Scrapbook Saturday- Mixing the old and the new

Hello!  Since it has been so incredibly hot and humid outside, I thought I would spend a little extra time in the air conditioned comfort of my craft studio.  I was rewarded with two more finished pages!

I was so excited about getting these pages finished and couldn't wait to share my enthusiasm with my family.  You see...I'm just a 'little' behind on my albums...like 11 years behind... and because I feel incredibly overwhelmed thinking about scrapbooking chronologically, I have started album hopping.  A page from 2008 on day, 2011 the next...you get the picture.  But I have yet to do any recent pages until these.  I walked into the living room to share my wonderful 2019 pages and my family responded with blank stares.  So I repeated the fact that these pictures were from 2019!!! My youngest DD responded with "Yeah, but it's not like you're all caught up on them." (I'm considering cropping her out of several photos now...)  I then reminded her that at her graduation party there might actually be an album that has photos of her that are recent and most likely quite a bit less embarrassing that some of her earlier photos.  I must have hit the importance home because she then told me I should really focus on the more recent photos.  My oldest DD just rolled her eyes, but did comment on how pitiful a one page album might look.  DH has long ago learned that smiling and nodding is a safe response to any discussion that revolves around my creativity.  I always try to learn something new and today that lesson was that no one in my family really 'gets' scrapbooking and  the sense of accomplishment it brings their mother.  Next time I'll just share my pages with the cat.  She's rather nonjudgmental as long as she has a spot on the table to rest.

Here are the new pictures with some old papers that were in my bashing pile.  I also managed to use some really old epoxy stickers and glittery letters from my stash as well.  Nothing like mixing the old with the new to get things done!

The photos are from the Vacation Bible School that my girls have volunteered at for years. Ironically, they help with making photo frames in arts and crafts.  Maybe there is hope for them yet...

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Have yours'elf' a happy new year!

Hello and Happy New Year!  I am sharing one final Christmas project before leaving this wonderful holiday behind.  

One of my co-workers wanted to make something fun for her son's preschool class.  She showed me the picture of the candy cane elves and asked how hard they would be to make.  After a quick look, I realized everything was made with punches and that it would be pretty easy to knock these out.  The only punch I didn't have was the mitten...  She drew, traced, and cut out the mittens and I made the elf bodies and shoes.  She also did all of the final assembly.  The top photo shows a close up of the elves before they were attached to the candy canes and the bottom photo is the finished project.

I knew we did well when her son gave his approval and told us they look just like real elves!  We received our inspiration from Jackie Topa.  If you look up Candy Cane Elves, you can find the directions.  We simplified our version just a little, but I think they are still pretty cute!

I hope your new year is one filled with happiness and peace!  

Is it spring yet?

Hi!  I don't know about you, but every year about this time I start wishing for spring.  Not the occasional sunny cool day, but REAL spring where I can put my winter coat away for long term storage!  It doesn't help that our winter weather started later than normal and seems intent on hanging around a bit more... So I decided that if I couldn't see spring flowers outdoors, I would make them indoors.

I made both of these on a chilly, wintry, snow day and I have to admit that it did make me feel a bit warmer!  Circle of Spring was one of those stamp sets that I couldn't wait to order, so I hate to admit that this is the first time I've actually used the wreath and bow images.  I also pulled out some really retired dsp called Tea Party.  As a matter of fact, I had to dig in my retired supplies to find the markers and base paper to match it!

I used patterned paper to make the brick wall.  I wanted to use something other than plain cardstock, and I think the subtle floral pattern made an interesting background.  The jury is still out on the polka dots...  

I hope that no matter what the weather (or season) you are having, you will be inspired to create something that makes you feel better too!  Have a wonderful week!

Card Recipe: Paper-Tea Party dsp (ret), pretty in pink (ret), whisper white, Stamp Set- Circle of Spring, Ink-memento tuxedo black, smoky slate, pretty in pink, certainly celery, almost amethyst, Accessories-brick wall embossing folder, wonderful wreath framelits, small scallop circle punch, word window punch, modern label punch 

Sending out Valentines

Hello! As many already know, I was just a little behind at Christmas time and didn't get many cards made, and had to resort to (gasp!) store bought cards.  While I'm not going to beat myself up over this, I did want to send out some sort of handmade cards to a few people who always enjoy receiving them from me.  Valentines seemed to be the perfect solution and who wouldn't like to get a sweet card in the mail just like you did when you were a kid?  I only made three different kinds of cards and most of them were like the first one shown.  

There is something so cozy and sweet about a card that mimics a quilt. I thought the papers from Love Blossoms dsp worked so well for this and my trusty square lattice embossing folder makes a great 'quilted' design.  We will not discuss how many little squares I cut or how long it took me to fiddle with the patterns until I got them where I wanted them...

This one was a special card made for my best friend's son, who is crazy about both of my girls.  This was especially for him from them.  We thought he would love the monsters and the manly colors on this one! And who doesn't love wiggle eyes???

I made a couple of this design using the super pretty blushing bride glimmer paper.  It is a very basic design, but the glittery hearts really dressed it up!

I hope you enjoyed my Valentines and I would like to suggest that you make a few special cards to brighten up someone's day.  It is a little gesture that can have a tremendous impact.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Card Recipes: Paper-Love Blossoms dsp stack, garden green, whisper white, crumb cake, rose red, blushing bride, blushing bride glimmer paper, Stamp Sets-Teeny Tiny Wishes, Make a Monster (ret), Gift Givers (ret), Ink-rose red, blushing bride, memento tuxedo black, Accessories-square lattice embossing folder, small scallop circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, word window punch, modern label punch, speech bubble punch, large heart punch, various wiggle eyes