New! Noel Mignon Penny Arcade Kit

The Penny Arcade kit just hit the shelves! :D :D :D YAY! Have you seen the sneaks?!!! **THUD!** It is gorgeous and shabby and full of texture . . . not to mention the brand new Knave of Hearts line by Collage Press! :D :D :D

Check it out! I have one on it's way to me right now! If you'd like to find out more or to purchase this kit you can find it in the NOEL MIGNON SHOP HERE!






Okay! Off to get my haircut this morning! I'll be back later with a few layouts to share!
Jana

Picket Fence

For our final challenge at Urban Anthology we had to create our own kit and then showcase it with a couple of layouts. I always get to play with kits, I've never actually tried to coordinate one myself, and I have to say, it was a little tricky!!! Fun, but tricky!!! I definitely look up to those people who have a definite natural talent of putting products together, especially sight-unseen!!! No. I will not be going into the kit-making business! LOL!

Anyway, here is the kit that I put together using items from my stash. I named it the Picket Fence kit. :)




And then, here a couple of layouts I did using my kit.









Thanks for stopping by!
Jana

Ally Scraps Happiness on My Doorstep!!!

I just had to blog about this really quick! Check out the happiness that just arrived on my doorstep!!!! HUGE THANKS to Ally Scraps for asking me to be their Guest Designer for the month of May!!! They are the sweet ladies who sent this happiness to me!



They let me choose my own "kit" of supplies to create with. It was pretty tricking trying to narrow my choices down from everything on their online store, but I couldn't be happier with how it all came together! Just look at all those yummy goodies! There's My Mind's Eye, We R Memory Keepers Gramma's Kitchen, Fancy Pants, Jenni Bowlin, etc. etc. etc! I can't wait to play with it!



I even ordered a little bit more (had to grab me some Sassafras Lass!) and created my own little Add-On kit to go with it! Here are the items I chose for that!



So watch for upcoming projects from me using all this delicious-ness! :D :D :D Thanks Cathy, Dana and all the ladies at Ally Scraps! I'm looking forward to our month together!!!!

Jana

Happy Monday!

I know lots of people don't, but I like Mondays! :) I think I like the fact that I feel refreshed after a relaxing weekend and ready to hit some new tasks and projects.

There is a new challenge up on the Noel Mignon Challenge Blog today. I love Noel's challenges! Always out of the box and something different to get me really thinking!

This one is a Makeup Challenge. My fellow DT member, Michelle Lanning, found this gorgeous picture on the web and we used it as inspiration. Here is the picture and my take on it. Come over and play with us!




I also realized that I never posted the last challenge layout I did for Noel. OOPS!!! I think it was during our Spring Break so that must have been why. Anyway, here it is! It was to use the word "Spring" on your page. :)







Talk to you again, soon!
Jana

Being Popular

My daughters were playing together on the computer and even though they were getting along fine, Maryn looked less than thrilled to be so popular with her little sister. I'm sure there are times she'd rather play the computer by herself! LOL! And yet, there is Camryn grinning ear-to-ear that she gets to be big and play alongside her sister. It made me laugh and I had to snap a few shots to record such a common sibling feeling. Don't you remember feeling that way?! LOL! :)

I didn't want Maryn to appear grumpy so I "softened up" the situation in the photos with these gorgeous papers and flowers from the Lovely Day kit (one left!).





Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
Jana

My Little Shoebox + Hambly

I have been a busy little bee this week working with my first box of goodies from My Little Shoebox. I had the pleasure of working with the My Neighborhood line. LOVED this line! On top of all that goodness, Hambly Screenprints was sweet enough to send the MLS DT some of their goodies to play with on our projects as well. SWOON!!! What a blast!

So here are my projects! I hope you like them!

Doll House - This doll house has been a favorite with all my girls ever since Jensyn got it as a Christmas present when she was a toddler. I outlined the chipboard letters and transparencies to add a doodly feel and then cut out additional little houses to pop up on the border. I also added some Stickles to the clouds so they would sparkle a bit and look puffy. :)

Building Our Dream - I thought it would be fun to create a page with various images throughout the building of our house all together in one place. I can't believe how little the kids look! It really wasn't that long ago, but they just grow up so fast!

The design of this one was inspired by a page by Janine Langer. I added strips of Lime Green Hambly Decorative borders randomly in between the pictures to help define them a bit. I popped the little houses up and added green button "bushes". :) The chipboard letters have dots of Glossy Accents on them for subtle texture.

House Card - When I opened the package of My Little Shoebox transparencies, I knew that I wanted to use one of the images as a window to a card. I mounted the image on a clear transparency and used a journal spot as a "frame". I then added hot pink stitching to emphasize the window. I thought about adding a sentiment on the front somewhere, but everything I tried just seemed to detract from the window, so I left it plain.

Love Notes - Maryn and her Valentines! She is the only kid that would sit still for me for Valentine pictures, she's my good poser! LOL! For this one, I cut the Hambly into a shape using a Making Memories die cut paper as a template. I then outlined the shape with Stickles. I cut out the accents from the patterned paper and added some outlining. I remember seeing a recent article in a magazine (can't remember which one) where a designer ran her chipboard letters through a paper crimper. I couldn't wait to try that technique on this page!


Easter - I loved playing with the Hambly on this one! I used a Clearly Heavy Overlay as the page background (my wood floor is peeking through). What a fun affect! I need to make clear pages more often! They are so much fun!!! On the chipboard letters I had already used my letter "s" on another page, so I used the backing as a stencil to make a new one out of blue cardstock. Next, I coated each letter with Glossy Accents and added clear microbeads. This was a great technique to help disguise my out-of-place letter "s" and I love the sugarey feel the letters have!



Home Mini Book - For my final project, I decided to make a file-folder mini book about all the houses we have lived in and loved during our married life. This book was soooo much fun! I loved reminiscing about each of life's lessons we learned at each house and the milestones (births, etc.) and the people we met at each home. I will treasure this little book always! :D



Here's a few simple directions on the File Folder Album, if you're curious. :)

To create the file folder album (sorry about the funky lighting on these pics!) open your file folder up flat. Turn it length-wise and measure up four inches. Make a score mark using a ruler and a bone folder.
Fold the flap up. This will be the pocket for your tags.
Next, measure divide each side in half and score again. Fold accordian-style and you are ready to start decorating! I keep mine closed with a length of ribbon wrapped around and tied in a bow.

Whew! That was a lot for one post! Thanks for reading it all and for taking the time to visit my blog! HUGS to you!!!

Jana

Shabby Chipboard Frames

I came up with a new "technique" this week for an Urban Anthology challenge. (Can you call slapping a bunch of Crackle Paint onto something a technique? LOL!) So if you are interested, here is a little tutorial on how to make Shabby Chipboard Frames. :)

First the layout and detail shots. :)








SHABBY CHIPBOARD FRAMES

Supplies you will need: Chipboard frames (the ones I used are by Chatterbox), wire, various beads (don't worry about the color, they will be covered up later), Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint (I used the color called Old Paper), and paper towels to protect your work surface. Optional: Glitter/micro beads/etc.



STEP 1: Cut a length of wire and start wrapping around your chipboard frame. As you wrap, add beads to the wire and arrange them on the front of the frame in a random pattern. You could cover the entire frame, or just a few sections like I did.



STEP 2: Lay your frame on a square of paper towel (this is to protect your work surface). Use the Crackle Paint to coat the frame, wire and beads. Pounce the brush over the wire and beads to get into the crevices. Don't worry about making this look pretty, just get it on there! LOL! The messier, the better! It will contribute to your shabby look! :)



STEP 3: Allow to dry completely. If desired, you can add glitter or microbeads to the wet paint surface for added detail. I used glitter on mine, which you can see better in the 2nd detail picture below.





Thanks for looking!
Jana