Do you Power Tool?

Today is the last chance to vote on May's Poll about your use of Power Tools. (Located on the right hand side of the blog.) Tomorrow we start a new one!

Mother's Day Envelope Book with Cards

Celebrations, holidays, special events, and just everyday happenings send me to constantly find new inspiration. Mother's Day is no exception. If anything, there is something about Mother's Day that raises that stakes to make it more meaningful. Flowers are overrated sometimes and my mother tends to kill houseplants. Candy is fine for those that like it, but she's not a big candy person either. Plus, candy and flowers don't last. I, of course, wanted something different.

I starter with cards for my mother and grandmother - a multiple folded card spanning four generations of the women in my family; that included a young pictures of me, my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother (entirely maternal lines) with a short poem I wrote. The initial idea from something from Martha Stewart's Family Tree cards. I made one for each my mother and grandmother.

For my mother I wanted to make a non-traditional scrap book type thing. (Last year I made her a mini book full of quotes about mothers and motherhood with a clay rose.) I got inspired when I found a new twist on an envelope scrapbook. Admittedly, I often come across projects that I have already done or taught, but this one gave me a few ideas. (Check out a Flip Flop Envelope Book here.)

I decided to use six envelopes I had on hand left from Christmas cards, figuring one pocket for each one of my mother's five kids and one overall pocket. I looked at using more traditional scrap book paper, but decided against it. I stuffed the pockets with a card inspired from the four generation  card above, but created one for each pocket, each one fitting the theme of the pocket. I embellished each card with various pictures takes over the years with poems and quotes about mothers, Mothers Day, and motherhood.

Attach end to end by flap, making sure not to seal top. Making one long strip.

I made a sturdier and rectangular shaped top flap with a piece of card stock cut to fit over the triangular flap. Then  secured.

Using jewel inspired magazine cut outs I decorated the exterior of the long strip of envelops. I kept this decorative, but rather simple.

I then decorated the inside with more collaged pieces cut from magazines and mixed with a picture and name for each pocket. (I used pictures here form when we were all younger, including a picture with all five us for the top one.)

I then turned to folding and decorating my cards (made from half a sheet of card stock folded accordion style into four equal sections.)  for each pocket with pictures, poems, quotes, and other bits.

I stuffed each pocket, including a printed history of Mothers Day in the top pocket. (With room left for cards or more in each one.)

Folded closed and ready to go. Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Looking for some ideas for Cinco de Mayo?

You could get a pinata' (or make one, of course), or find a number of festive things at many stores. Here are a few things to try out of things you might have on hand (tissue paper, yarn, string, embroidery floss, string, stick, twisty ties, or bits of fabric:

  

God's Eye 

(A camp favorite! Hang on wall or spice up your serving table. You can make them in all shapes in sizes.)

Festive Tissue Paper Carnation 

(Mix and match colors to add color to any table setting or as festive gifts for friends. Layer tissue paper to create more festive blooms.)

Worry Doll/Quetzel Dolls

(Make a few or a whole bunch for yourself or share with friends. You can make them to look like yourself, your friends, or or family.)

Rain Stick

(Bring the soothing sounds of rain to your control.)

Enjoy the day!

Tissue Paper Carnation

April Showers Bring May Flowers - and I'm going to get those flowers even if i have to make them out of tissue paper.

(My mom taught me how to make these years ago in Girl Scouts.)

Simple supplies: Tissue paper (any color) and something to secure (string, yarn, wire, twisty ties, floral wire, pipe cleaners, even a stapler will work). I used twisty ties in this simple tutorial

Power Tools - May Poll

Check out the May crafting poll (located on the sidebar) - "Have you ever used power tools?" Take a chance & give your vote. (You know you want to.)