HANDMADE FROM THE HEART I DIY ORNAMENTS

holiday traditions for me always include something handmade.  there is just something special about taking the intention and handcrafting something unique in honour of the present year.

 

one of these traditions always includes a handmade ornament, or two.

 

i loved creating this years ornament because not only does it involve my favourite paper collection release of this year, Heidi Swapp Art Walk...it includes mini photos of my kiddos.  truly nothing better than that!

these ornaments are actually super easy to create and handcraft.  i used my electronic cutting machine and paper ornament cut files to create the base of my ornaments.  the assembly is also super easy. all of the pieces adhere to each other and are scored so when you the final die cut it wraps around and transforms into a beautiful 3D ornament.  think the 80's crepe paper wedding decor, same idea! ;)

i further embellished the ornaments using dies from this winter wonderland heidi swapp set available here.

and there you go, ready for the tree.  i love having these ornaments added to my collection.

not only do these make incredible keepsakes for yourself, but also a beautiful gift for others.  i hope you are inspired to handmake a set of ornaments for your tree this year.
 

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HANDMADE BY HEIDI I PLANNER FLORAL KIT

i LOVE to share and talk about things i LOVE.  

because why not share the good am i right?!

joann stores AND joann online have been graced and stocked with beautiful heidi swapp kits that are brimming with nothing but beautiful creative possibilities.  

each with their own personality and twist...you will be sure to fall in LOVE with each and every one.

say hello to my current favourite: the floral planner journal kit.

i have been OBSESSED with grid notebooks and i absolutely ADORE this one.
i am using it for my creative team 'working' planner to keep track of my monthly assignments, social media postings, brainstorming, inspiration, ideas...pretty much ALL the things creative wise.

and the fact that it is GRID.
YES!
cause do you know how hard it is sometimes to find a fabulous GRID notebook?!
trust me...i have looked!

so here is a basic walk through of my creative 'working' planner.
and i say 'working' because lets be honest.
i find that with planners...there is a pressure to make them 'pretty'.

and why i do LOVE a pretty notebook...and making them pretty....i also crave a place where i can just chicken scratch, and make lists, a place to release the pressure and need to feel perfect.  
i need a notebook where i can just let it all go and allow it to come to life on it's own...be functional, meaningful, workable AND pretty.
the kind of planner that simply takes on a life of its own.
well friends, THIS is that planner.
and i kinda love it.

i begin each month with a calendar spread.
being that it is my creative team planner i use it solely to list my deadlines with assignments and postings.
i love a birds eye view of the month where i can see what is due when.
it helps me plan and prepare appropriately.

and like i said...i still love to add a bit 'pretty' so i have used cards and stickers that have come with this planner.
as well as additional washi tape from THIS handmade by heidi kit.
i also love that i am using up some of my random stash when working in this planner too (alpha stickers, stickers and stamps etc.)

below you can see what i mean with chicken scratch.
i just let it all out here.

notes, ideas, potential projects, ideas that are rejected, new ones.
the whole gamut.

and guess what? its TOTALLY ok.
and i'm totally OK.
no need to be perfect here friends. just productive!

march's calendar.

i dedicate a section for both my blog and creative assignments each month.
 i also include a dated list which tracks when i post to social media (not pictured).

there is also a devoted space for brainstorming.
which is absolutely vital for me in the creative process.

i just love this planner journal.
it has kept me motivated, accountable and productive.
what else more could you ask for?
 ok...maybe more stickers ;)

be sure to check out this fabulous kit if you are looking for something to help you get organized, motivated and creative.
it really is awesome and has helped me so much.

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HANDMADE BY HEIDI I MINI STORYLINE ALBUM KIT

hello friends lets talk photos and mini books.

i know we all got the photos and we all love the mini books.

i mean...who doesn't love a fresh stack of PRINTED photos just waiting to be played with?

the memory keeping possibilities are truly infinite.

and speaking of infinite...you can see i have quite the stack of photos below. 

sigh...anyone relate?

this is a box of photos that i had printed awhile ago and sadly they have just been sitting. i mean life just happens and keeps happening and sometimes the projects we want to get to so bad just do not happen the way we would wish.

luckily there are SOLUTIONS out there.  so many times i think we can get so "problem focused" rather than "solution focused" that we do not realize there are ways to make things happen despite the limitations in life that we may face.

for instance...this amazing storybook kit from heidi swapp.

this brand new kit is available ONLY at joann stores online and is the perfect solution for photos needing a home.  i say perfect because it has the album, it has the cute, and it all comes in this one box!  all you really need extra is a pen, some photo adhesive and a little creative time.

i was able to put this album together in about an hour the other night. i simply added in my photos, used the super adorable deck of days (which are included in the kit as well) to embellish my pages and then added my simple journaling following the album prompts.

(the only extra thing that i did add in were elements of the most adorable washi tape...but lucky for you that washi tape is also available right now at joann stores online as another fabulous handmade by heidi kit! you can find that little beauty right here.) 

and here is a look at the end result!

i had fun varying up some of my photo sizes and creating different photo spreads but for the most part i kept things super basic and straightforward with this album.

this album is truly perfect for any photo, event or special occasion.  i love how it captured last summers memories beautifully and SUPER easily.  i know you will absolutely adore creating your own album too.

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