Computer difficulties.

Hi Friends. I have been having some computer difficulties and they mainly have to do with blogger.  This is a test from our new iPad. Merry Christmas to us.  All of a sudden blogger isn't happy with my browser which hasn't changed. Hang with me while I figure this out. Plus, more consistent blogging is on the New Year's resolution list. In order to say " I told you so" in February you have to check in here to find out if I followed through with my resolution. Also, in the New Year.........another move! Which has the promise of a better internet connection. Wahoo.

Christmas ornaments.

Today I wanted to share the Christmas ornaments that Eli & I made for this year. This idea came from the place where all my great ideas come from.....Pinterest. The tree trunk is a cinnamon stick. Which was the only true expensive of the project. I didn't like the cinnamon sticks in the local grocery store. They weren't hardy enough and most I wouldn't of been able to get hot glue down into for the loop. I bought the Simply Organic brand and was much happier with them. If I was closer to a major craft store I might of been able to find something cheaper there. The branches were cut off a tiny little Christmas tree I bought for $1.99 at a dollar type store. After looking a few places I felt this was my best option for the price. The buttons were in my stash already.
I used a hot glue gun for most of this project and if I didn't want my little man to help out with the buttons I would of hot glued them too. The loop is a Recollections Twine from Michael's. It's a little thicker than Baker's Twine. Although I am a huge fan of Baker's Twine and will never give it up, I like this one. It's nice for wrapping packages. I just placed it down into the cinnamon stick and hot glued it. I also hot glued the branches. For the buttons that Eli helped with I used Zots. Note: I didn't even include him into the project until I was button ready. The ones I did by myself I went back to the hot glue gun.
When I started this project I thought I would use some other materials for the ornaments. Maybe some gems, sequins, and other shiny round embellishments I have, but I decide to stick with the buttons. They are cute and I liked the look. The only thing I would of changed is coordinating the loop color with the buttons. I dropped all the red & white loops in first then the buttons. Possibly, next time I'd do buttons first and use various different colors for the loops. This project cam together quickly and I am happy with the final product. I am hoping I can sneak out another 5 or 6 of them while Eli is at school next week.

Sail away with me...

Just a quick layout today of my boys kayaking. A very simple page that is very appealing to me. The journaling was done with my Silhouette sketch pens. The oars were also cut with the Silhouette. I cut two sets in two different colors and layered them. I placed the title on top of the oars which created a nice group of elements. This layout is a quick design that would work for many pages just by changing the placement of a few simple things.

Strawberry Fest.

I am in love with this picture of my boy. It really captured his blue eyes and his red shirt looks fabulous too. So, on this page I stayed true to color. Putting everything on a white base makes it pop. To break up my 2 different red pattern papers I slipped a piece of vellum in between them. I used my Silhouette Sketch pens for the journaling and paired it with a title. The wooden veneer arrows are from Freckled Fawn. Which has quickly has become my favorite site for new embellishments. I am supper happy with my layering on this page.