A Life and Art in Progress

Lattice Sizzix Bigz Die Project

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

I posted a new card in my Stampin'Up blog HERE using some colors I rarely use.

Here's a little peek of part of my card:

Goodbye Summer

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:50:00 +0000

I just posted a few pictures of a mini album I made for my dad's birthday...very summery!!!

Here's a picture of the front of the album project...it is a very interactive album...to see the rest of the pics go check out my Stampin'Up blog www.creativitywithstamps.typepad.com

Happy Fall!!!

I GOT A BLOG AWARD!!!

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:32:00 +0000

My friend Gio' surprised me with this a few weeks ago and I was really taken by surprise and well, she just made me smile from ear to ear. It took me this long to post it here but nonetheless, I wanted to pass it along to a good friend of mine Serena.

I have built a very strong friendship with these two women even though I met them online and spoke to them on skype only so far...I feel as close to them as I would any other close friend here...they have made my life a little brighter!!!

On a side note, I just wanted to let you know that I have been on a shopping spree this summer and purchased a few goodies for my crafting.

The big purchase is this:

I had been researching various computerized die cut machines and I decided to get this one primarily because of all the great reviews and resources I have been able to find. I bought mine for $269 (free shipping/tax) and it included a 12x12 mat, two cartridges and a spatula at OhMyCrafts (if you can not see this deal there, they have an ebay store and that is where I got mine).

Here's the Cricut Cutting Guide for different materials:I also have found that the SCAL software will allow me to cut anything I want (any font and any image from my computer, yes even a mac)....you can go to youtube and check out this lady to get all the info and tutorials (she's absolutely amazing) and even though I have found this software for $7 less, I have decided to buy from her because she took the time to inform everyone about this program

My other awesome purchase which I am expecting to receive this week is this:

I will be cutting corners on my wood sheets from Stampin'Up as well as chipboard so I am super excited. I got mine for really cheap for $16.95 (free shipping/tax) HERE

Martha Stewart had come out with some great border/corner combination punches. I used my 40% coupon from Michael's to get this:

You can see a video of this punch in action as well as download a guide for it on this amazing BLOG

Etsy has been one of my favorite stores and even though I do not make many purchases from there, I could not hold back and order this:

I got this beauty from the NothingElegant store

Hope this info. and eye candy was useful for some of you....

Playful Girl Layout

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:18:00 +0000

Here's a new layout I did a little while ago using some scraps of papers I had left over from a previous layout as well as a test paper I did with my new glimmer mists.

Stamps: Four Dolls (Hero Arts), KOTM Foam Stamps (CK Media), Just Perfect Alphabet (Stampin'Up)
Cardstock: Always Artichoke & Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (Stampin'Up), Background (Scenic Route), watercolor paper
Ink: Black acrylic paint (Ranger), Craft White, Melon Mambo & Rich Razzleberry (Stampin'Up)
Embellishments: ribbon (unknown), pins (Fancy Pants), thickers (American Craft), butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), Calendar Label (Elle's Studio), Suede, Olive, Tattered Leather Glimmer Mists (Tattered Angels), Fanciful Stencils (Tattered Angels)

Playing With Razzleberry Lemonade

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0000

I just finished posting a new layout in my www.creativitywithstamps.typepad.com blog...here's a little sneek peek...check out the full layout with the supply list at my other blog

NEW STAMPS...

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:52:00 +0000

I have been a busy bee in my craft room lately. I had finally received some new goodies from the brand new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog from Stampin'Up and was inspired to make some projects.

Here's a little peek...to see the full projects go check out my Stampin'Up blog HERE

P.S. Don't forget to sign up on "Feedblitz" under my photo so that you can get automatic updates of that blog!!!

ANOTHER MINI ALBUM

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Here's a new mini album I created using Paula Goff's tutorial. I fell in love with this idea as soon as I saw it and I had to create my own quickly. I used some wonderful Stampin'Up papers and I just ran with it....

Here's a new mini album I created using Paula Goff's tutorial. I fell in love with this idea as soon as I saw it and I had to create my own quickly. I used some wonderful Stampin'Up papers and I just ran with it....

My Elisa is Turning 5

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:00:00 +0000

So I have had these invitations done for a while now and wanted to let you guys see them...more pictures and information can be seen in my Stampin'Up blog HERE

My daughter is turning 5 and I have made her birthday invitations since her very first birthday party. I really have been missing that Wild Wasabi color...love that green.

MY STAMPS FOR SALE

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Here is the long awaited list of stamp sets and accessories I have put up for sale. Please do not hesitate to send me questions about anything you see here. E-mail me directly at "laura2471@yahoo.com"

If you do not like the slide...click any image once or twice to get to my flickr gallery and view the pictures/description/price in a list form.

Another Amazing Artist

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:31:00 +0000

I found this on Kristina Werner's blog today and had to post it here as well....love this masterpiece!!!

Back again!!!

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:31:00 +0000

I am finally back!!! After a little over a month without creating, I finally managed to set up my new scrap room and create a little something. It was so long since I made something that I felt a little awkward creating again...like I didn't know where to begin.

Anyhoo...I got these gorgeous stamps a while ago and managed to finally use one of them. This little girl is the cutest and she reminds me of someone I know...in Sardinia...ciao Eleonora.

Supplies: Gorjuss - Just A Girl Stamp (Sugar Nellie Stamps), scallop border punch (stampin'up), fleurettes flower kit (stampin'up), latte button (stampin'up) very vanilla cardstock and Linen Prints Designer Series Paper (Stampin'Up - retired), kraft tafetta ribbon, watercolor crayons - Earth Elements (stampin'up), red gelly roll pen.

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think....

Happy Mother's Day!!!

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Just to give you a little update...I finally have a desk and a chair in my scrap room...now I need to put up all the shelving and put away all my little things.

Wanted to take a moment to wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother's Day...a very wise friend once told me that choosing the job of motherhood is a choice you can never take back...it's not like you can quit or get fired, you will have that job forever whether you do it well or not, you will always and forever have that title. I love that!!!

Here's a little video for all the mothers...don't take it too seriously!!!

THE VOCAL HUMAN ART

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:11:00 +0000

I just had someone share this video on Facebook today and I just had to share it here because I loved it!!!

NEW HOUSE AND A GARDEN!!!

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Hello Everyone...did you miss me?

I finally got internet/cable/home phone installed yesterday after almost two weeks without any of those services. I could have cared less for cable/home phone but it did feel more like a month of being without internet. I was having major withdrawals...however, it was a blessing in disguise as I have managed to unpack and clean a lot since we moved to our new house in a town called Wayland (25 min. West of Boston). We got all our boxes and things and it is taking a lot of time and work to get our new place organized.

Spring has come here and it seems kind of short since we already reached 90 degrees here last weekend. Our yard is blooming!!! I took pictures of all the blooming flowers out there because it was so pretty.

I am getting ready to start my own garden now and my kids and I have planted herbs and tomatoes, peas and lettuce. Of course, the seedling are all in the house now but I plan to plant them all outside in a couple of weeks...this too is some work.

My stamping/scrapbooking room is still all in boxes and my hubby decided to use the legs of my desk for another desk which means I will need to get a brand new desk.

Here are the pics of the flowers in my yard...if you want to see crafty pictures today you will need to head over my Stampin'Up blog

I am so inspired to already create a mini album with all these pics!!!

ANOTHER ENTRY FOR KRISTINA'S CHALLENGE

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:24:00 +0000

So I managed to find a little time to make a card for Kristina Werner's challenge this week. I had this card in my head for a while now and since I don't normally use these colors, I thought it would be a good challenge for me as well. I really like how this turned out and I really love the "Forest Friends" set in the new Stampin'Up Occasions Mini catalog. To get the mirror effect of that little bunny, I just stamped an image on white carstock and then the other image on acetate (use StazOn ink)...I then glued the acetate down next to the other image and cut out a circle with a coluzzle. Since I did not have my dear Rose Red cardstock but had my marker, I had to color some white cardstock with the marker as well as my chipboard..so good to know that even though I had limited supplies, I still was able to do this with these colors. This card measures 4 1/4 X 4 1/4

Here is a full list of supplies (all Stampin'Up this time):

Stamp Sets: Forest Friends
Paper: Good Morning Sunshie Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, whisper white, acetate
Ink: Rose Red, StazOn Black
Accessories: Eyelet Border punch, Heart To Heart punch, stampin' dimensionals, On Board Timeless Type chipboard, kiwi kiss satin ribbon, button from the Button Bouquet button kit

Let me know if you have any questions on this card...I am posting some other cards (after this post) I made with the same stamp set in my Stampin'Up website and you can go check them out HERE

A Beautiful House

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:06:00 +0000

You guys have to check out this house made out of recycled stuff ...all the furniture was either refurbished or found at dumpsters...AMAZING!!!

Too bad I was not able to see this house this past summer when I went to see the Joshua Tree Desert

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/garden/09joshua.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&no_interstitial

Happy Easter!!!

A CHILDHOOD FAVORITE

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:03:00 +0000

When I was a little girl and lived in Brasil I discovered Sarah Kay and Holly Hobbie and I was in love!!! I had stationery paper and envelopes collection with images of these little girls and I used to swap them with friends.
A few decades later, I discover these awesome stamps from Stampavie and all those memories came back and the love for those little girls too. I finall got the courage to play around with my watercolor pencils and make a card. I am terrible at watercoloring and I am hoping that I will get better so this is my first try at watercoloring these types of images. Unfortunately, this photo does not capture the embossed white cardstock in the background but trust me it is embossed.

Isn't this little girl the cutest??!!! This card will take off to brighten someone else's day soon...it will be difficult to part with this one.

MY FRIEND GIORGIA

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:53:00 +0000

I received this beautiful gift from my friend Giorgia a while ago and have been meaning to put it here for a while now. Isn't it GORGEOUS!!!
These kinds of gifts just make my life so much brighter!!!

The Good Life Mini Book

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:14:00 +0000

Here's a picture of my last finished mini album. This is the front cover. To see the inside and other details you can go to my other blog www.creativitywithstamps.typepad.com

EVERYTHING'S AMAZING AND NOBODY'S HAPPY

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I just had to share this video that I found out about from a friend in Facebook.

I think it's a really good slap in the face that we all need sometimes...including me.

KWERNER CHALLENGE # 44

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:13:00 +0000

After a long time following Kristina Werner's Challenges, I have finally decided to finally participate...I mean this challenge had such yummy colors that I could not resist.

Yes, my love for owls is still pretty strong. I had a heart template saved in my computer and I used it to make this cute little heart tag ready to put on a gift wrapped box. Here is the list of supplies used:

Stamps: Wood Background (All Night Media), Grow-A-Garden (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Pink pirouette, chocolate chip, whisper white
Ink: Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: American Craft Thickers chipboard stickers (inked in chocolate chip), stampin' dimensionals, Curly Label Punch (stampin'Up), hemp twine, Scallop Border Punch (stampin'Up)

I hope Kristina likes it as much as I do.

Valentine's Day gift for Hubby

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:11:00 +0000

I just posted the CD desktop calendar I made as my hubby's Valentine's Day gift. Here's one of the pages. You can check out the full calendar in my Stampin'Up blog HERE (and if you think it's nice or bad, leave me a comment...my other blog is getting pretty lonely!!!)

Little Birdie Card

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:51:00 +0000

I made this card for a friend and shipped it overseas...more info. in my Stampin'Up blog HERE

How To Videos

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Yes, I'm on a roll with my blog lately...trying to make up for my lack of presence.

Here's a few videos I had found while browsing youtube. Enjoy the tutorials (I certainly did):

GIFT FROM A FRIEND

laura2471@gmail.com (www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:42:00 +0000

This is a beautiful gift I received from Barbara, a friend from Rome (Italy). I had spoken to her via skype (which I suggest you all to get; it's free and fabulous...www.skype.com). I had spoken to her about stampavie.com and she had mentioned she knew the owner and that she had a couple of their stamps. I loved this one right away and she had mentioned that she was going to send it over my way. Three days later, I received a padded envelope from Rome (yes, only 3 days later!!!) and this is what I received....look at the gorgeous card that she made me!!!

Thank you so much Barbara...I will never forget this generous gesture!!!