Christmas is coming...

As you have noticed, the entries on this blog have slowed down during the holidays.  More regular posts will resume again in 2010.  I have so much to do to prepare for Christmas.  There are only so many hours in a day!

As my birthday present, my sweet sister has been teaching me how to digital scrapbook.  She made a disc, loaded full of digi kits she purchased for me, and taped the disc on the back of a cute little piece of framed art.  I was so thrilled!  Right there in the resturant, while we celebrated, she pulled out her laptop and showed me what kits and elements were saved on the disc.  Within 5 minutes, while we waited for dessert, she showed me how quickly I could create a layout using Photo Shop and some quick keys.  It was a great gift. 

I made this layout of my sister-in-law.  I needed to make something that warmed me up a bit and reminded me of summer.

The rest of my time has been proccupied with making cards.  Lots and lots of cards.  Here are some traditional as well as digital cards I have been making...

Special Post: It's A Blog Party

I hope you have some papercrafting plans for the weekend! 

Peace and Joy by Rebecca Grinder

Photograph of Jen Evans, by Evans Photography and used with permission

I had fun stamping a wing from the Layers of Colors, Regal Wings stamp set onto clear acetate and adding it to this Maya Road chipboard birdie.  To make the birdie sparkle, I first coated it with the new silver Smooch Spritz, sprayed it with spray adhesive, and finally poured on the Pink Paislee Pixie Stix glitter.  I pinned the beautiful wing on with a Making Memories decorative straight pin.

This weekend, be sure to check out some amazing papercrafting inspiration over at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's A Faith Perspective: Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop (that's a mouth full!)... the blog hop starts here.  As a part of the celebration, Layers of Color stamp company is having their Release Party and giving loads of free party favors!  Along with free givaways, there are chances for you to win some pretty cool prizes! Be aware! You are going to be blown away by some amazing talent!

Great Gift Ideas: Bows, Bows, and more Bows…

I asked my ever so talented friend, Kelly, to share this precious gift idea. Whether for a baby shower or a Christmas gift, this sweet idea is perfect for all the little girls in your life.
Kelly’s little princess started wearing small (or big) bows in her hair from infancy. Once her little one outgrew the fanciful bows, she decided to make a special box to pass them along to other little princesses in her circle of friends.

The box is accompanied by a special keepsake book, which includes a page for each girl who wears the bows. There is a spot to journal, as well as a place for favorite pictures of the little ones showing off their frills.

The box and book journey from one member of The International Bow Fan Club to another, and much like the jeans in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I think these bows may hold special powers too! Miraculously, at the present time the bow box has found its way back into the hands of its maker, Kelly, who just delivered the newest member of TIBFC on November 9th! Congrats!

I also love this ribbon board, beautifully displaying the bows on the nursery wall.

Think Outside The Box Challenge: Create a gift which is meaningful and resourceful! Look for ways to share what you have with others. You never know when giving will come full circle!

One Bright Spot Goes Digital!

Are there those special ladies in your life who you get together with to scrapbook? A friend of mine refers to them as her Scrapdawgs. Those friends who inspire you, help you "think outside the box", and challenge you to try new techniques. The friend you ask for creative advice. The one you show your project to and ask, "Do these colors offend you?" The ladies you can chat to over photographs, paper, and stickers. The friends who understand you when you use words like: crop party, embellishments, layout, and adhesive.  My twin sister, Jen of Create Well Create Often, is such a friend to me. She is my inspiration when it comes to... well, everything! I get my mojo from her. I often tease by reminding her that it was I who introduced her to scrapbooking.


It was Jen who encouraged and suggested having some of my doodles turned into digital elements. Jen and I (One Bright Spot) have collaborated together with the amazing Michelle Filo of Little Dreamer Designs to create a unique and one of a kind digital kit. It is amazing when a dream comes true! Thank you Michelle and thank you, dear sis!

"Seattle, You and Me" by Jen Evans

...and of course the first layout she created with the kit was for me! 

Be sure to visit Michelle’s blog and grab a free mini kit and be inspired by the amazing designer’s layouts. Then, pass the word to your special friends who inspire you to create well and create often!

Think Outside The Box Challenge:  Take a suggestion from your friends and think outside the box!

Great Gifts Special Post: Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are an easy project to do with your kids.  Adults enjoy the process too!  My sisters and I just have a blast making them with stamps.  Clear stamps are a great option for easy clean-up.  As I go, I have a bowl of soap and warm water to drop the stamps into.  My favorite inks for this technique are Ranger Tim Holtz's Dye Ink.  I found the walnut ink works best for an aged look. 

The best resource I found for salt dough is on this website here.

I made this ornament for my friend Kelly who is expecting her second princess any day now.  I saw this stamp by Layers of Color and thought of Kelly's girls.  I used red food coloring to change the dough to pink.  I "stamped" the ink pad onto the dough and then, kneaded the ink into the dough for a marble look.  I hope she will like it!

Great Gift Ideas: Altered Tiles

From coasters to decorative wall hangings, tiles are being used for all sorts of gift projects this season. I took a standard 6x6 ceramic tile and created the perfect layout to be hung or displayed in a little girl's nursery room. Don't forget to put felt pads on the bottom of the tile to protect your furniture or wall.

Think Outside The Box Challenge:  Use tile to create a unique altered gift.

"Elephant Polka Dot Parade Altered Tile" by Rebecca Grinder

Supplies - Layers of Color Polka Dot Parade Clear Stamp, October Afternoon PP, Making Memories PP, Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe PP, K&Co felt heart sticker border, Ranger Green Dye Ink, Kaisercraft pearls, Hampton Arts G Glitter glue, Stickles Cotton Candy, Pink Paislee chipboard corner, Fiskars scalloped edger, watercolors, Blender pen tool, pop-up squares, 6x6 tile, felt pads, and ribbon.

The Layers of Color Clear Stamps are so much fun to work with.  I love to use whimsical stamps and this set is perfect for baby announcements and nursery decor!

Challenge variation: Try your hand at tile coasters!  Stamp an image onto tile, using Staz-On ink or try decopoging the tile with decorative papers like wine labels, collage art print-outs sheets, and thin scrapbook papers.  I have also used the same technique on glass candle holder plates and the results are always fanstastic!

Oh, My! More Calendars...

If you haven't had a chance to check out Michelle Filo's blog, click on over for some AMAZING calendar ideas and freebies!  The downloads are perfect for any upcoming calendar gift!