[Scrapperday: A Mother's Love]

I have been adding to my daughter's scrapbook lately. I suppose I have been in a "scrapbooking mood". And I love it when that happens! I wanted to do something simple that still displayed how much I love her. I am hoping she will one day appreciate when she's older. :0)

Anyways, I was running out of ideas so I popped over to KWerner Designs for a little inspiration. She is starting a new "Basic Inspirations Class" for Basic Grey on her blog and at basicgrey.com. And, of course, a video tutorial is included!

I loved the style of this page and wanted to mimic it yet still make it my own. Here's is how my page turned out:

I wanted to stick with 4 basic colors: red, brown, black, & white. I am still trying to figure out the words to say in my little journal entry and a special photo to go with it. But I figured I would at least share with you a template for this page style. If you would like to make your own scrapbook page similar to these styles, please check out this video to follow her simple step-by-step instructions.

I will be linking this up to these fun linky parties.

[Jen]

[Framed Friday: Sweet Memories Frame by Katie's Nesting Spot]

The other day I was completely inspired by Katie at Katie's Nesting Spot blog. She posted about her "Sweet Memories" frame that she made/embellished.

Isn't it just adorable?!! Perfect to go in a little girls room! She explains how she made it here. Go check it out, and you might be inspired to decorate a frame too! :0)

I really like the embellishments she chose. They add lots of style and character. Bottle caps, charms, chipboard letters, and ribbon...you can never go wrong!

Happy Framed Friday! And be sure to go visit Katie's Nesting Spot! You'll be glad you did! :0)

[Jen]

Lovely Blog Award!

Last Friday I received a One Lovely Blog Award from Maryanne at Scrappy Gifts. I was so thrilled to receive this "lovely" award! :0) Thank you so much Maryanne for giving me this award!! Such an honor!

The rules for this award are as follows:

•thank and link back to the person that gave you the award. (above)

•share 7 things about yourself. (below)

•pass the award to at least 4 fellow bloggers that inspire you. (below)

•let them know about the award.

Here are 7 things about me:

1. I am right-handed. I basically think my left hand is there purely for decoration. :0)
2. I am currently obsessed with chocolate wine. If you haven't tried it and you love chocolate and wine, I highly suggest you try it. You'll love it!
3. My favorite flower is daisy. Don't you think they are the friendliest flowers??
4. I will not wear open-toe shoes unless my toenails are painted.
5. I collect gift bags and tissue paper. Anytime someone gives me a gift, I will keep the gift bag AND the tissue paper. It's saved me a ton of money and less stress on having to go out a buy these items when I am giving someone a gift!
6. I have never and probably will never be good at sports. Just a fact of life.
7. And finally, I am going to start selling handmade frames on Etsy.com on Sept. 1st! Betcha didn't know that one! :0)

4 Lovely Bloggers:

1. Buttons & Bling
2. C.R.A.F.T.
3. Lisa E Design Blog
4. Something To Do

[Jen]

[Motivational Monday: Using Pegboards in Creative Ways]

(courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Pegboards: not just to hold random tools in the garage. Lately I've been seeing more and more non-traditional uses of pegboards around the home. I love pegboards because they do multiple things. They added instant order to everyday items, add a sort of functioning style, can be displayed as artwork (if arranged creatively)...the list goes on. Just like on the movie Sweet Home Alabama, "Oprah calls it multi-tasking." :0)

Here are some creative uses of pegboards in various rooms: (courtesy of Real Simple)

[Pegboards are perfect for any home office or craft room. You never lose your favorite pair of scissors again! I love how this one is painted a bright orange on a pale blue wall. Immediately draws the eye towards the organized work of art.]

[What better way to keep your closet neat and tidy with all of your vital accesories organized on a pegboard. This keeps everything at your fingertips when your dashing out the door. And it gives a whole new meaning for the old saying "a place for everything, and everything in it's place."]

[The laundry room is probably one of the most used rooms in the house. Yet somehow it always gets neglected and labeled as the "you don't wanna go in there" rooms. But a pegboard can totally change all of that! By using shelves to hold the detergents and attaching cups to hold small miscellaneous household items on the pegboard, you instantly create order in functionality to a once neglected room.]

[I am so in love with this pegboard inside the frame. It's perfect to use as a bulliton board to your child's room. And it's much better than rummaging through closets and drawers to search for the her favorite necklace or his favorite pair of headphones for his iPod. I love it how this is checkered with dry-erase boards. How chic!]

Okay, so now I am totally pumped into getting a pegboard and adding it to those messy spots in my house. I hope this has motivated you as well. Or at least given you some eye candy. :0)

[Jen]

Blog Awards

[Thank you Heather at Straight Stitches!]

[Thank you Maryanne at Scrappy Gifts!]

[Thank you Maryanne at Scrappy Gifts!]

[Thank you Heather at Straight Stitches!]

[Thank you Lyssa at Born-Again Crafter!]

[Jen]

Songs on Sunday

Since many of you shared with me your favorite songs, I wanted to highlight and compile a list of those songs and some other songs that I love as well. I am always on the lookout for some great songs to download and add to my library. I hope that you find this informative as well. :0)

• "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
• "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield
• "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
• "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by Rolling Stones
• "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem ft. Rihanna
• "Gimme That Girl" by Joe Nichols
• "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert
• "Pardon Me" by Incubus
• "Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse
• "Cooler Than Me" by Mike Posner
• "New Soul" by Yael Naim*
• "P.S. I Love You" by Nellie McKay*
• "Beautiful Life" by Fisher*
• "Sweet Pea" by Amos Lee*
• "Let it Be Me" by Ray LaMontagne*

*added by me :0)

Thank you all for sharing your favorite songs! I am definitely adding some of them to my library!

For those of you who didn't share, what's your favorite song?

[Jen]

[Scrapperday: Snowman Cards]

This week I was again inspired by Kristina Werner at her KWerner Designs blog. You've seen me talk about her many times before because I believe she really has a great eye for card-making. I was taking a look back at her holiday card series from 2009 and was inspired to make a card. Blame it on Christmas in...August?

You can check out her how-to video here to make your own cute little snowman card. Happy Scrapperday! :0)

I will be linking this up to these fabulous linky parties. You should come party with us!

[Jen]

BIG Announcement and a Winner!!

Happy Friday everyone! I have a big announcement and a winner of the iTunes gift card! First, let me tell you the big announcement (even though I know you will probably just scroll down to find out if you won or not). :0)

My big announcement is that [Frame Fanatic] will start selling my handmade frames on Etsy.com on Sept. 1st!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am! I have been diligently working on my frames this past week (hence the reason for the lack of posting...sorry about that). Anyways, I wanted you to be the first to know since you all have given me the courage to start my own frame-selling business. So thank you!!

Okay, back to the giveaway winner. Out of 20 entries, via random.org, the winner of the $10 iTunes gift card is............

# 7 - Christine who said: "I follow you-great giveaway!"

Congratulations Christine!! Please email me your info to redeem your prize!

And thank you to all of you who entered my giveaway! If I could, I would let you all be winners. Maybe someday... :0)

[Jen]

REMINDER: iTunes Gift Card Giveaway ends TOMORROW!!

Just wanted to remind everyone to enter my iTunes gift card giveaway, if you haven't already! You have until 12am PST tomorrow to enter!! I will announce the winner tomorrow, so keep your eyes, ears, etc. posted! :0)

Click here to enter! Good luck!

[Jen]

[Motivational Monday: 2nd Story Walk-Out Decks]

I know what you're thinking. "2nd story walk-out deck?? Isn't that called a balcony?" That's exactly what I thought too. But my husband informed me that a deck is grounded by beams, and a balcony is self-sustaining without any beams to support it. I am sure you all were dying to know this little tid bit of info. :0) Anyways, we are planning on adding this 2nd story walk-out deck to our home. It's going to be a little private deck that is only accessible from our master bedroom. Here's the plan:

Just a small private balcony...I mean, 2nd story walk-out deck. :0) It will be nice being able to have a quiet breakfast out there or just to sit and relax.

Here are some examples of 2nd story decks that other people have done. Sorry...I cannot remember where I got all these pictures. Just being saving them in my motivational files.

[I like this one. Not quite like ours is going to be since it won't wrap around the back of the house.]

[Ahh...wouldn't it be nice to be able to walk out on the deck to see a nice pool below? Bliss...]

[I like the idea of having an indoor porch on the 1st level. We might add that years down the road. It's a building process (pun intended).]

[I like how tall the railing is on this one. But we won't put a staircase on the side of the deck. We have a rope ladder in case there's a fire or anything. Safety first!]

[Here are the french doors that we purchased for the deck. (Sorry for the picture quality. My husband took it with his camera phone in the garage.) I think it will look nice on the deck and in our master bedroom.]

All of this construction will take place when the weather gets a little cooler. Like maybe in October. Don't want my husband to get to hot building the deck! But it's an exciting addition that we look forward to having for many years. :0)

[Jen]

[Scrapperday: Cupcake Card]

This week I was inspired to make a birthday cupcake card. I received a weekly newsletter email from Michael's and saw an adorable card. I have always loved the use of repetition in cards. It's so simple yet very chic. Plus I already had this cupcake punch by Martha Stewart that I used for my daughter's first birthday party invitations.

Materials used in the card I made:

• 
  
  6 x 12 white cardstock
• 
  
  5 1/4 x 4 1/4 putty cardstock
• 
  
  5 1/2 x 4 1/2 light pink cardstock
• 
  
  pieces of scrapbook paper in various colors
• 
  
  permanent glue runner
• 
  
  small foam adhesives
• 
  
  Martha Stewart cupcake punch
• 
  
  hole punch
• 
  
  scalloped edge scissors
• 
  
  light green satin ribbon
• 
  
  white gel pen
• 
  
  embossing pad, silver embossing powder, & heat embossing tool (optional)

Directions:

1. 
   
   Fold 6 x 12 white cardstock in half and score it so that the finished size is a 6x6 square. Cut the bottom-front of the card with scalloped scissors.
2. 
   
   Adhere the pink cardstock to the top-front of the card with glue runner. Then, adhere the putty cardstock in the center of the pink cardstock, leaving about 1/16" of the pink showing.
3. 
   
   Punch about 12 cupcakes out of various patterned scrapbook paper. You can emboss one cupcake that you want to stand out, if desired.
4. 
   
   Arrange the cupcakes on the cardstock as shown and adhere all with glue except one on the second row.
5. 
   
   Place foam adhesives on the remaining cupcake.
6. 
   
   Using a white gel pen, write "happy birthday" below the cupcakes.
7. 
   
   Hole punch 6 holes in a row at the bottom of the card.
8. 
   
   Thread ribbon through the first hole and tie a knot so that it shows in the front of the card. Then continue threading the ribbon through the holes. Tie another knot at the other end of the card like you did earlier. Voila!

I will be linking up to these parties.
Happy Scrapperday! :0)

[Jen]

Time for another GIVEAWAY! I have 100+ followers!!

I can't believe that less than a month after reaching 50+ followers I would be celebrating having 100+ followers! I am so thrilled!! And I can only hope that I can inspire many more followers in the future. :0)

For this giveaway I decided to do something easy that I hope everyone would like to have. Something that versatile enough to use. So I am giving away a $10 iTunes gift card! Okay, I know it's not much, but hey, it's free money! :0) Even if you don't have an ipod, iphone, ipad, etc., you can still it towards buying music, movies, etc. on your PC. Just download iTunes here, and you're good to go!

Rules for entering the giveaway:

1. Follow my blog, and leave a comment that you are a follower.
2. Bonus entry: leave a separate comment telling me your favorite song.

You have until 12am PST on Friday, August 20th. The winner will be chosen at random.org and will be announced on Friday, August 20th. Good luck!!

[Jen]

Heads up! I'll be hosting a giveaway TOMORROW!

Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you all. I've just been super busy making frames and getting things ready to start my etsy shop. So excited!

Anyways, I wanted to let you know that I will be hosting a giveaway tomorrow to celebrate reaching 100+ followers!! [squeal!] I cannot believe it! So stay tuned tomorrow to enter my giveaway! :0)

[Jen]

[Scrapperday: More Fun with Cards]

Whew! For a second there, I thought I wasn't going to post this on time! Anyways, Happy Scrapperday! I just wanted to share with you a few cards I made. All of them were inspirations from Kristina Werner at KWerner Designs. If you haven't checked out her blog, I suggest you go there immediately (after you finish reading my post, of course!). She has TONS of card-making/scrapbooking ideas. So inspirational!

[Okay, so here's a card that I made for my grandfather (a.k.a. "Pappaw"). I am planning on giving it to him for his birthday. He will be 87 this month! He is the only living great-grandparent my daughter has, so I guess you could say he's pretty special.]

[This is a card I am planning on giving my nephew for his 3rd birthday. It's bright and colorful...right down his alley!]

[And, finally, this is just a simple thank you card. I like to make these occasionally so I can have them handy when an unexpected gift, gesture, etc. arrives. I embossed the "thank you" stamp (I love embossing!) and added some embroidery thread for a final touch.]

I will be linking up to these parties.

See you all on Monday! :0)

[Jen]

[Motivational Monday: The school year is upon us!]

With back-to-school being just around the corner, it's time to declutter and organize your home. With all the chaos that comes when kids go back to school, you'll be glad that you started off the year right. Now everyone, get in line in an orderly fashion! And prepare to be motivated! :0)

[Do you have a junk drawer? I know I have at least 3 of them! But here is a simple way to give everything in that drawer a home: drawer organizers. They are excellent for keeping small objects in order, such as keys, paper clips, tape, etc. Wouldn't this be much better than wasting time trying to locate these items?]

[Wicker baskets are perfect for storing miscellaneous items. They are naturally eye-appealing and offer instant order in any room. In this room they are neatly placed on the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, which is also a great way to add vertical storage.]

[Wouldn't you love a pantry like this? Especially during the school year, when the pantry is one of the most used rooms in the house with all of the lunches and after-school snacks. Adding shelves on the inside of a door utilizes every inch of this space. Perfect for storing those easy-to-grab items for the kids.]

[Trays demand instant order to any room. You can place a variety of items on it, and it will automatically add that aesthetic appeal. As you can see here, it looks lovely on a bathroom counter holding towels, flowers, and necessary toiletries. Also, a small stool does double duty as a towel-holder and a decorative seat. To learn how to fold towels like the ones shown here, visit my tutorial here.]

[via House Beautiful]

[Jen]