Wednesday, November 26, 2008

advent calendar



paula pointed this out to me. thanks paula. (once again i'm doing what she asks (tells) me to do.) my boys would have fun with this and i love the idea of making the boxes. also using up some scraps and having the kids art on them. the idea of hanging them with 3m removable mounting squares rocks too. check it out - you only have 5 days to make an advent calendar. doh!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

paula asked me a question

some of you may not know this about me but i am a librarian. i have a master of library science. being a research librarian means i know how to find things using search engines, etc. my friends and family know this and occasionally email me and ask for help finding answers or solutions to problems on the web.

today paula asked me, "I'm looking for some way to display artwork (probably the kids work). The idea is that the artwork would be switched out every so often. Have you ever come across any good ideas for displays?"

then she told me i should post the response on my blog. and because i do everything paula asks (tells?) me to do - here is my reply with pictures added for your visual pleasure.

here are some ideas using a wire and clips...


::via design sprout


::via bungalow insanity

i've seen a similar solution at ikea, but can't seem to find it on their website so that link is ebay. pottery barn used to have these and now west elm apparently does. you could easily make something like this or use a cable curtain rod system and some clips. instead of the cable system you could just use a regular old curtain rod with clips too! pottery barn had this clip rack (now discontinued) - easy to make with either these bull clips or even clothespins.



there are also those clear box frames that you slip the art work into - my sister uses these.

some more ideas...

  • i've framed some of my kids artwork in regular frames
  • to clean up that cluttered refrigerator look, cut mats (the cardstock used for borders in frames) with openings slightly smaller than the standard sheet of paper. tttach magnetic strips to the back of each mat. put on the refrigerator for an organized look, whereby the focus is on the artwork, not the clutter.
  • mount a piece of flat trim molding on the wall at eye level. every eight to 10 inches, attach one leg of a spring-loaded clothespin to the trim with small nails or screws. then you can just clip the top edges of the artwork into the clothespin. it's easy, and the display can be changed often.
  • make magnets to give to grandparents and family members. cut out various items (flowers, dun, kites, clouds etc.), and have pieces laminated with hard plastic. Trim off excess plastic, then glue pieces to small magnets. give the magnets away to family members as gifts that remind everyone that they are all connected.
  • they make magnetic paint. you could paint a wall with it and then use fun magnets to hand the art work in a grouping.

and last but not least three articles for your reading/viewing pleasure...

cookie

wondertime

fine living

have fun displaying kids artwork or your scrapbook pages - let me know if you use any of these ideas!

if you have any other ideas. please post them below for paula and anyone else who might be interested!

thanksgiving garland


::via full circle

not sure why i'm so obsessed with garlands! this one you could whip up for turkey day in a jiffy. an electronic die cut machine would make this really fast!

Monday, November 24, 2008

sneaks


i had a bunch of fun this past week playing with the december freehand scraps kit - it's a bright and cheery kit with a touch of holiday fun included. be sure to check out the reveal at the end of the month!

Friday, November 21, 2008

paper garlands


::via folding trees

i just love the airplane one don't you?

Thursday, November 20, 2008

shredding scissors


::via dinosaurs & robots

i have no idea how i would use this in my crafting, but aren't they cool?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

a cool new book



lain ehmann (simple scrapbooks contributing editor) has a new book out called snippets. it promises to be hilarious for if you've ever visited lain's blog you' know that she is a very funny lady! here's how she describes the book..

'Snippets is a collection of short essays about scrapbooking and all the crazy things this hobby makes us do. Hybrid, shabby chic, artistic, traditional, digital. all of us are, deep down, doing the same thing - documenting our lives. I wrote Snippets with the intent that it would help bring scrappers together. I'm hoping people will have as much fun reading it as I had writing it!'

check out some sample essays at the link above and don't miss the don't miss the virtual launch party at the simple website on thursday, november 20th for fun and some giveaways i bet!

do you know kelly purkey?

well she pretty much rocks. so go to her blog and post.

oh and crowdSPRING, hire kelly purkey for your new community marketing manager!

christmas poinsettia pinwheel flowers



i guess these are in creating keepsakes this month? heather bailey not only made pretty pinwheel flowers they are completely functional as well. there is a pdf template to download as well. a bunch of these in a vase would make a fun holiday decoration!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

paper garland


::via craftstylish

isn't this the cutest garland ever? it's just paper rings made with a punch. you could also use an electronic cutter (silhouette, cricut, etc.) and cut the rings that way. so fun and how great would it be with patterned paper?

Monday, November 17, 2008

altered pens


how cute would these be as a holiday gift with an altered journal using the same papers? i'd prefer black pens i think they would be crisper with the paper or maybe even red with red papers.
i'm trying to post more this week - stay tuned!

Friday, November 14, 2008

some links for you


::via the scoop
here are some really cool finds that have been building up in my favorites because i've been so bad at blogging lately. :P
fun notepad above via the scoop - heck maybe mine should say blog
paper pod beads - would make great christmas gifts!
gift bags from queen martha
ok these trees are too adorable!
a ribbon wreath - so cool!
phew now i'm tired! have fun looking let me know if you make anything!


Monday, November 10, 2008

retro paper wreath



:via styrofoam

such a great holiday craft - made with rolled patterned paper! love it!

Monday, November 03, 2008

lisanroxy!

you won the rak for posting last week. send me an email with your info and i'll get that out to you right away!