The One with "Create" String Art

Here is the story of how this AMAZING string art piece by Elizabeth Gardner came to be:

Once upon a time I saw this string art sign Elizabeth made for an auction and I fell in love. So I commissioned her to make me one just like it!

I couldn't decide between the word "Make" and "Create" so I put it up for a vote on instagram. Thanks for everyone's awesome feedback :)

I chose the word "Create" in style "8" but with a capital "C" and then Elizabeth sent me some more designs:

On Friday it arrived in the mail and ooooohhhhh mmmmmyyyy gooooodddneeessss I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!

I found the perfect home for it on top of my scrapbook nook - it balances the layouts I tape on the left side of the wall and totally brightens my day every time I look at it.

Good news: Elizabeth is taking custom orders! Just send her an email: elizgardner@me.com
Thanks for sharing your talent Elizabeth!

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The One with Bacharach, Germany

One thing we've wanted to do since living in Germany is a Rhine River cruise to see and explore this very historic part of the country. Rick Steves recommended focusing on the section of the river between Bacharach and St. Goar so we drove the almost four hours from our house to Bacharach to catch the K-D Line boat from there.

The darling town of Bacharach was once a prosperous wine and wood trade town. Now it is a pleasant half-timbered village of 2,000 people that remains time-capsule quaint.

Looking out to the Rhine through the riverfront park. The Rhine used to lap against the town wall and to this day, every few years, the river floods and covers this area and the highway with several feet of water. 

This park was laid out in 1910 in the English style so that the trees framed fine town views.

An old, neglected war memorial with panels honoring the sons of Bacharach who died for the Kaiser in 1864 against Denmark, 1866 against Austria, 1870 against France, and in 1914 in WWI.

So cute! The castle up on the hill is now a youth hostel.

Walking from the riverfront park into town. Lovely back alley.

A 17th century well, one of 40 such wells that provided water to the townsfolk until about 1900. 

Walking along the old town wall that now has hotels and cafes built on it. Looking into a restaurant.

Hidden garden escape.

The posthof with a golden postal horn that symbolizes mail service throughout Europe. In olden days when the postman blew this traffic stopped and the mail sped through. Now this post station is home to the TI but the building dates from 1724. When stagecoaches ran from Cologne to Frankfurt they would change horses here, Pony Express style.

Inside a nearby courtyard there is still a Nazi eagle painted on the wall. Dated from 1936, the swastika that once was in the center has since been removed.

The main intersection of Bacharach. I love these little German villages.

The Altes Haus built in the 14th century | A tool used to measure flood water levels. The old mint is marked with a coin hanging on its sign.

Half-timbered, but full-cute.

Take time to stop and smell the roses.

In the dental clinic on post there are dozens of photos of German towns and countryside, one of them that Chris always walks by is this view of Bacharach. Check!

Don't see many bank signs like this back home!

Jane being Jane.

Vineyards. In the middle ages Bacharach was the largest wine-trading town on the Rhine. A riverfront crane used to hoist huge kegs of prestigious Bacharach wine on and off boats navigating the river. Along this field was a path to what we had been looking forward to, the classic romantic Rhine view!

We found the view Rick Steves uses on the cover of his Germany 2013 travel guide woohoo!

The castle, Burg Stahleck, overlooking the town.

The church on the right is a Protestant church. Ruins of the Wernerkapelle, an old Gothic church.  Our family in Bacharach Germany on Friday May 22nd 2015.

Next travel post: the Rhine River cruise!

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The One with the MINC "Love This" Layout

Here is my newest Heidi Swapp MINC layout with a Spring theme!

First of all, I found a fun way to store my MINC foil rolls - in a pretty tin on top of my IKEA scrapbook cabinet!

Okay, so, here's how the layout came together: First I divided the butterflies into seven piles because I wanted to foil them with seven different colors.

The butterflies all foiled up! :) Easy peezy lemon squeezy to do with a MINC!

Then I layered and stitched through the butterflies and used them on a layout with a photo of Jane I've had for YEARS!

LOVE THIS by Paige Evans

Description: So happy to finally have this photo scrapped - I was just waiting for the right color combo to match the foil wrapping paper Jane was obsessed with - turns out foiled butterflies was the perfect match!

Journaling says: We call you a barnacle because you're always attached to me, some how, some way. I love our special physical bond because who knows how long this stage is going to last. I hope years!

How to: Foil all the butterflies in the 3D Butterflies package using seven different spring colors and a  Heidi Swapp MINC machine. Layer the butterflies then stitch through them, bending up the wings for dimension. Adhere the butterflies in a circle around the center of a robin's egg blue cardstock layout base. Layer a tag, photo, die cut bits, chipboard frame, and "love this" sticker on the left side then journal on the right with a black pen. Drop white acrylic paint in three places around the layout to create a visual triangle.

Supplies: Foiling machine, toner printed butterfly die cuts: Heidi Swapp MINC; Tag, watercolor die cuts, floral chipboard frame: Heidi Swapp; Cardstock, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Paint: FolkArt; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

Where can you find a MINC machine?!? Lemme tell ya! The MINC machine and accessories are available at Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, local stores, and online shops such as Studio Calico! Also, I've seen people trying out other machines to foil projects, but the MINC is the simplest and most consistent - it's the truth! :)

Until next month, Auf Wiedersehen!

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The One with THIRTY

Duuuuuuude. How am I thirty? That just crept up on me outta nowhere!

Lots of mixed emotions goin' on here! For instance, I'm so happy to be living this life, I'm proud of the things I've accomplished temporally, spiritually, and domestically, & being in Germany is a dream come true! But all I see in this photo is wrinkles, a chin dimple that is getting deeper by the day, and I cropped off my lower half because I don't fit in any of my pants anymore... But one quote that's running through my head a lot is something along the lines of "Don't hate getting older, it's a privilege denied to many." And so, I am thankful to be alive. Nay, I'm "Thirty, flirty, and thriving!" I've wanted to say that ever since the movie came out (13 Going on 30).

30 is the new 20 right?! :)

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The One with Teaching at Scrappies in Munich!

On Saturday July 18th 2015 I'll be teaching how to create two layouts at the Scrappies shop near Munich! 

Here are sneaks of the two layouts I'll be teaching: 

I'll share how to use a Silhouette Cameo (there's one at the shop we'll share! (and of course, check out my SILHOUETTE SAVVY class for more Silhouette ideas!)) for the background of one layout (above photo), the Rise & Shine collection by Amy Tangerine/American Crafts, some kind of watercolor/mixed media, and a handful cute embellishments!

The price is €45 and includes layout supplies, 4 hours of class (plus an hour for lunch), a light meal, beverages, and instructions for the two layouts taught by me! 

Click on the "Register Now" button below to sign up! Sincerely hope to see you there :)

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The One with the Elle's Studio May 2015 Layout

My fifth Elle's Studio step-by-step layout is up! Here is the page in its entirety, but be sure to visit the Elle's Studio blog for the complete how to:

SNAPSHOT by Paige Evans

On this layout I used elements from the Elle's Studio May 2015 kit:

The main focus of the layout is the stars from the May digital cut files, created with my Silhouette CAMEO (want more Silhouette tips, tricks, and techniques? Check out my SILHOUETTE SAVVY class!):

My Cameo and a star punch along with a bit of watercoloring and sewing and this layout came together in about an hour!

Visit the Elle's Studio blog for the complete photo tutorial of how this layout came together!

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