Saturday, November 26, 2011

All That Glitters...

... Is Not Gold... In fact, it's Silver!
I love silver glitter, so much so that when I last checked my stash, a have four bottles... yes, all silver! I had the perfect project in mind to use up some of this over abundance of silver glitter.
While shopping in a store in Las Vegas this past fall, I came across some ornaments that I fell in love with, only I thought that they were over-priced and very plain (no glitter) and I could recreate them using my own ideas and my silver glitter.
I started with some large pressboard hearts that I found at Michael's in the sale bin for $.49 each so I bought them all.
I covered each heart with old book paper and sanded the edges.



I used my cropodile to punch a hole both at the bottom and top of each heart.
I stamped a "crown" stamp on the front, adding some silver rhinestones.
I painted the edges with some glue and then dipped them into the glitter.
I also got the hanging bobbles from Michaels and added one to each heart along with some ribbon to hang the ornament.


I had so much fun making these that I went back to Michaels and found the smaller hearts and continued to make some more...
I am now completely covered head-to-toe in silver glitter and, as my friend Deb kindly pointed out, I'll be finding that stuff in my craft room in March!!!
Take some time and check out what others are creating this holiday season at Where Women Create.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Today I am Grateful For...

Gratitude is expressing thanks for gifts we have received. The word gratitude comes from the Latin words:
gratia
meaning favor, charm, and thanks, and
gratus
meaning pleasing and grateful”

When I purchased my IPhone several months ago I was caught up in the search for free apps. When I came across the “gratitude journal” app I decided this was for me and I was going to write in it every day!

I found this to be a ritual that gains momentum over time and with practice. I had days where I seemed to be too busy to possibly take 10 minutes and just do it. Negative thoughts seem to come much more easily than positive ones and I have learned over the past several months to shift the negative energy into gratitude. "Thoughts are things"… The more you appreciate the good in your life, no matter how small, the more you will attract.

With the many blog and Facebook gratitude journals becoming so popular, I suggest you take a leap and ‘just do it’… Sit down with pen and paper, your IPhone or at your computer and start, “Today I am grateful for …” You will most likely have to stop there for a second or two and wait because you just can’t think of anything. But just wait. Surrender to the moment. Something inside you will shift. The words will come. You can start it simply as I have or you can write a paragraph about what you are grateful for. It doesn't matter how you write as long as you get in the habit of reflecting on the good things. You will be surprised at the feelings of contentment you will get from your journal writing.

Some days you will think that there is no feeling of gratitude. That’s ok… There has to be something in your day that you are thankful for. Maybe it’s just the fact that your car started this morning or that the sun is shining. I try to do my journal late at night before I go to sleep so I can re-live everything that I experienced throughout the day. As you remember the day, take a second to remember what made you happy, made you smile… what are you grateful for?

I love reading what other people are grateful for and it gives me the incentive to see my gratitude journal grow. Sometimes I get so busy that I miss writing for a day or two, but don’t let that dissuade you, pick up the paper & pen and get back at it.
My journal entry for this past Saturday read that I was grateful for my friends. I have the most amazing groups of friends who are always there for me, through thick and thin and I can count on every single one of them to drop what they are doing and come running when I need them.
I challenge you to start your Gratitude Journal today. You will be surprised at how much "good" there is in a day... Go ahead, take the ball and run with it... Today I am grateful for….

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Don't Stop The Carnival

After a very successful sold-out class last weekend we have decided to host another class. We would love for you to join us for our second Scrap That! class being held at Paper Pastimes in Calgary. The class will run from 6-9pm on Friday, November 18, 2011. There are only 10 spots available for this class where we will be creating three 12x12 double-page layouts with the Scrap That! "Don't Stop The Carnival" kit featuring the "My Minds Eye Union Square Collection". This kit is loaded with 10 papers and the colors and patterns bring to mind the bygone era of the Big Top. With a palette of black, tan and red, bold stripes, touches of glitter and old worn newsprint you'll imagine yourself enjoying an afternoon at the Carnival.
Take a look at these 3 layouts that I have created for this class.

Three 3.5x3.5 photos
One 5x7 horizontal photo
One 5x7 vertical photo
Seven or Eight 2x2 photos
Two 4x6 vertical photos
Two 3.5x3.5 photos
One 3.5x7 vertical photo
You don't have to use the word "Paris", you can adapt this to anything you like.

If you don't have photos ready for the class, come and create the layouts and add your photos later. There are only 10 spots available so sign up early. Just send an email to friends@scrapthat.ca and we will send you a PayPal invoice or contact sun7designs@shaw.ca. Once we have a full class I will send out an email to let you know what tools you need to bring.

Date: Friday November 18, 2011
Time: 6-9 pm
Cost: $49.99
Location: Paper Pastimes 8419 Elbow Dr. SW Calgary, Alberta T2V 1K8
Phone: 403-255-8731
Questions: Please call Valery at 403-256-1324 or email sun7designs@shaw.ca


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Dusty Attic Pre-Order

It's that time of the month... time to order your Dusty Attic chipboard embellishments. Scrap That! is currently taking pre-orders for these top quality laser cut chipboard creations and embellishments. All you have to do is visit the Dusty Attic website, send an email with your wish list to sun7designs@shaw.ca and I will get back to you with prices.
The November pre-order deadline is Monday November 21st. Once we place the order it is approximately 2 weeks until we receive it. We will sort and forward your pieces to you. If you are a Scrap That! kit subscriber we will glady include your DA pieces with your kit to save you money on shipping.
Check out this new piece on Vicky's layout that she designed for Scrap That! this month. A beautiful bird cage.
If you are interested in becoming a kit subscriber at Scrap That! check out their blog and sign up.