Pantry Party!

Howdy Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your week and are staying cool in this heat. 

Those of you who have visited here before, know that this blog is about my crafty endeavors (although, those endeavors have been very few lately).  But I also have a passion for organizing.  Being organized helps me breathe and brings a sense of peace in my daily living and work life.  BUT I've had a difficult time trying to organize and condense our little abode.  When my husband and I got married, we crammed his 3 bedroom home and my 3 bedroom apartment into a 2-bedroom apartment.  I try not to hyperventilate when he's nearby. ;) 

Anyways, last year I stumbled upon an organizing blog, iheartorganizing, and I was HOOKED. :)  I check it almost daily for the ah-MA-zing inspiration and for the fabulous eye candy.  So when Jen, the author of iheartorganizing, tossed out a challenge (wait-no-more-challenge), I was motivated to participate.
Then life got in the way and time slipped out the door.  
However, I was forced to tackle our pantry in the last days of the challenge due to unexpected and unwanted pesky guests: ants!!!
Now, I must warn you.  First, these pictures were taken with my IPhone, so they may not be the best quality.  Second, I'll be keeping it real.  I'm embarrassed to have company if our home isn't in pristine shape.  So, I'm already sweating about showing these to the WWW.  



Let's begin with a before pic.:
Yep, disaster zone!  No, I don't keep the Ant & Roach spray in the pantry.  That was my temporary holding place.  

These 2 next pictures display what was on the empty shelf above.  

(Again!)

Since my husband was living in the apartment before we got married, I rearranged and organized this area, but it became chaotic again real quick. 

After 6 hours of spraying, wiping, cleaning, scrubbing, and tossing this was the end result:

 LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I can see all the cans at the same time, which helps with my grocery shopping.

I shopped for containers at the dollar store and Target after analyzing my needs.  And I busted out my loved-yet-neglected label machine. :D  

What a HUGE sigh of relief!  This is my favorite little spot at the moment.  The next day I kept walking in there every 15 minutes to soak it all in.  This has already made a BIG difference in our menu planning and grocery shopping. :)   
Yes, we have quite a bit of spices, thanks to my hubby (And they are alphabetized.  Instructed hubby to keep them that way). The small, blue basket at the top holds doubles of ones already on the shelf. 


This project gave me the motivation to tackle the cabinet under the bathroom sink.  I'll be sharing that later on. ;)
Thank you Jen for the challenge and inspiration.  I have other areas that are on my list now.

Thank you kindly for taking the time to stop by!

Happy Organizing,
Angie

Health History

Hello Y'all!

Happy 4th of July!!  Got any fun plans for today?  Since it's SUPER hot (102 degrees), I'll be staying indoors. :)  

I know it has been a while since my last post (again).  But I've been having a hard time getting inspired.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that part of my craft room is residing in my living room.  By the time I've finished gathering my supplies from both areas, I'm out of inspiration, energy, & time.  

Well, today I am sharing a layout that is quite personal.  I've had this idea in mind for about a year: to document my health (or lack of it).  So I created the images with my Cameo and then put them away because I wasn't sure how to design the layout.  I finally decided to just tell the "story," so this layout is not fancy or brilliant. 

Here it is:

I added some distress ink around the edges to "grunge" it up a bit.  This picture wasn't taken during one of my ill moments.  Thank goodness, because who wants a picture in one of those one-size-fits-all hospital gowns?! ;)

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- BoBunny; Cameo; stickers- October Afternoon)

I actually tried to blur the journaling, but then realized that it's part of my journey.

I'd like to add this to the following challenge:
Scrap-challenge-Yourself: Anything Goes

Thank you kindly for stopping in.  Wishing you a safe and HEALTHY holiday.

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Kitt Peak

Well, HELLO there! It has been forrreeeever since I've posted.
I have a good reason though. Well, they might not be all that good: ;)

1) March was so physically and emotionally draining, that it has taken this long to recuperate.
2) I had to step down from the design team at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges 
for personal reasons.  :( 
3) The creativity juices were completely dry and it was difficult to get inspired.
4) I have been SO drained after work that I barely have enough energy to eat dinner (especially on nights when I tutor).
5) And my weekends have been too busy.

So how have you been lately?  :D
Well, folks, I finally had enough of this no-crafty-inspiration thing, so I decided to search for a challenge blog to spark my creativity and I came across this sketch from scrap-challenge-yourself.



The purpose of this challenge blog is to include yourself in your layouts. Kind of a difficult thing when I prefer to be behind the camera. ;)

Now, I must confess that I almost decided against this challenge because the sketch was a bit too "busy" for me.  I know, I know: there's lots of "white" space. I think the circles were throwing me off. 
Anyway, here is my interpretation:

See that sweet, little, old lady? That's my husband's granny. She was 90 at that time! She is 99 and STILL travels alone.  Oh, and that large dome behind us? A telescope. :D

(Supplies: cardstock; scraps; "wooden" stars, star stamp, & large sticker letters- Ali Edwards; washi tape)

The journaling reads:
On my 2nd trip to Arizona, my hubby (boyfriend at the time) surprised me with a trip, on my birthday, to Kitt Peak observatory. We had to walk around quietly due to the astronomers & scientist sleeping. Seeing those gigantic telescopes was pretty amazing. By the way, getting there required us to go around & around the edge of the mountain. Scary!

Well, that's all for now.  I SO appreciate you hanging in there till the end. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Flutterby Butterfly

Hola Everyone!

How are you doing?  I know some kiddos are on Spring Break and others had their break last week.  Hope you enjoyed it/are enjoying it with the family.  Unfortunately, no break for me.  :(

Well, on to the crafty stuff.  I am sharing my new project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The theme is "Anything Goes" + 3 embellishments.



Now, you may have a hard time finding my 3 embellishments, but they are there. ;) 

Did you find them?  Yep, the 3 teeny-tiny rhinestones.  And a butterfly.

I know the paper isn't an embellishment, but I did use 3 different designs. ;)  I lightly distressed the edges with distress ink.
I used a 12 by 12 kraft cardstock and cut it at 5 1/2 *12.  Then folded it in half.   

(Supplies: brown and kraft cardstock; twine-American Crafts; pattern paper- Prima; rhinestones; butterfly; distress ink- Ranger)

Ok, friends, please get crafty and join us at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges!  :D
Thank you kindly for visiting. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Hippity Hop

Howdy Y'all!

Are any of you having crazy weather like us: Winter one day, summer the next, and spring the 3rd day?  Yeah, can't figure out how to dress or whether I should carry a sweater with me.  I know, my life is exciting, huh? :)-

Well, you know what time it is, right?  Time for a new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges!  The theme is Easter/Spring and you can create a card, layout, album, etc. 

Let's begin. :D
My first project is an Easter card with a heat embossed bunny.  I added a big bow and some rhinestones to finish it off.  I also lightly distressed the edges of the paper with Picked Raspberry.

I also made some Easter gift bags for some cute nieces. :) What's that you say?  Upside down eggs?  Yeah, so much for careful planning and cutting!  Just pretend the eggs are being tossed into the bag. ;)
 

[Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- The Paper Studio; gift bag punch board- We R Memory Keepers; ribbon; rhinestones; stamp- Unity Stamp Co.; bow; embossing powder- Wow; distress ink- Tim Holtz; candy- optional :) ]

What comes to mind when you think of Easter or Spring?  Well, you know the drill: get crafty, have fun, & link up here.  :)  And thank you so, SO much for stopping by. 

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Pretty Poppy

Hola Folks,

How is your week going?  I hope those of you in the freezing cold are staying warm... And how is it that we are in MARCH already?! 

Well, I'm stopping by to let you know that the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges has begun. :)  The theme is:



 

 

 

 

 

You can create a layout, card, canvas, album, or an "off-the-page" project.

 

I created a card using a large poppy stamp by Unity Stamp Co.  I heat embossed the poppy on watercolor paper and then "painted" the flower with some distress ink.  I decided to paint "outside the lines" in order to see the complete flower.

I also used distress inks (Broken China & Peacock Feathers) to stamp my butterflies.  I used Broken China on one side and Peacock Feathers on the other.  And I finished off my card with some pearls.

(Supplies: cardstock; watercolor paper; poppy stamp- Unity Stamp Co.; butterfly stamp- Recollections; embossing powder; heat gun; distress inks- Ranger; pearls- Doodlebug; paint brush)

 

Ok, folks, you know the drill: get crafty, have fun, & link up here. ;)

And thank you for stopping by to visit me.  I greatly appreciate it. :D

 

Happy Crafting,

Angie

 



Country Colors

Hello Y'all!

How are you doing? It seems like some of you might be buried in snow based on the news. I'll make a deal with you. Save some of that snow and ship it to me in the summer, and I'll send you some sun. (Ha! Just noticed all the alliteration in this sentence.)  Deal? ;)

So, I'm stopping by to share my latest project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The new challenge is to use your country's flag colors in your project, therefore I used red, white, & blue.  Truth be told, I wasn't born in the good ole U.S.A.  However, I've adopted this great land of freedom as my home.

Let's begin. :)

See those lines across my picture? That's courtesy of my printer. :(

This layout isn't packed with great embellishments or any fancy techniques.  Many times I struggle with creating layouts because I want them to be "trendy" and cute.  But my whole philosophy of scrapbooking is to document my story and memories.  And when I focus back to my philosophy, I let go of those standards and just tell and my story.
   

(Supplies: cardstock; washi tape; letter stickers; star stickers- Heidi Swapp; sewing machine)

So what project will you create with your flag's colors?  Have some fun and then link it up here.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to visit me. :D 

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Vintage Vibe

Howdy Folks!

How is your week going so far? What I want to know is: Where did January go?! Can someone tell 2015 to sssssllllooooww down, please? Thank you. ;)

Ok, friends, I'm here today to share my new project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges. The theme is vintage.  You can create a card, layout, canvas, etc. Now, I have a confession: I LOVE the vintage look, but I have a hard time achieving it.  I tried to channel the creative, vintage vibes of Lisa of A Mermaid's Crafts, but my card pales in comparison to her amazing, beautiful projects.

I lightly "distressed" the paper/cardstock by running a blade over the edges. And I added a bit of shine on the leaf vines using a gel pen.

The lighting in this picture isn't the best, so it's hard to tell that the ribbon was "distressed" using a distressing powder.

(Supplies: cardstock- Bazzil Basics; pattern paper- Karen Foster Design; stick pin; vintage sticker- Tim Holtz; ribbon; blade; gel pen; distress powder)

So what vintage-y craft will you create?  We'd love to see what you make, so link it up at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  :D
Thank you kindly for stopping by!

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Lovey Dovey

Hola Everyone!



How is your week going?  Mine?  BUSY with work, but I'm grateful for my job.

Well, I am stopping by to share my project for the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges . The theme is love, Valentine, or wedding. And you can create a layout, card, canvas, etc. 





I created a quick and simple card using a "journaling" card from Echo Park.  Using journaling cards is a fast way to mass produce your Valentine cards. :
Ok, folks, I am currently typing this up at work during my lunch hour.  However, the computer is old and sssllllooow.  Shhh...., don't tell them. ;)   So this means that it's not cooperating and my post will look a little different than usual.


Thank you kindly for stopping by.  I always welcome your company. :)
Happy Crafting!
Angie

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- Teresa Collins; sequins, ink dauber; distress ink- Broken China; journaling card- Echo Park)

Typing Thanks

Howdy Y'all!

Happy weekend. Do you have any exciting plans for this 3-day weekend? This Monday we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.  Among other things, he was a Baptist minister and activist.  And I want to take a quick moment to show my appreciation for a man who stood up for justice and equality.  His sacrifice paved the way for many.

Well, I am stopping by to share my project for the big, end-of-2014 challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun.  Our fearless leader provided sketches for all the different challenges.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to copy the image here after numerous attempts.  However, it's right on the challenge blog. :) 

These challenges are a bit different because you get to vote for your fave(s). :D

Here is my project:

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper and typewriter embellishment- Teresa Collins; white ink; sentiment stamp- Jillibean Soup; sequins; banner paper punch- Fiskars)

Ok, friends, go check out the challenges here, and vote for your favorite(s). 
Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Happy Crafting,
Angie

HELLO

Hello & Happy New Year!

Well, dear friends, you probably thought I had fallen off the earth. Truth be told, Dec. 2014 was beyond BUSY: Christmas events for work, daily dance practices for my niece's quincenera (a HUGE coming-of-age party for Hispanic girls turning 15), finishing invites, decorating the hall, having the party, hosting family, & getting sick. 

Unfortunately, this sickness landed me in urgent care and out of commission for a few weeks.  (It's not quite gone, but I'm feeling stronger.) Therefore, I was not able to have any crafty fun. :(  Fortunately, my teammates were able to, so I'd like to point you in their direction for the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges- birthday.  Perhaps you can join the fun. :D




I wish you a year full of peace, joy, love & health!! 

Happy Crafting,
Angie