Project #12 Hand crafted Valentines with the kids

My children love making their own Valentines and that desire does this crafty Mama's heart good! I love the whole process - finding the design, choosing the supplies, creating the Valentines, even signing their names.

This year we used a very cute printable from Skip To My Lou - found by my friend Karen - to create these adorable butterflies.

I let each of my children shop my cardstock stash to choose favorite colors. (Purple was popular for both!) We printed enough butterflies for each child, and then we took turns cutting them out. (My little guy needed some help, but he tried valiantly!) The kids chose to write the to and from on the back so that the front stayed prettier. My daughter wrote all of her own, but again, the little guy needed some help. Finally, we made two cuts (along the marked lines) and inserted the lollipops!

I love that Happy Valentine's Day was already printed around the butterfly's wings. I can't quite imagine either of my kids writing that! This was a simple, fun and inexpensive project!

Project #11 - A food project

Someone reminded me recently that I have completed a few more projects than I have counted, so I'm attempting to get caught up (although I'm still not sure I'll get to 36 in a timely fashion.)

Early last summer strawberries when strawberries were in season here, my hubby bought me a few (two flats!) and I made some jam. He joked that we had enough jam to survive an extended disaster, but I had a plan. In December, I got creative on the jars:

I used pinking shears on the fabric to add a festive touch. I stamped a label on CTMH's Bamboo cardstock, personalized the labels with my handwriting and then ran them through the Xyron to make them easy to adhere.

I've give jam as a gift before, but it has never looked so cute. The only bad part about this project is I ended up giving away every jar of strawberry jam. Maybe we'll have to get three flats this year!

For Always - Paper Trail Blog Hop and Project #10

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Betsy's blog, I'm glad you hopped along. If this is your first stop, I hope you'll continue around this circular hop to check out what each of us has created. This month we are sharing the For Always paper from the new Spring/Summer Idea book. This paper pack is unique because the color comes only in the cardstock and My Stickease - the B&T papers are all black and white! When I saw the black and white patterns next to the Lagoon stickers, I knew that I had to create a gift for a friend who is getting married this month. (One of her colors is Lagoon!)

I dug around in my stash and found an old 9X9 My Creations Memory Showcase. (You can't buy this size any more, but the 6X6 size is still available!) This fun project can sit closed like a book or be opened accordion style into a display piece.

I embellished with the For Always paper, My Stickease and the new  Blue Epoxy Bubbles.

I decided on a classic look for the front cover with a mat for a 5X7 photo.

This interior page has just B&T paper and the Stickease border. I save the dimensional embellishments for the covers so that the book will lie flat.










On this page, I stamped using the new In the Background stamp set on the left hand side in Lagoon. The black floral in the middle is B&T paper and the embellishments are all Stickease.

This is one way to display the showcase and see four pages at a time. Notice another new background stamp in black on Lagoon on the left hand side. The journaling strips on the Lagoon paper are the zip strip I cut off of one of the B&T papers!

For the back cover I decided on a more whimsical feel. I framed the photo mat with Stickease and again added a few of the Blue Epoxy Bubbles.

This project came together very quickly. I completed it in just two evenings - likely the same amount of time I would have spent shopping for a gift for the shower! I love checking off an errand and a project at the same time! (To see more about my Thirty-six Projects goal, check out the original post.)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed your visit. Check back on Monday for another project created using For Always paper. Now, hop on along to Amy's blog to see what she has created! I'm sure you'll love it!

36 Projects

My friend Karen asked recently how I was doing with my goal of 36 projects in my 36th year. I had to admit that I am not doing so well. I even contemplated just quitting and chalking it up to a good idea that doesn't really work for me. That is a bit difficult to do, however, because I shared the goal here. I have decided that I will continue on. I am not convinced I will complete all 36 before my birthday, but I will keep working toward that goal none-the-less.

Here is my original list of projects with some updates:

• Stella paper accordion album - I did complete this, but I guess I never posted it!
• girl's treasure gift box
• decorative banner
• seasonal celebration cubes
• denim bag
• a necklace
• ABC book
• prayer board
• wall canvas
• scripture/song tag book
• books of 2011 book 

Here are the projects I've completed that weren't on my original list:

• family gratitude book
• giant clip
• book cover
• altered frame
• decorative star
• card box with cards

I've posted 9 projects so far. I think I have three or four others already completed but not yet posted. I also have some good ideas I haven't tried yet. Who knows, maybe this check in will be just the motivation I need to get all the way to 36!

My main goal is to be creative outside of scrapbook pages. I would love your ideas for other projects! Do you have any suggestions for fun, useful projects?

Feeling Filrty - Paper Trail Hop and Project #9

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog Hop. This month we're feeling Flirty with fun papers from Close to My Heart. If you've arrived here from Mary's blog, you're on the right track. (But don't worry, the hop is circular so you can start anywhere.)

I combined the the Flirty papers with another fun new product from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book - the new Dimensional Elements Album pages. The pages come six to a sheet and for just $4.95 they were quite a bargain. I added two binder rings and quickly created a 10 page album.

The fall colors of this paper packet and the word elements in the Flirty workshop stamp set got me thinking about being thankful, so I created a gratitude book for my family.

Here is my book:

I know that I like mini albums best if I keep them simple, so I went with a simple scheme.

I covered facing pages with the same paper.

I included an oval with a number for the title and a Cricut cut frame for journaling.

I stamped on each page using one of the images from the Flirty workshop stamp set.

You may have noticed that so far my book is blank. This is because I am planning to enlist my family's help in completing it. There are four of us so each will choose one page to record something that makes her (or him) feel thankful. (My daughter has already claimed the pinkish-purple (her word) page).

Number five I completed on behalf of all of us:

After we have added the photos and journaling on the remaining four pages I will finish with a few more Sparkles.

I think this book will be a nice remembrance for us this fall and in the future. The best part is, I still have papers left to complete the workshop layout and even more! (Check back for those later...)

Would you like a kit to make your own mini-book? Check out the classes tab for more information!

Now, hop on along to Linda's blog to see what she has in store.

Project #8 - Giant Clip

This project was so easy I wonder if I can even count it, but I love the way it turned out!

I found a giant clothes pin at the craft store, so of course I decided to bling it up.

I used Avonlea paper, along with grey baker's twine and some Mocha Opaques (all from CTMH).

This side has three Parlor Velvet rub-ons which add a cool texture. I liked that feature since this a project people are likely to touch.

I plan to use this fun project to hold incentives at my gatherings and workshops. Want to see it in person? Why not host one?

Project #7 - A book cover

Thirty six projects in 52 weeks seemed like a good goal in April. It is looking more daunting now. I am still working on creating projects. I vow I will get to 36; I'm just not sure when.

When I set this goal for myself, I hoped that the idea of projects would move me a bit out of my paper crafting comfort zone. I wanted to explore more and create some other types of projects. This project stretches those muscles a bit since I created a fabric book cover.

I'm teaching a new course at school this fall and it comes with a text book (unlike most of the courses I teach.) I knew I would ask my students to cover their books, so I thought I would set a good example. While I was at it I decided to make it a pretty example, too!

I found this idea in a tutorial on the Books and Crafts show at MyCraftChannel.com. I measured the book, marked the fabric (I used my iron), and then used Stitch Witchery (a no-sew fabric adhesive.)

It was very easy, and I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I added canvas letters from the craft store clearance bin to the cover to identify the book as mine (just in case any others in the class had the same idea.)

The cover is staying on well. This style seems to work best as a fairly permanent fixture on a book. (I don't think it would be easily moved to another book) Thanks for the idea, Books and Crafts!

Projects #5 and #6 (and an offer)

Many of my 36 projects so far have been gifts. Lately, however, I've made a couple of things to decorate my own space. When I saw the Autumn/Winter idea book from CTMH I fell in love with some of their new off the page projects and supplies. The My Creations Bracket Frame and the My Creations Star in particular caught my eye. I ordered them immediately and set to work figuring out what to do with them.












I used the same supplies on each: paper from the Avonlea pack, Opaques flourishes and stamped words. Here is what I came up with:

The paper rosettes fit with the style of the frame and the paper. They also paired very nicely with the Opaques Flourishes. The frame can  be used as a shadow box so I was even able to include flourishes and paper rosettes on the inside of the frame near the photo.

The star:

This was even easier to put together than the frame - a one evening project with time to spare.

One tip (that I learned the hard way) do all of your stamping as well as inking of the edges before you attach the paper!

Are you interested in making these projects yourself? My September class will provide you with a kit to create either of these projects for just $20. Buy both kits (or two of either one) for just $35. Check the Classes page for more information. Not local to me? Can't make the class? No problem! I would be happy to ship your kit (anywhere in the US) for $5 extra.

Project #4 - Card box complete with cards!

My mom was also a recipient of one of my 36 projects.

This project began with the My Creations Card Box, just like my niece's project did. This time I used the Florentine paper pack. My mom loves to send cards so after I finished embellishing this box using some Cricut cut shapes, and bitty pearls, I filled the box with cards! (Of course I forgot to take pictures of the cards. Oops!)

I really enjoy creating these kinds of projects. It is especially nice when I can create gifts I think my family and friends will really appreciate.

Another hand made gift given. Another project completed!

Project #3 - Treasure Box

Another project that was a gift for a darling niece.

The box is the My Creations Card Box from CTMH. I think it will also be a perfect size to keep all the things a girl treasures.

I used the Stella paper pack to coordinate with the bold colors in this little one's room and embellished with the Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes and the Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems (one of my current favorites!)

One hand made gift given. One more project down!

Project #2 - Name Banner

I've been working away on my projects but not posting because many are gifts. I want to be sure that the recipients see the gifts first in real life not here in photos. My darling niece has received her banner, so now I can share it here.

The chipboard banner is from CTMH, and I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the paper into the appropriate shapes. The Cricut cut pieces matched perfectly with the banner and made my job much easier. I chose the paper I did because my niece's room is decorated in pinks and browns. This paper is More to Adore - long retired from CTMH. It is actually the first I bought from CTMH in 2007.

I cut each of the letters of Abby's name from patterned card stock and then adhered them with foam dots to the banner pieces.

I alternated between three types of embellishments - Chocolate twine, buttons and Opaques Mocha.

Since Abriella only has 8 letters, I chose to decorate the remaining two pieces to use as anchors at the end. Again, I used Cricut cut shapes and the same embellishments.

I added the cute little bird specifically because I know that Abby's mama likes them!

I'm pretty happy with the way this project turned out.  I hope Abby enjoys it as well! This is also a perfect entry for The Paper Variety's current challenge - Anything but (a card or a layout.)

Two projects down, only 34 more to go!

Project #1 - Scripture book

Check one off the list! I've finished my first project of my 36 project goal. I created this mini that focuses on inspiration verses.

I used a tutorial created by Teresa Collins to create this matchbook mini-album out of one sheet of 12X12 paper.  (I used a sheet from the Stella paper pack from CTMH.)

Once I had the album built, I printed some of my favorite verses to fit the pages.

I kept my embellishments simple - the Just for You stamp set with coordinating inks and a few sparkles.


One of my favorite things about this album is that it is small enough to carry in my purse. It is always with me when I need a pick me up - whether creative or spiritual!


What about you? What have you created lately that is inspirational?

Thirty-Six Projects at 36

I'm setting a new goal as a birthday gift to me. Its a lofty goal, but I think I'm up to it. I'm challenging myself to complete thirty-six projects in this, my 36th year.

I've set scrapbooking goals for myself for two years now. My own goals and the challenges I find online inspire me to create many pages and record many stories. But I think I need to break out of my paper box. I have other projects in my head - some of the supplies are even in my house. I want to kick start my creativity off of the page.

For the purposes of this challenge, a project will be any created item that goes beyond a scrapbook page or a card. I hope to work in various media, using various tools and creating various types of products. Some items on my list I have specific plans for. Some are gifts. Some are just vague inklings right now, but I have 12 months to figure them out. The list will probably change some as the year goes on. Some projects may be postponed or even removed. At least 25 more will have to be added.  

Projects on my list so far:

• Stella paper accordion album
• girl's treasure gift box
• decorative banner
• seasonal celebration cubes
• denim bag
• a necklace
• ABC book
• prayer board
• wall canvas
• scripture/song tag book
• books of 2011 book

Since I am a memory keeper at heart, I will record my progress toward this goal. I think I feel a mini-album coming on!