A Beautiful Angel!

My mom asked me to create a mini album for her friends son and daughter who recently gave birth to a still born.  This was a difficult project for me....such a delicate subject.  I hope they enjoy this little book that captures their beautiful angel.

This week it is Dealers Choice over at Cricut Mini Albums so be sure to visit our blog for more great minis!


The cartridges I used for this project are Create a Critter and Everyday Paper Dolls.  I wanted the clouds to be glittery and I didn't have enough of the white glitter cardstock so I used some Glitter Glaze from lil' Davis Designs to coat the clouds front and back.  Then I brushed on some baby powder.  This worked great!  Any glitter glaze that was tacky was covered in powder and then it wasn't tacky anymore and it still looks great!  It also adds a hint of scent to the book (although I am not quite sure if that is a good or a bad thing in this situation :( )  I then used some Tim Holtz distress inks (tumbled glass) around the edge of the clouds to give them some depth.  


For the baby on the cover I used some chalk to pull out the cuts of the face and add some dimension to the outfit.  Then to finish off the album I added some flowers here and there.  I tried to keep it pretty simple and I didn't leave a lot of room for journaling as it is a sensitive subject.  There is a hidden pocket to slip in the obituary.


(I used a photo editing tool to cover up the photos; out of respect for the family)

(I found a fun and free photo editing tool called Picnik....I will have to play more with it!  www.picnik.com )

Why I should win an Imagine?

Of course, I, as much as anyone else would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win Provo Crafts newest must have machine; the Cricut Imagine.  Have you seen this baby?  It does everything!!!!  Design; print; and cut.  It prints designs that will match your favorite paper companies colors...how cool is that?  I would be so extremely; jumping off the floor; excited if I would win an Imagine.  Such an amazing machine!!!!!  I would post videos and projects on my blog and share how much I love it.  I would share with my local friends and we would create amazing projects.  I would love to be able to save money by printing out all of my own patterned paper!  That is what it is all about right?  Provo Crafts machines are a bit pricey….but if you think about it….it is going to save you so much money in the long run!!!!!

I am lucky enough to have a husband that allows me to have this “addiction” for Provo Craft products.  But….at this moment in time….purchasing an Imagine is not going to fly!  The only way for me to get one is for one to drop out of the sky; the price to drastically drop; or to win one.  Chances of all 3 are slim to none…..but as they say; you can’t win the lottery if you don’t play; right? 

I am the mother of 4 beautiful children; but the only way I keep my sanity is to make time to craft.  I craft with the kids often and when the house is finally quiet at the end of the day….that is when I relieve my stress by creating a paper tornado.  If I win an Imagine……my family will be happy because…..If Mamma ain’t happy….ain’t nobody happy!  LOL

Now….I don’t have a heartfelt story to tell….I have been rather lucky I suppose; to have a pretty healthy family.  My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 2….but that is a piece of cake compared to what many others have to deal with.  The grass is always greener…but really there is always someone out there that has it much worse than you.

I wish everyone who enters this contest the best of luck and may someone who truly deserves a pocket full of sunshine be blessed with this awesome prize!!!!

If you are reading this post and want a chance at this awesome prize (c'mon....who wouldn't?) then visit this blog: www.cricutimagine.net 

You don't want to miss this!!!!!!

Check out  http://obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/  for your chance to win an awesome Workbox! 

This month The Original Scrapbox has a shipment of Limited Edition Workbox.  Some really awesome styles!  For your chance to win visit Joy at: http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/2010/08/want-to-win-workbox-and-giant-cutting.html

Mini memory notebook

Today I have a little mini notebook that I made for my daugther.  We travel all summer on our family owned carvinal and my kids meet new friends in each town we visit.  We travel to the same towns each year and my kids make some friends that they get to know when we are in the neighborhood.  I thought my 8 year old would like a little notebook to help here remember all of her summer friends in.

I used Walk in my Garden to cut out the flowers and the word Friends.  I used foam dots to pop up the flowers inside this super cute little wooden flower pot.  I used a metallic marker to color the flower pot.  I attached the little bee with his wire under the paper strip.  I used a bind it all to create the pages.  A very simple and cute project for this week :)

I hope you enjoy!!!

Check out the other summer minis over at the cricut mini albums blog: www.cricutminialbums.blogspot.com

Do you like the little flower pot and bee?  Well then you might just like to leave me a comment!  I will be sending one blog reader a little baggie with a bee and pot.  You have until August 2nd to leave a comment and I will choose a random winner on August 3rd.

Zoo mini

Here is a mini I made for the Cricut Mini Albums blog.  This week we are doing a summer theme and I just love visiting at least one zoo during the summer months.  I think I may enjoy it more than the kids do.  LOL

For this album I used the following cartridges: Everyday Paper Dolls; George and Basic Shapes
Papers used include: Stampin' Up! Cardstock and DCWV The Green Stack
Other materials used: Metallic Rub-ons; Stickles; ribbon, fibers

I have attached the .gypsy file if you would like to grab it.

Click here to grab the file(s):

Project Preview file 

Project Cutting file

To create this album:
(words highlighted in red refer to a layer in the .gypsy file)
1. Cut out base images in chipboard (using .gypsy file)
2. Cut out base images in cardstock or patterned paper to cover up your chipboard and make it perty. ;)
3. Cut out base images in reverse to cover the back side of each page.
4. Cut out the animals for each page in their respective colors.

Now you are ready to start putting together your album!
5. Adhere your base image covers to your base image chipboard.

6. Embellish your animals as you wish.  I used metallic rub-ons and stickles.
7. Adhere you animals in their respective places on your album.
8. Create photo/journaling mats for each page as desired and adhere to pages.
9. Use your Crop-a-dile to create two ring holes on the left side of your pages.
10. Attach an eyelet in each hole with Crop-a-dile for support so your pages don't rip when turning the pages.
11. Attach two book rings
12. Add ribbon and other embellishments as desired.
13. Add your photos.

A little piece of ribbon goes a LONG way!!!!

I was over visiting the Creative Critters blog and Tammy is showing how she stores her ribbon.  She asked her followers to post a photo of their ribbon storage.  So....here is my little collection of ribbons.  It is kind of a small collection....I think I need to think about restocking....it has been awhile since I went ribbon shopping ;)

I have the SnapWare ribbon holder (I also use these to store my circut cartridges!) for my rolls of ribbon and I have a floss container that can be found at Walmart or any craft store for a couple of dollars and you can find them at rummage sales lots of times for .25 ;)  I have this ribbon stored in rainbow order.

Giveaway - Cricut Mini Albums

Rina has just announced that when we have 200 followers there will be a give away over at the Cricut Mini albums blog.  Come over and join us!  Who doesn't love a good mini album?



www.cricutminialbums.blogspot.com