My Mind's Eye Blog

Rolled Paper Heart

I always find it difficult to decide what to decorate for in January: snow/winter or go directly to Valentine’s Day. I usually try to split the few weeks between the two and don’t get to fully enjoy either. We have had snow on the ground the entire month of January and it has been cold, so this year I went directly to Valentine’s and have loved it!

Since we have two sweet boys at our house, my décor is focused on family love instead of romantic love. At the end of my life if my boys know one thing, I want them to know without a doubt that they are loved. That they are the most important things to me.

I love the fun, bright colors of the Lucky In Love collection. The sticker sheet is full of darling pieces. I especially swoon at the bicycle built for two!

I love the flowers in the bottom left corner. They frame the heart and draw your eye to the title: “Love Lives Here”.

To create the heart, I cut 21 - 4” x 6 1/2” pieces of paper, lightly spritzed them with water, rolled them around a skewer and glued it together. When I had them all rolled, I hot glued them to the heart pattern (link to pattern).

Download Instructions here:  Download 2013_02_05_GTU_Rolled Heart Frame

Heart pattern link: http://www.amberpacker.com/patterns/2013/02/rolledpaperheart.html

I demonstrated this project on Good Things Utah this morning. I will add the link to the segment when it is online here:

 

Reindeer Food–Neighbor Gifts

One of my favorite parts of this time of year is taking the time to acknowledge those who have meant a lot this year. Around here, that can mean giving a lot of neighbor gifts. Unfortunately, my heart is full of more gratitude than my wallet is so the challenge is coming up with a gift that meets the cute quota and is also budget friendly.

While in Michael’s the other day I saw these darling apothecary jars.

Guess what, they are only $1 each! They would be really cute to store smaller craft supplies in (hint). So I picked up a few and got to work on thinking of what I could fill them with for my neighbors. And that’s when I remembered the reindeer food my friend had given me a few years back. The reindeer food is so easy to make:

• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup red and/or green sugar crystals (I use sugar crystals in lieu of glitter – it still catches the light and is safer for any animals that may eat it)

After I filled the bottles with the reindeer food, I got to work decorating the bottles using our ultra-fabulous All Is Bright collection. The decorative tape quickly adds a designer touch to the bottles. I printed and cut out the cute tags (download here) and layered and embellished to my hearts content. I love the way it turned out and hope my neighbors like it as much!

 

 

I have created instructions you can download here:  GTU_2012_12_10_Reindeer Food

I am also demonstrating this project on today’s Good Things Utah program. When the segment is available to share, I will post the video here:

(segment coming soon)

Although, with all the deer we have had around our houses this year, I probably should hope they still like me after receiving this gift (wink).

I hope you are having a spectacular holiday season!

 

 

 

 

Give Thanks Banners

Like each of you, with each passing month/holiday our family is creating more memories.  We are having a great time decorating for Thanksgiving.

Growing up, my sweet grandma would ask each of us to state one thing we were thankful for before we ate Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn’t always prepared for it and usually came up with a lame comment. As I look back on that experience, I realize that because of my grandma, I am able to be grateful for the small things. I want to pass that gift on to my family.

Like a lot of families, we spend a lot of our “together” time in the kitchen. I thought it would be fun to have a reminder in there.

I used our new Lost & Found 3 – Oliver collection. I love the colors and the patterns – AND those gorgeous embossed papers – YUMMY!

(front)

(back)

        

(close ups)

(full room view)

To make your own, download the instructions along with the files for the letters here:  Download 2012_11_15_Give Thanks Banners

I am demonstrating this project on Good Things Utah this morning.  For our non-local friends, we will upload the segment here when it is available!

I hope you have a fabulous time making memories with your friends and family this holiday season!

(www.amberpacker.com)

Lost and Found Halloween layout

If you have been a follower of my blog for a while, you know that I take Halloween pictures BEFORE Halloween!  The kids are excited to be in their costumes and aren’t (in their nicest voices) asking you to stop taking pictures so they can get to the task at hand and begin Trick or Treating.  It works out great for our family!

Today on Good Things Utah, I shared how to create this layout.  This was the last layout I created for CHA-Summer.  I used the delicious Lost & Found Halloween collection.  The beautiful collection I used to create my Halloween mantel.  I was tired and not sure how to keep the design mojo going.  Thanks to the beautiful designs, it wasn’t hard and this is one of my all-time favorite layouts.  I just love the way it came together.

Wouldn’t it be fun to display THIS year’s Halloween costumes in your home on this beautiful layout?  Take you pictures early and/or make the layout early.  You will ease the stress and increase the enjoyment of the upcoming holiday!

Halloween Layout Instructions:   Download Amber_LF Halloween

For our friends who are unable to watch the segment live, I will up load the video here when it is available.

 

 

 

 

 

www.amberpacker.com

Lost & Found Halloween Decor

Each year, my Halloween decorations become more and more elaborate and a little more spooky.  Not gross, just spooky.  You can tell that my boys are maturing and enjoying just a few more creepy crawlies. 

I love, love, love – did I tell you that I love Lost & Found Halloween!  Jen certainly outdid herself when she created it.  I love the orange glitter, black chevron, advertisements and, of course, the embellishments. 

All those gross but cool “can kill you” potion labels that are so cute on layouts, make the easiest, cutest home décor!  I did not want to spend a lot of money on super cute jars, so I raided/cleaned out my refrigerator and my pantry. I also bought some sparkling mineral water and bottled root beer (the boys loved that). The shrunken heads and skeletons were purchased from a dollar store and everything else that fills the jars came from my pantry.

As you can see, adding just a few spider webs really adds to the authenticity of the jars.

In our CHA booths, we always frame our newest papers.  They really are beautiful works or art!  The Lost & Found Halloween papers are no exception.  I grabbed a few unused frames from my basement and voila!

Mixing in a few pumpkins, skulls, candlesticks, books and other personal artifacts, completed the look.  My sons loved it when they woke and our mantel looked like this one morning!

I also created a large dimensional spider for my gigantic spider web on my front porch.

I demonstrated these projects this morning on Good Things Utah.  I’ve included instructions of the projects that you can download here:  Download 2012_10_04_MME_Lost & Found Halloween Decor

I will add the video here when it is available.

I hope your month is fantastically spooky!

Milestone Birthday Celebration

Our family, like every family, has birthday’s that are milestones.  My youngest son has one coming up this month.  I sort of feel that he gets gypped a little when it comes to birthday parties (my fault) and I want to make this birthday extra special for him.  We will have family and friends coming to our house to celebrate this special occasion.  So I have to get going on invitations, décor an party planning!

Like many of you, I love The Sweetest Thing collection and the patterns and colors in “Bluebell” will be perfect decorations for the party!

For this type of invitation, I think it’s important to have pictures.  Since a lot of growth may have occurred it is fun for those family and friends who may not have seen the birthday person in a while. 

 

When Riley came home from school and saw his invitation, he was thrilled!  He is dying to eat the donuts, too!  I have a few more surprises up my sleeve.  You’ll have to watch the segment live or when it is posted here to see!  

I have also typed up instructions so that you can create your own!   Download 2012_09_05_MME_Birthday Celebration Instructions

Be sure to check out my blog (www.amberpacker.com) at the very end of the month to see how it all comes together!

Have a great day!

www.amberpacker.com 

Table Runner

I love going on Good Things Utah because it challenges me to think outside the box.  I’ve been trying to come up with a fun, different table centerpiece that is still simple and not too busy.  Then, I saw a gorgeous lace doily table runner and thought that I could recreate a similar look and feel that was a little more colorful and lively.

With the onset of fall quickly approaching, I thought the colors of The Sweetest Thing – Tangerine would be perfect.  I love the orangey goodness of the tangerine color mixed with yellows, blues, pinks and a punch of red.

I made three different flower patterns in three different sizes and picked 8 patterned papers from The Sweetest Thing – Tangerine collection.  Then I sat down and watched a TV show with Bryan (a rare thing) and cut away.  I used 35 flowers on my runner.

I laid out the big ones and mixed in a few smaller flowers to create the bottom layer.  Then I added small flowers to the center along with buttons, brads and crochet flowers (also from Tangerine) for dimension.  I left the center portion flat (see photo 3) to allow room for a centerpiece.

Left Side:

Right Side:

Flat Center:

Detail shots:

I think this would be so cute on a dessert table running beneath a bunch of pedestals and stands.

If you would like to create your own, simply download these instructions (patterns included), pull your My Mind’s Eye stash and have a great time!

Instructions:   Download 2012_08_23_MME_Table Runner

When the segment from today’s show is available, I will add it here so those of you who didn’t have a chance to watch it live, can see it:

(to see previous projects, visit my blog at www.amberpacker.com)

Have a spectacular Thursday!  Happy Creating!

Jewelry Tray

I have been trying to find an antique jewelry tray for in our bathroom for a while.  I haven’t been able to find one of these antique beauties that I feel like I can afford.  Darn budgets!

The other day I realized that I could make my own – and personalize it!  It was really very simple and as you can see, turned out so fun.  Perfect for your bath, a teenage girls, guest bath or teenage boys (with modification of course).

On my crafting mission, I went to my local craft store (which happens to be Hobby Lobby) to pick up the right frame.  You can pick up a frame from any craft OR thrift store or use a frame you already have (better on the budget)!

You’ll need to make sure you have the following before starting:

• My Mind’s Eye: The Sweetest Thing – Honey scrapbook paper and embellishments
• 8 x 10 frame with edges that go up (to keep the “stuff” in)
• 4 – drawer pulls (wood or metal) and paint if you use wood and want them to be the same color as the frame
• Sewing Machine, adhesive, hot glue gun, etc.

I was worried that the size of the frame would be too small because I was envisioning a longer, skinnier rectangle tray, but I think it’s perfect!

I’m demonstrating this fun project on Good Things Utah today (ABC 4 from 10 – 11:00 am).  If you are not able to watch it live, I will post the segment here when it is available.

As usual, I have included instructions for you to download so you can create your own personalized jewelry tray.   Download 2012_07_26_MME_Jewelry Tray

Enjoy!

Chinese Lanterns–MME Style

Maybe it’s not having a patio in the backyard or the fact that our patio table rotted over the winter and we “donated” it to the neighborhood clean up instead of bringing it to the house when we moved.  Or the fact that the only way I can leisurely enjoy an evening meal out doors is on folding chairs with paper plates in laps.  But, I have been dreaming of romantic summer night dinners with Chinese lanterns hanging from a pergola.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to decorate some rice paper Chinese lanterns with the My Mind’s Eye Indie Chic collections.  The papers are fabulously relaxed summer papers with a cool “Moroccan” summer feel to them.  And, they are perfect for patio décor.

Back up a bit… while talking with my Sister-in-law a couple of weeks ago to find out what I could do to help her get ready for my niece’s upcoming “landmark” birthday party, I asked her if I could do a trial run of the lanterns to add to the decorations.  I knew the Miss Caroline – Dolled Up collection would match her color scheme perfectly.  My niece was thrilled with the lanterns and even asked if she got to keep them and, of course, she did!

Here is how they turned out:

 

I tied some shimmery bridal “fabric” around the center, clustered the flowers around and added some Teresa Collins “bling” to make them even more feminine.  (My sister-in-law bought the gorgeous fabric to drape behind them.  The whole food table was gorgeous!)

It was great to have a trial run to learn from and tweak slightly.  Here’s how the Indie Chic lanterns turned out.  Aren’t they beautiful?  (I just love this collection)

 

 

For the Indie Chic lanterns, I mixed things up a bit:

• I decided these lanterns didn’t need the bling (shocking, I know *wink*).  Instead of dangling the crystals from the bottom, I cut the shimmery “bridal” fabric and tied it to the bar a the bottom. 
• Instead of clustering the flowers in the center, I swept them across the lanterns in a gorgeous diagonal line.  I made sure one of the lanterns was angled a different way.
• I also tied the lanterns together in a lantern “bouquet” and dangled them from the chandelier over my kitchen table.  There are so many cute ways you can display these lanterns (on a curtain rod (like we did for the Baptism, from a chandelier, an outdoor pergola, tree or from the ceiling in a bedroom – use your imagination).
• Indie Chic has gorgeous buttons, chipboard and brads.  They make fabulous centers to the flowers, so I mixed them up in the centers of the flowers and used the flower centers as “buds” on the lanterns.

As always, I’ve created instructions for you.  You can download them here:  Download 2012_06_29_MME_Chinese Lanterns

I’ll upload the segment here when it is available.

I had such a fun time creating these.  I have another niece that wants me to make some for her in the future and I look forward to making them for her.

Have a fabulous day!