A Christmas Picture

I don't often get my picture taken, but we decided that we would take some on Christmas Eve after mass. This is my favorite of the ones with the kids. The tree in the back ground, and Christmas music playing. After this we read some Christmas books, among them my favorite, T'was the night before Christmas. We then put little baby Jesus in the manger under the tree. And Finally put out the milk and cookies for Santa, then it was time for bed. This is where the wait begins for us parents, ours; about two hours long! LOL! Who do you think was up at the crack of dawn? ME!!!! It really was a great Christmas this year, not too fast paced, with enough family and tradition surrounding us. I hope everyone's was as good as mine!

Star Book.

So I've been neglecting my blog. Christmas, 3 kids, full time job, and my only living grandmother in the hospital, with only days left... I did however want to post this because I really Love it and it's so much fun to make. time consuming but fun, and the results are beautiful. Pictures really don't do them justice, you have to see to appreciate them.
cover

open a little

open all the way

page 1 & 2

3 & 4

5 & 6

7 & 8

9 & 10

11 & 12

13 & 14


You'll need:
12 sheets card stock
4 sheets each of 3 different colours
2 pieces of chipboard cut to 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 each
2 sheets patterned paper 8x8
embroidery thread
Adhesive


Cutting instructions:
colour 1: 7 pieces of 6x12, folded to 6x6- this is layer 1.
colour 2: 7 pieces of 6x10 1/2, folded to 6x5 1/4- this is layer 2.
7 pieces of 6x1/2, folded to 6x3/4- this is the spine.
colour 3: 7 pieces of 6x9 1/2, folded to 6x4 3/4- this is layer 3.


INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Center and glue the BACK SIDE of the patterned paper to the front of the chipboard pieces. Next, fold over the extra paper and glue to the BACK SIDE of the chipboard.
2. Apply adhesive to each inner edge of the spine strips.
3. Attach the BACK SIDE of layer 1 to the glue side of the spine, matching the center crease. Do this for all 7 pages.
4. Using a paper piercer or awl, make holes down the centre of the crease (through the spine and layer 1) at 1 1/4, 2 1/4, 4 and 5.
5. Sew the 7 pages together using the following method: start by numbering all the holes on all of the 7 sheets. EG. Page 1 is- 1, 2, 3, 4. Page 2 is- 5, 6, 7, 8. and so on. * remember that the holes must be lined up as you add each page to sew them together.
start on sheet #1: In 1, out 2, in 3, out 4; Over and in 5, out 6, in7, out 8, over and in 1, out 2, over and in 7, out 8; over and in 9, out 10, in 11, out 12, over and in 5, out 6, over and in 11, out 12; over and in 13, out 14, in 15, out 16, over and in 9, out 10, over and in 15, out 16; over and in 17, out 18, in 19, out 20, over and in 13, out 14, over and in 19, out 20; over and in 21, out 22, in 23, out 24, over and in 17, out 18, over and in 23, out 24; over and in 25, out 26, in 27, out 28, over and in 21, out 22, over and in 27, out 28; and tie off floss.
6. Adhere the BACK SIDES of layer 1 pages together as in a book. The first and last pages will be attached to the cover in the next step.
7. Attach ribbon to the BACK SIDE of the front and back covers. Adhere the front and back covers to the first and last pages of the book. Close the book and place it under something heavy to keep it flat while you complete the next steps.
8. Decorate layer 3 pages, and adhere your photos and embellishments.
9. Apply a strip of adhesive to the 6 inch outer edges of the BACK SIDES of layers 2 & 3.
10. You can now attach layer 2 to the book pages. Match the glued edges to the book edges.
**TIP** Remember that the creases will not line up.
11. Attach layer 3 pages to the book as you did in the previous step.
ENJOY!!!!

Stationary card gift box.

This is a stationary gift box full of all the things
you need to get ready for the holidays gift giving.
I made it by following a tutorial off of scs. The link is
http://jackietopa.typepad.com/stationary.pdf
The box includes 5-6 tags, 4- 3x3 cards, 4-4x5.5 cards
with envelopes, and a little book to record all the addresses
of the people you send cards to during the holidays. I will
also add a matching pen and some stamps for mailing.
I am going to be making these for my kids teachers for
christmas gifts this year. I hope they like them.
This is it all closed.

This is it open.

This is the address book etc.

The tags.

The 3x3 cards.

Card 1.

Card 2.

Card 3.

And my favorite card 4.

Winter Shaker Card

I made this shaker card after being insired by my upline Joy's snowman version.
I used the Evergreen stamp set from CTMH. This was one of the cards we made
in my christmas card workshop this year.

Notebook pp with Freespirit ss.

This is a different kind of page for me. The layering style is a bit different. This is a picture of my niece from last year that I've been wanting to scrap. She's such a pretty girl with a kind heart. I only just met her a few years ago after searching for my brothers and sister from my Dad's previous marriage. When I found them, I also got a couple of beautiful nieces.



I used Grey wool ink and cardstock, the new Notebook papers,and the Free Spirit stamp set. Other products include, Prima flowers, Fancy Pants ribbon, and other.(sparkles, heart, and button) All products are CTMH unless stated.

Christmas Card.

I made this card as a part of my christmas card workshop, I used the large scalloped circle die from SU. It is much nicer in person, but I think that everything is. At the workshop we made two of each of the six designs. This is not my favorite of the ones we made but some of the ladies said it was theirs.

My Baby's Big Mess!

Today I would like to share a little story about my little guy. When I got home from my crop my husband said to me, "Just want to prepare you, he kinda got into your stuff." This is what happens when you turn your back for a minute! LOL! Everything WAS put away btw! He saved me the mess to see because he didn't know if I could save any of it. RIGHT!!!! LOL! At least I got the pictures and I can scrap them!


Can you say WOW!
This is his creation in the Sculpting Foam.

My now empty jar of Fun Flock.

And a close up of his beautiful mess! A great mixture of gold embossing powder, white embossing powder, glitter(not yet used), Fun Flock, and GLUE!!!!

This is him explaining that he made a Big mess, and saying, "Sorry Mommy".

And finally him being proud of himself! LOL!

Hope you got a good laugh! I was upset when it happened but you can't always sweat the small stuff. Or the big messes! LOL!

My son's b-day invite.

Today at the crop I made a few things, the first was my son's birthday invitations. I used the Good Times paper pack, and the Party Invitations stamp set. Feature colors are Sweet Leaf, Twilight, and Chocolate. It is a pocket card from the new Originals card confidence book. All the party info is listed on the tag. Cute idea!

I went to a crop with my fellow Close To My Heart consultants today and we had decided that we would do a swap. This is the card I made using the Whooo loves you stamp set. Love the owl stamps! I used the paper from the Game On collection. I used funflock on the body and googly eyes. I also used the black stitch ribbon which I folded over and attached with brads. When you open the card there is a slot that can hold a gift card, I put in a tag with ribbon instead. Colors are Black, Bamboo, and grey wool. The cutting of the owls take time but are well worth it. All products used are Close to my Heart. Hope you like it!

I love making Winter/Christmas themed cards. This one was made using the featherly flakes ss from Close To My Heart. I used glossy cs, re-inkers, and rubbing alcohol. I brayered the textured white cs with ocean ink and painted the edges with our white Ceramcoat paint for a distressed effect. A simple looking card with some great techniques. The saying is "Each snowflake is unique... just like you.