Creative Chaos

Store Sample Mini Book......

Paper

Plain Kraft Paper

Echo Park

• Ornaments
• Christmas Ad
• Vintage
• Journaling Cards

Making Memories

• Twinkle
• Music
• Words

Hambly

• Vintage Christmas Overlay

Crate

• Peppermint Collection Tags

Teresa Collins

• World Traveler Geometric

Embellishments

• Vellum Mini Bags
• Jenny Bowlin Brads red/black
• Martha Stewart Tape
• Mini Clothes Pins
• Crystals
• Button

Ribbon

Red roses – Webster pages

Cream Silk Ribbon – May Arts

Green w/ blue edge – May Arts

Red w/green trim – May Arts

Small Rose ribbon – Maya Road

Red/Cream scroll - Webster

Red, cream, aqua pom pom trim

Seam binding in Aquarelle

Twine in red/white & Natural

Ink

• Memento - Lady Bug
• Memento – Desert Sand
• Versa Magic – Aquatic Splash
• Brilliance - White

Stamps

My Mind’s Eye 

• Lost & Found Christmas

Extra

• Glitter snowflake
• Snowflake ribbon
• Ruffled seambinding
• Ruffled crepe paper

I started off with the idea that I would fold the kraft paper so that I could decorate across the whole page.  Well, it turned out to be an idea that really went nowhere; but I still continued on with it because I had already cut all the paper.  So start with 3 sheets of 8.5"x11" pieces of paper cut in half and then folded over.  This will be the base of the pages.  On this first page, I carried over the cover sheet of paper by two or so inches.  I used the polka dot paper all the way to the other side.  I created a pocket on the right side so that I could put a tag in it.

This second page is the backside of the folded kraft paper.  I put one of the journal cards in the rings.....

I glued some ribbon and stamped the sled on the back of the journal card.  I used a piece of the Hambly overlay as a page....... 

For the next piece of folded kraft paper I created a fold out using the music paper.  Just cut that piece four inches longer than the page and fold........

When it's open you will have an extended page.  If i would have thought about using the brad before I glued down the "all is calm" piece, I would have glued it over the back of the brad.  You could even use some foam dots over it so you wouldn't see the bump.   I glued some paper on to the clothspin.  I was going to put glitter on them but I was at Paper Tales at the time and didn't have access to my all important "antique silver" glitter.  Sigh.....

Ok, moving on..... I have no idea where or when I purchased that aqua crocheted trim.  If anyone recognizes it please let me know.  I have about 5 inches left....ack!   Anyway, I did the same little fold out on this page as the last.  I made another little pocket to put tags in......

Again with the clothspin.....I love this because you can always quickly add additional pictures......  

The next page has more overlay and journaling tags......

This is one of my favorite pages.  On the right I created a faux envelope flap.......

I used a glassine bag to hold the "to/from" tags.  I put the boy's names on it To: Santa...From: Andres and then on the back what they wanted this year.  I thought it would be a fun way to remember what all the wishes were for that year.  I think I'm going to add another glassine bag page with room for pictures and notes to santa......

The last page is just some stamping and a tag.......

 So that's it!  If you have any questions about it just email me or leave a comment and I can help you with any of the details......

Talk to you soon!  Karin

Do you know Lisa Pace?

Well, if you don't...you should!  She is the author of one of my favorite books Delight in the Details......

I remember when it first came into Paper Tales and I would pick it up and go through every picture and project snapping back to attention when a customer need help with a cardstock selection or my expertise with the pros and cons of FabriTac.  But as soon as I was done, I would high tail it right back to where I left off and gaze at all the glittery and vintage goodness.  Sigh......  

So anyway, where was I going with this........oh, yeah.....back last December when I made the world famous pink crepe paper christmas tree, who came to my blog to make a comment than none other than Lisa Pace.   I nearly fainted.   She loved my pink crepe paper tree....I loved her book. She loved that my use of glitter knew no bounds.....I loved everything she did.  We were a match made in heaven.   We bonded over glitter, paper, and ribbon. Not only is she incredibly talented, she is such a genuinely nice person.   She is so giving of her knowledge and talent.   During CHA winter, I stalked her and brought her a crepe paper tree of her very own.  Now as you know,  it's not the first time I've stalked people at CHA , so thank goodness security was never called to the Maya Road booth where she was teaching make and takes.  Over the year we've kept in touch on facebook and through blogging.....although our friendship was put to the test during the Tigers vs Rangers World Series...however, we somehow made it through the games unscathed.   Fast forward to about a month ago when she asked me if I would like to create some projects using her upcoming stamp line.   I told her I would still need to get over the Tiger's crushing loss and needed some time to think about it.  Then I remembered, I don't even watch baseball anymore so I immediately said yes! 

Since I received my stamps, I've been having so much fun using them.  The official release date is Saturday November 9th on Lisa's blog as well as the Pink Persimmons web site.  So go check it out!    

Ok.....I'm off to bed!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

So what started out as a quick little project.....

to set out as a sample for Paper Tales.....

turned into an embellishment extravaganza mini book......

I still have to finish the cover and a few other pages....

But once I'm done, I'll have a full supply list and all the pictures of the pages.   Talk to you soon!  Karin
 

On this date three years ago........

I was in surgery for my masectomy.....

Three years later I am walking a 5k with other survivors and friends .......

One of those survivors is another mom at the boys' school, Marcia.  Ironically, she was diagnosed exactly a year before me in 2007.  Same exact diagnosis.   She helped more than words can ever say.......

Here we are with the kids.....

Marcia and I sitting on the 163 freeway....when else do you get to sit on an on-ramp......

Another mom at our school....Ingrid.  She is the honorary spokeswoman for Susan G Komen this year.  She is amazing.......

Our school's team for walk/run......

It was an incredible day.......

Adventures in substitute teaching....

Hey everyone......It's been a busy week for me as I've spent the past few days subbing 3rd and 4th graders.  I've mentioned before that I've been substitute teaching at the boys' school for the past year.    I love it.  I wrote about it here earlier in the year.  So, what I adore most about it is when I find myself saying things like this......

"So, exactly what part of the math worksheet required you to glue your hand to the side of your face?"

You just don't find yourself spouting out gems like that in normal everyday conversation.

Or, yesterday when I had to tell my third grade class that although I know they think they are being helpful, I do not want to hear "any more unsolicited advice" from them.   Because what usually happens is it starts out with one well meaning, yet talkative student, who is frantically waving his arm, dying to help out with a directive such as.... "when you give us the spelling test, you need to tell us each word so we know what to write!"   It is then continued by ten other kids chiming in on various ways a spelling test may or may not be given.   And then later always ends with something to the effect of...."We just got a new puppy and she pees all over the rug!"

Always.

But like I said, I love it.  Third and fourth grade is so much fun.  They have the unique combination of still being young enough to be easily entertained by my silly sense of humor, yet old enough to get my sarcasm.  But the most important thing is you can use the "side eye" on them.  The side eye is an important tool that can be accessed in any part of the room and shot across a myriad of desks and heads to hit the errant student with laser like precision.  Because in the end, he or she always knows that what they are doing is wrong and is always on the lookout for impending reprimand.   Once your eyes meet the alleged suspect holding a paper airplane about to be shot mid air, it's amusing to watch his entire body work in reverse slow motion to put it back in his desk.  The "side eye" needs to continue for a few more seconds and then it slowly goes back to helping someone figure out where she lost her Hello Kitty barrette. 

See, now in kindergarten and first grade "side eye" will not work.  That's because they are moving too fast and their little squirrely bodies are never still long enough for "side eye" to to find a landing point.  Plus the fact they never think they are doing any wrong....they are just living life as they see it should be lived.....being silly.   In these grades it's all about crowd control and solving problems that range anywhere from a small scratch that involves the entire class scrambling for a bandage and a doctor to simply tying a shoe.  

But what I love most is looking at those little faces that come to you in such earnest with all sorts of things to be said, asked and tattled.    Like I said, I love it.  

Ok....I'm off to clean my house!  Talk to you soon....Karin    

I've managed to move on........

After saying all my fond farewells to my halloween paper, embellishments and dyed cheese cloth, I was able to put my Halloween crafts away without too many tears and regrets.   I let all my half baked projects know that I will return to them next year..."I promise we'll have more time....I don't care what Michellesays, I'm using that Pink Paislee paper next year....I'll never, ever, ever forget you...."

Then out of the corner of my eye I spotted this.......

I completely forgot about Halloween. 

A while back, I was asked by Eileen Hull to participate in the Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop.  While immersing myself with the Scoreboard Caddy and the Melissa Frances Christmas collection, I can honestly say that Halloween is a distant memory.  Although, I can also honestly say that the Halloween candy is still very much in the present.   As a matter of fact, I just ate four fun size Milky Way Darks while typing this. 

Anyhow, I had the best time using this die.  I went a little nuts with it and still have a couple more projects to show you.  But for now I wanted to share the Christmas Cadddies I made.......

It measures about 3 1/2" across and 5" high.  So it's just perfect for giving as a gift with a little card or envelope with a gift card in it.    

In this case, I thought it would be fun to put some of the precut gift tags in it for the boys to write down all their christmas wishes for Santa Claus.  I made one for each of them and when the mood strikes, they can write down their wishes on the back of the card.   I think it will turn out to be a great keepsake. 

Does anyone want a Milky Way Dark?  I'm going to get some more.....

Ok...I'm back.  So I was thinking that another idea is to use the caddy as an ornament.   That's the next one I'm working on.  I'm not done with it yet; but as soon as I have it I will show you.

Ok....I have to hit the sack.  I am still recovering from Halloween last night.  I would share pictures.....except I hardly took any.  We were having so much fun it just slipped my mind.   And, I even dressed up as a chicken.....with feathers and everything.  Oh well.  

Oh....I almost forgot Julie McGuffee  is having a give away for this die and a bunch of other fun stuff on her blog.     

Talk to you soon!   Karin