celebrate CREATIVITY in all its forms

A Bushel of Apples

Who doesn't love a beautiful apple orchard?  A recent family orchard-excursion not only yielded a ton of apples for us but also sparked the inspiration for this fun-filled post for you.

Grab a cup of java or better yet, pour yourself some apple juice and relax for the read. 

With 40 colorful photos featuring creative apple ideas, this is my biggest post ever.

Any visit to an apple orchard results in a huge haul as you can see from Jordy's bag. 

By the way, apple picking will definitely bring out the competition in siblings as Jordy and Cameron attempted to out-pick each other.

 

Carter Mountain in Charlottesville, Virginia was the destination spot for this outing.  We made the trip with three other families from our neighborhood and all the kids had a blast.  

By the way, do you know how hard it is to get a group of kids to do what you want, all at the same time? 

One second after I snapped this photo, everyone in this shot scattered in a different direction.

 

I'm sure we picked more apples than we'll ever be able to eat.  Of course, the treat is in the plucking.

As you're picking your apples, consider gathering a few apple branch twigs as you spot them on the orchard ground.   

I'll show you how you can put these orchard twigs to good use further down in this post. 

Since we're on the subject of apples, I thought it would be fun to take a closer look at a variety of projects that feature this tasty and popular fruit.

 
The apples in the sink look delicious but it doesn't get much sweeter than this cute, cloth doll in the photo below.

I made her more than a decade ago and it was nice to dig her up to include in this post.  

Check out that apple apron.

Before attaching the plaid apple-shaped fabric to the apron, lightly stuff the shapes with cotton fiberfill. 

Fabric strips tied in a bow represent the apple leaves and they also add a nice fanciful twist to the project. 

I checked and even after all these years this doll pattern is still available if you click here.

We're still talking apples and this 2-page scrapbook page captures Jordy's first visit to an orchard as well as his first-ever bite of an apple when he was about one year old.

It's great to look back on these old photos, reflect on that fun afternoon and marvel at what a big boy Jordy is today in comparison.

Remember, that's what scrapbooking is all about.

  

Here is a closer look at a few of the details on this layout you may want to try on your own scrapbook pages. 

This embellished, khaki-colored fabric piece is an example of how layering a series of trinkets can add dimension and interest to a scrapbook page. 

I also used a favorite apple-definition rubber stamp which you'll spot again throughout this post. 

I repeated the apple-lettering element by using the same stamp to customize these chipboard letters which are positioned across the bottom of the scrapbook layout.

Customizing chipboard is super simple.

You'll need a rubber stamp, stamp ink, acrylic paint, clear sealer or decoupage glue and chipboard letters.   

Chipboard is available in a variety of shapes, letters and patterns.  Paint the chipboard letters the desired color and set aside to dry completely. 

     
Once chipboard is dry, use the rubber stamp to add the lettering to the alphabet. 

Let rubber stamp ink dry completely and then apply a layer of acrylic clear coat (or decoupage glue) to give the letter shine and durability.

 

Meanwhile, an apple a day, keeps the doctor away, right?  Do you think this kind of apple counts toward that healthy eating motto?

Eat these in moderation and you, your doctor and your dentist will be fine.

There a lots of sugar cookie and royal icing recipes to choose from but the ingredients below work best for me.

The cookies from this recipe are crisp and sweet and the frosting is perfectly smooth with a thick consistency for easy spreading. 

Just click the photo below to print this recipe.

  

The above recipe will yield about a dozen cookies. 

Be sure to set aside a small amount of dough to create some fun dimension to each cookie.

   

Utilizing that set-aside dough, use a leaf shaped fondant cookie cutter to make lots of little leaves to adorn the apple cookies. 

These mini leaves are not only cute but also make great bite size treats too. 

    
 
Add an apple green color to the mix by decorating the leaves with icing or decorating gel.

I also added a few sprinkles to each leaf for a bit more texture.

Apply a small amount of icing to the back of the leaves which will act as an adhesive when dry.  These little leaves are the perfect touch and I think they actually give the cookies more character. 

My neighbor thought the white icing strip was a fake worm but it's actually supposed represent light reflecting off the shiny apple.  

You could roll a tiny worm out of dough, bake it and apply it to the cookie like the leaves for some additional whimsy.

  

Here's a quick look at what the cookies look like in a shade of apple green. 

To get this color I used regular green food coloring in the icing recipe and then continued to add drops of yellow food coloring until I got the desired color. 

     
   
Meanwhile, if you're making your apple cookies to give as a gift, little tags are a really cute way to dress up the packaging.

You'll need assorted cardstock, a tag punch and an apple punch to create the shapes.

If you don't already have a tag punch in your crafts arsenal, I highly recommend it. 

These tags are really handy and you'll find yourself using them on a variety of projects and homemade treat-packaging.

Enter my trusty apple definition stamp again.  I told you this stamp was versatile. 

Of course you can use any stamp you like as a background but this one is really perfect for the look I'm after.

After punching out the tags, simply stamp the length of them with the apple stamp. 

Create an opening for the ribbon using a small-size hole punch.  

Insert the ribbon through each hole and your done. 

You can see another way I used this versatile rubber stamp if you click here.

 
This is just one more way to enhance apple cookies to make them even more special to the recipient.  

I think these individually wrapped cookies practically look like they came straight out of a gourmet bakery.

It's easy to see how a small touch of creativity can make an attractive product even prettier.

 

If your sweet tooth needs some additional satisfaction, you can't go wrong with caramel apples.

Caramel apples are my favorite treat of the season especially when covered with chopped pecans. 

Hmm, probably not great for your teeth but oh-so good in your tummy.

   

Time to pull out those apple orchard twigs I mentioned earlier.  Make sure you give them a thorough scrubbing.

Have you already figured out what I have in mind for these twigs?

    
Skip those flat, wooden popsicle sticks and consider incorporating this un-common element into your caramel treats.

Stick an orchard twig into the center of the caramel apples to serve as a fun holder.

I love the natural, slightly rustic element that these apple tree twigs add to these handpicked apples. 

  

Of course, the handmade apple tags can also be used to add a finishing touch to your caramel apples. 

This would make a great teacher gift and I suspect it would get gobbled up before the last school bell rings.

   

Now we all know that apples grow on trees.  But wouldn't it be great if an apple tree near you produced this kind of crop?  

Say goodbye to wayward pins and needles.  With this jumbo apple pincushion you'll never step foot on a lost pin again. 

This project only requires a few fabric remnants, felt squares and some cotton stuffing.  Cut six elongated oval shapes with slightly tapered ends. 

The ovals shown here about 13-inches long with an approximate center width of about 5-inches. 

Pin right sides together and stitch using a standard 1/4-inch seam allowance. 

   
Pin right sides together and stitch using a standard 1/4-inch seam.

After stitching all six shapes, you'll end up with a ball-like result as in the photo below. 

   
Stitch the final section together, making sure to leave 3-inch opening for stuffing. 

Turn inside out to right side and stuff with cotton.  Close the opening by hand with a slipstitch. 

     
For the stem, roll a small square of wool and hot glue the edge closed.

Cut apple leaves out of contrasting felt or wool.  There are any number of ways you can embellish the leaves.  In this case I simply added a zig-zag stitch around the edge of the felt.

Hot glue the leaves and stem to the top of the apple.  This apple pincushion is about 10-inches tall from stem to bottom.

Here's another way to decorate the leaves.  Hot glue jute (a type of rope) to create the leaf veining in the yellow apple. 

Jute is available at most hardware stores and can be used for a variety of other fun projects. 

I'll share some fun jute projects later in an upcoming post. 

  

This red apple pincushion is even more jumbo and sits at about 12-inches tall from stem to bottom.  The larger the oval fabric shapes you cut, the larger the finished apple. 

By the way, you could also fill these pincushions with aquarium pepples instead of cotton and use them as door stops, paperweights or even bookshelf decor.

     

Talk about a great crop.  If only I could get my hands on a packet of seeds that would grow into trees filled with these.

With magic seeds like that, I'd plant a huge pincushion orchard and invite crafters from all over to visit and help themselves to the beautiful (and functional) produce. 

 
So many apples so little time.  

The inspiration for creativity is always bountiful when you're working with a bushel of apples.

BOO TO YOU(fall fun, scary scrapbooking and sweet treats)

Have I ever mentioned that Fall is my favorite time of year?  Well, it is.  It's my absolute favorite season. 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves the beautiful colors, the crisp, breezy air and the whimsical  Halloween symbols that represent this delightful time of year. 

Meet a few of our newest family members of the seasonal variety.  Every year we use several trees in our yard to prop up these friendly, straw-filled characters.

It never fails that at least once, I'm momentarily fooled into thinking there is actually someone standing in the trees at night.  Now that's spooky, alright!

 
 
In addition to the scarecrows, we also blow up this big pumpkin figure in keeping with the Halloween spirit.

I've never been crazy about this humongous blow-up pumpkin head but I always get over-ruled by Boris and the kids and so every year... up it goes.

Speaking of pumpkins, another tradition in my household is our annual pumpkin carving event.  Boris typically supervises this event because I don't care for touching the sticky, stringy pumpkin innards. 

I know, that's picky but I'm just happy to stay behind the camera on this activity. 

 

Pumpkin carving sure has come a long way over the years.

There are so many cool tools and patterns available to help make pumpkin projects easier with more professional looking results.

I can't wait to see the finished carvings produced by this determined crew.  I'll check back a little later in this post to see how they're coming along.

 

While we're still on the subject of pumpkins here's one of my favorite scrapbook pages featuring Jordy during one of our pumpkin patch visits a few years ago.

I love this photo of him and I think his cute, curly hair makes him even more adorable.

Here's a closer look at a few of the details I used to spice up this layout including letter stickers and a few pre-made pumpkin die cuts.

Layering embellishments like this can help add depth and dimension to a scrapbook page which creates a nice, polished effect.

 

Anyone have a taste for a ghost pop?  These are super simple to make and the entire project can be turned over to little hands to complete. 

To make these, you'll need Tootsie Pops, white paper towels, thin ribbon, glue and some googly eyes which can be picked up at any crafts store.

Count on young crafters to insist on sampling a Tootsie Pop during the construction process.  It's OK and par for the course.

These treats look perfectly spooky all lined up like this.  The mouths were made using a hole punch and black construction paper, which I think works better than using a black marker (which tends to bleed into the paper towel).

These ghost pops also make nice treats to hand out to classmates.

Let's check in to see how my pumpkin carvers are doing.  Looks like they're making pretty good progress but they're not done yet. 

Keep working guys, you're almost there.

 

The highlight in our household this time of year is the excitement surrounding Halloween costumes.  When Cameron and Jordy were really little, I always coordinated their dress-up as you can see in these cute photos from Halloween 2001.

It's a treat just to look back on how tiny they were back then.

 

Of course, with every new trick-or-treat night there is another opportunity for me to scrapbook the event for fun and posterity. 

Here's an example of another of one of my coordinated costume efforts in this 101-Dalmatians themed layout below.

As my kids got older they started picking their own costumes and expressing their own individual costume style, tastes and in some cases, their ghoulish interests.

Two years ago Cameron and Jordy were both pretty scary looking as you can see in this scrapbook layout entitled Frightful X 2.

Here's one more Halloween scrapbook layout from a few years ago.  Cameron dressed as a sweet witch, Jordy channeled a favorite Power Ranger and Boris was a big hit as he strolled the neighborhood as a devil dad. 

This 2-page layout appeared in 601 Great Scrapbooking Ideas book, published a while back. 

Scroll down to the end of this post to see Cameron and Jordy's Halloween costumes this year.

Newsstands and bookshelves are loaded with great material for Halloween ideas and projects. 

I really enjoy browsing these publications for great photos and projects and every year I find something new to try for the spooky season.

Now don't go losing your head over this next sweet treat. 

Hands down, this is one of the easiest treats to whip up.  I'm a big fan of simple projects and this fits the bill with practically no cleanup when finished.

 
Just melt white chocolate wafers in the microwave.  Drop a teaspoon of the soft chocolate into these skull molds which can be picked up at any crafts store in the baking section.

Let cool for about 20 minutes until hard and then simply pop the skulls out of the molds.

Stack a quartet of the skulls into plastic treat bags, tie the top with a ribbon and adhere a fun sticker.  They're creepy looking but oh-so sweet.

By the way, these packaged chocolate skulls would make great, unexpected goodies for school teachers.

As promised here's the finished effort from my pumpkin carving trio. 

Jordy's scary-face, Cameron's mummy-face and Boris' fire-face all get a big orange thumbs-up in my book.

Lights out!  This pumpkin carving technique really shines when you flip the lights off because you can really see the intricate carvings more clearly in the dark.

These look great on the front porch at night.

Meanwhile, my kids really enjoy the costume dress rehearsal almost as much as Halloween night itself. 

This year Cameron itched to be a witch, while Jordy drooled to be a grim ghoul. 

I think these costumes will definitely scare up some good trick-or-treat candy as long as Jordy is careful with that scythe. 

     
Here's hoping your Halloween season is safe, fun-filled and all around spooktacular! 

Boo to you.

End of an Era

When I first started scrapbooking about 10 years ago, I had no idea what a huge hobby and major industry it would become.

In those earlier days "scrapping" was nothing like the rage it eventually became.  At that time there were only a handful of stores that offered scrapping products and even fewer magazines that focused exclusively on scrapbooking. 

Sadly, this year one of those pioneer scrapbooking magazines has called it quits after more than a decade of publication.

Memory Makers magazine (or MM) was an early original making its debut on newsstands in 1996.

The current October 2009 issue marks the last issue of this renown and popular magazine.

I've been reading Memory Makers magazine almost from the very first issue.  In fact, I still have many of those "vintage" copies which I keep in special hard-bound binders that MM used to sell years ago.

Does anyone else remember buying any of these?

Scrapbooking styles have really evolved over the decade from a more simplistic, one dimensional approach in some cases to a more detailed and intricate use of multiple embellishments which can add texture and greater depth to a layout.

Here's a shot of the cover of Memory Makers'  September-October issue from 1999.  Told you I had an old collection.  

While Memory Makers magazine has offered up wonderful layouts, tips, and scrapbooking ideas over the years, one of the most anticipated events among scrapping enthusiasts was the magazine's annual Memory Makers Masters Contest, commonly called MMM.

Every year the magazine editors would hold the MMM contest to find what they considered the Top 10 scrapbookers in the country, culled from hundreds upon hundreds of eager entries.

I was thrilled to win an MMM spot in 2007 along with nine other fabulous scrappers.  Now, how cool is that?

My pages from that winning entry are still among my favorite layouts and I thought it would be fun to share them here along with a few details that help make them shine in my eyes.

This first layout features my daughter when she was only two days old.  Wow, time is flying-Cameron is now nearly 11 years old. 

I love the subtle nature of the tiny safety pin in the bottom left corner of this layout.  I also painted a chipboard number 2 to match the patterned paper and add some extra dimension.

These are the kinds of soft, little details that can give any scrapbook layout that something special. 

I've always loved the black, red and white contrast in this next page which features Cameron and Jordy as they were headed to a neighborhood candy store. 

I snapped this single, focal-point photo back in the day when these two used to hold hands while walking down the street together.  Ahem, they don't do that any more.

As you can see in the left photo below, a simple label maker can go a long way when it comes to creating unusual scrapbooking elements.

For a hint of elegance, consider brushing a metal frame with acrylic paint for another easy accent piece.

A dandelion patch was the locale for the series of photos in this entry layout in the photo below. 

I used quite a bit of rubber stamping on this one, including using a dandelion rubber stamp on a torn journaling sheet that I also edged with rubber stamp ink for a more rustic look. 

While I typically type my journaling on the computer, I think the use of my own handwriting here also adds a personal touch to the overall presentation. 

The use of word stickers are also another way to add information on the subject matter in a fun way.

How can you not love a smile like this, in the layout below?  Jordy was grinning ear to ear here after losing his very first tooth.  However, right after I took this photo he dropped the tooth on our light-colored carpet.  We never did find it.

The journaling in this layout details that tooth loss and subsequent search but I think it's the cute photo (and Jordy's dimples) that makes this page really sing. 

For a fun embellishment on the bottom corner, I painted a chipboard circle dark acrylic green and then applied a circular rubon to the chipboard to create this element.

After adding the rubon, it's a good idea to add a coat of clear acrylic to prevent the rubon from eroding over time.

This last layout in my MMM entry features a blurry photo taken of Cameron from that same dandelion shoot that I mentioned earlier.

I decided to use the picture because I thought it suggested "unstoppable" motion in keeping with the title and it was also a great way to demonstrate how a less-than-perfect shot can still be used to create a nice layout.

Look closely.  The journaling in this layout is hidden behind a matching square-shaped piece of stamped cardstock. 

Pull the tapestry ribbon tab and the journaling is revealed, adding a fun and unexpected feature to the page.

In addition to the chance to work with a great group of magazine editors, the Memory Makers Masters contest win also opened my eyes up to the concept of magazine submissions.

As a result I've pursued a number of other publication opportunities that have resulted in nearly one hundred of my creative projects and articles published in various scrapbooking, crafts and home decor magazines.

I've also had a chance to see two of my scrapbook pages grace the cover of MM.  That's Cameron on her 4th birthday in the cover layout below. 

If you're interested, you can see my second cover layout if you click here and you can browse a small sample of some of my other published work if you click here.

Meanwhile, for anyone who has enjoyed MM over the years, you already understand the void that will be created by its absence on store shelves. 

While an on-line presence will be continued at memorymakers.com and scrapbooking idea books will still be published under the Memory Makers books imprint, the original magazine is now gone for good.

For 13 years, Memory Makers magazine has led the way in helping scrappers capture, create, showcase, share and document their memories of loved ones, friends and life's many milestones.

The disappearance of this groundbreaking publication truly marks the end of an era. 

Thanks for everything MM.

Decorative Desk Decor

On just about any desk you'll likely find an assortment of loose supplies just waiting for a little bit of organization.

This project will not only get those loose scattered pens and pencils in one place, but at the same time create some pretty style as well.

I love great storage solutions and I'm always on the lookout for ways to dress up my workspace.  This is another low-labor project that will only take you a few hours to complete.

Trust me, your tools and supplies may actually get a lot more use when they're displayed in something attractive like this.

   

Start with a simple wooden box like the one in the photo below.  These boxes are available in a variety of styles at most local crafts/hobby shoppes.

You could paint the trim a desired color and only wallpaper select areas of the box.  However, I decided to wallpaper the entire box and raised trim for a more consistent, old-fashioned appearance.

I settled on this soft, floral patterned paper because I wanted the box to look like a vintage find. 

Consider who'll be using the box when selecting the paper.  For example, if the storage box is for a child, a bright polka-dot pattern or other fun design will make a totally different statement.

After making a patterned paper selection, measure the width of the box to determine what size paper strips you'll need.

Apply a decoupage medium or similar glue product to the box on the bottom and sides respectively. 

Only glue one side at a time and then add the paper as you go.

Attach the pre-cut patterned paper strips to the wooden sides.  If your box has a raised trim as this one does, I think it's easier to attach the paper to the larger areas first and then cut smaller strips to cover the trim.

Because this particular box has heart-shapes, there's an extra step to reveal these decorative openings.

Cover the hearts completely with the patterned paper and then use a thin craft (or nail) file to carefully etch away the paper from the shaped hole.

Once you finish exposing the heart shapes, add another application of glue to the inside the box.  Allow the paper to wrap over the top for a more seamless finish.  Then apply the smaller pre-cut strips of matching paper to the front trim. 

Use the craft file to distress the corners and edges of the box to give it a more aged appearance.

It's also easy enough to create matching desk items to go along with the storage container. 

These mini composition books (3 1/2" X 4 1/2") are ideal for keeping daily notes and creative ideas.  They also a perfect desk-to-purse size. 

To cover the mini book, apply the same glue to the front (and back) and then adhere the patterned paper.  

After trimming excess paper from the sides, use book binding tape to cover the spine as you can see in the photo below.  You can also slightly edge the sides with rubber stamp ink for a nice effect. 

Apply the same technique to the larger, school-size composition books to give that traditional black and white marble design a much fresher, personalized look.

Decorative clips are another way to add to the desk ensemble.

These are made of simple wooden clothes pins and patterned paper.  You may recall an earlier post on this blog on how to make these fun clips. 

You can read that tutorial if you click here.

These clips can be used for a lot more than keeping those loose papers organized.  You can also use them to clip bags of chips and other goodies in the pantry. 

Also, adhere a small magnetic strip to the back of these clips and they're transformed into a pretty refrigerator display-holders for all those wonderful school art projects. 

 

As we head into the fall season, this is the time that many crafters start thinking of what handmade gifts they'll be making for the holiday season.

I think any gift recipient would love a collection like this.

Whether you make a desk set like this as a gift or make a set for yourself, this is one project you'll definitely enjoy creating. 

When it comes to handmade decorative desk decor, it's fun, fast, feminine and functional.  Now, you can't beat that.