This was done as a guest design spot for Mission to Create, please make sure to visit the blog so you can see all the amazing creations.
Journaling Reads:
I often find myself wishing for the next steps in life. For you to walk and then talk and then be potty trained and on and on. But then I look at David and remember when he was little like you. Time passes too quickly. I need to slow down and enjoy you right now.
A few months ago, I made some handmade tags for Julie’s handmade for the holidays series. There were six tags and one set of downloads. I will post all of them one at a time during this week.
For all my tags I used manila tags I bought at Office Depot. You can always cut your own tag from cardstock and punch a hole as well.
Here are the steps to this simple tag:
1. Using two different shades of green distress ink, I colored the background of my tag.
2. I stamped two snowflakes to light blue paper.
3. I picked two facets and glued them on top of the snowflakes, using glossy accents, which dry completely clear.
4. I dabbed a small amount of blue and green alcohol ink on the facets to give them a blueish glow.
5. I put some baker’s twine through the holes of the facets and glued the whole thing down on my tag so they looked like dangling ornaments.
6. On the bottom of my tag, I glued a blue ribbon and put a sticker with red type on it.
7. I spelled the word “blessings” with small letter stickers on top of that.
8. Finally, I stitched all around the tag and on top of my tiny letters just to make sure they don’t fall off in the mail. I also like the texture stitching adds to my projects.
Supplies Used: Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters Distress Inks, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Facets, Tim Holtz Shabby Vintage Paper, The Girls’ Paperie Tinsel and Twig stamps, The Girls’ Paperie Tinsel and Twig Sticker Market, Stream and Meadow alcohol inks.
And here’s a movie where I demonstrate how I made the tag:
This was originally posted at Julie Fei-Fan Balzer‘s blog as part of handmade for the holidays series.
Journaling Reads:
Unfortunately most of our family lives far away so we don’t get to see them as frequently as we’d like but when they come it’s like Christmas and birthdays rolled into one. We get to play together, laugh together, and you really enjoy having them around so much. We’re very lucky that even though they are far, our families are amazing and we adore every moment we get to spend together.
Journaling Reads:
This is a common scene in our house: David doing something and you watching him, wishing you could do it too. On this day, he was outside having Daddy pull him around in the little red wagon. At first you were watching him with confusion and interest, not sure what you thought, but then you saw him smile and heard him laugh and it didn’t take you long to deduce he was having a lot of fun and within seconds your face was scrunched up and tears were running down your cheeks. This was the very best version of “It’s not fair!” you could display without speaking. There was much wailing and of course, Daddy heard you (along with all the neighbors, I’m sure!) so within minutes you were in the wagon with a big smile. You might not talk yet but you sure know how to get your way already.
Journaling Reads:
Since I knew your school photo was coming up, I tried to get you to learn how to smile properly to the camera. Day after day we practiced but your smiles never stopped being awkward. You would look down, all demure, and make this fake smile. As we approached the big day, things seemed to be better. I thought that maybe all that practice was finally paying off. On the day you went to get the photos done I just wished for the best. And while you were looking at the camera, your smile was as goofy as ever. I will cherish this so much more.
Journaling Reads:
You have such an adventurous spirit. You are always moving around and discovering new things without fear or trepidation. When we were at the pier ad Pacific Beach you didn’t show one ounce of fear. You just walked up and down with me chasing close behind you. I was scared the whole time but you were having so much fun that I could not bear to stop you. I love you my boy!
Here’s the description from scrapbook.com: Textured Fades Embossing Folders from Sizzix easily emboss in such a way that select areas of the image appear perfectly faded and distressed. You can turn ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This set of Embossing Folders showcases the bold and edgy style of Tim Holtz. It contains two large A2 folders, measuring 5 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ x 1/8″. Texture Fades Embossing Folders are for use with the Texture Boutique, BIGkick, Big Shot and Vagabond machines only (used with a pair of Cutting Pads and the machine’s included Platform). Each sold separately. This Texture Fades Embossing Folders Set includes these two folder designs: Halloween Night (A2 Large); Poison (A2 Large).
Isn’t it awesome!?!
All you have to do is leave me a comment in this post. I will keep it open for a week so your deadline is Sunday night. I will announce the recipient next Monday.
So I am still really afraid of art journaling. Not sure why. I think it’s cause I feel I am really artistically untalented. (Is untalented a word? It appears so since spell-check isn’t correcting me.) I can’t draw. Or paint. Or anything. To top it off, I don’t collect quotes. So I never have ideas on what to make the pages about. But I love the idea of art journaling. I have a lot of supplies I’ve bought in excitement over the years. Expensive ones. I’ve taken many classes and I really enjoy looking at Donna’s or Dina’s pages. So I decided that maybe if I did the same thing I did for scrapbooking in May, I might actually get to get better at this. (Or at least less fearful.) So here’s to a month of art journaling.
My hope/plan is to make a page a day. I know it’s October 5 and I’ve missed the first four days. But who cares. 27 days in a row will be just as powerful if you ask me. I doubt the extra 4 days will make or break this. And I could have done this So instead of waiting until November which is already full of other obligations/projects like my December Daily album and my parents’ visit and a trip to NYC, I’ll choose the better option. Now. Now is always best.
Fair warning, I don’t know how to art journal. I am not talented. These pages will likely suck. I am still going to put them up daily. For me, more than anything. Feel free to skip. My biggest goal here is to conquer the fear. So if I can accomplish that it will be a big success.
Journaling Reads:
Little boy, maybe it’s cause you’ve already had David to observe but pretty much from the moment you could walk, you’ve been obsessed with the tiniest of legos. Putting the hat on and off. Taking the heads out and putting them back in and the way you focus on the task at hand is amazing. You are oblivious to the world. All you care about is getting that hat on. You are one amazing little boy. I love you.
Journaling Reads:
Because I grew up with just one sister I had no idea what to expect when I had two boys. As it turns out they are super sweet and a lot of fun. But they also make a lot of noises. When they drive cars or play with superheros for example. I love that at sixteen months you’re already a treasure of crazy, funny sounds and you’re picking up more from your brother every day. I love my boys so so very much.
