Spring Snow Digital Layout

I spent a few minutes using My Memories Suite v4 software to complete a layout tonight while it is still snowing! Our St. Louis area received a record 12+ inches of snow today.   A friend of mine made a snow Easter Bunny which was pretty funny.  My little Sugar wanted no part of the snow once it was belly high on her, but Chloe, on the other hand, loved it.  My kitchen floor is strewn with dog towels and will need a good mopping once the dogs stop coming in encrusted with snow. I was too busy taking photos to clean house today !    ok, whats new?

    The software is very user friendly and I combined My Memories embellishments with some Samantha Walker digital paper I had handy. ( Will identify later)    It was a blank page and then drag and drop some photos, mat and shadow then add the elements and text.
                                    Happy Spring Ya'll !

My Memories Suite first digital scrapbook page

My Memories Suite v4  first project 

    I am now tackling Digital Scrapbooking. Not that I need another hobby, mind you, but I need to justify my hording of great digital items.  I blame it on Samantha Walker.  First I downloaded her designs with the intent of using them in print and cut projects with my Silhouette Cameo.  I see all the creative work done over at Jessica Sprague and I think I could do this as well.  I have Photoshop Elements 10 which I am using to edit photos for clients and myself.  I am strictly self taught, and must admit I have not invested in a class.  It is on my to do list.

     I was contacted by My Memories Suite to test and review their v4 software.  What you see is my first project. They were very generous in providing me with their program and extra spending credit for some basic papers and embellishments.  I decided for my first project I would see how easy it is to use digital products I already own.  I used a Design House Digital line by Audrey Neal called "Bit of Luck".  Can you say Drag and Drop ?  So easy.  And no glue to dry.  It was a bit tricky saving this as a jpeg rather than the album format they default to, but I had only spent 20 minutes playing with the program.  I am sure there are zillions of tutorials out there to check out.....another day.   They also provided me with a coupon offer giveaway for my followers. Cool.  I will set that up in a few days.   

   Shopping the My Memories Suite site is a bit overwhelming. So much to choose from and the prices seem very reasonable.  I will show you the vintage album I'm going to make as a tribute to my mom, using the template album from their site.  So.....Stay tuned !

Any one else familiar with My Memories Suite ?   Opinions?   How many of you dabble in digital scrapbooking ?  What software program do you use?  

Happy Valentine's Day !

 Samantha Walker's Silhouette files cut perfectly on my Cameo.  I cut an offset to line the cover with glitter card stock . I cut the heart flourish from the bottom of the card stock, thus utilizing the positive and negative cuts. Quick, easy, and beautiful.
  For these it takes longer to make the envelope than the card!

 How cute is this ?  I used the Lettering Delights Great Scotty cut file. Took advantage of print and cut features of my Cameo. Added a snowflake, and another scotty for the inside.   I love hybrid card making and now that I have the hang of Print and Cut I have far less glue on my fingers!


I am working on the darling Sheri McCully "Lockets of Love" cuts. Still need to apply them to my Whitman Chocolate boxes. Pictures to post later.

You can still get Valentine Day Special prices today at Lettering Delights and Silhouette Online Stores.  I have a Lettering Delights link for you to the right.

Hugs and Kisses!

Eagle Scout Card

 I liked the way this Eagle Scout card turned out and it will be quick to reproduce with my Cameo now that all the tracing, simplifying, shadowing / offset and welding has been done.

I started with this Eagle image I found from Google images, from a couple of years ago. I selected this one because the black and white is easy to trace with my Silhouette Designer software


I traced, took off High pass filter and got pretty close to what I wanted by maneuvering my threshold.  I decided I would cut my eagle in a dark rich brown and lay it on white and so I enlarged a couple of areas and also deleted some small areas that I thought would be problematic.

When I was happy with my eagle I decided to cut the card with the white offset welded to a window on my card front. I just needed to position my eagle at a slight angle with the wing tips overlapping the window opening.   I did not center my window opening on this card, but next time will.  It was easy to glue my brown intricate cut eagle to the offset area using Zig 2 Way Glue.  I lined the inside of the card front flap with DCWV blue textured card stock, leaving a white area to write my congratulatory note.  I added a bit of metallic gold with a Sharpie to the front of the card, but would skip this perhaps next time.

If I can teach myself how to do this, you can too! Thanks to tutorials from Kay at Clever Someday, I am tracing designs without  much difficulty !

DC, ch 2 ,DC skip and repeat.... My new Hobby

I picked up a crochet hook and after watching some YouTube I am now rediscovering this craft. My mother crocheted back in the 70's -80's, and I would watch her, occasionally start a project but  I don't remember finishing anything.  Mom made ponchos for my sister and I our of granny squares.

I have finished a wide scarf and then seamed a few inches in the back to make it a hooded scarf. Then I started making 8" granny squares with plans for an afghan.  My A.D.D. kicked in and I started this scarf this morning.  I love this yarn. An unwrapped orphan I found on the shelves of my local Jo-Ann store.  It has a luscious hand, just buttery soft and I loved the colors.  I stumbled upon a great blog site called Fiber Flux .blogspot.com. The easy to follow pattern I am using is from that site and is called Blueberry Pie by Jennifer Dickerson. She actually has several patterns I love, and may try next.
    I took the above shot with my new Nikon D7000 and a 35mm 1.8 lens using available afternoon sunlight, no tripod and a wide aperture. (On the fly) Perhaps I should have gotten the scarf in focus instead of the yarn ! LOL.      More photos as I progress.

National Blogging Day of Remembrance

(as originally posted in Craftaholics anonymous.)

As my prayers are added to the ocean of  prayers washing over the Newtown families, I ask that we keep this attitude of compassion throughout the holiday season and beyond.
God Bless you.

Glass Block gifts for 2012

As usual, I hurriedly finished my blocks, wrapped them and gave them out at our family Christmas party, without taking photos !  Here is a photo of one and I Photoshopped out the smiling recipients face. ( She didn't want her picture on a blog).  On this particular 8 x 8 block I used etching cream twice on the face prior to applying my vinyl design.  Although the block was thoroughly cleaned with both soapy water and then alcohol, my etching was less then perfect. I left the cream on for more than an hour each time. This is the case with many tempered glass products.  It was enough to obscure the glass and diffuse a light placed inside.   For other projects I still prefer the look of a piece of vellum placed inside and secured with a glue dot. The vellum method is quick, clean and cheap. All in favor raise your glitter dusted hand. 

I combined a couple of the Nativity files I found on the Silhouette online site. It was tempting to buy them all during their big sale the beginning of December.   If I find a photo of the other blocks I will post them as well.

Merry Christmas my crafty friends!

Gina's Place Block

     I whipped this block up quickly just before guests arrived for a cocktail party. I used the Silhouette file called retro girl and then chose Lobster font for my text. This was cut with my Cameo beautifully, without snags, which made weeding easy. I used H&H vinyl.  Glue dots were used to secure the translucent vellum to the inside of the 8 inch block and they are barely noticeable. While I could place a small set of lights inside, I found it easier to just place the block in front is a small lamp I keep on my baker's rack. This looked great sitting next to pretty martini glasses and the glow reminded me of a bar sign.  I noticed a few bubbles in the retro girls but a warm blow dryer, needle prick and Popsicle stick burnishing should take care of that.  

This is how I Trick or Treat

We only have a few homes in our subdivision, sitting on 4+ acre lots. Too much distance for trick or treaters, and so for several years I have made up treat packages to deliver to the neighborhood families. I understand this is now a much anticipated tradition for the kids around here- Treats from "Miss Gina".

These Halloween boxes were simple to put together this year so I ended up making them for all my neighbors and co-workers. The pumpkin boxes held a fistfull of candy as did the candy dishes. These were made available from SVGcuts. Watching Mary put them together in her videos gives me the confidence to tackle her projects. The pumpkin is from Gimme Candy Boxes while the candy dish is from Midnight Jamboree. I used Bewitched paper pad from DCWV as well as Michael's 65lb weight Recollections black cardstock. My Cameo cut them flawlessly - of course! 

                           These turned out so cute that they just may be repeated next year !

Time to get Busy !

Time to get busy with some Halloween decorations and I am loving SVG cuts offering this season because they are cute and simple. The kind of projects I will actually finish in time !  I plan to make the little pumpkin boxes and send them to the elementary schools I have worked at recently ( substitute school nurse) as a little token of appreciation to the clinic staff members who have been awesome.  The plastic covered basket will be perfect to send goodies to my sons who are away at college but still like treats from home, anyone say chocolate chip cookies ?  I found the cardstock on sale at Joanns called Bewitched from DCWV. 

Posting pictures when I complete these !     Go to SVG Cuts through my link and watch the video Mary did showing the simplicity of these kits !     

Time Flew By....my youngest son graduating high school

First Day of School
Josh being led to the bus stop by big brother, Brandon  1999

Josh  Today
A senior, heading off to college this fall

     Where did time go?  I remember so clearly Josh heading off to kindergarten, so excited to get to finally ride the bus with his older brother, Brandon.  Today was his last day of high school classes.  Tomorrow he will go to school for a pancake breakfast followed by the "last recess".  Graduation ceremony is Saturday followed by "grad night party.  My last opportunity to play the "room mom" role I have loved.  OK, so no room mom in high school, but I was still able to help plan banquets and award night events.  My days are numbered !!!.   I am using my Cameo to cut out beach theme decorations for Grad Night, and still need to get some more grad cards made up.  

      I enjoyed photographing Josh and his friends for senior pictures. I used Picasso to put together his collage, and then had Shutterfly print them. I also had a nice mug made with his swim team photo, then personalized.  It turned out nice! 

      Life is good. My sons have blessed me beyond measure.  

Favorite Fonts for Monograms

Just wanted to share some fonts I use for monograms. Denise over at Paper Pastimes has these available as split SVGs ready to cut at a very affordable price. Well worth $5 not to hassle with splitting them evenly.

Favorite Fonts for Monograms

AMPERZAND ABCDEFGHIJKLMN

OPQURSTUVWXYZ

 CARIBBEAN TOOL ABCDEFGHIJKLMN

OPQURSTUVWXYZ

REMESLO  ABCDEFGHIJKLMN

OPQURSTUVWXYZ

REGAL   ABCDEFGHIJKLMN

OPQURSTUVWXYZ

ZALLMAN CAPS ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQURSTUVWXYZ

ZAZOU ABCDEFGHIJKLMN

OPQURSTUVWXYZ

you like me...100 followers on Pinterest !

follow me on Pinterest  GinaDecor

I was so excited to find 100 followers of my Pinterest boards. I am up to 2809 pins on my 57 boards. I could do some thinning out but sometimes find pins that belong in multiple categories.  Ever find something amazing and then hesitate...didn't I already pin this?....oh what the heck and pin it again.  So far there are no pinning police.  One pet peeve is when a Facebook friend shares Every Time she pins something.  hello...uncheck that little facebook box.  But if it really is knock me over with a feather as I drop dead cuz it's that amazing....then please proceed with that Facebook share.

Pinterest wish......I wish there was a rearrange button inside the individual boards so I could organize them. And I wish there was a quick drag and drop when I accidentally plop that cupcake on my Puppy Love board. 

Happy Pinning! 

Lettering Delights is celebrating 20,000 fans on their Facebook page by giving away 20 freebies. Limited time.
Go to their Facebook page and scroll through to find all the freebies or go to this page 
Lettering Delights http://ldsolutions.blogspot.com/2012/03/if-you-havent-noticed-weve-been.html       
  to see them listed in one place and don't forget every Friday they have giveaways for their Facebook friends.  
What is nice is if you use Make The Cut you don't have to download them to your PC, they are available when you long in to MTC.  Easy - Peasy !

I Got My Cameo !

Silhouette Cameo

 Die Cutting Machine

     I almost kissed my UPS man Thursday when he delivered my Cameo. Poor guy was already haggard looking from driving his big brown truck against 40 mph wind gusts. He said it sounded like the roof was going to peel off!  At least we avoided the tornadoes that hit all around us. My prayers are with the victims.

     My Cameo was ordered early February from Oh My Crafts, taking advantage of their 25% off sale and free shipping. I had many questions and their customer service gal was awesome. Frankly I was really torn between the Cameo or the Eclips from Sizzix.  I was told upfront that they were ordering these machines in and the shipping date would be mid- Feb. I received numerous emails from OMC letting me know the expected ship date. When the blizzard affected my delivery I received another email, an apology, and a $5. gift card for my inconvenience. (It was only a week delay all together) Now that is how you do business!

While waiting for my Cameo, I downloaded the Silhouette Studio software from the Silhouette site and began familiarizing myself with the features.  I even downloaded the weekly free designs and started my wish list.  The software shouldn't be difficult to maneuver since I have been using Sure Cuts A Lot and Mate The Cut programs with my old die cutting machine. ( The one that no longer plays well with others).  Since I am so familiar with these two programs I don't know if I will use Studio very often, but we will see.  It was a quick -and free- upgrade to have the specific drivers needed to use SCAL and MTC with my new Cameo.

I am so excited!!!  Unfortunately my online college classes don't allow much time for playing this weekend. But I will be sure to post my cuttings.

I also ordered some vinyl from Oh My Crafts since they were practically giving it away ! It is not the heavy duty dishwasher and car wash resistant vinyl like what I get from H&H. It is Oracal Exhibition 631 the same stuff you buy from Provo Craft from what I understand. I am anxious to do some wording using the Cameo where I won't be limited to 12 or 24 inch lengths. Again I will let you know how that works out. 

Have a great weekend, and please remember the tornado victims in your prayers!

Life is so precious, and things can change so quickly here in the Midwest.

Sympathy Card

Sympathy Card

Finished size 6x6

Base Cardstock Dark Brown- DCWV Mi Casa

Patterned Papers (lavender and floral ) DCWV Latte 8x8 stack

script stamped on parchment -stamp Hero Arts- Old French Writing

Ink  K & Company Sera Fera copper

"Thinking of You" - Hero Arts clear  black Memento Ink

Die cut custom designed using Sure Cuts A Lot software - (inspired by Spellbinder)

oval cut with Spellbinder small oval die cut using Sizzix Big Kick 

misc lavender ribbon - Michaels Basics

adhesive   ATG by Scotch 

inside sentiment   Someone Remembers

                           Someone Cares

                           Your Name is Whispered

                            In Someone's Prayers

font Amperzand   printed on ecru parchment paper  scored using Martha Stewart Score Board 

envelope made by cutting a 10 x 10 square    scoring and folding pattern to interior

notching at 5 " points    directions found on SplitCoast Stampers forum 

inside of card

Valentine Projects

Love Me Do SVG kit 

SVGcuts Valentine Box collection

Watch the video as Mary shows you how easy these go together.  I love the little box. I think it would be cute as a magnetized frame for the refrigerator.  Kids love to see their photos displayed around the house.


    I should be receiving my new Silhouette Cameo next week and am anxious to play with some of my SVGs, comparing them to the cuts from my Expression.  I have enjoyed my Expression, and would have stayed with it if not for the PC lawsuit against Sure Cuts A Lot software.  I am always afraid I will do an upgrade or something and lose my ability to cut with SCAL2.  My Expression was recently upgraded to version 2.43, so I could play with Cricut Craft Room (not impressed). And I am running SCAL2 version 2.044 and also use  Make the Cut version 4.0.4. I really like using MTC when using the Lettering Delights library. They are so easy to view!

Make the Cut 4.0.4 partial work space snip showing Lettering Delights Library

Keep in mind there are trial versions of both software programs available from their sites.  They are no longer compatible with Cricut cutters due to Provo Craft actions, unless purchased prior to PC lawsuits last year.  Many are still operating these programs because they have the previous versions which contained the necessary drivers.  More information can be obtained from the forums at  Make the Cut or Craftedge for Sure Cuts a Lot. My links are located on the right sidebar under affiliates.

Staying Organized !

I thought I had lost this image.  It used to be the screen saver on my monitor...2 computers ago.  This looks just like my Sugar.  Is it real or digitized ? I don't know but it is too stinking cute.  I think I found it when Google-ing Bichon images, but can't seem to find it again.  I thought it interesting that it was taken on the one year anniversary of 9/11. A room full of Bichons would be therapeutic.

                               So, how many puppies can you find. ?

There is a lesson here.  Organize your digital files.

I have my photos filed like this

Digital Photos

       2010
        2011
       2012
          Family
          Dogs
          Friends
          Vacations
          Scouts
          Sports
           Holidays
           Nature
                 Landscapes
                  Flowers
                   Birds
                  Trees
                   Macro
                    Sky

My SVG collection is somewhat disorganized. I started filing by object

Animals
Children
Frames
Holiday
     Christmas
     Halloween
     Valentines Day
Words or Phrases


Then I started filing by source

SVGcuts
Penny Duncan
Paulo
Lettering Delights

So this will be reorganized right after I redo my pantry, organize my sock drawer, organize under the kitchen sink,  oh yeah and write a paper for my Community Nursing class. (due this weekend).
Better go !






                 

Which Vinyl Do I Use ?

Some time back Clever Someday posted a great schematic to help a crafter determine which vinyl is appropriate for their specific application.  I have referred to this often and find it quite helpful.  This is not my work but a reposting from Clever Someday's blog where you will find a lot of valuable information.

Pinterest has Occupied My Free Time!

    Did you miss me?
 I discovered Pinterest and time just slipped away!
  Are you Pinning?
 Have you heard about it?
 Been trying to check it out and find you are not permitted?








   Here is what you are missing.  Imagine the internet is a stack of magazines. You have a pair of scissors. Cut out that recipe, cute hairstyle, decorating inspiration or anything else that makes you think ooooh !  Now place these clips onto your "boards". You create however many you like, their topic, their arrangement.  Now here comes the fun part...you glimpse other peoples boards. See something you like? Hit the like button. Or better yet "repin" it onto your board. Come up with new categories and give them fresh names.  Here is the best part, each Pin is an instant link to the original website, taking you to the recipe, blog site, originator of that image.    Follow your friends, or strangers with similar interest.  Before you know it you have beautiful boards and countless people are following you, to see what you will pin next.  It is highly addicting.  And you don't have to restrict yourself to repinning what others have pinned. Go to your favorite blog site, you may find a "follow me on Pinterest" tab, and you add them to your following list.  Right away you may want to add a Pin It button to the marquee of your browser ( Pinterest gives you the step by step)  then anytime something tugs at your heartstrings you are ready to pin it.
Soon you may have a following of your own.  So many inspiring, creative people out there sharing ideas, in one place. Pinterest.  Look to see which of your friends are pinning, ask them for an invite ( you can just request permission from P and wait for approval) and see what everyone is pinning about.

you are welcome to browse my boards http://pinterest.com/ginadecor/
It is addicting, you have been warned !


Follow Me !