The One with "Create" String Art

Here is the story of how this AMAZING string art piece by Elizabeth Gardner came to be:

Once upon a time I saw this string art sign Elizabeth made for an auction and I fell in love. So I commissioned her to make me one just like it!

I couldn't decide between the word "Make" and "Create" so I put it up for a vote on instagram. Thanks for everyone's awesome feedback :)

I chose the word "Create" in style "8" but with a capital "C" and then Elizabeth sent me some more designs:

On Friday it arrived in the mail and ooooohhhhh mmmmmyyyy gooooodddneeessss I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!

I found the perfect home for it on top of my scrapbook nook - it balances the layouts I tape on the left side of the wall and totally brightens my day every time I look at it.

Good news: Elizabeth is taking custom orders! Just send her an email: elizgardner@me.com
Thanks for sharing your talent Elizabeth!

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The One with Bacharach, Germany

One thing we've wanted to do since living in Germany is a Rhine River cruise to see and explore this very historic part of the country. Rick Steves recommended focusing on the section of the river between Bacharach and St. Goar so we drove the almost four hours from our house to Bacharach to catch the K-D Line boat from there. The darling town of Bacharach was once a prosperous wine and wood trade...

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The One with the MINC "Love This" Layout

Here is my newest Heidi Swapp MINC layout with a Spring theme!

First of all, I found a fun way to store my MINC foil rolls - in a pretty tin on top of my IKEA scrapbook cabinet!

Okay, so, here's how the layout came together: First I divided the butterflies into seven piles because I wanted to foil them with seven different colors.

The butterflies all foiled up! :) Easy peezy lemon squeezy to do with a MINC!

Then I layered and stitched through the butterflies and used them on a layout with a photo of Jane I've had for YEARS!

LOVE THIS by Paige Evans

Description: So happy to finally have this photo scrapped - I was just waiting for the right color combo to match the foil wrapping paper Jane was obsessed with - turns out foiled butterflies was the perfect match!

Journaling says: We call you a barnacle because you're always attached to me, some how, some way. I love our special physical bond because who knows how long this stage is going to last. I hope years!

How to: Foil all the butterflies in the 3D Butterflies package using seven different spring colors and a  Heidi Swapp MINC machine. Layer the butterflies then stitch through them, bending up the wings for dimension. Adhere the butterflies in a circle around the center of a robin's egg blue cardstock layout base. Layer a tag, photo, die cut bits, chipboard frame, and "love this" sticker on the left side then journal on the right with a black pen. Drop white acrylic paint in three places around the layout to create a visual triangle.

Supplies: Foiling machine, toner printed butterfly die cuts: Heidi Swapp MINC; Tag, watercolor die cuts, floral chipboard frame: Heidi Swapp; Cardstock, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Paint: FolkArt; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

Where can you find a MINC machine?!? Lemme tell ya! The MINC machine and accessories are available at Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, local stores, and online shops such as Studio Calico! Also, I've seen people trying out other machines to foil projects, but the MINC is the simplest and most consistent - it's the truth! :)

Until next month, Auf Wiedersehen!

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The One with THIRTY

Duuuuuuude. How am I thirty? That just crept up on me outta nowhere! Lots of mixed emotions goin' on here! For instance, I'm so happy to be living this life, I'm proud of the things I've accomplished temporally, spiritually, and domestically, & being in Germany is a dream come true! But all I see in this photo is wrinkles, a chin dimple that is getting deeper by the day, and I cropped off...

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The One with Teaching at Scrappies in Munich!

On Saturday July 18th 2015 I'll be teaching how to create two layouts at the Scrappies shop near Munich!  Here are sneaks of the two layouts I'll be teaching:  I'll share how to use a Silhouette Cameo (there's one at the shop we'll share! (and of course, check out my SILHOUETTE SAVVY class for more Silhouette ideas!)) for the background of one layout (above photo), the...

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The One with the Elle's Studio May 2015 Layout

My fifth Elle's Studio step-by-step layout is up! Here is the page in its entirety, but be sure to visit the Elle's Studio blog for the complete how to: SNAPSHOT by Paige Evans On this layout I used elements from the Elle's Studio May 2015 kit: The main focus of the layout is the stars from the May digital cut files, created with my Silhouette CAMEO (want...

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