Special guest Post from Lisa West - Faithbooking

Hello Divas,  Luisa here.

It is my pleasure today to present you a post written by a very Special Diva, our Lisa West.  Lisa is a very creative and talented Diva that has been a follower of CSDivas for a while. 

She has graciously offer to do a post for us about Faithbooking.  (Am working in convincing her to do a monthly post with us, ssshhhh is a secret!!!).

Here is Lisa's guest post:

I finally had a chance to check out several Faithbooks created by a Creative Memories consultant friend of mine. I have used verses and quotes in the past within my pages but I have never designed an entire scrapbook specifically for the sake of the inspirational message. The book is designed around the quotes instead of the pictures. This makes it really fun to match up any picture you feel coordinates with the quote for that page.

You start with a smaller book, I used an 8x8, and one pack of pages if you are using the Creative Memories book.

There are several quotes, books or messages you can design your Faithbook around. Here are the directions to the one I just recently finished.

The first page is for centering Psalm 139:13-16 with some special embellishments. I chose not to include a picture on this page.

Then there are 21 lines therefore, 21 pages... not including your first page with Psalm 139:13-16.

The first full lay-out starts the 20 lines of quotes. It works out perfectly as the backside of the last page, number 21, is for the author's name with another picture of your choice.

Here are the 20 lines. See below for my examples of how to incorporate them into the lay-outs.

You are who you are for a reason

You're part of an intricate plan

You're a precious and perfect unique design

Called "God's special woman or man"

You look like you look for a reason

Our god made no mistake

He knit you together within the womb

You're just what He wanted to make!

The parents you had were the ones He chose

And no matter how you feel

They were custom designed with Gods plan in mind

And they bear the Master's seal

No, that trauma you faced was not easy

And God wept that it hurt you so

But it was allowed to shape our heart

So that into His likeness you'd grow

You are who you are for a reason

You've been formed by the Master's rod

You are who you are beloved,

Because there is a God!

by Russell Kelfer

Here are a few examples:

I kept the pages simple and didn't do any "wallpapering". I didn't want to take away from the point of the book. This lay-out above has pre-made frames but none of other pics had matting. Simple.

The last page

This scrapbook is for my 10yr old. I'm in the process of starting another for my 8yr old using a different message. I will share it with you hopefully by Easter.

Another idea for you...Max Lucado has a children's book, "Just in Case You Ever Wonder", this concept could be created on. It starts out "Long long ago, God made a decision"..."He made the decision to make you". What a special little book that would make.

Lisa West

I know you enjoyed this guest post by Lisa West.  Please lets show her how much we like her special contribution to our blog.

Thanks Lisa for being so suportive of CSDivas!  You know that at CSDivas we do this because we love to share ideas, get inspired and meet great persons like you!

You can visit Lisa's blog here: http://lettersandlace.blogspot.com/.

Hugs and blessings,

SAVE THE DATE

! ! ! ! Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na - - - You Say It's Your Birthday! ! ! !

Today for my CSDivas DT Post, I am changing it up a bit.  

The CSDivas have been an avid part of who I am as a crafter and creator and have helped me grow tremendously over the last year.  Since they are so warm and inviting, I wanted to share their encouragement with Teresa, my BFF.   So for today, I am showcasing a few crafty projects she completed.  She doesn't have a blog yet (but this is on my to do list to help her out...he he he).  

She was  visiting this weekend to celebrate the 4 birthdays that took place this month just in our house....LOL.  Haylee is now 2, Lance Jr. is now 5,  I just turned 30 something, with the DH, Lance a day behind me turning 30 something as well.  Teresa and I have always shared compassion for art and I was blown away when she arrived today.  Look what she brought with her....

She said that she wanted to give us an Island Getaway!!!  LOVE IT!!!

Teresa spent a lot of time working on this fabulous cake for the entire February Birthday crew . . . and it was so so so very yummy.  The kids couldn't wait to dip into the wonderful waterfall of sugary sweet goodness.

After cake, there was crafty time.  Because, what is a BFF visit without some crafty time, right???

While I sat at my computer to show Teresa some inspiration and enable her to join Pinterest (LOL), she got started right away.  She knew she wanted to make a Birthday card for her dear sweet SIL, Jenn.   Isn't this lovely?  I think Teresa is really a true natural at this....don't you?

Supplies:

Cosmo Cricket - Primrose (dbl sided)

Sentiments from My Pink Stamper - Birthday Crazy

TH Distress Inks and Embossing Powder

Ovals cut using Creative Memories tools

Rose by I Am Roses

Pearls, Lace and Fibers from Stash

Embossed with dots folder and damask folder

Metal charm - Pixie Press

Please leave lots of love so that I can share

all of the wonderfully encouraging words with Teresa.

She will love it!!!

Keep Crafting 

:O)

 Jessica 

Teresa

February CSD GT Member - Maryann Abutaha. Post 4

Hello All:

Well, due to circumstances beyond my control, I didn't do the project I had in mind. It is only half completed, but I just ran out of time. So instead, here is a little box that I gave to all the secretaries in our department for Administrative Professionals Day two years ago.

I wrapped Hershey's nuggets and stamped "great job" in purple ink. I also made a 3X3X1 box.




I covered the bottom and the top of the boxes with DS paper I cut out with Spellbinders Labels 3. I cut out matching cardstock with a scallop punch and adhered the sentiment to that.




Viola!




I want to thank CSD for having me as a guest designer this month! I hope everyone enjoyed my projects!

Maryann

Do it yourself embossing mat

I got this great tip from one of my scrapbook groups...

I needed a mat that I could use my embossing gun with and I ran across one I could make.  First I used very heavy/thick chipboard.   This one was the back part of an embellishment pack.

Next take some aluminum foil (I used name brand).  Cut the size of the board plus a little extra for folding.

Then I folding the foil around the cardstock, like I was wrapping a present.  I taped the flaps down on the back side.

Now I have a great embossing board. 

I think the reflective foil helps the powder/gun heat up faster and I don't have to worry about burning my fingers or my table.  I also use a wood skewer/tooth pick to help hold my paper in place so it didn't blow away.  

At the Scrapbook Expo

Sorry that I am not posting a project. This week was a bit hectic and today I am at the Scrapbook Expo with CSD Diva Liz and Guest DT Maryann.







Here we all are.
Maryann, myself and Liz



Liz and I



Liz and I with Stephanie Barnard from The Stamps of Life.



Here I am pretending to ride the cardboard scooter!! LOL!!

Happy Crafting!!

Michelle

Chalk and it's Versatility...

Hello Divas,
I've been excited to share the versatility of using chalk to color your stamped images. Today, I'll show how one stamp and chalking get fabulous results.

so my first card is done with black ink on white cardstock. and the next is done with Black cardstock and white embossing..

Using chalk to color your images gives a soft effect and is very easy.. Just use a Q-tip and chose a color and rub directly over the image... The result is fast and very colorful... Here are the two finished cards.. All done in less than 6 minutes.. I really need to learn to video and make you a tutorial.
I hope you can see the chalks and the ease of this technique.

Have a Happy Day, Liz

Useful Tip with Luisa - Project Life/Journaling Station

Hello Divas,
Luisa here... This time am sharing a tip that has been working wonders for me, since I decided to adopt it.
As you know am an "organization junkie" and always trying to find the best way to organize myself and my stuff (maybe I create 50% and organize 50%, lol...). 

Well I have been reading about having "work stations" for the different tasks that as crafters we do, like: stamping, die cutting, etc.  I don't have a big scrapbook room, actually my bedroom is 65% sb room and 35% bedroom, lol...). So I decided to create mini stations for some of the most specific tasks I do, which are: Journaling, Project Life and Embellishments.
I already shared my Project Life little tote, which is the one I carry with me to the living room to create and enjoy my family at the same time.


Today am sharing my JOURNALING / PROJECT LIFE Station!
This one sits in my night table, besides my lamp.  I place it here, because I want to be able to use stuff from it when am writing in my Diary, Weightloss Journal and Inspiration Journal.  If am working in Project Life pages, I can simply move it to my desk.


It all started with this organization box from Walmart ($8 dlls) with dividers.

Plus some journalind materials, such as Smash Products (post- its, flags, tape, journalind books), some general office supplies like labels in different sizes and shapes) some index cards and other fun stuff I found.



And this is the end result:

For now, this has been working wonders for me.  But I know myself and am getting addicted to Project Life and my supplies stash has been growing pretty fast...


What about you?  How you store your supplies?
What you think about creating stations or as me mini-stations?

Hugs and blessings,

February Guest DT - Maryann Abutaha - Post 3

So Valentine's day is over and I'm not ready for Easter yet, I thought I would do something for St. Patrick's Day.

I printed a clover box on green card stock and cut out some designer paper




I heat embossed a silver four leaf clover with silver embossing powder. I thought it would stand out more but it didn't..hmm..oh well.




I cut out the squares and circles and adhered them to the box and put pop squares for the circles where I embossed the clover.




And Viola! put the box together! I hope you can see the embossed four leaf clover. Since I'm new to heat embossing, I only have a few colors right now. But you know I will have more soon!







And this is the top of the box. I also cut out the designer paper to match the top.




Hope you like my project!

Maryann

Valentine's Heart Shaped Pouch

I know that Valentine's has passed but since it was only a couple days ago and since every day is a day to love one another, I figured I would share a Valentine Heart Shaped Box I made.

This is from the 'Heart Shaped Box' collection from SVG Attic .

Here are the first two shapes that I cut out using my Cricut and Sure Cuts A-lot and the Heart Shaped Box. These pieces will be the sides and top flap of the box.

Here are the two hearts which will be the sides of the box.  The holes are for ribbon to tie it closed.

Here it is after being assembled.  You can see the flip top.

I chose to put a chocolate covered heart peep inside but you could put Hershey's Kisses too.

I added some white ribbon and a piece of card stock with a heart that looks like a stamp 

for mail and matted it.

Here is a close up view.

Here is the view from the top.

Side view.

I hope you like it!

Happy Crafting!

~Diva Michelle

Have you seen what's new from SIZZIX...?

Hello Divas!,
I'm so excited to share with you that Sizzix dies has now released a few of Stephanie Bernard Flip it card dies.. They are a 5x5 finished card and are so fun..

I decided to play and make two cards using the same Fancy frame flip it so you can see the versatility of this card die.. You can use it for fancy cards or just some fun everyday sentiments..

you can create two cards from a single 8.5 x 11 sheet or three cards from a 12x12 sheet of cardstock.

My first card is a fancy card I did using a patterned cardstock and a stamp set from Market City Stamps.

This die is so much fun... You can cut these out and make a card in under five minutes.. Just cut, add a sentiment and your done if you ise patterend paper.. FABULOUS AND FANCY..

Here's my playful Bday card.. using The Stamps of Life stamps





I'm off to create more flip its.. I think these are my new favorites...

Enjoy your day,
Liz