Unfinished Board Book Dilemma

Okay.....can you believe it, I am actually posting on my Blog???? I can't go into any details right now about what I have been doing but, I will later.

For now I need your help. I am trying to figure out how to finish these board books as quickly as possible.

Hubby and I have 9 total nieces and nephews. Now, not all of them are recieving these books at this time. Only 4 are. The other 5 we are either Godparents or are just being nice to one family because of their financial circumstances.

The 4 we are going to give these books to are 11-15. One child is musically inclined, one is highly artistic, one is incredibly talented in sports and one is into the theater (the only boy of this group). So, my question is this....can I get away with just decorating the front, a few ribbons on the ring, some journaling tags and either some photo corners and/or double sided tape? I had thought to just put "My Favorite Photos" or "Photos I Love" on the front.

We do not usually give to these children because they are not our Godchildren.....that is the rules of the family I married into. But, this year we feel a bit more generous and I was crafty earlier in the year.

I appreciate your comments as always!

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

Chipboard Word Books

Hello Friends! Well, I thought I would take a minute and post some of the older items I have made in years past. Mainly because I don't have anything new to post and mostly because I do not want to go too many days and not post.

All of these projects were made in the fall of 2008 for Christmas gifts that year. The Family books were given to my husband's siblings with pictures of their families and us on various occasions. They all live in Wisconsin and we see them maybe 4 - 6 times a year.

The Believe book was for my sister, Lisa, she loves anything Christmas and decorates her house to the hilt. So, I knew that she would be able to put holiday pics inside. I did not put any in because there were many years that we did not celebrate Christmas' together.

The Happy book is a quote book for my Mom. She likes quotes from famous and not so famous people. So this has pockets inside with very little embelishment mostly the quotes that would

pertain to her interestes, about being a Mother, etc. Not sure if she really liked it or not, never saw it around her house, nor has she ever

commented about it???

One of the things I realized when I finished them was I did not leave enough space so that you could tell what the word was....on a few of them. I did that because I wanted to get as many pictures in as possible.

I would be happy to share any information about them with you including the quotes I used.

Just let me know.

Thanks for looking today!

Cindy

All of the items use Bo Bunny Word Books.

Freedom and Garland

Happy Saturday Friends!

First let me preface what I am going to say with an apology and a warning. I am going to say things that may or may not be something you want to talk about or that may offend your sensibilities. I love that you come to check out my crafts and that you leave me feedback.....and I know that I may be risking your friendship by speaking my mind.

I wanted to make something for July 4th to decorate our home. So many other holidays get decorations that this one needs it too. I also wanted to remind friends and family how important our Freedom is....this is where I stand on my soapbox and say....

I am not happy with many of our current members of Government and I am afraid that a good deal of our freedoms may be in the process of getting taken away. If we do not stand up and let our feelings be known, by talking to our legislators, we may end up in serious trouble 4 years from now and we will only have ourselves to blame. I believe that we have been heading down this road for many years so, it is not something new.

As I watch events unfold on TV about our country (the incredible amounts of money being spent, the bailouts, continued loss of jobs, etc.), I am reminded of our Founding Fathers....what they faced to stand up to King George....what they risked! They loved their native country, England, but, they could not stand by here in the colonies and be dictated to....and taxed to death. So they not only revolted once but twice!!

If this Cap and Trade (Tax) Bill passes the Senate you can expect our taxes to go up to the tune of about $3,000 a year! How do you think government will get the money to fund all the things they want to do? Now, I do not know about you but, I think I pay just enough taxes already!

What I am asking you to do is be informed about what the real truths are about what is going on in our country and what our government is trying to accomplish....mainstream TV does not give you the complete answers, please try to watch Fox News. They are fair and balanced! And no I do not get any kickbacks for saying any of this!! Call or e-mail your legislators and tell them you are mad as hell and not going to take this anymore! If they do not hear from you then, they will think you are okay with the status quo.

Thank you friends for listening to me I just need to speak up and say what needs to be said....I love my country very much, I would not want to live anywhere else but, I am not willing to lay down and let them walk all over me and my family!! Here are some links to find your House of Representatives and Senators
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

• Stamps - None
• Paper - Moxxie, Creative Imaginations, Graphic 45 DPs and SU Confetti White CS
• Ink - SU Creamy Caramel
• Accessories - Cricuit, SU Rough Edges Wheel, Dimensionals, Metallic Pipecleaners, K & Co Glue, Grungeboard Letters, Colorbok Chipboard, Basic Gray Sanding Tools, Assorted Ribbons and Fabric Strips

Have a great weekend (off my soapbox for now)!
Cindy

Friend Quote Book

These photos are from a little quote book I made for one of my friends at Christmas. Without telling her whole story, she was going through some trying times....health okay. I felt she needed something to lift her spirits. So, I created this for her.

The 9 quotes are from various internet and quote book sources I have. After formatting and printing, I added backgrounds and used a few embelishments for fun. I used cereal boxes cut them 3 x 6 for the base then used my Xyron to adhere the DP to the cardboard...rounded the corners and sanded for that distressed look. Hope this inspires you to start thinking about Christmas.....it will be here before you know it!!

If you would like me to send you the formatted quotes, just let me know.....I will need your e-mail address so be sure to put that into the note. Stamps - Hero Arts, SU Wild About You, SU Tagger's Dozen, SU Just Love You

• Paper - Basic Gray, SU So Saffron, Cool Carribean, Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White CS
• Ink - SU Cool Carribean, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
• Accessories - Binder Ring, Various Ribbon, Chipboard - SU and Maya Road, Asst. Buttons and Brads, SU Dimensionals

Thanks for looking, if you leave a comment just know that I appreciate you very much!

Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

Love Garland...again

Thought I would show you some close ups since I don't think you can get a good enough look at the garland the way it is.....HTH!!

Love Garland

Hello! Well, I finished the first item for Valentine's Day.

You know I was cleaning and organizing things downstairs and one of the items I said I had a lot of was chipboard. Well, the big heart with the scallops was in a pkg. of assorted hearts from Rusty Pickle. I think I bought it last year at my LSS....experience has taught me that I need to buy things when I see them because they will either run out before I decide whether I want it or not or I will have to look all over H--l and creation trying to find it because then I have to have it.

I traced it 4x from thin chipboard in my stash that I have gotten from the packs of paper that my LSS gets in. Fixed designer paper to front and back....and because I am not too handy with a craft knife, I sand the edges. I would have liked to find some really cool way to hang them like a cool strand of beads but, the twine will have to do for this year. I will keep my eyes open for something neater.

• Paper - SU! Loves Me DP, Close to Cocoa DSP, Kraft
• Ink - Vintage Photo Ranger Distressed Ink, SU Chocolate Chip
• Twine, assorted ribbon, dimensionals, bling, SU Chipboard flowers and some asst. bits of wedding lace with sequins, beads and pearls, ribbon roses, Grungeboard Alphas, asst. charms.

Happy Crafting!!