Scrapbook Saturday No. 2 - Quick and Easy Scrapbooking

Hey guys! I do realize that it is Sunday but I have been continuing to have blogger problems and was too tired last night to try and deal with them.  It seems to be cooperating much better today though so I have my fingers crossed that everything has been fixed!

For those that missed the first Scrapbook Saturday, I have started this series to motivate myself to get caught up on all of my scrapbooking.  Please tell me that I am not alone in this! It can be quite the daunting task to start scrapbooking if it has been awhile since you last did a page or printed any pictures out.  So, here is what I do when I am feeling overwhelmed by all my pictures.

All you need is a regular photo album {I always use the photo albums that have both vertical and horizontal photos}. There are similar pocket pages put out by Scrapbook companies but it ends up being much more expensive and you still have to buy an album to go with them.

All you need to do is cut a 4X6 piece of patterned paper, add an embellishment or two, and add your journalling.  It is a great way to use up left over scraps, still allows you to be a little creative, and cuts down a whole lot of time!

If you have a lot of journalling, just create a couple of cards.

Scrapbooking to me is all about the journalling.  Pictures take on a whole new meaning when they have your thoughts and feelings to go along with them.  My kids love looking through their scrapbooks and talking about their memories too!

Of course, you can still do traditional scrapbook pages too.  Just pick your favorites!

Here's Connor stealing Daddy's slurpee {I also have a scrapbook page of Matthew at the same age doing the same thing!}

And Connor walking around in Mommy's shoes {which he still loves to do!}

Hopefully that provides you with a little inspiration to print out your photos and record your memories!  It really is amazing how much you forget!

I linked up with Under the Table and Dreaming, I Heart Naptime, Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello, Young and Crafty, Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, Tidy Mom, Little Lucy Lu, 504 Main, Craft Goodies, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Delightful Order, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Passionately Artistic, Blue Cricket Design, The Stories of A to Z, I Heart Organizing, Today's Creative Blog, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, CRAFT.

Organize Everything - The Pantry (and Some Extra Inspiration!)

Hey everyone!  I hope you have all had a good week!  Things have been a little crazy around here so I haven't had a whole lot of time for blogging.  Blogger is still acting up for me so I hope you guys are still around even though my followers have disappeared!  If anyone has any suggestions for how to fix this, it would be greatly appreciated!!

I seem to be doing too many projects at once right now and feel that I haven't actually completed anything.  I tend to get bored {or frustrated!} easily but I will try to stay focused for the next week and finish up what I have started!  Sometimes too many ideas float around in my head and nothing actual makes it to production.  Know what I mean?

Anyways, the one thing that I have finished this week is our pantry.  I kind of use the term loosely, as it is a relatively small, very awkward corner cupboard.

About a year ago, I bought some sticky chalk board labels from Home Sense (I think they were about $12 for a 4 pack of 12x12 sheets) and cut a couple down to use on one cupboard door.  I knew they would come in handy one day!  My kiddies love their candy so I am trying to go through the different food groups with them.  I am thinking that I will use this for a little checkboard through the day to see how many items in each category they eat.  {Seriously, I should really be doing this for me!}

I cut up some cork board to use on the other door panel for a note board.  It is the thicker cork and was the exact same depth as the inside section of the cupboard.  I love it when things actually work out!  They actually fit in their space quite snugly but I added a couple of command strips {the thin ones for the hooks} to each piece just to make sure they weren't going anywhere.  I then just made up a few button tacks and paper flowers to add a little color!

Using the same chalkboard sheets as I did for the door, I made up some chalkboard labels on my Silhouette.

I bought a few different can storage pieces before I found one that actually fit in this space.  Not ideal but it will do.  The basket on top holds, napkins, paper plates, candles, etc.

I made a few vinyl labels for the plastic storage containers and added another basket on the bottom for random food bags (pancake mix, chips, extra flour, etc.)

One day I would like to actually paint the back of the cabinet and make it a little prettier but for now I am calling it finished! {I need to tick something off my list!}

Since we are on the topic of pantries, I thought I would share some fabulous pantries and storage ideas that I have on one of my Pinterest boards.  I must say, I am seriously loving Pinterest!  If you have not checked it out yet, I would definitely recommend it and I think I have a few invites left if anyone needs one.

Now back to the pantries.  I love pretty much everything about this one but those drawers and baskets on the bottom are awesome!

                                                                                  Source: bing.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

This one really makes great use of all their space.  Love the storage on the doors!

                                                                                 Source: bing.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Their are lots of really pretty pantries out there with the walls dressed up.  This one is done with fabric and mod podge.

                                                                    Source: amberlaneliving.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

And I am sure you have seen this one from House of Smiths with the painted and vinyl walls.

                                                                        Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Jennifer on Pinterest



And the pennants on this one from Tatertots and Jello is so cute!

                        

                                                       Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Pretty up your jars with ribbons, chalk board labels, or vinyl.

                           

                                                                           Source: bing.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Or add some cute scrapbook paper and embellishments.

        

                                                                        Source: bing.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Now here's a few more just for fun!

         

                                                           Source: jennycollierphotography.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

                 

                                                                                  Source: bing.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

        Have a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day to those in the States!

I linked up with Modern Parents Messy Kids, The CSI Project, Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello, Whipperberry, Tidy Mom, Little Lucy Lu, 504 Main, Craft Goodies, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Delightful Order, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Passionately Artistic, Blue Cricket Design, The Stories of A to Z, I Heart Organizing, Today's Creative Blog, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, CRAFT, Org Junkie, I Heart Naptime, 30 Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming,  Funky Junk Interiors and Young and Crafty.

Kids Art Center - Part 1

For Connor's birthday, we decided to create an art center for the boys rather than adding to our endless toy stock.  I am really bad at remembering to take 'before' pictures but all we had here was a Little Tykes table.  I really wanted to set something up so that the kids could access the supplies on their own and would also be able to easily clean up on their own!  It is also nice to have a table that I can sit at comfortably as well when I am working with them.  {Little Tykes plastic chairs are not too comfy!} Like all of my projects, this is taking a little longer than expected and I still have a bunch of things left to do but I thought I would show you where I am mid-process.

I purchased the desk top at Ikea and stained the legs to match the other wood tones in the room.  My kids and rolly chairs don't mix well so I opted for stools.  They can push right under the desk and out of the way if the kids want to stand while they are working instead.  Matthew also has a big exercise ball that he likes to sit on {must be the son of a physio!}

Fingerpaints and paint brushes are stored in an unused paint can {you can purchase these at paint stores for about $3} and I purchased some green storage bins from Ikea for some extra odds and ends.  I really like the green against the blue. The labeling is still one of the things on my 'TO DO' list.

My kids go through paper like crazy so I wanted to have a recycling bin close at hand!  I just added some vinyl for the recycling sign.

I was planning on making some kind of storage caddy for their pens, crayons, etc. but found this one at Home Sense for $12 and figured it was definitely worth it.  The kids can just take out the glass that they want to keep their supplies close at hand.  I am hoping this makes for easy clean-up as well!  It also worked great for a little treat bar at Connor's birthday party.

I have had these storage tins for a while and just added the numbers.  I think they are great and put them in my craft room as well.

So what is still left to do?  I would like to dress up the cork boards a bit, add some sort of art display for the kids to hang their masterpieces where the white magnetic board is, label everything, and add a few extra little touches.

Before I go, I must mention that the Canucks just won the conference final and will be heading to the Stanley Cup Finals!!  We are all pretty excited around here!  Last time they were there I was in my first year of University.  Life is a little different these days but it is just as exciting!  Go Canucks!

I hope you are all having a great week!

I linked up with The Thrifty Decor Chick, Sun Scholars, Craft Goodies, Passionately Artistic, The Stories of A to Z, I Heart Organizing, Today's Creative Blog, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, CRAFT, I Heart Naptime, 30 Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Funky Junk Interiors, Young and Crafty, Fingerprints on the Fridge,The Shabby Nest, Tidy Mom, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Katie's Nesting Spot, Delightful Order, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple and Blue Cricket Design.

Disney Up! Party

Hello all!  Sorry I didn't make it yesterday for Scrapbook Saturdays {I will definitely do it next week!}. I was preparing for Connor's fourth birthday party and I have a really bad habit of hugely underestimating how long projects will take me.  Let's just say it was a long night!

So Connor chose a Disney Up! theme for his party this year.  I loved this movie and my kids talked about it for months after they first watched it.  Squirrel!!  We had his party at a local kids' gym {My Gym} so it was a nice treat to have someone else organize the activities.  That just left the invites, decorations, food, and party favors.

For the invitations, I cut out a colorful 5x7 piece of scrapbook paper, printed out the party details on white cardstock and glued it one.  I then attached a little water balloon in the corner of each invitation.  Seriously, those water balloons are no fun to blow up!

 

If you don't want to make your own invitations, I did see some cute printable ones on Etsy.  

Since the party wasn't at our place and we only had a limited time, there wasn't a whole lot of time to take pictures.   I did try to get a few pictures of the whole table together but, unfortunately, they turned out blurry. Not to worry - I did manage to snag a few pics.

So here is one corner of the table.

The banner that you can barely see in the top corner says 'Adventure Awaits' and was purchased here.

The My Adventure Books cover page was downloaded from the Disney Family Fun site {they had some great ideas} and printed off.  I purchased some hard cover 5x7 notebooks at the dollar store and glued the paper down on the front and back cover as well as along the spine.  I then sanded all of the edges and sealed it with Modge Podge.  They were one of my favs! For the pencils, I shaved off some of the paint on the end and wrote ADVENTURE on them.

I am planning on doing a travel wall in Matthew's room and have been collecting a few items over the past couple of months.  The suitcase and world map box that it is sitting on were purchased from Home Sense and worked well for this party.  

For Ellie's badge, I purchased the Grape Soda image from here.  {I actually didn't see it listed when I went back to get the link but maybe you could contact her if you were interested}.  I also purchased some jumbo bottle caps from a local scrapbook store {Clipper Street}.  I think they are from Maya Road.  After juggling around a little bit for the right sizing, I printed off the images, cut them out, and glued them on the bottle caps with Quick Grip.  I then added some liquid glass to seal them and intensify the color.  If I had more time, I would have had them printed at Staples rather than my home computer but I don't think the 4 year olds really noticed!  I punched a hole in the top of them and added a safety pin.  

The Disney site has a bunch of 3-D printables that are very cute.  I like Carl the best {especially his cane!} WARNING: These can be quite time consuming and require a bit of patience!  I strongly recommend using double sided tape to adhere everything rather than glue.

 Moving on to the other side of the table...

Russell is another 3-D character from the Disney site.  The wind must have been blowing a bit as I see my lollipops are tilting a bit!

The cake {well, cupcake} idea was also from the Family Fun site.  I covered a large piece of cardboard with blue wrapping paper and glued on some clouds.  Using the template, I constructed the house {which was the biggest pain out of all of them!} and cut some curling ribbon for the balloon strings.   Then just add cupcakes with various colored icing for the balloons!

Just in case you don't believe me that I made the cupcakes, here's proof:

{Yes, my children are savages!}

Since the cupcakes were so plain, we had a little cupcake decorating bar for the kiddies.  Smarties, jelly beans, and gummies always make things better! The caddy is from the kids' art center that I have been working on.  {More on that this week...}

And, of course, you can't have an Up! party without a balloon wreath!  I think I will keep this and put in on my kid's door each year on their birthdays. There is a great tutorial on How Does She if you would like to make one.  I used almost 200 balloons on mine and it does look much cuter when it is not against that boring white background with flash photography!

Whew!  Another party done!  Happy 4th Birthday Connor!  We love you!!!

I hope everyone has a great week and to my other fellow Canadians, have a great long weekend!  I am SO looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

I linked up with Funky Junk, The CSI Project, Whipperberry, Tidy Mom, 504 Main, CRAFT, I Heart Naptime, 30 Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Young and Crafty, Fingerprints on the Fridge, The Shabby Nest, Tidy Mom, Sweet Peas and Bumblebees, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Katie's Nesting Spot, Delightful Order, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Blue Cricket Design, The Stories of A to Z, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Girl Creative, Ask Anna and Craft-O-Maniac.

Sports Day Shirt with the Silhouette Heat Transfer

Yay!  The weekend is here!  We have had TWO days of sun in a row {gasp!} so I am starting to feel a little more hopeful that summer is coming!  Never mind that it is supposed to be cloudy and rainy for the rest of the long weekend...

Anyways, I just wanted to do a quick post to share my son's Sports Day T-shirt.  

Totally nothing fancy but I FINALLY got around to using my heat transfer paper {I did attempt to use it on my handprint canvas but wasn't too successful}. I have had my Silhouette since November and have absolutely loved using it for my scrapbooking and vinyl crafts.  For some reason though, the heat transfer material scared me a bit and I have kind of put off using it.  

Well on Wednesday, Matthew informed me that he had to wear his team colors to his sports day the next day.  Of course, his team colors had to be yellow - the one color of clothing that he does not own.  

Enter my YELLOW heat transfer material that I have had no idea what to do with.  

For any of you out there that have been putting off trying the heat transfer, it is super easy.  I ended up making this shirt at 11:30 at night so I am sorry I do not have any pictures to go along with the post but here's a quick recap for you:

1. Design your image in the Silhouette Studio.  I downloaded the Go Jaguars! on the front of the shirt from the Silhouette site and just used text for the back of the shirt.
2. Right click your image and flip it horizontally (so you have a mirror image).
3. Load your heat transfer material into the Silhouette with the shiny side DOWN.
4. Once your image is cut out, pull the excess heat transfer material away so only the image is left on the backing.
5. Place your image down on your shirt and place a light cloth over top of it.  Iron on the cotton setting for approximately 1 minute.  
6. Let it cool and then peel the backing away.  I had a couple of little places that the material was still coming up so I ironed over it one more time for about 10 seconds and then pressed it down.  

Sorry you can't see the yellow very well in the pictures.  It does stand out much better in real life.  I was going to take some pictures of the shirt afterwards but it is now sitting in my laundry covered in pasta sauce.  

So if any of you have some heat transfer material lying around that you haven't used, go try it!  I can't wait to get some more {I think I will be ordering some material interfacing as well while I am at it!}

I'll be back tomorrow for Scrapbook Saturday.  For now...

GO JAGUARS! GO!