Disney Wedding Mini Album

Hello again friends, 

I am here to show off the Mini Album that I created using a the new i-crafter Mini Album Divider #1 set and the Mini Album, Accordion set. I decided to start an album for memories from my best friend’s wedding! It was in Disneyland and was SO magical!

I started with the a sheet from the Echo Park Remember the Magic paper collection, I used the largest die from the Mini Album, Accordion to start the album. The fun vacation foods and accessories made for a fun background. Next, I cut the pocket die from the Mini Album, Accordion set using black cardstock, I added the “Oh happy day” die from Mini Album Divider #1 set to the center of the pocket, and backed that in a nice gray cardstock. Adding the pocket to the front let me slip a few park tickets we had saved from the trip to the front of my album.

The interior pages are the opposite side of the vacation foods and accessories, which happened to be a bright red with white stars. On the left I used the “#” from the Mini Album, Accordion set and the Carly Alphabet dies (which I intentionally placed a bit wonky and whimsical) to write out their wedding hashtag #daddlove2015. I added an embellishment circle from my stash (likely is also Echo Park!) and trimmed the bottom of the circle so that it lined up with the bottom of the page.

For the right side, I printed the first picture of Molly and Evan on their wedding day, I took this at about 5:30 AM that day. (None of us are morning people so that’s kind of a big deal!) The photo was trimmed down and layered on top of the tag that is part of Mini Album Divider #1! The tag was cut out of the Echo Park Wish Upon a Star paper pad and I used a pretty light blue for the grommet. Mini Album Divider #1 has this fun little arrow with a heart, I added it towards the bottom of the photo/tag. To finish these pages, I added a few rhinestone embellishments from my stash!

My last page (so far) I used the actual page die from the Mini Album Divider #1 set cut from Echo Park’s Magical Adventure Paper Pad. In case it’s not already clear… I really love these paper collections and how well they mix and match with one another, and I am a big fan of magical theme parks too! I added the Chevron strip die from Mini Album Divider #1 towards the interior of this page for a fun detail.

For the photo on this page, I added a picture of Molly’s “Disney Bride Crew” that were able to attend the wedding! Molly and Evan invited their guests to “Disneybound” which basically is a casual form of dressing up in the likeness of a character or movie. From left to right, Mindy/Tinkerbell, Diana/Wendy Darling, Renee/Peter Pan, Molly – our beautiful bride, me/Ariel, Christi/Shock (from Nightmare Before Christmas). I used the frame from Mini Divider #2 to trim the photo down, and then used a turquoise cardstock for the frame itself. I used the quadrilateral from Mini Album, Accordion to “scrapbook” on and explain who was in the photo.

I cut the “beautiful” word die from Mini Album Divider #1 out from a red cardstock, but because the paper is so busy, it didn’t stand out well enough, so I added a black layer below it to make it pop. This page was again finished with some rhinestone embellishments from my stash!

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Until next time,

Rachel Winn

Release Day at Kindred Stamps!! - Planner Stamps: Vacations

Hi friends!!!

I have a VERY exciting couple of things to share with you today!  First, my very sweet friend, Audra, owner of Kindred Stamps has asked me to become part of her creative team, the Kindred Stampers! Thus far, we are a small group of gals who love her quirky, magical stamps.  Many of my projects use them and I'm so excited to get to share more with you!

Today is release day at Kindred Stamps!  Audra is launching her new line of planner stamps and she decided, like any good DisNerd, that they would be based off the most magical of all vacation spots, Disney! Get this awesome set here: Kindred Stamps: Vacations.

As you can see, I was a TOUCH excited about it! now, as I'm in the last week before my anniversary trip to Walt Disney World, what a better way to layout our plans?? 

I broke out my Erin Condren planner, my Japan Disney markers, my ink spots, and my Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black from Stampin' Up! Then I set off looking at the plans we made, and using my excitement to let my creative juices flow... I won't lie, not every day in my planner is pretty, some of them are very clearly hot messes of colors and stamps and the excitement overpowered the creativity!


I am pretty excited about the awesomeness of that castle and fireworks set up though! That adorable Mickey head? You know the one you're looking for on the set but not finding?  I took the large circle for the head and the smaller circle afterwards to make two mousey ears! Oh clever me!

Now, I know I've got some awesome color combos going on here, time to shout out to So Suzy Stamps and her awesome ink bites!!! I use these things for my planner constantly, the bright colors make sure that my planner isn't dull... because that would be very unRachel... and we CAN'T have that!

Now my next fun trick?? That little dot? It makes a really nice pattern that's similar to say... Minnie Mouse's dress when used repeatedly!  Our second day at WDW will be all about the Magic Kingdom, we'll definitely be having churros and a Dole whip so those clever stamps made their way on the page!  I love the words she's included... Fastpass, Reservation, Memories, and the beautiful Once Upon a Time were my most used for this trip!!

Now... I have to admit, I do have one "cheat" day planned with one of my amazing gal pals at Harry Potter World and Universal. (SHHH Don't tell on me!) So the fun little roller coaster made an appearance! 

I also took the fun little fireworks to make a background for our anniversary day... My excitement (and lack of a hard surface got the better of me trying to stamp the castle... but what can you do? 

Ok, so I know some of you may be curious about how I kept my stamping inside the cute little boxes in my planner? My answer? Post It Notes!  I lined the edges of the box with Post It Notes, stamped my little heart out and then peeled them off!

We have some fun things planned like the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Voyage of the Little Mermaid (like the swim suit Disneybound?? hehehe) and of course the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. I love using my stamps to tell the story of my day. 

Finally, I used my pretty castle and Tropical Teal ink bite from So Suzy to create a simple background.  

Creativity doesn't have to be complex, it isn't always pretty, but it should always be fun! 

Don't forget to hop over to Kindred Stamps to pick up this set, and several other amazing stamps and creative tools!

Love,

R. Winn

Disney Friends Who Craft: Side of Nicoleslaw

So for the last few months, I've had this idea knock around my head... I have SO many creative, talented friends.  I would love the chance to share their work with you! 

I wanted to start with someone who is a sweet friend, extremely creative, and has always had my back. I introduce to you, Nicole Duffy! Creator of my favorite Disney-Inspired ears and owner of Etsy Shop: SideOfNicoleslaw.







I asked Nicole about her love of Disney, and where it originated, this is her story...

A selection of Nicole's ears, both custom and shop ready!

I have loved Disney for as long as I can remember. 

My first Disneyland visit was when I was months old and it's been history ever since. I grew up watching all of the classics, enjoying the magic in every story. My love kept growing as I aged. 

The Grijalva's making a little Star Wars magic! PC: White Rabbit Photo Boutique

In high school, I created a Disney themed totalitarian state filled with pixie dust. It was then I was nicknamed "Miss Disney" by my teacher who would laugh when I related all history events to some Disney story. In college, I came across Disney Fairytale Weddings in which I knew my future wedding plans. I fantasized regularly of the perfect event with the ultimate wedding guests, Mickey and Minnie. 

MY first Nicole ears, for Halloween, I couldn't wear a costume, I wore my ears!

During one of our first conversations, I told my "now" husband that I was getting married in Disneyland. Two years later, I said "I do" under the gazebo at Rose Court Garden with my Prince Charming. 
 

During my planning, I wanted the perfect bridal ears. At the time, I couldn't find the Disney ones online and all vendors charged amounts that were out of my budget. 

Evan Dagg is a good sport and modeled my Christmas ears!

It was then I started my research on how to craft the perfect ears. My first set was actually using just fabric, foam and hot glue. 

 It was so much fun to make, that after my wedding, I invested in a sewing machine to further my creativity. A few months later Side of Nicoleslaw was created.  







 

Nicole's unique 101 Dalmation ears! (I've got a bow on order mimicking this!)

 

My store name came from a nickname growing up... I would call a classmate "pita bread" who would in turn call me "nicoleslaw." I wanted a store name that would truly reflect who I am. My goal was to make unique sets of ears that would be budget friendly. 

Molly Dagg's custom graduation ears! PC: Christina M. Photography

 

 

I've made some of the best friends during my venture, which is probably the best part. Not only do they push me creative skills, they have been the best support system. But hey, we all know that Disney friends are the best friends! 🙂 












Can you see why I love this girl?  She's as sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as creative as Walt Disney himself!  I've seen her make ears for a friend going through a hard time, get frustrated when another ear maker doesn't take inspiration from her ears but copies her design exactly.  She and I agree that crafting is a community, not a competition but also that creativity should evolve.  The things this girl can do with a little bit of ribbon and fabric never stop amazing me!

Renee Forero-Cook in her birthday present, Nicole's custom interchangeable ears!!

So, you've seen some of her work, you can see why I'm obsessed yes?  She continuously goes above and beyond her friends' and customers' expectations.  If you choose to buy from her, you won't be sorry.  Favorite her shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/sideofnicoleslaw, follow her on Instagram, share her info, or reach out to her to get your order placed.

Nicole is constantly coming up with new, innovative ways to enhance her ears!

 Disney friends are the best friends, I look forward to more ears and bows from Nicole, and to sharing with you more of my creative, talented friends!

Love,
~ R. Winn

My custom interchangeable ears, with my Regina from OUAT bow!

What Happens When I'm Itching to be Creative but My Fibromyalgia Forces Me to Sit on the Couch!

Long ridiculous title, I know.  Today's card is a product of forced "relaxation," aka sitting on the couch because pain and fatigue have taken over your life, and an itch to actually use a few of my new stamps from So Suzy Stamps! 

Last week I missed a few days of work, dealing with a flare up of my fibromyalgia... not fun.  After so many hours watch Netflix I tend to get a bit stir crazy.  

My husband ordered me to turn on some music and color so I would relax.  Out came my Copics and Wink of Stella markers, and sitting in a bin unused looking at me with sad eyes was the So Suzy Stamps Seahorse that I had so desperately wanted (I may have even threatened a few friends to make sure I was first to order when Suzy restocked!... Good thing they love me!)  

I started coloring up Polo (the seahorse) first, but seeing as I had put on Fantasia (my version of turning on music!) He ended up a little psychedelic, but as adorable as I always knew he would be!!  He turned out to be a she... as did all my little critters, in fact, she ended up being a bit of a Rapunzel Disneybound! HEHE!

 


Next, I grabbed some little fishies.  This little ladies are tooooooo cute, I was suppose to add googly eyes, but I forgot, good thing they turned out perfect anyways!

I ended up with Tink, Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora.  All covered in glitter, as princess fishies should be.  Can you tell yet just how much time I had been sitting on the couch without any sort of creative outlet?

 

I also colored up a few more critters and my adorable coral.  Not everyone could fit on my small card so at least they can have a little moment to shine here!  Meet Ariel the Octopus, and Belle, the Sea Turtle

Today, I decided they needed a home and created a card using a few of my critters! Here, are Rapunzel, Cindy, and Snow by their sea castle on a "Happy Birthday" card.

I used the Fireworks available from So Suzy Stamps to create a fun blue violet water-colored background.  Then took her Castle stamp (another I NEEDED, but had not used!) and stamped it onto the background.  I used Stampin' Up Stamp 'n' Write markers to color in the castle and walkway. 

For the "Happy Birthday" I took a Close to My Heart Stamp I had on hand and used my MISTI and Wedding Dress White Memento Luxe ink.  I had to put down several layers to make the white stamp out from the water-colored background, the final result is pretty awesome! Using some dimensionals and adhesive I placed the critters on where I felt they fit best. I finished the card off with some DoubleClick Skittles as little air bubbles from the fish!

I double mounted the base I had created on some pretty seaweed green CS from my stock and the on top of that I used a water print from a designer paper that I got several years ago at JoAnn Fabric. 

Check out So Suzy Stamps August, Be The Sea Challenge on her blog!

As always, thank you for dropping by!

 ~R. Winn

Visit my Stampin' Up website if you need some supplies!