This & That on Adhesive & July Giveaway

Ok, so this month I have an amazing giveaway of a Tim Holtz Configurations Frame. But, I know you all didn't forget that! I'm showcasing again today the last box I did. If you haven't but want to see more of this look into some of my first posts about 2 months ago and you'll find a slew of up-close shots of all the details. Also pictured is what is up for this months giveaway, just be sure to be a follower, share on facebook or your blog and the make sure your friends let me know you sent them!

This is going to be a lengthy post, but it's an important conversation to have all crafters must have, A come to Jesus moment if you will.

 I loved doing this project and also wanted to have a little conversation. This project sponsored this conversation for me. I included so many elements on this projects, from fabric, canvas, metal, gems, pearls, acrylic, chipboard...etc. So, say you were to put together a project like this. What adhesives would you use? Would you have to use more than one adhesive? Would it last? I'm always leary to use adhesive people recommend, mainly because my first question is how long have you used it? 

I ask this because, I've fallen in love with alot of adhesives over the last 10 years. Then over time, I find out their not all I had thought. For instances about a year in a half ago I made a Bucket List Book. I love it, poured my heart and soul into it. It sits on my shelf to showcase to others, which is saying alot as it's very personal.

 I went to pack it a few days ago, among other projects (I am moving) and that book was FALLING APART!!!!! Not all of it but the words I had glued on with a runner (wal-mart kind) were all falling off on their own or when you ran your finger over the words. Embellishments such as metals and plastics I had used hot glue or other adhesives for were holding on for their life if not already unattached.

NO ONE wants this to happen, I was urked! To say the least. There were many words used not appropiate for blog readers. So, I wanted to bring up a discussion of ADHESIVE and what I have been going to for over 6 months. I have been using Helmar Adhesive and I have to say, it's held up to the most important element ever..............TIME.

As a side note the below project I completed just with Helmar Quick Dry 450 adhesive. That's RIGHT! Everything, still as in tact as it was 6 months ago.

I wanted to share as well, without an adhesive that stands the biggest test of all, TIME. Your projects are subject to fall apart on you. I use Helmar for everything now. It's wonderful on paper (doesn't warp it), holds for over 6 months even when being displayed on a shelf, holds anything I've ever used it on, including plastic!

I am sharing this, because this album falling apart and having to put it back together nearly broke my heart! I wouldn't wish it on anyone to have to piece back together an album that important to you. Also, as a little side note, I am in no way sponsored by Helmar or anything! Just a fan giving a shout out to them. BECAUSE THEIR AMAZING!!!

Here is their blog. It includes places to shop for their wonderful products as well as wonderful projects and videos. I'd recommend if you are hesitant in ordering something new in a tight economy to try out a mini bottle of Helmar's Quick Dry 450. This is what I began with, and then later after trusting it began adding their other forms of adhesives. http://www.helmarusa.typepad.com/  

 Also, feel free to head over to their Facebook page, and "LIKE" them,  tell them The Craft Donkey sent you. They display alot of projects and inspiration on there that you do not always find on the blog and you can read the testimonials of hundreds of others. http://www.facebook.com/#!/HelmarUSA

So, in an effort to spread the love for this wonderful adhesive I'm  ALSO offering you all a small bottle of Helmar's Quick Dry 450 with this months Giveaway! (pictured are 3 large bottles, as I'm obsessed with them! OBVIOUSLY! You will rec. a small bottle with this months giveaway if you are the winner at the end of the month!)

Thanks ladies! I'll be announcing the winner of July's Giveaway in a week!! So if you're new to the blog, say HIIII!

Motivation Monday

Ok, so first and foremost. I have gotten quite a few personal emails, regarding the hidden journaling technique I was going to showcase last week. I am very sorry. Between packing and some other things going on I was not able to get the post up. Blogger was being a butt head, and then just things around here. I will be showcasing it this week!

Ok, so on to Motivational Monday.

I thought I would do some visual motivation today. I think sometimes like I've said before that some of my greatest motivation comes from simple images that excite me! Some are pictures I want to use for image transfer, some are color palettes for when I'm having scrappers block, some are just the very design and flow, some of even the way the photo was taken! So here we go. Enjoy! Take motivation and run with it! Be patient, there are a lot of photos that may take a moment to load.

(images are thanks to Pinterest.com)

Wandering Wednesday

So, as of yesterday, I was still flying by the seat of my pants as to what I would be showcasing for today's wandering around....

Then last night I received an update from a blog I follow and

OMG!!!

I had to share what is going to be coming out from Prima and Ingvid Bolme and what all of you wonderful wholesale and retail ladies need to pre-order so that I can ravage it from you all!!! Hahah how do you like that for excitement! I saw these and literally began squealing! I can't wait!

I'm going to share them here!! Because well, I just found my entire Christmas want list! They are all either resin or metal pieces and I must must must own them all!  Check them out. Let me know what you think. Which are your faves? Then head over and let her know which you all prefer! Click Here! Tell her your thoughts!

This and That

Ok, So I had some girlfriends over Saturday and they posed a very good question while we were all scrappin. How to go about constructing your pages and projects. Do you begin with the photo, with an embellishment, with an idea of colors. What sparks you?

This conversation was posed as they asked how I came up with the bits and pieces I put on some of my layouts. Honestly I had no answer for them other than I do what feel good. If it feels like an eclectic page then I go with it. If it feels streamlines and simple I go with that. I take all of my inspiration normally from the picture. As to me that's what its all about. Maybe I attach an age appropriate memory of that time period as well to the picture. Now that's not to say I never have an embellishment in mind to use and try to work it in. However, when I do that more often than not it doesn't end up on the layout.. lol

So, what's your process?

Motivation Monday & This July Challenges

Alrighty, ladies. Here's some motivation! I call it motivation as I struggled a bit with one of these layouts greatly and I did a card.. a  Guest Designer as I said last week and these are some of the products are those. I used the amazing tags that can all be seen here. http://www.berry71bleu.com/

This month remember the challenges: they are to use the color combo peach and pink together. I struggled with this alot. I guess I never knew how much I love each of those colors but rarely have if ever used them together. Alas I got it done. Also, as a bonus challenge is using hidden journaling on your layouts! I used it on both layout here.. and Thursday will be showcasing a tutorial on a way more than fun technique you'll be sure to use.

Remember the amazing giveaway this month. A Tim Holtz Configurations Framed box. When completing these challenges please feel free to email them to me to have them showcases on this blog throughout the month. Email me at sayitsbyu@yahoo.com

Here's my take on the peach and pink color combo.

Close up of the lovely tag. Always remember when you buy a tag or piece. You can make it your own. I added some color to the gold buttons here and then also added some stick pins and twine and additional flowers around it. I also added some words that described my daughter to it.

Another close up

This is a layout I did to showcase a fun way to hide journaling. I've tucked and rolled a smalled notebook paper and put it behind one of the wings.

Close up of a homemade flower and some painted chicken wire.

I played around with the die cut paper a bit here. I added some hand stitching around the letter "D" on the page. For my daughters name is Desiree. I then added a bit of bling to the letters to draw more attention to the details.

Here is the hidden journaling. It contains a private note to my daughter that someday she can read.

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Here is a card I created in only about 5 minutes with this lovely tag. it practically made itself!