DIY File-Folder Mini-Album

"Et tu, Ete?" 

(a play off of the Caesar line, ete meaning summer)

I have been inspired by the work of Elise Blaha and partially coveting her summer journaling kit (which is sold out!) and Leigh Ann of Freckled Nest' s Summer Love Kit. However, money being somewhat tighter (even though I just bought two pairs of shoes today)...I am trying to work with what I have and primarily document life. Thus, the set up of a creative venue for my experiences and/or observations to spill onto as they happen. So so easy!!

First, I took some cute file folders I got for about a $1.29 for a set of 9.

 Aren't they cute? Basically I cut three of them in half so that the left seam remained closed so I could just cut the lower seam to make a booklet. I saved the other pieces to use in different ways or make more journals!

Here is a close-up of the cover title I drew on.

A close up of the binding and top. All I did was use my crop-a-dile to punch holes in all of my papers. A regular whole punch would suffice. I used binder rings, but ribbon would be just as cool!

(I scalloped the top edge and went hole punch crazy)

Here are the first pages to be embellished and journaled over. I like this binding because you can continue to add stuff and rearrange as you see fit! My opening divider is a coffee cup holder.

I used these month pieces from an old KI Memories kit and the backing is from one of my pay stubs through my now defunct Thursday job at the college. Let's not forget the trusty masking tape!

The left sheet is from a vintage children's book and then a paper bag with the top open to hold ephemera.

This page is cut from a 92nd Y catalogue.

This is another piece of one of the  file folders to hold various other pieces to either use in the journal or to keep as treasures.

This is a work in progress, but I hope you are inspired to join the creativity!

And, to top it all off, as I have been posting I added some more stuff since I got my (perfectly fitting) ephemera pack from the all-too-awesome Rachel!! 

"I Dream" Mini-Book

One of the themes of late is to not only dream big, but write it all down if one hopes to have one's dreams manifested. Thus, I have been busy writing lists, making plans, and of course focusing my energy on making things happen in life! On thursday I rummaged the dollar bin at Michael's and bought a few chipboard albums made by crayola--score! On friday I brought some goodies over to Cyndy 's and we made some scrapbook/art journal mini-books! There is nothing more fulfilling than making art, memories, and documenting life...whether it be the one we are living or want to!! I hope you enjoy what I came up with! Oh, and mind my stream of consciousness journaling! haha

Inside Cover: "the life i imagine is often simple, but full of experiences, love, laughter, creation, family, peaces, and fulfillment..."

my ideals (as in what I would like to learn)

"i want to always find humor--be in touch with G_d and the universe. I want to spread positive energy--educate the future, give back to my world--remain proactive, humble, and clear in thought and heart--take risks and experience life--travel--learn--share--explore" 

to be more in touch with nature and spend more time outdoors!

"divine calling"= motherhood

some of my goals as a teacher...

some craft goals

back cover!

Made with a KI Memories kit I received as a gift, random embellishments, and a trusty slick writer and zig pen! : )

Spring Cropping...

I always mean to scrapbook, but rarely do....I always mean to post about them...but rarely (if ever?) do...and what is funny is that the whole reason I blog is related to my love of scrapbooking...of documenting life and beauty and focusing on poignant moments... so here are two layouts I finally did and feel are kind of finished. I miss this hobby so so much and hope to keep up with some of my thoughts and experiences in a more artistic manner once I get my studio organized...or at least in workable condition!!

I definitely heard Trent Reznor singing in the back of my head as I titled this page...but really this is about manifesting the things you want out of this life. I realized through many 'signs' recently, that it is extremely important to have a clear vision of what you hope for and let it out to the universe in some shape of form. I started to concoct lists that are more focused and tucked them behind the photo with a paper clip so that I could re-read them and add more wishes. One mini-goal is to actually photograph my layouts and mini-albums to put out there and not fear baring myself.

This page, ironically, also has a title derived from music in some way. One of my favorite bands, Camera Obscura has an album entitled "Let's Get out of the Country"--and such is the message behind this page. I took the photo with my gorgeous vintage globe and wrote about places I've been, how I feel about travel, and (tucked behind the photo with the woodgrain flap) is a list of places I want to go!!

To manifesting our dreams!

RVA Pretty Class: Color Me Happy Album

Yay, I finally finished the first class project for the Red Velvet Art online workshop! I will leave this as a picture heavy post and will probably add more details on my flickr album if anyone is interested! The theme is about things that make yo happy, and I sure need something to look at for instant happiness!!

Broke out my sewing machine for a slightly frustrating binding! Cover is made with part of a cereal box covered in strips of felt. The binding is simply twine and then the lovely pom pom embellishment!

To always finding reasons to be happy!

THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS...

The whole being home, in pain, and partially useless has been giving me anxiety and making me go stir-crazy..I think I finally get the true meaning of cabin fever...I love being home, but not home and in pain, not home because I don't have much of a choice. Either way, I am trying to make the best of the situation...so I made some ugly red-velvet cupcakes on Wednesday and got to see my love Jessica from Nebraska, drove for the first time in almost a week on Thursday, but perhaps pushed myself too far and am suffering today. Dreading having to go back to work....stress....oh yeah, I forgot, this is the happy place!!!

So here are happy/therapeutic things I have been working on...

These are the finished dog silhouettes I made for my dad and step-mom. The first is of Theo, and the second is Vincent!

Then there is a Work In Progress:

Here is the cover...

This is "My 27th Year" mini-album in progress. I am using a clear Maya Road album with divider pages. Supplies on this page are from K&Co, Bam Pop, Making Memories, Love Elsie, Heidi Swapp, Sassafrass Lass, Hambly, and Martha Stewart.

This is the inside cover.

Page 1:September and October

Page 2: November

And some other random happiness:

THE GREATEST ORNAMENT EVER!

...and outside my window today...

If only I had the strength and guts to go play out there! Sigh. To taking it easy when your body says so.

KARMIC GOODIES: SCRAPBOOKING PRODUCTS EDITION PART I

I've been meaning to share some goodies of the scrapbooking (LIFE ART ) kind for some time, but in my compiling of information I became overwhelmed with HOW much I have gathered over time, and how many companies I hold dear to me. Though I am not nearly as prolific with my scrapping as I would like, I still consider it more than a hobby. I fell in love with scrapbooking as artform when I discovered Creating Keepsakes around 7 years ago. Prior to that I still found documentation, ephemera, photographing, and cherishing memories incredibly important, but it wasn't until discovering those magazines, places like Two Peas , and people like Ali that I learned how to combine my many loves, needs, and hopes. The coolest part has been watching all of the products that have come out through the years and the companies that continue to wow me!! Here is some eye-candy and hopefully some inspiration to show others how artistic and awesome scrapbooking can be. (Eventually I will take decent photos of my pages to post...it has been long enough!)

HAMBLY 

I just got each of these 'screen prints' and I CAN'T wait to use them. Hambly amazes me constantly with their graphic styles, bright colors, transparencies, and overall coolness!! Yum!

SASSAFRASS LASS 

Hands down, Sassafrass Lass is amazing! I am speechless when I dig through their products! It's as if my heart and imagination were poured out onto pages. I have been coveting many of their recent products and got my hands on the above recently. I ADORE their vintage whimsical style and graphic designs, plus everything is so well made!! Check out their site for some eye-candy galore!! You will want to eat gum drops and frolic on dewy grass afterwards!

COSMO CRICKET

I always liked the nostalgic style of Cosmo Cricket, but lately I am amazed at the artistic and illustrative spirit they are taking with their new line!! The paper above is SO hard to get right now!! I just want to drift away in this dreamscape sea! 

JENNI BOWLIN 

I loved Jenni Bowlin when I would see her work in magazines and even when she designed for (what seems pretty much defunct) Lil' Davis Designs...and then she started her monthly kits that I desperately coveted. Over about the last year her site has been updated and so has her amazing vintage inspired line of products. I am so happy to see her have creative ownership and continue to develop items I want all of the time. I recently got these calendar pages and can't wait to document a year! 

7 GYPSIES 

These two products don't even closely exhibit the amazingness that is this scrapbook legacy. 7gypsies is one of my favorite lines of all time. Essentially their style is a mix of vintage, romantic, worldly, and practical. They are basically the company you constantly go to for essentials or those special touches for a project. The first picture is of one of their Gaffer tapes that I have used immensely. The second I got in the mail today and they are truly delicious. 

BAM POP 

Aren't these the CUTEST?? I flipped when this company started about a year ago or so. I recently ordered more of the above frames, and desperately want these little 'ninguins'!! What's not to love about BAM POP?? I mean, they are bright, cute as heck, unique, retro, and, my favorite: THEY HAVE ROBOTS EVERYWHERE!!! Sigh....beautiful paper and patterns makes me want to cry! (Tears of joy of course!)

ASIDE: Today I am thankful for former students who I see succeeding in the world (and telling me I helped along the way); meeting my friends Unique ad Tim's baby Violet (such a cute and mellow baby!!); eating at my dear Marie's and seeing my sweetie pie friend Geoff-- film maker, producer, community organizer, event organizer, and sometimes waiter extraordinaire!

Much love everyone!! Remember, it is great to look back on your life and see art!