Epic Day This And That Journal: This Is 38

Hi!

I was pretty excited when Stampin' Up! released the Epic Day Smash Album.  I bought one as soon as I could, and then thought "OK, now what am I going to do with it?" There was a part of me thinking it was too pretty to use, but I squashed her back in her box.  I had a few ideas, but in the end I decided to use it as a kind of diary for a year of my life.

I sat down last week to decorate the front.  And then I got a blank. I ended up starting with the numbers.  I turned 38 last week, so it was a good starting point. I wanted them to stand out, so I covered them with some of the brighter paper from the Epic Day DSP pack.

I love the coordinating Hexagon punch for stress free creating! I simply punched a few, sponged them and adhered them onto the cover.  I had previously stamped Off The Grid over the cover, and also Flowering Flourishes.

I used Notable Alphabet to stamp the rest of the title. I chose the title "This Is 38" as I want this book to be a keepsake of my life this year, so my family can look back and know what I was like at 38.  I will aim to keep it about me - not the kids, not Rob, just me.  It will be a challenge, as most mums love talking about their kids and family!

This is the inside of the front cover.  I took a selfie photo on my birthday so when I print it, it will go here and I will write some bits about myself.  I'm really looking forward to completing this album all about me!

Bye for now,

Tina

New Annual Catalogue Blog Hop

Hi!

Here we are once again on another blog hop.  I love blog hops - they are such a wonderful way to spend some time gaining lots of inspiration.  The only thing better is stamping time!!!  There are 7 of us on this hop today so it won't take you long, but you're bound to find some fabulous ideas along the way.  We are all focusing on products from the New Annual Catalogue  The blog before mine is the clever Margaret Knoops.  Start or stop anywhere, it doesn't matter - just keep following the links to hop round the circle until you get back to where you started.  Please leave some comments along the way - we all love to know what you think of our projects.

My projects today were made for a special purpose.  My youngest finished preschool last week so they were made as gifts to give to his teachers and aides.

I made each teacher a card and decorated a candle to go in a goodie bag with some wine and chocolate.  I used the Floral District DSP as the basis for all my cards.  Here's a closer look at the stamped panel, cut using a Floral Frames Framelit.

The butterfly from Papillion Potpourri was stamped directly onto the panel, and then a second time onto a scrap of cardstock without reinking.  This gives a more muted effect with the colour.  I then punched it with the new Elegant Butterfly punch, curled the wings and adhered it with a glue dot over the top of the first butterfly.

The handprint isn't a stamp - it's Hudson's actual handprint.  I rubbed his hand on my Daffodil Delight ink pad and then stamped his hand onto the cardstock.  He had great fun 'helping' me.  I did it just before bathtime so I didn't have to worry about inky handprints everywhere!

Here's the same card and candle, just in Rose Red.  I made three sets at the same time in a bit of a production line.

The candles were bought as a set of three, I just cut a small strip of DSP to stick to the glass and tied some coordinating ribbon around the DSP.  I popped them in a cellophane bag and tied the top with more ribbon.  How lucky to find candles that colour matched the DSP so well!

Finally, the Baja Breeze card.  This one was for the Director of the centre, who is a man, so I tried to tone down the 'girliness' of the cards.  I kept the butterfly though, as I thought it was a great symbol of how Hudson has grown and changed while he's been at preschool.

Here they are together.  I had fun making these special gifts, and I hope the recipients love them.  It's hard to say but I think I like the Baja Breeze set the most - but I am a bit partial to blue!

Stamps: Notable Alphabet, Papillion Potpourri, Daydream Medallions, For My Family
Ink: Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight
DSP/Cardstock: Floral District DSP, Confetti White (retired), Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Glue Dots
Non-SU: Scented Candles, Cellophane Bags

Now you're off to see the fabulous creations over at Di Dunk's blog.  Please remember to leave a comment before you go, just click on the but below that says "Comments".

Bye for now,

Tina