erin terrell clarkson [etc]

Christmas Decor

I wanted to show a VERY easy idea for Christmas decorating. I know you have photo frames around the house, right? I have them in every room, but I've mentioned before that I like to swap the photos out to represent the season - particularly Christmas.

Here is what I did with two frames to add some holiday spirit to the house:

Both frames are from Pottery Barn. I removed the glass from the frames so I could add bulkier embellishments. I'll store the glass someplace safe (under a bed is always good) until the holidays are over.

For the "JOY" frame, I filled each 4x6 photo opening with lime green snowflake paper. I then added large turquoise letters to each opening to spell out the word "JOY". I lightly sanded the edges of the letters so they would stand out against the green background. Next, I added cardstock and patterned paper to decorate a white chipboard Christmas tree and stars. I adhered all of the chipboard items with dimensional adhesive.

The chipboard shapes are made by Little Yellow Bicycle and you can find them HERE at Scrapbook.com or HERE at 2Peas. The sparkly cardstock is Gemstone cardstock by Core'dinations.

To create the Santa frame, I backed the 5x7 opening with turquoise paper. I trimmed Santa from a sheet of cut-outs, then used dimensional adhesive to adhere him in the opening. I added ribbon and a cotton ball to finish off his hat.

The Santa Christmas cut-out is made by Little Yellow Bicycle and you can purchase it HERE at Scrapook.com or HERE at 2Peas.

I can't stress how easy these projects are. You can select patterned papers to coordinate the decor of any room. The samples shown here are playful, but keep reading and I'll show a very simple way to create a more traditional look. 

SBE Page Share: Oct. 2010 Issue (Doodlebug Haunted House)

This little haunted house was featured in the October 2010 issue of Scrapbooks etc. You may have seen these chipboard houses before, because there are many versions of them posted online. You simply purchase a blank chipboard house (made by Doodlebug), then decorate it any way you'd like.

This isn't a 5 minute project, but the cute results are well worth the time spent creating it. Follow the assembly instructions exactly as they are written on the insert in the package, and you'll be just fine! 

My favorite part of the project was adding all of the fun little details. The bats are velvety - I'm not sure if that shows up on my photo (below). I love the decorative brad with the witch on it, used as a doorknob (below). The Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips were a perfect finishing touch for the roofline. 

As seen in Scrapbooks etc. October 2010 issue (pg. 57). SOURCES  Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Just The Edge, Ruche Textured Paper (yellow, gray). Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee Twilight Collection (Dusk, Eclipse), Making Memories (Halloween Haunted Stripe).  Chipboard Accents: Doodlebug Haunted House. Punches: Circle Punch. Stickers: Making Memories Velvet Stickers. Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink (black, brown). Other: Hot Glue Gun

I used a patterned paper from Pink Paislee on the roof, instead of solid black paper, because I liked the distressed appearance of the paper and particularly liked that "31" in the circle. I had a purple roof on there at first, but I swapped it out and I'm glad I did.

To finish it off, I added a velvety witch on the chimney and - of course - a full moon. I used textured papers for the moon and clouds, then inked the edges for a little extra dimension.

It's a fun little project and I love the way it turned out. It will look cute near the front door when I greet all of the little trick-or-treaters who come to my neighborhood. 

HERE is a link to the new Pink Paislee Halloween line, which is just as cute as the one I used here!

"Watch Me Grow" Frame

I wanted to share a frame I created for the September issue of Scrapbooks etc. This frame is my "scrapbook inspired" version of a typical kinder through 12th grade school frame. 

I purchased a frame with 12 openings from Pottery Barn. (You can see the full shot of the frame in the current issue of Scrapbooks etc.) I printed B&W photos of Daisy throughout her school years. Then I gathered supplies with school related themes or colors I liked:

Next, I played with the arrangement of the papers until I found something I liked:

Once I decided on the arrangement, I trimmed each paper a little larger than the 4x6 opening and added a bottom "grass" border for each section. Next, I trimmed squares of patterned paper to help in the color selection for the flowers:

I created flowers that grew progressively larger for each opening  in the frame:

 

I trimmed the flowers from chipboard and layered patterned paper on top, just to give it some dimension:

I filled an opening with one of my favorite sticker sheets, because I liked the "ABC's" theme and I loved the colors and patterns on the letters. (HERE is where you can purchase the sticker sheet, which is made by October Afternoon):

When I created the title, I used patterned paper with a ruler to fit the "watch me grow" theme. I also made the letters in the title progressively larger with each one:

 

Once I receive my copy of the magazine, I'll add in the page number and the sources. For now, here are a few links to some great new scrapbook papers/stickers/embellishments with school themes:

October Afternoon Recess Report Card Paper

October Afternoon Report Card Alphabet Cards

October Afternoon Report Card Sticker Shapes

Crate Paper School Spirit Brads

Art Warehouse School Flocked Paper

Jenni Bowlin Multi Mini Chalkboard Alpha Stickers

Crate Paper School Spirit Collection Kit

Bo Bunny Press Learning Curve Paper

We R Memory Keepers "Recess" Show and Tell Collection Tag

Karen Foster Design Preschool Playtime Paper

If you own a Cricut or Sillouette, I think it would be fun to use an apple shape (or flowers, as I did on my frame) to fill the empty spaces. Here is a cartridge with an apple shape from Cricut, and here is another one. It would certainly be easier to use a die cut machine instead of hand cutting everything like I did. ;o)

Well, this has been a very photo-heavy post today. Why stop now?  I've been shopping with Daisy for back-to-school clothes lately and I've noticed a few items I'd like to add to my closet. Keep reading on the next page to see some shopping links from me...

Pantone: Fall 2010 Color Predictions

Pantone has been the major predictor for upcoming fashion and home decor trends for close to half a decade. When they predict an upcoming color trend, they tend to be accurate. Want to see what colors they are predicting for Fall 2010? Click HERE and select "View Our Interactive Report".

Check it out and let me know your top three color choices!

My favorites are listed below:

Oyster Gray: PANTONE 14-1107 Oyster Gray

Lagoon: PANTONE 16-5418 Lagoon

and

Living Coral: PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral

Time For Another Giveaway (Giveaway Closed: Winner Has Been Selected)

***Edited to Add: Tilda, your name was selected! Congrats. I will email you.***

***Edited To Add: Drawing closed. Thanks everyone for posting! I love the gift ideas, and it's so sweet reading all of your stories. I'm closing the comments now and selecting from 36 comments. I responded to one of the posts and my comment was the 3rd one down, so if #3 is selected I will just choose a different number. :o) Disqualifying myself!***

Springtime is birthday season in my family. There is one birthday after another each week in April and May, so I spend a lot of time shopping. Good thing I like it so much! *wink*

My brother is easy (gift cards/money). Dad? He always asks for some random item (speaker stands, a ratchet set, or some other odd thing I have to hunt down). He seems to enjoy sending me on scavenger hunts for his birthday presents. My niece and nephew are pretty easy to shop for (toys galore!). My mom is the most difficult. Not because I can't find anything for her...but because I find too many things I know she'd love. It's hard to narrow the choices down.

Here's where the giveaway comes into play. Leave a comment telling me your favorite birthday present you've ever given or received (or just say "Hi"). I'll leave the comments open for a week, and then I'll pick a name using Random Number Generator, as usual. This time around, the giveaway is for US and Canadian residents only. CSN Stores is sponsoring it and here is the item you'll receive:

Cotton Tale Lizzie Pillow Pack:

 

Is that cute, or what? That should add a touch of springtime to any room (great inspiration for a scrapbook page, too). Make sure to leave your email address when you comment so I can collect your shipping information if your name is selected! I'll give your address to CSN and they'll ship the pillows directly to you.

Good luck! I can't wait to hear your suggestions for birthday presents.

Inspiration Board

Here is a peek at my inspiration board. I had to put it on the floor by the window so I could get better lighting. This is an altered window frame I created for one of the Making Memories idea books. 

I add photos, clothing tags (obviously Roxy inspires me), note-cards, quotes, and all kinds of random  items. That round blue tag is something I posted about just the other day, when I mentioned my daughter likes to leave notes on (or utilizing) my scrapbook supplies.

 

I have lots of summery items added to it right now, because I'm ready for beach weather.

Most of the items on here are cut from magazines because I want to remember the color schemes. Then, I added a photo of the coast, just because it makes me happy to see it.

That's pretty much it for now. The other side has a quote from when it originally appeared in the Making Memories book:

 

The quote reads:

"We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing" ~Charles Schaefer

It was a perfect quote, because the project initially had photos of Daisy and her friend Becca playing at the park. That's before I turned it into a catch-all for my random pieces of inspiration. 

Share yours with me, if you have one! I love to see what inspires others.

And Margot, if you are reading this--I miss you and Becca!

Decorating: Kid's Room Frame Project

Today I'm going to share a decorating idea that you can alter to use anywhere in your home, but my example happens to be for a child's room (Daisy's room...which happens to be blindingly bright orange!! "Home Depot orange" as I call it.)

I purchased a frame with multiple openings from The Pottery Barn outlet center. I'm sure you've seen this type of frame at many stores, though. 

Instead of filling the frame with 4x6 photos, I decorated a few of the openings to add a bit of interest and color to her room (sorry, there is a reflection on the glass in this photo):

 

Here are a few detail shots:

I used scraps of patterned paper in colors to match the decor of her room. Because there is a raised mat in this frame, I was able to add a bit of texture by using covered chipboard and ribbons. If your frame doesn't have a mat, then you'll want to stick with flat embellishments.

Daisy wanted colorful photos in the frame (because she is almost a teen and is into the bright stuff), but I've also done this using B&W's only. The pop of color against B&W photos looks really pretty in a room!

This also makes a great gift if you don't want to give an empty frame. You can add photos yourself or just add the artwork and have the recipient add their own photos. I've given a similar gift before for Mother's Day and had children draw their own artwork and messages in a few of the photo openings.

Decorating: Christmas Photos

Today I'm sharing a quick tip for holiday decorating.

I just replaced two scenic beach prints in the living room with some of my favorite Christmas shots of Daisy. It's a simple way to add an extra touch of the holidays around the house.

If you already have frames on the wall, all you have to do is print extras photos. Add one to the frame and keep the original photo tucked safely behind it. Swap them out again whenever you take down your holiday decorations. 

 

What's your favorite easy tip for holiday decorating?

Decorating: Using Photos As Decoration

I use photos to decorate the house as often as possible. I'm not the type of person to purchase paintings...I'd much rather use photos from my little brother. Each year he asks what I want for Christmas, and each year I tell him I want new artwork from him. He lives in Arizona, so a lot of his photos have that unique AZ landscape and mesmerizing sunsets.

Here is the view when you walk into our house and look towards the kitchen:

 

Sorry for the shadows...I took this shot during the middle of the day. Anyway, those two photos are custom pieces from my brother and everyone who enters our house comments on how beautiful they are.

 

The top photo is of Havasu Falls, AZ. It really is naturally that stunning. When I first saw the photo I thought he hand-tinted or colorized it digitally somehow, but he didn't. (I wish I could get a good shot of it without this reflection on it!!)

 

The bottom panoramic is of the sunset over North Mountain Preserve, Phoenix AZ (there's the reflection again on the left side of the photo--sorry!):

I love having these photos on my wall. They remind me of my brother, and I smile each time I see them. Because I've had so many people comment on them when they visit my house, I asked Craig if he would sell copies and he said he would!!

If you're interested, send me an email (click on "email me" in the upper left-hand corner of my blog--under my profile pic). I don't know how much he would ask for the prints, but I will say they are well worth whatever he requests.:o) They are very eye-catching!

Here is a link to his website if you want to check it out: www.CraigWPhoto.com The "fine arts" link is my favorite, because we were together when he shot those photos so I was able to learn a lot from him. He does all types of photography in the Phoenix area, so if you happen to contact him be sure to give him a hug from his proud big sister. 

I'll be posting more of these tips of photos around the house in the future (some with photos I've taken myself!).