Organized Chaos

My scrap room is quite the mess right now! I have projects upon projects started that I can't seem to find time to finish. I get started on something and then get a custom request or need to make a gift for someone. I enjoy creating this way though. That way I never have scrappers block. I always have something to work on :)

Here are a couple of pictures of my scrap room as it sits today:

I'm kind of a piles girl. I tend to stack everything up...and then it falls over. I have started putting individual projects into pizza boxes. They are the perfect size for 12x12 projects and they're easily stackable. The best part is that I got them for free :)

Here are a couple of photos that show my better side when it comes to staying organized:

These paper storage cubes are great for storing 12x12 paper (or paper of any size, really). I have my cardstock organized by color and my patterned paper organized by theme. (i.e. baby, christmas, etc.) The second photo is a storage rack I made using left over pieces from my paper racks and some spools of thread...how easy is that :) It stores all my paint by color and it's right at my scrapping table.

Even though it usually is a HUGE mess! I love having a space to call my own and create in. I have a chair on wheels that scoots me from my computer to my scrapping table...and back...several times a day!

What does your "studio" look like? Drop me comments and let me know I'm not the only one who loves organized chaos :)

What A Week!!!

It has been quite the busy, exciting week here! My parents got back from Michigan last Saturday and just left this morning. It was so great having them back! I hadn't seen them since Christmas :( We did a lot of shopping, eating out, shopping, and eating out! We were on the go almost everyday. It was also nice to enjoy some warm weather and grill out a couple of times.

Here is a layout I made a while back that reminded me of this week. This is our first dinner on our new patio. We got to grill out at both my house and my brother's house this week. So nice to sit out and enjoy the start of summer!



I also got to go fishing with my dad...and forgot my camera! How does a scrapbooker do such a thing! It was our best fishing day together yet, and I had no camera! I guess I will just have to remember that one in my head. I definitely won't have any trouble remembering the taste of fresh fish and hand-picked mushrooms that we had one day!!!

It's been a great week, but an exhausting one. I hope I don't have to go another 5 months without seeing my parents. That part just isn't fair. But that is why I spend every possible moment with them when they are here :) Remember to tell those you care for how much you love them everyday :)

Featured Etsian-Cozy

Today I would like to introduce you to one of my fellow EtsyBloggers members: Cozy. Cozy helps out with our team A LOT and does so much for the group :)

Here is my favorite item from her shop:

This headband is so cute and could be worn with anything!! She has so many other cute things in her Etsy store...go check them out today!

You can find her shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=100535

and her blog here: http://cozyetsy.blogspot.com/

Photo Cards

Everyone loves to receive a handmade greeting card! Anything handmade adds that personal touch to gift giving. A great way to make your greeting cards even more special is to add photos to them. Many people do this at Christmas time, but why not do it all year long!

Here is a card I made today for my cousin to give my his mom (aka-my aunt) for her birthday. I was privileged that he asked me to make this for him...he's not exactly the scrapbooking kind of guy...if you know what I mean. But that just goes to show that everyone appreciates handmade cards. He wanted this one a little goofy, but that just makes it even more special because it matches his personality. I can't wait for his mom to receive it!



To make this card, I first cut my cardstock to size. I folded it in half and ran it through my printer to get the "From Your Favorite Son" title on the card. I then cut my patterned paper and red cardstock to the size I wanted. I used a rubber stamp for the "Happy Birthday" sentiment and matted it on another piece of cardstock. I stapled a couple of cute ribbon on the side for some extra flair. To print the photos, I opened a new document in Photoshop Elements and opened all my photos. I sized them to fit the blank document and dragged them onto the blank canvas. I moved them around until I liked how they were positioned and printed them out all on one paper. No cropping required and easy as pie :)

So next time you need to send a card, think about what would add that personal touch everyone loves so much. Then go find your favorite photo and add it to your next card!

Graduation Cards

Can you believe it is already time for school to be out for summer!!! And you know what that means...graduations. This year, I have several graduations to attend. My nephew and cousin both graduate as well as several family friends. As always, I am making cards to give everyone. I love to make custom cards for each individual, but when I have so many to make, I like to mass produce them to save time. I set up an assembly line and get crafting!

Here are the cards I've made for the graduates this year:

I did do some customizing by making the cards match the graduate's school colors. My home town colors are red and black...as you can see on the card. I stuck with a very basic format and wrote each one a special message on the inside.

Do you have lots of graduations coming up this year? How about weddings, shower invitations, birthdays, or anniversaries? You can make an assembly line for all of these cards. Start out by cutting all your card bases. Next, cut all patterned paper and cardstock mats. Keeping everything the same size makes it much easier to mass produce. Set out all embellishments and put together ones that require assembly (brads in center of flowers, stamping sentiments, etc.). You last step is to start adhering everything to the card base. It really is easy to make handmade cards for the special people in your life...and they will appreciate it SO much :)

Mother's Day-Just Around the Corner!!

I just made the cutest word album and wanted to show everyone :) Just in time for Mother's Day!!!! I also made a matching card to go with it. I took all of the guess work out of Mother's Day this year :) Just write Mom and simple little note telling her how much you love her and you're set!







I just love these word and name albums!! They work for EVERY occasion! I have made so many of these lately...and all for different occasions. They are so versatile! Off to do more scrapping now :)