I'm off to vegas....

Y'all,
I have never in my life have I won anything contest wise..... My friend over at CheesieMommie saw my earth day ramblings and told me to enter my earth mini at The Scrap Review .... so I did and I won! Holy smokes! I'm packing my bags full of craft supplies and headed to vegas.... huh? What the heck would i do with crafts in vegas? You can ask my friend Sonia.... my very first trip to Vegas..... I actually did pack my craft supplies.... she thought I was CRAZY!! I thought maybe I might get bored........ little did I know.....

anyhow - thanks katie for the suggestion...... xo, anna

embracing my inner nester

So I have been on a roll... using product packaging to make art...... this picture below was product packaging from my mom's house..... over spring break, we left dad in charge of the kids and crafted together, for a few hours..... I made about 6 cards using all her "stuff". It was fun to use someone else's loot..... I loved some of the cards I created.. but since my mom is a busy career woman I decided I would make all the cards for her to send to her friends.....maybe I'll get lucky and get one myself in the mail? (hint, hint mom) I digress...... anyhow, she had these love stickers in a heart shaped box....... we used all the stickers and were ready to recycle the box..... when I realized I loved the size of it...... hummmmmmm. Maybe I create some kind of 3d art from it?
here's what I came up with.......

I called it "love nest". I so, desperately hoped a birdie would find our backyard suitable for nesting this spring but it has not yet happened :( So - I made my own nest...... for Linda. Linda is my original nest queen..... she is a master of making GREAT scripture nest and made me realize my love for these beautiful creatures. While in NYC (a few months back), I visited a yummie store called Tinsel Trading CO - OMG - a store with nothing but embellishments - not just any embellishment BUT mostly vintage ones!!!! YUM YUM...... this was one of the few stores I had a spending spree in..... in the picture above..... you will notice a little yellow birdie..... I found him there...... the nest was already made (Michael's floral department) the flowers are prima - (wild wood coil mushroom collection) the patterned paper is anna griffin - the vintage tag is from tinsel town, too. Bonus.... there are REAL robin's eggs in the nest :) feathers, too.....

This picture is another recycled product packaging creation..... can you guess what it is? All patterned paper is Bo Bunny - "it's my party" line

What can you create from random product packaging?? My friend Laura from JUST PLAIN AND FANCY has created this AMAZING layout from some Tim Holtz packaging.......it's sooooo cool! GO see!!!!
xo,
amt

a cereal box journal swap

over at my favorite yahoo hangout... "the CPA" ...... one of our friends Cindy E. hosted a "cereal box journal swap"
The main concept of the swap is to create a journal out of product packaging... it did not have to be actual cereal boxes.... I received my journal from Phyllis in WA.

Here is is in all it's beauty...

Phyllis was so thoughtful... she actually send me a questionnaire before making the journal... with what your fav. this/ what's your fav that.... she also said that she was praying for me the entire time she was making the journal... (love her!)
Right now, with spring and all - my fav color is yellow - but ironically - I have never made a paper project in yellow? weird huh? (typical anna - I am not a huge fan of pink... but I can't believe how much pink stuff I have..... oh the irony) So much to my own delight I now have a whole book dedicated to YELLOW!!! And I plan to add lots of Yellowy things to my very special journal.

So part of the swap instructions were to create the journal completely from scratch (which is something I LOVE to do.... take a project right from the beginning and create it the way my heart guides me....) listen ... listen ...listen..... I rarely have a plan..... more swap instructions: Add lots of pages for the recipient to alter anyway of their choosing....
more instructions: It would be ok add our touch by playing with a page or two.......

My dear Phyllis - she had fun in my book and I am sooo gratuful - I love all of pages she played in :) here are just a few.....

beautiful......

love her doodling - love what she doodled even MORE.......

a great little surprise envelope enclosure. I already added something special here......

note to self: don't forget to have a spot of tea while making paper art....... :)
goodness knows I should be brewing up this tea... and get working on my journal for Christi (sorry girl - I promise it will be to you by the deadline - I've been collecting all kinds of cool packaging for your journal.... ) xo

Alright -want to see some more journals the CPa ladies have made? Here are a few

Linda's ......
Patty (she was not even in the swap!!!)
Nathalie
Lorrie's

Here's the link to lady who inspired the swap.... prepare yourself for some wickedly awesome journal art
Teesha Moore

Now - if I could only get mine going ???? I will post pics soon - I fully intend to have fun while making a mess creating christi's journal.... It's going to be all about gesso/ paint and two caprisun packages....... I'm dreaming red/yellow and orange..... (she sent me in that direction :) btw - I found my point and shoot camera.... so I am now back in business to post pics on my blog. Meanwhile, my baby (d-slr) is off to the doctor on the east coast..... (oh how the absence makes my heart grow fonder....)
xo for now,
anna

Crafting can be green too!

What can you do to help save the world?
Be a green crafter, of course :)


here's a link to some great green craft ideas...... you seriously can make trash to treasure.....

In my green craft repertoire, my first and one of most favorite mini books is my "earth" mini...... I made it last year to honor earth week..... so It's resurfacing on my blog ..... the idea for this book was born when my mom was throwing out a few mini file card cases.... I loved the transparency of it and instantly wanted to turn one into a mini album. I had been collecting articles from magazines on recycling (mostly to educate myself on what to recycle and where to recycle - and the album just grew from there.


making this album freed me - creatively speaking at least...... I began to look at packaging differently -WOW - I can make a mini album out of anything,.... and it does not even have to have pictures in it. I shortly thereafter turned some packaging that I received some stamps in - into a ROBOT book. Then I made the paper bag albums.....then a file folder album and most recently I made a coffee filter album.....


an album from coffee filters? oh yah babey...... to quote debbie richter .... "is anything in the house safe anymore?" Sorry Miss Debbie but absolutely not!!!

Some of you, my friends, are from the CPA...... in which Cindy Ericson has conveniently hosted a cereal box journal swap - we are all making journals from boxed packaging. I just Tuesday recieved my journal.... from my friend Phyllis in WA..... she made mine from greeting box packaging and all the pages are made from material packaging that was padding glass...

I will post more photos soon (this little book is so cleverly made that it deserves it's very own post.....)

The possibilities are endless..... you just have to open your mind and let your heart do the crafting..... one of my favorite magazine companies..... Stampington..... is about to release a special issue devoted to just green crafts..... (click here to pre-order)

Then there is the matter of ETSY.... on of the coolest places on the web....... through a friend of a friend I found Cindy Leaders who makes very "useful books" - she calls her books that have been made from packaging "upcycled books" very cool! I recently purchased some very beautiful books from her and was blown away by the skill she has to make these great little treasures..... I had not idea there is a whole community of artist that upcycle....... (click me me for more info!)

Well I leave you with a few thoughts..... if you are a crafter..... think twice about throwing office materials/ or product packaging out - you can most likely turn it into an UPCYCLED treasure. Now, for us paper crafters..... think twice about throwing out your scraps...... maybe you can host a scrap swap - or you can make cards from your scraps - or at the VERY least you RECYCLE your scraps. Some other cool swaps I've seen or read about is swapping out tools and/or stamps...... how about trading with a friend - how fun is it to play with something new (to you)..... best part of it all - is you don't have to buy anything - and you can always swap back your original items so don't really have to part with it if you don't want to?

it's not easy being green......

you just need to think before you act.....


So.... I'm celebrating all things green here at Nest happenings and I thought I would share some info with y'all. What exactly does it mean to be earth friendly, eco-conscious or a GREENIE ?? My favorite quote of all times is the 7 gen quote...."in our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations". Seriously - you don't have to be a green advocate or recycling nut to be "green". You don't even have to spend a lot of money to be a friend to the earth. You just need to think about your actions...... You don't have to be a VEGAN or all organic or a tree hugger..... You just start out small and you will not believe how it will grow from there.

It does not take a lot to create your own recycling center at your house. If your city does not offer recycling service.... You can donate your recycling (especially paper) to your local schools.....(they all need the money!) Some schools even have those "paper gators bins". You can take your plastic and aluminum down to your local recycling center.... they will even give you money (based on weight) for bringing it down. Here's the web address to find one near you (click me)

You can support LOCAL farmer growers by buying local.... (click me for farmer's market in your area) this is HUGE.... seriously think about it.... less money spent on gas to transport/import your food, keeps your money local, the food is FRESH!! (everyone wins) Here's a great read..... Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - it's written by my favorite all time author Barbara Kingsolver and her family. (good books on tape....) .... THINK GLOBALLY - ACT LOCALLY!

You can plant drought resistant plants.....it's called xeriscaping (click me me for more info ) SAVES your water bill!!

You can support companies that care about our earth.... one of my current favorites is Terracycle.... they take the NON recyclable plastics and turn it in reusable products.


I'm only listing a few thing here.... the list is endless.... seriously..... Here's a great website for educating yourself about "green living" Our Earth.Org

I do not claim to be a greenie or eco-conscience but I am a friend to mother earth...... I just try my best everyday to remember to think before I throw my trash out.... is it really trash? Maybe I can repurpose it? Can someone else use it? Is it recyclable? I take my own bags to the grocery store (sometimes I forget......I'm not perfect.....I just make sure that I bring them back to the store all stores have the "return your plastic bags here" box.) Also, I am teaching my son's that they need respect our earth and be kind to it....

So, I leave you with this though.... what kind of impact will your actions have on the next seven generations?

EARTH WEEK!

So my friends, it's earth week here on Planet Earth...... and I find it impertinent to post items about our blessed planet or those relevant to the better of mankind....... (huh)

Main message : the good lord gave us this earth - why should we not preserve it for our future generations?

I will start with the betterment of mankind. Want to help mankind and listen to AMAZING music at the same time? Then join Playing for Change on their quest to build and connect music/art at schools around the WORLD!

I can't wait till they release the DVD - I missed the PBS special...... but I did buy the music videos on Itunes...... this could be the best youtube video you have ever watched...... (seriously - it's worth it...)

Here is the offical website... ( click me ) it's worth taking a few minutes to educate yourself about this foundation. If you enjoy music.... in just the least..... (how doesn't?) every single one of these songs is AMAZING.

Here's the second video..... AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!

Now go forth and plant a tree or some flowers or veggies.......
xo,
amt

I'm experiencing technical difficulties....

Folks -

I have sad news to report...... my beloved camera has checked out........ I have no pictures from spring break - nothing of my crafting tales (which there is not much to tell anyhow) and nothing of my CUTE little kids. WAHHHHHHH
Here's the short of my long sad saga..... the camera would not take pics after I downloaded all my files to the computer just before I left for spring break.... so I charged the battery.... I put it back in.... gave me a weird ERROR....... (hum?) so I charged the battery some more..... (just in case....) same error..... gave it a few days.... tried again same error..... Nervously - I packed it away for the rest of my trip till I could come home and read my manual (have to admit - the first time the manual actually came in handy) ..... Manny the manual said it's kinda NOT SO GOOD an ERROR - take it to your camera dealer - QUICK! (AHHH)..... Took me a few days to dig up all the info.... call the camera dealer and they have gone bankrupt...... HUH? We even bought the extended warranty and everything!! YIKES! The only good thing is my Nikon is less than 6 months - so it should be under warranty from Nikon.... (fingers crossed they don't go bankrupt)

Meanwhile - How is a mother of two CUTE boys supposed to survive without a camera...... It has been months since I have used my point and shoot..... I can't remember where the heck I put it! AHHHHH - I'm in serious crisis here folks! I have no pictures to post... no real news to report - maybe I'll spend some time on Youtube and post some interesting videos?

Signing off a sad camera-less blogger......
AMT


(my state is not really as bad as I have mentioned.... I have been bit by the spring cleaning bug....... NO I"m not cleaning my house..... I'm organizing my crafty stuff......I had not idea I had so much stuff..... YIKES!! I could probably craft for an entire year and not have to buy anything but adhesives..... gees - I MIGHT have to if I can't get my camera fixed....... )

Tag ur it.....

Sarah tagged me...... for fun I'm playing :)



There.. now you have seen me - no make up (Haha - I never wear makeup) My hair in a pony (hahaaa - my hair is always in a pony...) note - our bedroom is a mess..... I rarely make our bed.....unless we have guests...... (shhhh....) OH and my new glasses! a sign that yes - I am getting older..... they say the eyes are the first things to go..... :)

Ok here are the rules!

1) Take a picture of yourself right now.
2) No primping or preparing.
3) Just snap a picture.
4) Load the picture onto your blog.
5) Tag somebody to play along.

I tag YOU!!!!!!! come on play along if you have a blog - if not email a picture - I'll put it on my blog for you (hahaaaa) (I am totally cracking myself up today :)
xo,
anna

Superhero for DAY

If only I could be a superhero for a day...... G. LOVE sings it best.... so TODAY for TAX DAY..... this song is for y'all!!!
NOTE: There are 2 bad words...."a**"


Here are the words ..... it's a cool song written and sung by a really cool dude :)
---------------
Every once in a while,
Gotta use my superpowers,
Even though saving the world
Outta style,
It ain't my fault all
This bad stuff is happening
But now it's time
I put my foot on down

Aaaawwww baby,
My love don't seem the same

No no

They save love's all you need
To heal the world,
Plus a trillion billion dollars
Have you heard
There's president bush,
Santa Claus and Green Goblin
Saddam Hussein,
Spiderman,
And Bin Laden
Britney Spears,
Jesus,
And the whole cast of friends
Met for brunch last week
To solve the world's problems
Well they called on me

Aaaaww baby
My love don't seem the same

Well if they called on my name
Don't you know I'd do it
Shine my signal over Gotham,
I'll be true
It is my distinct pleasure
To come down from my grass
Get off of my front porch
And save all your asses

And in the nick of time too

Awww baby
My love don't seem the same

Well change
Has come over me,
My muscle's growin
So I freestyle
My ass 'cross the USA
Solve the economy
The homeless problems,
Save what's left
Of the environment
Create jobs
For everybody doin somethin
That they wanna be doin
Yeah,
Well if you can't do smack
Then you better do something
Cause this is the time
When you so can't do nothin
Well that mean's you,
And you and you
And you and me too

Aaaaww baby

Then I'd fly overseas
And set all the slaves free,
From prostitution,
Sweat shops, child labor,
Solve the myriad of problems
In the middle east
Make a sun powered car,
We won't have to fight
For oil fees
And I'll take all
The troops back,
From where ever they roam,
And where ever they fightin,
And whatever side they're on
And I'll send them
On the first flight
Home to their mom's
We could make coffee tables
Out of all these bombs
And save the whales,
And the pigmee
Marmasetts too.

Aaawww baby

Well it seems kinda hard
But it really ain't nothin,
All you gotta do is get bit
By a spider or somethin,
We could change the world
In a week or a day
And if you got problems
Man I'll sweep them away,
If you find yourself
In a world full of trouble,
Just call on G. Love,
The superhero brother

And, I'll be there
Yeah
I'll be there
Huh
I'll be there
Mmhhmm
I'll be there

Aaaawww baby
My love
Don't seem the same
No no no

a quickie post......

Easter Egg dying party at Q's school....


Easter Egg hunt at Marz preschool.......




what I managed to squeeze in over the weekend.......
some sweet time with my boys.... we had fun :) cuddling, tickling, smiling, playing tennis and baseball, lego play, chocolate chip cookies and a couple of movies as well.......(can you guess what movie watched? hint.... check the shirt!)


a trendy book about a pair of SKETCHERS for Q....... turned out Qute......



some love scripture ATC's for Sharon swap at the CPA.....


Have a great week - we are off for our spring break......
Ciao!
Anna