Wedding Gallery

Okay, so I sort of promised that my next blogpost would be scrapbook-related. And this one is. Half of it, anyways. I’m in the middle of editing the babyphotos I mentioned earlier and they’re like, way too cute not to be shared like, immediately…sooo.

Right, card first ;) This is actually a CD-card I created for the babysession before this latest one – and I used Pencil-Lines sketch #230 and Fancy Pants Designs-papers for this card.

I used lots of older products on this one – this babyline is an older one, the badge from American Crafts and the journaling from Making Memories aswell. All part of my grand scheme to shrink my evergrowing stash (as if it helps ><)

Right.

Off to the photos: please meet sweet, sweet Alma! :)

Such a sweet sweet girl, I truly enjoyed shooting her (even when she started crying and required a nap to be able to tolerate even more shooting :p).

Now, notice the catchlights in her eyes? Sure, it’s just details, but hm, do you think it looks silly when they show at the bottom of the eyes? I *think* I read somewhere they should be between 10 and 2 o’clock sorta, to look somewhat more natural…which I ofcourse forgot about when I shot her. The catchlight here comes from my reflector, by the way.

At least the catchlights are “correct” here, hm. Hi Alma!

Starting to show the first signs of “do I really wanna cooperate?” :p
(now, I know this picture should be culled, but I have a hard time culling and I find such non-perfect pictures pretty darn cute still)

Look at this chubby, cute baby! *soft sigh*

Ofcourse – the mandatory must-have-feet-and-toes-picture…:)

Adding this picture just to show how we (ok, mostly her mom) tried to make her stay happy and watch in the general direction we hoped she’d look at for the pictures and stuff..teehee..

So darling…

This picture sort of has a serenity I just love being able to snap. I have at least another picture like that too, of mother and child, but I forgot to check w/her whether it was ok to have her on the blog as well so not sharing it here.

Right. As mentioned - I’m almost halfway through editing these pictures – hope to be done by Monday or Tuesday – and will probably share more pictures by then. The last pictures we shot were the best (think: awesome, vividly colored grannysquare-blanket) – I have no idea how I’ll pick which pictures to edit from this part of the session, sigh..I’ll probably just keep most!

I’m continuing diggin’ thru my various tutorials previously written for other blogs/sites. Todays tutorial was created for an event at the Minneriket-forum back in 2008, a Norwegian forum for scrapbooking.

It looks like the original post is lost, but I still have the images, so I’ll just write the text anew (plus, it was originally written in Norwegian anyways :)).

It’s quite simple adding instant interest by just adding scallops to your projects. Take this layout for instance – to the left is the original one without scallops, and to the right, the finished version w/scallops added :) It does add quite the difference, don’t you think?

Just grab big scalloped scissors (or trimmer or puncher) – cut scallops and trim them so you can add them behind the patterned paper. Push the paper somewhat upwards to add more interest (isn’t this a funny expression? “to add more interest” – I think it sounds somewhat funny..like, pretentious….but sometimes that’s just what it does sorta…ahwell..:p)

You can also add scallops to a brad by using a regular pair of scalloped scissors (mine’s from Fiskars). Attach brad to paper, cut around, and slit small cuts in between the scallops, add some ink and fold the now “petals” some.

My favorite way to use scalloped scissors however, is probably with die cuts/chipboard-shapes, like this one. Or with journaling-tags.

And if you wanna be fancy – punch holes onto the scalloped border after you’re done (remember – this was probably before the border-punches w/holes in them came out :p At least before I myself got them, as I haven’t bothered doing this since I got the borderpunches w/scallops & holes in them :p)

All the stuff here is from Fancy Pants Designs, by the way :)

24.02.11:

listening: “Vår beste dag” – Marit Larsen
eating: nothing atm..
drinking: coffee
wearing: my “channel your inner goddess” shirt :p
feeling: cold :/
weather: …..snow!? wth..
wanting: help
needing: help..pc acting up :(
thinking: that I’m starting to like my new haircut/do more :)
enjoying: some quiet time..finally..maybe I’ll even get to scrap some! :p
wondering: you iPhone-people w/PC, what do you use to organize the pictures with? I mean, I use LR3 to import the images to my PC, but I have to delete the images manually on the iPhone, which I often forget/is boring, hmm, what to use to easier delete stuff with? I don’t want to delete them all either, I want to be able to keep specific images etc..(like, delete stuff on the PC and have it sync w/the phone…wo actually deleting the imported-to-PC-images as well)

23.02.11:

listening: to the zergs :)
eating: my procrastinator-nutella-with-peanutbutter-muffins (am in the middle of writing an article and am sort of fighting with the words so I decided to just do something else for a bit….not that it really helped :( ) they’re yummy though!
drinking: cold coffee :p
wearing: um, my new haircut…WITH bangs! =) I haven’t had bangs since I was like, well, a child probably, I can’t really recall the last time I had bangs (then again, I can’t remember what I had for dinner two days ago…or what my children weighted/measured at their birth..which apparently sort of qualifies as a crime among mothers :p)….plus the hairdresser added some color+light strips (? what’s the word here?) to the hair….I’m trying to get accustomed to this new look, but I really do think I like it so far…
feeling: despite fighting words, pretty happy (bc of the hair + muffins)
weather: um…okayish..not so cold..still nice w/sun and stuff..
wanting: a good recipe on peanutbutter-cupcake…I loved this one, but it was pretty airy and sweet (I need to reduce the amount of sugar next time) – I want a more lunch-kind-of-muffin/cupcake..
needing: to finish this article I’m trying to write..
thinking: that it would be nice to have the words handed to oneself on a silver platter :p
enjoying: wallowing in selfpity ;p
wondering: why oh why do I still have those weird dreams >< I have a very amazing fantasy when asleep, that’s for sure :p

Looking at what my most popular posts have been, I see that tutorials scores pretty high..This, combined with the nagging thought I’ve had for a while now that I oughta gather all my old tutorials that’s been posted at various manufacturer-blogs here and there – to keep them all together in one spot sorta, have made me decide that I’ll try to repost most of my tutorials here on my blog, and link them in the new list found to the right, labeled “tutorials”.

So, here’s a repost of a tutorial I created for Fancy Pants Designs, on creating a binder/reuseable cover for notebooks. I truly adore this one – especially because I discovered that if you apply multi-medium twice at both the front and back of a paper it makes it feel like a real canvas. Is it as strong as a real canvas? I doubt so, but I really do like the feel of it…and it’s certainly stronger than just reg. patterned paper!

Supplies:
Road Show: Strips
Road Show: Grocery List
Artist Edition: Bulb Shaped Safety Pin
scrap patterned paper and card stock (optional)
spiral bookbinder (optional)
black cardstock
decorative border punch
embroidery floss
matte medium
sewing machine
ribbon
magnet clasp
charm
flower
button

Instructions:
1. Use a purchased notebook, or make your own. Anne Jo's is made of random paper, scrap cardstock and patterned papers, bound together with a spinal bookbinder (I used a bind-it-all).

2. Measure your notebook and add at least 1/2 inch to the width (3/4 inches if you choose to hand stitch the edges). Score a full 12x12 sheet of patterned paper (Anne Jo used Road Show: Strips) as wide as the notebook + 1/2 inch.

3. Since Anne Jo's notebook was a bit large, she had to divide her sheet and add an extender - another patterned paper (she used Road Show: Grocery List – see the striped paper in the middle). She chose to place the extender approximately where the spine would be.

4. Using a sewing machine sew the pieces together. Decorate the ends of the spine with black cardstock, punched with a decorative border punch.

5. Score two pockets - slightly smaller in width than the front/back of the notebook.

6. Cover all the pieces of paper with some kind of sealer/matte medium. Apply two layers on both sides of the paper, allowing them enough time to dry in between the layers. Feel free to do three layers to make sure it will be durable. Anne Jo says her papers felt like canvas after two layers on both sides.

7. Hand stitch the pockets. Test with your notebook to find the correct placements, and remember when stitching that the notebook needs room to slide in and out the pockets.

8. Attach a lock-mechanism (Anne Jo used one with magnets and ribbons). Decorate the ribbon with an Artist Edition Bulb Shaped Safety Pin and attach a charm, button, pearl and a flower.

This tutorial was put together after I was done creating the notebook, thus no step-by-step-images, which’s a bit of a bummer. But – it’s not difficult making this cover/binder, so I urge you to give it a try. Maybe I’ll redo this one some day too..just need more multi-medium :)

Oh dear…I’ve forgotten yesterday’s “feelings”. Bummer!

20.02.11

listening: to the kids play WoW with their cousins…questing and doing instances together...mine at home, and two of their cousins at each their homes…communicating over skype…this makes me unbelievable happy :) especially watching/listening how my son, who’s the highest level in the group, takes care of the lower level ones and helping Amalie w/her character here at home…
eating: homemade rolls..
drinking: coffee
wearing: half proper clothes and half pyjamas…hey..it’s Sunday & lazyday! So far, anyways.-.
feeling: happy..blue sky, the sun’s out…gonna whip the kids outside some after they’re done w/the instance :)
weather:  SUN+BLUE SKY=HAPPY ME!
wanting: better health..
needing: time&discipline..
thinking: about the kids and how well they’re enjoying each others companies atm..
enjoying: That Sunday also means a new batch of Postsecret-cards..
wondering: how long that will last – the kids and enjoying each others companies..

Here’s my layout for Pencil-Lines sketch #223, which featured Aussie Natalie Elphinstone as both the sketchmaker and guestdesigner. I truly loved the sketch this time, and added my spin on it, gathering and shrinking the elements together in the middle to fit my pictures better. I used the January My Scrapbook Nook kit for this layout, and added chipboards and brad from my own Fancy Pants Designs-stash.

The layout is a quick recap of my trip to Papirfesten 2010, with journaling in bulletpoints.

So, CHA-W is over, and tbh, I’m left with not as many impressions from the new stuff at CHA as usual. It feels easier (and thus cheaper!) to navigate what I’d love to get my hands on this time around, I think (Let’s see, pretty much everything from Pink Paislee, most of the Hambly Screenprints-stuff and the flowers from Prima and Websters, some of the OA and Sassafras..Maya Road had a ton of great stuff this time…the usual suspects for me I think)? Or maybe I haven’t paid that much attention to what’s new out there? What do you think?

One thing is sure – I did not think that the Toy Box-line from Crate Paper would be that a big hit for me personally, but boy were I wrong! Sometimes you really just have to have the stuff IRL to be able to really judge it, and I absolutely adore the retroness of this collection – it’s so much more versatile than what the name/theme would suggest. And it sure something for itself in a market where most things are cutesy  in a girlie/romantic way. Just sayin’ :) I think – just think – it might rival the absolutely stunning Portrait-collection when it comes to how much I’ll use these papers…we’ll see!

More creations for my guestDT-gig for My Scrapbook Nook: this is a layout created with their January-kit, which heavily featured Fancy Pants Designs’ winter-y collection “Hot Chocolate”. All the papers and stickers here are from that collection, while the buttons were added from an older FP collection.

I love using thicker thread on my sewing machine! Why didn’t I do this earlier!?!?

The letters are from American Craft – originally they were white, but I colored them with a red, permanent marker to fit my layout better.

I love scalloped circlepapers, but too often they have me stumped as to what to do with them (I know – create circle-layouts….still…doesn’t always feel right to me). So I’m pretty satisfied that I managed to incorporate this paper on this layout.

And this is a quick card created from scraps from the layout above, a sticker and 3d foam. Quick, elegant and easy. And more important – no scraps to hoard around forever!

Right!

Today’s my day off, and a friend insists on teaching me how to crochet (she so has no idea what she’s in for). I’m ambivalent and dubious and highly sceptical, but have caved in to give it an attempt. Besides. I’m just gonna do the basic squaretightcrochetingthing. Nothing fancy. I’ll be fine….I think…

Lol, I know – it’s pink, more pink, then..uh..I’m not quite sure….totally pink? :p

Just wanted to share a pink card I created. Now, normally I’d probably not make a pink card. Hm. I know I most likely wouldn’t – not like, all pink, at least. It’s so cliché. But. Challenges, you know?

Oh yeah, another one of Moxie Fab’s color-challenges…I wonder if I’ll actually get to finish them all within the timeline? Three down, three to go afaik. Life’s bit busy atm, working on questionnaire-drafts for my MA (it’s NOT as easy as I thought! I have to be short, precise and I feel the need to over-define the meaning of words I’m using in the questionnaire to make sure to prevent misunderstanding of concepts and blah blah, especially for the online survey-part) and freelancing for the local newspaper…but hey, – I enjoy this life so far :)

Nevertheless, here’s the three pink colors we were supposed to work with..mm…(it’s adhered to the gift, which’s kraftwrapped, so please ignore the kraft part for this challenge) the paper’s from Pink Paislee’s Sweetness-collection, a scrap I had lying around here – letters from Fancy Pants Designs, and the flower from Prima. The stamp is an all time favorite, the only one I kept of all my wood-mounted stamps (because let’s face it, I so suck at using stamps) because I knew I’d reuse this one at least…it’s hm, Anna Griffin if I’m not too mistaken. Loves.

So long, gotta continue working! :)

Ps. I changed the threads I’m using on my sewing machine, with a thicker thread – now it’s so much more visible and I love it! Give thicker threads a try yourself too, if you haven’t yet :)

Oh, and before I leave…check out these peeks from Crate Paper!

This is the boy-line…see the neutral alphabetpaper (I assume! I haven’t seen this collection myself, as it’s on its way overseas atm!) ? Lovesit! Am not too sure about the army-stuff, whether it’s actually patterned with these motifs or if it’s just for the AD, as personally my kid doesn’t play with that, but we’ll see – I totally approve of the colorscheme!

And this is apparently the girl-line – hello insta-love! Yes, please!

There’s two more lines to be revealed, keep a close tab on the Crate-blog for these in the next few days!

Yay!

I’m finally able to share that I’m the January guestdesigner over at the My Scrapbook Nook-kitclub!

It’s especially fun, as the Januarykit was chock-full of “Hot Chocolate” from Fancy Pants Designs, the collection that debuted after my term with them were over. So it meant I got to play with that collection after all, yey! :)

I quickly created two layouts and a card with it, and I have plenty of stuff left (and ideas for more) so there’ll be more stuff created with this kit incoming in not too long :) So – embrace yourself, here’s my Nook-stuff so far:

A layout documenting a trip to Oslo last year, with just me and Amalie – which meant frequent phonecalls home to update them on the events of the stay.

Here I worked a lot with the Helmar Scrap Dots glue – I love that glue because it allows me to decide the dimension of my embellishments myself (it’s a “liquidish” 3d glue dot in a tube). And it’s perfect for me because I often leave my projects overnight, so it’s one of the last things I do before leaving for bed and the next day the glue is dry and good to go :) The glittery red brads are from Queen & Co, also in the kit.

We got two kind of letters in the kit – white AC chipboard ones, and dark brown FP stickers. Yay!

Everything on the layout is from the kit by the way…hm..apart from the banner and the text-strips, which were just created by scraps I had on my table :p

Kaffelade! A small, cozy café downtown.

The white cardstock is from my own stash – in fact – I had it premade (adding splatters of glimmermist onto it), thinking I’d use it for another project a while ago, but decided against it and saved the cardstock for future use – aka this project :)

Love this butterfly-punch from Martha Stewart – so elegant :) And the borderpunches :)
I actually created the borders for the first layout-project above (“Hei, pappa”), decided not to use it and then just adding it here where it fit better.

Use that negative space! :) The bling seen here are from the kit – we got a red piece of swirl from Queen & Co in the kit – and I have to admit I find such swirls a bit hard to use – so I just cut out individual gems from it for my layout.

Love this kind of splatter – huge, with random edges :)

You know these 12x12 sheets with smaller cards/tags on them? Look for two fitting cards next to each others, which can be cut out together and used to create such quick minicards.

Here I just added bling and letters to the cover of the card..

And decorated to reinforce the insides of the card with more pieces from the same 12x12 card-paper.

And added this cute little sticker-stamp, adhering it with the liquid scrap dots glue.

Now, I have to admit – while creating this layout I loved it, but now I positively dislike it. Hrm. Still have to share it though, as it’s for the Pencil-Lines sketch #221. White cardstock, transparent glittercut and felt from Fancy Pants, houndstooth-tape from Pink Paislee, paperscraps from Bam Pop, lots of rubons from Hambly Screenprints (the rub-ons I own are so random, while some are drying out, others are still going strong even though they’re among the oldest ones.

I’ve decided I’ll be better to use the rub-ons I own because quite frankly, it SUCKS to have to throw away whole sheets you just wanted to hoard because you loved them too much to use them…..:(

Nevertheless. Do check out Cheryl Ashcrafts sketch, it’s pretty lovely!

~Sasha Farina~ Said,

1:20 PM

paperdolls? what are you? 8? LOL.. *i'm just jealous by the way.. :P*

But ofcourse! *huge grin*  Love you still!

Have a lovely week! :)