Creatively Speaking

Another CHA-S project that I can share with you.  This one is all about the kids with Dad and the fun things that they do together.  I was inspired to make this book by the paper line- Papa by Fancy Pants.  I often use bright colors in my projects, but I loved the subdued colors in this paper.  Sticking to that theme, I added a lot of arrows and stars. 

Thought I would share this very cool, yet scary satellite picture (from cnn.com).  This is what Northern California looks like from space right now.  We have been living in this white haze for the last week- since the freak dry lightning storms caused over 1,000 wildfires last Saturday.  We have had several fires in our area just since May, so our sky has been yucky for a while.  The scary part is that as of today, we are told not to even go outside because air pollution readings in the region are two to 10 times the federal standard for clean air.  The kind you can’t even filter out with a mask.  I’m glad my kids are not in school right now, however it’s summertime in CA.  We go outside on a daily basis.  I don’t know if our daily afternoon winds make it better or worse. 

I will post pics from another CHA-S project tomorrow. 

Here is another of my CHA-S projects.  Again with no new items yet.  I love these pictures of Lauren.  She was dancing and spinning around and I just took a bunch of pictures.  I painted white around the edge of this Maya Road Sheer Square Scallop Coaster Album.  The paper line is Pink Paislee.  I added Ranger Stickles in pink around each picture.  The leaves are not Maya Road, but I think they go so well with the sheer books and Maya Road chipboard flowers.  The wings on the cover are a MR keychain.  I covered it in Matte Accents by Ranger and I love that non shiny look.  Also added some bling and MR ribbons and rub-ons. I also added machine sewing on every page. 

I think by my site counter, I’ve got some lurkers out there.  I’d love to meet you and know what you think, so leave a comment. 

Well I get to post some of my new CHA-S projects for Maya Road on my blog.  These do not include any of the CHA-S new releases.  I will be posting those projects in a couple of weeks.  This is one of my favorites- I love this paper line- Get Happy by Cosmo Cricket.  The book is the 2 Ring Heart Book released by MR for CHA-W.  I also used the MR Hearts Chipboard Set,  lots of MR ribbon, MR Butterly and Bugs Chipboard Set, MR sheers, MR Jonathan Chipboard Alphabet Set, MR buttons (covered in Ranger Crackle Accents), MR Chicago Chipboard Numbers and the MR Stamp Seals set.  I also used lots of ink, paint and chalk.  Many of my chipboard pieces are also covered in Ranger Crackle Accents, Ranger Glossy Accents or Ranger Matte Accents.  I used Close To My Heart Spot on Background Set as well.  This one came out so stuffed full of goodies that I took the metal rings out and closed it up with Maya Road ribbon.  Check back this week for more CHA-S projects. 

Wendy Vecchi from the Maya Road DT is an amazing stamper.  Maya Road sponsored her tutorial  in honor of WSW- Worldwide Stamping Week.  Take a look and give it a try.  I am always looking for new ideas in stamping and she is the master.  Great job, Wendy! 

James’ 1st grade teacher loves to travel.  I had a picture of her that she took while on vacation in Hawaii this year, so I decided to make her a frame and frame the picture for an end of year gift.  I bought a frame from Target that already had a shabby light blue paint on it and then I painted it with Ranger Crackle Paint.  I also inked it a bit and added rub-ons by October Afternoon.  I used Maya Road chipboard alpha, Butterflies and Bugs chipboard set, Scrolls II chipboard set, Trinkets blossoms, chipboard blossoms and ribbon.  Lots of ink and Ranger Stickles and Crackle Accents.  The paper is Pink Paislee.  

On a different note, I have about half of my CHA-S projects finished.  That is taking up much of my time right now.  I can’t wait to be able to post some projects and some of the new Maya Road products. 

Check out my glossy chipboard technique tutorial.  It’s posted on the Maya Road blog- right now.  It’s easy and fun and really makes your chipboard pieces pop on the page.  I did it a while back for the “Full of Life” layout I did of James.  This is another example of the technique on a fun page I did of Lauren this week.  She was so cute running from the waves.  I love these pictures of her. 

I’m told new MR samples are on their way and I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful goodies to be released in July at CHA-S.  I am busily working away on projects right now and I hope to be able to start posting them in about 4 weeks or so.  I love seeing all of the new goodies that are going to be released. 

Well I made this sign for my cousin a few weeks ago.  I love the colors and I had a lot of fun making it.  I used 3 pages from a Maya Road Scallop Ring Book.  I painted the pages, adhered some patterned paper and added the title and embellishments.  I’ve used some MR chipboard alpha, Scrolls II, dragonflies from the Butterflies and Bugs chipboard set, glitter, Making Memories embellishments, Close To My Heart acrylic stamps, and MR Trinkets ribbon.  To make the dragonfly wings, I covered them with “angel wings”- (used in paper making) and Mod Podge. 

My baby finished Pre-K last week.  I can’t believe it.  Lauren will be starting Kinder in August.  She had the best pre-school year.  Her teachers were fabulous.  We are all going to miss it.  They did a special show for us on Thursday and sang songs.  It was adorable.  Lauren sang the loudest and she just shined with confidence.  I was such a proud mama.  She tends to be shy by nature.  At the Christmas show, she felt very uneasy and didn’t want to sing much.  This show she was completely different.  It makes me happy to realize that she is becoming more comfortable in those situations and she had fun!