Day 60: Rock Guitar Birthday Card

Tonight I made some cards for tween boys that I think they will appreciate receiving on their birthdays.  I used the Extreme Elements and Grunge Rock stamp sets from Stampin' Up!  All papers and inks also by Stampin' Up!

Day 59: March Cards

I have a list of birthdays and anniversaries posted in my scrapbook room and each month I go through my stash of cards I have made and choose some to send.  If I don't have cards for a certain group already made, then I design a card and make a bunch of them so I have them to send out when I need them.  For example, my son was invited to 4 birthday parties in the past two weeks. I had him use the pirate cards I made on Day 19. It was great to have them already made and ready to use.

Tonight I went through the stash and found cards for all the women's birthdays for the month of March.  I need to make cards for two tween boys and some cards for men (tomorrow's project). I made a cute card for a cousin's son using Spider Man paper that was leftover from my Day 1 project.  It was a great way to use up some scraps and he will enjoy the card.

Day 58: In My Daughter's Eyes Altered Record Album & Scrapbook Page

I always get the kids' photos taken on their birthdays at Sears.  I really like the portraits taken by their photographers.  There is one pose they do called "bird's eye" where they have the child lie on the floor and the photographer positions the camera looking down onto their face.  My daughter's eyes really stood out in this photo, which made me think of the song by Martina McBride, "In My Daughter's Eyes", so that is the title of this two page layout.

I printed out the lyrics to "In My Daughter's Eye", cut them into strips, and glued them on to an old record album, which I decorated with flowers.  It is a good way to recycle an old record album, and to include the lyrics in the scrapbook layout.

Day 57: Using Coordinating Papers

Today I was working on a scrapbook page featuring a photo of me and my husband.  In the photo, I was wearing a green sweater and he had on a blue striped shirt, and we were positioned against a black background.  From my paper stash, I pulled out two double-sided sheets (a total of four different designs) of BoBunny's "Abbey Road" collection, which were in shades of greens and blues.  I played around for a few minutes to see which combinations I liked together better.  I chose a paper with an ivory background and blue and green floral print as a frame behind my photo, and a paper with a light blue background with blue, green, and white swirls as the background for the entire page.  A title and a few well-placed embellishments made this a quick and easy page, completed in under an hour. Using coordinating papers makes it easy to combine different patterns because the colors mix and match easily.

Day 56: "What Cancer Cannot Do" Book Mark

Unfortunately, my mother was recently diagnosed with stage two lung cancer.  I am trying to be supportive and positive for her, for my kids, for myself, and for everyone else who loves her.  I found this stamp when I was at Rubber Rainbows yesterday and thought I could make her a card with the stamp.  Then, on my way home, I stopped at Lulu's on Main in Morton, Illinois, and found a great book called There's No Place like Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-Sized Bites by Vickie Girard, so I decided to make her a book mark to go with the book. I almost didn't stop at Lulu's, but I just felt drawn there.  I guess God wanted me to find the book to send to her. Hopefully the book and book mark will bring her some peace of mind on those days when it will be so hard to carry on.


I used card stock, embossing powder, ink, and the butterfly from the "Strength and Hope" stamp set from Stampin' Up! and the What Cancer Cannot Do stamp from Verses Rubber Stamps.  Butterfly ribbon is from Michael's $1 bin and the sheer turquoise ribbon is from Oriental Trading Company.  The color for lung cancer is "pearl", but my mom's favorite colors are blues, so I chose to use blues to make this book mark for her.


Please keep my mom in your prayers.

Day 55: Black and Brown Color Scheme

I went back to Rubber Rainbows for their second make and take of the month. I made this very pretty card.  First, I stamped the black arched design.  Then, I masked that image and stamped all around it with a lace stamp in a light caramel color. Then, I used a mask that covered all of the card except for the "window" portion of the arch.  That was stamped with a text background. I used a small strip of floral paper to accent the left edge of the card.  There were other black and brown selections, such as animal prints, but I like floral designs.  Then I got to have fun embellishing with these flat little crystals. (Sorry I didn't write down the makers of all these great products...having too much fun making and taking and shopping!)

The stamps for the card were the clear stamps on acrylic blocks. I am not keen on the acrylic stamps.  I don't find the ink takes very well, and the images don't stamp as clearly.  I had to come home and complete portions of the design that didn't stamp well. I much prefer wood-mounted rubber stamps.

Regardless of the type of stamp used, I think black and brown is a neat color combination and one I will have to explore using more.

Day 54: Using a Scrapbook Page Kit

My local scrapbook store, The Scrapbook Corner*, has page kits that include all the coordinating papers, embellishments, and a photo of thepage layout.  You just put it all together, add your photo, and you are done. I picked this kit up because my daughter loves pink and wears it in a lot of her photos, and the pinks and browns in this kit would work with anything.  The only things I used to embellish the page that were not part of the kit were the leaves (Sizzix die and machine), the buttons (jillibean soup), the American Girl title (Laserline)** and an American Girl sticker (EK Success). A quick page, but you wouldn't know it!

*The Scrapbook Corner is located inside of Holiday Presence, on the Square, Washington, Illinois, and also has a store on ebay

**Laserline is located in Washington, Illinois, and has a website www.laserlinecuts.com

Day 53: Stamped Light Switch Covers

I have a library that is decorated in lots of birds and butterflies.  I wanted some light switch covers that added to the decor of the room, but I have not been able to find any that I liked.  So, I went to my local ceramics shop and bought two ceramic light switch plates.  I used Timber Brown StazOn ink by Tsukineko to stamp my images onto the switch plates.  All the stamps I used were from Stampin' Up! I used chalks and a blender pen from Stampin' Up! to color the images.  I sealed the switch plates with a matte sealer I purchased at Hobby Lobby. Now I have two custom switch plates for my library.

Day 52: Perfume Bottle Card

I have been having fun making cards with stamps in my stamp collection.  My mother collects perfume bottles, so I bought this set of four stamps last year at the 2011 Stamp Scrap Art Tour so that I could make a card for her. This is the first time I have used them.  Unfortunately, they are not marked, but a web search shows that they are from Golden Acorn Rubber Stamps.  There are 6 classic perfume bottles in their collection.  I only purchased four of  the series.  At top left is Classic Perfume Bottle #3, at top right is Classic Perfume Bottle #4.  At bottom left is Classic Perfume Bottle #1, at bottom right is Classic Perfume Bottle #6. I just selected several pieces from my "pinks" scrap folder, stamped a  perfume bottle on each scrap with VersaMark (Tsukineko)  ink, then heat-embossed with gold embossing powder by Stampin' Up! (SU).  I punched them out using a label punch (SU), crumpled them up and adhered them to a piece of gold card stock (SU) stamped with French Script (SU) background. I used a ticket corner punch (SU) on the corners of the gold paper. I picked up a bunch of old costume jewelry at a flea market last summer, and knew I would use it for cards.  I was trying to remove the pin from the back side of this brooch, but the metal was so soft, I broke off some of the design.  So, I just cut the top part down.  I used some gold-embossing powder on a perfume bottle button from Buttons Galore to make it gold, then used double-sided tape and glue to hold it in the center of the brooch (I had removed the black plastic center that was original to the piece). I placed a tiny crystal (The Paper Studio) in the center of each perfume bottle to add a little bling. I mounted the whole card front onto Rich Razzleberry card stock (SU).  I think Mom will really enjoy this card when I send it to her.  Love to you, Mom!

Day 51: Bird Collage Card

I love collages, so today I played with my stamps from Stampin' Up!  I used Baroque Motifs, Notably Ornate, and French Script Background to create this card.  

Day 50: Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Card

I made a half dozen of these cute ice cream cards using the Sweet Scoops stamp set from Stampin' Up! and ice cream patterned paper from Echo Park Paper. 

Day 49: F is for Family

Continuing to work on those family photos tonight, I titled our family portrait, "F is for Family".  I used a turquoise paper from Stampin' Up! as my background page. I placed our family photo (8" x10") on the left hand side of the page. I cut down a pair of scroll photo corners from Laserline (based right here in Washington, Illinois) and put one in the upper left corner and one in the lower right corner of our photo.  I used teal pearls from Jolee's on each of the scrolls to add dimension to the photo corners. I cut out a large size black oval and a medium size turquoise oval (papers from Stampin' Up!; die cuts and machine by Sizzix), ran them through my Xyron machine, then layered the turquoise oval onto the black oval.  I used the Curlie Girlie  "F" alphabet die from Sizzix to cut out the "F" monogram from black paper, ran it through the Xyron, and layered that onto the ovals. I placed that in the center of the remaining 3.5" on the right side of the paper, even with the top of my photo. I also used  some really pretty silver alphabet brads with a black scroll design (Colorbok) to spell out "family" below the "F" monogram.  Some family definition stickers (7Gypsies), a green and turquoise rub-on (Colorbok), some turquoise ribbon from my stash, and some teal pearls (Jolee's) completed the page.

Day 48: A is for Attitude!!

A couple of years ago, we had some family portraits taken, but my daughter was not a happy participant.  She had quite the attitude, so I titled the photo where her attitude was at its worst, "A is for Attitude".  Since her mood that day was like a black cloud over us all, I heat-embossed a large chipboard A with black embossing powder. Then I used black and white letters to spell out the rest of the title down the left side of the page.  I put the 8 x 10 photo on the right side of the page and put a caption underneath the photo that described her attitude during the photography session. It is not one of my favorite photos of her, but it is a true representation of what she was like in the preteen years. Hopefully, she will be okay with me including it in her scrapbook ...someday.

Day 47: Boo to You! Halloween Post Card Albums

When I was going through the kids' albums yesterday, I found their Halloween post card albums and saw that they also needed to be brought up to date.  A few years ago, I had purchased a couple of books of reproduction Halloween post cards and made mini scrapbooks out of them. I punched a hole in a corner of each postcard and they are all held together with a binder ring. Since the post cards are about 4 x 6 inches in size, I glue that size photo on the back side of the post card. With the postcard design on one side and the Halloween photo on the other, there isn't much room for embellishing, but there is often blank space in the photo where I can add a little something fun. These are just quick and easy albums to help us recall the kids' Halloween costumes from year to year.

Day 46: Time For Some Updates

Today I pulled out some of the kids' earlier scrapbook albums and updated a lot of the pages.  When I first started scrapbooking, a lot of my pages were "flat".  I used a lot of stickers or other flat embellishments.  Now, I really like layering and using multiple textures on a page.  So, I left most of the basic design elements and just gave the pages more dimension and depth with some additional embellishments.  Just like you update your wardrobe or the decor in your house, sometimes scrapbooks need to be updated, too.

Day 45: Two At a Time

I have two kids, therefore, I have two scrapbooks that I am constantly working on.  Since I have a son and a daughter, my scrapping is usually pretty gender specific.  However, I can sometimes design one scrapbook page and use it for both of the kids, as I did on this scrapbook page of the photo Christmas card we sent when we bought our new house.  I usually double up on my Christmas scrapbook supplies and make the same page twice.  Once I have the initial design figured out, it only takes a few minutes longer to make that second page,  and it is one less page I have to think about designing.

For this page, I used "Mary" by Melissa Frances as the background paper. Since my kids are featured in the photo Christmas card, this paper with the print of children is well-suited. I had a background paper that I had made using the polished stone technique tucked away with my stash of Christmas papers, so I trimmed it to use as a mat for the photo Christmas card, then layered a piece of green vellum (Hot Off the Press) underneath as another mat.  As the vellum is opaque, it allows the design of the paper to show through, yet adds size and color to the page.  Stars at two corners of the photo help the eye to focus on the photo. I used snowflake ribbon (Brenda Walton for K & Co.) at the top and bottom of the page.  I also twisted some blue pom pom ribbon with silver garland (both from Lost & Found by Jen Allyson, for My Mind's Eye) to add some weight and color to the bottom of the page .I didn't know how I could attach the garland other than staples, so I just stapled all my ribbons on.  I love the vintage feel using this paper and trims contributed to the page.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I had a lot of fun designing this page.

Day 44: Weaving and Scrapping

So, today I started working on my basket kit, and I started another Christmas scrapbook page.  I didn't finish either project, but that is why there is tomorrow!!

Day 43: Christmas Ornament Page

I used two papers from the Candy Cane Christmas Collection by Reminisce to create this cute ornament page for my daughter's scrapbook.  I cut a section out of the background paper (hidden by the ornament paper) and used it to create the corner punches and numbers.  A bit of glittery red ribbon around the top of the ornament is the finishing touch!

Day 42: Snowflake Weaving

Today I wove a snowflake!! (Although I did not stamp or scrapbook, the idea behind my 2012 New Year's Resolution was to create something each day, and that is what I did!) 


My daughter and I took a class through our local park district.  We made our snowflakes from 20 reeds that were each 10 inches long. We dampened the reeds in water and dried them off. We set aside 10 of the reeds to work with later. Then we marked the centers of two of the reeds and put a dot of glue on the center mark of one, laying it down vertically, and laid the second reed across it horizontally. We used a mini clothespin to hold the two reeds together.  Then we added two more reeds on either side of the vertical reed, and two more reeds on either side of the horizontal reed. We wove them over/under the center reeds, leaving about 1/4" of room between the reeds. (It kind of looked like a tic/tac/toe board with six sections.)  Then we took the outermost vertical reed and bent it down towards the topmost horizontal reed and glued them together, and then pinned.  (When you glue them together, keep the two reeds perpendicular to each other; it helps the snowflake to be puffy looking when it is assembled.) We repeated this with the next two outermost vertical and horizontal reeds, remembering to weave them over and under as needed. We glued and pinned.  (The center reeds were not used.)  Turn the snowflake 90 degrees and repeat.  Do this for all 4 corners. Then, using the other 10 reeds, repeat and make the other side of the snowflake.
When both sides of the snowflake have been made, insert the center reeds of one side of the snowflake into the inside of each point on the other snowflake, glue and pin at the points, and voila, you have a snowflake.


I have taken classes on basket-making in the past with this same instructor, Lori, and I have always enjoyed them.    I am inspired to do more basket-weaving.   I have a basket kit that I bought years ago that I may just have to pull out while the kids are at school on Monday!

Day 41: Make and Take Alcohol Ink Bookmark

Today I went and delivered all of the notepads and pens I made for the Women's Walk to Emmaus in Peoria.  Then I went to Rubber Rainbows located in Tremont Gallery in Tremont, Illinois.  I have heard lots of great things about this little rubber stamp shop, and I wanted to go and see what it is like.  They have a free Make and Take workshop the second and fourth Fridays of the month.  Today they taught us how to make an alcohol ink bookmark.  We placed three colors of alcohol ink onto a felt pad, added some blending solution, and then dabbed the felt pad onto a piece of metal over and over again. When the metal was dry, we placed it inside of a Cuttlebug embossing folder, ran it through the Cuttlebug machine, and then it was embossed with the design. We then used a sanding block to remove some of the embossing ink off from the raised portions of the metal, only leaving colors in the background. Then we mounted our bookmark onto silver card stock, and then layered the silver card stock onto a piece of blue card stock.  It was fun to learn a new technique; although it didn't really end up being free....of course I had to buy some stuff while I was there, and I will probably sign up for a class or two or three....

Day 40: American Girl ® Magazine Cover Photo Shoot: Page Finished

Feeling much better after a good night's sleep, I had the energy to finish this page up today.  As I said yesterday, I selected two papers from Stampin' Up! to use.  The pink paper I used as the background, then I ripped the small purple-flower patterned paper into small rectangles to place at the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the 8 x 10 photo. I added a "made in the USA girl" tag (Autumn Leaves) to the lower right corner, on top of the ripped paper. I used a Stampin' Write Marker in Rose Red (Stampin' Up!) to journal around the outside edge of the tag.  The journaling blends into the page as it looks like it belongs on the tag. I threaded some pink and purple "scrapper's floss" (Karen Foster Designs) through some pink and purple buttons I got out of my button box, and used those to dress up the page.  I kept playing with putting my daughter's initial underneath all the writing on the magazine cover, but I ultimately decided it just looked too heavy and overcrowded.

Day 39: American Girl ® Magazine Cover Photo Shoot

Tonight I started selecting papers and embellishments to coordinate with a photo of my daughter taken with American Girl ® her  doll. I chose two papers from Stampin' Up!, some buttons, a cute "made in the USA girl" tag, and had started browsing my collection of ribbons and lace, when I realized I am just tired out.  It was a long day, so I am going to bed.  I will play with all of this again tomorrow.

Day 38: Agape Finished!

Found out the total number for the Women's Walk to Emmaus.  There are 12 pilgrims and 30 staff, so I only needed to make six more notepads and pens today.  I am glad I made 12 pads on two days earlier this week.  Now I can get those creative juices flowing towards cards and the kids' scrapbooks again.  What will I do tomorrow??

Day 37: 36 and Counting!

Twelve more notepad and pen sets done today; that makes 36 done so far.  I should know the exact numbers for the Women's Walk tomorrow, so hopefully I can get finished up and do something different on Wednesday.  I am sure everyone is tired of reading that I am working on the same thing each day.  However, I am blessed to have the ability to make things, so it is only right that I share and give encouragement about God's love (agape) to those who are seeking to get closer to Him when they go on the Walk to Emmaus journey.

Day 36: Two dozen finished!

So, I have 24 notepads and pens finished for the Women's Walk to Emmaus coming up this weekend.  I am so much further ahead of the game working on the agape for this second walk.  Knowing approximately how many to make is really helpful.  And at this point, I think I can make these in my sleep...there are a couple of nights when I was so tired, I really think I was!!

Day 35: Getting Faster

The more I make these notepad and pen sets, the faster I get.  I have sort of been using an "assembly line" type process where I put all the double-sided tape on first, then the white card stock, then the covers; then I make the pens, and add the ribbons, and secure the covers. I made 8 more sets tonight.

Day 34: More Love and Fruit

Today I brought the men's notepads and pens to the Walk to Emmaus site.  This evening, I completed the Fruit of the Spirit and Love notepads and pens that I began yesterday for the upcoming Women's Walk..

Day 33: Fruit of the Spirit and Love Verses

Tonight, I started working on some notepads for the ladies' Walk to Emmaus. I am using papers with The Fruits of the Spirit (It Takes Two) and the Love Verse from 1 Corinthians 13:4 (Flair Designs). These are very pretty, pale, feminine colors. A nice change from all the brown and black I was using for the guys.

Day 32: Agape Notepads and Pens Finished!

I finished the last of the notepads and pens for the Men's Emmaus Walk today. I will start the women's tomorrow. Just glad I got done. The walk for the men starts tomorrow evening!!