Star Album

This album is similar to the desktop album I made a while back.  Nice thing about this one is it can be stored (and transported) unopened (aka - flat).  Then it can be displayed open in all it's glory! 

I start with three different colors of cardstock or paper.  I would recommend finding one patterned paper (for the smallest panels) and two coordinating solids.  Here I started with Bashful Blue, Pixie Pink and Certainly Celery.  Here are the measurements:
Largest section (blue in this example) 5 3/4 " by 11"
Middle section (pink in this example) 5 3/4 " by 9 1/2"
Smallest section (green in this example) 5 3/4 " by 8"
Each of these sections should then be folded in half.  I used a bone folder for a nice crisp edge.

The next step is to tape all the middle sections (pink) to the largest sections (blue).  I used Terrifically Tacky Tape in three strips (to save on tape). 

Here is a view of the two taped together.

Repeat this process for all the pieces - tape all the pink to the blue, then the green to the pink.  After all the sections are taped together.  I taped each of the blue pieces together along the outer edge.

Once your book is taped together, add a section of ribbon along the outside.  I use Tacky tape for this too - it gives good hold, and you can't see a ridge from the adhesive.

This ribbon allows you to hold the book closed, or tie it to keep the book open in it's 'Star' shape.

The finished product would make a great centerpiece, or a nice addition to a bookshelf or desk.  The patterned paper here is the KI Memories Colorful Frosty line. 

You can add a cover over the front and back.

Fabulous and Forty

I hope my sister doesn't kill me for this, but she's turning 40 in January.  As I realized this the other day I thought it would be great to make her a "Fabulous Forty" card.  The wheels began turning, and this is, sorta, what I imagined. 

I cut the numbers from my Cricut using the Storybook cartridge.  After my 'JOY Garland' I decided it would be easier to get a Xyron machine.  I used the 2.5 inch machine to put adhesive on the numbers, then sprinkle some glitter on top.  I cut the shimmery pink cardstock numbers 1/4 in bigger and layered the two sets with foam tape.

I wanted some more bling, so I added the small rhinestones.  The paper is by Colorbook and is just gorgeous with stripes of various glitter.  I also used the new Stampin' Up! border punch (which will be available for free during Sell-a-bration next month).

Speaking of Stampin' Up! - I just received a pre-order from the upcoming Occassions Mini Catalog.  I'm so excited, I had to share with everyone.  Here's my first clear mounting SU! set 'With All My Heart'. 

Which coordinates perfectly with the new Specialty Paper 'Sending Love Specialty'.  I LOVE this paper!  One side is glittery, the other side is regular.

Snowflake Christmas

Here's a little non-traditional color scheme.  My SU! upline sent me a Christmas card from Kraft cardstock with snowflakes stamped in white.  I loved the look!  I added a scrap strip of the light green (with tiny snowflakes).

I added a little sticky strip and sprinkled some super fine glitter.  I've had this glitter a while and have hardly used it.  But it looks so lovely!  There's a clear rhinestone brad in the center.  The snowflake is stamped in Certainly Celery, and matted with Certainly Celery cardstock.

The larger snowflakes are from the hostess set Patterned Pines and the smaller flake came from the corner of the three snowflake bunch from the Christmas Punch set.  I stamped the greeting in Garden Green.

Christmas Card Sampler

Usually, for Christmas cards, I try to come up with one pattern and just do an assembly line of cards.  This year, I couldn't narrow down my choices to just one stamp set, so I decided to use them all!  Nearly every card is different this year, which has been kinda fun.  Here is a quick sampler of cards I've made - fairly simple in their design.  I also wanted to stay away from embellishments that were too bulky for regular postage.

This is one of my favorites.  I had stamped the tree and added the epoxy stickers over the contrasting ornaments, but I really wanted to add a little more color to the tree.  I can't seem to find my 1/4" hole punch, so I was at a loss as to what I could do.  While watching 'Castle' on Monday night it hit me - use rhinestones instead!  I love bling and all things glittery, so this was a perfect solution.  I picked a few circles to overlay and glued my rhinestones on.  The lighter turquoise paper in the background is actually pearly, even though you cant tell from the picture.

This card was actually based on a scrap I had been experimenting on.  For my Christmas workshop the ladies created two cards.  This one was an experiment to see if I liked the flourish in gold ink, or heat embossed in gold.  At the workshop, we went with the heat embossing, but I still had this perfectly usable scrap left.  So I decided to match it up with Rich Razzelberry (my new favorite color combo BTW).  I also decided to heat emboss the PEACE for the tag, to give it a more solid white.

This is the sample card from my Christmas Workshop.  We used the Heat and Stick powder and some red glitter to do the entire tree sparkly.  I also used strips of the DSP from the Holiday Minicatalog. I'm lovin' the New Modern Label punch, can you tell?

Advent Calendar

OK, So I'm cheating, a little.  This is another project I did a couple years ago.  I took two 12x12 sheets of cardstock and attached them together with a ribbon and my sewing machine.  One each 12x12 I created 12 pockets that hold cards with activities.  Now, I admit that I'm not perfect at completing these activities every year, but it's nice to have it around anyway.

Normally I display this on a 12x12 clipboard, but mine is busy this year.  I can't remember the paper line I used, I think it was something by Recollections.  But I loved the muted reds and greens (and pinks too!).  Some of the numbers came from an epoxy sticker sheet I had, but I didn't have enough for all the numbers, so I printed the rest on my computer. 

Each pocket has an activity.  Here are some examples: sip some hot cocoa, make a paper chain for the remaining days before Christmas, write a letter to Santa, make a treat to deliver to friends.  The list goes on...

Cookies for Santa

I made this tray a couple years ago for Christmas.  I copied it from my Papercrafts magazine.

I bought a plain wood tray and painted it red.  I printed all the words from my computer.  It took some time, but I formatted the word 'santa' to curve around a circle before I printed it. 

The red and green emblems are from coordinating rub-ons.

Each of the circles were inked around the edges.  I also used a little background stamping with black that I first stamped off (to mute the color).  It's very subtle.  I faux stitched the edges with a black pen.

I also actually stitched with white thread on my sewing machine.  I used a straight stitch along the cardstock that bordered the ribbon down the center.  I used a zig-zag stitch around some of the other circles.
I assembled the entire piece before gluing it to the inside of the tray.  We've used this every Christmas since I made it.  The boys love it! And I love the way it looks decorating my home.

Christmas Garland

I loved the 'JOY' garland Dawn McVey posted to her blog SO much, I had to make one for myself.  See Dawn's Post Here

This is the first I saw of the Storybook Cricut cartridge.  I love the font.  I was already suppose to get a Cricut for Christmas this year, but after seeing this project, I had to have the Storybook cartridge too.
The snowflakes are some 4/$1 ornaments from Target.  The paper is from that Christmas paperstack I bought for all the Holiday Planners.

I used sticky strip on the letters to adhere the glitter.  That took FOREVER, so if you want to make this project I would suggest another method, although I'm not sure what.  If anyone has any ideas, please leave them under comments.

I used Riding Hood Red and Taken with Teal stamp pads.  As well as an Encore Metallic Silver Stamp pad.  I picked up most of the buttons locally. That corner red embellishment I cut from my new Cricut machine.  That's also from the Storybook cartridge.

I love love love the way this turned out.  I even experimented with hanging it around the tree.  That would look great too.  I cut the letters to 6 inches, and the marquee backgrounds as the shadow option, at 7 inches.  The matted Marquees are then cut at 6 1/2 in.  Each of the squares for the letters are 5 1/2in X 9 in.  Each of the squares with the snowflakes or trees are sized at 4 1/2in X 7 in.

First Christmas Card

This is my first Christmas card this year.  I haven't actually begun an assembly line yet.  I still need to decide on a design for this years cards.  But I got this stamp set recently, and I couldn't wait to try it out. 

I used Melon Mambo with Always Artichoke.  A little satin ribbon and a strip of glittery pink paper to make it complete.

I used a little yellow stickels for the glitter on the star.

I inked the edges with the Melon Mambo classic ink and a sponge.  I like the look of a sponge rather than directly from the pad because it's a bit softer. The green ornaments are covered with epoxy stickers to give them depth.

Holiday Planner

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can post some Christmas stuff.  I had been holding off because I always feel like Christmas overpowers the end of fall.  And I love fall.  But after my Black Friday ordeal at Walmart - I feel like Christmas really is here.
 This year I decided to make Holiday Planners for all my sisters (and sister-in-laws).  Then I couldn't leave myself or my mom out, so I undertook the task of making 7 Holiday Planners.  Ugh!  It was fun, but a lot of work.  I actually haven't gotten them in the mail yet - that'll happen tomorrow.  I did remember to photograph them before I shipped them off.  Here is one of the planners (I still haven't decided who is getting what).

I made this planner with a single file folder.  I cut off the tab and a little extra to make the open side of the folder straight (except for the small indentation that comes down where the tab is, that'll be covered with paper later).  I scored the folder 4 inches from the bottom.  Since the open folder is too big for my paper scorer, I scored either side of the closed folder.  Then I opened the folder, and folded the 4 inches up.After the bottom is folded up (to make the pockets) I folded the folder along it's natural fold up the center, only the opposite way it was originally folded.  Then fold the folder into fourths.  This will allow you to glue the two center fourths together on the back, and create a 'book'.  If this is too confussing to follow, here is a youtube video:  How to Fold the File Folder

I decorated each pocket differently.  Basically, I lined each back pocket with a paper cut to about 4 1/4" by 6" long.  The front of the pocket is all you really need to decorate (about 4 1/4" x 4").  I used all kinds of different stamps for these.  Here is the Crazy for Christmas stamp with the gifts.  I tried not to add too much bulk, so they could close easily.

Here's a Prima Pointsetta with a glitter brad for the center.  I found the Prima Pointsettas in a tin at the craft store.  It included paper flowers, sheer fabric flowers, paper Christmas die cut bulbs, and green paper Pointsetta and Holly leaves. 

 

Some of the paper already looked layered, like this lovely piece, so all I did was add a stamped holiday tag.

All the patterned paper I used was from a huge stack I picked up at the craft store.  Usually I don't bother with those stacks, because I only like a hand-full of the patterns.  This stack, I liked nearly every one of the papers.  Good buy, especially with a 40% off coupon.

I didn't have the inserts for the planners before I photographed them, but here is a link to some free Holiday Planner pages.  Pocket Planner Printables

Each of planners are tied with a ribbon to keep closed.