October 17th, 2011
Are you like me and try to get the most out of your crafting supplies that you can? Karen from The Bald Dragonfly here to show you two quick extra ways to use the gorgeous Vintage Findings: All Hallow’s Eve digital kit available from Design House Digital.
First, how about giving your photos a unique finish by using the digital paper files as an overlay? Most photo editing programs have a layering option. Simply open up your original photo as well as your desired paper choice and then drop and drag. Adjust the layer style and opacity to achieve a new look!
Here’s a look at the unique photo finishes using Linen, Newsprint and Damask papers from the Vintage Findings: All Hallow’s Eve digital kit. (Gosh, aren’t those boys ca-hute? This technique works well with still objects too!)
So after you’ve had your fun adjusting the images, use your new photo on a layout! The image will coordinate perfectly with the other elements in the digital kit. I decided upon the Damask print to use in the following layout.
And if you aren’t really a layout person, digital kits are perfect for card makers too! For a quick and easy card, use a portion of the spec sheet provided with the digital kit as the main image in your card! Crop and print, then score lines and adhere to your card base. Embellish with a coordinating button and twine and you have a fabulous masculine card!
I’m really excited about these techniques and I think it will take my scrapbooking and cardmaking to a new level. I have a bunch of tips and tricks up my sleeve and I can’t wait to show them to you! Thanks!
August 25th, 2011
So I finally got a hold of all my new My Mind’s Eye releases. I actually laid everything out and took a bunch of photos, but that’s a whole other post! Just looking and touching it made me really really want to play with it. So I rearranged some stuff and made some time to just get my hands dirty. First I had to unpack all my craft supplies. As I was doing that I found these three 5×6 pieces of foam core board and it got me thinking of what I could do with them.
I knew I wanted to play with all my pink goodies… if you could see how gorgeous they are, you would want to play with them too!
To make my Home Sweet Home wall hanging, I used pretty much all of the Lost & Found 2 Blush set not including the titles, and definitely including the 6×6 paper pack. I did cut some of the 6×6 papers on my cricut. For the Home Sweet Home lettering I used the Freak Show font (with SCAL) to cut it on my cricut. For the Bracket shape, I made a quick .SVG File that you can download for free.
The first thing I did was cut and mount this glittered dance paper on my foam core:
Then I used this Creamy Brown chalk ink to make the edges look a little edged.
So then I just played around with all the supplies and made these cute rectangles:
To get the striped ribbon to have those pleats, I just cut a strip of card stock a little more narrow than the ribbon, and ran the glue runner over it. Then I adhered the ribbon, and toward the end, I just made 3 loops. Then I ran the whole thing through my sewing machine – looped side first with a contrasting ribbon.
Then to put the brad on, I just took my crop-a-dile and punched a hole through the whole thing and dropped in the brad.
The other fun thing I did with this rectangle was use the coordinating stamps to stamp that cute but still subtle banner.
With this crocheted ribbon, I gathered it with my sewing machine with my very technical method of shoving it through the sewing machine quicker than it can feed itself.
One of the fun things I did with this rectangle was take the pearl swirls and cut them up to fit the bottom of the rectangle instead of using them as a full set. It worked so well and was a super easy way of customizing the pearls.
When all that was done, I glued the rectangles to a wide ribbon and looped it at the top, and hung it in my guest room (which so does not look like a guest room at all!). Yay for baby steps to decorate the house.
August 24th, 2011
Okay so I know that I am late since CHA was a good month ago, but I just barely got my box of all the products that I designed for My Minds Eye. I hate taking this big product shots because they never come out super well, and the products just look so so so much better in person. Well if you’re in my neighborhood, feel free to stop by and come and ogle my goodies in person. (Warning: Photo Heavy!)
Lost and Found 2:
Rosey
Sunshine:
Blush:
Breeze:
I also released Lost & Found Christmas:
and 6×6 Paper Pads:
Those are all my new goodies. I made a super cute wall hanging today and will post it tomorrow morning!
May 4th, 2011
When I was designing Lime Twist for My Mind’s Eye, I didn’t have time to have anything manufactured overseas, but I BEGGED to get some twine made. I am so in love with twine, but its so hard to find great colors. I got my wish and voila, gorgeous luscious twine. I just got my package in the mail yesterday with all the Lime Twist goodies. I couldn’t wait to take a picture and show you how yummy the twine is! The pictures don’t even do it justice either — the twine is super thick and plush and the colors are fun and vibrant.
There are 12 different colors, including an awesome gray (I’m so in love with gray right now), and each card holds 20 yards. That’s just the perfect amount for a set of invitations or some party gifts/favors etc.
Of course there is more than twine in Lime Twist… I love all the pieces and papers too. Here is a snapshot of some of the diecuts, titles, and stickers in the line. 
When I was going through them, all I wanted to do was make a layout with my cute guy… no time for that today, but here is a picture of him in his leg warmers:
He’s 8 weeks old today! Time goes by way way way too fast!
If you are interested in purchasing the Lime Twist Twine, please check with your local scrapbook shop. Here are a few online retailers who also carry the line:
Two Peas in a Bucket
Oh My Crafts
Claudia and Company
April 20th, 2011
I thought things might slow down a bit when I had baby… what really happened was that I got 2 days off, and then I had to hit some really tight deadlines! So its a really good thing Ollie is a great napper, because I basically worked every second he was sleeping except for a handful of hours at night (like 4 tops). Its been a few crazy weeks, but I finished the projects I was working on! After all that work, I wanted to share a little sneak peak…
Just a tiny little look at the goodies I’ve been designing for MME, they should be releasing at CHA summer in July and hitting stores soon after… I can’t wait to see them all printed and glittered (yes there is TONS of glitter, much to my husband’s dismay)
If you are a fan of MME you may have already seen the release of my new line Lime Twist:
My two favorite parts of this line are the 6×6 pads and the BAKERS TWINE! There are 12 different colors, all in 20 yard lengths, which is the perfect amount. I have not received any Lime Twist yet, but when I do, I’ll take a few photos and post. Here are the adorable 6×6 pads:
If you prefer scrapbooking digital style, I have a fun new release this week:
I had fun creating this very retro looking kit complete with adorable labels and cards, oh and TONS of papers! This will be available at Design House Digital starting Thursday, April 21st, and will be 30% off on release day only!
And just for your viewing pleasure, a few of my freelance projects:
So now, can you see just how busy I’ve been?? Luckily right now I have just a bit of a respite from it all so I can snuggle my cute cute cute little boy:
