Your Unique Story

Featuring...The SWATCH book!

Remember seeing this swatch book? 

The swatch book was released just a few weeks ago, and this weekend while I was laying on the couch with the sickies I made this book for my daughter.  (click the picture to see the entire book)

Overall I was very impressed with how quickly I could make this book.  It took about 2 hours from a template, and remember I was sick and moving VERY slowly. 

This is the perfect book to showcase someone or something.  Grandparents will love these for Christmas gifts.  I have heard of them being used for address books, recipe cards, calendars.  Just like any of our other projects, you are only limited by your imagination. 

I personally loved the template that I used, and made very few changes to it.  I found it in the template gallery

Go to my website today and create an account.  Heritage Makers has be best studio editor available for digital scrapbooking.  You will LOVE it!

New posters for my girls room

These are both 18x24 posters for above beds in my girls' rooms.  They should be here any day now...we are all so excited!

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...

MY Mom's book -- Sneak peak

My Mom flew out a few months ago to visit, and help with my kids for a week.  I was so happy to have her come, AND I talked her into bringing her pictures with her!  There were so many pictures that I had never seen before.  It may have been difficult deciphering who was who in the photos had she not attached a good portion of her photos to sheets of paper where she had already typed the story.  I was thrilled! 

I am now working on her book to be finished before Mothers Day.  When I am finished I will post it on here, but in the mean time here is a sneak preview. 

Also, check back tomorrow, as my blog will be featuring Karen Pierce Gonzalez author of Family Folktales: What Are Yours? 

Now for the sneak peek...

www.YourUniqueStory.com

Decoupaging Tiles?!?

I had this idea this year decoupage tiles with our 12x12 individual pages.  I didn't want to use the huge 12x12 size so I divided it into four--six inch sections and will be using the 6 inch tiles. 

Here is the cost break down: 

• 12x12 page $2.49 divided in 4 is $.62 each
• 6x6 tile from Lowes is $.77 each
• bottle of decoupage from craft store is $4.99 without the coupon.  I don't know yet how many I can make with one bottle but I'll guess 16, so .31 cents each.

Total is...$1.70 each.  That is excellent especially for a homemade gift! 

I'd be glad to share this template with anyone.  Just leave a comment down below.  

Julie

www.YourUniqueStory.com

Entire Preview: Click HERE

 

Playing Cards with Family

Some of my very favorite memories with my Grandparents were sitting at their little rickety card table, next to the fire, playing the game of Skip-bo.  Have you ever played this game?  It is so much fun. 

My sister and I would often go over to their house on winter evenings just to play this game...and maybe to get a snack. ;)  We would often pair up, my sister with my Grandma, and me with Grandpa or vice versa.  Grandpa always thought that the opposite person was cheating because he wanted to win and couldn't stand it when anyone else would challenge him in that.  All in all these times were among my very best family gaming memory.  I am so thankful that my grandparents always took the time to sit down with us for a game of cards.

In leu of this memory I put together a set of Family Skip-bo cards on our publishing system this weekend.  I still have to change around some of the pictures, but I'll give you a sneak peek.  I am going to be giving them a total of 3 decks of card to match the official game, and I am sure they will love it because these cards will be full of pictures of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

This is also a great introduction for our fabulous Thanksgiving Playing Card Special.   Everyday  this week I am going to feature a template from our Template Gallery--with a hint of the spirit of Thanksgiving as well. 

What are your favorite card playing memories? 

  

  

A Relay For Life surprise!

 
This last year I have been working with our local Relay for Life on the committee and also as a sponsor for the event.  It has been an incredible experience working with amazing people for a great cause. 

Two years ago our area had never been part of RFL, but a local resident, and now my great friend, was asked to be the event chair.  She was told that a good goal would be to raise $28,000 and have 28 teams, but decided to be above the bar and have 30 teams and raise $30,000.  When all was said and done, over $100,000 was raised to support the American Cancer Society.  

After this first year was when I met Danielle the committee chair.  She saw my books at a local booth and immediately thought to preserve the story of RFL in our community.  A few weeks later we had completed this book to capture the stories and the memories that went along with the event. 

Fast forward to this year.  Relay for Life was 18 days ago, and was even better than the first.  To date we have raised over $155,000 and had incredible community involvement.

We finished and ordered 17 copies of a book about this year's event.  I ordered it on Saturday with overnight shipping and received all 17 copies today!  That is only FIVE days including the weekend to receive this huge order.  Great job Heritage Makers!

Look at what we made to capture the memories of the 2008 event.  I think it is beautiful, and is so much better in person.  

    Who do you know that has fought a battle with cancer?  Has their story been told?  Who will tell it?

Start today...

Julie

Remember these?

I posted a few weeks ago about a set of wedding playing cards that I made.  Well, I got them back and am so pleased.  They are much better than they looked in the preview.   

I am giving the template away to any of my clients and consultants.  Just email me at Julie@YourUniqueStory.com and I'll send the template to you.  Remember you can custom design your own playing cards for only 19.95.  WOW!

Wedding Playing cards

I made this set of playing cards with a wedding theme.   I thought they turned out really nice.  I have had an idea of making playing cards for guests at a wedding.  You know how during a reception there is often a little down time for guests?  What if there were a set of playing cards at each table designed with pictures from birth through engagement, and some facts, of the bride and groom so that the guests are learning about the couple and enjoying themselves at the same time.   If I weren't already married, I would.  ;)

Click on full screen below to see larger images of the cards.

 

Julie
www.YourUniqueStory.com