Something simple

I was thinking today about how often I tend to overcomplicate things and miss opportunities to create something simple and fun. You know, I always want to be an "artiste." Most of my cards and little books that I've posted on my blog have not been so much artistic--more clean and simple. But when I give them as gifts, no one seems to mind that so much. The more artistic things that I've recently posted here have been from years past, and I admit, it's fun to take the stamped elements and create a real work of art when I have the luxury of time (ha.) But it's also fun just to make a simple, thoughtful handcrafted gift, without agonizing so much about the art of it all. That's the beauty of stamping. Here's something I made a while back that is in the "clean and simple" category, and makes a really sweet gift. It's a little brag book (or journal, or whatever.) All it is, really, is a bunch of 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of white cardstock that I cut in half to make 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 pages. I made a little corrugated edge for this one, but you don't have to really. I just stamped a cover in bright ink colors (I heat embossed the red car in the center. Love the glossy raised look to heat embossing. I try to do it in a well ventilated area though, now that I'm more savvy to the toxic aspects of it.) I hand lettered the name (but if you don't know calligraphy, just stamp it with some little alphabet stamps), or use a marker and some cute hand lettering.) Punch a couple of holes in the sides of the cover pieces, add some pages (stamp or decorate those however you like.) Then tie it up with some twine, ribbon, or binder rings. Moms and grandmas love them. Cute baby shower gift too.