"Fabulous You" Mojo 241 {using Heidi Swapp}

This week's Mojo design is so simple, yet perfect.  It lends itself to many design ideas and I can see myself using this pattern a lot in the future.  Here is what I made for it using only the paper from Heidi Swapp's new Sugar Chic line.

Isn't that flag the cutest?!  It comes in a package with several others that have glittery sayings as well.  I added the CTMH ribbon layered on each other to it and pulled the rhinestone stickers out of my stash for the "you".  Here's the Mojo sketch:

I like how this card can be used for a birthday, congratulations, or a just because anytime kind of occasion.  I like cards that make me happy, and this bright and sparkly one definitely does make me happy.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

Project Shared Office ~Part 3

Happy Monday ya'll!  I'm getting crafty today, so I will have some cards and a very special layout to share this week.  But first, I thought I'd give an update on Project Shared office.  We picked an inspiration fabric!  And yes, I said "we", as in my hubby and I.  He actually participated in the choice.  Best guy ever! Today I'm sharing how "we" came up with this choice:

First, a little background.  When living on the mainland, I loved to go "feel fabric" as my grandma said when she was still living.  My favorite chains were JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby...which Oahu has neither.  What's a girl to do? 

Google and internet shopping of course.  ;)  I've found several websites, but I love this website called fabric.com.  Here's why: They have a design board feature.  When you are looking through fabrics, you have the option to add to your design board.  Then you can arrange the fabrics on your design board into coordinating groups.  I did the leg work so to speak.  I looked through and narrowed them down to choices I liked.  Then my husband told me how to do a screen shot {ctrl and print screen buttons} and then save in a word document. 

Here's my design board.  Ignore that last line.  I have an obsession with navy and white, so those managed to get in there somehow.  LOL  As you can see, I chose a lot of fabrics!  However, I was able to arrange them all easily under the 3 main fabric choices that they all stemmed off of.

Here's where the "we" and compromise came into play.  I totally wanted this fabric:

And I wanted chevron.  And by wanted, I have been dreaming of chevron!  Blue or green on white chevron for my stuff, and gray on gray or gray on white chevron for his stuff.  He took one look at the design board and said "None of that zig zag stuff.  It makes me dizzy.".  Oh, my heart sank.  The thing is, it's his room too, so I better give him some say.  He is willing to work on this design with me and I have to respect his opinion {even if I hate his opinion}.

After choosing our main fabric together, I decided that the choices next to it are too dark for me.  I am going to pick up on the blues in the fabric instead of the tans and greens.  I remembered my style quiz results.  I realize that these fabrics on the top row of the design board may look nice together, but I won't be happy with it.  Stay true to yourself right?!

There ya have it!  Now I'm off to order the fabric and start of some storage solutions I've been thinking of.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

Project Shared Office ~ Part 2

I'm continuing right along with the FFA and getting things started on Project Shared Office!  I know most people go shopping when they start decorating a room, but not me, not this time.  This office needs major help!  More help than new curtains and cute pictures on the wall would fix.  So today I sat down with my oldest daughter, and she helped me make a list of what my husband and I need in the space.  I originally planned to separate the list into wants and needs, but I quickly realized when it comes to this office, they are one in the same.

When you read this list, add the word stylish to the beginning of every line.  ;)

1. large workspace for my crafting {I don't ever use the desk..it's too small}
2. place for Eric's computer {I hate that cabinet.  the doors are always open, but he doesn't need much space}
3. book/comics/photo album storage {bookshelves}
4. place for files to go {file cabinet}
5. craft supply storage {paper, tools, embellishments, stamps, blocks, inks, etc}
6. photo storage {I have boxes of photos that need a home while they wait to be scrapped}
7. place for Eric's uniforms and shoes {the coat closet}
8. window coverings {curtains or roman shades..I haven't decided yet}

Okay, so the next few weeks will be me trying to find solutions to these 8 needs.  Living on Oahu is great, but there are very few places that I have as resources.  Things are expensive and I will have to be super creative in my thinking so I don't break the bank.  However, my creative juices are flowing, and I already have a few "out of the box" ideas.  Can't wait to see if they pan out and to share them with you.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

Tunesday

WOOT!  Ya'll I'm still excited by last night's The Voice finally.  What a show!  I was super impressed by people I didn't expect to be, and my guy Jermaine Paul DID NOT disappoint!  That man has such a strong beautiful voice.  I was in tears by the end of his I believe I can fly performance {right with him}. 

Of course- Jermaine Paul {I believe I can Fly} Brian McKnight has to be proud of this version of his song.  I knew Jermaine would end up singing this song.  His voice fits this style perfectly.  I for one, am happy to see a strong male singer again.  In my opinion, we've been missing it since the 90's.

Estelle {Wonderful Life}  This song makes me happy with it's smooth upbeat vibe.  "Somebody remind me of this wonderful life.  It's a wonderful life."  She sings about bad things happening and not giving up.  It's just a bad day and you can turn it around.  Thank you for this song Estelle.  It's perfect.

Axis of Awesome {4 Chords}  I downloaded this song, but I really want you to watch the video here http://youtu.be/QpB_40hYjXU.  You have to watch the set up, and after you watch, click to see all songs included.  It's really funny and super entertaining!  and as a music fan, I found it incredibly interesting.

John Mayer {Shadow Days}  I dedicate this song choice to the good man in my life.  Looks like John has done some self reflection.  This supposedly is his song written to Jennifer Aniston after their break up.  My favorite line starts right before the first chorus: "Hard times have helped me see, I'm a good man, with a good heart.  Had a tough time, got a rough start.  But I finally learn to let it go.  Now I'm right here, and I'm right now.  And I'm open, knowing somehow, that my shadow days are over.  My shadow days are over now."   John Mayer obviously is so talented musically and is a great guitar player.  I hope ya'll check it out.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

FFA #3~ Pick a Space

My heart started racing as soon as I saw that this week's challenge is to pick a space to start on in your home.  Figuring out what you want your home to feel like, taking a fun quiz that confirms your style are great, BUT ACTUALLY DOING IT????  That's a pretty scary thought! 

My situation is different than most, because I live in a base house on an Air Force base.  It's not my home to do what I please with it, knock down walls, change fixtures, etc.  However, every base house we've ever lived in has been painted and made to feel like our home.  We just moved here in January, and nothing has been done yet to make it more "us".

This is the place I chose to begin with.  It's our office.  It was meant to be a dining room, but who let's their kids eat on carpeted floors?  And if you do,Congrats!  Your kids are WAY better than mine.  :)  My husband, being Air Force, has a uniform he has to wear everyday.  He strips it off as soon as he comes in the door...right here in the office.  Our last house, it was the kitchen.  Yes, I have fought him to walk that extra 20 feet to our bedroom, but after 14 years together, I'm over it. If you can't beat them, join them.  And the best thing about giving in is that this office has a coat closet in it.  Yay for a place for those uniforms to go.

So my plan is for this room to be our shared office/his dressing room.

I chose to take pictures of the room not cleaned up so I can see where the problem areas are.  Here we go:

Looking into the office from the front door.

I hate the computer cabinet, the bookshelves I had to buy bc our last house had built ins, the chairs just floating in the room, clothes are on the floor with the printer, and the desk is covered due to lack of storage.

There is a large opening that goes left down the hall, right to the kitchen.  I could possibly use a low cabinet here for storage.

Random boot under desk, hat on my cricut cabinet, and just plain ugly.  The windows let in great light, but those roller shades have to go!

Kitchen on left, coat closet that I plan to use for his uniforms, and then front entry.

I've started to put his uniforms in here, but I plan to organize and turn this mish mash of random things into solely his uniform closet.

There you have it.  It's ugly, not functional, and most of all doesn't make me happy when I come in here.  This is where I make cards and scrapbook for my family.  No creative space should make you feel sad.  I have many organization ideas running through my head, it's the decorating that I'm struggling with.  Decorating a space to suit both male and female tastes is pretty hard.  If any of you have tips for either organization or decorating for both sexes, I would appreciate any and all comments.  Oh and wish me luck.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

Mother's Day Card & Weathered Paper Tutorial for H2H

I just made my last Mother's Day card for this year.  This one is for my Mother In Law.  I really couldn't have asked for a better MIL.  She is always there when we need her, but she lets us be when we don't.  She's understanding, a good listener, and best of all- she shares her recipes with me, so I can keep her son from being too home sick for his mama's cooking.  ;)

I chose to use a technique I love called Weathered Paper.  It really is simple to do, so I thought I'd share a tutorial with ya'll at the end of this post.  Of course I had to use the Heart 2 Heart challenge for the week~ flowers.  I used all solid cardstock  {sweet leaf, blush, and amethyst}on a Kraft card base.  I sponged ink in the same 3 colors on 2 small flower stamps from the Card Word Puzzle stamp set ad stamped a border along the bottom of the colonial white cardstock I had weathered and wrapped it with 2 different ribbons.  I also use the largest flower as my main image.  Stamping it 3 times and then cutting out different amounts of petals and I pop dot ted them for dimension.  I tucked in 2 leaves stamped on plain sweetleaf cardstock.  Then I hole punched along the scallop of the card for more interest.

I first stamped my sentiment from the Pemberley WOTG  stamp directly on the blush cardstock in blush.  I wasn't happy with how it looked:

So I cut some colonial white cardstock and stamped it in blush.  Then I rounded 2 corners and added 2 purple and 1 pink sparkle.  Much better!

Here's a close up of the dimension of the main flower:

I really hope she loves it!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin

The Weathered Paper tutorial has 7 steps:
1~ run water over your cardstock. I don't recommend anything more than a 6x6 or 5x7 piece.  Don't be afraid of the amount of water, just know that the more wet you get it, the more weathered it will look in the end.

2~Scrunch up the cardstock in your hand until it's in a ball.

Here is what my 3 papers looked like.

3~ Carefully straighten out your scrunched up cardstock.  It is fragile at this point, so it may tear.  Sometimes I like the tears, so if you do accidentally tear it, that's okay.

4~Place your cardstock between 2 layers of paper towels.

5~With your iron on it's highest setting and no steam, press onto the top of your paper towels, moving it gently across for about 1 minute.  Check your paper.  If it seems to be drying out, good.  Flip the entire paper towel/cardstock piece over and repeat.  if not, then keep ironing until it is mostly dry.  Your paper will not be completely dry.  See some wet spots on the purple?  This is okay.

6~Set your paper aside to dry.  This usually takes about 1-2 hours for me. Once your cardstock is dry, it will have crinkled up slightly like in this picture:

7~Take your iron and go directly over the paper, being sure not to scorch your cardstock.  This is a quick 5 seconds gently pressing back and forth on one sheet for me.  Now your paper is ready to use!  :)

Tunesday

It's that time again...Tunesday. WOOT!

This week I have a wide variety that I am listening to.  It's been one of those weeks where I don't know if I'm coming or going.  The things I am listening to are reflecting that.  LOL  I couldn't pick a favorite from the voice last night to feature.  Who was your fave?

Norah Jones {Happy Pills} I downloaded this a week ago after seeing the video on VH1. Norah Jones is back! Her album is available now, and I'm getting the whole thing. This is her breakup song and it is perfection! I can't tell you how much I love the beat and her voice in this song.

Best Coast {Why I cry}  I love Best Coast!  If the Beach Boys were girls, they would be Best Coast.  This new song from them makes me love them even more.  It's lyrics are deeper than normal, and I LOVE that!  It still has their 60's vibe to it, and I LOVE that too. 

Gavin Degraw {Sweeter}  This song is bad.  Bad in a oh so good way.  Boys don't take your girls for granted, because Gavin will be there to fill the void.  The lyrics are sultry and the beat is impossible not to love.  On a side note, my son has rewritten this song.  his version is called "I just want a pancake."  Its hilarious!  LOL

Coldplay {Paradise}  I have been listening to this song again this week.  {Personal TMI warning}Sometimes I need to remind myself that I make my own paradise.  Let's set aside the fact that I live in Hawaii, I think you can be miserable anywhere. I'm letting health issues and stress from 3 kids get me down.  It's time to realize that I have so much to be thankful for and this song proves that everyone has downs.  So make your own paradise y'all.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!
~Erin