The SMASH Books Are Done!

FINALLY! I got all four of the Smash books that I am giving my four daughters for Christmas done! I took lots of pictures of what I used and the finished pages. Hope you enjoy seeing my huge accomplishment!

First up is a picture of all the "stuff" I collected to add to the books:

 Here is a list of some of the items:

       * printed sticky notes

       * various stickers

       * Smash mini note tabs

       * Smash pads

       * elastic headbands

       * die cut chipboard tags

       * colored paperclips

       * vellum tiny envelopes

       * mini zip-lock plastic bags

       * little calendars

       * colored note cards

       * print cardstock & acct ledger pages

       * die-cut shapes

         Also pictured below: stamps and ink, adhesives

I have a large island in my kitchen so I was able to spread all my stuff out and work on all the books at the same time. I would concentrate on one but when I used a stamp I would try to stamp the same one in all or most of the books.

 Before getting started I die cut some of the lined colored notecards to add to some of the pages that were not lined at all...I know my girls love to write alot! Empty lines on a notecard are encouraging...just waiting to be filled!

 

I used printed cardstock to make pockets which I added to a few pages and in the front cover of each book. I also made a few clear plastic pockets but they didn't turn out as well. I had the wrong kind of plastic...too slippery I think.

In each book I tucked in a pocket a small zip-lock bag of extra note cards, die cuts, tags, embellishments and the Smash Pad pages.

I will encourage my girls to watch a few You Tube tutorials on the Smash books. I watched some and was totally inspired!

Here are just a few pages that show some stickers and stamps I added as well as the bright flower die cuts.

 The Smash books come with a wonderful variety of 2-sided heavy cardstock pages, beautiful and unusual designs as well as thought provokoing words. I will tell my girls that if there is something they don't care for they can simply cover it with a pictures or note, etc.

 A few more example pages; 2 of the girls have/will have new babies so I was sure to include some baby boy pages! The colored notecards were so easy to use and became nice design elements.

I didn't do anything to the covers of the books. They are already embossed with a really neat design and I wanted to keep them neat and clean, easy to carry and tuck in a book bag or diaper bag or purse, without stuff falling off! And to keep them closed I bought the elastic headbands which fit perfectly...I know Smash has some available in cool colors but these were cheaper...and I AM Dutch!

If anyone has questions about how I did anything in these books just leave a comment and I will get back with you soon!

I'd LOVE to hear what you think of this project anyway!!

I got my Smash books at http://www.stampingscrapping.com/

as well as a bunch of the other stuff used in these books!

Christmas Card with a Bit of Recycling

Well, today I am finally posting a card that I have been working on...off & on...for a few weeks now! I cut the main die cut and "admired" it for at least a week...'cause I couldn't figure out what to do with it at first. The last time I used this die I added flowers that matched the "flower silhouettes" on the 2 ends, so I decided to try the same thing only with poinsettias. So here is what I came up with!

I am entering this card in one challenge at http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/

The challenge is #28 - either a "digi image" or "recycled" card. I used a recycled  sentiment from a Christmas card I got last year...its on the inside of the card.

I like to hold the 2 front pieces together with something when the card is closed so this time I used a paper "strap" decorated with leaves and a small "hook & loop" self-adhesive set that can be used over and over.

It is hard to see in my photos but I did use a lot of Stickles! The poinsettias have some and the dark green stripes on the inside. Some of the green card stock is glitter paper.

Here is my list of ingredients:

Card stock: DCWV - "Latte Matstack" & "Holiday Collection"

Die cut: from the Sizzix "Card, A2 Gate Fold w/Flower Silhouette"*

Flowers & Leaves: EK Success "Flowers & Leaves" punch

Stamp: "Merry Christmas" and black Die Ink by Stampabilities

Glue Dots*

Stickles - "Icicle"*

 Kool tak - Hook & Loop*

Small flower sequins are from my stash

A recycled Christmas card!

 * Starred items are all available at http://www.stampingscrapping.com/

Chef Gilli with Flourishes

Good evening! Just enough time to do a quick post so I can enter this Gilli card in the "Flourishes" challenge #21 at http://houseofgilli.blogspot.com/
Here is my card:

Ingredients:

The stamped image is "Gilli Chef" colored with colored pencils

the kraft & green cardstocks are from my stash

the red with the FLOURISHES is Best Creation, from the Merry Christmas glitter pad

the gingerbread men are Mrs. Grossman's stickers

the sentiment is computer generated

its all held together with Glue Glider "High Tac"