Welcome Lois!

Nothing is better than waking up in the morning, having a nice cup of coffee, checking my email - and discovering that my Etsy shop made a sale! As wonderful and flattering as this is it also means replacing the stock. With handmade scrapbooks and items this can sometimes take a few days to happen.
So to help out, the talented Lois Sokolan is now officially on the design team of  Sapphire Noteables. 
Lois makes amazing mini books and albums and some of her creations have recently been listed.

First is a beautiful Album in a coordinating Box  made with Bo Bunny's 'Serenity' Line. This album is Asian inspired and is full of tags and pockets with Asian influences.

Her next album is a little Halloween Brag Book that is perfect for any mommy or grandma to add photo's of their little goblins.

Next is a cascading album covered in the oh so pretty 'Sweet Fairy' paper from Prima. This is such a soft and pretty special album and any special lady would love it!

This is an adorable box and accordian mini album made from Graphic 45's 'Little Darling' paper.

I love the feathery flower!

The inside of the box has a darling picture of a baby  boy climbing the stairs at bedtime.

Next is a house chipboard album that would be perfect for a housewarming gift!

It's almost that time - OH NO!!!!!

Time to pull out the Christmas decorations and start making our lists.

This is the perfect accordian 'noel' album done in Basic Grey paper.

It all fits neatly in its' own altered tin.

And yes, it won't be long until we have all those holiday pictures. What better than to keep them in this pretty little Christmas album.

Lastly we have a Memory album with a coordinating Box

that is perfect for holiday photos or any other special memories.

The album itself is an accordion album and is embellished with 

emphera, stickers, chipboard and twine.

I'm so excited to have Lois onboard!

Watch for more of her creations being added soon to Sapphire Noteables.

So, what have I been doing while Lois has been busy scrapping?

Well, I made some Christmas cards for a cardswap and stupid me sent them off without taking photos! Than I started assembling a mini album using a technique that I found on youtube. So the bookbase is ready to go but I am stalking the mailman for the paper. I am tempted to start cutting cardstock for the pages but will patiently wait to match it up properly.

Also, the other night I was wide awake at 3AM so rather than lay there I figured if I got up and did something it would make me tired. So yeah, it worked - but 2 hours later! The good thing is that it is late evening/early morning that I get my best inspiration. 

So I covered a piece of chipboard with a paper from Basic Greys 'Little Black Dress' line and cut a dress form shape using the Tim Holtz  'Sewing Room' Alterations die. I then used another piece to make the skirt and added lace and a button to the waist. I went to bed tired and content but not knowing what to do with it!

I'm thinking I'll alter a frame and add it. It'll be kind of a diva thing.

Needless to say projects are in the works and as soon as they and/or Lois's projects are listed I will be sure to let you know.

In the meantime have a great week and a SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Matchbox made in Heaven

Well I think things are finally getting back to 'normal'. The baby shower is over, both daughter and daughter-in-law are doing great (now we just need to WAIT!), hubby hasn't been feeling well all summer but is slowly on the mend, I have my 'to do' list almost done and yeah - the rain has started on the west coast!
Summer is officially over - so now  5 or 6 months of wet, dreary days. There is only one good thing to be said of it - oh no, sorry - two! One is that you don't need to shovel the rain and two is that those long dreary days allow time for scrapping!
So, this week I got right at it.

A while ago I bought a couple of the new matchboxes from Graphic 45. I got the 8X8 size and they sat in my room until inspiration hit. Originally I was going to make a mini album and box. But then the more I looked at them the more I thought that I just wanted to let the box shine on it's own.

So, I made one into a keepsake/memory box. A place to keep all your photos and treasures. And seeing how this special box would appeal mostly to women what better paper to use than G45 'A Ladies Diary'.
A vintage keepsake box with vintage looking paper - perfect!
Now that inspiration hit it was time to get started!

I started by painting the box inside and out with a soft seafoam green acrylic paint. Next I covered all sides, the top, bottom, inside and out in paper. I always wanted a brayer (you know one of those rubber ink roller thingys) so last week I bought one for no particular reason. But I must say did it ever come in handy - I brushed the back of the paper with glue then rolled it on to make it nice and smooth! It reminded me of my old wallpaper days - lol.

Next I added a 6X6 sheet of hard acrylic over the window opening of the box - afterall you don't want all your treasures to fall out! I added green trim and black ribbon to cover the edges. Then I used my go-to ink - my trusty Tim Holtz 'Antique Linen' Distress ink to give it that old, vintage look.

Now it was time to decorate - or so I thought!!

It seemed that with the paint and paper the box didn't want to slide out very easily like a matchbox should. 

So, I decided to cut the left side of the cover and attach G45  metal hinges so it could easily open and close.  I glued the other sides of the top to the bottom making it one piece and double in strength then added cotton tape to the edges and painted over it.

I wish I took photos along the way to share with you but I was too busy concentrating on what to do - lol!

(I can only concentrate on one thing at a time - comes with age - you'll see!)

NOW it was time to decorate!

First I used a laser cut dressform die from Petaloo and made a vintage style party dress with both green and black tulle. Black satin ribbon was tied around the waist with a pretty Prima flower added. A few black pearl sequins were scattered about to give the skirt some bling. Stickles were used to add some sparkle to the necklace.

On the right hand corner a cluster of  Prima flowers winds its way up the side with bits of leaves, butterflies, chipboard and a stickpin all tucked in.

On the top right the  flowers continue to climb with a vintage stamp, leaves, ribbon and butterflies.

On the top left is a pretty handmade butterfly with more chipboard from A Ladies Diary.

                                       

As I mentioned it opens from the top so some of the embellies could be seen on the back of the acrylic window. So I added more chipboard and flowers to the inside in order to cover some of it up.

Oops - sorry about the lightbox showing - I added the fotofuzed photo below from my Etsy listing - now it's a better image but too small! 

Oh well, you get the idea!

 Next are photos of the metal hinges and the metal label holder that I added to the right side.

The bottom looks like this.

And we're done!

This is a great keepsake box that any special lady from young to old would love. 

It makes a great gift for birthdays or Christmas (hint, hint) and is available in my Etsy Shop. 
(another hint) ;)

So now I need to clean my scraproom then tomorrow it's off to join a friend for lunch then hopefully a visit with my adorable grandson.

Have a Great Week!

G45 Altered Baby Dresser

Yesterday I told you about my daughters baby shower.
Today I will show you an altered pine dresser that I made for her. 
(sorry but this posting is photo and detail heavy - so go pour yourself a cuppa coffee or tea and relax).

I never thought to take before photos but it was your basic unfinished pine mini dresser bought from Michaels. I got a great deal on it because one of the little wooden knobs was missing off a drawer and another drawer had a little chip in it. It made  no difference to me as I was planning on sanding and covering it and replacing the knobs anyways. But I didn't tell them that! I asked the saleslady if they had any more in stock or was it the only one? She checked then said no but new ones were coming in 2 days and could I come back? Well, I seldom use my disability as an excuse but this time I did. I explained that with my disability and being confined to a wheelchair I did not drive and would need to find someone to drive me (just a little white lie - it's true that I do not drive but my hubby would've drove me albeit he would not have been happy about it). So I said that I would rather just buy that one if I could get a discount. She left to go check with her manager and came back to say I could have it for 70% off!! WOW - Sold!!

So after pounding off the other knobs as well as the little ones for the feet, I sanded it and covered it in 2 coats of gesso. This is kind of like a primer and sealer in one and makes the paint go on smoother. I used Light Buttermilk acrylic craft paint from Americana.

Next I chose my papers from Graphic 45 Little Darlings collection. With it being for a little boy I chose blue polka-dot papers and designs.

First off I did the inside drawers. I kept them simple by painting then just adding paper to the bottom of each drawer.

Oh - I should mention that I cut all papers to fit first and inked the edges of each with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink including all fussy cutting. Also I took the G45 antique metal brads and antique metal door plate and painted them with the buttermilk paint as I thought the dark metal was too harsh. When they were partly dry I used a wet wipe to rub off the paint from the raised area exposing the metal and giving them a distressed look.

Next I adhered the paper to the drawer fronts, cut off the little metal tong thingys on the brads and adhered them to the front (you could use antique buttons instead). Next I added a strip of ivory colour brocade to the bottom of each drawer.

With the front done I next did the back. After covering in paper I added a strip of  ivory paper to the bottom that I edgepunched with my Martha Stewart lace punch and again inked it. I then checked to see how high the little girls reach was and adhered an inked paper doily to the right  height. In the centre I adhered a small circle of patterned paper and an 'Adorable' sticker. I next added the little fussy cut girl to make it appear as if she was writing the word. To finish it off I added some little Prima butterflies.

 

 

Next were the sides.
I started with the left side. After covering it in paper I decided to keep this side fairly simple by adding the G45 doorplate, a big bow and Prima flowers, beads and butterflies.

 

 

Now on to the right side.
Here I fussy cut a little boy blowing his horn to waken his family.

 

Again I kept it simple by adding Prima flowers and leaves,  some fussy cut flowers from the paper and some more butterflies.

 

 

 

Now with the dresser done it was time to cover the top and add some pictures and trinkets.
I covered the top with  the same polka-dot paper as the drawers but rather than go to the edge I decided to punch a lace edge to go around it to look like a cloth on top.

Every dresser needs a photo on top! So I covered a small box with paper then cut the lid off and adhered it inside to give the appearance of a shadow type box. On the outside I adhered a frame from the paper line  and a pic of a sleeping baby to the inside.

 

On the bottom I added more Prima flowers and leaves and a chipboard button tied with ribbon.

Next I joined a few chipboard tags together with a metal fastener then tied it with ribbon and a 'savorski' crystal baby soother.

 

 

Lastly was a little bottle of 'pixie dust'. I filled a Tim Holtz apothecary bottle with irridescent glitter and glued the cork tightly in place. I added a little circle sticker to the front and a small gingham ribbon and bow.

 

So that's it!
I loved making this altered dresser for my little grandson-to-be.
I hope that he`ll keep his little momentoes in it such as hospital bracelet, first tooth or whatever but for now there is little mittens and socks tucked inside the drawers to keep his little hands and feet toasty warm.

Now if I could only find some mittens and socks for myself with this weather turning cold so quickly!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
                                                                                         

October Showers Bring December Babies!

Today we had a 'surprise' baby shower for my daughter. Yeah - she knew!! Kind of spoils the surprise but in the end it was a great shower and everyone had a great time.

So for those who do not know, she is due Dec. 1st with a little boy. He'll be my 2nd grandchild (my 1st grandchild - a boy -  is 14 months old) and my 3rd grandchild -

a girl - is due in Feb.

 Exciting times  indeed!

Her nursery theme is monsters - I know! - but they're really cute!! Think Monster Inc. or the Muppets. The nursery is painted a bright sunshine yellow with a turquoise dresser and accents.

 

 

 

So, what better than to have a monster themed shower in yellow/turqoise!

My daughter-in-law made cupcakes with a to-die-for buttercream frosting  and I made little monster cupcake toppers with a banner on each proudly waving the name.

 

 

We had a couple of games - one guessing the names of TV shows little monsters (kids) such as The Cosby Show, The Brady Bunch, etc.  And did you know that Samantha and Darrin Stephens (Bewitched) not only had their daughter Tabitha but also a son named Adam? Geez - I thought I saw all the episodes! And that the Beavs (Leave it to Beaver) actual name is Theodore - who knew!?

That being said, we won't even talk about how I did - let's just say that if there was a booby prize it would have went to me! I did just as bad at the second game - guess the number of jelly bellys in the baby bottle. If it had only been one third full I would have done pretty good!

Oh yeah - we had another game too. We had to cut a piece of string to the size of what we thought the belly bump was. Again I wasn't even close - well for triplets maybe!

 

Anyways I did help make the prizes.

I made chocolate bar wrappers to put around Lindt choc. bars (yumms!) with Starbuck gift cards (compliments of the other grandma!) then tied them together with turquoise ribbon and a monster label.

 

 

We also passed out little cards with

Wishes for the Baby - I hope you learn______, I hope you love______, etc.

 Each guest filled them out during the shower then put them in a little keepsake box I altered with yellow paint and monsters. I'm anxious to read what everyone wrote and hope my little grandson cherishes the advise. 

 

 

 All in all it was a great shower and my daughter is more than prepared for their little ones arrival!

Knock, Knock!

I want to start by wishing all my family and friends a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
And what about the weather? Wow - it's unbelievable. We were out shopping today for Thanksgiving dinner and it felt more like the Labour Day holiday weekend than Thanksgiving. It's 20 degrees celcius and they say it is to stay for another week. I heard on the news that it has been the driest August and September in BC since 1890 something! Awesome - I'll take it! I'm afraid though, as Mother Nature always has a way of paying us back!

Anyways, back to Thanksgiving. I am so looking forward to turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie ... and leftovers! For the past couple of years we held holiday dinners at the kids houses, which don't get me wrong - it was great - but leftovers are a holiday tradition. There's nothing better than a homemade turkey sandwich with homemade cranberry sauce. YUMM!!

So, on to scrapping. This week I tried to think of something different to add to my Etsy shop. Something that would be quicker to make and cheaper to buy.
After tossing around a couple of ideas I decided on a doorknob hanger. I thought one would be cute for a little girls room - a little princess.

So I used Prima 'Sweet Fairy' paper and this is what I came up with.

 

It measures 5X10 and has a generous 3" hole to fit over any doorknob. It is made from sturdy chipboard and covered in Prima paper (Sweet Fairy/ Romantique on front and Enchanted - pink with white polka dots - on reverse.)

It has a painted Tim Holtz dress form covered in pink tulle splattered with rhinestones and a feathery ribbon and rhinestone pendants with a pretty lilac flower at the waist. An irridescent 'diamond' necklace sparkles at the neckline.

 

 

 A paper doily has been misted with lilac and has on it both handmade and Prima flowers and a pink cameo stickpin while a little 'girls only' tag with pink ribbon and flower neatly tucks underneath.

 

Both Handmade and Prima Butterflies flutter up the side of the doorknob hanger leaving pearl swirls along the way.

 

What little girl wouldn't want this to welcome her into her room?

 

I just made one for now and will see how it goes. The possibilities are endless though - there's the obvious 'shhh - baby's sleeping' one then a fun little boys one, a 'diva' one or 'doing homework' one for teens or even 'mommy's bathtime' or 'daddy's time' for his workshop or study.

We'll see - it could be  fun!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING