Hello Crafters,

Hope everyone is having a wonderful  "crafty" Summer!  I've been trying some different things lately and wanted to share some with you. I've also had a few more "firsts" related to the craft world.

As far as projects, I bought a relatively inexpensive journal from Michael's. I just wanted something to keep track of projects I have in the works and upcoming, and to jot notes/info down in.  Below is a pic of the journal I purchased.

Then, of course, I decided it was too plan and decided to make some changes to it. So, I took my purple glitter glue and went to work. No major enhancements, but this is what it looks like now.

I've actually done this with a few other journals as well. Below is a pic of one I enhanced earlier this year. I added the flower and bling to the front, along with the smaller print words. Then I personalized the inside front cover.

I also decorated a gift box and journal for my mom for this past Mother's Day. Unfortunately I failed to take photos so I don't have them to show you. I did the same thing, just added some embelllies and personalized it a little bit. But, she was thrilled and so appreciative.

Well, stay tuned and I'll tell all about all my exciting firsts...

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE !!!

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the start to Summer!  I hope all your children have done well this past school year, have a fun filled Summer, & succeed with flying colors next school year!  More exciting things have happened prior to this summer so I am very excited about what this new season is going to bring!

~ Update ~

Here is a project I worked on prior to the summer.  I made invitations for my uncle's retirement party.  (Personal information has been blocked out using patterned paper strips. These strips were used for confidentiality purposes only.)

The following pictures represent the supplies I used for the actual invitation and red printing paper used for the envelope I made.

Using my paper slicer, I cut the black & white patterned cardstock into 6x6 squares.  Therefore, you can make 4 invitations out of 1 sheet. Then, I cut the red glitter cardstock into 5x5 squares. I typed up the invitation including a page border and resized it for my small block of text. Then, I printed it out using a regular HP deskjet printer onto a vellum sheet. Cut that square out leaving just a little trim outside the border. I left a little extra at the top to accommodate the holes for the ribbon. 

Using Quick Dry, adhere the red glitter square to the black & white patterned square. Place the vellum square on top. Using the holepunch, center 2 holes in the top border. Cut an ample piece of red ribbon, then black ribbon. Put them together and feed each end through the respective holes in the top of the cardstock. Tie the ribbon together into a bow. And, here's your finished product.

To make the envelope, I used 2 sheets of red printer paper. Cut one down to about a 7x7 horizontal rectangle. Cut the other to a 6.5x8 vertical rectangle. Center your invitation into the middle of the horizontal piece. However, align the top of the cardstock with the envelope paper. Fold the 2 sides and bottom edges around the invitation. Use a tape runner or glue stick to add adhesive to the 3 overlapping edges. Then place to vertical piece on top, aligning the bottom edge evenly.  Press the 2 sides and bottom to adhere the cover of your envelope. Then, turn it over and fold the top flap over. Use your tape runner to adhere the flap, therefore sealing your envelope.

This was a very fun project to do and I got lots of compliments on the work!