Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Project Life: Week 37 Using Elle's Studio September Kit

It's time for another Project Life Tuesday and I am excited to share with you another completed week in my Project Life album.

You might recall that a few weeks ago,  I discussed different strategies for getting caught up in Project Life. I hope you found that blog post useful. If you happened to miss it, you can read all about that HERE.

I showed you my checklist of missing weeks and yup, you guessed it, my beloved checklist is back again today (because I just know you guys are dying to see it.)

Weeks to Catch Up On for Project Life
(items crossed off and highlighted were completed this past month.)
  • Week 28, July 7-13
  • Week 29/ 30, July 14-17
  • Week 31, July 28-August 3
  • Week 32, August 4-10  
  • Week 33, August 11-17
  • Week 34, August 18-24
  • Week 35, August 25-31
  • Week 36, September 1-7
  • Week 37, September 8-14
  • Week 38, September 15-21  (finished, will share next week)
  • Week 39 September 22-28:  Switching up to Handbook Size next month starting with this week       (the first day of fall)
I will not have everything caught up by October 1st as I had hoped, but I feel very confident that on October 7th and 14th I will be able to share with you and wrap up this albums final 5 weeks of Project Life for 2014.

Now onto some pages.....





Supplies Used:
*I was not paid or compensated for this product in any way, I just happen to love Elle's products and would highly recommend them.*

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I just wanted to remind you that today is the final day for the sale at my shop.  All products are on sale, including the new flair sets that were just released yesterday! If you use code "FREESHIP" you can get free shipping on all of your domestic flair orders  of $15 or more through Toni From Designs. I also have a coupon code going for my international friends too. Use code "2OFFFLAIR" and I will take $2 off of your flair order of $15 or more to help cover shipping costs.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Monday, September 29, 2014

A Gorgeous and Batty Halloween Wreath by Jen Boumis using Trick or Treat Flair Set

I have the cutest project to share with you today created by my talented friend Jen Boumis. It is the greatest Halloween wreath I have ever seen and I cannot wait to share it with all of you.

Are you ready for the cutest Halloween project ever?

I present Fall Wreath Gone Batty (with the help of a little flair)






I mean seriously, I know I have used the word cute a lot, but could this be any cuter? Jen did such a great job, and I can't wait to make one for myself.

If you are in the market for some flair badges for your fall projects of other crafty endeavors. Please head over to my shop.

I am having a huge sale right now through midnight EST September 30th. If you use code "FREESHIP" you can get free shipping on all of your domestic flair orders through Toni From Designs. I also have a coupon code going for my international friends too. Use code "2OFFFLAIR" and I will take $2 off of your flair order to help cover shipping costs.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and don't forget to check out Jen Boumis' blog and you can get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make this wreath with this adorable batty flair.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni



Friday, September 26, 2014

Halloween Cards by Leah L'Orange using the Happy Halloween Flair Set

Happy Friday! Can you believe it is already Friday? I don't know about you guys, but for me, this week just flew by.

Today I have two adorable Halloween cards to share with you, created by my talented friend, Leah L' Orange. Both cards use two flair badges, and definitely put me in the Halloween spirit.


This is the Happy Halloween Flair Set that Leah used for both of her cards. I am currently offering 10% off all purchases in my shop using code "GRANDOPENING."

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Next week I have cards to share with you, some Project Life spreads, a scrapbook layout, and much more. I sure hope to see you back then.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Thursday, September 25, 2014

"Happy Halloween" card by Corri Garza using the "Trick or Treat" Flair Set

I wanted to start this post by thanking everyone again for all of their support for my new business venture, Toni From Designs. I am having so much fun designing flair and packing up my first orders. I even have a 10% off coupon code that is good now through Sunday September 28th at midnight EST. Just use code "GRANDOPENING" at checkout and you will receive 10% off your entire order.

I have a fabulous card to share with you today made by my talented friend Corri Garza.

I just love what she did with this card. The flair looks so cute in the middle of the spider web. I also am super inspired by the great fall colors. Who doesn't love fall colors, am I right?

Corri used this flair set for her card today.


I am working on something with this set as well, and can't wait to share that with y'all next week!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Hello Junior Year: A Scrapbook Layout by Kathy Skou

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a really fun Back to School layout to share with you, created by my talented friend Kathy Skou.

This is such a fun back to school layout of a teenage girl. I love all of the machine stitching and stars incorporated in with all of the fun circles and flair from my shop. Thanks so much Kathy, for sharing this gorgeous page with us today.

Kathy used the Back to School Flair Set for her layout.

If you are in the market for some flair for your crafting pages. I am having a 10% off sale right now for the Grand Opening of my shop. This coupon is good through midnight EST on Sunday September 28th. All you have to do is:
  1. Head over to my Etsy store, Toni From Designs
  2. Put some flair into your cart
  3. Enter code GRANDOPENING into the coupon section before you check out. The 10% will be taken off your entire order once you enter the code.
Thanks so much for stopping by today and thanks again Kathy for sharing your lovely layout with us!

xoxox

Toni

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Project Life 2014: Week 32

Happy Tuesday Y'all! I have a pocket page style layout to share with you today using some of my favorite bits and pieces from the Crate Paper Notes and Things collection. I have linked this layout up over at the current link party over at Paper Issues.  If you love giveaways, Whiskers Graphics has graciously donated a prize pack for our winner. All you have to do is to link up anything paper related to our "Anything Goes," link party. This can be a new or old product. I would love to see what you create.

I am loving this line and all of the fun pops of lavender, greens, yellows, and grays. Such a fun line to work with and one that I keep reaching for again and again. I really enjoyed working with these goodies, especially the journaling cards from Crate Paper Notes and Things. They include kraft, colors, gold foil, and even some hand-stitched elements (like the stitched butterfly card below.)
I incorporated the Gold Foil Thickers from Shimelle's line and the gold scalloped glitter tape from Pebbles. I really am loving how these three lines play off of one another. I mean you can't go wrong with gold, am I right?




The last time we checked in, I was working on getting everything caught up in my Project Life album. I was missing six weeks, and guess what I am still missing six weeks, a different six weeks, but still six weeks. Sigh.

Weeks to Catch Up On for Project Life
(items crossed off and highlighted were completed the past two weeks.)
  • Week 28, July 7-13
  • Week 29/ 30, July 14-27
  • Week 31, July 28-August 3
  • Week 32, August 4-10  (will be featured on the Paper Issues blog next month)
  • Week 33, August 11-17
  • Week 34, August 18-24
  • Week 35, August 25-31
  • Week 36, September 1-7
  • Week 37, September 8-14 
  • Week 38, September 15-21
I am not beating myself up about this, I had a busy month around here and even launched a new business. Regardless, I know I can finish this by October 1st. That is the goal. I am editing and printing some more pictures tonight. I plan on completing four more weeks before the end of this weekend. Wish me luck!

If you are looking for some fun gold bits and pieces or anything else paper related. Don't forget to use the code "TONI" in the Paper Issues Shop and save 20% off your entire order.

xoxox

Toni


A Scrapbook Layout by Dona Howe using the "Back to School" Flair Set

Hello. If you missed yesterday's announcement. I have opened up a brand new Etsy shop, Toni From Designs. I currently have ten different sets of flair for sale, with the option of having custom flair designed as well. I design all of the flair myself and will be adding more flair sets to my store every single Monday. If there is a flair set that you would like that you do not see in the store, please do not hesitate to ask. I love making custom orders for my clients.

Keep reading...there is a coupon code below if you like what you see. :-)

I have a great layout to share with you today that my fellow DT member, Dona Howe created using my "Back to School" Flair Set.






I love how Dona was able to include so many photos and journaling in this two page layout. She did such a great job at documenting her little girls first day of school. Thanks so much Dona for working with my flair!

I have a special going on over at Toni From Designs. From now through September 28th at midnight EST if you use the code "GRANDOPENING" and SAVE 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER!!!

Have a great day, and thank you for stopping by.

xoxox

Toni

Monday, September 22, 2014

Today's the Big Day!

I am thrilled to announce the opening of Toni From Designs on Etsy and a brand new blog! I have been planning this little endeavor since last fall, and working on it steadily the past few months. I am so excited to share all of this with you. Make sure to keep reading, I have coupon codes, flair images, giveaway information, as well as an awesome layout to show you made by friend Jen Chapin that showcases one of my flair sets.

If you previously followed my blog at lifescrapbookrepeat.blogspot.com, please follow me now at tonifromdesigns.blogspot.com. I have moved all of my content over to this blog and gotten rid of the old one.

What you can expect on this blog. Scrapbooking, card making, Project Life, projects of all sorts, and shop updates. I will be adding new flair to the shop every single Monday and the new flair will be 10% off the first week they are released. I am excited to start packing and shipping orders. I also make custom flair. If you want a particular design or theme, just let me know, and I will happily make it for you. You can reach me by e-mail at washingtontransplant@gmail.com or leave me a message over at Toni From Designs on Etsy.

I am offering 10% off for my grand opening on ALL flair purchases. Simple use code GRANDOPENING at checkout and you will receive 10% off your entire order. This coupon code will expire at midnight on Sunday 9/28/14. Thank you so much for supporting Toni From Designs.

Now you are probably thinking.....let's see some flair already. Well I am happy to show you my collections. You can purchase flair in the sets you see below or pick out the individual images you would like. These pick-your-own sets can be purchased in increments of 8, 10, or 12 and are also listed in my shop.

Back to School

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween

Coffee Lover

Custom Sports Flair

Seahawks Football

Football

Oh My Stars (cool colors)

Oh my Stars (warm colors)

Pineapples and Pumpkins


Flair Sets in Action

Jen Chapin made this adorable layout of her son using the Trick or Treat flair set. I absolutely love how she used this awesome circular cut file to incorporate four flair pieces into one layout.Thanks so much Jen! You can find out more details about this layout over at Jen's blog.


Thanks so much for stopping by today. Make sure you are following along on all of my social media sites as well. You will find all of these listed on the right side of this blog. I will have some giveaways this week (and in further weeks) and you will want to follow along for your chance to win and to find out the latest information at Toni From Designs.

xoxox

Toni

Monday, September 8, 2014

Scrapbook Layout: Be Happy

Happy Monday! I hope y'all had a great weekend. We sure did! It was hot and super muggy here in North Carolina, but we still enjoyed our time together. We started the weekend off with a family pizza night and we ended up with one extra child staying over, (that is becoming the norm more and more these days.) We watched Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Saturday we managed to accomplish a few tasks in the yard, a walk, we went to Isabelle's soccer game in the blistering heat, and then we all took naps and relaxed the rest of the day. Yesterday, we went on a long family walk to the grocery store and celebrated our anniversary. A blessed weekend indeed.

I have a layout to share with you today that I made using a digital template, items from the Studio Calico Sandlot Scrapbook Kit,  and other supplies from my stash.

This layout started out as a digital template designed by Shanna Noel and looked like this.

All I had done at this point was to place pictures into the template, print it out
 (sized 8.5 x 11 inches,) and I also outlined one of the triangles using some 
scrap paper so that I could cut my own paper to size and affix it 
onto of the template when I had a spare moment.

This is what the layout ended up looking like after adding patterned paper triangles, a circle tag, some stamping, some journaling, puffy stickers, and a fun wood veneer piece from the Studio Calico Brighton Pier collection.


I really like how this one turned out, all of the bright patterns make me happy, and it was a great way to get lots of pool photos of my kiddos onto one scrapbook page.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I have a lot of fun news to share with you in the upcoming weeks. Exciting things are happening Monday September 22nd, BIG NEWS is coming. Make sure to follow along with Toni From Designs on my Facebook page and Instagram to stay up to date on the current happenings and sneak peaks.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Friday, September 5, 2014

Toni From You Tube Channel

Good morning! I just wanted to let y'all know that I have a You Tube channel and there is a brand new Project Life process video uploaded. This information was in yesterday's blog post, but I just figured it needed it's own post, in case you happened to miss it. :-)



I would love to see all of you over there, and please subscribe that you don't miss anything. I have some excited announcements coming up and more scrappy goodness to share this month.

Here is a direct link to my You Tube channel.

Have a great and blessed weekend, and until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Project Life 2014: Week 34

Happy Thursday fellow crafters! I am back with another Project Life post this week and I even have a little surprise for you at the end. 

Earlier this week, I went over my process for Getting Caught Up in Project Life. Today, I want to share with you another layout I managed to catch up on this past week.




I even have something a little extra for you today...way back last December I made a You Tube video and had every intention of shooting more videos. That just did not happen. I had the wrong kind of tripod and it just was a huge pain every time I tried to shoot a video. I only managed to have one turn out.

Fast forward to today. I took back my awkward tripod and bought a new tripod that allows me to film with much more ease. So thankful for that blessing. If you guessed correctly, I have a Process video of this week of Project to share with all of you today. You can find that video up on my You Tube channel HERE.  I hope you like my video,  and please make sure to subscribe, I plan on making at least 2 videos every month, and I would love for you to follow me there.

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Paper Issues: You Are Love

Happy Wednesday! I have a layout to share with y'all today and am playing along with the current issue over at Paper Issues, "Tell Me Dies, Tell Me Sweet Little Dies." Remember that Stevie Nicks song? Here is a video of it, if you feel like being nostalgic with me.

This layout has a very special place in my heart because I am directly talking to Elliot (my son) in my journaling. I don't talk about this a lot here on my blog, but he has Asperger's Syndrome. For a long time, I worried constantly about where his place would be in this world as an adult. We had some really difficult moments from the ages of two through ten or so, but now that he is getting older, he is really managing very well, and in such a great place. That is not to say that we had many more wonderful moments, but when you have a child with special needs some of those not as fun moments really tend to escalate.

Elliot is fourteen now, and I do not have the same concerns. He is thriving here in North Carolina in every sense of the word (all 5' 11" of him.) He is quirky and kind and such a loving boy. He always, ALWAYS wants to do the right thing, and is just such a joy to have in my life. He is a great kid and so gosh darn smart, and I just love him to pieces!

Here is the layout I created for the challenge. I used new collections by Studio Calico, Pebbles, Shimelle, and Crate Paper. All of the items used and many more are available in the Paper Issues shop as well.



Don't forget to check out some of the new shop items we have in the Paper Issues shop. While your there, make sure to use the code "TONI" and you can save 20% off your entire order!

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Project Life 2014: Week 31 and Catching Up in Project Life

Happy Tuesday! It's time for another Project Life Tuesday and boy am I excited to share some pages. I am also going to go over a few tips for catching up in Project Life.  I thought I would just show you what I do step by step and please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section below. I am always happy to help others document their lives.

Thoughts on Getting Caught Up

First of all, Project Life does not have to be completed in a weekly or monthly fashion. I know a lot of paper crafters that just make pocket page type layouts when the mood strikes them, and that is totally okay. However you choose to go about Project Life is okay. I promise, it will be okay if you don't work on your pages every week, every month, or every season. 

Now if you are someone that normally keeps up, or just really wants to do this on a scheduled time frame (such as weekly or monthly.) These tips might work for you and help you save much needed paper crafting time.

1. Taking Notes:

Have a place where you take notes of what is going on in your life. I use to do this by using a small notebook, but that stopped working for me. I found that I did not have that notebook with me the majority of the time I wanted to take notes. I needed a solution and something that I have near me at all times. For me, that is my I-Phone. We do not have a home phone, so it travels with me around the house, and serves as the perfect place for jotting down a few things for Project Life. I spend a minute or two most days of the week adding quick little notes and looking over my photos on my phone


This has saved me so much time when it is time to print pictures, because I have already written down what pictures I want to use, often times what sizes I want to print, and what quotes I will use. Also, I will sometimes take notes of stories or little anecdotes about our kids. This has worked absolutely brilliantly and therefore my #1 tip.

2. Printing and Editing Photos:

There are a variety of ways to do this. For me, I print the majority of my photos at home and use Photoshop Elements. It is convenient and I know how to use this program fairly efficiently. I am going to refer you to THIS Project Life tutorial from November of last year about how I edit photos. It also goes over how I decide where to place photos, making the layout flow, etc...

3. Putting Pages Together:

My best tip for this is to pull our a relatively small amount of supplies ahead of time and tell yourself you will only use those supplies. This really makes the process more enjoyable and also much quicker. I pick supplies based on the photos I have selected and I also heavily rely on kits, especially the Studio Calico Project Life Kit. Once your photos are printed, slip them into the pockets so they are ready to go. When you pull your supplies, place them all in one specified place. That way you can work on your Project Life layout whenever you have time, that might be an hour at a time, or even five minutes at a time. You have to make this process simple to get 'er done.

4. Be Realistic:

You will never be caught up in your Project Life pages if you do not know what you have left to catch up on. Yes, I am recommending you go through your album and write down any missing weeks.

Here is where I was at last Tuesday, when I mentioned that I had quite a few weeks to catch up on. I was surprised that when I went through my album, I did not have as much to catch up on as I originally thought. Now last year, I had the opposite problem, but either way it is good to know where you are at. 

And if you have been following my blog for any time, you know I love a bullet point list. I mean really, is there anything more fun than crossing things off of a list? The answer is always no, nothing is more fun than that. And so in true Toni fashion, here she goes...

Weeks to Catch Up On for Project Life
 (items that are crossed off and hi lighted were finished this past week) 
  • Week 28, July 7-13
  • Week 29/ 30, July 14-27 
  • Week 31, July 28-August 3
  • Week 32, August 4-10
  • Week 33, August 11-17
  • Week 34, August 18-24
  • Week 35, August 25-31
I have 5 weeks to catch up on (and this includes the week that just ended.) I feel confident in stating that this will all be caught up by October 1st. I also need to finish my WITL pages from last fall and print those by October 1st as well. I am putting it out there, so I really have to reach my goal now.  

Now you might be wondering how I am going to do just that. I figure if I finish a current week and an older week,  every week this month. I will be caught up by then. Totally manageable. 

I think the most important thing to do, is just not to stress. It's only pictures and paper we are talking about here. Live your lives, document it, and when you can make time put it all together.

I did promise you a new week of Project Life, so here goes that.





Products Used:

  • Studio Calico Sandlot Project Life Kit
  • Studio Calico Smalls Kit
  • Studio Calico Sandlot 4 x 6 paper pad
  • Ink-Versafine in Onyx Black and Studio Calico Blush Crush Dye Ink
  • Tiny Attacher
  • American Crafts Precision Pen .03 nib
  • American Crafts dot roller adhesive
If you are interested, I have another Project Life tutorial from February of this year. This one is on making a simple digital collage in Photoshop Elements. You can find that tutorial HERE.

I will be back tomorrow with a layout I made for the current issue over at Paper Issues. If you would like to play along with me you can find all the details HERE and you will be eligible to win a prize pack from our sponsor, Jillibean Soup. Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Monday, September 1, 2014

Paper Issues: Tell Me Dies, Tell Me Sweet Little Dies

Happy Monday! Today I have a card to share with you that I created for Paper Issues. Our newest Issue, "Tell Me Dies, Tell Me Sweet Little Dies is sponsored by the fabulous people over at Jillibean Soup. If you guessed our theme correctly, we are focusing on dies this issue. Think pre-packaged die cuts, manual die cuts, and Silhouette cuts ( to name a few.)  I was sent some goodies from Jillibean Soup's fabulous Sightseeing Stew product line as well as these awesome mini placemats . Head on over to the  Paper Issues blog and be sure to link your current (or past projects) for a chance to win an awesome Jillibean Soup prize pack.

This card was made to give to my son Elliot. I am just so darn proud of this kid. He started high school this past week, and I know he will appreciate knowing that I am thinking about him.

I really enjoyed working with the mini placemats and fun patterned paper on this card. To create
 this project, I first cut patterned paper to size and adhered to my card base. I used pop dots for 
added dimension for the mini placemat. Next, I added a star die cut and placed a star sticker 
on top using pop dots (my favorite.) Some green twine tied loosely around the mini 
placemat finished off this card and added some fun texture.

Thank you for stopping by today and don't forget to check out the current issue over at Paper Issues and check out the projects made by our very talented Design Team Members.

I will be back tomorrow with a Project Life post, and until then...

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni