Round [Circle] Weaving

Today on Studio 5 at 11 a.m., I’m taking my straight line for a curve with some round/circle weaving. I’ve never done this craft before preparing for this TV segment, but it’s one I’ve admired from afar and knew I wanted to try.

Of course, this mean there were a few, ahem, learning curves along the way — things I’ll share so you can avoid. It also meant I searched tutorials for weeks to find you some of the best.

ROUND WEAVING SUPPLIES

You’ll need a loom of some sort — either an actual loom or a hoop. In my experience, embroidery hoops work best. You’ll also need cotton string, yarn and fibers in a variety of thicknesses, a large-eyed needle, and scissors. I found blanket yarn worked well. It’s thick and fluffy and adds personality. (Hey! It’s a bit like me! ;) )

ROUND WEAVING TUTORIALS

Sweet Georgia makes getting an embroidery hoop ready for weaving easy to follow and understand. Plus, her projects are just so pretty. I must have watched this flick at least four times.

The Unusual Pear takes round weaving and breaks it down into several very quick flicks, which I really appreciated. She shows you different weaving techniques and makes it easy to combine styles on a single loom.

To say I was inspired by We Are Scout in making my rainbow loom would be an understatement. They have an excellent tutorial to get this gorgeous look. This is my version. You’ll definitely want to check out theirs for pro tips and a prettier finished product.

LEARN FROM ME

Being my first time with circle weaving, you might say there was a, ahem, learning curve. Each project took me anywhere from 2-6 hours to create. Can you believe I actually had to scrap two of them when they were nearly completed?! TWO! Don’t do this. It’s frustrating and sad. Learn from my mistakes:

BIG MISTAKE #1: Weaving too close to the loom’s edge

I created a gorgeous (if I do say so myself) pink project using this handy loom. Unforunately, I didn’t leave enough space to then get it off the loom. You have to snip the threads and either weave them under or tie them to something else. Because I didn’t leave enough space (at least an inch), my threads were bitty and I couldn’t work with them. The weave unraveled before my eyes.

Leave at least an inch between where your weaving stops and the loom begins.

BIG MISTAKE #2: Not anchoring properly on a slippery hoop

I used two metal rings to create my rainbow weave. This meant slip. I didn’t properly prepare for this, so my rainbow, which should have take up half of the loom, ended up sliding around and only taking about 1/3 of the loom. Not good! To avoid this, weave the entire outer edge of your hoops first. I did red on the outer ring and purple on the inner (rainbow side) and white on both for the cloud side. I also wove my rainbow so it was slightly longer than half of the loom and simply covered up some of the bottom with white yarn to get my 50/50 ratio.

Secure the warp by wrapping the hoop’s edges AND weave slightly more than half with rainbow.

I hope these ideas and tips help you. This really is a fun craft to try. For more on the items I made, watch Studio 5 today at 11 a.m. MT. If you’re local, it’s on channel 5. Anyone can watch streaming from their website.

Cheers!

Sloth Talk, Studio 5, & Upcoming Local Engagements

Chatting trends on Studio 5 has been a favorite of mine for years. Last time we talked what’s hot, it was llamas. This time, a fellow critter has joined the ranks. Waaaaaiiiiitttttt fooooorrrrrr iiiittttt…

SLOTHS

It’s easy to see why fans are flocking to this friendly fellow. Just a few of their lovable traits include:

• That friendly smile.

• Their “Don’t hurry, be happy” attitude.

• Their lanky, drapey ways.

Simply put, sloths are cute critters!

On today’s show (channel 5 at 11AM), I shared some of my recent sloth shopping. Here’s a buying guide for you:

Sloth Clothing

I got the shirt my daughter is wearing from Old Navy this past fall, but you can find a forest of furry sloth friends at Carters right now.

Sloth Stuffed Animal & Mug

This pretty-in-pink pal is from Target. They had a purple version also. They were in the Valentine’s section, so I hope you can still find them. The cutie mug is also a Target find, and it’s only $4! Woot!

Sloth Planter

On the show, I boldly stated that this planter was my fav. I stand by that statement. It looks so cute hanging up and adding some greenery to the home. It’s from Urban Outfitters. And it’s only $18! Again, I say woot! ;)

Sloth Stamp, Spa Gift Set, and Gift Wrap

Paper Source is a regular sloth headquarters. You’ll find all of the aforementioned, as well as books, gifts, and even sloth candy bars.

Sloth Patterned Paper

The new Hello Baby Boy line from Echo Park Paper Co. is sooo sweet. The sloth makes a cameo in the collection, both in the stickers and on paper.

Sloth Talk

Here are a few of my fav. sloth-inspired sayings, puns, and sentiments:

Upcoming Local Engagements

I’m so excited to be involved with two upcoming events that are near and dear to my heart.

Life Documented Event

Connection is the key to this heartfelt engagement, hosted by hygge_an_event. I’m joining two other phenomenal speakers to discuss memory keeping and creative planning. There will be a crafting activity, meaningful messages, community, and so much fun. I hope you can make it.

Click here to register.

Crop Because You Care

I’ve participated in this worthwhile event for years now. It is a full day of crafting, classes, make-and-takes, giveaways, and more! And it’s all for an excellent cause. This year, it’s benefiting the Mascot Miracle Foundation. I hope to see you there! <3

Register for Crop Because You Care here.

That’s it for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and, remember, don’t hurry, be happy! ;)

Advent Books: A Holiday Family Tradition

This is the story of how I proudly became a bag lady. It starts off as kind of a downer. You know, losing my job and all, but it has a happy ending. Promise. And it’s an ending I hope you’ll love enough to work into your own holiday celebrating.

THE STORY OF OUR ADVENT BOOKS TRADITION

Once upon a time, there was a mama who lost her job of 8+ years. This came just before the holidays, adding to the stress and sadness of it all. At home, she had a new(ish) one-year-old baby girl, making the Christmas season more magical than ever. Unfortunately, it also happened to make the layoff that much more stressful. How was Mama Meg going to make Christmas happen when her funds were just cut in a major way?

Okay, we’ll pause the fairytale right here to say I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, Mama Meg, your tiny tot couldn’t care less about presents beneath the tree. Hell, Santa could deliver her an empty cereal box and she’d be overjoyed. Yes, I now know this to be true. But, as a relatively new mom, I wanted everything to be perfect and naively thought that meant pretty presents beneath the tree. Soooo… you’ll have to go with me on this one. ;)

Phew! Glad we got that cleared up. Let’s continue.

Suddenly, Mama Meg was without the money to enjoy extra holiday outings and gifts and all of the things. “Whatever will I do for my little princess,” Mama Meg sighed.

Luckily, MM’s current predicament wasn't the worst thing in the world. You see, MM enjoys a challenge and an opportunity to use her creativity to problem solve, and that’s just what she set to do. She would make the holiday season merry and bright one way or another.

One day, while in ye olde Target shop, MM happened upon Christmas books that only cost $1. This was back in the magical days of the DOLLAR Spot, when all items were $1 in this part of the store. No, it’s true. This isn’t lore. Aww… the good old days! ;) Seeing the affordable book, MM had an idea. “I’ll give my princess the gift of books!” One Christmas book each night in December, to be exact. Just like that, the Advent Books tradition was born!

You might be wondering, did MM and Princess M live happily ever after? You bet! They even had a jr. princess join the castle chaos, making the Advent Book tradition all the more magical. Here’s what it’s all about:

ADVENT BOOK BAGS

You can either create bags from cute Christmas fabric or purchase bags. And that’s if you want bags at all. For the first couple of years, I used old shirt boxes and wrapping paper. I introduced the bags when I had the funds to do so, and I’m so glad I did. They can be used year after year, which makes this project so easy to set up (with far less waste!)

I did a combo of handmade bags and amazon-bought canvas bags. The fun thing about the handmade is you can make them in any color scheme you want. I went with pastel Christmas to complement the trees in my girls’ rooms.

To my bags, I added die cut numbers (actually the same numbers I used when I made my monthly onesies). I simply ironed the numbers on by first treating the back of them with a fusible iron-on webbing.

FINDING AFFORDABLE BOOKS

Books can be expensive. I get it if that’s the first concern to jump to mind when reading this. You’re absolutely right! But there are resources for affordable options. Some of my favorites include:

• Target. While the “Dollar Spot” may be a thing of the past, they still have the “One Spot,” which often includes $1 board books. These are especially good for younger babes, but even school-aged kids can appreciate them.

• Dollar Tree (or your version of a dollar store). They have an entire book and coloring book section. Many of our books came from here.

• FB area yard sale pages. Warning: These can become highly addictive. It’s so much fun finding a person looking to offload their old books. I scored some AWESOME vintage Christmas books this way.

• Traditional yard sales. These are harder to come by this time of year, at least in these parts, but if you live in warmer waters (lucky!), this is another great place to score stories.

• Library sales. Once a year, our city library has a massive book sale. They practically give their books away at these, making it a gold mine for this project.

• Schoolastic book orders. If you have school-age children, the little pamphlets that come home with your kiddos are a honey hole of bargain books. I updated our collection quite a bit when Maggie started kindergarten (and kindermusik).

Of course, you don’t have to rummage and scrounge as I did to make this fairytale a reality. That’s just the boat I found myself in when I set this tradition up. Anymore, I LOVE to visit local book stores and add a new book or two each year. It helps keep them age appropriate for Maggie, too. One of my favorite spots here in Salt Lake is Storybook Nook at Gardner Village. If you’ve seen You’ve Got Mail, it’s kind of like that. The owner loves books and brings in the cutest stories. There’s always a special seasonal assortment on display just as you enter the store.

A PLAN IN THE BOOKS

Now that you have your books, it’s time for a plan. Ask yourself if there are any other holiday traditions that could impact your book opening order. For example, I always give my girls an ornament on Dec. 1, which just happens to be Book Bag #1, so I put the smaller ornament bags in Book Bag #1.

Book Bag #1 also contains our Elf on the Shelf book. It’s something we get going at the first of the month, so it makes sense to have it first.

On Christmas Eve, we read The Night Before Christmas and open new jammies, so that book and the jams can be found in Book Bag #24.

Occasionally, I work other surprises into the bag, such as little coloring books or a holiday movie. I try to do this rarely so I don’t have to replenish my stock from year to year, but it is a nice change of pace on weekend nights.

WHERE WE READ

Each of my girls have their own small Christmas trees in their rooms, so we put the books ‘neath their trees. It makes it super easy to open one at bedtime and snuggle in for story time.

Now that I have two kiddos, I split the books. Half are under one tree and the other half are under the other. We just move from room to room to read. Perhaps I’ll eventually have enough for each kiddo to open a book each night, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Opening and reading together is fun. As Santa would say, sharing is caring!

THE HEALTHY (AND CHEAP!) ADVENT APPROACH

No chocolate or expensive trinkets here. Just books that we can read year after year. Seems like a win to me. Okay, so maybe I also sneak treats in the bags from time to time, but that’s totally optional, you know, if you have self control and all. ;)

I’ve wanted to blog about this tradition for years but never seemed to find the time. Do I have time today? No, not really. But it’s high time I share. I already have my cute neighbor now doing this with her kiddos. Want to join us? We’d love to have you in our Advent Books club. :)

What are your holiday traditions? I’m a sucka for the tradition and love reading about what others do. Drop me a line here or on IG or FB if you have something fun to share. Not fun? I’ll pass. (I kid. I kid. I’d love to read anything you do that makes the holiday feel like “the holidays” to you.)

Thanks for seeing this story to its end. I hope it leaves you feeling inspired.

Cheers!
Megan

Llama Rama: Trend Spotting on Studio 5

Growing up, my pop always said he was going to buy us a llama and put it in the backyard. He never fulfilled his dream, but our family has always had a soft spot for llamas nonetheless.

This hottie is one of three alpacas currently at The Farm at Gardner Village, a lovely local animal rescue and petting zoo.

So when the trendy Steph Bryson, Studio 5 producer, asked me to report on this adorable trend on today’s show, you bet I replied with “alpaca my bags and see you soon!” ;)

The Llama Rama trend is definitely hitting its stride in the mainstream, with stores like Target and Layers and Old Navy carrying super cute llama delights.

Let’s take a look at how to add a little llama drama to your life!

1. Home Decor

1. Llama Planter: I picked up this handsome fella at Down to Earth at Gardner Village. He can be used for plants (go figure). Or, if you’re like me and have a black thumb, he also makes a great pen holder.

2. Llama Lamp: A gift from my sis-in-law (Thanks, G!). This llama light is part of Target’s Pillow Fort collection.

3. Llama Plush: Another cutie from Target. And he was only $14! Nice! He’d look great in a baby’s room, a kid’s room, or even your room. :)

4. Llama Wall Art: This paper-plate-turned-llama was a quick after school craft Maggie and I did together. If you follow me on Instagram, you know my child is a picky crafter. She simply doesn’t care much for papercrafting. However, she really enjoyed herself with this one.

I hope this seal of approval means the project will pass your kid craft test, too.

A special thanks to Handmade Charlotte for inspiring our art with this darling idea!

image credit: Handmade Charlotte

2. Get Your Llama Craft On!

There are many ways to work this friendly fella into your crafting. Alpaca the puffy stickers, the felt, the poms, and the yarn. You paca the imagination! We have a date to make. :)

1. Llama Banner

This one combines all the awesome fa la la la llama texture—yarn, poms, and felt. I hand cut the critters, looking at my stickers as a guide. I then used hot glue to attach the decorative extras. Oh, and I embroidered the faces.

2. Llama Layout

The new Hooray line from Crate Paper is a llama lovers treasure trove. It has many party animals, including that lovable llama in a party hate. Use the pre-made cards for a quick project or start from scratching using their chipboard, die cut shapes, 3D stickers, patterned paper, and more!

I used the same line to make an accordion-folded birthday photo card. Pop may not have ever had his pet alpaca, but he can have pics of them in this greeting.

This was so easy to make. I simply cut a strip of 3x4 journaling cards from the Hooray patterned paper, not separating the cards. Instead, I scored along the lines between each design and then folded to make the accordion. I then adhered photos to two of the four cards. Using chipboard and die cut shapes, I dressed it up a bit more.

I added pom strips for added llama flair.

The back of the card is simply the back of the double-sided paper, but I did add another journaling card and a tag. The card now has lots of room for writing notes of love to our birthday guy.

If you’re sending a card across the miles, it will neatly fold down and fit inside an envelope.

3. Wear Your Llama Threads

Llama fashion is easy to come by. Just this week, I spotted this gray T at Old Navy, and the pink and orange llama top I’m wearing is at Target in the juniors section.

If only I were bitty. Kids llama gear is THE CUTEST! This shirt and the shoes are both from Old Navy. Technically, I think the sneaks are bunnies, but they can certainly pass for ‘pacas.

4. Llama Party Planning

If you’re ready to get your llama drama underway, a party is the way to go. I saw a lucious llama party set at Target (I swear I don’t work for them!). And, of course, the original piñata is… yup! A llama! Plus, check out this DARLING balloon idea by Babble.com!

That’s it for this llama love. But, before I go, I must give Brooke Walker some love. Today’s show was her last before she goes on maternity leave. Studio 5 is never the same without her. Congrats on the wonderful little babe headed your way, Brooke. She’s a lucky girl! We’ll miss you on set!

Llamaste, friends!

It's Hip to Clip: new planner class & diy paper clips *as seen on TV

Creating decorative clips is a happy way to dress up paper projects. Today on Studio 5, I have just a few playful paper clip examples to get you whip together the clip. 

MAKE A CLIP: PLANNER CLASS INFO

We make at least one new clip each month in my creative planning class. If you want to join in on the fun, simply email me at meghoeppner@gmail.com. My next class is tomorrow night from 6:30-9:30 PM in Pleasant Grove. If that's too soon to plan for, message me about future class dates. I'd love to see you and help you get your plan on! 

PLACES TO INCORPORATE DECORATIVE PAPER CLIPS 

* Planners
* Traveler's Notebooks
* Bullet Journals
* Scrapbook Pages
* Cards
* Tags

PAPER CLIP PURPOSE 

I adore adding clips to my planner spreads each month. They look so cheerful lined up and peeking out the top. They also serve a great purpose in my books. In planners, they mark pages. In traveler's notebooks and bullet journals, they often work to both mark pages and hold pages open, which is so nice. 

PAPER CLIP PIECES

Creating clips is as simple as adding cute crafting supplies to clips. Favorite clip toppers include:

* Stickers
* Pre-made 3D accents
* Wood veneer shapes
* Patterned paper and cardstock
* Punched paper
* Washi tape
* Brads
* Buttons
* Ribbon
* Felt
* Die cut shapes
* Stamped images
* Pom poms
* Yarn/tassels
* Patches
* Sequins
* Shakers
* Old jewelry and hair bows
* And more!

The sky's the limit!

CLIP ATTACHING 

Take various approaches to adding your toppers to your clips. Hot glue it typically a safe bet across the board, but Glue Dots also work well. My planner pal Layle Koncar swears by e6000, which is a fast-drying, heavy duty liquid adhesive. It helps your clips hold up to the wear and tear of being in much used planners. Another liquid adhesive, Glossy Accents, can also work well. It dries clear and can actually incorporate into the design of the clip. It should sit overnight to dry completely. Sometimes, no adhesive is needed at all. Instead, you can simply thread the accents around the clip and it will sit in place, which is fast and fun! 

To get your wheels turning, let's take a look at a few different clip combos!

Lights, Camera, Action: A little fair flair!

Our state fair is a great state fair; it’s the greatest state fair in the state!…

Growing up, my mom would sing these lyrics every September. It’s a catchy little ditty. Funny thing is, I don’t even know what it’s from (a musical, I imagine), but these lyrics have stayed with me over the years. It must be because I LOVE me some State Fair. So when Stephanie, one of the rad producers at Studio 5, suggested I do a segment on the look of award ribbons, I was all for adding a little fair flair to my crafting.

The idea is simple, really. Just think of those beautiful prize ribbons you see pinned on gorgeous jars of jelly and plumped up piggies (well, maybe not ON piggies, but you get the gist). These pretty prizes have a round center, lots of layering, and some terrific tails. Have fun thinking of different ways to create such a combo. Here are a few possibilities to get you started:

DREAM BIG KIDS DECOR
Round Element: Embroidery hoop
Layered Bit: Fabric and stickers
Tail: Fabric strips, lace, felt (feather), yarn (handmade pom), and silk trim
Fair Flair: Make a unique 3D wall hanging to add to any gallery wall.

DONUT FEEL GOOD GIFT TAGS
Round Element: Paper-pieced donut (made from Queen & Co. paper)
Layered Bit: Two punched circles with a hole punched in the middle of them and a layer of dimensional glaze*
Tail: Layered paper, notched at the end—a great place to write your “To” and “From”
Fair Flair: Make gift giving more fun with a donut award. Have fun with the prize-ribbon concept and think outside of the… circle when coming up with motifs.

Dimensional glaze is a clear liquid that can be used as an adhesive or a top coat. It dries clear and glossy, making my paper look more like, well, a glazed donut! You can get such glaze here.

QUEEN PIN
Round Element: Doily
Layered Bit: Washi tape for the pleating, a punched-out paper circle, and a pretty chipboard 2 from Felicity Jane
Tail: Washi-covered cardstock
Fair Flair: Use this to award the birthday girl, add it to a scrapbook page, or simply send it to someone special to tell them they rock!

HAPPY DAY
Round Element: Cutout circle from cardstock (I traced a large jar lid)
Layered Bit: Pleated crepe paper, rolled paper strips, and adorable stickers
Tail: Crepe paper, lace trim, and accordion-folded paper strips
Fair Flair: I’m going to use this as a decor piece at my daughter’s birthday party and then hang it on the wall in her room. You can personalize the center of a such a piece in any way that’s relevant to your needs and surroundings. Put your address or “est. on” date in the center and add it to a gallery wall; write “happy birthday” and hang it on the birthday girl or boys bedroom door… Have fun. That’s the real prize, after all!

AWARD WINNING FOOD
Round Element: Punched paper sandwiched around a toothpick using strong adhesive to hold it all in place
Layered Bit: Pleated washi tape from Queen & Co., punched paper, and a sassy chipboard sticker from Crate Paper
Tail: Super simple: two slim strips of cardstock. TIP: Run the cardstock between your thumbnail and pointer finger to curl up the edges of the paper strips. (Think curling ribbon.)
Fair Flair: Bitty ribbons are the perfect finishing touch to any cupcake. This is an affordable way to up your party game using just paper scraps and minimal supplies you likely have on hand.

SHAKER RIBBON
Round Element: Isn’t round at all—it’s a heart! A heart shaker sticker from Jillibean Soup, to be exact.
Layered Bit: Fill the plastic heart cup with sequins and glitter and layer it over a chipboard heart sticker for a quick ribbon with some interactive action going on. The shaker cup is adhered to cardstock and then framed with pleated washi tape from My Mind’s Eye.
Tail: Two different paper strips—who says you have to be matchy-matchy?
Fair Flair: Shake things up and make this your awards season. Little paper crafts like this would brighten anyone’s day, whether you attach this to a card or simply send it as is. This would also make a happy scrapbook page accent.

BRING ON THE BANNER
Round Element: Cupcake liners that have been flattened and trimmed
Layered Bit: Two cupcake liners, topped with a darling photo.
Tail: Various trims, ribbon, and paper
Fair Flair: There’s nothing like a good banner to make decor delightful. My baby girl just turned two, so I filled this one with pics of her throughout her two years. I adore the personalized touch this adds to our home in celebration of her! Do this with pics of your entire family this fall and a fresh way to count those blessings and focus on what truly matters!

TIP: Use strong adhesive (cupcake liners are meant to be no-stick, after all) and adhere your liners to a punched cardstock circle for added structure. Before adhering, add a string between the liner and the paper to turn the accent into a banner element.

Boom! There you have it. State Fair-inspired flair and a regular crafting affair. (Sorry. I can’t help myself.) I hope at least one of these ideas is a prized one that will make your upcoming projects blue-ribbon (or pink!) good!

AS SEEN ON TV: Upcoming Crafting Classes in Lehi, UT!
I briefly mentioned in today’s Studio 5 TV segment that I have an upcoming class in Lehi. We took a break for the summer but are back at it now. My first Planner Play Workshop of the new season is on Sept. 22. at Paper Crush. The class kit rocks, and this three-hour crafting session with the kit is just $50!!! Everyone leaves with door prizes, decorative pages in their day planners, and happier having just had a good time with friends. I sure hope you’ll join us for the play. You’ll find more info here.

Cheers!

My June Planner Workshop at Paper Crush!

June Planner Play Workshop

Grab those day planners. We've got another Planner Play Workshop in the books. On Friday, June 23, I'm teaching the last workshop for a bit. (We're going to take July and possibly August off. So if this is something you've been interested, I hope you'll come on down. You won't be disappointed. We're ending this season with a bang! 

* BRAND NEW planner prizes

* A well stocked kit of must-have creative planner supplies

* Techniques to try

* Tasty treats to enjoy--YUM!

* New friends

* And more!

Learn more about creative planners, this workshop, and sign up here! 

Space is limited, so you'll want to sign up soon. Hope to see you there! <3

A Unique Gift Idea for Mom!

This Mother’s Day, fill a pocket page with sweet treats for Mom or Grandma.

Step 1: Select Your Page Configuration
Divided page protectors (pocket pages) come in many sizes and configurations. Popular brands in the scrapbook market include We R Memory Keepers, SN@P! by Simple Stories, Doodlebug, and Project Life.

You can get divided pages in sizes ranging from 4x4 to 12x12 and many options in between.

Step 2: Select Your Nifty Gifties
Once you know your pocket sizes, you can seek out gifts to fit the small compartments.

TIP: Seek out treats that are relatively flat. Some possibilities include:

jewelry
small crafting/stationery supplies
bitty bar of soap (I got mine at Lulu’s Boutique in Gardner Village)
tickets
gift cards

To fit the necklace in a way that would stand up in the pocket, I attached it to a tag. By snipping the top of the tag, the necklace easily sits in place.

NOTE: You may find it’s easier to first seek gifts and then find the pocket page to accommodate. You can sure swap steps 1 and 2 if you so desire.

Step 3: Dress Up the Edge
It’s customary with pocket letters to dress up the edge of the sheet a bit (the space where the ring holes have been punched). Washi tape is an easy choice. Just wrap a bit around the edge. I like using a tape wide enough that i can wrap it around the front and back, though this certainly isn’t required.

You can leave it here or you can add some dangling doodads. I went with these sweet charms, which are part of the Oh My Heart collection by Paige Evans for Pink Paislee. So cute!!

I also added a die cut sentiment from the same line and strung up some felt pom beads to finish the deal. It’s all clipped in place with a bitty clothespin.

Step 4: Personalize
Personalized touches make these letters all the more memorable. Fill pockets touches unique to you, such as:

PHOTO(S)
In my case, I made the photo the focal point across the center of my page. I matted a 5.5x11 image on a trimmed 6x12 sheet of patterned paper, also from the Oh My Heart collection.

NOTE(S)
Being a gift to our awesome mom/Grandma, we’ve included more than one note. Maggie colored Grandma a picture a piece of white 3x3 paper I cut for her.

Wanting my note to be a bit more private, I decided to make an interactive note from a sheet of 6x6 paper. First, I folded the sheet in half.

I then stitched it together to keep it folded in place. From there, I scored at the point where the 3x6 piece folds in half and trimmed the top portion to a tag shape. I then wrote some words of love for my mother-in-law, tucked the card in the pocket, folded it over itself, and held it in place using a paper clip (the arrow). Oh, and I added a fabric rosette I made. Because this portion of the flip-up note card is on the outside of the pocket, I was able to use the bulkier embellishment.

Step 5: Space & Place
At some point in the process, you’ll want to play with the placement of your various elements. Try different options on for size until you find something you’re satisfied with.

TIP: Patterned paper with journaling cards printed on it are great pocket fillers, as are pre-made die cut shapes. These are from Oh My Heart.

Step 6: Put It All Together and What Have You Got…

A great gift for Mom/Grandma!

Confetti always adds to any celebration, so a couple of my pockets are filled with festive bits.

To keep the smaller confetti (assorted sequins) contained, I used a small vellum bag. I folded the flap up and clipped it in place. For the larger bits, some machine stitching worked to seal the deal.

A gift card to Barnes & Noble will live in the slot to the right. Gift cards are an easy and awesome pocket filler!

This is an extra fun idea if Gram is across the miles, as it can easily be mailed without costing an arm and a leg. A large padded envelope should do the trick. Or you can give it to Mama in person, which is all the more fun.

Credit for the Pocket Letter concept goes to Janet Lane. You can learn more about traditional Pocket Letters and how to find a community on her website, pocketletters.com.

FORKS!

Forks. It’s not just the home of a dreamy vampire or tools used to wind spaghetti. They’re moments of division along life’s path. I have a feeling we encounter forks in the road more often than we realize—subtle points of decision, where one choice will take us one way and the other another. Once in a while, these splits feel more monumental. Especially, it seems, when an opportunity is missed. We’re left on the other route, wondering what would have been, had we chosen differently. I almost found myself in such a painful place not so long ago…

DATE: December, 2016
PLACE: Trolly Square—a mall we visit 2-3 times a year, as it’s pretty far from our home
SCENE 1: A busy toy store

Standing in line at a toy store during the holidays means a wait. Good thing the store had a play area set up where Mags could keep herself busy. The situation got even better when a cute young girl approached and accepted Maggie’s invitation to “pway wif me.” When the time came for the girl to go, the sweetest words rang out: “Tell her thanks for playing with you.” They came from the little girl’s mom. And they were music to my ears.

I know this will sound… weird? Maybe that’s not the word, but I know my appreciation of manners is a little inflated here. It was just SO refreshing to encounter such a polite mother/daughter duo amidst the holiday chaos. I flashed an appreciative smile in the mannerly mom’s direction just as they went on their way.

These photos were taken just after Mags' encounter with the polite little girl. She was on cloud nine as she danced about the courtyard.

SCENE 2: The Trolly Square parking garage

As we walked to our car, Mags asked if we could go in the attached grocery store. Being so far from home, this didn’t make the most sense, but I did need a few things, so the idea of not having to make a second stop was all the persuasion I needed. As we waited for the elevator to take us to the store, I saw my new mom crush again. She and her children appeared to have just gotten off the elevator we were waiting to get on. Through the crowd of people also waiting for their lift, I found myself shouting at the woman. It happened before I had much time to think about what I was doing…

“Hey! It’s you!” I hollered, almost too excitedly.

“Hi, again,” the kind stranger said. “It looks like our girls are all about the same ages. That’s fun! Do you live around here?”

“No. We actually live about 30 min. south of here,” I replied.

“Oh… Do you come here often?”

Never has this cliche pickup line sounded so sweet. Though, you wouldn’t know it by my reply. I scoffed a “No!” just as our elevator door opened. Why I suddenly turned into a smartass, I’ll never know. I sure didn’t mean for my reply to come out in that way with that tone, but before I could correct the situation, it was time to go. The open doors forced us into rushed farewells, and we went our separate ways. Again.

FORKS!

As the elevator door closed, the split in my life path became painfully clear. I was presented with a fork in my road… and I made the wrong choice. Ouch! I’m often saying I want more friends for my little girls. And for myself, frankly. Here was the perfect opportunity to make such friends and I let them slip through my fingers. :(

As the elevator opened again, I couldn’t bring myself to get off. As Maggie began to exit, I pulled her back and told her we needed to go back. We had some new friends to find!

I know. This probably sounds kind of nuts, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted a FORKS do-over. Sadly, we walked and walked through that cold parking garage, and they were nowhere to be found. Opportunity: missed!

SCENE 3: The grocery store

As we were wandering the aisles, dinnertime crept upon us and my girls were hungry, so we made our way to the store’s deli. That’s when Maggie pointed and squealed with delight, “Look, Mom! My friend!” Sure enough, there was my mom crush and her two sweet girls. Only this time they were joined by a dude. Papa Bear, I assumed. Again, we exchanged hellos. I then went on to confess my failed attempt to find them in the parking garage. Turns out they weren’t leaving the store at all, only going to put a few bags in their car before grocery shopping. They too were sitting down for a deli dinner and asked if we wanted to sit with them. Yes! Yes we did!

FORKS!

It took three times to happen, but we finally touched down. I feel like the universe continued to throw these delightful people in my path for a reason. The first time around, I was smitten but not in the best place to act. The second time was blown by an unintentionally smarty reply and an open elevator. “Okay, fine,” the universe said. “Let’s give this a third go!” Good thing the third time was our charm. We had a great meal and made plans to get together after the holidays.

Since then, we’ve had two play dates. Our first was at our messy, crowded home. Here are a couple of shots from that visit.

The next was in their clean and open home. 

Judging by our homes alone, Mom Crush seems the yin to my yang. She wants to decorate her home with more wall art and personal touches but isn’t sure where to begin, so her walls remain bare. I, on the other hand, am on a serious Quest for Less and need help minimizing my life. She’s all about the minimalism and happens to be a clean freak. Looks like we balance each other well.

Actually, it’s becoming more and more clear we need each other for reasons far bigger than home design. We need each other because being a mom is H-A-R-D. Having others who get that and can make it a bit easier is everything. As my new friend so aptly put it, parenting takes a village.

As we discussed this, she touched on how it used to be easier when we could just send our kids outside to play the days away, but we no longer have that option, at least not in the heart of the city. I love what she said next: “Chasing the ‘American Dream,’ we’ve dreamed ourselves right into lonely boxes!”

It’s true. Home can be quite lonely for a stay-at-home parent. Sure, you’re surrounded by your children all the time, but that’s the great irony of it all—you’re NEVER alone but can feel SO lonely. It’s why having friends with children the same age(s) as yours can be a life saver. I’m SO thankful we happened upon these delightful souls, even if it did take a few tries to get us there.

As an interesting coincidence, we also have a crazy amount in common. We’re the same age. Our husbands are the same age. Our daughters are the same ages. Finding older parents with younger kids in Utah isn’t always easy. Not that you have to be the same ages to align, but it was an odd thing to have in common—especially since Cory and I are six years apart. Also, Cory and their Papa Bear are both musicians. How ‘bout that?

Today brought another opportunity to see our new friends. My mom crush and I made this wall hanging. This was her first time making a craft at home. Can you believe it? I love that I got to be the one to experience it with her. She was a fast learner with awesome ideas and plenty of creative vision. The project turned out far cuter than it would have had I made it on my own. And it already hangs proudly on her wall—bringing her one step closer to her decorating goals.

FORKS!

You simply never know when you’ll happen upon such life divides. Because of this, I’m going to do all I can to be more mindful of my surroundings and experiences. Sometimes the briefest encounters can have the most lasting, loving impacts!

Paper Collaging (as seen on TV)

I had lots of fun sharing paper collaged ideas today on Studio 5. Take a look! 

PROJECT 1: Paper Punching & Tearing

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Put those paper scraps to fun use on some wall art! By layering shapes, it creates interesting texture.

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The project comes together in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Come up with an idea and sketch it. 

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TIP: For a fun change of place, try digitally drawing your project first. I used my new birthday present--the Apple Pencil. L-O-V-E!--and the iPad Pro to doodle my design. A great activity while sick in bed. ;) 

Step 2: Outline your lettering using a fine point pen (mine was a .01 Micron), and punch and tear paper so you can begin filling in your blocks of color.

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TIP: Use a good quality eraser to remove the pencil lines. I use a white eraser from Faber Castell, which I picked up at Michaels. NOTE: It may remove some of your ink. If so, just go back over it with your pen when your project is complete.

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TIP: Use a decopauge glue, such as Mod Podge. It is easy to work with and holds well. 

TIP: After creating a few spaces, I realized it's easier to first fill each section of space with a solid piece of the paper you're going to use and then layer the punches. That way, if you have gaps in space, it's no biggie.

TIP: Watch out with the ink. If the Mod Podge touches it before it has had time to set, it will smear. :(  

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Uh oh! Watch out for Mod Podge smearing. You may want to fill in all of your paper spaces and then trace in ink to avoid this mistake. 

That's it! A three-step project you can do for or with your children. Or make more sophisticated looks for your living room, office, bedroom... the sky is the limit!

Because my daughter LOVES Trolls, I went with this line from her favorite song. That's the fun thing about creating your own art--you can customize to load it with meaningful touches! 

PROJECT 2: Paper Cutting

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You can also cut basic shapes and piece them together to create art. Nothing but a few triangles, and I have a sweet little mountain scene shadow box for my baby's nursery. 

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For added touches, I did add a touch of glitter glue in spaces for sparkle.

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The Wish Upon a Star is a chipboard sticker from Crate Paper. 

PROJECT 3: Mixed Media Piecing

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Now that we've mastered paper, try mixing in other finishes. For this card, I created the shamrock in the following steps:

1. I placed a shamrock-shaped cardstock piece on the plaid paper and sprayed the sheet with green spray ink.

2. I removed the shamrock mask and painted the outer dot layer by dipping a pencil eraser in acrylic paint. 

3. Next, I added a ring of watercolor paint.

4. A small row of clear glitter glue (Stickles by Ranger) came next. 

5. Time for alcohol ink. I used a Chameleon Pen in a grass green color to add the center color.

6. Finally, it was rhinestones in the center. I used small gems from Close To My Heart.  

Just like the paper collage, this mixed media collage creates cool texture and was a fun exercise in blending mediums and techniques to try something new. :)

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I stamped the sentiment using an alpha set and ink, also from Close To My Heart. Bringing in another medium, I then colored the sentiment using a green colored pencil. 

TEACHING A PLANNER CLASS ON MARCH 24

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I would love to have you join me at Paper Crush in Lehi, Utah, on March 24. I'm teaching another planner class. It was actually my students' idea. They had such fun at our Feb. class that they asked if I'd turn it into a monthly affair. Don't have to twist my arm. LOL 

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We'll learn new planner tricks with each class, and each class will come with a new and awesome class kit. If you've never attended, you can easily jump in at any time. That's the beauty of planners any more--there is no definite start and stop period. Just join when it's convenient for you!

SIGN UP FOR CLASS HERE

Thanks for stopping in. Enjoy your creative journey!

Cheers!