Another quick update tonight - I came across some photos of a date book I created using papers from Karen Foster Designs Calendar Collection. This would be very easy to create multiples of and you could create at least two books from one set of papers - more if you made them smaller. I used chipboard for the cover and thinner, cereal box like cardboard for the pages - everything is covered with paper - holes made using a Crop-a-dile and metal rings hold it together. I attached some metal rimmed tags from the office supply store with eyelets to use as page tabs (I saw a project by Donna Downey sometime way back when that used a similar technique). I added some calendar icons to each one and colored them in with watercolors (that step is entirely optional, but it doesn't take much time and is easy to do). The numbered parts were made on my computer and printed onto cardstock - the month name is a rub-on. 

For the cover I cut a square from scraps left over from each monthly paper, stamped the title, and added some hand drawn outlines. Inking around the edge helps tie the whole thing together.

The idea behind this book is that it isn't so much a calendar or planner as it is a reminder book... I don't know about you, but it seems like it is getting harder and harder to remember all those important dates... like birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. For someone who gets paid to create handmade cards, I have to admit that I am horrible about remembering to send them on time. I'm hoping this book helps me do a better job with that. I also thought this would be a nice gift to give at the holidays and something that most people could use.

Here are a few of the interior pages - they all follow the same basic design.

That's it... pretty simple. I'll try to stop back over the weekend, but I've got a bunch of projects to finish up first.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Yesterday's class Halloween party was a success! Maybe a bit messy... but fun was had by all ☺ Here is a photo of the kids cleaning up from the Mummy Wrapping contest while dancing to the Monster Mash... oh, to be 10 again...

Now I just have another 4,327 things left to do today and we should be in good shape for tonight's party. Hope you have a happy and safe Halloween - go Reeses!

If I think about all the things I have to do in the next week I might start to twitch... I'm going to apologize now for not being around the blog much - but I am taking lots of photos and will have things to share in the next few weeks.

In case anyone else is still putting the finishing touches on Halloween, I wanted to share these AWESOME labels I came across on Flickr - the person who created these is so talented and generous - sharing these for free! I have a bunch of old bottles that I am filling up with various potions and ingredients and these are perfect. I am simply printing them onto Clear Sticker Paper (which can be found at any office supply store), cutting them out and sticking them on. 

There are lots of designs, these are a few of my favorites

Aren't these fabulous? You can find them all here.

Happy Haunting!

Busy, busy, busy here... just a quick post today but wanted to share.

We are hosting a pre-trick-or-treating Halloween party and have been trying to find time to make the invitations for over a week. There was much debate over the wording, but that was finally agreed upon and I printed them out today while the kids were at school. I laid everything out in piles to make the assembly line process easier and my 10-year-old son, Jack, came home ready to go.

Me: "Okay Jack, the first thing you need to do is fold all the pieces of green paper in half"

Jack:     "Well...where is the bone folder??"

LOL - the sign of a true paper crafter in the making, huh? 

I'll share the finished product in the next day or so.

It's time to go up into the attic and dig out all the fall decorations (okay, it's way past time but I've been really busy) This is one I never get tired of - a lampshade and coordinating box where I store some of our family favorite recipes.

You can read more about the lampshade in this post.

Tonight is cold and rainy - a perfect night for soup. Butternut & Ham Bisque is one of our all-time favorites - more savory than sweet and absolutely yummy. I clipped this out of Family Fun magazine years ago but you can still find it on their website here. The Cranberry Soda bread that goes with it is a must - even if you have never made bread before, this is really easy - and totally delicious!

(photo from Family Fun Magazine)

I'm always on the lookout for a great soup recipe, so please send me an email if you have one to share :)

Have a great night - stay warm!

Do you have a circle punch, some paper scraps and a bunch of summer photos to scrap? Here is a quick summer highlights type layout that you can put together in no time - I made this for Me & My Big Ideas using their Sanctuary line. This could also be a fun album cover for a mini album about summer memories.

Since it is cold and rainy here - definitely NOT feeling like summer - I thought it would be a good time to post this.

Have a great day - stay warm!

Just a quickie today - Columbus Day - and enjoying a relaxing day with everyone at home. Have been going through some photos and thought I would share one of my favorite foliage shots - it was taken on a Columbus Day weekend trip to Vermont a few years ago.

Enjoy the day!

Congrats to Debbi M for being the winner of the CardMaker's Christmas Sketch Book - she was comment #9 and that is the lucky random number chosen by Random.org. You will love this book!

Thanks to everyone who left a comment - I wish I could send you each a copy!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

I wrote a bit on Tuesday about the fun day out I had planned with some friends - well, we had a fabulous time (as usual!) and I'm not sure which store I enjoyed more - the scrapbook store or the quilt shop - they were both bursting with inspiration... but did I think to take photos, or even bring a camera? no, sorry.

I bought some really nice quality felt at the quilt shop and was so inspired that when I came home I finally opened up the box that contains my new sewing machine (yes, MF - it's OPEN!) However, when I saw the huge instruction manual as well as the CD that came with it, I realized I'll need to set aside a chunk of time to get this thing up and running - maybe over the long weekend.

There were a few things at the scrapbook store that somehow found their way into my shopping basket - more ribbon...who knows, I might run out one day ☺, several new papers, a couple of felt embellishments - but my favorite had to be these two stamp sets by Pink Paislee - and the best part - only $5 each! and that was the regular price - they weren't even on sale. Aren't they adorable? I'm pretty sure at least one of them was designed by the talented Sande Krieger - love her style!

and then who could resist these brads?

I woke up this morning to some wonderful handmade birthday cards from my boys - can't imagine a nicer gift than the sweet words they wrote to me - who says boys are all rough and tumble? However, my youngest added a "p.s." to his card to remind me (yet again) that I am their room mother and his teacher said that I should start planning their Halloween party now. I'm so glad he left the note, because I might not have remembered on my own as he has only reminded me about this several times every day for the last week! LOL! Kids can be so cute...

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post to enter the drawing to win the new Christmas Sketch Book from CardMaker - I'll most likely be drawing a name on Sunday and posting the winner then.

Enjoy the weekend!