August Calendar Page

Wow! Where did July go? Sorry we are so slow getting this calendar page up. Go here for previous months.


To create this beautiful layout you will need the Botanical paperpad. Also, print out these calendar pages.

Carol Hartery's Cards

Today we are featuring a few of our favorite cards made by Carol Hartery. If you want more card ideas using the Poppy collection go here. She is right the entire Poppy collection is on sale. So get it before it's gone!


She made this pretty card using the Happy Day collection. If you want some more Happy Day ideas go here.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards, Carol! Keep up the good work and keep submitting your ideas.

Jen's Album Cover

Please welcome Jen. We are so lucky to have such a friendly, out-going gal in our retail store!


Here are some fun tidbits she shared with us. "I've been a newlywed for 5 months. I love scrapbooking, reading, music and being a movie guru, especially for the chick flick comedies. I play the violin and the piano. I speak broken German (infact I was in Heidi's class). Since being married I've really enjoyed learning to cook and trying new recipes, even discovered a new intrest in cake decorating."

From cake decorating to scrapbooking, Jen has a knack for making pretty things. We love it when she stops by the art studio to show us her latest project! The most recent one she showed us was this album.


Jen made this album for a friend who had a baby boy. She bought a post-bound album and sewed this chick-a-doo fabric cover for it. What a great way to customize your album! Then, if you ever want a new look, just sew a new cover and slip the old one off. Thanks, Jen!

If you want to make a great baby album but don't have time to sew, consider a one-hour album kit or word book.

Guest Blogger Suggestions

Hello again, Friends! Sorry for the silence. We had a creative week and are looking forward to sharing some of our CHA projects soon.

Until then, we have been working on some exciting blog changes. We will be asking for your help every now and then. So for today we are wondering about guest bloggers. Are you enjoying having a guest blogger each month as much as we are? It is one of our favorite times of the month.

You may have noticed that we now have a list of previous guest bloggers on the right column. They are links to each of our previous guest's blogs. Is there anyone you would like to see added to that list? We are always on the lookout for talented people, willing to share inspiration, projects, recipes, photography, love for life...

We appreciate your input. Happy Monday!

Busy Bees

Please forgive us if we are a little slow on our posts this week. We are busily getting ready for CHA.

Giveaway Winner

Thank you for your comments on Sheena's posts last week. We agree with you. She really did a great job. We love her photography and recipes. What a great idea to make a birthday crown with the Happy Day collection! Now one lucky gal, as selected by random.org can make one too...


Congratulations, Keesha! Don't forget to send us your mailing address so we can send off those Happy Day goodies. Our e-mail is seiblog{at}shopsei{dot}com.

DIY Crown + Giveaway [CLOSED]

For my daughter's 3rd birthday a few months ago, I made her a "number 3" crown....and it was a HUGE hit! She wears it all the time! I thought I'd make her another crown so she could mix it up a bit--a girl's got to have options!

You'll need:
your favorite paper /cardstock
decorative brads
lace doilies ( I cut them up and add them to everything:)
glitter (of course!)
glue and scissors


Cut your paper on a diagonal to make a crown shape (it takes two diagonal lengths glued together to fit your child's head.)


Once you have your basic crown, start to decorate! I chose to make flowers out of paper fans. Cut two long strips of paper and fold back and forth like a fan. Glue ends together, and the come around to form a circle. Glue. I always secure the backside with a small piece of paper so it's easier to attach.


I made a stem by taking two thin strips of paper--hold them at a 90° angle and fold one over the top of the other, back and forth until it's done.


Attach your flowers, add a little glitter, and VWALLA! You have a crown!!


And one happy little girl!


--
sheena

We told you Sheena was amazing! Isn't her photography spectacular? We just can't get enough of it. If you want to see more of Sheena's photography, go to her blog, the little red house. Thank you, Sheena! What a great week. Don't you think?

If you want to make a crown like Sheena, or some other fun birthday project, we have just the thing for you. Enter our giveaway for a chance to win some Happy Day goodies! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us which post was your favorite this week by Sunday, July 18th at midnight Mountain Time. We will announce the winner Monday. Be sure to check back to see if you are the winner because if we don't hear from the winner within a week we will pick a new one.

Speaking of winners, we still haven't heard from our Holiday Fabric winner. Hurry Kathy Burrow (aka Ryansmaama)! Your e-mail doesn't work and we are going to have to pick a new winner soon.

This giveaway is now closed but you are still welcome to comment.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are my very favorite cookies!! Perfect mix of coconut and chocolate--and they aren't overly coconutty.....just a nice hint of coconut flavor, and they have the BEST chewy texture!!

As soon as we get a cooler day around here....this is what I'll be doing!


Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks of butter (1c), at room temp
1/2 c white sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
1 lb chocolate chips/chunks

Cream the butter and the sugars until light. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Continue mixing while adding the eggs one at time. Make sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla. Scrape down the bowl with a spatula. Combine the flour, soda and salt in another bowl. With a whisk, stir to combine. With the machine on low, slowly add the flour. Mix until just combined, taking care not to over mix.

With a spatula fold in the chocolate and coconut.

Drop by spoonful onto parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes. They should be lightly golden on the outside but still look gooey on the inside.

enjoy!

--
sheena

Photography Tips

I get so many questions each week about my photography, so I thought I would try and fit a bit of everything into one post......a little crash course. I am so lucky to be able to do what I love, and hope I can share some good basic information with you!


Equipment:
I shoot with the Canon 5d Mark II. My favorite lens right now is the 35 mm f 1.4. I LOVE my setup! But I also shoot several weddings and portrait sessions each year--so this camera is perfect for me. There are some amazing (and more affordable!) choices out there for every different level.

I highly recommend the Canon XTi. It is such a good little camera, and a great way to explore the world of DSLRs. It's an older model, which makes it very affordable if you are in the market for a good beginner camera.
The next upgrade would be the newer rebel, the T2i. A great camera + it shoots HD video! I LOVE having my camera and video all in one!

I say start with a more affordable camera, and work on getting nicer lenses. If you are new to DSLR cameras, you will love the kit lens that your camera comes with. When you are ready to branch out a bit more, I think the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a great little lens, with an awesome $80 pricetag!

Processing:
I use Lightroom and Photoshop CS3. I am NOT a photoshop whiz by any means....I just like a little tweak here and there. I think my best advice for processing would just be to STOP! really. There is such a thing as too much, and I think it's so important not to get too caught up in processing fads (over-saturation, crazy sharpened eyes, fake plastic skin....and on and on).

Actions:
I do use actions....kinda. Over the years I've played around with various free actions I've found--and sets I've purchased. I've loved a few of them, but found a good portion of them that I've never used. I'm now down to a small handful that I use just to speed up my work flow....and they are actions I've created on my own! I'm going to show you how to make a very simple action!

When shooting children (does that sound right?):
Let kids be themselves. Ask them how they want their picture taken. Have them make silly faces for you. Make sure you're both having fun! If you need a good giggle, just say "who tooted!?".....it works like a charm!! (on some adults too:)

This picture was shot in late morning, in open shade. ISO 200, 35mm, f/1.4, 1/1000 sec. I shoot in RAW, which leaves my images a bit on the dull side--it just needs a little pop.....so let's make an action!
On the right-hand side, in your action window, at the bottom you'll see a little post-it-note looking button. This will start recording your new action. Click it, and name your action (I just named it "My Action" for this tutorial, because I am creative like that)


To brighten the brights, and darken the darks, we're going to give it just a teeny little "S" shaped curve layer. (layers button, curves) Curves is a powerful tool--play around with it a lot to get different results.


Color varies from camera to camera, and for my my camera's color is just a little too saturated for my liking . I create a new hue/saturation layer, and take down the saturation just a bit.


That's it! My photo is done! Push the "stop" button at the bottom of the actions window to stop recording. Flatten the layers of your image (layer, flatten image). Open up another image, and test out your new action by pressing the "play" button.


You can create actions for small tweaks, black and whites, or resizing your images!

And just keep practicing. Take pictures of EVERYTHING. Try out what I did for yesterdays post--look around for the pretty things in your day-to-day life, and photograph them. Have fun!

--
sheena

Little Things

I love blogs....don't you? I have been blogging now for over three years, and I feel as though it just keeps getting better! But how easy is it to get sucked into someone's blog....all the highlights of their life laid out so nicely, and wish that pieces of it were yours? Other's lives look so beautiful up on your computer screen.....don't they? I think it's so important that we all look for the little things that make our own lives so interesting each day. And I do mean little, teeny tiny things. I have two little ones at home and there are days were we just stay home. No big adventures. No grand excursions. But there are still little things that mean so much to me, and I try every day to look for them.












I promise that if you adjust your eyes a bit, there are pretty little things all around us, if we only remember to look.

--
sheena

Freezer Jam

It was mentioned in my brief introduction that I love food.....and I really do! I love REAL foods. Whole foods. I love to make something from scratch any chance I can get. There is no better feeling than starting with a few simple ingredients, and creating something so tasty to share with your family!

Freezer jam is SO easy to make. Too many people are intimidated by it--for no reason at all! I dare you to make it this week--do it!! You will be so happy you did!
All you need is:
-Your favorite fruit
-clean jars
-food processer/blender,
-a box of pectin (I think the box I used had a total of 4 instructions....FOUR! So easy!)
-optional: small children to lick the spoon.
-lots and lots of bread for all the toast you will be eating.

Admire (and photograph) beautiful berries. Wash.


Core berries. Give them a few good pulses in the food processor. (I like bigger bits of fruit in my jam so I make sure not to puree it)


You'll follow the directions on your pectin box--some freezer jams call for cooking. Some don't. Add the fruit, sugar and pectin to your clean jars.


You did it!! Take a step back and bask in the glory of making jam from scratch. Pause for a quick photo-op, and then enjoy your toast!

--
sheena

Guest Blogger, Sheena Jibson

We would like to introduce Sheena. Her photography will make you hungry and take your breath away. If you don't believe us check out her blog, the little red house. Not only is her photography beautiful so is she and a fun personality to boot. Meet Sheena...

Hi friends! I am so excited to be posting over here this week!

Just a little Top Ten List so you know what you are getting yourself into with me.

10. I have big hair. We should just get that one out of the way.
9. I love food. Eating it. Talking about it. Looking at it. Dreaming about it.
8. I love to run. Fast. It helps me balance out #9.
7. I love old things. Books. Dishes. Linens. Houses. Furniture. Old men and their silly jokes. Anything old.
6. I love to create. Make things. Get my hands dirty.
5. I love Guacamole. See #9.
4. I love my husband of 8 years (aaaawwwwww)
3. And my two little ones. They make me laugh every day.
2. I love to laugh. And play. And both at the same time.
1. I photograph everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING.

I have some recipes, photos, photo tips, and a fun project coming up this week! So excited to meet you all:)

Introducing Kris Kringle

We captured the spirit of giving to put in our Kris Kringle collection.


The quirky, whimsical patterns will help bring out your family's most festive holiday activities. Let your memories sparkle and shine with golden foil and glitter.


Complete collection also includes: 3 cardstock papers, die-cut accents, felt accents, dimensional titles, stickers, an alphabet and two sizes of paper pads.

Check back tomorrow to meet next week's guest blogger.

Introducing Spooks

Full of frights and delights, our Spooks collection captures all your festive autumn moments.


Eye popping black and orange glitter, pearl and silver foil accents will highlight your best layouts, cards and paper crafts.


Complete collection also includes: 1 black cardstock paper, die-cut glittery ghosts, dimensional elements, stickers, borders and two sizes of paper pads.

You'd better be nice to get ready for tomorrow's visitor!

Introducing Monsterville

Welcome to a place where the city limits are only your own imagination.


Create your own unique monster with die-cut body shapes and sticker features. Dress up your pages with happy patterns in bright colors. Endless possiblites for your special layouts, cards, party decorations and paper crafts—Fun for all!


Complete collection also includes: 3 cardstock papers, die-cut blurbs, googly eyeballs, stickers, and die-cut “make my own monster” kit.

Warning: Tomorrow is going to be a little Spooky.

Introducing Moonrise

Welcome the first of our CHA sneak peeks...


SEI’s moonrise collection is a quiet evening surrounded by nature’s enchantments.


It’s easy to layer the textured organic patterns to achieve a sophisticated look for any project. Foil and pearl accents add warmth and subtle shine to all your memories.


Complete collection also includes: 3 cardstock papers, die-cut accents, metal filgree, stickers, alphabet, sticky notes and two sizes of paper pads (12x12 &6x6).

Check back tomorrow for more fun!