Welcome To The World: Baby Dax (Baby Shower And Birth Scrapbook Frames)

One of my good friends recently had a baby, which provided me the perfect opportunity to scrapbook frame gift them.  I made one for the birth of the baby, and one for the baby shower that happened earlier this summer.

Baby Shower

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frame in white

- Paper from Me & My Big Ideas Value Pack Paper Pad

- Jolee's Boutique (EK Success) Pink Flower Duo Dimensional Stickers 

- Recollections Pregnancy Stickers

- Studio 112 Pearl Adhesive Gems

- Life's Little Occasions (K & Co.) Die-Cut Labels Pink

Baby

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frame in white
- Choo Choo Paper from JoAnn's
- Personalized By You (The Paper Co.) Adhesive Stickers It's A Boy Embellishments
- Personalized By You (The Paper Co.) Adhesive Stickers Baby Blue Feet Embellishments
- Martha Stewart Crafts (EK Success) Blue Layered Pom-Pom Stickers
- Life's Little Occasions (K & Co.) Die-Cut Labels Blue

Six Month Dating Anniversary Scrapbook Frame

My boyfriend and I recently celebrated six months of dating, so I made him a scrapbook frame of us for his new apartment.

I didn't want to make it too girly, so I stuck with more primary colors, especially red.

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frame in black
- Paper from Me & My Big Ideas Value Pack Paper Pad
- "You & Me" and Tag stickers from set I no longer have
- Metal Quote "My love for you is a journey; Starting at forever, and ending at never. - Anonymous" from set I no longer have
- Jolee's Boutique (EK Success) Large Red Felt Flower Dimensional Sticker
- Felt Fuzzy Hearts are JoAnn's own brand

Wedding Keepsake Shadowbox Frame

- North America Enclosures, Inc. Keepsake Display Memory Box 11" by 14" in white
- Oracal 631 (Exhibition) vinyl sheet in Soft Pink (this was a very large sheet, with adhesive backing)
- Oracal 631 (Exhibition) vinyl sheet in Silver Grey Metallic (this was a very large sheet, with adhesive backing)

I was a bridesmaid at one of my good friend's weddings a few weeks ago. 

The wedding was in California.  It was a beautiful ceremony and reception, and I was so honored to be a part of their special day.

Our bouquets were so beautiful, that I managed to get it to survive 100 degree temperatures and being shoved in my suitcase on the flight home.

I knew in my quest to save it that I wanted to do something special with it when I got home.

I read a bunch of different things online about how to preserve flowers.  What I ended up doing was hanging the bouquet on a string in the closet.  I did this for about a week and a half.  Most of the instructions I read suggested hanging it for two to three weeks, but I was too impatient.  I then sprayed the flower part of the bouquet with hairspray (again, another trick I read online about preserving flowers yourself).

I decided to showcase the bouquet and wedding invitation in a shadowbox.  I may end up adding more to it, like a picture and my place card.  If I do add to it, I'll be sure to post about it.

To be honest, I am not all that happy with the quality of the frame that I bought from JoAnn's.  I'm so glad that they increased their in-store selection of shadowbox frames.  However, with the particular one I bought, I did not realize that the entire backing of it is made out of foam poster board.  However, the foam may have worked in my favor, being that I really had to crunch it down over the bouquet to get it to fit, and I wouldn't have been able to do that with a backing made of harder material.    

I also found the vinyl sheets to be ridiculously difficult to work with.  I'm glad I used them, however, because they did a good job of disguising the foam core backing of the frame.  Because the large vinyl sheets were so finicky, I cut them into strips to ensure that I would be able to lay them down smoothly, without bubbles or creases.  For the inside of the backing, I did alternating pink and silver stripes.  For the back (not pictured), I simply covered it in strips of the silver vinyl.  I thought I was going to have so much vinyl to spare, but ultimately really didn't.  It was a crash course for me in vinyl sheets!

Overall, I am really excited with how this turned out.  As I mentioned, I might consider adding a few more keepsakes from the wedding to it.  If I do, I'll be sure to post the final product. 

I've also included a picture of me and the bride (and the bouquet, in all of it's original glory).

Butterfly Frame Set

When I get a project idea, I tend obsess over it until I bring it to fruition.

During a recent IKEA trip, I found the following picture:

 (Taken from: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50185826/)

 
My immediate reaction was that I felt I could make this myself.  So I embarked on a quest to do just that. 

I was having a tough time finding white shadowbox frames that are 8 by 8 inches, but finally did.  And I'm glad because I don't think this project would be as good in a larger frame.

They recently re-did the JoAnn's that I typically shop at.  In the past, every time I have looked for scrapbook frames, I have been unable to find them.  But now they have a wide variety of them, 12 by 12 inch, 10 by 10 inch, 8 by 10 inch, and 8 by 8 inch.

It turned out that these frames were 50% off when I went to JoAnn's.  I should have stocked up, but I wasn't in the mood to haul them back on the bus with me in 90 degree heat, so I purchased the three I needed for this latest project.  

Anyway, enough about JoAnn's.

About this project...I ended up having to use a paring knife and cutting board in order to cut the butterflies out.  Using scissors would have cut the whole butterfly out, which you don't want to do for this project.  The whole idea is the dimensionality, with the wings folded up and the background showing through.  An X-acto knife or something similar would probably be ideal.

To make the butterflies, I bought a pack of hard butterfly stickers, of various shapes and sizes (see info below), and traced them face down so that they wouldn't stick to the paper. 

Butterfly Cutout Frames (X2):

Collector's Museum Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame
Pink Glitter Paper, 8 by 10, from JoAnn's
White Glitter Paper, 8 by 10, from JoAnn's

If we place them side-by-side, they aren't identical, but are pretty darn close, if I do say so myself.

I had contemplated trying to smooth all of the edges on mine, but I decided I liked the handmade look better, rather than a completely clean, laser-cut look.

My original plan was to make two different ones, but I decided to just trace the outline of the butterflies from the first one onto the second one.  Because I'm doing them by hand, they obviously aren't completely identical, but close enough.

The second part of the project involved creating a diorama.  A design technique that is really "in" right now are fake nature dioramas, such as the butterfly one I created below.  I found the awesome pink butterflies on Etsy.  They are made on transparency paper.  I wanted the look, without having to kill nature to make it happen.  And these butterflies are so realistic looking that it ultimately does not matter that they aren't real (and they are pink!). 

Butterfly Diorama:

Collector's Museum Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame
Lavender Glitter Paper, 8 by 10, from JoAnn's
Butterflies by Clear Cut Crafts (Etsy)

I am also clearly obsessed with sets.

I can't take credit for the artwork above the butterflies.  That was made for me by a very good friend.  I already had it hanging, and knew that these would look great with it.

I think these would make a great inspiration for a little girls room...someday...

For now, they are in my bedroom.

School Years Scrapbook

My sister recently graduated from high school, and I have been planning for a while to make her a school years scrapbook.

I have been stockpiling school related paper and stickers for over a year.

This was definitely a labor of love, if there ever was one.  Tracking down all of her school pictures was not easy.

I had originally set out to have a page per year, but I quickly realized that, that would make the scrapbook too full.  So I ditched that idea in favor of the way you see below.

I also included several pieces of paper for people to write messages to my sister on, which are in the last page of the scrapbook.

Overall, I think this turned out great.

Front Cover:

- Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc. Photo Album (Style #DSL-12) from JoAnn's
- Flower Stickers (from a set I no longer have)
- White Letters (from a set I no longer have)

First Page:

- Frog Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)

- Baby Girl sticker (from set I no longer have)

School Pics (K-8):

- Argyle Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)

- Sticko (EK Success) School Grades stickers

Kindergarten and 1st Grade:

 

- Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)

- Paper House Productions Sticky Pix School Days Cardstock Stickers

- Jolee's Boutique Homework Dimensional Stickers
- Recollections School Days Dimensional Stickers 
- Life's Little Occasions Die-Cut Labels Blue
- Colorbok Transparency Frames
 

2nd and 3rd Grade:

 

- Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)  - Paper House Productions Sticky Pix School Days Cardstock Stickers

- Jolee's Boutique Homework Dimensional Stickers
- Recollections School Days Dimensional Stickers 
- Life's Little Occasions Die-Cut Labels Pink
- Colorbok Transparency Frames

4th and 5th Grade:

- Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)
- Paper House Productions Sticky Pix School Days Cardstock Stickers
- Jolee's Boutique Homework Dimensional Stickers
- Recollections School Days Dimensional Stickers 
- Life's Little Occasions Die-Cut Labels Blue
- Colorbok Transparency Frames

Middle School:

- Paper from High School Pack (DCWV)
- Recollections Middle School Dimensional Stickers

Freshman Year:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)

- Sticko (EK Success) Freshman Year
- Senti-Metalz Freshman

Sophomore Year:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Sticko (EK Success) Sophomore Year
- Senti-Metalz Sophomore

Junior Year:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Sticko (EK Success) Junior Year
- Senti-Metalz Junior

Senior Year:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- EK Success Sticko Senior Year
- Senti-Metalz  Senior

Homecoming:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Me & My Big Ideas Prom Night Stickers

-  

Spring Break:

- Paper from The Jewel Stack (DCWV)

Prom:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Recollections Prom Night 3D Stickers

Senior Pictures 1:

- Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)
- Studio 112 Purple Layered Flowers

Senior Pictures 2:

- Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)
- K & Company The Kiss Flower Layered Accents

Graduation:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Jolee's Boutique Cap & Gown Dimensional Stickers

Graduation Party:

I still have to make this one, and will add it once it's completed.

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)

- Sticko (EK Success) The Grad Dimensional Stickers

College:

- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)

- Me & My Big Ideas Soft Spoken College Life Embellishments

Last Page: 

- Paper from Grade School Stack (DCWV)

Message Paper:

- Paper from JoAnn's

Back Cover:

- Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc. Photo Album (Style #DSL-12) from JoAnn's

- Personalized Label from Expressionery

Graduation Scrapbook Frame

My sister graduated high school, so I made her a school years scrapbook (see next post), and a graduation scrapbook frame.  I had a lot of fun making this, and think it turned out really cute.

 
- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black
- Paper from High School Stack (DCWV)
- Jolee's Boutique Class Of 2012 Dimensional Stickers
- Congrats GRAD! candy wrapper

Super Sweet Sixteen Scrapbook Frame

Two of my married friends turned 32, so they had what they called a Double Double Sweet 16.  It was a super fun party, complete with disco ball pinata that I helped them make.  So I made this for them to commemorate the event.

By the way, I paid full price for The Jewels Stack paper pack, because I loved it so much.  It comes with jeweled pages, plus had this Sweet sheet that worked great as the base for this project.  

Happy Birthday to Jen and Patrick!

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in white

- Sweet Paper from The Jewels Stack (DCWV)

- 16 from Sticko (EK Success) Alpha Large Serif Foam ABC White

- Jolee's Boutique Party Hats Dimensional Stickers

- Cake from Soft Spoken (Me & My Big Ideas) Embellishments 

- Studio 112 Pink Circle Adhesive Gems

Chocolate And Coffee Scrapbook Frame Set

I've been a busy little beaver lately.  And rarely do I make "gifts" for myself, but I really loved how the Bakerella frame for my kitchen turned out, and decided to make a set to complement it.  Since I equally love chocolate and coffee, I went with those as themes.  I thought that the darker color scheme would complement the lighter one of the Bakerella frame. 

Chocolate

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frame in black
- Chocolate Truffle Paper from The Snack Stack (DCWV)
- Jolee's By You (EK Success) Chocolate Bars Dimensional Stickers
- K & Co. Chocolate Dimensional Stickers
- Chocolate Cake Polaroid by Painted Fish Studio (Etsy)
- Chocolate Quote Letterpress Cards (which I cut down to just the quote) by Lady Bug Press (Etsy)
- Scrabble Tiles from Found (Ann Arbor)

 
 Coffee

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frame in black
- Coffee Bean Paper from The Snack Stack (DCWV)
- Jolee's By You (EK Success) Coffee Dimensional Stickers
- Life's Little Occasions Coffee Sticker Medley
- Latte At Cafe Zingaro Polaroid by Painted Fish Studio (Etsy)
- Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino Caps
- Scrabble Tiles from Found (Ann Arbor)

Mega Heart Scrapbook Frame

One of my good friends finally set a date for her wedding, and then asked me to be in it.  So it was Valentine's Day, and though I wasn't particularly feeling the love, I figured I would add to the love of others.  I joke that a heart threw up in this frame, but I think it is pretty darn cute anyway.

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 10 in. by 10 in. frame in white

- Pink Ribbon Paper from The Lace and Linen Stack (DCWV)

- Jolee's Boutique (EK Success) White Flowers Dimensional Stickers 

- Martha Stewart Crafts Doily Lace Cherish Labels 

- JoAnn Fabrics Felt Hearts

Pretty Family Scrapbook Frame

I loved this picture of my cousins, so I decided to make a scrapbook frame for them, just because.

 - RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 10 in. by 10 in. frame in black

- Flower Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Soft Spoken (Me & My Big Ideas) ABL-Family

- Martha Stewart Crafts Silver and Gold Pom Pom Stickers

- Life's Little Occasions Die-Cut Labels Pink

Welcome To The World: Babies Ethan and Jacob

I have two cousins that are sisters.  One got married Memorial Day weekend of 2008, and the other got married Labor Day weekend of 2008.  One had a baby almost a year ago, and the other recently gave birth to what may have been the first baby born in the United States on January 1, 2012.  So I made these frames for them.

I have discovered that 12 in. by 12 in. shadowbox frames are a major pain to mail through the post office.  They don't easily fit in any box.  But I discovered that Target has 10 in. by 10 in. frames, which are much easier to mail.

 Ethan
 
- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 10 in. by 10 in. frame in white
- Paper KI Memories, Inc. "It's A Boy Zoo" (The Paper Co. Sheet)
- Personalized By You (The Paper Co.) Adhesive Stickers It's A Boy Embellishments
- Martha Stewart Crafts (EK Success) Blue Layered Pom-Pom Stickers
- Life's Little Occasions (K & Co.) Die-Cut Labels Blue

Jacob

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 10 in. by 10 in. frame in white
- Me & My Big Ideas Blue Baby Feet paper
- Personalized By You (The Paper Co.) Adhesive Stickers Baby Blue Feet Embellishments
- Studio 112 Pearl Adhesive Gems
- Life's Little Occasions (K & Co.) Die-Cut Labels Blue

Anniversary Frame

In late December, my amazing grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, and I made this frame for them.  I added an extra special touch to this by putting lace on the edge of the frame and also inside.

It was a labor of love and I think it turned out great.  I only hope that I can find love like they have some day. 

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in white
- Soft Spoken (Me & My Big Ideas) Anniversary stickers
- Square Medallions in silver purchased at Found
- Studio 18 Rhinestones in clear
- Making Memories Shimmer Alpha Holiday stickers
- DCWV paper from Rustic Stack
- Sticko Red Bubble Hearts stickers
- Jolee's Boutique White flourishes stickers
- Antique Lace purchased at JoAnn's

Holiday Haul 2011

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted.  And I have a bunch of projects to update you on.  The Holidays for me this year were filled with projects.  My sister is a senior in high school, so many of the gifts I made for family incorporated some of my favorite pictures of her.

All of the photos here, with the exception of the last frame, were taken by my good friend, and talented photographer, Rachel Sisco, of Shadow & Soul Photography.

I really hope that all of the people that received these gifts will enjoy them (for years to come) as much as I enjoyed making them!

    

Molly and Leslie Scrapbook Frame Set

- Frames Black Shadowbox from Michaels set, 8 in. by 8 in.

- Rock Paper (cut down from 12 in. by 12 in.) from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Letters - Sticko EK Success Alpha Large Serif Foam ABC White

- Rocks from Four Directions

 3 Scrapbook Frame Set

(Left)

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black

- Flower Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Cloud 9 Design Clear Epoxy Quote Stickers from Our Family 

- Studio 112 Purple Layered Flowers

(Center)

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black

- Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Cloud 9 Design Clear Epoxy Quote Stickers

- Studio 112 Pink Layered Flowers

- Heart Stone from Four Directions

 

(Right)

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black

- Flower Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Cloud 9 Design Clear Epoxy Quote Stickers from All Girl

- Studio 112 Purple Layered Flowers

 Molly Scrapbook Frame

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black

- Flower Paper from Premium Photo Stack (DCWV)

- Jolee's Boutique (EK Success) Silver Satin Flowers Dimensional Stickers Le Fleur

Sisters Frame

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) 4 in. by 6 in. frame in black

- Soft Spoken (Me & My Big Ideas) Sassy-Sisters

- K & Co. Berry Sweet Floral Felt Stickers 

BFF Scrapbook Frame

- RE Style (Room Essentials; Target) Shadowbox 12 in. by 12 in. frame in black
- Letters purchased at Found
- Jolee's Boutique Bright Fluffy Flowers (Rosettes with pearl)
- K&Company (Isabella Grace) Flower Layered Accents stickers
- Cloud 9 Design Friends Forever epoxy stickers
- Me&My Big Ideas Paper from Value Pack (180 sheets)