The One with Jane's Semi-Finished Room

Friday, August 23, 2013

We're slowly making our house a home! It's amazing what a few frames can do for a room. Yes we are allowed to paint, but I'm still not over the painting catastrophe of our first apartment 6 years ago so white walls it is. If we ever paint again, we're hiring professionals :) Anyway, Jane's room is almost finished!

It's pretty much exactly how it was in California, but the other half of the room is hers as well and I'm still working on it. I actually used my sewing machine for FABRIC today instead of paper! That's probably only the second time that's happened! I made a banner for the little nook on the opposite wall. You shall see. All in good time my friends, all in good time.

TGIF - I'm going to sleep!

The One with the 2Peas Gardeners' Digest August 2013 Blog Hop

Thursday, August 22, 2013

It's the 22nd of the month - time for another 2Peas Gardeners' Digest - a monthly blog hop hosted by the Garden Girls! Below you will find a sneak of one of my upcoming layouts for the 2Peas Project Gallery, a couple of layouts from a scrapbooker that inspires me (Becki Adams), a list of 5 items that I've placed in my shopping cart, and a giveaway!

Jen Gallacher
Julie Campbell
Lexi Bridges
Nancy Damiano
Melissa Stinson
Céline Navarro
Lilith Eeckels
Jill Sprott
Jen Kinkade
Michelle De Leon
Corrie Jones
Lisa Dickinson
***Paige Evans***
Marcy Penner
Janna Werner
Wilna Furstenberg
2Peas

Here is a little sneak of the Fall-themed layout that I created for the September 1st Garden Girl debut:

Check out the rest of my Garden Girl creations HERE and I'll share the entire layout on September 1st!

I'm soooo(ooooo!!!) excited I get to work with Becki Adams on the American Crafts Design Team because she's got some wicked talent up her sleeve! See what I mean:

Be sure to check out more of Becki's projects on her bog and her 2Peas Gallery!

The Wild & Free collection by Glitz Design is UH-MAZING! That's that.

Washi tape is still as popular as ever and this Mint & Grey Decorative Tape by Mind's My Eye has caught my eye!

Vintage is IN! Get a dose of vintage charm with this Vintage Paper Grab Bag exclusively available at Two Peas.

This Pot of Gold Assorted Sequins from Jenni Bowlin Studio will add a sparkly finish to your projects!

I'm loving the Anna Marie collection kit from Prima! Sweet vintage imagery, a gorgeous colorful palette, and drop-dead-beautiful accessories. The versatility of this line makes it easy be used for precious photos of days gone by or your newly-captured moments.

When's pay day?? :)

I've got a giveaway to go along with this post! It's a spot in Jill Sprott's class: Scrapbooking from the Soul!

Class description: As scrapbookers, we do not document life as passive observers - we have the power to make meaning, sharing what matters in ways that matter. Join Garden Girl Jill Sprott for Scrapbooking from the Soul, a workshop that explores ways to embrace the “soul scrapper” within and infuse pages with layers of meaning. In this workshop, Jill shares a variety of approaches and strategies for how to become more invested in creating layouts that feel authentic to you as well as authentically you. The workshop emphasizes in particular the role that journaling plays in enhancing meaning and contributing to a sense of unity.

Leave a comment on this post (along with your 2Peas username) by Thursday August 29th and I'll pick one lucky winner to have a spot in this class!

Next on the hop is Marcy Penner!

The One with Patriotic

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Every weekday when the clock strikes 5pm (or rather, 1700 because the Army is on 24 hour time) everyone within earshot stops where they are, faces towards the flag, and listens to this bugle call (there's a surprise at 24 seconds!):

When we were living in the hotel right across the field from the flag we would try and come out and listen as often as possible. Hearing the cannon go BOOM is so loud and powerful and makes me very proud.

Yesterday I was running errands at the PX and as I exited the music started. I loved seeing everyone stop, turn, and if in uniform, salute. For just a minute everyone is united in purpose and intent.
Makes me feel so patriotic :)

The One with Patterned Paper Layouts for American Crafts

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I had a couple of layouts shown on the American Crafts blog yesterday so I can share them here today!

SWEET CUTE FUN

Journaling says: Proof that once in a while Fox and Jane can get along!

How to: Create a triangle template from cardstock and use it to make triangles from lots of patterned papers and a few photos. Adhere the triangles across a blue cardstock background. Drop white spray mist over the layout and add arrow stamping, puffy pennant stickers, flower buttons, and more over the triangles to embellish. Create a title on the left side from die cuts and stickers then stamp the date on a pennant.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, flower buttons, die cuts (pennant, scalloped border, ticket), stickers (puffy pennants and word), stamps (arrows, date), adhesive: American Crafts; Wooden veneer: American Crafts (button), Studio Calico (bird); Spray mist: Studio Calico; Ink: StazOn; Pen: Uniball Signo

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YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

Journaling says: While we were in Washington for six weeks we met up with my friend Katie in her hometown called Snohomish. The drive getting there was so beautiful. We took a long walk down to the river and saw this colored wall so of course we had to stop for a picture. I'm a sucker for colored walls! I love how much joy and happiness my children bring me!

How to: Die cut a title from a white cardstock background then back each section with a different piece of patterned paper and one photo. Trace a large plate around the sentiment then pierce holes every 1/4" for stitching - use yellow floss to stitch the circle. Watercolor blocks of color from the circle to the edges of the layout. Stitch rays around the edge of the sun every three holes of the circle. Make two clusters of flower die cuts and an embellishment on the top left and bottom right corner. Write journaling extending from the flowers.

Supplies: Cardstock, button, flower die cuts, flower sticker, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper: American Crafts, Studio Calico; Floss: DMC; Pen: Uniball Signo; Watercolors: Prang

I had fun getting a little artsy fartsy with the Sunshine layout! Patterned paper is my favorite :)

The One with Back in Business!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Now that we have all of our stuff back, I've officially opened up my Etsy shop again!

Right now the only thing I make is pacifier clips. Once in a while I'll add a handmade book or cards or scrapbooking kits, and in the past I've done desk calendars, but I don't know where I can get the papers printed in color 'round these parts of the world... I'll have to do some digging.

Anyway, long story short, I'm back in business!

Email me at paigetaylorevans at gmail dot com if you're lookin' for a discount code!

The One with Nuremberg, Germany

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Today we went to Nuremberg, or, as the locals call it, Nürnberg! Chris has been wanting to go to Nuremberg since the day we got here and finally the stars aligned and we got to go. Here he is driving on the autobahn for the first time. He was a happy guy, as you can tell from his face.

With our handy dandy ~~Bible~~ Rick Steves' GERMANY guide book in hand, we parked the car somewhat close to the Frauentor (the medieval city's southern gate) and began our walking tour of Old Town.

Two foxes!

Of the three miles of wall that once surrounded the city, 90% of it is still standing. Here is part of it:

Nuremberg State Theater. I wish all theaters looked like this!

Walking to the train statin and inside the train station - it was hustling and bustling!

We walked underground through the train station and up into the Old Town. Here's Fox posing for a picture. Kind of.

Between the walls, just next to the gate, is the entrance to the Craftsmen's Courtyard - a collection of half-timbered houses built in 1971 to celebrate craftsmanship and to honor the 500th birthday of Albrecht Dürer.

While a bit kitschy, this courtyard is good for picking up a medieval vibe entering Old Town.

By the end of World War II, 90% of Old Town Nuremberg was destroyed. It was the only German city hit worse than Dresden. Therefore, much of the city is new and ultra modern, like this fountain, while some of it is old.

I love the juxtaposition of old and new side by side.

Teeny tiny car!

Street fruit vendors. Smelled so good.

This is the Old Granary. Medieval Nuremberg had 11 of these huge granaries to ensure residents would have enough food in case of famine or siege - so smart! The grain was stored up above in the attic. Today it's a beer hall.

This is the only remaining tower home in Nuremberg. It was built in the 13th century at a time when the city wasn't walled so every family had to defend their own home. It is basically a one-family fortress.

Two blocks down from the granary is St. Lawrence Church.

This once Catholic now Protestant church is a massive house of worship. It was never a cathedral because Nuremberg never had a bishop. Adam and Eve flank the doors. Over the right door is a baby skewered with a Roman Sword - if you follow Chris on instagram you'll see a pic of it there.

I spy a castle up ahead!

Past St. Lawrence Church is the Holy Ghost Hospital. This river-spanning hospital was donated to Nuremberg in the 14th century by the city's richest resident.

A view of the river to the Meat Bridge. They wanted to be like Venice.

Fountain with water coming out of the women's boobies (pardon my French), haha. It's the Fountain of the Seven Virtues. We continued on to the Market Square and I got a little bag of lavender to send to my mom because she loves lavender.

The Market Square.

When Nuremberg was booming in the 13th century, it consisted of two distinct walled towns separated by the river. As the towns grew they merged and the middle wall came down. This square because the center of the newly united city. For a few weeks before Christmas, it hosts Germany's largest Christmas market - more than 2 million visitors annually! We'll definitely come back then.

This is the Frauenkirche church where there used to be a Jewish synagogue.

We went inside and saw the lovely stained glass windows.

Admiring the ornate details of the ceilings.

Then we walked to the pointy and gold Beautiful Fountain. Medieval tanneries, slaugheterhouses, and hospitals dumped all their waste into the rivers so this fountain was a source of fresh drinking water. We spun the gold ring looped into the gate three times for good luck! The black ring on the opposite side can be spun for fertility.

Another beautiful church.

For lunch we got authentic bratwursts - yummy yummy! Unlike American brats, German brats are very small. The famous Nuremberg brats are only about the size of your pinkie and they serve three of them in a roll.

Walking through the town, seeing all there is to see.

Then we walked up to the Kaiserburg castle! Our first real castle!

In the Middle Ages, Holy Roman Emperors stayed here when they were in town.

At the top we got the most amazing views of Nuremberg!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE sights from up high!

The castle grounds have 45 buildings - here are just a few of my favorite.

Then we walked back down to the streets and headed to our next destination.

Albrecht Dürer's house! Nuremberg's most famous resident lived here for the last 20 years of his life (1471-1528, that's a loooong time ago!). A contemporary of Michelangelo, he studied in Venice and brought the Renaissance to medieval Germany. He did things that were unthinkable to other northern European artists of his time, such as signing his works, and painting things like rabbits solely for study, not on commission. Nothing in the museum is original, they're all replicas, but the museum does a good job capturing the way he actually lived.

Chris has been wanting to go here soooooo badly! But when we walked in Fox went running up some forbidden stairs and we got yelled at big time so we left. We'll have to come back so Chris can go through and see everything. At this point it was Fox and Jane's nap time and they were falling apart at the seams. We were done with our official walk but we wanted to make one last stop.