Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!! DAY 3

 

Welcome to the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could make for the holidays, all in one place on this Hop!

To sweeten to Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Nov 6
Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com/
Spellbinders http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog.aspx
Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Zutter – http://binditall.blogspot.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
Glue Arts - http://gluearts.blogspot.com/
Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 http://www.followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com/
Karen Taylor – Donna Salazar Designs - http://creativeyearnings.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE
Beverly Sizemore – Hampton Art http://bevscreativepath.blogspot.com/
Kazan Clark – Spellbinders http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/
Janeen Shember – Authentique Paper http://suburbngypsy.blogspot.com/
Charlotte Jenkins – Clearsnap http://suepup.blogspot.com/
Grace Hester – The Twinery http://gracehester.typepad.com/
Nicole Eccles – Graphic45 http://nicoleeccles.blogspot.com/
Audrey Pettit – Donna Salazar Designs - http://audreypettit.wordpress.com/
Nan Paturzo – Zutter http://scrappynan.blogspot.com/
Jeannie DeGruccio – Authentique Paper http://polkacabana.wordpress.com/
Tamara Tripodi - Glue Arts http://happylifecraftywife.com/
Julie Ranae Murray- The Twinery http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com/

For my frugal gift I created a Mini Journal to keep track of those little things that might be forgot and too wonderful to no keep in our memory. I believe keeping a journal does so much for us in out lives...not only does it let us preserve those precious moments but: Journaling and diary-keeping has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, through personal diaries we have been able to discover information about the creation of our country and government, as well as the people who lived during this time period. We have been able to learn about the lives of historical figures throughout the world. There is astonishing value in keeping a journal and if you read what you write, you may learn a lot about yourself as well. Through your journal you will experience the many benefits of writing on a regular basis. Here are several of the benefits that you will be able to experience.
ACHIEVING GOALS

A journal can help you to clarify your goals and will allow you to write about your achievements as well as your ideas. This allows you to see the steps that you have taken towards your goal and will allow you to see where you stand as well as how much further you have to go to complete your goals. Your goals may be simple tasks in life or they may be life goals that will take more time to achieve. Whatever goals you set for yourself, be sure that they are attainable and easily documented in your journal.
SIMPLIFYING LIFE

A journal or diary is very useful in helping to simplify your life. We tend to make life much more complicated than it needs to be. We have appointments, soccer practice with the kids and a million other things that we have to do on a daily basis. By carving out ten minutes of your day and taking the time to sit down with a pen and a piece of paper it is amazing at how you begin to see what is really important in life. You can also carve out a few minutes to type in a journal entry on a personal blog or even a simple and ongoing Word document. Take the time to describe your values, note your achievements and think of those things that you are grateful for in your life.
CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS

Journals have amazing power and much of this power can be seen through your personal relationships. Journaling allows you to take the time you need to express your feelings about your life and relationships. Journaling also allows you a private place to vent about any frustrations you have with your relationships. Journaling allows you to see why you might be bothered by certain aspects of a person and even how you might be able to change how you handle certain situations. They can also teach you to love more powerfully and with more conviction. There are various aspects to relationships, and your journal can allow you to see what changes you can make to your strengthen your relationships.
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF

Socrates was a firm believer in know thyself. A journal allows you to do just that. You can talk about your morals, values and other beliefs. This allows you to clarify what you think about on certain topics as well as express yourself more clearly. If anybody has ever asked you about a specific topic or controversy and what you think about it, you will be able to easily spout off a clear opinion in a matter of seconds. You will present yourself as a person who knows themself well.
BECOMING A BETTER COMMUNICATOR

Journaling can also aid in making you a better writer. Many people could easily be better writers if they spent a few minutes a day working on it. Even when you write about personal information you are able to strengthen your skills. You are also able to strengthen your grammar, vocabulary and get you through a moment of writer's block you are experiencing. It can also be a place to write down any new words or ideas you might have to write about. Clear communication allows you to provide a powerful image and offers the utmost in personal expression.

So when giving a journal you not only give a gift you give SO Much more!

I created my journal using Donna Salazar Die Templates: Creative Pages 2 and Fanciful Flight by Spellbinders Paper Arts.
 

I used Donna Salazar Designs Trunk In The Attic Paper Collection which was PERFECT for this project and the meaning Donna had when making it made even more right!

 

I enhanced the pages and the beauty of the Creative Page 2 Die set by adding Donna Salazar Designs: Smooch Spritz, Fairy Dust Glitter and Mixed Media all for Donna by Clearsnap.
 

 
I added extra texture and held it together with Zutter's Bind it All and 7 x 7 Corrugated Cardboard. And finished it off with lots of Want2crap bling! I know someone who will be happy on Christmas Morning and for years to come when they look back at a gift I made in 2011 and their adventures in 2012!
 

 

Products Used:
Donna Salazar Die Templates: Creative Pages 2 and Fanciful Flight by Spellbinders Paper Arts
Donna Salazar Designs Trunk In The Attic Paper Collection
Zutter's Bind it All and 7 x 7 Corrugated Cardboard
Want2Scrap: Bling and Nestaboard
Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US!

Happy Hopping!

UNTIL NEXT TIME BE CREATIVE!

 

Karen Taylor
Come and lets be friends!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/karentaylor1111