My Little Shoebox projects

First things first- CONGRATULATIONS fellow Paper Issues team mate Mandy Starner for making the design team over at My Little Shoebox!! YAAAY! Please go by her blog and ogle the paper eye candy!   MLS + Mandy = Fabulosity

I've been ITCHING to post my entries for the DT application. I didn't make the team but now that I see who's in and how fantastic their work is I COMPLETELY understand I need more seasoning.

For what it's worth- here they are:

Monster Box altered project. I used a baby shoebox for the base and just cut out the great details from the Imaginary Friends line:

Back view- spring garden

I was proud I made some furniture for them in their little house-
now I wish I had taken some additional shots...

 Now for the card using the "Just Add Butter" line (Thanks Gretchen)

Gave this card to a family friend- love those cupcakes!

Inside view

Page Number 1:

Uh Oh
Love the colors on this page- turquoise and fuchsia are a fave combo.

And Page Number 2:

Thrilled to the MAX!
Fiskars cloud punch and all MLS paper.
This is my first pregnancy page. Now that I look at this I think I needed a larger font for the title.

MuChoS SmOoChEs!

Michelle

Paper Issues Blog Hop Give-Away WINNER! Week 1

Ok I had a VERY HARD TIME with this. 

1. I wanted to be super fair and impartial.

2. I tried and FAILED to learn how to use random.org to pick from both my followers AND the comments.

What to Do?

Daddy-O and Miss Lola came to my rescue.  As truly impartial pickers (neither reads my blog) (ZING!) they volunteered (were cajoled) to pick one of you wonderful readers as the winner for my first give-away ever!

Some pix:

The names all get written on a piece of paper- new followers get 1 extra name in the mix. 

Lola's Easter basket does double duty. (Try to say THAT twice)

Trial run with Kashi so Miss Lola gets into "picking mode".

She's going in!

AAARGH! Several names are chosen- DISASTER!
Daddy steps in for final pick (he put all the names back in except one).

We have a WINNER!

Congratulations VANILLA CARMEL!!!!!!! Please email me your info: hernandm1-at-yahoo-dot-com (had to write it out because- get THIS- I'm now getting spam email from dating services all over the world! WOO HOOOO!) and the package will be on it's way over to you. If you choose to make your own mini (or any other type project using this stuff) please send me pix and I will feature your project here and link back to your blog.

You win THIS!!!!

Vanilla's prize YAAAY!!!
I want to see what you make with this!!!!

Ok that was THIS week's winner- 1 more drawing will happen next sunday with all the same names and any new followers or commenters that happen by. A lucky commenter/new follower will win THIS:

Second week prize still up for grabs! Drawing April-2-11

Please tell all your friends to swing by Paper Issues and participate in the blog hop. If they link up their own projects and leave comments they are eligible for the main prize (a wonderful kit of Crate Paper Neighborhood goodies- YUM! Photo Below). You also have a chance to get featured on our blog! PRESS- it's GOOD! You can start the hop and link your projects HERE: http://www.paperissues.com/2011/03/welcome-to-paper-issues-blog-hop.html

Paper Issues Main Blog Hop prize- drawing on April 2nd.

MuChOs SmOoCheS!
Michelle

Livin' in The City

I love New York- more than ever.
MATERIALS: American Crafts Travel kit and Patchwork alphas. Hipstamatic photos

Here is a second page for the Moxie Cityscapes Are On The Rise Challenge. Tomorrow April 28th, 2011 is the deadline. I'm LOVING the projects I'm seeing there! The stamps entrants are using are making me DROOL! I bought a beautiful rolling one over at ScarletLime I haven't used yet but it got me doodling which is something I'm usually TERRIFIED of but I told myself to wing it, have fun and I really love the results! 

Doodled and cut out buildings- this was TOO MUCH FUN!

This is actually a title line taken from a wall mural painted on September 11th, 2001.
 With all the awful international news these days
 I wanted to do a serious page that didn't get too specific.

I wish the Hipstamatic app allowed for high resolution images-
2 inches square is as large as you can make them without getting pixelation-
this shot mesmerized me and FORCED me to do a second page.

I hope they allow for multiple entries. I have been obsessed with making a good cityscape page for a while. Living in New York, I constantly take photos of the skyline, the bridges, the graffiti, the lights at night but very few turn out as intended. I haven't been able to get that one beautiful shot or design a city page I'm truly happy with but I keep trying.

This is my latest attempt. Moxie Fab world is a great blog for ideas and inspiration- stop by and check it out.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!

Michelle- willieburgscrapper

Great news!! And some cheerful yellow!

My new favorite hue is yellow. I've made 5 pages with yellow as the main background and I just can't stop!!! It's so cheerful- so energizing- so FUN!
I wanted to combine a super sweet and feminine layout with this HILARIOUS photo of Miss Lola letting me know she is SO NOT my pretty lil' puppet:

Genuine

MATERIALS: American Crafts paper, Sassafras Lass stickers and paper strip, Studio Calico rub-on letters,  Little clouds cut out from My Little Shoebox paper, Studio Calico Mister Huey in Sunshine and Pickle.

I also want to let you know I will be the April Guest Designer over at Punky Scraps! WOOOOT! I love that website! These girls have their paint brushes and they ain't afraid to use them! Thank you Natalie for letting me part of your team! I won't let you down.

The "Genuine" layout was created for the first challenge in April- you have a few weeks heads up on it. Think of it as a sneak because this is a reject- it doesn't fit all the parameters. Trust I will be making another page! Check out Punky Scraps- they have some serious talent on display.

Miss Lola has some fun tossing rice.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Color ROCKS! Let's celebrate!

Color is just too awesome. Fuschia, Turquoise, Canary Yellow and Cherry Red are my favorites closely followed by Kelly Green and Orange. My house is currently sporting orange and green walls (separate rooms- I'm not completely insane). Many people LOVE the look when they visit (once they get over the mess) but if I tell people my walls are orange they CRINGE. I get a lot of: How do you DO IT? How does your mind rest. REST? Who has time for that? I have an 18 month old! She spends her time knocking down everything OR trying to get in the garbage can- that reminds me- we need to get a lockable garbage can.

Here's my page for Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger- you have until Sunday March 27th to enter:

Miss Lola Learns to Walk
MATERIALS: Bazzill Tangerine Blast, MLS alphas, Prima green felt scroll, Sassafras Lass Beatnik Buds,
Adirondack brights paint daubers in Citrus and Sunshine Yellow, Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam Golden Goddess, Kaiser Craft bubble wrap stamp.

Orange in our small dark living room makes me feel happy and focused. I need the energy let me tell you. The green in Lola's room is restful and calming. But right now it's all about Citrus colors. I'm seeing this color combo everywhere. Here's a layout from way back in 2010 that needed some green and yellow to give it more POP:

Lola LOVES Mangos! August 2010

Orange just makes me HAPPY! Now go out and make your own project for that Moxie Challenge! Don't forget Paper Issues has some wonderful scrap goodies for 1 lucky follower or Favorite Things project linker. My first give-away will be chosen this friday- keep those fingers crossed- if you aren't busy scrapping that is. :)
Here are some happy color shots:

Love the texture here- can I recreate on paper???? Hmmmm...

Lola finds my receipt file and I let her play so I can wash dishes in peace.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Cityscapes are HOT!!!

That's according to trend watcher extraordinaire Moxie Fab World. I've tried to tackle a cityscape project for 4 months now but somehow the page always ends up looking messy in a drab and uninspired way (Like living the the Bronx Ahahha haaaah! Don't kill me!). Today I was feeling down- it's SNOWING in NYC. Momma Nature obviously did not get my tweet- it's SPRING chica!!!!! SHEESH!

Miss Lola is also trying to get over a nasty cold and refusing to sleep on her own- or at least she was yesterday- today she gave me 2 hours to myself!!!!! I'm SO THANKFUL!!!!

Here's what came of it:

This IS Home
MATERIALS: We R Memory Keepers cityscape lace, Crate Paper Toy Box and Neighborhood paper and stickers, My Little Shoebox alphas (most AWESOME alphas EVER!), my new signature- yellow string all messed up into a ball, Fiskars Cloud punch, Martha Stewart jewelry tag punch, Maya Road bingo motif

I'll submit this to Moxie Fab World's Cityscapes are on the Rise challenge and see what people think. There are so MANY gorgeous cards there- seriously guys- go check out the beautiful work already posted. http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/03/cityscapes-are-on-rise-challenge.html

I had a lot of fun making this and not only because Lola was asleep. I used the scraps off my table again because my stash is so disorganized right now it's actually keeping me from feeling like I can tackle a more detailed project.

I LOVE the new Crate Paper collections- ALL of them! I added a few details here and there and will try to keep the rest for a Crate specific page. Did you know you are more likely to be picked for a DT if you can limit your projects to 1 one brand? That was a tip from a Paper Issues CT member who shall remain incognito but she's my fave blogger right now and a very VERY talented lady whom I sincerely thank for sharing. It must be SO ANNOYING to have to talk down uppity whipper snapper team members from their respective scrap ledges all the time. Hello Michelle- GET A LIFE and stop WHINING!!!! (That's me talking- she would never say that- she's nice) As for how I will use the info.. I haven't the foggiest! One of the things I like MOST is mixing brands up. So I'm in more trouble than I thought...
Then again I did promise not to apply to any more DTs as I get all maniacal about it... so I'm safe FOR NOW!  MUAH HAH HAH HAH HAAAAAAAAAA!
Some cool shots- Hipstamatic is AWESOME for Mojo upkeep.

These are SO on my next page!!!! Maybe it will be another cityscape page- Moxie is giving you till the 28th so get scrapping mi gente!!!

OH and before I forget- don't YOU forget to drop by PAPER ISSUES Blog Hop and take a looky look at the linked projects and DT member creations there- lots of great give-aways and inspiration. I sure learned a lot when I went through everyone's blogs this weekend- mainly that I'm SO GLAD I'm part of their team.

Page again with no sidebar interference...

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle (why keep my name secret right?)

Paper Issues Blog Hop WELCOME!

Hiya!
I put on my big girl pants for this. No more DT rejection self pity! It's time to get happy and have FUN!
This is my first mini book. I have decided- I LOVE mini books! I felt no pressure, the format is so small it limits my "Is it finished NOW?" dithering. I took the same amount of time making this that I usually take making a page, 4 days.

I also got to whip out every single trick pony I own for this- stitching- check!, color blocking- check!, ribbon- check!... texture, paper piecing, 3 D effects- it's all there! Now that I think about it- I could have done some dry embossing and some glitter effects but a girl can only do so much in 4 days.
ENOUGH blathering! Here are some PIX!

Cover- LOVE that Pink Paislee herringbone tape!

Redid this page and LOVE this version- it's a take on Crate Paper's weather collection die cut paper with the cloud border. All clouds have a silver lining in my book!

How much do I love K & Co's "Que Sera Sera" line and Maya Road's pleated ribbon? As much as I love my Mexican tin art collection.

I love living in Williamsburg Bk because the amount of guerilla poster art and graffiti here is BANANAS. Don't stand still too long- you'll get a poster on yer chest.

I LUVS me some sea salt and vinegar chips with half raw steak and beer.  October Afternoon paper and an Obscure line die cut from Basic Grey.

Why do I love grid prints so much? Because I don't have to measure or pencil in cut lines- I just follow the grid!
Magic Mesh- mana from heaven for scrappers if you ask me.

Now that I have Miss Lola I don't ride as much but there's nothing like a 6 hour long bike ride through NYC's river side bike paths- simply GLORIOUS! LOVELY Hambly Studio paper!

Lola likes to steal apples- here's she's heisting a neighbor's lunch- no joke! I love that munchkin. Sassy paper and K&CO alphas.

When I finished this page I did a little dance- it's PERFECT! These are all scraps from other projects- the red ribbon was wrapped around an ETSY order and I kept it because that color is so lusciously RED- it's like a punch in the kisser.

I bought the Anna Griffin paper pad for  this pattern only- it's bamboo and it's FABULOUS! Studio Calico wood veneer heart, Hambly alpha sticks on post it note paper and mini scrabble tile- I LOVE those too!

FUUUUN! Getting on a plane scares the bejesus outta me but once I land it's MILLER TIME- ok maybe not- it's museum and botanical garden time! The cloud punches were unintended but PERFECT- I love it when a project comes together!

I love NY- more than ever.

Most favorite of all- my family.

Close up- pop out cloud, stringy sun and cut up grass- fave details! New fave brand MLS.

I have a give away as well! Here's what you can win if you follow or leave a comment (doing 1 of each gets you 2 entries):

Week 1 (March 19th to the 26th) mini book prize pack
Webster's Pages 6x6 papers, Petaloo flowers, SEI die cuts, Dusty Attic Decorative Gate,  K & Co Que Sera Sera mini papers, Basic Grey small details, white ruffle ribbon and 3 home made die cut shape packs.

Week Two (March 27th to April 2nd) mini altered project pack
Webster's page's Die cut 6x6 papers, Little Yellow Bicycle doilies, Dusty Attic flourishes, Prima and Petaloo flowers,  Korean sticky lace (CANNOT find this in the USA) K & Co handmade specialty papers, Ruby Rocket felt oval frame

Ok onto the next fabulous gal fave scrap buddy extraordinaire: DAWN PERKINS of MOJO MAYHEM fame!!!!
If you just moseyed on by and don't know what I'm talking about please take a gander at the blog hop intro page on PAPER ISSUES and make sure to follow, link up a project or friend us on Facebook to enter in the drawing for the FANTASTIC Crate Paper prize kit.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
M.

On Perseverance. Onward!

Mini book- had a lot of fun doing this- will be making many many more.

So I have applied to 5 DTs in the last month and have been turned down for all of them. The last rejection  hurt the most because I worked really hard on that application. I really felt like I would not only be an asset to the team but also bring some diversity in terms of project themes and general view point to the work. I mean I grew up in the Bronx, I live in Brooklyn- who the heck expects someone like me to be conversant in the idiom of this uber polite and family values centered hobby? Shouldn't I be like, painting murals or knitting floppy hats for Johnny Depp or something?

I suppose the truth is I just started out so I have to "pay dues". I've always found that expression incredibly obnoxious. I also have no idea where my style is going- half the time I have no idea where my PAGES are going. I just let the whim take me places. Most of the time I am just as surprised as my viewer when a project is done. So I can see why a manufacturer or a retailer would be wary- I'm an unknown quantity. And maybe I cuss too much? Who KNOWS??? They never bother to tell you why you are passed by!
So I start to question: Why do I do this? Why not keep the projects in the scrapbook like when I first started? Why write a blog where I tell unseen people very personal things and possibly irk or offend them? Why keep applying for teams when it makes me feel awful to get rejected? Why do I spend so much time and effort on these projects?
All great questions. As a type A personality I tend to get really into something when I like it. So what started as cutting up a few pages on a sunday has turned into reading blogs, making pages just for possible publication or for DT applications, joining groups to get noticed, leaving comments hoping people will return the favor- it just gets to be too much. Too much work and no pay- not even in compliments.
So I'm done.
No more DT applications. No more competitions.
No more posting links to my blog everywhere- that just annoys people anyway.
No more reading blogs and leaving comments in forums just to get new followers.

Back to what I liked about this in the first place, making truthful art or beautiful craft objects and making them my way.
Writing this blog is my favorite thing next to actually making a new page so I'll stick to that. I'll keep surfing blogs for inspiration but I won't freak out over making sure there are comments everywhere. And if I get noticed- great- if not- that's fine too. After all- that's what this is about isn't it? Making something for that pure sense of accomplishment? If I keep seeking validation from the outside aren't I doomed to constant discontent? Somethings to ponder.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
M