ABC year in review book

Okay this took me forever to finish (Its already 2010 so 2008 was a while ago). I love this book and it was a lot of fun to make. I went with an ABC theme because it was a great way to use a variety of pictures, quick journaling, I didn't want to go in chronological order so this was a good way to organize, and it will be great for my girls to practice their letters.

Here's how I made it. I came up with one word/theme for each letter that I thought best described our life at the time. I picked out a few of my favorite pictures from 2008 to highlight the word (this was the tricky part trying to narrow it down to just a few pictures). I used my digital scrapbooking software to create each layout. Printed each page as a 5x7. Then glued each picture to a piece of 8x8 cardstock and added to the album. Super easy! It took so long because I kept forgetting to order the prints. If you want to make this even easier print them as 4x6 pictures and just slip them into a mini album (you can get some at the dollar store). I chose this size because I wanted them larger to show more detail. I couldn't find an album to just slide them in but I already had this 8x8 album and paper kit so it worked out well (no cutting for me!)

Here's a peek into our book:
The cover-
E for Easter and F for Farm

Here's a close up of some of my favorites (there are a lot because I just couldn't narrow it down):

I usually don't really like to make mini albums but I am so happy I made this one. Did I mention I LOVE it! I love to scrapbook all of my pictures and go in order so the small ones just don't work for my style. I have made a few as gifts but that is it. This one happened because I wanted an ABC book for my girls and what better way then to have pictures of themselves. Also my software allows you to burn the slide show to a CD or DVD and add music and other stuff. I really love it with the music and I think my girls will like to watch it as well as look at this book.

I am adding this to:

For my little Rock Star

This idea came from Aubrey asking me to make her a guitar everynight for several months. I finally came up with this pillow idea. I think it turned out cute but there are a few things I would change for next time (and yes there is going to be a next time). I also added loops to attach a ribbon so she can also play with it but it comes off when she is sleeping (don't want it to be a choking hazzard). Aubrey said "I love it. Its my favorite." ...she says that about everything:) I really need to make some pillows for her new bed and I think this will be a cute addition to the pile I'm envisioning.

Brown and Pink Quilt

My first quilt is finished and Aubrey loves it. My mom, sisters, and grandma actually tied and binded it for me. (I just ran out of time and haven't been feeling well.) I really love how it turned out.
I mentioned that it wasn't quite long enough so the fabric at the ends solved that problem and with her bed you really don't see that part. I can't wait to get some pillows finished.

Restaurant style chicken nachos

I have made this several times and I love it and so does Scott and Aubrey. This is one of my favorite things to make because it is so easy, quick, and delicious. (I got the recipe here on allrecipes.com) Really when you want a quick meal you should try this one.

Only things I do differently is use a regular onion, leave out the tomatoes, and serve with sour cream all due to personal preference and what we have in the house.

INGREDIENTS

2 cloves garlic, crushed
Onion
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 shredded, cooked, whole chicken breast
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup salsa
1/2 (12 ounce) package tortilla chips
shredded Cheese



DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pan, medium heat, cook and stir the garlic and onions in canola oil until it cooked. Mix in shredded chicken, salt and pepper. Toss until well coated with oil. Stir in the salsa.
Arrange tortilla chips on a large baking sheet. Spoon the chicken mixture over tortilla chips. Add your cheese. Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Serve with sour cream (or extra salsa)

Santa's Cookie

I saw this fun idea here. Its really easy and a great alternative if you don't have access to vinyl.
You need:
a clear plate ($1.50 at Walmart)
fabric
mod podge
letters (mine are cut from computer paper)

-Cut out your letters and also your fabric so it is slightly bigger then your plate.

-Flip your plate over (bottom side up) and add mod podge to the area your letters are going.

-Add your letters (make sure they are backwards so they are the correct way when you flip your plate back over).

-Add mod podge to the top of your letters and smooth out. Let it dry.

-Cover your entire plate with mod podge and carefully place your fabric on top. Smooth out all of the wrinkles and pull it tight. Add mod podge to the top of the fabric and again smooth out all of the bubbles. Let it dry (it took a little over an hour).
-Cut away the extra fabric and add to a little stand.

This was a lot of fun and I need to go and get a bunch more plates.

I am adding this to:

The Living Christ

I first saw these 4 years ago and instantly fell in love. They were on my "want to make" list forever. Last year I finally decided to try it. I made two different sized (the regular size and the huge size).
Here's what you need:
-"Living Christ" I bought my at the distribution center -the regular one (8 1/2 x 11) is FREE and the larger (11x17 one is $.15.)
-packet of 3x4 cards (I needed two and bought 2 different ones this one and this one)I bought them at Deseret book. They are around 4 or 5 dollars.
-Frame (I just went up one size from my original-It is very helpful if your frame comes with a mat)

First choose your pictures and arrange them along the edge of your "Living Christ". Measure and cut the pictures to fit your frame. For the smaller size you will need to cut a lot off. I used a ruler and a pencil on the front of the pictures-It made it a lot easier to line up and cut where I wanted. This is my before and after of the smaller size (maybe seeing it will give you a better idea of how I cut mine).

(notice the corner pictures)

The large size was a lot easier because there was a lot less cutting. I actually lined my pictures up with the mat it came with and over lapped the length instead of cutting it off. I sued the corner pictures as a guide (these are not cut like the smaller one) to line up and space the rest. The only tricky part is filling up the top and bottom line-It fits 2 long pictures perfect but I only had 3 so one side has 1 long picture and 2 tall pictures-Cut/overlap to fit. They look a little different but it doesn't bother me.

Its an easy project and looks beautiful. I still get comments on it and people are so surprised I actually made it (and even more surprised when they find out how). Really the key is to make sure everything is lined up. If you don't want to use The Living Christ you can always use the same concept for family pictures or something else. I have a variation of this project I am hoping to get to for a Christmas present. Also if you have any questions please e-mail me.

Here are the words to "The Living Christ-The Testimony of the Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints."

Christmas Silhouette

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was a very simple project that took about 5 minutes. I used this image (used google images and typed in wisemen silhouettes). I copied and pasted it into a word document. I added the quote (Love this quote) and sized it to fit a 5x7 frame. I printed it off, cut it out and framed. The part that took the longest was choosing an image.

Variations:
1)If you don't want to use a lot of ink you can trace your image directly from your screen and cut it out of black paper (that same way I made my Halloween one). It would also give it more dimension.
2)Print it on Christmas pattern paper or any color to give it a fun look (wish I would have done that)
3)use black paper for the back and cut your silhouette and words out of white paper. This would give it a pretty reversed look.

I am adding this to Blue Eyed Blessings Craft Challenge and Somewhat Simple's Strut your stuff. Head to their blogs for more great ideas.