Shuttermom's Scraps

December Daily Completed

2012-01-03T00:21:00.000-05:00

I completed my December Daily today. It is still 2011 and I finished it up just in the nick of time. WOW!! I enjoyed doing this project so much. The album became almost organic, with its own life. I was planning on doing 31 pages but I ended up doing 28 instead. I had to include the day after Chrsitmas because it was eventful; I did the 27 because it is my son's brthdayand finalized it with the 28 because I overheard an endearing conversation between my daughter and my husband that put the final exclamation point to the season. Why force anything? Just go out with a bang! The album was done then and I stopped on the 28th. I added a calendar in the interior left cover page and a dedication of the album to my children on the back page. I still need to attach an envelope with the receipts but other than that it is done.

I am very happy with how it turned out. It is very meaningful to my family. My son and daughter are already calling dibs on whose album it is. I realized then: that is a problem. Who should keep it? Isn't it a beautiful conundrum to have? Please beware of the avalanche of photos coming your way:

This is what I learned from the process and I hope my tips may be of some help to others who found the project too taxing:

1. Cut all your pages ahead of time using a base that will be repeated throughout the album. Next year I will be using kraft paper.

2. Make sure to print your pictures daily. This year I had to go and print them at the store. That delayed my process significantly and did not get my pages done daily.

3. Decide how you will journal. I mixed handwriting and printing my journaling. There are advantages to both. Write your journaling for each day even if it is on a notebook or diary. You will forget the important details.

4. Gather all your supplies and put them in a container to have them within easy access or to take with you to work on the album during a road trip or while visiting family and friends.

5. Some days will be busy and other days there will not be much to document. Just fill in the extra activities in the days you don't have anything to document. Problem solved.

December Daily -Altered Album

2011-11-22T12:09:00.000-05:00

Mission accomplished. It is still November and I finally made a dicision on the album for my Dec Daily. I found this chipboard album at Wal-Mart. It cost me all of $6.00!

I decidded to alter it with the numbers page by Pop Culture called Hopscotch Red Hot. I then used a strip of Teresa Collins' Christmas Home green damasque paper. I used the December punch out tag.

I also was determined to use a frame but I don't have one that fits the December punch out tag. So I opted to pipe around the edges with Ranger's Glossy Accents. My Dec Daily pages now have a place where to live.

December Daily -My foundation pages

2011-11-07T08:49:00.001-05:00

I edited this post to fix the pages that I uploaded sideways. I have no idea how to turn them right side up so I re-uploaded them and added a few more pages I've been able to finish.

This is my first time doing a DD and I am having two issues that keep me pondering. The first one is should I use an album or should I create my own cover. I am leaning toward just creating my own cover from covered chipboard. Second, I cannot bring myself to put the numbers to my pages. I guess I have commitment issues, ha! I am afraid of putting the numbers to the pages and then in Dec when I start to document the doings of our day I may want to use another page. When I scrapbook the photos or the story drive my layout and selection of supplies. Doing the DD without knowing what will happen when is making it difficult for me to get it finished.

In any case here's what I've come up with.

Well, here it is. I have not been making the progress I wanted because of all the painting I've been doing in our living room/dinning room. Oh well it is still November so I am not too far behind.

I'm excited about this project. I wish I had more time to work on it and have more elaborate pages but I want to focus on journaling instead of all the bells and whistles design approach.

What is everyone else doing??

December Daily

2011-11-04T08:52:00.000-04:00

Will be using Teresa Collins' Christmas Home Collection to create my December Daily. This will be my first one. I have been following the progress from Ali Edwards Blog and I love her album but her style is just not mine.

I am proud of myself. Last night I cut up the base pages for the daily album and I packed all the supplies and tools I will need in a carry box to take with me where I go and work on it any chance I get. Well, at least that is the plan. It will be interesting to see how it turns out and if I am going to be disciplined enough to record on it daily.

On a good note during a scrapbook retreat last month I created a grateful album so it is ready to go. I love the She Scrapbooks ladies who taught the grateful album class with Teresa Collins papers.

Photos of the progress are threatened but not sure when the threat will be executed. I just love the holidays!!!!

Two challenges in one

2009-07-29T23:18:00.000-04:00

The sketch I used for this card is from Mojo Monday Week 97 Challenge.

The colors are from the Unity Addict Challenge Inspiration from SCS's forum.

My hubby's birthday is this Friday so the colors from the Unity Addicts are perfect. I always have such a hard time making masculine looking cards. This time it was easy. I had the sketch and had the papers and inks I was going to need. It came together quickly. I was just a bit disappointed that the Unity tree did not come through white. When I inked over the clear embossing it bled through. I tried it twice but had the same result. Other than that I'm happy with it.

My Girl's First Communion

2009-07-09T19:45:00.001-04:00

This layout of my daughter in her first communion gown. I just love black and white. I also used a Unity Stamp from their Something Within set. I just love the scriptures. So appropriate for my subject matter.

Here is a close up of the stamp.

The acompanying layout was a candid moment. I had taken several pictures and she told me that she was thirsty so she ran to the fountain to take a drink. For some reason I found this action while waring her white dress to be endearing. I snaped the picture and I love the way it turned out. I stamped the "Beyond Words" sentiment on the ribbon This stamp is also from Unity. No big mystery, after all I have really become addicted to thier stamps.

I appreaciate your comments.

Unity Addicts Challenge

2009-07-08T22:27:00.000-04:00

Here is my submission for the 7/8/2009 Unity Addicts Challenge

I've been so busy lately with work and the kids but today I decided to make some time to make a card for the Unity Addicts Challenge. I love the soft and girly colors from this challenge. Thanks for the inspiration Kim.

I used cardstock, some papers from Martha Stewart. I stamped the Scrappy Flower. I just love this stamp! I won it -yes free- during hip hop. I lucked out! The sentiment is from Simply Said set. I also added some dewdrops in the corners.

I hope you guys like it. My card is simple but I like the way it turned out.

Amazingly talented musicians!

2009-05-27T20:16:00.001-04:00

Casing a Layout from Alex

2009-05-07T21:35:00.000-04:00

Since I saw a lay out at Alex's blog I fell in love with it You can check out her blog at www.artscrapandmore.blogspot.com. When I went shopping with my friends for scrapbooking stuff and I found the set of stamps she had used and then I found the perfect picture of my daughter and hubby: it was the perfect combination. Here is my casing of her layout.

I took this photo in Washington DC in April, 2009. We were riding the metro from Springfield into DC. My sweetpea was hugging my hubby and I -having my Nikon on hand- snapped the picture and captured this tender moment.

Kristina's Color Challange No. 51

2009-05-07T00:08:00.000-04:00

Wow! This was truly a challenge for me. The mustard threw me off. Here are the colors:

And this is my submission.

I used the "All you need is love" stamp set from Little Yellow Bicycle. Sorry about the quality of the picture. It was late and I was tired. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Did you also have a hard time with this color combination?

Wolrd Record Inspirational Unity Blog Hop

2009-03-28T14:00:00.000-04:00

Well it is finally here. Welcome to Unity's Inspirational Blog Hop. Please be sure to start at Angela's blog by clicking HERE
And while you are there be sure to check out and take advantage of the specials Unity is offering today.

These are my projects:

For this layout I used Unity's Floral Frenzy. Isn't it amazing? I stamped it, added some buttons and dew drops and then I Stickled it everywhere. I also used the Remember stamp from the Something to Say. All papers are from Basic Gray's Sultry Collection.

For this picture of my son and husband I used the Grid background stamp.Worn I used watermark ink and then embossed it with silver powder. The bottom half is simply stamped in back ink. I love the gritty feel this stamp give to a page. All papers are card stock. The journal box is Unity's Everyday Use Journal Box. This has become my most used stamp thus far.

My favorite quote is:

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. Denis Waitley.

And now hop on over to Jeanne's amazing blog. Have fun.

Inspirational Unity Blog Hop

2009-03-28T13:40:00.000-04:00

Everyday is a Blessing!

2009-03-21T13:10:00.000-04:00

I raked the drive way today. What a glorious day!!! Here is what I saw when I stopped to take a break:

I stood there for a few seconds and said a silent prayer. I called out to my hubby. I said "Hey honey, did you see this?" He said "yes, it has a lot of thorns; I am going to cut it down." I said: "no, come here and see it, really see it." My two kids, being the kinda nosey kids they are, stopped raking and asked "what, what is it?" My sweetpea got there first and -without me having to point out the perfect shape of a cross- said: Jesus' tree! We were amazed at the perfect cross shape of this small tree. It is beautiful and the picture does not do justice to its beauty. Needless to say that my husband's plan to cut it down was met with a " . . . but Dad, you cannot cut down Jesus' tree!" He obviously agreed. The tree stays.

This is my driveway. I cannot take all the credit we raked the pine needles as a family.

What do you think of my little, thorny, beautiful tree? Is it God saying hello? I think so. My kids do too.

Color Inspiration Challenge # 46

2009-03-19T22:43:00.000-04:00

This may be challenge number 46 for Kristina but only my second time taking on her challenge. Last week was my first time and I'm now hooked. I checked her blog today and after seeing the colors I got up and went straight to my desk and came up with this.

Hey Kristina, does this card look familiar? My inspiration for this submission was the card you made using punches. I hope you like it.

I used cardstock in pink, red, and black. The flower is made with paisleys I cut from some random paper I've had for over 2 years. I loved that felt paper when I bought it and just now found use for it. Sorry I do not have the name of the maker. I also used Doodle Bug's glitter paper in blue. The center of the flower has a black Basic Gray button and a snowflake punch out from the blue Doodle Bug glitter paper. The sentiment if from Unity Stamp Company's Simply Said stamp set.

Kristina's Color Challange

2009-03-14T14:42:00.000-04:00

THis is my submission for Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenge. This is my first time playing but I've been stalking her blog for a long time. I used Fanciful Dots from Unity Stamps. I stamped the images and then embossed them with black embossing powder. The sentiment is also from Unity Stamps' "Simply Said"

A Birthday Card

2009-03-11T16:16:00.001-04:00

This card was inspired by several things: By a card I saw in Jimmy Mayo's blog. Here is the link http://thestampingshopper.blogspot.com/2009/03/glittery-monday.html, by the color green and by a play in words in Spanish from my sister's birthday wish for my birthday today. Do you know anyone who can re-write the lyrics to any song and make you fall down laughing with the new lyrics to a popular song? Well, that is my sister Esmeralda's talent.

I used Basic Gray papers and cardstock. I'm not sure about whose frog stamp this is (sorry). I stamped it on with versamark watermark ink, embossed it with clear powder and then resist emboss it by dabbing with Distressing Ink in Shabby Shutters. Heather Brown has a tutorial on this technique on her blog. Here's the link if you're curious. http://www.inmythoughts.net/2008/11/h-i-p-hop.html Hope you enjoy it and Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeee!

My take on a Layout from Scrapbooks, Etc.

2009-03-07T13:04:00.000-05:00

These pages are cased from the layout in the magazine Scrapbooks, etc. The Feb/Mar 2009 edition (p.60). I used Basic Gray papers from their Urban Prairie collection.

This embellie is from K & Company. Just perfect.

I also sued the everyday journaling stamp from Unity Stamp Company. It is my newest fave stamp. I grab for it over and over.

Huge Blog Hop Coming Up

2009-02-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

Check out Unity's upcoming blog hop. There is room for 1000 persons to participate. All the details are here:

Unity

I will be joining in the fun. Hope you'll consider joining in the fun and set the record

Valentine Cards.

2009-02-15T11:04:00.000-05:00

I made this card for my husband.

I was planning on giving this card to my hubby but it just turned out too girly. I will probably re-use it with a new sentiment maybe as a thank you card or a mother's day card. It would also work as a birthday card. I like it but I decided to make another more masculine for my honey.

This is my daughter's card.

All three cards were made with K Company Specialty Papers and Bazzil Cardstock. The sentiments are from a velum tablet I purchased over a year ago. I organized my supplies and found so many goodies that I had forgotten I had. It is great to use all my scraps instead of going out to buy new stuff for every occasion.

Valentines and Sweets

2009-02-12T20:07:00.000-05:00

My daughter had a Valentine's party today. She loves to bake. So she and I baked some mini cupcakes and I was quite pleased with the results. I love the color combination of red, pink and white.

For her valentines exchange with her classmates we decided to make something practical and that would actually be used. She said "what about bookmarks" I said excellent idea! She loves horses so the Charlie the Horse stamp from Clear Stamps was just perfect. I stamped and embossed her classmates' names to personalize them.

Gone Camping and Elven

2009-02-08T17:22:00.000-05:00

This LO has Bo Bunny paper -i believe- and lots of stamping. I layered the flower with some flowers cut with my friend's Circuit.

I made this lay out with papers from My Mind's Eye (MME) and brown Bazzil card stock. The flourish is a rub-on image also from MME. The date stamp is from Gel-a-tins.

Scrapping pics of me and my honey

2009-02-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

A LO using Basic Gray Papers. It needs something else but I cannot make up my mind as to what it is. Maybe some stamped flourishes in brown? What do you think?

This pic is just one of the pages for the album I am making for my parents. It was at their 40th wedding anniversary celebration in Mexico. I decided to use only 3 colors in all of the pages: red, white and black. The pages came together pretty quickly.

Dad and Me

2009-02-03T19:14:00.000-05:00

I found this picture in a mystery CD. I have no idea how this pics made it to the unlabeled CD. I'm glad that I did not throw it out without checking what was in it. I bet my hubby downloaded them and forgot to label it. I was so happy to find my sweetpea's pics. She's now 7 years old. Wow time flies!

The papers are from Basic Gray -I just love their papers. I went crazy stamping with the flourishes, the love and froggy stamps.

Thank you Card

2009-02-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

I made this card for a friend who hosted a dinner party for just us: girls. I used all Basic Gray Papers. The kitty image is from Rubber Soul and the sentiment is from Unity Stamps, the artist is AJ Otto.

Art Scrap and More Challenge

2009-01-19T14:10:00.000-05:00

This is my submission for Alex's challenge. The challenge is to create a card according to her sketch. The subject is love. And the thing I love the most is my family. I chose bright pink and red colors for this challenge. Check Alex's blog at artscrapandmore.blogspot.com

HELLO

2009-01-19T13:42:00.000-05:00

Got this blog to show case my scrapping. So here is what I have been working on.

This is the card that I made for my sister's birthday. On the inside it reads "is becoming 30!"

This LO is of my DD's visit with "fake santa" that is what she calls the mall Santas. The journaling is hidden behind the photo. The stamps are from Unity Stamp Co. Love them!

So I cannot take credit for this LO. My friend April made it and I all I did was to write the journaling. I love the fresh colors. I would not have selected these papers but once I saw the LO I loved it!