Christmas Pull Out Accordion Album

Here is the Christmas version of my Pull Out Accordion Album.  I taught a class on how to construct this at Scrap Happy.  It was a lot of work, but we all had fun doing it!

The front cover opened. 

The accordion pulled out to the right...

and to the left.  

I thought it looked cool in the Halloween papers, here, and I think it looks even better in Christmas papers.  What do you think?

Quick and Easy Date book makeover

Looking for a last minute gift for Christmas?  Well, I frequently grab one of these free purse size date books when I take my daughter to her orthodontic checkups.  I slip the advertisement out and create my own!  It makes a great addition to any purse!

I did all the embellishing under the plastic jacket except for the ribbon, I added that to the outer edge for texture.

The typical inside.

The original advertising on cover. 

December Daily 2010

Here it is...December Daily 2010...

I made the book following directions from Laura at The Paper Trail.  I used a lot of fun papers and my Cricut to make the tags and embellishments.  The papers are by Cosmo Cricut.  The embellishments are a bunch of things I had in my stash.  This is picture heavy, so I will just get to it without delay...

Here are the tags that go into the pockets...

Now all I have to do is add pictures and journaling for the month of December!

December Daily

I found this project by Ali Edwards a couple of years ago, and thought I would do it.  I started in 2008.  The idea is to document every day of December...the festivities and the everyday.

Here are the pictures of the 2008 album...

In this one is my Grandson, Cooper!

The book base was by Teresa Collins.

I then decided that I loved this project so much that I did it in 2009...

 I feel I have to explain...the Bah Humbug was because a pipe in our garage burst and we were dealing with all of the pain and frustration that situation brings...

The album base is by Bo Bunny.

I will be showing you my December Daily for 2010 really soon.  The idea is that you premake it, and then don't have the stress of making the book while you are supposed to be using the book!

Creative Gift Bags

I spent this weekend putting the tree up and wrapping presents!  I had a few plain white bags that I wanted to decorate and came up with this.  They are made with ribbon and buttons, so quick and easy. I found Score Tape worked the best to get the ribbon to stick to the smooth surface. 

The Family Christmas Card, 2010

I have been making my Christmas cards for about three years now.  Every year I pick a color scheme, and design a card, then make massive quantities of them.  This is the "winner" for this year...

And here is what I did to make it:

I used papers from Bella Road.  It is called Wintertime.  It is an awesome line of snow themed papers!  I made my own cards, 4 1/4" x 5 1/2",  from white cardstock that I get from the office store.  The brown Bazzill is 4" x 5 1/4".  I cut some white, 3 3/4" x 2 1/2", and ran it through my Cuttlebug with my new Sizzix folder.  The bottom paper is cut the same as the embossed white.  I found this great glitter ribbon at the Craft Warehouse, it is made by Darice, and it is called Glitter Garland.  I attached it to the card with Scoretape.  I made the folded Christmas tree, using a 5" half circle cut by my Gypsy and Cricut.  I added the rhinestone for the "star".  This line of papers has sheets of journaling cards.  I cut them out, rounded corners, and stamped the sentiment with a stamp that I got in a goodie bag at the CK Convention.  The stamp is by Unity.  This card is placed on the inside.

Stay cozy, my friends!

FOLDED CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!!

 Ok, so I know that this may be an "older" technique, but it is NEW to me and I LOVE IT!!!  When I saw this, I was amazed, how simple and beautiful a simple fold can be.  But, when I tried to find out how to do it, I couldn't!  I saw lots of finished products, but no directions!  So, I figured it out on my own, and now I am going to share with YOU!!!

First, make a pattern.  You need to cut a circle 5" in diameter, and cut it in half.  Use this as a template to cut your double sided paper.

Place your paper in a scoring device of choice, and score straight down, from the left side, at the 1 1/4" mark.

Turn your half circle over and fold on the score line.

Now, fold it back, meeting the cut edge with the folded edge.

Turn it over...

Take the cut edge and fold it down to meet the folded edge.

Turned back, edges inked, folds adhered down.  TAAAAAA DAAAAA!  It is about 3 3/4" tall after folding.  You will notice that depending on the direction of the folds, with double sided papers you get a different look.

Here is the trick to this...  You can use any size circle you want, just cut it in half to get the needed half circle for your tree.  Measure the diameter, then divide by 4.  This is the point where you want to make the first score!  Fold as above, and you can use any size circle you want!  This just makes me so happy!

I am doing this on my Christmas cards this year.    I am glad I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT!  I hope you have fun making these.

Stay Jolly My Friends!

2011 Planner

I wanted to tell you about this great project I found over at Creativity Prompt called Make Your Own Planner, and you can find it here http://www.creativityprompt.com/new-workshop-make-your-own-planner-2011/?c=InPostAd   

This the cover that I made for mine using Graphic45

She gives you lots of great extra bonus pages to print off for future projects, lists, to do's and weekly spreads.  It is offered at a great price and would make a great Christmas gift because you can print as many as you want and design your own cover!

Advent Calendar

I decided to made an Advent calendar.  I have never had one before.  I saw this "beach chair" easel on sale at my local Fred Meyer, and I said to myself it would make a great base for my project.  I used up tons of leftovers from MANY Christmas projects over the years...so I made this for the cost of the frame!  I got the number printout from Creativity Prompt.

Just the side view...  I made some of my tags bulky, but I didn't want them too bulky.

I just raided my stash and used everything, and every color combination for Christmas.  I wanted something that was colorful and different.

I used buttons, stickers, ribbons, punched pieces, EVERYTHING.

I even used a doily that I used Glimmer Mist on.

 I also got out the Stickles for this project.  The next picture is going to be displayed on Christmas Day.

Thanks for looking!!!!

Christmas Tree Mini Album

Happy December...It's Christmas Season.  But, I am not in the malls shopping, I am in my craft room making cool Christmas projects.  Here is one I just love!

I made this after seeing a post here, on Split Coast Stampers.  She gave the link where she saw the idea, and where I found the tutorial here, on Scrapbook and Cards Today.

I made a rosette, sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer mist.  I punched the butterfly and added Stickles for the body and antenna.

Here is what it looks like with all the "pages."

Page one and two:  The sticker was matted, then I glued only the bottom, creating a pocket.  The tags are stocking stickers that I matted with kraft cardstock for journaling spots.

Pages three and four:  I decided to use the pockets created in the making of the book to house tags shaped like trees.  I used the trunks as pull tabs...two uses in one!  I left them plain to not add too much bulk to the book.

Pages five and six:  I put a sticker on kraft cardstock, then adhered down the center and at the bottom to create a pocket on each side.  The tags are also made from stickers matted on cardstock.

The back cover:  I made a rolled flower, following the tutorial here, again on Scrapbook and Cards Today, but using paper instead of fabric.  The leaves were hand cut and run through my crimper.

Happy Holidays!!!  Stay jolly, my friends.