Whatever closes and opens...

In the Sound of Music, Maria says, "Whenever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window".  So, today's post is about doors closing and windows opening. 

Today, December 1st is the last issue of Scrapstreet.  I have been honored to be a part of the Scrapstreet Staff for just over a year---I certainly wish it had been longer.  My scrappy skills were stretched and tested, and as a result, they grew.  I owe Dora, and the other Scrapstreet editorial staff a great big THANK YOU.

Now, as for windows opening...you are looking at (well, actually, you are reading about) a member of the Design Team for Chicagoland Scrapbooker!  This is a real, touchable, readable, paper magazine.  You can find the latest issue at your local scrapbook store and you can read all about it here, and about me here.  I'll mostly be doing items for the website, but you'll see my creation on an upcoming cover.  Don't worry, you'll hear me screaming from the roof-tops so you won't miss it.

 

 

Starting Monday, you can find Christmas ideas right here and on the Chicagoland Scrapbooker site.  First week...journals!

~Kelly

 

Whatever is read...

The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you'll go.~ Dr. Seuss

Books are great not only for learning, but for inspiration too! For the next issue of Scrapstreet, Graffiti is looking for your creations based on a book cover.

The cover of Dr. Seuss' book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" was the motivation for this layout, both in color and shape. Using paper from October Afternoon (Schoolhouse) and patterned paper from Colorbok, I re-created the swirly patterns found on Dr. Seuss' book--which also happens to be a popular read around Graduation time--a perfect match! One only gets to wear a graduation gown so many times in their life (unless you are my husband, he's worn one a few more times than the average).

Now it's your turn, "grab your jacket". A book jacket that is! I'm looking for your projects inspired by book cover art and there is a whole load of other submission calls for the next issue of Scrapstreet, just click right here to check them out. You, yes you (well, actually, your project) could be in the next issue coming out July 1st. Get going! Deadline for submission is May 19th.


~Kelly

Whatever makes you giggle...

In this age of technology, with all of the communication we can send via emails and texts, the only things found in the mailbox lately are bills, flyers, and credit card offers.  Happy mail is a rare treat!  This card might not only elicit a smile, but maybe a giggle too!

I used the Fiskars "snip snip" Squeeze punch and a hole punch to create these colorful scissors and a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background dots. 

If only paper cutting REALLY counted as aerobic exercise...
I can wish!


And it's April...no fooling! 
That means it's time for a new issue of Scrapstreet!

you can read the magazine hereyou can read my feature article, Graffiti, here
you can see my layout, Blue Bips, here  AND
you can see my hoppy interactive card here

Thanks for hopping on by...~Kelly

Whatever is teeny tiny...

I know I'm not the only one trying to find more time to scrap.  Let's face it, there are only so many hours in each day, so I'm really not going to find more time.  But, I've been fooling myself into thinking I have more time by being more efficient with the time I have.  

Painting, knitting, sewing, quilting, and other crafts are a great source for inspiration.  This page above is based on a quilt block that fellow Scrapstreet writer, Smitha Katti is doing as her Quilt-Block-a-Month for the Fiskars website.  It's a time-saver. 

Just a quick shout for this new POW Micro-glitter Paper from American Crafts.  No more glittery fingers, eyes, nose, lips, counters,socks, (do you get my idea?).  This thin, contained paper gives the same ultra pizazz as other glitter papers, but without the mess. And, it's punchable!  Check it out!

~Kelly

Whatever blooms

Nothing is blooming around here right now. 
Six inches of snow blanket the ground.
We are a long way from spring.  So, I've decided I need to create my own.
This is a very simple (and addicting way) to make some beautiful flowers that you can add to your home, sweaters, scarves, and even cards and pages.

Start with a piece of felt 3 1/2" x 12 " long.  Fold it in half the long way (so it is now 1 3/4" x12"), and hot glue where the two edges meet.

 Then, snip from the folded edge about every 1/2". 

Take one end and start rolling, it helps to add a drop of hot glue every once in awhile to help hold it together.

Boom--you have a bloom!
                                  
Once you've done this a few times, you can really start to play around with how big a piece of felt you use and how far apart or how close you snip--it totally changes the outcome.

You can group some blooms to add to a sweater or scarf.

You can use your bloom on a gift tag
(this one is going on a bottle of wine).

Or, you can create a paper tag to use for a gift card envelope (cleverly recycled flattened toilet paper roll).

Now, I want you to be the florist!  In each issue of Scrapstreet (the FREE online e-magazine, did I mention it is FREE?), my feature article Graffiti, looks at popular art for inspiration.  For the April issue, I'm looking for ONE BIG FLOWER.  Can you guess which famous artist I'll be highlighting?

So, show me your creation with ONE BIG FLOWER!  You can doodle, stamp, cut, fold, paint, or surprise me with your bloom on your card, scrapbook page, or project, but only use ONE flower.  Send your creations to submissions@scrapstreet.com by February 18th.


Check out the other submission calls too... http://scrapstreet.com/ss12/janu12/calls.htm
Turn your mind towards spring!

whatever you need to be inspired

can be found at Scrapstreet! http://scrapstreet.com/magazine/magazinehome.htm

The January issue is FULL of fabulous ideas!  Take a peek at my article, Graffiti, (starting on page 8) where I asked for submissions inspired by the splatter of artist, Jackson Pollock.  From subtle to drippy, the creations are awesome!  I also have a white layout on page 18 and a tiny winter thank you card on page 12.  Scrapstreet is keeping me busy!

quick, a winner

Just a quick check-in to let you know that I am here, but my computer is not.  Bad virus (bad, bad, virus) hit it hard on Tuesday and I've been checking in from my ipod (which isn't easy).  Just didn't want anyone to think I forgot about the Fiskateer Orange Blog Hop winner....Kim C. is my winner and goodies will be coming her way.  Hope to have my computer back next week and a new post on the 12th, here and on Scrapstreet.

BOING, BOING, BLOG HOP! Howdy Fiskateers!

Happy hopping to everyone who is here for the

Fiskateer Orange Blog Hop!  

If you hopped over from doverdi  at  http://www.craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/ ,
you are in the right place! This is the 10th stop on the Orange Blog Hop where members of Fiskateers, a community sponsored by Fiskars, is sharing their passion for crafting.  If you need to start from the beginning, go over to Fiskateers and hop on.

Yes, visiting all of the blogs on the Fiskateer blog hop is going to take some time.
No, you shouldn't watch the clock.
Yes, you will be so inspired you might fall off your chair.
No, it won't hurt.
Yes, we all are sharing Fiskateer love!
YES, I'm giving away some goodies if you leave a comment.
YES, I have more exciting news at the end of this post!

Autumn is my FAVORITE time of year. I love the smells, the colors, the cool temps, the crunch of the leaves.  I decided to bring some autumn into the house by creating my own tree! 

I punched out some leaves from yellow cardstock using my Fiskars Oakey Dokey squeeze punch.  In case you are not a regular follower of my blog (and why aren't you?), you may not know that I NAMED THIS PUNCH!!!  Isn't that cool?  Just one of the many reasons I love Fiskars!
 

To re-create the rainbow of fall colors on my leaves, I wiped inks on my splat mat and misted them with water.  Then I dragged the leaves through the colors to get that real-leaf effect.  While they were wet with ink, I squished and folded them and let them dry overnight.

When they dried, I punched tiny holes in the leaves using my Fiskars 1/16" hole punch.  I made the tree by cutting 25-30 pieces of different lengths (approximately 5-7 inches) of wire and twisting them together at the bottom.  I then wrapped the "trunk" with twine.  I stabilized the leaves onto the wire with Zots glue dots and curled the ends of some of the wires using a round nose pliers. 

I sanded and distress stained a 5x7 wood frame that I got from The Dollar Store.  I popped out the glass, and I placed my tree on some patterned paper (from Kaiser Craft) that I "swiss-dot" embossed with my Big Shot and a Cuttlebug folder, and then distress inked.  I added a Tim Holtz "autumn" sticker and I AM DONE!

This is the fastest and easiest way to grow your own tree!  Ok, you still need water, but no seeds!  And, you won't ever need to rake these leaves!

Now for EXCITEMENT!

Leave a comment and you will be entered for a chance to win some crafty goodies!  Make sure you check back on Monday to see if you are a winner!

Now for MORE EXCITEMENT!

Not only is today the Orange Fiskateer Blog Hop, it is my debut as a writer for Scrapstreet and GingerScrapsStreet magazine...  the  October issues of Scrapstreet and GingerScrapsStreet magazine come out TODAY!  If you have not gone to Scrapstreet yet, what are you waiting for?  It is free...did you hear me?  IT IS FREE.  After you are done hopping this weekend,  you will probably be tired.  By Monday, you might want to go take a relaxing walk on Scrapstreet.  

Become a Scrapstreet subscriber...make me smile!

I have a submission call out for some "Graffiti" for the January Scrapstreet issue...see if you can create what I am looking for!

Now for even MORE excitement...I don't know, can you handle anymore?  Keep hopping...your next stop is Connie's Crafty Goodies at http://www.craftygoodies.com/.  Sit back, relax, put springs on your your shoes, and keep HOPPING!

APPLE-LICIOUS




you are special...and your birthday should be too.  Have a wonderful day!

 

Juicy, crisp, and satisfying.  I adore apples.  We have an orchard nearby where the trees are drooping from the weight of these pure and simple fruits.   This time we picked Jonagolds, and they are sunny yellow and scrumptious.  They make an audible crunch when you sink your teeth in and the juice drips down your chin.  We picked 20# of apples in about 5 minutes.  They are so scrumptious,  they inspired me to make some apple cards. 

so sweet...of you to think of me!  Thank you
learning is a treasure...that will follow its owner everywhere-Chinese proverb

World Card Making Day is October 1st.  You should also "hop" back here to visit on October 1st because I'm part of the Fiskateer 2nd Annual Orange Blog Hop.  It's an exciting day all around because my first issue as a Scrapstreet magazine writer comes out on October 1st too.  Are you a subscriber yet...did I mention it was free?  for FREE?  Head over there so that you get it right to your email box on Saturday.  Click on Scrapstreet to subscribe.  I think there might be some goodies being given away in honor of all of these exciting events!

Be-witching

Where do you go when you've lost it?  The mojo that is.  Sometimes I just seem to move things around and re-arrange my crafty stuff so that I can trick myself into thinking that I haven't lost it.  The mojo that is. 

Last year I bought this Halloween banner kit from The Scrappy Gourmet.  Apparently it was just waiting for me to crack it open when I needed it the most.  Maybe I just don't want to admit that it's fall.  Fall is my FAVORITE season, but it also reminds me that we are headed toward winter (NOT my favorite season).  This kit is just what I needed to make me want to embrace this time.  While I was working on it, I started getting this feeling.  It was warm and fuzzy and kind of made my head hurt.  I think it was some mojo returning!  I started pulling out paper, making my fingers inky, and writing things down!  That's how fast the ideas were coming!  You might even see more than 1 blog post per week (maybe I shouldn't get carried away).

Back to this kit...it's called "The Witching Hour", by Sheila Rumney.  Since this is the first kit I've bought from The Scrappy Gourmet, I have nothing to compare it to, but this one was FULL of texture, graphics, ribbons, brads, and chipboard.  I had to paint, ink, punch, glitter, and sand.  There were so many steps, that this kept me busy for a few nights.  I give it two inky thumbs up!

Scrapstreet Anniversary

My happy dance is slowing down now as I get ready for my projects as a new writer for
Scrapstreet Magazine.  In the meantime, it is Scrapstreet's 6th Anniversary, and there is a BIG prize.  Go check it out on the Scrapstreet Blog.  Then, come back here tomorrow to see my first blog for Scrapstreet!

I'm "churning the butter"

"Churning the butter" is my happy dance.  Why am I doing a happy dance?  I'm so happy you asked.  I have EXCITING news.  I am now a writer for Scrapstreet.  Check out the announcement...  http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-to-our-new-writers.html

And a big announcement like that deserves a new blog design, don't you think?