What to do With All Those Christmas Pictures

I don't know about you, but I take A LOT of pictures. Digital cameras and phones make everything so easy to just snap, snap away. Around this time of year there are SO many opportunities for picture taking madness. In the past I have talked about my need to get pictures OFF the computer and OUT so my kids (and guests) can enjoy them.

This last year Project Life has been a fantastic, fun, and creative way to do just that. For Christmas, it allows me to print my pictures and quickly get them into an album to enjoy. My goal is to have my 2013 album finished (or close to complete) by December 31st so we can look through it on New Years Eve. I think it will be super fun to look back over the past year.  :)

Here is an example of one of my December pages from last year that I recently made (still working on that one). I used everything from me & my BIG ideas. Their products are sold in SO many different places, that it makes creating the album so convenient. You can find their goodies at Michaels, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, online, etc.

This page was recently featured on the me & my BIG ideas blog. Everything I used is listed there. Come take a look! I LOVE using the POCKET PAGES & all the little goodies that go along from Specialty Cards to stickers. I can't wait for family to come over and look through my albums. I think they are really going to enjoy them.

 

 

 Also, don't forget... it's my birthday and everything in my shop is 15% off. Simply use the coupon code HAPPYHAPP15 at checkout! :)

Painted Mixed Media Christmas Card

How fun is this little painted Christmas tree? 

Do you like to make your own cards or gifts? 

Today I have a perfect little project to share! I painted this mini Christmas scene for a holiday card. But, it could easily be made into a canvas for a bit of whimsy art or framed for a gift. It was super easy and fun! Let me tell you how I created it!

First I used a heavy duty piece of card stock from some packaging that I saved from the recycle bin for the base. I created a mixed media background using layers of paper, stamps, ink, pen, acrylic paint and rub ons. Then I used some fun patterned paper from me & my BIG ideas to cut out the shapes for the tree, trunk, presents, and half circles along the top. I didn't measure. I just cut away. :)

Using some matte Mod Podge I glued the scene together. Once that dried, I added paint to each piece lightly with acrylic paint. I wanted to tone down the patterned paper a bit, but still allow the designs to show through. This is a great way to tone down bright patterns for your scrapbook layouts too. A thin layer of white gesso always does the trick for me!

Finally, I added details like shading, bows, and Merry Christmas stickers from Cosmo Cricket. I used a small white button for the tree topper, attaching it with some E6000 glue (use with GOOD ventilation!). Once my mini canvas was complete I added it on top of a few paper layers. Everything was placed onto a card (just some folded white card stock) and now it is ready to send out! 

The great thing about this card - the recipient can stick it in a frame and have it as Christmas decor for years to come. A sweet, festive card perfect for gift giving. 

PS I also think this would be a GREAT project for kids to make as gift too!!

Happy Creating,

Book Page Wreath Revisited

I just love this wreath I made at the beginning of this year. It is one of my favorite things hanging in my house. I thought it would be fun to share this project again because it would make a fantastic, handmade gift or a bit of festive fabulousness to hang in your house.

I think I am going to make another one for our front door. In my head I see a bit of Heidi Swapp gold Color Shine spritzed onto the paper rolls for a bit of bling and some pretty Christmas ornaments for the center. Sounds divine!

Come read my original book page wreath post right HERE!

Happy Creating,

Quick & Easy Holiday Card

Here is a super quick & easy card I made using the me & my BIG ideas CARDS in an INSTANT. Seriously, so super easy!

I don't know about you, but I love making my own cards for Christmas, birthdays, or what ever the occasion may be. (DIY wedding card) It just means a wee bit more to the recipient when things have a homemade touch. The mambi cards make everything so easy.

All I did was fold the patterned paper (already sized & perforated) in half, use some scraps from the large 12 x 12 mambi pack to run horizontally, then placed a card from one of the CARDS in an INSTANT pack right on top. I did add some black paper behind to help it pop off the page. I hole punched the top and added some decorative twine. Finally, I made a few of those darling snowflakes stand out by adding a white puffy snowflake sticker (mambi STICKS). Too cute!

On the inside, I didn't want it to be plain white, so I glued a piece of the pretty aqua paper to the bottom. Then I placed the matching card on top. I slipped doilies under the card on the top & bottom. Now, it's done and ready to be given to someone special.

It really was quick and easy! :)

Come see my card on the me & my BIG ideas blog right HERE!

Next time I will share a mixed media Christmas card. It will be a little more messy (yay!), but who doesn't love some paint on their hands!?

Happy Creating,

Cyber Monday Sale - 25% off Entire Shop

It's Cyber Monday! 

So I have my entire ETSY shop on sale. Everything is 25% off.

Just enter: CYBERMONDAY25 for your coupon code.

Come back and visit too! 

I will be adding a few more originals throughout this week and next.

I am off to do more Christmas decorating. 

Have you already decked your halls?

I wish I could leave it like this all year! :)

Adorable Fall Owl Craft

How cute is this little guy? It's perfect for a quick fall project, right? Thanksgiving break is coming next week in the states and this owl craft would be perfect to do with your kids, family, or grand kids. 

My daughter came home from school last week and wanted to teach her brother and I an art project they had done at school. She was super excited to show us! 

I have to give all the credit to her and her fabulous teachers. :) 

It is super easy and loads of fun.

Here's what she had us do....

Gather supplies:

pine cones

cotton balls

glue

googly eyes

yellow round stickers

feathers

construction paper 

First, break the cotton balls apart into smaller pieces and begin stuffing them into the spaces in the cones. We didn't use glue for this. The cotton stays tucked nicely inside. I am sure you could use glue, but it is not necessary. 

After the owl is fluffed up, decide which side in going to be the front. Now, use the glue to attach two whole cotton balls to the top portion of the cone for the base of the eyes. Place a round yellow sticker in the center of each cotton ball. Then, on top of that glue a googly eye. Repeat for the other eye. 

 Using some yellow paper cut out a small folded beak and glue between the eyes. The final step is to glue a feather on each side for the wings. We just put a little bit of glue on the end of the feather and stuck it into the pine cone. There are lots of different variations that can be done for the wings! My kids wanted their owl to have brightly colored wings. :)

That's it! Your adorable owl is finished and ready for display.

SO cute!

Happy Creating,

Gratitude Jar - mambi Design Team Project

Hi all!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. :)

 

I had a creative weekend...painting, scrapping, and crafting away. Thanksgiving will be here in no time and I have a super fun, easy DIY project up on the me & my BIG ideas blog today.

 

 

 

It would be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving day and décor. Come read all about it

RIGHT HERE!

Gratitude Journal - 14 Days of an Art Journal

Happy almost middle of November! Can you believe that!? I know I can't. There is so much to do...so many lists of things to cross off. But, lately with so many crazy things going on around me, I have an urge to get quiet, simplify, cherish moments, cling to the true blessings, and hunt down every bit of gratitude in me.

 With 14 days counting down until Thanksgiving, I thought I would challenge myself to reflect on these with a journal spread each day. A creative gratitude journal is exactly what I need right now. I don't want to burden myself with expectations or have a certain way it needs to look. One day I may paint...the next write & doodle...and the next scrapbook. I am going to go with whatever I am feeling that day. Yes! I like the way that sounds. Do you keep a gratitude journal or something like it?

I am going to kick off my little challenge with sharing a few journal pages that I have been working on. I am still trying to finish up my current art journal so I can begin another! Geesh, it is taking a long time, lol.

 

This page came together SO quickly. I had a bunch of paint already spread randomly around the page. (Probably a page used to wipe excess paint off from other pieces. Many of my pages start like that.) Then as I passed the page sitting on my table one day, I just grabbed a brush with some black acrylic paint and made simple flowers. After several layers of more paint, washi tape, white pen, and Faber-Castell PITT pens, I really wanted some words. These words from a me & my BIG ideas 3x4 Specialty Cards were perfect. I just cut them up, glued them down, and wrote my own words to finish it off. It says, "Dance like no one is watching, Love fiercely, Sing loud, and pray always.

Here is another page I am working on. It started much the same as the other. It is a work in progress, but I love how it has begun.

 Feeling blessed...beyond measure... :)

I'll be back to share more pages of gratitude. Let me know if you are sharing somewhere too, so I can come by for a visit. I love visiting new blogs or Instagram feeds. Come follow me on instagram too @sadieinspired.

May your week be filled with color, blessings, and tons of creative mojo!

Faux Flair Friday #3 - Dimensional Washi

This week I made some flair buttons using washi and Diamond Glaze. I have oodles of washi tape and finding ways to use it up always make me happy. I honestly don't think I'll ever use it all up, but it's worth a try. :)

In past weeks I have demonstrated how to make faux flair using scraps of paper and got artsy making some mixed media beauties as well. The process is basically the same this week, I just simply traded out the one inch epoxy stickers for Aleene's Paper Glaze or Diamond Glaze. (You could also use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic)

Let's get started!

 
Grab some more scraps or plain card stock, washi tape, and a one inch circle punch. I used the back side of my one sided patterned paper. I am really trying to use these up too!

Cover your paper with the washi tape you choose. Some patterns on the washi will line up nicely while others will not. That didn't bother me though. Embellishments or words can always be added afterward to hide the imperfection. :)

Next, punch out the circles. In hindsight, I should have used a wider piece of paper so I could have punched two circles. I just punched some semi circles out from the left over space.

Now, it's time to jazz your little pretties up! The great thing about making "flair" buttons like this is that your embellishments do not have to lay flat. When using epoxy stickers that is not possible. Here I was able to use stickers like me & my BIG ideas mambi STICKS. They are so cute and have a great price. I also used some Cosmo Cricket word stickers from Joann's.

I placed my flair badges in a flat, shallow box and began adding Aleene's Paper Glaze. I also made some using Diamond Glaze as well and prefer it to the Aleene's. I always try out the glaze on a scrap paper before adding it to my projects. Also, keep a tiny pin near by to poke any air bubbles that might make their way into your circles. I move slow in a circular motion watching the nozzle to see if I can catch any bubbles before they come out. If they do, just pop them with the pin.

I cover mine up with a plastic lid and let them cure for at least 24 hours. I added glitter to mine to give them a bit of bling too!

They turned out darling! 

I am looking forward to making some more for some upcoming Christmas projects! (I am trying not to hyperventilate... the holidays ARE here, and there is SO much to do. That's why my motto this year is simplify & simplify some more!)

Happy Creating!

(Don't forget to check out my other flair - HERE & HERE)

Cute, Quick & Easy Halloween Treat Bags

 Halloween is just about a week away, and I don't know about you... but, I always have friends or neighbors that I love to spoil a bit. I wanted to make something quick & easy, but super cute. I thought the me & my BIG ideas Halloween themed POCKET PAGES cards would be perfect to make that happen. Look how cute they turned out! There are several different 3x4 cards in each set, so each bag can be a little unique. PLUS, an extra bonus - the 4x6 cards can be used for decoration around my house and the left over 3x4s will make their way into my Project Life album. Perfect!!

This is all you need to make these adorable goodie bags...

Supply List: 

• me & my BIG ideas Halloween cards from Michaels (there are 2 different packages. I couldn't decide which one I wanted. So, I just had to get both!)
• $1 ribbon also from Michaels
• Small kraft colored bags (Hobby Lobby)
• Small white doilies (Hobby Lobby)
• Goodies for your little monsters :)
• Adhesive & Hole Punch
• That's it!

Once I had my supplies, I sat down at my table and got to work. First, I adhered the doily to the kraft bag. I layered the cards on top. The mambi sets include cards with sayings and cards with cute patterned paper. That makes projects like these a breeze! I used the patterned paper (with sparkle!) to make little banners along the bottom of some. I punched holes in the top, filled the bag, and tied my ribbon. I just love that I can fill the bag with other goodies besides just candy too. Right!? The little munchkins will get plenty of sugar already!! :)

I hope you are having a wonderful week.

Happy Creating,

 

Faux Flair Friday #2 - Mixed Media Embellies

Remember last week when I had a blast making darling little flair buttons using epoxy stickers and some of my favorite patterned paper. Well, this week I have been doing more of the same. Except this week I have been busting into my paint, watercolors, stamps, markers, and Mod Podge to make these cute embellishments. Using paint and your own created art makes them SO versatile! Look at how easy they are to make!

I grabbed some watercolor paper from my stash and began making a mixed media background. You could use some light colored card stock, but watercolor paper will hold the wet media much better. I added book text with some gel medium, doodled with my Faber Castell PITT pens, added inexpensive watercolor, watercolor crayons, stamped, stenciled, and just had fun. The most important thing is to have fun, right? Don't worry about making a mistake. Just mark, doodle, smoosh (is that a word?), swipe, scrape, drip, smear, dot, and create to your heart's content. When you're finished, stand back and admire your beautiful work.

After I let my pages dry for a bit, I punched some one inch circles out. I sorted through them and chose my favorites. Like last week, some I left plain and others I added words for variety. 

I carefully added the epoxy stickers on top and rubbed the back to completely adhere the paper. I just love how they turned out. They will certainly make a pretty layer on a scrapbook layout, journal page, card, tag, or canvas. LOVE them!

I am starting to grow a wonderful collection of these creative little goodies, so I better get busy making some projects! What are you working on? Do share! I'd love to hear all about it. Better yet, leave me a link so I can come visit. :)

Next week, I will be back with some washi buttons. Cute! Who has oodles of washi? I know I do. Let's turn them into some fabulous faux flair!

Happy Creating,
(You can read last week's post right HERE)

"Faux Flair" Friday - Make Your Own

I don't know about you, but I have a ton of paper. I mean A LOT. After doing oodles of mixed media, art journal, and scrappy projects... I also have a TON of scraps. I just can't seem to throw those pieces away (they usually end up in my mixed media backgrounds). I am always thinking of ways to use them up. I bet you are too! 

  Lately, flair buttons have become super popular. There are so many cute designs! I adore them. I thought it would be really fun to try and make some of my own. I think making my own adds a little homemade feel to my projects and I can alter them any way I need to. It is such a perfect way to match embellishments to whatever projects I am working on. Seriously, after making a few...I am sold, and there is just so many options to make them unique. Here is what I did! 

 1) I gathered up all my fabulous scraps. I always keep a small recycled container by my Project Life/scrapbook station (hello, dining room table) and my art table to collect bits of paper.  :)

2) I used a one inch circle punch and punched away. I like to punch a bunch out at one time. That way I have them ready to go for any crafty project.

3) Once my circles were ready I decided to embellish some, doodle some words on a few and left some plain. I also loved using little word stickers. This is a GREAT way to tailor your flare to your needs!

4) Finally, I used some Spare Parts (the Paper Studio) 1 inch epoxy stickers and added them to my punched circles. It can be a little tricky to center the epoxy right onto the circle, but you can carefully trim around the edge after if needed. I don't mind the imperfection at all. 

5) I turned each "faux flair" over and rubbed the paper on the back to make sure I got any air bubbles out. Again, I am not a factory and they may have imperfections. Especially, if I altered the circle with something that had  dimension...the sticker may not lay completely flat. No problem!

Look how cute they turned out! Eeeek, LOOK at that gold beauty in front. I made that one from a mambi Specialty Card. The glittering star is Dear Lizzy paper and a Stickerdoodle sticker. Too cute!

Here is a "faux flair" I made for an embellishment cluster on a 12x12 layout recently. Adorable, right!? That heart was created from one of the me and my BIG ideas 3x4 POCKET PAGES card packs. I simply punched it out & added the epoxy sticker. It was a cinch and it added some needed dimension. Not to mention adding to the cuteness factor. ;) (Layout post coming in the future.)

I am in love with this crafty process! So, I will be making some more. There are all kinds of things to be done with them - add to a Project Life layout, attach to an altered canvas, layer up a card, personalize a journal, and so much more.

Come back next Friday when I show you how I made some mixed media flair!! I KNOW you what to get those hands messy...so, I will see you right here next Friday! :)

Happy Creating!

Exciting News! me & my BIG ideas Design Team

Look at that!

I am so super excited to announce that I have been chosen as one of the new members of the me & my BIG ideas DesignTeam! I feel very honored to be in the company of these creative ladies above. I can't wait to share various artsy projects, scrapbook layouts, Project Life spreads, mixed media canvases, art journal pages, etc using fun mambi goodies. I will be sharing all kinds of inspiring goodness right here on Sadie Inspired as well as my Instagram & Pinterest. Come say "Hi!" I would love for you to come follow along. 

Remember this fun up-cycled canvas made with a mambi 4x6 POCKET PAGES card & the packaging?  You can read all about it right HERE.  I am looking forward to creating more goodies very soon!

Happy Creating Friends,

A DIY Wedding Card

I love weddings. Don't you? There is something so magical about seeing a gorgeous bride walk down that aisle in her beautiful gown. I have been to so many weddings and they all have that little bit of magic. :) With another wedding right around the corner for a family friend, I was inspired to make something unique, special and classy. I also wanted to include a bit of sparkle to capture that magical spirit that was sure to be flying around.

 
I was looking through my stash of creative goodies and I knew I wanted to use a super cute patterned paper from the Becky Higgins Project Life Midnight Edition by Liz Tamanaha (whoa, is that a mouthful!). Remember, I wanted something with a bit of bling too and the new Pocket Pages Specialty Cards from me & my BIG ideas were the perfect compliment. Holy Smokes, do I LOVE their new line of cards! They are so fun with super fine glitter and foil added to their already darling cards. They are so perfect for my Project Life albums and projects like making cards too. I can't wait to use more of these bedazzled goodies in several projects I have planned.

For my wedding card I just used white card stock as the base, added the Midnight Edition paper that had been trimmed down, and began layering the mambi cards. I also used one of the 4x6 title cards in black & white wood grain from the Midnight Core Kit as a base. I just love how versatile all the pocket page cards from the various manufactures can be.

I also used some plain white vellum to soften up the layers a bit. I added some black grosgrain ribbon and some thinner black satin ribbon under the layered paper to make a tied closure. I fell in swoon-y love with the large glittered ampersand and made it the central focus of the card. I added black corrugated Thickers from Amy Tangerine (found at TJ Maxx) on either side. An itty-bitty silver heart fit perfectly inside both of the letter Rs to match the fabulous silver glittered circles on the mambi card.  

 

Doesn't the black and white look pretty with the neutral palette of that patterned heart paper! 

I just love it. 

Elegant, Classy, and Sparkling...exactly what I hoped for.

Now,  I have to figure out what to wear! :)

I hope you are having a creative, happy week with a bit of magic!

Martha Stewart Gesso & Goodbye Summer

Holy Smokes! How are you? All I can say, is that I blinked and summer disappeared. Literally...poof! My family and I had a wonderful time enjoying the warm weather, a fab vacation to Mammoth Lakes, baseball games, and all the good things that summer bring. I am so sad to see it go! My daughter just headed back to school this past Wednesday, so it is back to schedules, homework, and busy! I am happy to say though, I live in southern California...so the flip flops aren't going anywhere for awhile. :)

As I was packing up artsy goodies for our family trip to Mammoth and a Hubby & me trip to Vegas, I knew I wanted to bring along some gesso. I use it all the time. It is my absolute "go to" product for pretty much anything I am working on. I didn't want to bring my large container of Liquitex, so I ran over to Michaels (I seriously should work there) to see what I could find.

I found a small bottle of gesso by Martha Stewart that looked perfect. It was just a little bit bigger than a bottle of craft paint. I also HAD to buy this inexpensive Artist Loft set of watercolor. I mean, I HAD to - they shimmer! I am a lover of all the shimmer, the shine, the glitter, the sparkle. So these looked like a ton of fun. When I got home, I tossed them in my bag thinking I would have time to give them a try. 

 Fast forward to Mammoth. We did a whole bunch of this...

 ...so, there was not a lot of time for creating. Which was fine with me!

 But, when my husband & I went to Vegas, I had plenty of time. He had conferences all day so my art journal kept me company. I really liked using the Martha gesso. I liked trying something different. The consistency is pretty fluid, but grainier than the Liquitex. Once I spread it out over the page it became much more creamy in texture. It is thin and shows layers well, which I like. You will need to use a couple of layers if you want something completely covered though. I am going to stick to my favorite Liquitex, but I will also love changing it up from time to time. Hmmm, or better yet...maybe another mini vacation! Hint. Hint. :)

  
I got started on this girl while in Vegas and finished her up at home. I used some of the watercolors too. I'll talk about those later on in another post. But, let's just say - I love them! I also used some alphas from Heidi Swapp that can be inked, misted, or painted to change their color. I loved using them too and can't wait to do more projects with them. 

I hope you have had some fun creative time. Are you working on any projects?

DO tell...and HAPPY creating!

Don't forget to come find me on Instagram!! I'd love to see you over there.

I am @sadieinspired