Gratitude Journal - Hummingbirds

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing something different!  It's a gratitude journal that I made in December as a gift for my Mom.  She loves hummingbirds (as do I), and we often talk about the hummingbirds that come to our feeders every spring. 

This journal is meant to be written in, so I added lots of blank pages (which I haven't shared here).  I also made a coordinating gift envelope, shown towards the bottom of this post.  There are a lot of photos in this blog post.  Feel free to click on the photos to enlarge and scoll through.  By the way, Mom loves the journal and says she writes in it every day!

The first photo below shows the cover.  The patterned paper used on the cover and throughout the journal is from K and Company.  The hummingbird image is from a set of greeting cards I found at Dollarama.  I fussy-cut the image a second time to pop it up on foam tape. The Journal word is from TLC Creations and I believe it was a freebie in Paulette's Facebook Group, Printables for your Junk Journaling with TLC.  I also used a Gratitude word die from my stash.  The crinkle ribbon used to tie the journal is from DL.ART.

On the inside front cover I created a pocket to hold Gratitude Prompts, a 2019 calendar, and a hummingbird bookmark (closer look below).  I stamped some gratitude sentiments (Clearly Besotted, Whimsy Stamps) at the bottom of each page.  I used the same stamps on some of the blank pages throughout the journal.

On the right-hand page, I used a pop-up greeting card.  The photo below shows the card open with the pop-up.  This card came from my late mother-in-law's belongings.

Below are the gratitude prompts, bookmark, and calendar.  The gratitude prompts came from MayMay Made It but I changed a few to make it my own.  I found the calendar and hummingbird bookmark image through a Google search.  The crinkle ribbon is from DL.ART.

On the page below, and throughout the journal, I used a printable journal kit called Hummingbird Song from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop. 

On the right-hand page below, I used another pop-up greeting card.  This card came from my late mother-in-law's belongings, but I added gratitude sentiments.  The sentiment in the die-cut oval is from TLC Creations and was a freebie at one point.

The following photo below shows the card open with the pop-up.  The added sentiment in the die-cut rectangle is from TLC Creations and was a freebie at one time.

Below is another page from the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop, and I've added a fussy-cut hummingbird image (upcycled from a health brochure). 

On the right-hand page below, I used a free hummingbird image from Lunagirl Moonbeams, layered onto a doily.  The digital sentiment under the hummingbird is from Imagine That Digistamp Pumpkin Kitties.

Below is another page from the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop.  On the right-hand blank page, I've stamped a sentiment from Clearly Besotted Butterfly Wishes that I stamped throughout the journal.

The hummingbird image below is from Fred She Said - Hummingbird and Columbine Pre-coloured Set, and I've layered it onto a doily.  The digital sentiment on the left-hand page is from Doodle Pantry, which sadly is no longer in business.

Below is another page from the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop, and I've added a stamped sentiment.  I used baker's twine to bind the journal.

The oval hummingbird images below are from TLC Creations and were a freebie at one time.  The scripture word art is from Fred She Said - Sunflowers and Thankfulness Pre-coloured Set.

Below is another page from the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop.

The hummingbird image below is from Pixel Scrapper; the sentiment is from TLC Creations, and the flash card words are from Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop.

I made good use of the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop; another page is below.

Below I used another pop-up greeting card from my late mother-in-law's belongings. I added a digital gratitude sentiment from Naz Beheshi, die cut with a stitched circle and inked around the edges.

The following photo shows the card open with the pop-up.

Below is another page from the Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop.  I added a stamped sentiment from Pink and Main Thankful.

Below is the inside back cover.  The hummingbird image on the left-hand page is from Gecko Galz - Pretty Birds Digital Collage Sheet, which I layered onto a doily.  The circle sentiment is from Digital Delights, and I coloured the leaves with markers.  The flash card words are from Hummingbird Song Journal Kit from TlcCreatesVintage etsy shop.  On the right-hand side, I made a pocket to hold a bookmark and some altered paper clips.  The hummingbird image on the pocket is from Gecko Galz - Free Birds Digital Craft Kit.

Following is a close-up image of the bookmark and altered paper clips stored in the pocket above.  The hummingbird image on the bookmark is from Imagine That Digistamp - Pretty Petunias. The bookmark die is Spellbinders Shapeabilities Filigree Bookmark Tag.  The hummingbird images on the altered paper clips are from QueenBeezDesigns on etsy.  I used a 1" circle punch to cut the images and placed epoxy circle stickers over them. Then I adhered them to paper clips with wet glue, adding a punched circle on the back to hide the glue.  To hold the paper clips, I used a My Creative Time tag die and stamped a sentiment.

Below is the back of the journal, which is stamped with my custom stamp from Joy Clair.  

I mentioned at the start of my blog post that I made a coordinating gift envelope for the journal. Below are two photos. On the front I used the same greeting card image that I used on front of the journal.  I added a die-cut flower and hummingbird, as well as a stamped sentiment.  On the back of the envelope, I added a freebie oval hummingbird image from TLC Creations and stamped my custom stamp from Joy Clair.

Below is a photo showing the gift envelope and journal together.

I would like to support the following challenges: 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Animals 3/5; Allsorts Feathered Friends 1/3; Ally's Angels AG 3/3; Cardz TV AG 2/3; Crafting by Designs AG 3/3; Crafting by Designs Blooming Flowers 1/3; Crafty Friends Use Spring Colours 1/3; Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE; Creative Moments AG No Twist 1/3; DL.ART March Linky UE 1/d; DL.ART Thankful Thursday Always Thankful 1/2 wk2; Gecko Galz Customer Challenge Bless this Nest UE; Gecko Galz Facebook Group For the Birds; Get Creative AG Optional Anything But a Card 1/3; ITD Creative Playground Always AG 3/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AG 1/3; Kitty Bee In the Garden 1/2; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 1/3; Mini Album Makers Challenge March 1/3; Penny's Paper-Crafty AG 1/3; Simon Says Stamp Monday Miniatures/Tiny Things (hummingbirds are a tiny bird) 1/5; STAMPlorations TAGplorations All About Spring/Optional Twist Birds UE; Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk2


Thank you for looking at my gratitude journal!  Wishing you a joyful day!

Winter is Magic

Hi, everybody!  I'm back again tonight with another winter holiday card, and this one is meant for a boy.

The patterned paper and cut-aparts are all from either Celebrate Winter or A Perfect Winter, both by Echo Park.  I used a staple to attach the two cut-aparts.  The die-cut snowflakes are from Poppystamps Frosty Snowflake Buttons (small snowflakes) and Memory Box Twighlight Snowflakes (large snowflake).  There is no stamping on this card.

I was inspired by Sketch 494 at Tuesday Morning Sketches:

I would also like to support the following challenges: ABC Christmas E for Embellishments (snowflake die-cuts) UE; Cardz TV AG 1/3; Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE; Creative Fingers AG 3/3; Cupcake Inspirations CIC465 Plaid 2/3; Jo's Scrap Shack FFC273 AG 2/3; Mod Squad Layered Looks 2/3; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Whatever the Weather (snow) 2/5; Through the Craft Room Door AG 2/2; UnsstampaBelles Makes for Men and Boys Twist Use a Staple or Peg (I used a staple) 2/4; Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Stag Wreath

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing another winter holiday card!  Yay - Now I'm back on track with my goal for the year!  This one is planned for a man.

I used a bunch of leftovers that were unused from other projects.  The plaid paper is from Carta Bella Christmas Delivery, and some of the ephemera were fussy-cut from the same paper pad.  Others were elements from kits, and I stapled together two clusters of them.  The Joy sentiment was made with my Dymo label maker.  There is no stamping on this card.

I would like to support the following 8 challenges:
Christmas Kickstart Moves on Hooves 2/3 C8

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE
Cupcake Inspirations CIC465 Plaid 1/3
Jo's Scrap Shack FFC273 AG 1/3
Mod Squad Layered Looks 1/3
2 Crafty Critter Crazies Animals 2/5
Through the Craft Room Door AG 1/2
UnsstampaBelles Makes for Men and Boys Twist Use a Staple or a Peg (I used 2 staples) 1/4



Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Dashing Through the Snow

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing a winter holiday card!  This is my second one this month, and I am hoping to make a third before the month is over.

I fell in love with this gorgeous dashing reindeer stamp that I won from Mrs. A in her December Butterfly Challenge - thank you!  I made a cool background with Distress Inks using the ink smooshing technique on a die-cut scalloped rectangle, and then heat-embossed the reindeer and sentiment in white. I layered it on coordinating cardstock and then onto a white card base. I finished off the card with 5 white snowflake sequins as embellishments.

Clear stamps:  Reindeer (won from Mrs. A, thank you!), sentiment (Winnie and Walter Winter Wishes)
Inks: Background (Distress Inks Blueprint Sketch, Shaded Lilac, Seedless Preserves), stamping (Versamark)

Die:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Scalloped Stitched Rectangle

Other:  Ranger white embossing powder, white snowflake sequins

I would like to support the following 8 challenges: 
ABC Christmas E for Embellishments (snowflake sequins) UE
Christmas Kickstart Moves on Hooves 1/3 C8
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas AG UE
Dare 2B Artzy AG 3/3
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Whatever the Weather (snow) 1/5
Winnie and Walter 5th Birthday Bash Customize Die-cuts with Crystal (scalloped rectangle)
Winnie and Walter 5th Birthday Bash Five Challenge with Shay (5 snowflake sequins)
Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card!  Wishing you a joyful day!

Coffee and Roses Collage

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing a thank-you card.  I used a gorgeous image from STAMPlorations called Coffee and Roses Collage, which was a freebie at one point (thank you, Shery!).  There is a new freebie now and I hope to feature that one soon.

To colour this image, I tried something different.  I used Distress Oxides with my make-up brushes.  It was fun, and I will most likely use this technique again!

Digital image:  STAMPlorations Coffee and Roses Collage
Clear stamp: STAMPlorations The Birds and the Blooms
Inks:  Distress Oxides (Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Cracked Pistachio, Lucky Clover, Scattered Straw), Lawn Fawn Jet Black
Die:  Spellbinders Lacey Circles, MFT Die-namics Wonky Stitched Circle Stax,Gina Marie Designs Ribbon Bow, JoyCraft Butterfly Trio
Patterned paper:  Violet Bloom 6x6
Other:  Posca white paint marker, sequins, flower sequin

I would like to support the following challenges: A Gem of a Challenge AG 2/3; Ally's Angels AG 2/3; Butterfly Challenge Spin the Butterfly Wheel with B for Bifold (I went with B for Banana, Bow, and Butterflies) 3/3; Crafting by Designs AG 2/3; Crafts Galore and More AG 3/3; Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE; Creatalicious AG Optional CAS UE; Creative Fingers AG 2/3; Creative Moments AG 2/3; Cute Card Thursday AG UE; Dare 2B Artzy AG 2/3; DL.ART March Linky UE 1/d; DL.ART Thankful Thursday Always Thankful 1/2 wk1; ITD Creative Playground AG 2/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AG 2/3; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 2/3; Polkadoodles AG 2/2; Scribbles Designs 3 or More Layers 1/3; STAMPlorations CUTplorations Inspiration Graphic (I was inspired by the circle shape and coffee); STAMPlorations Theme and Sketch Stamps and Coffee/Tea; STAMPlorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge UE; Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 2/5 wk2

Thank you for looking at my card!  Wishing you a joyful day!

Purrfect Day Scene

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing a spring scene card!

I coloured an adorable cat image called Luce from the Les Chats digi set by Vera Lane Studios. I won this set of four cats from Carole during the Cat Lovers' Hop last fall (thank you!).  This type of image is so much fun to colour because you can make the cat any colour you want.  I also added lots of doodling!

Digital image:  Vera Lane Studios - Les Chats digi set (Luce)
Clear stamps:  Sentiment (Clearly Besotted Furry Friends)
Ink:  Versamark
Dies:  Magnolia Doohickey Lovely Fence, Lawn Fawn Grassy Border, Lawn Fawn Spring Showers (sun, clouds), Cheery Lynn Mini Dimensional Butterflies
Patterned paper:  Alice 6x6 paper pack
Other:  Ranger white embossing powder, Sharpie pen for doodling, Yellow Stickles on cat's flower centers, tiny gems on butterflies

I would like to support the following challenges: 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Animals 1/5; A Gem of a Challenge AG 1/3; Ally's Angels AG 1/3; Butterfly Challenge Spin the Butterfly Wheel with B for Bifold (I went with B for Banana and Butterflies) 2/3; Cardz TV 84 AG 3/3; Crafting by Designs AG 1/3; Crafts Galore and More AG 2/3; Crafty Creations AG 2/2; Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE; Creatalicious AG Optional CAS UE; Creative Fingers AG 1/3; Cut it Up Hello, Spring 1E; DL.ART March Linky UE 1/d; Creative Craft Cottage Spring Fever 1/3; Creative Moments AG 1/3; Cute Card Thursday AG UE; Dare 2B Artzy AG 1/3; ITD Creative Playground AG 1/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AG 1/3; Kitty Bee Animals 1/2; Papercraft Business AG Optional Animals 1/3; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 1/3; Pixie's Snippet Playground 347 (all die-cuts are from snippets in my scrap box) 1E; Polkadoodles AG 1/2; SUYP Cats Only AG UE; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Create a Scene 1/5; Simon Says Stamp Monday Whatever the Weather (sun/clouds) 2/5; Tales from the Craft Room Lovely Ladies (female cat, card for female) 1E; The Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG Twist Corners, Borders or Framing 1/2; Through the Craft Room Door AG 2/2; Time Out Unique UE; Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Spring Greens 1/3; Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk2

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Winter is Here

Hello, everyone!  Before I get started, I would like to welcome my newest follower - karin - thank you for joining me!

One of my goals is to make at least two holiday cards a month.  I fell short last month so I'm going to make three cards this month to get caught up.  Here's the first one.  I was inspired by Dotty Jo's Christmas Kickstart Challenge 5, where the theme is Bears.  I make holiday cards for charity, and some request a non-religious sentiment, which is what I've done here.

I used clipart from Echo Park's Celebrate Winter collection (image and word art).  For the background, I did some ink blending using the negative of a snowflake die-cut as a stencil, with Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide.  The white panel is embossed with Darice Snowflake Background.  I finished off the card with a few snowflake sequins.

I would also like to support the following 7 challenges:
Cardz TV 84 AG 2/3

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas AG Optional Shabby Chic UE

Winter Wonderland Fuzzy Wuzzy 1/3

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday AG 2/5

Simon Says Stamp Monday Whatever the Weather (snow) 1/5
Through the Craft Room Door AG 1/2

Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 3/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!