Tim Holtz Configurations Box

Ever since I saw these shadowboxes at Paper Mermaids, I just had to have one! Tim Holtz Configurations boxes come in several sizes and can be configured any way you like. Once you like how your little boxes are laid out, you can start gluing your boxes to the base of the shadowbox. Some people use tissue tape to hold all the boxes in but don't apply any glue. Personally, I like knowing that my project is made as sturdy as possible, so I use tissue tape AND glue to secure all the little boxes.

Anyhoo, I had this idea to make something for my in-laws that showcased all the things that were important to them. My MIL let me use all these cute West Highland Terrier pins which was perfect, as I know how much they love Westies. I used some shells I got from Paper Mermaids, along with some fun metal letters to create the words "joy" and "love." I really liked how this box turned out and can't wait to start a smaller one that I've stowed away!

Supplies:

Tim Holtz Configurations Box
Tim Holtz Tissue Tape
Tim Holtz Foundation Feet, Curio Knobs, and Corners
Prima Flowers
Bo Bunny Trinkets

Breast Cancer Survivor Scrapbook

Late last year, my family and I got the news that one of our relatives was diagnosed with breast cancer. This revelation sent a shockwave throughout and not to mention, quite a bit of prayer. Despite the harshness of chemotherapy, my Auntie has been doing much better. Her faith and sense of humor have kept her going all this time, so I wanted to give her one more thing to smile about.

"Words To Live By" is the theme of this scrapbook. In addition to several inspirational words, the scrapbook is packed with lots of quotes and pictures of all of my aunt's sisters, their families, and her parents. Here's the cover, along with a few pages:

Supplies:

Bazzil Just The Edge

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Martha Stewart Custom Stamping Set

Retirement Card

For the last few decades, John Baker has directed the Rex Putnam choir from Milwaukie, Oregon. The choir has won state several times, and if you've ever heard them in person, it's no wonder why. I've been fortunate to hear the Rex Putnam choir sing at the First Presbyterian Church twice, with the most recent performance being the most emotional.

This year marked John's final year as choir director, so a retirement party was in store. My mom-in-law asked me to create a card for John, which I was more than happy to do. I wanted to make something that expressed deep gratitude for all that Mr. Baker has done versus something that focused merely on retirement, as I know John would do this for the rest of his life if he could.

Supplies:

Graphic 45 - Curtain Call paper
Prima flowers
Martha Stewart punch around the page
Tim Holtz bingo letter
Bazzil Just The Edge
Martha Stewart Custom Stamp Setting Kit

Birthday Card

Here's a birthday card I made for one of my cousins. I went to my Prima flower bucket for more flowers and this time, used some tulle embellish a Graphic 45 image. I used an alphabet stamp set from Martha Stewart to create the sentiments, which I distressed and then inked. To add a little glimmer, I applied some glitter to the picture that complimented the other colors on the card.

Supplies:

Martha Stewart Custom Stamp Setting Kit
Prima Flowers
Teal Pearls
Graphic 45 - On The Boardwalk paper
Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Beach Card (my first card!)

One day I thought I'd try to make a card. I looked at my little collection of paper and embellishments, and decided on a beach theme to hopefully entice the card recipient into a future trip to Newport. I chose blue and green flowers from a bucket of Prima flowers that I got from Paper Mermaids. I then attached some shells, a Graphic 45 tag, and some fun orange netting. I inked a chipboard frame, a steampunk image I stamped, and all the flowers.

Lemon Bar Tags

I was feeling so grateful to the ladies at Paper Mermaids for all the neat tips and inspiration they gave me, that I wanted to give back somehow. And what a better way than lemon bars!! (I figured it would count as a Happy Mother's Day gift as well.) To dress up my lemon bars, I made each lady a tag, using as many Paper Mermaids supplies as I could. The paper I used was this fun shabby chic style that was also double-sided. The birdies were part of a chipboard sticker set that I thought were so cute. I used my favorite crochet ribbon along with two other favorite embellies: pearls and Prima flowers! I inked the edges using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Rusty Hinge, my top distressing color. I love tags and hope to make many more in the future!

Fairy Jar

Since it had only been a month or so that I discovered Paper Mermaids, I thought I'd scour their Facebook page to see what kind of projects and classes they offered in previous months.

The project that caught my eye immediately was a beautiful Fairy Jar. It wasn't much longer that I started grabbing an empty glass jar, yarn, cardstock, and an old photo. I first cut out an old picture and a butterfly from some cardstock. I glued the butterfly behind the photo to create my fairy's wings. Then I stamped a piece of paper with a Tim Holtz crown stamp, cut it out, and attached it to the fairy. I stuck a bunch of unruly yarn around the fairy to create a bit of a moss effect. I glued some beads to the inside of the jar, then inked a tag and wrote some scripture on it.

The back of the jar:

The side:

For the top of the container, I cut a round piece of cardstock and poked holes through the paper. (Fairies, like ladybugs or caterpillars or any other small living creature, need to breathe, too!) I attached an orange Prima flower, a few bits of bling, and another joyful saying.

The finished project!

OSU Football Scrapbook (my first scrapbook!)

My sister's birthday was coming up, and I while I already had a birthday present in mind, I also wanted to give her something a bit more "homegrown." I instantly thought of a scrapbook - but what of? I went back and forth on what the theme of my sister's scrapbook would be ... sisters ... girlfriends ... inspirational sayings ... but none of those ideas seemed right. Then I had the idea to make her a scrapbook where she could place future pictures from the 2011-2012 OSU football season, which will be her first year as a season ticket holder.

Well ... I got to thinking about it more ... and I felt like it would mean a lot more to her to have a completed scrapbook versus one she would have to add to later. So then I started thinking about the whole sisters/inspirational quote idea again. As I started looking for photos, I stopped on a bunch of pictures from my sister's first Beaver game last October. Then the big idea hit me: Therese's First Beaver Game!

I visited Paper Mermaids for some fun orange and black ribbon, rhinestones, paper, and embellishments, not to mention, the mix-matched shaped album I used.

In addition to photos, I also included my sister's ticket from the game!

Here's what the front and back look like: 

I had so much fun making my first scrapbook, knowing that it was going to my sister, and that it was about an event that was really special to her. I can't wait to make her another one some day!

Welcome!

Ever since I can remember, I have always appreciated a handmade gift. Whether it was a card or even the creative way a gift was wrapped, I was always touched by how carefully and thoughtfully it was made. Yet, the crafty world was big and intimidating, and I saw few creations that truly inspired me.

Last Christmas, some girlfriends of mine made me a wonderful journal filled with 52 weeks' worth of devotionals. Each friend contributed to the creation of this awesome book, which featured various page layouts, designs, photos, and themes. I was so touched by their thoughtful gift. Every time I pick up the journal, I feel like my friends are right there with me.

I believe that's when my desire to give handmade gifts came alive.

Since then, I dabbled at first with a shadowbox, and got introduced to the insanely addicting world of scrapbooking. For a long time, scrapbooking and any sort of papercrafting bored the heck out of me. I was never impressed with scrapbooks and found so many of them to be bland and lacking any real purpose for existence. Then I discovered Paper Mermaids - a fabulous little scrapbooking store here in Newport - and was instantly hooked (not to mention, a "missing person"). Aisle after aisle contained a litany of beautiful paper, embellishments, and real projects that the ladies finished. I was amazed at how beautiful and artistic their creations were and suddenly wanted to do the same.

To help chronicle my journey through scrapbooking, I've decided to start this blog, which I hope to fill with lots of photos, instructions, and all other kinds of helpful information. Thank you so much for visiting my blog - happy crafting!