My First Finished Scrapbook Project

So I've been into scrapbooking for about 5 years now. The problem? I've never actually scrapbooked anything. I have at least a dozen books and twice as many magazines, endless papers, embellishments, and adhesives, but have I finished a single scrapbook album? Never. Well I am proud to say that I finished my first scrapbook project! I am getting really into scrapbook home decor now, because instead of a zillion pages to do, it's just one project and you're done! I made this as a gift, and it was SO much fun! Here's evidence that I have actually done something with all the "stuff" I've accumulated over the years:



This can sit on a tabletop or other hard surface and is meant to be shown off all the time, which is one thing I absolutely love about scrapbook decor! The entire thing can fold up accordion-style for easy storing. I got this particular project idea from Donna Downey's book "Photo Decor" from her "Yes, It's a Scrapbook" series. (You can buy it at amazon.com ). I don't want to give away her secrets, so for complete instructions, you will have to reference her book, but here are some of the embellishments I thought of on my own and used in mine:

--part of an old necklace that had been broken in half (I attached it with ribbon on the left side, and then strung it through the back and used the bulldog clip that is holding the picture to attach the necklace to the back side.)

--an old key I found in an old jewelry box of mine

--mini frame (the picture inside is a thumbnail print)

--you can't see it in the picture because it is too dark, but behind one of the circles on the far left is a clear vellum sticker that says "Have Faith". I wanted the sticker to stay see-through, so I put it on a transparency instead of cardstock or patterned paper.

--in 3 of the circles, I hung large earrings from ribbon. 1 of these earrings is from a set I no longer wear, and the other 2 were bought as sets that I got from the $1 shop, so I only spent $2 total on those three embellishments, and I still have 1 of each earring to use on another project!

All in all, it was a blast to make, and she absolutely loved it! Now I only wish that I had made 2, so that I could have one for me!!

My Hubby

Ok, so I know that I'm terrible about posting on here, but I simply just have to brag on my husband today. He has been super sweet lately. Yesterday I had 2 of my best girl friends over and he cleaned the house, shoveled the drive, and took care of the kids. He set up the whole downstairs for us so we could play dance dance revolution and guitar hero if we wanted, and he even set up the surround sound for guitar hero. When we went downstairs, he had 4 different flavors of candy canes arranged cutely in a basket on the coffee table, with a bag of mini marshmallows for our hot chocolate. Whenever we go anywhere lately, he has been going out of his way to make sure that I am comfortable. Examples: "Oh, here, let me stand on this side so the wind doesn't get you," and "I'll pull up like this so you don't have to get out on the snow side." 2 nights ago he gave me a back massage. When my girls and I went out to eat yesterday, we came back and the living room had been completely cleaned and vacuumed. He's been unloading the dishwasher without being asked and taking the dog out almost every time she needs to go. He's always sweet, of course, but lately he's really just taken it to a new level. I'm not sure what brought this on, but it feels so romantic. I love it! What girl wouldn't eat this up?? He's great!! I'm smitten all over again!! :)