I've Been Buzzing Around Lately

As moms we typically know how to master the art of multi tasking, but during volleyball season, this skill is taken to new levels. I juggle designing, self promotions, updating my blog, creating projects, photographing and posting photos, prepping for classes, completing design team assignments, oh and in my spare time attending all my girls games, doing the usual household things, handling Team Mom responsibilities and volunteering for project Graduation Golf Tournament. Phewww! Exhausing, yes, but on some days it is very exhilarating! Last night it was laying out the graphics until 2 am to create posters for the varsity team so I can cut all the vinyl and the girls can assemble them at a team bonding get together. This is truly living life creatively to the fullest extent!

So with all this buzzing about, I wanted to make you aware of a cool new art community called  CreatingTheHive.com - Arts & Crafts Community. Go check it out and you can become one of my followers or add yourself as a member. I was excited that yesterday they chose my Bleach & Embossing “how to” as a featured blog post. This was very exciting! It is a great way to meet other crafters from artists to seamstresses, from cardmakers to jewelry makers, artisans of all kind! And you may be surprised by the inspiration that you find there. You can click on the hive graphic in the right column or the link in this post.

Speaking of beeing a busy bee, I am headed to the Marriott Orlando Airport Hotel with Glue Arts to teach a 4 Seasons Canvas Display class featuring Bo Bunny’s Olivia Collection (which I love so much for its versatility) and of course my favorite adhesives from Glue Arts.

  

For this project I use their Glue Glider™ Pro with choice of extreme adhesive or high tac along with mini/reg. size adhesive squares. Here is a photo of the project. I am sure the instructions will soon be appearing on Glue Arts’ website. They are featured in this order: Spring, Summer, Fall then Winter.
I found the mini canvases and easels at Joanns. Right now with their coupon commotion you can get them at 40% off! The layered snowflakes are Sizzix™ diecuts. This is a fun and easy gift, great for placesettings, home decor and self promotion.

Heck with California Girls — check out these Island Girls!

My sister’s summer visits are always fun-filled, especially when we get time to spend at the beach or in the pool. This photo was from a couple years ago during a visit to Ron Jons Resort in Cape Canaveral. The girls had their hair braided. Just loved this photo of Kai and Lauren stopping for a quick pic taken between hopping into the pool and floating on the lazy river!

I loved the dimension the flocking and chipboard added to this layout. I will share with you some cool things to try with your Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive and Wall Art Decor Adhesive.

This is a close up view showing how I directly applied Ribbon Adhesive to the layout with glitter on top to create this shimmery line. These Me and My Big Ideas Sassy Icons chipboard elements were pre-glittered, but if you have some basic chipboard and want to glitz it up, try covering it with cardstock or painting it and using rub-ons, then apply Glue Arts’ Wall Art Decor Adhesive on top and sprinkle with glitter to add shimmer to your project!

Wall Art Decor Adhesive is also great for applying to the back of papers and cardstock before cutting on your Cricuit, Silhouette or other diecutting machine. It makes applying titles and delicate cuts so much easier (as you see in this detail shot above).

This flocked design accent was created using a new product I found called Design Adhesives by Clear Snap. The designs are sold in packs of 4. I found it at Michaels Craft Store. I used Summer Lovin’ Flock by Stampendous. How it works is you apply the design to your project, then remove the protective sheet to expose the adhesive design. Add glitter, flocking or even sand to create a great design accent. Keep in mind that the background color you are applying it to can alter the color of your flock, glitter, etc. I liked the stark contrast of using this summery palette of colors against the rich chocolate brown cardstock. I printed all the journaling out on my color printer onto some colored cardstock. I cut into strips using my Fiskars trimmer and used my Glue Glider™ Pro with high tac adhesive to apply to the scrapbook layout.

Give these tips and products a try on your next creation!

Who Says Dogs Aren't Manipulative?

I beg to differ with those dog trainers who say that dogs don't know spite and don't feel emotions like we do. And our Wheaton Terrier proves my point daily. Bella is as high strung and emotional as any of my teen girls. She whines when I am taking too long to get ready for a walk, pitches a fit when we are getting ready to leave, smiles when she knows a treat is coming her way and plays the funniest game of I love mommy best with my daughter Ashley, who loves Bella dearly.

It starts like this...Ashley wants Bella to come snuggle with her on the couch or wants to snatch her up to bring her in her bedroom. Only Bella has always been a dog to give affection on her terms, and watching the game is quite amusing. Ashley will call her over and Bella will leap over three people and sit practically on top of me, as if to say "protect me mommy — don't make her take me!" This often becomes a cat and mouse game with the two of them and Bella being held against her will with a look on her face of resentment. All in all, when Ashley isn't around she sometimes goes in her room and lies on her bed or looks for her. She is always ready with kisses, but no matter how hard Ashley tries, Bella wants control of the relationship and her affection. Ashley gets frustrated at times, but I have to find it humorous that they act more like siblings than a dog and a girl.

Layout notes: I cut up parts of a predesigned layout by Bisou Bzoo to create my own layout. For adhesive I used Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro with High Tac adhesive, Stampin' Up dimensionals and 2-way glue. The tiny flower and star punches were from Michaels dollar bins, purchased a while ago. The dog chipboard tags are Marcella K found at Target and I also used K& Company Carolyn Gavin Grand Adhesions stickers for the adorable You & Me heart. To personalize the journaling I added some hand doodling that I colored in with markers. Also included were some assorted ribbons in coordinating colors. Thanks for viewing!

Who Skipped Fall?

Let me start by saying, “where did fall go?” Here in Florida we went straight from the beach to bundling up under blankets when it switched from high 80's to a low of 46 this morning.

Then you have my home town Phillies trying to finish off the World Series, but no, we have to have sleet and a day of snow to delay game 5.

I thought it would be pretty appropriate to post this layout I did for Glue Arts design team featuring my girlies when we lived in Kansas and got to see those gorgeous "Signs of Fall". If you haven't tried out the new Glue Glider Pro adhesive, it is great. First I fell in love with the Glue Glider Max while working on albums and layouts, but this smaller version is really great!

I also used their new Wall Art Adhesive to apply the patterned papers to the chipboard letters for the titles. Signing off to cheer on the Phillies and wait for some true signs of Fall to return.