Mini Album Scraps Stick Pin Swap - My First Stick Pin Creations

By now, you all know.  I love Swaps.  So here is another swap, which I joined at Mini Album Scraps - which in case you are wondering, is a Disney World for papercrafters.  Seriously, so many beautiful and unique projects put together by some of the most talented ladies ever!  They are friendly, open, and welcoming.  And the best part: such clear and precise rules that are easy to follow which enhance your swapping experience.  Why do I put that there, well because if you have swapped at all, there is always the christmas grinch who ruins it for everyone.  (Off my soap box and shout out).  They are hosting a stick pin swap, and I have never done stick pins, and although I am unsure of what I will be using them on, I wanted to do it, so, I did.  And here is what I came up with!

Supplies: Krazy Glue (Adhesive); Corsage pins (Pin); Beads

Aren't they beautiful?!?!  I just loved how they turned out.  Just so pretty, Very simple, I know, and I have plans of more elaboration in the future, but nonetheless, I like how they turned out.  And as part of the swap, they needed to come with packaging:

The matchbook, I made by cutting a 3/5 Inch x12 inch piece of paper and then scoring at to have a half inch thickness (I placed foam in the inside below the snowflake border to place my pins in).  The snow flakes were put on a piece of acetate and then cut to fit in the window.  Fun, simple project that was really enjoyable.  If you would like a tutorial on the packaging, please leave comments and let me know!

Supplies: Making Memories, DCWV (Patterned Paper); Bazzill (Cardstock); EK Success Snowflake border, Marvy Uchida Snowflake, Carl Snowflake, EK Success Snowflake, Spellbinders Mitten Shapes, Spellbinders Label Four Die, Carl Tree (Punches); Unity Stamp Co (Stamp); Stamin Up! (Ink)

Quick Mini Project: My Version of the Sizzix Index Folder Die and Index Card Keeper

I like to follow blogs and company releases - mainly to fuel my addiction.  Well, this next project is the sample of utility and feeding my addiction.  If you are a fan of Sizzix (Like myself) you will have noticed that they are releasing a new scoreboard die - The Sizzix Scoreboards XL Die - Index Folder.  Yummo.   I NEEDED this die, Like badly, I hadn't even noticed that this little guy has not been released yet.  So I went looking, and was able to figure it out on my own using my handy dandy Martha Stewart Scoreboard.  I made a few changes so that there were holders on each side of the box (so the index cards would not fall out).  Now the reason why I needed this?  As some of you may know, my hubby and I are doing very long distance at the moment - I have started my PhD work, and he is finishing his military service.  So, while on my break, I will be joining him, and at his request, so should his favorite recipes that I make.  I DO NOT want to carry a huge photo box of recipes to and from our current states of residence.... just the favorites.  You know his favorite cookies, dishes, and the holiday must haves.  But at the same time, I wanted to be able to keep them together.  Voila, this was born:

I absolutely love the way it turned out!  But, I will be honest with you, I added the Patterned Paper, AFTER I have cut out and scored the blue paper.  This would work SOOO much better if you adhered them together (Or even used a single sheet of Double Sided) then did the scoring and all that.  Also, one of the benefits of the Sizzix Scoreboard dies, is they are meant to work with heavier materials (such as chipboard) that I was not able to do with this.  So eventhough I found a cheapy way of doing it, I will still be investing into the Die when it comes out.  Why you say?  Well I get lots of requests for my recipes - generally from the same people.  And although I protect my family recipes, this would be a great little inexpensive gift!

(If you would like a tutorial on this, please leave comments and let me know!)

Supplies:  Pink Paislee (Patterned Paper); Bazzill, Joanns (Cardstock); Stampin Up! (Ink); Spellbinders Labels Twenty-One, Labels 5 (Diecuts); Bleeding Cowboy (Font)

The continuation of my Swapping Addiction: Toilet Paper (TP) Mini Albums

You may not be able to tell yet, but I am addicted to swapping.  After the stockings I created, I decided to join more swaps, and more swaps, and more swaps.  This next share, came from an online forum community I like to hang out at - Scrapjazz.  I have been here for years, I feels like almost an eternity really (and not in a bad way).  Anyway, one of the awesome ladies over there, decided to organize a TP mini album swap (Thankyou Lindsay such a great idea!).  I didn't really have a use for a TP mini album, but the idea sounded like so much fun, that I just could not resist!  We were matched with partners, and all of them had the same theme "Favorite Things" - each album was different as they were based on the preferences of the partner - My partner was Lindsay.  She likes the colors Black and Pink - and this is what I came up with:

The nice part of this project: EVERYTHING was from my stash and scraps - seriously, I did not have to crack a single piece of brand new unused paper or other supplies.  If you have lots of scrap paper you want to use up, I suggest making TP mini albums.  Not to mention that you get to repurpose those TP rolls that you just through away.  Seriously, I'm pretty sure I am hooked on this whole swapping thing.  It is a Blast.  And to give a little shout out to my partner (Virginia) who sent me mine (which I LOVE) here are some more beautiful TP mini album pictures:

 I am in LOVE with that handmade flower, it's gorgeous! and Pretty!

 Isn't that Owl just the cutest?  I love it!

 Love those tags!  They all look the same, and they ALL look perfect.

My Very First Swap

Hello ladies,

I am here to share my experience with you of my first swap.  I realize that some of you may be pros at Swaps, and some of you may be wondering what I am talking about (like I was).  And some may even think "swaps aren't for me" which is what I thought!  But I'm pretty sure that I am hooked!  It's a great way to meet other crafters from everywhere really, and find uses for all those fun little paper crafty things you want to do but don't because you aren't sure if is useful or not!  Well the swaps make it useful!  I go turned onto swapping by a good friend of mine, Nichole - who is a very very very talented Stampin Up! demo, her work is just beautiful and I always admire the things she makes especially for swaps.  Every time we get together, I am excited to see what she it working on.  So I decided I wanted to try swapping, because really, anything she does it awesome and try worth in my book.  This decision lead to these:

Supplies: DCWV Holiday Collection The Christmas Stack, GCD Animal Fanatic, Bazzill (Paper); Stampin Up! (Ink), Spellbinders (Label); Simplicity Halloween Trim (Fur Top); Stampin Up! Tags Til Christmas (Stamp)

I have been dying to make these forever really, I love them and have had a similar idea for ages, but simply did not want to go through the trouble of designing it myself.  The template was created by Claire Brennan and can be found here.  Because I was lazy, I converted it to an SVG file to cut with my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot - took a little more work, but a lot less by hand cutting! And here is the inside

Scrappy Area

As some of you know, the past few months have been months on transition and stalled transition.  A move from our little home, to my mothers, to California all within a 4 month frame.  I can honestly say that my little bit of scrappy heaven space has suffered greatly. I've gone to my own room, to an unused room, and a shared space.  This particular photo was taken mid crafting between projects.  It's not ideal, but it is still a crafty and creative space.  The best part.... that bookcase.  I'll be honest, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expedit cubbie bookcase.  It's got some nice design elements, but I can put all my stuff into boxes and straight into the cubbies creating a streamlined clean look.  Heaven.

Major Life Changes

That's Right.  I've started school again, and with that has come some mixed emotions and feelings.  It's been nice to have a year off.  Scrapping every day, seeing my man everyday, being unstructured and unscheduled.  But, not all things last forever, and back to structure, separation, limited time.  I'll be honest, I prefer this way of life much more.... if I only had more time for scrappy fun and paper play.  I know.... It's not like I'm good at keeping up on posting anyway.  But, I do want to be.  Really.  But, Time. Is. Limited.  Very Limited.  I have been giving this much thought, and although I fall asleep at my books regularly, and often have candy and redbull by my side for instant energy.... I still want scrappy and paper play to be part of my regular life.  And I love sharing with you all, even if I do not do it very much.  Sharing my creations with others and getting ideas from others for new creations, bring me joy, and my small and growing family joy.  It's good times all around.  So, I did what I am good at.  Research.  Lots of it.  And More of It.  And my conclusion:

It is possible to have both an active craft life and an over active academic life.  Hopefully, I have found a system that will work for me.  The solution.  Scheduled Posts.  Oh. My. Goodness.  This will change my life.  Stay tuned for more!.

Bookmarks

I love books.  A LOT.  And apparently I married a man, that loves books and reads more than I do.  I never thought that that was possible, nor did me dear family.  With a love of books, also comes a love of bookmarks.  As a book reader and a student, I often am reading 3-10 books at a time (yes I know).  Thus, I never have enough markers to mark by books with.  I have been looking for fabulous ways to create bookmarks, because of my love for them.  After looking at good images, and several tutorials, I came up with this:

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (My Minds Eye); Cardstock (Bazzill); Inks (Tsukineko); Stamps (Stampin! UP, Unity Stamp Co.)

I was very pleased with the outcome. The idea for this one cam specifically from Paper Crafting In Cocoa and Midwestern Moms.  I just have a love for corner bookmarks in particular.....  Above I mentioned, that my husband, also loves to read.  Remember?  Well he also has a very deep appreciation for and fondness of my handmade goodies.  No matter how terrible I think my papercrafts are or are not, he thinks they are the beautiful and lovely.  Thus at Easter, I had made a cute little name tag for his Easter basket - this little name tag was so loved that he turned it into his bookmark.  And, he has been requesting additional little guys of the same sort.  Thus, I made him these today as well:

Supplies:  Patterned Paper (My Minds Eye, Basic Grey); Cardstock (Bazzill, Unknown); Ink (Tsukineko); SCAL Cut File (SVGcuts.com)


These were made so that when he puts them in a book, their little eyes will be peering over the top.  He loved them.  And I loved making them.  In part because I enjoy doing little things like this for him - it is fulfilling and a deep expression of love and admiration, and in part because I got to play with my new YourStory.  If you look closely, you will notice that the little animal guys are laminated.  I did this for durability sakes - my man always feels dreadful when my well loved papercrafts go the way of well loved papercrafts - tattered and worn.

Thanks for stopping by!