Rockin' Ink Stars Blog Hop - "Spring has Sprung"

Thanks for joining the Rockin' Ink Stars Team for our "Spring Themed" Blog Hop! This month we will be showcasing all things Spring! The hop is a circle, so just keep hopping along following the included links and you will visit all the great blogs of the talented Rockin' Ink Star members. If you have come here from Jennifer's Blog, you are on the right track. I'm sure you enjoyed her post! After you have taken a look at my project, find the link below to get to the next artist on the list....

I wish I could take credit for this idea...but when life is crazy, there's no shame in getting inspiration from others.  This is a My Creations™ Card Box originally designed by Lisa Stenz.  I've made this box more times than I can count because so easy and so beautiful and a great, inexpensive gift for just about any occasion.  Just change the paper and accessories you are using and you have a whole new look and feel.  Here's I've used our gorgeous Skylark paper pack and coordinating accessories...Skylark Compliments, Skylark Assortment, and Slate Striped Twist Ties.

Inside the box, you get 12 - 3x3 gift cards and envelopes and a matching pen.  (Yes, there are dividers in the box made with coordinating cardstock to give it that professional stationary set look.) The stamp set I used is B1399 Crafted with Love and yes, the frames (and the word NOTES on the lid) was cut using our Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection. I LOVE how many of our stamp sets are compatible with our Cricut® Collections.  And don't forget to "pop" the sentiment with a bit of 3-D Foam tape. (use the Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors to avoid getting your scissors gunked up with sticky adhesive)

Hope you enjoyed this project.  Try it with a different paper pack and have fun coming up with your own unique creation.  

Now head on over to Marianne's Blog and see what crafty creation she has come up with....

Here is a list of the Blog participants should you get lost along the way:

1.   Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com
2. Joy McHargue- http://studiowowjoy.com 
3. Jennifer Kramer- http://4heartsscrapbooking.blogspot.com/
4. Michelle Brooks- http://michellebrooksink.blogspot.com
5. Marianne Hancock - http://thescrapbookchick.blogspot.com
6. Terrie Dodd- http://my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
7. Caron Barnard - http://cbdots.blogspot.com
8. Alexandria Duran- http://papercraftsbyali.blogspot.com

Lukey Bear's First Year

It's been a while since I've shared a project I'm made.  Sorry for the absence. This diabetes thing mixed with a busy toddler doesn't allow much creative time.  Even still, I have been able to make a few things recently.  Today, I'd like to share a baby album I made for my cousin's baby shower.  Her nursery is camo/bear theme.  This album is not your traditional baby blue and I'm so excited with how it turned out.  Even her manly man dad, who is not impressed with what I do for a living, TRIED to pretend he was bored with it, but I guarantee he LOVED it and will love it even more when it has pics of his little man grandson. And don't worry, I didn't forget about Grandma...she got a matching mini album for her purse.

I hate to tell you, but this project is created pretty much with retired products. Even still, it's all about the idea.  I've done this same idea in a multitude of different ways...from this 3 ring binder to a 6x6 album and several other mini albums in between.  So even though you can't get this specific album, we have several ones you can get and still do this idea.

The idea is simple. You have a cover page with the baby's name, birthdate, and other information like weight, height, etc and a place for his/her day one picture. Then you have a place for one picture that is taken on the same day every month for a year.  So if the baby is born on the 20th...every month on the 20th, you take a picture to put in the album.  It's that simple. A very easy album for mom to maintain....and almost just as easy to make when the page design is repeated just changing the background paper.  If you get a kit pack of paper where every paper coordinates in color and design, this is a no brainer project. I love our My Reflection kits for this very reason and not only does all that paper perfectly coordinate, but each kit also has coordinating accessories.

So enough talk...Time for pictures....

I added Flip Flap pages where Mom can add extra pics or notes of memories of "firsts".  To make your Flip Flaps into pages, take a 2 inch wide strip of paper by the length of the Flip Flap which is 4 1/4 inches. Fold in half so it's now 1 inch wide (hotdog). Take the adhesive strip off the Flip Flap and adhere to paper strip.  You will need to use your tombow adhesive to adhere the other side of the paper to the Flip Flap.  Be sure to leave the opening of the Flip Flap exposed so Mom can put things in.  Punch 3 holes where the binder rings go and stick the finished page in the album.

Here's Grandma's album.  It's a 3x3 mini album using the same papers as Mom's album.

The hardest part of this album is the cover....and it's not that hard seeing as how there's not much room for too much embellishing.  The inside is super duper easy.  I just cut 3x3 squares of Background & Texture paper for the base pages.  I put a 2x2 piece of neutral paper that is framed in a coordinating 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 cardstock to hold the place for future pictures and dropped them in each sleeve. Easy peasy and oh so adorable!!!!

So this week is my birthday and I have a gift for YOU!!!!

Click image for details

Studio J 6x6 Album Workshop

 

I have gotten a lot of requests for a Studio J workshop. Thanks to my talented friend, Christine Adams, I finally have a great one!  This 6x6 album is made with 2 two-page Studio J layouts, our My Creations 6x6 Memory Showcase Album and some fun embellishments. 

The best part is...yours doesn't have to look exactly like mine!  You can completely customize this album to you and your family.  Come and let me show you how to use our NEW custom photo tool!
 

DATE: June 11th
TIME: 7:00pm

Registration Deadline:
June 5th

Supply Fee: $5
 plus the cost of printing photo layouts (to be paid to Studio J)

Optional embellishment purchase will vary.

 Basic Knowledge of Studio J is helpful.  Click here to play for FREE. ...and be sure to contact me if you would like some one on one help.

Bring your own laptop (no ipads). I will have a couple of computers available if needed.

Cover

Page 1-2

Page 3-4

Back Cover

Back pages

Open spread of Back Cover, Back Pages, and Front Cover

Open Spread of inside pages 1-4

Dream Pop Workshop

Time is running out before this paper pack is gone!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

DREAM POP WORKSHOP

This cheerful, limited-time only paper packet deserves a workshop all its own! Create 2 layouts, 3 cards, and a set of 6 decorated treat tubes all using the dream Pop paper packet and the May Stamp of the Month set, Pinwheel.

The cards and treat tubes are perfect for

year-round gifting. The layouts have been modified to include photo mats for each photo so you will leave the workshop with a project that looks finished and complete, even if your photos haven't been added yet. So, what are you waiting for?

If you are local to me and want to attend a workshop, I will provide all the tools and other supplies to make these projects.  You provide the paper and your choice of embellishments.  (see below for suggestions list) I will contact you the first week of June to set up a good day/time for you.

If you are out of my area (or if you would like to do these projects on your own), I will still give you the workshop guide for FREE.  I have the list of suggested supplies below that you will need to complete the projects.   

Click here to see my personal twist on one of the layouts you can make at the workshop.  Click here to see other projects my friends have make using Dream Pop papers.

Here are the workshop projects:

May Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel

For the workshop, I am listing suggested embellishments. Just so you know, I have used everything.  However, you can pick and choose what you want for your projects.

Helpful tip and reminder:  You do need $35 to qualify for the Dream Pop paper pack.  AND DON'T FORGET to add on a little something extra to make your order $50 so you can get the Pinwheel Stamp Of The Month for only $5!  You will need that!

Suggested Embellishments: 

Z1799  Silver Shimmer Trim $4.95

Z1844  Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes $6.95
Z1825  Keyboard Kraft Alphabet $4.95
Z1807  Pink Glitter Gems $3.95
Z1777  Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet $6.95
Z1817  Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape $4.95
Z1701  Baker’s Twine Neutral Assortment $4.95
Z1752  Sparkles Clear Assortment $2.95

Other Tools and Supplies (if you are doing the projects on your own):

Z2162  Honey Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25

Z2193  Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2195  Lagoon Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2190  Gypsy Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2116  Cranberry Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2191  Sunset Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2118  Desert Sand Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2173  Slate Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25

Z534    Micro-Tip Scissors $9.95

Z1294  Sanding Kit $3.50
Z1790  Cricut® Artiste Collection $99.00

Other things you may want:

1385    White Daisy Cardstock $14.50

Z1823  My Creations™ Clear Treat Tubes $5.95

 

Diabetes Blog Week: Share the Love

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Prompt: As another Diabetes Blog Week draws to a close, let’s reflect on some of the great bloggers we’ve found this week. Give some love to three blog posts you’ve read and loved during Diabetes Blog Week, and tell us why they’re worth reading. Or share three blogs you’ve found this week that are new to you.

I have to say...Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this participating this week.  So many of you educated me and inspired me.  Here are just of few of my highlights (not in any particular order):

1. http://diabetesdad.org/2013/05/16/blog-week-entry-4-in-death-she-taught-us-our-greatest-accomplishment/

Diabetes Dad got me thinking.  Wise advice!!!! Right now, Sadie is too young to manage any part of her care and I worry that with her down syndrome, how much she will be able to do.  However,  this story motivates me to make extra sure I give her ownership of her disease as much as I possibly can. Even now, I let her pick which finger to prick.  I don't think she picks one yet, but offers me her hand.  That's a start. And if it turns out, that she will never be able to calculate her own carbs, I want to make sure everyone in her world knows how and we have many contingent plans for her.

2.  http://girlglycosylated.blogspot.com

I'm putting this one mainly because the author of this blog has become a new friend and represents all the personal connections I felt with many of you.  Everyday, we seem to discover something else we have in common.  I was nervous participating this week.  I am so glad I did.  I felt welcome by so many of you and feel that I have found many new friends and that I belong.  It didn't matter that I was new to this world.  So I just want to say thanks to all....and especially to you girl glycosylated.

3.  http://www.typeonederful.com/2013/05/diabetes-blog-week-day-3-memories.htm

This one was very sobering for me a reminded me how fast things can go scary bad.  I take extra care now to make sure the diaper bag (which has been switched to a larger bag) is packed with all the essentials and more...just in case.  Even when I think I'm prepared, I check again.  And even if it's a quick out and back, you never know.  In my 2 months, there have been two times already when I forgot something and it turned out to be very needed.  

This post is also one that has prompted me to be more aggressive in my search for an alert dog for Sadie.  So if someday, she wanders off as kids can do, she will have a guardian and protector with her.  It's all about keeping her safe and alive.

4.   http://www.ourlifewithd.com/2013/05/it-feels-like-dream.html

My aha moment came in a comment on this post...  

God doesn’t give us what we can handle.  He helps us handle what we’ve been given.

Love that!

++++++++++++++++++++

There were SOOOOOOO many posts and comments that touched my heart this week and so many people I feel connected to.   I feel that these 4 links don't really do justice to summing up my experience.  

Thanks for letting me see into your world. Thanks for letting me see hope and joy...that anything and everything is possible and T1D won't stop that.  Thanks for letting me cry with you and laugh with you. Thank you for teaching me.  Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in this journey.  And thank you for listening and letting me show off my sweet Sadie....she is my world.

I hope that these blogs stay posted for a while cause I haven't read all that I want and hope to continue exploring over the coming weeks.  Thanks Bitter Sweet for organizing this!!!

See you next year...or keep watching my blog...I might actually become a real blogger and post about my thoughts, feelings, and life once in a while.  Crazy, right?  :D

Diabetes Blog Week: Art

This is the day I've looked forward to most.  Blogging my thoughts and feelings has never been my forte.  However, I can totally blog pics of my art!  It's what I do. I'm a scrapbooker, card maker, and all around paper crafter.  I have chosen to scrapbook our sweets diagnosis story.  Knowing she will be looking at this layout someday, I didn't want to make it all depressing and sad...as that day truly was.  Instead, I told the story how it was, but chose fun colors and images so she wouldn't have to relive that sadness....because after all, we've moved on.

The title is "FIND SWEETNESS IN EVERYTHING".

I decided to do a pinwheel theme. What does that have to do with her dx story??? Hang in there with me...the journaling reads:

"Pinwheels are a duality of fragility and strength. They stand tall and firm, yet their greatest beauty comes in the moments when they face the most powerful forces. The amount of opposition they can take is amazing but even more amazing is how they thrive.  The pinwheel is a powerful reminder that no matter how small and fragile we appear, we can withstand the mighty forces set to destroy us and in that moment is when we gain the most strength and show the true beauty and power within."

Get it? Deep, huh.  I surprise myself sometimes.

Here's the full layout:

Close up of each page:

A pocket with hidden journaling and photos.

 

 

One side tells our pinwheel story:

The other side has more photos:

A few other details:

Diabetes Blog Week: Freaky Friday

Prompt: Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions?

If I could switch Diabetes with another chronic disease, which disease would I choose?  I wouldn’t.  What???  That’s right!  Allow me to explain…

Since my sweets came into my life, we have spent a lot of time in hospitals, doctors’ offices, therapy groups, education classes, etc. and we’ve been around a lot of sick kids with various special needs.  Every time I meet one of these kids, I think to myself, “I’m sure glad I haven’t been asked to deal with that!” 

Maybe it’s because I’m still new to the T1D world and haven’t swam in the deep end.  Maybe it’s because we’ve been through a lot already.  I’m just not sitting on the edge of my chair like Horshack in “Welcome Back Carter”…”Oh. Oh. Oh. I want that instead!!!  Me. Me. Me.”  (Did I just show my age?)

I choose to be grateful for the challenges I’ve been blessed with. I’m grateful for the personal growth and empathy I’ve gained for others.  I’m grateful for medical advances that will allow my sweets to be and do anything she wants.  I’m especially grateful that we control this disease and it will not control us. 

We almost lost her in the beginning but we didn’t.  We have our baby.  She’s happy and a good sport about offering her fingers up for pricking.  I’ve met too many parents that don’t have that.  We met parents in the NICU who had to make funeral arrangements for their little ones.  Therefore, I will NEVER complain!!! I will be grateful for every minute I have with my sweets.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to give her shots considering the alternative.  I will never wish there was something else instead for us.  I will gladly take diabetes over anything else…cause face it, they all SUCK! Many other diseases don’t have the focus, funding, or hope for a cure.  Many don’t have management…just pain and suffering.  At least diabetes has a voice that’s being heard…at least that’s what I see.

I choose to stick with what I’ve been given.  I choose T1D.