Have you noticed....

I seem to repeat projects? What can I say, when I like a project, I make variations. Here's another gratitude journal I made by altering a composition book. (There's another one a few posts back. The composition

 books are cheap right now, so grab a few. Have a copy store cut them in half. Hey, make several--everyone can use a gratitude journal.) I used the same paper for my little wedding scrapbook (that I finally made after almost 20 YEARS of marriage.) I've been thinking, these would make nice little travel journals too. Now I just need to TRAVEL. I think it's time to plan a trip (but that's a topic for another day.) Hopefully I can manage at least a trip to the pool within the next week! Summer is ending WAY too fast.

Flip Flop Book

Yes, this is a real pair of flip flops! (Little girl size!) I made this little accordian book for a friend's daughter. (There is an even cuter one, made with felt flip flops, up at the TAC website (a blog called "savvy projects for people on the go") , made by TAC's founder and CEO, Mischelle Smith. Hers will hold more photos and is much less bulky than mine! You can see hers here http://tinyurl.com/6gz3lw (There are some other fun projects there also.) We both used the same paper collection for our books. It really lends itself to summery projects like these. (It's called Tutti Frutti and is a heavyweight 12x12 paper.) (As always, you can click on these photos to make them bigger.) Now I'm looking all around, trying to decide what else I can make a little book out of!

Happy Wednesday!

Here's a little flower to brighten your day! My sweet niece---I love how her little curls pop out from the headband! No matter what is going on in life, I just have to smile at sweet pictures like this. (Those of you who know me well, know that I am a little bit photography obsessed.) I'm sure she is seeing spots from all of the flashes. (And, no, I didn't plan for her binky to match her headband!)

Now here's a card I made for another sweet niece, who is in college. I haven't had tons of time for complex designs, but I like the simplicity and colors of this card and the bling! Click the picture to see the details.(Hang in there, Natalie! We're proud of you!)

God's goodness...

Here's a card I made for a recent swap. (Thank you for hosting it Brenda!) I especially love the wording on the front. I had fun sponging with an oval template that I made with my Coluzzle . I was reminded of this technique recently when I was visiting another blog---(blogger, please remind me who you are, so I can give you credit!), and it is a technique I used in my earlier stamping days. I've been enjoying some of those earlier techniques (I am even thinking about making some "shaving cream paper" again!) Whaaaat? Ok, some of you know what I am talking about. Fun and soothing to the frazzled soul! But the wording on this card is even more soothing! Click the picture for a larger view.

Fold and Stamp!

Well, if you all are as busy as I have been lately, you will appreciate this simple but pretty card. (I have been a bad, absent blogger! ) (I plan to set time aside this week to do more of these---maybe a few "thinking of you" cards.) It really doesn't take long to make a little card that will bless someone!

Speaking of being blessed, here's a photo of the beautiful flowers my sweet hubby brought me on my birthday (nine days ago!) I have enjoyed them so much, and now so can you.

Christmas Album Page

Well, the Christmas season is officially over, but I'm having so much fun working on the little Christmas album I started months ago, using pictures from Christmases past. Oh, memories!! (That's what scrapbooking is all about, right?) (It's an 8x8 Linen album from The Angel Company.) Here's a VERY simple page. I just wove a few strips of the paper to make a simple border. (I love simple---I want the focus to be on the photo--plus I don't have time for elaborate.) I hand lettered the name, but it could have been even more easily done with the alphabet stickers that come with the paper collection. Try this border idea!

Thankful...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a beautiful day with family (happy birthday Natalie and thank you, Peggy, for the incredible food!) and so much fun playing with our 5 month old niece, Cossette. I think I am more thankful this year than I have ever been, and I am appreciating all of the blessings in my life more than ever before. Our tradition for today is to put up the Christmas tree and decorations--- one of the most fun days of the year.

I made the pink card, above, for Cossette's dedication day (but she just received it yesterday!) I used the Blessed With stamp set from The Angel Company and some little faux jewels I picked up in the scrapbooking department of a local store. They are so nice for "bling" on all of my "girly" projects.

The little "faux keychain" above was for my beautiful niece in college, Natalie. (I called it this because I I don't think it would actually hold up well in a purse! More suitable to hang in her room!) Yes, this is a chipboard coaster again! I'm using these for everything I make lately. I used the soon to be retired stamp set, You-nique (I have used this constantly) and the versatile Tag Tidbits set, which seems to have a saying for every occasion there is. I punched a hole with the Crop-a-dile and placed the keyring through it. I also used circle punches to frame out the saying. And, of course, some faux rhinestone bling!

Well, I'm off to decorate!

Please leave a comment so I know you were here!

Coaster calendar magnet

Here's a really quick project! I covered a 4x4 chipboard coaster with a piece of heavy paper stock (cardstock weight), stamped a verse with Burnt Sienna Palette Ink, added a calendar, some ribbon for embellishment, and a magnet on the back. Voila! A pretty magnet that took very little time. Can you tell I am really enjoying making projects with these little coasters?