One of Andy's past teachers, Karen, is pregnant with her second child. She and her husband, Troy, have one other child, Shelby, who is 17! Yep, you read that right -- 17 and driving! I think this baby was a surprise but is also very much welcome. Karen has been a great influence on my son, as well as a huge help to him by "tutoring" him when he was struggling with Math. As a result, Andy has always gotten great grades. Because I love babies, because Andy is graduating and because she is just a really nice gal, I crafted a scrapbook for Karen and Troy and their new baby. Here are the first four pages.
I love the color palette and think it looks very much like a boy. I'm putting these pages into a Z fold accordion album and all the pages are 9x9. I like this format because it isn't hidden away in an album, but is meant to be out and about where people can see it, touch it and comment on it every time they enter the room. After all, we scrapbook to preserve sacred memories -- why not keep some of these pictures out where folks can see them and adore them NOW versus when you drag out your albums. I also like this format because I like to be able to say that I finished an album (there are eight 9x9 pages) in less than 8 hours.
I scrap with a scrap map I've developed myself and I love this system. It takes about 45 minutes to cut all the pieces and label them -- then, I just follow the map to put the pages together. Once they are done, I start embellishing and deciding how I want the photo mats, etc. Every book is different, dependent upon whom I am gifting the book too. I really enjoy doing these books and always hope that the recipients enjoy the book as much as I enjoy creating it.
In picture three, the verse reads "Children are a gift from God." and I stamped this on the front of the vellum, using my heat gun to speed the drying process. On the back of the vellum, I stamped the parent/baby hands and I love how this came out. In real life, it looks great but it didn't come through the photo that well. However, if you click on each photo, they will enlarge.
In picture four, the verse reads, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. Elizabeth Stone" Isn't that the truth?
I'll show you the next four pages and the completed book tomorrow.
Now, the winner of the Sketch Challenge goodies is.....can you hear the drumroll?...Francie Holdren!
And the winner of the Color Challenge goodies is...drumroll still sounding!...Laura Natalie!
Since they both entered so many times, random.org made the decision and I'll be delivering their goodies this week. Thanks so much to all who participated. I'll be sending all of our cards to the Ronald McDonald House this week as well.
Have a fabulous Monday! God Bless!
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