Back to School

I create a book for my cute son for each year highlighting all of his major events. He doesn't know about the books so I think they will be a nice surprise when he gets older and I give them too him. His yearly books are all 8x8. I enjoy the smaller format as his books are really a highlight of his year. The back to school page is one of the last but I always have fun using the cute supplies I can find.

Tip: the "sixth grade" sticker on this layout was backed with paper that didnt match my layout. I pulled it appart and added my own foam adhesive. Dont think that you have to use stickers as they come you can find lots of ways to embelish them.

Supplies Used: k.i. memories, School days paper. Reminisce, making the grade stickers. Card stock, from my stash.

Just a quick card.

This is a simple card I made using some scraps and a cute stamp. The tip here is if you want to make a simple card look amazing try using flocked paper and some jewel's. This card took minutes and I hope it will be special to the recipient.

Rockstar

Who's kids aren't playing this game these days? I had these cute 4x6 pics and I wanted to put together a page to honer the cute rock stars. If you spend any time looking through magazines you know that people who are way more talented then I am use photo editing programs to change sizes and print them in lots of different sizes. I am still trying to figure out photo shop elements so most of my pictures get printed out in 4x6. Don't be afraid to use those 4x6 pictures they can still look great!
I also used some Halloween theamed papers I had been holding on too. I hate it when paper is almost too cute to use.
Today's Tip: use holiday paper on non holiday layouts.
Bonus Tip: cover naked chipboard with matching paper to add easy matching embellishments and dimension.

I run my paper through the Xyron. If you don't have one you could use a wet glue and let it dry for at least 4 hours. I put the paper on the chipboard and trim with my Fiskars fingertip craft knife. I usually ink around the edges a little bit and call it good.

Supplies used: Cardstock Prisim, Paper- Making Memories, rockstar sign- My Mind's Eye.

Quick and easy gift.

I needed a quick birthday gift for a friend so I made a little set of cards and put them in a cute box. I often make 3x3 cards when I don't have the inspiration to make anything else or if I have quite a few scraps. I have box holding all of these little cards and they are perfect for a quick note to a friend or family member or I love to use them with gifts. I get the envelopes from a friend who sells stampin' up. I had everything in my stash and I had a thoughtful gift in no time.

I am going to make a few of these just to have on hand for giving.

First cut your base card stock to 3x6.

Score at the 3" mark to make the card base.

Use your stash to layer paper and embellishments for the cards.

For the box:

I used a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and scored it at 3 1/2" at 3 3/4" at 7 1/4 at 7 3/4 Cut your paper at 8 3/4. then cut your paper 4" . Now your paper should be 8 3/4 by 4". You will trim out a the corners and glue using score tape. To see a great template check out this post: http://aaronsbooth32.blogspot.com/2009/07/3x3-card-set-and-template.html

I made mine much smaller but it will help you get the idea. before you glue everything together make sure you punch out a circle or design in the front.

Supplies used: Craft card stock from LSS, stickers from Micheal's, cloud 9 gel stitch's , button and ribbon from stash, DCWV green stack paper and chipboard.

OK first let me say I am sorry that the photo is not that great. I really need to invest in a photo tent but they cost quite a little bit. So alas we will need to make this work. Do you have any photo tips for projects I can use?

Anyhow this layout was so fun to make. I loved the look of die cut paper but I really have a tough time cutting it up and using. Typically I use just a bit of patterned paper so It was a little bit of a stretch to use the whole sheet. I love the look of layers and ribbon with flowers. I feel like this page looks great without looking overcrowded almost like a postage stamp.

The tip for today is not a new one and its not my idea, I picked it up somewhere along the scraping way: Follow the rule of 3. I have 3 groups of flowers in 3 sets. I also made sure that the flowers were attached to something, meaning they are not floating in the middle of the page somewhere. It adds balance and interest without making the page look too busy.

Supllies used: American crafts thickers, All other making memories.

Mini book for photos

Hi again just a quick post to share how I plan to save some of my favorite vacation photos. I got the girlfriends club kit and fell head over hills for the cardboard. It also included several sheets of fancy pants summer soiree but one of the sheets was a set of journal cards. It screamed make me into a mini book at me so who was I to deny the paper. Check out http://thegirlfriendsclub.typepad.com/ to find out more about the kit. Also there is a video on the blog that will show you how to make this flower that is so cute! I love the book its so shabby and cute.