Coloring Book Mini Album for the Birthday Girl

Today at the Mansion, I am sharing a birthday gift I made for sweet Ariana who will be turning 4 on April 3rd.  She is always peeking around the corner when I am browsing through all of my digi images.  Her soft, sweet, little voice always asks "can you make me a picture to color mommy?"

This gave me an idea . . . why not make her very own coloring book with some of the

girly images she loves so much.

I started with Medium Chipboard and printed out 8 images

from various artists:

Meljen Designs

Whoopsi Daisy

The Paper Shelter

Crafty Sentiments

and

Beary Dust Stamps

I printed 4 images to one page, leaving the images to measure 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 after being cut.  This gave me the opportunity to cut my chipboard a bit larger so that the coloring pages fit inside comfortably.

I used a hole punch to cut 5 holes across the top of the front and back covers to be able to feed ribbon through later.  

I then covered the  chipboard with some dp I received from my Blend 

Cindy at cre8ivecindy.  I really liked the cream color for the front and the flower print for the back. 

After picking out some coordinating embellishments and a fun stamp by Unity Stamp Co., it was all coming together beautifully.

The pink sticker has a cute little sentiment that I felt was fitting for my sweetheart.  

It says, "i just love you plain and simple".  This left room for me to add

some alphas to place her name in the center.

This tag and the red flower next to it are from a set called

Lickety Splits by Imaginisce.

I added a punched butterfly from my BFF Teresa. 

By the way, Teresa is the New Blog on the Block 

and can be found at skybluepink creations.  Pop over and say hello.  

I got the pink lace out of my stash and pleated it along the bottom and then added a satin olive green bow to offset all the pastel colors.  

 I tied some other ribbons from my stash to the top for added flair, and put the coloring pages inside.

It is all complete.

I am super excited to give this to her on her birthday!

Thanks for stopping by the Mansion!

Keep Crafting

:O)
Jessica

! ! ! ! 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

Weekend Speed Challenge

Anyone up for a little challenge this weekend?

Here is a recipe for a cute layout, just follow along starting at 1 and ending at 6 and post your pic here or on the facebook page (if you don't have a blog), don't forget to link it back to this blog.

Step 1: Choose 1 background paper (grab a random 5 from your stash and pick 1 of them).

Step 2: Make a rectangular shape approximately 6 inches x 3 inches and place it anywhere on your layout. Use a patterned paper.

Step 3: Choose your photos (min. 3) and place them so at least part of them is touching your rectangular shape.

Step 4:Use ribbon, ric rac or similar embellishment to edge 2 sides of your rectangular shape.

Step 5: Anchor each photo down with some type of embellishment: tape, staple, brad, button etc.

Step 6: Add a journal or title

Here is mine...

These are great challenges for all those pictures "you've been meaning to get to"! You have until Sunday Night to complete your layout!  Make it fast and keep it simple, can't wait to see what you come up with!
(inspired by My Memories)

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

{CSDivas DT Friday} Teacher Gift: Altered Tin Can

TGIF Divas

Today I am sharing an altered project . . . 

My step daughter arrived home from school yesterday and had a note from her teacher.  The teacher was announcing the upcoming Valentine's Day Party for her 3rd grade class next week.  

I thought this would be a perfect time for Gabriella to present a gift to her teacher.  

I have been hanging onto this wonderful Pirouette Tin Can for a while just waiting for an opportunity to transform it.  Now is the perfect time.

I got out my papers and tools and started crafting.   I started with my MS Valentine Stack (from last year) and wrapped it around the can.  I used Mod Podge and rubber bands to secure the paper while I prepared the embellishments. 

The doily heart is from my stash.  I stamped HUGS and KISSES (Unity Stamp from a grab bag purchase) in the center of the heart with red Studio G ink.  I matted the doily onto red card stock for added support and then fussy cut the edges.  I distressed the white doily using TH Vintage Photo ink.

I then inked the postage stamp (TH French Market) with the same red ink onto card stock and cut it out.  I inked the steampunk hand (TH Grunge Cirque) using TH Vintage Photo and then also cut it out.  The  postal mark is also a Unity Stamp (from a grab bag purchase) and inked using Vintage Photo.  I placed the red stamp on top of the postal mark

I added the red roses and the red satin ribbon using a bit of hot glue.  

The rosette in the center of the bow was made from scraps.

The layers on the top of the can were created by cutting scraps using Lacy Labels (Bliss) at 3 3/4".  The rosette on top was also made from scraps and then finished off with a heart shape that was cut using my Fiskars Heart Punch.

I plan to fill the tin with wonderful Valentine Chocolates for Gaby to take to Mrs. J.

Thanks so much for visiting the Mansion today and 

please do

Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica

An altered Taco Box . . . for a special little girl!!!

It's Friday and that means I am creating and posting for 

my DT Friday here at Creative Scrapbooking Divas today.  

I am highlighting an altered item I finished to give to my daughter Ariana.  

A while back, you may recall, I had made a few "special boxes" for my kiddos.  If you would like to peek at those, click HERE to see Lance Jr.'s and HERE to see Gabriella's.  My intentions were to make one for each of the three smaller kids.  Well, as my mind wandered down new paths, and I got caught up in other crafts probably, I neglected to finish a box for sweet little Ariana.  Mommy is so sorry honey!  I Love You!  

I had planned on using a Taco Bell Family Pack to alter for her special box.  Well, somehow the original box I had saved was tossed out.  That is probably part of the reason 

this project was on hold.  

So, a few months ago, during an online crop I was participating in on Blog Frog 

with Maryanne of Scrappy Gifts, 

I started to alter a new one.  

The challenge was to alter an item bigger than your head...

I snapped this picture to show I was playing fair LOL

  Needless to say, I didn't finish and missed the deadline.  

 

The box made its way onto a shelf and has been sitting there ever since.  That is, until I decided to finish Ariana's "Special Box".  I had already finished covering the entire box with brown paper packaging and lots of Mod Podge, but that was as far as I had gotten. 

All that was left to do now was take down some measurements, choose my papers, and of course, add some Unity images somewhere (I <3 Unity).   Ariana is such a girly girl.  Pink and Purple are her favorite colors and she is always playing dress up.  So, I definitely wanted to go with lots of Pink on this one with some fun and whimsical girly elements.  

The papers I used were from some Blog Candy I won at Cindy's Blog, not sure of the company or brand, though.  I pulled out some matching embellishments, chipboard letters, and stamps.

  I distressed all of the paper edges with TH - Vintage Photo.

 

Here are all the pieces ready to be placed on the box with a generous helping of Mod Podge.

 

As you may notice, the middle 'A' is a bit different.  That is because I didn't have 3, so I tried to be clever and turned a 'V' upside down and placed a matching chipboard heart in the center.  It works!

 

Now it was time to add the stamping.   My Unity January Kit of The Month arrived yesterday, so as I looked at the stamps, played around with some ideas, it all came to me. 

 The butterflies, the frame, and the sentiment are all of the January KOM.  The sentiment reads: "precious , happy, memory, journey".  I thought this was perfect for a keepsake box.

I plugged in my hot glue gun to finish added everything that was left: some flowers (from my stash and from my dear Blend Nataliya, the name tag, a few butterflies (also from Nataliya) and a button I borrowed from dear sweet Ria (my BFF's mom). 

I tied a bit of baker's twine around the handle for an added touch and Voila....

 

I was so happy to see sweet little Ariana's face light up when I presented it to her this morning.  My kids are early risers and so energetic at 6:00 a.m.  I figured this would keep her mind occupied until I was able to finish a few cups of coffee.  Well, she hasn't left it alone since...he he he!

Thank you so much
for joining us here
at The Mansion

and don't forget to
Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica

CSDivas - 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop {DAY 5}

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop  
~ CS Divas’ Mansion Style ~
DAY 5 

If you are looking for the CSDivas 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop 

{DAY 1}  ****click HERE****

{DAY 2}  ****click HERE****

{DAY 3}  ****click HERE****

{DAY 4}  ****click HERE****

  

This hop will take place December 1^st through December 12^th and will be full of wonderful ideas and inspiration to get you well on your way of creating all of those beautiful Christmas projects on your to-do lists. 

Now, if you just stumbled upon this hop, you are in the right place to start from the beginning.  There will be one project posted each day and each day will be hosted by a different Diva DT member.

This is an awesome way to get a lot of your Christmas cards and scrapbook layouts finished, home decorations completed,and maybe even be inspired to create something using a new technique that you have never tried. 

There will be a wide array of projects, and of course, some fabulous Blog Candy along the way.  

Here is a little sneak peak of today's featured DT Diva Project
Day 5
Jessica

be sure to visit Jessica's Day 5 Post ~HERE~


GRAND PRIZE
~~~SPONSORS~~~
We have been honored to have a few sponsors offer some wonderful prizes for this hop.  

First, let us introduce Julie K to the Mansion.  
Julie K has a wonderful blog at A Little Bit of Bling.  She has recently just opened her new store, 3 Girl JAM, where she sells her gorgeous hand-dyed crinkle ribbon.  
Stop by her blog and her store to see her creations, talent, and wonderful products.

BIO:  We are a small family oriented company ran by me (Julie) and my two daughters (Avery and Mackenzie).  We are 3 girls dedicated to bringing you a high quality hand-dyed ribbon that you will enjoy crafting with- as much as we do!  We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions, so please stop by our site at http://3girljam.blogspot.com/

3 Girl JAM is offering one lucky Grand Prize Winner:
6 bundles of her Hand-Dyed Crinkle Ribbon (that's 12 colors and 48 yards of ribbon)

Next, let us introduce Teri to the Mansion. 
Teri is the fabulous artist behind the Delicious Doodles Official Blog, Delicious Doodles Challenges (every Friday) and the Delicious Doodles Shop where you can see all of her gorgeous and unique Digital Stamps.  
And now, some of her images are available in Rubber Stamps at Sweet Pea Stamps.  

BIO: Delicious Doodles is a relatively young company with myself, Teri, as the Sole Trader. I have doodled and sketched all of my life, but only started selling my images in the Autumn of 2009.

I design and hand/mouse-draw all of the images that are sold in the DeliciousDoodles Shop. Some are cutesie animals, some are sketched flowers, there are a few men's images, some fantasy items and also some 'darker' images featuring Vampires, skulls and Gothic stuff, something for everyone! 

Delicious Doodles also has its own Challenges on blogger and a shop blog page featuring inspiration from the Design Team.

And now you can find my images at Sweet Pea Stamps as Rubber Stamps too!

I hope you enjoy using your Delicious Doodles images! 

Hugs,

Teri xx

Teri is offering one lucky Grand Prize Winner:
4 Digi Images 
~ 
Customer Choice

To be eligible for the fabulous Grand Prizes, you must follow these steps:

1 – Become a follower of the Creative Scrapbooking Divas blog, leave a comment on THIS POST stating you are a follower (earns 1 ticket).

2 – Like our FB page HERE, then leave a comment on FB stating you are a fan. (earns 1 ticket)

3 – Stop by each of the DT Divas’ blogs in the hop lineup and leave a comment at EACH STOP (One DT Diva's Blog per day) (Earns 1 ticket per day)

4 - Be sure to stop back at the CSDivas Mansion to link your project(s)  using Mr. Linky in each day post. (earns 2 tickets per project - 2 Tickets/Each Day = a total of 24 chances to win)

Our Tour List:
http://creativescrapbookingdivas.blogspot.com/  YOU ARE HERE

Day 1, Day 5, Day 9
Jessica- Jessica's Craft Shaque http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/ 
Day 2. Day 6, Day 10
Michelle – Michelle’s Happy Scrappy Place http://michelleshappyscrappyplace.blogspot.com/  
Day 3, Day 7, Day 11
Sandy - ScrapBook Blessings http://www.scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/ 
Day 4, Day 8, Day 12

Luisa - Creative Designs by Luisa http://www.creativedesignsbyluisa.com/

Each Day we will publish a post with the link to that day DT Diva and her project!  Just make sure to come visit us every day and hop around...

WINNERS:
- Due date to submit your projects is Thursday December 14th.
- We will have 3 winners! ( 1 from 3 Girls Jam, 1 from Delicious Doodles and 1 from CSDivas).
- Winners will be announced on Saturday December 17th. Here at the CSDivas Blog!
One extra enticing note:

DT Diva Jessica will be offering a surprise BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY for one person who shares the blog hop button on their sidebar from now until the end of the Hop!!! 

Just be sure to grab the button (up top), place it in your sidebar, and leave a comment on THIS POST for a chance at the surprise candy. 

One lucky winner will be chosen via random generator on December 13th! 

Keep on Crafting
:O)
Jessica