Easy Ornaments

I thought I would share a way to make easy ornaments. I even had my kids join in on the fun!
Here's what you need:

And some nice Christmas paper. I used the Apron Strings Designs December 2011 kit.
Here are my kids hard at work:

Just a few notes from our experience. You need a lot of pins. If you use a small styrofoam ball your pins may hit each other. You can add beads or sequins.
Here's our finished ornaments:

Have fun!
Anet

Apron Strings Smaller than a Breadbox July

So I've been working with the Apron Strings kit for July and I have to say I am having a blast! Tonight I  scanned/uploaded my layouts and sent them to Lori for the newsletter and I was absolutely on cloud nine to realize that the software I broke down and purchased about 9 months ago will stitch a 2 page layout with ease. Here I was scanning and stitching my 12" x 12" pages then using Photoshop to put them them together (when working with a 2 page layout). Well, I am not good with Photoshop at all. I am a Photoshop dummy, I admit it. So doing this was such a chore. Then tonight I notice that the Scan-n-Stitch software I'd been using has a "long page" option. AWESOME (yes I am screaming with joy)! Check out what I did:

(don't cha just love that bathing suit paper? I just had to do some fussy cutting and include it on this layout)
Anyway, if you are in search of good scanning software I highly recommend Scan-n-Stitch and if you are looking for a great scrapbooking kit at an unbeatable price, try Apron Strings Designs, I know you will love them as much as I do!
Anet

Sketchy Thursdays Part II

So I have to show you this. While I was working on my Sketchy Thursday challenge my 8 year-old son asked if he could do a layout for the challenge. I thought it was so cute! Here's his layout:

and here's the sketch (he just used the right side too):

I am going to submit his. He worked hard on it. I hope there aren't rules against it.
Anet

Sketchy Thursdays

It's been a while since I've done some sketch challenges. The Nuts About Sketches birthday celebration got me back in the mood. So here I am with the latest Sketchy Thursday challenge. Here's the sketch:

This sketch is so versatile! I decided to just use the right side of the sketch and I did change it up a bit. Here's my take:

Thanks for looking.
Anet

Wow - 2 posts in 1 Day!

I just had to do a second layout for the Nuts About Sketches birthday celebration. Mainly because I was in the middle of a little Ice Castles marathon on the Hallmark Channel. Let me tell you, while I enjoyed the 2010 version (Ice Castles 2010) it definitely does not pack the emotional punch of the original.
Well, without further ado, here's the sketch:

and my take on it:

Interestingly I used the same product line (Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer) as one of the designers. It's a summer line but I found it worked perfectly for these pictures of my kids doing a theater show over spring break a couple of years ago.
Thanks for looking.
Anet

Nuts About Sketches Birthday Celebration

So I came a little late to the party but had to throw my hat in the ring. Enough cliches for you? Here is the sketch:

an here is my take:

I love these pictures of my kids from Easter a couple of years ago! So cute. I should mention, in case you can't read the journaling, the Easter Bunny brought the hat and glasses - they are from a character on
Yo Gabba Gabba.
Anyway, more layouts to come.
Anet

A Couple of Cards

It's been a little while since I last posted. Gets hectic here sometimes. But I've been working with the April Apron Strings Smaller than a Breadbox kit and I wanted to share.
First of all, let me just say, that I have never been much of a card maker. I always figured why should I bother making cards when I can just go buy them. Since I started designing for Apron Strings I've had to make cards as part of the my design team obligation. And I have to tell you, I love making cards now! It's so rewarding to take my scraps and whip out a card in 1/2 and hour! I also find that I dawdle less when making cards and I don't agonize over every little element either. I've started sending my cards too! When I send one I feel like I am sending a little bit of myself, not just grabbing a card, signing it, and throwing it in the mail. So, here are 2 cards I made with April's kit:

Thanks for looking!
Anet