Popcorn and a movie!

I recently made this adorable popcorn container, complete with film strip and popcorn!

To make this I used my Silhouette to cut out the form of the box as well as the film strip and popcorn. The stripes were also made using my Silhouette. However, a few years ago I made a different version using a template that I found via google. A picture of that project can be found here.

How cute would this look with some yellow tissue paper representing popcorn and a gift card or movie tickets?

remember this...

It is amazing to think that this time last year I had just graduated from the University of Mary Washington with my Master's of Science in Elementary Education. One of the best parts of being a graduate is going to UMW's Grad Ball. To help remember this amazing night I wanted to create a layout that was just as fun. I was super excited to find some older Teresa Collins paper that was exactly what I was looking for.

For this layout, I used Flower Melody by Alison Kreft as the background paper. To play up the birds on the paper, I used my Silhouette and gray cardstock to cut out the birds on a line border. I used the same gray paper as the border to help give some weight to the pictures. Using pop dots, I added a flower from the Teresa Collins line Spring Fling and added some crystal effects on the center to add some dimension.

To give the pages some much needed shine, I used a gold glitter border from the Teresa Collins Summer stories line. I used pop dots to attach the gold border to the page.  Finally, I created the title using Teresa Collins Freestyle: Words. I cut out the header that I wanted and attached it to the page using pop dots.

Once and eagle, always an eagle.

This weekend my best friend from college graduated with her Master's of Science in Elementary Education! It has been a long road for her and I am so proud that she has finally made it! I made a card for her to celebrate the occasion using my Silhouette Portrait . At first I thought about using UMW's school colors (gray and blue) but I know Kelsey better than that, so I went with a bright blue, yellow and green! I am really happy with how it turned out!

Congratulations Kelsey!

Eagle Scout

I posted earlier about the best brother in the world becoming an Eagle Scout and now I have created one of my favorite layouts to commemorate the occasion! As I have grown as an artist and have learned new techniques I have discovered I have an issue with papers that are overly themed. However when I found the Jillibean Soup New England Chowder: fresh thyme paper I got so excited! I loved how earthy it looked while still having a pop of color.

Using the fresh thyme paper as the background, I layered Nikki Sivils paper Messages: "Log It" to give some weight to my title page. I then used My Mind's Eye kate & co. "oxford Lane" triples paper and Cosmo cricket Pots and Pans paper to make half inch banners.

 I layered these along with a fleur dis lis border by Authentique "glory". I also used the same details from Authentique "glory" to create the title and quote. In addition, I used the Teresa Collins he said she said line photo corners on the corners of my picture.

On the opposite page I used the same Jillibean Soup New England Chowder: fresh thyme paper. Using a block of the blue and white polka dot paper by My Mind's Eye to anchor the pictures, I cut the pictures into 3x3 squares. I used a rectangle of the Messages: "Log It" at the bottom of the blue and white polka dot square just to help tie the two pages together.

 

My favorite element on the page is the red banner across the top made with the Cosmo cricket Pots and Pans paper. I used my Silhouette to cut the different shaped pennants and attached them using pop dots. I then added a piece of twine to complete the look.

Finally, I used a fleur dis lis detail by Authentique "glory" and attached it in the bottom corner using pop dots.

so many reasons why I love you

I absolutely love My Mind's Eye line of paper and embellishments and "the sweetest thing" line by Jen Allyson is one of my favorites! With mine and Ray's anniversary coming up in a few weeks, I decided to make a card using "the sweetest thing" line.

 

The base is made from plain white cardstock. I used my Silhouette to cut the lattice work out of another sheet of white cardstock. To make the lattice work pop, I layered it o ntop of Bluebell "Smile" Beam paper by My Mind's Eye. I added a rectangle at the bottom of the lattice work (Lavender "Fabulous" Berries Paper) with a smaller rectangle of Bluebell "Smile" Bouquet paper layered on top. Then, using pop dots, I added The Sweetest Thing Lavender Reasons Title from My Mind's Eye.

So many pictures, so little time!

I am finally starting to make some headway on my wedding scrapbook! I am super excited about the way that it is turning out! So far I have a few favorite pages that I want to share!


The first page that I am in love with is of our rehearsal dinner. I love how it captured the evening. The pictures are a little hectic, but that is how I remember it. There was a lot going on and I think this page captures the essence of the evening.

Another favorite page of mine is one that showcases our venue, Stevenson Ridge. When the husband and I went there on one of their open houses, we fell in love. It was perfect. I do not think that we could have found a better location!

Finally, I am in LOVE with my "Dressing the Bride" page. It was such a special moment in my life and I am so grateful to Casey Smith at Dirt Road Photography for capturing it!

To scrap or not to scrap...

Today I ran across my very first scrapbook page....ever. When I saw it, I cringed. It is, for lack of better words, a hot mess. But then I realized that that is where I was in my life. I was in middle school and awkward, and this page is awkward and then some. Part of me wants to rip it apart and start over from scratch, make it "prettier" and use some of the new techniques that I have learned. But I know better. This scrapbook page is just as much as a memory as the pictures are.

Scrapbooking isn't about scraps of paper and photos.  Scrapbooking is about scraps of life - yours and those special to you.  

~Rebecca Sower

Spring Wreath

 Burlap is huge this season, and I blame it on Pinterest! I decided to jump on the bandwagon and make my own burlap inspired Spring Wreath. I bought a 14inch form, wrapped it in 6inch wide burlap, and hot glued a small nest, bird and eggs (all of which I got from Michaels).

I am the Easter Bunny!

This Easter, the brother came for a visit with myself and the husband. I love a good tradition and couldn't let my boys have an Easter when they didn't get a visit from a giant rabbit that breaks into your house leaving eggs in a basket (what?).

So I made sure that they would have their basket filled with the family favorite (Reese's Egg and Bunny). In addition, the husband really wanted one of those Velcro ball and catch game things. I don't understand it, but I aim to please :)

 In addition, William and I went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, where it RAINED and RAINED and RAINED. The good part was that we got onto all of the big roller coasters without having to wait in line. In some cases, we stayed on the ride and rode it a few times. However, the weather made us a little miserable so after a while we left and went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and to dry off. After checking the weather radar we saw that most of the rain had left the area, so we went back for a few more rides!

“What strange creatures brothers are!” 

Jane Austen

Egg-cellent!

Recently I have been making wreaths left and right. I love that in a short amount of time you can make a piece of art work that is easily shared with everyone! For Easter, I created a wreath using a couple bags of plastic eggs, Easter grass, a cardboard box and a bunch of hot glue! I started by cutting my wreath shape out of the cardboard box so that it would be lightweight and would lay flat against the door. After gluing the eggs on, I glued the Easter grass on by putting a bunch of hot glue where I wanted the grass and then pushing the grass onto the eggs using a pair of scissors. I am so happy with the way that it turned out!

50's Retro Bridal Shower

I am still in the planning phase of a bridal shower for a very good friend of mine from High School that I am hosting. When I was trying to get ideas I stumbled across a color combination on The Knot of a Tiffany blue and a ruby red. I am tired of all of the pink and green bridal shower things, so I knew that I wanted something completely different.

  For the invitation I had some craft paper invitations left over from decorating for my brother's Eagle Court of Honor. I took the invitations (5x7) and printed the information on them. Then I used a ten inch doily and some blue and red ribbon to finish it off. I cannot wait until the 24th to see it all put together!

Eagle Scout!

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe that my baby brother is an Eagle Scout! He has been working toward this for as long as I can remember! I am so proud of him and all that he accomplished!

To celebrate William becoming an Eagle Scout, we had an Eagle Court of Honor at a local church with one of the other boys in his troop that finished his project around the same time William did. Since this was a split ceremony, my mother and I were in charge of the table decorations. I wanted to do something a little bit different, so I looked around Pinterest and found this as inspiration. With the help of my new Silhouette, I was able to make my own version.

In addition to making the centerpieces, I was also in charge of making the invitations for the ceremony. I used Microsoft Power Point with all the details on it, then printed it out and backed it on rustic red cardstock. The dimensions were 5x7.

Congratulations William!!!

Scrapbook Retreat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first scrapbook retreat with my mom. It was one of the most amazing weekends that I have had in a long time. We stayed at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center which was one of the nicest hotels I have had the opportunity to stay at.

the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center

 While we were there we had the opportunity to take a class from the amazing Teresa Collins. 

Me and Teresa Collins after the Stationary Noted class

Stationary Noted File Folder Book: using  the latest office inspired line Stationary noted and Far & Away

While I was familiar with her line of paper and embellishments, I wasn't that familiar with her kits and classes. After having the opportunity to take her class, hearing her emotional stories and getting the opportunity to talk with her I am now a huge fan!

The crop room

Our work space

It was a great weekend and I cannot wait to go back and do it again in November!