'Vintage' Baby Girl Mini Album

It's been a while since I posted any craft projects. This is a mini album I made for my first granddaughter,
who is getting ready to turn 3!

Yes, I know. 

But I really did make the album almost two years ago so I'm only behind in posting the photos. :)

And speaking of photos, my daughter took these as I didn't have a very good camera at the time. I totally forgot about them and found them on a shared drive the other day. That's what really prompted me to post them. Otherwise, I would have happily gone through life thinking I didn't have any pictures of it to share. *snort*

I purchased a canvas mini album from the craft store. I don't remember which one as it has been so long but if I find another one I am buying it too. I really enjoyed working with the canvas!

The pearls are Prima, and most of the flower embellishments are probably Prima, but I handmade a few flowers from the scrapbook paper, too.

I'm famous for finding odd craft supplies for a discount and then trying to piece them all together.
 Another great place to buy supplies is Mighty Dollar.

Seriously.

They are cheap but name brands!

I made plenty of little pockets to slip things into, along with tags.

I love tags!

Okay, this picture looks a little green. I don't remember using green ink. 
My go-to ink is Soft Suede by Stampin'Up!

Embroidery floss is magic. Really. It makes such a pretty addition to any page!

There's that nasty green tint again. Hmmm...could have been my editing but I'm not claiming it. :)

There's a homemade flower up there^^^. Those are fun to make. Just cut out a circle (doesn't have to be perfect), dampen it with water and wad it up, let dry, unfold and layer with another one, adding a pearl or button. Voilà, you are done!

More handmade flowers!

Of course it's vintage themed because that's what I like best!

Lots of tags for journaling! Prima pearls and stamping, oh yeah!

See, it really is Soft Suede around the edges. Looks way better than green. :)

I love the side view!!!

Mini albums are my favorite craft to make. I now have several more that need putting together, so I think part of my summer will be busy. 

Oh, not for my daughter! Only one more for her baby who just turned one. 

But I have a new grand nephew, and two new grand nieces!

Have you been creating anything fun lately? Do share!

~Happy Crafting~

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Journal52 ~ Week 1: Up Up & Away

I have to admit that I struggled at the beginning of the week with this prompt. The first thought seemed to be balloons or birds of some kind. After several attempts that ended up in the trash, I finally settled on using a photo I took of a Willow Tree Angel given to my family when our Amy passed away a year and a half ago. 

I love the song You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (I know he didn't intend it as a 'spiritual' song but it works well in this instance). With a slight alteration, I stamped You Raised Me Up Up & Away then cut out a pocket watch from the paper that says 'Perfection' because Amy is now perfect.

Taking it a step further, I printed out this Scripture verse from Psalm 45 onto a piece of parchment paper, then tore and inked it for a vintage look. The verse has special meaning for our family, as our nephew posted it on my FB wall after Amy's death. We knew we wanted to use it during her memorial service, and my BIL, who preached the service for us, read it aloud. 

Here's the completed page in the journal. So far, I've used the Rosewood paper pack from Colorbok. I think I'll try and find some more papers that coordinate so I can change it up a little as I go along. I'm sure each weeks prompt won't be conducive to these particular papers. 

I always have a hard time writing on the pages so I journaled on the back. What I should have done was make a pocket area behind the photo to slip a journal card in. Next time, I will remember this :)

It's not too late to join the group and start your art journal! The more the merrier. There are some fantastic artists in this group and I know I will be learning some great techniques this year. Also, the workshop is FREE so hop on over and check it out at Journal52.com.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

52 Weeks of Journaling

I'm so excited! I joined Journal52, an online Art Journaling group. One prompt, every Monday, for 52 weeks. I wanted to get back into my scrapbooking and also learn some new techniques using paints. I think this might be the right place! So at least one blog post a week will be my current page.

We were challenged to make our journal covers over the weekend. I chose an 8 x 11 1/2 chipboard cover and went through my materials. I ended up using some of the supplies I bought to make a memory book about my daughter, Amy, who passed away in 2012. I really like the colors and patterns, plus I lean toward vintage in all my creative endeavors.

I went ahead and got my feet wet with a new technique and medium. Using Gesso, which I purchased at Michael's using a 50% off coupon, I papered the chipboard and swiped the Gesso mixed with some acrylic paint over it with a plastic store card (advice from my sister @ Sunshine & Lollipops), then went back and used the plain Gesso to get a two-tone effect. Stamping imagine in the lower right corner and outlining it with a dark brown marker really made it stand out. Adding the butterfly trail (which I have never done) up to the Butterfly embellishment was very whimsical for me but I like it! I found some Sparkle Spritz in my stash and decided to give it a go. It was fun to try something new, and since this is the back of the journal, I am okay with it. I like the glittery look. So, of course I had to go back and add some to the cover...

It's just a little glitz but it really looks pretty in person!

As the weeks go along, I want to incorporate my faith into the journal. I might even make some additions to the cover and back. Any project of mine is always a work-in-progress, right up until I put it in a box and call it done :)

It's not too late to join in, if you are so inclined. Just hop on over to Journal52 and you can get signed right up.  Really. Come on and give it a shot. 

Are you working on any special projects this year?

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

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Clever Chicks Blog Hop

An Attitude of Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 2 & 3

Day 2

Here's the prompt for Day 2. 

I didn't use all of them, just these: 

 Starting Point:  

In the stressful world we live in, where time seems to fly by at an extraordinary rate,       

 how can you make more of the moment?

How can you become more mindful of the things that are important in your life?

Which 3 things are you thankful for today?

Bible verse:

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Technique Challenge: 

Use circles or squares on your page 

Instead of actually journaling on my page (which I don't like doing) I made a tag to hang off the side. The front tells what I need to do in order to make more of the moment. The back gives three things I am thankful for: a loving husband, my children and grandchildren, and most of all Jesus!

Day 3

Here's the prompt: Creativity

Starting Point: 
What does creativity mean to you?
This is an interesting article.
How do you express your creativity?
What  in particular are you thankful for in the creative areas of your life?

Quote:

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.     Edward de Bono

Bible verse:

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.    Exodus 35:35

Technique Challenge:

Draw freehand 

using any of the media you own - a pencil, a coloured pencil, a crayon, a paintbrush and paint.

As you can tell, freehand is NOT my forte' :) But it was fun once I got started. I saw something similar on a card one time, the tree trunk thing, so I decided to write the Bible verse as the trunk. I gently wadded up some aluminum foil to dab on the red paint. It works pretty good! On the back of the page I glued a small piece of cardstock on three sides to put my journal tag in. Eventually it will be covered with paper for another day.

You can still join in. It's always a good idea to find things to be grateful for on a daily basis :)

Are you doing anything special this year, as far as keeping a journal goes, or do you have another way of focusing on your blessings during this season? 

Have a great day in the Lord!

Art Journal Challenge ~ Day 1

I signed up to participate in the 30 day An Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. There are daily prompts that you can print out to use. Of course, I am behind already as I have just finished Day 1. I hope to be caught up soon so I don't feel so rushed but life is super duper busy all of a sudden. My oldest son has decided to try and get into college in January! I thought we had until next fall so I have been frantically filling out paperwork, providing transportation and lots of moral support. This past week has been crazy, and this upcoming one will be even more so as he prepares for exams. My down time will be making my journal pages.

The prompts can be used in a variety of ways. I love that! I just pick & choose...

DAY 1 (It was supposed to be on Nov 1st)

Starting Point: 

What everyday moments in your life give you joy?

What 3 things are you grateful for today?

What changes might you need to make to see the positives in your life rather than the negatives?

Quote: 

“I now see that cultivating a Wholehearted life is not like trying to reach a destination. It’s like walking toward a star in the sky. We never really arrive, but we certainly know that we’re heading in the right direction”. Brene Brown

Bible verse:

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving  and his courts with praise;  give thanks to him and praise his name.

Technique Challenge: 

An easy challenge today, just to ease you in.  

Use a colour you don’t like, or one you don’t use very often.

I chose papers from a paper pack that I bought but, for the life of me, I can't remember why. I don't like these colors at all! GAG!!! This whole page was a challenge for me; most of my supplies are packed away because of construction in our home. Plus, I didn't realize how difficult it would be to "create" something out of stuff I don't like. Stretching me.....

For the most part I think the page speaks for itself. I am Thankful 4 God's Word and I hand wrote the Scripture verse. Flowers bring me joy ~ always!!! The leaves are in deference to the autumn season, which is my favorite.

Personally, I think it is an ugly page but it is what it is!

It's not too late to join in the fun! Hop on over to An Attitude of Gratitude to see what others are doing.

Be kind with your comments. This is my first challenge and I am NOT an artist. I don't even like journaling because my handwriting is so bad :)

Scrapbooking Challenge ~ Peace

I set out to make a paper crafted memory album about my daughter Amy but I only have the first page done. As I was searching for inspiration, I joined the Scrapbooking Your Faith group on Facebook, hosted by Courtney Fassler Walsh, who is an amazing crafter, writer and blogger mom. She put out a challenge a couple of weeks ago, maybe more, to scrap a time when your faith was being challenged. I decided to use the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software to create this layout about my daughter Amy, who passed away in May; Our Loss is Heaven's Gain.

Mother's Day, May 13th, 2012

In the top photo, my daughter Amy was still on the BiPap machine at this point. It was fairly early in the afternoon. She was aware of us (me) and I was reassuring her that I would not leave her and that Jesus was waiting on her with open arms, to not be afraid. (I think on some level I was reassuring myself.) I tried not to let her see my tears and not to project any fear. I really didn't want her to be afraid. I wanted her to know how much I loved her and would miss her. How we all would. I wanted to instill confidence in her and to reassure her that she would soon have a new body, a healed body, and be in her new home, living with Jesus and her Mimi. 

In the bottom photo, it was late afternoon. The BiPap machine had been removed and we had gone to comfort measures. She was no longer awake but I know she was aware of my presence. I quietly spoke to her and lay on the bed with her, holding hands (as you can see here), loving on her and cradling her until she passed from my arms to His.

I cling to Phillipians 4:7, which is at the bottom of the layout: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace is the key here. It can only come from God. Despite this being the worst day ever, and grief still rearing its ugly head, I am at peace knowing that she is at peace. No more pain, no more suffering, no more tears! I will see her again, and together we will rejoice!

I sincerely hope no one is offended by these photos. It's not my intent to shock or repulse anyone. Amy was alive in both photos. I only want to show that with God all things ARE possible. You CAN face the challenging times, but I believe only with HIM! 

Images are mine. Please don't take them!

Looking for...

InSpiRatIoN

Yes. I need inspiration. I am itching to get my hands sticky with glue, and fingertips stained with ink by jumping back into scrapbooking!

My supplies have been packed away for too long.

As I was surfing around the web trying to find some ideas for a memory book that I am going to create in remembrance of my daughter, Amy, I came across these tutorial videos from Unity Stamp Company. Check them out on YouTube here. So far, I really like this one:




Even though this particular video is for Autumn placecards, I love the technique Lesley is using. I am going to try and make a cover for the memory album using this one and maybe even similar colors. Not sure how it will come out as I haven't used much in the way of paints, but it should be fun getting messy!

I also LOVE to browse Courtney Walsh's site here. She is an awesome designer, as well as an author!

What are you working on?

Scrapbooking

There's probably more interesting things going on in the world right now, but I am going to talk about my latest project I am working on and books. I was asked to make a memory album for a lady who recently lost her husband. After some heavy duty surfing for ideas and color themes, I settled on the Bo Bunny Mama Razzi collection when I saw it in AC Moore. All that internet time wasted... Not! There are so many gifted scrapbookers out there and the pool to choose from is HUGE. My favorite place to get ideas is Two Peas in A  Bucket. Their Member Gallery is extensive! So, here's a sample of the paper collection and embellishments: 

not too feminine...just right!

These photos, from Bo Bunny website, don't do the collection justice. They are much prettier in person! There's still some accessories I want to look for and some of the embellishments I didn't purchase, but the layouts are coming along. I have 6 done so far. At least another 4-6 to go. I'll post photos when I'm done. I did use some design layouts from ideas off of Two Peas. Hope no one minds since I am not selling the book. It is a gift. I was just so challenged by doing 12x12 layouts. I usually make mini albums or cards, and feel sort of inadequate for this project. Anyhow...that's what's taking up my time in the crafting arena.

Tell me what project you're working on or planning, and what books have you read lately that you really like?

Thanks Y'all! Have fun crafting...

~New Crafty Supplies~

Prima Butterflies & Flowers

Aren't they beautiful?!?

7 Gypsies French Dictionary Cards

 7 Gypsies Book Covers

(Love this book cover )

7 Gypsies Binding Rings

I bought all this from Melissa Samuels @ The Art of Scrapbooking

She's having a HUGE SALE so stop on over to get some fantastic deals while supplies last!  

 

(I don't get any compensation ...just sharing about my awesome finds :))

HAVE FUN SHOPPING!!!