Here is a preview of a few of the swarm projects we will be doing at our "Holliday Hullibaloo" swarm on October 17,2009 from 9am-9pm at the Clinton Robert's.  Celebrating 12 holidays, in 12 hours with 12 make-n-takes.  I am adding pictures of most of the projects, but this is not all.  The cute tin is something I will be making for the participants, and putting the kits in it.  All of the cuts are from the Gypsy wandering cart (oops, except the cricut) that comes loaded on the Gypsy.  If any of you have questions let me know.  There are fewer than 10 spots left for the swarm, call now and sign up!!

Lori 

Thank you books

Hi Friends!! Here is one of my newest creations. I made these cute little "Thank You" books to use as an activity for Young Womens. We wanted the girls to write thank you notes to the old presidency and those that helped with camp. I put together these cute little books so we could put all the notes to one person in one book. I used a chipboard cover, covered it with patterned paper from my stash, and embossed a clear cover with the cuddle bug. I added a clear "Thank You" embossed image, and the adorable sheep were made with my favorite flocked sticky back paper, and the cuddle kids dies. Jessie wanted to help and made the sheep for me to use on the books. Of course I added ribbon and O rings to finish off the books. ( Did you notice, we did one special one with a bushy tailed squirrel on it, in honor of the sandwich Bro. Bingham ate after one of the girls saw a critter sitting on it. ) What do you think. If you got one of these, would you feel appreciated?

Guess what I got.......

A GYPSY!! Thank you Provo Craft (and more specific Denise Rolfe at PC), for hooking me up with a FREE GYPSY. I am having a blast learning how to use this amazing new took. Since I have a MAC computer, I was not able to use design studio. I am so excited to jump into the world of making my own unique designs. This tool is just another way to take your creativity to the next level. I have a few things in the works, so stay tuned.

Chore Chart

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We needed some structure, seriously with 2 autistic kids, and this chore chart has been amazing. I love that my kids come home from school and know that they have to do their chores before they can go play. I have been amazed at how excited they are to use this.

First, I modge podged paper around the frame, cut tags from the Tags, bags and boxes cart, added magnets and a little ribbon. I also screwed on the big clips on to the board. Of course, added a bit or ribbon, and now they hold the pockets, (also cut from the Tags, bags and boxes cart). When the kids have finished their jobs they move the magnets in to the pockets. I cut the phrase "When we're helping we're happy" from the stone script cart, and added the vinyl to the bottom of the chart. I hope it inspires you to find some structure of your own.
<3 Lori

P.S. Stay tuned, I have more projects to share in the next few days.

Smile..........

Hello friends, I have a great new project for you.   This is actually my entry for the Today's Mama contest.  I'm crossing my fingers it's a winner, but either way, I love the way this one turned out and I hope you all do to.  

So as many of you know, we are working on finishing our basement.  The framing is done, (WOOHOO), and we have a bunch of left over pieces of 2 x 4 laying around.  On the 4th of July we had a weinne roast in our backyard, and I was shocked when my husband started using some of the left over blocks of 2 x 4 for the fire.  I screamed, "you're burning my next project".  I had been thinking about using some of them for something, i just didn't know what yet.  Well when I found out they were going to become firewood, I decided now was the time to make something fabulous.  

Step 1:  I cut my blocks to these sizes (2) 5x3, (1) 3x3, and (2) 2 1/2 x 3.  I sanded them, painted them, then sanded them again to give the blocks a distressed look.

Step 2:  The paper I used is from My Minds Eye, Just Dreamy 2.  I cut the pieces slightly bigger than  to allow room to tear the edges.  On a couple of them I used 2 coordinating papers to add contrast.  I used modge podge to glue the paper down.  

Step 3:  Next I added the vinyl letters cut from black vinyl.  I used the Sesame Street font cartridge, and choose the black board option.  

Step 4:  Glue clothes pins on to the back of the blocks.  These will hold your photos.

Step 5:  Add your extras.  I cut flowers from Accent Essential using 1 1/2 in, 2 in, and 2 1/2 in, then layered them.  I used a simple button in the center of the flower to accent it.  I also cut the bees from Pooh and Friends cart using the icon option.  Can you tell that I used assitate for the wings, and flocked sticky back paper on the bees.  I suspended the bees from some simple craft wire off the block.  (Soooo cute isn't it?)

Step 6:  I matted the photos in coordinating paper, then clipped them to the back of the blocks. 

This is such an easy, fun project.  I hope you enjoy it.  Thanks to all who visit my blog.  I LOVE the comments you leave for me.  They mean so much to me.

Thank you "berry" much....

Today is the last day of school, (there goes all my free time).  This is a quick gift I came up with for all the teachers and bus drivers.  I made this yummy homemade strawberry jam,  not to long ago, and I added this cute strawberry card, cut from the Hello Kitty cart.  I hope the teachers like, and know how much they are appreciated.  

Some things I made for girls camp

Well I made a few things to take up to girls camp, but sadly it was canceled due to the swine flu. I still wanted to show what I've done, and get your feedback.  So one by one, 

We Believe Blocks,

I painted the blocks of wood, then modge podged the paper on the blocks.  Next I added the vinyl which was cut on my cricut, (the "believe" word was from the Tinkerbell cart).  I glued a clothes pin to the back and added ribbon.  This is my favorite of all the camp projects by far, probably because I caved and used the SU Bella Rose paper that I have been hoarding.   This was to be one of the craft projects the girls made while they were at camp.

BIA Book

This is simple book I made, also one of the projects the girls would make while at camp.  It was to be used as a photo/memory book/ journal.  I cut the flower from good 'ol Geroge cart, and used the left over Bella Rose paper from the blocks.  Of course used lots of ribbon on the binding.

Virtue Bookmark

At camp the girls were going to have mailboxes to pass note and get surprises.  This year the value virtue was added to the Young Woman theme, so I made a bookmark to go alone with that, (and because I wanted to have a little surprise to put in their buckets).  I cut the tag from Plantin schoolbook cart using the end cap feature.  I added the definition of virtue on the back of it, then laminated it with my Your story machine.  (I LOVE having a laminator in my home).  To add a little bit of interest, in the center of the flower I tied a knot in the ribbon.  The flower dangles outside of the book, and looks so cute.

Gum thingy

So one day I was driving home from running a few errands, and I was thinking about camp, and I had an idea come to me.   Our wards was assigned the value Integrity, so I made these cute gum wrappers.  The are wrapped in a purple polka dot, with the message on the front.  I made these to go in the mailboxes as well.

SO there you have it.  Proof that I have been craft even if I have been MIA for a while.  :)