Master Master Doctor

I graduated (again)!

In high school, I wasn't adventurous or cheeky enough to get creative with my graduation cap.  I was even more a school dork then than I am now.

So for my second post-graduate degree, I thought I would go all out and make the cap a celebration of my two Master's degrees and PhD.

I wish I could give the specific details about the materials I used, but in all the craziness, I didn't really pay attention.  All of the materials did come from Michael's that much I can say.  And notice that I even covered the little button on top with scrapbook paper!

If you look around the Internet, there are tons of cool ideas for adding pizazz to your graduation cap.

"Once" The Musical Scrapbook Frame And Other Updates

I cannot believe that it has been over a year since my last post.  I guess I can only blame my absence on life.

Since last April, I finished my dissertation, got my PhD, turned 28, moved to New York, started a new academic pursuit, and tried to survive all of that happening in such a short time.

I recently saw "Once" the musical, and that is what my latest project is inspired by.  "Once" was incredible; the best musical I have seen to date.  If you have the opportunity to see it, you should definitely take advantage.

This was another student rush situation, and we managed to luck out with good seats, s I felt I had to commemorate the experience.    

 - Studio Decor (Michael's) 4-Way Adjustable Shadowbox 12 by 12, Black
- Recollections Woven Paper (Burlap; 12 in. by 12 in.)
- Recollections Printed Burlap (12 in. by 12 in. cut down to 8.5 in. by 11 in.)
- Jolee's By You Guitar Dimensional Sticker
- Recollections Flower Embellishments
- Recollections Burlap Flowers
- Me & My Big Ideas ALPHAChips

I was noticing a lot of burlap and natural papers at Michael's, which really inspired me.  Plus, the damaske printed burlap is just totally hot.

I have to say that I like the frames I was getting from JoAnn's much better than these Michael's frames, but shockingly, there are no JoAnn's in New York City, so I have to settle for Michael's.  Or I suppose I could order frames online.  But what woman doesn't love an excuse to go to the craft store?

Clearly I haven't been doing enough crafting recently because I got lost in Michael's.  I just spent time wandering the aisles and salivating over everything.

I also will share my only other project previous to this one here, although I ashamed to say that this baby is no longer a baby anymore.  One of my good friends had a baby in October and I made this for her:

Unfortunately, because I made it so long ago now, I can't give you the specifics of the materials that I used.  But I think it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

And luckily, it was sent to her right after it was made, not six months after the fact, like this post.

Babies, Babies, Babies!

It seems like lately, everyone is having babies, at least as far as my friends are concerned.   And it gives me the perfect excuse to do more crafting and project-ing.

I think the one for Baby L turned out the cutest, but they are all adorable.  My friends certainly know how to make cute babies!

Baby J:

- Collector's Museum 8 by 8 Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame, White
- Darice Self Stick Glitter Paper Iridescent (no color given; 8.5 in. by 11 in. cut down to 8 in. by 8 in.)
- Jolee's Boutique Gold Satin Flowers
- Jolee's Boutique Charcoal Satin Flowers
- ColorCore Cardstock Core Tags (2 in. by 2.75 in.; Package of 20)

Baby L:

- Collector's Museum 8 by 8 Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame, White
- Darice Self Stick Glitter Paper Gold (no color given; 8.5 in. by 11 in. cut down to 8 in. by 8 in.)
- Jolee's Boutique Gold Satin Flowers
- ColorCore Cardstock Core Tags (2 in. by 2.75 in.; Package of 20)

Baby W:

- Collector's Museum 8 by 8 Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame, White
- Darice Self Stick Glitter Paper Silver (no color given; 8.5 in. by 11 in. cut down to 8 in. by 8 in.)
- Jolee's Boutique Charcoal Satin Flowers
- ColorCore Cardstock Core Tags (Circular; 2.75 in. by 4 in.; Package of 10)
- The Paper Company White Cardstock (2.25 in. by 6 in. Bookmarks; Package of 20; cut in half)

Anniversary Scrapbook Album

My boyfriend and I recently celebrated our one year dating anniversary.  For his gift, I decided to make him a scrapbook that chronicled our first year together.

I had a lot of fun making it, and it brought back great memories.

I've been giving my boyfriend a card for all of our even-numbered month anniversaries, and sneakily have been stealing back the cards to put in the scrapbook.  

Even though I  love scrapbooking, I thought it was a fitting gift since the symbol for the first year is paper.  This is the paper anniversary on steroids.

This was truly a labor of love!

Cover:

- Purchased at JoAnn's

Page 1: How Do You Measure A Year?

- Paper from DCWV The Green Stack

Page 2: He Said, She Said

- Paper from DCWV Paper Pack
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels
- Flowers - I no longer have the information for these

Page 3: "Call Me Maybe"

- Paper from DCWV Jewel Stack

Page 4: Fire

- Page from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Jolee's By You Camp Fire Dimensional Sticker
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 5: SI Formal 1

- Paper from DCWV Lace & Linen Stack
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 6: SI Formal 2

- Paper from DCWV Lace & Linen Stack
- Hearts from JoAnn's
- I no longer have the information for the quote stickers

Page 7: Cards 1

 - Paper from DCWV Paper Pack

Page 8: Summer

- Paper from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Tag - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 9: Birthday

- Paper from DCWV Main Street Stack
- K & Company Birthday Cake Dimensional Stickers

Page 10: Cards 2

- Paper from DCWV Paper Pack

Page 11: Martha's Vineyard

- Paper from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 12: PDA

- Paper from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Tag - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 13: 6 Month Anniversary

- Paper from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

Page 14: Football 

- Paper from JoAnn's
- Paper House 3D Stickers
- Soft Spoken Embellishments

Page 15: Thanksgiving

- Paper from DCWV Linen & Lace Stack
- Tags - Martha Stewart Doily Lace Cherish Labels

 Page 16: Holidays

- Paper from unknown
- Stickers unknown

Page 17: Evita

- Paper from DCWV Main Street Stack
- Jolee's Boutique Dimensional Stickers Broadway

Page 18: Basketball

- Paper from JoAnn's
- Paper House 3D Stickers
- Soft Spoken Embellishments

Page 19: Cards 3 

- Paper from DCWV Paper Pack

Page 20: Valentine's Day

- Paper from JoAnn's
- Hearts from JoAnn's

Page 21: Hockey

- Paper from JoAnn's
- Life's Little Occasions Hockey Sticker Medley

Page 22: You Hold The Key To My Heart

- Paper from DCWV Premium Photo Stack
- Silver glitter paper from JoAnn's
- Wooden heart from JoAnn's

Page 23: Our songs

- Paper from DCWV Jewel Stack

Page 24: I Won't give Up

- Paper from DCWV Paper Pack

Page 25: The Rest Is History

- Paper from DCWV Jewel Stack

Prom Shadowbox

My sister attended her senior prom last year.  See had set aside her corsage and invitation, and when my parents moved, it presented the perfect opportunity for me to finally do something with it.

The prom took place on the Detroit river, so I kept with the nautical theme and added anchors.  I think they are a super cute addition to this otherwise fancy .

- I don't have the information about the frame but it came from Michael's
- The silver shiny paper is from Michael's, as well
- The wooden anchors are from Michael's
- I painted the anchors with a wood paint pen, also from Michael's

My First Official Etsy Order!!!

I am so excited to say that I finally (finally) got my first real Etsy order.

Someone ordered before, but only wanted to buy an empty frame, so that didn't really count.  I'm not in the business of selling frames.  I'm in the business of creating fabulous shadowboxes.

Katie wanted a gift for her friend Lisa's 40th birthday.  

- Collector's Museum 8 by 8 in. Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame While
- Paper - Me & My Big Ideas Value Pack Paper Pad
- Friend Saying - Creative Products, Inc. Friend Magnet from Meijer
- Wooden Letters - From Found
- White Letters -  Sticko Alpha LG Serif Foam ABC White Dimensional Stickers

The way my shop is set up, people can either e-mail me a photo or I can make the frame like this one, where I leave space for the photo and provide directions for how to take the frame apart and put it back together.

Thanks, Katie, for your order!  I hope Lisa loves her gift!  

Evita Scrapbook Frame

I went to New York with my boyfriend for the holidays.  We had a great time.  I think the highlight for me had to be getting to see Evita on Broadway with Ricky Martin.

We got up early on Saturday morning to try and get student rush tickets at the theater box office.  Not only did we score tickets, but we ended up being nine rows from the stage.

I had a huge crush on Ricky Martin growing up, and it was amazing to have my childhood love and current love in the same room (without wanting to kill each other).

I decided that this was definitely an experience worth commemorating, and went with the cameo/bust theme that is so iconic of the play.

- Collector's Museum 12 by 12 in. Shadow Box Scrapbook Frame Black
- Paper - DCWV Mainstreet Pack
- I don't have the information about the shiny red paper from JoAnn's
- Inspired Classics Jewelry Collection Pendant Purple Cameo (#3675)
- Jewels