10th Day of Christmas

Snapfish Book - Friendship

Last year I created a family photo book as a Christmas gift for Braden.  It had each individual family members name and photos of them with Braden.  Of course the family has grown since then, so will have to update it someday!  

This year a friend in the mom group created a friendship book based on the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  Each page has a picture of one of the friends asking them what they see and they respond with another friends name/picture.  I decided to order the book as a Christmas gift for Braden this year.

Any type of photo book is precious, memorable and becomes a cherished gift for any recipient.  

On the 9th Day of Christmas

my true love made for me, a family photo book.

On Pinterest I have found many different ideas on how to create your own board book.  I wanted to make one about family members for Braden, so he can begin to associate the pictures with the names.  Unfortunately, there just is not enough time for that.  Which is why Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc are so great!  

Here is the family photo book I created for Braden as a Christmas gift:

My Family

On the 8th Day of Christmas

my true love made for me, a Star Trek quiet book

This project has taken a LONG time, and I am so happy to say that it is finally FINISHED!!!!!  A mom friend asked me to make it for her sons 1st birthday.  I initially started working on it at the end of August - September.  But, I had to take a break to start getting ready for craft fairs in November/December.  I picked it back up again after Thanksgiving and have just finished tonight.  

I had no idea how detailed the book would be and it required much more hand-stitching than I expected.  Unfortunately, I can not include a tutorial here, but if anyone is interested the pattern can be purchased through Etsy.  There are also Star Wars and Harry Potter versions available.    

Here are the pages that I created, and the creators version can be found here.  

Pinterest Projects: Quiet Books

Awhile ago I started pinning ideas for creating my own "quiet book" that Braden could eventually play with, use & learn.  I was unable to find a complete book that I loved, and had slowly pinned a page here and there.  I also realized that it would take a really long time to create templates for the details on each page.  Which is why I was so happy to find Shelley Wallace Designs on Etsy.  She not only has premade quiet books available, but she sells her own patterns to help buyers create their own books.  So, I decided to try the "Colors" book!  

Originally, I had thought about creating something like this book, but I love how Shelley's designs are interactive.  I loved the patterns (and not having to worry about creating my own).    The instructions were really easy to follow and it is so easy to vary each book for individuality.  I look forward to creating more "Colors" books as gifts!  

I will let the photos tell the story!

 The cutting took a little while, because I had to cut out the pattern pieces first.  

Sewing the details for each page

I think in the future I will use two different shades of pink for the flowers & possibly add some cotton fabric.  Because the pale color makes the page a little muted.  

I learned how to sew buttons & button holes using the machine.  I need some practice with the button holes.  

Adding the writing & other details.

I think I may try to some how incorporate Brown & I'll have to come up with another page option to compliment it.  

Overall, I think the book looks great, it took some time, but I am happy with how well everything came together!  

I would really like to try the ABC book next!

Reading Challenge #2

I have kind of been slacking with the goodreads.com book group. But, now that field hockey is over I feel like I have time do more of things I enjoy, like reading, scrapbooking, etc. So, here are my reading choices for the November Reading Challenge (Nov. 1st - 30th). We'll see how it goes, because last time I only finished 7 out of the 10 books (and I think it took longer than a month).

1. N for November................................Names my Sisters Call Me
2. Group B-day book........................................Elsewhere
3. Geography: New York.......................Once Upon a Blind Date
4. Fall Theme (Orange, leaves, pumpkins).....Frogs & French Kisses
5. Time Change (Any word assoc. with time)....................Timeline
6. Native American Heritage Month.....Second Glance
7. 1 author 2 names (Book #1)......Naked in Death (JD Robb)
8. 1 Author 2 names (Book #2)...Dance Upon the Air (Nora Roberts)
9. Romantic suspense...........................Ricochet
10. Group Book Shelf.................................The Host

Reading Challenge

Summer is when I feel like I can really enjoy reading! During the school year I don't feel like I have enough time and/or focus to get into a book. Unless of course I am driving in the car (audiobooks are the best)! Now that summer vacation is here, I thought about possibly joining a book group and trying to branch out from the books that I typically read. Instead I joined goodreads.com, which keeps track of all of the books I have read or would like to read. Which I think is great, because I always forget about books that I want to read when it comes time to choosing a new book. From this website I then joined a group, which doesn't really discuss the books, but instead poses different challenges. Here is the July challenge with my book choices.

1. J for July (book)............................Jeremy Fink and Meaning of Life
2. Group B-Day Book (Jes)...................................Someone Like You
3. Character/Setting in UK.........................................Remember Me?
4. Summer Heat (in title)............................A Thousand Splendid Suns
5. Where want to vacation................................The Last Summer
6. Western........................................The Man from Stone Creek
7. Title involving food..........................................Comfort Food
8. Reread..........................................Twilight
9. Young Adult.................................Inkheart

10. From the Group Shelf.................................The Devil Wears Prada

I am currently listening to Remember Me?, which is hilarious, especially since it is read with the English accent. Lots of reading and new books to look forward to! I am not really looking forward to the Western, but you never know?!