Inspired by... Noel {Inspiration #2}

 

 

Welcome to another post in the An Inspired Noel series! Today's inspiration came from Cori Ann's Creative Living blog. She shared her modge podge clipboard makeover back in August and her version was so cute I knew I wanted to make some for gifts.

You start with some inexpensive clipboards. You can probably find some at the dollar store. Then raid your stash of scrapbooking papers...

 

 

I decided to remove the clip before adding the paper. I knew I wouldn't be happy with my results if I had to cut the paper to fit around the clip. But you may not want to deal with having to re-attach the clips, so this step is up to you. Hubby found some rivets at HomeDepot that worked like a charm. But it was not without trial and error! So I recommend testing on a plain clipboard (one you haven't spent hours making beautiful, ahem!) first.

Cover the board, generously, with modge podge then carefully apply your paper, then cover the paper with a layer of modge podge. I did one side at a time and let dry completely between sides.

 

 

I also chose to paint the clips in coordinating colors. Again, this step is optional. But you have plenty of time to paint the clips while the boards are drying.  I applied a spray sealer to the boards and the clips before reassembling. Once everything is dry re-attach your clips and your done!

 

 

Cori Ann added more bling to hers (the clips) and depending upon whom you're making these for that would be a fun option. Mine are for a couple of friends who will use them pretty regularly, so I figure any ribbons and such will just be in the way.

With all the different scrapbooking papers out there, the possibilities for these are endless.  You could even add fabric, ribbon, ric rac, etc. or personalize them with pictures! These would make great gifts for teenagers, don't you think?

If this post has inspired you, please let me know by leaving a comment. And if you make some of your own clipboards, share your link, I'd love to see your creations!

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

Sharing inspiration here:

Inspired by... baby

 

 

I've got some inspiration by way of scrapbook layouts (LO's) for you today.  When I first joined the Creative Teams (CT's) for Dancing Princess Designs and Designs by Krista, I was a little concerned about having appropriate photos to scrap.  After all, the majority of scrappers out there have families and are doing LO's (mostly) of their kids. On the other hand, I have quite a few a lifetime of memories saved on my computer and could probably find something to work with pretty much any kit out there! I was rockin' along pretty well until...

Krista asked me to work with her Baby Girl kit.

Umm, baby? baby? anybody got a baby? Anybody had a baby?

We have several new babies in our church family and I knew my friends would probably let me do a LO using their pictures, but I really didn't have time to gain the necessary permission (my LO's are published in online galleries) and photos.  So, while I knew the photos wouldn't be the best quality, I decided to do a LO with some old family photos.

This kit is really fun! And as you can see, there are many elements in the kit that didn't even make it into my LO. Working with the older pictures has got me thinking about working with some (much older) family pictures that my dad has collected over the years. Krista has some beautiful "old paper" kits which would work fabulously for this!

Here's a LO I did for last week's Trixie Scraps challenge, to use cardstock papers:

I also picked up two new kits this week:

 

Aromatic Herbs by et Designs and Master Chef by Trixie Scraps.  I'll be using these for some fun hybrid ideas I have in mind and will be sharing those with you soon! (the images are linked if you want to check them out in more detail)

I'm working on several projects that I'll be sharing with you soon.  And I finished a project today that I'll be sharing with you tomorrow and I can't wait for you to see what I made!!!

 

Are you working on any projects you're excited about sharing?

I'd love to hear!

 

Blessings,

Inspired by... up cycling

 

Hi everyone!  Sorry to be so late posting this.  I had a few finishing touches to make this morning.

 

I'm so excited to introduce to you... (insert drum roll here)

 

The Hoots!

Are they not seriously cute??

I saw this tutorial on Factory Direct Craft and just knew I had to make them!

Mom and dad...

The twins and...

Junior!

(isn't he sweet?)

I followed the tutorial for the most part.  Their beaks are just a small square folded diagonally.  To make them stable, I hot-glued them to a circle cut out of a cardboard box, which had first been spray painted green, then hot glued Spanish moss on top of the circle and in between the "family."

You might have noticed their little "friend" on the left?

To add a bit of dimension, I cut a styrofoam ball in half, spray painted it green and glued it to the cardboard circle, then covered it with moss.  The butterfly is perched on some green florist wire, stuck into the ball.

I'll be posting more about butterflies (and sharing a freebie pattern) soon!

 

I hope you've enjoyed meeting the Hoots!

Right now they're nestled on my hearth.  But they would be fun to make for a themed birthday (or other) party, don't you think?

 

Blessings,

 

Sharing inspiration here: