Sugar*Sugar

papers papers papers

I'm on a kick... paper crafting. I know some of you probably might laugh at that, but forever I sort of threw out the idea that I would be a "scrapbook person".

I have many friends who have mad scrap-booking skills...for real, like they go to these weekend "scrap" trips and scrap like crazy. They have books and books filled with perfectly pieced together pages that include every detail of the last 10 years of their children's lives, like every vacation, every bath time or messy face. Every school activity, sports event and holiday and hobby are completely and thoroughly documented ... you know the type.

The idea of that scares me to death! I am just... not so organized. Plus, I don't like the feeling of the "perfect page". It totally intimidates me. This is most of the reason I never really got into it... I would take FOREVER to make 1 page and then decide it took too long and abandon the entire idea.

I like quick projects. Things I can finish in a few hours or 1 day or an evening... you know? I just like getting it done.

So, lately, I'm sure you've noticed, I've been making a lot of "scrappy type" projects. I'm just trying to really have fun with the idea of scrap-booking meets mixed media. I'm using a ton of my favorite papers and embellishments and making things that aren't technically scrapbooks... just scrap"ish".

Luckily, for people like me, paper crafting is not what it used to be! You can find so so sooo many unique ways to use paper crafting supplies, it's amazing!

I find it much easier to make things that are dimensional and chunky. I like things to pop out and be sort of piecy and intricate in detail, yet lucid and distinctive all at the same time.

I feel like I am rambling... but this is how my journal goes... some days not much to say, some days too much!

Let me just get on with some recent photos for you! he he

I am still working on some custom banners... seriously though, they are really fun to make, so yeah! Last week I made this "Baby" banner with my sister in mind... her very favorite color is green. As I'm writing this, it's still available in the shop, you can find it HERE.

These are some of the photos I've just been playing with... colors aren't exact, of course, but I was just having fun over at picnik.

Fun right?

Okay, next project... a collaboration... me and my 9 year old daughter.

She was headed to her sweet little girlfriend's sleep over Birthday party this evening. She wanted to give her a special banner for her room, so we pieced this together for her. My daughter was very proud of it!

Lastly, I took some inspiration from Karla. She has been making these incredible altered books for her boutique (check her out HERE!) and I read HERE how she assembled a book to keep all of her online info... login info, passwords, etc....

Great idea Karla! :0) I SO needed this!!!

Here is my version... not filled in yet (except 1 item.... I pixelated it) but you'll get the overall idea. I thought I would make a book just for the Sugar*Sugar shop... all of my contacts, accounts, purchasing info, etc...all kept in one sweet little book!

I bound it with ribbons, so if I ever need to add more pages, I can simply untie it. FUN!

Time for me to sign off for now... hope you have a great weekend!

xo,
Analise

Garlands Galore

Thought I would pop in for a small update. I haven't much to say this time, but then again, I could come up with lots to say if you give me a few minutes!

Actually, I think I'm going to stick to photos this time as the Oscars are on.... :0)

I've had a few very kind and sweet customers request custom banners since I made the other banners, a few post below. This last week was filled with glitter, paper and lots of coffee in my jammies!

Enjoy!
 
♥♥♥BLESSED for Bonnie♥♥♥

♥♥♥SWEET for Shelley♥♥♥

♥♥♥PARTY for Heather♥♥♥

♥♥♥SWEET for Heather♥♥♥

Be My Valentine

 

These are a few of the handmade Valentine cards my daughters made for their school friends.  I know we could have picked up a cheapy pack of pre-made cards, but I decided to let them have a day of fun and crafting.

I love the way they are so proud of each and every card that they made too... it's awesome to see them give something that they've MADE with their own hands and ideas, with someone else in mind.

My kids totally get me. That's a great feeling. :0)

Hope you and your sweetie pie have a very Sweet Valentine's Day!

xxoo
♥♥Analise♥♥

pieces of my heart project

 
Last weekend, the kids and I sat and made over 60 handmade Valentine's for their friends at school. I let the kids totally make a mess of things, but their sweet little cards were adorable... I'll show some pics on my next post.

I was inspired by one card that my 9 year old made... she pieced together a bunch of paper scraps to make a collage on her heart... exactly like the ones that Kari aka Artsy Mama showed on her blog HERE!

I decided to make a few pieced hearts of my own and thought I would share the process with you all in case you wanted to make a few for yourself. :0)

Here are the supplies you will need:
paper scraps, a heart cut from cardstock, scissors, glue, glitter, ribbon and trim (if desired).

Directions:

1. Piece and glue paper scraps on to the cut out heart  Don't worry about the sides overlapping or hanging over the edges. Make sure you have an aesthetically pleasing pattern.

2. Cover the entire heart with the paper pieces.

3. Carefully trim the edges, cutting off the excess paper.

 

4. If you like, use a sewing machine to stitch the pieces together, to give the heart a "quilted" look...

 

Try using different stitches and settings on each line.

 

 

**If you don't have a sewing machine, use small rick rack and trims to embellish and cover the lines.

5. Last, add ribbon, glitter and a bow as a finishing touch! So easy peasy!

 

 

 

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I also wanted to mention, that I started a Flickr group! It is called Sugar*Sugar Projects and Ideas for Your Sweet Tooth! Cute right??

You can view and join the group HERE. The idea behind the group is to encourage everyone to share your paper crafts, scrapbook pages, collage art, decorating tips and all of your yummy ideas made with supplies and treats from Sugar*Sugar.

I hope you will all join and show me your ideas and photos!! :0)

If you happen to make some Pieced Valentine Hearts from today's post, show them off in the flickr group!

:0)

Have a sweet day!

Analise

feeling inspired

This week was crazy busy and I am STILL sick! I hardly ever get sick, so I think I was making up for lost time. I'm starting to feel better, so don't fret! (not, like you were or anything...)

This week was the deadline for art submissions to the Somerset Life magazine. I wanted to send some art pieces to Jenny Doh for the next publication. Regrettably, I haven't sent much her way for the last few months because I just had so much going on that I never really had time to just sit down and think about the some of the calls for art.

Anyway, this time, I was feeling inspired by a few of the project ideas she sent for some of the upcoming issues.

I felt really good about the projects I made. I love that feeling when something just "flows" out of you, it's totally not about if they make it to publication or not. It's more about what is behind the projects, the thought and convictions from which they are made... that is what art is.... conveying to the viewer some truth that comes from inside of you.

I love this quote from M.C. Escher

"At moments of great enthusiasm it seems to me that no one in the world has ever made something this beautiful and important."

I felt really moved by the prompts and thought I would show you 2 of the projects that I made this time around.  :0)

♥♥

:0)
Analise