scrumptious~scrappy~deliciousness

Altered Paint Can

2011-05-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

Perfect end of school year gift for any teacher.
The paper & embellishments are all new releases from Momenta.
For more information on the new product lines offered by Momenta visit their blog,
http://www.mymomenta.blogspot.com

Hip Chick!

2011-05-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

This layout features the Free to Be Me line from Momenta. All items on this page are from Momenta.

I used my Quickutz scalloped circle in different sizes to highlight other paper designs that this line has to offer. Instructions on how to create this layout will be posted on the Momenta website. http://www.momenta.com/

Momenta Challenge

2011-05-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

The first Momenta challenge has officially begun! Use the above sketch & create any size layout or card & post your project on the Momenta blog. www.mymomentablog.blogspot.com
Here's my sketch:

It's Wedding Season...

2011-05-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is about to go in full swing. Both of these cards were made using the Momenta card kits, (Black Tie). These kits are a lifesaver. I had almost no experience in card making until momenta released the card kits. These kits take out all of the anxiety & help create fabulous cards that you'll be proud to giveaway this holiday season.

It's not to late... head over to the Momenta blog & become a fan. You could be the lucky winner of a scrapbook prize pack. Happy NSD!

Momenta Has A New Blog!

2011-05-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce that the Momenta Blog has moved! The new updated blog will feature projects from some of the most talented ladies in the industry. In honor of the new blog launch, Momenta will be giving away some great products this week. Head on over to the blog & check it out. The April 27th blog post features the cards I made using the Free to Be Me Card Kit, just released by Momenta. While you're there, don't forget to grab their button! You may just win something.
http://mymomentablog.blogspot.com/

Free to Be Me Card Kit

A Cute Little Story That Just might Make You Shed A Tear...

2011-03-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Since I started my new job in the corporate world I have become somewhat susceptible to the office chain mail. Every week I get at least one message that I open & read & then think "seriously...you have a lot of time on your hands." As I sat at home sick today I decided to go through the piles of email & I came across another dreaded chain email. I decided to open since I have been home sick & have lots of time on my hands. Before I could even finish it I was crying like a baby & my kids were looking at me like I was a hot mess. I decided that in the future I won't be so cynical to the chain mail that comes my way.

What a lovely little story to remind us that life really can be beautiful. It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her.. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

PS: Thinking of Audrey & Nana

Audrey & Daisy (2006)

I Simply LOVE You!

2011-02-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

I made this 12x12 layout using the black tie line from Momenta. One of the unique things about this layout are the title stickers. The create your own stickers are a new release from Momenta. The blank stickers come in numerous fonts & sizes. You then go to the Momenta website & choose your coordinating pattern for the stickers & follow the printing instructions. The entire process took less then a minute to complete & I love the results!

Sibling Rivalry

2011-02-03T05:51:00.000-08:00

This 12x12 double layout was made using We R Memory Keepers "Be My Valentine" line.

Let It Snow..and snow..and snow...

2011-02-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to pick up the latest release from Bo Bunny before the "snowpocalypse" hit. Their Midnight Frost line is just what I need to document the 2 feet of snow that will be on my door step by Thursday morning. To top it off...I had this amazing set of glitter alphas from Momenta that I have been saving for just the right layout.

Scrapbook Evolution

2011-01-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

6 years ago I made my first scrapbook album. I had never done this before & knew nothing. I had all of this memorabilia & photos from my honeymoon that I wanted to preserve. I knew nothing about die cuts, chipboard alphas or patterned paper. To make this 12x12 album I simply used markers, alpha stencil, funky scissors & a few paper Jolee's. Here are some samples of what I accomplished:

Obviously my layouts have somewhat evolved over the last few years. The questions is... Can you go back & re scrap or do you move on?

Personalized Invitations

2011-01-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

A few years ago when Audrey was three, I was determined to hand make her birthday invitations. I used a really cute pink & black polka dot print, matching ribbon & my quickutz cupcake die. The first 5 were really cute but my fingers were sore, my eyes were tired & I was frustrated cause I still had 30 more to make. I only handed out 5 of those invites & then sent a generic email to everyone else. (Not one of my shining moments as a parent).

Cameron & I have been tossing around ideas for the most amazing Pirate Birthday party known to man. Then he dropped the bomb on me...he wanted me to make the cool one of a kind invitations. "AAAHHHHHH"

I buckled down in the craft room this morning determined to make one for his approval & then figure out if this is something I can do 30 more times. I spent 2 hours working on his invitation. The card is from the Momenta card pack. I used Cricut Paper Dolls Cartridge for Pirates, Quickutz Snow Day Alphabet & Jolee Boutique for the treasure chest. This is what I came up with:

The Original

Its a great invitation, but lets be honest, I'm gonna make 5 of them & then go crazy. As I explained this to my husband he just stared at me like I was crazy. He suggested I just photocopy them on card stock. The idea of it was crazy. There is no way my simple little 3 year old $100 Kodak printer/copier would be able to duplicate this materpiece. To prove him wrong, I cut a piece of 12x12 card stock down to 8.5x11 and printed a copy of the card. This is the result:

The Copy

I think I stood there with my mouth open for a full 2 minutes. The answer to my prayers didnt come from Creating Keepsakes Magazine or Scrapbooksetc.com... It came from the anti-scrapper...

The Anti-Scrapper

I learned two important lessons today.
#1 I can make custom cards in bulk now :)
#2 I need to listen to the Anti-Scrapper more often. He pays attention to my crafts more than he lets on...

side by side

2011 Resolutions

2011-01-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

Have you chosen your resolutions for 2011 yet?

Here are my 11 for 2011:

1. Be a guest designer on 3 different blogs
2. Join a 2nd design team
3. Create 100 scrapbook layouts
4. 10 altered projects
5. 20 cards
6. Get a layout published ( may need till 2015 for this one)
7. Get 50 followers for my blog
8. Teach a class at a local Scrap store
9. Finish my scraproom
10. Learn 5 new tips or techniques from other blogs
11. Be part of a blog train

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

How will you celebrate the New Year? Here is some inspiration for 2011. Enjoy!

Momenta Products

Momenta Sketch Challenge

2010-12-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

Momenta is hosting a monthly sketch challenge on their blog & facebook page. Check out their blog http://mymomenta.wordpress.com/ to look at the sketch they did. This is my version:

I used Momenta Card Stock (black), Winterberry paper, Winterberry Chipboard & stickers. The title font is from the Cricut Jasmine cartridge. http://www.momenta.com/

Not another Christmas Layout!

2010-12-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up to 20 degree weather, very little sunshine & a frost covered car. This inspired me to be warm. This 12x12 layout was done using the Momenta Simply Perfect Page Kit, Summer Theme along with Momenta card stock. Have you checked out Momenta yet? Go to their website http://www.momenta.com/ & check out their fabulous idea gallery. You can purchase direct from them as well as Michaels & many other craft stores.

MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD

2010-12-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I have never been much of a card maker but that is changing quickly. Momenta has a great line of card making kits & I thought I would give it a try. Wow...I'm hooked. I have made 6 cards in a very short amount of time.
I made this Christmas card last night & I LOVE it! I used the Momenta card kit, Momenta All Through the Year paper, Momenta Card Stock & Quickutz Rudolph. The ribbon is from my stash & i sprinkled a little bit of Christmas glitter to help make it twinkle.

December Daily Update 1-5

2010-12-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

It's officially December & my daily album is in full swing. I kept the first couple of pages very simple & I hope as the month goes on the book will start to explode with creativity.

December 1 is all about the Celtics since Phil & I went to the game on that day.
December 2 is all about our Christmas wishes.
December 3 is all about the big fat tree we got this year.
December 4 is about some of the Chrsitmas crafts I made that day.
December 5 we decorated the house.

These are still base pages. I plan on going back & adding more as the month goes on.

Keep me updated on how your Daily is coming. It's not to late to get started if you haven't!

Christmas Countdown Cookie Sheet

2010-12-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

I wanted to start the December blog as festive as possible. I have always wanted a fancy advent calendar but found it a little silly to spend $30-50 on one. Especially since I already know I would forget to move the dates around ever day. I made my own version of the Advent Calendar using an 11x17 cookie sheet & We R Memory Keepers White Christmas line along with some Christmas embellishments I had leftover from last year. The front is from the Jasmine Cricut Cartridge. The Card stock is Momenta.

Have a great December 1, & don't forget about your December Daily album!

It's Cookie Time!

2010-11-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite Layouts to date! This 12x12 was featured on the creative cookbooking blog in September. Audrey & Cam love my made from scratch chocolate cookie recipe so I wanted a way to preserve it so they would always have it. The title is my favorite part of the layout. I used the scraps from the border punch to make the title look like chocoale chip cookies.

Here is the cookie recipe:

Oven: 375 Bake 8 min

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups of flour
12 oz. chocolate chips

In a large bowl mix the shortening & butter for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar & baking soda. Mix until combined. Beat in eggs & vanilla. Slowly add flour, mix by hand. Stir in chocoalte chips.
Bake on greased cookie sheet in 375 oven for 8 minutes.
Don't forget the glass of ice cold milk!

December Daily Sneak Peek

2010-11-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ok...so I know your probably thinking it's crazy to be starting a December project on November 1. I just can't help myself. I have made a commitment with some of my fellow designers at Momenta to do a December Daily album. The December Daily was started by Ali Edwards & has been a holiday hit for years. I've always wanted to try one but afraid I wouldn't follow through.
My album & base pages are completed so I am now ahead of the game. I can sit back & relax until December. Below is a sneak peek of what I've done so far. For more information on the December Daily go to Ali's website: http://aliedwards.com/2010/10/december-daily-2010-creating-a-foundation.html

6x6 album cover
We R Memory Keepers White Christmas paper
Momenta Alpha Stickers

6x6 pages

Hello Fall!

2010-10-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that fall is in full swing! I think for my family this is our favorite time of year because we are able to do multiple outdoor activities together. Our all time favorite activity is apple & pumpkin picking at Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls NH. we have been visiting this farm consistently since 2004. Some years it's extremely cold & we are bundled in hats & mittens & other years it's extremely warm & we are in shorts & t-shirts. My personal favorite is when it's cold. The hot apple cider & sugar apple donuts fresh from the oven just taste a little bit better on those cold days. I will never complain about the extra snuggle I might get from my cold little one's.
This year was one of the warm years. I think the temp was just approaching 90 the day we went. You never can tell in New England.

I used TPC Studio paper & embellishments from their Rustic Garden Collection for this 12x12 layout.. This line was my favorite release for this fall.
I used an 8x10 photo. The font is from the "Cuttin Up" Cricut Cartridge. I inked the edges of the letters to make them pop.
I really wanted a large pumpkin but I didnt have any die cuts that large so I made my own.

I used my circle punch & cut 3 circles. I layered the circles then glued them together. I drew the lines by hand then inked the edges. Thanks for reading. See ou tomorrow!
~Jessica

Farewell Summer 2010

2010-10-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is my last summer project for 2010. I altered a chipboard album by Arte Blanche. All paper & embellishments is from Momenta Endless Summer & Beach lines. I used an assortment of colorful ribbon from my stash. This is a very easy project that anyone can do.

Altered Take Out Box

2010-09-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Before I leave for Martha's Vineyard I decided to put this little gem together. It took me just over an hour but if your good with paper, scissors & glue then this project wont be difficult. I will post the instructions on Wednesday night when I return home. Enjoy the sneak peek!
All products are from the Momenta Sweet Talk Line.

cute little candy box

back of the box

Composition Book Instructions

2010-09-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Altered Composition Book

Instructions:

1. You will need 2 pieces of 12x12 paper from the Wonderland paper pad.

2. Trace the cover of your composition book on the blank side of you paper. Make sure your paper is not upside down.

3. Repeat step 2 for the back cover. Use your second piece of 12x12 paper.

4. Cut out your cover following the lines you just traced.

5. Repeat step 4 for the back cover of your book.

6. Do not use glue to adhere paper to composition book! Simply use an adhesive runner & generously apply to the entire surface of the cover.

7. Adhere your paper to the cover of the composition book.

8. Cut your ribbon so it is at least 16” long.

9. Use the same adhesive runner & glide over the underside of the ribbon & adhere where the paper & the book binding meet.

10. Using the Cricut cartridge Cherry Limeade, cut out 2 flowers & layer them.

11. Adhere flower to book & then place an alphabet sticker in the center of the flower.

12. Decorate the remainder of the cover with stickers

Altered Composition Books for Back to School

2010-08-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

So I took the kids school supply shopping yesterday & got into a tug of war with my 8 year old over a composition book. I picked the typical black one that costs $.25. She grabbed one with a fancy cover & the price tag was $5.00. Needless to say, she lost that battle.
I took that $.25 composition book home & decorated it myself. Here it is:

All products except for the ribbon is from Momenta. The girl composition book is from the Wonderland Line & the boy composition book is from the Super Hero line. I will post instructions tomorrow.

She had a great first day!

The Coolest Birthday Cake Ever!!

2010-08-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Our Star Wars birthday party would not have been complete without R2D2. I went to Wild Orchid Baking Company in North Hampton & gave them the daunting task of creating an R2D2 cake for my son. This is what they came up with:

The cake tasted amazing! The inside tasted like an oreo cooking & was layered with a butter creme. My son felt so special to have his own mini cake of his hero.

Wild Orchid Baking Company is located on Rt.1 in North Hampton NH

603-964-CAKE

http://www.wildorchidbaking.com/

Cameron wearing his Darth Vader Pinata on his head

What To Do When You Have An Abundance Of Lego's....Scrap Them Of Course!!!

2010-08-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

My favorite layout I created so far this summer is definitely "Lego Maniac."
Lego's became an overnight sensation in my house this summer. It was only fitting that I pay homage to Cameron's new obsession. No joke when I say obsession. He reacts to the word Lego like a tween reacts to hearing the name Justin Beiber.

Instructions

For this project I used Momenta cardstock, Occasions & Celebrations Paper, Endless Summer Paper, Quickutz Polka Dot Embossing tool, Cricut George & Lego's.

1. Use the 12x12 Red card stock as base.

2. Ink the edges of the red cardstock.

3. Cut ½”from all four sides of the patterned paper & adhere to the cardstock.

4. Cut the polka dot patterned paper into a 7”x11” rectangle & ink the edges.

5. Adhere rectangle 2” from the top of the page.

6. Cut a 2”x11” rectangle from the striped paper & adhere 1” from the bottom of the page.

7. Adhere photos to the center of the page.

8. I created the title using my Cricut Machine & the Cricut Cartridge Cuttin Up.

9. Using my Quickutz squeeze I embossed the title with polka dots.

10. Adhere title to page.

11. Using adhesive, attach Legos to the top & bottom of the page.

Flip Flop Album Instructions

2010-08-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! Since my flip flop album was featured on the Momenta Blog yesterday I decided to post the flip flop album instructions today. This album can be a little tricky for the beginner scrapbooker but if your patient it will happen. The first time I made one it took 4 try's before I got it right.

1. Start with the left foot flip flop. That is the cover to your album. Using your brad setter, poke two holes on the left side of the flip flop to use as the binding for your album.

2. The right foot flip flop will be your back cover. Using your scissors, cut off the rubber toe strap and completely remove it.

3. Flip right flip flop over so it lines up perfectly with the cover.

4. Place your flip flops on top of each other to form the album. Using your pen mark the spot for your binding hole so they line up with the holes from the top flip flop. Then use your brad setter & cut holes.

5. You will need to use card stock to support your pages. Take your top flip flop (the left foot) and trace it onto your card stock. You will want to trace for as many pages you want to make.

6. Using the same flip flop, trace onto your designer paper & cut out. Cut it slightly thinner than the outline so some of the cardstock will show.

7. Using your adhesive, adhere your designer paper to the card stock.

8. Now ink the edges of your flip flop pages with black ink.

9. Grab the bottom flip flop (right foot). Flip it over so it now looks like the left foot & all the tread is facing you. Line up one of your card stock cutouts and mark the holes. Use your brad setter & cut the holes. then adhere to the flip flop. **I recommend using a crafters glue. A stronger glue will work better.**

10. Line up your pages & mark where your holes should be for the binding. then punch holes.

11. Decorate your pages using your summer photos & the embellishments from the Momenta Beach Kit. Do any kind of journaling on the blank card stock on the other side.

12. Using Alpha stickers put your title on the top flip flop & decorate with buttons, brads & stickers. Glue dots are the best adhesive for the buttons.

13. Decorate the rubber strap with an assortment of ribbon.

14. To put your book together you will need to feed your ribbon through all of the holes that you punched earlier. You may need to use tweezers to help feed it through. make sure you leave enough slack so you can open the album & turn pages.

2010-08-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

My Flip Flop Album & instructions are being featured on the Momenta blog today. Take a peek & let me know what you think. I will post the instructions to this page later today. Hope you like it!

http://www.mymomenta.wordpress.com/