Expecting Something Special..........................

I think every parent-to-be should have a place to document the months before the arrival of their baby.  A place to write their thoughts, dreams, expectations, concerns, and the special events that made the journey memorable.  Creating a keepsake that will be given to their child one day that expresses anticipation, excitement and the love they had for their child even before they were born.

With these thoughts in mind I created a journal scrapbook titled "Expecting Something Special".  

The cover of the journal is done in a peachy pink print framed in a black dot washi tape.  The brad in the center of the bow says "Journey".

The inside front cover has a page sized card that has an embossed frame for a picture and lined paper to journal.  The baby carriage card was cut with the "Stretch You Imagination" cricut cartridge.

 The next set of pages provide space for pictures of the parents-to-be.  The sentiment states: " a baby fills a hole in your heart that you never knew was there".

 A slider card and a set of tags are the bases of the next set of pages providing space for pictures and documenting.  

 The tags are removable so that they can be written on both sides.

"Baby Bump" pictures are a must and here are the pages to display them.  There is space for seven pictures with the last one displayed on the left hand page titled "Any Day Now".

More space for pictures or......................

 journaling.

 and a pocket for the ultra-sounds and other memorabilia. 

 Here is the baby shower pages.  The umbrella holds tags (12) that guests can use to write advice to the parents-to-be.  

 Love notes from mom and dad and any other special people that the parents want to include in their journal scrapbook.

 The baby arrives and here is a spot to display the first pictures of the new arrival.

 AND the expanded family.

 The inside back cover.

 Each of the eight set of pages has a pocket and these are a sample of the tags.
Three of the tags have statements on them: "I HOPE..."; "If I could give you one thing it would be............  because............: and "Love Grows Here".

The remaining tags have a spot to journal on one side and space for pictures or  journaling on the other.  Dragonflies are scattered throughout the journal.

 The binding of the journal scrapbook is generously adorned with a variety of colorful fibers. 

The Expecting Something Special journal scrapbook measures 8 1/2 X 6 inches.

I enjoyed making this journal scrapbook and my hope is that it will find a good home with "loving parents".

Thanks for stopping by!

I would love to know you were here and what you think of my creation.

Celebrate Today!

Heartwarming.......................

A few weeks ago I created three cute baby, toddler scrapbook pages with a jungle animal theme.  The giraffe page was sold to a young lady named Shayna in Louisiana.  I didn't hear from her after she received her page so I emailed her asking if she would return to my Etsy shop, Celebrate Memories, and leave a review.  Shortly thereafter I received the best review I have gotten so far (I love all my reviews but this one was so special).

Shayna wrote:

"I absolutely loved the page! We are going through adoption and had to make a scrapbook of our lives now and include what we dream when we receive a child. We used this page to list our chosen baby names and I loved it! 

Here is the page I created:

Here is how Shayna made it their own:

 Shayna's words:  "I loved it! This is how it turned out in our adoption scrapbook! Thank you for the adorable page."

I know it's on it's side but I have tried everything I know (which isn't much)  to flip the picture off it's side but to no avail.  However, I think you get a sense of how Shayna used the page in the adoption scrapbook.  I think she did a wonderful job with the layout and really made it her own!

 My little giraffe is made with rectangles, squares, ovals and circles.  I loved putting this sweet little guy together.  It is one of my very favorite page creations.

Here are the companion pages I made with the same theme:

Thanks for stopping by and checking out what I've been up to.

Please leave a comment.  I would love to know you stopped by!

Make it a great day!
Karen

Refocusing..............................

Everyone, I think, has had a time (or times) in their life when they have had to determine what they wanted to focus their time, energy and resources on.....what is the passion that they want to pursue. Well, that is what I have been thinking about a lot the last few days and have come to some decisions.

My passion is making mini-scrapbooks, scrapbook pages and cards of all kinds. I get lost in time and space when I am in this creative zone! So, THAT is where my time, energy and resources will be focused. I also have had to reign in my desire to try every new paper craft idea that comes along and focus on getting really good at what I already love doing making mini-albums and scrapbook layouts.....cards will still be there cause they are quick (sometimes) and I love the instant gratification I get from those mini-works-of-art.

As of the end of this month I will no longer be an Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart. I love their products but I am not cut out for direct sales and I can't afford to be my own best customer. Close To My Heart will continue to be a source of products and inspiration as I continue my creative path.

An outlet for my creations will be my Etsy shop, Celebrate Memories and this blog will now be a source for me to write about my passion by sharing what I am creating and how I am creating it. 

I hope along the way that I will inspire you to spread your creative wings, if you haven't already, and find your passion. Everyone is creative, you just might not recognize it..........baking, decorating, cooking a wonderful meal, arranging flowers, painting (pictures and rooms), ..........what makes you lose track of time and what is going on around you? That is your passion........your bliss. Take a minute to write a note to me in the comment section about what your passion is......what your creative outlet is.

I hope you will stop by often and check out what I am up to.

If you need a reminder, why not follow me? Just click the follow link in the side bar and you will be kept up to date on the newest posts to my blog.

Take care and have a "scrappin' good day"!