Today the Fabric Spoke to me and I listened!

One of my Etsy friend told me that fabric speaks to her. Today, I heard it and I listened. I had a request for a red, black and white Expression Cover. So, I sent out some photos and my client picked the fabric. She asked me to choose more red or more black. I love red! So, the biggest piece is red. I had considered using a lime green on the sides for fun, but once I pieced the body portion and saw how elegant it was, I knew I had to finish the sides in the same colors as the piece they neighbored. I mean the fabric spoke to me. And then it said, "Ribbon Rose embelly! No, fabric yo yo for me!"
I added some ribbon leaves in the lime green and love it! Have to say that I love making covers for paper crafters! Even if they pick the fabric or the colors, their design sense if wonderful.

2010 Planner Cut file to Share

I have a planner addiction! My planner of choice right now is the M Eye Book. It all started three years ago while attending an end of year crop at Archivers. The planner and three pages were included in the price of the crop! Now every year, I return to Archivers and get a new planner (with a coupon). I make a new cover and move my photos from last years planner to the next year. Can you believe it is gonna be 2010?!
I know that it is only October, but if you have school age children you may want to start your planner early like me! So, here is my cut file for my cover. Made with Home Decor, Home Accents, and Doodletype.
I am also going to share my favorite pages. The first is a photo of my Mother. She passed away at the age of 61 and every photo I have of her is precious! So, you know she had to be in the planner! The stamps are CTMH and Autumn Leaves.
Then a picture from a visit to Lake Michigan, a trip we make every year and a treasure from my childhood I am determined to share with my children.
Next a photo of some of my family. I loved the ribbon and the silhouette of them both in the baseball caps.
Another tip, if you use this planner and hope to one day move this photos to an album, cut the page 8 inches x 12 inches, and fold it in half. Scrap both sides and insert it in the planner. Then when you move it to your 12 x 12 album, you will only need to glue it to your 12 x 12 page and add a title for journal block!
I will try and post my back cover cut file later...

My ScrapMaBob is here!

Thanks Christmas with the Cricut and the Original Scrapbox! I just got the ScrapMaBob delivered today and I love it. I had another similar drink holder trash bag by CM and knew it was a good thing. But I have to say I like the ScrapMaBob better. The cup holder is bigger, the trashbag is bigger (and I won't need to get refills), and I like that the trashbag mount is on the front of the cup holder, not the side. When you are at a crop, it is sometimes too cozy with the side mount.
The third picture is of my CM cup holder trashbag.
I must confess though that for both products I felt the trash bag was just not pretty enough. If you follow my blog, you know I am looking for excuses to get out the sewing machine. So, for both, I made my own trash bag with Michael Miller fabric. I think both companies would do better with a prettier bag. I have seen the work you ladies make and you love beautiful things. I actually considered making bags for the CM cup holder, but the wire for holding the bag takes too long to bend and it is difficult to make. Now I am wondering if anyone might be interested in a bag made to fit the ScrapMaBob...

The black bag pictured is the one that came with my ScrapMaBob. And I would like to say that this cup holder/trashbag is a tool I suggest you have doubles of, one for home and one for the crop! I always have a bag packed with a paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive. Then I can get ready for a crop and know I have the basics. I am now adding a cup holder/trashbag to my packed tote!

A SCUT Pom Pom Trim file to share

Well, after spending about an hour and a half on my DS pom pom file, I was determined to try my SCAL 2 again! I just knew there had to be a better, faster way. This time it took me 20 minutes, and I think I could've been faster, if I used it more often. It's has a size for the card maker and one for the scrapbooker. I made the trim bigger than the card so that the edges could be trimmed. Find the scut file here (SCAL version 2). I am also happier with the look of this trim. I used the V from Arial font to hang the pom pom part. I struggled in DS to find a piece to use, but did not think of a V!

Pom Pom Trim cut file and Two Cards to share

This weekend I got a chance to get out and crop with the S.C.R.A.P. Guild of Northern IL and my sisters. I had a lot of fun and was happy with my work! Here are two cards I made, one for Christmas With The Cricut (I won a Scrap Ma Bob from one of their sponsors) and the other is for the sponsor.
On the Christmas Thank you I used Basic Grey paper, miscellaneous card stock (from my sister, so I am not sure of the brand), a micro pom pom trim (from the Sugar Pink shop on Etsy listed in yesterday's post), and SU border punch and stamp, my sewing machine, and my Storybook cartridge.
For the Pom Pom trim cut file thank you card, I used Close to My Heart paper and stamps, colored card stock, DCWV Glitter mats, Me and My Big Ideas bling, Clear Art Stamps Sew Special (for zig zag and button, and my Cricut Storybook! For the cut file, I used George and Storybook.
You can find the cut file here. After spending quite a bit of time on the cutfile, I realized that there should only be one scallop between each pom pom. So, another opportunity to embellish, I used some bling between the scallopes. I will probably make another pom pom file when time allows. Also, there are two cuts in this file, one for the card maker and one for the scrapbooker (a border cut). Both are adjustable! I am seriously considering purchasing some flocking powder or petal soft to make this pom pom trim have more texture. But the mad money account continues to dwindle as the year progresses. If you have either of these products, please use it on the pom pom and share your picture in the Cricut message boards here. Please help me decide if it is worth the money!
I would love to have your comments on my cut file and please don't sell my file, or use it for a competition!

Pretty in Pink Paisley a better way to photography my work!!

While visiting Etsy to list my item, I came across a supply vendor who carried wonderful trims! Her shop is called Sugar Pink Boutique. She had the most beautiful photographs of her product and inspired me to improve my own product photos! I had to have the micro pom pom trim, and was so excited to see how Christmas with the Cricut used it around the tag in one of their posts! I love how Sugar Pink used the background and vintage bowl for her photo! Even the bown edge matches her trim!
The problem, how to find back drops on a minimal budget. So, as I usually do when I need help, I called upon my big family (six sisters and four brothers) and asked if they had any unused sheets in pretty colors, or neutral colors. As usual, my sister Marge came through for me! The top photo is a picture with a pink back ground that I am pleased with. It just looks scrumptious to me!
It is a Jukebox cover made for one of my best customers!

My Favorite Swap: for a Finicky Frog!

Just had to share a photo of my favorite swapped item: a Finicky Frog pin cushion! I won a Finicky Frog pincushion and liked it so well, I asked about custom orders. She checked out my Etsy store and suggested a swap! Boy, did I luck out! She requested one of my scrapbags and in exchange I got a pin cushion. I sent her three different fabrics, and asked her to look through her supplies and see what worked with what I sent. She picked the ribbon, beads, thread and felt. It's enough to make me want to start a new collection of pin cushions! You can find her Etsy store here. I am so impressed with the quality of her work and I cannot say enough about the cost. This is value at it's finest. What a wonderful gift idea for the sewer and quilters in your life!
The mad money account is running low this time of year...I will have to consider more swaps! I would love to do a digi swap for a new banner for my Etsy store...