Baby Brag Book

One of my husband's cousin had a little boy and I made this little brag book to accompany the gift. Every proud new mama needs something to display pics of her new baby wherever she goes... :-)

Inside are pages of double sided cardstock that she can just glue pictures on.

This is actually quite easy to do. The cover is a piece of cardstock that has been embossed with a folder that looks like some sort of leather to me, and the pages are just cut to size and sewn with a sewing machine.

To decorate the cover I just used some of the same cardstock from inside, and some felt buttons (glued on with a hot glue gun so there is no chance they will come off even if this is carried in a purse). I used special brads and some twine to make sure this stays closed as well.

I made a simple card to go with it, using more of the coordinated cardstock, and heat embossed the sentiment. The twine on the brag book is by Trendy Twine, the one on the card is by the Twinery. Stamp is My Thoughts Exactly. The button dies are by the Cat's Pajama.

Onesie card

I made this simple onesie shaped card for my nephew's 1st birthday, using the Peek-a-Boo svg set from Lettering Delights. It's just wide enough to hold a gift card and still fits in a regular enveloppe. :-)

Baby bear

One of my cousins welcomed a little Heidi, and I couldn't resist making a card that showcased this fun and original name. I used a little valentine bear from SVGCuts (freebie). The DP, that I adore and have used often, is from DCWV (Nana's nursery I think). It was one of those projects that make you smile... :-)
What can I say, I love baby cards...

Baby brown bear

A simple baby card I made for my cousin who recently welcomed a baby girl.

It took me forever, I am beyond rusty!! The bear's nose and paws are paper pieced, and of course he is mounted on foam tape. Given the time of day I had to take my pic in the sun which obviously isn't perfect, the bear is actually brown, not greenish.... LOL ;-)

Baby Snail

I finally parted with the bassinet my 3 babies slept in when they were newborns!... It was time to move on... ;-) I made this card for the new baby sleeping in it... :-)

I love this sentiment from PTI. There is a lot of dimension you can't see in the pic, the snail is on foam tape, its shell is also on foam tape, and so are the button-wheels. By now you know I am a sucker for gingham... ;-)

I hope it's ok with the post office, I asked for it to be cancelled by hand...

Baby Box

I apologize for the yucky pic, but it was one of those "take the pic just as we leave" project and Noah tempered with my camera yesterday and I didn't have the time to figure out what was wrong (my wild guess is greasy little fingers all over the lense...).

So anyway I thought I'd still post it, even though I didn't get a chance for retakes, since it's my 1st ever project made with the Cricut Expression coupled with my laptop via the SCAL software. Pretty exciting, if you ask me! ;-D...

I used one of Lauren's template, that you can now purchase as an SVG file, which then allows you to resize it to your taste before having your machine cut it out for you.

You cannot see on that pic but I added extra detailing to the top using her matching cut-files. And the little onesie on the card is from the SCAL shapes library. I cut my little windows (before adhering some acetate) with a Nestability (now that was a joy since it was an afterthought, LOL) but I plan on figuring out very soon how to do that with my gadget and software!... ;-)

It took me some time because I was figuring things out as I went but I have to say it is surprisingly easy to use and really fun, and no doubt time-saving (well once you get the hang of it obviously!).

I am psyched that Lauren's templates will now be available in that format (and they still come with the pdf file so that you can choose to print them the usual way instead.)

Ain't technology grand?... (coming from one of the worst computer challenged girl...)

Baby Lamb frame (PTI Guest Designer Submission)

When I came across this paper with the hills and the little sheeps I instantly thought about the card Nichole made when "Punny Valentine" stamps set came out last year and she made this little felt sheep....

So I just HAD to make this little frame for my (to-be-here-in-8-days) baby boy. I just wish I could have made a little lamb with his Mommy, I might have to try that afterwards.... (if baby takes long naps! LOL ;-))
I had to tweak the frame since I couldn't find the shadow box I wanted, but in the end it worked. I made 2 hills layers and added some nice clouded paper, all separated by pop-dots, and cut my little felt lamb with nestabilities. I cut some fringes in the paper to look a little more like grassy hills and inked the edges.

The outside is framed with a large green grosgrain ribbon and then another layer of PTI blue rain Gingham ribbon. (it's hard to see on the pics!).

As you can guess this is a hard to photograph project because of the reflections...

It was not intentional, but I think it is a pretty good match to my baby keepsake box made with the PTI heart box! :-D

I didn't make it for the guest designer submission but decided afterwards to submit it anyway...

Blue giraffe Thank-You

Unless she is playing the prolongations, today is the last day of Melanie's 1 week blogaversary celebration... So I made a last little card using her sets "So hippy" "So hoppy" and "Hip-hop accessories".

I am really bad at preparing things in advance, I tend to do everything last minute. Believe me, I have tried and am still trying to improve on that point!! My bag for the maternity isn't even ready yet... But I thought I would make the thank-you card for the hospital staff now! My husband can always come back home afterwards to grab my toothbrush if I deliver in an emergency but I doubt he will sit at my desk and make a card for the staff... ;-) ...

For this card I decided to go a little bit out of my comfort zone, by making a somewhat monochromatic card which is something I very rarely do. Since we're having a boy I decided to go all blue, I hope they won't be put off by a white and blue giraffe... ;-) Cutting the hair on the neck of the giraffe image was too time consuming so I made him a little "custom fringe" of my own instead with blue cardstock...

Baby Brag Book

Still not much creativity going on here since the whole family is super sick!! We all spent Thanksgiving in bed, the turkey is still in the freezer!... With all the coughing involved I'm surprised my little one is still safely tucked inside!! I had to take a little trip to the ER a week ago for an asthma attack, I am still not back on my feet but hope I will soon. Realizing it IS December freaked me out big time!!...

Anyway my little project here is a mini brag book for a friend who had a baby girl a few weeks ago. The inspiration is from a kit I bought last year, I can't remember the brand but everything came on a 12X12 sheet and was pre-cut. I made my own little version and will make more of those. (I'm working on one with Naomi as a little Thanksgiving keepsake, and I hope I'll find the time to make one with our new baby...)

I'll try to make a mini-tutorial if anyone is interested.

Basically it is 2 mini booklets nestled together in a cover, you can decide on the size or the number of pages...

This one here has 3 double pages in each booklet. I made little mats with the Nestabilities where she can just add her pics (wallet size works perfectly for those) and on the opposite pages I stamped a spot for journaling where she can add the date, who's with the baby or where it was taken etc... I made a little 4X4 (somewhat) matching card with the pea (from Stampin'Up).

The little giftbox is made with Lauren's template "Music Makeover" My timeless templates. If you haven't heard about My timeless Templates yet (is it possible?) they're available through Papertrey Ink, you download them in your computer and just print them, it doesn't get any easier than that! I obviously kept mine super simple, (didn't want Lauren's box to steal the spotlight of what's IN the box! LOL ;-))

Baby box

You might remember this memory box I made for my sister-in-law who was expecting: http://dare2beecreative.blogspot.com/2008/02/baby-memory-box.html, she didn't know the baby gender so I tried to go with something somewhat neutral, and I really didn't feel like yellow or green. (She actually had a girl, I'm glad I put those 2 little pink buttons there!... ;-))

I had one box left (they're from Papertrey Ink) that I had bought for myself so I decided to make a memory box for MY baby! :-) And of course I went all blue (and a little light green) this time!... ;-)

The pics are a little overexposed but you get the idea.... It's the same concept anyway.

Coupon Book

When you get a new baby, at least at the beginning, companies such as Huggies, Pampers and Gerber send you coupons for diapers, baby food and such if you register with them.

Those sure are welcome and, in order not to lose them, I made myself a little coupon book...

You'll recognize the little bear from the baby planner (a piece of gift wrap) glued on the cover. I then made faux stitching with an opaque marker (Martha Stewart for Walmart) and covered it all with Contact paper since it will travel in my diaper bag. (I always have Contact paper at home since I cover most of my books with it, I'm a little obsessed with books that way... ;-)).

Then I glued the inside part that I had assembled with my sewing machine (I didn't want any sticky tape or glue coming undone or staying stuck to my coupons...) against the spine, sandwiching the ribbon in between the 2 layers. Once I was done I realized 4 tiny pockets likely wouldn't be enough, so I added the central panel as an afterthought, and just sewed it to the spine of the booklet.

I did consider stamping the "categories" with a mini alphabet, but thought it would just be too much! ;-) Since it is for me anyway I can do with the sloppy handwriting! :-)

Now hopefully I will remember to take the booklet with me before I go shopping! ;-)

Baby planner

When I saw the holiday planners on Michelle's blog (http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/) it instantly got the wheel turning into my head as to how to adapt this to my current "baby-on-the-brain" state!! All you need is a 5X8 junior notepad and 2 sheets of 8X11 cardstock.

Her version is chic and embellished, you can find her tutorial and template here: http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/2008/09/holiday-gift-ensemble.html. It can be adapted to so many occasions! :-)

My version is way more simple but I wanted to be able to carry this in my bag without worrying that it might be torn or damaged in any way. For the cover focal point and the accents inside I just used some cute baby gift wrap, and I used my sewing machine on paper for the 1st time. That didn't exactly go as planned since I sewed on the wrong side of the cardstock and my machine wasn't set right for paper obviously either!! (if you click on the pics for a larger version it will be obvious!!) But hey, that was a first ever attempt and this is how you learn... but I admit I was too lazy or impatient to do it all over again! ;-) LOL! I also added a bit of ribbon so that it would stay closed in my bag.

In the little pocket I tucked some custom notecards, made from white cardstock with a little piece of wrapping paper wrapped around and rounded corners. I made one for names (serious brainstorming going on there) and one for my list of essentials! Plus one for whatever I will soon realize I forgot to plan for! ;-) ...

This was a fun and quick little project (if you omit the time spent fighting with the sewing machine of course...) and Naomi already wants me to make one for her!...(but without the sewing! Phew!) :-D

Baby shower card.

Yesterday I went to my 1st baby shower ever, it was fun and I had a good time. Don't get confused it was not MY baby shower, just the 1st one I went to. In France we usually celebrate a baby after his/her birth, not before. I don't know if we are more superstitious, but to us it seems weird to throw a party for a baby before the star of the show is actually here! The nice thing about the american way is that it celebrates the Mom! ;-)

The future Mom is expecting a little girl, and I got her a chocolate brown Sleepywrap (http://www.sleepywrap.com/, I got one for myself too but I'm not telling what color yet! ;-)), so I had to go with brown and pink, which is one of my favorite color combo, alongside the brown and light blue. I went to Babies R us this week-end and was surprised by the number of clothes with those color combos, very cute!

Anyway, a very simple card with no stamping. My Cuttlebug was giving me a very hard time and refused to cut anything (more investigation is needed...). Funny how I am always drawn to the polka dots embossing folder for baby cards... :-)

No stamping baby card

I made this baby card for my cousin and his wife who just had a baby girl.

The outfit I bought is green with cream polka dots, and I also found cute pink baby booties. That's where I picked the colors for my card. I heard the parents both don't like pink much, so I kept it just as an accent.

Did I ever tell you how much I love my Cuttlebug?... ;-)

ETA: For info, the little foot print charm can be found at Walmart (Wilson is the brand I think). It's a party favor's charm for baby showers, so you can find it in the baking/wedding/baby aisle next to the craft aisles. It comes in a pack of 6, all different colors.

NEWS!!!!...

What do you think?.....

The cover of a planner I bought recently....

Detail on the first page of my planner.....

With this obvious clues, you now understand why I have been absent from "paper-blogs-world" over the last months!... I was feeling exhausted and nauseous, among other things...

Yes, I am pregnant!! :-D After a long wait and a 3rd miscarriage in March, I am now 17 weeks along in a new pregnancy. It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing, the first trimester was very stressful and we spent way too much time in the doctor's office with reasons to believe that this baby would not make it. :-(

But he/she did! :-) We are now in a much better place, even though there are still some issues that might become problematic, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it (if we ever have to!). We are so grateful to have this little life with us, and I want to thank the people that were in the know and prayed for us. Your support was greatly appreciated!♥ :-)

Our baby is due end of January, and I bought this little planner (in the back to school section ;-)) to record some of my thoughts and/or facts about this pregnancy. I thought the little tees would be a nice fun little touch... :-) I might decorate it a little more once I know the baby's gender... ;-) ...

No stamping baby card

I have been MIA lately, my little crafty time was used to make a mini scrapbook for my hubby... and my energy level and ability to focus are so down lately that I feel too tired to make cards! Which is a shame because a little stamping therapy sure would lift my spirits!

Since I needed a baby card I got "back to it" today... I didn't really feel like coloring so I went with a no stamping card instead. It still took me forever, especially having to cut little details and then cut tiny pieces of foam tape to pop those up. The little carriage and birds are from a pack of baby boy paper from the Target dollar spot, I just glued them on cardstock for a little rigidity and cut them out, I added little brads on the wheels and that was it! The background is embossed with Cuttlebug's swiss dots folder (one of my favorites!) and I ran some white ink over the spots. The frame is made with Nestabilities and popped up, as well as the carriage and birds. I tried stamping a sentiment on a ribbon with my Palette ink but the ink bled in the ribbon so I just gave up and settled for a tiny ribbon accent instead.

I realized that when I look at cards in a store I am always drawn to the simplest designs, and/or the ones with dimension, so that's what I went for... and sure enough I love it! Now I should make another one just like that and the same one in pink (I also have the baby girl paper... with the green and pink carriage) so I have some cards at the ready for all those babies popping everywhere... :-)

Happy Pregnancy tri-fold

I have been wanting to make a card for my cousin, whose wife is expecting their first baby, for weeks now, and I thought I better get to it today or she would have the baby by the time I send them a "congratulations on your pregnancy" card!!!

I had been waiting for Melanie's "Hip-hop accessories" set for that since I wanted a kangaroo and baby in pocket... ;-) This card was one of those that just come to me at once, the paper, the small size, the tri-fold... it just clicked in my head, and I really love the end result (especially the small size, I should make small cards more often! ;-)).

So the front has the chick (which I changed into a bird...) and it says "Un petit oiseau m'a dit que..." which means "A little bird told me that...", then you open the card and find the kangaroo with baby in pocket (I just sliced with a blade alongside the pocket top and tucked my little guy in there!) and it says "C'est dans la poche!" which means literally "It's in the pocket".

Now, in french "it's in the pocket" means something like "it's a done deal", (or according to my dictionnary "it's in the bag"...)... so I thought it was really fitting with the kangaroo... :-)
I colored the animals with my watercolors pencils. I have had those for almost 20 years, they're a great french brand and I was happy to see they are still ok! :-)

Baby& Mom giraffe

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might remember my giraffe card and the matching memory box that I made for my sister-in-law who was expecting: http://dare2beecreative.blogspot.com/2008/02/melanie-has-contest-going-on-on-her.html

Well I now have a new niece! :-)

I was waiting for my "hip-hop babies" to arrive so that I could make a baby card that would sort of match the previous one since I had a little bit of paper left over! :-)

So here it is! Everything is on dimensionals, and there was quite some cutting, which was a little bit time consuming (one of the reasons why there is only one parent, LOL). The baby carriage I cut out of pattern paper I found at Target, I just added little buttons brads on the wheels. I tried to paper piece the carriage using the same striped paper that is at the bottom of the card but it was "too much" of the same pattern and colors for me. The balloon tie is made with a piece of hemp twine. The bottom lace pattern is made with a Martha Stewart punch.

(As always, click on the pic for the giant version ;-))

One baby...so many words...

Another baby in the family, I'm telling you they're everywhere!... ;-)

I just had to use my Cuttlebug embossing folder "swiss dots" for that one since it really screams baby to me... :-) (and I really love polka dots and LOVE embossing!). When I started the card I knew I wanted the swiss dots and some vellum but that was about it in terms of what direction to take...

I played with a few ideas, but the words kept coming back. (They're from another Cuttlebug folder "friend words"and I cut them off the page). When I finally had this configuration I wasn't sure about it, so I walked away and went to pick up my son at school.

It's true what they say, when you're not sure, walk away. When you come back to your project things always seem more clear, whether you like it or not! ;-)

I took the pic partly in the sun, I know that's not something you're supposed to do but I like it, I like how it creates shadows... :-)

ETA: To answer Pam's question I first embossed my cardstock with the swiss dots folder, then ran my inker on it, after it was dry, I then cut the scalloped rectangle with the Nestabilities...

Baby giraffe card to match memory box

Melanie has a contest going on on her blog, which requires to use her set "Just so hippy".

There wasn't much time to play with it this week but I tried anyway because I like her upbeat personality on her blog, and I love this little giraffe... (This was just for the fun because if you've seen Lauren's entry you know I don't stand a chance, LOL!)

I made a matching card for the baby memory box (from a few entries back) using the scraps of paper. I finally put little onesies in the box and one has a little giraffe embroidered on it so I thought using the giraffe would be a cute little touch...

I colored the spots on the giraffe to match my paper (sort of, LOL)...

Believe it or not, it is grey and raining non stop today *gasp* so I had to use the flash on one of the pics and the colors are a little off...