Make Mine Stamps

Small Purse - 3D Scrapbook

Last year, when I attended convention, Annette, another demo in the same line I am in, gifted me with a scrapbook purse.  It was the absolute cutest thing and I determined then that I would learn how to make it.  It was much easier than I thought and I didn't even have to tear it apart to figure it out.  Many demos will see something they like, tear it apart and create a template.  I always think that is risky for me becuase if I can't make it work, I don't even have the original!

Here's the purse closed up:

I have since added an embellishment to the front, but I was waiting for the embellishments to dry (I had to add a little bling to them!).  My impatient spirit wanted to get the picture taken when I had the opportunity. 

This purse was made using the Cottage Wall scraps of paper I had left and I absolutely love it.  The Cottage Wall paper was gorgeous, but wait until you see how Stampin' Up! has reworked the same patterns -- you will adore it!

So, here's the purse opened and ready to embellish with pictures of whatever events or people who float your boat!

It is all a matter of folds.  As you can see, I didn't have to stamp much here -- because I had to make so many for a swap, I did try to keep it really simple, while using most of the scraps of paper that I had available to me.    

When you see it from the outside, you certainly don't expect this when you open it.  Remember that you can click on any picture and it will enlarge.

Thom asked me to work longer hours this week and as a result of my preparation for the swaps I am participating in, I didn't get to Blogger's Challenge.  That is two weeks in a row and that is not something I'm proud of.  So, look for me to definitely get something ready for Blogger's Challenge next week.  I think I'll start it on Saturday to make certain it gets done!

Have a fabulous weekend and stay cool!  God Bless You!

Senior Moments...For Graduation

Andy's school colors are Green, Black and White.  That brings back so many memories of cheers I've sat through, yelled through and jumped up and down to during football and basketball games.  Those days are over, my friend.  Now, if we ever decide to attend any of Findlay University's games, their colors are Orange and Black and they are the Oilers.  (Can you say Halloween?  I guess I'm not over that decision yet, would you say?)

Here's the first layout I did when I started working on Andy's sporting memories for Graduation.

I'm creating another accordion album because I like those best.  I am using Glorious Green and I think I have plenty to work with.  Whatever I have is what I am using, and I'll also liberally use Black and White.  My focus is on the colors, as well as using stars of all sizes and colors.  This layout was an easy one to do and I used the Big Shot to cut the letters.  These are Quickutz letters I purchased way back thinking I would someday use them and that day has finally come.  My first intention was to use my Coluzzle because I have the shadowed alphas, but they were actually a bit too big.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this page.  I'm not really including the team photos, but will put them in a book for him so he can remember who was on his team.  The people who will be visiting after graduation are more interested in Andy than in his team.  At least I hope they are more interested in Andy....

He has scrapbooks I created for his Junior High years and for his senior year, the cheerleaders created scrapbooks for Football and Basketball.  I donated scads and oodles of supplies but I've never seen the book -- I'm sure he has it stuffed in a drawer somewhere, but that is a boy for you.  I'd love to see it and am hopeful I can talk his father into bringing it to graduation so we can all see what it looks like.

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and it is a color challenge.  I thought it was a hard one until I sat down to create and it came to me immediately.  Can't wait for you to see it.  I used a sketch challenge as well -- killing two birds with one stone.  Now I feel efficient!

Have a great Thursday!  Let me know if there is a way I can help you!

What? Pregnant...! Part Two

Today, I'm sharing the last four pages of the scrapbook I made for Andy's teacher, Karen.  I sent this off to her today and she'll receive it tomorrow.  I do hope she loves this book as much as I do -- the colors are fabulous and it looks so "boy-ish" to me.  That is the problem with creating something like this for someone else -- you put so much love and heart into it, and you just want them to feel it too!

Remember, you can click on any of the pages and they will enlarge so you can see the details.  I used small safety pins, rub ons, made shakers, etc. for this book and I can't wait for her to see it. 

Here is a picture of the book put together as a Z fold accordion book. 

 

There are plenty of journaling opportunities as well and I hope she is able to find them all!  I thought about putting post it notes on the pages to let her know what went where, but then again, perhaps she will want something totally different and I'm going to let her do with this book as she will.  I would love to see it with the pictures though!  Baby Boy isn't due until May and Andy is graduating at the end of May.  Reality is that unless she sends me pictures, I'll never see this book completed.  Oh well.....I can always make one for my own grandchildren, should I be so lucky when the time is right.  It isn't right now....not for about 10 years...so patiently I will wait! 

How about this for an omen?  Today is my 48th birthday and I woke up with two new zits!  What a gift!

See you tomorrow with a grunge card -- it happened by accident.  The only thing I didn't do was stomp on it!

God Bless!

 

What? You're Pregnant?

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!

Snow Days!

Well, it's snowing again....and we're supposed to get more all week long with the exception of Friday or Saturday and then...you guessed it:  MORE SNOW!  On Saturday, I'm doing a craft for the Young Lives group.  Their focus and mission is supporting those young women who are still teens and have become moms.  Obviously, we all know that is a very tough and very courageous decision.  I applaud the fact that these young women have opted to have their babies and didn't choose to "get rid of it".  I am supporting their efforts by providing a craft for all of their meetings and I donate all of my supplies.  I really want this group to succeed and although I hate to say that I don't have the patience to mentor these young gals, I'm doing what I can to help the women who do mentor them and give of their time.  I'm way too opinionated and would end up spouting off instead of listening and asking questions.  At least I know my weaknesses and that is only one of the many I could list for you!

Here's the page we are making this Saturday night (if the meeting holds due to all of this snow!).

The 12 x 12 base is Night of Navy and I've wheeled with a retired snowflake set in Whisper White Craft Ink all over this page.  I cut 1 x 1 squares in Brushed Silver, Whisper White and Bordering Blue and alternated them on the left hand side.  I hid the seam with a Whisper White grosgrain ribbon. Then I used one of the Snowflake stamps from the Holiday Mini to randomly stamp the Night of Navy snowflakes over the squares.  I'm giving the gals their choice of the large snowflake or some smaller images that they can randomly stamp in the squares if they prefer.

The photo mats are 4 x 6 Bordering Blue.  The bottom mat was placed with dimensionals and I've included a journalling mat underneath the top mat, which is only adhered on the sides and bottom.  I think this will be a great Winter scrapbooking page and heaven knows...WE'VE GOT WINTER!

I'll provide everyone with a page protector and in December, each young lady and her mentor will receive an album for all of their pages.  We'll do at least a full page each month and then some months, we'll do a two page spread.  Truth be told, I didn't have enough paper to do a double page spread so I've got to take stock and get some supplies in.  Darn...that means I'll have to place an order!

Please drive safely and stay warm.  Enjoy the snow though -- it's God's wonderland and although it is dangerous, it certainly is beautiful!  (Don't tell Thom I said that!)  Hugs to you all!

Ronald McDonald Scrapbook Share

Sherrill Graff is a Stampin' Up Executive Demo who lives in Las Vegas.  She is the lead demo for the Ronald McDonald house in Vegas and is constantly volunteering to do things for the house, as well as for all types of other charitable organizations.  She even has demos making special dream books for homeless children so they will have something to call their own.  She recently asked if someone could make some two page scrapbook spreads for the Ronald McDonald House Albums -- I'm assuming these are children who have been through the house.  I only know that for the toddler I chose, Rebecca Grace Hildebrand, there are two pictures that measure 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 and a 6x6 hand-written letter from her parents.  I also know that the colors in the pictures are Pretty In Pink, Sage (which I interpreted to be Mellow Moss/Always Artichoke), Burgundy and Black.  Because I haven't seen the pictures, here is what I came up with.

This page will be used to mount the hand-letter from her parents.  I cut 1 1/2" written squares, sprayed them with alcohol so they would moisten up but dry quickly and scrunched the heck out of them to distress them.  Next, I used my new sewing machine (THANKS MOM!) to sew around the edges.  It is supposed to look like I don't know how to sew and be a bit "off" -- more along the lines of an early childhood sampler.  I glued down the squares, but the middle square, which measures 7.5 square, was actually sewn onto the page.  I distressed the squares with Mellow Moss and Bravo Burgundy inks.  I stamped on some of the squares but tried to make them look like they were stamped a bit off too, once again to look like the samplers of old.

The next page, the right hand side, will hold the pictures of Rebecca and her parents.  I wanted this to look as if I had sewn a piece of fabric onto the paper and I think somehow I achieved that desire!

I used the zig-zag stitch to place the top piece down after I had distressed it.  If you click on the picture, it should enlarge and you can see that there is a floral detail in the top page.  I used picture clips and brads to appear as if they are going to hold the pictures.

After I broke the Very Vanilla paper down across the bottom, I ran it thorugh the scalloped punch and wanted this to appear as lace.  I stamped the sentiment (non-SU, but I really do believe this and HAD to include this on the page!) and used my zig-zag stitch to attach it across the top and allowed the bottom to float free.  I used a Bravo Burgundy ribbon which I had run through the Always Artichoke ink pad to add a bit of color to the strip, but it is also distressed with both Mellow Moss and Bravo Burgundy Inks.

I'm hopeful Sherrill likes the pages.  It has been forever since I scrapped and I am thinking that since I have my MDS certification, I should start scrapping Andy's school stuff for graduation -- doing it digitally would be so much quicker and I could add embellishment to my printed projects.  I've already got lots of his activities done, but his high school years are far from finished.  And now, since he is having surgery next week, and has yet to have his Senior Pictures taken, I'm wondering if he is ever going to get this done!  My only solace is that he will graduate whether he has pictures done or not.  It's a done deal at this point and the next hurdle is for him to choose from all of his many college options.

Okay, enough about the page and my fabulous son!  I've got tons of stamps and extras that I'd love to move to a new home.  Do you have room for some new supplies in your craft area?  If so, read on!

All you have to do is to check in at least three times each week over the course of the next month and leave a comment on my blog.  Let me know what you like and what you need to see more of, what you don't need to see at all and especially if there is something you would like to see but haven't.  For instance, I don't show a lot of fancy folds (cards) on my blog. Want to see some of those?  Want to see more scrapbooking alternatives?  Contest starts on Monday, January 25 and will run through Sunday, February 28.  I'll be updating my blog each day of the week (not the weekends, I take those off to create new stuff to blog!) and I'll draw a winner on Monday, March 1.  If you aren't local, I'll send your package out by Friday of that week and if you are local, I'll drop it off by Friday of that week.  Regardless, the winner's package will contain at least $100 in stamping stuff!  I value your opinions, but I need to hear them!

Have a fabulous day and thanks for stopping!  See you tomorrow with Blogger's Challenge -- I weenied out on this one and took the easy road.....you'll see!

Blogger's Challenge - Focus on Designer Series Paper (DSP)

It's Friday and it's time for Blogger's Challenge.  Today's project was designed with tweens in mind.  I'm thinking this would make a great project for those in the 10-14 age bracket.  This was designed with Amanda in mind and I'll be anxious to hear from her mom, Colleen, if she thinks Amanda would like this project.

There are lots of pictures, so hold tight!  You can click on any picture and it will enlarge.

                 

         

         

         

 

This is a paperbag scrapbook that was designed to be all about the person creating it.  If you created this at 10 or 14, found it in 10 or 15 years, wouldn't it would be awesome to see what was important to you at that time in your life?  You can store things in the open bag portion, and on the section entitled "My Dreams", you can flip the card up so your secrets are safely hidden unless you want someone to read them.  I've labelled that page "wish big" because after all, our dreams should be big so we can grow into them!  I was truly surprised how quickly this came together and there is very little stamping involved.  The focus is really all about the DSP.

I printed the labels on clear return address labels so I could make the titles small enough for the tabs.  This is the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and I think for girls, it rocks!  I will add a ribbon all around to tie this project up and keep all of the treasures added within safe.

I'll post pictures of the game and bonfire sometime this weekend.  Hope all in your world is right and that you have a fabulous weekend!  Blessings to you!

If you have questions about this project, please email me and I'll be happy to help in any way I can!

 

Homecoming Week

It's homecoming week at Andy's school and I've been wanting to try a folder project for a while.  Since I had some time this weekend, I gave it a shot, although I didn't really embellish this too much.  I made it with the intention of sending it to Andy to give to his date, McKenzie, who also happens to be the Homecoming Queen.  They will make a great couple -- no love interest, but really great friends.  Andy asked McKenzie to the dance before school even started and as luck would have it, she's the Homecoming Queen and he's the King.  Funny how it worked out, but cool, nonetheless!

Do you recognize this folder?  It's one of the file folders from the Thoroughly Modern collection (if you don't remember seeing these in the Idea Book and Catalog, check page 169).  I should have chosen another one to experiement with, but actually just pulled out the top one to see if I could make this work. 

I folded the folder to make pockets that will hold 4 x 6 photos.  In addition, I added a piece of paper to each slot so McKenzie can jot down things she might want to remember about Homecoming and the Queen experience.

I had to use clear return address labels for the tab titles.  If you have seen my handwriting, you will completely understand this.  If the titles were to be legible, typing was the way to go!

I used the DSP from the Thoroughly Modern collection, along with Vanilla Hodgepodge, Bermuda Bay Polka Dotted Grosgrain ribbon and some of our punches.

Here's a view of the folder opened. 

If you click on the picture, it will enlarge.  At Andy's school, the King and Queen are crowned at a Bonfire held on Thursday night (yes, I will be there taking pictures!).  The tabs read:  Bonfire, The Game, The Dance, Friends and Memories.

On Thursday, the Bonfire will be held and the coronation takes place.  Then, on Friday, they will be presented prior to the football game.  Andy will be in his uniform during this presentation because he plays football.  McKenzie cheers so she may well be in her uniform as well!  Yes, I'll be there taking pictures!

On Saturday, they get dressed up and go to the Homecoming Dance where there will be another presentation.  I'd love to be there, but Andy is letting me know that he thinks I'm on overkill with this whole gig.  Too bad, so sad, son -- sorry 'bout your luck -- I think I'll be there anyway and yes, I'll be taking pictures!

I'm mailing this to him tomorrow to give to McKenzie prior to the Bonfire.  Because some gals her age may not really be into this type of thing, I'm not going overboard on the frills.  It may not be used, but I wanted to prove to me that I could do this.  My next project of this sort will be to start with a manilla envelope and take it over the top.  Look for it in October!

If you are local and are interested in finding out what is on my October calendar, be sure to click on my events calendar.  All my classes will be listed, along with a description of each class.  I'd love to see you at Card Club or at Techniques and classes at the church are open to anyone as well.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping!  God Bless You!

BOSCO BENEFIT

Yesterday, I mentioned that I was working on some things for a benefit for Bosco, a canine officer in Zanesville who was wounded in the line of duty.  Because the Canine Force is completely funded by donations made to the FOP and doesn't have a budget, the Police Department is having a benefit to raise funds for Bosco's care and rehabilitation.  He is paralyzed but they are hopeful he can recover as he is trying to walk.  It is amazing to see the care they are giving him and therapy he does for 7 hours each day.  I love German Shepards anyway, but he is absolutely a beautiful dog.

At any rate, I re-purposed my "Season of Thanks" picture for the auction and am adding some additional items.  I've wanted to make this over because I didn't like the way it turned out.  Thankfully, it was an easy fix and I'm very satisfied with it now.  Here is a picture of the items I am contributing to the auction.

I've included a box of cards that contains four snowman cards and four spiritual Christmas cards.  The snowman card is an original and the spiritual card is one I cased about two years ago and I have no idea who created it.  It is beautiful though, so if you see it and it was you, let me know and I'll give you complete kudos and credit!

I'm also including a box made from the Petal Card die, using last year's holiday Designer Series Paper.  I've included a candle for which I made a wrap.  The wrap is removable and can be placed on another candle of the same size when the candle is burned out.  The 2-5-7-10 box you saw earlier this week and I decided to include it as well.  I'm also including my 6 x 6 Acrylic Scrapbook Album made with the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper.  I have given it to Becky to use as a sample for a Basket Party she is hostessing, but she graciously agreed to give it back to me so I'll be able to include it with this basket of auction items.

If you look closely at the picture, you can see a reflection of me taking the picture and the trees and landscaping in my yard.  I photograph everything in my laundry room, which has tall windows all around.  Originally, I thought this would make a fabulous scrapbook room, but now I am glad I'm not in there.  I think all that glorious sunlight would fade my paper and my projects!

If you are local, please consider coming to Bosco's Benefit.  It is being held at the North Terrace Church of Christ on Brandywine Boulevard in Zanesville from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.  There are some fabulous auction items up for grabs and the food should be awesome as well.  I may be wrong in this but I think they are having a bake sale.  If not, there will be some great desserts!

Enjoy your day and know that God loves you -- with all your faults and foibles.  I say to that, "Thank goodness" because my faults and foibles are many!  God bless you!

Oh. My. Gosh! Build A Bear ROCKS!

Okay, I'll admit it.  When Stampin' Up! first announced their exclusive agreement with Build A Bear, I wasn't terribly impressed.  "Oh, that's great for people with small children or those with granchildren and I'll climb on the bandwagon then."  Kadie is 22, Andy is 18, and neither of them are excited anymore about Build A Bear.

BUT...and that is a big BUT...I saw the potential of all of these items at Convention and remembered how much of a bear lover I was when I was even in my 20's and 30's.  Although I am closer to the 50's now, I fell in love with the dies and it is rare that I meet a stamp set I don't love.  So, that said, I got out my dies last night and started playing.  I cannot tell you how much fun it is to create clothing for these little gems!  I completed entire wardrobes last night while laughing and talking to myself and the bears.  I can't wait to get to play with them again tonight!

My mom has a birthday coming up this month.  I know I'll be getting her something, but at this point, I'm not sure what that something is.  I'll work on that.  However, I already have the gift bag ready for whatever that something turns out to be.  Here it is.

I had an absolute ball playing with these clothes!  Mom, I'm sorry that she is wearing white shoes and it is after Labor Day, but isn't her sweater darling?  Love those florals!  This is one well-dressed bear! 

I created the Bear in Close to Cocoa cardstock and punched a circle in Chocolate Chip and placed it at the back of her face to create her eyes, nose and mouth.  You could just as easily die cut colors, but I was having too much fun playing paper dolls with her clothing!

The floral sweater was created with the Build A Bear Designer Series Paper and her blouse is Whisper White.  Ms. Bear's pants are Certainly Celery and her bag, which I very easily and quickly created from punches, is So Saffron.  Her hairbow is also So Saffron and her shoes are Whisper White. 

The sentiment "Birthdays are the Best" is a rub on from the Chit Chat Collection.  I stamped "Celebrate" in  Whisper White Craft Ink on the Ballet Blue cardstock at the bottom.  The ribbon is 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain.

And for those of you who know me, I will tell you Ms. Bear is attached to the panel with dimensionals and the panel is attached to the bag with dimensionals.  I like things to have some dimension and since I'm hand delivering this bag, it can be popped off that bag as much as I want it!  The panel is Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery and Pretty In Pink.

Well, I definitely wanted to be an equal opportunity stamper, so I had to make Mr. Bear.  Here he is, along with a couple of lady bears, sporting his Argyle Sweater and jeans.  Sorry -- forgot his shoes -- they are cut out, but again, I was having too much fun creating outfits for Ms. Bear!

This is a magnet board I created with magnetic bears and magnetic clothing.  I think they are all adorable.  I'm going to create complete wardrobes for them and just attach the magnetic clothing to the back of this board (which I made magnetic as well).  I am thinking I"ll create little magnetic scenes for each season so my bears can have some background.  I might even put this board in a special place and create little day scenes for them...BECAUSE I CAN!  I didn't expect to fall in love with these bears, but I have to tell you, this is very addicting!

More fun tomorrow with Build a Bear but we're going to try some foam shapes.  Wait til you see these!  The ideas are coming fast and furious. 

What do you think?  Can you see someone in your life falling in love with Build A Bear and all of these options?  I'll be hosting a Build A Bear workshop very soon.  The one I had planned for this upcoming weekend didn't go because of the holiday -- very poor plannimg on my part.  But stay tuned!  I'll have that workshop rescheduled soon and will announce the date within the next week.  I'm just waiting for a facility confirmation.

Blessings to you!  Enjoy your day!