My Smash Book

Whoah--It has been awhile since I've posted any artwork. I've been moving from one project to the next--and just haven't taken the time to share them here.

I'm in love with the Smash Book I created!

What is a Smash Book you ask?

It is a journal type book that you put all those things you collect and put in a drawer. My husband and I call this the "life drawer", it is full of ticket stubs, pamphlets, cards, notes, business cards and just little things we want to save. A Smash Book is the perfect place to save all these things. It's the catch-all for the stuff that makes you smile. They are so easy to make too, I just pulled out a bunch of old, hoarded Close To My Heart papers, some 5x7 manilla envelopes, some stamps to create journaling jots, and all the rub-on embellishments I never seem to use on a layout--and went to town putting it all together! 

Here is the first page. The inside cover has a pocket that holds a library card. The first page is bursting with color and I love it! 

 

 The Juniper triangle you see actually creates a pocket that holds two small tags. Then this is also a flap that opens up to put more stuff! See that striped piece peaking out? It is actually Washi tape--that I will use to hold down all the goodies! Nope it doesn't match--but that's OK!!

The first page is actually built on a manilla envelope as the base. I just sealed the enveope, trimmed one long edge a little and it creates a pocket. This pocket is holding journaling jots, tags and other embellies. You need lots of journaling jots for a Smash book because there will be patterned or dark papers as pages throughout your book.

This is a photo matte being held in place by a belly band and half a circle that is raised with foam tape to stop the piece from falling out. When the photo matte is taken out--there is space for journaling or other stuff underneath.

 

This is a pocket that has a tag, a photo matte, and another piece that folds over so when it is opened there is lots of room to smash things!

There are all sorts of papers, tags, and other envelopes in the book to hold things, I had to stop showing at some point!

Since there were so many pictures in this post, I sized them small--so please click on pictures to see more detail!
Thanks for stopping in today!
Toodles~~

Gratitude Journal

I made this journal for my niece. The pictures really don’t do it justice. There are 28 pages for journaling and pictures, then there are lots of pockets and tags to write on also. The front and back covers of the journal are actually cut from an old book I found at a thrift store. (the inside pages will be used for other fun creations!)

Here is a close up of the beads and charms hanging from the book binding ring.


The inside front cover has a library pocket and card!




Three pockets with tags. The tags measure 7”, 5” and 3” in length. OH—check out those buttons at the tops of the tags! I made them with the EC Button Studio that I won from Stacy on her blog Scrap with Stacy.
I used so much hoarded stash in this journal. You’ll see non-Close to My Heart paper and Fancy Pants Rub-Ons.


The Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge was used to make different sized pages.



I used all sorts of Close to My Heart Stamps to add interest to blank pages.

The picture to the right shows a pocket that is holding three tags. There is also lines on the pocket for journaling.

I created a page with a tri-fold. The first panel has a piece of Cardstock for journaling, since it is only paper clipped to the page, more journaling or a picture can go underneath it. It opens up to more panels and lots more room for writing and pictures!

Here is one last picture showing a page with more pockets and tags.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Hope your day is full of fun and joy!

Garden Journal

This is something I wanted to make last summer but never got around to. I have found that my problem with getting things DONE, is simply getting it STARTED! Once I got started on this garden journal, it hardly took me any time at all to finish. So many ideas, so little time.

The front and back covers are 5 x 7 pieces of cardboard. For the front, I tore off the top layer of paper, to show the corrugated inside of the cardboard. I then distressed with a cream color acrylic paint, let that dry then swiped it with my Chocolate ink pad.

The piece that is stamped on is a piece of Colonial White cardstock. Direct to paper, I took the Honey ink pad and swiped it back and forth. I then sprayed Peach Delight Glimmer Mist over it and rubbed it in with a paper towel. Let that dry and stamped images from Treasure Life (still love that stamp set) in Chocolate ink. I distressed the edges with the handy dandy Close to My Heart Edge Distresser and then lightly sponged those edges with Chocolate ink. This piece is matted on Chocolate cardstock that also has it's edges distressed.

The flower is made from old Just Blooms paper flowers. I learned this technique from Connie McFarlane, check out her video tutorial here.

The word "garden" is stamped with the Hodge Podge Alphabet stamp. The butterfly is from the Celebrate Life stamp set.


For the inside pages, I just used an old (kid's) sketch book that my son only used a few pages out of. After all--that is what this journal if for; to sketch my garden layout, and record ideas or changes for the following year. I'm also planning on adding pictures of the garden and favorite flowers!

I also used a 6x9 kraft envelope for pockets to hold seed packets that were used. I trimmed the kraft envelope 4" from the bottom for one pocket, then closed and sealed the flap of the envelope and trimmed to 4" for another pocket. To keep with the rustic look, I used twine for the binding.
I have room for five years of garden notes in this journal!

Close to My Heart products:
My Acrylix Stamp Sets: Treasure Life, Hodge Podge Alphabet, Celebrate Life (retired)
Exclusive Inks: Chocolate, Black, Honey
Cardstock: Colonial White, Chocolate
Edge Distresser

Hoping you find some joy today!
Cheers,
Lisa

Baby's 1st Journal

I am having so much fun; using up old paper and blank coasters, getting out lots of stamps and creating different kinds of journals!

This little journal measures 4x4 and has 24 pages, 2 pages for each month of the year.

There are tags and pockets to record and store even more stories and items. Best of all, it is bound with book rings, so you can rearrange the book starting with the year your baby was born!


Nope--I'm not expecting! I'm thinking about starting an etsy shop. I just love making this little things!

Thanks for looking in today!

Mini Travel Journal

I found a couple blogs a week or so ago that I have been totally inspired by, the paper crafters of these two blogs make all sorts of journals. You can see their work here and here.
A few years ago I went in on a group buy of coasters and probably still have half of them waiting to be used! I thought these would make perfect covers for a mini travel journal; something that you could store in a glove box or purse and record daily happenings on a trip.
It has all sorts of pages and tags to write on.
It also has pockets to store small tickets, receipts or business cards that you may collect along the way.

The paper pack I used for this is an old one from Close to My heart called Route 66. I was so excited about this because my good friend is planning a summer vacation along Route 66 and I went to her birthday party last night! It was so much fun giving this to her!
The ideas for these cute little journals are endless: a faith journal, kid's quotes, baby's first year, 1st grade memories (or 2nd or 3rd etc..) Fun, fun, fun!!!
Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a craft-tabulous weekend!