March in a Nutshell...

The month of March seemed to fly by for me. It was busy to say the least. So, here we are on the first day of the new month... a few things to share before we head full steam into April:

Our beloved yellow lab, Wrigley had to have some surgery to remove a tumor. Sadly, he has cancer and we found out that the tumor will grow back quickly. He has nerve cancer and it's apparently a fast growing type. He is doing well now and isn't in any pain, so needless to say, this is going to be his best summer ever! I love that big, furry Mama's boy!

I am continuing with my running. Yesterday was the last leg of the Louisville Triple Crown with the Papa John's 10 miler. It was a tough race through a very hilly Iroquois Park, but I finished strong and my brother, Adam kept me going. I beat last years time by almost 20 minutes- that's HUGE!

April 28 will be the Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon. I'm ready... running has become a part of my life and a part of my schedule. In March alone, I have run over 68 miles! I will be training all summer long with super long miles on the weekends to prepare for the Columbus, OH Marathon in October. Here I am in my first Marathon in Chicago, an experience I will never forget. 

Mac participated in the St. Baldrick's head shaving/fund raiser again this year at his school. He raised $525 and went over his goal to fund research for childhood cancers. We are so proud of him and his tender heart makes all of us smile! Here's a before and after picture... no teeth and now, no hair!

Lastly, I got a part-time job. I was offered a position at Paper Source. I'm only working 1-2 days a week and I took the job because I felt like I needed to be around creative people. I gain inspiration and gather ideas every time I work! Not to mention a really great discount! ;)

So, it's been busy. My stationery business has also taken off quickly in 2012. Lots of new designs and I plan to have a 20% off discount code as soon as the Facebook fan page reaches 200. If you're on Facebook, click like on the Paper Doll Stationery page!

Making Tile Coasters

Good morning, friends! Last week, I had a friend over and while we drank coffee, nibbled treats and chit-chatted, we made some tile coasters! It was so much fun and so easy! I made several sets at once to save for gifts. So, I'm going to show you my easy as 1-2-3 step process:

Gather your materials:

4.5 inch square tiles from Home Depot- $0.16 each!

1 jar of Mod Podge- we used the matte finish- $6.99

1 Can of Krylon Sealer to spray over the finished coasters

1 Bottle 3in1 Glue by Beacon

Sponge Brush

Pretty Scrapbook Paper

Felt (for the bottom of the coaster)

First, I decided what paper I wanted to use. Then, I got into my felt stash. I have so much felt that I was able to match my paper to the felt. I cut all my paper in 4.25 inch squares and then used my paper as a guide to cut my felt squares.

Then, I glued my felt to the bottom of each tile. Use your 3in1 craft glue for this part. 

After your felt is glued to the bottom of your tile, you're ready to adhere your pretty paper. Apply a coat of Mod Podge on top and then lay your paper on to adhere it. Smooth it out with your fingers and then add another coat of Mod Podge to the top and edges.

Once the first layer of Mod Podge is dry, add another coat and then repeat. You should do at least 3 coats of Mod Podge.

When you're finished with your last coat of Mod Podge and it's good and dry, take all your tiles outside and line them up. I put mine on our deck. I placed them very close together and then sprayed the Krylon sealer on them. I went back and forth a few times to make sure that I got them all real good. 

The spray finisher dries very quickly, about 30 minutes. Once the tiles are dry, you can stack them and package them any way you like. This is how I did mine:

Simply tied with beautiful satin ribbon in a coordinating color. This set was done with the owl paper and moss satin ribbon from Paper-Source.
This project did take some time, but I also made 7 sets of 4 coasters. So, if you plan to make a bunch as gifts, set aside a full day and do the process with a friend or while you have a bunch of laundry going! ;)
Enjoy your day!

2011 Highlights!

It's New Year's Eve, 2011 and I am reflecting on the resolutions I made for myself last year. I don't typically stick to the resolutions I set for myself, and almost always, I fail miserably! Not this year... The two things I wanted to make happen were to start running (for exercise and to get back in shape) and to continue submitting my work in hopes of getting published for the first time.

In January, I started running. I started small... 3.1 miles was my first goal and race. By the time spring had arrived, I decided I wanted to run a marathon. The Chicago Marathon. So, in October, with lots of training and hard work, I did it. Cheers!

In July, I got word that one of my card submissions got picked up for the September issue of CARDS. I was beyond excited!

And this was my card... found on page 111 just sayin'

AND... while I'm tootin' my own horn, I may as well let you know that my Paper Source holiday card WON!!! 

Finally, a few of my favorites over this past year:
My favorite layout was this one with tons of little pictures on it from our beach vacation in Hilton Head, SC.

My favorite little project were these tags I made out of scrap fabric and die cut felt.

Last, but not least, my favorite card from 2011, which I didn't send out because I just can't let go.

I am going to embrace the New Year and continue to set goals and challenges for myself.

I want to laugh more and yell less, craft more and clean less, drink more tea and less coffee. Continue running- even if I don't sign up for a full marathon! Go on more dates with my husband. Live more simply and enjoy my own surroundings.

In one word: CALM.

Have a Happy New Year! I wish all of you blessings, good health and an abundance of happiness in 2012!

Handmade Gift Giving

This week has been quite productive. Since I got all my shopping done before the kids got out of school, it left me with a week of stress free baking and crafting! It has been so refreshing to actually make things that I want to make. I love to wrap beautiful gifts and tuck something handmade inside. It's not what you spend, but the thought.

So, are you wondering what's inside the pretty box? A set of handmade stationery for each of my girlfriends. I added their monogram to the top of each card and coordinated papers for a fabulous envelope liner. I made several sets and each of them are different, depending on the recipient.

All papers, boxes and envelopes came from Paper Source. I hope my girlfriends will love them! The best part? We don't exchange gifts... so they will really be surprised! Merry, Merry Handmade Holiday!

Paper Source Card Contest

This past September, Louisville got its own Paper Source! I was so excited that they were opening a store here that I was their very first customer! When I found out about their annual holiday card contest, I knew I would enter, but what would I make? The card had to be 100% Paper Source and include an envelope. Oh my... PS has so many delicious items to choose from! How would I decide on just one card to submit?! Waiting until the last day to submit my creation, (because it just keeps life more interesting to rush and procrastinate) I came up with this:

I used the PS colors: red and chartreuse. The stamps are theirs also, and I added red Stickles for the berries. Satin ribbon and gold twine pulls it all together. The envelope liner is their handmade paper: concentric dots- with glitter... yum! And the best part? The winner gets a $50 gift certificate! I could use it!