Your Unique Story

Holiday Decorations #2

My last post I showed what I made for decorations.  I ordered them, but then our whole household come down with the _____ flu.  That put us out of commission for a week, but I'm BACK!   

Here is my finished project:

and on the back of the sign is...

Isn't that sneaky...

Same thing for my Christmas and New Year door hangers.

Now for some more fun things...

aren't they cute?!?  I'm all ready to make more fun blocks for the rest of the holidays.

Countdown to Thanksgiving: 

and Christmas:

not to mention the rest of the year!  

 

I'd be in so much trouble if I didn't mention that there IS a little block on the bottom that says countdown, the month, and a few other fun things, but I haven't cut the wood for that yet.  : ) 

Come to my website there is SO much that you can do! 

Could life go on without Facebook quizzes?

As I was ready to sign on the computer tonight, my sister posted her 'REAL AGE' according to a facebook quiz. The numbers popped out at me, so I quickly made her a card! ;)

Now I'm really going to turn off the computer, but its a great thing I caught this when I did, because she will never be 8100 days old again! ;)

Family Tree

I started with this brand new collection (that I love by the way)

Did you know that the premier art membership is $30 for 3 months for the fall?  What an amazing price for over 40,000 pieces of art.  YEAH for Heritage Makers!!!

Here's the poster I just made.  It is a 12x18 poster and took about 15 minutes...

Of course I just did the easy part, I need to make sure I have all the picture.  I am pretty sure I do they are all in different places though, so I need to do a little searching.  This family tree takes us back to my kids great-great grandparents.  What I'll do is insert names and faces for each place holder, then I'll make 12x12 page of just faces and decoupage those to tile.  I will put a magnet on the back of each 1x1 tile.  Also, this poster I just made I'll put in a frame with sheet metal, so that everything will stick together.  It will look something like this:

Then my kids can move the magnetized tiles around and learn about their heritage.  I may just use these for Christmas gifts as well...shhhh

Super kids!

I put together a set of playing cards for my kids to be used mostly as rewards for being SUPER KIDS.  Then at the end of the week they can get the real rewards for being so great!   They took me just over an hour to make from scratch before I ordered.  I was quite proud of myself!

Time flies...

Its amazing how one day I am completely caught up on something and the next I am a week behind!  I know that isn't completely true, but sometimes it feels that way! 

This week I played a little disappearing act.  There are times to step back and refocus.  This was one of those times. 

Right before I disappeared, I finished a book for someone else that was the largest one I have ever done.  88 pages full of story, pictures, and digi scrapping. It was incredibly emotionally and physically draining.  A little girl was born with a heart defect and the book told the story of her 41 days on earth.  Her parents kept incredible heartfelt journals through their blog nearly every day of her life.  I came into the picture through a friend of a friend of the family, and you would be right guessing that I have never met the family. 

I usually have a policy that I do not make books to tell other peoples stories, and I am not quite sure why this was different.  I love to guide, teach, proof, and encourage others to tell their stories, and I don't want to deprive others of the satisfaction that comes from making their own books.  I now am even more focused in this direction.  I love helping you tell the stories that only you know best!

As you can imagine, I needed a week away from the computer and went on official technology strike.  As a naturally creative person, I didn't stop creating!  I started crocheting a rug.  I need to make a goodwill stop to get another white sheet so I can finish this one.  It's over 20 inches wide now and oh so cute! 

I made pancakes a few times.  Yes this one's a kitty.

Meet Lemontime specially made for little Mae.  There is also a pictureless bird named bluebell.

 and Gloria the elephant.




Oh and I had a birthday there in the middle.  No pictures of me though, I really need to change that! 

My very favorite thing about creating is the special effect it has on my family.  Never once has any of my kids store bought, stuffed animals been named, whether or not they have been loved. (Sorry, China!) Everything I make them is loved and appreciated beyond any of their other toys.  This includes the books they have.  Below you would have thought my kids were choosing the name of a child!  LOVE IT!

I'll be back soon...Julie     

ABC blocks

Yesterday I saw this technique on Miss Pots and pans blog, and my mind started spinning.  She has a great tutorial for taking digitally designed squares and then decoupage the papers onto little wooden blocks.  I've been a decoupaging fool for the last few months, so this is my kind of project! 

For her they were storytelling blocks for her kids.  *Oh if I set a few of those on the dinner table there would be more stories than I could listen to.  BUT I think I'll still make some anyway... :)

For me, I have always wanted an ABC block set like I played with as a child, and was immediately thinking gifts for a few upcoming babies.  Decoupage probably isn't the best thing for baby to put into their mouth, but there are lots of different uses. 

Here is the my take on this project.   I'll be sure to share the finished project when I'm done.  --I must add a disclaimer, it probably won't be for another month.  I have a few other projects higher on my to-do list!  Make sure to check out Miss Potts finished project!

(click image to see larger)

I'm primarily using the Vintage Nursery Collection within my Heritage Makers publishing system.

Easter pages

I wanted to see how fast I could make these.  It took 2 hours including picking up kids from school, comforting two kids with owwies one after another.  (We've had three in a row, so we're done, right?)

If you would like to use these as templates, let me know...

My new poster

I love the posters!  I have always been happy with them, but they upgraded the a few days before I ordered and I just LOVE the quality.  It is a thicker almost photo paper.  I have been tempted to try to rip it just to see if I can!  Don't worry I haven't given in to that one! 

I made this for above my desk with some of my favorite quotes.  Enjoy! 

click on the image to see it more clearly...

For my laundry room

I have yet to order this poster, but isn't it the cutest thing for my laundry room?  As soon as I have a few more things done I will order all at once. 

                                            18x24 poster

On the other hand, a package came with my name on it!  Our chore chart, a few housewarming gifts for friends, and a poster for my office.  LOVE them!  

...and check this out.  My 7 year old made her own calendar! 

 

On a side note, I had a great idea to make a little blanket for my kids stuffed animals.  They love covering them up and really babying them. 

but then they decided that the blanket was too big, so I'm going to turn it into a cute new bag for ME and they are perfectly happy with two little teeny blankets.  Who knew!

daily life

Some of my kids adventures of the last few days...