On My Wishlist Wednesday: Christmas Cards

Happy Hump Day!  So, I'm approaching my wishlist a little bit differently this week.  I've been thinking about this season's Christmas cards for the past couple months.  I think I've finally figured out the cards I'll be making.  My major dilemma was wanting a photo card, but also wanting it to have the handmade look.  I finally found some products to make this happen.

Source:  Papertrey Ink

And I present the Papertrey Ink's Instant Photo Pull Out Die Collection!  I can include a picture of Michael and me AND I can still have a homemade Christmas card!

Source:  Papertrey Ink

The tag can even be pulled out of the sleeve!  How awesome is that?!  This is exactly what I've been looking for and I'm so happy that I found these products.

Instant Photo Pull Out Die Collection by Papertrey Ink

So here's the Instant Photo Pull Out Die from Papertrey Ink.  It can obviously be used for cards other than Christmas-themed, so it would be a well used die for my collection. 

Instant Photo:  Holiday Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink

I want this stamp set too. It coordinates with the die collection and would be a great addition to my holiday stamp collection.  Surprisingly, I don't have too many holiday-themed stamps.

I'm just going to have so much fun with these new products.  It's on my wishlist, but I WILL be getting these soon.  I need to start making my Christmas cards!  So, what are your Christmas card plans?  Do you do photo cards or handmade cards?

xoxo,
Heather

Project Lifein' It Tuesday

Hello lovely readers! I'm back with another Project Life spread.  This spread documents the middle-ish of September.

As the year has gone on, I'm making note of things that work for me when it comes to documenting daily life.  I do know that I need to get back to writing down what we do each day and pictures I've taken.  As much as I felt it was a chore, it was so much easier to tell a story and provided me with feelings during certain events, etc.

I've also noticed that I work better with a PL kit as compared to doing PL without a kit.  I don't know if it's the coordinating products or what, but looking back at the beginning of the year when I had a PL kit, I was keeping up better than I am towards the end of the year.  I'm not quite sure how to handle this problem that doesn't involve subscribing to another PL kit.  Not that I don't want to (*wink, wink*), but I'm trying to use up my stash!


For this spread, I used my beloved Midnight Core Kit.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, love, love, love this kit.  It's so easy to work with.  There are not any particular stories in this spread.  These are just random pictures taken in the middle of September.  I did note on my only 4x6 card some things we did during this time frame.

Okay, that's it for me today!  My goal this week is to finish September and start on October. I can already tell you that I have not taken many pictures this month...

xoxo,
Heather

Another Peak into My More Happy Little Moments Book!

Just last Friday, I was showing you guys a little bit of my More Happy Little Moments altered book.  Well, get excited, because I have some more yummy pages to show you!  WARNING there are a lot of photos, so I tried to make some collages to get all the details in.  You can always go see more pictures of this book here and here.

Isn't my puppy so adorable!  I'm still trying to get the hand of using gelatos.  I know that sounds crazy, but I feel like I sometimes use too much or not enough.  It really is an art.  There are a few different techniques and looks I wanted to include in this altered book:  lots and lots and lots of layers, tags, punched shapes, and watercolors.

As you can see, I've covered all that here on this spread!  In the picture in the top left, I tried so hard to get that banner tucked underneath the cork circle, but the sticker was stuck down and was not coming up!  

I don't know if you guys have noticed, but I haven't done any journaling in this book yet.  Most of my spreads have small tags for hidden journaling, but some spreads don't, so I wanted to give myself some space just to write down what makes me happy and what I'm thankful for at this time in my life.

This picture of me and my husband is from a lifetime ago it seems!  The date on the picture isn't accurate, but it's still been awhile since that photo was taken.  There is something missing on the page with our photo on it, so I may have to go back in a try to add a doily/banner/label layers or something.

This spread has layers and tags and punched shapes, but it also has a glassine bag for my "hidden" journaling.  I incorporated an aqua arrow paper clip, exclusive to 2Peas and some ribbon.  I love making little ribbon tabs with my tiny attacher!

This spread is very special.  A year into our relationship, I got accepted into a graduate program in St. Louis.  Fortunately, Michael was always supportive and knew that I wanted to go back to school to get my Master's.  At that same time, he just started a new career in our hometown, so we decided that he would stay here and I would go to St. Louis.  And oh boy was that a hard two years to be apart.  And we were engaged for the last year of our long-distance relationship.  This day was really special for us for lots of reasons:  I received my Master of Public Health degree (because I'm a badass), but Michael and I had made it through those two years, stronger than ever.  

This spread used a ton of layers behind the photo!  I love it!  And all those papers are from Dear Lizzy lines, 5th & Frolic and Polka Dot Party.  These are probably my favorite collections ever.

So, there you have it.  I'm still not finished with this book.  I probably have 6 or 7 more spreads to complete.  Hopefully I won't wait as long to get it finished as I did to start the album.  Don't forget to check out my gallery at Two Peas in a Bucket for more pictures from my More Happy Little Moments book or any of my other projects.  Also, Kelly and I have a new challenge up here.  Play along and you could win a $5 gift card to Two Peas in a Bucket!

Have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo,

Heather

Sweet & Kelster Challenge: Halloween!

Happy Thursday lovely readers!  It's time for another challenge with my dear friend Kelly over at Things About Stuff!  We only had one person link up their take on our watercolor challenge:  Mandi.  Gorgeous Mandi!  You guys should check them out here, here and here.  Mandi, please email me at heather.sweet12@gmail.com to talk about your prize!  

If it isn't obvious enough from our title, our challenge this time was Halloween-themed!  Kelly and I both love Halloween scrappy products, but neither of do much for the actual holiday.  We decided that we'd take advantage of our challenges and create something with Halloween products.

Aren't these treat bags just the cutest things EVER?!  I've never made anything besides PL spreads, cards, tags, or layouts, so this was definitely different for me. As you guys know, my sister is in college.  When I was in college, I always loved getting happy mail, cards, and packages.  It didn't happen often, but it was awesome when it did happen.  I want to make sure my sister gets lots of happy mail.  So, Hollie, I know you're reading this and these treat bags are coming your way!

This treat bag was inspired by a Simon Says Stamp YouTube video recently posted.  It was so easy to make too.  The only thing that took a little time was die cutting those different colored circles.  I used my Cuddlebug, so I had to run the different colored paper through 4 times.  But after that, it came together so easily.  

You can see more of the decoration on the back of the bag.  You could also make these treat bags with any holiday theme.  With Christmas coming up, I just may be making more of these...

The other 2 treats bags are more of a bag topper.  I used the Creepy paper from the We R Memory Keepers Bewitched line. The washi tape is from Queen and Co.  The "trick or treat" is from the Treat or Treat Lawn Fawn stamp set.  

This last treat bag uses stamps from a Fiskars set.  Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of this particular stamp set.  I had a lot of fun making these bags.  It makes me want to want to create more papercraft products outside of my usual box.

Now, go check out Kelly's blog to see what Halloween goodness she created!  Since Halloween is a week from today and more than likely you guys may be creating Halloween layouts or mini albums or PL spreads after Halloween, we're going to give you TWO weeks to link up your projects in either my comments section or Kelly's comments section.  So, you guys have until Wednesday, November 7th to play along.  And there is a scrappy product prize involved: a $5 gift card to Two Peas in a Bucket!

xoxo,

Heather

On My Wishlist Wednesday

Every time I write a wishlist post, it makes me want to go shopping!  There are just so many great products out there, I can't help but want them all! 

Memento Luxe Inks

I'm sure you guys have heard all the amazing things about the new Memento Luxe Ink Pads by Tsukineko.  The colors are just gorgeous, rich, and vibrant.  I want every. single. color.  This is just a small sampling of some of the colors, but aren't they lovely?!  I've seen them in "action" on Kristina Werner's YouTube channel and Jennifer McGuire's YouTube channel.  These inks work beautifully.

Christmas Fill-Ins by Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday

I am dying to get my hands on this stamp set from Ali Edwards by Technique Tuesday.  It would be absolutely perfect for my December Daily (TM) album.  Just a great way to record not just moments, but to really reflect and journal about my family's holiday memories and traditions.  I may have to get this...

Envelope Sentiments by Simon Says Stamp

I think I need this stamp set in my collection.  It is just adorable!  I'm a card maker and have started sending happy mail and cute packages to my friends and family.  This stamp set would be too cute to help decorate those packages and envelopes.

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

Speaking of envelopes...I want this so badly!  How awesome is this board?!  You can make your own envelopes much easier and faster!  Definitely need this.

Alright, that is it for me today.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another challenge with Kelly and me!  And there are prizes/scrappy goodies involved for playing along!

xoxo,

Heather

Project Lifein' It Tuesday

And another week has come and gone.  Oh boy, I cannot believe it's the end of October...and I'm just starting the month of September in my Project Life album!  At least I am continuing to document our lives.  

Side note:  I finally made a decision on my December Daily (TM) 2013!  Back in this post, I talked a little about Christmas-themed lines and kits.  I went a little overboard though... I pre-ordered the Citrus Twist Kits Christmas Daily Pocket Life kit AND the Christmas Daily Main Kit.  I couldn't help myself!  I loved the color scheme in the Pocket Life kit, but I loved so many pieces from the Main kit too.  I don't get add-ons with my monthly scrapbook kit and I've been pretty good lately about not buying scrappy stuff I'm not going to immediately use, so I thought it was okay if I overloaded on Christmas stuff.  Plus, I don't have any Christmas papers. The only bad thing is I won't get these kits until the middle of November.  But I'm excited nonetheless!

Back to Project Life...I have a spread from the beginning of September.  This is honestly just a bunch of random stuff that happened.  I don't think there is any particular story I have to tell.  

  
I used Simple Stories original SN@P! line.  That line is so much fun!  And it really made it easy to complete this spread.

I have been obsessed with sewing small banner clusters on my PL cards.  It's easy, but adds a lot of personality and texture to a spread.  Also, I am loving these Jillibean Soup Alphabeans.  I bought 5 different colors the last time I was at Archiver's.  

 

This is a fun technique I tried for the first time.  I've written on photos before, but never with white ink!  I love it!  I like the look, even better than black ink.  I actually got the idea from my dear friend Kelly.  I remember reading a post on her blog about writing on a photo with a white pen.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the exact post, but it was definitely her blog!  She has lots of fun techniques; you all should check it out.

If you didn't notice, I'm also digging printing on my PL cards.  But I ALWAYS recommend printing out your text first to make sure it fits in your designated text area.  You guys should try it!

Okay, that's it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with some wishlist favorites.  And on Thursday, Kelly and I will be posting another challenge!  Don't forget, you guys have until Thursday, October 24th to link up your take on our watercolor challenge.  There is a prize involved that will consist of a scrappy product(s)...Just sayin' *wink, wink*

xoxo,
Heather

More Happy Little Moments Altered Book

So, way back in June, I signed up for Studio Calico's "More Happy Little Moments" class.  I was able to purchase the class for only $8, so I decided what the heck, why not.  I created my own kit from 2Peas and my stash.  I purchased a vintage hardcover book from a used bookstore (is this what they're called?) downtown.  I even got around to cutting out groups of pages to make room for layers, dimensional embellishments, etc.  And then I set it aside....for months!  Until, this week!  I had Monday off work and my husband was out of town for training so I had all of Monday to myself.  I didn't have to worry about chores or dinner in the evening.  It was honestly really nice (although, I did miss my husband).  What better time to work on a more time-consuming project than a day off work with nothing planned?  

I worked on my altered book all morning and off and on in the afternoon and evening.  I was able to get half of my "layouts" that I had planned complete.  It doesn't sound like I accomplished a lot, but I really did, especially with all the techniques I was using and the different media...I'm very proud of myself and am really looking forward to finishing this altered book.

Today, I have some pictures for you lovely readers. It's not everything I've done so far, but a few pages.  Also, sorry about the quality of these pictures.  I didn't have great light.  I was at work on my break, so I had to work with what I had.

First page:  actually completed back in July

I love this spread!  I like the punched shapes and watercolor spots I did. 

I have been loving doilies lately.  I want to use them on everything!  As you can see!  I think a doily has been in every spread of this book so far.

Last picture for this post-one of my husband and me!  That was before we were a Mr. and Mrs.  I think even before we were engaged.  This makes me smile!

Okay, I'll post more of my Happy Little Moments book next week.  And head to my 2Peas gallery to see more pictures and details from my More Happy Little Moments altered book!

xoxo,

Heather

Project Lifein' It Tuesday

Guys, guess what?!  I finally finished all my August Project Life spreads and started on my September spreads!  I am so proud of myself!  I have three spreads from August to show you guys.  To spare you all a photo-heavy blog post, I'm only going to post one photo of each spread.  You can check out more details from each spread here, at my 2Peas gallery.

Last week, I posted a spread ending with my trip to St. Louis.  This left side of my spread just shows more about where we stayed.  This side was pretty simple to complete.  I didn't have too much on my table to work with, just because it seems to help the process progress a little faster.

While we were in St. Louis, my dad took Hollie and me to a Cardinals game.  And boy, was that a great game. It was a beautiful night in the STL!  This was my first Project Life spread in which I used the Simple Stories Sn@p! line.  It's nice to have coordinating cards, papers, alphas, and stickers.  This page is the first time I printed my journaling on a journaling card.  You can fit so much more by typing out your journaling! I'll probably be doing that for those stories that require a little more "talk."

I had to have a full two-page spread devoted to the day we moved in Hollie.  It was exciting and surreal and a little emotional.  I used the Seafoam Edition of Project Life for this spread.

And finally, the end of August!  I used some new goodies I recently purchased at my local LSS.  The We R Memory Keepers Chalkboard line is really lovely.  I don't buy too much WRMK, especially their paper, but this line is gorgeous.  

Okay, that's it for me today.  I'm determined to be caught up with my 2013 Project Life by the start of 2014. I only have 2 more spreads for September to complete and one from October.  I may be able to get caught up by the beginning of November!  **fingers crossed**

Just a little reminder, the what's trendy...watercolors challenge with Kelly is still going on.  You guys have until this Thursday, the 17th to link up your take on this challenge.  And there is a prize!  

xoxo,
Heather

Sweet & Kelster Challenge: What's Trendy...Watercolors!

And finally, the day our readers have been waiting for:  the first Sweet & Kelster challenge (still the unofficial name)!  Kelly and I have a long list of challenges and projects we are excited to complete.  Our first challenge we thought to take on would be something that's very trendy in the scrapbook world.  If you're not living under a rock, you know that watercolors are super, super cool right now.  And I'm pretty sure Kelly and I purchased our first watercolor set around the same time.  It's like, we're meant to be crafty friends!  So, here's my take on our challenge:

Products Used:  Citrus Twist Kits September Main Scrapbook Kit;
Loew-Cornell Watercolor Set, Jillibean Soup Alphabeans in Whipped White,
scraps from Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic, scraps from Glitz Wild & Free,
 Prima Chalk Ink in Rock Moss,  Stampin' UP! ink in Crisp Cantaloupe, enamel dots

This layout just makes me extremely happy!  And, let me tell you, it was a challenge for me.  This is definitely not my norm for creating a scrapbook layout, but it was oh so fun!  If you've been following me or have seen any of my projects in my 2Peas gallery, you will notice that I don't use solid color cardstock as a background, like, ever.  I just really love patterned paper.  My inspiration came from Garden Girl, Corrie Jones.  I love everything she's ever created.  You should definitely check out her gallery.  Her techniques are just so inspirational.  I thought I've seen a video where she creates a layout like this with watercolor "sun rays."  Unfortunately, I cannot find it, but when I do, I'll link it up.


Back to why this was a bit of a challenge for me...my first cardstock I actually threw out because it was just horrible.  I've never completely thrown out the foundation of a layout, but I just had to this time around.  I ended up with too much gelatos on my page (this is the first layout that I've made with watercolors as the main technique) and it was a mess and not in a good way.  Luckily, I was only working on the background, so it was only paper I threw out.  Then I remembered my inspirational scrapbooker, and then everything shot off from there.  

Now, if you want to play along with Kelly and I in our trendy challenge featuring watercolors, please link of your project in the comments section.  You can link up in my comments or hers.  We'll be giving away a small prize (to be updated on this post later, so please come back) to a reader that plays along! You have until next Thursday, October 17th to link your project up. 

Okay, now go check out Kelly's take on the challenge.  I love that she didn't make a traditional layout, but more of an inspirational piece to hang in her scrap room.  Love it!  I actually don't have anything hanging in my scrap area, so Kelly's definitely inspired me to create something!

If you want to see more of this layout, check out my gallery at 2Peas.

xoxo,
Heather

On My Wishlist Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!  I'm bringing you all a little something different on my wishlist:  clothes, accessories, and home decor!  Now, if you're a serious scrapbooker, sometimes we like to spend all of our money on those supplies and forget about everything else (minus bills, food, etc.).  I am so like that.  When I have spending money, I'd rather buy scrapbook stuff than anything else.  Yep, that's my life.  But I do love clothes, especially dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry, and home decor stuff.  So this wishlist will be filled with pretty things that I probably won't buy because I'm addicted to scrapbook supplies.

When the Night Comes Dress in Emerald, ModCloth

Isn't this dress just gorgeous?! I've been loving the lace trend (in scrapbooking and in clothing *wink, wink*).  This dress is just so simple and lovely.  That color is amazing too.

Skinny Interlocking Rings, designbygam, via Etsy

I don't wear any rings (besides my wedding band and engagement ring), but I really like them.  The problem I have is my hands and fingers are so small that most rings are too big and make my fingers look stumpy.  I think these interlocking rings would look good on my finger because of the very skinny width. I also love how simple they are, but still have a bit of personality.

Mason Jar Wall Sconces, Hendryx House Designs, via jane.com 

I just adore this wall sconce.  And mason jars are so trendy right now.  This would make such a pretty addition to my house and it would be so versatile with different holidays and seasons.  I just really, really love it.  I also think this would make a great gift, especially with Christmas coming up!  I think my sister-in-law would really like something like this.  Also, if you guys are interested, it does come in one other pattern and both patterns come in different colors.

Alright friends, that is all I'll add today, or else you'd be reading this post for hours!  I know last Wednesday I talked a little about the Christmas/holiday scrapbook collections that I would love to get my hands on to do a documenting December mini album; go check out Kelly's post breaking down the different Christmas kits available.  Her post is helpful, as it puts all the kits in one list.  

Also, come back tomorrow for the full reveal of the Sweet & Kelster challenge, our first challenge in our blog series!  Check out my project and Kelly's and find out how you can play along!

xoxo,
Heather

Project Lifein' It Tuesday

I'm back today to share some more of my Project Life album.  Super, super behind by the way.  I am bound and determined though to be caught up by the start of 2014.  Did I just say 2014?!  I can't believe it!  The new year will be here before you know it.  Enough about how fast time flies, here's a spread from August (man, that seems like ages ago...).

All my cards are the Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic edition of Project Life by Becky Higgins.  I just adore that collection.  I was able to find the die cuts at Hobby Lobby and the 12x12 paper pad at Michael's for $5!  Anyways, most of this spread documents the last Saturday my sister was in town.  I signed up to volunteer at a United Way event in the county I work to help raise money for my agency to get more funding from United Way.  I made Hollie come with me because I didn't want to be by myself.  Plus, it was good bonding time.  It was actually not as eventful as I thought.  We were assigned an obstacle, which we just made sure the runners didn't get hurt.  Because we were a little bored, we took lots of pictures.

I've been trying to get better at including more memorabilia, which I think I did well for this spread.  I included the email about volunteer registration, as well as the map of the race course.  

A quarter of this spread begins to document my trip to St. Louis with my parents and sister to move Hollie into college.  My next 2 spreads I'll show next week will highlight the rest of that trip.

                 

What I like most about this spread is the little bits and pieces I used that have been sitting on my scrap table for a long time.  I keep a few small trays on my table with journaling spots; labels; and bits and pieces from past kits, things I took out to use, but didn't, etc.  I like being able to finally use those bits.  Having those kinds of little pieces hanging out on my table has really helped me utilize my stash and scraps more. 

There you have it; another spread done and making it's way to the album.  (OMG, you guys should see the pile of layouts and Project Life spreads sitting on my shelves that have not made it into an album!)  How are you doing keeping up with Project Life?  Did anyone change their documentation format like I did?

xoxo,
Heather  

Sneak Peak of the Sweet & Kelster (Unofficial Name) Blog Series Challenge

Happy Monday lovely readers!  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  I had a wonderful weekend, but, as always, it was too short.  I was very lucky to be able to spend time with my sister in St. Louis.  (If you haven't seen her latest news on her blog series, Coffee & College, check it out here.)  This past weekend was family weekend at UMSL.  We always have a lot of fun when we all get together.

On to my sneak peak of the challenge Kelly and I are working on for our new blog series!  We will be posting our full projects on Thursday, but we wanted to get you all excited about what we're working on!  We still haven't decided on a name for our blog series, but we're hoping it will come to us soon. 

Can you guys guess what our challenge is about for this project?  Let me tell you, this challenge has been a little challenging for me so far.  I haven't really been feeling creative lately, so it's taking me awhile to complete this challenge.  But our challenge is slowly pulling me back in my creative bubble.  I have to be honest:  I'm not even finished with this project yet!  EEK!  But, I did start and will have it done by Thursday to share.



Here's another peak, just to keep you guys excited!  Go check out Kelly's blog to see her sneak peak she'll have posted today.  Don't forget, come back tomorrow for some lovely Project Life inspiration!  

 xoxo,

Heather

Coffee & College

Hollie

Hello everyone! I hope you have visited the page to check out Heather's awesome wish lists and the projects she's been working on. I know I check in frequently.

I would like to inform you guys on my new membership into Delta Zeta! It was a long process with many obstacles, but I couldn't be happier that I am now apart of this awesome sorority!

So anyway, I want to focus on Fall. Fall is the best season of the year, in my opinion. However, it might be skewed a little since my birthday is in Fall. (four weeks, if you were wondering). Fall, to me, seems to bring so many opportunities of change and reflection. A lot of people would relate fall to death because the leaves are falling and it seems to be overcast most of the time. Fall is my beginning. And I can tell you why. Fall is the beginning of a school year. Each year, over summer, you learn to reinvent yourself or find new things that seem to click toward you. You change. For me, especially this fall, I have changed in so many ways. And I honestly couldn't be happier in where I am in my life.

But another thing about Fall I love, is the activities! So many fun and awesome activities! The weather cools down and you can wear sweaters and boots (basically my daily outfit for this season), the air is crisp, the wind is breezy. You can finally start having/attending bonfires, oh come on, I know all of you love them! You can go out apple picking, travel to the local pumpkin patch,carve (or paint) pumpkins, ride hayrack rides, have/attend costume parties, and drink hot cocoa and apple cider! And for some of us, celebrate our birthdays! I know all of these things are on my "things to do" list while I'm down here, along with some haunted houses too.

So, what will you guys be doing this fall??