Thanksgiving 2010 Layout

For this weeks mystery layout, I choose a package of papers from Cosmo Cricket.  I used photos I took on Thanksgiving Day of the family members that were there.  This is actually a two-page layout, but I need to re-print one of the photos that goes on the other page, so that one isn't quite ready just yet. 

I'm really liking the whole 'mystery layout' thing I've got going.  My previous system started with photos and then I would take forever choosing papers and embellishments.  I could spend 2 or more hours working on a two page layout that I was never fully satisfied with in the end.  Now, I blindly choose a pre-packaged set of papers and embellishments, pick out the photos and can be finished with two pages in about an hour!  Another thing my previous layouts lacked was titles.  I don't know exactly what I had against the use of words on my pages, but I've also been adding short (usually one or two word) titles to the pages and can see a huge difference!  

I haven't had a chance to work on any cards this week because I started watching season 1 of Dexter on DVD and became addicted.  I would consider myself a multi-tasker, but for some reason, I'm not physically capable of being creative and watching a movie or TV at the same time.  With tomorrow being President's Day and I don't have to work (Yeah!!), I have the entire day to stamp my heart out.   

Valentines

Aren't these fun little valentines?  I'm loving the Tiny Treats stamp series at PaperTrey Ink.  The base card is Kraft cardstock and it's layered with distressed dots patterned paper and a piece of poppy twill ribbon.  The focal point was diecut from Mat Stack 1 and I punched out the center to add an additional layer of poppy felt cut with a scallop die.  The images are colored with copics.  Super easy to mass produce even using various stamps. 

Scorecard update:  This week's card project was February Christmas cards.  I used Cosmo Cricket papers in purples and blues and a little mitten stamp.  Sooooo cute!  Love how they turned out.  Layout wise, I did all 8 pages of the December Project 365.  So, Yeah! Project 365 is finito.  Like I said in a previous post, even though it was a ton of work, I'm glad I did it, but I don't think I'll ever do it again!  As for a layout using up my paper and photos, I may work on that this afternoon.  I have a bedroom closet that I really need to go through cause I'm still missing a few things from moving and am hoping they're in the boxes in the closet.  But it's a huge closet and scrapbooking sounds like a much better way to spend an afternoon.

The Last Day Layout

One of several drastic changes in my life during 2010 was finding out the company where I'd worked since college was being sold.  The job I'd called home for 17 years was ending, the company was being sold and we were being tossed aside.  This layout represents that last day of employment.  It's safe to say there wasn't much being accomplished those last few weeks so on this final day, Monday, May 24, 2010, we closed early and headed to the neighborhood bar.  We had some drinks, we had some laughs, we traded phone numbers and email addresses, we waited out a severe thunderstorm to run to our cars and we parted ways.  I've spoken to a few former co-workers since that day and we're all friends on Facebook now.  I caught up with one at a mutual friends baby shower and heard some sad health related news about another.  We've passed along job openings to each other, cheered each other on before interviews and offered congratulations when the job offer is announced. We're surviving, some better than others.  So this little layout represents quite a few things, but May 24 will always be.....The Last Day. 

Just so you know....although I've only posted the layout this week, I did work on a few cards.  We had a raging blizzard hit central Illinois in the middle of the week so the office was closed on Wednesday.  Yeah!  I took full advantage of a snow day and worked on Valentine cards.  I took pictures, but don't want to spoil the surprise for the recipients so I'll post them in a few weeks.  I {love} the design.  They're too cute.  This upcoming week is a four-day work week due to the holiday on Friday, so I should have plenty of time to get started on the monthly Christmas cards.

One More January Birthday Card

Here it is......one final Birthday card for the blog-year.  This card was made using Kraft cardstock and some bright colorful patterned paper.  The spots reminded me of funfetti (one of only two kinds of cake that I actually like).  The diecut frame was stamped with a little cupcake and I used Stickles to emphasize the frosting. 

Now, lets review the goals from this past year and set out the resolutions for Blog Year #2.

This blog began as a way to archive projects.  I started as a card maker and am still a card maker at heart, although I got away from it a little this year and ventured into a humongo project I called Project 365.  I knew I wanted to create layouts and use all the yummy supplies I'd been hoarding, but I was really lacking for photos.  So Project 365 began as a way to make me start using my camera on a consistent basis.  I planned to take a photo every single day of  2010 and I'm proud to say that I only missed 2 days in the entire year (one in October that I just forgot about and another in November that I intentionally missed so I could commemorate a defining occasion with an older photo).  While I accomplished the goal of using my camera more (I rarely go anywhere without it now!), I didn't really create a variety of layouts because I wanted Project 365 to have some consistency.   The other goal I had was to make at least 2 Christmas cards each month so when December rolled around I wouldn't be overwhelmed with making almost 50 cards at once.  This goal went extremely well.  There was only one month when I made two cards and most months I made at least 4.  When December rolled around, I had all the cards I needed.  

This leads me to Blog Year #2. 

Goal #1:  I'd like to become more consistent with posting so Goal #1 is to post at least one project a week.  I realize that's not much to some people, but I have very limited time to create and I can spend several hours on a 'simple' card or layout.  I think one post a week is do-able, and will do more if I can. 

This leads into Goal #2:  Finish at least one card and one layout each week.  Again, this is should be very do-able as I now have an abundance of photos that I took this past year.

And finally, Goal #3:  Making Christmas cards throughout the year worked so well, I'm doing it again this year.  Instead of two cards a month, I'm going for four since my card list seems to increase every year. 

So that's it.  Check in next weekend to see if I make it through the first week!

Birthday Card

This is a birthday card I made for my Dad.  I used my new Papertrey Ink Banner Builder stamp set and dies.  Love the look, but it's a lot of work with all the layers.  I stamped the flags onto cream cardstock with Enchanted Evening ink and diecut the flags and trim with Sunset Yellow felt.  I really like the idea behind the banners, but need to work with the set a little more to get the hang of all the parts!

As long as my internet connection stays strong, I'll be back tomorrow with one last card to round out the first year of Tedz Imagination.  I have a few goals in mind for this next year and to help me stay on track, I'm putting them in writing tomorrow for all to see!

Notepads

Another past project to catch up on.  These are notepads to keep by the phone, on the desk or in your purse.  Click on the photo to see the details.  I covered each pad with dotted cardstock and used a few die cuts to embellish the front.  The tickets were stamped with Papertrey Ink's Just The Ticket stamp set.  I gave all of these away as Christmas presents and I've already been busy thinking about a few ideas I'd like to try on the next batch.

My craft room is beginning to shape up and I spent a little time this week making birthday cards.  I should be able to post those next week, once I know the cards have been received.

Snowmen Boxes

Are these boxes cute or what??

I'm finally settling in after moving yet again and starting a new job.  My scrap room is still a mess, but I'm making progress.  I'm a very organized person to start with so it's probably not as bad as I think it is, but it's driving me crazy!

Back to the boxes.  I made them for my parents and the bottom box on each contained their Christmas present:  A gift card to Disney World!  They live in Florida, about an hour south of Orlando, in the winter and love to drive up and spend the day at Epcot. 

The boxes are cut from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More.  I didn't record the sizes, but I started with the bottom and made it fit to page and then reduced each remaining box by 3/4 inch.  I glued the lids to the boxes except for the bottom box, so it could be opened and glued each box together so they were easy to handle.  I used gems for the body buttons, eyes, nose and mouth and tied a scarf around the middle box lid from a little ribbon.  To finish them off, I used a mini clothes pin and attached a mini tag to the scarf with their names.

I have a few more Christmas items to post later this week, just catching up and then my 1 year blogiversary is just around the corner (January 30)!  I have a few ideas in mind as far as setting goals for next years blog but I have a few things to work out first.  Stay warm!