Circle Journal- Favorite Song

This was a tough topic for me. My favorite song depends on SO many things--"What kind of mood am I in? What song is playing on the radio? What type of music?" I can't really say that I have a "favorite" song. I love tons and tons of songs! BUT--I had to pick one, so I went with my favorite band--Phish. "Waste" is a song that is relaxing and about doing nothing with someone special. I love how calming this song is. If you have never heard the song before you should check it out.



I tried something new for this layout! For the background lyrics I used a Glaze pen. This was my first time using it. It's a pretty cool pen! I first wrote out the lyrics and then brushed a thin layer of white paint on top. I love how it turned out, even if you can't read all the lyrics. For the lettering I used Heidi Swapp Ghost Letters. I outlined them with blue paint and attached them to the page with floss. This page was very out of the ordinary for me. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

So, what's your favorite song???

Giving Well: Project #4- Cigar Box

This is a gift for someone that I think will use this to hold their teasures in (I will add a gift card and/or small journal inside for the recipient). I purchased a cheap cigar box from Michael's and covered the inside and outside with patterend paper (MemoryWorks August 07 Express Kit!). After taking the picture I stamped the receipients name on the top. Since I don't want to spoil the surprise--I couldn't take a picture of the finished product (maybe after Christmas!). I also added a few swirl stamps on the top. I may still tie a few charms or something to the ribbon.

The wrapping job is such a great idea--instead of a plain paper bag I added a "bag collar". I first measured the outside of the bag and then cut chipboard to fit. I covered it with wrapping paper and cut a slit in the center for the handles. This keeps anyone from peeking in the bag! Very cute and something that can be reused again. Mine doesn't lay very flat. I should have used a bigger bag. After I have added a few things to the box I will tape the top of the bag shut. Add a gift tag and I'm set! All ready for Christmas--1 month early! Wow!

Giving Well: Project #6- Photo Album

Argh! I have so many projects going right now! I have decided that I'm not a very good multi-task-scrapbooker. Projects 3, 4, & 5 in "the works". My Christmas album has been kinda pushed out of the way right now. I'm really getting into these Christmas gifts. I love the idea of homemade gifts for everyone. I know that if I put it off for later it won't happen. So...I'm plugging away at this class. I should have a couple more projects to show you in the next few days. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Anyway....off my little soapbox and on to this project....
This was a fun, quick, easy gift. I purchased a nice leather album for 4x6 photos (with my 50% off coupon at Michaels!). I'm giving this to someone that doesn't scrapbook. They can just slip their photos right in the album and have them ready to take anywhere. But--I couldn't just leave it at that! To jazz it up and make it more personal I added a few touches. To the cover I added a few rub-ons. On the inside I created a front and back cover for the album. Each one mirrors eachother with a different quote. I've decided not to put pictures in it--they can add their own.

I'm really excited to give this gift. Obviously this will go to a family member, but I'm not telling whoooo!!!!

Crazy About Kits!- Week 5

This week I will be creating an entire 8x8 album! I am super behind on my Christmas photos so I will be using our 2004 Christmas pictures. I have purchased the new Cosmo Cricket Be Good Theme Set, Journal Cards, and Ornament Fashions. Total MemoryWorks cost= $14.25. I think I can stretch it all out for the entire 20 page album--this will be a challenge, but I think it's do-able. Our instructor has given us a bunch of sketches that we can scraplift for the album. This should make everything come together much quicker. I have printed the pictures, decided on the page order, and picked out some sketches to use. Hopefully I will get started tomorrow! A whole album in 1 week seems kinda scary, but I think by using some shortcuts things will come together quick. Stay tuned!

Giving Well: Project #2- Embellished Photo Mat

Hopefully my sister won't look at my blog within the next 2 hours because this is a baby shower gift for her! I love this! I took a plain 11x14 mat and had it cut for a 5x7 photo. Stamped a few flowers around the edges and added some rub-on words. Once the baby is born she can add a special picture of "baby Zach" in the frame. I'm super excited--I hope she likes it!! Aunt Sarah isn't excited is she???!!!

One cool feature to the class is that they also give you ideas on how to wrap your gifts! For the frame I added wire ribbon, brought it up through the center of a flower, and tied it off. I also continued the stamping theme on the frame and stamped Jenny's name on the wrapping paper. Just a couple extra elements really make the gift seem that much more special. AND--she can reuse the flower for something else!

Crazy About Kits!- Week 4 (DONE!)

I'm a week behind in the class--BUT I'm still getting stuff done! Only 2 more weeks to go.... I made pretty good use out of my homemade kit. I think I kept every last scrap!

Here's a photo of what I created with my kit. Lots of altered stuff--fun, fun, fun:
Here's a photo of what I have left. Lots of letters and brads but not much else!:

Crazy About Kits!- Week 4 (mini book)

For my last assignment in week 4 I altered a small board book. I haven't put pictures in it yet, I still need to pick out some. This was a great way to use up a few last scraps from a kit. Since it's so small it will fit perfectly in my purse to show off wherever I am!

Giving Well: Project #1- Christmas Cards

So excited to get a few new ideas for Christmas cards. My original plan was to mass produce one card, but after making 16--I'm already tired of the card! Now I have more designs to choose from. The hard part is deciding which 2-3 I like the best!

Crazy About Kits!- Week 4 (Altered Tissue Box)

Another fun altering project! This time I altered a plain wooden tissue box (found at Michael's for around $3). I decided to keep it simple with just a single sheet of patterned paper. I first cut and glued cardstock on all sides to use as a base (you could also paint). I then cut slightly smaller squares of patterned paper and placed them on 4 sides. Since I didn't have enough paper to cover the top I decided to do some stamps, doodling, and a few buttons & flowers. I think it turned out pretty cute. This will go in my scrappin' spot once I have it organized. The walls are painted a creamy light orange and orange so this will match perfect!

Giving Well (in 2 hours or less)

Because I'm crazy and I obviously have no life.....I signed up for yet another Big Picture Scrapbooking class! I still have 2 weeks left in my Crazy About Kits class, but started this class on Nov. 1st. The nice thing is I can aways do the projects anytime I want. It's more about getting ideas than anything.

My new class is called--Giving Well (in 2 hours or less). The focus of the class is creating projects to give as gifts. Since Christmas is right around the corner I thought this would be a fun way to get ideas. I would LOVE to make a bunch of gifts to give away. Not only would it make things cheaper, but I would have fun and learn new things along the way. Every other day a new project is posted. I hope to create many of the projects. I may post some of them here right away, others I may wait to post until after Christmas. I don't want to spoil any surprises!!! Hopefully I can get a jump start on things this weekend. Our first project is Christmas cards. I just started mass production on our Christmas cards last weekend. I'm excited to have more ideas. Stay tuned......