Document Folio Tutorial, Country Craft Creations Design Team, Bonus Project Edition!

Hey all! I have a ⭐️BONUS⭐️design team project for you today. 

I purchased the Photo Play "Everyday Junque" papers a little bit ago from Country Craft Creations specifically to do a tutorial on a project I had made for my Bestie at her request.  

She wanted a Document Folder that would be big enough to hold large certificates and items for safekeeping, could be stored in a file cabinet and could also be pretty enough to be out on the coffee table to share with family. 

The shopping haul video where I shared the prototype I made is here in case you missed it.

I came up with this design, and with the papers I purchased from Country Craft Creations I made this tutorial. In the video's description are a list of supplies from Country Craft Creations and a cut list for the cardstock. The patterned papers will be discussed in the video. Thanks for watching! The tutorial is here, https://youtu.be/tT-SzRAmzPE?si=xFA7j33XwojbtMrw

Composition Book Cover Tutorial, FULL SIZE and HALF SIZE!

 I did a tutorial a bit ago about how to make a removable cover for your mini composition book, and was asked to make one for the regular full sized and half sized notebooks. Here are a few pictures.

In honor of it's almost "Half Way to Halloween" I chose some Halloween papers for the tutorial.

I did make some book marks that aren't in the tutorial, but did use up all of the 1" scraps leftover from cutting the papers.  I made simple rosettes with 1/4" scores.  I love how they turned out!  It's so pretty and so useful!  The ribbons were from my stash, I just added them to the back under a 2" scalloped black Artisan Cardstock punch out.  I added buttons with gold thread through them in bows.  On two of the rosettes I added flowers to the front.  The cardstock bookmarks are 2 x 6".

I used Country Craft Creations Papers for all of these.  The paper is magnificent for this...it feels smooth, it scores and folds and curves around the spine like a dream.  

The paper collections I used are:

By the Seaside

Bon Voyage

Midnight Ride

Bewitching Hour

What's Cooking

Here is the latest tutorial with the Full and Half sized composition books...

And, in case you missed it, here is the tutorial for the mini composition book covers...

Thanks so much for watching, and remember to stay crafty!

New Style! Easel Calendar and Sticky Note Holder, a Country Craft Creations Design Team Project

The design team is endeavoring to create easy and quick, mass production friendly projects for craft fairs and the like. The craft fairs are coming back, THANK GOODNESS! We all need larger projects to share but we also need smaller projects. So, as I am getting ready to go sell at a craft fair later today, I thought I'd share a project I redesigned.

This is an easy, and adaptable calendar and sticky note holder, but it can be adapted easily. What I love about this is that the front of the pocket is BIGGER, so that if you have a bigger calendar or you would rather make it a photo mat area, you can. It will also "bump" up your sticky note pad for easy access AND has a dedicated pen holder. What more could you want??? The cut list is in the video...two pieces of cardstock and some patterned paper is all you need. I hope you enjoy the tutorial, and make some to sell (or keep) for yourself. They make great gifts and can be made super fast. It's a great stash buster as well, so win win win!!! Thanks for watching, and please visit Country Craft Creations for your crafting needs. I used Artisan Cardstock (Summer Ivory and Black) https://www.countrycraftcreations.com... Patterned Papers exclusively from Country Craft Creations (Bloom Where You're Planted, Soar, Bee House, and Chaps) https://www.countrycraftcreations.com... Art Glitter Glue https://www.countrycraftcreations.com... Spacers (Must have these in your stash!!!! :) https://www.countrycraftcreations.com...

Thanks so much for watching.  Stay crafty, my friends!!!

October's #craftygoals Video is Live!

 I have been reflecting and decided to try a new way of thinking about my goals.  Come and check out how I am going to try to go from brain storming to a more structured way of thinking about my lists of things to do in my craft room.  

I appreciate your watching.  Please check out the other ladies involved in this crafty adventure.  

De: https://www.youtube.com/@DeDeaneHorseinAroundWithCrafts/videos Dawne https://youtube.com/@thecraftyvisage Bitty Penny : https://www.youtube.com/@BittyPenny Letty: https://www.youtube.com/@PartyPlannerPaperie Michelle: https://www.youtube.com/@michelleallenacreativeoper6112 (this is me) My Instagram account is @michellescreativeoperation Michelle: https://youtube.com/@EastBayStampChickMichelleHale Debbie: https://www.youtube.com/@Project39MiniAlbums

Large Notebook Folio Tutorial

 I created this because of a request from one of my YouTube viewers.  Thanks to gcoop493 this project was born!  Please come and check it out.  I'm using the gorgeous papers "Love You Forever" by Country Craft Creations.  A list below will tell you how to get your supplies to make this!  I hope you like it as much as I do.

Love You Forever, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/search?type=product&q=love%20you%20forever*

Kraft Artisan Cardstock, 

https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/search?type=product&q=kraft%20artisan*

Brown Seam Binding, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/seam-binding

Art Glitter Glue, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/adhesives

Spacers, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/search?type=product&q=spacers*

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A couple of fun and quick projects for you...

 

I posted some fun and quick tutorials that I wanted to share with you. 

The first one is something that has been around for a while but I rediscovered it and thought about how I could use it in junk journals.  The Origami Corner Bookmark is fun and easy and so pretty!

The Rolling Ephemera Holder/Organizer tutorial is practical!  Store and sort and display your bits and pieces for your projects in a creative way!  I  share how to make this and believe me, you will want to.

That's it for now.  Have a crafty day!!

Honeycomb Organizer Tutorial

 Hi all!  I have been a little behind in updating the blog.  I've been busy.  Work has been excessive lately.   I did get to go to the retreat for Country Craft Creations and had a blast!  I have been home and getting back into the swing of things.

I have my new design team package, and it's delicious.  Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Berry Fields.

This is the haul video I did.

I also made this demo organizer...

And from that I made a version for the design team package!

I also did a guide that goes along with it, a Google Doc.  You can access it through the video above or by clicking here.

Thanks for sticking with me, and I'll see you soon with more goodies!

Weekly Roundup for January 30th through February 3rd, 2023

 I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to update this blog, but here's what I've posted and I hope you do stop by and check these videos out.  I have been super busy this week!

First of all, I did this unboxing video for a Your Creative Studio subscription box called "Bake".  I used it in my recipe junk journal that I recently shared and I love the items that were included in the box!

This is a design team project for Country Craft Creations using their exclusive paper collection "Schoolhouse Memories".  I made a great keepsake box using my We are Memory Keepers Explosion Scoreboard, and made a folio using the 4 x 6 Folio kit from 49 and Market that I bought from Country Craft Creations.  You have to check this out!

I also posted a followup for the #craftygoals2023 collaboration that I'm involved in.  In the video I talked about how it went for me in January and a few of my February goals. 

Also for the Country Craft Creations design team, I created the 5th project using Heartfelt Creations "Friendship Rose" collection.  I combined a Dollar Tree heart wall hanging with a few leftover bits to create this lovely wall decor piece.

Finally, I used those amazing and wonderful Target doilies to create this fun album with a "Polaroid" theme inside...you have to see how quick and easy this project was to make!

Thanks so much for all of your support and for watching the videos.  I'll be back soon with other projects and other tutorials.  Until then, stay crafty, my friends!!

Easel Style Tag Calendar, A Country Craft Creations Design Team Project

 

Welcome back to my channel. I have a very simple desk calendar idea that is so quick to put together and a stash buster at the same time. It has a simple easel and uses the die cut tags from Heartfelt Creations "Album Tags and Accents" die set. These are available at Country Craft Creations. I used the exclusive paper collection "Remember the Time" from Country Craft Creations. I also used cardstock, and chipboard. I will talk about the calendars in the tutorial and where to get them. But you can also check out this site, https://print-a-calendar.com/make-a-calendar. This link will take you to where you can customize a printable calendar. For easel: Cardstock 1 - 10 x 4 1 - 4 x 4 1 - tag die cut Light Weight Chipboard, (covered with cardstock on one side only) 2 - 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 For the calendar, I used 6 die cut tags, and mini calendars matted with cardstock. I used 12 die cut mats for the tags in the calendar papers. Please note that your mini calendars may vary in size so please check yours, measure and mat accordingly. Thanks for watching!!

New Year, New Plan, #CraftyGoals2023

 Hi, and welcome to the #Craftygoals2023 collaboration! This is a new adventure I'm starting with a group of crafty women here on YouTube and in Instagram. We are going to share with you how we are making our crafty goals come to life through the year. There will be different topics along the way, and follow-ups to share how we did, what works and what didn't for us, and maybe some hints and tips that will help you.

We are posting on the 1st of every month throughout the year. Please check out the links below for the crafty creators who are participating, and please like and subscribe so you can be notified of all of the posts. Thanks so much for watching, and lets plan to have a crafty year!!! Debbie Alley’s Project39 Mini Albums

Crafting and Creating with Caroline

Letty Zavela

Michelle Hale

Michelle Allen, {That's Me!}

Hope Michaud

Altered Half Sized Composition Book, a Country Craft Creations Design Team Project

 

I found these half sized composition books at my local Office Depot and they are so much fun to alter.  Come check out what I did using leftovers from my Echo Park "Fall Fever" paper collection!

Country Craft Creations

Echo Park "Fall Fever"

Stay Crafty, My Friends!

Desk Organizer/Notebook Tutorial

 Good morning! 

I just posted a tutorial for you that I think you will like.  It's quick and easy and will help you keep organized, and who doesn't like that?

I love paper and organizers and notepads, this project is perfect.  I was "challenged" in a way by my friend Cheryl to help figure out a tutorial by another amazing crafter, Mrs. Brightside, on YouTube.  Not only did I figure it out, but I also did it in two other sizes!

This project goes together very easy. I show how to make the one 5x8 size book in the tutorial.  Because I did it in three sizes, rather than try to type out all of the measurements in the description, I did a chart, so you can just it to make any of the three sizes.  Click the link below to get the Google Doc.

The chart includes the cardstock cutting guide and the scoring information.

In the tutorial I am just making the base o the notebook.  In the examples I share, I'm using my design team package from Country Craft Creations!  The Echo Park Winter Collection is an older collection that I had leftovers from.  The Halloween paper is from my stash and is very old (I had it out for all of the #sandys13frightsbeforehalloweenprojects I have been doing).

 The fall notebooks are current collections...

Country Craft Creations "Fall Breeze" 

Echo Park "Fall Fever"

If you would like to see the video that inspired this project, please check it out here.

I appreciate all of your support and look forward to sharing my next project with you.

Stay organized, my friends!

Michelle

Let's Create Project Planner/Organizer, a Design Team Project for Country Craft Creations

 Good morning! Today I come to you with this little (ok BIG) offering. This is a design team project for Country Craft Creations, using Echo Park's "Let's Create" paper collection. As soon as I saw it I knew what I wanted to do with it. I am involved in a lot of projects and I needed a more organized (and pretty) way to do that. So, I came up with this. It's a great project because you can watch this video, then mix/match what you want to do with your planner/organizer. It's very versatile, and can be used for so many things.

Below is a cutting list and a supply list. Here's a little disclaimer...I was a little "off" today for some reason...there are a few bloopers but I tried really hard to put up warnings in case you are doing the project while watching it. As I go through the video I will give you paper sizes for cutting the patterned papers. In the cut list I am giving scoring information. I don't do that all of the time, but since I was a little goofy today I thought I would do it to help. Every effort has been made to make sure things are accurate. Please let me know if you have questions. Thanks so much for your support and I'll be back soon with more! The haul video I did for this paper collection is here...this shows how much paper I received. I did use most of it, with only scraps left over. For the Country Craft Creations printable you must be a member of the Facebook Group Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations. Go here for a link to join. Calendar Generator Other Project Planner Printable from Six Clever Sisters CUT LIST: COVERS Light Weight Chipboard: 2 - 10 x 12 Cardstock wraps: These are all scored on the 2" side at 1" 4 - 2 x 10 4 - 2 x 12 BASE PAGES 3 - 10 x 11 1/2 Score these on the 10" side at 1/2". This edge is folded over and glued down to strengthen the edge where the binding holes are punched STAGGERED POCKETS 2 - 9 x 10, 2 - 8 x 8 2 - 7 x 6 These are all scored on two sides only at 1/2" "PEE CHEE" POCKETS 2 - 9 1/2 x 4 1/2 Score on two sides only at 1/2". During the video I will show how to cut the diagonal for the cardstock and for the patterned paper to cover VERTICAL POCKETS (Please watch the video on this one for placement and use of the hinge strips) 2 - 9 x 12, score on two sides only at 1/2 Hinge strips: 2 - 1 x 8 1/2, score on the 1" side at 1/2", this will be used to complete the 9 x 12 pocket 2 - 4 1/2 x 12, score on two sides only at 1/2 Hinge Strips: 2 - 1 x 4, score on the 1" side at 1/2", this will be used to complete the 4 1/2 12 pocket INSIDE FRONT COVER 1 - 7 1/2 x 9 1/2, score at 1/2" on two sides only INSIDE BACK COVER Pocket for paper pad: 1 - 11 x 9 1/2, score on the 11 at 1/2" each end, score on the 9 1/2 at 1/2" Paper pad cover: 1 - 10 1/2 x 12, score on the 10 1/2" at 1/2, 9 1/2, and 10. GUSSETED POCKET PAGE Base: 1 - 10 x 12, score on the 10 at 1/2, fold this edge over and glue down to reinforce the punched strip for the binding holes Vertical Pocket: 1 - 7 1/2 x 12, score on the 7 1/2 at 1/2 Hinges for Vertical Pocket: 2 - 2 x 6 7/8 , score on the 2" at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 Flap for Vertical Pocket: 1 - 4 1/2 x 12, score on the 4 1/2 and 1/2 and 3/4 Horizontal Pocket: 1 - 9 x 12, score on the 9 at 1/2; score on the 12 on each end at 1/2, 1 and 1 1/2 Flap for Horizontal Pocket: 1 - 9 x 7, score on the 9 at 1/2 and 3/4 Magazine/Notebook Insert: 1 - 5 x 12, score on the 5" side at 1 1/4, 2 1/2, 3 3/4 SUPPLIES: Artisan Cardstock in Black Art Glitter Glue Echo Park, "Let's Create" which includes patterned papers, coordinated cardstock, ephemera, and stickers. Seam Binding Heartfelt Creations Decorative Pocket Accents Die Prima Flowers Buttons Twine

The notebook and the book rings were from my stash.

Happy Organizing!

"Retro Men" Desk Caddy Tutorial

 I have my second design team project done using the "Retro Men" paper collection exclusively from Country Craft Creations!!!  This is a great project and the papers are wonderful!  I asked my hubby what he would like made with the paper collection and he said he needed a desk caddy.  This is what I came up with and he loves it!

You can get the papers at Country Craft Creations. Don't forget, there are two days left in the Country Craft Creations contest. Through tomorrow, when you make an order at Country Craft Creations mention that Michelle sent you in the comment box before you check out. The designer with the most mentions, and one lucky person who mentioned that designer, will each win $50 gift certificate to Country Craft Creations!  

So here is the tutorial link to the YouTube channel. I have all of the cutting list information in the description of the video.  

Thank you so much for watching and have a great day!!!

Michelle   Don't forget, there are two days left in the Country Craft Creations contest. Through tomorrow, when you make an order at Country Craft Creations atmention that Michelle sent you in the comment box before you check out. The designer with the most mentions, and one lucky person who mentioned that designer, will each win $50 gift certificate to Country Craft Creations!

 Today I am sharing a desk organizer that I made using my We Are Memory Keepers Explosion Board!  

This is a fun project and it's easy and it's customizable!!! I used papers by Prima that I received in a Mystery Box, and also the Kraft Cardstock, both from Country Craft Creations. The Explosion Boards are ordered and will be in the store soon.  

This project would be super cute in your office, your kitchen, your craft room, anywhere you need a little organization. There is also an optional "tray" that you can make to put it it, which expands the organization even more.  

I used 6 sheets of cardstock and 8 sheets of patterned paper to make this, so it really doesn't take much. After watching you will be able to make any configuration you want!  

Thanks for watching, and stay crafty!

Michelle

Seasonal Craft Planning

I saw a post on Instagram by Magical Plans and I just had to recreate it for myself!  Quite frankly she has a lot of super awesome ideas, and you really should go check her ideas out!

She made a super cute seasonal crafting planner page, and I knew I needed to make one too.  She had two seasons per page, but I decided to make each season on one, that way I could use it for more than one year.

I think that they turned out super cute.  I can't wait to start adding ideas to the pages.

I'm not sure if I am actually going to write on the pages, or use sticky notes on them and then remove them when the project is done.

I used my Happy Planner sticker stash to decorate these pages.

Project Share!

Back on New Year's Eve, the group from Country Craft Creations had an evening of fun scrap-a-long projects that they did live tutorials on.  I finished a couple of these projects and thought you would like to see them.  Click on the link above and check out their store, and go on the YouTube channels.  They have a ton of awesome tutorials and the design team is out of this world!

 The first project I made was a "Scrapper Keeper" designed by Bobbie Weaver.  Her YouTube channel is The Paper Jungle.  The project is designed to keep scraps of papers from projects used.

 It took just a few sheets of paper and some card stock.  She also has a genius way of making her pockets that I am going to incorporate into my books from now on!

 I used the keeper to store my scraps from this paper kit.  I think it turned out awesome!  There's even a tall "slot" so you can keep your 12" scraps in order!

I also made the following "Weight Loss Folio" by Kim Blank Rannells.  Her YouTube channel is called Kim Kan't Stop Krafting.

I love this paper by Simple Stories, and thought it would make a cute album.  I'm not sure exactly what I will use if form but I love it and I really want to make more of them.

She incorporates page protectors into her design.  There are envelopes and pockets and plenty of room for pictures and notes.

Isn't this just adorable?

On the inside back cover she put a pocket that you can slip a notebook into.  LOVE THIS!

Last, but certainly not least, Sandy Trefger had a tutorial for a Christmas Card Book.
Her YouTube channel is here.  If you are a card saver, this is a great project!  I made two of them, for 2017 and 2018.

 You don't just put the cards in these albums, she is super creative and scrapped them!  This is my take on a page, the first one.  I used cards and some of my scrap supplies.

Here is a picture of the second one I made, all fanned out.  I love it!  I totally intend on doing this every year from now on.  My first two were simple but I am going to get more creative next year.

Sorry I was late this week.  I usually try to post on Monday's but I was super busy, so Wednesday it is this week.  Have a great week, and remember to stay crafty!

Michelle

Organizing my Recipes!

GOOD MORNING!!!

I have an organizing post for you today.  In addition to crafting, I love to cook and to try new recipes. I have been collecting recipes since I was a kid.  I used to go through my mom's magazines, and in the food product ads they would tell you that you could send a "self addressed stamped envelope" to the company and they would send you recipes!  I did that constantly! (Remember, this was 

WAY WAY WAY BEFORE the internet!)  I collected all kinds of stuff.  I was also pretty fortunate that my dad worked at the post office so he could mail them off for me and get the stamps I needed!

The above picture is one half of our office space in our house, and this side is dedicated to my recipe collection.  I have graduated from snail mail to collecting books, internet printouts, and for a while I did a lot of swaps.  

This is what is inside those cupboards and file drawers...

I have a huge collection of recipes.  And, I really do try to do new recipes all of the time.  One year I kept a tally, and I tried over 300 new things that year!  

Everything from casseroles to seasoning mixes.  Our diet changes along with our health situation, and eating healthier is a priority right now.  So, once again, I am collecting a lot of new recipes and I need a system so that I can find them again.  This was one of my 2019 goals.  I did it!

I am combining my love of planning with my love of collecting recipes. 

I keep a Bullet Journal (Bujo) for a variety of lists in my craft room.  I decided that the bujo technique may just be the answer to how to find my recipes that I have tried and loved.  

It's simple, I divided the page into the recipe name and where it is located.  I just went through all of my stuff and wrote everything down.  I left several pages blank in each category so that I could add more recipes as I try them.  It was a long process, but it is well worth it.  Now I know where that darn recipe is located and it makes meal planning so much easier.  

Speaking of meal planning... I made a book with my Happy Planner meal planning sheets and this is what I use to figure out the grocery lists, and the weeks meals.  I do a little meal prepping on my days off so that my work days are easier to deal with.  I list it all out and if I need to find recipes then I can go to the index, pull the recipe and be totally ready to go.  I have some sticky notes with my meal planner, and I usually use stickers to make it look pretty, but I didn't this week for some silly reason.  

That's what I have for you today, a little organizing tip that is also fun to do..especially fun when it is done and you reap the rewards of your hard work!

Thanks for stopping by.

Don't forget to love, laugh and craft!

💖Michelle

Tea "Book Box"

 I bought a big box of all sorts of assorted teas.  The box it all came in was MAGNIFICENT!  I knew that I could make it into something cool...here is what I did.

 The cover of the "book" was cut out.  I trimmed the middle circle to make it flush.  Then I measured, cut some chipboard, put it into the open spaces and taped them in.  Now the cover is solid!

 Here is a view of the cover once I filled it in.

 I had been to Tuesday Morning and picked up some of these beauties!  I found several tubes of crafting papers.  This turned out to be the perfect project!  I covered the front and the back of the box.  I also added papers to the spine of the box.

 I got into my stash and found perfect embellishments to decorate the cover.

 Here is a picture of the spine.

I covered the inside cover and added a cute butterfly to the bottom of the box.  The other amazing thing about this box is that it had a magnetic closure...YAY!

I hope you like this recycling project.  It is going to make for some beautiful organization and storage.

Stay organized...and don't forget to repurpose and recycle!
😀
Michelle💖

Fun with my Happy Planner

Hi everyone!  I'm back.  I took a little time off because I was suffering from that awful cold that was going around and then we were out of town on vacation.  But, I'm back, and I'm back with a plan.  

I am also very, very, very behind on my posts.  Today I sat down and made a plan about how I was going to get all of my posts done and share them with you.  My plan starts with catching up.  So, even though this is August, I am sharing an April layout with you.  I hope you like it.

I love my Happy Planner, and I decorate it all of the time.  I also love to go to Craft Warehouse and see what kinds of wonderful things they have for me to use in my planner.  These lovely supplies just happened to fall into my basket.  I just had to buy them!

I love how cool this turned out.  Some of the stickers aren't colored...I haven't used them yet, I can't bring myself to try to color them.  I will soon, I hope.

Anyway, just a layout that I thought you would like to see.  Have a wonderful day, and have fun crafting and planning!

Michelle💖