Tape it Up

Washi tape, masking tape, gaffer's tape, book-binding tape--the list goes on and on. If it's sticky and it's patterned, then it's everywhere! It's the new theme at Paper Issues--come and link up and meet the new design team members too...

I made these two cards using American Crafts patterned paper and embellishment, and of course, tape! There are a couple ways to make the chevron pattern using tape--the ever-creative Leah Farquharson did one demo here at Hambly, which I wish I had seen before I did mine, because it's so simple!

I used Jennifer McGuire's tutorial at Studio Calico for my process, just swapping in washi tape for the patterned paper. It kind of made my brain hurt, but once I started laying down the tape at the correct angle (45 degrees works), it came together pretty quickly!

One last thing, I have a new coupon code for the Paper Issues Etsy store--and it's for 20% off! Anything in the store--and there are tons of great paper-crafting goodies--more NEW STUFF arriving daily. Cassie (the store owner) rocks the customer service, has great shipping (she's got connects), and is a work-at-home-mom running her own small business! She's kind of my hero.

So, just enter the code Sukeydookiedoo at checkout, and voila! You get to save 20% on your entire order, and Cassie knows I sent you.

Sunday

Yep, still using up that SC kit from October--it's like the gift that keeps on giving! Love that woodgrain paper from Pebbles--it's kraft and the perfect background paper, IMO!

This one is a bit of an experiment gone wrong--it didn't turn out at all like I pictured in my head. Oh well, I think it goes with the blurry pictures that are definitely less than perfect as well!

Finally, one about all of Sadie's nicknames--my favorite of which is her own name for herself--Sissy. "Sissy do it," is a refrain I hear many, many times in a day. Too cute! This is using Studio Calico's Handmade kit, and in response to a challenge to journal in the "dead space" of a photo.

Have a great week!

Everyone with little kids is a little crazy,

am I right? I mean, just the experience of spending your day with little people changes your outlook on life. Oh, what's that I am sitting on, a can of ravioli in the seat cushions of the couch?--totally normal. Peter throwing a fit because I won't let him carry the plunger around the house--no biggie. Being so fried at the end of dinner that I make a "nobody talk to anybody" rule--this doesn't happen in your house? Leaving the house in my slippers, shrugging as the shopping cart goes careening across the parking lot unattended, because I can't do a damn thing about it with 2 two-year olds to keep safe--ah, f#%k it. I don't even know who I am anymore, I am so immersed in toddler-dom and preschooler-hood. What graduate degree, what salary, what clothes that don't have the word "yoga" in their name, what adult conversation?

Anyways, I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I am doing exactly what I want to be right now--but this job is really flipping hard! So, here are some scrapbook pages to look at--they make my life look much more fun than it actually is on a day to day basis, but that's why this hobby is so great--you get to focus on the happy moments. And who doesn't benefit from that?

Instead of taking pictures like I normally do, I scanned each half these pages and then used Photoshop to stitch them together. So they look a little crazy--but it has been overcast and raining here the last 2 days, so...

I'm still using up the Studio Calico Field Guide kit from October (which I also combined with the Add-on paper), plus I used a sketch from the SC blog on that top one--love how it came out, and I would never think of those diagonals on my own!

Scrapbooking helps keep me sane...

Seriously, with 2 two-year-olds and four-year old, I need all the help I can get. Even if it's just 15 minutes to think about something other than diapers, crackers, and Polly-pockets, it makes a huge difference in my outlook!

Especially when it means looking at fabulous summertime pics--it's so nice to be transported to warmer times outdoors while we're stuck in the doldrums of winter!

The layout above and the next 3 are all made using Studio Calico's October (I think?) kit. I am glad I got these pictures scrapped--some good memories here :)

 I had to open my Halloween box to dig out all those pumpkins--haven't looked in there in while!

I used the latest Scrapjack for this one--Kelly Purkey is great inspo--I had such fun lifting her layout! I love the stack of rainbow-colored patterned paper along the right of the pictures--the colors in the SC kit were a perfect match for these fall photos...

And another using Echo Park's Happy Days--I'm going to use up every last piece of that collection!

Well now...

It has been a little while, hasn't it! Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a fun-filled New Year to you...that just about sums up all I've missed!

I guess I'm finally ready to come out of hibernation and post here--not that it hasn't been a productive past few weeks, just that I haven't made time for sad lil' neglected blog. I have a few projects to share, and I'll be back in a couple days with a few more--it's kind of nice to have a bunch to get caught up on!

Here are some pages I made last year:

Let's see, that's a whole lot of Echo Park's Happy Days line, and one from EP's boy line from last year, some older AC Dear Lizzy, and Snow Day by Pink Paislee. All good stuff I got from Paper Issues!

Finally, here's a project I made for my Grammie for Christmas--cuz you never can have enough pics of the grand/great-grandchildren!

I altered a Maya Road Trinket box (also from Paper Issues). Let me point out that this little box is only 6 bucks, and it's infinitely customizable--love that! I also used some trim, tiny clothespins and JB doily flowers from the shop, along with some vintage buttons and other bits from my stash. I'm linking this up to the Paper Issues linky party too--the theme is "We've got your number"--anything that uses paper goes!

I'll be back soon, I hope!

Gettin' Sketchy

I have managed to squeeze in some crafty time...today it dawned on me that I should be making Christmas presents by now, so these might be the last few layouts I do for a while!

I used Scrapjacked's latest lift to make this layout:

That's Peter in his Halloween costume. Those little resin mushrooms were made by my talented friend Jamie,  I swear there's not a single creative thing she can't do!

And I used Pencil Line's sketch #259 for this next one:

 Still loving that Pink Paislee Snow Day--and Cassie still has some left in the Paper Issues Shop!

Happy Thanksgiving--hope your day is filled with family and good food!

Thankful

Here it is already Thanksgiving, and I haven't even done a Halloween post! Blogging just might not be my thing...

Anyways, I want to share a layout I made for Paper Issue's Thankful for Fall theme...you still have a couple more days to link up!

 I used American Crafts, and some other random bits and pieces.

Thanks for stopping by!