One Page Scrapbook Revisited

I really enjoy making one page scrapbooks.  This is such an easy project that I taught it this summer to middle school kids.  They were able to do the cutting and scoring while I talked them through it.  I did modify it slightly to reduce the amount of background and texture (B&T) paper sheets I'd need for the class.  If you compared it to the last time I made it, you might notice.  But I doubt it.  You'll probably notice that I used a lot less B&T paper this time around.  Why put it in if it'll be covered with pictures.

I used a loop and hook closure on this project.  I like the look much more than the ribbon.  The saying was cut from an oval thin cut with the stitched edge.  Yours can be any shape you'd like.  This is super simple due to time.  The strap should stay somewhat in the middle for balance of the front and keeping the book closed.

Three coordinating 12" x 12" sheets of cardstock and one 6" x 12" B&T paper went into the making of this scrapbook.  I used the zip strip from the B&T paper for the strap, but cardstock could also have been used.  Okay, scratch White Daisy too, for the title.  I don't really count that because I have so much of it, and it's such a small amount used in this project.

The first cardstock is the base of your project.  Cut 1" off one side so you have a 12" x 11" piece.  Then score along the 11" side at 3.5", 3.75", 7.25" and 7.5".

Rotate the paper and score along the 12" side at 4.5" and 9".

Cut along the 3.5", 3.75", 7.25", and 7.5" score lines to the 4.5" score line from above.  Then cut away the 0.25" tab.  Repeat from below to the 9" score lines.  Burnish the remaining score lines really well.

 

The other two 12" x 12" cardstock sheets will be cut the same way for each.  Here, they are the Black and Candy Apple. Cut at 11.75" along one side.  This piece will be the middle layer of your strap .  Put that aside (you'll only need 1 of these, the other is scrap).  With the paper still in your cutter, cut at 9.75".  What you cut off is scrap.  You should now have a 12" by 9.75" piece.

Along the 12" side, cut at 8.5", 4.25", and 3.25".  Now you have 2* 4.25" x 9.75" pieces, a 3.25" x 9.75" and 0.25" x 9.75" scrap.

Take the 2* 4.25" x 9.75" pieces and rotate them.  Cut along the 9.75" side at 6.5", and 3.25".  That should leave you with 6* 3.25" x 4.25" pieces of cardstock. 

Take the 3.25" x 9.75" piece, rotate it, and cut at 8.25", 5.5", and 2.75".  You should have 3* 2.75" x 3.25" pieces and 1.5" x 3.25" scrap.

Repeat with process with the second cardstock.

If you are using directional B&T paper, the 6" x 12" piece should be images "looking at you".  Now you'll cut that in half along the 12" side, yielding 2* 3" x 12".  Then rotate the papers.  Cut both 3" pieces at 8" and 4", leaving you with 6* 4" x 3" pieces. 

Take 1 of those pieces and cut 0.5" off along the 3" side so you're left with a 0.5" x 4" piece (scrap) and 2.5" x 4" piece.  Rotate the 4" piece and cut at 2", leaving you with 2* 2.5" x 2" pieces.  These are the smaller pieces that go on the bottom panels.

Once done cutting, you need:

1* scored and cut base (lemonade)

6* 3.25" x 4.25" cs #1 (candy apple)

6* 3.25" x 4.25" cs #2 (black)

3* 3.25" x 2.75" cs #1

3* 3.25" x 2.75" cs #2

5* 3" x 4" B&T paper

2* 2.5" x 2" B&T paper

1* 1" x 12" base for strap

1* 0.75" x 12" cs #1 or #2 for strap

1* 6" zip strip for strap

Closing the book.  The three small sections fold upward.  The three large sections fold downward.    The right panel folds inward (to the center), and finally, the left panel folds inward on top.  For me, that's the front cover.

Assemble as desired, remembering that our B&T paper is double sided.

Notes while assembling:

• I put my smaller sections at the bottom of my book.  It doesn't have to be.
• Be aware of directional paper.  Make sure it's lined up correctly.
• Determine where your front is.  When the book is open, it's actually on the back side.
• Don't glue on the back panel until after you've attached the strap.
• Decorate the front cover so you know where to put the strap.
• Finger score the strap from the left side of the front around the right side and onto the back.  Once you do that, cut off the excess (Again, I made my strap go the full width of the back).
• I glued the strap the whole width of the back panel.  Since my zip strip is only 6" long, I lined it up with the front edge.  You wouldn't know it wasn't long enough because it's covered by the back panel.
• Glue the back panel on after the strap is glued.
• Hoop and Loop: To make sure the two halves line up, I adhere the hoop side to the strap.  Then I attach the loop side to the hoop and remove the adhesive cover from the loop backing.  Then I push the strap down in place.  Since the adhesive is exposed, the loop side should stick to the front cover.  And the hoop and loop sides line up.
• Add pictures and journaling as desired.

Enjoy!!

Spring and Summer Canvas

Since Spring is finally here, I thought I'd share with you my Spring and Summer canvas art.  Each has a watercolor paint background.  All the images were cut using the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge with lots of various colored cardstock.  Both are 10" x 10", and will brighten any wall.  : )

January 2019 Slide Up Cardaholics' Card

Today I'd like to share with you my card for my Cardaholics exchange.  It's called a pop up card, but I think it should be called a slide up card.

I made them with fun colors, although two families, because I couldn't decide which I liked better.  The front two cards are in the envelope ready position.  Then the middle part slides upward to create a self standing card.  Thus "slide" rather than "pop".  : )

The base of the card measures 4.25" x 11".  You're going to score along the 11" side at 1", 2.75", 3.75", 5.5", 7.25", 8.25", and 10".  The focal consists of several layers:

  Cardstock layer: 2.75" x 5.5" - here it's Canary and Lemon

  Focal mat layer: 2.5" x 5.25" (there's another one this size on the back for you to write a greeting and is cardstock) - here it's B&T and white cardstock (on the back)

  Focal layer: 2.25" x 5" - here it's Sweet Leaf and Lilac

The front "celebrate" was stamped on B&T paper that measures 0.75" x 4"

On the 5.5" score line, you are going to want to cut out a slit from about 0.75" to 3.5" on either side of the score line.  That's creating the space needed to have the focal slide through so it can stand.

Willow Card:

Item #	Description
X6026	Willow cardstock
X6008	Lemon cardstock
X7240B	Something Fierce Paper Collection
Z2807	Willow Ink
Z2812	Raspberry Ink - second generation
Z6502	Peach Ink - base of icing
Z6508	Bluebird Ink - cupcake wrapper and candle
Z2808	Lemon Ink - flame
Z1979	Journaling Pen - around "celebrate"
Z3189	White & Gold Ribbon
D1827	Years of Sweetness stamp set
retired	Confetti Embossing Folder
retired	various ribbon

Thistle Card:

Item #	Description
X6024	Thistle cardstock
X5998	Canary cardstock
X7242B	I Heart Us Paper Collection
Z2840	Thistle Ink
Z2812	Raspberry Ink - second generation
Z6502	Peach Ink - base of icing
Z2895	Lagoon Ink - cupcake wrapper and candle
Z2808	Lemon Ink - flame
Z2805	Black Ink
D1827	Years of Sweetness stamp set
retired	Confetti Embossing Folder
retired	various ribbon

One Page Scrapbook

My upline, Kay Pekin, sent me this scrapbook last year.  It was made from one 12" x 12" cardstock paper and several cut papers.

 I liked it so much, in fact, that I recreated it and had other consultants make samples of it.  I used what was updated paper, but it's easy enough for you to use any paper you have.

Updated version (but since retired):

As you can see, I didn't want to use ribbon - making 15 kits, it would be too much.  Instead, I used hook and loop to make a closure from the back.  If I were making this a specific themed book, I'd add the theme or person it was about under the flap.  Then it would be a sweet surprise upon opening!

Let me show you a little more of the meat...

This is opened up completely.  The bottom three sections could be used for journaling or some smaller pictures.  I went with two background and texture papers, but you can do more if you'd like.

You need a total of:
10 B&T papers each measuring 3.25" x 4.25"
10 cardstock each measuring 3.5" x 4.5"
6 cardstock each measuring 3.5" x 2"
1 white cardstock (for front) measuring 3.5" x 4.5"
Band cardstock measuring 1" x 5.5"
Band B&T paper measuring 0.75" x 5.5"

This is the view with the six flaps folded into the middle section.  The right side is folded into the middle, followed by the left side, and you see the front.



Let's score the 12" x 12" paper...
On one side, you'll score at 3 3/4", 4", 7 7/8", and 8 1/8".
Rotate the paper 90 degrees, and score at 2 3/8" and 7 1/4".

Fold on all score lines.  Cut out the small sections (as seen above).

Once you've adhered all the paper to the book - NOTE: don't adhere the last cardstock piece to the back yet!  This will cover the band end - you're ready to add the band.  Adhere the B&T piece to the cardstock.  Add the Hook and Loop Dots (Z1805) to the one end of the band and the front of the book.  Finger fold the band around the edge of the book.  Adhere the back of the band to the back of the book.  Then adhere the cardstock over the band giving the back a clean look.

Decorate the front of your book.  Here, I used the Stitched Oval (1.75" size) thin cut (Z4187), cut flowers, and sequins.

If you have gifts to give, this is an easy one to knock out several at a time.  They're appreciated too!

National Boss's Day Gift

Today, October 16, 2018 was National Boss's Day.  I made these for my boss.  Yes, I'm a kiss up.  : )

I cut the words from vinyl after typing them into Design Space, and put them on the clipboards.  I covered the tops of the pad of paper with B&T paper.  Even though the papers cover the quotes, it's fun to take the pads off and be inspired.

Voila!  Instant gifts!

Let it Snow

Today I thought I'd share a home decor item that I've proposed to teach at the Poway Adult School in January.  I'm waiting to hear back if they'd like to offer it to the public.

 This has to be big so you can see the glitter paper on the "o".

"Let it" has been cut on the Cricut after being designed and welded on the computer.  The "s" also received a sponging of White Daisy Ink (Z2863) around the letter.

"N" is sporting paper from JoAnn's store.  I really wish we had something like this - it's super fun and fits the project so well!


Like I mentioned already, the "O" is from our White Glitter Paper (Z3237).  I love the sparkle.

"W" has been stamped with Pansy ink (Z2804) on JoAnn paper (clearly I was shopping when I picked the papers out.  I blame the snowflake paper).  The snowflakes are Falling Flakes A1223.

 Let me back up a little bit.
After I chose my colors, I traced each letter on the appropriate paper, making sure the front of the letter kissed the back of the paper.  The line around the letter was as close to the letter as possible.

Next I cut each of the letters out, staying on the drawn line.  If you are going to stamp, now is the time to do it.  I actually stamped the snowflakes before I cut out the "W".

I applied mog pog to the letters (rather than the paper) one at a time.  Then I placed the cut out paper on top of the mog pog.  The mog pog allows you a little bit of time before setting in order to place the letter where it needs to go.

After the letter dries, you can use a craft knife to cut excess paper away.  Although if you traced your letter close to the letter, you shouldn't have to cut.  You can also use sand paper (from the front to the back) to remove excess paper.

After making each letter pretty, I sponged the "S".

"Let" and "it" were welded and cut.  I used my non -stick micro-tip scissors (Z1836) to cut very thin pieces (and small) of thin 3D foam tape (Z2060) to prop up the letters.

This home decor will be going up in my home in January.  It should take a little sting from the empty mantel after my moose/deer collection gets put away.


The answer was, "we're going to pass ... for Winter [quarter]".  Oh, well, I still had fun making and sharing it with you!  : )

Accordion Cocoa Holder with Candy Cane Holder

I was asked to create a cocoa packet holder after I made a tea accordion holder.  This is what I came up with.

I must say, I really like the versatility of the September Stamp of the Month!  Fun sayings and supporting pictures.  : )

Just Treats - September Stamp of the Month S1809

This is my finished project.  It is held closed by hook and loop dots (Z1805).  You could punch some holes and tie ribbon/twine if you'd like too (the cocoa packet goes up pretty high).

The pattern of the front was taken from Make it From Your Heart Volume 4 (9044).  Pattern 16 on page 36.  I just elongated the background piece to span the whole side (5.25")

These are the pieces necessary to put this together, minus the front.

The candy cane holder and the sides are scored every 1/2".  The holder is folded as shown.  The two higher upward facing pieces get adhered at an angle to one of the dividers (you can see the cane peeking out in the above picture).

Accordion fold the sides. Position them across from each other so that the folds mirror each other (I had the farthest fold from me mountain facing inward while the closest fold was a valley fold outward). The important thing is that the two sides are mirror images of each other.

Glue the dividers to one side, being consistent with where you glue. Also, try your best to have the bottoms of the dividers match one another. Go back and glue the other side onto the dividers.

Decorate the front of the outside piece with all of the flat items. My mints and candy cane are raised so I waited to add those until I was done.

Glue the accordion sides to the front and the back of the outside shell. I’d suggest one corner at a time. They should fit inside the shell. If not, you can just trim the excess after the glue dries, or bring the sides in a little bit.

An alternative for this is putting three cocoa packets in instead of the candy cane and marshmallows.

For this project, I used Candy Apple (X5992), White Daisy (X6027), and Fern (X6003) cardstock; 'tis the Season paper packet (X7239B); Just Treats SOTM (S1809); Candy Apple (Z6509) and Black ink(Z2805), and Carmine marker (Z2448).

The stamp set is only available until the end of the month - September 30, 2018, so don't delay!!

October 2018 Workshop - Wall Art Part 1

When you come to the October's Workshop, you'll make the Autumn and Winter wall art displays.  Early next year, you'll make Spring and Summer (all four are pictured below).  Thank you, Holly Valerius for the inspiration!

Each 10" x 10" canvas sports a different painting effect as the base.  We'll start with those, and while the paint dries, you'll put together the layers above.




















Cost is $20 to make these two.  Workshop dates are:

Monday Oct. 8th
Thursday Oct.11th

7 to 9 pm at my house.

Sign up deadline - September 29th

Can't make the workshop and are willing to make this on your own?  I'll be happy to send you the cut file for Design Space after a $20 (pre-tax) purchase from my website.






(For those who saw my samples, those are on a 6" x 6" canvas)

Katie's Graduation Gift

The thing about playing on a high school sport's team is that each year players graduate.  It's kind of sad, really.  You get to know and like a girl(s) and then they leave.  Not quite right because my daughter stays and gets to know the girls staying that much more.  It gets harder every year.

Anyyywayy, Katie invited Lindsey to her graduation party this year.  Lindsey wanted to give her a gift that was small and something Katie could use in college.  A photo holder.

During the talking phase, the plan was to get some twine and some photo mats.  Put the mats on the twine.  It's portable and small.  Problem - how to adhere the ends to the wall in a dorm without it looking tacky.  We pushed forward.

You've seen those ribbon photo boards, right?  How about something like that?  Lindsey does a little research.  They are at least $30 and rather large.  Lindsey wants something smaller for Katie, but likes the idea.  How about making our own?!

I have a couple of 12" x 12" frames.  I have cork board on a roll.  I have batting.  Grey fabric is purchased.  We don't even need a quarter of a yard.  Then ribbon to match.  We'll figure out what to put over the ribbon crossings afterward.

We use the mat that comes with the frame as our board.  The cork board is rolled out and cut, then stuck down onto the mat.  Batting goes on top of that.  The fabric is ironed and then stapled to the back of the mat.  At first we used the staple gun, but the staples were too long.  We were happily surprised when the regular stapler goes through all of the layers!

Next, the ribbon was laid out on the board.  3" apart (that's my girl!), and taped to the back of the board.  It was later glued with Liquid Glass.  Liquid Glass went behind the ribbon and attached to the fabric.  We needed to cover the intersections...

I have some old grey buttons - being a hoarder sometimes comes in handy!  Of course we don't have enough of the same button to cover the entire area, so Lindsey comes up with a pattern that works.  We find DMC floss that matches well, and then Lindsey sews through the layers to keep the buttons in place.

Everything gets into the frame and is closed up.  Lindsey prints a picture of Katie's dog and of the two girls.  She wraps the gift with love and has a great time at the party.

Katie will be missed next year.  She added much leadership and is a gosh darn good runner.  Much luck at Chico State, Katie!

We better start thinking of gift ideas for the several girls who are graduating next year...

Thin Cut Gift Boxes - On sale through 3/31/18

I'm so glad I decided to buy these Thin Cuts!  Look how cute these boxes turned out.  : )  I have two different ones because as I was working on the floral one, I thought about using cardstock and just stamping on it... I'm getting ahead of myself... Let me start my story.

This is the first one I started with.  I cut the paper 5.25" x 7" to not waste paper for the die.  Therefore I could make two boxes from one 12" x 12" paper, and have plenty of paper leftover.








I've wanted to use this stamp set for awhile.  My upline, Kay Pekin, sent me a card that I fell in love with that used this flower.  Before you ask, no, there is no thin cut for the flower or leaves.  I had to go the old fashion route and cut them out by hand.

I created my second box after thinking about stamping on cardstock (as I stated above).  However, when I started thinking about the stamp I would stamp my Juniper cardstock (X5979), I had an inspirational thought of running the box through the Rose Embossing Folder (Z3343).  And then I decided to sand the embossed image.  Ooh laa laa.











Everything other than the box is the same.

The flower and leaves come from the Chelea Gardens - Scrapbooking (D1760) stamp set.  The flower was inked in Glacier (Z2841), rolled in Crystal Blue (Z2817) and then stamped on scratch White Daisy.  The center of the flower was inked and stamped with Heather (Z2826).  The leaves were inked in Sweet Leaf (Z2853) and rolled in Fern (Z2850).  The saying was stamped on the Chelea Gardens Paper Packet (X7230B).  Don't recognize the stamp?!  It's a petite perk stamp (one of four small sayings) that isn't available for purchase.  Your consultant needs to give it to you, and it changes each quarter.  How do you get one from me?  If you order the Thin Cuts and Stamp Set from this project on my website before April 30th (although two of the Thin Cuts are on sale through March 31, 2018), I'll give the petite perks to you free!  Other ways to earn the the stamp set is to host a gathering and have someone book a gathering from yours.  Here is the stamp set: 

image slightly larger than actual

Back to my story...
The wider banners are from the Basic Banners Thin Cut (Z3345).  I used the 1.5" banner.  After I stamped the saying with Black ink (Z2805), I cut 0.25" from the flat part of the banner to make it shorter than the Heather cardstock (X5947) banner.  Remember that our cardstock is two toned now!  The narrow banner is the backside of the Heather cardstock, and is 5/8" wide by 1 5/8" long.  I would have used the 1" thin cut banner, but the banner needed to be longer than the 1.5" banners (and you can't add length to the banners).  I did use the 1" thin cut banner as a guide as to how high to cut to form the banner.  I finished the boxes off with Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089) - yes, the gems are white - they come in three different shades.  : )

The differences between the boxes (besides the base paper) are what I raised with Thin 3D Foam (Z2060).  I raised the banner on first box shown.  I raised the flower on the second box.  I couldn't decide which way I liked better.

Mini Brag Book Updated Again!

Besides this being an easy project to create, it's easy to recreate!  If you'd like to learn how it's made, check out the Bashful/Pewter book I made last year.

This book was made using some product from our Seasonal Expressions 1 idea book.  The stamp set is Chelsea Gardens - Cardmaking (C1709),  Gimme Some Sugar Paper Packet (Z7228A), Peacock-stitched Ribbon (Z4144), White Daisy cardstock (1385), Peacock Cardstock (X5958), Pewter cardstock (X5954), Peacock Ink (Z2849), Black Ink (Z2805), Watercolor Pencils (3505), Hook and Loop Dots (Z1805), and the Clear Shimmer Brush (Z3293).

Oh yeah, I also used some hidden gems - like "Celebrate" (M1188) and Pen Pal Alphabet (B1539) for the saying.  I wanted a general saying, but you could easily substitute any of your own (including any of the 5 included on the stamp set).

With this book, I elected to stamp directly onto the Peacock cardstock.  When closed, the butterfly covers some of the front.  It's just fun!

And on this inside, I used B&T paper as my background paper.  The first page is light enough for me to add my journaling directly to the paper.  If you look carefully, you'll see my knife cuts from the craft knife around the flowers and butterfly.  I did mask the center flower before I stamped the outside two in my cluster.

The Front butterfly... that was colored with the watercolor pencils and then blended with the Shimmer brush.  The colors are mixed a little and there's a little shine to the butterfly!  I did hand-cut the butterfly (the thin cuts are sold out)

Sunny Thoughts Envelope Bag

A fellow consultant challenged me the other day to make something from a box of Kraft colored envelopes.  While we were talking about potential projects, she teasingly asked if I remembered making bags out of envelopes.  She gave me a box of the envelopes, "downsizing" she said.  ;)

I do remember the days we created a bag from an envelope and set out to do just that again.

Let me walk you through how I created mine:

Seal the envelope. That's simple enough.  The flap will allow the bag to be closed rather than drafty.

Cut the envelope - usually in half, to create an opening for the bag.  These envelopes are 11" long by 4.75" wide, and I didn't want my bag that tall.  I cut the envelope in half anyway.  Then I cut an additional 0.25" (from the cut side), twice, for my handles.  And then I just cut off some more so that a gift card would just sit inside the bag.  Therefore, before scoring, I cut the envelope to 4.25".

Score the bottom and the sides.  The first one I scored at 0.75" on the bottom and 0.75" along each side.  I decided it was too wide for me, so I scored this one at 0.5" on the bottom and 0.75" along each side.
Fold on the score lines, really well, folding in the both directions.  Your bone folder really helps here.

Create the bottom.  Now that you've folded the score line really well, open up the envelope.  You will have the natural envelope edge in the middle of your two scored lines.  And as you square the bottom off, you'll notice you have a triangular section forming below the bag.  That's good!  Those triangular sections will get folded and glued to the bottom of the bag.  Use a bone folder to get into the corners of the bag.
You'll also notice the sides of the bag forming too.  Those are created from the scored lines along the side.  Go ahead and define the sides more too.

Decorate!  I thought the color of the Kraft matched our Gimme Some Sugar paper (X7228B) really well, so I went with that.  : )
The "You are the Sunshine in my pocket" stamp is one stamp, so I stamped it once on a 2.5" circle (thin cut Basic Circles - Z3318) in Peacock ink (Z2849), cleaned it, and stamped it again on scratch White Daisy using Tangerine ink (Z2809).  I used a paper trimmer to cut just below and above the dotted lines (highlighting "SUNSHINE"), bannered the edges, inked the edges with Tangerine, and mounted it with Thin 3D Foam (Z2060).  I also inked the edge of my circle with Peacock ink.
For the single flower (that's a single stamp too),  I stamped it once in Tangerine ink, and created a second generation with Juniper ink (Z2865).  Have I ever mentioned that I'm anal?!  I cut around the Tangerine flower, and when I cut the Juniper image, I cut off the ends of the flower.  Most of the Juniper flower is still there, for placement and anchor, of the Tangerine flower that I glued directly onto the Juniper flower.
For the handles, I cut them shorter, removing the envelope flap.  I used the bone folder to create the curve of the handles.  That's achieved the same way you curl curling ribbon with scissors.  The bone folder doesn't damage the paper though.  : o  Bonding memories was applied to the ends of the ribbon to adhere them to the bag.

Fill it!  Put a small surprise in your bag, and watch the recipients face light up when they receive the bag!  : )

Sunny Thoughts (S1802) has additional good stamp images.  It's only available through the end of the month.  Don't wait, we're halfway through February already!!

Mini Brag Book Updated

A few months ago I updated that cute brag book and I thought I'd show it to you.  : )

This is the book with the cover closed.  I used the Basic Fundamentals (Z3353), Bashful Cardstock, Pewter Cardstock, and White Daisy.

The saying has been stamped with Bashful ink (color of the year!) using a stamp from the Artistry Cricut Collection (Z3190).  Don't forget three stamp sets and cardstock comes with your purchase of the larger Cricut Collections! The ribbon is from the Basics ribbon Pack (Z3364).

The album stays closed thanks to a loop and hook dot (Z1805) that's hidden under the knot of the ribbon. The saying is adhered to the ribbon so that when you pull up on the ribbon, the pictures can be revealed.

You can kind of see the hook and loop dots...

Finally, the inside of the album reveals space for 3 pictures and one area for journaling.

Just like the original, I cut along the butterfly's wings and the flowers using a craft knife so I can tuck a 2.5" x 2.5" picture under the images.  The flower page is where I'd journal, and the spotted page (stamped using a background stamp from the Flower Market Cricut Collection) will host another picture.  The images were colored using our Watercolor Pencils (3505)

Let's put this baby together, shall we!

The 3" x 12" Bashful cardstock is scored at 3", 6", and 9".  The inside White Daisy cardstock are 2.75" x 2.75", as is the front B&T paper.  The Pewter cardstock base is 3.25" x 3.50".  The extra 0.25" accommodates the loop and hook dot.

How I managed closure... I tied a knot in my 6" of ribbon.  Held the knot to the side of my folded Bashful paper, and added some adhesive to the underside of the ribbon that extended past the front.  Attach the ribbon to the back of the Bashful paper.  Attach the Bashful/Ribbon part to the Pewter base, shifting it to one side to make room for the loop and hook dot.  Orientation DOES matter!  I make three sides (top, bottom, and left) equal distant from the edge of the Pewter.  Have I over explained that part?!  Finally, I add a hook to the backside of the knot, attaching the loop part to the hook dot, and pushing the ribbon (with hook and loop attached) into place to the right of the book on the extended Pewter base.

Super quick to make, this mini brag book is a great gift!

Butterfly Mobile

Do you, or someone you know, have a young girl?  If so, maybe the Butterfly Mobile bundle is right for you.

Have a girl or boy who likes other colors?  Use the instructions to create any color butterflies flowers, creating your own mobile!

Heck, cut any shape you'd like out for other types of mobiles!  Oh, no, my brain is starting to cramp with all the possibilities!

Close to my Heart has made ordering this project a breeze by bundling it together - and at a discount.  All the supplies (except adhesive) to create this project is 30% off.  There's a bundle with the stamp set too.

Here's the video on how to assemble the mobile.  : )



Need more help putting it together?  I'm here to help.

I'm full of questions today, aren't I?!

Time Machine - Mini Bragging Scrapbook from 2003

I tried sharing this with you when I arrived at my mother's house for the quilt retreat.  Look at this little treasure!  I made this gem many years ago (probably 15).  As with first born children, there is more time to do things (sorry, Amber!).  I gave this to my mom and dad, capturing Lindsey in her first and second year of life - back when she was unconditionally adorable.

Just thought I'd share it with you!  Even though it's small, this is a scrapbook!  Not too bad an idea...

It closes with a magnet.  : )  Maybe we'll make some of these at our Holiday Workshop on December 3, 2017 (with updated paper).  hmmm....

Interactive Cards: From the Heart Kit Celebrates National Stamping Month in Great Fashion

This month we celebrate National Stamping Making with an interactive card making kit.  If you receive this card, you might be thinking, "no way can I put that together!".  It isn't as bad as all that though.  Here is a video that walks you through assembling a card.



Not too bad, huh?!  Actually, the hard part is deciding on the colors to use to stamp the cards!  I love the detail the stamp set brings out on these flowers and leaves.  : )

The best part?  These were my inspiration for my Cardaholics card swap this month.  But you'll have to see my next post for those pictures...

There are three parts you can purchase:

CC1227 From the Heart Card Bases & Envelopes
12 – foil-stamped card bases with accompanying die-cut pieces
12 – 5½" x 4¼" white envelopes
Price: $13.95 USD

CC1228 My Acrylix® From the Heart Stamp Set
E-size stamp set containing 35 stamp images, including stamp sentiments for the inside and outside of your cards, as well as coordinating images for stamping floral scenes on cards and envelopes.
Price: $29.95 USD

CC1229 From the Heart Card Kit (best deal!)
12 – foil-stamped card bases with accompanying die-cut pieces
12 – 5½" x 4¼" white envelopes
1 – My Acrylix® From the Heart Stamp Set
Retail Value: $43.90 Discounted Price: $34.95

How do you get your hands on the Kit for FREE?
Host a gathering in September that reaches the third level of Hostess Rewards or higher, and receive a From the Heart Card Kit (CC1229) for FREE! That’s a $43.90 USD retail value, FREE! 
That includes Facebook and online gatherings!

Cardaholics Creative Block Inspirational Blocks

What do you do when you have a creative block?  You roll the dice!  Inspired by a magazine, I made up some inspiration blocks - each block representing something dealing with creating a card or layout; Color, Embellishment, Technique, and Theme.

Each block was made from the Artiste Cricut Collection (retired) page 45, 3D Object.  The finished block is 1.5" x 1.5" x 1.5".  Each block is covered with a different Fundamental B&T family.  I'll admit, I was short on time, and printed the items instead of stamping them.

On the COLOR block, the choices are: Black and White, Reds and Yellows, Blues, Primaries, Secondaries, and Tertiaries.

On the EMBELLISHMENT block, the choices are: Brad/Gem, Flower, Button/Sew, Ribbon/Twine, Glitter, and Distressing.

On the TECHNIQUE block, you'll find: Pattern/Pinterest, Monochromatic, Watercolor, Embossing, Fancy Folds, and Coloring.

And on the THEME block: Floral, Animal, Thank You, Blank, Birthday, and Beach.

The 3.5" x 6" bag topper was fun to make.  The word "CREATIVE" was stamped in Nutmeg (Z2830) ink using Jennifer's Hand (B1484) stamp set.  "BUSTER" was then stamped in Toffee (Z2828) ink.

"BLOCK" was created with the Marker Alphabet (E1034) and Bashful (Z2819), Blossom (Z2810), and Raspberry (Z2812) inks.  The entire word was inked in Bashful.  Then 2/3s of the word was inked in Blossom (leaving the very bottom as Bashful).  The top 1/3 of the word was then inked in Raspberry (the darkest red).  Then the image was stamped on the White Daisy topper.  Note: If you make more than one, you'll need to clean the stamp before going back to the lightest color.

A small bead of Liquid Glass (Z679) was used to adhere the bag to the inside back of the topper.  Another bead was used to keep the Enchantment Sapphire Twine (retired) in place at the fold of the topper.  Hook and Loop Dots keep front side of the topper down.  One hook dot is adhered to the bag while the loop dot is on the inside of the topper.

So, when I can't think of something to make, I whip out my handy blocks, roll them, and move forward with what they suggested.  No more creative block!

Sign In Guest Book Album

I saw Karen Pederson at convention last month.  I wanted to, and did, thank her and curse her for the video she put together about the sign in guest book.  I loved the idea as soon as I saw it.  I sent it to my niece, who also loved it!  Since I had made my niece her wedding invitations as her gift (100 invitations made!), I needed to find a sponsor to make the album.  My younger sister jumped at the chance!  Yeah, Lora!!

This is the front page.  It will hold a 5" x 7" picture.  My niece wanted Sea Glass.  I added the grays, browns, and blacks.  When I learned that her flowers were going to have coral in them, I turned to the Hello Lovely (retired) paper and fussy cut the flowers for each of the layouts.

This back page also holds a 5" x 7" picture.  The saying is from a retired stamp.  I thought it appropriate for the last page of a wedding.  The front and back photos are double matted.  A very small frame of Sea Glass is between the black and white.







The following are the two page layouts.  There is a lot of white space for people to write things.  Some of the papers were Rustic Home Fundamentals, Sea Glass cardstock and glitter paper, Some KindaWonderful B&T, Desert Sand cardstock, Whisper cardstock, Black cardstock, Live Beautifully B&T paper, Rustic Home Ribbon, and Washi tape.

Each page is double matted.  The base page is 12" x 12" of Black cardstock.  The next layer is 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" of Slate cardstock (the groom was going to wear a gray suit).  Then the 11" x 11" White Daisy cardstock.

pages 2 and 3

pages 4 and 5

pages 6 and 7

pages 8 and 9

pages 10 and 11

pages 12 and 13

pages 14 and 15

Some techniques I used:

• embossing (front and back cover)
• embossing and then sanding (pages 3 and 4)
• direct to paper inking (pages 2 and 3)

The strips of paper I used varied from 1/4" (going with the central background strip) to 3 1/2" (central background strip).  The banners ranged from 1/2" (washi tape and ribbon as well as paper) to 2 1/2".  Most were 1 1/4" to 1 3/4" I believe.  Each was bannered about 1/2" upward.

Since pictures were not going in beforehand (my niece wants to put wedding picture in), I varied the orientation.  I stamped "place photo here" so people wouldn't sign there.  The single Black mat was cut at 4" x 6" and the white area is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The 4" x 6" pictures will need to be trimmed down.

I raised the flowers with Thin 3D Foam so that pictures could be placed beneath them.

So, THANK YOU, Karen Pederson (her original post on her blog), for sharing this with us!  I'm so grateful because I've started a new tradition in my neck of the woods.  And curse you, for sharing the idea with us, because now I'll be making more.  : )  Of course seeing the expression of the bride and groom, and hearing the oohs and aahs of guests, the effort was well worth it!