Monday, December 3, 2012

My Minds Eye: Follow Your Heart Layout

 
 
My Minds Eye
Follow your heart
12 x 12 layout
Created by Charlie LaBonte
 
 
 
We just got back from spending 3 days with my Son and his beautiful family.   Brandon and Melanie are such wonderful parents and they have blessed Glenn and I with 3 wonder Grand Children.  Logan and Ethan will 8 years old in 2 months and I am having a very hard time grasping just how fast time is flying.   This past weekend we celebrated our Grand Daughter's birthday. Autumn Grace turned 1 year old on December 1st.  She is such a sweet baby.  We all say that but honestly, we know of some babies that are not so sweet but we love them none the less.  Autumn smiles and giggles and gets into EVERY THING!.   She surprised her Mom by laughing at me.  What did I do to bring out such a reaction you ask?.  Not a darn thing.  Grandma's do not do anything to make their Grand Children laugh.   Especially at themselves.....If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you ....lol
 
In this picture she is 6 month old.   Barely being able to stand in this picture, she is walking and getting around quite well.  She will be running any day now, I just know it.
 
 
 
 
 
Products used:
 
 
 There a wonderful new flowers from Petaloo...one collection is ready to wear!!! 
 
Please stop by the store and check out all the goodness we have for sale and we would love it if you would post your projects to our gallery.  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Simple Stories Baby Steps Kit for The Hens Den

 
New Kit in The Hens Den Store
 
Simple Stories Baby Steps
Album Kit
Created by Charlie LaBonte
 
 
My Grand Daughter turns 1 year old on December 1st and we have so many pictures, that this was a perfect kit to put together.  Keeping the colors neutral, I used lots of ribbon, tags for marking special occasions and room for your journaling as well.  
 

This kit is made using The Hens Den Classy Chic Album.  There are 8 pages to this album.  That means you have 16 pages to document and tell your story,  There are single photo pages and multiple photo pages.

 
The flowers are by Petaloo and we carry a wide variety in the store for your other projects.  The ribbon is from May Arts and we have a large section in the store as well.


I painted the edges, this is optional for you.  You can ink the edges as well.  We have both products in the store.   Claudine Hellmuth and Tim Holtz


there is even some intricate cutting for you fussy cutters. The kit comes with full instructions and pre-cut pages.  There are also extra tags that you can switch out to personalize the kit more to your liking.


 
We have limited quantities, so you will want to order your now.
 
Thank you for stopping by and be sure to add The Hens Den to your on-line shopping stores for your craft needs.
 
 
 
 


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Graphic 45 Happy Haunting Challenge

The Hens Den is having a craft off between it Design Team Members.  We like to leave their names out so that you can vote without knowing who the person is.   This has been so much fun for the past few months.  Todays challenge is using 7 gypsies Printer Try and Graphic 45's Happy Haunting Holloween Collection. 
 
Take a peak:
 
Project 1:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 


What a FUN challenge, and now I have a unique one-of-a-kind home decor piece.  I have never done a printer tray project, but this was simply enjoyable.  My advice is there are no rules.  Just start.  Don't be afraid to try things.  I added elements and stickers to the outside of the box.  You don't have to make everything fit in the boxes.  I love adding pop dots to give the elements some dimension.  If you have not tried a printer tray, get one today from The Hens Den.  This is such a fun project and would make a great gift!

Project 2 -















All I was allowed to play with were the stickers off the 12 x 12 sheet and one sheet from this paper line.  I wanted more to play with but it was fun with the limitations that were set.  It made me think about what I had in front of me and how could I tell a story with just the stickers and one sheet of paper. I would do this again in a heart beat.  What a fun project.

Stop by The Hens' Den Blog and see all the other projects.   Then when your done, stop by the store and see if there is anything there that you may need for your upcoming projects. 
 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Graphic 45 Happy Haunting Collection #2

 
 
Graphic 45 Happy Haunting Collection
Created by Charlie LaBonte
 
 
 
I am not much of a layout person but I really had fun with this one.  I had recently attended Ranger U and fell in love with grunge board and embossing powders.  I wanted to do something that would allow me to work with both mediums.  I think it turned out pretty cool.
 
 

I used 2 of Tim Holtz's Alterations Sizzix dies.  One was the Gothic Boo and the other one was the Word Play die. 




I painted them black(using Claudine Hellmut's Studio Paint "Black") and while the paint was still wet, I sprinkled Adirondack Embossing Powder "Terra Cotta" sparingly and heated the grunge board until the embossing powder had melted.  During this process, the grunge board curles up but then it relaxes and lays flat.  About the time it takes to get a good melt on the embossing powders.   When everything was nice and cool, I painted the edges with Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Paint "Traditional Tan". 

 
I just had to cut a gate in the fence line.  It just begged to be opened. You can see that I used a bit of purple to give some other color to the layout.  I used Tim Holtz's Distress Pen "Dusty Concord" and Rock Candy Stickles for the greeting.
 
 
 
 
This will be a very cool decor that I can hang every Halloween now.  Hummm.....it might even make a great gift.....
 
Hope you enjoyed your visit.  We have so many projects planned this month featuring Graphic 45's Happy Haunting Collection.  Be sure to comment on them all for a great chance to win  Day 2's post.  The winner will be selected from the comments that are posted and there is no limit on the number of comments you make. 
 
When your done, skip on over to our store and check out our goodies and be sure to post your project in our store gallery. We love to see the work you do.
 
Thanks for stopping by!!!!  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Graphic 45 Happy Hauntings Collection

Graphic 45's Happy Hauntings Collection 2012
Created by Charlie LaBonte
For The Hens' Den
 
 
 
My husband and I were at a car show in Long Beach WA.  It is the weekend after Labor Day weekend that this small town gets so darn crowed, it amazes me every time we go that you can see anything at all.  They call it "The Run to the End of the World".   Hundreds of classic cars attend that show every year. If you are ever in the area, you should check it out. 
 
On our way back, we stopped at a "collectables" store and I fould this cute little blue chest.  Not sure what I would do with it, but is was coming home with me.
 
 
 
 
Then....we got Graphic 45's Happy Hauntings Collection in the store and I know what I would be doing with it.   I painted it black and added some hardware and then made a trip to Michaels and after a few hours of playing, I have my project done.
 


Here is what it looks like now.   I had so much fund making this.  Here are a few more pictures.








 
 
   We are featuring Graphic 45 and Happy Hauntings all month long and someone will get to win this.  Every day throughout October, we will be featuring different projects using this paper lie.   You will be amazed at some of the projects.  Some of them, it is hard to beleive they are using a Halloween line.   Details on how to win will follow. 
 
Thank you so much for stopping by.  Please visit our store The Hens' Den  and shop or post your projects in our gallery.  We would love to hear from you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, September 3, 2012

Graphic 45 and Labor Day Weekend




Summer seems to be coming to an end.  Labor Day Weekend has always meant to me the last good 3 day summer weekend and then we move into the fall and winter.  I wanted to spend the weekend doing something I love.  CREATING.   I wanted to do this with no schedule in mine, no project or deadline in mind.  Just something for me.   If it turned out, YEAH.  It is ended up being a bomb, no biggie, it was for me and my use and no body would see it.   Best way to go at something, no expectations.

I found this wall shelf at Pole Barn Primitives (my fav place to snoop) and knew I wanted to do something really cool with it.  I took it home and stared at it for a while and then started looking at the paper I had and it came together. 

I have this supply of music note paper (for sale at The Hens' Den) and thought it would make a great foundation paper for the shelves and the inside walls of the shelf.  Using Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Matt medium, it was a messy job  but so FUN!!!. I love getting gooey.

Next, came the edges and I knew what I wanted to do...I had the perfect paper.  Graphic 45's Curtain Call paper line.   Love this line!!!   You can do so much with it.

 
 
This paper is the perfect balance with the music notes paper.
 
 
I really needed to do something with the front.  Adding flowers or ribbon would have made it look heavy and gaudy.   I found in my personal stash the last piece of half pearl ribbon (word used loosely).  There was not enough to do anything major with it but sticking with the "less is more" theory",   I cut it into equal parts and centered in the middle of each shelf rim.  The final result was rich and simple.  So far, I am liking what I have going!!!!
 
 


  Now onto the sides. Again, my fav Graphic 45's Curtain Call line.  Using one of the papers from the line, it became my base and then I started layering up from there.  I spent a bit amount of time fussy cutting out some of the other pieces and the results are below.
 
 


 
I am so excited about this being on my wall.  I am trying not to hurry with the pictures.  I am not good at taking them anyway, so this part is hard.  "SLOWING DOWN"....LOL.  Not a part of my style.

 
At this point, I think I am OK with posting this as my personal project.  I love the results.  It is so rich looking, at least to me.

 
It holds so much of my "stuff".  I am so Happy and it really looks good on my wall.  Everything is at each reach and is easy to see.   LOVE LOVE LOVE .   I was asked how long this took me. Well, this is how I measured the time:  I watched The Hunger Games and then all 4 episodes of the Twighlight Series.....lolololololo

 
I wish the glare was not there. I tried taking so many pictures but without the overhead lighting and my flash, you would be looking at a very dark picture.  Oh Well.   

Take time to nurture your inner spirit.  It does wonders for removing stress and setting your mind at ease.   This project cleaned up my desk area so much, I have an even happier place to play now.   I moved onto other project for a very big event that The Hens' Den Design Team will be working on during the month of September for October debut.  We will be playing with Graphic 45's Happy Haunting Collection.   Be sure to stay tuned and watch our blog (The Hens' Den Team) and our Facebook page, The Hens' Den.  Our October news letter will be a must have.  Email us at info@thehensden.com and give us your email and we will make sure you get a copy. You will see so many wonderful projects using this wonderful line!!!.

Have a safe and grand day!!!