lindaalbrecht

Somebody's having a birthday with prizes!

Hello everyone.  Yep, that's right there's a party going on right now to celebrate Shimmerz Paints birthday.  They will be giving away a prize valued at $80.00...a prize loaded with Shimmerz products!

Here is what you have to do:

 You may  have arrived here from Lila Holgate's Blog then you are on your way. If you haven't, then you will want to go back and start at the Shimmerz Blog to go in the correct
order. Each design team member will be posting a birthday project using Shimmerz and as you visit each blog you will need to write down the word that they give you which will form a phrase.  Once you have the phrase figured out and have commented on each team members blog you will send an email with your completed phrase to shimmerzpaints@live.com. 

Here is my project!
 I made a shimmery birthday cake gift holder.  Both of the boxes open and give you a place to rest a gift for someone special.  Remember to click on the photos for a close up look at the sparkle!

 
I sprayed all of the flowers(which were originally white or off white) with Shimmerz Spritz.  Some were sprayed with "Bed of Roses" spritz and some with "Truffle".  Or sometimes both!  The Truffle color adds a bit of an antique look once it's dry.  The blue flowers were colored with "December Sky" Blingz.  I even added a bit more shimmer with the "Baby's Breath" Spritz to a few of the lighter colored flowers. 
 
The tag sticker was sprayed with "Baby's Breath" Spritz and so were the completed  cake boxes.  So pretty!   The beautiful papers, sticker, and gems are by Melissa Frances.

So, here is my word that you'll need to complete the phrase:     YOU 

Now go to Melissa Bove's Blog for the next word. 

Have a great time on the Shimmerz Birthday Blog Hop!!
Linda

I know, I know...

It's been a MONTH??!!  Times like this really remind me to be amazed at all of the women who hold down a full time job plus they get everything done at home and now with this new season, do all of those extra's outside.  Me?  Well, I'm really bad at keeping up with it all. :-(  Hopefully someone is out there still!

I haven't forgotten that I promised a Give Away.  Actually, I feel so bad that I've been gone so long that I've decided to give away 2 things.  So we pulled 2 names from the last post.

Suzelle Kasaian- You are the winner of the "Follow your Heart" butterfly and...

Jolene Eborn- I'm sending you the "Do Much Good" piece from THIS POST.  

Thanks so much to all of you that comment and say such nice things.  I wish that I could give something to each and every one of you!  Suzelle and Jolene, please email me with your mailing address. :-)

Okay, so I have a few things to share.  Even though it feels like I've only been planting flowers and sneezing from allergies, I did accomplish some paper crafting.  First, a couple of layouts.
  Lots of Making Memories stuff on this one, plus a cool piece of Jenni Bowlin houndstooth paper and a Creative Cafe cardstock border.  Oh, and of course my favorite, BasicGrey red paper-- just perfect for any layout.  
 Love those MM Hullabaloo chipboard letters and that cute Maya Road bird rub on.

 This layout is so me.  Melissa Frances has the perfect papers for my style-- and not just papers, but this layout also features my all time favorite stamps from Melissa, the floral "Summer Breeze" crystal clear stamps.  Just crazy about these.  I uses Colorbox fluid chalk inkpads for a nice soft look.  I stamped directly onto the background paper, but also did some on a separate piece of ivory colored cardstock then hand cut them out and used pop dots to raise them off of the page.
   
Last month I was asked to be a guest designer for Making Handmade Cards.com , a printable card making shop.  Stop by and take a look at what they have to offer for saving money on your cardmaking supplies.  Here are a couple of cards that I made for them.
  

 
Next, I have a Shimmerz project... you know, those shimmery, glittery, and fun paints that are great for everything from cards to scrapbook pages.  I love glitter and sparkle, but sometimes the mess is overwhelming.  Well, the Shimmerz paints add sparkle without the mess.  Plus now they have a Spritz.  I used "Baby's Breath" Spritz for the base on this next project.
 This is a Melissa Frances  small hinged album that I painted white, stamped with her "Baroque" stamp set then sprayed with the Shimmerz Spritz.  The resin applique flower piece is also sprayed with Spritz, but for this I used the "Bed of Roses" and "Truffle" colors.  The Truffle color is brownish, so when sprayed on top of the pink "Bed of Roses" color it sort of antiqued it.  I love how settles in the crevices of the resin piece and makes it look like I did a lot of shading to make it look that way, but I didn't.  I just sprayed on the Spritz!
 

One last thing!  a wonderfu lady and awesome scrapbooker named Angelia Wigginton has a new Memory Makers book that has released and you can find it HERE!  Angelia asked me and several others to be a part of the book.  I can't wait to see it because I know with Angelia in charge it will be wonderful.  Here is one of my layouts that is in the book.
 
Well, that's it for now.  Thanks so much for stopping in and saying hello.  I'll try to be back much sooner than last time.  Cross your fingers!!

Love to all,
Linda   

Calling all mothers!

I just want to send best wishes out to all of the wonderful women who visit here,  for a very happy "Mother's Day".  May you always feel special and loved because you are the best thing to ever happen to a child.  Wonderful mother's are the thread that hold a family together and raise little people to become awesome big people.

In honor of Mother's Day I want to offer up this Giveaway!!!!
 I made this piece of art for Cut Cardstock.  They have beautiful shimmery card stock paper that you can buy online HERE.  
 
 It is made out of recycled cardboard and chipboard and  those pretty Cut Card Stock papers in Fairway, Lagoon, Bronze, and Opal colors.  I also added a Melissa Frances resin Keyhole and pink paper rosebuds.  The sentiment , "Follow Your Heart"  is a reminder to do all that makes your heart swell.  Perfect for every special mom out there.

I also did two other projects for the Cut Card Stock Blog.
 
 A little "Mother's Day Gift container" and the "Bliss Garland" below.

 
 
One more project to share which will be available in June at The Scrappy Gourmet.  A Maya Road box with cards made into a "Garden Journal".
  

 
If you're like me you forget what your favorite flowers did last summer, so this little journal will help me to remember to record my thoughts.  Then I won't buy the same flower that disappointed me, next year.  Or I can plant the combinations that I liked best in certain areas of the garden, plus add a few photos of them.

I used the new Melissa Frances collection called "Fresh Twist" and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites-- such classic prints but with a fresh punch of colors.  Oh, and I love love the "Matilda Notebook" paper from Melissa .  Just a great filler for so many projects.

Okay, so comment on this post if you like the "Follow Your Heart" piece and want a chance to win it.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Love,
Linda :-)  

Fun Friday

There's just something about Friday's-- that anticipation of looking forward to the weekend.  I love weekends.  Even though I don't have a "real" job outside of my home, I like what the weekends bring.  Everybody home and working together, down time when we can watch a movie or stay up late,  planning Sunday dinner, that kind of stuff.

I feel like I accomplished some good things this week.  Checked some things off of my to do list--that always feels good.  Now only four more things to check off for the month of April (creative stuff.)  That doesn't include house stuff, like washing windows and working on the flower beds, but it will all get done if I keep going.  At least the weather and the spring sunshine is giving me some extra energy these days. :-)

Creative stuff.....
here's a little Melissa Frances and  Shimmerz project.  The combination makes for some lovely art.  
  

 
 
I used one of my favorite papers from Melissa Frances called Dawn.  Pretty little rose buds on a distressed background.  The flowers and leaves are also from Melissa and are Crystal Clear Stamps that I used on cardstock.  I applied acrylic paints and Shimmerz "Pink Poinsettia" directly to the stamp then onto the paper.  Everything that sparkles (flower, background, stamped images, twigs)were all given the Shimmerz treatment.  It's an awesome little product, that's for sure!

So, what are your weekend plans?  Sometime fun and rejuvinating, I hope.  I might shop for a few flowers to fancy up my empty garden planters.  Makes me smile thinking about flowers and gardens :-)

Enjoy every little moment and all of the simple things,
Linda

Life is good

The sun is shining and we are going to blaze past 60 degrees today because it is already 53 at 10:00 am.  So exciting!  I want to bring out the cushions for the lawn furniture, but I'm almost afraid that I'll jinx this nice weather spell. 

I even saw buds on the trees and bushes this morning when I went out to the backyard to gather some twigs for one of my projects.  Finally... spring is going to force it's way into MN...let's hope that it stays!

So many things are in the works these days.  Too many to mention and some that I can't share, but believe me I have been busy.  

I want to share a few new ways to use the bird pattern that I gave to everyone who asked for it from This Post . I made  them for Valentine's day, but really you can do them up in lots of ways to use them throughout the year.  (ETA: feel free ask for the pattern in your comment and I will email it out asap!)

Here's one idea (and my favorite for today.) 
    
I used a Melissa Frances Vintage photo frame that I covered with patterned papers.  Then I layered some fabric and batting together and stitched up the outside edges.  Next I added the trims, buttons, bird(that I made from my bird pattern) and some twigs and artificial greens and flower.  Of course there is also a glittery Melissa Frances chipboard heart and a white feather.
 Notice for the birds wing and tail this time I used some window screening.  If you'd like to do this to your bird pattern also, just cut out the wings and tail pieces from both the fabric and the screening.  Glue them together then apply a heavily coated paintbrush of white paint.  I also sewed the unbleached muslin fabric bird together then painted on a ight coat of white just to stiffen him up and make him look more like a heavy canvas.  As usual, a light brown inkpad was used to distress him up a bit.
  I just love this little door hanging...so springy and whimsical.

Here are a couple of other ideas for using the bird pattern:
  
 All papers and tags on these 2 are Melissa Frances.
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 Anybody for some dessert?  We had such yummy choices at my sister Cheri's house on Easter sunday.   Our little Becky (my son Cole's girlfriend) opted for the Strawberry dessert, but my favorite was the Chocolate Almond Pie.....
 OH. MY. GOSH.  Incredible..... and amazing..... and my sister says it's easy to make so I snagged the recipe from her.  Here it is....Enjoy!!

"Chocolate Almond Pie"
20 large marshmallows
4- 1.5 ounce Hershey chocolate almond bars
1/2 cup milk
1 & 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1- 9" pie crust, prepared

Melt marshmallows, milk and candy bars over low heat.  Remove from heat and cool. Whip the heavy cream with vanilla and almond extracts until stiff.  Fold into the cooled chocolate mixture.  Pour into prepared crust.  Top with additional whipped cream and garnish with slivered toasted almonds and chocolate powder. 
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 Life is short... eat dessert! ;-) :-)

 My sister Terri's famous sugar cookies.  THE BEST EVER... and look how they sparkle.

Okay, I am going to go outside now to check out the perennials.  I bet that they are working on reaching for the warm sunshine that we have been blessed with today.  Crossing my fingers!!

Enjoy your day!
Linda

Creative souls

I know that you're out there and I know that you understand how we creative souls are.  We never have just one passion for creating.  It's always several... and we are easily distracted by something new, fresh and exciting. 

So, that's me this month.  I have been involved in so many different projects... painting and more painting, freshening up the winter space into the spring place, meeting up with friends, rejuvenating a new nest for my daughter, browsing decorating blogs and imagining what the new fabric I bought will look like for my completed project.

If I don't make a list these days, I forget what I just wanted to do.  OCD is definitely a part of my days and my obsessions are many.  My brain can hardly keep up with my hands. 

So, you understand, right?   I knew you would.

I have just one little project to share that I thought was so simple and fresh and spring like that you might want to make some for yourself.

 All that you need is a couple of old frames (or new discounted one's), a favorite scrapbook paper, some paint in your favorite color (mine is always "white" for my decor), some little bird nests that you find at a craft store and artificial eggs to fit in your nests. 

My frames were both stained a dark brown and I purchased them at TJ Maxx for a couple of dollars each.  I painted them white then when dry added a dark brown watered down paint to the cracks and crevices.  Quickly wipe off the excess brown paint from the surface but leave it in some of the negative spaces.

I then took a small paint brush and applied a few black spots to give them a more distressed look.

You will not need to use the glass for the frames but can use it as a template for your paper size.  I used a nice heavy cardstock paper so I didn't need to back it with anything, but you could use chipboard to back it with for a bit more strength.  Insert the paper into the frame and add the easel back.

Next use hot glue to add your nest to the center of the frame.  I added some artificial greens and twigs to each nest before gluing the eggs into the centers.

So easy and quick, but very trendy and sweet :-)
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The other thing that I need to post is the winner of my blog giveaway from the last entry.  The name drawn for the giveaway was:

Donna M ,  posted on March 08, 2009 @ 2:01 pm. 
(Please email me with your street address so that you can have your favorite project shipped to you asap!)

Thanks to everyone else who posted such nice comments.  I haven't taken the time to email each of you for awhile now, but know that I appreciate the time that you take to comment.  I read each and every one!

Now I am off because my OCD is kicking in again.  I'll be back much sooner than last time as I have a few more thing almost ready for sharing.  Until then....
 
remember to take the time to enjoy the many gifts of spring.
Linda 

A good dose of Spring

Yes, we are going to talk Spring today.  Talk, think, breathe, anticipate.   This post will surely make you want it as much as I do... if you aren't already experiencing it.  Here in MN we get little tastes of Spring and then winter comes  back with a vengence.

First off I have to share this  little idea that I found at the Martha Stewart website.  
 Could this little project be any sweeter?  I love this idea.  Real egg shells in pretty pastel colors filled with candles for the Easter dinner table.  Such a simple yet fun idea.   I'll let you know if I make some-- and if you want the instructions, just click on Martha's name above and it'll take you directly to the page.  So fun.

Okay, so I've been into working with clay lately.  It's easy and sort of soothes my tense little brain.  Here are 2 projects that I added some small clay creations to.

  

This paper mache egg was made using a premade egg that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.  I cut a hole in the center front-- added paint, Melissa Frances polka dot paper (that I made into a ruffley ribbon) silver tinsel, and glitters.  The little "Spring" sign inside the egg is made from one of Melissa's  white resin appliques.

I added some shimmer to the painted dots, clay bird, and eggs with Shimmerz paints.  These paints are just awesome.  They put a finish on items that looks so professional.  I even colored the flower on the top of the egg with a pink Shimmerz paint (it used to be ivory colored.)

This spring party bird sits atop a whole buch of Melissa Frances stuff.  The papers, resin, rub on phrase, silk flowers, and the postcard on the front are all included in her collections.  Those postcards are one of my favorite things.

Another Melissa Frances project that uses her new paper collection called Fresh Twist.  I used one of her paper mache photo album boxes, velvet ribbon,  and some glitters.  The vintage bunny image was downloaded from The Vintage Moth... thank you Abbie for all of the free  images that you share ! :-)

I have several other projects to share, but I need to photograph them.  There seems to be lots going on right now and I'm kind of behind, because we were sick here.  Then when we thought that we were better it came back and kept hanging on.... and on.

Since I feel like sharing something too, I will do a giveaway from this post.  It will be a surprise!!!!  So make a comment here to participate in a chance to win one of the above projects.  You have to tell me which one is your favorite when you post your comment.  Right now, I think that my favorite is the paper mache "Spring Egg"-- with the "Spring Party Bird" box coming in a close 2nd.

Be back very soon with the winner's name and some more new projects!

And just because I love this image.....


Lovely thoughts,
Linda

Just post something already!

I had to make myself do this today.  I mean, why have a blog if you don't post, right?

I have this problem that I like to plan something specific for each post.  For 2 weeks I've wanted to do this spring project and it has just not gotten done, so therefore I put off blogging.  So, I give up on that one.... for now.

But I do have some layouts to share that I did for a guest designer spot at CherryArte.  They sent me their new release called "Suite 8".  Oh, the rub ons with this collection are so fun-- and they go on like butter.  So smooth and easy.

    
 
   
 
 These two layouts feature the "Seasons" line.  I love the bright, fun colors and designs.  I used some of their rub ons and added some machine stitches too. 

On the "New Discoveries" layout I also added some embroidered french knots and lazy daisy stitches.  I enjoy embroidering on my layouts while I sit and watch TV at night.  Makes me feel like I'm not being lazy. ;-)

 

 I applied some Stickles glitter glue to the cut out pieces and chipboard on this layout.  And, look at those cute polka dotted rub ons!  Love them. 

Well, that's all that I've got for now.  So many new things swimming around in my head... I just have to get them done.  Maybe I've spent too much time on the internet enjoying others work. 

Speaking of that, you have to check out this person's photography and images for sale.  Her name is Alicia Bock and her Etsy shop is here:  Alicia Bock.  OH. MY. WORD.  Her stuff is amazing and such lovely eye candy.  I want all of her floral images... don't know where I'd put them all, but I know that I'd be so happy whenever I looked at them.  

I promise to be back soon with my spring project.  No more procrastinating-- it's time to get something done.  Besides, we have a snow storm on it's way and I may need a little spring in my life.

Blessings to all,
Linda 

What a week

Last week had me overwhelmed.  Early in the week I felt like I was always doing something, but not really accomplishing anything.  It held good things and sad things.  I look back now and realize that I need to make more room for changes that bring good things.  Changes that will be more uplifting and help me to handle the things in life that can get you down.

What should I start with? 

Let's get the bad thing over with because honestly, I've already spent too many hours dwelling on it.  I think of  it and I feel like crying (although I only cried once last week over it)...but thinking of it brings back all of the crummy emotions again.

Sometimes the things that get us down in life are really little things.  Small in the grand scheme of the troubles of the world, but all of my fellow creative friends will understand the hugeness of this small thing to me.

On January 20th, I shipped off a big box of my work to the CHA Winter show.  There were 15 projects in that box.  I was so happy with the results of my efforts.  Never mind the hours that I put into them, or the staying up until 2 a.m. just to finish one last thing before the two deadlines that we had. 

So, the box is scheduled to arrive on January 22 in California--one day before the lovely ladies at the Melissa Frances booth needed them.  You know where this is going, right?

You guessed it.  The box never arrives in time for the show.  I check several times a day on the internet site to track my box.  I call California, I call where I shipped it from here in MN.  I go to confront them;-)   I call the hotel in California several times and talk to some poor clerk at the front desk , who I get to speak to several times throughout this whole ordeal (bless his heart for putting up with my random calls.)

The show started on Sunday the 25th and went through Wednesday the 28th.  I. CALL. EVERY SINGLE. DAY. -- starting 2 days before the show starts.  I search the internet, I talk to random people daily.  Everyone is nice and apologetic, but nothing can be found. 

Finally on the last day of the show, I give up. 

I'm so sad... and I think the worst part is that I feel like I let Melissa Frances down.  Not that the world will stop spinning  without my projects in her booth, but I've let someone down.  Didn't meet up to their expectations...and worse yet... I have no control over the situation.  :-(  Did I mention that I was sad?!!

So my friend Gayle,  reminded me to "Breathe"...

...and she took me to a place called "Cornerstone Wellness Center" and made me exercise.  Made me lift weights, ride bike, work the elliptical and the treadmill.  Out with the bad and in with the good.  Breathe, breathe, breathe!

I feel sooooooo much better.  It didn't make the lost box situation go away, but it moved my energy to a better place.  THIS was a good thing that happened to me... thank goodness for friends and for positive energy and thinking.

"Friends are angels here on earth."
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Let's talk about this past Saturday.  Oh my gosh.. it was amazing here in MN.  Almost 50 degrees--in January!  So I cracked open a couple of windows and cleaned until after 7 pm.  I took down every bit of winter that I could find in the house and added something to encourage Spring. 

I love these daffodils. 
 
A fresh white little vinette for the bathroom.  :-)
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How about a look at the CHA projects that I did for BasicGrey?  
A Spring cone made from the new Wisteria collection.  Pretty purples and greens.  It was so fun to work with.
 A Valentine's Day angel made with Bittersweet papers, cardstock stickers, and chipboard.  She is made from paper mache and clay.  I even made the little roses for her dress from paper.  Look how she sparkles!   
Then there is this happy project made from their Lime Rickey collection .  I mimicked the funny birds on one of the papers and added them to the top of collector boxes that say "Live, laugh, love".  This line will be so great for kids pages.
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Another product line to share...
from Creative Cafe.  More of their pretty flocked papers made into a gift box and candy container.  
   

   These projects also feature the Creative Cafe stamps by Hampton Art.  Awesome, awesome clear stamps.  Plus, I used the AccuCut diecutting machine to cut out the pieces for these projects.   

I also did this shabby heritage layout using the "Photos" stamp set from Hampton Art and lots of  Creative Cafe chipboard shapes.  
 
Whew!  I had a lot to share today!  There is plenty more to follow soon, I just need to take a breath.  

Oh, and I almost forgot that there was a bit of a happy ending to my lost box story.  It finally showed up -- just in time to head back to Canada with Melissa Frances.  I shared a few of my projects that were shipped to CHA in my previous post, but here is one more in honor of  the resurrection of the box ;-)
  One of the new diecut papers with tiny pink polka dots and the new Girl Chipboard Flash cards.  That photo is of my daughter--almost 28 years ago (her birthday is in 3 days!) and she is wearing a little yellow dress from her great grandma and a gold locket from my friend Gayle, the one who saved me last week.  

Here's a good look at those Flashcards.  I mean, how cute are these?

There is always so much to do and so little time, but I'll be back soon with more to share.  My best advice for now... "breathe....just breathe".

Love to all,
Linda

 

 

Bad, bad Typepad....

grrrr.... okay I'm going to try this one. more. time.  Typepad is not playing nice today, so I am hoping that I get through this without it freezing up for the third time.  I am not really liking their new "improvements" right now ;-)  Enough idle chit chat--no room for that when Typepad is being naughty!

So, how is everyone?  I have been busy, busy working with new product samples for the CHA show that starts this coming weekend.  There are always last minute things to make and ship off, but I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Here is a fun bit of flocked paper from Creative Cafe and guess what... it is available right now at Two Peas In a Bucket.  
  
I love the colors and the soft white of the flocking.  The photos are of my little Jessi on her 2nd birthday, 25 years ago.  Sweet memories...

All of the supplies on this are from Creative Cafe and Two Peas has a lot of it in stock.  I love those new flower shaped buttons and that big glitter word.  Makes for putting together a layout quickly. 

If you would like to have a chance to WIN some of the new Creative Cafe products, head on over to the Creative Cafe blog where there are already several posts on which you can comment for a chance!  They're giving away buttons, glitter papers, flocked papers and more.

Melissa Frances also has some pretty new papers.  The first project showcases some of the new addtions to the "Thankful" line...
  

    
 
This project was so fun and I think my very favorite to create.  I also used the MF White glitter alphas, postcard, and three  Crystal Clear Stamp sets: Baroque, Frame Work, and Imperial Borders.  The detail on the stamps are just incredible and I love to add glitter to the stamped images.  So pretty.

One of the new collections is called "Attic Treasures".  It is perfect for older photos and trying to achieve a vintage look.  This is one of Melissa's paper mache box and album sets:

 
 
Here's a layout with old photos of my sisters and me...
 
Notice the "Alphabet Flash cards".  They have retro images that come in a girl or a boy set and are made from chipboard so they are nice and thick.  I can't wait to use more of these!

And an altered "Photo Shadow Box" with pictures of my maternal grandparents.  Nobody tell, but I just might make a little album for the inside and give it to my mom for Mother's Day. 
 
One more layout of my baby girl using the new round diecut paper by Melissa and those cute Alphabet Flashcards.
 
Thanks for hanging around to see everything.  I have more to share, but will save it for another day.  There's more Melissa Frances, Creative Cafe, and wait until you see the BasicGrey.  Oh my... they were fun to use!

Love,
Linda :-)