Talent Show Project

This week at Camp Paradise the DT is showcasing their talents. Make sure to stop by and check out the awesome projects.
I love using my scrapbooking supplies for home decor projects.  For my talent I'm sharing a wreath I made for our family room.

Materials:

Brown wrapping paper ( the kind you use for mailing packages)
Cricut machine
Serenade Cart
Foam wreath
Glue gun
Pencil
Patterned paper for the butterflies



I used brown postal wrapping paper (the kind you buy on a roll for mailing packages) for the flowers. I cut the paper into 12X12 sheets and ran them though my Cricut machine.

 I used the scalloped flower on the Serenade cart and cut them at 2 ¾”. When I had a nice size pile of flowers (several hundred) I folded them in half to find the middle.

I then used the eraser end of the pencil and pressed it into the center of each flower till it folded up.

I put a dab of hot glue on the middle of the bottom of the scalloped flower and stuck it to my wreath.

I then cut out butterflies of varying sizes using the Serenade cart and added them to the wreath. I attached a piece of ribbon to the back of the wreath for hanging.

Summer Camp

Camp Paradise has definitely offered you your fill of fun challenges & games each week.


. . . And it’s still not to late to join in the last weeks of camp.

Campers have been able to bring out their inner creative star by participating in the activities:

Arts & Crafts

Cabin Life

Camp Fire

Camp Spirit

Mess Hall

Music

Outdoor Education

Sports & Recreation

Wildlife

with new and exciting “get you out of your box” challenges offered every week (not to mention prizes).

We’ll wrap up the final week starting Wednesday 8-11 with the finale and some special activities. Hope you can join in the fun!

Here are my takes for this weeks Camp Spirit and Outdoor Education challenges.

using the camp banner colors

it's all about the clouds

Outdoor Education Challenge

Did you know . . .




A butterfly has compound eyes; each eye is made up of about 6,000 tiny parts called lenses, which let in light.



All butterflies have 6 legs. In some species such as the monarch, the front pair of legs remains tucked up under the body most of the time and are difficult to see.



Butterflies have very brief life spans. Some - usually the ones found in the tropics can live up to a year, but others live anywhere from a few months to a few weeks to even a few hours.



. . . and why am I sharing butterfly facts with you?



For week 2 at Camp Paradise I have the Outdoor Education Challenge and I thought I would give you a few interesting facts about butterflies before I gave you the challenge . . .



which is to use your scrapbooking supplies to create an altered project which includes butterflies on it.

I altered a band-aid tin using the oh so fun About A Girl Collection from Fancy Pants.

I thought this would make an adorable container for a gift card.

I can’t believe all the layouts I completed this week . . . and all due to the fun, inspiring challenges at Camp Paradise! The first week of camp is coming to an end . . . but it’s not to late to join in the fun because Camp Paradise will last through August 15th.

Camp Life Challenge

Mess Hall Challenge

Wildlife Challenge

This week I found some time to work on some of the fantastic challenges over at Camp Paradise and plan on working on a few more this weekend.

Camp Fire Challenge

Sports & Rec Challenge

We had a date night last night - dinner and a movie. While we were waiting in line for the movies I was memorized by what I saw people wearing (young and old alike). This got me to thinking about my fashion statement and where it came from.


In the 50’s getting dressed didn’t take much effort or imagination. I had to wear a school uniform which consisted of a navy blue jumper, a white blouse, white socks and polished shoes, oh and that little beanie for the top of my head. I would have had a hard time expressing any individuality with the clothes that populated my closet back then. In the 60’s fashion was a roller coaster. What was in style one week might be out of style the next. Saddle shoes were a must have and I only wore dresses or skirts and blouses, no pants to school, even in the winter. Then came penny-loafers, mini skirts and short shorts aka hot pants. The 70’s came along with beads, belts, earth shoes and sandals. Jeans went from skinny (so tight I could barely get them over my ankles) to bell bottoms (the wider the better). I had a choice of the mini, the midi or the maxi and flower power was everywhere. Fashion was crazy! Today despite that I am a lover of fashion and clothes; I always try to take trendy clothes with a grain of salt. I’m trying to have the mind set to buy fewer clothing items and to purchase better quality items that fit perfectly and that I’m comfortable in. I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of people out there who do not own a mirror! - Seriously!

Arts & Crafts Challenge

Summer Camp officially started today at Croppin Paradise and if you have not had a chance to check out the site you should head on over. There are so many fun challenges and games posted and don‘t forget to meet one of our camp counselors each week! Not to mention the chance to win some awesome, fun prizes!


My challenge this week: Weaving consists of arranging a group of horizontal (lengthwise) strips of paper in rows, very close together. Vertical (crosswise) strips of paper are then laced over and under the horizontal strips of paper. Complete a layout or card using a weaving technique.

Examples:

Hope to see you at camp!

I can hardly believe that I have been off for 6 weeks . . . where does the time go?! I had this long to do list and only a portion of it got done. I guess when you count the 10 day vacation to Myrtle Beach and the 10 day trip to Florida, I really didn’t spend all that much time at home and that's why there are so many projects left on the list that still need to be done. That’s my story and I’m stickin to it! So Monday it will be back to work and my old routine.


I have been busy this last week working on scrappy projects for my challenges for Camp Paradise over at Croppin Paradise. The camp will run from July 15th to August 15th. Going to camp is all about having a good time. Come and meet new scrappy friends, try some new techniques, participate in some awesome challenges and some fun games. I hope you can stop by and join in the fun!

Here are a few sneak peeks for my arts and crafts challenge next week . . . see you at camp!

MOJOVATION

It’s Thursday night, the kids are spending the night at grandma’s house, your husband is watching sports on TV and you’re planning on getting out your photos and scrapbooking till your heart is content. But first you have to clear off the dining room table and drag out all your scrap booking supplies (unless you are fortunate enough to have a scrappy room). Just as you sit down to scrap you remember that your daughter will need her softball uniform clean for tomorrow morning so you run down to the basement and throw it in the washer and just as you are headed up the steps the dryer buzzes. After you fold the load of laundry and are getting ready to sit down (again) your husband asks you if you wouldn’t mind ordering a pizza. A good hour has past and you finally make your way back to the dining room table. You pick out your photos to scrap . . . and nothing . . . your mojo is gone! I don’t know about you but I find it very frustrating when I’m ready to scrap and I get the dreaded scrappers block. I’m going to share five ideas that will help you get through the block and regain your mojo.

1) Browse on-line galleries - sometimes seeing someone else’s completed layouts is enough to stimulate your mind and get those creative juices flowing again.

2) Use sketches - as a framework for your layouts. A new perspective can be just what you need to rekindle your creativity.

3) Participate in a challenge - various on-line scrap booking sites offer challenges that will help awaken your sleeping inspiration.

4) Magazines - one of the best places to find inspiration for your layouts is in the array of magazines available today. I’m talking about non-scrap booking related magazines. Look at how advertisements are laid out, we could learn a thing or two from graphic designers.

5) Music - Now don’t laugh, I have my own collection of “mojo music”. Put on some music that shifts your mindset and makes you feel creative.

Happy Scrappin!

I was inspired by a mini album project on Jen Gallacher's blog and decided to make one for my grandson's . . .  I just tweaked it a little to meet my needs.

Being off work this month has given me some extra time to work on layouts:)

Summer Camp

Memories of summer camp . . . Some of my best summer childhood memories come from attending Girl Scout Camp. Although I can’t recall the name of the camp I do remember Mrs. Andrews our leader. I remember the tents were perched on platforms and there were four girls to a tent. I bunked with one of my best friends Martha Kopec and two other girls from another troop. You were not supposed to keep food in your tents (bears and tigers and lions Oh My!) but who didn’t smuggle snacks in their footlocker? I loved swimming in the pool, the nature hikes and going to the dining hall for arts and crafts . . . the tie-dyed T-shirts, weaving your own place mat and the leather bracelets made with the punch tools. Of course what summer camp would be complete without singing Kum Bye Yah around the campfire and eating smores?! So whether or not you had the opportunity to attend summer camp as a child you have the opportunity to experience Camp Paradise by joining in the fun from July 15th – August 15th at Croppin Paradise. Join the Design Team Counselors as we provide challenges, games and prizes and a month full of fun scrapping projects!

June 1

I can’t believe it’s June first already! Where does the time go!? Today is officially my first day off of work for a whole month - Woo Hoo! I plan on getting some things done around the house (those things that I keep putting off), like cleaning out drawers and closets . . . and maybe even the attic . . . eeek!

I also plan on catching up on some crafting projects and before I know it the month will be gone.

I’m hosting the “Weekly Challenge” at Croppin Paradise this week, check out their blog. I’m going to set aside a little time each day this week to make a few handmade flowers that I have found on tutorials - how fun!



Recent Layouts:

MME -  So Sophie

Jenni Bowlin - Play Date

Photo Tray

I’ve had this photo tray from 7 Gypsies for quite some time. As I came across a little of this and a little of that (trinkets) I put them aside. Just this week I had enough time to arrange and re-arrange (because that’s part of my creative process) the little treasures that have special meaning and remind me in some way of each family member. This little tray is hanging in my kitchen and each time I see it , it sparks fond memories of FAMILY.

Mango Slaw

For me, growing up in the 50’s was a great peaceful, satisfying time. My childhood was a time of Ozzie and Harriet, leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. My family, like most families I knew, always sat down for meals together, including breakfast. We were expected to be on time, help serve, clear and clean up. We were also expected to participate in the table conversation. Sunday midday dinner was served in the dining room. We wore our church clothes and used the best china. We all ate the same food, no special menus or diets were considered. We certainly understood that we needed to “clean our plates” and if we balked the “starving children of the world” were quickly mentioned. Many of my fondest childhood memories are food related . . . my mother canning surplus fruits and vegetables for instance. I loved watching her assembly line. There was a big freezer in the basement and my mother froze the excess garden harvest. I can remember my mother trying out new recipes found in the Sunday newspaper.

Well I don’t can or freeze the excess garden harvest . . . we don’t even have a garden. But I love trying out new recipes. When our children were little they use to look through my home and garden magazines and pick out recipes that they thought looked good and/or interesting and we would try them. Some of those recipes have become family favorites (Strawberry Cheese Delight) and some were never to be made again (Sausage Casserole).

I still like to try new recipes . . . some are keepers and some are never to be made again. One of the keepers is this Mango Slaw recipe - easy to make and delicious too!

Mango Slaw

4 cups of cabbage & carrot slaw mix

1 cup mango, peeled and diced

1/4 cup red onion (optional)

Mix together

Make the Dressing

¼ cup mayo

1 T cider vinegar

1 T sugar

¼ t salt

Mix well & then mix with the slaw mixture

Serve & Enjoy

I substituted the cabbage and carrot slaw mix with a broccoli slaw mix.