shape Shaker Card collection. I set up the Silly to print three sheets so I have plenty!

(Side note:  so weird to be taking this photo without snow in it!)

 I used just glitter in my shaker. Trying to go for the more flat concept making cards! They always give me THE LOOK at the post office when I drop off 25 bulky envelopes. Those little ferns were upcycled from a Christmas piece I got at the Corning ReStore. It's pretty big so I will have plenty of foliage to use when I make the rest of my cards and start projects.

I even have a set of clear stamps ordered for the return address label. Regina over at the The Cutting Cafe Shop makes those too! Lexi and I designed them and she got them made & sent to me. So cool.

Can't wait to make the rest of these! I might tweak the design up a little. For one thing I need to get my hands on more paper...I think I've finally busted through the Christmas card paper stash...oh such troubles!

Have a Happy Friday!

Rose Bag Tag for Angel's Wedding & LESSology

Do you have a collection of little bags? I do and they seem to multiply when I'm not looking. Sneaky little things! It occurred to me the other day to use one as a tag after I prettied it all up with a huge hand made bloom and a doily. This is one project that really didn't take all that long, used up one of those bags, and is useful! You could even put the card inside and the plant tag.

I had several large vintage leaves hanging around, that epic hand made white flower with rhinestone center, and a hot pink doily that matched the rose. It was as simple as hot gluing them on the bag. Since this pretty plant was our present for an outdoor wedding, I added the burlap around the bottom of the plant to match one of the flowers and some cool vellum sentiments. Angel scrapbooks with me, so there is NO DOUBT IN MY MIND that she will either reuse the bag in some way shape or form or the flower gets added to a page. ;-)

Angel's Wedding was epic. Even though it hasn't rained here in what seems to be months, it downpoured. It's my second outdoor wedding ever in the rain and both were cozy and romantic under the tent. Not to mention you could watch the grass get greener by the minute. Don't worry, I have tons of cool photos to share with you from her day, but I'm making a page...and you'll see them then!

Our current challenge over at LESSology is to upcycle a bag and I bet you have a few hanging around, I'd love to see what you create!!

Orange Envelope ABC Book Swap

One of my bloggy friends suggested a swap the other day of envelope books. I wasn't sure how to make one, but figured that I could grab a bunch of envelopes, add a bit of cardboard inside to stiffen them up and then seal them...add in some cool paper and bling & punch some holes, Voila! Envelope book!

I specifically left several completely blank pages for a bigger photo or for adding journalling, but it works here so you can see some of the envelopes I started with. I found these orange mulberry envelopes at a stationary store ages and ages ago. They are thick and have a really cool texture. Plus, they match this Chalk It Up paper pack from Close to My Heart which I have been hoarding for like forever. (there is new paper out so I had better get going on using some of it so I can buy more...)

I added some little gold dot bags in the middle in differet spots with extra paper. I took a quick peek on my swap partner's Facebook and it appears she has little people that likely will be going back to school soon just like me so I figured a fun little book for photos would be just her thing!

That is also of course why I put those acetate ABC's on the cover too! Hope she loves it! Happy Hump Day!

Better Together: Date Night Layout for Another Freaking Scrappy

When I read this month's challenge I knew I had the perfect photo & the accompanying ticket stubs! Paired up with this super delish paper from Close to My Heart in these happy colors, this page really rocked, pun intended!

Our challenge at Another Freaking Scrappy:  August challenge is to use a souvenir from a place or event on your page - maybe a theatre ticket? A subway pass? A map? A pamphlet from somewhere you visited or want to visit? 

Since the concert was just a couple of weeks ago, I happened to still have these ticket stubs on my dresser. I was trying to to decide whether I wanted to scrap the concert or just use the photo for something. Turns out doing both was just the ticket (yes more puns). 

Loving these textured blooms from Petaloo...I'm using more of their flowers these days than Prima as I seem to prefer the ones made from material over paper, but it looks like some of the new Prima releases are following along...which is awesome!

Happy to have gotten this page scrapped! Hope you get to chance to hang with us this month and pull out some ephemia! Happy Tuesday!

Memorandum Monday: Fireworks and a Topless Hot Pink Hot Mess

This weekend was full of living. We had a wedding to run off to that was epic...more on that later. Then a pig roast with awesome fireworks and Tippy Cow Green Shamrock Mint Rum which tasted like mint chocolate chip ice cream. Sunday was a bit more tame with some grocerying and then sanding.

When I told Steven, the guy I work with at the Corning ReStore that I wanted to buy this hot pink broken table (table implies you can put things on it, it didn't actually have a top so it's more like the theory of a table) he said WHY? I was like no really, I am buying it. I then realized he wanted to genuinely know what would bring me to purchase something that was clearly going in the dumpster after the tent sale was over.

I suspect THE MAN has him on retainer. Here is $20 a month to not allow my wife to bring home things that clearly should be thrown out. THE MAN had a similar reaction when I took the "table" out of my jeep and this was after I waited until he had at least several glasses of wine. Thankfully he's a good sort and showed me how to rip two boards for the bottom which was also broken. Then I predrilled holes for finish screws, attached the boards firming up the table and got crazy with the sander.

I added a few pieces of scroll work and that cool little circle piece from my stash with the air nailer & finish brads. We'll be building a frame for the top later, using a piece of marble that I also scored from Corning ReStore and that I've been hoarding.

The first coat of spray paint is making me happy. It's a satin so totally will not be this shiny when it dries. It will need a second coat. Those bottom boards were also stashed in my closet and took the paint a little different than the rest of the table, so a second coat will level the playing field a little. It's nice to head off into the week feeling accomplished!

Happy Monday and please join me in waving to Sian from over at From High in the Sky who also has epic weekend adventures involving socks and ice cream.