Tangible Proof of God's Love!

So here's a cool thing.
Many churches around the country are wrapping "tangible proof of God's love" around those who need it most. Tangible proof? You mean something I can hold? Absolutely!

Introducing the prayer shawl!

Knitters work on a shawl in the softest of yarns to create a cozy wrap for hospital patients, women in crisis, those making long treks across the globe, new mother's with babies in the NICU - this list goes on and so does the ministry!  Those creating the shawl pray for the recipient while each stitch is cast. Since a shawl requires focus and time, there is a lot of love put into each one.

Each shawl from St. John United Methodist church will now come with a small card signed by the creator, making the gift that much more personal.

Cards created by: Jennifer Stratton - http://www.myphotofairy.com/ or (907) 350-1755 and retail for $25 for 54.

What is your Legacy?

This summer has been a difficult one for me.

Over Memorial Day weekend, I lost my dear Gramma Summer and just last week, my darling Grandmother Grace passed away. I was very close to both of them and each has influenced me over the course of my 38 years.  I alternate between joyful rememberance and heartbreaking sadness over the profound loss I feel.

In my grief, I have begun writing their legacy down. After all, as a personal publisher, isn't that what it is all about? I want my girls to know the incredible women that I knew and unless I pass that down to them, those women will be lost. I could not bear that.

Using a template from the extensive Template Gallery at http://www.myphotofairy.com/, I have begun to memorialize each of these dynamic women and I want to share this with you. To the right, you will see photos of my loved ones and below, you will see the beginnings of their legacy books.

With Story Maps to guide you, documenting someone's life doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. Step by step, you can have a leather bound, coffee table style book that will be almost as revered as the person it is about. But I suggest you start now. Don't wait until they are gone. Start today.

To view the book at it's best, click FULL SCREEN.

If you are ready to begin a Legacy Book, visit http://www.theyoulibrary.com/ today. 

Puzzle Blocks are coolio!

Super fly project idea! Puzzle blocks have been around for centuries and this one was a delight to create.

You can make the final puzzle any size, but I'm loving the 6x6 size; nine 2 inch blocks. Here's how to do the project.

The cubes have six sides, so you'll need to use two 12x12 sheets. You can create them with scrapbook supplies or my preference, with in Heritage Makers Studio; four to a page. Add words, pictures and art until you have a complete square for your puzzle.

Then publish and when the sheets arrive just ten days later, separeate and adhere to your blocks with Modge Podge or puzzle glue. Way cool and what a fun gift this would make! Here are some of my other sides... soon to arrive!

Holy cowlita! Create house numbers?!

This completely simple and beautiful project knocked my socks off. I feature the work of Deb Jones from time to time and I truly can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Today's offering: Address Numbers!

How in the heck did she do this?

A 12x12 digital scrapbook page and some Modge Podge!
Choose the tile holder you want to use and buy the appropriate size tiles to fit. Here are some websites to find tile holders:
http://www.thelasershoponline.com/metaltileframe.html
http://www.directfrommexico.com/mi2119-2.html
http://www.simply-sublime.com/Tumbled_Tile_Plaques.htm
http://www.thefind.com/garden/info-address-tiles
You can find 3x3 tiles inexpensively at your local hardware store.
Then, login to your Heritage Makers Studio account and start a new project. Add your photo background to fit the tile size and publish. These are 3x3, so twelve numbers would fit on one page!
When your page arrives, cut the 6x squares apart and modge podge to the ceramic tile. I would suggest a sealant as well, since they will weather the elements. Considering that 1 digitally created page is merely $4, these are a STEAL! Way to go Deb! Keep those ideas comin'!

Put that on a coaster, will ya? Don't have a coaster? Let's MAKE SOME!

It’s the digital scrapper and home crafter’s perfect project. And with Heritage Makers, this project has never been easier. It’s time to get rid of those old, gross-looking coasters and replace them with personalized ones. You can include your living room’s color scheme and even your family photos.

Here’s what you need:
•Blank wood or chipboard (or another material if desired) coasters – You can get these from a craft store. For this project I used 3×4 inch coasters with rounded corners from Robert’s Craft online.

•Scrap page (for this project I used a 12×12 scrap page) which is in the template gallery!

•Mod Podge

•Spray sealant

•Wood/craft paint (any color)
Get started:

1.Design your coasters in Studio on a scrap page (whatever size works best to fit all your coasters on a page or two).

2.Paint the bottom and sides of your wooden coasters. You may also paint the top of the coasters if you are planning on not covering the entire surface with your digital-designed coasters.

3.Once you have your printed scrap page, cut the digital-designed coasters out.

4.Using Mod Podge, glue each digital-designed, cut-out coaster onto the top surface of your wooden coasters.

5.Let the Mod Podge dry.

6.Seal your coasters using a spray-on sealant. (Note: You’ll want to use the sealant in a ventilated area.)

7.And voila. You now have fun coasters you’ll be proud to display in your living room!

Sometimes an Idea Just Has to be Shared!

Ok, so I write my own blog, but... sometimes another idea is SO good, you have to share it. This idea and post came directly from The Heritage Makers Official Blog. It's so, so, good. Not mine... please note, someone brilliant named Sara posted this idea. I'm just reposting brilliance.

A canvas doesn’t have to be just a canvas. You can easily turn it into another creation—a bulletin board or a magnet board. Instructions for a bulletin board and magnet board are virtually the same. For our purposes (and because I like the idea of a magnet board better—no holes through the canvas), we are going to focus on a magnet board.

Items needed:

• A Canvas print created at http://www.myphotofairy.com/ If you like the one pictured, you'll find it the Template Gallery!
• A magnetic metal sheet 1 1/2 inches smaller than the canvas on all sides
• Heavy-duty staple gun
• Duct tape

Instructions:
Create a canvas, any size (I suggest the bigger sizes—not an 8×8 or the 8×20). Put any design and any photographs you want. Then publish and order it. Once your completed canvas arrives, you continue with the next steps.

Place the metal sheet behind the canvas. (You can get a metal sheet from a home improvement store—you may have to cut it down to size—or from a metal supply shop.

Staple the metal sheet into the canvas frame as you would a picture in a picture frame. You’ll want make sure the staples are close enough to the canvas to secure the metal sheet in place, but far enough away so you don’t puncture the canvas.

Optional: instead of stapling the metal sheet into the frame, you can use a strong tape (such as duct or gorilla) to attach the metal to the back of the canvas, as shown below.

Once you’re finished, place the new magnet board on your wall. You now have a decorative and useful addition to your home!

Create personalized party supplies easily!

Creating your own personalized party supplies is a snap with online, web-based digital publishing software!

You can make invitations, games, placemats, cup holders, party bags and more and everything matches with high quality printing. Beautiful! This pin the nose on the clown game is 18x24 and cost about $20. The invitations are below and were double sided for $1.29 each! Plus, with the click and ship service, the company stamped, sealed, addressed and mailed them for us! Simple AND affordable!

Setting the table!

Ok, so this was a fun project to put together! I wanted to make something for my youngest daughter to use at the table to assist with her new found reading skills. I simply used a 12x18 poster, landscape view and set to work. She loves it and has the words; cup, plate, fork and spoon down pat!

Even better, she can't wait to set the table and she knows where everything goes!

Graduation Announcements with Flair!

A darling and dear friend of mine is graduating from high school this year. She mentioned she might like to have me help her with her graduation announcements and truly honored, I set to work immeadiately. Armed with incredible photos (taken by Anchorage photographer Nicole Bickford) my job was half done. I was immediately smitten with one photo in particular and it brought to mind that famous Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken. An easy match, I paired the two and this is what I came up with!

Completely customizable, senior graduation cards can reflect your personal style and tell more about you than your graduation date. Cost for these 5x7 double sided cards with envelopes are $130 for 100, plus a nominal design fee.

Contact Jennifer to arrange for a your senior cards today!
http://www.myphotofairy.com/ or (907)350-1755

Before I Was Your Mother...

My kids love to hear stories of my as a child, especially the naughty ones! I remember asking my parents these same questions. Why do children delight in hearing about us before we were the mothers and fathers?

Because it gives them a sense of belonging; a history of themselves. It is becasue of this I am currently working on a storybook that is 8x8 in sized. Hardcover for durability and about $50 when all is published and delivered.

Think of this. Mother's Day is coming and your children will spend hours working on a  gift for you. Why not spend just a little time making them something too? They can read it while you are off getting a manicure and then talk about it when you meet up for lunch!

Here are some excerpts from my own book:

Simple to create, this project is a template in the Template Gallery at http://www.myphotofairy.com/. You can do this, and I will help.

Super Simple Project Idea!

A Family Tile is a super simple and easy project to make and start with. It makes a great display on a mantle, shelf or table piece. This piece will look far more elegant than a framed photo and takes minutes to create in a few simple steps.

• 
  
  Create your FREE acct here and login.
  (If you already have one, simply login)

• 
  
  Click Template Gallery at the top right.
  Once loaded, type Heritage into the search box.
• 
  
  Scroll down until you see a project titled Heritage Million Moments Jace.
  Click the project title and the screen will darken and a pop up box will come up.
• 
  
  Click Get This Template.
• 
  
  Click Start My Own
• 
  
  Cllick Edit. and the project will open. The operating system will ask your permission, so click Allow.

The final steps are to personalize your project.

• First, edit the word HERITAGE to be your family name. Click the text box once and a pink border will appear. Click three times and the border will "dissapear" and you can highlight the word heritage and replace with your surname. Make sure to use all caps.
• Edit the quote below the same way!
• Adding a photo is simple.
  At the bottom left, you will see My Photos. Click that and then click My Albums. Click Add More Photos and then upload from your computer any image you like. You will know when your picture is uploaded when it appears on the screen.
• Click the existing photo in the project to highlight.
• Then, click the photo you want to drop in and while holding the cursor, "drag" to the place you want to be. The same "Drop here to replace" window will appear and just make certain your arrow is INSIDE that small box!
• Click publish and complete your order!
• When your project arrives in 10-12 days, you can modge modge to a 12x12 tile and support with an easel.

Digital Stoybooking while on Vacation - Part 2

Ok, so, a couple of days ago, I was visiting with you about creating digital storybooks and I happen to be doing that very thing whilst on vacation in Kauai. So, I thought I would take a moment to share with you what I've made so far. Like show and tell, but, it's online and I'm not five and you are reading this who knows when. Ok, so not show and tell exactly, but enough with that. Yeesh, I do actually have a point here.

First, the cover of my new book for the vacation I am currently on and then the pages in progress!

The Pros of Digital Storybooking

So, you may have noticed my posts have slowed a little and that is becasue I am on VACATION! Hooray for vacations! I wake up daily to the crash of the Pacific ocean and the rich taste of locally grown coffee. It's all good. But before you start to hate me, let me finish my post.

I was a scrapbooking enthusiast for 8 years. Stickers, letters, diecuts, paper. The smell of adhesive made me giddy. I still love to have paint in my cuticles and glue on the tips of my fingers. But let's be honest. I have two active children and I'm pretty active myself. I don't always have the time to get everything out and cover every flat surface just to make a page.

A friend told me about digital scrapbooking and I balked! No THANKS mamn! I don't wanna! Blech.

But she convinced me to just try it... so against my will I did and I will never go back.

Here are the pros of Digital Storybooking:

• You can do it from your private bungalow in Kauai (or anywhere there is wireless internet!)
• There is no waste... no stray letter Z's that don't get used, no pictures that you can't bear to toss.
• There is nothing to store. No disks, no supplies, nothing.
• It is far less expensive.
• You can complete books in an hour, rather than a year!
• You can digi-book while watching a movie with your partner!

I'm telling you, just try it! You can create your free digital account here: Free Digital Storybook Account

If it asks you a question about viewing stuff, click no.

Have a great day! I'm off to sip Mai Tais and visit a vintage lighthouse and take in a luau!

53 Fridays and Yesterday was the 6th One!

There are 53 Fridays in 2010. Didja know?

Well now you do! What are you going to do about it?

Here's an idea... create a photo journal by taking one photo a week; on Friday. Simply drop your picture into the corrosponding frame with a sentence or two and at the end of the year, voila! You have a complete snapshot of your year!  Don't worry if you don't have all six Fridays and you want to start. It's called "re-enacting the scene" and it's totally legal. *manaical laughter*

The best part is... someone far more creative than I came up with a brilliant template ready to go! We can thank Sandra Dovre for this inspired project, which is now waiting for you at http://www.myphotofairy.com/ in the template gallery. Click here to find the template quickly!

Here is a snapshot into the first six weeks of my year.

Books for Business!

Raise your hand if you think books are just for babies, families and crazy, crafty people with unlimited amounts of time and energy... Ok, that was a lot of hands! Truth be told, full color Storybooks are a great way to market your business and showcase what you do best! How so?

Exhibit A:    Special Events Alaska had a 12x12 book created that turned out incredible!

They can use this tool at bridal fairs, wedding expos, meetings with clients and in their gorgeous showroom.

This hardcover, full color book with velvet linen papers comes with 21 pages standard, but can be customized with up to 99 pages easliy and inexpensively. Very professional, this book is guaranteed to impress!

Think of the possibilities for your business...

XXOOXXOO - Valentines Day Idea!

I love Valentine's Day. I really, really do.

My husband spouts off about how it's not really a holiday and that it's just a marketing ploy to sell flowers, but I think it's lovely. Now, do I think we should only share love one day a year, of course not! But it's sweet to think about getting and giving little rememberances to those in your life you hold dear.

Ok. Enough already.

On to the Photo Fairy Magic, yes? YES! 

The girls and I created their Valentines online this year. We found these little bluebirds and striped accents and decided it was perfect. The girls shared a deck of cards for each set of friends. The back is the same on all 54 cards (standard deck has 52 cards and 2 jokers y'know), and then 33 for the littlest Valentines and 26 for the biggest Valentines. The best part was went we went to local hobby store for the final touches and found the perfect little lovebird bags! How neat is that!

Anyway, here is a peek at what we created. Click here for the project link to see up close and personal: Valentines Day Cards The first card is the back, then each girl and so on. Please know that they are NOT blurry in person... it's just a mad illusion onscreen.

Enjoy and make something lovely this year for those you love. <3

When a Photo is More Than A Photo!

This isn't a riddle... this is a real query. A photo is more than a photo when it becomes BLING! Can this be so? Abso-bling-alutely! Now, photo jewelry itself is not new. I get that. Those of us who have mangled the images of our loved ones to squeeze them into a locket know the photojewelry of yesteryear.

Well, it's 2010 now and those days are long gone. Now you can design your image online with web-based software and then... they cut out those stupid little pictures and squeeze them where the need to go! How great is that? The photo bracelet retails for $35, comes in two stretchy sizes (7 inches and 7.5 inches) and has heirloom assurance. Meaning, if you ever break it, they'll replace for half price!

But it doesn't end there. Again, someone far more creative than I; the brilliant Deb Jones created this incredible variation with the photo bracelet and I for one am planning to create a set for myself! What great party favors these would make!  Simply create your bracelet at http://www.myphotofairy.com/, then publish and when the lovely thing arrives, take it apart and restring on wire rings and add bead! Splendid!
To purchase or get you own, send an email to: myphotofairy@live.com!

My New Favorite Thing!

I like girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. I'm crazy for snowflakes on my nose and eyelashes. Brown paper packages? LOVE 'EM

But my new favorite thing?

Customized posters! I know... totally out there, but just think of the possibilitites. Sports, weddings, kids, oh so much more! Here's one I made today.

Now before you say, "oh sure, for you, that's easy", I want to say, it was so easy and inexpensive. $25 for an 18x24 glossy, high res full vibrant color poster that you can put anything on!

How do you do it? Steps baby. Baby steps.

I. Go to http://www.myphotofairy.com/
2. Click SIGN UP to create your own FREE account.
3. Login
4. Click create project and follow the directions to go go go!
5. Email me with any questions along the way: myphotofairy@live.com