Memory Book - Mini Scrapbook

This morning the Papercrafts Blog said it was "National Tell a Story Day". What a perfect day to share about our weekend! Day before yesterday, we traveled to Abilene, Kansas, to share in Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Celebration! What an accomplishment! Us kids (me and my brother and sister) have been VERY BUSY for about two months now...planning the event. The lunch and celebration was at the Brookville Hotel (restaurant), in Abilene. Before the lunch, we went to mom and dad's church service. After the lunch, we went to the park (with most of the relatives) and had lots of family photos taken. The photographer was great! I can't WAIT to see the photos.
During the lunch celebration, my brother shared a slide show in which we all contributed old family photos. It was a beautiful and touching presentation. Also, my Aunt Connie brought some memories to share. She brought some old photos, and some dishes that belonged to their Grandmother. It was so interesting to hear the stories behind the dishes. I think antique dishes DO tell a story. Don't you?
I made this Memory Book (mini scrapbook) (photos below) for mom and dad. I included several pages so that guests could sign the book. It was a BIG HIT at the celebration. Everyone signed the book, and several even wrote down favorite memories. And the funny thing was...I had just the right amount of space for journaling in this book. When mom and dad get their photos developed - they can glue a few of their favorite photos in this book, and viola - a mini scrapbook.
It was a wonderful day and a wonderful celebration. I was so happy to be a part of their day.










Supplies for Mini Scrapbook:
6 x 6 Blank Board Book "Create & Treasure" from C&T Publishing
Beacon's 3-in-1 Craft Glue
Prima Flower (smudged with Distress Ink)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye (smudged on flower, sponged on ALL pages, and smudged on ALL edges and folds of board book)
Paper: The cover and a few pages are K and Company. A few other pages and stickers are Creative Imaginations. The ruled paper (for journaling) is We R Memory Keepers.
Other: Martha Stewart Rhinestones, Lace from Hong Kong (purchased on ebay)

Four Shabby Chic Cards (Archiver's Class)

Here are the four cards I made during the Archiver's Shabby Chic Class last Friday morning. I can't believe this class was a week ago! It seems like yesterday. It is amazing how busy the weeks get in April and May. We are wrapping up the school year and the days just fly by.
I really enjoyed this class. It was such a popular class at Archiver's, they brought it back, due to popular demand. The cards really look better in person, and they are meant to be "shabby", and not perfect. A little messy is a good thing when you are doing this method.
This was the first time I've stamped with paint. There is no ink on these cards. Just Ranger Paint Dabbers (acrylic paint). It was a lot of fun, and it took some getting used to. I never got my card right the first time, and had to flip over and use the other side every time. And boy does it make a mess out of the acrylic stamps!
I also enjoyed using the shimmer paper - I think it looks great with the shabby look.
I really loved using the Hero Arts flowers. We applied the Ranger Rock Candy crackle paint and Distress Stickles on the flowers to make them stiff and shabby.
Another cool thing: we painted the brads (they were originally silver) with the Paint Dabber, let it dry, and then applied Distress Stickles. I will definitely use this little trick on a few other cards.
After the class, I did buy two of the Ranger Paint Dabbers, the Rock Candy, and the Hero Arts collage flowers, so I can try this at home.



Supplies
Cardstock: Antique Gold Shimmer, Arctic Gold Shimmer, Cream linen, Fudge, Lakeshore, Paprika, Royal Purple
Stamps: Hero Arts "Poppy", "Silhouette Vase", "Chandelier", "Truly Appreciated", "Silhouette Spray", "Silhouette Fern", "Huge Hugs", "Antique Engravings"
Ranger Paint Dabbers: Eggplant, Espresso, Gold, Juniper, Sandal
Embellys: Ranger Distress Stickles (Antique Bronze, Dusty Concord, Picket Fence, Spiced Marmalade), Hero Arts Gems, Hero Arts collage flowers, Making Memories 1/8 silver brads
Other: adhesive, glue dots

Fresh Mother's Day Card

Here is the Mother's Day card we will be making at our Girl's Night Out tonight! It is very "fresh", so it is no coincidence that the name of this stamp set is Fresh (not the sentiment).
I love this stamp set! I love doodle-inspired designs. Sorta reminds me of Picasso. Don't ya think? Okay...maybe not. :S
Can't wait to give this card to mom!
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: "Fresh" by American Crafts and "On Mother's Day" by Hero Arts
Paper: White linen by Neenah and Bazzill Berry Sensation
Ribbon: Michael's - Offray
Bling: Flower by Bazzill (hot pink) and glitter dome by Mark Richard's
Ink: Memento Black
Punch: EK Success Open Scallop
Copic Markers: assortment
Other: dimensionals and adhesive

Beautiful Butterflies

A fun and funky card using the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die Cut. This is change of pace...a card for someone who really enjoys a unique pink and green combo. I've always loved pink and green together. Fashion designers used a lot of pink and green together a few years ago (think J Crew, Kate Spade, and Isaac Mizrahi) - and this year they are using a lot of orange with hot pink. Love that, too! I have a card with those colors in mind, as well.
We will be making this at our make and take tonight (Girl's Night Out).

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Strawberry Splash and Intense Kiwi, SU Rose Red, and DSP by Basic Grey "Green at Heart"
Punch: EK Success "Daisy Chain"
Die Cut: SU Bigz Beautiful Butterflies
Big Shot Machine
Cuttlebug Folder: Swiss Dots
Ink: Momento Black
Pearls: Hobby Lobby
Stamp Set: Inkadinkado "Dot Flourishes" and Fiskars "Sweetest Friend"
Other: Dimensionals, adhesive, glue pen

50th Anniversary Wedding Invitations

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been working on mom and dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Invitations! Many of them. Even though it is a simple design...the process was long. And, I'm not even finished making the others, but have made enough to stop and show a few on my blog. For those of you that know me, you know I have to shop around a LOT before I make up my mind about what I will create next. I found some paper at the first scrapbook store...gold and black...and my first prototype just didn't do it for me. Then I went to Archivers and spied this gold and ivory paper, and found this ribbon at Michael's. I thought about embossing "Save the Date" in gold...but was worried it would get lost in the mix. I wanted a very simple design, since I had so many to make. I really wanted a sentiment that said "Golden Anniversary" or "Please Join Us", but this is all I could find. I hope our relatives enjoy getting their home-made invitation.
Supplies:
Cardstock: Ivory linen by Neenah and gold/ivory designer paper from Archivers
Stamp Set: Stampendous "Wedding Words"
Ink: Momento Black
Bling: Metals by Mark Richards (@Michael's)
Ribbon: @Michael's
Other: Nestability frame, dimensionals, and adhesive

On another note...here is a photo of my son's very first baseball game of the season! It is fun to see baseball start up again (although not as fun as basketball...not that I'm biased or anything).
And here is a photo of Lukas getting caught in the act! We can't leave anything, and I mean anything, on the kitchen counter top! Even if it is a non-food item, he will knock it off and chew it up. He is such a little weasel. :-) I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!