Some Are Small: mini album for my little man.

Yesterday was a special day, because Jacob was Student of the Week at preschool.  He'd been waiting for this day: a while back he'd expressed his worry that he would not get to be Student of the Week.  So we chose a couple of his favorite things to take to school to show the class (his Curious George storybook and his favorite board game, Candyland) and we were also supposed to send a few photos for him to share.  I decided he shouldn't just take photos to school, but rather a photo book. 

I had a stack of his paintings that I hadn't used on scrapbook layouts or calendar pages yet, but of course I couldn't just toss his masterpieces in the recycling bin.  So I used his paintings as the pages for his book.  For the album covers I used a 1950s reader called Some Are Small.  Perfect for a book about a 4-year-old. 

Here's a look inside:

This book is very simple.  I may go back and add some more journaling, but mostly it's just photos and his paintings.  I organized it by season with some leftover file tabs from folders.  I folded his paintings in half, secured them with double-stick tape, trimmed them to fit, and bound it.  Quick and easy.  Jacob really likes it.  He enjoyed sharing it with his class.  Nothing fancy, but something we will continue to enjoy. 

New for 2013.

Despite the lack of blogging going on around here, I have been getting some work done playing with all the ideas that chase each other through my head.  Here's a few things I've been working on lately:

8 x 10 collage on board: $35; available on my etsy shop.

handmade ribbon-tie journal, $24; available on my etsy shop

 

 Despite a leaky hot water heater that soaked the floor of my studio (luckily not much damage was sustained) a couple of days ago, I have more stuff in progress that I am excited about and having a lot of fun with.  More books, more collages, and more ideas.  One of the best feelings for me is to have ideas dancing around in my brain, just ready to be brought to life.  For me, January is a perfect time for creative experimentation.  I do some of my best work in the dark, cold month of January.  And believe me, this January is particularly dark and cold!  What better way to spend it than creating?

I am gearing up for another fun-filled year of craft shows, of course.  I've been wanting to try some new shows a little farther from home for quite a while, and this year I am determined to pursue that, even if it means taking the family with me.  I am happy to say that on March 9, I'll be in St. Louis for Green With Indie; it's an independent show with a focus on re-purposed, upcycled/recycled handmade goods.  Sounded like a perfect show for me so I got the hubby to agree that a little family trip to St. Louis would be oh-so-fun.  This will be Jacob's first really long car trip so it should be interesting.  Notice I didn't predict the car ride being fun, just interesting; trying to be realistic!

Best wishes for your creative endeavors in 2013.