blog hop

Some cool news in the Dear Lizzy product world is that you can purchase dies online for your Silhouette! Silhouette is an awesome die cutting machine where you can purchase single dies online or you can even draw your own shapes in Illustrator and cut them out on the spot. I had fun playing with a couple of the lace shapes from my Spring line on this page about my little one who definitely have perfected the pout.

Silhouette is having a fun blog hop today to kick off National Scrapbooking Day weekend where you can venture through a list of fabulous designers and be inspired by how they use the Silhouette. Check out Silhouette site because they are having an awesome sale. Not to mention their blog where you will find endless Silhouette inspiration, free downloads and the first to hear about new dies... like the Dear Lizzy ones.

Hello to everyone who clicked over from Vicki Boutin while hopping along the blog hop. I'm lucky to get to link you to Miss Kelly Purkey!

Supplies:

I was really excited to use some of Margie's product Girl's Paperie!

Dear Lizzy Paper

Thickers

bubblegum break

At first I wrote the title of this post bugglebum... that didn't look right.

Taking a break during nap time to get some work done. But hey, mom needs a break too.

Cause when I have a break from being a mom that's when I work... if you call what I do work. More like creative play--with deadlines and emails that are stacked pretty high. Finishing up Dear Lizzy stuff for summer cha this week, off to Reflections on Thursday, working on some assignments for CK, designing classes to teach, working on my Inspiration Unlimited & Puerto Rico class, & fabric ideas buzzing around my head... but here I am blowing bubbles.

Thanks for the love for my ruffle tee!

Well, someone just woke up... break's over.

PS I want to do another online class. I have one concepted.

PPS Wouldn't one of those fabric tees make a fun class?

diy: fabric ruffle tee

One of my favorite places to shop is Down East Basics. Recently they were having a sale on their under-tees so I picked up two for 6 dollars. Then with some simple sewing I added a pretty ruffle detail. I just love projects like this!! Lately I've made a few different fabric embellished tees. This is one of my favorites.

You should know, that I am far from a seamstress so if I can sew anyone can.

I actually was quite surprised that I didn't sew the shirt together.

Step 1: Started out by taking one of the shirts and cutting long strips of fabric down the front center of the shirt. About 1/2" to 3/4" of an inch thick. I used 10 strips.

Step 2: I laid out the strips where I wanted them and pinned them in places. Since once you start sewing they don't stay in that exact place it was still nice to have a guideline. Knit fabric is probably the trickiest to sew because it's stretchy but since the ruffles are random and the design is forgiving. Just try not to stretch the shirt while you're sewing.

Step 3: Start sewing down each strip. I have my tension set to 2.5 and my stitch width set to 2.5 with a straight stitch. Then I randomly fold over the fabric while I'm sewing to make a ruffle. Avoid thinking too much about how often to ruffle and just go for it.

Step 4: After I did about 5 strips I tried on the shirt and pinned where it needed more strips. Also, if a strip is too short you can always add another one to it.

Step 5: Turn shirt inside out and tie knots after pulling the top thread to the back to the bobbin thread. Cut off the extra thread and voila!!

Happy diy Day!

yesterday

We woke up to this...

and ended the day with this. Thank goodness!

Our family theme for this year that's written on the chalkboard- fresh courage take.

Clearly takes after her momma.

Collin and Avery were playing outside and rescued a caterpillar.

So they made a home for it.

A little game of matching before she gets ready for bedtime.

Just a few of my favorites from week in the life. Happy Friday!

cookies by day crafts by night

Some of my favorite shots from yesterday while making sugar cookies. I don't think that it's ironic that my favorite photos from yesterday involve making sweets.

Week in the life has been a fun project to work on. I don't kill myself trying to capture every moment but I'm so happy with what I've captured that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. Like when Avery was upset and escaping the house saying that she was going to Disneyland. haha

We are in the middle of painting so half of our kitchen is grey and the other half that goes into the living room is the tan... very nice. ;)

Yesterday I met with my design team at American Crafts. Paper Crafts was also there getting a tour of the building.

Don't be too jealous... but later Paper Crafts editorial and Go-to Gals got a sneak peek of my new lines of Dear Lizzy products. I actually felt like I was going to get in trouble or something ;) since everything is so hush hush right now until the reveal at cha in July--but it was cool to show them and to see their reaction and what they liked about it. They are such a fun & talented group of ladies!

not a cloud in the sky

Not a cloud in the sky... or snow. Yes, Spring is here!

Really enjoying the inspiration from Ali Edwards to document a week in your life. Took soooo many photos yesterday and these are my favorite. It was the most beautiful day of the year and we spent all day playing in the backyard.

Excited to take pictures this week then organize them into an album next week.

Happy Day! xo

Band aids make it all better

I wonder what it is about a band aid that can instantly cheer up a sad little girl?

All I know is that it works & I love it.

For best results:

Use Hello Kitty or Nemo brand--they have an even more amazing healing power.

Make sure there are lots of "kiss it betters" before sticking the band aid on.

Have extra ones on hand for when the first one falls off or for a sister who doesn't even have an owie but wants to join in on the fun.

If problem persists try dandelion picking...

shimmerz and reflections

Feels great to finish up all my to-dos for my Reflections class earlier this week. Here's a peek at the album we'll be making. Maya Road makes this really neat canvas album that I love because it has canvas pocket pages inside. Mini albums are meant to be interactive where you can explore through it like a treasure hunt.

Shimmerz is a really cool, colorful spray ink... I'm excited to use their products as part of my classes to add color and design to the canvas pages.

Lots of ruffles on the cover using my fabric paper. I tear the fabric from the adhesive back because I love how it pleats.

After finishing I sent a text to Collin, he likes when things are his idea, to see if it'd be cool to reward myself with some purchases from a really cute online shop Ruche. The answer was yes & my order has shipped & is on its way. yippeeeeee.

links

Just wanted to share some links to videos and kit clubs who are highlighting Dear Lizzy products. The fabric flower tutorial is up at American Craft's blog click here. I haven't watched it... I'm waiting for the blooper reel because that will be much more entertaining. American Crafts is featuring Dear Lizzy projects all week so you are sure to find lots of inspiration from fabulous designers!

Another video I made for Creating Keepsake's blog to highlight my favorite products while at cha click here.

The Girls' Loft is featuring some Dear Lizzy products in their April kit and it is so so darling. I am planning on making something while I watch American Idol tonight.

Scrapbook Circle has a cute kit too. I met Lisa at cha and it's fun to see what she put together for you. Also check out: Scrapbook Sussies & Scrap*funatic

Hope you're having fun playing with your Dear Lizzy goodness!

First rolled flower love: miss ruby sue

disappearing act

For my next trick, I will successfully eat a happy stack of pancakes while the kids are napping with no guilt or remorse that I could have accomplished something much greater in this amount of time or ate something much healthier... because what's the fun in that? ;)

You may have recognized these photos in my book. Thoughts today are what I was thinking over a year ago when I took these photos just for fun.

If you are local in Utah County there is a workshop tonight at Dear Lizzie by the fabulous Amy!!

crewcuts diy tips

My sister brought over the Crewcuts catalog and I love it. Besides wishing some of the clothes came in my size I gushed over their DIY projects.

-Adding zig zag stitching, beads and weaved in tulle to leggings.

-Using fabric markers to draw polka dots on a dress.

-Dressing up a cardi with fabric scraps.

I'm finishing up a couple DIY embellished shirts I've been working on to share soon. Hope you had a great weekend!

PS your comments for my last post are making me laugh... coming up with a good reason for me being lazy. ;)

my new hobby

I laughed when I downloaded this photo from my camera that Collin snapped while Avery and I were taking an afternoon nap.

I've been doing lots & lots of this lately so I am considering it to be my new hobby. But it seems we are waking up from hibernation thanks to the much needed sunshine.

One of my blog readers commented a while ago...

Hey by the way did you ever finish the quilt with the Ginger Blossom fabric? I think that's what it was called. Thanks! jane CA

Yeah, I did and you can see it in this photo. I actually made both of those blankets with the Ginger Blossom fabric line by Sandi Henderson. love it. I've been itching to make another quilt.

Have a restful and fun weekend!

eye candy

Lately I've been working on the next Dear Lizzy lines, a video tutorial today for the fabric flowers, Spark, and designing classes to teach. While browsing online for inspiration...

here are some of the eye candy photos that are inspiring me lately.

This darling anniversary party in an orange orchard. Counting down the days until I'll be in Newport Beach for Reflections. I'll have to sneak away to my grandparents and pick some oranges from their tree. I hope they're in season now...

Anticipating spring!! Jcrew

The other day we were planning Spark at Rhonna's house and I love her accent chalkboard wall that she decorates for every holiday. Her spring mix of branches, banners and birds not to mention her chalk doodles is fabulous.

I've had this in my inspiration folder for awhile. I love the message. (Etsy)

Wish this was the beautiful scene of our laundry. I might actually want to conquer the perpetuating piles if this was the case.

These are definitely drool worthy. Yes, I'm inspired by colorful sweets. Mmmmmm macaroons.

Have a happy day! What's inspiring you lately?

PS

Some events I am teaching at this year...

Reflections: Newport Beach, CA (April 30th-May 2nd 2010)

Puerto Rico Scrapbook Event (June 2010)

Inspiration Unlimited Las Vegas (wait list)

bits of the weekend

Kinda funny to be putting on gloves and winter coats with Easter dresses on Sunday... but what else do we expect with the crazy weather we've had lately? It's snowing right now. where are you spring?

This weekend was fun and busy... here are a few of my favorite shots.

Lots of cuddling while listening to conference. We enjoyed having semi-annual General Conference fall on Easter Sunday this year. The messages were inspiring and talked a lot about parenting and families which was a good reminder to me to keep an eternal perspective on what's truly important while going through my day to days.

Thanks to Allison and KC... Avery loves the wind-up chick.

At the conference center in Salt Lake on Sunday morning.

Spent lots of time with people we love. Meet the Brown/Smith/Miles/Kartchner clan. Don't ask me what Collin is doing in the photo?

Hope you had a charming Easter weekend!

pencil lines

Pencil Lines is a cool challenge blog and I am a guest designer over there this month. This is a page I designed for the sketch. The other ladies did such a fabulous job! It's always fun to see other scrapbookers' take on sketches.

A mix of random products to showcase my lovies--Collin and Quincey.

Dear Lizzy banner paper, sticker.

Prima flower, Glitz rhinestone swirl, alphabet letters

Happy Monday!

eggstra cute

Such a sweet idea for an Easter message inside a hollowed out egg shell. Hoping to make some for my mom and sisters... but my to-do list this weekend is loooong. Here's a picture tutorial via Poppytalk from Present & Correct.

Have a Good Friday! What are your weekend plans?

Storytelling Frames

You might have already read this at Ali's blog but I wanted to re-post it here...

In a recent issue of Martha Stewart Living there was an article about a little girl's birthday party where they displayed a wall of "scrapboxes." Right then, I tore out the pages and was ecstatic to start celebrating my daughter's memories in a frame. Yeah, I know it is reminiscent of shadow boxes and can be considered quite cheesey, but hey, who doesn't like cheese? ;) Honestly though it is a fun and creative way to document and showcase pieces of my daughter's lives.

Think of it as your own storytelling wall. What story do you want to tell? What stories do you want your children to remember each day?

First, choose a wall to decorate. Because of the content of the frames I settled on a wall in my daughter's play room. I'm so glad I did because my oldest daughter was completely elated when she walked in and saw all these wonderful memories. Her eyes got so big as she recalled horse back riding for the first time & one of her drawings so I know she will enjoy seeing the pictures everyday.

Next, gather decor pieces including frames, photos and some mementos. The white frames are from Ikea with about 1 3/4 depth which gives a great space to fill with keepsakes. Here are a few ideas I used in my frames.

FAVORITE TOY
Pair a favorite toy with a favorite memory. Think of a photo/story/toy that illustrates something your child loves at the moment. Or if your child has grown think of something they loved and possibly shaped who they've become. For my daughter it is animals. She loves animals and one of her happiest moments was riding a pony for the first time. Her smile says it all. I included several horse figurines that she loved to play with but has grown tired of. Of course once she saw them in the frame they looked so fun again. Thankfully, I was prepared with others she could play with.

CHILD'S ARTWORK
This is often my favorite keepsake to showcase in our home. I don't think we realize how much it means to our kids when they see that your hung their school work on the fridge or display it in your studio. I included crayons for added color and playful touch.
FAVORITE MEMORY
One of my favorite memories is having tea parties with my daughter. I included actual teacups glued inside the frame. I took out the glass because they wouldn't fit with it but was still happy with the result. I printed the photo in black and white so it wouldn't compete too much with the other colors. Lastly, I added a couple of rub ons from my line craft line, Dear Lizzy.

EVERYDAY ITEMS
Since my daughter's famous rain boots couldn't quite fit in the frame, I thought of the next best thing... her sunglasses. She adores wearing her shades so much that when I was making this frame she wandered off with them, despite the fact that they don't fit her anymore. I will replace it with the originals once I find the treasure hunt she's put me on. You could also include clothing, swimsuits, newborn outfits, hats or even shoes.

BOOK
I love that children create an attachment to their favorite books and want to read them over and over. Not only do they remember the story but all the fun times you spend together reading. I included a strip of photos of my daughter reading with the date and title of book, "Pinkalicious." You can tell this book was loved and it was okay to frame this one since it has been replaced with a new one.
MEMORABILIA
In my studio I have a cloth box from KOLO where I store nostalgia and pieces of our adventures. In this frame I included a photo from a carousel ride, tickets I saved, & embellished with a flower by Prima. The options are endless for items in this category including: clothing tags, movie tickets, menus, postcards and love notes.

FINISHING TOUCHES
Along with the frames I added decor pieces and vintage keepsakes from my childhood including Disneyland records my Mom saved all these years and a vintage camera from my Grandpa.

Other decor items include a clipboard with favorite quote that I can switch out easily, photobooth pictures of my little brother, a retro record album, vintage cuckoo clock, Instax photos, a silhouette, "&" from Anthropologie, and finally some music note fabric.