Fall Together Layout

Happy Thanksgiving. 
So many things to be thankful for this year.  My family and friends are at the top of a long list.  I'm truly blessed.  I've been able to be quite creative this year and even started scrapping!
My most recent layout "Fall Together" is my first double page and my own design!  No sketch, whoa.  It fell together, haha, almost effortlessly.  Leaf placement took some work but was worth it.

Papers and items used are as follows:
Base cardstock "Kraft" by Bazzill 
Bazzill Basics Half Just the Edge in Parakeet
Cosmo Cricket's "Togetherness" Collection for the leaves and behind photos
ScrapWorks Shimmer Shapes Fall Leave Assortment
Slice Design Card "Back to School" for the leaves and "Turkey Daze" for the Title
Variety of Color Box Chalk inks

I adore fall.  I've been taking "leaf pile" pics every autumn since Ruby was born.  Twas a favorite part of my childhood and the bigger the pile the better!  I'm so pleased with this layout and the memories captured.  Yes, I've a lot to be thankful for.

Yes. Yes, Those Are Patches On My Pants.

Teo was given pants from his cousin that were in great shape except for the knees. What to do? What to do? Well, if I had to patch them by golly they were going to be some "look-at-my-patches" patches!

I had lots of scraps with fusible web on the back so I started with basic shapes and then dragged out the cookie cutters.  Fused the cutouts where I wanted them on the patches then machine stitched them to prevent fraying and peeling off.  Followed by fusing the whole patch to the pants.  Embroidered along the sides, cause it's harder than hard to machine sew, and used different colored floss.  Teo likes them since they're fun and I'm happy to have saved 3 pairs of jeans.  I tell you what though, embroidering through denim was no picnic...my fingers are still a bit upset with my creative twist on patches.

Deer Hunting Season Sighting

Had to take a picture of this sign when I saw it. 

Kind of says it all about the hunting going on in this area. 

November Blissfull ATC Swap

I've a new love in my life... Artist Trading Cards. I'll be trading once a month with a group over at Blissfull ATC Swap.  This month's theme was "open" so it seemed like a nice time to join.   Here's my November  ATC titled "Autumn Beauty".  I made 3 of this card as similar as possible seeing as some of the papers are patterned.  The leaves came from my stash, some stamping (for background and a few I  cut out around the image) and some from the SLICE using the "Back to School" design card.  I inked the edges with a variety of colors.  The "Tiny Type"  alphabet stickers are from Cosmo Cricket.

ATCs are only 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  This means all the bits and scraps I've been holding onto are finding a creative outlet.  Yay!  I made a card to send my ATC with.  Bazzill Dotted Swiss "Rope Swing" as the base.  Cosmo Cricket's Tiny Type stickers and "Togetherness" Collection for the strips. Inked edges.  Ribbon from my stash.

Inside I made a four corner holder for my ATC.  (It can easily be popped out if desired.)  The pocket on the right came from my local library!  They're cleaning due to some remodeling/expansion and were giving them away!  Happy day... They said I could take as many as I wanted!  I put extra leaves in the pocket for my swap partner.  Thought it might make fall last a little longer for her.  It's always to short for me, tis' my favorite time of year.

And this is what Wendy sent to me!  A gorgeous ATC in pale purples with the right amount of sparkles.  I have a fondness for pansies... my first pet rabbit was named Pansy.  (I was 4 and Bambi was a big deal!)  Also in the envelope was a pocket filled with patterned papers and a variety of fun small trinkets!  Perfect for more ATCs! 

I'm having such a creatively good time that I'm organizing a swap for Rubes and 5 other young people.  I'll post Rubes's first ATC soon.  She swapped with me this month as well...and deserves her own post.   Next month's Blissfull theme is "Angels"!  Heavenly.  Ah.....

I bought a pattern and followed it!

Happy, happy, joy, joy! A few weeks ago I bought the Sienna Dress pattern from Lil Blue Boo. I'd been dwelling on figuring out a pattern for myself or dropping a few bucks and having all the base work, plus helpful tips, provided for me. I went with the later. I simply did not want to waste time and supplies on making a pattern myself. I chose correctly! I've already made 3 dresses for Rubes! I've plans for more when time allows and I can easily alter the pattern for many different looks. (I can even shorten it to make shirts or hoodies for Teo!)

So this pattern is designed to recycle t-shirts.  I've pieced five together in this dress.   Rubes loves how soft the jersey is and I like how easy it is to clean.

On my second dress I choose to recycle a pair of crazy patch shorts I found at a bag sale this summer. 

This is fast becoming Rubes's favorite.  I had to do a bit of seam ripping, pocket removing and then restitching to have enough fabric.  Twas worth it though.

On the third dress I tried the seams on the outside with sergered edges.  My personal favorite.  Serging the sleeves creates a slight ruffle look.  Cute.

She decided to wear this one to school tomorrow.  That's a compliment in and of it's self.  First grade fashion is serious to this lil girl of mine.  I bet she'll wear cowboy boots to complete her look.

I can't say enough good things about this pattern.  Ashley has instructions that are easy to understand and follow.  There are lots of helpful hints and suggestions for alterations.  I felt like the pattern paid for itself 3 times over after the first dress.  My only regret is not buying it sooner.  I should have trusted my lurking instincts.

I'm Hooked On Swapping!

So I sent out my ATCs and then I received some! I'm like a little kid with mail...I get all giddy, jumpy, and squeally. Heart racing with excitement. My first ATC arrived from Sharon all the way from Virginia.
A delightful card with Halloween wishes held some fun papers and a sweet "pocket" holder for the cute witchy ATC.   Fun ribbon, too.

A few days later came my next ATC from clear across the country.  Really.  Michelle & Ashley, from California, teamed up and sent this great vintage feel witch ATC.  I love the rick rack edge on this card, (plus this shade of green is a personal favorite).  A Halloween stamp, fun confetti and other embellishment treats accompanied the ATC.

I love using up the smaller bits and pieces in my various stashes of crafting supplies.  I knew there was a reason I kept all those scraps! This is so much fun, I'm hooked!  I'll be swapping ATCs again soon.