Back in the Game with Chirstmas Tags

Wow, nay I say it's been a QUICK three months since I last posted. I didn't create much this summer. We started out just busy with outdoor stuff and little fun trips here and there. Then I had surgery in the beginning of Aug and here we are in Sep! I'm quite busy at work and will be right up until I leave for Scrapfest at the Mall of America in two weeks. I'm SO EXCITED to see my Sister and Aunt! It's going to be a fun (and too fast) weekend. I joined 2Peas in a Bucket website and will be participating in my first "swap".  I joined a Christmas tag swap. I signed up for one Vintage group. I stared out with some vintage post cards I got off of eBay. Really cool, as some have writing on them and are from 1914. I then did a blanket stitch to make a boarder. My first attempt..not too bad I hope! I sewed some buttons, then glued some mini vintage plastic holly and then tied a piece of twine on top. I sprayed some sheet music with peal mist and cut out to match the vintage post card tag. Then I found a cute vintage looking gingerbread man and glued the image to red card stock. I wanted the little guy to be a bit thicker than just plain card stock. After I fussy cut him out, I colored him a little bit more with my Stampin Up Markers. Then tied it all together with some vintage off white lace and ric-rac.The picture is of the front and then the back. I'm pretty happy with how they came out. I just hope the other swappers are happy too!  

Creating a Wall Photo Gallery

 

It all started when I picked up a super cool vintage jump rope (complete with wooden handles and the cardboard packaging!) at my fav thrift store. I really wanted to figure out a way to display it. A wall in my boy's "playroom" was begging for something other than the tan paint I had painted it a while back. My style is vintage, homey and sort of country...so of course I couldn't find the right pictures to hang on the wall. So, I decided to create my own using some frames I had bought a long time ago at Walmart...I added October Afternoon paper, a vintage children's record, flash cards and some other little bits and pieces. I also hung one Crayola crayon box and a chalk box. I used 3M Velcro strips to hang everything so I could remove the sticky stuff later. The hardest part was trying to take pictures of my finished project...glass frames are a bit tricky!



Starbucks Paper Treat Bag Scrapbook





I am a die hard Starbucks fan (especially Fall & Christmas times of the year) so when the yummy pumpkin spice and gingerbread latte season approaches I get really excited! This year was no exception, but one change was that I am now gluten free so I didn't get any treats :( But happy to say my kids did! Brownies, cake pops and cookies oh my! I started to save the bags that the treats came in and I finally had enough to make a couple mini scrapbook albums with big pull outs. I used a little of this and that, but mostly Amy Tangerine (of course one of my favs).

Recycled Starbucks Paper Sack Mini Scrapbook Album



So..paper sacks are my favorite..but Starbucks paper sacks are even better (or any cute bags from stores for that matter!) I did this one in Amy Tangerine "Lets Go" stuff from American Crafts. It's so easy to create when you have cool stuff! I sewed two pocket pages into this book. Before I sewed the pages as the book I took two pieces of card stock half the size of my page and put them back to back on one of the pages, then sewed the pocket. One sew for two pockets!

Pocket #1...

 

Turn the page to pocket #2!

 



 



 

Just a quick pciture to show my "boy" themed tea light birthday cake. I did a little sliver key, the little ones that come with the kids diary (although it doesn't show up that great in the angle I took the photo) and a button. It's so hard trying to come up with stuff for boys..or masculine type do-dads!

Tea Light Birthday Cake

This was really fun to make. My sister sent me a picture of a couple she made and they really inspired me! I only had to wait until I could find the tea lights on the cheap. I checked all the local craft stores and they were pretty expensive.  I went to the Dollar Store and I found a 3-pack!! This was a few weeks ago and I only picked up two packs (dummy). I wish I had grabbed the lot, cause I love making these little cuties.

The first one took me a long time because I had to get the measurements just right with the scallop circles. I cut two 2 in scalloped circles on my Shilouette. I took one of the circles and folded it in half , and then in half again. I then snipped the point with scissors to make the hole for the flame. I inked the circle before I put it over the flame and gave it a good rub down to make the crease around the top part of the cake.I glued ric-rack to the bottom along with the other scalloped circle. The roses are mini paper ones that I inked with the same ink as the scalloped circles. The butterfly I punched from white card stock and inked with same ink. The banner I printed out in lollipop font size 11 on my printer and inked with the same color.  Now to make a boyish one....

Paper Lunch Sack Album-- Boy oh Boy What Fun!

 

 

 

 



I just can't get enough of the paper lunch sack albums! It's a blah canvas waiting to be tunred into something awesome! I sewed diffrent size paper into this one..lined paper and patterned paper. I even did a flip page. Now, on my next one I'll have to add a pocket page for tags!