December Daily thoughts

I LOVE the idea of a December Daily album.  I follow Ali Edward's blog religiously this time of year.  I've also purchased Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas in the past (LOVE that once you purchase it you get it every year after for FREE). In 2009, I set up the pages using up a Creative Memories album and kit I had purchased in the past (man, I LOVE using up old product).  It was completed fairly quickly after Christmas (may have had something to do with having foot surgery - I had PLENTY of time to work on crafty stuff).  My 2010 album is um, well, currently on my desk.  I am determined to get it complete this week. 

So, here we are at 2011.  I can't even decide what album to use.  What size, manufacturer, 3ring binder or punch holes for jump rings?!  I saw Ali had a kit for sale at Studio Calico (now sold out) but it was a bit pricey for my budget.  I've consided Amy Tangerine's mini book and Pink Paislee's wood album. I just don't know.  One thing is for sure, I am running out of room to store albums.  As for papers and embellies, I want to use up what I already have.

I have created a board on pinterest called December Daily Ideas to help inspire me.  I sure hope it inspires me soon!  So, blogland, I am asking for your help.  Are you creating a December Daily album?  What are you using for an album this year?  If you have made more than one December Daily type album, how do you store/display them?  Please share your ideas.   

ROAD TRIP mini album

The poor blog has been so neglected.  My plan is to pay more attention to it this fall.

Thought you might enjoy some pictures of our ROAD TRIP album I made. I downloaded Ali Edward's mini class called Scrapbook On The Road. At $14 US, I highly recommend it. I actually created a lot of the album before I left and took an Iris bin with me to store supplies. I did a lot of the journaling on the road while the memories were fresh. This is the first time I have ever scrapbooked like this and I LOVE the results.

The pattern paper is from House of Three called Daily Junque.  I painted (after being inspired by Ali) the light blue color for the front and back pages of the album.

This first page is actually a recycled cardboard CD case I covered in pattern paper.  I used Tim Holz's tape around the edges.  It was a great pocket to stick stuff in.  I love the pic - that is my youngest walking to the beach.

The backside of the CD case.  The Elvis stamp is from a scrapbook store called Cootie Coo Creations in High Springs, FL (wish I could of spent more time there - the ladies were fab).  The pic is of the family playing "air guitars" in front of Graceland.

I kept every little tid bit I could - receipts, cut up french fry wrappers, etc.  I journaled on the back of the White Castle cut out.

I loved picking up postcards to journal on. 

I did LOTS of journaling.

LOVE my new Fujifilm Instax Mini camera!

I used Tim Holz's mini stapler to include items as well as decor tape and a tape runner.

Found this photo op outside a restaurant in Siesta Key, FL.  The antique Vespa + Instax camera = perfection!

I used some transparency overlays - love seeing the next page behind it.

     

Me and the hubby - he took the photo and happened to catch our youngest in the background - LOVE it!

Probably our favorite part of the trip - parasailing!  Our youngest decided not to go at the last minute - the oldest LOVED it!

More items I picked up along the way.  We stopped in Juliette, GA and ate at The Whistle Stop Cafe!  Yes, we had fried green tomatoes!  The place looks exactly the same - hard to believe the movie is 20 years old.

More postcards.

Yes, I kept tack of our gasoline stops - thought it might be neat to look back on the prices someday.  On the next page I used transparency and made it a pocket page for receipts, etc.

A receipt from Cootie Coo Creations and Jack in the Box.

I made a highlights page - had to spell it wrong to get the letters to fit!

I wanted to list all the states we visited - a tag was perfect for that!

I added a glassine bag to slip in all kinds of tidbits at the end. 

I am in love with my little Fujifilm Instax mini camera.  I think it really added character to the photos I took.  I plan to make a couple of scrapbook pages about the trip and call it done.  I think I captured enough info in this little album.  Also, some photos went in to my Project Life album.  I wish I could remember all the different products I used for this.  I know I used some Papertrey ink paper and their stamp set Road Trip, I also used Technique Tuesday's Are We There Yet by Ali Edwards.  I used rubons, spray mists, tags, thickers, Tim Holz tapes, stickers - lots of stuff I had laying around.  I believe the front, back and several pages were from Scenic Route.  It feels good to use up supplies!  

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little album and it inspires you to create something today!



Still alive..

It has been so long - sorry!  Thought I would share a card a made a while back for a friend of my son. 

Stamps: PTI Game On

Cardstock: PTI

Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: Memento black and grey

Misc: PTI ad sense die, circle punch





Dear 16 year old me...

Pinterest

Have you heard of it?  I think I'm addicted.  A few of my pins...

There are SO many inspiring photos of crafts, home decor, quotes, books, movies, etc.  Here is a link to my boards.  Have fun!

Water for Elephants

I absolutely LOVED this book.  I can't wait to see the movie.  This is a MUST READ! 

April 29.2011

Did you watch the wedding?

I thought the bride was stunning.

Presenting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge...

Bookshelf

I've been reading...A LOT. 

I loved Shelter Me by Juliette Fay.  It makes you laugh, cry, think and grateful for your life.  I am on a wait list at the library for her latest book Deep Down True.

What good books have you been reading?

Bookshelf

I've recently read a couple of really quick reads.  It finished Lift by Kelly Corrigan in one day.  This is a great read for Moms. 

 

I blew through The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom in an afternoon.  It is a page-turner.  You have to keep reading to find out what happens next.  It is a wonderful book about how our lives are connected to so many others. 

Happy 40

My girlfriend turned 40 this past weekend and I wanted to share the card I made for her. 

I apologize for the messy desk you can see in the background!

I was inspired by a card Lisa Johnson did a while back, you can see it here.  I loved how she embossed the card stock and then went over it with white ink.  I used a paper towel dabbed in SU whisper white (craft) to brush over my embossed numbers.  I used the Cricut Printing Press cartridge to cut out the number 40.    

Stamps: PTI birthday bash sentiments

Cardstock: PTI

Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: Memento black, SU whisper white
Misc: PTI mat stack 1 die, double end banner die, Cuttlebug emboss folder
Cricut info : Printing Press

Say hello to my little friends

I made these Valentines for my boys to take to school today.  I was inspired by these Valentine kits at Paper Source. 

I have been a bad blogger - sorry!  I made these a couple of weeks ago and forgot all the Cricut cartridges I used to make them.  I know I used paper doll dress up for the hats and one of the mustaches. 

Hope you have a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

FOCUS friday

I am participating in Ali Edwards One Little Word class over at Big Picture.  My word for the year is FOCUS.  I talked about it in this post.  I thought I would share a pic of the project.

I am using a Lime 8.5x11 We R Memory Keepers album for the project.   I love the color of this album.  I found some My Minds Eye pattern paper at my local scrapbook store for .20 a piece!  I think it goes with the album perfectly.  Of course I had to add a couple of butterflies (compliments of a Martha Stewart punch).  

Reading and getting healthy are on my list of things to focus on this year.  I admit the getting healthy thing is a struggle.  I am reading a wonderful book right now called Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (so I am reading about getting healthy!)  I am hoping this will help me discover some things about my over eating.  I really like it so far.  I will try to remember to write a review when I am done. 
 

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!       

Thursday Chirp

I thought I would make Thursdays my Cricut day, hence the name Thursday Chirp.  I want to push myself to use it more.  I've been surfing and finding some amazing projects.  I think there is a bit of a learning curve - some cartridges are pretty complicated for my pea brain.  My goal is to use it regularly and LEARN!  (That would be part of my OLW: FOCUS goals). 

I broke out my Wild Card cartridge, watched several you tube videos and made this little Valentine with matching envelope.  I used Core'dinations cardstock that was recommended by several Cricut users.  I was very excited to use the cardstock - I've had it for awhile - got it at Hobby Lobby 50% off!

I had fun making this.  Hope you enjoy it.  Please let me know.  I LOVE comments.  I made it easier to leave comments; you don't have to log in to anything or type a made up word to verify. 

Stamps: Verve
Cardstock: Core'dinations
Pattern Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: Memento black
Misc: Jolee's embellie, pearls, PTI double end banner, button and floss
Cricut info : Wild Card cart cut at 4 3/4" (used card, envelope, liner and frame)

PTI Blog Hop

Nicole issued a challenge to use a stamp set that either hasn't been inked up or hasn't been used in a while.  I decided to get out my Signature Series: Dress Form and matching die.  Here is what I came up with...

Sorry the picture is not the best. 

I used my FAVORITE PTI die Banner Borders for the top of the card (where the sentiment is).  I have used that die so much - it is a must-have!

Stamps: PTI Signature Series:dress form

Cardstock: PTI Rustic white and Pure Poppy
Pattern Paper: PTI distressed dots
Ink: SU black (craft), PTI tea dye
Misc: twine, PTI dies, ribbon, emboss folder, Paper Studio pearls and gems

Clean and Simple (CAS) Monday

Howdy!  Long time no blog!  Splitcoaststampers has a CAS challenge every Monday and this week it is to use flourishes.  I just happen to have a card that I made recently with a flourish!  Thought I'd share it with you...

It doesn't get much simpler than this.  I think that is the card style that most suits me; clean and simple.

Stamps: Stampabilities and PTI Daily Designs Sentiments
Cardstock: PTI kraft
Pattern Paper: none
Ink: SU Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo (craft spots)
Misc: Jolee's flowers embellie, PTI double ended baner die

Amazing LIFE

Well, I started 2011 with good intentions but the days have gotten away from me.  I plan to refocus and start creating this weekend. 

My 92 year old grandmother passed away just after midnight Monday night.  The funeral was today.  She lived an amazing life with my grandfather (who passed in 1999).  They traveled the world.  I remember their trips would be for a month at a time.  I remember them bringing me souvenirs from all over the world; a purse from Africa, pajamas from China, etc.  I remember going to their house to view slides (this was the 70s and 80s) on a projector, of all the amazing and fantastic places they had been.  I remember staring at a majestic photo of the Great Wall of China that hung in their home.  It was something like this...

My grandfather worked for Standard Oil and in the mid-60s they lived on the island of Antigua for a year.  I found this picture of Antigua. 

After he retired he did some consulting work and they lived in Venezula. 

I wonder if they saw any waterfalls like that while living there?  Beautiful.

They also lived in Tanzania...

I asked my grandmother (I called her Mimi) one time where did she love to visit the most in the world.  Her answer: Africa.  I think I can see why. 

What an amazing life.  Both her and my grandpa were from small towns in Kansas.  Growing up, I bet they never imagined where life would take them.  She was generous, kind, and loving.  I am blessed to have known her, let alone be her granddaughter.  

 

Christmas Thank You's

This is going to be a quick post.  I wanted to share a couple of Christmas Thank You cards I've made.   

This card was basically a copy of a card Nicole Heady did a while back. I LOVE her designs.