CD Holder and Thank You Card in One

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a week with my Grandpa and his wife, Nancy. They fed us, provided fresh, clean beds to sleep on, the use of their washer and dryer and just made it a wonderful vacation for us!

We had a great time and I wanted to let them know how much it was appreciated. I had a CD of pictures to send them that I had taken from our time there, so I googled a CD holder and found this template. I changed it up a bit, since I was using it for a card instead of an album, and then made it my own style and this is what I ended up with. I sort of used Taylor's sketch-TECC20, but I changed it up a bit (and I was way too late to post it to her challenge--Bummer!).


I had room on the left inside to write a note.


I'm so, so pleased with how well it all came together and it was exactly what I pictured! I don't know if I'll ever have a reason to make another one, but this one was perfect.

I hope G'pa Roger and G'ma Nancy know how much they are appreciated and loved!

I'll leave you with a picture from our trip. My husband, Slade, didn't make it and my mom was taking the picture. We also had an extra kiddo, my nephew, Josh.


Back (L-R) My dad, me, G'pa Roger, Nancy.
Front (L-R) Randall, Josh, Russell

Stamps: Grasshopper Fluffles by Stampendous!
Paper: cardstock, My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Tools: copic markers, scor-pal, corner rounder with guard removed

Marble Magnets

I love making the marble magnets I sell in my etsy store and at craft shows. They are simple (although there are a few steps) and they are just so neat! The glass marble magnifies the image underneath and it just looks clear and crisp.

Here is a picture of the front of a set of magnets. I have this set on my refrigerator.


Here is a view of the back of one of the magnets. These magnets are strong enough to hold 6 or sheets of paper securely. I love them!


Marcie (who is 1/2 of my favorite singing group, 40 miles North) asked how I make them. So, I thought I'd give you my long, detailed description. I discovered this fun idea on FamilyFun.com.

So, here we go!

Like the article says, trim your images before you glue them on. I've seen people say glue it and then trim the excess off, but it looks terrible on the back and warps the image!

So, you'll have your images already trimmed and the marble picked out for each image. Then I use a dab of Aleene's tacky glue (sold at any craft store) on one image, press it onto the glass marble and then move the image around to get the glue all over. Let it sit for a short while (like maybe while you do a few more).

Then, while the glue is still slightly wet, press around the edges to mold them to fit the edge of the marble. (Do circles have edges?) That makes all the difference! If you don't do this step, the image won't sit flat on the marble and it won't look as good. The tacky glue goes on white, but dries perfectly clear!

Then glue your magnets to the paper on the marble. I use tacky glue for that, too, and it's always been strong enough. You can buy small magnets at Wal-Mart (10 for $1.10-ish) or super strong neodymium magnets from eBay (like I do), if you plan to make a lot.

Here are some extra ideas:
* consider the colors in the kitchen of the recipient, if giving them as gifts
* decorate an altoids tin (rectangle or circle) for a teacher and put a set of magnets inside--once the magnets are on her/his filing cabinet, they now have a holder for small odds and ends
* use magazine images
* use symbols from an old map/atlas
* use small photos (really small...), printed on regular paper/cardstock, not photo paper
* type names, silly words, etc up on the computer in a small font
* do a few for each child in their favorite color(s) and let them hang their artwork on the fridge--when they use up all their magnets, they have to take off old artwork to hang new (sneaky, eh?)
* use left-over wrapping paper to make holiday magnets you pull out each year
* glue a thumbtack to the back instead of a magnet and let Dad take to work
* glue a thumbtack to the back and let kids use to hang up pictures of friends/schoolwork on a bulletin/cork board

If you give these as gifts, you can put them in a tiny ziplock bag (you can buy 100 tiny craft zip top bags at Hobby Lobby for about $2 or less). If you're really ambitious, you could make a topper to decorate and staple to the top.

Let me know if you make some! I'd love to see pictures! Or if it's more work than you want to do, let me make them for you!

A Refrigerator What?

What is a refrigerator scrapbook? I'm so glad you asked!

I have been making altered altoids tins with accordion scrapbooks inside for about a year. One evening, a few months ago, my mom and I were sitting on the couch chatting about an upcoming craft show and my mom said, "You know, you could make one of these to go on a refrigerator." We talked about the idea she saw in her head and I tweaked it a little and made an example within the week. I also made a few to take to my next craft show, but I have to admit, I was a little bit skeptical. I just didn't know if anyone would want something like that to go on their refrigerator.

Here is the one I made of my boys to go on my refrigerator and to go with me to craft shows as an example.


My mom liked them so much, she requested one for her birthday. So, I made her one that said "Grandkids" on the front and "We love Grammy!" on the inside. I gave it to her without any pictures in it and then had to take it back to add in grandkid pictures (she said it was incomplete!). While I had it, I used it as an example of how I can personalize an album at my next craft show.

I was very pleasantly surprised when the refrigerator scrapbook became the talk of the show! People would come over and say, "Okay, I was sent here by so and so who said I just have to come see your scrapbooks for the refrigerator!" or "What's this I hear about a scrapbook you hang on your refrigerator?" and so on. I had to go back to my mom and apologize for doubting the popularity of her idea.

I also had to re-make her refrigerator album, because a very persuasive woman really, really wanted it. She said her grandkids called her "Grammy", too, and she was from out of town, so she didn't want to have to pay shipping to have one personalized and sent to her. I haven't quite lived that one down and I get reminded from time to time of how I sold my mom's birthday present right out from under her nose after I had already given it to her... Oops...

Here is what the front of a refrigerator scrapbook looks like. This one is unpersonalized.


Here is an inside view. You just trim your pictures and adhere them using double-sided tape or a glue stick.


Here is a picture of the simple way I personalize the albums. I have also used stickers and rub-ons.


The idea is original, as far as we know, but I'm sure others out there have thought up similar ideas. Great gift idea and they can be made using the colors or styles you request. I am making a cowboy refrigerator tin for someone's little "Buckaroo". The possibilities are endless.

So, I guess it just goes to show you, mother always know best!

My mom wanted some graduation cards recently and I have only one graduation stamp and it wasn't doing what I wanted it to do, so I decided to attempt to paper piece. I actually used the stamp as my template, of sorts, and came up with this. The Senior goes to a Christian school here in town and the colors were silver and blue.



I printed the Congratulations on the computer. I used a set of foam alphabet stamps I got at Hobby Lobby many moons ago for the "grad" word, but it didn't seem to stand out, so I used a scrapbook pen and doodled around the edges of the letters. I like how that made them pop. It also makes the card even more "handmade".

A close up of the graduation hat. I used a piece of yellow embroidery floss for the tassel and a small round brad to hold it in place.


I made two of these and once I figured out what I wanted to do for the graduation cap, they were both pretty quick and easy.

Happy Graduation!

Paper Bag Scrapbook Albums

I don't very often post about things I'm selling in my etsy store, but I am hoping to be featured on TipJunkie's blog and to do that, I need a direct link to my products.

So, I'll start by describing what a paper bag album is.

I start with 3 paper bags that have been treated (to make them acid-free) and pressed (to get the wrinkles out). They have also been folded, sewn down the seam (to make them more durable) and 5 holes punched in the spine. I don't do any of that work! I buy them from a lady on eBay who I've been buying them from for almost 2 years. She's the best I've found for quality and a great price!

Then I choose a theme or whatever papers I want to use and I go for it! I'm working on a ballerina album and a princess album right now. My niece (she's turning 4 in a few days) gave both a thumbs up and couldn't decide which she liked better. That's a good sign! :-)

Here is a pirate paper bag album I have listed in my etsy store right now.

The front cover:


Some of the inside pages, with matted journal blocks and a matte for 4x5 pictures. The pages without mattes are perfect for a collage of pictures.






This one has an extra pocket inside for extra pictures, notes, flat souveniers, etc. The brads are gold since pirates look for gold.


Here is a side view of a different album to show the depth and detail of the side.


My favorite thing about paper bag albums is that the opening from the paper bag creates a pocket that is perfect for pictures, movie tickets, ticket stubs, report cards, well baby check measurements, notes, etc. Each pocket has a blank tabbed pull-out page for journaling or for a drawing, etc.

These books are so easy to personalize with photos from a specific occasion or they can be given away for the recipient to fill. These books can also be made to fit your specific ideas. Favorite animals, school colors, wedding, baby's first year, specific themes, anything! If you can dream it (and I can find the paper for it) it can be made! :-)

Gift Card Holder

This is a birtrhday card gift card holder. I made a similar one for my mom for Mother's Day and totally forgot to take a picture before we all wrote in the inside. So, I had to make another one. This is different than hers, but it's the same style. I'll be listing this one in my etsy store soon.


The belly band slides off so the card can be opened.


I followed this tutorial on Dawn's Stamping Thoughts and even asked her permission to sell these at craft shows. Turns out, she didn't design it. She also said that normally you only need permission if you are going to submit (for publication) something you've made using someone else's pattern.

Stamps: Gift Wrapped by Stampabilities
Paper: cardstock
Tools: Stampin' Up! word window punch, 3/4" circle punch, copic markers, scor-pal

One T or two?

TECC14

For the first time ever, I am attempting a sketch challenge. I often save sketches and work on them after the deadline, but I'm finally submitting one on time! I'm very excited.

Taylor has a cupcake challenge every Friday and I love her sketch this week.

Unfortunately, I don't have any cupcake stamps. That's why I decided to participate in the challenge--the winner gets two. And other fun stuff, too. I could have used another "sweet" stamp (ice cream or something), but for some reason, this is what popped into my head.

These just might be the exact opposite of a cupcake...




I found these stamps at a garage sale, along with two Memories ink pads, all for $2. Whoo hoo!

So, should "HOT" be with one 't' or two?! :-)

Stamps: Chili Pepper and Chili Pepper Corner by Stampabilities
Paper: textured cardstock
Tools: Horizontal Slot punch by Stampin' Up!, itty bitty scissors, corner rounder punch, copic markers, scor-pal
Embellishments: ribbon from Michael's $1 bin