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SEEK YOUR CREATIVE SPACE WITH TENCRAFTYFINGERS

Somewhere Between Christmas and Valentine’s…. January 23, 2011

It’s funny.  While I know us scrapbookers love our holidays (I mean, camera-required, right?), it’s always the little things, the simple photos, the small, quiet places that we find our greatest joys. I love, love, love how the everyday can give me my greatest inspiration for layouts.

I suppose I could go on and on…you know what I mean.  But this week’s post has to do with both of them–Christmas and Valentine’s–all wrapped up into one:

This mini was a Christmas present all about love–the love between my cousin and her husband.  They’ve been married for a couple of years now and are expecting their first child–a girl, they think.

Here’s to happiness.  Here’s to love.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll share a few more heart-themed projects.  Because…it just feels so darn good!

PS They loved the book. So happy that they did.

 

A Busy Bee January 16, 2011

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 6:31 PM
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WOW….two layouts in a row. Can you believe it???

I don’t think it is a coincidence though.  I’ve had several photos printed on my desk for awhile and since it is now the new year, the countdown is official to the boy’s birthday….which, as you might know, is my deadline for having his previous year’s scrapbook locked and loaded…I mean, done.

I’ve only got a few months left so I guess I’d better get crackin… :)

PS I had a bit of a scrappy revelation as I completed this layout.  Just when I thought I wasn’t any closer to understanding my personal scrapbooking mojo (that is, my personal scrappy style + a formula for how I do what I do), I realized I was.  Good to know.

 

UR A Rock Star January 9, 2011

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 11:59 PM
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Yes, you are, but so’s the kid…..

I know it is probably very hard to see, but I have used about six clear acrylic die cuts on this page.  (I attached them with Tim Holtz’s Tiny Attacher.)  It adds really good dimension that the camera just doesn’t pick up. I contemplated using a bit of color, but I really like the neutral nature of the layout.  The stamped image in the corner is also from Tim Holtz.

PS I’ve been busy organizing and purging (and less creating), but I wanted a chance to pop in and wish you a very happy new year!  I hope this year has only wonderful things in store for you. Be well!

 

Drop Everything and Scrap September 19, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 11:28 PM
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That’s what I felt like doing today.  Laundry, dishes, errands….I could have done one or all of them.  I’ve been just that busy lately.  It happens to all of us. 

But today, I scrapped and this evening, I’m sharing it with you:

One other thing that I would like to share just in case you haven’t been following me on Twitter.  I was recently named to the 2010-2011 Glue Dots Design Team! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a Dottess!  You can look for me to post at least twice a month on projects especially designed to show my creativity and the versatility of the (seriously!) many types of Glue Dots products.  I’m already planning some special projects and I am excited about what this next year will bring.  Thanks for being here to experience all of this with me. 

Here’s wishing you all kinds of craftiness…

 

Summer Lovin’… August 29, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking,Teach Me Technique — tencraftyfingers @ 1:19 PM
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This post is all about getting summer summed up in one quick layout.  If you keep it simple just by using a few embellishments and some coordinating papers, you can get this one done in less than 30 minutes!  The best part for me is that I was able to finish this one completely with scrap paper and left over stickers and rub ons. 

The best part for you?  Click that “4 panels layout” link on the BOX panel right over there (—->) and you’ll be able to grab a PDF sketch of this layout.  I really love using the color-blocking technique because it never fails to help me be versatile.  In this case I was able to alter one of the panels by using a border punch.  It offers some easy texture.  As I’ve reflected before, changing elements of any sketch is super fun to do.  Color-blocking is not only fun but it is pretty fail proof.  More importantly, it saves me time and it saves me money.  And who doesn’t like that? :)

 

Man at Work August 10, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 11:01 PM
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Sharing a quick layout…

The one detail I love, besides the clouds die cut by QuickKutz, is the sewing detail on the blue pennants.  (My sewing machine and I are becoming fast friends.  We’re just a few months in, but it looks promising.)  That particular paper is by Basic Grey–the other paper is by Sassafras–and after adding the stitching, some Distress Ink and roughing up the edges, it almost looks like denim.  Also, the “MAN” alphas are made of cork…very manly.  But all in all, catching my boy in a moment of joy always makes my heart happy.  :)

 

F is for First Day August 9, 2010

This first day is actually of my son’s first day last year at preschool.  He was a very happy boy, you see, because unlike most new mommies, I got to take him to work with me for two years.  And by take him to work I don’t mean that I dropped him off at the company’s daycare–that doesn’t exist.  It means that I literally took him to my office each day and was able to nurse him and care for him myself, right at my desk. 

I was, and still am, extremely lucky.  And while every day wasn’t all sunshine and roses, all in all it was a once in a lifetime experience.  The truth is, I would have kept him with me longer, but once he started  becoming more mobile I knew I was in trouble.  He started walking and then running; and as he grew taller and more observant, he began turning the doorknob and then unlocking the lock on the doorknob.  Definitely…trouble. 

No man is an island and I certainly got a lot of help.  My co-workers were my part-time baby sitters and all they asked in return for payment was time with my beautiful little boy.  And as a result, my son got several more teachers than just those in his family.  By the time he got to daycare, he was SO ready to spend time with people his own height.  And while I had a few qualms about his first day, he was quite happy to be rid of his momma!

This 2 page layout takes a turn on the classic grid design.  The key to any good grid design is to make sure that the segments are relatively equal in size.  The reason that the grid design is so adaptable is because you can add any number of photos (especially if you have a lot to get on a page) or a combination of photos, journaling and embellishments. 

While I know that there will be many more first days to come, this first day was the very first day of all.

 

 
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