Paper Sack Mini Albums October 2011

I  LOVE working with lunch paper sacks to make mini albums! I got introduced to these versatile little babies when I went to a make-in-take at a local scrapbook store (way back when there were several stores in the area) I even made them into my Christmas cards that year. Not only are they super cheap to start out with, but can be made into so many cute things. I’ve made birthday party and pregnancy mini albums as gifts. All the recipient has to do is put their photos in. I’m big on journaling so I add plenty of spaces for them to write with “starters”. For instance, the pregnancy one has “the food I crave most is..” or “my favorite maternity outfit is…” For the birthday party one it was “my guests were…” and “this years best moments..” There are so many possibilities with these sacks. I’m going to also make some party invitations here pretty soon. I donated these two mini albums as prizes to a fall festival. They sure were fun to make with this years Kay & Co Halloween line.   

SPARKerrific September 2011

SO Blessed...I got to venture to Utah to attend SPARK (a super duper creative event) Chalk-full of more advanced sessions that require you to think creatively..not a craft-by-number sort of event. At first it was even a little hard for me. I broke down and needed a Starbucks the first day! But after my friend Jennifer helped me get a grip, I had SO much fun! One of the best parts of the whole trip was getting to meet up with Jennifer (my friend from MS) and meet her friends. We stayed at her friend Cristin's beautiful home. Cristin's hospitality only matched her kindness and creative spirit. The weather was beautiful and the mountains were breathtaking. Couldn't have asked for anything better (ok.. maybe 80 degrees) I got so many creative ideas it was hard to write fast enough. Luckily, most of the instructors have their own blogs. I almost forgot to mention the Artisan Market--filled with all handmade goodies..i'm gonna pin their stuff on pinterest..so be sure to check it out. Here are a few of my favorites..

This was the Nest Necklace by Cathe Holden. Really easy to make. After I got home  I went to Hobby Lobby and found all kinds of little trinkets to make necklaces out of. I got a metal tool punch set at the local hardware store to punch letters into the tags too. Her blog is pretty amazing...justsomethingimade.com

Amy Tan taught her famous reverse applique.  Mine didn't turn out ..i brought a cheap ribbed shirt (it works best on tight weaved cotton fabrics) ..so I took a photo of Cristins creation! So adorable! She did it in less than 20 min. I first saw Amy Tan in Minneapolis at Scrapfest in the Mall of America. Her and Elizabeth Kartchner were at a crop I went to. Sweet, sweet gals..and of course very talented! amytangerine@blogspot.com and www.elizabethkartchner.com It was so great to see them again at Spark!   

Mixed media was another reaaalllyy fun thing to experience! One of the reasons I love mixed media now is that it’s so messy and free. Paper piecing, doodling and just having plain fun is what’s it’s all about. Her blog is ridiculously inspiring! I even took a 12 days of Christmas ornament online class (more about that later) Check out her blog www.christytomlinson.typepad.com

I also learned how to turn a book into a “junk journal” but I don’t feel like junk is the right word. More like awesomely awesome journal :O) Jen Jensen showed how to take pages away from a bound book, adding pocket pages and photo sleeves to make it all your own…all amazing. Now I keep my eye out for any book that has a cool binding or neat subject with pictures. I haven’t finished the one from the class yet (pathetic, I know) But when I do I will post it. She doesn’t have a blog but here’s a picture of her sweet work.