Altered book

We were recently blessed at our local library by receiving over 100 books FOR FREE! Since we are homeschooling now, extra super special! I have been wanting to do an altered art journal with the girls as an art project, but didn't have any books laying around that we could "destroy" for it. Grabbed a couple of extra books at the library (FOR FREE!) to do with this project. The girls had a blast with this! We painted, drew, colored, melted crayons, sew pages together, mod podged collage on pages, made pockets, used buttons, flowers.... This is just one page from my book. I'm looking forward to working in our art journals at least once a month :)

Playing card album/smash book

I actually got this idea from my little sister. She gave me a little book of playing cards for my birthday that was a book of memories. It took us about 2 hours to go through, as every page contained a memory, which we had to tell the story to. One of the best presents I have ever received and will cherish it forever.

I went to Michael's and got some rings, tied misc. ribbons around them, and used them as the binding of the playing cards. I used my crop-o-dile to punch through like 5 cards at a time (LOVE that little guy!). I found so many sets of cards at garage sales this summer, I scooped them all up and now have lots to make these projects out of.

I used some punches (hearts, stars, butterflies, flowers, etc) to punch out of papers and other cards to add dimension and interest to the pages. This actually didn't take too long and would make a great gift for mothers &/or fathers day, Christmas, birthdays, Valentines, or just about any other occasion!

Home Made Smash Book

At one of our last M.O.P.S. meetings, the craft was "Smash Books".

I teach the class using the books from K & Company at my local Michael's store, but honestly I prefer this kind.
This is what I call the "Cram-What-You-Can Book"

Seriously. To save money on scrapbooks, make your own. Head to the craft store to get some rings (like $3 for 6, I think) and then just use scraps!

I decided to go for texture. I got canvas pieces, rope, twine, netting, magazine paper, cardstock, envelopes, cardboard... anything that I thought might not get used, I used. A lot of the pages are made with 12x12 paper cut into fourths (so 6x6 squares) and glued to each other. I only glued 3 sides though, make every page a pocket! Give me glue, a paper trimmer, a pile of junk mail and a Crop-o-dile, I'll give you a Smash Book!

This has been in the works for months now, I wanted to get as much in it as possible before giving to hubby for Father's Day. I got all the ticket stubs from our outings (Plays, Seahawks & Mariners games, Museum trips, etc), included family pictures of us & our parents, and found miscellaneous stuff that I know he loves. I found a great vintage koala bear postcard at a garage sale for next to nothing, also found some vintage Father's Day cards that just happened to say the perfect things :)

A gift from a lovely

This was one of my birthday gifts this year from my youngest sister. She's so freaking talented and CRAZY creative!
I had been having a hard few months, it was so difficult getting off that pity party train! My sister flew in from San Fran to surprise me. Boy did she! Hubby helped orchestrate her home-coming and a surprise party for myself and our daughter (who's birthday is around the same time as mine), once again, they did a great job. He had about 40 people hiding in our garage when I came home from church.

I think this is such a cute idea. We sat around for hours talking about the documented memories of our childhood that filled the pages. We laughed, we cried, I felt ashamed at not helping do her hair at Homecoming, and we laughed some more. I decided that this could be a great tradition for us, plus a great way to keep track of all the crazy, funny, scary, embarrassing stuff that we lived through together.

Altered Journal #2

I love this one. I think my favorite part is that lovely inked doily. Doiley. Doilly. Without "Google"ing it, I don't know how to spell it :(

No wait, maybe my favorite part is that glorious vintage button....

Yeah, not sure. I do know that the doily (SP?) and the button MAKE this beautiful.

But wait, without the chalk ink on the doily (SP?), would it be so lovely? I for one, hope to never find out.
Why?
My motto: Ink is where it's at.

Altered Journal

I think the lace on this paper is a great touch! Perfect summertime colors, too! I personally think that Michael's should have a class on altered journals. They are so much fun and can be a perfect gift on so many different occasions!!

More personal info: I just have to share! Hubby was blessed last week by a gift of manly friendship & outdoor adventure. He was able to go to mens conference over in Eastern Washington to hang out with some great Godly men. I am so blessed to have such a great guy who has a hunger to get closer to /god and be the best family man he can be! I love you Michael!

Altered Journal

I head to ladies retreat this afternoon!! I was packing for it and realized that I didn't have a cute journal/notebook to take, so I decided to make one! This was just a $1 spiral bound journal that I got out of the dollar bin at my local Michael's store.

I even put a little pocket in the back to keep some of my Stampin' Up! buisness cards in. Just in case I see some crafty ladies :)

altered journal

my daughter is turning 13 this weekend. 13!!
thirteen. *sigh*
i will be the mother of a teenager and a 7 month old, all at the same time. talk about mid-life crisis!

i made this altered journal for her to take with her to winter camp. the good kid she is *cough* (this time, for now, but no really, she's a good kid, sometimes), all she wanted for her birthday was to go to winter camp with our church youth group. i am seriously so proud of that decision! i don't even think there's a boy involved (other than Jesus, of course)!

took apart a spiral bound notebook and covered the front and back with scrapbook paper using mod podge and hot glue. used my crop-o-dile on the edges before putting it back together. if this were for me, it would have beed completely distressed, however, that's just not her. so she picked out her ribbons and flowers and away we went!

prayers for her to not only have an absolute blast, but return home with the beginning of an itimate relationship with her heavely father.