Check this out!

I found this little project on SCS. It's a file folder folded into a Xmas planner! The forms are on this really neat site. http://organizedchristmas.com/printable/christmas-pocket-planner

I used silver cord to make it more like a book. It doesn't open all the way like the one on SCS. Here's some directions for anyone who would like to attempt to make one! Good luck!

1. Take a regular file folder, open it up. Hold it in front of you "book-like". Score it 8" from the top so your line will cross the fold. This will create your pocket.

2. Next, score parallel to the center fold 4 1/2" from the middle on both sides. The tab sections (the front and the back) will be more narrow than the inner sections.

3. Fold it like an accordion.

4. Decorate your folder doo-dad, inside and out. I direct inked my edges to take some of the bright folder look away from the project. You will need 2 decorated papers and 2 solid papers for the look I did. (12x12 sheets)

5. Print the calendar thingies and stick them on the plain card stock to give them some class. I used the gift ideas, gift list and card list templates.

I'm not the best when it comes to directions. Just have fun!! I gave you the measurements...the rest is up to you!! =)

Life's been a little hectic lately. Sorry I've been a little MIA! My craft table is so sad. I placed a Bella order yesterday hoping to spark that creative bug again! Thanks Debby for thinking of me! Your email came at a great time!! Thank you! =) This one's for you!

Mel =)

Blog candy without any effort!!

I like these kind of blog candies!! No work, just a comment...hmm...maybe I should do these kind instead of the games! Check it out...it's a good one too!

http://papercraftsbyrach.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Mae!

My Bella sistah sent me the coolest image holder yesterday! ...so...you know what that means right?! Yep, I had to attempt to make one too! I'll get a hold of things eventually. It was a little time consuming at first, but it got easier with each mistake! hehe...I filled it with actual cards that I tried to match with the front of the book. Each card has a different "Go, fight, win" message...such as "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" by Eleanor Roosevelt and "Our greatest glory is not in never failing...but rising up every time we fall." by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The sayings are from CTMH.





I finished another 6pk of cards. You can't see it from the picture, but I embossed in baby blue around the white piece the image is on.



I found these checkbook holder/calendar holders at my favorite store. There were 5 for $4.50. Great for quick gifts and best of all, you can change the image inside whenever you want!!



I made some gift tags too and needed somewhere to stick em. This tin worked out perfect. It used to be filled with paperclips. It has a magnet on the back so it could stick on the refrigerator or something. Why someone would need paperclips on the fridge beats me, but...to each their own!! =)


I'm almost done with the craft fair stuff. I never know how much of what to bring. I figured if I made too much stuff, I could always give it away or use it! I'll post the covered picture frames and the totes I made later! Happy Thursday!

Mel =)

Halloween cards

Well, as usual, there isn't anyone in particular these were made for. I was thinking of sending the pink one to my neice in San Francisco. I think she'd like it. I actually sat down to make a Happy B-day card for my nephew. He turned 7 today. I ended up with no B-day card, but these instead...Go Mel!!

Mel =)

I'm baaaacccckkk!! =)

I haven't had much time for me lately. Today was a stay in all day (except to drop off the girls at school), brush my teeth (but that's about it), remain in my sweats and make stuff ALL DAY!! =) Woo-hoo!

Here's some stuff that came out of today! Enjoy!

I worked on the craft show projects. Not all of them are complete, but I have a short attention span and get REALLY bored REALLY fast! So I did like 3 of these, 5 of these, 1 of this...know what I mean!? I found these CUTIES on SCS. The tag says, "Thanks for making me a Smartie". It's attached to a jar filled with Smartie candies! Too cute.















I found the orange pencil holders on SCS as well. Inside is a post it note pad. The purple one is a pencil holder with an eraser on the front.





These skeletons are straws I found at the Dollar Tree store. There are 5 in a pack. I just opened the pack and re-packed them in a clear envelope with the sticky tab cut off. I ties a ribbon around it.



















6 pack of cards



Happy day!

Mel =)

And the winner is...

In honor of my 1,000 hits, my blog candy was a $10 gift certificate for your favorite and mine...Stamping Bella!! I had so many great ideas come in, but the one chosen by my craft fair friend, Margie, was CHARLENE!!!! Please visit her blog. http://myroomtocreate.blogspot.com She gives simple instructions for her gift card envelope as well as pictures and an example of how much she sold them for! Thank you, thank you!! 2,000 hits is fast approaching! Good luck to you all next time and thank you so much for playing!

Mel =)

Leanne tagged me with a twist! =)

I've been tagged with a twist! This one was a little easier to do! =) Thanks Leanne for thinkin' of me!

Here's how it works...
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Answer the five sets of five (these are easy)
3. Tag 5 people in the last section by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are the 5 sets of five...

Things you love...
1. CHOCOLATE...anything chocolate!
2. HAPPY people!
3. sharing knowledge
4. BIG dogs!
5. shopping

Things you don't love...
1. smelly people
2. coffee
3. wasting time
4. excuses
5. cleaning my house...boo!

Songs on your iPod/Playlist
1. Developing the Leaders Around You- John Maxwell
2. When I Grow Up - Pussycat Dolls
3. So What - Pink
4. This Is My Now- Jordin Sparks
5. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - oh yes, the one and only, Cyndi Lauper!

Favorite Foods/Drinks
1. CHOCOLATE!
2. Arizona Green Tea
3. Jello Cheese Cake
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
5. PIZZA!

People you are tagging...
1. Mae
2. Debbie
3. Amy
4. Eulanda
5. Shannon

Have fun gals!! =)

Some "manly" cards

So I have this lady who pays me $2 for my birthday and thank you cards. She is SUPER sweet. She works with my mom. I have tried to teach her how to make cards and she just doesn't want to do it. (Sound familiar?) What ever cards I don't use myself, I give to Mom, she brings them to work and sells them to this lady. Anyways, she asked me if I could make more "manly" card as she often has guys in the office she would like to give cards to and my usuals are really flowery and glittery and stuff. So here are a few I came up with! Well, I don't know if I would give the cougar print "Make a Wish" card to a guy at work though!! hehe...Enjoy!

Mel =)

Cute stampset for Blog candy

Visit http://javablustamper.blogspot.com/! Jacquie is giving away a SUPER cute stamp set for her 5,000 blog candy giveaway! Either go there to enter or go see a picture of her little girl! She is ADORABLE!! If that smile doesn't make you smile back...hmmph...I don't know what would! =) Happy day!

Mel =)

My little scrapbook corner!

Have you ever wondered what everyone else's craft space look like?! I do. Well...if you don't, here's mine anyways! hehehe...I'm not done with it (who ever is, right!?), but it's functional...and, yes, it is supposed to be a formal dining room. HEY! I eat in here sometimes! =)






I think the best part of it was the cost. Yes, the cost. I saved a lot of money by thrift store and bargain hunting. I found the blue thingy with my paper and catalogs on top for $10 at the thrift store. I was going to paint it, but I actually liked how it looked once I put it to work. The cabinet and shelves are stackables you can find at Lowe's. I made two little work stations for Sunshine and Kaila by placing two white scrap pieces I found at IKEA in their "as-is" section over the stackables. I found the random baskets and boxes at the thrift store too! I keep misc. rubber stamps, glitter, some acrylics and my embossing stuff in them. Baskets are used for ribbon pieces, scraps, cards that need their pictures taken, envelopes and sticky stuff (adhesives and pop up dots). The girls have their own sets of stuff in the blue and brown shelf thingy so they don't "disturb" my work space. It keeps the peace! =) Okay, so I'm a Type A and T. THINGS HAVE THEIR PLACE! hehe...I'm working on that part of me!

I posted these pictures for the awesome blog candy Amy's giving away! You can find it at http://www.thescrapaddict.blogspot.com/!



Mel =)

I am a bindin' fool!

I rec'd my Bind It All machine yesterday!!! Ahh...I couldn't work on anything when I got it because I had stuff to do, but told myself that if I got it done yesterday, I would reward myself with crafting time today. Well, I made 12 books, I altered a can and made a few cards. It is really as easy as it looked, but you have to read the book first. Oh...and don't use anything you really want for your first few times. Just in case it doesn't work out! =) I will probably alter the fronts a little more...but as for now, I just wanted to get the hang of the measure, cut, punch, bind! Practice makes perfect, right!? I used the chipboard mat stacks from DCWV. They're 4.5 x 6.5", already textured and colored so all I did was slap a patterned paper on the front! Super easy!

These lil' books were made with the coasters I lifted from Outback! I think you can get the same ones at Chili's too!! Covered them with patterned paper and tada!!

These are 6.5 x 6.5" chipboard I bought from ebay. Remember I was making a calendar (that still isn't finished!). It's the same chipboard. It was already punched with three holes for binder rings so I just covered it and punched the opposite side.

Same 6.5 x 6.5", but not Xmas themed! I can't believe I'm thinking about Xmas! Ahh! Help me...someone!!

I'm not the best altered artist, but I think this can came out simple and cute. I think it needs a little glitter! What do you think!?

I can't wait for the Dreamkutz to arrive. It's supposed to be here Thursday...boo. I can't even tell you how much time I would have saved not having to measure and cut!

STAMPIN BELLA GIFT CERTIFICATE!!

Okay, so I'm running a little behind schedule, but I finally got an idea for a blog candy. So, first off, THANK YOU BELLAS for continuing to support the habit! =) You have NO IDEA how important you all have become to my daily life. It's like free therapy! =) hehehe

I was invited by a good friend of mine to participate in a few craft fairs coming up this holiday season. (Isn't it funny how the holidays just seem to get longer and longer each year!? Hmmph!) Anyways...I need some ideas for projects. I have almost any "tool" you can have so the sky is the limit on what I'm lookin' for! What sells the best?! If you have a blog, please post your entry on your site and let me know where to find it. If you don't have one, email me your entry and I will post it on my blog so everyone can enjoy it! (And, of course, I will give you ALL the credit!!) I'm a pretty visual person, so can you please post pictures when possible and a brief description of your project! I will have my craft fair partner decide the winner.

Contest ends OCTOBER 10, 2008 AT MIDNIGHT so don't procrastinate!!

Oh yeah...since we are celebrating 1,000 hits...the winner will receive a gift certificate to STAMPING BELLA for 1,000...pennies! Yep, $10 to spend on ANYTHING you want. I figured my blog candies will increase in value as the number of hits increases! I can't wait to hit 1,000,000 hits! Woo-hoo...the damage that can be done with that bad boy! =)

Good luck and have fun!!

Mel =)

12 weeks of Xmas ideas

Just thought I'd help spread the word. I think this is an AWESOME idea!! Thanks to our Sistah, Heather, we've got 3 months worth of Xmas project ideas!! I can't wait to see the rest. This week's is SO cute!! For complete details, visit her at...

http://iceescape.blogspot.com/

Mel =)

I WON!!! I WON!!!

Remember when I entered this card at my favorite store? I got a call from the owner and she said I won!!! Ahhh...a $25 gift certificate to use in the store! Woo-hoo... go Mel, go Mel!! Yippee! Thanks for sharing that moment with me!!

Mel =)

Zutter Bind It All machine

So, besides the two Zutter Bind It All machines being different colors, there were a few goodies in the pink on that the blue one didn't have. One being that it's pink! The cutting chamber can punch thicker stuff than the blue one. Did I mention it's pink!? =) Anyways...I ordered the tote too. In case I get invited to a crop or something and need to take it with me! Hahaha...I've never gone to a crop. I'm not even totally sure what you do at one! =) And if I did go, I'm not sure if I'd want to lug all this stuff around. I think I'd probably just invite people to my house!

Here's the link to where I found it.

http://www.bluemoonscrapbooking.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=Shop%3AManufacturers:Bind-It-All

Free shipping for orders over $50 and the machine was only $69.99. Ebay didn't even have any cheaper than that and I was getting tired of bidding and losing! =) AHHH!

The tote was $30.

I also bought a Dreamkuts machine...the pink one...accessories must match. I'm weird like that. The pink matches my BigShot! =) Hehe...so cute. I found it on ebay. Buy now for $78.99 plus $6 for SH. The sellers name is rumrunner_1. My favorite store wanted $110 for it...crazy ladies!




Hope this helps another Bella not have to search for bargains! Happy day!

Mel =)