DC fold out book

Many, many moons ago.... (okay, it's only been three years) our family took a trip to Washington
D.C. And now, finally, after all my good intentions to get these done the fall we came home, I'm finally going to finish these fold-out memory books for the kids.
This is my big plan for Saturday which I will be spending at the Scrappy Moose Retreat in Delta. It's their 1st Anniversary and the grand opening of their scrapping retreat!
Okay, enough about me...

Here are the details of the project...which is the real reason you peruse this blog, isn't it?
I used three 10" chipboard squares and seven "coordinating" pieces of 12" decorative paper.

The chipboard was cut as follows:
One left intact, as the back and base of the book.
The center pieces are cut in half to two 5x10 rectangles.
The top, or front cover is cut into one 7x10 and one 3x10 piece.
I'd provide the dimensions of the paper, but honestly, I didn't really keep track, exactly... but, I'll do my best here...
A: 8x11 for the large half of the front cover
B: 6.875 x 9.875 and 2.875 x 9.875 to cover the inside flaps of the front cover pieces on both sides
C: 6x11 for one of the inside flaps and 4x10 for the other side of the front cover flap.
D: two pieces 4.875 x 9.875 to cover the inside flaps.
E: One piece 6 x 11 for the other inside flap & to cover the chipboard letters on the front cover.
F: 9.875 x9.875 to cover the inside of the back cover
G: 11" square for the back cover.

The large pieces were wrapped around the chipboard (miter your corners) and the smaller pieces adhered the the "inside."


Sorry if that's not too clear.
I used eyelets and twine to create the bindings and tags leftover from paper packs that seemed to coordinate with my paper colors for my journaling.
I'm hoping to get all four of these done this weekend.
Please leave me a comment (which I love to read) if you need clarification on any of the instructions.
Have a great day and I wish you better success with your good intentions than I seem to experiece with mine, at least, more often than I'd care to admit!


...Oh! For you interested parties, and because you asked for it...
I'll get the directions for the witch hat posted soon! .... Stay tuned!

Treats for your Tricksters, Goodies for your Goblins

I spend a lot of time perusing the internet looking for fabulous ideas that I can use with stamps and supplies I already own. Especially now when more people are trying to save a buck rather than spend a buck. If you don't absolutely LOVE a stamp set, or can't justify it's usability, it's just not worth spending the money for it.

I just can't afford to always get the great new stuff. Maybe that is the reason why I don't get rid of my discontinued stamps. You know, the ones they don't carry in the catalog anymore? I know, as a demonstrator I'm supposed to push *NEW* stuff, but, that just doesn't always work with a particular project I'd like to create. So, I reach for my retired stamps frequently. Sometimes it takes the combination of new and used sets to get the final piece I really want. Most stamp sets just don't come with a great combination of images and sayings. (The big advantage with the creative cling backing on TAC's real rubber stamps is the minimal amount of storage space which enables me to be able to keep such a huge inventory of personal stamps!)

Monday night we will be making some treat ideas for our little goblins.

Hmmm..... but I found such great ideas, I had a difficult time deciding which ones to do....

Should we do something new?

Like this cute pumpkin basket? (I added the cute label on the handle ...with retired stamps.)

Or maybe this cute witch hat with a shrinky-dink spider charm? (a combination of current and retired stamps)

We could always stick with the tried and true favorites...

...a sour cream container (current stamp set)

...or maybe an M&M matchbook (current stamps)

...or a mini candy bar pull (current and retired)

...or a pixie stick pack (current and retired)

...or a candy corn envelope (new stamp, old EKSuccess punches)

We will be doing at least three of these on Monday, but which will they be?

See you at 7!

Back to School

I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. It has always meant Autumn to me, and "back to school" time.

I like to send a small gift to the homeroom teachers the kids will be working with this year. Since those cute small backpacks have been making the rounds on the stamping blogs, I thought this would be a great idea. I put small "Teacher Survival Kits" inside each one. I used one of TAC's retired sets to create a school related background.

I'm back! with LOTS of news!!

Yes, I've been a BAD blogger. But really, when people say, "Family First," do you think they mean it? Well, my life this summer has been all about putting family and family needs first. I did plan a few classes, which were very poorly attended ....or not attended at all. So, needless to say, I didn't really have much to post. Also, I started a new job in June too. Although it's supposed to be "part-time," at 30 hours a week and working till 6 p.m. it may as well be the full-time job it feels like! But, I must say, I really love my job, even if it has limited my time for my creative outlet.

So, the BIG news it that, after 13 years with TAC, I was actually asked to submit some samples for the stamp of the Month for September.

You can check out the ones TAC liked here.

And below are the samples they did not include on their website:

(The first two show outside and inside the card.....)

(So, sometimes, even when I use the preview tool, my pics and text come out kind of weird looking. Sorry about that!)

Here's the last bit of news.....CLASS INFO!!

Tech Tuesdays will continue the first Tuesday of the month. (I will just have to be better organized and of course, have better cooperation from my family.)

So, those dates are:

Oct. 6, November 3, and December 1 all at 7:00 p.m. Come & learn 2 techniques and make an instruction card for your book and a sample greeting card for only $5.

Monday, Sept. 28. Halloween Treats & goodies. 7:00 p.m. $10

Make 3 spooky treats for your special goblins!

Thursday, October 22. Matchbox Advent Calendar. $25

Most of you have seen the candy box.... this one is even bigger!!

Monday, November 30. Calendars. $20

Make 3 calendars, just in time for gift giving for the new year.

Monday, December 14. Frame it up $20

Just in time for those last minute gifts! A great way to display photos is always an aprreciated present!

All classes listed above are limited to 10 people. Reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to class.

Also, mark the date for the 4th Annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

Saturday, November 14 (time & location to be announced later)

Now, just keep in mind.... class dates may change due to school scheduling....

postcards are going out this week!

and one last photo.....

the reason I've been so busy this summer, and the big reason I went back to work...

Rebecca started at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR this fall. Here she is on the beach.....