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SEEK YOUR CREATIVE SPACE WITH TENCRAFTYFINGERS

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? :)

 

F is for First Day August 9, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 9:50 PM
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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.

 

A Teacher’s Gift in Ten Minutes Flat June 15, 2010

Filed under: Altered Projects — tencraftyfingers @ 9:15 PM
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So, I needed a quick teacher’s gift for my son’s teachers.  However, I don’t leave the teacher’s gifts to just the end of the year.  In fact, I made them little forget-me-nots all throughout the year.  (I wasn’t trying to show off or anything, I just really, deeply, and truly appreciated them for being my son’s “replacement moms” while I was working.)  Really, I couldn’t have asked for better teachers or for a better experience for my son.  Since kids are getting out of school around this time of year, I decided to share this latest quickie gift that I made for my son’s teachers.  In my last YouTube video, I showed these really inexpensive notepads that I got from BJ’s.  You could find them anywhere really, just make sure you aren’t spending too much.  Also, these pads don’t have a cardboard cover or anything like that.  

All I did, in just a few minutes, was cover the entire pad with some kraft cardstock.  You shouldn’t really use light weight paper; heavier cardstock works best.  Of course, you could go all the way with chipboard (and I’ve done this before as well) but I wanted to make this quick, remember?  ;)   I simply measured the area of the notepad (both sides) and left a little room to fold the paper over the adhesive binding holding it together (just eyeball that measurement).  I then secured the kraft paper to the cardboard on the bottom of the pad with heavy-duty glue and folded it over the front. 

After that, the rest is really dependent upon how much time and effort you want to put into it.  While I stamped the word notes, you could have done a lot more stamping and left it at that.  I added some punched pieces and chose to leave off any ribbon, but that would have been a nice touch.  This would also be a fabulous opportunity to use all those scraps piling up.  You know those scraps…over there…on the table…yeah, I see ‘em. 

In any case, it was simple, fun, and inexpensive.  The homemade effort is always a nice touch and after all, who needs another mug?

 

Alice, I’m Late March 21, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 5:33 PM
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It’s almost over.  My son’s third year on this earth. 

While there is definitely a part of me that wonders how time flew so fast, my body and brain agree that these last few years have absolutely taken a toll on me.  In a good way, of course.  Like a badge of honor. I think.

About a week ago I went into high gear finishing my son’s year-long scrapbook, ages 1 to 2.  (Did I mention that I really only started a few months back?)  Although I gladly admit my true-to-form procrastination modus operandi, it’s often when I do my best work.  To keep plowing through, I have little time to consider, reconsider and reconsider yet again. 

The benefit for me has definitely been seeing how far I’ve really stretched myself creatively.  I’m growing up fast, just like my son.  I’ve been driving myself towards clarity.  Whatever my vision is for a project, I like to make sure I get across what I’m really trying to get across, whatever that may be–an image, a color, a mood, a feeling, a theme, a concept.  What is the message and have I been successful? 

What do you think?

 

Cha, Cha, Cha January 24, 2010

Filed under: Cardmaking — tencraftyfingers @ 4:43 PM
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Or, for you crafters that’s CHA CHA CHA.  The entire crafting world as we know it has descended upon the state of California for the annual winter show of the Craft and Hobby Association.  For those of you who read my blog regularly and have no idea what I’m referring to most of the time, this event is the mecca of the papercrafting industry.  While I’m only really starting to learn about all of this myself, I can’t help but to fantasize what it would be like to attend.

Image a huge room full of people who spoke your language and got as giddy as you did about paper and its possibilities.  I like that “paper and its possibilities.”  I have to remember that one, but I digress.

Anyhow, in conjunction with all the big reveals and new product lines being unveiled, many companies and manufacturers are tweeting and blogging about contests and giveaways.  While the prizes are sweet, super-sweet in some cases…oh, I’m digressing again…I’m just on a mission to get my work out there.  While I always attempt to do my best work, sometimes I fall a little short of my expectations.  Most of my non-crafting friends think my stuff is great.  But I know better.  And I also know just how many amazingly, talented, crafty folks there are out there. 

Since I only have ten crafty fingers, I’d better keep practicing. 

 

 

I’m Listening January 10, 2010

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 1:52 PM
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I’ve really been doing a lot of work lately.  A LOT of work.  By that I mean, I’ve been playing with so much paper and ink that my fingernails are now semi-permanently stained a deep reddish-black color. Sexy.

But fun.  Seriously fun.

They say that practice makes perfect.  Well, my practice is getting me closer to perfect.  I don’t think I could ever really achieve perfect anyway and I don’t think I want to.  Because that would mean I have nothing left to strive for.  And that wouldn’t be a good thing.  So, by working more and taking time to listen to my creative process, I’ve been discovering some wonderful things that I never took the time to realize:

  1. I have some amazing creative instincts. 
  2. When I get an idea, it is usually my strongest concept.
  3. As I create and progress through a project, I get other ideas.
  4. Most of the ideas that I get after I get going on one idea should be ignored at all costs.  They usually are just springboards for other great projects, not the current one.
  5. Repeat steps 1 – 4.

See?  I swear I didn’t know all of that until yesterday.  Realizing this has been so major for me.  (Whew!) OK, on to what I’ve been working on.

I’ve been shuddering as to how close my son’s 3rd birthday is.  If you’ve read this previous post, you know that I complete my son’s scrapbooks chronologically by his birthday.  Now that he will be 3, his first through second year book should be complete in only a few more months.  Starting is always the hardest part.  I’m happy to say that I’m officially over the hump. 

It’s hard to believe that this layout started out as just a beige piece of American Crafts cardstock.  I added some acrylic paint, some chalk, and some masking with a few Heidi Swapp masks and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The smaller circles are transparent die cuts from Fancy Paints colored with alcohol inks.  I covered the chipboard letters from Colorbok with scraps and added some sewing with the help from my Singer. 

Enjoy.

 

 
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