Jen's Creative Outlet

Christmas Card Sneak Peek

2011-12-08T23:04:00.001-06:00

So no tag today but I thought I would give you a little sneak peek at my Christmas cards. My plan is to make 50 this year but its taking longer than I wanted so I'm still plugging away at it. Why go through all this work you ask? Well its one of the few things I can give of myself to let people know that I care about them, to me its worth the effort. And as frustrating as it can get when things don't want to co-operate I still enjoy doing it. It's one of those Christmas traditions that I do to get in the Holiday mood. It also challenges me to come up with something different and original every year. So here is just a glimpse of this year's cards.

50 white pieces of cardstock that have been embossed with a new embossing folder and then brushed with Pearl-Ex powder.

50 glittered and layered snowflakes

50 each of 2 designs of swirls cut from paper that has been Glimmer misted and cut with Spellbinders dies.

This year I wanted to include some of my own artwork on my card so I printed copies and cut them plus 2 other papers with my Spellbinders dies

This is my holding container until my cards are ready to be assembled.

Following Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas Day 2 (officially)

2011-12-07T20:35:00.000-06:00

OK, so yesterday I posted the tag for day 3 so here is day 2, the real day 2 tag, hope you like it. You can find Tim's here. I also added his 12 tag blinkie on the right so you can click on that to be more up to date on his tags( seeing as I'm a bit behind).

Following Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas Day 3 (apparently I missed day 2)

2011-12-06T16:25:00.001-06:00

My day 3 tag didn't turn out as good as I would have wanted it but here it is. You can find Tim's here. Now back to day 2, lol.

Following Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas

2011-12-05T21:40:00.001-06:00

Every year Tim Holtz does a 12 Tags of Christmas series and this year I wanted to follow along, so here is my tag for day 1(I'm a little behind but that's OK) You can check out his blog and follow along here.

Scrapbook Layout

2011-10-27T17:30:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist making this layout when I saw this paper at Prairie Chicks. The inspiration for this layout came from a YouTube video I watched a couple of days ago from the I am Roses YouTube channel. You can find it here.

Paper is from FabScraps

-Shabby Chic Fleur

-Shabby Chic Chandelier

-Timeless Travel Stamp

My First Ever Background!

2011-10-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

After a lot of trial and error I finally designed my own blog background! I've wanted to do this for so long already and make it more personal. The pictures on the sides are of a chickadee painting I did a while back. My background is not perfect but I will experiment some more with measurement and such.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Everything I've created in the last month that I haven't posted yet.

2011-10-05T23:30:00.001-05:00

Sadly I'm kinda ashamed that I haven't taken the time to post all the things I've made in the last month. I have actually done a few things, and will be doing hopefully a lot more this month as I have put a scrapbook supply restriction on myself for the month of October. My rules are that I may not purchase anything in the scrapbook area (even if it wasn't intended for scrapbooking) except adhesive if I run out (not too likely as I seem to stock up on things like that) and card stock only to finish a project that I have already started. If I have not used a substantial amount of my inventory by the end of October, I will have to go another month without buying anything. The idea is that my stuff stays within the bounds of clean organization (no overflowing into another area or my counter space) And this also motivates me to use what I have and be more productive.

This is the latest project for a swap I participated in at Scrapbook.com. Its a small noodle box and micro mini album. Lots of fun. The mini album measures 1 1/2"x 2 1/4"

This is a not so mini album that fits 5x7 and 4x6 photos. I was playing with a dream effect in Photoshop with the rest of my pictures.

Shabby Chic embellishment organizer

Some of the cards I made in September

Ok this one is a little older. I made this for the guest design team I was on back in July, I just had never posted it officially on my blog.

Another two cards I made back in September

I decided to take better pictures of the Card and Envelope minis from the previous post.

and this album I made for a swap that never materialized, so I still have it. (sorry about the overly dreamy look, got a little carried away)

Cards and Envelope Mini Album Videos

2011-09-16T10:06:00.001-05:00

I have wanted to post this for so long already, I'm glad time has finally been on my side the last couple of weeks, so I could get it done. One thing about making these videos is that I think it's time to upgrade my video camera that my brother so generously gave us for Christmas one year, it has come in so handy. It's too bad that technology moves faster than I do, or I would be totally content using this camera. But it's taking longer and longer to get the video off of it and as other programs improve, the camera I have seems to get worse :(

I've made this video so you can make it along with me, you can just pause in between to catch up. The supplies you'll need are listed below. It helps if you pre-cut all your paper before hand. This book comes together really fast.

For personal use only please

Supplies you'll need if you want to follow along:1-pkg of 6 cards and envelopes (I used Kaiser Craft)
(if you are using different cards and envelopes just cut your pages 1/4" smaller than the card face or folded envelope)
24- 3 3/4" x 5 1/2" pattern paper
20- 4 1/4" x 3" pattern paper
6- 3 3/4" x 3" pattern paper for pockets (or width of your card paper x 3")
10- 4 3/4" x 2 1/2" tags( I used Ranger's #5 tags)
6- 6 1/4" x 3" tags ( I used the Tim Holtz Tag and Bookplate Die from Sizzix)
10- 1" strips cut from one of the envelopes
1- 2 3/4" x 5 7/8" cardstock scored at 1" and 1 3/4" (or the length of your cards x 2 3/4")

Thanks for watching!

finishing up some projects

2011-08-27T17:01:00.000-05:00

Its been a while again, I've been trying to finish up some projects lately and have several new ones started all the while waiting patiently for kids to go back to school ( I have mixed feelings about that this year, usually I'm so ready for them to go back). I am planning to make some new youtube videos as soon as the kids are in school (its impossible to do this while they are at home) I guess I thought the older they got the more free time I would get. Not this summer anyway. My oldest daughter lies in wait to catch me doing a video so she can laugh, critic and say I sound like a dork, lol. So she isn't getting that opportunity, hah. Teenagers! Last week I celebrated my 40th birthday, sigh, oh well. So now that life is slowly getting back to a routine, maybe I can get back to doing things in a more organized manner. Anyways I have a new quilt to show you, just finished it yesterday. And I'll post soon about the cards I made last Tuesday, I really like the way they turned out!

The pattern is called Twisted Bars from the book Modern Basics-Easy Quilts to fit Your Budget, Space and Style by Amy Ellis, Fabric is Lovely by Sandy Gervais and a few other pieces of various fabrics I threw in.

more home renos

2011-07-26T14:44:00.000-05:00

While my husband is finishing our basement bathroom I thought I would see what was under the blue paint on my counter top, I was very pleased to find this creamy Arborite underneath. So after 8 hours of stripping and scraping paint, 2 cans of paint stripper, I have a new counter top in a much more neutral color. This will tide me over until we can afford to redo the kitchen altogether :)

before

after

Catching Up

2011-07-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

So I have been trying to catch up with blog posts now that some things have slowed down for me. As I said in my last blog post, I have been creating things just not having time to post anything. As some of you know from reading my posts in March, I was accepted on the http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/ guest design team and it has been tons of fun creating things for their blog this July. You can see the things I've been working on through the links below, also check out the rest of their blog and other DT members posts, they are absolutely wonderful!

http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-to-know-jen-julie.html

http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-dt-jen-unger-grandma.html

http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-dt-jen-unger-cards.html

Busy Summer

2011-07-16T10:35:00.000-05:00

Wow , so far this summer has been really busy. I have been creating but haven't had the time to post. We also purchased our home that we live in so we have been doing some small reno projects. This was my first project, done from scratch all by myself ( granted I wouldn't let a real carpenter inspect it but its good enough for me).

Storage room/Pantry

Before:

During the process:

I drilled all these holes myself. My arm was ready to fall off!

Cleaned out room with boards ready to assemble:

First part of assembly, no they are not not crooked, just the camera angle. I used a level and measuring tape:)

Shelves, yay!!

Final result, minus the painting of the shelves (I'll do that when I'm feeling ambitious again)

Project Organizer

2011-05-15T17:43:00.000-05:00

I made this project organizer as a fun useful item that I can store a mini album or other projects in progress, the top part is for my 12x12 papers and larger sticker sheets and the drawer is divided into two compartments for embellishments and photos and I think it will fit a 6x6 mini album as well. This is my first attempt at making something like this from scratch so I did run into a minor problem with how I adhered my 12x12 chipboard together to make the box as it doesn't quite fit 12x12 paper as easily as I had hoped, I will know better next time I make it.

Paper used, Pink Paislee- Sweetness, Love Blooms, Prima Marketing (sorry can't find the name of the line)., Stampin Up- So Saffron Designer series pattern paper and other yellow paper I had that belonged to a paper stack from Costco. I Am Roses and Prima roses and leaves. Prima Say it in Pearls. Bookplate from Basic Grey. Tim Holtz- Accoutrements Fanciful Buttons. Tim Holtz Caged Bird die.

Kaiser Craft DT Call

2011-04-28T10:31:00.001-05:00

I'm really excited that I found out that Kaiser Craft was having a design team call a couple of weeks ago. I love working with their products and had fun making these projects for it.

With the MDF Advent Calendar, using Blushed paper and the Iron Gate and Iron Fence wood pieces, I created a place to put my earrings and small jewelery.

Prairie Lane

With the leftover paper from my page I made 3 cards

On this card I also used the lace doily stamp from Tea at Elsie's

Tea at Elsie's

Loire Valley and Grandiose

Card using the scraps again and Secret Bird Society Rubons

Mini album using Sakura Park

A New Painting Finally!

2011-04-20T21:42:00.001-05:00

It feels good to get the paint brushes out again. My brother Vince who takes amazing photos which you can find here http://www.vrwolfphoto.com/ took a picture of a cute little chickadee sitting on the budding branches of spring and I just couldn't resist painting the little creature. The painting is acrylic on a 16''x 20'' stretched canvas.

3 Cards, 2 Layouts and a Quilt

2011-04-09T00:32:00.000-05:00

The last few weeks I've been in the creative zone again. I've made 3 cards (4 actually but one is for someone specifically so I didn't post it). The first card was inspired by a very talented church friend of mine Julie who posted on her blog a photo of a skirt that she was inspired by to make an elegant card using border punches. You can find it here . This is my vintage version.

The punches I used are from EK Success. I also used Glimmer Mist in Wheat fields and Patina. Ribbon-American Crafts, Roses-Prima Marketing and I Am Roses. Label- Graphic 45. Card stock Stampin Up.

And since I made a girly card I had to make a guy card. I love that the dog is building his own house :)

Card stock-Stampin Up, Pattern Paper- Tim Holtz, ticket-Tim Holtz, On the Edge die-Tim Holtz, Chain ribbon-Websters Pages.

This card I had fun using Ranger's Puffs embossing powder. It has a cool flocking effect.

Stamps and card stock are from Stampin Up, Metal medallion-Dollarama. Bling- E-Line, Lace- Dollarama again

I'm not sure if I like this page yet. I think I went tad overboard on embellishing, lol. The pictures are of my hubby checking the irrigation pumps for his work.

Paper-S.E.I., leaves-I am Roses

This layout I made before I knew what pictures I would put on it. This is a wedding photo of my parents which totally suited the layout perfectly.

Paper-Pink Paisley, flowers-Kaiser Craft and Prima, Say It In Crystals-Prima Marketing, Frames-Melissa Frances, Pearl Brads, Kaiser Craft.

And last but not least is my latest quilt that I had been working on for a while. I wish the camera picked up the glittery fabric. The pattern is a Lone star, the quilt will be displayed at Prairie Chicks for a while as will the two layouts. The fabrics are called Fairy Frost and Antiquity by Micheal Miller.

Memories Wholesale Retailer's Event

2011-03-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

Two weekends ago I had an awesome opportunity to go to a class filled weekend with my boss and friend Tammy with Prairie Chicks to Edmonton for a retailers event that Memories Wholesale put on. It was a lot of fun and the classes were fast paced.

This is the We R Memory Keepers class where we got to play with the Cinch (now on my wish list)

We made this awesome notebook

Of course all classes were amazing and fun this class was the one I was looking forward to the most and it did not disappoint

I'd put Tammy's picture here too, but I think she might not appreciate me plastering her pic too many places. You can see hers at prairiechicks.blogspot.com

Another class I was really looking forward to was the Graphic 45 where we met the owner and designer of Graphic 45 Diane Shultz. What a super nice lady, she even gave me a hug when I thanked her for the class.

We mad this mini album using the new doorknob plate as the binding. The tag was their make and take at their booth.

This is what we made in the Bo Bunny class( very fast paced). These ladies were lots of fun.

The make and take from their booth

Other make and takes from the booths.

My Little Yellow Bicycle class

Something New For Me!

2011-03-07T21:13:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty excited about a new opportunity that I recieved by email last Thursday. I've been chosen along with 7 other amazing scrap artists to be on a Guest Design Team over at Flamingo Scraps! I've never done anything like this before I look forward to working with these ladies.

http://flamingoscraps.blogspot.com/2011/03/announcing-our-second-guest-design-team.html

Did I Forget Something?

2011-03-07T20:50:00.000-06:00

OK, so I was going to post the pictures of my "MME" mini album so you guys could see the pages more clearly and I'm searching through my photos and my camera memory card, nothing. I totally forgot to take pictures of it. Seriously I think my brain is having a huge malfunction. Today I took a load of laundry out of the dryer, loaded the washer and went to get another load of laundry only to find out I had just put the clean dry laundry back into the washing machine, so so sad.

Anyways I did take a few pictures of the other projects I made from the same MME line. Some are blurry, very sorry for that.

I also thought I would share a little peek of how I scrapbook :) Mess or Masterpiece?

MME Lost and Found mini album and layout

2011-02-28T22:07:00.002-06:00

Valentine's Mini Album

2011-02-12T13:22:00.000-06:00

Making this album was quite a challenge as I usually only make square or rectangle albums. The challenging part was to find things that worked with a heart shaped page, I didn't want too many things sticking out the sides of this one because I wanted to maintain as much of the heart shape as possible. Anyways, what I loved most is that I used stuff from my stash. Too often when I have a project in mind I go out and buy specific things for it. I've had this paper for a couple of years just sitting there not being used, which is a true shame. Hope it inspires you. Sorry for some of the images being blurry.

Products used: Kaiser Craft "Sakura" paper, flowers from Prima Marketing and Kaiser Craft, Recollections glitter chip board pieces, My Little Yellow Bicycle clear transparencies and "Love Letters" journalling stickers and clear stickers, Prima Marketing e-Line pearls and bling, Kaiser Craft bling. Ribbon and lace unknown, just from my stash. Envelopes were cut on my BossKut Gazelle using an envelope pattern and reduced in size.

Two New Layouts

2011-01-16T18:04:00.000-06:00

Sorry to those that have felt they would never see another post from me. It's been way too long again.

Anyways I've been scrapping lately and have managed to finish two new layouts. I now have all my digital photos loaded onto my computer so they are easy to find once again which in turn makes it easy to print and then scrap.

This one I used Basic Grey's Curio paper, Prima Say-It-In-Pearls, some Prima Flowers and I sprayed crocheted lace with Glimmer Mist( Riptide and Arctic Blue). I cut "explore" on my Gazelle.

This layout as made for a challenge where we could not use pattern paper but we could make our own using stamps and whatever else we wanted. I stamped large lacy snowflakes(Tattered Angels "Chillin" stamp set)with versamark, then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder (Tsukineko) after this I sprayed Glimmer Mist in spots(Caramel Apple) and inked the edges with Distress ink (Tea Dye). The "X" border was drawn on with a Copic Marker (E39). I then drew a circle on my paper with pencil and adhered punched dots around my drawn line. Plain white flowers were misted (Sunshine, Burnt Red and Caramel Apple).Other items used were Prima Say It In Pearls and leaves, E-line pearls, Martha Stewart butterfly and twig punches.

2011 Calendar

2010-11-26T18:24:00.001-06:00

I saw somewhere online someone (sorry I forgot who) had made a similar calendar like this and I just loved it, hers was more of a shabby chic version so this is my interpretation of it.

I made this calendar from a 7Gypsies Paint Tray, printed a 2011 calendar off the Internet and decorated the sections with Basic Grey Indian Summer 6X6 paper and various embellishments.

Another Quilt Finished

2010-11-23T16:42:00.000-06:00

Here's another quilt I had made during the summer, I just got it back from the quilter (Most of the time I quilt it myself but this time I just wanted to send it off) and put the binding on it last night. The pattern is called Arcadia by Kari Nichols for Mountain Peak Creations and the fabric is Sasara from the Henley Studio Makower uk.

New Quilt

2010-11-12T19:09:00.000-06:00

I just finished this small quilt. The pattern is called Winter White from Schnibbles by Miss Rosie, the fabric is Nottingham Village, Judie Rothermel for Marcus Fabrics.

Prima Tag Challenge

2010-11-08T11:14:00.002-06:00

So last Thursdays Live With Prima online show we were offered a challenge to make a tag using only Prima products. This is my tag.

And here is the video on how I made it

Memory Album

2010-11-05T16:19:00.000-05:00

I decided to do a mini album on the last Christmas spent with my mother-in-law as a dedication to her memory (I still want to do one that covers her personality and the things she loved to do). For those who don't know she passed away last winter. Christmas was always a time of great joy for her because that's when she could be with her children again, whether it was at our annual Christmas gathering or she would fly out to see her children that were too far to come this way.

The products used in this album are mainly from My Little Yellow Bicycle's Christmas Delight line. Other paper is from Bo Bunny and Creative imaginations.Stamp from Stampin Up, flowers are from several companies(I'm sorry I can't quite remember from where). Prima Say-it-in-Pearls. Ranger Stickles, Glimmer Mist(the tree on the back page) Ribbon collected from all over the place even gift wrap. Maya Road chipboard snowflake. Everything else is from MLYB as stated above.

Marion Smith Inspired mini albums

2010-10-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

Think Pink Paper Bag Mini album #1, I made this one for someone I know who is going through breast cancer right now.

Think Pink Paper Bag Mini Album #2, this one I made for a Breast Cancer Awareness scrap as a door prize. Its almost the same, the pages are different though.

Another mini album that I made from watching Marion Smith's Ustream video's on Live with Prima and apieceofcraft.com. I have made this book 5 times already it has to be my favorite.

Here's another version, I'm not quite done but I used Prima papers on this one.

I'm also working on an animal print one for my daughter to keep all her pet cat pictures in.

My First Youtube Video of How I Organize My Pattern Paper - Clip-It-Up

2010-09-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Mixed Media Painting

2010-09-10T16:04:00.000-05:00

So I finally dug out my brushes and paint again. I wanted to try something different. In this painting I used eggshells as a medium to create the fallen leaves on the ground. I have to say I had a lot of fun playing with the gel medium I used to adhere the eggshells on. The painting is 8"x 10" in acrylic.

New Paper Storage

2010-08-30T15:20:00.000-05:00

This is my new paper storage. I am a scrapbook paper junkie and over the years I've collected a lot of paper. I did have a pretty good system for paper storage before but it was hard to get at the paper plus I kinda out grew it and started to stash my new paper in unseen corners of my craftroom. Well this lovely invention has solved my problem (other than the fact I need to stop buying) After four days of digging out all the 12x12 paper from every where I finally got it all on this stand. It is called the Simply Renee Clip-It-Up Floor Model. I absolutely love it! Mine is currently holding over 5000 papers on it and there is still room for more!

The bottom tier is my color family paper (sorted by color), the middle tier is themes and paper lines (vintage, Basic Grey, Christmas, My Mind's Eye and glitter paper) the top tier I was hoping could be my embellishments (stickers and stuff) but I just have too much paper so on it is my specialty paper. Each tier swivels so it doesn't matter that it in a corner you can always turn it to see what you have. (so how's that for free advertising)

one of the biggest bonus' is that now my electronic die cut machine can stay out for easy access.

Mini album

2010-07-31T02:18:00.000-05:00

So for the last week I've been working on a mini album. I never used to make mini albums because I really didn't know how to use them, but I think I'm going to be addicted, thanks to a few You-tube videos I've watched from butterfly kisses , apieceofcraft.com (Marion Smith) and BelindaAkers who all make beautiful mini's. These women have really inspired me to see these albums in a different way. So here is my mini, I used my BossKut Gazzelle to make the gate which I then cut an outline of it with acetate to give it more stability, then I went to town with Le Romantique papers and die cuts from Graphic 45. I think most of the flowers are from Prima, some from Kaiser Craft. The ribbons and lace are just things I had in my stash, some from garage sales years ago. There are so many pockets to put tags and photos in, you can really get a lot into this album.

My Craft Room Now

2010-07-21T11:29:00.000-05:00

So here we finally have it, what I've been working on for the last year. It started with me being so frustrated in my room because I could do any projects with everything so cluttered. I hired a professional organizer to come out and see what she could do. As it turned out she had some good ideas and some not so good ideas. I decided not to hire her and just tackle this on my own. I have to say I am quite happy with the results. The room isn't quite finished yet though. I still want to paint the walls in some cheery color and replace all the trim and paint the doors. But that's another day, year, whatever. For now I have all the furniture and it meets all the criteria I set out to do with a place for everything.

These two pictures are of my sewing wall, inspiration board, white boards to keep track of the projects I have going. There is also some scrapbooking things in the drawers as well as my colored 12 x 12 cardstock.

The picture on the top is the shelves where I keep my Glimmer Mist, embossing powder, ink pads and glitter. I haven't quite finished the counter top yet. Soon. The picture on the bottom is my main work station which I designed and built myself. I wanted it to be high enough to stand at or have the option to sit. I built it around my Sterlite drawer units because I still need them for storage but didn't want them taking up more wall space or closet space. This side has scrapbook supplies and tools, the other side has sewing and other craft stuff. The closet in the picture is my cutting, stamping station where I keep all my stamps, embellishments, stickers, albums and my Sizzix Big Kick die cutting machine.

One thing the organizer told me was that I would have to forget about the kids having their own space in the room because the room just wasn't big enough. Well this is my daughters desk where she spends a lot of time drawing her costumes and dresses. I converted the other closet in the room to a desk space for my son, where he spends time drawing all kinds of things, as seen in the top picture. Also you can see the cubby shelf that holds my reinkers and stickles.

Picture on the top, my son's desk and extra bookshelf for me. On the bottom is the other side of my work station.

Top, my computer desk where I keep office stuff and my paper file unit where I keep my pattern scrapbook paper in the industrial binder on top, school supplies are in the top drawer of the file cabinet and in the bottom is a lateral file drawer where I keep all my 8.5 x 11 colored cardstock and it is really full.
Here is a link to my before pics

before

Other pics of my progress are listed under the organizing tab to the right.

another quilt

2010-07-21T10:44:00.000-05:00

This quilt was made from the My Minds Eye fabric Andrea Victoria. Its only 48" x48", lots of little pieces. The pattern was from a book called Jelly Roll Quilts and More by Kimberly Einmo.

Altered tin

2010-06-17T12:20:00.000-05:00

So here is my altered tin. The tutorial from Live with Prima used Prima tins but I had this Maya Road tin that I thought I would use. I had to prime it with an acrylic primer first then I painted it with Walnut distress crackle paint, inked walnut distress ink around the edges. I then brushed a little Rock Candy Distress stickles on the outer corners of the tin. Then I dropped SU re-inker drops in tempting turquoise and really rust and brushed them in to make it look as if old paint color was seeping through. Next I stamped a swirly floral stamp( Fancy Pants) with Stazon Black ink. Last but not least I embellished it with bling from Dollarama, Prima Flowers and leaves ( oh, to get the feathery orange leaf I peeled off the top layer of one of the other leaves), and Kaiser Craft flowers, tied some ribbon and lace to the handle and there you have it.

2010-06-16T21:03:00.002-05:00

I had so much fun creating this layout today. The paper is from My Minds Eye, So Sophie collection, Flowers are from Prima, and the bling is Kaiser Craft. I also started an altered tin, which I will post really soon. The idea was shown on Prima's live Ustream channel.

mini book

2010-05-26T14:43:00.002-05:00

Here is a new mini book I made using Bo Bunny Jasmine papers and some Primas, it was super simple, the paper really did all the work as I didn't add a lot of other stuff to the pages.

2010-05-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

This is the quilt I did for my son, its just a basic Turning Twenty pattern using twenty fat quarters. I wanted to do something that was masculine that he wouldn't grow out of so quickly. I put an army green Fireside (like Minky) on the back so it would be nice and warm.

2010-05-03T20:41:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a wonderful weekend of scrapbooking at Camp Kadesh.We had a beautiful view of the lake from the windows of the lodge we stayed at. Unfortunately the weather was rainy and cloudy most of the time, Sunday was nice and sunny.

Here are a couple of pages I made at the retreat.

New Quilts

2010-03-25T10:27:00.000-05:00

I just finished two new quilts. The first one is from a pattern called Elizabeth by Miss Rosie's with fabric from the Moda line Aster Manor by Three Sisters. And the second one is made from Batiks. The pattern is called Do theTwist by This n That.

Cards as Promised

2010-03-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

Here are 14 cards that I've made in the last couple of weeks.

2010-03-20T14:58:00.001-05:00

So I didn't get this project done yesterday as I wanted so today I finished putting the stuff in the closet that I wanted in there and I even have some empty containers if the need arises. I love the space and wish I had taken a picture of how it looked before.(I think I was too embarassed).Even the kids have been hiding in the closet because now there is space to stand in there, too funny. The table is still full but most of that is my photos which I NEED to deal with already.

I PROMISE I wil post card pics later today.

2010-03-19T16:13:00.001-05:00

Ok so this is what I stupidly decided to tackle today. I emptied out this closet in my craftroom and dumped the contents in the kitchen.

So now I have this big mess to sort through before supper and teaching my class tonight. My goal is to get my house in order so I can do more creating and less cleaning but every time I rip up an area of my house I want to just walk away, why do I keep so much. blah. Hopefully if I get done in a reasonal time I can post all the cards I've made recently. But first things first :(

Organizing Update

2010-03-01T19:14:00.001-06:00

I posted quite a while ago that I was giving my craftroom a makeover and that I was going to follow an "organize your stuff challenge" I just wanted to give you an update on my progress. As of this last weekend I am very close to being finished with the shelving and furniture. All that is left is two long shelves, one for my sewing counter and one above that to put all my large quilting supplies on, ie; batting, quilts that just need binding and so on, and 6 more organizing cubes from Michaels. Here is a sneak peak of one finished part and what it looked like before.

Before (just the closet)

After

More cards

2010-02-02T17:59:00.001-06:00

I had a lot of fun with some of my new stamps today. The stamp set is Spiritual Sketches by inkadinkado. I colored the images in with my copic markers. Of course I don't think I'll be able to send these in the mail regular postage, they are at least 1/2" thick so I guess I'll have to give them to someone close by.

Two New Cards

2010-01-26T19:49:00.002-06:00

I must be in pink card phase because all the cards I've posted lately have some pink on them. These two cards are made using some of the papers in Basic Grey's Indian Summer 6"x6" paper pad. I can't remember where the stamps are from.They are from the same set anyways.

Organizing

2010-01-20T17:22:00.000-06:00

So those of you who know me and have seen one of my earlier posts will know that I've been giving my craftroom a makeover in the last half a year or so (no, I'm still not done). I didn't realise what a process it was going to be. Most of my storage units are in place, I only have a few left to purchase or build. So the trouble I'm having is to find a system of getting my stuff in the right places to be able to use it in the most efficient manner. Some of my stuff is good and in the right place but some stuff is quite scattered throughout the room. Today I found a blog that actually goes through the process of getting your scrapbook and cardmaking stuff organized. She covers everything from paper, chipboard, alphbet stickers to dies for your die cutting machine, photos and negatives, even all the scraps left over from your projects. So I thought I would share the link to her blog so if any of you are thinking of organizing your spaces you could check it out.

Here's the link
My Love Affair With The Label Maker

Its a 29 week challenge and starts on the bottom of the page.

Getting Things Done

2010-01-15T12:40:00.000-06:00

Ok so I wanted to post these last Tuesday already but my internet service was out that day and after that life was just plain busy.These cards were made using some scraps that I had in my stash(I'm trying to use more of what I already have instead of buying yet more supplies, although I still quite enjoy getting new stuff). I don't remember what the brands of the paper and flowers are but I can tell you that the border punch is from EK success. The images are from a program I had on my computer that I printed out ages ago. One of the things I wanted to do in this New Year was to get projects done, so I'm trying to allot a type of project each day of the week for example; Mon/sewing, Tues/cardmaking, Wed/painting, Thursday I work so nothing there, Fri/scrapbooking and Sat/any of the previous that needs finishing if I have time. So far It has been working really good( as you can see I've had more posts here already). And because my Craft room is almost finished I can work more efficiently and put stuff away where it belongs easier. I'm having a lot of fun because I'm actually getting to do the things I love, which means a better quality of life altogether. And I'm actually getting things done so I don't have to feel guilty all the time,lol.

2010-01-05T17:49:00.004-06:00

2010-01-03T23:06:00.001-06:00

Visiting Grandma.

Glimmer Mist and New Stamps

2009-12-29T16:59:00.002-06:00

Its always fun when I get to play with no real purpose in mind. Here I started with a piece of ivory cardstock, sprayed 3 colors of glimmer mist over a crumpled piece of tissue paper that was lying on top of my cardstock and brayered over top of it. Then I dried it with my heat tool before lifting off my paper and finished drying the ivory paper. I then attached it to my base card and stamped the corners with burgundy versacolor and clear embossed it. Next was cutting the three ovals with my spellbinders and running the green and burgundy ovals through a cuttlebug embossing folder. I stamped the lamp in burgundy and charcoal versacolor and clear embossed it.

Christmas Decorating

2009-12-19T19:03:00.006-06:00

A Major Project Finished

2009-12-19T18:57:00.003-06:00

After approxamately 70 hours of work I've finally finished this paper pieced tree skirt that measures 60"x60".

Christmas cards

2009-11-30T22:21:00.005-06:00

Well I have a good start on my Christmas cards, 22 down only 50 more to go. The nice thing about these cards are that I used up some of my old paper stash. The paper and pictures are from Hot Off the Press. I'm hoping now that my craft room is almost done I can be a lot more creative and finish my projects sooner. Already I'm finding that I can be more productive because clean up is so much easier with my stuff all having a designated spot to go back to.

Back to creating

2009-10-21T23:45:00.004-05:00

I finally created something just for fun, not something that had to be out the door yesterday.So I could actually take some pictures. I decided to challenge myself to see how many cards I could make using two 8"x8" pieces of paper and just some basic 4.25"x 5.5" blank cards, trying to use up all of the paper. The paper I used was from DCWV Sweet 8"x8" paper stack and the stamps were from Crafty Secrets.

Craft room makeover has begun!

2009-08-24T23:35:00.002-05:00

Its very exciting to see things start to take shape in my craft room. The first part of my room makeover is finished. I moved most of my scrapbooking stuff into the one closet and made it into a little diecut/stamping station, with a bit of a counter top and some shelving. I love how much floor space this made in the rest of the room. Pictures will coming in December, maybe.

Craft room in disrepair!

2009-08-14T16:37:00.001-05:00

I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't posted in a while now. It's not that I haven't been creating anything its just that it flies out my door almost right after I've made it. But I will share some pics of my craft room that will hopefully get a major makeover in September which I will post at a later date.

2009-06-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Playing with Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. I also used the Glimmer Screens from Tattered Angels by masking some areas of the white cardstock that was sprayed with Denim Blue and spraying Coffee Shop and Golden Terracotta Glimmer Mist over top and then flipping the sprayed masks over to stamp on the paper. After I used some Fancy Pants stamps and heat embossed the flowers in copper and silver embossing powder. The finished Page sample is hanging in Prairie Chicks.

2009-06-10T23:18:00.000-05:00

Don't worry I haven't given up on posting here. I just haven't had the time to take photos of my new creations yet. Lots to come. Thanks for your patience.

2009-04-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted, so many hobbies so little time. Here's a couple of pages I did with some new Bo-Bunny paper with matching rub-ons I bought.

I've also been working on this quilt for my daughter and an upcoming quilt show I be going to in Moose Jaw, SK.

2009-03-25T22:40:00.000-05:00

I bought some new stamps a couple of days ago so I had to try them out. I used stickles and some bling to dress it up a bit.

More Quilting

2009-03-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

I just finished a new small quilted table topper its only approximately 36" x36". It was a super quick project.

Jen Unger Fine Arts

2009-03-20T17:20:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to post an apology to those that visit my painting website regularily looking to see
new art, and there hasn't been any for a long while. I probably have too many hobbies on my
plate. I've been focusing on my quilting and scrapbooking lately, mostly because they are easily
accessible, I have a place to keep my stuff out all the time. I don't have a place to keep my
painting supplies out all the time so when I look to see what needs to be cleared away first before
I can paint I usually walk away thinking that it will take too much time to set up. Hopefully soon
I will be able to dig out my paints and just go on a painting rampage and produce quite a few for
you. It's definitely not that I don't have ideas running through my head I actually have wanted
to paint for a while.

For those of you looking for scrapbooking and cardmaking here's another ATC:

ATCs

2009-03-16T18:33:00.000-05:00

I've been going through my scrapbook stuff lately and always find a stash of scrap pieces of paper from making a page or card. If your like me these stashes just keep growing and growing because they are still usable pieces that I just can't throw them away. I've always been intrigued by artist trading cards and thought maybe I should make some out of my scraps. I guess you could keep them as is or even make a card using the ATC as a focal point of the card. Here are three that I made. Two of them are made from a Christmas card I recieved that was too pretty to throw away. I added some Magenta Peel-Offs to decorate them up a bit.

Quilted bag

2009-03-14T21:04:00.000-05:00

2009-03-07T12:55:00.000-06:00

I've been playing with new paper again, It went perfectly with a picture I had of my daughter and me just after we came home from the hospital.

2009-02-27T10:08:00.000-06:00

Two more pages from my 6"x 6" album.

2009-02-24T21:52:00.000-06:00

This is a little 6"x6" page I did of the creek in my parents back yard.

2009-02-23T08:51:00.000-06:00

Here's one of the pages I did Valentine's weekend. Nothing fancy I'm just wanting to get some pages finished.

2009-02-20T15:08:00.000-06:00

I apologize to those whom I told I would post something last Friday, life got a little busy as I prepared to leave on a staff retreat last weekend, and I didn't get around to posting the gifts I had made for my co-workers. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture as well. I also made these fry boxes for my husband and kids for valentine's day. I kept them hidden until right before I left for the retreat. I did get a few things done while I was gone so I'll be posting them in the next few days. I hope some of them will inspire you.

2009-02-02T15:19:00.000-06:00

I've been working on this quilt for a few months now. I finally finished it. It's the third quilt that I've finished from beginning to end. I have one more blanket that's in the quilting stages right now that I hope to finish very soon, plus I have a quilted bag on the go. I'll post these as soon as I finish them. I think the quilting bug has hit me( not that I need another hobby), I'm really enjoying the final results.

2009-01-26T08:47:00.000-06:00

Ok, I finally have some time to post something new. I've been busy working on a sewing project that I hope I can post soon.
This was a class I did at Prairie Chicks, where I work. It's a little inspiration book that I once made for my TOPS group to pass around when someone was feeling discouraged. It's filled with little quotes that I found all over the net.

2009-01-12T10:23:00.000-06:00

Of course after I did a page of my daughter I had to make one of my son. Their school pictures were so nice this year.

2009-01-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

I'm still having lots of fun with my new paper and co-ordinating embellishments. I love how this page turned out.

valentine tags

2009-01-09T19:44:00.000-06:00

2009-01-09T19:37:00.000-06:00

2009-01-09T09:53:00.001-06:00

This is a really quick card I did for my brother-in-law.

Last years Christmas Card

2009-01-01T18:06:00.000-06:00

This is the card I made for this last Christmas. I started off making 50 cards thinking that would be enough. as it was I guess I have more friends than I thought because I ended up making 60 altogether plus finding some that I had made for a class I taught last fall. Come Christmas time this year I'll aim for seventy five( maybe????).

Trying Something New

2008-12-22T18:50:00.000-06:00

I've decided that I would try something new and start my own creative blog. I'm not sure where this will lead me, I guess we'll see.

A little about me...

I've been painting and creating stuff since I was fairly young. My inspiration for most of my works have been through nature, history, and architecture and most of all my imagination.

This is my most recent painting.