Papercraft Haven and More

      If you have followed me for a while, you will know I am all about saving money and doing things cheap...but I can't stand things to "look cheap"...  My husband was taken out of work over 8 years ago, at the time, I lived in Utah - scrapbooking heaven!  I couldn't shop much, I had to do things as cheap as I could...  One gift idea for you to get started on is an altered composition notebook!        If you look at your gift list, you will find a few people that you could make an altered notebook for.  They are great for younger girls to start a journal, or even just for an adult who might be going through a trying time; add a book to it, and a handmade bookmark and you are done.  If you look at the school supply sales right now, you can pick a notebook up for about $.50 each, customize them to each person you are giving the gift to.  For teens, add a gift card to their favorite store hidden in one of the pages! ...

Front Cover      There are some people that are in my life for a reason...Kris is one of those people.  For me, I wanted to showcase how special our friendship was, and how much fun I had when we were goofing off or working at the Golden Corral - before we went and dragged State Street that night after we were done!  When it came to the things I did not have pictures for but wanted to still showcase, I used journaling...little tidbits of things that we did...  With Kris, it was all about TROUBLE let me tell you!      Page 2/3  Page 4/5       Mini albums such as these can be made with what supplies you have at home...or with left overs from other projects you might be making.  I used up photos of fun times and events that Kris and went to and had!  I didn't want to just make a 2 page spread to be put in my family album...my friendship with Kris needed something a bit dif...

 Die cuts are fun and versatile to use, depending on the die you actually purchase.  One thing about a die cut machine such as Sizzix, the pieces you get to work with will be the exact same size as what the die cut will show you.  With something like a Cricut machine, you can make the piece any size you want, depending on what it is you are working on.  With the example above, I used the tag and the cat from my Sizzix die cuts, the pink tag also had another tag that came with it which is more rounded at the top (check out the next layout).  I use my tags more than just about anything except the flowers and hearts I also have!     As you can see with this next layout, there is the same tag again, this time, using buttons to create a cute look to each of them.  My cat is just a hoot, she sleeps in the darndest things...this time, was an Easy Mac box, so of course I had to do a layout!  However.. go to the store and try to find something that matche...

  Scrapbooking doesn't have to be all about birthdays and holidays, you can do albums about other things too such as a traumatic time in your life.  Mine was a time line, wanting to showcase the drama end of things in a simple time line, and then how I got out of the funk through the pictures and journaling I used.  My problems stemmed from not having enough of a support system to be able to deal with said "problems" in the first place, so scrapbooking was used as a therapy tool, only it wasn't something I knew until much, much later.  As I was planning this album, I had an old planner which I wanted to use, you might recognize this one from 2000.  I used the planner the entire year, planning out things, and keeping track of other things like you do every planner.  It was a time in my life where I needed it, and now am glad that I did keep track of certain things!  I loved the colors in the pages itself, so I wanted to use...

I love to make mini albums...from the time I figured out how, I have loved them!  For me, I have always had to scrapbook cheaply.....by that I mean I have had to use each and every item and use it wisely to be able to continue to create more things!  This year is no different, however, I am going to teach you guys all that I have learned in the past 20 years...to be able to help you create like me!  So, lets get started on your New Years Resolutions mini album!   The album will look like the one pictured  here.... I show this particular picture to give you an idea of what it will look like, and to give you another take on the old "New Years Resolutions" idea!   For this one, I made the album at the beginning of the year with a place to put journalling as I learned the item.  Switch it up to add one resolution on each page, and make sure you add a place to journal the end result at the end of the year!   Supplies needed: ...

I have scrapbooked for around 12 years now, my first project was my wedding album for my 2nd marriage...one that did not last (the marriage, not the album)!  From that point till now, I have been hooked!  I love how you are able to take your memories, add photos, journalling, and embellishments to create your own one of a kind album.  The one thing about scrapbooking that I really like the most, is you will never find someone else who will have the same photos as you do, unless it is a function where multiple people have taken photos.  This is where everyone's personal taste will come into affect.    We are going to be working on a monthly album this next year....January through December.  A way to showcase YOUR memories of the month, the things you do, the places you go...things like that!    Your challenge is to look at how YOU want to showcase your memories...  I am using a kit that was purchased at Walmart a few years ago ...

One fun and easy project you can make for your favorite friends or family members is a folder with cards!  This is an easy project to do, being able to customize each of the packets you make for the people on your gift list.  Make a set for your neighbors with birthday cards, or notecards...whatever they would use the most of.  You can make the folder in either 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11.  If you use the larger size, you will want to trim the sides and bottom to fit the cards you do.  This size is better for larger envelopes.  I use the 8.5 x 11 with the smaller envelopes and cards!  Directions for folder:   Step one:  Take cardstock, place it in front of you so it is length wise.  Fold in half.   Step two:  Unfold the sheet of cardstock, fold the bottom length up about 2" to create a folder type look. Step three:  Unfold again, taking your scissors, you will want to cut a V in the middle on the b...

It's a bit past the 25th...less than 4 months until Christmas!  I want things to go smooth for me and my family...people actually getting presents sent to them in the mail, and me having things done before the last minute!  Every year it's the same thing...me wanting to do it, but it never getting finished!  So, this year...things are being done DIFFERENT!  I am looking at what I have right now, without having to spend money......I have a few things I can start with.....  Your challenge for the week is to put all of your Christmas theme related items together to look at what you can do, and make your lists!  Paper in Christmas themes and colors Solid paper to match Ribbon Sizzix die cut machine and dies Rubber stamps Computer for saying....or??? Templates Cards and envelopes Cricut machine for basic shapes Out of that list, I can make my own Christmas cards...mini albums for each of my family members to showcase Christmas in their way...  A few ye...