Canoe & Camping Trip Album

I finally finished the album of our canoeing and camping trip. It took me about 3 months as I had 3 other projects simultaneously. The album turned out to be very satisfying. Turning every single page reminds me of the fun events I had in my little adventure.
Here are some pages I really like. We are going to NY, DC, and Niagara Falls for vacation soon. I’m already excited to make another travel album.

Handcarved Nightmare Before Christmas Stamp: Sally

This character is from the movie “Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas” released in 1993, a year before we came to the US. We didn’t know what Halloween was at that time, which was exactly like the main character in the movie “Jack Skellington” from Halloween town couldn’t figure out what Christmas was all about after visiting Christmas town accidentally. We were so fascinated by the movie when we watched it on video for the first time. The motion picture style was very eye catching, but what amazed us the most was that how rather a scary looking Sally looked more and more charming as the story progressed!

Spinning Halloween Lamp

Our favorite, Halloween, season is approaching and I took our Halloween spinning lampshade out of the box today.Since my husband made this lampshade for me about 10 years ago, the projection of these Halloween characters have been rotating on the walls and the ceiling every year in this season. I set the lamp on the round maple table next to the bookcase where my Halloween collections are stored.I don’t usually illuminate this bookcase, but turning the room light off and watching my favorite Halloween collections and moving projection of Halloween characters make me so happy.
The motion picture of the lamp is available in my flickr site at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8416520@N02/5085959604/in/set-72157601977713102/

Custom Order Summer Vacation Album

I have finished one of the projects I have been working on. This is a custom order album from Stephanie. She wanted us to make a beach themed premade album she can scrapbook her family photos from their summer vacation in Bahamas. I used a heavy transparency sheet for the front cover, embellishing it with water splash 3D stickers. I used an ocean wave patterned paper under the front cover and cut out the part of waves in order to change the background by showing the following page.

I added an envelope so that they can keep some travel memorabilia in it.Because the envelopes I want to use on my projects are not on the market, I make them by myself. I just look for the envelope of the right size and make a template out of it.

This is the back cover. I glued a lace paper on a cardstock and sealed it with “Mod Podge”. My initial intention was to cut the cardstock to the right size, but a new idea flashed into my mind. Instead of cutting, I folded it to make a pocket which might hold unused photos, tickets or postcards.It has been a very fun process making this album. Photos on Stephanie’s Facebook helped me a lot. I even felt as if I had been to the beach while making it. Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to share your memory keeping project.

I enjoy being busy with 4 ongoing projects.

I am working on two custom mini album orders and our own canoe trip mini album. I also plan our vacation trip right now. My messy working table got messier! I recently purchased old wire baskets at a local flea market and I use them to organize supplies and ongoing pages for each project.They work perfectly and I love them. I am really busy with the projects but I am enjoying it.

Old Pyrex Percolator

I somehow decided to stop over a local thrift store after work yesterday. I wasn’t expecting to find any treasures as I haven’t found anything good at the store for a long time. But I was thrilled when this old 4 cup Pyrex percolator on the shelf of the kitchen aisle caught my eyes. I have seen just pots sold on thrift stores but never found a complete set. The price tag of $4.99 also surprised me! I already have 9 cup percolator but it is too large for a daily use. So, 4 or 6 cup percolator has been on my wish list.
I leave thrift stores empty handed most of the time but this is why I cannot stop going there.

On-line workshop by Jenni Bowlin

I am taking 12 weeks on-line workshop by Jenni Bowlin @ Big Picture Scrapbooking since July 2nd. It titled “Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent: Learning how the past can open the door to a new creative lifestyle” It has been giving me inspirational and creative opportunities and I am enjoying the workshop very much. The followings are the reviews of the first two classes.

WEEK1
According to Jenni, understanding our own creative history is important as it must have had a lot of influences on our creativities. Mine came from my parents. Dad liked to make miniature plastic models of ships, planes or castles. Mom used to teach people knitting at our house. I loved watching her creating new clothes and going craft store with her. I believe my creative mojo is in my blood! Jenni said surrounding ourselves with inspiration every day is essential to a creative lifestyle. Our assignment#1 was making an inspiration board where we can pin up anything that inspires us. And this is my inspiration board. WEEK2
Lesson 1: Re-think
Jenni said there are many creative options for using photos and recording memories besides scrapbooking only on 12x12 layouts. Altered books, collages, 3D assemblages and re-purpose jewelry are the examples of other forms of scrapbookings she gave us. She also showed us how we can creatively use items we may pass by everyday.
I love collecting antiques, vintages and old stuffs (some even says old junks) and I always wanted to create something with them. Her assignment gave me an opportunity to refresh my perspective and stimulated my creativity.
These are my Week 2 vintage milk cap creativity challenge. I hope I can use these new ideas on my ongoing projects.