Today He Turned 11

Eleven Things I Love About You

1. Your absolute love and interest in animals of all kinds

2. You always seem to reach out to people who need a friend the most

3. Your goofy yet witty sense of humor

4. Your happy, positive outlook on life

5.Your a big dreamer and a even bigger doer

6. The way you quietly check everything out and try to figure out how stuff works

7. Your endless, fascinating questions (I bet that one surprises you!)

8. The freckles across your nose

9. That your a total monkey (ya I said it!)

10. The way you love your little nephew to pieces, and are so patient with him

11. Because you are you!

Happy birthday young man!

See Me In Better Homes & Gardens

Photo credit: BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

It seems like I have been waiting forever to make this post. The moment has arrived and I'm still pinching myself. My work is in the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication: Halloween Tricks & Treats. On page 78 the article Welcome All Spirits begins. I made the invitation, napkins, drink labels, paper for menu, and Welcome all Spirits banner. I can not believe two full page pictures, feature my work along with bits and pieces throughout. Its on the BHG web site too! They have templates and instructions to make your own invitation, napkins, and drink labels. Of course if you would rather buy them you can find similar items in my shop. (yes I know shameless plug) I'm especially proud to say they found me through my ETSY shop. I absolutely adore the whole party set up in the magazine. Its soo me! Cream and black, lace covered pumpkins, scary and a little morbid but not gross, Victorian, and spirits. A lot of people have been asking me to "share my secret" on how to get published. I will give you my humble advice on that in a later post. You can purchase the magazine just about anywhere, walmart, grocery stores, etc. Its full of How To party ideas. You can find the templates and instructions here.

Back 2 School

Tomorrow is the first day of school here! (clouds part and angels sing) Hallelujah. Actually it is a little bitter sweet. This is my Keegans last year in elementary school. I just wish we had done more together this summer. But, on the other hand nothing will drive you banana boat crazy like a board, sassy, pre-teen. In preparation for school I made name labels. I just loved how they turned out. They have that awesome vintage feel. I want to share them with you! All you have to do is save the label image to your computer then you can pick a size to print. I found printing them on a full 8 x 11 inch sheet made the perfect size. You can print them on full one page sticker sheets. Then just cut out. Or you can even print them on canvas! Ranger makes sticky back canvas that is perfect! So go label everything your little one is taking to school and print out a few for you too!

Note: School images came from here:http://www.obsidiandawn.com/

Copy Right by Brandywine Designs please do not use for resale of any kind

Now Open!

Registration for High Cotton Art Camp here in Abilene, Tx is now open. Spots and classes are limited so hurry and get yours! Go Here to register. Yay!

Halloween Delights And Cake

I just wanted you to know my shop is bursting at the seems with Halloween delights. I've decided to be wild and get my Halloween decor out in September. I just love it that much! Back to work. Tomorrow is my Keegan's birthday party. I'm making a Super Mario cake. I'll show you pics only if it turns out well. I'm crossing my fingers. Have a great weekend.

Back To School Teachers Gift

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! It seems summer will never end here in Texas. We are in the middle of a heat wave. Temps have been over 100 degrees for days! It’s a perfect excuse to stay in and craft. Meet the teacher day is this Thursday for my almost eleven year old son Keegan. For some reason my sweet little boy has grown a big fat attitude this summer. Is it because he is almost a teenager? Who knows. I thought just in case this “attitude” doesn’t go away I better butter up his new teacher. I created this notepad holder. It would be the perfect teacher gift, hostess gift, or a little something special for anyone you want to thank. It takes very little supplies and time. You could even make a bunch and save for all those last minute gifts you always end up needing.

Supplies


3 Sheets of Coordinating Patterned 12 x 12 scrapbook paper ( I used My Mind’s Eye- Out and About)
Bone Folder
Glossy Accents (by Ranger)
Small 8 x 5 inch Note Pad (I bought mine in bulk from Sam’s Club)
Assorted Matching Ribbon
Brad and Flower Accent
Sewing Machine (Not necessary but nice)
Ruler or Scoring Tool (I use Martha Stewarts Scoring tool)

1 Pick out one of the papers to be the outside of the holder, one for the inside, and one for the pocket.
2 Fold the outside paper in half. The pretty side will be on the outside. Use a bone folder to make the fold crisp.
3 Fold the inside paper in half with the pretty side in. Use the bone folder again.
Trim both down to 10 x 12 inches.

4 Cut the 3rd paper for the pocket down to 12 x 4 inches. Fold in half with pretty side of paper on inside.
5 Using a glue stick, Glue Glider Pro or other adhesive to glue the inside and outside paper together.



6 Glue three outside edges of pocket to inside of holder.

7 I sewed the outside edge and center of pocket. You do not have to do this but it makes it so much nicer and more durable!
8 Take left over paper from the outside and cut down to 5 x 2 inches.
Score the paper longways at ¾ inch and 1 inch.


9 Fold and glue to top of note pad


10 Add buttons, rhinestones, bows, stickers, or any flat embellishment to the top. I used Glossy accents to apply my buttons. It will make any thing stick!

Glue (I used hot glue) ribbon around the outside. Use a ruler when applying to keep it straight. Go all the way around leaving extra for tying.
11 Poke a hole near the front though the ribbon and paper. Insert brad.
12 I cut a little scrap of paper matching the inside and glued on top of the brad’s metal prongs.
13 Place your note book in the pocket and pencils or markers in the other.

Now you have a butter up the teacher...oops I mean new teacher gift.

Please feel free to pass this tutorial on! I appreciate it!
Brandy

Preview Up Coming Tutorial

Come back tomorrow and get a full tutorial on how to make this pretty notepad holder. It makes a perfect New teacher gift!

Autumn Blessings Flip Book

This is the project I am doing for High Cotton Art Camp. I will be adding even more pictures soon!

Autumn Blessings Flip Book

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love to slow down and count my blessings when the leaves start to turn glorious colors, families come together to bake and cook, and the garden offers its bounty. Come count your blessings with me and make this Autumn flip book and holder. The book has many layers of new and vintage ribbons, papers, gems, glitter, and embellishments. It will have places for you to journal what your thankful for, record your favorite fall memories, and add autumn pictures. You will also make a Plexiglas holder that can adorn your home year around. The holder will have antique mother of pearl buttons, real silver glitter, and vintage lace. In the class you will learn many techniques you need for that vintage distressed look. All the supplies are include. You can however, bring Fall stamps (rubber or acrylic), photos, and any little collected treasures you might want to add. So come on over and creatively put your blessings to paper to remember what your thankful for.

Scrapbooking?!?!

I use almost every tool and product known to man (maybe that should be to woman) for scrapbooking. I get asked if I scrapbook all the time. I mean seriously all the time. When I say "no" I get weird looks and Huh? For some reason I just don't like scrapbooking in its original since. I don't know why. Maybe its that big 12 x 12 blank space staring back at me. It seems to me there are "rules" for scrapbooking. I don't like rules when I create. Or it could even be the whole proportion and make things straight thing. I'm not very good at making things straight. (for proof see above-crooked page) But..... I dream, hope, and so desire to be a designer for scrapbook companies. I want to be on a design team, teach workshops, be part of CHA (Craft Hobby Assosiacion), and get free samples dang it! So practice makes perfect. I am practicing every day. I'm practicing teaching, scrapbooking, and different techniques. Why just this morning I taught my Keegan how to blend ink. And just yesterday I taught Scrappy- doo (our dog) how to use the cuttlebug. He just watched but, I'm sure he could apply what I taught him. So look out scrapbooking world. Here I come and I dream BIG.

New Cubbies

I have been wanting to add some cubbies to one wall of my studio for a while now. All of the ones I found were just to expensive for my frugal ways. So after some brain storming and sweet talking this is what I did.First, I found some white shelves at Target for only $20.oo dollars! You can find them here. Then (after sweet talking) my very talented hubby cut wood squares and added them vertically on each self. He also used nails to assemble the shelves instead of the hardware that came with them. They are surprisingly sturdy for cheap shelves. The cost $40.oo. Oh and all that sweet talking;) You could stack them up or flip them around to fit your room. I'm going to add pretty papers to the backs and side of mine when I have time. I just thought I would share my idea for cheap cubbies!

High Cotton Art Camp

Well I can't wait any longer. Its time for my little announcement. I am honored to be teaching at a brand new local event. Some of the most lovely women I know have organized a wonderful retreat called High Cotton Art Camp. The event will be held in my very own town of Abilene, Texas.It will take place October 15th and 16th
I absolutely assure you it is going to be fabulous. So many amazing women are taking part in this that I am just giddy with excitement. You can go HERE to the web site to get all the details.It would be great if you spread the news too, so feel free to add the button to your blog.

I really hope I get to meet some of YOU there!