Thursday, April 15, 2010

Jared Dallen

Obviously, I've been doing a bit of Digital Scrapbooking this week. I've uploaded several files to JessicaSprague.com as I'm applying for their 2010 creative team. *fingers crossed*
Here is one of baby brother, baby brother JARED that is. Boy, he was a cutie. I mean, he is still a cutie. (that was a close one!)

Page Credits:
Paper and Elements from Toys in the Attic by Songbird Avenue.
Layout by Me.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Journey

Journey to the past that is. We took these photos of our boys in the fall of 2007 at our annual family photo shoot before General Conference. Oh man, did they ever grow up! It is fun to remember how little they were. Time flies when you are having fun... or really busy. *wink*

Credits
Paper and Elements from-Toys in the Attic by Songbird Avenue, a collaboration with the designers of scrapbookgraphis.com. Including paper and elements by: Maya, Birgit Kerr, Berna Dateman, Ellie Lash, Veronica Springs, Monica Guerra Leiria, Lori Wiley, Studio Bauers Garten and Studio Ziska.

Layout by Me.

Brothers

The boys were lookin pretty good one Sunday after church and we just had to capture the moment. Happy Boys, Happy Spring, Happy Day!

Credits
The template is by Crystal Wilkerson's Digikit Rounded Corners Template
The paper and elements are from Julia Makotinsky's Digikit - New Day available at Little Dreamer Designs.

Sunny Days

Each summer we pick a day to spend in Milwaukee at Lake Michigan. Sun, Waves, Sand and picnic food-doesn't get any better than that! We top the day off with waffle-cones from Omega Burger filled with Custard. It is the BEST day of the summer.

Page Credits
Template by Crystal Wilkerson from her Digikit Rounded Corners Template available at twopeasinabucket.com
All paper and elements from Crystal Wilkerson's Digikit - The Sweet Vintage Charm Collection, also available at twopeasinabucket.com

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Memory Jar

I am a journal-er. Let's just get that out in the open. Truth be told, I've been doing it for awhile rather habitually. I am a creature that thrives on goals and has to be careful what I set out to do. On April 29, 1990, at the lovely age of 8, I asked my father what day it was. I then proceeded to tell him that from now on was going to write in my journal every day- and I have. Coincidentally this month will be my 20 year anniversary of this habit we call journal-ing.

As mother's day approached a few years back I decided to put my journals to work. Inside of this jar I wrote down journal entries about my mother that I had made over the years. After I had a sufficient collection on put them in this jar that I decorated.

I made this jar using paper, craft glue (Aleen's Tacky Glue) Pen and scissors. This was before I discovered the art of Quilling and had to make this up as I went. The little blue flowers are out of stars I punched out. I then curled to points up to give it a more organic look. Then with a little raffia, ribbon and my script-y hand-writing we were in business.

Play Pals

If you ever want to keep your self busy, I recommend taking on your church's play group, all by your self. I designed a play group called "Play Pals". We met once a week back when my oldest boys were only one and two. We would often meet at a park or sometimes we would hit the road and visit our local zoo, get ice cream or have some other crazy adventure. To feel official I got on to Illustrator and created a manual using my own illustrations. Each week we had a theme and one or two coloring pages / activity pages. I also created a brochure, schedule and other weekly handouts using my drawings and Adobe Illustrators. Each week I also e mailed out reminders including a PDF of and invitation to the specific activity and time. This image shows part of a display I put together at our church building.

Let's Celebrate Cake

Birthdays and holidays get all the attention. Let's take a moment to celebrate the desserts that make these days delicious. Here's a little eye-candy for you.

Palm Tree Cup Cakes for my son's jungle party. Hurray for mini-brown Tootsie Pops!
What can I say, my man loves carrot cake. Orange frosting was a must for
What is Memorial Day without Watermelon, right? Inside this beauty is a pink, strawberry cake speckled with mini-chocolate chips. The kids *loved* it.



Animal ABC's

This image does not do justice to these paintings Avast! I made these for my boys. They currently hang in the nursery along side a large painting of Noah's Ark. You've just got to love animals, animals, animals!

Each of these paintings is a mix-media masterpiece. I stretched the water color paper and dried it on masonite board. After sketching each letter into place with pencil I went over them in a water-proof ink. I then using a roller, applied a clear-goopy medium with fabulous texture. Following a dark purple wash over each letter I began to paint using acrylics. I think the skunk is my favorite, or maybe the turkey... hard to decide.



Wedding Portrait

Beautiful! Not the drawing, though it is nice. What I really like is that it is of my little sister Wendy. (One of three sisters I have). They are beautiful girls inside and out. I did this for my sister after she got married. She had a reception a month later and I surprised her with this.
This is done using the good-old "Bottled Green" Nu-Pastel. ( A college favorite. ) I was fortunate enough to study under Robert Barrett at Brigham Young University. What a treasure to get to sit for three hours a day and just draw. Those were simpler times. Or are these? Hard to say. I guess they were just different.

Quilts



To quilt or not to quilt, that is the question. The answer is YES! This is a snap-shot of baby Joshua's first quilt. I have only created three quilts so far, but find it to be completely fascinating! I've had my sewing machine for just over a year now and just love it. The other day I mentioned to my mother, a fabulous seamstress, that I think this just might be in my blood. I have two sisters who have been sewing for years. My mother created all of our prom dresses and the wedding dresses of the three daughters that are married. I never took to sewing when I lived at home. I think it is something I had to learn on my own. It is wonderful to teach oneself a new trick, with a little help from friends! I'm always so proud of myself when I get out the sewing machine manual and figure out the solution to my own problem. I guess life may be the same way. We grow the most when we find ways of working out our problems instead having someone else fi everything for us. I must say I am super glad to have so many people to turn to when things turn sour though!

This quilt is a crazy 8s pattern that is truly crazy. It is done similar to a stack-n-slash, where you stack your fat-quarters and cut them all at once. It is a fairly quick project with fun results.

Love Rocks

Love Rocks, yes it does!! To make sure that it stays that way I like to make a special gift to give to special friends before their special day- a rock.
It is amazing how a little package design goes a long way! A love rock is a rock that I paint to coordinate with a theme. This box has a "Love " theme, however, themes I have done have varied far from such a traditional route. Themes I have done include: tropical, autumn, sun flowers, forever yours, and fish. I know, who knew fish could be so romantic!?!

The idea, which is written in poetic verse on he inside cover, is that one partner hides the rock for the other partner to find. Good places are in the car, a lunch sack or suit case. More extreme hiding places are also fun however! Sometimes the rock stays hidden for months!

I paint each rock to match the theme and on the back I will include the couples anniversary. The rock is a reminder of their love for each other.

I love, love, LOVE, package design! I went into Illustration, but wonder if I should have gone into Graphic Design. Using Adobe Illustrator I designed and produced this box. It includes directions, bar code and for best result directions- (Use often!).

This is a fun tradition and something I look forward to creating each time I get a wedding announcement from a dear friend. If they are lucky, I will use their announcement photo in the packaging.

Cheers to new found love, and making it last!

Village People - Sculpy Clay

Welcome to the village! A passion for working with my hands and attention to detail brought about this peculiar project. As a girl my little friend Kelly introduced me to the world of polymer clay. That is where this village began. The older I've gotten the more ideas I get. If you look closely this image shows you the characters from Cinderella. (Disregard the Doctor and his wife and baby sprawled out on the ground in front of them...). From left to right we have Cinderella in her work clothes, followed by the Fairy God Mother, Prince Charming, Cinderella in her gown, the two step sisters and the Step Mother.
This gives you an idea of the size I'm working with. Why are they so small you might ask. When I was 12 I didn't have much cash and a limited supply of clay. Solution, smaller people! I guess it just stuck. This is King Arthur, the Princess and Lancelot.
Most of these little creatures are tucked away. However, I always looke forward to bringing out this Nativity before Christmas.

Luminar Jars


I saw something like this in a charming little shop in Sun Prairie called "A Day in the Country". I could not get the idea out of my head, so I got busy. Using baby food jars, mod-podge and tissue paper I was able to put this together. The images I found in a magazine and felt they were perfect for the job! Inside each jar is a battery-candle.

Quilling


Quilling: the art of paper filigree.

I just recently discovered Quilling and of couse am fascinated! What you see is what you get here. Using long, skiny strips of paper and some tacky glue I was able to make this card for a bridal shower. It is NOT a fast way to make a card. However, it does make for a nice card. This could also be framed. If I had girls I would do this for them. It just doesn't seem masculine enough for my three boys though. I guess it's a good thing my sister has three girls. *wink*

Advent Calendar

Merry Christmas! Well, actually I started this project in November for Christmas... and picked it up again in January. I guess you could say I'm way ahead for next year. This advent calendar hands on a 16x20 canvas. Using favor boxes from Michaels, "Stampin' Up" stamps, paper, ribbon and mod-podge this project was a delight. I cannot wait until the Holidays come around again and I can feel these boxes with candy, ornaments, carols to sing, or stories to tell!

Wooden Signs

Behold the power of clear labels! I love to make gifts for friends and family. I also cherish homemade gifts. My dad once gave me a little train he made on a lathe with wood from our lillac tree growing up. I cried. (I don't think he was expecting that...) This is a great way to make a personalized gift and I always have the supplies on hand.
I use pre-cut wood, which is available at most craft stores, Avery clear full sheet labels, ribbons or other embellishments and I like to finish off the edges with a little sepia ink pad and a dauber. Using Adobe Illustrator work with a favorite quote to lay it out just the way I like. Adjusting colors, sizes and fonts is what really makes it fun. After I have it just how I like it I push "print". After carefully cutting out each word I gently peel of the back of the label and stick the word in place. It is not vinyl so don't expect it to weather the elements, but it does make a nice gift.
This one was for Wendy. Adjust the spacing and it says "Wendy Our Way"- and that's the way we like her! *smile*