Acrylic Frame Dry Erase Board

My last kids' class was yesterday.

I was a little apprehensive about teaching middle school and high school students, but was told they were a good bunch of kids. And they were! I think I was more worried they would deem the projects "lame"...but to my relief they loved them.

Here is what we finished yesterday. It is a dry erase frame for your favorite top 5 list. Here you can see my son's top 5 things he wants to do this summer.
 

Papers: Holiday Red (retired), Star Spangled Blue (retired), White Daisy, Black cardstock

Accessories: Silver Shimmer Trim, Hook and Loop Dots



Because I was on a kind of small budget for these projects, I stopped at just about every Dollar Tree I could to find enough of these cheap acrylic frames.  I also found packs of dry erase markers...which didn't totally work really well, but what did I expect for a $0.33 pen?  So in our house we'll use one of my good markers.

The marker has our small Hook and Loop dots attached on the back at the cap and end of the pen. The pen is attached to the back of the frame when not in use, so it won't ever get lost. Well, the chances of it getting lost are reduced.

This is a fun, cheap project for kids to make on day this summer.  If you ever start hearing the "I'm bored." mantra, try this!

Keeping Cool at the Lake

So after the talk yesterday about all the heat we already have here...it rained in parts of town. Well then Mr. Weatherman...what will today be like I wonder?


Today's layout features photos taken at a family reunion a couple of years ago up in Utah. My brother and I and our kids were coming back from a long dusty hike and we came upon Navajo Lake. Well we couldn't pass up the opportunity for some cooling off!

The kids had fun walking out to the sandbars and throwing big rocks into the lake.  In the end we were all pretty wet but I think we had more fun than the rest of the family back at the cabins!

Fun in the Sun

With a month still to go until the official start of Summer, I'm already dreading anytime I have to step outside my house.

 

And I'm sure the local pool will be a little more than crowded today as they open for the season.  

 

So what better way to avoid that mess for a few days than to scrap some fun summer photos!  Watch the latest, and last, Artbooking series video and see how you can have some fun...without the sun!



 

Really, I'm just trying to save everyone from the pain of a sunburn.

 

 

Making a Splash with Studio J

I signed the boys up for swim team today. Two out of three were excited...and that's a majority, right?  It's already reached into the 100's here and I can't wait for the local pool to open tomorrow!

Last year only one of the boys wanted to be on the team.  It was nice that he had something to call his own but I think having his brothers with him will be good for all of them.  This is a layout I made of Loquacious for his final meet last year.  Our local pool is named Purple Heart and the mascot is the Penguins!
  

They've all requested racing suits and goggles for this year...so they look more professional I guess.
The teams will be posted next week, so I suppose it's time to get some pre-team practice in!

Rediscovering Close To My Heart

After cutting paper all weekend (it seems), I think I'm just about ready for my kids' classes this week. The only thing that concerns me is if they get done before time is up. Then we just sit and stare at each other for the rest of the time?


While I'm making sure I have everything packed up to go, take a look at this Studio J layout I did. In February, I went with some friends and fellow consultants to a Close To My Heart event held in Phoenix.

See the little blinkie on the side of my blog? The one inviting you to Rediscover everything that makes you happy? That is what this whole event was about. And I needed it! Not only did it give me a chance to be with friends I may only see once a year, but I needed to Rediscover what I loved about crafting and CTMH. And these people are on the top of that list!

 

 

Memorial Day Thank You

Good Morning everyone! I hope you're enjoying your long weekend.

Today, we stop and remember those that have given service and sacrifice to our country. Both my grandfathers served in WWII and my father-in-law is retired Navy...so while I don't really count us as a military family, we have been blessed by those in our family that have served. And I say thank you to them all.

Stamps:  My Hero (Hostess Reward only), A Little Thanks (retired), Universal Backgrounds (retired)

Inks: Chocolate, Outdoor Denim

Papers: Huntington paper pack, Colonial White, Outdoor Denim cardstock

Accessories: Durables Studs

Our scout troop is raising money for camp this summer. They have been working hard to gather flag contracts from friends and neighbors. This morning is the first of 5 holidays they will be placing flags in yards to celebrate our country. I'm proud of my scouts!

You've Got a Friend

Good Morning!

After going to bed late last night I didn't expect to wake early today...but I started having little panic attacks about getting my projects cut out for 17 kids later this week! And after a good breakfast of pancakes and fresh strawberries from Engineer...I'm headed into my Closet to clear off a big space to get working.


Have you received your May Stamp of the Month set yet? Watch this quick video featuring this limited edition set and see how to give your cards a fun element in no time.

Free To Be Me

I was headed up to bed just now and had that nagging feeling that I had forgot to do something today. Then it hit me...I hadn't posted anything from my Closet today.

Well...since I've had a perfect score for this month I wasn't about to let that slide! But since I stayed up late to watch a non-existent meteor shower, then held a card class today, then had dinner at the home of Engineer's boss...I'm pretty tired, I have to tell you. So I'll just share some photos of this month's great campaign to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month and call it a night.
 





With a qualifying order of $50, you can receive this limited edition paper pack, Free To Be Me, for only $5.   Imagine all the cute and creative things you can make with this! Stop by my website and get your own before they're gone!



So now I'll sign off and wish you all sweet dreams! 

Crafting Weekend

I have a big weekend ahead. I'm prepping some crafts for several kids' classes I'm teaching next week.

I've never taught middle school and high school kids before...we may all need you to wish us luck!

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Cruisin' Into Summer

Last day of school! Since we have year round school here, our summer break is relatively short.  So we have to cram as much fun and relaxation in six weeks as we can!

camping
swimming
road trips
family
and Convention at Disneyland


To get started with all our summer driving around, I made more PML cards.  This time I used one of my favorite paper packs, Cruisin'.  It has so many fun My Stickease to use!

I hope you all have a great summer!

Do You Have Your PhD?

I came across this today and thought it totally described me!  How about you?

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Photo Printing in Studio J

If you're like my, you tend to take a lot of photos. A lot of photos. So what do you do when you want those photos on your walls? Well, Studio J can help with that, too! I've been showing you Picture My Life cards created using the No Limits pattern in Studio J. You can also use it to make large 12"x12" photos!

I'm using these photos in my stairway gallery...when I ever get around to hanging pictures that is.

There are other sizes of photo sheets available as well. Just choose to use the Express Collections and use the Photo Collections pattern. There are 7 sheets of different size photos you can use.

Have CTMH process your photos along with your Studio J layouts!

Christmas Studio J and Picure My Life cards

Keeping in the same thread of "scrapping out of season", I thought I'd share some more holiday Studio J/PML sets.

I made this Christmas layout a couple of years ago using the Believe paper pack...

And just last month created a coordinating PML page...

Quick and easy...that's why I love Studio J!