Father's Day Gifts

Hello there!  I know summer is almost over, but I wanted to share a project that I did earlier in the summer for Father's Day.  I used CTMH Accordion Display Albums (6x6 size) to make minibook displays for my husband, Dad, and Father-in-law.  The one for my husband was a Superhero theme, while the other two were more generically masculine.  I was excited with how they turned out and they were very warmly received by all!  As always, you can click on any of the pictures to see them larger and in more detail :) 

 

All supplies are from CTMH unless otherwise stated

 

Superhero Display album: Superhero paper pack, wooden badge buttons, Varsity alphabet, Riding Hood Red ink (SU), black ink, baker's twine, You and Me stamp set (just the 2 of us sentiment), Jubilation stamp set (hero image), embossed star punch (CM), label stamp (source unknown), pewter ribbon slides, adhesive gems (CM)

 

 

 

 

 

Masculine Themed Display Albums:  Well Worn paper (SU), pewter ribbon slides, hemp, canvas badge buttons, You and Me stamp set, Varsity alphabet, label stamp (source unknown), chocolate ink, durables round studs, wooden buttons

 

 

Hope you have a creative day and make something special for a loved one in YOUR life today!

Flirty Card Workshop

Hello there--so nice of you to stop by today!  I have been working on a card workshop this weekend--I followed the simple cutting guide and directions found in CTMH's Wishes book (retired) for their Holiday Card Workshop.  Basically, you need 1 full sheet of cardstock (I used flirty raspberry, CTMH), 1 full sheet of patterned paper (floral from Flirty paper pack, CTMH), a quarter sheet of Colonial white cardstock, and 16 colonial white cardbases to create 16 cards, 2 of each design (I actually ended up with 2 extra designs, due to having some previous scraps).  Feel free to click on any of the pictures to get a better, upclose view.

This card set features a new paper pack called Flirty from CTMH which features unique colors of cardstock.  I LOVE the Flirty raspberry color, but was a bit disappointed because there are really no ink colors that are close to matching it.  I did end up using a secondary color from the paper pack, Sunset, but even that ink color was not a great match (too bright).  For the stamped flowers and leaves, I used the coordinating stamp set, Love Blooms, which I LOVE--it is fresh, fun, and contemporary.  I think I will love using it, probably even more so WITHOUT the matching paper, as then I won't feel so confined to using certain ink colors (and being frustrated when they don't match the paper).

Sentiment: Card Chatter--sympathy (CTMH), ink: olive (CTMH), black, sunset (CTMH)

Sentiment: Happy trails--PTI

Sentiment: Fiskars Thank you

One of my unique designs

Sentiment: Card Chatter--birthday (CTMH)

Sentiment: PTI, ink: Melon Mambo (SU)-was NOT happy with the new foam stamp pad as it was patchy and bled

Sentiment: Card Chatter--sympathy (CTMH)

 Another original design

Sentiment: Fiskars  Thank You

Sentiment: Just for You (CTMH)

Sentiment: Happy Trails--PTI

Another group shot :)

By using stamped embellishments, these cards ended up costing me pennies!!  Love that!
Hope you, too, have a creative day and perhaps get some happy mail in your mail box soon!

Our Story Journal

This was a fun journal to create and easy, too.  The journal is from CTMH is is unfortunately retired now, but I was able to score several from the clearance section of their website and from a few consultants.  I like it because it has a clear 5x7 pocket on the front, so you can easily slip in your artwork.  The inside pages are unlined, so you can use it as a journal, album, or smashbook.  The spine is also fun to decorate using various ribbon scraps, like I did here.  For the paper and embellishments, I used Creative Memories latest product line called Enchantment.  This was a very fun paper pack to use and I was super impressed with the quality of the paper flowers that came in the set.  The aqua scallop border along the right side is actually a sticker border and the title is also a sticker.  I gave this journal to a dear friend of mine who is expecting her 4th child while her husband is away on deployment--what a story she has to tell this year!

Peek-a-boo Family Board Book

**Warning: Photo Heavy Blog Post**

Hi there--thanks for stopping by today :)  I'd like to share with you an adorable little peek-a-boo board book I made awhile back.  The album is from OTC and the paper pack is from Cosmo Cricket.  I basically covered the album as it came, using pattered paper, a glue stick, and a craft knife (to cut out the paper adhered on top of each barn door flap).  Inside each window, I pasted a family photo.  I thought this would be a fun and interactive mini book for the kids and they would enjoy finding themselves and various family members.

Front Cover

I think it is a lot of fun to create art that the entire family, including the little kiddos, can enjoy.  Hope you have a creative day!

Travel Mini Book

** Warning--Photo Heavy Blog Post **

Welcome back--so glad you stopped by today!  I want to share with you a project that is travel-themed, as I know many of you have ventured to places near and far this summer!  This is a very easy minibook that you can create with just heavy weight cardstock, ribbon, and a hole punch.  I used a paper pack from JoAnn's Craft store--I think it might have been DCWV but I can't recall.   You can make this book in any size--I made mine 6x6, which simply meant that I cut several 12x12 cardstock papers in half, stacked them on top of each other, folded them the middle, and then punched two holes in the crease to make a book, tying it together with ribbon.  For the cover, I cut a small 2x2 window with a square punch and lined it with word strips from my label maker.

Front cover with peek-a-boo window

 1st page

3rd and 4th pages

Travel inserts are from Lisa Bearnson's Kit of the Month Destination Journal kit



I gave this book to my SIL who used to do quite a bit of travel, both for pleasure and business.  I included a little handmade envelope with photo corners with this gift, so she could put in her own pictures easily!  Hope you have fun on your creative journey today :)

Cross-Stitch Card

Hi there!  Back from a great vacation at the lake and back with some blog inspiration for you.  I used to cross-stitch all the time growing up--in fact, I learned how to do it from my mother when I was 9 years old.  I still cross-stitched even when I was in college and I have since cross-stitched a baby sampler for each of my three children.  Unfortunately, this is a hobby that I no longer have the patience or the time to do.  But to my delight, Stampin Up's new catalog featured this stamp set called "Hoop La La"  It features a cute embroidery hoop, several cross-stitched images and sentiments, and even a needle pulling thread.  I used pinking shears to cut out the cardstock (Lucky Limeade, SU) and then stamped it with a linen background stamp from Universal Backgrounds (CTMH).  Then I inked the flower image (Pool Party, SU) and sentiment (Lucky Limeade, SU) and then used aqua-colored baker's twine and tied it around the front.  This was the quickest cross-stitch project I've ever made!  And I think it turned out super cute :)