Retrospect

documenting life, creating art.

Tag Archives: Studio Calico


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December Daily prep.

I know it’s just the beginning of November, but I am already in the mood for the Christmas season! Why? December Daily madness! Ali Edwards started it a few years ago, and it has spread like wildfire, and now everyone seems to be doing one. If you’re not in the know, it’s a month-long documentation of Christmas activities, shopping, decorating, preparing, visiting and partying in the month of December. Each day of December seems to be about  Christmas, or getting ready for it, no? This is a way to put your special activities into a sweet little scrapbook to remember this Christmas in the years to come when 2012 is long forgotten.

Ali Edwards has a special December Daily kit available through Studio Calico, but it’s pretty expensive, and they run out quickly. Her album, this year, is only going to be 6×4″, too small for me. The album I did last year is approximately 6×8″, which is a much better size, but mine got way too full, so this year I’m going to do another 6×8″ album with divided page protectors, thanks to Simple Stories Snap album.

I think it will cut down on the bulk, and make decorating much more fun. I got the idea when I signed up for Lisa Truesdell’s class “Divide and Conquer” at Two Peas In a Bucket. She uses this same album and shows how to have fun with all the pockets. “Why don’t I do this with my December Daily?’, I thought. Good idea!

After printing out the PDFs for this class and reading through them, I got online and shopped at Two Peas In a Bucket for some essential supplies.

Rather than spend an arm and a leg on a pre-made kit for my December Daily, I decided to make my own (after all, I’m going to need that arm and leg when I shop for Christmas gifts!). Even though the Simple Stories album was unavailable when I wanted to purchase it, it was only two days later that I received an email announcing its return to the shop, so I purchased it maybe three days ago, and it came in the mail today! Good service!

In her class hand-out, Lisa Truesdell explains that she only used a 6×6 paper pack for the album she created; the smaller size is perfect for this album, and all the papers will coordinate together to ensure a cohesiveness throughout the album. I decided on Basic Grey’s Aspen Frost line (I thought it to be the prettiest one), so I purchased the 6×6 pad (saving a lot of money!), a sheet of stickers, a package of mini envelopes, a stitched garland and some more Micro Mini Monogram letters. I wanted some pretty brads, and I loved the ones My Mind’s Eye has in its All Is Bright collection, so I got those as well. I shopped at Studio Calico, too, and had to have their wood veneer Christmas trees, and their Wonderland adhesive badges. I also got my washi tape at Two Peas In a Bucket, and I found sequins at Joann. I still had some left-overs from last year’s December Daily, so I don’t see anything wrong with using those supplies as well:

letter stickers (Basic Grey); baker’s twine (Martha Stewart); Christmas word-fetti (Glitz); bingo cards (Jenni Bowlin); badges (Evalicious); kraft tags (homemade)

[Correction: the word stickers are by Authentique, not Glitz.] I’ve also noticed some great ways to make tags on my own: look for free downloads from your favorite blog, or on Pinterest. I’ve found plenty on Pinterest and I got a free downloads from Ormolu,and Creating Keepsakes:

One of the front, title pages of my DD album.

This is called “subway art” from Creating Keepsakes; you can download it here. The Ormolu download is really nice, too:

You can also download this printable for free, here.

All I need now is for December to get here, and get my camera out and ready for some action! I promise to be back when things are under way to show my progress from time to time. I am really looking forward to it, and I hope you will share your December Daily ideas with me, too!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 


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Happy Little Memories

[Warning: photo-heavy post]

I have finally finished making my mini book for the “Happy Little Moments” class given by Studio Calico last March! What took me so long? Lack of time, and doing a page at a time, little by little when time allowed. But it’s completed now, and here is my version:

This was a really fun book to make, and I love it. I really have taken to the shabby imperfection of this look, and I think I may try something like this on future layouts.

Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!


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What I’ve been up to.

The last time I blogged, it was a Sunday, and I didn’t know what to do with my craft itch. I ended up making a mini book, from Erin Zamrzla, and it was a lot of fun!

It’s a really cute little book, and if I didn’t already have a travel Moleskine for New York, I would be taking that with me (Yes, I’m going to New York for the first time with my hubby tomorrow!), I would be taking this cute little book for notes and to stick ephemera into. It’s a great size; big enough to write comfortable in, but small enough to stick into your purse.

I also recently signed up for Studio Calico’s Happy Little Moments class, as did my mom. She’s really getting the scrap bug like I did, and I love that! We got our kits, and got together at her house last Monday to start work:

After opening the box and just getting started...

Half way through....what a happy mess!

My sweet mom; we had a blast together doing this project!

We didn’t finish, but I promise myself to do that and then photograph my finished book and post it here. I’ll also have New York photos to put together into some sort of cohesive book, and I’m debating how, but my mom did get me a nice Smash-style book from Fancy Pants that looks like it just might fit the ticket. We’ll see.

And, as for Project Life, I’m fairly caught up, except for today and yesterday, but this is what I have that’s been photographed so far:

Project life, week 11

And I have more filled in since then, so next time I post, I will include that. I’ll also have lots of exciting posts from New York, as well. Cannot wait!! My shop will be closed starting this evening so I won’t have to worry about incoming orders, but I’ll open it back up on Saturday, March 31. Take care everyone, and have a great evening!


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December Daily, day 10.

Merry Christmas to me!! Today I came home to my much-anticipated package from Banana Fish Studios…a December Daily ephemera pack, and a Fall/Thanksgiving mini album kit. Talk about excited!! I love to experience what other talented artists are doing…and my December Daily album will benefit greatly!

The Fall/Thanksgiving kit

Day 10, side 1

Day 10, side 2

I’m still using items from the Studio Calico December Daily kit (no longer available), as well as Banana Fish Studios, and my own hand-made embellishments. I like the idea of putting bits and pieces of everyday life onto my pages. Magazine photos, catalogue pages, packaging, etc., bear weight to the story of my life right now; this is what I’m looking at, buying, seeing, talking about, using, etc. This is life, right now. I love that. I want to remember years from now when and where I got this or that decoration; who sent Christmas cards; how I celebrated; what I baked, and who said and did what. Thanks, Ali, for giving me the inspiration to make certain that this season is remembered and appreciated as never before.

 


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December Daily, day 5.

Somehow, I didn’t get the original email from Studio Calico, but I received a copy this morning….the binders were to leave China on December 1, and the minute they arrive at their warehouse, they’ll be shipped off to us immediately. I feel bad for feeling bad about it in the first place, but I didn’t get that darn email explaining the hold-up! Oh, well, I’m not worried. I’m still participating, and I just discovered today that Ormolu also has cute smaller size binders ready for decorating any way one pleases (check it out here)! Now, why didn’t I know about that sooner? Well, my head is out of the sand at this point in time, and I’m ready to celebrate December!

Back side of the pockets.

Pictures are not the greatest, my apologies. This is fun, though; I am so glad I am doing this!

Supplies being used:

Thanks for stopping by, I’ll be back again tomorrow!


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December Daily catch-up

Work, work, work! That’s what I’ve been doing, whether it be at the job that actually pays me, or the ones at home, life gets so busy this time of year! I took some time this weekend to play catch-up for my December Daily (luckily I have remembered to take photos, at least!), and after downloading some pics to put on my pages, I suddenly feel so grateful that I did at least some preliminary foundation work. I don’t have all of the PDF pages printed out yet, and I’m waiting for more Hambly transparencies to arrive in the mail to make more page dividers, but I at least had the first 5 days somewhat ready. I just put my photos on, did a little embellishing, journaling, and here you go, so far:

Hmmm, notice anything missing? No page protectors…..no binder! I ordered it with the kit from Studio Calico way back when, but I have not received my binder. I got a note in the kit that apologized and indicated that I would be receiving it by December 1……I was hoping they meant this year. Phooey! Well, these things happen, and it’s not going to stop me from completing my pages, anyway. I can always make my own binder, or pages, can’t I?

Extra ephemera I'll be adding

I am so glad that I am doing this; this kind of project is going to help me enjoy and appreciate the holiday season even more than usual; instead of feeling anxious, stressed or worried, I feel excited and full of anticipation (not expectations!) for joy, pleasure, and lots of love. That’s what the season is all about!

On another note, I did get the chance to make a layout which I am adding to our monthly calendar (It’s a My Mind’s Eye scrap calendar):

Photos from my daughter's recent Christmas recital

I used Mr. Huey's spray mist in white with a tree mask on the green background.

Not thrilled about the alphabet font….it came with a Christmas kit from a year ago, and had been unused, so I though, why not. The layout itself is scraplifted from a recent one Ali Edwards did. Thanks, Ali!

And thank you, too, for stopping by. It’s getting late, so tomorrow I will be sure to include the products I’ve used. Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!


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Us 3.

I had a dream, the other night, after looking at Studio Calico‘s newest kit…The vision of Ormolu‘s number tags was in my head, and in my dreams, I saw a vision of the number 2 tag with spray mist in white on it. The minute I woke up, I tore into my Ormolu drawer, and found the tags I had…which did not have the number two. I think I used it. But, I found the number 3, and while the dream was still fresh in my mind (am I that crazy?), I got out my Mr. Huey’s white mist, and went to work.

2" circle punched from scrap kraft paper

I wanted to use the open ’3′ on the tag as a template, so I punched a piece of scrap kraft paper to a similar size, which is 2″.

Putting them together,

I would normally have used repositionable tape to hole the pieces together while I sprayed.  I didn’t, but I would highly recommend it.

I like the look of the spray with the spottiness, but if you don’t , I would paint the tags with an acrylic paint and brush for a different, less mottled look. This is okay for me.

I then gave myself a personal challenge: find 3 unused papers, and 3 embellishments to match, and make a layout with these products. I wanted to use some of Amy Tangerine‘s papers, and more Ormolu embellishments in similar colors. Uncanny, how they matched so well.

This is what I came up with, with the idea of 3 in my mind.

Thanks go to Ormolu and Amy Tangerine for the inspiration! See you soon with the December Daily posts!

I am so very thankful.

 

 


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Day 4: Sweet Love

It’s simple Sunday. I like simple. Simple’s the word!

That’s an Instagram photo. Isn’t Instagram great?

Something I discovered yesterday that I didn’t mention (because I knew I would do it here  ;-) is a new place for scrapbook/art/craft inspiration: Studio Calico‘s Pinterest boards. I love Pinterest, and I pin there occasionally and do look around, but something on Twitter caught my eye and it was a link to one of Studio Calico‘s boards on Pinterest…and my mouth dropped open in amazement! It is filled to the gills with incredible talent, art, crafts, ideas, everything! I now have it bookmarked on my desktop to check out any time I need an idea or two. Check it out and be prepared to be amazed yourself!


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A Summer Mini Album

I discovered two really great mini-albums from two different sources. I couldn’t resist either, so I got both. They’re both DIY, and lots of fun for me to put together. But two? I decided to make one primarily about my summer, and this one I’m going to show is all about my daughter’s summer. This album kit came from Scrapbook Circle, and included all kinds of cute papers and alpha stickers from Studio Calico, Sassafras and Crate Paper, with journaling tags from Elle’s Studio. I finished my daughter’s album today (I’m more limited with photos of her since she’s spent so much of the summer away) and wanted to show it off:

The cover

Gosh, looking at this, I’d say my little girl had a pretty awesome summer! Good for her! I know that some day, looking back, she will come to cherish this. These are moments you never want to forget! I’m still working on my summer album (which is by Elise Blaha), and when it’s finished, I’ll post it here, but it’ll probably have to be a video, or something like that, because it’s huge!

Enjoy these last remaining summer days; they’re swiftly coming to a close!


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Noticing things…

I’ve had an itch to scrap lately, so I did. I came up with two new layouts:

Carnival FunThis one I made colorful since it highlights my daughter’s recent school carnival. I printed out the photos in 3-4″ sizes and used my 2.5″ square punch to get uniform sized-photos. I then rounded the corners, and staples the photos and papers together…something I saw Laura Kurtz do on one of her layouts. Once the photos were all stapled together, I taped them down to the paper and added my embellishments, which came with a kit from Scrapbook Circle (Grandma’s Attic).

This one is using an old patterned paper from My Mind’s Eye, cut down to 8.5×11″. I don’t like this layout so much. It looked much better in my mind, and looking at the completed result does nothing for me. I may do this one over. The stamp is from Studio Calico. I never would have thought I would use it, but it seemed appropriate here.

What I’ve noticed (this is part of an on-going process of self-improvement) is that 1.) I always have to stamp a date on the back of the layout. For some reason, I find it important to know when I created the page since it often times is far different from when the experience actually took place. I do recommend doing this; you never know when you look back on things like this and say to yourself, “when did I do that?” Or, maybe I’m just being anal. Whatever. I also notice that 2.) I am working much quicker than I used to, and the jury is out as to whether that is a good or bad thing. I used to spend an entire day putting together one, maybe two, layouts. Now I do one in 30 minutes or less, sometimes on the same day the event has taken place. I like that I’m not devoting so much time to one or two pages, but does that mean I’m getting sloppy? Judging by the second layout above, I would say yes.  I’ve also notice that 3.) I have way too many products to purchase new things for each new layout. I’m just using what I already have on hand. If I don’t have it, find something else in the overgrown stash.That’s it.  4.) I have started using more photos that I’ve taken with my phone instead of hauling out my camera for every little thing. It seems to be faster, as well.  Last, but not least, 5.) I have noticed that it is about time to start a new album. The current one, which I began in January, is getting pretty darn full. I like that! So this will be album 1 for 2011 (Jan-May), and on June 1 I’ll begin #2 for June-Dec. Or should I wait until July? I’m still learning and figuring out things. 6.)And I’ve noticed that, too.

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