Christmas Gifts

My grandparents are always difficult to shop for during the holidays - they go out and buy whatever they need when they need it. My mother-in-law is another one that is super difficult to buy for.  All of them like to stop at yard sales and at second hand stores and have houses that are full of "stuff". 

This year I thought I would be a little more creative with the gifts that we give them.  About a month ago, I told my husband that I was going to make two albums (one for the grandparents and one for the mother-in-law).  The plan was to include photos that I've taken during the last year - starting with last Christmas.  I know they will all love it and hopefully it will start a tradition for years to come. 

I've gone through our pictures and selected just the right ones.  I've chosen some patterns from the fabulous Close To My Heart How-To books.  Now, I need to get busy and get some scrapping done and put the albums together!  We're celebrating with my grandparents next Saturday!

As I am trying to get inspiration for the next pages, I thought I'd share my just completed Easter layout.  We have Easter at our house every year and invite both sides of our families.  This year, my cousin Heather was visiting from Las Vegas.  This layout is for my grandparents book.

Supplies Used:
Paper - Colonial White CS, Garden Green CS, Veranda B&T
Stamp Set - Baroque Alphabet, The Present
Ink - Cocoa
Other - Mocha Opaques, Designer's Calendar Cricut Cartridge, Cherish - Fab Fifteen

Stay tuned for more layouts to come!
Wendy

Stationary Box

This project started as a possible gift for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, things kept popping up and I didn't get it finished in time. It's finally finished and I think it's going to be my contribution to the door prizes for an uncoming fundraiser that I'm doing!


I got the directions here and would like to say thank you to Jackie Topa for writing these up.  I changed things up just a little bit.  I placed a post it note pad where the instructions say to place the address book and stamp envelope.  Instead of including the address book and stamp envelope, I made a date book that fits in with the standard size cards and envelopes.  My pen is too large to be attached so it lays on the top of the cards. 


Here is the box all closed up:

Here is an open view with everything in it's place:

The tags:

I used the May Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Moment, for the tags.  These tags are Thank You and Congratulations.  They can be inserted in the outside pocket of the standard size cards.


The standard size cards:

The 3x3 cards:

The May Stamp of the Month is used on these too.  This stamp set is so versatile!

The date book:

This book has one page for each month to help you keep track of birthdays and anniversaries.

Inside of the date book:

The box includes five standard size cards with envelopes, five tags, five 3x3 cards, one date book, a post it pad and a pen!

Supplies used:
Paper: Veranda
Cardstock: Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Colonial White, Barn Red, Garden Green
Ink/Markers: Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Barn Red, Juniper
Stamp Sets: Cherish the Moment (May SOTM), True Friends (January SOTM), Chocolate Alphabet Small, Save the Date, A Posy, Sans Alphabet, Notice the Details
Embellishments: Cocoa Ribbon, Colonial White Ribbon, Clear Sparkles, Spring Blossom Just Blooms, Cocoa Button

I can see more of these in my future!  I think they'll make great gifts for the holidays.

Have a great day!
Wendy

Tri Shutter Album - Veranda Paper

The more I do of these, the more I like them!  This is the Tri Shutter Album with the Veranda paper pack.  I used my Easter photos because this paper reminds me of Spring whenever I look at it. 

If you're looking at the photos I used, there is one of me smiling beside my upset daughter.  I wasn't laughing because I accidently dropped the easter egg coloring on her, I was smiling because if I didn't, I knew I was going to cry.  It had been a long day of cleaning and I was getting the egg coloring ready to color easter eggs - I'm not sure how it happened but the next thing I knew Teagan, my counter top and floor were blue.  No eggs got colored that night and the rest of the preparations were left until Easter morning!

This is the second paper available for the Tri Shutter Album workshop on Saturday, April 17.  If you are interested in the workshop, email me for more information.