New Space - New Year - New Challenges

New Space

It's hard to believe that 2015 is here already. Seems like Christmas flew by.
If you follow The Little Blue House you may know that last year for me was all about selling our house (downsizing), buying a new house and getting settled in.  My craft room was one of the first that had to be packed and purged to make the house more "sellable". So that left me little time and space to create for the shear pleasure of creating other than a few projects for the Blue House. 

Everyone was so supportive during this process...I can't thank them enough.

But NOW...

Here's my NeW SpAcE!!

It's not completely done - Need some serious stuff on the wall over my desk but its a start.

I am going to try and change out the items on the shelves to match the season. 

The stained glass window in the picture is from the house where Dan's grandmother was born. 

The wire baskets were our dressers in the old house - this house has built in dressers in the master closet so I was able to use these for my craft space. The large drawers are 22" wide and then a 10" - Container Store has a 54" desk top that mounts perfectly on top. 108" of working space - YAY!!

  Here are some more pictures.

BIG BLANK WALLS NEED HELP!!

                   

This built in shelf was in closet - I added shelves to both ends of closet -so much stuff

I love the door to the outside lanai - it allows so much light in

New Year

Now that my space is ready to go I wanted to CHOOSE to do some creating just for me. I'll explain the all caps in just a second.  I wanted to make the Tim Holtz monthly tags. I wanted a way to display them so I decided to create my "All About Me Tree". Took an inexpensive vase and wrapped it in twine, found some branches and there you have it a great place to display the tags. 

New Challenges

This year I chose  "CHOOSE" as my One Little Word to focus my year around.  I was not completely familiar with Ali Edwards approach to this but decided to give it a try. My word "CHOOSE" - why? - Last year was about things that had to get done and this year I wanted to choose more of what I wanted to do.  Choose a healthy lifestyle (see the miniature fork on tag), Choose to create, Choose to have God more a part of my life, Choose to leave negativity behind. As you can see from my tag,"Choose" appears in the bottom left corner. 

Here are my January pages - I highly recommend you check out Ali's blog for more info

 

 

Coincidentally The Little Blue House hosedt an Illustrated Faith Journaling workshop. 

Shanna Noel was amazing and Faith Journaling tied in so well to
my "CHOOSINGS" for 2015. 

Here is the page I made at the workshop. Please check out The Little Blue House if you are interested in more information on Faith Journaling.

By the way there are stickles on the clear hearts and I used Wink of Stellas on my One Little Word journal pages.  Always have to stay true to my Glittery Side. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I would love to see comments if you are trying some new Challenges this year.
Elaine

Front Porch Kit - Game On

Here is an additional project I created for the new release Front Porch Kit - Game On.  It is a minibook that I created using the mini clipboard that is part of the kit. 

To create the bookcover I used the large playing card enclosed in the kit  The red was a little too bright for the look I wanted to have, so I lightly sanded it, used my scissors to distress the edges and then inked with a little Fired Brick Distress Ink. The scallop border is the black and white checkerboard paper that has been border punched. The "W" and the "H" are from the alphabet sticker sheet that is part of the kit and the "Well Played" title is from the edge of one of the pattern papers. You will also get an entire bag of Scrabble tiles in the kit. The flower is 7 scallop circles that I punched from the crossword puzzle paper that is in the kit. I sprayed them with water, smooshed them, unfolded them and then placed a brad in the center.  You then pull the circles up to the center and let dry.  Once they are dry- Ink the edges with Fired Brick Distress Ink.

Here is the interior of the book.  The kit has so many cute embellishments that are perfect for layouts and books.

So many great projects were created using the kit. 

Stop by the Little Blue House to see them.

Order your kit and see the project gallery at TheLittleBlueHouseOnline.

Have fun creating..

Elaine

GAME ON Front Porch Kit is Here!!

 

I had such a great time creating from this kit. Here is a photo of the design board so you can see all the great products for you to design with. My favorites are the clip board, journal cards and pattern paper and I loved the flexibility of the Scrabble tiles.

 

As you can see there is so much in this jam packed box - not only will you be able to do the great BluePrint Projects but you can also use the products for your own creations.

Don't have a CLUE what to do  -

Make sure you check out the gallery and see the projects created by the design team.

When you purchase your kit you will also receive a BluePrint Guide. This Guide will include step-by-step instructions on how to create some unique projects from your kit.

Stop by the LBH to see the Design Board, BluePrint Projects, and a multitude of Inspiration Projects on August 13th...They will all on display for your enjoyment. You can pre-order a Front Porch Kit at the LBH or online at www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Here is the double layout I created.  My son Jonathan and his girlfriend Tesa are headed to Las Vegas to meet friends from college. 

 Talk about luck...I even told them what orientation I needed the pictures to be!!

The flower is created from the pack of cards that is included in the kit.  The petals are the back of the card and the center is from one of the face cards - I really liked the vibrant colors of the face card.

Here is a close up

Check out the other designers blogs and make sure you leave a comment so you will have a chance to yell "BINGO!!! - I won a Front Porch Kit".

Get Ready to Play!!!

Elaine

 

Front Porch Kit - Game On- Reveal #2

You don't want to be SORRY you missed the new Front Porch Kit from the Little Blue House.  This kit is appropriately called Game On - There is no AGGRaVaTION with our kits - no contracts - if you love it you just place your order - Ordering starts August 13th.  Opening the box is like arriving in CANDYLAND - it is filled with wonderful papers, cardstock and great ribbon and embellishments.  We will also have a beautiful gallery filled with inspiration for you to create.  And most importantly don't forget about the Blueprint projects - Detailed instructions for you to work with. 

Now for a few more sneak peeks..

Make sure you check out the other designers blogs and leave a comment on one of them for your chance to win a Front Porch Kit.

Stop by tomorrow for some more peeks.

Elaine



It's time to PLAY!! - "Game On" Front Porch Kit Sneak Peek #1

The "Game ON" Front Porch Kit is finally here.  It is filled with fun papers, embellishments and a surprise or two.  I created layouts, a minibook and a cute frame that I think you will enjoy recreating.  Sorry I can't show you the full reveal but here is SNEAK #1.

 

 

Check in to see the other designers blogs...They will be posting sneaks of their "Game On" projects. Trust me I didn't have a MONOPOLY on creating with this kit.  It will definitely be worth the RISK. OK I will stop...

Sneak Photo #1

Would YOU like to WIN a FREE "Game On" Kit?!?!

Simply become a follower of the LBH blog and post your comments on any of our Sneak Peek posts. All commenters will be placed in a drawing to WIN! We will announce the WINNER on Tuesday 8/13!

Stay tuned for more peeks...

Elaine

Say Cheese Front Porch Friday

 

Say Cheese ...and How Did She Get That Color??!!

I had such a great time creating from this kit. Here is a photo of the design board so you can see all the great products for you to design with. My favorites are the grunge camera, word balloon and pattern paper and I loved how the letter thickers looked smashed into the SnowTex.

Ohhh and the FABRICS!!

For the post today I thought I would share a funny story about the camera on the front of

"A Day in the Life of Me" minibook.

I am not sure what the issue is with me and FPK's and multiple layers of product...

My original inspiration was this flower from theTim Holtz blog

I thought it would be really cool to have a funky camera.  I started off with paint dabbers of various colors.  It just seemed too bright - so I added some Vintage Photo Disress ink - now it just looked dirty.  Decided to change course - I painted over the camera with some Expresso Metallic paint - too flat.  Next sanded that hoping for a varigated look - that didn't look right so I added some Distress ink .Still not the look I wanted.  Nope - hated it. I thought maybe I should just start over - but I didn't have the die at home and my project was due the next day.

Hmmm....

Clean it all off - Ok lets try Windex.  Yep grabbed a towel and scrubbed away. There was some paint that stayed on which was fine. Boy Grunge Board can really take a beating.  I finally decided on Verday paint.  If you are not familar this a product from Ten Second Studios.  You apply the paint and then spray with an activator that starts the patina process.  Check the Little Blue House website for classes on how to use this product. Sanded it an then used some Vintage Photo and Black Soot Distress ink.

I finally like it!!!

So the next time you see a project and wonder how they got that color....

you can smile knowing there might be more to the story!!

I hope you enjoyed my paint story. There a few Front Porch Kits available.  Check out the online gallery for some creative inspiration.
To purchase call the Little Blue House at 817-431-7930 or shop online
Also check out the other designers blogs.
Here is a list

Kristy Fey

 Valerie Bishop

Susan Tidwell

Robyn Schaub

Tracy Pounds
Leslie Ashe
Lynette Chiles
Rhonda Merry
I hope you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Have fun when you are creating - remember what appears initially to be a disaster could turn out to be creative genius in the long run!!
Elaine