Get'n Ready For Easter

 Easter is a week away!  I need to get a card in the mail to Josef. 

Plus a little something seasonal for Mom.  I am having so much fun LAYERING.  I finally cut into a vintage Doree hat covered in velvet flowers and leaves.  I have had it for, oh, maybe 20 years in its pristine condition, sitting on a shelf.  Now I can share these lovely flowers with whomever I give my paper crafts to.  I have another even more pristine Doree, but there's no stopping me now. 

Just a Memory

 This is the last of my scrapbook pages for my 2012 vacation in Kona.  My mom paid for her 3 great-grandchildren to come on this trip.  They spent about 5 minutes at the beach, and the rest of the time they were either in the pool or indoors on the computer/ipod/ipad/DS.  But everybody enjoyed their chosen activities. 

 I can't help but think that I got the best out of enjoyment on this trip.  I was at the beach everyday and spent little time indoors.  I added a page to a little "about me" booklet depicting my love of the sea, and of course had to use my fav pic of myself. 

Note to self: On the new bottles of Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Stains...do not unscrew the top!  Simply take off the plastic cap.  Got it? 

For Mom, redux

 For Mom's birthday some years back I gave her a folding photo album of some favorite pics.  I had printed the pics on my inkjet, using photo paper, so that I would have small sized images to work with.  After a couple of years these pics had faded badly.  Emergency measures were required.  My first obstacle was finding how to get 3x5" prints made, because the standard 4x6" were too big.  winkflash.com did a nice job there.  So then the prints sat on my desk for a couple weeks months because I didn't know how to approach making a new album yet preserve the look of the original.  Today I decided to plunge in. I was very pleased that I was able to peel off the old pics and embellishments leaving the chipboard background intact.  I used a plastic scrapper tool that was one of the very first scrapbook supplies I bought and haven't used!  Above is side 1 almost exactly like the original. 

That left the backside of the album a blank canvas.  So I filled it up with additional pics I thought would fit the family theme.  Mom has not mentioned this missing album but I know she'll be happy to get it back. 

I Have Two Things To Say

 Officially Spring?  Officially being the crucial term...because it continues to be cold and wet here.  So, I want to say that Pigs Will Fly Before Spring Comes to the Pacific Northwest.  (oh, I hope I'm wrong!).  PS  The "pigs" paper is from the new line by Graphics 45; Cabinet of Curiosities.  I thought I would never have a way to use this particular design in the paper pad, but I've already used it twice.  The rest of the designs are terrific, too. 

And, yes, I do read that elsewhere in the country it is warm and dry.  As it was during our week in Hawaii, just a short month ago.  This too shall pass. 

Last from Hawaii 2011

This is the last scrapbook page from my 2011 vacation to Kona.  Just Garrett and I for a couple days, then Mom and step-dad joined us.  Garrett and I spent so much time together, both absolutely loving the warm weather, the freedom from obligations and the Hawaii vibe.  He was the best vacation companion.  Days of joy never to be repeated.  He's 15  now and, well, no longer a boy. 

Hawaii A Year Ago

 Something prompted me to finally scrapbook memories from my March 2011 visit to Kona, Hawaii.  This particular pic of me is maybe my all time favorite.  I was SO HAPPY that day.  I was at 2-Step, which owns a piece of my heart for its beauty, crystal water and the vibe.  On this day Mom came along with me and Garrett, and Auntie Nan brought Chloe so that we could all hang-out, Hawaii style. 

The top 2 pics were taken on the lanai of our condo the last night of my visit.  Do we look relaxed and happy?  Ahhh.  The pic on the right is me and Mom at the perfect day at 2-Step.  I have 1 more page I want to do with pics of Garrett.  But, enough fun for 1 day. 

Things I Can't Throwaway

 I've been thinking about my Dad's matchbook collection recently.  Dad was quite the saver; nowadays might even be considered borderline hoarder.  (but no, not after the examples we can see on reality TV.  not even close).  It occurred to me that I have my own challenges with discarding things.  This is probably a partial list based on a few moments of contemplation.  As the day goes on I shall likely encounter a couple more things that are too good to throw away...yet are useless. 

 I've repurposed a number of burned-out candle jars, mostly for my craft supplies. 

 Ugh.  This is a REAL ISSUE for me:  Leftover scraps from projects that I cannot bring myself to toss.  I often will find something in this mess to use.  But would I miss anything if I just swept my arm over it and it all landed in the trash can? 

Back to my dad.  One of his collections was matchbooks.  That collection has brought me so many fond memories.  There were dozens and dozens of these little mementos from the places Dad frequented in Sacramento and around CA.  For years I've used the matchbooks and each use brought a smile and thoughts of Dad.  Now while I still have many I've decided to keep them unused.  Why and for who?  Ah...maybe I should just continue to use them and smile. 

Yes, But Is It "Better"?

 I posted a couple days back about a more elaborate approach to my paper crafting; elaborate being lots of paper layering and incorporating flowers, bling and more.  In the examples I used for inspiration, photos were usually less predominate on a scrapbook page than the decorative elements.  My first step was to find somewhere to develop 3x5" prints from my digital camera as opposed to the standard 4x6".  I found Winkflash.com; they did a great job and I had the pics in a few days.  Voila.  Above is the page I came up with using a fun photo of Garrett and Danny enjoying a lagoon on The Big Island of Hawaii. 

For the "before" comparison, here is a scrapbook page I did a few months ago from our Caribbean Cruise.  MORE pics and LESS stuff.  Different.  But better? 

Elaborate, For a Change

 A few days ago I was poking around some blogs (you never know where you'll end up), when I came upon Arlene http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/.  She was auditioning to be on Graphic 45's 2012 Design Team, and she was in the 30 semi-finalist.  Be still my heart.  These artists are at the top of the paper-art field, using fantastic products.  Check out their goodies http://g45papers.typepad.com/.  Arlene not only creates stunning pieces, but she films some of her projects and knows how to put together a tutorial.  I thank artists who are so generous with their techniques.  I have spent a few midnight hours watching her youtube films.  Today I wanted to make a card for Josef and vowed to spend, spend, spend the paper. 

For me, layering paper is uncommon.  After seeing Arlene's results where she layers a lot, I am a changed person.  She also uses flowers and more flowers, and really, just more of MORE.  Elaborate and lovely is her work and I am grateful to see it.  Fly away little card;  I hope you find Josef in good health. 

Sincere Form of Flattery

The other day while blog hopping I came upon a new paper artist.  I swooned over the flower strewn tag she had created; it is so Springy.  I love vintage millinery flowers but rarely use them as they are "too good" to cut up and use.  Do Not ask me why I buy them, then.  I wanted to send a THANK YOU to my friend Ellen and her husband for buying me a case of Chocolate Drizzled Indiana Popcorn.  (I'm addicted; can't find it locally; I've blogged about it before so I won't bore you yet again).  Thinking Spring colors and using some treasures I came up with this today.  It pales by comparison to http://annespaperfun-aksh.blogspot.com/ lovely tag, yet I am very grateful for the inspiration.  (you can translate Anne's blog by clicking the Google Translate box in the upper right hand area of her blog). 

They're Back

What happened to the old-school painting with a brush? My painter does everything with a sprayer, even baseboards & crown molding. Thusly...here is my dining/family room day 2.  Photos taken with my iPad for not the best quality but certainly convenient; time/place pre-coffee, pre-Zumba this morning. 

Inspired by the Sun

 I finally got around to making my tag journal for last week when I was on The Big Island. 

 I took along the same KONA journal I made for my trip there last year, adding in more blank pages.

 I spent a little time most days making entries for each day, so I could look it over during the year and remember this wonderful week.  I usually did this on the lanaii overlooking the ocean where we spotted dolphins 1 day and migrating whales a couple of times.  I know, I know...Paradise.

I also was inspired to make another little remembrance of Kona, 'cause really, I am just cuckoo for Kona.  I neglected to buy Hawaiian sea salt, Kona coffee and Honey Roasted Macadamia Nuts to bring home.  MUST GO BACK. 

For the little Kona remembrance I wanted to use the new honeycomb paper that I learned about from Tim Holtz's February Tag.  I ordered the paper before I left, so it was waiting for me when I returned home.  And I used some of the lettering styles I'm learning from Teresa in Letter Whimsy II.  The "pointillist" style she taught us looked to me like sand sprinkled on a page.