Project Life Week 3 + giveaway

Moving right along, still loving every single bit.

This time I added an American Crafts page protector because we finally received long awaited photos of Bamboo's sister, mom and dad. Bamboo was given to us as a gift to be a companion to Buster, so these pictures are extra special.

Our adventure into Beverly Hills led us to my first time in the flagship Robin's Jean store. I have to admit I was a bit intimidated as the store seemed a bit too rock and roll for me. Since I have worn and loved their jeans for years, and they just might be my favorite jeans ever, I went in. And then I went a bit overboard. I got the jeggings (oh yes I did!), the Marilyn in smoky dark, and a pair of khaki stretch poplin Marilyn. And they all fit like a dream. I have worn my charcoal skinnies for so long (guessing 5 years) the manager at the store didn't even recognize the color. So happy to have a new arsenal added to the collection.
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Now for the giveaway. My favorite scissor brand Fiskars, (it's the only brand we have ever used for our clothing line), is celebrating 45 years! They're giving away 4 pairs of scissors - 2 good ol' orange handle originals and 2 micro tips. So all you have to do to enter is:
1. Like Fiskars on Facebook.
2. Come back to this post and tell me something good.
Winners will be announced Feb 1st.

washi tapes are my fave.

Instead of doing much of the work I should have been doing, I decided to organize some washi tape. Posted this photo on Instagram.

Some of my favorite places to order online:
ginko papers - fast and friendly
two peas in a bucket - great selection with different sizes and offers free shipping over $50
cute tape - big selection, great service
kimamaya - etsy store in Japan, very friendly
pretty tape - etsy store in TX

I really fell in love with these tapes years ago when people around blogland were talking about them. Once I saw them in a couple local stores, I was hooked. Although I love shopping online, there is something just so sweet about holding it in your hands and purchasing from a local independent shop. If you all make it to LA, I recommend shopping for these pretties at Urbanic, Tortoise and Kinokuniya. 

Here's the full photo, just for fun.

The containers are from a Japanese store in West LA on Sawtelle. Since we all can't seem to get enough of these, if you have favorite shops not mentioned above, please share. Or don't, as it would make JC and my pocketbook much happier if you didn't. Ok, now I really need to get some actual work done. Happy Wednesday!

loving lately

Source: typeverything.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: pursuitof-healthiness.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: irocksowhat.com via Amy on Pinterest

At last we have the full reveal of Sketchbook on the American Crafts blog

Are you all on Pinterest? It's definitely one of my vices, along with Justified (we're on Season 2), extra crispy bacon, funny puppy pictures, and anything with salted caramel. How about you - any loves you care to share?

tutorial anyone?

Hi. What an lovely response to the process photos from the first Gardeners' Digest post. Wow and thank you! It looks like a lot of you really enjoyed hopping around. There are some new layouts and inspiration to check out on Two Peas today, including a layout I made with some of the leftover gesso. (Watch the video tutorial, linked below and you will know just what I am talking about.)

Some of you may remember when I posted this book of quotes on my blog. Studio Calico asked if I would do a little tutorial on the technique using their journal kits.

I thought it would be nice to have a place to put some random notes about Project Life. My plan is to include the day-to-day observations, silly quotes, and anecdotes that I may not remember as the week progresses in this woodgrain embossed book.

Check out the video tutorial on the Studio Calico blog, where you can join in on their weekly challenge. 
There will be more instructional videos and plenty of techniques and tutorials shared in my upcoming Stretch Your Kit class with Studio Calico. Last day to sign up is January 31st and class begins on February 1st!

two peas: me & you

Welcome to a little feature that will be appearing regularly here each month.Various Garden Girls will be participating, and there might even be a little prize at the end of the blog hop.
Here is how this layout for Two Peas came together.

Traced the chipboard heart with a pencil.

 I poked holes with a brad setter and a mousepad underneath.

 Once all the holes were punched, I erased the pencil a bit.

 I did a backstitch for the heart using thick thread.

I picked out some sequins to match the layout and used liquid glue to adhere them for just the right amount of sparkle.

The complete layout is on Two Peas. Hope you enjoyed the process photos - next stop on the blog hop is Becky Novacek.

Project Life Week 2

Moving right along with this (which is slightly surprising), but I think it's mainly because I am still keeping it simple and really enjoying the collecting part. Once again it helps that there is just enough space on my desk so I can work on it.

Supplies: Cavallini Vintage Office stamps, our Love Struck stamp set and the U.S. map stamp by Purple Onion

-Paige blogged about our little wardrobe excursion to XCVI.
-It was a good mail week, and if you want the full "shiny and bright" card, let Urbanic know.
-So many folks are on board and making  inspiring pages simply by documenting the everyday. Becky Higgins, you are so clever and cute - thank you for developing this system.

My outlook on this project is in this post, where you can also see Week 1.
Today's the last day for free shipping on Two Peas in a Bucket for orders over $35. The coupon code is ATFS35 and should be entered at checkout. Here are the details: The user will receive free shipping on domestically shipped orders when his/her total is $35 or greater in non-digital/non-phaseout product. International customers will receive a $5 discount on shipping expenses. Promo code will expire on TONIGHT 1/20/12 at 11:59pm CST.

thanks & I am taking you to Lima.

Thank you. Thank you. Feeling so overwhelmed (in the best way) reading all your kind words about Sketchbook. Paper crafters, scrapbookers and all around creative, supportive, encouraging types are just the best!

Since we have to wait until next Tuesday for the full reveal, and the products don't ship to the stores until March, I thought I would share some goodies that you can get right now. Although I am really not taking all of you to Lima (wouldn't that be cool?!), I will show you a rather in depth look into the mini book that traveled with me that I just put the finishing touches on.

One of my favorite parts of traveling to a different country is collecting different receipts, labels and paper bits. I used many throughout this book.

Visiting Iglesia de San Francosco was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. We were not allowed to take photos inside, so on the way out, we grabbed a postcard.

 The odd looks I get from peeling beer bottle labels no longer phases me.

It's nice to add actual brochures from the trip. This one was full of photos and descriptions, and can still be folded out easily.

Another brochure. Though it's written in Spanish, it has nice photos and a map.

The restaurant we visited didn't have business cards, but they did have these big postcards.

Our meal at Astrid & Gaston was one of the best we've ever had. Hopefully we can make it to another one of his locations in the near future.

I don't even have a sweet tooth and that cookie was really amazing. I looked forward to turn down service every evening.

Teaching at my first international store was wonderful! The owners of Scrapping Mania were delightful and did a great job of translating for me, though most of them understood English.

This is also the same trip where I spent the entire last day in bed (guessing it was food poisoning). Fortunately my book was almost full by then so I have no evidence from that not-so-nice day. They say you must try Inca Kola when you visit Peru, so I did at the airport lounge. And it was WAY too sweet for my taste.

supplies: Hug Life Mini Book, Is It Any Wonder fabric paper, hello Thickers in ash, and Bits.
Don't forget the free shipping code I posted about here is still available on Two Peas for qualifying orders over $35: ATFS35 Enjoy shopping!
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And the winner for the spot in Stretch Your Kit is:
Angela said...
This class sounds so useful and so fun, all at once! I'm angelahath on SC. Thanks!!

I'll send Studio Calico your info! Thanks to all who entered and there's still time to sign up!