Mini Photo Books

Every year I create photo books for the great-grandparents who do not get to see the grand kids that often.  Actually, I just do the cover pages and then every month I send a photo collage and little write up of the month's activities.  All this is done on a 4x6 photo and then can be slipped in their books when they arrive in the mail.  This is the cover of this year's book (and the inside page) -- the books can be purchased at Wal Mart for $1.  Great little gift that keeps giving all year long.

Harvest Party Crafts

Well, the Harvest Party was at school today.  I guess when you have it on November 4th, there is NO question that it is Harvest and NOT Halloween!   So, for crafts I went the turkey route.  Since it was after Halloween, we got a deal on small pumpkins at the local pumpkin farm and make them into turkeys with fun feathers.  For the other craft, got this finger puppet idea from Skip To My Lou .  They went together super quick -- used glue dots for the eyes, tacky glue for the rest.  We had a bean bag toss game, moving candy corn with chopsticks station and a puzzle station -- Cereal Scramble (cut up cereal boxes).  That last actvity came from Win It In A Minute website -- great games with materieal that cost next to nothing.  Now I have to start thinking about the winter party --- it will be here before I know it! 

Teacher Treats

Thank you eighteen25 for this great idea.

Paper Bag Mini Albums

My first completed album (first wrote about it here) and my second that I will keep at Michaels to advertise the class.

Paper Bag Album

Coming in August at Michaels, a class to make an album from paper lunchbags -- this is my sample -- figured I might as well make something I liked -- will be 8 things about Megan that makes her great (at age 8!). Planning to make a Back to School sample and maybe Halloween or Christmas.

Quick Teacher Gift

Saw this idea last week and yesterday I needed a quick teacher gift yesterday and made one -- super easy.

First Communion

This past Sunday, Megan made her First Holy Communion. A lot of preparation goes into the event -- religiously, months of focus lessons in her religion classes (and at home) and a retreat at church. There are also some non-religious prep -- outfit shopping, party planning, banner making and in our case doll dress construction. This may sound odd, but last year a friend of mine had a dress made for her daughter's First Communion and the leftover material was made into a dress for her American Girl Doll (actually the story is much better than that -- she used her wedding dress as the material for daughter and doll dresses). Anyway, Megan knew the story and she also wanted a dress for her doll. I did not make her (Megan's) dress, but thought I could make a similar one for her doll -- actually was not as difficult as I thought. The veil, on the other hand, was a little crazy and was pleased when I found a little cross charm that my neighbor made into a necklace for the doll.

Megan really seemed to like it. I was worried that other aspects of the day (clothes, dolls, parties) would take over the day, but I think Megan did a good job focusing on the religious importance of the day. We were blest with beautiful weather and that family was able to gather with us to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Subway Style

Celebrated a birthday this weekend -- here is a quick decor item I made...printed and put in a 5x7 frame. These are so quick and easy to make.

Calendar from Scraps

Made this quick calendar from free printable here and scraps from my scrap box. Not too shabby.

Days 7 to 15

Snow day today, so able to play catch-up with my December Daily -- just loving this little book!

December Daily 3 thru 6

Cold outside today, so was able to do a little catching up on the album... (NOTE: the black border is for blog posting purposes only --- does not have this part in my book)

Day One (for real) and Day Two

Looking pretty good -- glad I decided to do this this year! I am using a 6x6 American Crafts album, however had to add some pages, so some coming up will be 4x6. Definitely a mini-album this year!

day one digital

Yes, I am crazy enough to make a digital and paper version! I was only going to make paper, and probably still will, but just received my winnings from my CM consultant's open house and had to try it out!

Planning...

Made a new Christmas planner this year -- mine was shot. This was made from scraps around the craft room --- had to reteach myself how to use the Zutter --- I think I need more practice.

Signs of the Season...

My take on Ali's Advent cards.

Made these decorative hand sanitizers for the girls classrooms --- after having sickness in our house this weekend, I do NOT want it to come back (and we had it easy). The tag says "Wishing You a Happy, Healthy, Holiday Classroom."

Little sign created in the toy room -- interesting to see if they keep up with it -- I do not think it is right right now.

Starts tomorrow!

Another decoration

Needed to update the front door table -- covered the too-white lampshade with burlap and added a creepy spider picture. Simply used burlap, cheap spider rings (cut off the ring part) and used a glue gun to attach. (also removed glass and stored for later use).

Halloween is in the air...

I love fall and fall decorating. Made this wreath this past week with my friend Angie -- the original seen here from eighteen25 was black, but we have dark front doors and thought orange would show up better!

Bittersweet End of Summer

And, just like that, another summer has come and gone. The school bus arrived at the corner early this morning and loaded up the kids, on their way to a year of learning adventures. But we had some great times this summer too... Made this little mini for my parents highlighting some of the fun we had at their house this summer. Got the idea from Monika Wright with this album. Could not have been easier. Also fits with the WCS theme this month of the trusty old 4x6 photos -- all the photos in this book were developed as 4x6s so it was super fast -- no precropping. The book is American Crafts from the 1.99 bin at Archivers. Love these little books -- great for quick gifts. This is just a sample of the pages...