Yellow Envelope Mini - Album

I ran into my pal Connie at the scrapbook store yesterday and she showed me an adorable envelope album that she learned how to make recently.  I loved the concept because you can store additional photos in the envelopes.  I also thought it would be an easy project to teach.  My church's women's ministries is having a "Crafternoon" next weekend and I will be sharing about scrapbooking.  I had been formulating my project in my mind, but threw it out completely when I saw the envelope album.  This is my finished album, which I will probably give to my mom, since yellow is her favorite color.  The version I created for "Crafternoon" is three panels rather than five.

The envelopes are approximately 5 3/4" by 4 3/8".  The envelopes Connie used were larger.  The paper is by Authentique.  I purchased single pieces from the line at the scrapbook store.  It caught my eye because of the color, but also the paper is textured.  When I went to the fabric/ craft store to pick up some muslin, they had the same paper in a paper pad.  It wasn't textured, but there were a couple pieces that the scrapbook store didn't have.  They also had similar Authentique paper pads in pink and blue -- very cute!  The crocheted ribbon for the cover I bought at the fabric store too.  It happened to be sitting on the cut table when I was having the muslin cut. . . it was meant to be in this book!

Menu Board

So, with school starting and all, I have not been crafting or scrapbooking as much as I'd like.  I did take the opportunity the long weekend presented to make a menu board inspired by a few different things I've seen on Pinterest. 

I used materials from my stash, including an old 16X20 frame I found in the garage -- not even out of the plastic!  I spray painted it yellow to match my kitchen.  I covered the backboard with burlap and I used paper and embellishments from an old Cosmo Cricket line.  I'm pleased with the results.  I already put this week's menu on it.  Now, I just need to hang it up!

Elisa's Baby Shower: Part 2

Today Elisa's family threw a shower for her and Rick.  Elisa looked adorable in her hot pink shirt with a hot pink and black flower in her hair.  I made a scrapbook for her in those favorite colors.  It is very girly girl!  I used lots of feathers and bling.  I always enjoy creating with pinks because I almost never work with them! ;)  Being the mother of three sons I don't get to do girly.  How did I do?

Elisa's Baby Shower: Nursery Letters and Baby Outfit with Flower Broach Wardrobe

Last night my AMAZING bunco group had a surprise baby shower for Elisa.  It was tricky, since it was her turn to host.  Guinn suggested we each made wall art letters in Elisa's nursery colors: black, white, and hot pink.  I made X, Y, and Z.  The completed alphabet was so beautiful!  I am so lucky to have so many fabulous and creative women to hang out with.

I had purchased this cute outfit for the baby a few weeks ago. 

It needed a little dressing up, so I made flowers (not my area of expertise, but I tried) to attach to the outfit.  Here's what I did:

I used about 18 - 20 inches of ribbon for each flower.  First, I made a running stitch about an 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the ribbon I was using.  Then, I pulled the thread to gather it. (This is a technique I learned on Pinterest!)  I glued each flower to a half-dollar sized circle of felt.

Next, I added a little button or bauble to the center of each.  I used buttons, a brad, an iron-on patch, and a metal embellishment.

After that, I glued a velcro dot to the back of each flower.
 
Last, I stitched a velcro dot to the outfit.  

Elisa can easily remove the flowers for washing.   Now the baby has a flower broach wardrobe!

P.S. Elisa was very surprised!  It was the MOST fun!

Plant Hanger

I found these at the Goodwill:

I saw this on Pinterest:

It is a Kokedama String Garden created by Kate Pruitt for Design Sponge.  Click the picture for the "How-To" by Kate.



With a little black spray paint, some moss, soil, and cute little fern, this is my result:

The Butterfly Tray

I found this at the Goodwill:

It is a truly ugly (to the point of being almost creepy with the dead bugs) tray.  When I picked it up I was thinking of turning it into a picture frame.  I liked the round shape and the glass was intact, which was a plus.  I realized that if I flipped the backing over it created about a quarter inch space between it and the glass -- shadow box!

With some paint, a special photo, and embellishments, this is the result:

I used a photograph of my boys taken by my friend, Michele Hartman.  Check out her photography at http://michelehartmanphotography.com/. 

Pinterest and Philippians 4:8

My Pinterest addiction has renewed my creative energy. I have churned out projects this summer that would awe Martha Stewart. I have ventured into the thrift stores of my fair city and asked myself, "What the heck is this and what can I do with it?"

I will be posting those adventures here along with photos.  I have a couple friends asking to join me on my junking trips.  I will be glad for company.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I found this at the Goodwill:

It is a picture frame that conceals a photo album. I thought, "Awesome! With a little paint this would make a great shadow box.

I saw this on Pinterest:

It was pinned from the blog, Family Bees.  Jenny created this poster using digi pictures from Amanda Heinmann. Click on the picture for a link to Family Bees' post.

With paint, fabric, and paper this is my result:

Many thanks to Jenny for creating such an adorable poster!