Wreath for Dad's 80th Birthday

On October 2, 2010, my dad turned 80.  What a special day that was for
my family.  Before this day arrived, I knew that something special needed
to take place for my dad.  Growing up, I was very lucky.  I came from a
large family, was loved every day, and my daddy was a wonderful provider. 
We never wanted for anything.  We lived in a modest home, had plenty to
eat, and had clothes to wear and as we got older, we had an allowance to
spend.  That was for all my other siblings...3 boys and another sister too.
Sooo for my daddy's birthday, I really wanted to surprise him by having
the whole family there.  I started planning in August.  I contacted all family
members so they could put this event on their calendar. 
Do you know how hard it is to get a family of five kids together, plus their
families???  Everyone was able to come except for one grandchild....
Chris...we missed you! 
Chris had just moved to Texas and just couldn't get here. 
I wanted to make something special for my dad.  I felt that since he was
turning 80, whatever I made, had to show pictures of him throughout his life. 
Then I was wondering how to display all these pictures. 
I didn't just want to put a bunch of pictures in frames and sit them out. 
I wanted them all together.  Something I could "HANG" up for everyone to see. 
I thought at first that I might put this on the front door as a birthday welcome. 
That's when I thought of doing a wreath. 
I could hang it somewhere else if I wanted too and I could also add some
paraphernalia to it.
So I started gathering items for the wreath. 
Whenever I begin a project, I put a tray on the table and
anything I think I might use, I place it in the tray.
Here are a list of items I used for my "Birthday Wreath."

Grape vine wreath
Pictures
Ribbon
Clothes Pins
Wooden Letters
Wooden Hearts
Tags
White Card stock (printer size)
Ink - Tim Holtz
Hot Glue Gun
Jewelry leaves

I've been working with my dad on family history for a while, so I went
through some of his pictures and reprinted the ones I want to use.
My dad had an older brother, so I didn't find any pictures of him alone
when he was growing up.  When I put the pictures on the wreath,
I put them on clockwise in sequence.
I knew I needed ribbon, but I didn't want anything blingy.  This
was for an 80 year old man.  My dad has always had a love for the
Smoky Mountains, so when I ran across some green plaid, burlap
and dark green ribbon at Michael's, I knew it was perfect.  I also
found some twine, and some wooden letters and hearts
that I thought I could use.  I had some thin ribbon in the beige colors
that I had purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I planned on putting this ribbon
on the clothes pins.
I knew I would be printing out comments/quotes on the computer, so I got
out my Tim Holtz Inks. I got to thinking about how to attach all this on the wreath and
I went through my stash and found some clothes pins.  Perfect!
All the items on this wreath can be easily removed.  The only things hot glued were the
bow, the wooden letters: Papa, and the wooden hearts.  

This project wasn't time consuming or expensive. I bet I spent less than $30 dollars.
Everyone that viewed the wreath commented on how wonderful it turned out. 
This project is simple and easy to do.  If you can't make a bow, you can easily
go to a craft store that makes floral arrangements, and they will make one for you.
One other thing that I thought of when I made this wreath is that it is a versatile project.
This could be used for other occasions, such as a baby shower, a graduation, or
holidays.  I have even thought of putting all the pictures I have of my boys with Santa
on one. Well, that will be a project for another day.  If you think of doing this for a
special occasion and have questions, just send me an email or leave me a comment.
Mylissa

Mother's Day Album

I did it!  I finished my "Mother's Day Album" in time for Mother's Day!
I am so proud to have completed not only my first mini book, but
something special for my mom.  She really loved it too! I thought she
might cry, but she was just excited. 
When I began scrapbooking,  I thought I would just be a scrapper
that did the 12 x 12 albums. They give you so much room to work with. 
HOWEVER.... I know now that I will continue to do mini books. 
I really had a lot of fun with it and you can show off so many different
techniques in the book. I enjoy learning new techniques.  I think it is
boring to do the same thing over and over.  I like to spice things up!
Here is my very first mini book.  I hope you like it. 
I used My Mind's Eye paper.
I used Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink!  I love this color.  It
gives such a soft aged look.  The book rings are from Seven Gypsies.
I got my ribbon and lace from EMI Scrapbook Store.  Susan has such a
wonderful selection of product.  I also used some punches, eyelets, bling,
and Tim Holtz's Tissue tape and Grungepaper.  Another product that I love. 
It is so easy to work with while adding depth to a project. 
I got the little charms that are on the book rings at Hobby Lobby.
Oh sorry....some of the photos are turned sideways. 
I am still new at all this blogging.
Give me time, I promise I will get the hang of it.

  Ta Da!  That's it for now.  Father's Day is coming soon and also
my husband's mother is turning 90 at the end of June.  So I've got lot's to do. 
I plan on uploading some other projects that I have already finished. 
If anyone is checking this out, I hope you come back and visit soon. 
Mylissa

Where does the time go????

I don't know about you, but I thought when my children got older,
I would have more time to myself.  But nooooo, there is still all the
housework, laundry, etc...to do that no one else seems to have time for. 
That is why I scrap at night. Everyone else has gone to bed.  No
one else is up.  So no one interrupts what I'm doing. 
I love going downstairs to my room after I have the kitchen clean. 
The only problem with that is that I don't run very well on a small amount of sleep. 
It catches up with me at some point. 
But I am learning to deal with it.  I got to have some daily scrappin time.
 Tonight I am going to see how far I can get on the "Mother's Day" project.
 I plan on finishing the pages so I can
start puttin on the pictures and embellishments by Friday. 
The challenge is sticking to the plan.
Good Luck to me and all the other crafters working on projects for "Mother's Day!"

All I can think about is my "Mother's Day" project

I am so sorry I couldn’t post last night.  My boys

had lots of computer work to do.  It was one of

those nights where we weren’t empty nesters.  It

was crazy here.  My oldest son also has a friend who is

staying with us for a few days.  He didn’t have any

place to go.  This is another one of those moments

in life where I feel blessed.  I am sure it would be

a great topic open up for discussion.  But even

though I don’t always agree with my boys on things,

I just don’t think I could just put them out on the street

until they are ready to be independent.  (I don't think

they will be reading this).

Back to my topic and focus….

I can’t wait to finish this “Mother’s Day” mini book.

I never thought I would want to do a mini book.  But

I got the mini book bug.  I help out at EMI Scrapbooking

Store in Cumming, Georgia.  EMI stands for:  Every

Moments Important.  It is the cutest store.   She has tons

of the latest paper with embellishments and ribbon.  EMI also has

the most adorable mini books and the owner, Susan Moore,

sells these kits in the store or online. So I definitely got the

mini book bug. 

For my “Mother’s Day” mini book I started by designing my

book layout on graph paper.  Then I picked out some pretty

paper, designed the shape of my book, picked out the pictures

I want to use, picked out some “Ribbon” and embellishments

I thought might go with everything, then I found some cute

quotes about mother’s and grandmothers and wrote some

personal thoughts and I am off and running.  I can’t wait to

share it…

Scrap, scrap, scrap, scrap, scrap the whole night through!

My “Mother’s Day” mini book project is going well. 

I can’t wait to finish and take pictures of it so I can share it. 

The pressure is on….gotta finish two projects before Sunday. 

After “Mother’s Day,” my goal is to take photos of some projects

and post them.  This is a really short post, but I got a lot to do!!!!

tgif

What a gorgeous day today.  I really wanted to be outside and plant,

but today was just one of those days when I knew that wasn’t going

to happen.  I just had too much to do. I can’t wait to get some herbs in

pots.  I love going out on the porch and cutting fresh herbs to put in a meal. 

Yummy!

I also didn’t have time to scrap and I know I am not going to have time for

scrappin until Sunday evening.  Just too much to do.  I’m also trying to come

up with something to do for my mom for “mother’s day!”  That is next

SUNDAY…if you can believe that.  I think it just snuck up on me.  I’m

thinking of doing a mini book for her.  I believe I can do that between

now and the next time I see my mother.  I am working on ideas now.  If anyone has any ideas they want to share, I am open to suggestions.  I shall not be back on the blog until Sunday.  Until then…Maybe I’ll see you on the scrappin road! 

Southern Storm

Last night I could not go to sleep. 

NO WAY

 

I was up,

waiting for the storm to come through our area. 

I was watching the news,

waiting for the weatherman to say….

TAKE SHELTER NOW! 

I was waiting and waiting.

I was also worried about the rest of my family that lived in

other parts of the south,

worried that if I went to sleep,

something would happen to someone I loved. 

Today…I am lucky! 

While my parents are still here at my home,

my youngest brother is still at my parents house. 

One of tornados hit ½ mile away from their home. 

There is still no power,

but my brother is safe along with their home.

Yes…we are LUCKY!

My heart and prayers go out to

everyone that was affected by

the terrible storms that went

across our southern states last

night and early this morning!