Ideas, more ideas and what?

Today I woke up and a million ideas came to me, then all of the sudden they were gone.

Recently this has happened with some frequency. Don’t know why, maybe the day to day responsibilities take over my creativity and I feel empty.

Panic mode overcame the first time this happened. But then I began taking notes of the ideas as they came to me, and it worked.

So a collection of journals, sketching pads and notebooks became part of my day to day routine and my home and working space. I even have a small notebook in my purse, so If any idea appears, there is no reason for me not to remember.

I get so many compliments each time the little notebook comes out of my purse, that I began making them for friends and family, not long after that other people were asking for them.

Here are some examples:

They are really easy to make and something I want to share with you!

Mini Notebook

Materials:

• Patterned paper
• Solid color paper or cardstock
• Notebook 3 ¾ in. x 4 ½ in.
• Double sided tape
• Glue
• Decorations: ribbons, jewels, digital stamp

Instructions:

1. Cut two pieces 3 ¾ in. x 5 ½ in. for the outside of your notebook, patterned paper ( A pieces)

2. Cut a piece 1 ¼ in. x 4 ½ in. for the spine, solid color paper or cardstock (B piece).

3. Cut two pieces 3 in. x 4 ¼ in. for the inside cover, solid color paper or cardstock (C pieces).

4. Score A pieces ½ inch from the borders on three sides of the paper, don’t touch one of the 5 ½ in. side. Fold the scores using a bone folder.

5. Trim the corners as shown in next photo.

6. Add heavy duty double sided tape to both A pieces.

7. Using the scores in these pieces as guides, cover the front and back of the notebook, notice that there is a small area on the side that’s not covered.

8. Score B pieces ½ in. from the border on both sides of the paper. Add heavy duty double sided tape to the B piece (spine).

9. Attach the spine to notebook.

10. Tie white ribbon around front cover.

11. Add double sided tape to C pieces and attach to inside of covers. This will give a nice finishing touch.

12. Now you are ready to decorate the notebook.

13. I used a digi stamp from: http://papergardenprojects.com/store/, the name is Coneflowers and it’s a freebie. Used coloring pencils to put the finishing touches to this design.

14. Use an oval shape die cut and distress the borders to add the finishing touch to this piece.

15. Add glue and attach to front of notebook.

16. Embellish with some jewels.

You can also watch the video tutorial here.

To all of you who have taken from your time to visit my blog:

Thanks!

Love;

Julia

Happy Valentines Day!

Hi everyone!


So excited! It’s Valentine’s Day! I’m a romantic girl and of course my wonderful hubby is a sweet thing.

My family is doing great. My kids came to visit from college and I was so happy. It feel like forever, missed them so much, but they are doing what they have to do: study, and that’s what matters. Tried to make them feel special and take good care of them.

Julianna, Laura Coral and Arturo

A quick update on my puppies, they are just darling. Always playing and discovering things. They make me laugh so often and sometimes I believe they know that it’s because of them.

Principe, Luna and Pinky

Would love to share some of my projects for this Valentine’s Day with you:

Love - Card

Romance -Tag

 

Simply Sweet - Favors 

So much love - Card 

To all of you who have taken from your time to visit my blog:

Thanks!

Love;

Julia

Some more sweets...

Great giveaway from Juicy Creations: http://juicycricutcards.blogspot.com/2011/02/birthday-giveaway.html



More candy!

A great giveaway from my friends at http://purplepumpkincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-time.html

Visit and have fun!

More Candy!

Head on over to www.kathyand3kids.blogspot.com, she's giving away an amazing package! Congrats to all her Followers! :o)

Sweet Magnolia Rose: Up dated GiveAway

Sweet Magnolia Rose: Up dated GiveAway: "For my GRAND OPENING I will be offering a Cricut expression with 3 cartridges. Which are Stretch your Imagination, Celebration, and Sentimen..."

Something new!

Some time has passed since my last blog post!

Been going through some changes, all good, thanks to God.

My family is doing great. All of my kids are college students now and of course I was suffering the empty nest syndrome.

Recently I adopted three beautiful puppies: Luna, Principe and Pinky. They are just seven weeks old and a handful.

Obviously my oldest dog is jealous and requires more attention, so as you can imagine my free times has been cut short.

Still had time to work some of my projects, specially my Christmas cards, which were a big hit. Here are some pictures:

Don’t know about you, but Valentine’s Day feels so close. I feel I won’t be able to finish my projects on time.

Yesterday I finished this card and would love to share it with you! (tutorial)

Love, Love, Love

Card is 4” x 6”

Materials used:

• Card stock: white, brown, red and pink (Colorbok.com)
• Paper: hearts and pink (Me&mybigideas.com), tickets (TeresaCollinsdesigns.com)
• Bone folder
• Distressing tool
• Corner rounder
• Paper trimmer
• Die cut machine: Cricut
• Plantin SchoolBook, Cricut cartridge
• Martha Stewart Ink
• Jewels and embellishments of choice
• Adhesive

How to:

1. Using the paper trimmer, cut 12” x 4” piece of white cardstock.
2. Fold in half using bone folder to crease fold.
3. Cut a piece of heart paper, 4” x 4½, and add to top of card.
4. Cut a piece of red cardstock, 4” x 2½”.
5. Round the bottom corners.
6. Cut a rectangle, 1 ¾” x 4 ¼ ” from brown cardstock.
7. Cut a rectangle, 1 ½” x 4” from white cardstock.
8. Layer the white rectangle and the brown rectangle to the center of the card base
9. Use the die cut machine to cut: mini envelope (1) – 2.422” (w) x 1.734” (h) from pink paper and hearts (4) – 1” x 1” from red and pink cardstock
10. Put together the envelope and attach to the bottom of the cardstock rectangles.
11. Distress the sides of the hearts and ink them.
12. Adhere to the card using foam adhesive.
13. Embellish the hearts with jewelry.
14. Add the sentiments to the card.
15. See the card for placement.

Hope you enjoy making this card as much as I did.
LOVE,
 Julia