No resolutions, only memories to make

Hello.  I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.

It's almost time for the new year to start.  This year instead of making resolutions and then feeling bad when I can't or don't keep them I have decided that I will only plan to make some great memories this coming year.  Part of this is due to the fact that we had to make a "Year in the Life" type book for our adoption hearing.  Sadly that book became part of the perm. court records because I really liked having that little snippets of life.

This calendar has spots for monthly plans, which are things I hope to be able to do, even if it's just a trip to the beach, build a snowman or something as big as Feb. 1st - stop smoking (this is a plan, not a resolution, I am going to give it my all, but I am not going to beat myself up)

There is also a place for some photos (of course not all from the month as I will still be doing scrapbooks) just some from the month that were standouts.  A place for funny things someone said and also a place for documents, drawings, ticket stubs or what have you.  (Anyone have a good word for this?  I used Docs in this copy of the calendar but I am not liking that word)

To help out with that I thought a new calendar would be a great way to do this.  I had this great vision in my head, and things started out as planned, but then I hit a few snags along the way, along with the stresses of the holidays, well it didn't come out as I had visioned (and I will be redoing this) but I still want to share because I love the concept.

Part of my problem was that earlier this month I got a hair up my bottom and tore apart all my stacks and tossed papers that I didn't think I would use, between that and having been on a spending ban my paper choices were very limited.  After the beginning of the year when things settle down I will go pick out the exact papers I want for this.

My other issues were:
1. A soon to be 2 yr old that wanted to help each step of the way.
2. I used the chipboard book boards in 12x12 for the cinch.  These are covered in a white paper and I found out when you use wet adhesive (such as Beacon's 3n1) is causes it to pull away from the chipboard center and wrinkling (next time I will use plain chipboard, which I actually had on hand but thought the white would be nice), also these boards are not all the same size and nor are they a true 12x12 (or the papers I used were not 12x12)
3. When doing a project like this you will need at least 4 NEW mats for your cricut, I actually had one split in the machine (I could see it coming but thought I could do "just one more" sheet, silly girl)
4. This really is not something to try to do in one week (especially a holiday week)
5. Long ago on the Cricut MB a gentleman gave the tip to hide the score marks and score yourself to avoid paper lumpys (right now I can't think of a better way to describe it) from showing.  Well I remembered this tip AFTER I cut out all my pockets, and having limited paper, I just had to roll with it.
6. If you have small children in the house, they WILL bump you when you are trying to write, line up calendar squares or anything else that is going to stand out like a sore thumb, do small parts during nap time or after they go to bed.
7. Folding 48 library card pockets is a pain, don't attempt them all in one day.

So now onto the concept and my ill-fated first attempt at my 2012 Memory Calendar, wait, are you still here?  Ok just wanted to be sure after blabbering on so much.

This is how the calendar will stand on the shelf once I make the new one.  It will be held together with book rings so after the year is done it will be year in review book.

Here is January

The 3rd picture shows a picture of the tags that are in the "plans" and "you said" pockets, as soon as I dig out my stamps I plan to stamp them with some lines.

I am not going to do all 12 months of photos because I think you get the idea, but I will show some of the ones I like and also some that will show some hints.  Such as March, I thought this shamrock paper I had was the cats meow for March, UNTIL I folded the pockets.............Make sure you either have a nice double sided paper or nothing on the back, here you will see the back of this sheet had the DCWV logo all over it :(

I really liked this one for August since we have lots of BBQs and also the family is usually all up for the Annual MooseFest in August.

I liked this one because September is the start of my favorite season FALL.  The last picture shows those "paper lumpys" that I was talking about if you don't hide the score lines before you cut.  When you have a pretty straight forward fold like this it really is best to hide the score marks to avoid those little things sticking out.

I used my Gypsy to set this all up and cut with my Expression.

Library pocket is from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More at 11.5 inches (you get 2 a mat) after cutting them, I used my paper trimmer to cut off the top a smidge so they fit 4 to a 12x12 sheet.  The tag is also from TBBM cut at 5.60 inches.

The calendar itself came from Designers Calendar and cut at 6.25 (height) some of the months I used the outline, some I just laid the outline down and then glued in the squares that cut out.

The font on the pockets is from Nifty Fifties at 1.25 inches and welded.  The font for the months is from Winter Woodland (shadow) at 1.25 inches also.

Next time I want to cut little candles for all the birthdates and special things for the holidays or at least get some neat cool layered stickers like the ones I put on the December pages in this one (need to hit Walmart up tomorrow so I can score some of the same ones on clearance LOL)

I promise to come back and show you all the one I make to replace this one, because I really love the idea of handy something like this to remember the year.  We all have those times when something was said or done and we say "I will write that down or scrap that" and we just don't get to it, but by having this right out in the open and being able to take care of it just a month at a time I think it will not only be a nice book at the end, but it might also help you recall some of the information you need for full scrapbook pages you don't get to until later.

Merry Christmas

Just want to jump in here and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that Santa is good to all of you.

Ebenezer Scrooge

Well this is one of those posts that I said I might make, just a little bit of thoughts. 

With the classic Christmas movies playing and time to reflect, did you ever wish that you could have the time like Ebenezer had, to visit the past and future?  Just to see the choices you made and ones you have yet to make, and have a chance to change your mind and do something different.

I guess I am just in a mood today wondering if my past and present choices are good ones or not.  Hmmmmmm

I have no Christmas ghosts though, so I will have to do like the rest of the world and just wait to see what happens and make my choices with the best intentions and hope all turns out. 

If you had the opportunity, would you like to see what your choices today are going to mean later?  Or would you rather make them with the best intentions and love in your heart and let the pieces fall where they may?

Well would you look at this

I can't believe this poor little blog is still hanging on here in Cyberland.  With the move this summer and settling into the new place I have to admit, blogging and even crafting to a certain degree have not been a priority, ok who am I fooling, they haven't even been a mere thought.

But, I have made a few things and we are beginning to settle down nicely so I think that I might find some time for this little blog since it held out waiting for my return.

I will say though, that I think this is going to be a pretty well rounded blog from now on, a place to share ideas other than just crafting and of course maybe even a daily thought or two, bet that scares you huh?

Well I will say that today I did a month of meal preps (some cooking and others were just prepping to cook), if there are others out there that also do this I would love to see some of your blogs to get ideas.  I have to say that today went rather well considering it was really my first time from start to finish doing a whole month.

Now off to see about changing this background as I don't think Spring is anywhere to be found right now.

Relaxing on the Beach

Hi this is Dawn and I wanted to share with a very simple project.  My aunt absolutely loves sitting on our beach here in West Michigan, but because of the drive time she doesn't get to do it as often as she likes.  So I made this layout minus pics so that she could hang it up and remember what it is about the beach she loves.

I started with plain blue CS from DCWV and used some sand like printed paper from DCWV loose from the LSS hand torn to look like the sand hills at the lake.

I then used LIFES A BEACH Cricut Cartridge for the umbrella and chair out of white and medium blue CS from DCWV,  the chair and layer cut at 4.5 inches, umbrella and layers cut at 5 3/4 inches.  Fancy drink also cut from LAB at 1 3/4 inch with all layers at same size and cut from DCWV CS. 


Seagulls cut from LAB at 2 inches from white CS and seashells are also from LAB and cut from tan CS at 1 inch and chalked with shades of brown and pinks.

The title was cut from blue and white CS from DCWV at 1.5 inches from LYRICAL LETTERS and welded in Design Studio.

Sun is a simple circle in yellow CS from GEORGE AND BASIC SHAPES and placed a bit off the page.  The cattails are a Jolee sticker I had hanging around in a sticker box.

The picture "frame" is also cut from LYRICAL LETTERS at 5 1/2 inches and turned on it's side, and placed on top of the picture which was matted on a piece of blue CS in matching colors.

Bunny layout

A little disappointed that I didn't have two of the same printed papers that would work with the colors, but these will have to do for now since I am forcing myself to stay on my spending ban.

The first page is pics of the guys headed to the bunny.  Thumper is NOT Disney colors but I wanted him to match the bunny in the picture.  First one was cut at 3 inches, then 2 7/8 inches and the last one was 2 1/2 inches (not really recommended unless your eyes are better than mine and hands are much thinner than mine)

Eggs are from Doodlecharms and cut out of white CS then inked so that they might have that "dyed" look

Title is from MS All Occassions Cake Cart because I thought the letters looked like they had little eggs cut out of them.

The next page I cut Thumper at 5 inches, much much easier.   Eggs and basket from doodlecharms,  made a mistake and tried to draw the basket lines while the kids were awake, they always want to touch me or grab on the table (silly woman, what was I thinking)

Little chocolate bunny was from Easter 2010 at 1 inch, after the boys are in bed, I am going to add Glossy Accents to make him more chocolate looking.  The "grass" is the MS branch punch.

Boo from Monster's Inc.

Did you ever make something quick just to get it in a challenge expecting to later throw it away?  Haa the jokes on me, I actually like this one.

Monthly Challenge!

On the first day of each month we will announce a new Monthly Challenge. The challenges are designed to inspire you to stretch your creative wings. Have fun with it! You will have the entire month to create a project for the challenge. The project must meet the challenge requirements in order for your name to be entered into the prize drawing.
.

MAY MONTHLY CHALLENGE: Tic Tac Toe Challenge!

Tic Tac Toe . . . Three X’s in a Row! That’s the goal in this challenge. Look at the tic tac toe board below and choose three squares in a row. Use the challenge prompts from all three squares to create your project! In Juliana’s sample project below she used the bottom row of the Tic Tac Toe Board; Flower Image Cut, Cuttlebug Folder, and Imagine Papers. We can’t wait to see what you do! This month, in honor of National Scrapbooking Day (May 7th) we will be giving away a Brand NEW Cricut Expression 2: 5th Anniversary Edition to FIVE WINNERS!!!! Yep! You heard me right! FIVE WINNERS!!!!!



The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using the Tic Tac Toe board above to choose THREE challenge prompts in a row. Project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing.
How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 9:00 pm MST on Monday, May 30th, 2011.
Prize: This month FIVE winners will be selected from the entries to win a Brand NEW Cricut Expression 2: 5th Anniversary Edition. Yep! FIVE WINNERS!!!! Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery from winner announcement.
Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog on Wednesday, June 1st, 2011.
Note: We want to be sure that everyone knows that you DO NOT need to have a blog to participate in the challenges here on the Cricut Circle blog. When the InLinkz tool at the bottom of the Challenge Post asks you for the URL of your blog, you can also type in the URL of a gallery you have uploaded your project to, a direct URL to the image (Photobucket, TinyPic, etc.) or even a message board entry where you have inserted your photo. If you receive an error while submitting your entry, look at the top of the screen and there will be three tabs to choose from. One of them will give you the option to upload your image directly from your computer. We are really enjoying your submissions! Keep them coming!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I chose the sun, Gypsy welded shape and the buttons.

I welded an upside down cloud from Pooh & Friends to  a 5x5.5 square from GEORGE that would be glued between a white and blue 5x7 square from GEORGE as my card base.

Then I cut Boo from BEST OF PIXAR at 5 inches will all her pieces (except her little leggins crumpled so he has brown leggins)  I had a bit of issues with the skin also so that got cut from vinyl.

The grass is also from POOH & FRIENDS 2 of them at 1 1/8 inches and 3 at 1 inch.

The sun is from CREATE A CRITTER at 1 3/4 inch.

The #2 and it's shadow was cut from BIRTHDAY BASH at 1 inch.

The sun and Boo were pop dotted.

Everything was cut from scraps so I have no idea on paper color or brand.

THANKS MOM BLOG HOP

Welcome to the THANKS MOM BLOG HOP. Thanks for joining us to enjoy all the wonderful crafty inspiration in honor of mother's everywhere from the talented designers in this hop.

You should have arrived here from  Brenda's Blog. If you missed the beginning of the hop, please go back to the start of the hop at Deb's Blog  to start so you don't miss any of the projects. There is a Grand Prize Blog Candy offered so you want to start at the beginning and read how to participate to win.

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY to all you women out there and men too that step in when needed.

I am  really sorry about todays project.  I did not take pictures of the inside until I had completed it and the person it is going to has asked that I not print the info inside.

I made a small journal book from CAMPIN CRITTERS at 7.5 inches for the cover, inside pages and layers, I used hide contour on the front cover so I could add my own shapes and words.  This book is such a nice little book that goes together so easy and yet has a well put together look when done.

I used STORYBOOK at 2.347 inches and 2.451 inches and MOTHERS DAY 2019 for Mommy and Shadow at 1.5 inches.

And again added one of the 3D flowers I had made for the other two items.

The inside pages were a combo of the pink, dark purple and white since the Mother I gave this to had 3 children.  I used various shapes from A CHILD'S YEAR for each page, on one side I added a mat for a pic of mommy and child and then on the opposing page I added some journaling about the picture making it sound as if it were written from the child.

Today I will show you the card I made to go in the bag with the gift.

I cut the doily from MOTHERS DAY 2010 at 4.377 inches and since I had run out of the coordinating paper stock I went to vinyl thinking that the intricate cuts would do better with vinyl anyway (I was right :) )  The card is 5x7.  The oval as well as all cuts on the card came from MD 2010 and was cut at 2.221 inches,  Happy Mothers day was cut at 2.024 with no shadow.  The flower was made in the same way as yesterday but cut at 1.5 inches.  The colors do look better IRL for sure.

Today I have a gift bag to show you, and will show you the contents on Saturday and Sunday so make sure you come back to see everything.

I started with a 7.5 x 5/25 brown craft bag (the kind you can buy in a pack of 12 at Joann's) on the front I used some printed paper from the DCWV Spring stack from a few years ago.  I then cut Happy Mother's Day from MOTHERS DAY 2010 Cricut cartridge at 4 inches in white and the shadow at 4 inches in a deep purplish color.  I tried to get all fancy and add a few dots to the letters to make them stand out a bit more.

The flower is cut from MOTHERS DAY BOUQUET Cricut cartridge at 1 7/8 inches, I cut 8 of the scalloped flowers in white and inked them up in a softer shade of purple, misted them with Glimmer mist and while still damp, I crumpled them up, opened them, stacked them and used a sharp pointed tip to put a hole in the center and then held them together with a small white brad, fluff to your liking.

The leaves are also from MDB cut out of some scrap shades of green at 2 in and 1 3/4 in.  I scored about 3/4 of the way up with the MS scoreboard and then misted with Glimmer mist

using Beacon's 3N1 craft glue placed the flower and leaves on the bag and finished it off with a small pink ribbon on the handle.

Thanks for hopping along with us. Remember, if you leave a comment on every designers blog hop post, your name will go into the drawing for the Blog Candy that our THANK MOM BLOG HOP hostess, Debbie, is offering as a Grand Prize.

Next up on the hop , is the talented Chrissie

Wall-e

Ok so this little guy is a real bugger to put together, this is number 4 today and I finally have his layers right.  Later tonight when the boys are in bed, I will post step by step pictures and all the details of him.  He was cut at 4 inches from Best of Pixar.

Ok so here are the step by step layering that I did after 3 previous goofs.  

Ok that was a ton of pictures.  Everything was cut out of vinyl EXCEPT the green plant, brown boot and the darker yellow (didn't have two shades of yellow in vinyl)

Hope this helps anyone that is having trouble layering this little bugger.