I'm trying!!

Okay, I know, I'm not giving my blog the attention that it deserves, "my bad" as my kids used to say.
I have been working like a crazy woman in the loft getting rid of stuff, finding cool stuff I forgot about and just generally having a wonderful time.  My darling hubby purchased a 8 hole black expedit from Ikea after noticing that my 12 x 12 album were getting ruined in the old bookcases.  (the shelves were short and the heavier, completed books the covers were bending)  It turned out to also be a wonderful height to place the television, so we are both happy.

I was one of the lucky winners of the Stampers Anonymous twitter contest that took place about 10 days ago, I received notification that winnings are on the way, I promise I will take a picture when it arrives.

I have so many projects that I want to do and/or complete from 2011 I could probably lock myself in the loft for the next 2 months and other than leaving for adhesive and maybe a potty break I would be good.  Here are a few of the layouts that I did this week.

This layout was made using various old papers plus 1 piece from Echo Park "Little Girl" (the orange sheet with the cute little hearts, so sad that you only get one each of a paper in the Echo Park Collection Packs).  Also, I finally broke down and purchased the Tim Holtz rosette die.  This was my first try at printing out my own journal card on card stock, I think this could be addicting (especially, if I ever really figure out how to do it).  I'm having fun on Pinterest, learning new things, discovering, having a wonderful time.  The Happy Birthday title is cut from the Plantin School cartridge, an oldie but a goodie.

This layout uses the Happy Day Collection from Echo Park.  It's a bit busy is a cluttered sort of way, but I learn something with each layout I complete.  My daughters kitchen walls are painted a fun color of green and her eat in kitchen table is red, most of the layouts I do with photos taken in her kitchen often end up looking like Christmas.  I tried to avoid that by pulling in the blue, it didn't work like I had hoped.  I will keep working on it.

 I couldn't even begin to tell you who/what/where these papers are from.  I had these 4 photos of my daughter and her family, the coloring of the photos don't go together, however, I felt they told a story of her family.  While digging in a box of really old papers (I keep them because I like them, and one day they will all eventually find a home, I hope.) I came across 3 or 4 sheets that were part of a collection.  With some fussy cutting and home printed titles on purple card stock that was the wrong color, easily corrected with Distress Ink, I ended up with this layout.  Added purple Stickles and called it a day.  Anyone, if not all 4 of these photos, would have been beautiful as a single photo layout, my books are so full that I have a hard time justifying taking up that much real estate in my 12 x 12 albums.  One of these days...

I haven't worked on my Project Life book in awhile, as in, October 2011.  (a little behind??)  Hopefully, I will make some head way with that this week.  As most, if not all, of you know it is CHA week so I am spending tons of time on the laptop stalking everyone I can think of, and having a blast doing it!
I have a friend coming over on Tuesday to crop, I'm looking forward to then, we got together a few weeks ago to crop and I loved having someone over to "play with".

Wishing all of your crafty dreams come true, thanks for stopping by to check my life adventure.

~Jill

Welcome 2012!

Okay, so I haven't been the most prompt of blog posters... actually I've been down-right neglectful.

It's not that I haven't been working slave labor in the loft (a.k.a. studio), it's just that I haven't been taking photos of projects before sending them out.  (my bad)

I'll try to get better, goodness knows I can't get much worse.

Hope you and your family have wonderfully crafty days to come.

thanks for stopping by,
~Jill

Completely out of order, but here is #2

Tonight while waiting for the posting for tag #7, I was playing around with the instructions for #2.  It was a fun tag to make.

Thanks for stopping in to check out my adventure....til tomorrow!
~Jill

It can't be helped!!

Today I am posting Tag #3 & #4, I know 2 normally comes after 1 but I don't have all the Christmas crafty goodies out of the hole but I did find the stuff to do #3 & #4 so, without further ado...

#3

and #4

and a close up of #4,  (I had fun playing with all the different shades and tones of blue)

I have tried to be disciplined with my family budget and only buying what I need, and even tho I need the 12 tags of Christmas with Tim Holtz for my mental health the cost can be expensive.  I would love to purchase every single item featured in the tags I can't... boohoo... okay tantrum over.  One of these days I'm gonna have the products to "walk right thru" the detailed directions.  (Maybe I should go back and do year one & two...)
Thanks for stopping in to check in on my adventure.
~Jill

Tag #1 for 2011

Yes, I am aware that I am approx. 5 days behind.  It just couldn't be helped.  But I am in the thick of it now.  I completed tag #1 this evening while playing with Mario with his BTS tweets and facebook post.  I still don't have all the Christmas crafty goodness out of the hole but I was able to get my hands on enough to get this done.

One of the instructions for making this tag was to slit the top of the embossing folder to accommodate the tag in the proper direction.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was the same folder that I used last year to complete this same technique. (lol) I know it's extremely difficult to read but the glitter phrase says "Peace on Earth".  (I cut it on my cricut, it wasn't what I expected but I continued with it to the completion)

One of the items that was suppose to be on this tag was a paper pinecone, I coped out and stuck a paper flower on it.  I got tired of fighting my hands and spent some energy in making this flower look tattered and dried.  I think T!m's pine cone die would be something for me to consider investing in if I were to make some paper pine cone wreaths or other home decor, maybe next year.

The other thing I did get done today was to "ink" a tea light block that my son Lance made for me while we were in Oklahoma City visiting him and his wife during Thanksgiving.  I had originally thought I would paint it and possibly add some scrapbook paper to it to make it Christmas specific.  (But, if I did that then I would have to pack it up and I already have so many Christmas decorations I fill up 8 huge containers that have to get put up in the attic and its a constant fight with hubby Vince).  So, as you can see, I took the easy way out (much more generic, I can use it year round), I used Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs and Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and a good old fashioned blending tool.  Easy peasy!  Done.

Thank you for stopping in to check on my adventure.
Til tomorrow.
~Jill

We saw Santa!

My hubby and I had a holiday date on Friday, we went to Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, Texas to watch an on stage performance of "White Christmas". 

Bass Hall (Ft. Worth, Texas)

Hubby (Vince) and I

We purchased this pretty ornament as a keepsake.

This tree was gigantic! 

After, we walked around downtown, even got to stop and visit with Santa!  (It's been about 40 years since we've chatted)

We had friends over for dinner last night, church this morning....then, I get to start playing with T!m and the 12 tags of Christmas.  I have been reading the post and following Mario on Twitter so I'm super excited to try some of the wonderful techniques he's been teaching.

Have a wonderfully crafty week, enjoy the remainder of the weekend, and as always, thanks for stopping in to check out my life adventure.

~Jill

#12Tags has begun

Yes, another year of the 12 Tags of Christmas with Tim Holtz.  So excited.
I will be playing along again this year, however, it will be delayed.  Hopefully not to be stretched out past Christmas but wont be happening immediately as it did last year.  I've too much other stuff going on but trust me I WILL be playing along.

thanks for stopping in to check out my life adventure.... I am going to return to being more dedicated to my crafty journey's blog posting.  I sort of got sidetracked and didn't do much, of any, postings, but did a lot of layouts (I sort of think they are boring, so that's why I didn't do much posting).

Happy Crafting.
~Jill