Observations - A journal to treasure

As I've grown I realize the importance of time, and the importance of recording treasured moments. 

I started my "Observation Journals" for both my boys after having the sudden realization that my beautiful stepdaughter went from being this young, vibrant 10 year old little girl to a now grown adult, full of wisdom and experience living on her own.  There are so many things I thought I would remember only to find I've simply forgotten.   If only I had kept a journal back then.

I write freely in these journals, there is no rhyme or reason to the order of the pages, but each book contains thoughts, insight, memories, feelings, funny stories, emotional moments and some pages even have pictures or scrapbook embellishments.   I record things as simple as how words were enunciated, or statements the boys made, accomplishments and milestones.  I know when they are older, these will be cherished.  I love the size of the books, their small and portable.  I keep them right next to my desk where they are very accessible.  I write in them as often as I remember.

This is a great tool whether or not you have time to scrapbook.  I personally don't always have time to make a scrapbook pages but I do have time to jot down some notes.

Time does not stand still.  Nor does it discriminate or play favorites.  It's the same for each and every one of us...each moment ticks away, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and year by year. 

Custom Order for a special friend

This past weekend I created 4 Scrapbooks for a good friend Mary Beth so she could give these as gifts to her Godchildren and family.  How sweet is that!  I had such a great time putting them all together and it was especially fun to customize these books for each child based on their interests.  Mary Beth, thanks for thinking of me - I hope they LOVE their new books!

RECIPE FOR SWEET JULIE

Paper - K& Co Berry Sweet , DCWV colored cardstock, white cardstock

Embellishments - Berry Sweet Paper Stickers, Felt Flower Stickers & Chipboard, grosgrain ribbon, hemp thread, sheer ribbon, 7 Gypsies bound Chipboard, Creative Imagination Alphabet Stickers

RECIPE - DISNEY CARS FOR LOGAN

Paper - Glitz Design Hey Dude Patterned Paper, DCWV Cardstock, White Cardstock, EK Success Patterened Paper

Embellishments - EK Success Disney Cars Stickers, Creative Imagination Alphabet Stickers, Sheer ribbon

RECIPE - OUR FAMILY

Paper - Basicgrey Mellow Patterned Paper, white cardstock

Embellishments - DCWV colored chipboard, zutter coil, The Paper Studio stickers, button, hemp thread

RECIPE - THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE BOYS

Paper - My Minds Eye Twinkle Twinkle Little Boy, DCWV colored cardstock, white cardstock

Embellihments - Daisy D's Rub-ons, EK Success stickers, Meandmybigideas cardstock stickers, The Paper Studio stickers, Karen Foster Stickers, sheer ribbon, pop dots, Creative Cafe Rub-ons, 8x8 brown scrapbook not pictured

K&Company "Handmade" Paper Pack - What would you do?

Yes, I'm a HUGE fan of K&Company - I have to admit, their collections of paper, stickers, layered accents, embellishments, border strips, ephemera, alphabets, fibers, ribbons and not to mention fabric swatches are simply amazing! Just when I think they couldn't possibly get any better...out comes a new release just to prove they really know how to outdo themselves!  Look at this gorgeous collection called "Handmade"! Run, don't walk and pick this up yourself, you'll be so happy you did!  Or visit  "What's New" on the K&Company website. I'm going to be working on some valentines this evening for my boys using this collection.

PICTURED: K&Company Specialty Paper, Ephemera, Fabric Swatches, Adhesive Chipboard, Layered Accents, Tag Pad, Grand Adhesions

PICTURED:  K&Company Grand Adhesions

PICTURED:  K&Company Ephemera

Diorama Tutorial

Paper
• 1 - Main Body Cardstock 8.5 x 11”
• 1 – Inside Body Cardstock 4.5 x 7.5”
• Additional Cardstock for Stamped Images

Accessories
• Ribbons, brads, rhinestones, glitter, buttons…the sky is the limit *grin*
• Stamps, die cuts, stickers, patterned paper

Supplies Needed
• Adhesive (mono adhesive recommended)
• Scoring blade
• Paper cutter
• Circle Cutter (creative memories, coluzzle, EK success…whatever you have on hand)
• Scissors
• Pop Dots or dimensional

Instructions
1. Score 1 ½” from each edge of the 11” side of the cardstock. Next score 4 ½” and 6 ½” of the 8 ½” side of the cardstock. (as pictured)

2. Cut along score lines as indicated in picture

3. Cut a shape out of one side of your box.  Be sure to center your cut out between all score lines and the top of the box. 

4. Score 1” from edge of the 4.5” sides of the cardstock. Cut a circle on the inside body being sure to center that cutout on all 4-sides.  (note:  I used white cardstock so it was easier to share with you all the different pieces, but you can stick with the same color as your main body)

5. Ok, READ THIS: before you go onto the next steps and start glueing away, take this time to decorate - it's so much easier!! I usually cut out all my stamped images, do all my stamping on the box itself, on the inside attach all the pieces where they need to go, etc etc. Sorry I don't have this photographed, but that would actually require me to make another diorama box and I'm rushing to get this posted.

6.  Ok, now that your box is almost complete, go ahead and start adding your adhesive. Add adhesive to 4.5" sides between the score lines of the inside body and the outer edge of cardstock as pictured below.

7.  Add adhesive to the middle tabs of the main body (on the bottom side - see picture).  Also, add adhesive to the very edges of the top side of the box that has the die cut circle.

8.  Wahlah!  Your box should be fully decorated at this point!  Great job, you should be proud of yourself!  I hope my tutorial helped you with this very fun diorama box.  You can even create a lid that covers the opening on the top, although it does not allow much light on the inside making it harder to see....I chose not to make one for this.  email me if you want the lid instructions and I can help you with that.

 

Happy Everything Diorama

This evening, I had a little peace and quiet in my office after the kids went to bed and while Stacy was watching tv.  I chose to create this charming little diorama.  I had to put this new Hero Arts stamp set (Happy Day Animals) to good use.  This is seriously adorable!  I've made dioramas in the past, but this one by far is so easy and just a joy to create.  I will be posting step by step directions on this style, so you can create a diorama for yourself!  I'd love to see pictures of what you create too, please share =)

front view

front view/top view