Easy Peasy Cardstock Scrapbook

I'm too excited the lovely Ms. DonnaK asked me to share with you on her blog Created by DonnaK today.  Just the other day, one of my scrappy friends on FB asked "What do you do with your cardstock scraps?" If you share my love affair with paper, you probably have a ton of leftovers that you are hoarding (I mean saving) or you might be throwing it away...well, have I got the project for you! Pull out those scraps, your sewing machine or needle and thread...today, we’re going to stitch a little scrapbook!

Stuff You need

- Cardstock scraps (In any size)

- Paper cutter

- Needle & Thread

- Paper Piercer

- Piercing Mat

- Sewing Machine (Optional)

Stack your cardstock pieces up, careful to match up the folds.  Machine or hand-stitch the spine of your book to hold it all together.  If you're stitching by hand, that's where the paper piercer comes in...you will need to pierce your holes before you sew, because the layers of cardstock can be quite thick!  **And if you're stitching on cardstock for the first time, you will need a larger needle, like an embroidery needle.

Too easy, right?  Now, the fun part...add your scrapbook paper, photos and accents.  Here's one I made for my daughter's Colombian teaching assistant...how can she forget her stay with us in North Carolina with this little number...too cute, right?  As I mentioned earlier, go ahead and mix up the page sizes, I think it makes the book fun and funky!

With Christmas just a few months away, these also make great gifts...and a fabulous way to use up some of that cardstock stash!

 

Thanks DonnaK for letting me stop by, you're the best!  

{{Hugs}}

Autumn Days are {Almost} Here!

What's not to love about the apple cider drinking, leaves turning, boot-wearing weather kinda weather?  With the kids out of school for the summer, I've found a little extra time to make a couple of my upcycled mini albums!  I am having fun with the card-making, and altered items, but mini albums are my PASSION :)  Lately, I've been creating these 10-page ones from the sturdy cardstock-like packaging of 12 x 12 paper pads....Can you tell I am ready for fall's cooler temps?

I thought the chocolate brown burlap diecut added just the right texture and warmth to the cover.  The papers are a mix from Recollections "Night and Fall" and My Mind's Eye "Reunion"...I enjoy mixing my papers!

I added a little picture of my "pumpkin", so you can see what pictures look like when added to a pre-made mini album.

On the left is a little brown paper bag I embellished with a fun sequin pumpkin for more texture :)

Aren't the polka dots fun?  Love the blue mixed in with the brown, orange and cream colors for fall.

What do YOU love most about fall?

This project is linked up to ::  Craftin Desert Diva's Linky Party

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Saturday Spaces ~ Norma Gomez, Little HoneyBee Studios

Hello everyone, I'm honored to share my creative space with you all today!  My name is Norma Gomez and I'm a mixed media artist.  I share my artwork and creative process on my blog, Little Honey Bee Studios, Twitter and Facebook.   I currently sell my artwork on Etsy, at a local boutique and at area art shows.  

Kimberly, thank you so much for having me!!!  

Now let's start the tour!!

WELCOME to my studio Polka Dotted Bliss fans!!!  I share my studio with our youngest son so the left half is his and the rest is all mine.  My studio is in our loft so this is what you would see when you come up the stairs.

This is my side :D  I have tons of storage packed into this place.  I like keeping my favorite products close by so the drawers are packed with everything from Distress inks, Dylusions, stencils, paints, embellishments, beads, ribbons and rubons.

As you can see by all the paint stains, lol, this is where I create.  I like use lots of different paints, pens/pencils and inks so I keep them all on my desktop.

      Almost everything is on a Lazy Susan to make it super easy to grab what I need when I need it.

This bad boy holds most of my paints, inks and mediums. 

 Front and center are my brushes, water, Modge Podge and Gesso.

This little container makes me happy!

                  

On the right hand side are my Prisimacolor pencils, gelatos, more paints, distress markers and misc tools.

 

Above my computer, I have Elfa Decor shelving from The Container store.  I keep my business files here and supplies that I don't use too often.  I also display photos and recent projects.

This is my favorite wall!  I like to display my latest layouts in the shadow box and my projects on the photo ledge.  This is also where I keep my Cricut and Cuttlebug.  I've got misc supplies stored here too.  Oh and a ledge dedicated to my large wooden stamps.

Here's a better look at my inspiration wall.  See that big bag next to the chair?  It's full of skulls for my Dia De Los Muertos projects :D

Just a cute little vignette, the kitty is still a work in progress.

I'm obsessed with storage containers whether it be boxes, bags, suitcases or baskets and this vintage case is one of my favorites.

Okay, now making our way back out of the studio.  This is where I house all of my papers, Cricut cartridges, flowers, ribbons, chipboard and so on.  I really like this cabinet because the glass keep the dust off of everything.

Now for the interview :D

1. What was your budget for your craft room/studio?

I really didn't have a budget for my studio.  It's slowly grown to meet my needs over the years.   Most of my furniture came from Ikea so it was fairly inexpensive and very versatile. 

2. What is your favorite aspect of your space?

I love that I have a space to call my own but my absolute favorite thing is my inspiration wall.  I love that I can display my artwork and family photos there.  I think that it best reflects personality.

3. Will you be making any more changes?

I would love to replace all of the dark wood with white for a brighter space.  I'd also like to replace my computer workstation because I think it's reaching the end of its life.  I use to use it as my work desk and I used blueprints to protect the surface but they were way too heavy.  So now my desk is severely warped in the center and I don't know how much longer it will last.

I hope you've enjoyed visiting my studio!  If you'd like to take a peek into my desk drawers, you can do so HERE and HERE.  Kimberly, thanks again for having me!!!

Have a Beautiful Day!!

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Thank you so much for sharing your amazing space with us Norma!  I took lots of notes on your wonderful use of space, organization and especially the inspiration wall.  Hope you are all inspired :)

{{Hugs}}
Kimberly

School Days are Here Again ~ Altered Notepad for Teacher

My kids teachers seem to really appreciate a little handmade surprise at the beginning and end of the year...altered notepads are always a hit.  Here is one I created using some yummy papers from Dear Lizzy and Cosmo Cricket.  The Cosmo Cricket is a retired kit, but luckily, I hoarded some :)  This project is linked up to Craftin Desert Diva's Back to School Linky Party here.

 I think these adorable girlies are perfect for the back-to-school theme, don't you?  You probably recognize the Michaels dollar bin stamp from previous posts; it's definitely a keeper!

The wood buttons and coordinating pen top everything off.  

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Make it Monday - Life's Little Moments

Hey Polka Dot Fans!   I can't believe summer is almost over, but we've had an amazing time visiting friends in North Carolina; hanging with my folks in Missouri and spending even more time with my parents here at home.  I have been able to sneak in a little crafting between all this traveling and entertaining.  Last weekend, I made these two cute cards for a big event in my kids' lives: their baptisms!  I chose their favorite colors; green for my daughter and orange for my son.

The adorable little girl is from one of my all-time favorite Cosmo Cricket paper lines "Odds and Ends".  The other paper is from a couple of different My Mind's Eye paperpads.

After a card-making session with my girls over at Created by Donna K and Scrap Your World, I'm not making blank cards anymore!

The little My Mind's eye chipboard accents were perfect for noting the date of this special day. You know how I love to doll things up with my signature accents... ribbon, button and twine. 

I am thinking of making a keepsake box to tuck these cards inside...what extra special things have you gifted lately?

Thanks for stopping by!

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly