Crystal and Akiko

Christening Guest Book

Ben's cousin christened their daughter, and I wanted to do something a lil crafty for them.  So...why not a guest book since there would be a ton of people there.  It took me ALL DAY LONG...but was so much fun that I forgot to stop and eat..I hate when that happens, lol.  I left space on each page for the parents to add a little picture or some journaling.  Inside each page is a pull-out tag where guests wrote their sweet messages.  TFL and leave me some love...xo

Pssst...Don't forget about the WIN A FREE BLOCKHEAD over at my 2some Dance blog.  The deadline to enter is tonight at 11:59pm EST.  Good luck!

 
SUPPLIES
Paper:  Stampin Up! Whisper White and Very Vanilla, K & Company Designer Paper
Stamps, Inks & Punches:  All Stampin Up!
Tags:  Cut with Cricut (don't remember the cartridge...sorry)
Rings & Ribbon:  From Michaels

How-to Video & 2 Giveaways...what?!

Exciting, exciting...I love giving away things!  I am giving away a FREE BLOCKHEAD over at my 2some Dance blog.  What is a blockhead?????  Swing over to my other blog to find out =)

Aaaaaand......Akiko will be announcing the winner of our OTHER GIVEAWAY we're doing right here on this blog on Thursday morning...so leave us some love..xoxo

YAAAY!!!  How-to video time!  I was going crazy with constantly wrapping my hair pins in elastic bands and well....da da da daaaa....a solution.  I had a couple of left over tins from these ice breaker candies I love to eat and, well, voila! 

Okay...I'm soooo running to catch the rest of Canada vs Germany....COME ON BOYS, I believe!!!!  Wohoooo

 

Harajuku Girls....Damn you've got some WICKED STYLE!

Ya, I quoted Gwen Stefani....but she rocks, so its all good! And I always think of that song when I look at this layout, when we went to Harajuku in Japan. The fashion is totally outrageous and awesome, but it only works in Japan - I know if I tried sporting a stylish Japanese inspired outfit in Comfortable Canada, it would be quite the sight!!!

I put some Japanese stationary on this layout, because it is so cute and it makes no sense, lol. Just read about cool bone guy...

What is cool bone guy trying to say?

 
 
 

Wedding Invitation How-to Video: Part 1

The Creative process of Invitation MADNESS

Well, for those of you who don't  know, I am making my own invites. I am sooooo uber excited about them because I LOVE the design that I created. (Although measuring was the WORST - Crystal and I had a serious blonde moment when we were trying to figure that out....of course, before she went brunette. Lets just say that math and I don't mix very well ;))

So I just wanted to share a bit about the process of making these invites, in case you are getting married as well and need some ideas for your invites :)

I used Damask paper from Michaels (tip: wait until it goes on sale for %30 off - you have to make a few trips, but you save a lot in the end)

Stampin' Up! Cardstock in Taken with Teal

Stampin' Up! Top Note Die Cut

Ribbon from Michaels that was the closest match to Rich Razzleberry

Printed Portion of Invitation was designed by myself and my fiance Corey

Here are the measurements:

Length (Open): 12" - Score at 5 6/8"

width: 4 1/2"

Pocket length: 3 1/4"

Pocket Width: 6"

The inserts you can make any size, depending on how many inserts you want and how many layers of paper you want.

 

How-to Video: Altered Gum Pack Valentine Treat Notes

I'M BACK!!!!  Oh wow....my event kicked my boo-tay and pooped me out...my body was screaming for some sleep but I kept going and going and...well....ended up getting sick <sniff sniff>.  Finally had time yesterday to catch up on the zee's so was feeling quite energized for you today...SO energized I did a how-to video for you =)

Here's how it all began.  Yesterday I was in my car, blowing my nose and thinking of something different I could make for my hubby this year for Valentines. I love doing the coupon thang - you know? - "This coupon entitles you to a foot massage" ohhhh yeah, I would sooooo love to get that one!  As I was chompin' on some Trident gum, it POPPED into my head like a bubble gum splat and BAM here it is......

 
RECIPE
Paper:  Stampin Up! Whisper White, Stampin Up! Bermuda Bay & Dollarama Designer Paper
Ink:  Bermuda Bay Pad & Basic Black Marker
Cricut Cartridge:  Wild Card
Punch:  3/4" Circle
Other:  Stampin Up! Pastels, Stampin Up! Dimensionals, Stampin Up! Sponge, Michaels ribbon, Trident Splash Gum, Tin Foil and Candy Hearts

Waiting for my event pics from the photographer so I can share them with you...can't wait - YEE HA!!

How-to Video: Valentines Milk Carton

Stampin' Up! has a mini milk carton die cut for the Big Shot, but in all seriousness-ness, it's just as easy to cut and score your own which is what I did.  BUT...to make it even easier & FREE for you, I threw together a template for ya to print here Download Mini Milk Carton Template...I luv u guys...how could I not ;)

Here's my vid on how after a skip, hop and a jump it all came together...haha...such dancer talk!  Then I popped in some scrumptious hershey hugz & kisses....after somehow a few miraculously ended up in my mouth...haha...and I'll be giving this sweet treat to my cutie-pah-tootie =)  All though, I'm pretty sure they'll all end up in my tummy once he opens it....ohhhh how i luv me some chocolate!

  RECIPE
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron & Whisper White
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  Love You Much
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Basic Black Classic Ink Pad & Real Red Marker
Punches (Stampin Up!):  Scallop Circle and 1 1/4 Circle
Other (Stampin Up!):  Petals-a-plenty embossing folder, Sticky Strips and Dollarama mini valentine clothes pin

Back to 2some Dance work....it's this weekend can you believe it!!!!! ahhhhh.....

Giveaway worth $322....whaaat?!

I know!!!!  A giveaway worth $322????  Geez...I really love you guys <wink>  We're giving away TWO FREE Toronto Raptors tickets over at the 2some Dance blog.  Should you, for some reason, want to WIN them....haha, take a stroll over to my 2some Dance blog and leave us a comment.  A random winner will be chosen.  I love freebies! 

So...this isn't as exciting as my giveaway, but was skippin' around some photos and found these from my mom's b-day back in October.  I LOVE making and receiving homemade gifts!!!!  I wanted to make something special for her so here's what my kooky self came up with:

Magnetic Board - Bought canvas mounted on a frame, adhered magnetic sheets onto canvas, covered with designer paper, embellished with flowers and cricut cut-outs.  The magnets are actually hooks that had a sticky backing to glue to your wall.  I scraped off the sticky stuff and VOILA!  You have magnets!
RECIPE
Paper:  K & Company "Belle" collection
Embellishments:  Stampin Up! ribbon, Prima Flowers & Leaves, Dollarstore rhinestones & pearls
Cricut Cartridges:  Storybook and Alphalicious

Coordinating Card - of course, how could your card not coordinate?! haha  Embossed with cuttlebug folders and lightly brushed across a darker ink pad to pop the embossed image.
RECIPE
Paper (Stampin Up!):  Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White & Bermuda Bay
Paper (Other):  K & Company "Belle" collection
Stamps (Stampin Up!):  On a Pedastal
Inks (Stampin Up!):  Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry and Real Red
Other:  Stampin Up! Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Up! Scallop Border Punch and Martha Stewart Glitter

HAHAHA....yes, this is exactly how eccentric she is...luv it!

Hair Flair-e-o to the How-to Vid-e-o

My dance classes were cancelled tonight so of course I had to come on here and share something with my bloggies!

I had so much fun with the last head band I made that I had to do more...okay, maybe I over-wore the last one so now I have no choice but to make more...hahaha  N e who, it's the sweetest way to add a little colour to the mane =)  Im super addicted to pieces in the "tresses" now and have been wearing them like they're going out of style.

Here's my vid on a different way to add "Flair-to-tha-Hair"...what what?!

YAY!  Akiko & Corey are to be wed!  I'll be sharing my "Clueless Making of Wedding Invites" story (way back from 2008...haha) as Akiko shares her "Knows What She's Doing" story of her invites...  If only I knew then what I know now.  You're gonna die when you see her creation....Ree-donkulous!

A touch of flower How-to video

Eyes are fixed on the screen, fingers are in it's typing position, thoughts are wizzing around of what will be typed next, the hubby 5 feet from me on his puter and BAM! We find ourselves sitting here for over 20 minutes just BELTING OUT Jersey Boys tunes, shakin the hips and bopping the heads to their capacity in a chair and yup, ZERO work has been done but damn we feel good...WOHOO!  Did I forget to mention every mirror in the house came crashing down with our screeching voices? haha..."don't quit your day job there Crystal"  wow...okay....ready to move on...

Precious Deliciously Scrumptious fabric flower headbands.  I LOVED making these, will be posting different types of fabric flowers you can make soon.  Got the idea from Dear Lizzy, currently my fav blog....it's SOOO MUCH FUN!!!  Almost as fun as our Jersey Tribute =) 

Okay, shutting off the tunes now =( gotta get some 2some Dance work done

Happy 2010!!!

First, I just want to apologize for my lack of videos. I have been using my new camera, and I am having serious problems with it because it films in MP4. Nonetheless, no program seems to like MP4, I even purchased software that said it was compatible....still no luck. It is a work in progress, I have videos saved that I am anxious to post as soon as I get it working. Thanks for your patience!!

On a lighter note, its that time of year to make our New Years "Resolutions". Although, over the years I have discovered that resolutions never work. We seem to set goals that are almost impossible to achieve. For example: Get a perfect body! Quit Smoking! Get Rich! Retire Early! ....and the list goes on. When we dont achieve these goals, we feel guilty and put ourselves down.

SO - I do what are called New Years Intentions. It focuses on ways to improve your character to be the best you possible!

Here are the intentions I use, feel free to use them yourself! Send them to your friends!

By this time next year I will be the type of person ________________________ so that _______________________________________

Over the course of the next year I plan to learn how to________________________ consistently, by _________________________________ I will use _____________to help me and ___________keep me accountable so that_______________

 During this coming year, I will contribute my time, talent or finances to the following things I am strongly committed to: ____________________________so that __________________

This next year I will challenge myself to grow beyond who I currently am by doing the following: __________ So that ___________________________________________________

This year I will become an even greater role model to my children (or co-workers, or staff, or family) by achieving mastery in my life in the following area:  _______________so that ____________________________________________________________________________

I will become a better friend/partner to _____________by regularly doing the following _________________________so that __________________________________

I will expand my horizons this year by researching new opportunities in the area of ____________________ so that _________________________________________________

In reflecting on my life purpose to contribute my unique gifts to the world, I choose to focus on the following activities this year ___________________________________so that ________________________________________________________________________

Looking back one year from today, it is important to me that I have grown as a person by __________________so that _____________________________________________________

Looking back one year from today, it is important to me to have contributed to others by______________________so that_______________________________________________

Looking back one year from today, it is important to me to have overcome this challenge:

________________________so that______________________________________________

 

I hope that was inspiring for you, and Happy 2010! May all your dreams come true this year!