JOYFUL WISHES - PAPER WREATH

In keeping with my goal of crafting Christmas throughout the year..

I have been doing these paper wreaths with different themes since last summer.  It started with a birthday wreath, then I did quite a few fall/halloween versions some of which I posted, I have patriotic and beach themed ones waiting for me to get back to them :)

This one is built on a 8.5 inch styrofoam wreath and paper strips 10 x 1 and 3/4 inches.  I used Graphic 45's Christmas Past for most of the papers on this one.  From my stash;  vintage plastic snowflakes, flowers, sparkly leaves,  stickers and a lot of (mostly) Platinum Stickles.  These are very light, I have used E6000 t0 glue a sawtooth picture hanger on the back to hang it.

Note:  Done this size it can be stored in a pizza box.

Thanks for having a look!

Note:  I have entered my wreath in the ABC Christmas Challenge, CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge

FRENCH COUNTRY (GRAPHIC 45) SQUARE CARDS

I feel so fortunate to have access to Sabrina and her classes at Scrapbook Parade!  All of the lovely layers and details..

FRENCH COUNTRY - PAPER BAG MINI ALBUM

I haven't lost my "like" for the paper bag album, they are just the perfect place to store small bits and pieces (hankies, notes and letters, postcards, cards of all sorts, recipes, button cards etc.) in addition to photos.  I know the friend this is going to has lots of memories to put into this.

I have trimmed all the edges with a green/orangey gold trim that did come from a Paris flea market (wishing that was me shopping), I think it gives just the right age and look to the whole.  I have used quite a bit of Glossy Accent Crackle throughout instead of any glitter.  Just the feeling I had about how it should look. The flower centers on the cover are a Memory Box die "Scalloped Posie".  A bit more vintage edging on the ends, a few old stamps, buttons, some twine, ribbons and other G45 embellishments complete this project. Oh,  I couldn't do French Country and not add a bit of Van Gogh :)

FRENCH COUNTRY - PAPER BAG MINI ALBUM (2)

SECRET GARDEN (GREEN AND YELLOW) BIRTHDAY MINI/MINI PAPER BAG CARD/ALBUM

I have used just two paper bags to create this mini/mini - call it what you will, it's meant to be in place of a card.  This one has gone to my step mom Toni who is here from Washington state for a short visit and had her 75th bday on Sunday.   The perfect bit to stash ferry ticket stubs and other small pieces of ephemera picked up on the trip.

The background paper is from the Secret Garden line, the "flower garden" I cut from a vintage greeting card and topped with a fence punched (MS) from a scrap of Core'dinations, hand drew and cut the photo corner from the same scrap, a bit of vintage velvet ribbon along the bottom (I have used the same trim on the inner pages to carry through the look), muslin "Petal" trim   at the end.  I used clear embossing powder on the blooms to make them stand out and "Stickled" the edges and then the fence quite heavily.  I embossed the Happy Birthday stamp (don't know the make but it is marked 1990), does that make it vintage LOL) in black so that it stands out, the stamp has a vintage look perfect for this.

The focus here is a "Vintage Postcard" from Crafty Secrets which I have inked and "Stickled" and then added a small tag from the Secret Garden papers.

More of the MS punch here, some gingham ruffled trims in green and yellow.  I have written our "birthday wishes" on the back of this "tag" which again is from the Secret Garden papers.

SECRET GARDEN (BLUE) PAPER BAG ALBUM

As I posted earlier, keeping busy building up a little stash of these.  This is the 2nd one I have created from one 8x8 pad of the Secret Garden papers.

The main image in this line I wanted for the cover.  I tried not to over embellish and let it's sweetness shine!  I embossed the roses in clear, used a microfine green glitter to build some dimension on the foliage, a bit of fancy pansy ribbon on the fence and sweet crocheted posies with vintage beads for centers (both of these last from my friend Busy Martha) just above the fence.  The framed image a bit further down is from Paper Whimsy.

SECRET GARDEN (PURPLE) PAPER BAG ALBUM

I've spent the last couple of weeks working on several paper bag albums (posts to come).  I have never been much of a stamper/card maker and this version of an expanded card/shortened album really appeals to me.  I am attempting to build up a few for my stash while I am so enthused!  I have used one of my vintage birthday cards (1953) for the cover and yes I used the original.

"LITTLE DARLINGS" PAPER BAG ALBUM

The paper bag album I created as part of Nancy Maxwell James' "14 Hearts" was my first.  I have a genetic disposition to avoid doing what everyone else is doing at the time they are doing it..so never fell in love with them until now LOL

My friend Gayle has just had her first grand, a girl!  This small album (I used 3 bags) is a place for her to keep mementos of her trip to LA to meet Grace for the first time, tuck in a few snaps and journal her thoughts.

A PLACE IN TIME - GRAPHIC 45

"Stampers" one of our local crafty stores is participating in Graphic 45's monthly project with stores across the continent featuring their "A Place In Time" line.  Here are the February projects (the postcard themed card was designed by Steve, one of the store owners);

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST GRANDDAUGHTER

Sydney Alaina

Born October 18, 2012

Joining her parents Tyson and Holly, sister Madison and brother Liam.  Sydney makes 10 grandchildren between both of our own children.  I know how that happens LOL but we certainly never thought we would be so blessed.

A simple card made with Graphic 45's "Little Darlings"

The little blob there..sealing wax with a sentiment stamped in.  Looks a bit better IRL!  

LITTLE DARLINGS COLLECTION (GRAPHIC 45) BABY BOY CARD

Found the inspiration for this by doing a Pinterest search! First time I have turned the time spent "pinning" into an actual project LOL  Simple and straight forward.  Off to a baby shower this afternoon and this does the trick quite nicely!

I used a deckle edged card, CoreDinations card stock, buttons, ribbon and gel pens from my stash, waxed linen thread I found in the DH's workshop (he must have picked that up for me!) and pp's all from the Graphic 45 Little Darlings Collection.

THE MAGIC OF OZ (GRAPHIC 45) - BOOK BOX

I saw a book box sometime ago and knew that this line from Graphic 45 would be perfect for this  With no real directions (but some great pictures from Lesley D! And my poor attempts to convert from a Finnish blog) I managed to get the innards together.  I will finish up the inside cover when I've decided what gift for whom goes in!  It was fun to do something quite different.  Lots of fussy cuts, Stickles, popdots and a flower crafted from binding wrapped around foil.  And last a few Bedazzles in the center of the poppies for some additional sparkle and texture.