Celebrating Da MAN!

My man is awesome. He is patient, kind, empathic and loves his kiddo more than life itself. Despite my certifiable nutball status I managed to snag him- lucky!
I have a terrible track record with timely holiday cards so THIS time I made it early.
POW! Take THAT, scrapcastinator tendencies!

Dave's Father's Day Card.

I loved how quickly this project came together. A few Elle's Studio journaling cards, kraft cardstock, some washi tape and Cosmo Cricket alphas and it's good to go.

Guess what? Paper Issues has a new link party going on! Link up your man friendly project here: http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2011/05/time-for-guys.html 

Have you seen and DROOLED over the October Afternoon's Rocket Age? AAAAA it's so BEAUTIFUUUL! And naturally Paper Issues has a kit for you to buy!

October Afternoon Rocket Age mini kit

AAAND there is a wonderful Memorial Day sale going on!!!! 30% items in the Paper Issues Etsy store. go to the Paper Issues blog for details!

Happy & thoughtful Memorial Day!

Miss Lola's lil' old lady look.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

FINALLY! Sun. Happy Dance! Happy daaance!

Oh. My. Gooodness! IS that sun? Actual- no joke- 80 degree sunny weather? I can't believe it! YAY! Time to go out and shoot shoot SHOOT! New York City in the summer is just the greatest- so much to do- most of it free- ya'll get on out there and enjoy!

Just Because card using  Punky Scraps Sketch by Camilla Dahlstrom
Materials: Bazzill Kraft paper, Memo and Summer Memories journaling tags, packaging from Elle's Studio, Studio Calico and Pink Paisley, Pink Paisley washi tape, Sassafras Lass alphas, Fiskars Abstract flower punch, My Little Showbox paper, Studio Calico Mister Huey "Piglet", Uniball white gel pen 

Here is a quick card using Elle's Studio. I just got their Savoring Summer kit- it's SO beautiful! Need to get started on the mini ASAP.

Here's a card interior view- now I need to find someone to give this to. :)

Yes I know it's crooked- that's on purpose- it's Punky!

Happy Memorial Day weekend. 

I am honoring my Brother Guarionex, my cousin Juan (Junior) and His Father Juan, my Uncle and his son Roberto, my cousin Rolando, my Uncle Nelson and Miss Claudia (can't forget you girlie!). Thank you guys- for keeping us safe, for putting your life on the line and for serving this country well. I am very proud to call you familia- hugs to all of you. I am so grateful you are all back home.

Memorial Day 2011- For those who didn't make it home.

MUCHOS SMOOCHES!!!!!!

Michelle

Spotlight on: Elle's Studio

I want to share a quick page I made using a few Elle Studio journaling tags from their beautiful "Handmade Layers" line.

First of all- how AMAZING is that new October Afternoon 5 & Dime line? Naturally I turned it around and used the more sedate polka dot side. I punched some of those pretty 1.5 inch details and saved them for a later project.

Lovable U
Materials: Elle Studio "Handmade Layers" date strips and journaling tags, October Afternoon 5 & Dime paper, Crate Paper Restoration and Portrait line papers, Sassafras Lass stickers (all the mini hearts I could find!), Studio Calico Alphas, Fiskars Large squeeze circle punch- I am LOVING those right now!, Martha Stewart die cut doily tags, Uni Ball white gel pen

For the photo window I used (gasp!) a craft knife. I'm finally getting the hang of it! The secret is to go sloooow and to turn the paper as much as possible for tight curves.

Turning the paper on a self healing mat can be quite difficult. It takes a few practice runs but it's possible.  Sharp corners were sanded down a bit with fine grain sand paper to even the circle's edge.
I also cut out the middle from that Martha Stewart doily- I'm seeing those everywhere lately!

Photos from Elle's Studio Blog

What I like the most about this line is the edge distressing that doesn't get dingy and dreary- you get the perfect amount of detail. The calendar tag is my favorite- I kept wanting to include it in every page I made recently.

I LOVE photos of Lola walking away from me.
I still can't get over how early she started to walk- 10 months! 

Have a great Thursday- if you are in NYC go out NOW- while the sun is still shinning. :)

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

When in doubt- REDO!

It is quite declasse to redo your scrapbook pages in certain circles. I never understood why- it's your work and you are improving with every page so why not?
I redo my pages ALL THE TIME! I find that I get better design perspective on a piece over time- perhaps that second patterned paper doesn't need to be there or maybe that photo can get printed at a larger size.
Here's an example: BEFORE Page (like it)

Camping Fun!
Materials: October Afternoon grid paper (circles are punched out and flipped over from the other side),
Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend alphas, American Crafts Meadow Thickers, DCWV Hittin' The Books stack- deer card, Fiskars cloud and medium circle squeeze punches, Jillibean Soup corrugated frame,  Maya Road leaf pins, ColorBok  tree and animal elements, Hoot pin from scrappy friend Amy (Thanks Amy!!) 

You'll have to excuse the faceless folk in these pages- the photos were taken from my cousin's facebook page and she used one of those little throw away cameras so the photos themselves have very little facial detail...
AFTER Page: (LOOOOVES IT!)

Camping Fun- 12 by 12
Materials: October Afternoon grid paper, Fiskars circle and cloud punches, American Crafts Meadow Thickers, Pink Paislee Soiree stamps (Banners and itty bitty stars) Hambly Studio blue woodgrain Washi tape, Uniball gel pen- black, Studio Calico Mister Huey in Sunshine, Maya Road wood button

I had to improvise since I'm a non driving city girl so I've never bought camping theme papers but YOU don't have to. Paper Issues has a drop dead gorgeous camping theme October Afternoon kit ready and waiting for you to make a mini book or a million scrap pages:

See? FUN! Go on and check out Paper Issues on Etsy!

Soiree stamps also available at Paper Issues shop!
They are SOOOOO WORTH IT!

Reasons you should feel free to REDO THOSE old pages you no longer like:

1. Your craft skills have improved! 

2. New scrappy goodies you bought (or MADE- WORK those SKILLZ gurrl!) match perfectly.

3. You reprinted the photos at a different size you like better.

4. "Someone" swiped your page (YAAAY!) and you want one for yourself

5. You feel like it!!! Why not!??? Just keep that old page so you can see how awesome you are right now.

Hope this was a fun read and got you to reopen those old scrap books. YOU are the master of your work- just don't go Bananas a la George Lucas on Star Wars- he should have left that first movie alone!!!

Gratuitous cutie patootie shot- are YOU ready for Father's Day?

MuChOs SmOoChEs!

Michelle

Design DON'Ts- When projects fall flat

Ahh the vicissitudes of crafty life! Just when you think you're really jamming you find perhaps the work needed more think time and less "stuff". How do other designers do it? How do they come up with so many awesome details month after month? No really- I need a step by step please!

Here are 2 additional pages made for Studio Calico NSD challenges. Has this ever happened to you? You come up with the concept, the layout and choose the elements thinking "OO this page a winner!!" only to have the actual final piece fall flat? That's what happened to both of these.

This is a piece where I thought the Orange/Turquoise color combo, funny kid photos and

use of silver AC ZING would make for a smashing page- but it looks crowded- how disappointing!  Plus the circle punch thing has been done (better) a zillion times. Plus- what's my HAIR doing there?? ARGH! This piece may look better when I shoot it in full sunlight- if  Brooklyn EVER sees the sun again that is!

Materials: Pebbles paper  and flag, American Crafts Zing in silver and yellow card stock, FiskarsCircle Squeeze punch Xl and Large, Crate Paper Portraits collection paper, Studio Calico exclusive stamps, Remember This Moment, Doily edge and Woodgrain background Uniball gel pen- white, Zakura gel pen- silver

This was a page the "Outside Inspiration" challenge by Waleska Nerris. I wanted to use that 

great Basic Grey Wander paper to signify the urban nature of this sunday antiquing run but

 the final result is dark, dreary and overwhelms the photos. Needless to say- not a winner.

Materials:  Making Memories Ledger print, Basic Grey Metropolitan paper, Ki Memories 

Weekdays black scribbles, Pebbles flag, K and Co wood flower- handmade collection 

I hope my latest crafty face plant gives you some ideas on what NOT to do.  I have started a notebook of scrap don'ts just for this kind of situation- without the funds to take a few graphic design classes I have to muddle through on my own by making mistakes but hey that's the fun part right?

In related news: I went to the Museum of Natural History and The Museum of American Crafts this week in search of inspiration and new ideas. I got a mighty SCREAM from Lola when she finally understood the dinosaur bones were a giant creature with great big jaws and a good talking to from a guard in the Crafts Museum worried Lola was about to pull down a quilt- did you know it's the year of the quilt? I didn't! I love quilts!
Random!!!

Toltec stone face at Museum of Natural History. Wow!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Using fabric on a layout

I got a sewing machine so I could learn to sew pillowcase style dresses for Lola as I love them. I also wanted to make her Alice in Wonderland apron for her first birthday.
Needless to say it hasn't happened- yet. But the machine gets used- a LOT- on paper. One day I WILL learn to sew but for now I'm happy to just know how to make a straight line.

For this page I cut some flowers off the fabric that was used to make Lola's dress (purchased online- have not been able to master the pillow case dress yet) I then stuck them onto the paper using Zip Dry glue- MISTAKE! Here's what I recommend- use that iron on adhesive webbing they use to make quilts- it makes sticking things and sewing them on paper much easier- this is what happens when you skip that crucial step:

I love this series of shots- it's very Lil Red Ridding Hood.
The fold from 1 year of storage in the bed linens closet has also been preserved- oops!

I like that the stitching around the flower outline is uneven but
some adhesive webbing would have kept that fabric stuck in place.

This project came together so quickly even I was surprised- Lily Bee Hello Sunshine and some K & Company Handmade alphas and we are good to go!

Hipstamatic iPod App strikes again!!! Love the sunshine filter effect you
get using the Jimmy lens and blanko film!

My favorite detail from this project.

This is my first real attempt at a 2 page layout with matching pages. I really liked feeling like I had more room to play with but I didn't run around trying to find more fiddly bits to add- I just wanted to showcase the fabric (and my lack of ironing skills).

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Scrap FUN!! and food for thought

Blogger was down for so long I concentrated on work and actually cleaned the apartment! I know- UNBELIEVABLE!
Studio Calico had some amazing challenges up for NSD! I wanted to get to Celine's wood challenge and the Painting and Typography ones but I just ran out of time. Between my job search and Lola needing more Mommy time it's been tough to eek out scrap time- my hubby is complaining about his scrap widow status.

SC Fab rips and washi tape challenge.

MATERIALS: SC Fab Rips, Hambly Studio washi tape, Crate Paper Toy Box paper,

Making Memories corrugated alphas, American Crafts Hardcover

alphas (HUGE faves- love that modern font!) Pebbles Happy Go Lucky paper, Fiskars circle

squeeze punches in medium and extra large (newest FAVE!)

Studio Calico color challenge (Turquoise, Green, Kraft and Orange) also Scrap Recipe challenge
Materials: American Crafts Vanilla and Ocean card stock, Crate Paper  Bouquet, Pebbles New Arrivals paper and glitter flower brad, Ki Memories calendar page, Fiskars cloud squeeze punch XL and Large,  Fancy Pants Spring Fever (cannot get enough of that script print!)

I also hung out with Miss Stacey who gave me career related food for thought just when I needed it. Stacey believes you must visualize precisely the type of job you want right down to the very last detail. Don't pass up an opportunity but don't waste time trying to fit into every job description that comes along either- which is what I've been doing lately.  Stacey started out as an assistant in a major Wall Street firm and now runs their corporate website- currently from home as she waits for her baby to arrive. (DREAM JOB!!!) She is exactly the type of flexible, self starting, intelligent and creative person I need to be.

SO ready to be a Mom!

Stacey thought I had started craft store after visiting my blog. It's not the first time I get asked "Why do you get so product specific? Do they pay you to flog their products?" NOPE! I'm lucky if 2 people read an entry here.  Are you able to combine your scrap love with your bank account? How's that going for you?

I wish I remembered where those bird brads are from...

Need a better photo to represent the hole
punches in these photos...

I just love the materials I use and think maybe a reader will happen along and wonder- hey where did that come from? If you don't know who makes it how can you go buy it right? Yeah.. it's a conundrum...

Mini give-away WINNERS!!!! SNR FEATURE!

Lots of stuff happening all at once in my life right now- most gratifying is my Featured Artist piece for Scrapbook News and Reviews this week. Please swing by and check it out when you have a moment.

Without further delay- there was a 3 way TIE in my Xoxo Girls give away! TeenaBugg, CurlyMosaics AND Lisa F all got 5 guesses correct!!!

Here was the list:

Black and white stripes, border punch, pearls, stitching, nature theme, green, ribbon, flowers

lace, Masking Tape, Transparency, animal that IS NOT a butterfly OR a bird (they GOT me on that one!)

Eiffel Tower (raaandom!!! I didn't even know owned an Eiffel Tower sticker!)

Winners- please email your addys and fave scrappy item to: hernandm1 at sign yahoo dotcom   and I will send a lil something your way. THANK YOU for reading! I love writing this silly blog and I deeply appreciate every single one of you- I know how busy you are! (insert lots of eager punctuation here)

But WAIT- there's MORE!

Materials: Crate Paper Snow Day collection- Flakes, American Crafts Hello Sunshine
Blithe paper, K & Company Anna Griffin Sierra paper, Glitz woodgrain alphas

These are 2 pages of a pretentious triptych I was going to submit to Scrapbook News and Reviews where I am featured starting today. (WOO HOO!!) Luckily I was SAVED from scrap folly by best friends Gia and Dawn who agreed these were.... empty. Thank you guys- sometimes a girl can get too ambitious for her own talent. I still like the idea I tried to scrap so here are the 2 pieces I did not submit. For the third (and best looking) piece please check out SNR:

Materials: Scenic Route waves paper, American Crafts Zing in Rouge and Black,
American Crafts Boutonniere stamps, Glitz alphas, DCWV tatami print paper

Waddaya think? Like it? Think it lacks that certain something (talent/content/insight)? Don't worry I will not get offended. I must learn and you all are helping!!!! Please swing by SNR and check out my article on the iPod app Hipstamatic- unlike pages the above, it's chock fulla content.

HUGS and MUAH MUAH MUUUAH mi gente!

Michelle

Happy Scrappin'!!!

How did I manage to squeeze some time to write this? Well I barely slept last night! Funny how Mother's Day is not a day off but a day ON- everyone wants to see you and you still have to change the baby and wash the dishes so National Scrapbooking Day will be short for me. Needless to say I was SUPPOSED to be working on some cards- Hallmark it is- again. Sorry Mom.

BUT NO! I have edited this now to say that CHERYL has inspired me to MAKE my cards!! I will stay up again! I WILL participate in the Studio Calico challenges- oo FUN! Thanks Cheryl! Ya'll visit her blog please! http://craft-thing.blogspot.com

Here is my NSD page:

In this page I harken back to my scrappy beginnings where I bought Prima flowers by the pound, threw half pearls at a page as if they were free and collected vintage lace trims. I missed the romantic shabby chicness of it all. This was a fun and fast page. I finally broke out my Tim Holtz "Lost and Found" paper pad and finished of the package of handmade flowers by Precocious Paper- a great Etsy store.

Precocious Paper on Etsy- be there or be square!

Pink Paislee wood alphas- best EVER!

Lola's profile and the shinning sun- poetic.

Cheryl, if you are reading this, I need your addy so I can send some scrappy goodies your way. Just because you rock and because it's National Scrapbook Day- and yes the Fascinator is HUUUUGE- but my sister insists it will look fabulous and she's got better taste than I do. :) Readers!! Keep the items I had to use guesses coming on THIS page- a scrappy winner will be chosen on May 10th!

Happy Scrappin'!
MUUAH to all you mommies too!
Michelle

Spring Awakening and fun GIVEAWAY

Only fellow team mate Cheryl replied to my Xoxo Girls page items challenge. Where are you dear readers? Am I abandoned? Is my clever writing going unseen and unnoticed? Oh the inhumanity!!! 

It's Ok, I know ya'll are busy. I will extend the reply date to May 10th so you have all weekend to give this page the beady once over and try to guess the 10 things I had to include. The winner with the most correct guesses will get something from my huge tottering stash that best matches their fave scrappy thing.

Here's the May Xoxo Girls challenge page:

Materials: Crate Paper Portrait collection Honeymoon paper and chipboard flowers,  Crate Emma's Shoppe
Buttons,  Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend alphas, Prima tulips,  canvas flower from Precocious Paper on Etsy
Hambly Studios lace rub-ons and washi tape, Studio Calico wood veneer heart,  Robin's Nest Dew Drops
pearls, Ek Success bubbles border punch, Punch Bunch extra large branch punch

The Martinez-Hernandez clan is having a hard week. We all have a most persistent cold that just makes us sniffly, whinny and tired. Still to do: Mother's Day cards! It will be too late to load them up to the Paper Issues Mother's Day link party but you can check out our current Cinco De Mayo theme which is all about parties and having fun check it out here.

My sister's wedding date is getting closer! I can't believe I'll be spending 2 weeks in Italy. Traveling there has been a dream of mine for years! Inspired by the recent royal wedding. my sister and I decided I should wear a "Fascinator" to her wedding. Here it is!!

Isn't it amazing??? LOOOVES IT!!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!

Michelle

Xoxo Girls sneak and GIVEAWAY- general updates

Just a few fun sneaks for the May 2011 Xoxo Girls Challenge going live on the 6th. I always have fun putting my pages together for this challenge site because we are given a list of sometime really random things we have to try to fit into the page. Looking at these photos can you guess what items I tried to include in my page?

The commenter who gets the most guesses right gets a PRIZE!!! Something fun and scrappy- just let me know your fave scrappy thing and I'll see if I have something that fits the bill in my stash! And don't forget to tune on the 6th so see what the other wonderful DT members came up with for this month.

Before I forget- I got some AWESOME mail this week! The winner for my Paper Issues prize, Jacque, sent me this recycled Thank You post card!!! Not only was this unexpected but it was WONDERFUL! I really miss getting fun mail- right now it's just Oriental Trading Catalogues and bills from our health insurer. Here's a quick scan:

It's a cereal box! In the back is a very thoughtfiul message.

This was so thoughtful and so COOL I've decided to send out 10 random recycled post cards to friends and fam this week. It's just FUN plus I have a lot of boxes that need productive uses- Thanks Jacque! Go to her site http://jacque4u2c.blogspot.com and leave some love- she rocks!

Kreatorville May 2011 sketch By Keandra of Kreatorville Krafts.
Try it!!! You'll love it!

One final note- my absolute FAVORITE scrap artist of all time Keandra of Kreatorville Kraft is getting back into the swing of things. I LOVE LOOOOVE everything she makes. I love her website. I love her kits (although I haven't been able to buy one this month- I'm one BROKE chick!). I try very hard NOT to snatch her ideas on the regular- she's that amazing. Swing by Kreatorville Krafts and see what she's up to. I'm participating in her tag swap this month and lemme tell you it's a CHALLENGE. Photos to come soon :)

"...Yeah and then my stocks TANKED... it was horrible!

Smoooches!

Michelle