Sand of Time Acetate/Transparency Mini Book

Some pictures just tell the whole story. Well, I guess it helps if you are the mom that took the photos. All the feelings of the moment just come rushing back to you. I wanted to tell a little more of a story about my son Jack in a little mini book. I also wanted to play around with acetate a little more. I overlayed each page in transparency sheets and used StazOn ink on them. I love the way the stamped images float over the top of the pictures, leaving them untouched underneath. (See more of my "You" book in my gallery.)

I used The Angel Company's Sands of Time collection and bound the book with the Zutter Bind it All.
The alphabet stickers I used come with the paper and the stamps are from Artsy Elements JustANote(Hostess Set) and This Boy. I did sponge the stickers a little with ink so they were just the right color. I love that trick! I like how the stickers are repositionable, but when I have them right where I want them and I want them to stay put, I add a little adhesive. Designer Dries Clear has a nice small applicator tip for this.

I wanted clear covers that were a little more sturdy, so I used the clear plastic from the clamshell boxes our stamps come in. The top of the box can make a very cool memo board like the one Heather showed us how to make at the Winter Roundup, so I cut out my covers from the bottom of the box.

Stamping on acetate takes a little practice, but I love the results. If the stamp slides a little or you get a smudge, it's actually easy to fix with TAC's stamp cleaner. Even StazOn wipes right off! Hopefully this will inspire you to give it a try. Be sure to post a comment with a link to your creations!

Mulberry Meadow Family Photo Frame

We got this great photo of John with his parents when they were visiting this past Thanksgiving. I printed a 5x7 and it hung around my husband's office for months until this weekend, when I decided this would be a nice Easter gift. We love these floating frames and the combination of the maple wood and the soft colors in the photo goes great with The Angel Company's (discontinued) Mulberry Meadow paper. There are some beautiful feminine florals in the paper as well as some neutral patterns, which is what I wanted for this project.

I cut thin strips of paper and adhered them witha fast drying scrapbooking glue. You miter the corners by adhering the two perpendicular strips in place, but leaving adhesive off the corner area. Then using a craft knife, cut through both layers at a 45 degree angle. This will leave a perfect corner where you can add a bit of glue. I also wanted to add a little more decorative detail, like a scrapbook page, but take advantage of the glass too, so I added family phrases and a flourish with white StazOn. (To prevent placement errors, I stamped on acetate and moved it around inside the frame!) I love how soft it looks and it makes a subtle shadow against the wall.

I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter!

Kamalaht Wine Label Coaster Book

I love carrying around my latest mini books and sharing them with friends. I made three copies of this one so that I could literally share this book and I picture it sitting on my friends' coffee tables as a reminder of the fun times we shared bottling our own wine together. See more of my coaster book here.

I got the idea to use mismatched coasters (you can pick them up at restaurants or order them plain) from my friend Lori, who made me this beautiful book. She has awesome ideas for coasters!

My coaster book uses The Angel Company's Kamalaht paper collection as well as the February vintage stamp of the month and the Wine Labels set that has been retired for a while, but is still in my collection of TAC classic stamps. I used hardware from the Amelia collection and ribbon from a couple of different collections. (Check out TAC's ribbon compatibility chart!)

Another recent project I did was posted on TAC's new Savvy Projects Blog. It's a basket, embellished with Sands of Time paper and filled with little chocolate rocks treats. Go check it out, as well as a ton of other inspiring ideas for spring.

I'm loving my studio, ever since I started my makeover project. It's still in the works, so I'll wait to post full photos, but I just thought I would show you one of my favorite parts: DRAWERS! They are so handy. I can find things fast (and hopefully put them away even faster) and there is a secret spot just above the drawers and under my work surface to store large, flat items like a cutter, Scor Pal and extra work pads. Goodness knows, we need as much surface space as we can find!


PS-Have you checked out Heather's blog? She's giving CANDY!

Make Matching Ribbon with Palette Ink

With all the ribbon I have in my collection, you wouldn't think I would have a problem finding the right match. Has this ever happened to you? I was making this card for a swap (Hi Awna!) and I was out of orange ribbon. The yellows I had just wouldn't work. I needed a plain orange. Well, the answer was as close as grabbing my Palette Orangerie ink pad. I used white flower arranging-type ribbon and a piece of hydra sponge to dye the ribbon right on the pad. Palette ink is great because it's a hybrid between dye and pigment. The colors are so vibrant and it can be used on all sorts of surfaces. The other fun thing I did using my hydra sponge is to add some yellow Paris Lights Palette ink to my glossy cardstock before stamping the chick in Chartreuse Palette ink over the top. It gives the chick a fluffy look that's really fun. Then I just colored in the chick's beak with an orange marker.
Spring is making its way to Colorado. Hopefully it's getting warmer where you are. Yesterday we had the perfect day for our neighborhood egg hunt. (Take a peek here.) Enjoy!

Miss Moxie Die Cut Flower

I have had a daffodil Sizzix die hanging around here for the longest time and have not used it, save for one time when I took it out of the box just to try it out. I did get it during one the the 50% off sales, so I wasn't feeling too bad about it, but I finally put it to good use for this thinking of you card.
I used my new favorite sentiment set, Ordinary Greetings T2881 and my favorite Angel Company paper of the moment, Miss Moxie. Using patterned cardstock gives this flower even more depth and dimension. I also added just a touch of ink to the edges and curled the flower petals so that they come alive. I love how it came out!

PS- Were you wondering why I was quiet for a while? I needed a dose of SUNSHINE!

Flip Flop Amberley Grace Mini Scrapbook

I was so excited to finish this book. I started it in Kansas during team time, sponsored by my upline, Avis. It's the most interesting book. Wait till you see the inside!

Well, the other reason I was so excited to finish it is because it is for my husband's grandmother (or Busha, as my kids call her.) As I write, my husband is making a surprise trip from Colorado to her 90th birthday party in Syracuse, New York and bringing her this gift! I know she'll love the book, which is filled with photos of moments with her and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It will be even more special when my husband delivers it in person to her. Busha traveled to be with us when each of our children was born, is a great gardener and awesome cook. She is so dear to all of us. I had such fun finding photos that celebrate her and the wonderful family she has helped to create.

I originally thought I would use the book for photos of my son. I had collected several with green hues that harmonized beautifully with the Amberley Grace paper. When I thought of Busha, this seemed like an even better use for the book and I decided to print sepia-toned photos so that I could let the paper and the smiles really shine. I just love how it came out.

Wondering what's going on in my studio re-do? My husband stained and installed the cherry shelves last weekend and things are really coming together!

How about my Blog Candy? You saw that Donna knew my favorite TAC paper names. Goodies are on the way to her and a random winner my daughter and I chose:

Mimi C., who said...

Hi Julie, love your blog. You post the most awesome projects and do a great job featuring TAC's fabulous papers. I'd have to say that, as far as names go, I like the Mimi papers the best--'cause I like to pretend they're named after me!

February 28, 2008 4:56 PM

Congratulations Mimi! Email me with your address so I can get you your goodies!

Altered Items with The Angel Company Paper & CANDY

Isn't it amazing how you can start with a simple wooden item, add some of your favorite paper and you end up with a wonderful gift? We exchange 3D gift items like these at our regional Angel gatherings. It is so exciting to see what people come up with that can be stamped on or covered with paper and magically transformed! I found this little box at the Target Dollar Spot and added TAC's Catelynne paper. I love how our Heidi Swapp florals, Bazzill Bitty Blossoms, Making Memories Velvet Brads and TAC's LillyAnna ribbons all match so beautifully with Catelynne!
The box went my friend Christine Chainey, who wasn't able to join us last weekend(we missed you!) but she was still able to participate in our gift exchange. (I hope you liked the box :). I sure had fun making it and was so tickled that you got it!)

I got this beautiful tag heart wall hanging from Barb Foster, who I met for the first time this weekend. Isn't it beautiful?! I LOVE IT! (Thank you, again, Barb! You are so talented!) The paper is TAC's Pop Rockz, which is still on special for a couple more days . . .
OK, want some candy, little girl? Be the first to post a comment including the two TAC paper names that are closest to my heart and why. (This should be easy for you Kansas girls--it was a trivia question in a game we played over the weekend.) Otherwise, post your favorite TAC paper name--not the design but just your favorite name. I'll give out candy for the first correct trivia answer as well as a random winner from the favorite name comments. Have fun!

Meander/Maze Book with Tutorial

I'm just returning from a regional Angel Gathering in Kansas, where I demonstrated how to make this cute mini book. It's made with one piece of 12x12 that is cut and folded in a meandering pattern. It's a lot of fun!

For step-by-step photo instructions on making this intricate but pretty easy project, click here or below on my slideshow. (At my Picasa Album, you can adjust the number of seconds and follow each photo like a hands-on class and, as always, post a comment or email me with questions at paperjewelscards@aol.com I'll be happy to help!)

This cute book only looks difficult! Grab a 12 x 12 and give it a try. You will love the results! Looking for more mini book ideas? Check out my gallery of ideas!

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Pop Rockz Skewer Book

I made this little book on Valentine's Day that has some of my favorite pictures of the ones I love from the past year. I've been learning some new ways to bind mini books (and you all know how much I love mini books!) This one is bound with a hair band and a wooden skewer. I can't wait to show it to the gals in Salina at this weekend's Angel Gathering!

If you'd like to take a peek inside and learn how to make it, click here for my step-by-step photo album. Just click on Slideshow, adjust the number of seconds delay and you can craft right along with the instructions! There's even a show at the end of my finished book, so you can see some of my favorite smiles. Enjoy!
PS- The studio is getting there . . .

Miss Moxie Mini Scrapbook

I had a great time sharing this cute book with Suelyn and her scrapbooking group on Friday night! The idea came from Kristina Werner's Blog. She gives some great instructions, so check them out! I love how the book uses one sheet of 12x12, a few scraps, some ribbon and staples! Of course, I had to add a Bazzill Bitty Blossom, too. (If you're loving this Miss Moxie paper, check out this post for another fun project I did with it, plus it has links to all the coordinated Miss Moxie items that you can pick up on my online shopping site.) Isn't this book fun? You should really try one!

I did another version of this book with pictures of our first family trip to Disney. It's a great size book to share those fun family moments!