2012 Christmas Mini Album

  Welcome paper lovers, today I have a mini Christmas album I made. I found this house shaped chipboard album by Crayola while going through my.....mess of supplies. I think I picked it up from the $1 bins at Michael's. See hoarding oops I meant saving scrapbook supplies is good!

                                                                    

I wanted to put a quick book together for our holiday photos this year. So I pulled out my Cricut and my trusty old Joys of the season cartridge and got to work.

To make it simple and fast I went with the same design for every page.

           Using different colored papers, I cut a square mat for each page. Then I scalloped and inked the edges of the mats. Next I cut a strip of paper and tri-folded the paper to fit on top of the scalloped mats. Now I have room for lots of photos!

I added a brass brad and slider to hold down the tri-folds.

  For the cover of each tri-fold I cut a different Christmas "do-dad" like the ornament below and glittered it up. Each tri-fold is like a little book....just waiting for pictures to fill it up!

  I wrapped some frilly Martha Stewart Eyelash yarn around each tri-fold to add some texture.

     For this project I used Authentique paper from the Festive line.  What great quality paper. This is the kind of paper that just makes me want to create something special. I also used some We R Memory Keepers paper from the Peppermint Twist line another great line of paper. All the paper for   this project was purchased at Paper Daisies

 Thank you for stopping by, let me know what holiday projects you are working on or what line of paper is motivating you to get creative.  Have a great day, Lori                                                                            

The Grammy Tree

  Welcome paper lovers, another holiday decorating post today. One of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season is decorating the Grammy tree. When my sister and I were just beginning to build our families, my Mom (Grammy) suggested we start a tradition of drawing names and making the person an ornament. I have so many really "creative" ornaments from my family that I absolutely  cherish. I don't know what means the most to me the memories of making the ornaments, the stories behind each one or the ornament itself. Good thing I don't have to choose.

  Every year my Mom also makes my kids an ornament that has something to do with an interest of theirs. Each ornament is so special to me that many years ago we decided we needed a Grammy tree to showcase and celebrate each decoration. Every year when I hang each decoration she has made on the Grammy tree, I can feel my Mom's love for us. It's the best way to start off the Christmas season.

This sweet little rocking horse and Teddy Bear started off the collection.

  As much as I would like to tell the story behind each ornament, it would make for a fairly long post!! Instead I will let the pictures tell the stories.

  Below are some Christmas Kleenex boxes Grammy made.

  The decoration in the above photo is 23 years old, my sweet baby boy. Christmas is all about family for me, something my Mom has passed on to me and I hope I passed on to my boys.

  Below is the Night Before Christmas book from when my sister and I were kids. I love that my Mom saved this. I can remember my parents reading it to me, making sure I didn't tear the pages, and then reading it to my loveybugs when they were little. And yes the picture is blurry, just noticed that! Oops.

  The Nativity scene my parents got for me.....I guess I dropped enough hints about wanting it that year!

  The rocking horse my parents got for us, just happens to be a favorite : ) of mine.

  And there is a shot of the Grammy tree. My most favorite Christmas decoration in the world!! Thank you for indulging me. I love sharing the Grammy tree!!

  Here is Bella Grammy's baby and Dexter's partner in crime. Grammy doesn't craft as much now that she is 79, but we stay busy taking our canine babies to the doggie park. I am so thankful we live close and have this time together. Grammy, Pookie (my sister) and I are busy planning our Christmas menu, cooking for loved ones is another favorite pastime we share. Oh and eating we love doing that together too!!

  Thank you for stopping by, I would love to hear your favorite family holiday traditions, please leave a comment. Have a great day, Lori

                                                                 

A Pookie Post - Christmans Mini Album

  Welcome paper lovers. Today I have a project my older sister made. Marvin's other daughter!  My older sister's name is Julie but my youngest son called her Pookie when he was just a baby and she has been Pookie ever since! Actually she is my only sister I just like to point out that she is the elder of the two of us. She loves that about me!!

   This is an adorable festive mini album Pookie made from a kit she purchased at Paper Daisies. The book is designed by Darlene, one of the many talented teachers they have at Paper Daisies. Pookie added a lot of her own special touches throughout the book.

   Below is a shot of the accordion style book.

 Above is a shot of page one and two. Below page three and four.

 Below a picture of pages five and six. Pookie added lots of tags for photos or journaling.

  This book is just to cute!!

Above pages seven and eight. More tags tucked into all the pockets.

  Below is a picture of the back of the album. Finished off with bright Christmas colors.

            My sister has incredible creative talent! I can't wait to showcase more of her work here on the blog!

We are going to list this mini album on Ebay later this week. Check back for the link to the ebay listing on Wed. afternoon.

Thank you for stopping by!
   Have a great day, Lori!

Deck the Halls - The Mantel

    Welcome paper lovers. No paper projects today, I have been busy decking the halls. If you are not yet in the holiday mood, prepare yourself for some major holly jolly! Today's post features...drum roll please.......my fireplace mantel!!! Ta Da!! I should say my new fireplace mantel. This past fall my husband cheerfully : ) built a new 10" deep fireplace mantel to replace the old 5" deep mantel. I of course felt obligated to fill it up Christmas decor!!!

    The above photos were taken at night and the photos below are some daylight shots.

 Close ups of the many Christmas goodies filling up the mantel.

Click on pictures to enlarge

  Below is a photo of the frame I painted for our old mirror. I saw a mirror on Pinterest that inspired me to finally go for it. We had the (frameless) mirror for decades hanging above the fireplace. For years I have wanted to frame it. So when we did the mantel we knew we had to update the mirror too! We picked up some boards at Home Depot, came home and built the frame. I whitewashed the frame, let it dry and then stained it with an oak stain. Let the stain dry and then I sanded the boards to rough them up a bit. I then stenciled the diamonds on it and sanded it one more time. I put a matte sealer on it to finish it off. I love the way it turned out! Let me know what you think of it.

  Below is a picture of our Christmas tree. I an always working on getting a good shot of the Christmas tree. Photographing in low light is a struggle for me, but here is my best shot of the tree so far this year.

  My absolute favorite decorating item this year is glittery mesh. I have been using it everywhere.  The mantel, wreaths and outside in my window box. The possibilities are endless! 

  Just want to give a shameless plug to RealDealsReno, their beautiful store displays inspired my mantel this year. If you live in the area check out this store they have great home decor deals!

  Thank you so much for stopping by, I have some more Christmas decorations I plan to post over the next few days, so please check back.

Have a great day!   Lori