Mini Scrapbook Album

My mom loves scrapbooking and has passed this passion to myself and a few of my sisters. In the days before kids, we would spend hours and hours at my parent's long kitchen table with all our supplies, pictures, and albums spread out as we scrapbooked. See how I said before kids? Ya. These days it seems I'm lucky if I print off pictures of my iPhone, never mind scrapbooking those memories. Nevertheless, I do still love scrapbooking and looking at magazines and being inspired, hoping someday to actually scrapbook again.

Then the day came when my mom introduced me to the world of mini albums. I was intrigued. A scrapbook that I could actually finish? Sign me up. So one afternoon she and I sat down at her kitchen table and she helped me put the base together for a mini album that I wanted to make for a gift. This is the YouTube video that she watched and made notes from. I won't be giving you step-by-step detailed instructions on how we did this, because I'm not too sure I would remember how, and the YouTube video provides all that information for you! (Please note: As you will see, we didn't follow her instructions completely. My cover looks different and I attached the pages together with rings instead of gluing everything together like she did.)

Once we put it together, then came the fun part of decorating!

I found putting this album together very calming and something for me to do. Very often I would put the boys to bed for their nap, turn on some old time radio programs on my iPad, and sit and scrapbook as the boys slept.

What makes this mini album so neat, is all the pockets and details. You can pull out tabs from the top and from the sides and fold down different sections to see more pictures. There is a lot of space for pictures and memories!

 

I used coordinating paper pads to make choosing colours and designs easier on myself. Or else I could have become very overwhelmed with so many choices. I also used many of the same layout designs. Keeping it simple to actually being able to finish it was the goal.

 

 

I decided to add an envelope in the back of the album to include extra pictures that didn't fit in the album. I just glued a plain envelope to the album and then decorated it the same as the rest of the book. 

I am so happy on how it turned out. I will definitely be making one of these little albums again. This was still not an quick project, but I love that I actually finished it. If you are a scrapbooker who is wanting something different to do or looking for a neat gift for someone special, then consider this project. You won't regret it! 

Happy weekend. :) 

Wrapping with Kraft Paper

It is less than a week away from Christmas. 

Crazy!! 

I have mentioned before that my family doesn't go crazy with Christmas presents. We draw names, set a $$ limit and we then we also buy (or make) the kiddies something. I am almost done the shopping part of Christmas, which I really don't mind. I love finding something that I know the other person will love. 

I also really like wrapping presents. I haven't done any wrapping yet this year, but I have been finding a few ideas to make the outside of the present look just as special as the inside. 

This year I have a couple rolls of brown kraft paper that I want to use up and make Christmassy (my special word). I love that kraft paper is so versatile and that it can be decorated for any occasion. I have compiled a few ideas that will help me as I crack open the new tape dispenser and scissors. 

1. Knot and Bow        2. Michael Gradyon   
3. The Party Studio    4. The Small Things Blog
5. Wit & Whistle        6. Apartment Therapy
7. Robbie and Erin     8. A Creative Mint

Happy wrapping! 

{Day 5} Handmade Gift Round-up

For the last day of our handmade gift week, I thought I would do a round-up of crafts and gifts that we have showed here in the past. A lot of people are new to our little blog, so it's a great way to catch up on some of our past projects, while getting ideas for gifts for Christmas! 

We'll see you back here on Monday for some delicious recipes to give your guests when they pop over for a visit...or eat yourself for breakfast. 

We won't tell. 

                                                

    

                                                                  

This is the fifth day in a three-week series that we're doing to help you get ready for Christmas...before December! 

If you don't want to miss any part of this series, why don't you 'like' us on Facebook? 

Day 4: Gifts for Parents and Grandparents

Welcome to Day 4 of our series!

I always find parents and grandparents to be the hardest to buy for at Christmas. I usually start thinking about what I'd like to do in October but haven't really decided on anything firm until.. December 24th. Then I start rushing around and praying that I can finish on time. This year I decided to make something personal but wouldn't take me years to complete. I decided on a photo book.

There are so many great websites out there where you can upload your pictures, put them in an album and then you're done. All for under $30!

I've used both Photobin.com and Shutterfly.com and think they're wonderful. They cost roughly the same for a 20 page hardcover book. If you get a sale, you can get it even cheaper.

How cute are her chubby cheeks?!

I used the pictures from our photo shoot in October. I placed the pictures and text where I wanted them, ordered it, and it was on my doorstep 2 days later. Awesome! 

Here are a few more fantastic ideas from other bloggers: (Remember to pin from the original source!)

1. Postcard Calendar Journal 2. Lavender Sea Salt Scrub 3. Baby Hand Print to Frame

4. Customized Bleach Pen Tea Towels 5. Frame Your Child's Masterpiece 6. DIY Lacquer Boxes

I hope that gives you a few ideas for some meaningful gifts. Heidi will be posting a few more ideas for you tomorrow. Did you see her mugs from yesterday?! It would make me smile whenever I drank my coffee from one :)

Day 2 - Gifts For The Man In Your Life

Welcome to day 2 of our series! I am very excited to be back blogging, and today I will be sharing a few gift ideas for the man in your life.

Thankfully my husband is easy to buy for. He has many hobbies and interests, and (usually) loves what I give him. Since we have been married, we haven't made gift giving at Christmas a huge deal. Of course we still get each other something, but either it's a gift that both of us can use/want, or we get two small gifts. This year is unlike any other so I have been brainstorming some ideas and compiled a list. I also included a few handmade gifts that I am going to try to make with our daughters that they can give him.



casemate.com sportchek.ca bestbuy.ca h&m.com

asortafairytaleblog.com funhandprintart.blogspot.ca lovelydesign.blogspot.ca makeandtakes.com

 Hopefully this gives you a few ideas on what to get the man in your life for Christmas. I love giving gifts to my husband to show that I care about him! I am also excited to start crafting with my kids!

Have you started buying gifts yet? What sorts of things have you been planning to buy or make for your husband?

{If you missed Day 1, you can click here}

If you're planning on joining us for our series, feel free to grab our button to place on your blog!

 

<a href="http://www.itsourpinterestinglife.blogspot.ca" target="_blank"><img alt="It’s Our Pinteresting Life" src="http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h327/Heidi_Hebert/3weeksforChristmas-180.jpg "/></a>

Loving Homemade Baby Gifts

There seems to be a lot of people having baby's around me and I love to make homemade baby gifts. There's something so wonderful about giving a precious little one something that you've made yourself. I know that some of my favourite baby gifts that we received were homemade including dresses, blankets, toys and other wonderful things.

So since there are so many babies coming, I thought it would be a good idea to post a round-up of some of my favourite tutorials out there (and they're all free!).

1) Easy Crochet Baby Blanket (good for beginners!) 2) Baby Shoes 3) Baby Halter Dress

4) Heirloom Chenille Blanket 5) Felt ABC's 6) Scalloped Baby Blanket

7) Knit Alien Plushies 8) Baby Swaddlers 9) Molly Monkey Toy

Hope those give you some great ideas to make some gifts for the little cuties in your life. 

Since Monday is a holiday, I'll be taking the day off but don't worry, I'll be back on Tuesday, hopefully with a great project for you!

(Remember to give the main designers credit and "Pin" from the original source! Thanks!)

Summer Lace Wrap Cardigan

Over the weekend, I finally finished my cardigan. I think this was the happiest I've ever been to finish a project. I started the project on June 30th and finally got around to taking some pictures today. I really wanted to show the finished project yesterday but it was too rainy and dark to take pictures.

I tried a few new things with this project including raglan style sleeves and blocking. I've always avoided any knitting projects with either of them and so I've been limited on what I could make.

I started making this project for myself but halfway through, I decided it would be a great present for my mom for her birthday.

My gorgeous Mom

The most difficult part of the pattern was figuring out the lace front. Once I had finished a complete row, I got the pattern down and it was smooth sailing.

The best part is that she loves it and looks wonderful in it!

If you're looking for a great database of free knitting and crocheting projects, check out Ravelry where I found this one!

Have you tried any projects lately that made you learn something new? Share with us!

Quick & Easy Baby Blanket Tutorial

There is nothing better than snuggling a new baby into a knit blanket. They're just so cute all cuddled up into the squishy soft yarn. They're one of my favourite presents to give new parents. I love the homemade presents that I received for my little girls and I hope the presents I give are loved and well used as well. I love to try new patterns but sometimes I just want something simple and fast. If you're just trying to learn how to crochet, this might be a good project for you to start on. It only uses one stitch and the blanket goes pretty fast. This one baby-sized blanket only took me about 4 hours to finish, and that's pretty good for a blanket!

To make your own blanket, you'll need to learn how to chain and how to do a double crochet. Here are two really great tutorials on how to do them. (Chain stitch & Double Crochet)

To begin grab a 6.5 hook and chain 81. In the third chain from the hook double crochet. Double crochet in every chain in the row. When you're done, chain three and turn your work. Double crochet in the same stitch  and then double crochet in every stitch down the row.  Continue this same pattern until you're satisfied with the length of your blanket.

Once you get a nice rhythm going, it won't take you long at all! You can use different yarns to make a stripe pattern or keep with one colour like I did here. I think I'm addicted to make these and will probably make a few more before the end of the week for another little baby that will be here soon. (Hint, she hasn't blogged in a while!)

Have a great Thursday everyone!

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