A Birthday Gift.

Do you ever struggle to find just the right gift for someone special?  A gift card is too impersonal, clothes are tough when you don't know what size to buy . . .  Jordan had this problem for a dear friend's 16th birthday.  I suggested she give a handmade book/journal.  We worked 14 hours over two days to get it finished in time for her party.  I think it turned out perfectly.



Learn Something New

I forgot about this class until about three days in, but I am always behind in any class I take so no big deal.   I got busy and created the first three pages very quickly (unusual for me - I take forever to complete a scrapbook page), then the wheels fell off.  Here is what is completed with journaling.

Journaling is not my favorite part of papercrafting.  But I know in order to finish this project I just have to get something down on paper.

A Mini-Book for Maddie.

Yesterday I needed a bit of inspiration to get me moving again on my "Learn Something New" book I've been working on (more on that later) when I  stumbled on Gigi Kennedy's blog.  All of her papercrafting projects are wonderful, but her "Daily" book is what made me stop everything to make this little book for Maddie.  Maddie loves anything and everything mini.  She also likes to doodle and sketch and write little notes.  This will be perfect for her.  I filled it with her favorite papers, her favorite colors, her favorite stickers, and some of my favorites I think she'll like.  I wanted it to be sturdy enough for her to carry around so after I cut the pages to about 4-1/2" x 3" I glued them back-to-back.  I sewed the papers onto the cover (which is a flash card from Target's $1 spot) and used multiple heavy duty glue dots to be sure the buttons and crown don't easily pop off.  Every other page or so has a sticker from pile Maddie's been hoarding all summer - hippos, penguins, cheetahs, cupcakes, hearts, and flowers.  I hope she adds a drawing or note to the book daily, just like Gigi planned to do with hers.  Thanks, Gigi!!

Finish it Friday - A Year of Musings.

I found this mini book on the American Crafts Blog and just had to make one.  Even though I started five months late, I will complete one of these cards whenever I think of it.  I like that I can record the uninteresting parts of my day as well as those I'd scrapbook.

Mini Album for Teacher.

When I taught religious education classes at our church I received many wonderful gifts over the years, but I always cherished and kept the hand-written notes. I know teachers receive many of gifts throughout the school year and with each teacher I wonder what the best gift will be to say "thank you" at the end of the year. For several years, I've worked with the students to put together a mini album. I ask each student to write a heartfelt note to the teacher and then I pair it with photos of students (and sprinkle extra recess or field trip photos throughout). I have been lucky enough to be a room parent for both of my girls classrooms every year they've been in school which afforded me the opportunity to take many photos. This year I didn't get the room parent designation, but I did chaperone all of the field trips. For this album I was able to work with the kids in the classroom (usually I ask for parent help from home). The teacher was all too happy to spend an hour away from the classroom on a couple different days. The students were eager to work on this project - even making embellishments of birds and flowers. The end result brough tears (of happiness) when Mrs. Meighan read all of the wonderful notes, poems, and songs written by each of her students.

Obviously this is the cover of last years' album.  I knew this teacher loved inspirational quotes so I added them to each page.  I was overjoyed to see this album displayed on a bookshelf in her new home when I visited her recently.

This is from 3rd grade.  Miss MacFarlane called her students her "muffins".  I don't have photographs of any of the other completed albums I've made for teachers, but they've all been received with tears of joy which makes all of the end-of-the-year-craziness worthwhile.

Finish it Friday - JYC/December Daily 2009

FINALLY!!!!  I finished the album I started on Thanksgiving last year.  This one is on my list because I am notorious for starting a project and running out of steam before it's finished.  So I get to cross another one off my list and I get to enjoy a completed album.  There are still a couple of journaling spots left to fill in.  I've saved those for Jordan and Madison to complete this evening.  YAY!!