First Team Meeting - A Gift

Last year was a big year for me as I had several girls join my team, The Handmade Brigade. About a week ago we had our first team meeting at the local coffee house. We introduced ourselves, celebrated our achievements and went over some business and organizational tips to help us on our journey.

 

 

As an appreciation to my newest members I made each of them an altered composition book (inspired by this one from Shirley Ross).  I kept my design the same for all the books only changing the papers and embellishments.

The bracket shape comes from the Art Philosophy Cartridge (p. 55, <Rctngle7>). I cut two pieces, one at 2 1/4" and one at 2 1/2" for matting. The sentiment comes from a previous CTMH and is a perfect reminder for my team. I hope they enjoy their gifts!

Of course in my excitement I realized I forgot to take a team picture! Oh well...I guess we'll get to that next time.

If you are interested in learning more about joining CTMH or my team please visit THIS PAGE.

~Michelle

30 Days of Gratitude - Weeks 3 & 4

Here are weeks 2 & 3 of my 2012 Gratitude Journal (you can click on the photos for a bigger view):

Day 16: My DVR
Day17: Creative Time

Day 18: Girl Time
Day 19: My Chiropractor

Day 20: Healthy Babies & Growing Families
Day 21: Getting out of work early

Day 22: My Parents
Day 23: Lazy Days

Day 24: The Gym
Day 25: Husband that pushes me

Day 26: Kids who like school
Day 27: Our Church

Day 28: E-Meals
Day 29: Pedicures

Day 30: Date Night!

Back Inside Cover



My Journal Closed

I learned a few things while doing this daily journal:

1. Perfect pictures aren't realistic. Use what you have...that's part of documenting the process.
2. Make sure you have strong adhesive to bind the book.
3. With binding make sure to account for the thickness of the pictures/cards...also relates to #2!
4. Jot notes daily and then complete 1 week at a time.
5. Tell the "why." It's easy to write who and what but going a little deeper is what makes this special.
6. Have fun!!
7. Make it an annual thing!!

Here is Week 1 (with album construction) and Week 2.

30 Days of Gratitude - Week 2

Feel free to click on the photo to read the stories.

Day 8: Cuddle Time
Day 9: My Hubby

This week wasn't the easiest. Work was the worst its been in a long time. It wasn't the volume of work or being super busy. It was because of major drama and feeling like I lost a close friend. It certainly was not the way I envisoned my week to go.

Day 10: Sunsets
Day 11: Good Attitude

There were a couple of days where I felt like I had to really think about what I was grateful for. It was a good exercise though and I'm glad Dan and the kids made me think about it each night at dinner.

Day 12: Women's Support
Day 13: Laughter

I could easily have slipped into that dark moody place that nobody likes. But instead, I chose to find something good and focus on the positive!

Day 14: Old Friends
Day 15: Peace

I absolutely L-O-V-E this project! It's fun, it's simple, it's therapy and it's easy! If you want to see Week 1 and my album design please visit THIS POST.

Thanks for looking!

30 Days of Gratitude...A Journal

I was inspired to create a 30 day gratitude journal after reading Cathy Zielske's 30 Days of Thankful blog post. The concept is really easy...each day write about something you are are thankful for and take/find a picture to match. I know a lot of people are doing something similar on FB but I love the idea of having a hard copy with photo reminders...I am a scrapbooker after all!

I created the journal using Vicki W's super easy mini album instructions found HERE. My only changes were that I added several more pages and I attached a ribbon around the outside before applying the scrapbook pages on the cover to create a tie close. I love that it fits 4x6 photos perfectly! I used my Cricut Artiste to cut the shape and title and stamped a background image on the title for some extra depth.

I created a template in word for my journaling blocks (3 x 5 index card) and merged the first two lines to create a larger title block. The date tabs are made using this month's SOTM, Capture the Date. Here are my first 7 entries (my photos in the journal are nowhere close to perfect and I'm totally OK with that!). Feel free to click on the photo to enlarge and read the journaling. Just don't critique my spelling and grammer!:



Day 1: Our House

Day 2: Pizza Night
Day 3: Hot Chocolate & Hand Warmers

Day 4: YouTube Videos
Day 5: Leftovers



Day 6: Voting
Day 7: My dear friend, Mary Ann

 

I look forward to sharing next week's pages. Thanks for checking it out!

Supplies (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Flirty Level 2, Dreamin' Level 2 (retired), White Daisy Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock
Stamps: Capture the Date (Nov SOTM)
Ink: Goldrush, New England Ivy
Other: Cricut Artiste, Chocolate Ribbon, Shimmer Designer Brads, Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel, All Out Adventure Rub-On's (retired)

Paper Piecing With Stamps

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Paper Piecing” Technique as shown on page 27 in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this LINK. While there you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Debi's Blog, you are on the right track!  This technique is highlighted with the Sophia paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop. 

 

To create this journal I used the paper piecing technique on three pieces: the journaling block, Life's Good ticket and Happy Day ticket. To make the the Life Is Good ticket I stamped the same image three times on Sweet Leaf, Colonial White, and Crystal Blue Cardstock. I trimmed the Crystal Blue and Colonial White stamped pieces and adhered onto the base Sweet Leaf stamped image.

Next, I used the same method as above but stamped and heat embossed the journaling block on Chocolate cardstock. Then, I stamped the same journaling image on Colonial White Paper and trimmed around the inside piece to layer on top of the chocolate base image.  I just love the added dimension it gives my journal!

If you would like to see my supply list, please continue reading below.  If not, please continue onto Neely's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Supply List (to view or order the following supplies go HERE):  

Paper: Sweet Leaf (X5639), Chocolate (X5643), Colonial White (1388), Crystal Blue (1292), Miracle B&T (X7133C)

Stamp: You & Me (D1495) *ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH MAY 31*

Ink: Chocolate (Z2111), Crystal Blue (Z2117), VersaMark (Z891)

Other: My Creations Journal (Z1268), White Embossing Powder (Z673), Pearl Opaques (Z1336), 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cocoa Collection Designer Ribbon (Z1316)

Tools: Craft Heater (Z555), Craft Tray (1764), Piercing Tool Kit (Z1114), Craft Heater (Z555), Sponge (Z697)

Thanks for stopping by!  Continue onto Neely's Blog to continue the hop!