If you would like to take a look at my menu, you can download it here:  

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You can get this amazing project to create a journal for yourself.  It is on sale at The Digi Chick here.  This is the info for the project files:

Part of the Spring Garden Collection by Michelle Batton and Paper Garden Projects, the re-sizeable 8.5×11″ Garden Journal comes in 3 different styles, plus a do it yourself version, so there is a version to suit every taste! Also includes a set of add-ons with cutting files so that you can customize your journal. Garden Journal Printable Project includes:

• [7] printable journal pages in 4 different styles (cheveron, floral & basic in jpg format, and a DIY version with page border templates in png format).
• a cover page
• Garden Notes (lined)
• Garden Photos (space for 2 photos and dates)
• Garden Plot Plan (grid for sketching your plantings)
• Plant Record (various plant care/growing info fields as well as a blank area for notes, pressed petals, seeds, etc)
• Seasonal Chore List (lined with check boxes)
• Shopping List (lined with checkboxes)
• [1] expandable envelope printable project in 3 different styles (cheveron & floral in .jpg and .studio formats, a DIY version in .psd format).
• [1] printable seed packet (in .png and studio formats)
• [5] different colored page divider tabs (in .png and .studio formats)

<<<<<<<<<<This place here to the left is where I will be spending more hours than I spend at home.  Ok, well maybe not, but it sure feels that way some nights.  Also, Todd is going to be in Chattanooga quite a bit the next few weeks – so it will be up to me to shuttle the twins between Palmer Park and Tumblebeez.  I will have to call in an assist from Chace at some point I’m sure.

Goodbye home cooked meals, hello ball park hot dogs

Goodbye couch and tv, hello camp chair and baseball for entertainment

Goodbye quarters, hello bubble gum and cavities

Goodbye winter, Hello Baseball!  Bring it on!

• Life is about using the whole box of crayons.
• When in doubt choose the kids, there will be plenty of time to choose work later.
• Use what talents you possess.  The world would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
• What I love most about my home is who I share it with.
• Piglet:  How do you spell love?  Pooh:  You don’t spell it, you feel it.
• Dear Math:  I’m not a therapist, solve your own problems.
• The book is always better.
• Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will get you everywhere.
• Go the extra mile – it’s never crowded.
• This is our Happily Ever After.
• If you want to know where your heart is, look to where you mind goes when it wanders.

I made the title in PhotoShop using the banner and girl elements from the kit.  Then I picked a font and added the title.  This was backed with one of the digital papers and printed out on cardstock.

The journaling was also done in Photoshop.  The frame is a digital element from the kit and I added some ink, tiny flowers to the corner and my journaling.

Last thing was the addition of the paper flowers by Prima.  In the center of each flower is a brad.

A quick and easy page!

Love the photo of Todd and Caeden.  It was taken at a Blue Angel AirShow.  Love the way they are both looking up at the beautiful blue sky, their profiles and the way they are both wearing hats and how Caeden is sitting on Todd’s shoulder.

I ended up using an old set of shutters that my Mom and Dad took out of a house they had a long time ago.  I grabbed them when they said they didn’t want them, and have had them sitting around ever since.  Finally, inspiration struck!!  I bought some nifty picture holders at Wal-Mart and nailed them at regular intervals on the shutters.  A perfect necklace holder!

You can also see more necklaces on a black rack thingy I got at the thrift store.  I’m not sure if it is supposed to be a jewelry holder or a cup holder or what.  But, it does work work to hold necklaces.  I just wish it had more hook arm places.  I’ve had to double up on all of them even triple hang on some and sometimes it’s a pain to get to the necklace I want.  You can also see some other jewelry holders I am using in this picture.

 

 

I also love the red metal dress form thing I found at TJ Maxx for my earrings.  It holds a LOT of earrings, and I love that they are there waiting, like eye candy for me to choose from rather than jumbled in a jewelry box drawer.

Last bit of jewelry I needed to organize was my bracelets.  I honestly didn’t realize that I had so many until I got them all together in one place!  I saw a great project on Pinterest where someone had used glass soda bottles to corral the bracelets and had them sitting in an old milk crate or something hanging on the wall.  Totally cute!  But, seeing as how I don’t have an old milk crate, nor do I have available wall space, that wasn’t going to work.  I needed to make them cute in another way……..Enter Spray Paint!  I gathered four bottles, took them outside and went to town painting them different colors to coordinate with my bedding.  If you look closely at them, you can see the labels showing through the paint, kinda cool!

 

This is a list of all the items I have.  More details provided below the list.

• Cricut Expression (black)   –   $150
• Cricut Personal Electronic Cutting Machine  - $50
• Cricut Jukebox Cartridge Station  - $40
• Cricut Design Studio Software  -  $50
• Cricut Expression Accessory Kit  - $25
• Cricut Color Inks Basic Collection  - $8
• Cricut Stamped Cartridge  -  $20
• Cricut Printing Press Cartridge  -  $20
• Cricut Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge  -  $20
• Cricut Tags, Bags, Boxes and More Cartridge  -  $20
• Cricut George and Basic Shapes Cartridge  -  $20 

Cricut Expression

• Electronic cutting machine for scrapbooks, classroom decor, signage, and more
• Cartridge system requires no computer; cuts from 1/4 inch to 23-1/2 inches
• Easy-to-read LCD screen; 6 modes; 4 functions; portrait or landscape orientation
• 21-1/2 by 7 by 7-3/4 inches

Amazon’s New Price:  $183.45

Amazon’s Used Price:  $169.95

My Price:  $150.00

Cricut

• Portable electronic cutting machine for greeting cards, scrapbooks, and other paper crafts
• Cut letters, shapes, or phrases; works with vellum, paper, cardstock, and vinyl
• Cuts from 1 inch up to 5-1/2 inches tall
• Cartridge-based system; no computer required; George and Basic Shapes cartridge included
• Measures 17-4/5 by 9-2/3 by 12-8/9 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Amazon’s New Price:  $175.49

Amazon’s Used Price:  $75.99

My Price:  $50.00

Cricut Jukebox Cartridge Station

• Cartridge system allows for cutting from 6 Cricut cartridges at a time
• Connect up to 3 units simultaneously to accommodate up to 18 cartridges
• Works with any Cricut machine to create scrapbook pages and other paper crafts
• Carrying handle and padded case enable easy transportation
• Measures approximately 6-2/7 by 9-2/7 by 9-3/5 inches

Amazon’s New Price:  $59.99

Amazon’s Used Price:  none in stock

My Price:  $40.00

Cricut Design Studio Software with Bonus Features

• Die-cutting software offers a user-friendly way to expand Cricut possibilities
• Compatible with Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista 32-bit
• Includes software, 10 foot USB cord, Cricut mouse pad, and user manual
• Image library frequently updated with new cartridges
• Measures approximately 8-1/3 by 9-1/3 by 1-2/3 inches

Amazon’s New Price:  $92.00

Amazon’s Used Price:  $65.95

My Price:  $50.00

Cricut Expression Accessory Kit  (New, unopened in original package)

• Cricut Tool Kit  -  Tools included are 5.5″ knife with 2 extra blades, 4.65″ scissors with 2.1 blades, 2.4″ x 2.75″ scraper, 7″ clear ruler, 5.5″ hook with green comfort handle, 5.5″ scoop with green comfort handle and 7″ bone folder that is green and white.
•  2 Cutting Mats 12”x12”
• Cricut Spatula
• 1 Sheet Cricut Vinyl (Raven) 12”x12”
• 1 Sheet Transfer Tape 12”x12”
• 1 Sheet Stencil Material 12”x12”
• 1 Black Marker

Amazon’s New Price:  $89.99

Amazon’s Used Price:  none in stock

My Price:  $25.00

Cricut Color Inks Basic Collection  New, unopened in original package

Cricut Color Inks replace the blade assembly on the Cricut machine and allow you to draw instead of cut. The result is stunning, unique projects!

This Color Inks collection contains: 3 black markers, and 2 brown markers.

Cricut.com Price:  $11.99

My Price:  $8.00

Cricut Stamped Cartridge

• Stamped Font by Heather Lancaster
• Has an inked nostalgic feel or sleek font
• Works great with the Provo Craft Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter
• Personalize scrapbooks using this stamped alphabet

Amazon’s New Price:  $37.45

Amazon’s Used Price:  none in stock

My Price:  $20.00

Cricut Printing Press Cartridge

• Font cartridge for use with all Cricut machines
• 6 Creative Features: Character, Tall, Clip, Framed, Character Shadow, and Tall Shadow
• Upper- and lower-case alphabet with numbers and punctuation marks
• Perfect for paper crafting or home décor
• Great for embellishing paper crafts; keypad overlay and handbook includedCricut cartridge
• Includes font cartridge; keypad overlay; and handbook

Amazon’s New Price:  $50.84

Amazon’s Used Price:  $30.00

My Price:  $20.00

Cricut Cartridge Plantin Schoolbook

Amazon’s New Price:  $55.82

Amazon’s Used Price:  none in stock

My Price:  $20.00

Cricut Shapes Cartridge-Tags, Bags, Boxes & More

Amazon’s New Price:  $149.99  (not sure why this one is so high!)

Amazon’s Used Price:  $99.95

My Price:  $20.00

George and Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge

Amazon’s New Price:  $72.25

Amazon’s Used Price:  $47.98

My Price:  $20.00

Making Paper Beads

• Any kind of paper will work for making paper beads.  This would be a great way to upcycle all that junk mail!  Pages from magazines would work well also.  What about wrapping paper from birthday parties?  Old calendars, brochures, maps, your kids schoolwork……the possibilities are endless!
• Paper cutter, Exacto-blade or scissors
• Glue stick, Elmer’s glue, Mod-Podge
• Clear nail polish or spray varnish
• Toothpicks or skewers
• Styrofoam or shoebox

Making the beads is easy!  Here are the steps.

1. Using a paper cutter or an utility knife, begin cutting the page into triangles. The base of the triangle will determine the width of the bead, the longer the triangle, the thicker the bead) The base, or large end of the triangle, can range in size from 1/2 to 1 inch. The entire strip should be no longer than 8 to 12 inches.
2. Take a toothpick or skewer and one paper strip. Roll the wide end of the paper strip completely around the toothpick one rotation. Next, take the glue stick and quickly cover the remaining paper surface with glue. Start rolling the strip of paper carefully and tightly so that when the bead is entirely rolled, the end point of the triangle will lie at the center point.
3. Brush the entire bead with Mod-Podge or clear nail polish.  Or you could spray with clear varnish.  This will seal the bead.
4. To allow the beads to dry, stick the toothpicks in a Styrofoam tray.  Or if you used skewers, you can cut notches in a shoebox to lay the skewers across.
5. Carefully slide bead off the toothpick or skewer.  If you rolled your bead too tight at the rolling step, you will discover it at this time, as your bead will be stuck! (If this is the case roll more loosely with the others…)
6. Now you are ready to thread the beads on your choice of string or thread for a bracelet or necklace.

If you would like to download a copy of these directions, click the link below.

Download