A Pear and Partridge Holiday Hop!

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog Hop. This month we're getting into the holiday spirit with papers from the Pear and Partridge pack from Close to My Heart. If you've arrived here from Betsy's blog you're on the right track. (But don't worry, the hop is circular so you can start anywhere.)

Getting into the holiday spirit always gets me thinking about gifts. I've always loved giving handmade gifts. This year I created a couple of boxes that would make perfect gifts by themselves!

Both boxes are simple and inexpensive to create. For each one I used one sheet of B&T (patterned) paper and less than one sheet of cardstock. I embellished using the zip strips from the patterned paper, stamped images, dimensional adhesive and of course some sparkles.

This box is the perfect size for traditional sized note cards. Maybe the lucky recipient will get a few cards as well.











This box was designed to hold recipe cards or photos. Wouldn't it be a great place to store holiday recipes?








Thinking about the holidays also gets me thinking about lists - cookies to bake, cards to send, gifts to prepare, parties to attend. Maybe I'll keep the second box for myself. It could be a great place to store holiday records like which cookies, who received cards, who received which gifts. I may be on to something.

In that case, I may need to make another box. Luckily, they were easy to create, and I know where to get more supplies. Let me share one tip with you that made my life easier while I was creating. I planned the boxes carefully and then wrote directly on each surface what I planned to do. I knew the writing would be covered with paper in the final product, and these notes helped me keep my plan in mind no matter what interrupted me.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you've been inspired by something you've seen, and I hope to see you back soon. Now, head on over to Amy's blog to see what holiday spirit she has in store for you! You might be surprised, but I think you'll like it!

Check it out!

I'm so excited! I'm one of the guest bloggers at writeclickscrapbook today!

I've been following this blog from the start. I discovered some of my favorite scrappers among the ladies there. I love to take the challenges that they set out. I am constantly inspired to try new things, take new photos, create new projects and look at things in new ways by the ladies in this group.

Today, I am a guest among them. I am so honored. I hope you'll stop over there to check it out. Once you're over there, take your time, look around. You may find some inspiration, too!

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.

Get a Job!

If you know anything about my scrapbooking life, you know that I often scrapbook about myself. A conversation with my two kiddos last month made me realize they only know me as a teacher and a mom. That perspective inspired this layout about the jobs that I have had:

I've loved the rose paper since I bought it, but hadn't found the perfect place for it. I liked the combination of the more casual chevrons and polka dots with the more formal roses. It fit with the journaling that lists the many different jobs.

 Incidentally, after I finished the layout, I realized that I had left out two jobs I had while in college (between #3 and 4). I'm not sure how I'll remedy that, but at least for now my kids will have a record of some the things that I have done in addition to being a mom.

As with many layouts about myself, this look back made me reflect on where I have been as well as where I am. I never would have guessed that I would have this many different paying jobs. This layout ended up be a pep talk for myself as well as a story about me for my kids.

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?

When a layout doesn't feel done

Sometimes I get to a point on a layout where I just don't know what to do next. I've included photos, papers, embellishments. I have a title, the story, the date. Still, something just feels unfinished. There is usually a point with most layouts and projects when I think, "Ah, that's it. Now I have it!" When I have a layout that hasn't yet reached that point, it feels unfinished.

What is there to do if something just feels unfinished? Here are a couple of tricks that work for me.

1. Take a break from staring at the page. I usually have to get up out of my seat. I go to the bathroom, check on the kids, anything that gets my eyes off of the layout. When I return to the page (sometimes even a day or more later) I have a new perspective. Often I see the perfect way to tie the layout up at first glance.
2. Change perspective. I am mostly a sitting scrapper, but when I'm stuck, sometimes I stand up. I also have a display easel across the room from my creative desk. Looking at a layout from further above or from across the room is often just the change I need. The different perspective helps me to see the layout as a whole and find the elements which lead to that "finished" feeling. 
3. Ask a crafty friend. When I scrap with friends we often ask each other, "Is this done? What does it need?" Another crafter's perspective can help to fill in any gaps as well as give me the confidence that a layout is really is finished.

But sometimes I craft alone. And sometimes that unfinished feeling lingers. This layout is one of those times.

I've misted, cut, adhered. I've trimmed, stamped and journaled. I've included letter stickers, flowers and pearls. Still, I'm just not sure it's done.

Today, I ask you, my crafty friend, is it done? What does it need? (any suggestions are greatly appreciated!)

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!