Storing your Gratitude scrapbook pages, art journaling pages, ATCs, etc in the same place!

Hello friends!
Thank you all for your comments and emails this past week about the 52 Weeks of Gratitude we are starting in just ONE WEEK!!

Several of you have asked about how to store your Gratitude artwork if you are doing multiple artforms (some scrapbook, some Artist Trading Cards, etc).  I wanted to show you what I am doing, as I will be doing several of the other forms, while focusing on Scrapbooking & Art Journaling.

The Simple Stories binder is how I am doing this (you could use a different system or maybe use just parts of this system).  I got the Simple Stories materials at our local Archivers, and am not sure where else it's sold right now. 
Here's the binder and the scrapbooking pages I showed earlier this week:

What I did to include my 4x6 Note Card that I am using with the Card I send out as well as the Artist Trading Card, is I put them in the same binder you see above using the pocket protectors I took a photo of here:

 You could just get the middle pack shown above if you wanted to put 2 of the ATCs at the top and 1 4x6 Card at the bottom.  I used them like this:

 Here's my Scrapbook pages in plain view, then you can see a peek of the 4x6 Card at the back.  Here the ATC and CARD are side by side:

I will be using the single page, page protector for my Art Journaling sample of this I will bring to you in a day or two!

Leave us a comment below and share if you have a different way or if you like this way!  We are so excited you will be joining us!
Blessings and Happy New Year!
~Antoinette

www.inspiredstamps.com

Getting Started in our 52 Weeks of Gratitude in 2013: part 3: CARD MAKERS!

 Hello friends!
As you know, we are getting ready for our 2013 Scripture Sundays: 52 Weeks of Gratitude, and today I want to focus on those who will be making a card a week for this challenge!  Be sure to click on the right hand side of the blog to see the previous posts focused on getting started, scrapbooks, and Artist Trading Cards!

With the card making, you will be making a card each week with the verse of that week.  I made one here using a corrugated cardboard base:

 So how would this be different from just making thank you cards?  How will card makers keep track of their weekly or daily gratefulness next year?  I have an idea for you and it starts here:

 Yes, that Recipe Card Box I got from Hobby Lobby is going to be very important.  But you don't have to use this particular box.  You can use a store tub you already have or any number of items to store your gratitude notes!

 I chose this one because I love the size and the tabbed dividers inside!

 I decorated it with our ELEGANT DOTTY ALPHABET and some papers and ribbon.

 Then I used Psalm 118:1 for the top (Love this verse!)

 Here it is showing top and bottom.

 Then, I decided to use the Simple Stories month 4x6 cards with the months already printed on them, but you could make your own!

 I put them in the card box.

 Next you need to decide what you'll use to document your gratitude each week or each day.  You could simply keep track on 3x5 cards.

 But I had another idea to go behind this DEC card...

 Here's a peek (above!)

I decided to make a card with some kraft lined paper that I got in the dollar spot at Michaels.  I stamped THANKFUL from the set Art Journal Words and Faces, put in the week's Scripture verse 2 Cor 2:15, and then decided I would be not only keeping track of my daily gratitude, but note to whom I sent my card and what I was thankful for that made me send it!  It will be very eye-opening to look at all the people I send the cards to throughout the year and WHY I'm thankful to them!  (A bonus gratitude!)

So, leave me a comment to this post and let me know if you plan to do cards as part of your 2013 gratitude!

I'll be back next week with the next sample:  Art Journaling!
Have a blessed weekend!
Antoinette

www.inspiredstamps.com

Getting Started in our 52 WEEKS OF GRATITUDE challenge: part 2 Artist Trading Cards

 Hello friends!

Today is part 2 of our GETTING READY series of posts that will provide ideas/samples as we get ready to begin our 2013 Scripture Sunday: 52 Weeks of Gratitude!   If this is your first time here, be sure to head over to our first 2 posts that will explain more about the challenge we are starting. 
CLICK HERE for our 1st post detailing what and why we are doing this

CLICK HERE for our part 1:  Scrapbook focus

Today I am showcasing the Artist Trading Card option.  Artist Trading cards are 2.5" x 3.5" and you can use any type of card base for them.  Many people just cut cardstock to the correct size, but you can purchase these.   Here are a few samples I found (watercolor, bristol, kraft, off-white cardstock, white cardstock, canvas, etc):

We will be using Inspired Stamps for all the stamping and verses, but this is not a requirement for you to participate with us.  You are welcome to use the verses we have for each week or use another verse or quote that you find more meaningful to you, or just print out your own typed verses.   Here are the stamps and the verses we will use for the month of  January.  Each week this year will have a different Psalm verse:
Jan 6:  Psalm 118:24
Jan 13 Psalm 92:4
Jan 20 Psalm 47:1
Jan 27 Psalm 28:7 
You can find all these stamps for $3.99 each by clicking HERE or going to www.inspiredstamps.com

If you do ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), you can create the front (I used2 Cor 9:15 for this week's sample verse and the Snowman from our SNOWMEN set) and then briefly write what you are grateful for each day on the back (The word THANKFUL comes from the ART JOURNALING WORDS AND FACES set and the lines are from the JOURNAL SHAPES set). 

 Here's a close up of the front followed by the back:

So what do you do with the ATCs?  You can store them in pocket protectors (baseball card protectors fit these), put them into a recipe box,  hang them on an ATC spinner (shown below):

Or put them into the hanging dividers(shown below):

Leave us a comment below if you are joining us for the 52 Weeks of Gratefulness challenge!  Let us know if you plan to do ATCs!!

I'll be back tomorrow (Friday) for the CARD MAKERS sample!
Blessings,
Antoinette

www.inspiredstamps.com

Getting Started in our 52 WEEKS OF GRATITUDE challenge: part 1 SCRAPBOOKING JOURNAL

 Hello friends!
Today I want to share with you what we are doing for our 2013 52 Weeks of Gratitude challenge!  The first thing you'll want to do is decide what you would like to do:  scrapbook? card-making? Artist Trading Cards? Art Journaling?  Canvas?  Journal?

Each week beginning JANUARY 6th we will be focusing on a Bible Verse that expresses gratitude to God for daily blessings. We will be using Inspired Stamps for all the stamping and verses, but this is not a requirement for you to participate with us.  You are welcome to use the verses we have for each week or use another verse or quote that you find more meaningful to you, or just print out your own typed verses.   Here are the stamps and the verses we will use for the month of  January.  Each week this year will have a different Psalm verse:
Jan 6:  Psalm 118:24
Jan 13 Psalm 92:4
Jan 20 Psalm 47:1
Jan 27 Psalm 28:7 
You can find all these stamps for $3.99 each by clicking HERE or going to www.inspiredstamps.com

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know if you are joining us and what artform you plan to use most of the time, if you plan to mix it up.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR SCRAPBOOK JOURNAL FOR THE CHALLENGE:

You can use ANY scrapbook materials you like. I am using the Simple Stories BINDER AND PAGES for most of mine just because I love the 8x8 size and the pre-printed pages are so cute!
Here's how I decorated my cover:

Inside the front cover I put my goal sheet, which I have printed out clearly after this photo.  You may copy and use that sheet for your own personal Scrapbook if  you like!

Next I wanted to show you how I am setting up my weekly Gratitude journal.  I've found I'll stick to things better if they are simple, with the OPTION to do more if I have time.  Here is the SIMPLE design I am using this week as an example for you.  You can do this however YOU like (just one page or a page per day):

 I have the week's verse on the left (2 Cor 9:15) and stamped the lines from Journal Shapes stamp set on 2x2 off white paper squares.  Here's each of the pages shown here:

 Simple First page with just the Weekly Verse matted.  I could add journaling for one of the days in the week on this page.

Above is the 2nd page.  Super simple lines all ready for my journaling/listing what I am grateful for each day this week!
Here's a more detailed version of the same 2 pages, with a photo and my simple journaling/listing of what I'm grateful for:

I took a photo of the tree and my open Bible on Christmas morning as I finished up my quiet time with the Lord.  I wanted to thank God for that quiet time, before my family got up and opened presents.  Time for just Him and me, with His Word lit by the tree in my living room. 

I wrote out the other days thankful notes (including our Blizzard today!) in the other boxes.  Notice there are only 6 boxes and 7 days in the week.  One day will be highlighted on the large page before this (like Christmas morning was for me in this week's pages).

Tomorrow I will be back and share with you my Artist Trading Card I did for this week with the same verse, for those who might want to create the 2.5x3.5 cards each week!  Then on Friday, I'll share with you what I created for card-makers and next week I'll share the Art Journaling and other ideas for you!

I would love to hear from you in the comment section if you are joining us for our challenge!  Let me know which artform you plan to do most (scrapbook, cards, ATCs, journals, etc).

Have a blessed day and I'll be back tomorrow with the ATC option: part 2 of our Getting Started series!
~Antoinette

12 Weeks of Christmas Tutorials: Week 12 is Leesa's Christmas BonBons!!

Merry Christmas to all of you from all of us at Inspired Stamps!!
Be sure to come by on WEDNESDAY DEC 26th as I begin to share some artwork/ideas to get you ready for our 52 WEEKS OF GRATITUDE in 2013!! 

Here is Leesa's 12th week tutorial..take it away Leesa:

Now these are super easy to make!
No Fuss & NO CUT!
You will be making crackers in no time with this method and ...
I think they look pretty fabulous too!
Wanna see what cha going to make ?







I may be a little bit biased but I think they look 'oh la la!'
And I know they not only look better than the store brought ones, 

 but they also have some yummy goodies inside!

So ... I am here to tell you the how to ...
So lets get cracking! (ha ha .. corny but cute! )

You will need -
(to make as per the example)
Inspired Stamps – Vintage Christmas Set & Sing for Joy Set
Bon bon snaps
Empty toilet roll(s)
Paper – the thinner / lighter the better – Cut to size of 13.5cm x 30cm - (As toilet roll sizes can vary slightly, I suggest you cut a test stripe on waste paper and ensure the 13.5cm length will comfortably fit around your roll with a slight overlap – If necessary add on a few extra centimeters to allow for your roll.)
Double sided adhesive
Ribbon
Lace
Treats to go inside the bon bon(s) – small chocolate(s), party hat, joke ect
Versamark Ink Pad
White Embossing Powder
Heat gun

Now the How To -

1. Firstly you have to decorate your bon bon paper as you desire – For this tutorial I have used plain brown paper, Versmark ink & white embossing powder; & I am going to use the emboss resist technique to ‘age’ my bon bon. - We all know me; I love the vintage / shabby chic look.

2. Along both the shorter edges I have stamped the music staff from the Sing for Joy set, & in the middle of my bon bon I have stamped the Shepherds from the Vintage Christmas Set. I have then sprinkled over some white embossing powder and heat set it. To achieve the ‘aged’ look I have taken Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress ink and sponged over and around the embossed area, focusing on darkening the edges and getting lighter towards the middle & for the shepherds, darker in the middle and getting lighter as you get further out.

3. On the reverse side of you paper, run a strip of double sided adhesive all the way along one of the long edges. Take a toilet roll & a bon bon snap & center the snap in the middle of the roll (you can use a little sticky tape and tack it down if you would like). Stuff your bon bon tube – In mine I like to include 2 Ferrero Rocher chocolates, a party hat & a joke, but it is up to you what you want to throw in yours :)



4. Next we have to roll the bon bon. Take two more of the toilet rolls & add them onto either end of your stuffed bon bon & center in the middle of your paper. Placing the two other bon bons makes rolling the bon bon together very easy! Remove the strip of double sided adhesive & roll your bon bon together.



5. Next we have to ‘twist the ends’, to do this, partly remove both of the end toilet rolls (I pull about 4cm of mine out), then holding the middle bon bon roll in your left hand & the partly exposed roll in your right, twist – this will ‘scrunch’ & close your bon bon. Turn the bon bon around & do the same for the other end.



6. Next we have to tie off the bon bon so it doesn’t fall apart – The tighter the tie, the sturdier your bon bon will be. To do this, I get my diary & my stamp cleaner pad & squish the bon bon between the two (any thick heavy book(s) will work). Take your ribbon around the ‘squished’ part & tie tight in a knot. Do this for both ends, then remove your toilet rolls from the ends.

7. Lastly to finish off my bon bons, I like to add some lace around the inner ends. I just adhere some double sided tape to some lace & adhere it to the inside ends. Tidy up your ribbon ends, if any of your bon bon snap is exposed or poking out from the ends, give them a little snip and .....

wella ...
One bon bon ready for the Christmas table :) 

 

Thanks so much Leesa, this is wonderful!!

Have a very blessed Christmas and be sure to come back WEDNESDAY!

~Antoinette, the DT, and all of us here at Inspired Stamps!!

www.inspiredstamps.com

More last minute gift ideas + 52 Weeks of Gratitude in 2013: Join us!

Hello friends!
Today is our last DT post of this year and it's a wonderful one!  More last minute gift ideas from the Design Team today and DeNetra starts us off above!  Be sure to check out our 52 Weeks of Gratitude in 2013 post...we'd love to have you join us in!  You can see the post by clicking HERE.

Here are the DTs posts:
Chere:

Jamie:

Thanks so much ladies!
Join me the week between Christmas and New Years here at the blog where I will have recommendations and samples for you to help you visualize what we are doing in January.  For example, I will show you how to do Artist Trading Cards with Scripture and how to personalize those with your own thankful notes!

Thanks to all who have supported us this year!  We are so excited about what 2013 has in store!
Blessings,
Antoinette
www.inspiredstamps.com We ship most orders SAME DAY as orders are placed!