A Birthday Card for My Nephew, Max

 Ok, so it's a box really, but it is for my nephew's birthday.  I made it using a file I got from Silhouette, and it worked out beautifully!

 It opens up and has a slot for a gift card to be put in.  I made a little banner in the lid to write a little message.

In the slot I put a coin envelope that I decorated, and later wrote another message on it.  I tucked in his birthday money, and put it in the box.  I tied it shut with a ribbon in a dark green that looked wonderful with this papers color scheme.

If you have a Silhouette this cut file was great.  I highly recommend it.

Stay crafty, my friends.

August Planner Pages and a Wonderful Pen Find!!!

 Well, I know it's September, and I know I'm late, but here they are, my August pages.  I just wanted to share with you how I am altering my Create 365 Happy Planner and using it to suit my needs.  Above is the monthly planner, filled out.  I am trying to be better about writing down my work hours, so this seems to be a good spot for that.

 On the back of the calendar are the start of the planner's vertical planner pages.  I don't like that format.  It just doesn't work for me.  So, I used a little washi tape and covered the headings, I also used a bit of graph paper to cover the day headings.  I was thinking I would use this for some sort of something.  However, I didn't.  I haven't figured out what to use it for yet.

 The dashboard is cool, a look ahead to see what you need to get done to prepare for the next month as well.

 Again, I covered the weekly page with graph paper and washi.  Maybe I'll figure out what to do with it.

 My pages.  I did write a post and include a link for one of my wonderful readers to print out this format for your own use.  (Yes, I did figure out how to do it!!)  I used my usual stash of stickers to decorate the pages, along with MAMBI's number stickers that come with the expansion pack.

 Another week...

 And another...

 And another...

I really like my own format…so I just print it in the size that fits this planner format.  I do love the bigger pages…more room to write and decorate.

I did have some problems with the stickers that MAMBI sells.  I could NOT find a permanent marker that would not smudge on them.  I tried several kinds, and had given up that I could use these stickers in my planner without using scissors to them, but I tried yet another permanent marker and it WORKED!

I found these in the craft section at my local Fred Meyer.  I have no idea who else sells them, but they write on the MAMBI stickers beautifully and do not smudge at all!!  YAY!!  Yes, sometimes it is the little things…pens that write well and work like they are supposed to make me happy.

That's all for today…Stay organized, my friends!

"Click" Album, Part 4, all Done!

 So, here it is, the finished album.  I am so excited about it.  I think it turned out super cute and I just love it.  I love the camera theme, and the colors are awesome.

 The end of the post I will supply a list of what I used for the project.

 I also wanted to add a link to the video I found, by My Creative Spirit, on how to cover rounded corners.  I have never done this before, and wanted to try it for this book.  It worked great!  I am going to have to do that some more.

 Here is the string envelope assembly opened.  I created a journaling card from the paper collection to add to it.  I did one for the back page envelope as well.

 This shows a large tag in the large belly band, and a small tag in the small belly band.  I decorated both sides of this small tag.  The larger ones are blank.

 This is the large tag in the page pocket, covered with patterned paper.

 The folded page opened.  On all of these I covered them with papers and added a small embellishment with stickers.

 The back of the page with its pocket on the left, and the next page on the right. I added a large card stock tag, and a smaller tag to this pocket.  Then I punched a filmstrip piece and glued it to create a smaller pocket on the pocket.

 The back of that page, and the next.  The paper collection had a collection of embellishments that included smaller string envelopes.  I used them throughout.    The mini polaroids are from a DCWV paper collection.  They fit perfectly with this collection.

 I used the filmstrip punch to create a border for this "My Favorites" cut out.

 I am going to try to do a video so that you can see all of the fun in this album.

 Don't you just love the colors?

The last of the 8 pages, and the back cover string envelope.

Here is the list of the supplies I used:

Papers:  "Memories Captured", Fancy Pants; DCWV; October Afternoon; Cosmo Cricket
Cardstock:  Bazzill and Paper Accents
String Envelope Closures:  Melissa Frances
Cards, Stickers:  Fancy Pants
Punch:  Fiskars
Brads:  Unknown
Magnets:  Basic Grey
Filmstrip:  Tim Holtz

Well, that's my album.  What do you think???  I really would love to hear your thoughts!

Stay crafty, my friends!!!

"Click" Album, Part 3, the "Double Belly Band Pocket Page"

Let's look at how I made my pages.

 You will need 2 pieces of 12x12" card stock for each page.  I used black, but used white to show you how I cut and made them.  The first piece, above, is cut as shown.

 The second piece is cut as shown above.  There is very little waste in this page assembly.

 First, we have to create the "page pocket".  It becomes a tube, with a folding piece on the front.  The left side of the tube is where you will bind to the Hidden Hinge Plus binding (by Kathy Orta), and this leaves the right open for a large pocket.  In the cutting of the first piece of card stock there is a large piece for a tag page for this pocket.

 The red dashed lines are score lines…all of the score lines for the tabs for attachments are 1/2".  Add your favorite adhesive to the tabs and then add the folded page with the fold to the right as shown, to the tabs.

 This shows the binding side with the page that will open to the right.  The folded page is the front of the pocket page.

 To the front of the folded page, we are going to add two belly bands.  Again, fold the tabs, add the adhesive, and attach as shown below.

 You will end up with a large belly band pocket and a smaller one in front of it.

 The colored card stock is to show you how  the pockets will look.

 Next, take the pocket for the back of the page pocket and two of the hinges made.  Attach the hinges to this piece.  This attaches to the back of the page pocket as seen below.

 The bottom of the pocket is either glued shut, or you can create another hinge (1x6", scored down the middle at 1/2") from some scrap card stock.

 Here is the finished product.  This shows the front of the page assembly, the blue card stock sticking out of the page pocket where the binding will be and the tag page sticking out of the other side.

 The first page opened to the right.

The back of the page pocket.

OK, now I am making 8 of the pages, and covering them with papers and decorating them and I'll be back to show you the finished product.  I am also going to try to make a video to show what it looks like as well.

Stay crafty, my friends.

"Click" Album, Part 2

Today we are going to look at the inner cover and binding of my album.

 This shows the inside cover covered with black paper.  I decided to create a string envelope/folio type piece for them.

 I found these great string closures from Melissa Frances on my last Creating Keepsakes Convention adventures.

 This will be a great place to add photos, but also to hold loose photos or memorabilia as well.  I am going to leave the outsides of these pieces plain, but cover the insides of them with patterned paper.

 The one on the back cover is the same as the front, it only opens differently.

 The binding is made, for 8 pages, and placed.

This is the view of the hinge system.  It is very cool in that the pages will lay more flat because of the doubling of the hinge piece.  You really need to check out Kathy Orta's video to check out how to make this, it's super easy!

The next post will be showing you how I made my page assembly.  Stay tuned!

Stay crafty, my friends.