Stampin’ on Saturday ~ DIY Project Life Cards

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

As you may know, I’ve moved away from traditional scrapbook layouts over the past couple of years and into the Project Life style of memory keeping. I still have piles of 12 x 12 paper (who doesn't?!) and it seems a shame to let it gather dust.

Instead, I've been chopping it up and making my own cards to fit the pocket pages. The set below were made from a matching paper collection and a few index cards. I realise the latter is unlikely to be acid free, but that sort of thing doesn't really worry me. If you’re only writing on them and they are in separate pockets, away from your photos, I don’t think it’s much of an issue anyway. That’s a personal choice.

My index cards were 6 x 4”. I cut them in half and added a strip of paper. Washi tape would work well too. That’s all you need, if you have a lot to say. Lighter coloured papers with small patterns also work well for journalling. This is about as simple as it gets. I tend to have a stack of these cut, ready to add photos and embellish further, when I’m putting the pages together.

With the busier patterns and darker colours, I had to get a little more creative. By adding strips and circles punched from the index cards, I’ve made them suitable for journalling. They work as photo mats without. I punched banners and fussy cut the hexagon pattern to add a bit of interest to the plain 3 x 4 cards.

Of course, you don't need to cut up whole sheets of paper, like I have, scraps work perfectly for this. You can stamp on them and add embellishments to your heart’s content. They would come in handy as journalling spots on full size pages, if you are not into pocket page scrapping. Why not have a go?

I set this as a challenge for NSD on For the Love of Pretty Paper, which is a UK based paper crafting group on Facebook. Pop over, if you fancy joining in.

Have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing.

Friday Finds ~ Dr Seuss

I’ve been dabbling a little bit with Project Life this year. Mostly I make my own filler cards with odds and ends of paper and cardstock, decorated using stamps and punches. I’m always on the look out for cute printables, to supplement them with.

These Dr Seuss quotes fit the bill perfectly. If you’re not a Project Lifer, these little cards come in handy on layouts and can be added to all sorts of other projects. If you like them you’ll need to scroll down a bit on the download page. There are lots of other useful designs in the list so it’s worth a look.

We’re off to the first of our University Open Days tomorrow. Have a great weekend.

Intentions for 2014

It seems a little late in the month for a retrospective post, so bang goes my first intention for this month! Instead I’ll look forward to what the coming year may bring.

Project Life ~ I bought a small diary to jot down things that happen each day, as a basis for some pocket scrapping. I’m really keen to give it a go this year, having read with interest the blog posts of others on the subject, over the last year or so.

Instagram ~ I upgraded my phone a couple of weeks ago and for the first time I have a camera worth using. I’ve joined Instagram and am enjoying finding my way around there. I think it will also be a useful tool for PL and possibly a good way of sharing progress with the Friendship Quilt, for those that are on there.

Reading ~ Last January I began A Song of Fire and Ice, not really intending to read all the books published so far. That’s what happened though and I have about 200 pages left of A Dance With Dragons. This year I will be catching up with all the great books I missed out on. I’ve already downloaded one or two onto my Nook.

Crafting ~ There will definitely be more sewing in my very near future. I have plans for at least one other quilt, before I receive all my Friendship Quilt blocks in June. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to that. If you’re taking part, look out for a post, with some thoughts on that project, later in the week.

Blogging ~ I want to get out of the rut I found myself in at the end of the year and have some plans to that end. I also have an idea for a monthly meme, which I’ll share next week. I really hope some of you will join me.

One Little Word ~ Last year I picked ‘Connect’ and that worked well for me. This year I am choosing ‘Engage’ and I’ll talk more about that another day.

There you have it. Another fresh new year ahead of us. Let’s enjoy it together.