paper ADVENTure

the month off from knitting and stitching has been good. really good. the days have taken me in all different directions from mothering sick ones to rediscovering creative loves to celebrating a new year of living. and while I started stitching again last night, I'm desiring a little more balance in my creative life going forward (more on this in another post).

the projects I created in February, for myself and my ADVENTure, all centered around my love of paper and memory keeping.

:: project 1 ::

I drew inspiration from Stacy Julian's book Big Picture Scrapbooking for this mini-scrap for a *L* in my life. I covered these outback steakhouse coasters with pretty papers on one side and her name on the other and a ribbon running through all. my hope is that she captures a few special memories here.

:: project 2 ::

after making these, I decided a special someone might enjoy the gift of cards, so I've started a "year of cards" collection for this gift. each time I make cards, I'm making a few extra and tucking them away. this month I added valentines and thank you's.

:: project 3 ::

this year (february 2011 to february 2012) I'm moving one of my scrapbook ideas from the "to-do" list to the "to-done" list. the skeleton frame is now complete for my "all about me at forty three" scrapbook.

my desire is to not only capture special moments but also special "things" about me at this age. growing up I don't remember thinking of my mom as a woman with hopes, dreams, wants, and needs of her own...she was just "my mom." some day my boys may look back on these years and say: "mom was always creating something; and she had these friends online that she cherished; and why did she take pictures of the mundane in our life?" this scrapbook is intended to explain some of that.

tip of the month: start thinking about the holiday sweet treats you love and love to make. some of the recipes you love to eat may not be the same ones you love to make.

like baking cookies? pick your three favorite recipes, and stick with those. holiday baking doesn't have to be about ten different varieties and the stress they bring with them!

and for those of you looking for a new recipe...you may want to bookmark these for future use- peppermint whoopie pies.

I know many of you have been diligently creating for your own ADVENTure. link up with others to share your thoughts and ideas. please remember to link to your specific post(s) that are ADVENTure related.

string of hearts

my shutdown on knitting and cross stitching has allowed me time to create with paper. the stringed hearts here and here, gave me the inspiration I needed for my valentines. thank you friends for all the inspiration you so willingly share!!

supplies:

white cardstock

red cardstock

pink cardstock or pink note cards

white pearle cotton thread- one 10" piece per card

needle

pop dot

tape

cricut cutting machine*

*I used my cricut machine with the "beyond birthdays" cartridge to cut 6- 1" white hearts and 1- 1.25" red heart for each valentine. If you don't have this machine you can use your computer to create or hand cut the hearts.

the process goes like this:

* cut enough 1" white hearts and 1.25" red hearts out of cardstock for the number of cards you'll be making. (6- 1" white hearts and 1- 1.25" red heart per card)

* using the threaded needle, string hearts on cotton thread in order- three white, one red, three white.

* attach the string of hearts from the front side of card to back.

* tie a knot at the end of each side of thread on back of card. put a small amount of tape over knot.

* once you have the hearts in a position you like, add a pop dot to the back of the red heart and attach to the card.

* write greeting and share generously.

it's here!

it's here! december is finally here! happy December 1st! this morning we were blessed with a front that finally brought us cold temperatures and snow! a wonderfully beautiful day of snow flurries provided the perfect weather outside for me to stay inside and craft. in my hour, I created a sweet little gift to let two special young ladies know we're thinking of them!

Supply list: cottage christmas card stock sheet and card stock for matting purchased at Archiver's, adhesive, paper trimmer, xyron lamination, magnet buttons, plastic boxes and ribbon for mailing.

Directions: cut, mat, laminate, add magnets, enjoy!

over the next two weeks, I'll be finishing up my ADVENTure 2010, and (of course) sharing my final projects with you here. my year long project of making gifts, paper projects, and home decor items will come to a close. some of the planned projects will need to be put on the shelf and considered for next year, which makes me sad. but this has been one amazing adventure and I'm so excited to share all the gifts I've created. these advent magnets were made and mailed today, so it's not too late for you to create an easy project! go. now. create.