lindaalbrecht

Monthly Inspirations

Hello!  Well, it's the new year and as usual there are thoughts to change something for the better.  Or at least work on lifestyle and spiritual improvements.  I had this in mind when I created a little "monthly inspirations" album that I made for the Glue Arts blog.

Daily inspirations are nice... I get some of those in my email and enjoy reading them, but this gives you a whole month of something to ponder and aspire for.  I'm not really good at finishing anything in one day, so this is a better option for me anyway.

I love the little Maya Road business card holder... it was a perfect base for my inspiration pages.  There are 6 chipboard pages-- just perfect for 12 months.  You flip through January to June then turn the base around to finish out the years pages.

The Glue Arts projects were sponsored by Simple Stories.  They have a really fun collection here called "Year-o-graphy".  I used a lot of their cardstock stickers and popped some of them up off the page with Glue Arts U-Cut-It foam.

Of course I used a bunch of Maya Road chipboard pieces, trinket pins& blossoms, and trims.

One of my favorite pages has Maya Road chipboard cars that are on a ric rac road.  I used some Glossy Accents by Ranger to add some depth and shine to the windows.  I used onasburg fabric and some wool felt as a base on some of the pages...and lots of stitches and sandpaper.

The quotes were printed onto a clear transparency sheet then some were backed with a bit of acrylic paint.  There also some Simple Stories color transparency tags layered here and there over patterned papers, fabric and felt.  I love transparencies... they can add so much detail.

Well that's it!  Just a fun little thing to make up and hang out on the desk.  Remember to check the Glue Arts blog daily.  They always give away prizes which include their adhesives and sponsored kits used in our projects.


The winner drawn from my last post is Trudi who commented December 21@ 12:50 pm.  Get in touch with me Trudi and I will send you the Snoball Scene with the polar bear.  Thanks for all that participated and commented.  You rock!

Until next time... when I'll have some new projects to show that I've created for CHA.  Oh oh... all that I can say right now is Maya Road, I love you!! ;-) 

Linda

Hello!  I know that everyone is just as busy as I am, so if you are here to check out this post, thank you for taking a minute.  Are you ready for Christmas?  Not me... I have some last minute shopping to do, a customer photo session to edit today, a photo session with a mom tomorrow that I used to babysit when she was small & now she has a baby girl of her own, and some house cleaning to catch up on, but when it arrives I'm ready... ready or not.

Here are a few Glue Arts projects for today:






I made these Snowball scenes with styrofoam and Mica Flakes.  The animals are made from clay cut out the sahpe of those cute little critter's stamps from Lawn Fawn.  The Happy Winter sentiment came with the "Critter's in the Snow" stamps also. 


I glued the scene onto vitage thread spools that were my Great Aunt Cora's.  I love that I can use some of her old things.  She meant so much to me and my family  and when her daughter gave me some old buttons, hankies and thread spools I squealed with delight!  Simple things are always the best.

There is also some 'can't live without'  products from Maya Road gracing my projects, like the "Antique Gem" Trinket pins, the Chipboard Banner's and the tiny wood spool that's on top of the penguin snowball.  I love Maya Road! 

Go to the Glue Arts Blog to see some simple instructions and step by step photos.  Let me know what your favorite thing about the Snowball Scenes are and I will draw one name from the comments to give away the Polar Bear Snow Scene.  Any takers?  :-)

This project uses wonderful October Afternoon product.  One of my favorites for sure.  I love the retro look... reminds me of when I was a little girl at Christmastime.

The papers, buttons, and trims are from October Afternoon's "Holiday Style" collection.  Again (I love my styrofoam balls!!) a snowman that is sparkled up with clear glitter and Mica Flakes.  Tip:  "Real" Mica Flakes are best for that vintage look.  They are not a true white like some reproduction Mica Flakes.  They are real Mica Flakes gathered up from the rocks of Mother Nature.  Nothing can beat the real thing for the best color and authentic look.




The rolled carrot nose and scarf is cut from Wool Felt that I ordered from "Sweet Emma Jean's" Etsy Shop.  She has the most amazing colors.  You can go to the Glue Arts Blog to see the step by steps and supply list.  The post isn't up yet, but should be sometime this week.  I'm sure there is a giveaway involved, so make sure to comment on their post to win something good!

We are in the middle of a brown Christmas here and it's not looking so good for a white one.  Every tiny little snowfall that we get melts within a few days.  So I guess that making my own version of a snowman and falling snow is what I may only get this year for Christmas.  I'll take it... I'm so glad for the crafting that keeps me content and gives me the opportunity to create my own bit of seasonal magic.

 


Holiday Blessings to all of my readers in blogland! Thank you for always supporting my creative efforts... it's fun to share.  Have the happiest of days ahead with those that you love... take time to be still and listen to the joy that comes with being with family and friends... it's the best sound.  The sound of peace and love.

Linda :-)

Hello December!

We woke up to a fresh layer of snow on the roof tops and ground here in southern MN today.  We had one small snowfall in November, but it had since melted.  This one was a light one too...I'm ready for us to live up to our "Minne-snow-ta" nickname.  Bring on the snow!!

I love everything about the Christmas holiday, especially the creative things that can be made.  There are so many possibilities for Christmas and winter that there is never enough time to make everything!

So here is my first holiday project of the season...

I just love this little angel all decked out in her BasicGrey gown.  She is made from Maya Road Chipboard pieces.  I used one of the "People Chipboard Album- Girl" pages and her wings are from the Snowflake Set.  I painted them white and sparkled them all up with Mica Flakes and rhinestones.

Her dress has details of crocheted lace that I hand stitched on and the glitter line was made easily using Glue Arts "Adhesives Lines".  You just cut to your desired length, rub it on, remove the protective plastic strip, sprinkle on the glitter and you have a perfect line of sparkle.  Check out the Glue Arts Blog for a complete list of supplies and instructions.

The resin star is from Melissa Frances and the silver wreath is made from a couple of pipe cleaners that are wound together.

The base is made from a wood 2x4-- it's about 6" tall.  I added a wood knob to the top of the wood block and topped it with a Melissa Frances rhinestone and some more silver pipe cleaner.

She makes me smile!  Thanks to my dad too for his help in all of the wood projects that I do.  He helped me with THESE skates last year.  And then a long long time ago, we made these together...

So, on to some business... the give away winner drawn from my last post is...
Katherine, posted on November 21, 2011 @ 2:29 pm

Please email me, Katherine and I will be sending you some of the product that I used to create my fall projects and a few of those felt flowers that I made. 

Thanks to everyone for commenting and stopping by for a visit to my blog!  The free pattern/template that I am working on is still in progress so I will share that with you all next time.  Be back soon!

Linda :-)

The last days of Fall

Hello all!  Another week closer to Thanksgiving and we have new snow/ice on the ground.  I'm not quite ready for winter and our Fall has been mild, but now we are off...speeding right into winter and the holiday season.  So much to do always!

Here is another Glue Arts project...

Made from We R Memory Keepers papers... accordion folded strips of paper made to form pinwheels that are held together with Glue Arts Adhesives... a banner to welcome Thanksgiving guests.  So easy.

I like the robin's egg blue color thrown in with the traditional autumn colors.  The embellishments are also from WeR Memory Keepers.


My last fall project for the season is a Fall Tin.  It would be great to fill up with cookies to bring as a hostess gift!  This is made using Imaginisce papers and embellishments.

The owl is made with the Imaginisce's "Fall Friends" Icon Die Cut.  I stitched some felt to the backside and filled it up with stuffing.  Silly little owl looks pretty content sitting in the grapevine wreath topping the container! ;-)

I made some felt flowers to cozy up the nest and tied on a fabric bow topped off with a button.  A few simple instructionsand more photos are over at the Glue Arts Blog.  I also share the recipe for my Great Aunt Cora's famous Gingersnaps at the GA Blog too.  They are a family favorite!  I made a double batch on Wednesday and they are all gone today.  Go HERE for the recipe and leave a comment to have a chance to win a Glue Arts giveaway.



Speaking of giveaways... I have some of the product used on both of these projects to share.  Comment on this post and I'll enter you to win.  I'll even add in a few of the handmade felt flowers that I used on the Fall Tin :-)

Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones and stop by in a week or so to see if you won the giveaway... and I'll have a new winter project and pattern to share too!

Linda

Thank-Full

It's November...yikes!  Hard to believe, but it's fun to see the season's change.  There is always something to be amazed at when you really look at Mother Nature.

I have a simple, little shabby project that will be on the Glue Arts blog tomorrow.  The sponsored manufacturer is "Die Cuts With a View", or DCWV as scrapbookers know them.  This project uses their Lady Couture Paper Stack with Gloss. 


There will be a supply list and some simple instructions up with more photos tomorrow at the Glue Arts blog.  I tried to capture the glossy embossiness of the papers, but it was hard! ;-)



Those chipboard pieces that I used for the project are from Maya Road.  Individual pieces from a couple of their Albums(Keyhole & Home.)  I have to say that if it had not been for the Maya Road chipboard, I was lost on what to make..., so thank you Maya Road for your wonderful product.  Love it all!

The wire trim is made from 20 gauge black wire.  I looped it around a finger then cut to add to the backside of the chipboard with Glue Arts hot glue gun.  I always jab my fingers and end up bleeding when I work with wire, but I think that the effect was worth it.

I want to share a couple of photos of my son, Cole's wedding.  He married the sweetest girl.  We love them both so much!


As you can see, it was very casual... an outdoor ceremony by the lake at Camp Patterson with the reception and dance to follow.  It was lovely and sweet and created a bunch of happiness all around.


I made all of the decorations and the bouquets.  I had a special friend who helped so so much with the flowers too, making the boutineers and helping my sister and another friend with vases for the tables that consisted of zinnia's, dahlia's, billy balls, and cabbage roses.

I bought large lanterns for months and painted them white and distressed them up.  I made fabric pennant banners for the ceiling in the lodge where the dance was held and for the ceremony site and miscellaneous other places.  It was so fun!




They lit sparklers and exited the ceremony to the Johnny Cash song, "Ring of Fire"...  "Love is a burning thing... and it makes a firey ring..."  It was so cute and again, fun!  Their love truly is like a burning ring of fire in so many ways. 

Okay... more creating going on here tonight.  I figure as long as the mess is out I will work on my next assignment.  If you have time to check back in next week, I will be back and I think that it's time for a give away too.  Thanks for stopping by and see you next week!

Linda

 

A couple of October projects

Almost too late, but will share them anyway!  Fall is my favorite time of the year and it seems to be passing all too quickly.  Here are a couple of projects made for Glue Arts this month.

Made with Core dinations textured cardstocks.  I love the sanded and distressed look created with this cardstock.


And you can never go wrong with a bit of Ranger Distress Crackle paint in "Rock Candy" form.  I love it!  There is also some BasicGrey Fabric Posies, Melissa Frances Fall Stickers and chipboard Backdrop piece, and a Maya Road chipboard bird.  I did just a little cutting to make the bird look more like a blackbird...just a little :-)

This countdown chalkboard was soooooo fun to make.  I used a Creative Imaginations clipboard and painted it with chalkboard paint that you can buy at a craft or home improvement store.  Added lots of Authentique patterned papers and elements.

The chipboard banner pieces are Maya Road and so is the tag covered with patterned paper.  Chipboard adds such a nice texture to nay project.  It adds depth and creates interest.

The acrylic spider web stamps are from Tattered Angels that I stamped directly onto the chalkboard then added glitter embossing.

I added wire and staples along one edge to rustic it up a bit and add more texture.  Again, all of the stickers and paper labels are from Authentique.  The glitter used is from Pink Paislee--my favorite!

We are coming upon my very favorite crafting season...


Yep!  Winter and Christmas!!  I actually made this in August, again for Glue Arts using "Paper Smooches" acrylic stamps along with some awesome BasicGrey papers and sticker.

Of course you need to sparkle up those snowmen after stamping and painting in the details... I always use Martha Stewart Fine Clear Glitter for my winter projects.  Goes a long way too.

Well, I no longer have wedding on the brain because my son's wedding was Septmeber 24th.  It was wonderful and sweet and perfect for the two of them.  I will post some photos soon. 

Hopefully now more of my days are open for creating and doing a better job of keeping up with Design Team responsibilities.  That is my goal!  I do have one other tiny, sweet, little thing that may come into play in early March though.  My daughter is having a baby...A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

This little hat is available at " Beautiful Photo Props" and as soon as I know if she is having a boy or a girl, I'm ordering one.  Or maybe I should order now... one pink and one blue so that I'm safe!!  Now don't you all go and buy them up before I can get one;-)

Thanks for stopping by!
Linda