Jodi's Title Prompt Challenge: LUCKY

I got to play with my November Kit again for this title prompt challenge! Your challenge: to create a layout using the title "LUCKY" or to have the word "LUCKY" somewhere in your title! There are so many things that I think I am "lucky" to have... my husband... is one of the major ones!! We defeated all odds to meet each other on a cruise ship... and we happened to live in opposite ends of the world... I am so grateful and lucky to have my soulmate!

I would love to see your layouts of something you are lucky for!

Anna's Make-N-Take :)

I've had a few requests to do an accordian flower tutorial this month, so today's your lucky day :) This kind of flower is easy to make & once you get the hang of it, you'll want to make lots & lots. Let's get started shall we??


Step 1: Cut 2 strips of paper 12 inches long by 1 inch wide. You'll want to choose heavier paper for this project. Papers that have a busy pattern work best because they hide the joining seams better.

Step 2: Start folding you paper, accordian style, until you've folded one whole strip of paper. The picture below shows you how to start this.


Step 3: Now that you are done folding the first strip of paper, it is time to start folding the 2nd strip. You'll want to make sure they join the right way. If the end fold on the first strip faces up, then take your 2nd piece, put it over that. Then continue folding the 2nd strip in the same fashion as the first.

See how they join?? :)

Step 4: It's time to glue the ends together, forming an accordian circle. You'll want to use a super sticky clear adhesive for this. I use Crystal Effects from Stampin' Up!. Your regular tape runner will not work!! So join your strips together, glue & let it dry.

Step 5: While you're waiting for that to dry, you need to cut out a cardstock or thin chipboard circle. I save cardstock sheets that come with paper packs. You could even cut a circle out of a cereal box if you want. You will want to make sure your circle is smaller than your flower will be. The circle photographed below is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Step 6: Glue up your circle using the same glue you used for the above steps. I put it on nice & thick so it will adhere to the folds of the flower really well. Don't put it too close to the edge or else you'll have a gluey mess to clean up :(

Step 7: Here comes the tricky part. Get your flower and start gathering it together and try to lay it "flat" (or facing upward - it's not really flat because it's an accordian, see?). This might take a few tries. Your paper will naturally want to spring back to its original shape which is in step 4. No worries. Just keep gathering & working everything to the center. Then hold it all down with your finger once everything is in place. Here's what your almost-done-flower should look like:

Step 8: Now it's time to glue the circle to the back. Carefully pick up your flower & center it on the glued circle. Again, this takes practice. When you pick up your flower, it will want to spring out of shape. I try to keep one finger on the center, and then put both hands around the sides to hold it all together. Once it's on the glued circle, you can adjust each pleat to make them an even distance from eachother. Hold your flower down while it is drying. This might take a couple of minutes. Don't let go till it's dry!!

See how pretty your glued down flower is?? But it's lookin' kinda plain. Let's add something to the middle :)

Step 9: Pretty up the center of your flower with a button or brad (or whatever cute thing your heart desires). I glue on my centers using the same glue I used for the above steps.

Are you hooked?? I am! I love making these flowers. I made a few more just for fun. I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial. I can't wait to see what flowers you come up with!!

I want to see what flowers ya'll come up with. Post your lovelies in the gallery so we can all see your fabulous work!!

--Anna

A color challenge for you!

My color challenge for you is to use these colors on a card or layout. So how did I come up with these particular colors you ask? My inspiration was the lovely SO November kit!

I just loved the November Pink Paislee kit. So much so I couldn't let any of it go to waste!

Do remember the Prima flowers and swirls in the kit? Of course you do, how can you forget those! When I was taking them out of the package I pulled out the colored inserts as well, took off the product and made my layouts. When I was cleaning my scrap space I was about to throw those out when something caught my eye. I noticed the design on them was really pretty and couldn't bear throwing them away. So this card was born!

I used the Prima packaging and flowers left over from the Amber Road paper. You may remember those butterflies too, those are from the Jenni Bowlin/ Graphic 45 kit. The colors looked a little drab so I used the dark pink button from my stash to give it a splash of color.

Please upload your finished projects to the SO gallery because we would love to see them!

November Photo CHallenge: Creative Props

I bet a lot of you, like myself, are starting to think about Christmas card pictures. EEK! it is already that time!!

I know a lot of us have smaller children, some don't, but I thought it would be fun to do a challenge with creative props.

I photograph younger children all the time, so having FUN props for them is awesome because it not only gets a cute picture, but it helps to keep their attention and keep them still. And although older children may follow directions of sitting still and smiling, it is still fun to get creative with your props;)

SO here are a few recent examples to get ya thinking, I would LOVE to see what ideas you have!! ( i realize some of these are not at all Christmas card worthy, but they are just examples to get you thinking outside the box)

If you keep your eyes open, you can really find some cool props for very inexpensive. I found this AWESOME chair at the flea market. It came this way, but I also bought a similar, plain one, that I am going to paint and refinish the cushion for a similar idea. I LOVE to look for cheap chairs for photo sessions and paint and fix them up. SUPER cheap and easy way to "dress Up" a picture.

This parasol was also an amazing find at the flea market. It only cost 2 dollars and kept this girl's attention. I took pictures with it and her older sister as well and I got some great shots of her "frolicking" around with it just having a grand ol' time acting girly.


And THIS, one of my fav finds EVER, was 10 dollars at an antique store. This worked SOOO well because what little kid DOESN"T want to sit STILL and play on a piano? I got some great genuine smiles with this prop.


Other popular ideas are different toys, lollipops or candy canes, tutus for girls etc.

Sometimes I think a lot of people make the mistake of trying to "force" their kids into sitting still on the fireplace or something for the Christmas card and that rarely ever works.

Thinking of fun props to use for your session will really enhance the experience for all involved!

I REALLY want to see what you all can think of!!! Have fun!

GD Mette November Reveal!

Look at the BEAUTIFUL work Mette created with the November kit! LOVE IT!!

Jodi's November Reveal!

I was so excited to see what this month's kit was, and even more excited when I finally got to play with it! The hardest part was choosing the pictures to go with it, because I had so many fall photos that would could with this amazing paper line!!! Here is the first layout I created:

This picture was taken at the pumpkin farm... we were waiting to go on the hayride, and it became a perfect spot for a photo! I don't usually a lot of "me"... but I love how this turned out! The add-on Prima Fleurs were the perfect embellie to this layout!!

Here is my next layout:


This was also taken at the pumpkin farm in the HAY BAIL jumping area! both my kids had such a ball there! It was hard to get them out! Jordan ended up covered in Hay.. but it was well worth it!

I also made three cards for my reveal! This kit was perfect for making your fall cards! Here is what I came up with:





I also have one more layout to share with you... but you have to wait for that one... it will be revealed for my title prompt challenge! so until then.... HAVE a GREAT WEEKEND!

Anna's November Reveal

The November kit is sooooo lovely. I love all the Pink Paislee papers (thick & double-sided - how can you go wrong??)!! And Heather gave us the most fabulous Prima flowers to work with this month. I LOVE THEM!! Okay, so I really love the kit. But who wouldn't?? It's perfect for scrapping all those fall photos or even summer wedding pics. Or family photos or making cards....you get the idea. The papers are just so pretty. Here's what I came up with this month. Enjoy!

I used all of my flowers on this LO of my bro-in-law & his cute new wife. I love the journaling cards because you can put the title on one of them to really make it stick out. And the buttons Heather made add just the right amount of pretty to the page:


And then I decided to do a 2 pager. I typically don't do these, but my hubby & I went to New Orleans in September & I wanted to scrap all my photos & not do 10 layouts of the trip. So I kept it simple, yet pretty using the reds & blacks from the kit. I ordered the fabric shape add-on from the SO Shop because that same symbol is found EVERYWHERE in New Orleans. It was perfect for this LO. Oh, & I can't say enough about the chipboard letters. I want them in every color!


Still having lots of goodies to play with, I decided to make a card for a friend of mine. The buttons in the kit are super cool & add just the right amount of nostalgia to this project. And there are those pretty buttons & chipboard again :D


Happy November :D
--Anna