April Color Combo and a little Paper

Hi there! As promised, a scrappy share for Friday morning but first, a pretty color palette. 

If you've followed my blog for awhile now, it's likely you already know of my love for color combos! Every project starts with a combination of colors. I think it makes the creative process easier too, to only work within a certain combination, limits your choices but in a good way. - I actually find myself spending less time trying to decide on what papers and embellishments to use because I'm only interested in things that match with my color combination. I do this whenever I'm a guest designer and need to create alot of projects. 

Here's my color inspiration for April! 

I was asked to be their guest designer this month for Little Black Dress kit club. Since I don't subscribe to any kits, it's kind of fun to be able to play with a new one every now and then!  I made a few layouts, a couple of cards and a library mini tag book!

 

 

I also made a mini book with the Pebbles library cards and pockets that come with the main kit. Chase loves to draw little happy faces on everything, so I finally decided on saving a few and creating something to keep them in. It's his 'Happy Face' book!

Thanks for looking and have a lovely day! ~ Tara

flowers, black stripes & a guest post

I'm spending a little time on my friend Jessica's blog - Scrumdillydilly! Jessica was nice enough to be a guest on my blog over the summer, so I thought I'd return the favor! It also gave me an excuse to buy flowers and put together a new tablescape and I just couldn't resist. :)

This was also probably the most fun with color I've had in awhile! Hop over to Jessica's blog to check out my guest-post!

me & Cocoa Daisy

Due to the epic move set for this Saturday, this will most likely be my only scrapbook post for the month. So, I figured I'd better make it a good one! Way back in October I was asked to be a guest designer for Cocoa Daisy and even though December was a crazy busy month, I accepted the challenge. I think working with a kit is also a little more organized too because you only have so many things to work with and then that's it!

Here's what I made with their January main kit!

This layout was all about a strong title and stronger journaling and I just didn't feel that it needed a photo to support the over all feel. It wasn't meant to be a super cutesy layout. (Even though, when both my husband & my good friend saw this page they said the same thing! "Where's the photo?) This layout could not be more appropriate for this week!

I loved this floral paper - it's reminds me of pretty vintage wallpaper and yellow mixed with black and white stripes is always a hit in my book!

I had wanted to create some type of little mini list album and then decided on making one for Home lists. Everyone room in the new house has an index card that I can jot down items that are needed for that room. I think I've filled it since taking these photos over 2 weeks ago!

Had to scrapbook one of the kids' Christmas photos!

The Cocoa Daisy kit came with a package of Sassafras paper flowers (I loved those and was so happy to see them in a kit again!) Instead of just tossing the packaging that the flowers came with, I covered the little paper insert with paper and then sewed in lots of randomly cut pieces of graph and ledger paper. It made a good tiny notebook for keeping track of everything lately!

Well, there you have it! All my scrapbook stuff for the month in one place! I'm going back to packing this afternoon, movers are coming on Saturday and that's only 3 days away!! Wish me luck!

guest designing + Crate Paper

I think this month has been one of my busiest yet! Thankfully, it's almost over! I was asked to be a guest designer this month at Skissedilla - sketch blog.




I have this layout hanging in my studio right now, it's kind of inspired by the confetti packets I made for Crate Paper's wedding week. Who knew little paper circles could be so inspiring!

I also decided to host the giveaway for the sketch challenge as well ~ a little handmade & vintage embellishment kit, because everyone could use a little something extra!




On the Crate Paper blog today, my very first Crate DIY project has just been posted! Alaina and I got crafty and made a few Art display boards for her room, complete with tiny vintage tart-tin magnets. It's a fun summer craft project to try and it could be completely versatile! I plan on making another larger one for my kitchen pantry - to post the menu plans for the week and other lists.








whew!! I think that covers today's events. I have a whole day of apts. and errands and then a little dinner party to host this evening. Busy indeed - Happy Monday!

I'm a guest!!

with Simply ATC for their Card #13 Which Magazine challenge.

When Angie asked if I'd like to be a guest again I couldn't resist another chance to create small art! The inspiration for this challenge was a collage of retro magazine covers and I must admit it was really challenging for me to create something.... less than frilly. :) Here's my take on the challenge!




and 2 of my atc cards have been published in the new issue of Create: Embellish Idea Book!! Both cards were made for Simply ATC, the very first challenge Alice and Wonderland & the Ampersand challenge. fun.fun.



I have no idea what this Saturday has in store for me, but I'm thinking maybe a trip to a thrift store with the kids to look for a few books and a little art making may be in the works for today! Happy weekend!

a gift-wrap Guest Artist

I was asked to be a guest artist this week, but as a gift-wrapping guest artist! Fun right!! I wanted to post part of my guest post on my own blog, since gift-wrapping ideas have been my most asked question lately.

Here's a few of my tips & ideas for holiday gift wrapping:

*decide on a color scheme to use for your gift-wrap

* Instead of ribbon, try using a long strand of handmade paper garland.

* Use a handmade pom-pom in place of a bow.

* Use Glue Dots Craft Dots to attach your layers together, they're small and very sticky!

* To make a quick and simple gift box, use a natural Kraft box and add a small white paper doily to the top. Next, take 3 or 4 various lengths of ribbon, lace and or trim, and layer one on top of the other. Sew down the center of the ribbons to secure. Place the ribbon bundle on top of the gift and add a plastic snowflake on top, followed by a large handmade pom-pom. Use the yarn from the pom-pom to wrap and tie all around the gift.

* Look for non-traditional items to use for gift-wrapping, like flocked wall paper, clothing pattern tissue, large hand cut butterflies, rolled silk flowers, cards of buttons and my favorite, small clothes pins!!

To see the rest of the interview and guest post, check out this blog post. I still have just a few more gifts to wrap this weekend!!