Teacher Gifts

Obviously I made these forever ago but I have just gotten around to posting this.

I made these books for all of the teachers at my son's school and the cards for all of the support staff (educational assistants, secretaries). The books are actaully a journal for the teachers to reflect back on their teaching career. I used Nichole's example HERE as a guide but changed the questions a bit (to make them more Canadian and more relevant). I bought the books at Michael's. They actually have some letters or something under the main image but I knew I'd cover that up with my own creativity!!

I don't normally go so "all out" with gifts at the end of the year but my son is leaving that school and moving on to the Middle School. So, I made one journal for every teacher and left a message on the first page thanking them for making our experience at their school so great. Same with the cards, I made one for all the support staff thanking them for their part. It is really a great school and we will certainly miss the postivie atmosphere they provided over the last 5 years!!

Well, gotta go make a card. Enjoy your day!!

Donelda

Velvet "Create" Journal

Today, Julia posted the Ways To Use It challenge 139 and it was to use Velvet!! Well, I have had this piece of burgandy velvet sitting around for some time, as well as this beautiful piece of Wild Asparagus paper called "memories". I decided that I owuld put these items together with a little Basic Grey "Sweetie" from the Blush collection to make myself a new Crafting Journal.

I used my iron and "heat stamped" the French Flair background stamp onto the velvet, cut it out, and rounded the edges. I added this onto a piece of blue cardstock (which matched the blue backgound of the Wild Asperagus paper). I also used this same blue paper to put behind the bookmark from my Hodgepodge Hardware. I added the letters using some rub-ons. The Prima is from a beautiful package I bought a while ago and ... see that square brad in the middle, that is one of Stampin Up's new Square Rhinstone Brads. A freind was kind enough to include it with a little package... thank you!! I also used some white ribbon between the Wild Asperagus and Basic Grey papers! edited to add: I realized that it is hard to actually see the stamped velvet in my other photo so I've added this close-up.

I really like how my journal turned out and I know it will get some great use!! Thanks to Julia for giving me the push to get it made and use up these products that I've been hoarding. It worked perfectly for my new goal to use the items that I have instead of buying more stuff!!

Thanks for visiting.

Covered Board Book

Hi Everyone!! It has snowed here in Alberta but it is just enough snow to cover the ground and it actually looks quite pretty!! I suspect that it will be gone by Monday since it is supposed to be warmer.

The pretty snow makes me feel all nostalgic so I decided to photograph this covered Board Book that I made a while ago. My plan was to create a book to give to my son so that he knows all my wishes for him. (I know -- too sentimental but I'm a real sap!)

I started out with a child's board book -- you know those little kid books that have pages made from really heavy cardboard. This one was a Barney book, I think. I took this awesome designer paper and covered the front of the book with it. I cut and sanded the edges and sponged them with close to cocoa ink. Isn't this paper perfect for the theme of the book - unfortunately, I made this book way before I ever dreamed of having a blog and, thus, never thought to identify the maker of the paper. If I find it I'll edit later.

Then, I covered all the inside pages with paper from Die Cut With a View paper- the Old World Stack (which is absolutely beautiful and you can see a similar project made by Erika Martin[Stampin' Mama] with the same paper) and matching Bazzil cardstock that I bought at my local scrapbook store. That was a really good idea I had, to buy the designer paper and while I was at the store, I walked around the solid cardstock section and purchased colors that matched exactly with the designer sheets! I'll definately do that from now on. Some on line stores are also doing that - like Rhea at R&R Scrapbooking where I've noticed you can purchase Basic Grey designer paper packs and Rhea has listed the solid Bazzil cardstock colors that match perfectly -- way to go Rhea and any one else doing that !! It makes shopping on line a whole lot easier!!

This whole project was so much fun because I was free to design each page any way I wanted!! I really wanted a bit of an elegant feel on this blue and green page so you can see how I added the pinstripe background stamp (retired SU) onto the inside of that little envelope using Hunter Green. And I also used lots of fancy scissors and rub ons (that yummy brown swirl in the corner is from Fancy Pants designs and is called the fancy-free collection). I used the word "Wishes" from the Fancy Flexible Phrases set (SU) throughout the book -- since that was the whole point. I did lots of distressing with both Close to Cocoa (SU), Basic Black (SU) and white pigment ink from Rubber Stampede. Here is a close up of some of the finer detials:

And here are some of the other pages that are included in the book too.

The black swirls on the purple page are from Heidi Swapp called Diamond Drama 1 and they are scrapbook scenery stickers. And see that purple "string clasp", well I made that myself using a 1" circle punch some black eyelets (SU) and some string. It is pretty easy to make. On the turquoise and black page, you can see that "wishes" from FPP again and some swirls from the Finest Flourishes set (SU). I also added some paper from the Provo Craft 8x8 slab by Christina Cole.

Looking at these pictures, it is easy to see that when I scrapbook I love having interactive features. Including pockets and envelopes are a must for me. I'm not sure why but it just "feels right" to have them on my pages. I guess I love the surprise and anticipation of opening them up to see what is inside -- is it a picture or some journaling. Maybe I'll post some of my scrapbook pages with interactive features another day!!

If you like to include interactive features on your cards, scrapbooks, or other projects, I'd LOVE to see them. Leave me a comment with a link to your project! Remember, leaving a comment on my blog helps me know if you are enjoying my ideas and projects!

Thanks for visiting.