Mini Album made from blank cards and envelops

The ladybug loves to help bake.  Especially if it involves a lot of taste testing.  She hears the clanging of the mixing bowls and runs to get a kitchen chair and pushes it over to the kitchen counter asking,

"can I help?"  

I wanted to preserve those moments with her in a mini album.

No need to go buy an album.  Gather up cards & envelops left over from other crafting projects and make one! (what better way to use all those extra blank cards and envelops!)

 

 

Let me try to explain how I did this.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures during the process.  

In this picture you can see the cards and envelops used to make the album

To make the album itself I only used cards, envelops and glue dots.  I put the blank cards back to back using glue dots to attach them.  This made the pages for inside the album.  For the covers I used the envelops, and again, glue dots to attach them.

I added a journal spot on the first page, one picture per page through the rest of the album, and a few simple scrapbook embellishments throughout.

A mini album filled with pictures baking with my little ladybug.  

I love those little moments in life.  

I've learned they really are the big ones.

Linking up with
Paper Issues Holiday Hook-Up
Blue Cricket Design
Somewhat Simple
HoH
Paisley Passions Thrilling Thursday

Chalkboard & Pine cone Wreath

Chalkboard pine cone wreath?  

It sounds a little funny when you put them together, but it looks beautiful! 

I found this gorgeous idea over at The Stories of A to Z.  

I was doing those ornaments already, I had left over pine cones from my other wreath, and everything else I already had.  I used wire to secure it all to the wreath.  Isn't the little dove cute?  You can't tell in the picture, but he has a little sparkle to him.  (It's the little things : )

I must admit it is my favorite wreath yet.  Thanks for the inspiration, Beth!

Craft Catwalk and Features {no.6}

Fantastic Ideas found at the catwalk last week...

The Mustard Seed made the most adorable silhouette pillows. 

These are now on my "to do someday" list.

Hallelujahs by Holly shares a beautiful and simple way to embellish a candle.

I do love me some twine!

 

The Magic of Ordinary Things fancied up a pair of shoes with a ruffle.  Love them!

If you were featured, grab yourself a button!

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Now it's time to link up!

Link anything you made or created.  

This is a great way to get some blog traffic, some comment love, and maybe even some followers.

Some things to remember...

1.  Please link to the post you would like to highlight, not your main blog.

Only family friendly content, please.  No shops or items you are selling, please. 

2.  Please visit at least 2 of your fellow party goers, and leave a little comment love.

3.  Please grab the Craft Catwalk button and add it to your post or blog sidebar

(a text link is fine, too)

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Chalkboard Ornaments

I had some clear glass ornaments left over from crafts last Christmas, and I had planned on turning them into little round chalkboards for about a month now.  

Today I had a little time to get them done.  Yay for free time!  

 

My plan is to use these as name tags on top of a couple presents.  

How fun would a chalkboard ornament gift tag be?!  

 

How cute would a tree full of these be?!  So many options!!

But I put a couple of these aside for a beautiful idea I found on another blog.  

I hope to get it done tonight, and if I do I'll post it tomorrow.  

Pine Cone Wreath

I've seen many beautiful pine cone wreaths for purchase in the $40-$50 range.  

I wanted one, but for a little a LOT cheaper.  Over the last few months I've been collecting pine cones with help from the ladybug and the little guy.  

 

other materials needed:

styrofoam wreath
glue gun
brown paint

I painted the styrofoam brown (just in case there were any spaces showing between the pine cones).  After it dried I just started randomly gluing the pine cones on.  I tried to get them as close together as possible.

Easy as pie.  I used a 40% off coupon from Michaels for the styrofoam wreath.  

Total cost for my wreath: $6.  I like my price tag much better!

Linking up with
Be Different...Act Normal
Under the Table and Dreaming
mmm@ CRAFT 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Mad Skills Monday
Young and Crafty Free For All 
Pink Hippo

Shop Special Today Only

Today only I am offering two specials in my shop  

*Get 10 % off your total purchase.  Enter coupon code blackfriday10 at checkout.

*Get free personalization on any keepsake gift tin.  

Names will be cut with my cricut and names are put on top of tin.  

If you purchase a tin, let me know the name you would like on the tin in the buyer message section at checkout.

Giving Thanks

I am blessed with so much more than I could ever fit into a list.  

So these are only a few of the things I am most thankful for today...

• for living in a free country
• for the service men and women who are willing to fight for those freedoms
• for always having food on the table, clothes in the closets, and a solid roof over our heads
• for family who fill our lives with warm moments
• for family who may no longer be with us, but left us with treasured memories
• for chocolate and coffee =)
• for good health
• for ladybug and that she doesn't give up easily, finds excitement in everything, and loves everyone.
• for the little guy and that he loves cuddles, has an endless curiosity, and will try anything.
• for the hubs who is never judgmental and always supportive

 Happy Thanksgiving. 
Hope you're enjoying lots of turkey and stuffing today!

Special Announcement!

I will have two specials in my shop running this Friday only!  

*Get 10 % off your total purchase.  Enter coupon code blackfriday10 at checkout.

*Get free personalization on any keepsake gift tin.  

Names will be cut with my cricut and adhered to tin top.  

If you purchase a tin, let me know the name you would like on the tin in the buyer message section at checkout.

Artsy Crafty Sitcom Feature

I am so excited to be featured today on Suzy's Artsy Crafty Sitcom!  

Head over there today and check it out.  
She does her features with a creative twist. 

While you're over there I'd love, love, LOVE it if you left some comment love on her post!

Teacher Gift Tin

Woo-Hoo!

I finished another gift tin for my shop.

Perfect for a special teacher!

On Friday Somewhat Simple is hosting a holiday boutique!  There will be a variety of shops, and many of them are offering specials that day!!  My shop will be there, and I'll have a special going on too.  I hope you'll come on by and check it out!

Craft Catwalk Time and Features!

Check out these fab ideas from last weeks catwalk...

The Magic or Ordinary Things used her paper supply to whip up a cute centerpiece!

How about some turkey toes?  Sassy Sites made a jar full of them!  Wouldn't they make cute Thanksgiving dinner favors for your guests?

Yesterday on Tuesday made a grateful banner from jean pockets!  Recycling and cuteness factor!

And how CUTE are these little owl hats? (and the cuties in them!)  Check them out at I'm a Yarner

She also has a great tutorial on making fairy wands HERE that is on my "to do" list.

Thanks to all who linked up last week.

  If you were featured, grab yourself a button!

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Let's see what you've got this week!

Christmas Tags

New in my shop...

A set of 8 green and red "Merry Christmas" gift tags,

and

a set of 8 blue and silver "Happy Holidays" gift tags

I finished a teacher gift tin, but I still need to photograph it. 

Tomorrow night come check out the features from last weeks Craft Catwalk, and then link up your newest projects!

Last Name Art

I'm sure you've all seen the name art that's been floating around in the blog world.

If you haven't, these are some links to ones that inspired me...

Right @ Home

Full of Great Ideas

My 3 Monsters

I was just itchin' to make my own after checking out that eye candy! 

I used chipboard and metal letters from my scrap stash, and for the background I used pattern paper.  I had a little photo shoot and cropped the pictures.  Like I've said before I lack the fancy photo editing software, and I'm not familiar with any free and easy to use sites.  So...I copied my pictures into Word and resized them onto one page before printing in black and white.  I did it in color first, but I'm loving the black and white look so much more.

Linking to:
Tatertots and Jello
CRAFT
Craft-O-Maniac
Keeping it Simple

Our Own Family Tree

I can't post the two family trees I'm working on as Christmas gifts, just in case they come and check out my blog.  One of them will have 31 people on it.  It's a bit of a challenge!  

But I figured it was about time I did one for our little family of four.  

 

Many, many years from now our tree will branch out, but for now it's small and perfect.

{Thanks to all who have linked up to the catwalk so far this week!  I will be featuring some of that awesomeness tomorrow!}

Some Cork in My Christmas

This is the other set of cork Christmas tags I made for my shop. 

The cork obsession continues.

Can you believe Christmas is next month already?!

Time seems to fly these days. 

Catwalk and a Little Joy

I told you I have been working on Christmas tags for my shop, and so I'm sharing with you another one I listed today.  You know I love cork, so I've found ways to add some in a couple of my tags.  

Tomorrow I'll post another set of tags with cork.  

Now to the Craft Catwalk...

Link anything you made or created.  

This is a great way to get some blog traffic, some comment love, and maybe even some followers.

Some things to remember...

1.  Please link to the post you would like to highlight, not your main blog.

Only family friendly content, please.  No shops or items you are selling, please. 

2.  Please visit at least 2 of your fellow party goers, and leave a little comment love.

3.  Please grab the Craft Catwalk button and add it to your post or blog sidebar

(a text link is fine, too)

<a border="0" href="http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/search/label/craft%20catwalk" target="_blank"><img src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac214/sbs10/embellishinglife/Embellishing-Life---Etsy-Button1.png" /></a>

Catwalk no.5

Countdown to Christmas

We are so ready for December 1st now that I have our Christmas countdown finished! 

It's made from a cabinet door with bottle cap magnets.  

Each day we will move the proper magnet to the center snowflake. 

I started off with this cabinet door.

 

For the longest time I could not make a solid decision on what I wanted to do with it.  

I was going to make a chalkboard, then  I was going to put a picture in the center, and then I got this idea from The Southern Stamper.

I used scrapbook paper for my center design.  I glued magnets as evenly as possible around the door.

The red bottle caps I ordered from etsy.  

I cut the numbers with my cricut and used mod podge to seal them in the bottle caps.

There is another magnet glued under the red circle in the center of the large snowflake.

I printed "How many days 'til Christmas?" in Word and cut it into strips.  

Then I just glued it into the grove around the door.

I don't know why, but this picture kept downloading sideways!

I like the way it turned out.

(Thanks, Aunt Patty!!!)

 Linking to
Making Mondays Marvelous @ CRAFT
Craft-o-Maniac Mondays
Motivate me Mondays @ Keeping it Simple
Making the World Cuter 
Pink Hippo Party 
Get your Craft on
Take a Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee 
Blue Cricket Design
Whatever Goes @Someday Crafts
Somewhat Simple SYS
Paisley Passions
House of Hepworths
Tatertots and Jello 
scrappy Gifts
Young and Crafty