Sneak Peek!

What would you do with some of these fun things?
Make an Art Journal?
Thats what we were hoping!
We're making Art Journals and we want you to come and play!
Here's a sneak peek of a few of the fabulous items in this months Project Kit. Its packed full of fun goodies you won't find unless you look as hard as we did.
These will be ready for sale on June 15th at RVKC . So mark it in your day planner, on your Blackberry, on your hand...whatever it takes to remember to snag one of these specially designed Art Journal Kits.
Throughout the coming week, we'll be posting examples of previous art journal pages we've done here to give you an idea of the fun of letting go of your normal rules and expectations of your LO's.
Amber Skolnick is making one for us this month! You don't want to miss it.

Quiet Book Commission

Finally! I've had this WIP sitting to the side of my craft table for about a month. I love the idea of making your own toys. This commissioned piece is for an etsy customer who wanted something organic and simple for her son to play with. Sebastian tested it out this morning in between laps around the kitchen island. I used simple, unbleached cotton and batting for the base. I included felt, chenille and various types of cotton fabric to add texture for curious fingers. I hand embroidered on almost every page and also bound the book with embroidery felt. I'm not sure I have the patience to whip up a batch for the shop because there is so much attention to detail involved. However, I am open to more commissioned pieces if you aren't in a hurry! Up next...a commissioned quilt! I'll keep you updated on it as it takes shape. Its so good to be back at the sewing machine. I missed her. I think she missed me, too.

Aqualung

One good thing about being a new parent (new parent = falling off the pop culture curve) is that there is always new music to discover. Who cares if this album came out 6 (or 12) months ago? Who cares if the band has already had two world tours and released another record? It's new for me!
So I've been loving Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine. Click the link for the streaming audio from aqualung.net.

Self-Portrait Monday

These pics turned out looking better than I felt. Brett decided to play along! So dramatic.

June Paper Kit

Here it is! I love this kit so much. Its exactly how I'm feeling this month. A little bit loud and scattered. Even if you've got all the Love, Elsie you can handle, (is it possible?) there are some unique pieces in this kit. We've included 2 sheets of raw, black chipboard and one sheet of the Roxie Fabric Paper (think Gaffer Tape) that you can either cut up and use as embellishments, or make your own little book with.
Kristina Contes and Elsie Flannigan are our two featured designers this month. Can't wait to see what they do with these goodies! Check it out on the RVA kit club blog.

Make your kitchen pretty!

I just found these on Etsy last night and had two put in an order. These are so fresh and bright. I'm tempted to use them to sew with!
June Paper Kits are available tomorrow morning 9a.m. EST! We're posting a picture sometime today. The camera that is normally used to take these pics has decided to be broken for the last week. These things happen. Check out the RVA kit club site in the next 24 hours to see what pretty things await you.

DIY

I was ordering some yummy goodness from Sarah at The Small Object when I ran across these free downloads. (For personal use, of course!) If you love finding unique designs for free as much as I do...you shouldn't waste any time in checking them out.
Make yourself a set of cards to keep your dream projects organized, or even your scrapbook ideas. Make a set of stationary to give away to your best friend. Think of a way to make your own designs or create a collection of drawings to print onto recycled paper to make a notepad...I'm getting so many ideas. All you need now is some free time! Ha! If anyone has any to spare, send it my way.
Just finished up with a major project today that was so much fun to be a part of. But, I'm not telling yet.
My creative juices were jump started in a craft compartment that had been hibernating for too long. I may even keep going.
I just can't get over how the DIY explosion has made my life so much happier. Not only can I make my own ideas come to life and be appreciated, I get to see all the freakin' genius creations of other people I wouldn't have known even existed. Yes, there are a lot of reproductions of good ideas out there (and whose complaining) but there are so many original designs that it makes me feel like a part of something huge. Our generation, and those attached to each end, has exploded with handmade goodness and thanks to our dear internet providers, we can share it with each other.
Well, needless to say, I get a little excited about it all.
If you've discovered a fabulous site of an artist or a coop. of artists, share with me.

How Pretty!

Find More Here!
I really love old-fashioned bags with bright prints. Yum.

My Favorite Things

1. Pineapple
2. Swimming Pools
3. Movies

4. Making Scrapbook Pages?!
5. Warm Nights
6. Internet Friends

7. Jogging with Sebastian
8. Jamba Juice
9. New Jewelry

10. Adorn magazine
11. Underwire Black Bras
12. Blondie on TV

More pics of my son who is growing at super human speed.

He's almost 11 months old. He walks. He opens cabinets. He can climb our stairs. He sings to me. He claps when he hears music. He loves to give 'kisses'. He can high five. He cries when I hang up the phone. He cries when someone leaves the room. He cries when he sees kids play fighting with Brett. He likes to take things out of my craft tool box and then bang them on the lid. He helps me to remember to keep my craft area picked up. He gets me out of the house for walks. He helps me keep things simple. He is a sweet boy.

p.s. Check out Kendra's blog for a chance to win some Love, Elsie fun.

WooHoo!

I'm so proud of this girl. Her stuff is fresh. It makes me happy. And there is so much of it.

Graduation day

Pink Lemonade

Choose Your Weapon

A Little To The Left

Its Getting Hot Out Here, So...

Postum Graduatum


Last weekend my brother graduated from college and was commissioned for the Army. He's been branched aviation and wants to fly helicopters. Thats okay with me as long as he takes me for a ride one of these days. Otherwise, it makes me a little scared. But I don't enjoy lingering on the subject of Iraq so we'll move on.
It was pretty much an all week celebration with three ceremonies, lots of eating out with extended family, gifts, more eating out, etc. My parents were so proud. I am, too. So, here are a few pics. Short and Sweet.

Check this girl out.

Bitsy Baubles @ etsy.com

Such cute felt albums!

Share the love...

Hey ladies,

I found this info. while checking out other blogs and thought it would be something to share. Twice I have received boxes of scrap supplies from friends who had extra and wanted to share with me. It was something I wouldn't have thought to do with my extra but I was so happy to have all of this product to play with. So, the following is from Jessica @ Mercy Ministries.

Do you have supplies you will probably never use? (YES!) Then donate them to Mercy Ministries. Mercy is a home for girls with life controlling issues like anorexia, bulimia, cutting and unplanned pregnancy. The girls love to scrapbook, but they do not have many supplies.

If you have scrapbooking supplies you would like to donate, please write "scrapbooking" on the package and send them to:

Mercy Ministries
Attn: Ashley MacLachlan
15328 Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37211

You can send supplies at any time. Jessica Turner will use the supplies in scrapbooking classes that she teaches there, and the girls will also use the supplies for their own creative projects.

The girls can use paper, stamps, ink pads, stickers, rub-ons, di-cuts, tags, chipboard, adhesive, ribbon and decorative scissors. Please do not send any objects that are sharp or made of metal, such as brads, staples, etc. Mercy also really needs paper cutters for the girls to use in scrapbooking classes and during supervised times. So, if you have "upgraded" your paper trimmer and have an old one you could donate, please send it.

Thank you for your support of this incredible, life-changing organization. Your supplies will be so appreciated and will make a difference in the lives of the girls. If you want to learn more about Mercy Ministries, visit www.mercyministries.org.

May Project Kit

Kit Price=$38

Kit Includes

5 sheets of 12 x 12 Seven Gypsies Paper
1 sheet of teal felt
3 ft. of black Ric Rac
3 skeens of Embroidery Floss (colors may be slightly different from picture)
1 5 x 7 album, Bazzill Basics
1 strip of blue polka dot fabric; 1 1/2" x 45"
1 Umbrella tag from Paper Princess
1 set of BamPop PopFont Numbers Stamps

1 piece of 8" x 8" pink damask fabric
1 piece of 8" x 16" green Pez fabric
1 piece of fucshia fabric 10" x 45"
1 piece of aqua fabric 8" x 45"

This kit includes enough fabric and paper goods to make one cafe-style, craft apron that fits your mini album of the pics or ideas of your favorite projects. Simple but special.

S+H= $6.50 U.S. and Canada $10.00 International

Directions for putting the apron together will be posted on this site. You will need access to a sewing machine. Don't worry, you can do it!

You can order the kits by e-mailing Emma on May 17th starting @ 9 a.m. at

RedVelvetKitClub@hotmail.com