by Sharon | May 18, 2016
I can’t believe these things are still around . . .
As long as parents and grandparents and great-grandparents are around to share these Lucky Stars with their kids, grand kids and great grand kids, these will be around for generations to come.
I learned how to make them in elementary school. One of my friends couldn’t walk, so we made stuff during recess. We made all kinds of things out of paper. Maybe that’s why I love paper crafting so much. Thank you, Susan!!
We did lose track of one another, but I remember some of the things we made. I imagine she’s gone a long way in her life — she was a good friend and taught me how to make things out of strips of paper . . .
As the tradition goes, when you give someone a jar full of these lucky stars, you’re giving them good luck. I hope by giving you the link to download these lucky stars instructions some of that good luck will rub off on you. Just click the image and you’ll be taken to the print out tutorial. If you’re looking for some paper to print out to make your lucky stars, click here.
Well, that was a delightful trip down memory lane for me. I hope it was enjoyable for you as well.
Thank you for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | May 2, 2016
Are they still popular?
Do people even do them?
Or have they become scrap books or mini-albums?
I remember having many of them — through junior high and high school. Yes, I am that old!! We had junior high — not middle school.
As amazing as it seems, I do remember being that young — full of dreams . . .
Everything was a major event — going to the beach, movies, dances — saving ticket stubs and everything else that would go into the memory book — lots of pressed flowers . . . even bottle caps . . . gum wrappers . . . all those insignificant things . . .
Just think of all the things you’ve thrown out that would be interesting to put in a memory book you could share with your child . . . It could be a memory book of “firsts” — the first time you went to Starbucks . . . or took a plane ride . . . went to a play . . . a movie . . . and the crazy things you collected . . . as well as the ticket to different amusement parks . . . plus all the pictures . . .
I don’t remember many of the names of the people in the pictures. Maybe it was because we moved around a lot. But it did give me new opportunities to make new memory books . . .
Maybe that’s why I’m still looking for something new . . . exciting . . . different . . . And why none of my memory books have been completed . . .
And . . . what happens when a memory book is completed . . .
Is it a good thing?
Does it allow you to move on to new things?
Or are memory books open-ended?
I guess, if you decide to create one . . . you’ll decide how many editions you’ll create . . .
An easy way to begin for your children is having a memory book for each school year. Maybe you would like to have one for each year in your life. Starting in January and ending it at the end of December. The school and the annual ones could be quite large . . .
I think it’s great to see the growth one has made in their life when it comes to decisions and direction . . . I like the idea of combining pictures and memorabilia with journaling . . . giving you insight in later years to tell your story of what was going on and how you felt about various things.
Life is a great journey . . . enjoy every twist and turn and the bumps along the way . . . The bonus is the people you meet . . . and the influences they have on your life as well . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 28, 2016
Are You Familiar With Flip Books?
These are primarily for pin pal creations that you send through the snail mail service.
They’re relatively small books that include a letter and a mail tag where you ask questions or give information — it’s your choice. The pages are decorated much like a scrapbook page with various embellishments. There are also little fun gifts or goodies included.
So, it’s a paper craft project you intend to put in the mail. It is more than a card . . . it is much more elaborate.
A flip book is typically 3 double-sided pages put together with washi tape. You can make it much larger if you wish. It would be worthwhile for you to check on YouTube for a video tutorial. There are several wonderful videos that will get you started.
They remind me a bit of a scrapbook — the old fashioned ones where you find interesting things and do some writing or stamping or cut out letters to put together to spell out your own sentiments . . . there are many things you can add to it.
I Initially Thought Of Using This Concept As A Mini Album
Then I thought it wasn’t the purpose.
But, then again, it is a craft that you create and you can use the flip book concept and do as you please. You’ll notice that of the various YouTube Videos on the subject that everyone has their own way of embellishing them. The one true thing is that it is to be mailed to someone . . . or given to someone . . . But I see no reason why you can’t make them for yourself on various topics.
These may be good to make and include with recipes with your various cookie exchange programs or whatever you’d like to “swap” with others.
I think it would be fun to use these for template swaps . . . and with the various pockets you put in them, there would be plenty of room to tuck quite a few in them.
Much depends upon who you’re swapping flip books with . . . people may have very specific “requirements”. If it’s just to do your own thing, then you can do them however you wish and the recipient will be overjoyed.
I’ve Seen This Concept In Mini Albums
Many people add flip-ups, flip-downs, and flip-outs — either right or left . . .
It is natural in mini albums to add pockets and belly bands . . . and add other page attachments, thus the flips.
I’m sorry if my confusion about flip books isn’t making this concept clear. I’ll try to explain it again. Flip books are for mailing . . . communicating with another person much like a greeting card, but with a much more creative flair. People use stickers and they can make their own paper decorations with ink or watercolor, stamps, etc. It is excellent for multi-media creations.It’s an excellent way of sharing various craft ideas with other crafters . . . paper crafters primarily, but it may not be limited to that . . . It is amazing what people can put together in a flip book.
And to add to the confusion . . . Remember those flip books that were animations? They could be a stick man running or a ball bouncing . . . little pieces of paper stapled together and you’d flip through them . . .
That’s not what we’re talking about here . . .
But, it’s worthwhile to bring up. Names have changed meaning over the years . . .
To be honest with you, I hadn’t made the connection until I was searching for images to include in this post. I do remember making them. We’d use a tablet and draw illustrations on the bottom of the page, with each picture a slight variation . . . it looked like the man was running or the boat was rocking or the waves were rising . . . or the ball was bouncing . . .
Actually . . . now that I remember them, they were quite fun. You could have your stick figure dancing or climbing a mountain . . . They were fun and quite amazing to flip through. You’ll need a lot more paper, but I imagine if you want to try it out get a bulldog clip and fasten it to a post-it-note pack and have some fun drawing . . . then flip through the pages rapidly with your thumb . . . and it’s animated!!
Wow!! Going down memory lane is quite enjoyable!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 22, 2016
I may be completely nuts . . .
But I believe Mom would love a pumpkin carriage paper craft for Mother’s Day.
You see, it has to do with how magical your mom made your childhood. All the joy . . . all the great food . . . all the fun.
There’s a little part of us that still loves fairy tales . . . and what little girl didn’t dream of being a princess . . . even your mom . . .
There are lots of pictures and sentiments you can share on your paper mache pumpkin carriage that would mean the world to your mom . . .
It’s a one-of-a-kind gift your mother will cherish forever . . . go through old albums and pick out the pictures that are meaningful to her . . . and to you . . . scan them and print them out . . . you don’t want to use your vintage photos . . .
Then buy or make flowers . . . and maybe go to family.disney.com to get some images of princesses to have around the carriage . . . and maybe even use a photo of your mom — using her image in a princess dress . . .
You can definitely make this special for your mom . . .
Or this may inspire you to come up with an idea of your own . . . something that would be uniquely your mom.
Have fun and be creative!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 13, 2016
Something you make is much more meaningful than anything you could buy.
That may be an exaggeration, but it’s about being sentimental. Sure the cards you buy are special, but something you make is definitely from your heart.
Moms and Grandmoms are always fixing up good things to eat. Or they found a great deli and bakery.
I think a day out with Mom during the week of Mother’s Day would be a wonderful way to spend quality time with your mother. I know Mother’s Day is special for many and you have everything planned out . . . but for others it seems to be just something one has to do.
It can be a bit awkward. It can be very special.
I think making a mini-album for Mom would be another way of expressing the love you have for your mother. It can show pictures going way back.
I remember finding old pictures of my mom and making them into an album was truly the highlight of her Mother’s Day. It was a gift she couldn’t stop looking at . . . she kept it close by throughout the year.
Being a mother is special . . . and remembering . . . and being told . . . and shown through pictures of how special she is . . . is truly priceless.
Just something to think about.
Flowers and candy are nice, but they’re flowers and candy . . . give something from your heart.
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 7, 2016
What?
It’s about technique . . . paying attention to detail.
The image at the right is all about layering. It’s the folding and the 3-D effect that makes the image pop out. I do study a lot of “how to” videos in the realm of paper crafts. There is a steady flow of “adding dimension” with pop dots . . . or adding ribbon and bows . . . but no one takes the time to cut a piece out and make each element stand out . . . by using paper.
Or is it the boldness of the colors? There is shading, but there is definite dimension with the curl and curve of the paper.
I guess I do like art deco . . . and I like to make 3-D images . . . is it worth the work?
There is an expression that if anything is worth doing, it is worth doing right. So, with that in mind, maybe short cuts just don’t cut it . . .
We are in an age of immediate gratification. We’re in a hurry . . . we buy things that will make our jobs easier . . . it is all about progress . . . but have we been missing the details?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about priorities.
And trying to figure out what is truly important.
The image above may not wow you as it did me . . . or it may have . . . and we may reach the same conclusion . . . it’s a lot of work . . . no one would pay what it would cost to create . . . especially if they wanted a dozen or more invitations in this style. Yes, it could be automated on my part to a degree, but it would still take a long time to create. For each one, I would have to pay attention to detail.
It’s like a master chef creating the presentation on the plate . . .
Do we pay attention to the details? Is all this effort even noticed?
Are we in such a hurry that we miss the details? Do we have the time to look?
Everyday is an adventure of detail . . . the flowers in our gardens . . . how they bloom, blossom, then slowly die out . . . bringing new growth . . . When do we notice that the wood on our fence or gate is deteriorating? Usually when it is falling apart and we’re forced to notice it to have it replaced.
We do take so many things for granted . . . until they no longer work . . .
Attention to detail is something I think I’ll be noticing for awhile . . . I don’t want spring to pass me by without noticing it, admiring it and basking in it.
Just a thought.
Sharon
