And the winner Is>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I'll be drawing for the blog prize on Friday  8/1 and announcing  on Saturday !!

Journal for a friend

I was asked on Saturday to make a journal for a  mutual friend going through a serious illness.
 It went out in the mail today.

I am learning / practicing conservation book binding, it is something I hope to get really good at some day and do it on a commission basis for Maxam Made and for local printers and artisans.  But for this project because of the time constraints I went with an wire binding.

I made this 8x10 size and used 60# watercolor like  paper  so that this really would be an all purpose journal.
I used a Mariposa Stack as this friends favorite color is Orange and I wanted to be really cheerful

This is the cover

I added pages with pockets

One of the pockets I added a lot of the scrap pieces for her to incorporate.

Hopefully this will be a blessing! She has a tough road ahead , the journal came with love and prayer!

I hope you are having a great day!

Thank you for stopping by

Ginny M

Vacationing and Freebies! Art Nouveau day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

I look forward to being back in the next couple of days!!

Vacationing and Freebies! Wild West day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

I hope you've enjoyed these images!

Vacationing and Freebies! Fine Art day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

Time for some color!!

Vacationing and Freebies!! Children's images day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

Paper orgainzations

I don't know if you have certain things that are more important to you than others in your craft room but I am a paper junkie.  The papers inspire me!   

I am always trying to find better storage for the papers.  Last year I cut about 45 stacks into 6x6 pads and that was the best idea!! Out of the 45 stacks I have probably used 35 in my card making and other PC projects.  Key for me is knowing what I have and keeping it accessible .  

After cutting my stacks into 6x6's I put them each in a cellophane bag and then in a ordered drawer.  This makes it very easy to find a type of paper.  Everything is labeled in the drawer and easy for me to get to!!


Masculine                                       Feminine
Easy for me to find what I am looking for !  I have 6 drawers of these packets!

Here is one of my "chops" in its little baggie, neat and protected, plus if I have a good size piece I put it back in with the pad.

 +I used this packet to make my blog cover card:

I keep a small basket  on the corner of my desk of the papers I want to get into and make cards:

I thought I'd share this system with you all as it has really helped me with my card making!

Thank you for stopping by!!

Ginny M

vacationing and freebies! Ships Day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

shopping in old Summervill!

While the kids were at work today, Steve. And I hit the road to check out the older parts of town. We had a great lunch, and walked around and talked to local shop owners. The folks down here are friendly And seem to be more relaxed than New Englanders, maybe when it is 95degrees out with 98 percent humidity. That is the only way to be! I have A few new regional recipes to share after we get home that we loved!!

 While there isn't a stamp or scrap store within 100 miles, there is a super joanns that has to be the nicest I have ever been in.  Nothing exciting for stamps, but they did have a great paper sale! Here is what I picked up:

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I have never seen this one before, it had a published date o 2013. There were two, I grabbed them both

Thought I would share the booty! I hope you are having a great day!

Ginny M

Vacationing and Freebies! Trees and leaves day!

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

Melty bead craze

You all have probably heard of the melted bead craze, a DIY for enamel dots.  Before vacation I thought I'd give it a try.  

$1.97 worth of Walmart pony beads, here is a simple DIY guide:

You start out by spreading the pony beads on parchment paper on a cookie sheet

Then you bake them at 400 about 10-14 miniutes

You will know when they are done as they will be fairly flat and round.

Now I am going out on a limb here and I don't want to offend anyone but when I saw these dots I thought they'd be great for kids cards and that is about it.

I often wonder why so many adults makes cards that really look like they are for children and then send them to adults.   I have to wonder  if a person were going to a store to buy a get well card for another adult, would they buy a card that had a elephant holding a beach ball in a tutu??

I know it is the thought that counts, and I do appreciate that! 

So I am pretty sure I now have a lifetime supply of enamel dots 

and will enjoy using them on my kiddie cards!

Here is a kiddie card I made with the dots!

 Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you are enjoying the freebie images I've been posting!

Ginny M

Every July I start my new planner for the up coming year, this year I am doing a 15 month calendar.  I decided to go with a bigger format in an effort to keep up with my growing birthday lists and card events.

 I switched from a smaller 5x7 format and went to a big A4 size!

Originally I printed  calander from a microsoft template, and was very excited it when it only took two hours and 70 sheets of 40# paper.  THEN I noticed it was for 2012!  I decided 20.00 for a new pretty one was worth the investment!

I plan how many birthday/occasions cards I need about a month ahead of time, having all the birthdays and occasions marked in the calender makes this easy

my average month averages about 60 birthday cards alone!!

On the Daily pages I note everything I mail out of here, cards, packages, sales, it all; gets logged.

some of this counts at tax time. 

If you participate in swaps and challenges and have pen pals around the world, this type of organization becomes invaluable!!

                        Thanks for stopping by, I've got some terrific freebies coming your way!! Check back tomorrow!
Ginny M

Vacationing and freebies! Old fashioned frames Day

While we're off visiting family I'm leaving you these fun freebies, Check back every other day for a new set!!  Thank you for stopping by!  

 Ginny M

 You can change the color  in your software!!

crafty fun while on the road!

While we are on the road we have been able to stop at a few shops and I made some great crafty fun purchases!                                
This is hand died silk ribbon, yummy colors!

Stacks of papers!


This is a 6x6 pad by 7 gypsies, love the beautiful botanical
;

I am looking forward to creating with these beautiful papers and ribbons.  Thanks for stopping by! More freebies tommorow!
Ginny M