Believe Christmas Album

Good Morning Friends! Since today is July 1st, I thought it would be a good idea to start posting ideas for Christmas since it is only about 6 months away.....

I made this album in 2008 for my sister, Lisa, who just loves Christmas. She puts up anywhere from 5-7 Christmas trees throughout her house. She has a huge house so she can! Some years she has these big parties for all her friends and co-workers. We were invited a couple of years ago but, had to decline at the last minute because I had the flu. Sucked!

Anyway, just before I wrapped this album, I stuck little post it notes on the photo mats of the sizes of photos she would need f0r them. She thought that was really neat that I would do that and make it easier for her to finish. I told her that I know how busy her life is and I know how she likes easy. But, really don't we all like it easy these days?

I used the DCWV paper pack mostly with a few fill in papers. The stickers were a variety of them I had collected over the years. Some of the stickers that look like you cannot read them do have sentiments on them it's just the light from the flash changed it. Sorry. Hope you enjoy looking at it....who knows maybe it will inspire you to make something wonderful for someone special in your life?

I purchased the books at Hobby Lobby using the coupons. You can also find them at Scrapbooks.com they are by Bo Bunny. To make this book, I traced around the page first, adhered with a glue stick and brayer, then sanded around the edges for a nice finished look.

For the photo mats that have a tag sticking out from them, I used tacky tape on 3 sides to keep the pocket secure.

I also used dimensional dots to pop up any sentiments, journaling or embelishments around a photo mat to allow photos to slide under. In my gift to Lisa I included some sticky dots so she could adhere the photos.

Thanks for looking!
Cindy

A Delightful Paperbag Album

Good Morning Friends. I played around with more of the leftover scraps from the Just Delightful Simply Scrappin' kit.....actually I made this before I made all those cards from the other day. Wasn't going to post it because I think this type of album is kind of old now. But, knew that it might be an inspiration to one of you out there.

I had a difficult time finding white bags for this album....chance find at a craft store in Wisconsin one day while visiting family. I think for the colors in this kit, white is best. I followed Jan Tink's design you can find it by going to stampspaperscissors.typepad.com I tried linking it and could not make a go of it; sorry. When you go to her site, look down on the left for the Paperbag instructions and templates.

I made my own little journaling cards using a varitey of sentiments and there are qute a few pullouts for more photos. I love these little interactive albums. This will probably be a Christmas gift for someone special this year. Folks these albums are fairly quick and inexpensive to make...unless you add a whole lot of embelishments!

I would be happy to give you any measurements or information on this project, just let me know.

Thanks for looking! Hope your week is wonderful!
Cindy

Two-Bottle Frappuccino Carrier

Well, finally, I have this finished....though not filled yet, too early for that. But, at least if you choose to make this you have plenty of time to do so before gift giving time. I found the general idea http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2007/06/01/ive-got-some-hot-stuff-my-favortie-things-is-here/ and though Lauren did not have actual directions, I got enough from her post to make it work for me.

Now, let me say, that I am not perfect....don't claim to be.....so, if you find something amiss, please let me know and I will fix it.

Supplies:

Lightweight Cardboard (I used the back of a 12" x 12" designer

paper pack and another small piece)

Adhesive ( I used a combo of wet glue, glue stick and stickytape)

Scissors Bone

Folder

Paper Cutter

Score Pal

Designer Paper

Corner Rounder Punch

Large Oval Punch (or Key Tag Punch)

Ruler

Tacky Tape of some type

Directions:

1. Cut the cardboard into an 8 1/2" x 11" rectangle (this is your carrier body).

2. Score the short end of the carrier body at 3" and 5 1/2" and score the long end at 3" and 8".

3. Using your cutter, cut the short end at the 3" and 5 1/2" score lines up to the 3" score line on

both sides. Fold on all score lines using the bone folder, making sure you line up all edges.

4. You will now cut 1/2" off of each of the 3" x 3" flaps, be careful not to catch the center flap in

the cut. This is important when you put your carrier together that these cuts are even. You

will also need to cut about 1/16" off the center flap (this is so it does not stick up when you put

the carrier together).

5. Add your sticky strip to the inside of all 4 end flaps and to the inside bottom of carrier bottom

(this is where your handle will be attached). Set aside.

6. Cut 2 handle pieces from cardboard 2 1/2" x 10". Score at 8" on each piece; this will be where

you fold out and attach to carrier bottom later.

7. Corner round each corner of one end of each handle piece. Put handle pieces together, do not

adhere yet, and punch handle out centering and down 1/2" from top. Set aside for now.

8. Now you are going to cut your designer paper; which will decorate the outside of the carrier body

and handle. Cut 2 pieces 3" x 10 1/16" (this tiny smidge will help with the corners, trust me)

and 2 pieces 2 1/2" x 7 1/4".

9. Score the body pieces at 3" and 8".

10.Corner round and handle openings on the handle pieces to match the cardboard pieces. You may

adhere the DP to the cardboard handle piece before you punch. Then adhere the two cardboard

pieces together. Fold out the scored sections, so that your handle piece looks like an inverted "T"

11.Remove the liner from the stick tape and adhere the handle to the bottom, one side at a time,

making sure that it is centered. You may need to trim a tiny bit off the end or sides to make a

good fit. *In fact, you may want to check the fit first before you stick!

12.Adhere the DP to the carrier body. Do not adhere the ends until after you have constructed one

side of the body by folding up the center flap and folding over each end on one side. Now you may

adhere those DP flaps to the cardboard end, gently creasing as you go. Complete the other side of

the carrier the same way.

13.Hooray! You have just completed your carrier and you are ready to decorate it!

I hope you enjoy making this, I did but, then I love a challenge! Let me know if I can help you in any way. The snowflake is made with a chipboard piece with Whisper White Craft Ink, Heat and Stick Powder and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

10/6/09 On a side note; the bottles will have a snug fit with my dimensions. I chose to do this because I wanted to put less effort into the bottles since the carrier was the main focus. If you want to decorate your bottles more, you will want to change the dimensions to 3" x 6" and forgo the cutting of the end flaps. You will also have to cut your strips of designer paper to 11".

Valentine's Tin For Brittany

I have finally finished the gift Clark is giving to Brittany...I had to get his approval yesterday. I filled it with shades of Pink nail polish, chocolates and a stretchy valentine's bracelet. Because Clark lives in a group home and I can not trust that this will get to school in one piece (or even get to school at all)...I will take it tomorrow myself. Meeting Clark at his school when he gets off the bus allows him the opportunity to carry it into school on his own.

All the extra work can be frustrating at times, but

what am I supposed to do? As much as I would

like to yell at the folks at his home, I can not or

otherwise I am afraid that they will take out their

possible anger at me on Clark.

I have learned, through much experience and time, that I have to pick and choose my battles. Better yet, I measure everything on the "On a scale of 10..." or "In 6 months will this really matter?" Guess we all do that in some manner or another.

I guess the bottom line is...Clark is worth the extra effort!! Dissapointments, frustrations and all.

So, now you know what I have been working on, crafty wise, the past few days. In addition, I am getting ready for my In-Laws visit next weekend and preparing to go on vacation the following weekend. I have been shopping for the trip...in Orlando...and cleaning like a crazy woman.

Oh yeah, I am still organizing downstairs in the evenings too. I think I am more busy since I quit work than before!!! Why is that? Let me know if you come up with something. LOL!

Ok, I have rambled enough...here is all the details on the tin - In the close-up of the heart on the front of the tin, I cut paper flowers in thirds and glued them to the back of the heart, doodled around the edge of the heart, added stamped hearts and dots of Stickles. Kept wanting to put some type of word there but stopped to keep it simple.

• Paper - Scrappy Cat
• Stamps - SU Short & Sweet, Rubber Paper Tapestry, Happy Heart Day
• Ink - SU Whisper White Craft Ink and Pixie Pink Classic Ink
• Accessories - Rusty Pickle Chipboard Heart, Paper Flowers, Assorted SU and Non-SU ribbons, Large and Small Tag Punches, Foam Tape, Modpodge - Matte and Glitter

Thanks for looking and Happy Crafting!!

Cindy